I glance in the mirror and bite my lip. I am definitely overthinking this, but I already straightened my hair; no going back now. Turning away from my reflection, I grab a simple silver necklace and fasten it around my neck, adjusting the pendent so it hangs in the center of my chest.

At the sound of a knock on my door, I jump in surprise. Damn it; he was early.

"Just a second!" I call digging through my purse. "Where the fuck is my lipstick?" I mutter to myself. After half a second of being unable to find it, I decide it really isn't worth it and hurry to the door. A quick glance through the peephole confirms that Malfoy is outside.

"Hey, come on in," I say, opening the door for him. "I just need to grab my coat…" My voice trails off when I notice the strange look on his face. "What?"

"You straightened your hair." He sounds surprised.

"Does it look bad?"

"What? No, of course not." He gives me a charming smile. "It's just different is all."

I relax at his words, shocked that his denial of my hair looking bad actually sounded sincere. Ron could have taken some lessons from him. Turning away from Malfoy, I grab my coat from my closet and slip it on before grabbing my purse.

"Okay; I'm ready." I notice Malfoy is staring at my hair again. "Are you all right?"

"Can I touch it?"

"Touch what? My hair? Um, I guess."

Malfoy moves closer to me and catches a lock of my hair in his fingers. He plays with the small section for a moment before dropping it and running his fingers through the rest. "Hmm," he says after a moment, before stepping away.

"Why did you want to do that?"

He shrugs. "I was curious. I don't think I've ever seen you with straight hair. It's nice."

"Why am I sensing a 'but'?"

His lips curve up into something between a smirk and smile. "But, I think I like your curls just a bit more."

I arch an eyebrow. "Well then I guess it's a good thing I didn't do this for you."

"Ah, so you just dressed up for the reporters outside then?"

"Tell me you are lying, I beg of you."

"Afraid not, Granger. I noticed the two of them when I came in; by the way, this apartment complex should invest in a little better security. One Alohomora and I just waltzed right in. I thought you said this place was warded."

"For Apparition yes, and against unwanted guests. Your unlocking charm worked only because I added you to a short list of individuals who can successfully do that and not trigger the alarm. Congratulations."

"I've made the short list, have I?" he chuckles as we exit my flat and I lock the door behind us. "I suppose I should feel honored, shouldn't I?"

"Yes, you should," I say, pressing the button at the lifts. "You and a grand total of three other people are on that list."

"Hm, very short list then. I was expecting a bit more than only four names." We step into the lift and Malfoy taps his chin before looking at me. "Tell me, what did you say to the Potters that made them agree to this?"

I hesitate before meeting his eyes. "I told them that this is your test run with them to prove you deserve a chance; you've already passed my inspection. And… I asked them to do the same thing as me; give you the chance that I know you deserve."

The silence that follows my admission hangs between for a bit too long for my liking. Malfoy is staring at me and I can't quite tell what he's feeling.

"You… you think I deserve a chance to prove myself?"

"To be honest, Malfoy, I think you've already done that. But I want them to let you do that. You've changed since our days at Hogwarts, and I think it's high time someone other than me realizes that. I see the stuff that gets written about you and your family in the Prophet. It's time the wizarding world learns that everyone has baggage. Sure, some people have more skeletons in the closet than others, but it's not fair to keep assuming the worst of people. You've earned the right to show everyone that you've changed."

We're staring intently at each other now and standing a bit closer than necessary, even in the small area of the lift. Malfoy's silver eyes are searching my face carefully and I feel trapped by their gaze. When his eyes stop and focus on my mouth, I swallow thickly.

"We should have a code word," he says suddenly, gracefully moving away from me and breaking whatever spell was forming between us. "You know, in case Weasel ever shows up. That way I know if you need me to step in or not. I don't want to get in the way of you kicking his arse."

"Like what?" I ask, schooling my features into a neutral expression.

