"So you didn't even make it to the second movie?" Ginny was disappointed in here retelling of the events. Hermione only glossed over the argument, and left out how much she actually enjoyed fighting again.
"Yeah, and that was probably a mistake. I mean, I never actually intended to show The Godfather at the event. We just picked it to get him interested. It probably isn't a good thing to show a room of former criminals. I had been banking on Casablanca being our top choice." Not that she minded avoiding watching it just with him. Maybe it was best the way it turned out.
"Just suggest watching it instead when you meet him next. When was that going to be?"
Hermoine stopped. She didn't actually remember when he said he would be by, since she hadn't been paying much attention. That would certainly make Ginny suspicious.
"Later on in the week I suppose. He was going to owl me." A convincing lie.
"Really? Here I expected you to have every single aspect of the project well mapped out. Do you even know where you will be hosting the event?"
"Well no. I suppose that is what we need to discuss next. I really didn't have time to plan much more since I really just wanted him out. He got very irritating."
"Yeah, that I can understand. How you managed to let him in here in the first place baffles me. I'm shocked the entire place doesn't reek of pretention."
Hermione was still a bit lost in her own thoughts. It had been quite some time since she felt that elated.
Arguing had always been something that thrilled her, because she was just so good at it. It was hard to find someone worth her time when it came to a good spat. Ron had been pointless. He was just too stupid and far too temperamental to engage in a real and meaningful debate. Harry would have been a worthy candidate, but he gave up much too easy. Hermione found the only person she enjoyed bickering with since school was Ginny. She was clever and fiery, and while Hermoine beat her in intelligence, she had quite a bit of nerve.
However, it was never fueled by actual anger, like this had been. It pulled her out of her slump and made her want to get back in the world and fight for what she believed in, the way she used to. Of course, it was rather ridiculous to feel that way about a simple argument with Lucius Malfoy. He probably fought like that with everyone, and thought nothing of it.
There was no doubt he made her very angry, and she had to keep calm to maintain professionalism, but a small part of her wanted to make him lose his temper again. She didn't think it would be hard.
"Insolent girl!" He yelled, throwing his glass at the wall of his study. He then proceeded to fix it, and fill it up with more firewhiskey.
It had been a few hours, and he was still furious. She dared argue with him like that, and the way he stormed out made it seem like she had won. If she was on some high horse when they met next it might be the death of him.
Then there was the movie itself. He never confronted her about it's choosing, but he assumed it must have been to insult him. To point out that his life was no better than that of muggle criminals. She likely never even guessed he would have enjoyed it.
How difficult it was to hold his tongue when she tried to discuss it. He had real questions, about their society and whether muggles still acted this way. If all cities were run by these rings of men who operated above the law.
He saw so many parallels to his own life, but he dared not mention them. He especially wanted to know if there was more, or if that was simply the end to the story.
She knew there was more he wanted to say, and she mocked him for it. How could a creature be so completely unbearable? He hated many men and women in his day, but she made him absolutely shake with fury.
It made him wonder whether he should go through with his plan at all. Could he bear it, or would it drive him insane?
What, and let her defeat me once and for all? What kind of Malfoy turns down a challenge?
The answer was none. He had been through Azkaban, he had outlived Voldemort, and he still had his sanity. What could a tiny little girl even dream of doing to unhinge the impenetrable Lucius Malfoy?
He just could not afford to lose his temper in front of her again. That seemed very important to his success. His impatience would get the better of him, and she would be less agreeable in the future.
He needed to be on his best behaviour if he wanted to figure her out. Even the strong-willed had weaknesses, and somewhere under her ego and thick skin was a timid girl waiting to be preyed upon. The game was afoot, and he was determined to emerge victorious.
Days went by, and Hermione heard nothing from Lucius about their upcoming meeting. She was beginning to worry he had given her a time and place and she never heard. Her hopes had been set on suggesting somewhere out of public eye for this meeting, so she could try her luck at making him lose his temper again.
She knew it was a fairly stupid reason, and that she should really be focusing on her work, but it had been years since she thought about much else.
As she was contemplating owling him her suggestion, who should walk in the door?
Great, there go my chances of any fun.
She couldn't risk being unprofessional in front of her colleagues, and Malfoy certainly would be on his best behavior.
"Miss Granger, I trust your week has gone well?" He seemed to have taken his tone of superiority down a notch.
"Yes it has been fine, how about yours?"
This is awkward. Small talk does not suit him in the least. He can't actually be interested in the lives of others, so it seems like too much effort to appear polite.
"Oh you know, rather dull. Going out gets rather old when everyone stares at you open mouthed, but it seems to be better than staying in."
Was this what he thought chatting was like? Did he ever have anyone he attempted to speak normally to?
"Right. Well I suppose we should get down to business. We need to decide on a venue. There is also the matter of nailing down the date."
"Indeed. I also have given it some thought, and I think it best if you choose another film. After all, we may be dealing with a room of barely reformed criminals, and we don't want to give anyone ideas."
She was speechless. Those were her exact thoughts coming from his mouth. Hermione Granger and Lucius Malfoy had the same idea.
"Fair enough, I will take a look and find something I deem suitable and tasteful. Do you wish to view it beforehand?"
"No that is fine. I will leave you to it as it is your area of expertise. Now the real issue is the venue. Obviously the best choice would be the Manor. It is somewhere everyone can find and I have more than enough space. However, you deem it rather unsuitable for your own reasons."
Ah, here was his angle. She would not give in that easy. Some day she might be ready to face Malfoy Manor, but this was pushing it.
"You are correct about that. I suppose no one would want to go somewhere in the muggle world. That would be moving a bit quickly. Anywhere at the Ministry we could host it?"
"No, the meeting rooms are far too plain for the level of event I have in mind."
They went back and forth for some time, each having a reason to turn down the other's suggestions.
"Well how about we host it outside the Manor, on our extensive lawn. I can set up a tent large enough for everyone, and with a few heating charms we can keep it warm. That covers every possible problem."
He had a point. As much as she didn't want to be anywhere near that building, outside was much better than in.
They agreed to send out invitations within the community, first to those they deemed more open minded. If the first event was a success they would try those who were a bit more difficult to persuade.
It would take place in two Saturdays, and they planned to meet over the weekend to iron out the small details.
When he finally took his leave she sat back for a moment, wondering what curse had suddenly made him bearable. It seemed out of place, and it slightly unnerved her, but they had accomplished more than all their previous meetings combined. For that reason only, she would forget the uncomfortable feeling and just go with it.
A/N - a few of you wanted to see them watch Casablanca. I realized I did too, it just wasn't really the moment in the last chapter, so it will make it's appearance at the event