Never the Twain Shall Meet

With a POP Marcus and Hermione apperated to the alley way behind Adrian's work place. They looked around and walked out of the alley casually and into the glass turn-style front entrance of the large reflective building.

The receptionist at the desk looked up and paused; her eyes widening at the size of the large man walking forward with a little woman in tow, "M-May I help you?" she asked not taking her eyes off of Marcus.

Hermione smirked and shook her head slightly, "Hermione Granger and Marcus Flint for Adrian Pucey, please." She said.

She looked at Marcus again and noticed that none of the playful or roguish expressions she was used to were present on his face. He only stared, penetrating, at the receptionist.

Hermione frowned and nudged him, sending him a glare to 'behave'.

His expression softened when he looked at the little witch beside him, she glared at him and he winked at her returning to the dark look he wore as the entered the building.

It was painfully obvious that the receptionist knew exactly who Adrian Pucey was and seemed more than happy to be able to call his office requesting his presence, "Lisa, it's Glory, I have a Her- Her… Miss Granger and Marcus Flint for Mr. Pucey." She whispered conspiratorially.

Marcus snorted.

'Glory' frowned at whatever Lisa said and hung up after a quick, "ok."

She looked at the two people in front of her, "Mr. Pucey is packing his things and wishes you to meet up at his office; top floor right in front of the elevators."

Marcus snorted again, "told you." he said and started walking to the elevators.

She watched the two opposites walk hand in hand to the elevators; the small pretty woman having to almost jog to keep up with the large man.

They rode the elevators in silence, his thumb brushing softly over her knuckles. This absent-minded movement was turning her on and he had no idea. UGH!

He opened the doors to the office for her and she stepped inside and walked to the receptionist 'Lisa'.

Lisa smiled at Hermione and practically undressed Marcus with her eyes, "Can I help you?" she purred to Marcus.

Dark scowl, "Adrian Pucey."

Just then Adrian walked out smiling, "Hey, pretty witch." He said bending to kiss both of her cheeks and take her small hands in his large ones, "I quit." He grinned.

She smirked, "I gathered, Need help packing, I brought re-enforcements." She teased jerking her head in the direction of the large wizard standing behind her currently glaring daggers at his best mate for touching his witch.

Pucey chuckled in response to the dark look making Hermione turn her head around and up to see the expression. She harrumphed and elbowed Marcus in the stomach – not hard, but hard enough to get his attention.

She quirked an eyebrow at him and he smirked at her, tenderness for the spunky witch laid bare in his charcoal eyes.

'Lisa' cleared her throat and shot Hermione a scathing look when the small woman returned her attention to Mr. Pucey, "Sir, May I offer my assistance? I would be happy to help you carry your things back to your place." She said casually her body practically folded over in half across the desk so her ...assets were noticed and appraised.

Of course Adrian didn't look twice and pulled Marcus' witch with him to his office ensuring Marcus followed quickly behind.

He did it just to tease Marcus, he knew his long time friend was insanely possessive and couldn't help ribbing the wizard just a little bit, especially since Adrian was positive that Marcus was thinking in the long term where this witch was concerned and he hoped that she was thinking the same thing. She was young, but smart and mature, he didn't want to see his friend hurt; he'd had enough pain in his life.

"So we just need to shrink the rest of the boxes then?" she asked.

He nodded and before he pulled his wand she had shrunk them and placed them in her magically expanded purse, "What's that?" Adrian asked.

She wiggled her brows, "Wouldn't you like to know? A witch needs her secrets… it keeps her mysterious." She quipped sexily and turned to look at the view.

"This is magnificent." She sighed.

The door to the office opened and in walked a confident young blonde. He was tall, handsome and looked like he had a purpose, "Pucey, I heard you quit. What gives?" he said barely acknowledging Marcus with a curt nod.

Before Pucey could speak the blonde's vision had ventured to the window where an auburn haired angel stood. His eyes raked over her body from her small stature to her curvy frame and her perfectly shaped bum, "well hello there." He said walking over to Hermione.

She turned to face the man and he stopped what a pretty thing, she is. He thought and regained his composure.

She smiled uncomfortably at the man's predatory look and held her hand out to him, "hello." She said and looked quickly at Marcus' violent glare and Adrian's exasperation.

