Chapter One: People Aren't What They Seem
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"Hermione, do you think you can have those administration reports on my desk by three?"
The long-haired nineteen-year-old looked up from her desk and gently jerked her head so all of her hair was now resting on one shoulder. She was no longer the curly-haired Gryffindor she had once known. Hermione Granger had grown into her body nicely, and now had straight, brown locks.
"Yes, sir. Of course." She smiled sweetly, nodding to him.
"Thanks, doll. You have no idea how much I appreciate this."
Hermione smirked and shrugged. "I think I have a pretty good idea, actually."
She watched him smirk back playfully and wink at her before he walked away from her desk and over to somebody else. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks and then sighed before she looked back down at the papers in front of her.
"Do you think he feels the same way about you as you do him, Granger?" Asked a voice.
Hermione didn't need to look up to recognize who was speaking to her.
"It's been eight years and you still can't call me by my first name, Draco?"
The blond-haired ex Slytherin simply smirked and then leaned over the front of her desk, curiosity laced in his silver eyes.
"Apparently not. Old habits die hard. Now answer my question."
Hermione finally looked up at him and searched his eyes. She took in his familiar appearance but also realized how much he had changed. His fair was no longer greasy, but clean and almost bouncy, muscles were visible under his suit, he had gotten taller and no longer looked like a spoiled brat. He had somehow gotten rid of the boy who aimed to make everyone's lives miserable, and he had matured, yet still had a playful sense of humor. The only thing that stayed the same, however, was that one could look at Draco Malfoy and see a spitting image of Lucius.
"Well, for one, he's my boss. And two, there's no way he could possibly find me attractive," Hermione replied, glancing over at her boss, Blaise Zabini.
Draco rolled his eyes and sat on the edge of her desk before leaning closer to her. "I grew up with the guy. He's honest, loyal, and easy-going. Blaise is a good guy -"
"And the only reason you have your job, I'm assuming," she interrupted, the tone of her voice fun-loving and playful.
"You'd assume right, but I could've gotten this job just by dropping my father's name. It's just a plus that my best friend is the head of administration here."
Hermione put her signature at the bottom of the paper and looked back up at Draco.
"So you really think he's into me? If he is, he hasn't showed any signs or anything…"
"Please don't tell me you're that oblivious, Granger," pleaded Draco. "He winks at you, he looked you up and down when you're not looking, he gives you extra time off when you don't even ask for it. Yeah, I'm pretty sure he's into you," he chuckled.
Hermione stifled a laugh and then bit her lip in thought.
"But he's my boss. It'd be unprofessional…"
"But you went to school with him for eight years."
Hermione sighed again and sat back in her chair and distractedly chewed the end of her pen. He was right. As much as didn't want to admit it, Draco Malfoy was right. She had to do something before Blaise found someone else in the department to have an affair with. She did find him attractive, and she could definitely see herself having some after office hour's fun with him. She had to at least try.
"So when are you going to ask him out?"
"Oh please, he should be the one asking me out," Hermione huffed, folding her arms across her chest.
Draco chuckled and shook his head in disbelief. "Who says that the man should always be the one to ask the woman out? Society says so. Break out of the social norms, Granger. Go ask him out, kiddo," he smirked.
"Damn it. You're right. Why are you always right?" Hermione asked rhetorically as she stood up and looked around.
Blaise wasn't anywhere to be found but knew where he went. The only place where bosses went to escape from their employees: their office. Hermione walked over to his office and straightened out her skirt before she gently knocked on the door, and then slowly opened it.
"Hermione," Blaise welcomed her, smiling. "Please come in. What's on your mind?"
Hermione took a deep breath subtly and then stood up straight feigning her confidence.
"Umm… I-I was just wondering if… if you'd like to get some coffee after work?"
Blaise blatantly glanced her up and down, his eyes moving up her curves and then to her breasts. Hermione noticed this but didn't care. It boosted her self-esteem and even flattered her.
"That sounds like a plan. I'd love to get some coffee with you. I'll meet you downstairs in the lobby at five?"
Hermione smiled and nodded. "Yes, alright. T-Thank you," she stammered nervously before she left his office and closed the door. She watched Draco make his way over to her.
"So? How'd it go?" Draco asked quietly.
"He said yes. We're going out for a coffee after work. God, that was so nerve-racking."
