Last time:

"See you at the main square."

I gave him a nod and watched him leaving. As he had his hand on door handle, I blurted: "Malfoy?"

He looked at me impatiently.

"Thank you."

He definitely wanted to make some joke but changed his mind. He nodded and left.

I have been in Paris for two months. I got used to this incredible city. It is ironic, but I felt here more at home than in London. I made my routine. I woke up, cleaned my apartment, went for a walk, met Malfoy in Café and talked about next steps in work and then made them reality. It was a nice routine and I got used to it. Every week, I had a special evening and I called my parents and Harry. We talked about what's new and what happened since I haven't been in England. Small talk about basic stuff but I liked it. Me and Malfoy...we had a complicated relationship. We worked together and argued about our plans, but never like that first time. We teased each other and then made a compromise. I found myself like working with him. He had crazy ideas but they always worked out the way we wanted. I can't say we were best friends but we were civil and didn't hate each other so much.

That one night was different. It was the day I called Harry.

"Hey Harry."

"Oh, uhm, hey."

"What's new?"

"Nothing special." Why was he talking so innocently and loudly? And then I heard Ginny's voice in back round. "Who are you talking to, darling?"

"Nobody, it's just Ron."

What? Do I sound like Ron to you? Then I realized what he was doing. Ginny wouldn't be happy to hear he's in touch with me and not angry at me.

"Tell him I say hi. Is he better or still the same?"

"The same, I'm afraid," Harry said not participated.

"That's understandable after what that bitch did to him."

I froze. Any signs of smile wiped off my face. Ginny hates me. She hates me very much. When she said she'll never forgive me, she obviously meant it. Two months and it didn't get better.

"And she runs away, so she doesn't have to face him. Pathetic, if you ask me."

"I'm so sorry Hermione. She doesn't mean it; she just has a bad day," Harry whispered, obviously ashamed.

"It's okay, Harry. Look, I have to go."

"Call me tomorrow, please."

I bit my lip. "I have to go. Bye."

I didn't wait for answer, I just hung up. I sat on my couch, too much in pain to cry. One of my best friends is hurt because of me and the other one is mad at me and probably will never forgive me. And the other one can't talk to me unless the second one is somewhere away. I desperately tried not to think. I just wanted to be alone.

Ding dong.

Damn it. I completely forgot I was supposed to meet Malfoy. He had to cancel this morning so we decided to meet tonight. I stood up and opened the door.

"Hey, Granger."

"Malfoy," I said quietly.

If he noticed something was wrong with me, he didn't show. He didn't wait for invitation, he simply came in.

"Do you have some tea? I ran out of it today and I'm desperate for a little cup."

Normally, I would reply with something sarcastically like I noticed he has two hands and, in my opinion, is perfectly capable of doing it by himself. But tonight, I wasn't myself and I asked: "Black?"

He raised his eyebrows, clearly asking: "What? No argument?" But he just nodded and sat on my couch. He took out his documents and settled them on table. I went to kitchen, set the water to boil. I opened my cupboard and leaned for tea. I hit my favourite cup with my elbow. It fell down and crashed. I stared at the pieces.

"Everything you touch breaks."

I felt my eyes getting wet.

"Granger? Is everything alright there?"

I couldn't answer Malfoy's question. This little incident got me. I heard steps coming to kitchen.

"Granger?" Malfoy's hand touched my shoulder.

I jumped and started to clean the mess.

"Granger, what happened?"

"What? Nothing, I broke a cup. Go and sit, I'll be there in a minute."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be?" I said hysterically and collected pieces.

Malfoy kneeled next to me. "You're bleeding," he said quietly.

I looked at my hand. Indeed, I must have cut myself with one of the pieces.

"I'm okay. Go, I have to clean this."

"You go, I'll finish this."

"No, you're the guest here."

"Granger, for God's sake, let me help you."

"No!" I yelled.

He slowly put down one broken piece and looked at me.

"This is my mess and I have to clean it. I have to make it okay again."

First tear streamed my face. I quickly turned away to wipe it off.

Malfoy quietly whistled. "I guess this is not about that cup."

I shook my head. He helped me on my feet and guided me to the living room. He made me sit and then sat next to me. I looked at him, not hiding my tears anymore.

"What happened?"

I laughed but it sounded more like a bark. "Why do you ask? It's not like you care."

"Well, it obviously upsets you and we have to get this work done. If we don't solve your problems, we'll get stuck with work and I really don't want to risk Mr. Collins's anger. So I ask again. What happened?"

