Blaise Zabini had one of two choices to make upon returning home that evening.

He could either, A) Acknowledge that there was a couple embracing on his couch and walk away silently, insuring that he would not disturb them and that he would not harass the man involved in the embrace for details the next day.

Or he could B) Enter in the most dramatic fashion possible causing the couple to spring apart, their faces flushed with embarrassment and skin brimming with unresolved sexual tension.

Naturally, Blaise Zabini smirked and chose option B.

Draco's flat was cold. Hermione glanced around at the bare walls and grey tones surrounding her and frowned. Her flat was nothing like this. Her flat had character. Her life was spread across every bookshelf, desk, wall and windowsill. She even allowed Luna to leave supposed 'magical' plants in her living room which were meant to bring her luck and happiness. Hermione wasn't sure if they actually brought those things, they mainly seemed to entrap flies. She honestly found them a little barbaric, but Luna wasn't to know that.

Hermione heard Draco clear his throat to the side of her and turned to see him sat upon a beautiful and possibly too clean L-shaped leather sofa. He grinned at her and patted the cushion next to him.

After a few moments silence he cleared his throat again and spoke, "Look... about me wanting you er, dead. Well, I was twelve. And I grew up with a very difficult father who- well you know all this. You know my history. I didn't really see you as a person until that day when you hit me. I know that sounds awful. I mean, yeah sorry that does sound really awful. But I'd never met a muggle born before and naturally I'd been told all these terrible stories about your kind. So when I met you and you were dispelling all these myths I'd heard about muggle borns being filthy and stupid and ugly well, obviously I was confused and angry and so I acted out and-."

He was cut off by Hermione's short laugh, "Draco you don't need to explain yourself. I understand, I suppose."

"Well then. Good."

"Right."

"So why are you so back and forth with me? One moment you're smiling sweetly at me, the next you're accusing me of wanting you dead-."

"I'm... I'm just trying to wrap my head around you. Draco we were enemies. Then we were indifferent to each other. And then... lovers. I don't know where we stand now."

Draco rubbed the back of his head, wondering why this was so awkward. Everything was so much easier in Australia. But then, Hermione felt the same way about him then that he felt about her now. Did this mean he had to start again? Re-seduce her? He could tell that just by looking at her stiff posture and the way her eyes flickered about the room uncomfortably that it would be a lot harder second time round. He sighed and linked his fingers together, cursing himself for becoming interested in such a complicated, difficult, intelligent, incredible-

No.

-Interested in such an over thinking, know-it-all with a fabulous arse.

Bugger.

"It's very cold in here."

"Oh!" Draco stood, searching for the strange remote control that controlled the air, "Hang on a second I can turn it of-."

"No Draco, not the temperature. The decor."

"Oh." He took a glance around the room, "But I hired an interior designer." The pout on his face was almost adorable, Hermione told herself. Almost. She found she couldn't take her eyes off the way his lips puckered ever so slightly, his lower lip plump and shiny and really his mouth was in the perfect position for her to lean in and-

Hermione shook her head incredulously, "Merlin, Draco. Well then no wonder it's so bland. It's... fashionable but it's not a home."

A grin stretched across Draco's mouth, "Maybe you'll have to give me a tour of your place then."

A small smile graced Hermione's face and she rolled her eyes playfully, "Oh no Mr. Malfoy, I'm afraid I have a five date rule until you can see my flat."

Draco sat down again, his thigh against hers and brought his hand to her cheek, "Five dates then."

Neither was sure who began to lean in, though Hermione was sure it was Draco, and neither was sure who's eyes closed first, though Draco was sure it was Hermione. Hermione licked her lips aware of how dry they suddenly felt and Draco's other hand came up from its place on the couch to clutch her waist firmly. His thumb began circling her hip bone as Hermione took in a deep breath through her nose. She could feel Draco's soft exhale against her lips and pressed her thigh harder against his.

"Draco..." She whispered.

"DRACO!"

The two sprang apart, Hermione jerking back so quickly that she fell off the sofa and onto the polished wood flooring beneath her. Draco stood sharply and turned towards the door, a scowl gracing his angelic features as he snarled, "Zabini."

