AN- okay, nervous about this chapter, but, enjoy it as much as possible!! oh, and Lazaria, i DID see that her middle name was Jean, but her middle name was Jane on the Lexicon, so i just decided that Jane was best. BUT now for back story on Hermione's middle name! So, her heritage is French, yes? Well, i have decided (lolz, because i hold that power) that technically her middle name is Jean, which, in French, is the equivalent of Jane! so, its both. I AM VICTORIOUS! thank you for caring, Lazaria! and the rest of you ppls! YAY!

Hermione walked into breakfast that Friday morning to see Lucius' eyes intently set upon his son, returned from France, who was busily ignoring his father. Raising an eyebrow to herself, she continued her walk into the room. Both men looked up at her, Lucius triumphantly, Draco wearily pleased. Or was it wearily pleading….?

She merely smiled and sat. Spreading butter on her toast, Hermione turned to Draco. "So, how was France?"

"Fine. Absolutely fine. Nothing more, nothing less." The last statement he directed at his father, in a defiant manner. Lucius glittered at his son, smirking with his eyes narrowed. It was really very peculiar looking…

"Oh, okay…then…" Hermione said, utterly confused. "Well, I was wondering if I could possibly borrow an owl…?"

"Of course." Lucius said, and Flopsy walked in the door.

"Yes, Miss Hermione?" she squeaked.

"Can you please deliver this?"

"Of course, Miss Hermione!"

"Thank you." Hermione handed over the small letter.

Molly Weasley had written back days ago –

Hermione,

I was really just trying to make sure you were alright, but we did have a question. I needed to know if you were planning on being at the next dinner. We need another event planner, and I was hoping you could do it.

Do let me know how you are doing, I am dreadfully sorry about what Ron's done. I hope that that does not deter your friendship with our family, love.

Molly

Hermione had gotten the letter and not had time to send a reply until now.

Molly,

I am absolutely fine, thank you, and I could never stop being friends with the Weasley Clan!

Onto business affairs, yes I will be there, but I am not definitely sure I will be able to work as a planner, can I give you an official response in a day or two?

Thanks!

Hermione

She could not lie to herself about her excitement. Word on the grapevine was that the promotion for either herself or Andrine Kemp would be revealed today. Or next Thursday. But, that's the way the grapevine is!

Looking up, she saw that Draco and Lucius were still glaring at one another, Lucius more jubilantly. Clearing her throat a little, Hermione tried to do something about the tension.

Draco, without looking at her, said "France, as I said, was fine. Lovely, actually."

"Like-" Lucius began, but Draco cut him off.

"In case you haven't guessed, Father dearest has just been informed."

"Oh!" Hermione said with a laugh.

"Wait, she knew before I did?" Lucius said, looking slightly put out.

Glancing sideways at Draco, Hermione quickly said "Womanly intuition."

Lucius nodded, Draco shot her a half-relieved, half-amused look. "In any case," he continued, "Don't make any plans for next Friday, because she will miss seeing you at dinner, and I would really appreciate it if you were there."

"Will you just say who she is?!"

"No."

"Draco!" his father said. "We deserve to know!"

"You deserve to know next Friday. I am going to work. A tout a l'heur."

PAGE BREAK

The following week passed by quickly, more elatedly for Hermione, she was informed of her promotion the same Friday she was informed of the mystery French connection's visit. She was to move into her new office that Wednesday, and on Thursday and Friday she was to be given the tour of her new position.

As she packed up her things and tied up loose ends, Hermione felt very important. The head of International Affairs was a prestigious job and was basically like being an ambassador to every country imaginable.

On Wednesday, she shifted her small box of things that would transfer to her new office (her current office had been very small, really a desk, two filing cabinets, and some over head storage. The place had been full of paper, which took forever to wade through in the two days she had been allotted) from her desk to her hip, and made her way to the new office. Halfway there, she was intercepted by Sandy Clark, a wizard who was a few years younger than she, and would be working directly under her.

Sandy was a very bright person, and had apricot colored hair. (Not like the fruit, like the color.) he spoke to her energetically, and began filling in her days.

"Now, Miss Granger,"

"Hermione."

"Very well then, Hermione, today, we will be taking you on a crash course of the department, have you ever been to an embassy before?"

"Yes."

"Well, that is pretty much what this wing is. There are sub departments, et cetera et cetera, you already know that, but today I am going to be showing you around the sub departments, basically introducing you and explaining how you effect each. Tomorrow we will go over it in more detail, and Friday will be the first real day. I will be on hand for any potential disasters, okay?"

Hermione sighed and grinned at Sandy. "Yes, I think, but are you sure this job was meant for me and not for you?"

