Author's Note: Thanks for the support everyone and to each of you who take the time to write a review, it's so much appreciated :)

I finally read HP and the cursed child. What did you guys think of it? Honestly I think my favourite part (other than Draco) was Albus and Scorpius. Also re-reading HBP and DH in preparation for another fic that has decided it needs to be written... but that one will be much more comprehensive and all-encompassing though still a DMHG romance. I still have two in the works (this and another, unpublished) and want to write the last chapter of Prudence one of these days so those are my priority.

I've been really into kittenshift17 lately so if you're looking for some good ff go check her stuff out :)

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter franchise.

On Tuesday morning Draco awoke to a throbbing headache and a sense of dread. He didn't have time to stop for coffee and just knew that it would be one of those days.

He really needed to start being more responsible with his whisky habit.

As he made his way to his office to check his schedule for the day he was dismayed to see a meeting had been inserted with Hambone. Cursing his luck, he made his way across the office attempting to look alert.

The reason for the meeting was about some paperwork Draco had missed filling out when he had first been given the job. The meeting was mercifully short, though Draco suspected his boss realized that he wasn't entirely awake yet and had simply thrown him a bone.

"You look like hell," said Lila as he walked past her desk to his office. He stopped, a tired grin sliding onto his features.

"Yeah, well," he said, running a hand through his hair. "Blaise was over last night. He's a horrendous influence on me."

"Right. Blaise is the bad influence," Lila laughed. "What did you two talk about?" Her tone was so innocent Draco grinned.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he asked slyly, lifting an eyebrow. "You might have come up."

"Draco," she whined playfully, "tell me!"

"Blaise is my brother," he informed her. "I cannot share his secrets." He shot her one last wicked grin and walked back to his office, wishing he had a coffee maker and vowing he would obtain one somehow.

The smile fell off his face as he saw Granger standing outside his office, arms folded, looking stern. As she saw him her lips quirked into the slightest of smiles however.

"You look like a wreck," she said lightly. "You were supposed to meet with Baxter and I first thing."

"I know," he replied, opening the door to his office, slightly unnerved when she followed him in. "Hambone needed to see me. I'll be there right away."

He ran a hand through his hair again, wincing as his head continued to pound. She smiled, as if laughing at his pain.

"Here, this will help," she drew her wand and conjured a mug of something. Draco lifted it and nearly cursed aloud.

It was coffee. Sweet, glorious coffee.

"How?" he gasped, clutching the mug like a lifeline.

"I'll teach you someday," Granger said mysteriously. "Now snap to it. We've got work to do."

"Thank you," he called after her as she started to leave the office. She paused, as if shocked and gave him a genuine smile. His heart jolted.

Pulling himself together, he gathered a stack of papers and left his office, wishing very much he could have a nap instead.

By lunchtime Draco was starting to feel halfway like himself and had surprisingly made a fair amount of progress with Granger and Baxter, refining every small detail they could think of to give their team an edge. He had been conspiring with their partnership the most to elevate their presentation much as they had with the proposal concept itself. They hadn't failed him.

On a whim, Draco decided to have his team over Friday night to celebrate their hard work, win or lose. He informed the two he was working with.

"Bring a date?" Baxter asked.

"Sure," Draco shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me."

"What do you think, Granger?" Baxter wagged his eyebrows at her. "Be my date?"

Draco felt a stab of envy at the way Granger laughed, realizing how many hours the two had spent together working on this project. He wished he hadn't said yes.

"And what makes you think I don't already have a date of my own?" she asked in a mocking tone. She briefly met Draco's eyes before looking away.

"You have a date?" Draco asked, his curiosity getting the better of him, working hard to keep his expression blank. Granger shrugged ambiguously, then grinned.

"No, I don't have a date," she scoffed good-naturedly. "I'll attend on my own."

"Oh fine, I'll ask someone else," Baxter pretended to pout. "What about you, boss? You got a date?"

Draco paused for a moment, once more meeting Granger's eyes, noting she was looking at him with interest.

"No," he said finally. "No date either."

"No?" Baxter asked loudly, and Granger looked away, cheeks flushed. "Not what's-her-name? Greengrass?"

