Disclaimer: All recognisable elements are attributable to J.K.R. Too bad really.

A/N: I know it's been a while but I finally cleared by temporary disinterest due to other distractions, namely my other story From Dig to Digs, job commitments (bleh!), study (mega bleh!) but am excited to get back into it! I apologise in advance because it is in two parts...again...:p

Chapter 16

Draco arrived in his living room; the fire was lit, marking the presence of another. Carla was lying on the sofa, sound asleep. He sat in the wing chair opposite the couch, his eyes focused intently on the blazing flames as he mulled over the evening's events. The heat soothed him as he undid the buttons of his shirt, untucking it from his jeans, with one person still on his mind. It certainly didn't help that she had acted so wantonly in the alley. She had given herself so completely in that kiss alone, it was mind numbing. Just as Draco suspected, Adrian had given her quite the dose.

Draco removed his shoes and set them to one side, lifting his feet to rest on the coffee table. As he looked over at Carla, all he could visualise was Granger. He was in over his head. To end it with Carla would mean that hey had something in the first place. How was he going to tell her that he didn't want sex anymore? She would immediately assume that he was getting it somewhere else. He ran his fingers through his hair contemplatively as he leaned back to rest his head.

The thought of Granger with Adrian made him feel sick. What's more, her downright reluctance to be seen with him or so much as be near him in public was even more infuriating. What was her problem? And, why did he care so much? He frowned at his predicament. Draco didn't know what to make of it all, and he sure as hell was aware of her preference to just forget the whole thing had ever happened all because she couldn't handle the fact that she had lost control once in her life. The only way he knew how to manage the situation was to make it blatantly obvious, but that was proving futile. He sighed out loud. Either way, her untiring obstinacy needed to be quashed for there to be any resolve. Glancing over at Carla sound asleep, he stood up and went to his bedroom, calling it a night.

The weekend progressed without incident. Carla had apparated home at some point in the night, and had not contacted him since. He knew she was wound up by his behaviour and was purposely keeping her distance. He guessed she'd left the ball in his court; the only thing was, he was happy to abandon it.

ooo

Draco returned to work on Monday to find one rather smug looking assistant lazily drinking a cup of coffee at his desk, his feet propped up on the austere, dark stained table.

"What's up with you?" Draco felt compelled to ask. He could care less what the young carefree Slytherin got up to. Mac broke from his reverie and looked up to see his boss. He quickly shuffled his feet off the desk, in an attempt to re-affirm his professionalism. Draco smirked.

"Nothing. How was your weekend?" he replied casually trying to portray workplace civility. Draco cocked an eyebrow in amusement.

"Fine, how was your weekend?" he pulled the attention right back on to Mac who was now obligated to answer.

"Also, fine," he briefed, his self-satisfied grin returning.

"You look like you got laid." Draco figured he may as well taunt the kid who feigned shock at the remark.

"I do not!" He defended hotly, looked displeased with himself at his lack of inscrutability that his boss managed to exhibit so well.

"I know that look," Draco chuckled. "Who is she then?"

Mac sighed, "I think I'm in love!" he admitted. "And, it's all thanks to you."

"Glad I could help," Draco replied goading him along as he walked to his office. Mac followed enthusiastically. Draco was slightly annoyed that he had bothered to ask.

"That interview you made me go to on Friday, the one I didn't want to do, well that was the best thing that ever happened to me," he stated with satisfaction.

Draco rolled his eyes as he walked around his desk and sat down. "Make yourself productive while you're in here and get me a coffee," he reminded. Mac only treated that as further permission to divulge details. He boastfully grinned, returning with a coffee and setting it promptly in front of Draco, taking a seat himself upon the completion of his duties.

"Well, you were right about them sticking to the superficial stuff. She thought I was a genius, and she was really impressed that I worked for you." Draco took a sip of his coffee, expecting to hear that.

"So what's her name?"

"Greta," he said wistfully. Draco frowned at the sick puppy dog face of his young assistant. He recognised the look. He had done the same thing when he had experienced his first taste of the media. Mac had a few lessons to learn this morning. Draco took another sip before turning his attentions to the faraway looking prince lost in the land of hopeless infatuation.

"Hate to break it to you mate, but she's only interested in one thing. Her job. Rule number one when dealing with reporters or journalists. NEVER get personal," he stated seriously. Mac returned to reality, blank as he processed the words conferred by his boss. Realisation dawned and his face drew a snarl of discontent.

