February 1st, 2003

Hermione's POV

That first letter from Draco nearly two weeks ago had snowballed into the two owling each other multiple times daily. She had never experienced such an array of emotions when communicating with a man, well one that wasn't Theo. Draco's letters ranged from early-morning inquiries about her favorite ice cream to late-night talks about their greatest fears.

In one such correspondence Draco, in an attempt to make her laugh, had stated that his greatest fear was ferrets. The tension of the day had melted away as she laughed in response. Penning back in response. "I would have thought it was hippogriffs." He had responded swiftly with a simple, "cheeky witch."

In an attempt to give their owls a break from the frequent back-and-forth flights, she had suggested Malfoy install a telephone in his home. It would make communication much quicker, and their birds would be thankful for the respite. His response had been a noncommittal three dotted lines. She hadn't pressed the issue, knowing at this point that he had explored the muggle world but not knowing the extent of his knowledge and comfort level of muggle technology she let the issue rest.

To her surprise, when mentioning a particular conversation with Draco to Pansy during her monthly session, something mischievous flashed in Pansy's expression. "Granger" she only called Hermoine, Granger, when she was feeling extra devious, do you know that you have mentioned Draco five times so far and you have gone from referring to him as Malfoy to Draco?" She paused for emphasis "Any specific reason why that is?" Hermione's cheeks began to heat. Not realizing that she had been going on about her conversations with Draco or that she had begun to refer to him as such out loud.

"You know that he and I have been chatting, Pans. You were there when he first owled me. It's nothing serious, just two like-minded people talking about their similar interests." Hermione tried for nonchalance, but Pansy wasn't having it.

"Oh, so you and Draco are like-minded people now, huh? At what point in your "chats" did you go from he's an arrogant arse to both of you being like-minded?"

"He is still an arrogant arse; I doubt that will ever change but that doesn't mean there aren't other things I find interesting about him. Take books for instance, I tried for years to get Ron to take even the slightest interest in my passion for literature and I was lucky if I could get him to read a newspaper. Draco has a passion for reading that we both share and it's quite refreshing to have someone that shares my interests. As a friend of course."

Pansy gave her a wide-eyed skeptical look before responding. "Yes, of course, just a friend." She sighs heavily before mumbling under her breath. "You also share a passion for being delusional."

"What was that?" Hermione asks.

"I said that's great. That you and Draco have shared passions. As a friend to both of you, I am happy to see that you can forgive him for the past and build a friendship moving forward."

"I am surprised to say I agree. My younger self never would have believed you if you'd told her that Draco Malfoy would eventually become her friend." She chuckles lightly at the thought. Even though their friendship was infantile, she still considered it to be a solid foundation for something great.

"Have you given any more thought to exposure therapy?" Pansy asks, grabbing her notepad and pen.

"I have. I have gone over it many times and I've decided that if I were to find a level of mutual trust with a partner, I would be open to trying it. At first, I thought that I had attempted it with Ron but now I know I was just forcing myself to have sex to keep him satisfied. I thought if I just kept doing it, eventually I would get past my issues. That wasn't the case. Going forward, I hope to build that foundation of trust and take things slow to see how that affects me."

"I love that Hermione. It's going to take a lot of work, but I think this is something that will be life-changing for you. When you are ready to take that step, talk to me and we can talk more about an approach that will work best for you. How does that sound?"

"That sounds perfect, Pans, thanks for today." Hermione finishes before grabbing and tossing her bag over her shoulder. "We should get the group together sometime soon. Maybe shake things up a bit, do something different?" Hermione suggests.

"I'll touch base with Neville and see what his schedule looks like this week. We'll catch up!" She kisses Hermione lightly on the cheek before watching her leave through the flu.

While researching a new lead on the elusive book Theo had requested the phone on Hermione's desk let out a harsh ring.

"Good afternoon, The Tatty Tome. How can I help you today?" She asks politely. She kept the phone at her desk after a disastrous incident when it was first installed at the front desk. She had learned very quickly that the majority of witches and wizards had no idea what a muggle telephone was. The phone had promptly been blasted into many tiny, scorched pieces. The replacement phone had been installed in her office for those customers who did know how to communicate via telephone.

"Hello, is this the desk of the lovely Miss Hermione Granger?" An oddly familiar voice that she couldn't quite place asked.

