Chapter 4

After the weekend in France, Draco began his mission in earnest. For the next week, flowers and chocolates, accompanied by requests for another date, were delivered either to Hermione's office or her home. Hermione was hesitant but curious. Ginny had been teasing her mercilessly after wrangling the whole story from her and had pointed out that there was no harm in going on a few dates -- it wasn't as if there were other eligible candidates lined-up at the door. She finally consented.

One date lead to another. Hermione found herself increasingly drawn to the Slytherin. Of course, they also had their share of disagreements, and there was a period of two weeks when it seemed all communication was severed indefinitely. But then, a short but sincere apology arrived.

"Oh, come on, 'Mione, stop being so stubborn! Don't you realize that this is probably the first time a Malfoy has genuinely apologized to anyone?"

"But Ginny, what he said was unforgivable!"

"What he said was an echo of what he's been taught by his parents! You can't expect him to be able to change so completely in a few weeks! He's had years of those opinions being thrown around him and beaten into him!"

"You're right. I'll send a reply accepting his apology. But he'll have to do more than just admit that he's wrong to get me to go on another date with him!"

"I guess this means you like him if you're thinking of going on another date with him!" Luna spoke up for the first time. Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but then she blushed. Did she like him?

"Thank you, Luna, you always know how to get to the heart of the issue." Ginny grinned. "So, does this mean you like him, 'Mione?"

"I don't know."

"Do you still hate him?"

"I've never hated him. He was annoying and impossibly arrogant, but I never hated him, and certainly not to the extent that Harry and Ron did."

"Ah, but then again, Harry and Ron never love or hate by halves. You were always the peacekeeper. I doubt they would be on speaking terms if it weren't for you."

"That's not true. Even discounting all that we've been through, just Quidditch and, of course, you would be reason enough for them to remain friends."

"Ha! Don't be so sure. You forget that Percy disowned us for a while. We Weasleys can be very stubborn, so who knows?"

"But Percy did come back and proved that blood overrides even an ambition as strong as his."

"Maybe. I never told you this, but he was on the committee that wrote the final draft of the Marriage Act."

"What? Why?"

"It was his way of ensuring that he could marry Audrey. She's considered half-blood, since her grandmother was Muggle-born. But you wouldn't know it from her father's snobbery. He wasn't a Death Eater, thankfully, but he never approved of Audrey dating Percy. Now, of course, he has no choice but to accept a blood traitor into the family."

"Interesting."

"Father says ambition is the product of an insane mind."

Ginny snorted. "I'll be sure to tell Percy. I'll warn Audrey as well. But never mind them. What would it take for you to see Malfoy again, 'Mione?"

"Certainly not flowers and chocolates...or pleading house-elves."

"Another trip to France?"

"Been there, done that."

"An invitation to the Second Annual War-Relief Fundraiser Ball held by the Greengrasses to formally introduce you to all the other pure-bloods as his prospective bride?"

"What?!"

"Your invitation just arrived. I can guarantee Mrs. Greengrass would never send the invitation addressed to you directly. You're not yet high enough in the Ministry hierarchy."