So I know that I haven't updated in a LONG time and I'm really really sorry. Lots of writers block, lots of stuff that's been going on. And I just couldn't find the time to write anything. But hopefully that's all about to change. So here we are, the long awaited chapter 10.

Chapter Ten

"Sorry I'm late Gin," Hermione said as she closed the door to Ginny's apartment behind her. "Just got out of a meeting."

"So late?" Ginny asked, "They sure do get their money's worth out of you at the Magical Creatures Department, don't they?"

"Well, they do, but this was a client meeting. Had to do it on my own time."

"Well that's rubbish."

"No, it's fine. Haven't had many after hours cases and besides, it gets me out of the apartment and away from Ron. That's something I can be happy for since he's being an insufferable prat lately." Hermione explained.

"He's still mad after finding out about Draco, isn't he?"

Hermione looked a bit awkward for bringing it up. "Yeah, but you have to see why, Gin. I mean, Malfoy was awful to us in school."

"I know, 'Mione." Ginny said. "But that's kind of why I wanted to have dinner, just the two of us. I thought, maybe, we could talk."

"Sure Gin. You know I'm open to hearing you out."

"Thanks." The red-head smiled at her, thankful that Hermione was so level-headed. "Well, I just finished cooking dinner and there are some cold butterbeers in the fridge."

Hermione grabbed the butterbeers and popped open the tops. She handed one to Ginny and they sat down at the small kitchen table. "I know that Draco was pretty bad to you guys in school," Ginny began, taking a swig of butterbeer. "But I really wasn't around him all that much. Not until my fifth year."

"So that's when this whole thing started, is it?" Hermione asked. "Wait, you started dating Harry that year."

"It's not like that, Mione." Ginny said quickly. "Draco and I were only friends then. He needed someone, a friend. We only talked back then, I swear."

"Only talked? Nothing else?"

"Yes," Ginny said, "Er, well... Draco did kiss me once or twice."

"While you were dating Harry?"

"Er, yes."

"And you never thought to mention it?"

"How on earth was I going to mention it? You guys didn't know about me talking to Draco, much less kissing him!"

Hermione was silent a moment. "I suppose you're right. Besides, Harry probably would have killed him if he found out. Which brings me to a point. You know that Ron's mad because he wants you to be with Harry."

"I know, Hermione. But what I felt for Harry once, all those years ago, it's gone. I know that sounds awful but it's true. I tried to make it work because I know how much everyone expects it. Mum and Dad, Ron, our friends. But it's just not there. It hasn't been there in a while."

"Well, Gin, I won't try to convince you to be with Harry. If you don't love him anymore, then it isn't fair to either of you. But I don't know what you expect I can do as far as convincing the others to accept it."

Ginny sighed. "I don't know either. I just thought, maybe, you could talk to Ron. Make him understand. You've always been the smart one Hermione. If anyone can convince him, it's you."

"I'll try Gin. I really will. But like I said, I don't know how much good it'll do." Hermione said, taking a last swig from her bottle of butterbeer. "I've got another meeting tomorrow morning though, so I've got to get home."

"Alright. Thanks for coming over Hermione. Maybe we can do this again. It's nice to be able to talk to someone about all of this."

"Sure Gin."

"Right on time." Draco said as his office door closed.

"That's very me, though, isn't it?" Hermione said, laughing as she set a stack of folders on Draco's desk.

"Yes, quite you, Granger. Have a seat." he said, gesturing to the chair across him. "Will you be at dinner tonight?"

"Ron's fighting tooth and nail against it but yes, we'll be there."

"Still doesn't like me then?" Draco said, a slight frown. "Any suggestions?"

"Well, he's quite fond of the Chudley Cannons but I don't see how that's going to help you any." Hermione said. "But we should probably get to work on this."

"Right. I didn't have time to tell you my idea last night since you rushed off so quickly."

"I apologize. I had dinner plans that I couldn't miss." Hermoine said, "They were with Ginny."

Draco looked up from the papers he had been examining. "How is she?"

"She's asked me to convince Ron to like you, or at least not try to kill you." she informed him. "But she looked pretty beaten up. Like she hasn't been sleeping much lately."

Draco looked back at his papers.

"Perhaps you should go see her?" Hermione added quickly.

"I can't. Not yet."

"Draco, whether you get permission from her parents or not, you aren't going to stop seeing her. So stop being stubborn and go to her."

"We should get back to work. There's a lot to cover."

Hermione sighed and gave up. "Very well. Tell me what I can do."

Draco sat up straighter in his chair. "Okay, here's my idea." he began. "As you know, I run a postal business. Offices all over the country. But we're looking to expand."

"I'm not seeing how any of this requires my assistance." Hermione said.

"I'm getting to that part. As of now, we employ magic and muggle. Normally, we have wizards apparate to set up apparation points in warehouses with the packages that need delivered. But there are a lot of restrictions and red tape involved in setting up international apparation points. As I understand it, however, house elves can apparate anywhere they choose without being restricted by wizard laws. Is this correct?"

Hermione stared back at him, amazed at the thought he seemed to put into this. "I-er, yes. That's right. House elves are not restricted by the wizard travel laws."

"Right, so I would like to hire some house elves to transport packages for delivery. What I need to know is, what I need to do to make it possible. And are there any restrictions on what they can receive as part of their payment?"

"Part of their payment?" Hermione asked, "Free house elves are now entitled to monetary payment, same as any witch or wizard."

"Calm down, Granger." Draco said, "I intend to pay them the same wages that all of my deliverers make. What I meant was: Are they also entitled to living quarters, bonuses, vacation? Things like that."

"Living quarters?"

"Yes. All employees are offered living quarters. I own a few apartment building around the country. Some of the apartments are kept on reserve and offered to employees. Reduced rent, reduced bills. To help them save money. Are house elves able to participate in that offer?"

"I see no reason why they cannot. I'll have to read through the files again, to be sure. But as I have written most of the laws concerning house elves, I'm fairly certain there are not law restricting it."

"Excellent." Draco said, grinning.

Hermione looked at him and she could almost understand why Ginny loved him. "Well if there is nothing else, I should get going. I'd like to read through those papers before dinner tonight. We'll see you there."

Draco stood and shook her hand. "Alright. And thank you."

Again, sorry it took so long. Leave me lots of reviews and I promise to be so inspired that I'll have another chapter within the week!