"Uhm, yes this is Miss Granger. May I ask who is calling?" She asked puzzled.

"According to most wizarding Britain, I do not have feelings, Granger. But if I did, they would be truly crushed right now." At the teasing lilt of the stranger's voice, a light bulb flashes in her mind.

"Draco?" She asks in astonishment. "When did you learn how to use a telephone? Why are you calling me? Where did you even get my phone number?" Rapidly firing questions.

"Slow down, Granger. Your brain may work at the speed of light but the rest of us aren't so advanced." She grumbles impatiently.

"You made a good point; telephones are much more efficient, and Archimedes was getting quite put out at the extra flying hours. So, Potter helped me set up a phone for my own office and home. As for where I found your number, it was printed in your ad for the Daily." A weightless feeling overcomes her at the sound of his breathy chuckle on the other end of the line. "Have I left you speechless, Granger?" A much darker chuckle sends a shock through her system. 'Get yourself together woman!' she mentally chides herself.

She disregards his question with one of her own. "So, how many practice calls to Harry did it take before you stopped yelling into the phone? I can't believe you took that experience away from me." She laughs at the thought of Draco yelling into the phone's receiver with Harry on the other end cringing.

"Potter says you'll receive a bill for his broken eardrum and the headache that may never go away." He quips back.

"Alright, I doubt you called to locate a rare book so what can I do for you?"

"Do you remember when I asked you what was one thing that you have always wanted to do but you've been too scared to try?" Draco asks.

"I do."

"Well, I stopped by Pansy's office earlier today and she mentioned that you were hoping to get everyone together this week. How do you feel about a little karaoke Granger?"

"Oh no no no no no Malfoy. We are not going to a karaoke bar. I was thinking more along the lines of charades or some other board game." The thought of singing in front of strangers terrified her but the thought of singing in front of her friends was truly horrifying. She'd never live the humiliation down.

"Come on Granger. What happened to that Gryffindor bravery your lot is so famous for?" His deep laughter does not bring on feelings of warmth now.

"Draco, it's not happening." She states firmly.

"Chicken." He goads.

"Call it what you want but I'm not doing it. I'll go along if that's what the group wants to do but I am not singing."

"Deal. You pick the time and place, and the rest of us will meet you there. I'll make you a bet though. If I can get you to sing by the end of the night, I win and if you hold out for the whole night, then you win."

"What do I get when I win?"

"So confident Granger. IF you win, you can choose your prize. If I win, well I get to choose my prize too. Do we have a deal?" She considers what he could possibly ask for as a prize and decides it wouldn't be anything ridiculous.

"You have a deal. While you lot make fools of yourself, I will be thinking of the perfect prize. Maybe a ten-day trip to the Caribbean? My tan could use some work."

Malfoy guffaws on the other end of the line. "I'll make that bet. If you can hold out, I will pay for a ten-day, all-expenses paid vacation for the Golden Girl."

"Prepare to pay up Malfoy."

"You cheeky witch. Ring me with the details. I'll talk to you soon Granger."

"Talk to you soon Malfoy." She hears the soft click of the line ending before she drops her phone on the receiver and sets her mind back on the task at hand.

"Hermione, have you been listening?" Ginny's hand waves to catch Hermione's attention.

"I'm sorry, Gin. What were you saying?" Hermione asks distractedly while picking at her bowl of creamy potato soup.

"I asked if you had heard from Ron recently," Ginny asks patiently.

"That seems to be a common question for me as of late. No, I haven't spoken to Ronald since he practically assaulted me in Diagon. Look, Gin, I know he's your brother, and things are complicated between him and me, but I really would prefer if we didn't talk about Ron. After the last incident, I don't know that I can or want to have Ron in my life." Her irritation was slightly reflected in her tone.

"I can respect that Hermione, but the family is concerned, and I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask you if he'd been in touch. Nobody has talked to him since he reported the incident with Draco to Harry. He left the office blazing mad, Harry talked him out of pressing charges, but he was still furious. We've not been able to reach him since." Instant guilt settled over Hermione.

"Please forgive me, Ginny. I shouldn't have jumped all over you like that. I find that I am still reeling a bit from the incident with Ron, and I overreacted."

"It's understandable Hermione. He acted like a complete jerk. He's still my brother though and we are worried about him. Harry hasn't opened an investigation as he says that Ron needs some time to cool off. He's done this a few times since you two broke it off, but this time feels different. I can't explain it." A single tear makes its way loose from Ginny's aquamarine eyes. "Just please let us know if he reaches out. Okay?"

