Disclaimer: Any recognizable characters, concepts, plot lines, etc. belong to JKR. No money is being made. :-)

Chapter 4: Bartholomew Basil's

Two weeks later not much had changed. The Aurors still had not found the guilty one but, I suspected Percy had mentioned his concerns to Harry and Ron. The pair had taken to popping into my office or Flooing me at home more often than necessary.

I didn't venture down to the seventh level again. Good for me.

I told myself that it was out of sheer curiosity that I had begun to think about Malfoy so much. I felt I had no control over my own thoughts. At the most inopportune times, I'd catch myself replaying of our very brief conversation. He had been unlike any memory that I'd had of Malfoy from the past decade. I needed answers and to find them, I had taken to reading up on his social and business life in Witch Weekly and the Goblin's Trade Exchange.

I quickly flipped through this week's issue of Witch Weekly to the indicated page, eagerly scanning the montage of photos like a teen fanatic. There were several pictures of Harry, Ginny, Ron and Charlotte. And at the top of the page in a very tiny circle there was a photo of Oliver and me at our private table in the corner that night at Magick Spot.

I was about to close the magazine and shove it in a drawer when I finally caught sight of a picture of Malfoy. He and Daphne Greengrass were posing for press outside of the restaurant. I noticed that Malfoy did not smile, but he kept a hand on the small of Daphne's back. Finally, he leaned over and whispered something in her ear.

The pang of jealously was so insignificant I had barely identified it, but the tiny sensation pricked my insides as I watched the scene play over again and again. What had he whispered into her ear? Were they together?

More curiosity.

By Friday, I had slipped into my routine of managing work, friends, and my ridiculous, secret Malfoy obsession with ease.

I was in my office trying, but failing, not to think about the object of my obsession. So, sighing in defeat, I pulled out the business magazine and turned to the fascinating article about how the Malfoys were the third wealthiest and fifth most philanthropic family in Wizarding England. On the page left of the article was a photograph of the whole Malfoy family. Right away, I decided that Draco only resembled his father in height, hair and eyes. I hated to admit it but, Lucius was incredibly handsome and a little edgier than Draco. Some stubble and a little wind in his hair and he could pose for the cover of a romance novel.

Draco's features were more refined, like Narcissa's. High cheekbones, straight, pointed nose and a set of lips that looked pliant and kissable — when they weren't set in a terrible sneer of course. The only thing that saved him from being completely androgynous was the strong, angled jaw and eyebrows straight and low over his eyes.

I quickly became engrossed in the article. I found it remarkable and suspicious that the Malfoys gave to charity. I was certain that rebuilding their name was a huge part of it, but I wondered how much, if any, was out of genuine kindness? What kind of charities did they give to?

I finally admitted to myself that part of my curiosity was to confirm that the core of him was good, or at least decent. I really needed him to prove my previous judgments wrong so that my attraction to him could be justified.

A sharp knock on my door startled me. As a rule of thumb, I never kept my office door closed, unless I was in an important meeting. I barely had time to hide the evidence before Harry was standing in front of me.

"Hey there, Hermione."

"Hi, Harry, what brings you up here?"

"Nothing really. I was on my way to get Percy to sign this warrant," he said. He held up a black folder. "What are you doing tonight, Hermione?" he asked, oblivious that he'd almost found me out.

"Um, nothing. Why?" I silently groaned and hoped this wasn't another attempt to set me up. I would refuse.

"Actually," he paused, adjusted his glasses and scratched his forehead where the once infamous lightning bolt shaped scar had been. Now, it could barely be made out, only slightly lighter than the rest of his skin.

He looked apologetically at me with his bright green eyes. "Well, I kind of want to take Ginny out tonight. Molly and Arthur have Bill and Fleur and their kids still visiting. Ron and Charlotte are going out and, well, I hoped that if you—"

Oh. Well, at least he wasn't trying to set me up with another doomed date. I figured I should stop him — put him out of his misery anyway. "Of course I will baby sit for Lily. Why are you so nervous to ask me?"

