Author's Note: Hello my loves! I was so thrilled with the response to the last chapter that this one is going up early! Yay! Also, I couldn't leave it at the depressing point it was for a whole week. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance yet to respond to individual reviews but I'm thrilled you're all so opinionated and I will try to soon (and thank you to the guest reviewer who told me my copy/paste skills were wonky at the end). The general consensus was that Draco needs to get his shit together and Hermione needs to get over herself and I'm inclined to agree!

Hopefully this one makes you happy xoxo cait

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

Draco woke the next morning on Blaise's couch, dreading going in to work. Not only was he hungover, but the idea of Granger quitting and leaving his life, possibly forever, was a terrible thought. After so much time spent building trust between them, he had literally blown it on one stupid night, one stupid decision. Over someone that meant absolutely nothing to him.

He thought he was likely to be sick, but pulled himself up, straightened his clothes the best he could and apparated to work, not quite caring how he looked.

"Rough night, Malfoy?" Hambone asked, eyebrows raised, unimpressed, as Draco entered the offices of Bullham and Miner.

"Yes sir, you could say that," he replied shortly, not in the mood. He made a beeline for his office, closing the door quickly behind him. He froze as he realized the office was already occupied.

"You look about how I feel," Granger said softly when she saw him. She was standing by his window, looking down.

"I feel even worse than I look, I can guarantee that," he admitted, a little shocked to see her in his office, speaking to him.

She walked towards him, keeping a safe distance.

"I've given this a great deal of thought, Malfoy, and have come up with two options," she began hesitantly. "Either I give you my resignation right now, or you give me permission to transfer from your team. I will remain working here, we will remain co-workers, but that will be all. You are not to treat me any differently than anyone else, or touch me, or kiss me." She flushed slightly at the last.

"Since you were so good to help me with my family, I will allow you to make the decision. Maybe, in time, we can try to be friends again." She looked up at him and Draco found himself falling into her big brown eyes. He let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.

"The second one," he choked without hesitation. "You need to stay on. I need to be able to show you how fucking sorry I am."

She bit her lip, looking down at the ground. Before he could stop himself, Draco lifted a hand to her cheek, turning her face to look at him. She briefly leaned into his touch, her eyes slipping shut. Then she pulled away, stepping back.

"No touching," she reiterated softly.

"You have no idea how badly I want to touch you," he ground out, "but okay."

"I wanted you to, before," she admitted. "But now how do I trust anything you say?"

"I made a mistake, Granger, a horrible one at that, but it doesn't change what I said in Australia, it doesn't change a damn thing about how I feel," he said, "and I hope that one day I can prove it to you."

She looked away, her eyes watery. Draco didn't give a damn about her not wanting him to touch her, he put his arms around her shoulders, burying his face in her big hair. After a moment, she reached around him, her face pressed into his chest. His heart was pounding and he knew she could feel it.

After what felt like forever, she pulled away, touched him lightly on the arm and walked from his office without another word.

From that day onward, life went significantly downhill for Draco. Granger had stayed on, true to her word, but had transferred off his team and he now rarely saw her in the office, though he wasn't sure that was accidental. Rather than replacing her, he had kept his team to four and had taken the extra workload on himself.

On top of being extremely overworked, Draco barely slept, he barely ate; some days he subsisted solely on coffee.

He could see the pity in Lila's eyes and started avoiding her. He rarely saw Blaise anymore. He wasn't sure he could stomach his friends' happiness, selfish as it was, and he stopped going over. He drank alone, on nights when he couldn't sleep, which was more often than not.

The only thing Draco had going for him was that he had nothing to focus on other than work, and so he had thrown himself into his job, and was still managing to excel at projects, winning proposals and Hambone's favour.

If only it was Bernard Bullham's opinion that he cared about.

When he did see Granger, she was awkwardly polite and professional, but Draco could see in her eyes that she was hurting as well. He wished he could do something, anything, to fix the situation but he didn't know what. He definitely wasn't good at this sort of thing.

He wanted to ask if she had found her parents, but he suspected she hadn't. He wanted to help her but didn't want to overstep the boundaries she had drawn between them.

"Draco, I'm taking you for lunch, no excuses," Lila snapped, drawing him from his thoughts. His team was finishing up for the morning one particular day about a month after Granger had withdrawn herself from his life.

"I'm not hungry," he grumbled, his standard response.

"When did you last eat?" Lila asked, standing over him pointedly. Draco considered it for a moment.

"Yesterday?" he asked, more to himself than in response.

"Exactly, you're coming, now get up," Lila commanded. Draco had a feeling this wasn't a fight he could win so he relented, walking beside the girl to a restaurant down the block.

He realized it had been several days since he had gotten any fresh air other than to and from work.