"Of course, I will Ginny. I'm sure Harry's right. He just needs some time away." Hermione reassures gently. "Let's finish up lunch then we can head back to the shop. That book I was telling you about finally came in and I think it's the perfect thing to take your mind off of things."

Ginny's expression brightened. "The smutty one with the Scottish guy and the woman who is sent back in time. What was her name, Claire?" She asks.

"That's the one! I know you're going to love it. It's written by a muggle author" Quickly finishing their lunch, they depart for Hermione's shop.

Sitting on her worn maroon couch, enjoying a helping of steak and kidney pie while watching Doctor Who, Hermione pens out letters to each of her friends, apart from Draco, providing the details for the meet-up later this week.

She dials the number Harry had given her earlier that day since she'd forgotten to ask Draco previously.

"Hello Granger." Draco's deep voice greeted her.

"How did you know it was me Malfoy?" She asks.

"Caller ID. Maybe you should touch up your knowledge on muggle technology."

"Prat. I was calling to let you know that we are meeting at a bar in muggle London called Songbird Saloon next Saturday. Does that work for you?" The phone cord twirling around her finger as she talks.

"I'll put it in my planner as the day Granger loses our bet."

"You are literally the worst Malfoy. You know that?"

"Hey, I have a reputation to uphold here Granger. I can't have you running around telling people I'm going soft now, can I?"

"Malfoy, I doubt there is one part of your body that is soft." As soon as the words leave her mouth she nearly melts in mortification. "Uhm, I mean, I wasn't-" She is sure Malfoy is going to have a stroke he is laughing so hard.

"I've been hit on a lot, I mean A LOT but this one takes the cake, Granger. We can test out your theory if you'd like." He's still laughing hysterically, and she is still dying of mortification.

"You know that wasn't what I meant! You egotistical, big-headed, infuriating git of a wizard. I only meant that you work out and it shows. Oh lord just kill me now." She mumbles.

"We can't have that now. Who would inflate my ego if you were gone, Granger?" His laughter had died down and his voice had taken on an altogether raspier tone which did nothing to help her addled thoughts.

"You have enough witches fawning at your feet Malfoy. What's one less?"

"I wouldn't trade a single insult you've slung at me for even a thousand of the praises those witches sing Granger." He leaves her with a whispered "Goodnight, Hermione", and no idea what to make of that comment.

February 8th, 2003

Hermione had spent most of the day with Pansy and Theo before getting ready for their evening out. She decides to go with a high-waisted red leather skirt that cut off about mid-thigh, black sheer leggings, and a long-sleeved knit black top tucked into her skirt. Painting her lips, a fire brick red color before she slid on soft black knee-high boots.

"Where have you been hiding this little number?" Theo's voice called out flirtatiously. "Draco is going to be tripping over himself when he sees you in this outfit!" Pansy jabs Theo with her elbow at the remark.

"You're being ridiculous Theo." Hermione insists "Draco and I are just friends. I wore this for me anyways."

"As you should!" Pansy's chirps in

"Sure, sure, just friends that want to stick their tongues down each other's throats." Theo teases. She's now second-guessing her decision to tell them about the phone call.

"Don't listen to him 'Min. Theo is just jealous he doesn't have your ass." Theo nods enthusiastically in agreement while taking a large drink of wine.

"We're going to be late if we don't leave now. I called a cab to come and get us since Theo has been pre-gaming and we are going into muggle London." A fortuitous honking outside alerts them to the taxis arrival.

Hermione pays the cab driver before hopping out in front of the Songbird Saloon. They easily spot their friends crowded around a table towards the front of the stage.

"Hey guys! I am going to grab a drink, would anyone else like anything?" Pansy and Theo rattle off their drink orders before she heads for the bar.

Leaning against the shiny black countertop she feels a hand touch the small of her back, causing her to fall sideways in her panic. "Granger, whoa, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have touched you without saying something first." Hermione takes a deep breath to calm her racing heart.

"That's okay Draco. I don't handle being snuck up on well." She fidgets with her sleeve uncomfortably.