"I don't know. It could be a word or just a simple 'I don't want to deal with you right now'. Just something to tip me off if you would like my assistance or not. Got any ideas?"

I tap my chin thoughtfully as the lift doors open and we step out into the lobby. I can see the reporters from here, but they haven't noticed us yet. "Attack?"

"I am vetoing that right now."

I can't help but laugh at Malfoy's tone, turning to look at him. "I know, I just thought it would be funny."

"Well funny or not, I am not a guard dog, Granger." He tries to sound stern, but there is a hint of smile forming at the corners of his lips. "Do you have any better ideas?"

"I'll let you know. But, unfortunately, we have come to the annoying part of the evening."

"Which would be?"

"Getting outside without the reporters seeing us just yet."

"I thought the point of this was to let reporters get a picture of us."

"Not the two of us alone. They'll think we're on a date. Trust me, there will be positive press about you tomorrow, but we need Harry and Ginny first."

"All right, I'll trust you. How would you like to play this?"

"Have you got an idea?"

"Actually, yes. Stay here until you see a black BMW pull up."

Before I can question him, Malfoy turns on the spot and vanishes. I glance toward the front doors of the lobby, hoping I will be able to distinguish a BMW from the other types of cars; he really should have given me a better description. After a moment, a black car pulls up to the curb. When no one moves toward it, I assume that it is Malfoy. Taking a deep breath, I hurry outside toward the car. I fling open the passenger side door and shut it behind me, just as the first reporter notices me.

"Nicely done, Granger," Malfoy says from the driver's seat. "They hardly noticed you. Must have been the hair."

"Oh, please stop making comments about my hair."

"Whatever for?"

"I'm beginning to think it was a bad idea."

Instead of just driving away, Malfoy turns in his seat to look at me and waits until I meet his eyes to finally speak. "I'm sorry for making you self-conscious about your hair. It looks lovely."

"How can you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Somehow make me believe a compliment I would have never found sincere from Ron."

Malfoy smirks. "Well it's quite simple for two reasons, really. One: I believe it, and two: I am not Weasel."

I stare at him for a moment before smiling. "Rodent."

"I beg your pardon?"

I cannot help the laughter that escapes at Malfoy's offended tone and disgusted expression. "Our code word for when I need or want you step in: rodent."

"Well thank Merlin for that; I thought you actually just insulted me after I complimented you."

"Well…"

"Don't you even go there, witch."

Malfoy pulls up to the front of the restaurant to let me out while he goes and parks the car. I notice Ginny's red hair after he drives away and hurry over to her and Harry.

"There you are!" Ginny says, reaching out to give me a hug. "We were beginning to think you and Malfoy bailed. Where is he by the way?"

"Parking the car; I thought we were going to walk since it's a decent night out, but there were a few reporters near my flat. I figured it would be better to avoid them until we were all together so we can give the illusion of four friends hanging out, you know?"

"You are aware that some reporters are going to think this is a double date, right?" Harry asks. "I mean, there are four of us here."

"Oh, leave that to me," Ginny says with a smirk.

"What are you going to do?" I ask, wearily. "Do you realize we have to be believable, right?"

"Of course! And you," she says, turning to her husband. "You better follow my lead, got that? If there is so much of a sentence suggesting Malfoy and Hermione are dating tomorrow, I am holding you personally responsible."

"Yeah, no pressure or anything, thanks Gin," Harry mumbles.

I quickly glance around before looking at them. "Do you guys even seen reporters?"

"Oh, trust me, Hermione; they're there," Ginny assures me. "We could hear their cameras clicking like crazy standing here waiting for you. They've gotten a little better at being less conspicuous as the years have gone on."

"Okay, good. I just wanted to make sure this would actually result in some publicity. Wow, never thought I'd say those words."

Suddenly Ginny runs from Harry and I. We turn to watch in surprise as she launches herself at Malfoy, wrapping her arms securely around his neck and screaming about how she'd missed hanging out with him and how he really needed to stop being such a stick in the mud who focused only on work. The momentary shock on Malfoy's features vanish almost as quickly as it appears and he even manages to hug her back.