I tried to calm my voice, but without success. And then, it was like some block inside me broke. I found myself telling Malfoy everything from the very beginning, leaving nothing out, except from my dream. I told him about today's call, simply everything. He held my hand to comfort me and didn't interrupt. When I finished, he quietly sat there and I was afraid he stopped listening. But then he looked at me.

"You're too hard at yourself. You weren't ready. Come on, it's Weasel we are talking about here. Of course you weren't ready to start a life with him. Who would be?"

I laughed a bit and he smirked.

"And if you're upset about his sister...she'll get over it. She's living with Potter, right? No wonder she was having a bad day. Just try to concentrate on the positive parts. You're here, in Paris, having a great job. You did everything you could. Give them space and they'll understand."

I squeezed his hand. Malfoy was indeed a good listener.

"I don't know if it's because of those jokes or your actually good advices, but I feel a bit better now."

"You say it like you didn´t think it´s possible for me to listen and solve other people´s problems."

"Well, you never seemed to be open to people. For six years, you haven´t done anything except from making fun of me. Of course I´m a bit surprised."

"Yeah, I really wanted to apologize for making fun of you and calling you Mud...you know how. I often didn´t mean it."

I paralyzed. Draco flying ferret Malfoy was apologising to me? Can this evening get any weirder?

"I accept your apology. I suggest we make a thick line behind us. You aren´t just a bleeding Malfoy, just like I´m not only a bookworm Granger. You have more sides. And I like some of them. I think we can actually become friends."

"I would like that very much. I actually like working with you. You are damn stubborn and it´s hard to work with you, but I like challenges. But more about that solving other people´s problems...Don´t think you´re the only person on the earth having troubles."

I looked at him. "You have some problems?"

He nodded and I gasped.

"You have a problem?"

"Shut up!"

"Sorry," I giggled. "What happened?"

He sighed. "I can´t believe I´m telling you this. I recently broke up with my girlfriend."

I covered my mouth with my hand. "I´m sorry to hear that. What happened?"

"She decided to spend time with other people," he said evasively.

"She cheated on you?"

"How did you know?"

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Yeah, she did. I don´t miss her that much. I would have ended it sooner or later. It´s just that I wanted to break up with her and it hurts my pride that she cheated on me."

"If she cheated on you, she doesn´t deserve you. You deserve somebody who will respect and love you."

"Aw, that´s so romantic, Granger," he chuckled.

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up, you know what I mean."

" I guess I do. Anyway, my father was very fond of her and he wasn´t very happy about the break up. So I decided to leave England for a while. Blaise heard about this job at Ministry and set it up for me. And so I´m here."

I couldn´t believe it. It was almost like he was talking about me and not him. "I know how you feel. I had to leave as well. Start over, clear my head."

"Exactly. Besides, I don´t know a better city than Paris. It´s got a very...unique atmosphere."

"How good are you in Occlumens?"

"Amazing," he grinned. "Why?"

"Because it´s like you´re reading my mind this whole evening. I think exactly the same thing."

"I didn´t use Occlumens. Maybe our brains are connected," he bit his lip to prevent laughing.

"Yuck, no. I´d rather go with the Occlumens," I laughed, but I didn´t mean it as an insult. It was friend teasing I was used to.

"I try not to use it very often. It´s a good way to see if people lie or to know something personal, but being hit with their emotions and memories is very exhausting."

I nodded. I knew Occlumens was a very hard rank of magic. Harry always described it as an attack on your own mind, leaving all your thoughts for enemies. I didn´t like it at all.

We have been silent for a while. I was thinking about Ron and he was definitely thinking about his ex-girlfriend.

"I don´t know about you, but even though this conversation cheered me up, I feel utterly exhausted," I yawned.

"Look, we have some time to finish this work. Why don't we meet in Café the same time as always tomorrow? I don't think any of us is capable of working tonight."

"Yes, maybe you're right."

He stood up. "See you tomorrow," he said and smiled.

It was a real smile, not a grin or smirk but true smile. I liked it.

"Malfoy...I mean...Draco?"

He slowly looked at me, shocked. I never said his name like this. When I think about it, I never said his first name at all. I walked towards him. I didn't know what got into me, but I leaned forward and kissed him on his cheek.

"Thanks for being here for me."

"Anytime," he breathed and slowly left my apartment.

I sat on the floor. I didn't know what it meant that I kissed him. I didn't even know why I did it and if something is going to change now. But I knew one thing for sure. I liked it.

I like this chapter, you know. How they find out that even though they are completely different, they are able to enjoy each others company and actually have something in common. So...they´re friends now. But is it always going to stay this way? Give me a nice review and I might PM you something about the next chapter :D Deal? :D Expect the next chapter in few days.
Betty xxx