Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter & co. - just write what could have been. Reviews - thoughts, comments, etc., are always welcomed! Please review - they really do bring a smile to my face :)

AN: In honor of our favorite Gryffindor's birthday! I know it's short, but I thought something was better than waiting :) Again please continue to review, I adore hearing your thoughts! Thanks for being so patient :)

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Chapter Twenty-Six

The rest of Narcissa Malfoy's dinner went smoother than the beginning; as soon as the Malfoy matriarch took control of the dinner conversation, Draco's strange behavior didn't appear again, and the remaining Slytherins followed the older witch's direction. As soon as Hermione had finished her sweet, tasty crème brûlée, Blaise offered to escort her home. She didn't hesitate to take the less hostile Slytherin's offer as Draco and Theo glared at each other from across the table. Hermione said her goodbye to Narcissa and Astoria, and attempted to say on to the petulant wizards; Theo stood up to kiss Hermione goodbye on the cheeks as Narcissa and Astoria did before him, but before he could reach Hermione, Draco tersely stood up, and left the dinner table without another word. Theo sighed and mumbled an apology before going after his friend while Narcissa and Astoria pretended not to notice the blond's outburst. When Blaise and she side-apparated back to her flat, the Italian wizard gave her small smile that didn't quite reach his face, a wink, and disapparted. Neither Theo, Blaise, nor Draco offered an explanation on their odd behavior at that dinner, but Hermione didn't let it sit on her mind for long. She had her own questions and assumptions on why the Slytherins acted the way they did, and their weird behavior wasn't a constant – at least not for Theo and Blaise. In the comfort of her own home, Hermione thought about the entire situation. The dinner went better than expected; Narcissa wasn't cold or uninviting, Astoria kept quiet, and while there was the strange air between the wizards, Hermione thought it better than she assumed. She tried not to ponder on their behavior and soon she was backed to being consumed by her work, trying to schedule when she could go to France, and constantly rescheduling her lunch and dinner dates with the men in her life. For once, she was happy that her girl best friends lived way from London and had their own busy schedules otherwise she'd have a mini breakdown trying to coordinate them all. Theo demanded to see her at least once a week and Blaise seemed to follow suit despite his cool demeanor. However, now that she thought about it, she hadn't seen Draco nor Harry in almost a month. Hermione was so busy she hadn't realized that Harry's birthday party was tomorrow per her sticky note charmed to chime when she flipped her scheduler to the next day.

"Bugger."

She whispered, glaring at the bright blue note. Harry's birthday had already passed, and he was having a celebration later; at first Hermione didn't think much about it, but now she wholeheartedly disagreed with the idea. She was up to her ears with legislation bills to be passed onto her boss still regarding dragons and again werewolves. Hermione wasn't backing down on the latter. Now she had to make sure she left her office in a timely manner to get ready and head to Grimmauld's at 7:30 PM. Hermione softly casted the time-telling spell she was accustomed to and sighed out loud at the magical numbers. It was quarter to six and she was still in the office despite having an early start. Tiredly, Hermione packed her desk away, casting privacy charms over the most important paperwork before getting up from her chair. She stretched out her limbs, barely masking the yawn that left her lips as her camisole rose above her navel to revel her stomach, when there was a knock on her door. Hermione's eyebrows rose up as she said,

"Come in."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Draco Malfoy stepped into her office appearing as posh and put together as always. The three-piece suit he was currently wearing was a dark navy, almost black, but it accentuated his eyes. The oxford shirt underneath was white and shiny, dark shoes matched his suit. His platinum strands were styled as Hermione had seen him weeks before, to the side and most of it was still a faded cut. He closed the door behind him while Hermione stood standing. She knew he was notoriously private and didn't think much of it. Hermione watched him, stuffing her hands in her khaki trouser pockets to stop herself from fidgeting. It's not that the blond wizard made her nervous per say, but he did have a habit of being intense and catching her off guard. Draco took a few steps to stand behind one of her guest chairs, looking towards his left at her plant.

"Granger."

He said, almost softly in his deep voice. Hermione stood her ground, still in her work attire – a maroon camisole over her top while her black-colored cardigan laid on her seat behind her. Hermione's curls were all over the place – her bun long gone before Draco came in. He still wasn't looking at her and Hermione could see some pink forming on the apples of his cheeks. She didn't move but she squinted her eyes, trying to make sure she wasn't seeing things. Was he blushing? She couldn't help but to think.

"Hello, Draco."

