A/N: Finally! Another chapter is ready, sorry about the delay, this one took a while to get right, but I think I did it.

Thanks for all my reviews for the last chapter, you guys are awesome! and now, I'll let you read.

xBx

~ Chapter 29: The Truth is Out ~

The rest of Hermione's holiday was ridiculously mundane compared to that first Tuesday. Hermione saw little of Draco, who became immersed in some business, or other, that he never really talked about – not that they spent much time talking whenever Draco stopped by her room usually well into the night. Despite the lateness of the hours in which he called, Draco never found Hermione sleeping: After spending so much time focusing on the business, Hermione had slightly neglected her schoolwork and now she was making up for it.

On the final Friday before Hermione was due to return to Hogwarts, she allowed herself the day off from business and study and had agreed to join Harry for lunch, who was meeting Dudley and Beth in York.

For the first time since they had met, Hermione had invited Harry to her home, and at eleven thirty Hermione opened the front door to see Harry looking slightly bemused.

"Harry!" Hermione smiled, giving him a customary hug, "Come in, I'm nearly ready: My parents just want me to sign some things before we leave." She said, stepping back to allow Harry to enter.

"Jeez Hermione," Harry said, "You really were holding out on us. You really are rich."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "My parents are rich." She clarified, causing Harry to laugh.

"You've just proven my point: Only rich people say that." Harry joked, taking in his surroundings, and shaking his head slowly. "Seriously, Hermione, why did you keep this from us for so long? You belong to a whole other level of society I can't even begin to understand."

"You've just answered your own question." Hermione said simply, with an almost sad smile. "You and Ron were the first real friends that I had ever had – I was never naïve as a child, I couldn't fail to notice that people were a lot nicer to me after they learnt of my fortune, I know I'm not the easiest person to get along with, what with my bossy know-it-all personality. But you two were different: you had no idea about my wealthy background; you took the time to get to know me, just me, without judging me for my background." Hermione shrugged, "I didn't want you to think differently of me, or start treating me weird because of money." She said truthfully.

Harry nodded, he had a shrewd idea of what she was talking about: there were so many times he wanted to be someone else, so that people would get to know him for him and not 'the boy who lived'.

"In spite of that," Harry said, smiling slightly, "You realise when Ginny sees this place, she is going to kill you for keeping her out of it for so long, despite your justifiable reasons. And I believe it's about time you host a party don't you think? I mean, the space might be a little tight…" He joked.

Hermione laughed, and gave him a playful swat on the arm. "Give me five minutes and we can leave." She said turning back into the office. When she came back out ten minutes later, she and Harry retreated back out of the front door, where a car was waiting for them.

"Seriously?" Harry asked, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" Hermione said, "There is nowhere for us to apparate in the middle of York, and I can't drive. Do you want to walk? By all means do, I'll tell Dudley and Beth they'll see you in five hours." Hermione said, marching to the car and getting in, apologising to the driver for keeping her waiting.

Harry remained silent until they were on their way, "So, you've had an eventful holiday, according to Witch Weekly," he said eventually, quietly, so that only Hermione could here.

"I had a feeling they'd get that scoop quick enough," Hermione laughed, "Go on then, tell me the worst: what do they say – and how many photographs have they managed to get their hands on?" She asked.

"No new ones, they reused some from the previous article." Harry said, addressing her last question first, "But they managed to get wind of your little family press conference with the Muggles. Congratulations on your investment, by the way." He grinned, and then continued slowly, "And commiserations about the ending of your relationship with Richard." He hedged with a small grin, at which Hermione laughed, "That must have been mortifying for him." Harry said.

"I believe it was." Hermione agreed, "But the bastard had it coming. And I did warn him, it's not my fault he didn't listen." She added.

Harry gave her a shrewd look, "Have you always been like this?" He asked suddenly, "Or is this a result of prolonged exposure to certain Slytherins?"

