For all the effort, and not to mention humiliation, that went into retrieving the book, Hermione's mind couldn't settle long enough to read it. She wasn't sure which was worse, walking in on Malfoy entertaining a witch, or the shame she felt for the visceral reaction she had when confronted with his infuriatingly attractive presence. Regardless, they both left her wanting to sink to the bottom of the Black Lake.

It seemed Malfoy felt the same way, because she didn't see him at the office all of Thursday nor most of Friday.

It wasn't until they found themselves awkwardly standing at the lifts readying to depart for home, that they were forced to engage in the trivial mundanities that the situation required.

"I didn't see you at the Departmental meeting today," she said, trying and failing to mask her annoyance.

"Astute observation," he replied in a bored tone.

"And yesterday- why didn't you come into work?"

"Yesterday, I was a bit preoccupied," he answered cryptically.

"Right. With Pansy, I presume."

He looked down at her with a scowl. "Do stop fishing, Granger. It's unbecoming."

She huffed in irritation as they stepped into the lift. When the door closed behind them, she marched over to him. "Exactly what is your problem, Malfoy? Ever since we returned from France you've been an utter arse! If you have a problem with me, why don't you just say it instead of walking around making both our lives unbearable!"

"I'm just off resuming my personal life, as you like to put it," he answered guilelessly, looking down to inspect his cuticles.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Is that what this is about? You're upset that I suggested we resume our personal lives. Because if that's the reason, now is the time to own up to what has your wand in a knot."

He leaned listlessly against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. "Nothing has my wand in a knot."

She shook her head in resignation. "Fine. I should have known I couldn't count on you to be honest with me."

"Because you've been so honest with me," he muttered under his breath.

She put her hands on her hips. "You know what, I don't have time for this. Give me your hand."

His brow arched. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Give me your hand." She reached out to grab it from where it now hung limply at his side. "There are still throngs of reporters out there and despite the fact that this is the last thing I'd care to be doing right now, I made a promise to you and I intend to keep it." She laced her fingers with his as she yanked his arm to pull him closer. "Now do try to act as though you don't detest me," she demanded, as the door to the lift slid open and the Atrium sprang to life with shouting reporters and camera flashes.

As they ducked and weaved through the crowd of journalists hurling questions like 'when can we expect a proposal' and 'are you exclusive,' Draco released her hand, reaching around to wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her toward him. "It defies logic that you'd willingly sign up for this," he muttered into her mass of riotous curls.

"What can I say, I'm a martyr, remember? Besides, now that I've had time to consider it, I think I'd like repayment for all the heavy lifting I've had to do. Especially now since it involves me consorting with someone who is so hellbent on making my life miserable."

"Is that so?" he asked, dipping his head to avoid detection amid the steady stream of Ministry employees. "And what exactly were you thinking would be your repayment?"

She forced a smile for a lone camera that had caught them in its crosshairs. "I've yet to decide- but when I do, I can assure you, it won't be pleasant."

"There's only one thing I can think of that wouldn't be pleasant- and that's spending more time with you than is absolutely necessary."

Hermione gave a hard pinch to the hand that rested on her waist, eliciting a stifled yell.

"What in the bloody hell was that for?"

"That's for existing. Breathing. And just being the intolerable prat that you are," she ground out between clenched teeth, while still managing to maintain her cheerful smile. As they came to a halt at the fireplaces, she immediately schooled her features, looking up at him with adoration as the onlookers watched them with rapt attention.

Hermione inwardly thanked Merlin for the uncharacteristically expeditious line leading them toward the Floo as she wasn't sure how much longer she could maintain the pathetic façade of Draco Malfoy's doting love interest.

When they both finally stepped forward, Draco gripped the back of her neck and whispered harshly in her ear, "Enjoy your date with Cormac," before pillowing his lips against hers with agonizing precision and stepping into the flames.

It took a moment or two for her to regain her senses between the unexpected tingling of her lips and the blinding camera lights flashing throughout the Atrium before she managed to propel one foot in front of the other into the awaiting Floo.