Draco didn't go back to work that day. He went to the manor to see his mother. She rarely left the house since his father had died, even before then she only left for visits to see him. He hadn't come to see her for a while and was starting to feel guilty, especially after the Weasley thing. The only reason they hadn't joined his father in Azkaban was Potter. He'd told the Ministry about how his mother had basically saved his life in the forbidden forest that night and how he would never have killed Dumbledore, about how he was about to drop his wand. He had a lot to thank Potter for and he'd resented it for a long time, he'd only just started to let it go. Another reason for going to see his mother was she might be able to convince him what a bad idea him and Granger would be. He reached the front door and knocked and not to his surprise a house elf answered.
'Hello master' she squeaked and bowed.
'Hello Rosie.' He smiled walking in, she was his favorite house elf. 'How have you been?'
'Master is so kind. Rosie is good. Would Master like some food or drink?' She said following him inside.
'No thanks. I just came to see my mother.' He said.
'Mistress is in the library.' Rosie squeaked. 'She is spending a lot of time in the library.'
'It was where my father spent most of his time. Thank you Rosie.' He said walking to the library.
He took a deep breath before he walked into the library. He wasn't sure how he would find his mother. She was sat at his father's desk with a quill and parchment in hand.
'Hello Mother.' He said walking over to her.
'Well Hello Draco.' She smiled. 'It's been a while.'
'I know I'm sorry.' He said leaning in and kissing her cheek. He moved and sat down opposite her. 'How have you been?' He asked.
'Ok.' She smiled. 'I've been doing a lot of charity work trying to get our name back in good standing.' She sighed. 'How have you been?'
'Ok. I've been working on a law for proper treatment of house elves.' He said.
Narcissa raised her eyebrows. 'Why would you be working on that?'
'Well someone from magical creatures came up with it and then someone from my department has to go through it with them to make sure it can be enforced.' He said.
'Oh right.' She knew her son well and something was bothering him. 'Who have you been working with?'
'Erm Granger.' He looked at her he could tell she wasn't sure who he meant. 'You know Potters Muggle born friend. Hermione Granger?'
'The mudblood?' She gasped.
'Please Mother you know that term has been outlawed.' He sighed. 'Yes that's her.'
Narcissa was starting to understand now. Her son was having feelings for her. 'I'm sorry. Old habits. What's that been like then?'
'Hard work.' He said. 'But Hermione is passionate about what she does it's been good to work with her.'
Yes her son was falling for the mudblood. 'Draco?'
'Yes mother.' He relpied running his hands through his hair.
'Do you like this girl?' He looked up at his mother, she knew him too well.
'I...' He didnt know what to say. 'Yes I suppose I do.'
'Well what's holding you back?' She wasn't her husband. She only ever went with the dark lord because he had, she was a good wife she would have stood by his side wherever he went.
'She's only just stopped seeing someone and we don't have the best history too many bad things.' He slouched down in his chair. 'I don't want to push her.'
'Just spend time with her then.' Narcissa said. 'She'll love you just like I do eventually. Show her who you really are. Don't let your father's influence deter you from being happy'
So much for his mother convincing him to stay away. She was encouraging him. He never expected this. He left a few hours later and went home.
The next few days went by quickly, they had each buried themselves in their work. Draco berating himself for not just kissing her and Hermione struggling with the pull of being grateful he never with everything that had been going on and disappointed he never.
'Draco?' Hermione asked.
'Yes Hermione.' He said.
'Why did you join Law Enforcement?' She asked. She realized she found it slightly strange a career for him.
'I wasn't allowed to be an auror because of the death eater thing.' He looked at her. 'Next best thing was Law Enforcement.' He said with a shrug.
'Oh' she said she wasn't sure what she'd expected but Draco wanting to be an auror was not it.
'Does that shock you?' He said looking at her.
'Erm Yes I suppose it does a little.' She said nervously.
'Well I'm not surprised.' He laughed. 'After my history. It's taken a lot of effort for people to realize I'm not who they thought I was.'
'Yes.' She said smiling. 'I'm finding that out.'
'I'm glad.' He smiled.
On Friday Hermione couldn't concentrate. It was the day of the draft and she was waiting for Harry to find out what had happened. She hated this. She threw down the paper she had read three times without any of it going into her head.
'I thought Potter might have volunteered.' Draco said.
'No.' she sighed. 'He wouldn't do that to Ginny. He doesn't want to leave her.' A shadow passed over her face. Damn Weasley he thought.
They were just getting ready to go down to lunch when Harry burst in with a grin on his face.
'I'm fine. I'm staying.' He practically shouted at her. Hermione ran to him and hugged him hard letting happy tears fall. 'I have to go tell Ginny.' He said untangling himself from Hermione.
'Oh Harry I'm so happy.' She said with a watery smile. Harry turned and ran from the office.
Later on they were getting ready to go home. 'Come for a celebratory drink with me Hermione?' Draco asked.
'I can't I should go celebrate with Harry and Ginny.' She said.
Draco laughed. 'If I was them I would be celebrating in a different way.' He said with a gleam in his eyes.
'Oh right.' She said looking a bit uncomfortable before letting out a laugh herself. 'Ok then let's go.'
They went to a muggle bar near the city center. They ordered drinks and sat down at the bar.
'Cheers.' Draco said with a smile at Hermione.
Hermione giggled and clinked her glass to his. 'Cheers.'
'You seem happier than you have over this past couple of weeks.' He said.
'Something good has finally happened.' She said with a grin looking at him.
'Well here's to more good things.' He said taking a sip of his beer. He looked over at her then. 'I like to see you smiling.'
'Thankyou.' She said her grin widening. She didn't want to think about Ron tonight and besides Draco was here and he wasn't. She was going to enjoy herself tonight. It had been too long since she'd let her hair down.