Hermione laughed, "Perhaps it is a bit of both." She admitted, "I suppose I have always been like this, just repressed it. The Rosebys – and now the Roseby-Grangers – have always had to watch their backs, or more particularly their fortune. There is always someone, somewhere, who will want to take it however they can, want to help themselves to our name and what it brings. You've just got stay one step ahead of them. It's like a game, and we all have it in us to play it, you just have to find the player inside you." Hermione said.

"I feel a little out of my depth, with the riddles." Harry said after a moment, "Keep me out of the game, please."

Hermione laughed, "Perhaps you're already a player, you just don't know it yet." Hermione teased.

"Seriously, stop it." Harry said again, "You need to spend more time with Ron and I. Draco Malfoy is turning you into a Slytherin, and I don't like it." He told her, though he smiled as he spoke, and Hermione knew it was meant in jest.

"Somehow, I doubt even he could turn me into a Slytherin. I'm a proud Gryffindor, that will never change." Hermione assured him.

"Speaking of Malfoy," Harry said, his teasing grin returning, that left a foreboding feeling in Hermione's stomach, "It seems he's been accepted into your family fold: apparently congratulations are in order for an impending engagement." He joked.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Seriously? Are they not happy unless I'm attached to someone?" she asked incredulously.

Harry shrugged, "They already printed about your relationship, it's nothing new. They know he's been to your home before and now he ends up being part of the family interviews you gave? Put it all together and it looks like a serious relationship." He hedged.

Hermione chewed her lip, she couldn't deny the truth of it. "I think it might be." She admitted with a small smile.

Harry nodded thoughtfully, and then suddenly grinned. "Good luck telling Molly." He said patting her leg, "I don't think she's fully given up on you and Ron. And then of course there's the history between the Weasleys and the Malfoys." He said, his grin widening, "So yeah. Good luck." He repeated.

Hermione laughed good-naturedly, giving Harry a playful elbow to the ribs as they reached their destination. When the left the car, Hermione led Harry through a serious of streets to their final destination where Dudley and Beth were already waiting for them.

"Sorry we kept you waiting," Hermione smiled, giving Beth a hug, as Harry shook his cousins hand.

"Don't worry about it," Dudley said with a smile, "You're a busy woman now, apparently."

Harry laughed, but Hermione refrained from comment until they were seated at a table. "So, how have you been?" She asked, after ordering their meal.

Beth grinned, "So we're just going to skip right over the fact that your name and pictures are in every magazine we open this week?" she asked.

"Apparently not." Hermione said, "That was out quick." She commented.

"It's a good scoop – I suppose with you being so cut off from everyone up in Scotland, you don't realise how well known your parents are do you?" Dudley asked, seriously. "I mean, from what Harry has said, you were with your parents over the summer even less than Harry was with us, on a few occasions – you've probably never read a muggle magazine for years have you?" He asked, knowingly.

Hermione thought about it a moment, and realised he was right: for years now, Hermione had been almost completely submerged in the Wizarding world, more so than she had really believed. True, she would see her parents every summer, for a few weeks, but she never ventured far from home.

"I never really thought…" Hermione trailed off quietly.

Beth chuckled, "Well, in your absence your parents are always having fundraisers, and parties. In business circles they are highly regarded. It's thanks to them that the Alden's have risen over the years." She explained, before chewing her lip and grinning, "I have to ask, did you really have no idea that Richard was planning to propose?"

Hermione grinned a little and took a sip of her drink, pointedly avoiding the question. Both Beth and Dudley looked to Harry, and Hermione saw him give a quick shake of his head, to which the others laughed.

"Okay, now I have to ask," Dudley said, "What did the poor guy do to deserve such a brutal destruction on so many levels?" he asked.

"You don't want to know," Hermione said, "It's a long story." She said, before adding, "I owe you a huge thank you, by the way." She said, looking at Beth, "All the research you did for me, you literally saved my future. I can't thank you enough."

Beth smiled, "You're very welcome. Glad I could help. It was actually kind of fun," She admitted, hesitantly, "I actually took it a little bit further, and started redesigning the space in a little bit more detail, than I sent you." She said.

"How much more detail?" Hermione asked, grinning.

"I have some very specific plans drawn up," Beth admitted, sounding slightly apologetic. "I couldn't help myself, it was so enticing, and I got a bit carried away."