"You don't know what you're talking about!" Draco just shrugged knowingly. Mac stood up. "Just because you can't find someone who likes you as much as you like them doesn't mean others can't," he scolded defensively.

"Watch your tone. I am trying to warn you. Lucky for you, I'm telling you straight out that it's all business with journos. I'm the one who had to find out the hard way," he replied sternly. He had never used this tone with Mac before, and felt slightly guilty, like he had reprimanded his younger brother when he didn't know any better.

Mac's posture slackened slightly but his jaw remained clenched as he tried to withhold his cutting remarks. "You're wrong," he let out before walking out of the office. Draco shook head and finished his coffee, feeling rather flat.

ooo

Days passed and Draco could not shake off the feeling of self respite. He had not seen Carla, he had failed to prepare for the next director's board meeting, sign off on contracts, contact subsidiaries, or even delegate tasks to Mac, who had slackened in his own right, preferring to take longer lunches and leave early without mention to his boss. Draco had not even bothered to set him straight on the matter. In fact, Draco spent his mornings at the café behind Flourish & Blotts, his afternoons brooding in his office and staring blankly out of his window, and the evenings drinking until he fell asleep in front of the fire. This pattern of behaviour continued until Friday.

He arrived at his office, late and hungover, walking straight past the empty assistant's desk into his office without observation, hoping to continue with his petulant, self-destructive routine.

"Hello, Draco." He almost lost his footing in surprise as he identified the voice. Carla sat, poised and elegant on the couch, looking up at him with amusement. He had not bothered to dress as usual, he had no tie, or jacket, and his shirt buttons weren't all done up.

"Carla!" His week long introversion had exposed his momentary agitation.

"Surprise!" she teased. "Although I can't see why you're so startled, we work in the same building," she observed, laughing lightly.

"Not at all, I just didn't see you when I walked in," he walked over to her, leaning down to peck her lips. She raised an eyebrow at him as he drew back and went to sit opposite her, his arms spanning over the back of the couch, and his feet propped up on the table.

"What?" he asked, slightly irritated by her penetrating stare.

"Oh, you know, I don't hear from you for a week and now you're kissing me hello during office hours?" Draco just shrugged, unperturbed by her observation.

"You can tell me if you're seeing someone else, I don't care, you know. I've given you space all week," she continued. Draco remained silent. He was so sexually frustrated he did not want to even be having this conversation. Could he even classify Granger as someone he was 'seeing'?

"Okay," she dragged to fill the silence. "I'm just going to come out and say this, Draco. You've been acting weird. I've seen you once in the last week, and the night we went out, you disappeared on me. What's going on?"

"Nothing's going on, I've had a lot on my mind and it's just been a busy week. My assistant hasn't been too useful either." Draco could not believe that he had been reduced to trying to explain himself. His was on the teetering on the precipice of blowing a fuse.

"Where's Mac?" she inquired accusingly, like Draco had driven him away. Well, he sort of had.

"I don't know. He's probably made some arrangement with himself to work on flexi time." Draco answered, indifferent to the whole situation. Carla tilted her head worriedly; Draco was never one for sarcasm when it came to business affairs.

"Flexi time?"

"Yeah, you know, as long as you work your contracted weekly hours, it doesn't matter when you do them. It's a muggle thing," he dismissed.

"I'm sure it is," she said rather flatly. "Do you want me to come back in the afternoon? You look like you need a few hours to wake up," she observed. Draco stood up and walked over to pour himself a firewhiskey. He had heard that muggles overcame hangovers by drinking more.

"Draco, it's ten thirty in the morning," she admonished.

"What's your point?" he retorted irately, not turning around when speaking and purposely making his drink a double. "You want one?" She glared back at him, unimpressed.

Carla stood up and straightened her suit, "maybe I'll come back when you've sorted yourself out."

"You might be waiting a while," he muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" she quizzed.

"I said, fine," his tone blunt, his stare testing. Carla nodded once, her look almost knowing, and walked out without saying a word. Draco slumped himself in the couch, and gulped down his double in one breath. He was feeling better already until another knock at the door made him sneer at the interruption.

"What?" he bellowed. The door opened slightly and a young woman stepped in looking very much intimidated. Draco recognised her as the receptionist. She was smiling nervously.