"Astoria?" Draco asked, surprised. Baxter read Witch Weekly too? Maybe there was something to that rag that Draco was missing.

"Yeah, her," Baxter replied, grinning.

"We're old friends," he said, suddenly uncomfortable discussing his love life in front of Granger.

"Fine," Baxter held up his hands in mock surrender. "Not my business. I'm going for lunch."

With that the other man left the room, leaving Draco alone with Granger.

"Thanks for the invitation," she said, breaking the tense silence. "I'm sure it will be fun."

She stood, collecting her things, staring expectantly at Draco. He didn't know what to say.

"Yes, I think it will," he finally replied. He stood as well, finding himself standing very close to her. Neither stepped away. Draco met her eyes against his will, his throat suddenly very dry.

"D'you-" he paused, taking a breath.

She looked up at him through long lashes, biting her bottom lip. Draco couldn't speak. He felt really hot. He wanted to ask her to be his date on Friday.

"Do you think we should meet up again tomorrow morning?" He finally choked out, cursing himself and his weak nerve.

"Yes," she replied a little too quickly, blinking. She took a step away, offering him an uneasy smile. "Tomorrow morning works."

With that she all but ran from the boardroom, nearly hitting Lila, who was waiting outside the door for Draco.

Lila was staring, wide-eyed when Draco walked out moments later, brow furrowed.

"Don't," he bit out, squeezing his eyes shut.

"Don't what?" Lila asked, smiling sweetly. "I'm taking you for lunch. By the way, the sexual tension between you two is absolutely ridiculous."

"Don't that," Draco sighed. "Fine. Lead the way."

By the time lunch was over Draco was starting to feel thoroughly annoyed with Lila. She was one of his best friends, but she sure didn't understand the concept of limits.

It was as if his and Granger's non-existent and abhorrently awkward relationship had become her main priority. She was convinced that Draco should ask her out.

"I'm her boss," he had reminded her. "Remember, that reason?"

"So what? It was different with you and I." she had said, tossing back her hair. "Fire her. You need to do something about this."

Draco's headache had returned, as he spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on his missed paperwork. He was so fatigued that he left the office, glanced through the Evening Prophet and fell asleep on his couch without dinner.

On Wednesday and Thursday Draco went out of his way to avoid spending any time alone with Granger, just to prove a point to Lila and to himself, however childish. He met up with his whole team as they frantically hammered everything into the final stages, everyone showing signs of nerves for their presentation with the Diagon committee.

But Draco felt confident, knowing how hard his team had worked, how on point their concept was, and how flawless their proposal was bound to be, all tied up together in a complete and tidy package.

Draco hadn`t felt so proud of anything, ever. He was proud of his team for their hard work, and there was a small part that was proud of himself for leading them.

By Thursday evening he just wanted to get it over with, knowing there was nothing more they could do.

By Friday morning he was oddly nervous. He didn't get nervous, especially being so prepared. He was usually the calm one, while everyone else was frantic.

There was a lot more at stake this time. Namely, Draco was likely to find himself unemployed if this went poorly. He had been working here for six years and enjoyed it; he didn't want to go elsewhere.

"Good luck, Draco!" Lila came up to him, flinging her arms around him in a hug. He returned the embrace, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

She pulled back, staring at him closely.

"You're nervous!" she exclaimed, grinning.

"A little," he said, making a face.

"You'll be great. You've done this so many times!"

"You're right," he admitted. "This one just feels different."

"Don't think that way," she scolded. "It's just like any other, and you're going to win it like you always do."

"Thanks Lil," he said, grinning. Her words had managed to relax him a little.

"Time to go!" Granger came up, interrupting them. She was smiling, her eyes wide with excitement. Granger lived for this part; usually Draco did as well.

"Okay, let's do this," Draco grinned back. He straightened his new green tie, catching Granger's eye as he did so. She winked. Draco felt his stomach flop.

He led his team into the presentation room, steeling his nerves. It was now or never.

Draco looked up from his glass of firewhisky at a loud crack, smiling as Blaise and Lila apparated into his living room.

"Nice place," Lila said, looking around. Draco followed suit, skeptical. His flat was rather plain looking, mostly white walls with very few personal touches.