Draco smiled and gently touched her shoulder. "Relax, it's done now. It's over. It's a date."
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and then nodded. She bit her lip to hide her grin.
"It's a date."
* * * * *
It was four-thirty and Hermione couldn't stop herself from glancing at the clock every five seconds. She looked up from her desk when she saw Blaise pull on his coat and leave the office. It was always customary that the boss left before everyone else.
She sighed to herself after she watched him fake the stairs, feeling her heart pounding hard within her chest. She worked until four-fifty and then shut her lamp off before grabbing her own coat and waving goodbye to Draco. Hermione chuckled when he gave her the thumbs up before she started out, taking the elevator.
"Hey there," greeted Blaise as Hermione appeared on his floor. Shall we?"
He held out his arm and waited for her to interlock her arm in his before he lead them out of the Ministry of Magic building and onto the London streets. She felt nervous and excited at the same time as they walked out of the winter air and into a coffee shop.
"What would you like?"
"Hazelnut coffee, please."
Blaise nodded and looked at the barista. "One hazelnut coffee and one plain black coffee."
Hermione watched him take out his wallet to pay the cashier and was only half surprised to see that he had difficulty closing his wallet all the way. She didn't know how much head bosses in the Ministry were paid, but she knew it had to be a lot.
Blaise grabbed their cups and lead them over to a table before he sat down.
"Thank you," Hermione said taking her own cup of coffee and nursing it in her hands.
Blaise smirked and his eyes crept up to her neck before moving to her eyes.
"You know, I've been attracted to you ever since you applied for this job. You've grown up and into your body quite perfectly."
Hermione watched him take out a small flask from the inside of coat pocket and pour it into his black coffee. She grew uneasy and leaned into him closer.
"What was that?"
Blaise shifted in his seat and looked up at her. "It's firewhiskey. Would you like some?"
Hermione shook her head and looked at Blaise with almost disbelief in her chestnut eyes. This wasn't the Blaise she thought she knew.
"Have you been attracted to me as much as I am to you?"
All she could do was nod and then take a sip of her hot coffee. He seemed to be getting off on all of this and it was starting to make her feel mildly uncomfortable.
"Are you okay, Hermione? What's the matter?"
Hermione didn't want to blow this already. She had waited so long for her chance with Blaise Zabini. She forced a smile and tried to relax.
"No, I'm sorry. I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired from signing all those papers," she lied.
"Then you'll be even more tired later," Blaise smirked, but said under his breath.
Hermione raised an eyebrow and searched his eyes. "What do you mean by that exactly?"
Blaise stretched his legs out, accidentally (or not so accidentally) grazing his legs against hers in the process. He leaned in across the table and chuckled.
"Come on, Granger. You had to know this would be coming. You know exactly what I mean. I'm attracted to you; you're attracted to me, what's the problem?"
Hermione blushed and looked down before clearing her throat, surprised by his straight forwardness.
"R-Right. I'm sorry, Blaise. Y-Yeah, I know what you meant. You're right, we're adults and we're attracted to each other…"
Blaise laughed softly and nodded. "I know I'm right. I'm always right. And you'll come back to my house after our coffee, and then we'll have a little fun," Blaise winked.
Hermione was feeling several emotions at once. She felt like she was just being used by him but she wanted the same thing. And he was right, they were adults and two adults who are attracted to each other should show it in the most intimate way possible. She swallowed hard, not having the appetite for her coffee anymore.
Blaise smirked that lustful smirk again. "Ready to leave?"
All Hermione could do was nod again but she felt her stomach twisting in knots. She was almost ashamed to tell him she was still a virgin, and she bit her lip as she contemplated not to tell him.
"Come with me, beautiful."
She broke out of her trance and looked up at him as he held out his hand to her. She almost reluctantly took it and let him pull her to her feet and walk out of the coffeehouse and into an alleyway. As soon as he apparated her inside his house, she was already nervous and uncomfortable. She looked around the large house and noticed how finely decorated it was, which surprised her. She didn't believe that Ministry bosses were paid this well. There was just no way.
"So where's your place of preference? Do you care where we do it?"
It sounded like he was trying to be considerate but his words were coming out all wrong. She searched his eyes, hopeful.
"T-The bedroom… is where I'd prefer to make love."