"Mr Malfoy, sorry to bother you but – "

"Just call me Draco." He hated being called Mr. Malfoy unless it helped his cause. She nodded, fidgeting. He found it rather amusing, and flattering. All the women he had crossed paths with lately were far from intimidated by him. He smiled at her and ran his fingers through his hair, it fell back across his face, more dishevelled. He really needed a haircut, he reflected.

"Uhm…Draco, I have quite a few messages for you that don't appear to have come to your offices," she offered hesitantly brandishing a stack of office memos, written notes and owls received.

Draco immediately realised that Mac had not even bothered to collect his mail or owls, and he had not even noticed. He scowled at Mac's disrespect all because his ego had been bruised. He stood up and walked over to his desk, gesturing for the receptionist to follow. He sat down in his executive chair.

"Taka seat," he said. She obliged timidly. "I'm sorry, Miss?"

"Davies, Raven Davies, but most of my friends call me Ravi," she rambled. He noticed her jet black hair and smirked at the originality of her parents.

"So, Ravi, are these all from today, yesterday? Why did you wait until now to bring them to my attention?"

"Ah, I…uhm…I thought Mackenzie would follow up, I sent him two notes and came to your offices yesterday but no one was here. They have been coming in all week," she stammered, putting them down on the table in a neat stack.

"Yes, Mac hasn't been himself this week," he was really making an observation of his own behaviour. "Let's hope he hasn't caused too much damage." He was momentarily silent. "Well, since you know the order of their receipt, can you read them out? Mac usually does."

"Okay," she shrugged. He could see that she thought his request strange. It pleased him, which was a good thing since he had been lacking amusements all week.

She picked up the top and started to read, "Attention Draco Malfoy, we request your presence at the upcoming board meeting of MC Solutions to enter presence into minutes of meeting on motions passed on new contracts." She looked up at Draco waiting for his motion to move on. He had no idea when the subsidiary's next board meeting was. Where was Mac when you needed him? He took the parchment and created a 'consult with Mac pile'.

"Okay, next?"

"This one came on Tuesday from a Mr Blaise Zabini," she started, moving to unfold the parchments.

"That's okay, I can read this one," he realised and took it from her.

'Mate, have you gone incognito? See Granger at Blue Diamond? Drop me a line, you bastard. What? Drink my wine and then ignore me?!

B'

Draco laughed out loud for the first time in a week and promptly created a 'no action required' pile for good measure. He had forgotten Ravi was still in the room and smiled. He was feeling better already. "Any others from a Mr Blaise Zabini?" he asked with a hint of mirth in his voice. She nodded and retrieved about ten. He added them to the pile as well.

"What else?"

"This one is from the Ministry, Department of Muggle Relations. It states – "

Draco's attention was instantly caught and he cut her off, "I'll read that one myself, too." Ravi begrudgingly handed it over, feeling useless. He eagerly unfolded it, expecting something more than, 'Mr Malfoy, you are required under contract with the Ministry to meet bi-monthly with the Director of Muggle Relations. Please contact the department to schedule your next meeting.' It was signed off by her secretary. She had not even bothered to put her name to it. Draco's temperament changed instantly, he was outraged at her formality.

"That will be all Ravi, I won't waste your time any longer. You have shown initiative today, so I am appointing you as acting assistant until further notice." She smiled enthusiastically as he stood up. "I will be heading out so you can start now by taking Mac's post in the front office. Ask Carla to send one of her team to reception," he added for good measure and walked out.

ooo

A resounding zeal swept through the Ministry atrium as the midday crowds of office workers going to lunch and visitors rushing about only served to heighten Draco's incensed state. Everything was an obstacle in this place.

Finally, he reached the infamous lifts and rushed in, joining the crowd of people and inter office memos that hovered above him. "Draco Malfoy?" Great, he had to engage in small talk in his state. He turned to spot the owner of the voice behind him. He recognised Lavender Brown.

"Hi, Lavender," he half smiled, trying to be polite, but the memory of the night at Blue Diamond only served to rile him further.

"Did you have a good night on Saturday? Blue Diamond is quite the venue," she sparked up enthusiastically, indifferent to the eavesdropping occupants contained in the lift with them.

"Yeah, great place. You girls looked like you enjoyed yourselves," he replied, his temperament for feigned enthusiasm waning.