"If you say so," he replied, grinning. Lila flushed, looking sheepish.

Just then Thomas Baxter apparated in, already holding a glass and a partially full bottle of whiskey, which he held out to Draco.

"This is for you," he announced, "may have had a bit already."

"Thanks Bax," Draco laughed. "No date?"

"Thought I'd fly solo," Baxter replied, grinning. Draco could tell he was already half-sloshed.

The topic reminded Draco of his conversation with Baxter and Granger on Tuesday morning. He wondered what he would do if Granger brought a date.

Blaise and Lila were pouring themselves drinks from Draco's new bottle of whisky, which was now more than half gone, so Draco quickly topped up his own glass.

Adrian and Sol showed up shortly after and Draco started to wonder if Granger had decided not to come. When he realized how badly he wanted her to show, he angrily downed his glass of whisky. It was probably for the best if she didn't anyway.

Draco wouldn't be responsible for his actions if he drank too much around her.

Just then there was a soft knock on the door and he froze. He walked to the door and slowly opened it.

It was her.

"Hi," he said softly, stepping into the doorway, looking down at her.

She looked very pretty. She had done her hair up in a nice way and he thought she was wearing makeup.

"Hi," she smiled, offering him a bottle of wine.

"Thanks," he said, taking the bottle. "Good to see you."

She smiled and he realized she made him feel like a pansy. The thought made him very uncomfortable and he walked back into the flat for his glass of whisky, Granger trailing behind.

Draco sat down in the living room with Blaise and Lila, eyes narrowed. He didn't even think he really liked her, he was just spending far too much time with her at work and was confusing the two.

Blaise looked up at him and snorted.

"What are you pouting for?" he asked, eyes full of laughter.

"Not pouting," Draco bit out shortly. He took a long swig of his drink, pouring more. He looked toward the kitchen, seeing Granger in conversation with Pucey and Keats. By what he could hear, they were discussing the presentation earlier that day.

Everyone had been in high spirits, everything having gone smoothly and as planned. The Diagon Alley committee had been eagerly chatting afterward and no one had fallen asleep during the presentation, which in Draco's experience was always a good thing.

Of course, he was trying to keep from thinking about it too hard since they wouldn't find out until the following week or maybe later.

"Hi Hermione, come join us," Lila suddenly said, and Draco looked up to see Granger had entered the living room. She gave Lila a quick smile and took a seat next to Draco. He almost flinched at her closeness, especially since he was trying to convince himself he wasn't interested in her.

"Don't mind him," Lila continued quickly, glaring at Draco, "he's just being a grump."

"A grump?" Granger asked, surprised. "How come? Shouldn't you be happy? It's your party."

"I suppose," Draco replied noncommittally, shrugging. He shot Lila a glare, hoping she would take the hint.

"Well I think you did great today," Granger said casually, sipping her glass of wine. Draco looked at her, his brow furrowed. She raised an eyebrow as if she were laughing at him.

Women! He would never understand them.

"Thanks," he bit out. Some part of his brain was scolding him for being cold to Granger when he really wanted to just grab her and – no. He sighed, realizing he needed to lighten up. So what if he thought she was pretty? It didn't have to affect his night. "So did you. You were brilliant."

"Thanks," she replied, flushing.

"Alright," Draco said, starting to feel the whisky buzz, "no more work talk for the rest of the night. We'll make it one to remember, shall we?"

He caught the mischievous glint in Blaise's eyes and knew it mirrored his own. He clinked his glass with Blaise, Lila and Granger and, meeting Granger's gaze, tossed back the rest of his whisky in one. She didn't look away, her lips curved into a challenge of a smile and she finished her own glass of wine.

Draco realized it was hopeless, staring at her. He could tell himself anything he liked, but he wanted her. Bad.

Smirking, he filled her wine glass with whisky.

"Yuck," she said, breaking the silence. "I hate that stuff."

"It grows on you, trust me," he said teasingly. "Don't talk, just drink."

She adopted her stern Granger expression, staring him down and folding her arms.

"You aren't trying to get me drunk, are you?" She smiled but her eyes narrowed.