He kissed her hand and she frowned not liking the feeling of his wet lips on her skin. She gently pulled away trying not to be rude, "Jeremy Watkins at your service." He said and looked at her expectantly, "Hermione Granger" she said and made an attempt to move around him.

He smiled, "You look awfully young to be here; are you applying for an internship? I would be happy to put in a good word…" he said.

She was annoyed now, "I'm old enough to know that you don't know a thing about me other than you want to shag me; that certainly isn't a good enough reason to hire an intern. So please, if you don't mind, you're blocking my path." She said and moved again to the side walking straight to Marcus and into his arms.

He enfolded her tightly and looked smugly at the blonde man, "I see… well, good day then." He sputtered and walked out.

"Ready?" Pucey asked his stomach growling.

The sat down for lunch and talked about their company, "So what's next?" Adrian asked picking up the salt.

"Well, we'll need to find office space in Diagon alley somewhere, we need to apply for licensing and permits; we'll need to advertise… I may have an idea where we can start, but it will require some research, which I can do at school." She said.

"What research?" Marcus asked.

She gave him a coy smile, "you'll see." She said and took a bite of her salad.

"What about you?" Adrian asked.

She knew he was asking what her next steps were, "Well, we still have the 'Transition class' to take. I'll need three letters of recommendation to get the mentor I want. If I don't get it, I guess I will work in an administrative capacity for Cornerstone and you two can do the work." She said not really liking that idea.

They didn't like it either.

"You're not thinking of petitioning Kingston Meggers?" Adrian asked surprised.

He was the most talented curse breaker in the wizarding world and hadn't taken an apprentice for over ten years.

She nodded, "How long is the apprenticeship?" Marcus asked not wanting to be away from her.

"It's only six months, but it's strenuous and time consuming." She said not wanting to be parted from her, but knowing it was the right thing.

"Where is he?" Marcus asked for purely selfish reasons.

She smiled at him and Pucey smirked into his ale, "He's here in London. I wouldn't have to go anywhere." She soothed and then added, "But the hours would be long. I would be able to lend a hand during the weekends."

"We'll need a secretary." Adrian said.

"No, I can do that until I get my certification and license." She said wanting to save as much money up front as possible.

They both nodded.

She grabbed the check on her way back from the loo and paid it quickly before either wizard noticed, "Are you still coming with me?" she asked Pucey.

He nodded and they both looked to Marcus, "I can't. I told Miss Janey I would help with Ralph today." He said.

She gathered up her things and looked at Pucey, "Coming?"

"The company would start out better if we weren't fugitives running from the law over a skipped out lunch bill." Marcus teased.

"I paid it. Let's go." She said trying not to smirk at their completely insulted expressions.

Marcus glowered at her and Pucey looked confused, this had never happened before, "What?" she asked, "am I not an equal partner?"

Marcus stared down at her intensely and pulled her roughly into his embrace, "Don't do that again, Princess." He warned and dropped a wet and teasing kiss on her neck after bending down and pulling her up. Her feet were no longer touching the ground and her hands were gripping his wide shoulders.

His hot breath was sending electric shock waves through her body and now she was having trouble breathing, "understand?" he asked

She nodded and he set her back down.

Adrian chuckled and slapped his flat mate on the shoulder, "See you a while." He said and watched as Marcus disapperated.

Adrian turned to a flushed Hermione, "Mya, we'll need to have a talk soon, yeah?" he said. At her acknowledgment he spoke again, "but right now, where are we going?" he asked.

"Malfoy Manor." She responded and was surprised when he pulled her into a tight embrace and disapperated them both to the intended destination.

She stepped out of his arms and pushed him a little when he started chuckled at her expense, "you're such a flirt."

They walked in comfortable silence, both watching their warm expended breaths turn white in the cold air.

"I've never seen him act so … overtly towards any witch before." He said glancing at her reaction from the side of his eyes.

She didn't know what to say so she nodded.

"Do you like him?" he asked stopping suddenly.

She furrowed her brows, "That's a strange question."

Adrian looked up and then refocused on her, "I mean do you like him for him? I… He's seen loss and I don't want to see him lose more, so if you are just playing around… play around somewhere else." He said firmly

He was expecting her to fly off the handle insulted and implications blah blah blah, but instead she smiled tenderly and placed her small hand on the side of his shoulder, "I like him like him…so much in such a short amount of time that it's scaring me."