"I'm sorry, but I really haven't had time to breathe, let alone go out, since my promotion," he says smoothly when Ginny releases him.

"Yeah, well you better start making time, because if I have to continue hanging out with only my husband and Hermione, I might just go crazy."

"Give the man a break, Gin," Harry says with a laugh. "Nice to see you, mate."

If I thought Ginny hugging Malfoy was strange, it was nothing compared to watching Harry shake his hand and even go in for a quick 'bro-hug' complete with a back pat.

"You too. How's everything at the Auror Department?"

Harry shrugs and even gives him a sincere smile. "Hectic, as per usual, but nothing I can't handle. How's the Investigation Department? You keeping everyone in line?"

Malfoy laughs and shakes his head. "Barely, but as long as the work is done well, I do my best not to mind."

Ginny stands beside me and throws her arm around my neck as we chitchat outside as if we all are really one group of friends just catching up. After a moment, the redhead declares she is starving and begins leading me into the restaurant, expecting the boys to follow us.

"Not that I don't appreciate the warm welcome," Malfoy says after we are seated at a private table, "but what exactly prompted it?"

Ginny puts her hand over her heart in false pain. "You wound me! How could you say that to such a dear and old friend?"

I roll my eyes and give her a light kick under the table. "She and Harry figured it would be better if they greeted you as a friend so there would be less reporters assuming that this is a double date. I was not expecting their solution to the problem, but I think it was a good idea."

"Are they going to believe that we are friends?" he asks, giving them a confused look. "I mean, me and Granger being friends kinda makes sense because we work so close together, but there has definitely not been any public sighting of you and me since my parents' and my trail, Potter."

Harry shrugs. "If this test run goes smoothly, I'll just tell everyone that we've been friends since the trail. Because of what your mum did for me, it shouldn't be a problem."

"You would do that?"

"I suppose so. But again, let's just get through this meal without killing each other." Harry's words are probably meant to be a warning, but I can hear the neutrality and peace behind them. He is willing to give Malfoy a chance, and a good one at that. Merlin, what did I ever do to deserve a best friend like Harry Potter?

Malfoy reaches into his inside coat pocket and pulls out his wand before extending it toward me.

"What are you doing?"

"Not taking any chances." The smile that accompanies his words breaks the remaining tension between the four of us.

I shake my head and laugh, but Malfoy continues to hold his wand out for me. Arching an eyebrow, I accept it, placing it inside my purse next to mine. Malfoy smirks, leans back in his chair, and makes a show of reading the menu. Ginny catches my eye and gives me a large smile. She likes him.

Toward the end of the meal, Harry asks to speak with me privately. Malfoy meets my eyes as we walk pass, but I can only shrug at him, having only a vague idea of what Harry wants to talk to me about. We round the corner and find another empty party room we can easily slip into.

"What's up?" I ask, turning to face him. "Is everything all right?"

"I just want to know who that bloke in there is, because he is definitely not the Malfoy I remember," Harry says with a smile. "Can you believe that I am actually starting to like his presence? What have you done to me?"

I laugh and shake my head. "I told you he had matured since Hogwarts."

"Yeah, but you didn't tell me he also got a sense of humor. Really Hermione, this is a little unnerving for me."

"Are you going to give him a chance then?"

Harry pauses and glances behind me, as if expecting Malfoy to be there. "Let me preface this by saying that I still don't think I like him or one hundred percent trust him. But… he has passed his test run between Ginny and I and we are both willing to give him a chance."

I study his face closely. "Why am I getting the feeling that you and Ginny already decided this before dinner?"

Harry smiles. "Nothing gets past you."

"No, but neither one of you would have greeted him as warmly as you did if this was just a simple test run. You already decided that you would help me in fixing his public image. Why?"

