DISCLAIMER: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and co. I only own the plot.

AN: Forgive me for the typos and errors :) Thanks to oxopeppermintoxo who reviewed!:) much appreciated!

Chapter 2

"Hey Harry. I was just finishing my papers. Let me get to you in a while."

Hermione was buried in her notes about hypothermophilic bacteria. She was undoubtedly interested in them since she heard of such during a summer vacation from a friend. By then she was digging up files and searching for samples. She was sitting in her favorite lab stool in front of a clean counter. No matter how many years had passed, she was still the organized know-it-all Hogwarts has ever seen.

"No problem 'Mione. Is that your current research?"

Harry Potter.

The tall masculine person leaning on the counter in front of Hermione has outgrown his lanky appearance. He has filled out since they were out of Hogwarts. The now Head of the Auror department still had his glasses but nonetheless still makes him look good and the subject of many articles and photos. Unlike Hermione, he was now in one residence with none other than Ms. Parkinson. Well, Mrs. Potter now.

"Yes it is. Actually I've just figured out the temperature of my samples." Hermione folded the notes and tucked them in a folder on her desk. She then proceeded to take off her labcoat and fix herself in time for dinner.

"I was wondering why you ever did take that research. Those thermo-whatsoever seems not you."

"Hyperthermophilic Harry. They are bacteria living in extreme temperatures. And seems not me? Ok explain to me what 'seems' to be me."

"Transfiguration? A professor?"

"Harry, can you imagine my standards inside a classroom? Everybody would probably fail my class if I became a professor. The only good thing about it is that I'd be able to beat Professor Snape's record of being the worst professor of all times."

"Hmm. Good point there. Anyway, are you ready?"

"Yeah, just have to make sure that these samples won't die on me like the last time."

"Hey by the way, are you coming to the dinner party next week?" Harry placed on his robe and came to help Hermione with hers. Soon they were out walking to the Potter residence.

"I don't know Harry. I'm quite tied with the experiments. What's the dinner for?" Hermione was trying to tame her locks as the wind blew.

"Well, you know Pansy. She's hellbent on keeping up with her friends about her extravagant parties. Not that I mind the expenses but sometimes the parties are really for nothing and she spends a lot on it. Not to mention the time too." Harry sighed at his dilemma.

"I think the Pansy we know from school is still there somewhere. And to think you'd end up with her!" Hermione started giggling at Harry who was smiling at the thought.

"Never knew that by saving her from the giant squid at the lake would lead to this."

Hermione smiled at the memory. "Yeah, and her being so snob about the fact that you saved her life. C'mon hurry up Harry! I'm hungry plus I miss Pansy's amazing cake!"

"Uh, before we go inside Hermione, I actually want to ask you something."

Harry's eyes were now downcast on the street ahead of them. Hermione stopped and with worry in her eyes,

"Why, what's wrong? Is it Pansy?"

"Actually, I wanted to ask you about the papers."

Harry tried to say it in a nice way but he couldn't be any more blunt. Or direct for that matter.

"I haven't published any research lately Harry."

Hermione knew where this was going. She's just trying to avoid it as much as possible.

"You know that lying isn't one of your qualities. You can't just ignore the fact that the press has something juicy to print."

"Wow. Ok, first of all, juicy? When has that word ever been in your vocabulary Harry? Are you alright? And yes, I know you know that I'm lying. I'm trying hard to ignore it."

"So you're going to tell me what's up?" he asked

This was what she didn't like about the press. It always messes her personal life. Never did she get any peace when it came to them. Rita Skeeter was a woman to be dealt with but recently paparazzi everywhere have been her pain in the arse lately.

"I don't know Harry, really."

Harry gave him a pointed look and stopped at the bench outside his house. Hermione gave an exasperated sigh and sat down beside him. Looking up at the stars.

"I really wish I knew what he was up to. I just think that he's planning something bad and that he needs to get my approval so he could get what he wants."

At this, Harry laughed. "Wow, I expected an explanation but not that!"

"I'm serious Harry! When have you ever seen Malfoy in a not so 'Malfoy' way?"

Harry gave her a confused look.