She wasn't angry at Adrian's rather blunt ultimatum. The fact that Marcus fostered this type of loyalty only endeared her to him more so she decided to be as honest as she could be with his friend in order to ease any misgivings about her feelings.

It worked he relaxed and smiled, "Then you should know he's super possessive. Seriously, he does not share well with others." He told her, "and you're moving in with two pretty boys. If you don't set boundaries with him he'll be hounding you."

She furrowed her brows in confusion, "Was he like this with his other witches?" she asked

Adrian snorted, "No, he couldn't care less about those floozies's. He's only ever had one witch he developed feelings for and she didn't give him the time of day."

"Why not?" she asked incredulously, "He's so… yummy." She said dreamily making Adrian chuckle, "Yummy?" he asked.

She closed her eyes and smiled, "mmmmm hmmmm" she replied nodding.

They arrived at the door and a little house elf wearing a lilac tea dress took their cloaks and led them to the library where Lucius, Draco and Blaise waited.

Hermione smiled and greeted Draco and Blaise with a kiss… Blaise held her a little too long in Adrians opinion, that's going to be a problem he thought.

Lost in thought the elder Malfoy approached, "Mr. Pucey, nice to see you. How's the financial world coming along?" he asked.

"I quit today, Mr. Malfoy." He said with a smirk.

Lucius popped his eye brows up and returned to normal shortly thereafter, "What will you do then?" he asked casually knowing that the young wizard didn't have to work, only that he preferred to.

"I and a couple of friends are starting a wards creation, curse application and breaking company."

Lucius nodded and spoke the next words carefully, "you had some trouble before, I hope you chose your partner wisely."

Adrian nodded, "Marcus Flint…"

Lucius furrowed his brows knowingly, "That's not choosing wisely Mr. Pucey."

"…and Hermione Granger." He finished with a triumphant smile.

Lucius smiled and looked at the witch in question; she was sitting with his son and Blaise talking and laughing, "Does she know you're using her?" Lucius asked not wanting to see this endeavor blow up in any of their faces.

Adrian's smile widened, "her idea."

Lucius nodded, "even better." He turned to 'her', "Miss Granger, Mr Pucey has told me of your plans, do you have a mentor as of yet?" he asked.

"No sir. I need three letters of recommendation and for Kingston Meggers to accept me." she said.

Lucius wasn't surprised by her choice, "Who will you ask then?"

"Well, definitely Professor Flitwick and either the Headmaster or Professor McGonagall other than that, I don't know. Maybe Harry… I just don't know." She said

"May I offer to write one for you?" he asked.

She paused with a shocked look on her face. After a moment she swallowed, "I… you… " she stammered.

"Do try and be concise during your interview." Lucius teased.

She didn't know what else to do, so she walked over to him and hugged him, "thank you." she mumbled.

He was so surprised he froze then hugged her back albeit not as enthusiastically, but he was genuinely pleased by her reaction.

She stepped back a second before Narcissa Malfoy walked in and greeted both Blaise and Draco the same way Hermione did, with a kiss on the cheek.

She noticed Adrian and kissed him as well.

When she didn't make a move towards her husband he cleared throat loudly and tilted his head so his cheek was more evident for her.

She smiled and pecked him on the cheek lingering longer than the rest. Now that everyone was greeted she turned and smiled at Hermione, "Miss Granger, so nice to see you. Before you go, could I have a word… In private?"

"Yes ma'am." she said and dutifully followed the graceful witch.

When they were out of ear range, "Alexandra invited you to lunch tomorrow?" she asked.

"Oh yes, Would it be all right if I came here and we went together?" Hermione asked.

"of course dear, but I brought you out here because I need a favor, a favor I would prefer you kept to yourself."

Hermione immediately interested leaned towards the beautiful blonde currently grasping her hands, "yes ma'am."

"Miss Granger…"

"Mya, please call me Mya. If we're going to collude, you should call me Mya."

Narcissa smiled, "…and you should call me Cissa. Anyway, Draco is my only son. I love him and miss him. I know he isn't a little boy anymore, but a man with a life of his own, but he rarely returns my owls; never lets me know what's going on in his life… I just thought since you would be around much more, you could owl me every once in a while, letting me know he's ok."

Hermione wanted to laugh, "You want me to spy on Draco for you." she stated.

Narcissa frowned, "ooh that just sounds so…"

"Sneaky and unrepentant?" Hermione finished with a smirk.