"You look like shite," Lila informed him. "You really need to start taking better care of yourself."

Draco shrugged, noncommittal. Who did he need to look good for?

"Talk to me," Lila pleaded. She turned to him. "Please? I need my mate back."

"Sorry, Lil, just not in the greatest mood lately. Nothing meant against you," Draco said, shrugging.

"Blaise misses you. We both do," she informed him. "I hate seeing you like this. I know what happened with Granger sucked but either get over it or do something about it."

"She doesn't want me, she's made that plenty clear," he responded, his tone hollow. He did not want to talk about Granger. "I can't get over her. If I could, I would have by now."

"She's miserable too, I can tell," Lila informed him. "She does a good job of hiding it but I see it. She doesn't really talk to me anymore either."

"The ball's in her court, Lil," Draco sighed. "I wish like hell every day I could take it back and make her trust me again but if she can't do that then there's nothing I can do to make it happen. Granger is very stubborn."

"You can't think of anything?" Lila asked, biting her lip. "If anyone can figure this out, it's you, Draco. You're bloody brilliant, after all."

Draco gazed at Lila for a moment, pondering. Was there still a way he could fix things with Granger? He wasn't sure.

He could think of only one thing.

"You wanted to speak with me?" Granger asked, looking uncomfortable as hell seated in the guest chair in Draco's office.

"I wanted to see how you were doing," he replied, trying to keep his tone light. Granger bit her lip, clearly expecting something different.

"Fine, I suppose," she responded after a beat. "Bernard has certainly had me working hard."

Draco thought for a moment, remembering something Bullham had once told him about maybe promoting another Senior Executive one day.

"Good, that means he trusts you," Draco replied. "That said, you're more than welcome to come back with us if you ever felt so inclined." He met her eyes, remembering for a moment the warmth inside them when she returned his gaze.

"I've considered it, but..." she trailed off. "Probably not a good idea."

"The offer stands." He leaned back, trying his best to keep this meeting professional.

"How are you?" she asked, biting her lip nervously. "You're looking well."

Draco nearly laughed. He knew from Lila's constant nagging that he looked far from well.

"I've been better," he responded truthfully. "But life goes on."

"Right, was that it?" Granger asked, making to stand.

Draco stood quickly, wishing he had more to say to keep her in his office. How badly he wanted to touch her. The memories of her lips on his flew back into his mind and he nearly lost it.

Instead, he simply blurted out "Cambridge."

"What?" she asked, bewildered.

"Have you checked Cambridge?" he repeated, running a hand through his blond hair.

"Cambridge?" she said, eyes glazed in thought. "No, I haven't – why Cambridge?"

"Just look," he said, "I don't know – but look."

"Okay, I'll check Cambridge," she nodded. Draco hoped against hope that this had some merit.

"Okay, good," he replied, walking around to the other side of his desk. "Granger, good luck. I really do hope you find them."

"I appreciate that," she said in a soft voice, looking up at him, her big eyes catching him, transfixed. "Well, see you tomorrow I suppose."

With that she was gone. Draco exhaled loudly, not sure what to make of that.

Granger nervously inched her way into the boardroom the next day, shortly before lunch. Draco looked up from his work with Lila, doing a quick double take when he realized who had entered the room. Lila's eyebrows had flown into her hairline in shock.

"Got to go," the blonde girl announced quickly, gathering her stuff and all but running from the room.

Draco blinked at the rapid turn of events.

"Granger," he muttered, not sure what she could possibly be doing there.

The brunette chewed her lip, awkwardly taking a seat next to him.

"Where on earth did you get Cambridge from, of all places?" she asked. If Draco didn't know any better, her tone was incredulous. He shrugged.

"It was a guess. Based on a couple things the neighbour we spoke to in Australia had said. One being that your parents had moved from Brisbane because they found it too big. That makes London somewhat unlikely. The other being that your father had expressed an interest in becoming a professor of dentistry. A quick bit of research showed that Cambridge offers dentistry. Definitely a guess... why?" he asked, realizing she was giving him a strange look.

"Why don't I remember him saying those things?" she asked, confused.

"You weren't exactly focused on anything else after you heard they had moved back to England," he reminded her. "I've got a sharp memory for detail is all."

He paused, evaluating her expression.

"Wait, don't tell me –" he began.

"Cambridge!" she cut him off, anxiously. "I flooed there last night, and..." she trailed off, biting her lip.

"You found them," he said in a low voice. "Seriously, Granger? What did they say?"

He couldn't believe they had actually been there.

"Nothing," she said, her brow furrowed. "I couldn't do it. I – Draco, what if it doesn't work?"

"Then we keep trying," he assured her. He met her eyes, a hint of the old warmth he remembered dancing in them and it made him restless.

