Hogwarts seems like such a long time ago. So much has happened since. Ron and I are no longer together – that relationship was doomed from the beginning. I don't think we were really ever meant for each other, we were just taking advantage of our situation. We thought we could be more than friends, but that was just awkward, we were better off sticking to our friendship.
Harry and Ron went down the Auror route, just as everyone expected them and me to, but I have had enough danger for a lifetime. I didn't really know what I wanted to do for a long time, I didn't think I would ever be happy cooped up in a desk job – I mean I still needed a little excitement in my life. Therefore I decided that I would work in the Ministry for the Department of Mysteries. This role provides just enough danger without me having to worry about being put in harm's way.
While I've obviously remained really good friends with Harry, Ron and Ginny; my new surroundings and new job have meant that I have meant tons of new people , who have I have become fast friends with. It has also meant that I have come into contact with people I never thought I would ever see again. One of these people is surprisingly Draco Malfoy. This is mainly due to his business, creatively named Malfoy Enterprises, being one of the main companies to fund our departmental research. Being the representative for the department, (primarily due to my elevated status in society as a result of my role as the "Brains of the Golden Trio" in the war) means that I will have to be the one to liaise with him. Incidentally, my boss just sprung the arrangement our first meeting on me yesterday. I don't know how well I am going to be able to cope with our meeting tomorrow. I still have nightmares from that day in Malfoy Manor, with Bellatrix Lestrange looming over me, the narcissistic grin on her face mocking me, as she etches the word Mudblood into my arm. I wake up screaming but not before I catch a glimpse of Malfoy standing behind her his face emotionless, watching as I writhe as scream on the ground, overcome by pain. I don't know how I am going to react tomorrow, all I know is that I have to control my emotions and stick to business, which is something I am quite good at. Ignoring fear in order to achieve something – That's what Hermione Granger does.
It's 4 am before I decide that trying to get some sleep before the meeting this morning is pointless, my nervousness is just too much. So I decide to go and make myself a cup of tea – which in my opinion is always the answer. I think about what Malfoy was like at school – a pompous git, who turned up his nose at anything he considered to be below him – which included basically everyone except the elite purebloods. I know that he's not totally like that anymore; he and Harry made a truce after the end of the war and Harry seems to be pretty good friends with him now. I haven't ever had to meet him before this, but from what Ginny says he's not all that bad anymore. I think losing his father had something to do with that. That man was nothing but a burden for Malfoy, always pressuring him to be the man that Voldemort wanted - something that Lucius Malfoy could never be himself. His loyalty would be their downfall and Draco and Narcissa knew it. I have to admire their braveness in swapping sides in the final battle, in my opinion that move was not too late, anything is better than nothing. It was this admiration that drove me to testify at their hearing, and I think it was mine and Harry's efforts that prevented them from serving time in Azkaban. I remember seeing him at the trial – his face was gaunt and he was hunched and his mother had lost some of her airs and graces. They seemed truly shocked by the outcome, certain that they would both be going to be punished for their crimes. Their relief made me believe that I had done the right thing.
A tapping at my window pulls me from my reverie, and I realise how long I have been reminiscing when I notice that my tea has gone cold – nothing a heating charm won't fix though. I head over to the window to let the tawny owl in. I absentmindedly feed it a treat as I sift through the mail. There's the usual delivery of the Daily Prophet but today between the bills there's a note from Ginny. I open it, instantly worried that something has happened to Harry or Ron, as my instincts immediately kick in. But I am relieved to find that it is just a quick letter from her wishing me luck for the meeting today and an invitation to dinner at Grimmauld Place to discuss it afterwards. I quickly grab a bit of spare parchment and jot down a quick reply saying that I would love to be there to see her, Harry and the kids after the meeting and send it back with the owl.
A quick glance at the clock tells me that I should be getting ready for the meeting soon. I gulp down the remainder of my tea and head to the bathroom in my small flat in London. Although my job pays well enough and my winnings from the war prizes are enough to get by, quite a lot of it is spent trying to find my parents in Australia, and besides I don't really need a big place for just me. I have a quick shower, and set about trying to find something appropriate to wear. I have never been one to worry about my appearance but I understand the importance of first impressions, and although technically I have met Malfoy before I like to think of this as my first encounter with him in this new role. After discarding various suits I finally decide on a grey pencil skirt that comes down to just below my knee and a light pink chiffon blouse which I tuck into the skirt. The weather is pleasant outside today, the sun just beaming through the clouds, so I decide to just throw on a light coat and pair of comfortable beige flats. Just before I leave I pick up the files that my boss, Nick, gave me yesterday and just glance them over before I slide them and my wand into my bag, which I quickly sling over my shoulder. I grab some floo powder and step into the fireplace and shout Malfoy Enterprises.