Blaise chuckled and then took her hand and started quickly up the stairs with her as he led her into his master bedroom. Not a minute after they had walked inside, Blaise had taken his suit off and had Hermione pinned against the wall, already beginning to attack her neck with deep kisses.
"Oh, baby. You're so hot, Hermione…" Blaise said breathlessly.
She felt him pull her shirt off and then began to fumble clumsily with the buttons on her skirt. She felt her heart beating wildly now with anticipation and she started to work the buttons on his pants.
"Mmmm, that's it, baby. Undress me…"
Hermione was feeling uncomfortable with all the 'baby' and orders, but didn't want to stop. She took his pants down and no sooner had he done that, she felt him grab her hair roughly and force her on her knees. Hermione tried to hide the whimper that was escaping her throat without success.
"Come on, darling. Be a good girl and please me the way I want."
She watched as he pulled down his boxers, revealing his member and then force it into her mouth, one hand still holding her hair firmly.
Hermione scrambled frantically to think of how to escape him but came up with nothing. She just felt her gag reflex kick in as he pressed her deeper around his dick. She felt sick to her stomach as she felt him do this.
"Come on, baby. Suck it. Suck my cock."
Hermione felt tears in her eyes now as she did the only thing that came to mind. She punched his foot with a hard fist and kept punching it before he yelped and then backed away from her.
"What the hell, you crazy bitch?!"
Hermione stood up now and backed away from him.
"What the hell, Blaise?! I-I don't want to do that!"
Blaise nursed his foot and sighed, walking back over to her. "Okay, I'm sorry. Come here, Hermione," he ordered softly, gently taking her hand and pulling her towards him.
She felt apprehensive and almost fearful but obeyed him. She relaxed again when he reached up and caressed her cheek.
"We're going to have fun, okay? This will be fun."
Hermione sniffed and nodded, taking a deep breath. She felt him pull down her skirt and then pick her up before he laid her down on his bed. Blaise kissed her neck and then down to the top of her panties before he pulled them down eagerly and admired her lower body.
"Mmmm… you are very satisfactory indeed…"
Blaise slipped two fingers inside her but then felt himself hit a block. He smirked and kissed the insides of her thighs.
"Ahh… a virgin. The Good Lord has blessed me with a lovely virgin. There may be a promotion for you in this, Hermione."
She swallowed hard and felt herself shiver at his words. "I-I change my mind. I want to go home. I don't want to do this anymore," Hermione said, her voice shaking.
He suddenly moved his fingers deeper inside her and with one quick thrust forward with them, he broke through the barrier.
"Not so fast, love. I'm not done here."
Hermione cried out in pain as he did this and whimpered. "No! Stop it! I-I want to go…"
Blaise climbed on top of her now and she struggled furiously against him, her adrenaline kicking in as she reached up and tried to hit him.
"No! Get off! Get off of me, Blaise!"
He grabbed her wrists tightly and pinned them to the bed as he began to rub himself against her. He looked down at her with lust and determination in his eyes.
"Shut up, you little cunt. You are going to lay there and take it like the good girl you are." He reached down and inserted his member into her roughly.
Hermione screamed now and felt tears run down the sides of her face. She felt pain and agony with each unwanted thrust. She had to do something. She waited for him to lower his head towards her face before she suddenly hit her head against it hard, breaking his nose.
"Oww! You fucking bitch!"
Hermione sat up as quickly as her body would allow and was about to run out the door when she felt him slap her hard, sending her to the floor before grabbing her by the throat and pinning her against the wall.
"You ugly whore. I'm not surprised no one would want you. You're a goddamn tease and a slag."
She could feel him cutting off her air and her instincts kicked in. She had to get out of this place. Hermione kneed him between his legs hard, sending him to the floor in excruciating pain.
"You fucking bastard! I hate you! I am not a slag!"
She cried as she quickly put her clothes on and kicked him in the ribs before she apparated out of his house and in Hogsmeade, starting towards her apartment. She suddenly stopped when she noticed a familiar head of blonde hair walking down the sidewalk. He lied. He told her that Blaise was a nice guy. He told her that Blaise was loyal and kind and easy-going. Draco had lied to her.
Hermione bit her lip and began following him. He might have lied, but she didn't want to go to her apartment. She didn't want to be alone. She hugged her coat tighter to her body and never took her eyes off Draco's back.