"Come with me," she said, almost whispered. "I don't know that I can handle the disappointment if it doesn't work."

"I'll come with you, of course Granger," he responded right away. "We'll go after work."

"Thank you," she said, tone full of relief. She gave him an uneasy smile and left the room.

Draco's heart soared. Maybe there was still a chance for him yet.

Draco absently sipped on his mug of coffee, unable to stop the smile from tugging at his lips.

They had tracked Granger's parents to this coffee shop, disillusioned it and Draco had given her space to do the counter-charm they had discovered.

It had worked. Draco could hardly believe it.

The two muggles had stared around, bewildered, for more than a few moments before finally realizing Hermione was there with them.

In the emotional reunion that had followed, Draco had extracted himself to the other side of the coffee shop, allowing Granger this time with her parents after so long.

He was hesitant to leave at first, in case something had gone wrong, but then he decided he would simply finish his coffee and apparate himself home. He couldn't even imagine the weight off Granger's shoulders.

He glanced over, seeing that she was in full conversation with her parents, the three of them laughing and smiling together. He briefly met Granger's gaze and her eyes were sparkling with happiness. She looked carefree in a way he didn't remember ever having seen her before.

He shot her a quick smile across the shop. Finishing the last of his cup, he left some Muggle money that Granger had lent him and apparated himself home with a quick wave at Granger. She returned the wave, distractedly, continuing her conversation.

The last thing Draco wanted was to overstay his welcome. He knew her and her parents had many years to catch up on.

He debated pouring a glass of whisky, but opted not to. He suspected for once he might actually get a good sleep without alcohol.

He instead decided to read a book. Just as he was about to call it a night and go to bed, there was a loud crack and Granger appeared in his living room. Despite his shock, the thought registered that the last time she came by she had knocked.

He marked the page he was at and set the book down, standing.

"Granger," he muttered in greeting. "What are you doing here?"

"You left," she responded simply. "I didn't get a chance to thank you."

"That's alright," he shrugged. "Granger, I'm thrilled it worked out for you. Seeing you with them tonight was all the thanks I could ever want or need."

He met her gaze, feeling the air suddenly heavy between them.

"I needed to thank you," she insisted, "but how? You've done so much for me even when things have been so awful between us."

"Just recognize that I care for you. It's all I've wanted," he said softly, feeling his breath catch as she stepped towards him.

She set a hand on his arm and his skin tingled from the contact. His heart started racing against his will.

Following her lead, he moved closer, finding her body very close to his. She didn't move away.

"I had something a bit different in mind," she said, her voice low, almost husky.

The hand on his arm trailed almost lazily to his stomach, his hip.

Draco's eyebrows flew up in shock. She knew better than to get him started.

"Watch it, Granger," he growled, pulling her towards him further, so their bodies were touching. He squeezed that arse he loved so much, rolling his hips against hers. Smirked when her breath caught, quickening. Her eyes were big as they met his. She smiled, a challenge in her eyes.

"I want you to shag me," she said quietly, in almost a whisper.

Draco's mind sung with her admittance. He smirked, leaning in to bite her lower lip, hard.

"And tomorrow you're going to pretend nothing happened?" he asked, teasingly. Pulled the lip into his mouth, sucking on it.

He could feel her heart pounding, beneath her delicious chest pressed against him.

"No," she whispered, too distracted to speak.

"What's that?" he asked, taking a step back and slowly, meticulously removing her sweater, being sure to touch her with every move.

"No, I won't," she clarified, clearing her throat.

Draco could tell what he was doing was working on her. He couldn't resist a quick squeeze to her breasts. He laid his hands on her arms.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, in all seriousness.

She bit her lip, nodding. He felt his lips curve into a smile, a genuine one and he leaned in, pressed his lips to hers, hard. He dug a hand into her big curly hair, the other reaching around her back to pull her in close again. She kissed him back, hesitantly at first, then with more intensity. Draco took hold of her lower lip once again, meeting her tongue with his own, savouring every moment.

He had waited a long damn time for this and he was not going to rush it.

Her hands with playing with his shirt, untucked from his slacks, undoing the first few buttons.

He reached down to grab her by the crook in her knee, bringing her thigh up to his hip, backing her up so that her back was pressed against the wall of his living room. He lifted her other leg and she wrapped both of her legs around his waist.

He stopped kissing her briefly, to meet her gaze. Her face was flushed, her lips pink and parted, eyes full of arousal. She looked delicious.

Not looking away from her eyes, Draco took both of her wrists in one hand, holding them away so she couldn't touch him while he moved to kiss her neck, sucking and biting, tantalizingly. He could hear her groan in his ear as she bucked her hips against his, desperately craving the friction.

He moved to her ear, sucking gently on her earlobe, then tugging on it with his teeth.