"I'd love to see them, if you still have them?" Hermione said truthfully, appreciating Beth's passion for her studies. "Because I honestly would not have a clue where to start."

Beth grinned again, "Really? I don't have them on me right now, but I could send you them, or bring them to you this weekend at some point?" she suggested.

"It's a date." Hermione said. Through lunch, the four chatted amiably about general topics, and no one pestered Hermione further about the interview she and her family had given the previous week. When lunch had been eaten and paid for, and the four left the restaurant, Beth spoke hesitantly.

"Are we anywhere near Monde Caché?" She asked Hermione.

"Erm, quite near, yes. Why?" Hermione asked warily.

"It's probably the last place you want to go, but I'd love to check it out." Beth admitted, "We don't have to, is it even open this early?" she asked.

Hermione shrugged, "I honestly have no idea." She admitted, "Richard never mentioned opening times. And if he's really struggling for custom, he may only open on nights now, keep running costs dowd, so I have no idea."

"Monde Caché?" Harry asked.

"Richard's cocktail bar," Hermione said, "It's French for 'hidden world'." She gave a small laugh, "I'm totally reading into that completely differently now. Never mind." She added, taking in the confused looks.

"It is rather a cool place," Hermione admitted after a moment, "If it's open, we should go have a cocktail." She decided, leading the group to the riverfront.

As they stepped down to make their way to the door that stood open, their way was blocked by a tall figure emerging from the place, and Hermione was surprised when she recognised him.

"Draco! What are you doing here?" She asked.

"What are you doing here?" He replied with a raised eyebrow, "I thought you'd want to avoid this place like the plague."

Hermione shrugged, "Beth was curious about the place, and Matt makes the best cocktails in the city." She said, and was surprised to see Draco smirk.

"For you, yes. But for everyone else, not so much." He said evasively, causing Hermione to narrow her eyes.

"What does that mean?" She asked, "Do you know Matt?" she asked.

"Who is Matt?" Harry asked, not one for being left out of the loop for too long.

"The bar manager." Hermione explained, "Great guy, and very good at his job."

"He is," Draco said, "Unless he has good reason not to be." He smirked again.

"Okay, I'm a little lost here," Dudley said, "Are we missing something?" He asked.

"I think we all are." Hermione said, a frown developing on her forehead as her hands went to her hips clearly telling Draco he had a limited time to start explaining before the wrath of Hermione Granger was unleashed upon him.

Draco was about to respond, but was prevented by someone else exiting the building, looking less than happy. When he spotted the group, in particular Hermione, he cursed before addressing her.

"I might have known you would be here." Richard spat, "Come to see the crowning glory of your master plan?" he mocked.

Hermione raised her eyebrows, "I honestly have no idea what you're talking about, Richard." She told him calmly, taking a cautious step back, her arms falling back to her sides.

"The hell you do, you vindictive bitch!" He shouted. Causing both Harry and Draco to turn on him. Before either of them could do anything, however, a burly hand grabbed Richards shoulder from behind, steering them away from the group.

"I think it's time you left, sir. Before you do something you'll regret." A gruff voice intoned, and Hermione couldn't help but chuckle when she recognised the man.

"Goyle?!" Harry said incredulously, when he too recognised the figure, "What the hell-?"

"He's a bouncer here." Draco said quickly, Cutting Harry off before he could finish his question, "Why don't we take this inside?" he added pointedly, turning back into the bar, and the others followed.

The Bar was incredibly quiet, only a couple of people sat at one of the tables, enjoying a quiet lunch. Hermione made her way directly to the bar. Her encounter with Richard, though brief, had left her a little shaky, and she decided the imminent conversation would probably go down better after she had a cocktail inside her.

"Hey, Hermione." Matt greeted with a large smile, "I didn't think I'd see you here yet."

"I wasn't planning on coming, but my friends wanted to see the place." She said. Before grinning, "What have you got for me today?" she asked, as was their routine.