"It was a great night; we even got Hermione Granger to come out! She can be very fun when she wants to be," she laughed in recollection. Draco could only smirk, for so many reasons.

"Hermione Granger out at a night club? You must possess quite the power for persuasion," he replied civilly, trying to end the conversation. The lift came to a halt and the cage doors opened, he stepped out realising that this was the right floor. Lavender seemed to be following him.

"Do you work on this floor?" he asked, hoping to deter any questioning on her part.

"Yeah, in the licensing department, we share the floor with muggle relations. What brings you up here?" she asked; her tone curious.

"Business," he offered bluntly. Lavender regarded him quietly. They walked down the corridor in silence.

"Well, I'm down this way," she gestured to the left, "I take it you're heading to muggle relations?" she asked. She definitely was a clever conversationalist.

"I am," he replied curtly. "Nice to see you Lavender," he flashed her a smile which seemed to ease her inquiring expression.

"Yeah, you too, Draco, might run into you again at Blue Diamond," she winked and walked away. Her friendly gesture instigated an unlikely chuckle from him and he nodded and turned in the opposite direction. His appeasement was short lived as he reached the department. A girl scribbling away at a nearby desk caught his attention. He walked up to her and cleared his throat. She looked up. "Sorry to bother you, can you direct me to Miss Granger's office?" he asked, exercising his charming qualities. Sure enough, the girl blushed and returned his smile.

"Sure, if you just head past the meeting room to the right, her assistant, Daria, can help you. I haven't seen her today," she replied jovially, giggling slightly.

"Thanks, you're a great help. I've never been here before." She giggled again at his complimentary tone and watched him as he walked toward Granger's office. He spotted Daria, the assistant, instantly. Assertive yet friendly with a motherly quality; she looked like the type that would do anything for their superior. Draco approached her carefully, his expression inscrutable, his demeanour authoritative.

"Good afternoon, I'm here to see Miss Granger," he introduced. Daria looked up at him, her eyes lighting up with interest.

"She does not have any appointments scheduled," she replied evenly, indulging in her position of authority.

"Well that is because I didn't schedule an appointment," Draco stated, leaning over her desk.

"Well then Mr –"

"Malfoy," he smiled.

"Well, Mr Malfoy, I am afraid I can't help you."

"Please let Miss Granger know I'm here," he asserted, playing along.

"As I said, she has no meetings."

"I would like to schedule a meeting, then. I received an owl the other day requesting I do so."

"Oh, so you must be Draco Malfoy," she emphasised with mock surprise.

"I am." Both his hands were firmly on the desk and he was leaning forward trying to catch a glimpse of the day planner as the assistant pulled it out from under her pile of parchment.

"Ok, Mr Malfoy, when would you like to make an appointment for?"

"Right now, I see Miss Granger has an opening," he pointed.

"I don't think meeting during lunch is very suitable, Mr Malfoy," she replied humorously. Draco could tell she had taken an interest in his effort to physically turn up and arrange an appointment.

"It suits me perfectly, I am hungry after all, and I doubt Miss Granger has eaten yet."

"You're right, she is always forgetting to eat, I have to remind her these days to take a break," she divulged.

"Well then, I would be doing you a service as well, by helping you make sure she eats lunch and ensuring she meets her work obligations by meeting with me," he offered resolutely.

"Very well, Mr Malfoy, just wait a moment and I will see if she's is happy to take lunch now. I can't make any guarantees." Draco stood up straight.

"Perhaps, I can be more convincing? Since I'm already here, and all." The assistant sighed with mental indecision. She nodded, finally.

"Thankyou, Daria," he drawled, unfazed by her incredulous stare and walked past, knocking on Granger's door before opening it and letting himself in.

ooo

The office was reasonably sized but the overflow of books, parchment and other clutter causing possessions bestowed a cosy environment, almost cacoon like. Granger had her back turned, facing the overstocked bookshelf in concentration. He had not seen her in a week, and her presence immediately stirred a wanton reaction. Draco shut the door behind him and stood there, staring at her with heated interest.

"Daria, can you order me some lunch? I might have to stay in today," she said with her back turned. He observed her relaxed demeanour; she was in her element.

"Daria?" She finally turned, he grinned wolfishly as her eyes widened in horror. He found himself feeling discontented by her sudden tensed state.

"What are you doing here?" she said tersely.

"What a way to greet your appointments, Granger," he retorted. She narrowed her eyes in confused contemplation.