He shrugged and gave me a lop-sided grin. "I don't know. I didn't want you to think that I'd automatically assumed you would have nothing to do …."

"I don't, so it's okay Harry." I flashed him a smile, hoping to make him feel better. It wasn't his fault that I was alone. "What time should I come over?"

"Around six?"

"That's it then. Little Lily and I have a date at six," I said cheerfully.

"Okay then," he said. He didn't make a move to leave. His forehead creased and his brows raised a tiny fraction; he looked like he was trying to decide if he should ask me something else.

Suspicious, I raised an eyebrow. "Yes?" I asked slowly.

"Well, I was wondering…"

He was looking me squarely in the face now. I was immediately on guard and I said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"I was wondering if you had seen Malfoy anymore."

I think my heart skipped a beat. I wasn't expecting that. I blinked a few times, before gathering my words. "No, why on Earth would you ask me that?"

"Because you were reading up on him when I came in and I was just wondering if something was going between the two of you," he said bluntly.

Blast, how the hell had he seen that? I had always admired that Harry was so straight forward. Today, I cursed him for it.

So, he had seen me after all. Well, I would just stick to the facts — he didn't need to know the grisly details.

"So, I was reading a magazine, is that a crime?" I asked, defensively.

Harry rolled his eyes.

"Don't be thick, Hermione. You were clearly reading about Malfoy. You didn't even hear me come in at first. Since when have you been interested in anything about Malfoy?"

"I'm not interested in Malfoy. I was reading this stupid magazine and I happened to stop on an article about the Malfoys. I don't see anything abnormal about that."

"When did you start reading the Goblin's Trade Exchange?"

"I don't know … months ago."

He didn't miss a beat. "Who was on the cover last month?"

"Harry!" It came out like a cross between a plea and a scold. "If you have a point to make, please do it. Otherwise, you will stop interrogating me like I am some sort of criminal. I've done absolutely nothing wrong and I am not interested in Malfoy."

My breathing was accelerated and I waited shamefully for Harry to respond. I vaguely recalled him telling me that in his line of work, it was always the guilty ones that went mad.

"Fine, sorry. I'm not saying you're doing anything wrong, just …"

"Just what?"

He stared at me for a moment. It felt like he sized me up in that time.

"Nothing. I'll see you at six then?"

"Yes," I answered exasperatedly.

"Fine."

"Fine."

And he was gone.

I felt a tiny bit guilty. He was partly right. There was nothing going on between Malfoy and me. There was just something going on with me. But, how could I tell him what it was when I didn't even know?

***

I arrived at the Potters' at exactly five forty-five.

I was fifteen minutes early, but Harry had probably anticipated this. I was always early. I rang the door bell and waited a few seconds before Ginny, looking as beautiful as ever, answered the door.

She wore an emerald green halter-dress that set off her fair skin and ginger hair perfectly. Her hair was up only leaving her bangs to hang across her face.

"Oh, good, Hermione, tell me what you think?" She ran to the bedroom and came back in a different, dark purple dress. It was shorter and had a fitted bodice and a skirt that ballooned at the hips. It showcased her long legs. It was also very pretty. But the green dress on her was radiant.

I shook my head. "I like the green one better."

Satisfied, Ginny ran back into the bedroom to change again. For the first time, I noticed Lily playing quietly on a pile of blankets on the floor.

"Hello, Lily," I cooed at her. She was easily the most adorable child I had ever seen. She had big emerald green eyes, sweet cherub cheeks, and wavy auburn hair with an impossible cowlick at the crown of her head. She squealed and grinned at me, revealing two tiny teeth and a deep dimple in her left cheek.

I moved to sit with her on the floor and she held up a slimy licorice wand that she had been nibbling on, offering it to me in indiscernible baby-babble.

"Thank you," I said, taking it from her and cleaning her chubby little hand with a small cloth with broomsticks printed on it.

Lily and I played together for a few more minutes before Ginny and Harry finally came out, fully dressed. It didn't escape my notice that Harry deliberately didn't look my way. I supposed he was still a bit annoyed with me. I'd decided that I would act like it never happened.

