Chapter two. I'm putting it up already simply because, well, I'm impatient. No other reason. Review for my sanity.

Disclaimer.

Chapter 2

With minor attention to detail and a hazy cloud over his head, Draco Malfoy walked down the side walk watching as it became cluttered as lunch time approached. He sighed, making a turn towards a small place that he assumed was a muggle shop, but rather than fight the onslaught of people he decided to take his chances there. The outside of the store front was pleasant if not plain, and as he opened the door a jingle rang out.

It was a small cafe, nothing fancy about it, but it was quaint enough and he decided he may just stay. Looking around he found a small table to the right to sit at. He noticed the bar up front, meaning they wouldn't send out a waiter to meet him he'd have to get his own food but he decided against it. Instead he simply enjoyed the atmosphere and the soft hum of the piano that was coming from God knows where.

Looking around there was very few other people in the small cafe, which didn't really surprise him. A few tables a head of him and to his left a couple sat quietly chatting to themselves, the man sitting beside, rather than across, from the woman and the two of them were stroking hands above the table. Their heads were leaned in close and there was a sappy smile coating each one of their faces. He wondered briefly if their faces would melt from the warmth they were protruding.

Another small table sported an old man, reading a paper it seemed, one that did not move or talk, and he snorted at how strange muggles were. And lastly what appeared to be a woman, though there was no face present, instead a large, thick book was being sported in its stead. Her fingers that could be seen holding it up were slim and well groomed, but not painted. He noted the absence of a wedding ring. Aside from her hidden head, he could see slim shoulders covered in a gray long sleeved cardigan buttoned up, just above the swell of her breasts, rather conservatively. Beneath the table her legs sported cream colored woman's dress pants and closed-toed shoes. All in all a pleasant if not boring choice. He found the "woman for work" look rather sexy if he did say so himself.

It was at that precise moment the mystery lady chose to reveal her face from behind the book, setting it down on the table, and Draco allowed his face to come up to his hand, covering it and rubbing over it hard. He looked back up through his fingers. A brown mane, naturally curly, framed a fair face, freckled, rosy lips, thick eyelashes, and big sultry brown eyes. Hermione Granger. Why of all people did it have to be Hermione Granger?

Instantly her eyes met his, and he saw recognition flash in those endless orbs of hers, followed by hesitation. Her lips pursed into a thin line before she gave a nod.

He smirked and returned it, wondering if she'd really changed. She couldn't have changed much; she still seemed to be a bossy know-it-all but perhaps she wasn't so annoying. Sighing, he couldn't stifle his curiosity and he stood and walked to her table in the far corner of the restaurant. Her eyes held his as he approached and he noted that they still held that flare. That bold pride they once did in Hogwarts.

He sat without asking permission, folding his hands in front of his lips. "Granger."

She gave a weak, forced smile. "Hello Malfoy."

The light above them coming from the small hanging lamp made Hermione's skin seem more yellow than it was, and he annoyingly noted that it made her hair look very shiny. "Have you read the prophet lately?" When she simply gazed at him steadily waiting for his point he smirked before continuing. "Apparently, as rumor has it, you're the new Albus Dumbledore. They say you're a genius. A marvel to the wizarding world."

She gave a small shrug and her eyes gleamed with indifference. "I'll never be on that level. I merely do my job well, is all."

He admired that in a woman; Confidence but not arrogance. "Maybe, or maybe you are just a genius. I wouldn't know."

She agreed immediately, giving the first true smile she had since he sat down, though it was closed mouthed. "That is true. You have no idea who I am Malfoy, besides what you read in the papers that is."

Draco nodded at her, placing a slightly hateful smirk on his lips. "And thanks to your incessant need to be in the public eye, I read more about you than I'd like. Say, for instance, you're recent break off with the Weasel scum."

Her eyes flickered with not anger and not embarrassment, but something he couldn't quite place before she gave him an equally hateful gaze in return. "No one forced you to read about me, Malfoy." She spit his name out like it was sour and that opinion reflected on her entire face.

He sneered, "Did he dump you Granger, or was it that you finally learned that he's a piece of garbage?" If there was any way possible for him to look away from her eyes without losing this little argument he would, because they bore right into his soul, but he knew that if he looked away he would lose. She would have won.