"I love it when you come in," Matt said, returning the grin, and reaching for some bottles. "I've been working on something a little different, let me know what you think." He said. "Go sit down, I'll bring them over. Cocktails for you guys?" He asked, addressing Harry and Dudley, "Or beer? Or both?"

"Just beer, will be fine for us I think." Dudley said, and Harry nodded.

Hermione turned to Draco, "Right, please explain what's going on." She said, as he led them to the VIP tables. When Draco went up the steps, Hermione stopped, the whole routine feeling entirely too familiar.

"Oh God." She said, "You've bought it, haven't you?" she asked. Draco looked back and grinned.

"I've been negotiating all week, he signed it over today." Draco said, "Now are you going to come and sit down, or not?" he asked. Harry, Dudley and Beth walked past Hermione to take their seats, but Hermione continued to look at Draco.

"How?" She asked, "Why?"

Draco gave an exasperated sigh, "For Salazar's sake, woman, sit and I'll explain." He said, waiting for Hermione to take her seat before he took his own. Hermione frowned at being spoken to in such a way, but Draco didn't budge, and finally Hermione caved, her curiosity winning over her stubbornness.

As soon as the were sat, Draco set about his explanation, "I bought it because it's a good business opportunity. And because I've been planning it since New Years." He told them, just as Matt came over with a tray of drinks.

He hung around as Hermione took a sip of her drink, a smug smile on his face, as he waited for her opinion.

"Oh my God." Hermione said, "This is great." She told him.

"I know." Matt grinned, "I'm a genius. You can tell me."

Beth, who had just taken a sip of her own, asked: "If you're cocktails are this good, how is it the place has been failing to pull in the money?" Beth shrugged when she saw the questioning looks she was getting, "It was in a magazine." She told them.

"Because Matt has been having some off days." Draco smirked.

"More like some off months." Matt said, "But I think I'm miraculously cured now. You'll never have an imperfect drink from me again." He told them.

"Why were you sabotaging the bar?" Hermione asked.

"Because Richard is a prick, who has no idea how to run a place like this." Matt said, "And because I like you, I always have. We've got on well, and I respect you. I knew what went down New Years Eve, and I knew that you knew too, which is why I didn't tell you. I figured you'd deal with it your own, and you wouldn't want anyone to bring it up." He admitted, and Hermione was surprised by how well he knew her.

"I gave a lot of free drinks out that night though, Richard didn't make as much money as he had hoped. And then Draco comes along – he'd been in a few times in the beginning of January, and noticed what I was doing. Giving out free drinks here and there, to put a dint in the takings. He asked what I was doing, we soon discovered we had a mutual dislike of Alden, and the rest is history." Matt said.

Hermione looked at Draco, silently asking him to expand, so he obliged. "I knew you would get your own revenge on Richard for what he did, but I also knew you would only go so low. He'd angered me at Christmas, and New Years severely pissed me off-"

The other three were watching the conversation progress intently, and Hermione heard Beth whisper to Harry, "What happened at New Years?" But Harry just shook his head, wanting to listen to the rest of Draco's explanation.

"I decided he needed to be taught a lesson, he needed to be crippled right where it hurt. I knew he was going to loose you, but I wanted him to loose everything. So I made friends with Matt, and told him my plans to buy this place at a steal. He's been making sure the bar loses money consistently, in a variety of ways, since January. I suggested Goyle to him, as a good bouncer, and he's been sending people away, stopping them from even coming here. We knew Richard had a hefty fortune, but he couldn't keep putting it into a bottomless pit forever: it's just not good business. Soon enough, his father was on him for bad investments and persuaded him to sell. I was here waiting, and after a few tantrums, I now own it." Draco finished his explanation.

"Oh, and don't worry," Matt said, "Richard is barred from the premises. You can freely enjoy yourself here, without worrying about running into him." He assured. "And I hope you'll be here tomorrow?" He added, "Re launch party."

"Isn't it a bit short notice?" Hermione asked, then rolled her eyes when she noticed the look the two men shared, "You've been planning it all week anyway, so no doubt you've already spread the word." She answered her own question.

