He was going to spontaneously combust ... any second now. He felt hot under the collar, and his palms felt sweaty. Every nerve was standing on end. Did Potter not know what she was doing to him? Potter wasn't even doing anything ... she was only sitting next to him - that was all - oh and she was cooing over the baby she held in her arms; Hugo, but that was a different matter.

'It's good to see you Malfoy,' Weasley teased, 'where have you been?'

Draco frowned at his work partner, true he had avoided Weasley, but he had been around to see Granger at least. Potter laughed, Draco felt awkward, guilty and at this very moment felt like he was on fire. Too many things to be feeling at once. And all because Potter was merely sitting inches away from him.

'We're only here to update you,' Draco retorted, 'It's your case as well, you know.'

'Alright, alright,' Weasley said, holding his hands up defensively, 'Well, Ria told me about the surveillance - I'm guessing the reason you've turned up, is because you need me for it.'

'Yeah, it's all hands on,' Potter said admittedly, 'Sorry to pull you off leave for it, but we really want to catch this bas-' she stopped herself, looking down at Hugo, '- guy.'

'Send me the coordinates and time,' Weasley said, 'and I'll be there - the plan is for you two to be undercover in the club, isn't it? As a couple?'

'That's the idea,' Potter confirmed, 'we don't want too many of us around, if we are all looking for him, it'll give the game away. And that's the last thing we want.'

'This guy has had enough of a head start as it is,' Draco agreed.

'Don't you think - you know - that he could be setting us up?' Weasley said, 'Sending us to the wrong place?'

'We thought of that,' Potter said honestly, 'but we've got to go - it's the only thing we've been given, even if it is a decoy.'

'That's why we need as many Aurors as we can get,' Draco said, 'I mean - if he is there, there is more of a chance we'll get him - if not -'

'It'll be a complete waste of time and resources,' Weasley said, 'Bentley will kill us, if it is.'

'He knows the risks,' Potter added, 'it's only a small team, that's going.'

The front door opened, and a voice called; 'We're back.' Granger walked into the kitchen, with a tired looking Rose.

'Is that the time already?' Potter said looking up at the clock, it was almost three in the afternoon. 'Sorry, Hermione, I hate to run and leave you.' she handed Weasley Hugo, and grabbed her bag, 'But I've got a godson to collect - oh and I think someone needs a change.' she added to Weasley, she kissed Granger on the cheek, and gave Rose a hug, 'Bye Rose, bye guys.' And she swept from the room.

'Right,' Weasley said, still looking at the empty doorway, 'I'll go and sort this one out - be back in a minute.' Weasley left a moment later, taking Hugo with him.

'Did you enjoy your shopping trip?' Draco asked Granger.

'Yes, it was a nice break from things,' she said settling Rose into a chair, then busied herself making Rose a drink. 'Were you here to update Ron? I didn't interrupt anything important, did I?'

'No, we were wrapping up anyway,' Draco said, 'Anything else can wait until Saturday.'

'Just two days,' Hermione said softly, 'I think Ron's looking forward to helping you guys out - with whatever you're doing. He's missed it, he's missed you.'

'Sorry,' Draco said, 'that I haven't been around - for him as much. I've had my own stuff to deal with. It's not fair to offload on him - with the circumstances an all.'

'So that's why you've been avoiding him.' Granger said Draco nodded, 'Well at least he'll know it wasn't his fault now.'

There was a moment silence, Draco didn't know what to say to her.

'Ria hasn't held a baby for a while,' Granger muttered, into the silence, 'that was her first time - for quite some time.'

Draco was confused, he wasn't sure why she was telling him this, besides there were several other children who had once been babies, that Potter had been around. Had Potter not held them then? Not even her own godchildren, until now? Why now?

'I didn't think she ever would,' Granger said softly, 'I never thought she'd get passed - well- I just didn't think it would happen is all.'

'You talking about Potter's accident? From Weasley's mission?' Draco said.

'Yeah,' Granger replied, a sad look plagued her face, 'she still blames herself - for what happened - did Ron tell you she saw someone she loved die - killed right in front of her?' Draco shook his head. 'Ria, she was different after that - closed herself off - I think she just didn't want to get hurt again.'

Granger smiled, 'Everything's started to change though - she's returning to us again, returning to herself - since she started working with you.'

'What was she doing? Before she came back.'

'Sorry, but that's worth more than my life -' Granger laughed, and she added in a serious tone, 'Don't screw it up, keep doing whatever it is your doing - but I swear, if you hurt her, there'll be hell to pay.'

'Granger what are you talking about.'

'Draco, I'm not stupid,' she replied sternly, 'I've seen the way you look at her - it's pretty obvious. I think you're good for her - that this is good for her. But don't hurt her.'

'I have no intention of doing that.'

'Oh and it's Granger-Weasley, Draco, if you can't handle my surname by now, you might as well call me Hermione.'

Weasley came back into the room, Hugo pressed against his chest, and asked, 'Did we miss anything?'