With that in mind, I smiled and used the most cheerful voice I could muster.

"You two look wonderful. Very handsome, Harry," I said truthfully. Harry wore black dress-pants, a white dress shirt, and a black tie. The matching black jacket was slung over his arm.

He blushed and pushed his glasses up. "Thanks," he mumbled.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Dinner and the theater," Ginny said happily.

"Yeah, the Jesters are playing this weekend," Harry added. The Jesters were a popular comedy group.

I watched wistfully as Ginny picked Lily up and kissed each of her plump, rosy cheeks and then passed her to Harry. The three of them were a beautiful, perfect little family.

I was happy that my best friend, who had experienced so much inconceivable sadness in his very short life, had finally gotten the family he wanted. The only thing he'd ever wanted. And yet, I felt wretched for being jealous of their happiness.

Harry handed Lily back to me. She fussed for just a moment before Ginny squatted and kissed her again. "Mummy will be gone for just a little while, love. Be good for Hermione."

As if she understood, Lily stopped and cooed.

Ginny stood, smoothing her dress. "Thank you so much for this, Hermione."

I waved it off. "Don't think of it. You two should take off; you don't want to be late."

Ten minutes later, Harry had managed to get Ginny out the door after finally getting Lily contented with a toy.

I watched the two of them through the front window until they reached a tree in the front of the house and Disapparated before turning my attention to the baby.

"Well, what would you like to do little one?" To answer for her, my stomach growled. I had not eaten all day. I even stayed late at the office to finish some paper work and then came straight here. I was still in my Ministry robes.

I decided since the night was warm, and it was a Friday night, that Lily and I would venture to Diagon Alley. Harry and Ginny didn't live too far to walk since I was certain Side-Along Apparition or Floo travel would not be pleasant for Lily.

So, I gathered everything I would possibly need and we left. The sun had almost finished setting and the air was warm and breezy. I pushed the baby carriage and watched as Lily's little auburn curls bounced every which way as she watched, wide eyed, the older children playing in the street.

It took less than ten minutes to reach Diagon Alley. As I suspected, it was busy. A few times I caught a photographer snapping pictures of me. I cringed; I would probably make it into some gossip magazine. I wonder what they would say about me with Harry Potter's daughter? That I was secretly poor and he had taken pity on me, hired me as their nanny? Or better, that I'd had an affair with Harry and Lily was secretly mine. I scowled at the idea of innocent Lily being brought into the middle of scandal.

I decided to go to Bartholomew Basil's, a small deli-style restaurant. It was a good choice. It was not crowded and I immediately eyed a place near the window and seated myself without waiting for the hostess. There were enough open tables that she wouldn't mind.

The moment I was seated and Lily's carriage was pulled right alongside me, the waitress approached the table. She set a basket of crisps on the table and took my order. I already knew what I wanted. They were famous for their signature roast beef sandwich and honey-butterbeer combination.

I watched out of the window, balancing my attention between the people outside and Lily. Outside, there was the rare single person walking quickly, probably on their way to meet someone. There were a few larger groups of teenagers, but the majority of the population was made up of couples. I watched them walk together, their strides in sync, holding hands, and stealing the occasional kiss. I simultaneously longed for and felt sickened by it.

Fortunately, my food arrived and I was grateful to turn my back on the scene outside.

Lily was truly entertaining, making faces when she nibbled the crisps. She fussed to have some honey-butterbeer but I was sure it was much too strong for her delicate stomach. In preparation, I'd brought some of her baby formula. She dropped the half eaten chip, her dimpled hands grasping at the bottle.

I had nearly finished my own meal, when I glanced up toward the door and froze mid bite. Draco Malfoy had just come in and was looking right at me. Once again, his expression was amusement, mixed with something else that seemed misplaced in his haughty features. Several thoughts ran through my mind at once. I looked around, trying to find someone else that could possibly be waiting for Malfoy. Besides a giggling group of teenaged girls, no one spared him a significant look.

It would be ridiculous to think he was here to see me. After all, no one knew that I had even come.