"You don't know how long I've wanted this, Granger," he nearly growled in her ear, "Your sexy arse has teased me long enough at work, now it's my turn to tease you."

Granger actually whimpered. The sound set his groin on fire. Fuck was he ever hard.

Keeping her against the wall, Draco released her wrists long enough to remove her top then gathered them in his hand again, holding them above her head.

He stared at her for a long moment, in just her bra and skirt. Her incredibly sexy, black lace bra. He raised an eyebrow, amused. She just shrugged, smiling.

Draco kissed her neck again, trailing down to the curve of her breasts, playing absently with her nipples through her bra. Granger's breathing escalated and she struggled to free her hands from his grip. He flicked his tongue out, tasting a nipple through the thin fabric, sucking on one, then the other.

Granger was squirming uncomfortably now and he grinned, finally releasing her hands and letting her legs back down. She grabbed his face, pulling him in for a bruising kiss, continuing her work on the buttons of his shirt slowly, distractedly. Finally she disposed of the shirt, running her hands across the muscles of his chest, his shoulders, his stomach. Trailing south to undo his belt.

Her hands grazed his erection, teasingly, and that was it. Draco picked her back up, walking her into his bedroom and tossed her onto the bed, grinning. Standing over her he slowly pulled down her skirt. Matching black lace panties. Someone had planned ahead. Draco smirked to himself.

"Granger, you look unbelievable," he said softly, licking his lips. She met his gaze, a smile playing at her lips.

"You're not so bad yourself," she murmured. He groaned, removing his pants and moving to straddle her, kissing her hard now, grinding his hips against hers.

He unclasped her bra in one smooth movement, trailed a hand into her knickers, playing with her with his fingers, feeling just how ready she was for him.

Draco could hardly stand it. Could hardly believe it.

"Fuck, just do it," she moaned, and Draco grinned.

"Yeah, okay," he muttered.

When Draco woke the next morning it took him a moment to remember what had happened, just a brief moment to realize Granger's naked body was tangled with his and he smiled to himself, absently playing with her messy hair.

She shifted, her bare ass pressed against him and it took Draco's body exactly a second to become extremely aware of her. Her eyes fluttered open, she smiled sleepily at him and Draco immediately pulled her into him, kissing her hard. As her hand reached down, her smile turning mischievous, Draco had no problem finding the energy to go another round.

"Well good morning to you too," Granger murmured, rolling out of bed. Draco didn't move, watching her get dressed with a twinge of disappointment. "We should get ready for work."

She looked pointedly at him, still lounging under the covers.

"Or we could stay in bed. All day," he responded, raising an eyebrow and smirking at the flush that had crept to her cheeks.

"As good of an idea as that sounds," she said, skirt in hand, "we have to go to work." She kissed him, lingering, and Draco groaned, feeling himself respond to her touch again. He was sure he could have gone again.

"Fine," he grumbled, getting up and enjoying the way she pretended she wasn't staring. He slowly dressed, fully aware that she was watching his every move. He met her gaze as he did the last of his buttons and tied his tie.

He walked over to her, placing his hands on her arms, assessing her expression.

"Last night was amazing," he said softly, kissing the top of her head.

"Yes, it was," she admitted, biting her lip.

"And," he went on, smirking, "you have a lunch date with me on my desk."

"Draco," she scoffed, hitting him on the arm. "Not at work!"

"Oh, yes, at work," he said, lowering his voice. "You'll see."

"Not going to happen," she said, a smile twitching at the corner of her mouth. "You can apparate to work five minutes after me."

Draco rolled his eyes. Not this again.

"Whatever you say," he said softly, kissing her. "See you at work."

She gave him a quick smile, preparing to apparate. Just as she left, Draco grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers into hers, effectively bringing himself along with her.

"Draco," she hissed angrily as they arrived just inside the building. She quickly extracted her hand from his, putting a safe distance between them. She glanced around anxiously but no one was watching. "That isn't acceptable."

Draco just smiled, wanting to laugh but knowing it would just make her mad.

"Not acceptable, noted. So no kissing, then," he said conversationally.

"No kissing," she agreed, in a raised whisper. "No touching. We have to remain professional."

"Except for at lunch, in my office, of course," he continued. He loved how fired up she was over this. "At which point there will be a lot of touching."

"There will be none," she said, attempting to remain irritated with him but the ghost of a smile playing at her lips betraying her.

"Oh fine, only some touching then," he smirked. She rolled her eyes, walking past him towards the lifts. He squeezed her arse as she walked by, downright grinning as she spun around, eyes narrowed, lips tight. She raised a finger, pointing at him in a pseudo-threatening manner. Draco laughed aloud.

He slowly followed her as she continued to the lift, allowing her to board one without him.

This would be fun.