Narcissa smiled now, knowing she had a partner, "so you'll do it?"

Hermione nodded.

***from the other side of the hall way and into the room

The four men watched the two ladies face each other, Narcissa take Hermione's hands in hers in a motherly fashion. After a few minutes the ended the conversation with evil smiles and conspiratorial head nods, "I don't like the way that looks. Cissa is up to something." Lucius said.

Blaise nodded as well, "I've only seen that look on Mya's face when she's about to exact revenge." Draco nodded in agreement.

Once Hermione and Narcissa air kissed and bid goodbye's the four wizards and her apperated to Surrey Estates.

It was beautiful. Hermione couldn't breathe it was so incredible.

Lucius added Hermione's and Blaises magical signature to the gate and the wards, giving them minor control of accesses to the estate.

They walked up to the huge stone cottage and stepped up on the large wrap-around porch that Hermione immediately fell in love with.

A little elf opened the door and bowed deeply, "Masters Malfoy welcome."

"Thank you Lola." Draco said patting her head.

"Lola, master Draco, master Blaise and mistress Mya are moving in soon, they will be living here indefinitely." He told the little elf and then turned to Hermione and Blaise, "Hermione Blaise this is Lola."

Hermione smiled and tilted her head at the shaky little elf.

Hermione was rocked with wonder at the beautiful foyer, smooth ebony hard wood flooring flowed through-out the bottom floor.

From the doorway she saw a drawing room to her right the kitchen was straight ahead and to the left a bit, the dining room was off to the left and there was still a hallway down farther. The magnificent stairs were in front of her, each riser had beautifully painted tile in reds, golds, greens and blues and each tread was sanded wood the same color as the floor.

They were all staring at her with varying smirks on their faces when she realized that her mouth was agape and she was staring wide-eyed in awe at the cottage.

She snapped her mouth shut, "sorry, it's just so amazing."

"I'm glad you like it. Through there is an atrium behind the kitchen. To the right is a library… fully stocked…" Lucius smirked when Hermione gasped in glee.

"Upstairs are your suites. You may decorate how you wish and each room has a bathroom. I recommend putting your daughters room, Blaise, near Hermione's since you and Draco sleep like the dead."

Hermione giggled and walked/ran upstairs.

They all ran upstairs too when they heard her scream; they came barreling through one of the bedrooms doorways wands at the ready to see her spread eagle on the bed her face a mask of pleasure.

She giggled, "This is my room."

They all rolled their eyes and smiled at her child like exuberance. Pucey lingered and looked out the large windowed view, "Wow, what a scene."

"I know isn't it grand?" she sighed and then thought of something. Feeling stupid for not talking about it before, "Mr. Malfoy!" she called running out of the room with Adrian hot on her heels.

He came walking out of another room with a question on his face, "Yes?"

She huffed, but then soldiered on… quietly, "I have some savings and I should have spoken to you or Draco about this earlier, but I was so excited that I…"
"Miss Granger you needn't pay anything…"
she was shaking her head adamantly, "right. How much can you afford?" he asked changing tactics for the Gryffindor.

She was thinking she needed to go a little higher than her current budget allowed, "50 Galleons per week." She said looking him in the eye.

He blinked, "I don't pay 50 Galleons per week for this place." He paused then added, "10 Galleons per week and you manage the house elves during your spare time." He said knowing that the house elves didn't need managing and that she wouldn't have spare time.

She nodded. This was better than she had hoped, "yes, thank you sir."

He nodded, "…and make sure you owl my wife, she is quite taken with you." he said kindly.

She giggled again (she was doing that a lot lately) and nodded.

*** later that night.

Ringing.

"Hi." She said answering his call.

"Hi, How'd it go?"

"oh Marcus… so gorgeous." She said.

"I know I am, but how did you like the cottage?"

She giggled, "It was lovely. I wish you could've come."

"….mmmm, I heard you called me yummy." He said teasing her.

"I did, but if you're going to be cocky, I take it back, you're no longer yummy." She snipped

Silence.

"Marcus?"

She said and then jumped when she felt strong warm arms grab her from behind, "No longer yummy? I beg to differ." He whispered in her ear crawling in bed with her.

She turned in his arms and smiled at him, "What are you doing here?"

He smiled back, "I'm hungry, witch." He said and slid down spreading her legs….