"Never," Draco replied instantly.

Looking unsure, she took a tiny sip of the whisky, making an exaggerated face to demonstrate her disgust.

"Oh come on, it isn't that bad," he scoffed, brushing it off.

"It's pretty bad," she countered, setting the glass down.

"Well, no sense wasting it." He poured her glass into his empty cup and began drinking it, flashing her his teeth.

"Better you than me," she admitted, holding her hands up. "I'll stick to wine any day."

Shaking his head, Draco looked away to realize that Lila and Blaise were both staring rather blatantly, Blaise with his mouth open in shock.

Disgruntled, Draco leaned back in his seat once more, returning to moodily sipping his whisky.

Later in the evening, everyone was fairly well out of hand. Last Draco had seen, Baxter, Keats and Pucey were playing some sort of raucous drinking game in the kitchen, each one sloppier than the next.

Granger and Lila were sitting on one couch, giggling together in a way that unnerved Draco to no end. They had both surpassed tipsy long ago, nearly finished the second bottle of wine between them.

Draco and Blaise were seated at the other couch, having just completed several nauseating rounds of shots, and were now recovering. Blaise, who had looked rather green moments ago, was now his usual shade.

"I don't think I've ever seen Granger so human," he announced casually, his words slightly slurred.

"She isn't as annoying as she was in school," Draco agreed, nodding. "And that arse." He shook his head, whistling.

"It is nice," Blaise replied, grinning at the look Draco gave him.

Just then Granger looked up at him, bit her lip and laughed obnoxiously at something Lila had said.

He met her brown, unfocused eyes from across the room and couldn't look away.

Suddenly Granger stood, walking to stand in front of him.

"Excuse me Blaise, I need to steal Malfoy for a minute," she said, grabbing Draco's arm. He didn't think she had ever willingly touched him, and it sent a shiver through his body. He stood to meet her level, looking down at her.

He looked across at Lila, narrowing his eyes at her amused expression.

"What is it?" he asked Granger softly, well aware that they were being watched.

"We need to talk," she grinned lazily. Draco noticed her hand was still on his arm. He nodded, taking her into his office.

Granger spun on him once the door was closed, very close to his face. Draco swallowed back a lump in his throat.

"Lila thinks you want to shag me," she said, giggling ridiculously. He had never seen her giggle and it was weird.

Inwardly he was cursing Lila. How many times had he told her not to meddle!

"Lila is correct," he found himself saying. Granger's jaw dropped and she folded her arms, looking offended. He half expected her to hit him or at the very least walk out. At least then he would know what she was thinking. But she just stared at him. Eventually she spoke, shaking her head.

"I don't think we should shag. We work together," she said.

"But do you want to?" he asked her quietly. He met her big brown eyes and it was all he had not to kiss her.

"I don't know," she whispered, looking shocked.

"That isn't a no," he smirked.

"Not a no." She smiled up at him through her lashes.

Then she attacked him. It took Draco a moment to comprehend that she was kissing him, like an aggressive lip-bruising sort of kiss, and another moment to kiss her back, in the same way because this was what had been consuming his thoughts for so long and he could hardly believe it was happening.

And he knew that she was drunk and he was drunk and damnit, but she was so good at this and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her as close as he could manage. He tugged on her lower lip with his teeth and nearly died when his tongue met hers, her hands on his face soft but firm.

He couldn't resist a quick grab to that arse and she groaned into his mouth which set his groin on fire. He hadn't realized just how badly he wanted her until this moment, with her body in his arms and her tongue in his mouth.

"Granger," he breathed in her ear as they finally broke apart, "fuck. What was that for?"

She bit her lip, fighting back a smile.

"Just cause," she said lightly, "I wanted to see if you were a good kisser."

"And?" he asked, smirking.

"Five stars," she whispered. She bit her lip again. "Maybe I might want us to shag, but not tonight."

"Me too," he admitted. "When you aren't so drunk."

He grinned as she nodded, looking nervous.

"But this means I can kiss you again?" he asked, stroking her cheekbone.

"Please do," she said, rolling her eyes as he pulled her in again.

Drop some love in the box if you enjoy! xo