"Ok, let me rephrase that. When was Malfoy never a git?"

"Well, if you put it that way, he stopped acting like a git since he has taken over their business."

"Harry, I'm trying to make a point here. Never mind, let's just get inside. I could smell that strawberry shortcake from here."

"Pansy really has you with that cake? Can't believe it."

Narcissa Malfoy.

The famous mother of the current CEO of the family business, Narcissa has made herself a force to reckon with. Exuding class and sophistication, she has still kept those silly social parties yet at the same time proving to them that messing with Malfoy's would make you regret. Her appearance was still the same "trophy wife" as they would've described yet a good observer could see how soft her eyes had gone everytime she sees her son Draco.

"Good evening Master. Madam is waiting for you in the parlor." A house-elf bowed so low that his ears were almost touching the floor, holding the door open for Malfoy as he entered the manor.

Draco's mind was fleeting on Hermione. 'Wonder what she's doing.. Gods get a hold of yourself!'

"This is blatant stupidity." Malfoy told himself.

"What is?" Narcissa Malfoy was sitting down on her favorite couch with a teacup in hand. Slowly looking up to see his sons face and enough to hear him on his last comment.

"Nothing Mother."

"Maybe you have to explain to me what's been going on in that mind of yours."

"Let's save that conversation a little later. I heard fireworks outside, would you like to accompany me Mother?"

"Fireworks? You want to watch fireworks now?"

"Well, I'll be outside watching and I'll be back after."

Draco went outside and sighed, watching the fireworks. The moment he saw Hermione after their years in Hogwarts has made him see that she has become a self-made woman. Always kept together, there for her friends and still had a smile that brightened up the room. He couldn't help but notice how those subtle changes to her feature kept him tranced. His body had a mind of its own yet his brain kept telling him she was trouble.

He never thought his life would turn out to be this way. He wanted more out of it. He wanted things that he knew he probably would never get. He wanted Hermione Granger in his life, and that maybe, she could make his life happy.

The kids running around the living room, the aroma of the well cooked food, surrounded by the people you know. That wasn't something Hermione had imagined herself in at that moment. She has been stumped on her research and nothing else was coming up. It was like a dead end. Although this dead end seemed to have a consolation. She wasn't broke, she still had her family and friends who supported her no matter what.

"Auntie Mya! Auntie Mya! Look outside!"

Hermione smiled at hearing Ben's voice. Three years old Ben Potter was the very exact copy of Pansy. The only thing that came from Harry was the eyes and his lanky structure. He was currently pulling Hermione to go outside the yard. Once there, she heard the unmistakable sounds of fireworks.

"Hermione! Just in time! There are fireworks!"

"I can see that Ron." Hermione looked around who were outside, and saw Harry, Pansy, Ben, Ginny, Blaise, and Ron.

"Hey don't be grouchy Hermione, it's a rare opportunity to see fireworks display these days!" Pansy said in defense of Ron.

"Sorry, there's just been a lot on my mind. C'mon Ben, lets just enjoy the fireworks."

Hermione stared up at the sky watching the display, wondering, was Draco also doing the same thing? Thinking about their current lives and how she wanted something more out of it?

Sitting in her laboratory, Hermione was contemplating on whether to continue in her line of work. She had never encountered such organisms before and this was quite a hard one to crack. She doesn't know much about the properties of her samples except knowing about information of their kinds from research. A knock has gotten her out of trance and a black haired guy was at the door with a package at hand.

"Excuse me Miss Granger, but this package came in for you and said that it was urgent."

"Thanks Josh, you could leave it there."

"Ok, working hard?"

"Yeah, a bit." Hermione sighed and rearranged the notes.

"Well, you've got to relax too Miss."

"Thanks."

Josh left and the package was lying there on the counter.

Hermione opened the package, a note falling out.

You work too hard. Dinner is on me. I'll be there in 6.

Draco Malfoy

Hermione looked at her watch and saw that it was only 5 minutes to 6. Unbelievable. Draco Malfoy was asking her out?

She opened the box to see a fresh white rose. At this, she sighed.

"I seem to be doing a lot of sighs these days, Merlin I'm screwed."

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