A/N: So chapter 2 is now up! I'm trying to write 2 chapters ahead at all times, so I'm currently working on chap 4 as I post this. THANK YOU to those who have favourite or followed this story, I hope you like the new chapter! Please review if you have time to.

Chapter Two – First Meeting

The air inside the meeting room was noticeably colder than it had been in the corridor. I rubbed my arms as I waited for Marina to return, my skin turning to goosebumps under the friction of my hands.

The door opened and Marina walked in, her expression carefully arranged into one of nonchalance. "This is Hermione Granger, one of our top-level Aurors," she began, "She will be looking after your training."

He entered the room then. He was as tall as I remembered, with his trademark white-blond hair and the same quicksilver eyes. However, these were the only recognisable features. His hair was matted and too long for him, falling in his eyes. He wore Muggle clothing – tight blue jeans and a dark checked shirt. His skin was paler than I recalled. He looked as though he needed a decent night's sleep and a hot bath, and this was the most shocking aspect. The Malfoy I remembered was always immaculately turned-out. It took Marina clearing her throat before I realised I was staring, and I flushed.

He stepped forward and took my hand, brushing his lips briefly against my knuckles. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Granger," he said pleasantly. "I look forward to working with you."

"And you," I responded lamely, not knowing what to say. Instead, I turned my attention to Marina. "Thank you, Marina. Does our new recruit have accommodation assigned to him?"

She suddenly looked uncomfortable again, although she quickly plastered the nonchalant expression back onto her face. "Not yet, although the boss has asked whether he could bunk with you until accommodation has been arranged?" Her eyes met mine, and I could see the apology in them.

I shrugged, fighting the anger that was flaring inside. "Indeed, that will have to do for now." I turned back to Malfoy. "Forgive me, I didn't ask your name," I added.

He looked confused. "To tell you the truth, I don't know it but they tell me I'm called Draco Malfoy."

"Then that is how I will address you. You may call me Hermione."

He nodded, and I thanked Marina again. She left the room, leaving us alone. Think business, Hermione, I told myself. I forced myself to look at him with an unbiased view. "Well first of all, Draco, you can't go into Auror training looking like that. I think a haircut and a shower would be a pertinent place to start."

He looked surprised. "What's wrong with my hair?"

"It's too long," I responded. "It falls in your eyes, and when you are shooting hexes at dark wizards you need to be able to see where you are shooting."

"You sound as if you've learned that the hard way," he commented, sitting down on the edge of the table.

"Let me be clear. Everything I know, I have learned the hard way," I answered coolly. "I have been in more battles than I care to admit. I have watched colleagues and friends die in the heat of conflict. Everything I teach you has come from cold hard experience."

He held up his hands. "I meant no harm. I was just making an observation." He looked at me with interest. "Are you always this intense?"

I wanted to laugh, until I realised he was genuinely asking the question. He had no memory of me at all. The confirmation of this was staggering, and I found myself fighting a smile. "Yes," I answered confidently. "I am."

He smiled. "This will be interesting." He looked at me then, his expression expectant. "So then – where is this shower you speak of? We'd better get moving if I need to look presentable before I can commence my training."

"We'll have to Apparate," I said, offering my arm. He took it, and seconds later we appeared in my flat. He staggered slightly before regaining his balance. "Sorry about that – Side Along Apparition isn't much fun."

"Apparently," he murmured before sitting down heavily on the couch. "Oh – sorry, is it okay for me to sit?"

"Of course," I said, not unkindly. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Do you have any pumpkin juice?" he asked, catching me off guard. He had hated pumpkin juice at school – something that the Weasley twins had used to their advantage in constructing several pranks. I nodded wordlessly and went into the kitchen to pour him a glass. He followed me in and looked around the small room as I finished pouring and handed the glass to him. He took a long drink as I watched, fascinated.

"See something you like?" he asked as he wiped his mouth. I shook my head, feeling the blush creep up my neck. He chuckled and took another sip of his juice.

"I'll thank you not to make comments like that, Draco," I said sternly. "I am, after all, your trainer. "

"You're also a woman, and I was taught never to speak to a woman without respect," he retorted. "You were looking at me with some kind of interest – I was merely wondering what you were thinking."

"I was thinking that you really need a haircut," I lied, making him laugh. "But the fact you address women respectfully is a good thing – it will get you respect within the Aurors."

He nodded. "That's what I hope for, Hermione." I felt my chest clench as he spoke my first name, suddenly reliving memories of being addressed as 'mudblood' throughout our school days. As if reading my mind, he looked into my face. "Would you prefer I called you something else?"

"No," I answered. "Hermione is fine." He drained the rest of his glass and placed it in the sink as I beckoned to him. "Come on, I'll get you a towel and show you where the bathroom is."

He hesitated. "Wouldn't it be better to cut my hair first?" he asked suddenly. I was struck dumb by his question.

"You want me to do it?" I asked incredulously. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I have no hairdressing experience."

Draco nodded. "I would prefer you to do it, simply because I do not wish to wait to begin my training. If I have to go elsewhere it will delay matters."

I nodded numbly and opened a kitchen drawer, scrabbling around for the sharpest scissors I could find. He sat down at the kitchen table with his back to me, and I swallowed. "Accio comb," I summoned, catching the black comb that flew in from the living room. I began to comb his dishevelled hair and found myself musing inwardly on how soft it was.

"You don't have to worry, Hermione," he said suddenly. "However you cut my hair will be fine. As long as it's shorter it will be fine however it looks."

I chuckled dryly. "You won't be saying that when your head looks lopsided," but his remark had lightened the mood and I began to cut as best I could. He stayed silent throughout; which was exactly what I needed. I needed the quiet so that I could concentrate on how his hair had looked in sixth year. Eventually I was pleased with my work. "Okay, you can have a look in the mirror now Draco." I offered.

He stood up and walked over to the mirror in the living room, turning his head this way and that as he perused his reflection. "Merlin's beard, Hermione – I look fantastic!" he exclaimed. I laughed at the utter joy I saw on his face. "This haircut is incredible – who knew I could look good," he continued, running his hands over his hair.

"You do look much better," I agreed. I couldn't believe the change in him. He looked almost like he did in sixth year, but without the drawn look and the greyness in his skin. His eyes – unique as they were – shone with something I had never ever seen in Hogwarts. They shone with life and enthusiasm. He almost looked happy.

I put the scissors away and opened up the cupboard, throwing him a clean towel. "The bathroom is upstairs – third door on the right. Go and shower because you look much better but you don't smell much better – and that is easily rectified." He pulled a mock disgusted face, which I pretended not to notice. "Once you're done, the door next to it will be your bedroom. I'll lay out some clean clothes for you."

"How will you get clothes for me? Transfigured clothes never fit properly."

I raised an eyebrow. "Where there's a witch there's a way. Now go and get showered."

He saluted me and made his way up the stairs, leaving me standing in the living room alone trying to fight the smile that was pulling at my lips.