"Since when do we have an appointment?"

"Well your lovely assistant was kind enough to slot me in for the lunch hour. She is very attentive," he sighed petulantly. He always had to prove himself around Granger.

"I never take meetings during lunch," she snapped defiantly.

"She made an exception on this occasion,. She is rather worried you haven't been eating properly lately. Granger, have you been eating properly?" he said earnestly.

"What business is it of yours?" Draco could tell she was uncomfortable with his act of concern.

"It is my business when I want to take a lunch meeting since I expect the person I am meeting with will eat," he reasoned.

"I'm busy," she snapped, walking over to her desk and placing the book on top of the convoluted arrangement of files and parchment.

"Granger, it is rather unprofessional of you to get into the habit of cancelling your meetings after the person has turned up to your office."

"Very funny, Malfoy," she seemed to relax slightly.

"Funny enough to persuade you to not cancel your meeting?" She stood silent. "Granger, I don't want to have to beg on an empty stomach, it could become ugly," he cocked his head in a mock pleading fashion. He could see the corners of her mouth twitch and it stirred a feeling of success within him. Finally, she smiled.

"Ok, Malfoy, I will have this lunch meeting, but only because I don't want to see you get ugly," she replied lightly. He chuckled as she grabbed her suit jacket and handbag. He opened the door, and she raised an eyebrow at him questioningly as he gestured for her to exit first.

"Daria, I need to speak with you when I get back," she said hurriedly as they walked past her desk.

"Lovely to meet you Daria," Draco threw in to ease the tension.

"You too, Mr Malfoy," she smiled knowingly.

"Call me Draco." She was sold.

ooo

Granger walked up ahead as they made their way to the lifts. They waited in silence as Draco noticed her discomfort and thought it best not to stir any feelings that he was trying to antagonise her, which was proving extremely difficult on his part. He wanted to set the record straight and berate her about her informal owls but he remained silent. The lift cages opened and they stepped in. He stood next to her, that familiar scent of gardenia washing over him as he withheld a knowing smirk of their lift antics. She fidgeted, playing with the buckle on her handbag.

"Where do you normally go for lunch?" he finally asked.

"Uhm, my desk," she admitted.

"Wow, Granger, you really are a workaholic. Can't say I'm surprised though," he reflected. She sent him a warning glare. "Relax, there are worse things to be," he reassured, an undercurrent of suggestion in his tone.

"Right." Silence engulfed the lift once again as it descended to their destination upon which Draco exited into the familiar bustling atrium, only now with Granger standing reluctantly at his side. He turned to face her with exasperation as she appeared self-conscious in their very public surrounding.

"Cheer up, Granger, this is a business lunch, I'm not going to jump you," his said with such dry seriousness she blushed with fury.

"Remind me again why I agreed to this business lunch?" she retorted sourly.

"Because it was scheduled," he grinned, amused at the circular nature of their conversation. He heard her groan wearily, which only served to make him guffaw involuntarily. It had the potential of being quite a delightful afternoon. They walked through the atrium to the fireplaces and stood in line to wait their turn.

"Well, since you lack knowledge on the lunching hour, I believe I am in the privileged position of selecting where we should eat."

"Nothing fancy, Malfoy, I just want a quick bite while we discuss the first issue." He couldn't help but infer things from her mention of bites and sent her a suggestive look. She looked back at him confused for a moment until realisation dawned, and she scrunched her face in disgust but said nothing. They finally reached the front of the queue.

"Where to Malfoy?"

"The Pumpkin Patch," he said decisively.

"The Pumpkin Patch?" she repeated standing in front of him, shooting him a look of distrust.

"It helps if you stand in the fireplace with some floo powder while you say it, Granger" he replied snidely. She responded by violently shoving her hand in the pot as she stepped into the great void and flung it down with anger, repeating the destination, her dark eyes locking with his as the flames erupted around her. He felt a sense of déjà vu overcome him, before realising the very circumstance was a replica of their interaction at the Ministry ball. In that moment, it dawned on him that the events which had since transpired had bestowed a permanent change in him. Draco followed suit, the green flames engulfing him and his thoughts as he was transported to the Pumpkin Patch.


A/N: Don't hate me...will post the second part shortly. It was a long chappie. I am sure you will have plenty of distraction anyway - namely, one Harry Potter movie! :p