Draco noticed her pulling back, it would have been impossible to miss, but her face was a mix of emotions that remained an enigma. She didn't slap him. She didn't run off. She didn't do anything of the sort. She had remained. Why?
Draco wondered for a moment if she knew about his little crush he'd harbored all the time they at Hogwarts. Was that the source of the tension between them? Had she felt it too?
No. That was absurd.
"Work," Draco replied with a dismissive shrug. It was a lie but an easy one and one, like all good lies, that had a hint of truth to it. "Haven't you heard the decree from the new Minister of Magic?" He was certain that Hermione had but it was fun to patronize her. "All minsitry personel are to familiarize themselves with a wide range of Muggle establishments and interactions. My department was assigned Muggle Nightlife this quarter so...here I am." He smiled smugly.
"What's your excuse?" he asked, clearly pleased with himself.
When the drinks arrived, he nodded to the bartender glad he had already set up a tab. He handed one to Hermione and took one himself. "Should we toast to something?"
Seeing her a little off balance had made it easier for him to feel and act confidently. Knowing Hermione, that wouldn't last forever, so he planned to enjoy it while it lasted.