"She knows us too well," Matt said to Draco, patting him on the shoulder before making his way back behind the bar. The four sat silently for a moment, quietly sipping their drinks, Hermione drinking in the information she had been given.

Harry was the first to speak, "That was a little bit underhand, don't you think?" he said, and Hermione let out a laugh – Trust Harry to think about the ethics of the situation.

Draco frowned, "Underhand?" he repeated, "Have you forgotten you're talking to a Slytherin? Believe me Potter, that doesn't even scratch the surface of underhand." He drawled.

"And are you really complaining?" Hermione said, "After what Richard did to me, you're objecting about less than ethical means employed to take this away from him?" She asked. "I just wish I'd had the time and money to do it myself."

"Thought you'd say that," Draco grinned, "If you don't mind, I need some signatures from you." He said.

Hermione looked more resigned than confused and irate – the cocktail was apparently rather a strong one, and with the calming influence of her friends and alcohol it was hard to get defensive.

"Whatever for?" Hermione asked, "What the hell do I have to do now?"

Draco chuckled, waved his wand, and made a pile of official looking papers appear in front of Hermione. She picked them up, frowning as she read, before her eyes widened a little, clearly stunned.

"This is why Richard thought I was in on it from the start?" She breathed, taking in the words in front of her, and then looking up at Draco, who gave her a small smile, and a half-hearted shrug but didn't say anything.

Hermione felt, rather than saw, Harry lean in to sneak a look at the papers. His eyes widened the same way Hermione's did.

"What is it?" Hissed Beth, clearly not liking being kept in the dark any more than Harry did.

"He's named her as co-owner." Harry said loud enough for the whole group to hear "Equal partner in the business."

"Why…?" Hermione whispered, not able to fully form the sentence.

Draco shrugged, and rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable about discussing all his reasons with an audience whose heads were snapping back and forth with their mouths hanging slightly open.

"Because you deserve to reap the benefits from Richard's downfall," Draco started, "Because I'm sure I could benefit from your help on this one." He cleared his throat, "And because I only did this for you, anyway, so you might as well be part of it." He admitted quickly, determinedly not looking at the others and hating that Potter was witnessing this admission.

"Awww," Beth smiled finding the entire thing romantic, causing Draco to turn and glare at her, which quickly wiped the smile from her face. "I'm going to get a refill, come on boys." She said quickly, realising that Draco and Hermione might want to have this moment alone. The boys followed immediately, leaving them in silence.

"If you don't want to-" Draco started, but Hermione cut him off with a smile.

"Get me a pen." She said simply, holding out her hand, causing Draco to grin.

###

The following afternoon, her school friends invaded Hermione's house: Hermione had returned with Harry to Grimmauld Place after their afternoon in York, and had told Ginny and Ron about the surprising turn of events and the re-launch party, inviting them both along. Ginny had then taken it upon herself to extend the invitation to Blaise, Emmy, Neville, Luna, Dean, Seamus, Parvati and Padma. And as a result, they were now all stood in Hermione's entrance hall, looking about them with wide eyes and slightly open mouths.

"Bloody hell." Ron had said a total of five times now.

"This place is amazing." Ginny said, before hitting Hermione on the arm, "Why did you keep it from me for so long?" She demanded.

"Because this doesn't make me who I am," Hermione said, trying to explain as honestly as she could, "You guys all got to know the real me, you're my friends, despite my difficult temperament." She told them, "I didn't want this to change our friendship."

"We'd still be friends with you." Emmy assured her.

"We'd just have learnt to tolerate you a hell of a lot quicker, if we'd known." Blaise admitted, earning himself a glare from Hermione, a slap from Ginny, but a laugh from Seamus and Harry.

"I suppose you want a tour?" Hermione said, trying to move the conversation along. At the collective nod, she took her friends over the ground and first floor, Introducing them all to her parents, who were more than happy to open their home to their daughter's friends.

She then left the boys in the Billiards Room to amuse themselves, while she and the girls went to her room. As Ginny and Luna were the only purebloods out of the girls, they were the only two who didn't have something appropriate to wear to a Muggle bar, so Hermione had offered to let them borrow something from her extensive wardrobe.