Sandy laughed. "No, no. I'm not cut out for this."

It was Hermione's turn to laugh. "That wasn't an oxymoron!"

PAGE BREAK

Friday, Hermione felt that she had her new position fairly in hand, and her excitement mounted by the second. While the job was amazing, she was also going insane attempting to wrench information from Draco. The poor boy had suffered his fair share of teasing and interrogation that week, but he had pulled through reasonably well.

And tonight they would meet the elusive figure.

Upon reaching her room, she collapsed into a chair. The day had gone well, but it was incredibly draining. Getting up again, she quickly changed, then went down to the front entry, where she met Lucius.

After they had said hello, the pair stared at the door in silence. Hermione was trying to reign in a grin and bouncing on the balls of her feet excitedly. Lucius turned, saw what she was doing, and couldn't help but grin himself.

"Control yourself."

"I can't!" she whined excitedly.

After a minute or so they heard voices outside the door. Both Lucius and Hermione made for the door, then stared at each other, internally laughing at their own excitement. Both heads whipped round as the door swung open.

Out in the dark stood a petite, sweet faced girl, with mischief in her bright blue eyes. She had short, white blonde hair and pale skin. Draco smiled triumphantly behind her as the shock registered on his father and Hermione's faces. "Hello!"

"Gabrielle?!" Hermione said, a grin splitting her face.

Lucius smiled and elegantly rolled his eyes upward. Draco ushered a giggling Gabrielle De La Court into the room.

"It's nice to meet you both!" Gabrielle said instantly sticking out her hand. She had a slight accent, but nothing as bad as her sister.

"Gabrielle, you remember Hermione Granger, and this is my father, Lucius Malfoy."

They all shook hands, and proceeded to go in to dinner.

Gabrielle, newly situated across the table from Hermione, proved to be very talkative, fielding questions left and right.

"So Gabrielle, what is it that you do?"

"I work as a translator in the equivalent of your Ministry."

"And how is that?"

"Its very fun, I like it quite a lot. I meet many interesting people and get to dabble in foreign affairs."

"Well, Hermione just got promoted to head of International affairs."

Gabrielle turned her gaze to Hermione, who smiled nervously. "When he says just he means JUST."

"Yes, I had heard." She beamed at the British witch. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you!"

"I am sure you will have fun, and Draco told me that you know French, so I believe that you will be set. Knowing two languages gives you more ground, but this of course you know."

"Any advice is appreciated." Hermione said. She had taken an instant liking to the girl, whom they had found to be three years her junior. Something about her promised laughter and mischief.

"Draco," Lucius cut in, "How did you meet?"

Draco tinged pink. "Father-"

"No! I want to do it!" Gabrielle piped. Smiling at Lucius, she began to recount the story as Draco closed his eyes and Hermione laughed at him.

"Draco and I crossed paths at the French Association du Magique and he remembered me and my sister, but I had no idea who he was. Later in that same day, we happened to be seated next to one another in a meeting. We had a lunch break, and we decided to go together. Nothing special, we just…met."

Lucius smiled, then smirked at Draco, who made a babyish noise. "Well," Hermione said glancing reproachfully at both men, "I think that is sweet. So you have been going out for how long?"

"Well…technically it isn't really going out. Whenever he has to come to France, we arrange something, but sometimes he comes on his own. So I suppose we've been seeing each other for about a month or so. And he has been to dinner with my family."

"Just your parents?" Hermione said, quickly cutting through a glare sent Draco's way by his father.

"Well, you know very well that Fleur is out of the house, but no, my family is actually very large."

"You have more siblings?"

"No, but I have lots and lots of cousins!" Gabrielle said cheerfully. "We're a fun bunch, really. Fleur is a little stuck up, but she is more normal when she is with us all together."

"I'm sure!" Hermione said. "So, are you just staying tonight?"

"Well, yes, actually. I hope to stay longer at some point, though." She glanced at Draco, who smiled. "I have only been to Britain once or twice, Fleur's wedding being in France. But, in any case I hope you will see more of me as time goes by." She shot a sideways glance at Draco, who was smirking at his plate.

"I do hope so," Lucius said, fingering his chin while looking at Draco, then smiling elegantly at Gabrielle. "I am sure you are having a positive effect on Draco."

Draco glanced up at his father, then rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. "Now, Lucius," Hermione said, "Draco had put up with us all week, cant we afford to tease after Gabrielle has gone?"

"No, we cannot!" Lucius said.

Gabrielle snickered. "Oh, no, please do not stop on my account!"

Draco looked as if he were about to throw himself out the window. "Can Hermione ask the questions now?" he asked the ceiling, "I really liked her questions."