She didn't answer, instead she simply stared at him. Her creamy brown eyes emitting as much resentment as they could muster.

He gave a sigh and leaned back in his chair. "So Granger, what is it you do when you aren't off inventing some cure or saving the world?"

Somehow she didn't really seem surprised by his change of subject. She kept a even tone as she spoke. "That depends on the day. Does it really matter to you?"

He shrugged, "I'm simply making civilized conversation Granger. I expect you know what that is?"

She gave a soft laugh, and he realized it was the first time he had ever heard her laugh at him. The sound was strangely alluring. "Funny, the word civilized is a word I hardly associate with the likes of you Malfoy."

In aghast, he drew back, letting his eyes comb over her. "You can't be serious Granger? This opinion coming from a mudblood?"

She winced slightly at the term, probably because it brought up old memories she had long since buried. "You're sense of humor still needs work it seems." She said, picking up her book and standing. "Goodbye Malfoy. I wish I could say it was nice seeing you."

He chuckled at her, standing as well, "But who are you kidding Granger, you hate me right?"

She didn't answer him, merely stepped around the table and left without a second glance in his direction. He wouldn't admit it aloud, but that somehow hurt his feeling. Maybe he had expected her to look back at him, he wasn't sure.

With a loud sigh, Hermione looked at herself in the mirror above her sink in her small, plain bathroom. She gazed at herself in her most confident, serious face. "Grow up Hermione." She told herself, her reflection mocking her. "You aren't a kid anymore." Once again her reflection didn't seem to hold any change of heart.

Her shoulders drooped and she reached for her tooth brush, going through he proper motions. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and walked out of the bathroom in her towel after her long, not so relaxing shower.

She dropped her towel into the laundry basket, making the naked dash through the cold room over to her dresser, opening the top drawer and getting out her underwear and slipping them on as quickly as possible without falling or putting her foot in the wrong leg hole. She walked into the living room in her undies and reached into the fridge and pulled out a bottled water, spinning around as the doorbell rang.

She went to it quickly, peeking through the peephole. Who would come to see her this late? On her tiptoes she saw dark hair first, then a far too close image of round glasses and green eyes. She smile and opened it. "Come in Harry." And he did.

He came through the door and smiled at her, never once looking down at her half naked body. "Hey Hermione." He hugged her softly and turned to shut the door while she ran to get herself a robe.

She came back around the corner to see him rummaging through her refrigerator much like she just had. He turned around with a bottled water himself with a teasing face. "Is this really all you have to drink?"

She shrugged. "I don't get much company. Speaking of which, what are you doing here? It's almost 10."

With a smile he walked to the living room and through himself on the couch. "Can I sleep here?"

She squinted at him, looking worried. He didn't seem to notice, that or he was really good at ignoring it. After a few moments of silence she walked over to the couch and sat beside him. "Why do you need to stay here Harry, what happened?"

He didn't look at her for a moment, instead focusing on the water bottle in front of him. He unscrewed the top and took a swig before turning to her finally. She put her hand on his shoulder. "Just a fight with Ginny. She's been moody lately, more than usual. She told me to get out, she didn't even want me in the house." He looked at her with a helpless look and she almost laughed.

She stood, grabbing his hand and pulling him up. "Of course you can stay here, you don't even need to ask. This flat is almost too big for me anyway."

With a nod he hugged her again and walked with her to her bedroom as she straightened up her already very neat room, slinging himself on the bed. She rolled her eyes at him.

"Who are you going with to the ball, Mione?" He asked, pulling off his the top layer of his clothing, unbuttoning his shirt and slinging it on the ground, which Hermione immediately swooped down and folded.

She looked over at him with a blank face. "Probably no one."

"But you are going? The minister will have a bloody fit if you don't."

Releasing a snort Hermione walked over and sat on the opposite side of the bed. "I know that Harry, but I just don't feel like taking anyone to the ball and then having the media make a big thing out of it." He seemed to agree, laying back on the bed laughing at she plopped back with him.

He turned to face her and she him and with a laugh the two began to talk like they hadn't talked in years. Both being busy with their jobs and personal lives they hadn't seen each other much, so it was so good to finally talk again that they talked until they both fell asleep, cuddling up under Hermione's warm covers.