"Woah," Parvati said, as they entered Hermione's sitting room, "Telling us your rooms at Hogwarts were a little bit smaller than at home was a bit of an understatement. This is huge!" She said.

"And the completely wrong colour scheme." Ginny said indignantly as Hermione led them into her bedroom. "What the hell is this, Granger?" she demanded, "Where's your Gryffindor pride?"

Hermione laughed, "I had the room done like this when I was nine." She said, for what felt like the hundredth time, "Before I even knew about Hogwarts. Don't judge me." She joked, walking toward her closet, "Now, do you want something to wear or not?"

After an hour spent in Hermione's closet, the girls went back to the Billiards Room, and Hermione took them back downstairs, and down into the cellar room.

"I have to say, Hermione," Ron said, as they entered the kitchen, "I find it a little creepy that your taking us down to hang out in your cellar."

Hermione frowned at him, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you and Harry always eat in the cellar?" she asked.

"We eat in the kitchen." Ron said.

"Which is where?" Hermione pointed out. Ron had no answer to that, so Hermione continued to lead the way with a smug look on her face. When everyone was served a drink, Emmy asked, "So when are we going, wherever we're going?"

Hermione checked to clock, "I've organised a couple of cars to pick us up in an hour. We're just waiting on a couple more to get here." She said, just as the door to the cellar opened, and the two people in question came down the stairs.

"Well, this place is a lot less creepy than your place, cuz." Dudley said, after greeting the room in general. "Though I was slightly unnerved to be shown to the cellar by a complete stranger."

Hermione laughed, "But it's a very cosy cellar." She countered, before getting Dudley and Beth some drinks.

"I brought those sketches for you," Beth said, as Hermione handed her a glass, "You don't have to look at them now, but I thought I could leave them with you."

"No, lets look," Hermione grinned, "come over to the table," She said, moving to the large scrubbed wooden table, away from everyone else who was gathered around the couches. Beth withdrew some papers from her purse, and laid them out across the table, taking Hermione through each one, for each property she had looked at.

"These are great, Beth." Hermione said, "I wouldn't have had the imagination to figure all this out." She thought for a moment, "Beth, what are you doing this summer?" She asked.

"Looking for some form of work, to earn some money to see me through next year." She said.

"How would you like to work for the Roseby-Granger franchise?" Hermione asked in all seriousness, but Beth laughed.

"Right, because your parents will want to hire a rookie who hasn't even go her degree yet." She joked.

"I have an equal say," Hermione reminded her, "I'm going to be taking care of the expansion, while my parents keep focus on the current clinics. You've already put a lot of work into this, and I wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for you." Hermione told her truthfully, "I'm going to have a lot to juggle from now on, what with the clinics and the bar, as well as working at the Ministry. I want someone who knows what they're doing, and someone who I can trust: You've got a knack for this, what you've shown me is great. Would you be able to bring it to fruition?" Hermione asked her seriously.

Beth looked a little blindsided, but she nodded, "Yes, I could, with the right budget. I know how to negotiate, I can do development from start to finish – I haven't done commercial property, but throughout college I helped my parents with their property developments. We've worked on a number of places up and down the country, so I've got some good contacts, I know some good workers." She said, "Are you seriously offering me a job?" she asked, not quite daring to believe it.

Hermione smiled, just as her father came down the stairs, "Father," she smiled, beckoning him over.

"The cars are here, are you ready to go?" Anthony said.

"In a moment, look at this." Hermione said, "Remember the properties I showed you in Nottingham? Beth found them for me, and she's drawn up some ideas on how to renovate the spaces. What do you think?" She asked.

Anthony scrutinised the papers closely, nodding his head slowly, "Impressive." He said, "costs?" he asked, looking at Beth, who pulled some papers in front of Anthony, which detailed the basic figures.

"That's just an estimate for a basic renovation of the floor space, reworking the electrics, things like that. It doesn't include the furnishings, that would depend on what suppliers you would use." Beth said.