"Hope I haven't interrupted anythin- OH, Granger, what on Earth are you doing down there? Though I suppose Draco wouldn't complain about your current position any other time. I'm sure wouldn't." The dark wizard wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at Hermione who glanced up at him confused and then over at Draco. She realised then, from her place on the ground, that she was perfectly in line with Draco's crotch and jumped up from the floor into a standing position. Draco sighed angrily.

"What do you want Blaise?"

"How rude! Why, I live here too! Hermione, dear, has Draco offered you anything to drink? We have wine. Red or White?"

"Erm," Hermione cleared her throat and prayed her face wasn't as red as it felt, "Do you have anything pink?"

"Good choice, Granger I'm sure Draco would love to see your lovely skin all pink underneath his han-."

"GET OUT, BLAISE."

"Oooooooh Draco, look at you trying to be all protective in front of your woman," A smirk was plastered across Blaise's face, smugness radiating from his entire being, "It's like you've forgotten who was the one who encouraged you to pursu-,"

"You."

Both boys turned to look at Hermione. Her eyes had narrowed into slits and her arms were folded defiantly over her chest. Blaise continued to laugh until he realised that disapproving look was aimed at him and not Draco who was seemingly enraptured by the sight of Hermione glaring at his friend. The blond raised his eyebrows at Blaise as if to say, not so smug now, are you?

"Oh yes," Hermione started, uncrossing her arms and advancing slowly on Blaise, "Draco told me all about how you were the one to tell him to go after me, as if I'm a piece of meat. How dare you, in my vulnerable state, push your best friend into dating me when I was completely clueless to what was happening. Do you know how dangerous that could have been?! Did you not listen to anything we were taught about memory charms in school? I could have been seriously traumatised when my memories came back you COMPLETE AND UTTER IMBECILE. HONESTLY BLAISE ZABINI. I thought better of you. I am no one's woman. I am my own woman!"

"Traumatised?" Draco muttered to himself, "Merlin I'm not that bad."

Blaise chuckled, "Well, Princess, I see you're still a complete know it all."

"PRINCESS?!" Both Hermione and Draco yelled. Before Draco could hold her back, and if he was honest with himself he was glad he didn't, she ran at Zabini and tackled him to the floor.

"HELP, GREMLIN ATTACK!"

"HOW DARE YOU CALL ME A GREMLIN."

"What's a Gremlin?"

Well there goes my coffee table, Draco sighed as it was knocked over. He fumbled for his wand which was safely lodged in his trouser pocket and muttered, "Petrificus totalus." Blaise's wide eyes were locked in place on a fist coming straight towards his handsome face. He was somehow already bleeding slightly from his lip. Hermione was frozen above him, her eyes focused on the target. One of her hands was raised in the air and the other was curled around his collar. Draco wished he had a muggle camera to photograph the scene.

Draco walked towards the two and knelt beside them, "Now I will release Hermione from the spell first, and then you Blaise. I'm just going to let that sink in for a bit before I remove it to make sure what I've said has processed through your heads. Okay?" He waited for a moment and then murmured the counter curse.

A loud crunching sound filled the air and too late Draco realised he probably should have gotten Blaise out of the line of fire first.

"That felt good." Hermione exclaimed, standing up and clicking her knuckles, "Do you have a first aid kit? He'll need one."

"Hermione. We're magical beings. We'll heal him." Draco explained, rolling his eyes as he released Blaise from the spell.

"Fucking hell! Is this how you felt in third year? Merlin." Blaise clutched his nose as blood streamed from it ruining his crisp white shirt.

"Why does everyone still remember third year?" Draco murmured dejectedly. Hermione knelt in front of Blaise and reached for her wand before realising it wasn't there. She sighed, wondering where she'd put it before she'd taken her memories. Draco frowned at her, "What's wrong?"

"I don't have my wand. I can't heal him." She sighed.

Draco walked towards her and placed his hand on her shoulder knowing how hopeless she must feel right now. "If I remember correctly, Granger, I was once without a wand. I believe your precious Potter stole it from me."

