Curious and Curiouser

8: Differing Opinions

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Hermione smirked to herself as she sat down at the dining table in Grimmauld Place. She had certainly gotten off easier in this research deal, since she was searching through Muggle court cases she had been able to filter her initial searches through a computer, meaning she was already pulling from a much smaller pool than Malfoy would've been. While she understood the gravity of the situation it was just in her nature to be competitive about with nearly anything she could be, and while there could be no clear winner in this case, she still wanted to show Malfoy up. It would serve him right.

They would need more space than Ron's office could provide for this, since they would need all of the case filings that both she had Draco had deemed necessary. Harry had initially suggested that they used a ministry conference room but Draco had shot that down, he didn't want anyone to know what was happening with his family and he most certainly didn't want people to know that he was working with the three of them.

He had then suggested his manor, quoting the size and privacy but Hermione had shot that down just as fast, she was sure there was nothing on earth that could make her willingly walk into Malfoy manor again.

After Hermione had explained their predicament to Ginny over lunch one day the red-headed witch had suggested they use Grimmauld Place, offering to lend her ear as well.

Harry had hesitated at the prospect of inviting Malfoy into his home but finally acquiesced when Ron had pointed out that it didn't seem like anything else was going to work and that they were on a deadline.

Ron and Ginny were also seated by her, the two of them talking idly about Ginny's recent promotion to captain and what that meant for her chances to try out for the world cup team.

Hermione remained wrapped up in her own thoughts until the door to the dining room had opened and Harry and Malfoy appeared. Hermoine had half expected Malfoy to wrinkle his nose at the interior of Grimmauld Place but when he didn't she reminded herself that this house had belonged to Sirius' parents, to the Blacks'. Hermione realized again with a small start that while Draco and Sirius were related, the thought disturbed her since she knew that she, Harry, and Ron had always considered Sirius to be family and that he had held them in the same regard. It was certainly an uncomfortable notion.

He made a face as though he wanted to say something about Ginny being there but thought better of it, instead, he slid down into a chair opposite Ron, leaving Harry to sit opposite Hermione.

Fine she thought to herself, fine.

Ginny sat next to Hermione and in an attempt to break the awkward silence said, "Kreacher's made lemon tarts, I think they'll be ready soon."

Harry smiled at her and said, "that sounds great, Gin."

Malfoy spoke next, "I didn't come here to discuss dessert options, Potter," he said, his voice curt, his eyes focused on the wall over Ron's right ear. "And so that everyone is aware, the date for the kiss to be administered is set for three weeks from today."

Hermione's heartbeat picked up, three weeks wasn't going to be nearly enough time, especially if Draco could no longer afford a lawyer to make their case in court.

"Right," Harry started, "so do y- should we- err, Hermione how should we do this?"

Hermione smiled quickly at her friend and explained that she thought she and Draco should read each other's search parameters first just so they had a better view of the big picture before roping everyone else in.