A/n first off, Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends! It may not be normal but I hope you all have a great day. I just got off work but I wanted to post this tonight because tomorrow will be crazy. As always, thank you so much for reading, reviewing and following. Every time I get a notice it makes me giddy with happiness.

The weekend had been more than a little hectic for Hermione. Friday morning after Malfoy left her place she and Harry had went back to the Ministry so she could clean out her desk and for a press conference with Kingsley and Harry about the Lethifold. It was going fine until he addressed her as Ms. Granger. Of course the reporters lost it. Thankfully while standing between the Minister for Magic and The Chosen One none of them were brave enough to say anything too insulting, although one did ask if Harry had anything to do with the divorce. One glare from Kingsley convinced the report to retract the question. In a way it was the best possible way for the news to break and Hermione wasn't sure if it was an accident or on purpose on Kingsleys part. Either way it was done. Of course the owls started as soon as the evening Prophet dropped. Thankfully they all still used an owl service and only owls that knew her and Ron were able to get through, the rest went to a box where they were sorted and scanned. Even 6 years after the war they all still got fan and sometimes hate mail.

"Evening Sean!" Hermione called as she walked right past the barman. He looked somewhat startled that she didn't stop but didn't say anything. She walked over to the table where Malfoy was already sitting, waiting for her.

"Good evening" he said as he stood to get her chair for her. The first time he had arrived before her and helped her to her chair it had startled her, and honestly been uncomfortable to have him so close. Over time it became normal and now she looked forward to that moment. He smelled of parchment, peppermint and sandalwood and she was finally able to admit she found it rather pleasant. "So, how was your first few days?" He asked and just like that she excitedly told him of the last two days. When Sarah came over Malfoy ordered a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

After leaving Granger's house Friday morning Draco went to a park near his office in Central London. He spent hours walking around, at times so lost in thought he bumped into a number of people. He had know from the beginning they would have to clear the air about their past. And it had gone much better than expected. He really couldn't understand how she could be so logical and just forgive him. But somehow he knew she really had forgiven him. Astoria had told him multiple times that her goal was to help him overcome his past. He had seen horrors that no one should ever see. Been Crucioed till he was certain he would lose his mind, and by family no less. Forced to do things that still haunted his dreams. It wasn't easy, but he was slowly allowing himself to move on. And being forgiven by one of the people who still haunt his nightmares would definitely help him move on from the war.

He originally had multiple reasons not to pursue Granger and yet the reasons keep slipping away. He mentally made a list:

1. Married

2. Their shared past

3. Is there mutual intrest?

4. Is he ready? Is she?

5. Public opinion

As he worked his way through the obstacles he realized only one truly mattered anymore. Is she ready? He believed that since she didn't kick him out upon seeing him in her house, and that she started the conversation of reckoning she must be interested.

Finally he just admitted to himself that there would always be a reason not to but if he wanted this he had to act. He decided if the opportunity presented itself he would ask Granger out Tuesday night.

Tuesday night he was watching her speak so animatedly about her new position and realized the night was almost over and he didn't want to wait till next Tuesday to see her again. She had just finished telling him about her new personal secretary, Mary who was to intimidated to speak to her and asked him about his week. Rather than answering her question he blurted out, "Would you care to join me for dinner one evening this week?"

Granger had been lifting her glass to her lips when he asked. She simply put the champagne glass back down and arched her eyebrow him. "Did Draco Lucius Malfoy just ask me on a date?" She challenged him.

He stared back into her chocolate brown eyes, "Yes." Somehow he knew if he hesitated or didn't look her in the eye that she would believe him to be insincere.

"Looks like the snake might have a little lion in him after all." She smirked.

"Not likely." He sniffed haughtily.

She then looked him in the eye and responded, "I would love to join you for dinner."

"Excellent. And its just Draco Malfoy now, I dropped that monsters name the moment I legally could." At her questioning look he continued, "It might seem petty but I refused to have sign that name. The tradition of using the paternal fathers name is supposed to be a way to pay homage to the person, especially in important moments, such as marriage and births. I refused to allow even his name to be apart of my marriage or Scorpious' birth. So I dropped it."

"I bet that felt freeing. And it had to have had the added bonus of pissing him off."

"It was very liberating, however I wouldn't know about his ire on the subject. Thankfully as soon as he was sentenced to life I became head of house and he has no control over me. I haven't seen him since the hearing. Sadly he still has much control over Mother so she visits him monthly. I'm not sure if she told him or not." He added thoughtfully.

"You mean she can't refuse to see him?"

"Their marriage contract is obscenely complex and covers every possible circumstance. He was so self righteous and sure he would always come away clean he never thought he would get caught but even still he made sure that no matter the circumstances he found himself in she was bond to him and has to follow his every directive. It wasn't until after the trials I learned any of this. I took the contract and had multiple lawyers look into it but it is ironclad. Its why she has to stay at the Manor." He shook his head as if to clear away the depressing thoughts there, "But I digress tonight is about celebrating your new position."

The conversation then went back to work but some of the lightheartedness was gone. As they parted ways they decided he would pick her up at 7pm on Friday for Italian. The night had given Hermione a lot to think about. It was easy to realize he meant to taker her to a muggle restaurant since there are no Italian restaurants in Diagon Alley. She was excited for the date and didn't really care either way if they went muggle or Wizarding world. She was more upset by the thought of Narcissa Malfoy being trapped in a marriage with that monster. She wondered if one day she would be comfortable enough with Malfoy or Narcissa to ask to see the contract.

-_-_

Promptly at 7pm Malfoy knocked on her front door. Knowing that they were going muggle had helped a little in deciding what to wear but she hadnt been certain how formal the restaurant was. She enlisted Ginny's help and together they decided she wear a simple knee length, a line dress in a deep burgundy. It was formal enough to get her into a fine restaurant without making her stick out if they went to someplace more casual. He had kept to his standard black pants and a white button down, yet to Hermione he seemed more dashing than usual.

He apporated them to an upscale area of London and led them a short distance to a beautiful little restaurant. Hermione had to admit it was perfect. It was small and quiet, comfy without being to romantic for a first date. Malfoy was a perfect gentleman, opening doors and pulling out her chair. When it came time to order he wasn't presumptuous enough to try and order for her although he did make suggestions. The food was delicious and the company very pleasant. They spoke with the ease of old friends, never an awkward silence or forced small talk. He enquired about the rest of her first week, the Lethifold attack, Bryony and told her of his business endeavors since the war ended.

After the dessert plates had been cleared Malfoy mentioned a jazz club nearby and asked if she wanted to go. They went and stayed till closing just talking and dancing, enjoying each others company.

Upon apporating them back to her home Malfoy held her arm as they walked up to her front door. "I had a great time, thank you." Hermione said as she fiddled with her keys. Usually she used magic to unlock her door but she wanted to prolong the night, even if just for a few moments.

"I must thank you, its been a long time since I've had such a wonderful evening." He said taking her hands in his and slowly leaned in to brush the lightest of kisses on her lips.