"That's understandable Hermione. I will be more mindful of that in the future." Malfoy turns his attention to the tattooed bartender with a name tag that says 'Tony'. "Please put whatever drink the lady orders on my tab, and anybody else from our table right over there." Draco points to their group of friends. Tony nods before taking Hermione's three drink orders.

"I could have paid for my drink Draco. You didn't need to do that."

"I know you can, but I wanted to do something nice for the group. What better way to spend my family's pureblood fortune than to blow it with blood traitors, half-bloods, and muggleborns?

"Well, when you put it that way, why don't you add an order of fish and chips too."

"Atta girl" His teasing wink and words of praise send an increasingly familiar jolt to her lower abdomen. "Plus, I need to get you liquored up for my plan to work." He shoots her another wink and a chuckle before helping her carry drinks back to the group.

"So who is the first victim of the evening?" Hermione asks the group at large.

Theo and Pansy's hands shoot up before they make their way to the stage where they give the DJ their song request.

Hermione can't help but smile as she sees two of her close friends, grinning from ear to ear as they get ready to sing at a muggle karaoke bar. A familiar upbeat country tune starts to play through the speakers followed by Pansy's velvety voice singing the lyrics to a popular Shania Twain song.

"Woo!"

"This is what a woman wants."

"Any man of mine better be proud of me

Even when I'm ugly, he still better love me

And I can be late for a date that's fine

But he better be on time!" Pansy shimmies her hips while pointing at Neville who has gone beat red.

Theo's deeper and less smooth but no less enthusiastic voice cuts in.

"Any man of mine better walk the line

Better show me a teasin', squeezin', pleasin' kinda time

I need a man who knows, how the story goes

He's gotta be a heart beating, fine treatin'

Breathtakin' earthquakin' dragon tamin, kind"

Any man of mine

Woo!"

By the end of the song, their whole group is clapping as Pansy and Theo join hands before bowing to the crowd. Charlie pulls Theo off the stage and soundly kisses him, leaving the curly-headed brunette slightly pink-cheeked.

Harry and Neville went next and performed a rendition of "Who let the dogs out" sending the whole group into hysterics every time Neville called out "who, who, who". Hermione didn't think her stomach or cheeks could take anymore. Boy was she wrong.

Draco took a shot of tequila before making his way to the stage, he whispered into the DJ's ear before taking center stage. Hermione's eyes traveled from the white V-neck that conformed to Draco's pecks and arms, down to the snug black jeans that left little to the imagination, ending at the black dragon hide boots he wore with everything.

A familiar pop beat started to play over the speakers followed quickly by Hermione's jaw nearly hitting the floor. Draco's raspy voice paired with the lyrics had her doubled over in laughter.

"I feel like I've been locked up tight

For a century of lonely nights

Waiting for someone to release me

You're lickin' your lips and blowin' kisses my way"

Draco blew a kiss in Hermione's direction, sending her into further hysterics.

"But that don't mean I'm gonna give it away

Baby, baby, baby (baby, baby, baby)"

The whole table cheered as Draco sang and shimmied his hips.

"The music's bangin' and the lights down low

Just one more dance and then we're good to go"

Draco looked right at Hermione and crooked his finger in a request for her to join him on the stage. At this point, she had consumed at least four drinks. So with liquid courage in her system, she stepped onto the stage.

The beat continued to play in the background as Draco slowly pulled her to his front as if to assess her level of comfort. Grabbing one of her hips firmly to keep her snug against his firm body. She felt Draco's breath across her shoulder as he leaned down to reach the microphone in front of them. Hermione's whole focus was on Draco as they started to sing, her hips moving in time with his.

"Waiting for someone who needs me

Hormones racin' at the speed of light

But that don't mean it's gotta be tonight

Baby, baby, baby"

Her whole body was singing with awareness for Draco. The way his hand was splayed across her stomach, sending bursts of molten awareness through her body. His voice had taken on an altogether smokey quality that left the promises it held unspoken but oh how Hermione loved reading between the lines.

"Baby, there's a price to pay

I'm a genie in a bottle

You gotta rub me the right way

If you wanna be with me

I can make your wish come true"

She felt the rapid rise and fall of his chest against her back, finding that even the rythym of their breath was in sync.

"Just come and set me free, baby

And I'll be with you

I'm a genie in a bottle, baby

You gotta rub me the right way, honey.