She said, trying to get his attention. She didn't have all night for him to get over whatever abnormal behavior he was explicating showing her today. His eyes sailed to hers after her words and After a few seconds, he cleared his throat, dropping his gaze.

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior last time at dinner."

He said. Hermione tilted her head slightly to the left, pressing the insides of her palms with her fingertips in the confines of her trousers.

"Oh."

Was all she could think of saying. After a few seconds of watching his jaw tense, she continued with,

"You didn't have to. Your behavior is honestly the most sporadic things I've come across as of late."

Hermione said honestly. She watched as he froze at her statement before finally making eye contact. His eyes pierced through her this time as analyzing instead of merely looking at her as she was the one with the mystery moods. She straightened up and stared right back.

"Right."

Was all he said. Hermione wanted to squirm under his watchful gray eyes, but she held her ground. After more than a minute of a staring match, Hermione reminiscing the way he did the same with Theo, he brought one hand to grip the back of the chair he stood in front. Hermione wondered if he was actively occluding and then stopped herself from wondering why he would need to right now. That would only lead to more questions than she could have answers to and Hermione hated being clueless. Draco was still more a of mystery than a friend, but he had his moments. This was not one of them.

"Are you still attending Potter's birthday party?"

He asked suddenly, changing the conversation topic. Hermione paused before nodding, remembering their last conversation about Harry's birthday. She let one of her hands free from her pocket while the other continued to apply pressure to itself.

"Of course."

She responded.

"Can I escort you?"

He asked, wasting no time when she replied. Hermione couldn't help but to raise her eyebrows at his question.

"Oh erm, sure."

She responded. She hadn't thought to ask anyone to go with, either showing up alone. Since it was Harry's celebration, she thought to go alone instead of being accompanied by him, not knowing her other friends plans. She was surprised that Draco was even asking her, but she didn't let show on her face. Maybe this is way of apologizing too, she thought to herself. The first time Draco Malfoy apologized to her it had been through flowers. Actions, not words, Hermione thought to herself, still trying to piece together the wizard before her. The pale wizard before her seemed to relax at her words before nodding once and turning to walk out as smoothly and swiftly as he walked in.

"It's a date then, Granger."

Draco said, a ghost of smirk on his lips as he turned to her before exiting. He didn't give her a chance to see how forehead scrunched together at his words. Confusion swept through her.

"Date?"

She wondered out loud.

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Draco left Hermione's office as quickly as he entered it. His heart was thundering against his chest, and if he hadn't known any better, he would have thought he was having a panic attack. He ran his fingers over his hair as he swiftly entered the lift, mindful to keep watch to anyone around. Luckily, no one was and Granger loved working overtime. Finally in the confines of the lift, he let out a large exhale as he tried to calm his traitorous heartbeat. Counting by twos to 100, closing his eyes, and trying to ground himself within the moment helped soothe his escalating heartbeat. Draco was happy, truly, but with happiness came anxiety. There was a million and one ways he could fuck up before tomorrow evening and even then, there was a million and two ways he could fuck up the evening. Yes, Hermione Granger said yes to his sly ask of a date, but now he was actually getting the chance to go on a date with Hermione Granger. He assumed she already had plans, he assumed she would have said no, he assumed she would be openly suspicious about his question when he acted like a buffoon that last time he saw her. He assumed wrong. Once again, Hermione Granger a puzzle he was still figuring out, but one he was hopelessly trying to fit into. Draco almost had his breathing and heartbeat under control, slowly opening his eyes, when Pansy entered the lift with a glee in her eyes and smirk. He hadn't noticed it had made a stop on the way down.

"Fancy seeing you here, Draco."

She said. Draco groaned internally, nodding his head once at his stylish best friend as his response. Today she wore a long, beige, flowy skirt that ended right at her ankles where her tall, square, black heels could be seen. Tucked into the skirt with a large navy belt was sheer, maroon, bishop sleeved blouse, but over the blouse was a visible, dark, strapless corset. While Draco admired her style, Pansy wasted no time in settling next to him.

"You recall me saving you and Granger's arses from Patil a couple of weeks back, correct?"

She asked. Her smirked transformed into an innocent smile as she looked up at Draco. Draco rose a pale eyebrow suspiciously.

"Yes."

Was all he responded and looked back ahead. As much as he liked conversing with Pansy or once again blame her for having Granger for dinner with his mother, he wasn't in the mood at the current moment. He was trying to go home and analyze the entire scenario in Granger's office in the comfort of his own home. With his firewhiskey instead of occluding the nervous elation he felt. He could talk to Pansy later.