"Beth is studying property development, she's coming to the end of her first year. And I've just offered her a job." Hermione told her father, "I need her, if we're going to do this right: she found the properties, she has the ideas, she knows what she's doing. And she won't charge extortionate fees." Hermione added.

"We'll have to have a proper discussion," Anthony said, "Discuss job details and payment. But Hermione is going to be running the expansion and if she says she needs you, then welcome to the company." He said, holding out his hand to a thoroughly stunned Beth.

"Thank you?" Beth said, taking the hand, her thanks coming out as a question due to her complete surprise at the situation. "Did that just happen?" she asked, after Anthony left.

Hermione smiled, "That just happened." She assured her, "And now we have to go, otherwise we're going to be late." Hermione said, calling out to the rest of the group, telling them to finish up and move out.

By the time they reached the bar, the place was already starting to fill. Draco was stood on the near side of the bar, welcoming guests and playing the perfect host, but excused himself as soon as her spotted Hermione.

"Being a loyal Gryffindor this evening, I see?" He smirked as he came up to her taking in her red dress, while the rest of the group made their way to the bar to sample some cocktails.

Hermione shrugged, "I thought it would be an appropriate colour to wear. The Daily Prophet will no doubt have someone here; it will make a statement that I'm still the Gryffindor Princess." She said, "It will work in your favour, too. Show that our differences don't get in the way."

Draco smiled, "Do you analyse everything?" he asked, causing her to laugh, "But regardless, you look beautiful." He told her, placing his hands on her waist and pulling him to her, to give her a gentle, but deep, kiss in the lips.

"Heh-hem." The sound of a man clearing his throat separated the pair immediately. And Hermione saw her parents standing by them.

Hermione grinned sheepishly, "Forgot you would be right behind us," She said as Draco shook hands with her father and mother.

"Thanks for coming, Mr and Mrs Granger. It means a lot." Draco said truthfully.

"Of course we'd be here," Victoria said with a smile, "I hope you two have better luck with this venture than Richard did."

Hermione and Draco shared a knowing look and smiled, "Somehow, I think we will." Hermione said.

The night turned into a raging success: Both Muggle and Wizarding press were present (Though only those with magic in their veins were aware of it.); the place was more crowded than it had ever been, and bar sales went through the roof. While Draco and Hermione held back with their consumption of champagne and cocktails, their friends didn't show the same discretion and it was like New Years all over again.

When Hermione returned to Hogwarts the next day, she joined Ginny at the Gryffindor table looking slightly the worse for wear, and only marginally less pale than Neville and Dean.

"How was the train journey back?" Hermione asked, taking a seat. Ginny simply groaned, which made Hermione chuckle.

"Train journeys and hangovers don't mix." Neville said.

"I have no sympathy, it was self-inflicted." Hermione said, helping herself to some steak and ale pie and potatoes. "You all knew you had that journey ahead of you, but it didn't stop you." She scolded light-heartedly.

"How come you're not hung over?" Dean asked, "I distinctly remember you dancing with us well into the early hours."

Hermione laughed, "I was, but I didn't drink as much as you guys because I knew I had a busy day today." She told them, "I'm exhausted, my feet are killing me and everything aches. But I'm not hung over."

"Busy how?" Ginny asked.

"Meetings." Hermione said, between mouthfuls of food. "One with my parents and Beth, this morning, drawing up a contract. Beth is going to start negotiating on a property in Nottingham for us, so hopefully by the time exams are over I will have a new clinic to start working on. And then this afternoon, we had a big staff meeting at Monde Caché – lots of things to smooth over. Then when I got back here, Draco and I had to meet with McGonagall about getting special permission to leave the grounds every Sunday, so that we can do weekly staff meetings at the bar." Hermione sighed, "I've done a lot of talking today, it's surprisingly exhausting." She finished.

###

The following weeks were chaos like Hermione and Draco had never known: while their weekdays were consumed with revision for their upcoming NEWTs, their weekends were consumed with business. After lessons, the heads tower was always crowded with the now solid friendship group that had strengthened throughout the year, studying in a variety of ways, from simple reading to pop quizzes. But every Saturday, the rest of the group would relocate to the library, leaving Hermione and Draco alone to prepare themselves for their staff meeting at their bar, as well as doing whatever needed to be done for their other own business ventures. With so much work taking up more hours than the days held, they had little time to spend with each other, just on their own, and for the first time in a long time, they were so exhausted by the end of the day that they slept in their own beds, alone, more often than not.