"Of course." Hermione grinned at Gabrielle. "I rather like it when you're here, it stirs things up."

"Indeed so! What is it like to live here I wonder?" Gabrielle laughed.

"Usually it is very calm. Until, at least the brandy comes out."

"So living here is…a spectator event?" Gabrielle said, grinning.

Hermione laughed. "Precisely."

"Mm. Maybe I should come here more often…view Draco in his natural habitat…" Hermione laughed as Draco narrowed his eyes at Gabrielle. His effect was ruined because of the grin, of course.

"Moving on, Gabrielle," Draco said. "How fond of brandy are you?"

"Brandy?" Gabrielle blinked. "Well, I don't quite know, I don't drink it regularly. I have had it a few times…I suppose I like it."

"You fit right in." Lucius said. "We generally have a glass-"

"Or four." Hermione put in, staring at her fork before placing in her mouth.

Lucius raised his eyebrow at her and didn't look away as he spoke to Gabrielle. "After dinner, and it would be lovely if you joined us, unless you need to leave right away."

Gabrielle smiled. "That would be lovely."

"But if you have had enough of him then do not feel obligated to stay." Draco said.

"Draco," Lucius said, looking properly (properly meaning comically) admonished, "I have merely been asking your girlfriend questions about herself, I am your father, can you ask any less of me?"

"You are doing it on purpose!"

"Doing what, per say?"

"Being infuriating!"

Lucius opened his mouth, looking very amused, but Hermione prevented any further arguing while cutting her meat. "Lucius. Leave Draco alone, Gabrielle is here and he wants this to go smoothly, however late it is for that."

"Whose side are you on?"

Hermione nodded her head towards Gabrielle. "Gabrielle's."

"Thank you, Hermione." Gabrielle said graciously but grinning anyway. "I have only been a part of this arrangement for an hour and already I have an advocate."

"You need one!" Hermione said.

Draco fell back in his chair. "Now, Draco," Gabrielle said comfortingly, "I am having a wonderful time. And do you remember when Yves, Yvonne, Yvette, and Yvart were there the first night you came to visit? Not to mention Carle, Christine, Chrétien, Christophe, Juliet, Hugo, Romiette, Brigitte, Noël, Grégoire, Martin, Valérie, Hubert, Céline, Sylvie, Mark, Jean, Jean-Luc…"

"Yes, yes I remember," Draco assured, seeing her frown at her plate in concentration, "You're forgetting Sebastian and Papillion."

"Ah! Thank you."

"Cousins?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," Gabrielle said, laughing. "And that is not all. But I really only meant to say Yves Yvonne Yvette and Yvart. They are much more…exuberant, I think you would say, than most." She laughed again. "When Draco first met them, they had all fallen through the kitchen door, piled onto one another!"

Hermione laughed politely. "How many cousins do you have?"

"Countless! I think thirty two…but I am not sure. But, like in the case of those four, they are quadruplets."

"Yvart? That is not a common name." Lucius speculated.

Gabrielle smiled. "No, not really. I, as one, believe that my aunt Virginie-Martine made it up. Running out of 'yv' names, you see. But she and Uncle Thomas claim that it is a variant of Edouard, because aunt Olivine named her son Edouard and that would confuse things dreadfully."

"Are you the smallest family?"

"No, we are tied with Olivine; she has one son and one daughter, Edouard and Catherine."

"I see." Lucius said. "I believe you have counted twenty six cousins, who is left?"

Gabrielle screwed up her pretty, impish face. "Elodie, Julie-Marie, Jacques, Henri, Philippe, and Georgette. But a few cousins are married with children, like Jacques and Hélène, and their daughters Fleurette and Susanne. And many of them are in university, so we do not see them so often. And often times, people bring their girlfriends or boyfriends to any family party. Henri and Claudette are seldom seen apart."

Hermione stared at Gabrielle thoughtfully. "How often do you get together?"

"As often as possible! We generally meet at my grandmother's house, for dinners. She has the most wonderful house in the world, I think. It looks very…eccentric I suppose, slate shingled roof, white washed walls, and diamond shaped panes of glass, the whole house seems a bit…lopsided. And there is a walled-in backyard, and we hang little fairy light lanterns along the wall, it looks absolutely magical. The house on the inside…it looks…" Gabrielle paused, thinking. "Country, cozy, there are nooks and crannies…it is quite unusual for a French house, but…we are unusual anyway, and when grand-mère wants something," she gently slapped her hand on the table, "she gets it."

"That sounds an amazing house." Hermione murmured.

Gabrielle smiled, eyes looking a little starry. "It is! Maybe someday you can come and see for yourself."