"Because you have faith in him, Hermione. You know him better than either Gin or me, and sometimes you can be a harsher judge of a person's character than us. I still don't like Malfoy, but judging from what I've seen tonight and what you've told me about him… I think you'd be a fool not to fully accept his offer and give him something in return. This is what you want. And Ginny and I want to help you in any way we can. Protecting the two of you against dating rumors and showing the world that Malfoy isn't a massive dick is a small way we can do that."

I throw my arms around Harry's neck, unable to contain my joy. "I really appreciate this, Harry! You know how much yours and Ginny's opinions matter to me, and I don't think I could really go through with Malfoy's offer without the two of you on board."

Harry returns my hug tightly before pulling away. "But just so you know, I will hex him into next year if he puts one toe out of line."

I arch an eyebrow and smirk. "Harry, please; I am perfectly capable of hexing Malfoy myself."

We exit the private room and head back to our table, finding Ginny and Malfoy engaged in a rather passionate Qudditch debate. I smile at the sight of them, pleased Malfoy was able to hold a conversation with her while Harry and I were gone, as well as give her a respectful opponent to argue against.

We split the check three ways when it arrives and gather our belongings.

"Oh, did you ever find the missing name on that report?" Harry asks as we slowly begin making our way to the exit.

Malfoy shakes his head. "Not yet. Granger sent your brother-in-law George a letter asking him about fading ink and he just sent us a potion to detect and reverse it today. As far as I'm aware she hasn't tested it. Right?"

"You're right. I left the office a bit earlier than usual today, but I can do it tonight and give you the results in the morning." I pause at the look on his face and smirk. "Unless you'd rather I wait until tomorrow so you can watch me do it."

"Ah, you know me so well," he teases, opening the door and gesturing for us to walk out before him.

"Harry! What are you doing here? You didn't tell me you were going out tonight!"

Oh, fuck. I turn at the sound of an all too familiar voice and find Ron strolling up to us. The moment his eyes land on me, his face contorts into a scowl.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Ron, back off," Ginny says, moving to block me from his view.

"It's fine, Gin." I rest my hand on her arm and give her a reassuring smile. "Really."

"No, it's not! You two realize that she didn't tell me she was pregnant, don't you! She was probably planning on never telling me!"

"That is not true, Ron!" I hate having to raise my voice in public, but damn it I will not just stand here and listen to him berate me. "They knew and understood why I didn't want to tell you. I wanted to make sure the baby was all right before I told anyone!"

"You knew?" Ron looks at Harry and Ginny accusingly. "You knew and you didn't tell me?!"

"It wasn't our place to tell you, Ron," Harry snaps. "Hermione came to us for advice and we agreed to keep it a secret until she was ready to let you know."

"Everything all right out here?"

Malfoy's voice is light and friendly as he strolls out of the restaurant and to my side. His hands are in his pockets, his gray eyes glancing between me and Ron.

"What the fuck are you doing here, ferret?"

"Lay off, Ron!" I angle my body to partially shield Malfoy from view, as if my small frame could really conceal him. "He's hanging out with us. It's what friends do!"

"Friends? Bull fucking shit! He's a Death Eater! And you are willingly letting him around my unborn child!"

"Calm down, Weasley," Malfoy says casually. "Your face is starting to match your hair and it looks rather unpleasant." I notice that as Malfoy speaks, he moves slightly so I'm no longer blocking him.

"That is it, Hermione! You being the mother of my child is bad enough, but I will not tolerate you subjecting my kid to Death Eaters! I am taking you to court as soon as possible; I don't want Malfoy anywhere near my child, born or unborn!"

In reality, I know what he is saying is unrealistic. There is no way a judge will grant an order to keep Malfoy away from me if I'm not the one filing it and if I oppose the motion. Ron isn't making any sort of sense. I know that. But I'm done dealing with him.

"That is enough you God damn rodent!" I scream.

The moment the word leaves my lips, Malfoy flies past me and punches Ron in the face, knocking him to the ground.