He was casually dressed again in denims and a black collared shirt. I wondered if this was his usual style. I had always imagined that Malfoy stayed impeccably dressed in nothing but the finest dress robes, like his father had each time I'd seen them together when we were children.

Just then, the blonde hostess came up and got his attention. I used this stolen moment to hastily chew my food and dab at my mouth. If he was coming over here, it wouldn't do to look uncivilized.

And he was coming. He held up a hand, stopped her from seating him and gestured in my direction. My heart was now thunderous in my chest. What did he wantwith me?

I tried to look as unwelcoming as possible when he leisurely strode in my direction. The distance from the entrance to my table was very short but it seemed like eons before he finally reached me. He had not once taken his eyes off me and I felt my face warm beneath his stare.

I admit that I found him to be more than a little attractive. He was even better looking than his picture with smooth pale skin and aesthetic, symmetrical features. His pale gray eyes were shining playfully; the amusement had grown into a lazy smile by the time he reached my table. I felt my eyebrows to pull together in confusion.

"Are you following me, Malfoy?" I asked, only half joking.

He ignored the question and pointed to the empty seat opposite me. "May I?"

Warily, I mirrored his movement, pointing to the seat. "If you must."

I still didn't know what was happening. This was Draco Malfoy: Hater of all Things Muggle, dining with me, Hermione Granger: Muggle-born.

I nervously licked my lips and struggled to keep my voice from portraying any of the uneasiness that prickled along my spine. "Forgive me, but this is extremely unorthodox for us, Malfoy. If you're here to start trouble, I should warn you that I'm not above causing you severe bodily harm," I said.

His eyes widened. "Easy, Granger," he said. He started to say more, but at the same moment, Lily squealed. I glanced over and she was giggling, reaching for Malfoy.

Apparently noticing her for the first time, he recoiled and looked at me, bewildered.

I rolled my eyes. "This is Harry's daughter. I'm babysitting for him tonight."

Malfoy smirked. "Well, I'm sure Potter will be delighted to know his daughter had the pleasure of dining with me," he said. He had relaxed but still leaned slightly away from Lily.

My server came back, bringing me another beverage and asking for Malfoy's order. He declined and turned back to me before she had even gone.

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" I asked again.

He exaggerated a thoughtful expression then dropped it when he saw my face. "You can relax, Granger. I'm not here to start trouble."

"Then what are you doing?" I couldn't see any reason to be relaxed about this situation and I was growing impatient.

"I saw you through the window and I couldn't stop myself from wondering what you were doing dining alone on a Friday night. So, to satiate my curiosity, I came in to ask."

"How did you know I was alone, my company could have been … late."

He looked pointedly at my finished meal, drawing his lips up in a smirk. "Then that bloke's really late."

I felt my face heat up with embarrassment. "Well, I'm not actually alone."

He chuckled and glanced at Lily, who was now offering him her half eaten chip.

"Is that what you came to do, mock me for eating by myself?" I asked, annoyed. I should have known; it was Malfoy for Merlin's sake. I should not have expected more.

"Well," he started slowly, "I am also out on a Friday night, alone."

I skeptically studied his face for a long moment for anything that might belie his words. The right corner of his mouth twitched and I rolled my eyes.

"All right," he said. "I was out with some friends, but the rest is the truth."

"What reason do I have to believe you, Malfoy? What are you doing here, really?"

"Do you have to know the reason behind everything? Some things should remain a mystery," he said.

Did I mention that he was annoying?

"I don't like mysteries and let's just state facts. You hate me, Malfoy. Forgive me if I have a hard time trusting this — new you."

He laughed humorlessly, and then his forehead creased only slightly marring his handsome face.

"I don't think I've ever hated you," he began but I cut him off with a rude snort.

He must think of me as a fool!

"Please, Malfoy, you expect me to believe that? Would you like me to run down the list of all the hateful things you said and did to me?"

"Do you hold grudges for things I said as a child?"

"Some child!"

His eyes flashed. "You weren't exactly a kitten either, Granger."