Finally, their NEWTs were upon them, and an unnatural hush fell upon the castle for the next two and a half weeks. Both Hermione's and Draco's final exam was Arithmancy, on the final Tuesday of term, and when they were finally told to put down their quills after a long two hours, Hermione smiled a tired smile and felt as if a giant weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Wanting nothing more than to sleep for a week, she waited patiently for the papers to be collected before McGonagall dismissed them from the hall.

When she reached the entrance she found Draco waiting at the doors for her, "You look exhausted." He said.

Hermione laughed, "So do you." She said, as he took her hand, "But I am, I could sleep for days." She admitted.

"I don't know about you, but I would like to enjoy the sun for once," Draco said, leading her out to the grounds, where the sun was shining bright, not a cloud in the sky, the warmth of summer finally upon them.

Hermione grinned, "Are you sure your delicate skin can handle so much sunlight?" she mocked.

"It's true my skin is rather sensitive to the sunlight, but we're in the furthest reaches of Scotland, not the Australian outback, I think I'll be ok." He retorted as they flopped down on grass near the lake, in a part of the grounds where few people ventured as it was a little too close to the forbidden forest for the comfort of some.

They laid in silence for a few moments, just relaxing, and drinking in the calm and freedom that accompanied the end of the exams.

"Have you thought about what you're doing next?" Draco asked suddenly, looking intently at the sky.

Hermione turned her head to the side, "What do you mean?" She asked.

Draco took a breath, "When you leave Hogwarts." He clarified, "I know you have your Ministry placement, but are you staying with your parents? Or moving in with Potter and Weasley?" He asked, trying to sound casual, but Hermione heard something in his tone that she couldn't quite place.

"The latter, to start with," Hermione said slowly, "But now I have the Ministry payout, I'd like to find my own place I think. An apartment or something, in Muggle London would be nice. What about you?" She asked.

"It would be nice to get out of the Manor for a bit." Draco said, "I was thinking of getting a place in London, as well." He turned, then, rolling onto his side and looking at Hermione intently.

"Do you want to find a place together?" He asked quickly, and Hermione thought she detected a hint of nervousness in his voice.

Hermione turned onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow, mirroring his position, "Are you serious?" she asked, "You're asking me to move in with you?"

Draco dropped his eyes from hers, "You don't have to if you don't want," he said quickly, "I just thought…"

Hermione smiled, "No," she said quickly, "I want to. I think it would be great."

Draco's eyes snapped back up to hers, a hesitant smile coming onto his lips, "You mean that?" he clarified, and Hermione nodded, smiling.

"Living together and working together," Hermione said, with a grin, "You don't think it will be too much?"

Draco smirked, "We've basically been doing it all year, if you think about it," He told her, "Except this time, we won't have separate rooms."

Hermione grinned, "I think I can handle that," she said, before leaning in to place a kiss on his lips.

Draco immediately pulled Hermione's body to his, deepening the kiss without a moments hesitation. Hermione allowed it without a seconds thought, and for the first time in weeks, they spent hours, just the two of them, enjoying each other with no distractions, allowing their hands to explore each other slowly and thoroughly until they could take it no longer, and needed to be even closer, at which point they retired to their tower.

A/N: There it is folks, the penultimate chapter! I can't believe we've finally made it to the end. Only one more chapter left, You guys have been amazing! Truly amazing. Everyone who has read, each person who has added me to their favourites or alerts, or both, and all who have given me review after review, you've all made this story so much fun to write, and I can honestly say I couldn't have reached this point without all of your support and feedback.

I have a busy schedule the next few days, but I will get workin on the final chapter as soon as I can, I don't want to keep you waiting as long as I did for this one, but I daren't promise a speedy update.

Thanks again for reading, let me know what you thought

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