Hermione gave him a weak smile. Blaise watched silently, wondering how the two couldn't see how well they fitted. Draco was so in tune with Hermione's feelings. His eyes would always travel over her, making sure no hair was out of place. Funny, how that hair he once hated he was now so fond of. Blaise chuckled and pulled himself to his feet.

"What's so funny?" Draco questioned.

"Oh, nothing. Don't worry about healing me, I'll be able to pull double the ladies with this injury. Have fun kids, don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

And with that, Blaise Zabini waltzed out the door concluding that the evening had been successful.

"Well here we are."

After the storm that was Blaise, Hermione decided it was best for her to head home. Draco insisted that he would walk her and assured her that he had no ulterior motive no not at all of course he wasn't memorising every street they walked down.

Oh who was he kidding.

The street Hermione lived on seemed peaceful enough, but maybe that was due to the fact that it was a little past midnight and the village was dosing in and out of a dream like state. Draco almost felt like he was dreaming too if it weren't for the slight chill in the air causing goose bumps to erupt on his skin. He considered offering Hermione his jacket, but he was fucking freezing. He settled for silently casting a warming charm on her and hoping she hadn't noticed. Of course she did however, and she had thanked him silently.

"Yes, here we are." He murmured, "You sure I can't get a look in? Purely for interior design tips."

Hermione grinned up at him, "Five dates." She repeated.

"Five." He nodded, until what she had said finally clicked in his brain, "Wait you're giving me a chance? Are you sure? I mean I don't want you to second guess yourself but, you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Four dates?"

"Four?"

"Well," Draco closed the gap between them until Hermione's back was pressed against the door, "Despite how badly tonight started it was still a date."

"Mmm," Hermione hummed, looping her arms around his neck, "Handsome and intelligent. Four dates then, Draco."

"Four." He agreed, closing his eyes and leaning in. Finally, he thought, until his lips came into contact with a hard object. His eyes snapped open and he noticed he was kissing the wood of her door. He pulled his head back and laughed, wondering if she was also giggling on the other side of the panel separating them. "Very funny!" He yelled. He heard her answering laugh, muffled by the wood.

"Goodnight!" She called.

"Goodnight." He stared at the door for a moment more and turned to leave.

Draco smiled as he heard a soft click and then felt a soft hand gripping his wrist, tugging him back. His grin widened as he locked eyes with liquid caramel and pushed Hermione up against the door, his lips pressing softly against hers. Hermione's arms wrapped themselves around Draco's waist as his wound into her hair, his fingers curling around the chocolate coloured strands delicately. The index finger of his left hand trailed down her cheek as his tongue swept out to brush against her lower lip. She pulled away her cheeks a delicate rose colour.

"Four more dates." She whispered, unwinding herself from him and returning back to her flat without a second glance in his direction.

Draco glanced up to the heavens, thanking whatever Deity was out there.

"Hermione," He murmured through the door, "Blaise was right about one thing. I do love to see your beautiful porcelain skin flush pink."

Granger gets memories and Malfoy!

War Heroine Hermione Granger was found in Australia a few days ago by none other than her childhood enemy Draco Malfoy. Hermione, who is well known for her seduction of many famous wizards such as War Hero's and Best friends Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley and Quidditch players Viktor Krum, Oliver Wood and Terence Higgs has clearly set her sights on another Slytherin. The devious and determined young woman latched onto Draco Malfoy as soon as he rescued her and can be seen in this picture returning to the pureblood heir's flat.

So, dear readers, we at the Daily Prophet question do Mister Malfoy's parents know? And if so what do they think of their regal son associating with someone supposedly below him in status? Or are they rejoicing over this match as his engagement to Miss Astoria Greengrass was such a disaster? What do Miss Granger's friends think of the pair? Have Harry and Ron rejected their friend or stood by her decision? And what about the ring Mister Weasley was seen purchasing mere weeks ago?

We will continue to investigate this emerging couple but for now turn to page six for more information on the pair's past careers and relationships.