"Just look out for the cousins. And the cellar entry." Draco said.

"They aren't that bad!" Gabrielle protested. Draco grinned slyly at her, and she scowled at him. Hermione glanced at Lucius, smiling knowingly. Lucius had a faint smile and a conspiratorial air about him.

"Come, let us adjourn to the library." Lucius said, standing. He allowed the girls to walk ahead of him, falling into step besides Draco. The two girls chattered and giggled their way to the library, both men walking silently, shooting each other approving, conspiratorial, and amused glances.

After arrival, Draco pulled up another brass-studded leather chair for Gabrielle. She sat in between Hermione on her right and Draco on her left. Lucius was in his usual winged chair behind the desk.

And so they conversed. It was mostly work, the conditions of both the Ministry and the Association. Draco, Hermione speculated, must have felt a small relief now that he could express the fact that the people he happened to reside with were not insane idiots. They were having a lovely educated conversation on the state of international affairs and the holes in the constitution of different-country apparation, when Gabrielle happened to glance up at the mantle clock. "Good gracious, is it really eleven?"

All at once, they stood. As they walked Gabrielle down to the front door, they all assured her that they loved her company.

"You will have to come to dinner as often as possible."

"Come save me!" Hermione said in an exaggerated whisper.

"Hey!"

"I agree!"

Hermione and Gabrielle laughed. "Seriously, I am very glad you will be keeping Draco in line."

"Less on your hands?" the younger girl giggled.

"You could say that!"

They arrived at the door, and final goodbyes were passed about. Before she left, Gabrielle said as an aside to Hermione, "It was quite funny how you controlled the situation earlier. Almost as if…" Gabrielle flushed lightly.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"Well, I don't mean to insinuate anything, that is not my intention, it just came out wrong. You managed to keep both of them in line as if you were wife and mother." Gabrielle smiled. "Sorry, it came out all wrong."

Hermione laughed outwardly, a reassuring gesture. On the inside she was shocked. She and Gabrielle hugged. Draco held out an arm, which Gabrielle took, and Hermione coyly said "Going to say your final goodbyes?"

The couple flushed, she laughing, he looking caught.

As the door shut behind them, Lucius and Hermione waved. Hermione noticed their close proximity, they were standing shoulders staggered; touching, practically. Draco came in the door not a few seconds later. Both Lucius and Hermione began to applaud politely, laughing slightly.

"Stop!" Draco said, grinning anyways. "Come on, please."

"We are very proud of you Draco." Lucius said, smirking almightily at his son. Hermione cackled from where she stood. "She is a lovely girl, and I hope to see more of her."

"Indeed! I had a lovely time." She piped.

"In fact-" Lucius began.

"No!" Draco looked incredulously amused. "I refuse to talk about this now!"

"What?" Hermione was slightly confused.

"Father, if I so much as hear one word about a wedding from you, bad things will happen!"

"Alright, alright, I surrender!"

Laughing, they all adjourned to their rooms. As she changed for bed, however, Hermione was stuck on Gabrielle's last comment.

Hermione repeatedly told herself that Gabrielle had noticed how she had merely controlled the…Hermione caught herself as thinking of them as boys. Ridiculous. Well, they had been acting as such…

Well, Gabrielle hadn't meant anything by it. Laughing nervously to herself, she considered the whole affair. Married to Lucius! How ridiculous.

Falling back on her bed, she closed her eyes for a second. A second was all she got before the evil, evil voice in her head began pulling up all the times she had thought about his hair. The first time she had heard him laugh explosively. Their q & a few days previous. Oh, Merlin.

Preposterous. Hermione admonished herself. There was no way…it was late, she had been drinking, the new job, strain…sleep seemed marvelous.

Desolately pulling her alligator up on the bed to her chest, she closed her eyes and murmured the spell for the lights.

PAGE BREAK

The following morning, a Saturday, Hermione put the confused conversation with herself from the previous night at the back of her mind. Ginny had asked her over to help with something involving the decoration of the guest room and as a general catch-up. Bounding down the stairs to breakfast, she stopped in the entrance to the dining room.

There Lucius sat, glancing over the paper. His hair was pulled back this morning, and he, for some reason, looked better than usual.

"Oh bugger." She murmured. Walking into the room, she grabbed a piece of toast, and quickly said "I'm going to Harry and Ginny's today, I should be back this afternoon."

She exited into the hall, accio'd her coat and things, and bustled out the door.

AN- ee! im excited! okay, i went overboard a little, i know, with the names and stuff, but i really like Gabrielle. and...i cant stay on here forever, so i cant put all the stuff i need to in this author's note, which i regret, but i'll see you next chapter!