What the hell?

Maybe it was the familarity of the arrogance that Draco still held, blantantly so, or that Hermione was simply still in a staggering daze from a combined weight of both the world and the stack of hefty paperwork combined. Maybe it the mere fact that the fatigue of the present week hadn't yet worn off. Or could it be that the dark, bruised circles that lay beneath the lids of Draco's eyes made the time of the night seem everlasting? Any of these could've been compensation for the realization that struck Hermione like a wicked curse. The same Draco, the same Slytherin mind games; they all appeared to remain standing past the years of their adolescence. A shame if there ever was one.

It was quite clear - crystal, even - that no lapse of time would change Draco. No such luck could be achieved. Sure, he'd given up the life that his father meticulously planned down to the Dark Mark that his forearm bore. It was quite easy to talk when there wasn't a required action to prove anything. A few more remarks bounced off the sidewalks, ping-pong balls in the whole affair, proving there was nothing spectacular about his words. They were delicate fooling devices. When used on the correct people in the correct situations, anything could go your way. Hell, Draco Malfoy was now a changed man! What an oxymoron.

Regaining whatever composure remained loyal during Draco's following snide attempts at verbal victory, Hermione cleared her throat, ready to retaliate.

"Tell me, Malfoy. Do you enjoy lying through your teeth? Here I was, convinced that any and all ill-will that lay between us during our school years had evaporated. It's nice to see that you're an honest man." Hermione scoffed, grabbing the folder that he'd picked up and attempting to pry it from his fingers. He refused to release it. She sighed, exasperated. "Oh, I see. Dishonesty and immaturity. What grand characteristics of a revered, so-called lawyer."

"Revered? Ah, so you fancy me as well as the others? Nice to know, Granger. Maybe I'll hold that against you in the future."

A faint glint in his eye made her eyes roll, as if on cue. It seemed to be the most happy he looked in weeks, according to those rough circles under his gaze. Right, like his 'charm' would do it's work on Hermione Granger of all people. She'd seen clients like this before. The guilty ones at least. They were all the same - groveling for mercy or playing the quick-draw card of allure and bribery. Buying into a foul, cheap deal such as that would destroy everything she'd built for herself. There would be virtually nothing left except for the straight-to-hell ashes that remained only to taunt her of what she had. What was more, the clients thought they would get away with it. Without much of a sales-pitch to top it off! Just a quick flash of an enticing yet hefty sack of Galleons thrown on her desk. No explanation, no bargaining. If Hermione accepted it, that was that and the client would be expecting for all of his legal worries to transform into smoke. All because of Hermione's word, tagging along with her client's. This was proof enough that they'd gotten away with such horrendous deeds in the past, involving bribery.

"You'd think that by now, Malfoy, your assistant would've called the interior decorators to expand your office. I hardly think there's room in your tiny office for a big head such as yours. Though I daresay that might cause an uproar down at the bank...funding problems and such..."

He purely chuckled, tugging the folder back until Hermione had no physical choice but to let go. This infuriated her beyond the extent of her patience. Draco's next utterance was the only barrier cutting her short from whipping her into a verbal frenzy.

"Granger, I'm glad we're at least on the same page. You can't honestly tell me that we were better off by having civil little chat, now can you? This is far too entertaining, don't you agree?" The smirk weighed his lips down, reviving the witty insults for round two.

Hermione's mouth stretched open to spit out another phrase of banter, yet he unknowingly put a halt to it. Did she enjoy their bitter arguments? It was a sense of normality for her, just like brushing her teeth or signing paperwork. Anything besides just that would be odd and so completely...illusory in terms for them. This was a routine of sorts. One that they had been obediently following for ages, save for the few days that they were in reach of at least a form of friendship. Yet those days they were simply civil to each other, just like Draco said. That hardly meant that they were to be going out for firewhiskey or chatting about how lovely the snow was. By no means did that create a friendship. Hermione just mistakenly allowed herself to be enveloped in illusions, seeing as she could never be so daft at work. She was drifting away from Harry and Ron now that they had relationships and prospering careers as well as she did. The most time that their jobs allowed them to be seen together was maybe twice or threefold per month. Maybe the watered-down trio had inspired a craving for friendship in Hermione. Yes, that was the ticket.

"I think..." She chose her vocabulary carefully, not desiring to boost Draco's confidence any more that humanly possible. "...perhaps I wanted a change. Our houses defined our relationship since the day we met and such great minds should be put to good use instead of fighting all the damn time."

"Granger, you're implanting this thought in your head that I might actually have the will to be nice." At this, he made obnoxious gagging noises that acquired another accompaniment of Hermione rolling her chocolate eyes.

"Everyone has the will to be something other than plainly rude, Draco. Even people that have the accesory of a power-hungry ego such as yours. Now please, don't let it explode all over my paperwork." Hermione successfully snatched the manila folder back, a quick rousing of her reflexes were internally congratulated. This was complimented by a sneer from Draco's complexion.

"You forget that I'm a Malfoy, Granger. It clearly isn't in our nature to be tea and daisies with our peers."

"Funny, seeing as you've spent the last three years diligently attempting to provide compensation for that simple fact. You forget that I, plus your co-workers, know how your desires have changed."

Hermione swept past him, giving him the cold-shoulder. A bewildered Malfoy stood alone, listening to the footsteps behind him fade and the pitter-patter of raindrops as they began to land on his shoes.

A/N; I particularly loved writing this chapter. It entertained me to no end. Though, on the other hand, I'm disappointed to see the amount of reviews for this story. I expected more (at least, I think was my limit) and I believe I obtained a total of 3. I do, however, appreciate the ones who reviewed and the great amount of people who favorited/subscribed for an author alert/story alert. I had no choice but to update. I apparently live to please. Yet, I do want more reviews this time around. It isn't hard, really. I'm not looking for huge paragraphs, just a little constructive criticism or a 'good job'. I would like to hear some ideas as well. I promise to update soon. Until then, cheers and beers. xx