INSATIABLE

go read FLAME... lemons galore... Pandora needs some love too... I can't get them to grow without reviews... Right now I'm at a crossroads with this one... oh the possibilities :) - Love Esme
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Dinner went a little more smoothly than it had started, Narcissa struck up a conversation with Hermione about how she should plan her wedding, Hermione pretended to be as interested as possible since she was at least trying to be sociable with her. Lucius was lecturing Draco about how to deal with the goblins at Grintgotts and they all discussed Viktors Quidditch record and who would win the next Quidditch cup.

Hermione kept sneaking Narcissa an exasperated smile and was surprised when the pristine ice queen responded with a roll of her eyes. Hermione chastised herself at the thought that these people were most inhuman. She realized what a sophomoric idea it was to think they were all static characters in her world, almost perfect in their villainous roles in her life.

She realized that they were indeed a family with quirks and had a rich history together as her own family did. She actually enjoyed hearing Lucius lightly scolding Draco about his posture, or sharing an inside joke together.

She found herself oddly comfortable with the Malfoys, this was a part of a world she thought she would never belong to and had scoffed at it being devoid of worth because of her scorn. Now she was virtually in the epicenter of their society.

How times have changed she thought. Hermione spent the rest of the ball between Viktor and Harry's arms, She was relieved that their friends were having such a good time. She almost jumped when she looked up to see Draco's expectant face. "Care to dance Granger?" he drawled. She gave him a curious glance before taking his hand. He was a graceful dancer, as was to be expected. Viktor had gotten much better at dancing, but it still was not second nature that she found was the case for the two Malfoys.

"we might be working together or at least your going to be dealing with me sometime or the other... I would like to apologize for… well everything I suppose" he said with a wry grin. “I never got the chance to apologize to you, I’m sure you’ve noticed everyone has changed, hopefully some of us for the better” he added. Hermione could not believe her ears. This handsome wizard who had been her nemesis for as long as she could remember was now apologizing for his childish faults. "I certainly never made your life any easier did I?" she said with mirth. "No that’s true.. bloody Gryffindors" he smirked. "So your undersecretary, now the old man can drive you up the wall instead of me" he said with a wink.

"Your father has changed a great deal, hasn’t he?" she said spotting Lucius across the room. Draco gave her a mock serious glance "your not buying that speech he made are you Granger?” he said with a smirk.

"Call me Hermione.. Draco" she said slowly. "I'll try Hermione, old habits are hard to break". "Draco, since we are being so forgiving tonight, I would like to apologize for punching you when we were kids" she said with a light blush. "Instead of Hermione, can I call you left hook?" he said with a dazzling smile. She swatted his shoulder playfully. “all-right apology accepted left hook". Draco saw his father’s sharp eyes following him and realized that calculating gaze wasn't on him, but noticed the older wizard had his sights set on Hermione.

"your in for a rollercoaster there Gra.. Hermione" he said as he nodded towards his father. Lucius was being drug away from the goblin president of Gringotts by Narcissa who draped her arms around him gracefully. She gave Draco an inquisitive look "what do you mean?" she asked, the suspicion in her eyes. "He is tricky, and it seems he's got it bad for you, you'll have a hell of a time beating him off" he stated frankly.

"He's my boss Draco, I could never.." she trailed off with a slight blush on her face. Draco's face was unreadable, a trait he picked up from his father no doubt, she didn’t know if he could tell they had already gone farther than she had ever gone before with anyone or she was just being modest. "maybe you couldn’t but I promise you he could, he's seduced Pansy's knickers off already.. " Hermione averted her eyes in the embarrassed silence between them.

"I know I should be livid with him, but she was a willing participant, and much to his chagrin, I refuse to be ball and chained with a witch who is still pining over my own father" he said frankly. "I’m sorry to hear that Draco" she said quietly, she wondered if he truly loved Pansy.

"I’m telling you all this because your a goody Gryffindor, your not use to his wiles…you need to watch out for him.. he's changed that’s for sure, but he still cant keep it in his pants" he said with a bite of anger, the fury dancing in his stormy grey eyes.

"I can handle him, but thank you for the warning”.

Hermione and Draco continued to dance through the next song as Lucius and Narcissa fell instep by them. Lucius jaw clenched in anger when a lady behind Hermione gushed over her and Draco "Oh what a lovely couple they make" she exclaimed loudly.

The wheels in Lucius sharp mind started turning as he saw what an attractive couple they actually did make. Slytherin to the core, if they married, it would take away suspicion as to her being so involved in his personal matters. It would deter rumors of an affair.. and it would make her a Malfoy.

He knew his ancestors would be rolling in their graves with the prospect of a muggle born in their family, but it would be a smart match that would land him instant success as Minister. He could polish over what tarnish was still on his name after the dark lord tried to take him down with him. He would also have access to her at all times if she were a Malfoy. Pure blood ideals aside, he was a slytherin.. and the core of a slytherin was learning to adapt and win… regardless of the means. Even if the means meant manipulating Draco, would it not be worth the prize also known as Hermione?