"Well now's time to collect, darling."

She stated. Draco turned back to look down at his scheming mate when she placed her manicured hand on his left bicep and began walking out with him when the lift finally opened to the atrium.

"What do you mean – "

Draco didn't have time to finish his question when he heard,

"Parkinson!"

He turned his head from a now-again smirking Pansy to one of the Patil twin with an annoyed expression on her face. At the sight of him, her expression morphed into one of glee. What the bloody hell, was all Draco could think about before turning back to look at Pansy.

"Pansy."

Draco whispered from his clenched teeth.
"You'll be fine. Have fun, darling."

Pansy squeezed his arm once before disentangling herself from him and nudging him in the Patil twin's direction. He slowed his stroll, trying to mask the confusion and paranoia that crept in whenever reporters were around but nearly stopped in his tracks when Theo and Blaise popped out of a nearby fireplace. They both sported grins on their faces and that was never a good sign for Draco. Mischief sparked in Blaise's eyes while Theo smirked at the sight of him. Draco once again groaned internally. Merlin's saggy tits, what the fuck have they gotten me into? Draco cursed inwardly.

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Andromeda almost thought she wasn't imagining things when she opened her front door. Her only grandson was currently with his godfather and the pair were to return for dinner; Andromeda was about to head out to get take-out instead of cooking for once when she heard the knock at her door. While she was almost ready to go, an unexpected visitor stopped her entire plan to go into the nearby muggle town for pizza that Teddy adored.

"Narcissa?"

She whispered out loud, trying to recall if she hadn't accidentally eaten a hallucinogenic plant before dinner. Narcissa Malfoy looked out of place in her doorway; pristine and beautiful as Andromeda remembered her, her younger sister was dressed to the nine's. The blonde witch wore a long, black pencil skirt that showed her dark, dragon-hide boots. Her long sleeved, dark purple peplum blouse was covered by her matching, dark purple cloak; Andromeda noticed the silver brooch with the intricate "B" placed in the middle, clasping the cloak together. The brooch used to belong to the eldest Black daughter. Narcissa styled her hair in a half-up, half-down updo and Andromeda noticed the wizard quite a few feet behind her, standing near her small, wooden fence.

"I have to half auror company when I leave the manor."
Narcissa explained when Andromeda tried to pinpoint why there was a random ministry wizard at her door. Andromeda nodded once but didn't move to let her younger sister in. There was an abundance of questions racing through her mind, but Andromeda tried to only focus on the biggest one in the forefront of her mind, why? Narcissa moved slightly to her left.

"I need your assistance."

Narcissa said. Andromeda rose an eyebrow at her, crossing her arms over her chest at her sister's statement. Still reading minds, Cissy? She couldn't help but to goad her sister but also annoyed that she couldn't even feel her mind before intruded upon. Andromeda had known her sister was a natural legilimens when they were younger, but unlike Bellatrix, she didn't test her sister's ability nor talked about it. A small smirk graced Narcissa's lips but she let it fall along with her gaze.

"If you would be so kind to allow me in so I could explain why I need your help."

Narcissa said, almost whispering. Andromeda sighed out loud, knowing how prideful her family, her sisters, could be. Narcissa was trying and Andromeda was curious as to why. What could be so serious that her sister would come to her about? Andromeda asked herself. She let her arms fall back, seeing the glaring distinctions between her own outfit – muggle jeans and a knitted pullover – and Narcissa's. As day and night, they were still opposites. Andromeda stepped aside, offering her home to her.

"I suppose one chat wouldn't do much harm."

Andromeda mumbled, mostly to herself but she knew her sister could hear her. Andromeda closed the door behind Narcissa as she walked in, the auror not moving from his post, and Narcissa turned to look at her. The blonde witch was taller, but because she wore heels and her chin almost touched the sky, Andromeda noted.

"Thank you."

She said. Andromeda nodded once again but didn't move. She needed more before she fully opened herself, and the rest of her home, to the current Malfoy matriarch. Narcissa realized what Andromeda was doing and took one deep breath before staring straight into her elder sister's dark eyes.

"I wanted to apologize."

Narcissa softly said and Andromeda's curious gaze became a piercing, suspicious one. Before Andromeda could demand why, putting aside the pleasantries and dubious speak when it came to Slytherins, Narcissa continued,

"And I need your assistance in muggleborn culture."