"Anything I did to you was in self-defense!" My voice was slightly louder than I'd meant, and it scared Lily. She shrieked and began to cry. I was completely embarrassed by this point and I could feel my face flaming. Several pairs of eyes were on us and out of the corner of my eye, I could see Malfoy glaring back at the spectators.

To avoid their curious stares, I busied myself by tending to Lily. I sat her in my lap, and she stopped crying almost immediately.

"It's true," he continued. "I was a child, what did I know of true hate? In reality, you were just another girl. All girls were hated at that age," he joked and even tried to grin.

I didn't see anything funny. "Malfoy, some of the more terrible things you did came after you were no longer considered a child."

All the laughter fell away from his face leaving a startlingly empty expression. "You're right. But I still didn't hate you."

I just stared.

"I knew that you were supposed to be different though — but, I couldn't hate you. I didn't know you," he went on. I rolled my eyes again. "Although, after I did get to know what I did of you of as person, I didn't like you at all. You were condescending and snobby."

"Ha! This from someone who once told me I wasn't fit to kiss his boots!"

"You were a cheeky little know-it-all too. Still are, as a matter of fact."

"Malfoy, if you came here to trade insults, you might as well leave."

He sighed. "I actually didn't come here for that — it doesn't matter now though. I've gone and pissed you off."

His voice was low so that only I could hear and just barely. I licked my lips again. They felt like cotton.

"No. I want to know why you followed me here."

"I don't know."

This was turning out to be a bit redundant. I motioned to the waitress to bring the check. "Look, Malfoy, whatever you have planned, I won't stick around to be a part of it. You can just —"

"Have dinner with me."

I stopped breathing. "Excuse me?"

He didn't flinch. "Have dinner with me tomorrow night."

Again, I searched his face, his eyes, for anything to reveal the true nature of his request. But, this time, I found nothing that suggested anything other than the words he spoke.

I exhaled silently and my gut erupted in a flurry of butterflies. I now knew what it was that had me so curious about Malfoy. I liked him genuinely and truly. My reaction to his invitation proved as much.

But I was still guarded. Why should I believe him? What if this was some kind of set up?

"I would understand completely if you won't," he offered, breaking into my silent panic.

I stared into his silvery eyes for a moment longer, hoping I wouldn't regret what I was about to say.

"Yes," I said simply.

A tiny smirk crossed his features, then, a full smile, triggering a fresh eruption of butterflies in me.

Lily laughed, a tinkling giggle and reached for him again.

That seemed to clear the air between us. I finally let go of the breath I had been holding.

I smiled at Lily. "I think she likes you. She wants you to hold her."

He laughed nervously. "I don't think that's such a good idea." He pointed to the window, now much darker than before. "I thought I saw some photographers earlier. It wouldn't do for me to be seen holding Potter's kid."

I put Lily back into her carriage. "You're right. It's getting late anyway. I must be going."

He stood with me and pulled out some coins, placing them on the table.

I realized immediately what he was doing. "That really isn't necessary, Malfoy. I can pay … "

He shook his head, already walking to the door. "I insist. Just meet me tomorrow night at seven o'clock at Magick Spot."

***

Lily was asleep long before Harry and Ginny returned from the theater.

I only half listened to Ginny recount every detail of their evening. I was anxious to leave. I needed to be alone so that I could replay tonight's conversation over and over. I knew I would analyze every word, every smile, and every intake of breath.

I still couldn't believe it. He was charming, handsome, and smart. It would have been perfect if it were anyone but Malfoy.

But wasn't it exactly what I had been unwittingly seeking for weeks? If nothing else, I will get my curiosity out of the way.

I said goodnight to Ginny and Harry without making mention of Malfoy. There was no need for Harry to be completely right after I had behaved so badly just a few short hours earlier.

I went to bed that night with my thoughts still in turmoil. Only one thing was undeniably certain: If Malfoy was the same person he was just five years ago, then I had just agreed to spend an evening with the devil ....


Notes: :-) So...thanks to my shiny new beta-reader, BookofSecrets. Thanks for reading.