Hermione wasted no time in sending Mandy Zabini an owl asking if they could have lunch the next day. To her surprise, the owl returned the next morning with an affirmative reply.

"That was fast," Hermione said.

"What did you expect?" Draco asked, putting jelly on a scone. "You're a Malfoy now. She couldn't say no even if she wanted to."

"How nice," Hermione said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "I prefer people to want to see me because they like me."

"In this case, you need her regardless. Here," He passed Hermione a list. "It's a list of the charities that I work with and boards that I sit on."

Hermione scanned the list with dread. "It's fairly long," she said nervously. "How will I do all this?"

"You'll find a way," Draco said lightly. "I do."

Hermione clenched her fists under the table but otherwise didn't respond to his goading. She looked over Mandy's letter again. "She's invited me to her house for lunch. You're to come as well."

"I know, I already spoke to Blaise this morning. Make sure you clear your schedule from noon to three and I'll meet you in the Atrium to apparate there."

"I can't take off from noon until three," Hermione said. "I, unlike you, work."

"Figure it out," Draco said, standing. "I told you, work comes after your role as my wife. It's in our contract."

"Forget that for a minute. What if I lose my job over this nonsense?" Hermione snapped at him. "I have to earn a living in a year, you know."

Draco shrugged, unconcerned. "You signed the contract. Besides, if you do a good job maybe you'll be around longer than a year." He left the room before she could reply.

Mumbling to herself, Hermione finished her breakfast and walked outside to apparate to work. As soon as she did so she saw Harry walking down the hallway to the lift. "Harry!" she called.

Harry smiled at his friend and waited for her to catch up. "How was your dinner?" he asked as soon as she did.

"How did you know we went to dinner?" Hermione asked. Harry handed her the Prophet and she saw herself and Draco eating dinner on the front page. "What did they do, sneak in a photographer?" Hermione grumbled, thrusting the paper back at Harry.

Harry shrugged. "So?"

"It was fine. I've got to find a way to clear my whole afternoon so that I can go meet Blaise and Mandy Zabini," Hermione complained as they walked. "As if I didn't have anything better to do. This little project is starting to interfere with my work."

"Would you like me to speak to Malfoy?" Harry asked.

Hermione shook her head. "It will just make him worse. I have to speak with Mandy about a bunch of charities anyway. I just don't see why it will take all afternoon. It couldn't wait until this weekend? Oh, this weekend! You'll have to tell Ginny I'm sorry but this weekend is out for visiting. Narcissa Malfoy is coming for Draco's birthday and I don't think having visitors would be a good idea."

"I'm sure she'll understand. When is Malfoy's birthday?" Harry asked.

"You know, I'm not sure. Sometime next week apparently. I suppose I should find out. I'll have to get him some sort of gift. Merlin, Harry this is hard work. Why anyone would want to be a Malfoy I'll never understand. Charities, social rules, it's like a job."

"Seems like it," Harry said.

"I'm sorry, Harry, I've been rambling. How's Gin?"

"She's good. It's only been a day since you've seen her Hermione."

They were at her floor and she waved goodbye to Harry and walked towards her office. At Moira's old desk was a young man, busily writing a note. "Hello," he said, smiling at her. "You must be Hermione Malfoy. I'm Miles Redling. Employment sent me?"

"Oh, of course," Hermione smiled and held out her hand. "I'm Hermione. Nice to meet you. You've found everything alright?" Miles nodded. "Good. You're first task will be to clear my schedule past noon. I have to…be away from the office the rest of the day."

"I'll get started right away," Miles said, smiling.

Hermione got immediately to work, hoping to finish everything by noon. She finished a report and sent some owls as noon quickly came upon her. She was just finishing up another owl when Draco came bursting in at noon.

"You could knock," Hermione said, but he ignored her.

"Who's that man?" he asked instead.

"Who? Miles? He's the new secretary Employment sent up," Hermione answered, sending the owl off.

"You can't have a male secretary," Draco said sulkily.

"It's your fault, you know. Employment figured that's the only person they could count on you not to shag. So if you're mad at anyone, it should be yourself." Hermione smiled at him. "Are you ready to go?"

Draco didn't reply, so Hermione dropped some papers and got up to leave.

"Anything you need done while you're gone?" Miles asked as they left. Draco glared at him, but Hermione smiled.

"No, just make sure to schedule meetings only in the morning if possible this and next week."

"Sure, Hermione," Miles grinned his smile faltering as he looked at Draco's livid face. "I mean, Mrs. Malfoy. Nice meeting you, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco ignored him and waited until they were in the lift to speak. "Get rid of him."

"No. You can't blackmail me on this either Malfoy. I'd rather sleep with you than get rid of another secretary you don't like." She crossed her arms and looked right at him.

The fury died from his eyes and was replaced with an emotion Hermione couldn't place, "Really?" he said, moving closer to her. Hermione was suddenly aware it was only the two if them in the elevator. "If you want to have sex again, Hermione, you just have to ask."

"What? That is not what I said," Hermione said, nervously moving back a step.

He leaned in to whisper to her and Hermione felt a little bubbling of emotion in the pit of her stomach as he did so. "Last time was so fast. I can make it wonderful for you, you know."

Hermione could feel her heart beating in her chest and swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. She didn't respond, she was very aware of how close Draco was to her. She could feel his hot breath on her cheek and smell his aftershave as she stood, unable to move. "There's no reason we can't enjoy ourselves, Hermione," he continued in a silky voice.

The doors to the lift opened and Hermione burst out of the trance she was in immediately as people began to move into the elevator. She began to push her way out of the elevator avoiding Draco's eyes.

"Hermione?" Ron was staring at her. "Are you alright? You're flushed."

"I'm fine, Ron," Embarrassed, Hermione tried to push past her friend.

"Is she ill?" She heard Ron ask Draco.

"No, not ill." Draco said, smirking at Ron.

"Merlin, can we just go?" Exasperated, Hermione left Ron by the lift and walked quickly over to the apparition room. Draco followed her and held out his arm. "What?" she asked.

"Take my arm. Unless you've been to the Zabini's, in which case by all means, go alone."

Hermione grabbed his arm quickly and they apparated away with Ron still staring after them.