I'm a genie in a bottle, baby

Come, come, come on, and let me out"

Turning her eyes up to meet Draco's, she finds herself lost in the heat of his stormy eyes. A round of wolf whistles and screams from their table sent a jolt through her senses, reminding her where she was and whose arms, she was still in.

"Holy shitballs Granger! That was so fucking hot!" Theo screamed as he shook her shoulders.

"I think I need to bleach my eyes now, and my ears, and my brain," Harry complained while digging his palms into his eyes.

"I need Neville to fuck me in the lavatory after watching that. The absolute heat coming off of you two!" Neville turned a cherry red color at Pansy's proclamation.

Draco remained silent in his spot at the table beside Hermione.

"Okay, okay! Calm down you guys, will someone else have a go please?" Hermione begs.

Everyone in the group sings another song or two apart from Hermione and Draco, who sip on water and enjoy watching their friends. When the DJ announces the last song It's nearly one in the morning. Most of their friends are absolutely trashed so she and Draco get them loaded into taxis where they are to be taken to their respective homes.

"May I accompany you home Granger?" Draco speaks to her for the first time since their duet.

"Uhm, sure. I had planned on apparating since I haven't had a drink in a while."

"We can side along then." She grips Draco's arm, taking them to the apparition point near her home.

The two make their way down the sidewalk in companionable silence. After passing a couple of houses Hermione recalls their bet.

"So uhm, I guess you win the bet. Have you decided what your prize is going to be?"

He taps his chin and chuckles as they walk up the path to her house, making their way to the front door.

"I have." He nods.

"Well, don't keep me waiting, what grand prize will I be giving Draco Malfoy that he doesn't already have?" Hermione jokes lightly.

They are standing under the dim light by her front door, Draco slowly brings his hands up to hers, touching their fingertips together. He leaves a trail of heat and breathlessness as he slides his hands up her forearms and then her biceps. Gray eyes steady on hers, again, assessing her comfort level. Strong hands pull her flush against his body, chest to heaving chest.

She can feel the panic start to set in as Draco leans towards her achingly slowly. She isn't ready for this. She can't kiss him! As she decides to pull back, Draco's chin comes down to rest on the top of her curls. He pulls her head tight against his chest so she can hear the strong beat of his heart. He wraps her firmly in his embrace leaving her with a feeling she can say with certainty she hasn't felt in years. She feels herself melting into Draco's embrace, inhaling the woodsy smell of him, and finding it calms her senses further. She realizes it's not only the tantalizing smell of him or the heat of his body but the utter sense of safety she feels in his arms. Bringing her arms around his waist she hugs him back.

"Is this your grand prize Malfoy? A hug?" She speaks into his chest as he takes a deep breath.

"Yes, Granger." This is all he offers in response, and she doesn't ask for more. Just enjoy this perfect moment in time. That is before it all came crashing down.

A yellow cab slams into a halt in front of her house where a seemingly drunken Ronald Weasley falls out of the cab. A disgruntled-looking man exits the driver's side, quickly making his way up the path towards Hermione. Draco has situated her behind him in a protective maneuver.

"This your friend?" The cabby points at Ron who is on his hands and knees in the grass, expelling the contents of his stomach.

"Uhm sort of. Why?" she asks, poking her head around Draco's side.

"Guy is trying to stiff me. I get him all the way here and he ain't got no money. Says you'll pay for the ride. That so?" Hermione rolls her eyes before reaching for her purse. Draco passes a one-hundred-pound note to the cabby before she can reach for her bag.

The cab driver jumps back into his vehicle, quickly speeding away. Ron makes it to his feet, stumbling towards Hermione and Draco.

" 'Mione" Ron croaks "Please, help me."

"I don't know where you've been Ronald Weasley, but your family is worried sick about you! Of all the selfish things." She takes in Ron's deathly pale skin, dark circles beneath his eyes and she notices that he's wearing the same clothes he had been wearing when she last saw him.

"' Mione" He tries again, nearly doubled over with coughs that rack his body. "' Mione, they-, they took my magic." Ron's eyes roll back into his skull before he slumps forward. Draco catches him before he can hit the ground. Hermione's otter Patronus is off in a flash, alerting Harry. Hoping that Harry has thought of taking a sober-up potion she opens the door to allow Draco into her flat.

With a sigh of resignation, Draco follows her in. Weighed down by the freckled arsehole in his arms, he mutters a "Fucking, Ron Weasley" before slamming the door behind him with a heavy boot.