A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter. I can't believe I have posted two in a week! Let's hope I carry on this way.

Hermione looked at the clock on her office wall once again and was disappointed that only five minutes had passed.

The day had been going slowly despite the fact that that she had made quite a bit of progress on her new project. The one she had been researching previously was currently being verified by another researcher. Although all employees were considered to be the best in their respective fields, all of their research is validated before they start doing practical experimentation.

Hermione decided that when she finished the section she was working on then she would go home. It would be about half past four which would give her plenty of time to get ready for her date with Rabastan.

Hermione's insides fluttered at the thought.

Despite not spending that much time with him, Hermione knew that she was already falling for him. They had constantly been exchanging letters and she had found herself laughing and smiling at what he wrote. The thoughtful gifts he had given her didn't hurt either.

It was a stark contrast to how she and Rodolphus were getting on though. Apart from talking on their date and after she had been attacked there were no letters or gifts from him at all; it was as though she didn't exist. At least she knew that if he ignored her, then she would still be happy with his brother.

At half past four on the dot Hermione put her quill down and started to pack her things up. She would leave her research here as she was not spending her working hours at home anymore.

There was a note on her kitchen table from Bill when she arrived home saying that he would pick her up at five to eight to make sure that they were there on time.

Hermione headed for her bedroom and placed everything she would need on her dresser, or her bed before going for a long soak in the bath. She had decided to go all out for the date and make sure that she was groomed to perfection. Although Hermione wasn't a vain person, she did want to look beautiful.

After she had got out of the bath her main priority was her hair. She wanted to have it in the same style that she had done for the Yule Ball, and as it took the longest she thought that it was best to get it over with first.

It took nearly an hour before Hermione had gotten it the way she wanted and by that time she less than an hour to do everything else.

At ten to eight she emerged from her bedroom and waited for Bill to come and collect her. She was wearing her blue Grecian style dress with a matching shawl.

Bill apparated in on time and greeted her with a wolf whistle.

"You look gorgeous, Hermione. You're going to knock his socks right off," he said as Hermione blushed.

He extended his arm to her and Apparated them outside the restaurant once she had held on to him.

Rabastan was already there waiting for them and his jaw dropped as he took the sight of her in.

"You look beautiful, Hermione. A gift for you my love," Rabastan said handing her a single white rose.

"Thank you, Rabastan. You look handsome too," Hermione commented.

He did look very handsome in his black tailored robes.

They were seated at a table near the rear of the restaurant in a private alcove away from private eyes.

"Here are our menus. Today's specials are printed on a separate sheet inside the main menu. Can I get you anything to drink?" their server asked.

"A bottle of champagne please," Rabastan replied.

"How many glasses would you like sir?" the server asked.

Bill shook his head to say that he didn't want one.

"Just two please."

"I would like a still water please," Bill asked.

"Is there anything else I can get you?" they asked.

"No thank you," Hermione said.

"So, what have you been doing since Saturday?" Rabastan asked.

"I went to visit my parents yesterday for dinner and tell them everything," Hermione replied.

"How did they take it?" he asked.

Bill leaned in slightly as he too wanted to know.

"They were upset in the beginning," Hermione sighed. "They have been wary of magic and the wizarding world since I modified their memories and shipped them off to Australia for the last year of the war. They don't like how people can have their choices taken away from them,"

"What do they think now?" Rabastan asked hoping that they were okay with it.

"They still don't like it very much, but once I explained everything to them, and they realised that I was going through with it they calmed a little," Hermione admitted.

"Do they know who we are?"

"Yes, but I told them what you told me. I thought that if they knew that it wasn't your choice then they would be more likely to accept you," Hermione told him.

Rabastan nodded.

Hermione reached over the table and took his hand in hers.

"They will love you Rabastan. It might take some time, but they will eventually," Hermione said trying to reassure him.

"Thank you, Hermione," he said.

After ordering their food and the lull in conversation was over, they started to talk about the various engagement balls coming up which started with Ginny and Draco's on Wednesday.

"What are you wearing, love?" Rabastan asked.

"I'm wearing the red dress that I got in Diagon Alley last week." Hermione replied.

"Is silver accents alright instead of gold? I'm not sure I could persuade Rodolphus to wear anything other than silver," he chuckled imagining trying to persuade his brother otherwise.

"Silver is fine," Hermione said smiling.

Bill stayed mostly silent during the night allowing the conversation to flow freely between Hermione and Rabastan. He could tell that the reaction of Hermione's parents bothered Rabastan more than he let on, and was willing to bet that Hermione's small gesture of comfort meant a lot to him.

At the end of the night Hermione excused herself to the ladies and Bill took the opportunity to talk to Rabastan alone.

"Hermione's right about her parents. All they want is the best for her and as soon as they see how happy she is with you their doubts will go away," Bill told him.

"Are you sure? After everything I've done I can scarcely believe that I will get to spend the rest of my life with such a wonderful woman, let alone get her parents to accept me." Rabastan confessed.

"I'm sure, Rabastan. I have known Hermione for nearly ten years now, and she has never been this happy before."

"I just hope I don't mess it up," Rabastan commented.

"There will be times when you will. I did with Fleur in the beginning, but once you start living together it will become easier. You get to know each other's little quirks and instead of driving you insane they become endearing," Bill responded honestly.

"Thank you for telling me," Rabastan said sincerely.

"That's no problem."

The bill was called for and paid before Hermione returned to the table, and once they were outside they stood for a moment to say goodbye.

"I will see you in a few days time, Hermione. I will owl you the details about what time we intend to arrive at Malfoy Manor," Rabastan said gently as he raised her hand to kiss the back of it.

"Ginny asked me to get ready with her and I agreed so anytime would be fine," Hermione replied with a wide smile.

"I will let a house elf let you know when we arrive then," he said.

"Goodnight, Rabastan."

"Goodbye, Hermione," Rabastan said as he pulled away slightly and Apparated home.

"Let's get you home, Hermione," Bill said as he again offered his arm to her.

They disappeared into the night leaving Diagon Alley in silence.