Disclaimer: These characters are in no way mine, sadly. So far, I haven't made any up, so they all belong to Miss Rowling.
Mr. Wrong
Summary: Hermione Granger's life is going great. She's engaged to the perfect man, Harry Potter. She just got a promotion at the Ministry, and was nominated "Most Likely to Succeed" by Witch Weekly.
But what happens when Mr. Totally Wrong comes into her life? Is he really so wrong? D/Hr
Chapter 1: The New Minister
Hermione Granger sighed, satisfied. She glanced at the heaping pile of papers that she had just corrected.
She checked her watch, and smiled. It just about time to leave for home.
I'll just get this to the Minister…then sign out. Where did Harry say I should meet him? Hermione contemplated, still staring at her watch.
She scratched her neck, and stood up with half of the papers in her hands. Walking towards the Minister's office, she practiced what to say.
Mr. Fudge, how lovely to see you! It's been since—what, seventh year? How's the wife?
Hermione raised a hand to knock, when the door swung open abruptly.
"—So sorry, sir! I didn't mean to—" a terrified man began, halfway out the door.
"Sorry won't cut it, Jenkins! This was an important case!" a harsh voice cut in.
"I-I'm sorry, you're busy…I'll-I'll just come back," Hermione stammered, stumbling backwards.
That wasn't Fudge! That was most definitely not Fudge! her mind whimpered.
"No, Granger, just give me those damned papers. Perhaps somebody could do something right at this office," he hissed, probably glaring at the man.
Hermione stepped forwards with her papers in hand, peeking around the huge door. "Um, excuse me, but who are you? You certainly don't sound Mr. Fudge…"
The man chuckled, shooing away Jenkins. "You certainly don't miss a trick, Ms. Granger, do you?" He paused, then suddenly said, "Engaged to the famous Harry Potter, isn't that right?"
Small talk? Hermione thought vaguely, smiling.
"Yes, yes, that's right. Going to be Hermione Potter in seven months," she informed the stranger proudly.
"I'm sure you're very excited," he said dryly. "What an accomplishment."
Her smile quickly melted into a frown. "E-Excuse me?" she stuttered, feeling unsure of herself, and confused.
"You don't know who I am?" he asked, an amused tone to his voice.
"No, otherwise I'm sure I'd be calling you Mister…whatever your last name is…" she stated slowly, eyeing the back of the chair.
"Not quite as quick as you were in school, are you?"
"I'm not sure I understand you, sir."
The chair spun around, revealing an amused young man, about her age. He looked strangely, and she couldn't quite place it.
She tilted her head, and saw his platinum blonde hair. "DRACO?!" Hermione exclaimed, almost dropping her stack of papers in the process.
He smirked. "That's Minister Malfoy to you, Ms. Granger," he said in a teasing accusatory voice.
Hermione's jaw dropped. "To hell with that," she spat vehemently. "I wouldn't dream of ever using your title…as though you were a respected man!"
Draco frowned, and shrugged. "It's up to you, love. I'm insulted, I'm sure. However…" he paused tactfully. "Last I checked…you had no choice. So, with that said, fetch me my coffee, peon." With that, he gave a smile as warm as a Malfoy could muster.
"Peon?!" she shrieked, finally dropping the papers. "You are crazy! I would never 'fetch' you anything! You…you…you stupid egotistical bastard!"
"Quite a colorful language you have. I must admit I love the emphasis on words you have. Are you always this delightful to your superiors?" Draco taunted.
"Oh yes," Hermione said sarcastically. "They all enjoy my company so much."
With a snarky little smirk, he looked her up and down. "Yes, I would only imagine…"
She groaned in frustration. "You're impossible!"
Draco seemingly brightened up, lifting his head higher. "Why thank you," he replied in a cheery voice with a huge smile.
Hermione glared at him hatefully. She reluctantly bent down to pick up the fallen papers, and handed it to him. "The rest is in my office. I'll get them," she mumbled stiffly.
"Nonsense! Let me help you," Draco offered, throwing the pile he had down on his large desk.
She regarded him with curiosity and suspicion, but let him follow her nevertheless.
Upon seeing the stack, Draco whistled. "That's a hefty load. What idiot gave you that?"
Hermione couldn't help but feel a little proud at his hidden compliment. "Fudge gave it to me yesterday to work on today. Er, what happened to him?"
"Oh, that," Draco answered loftily, waving his hand. "Terrible accident, I daresay. I'm the new Minister for the term."
She gave him a half smile, but felt a little fearful pang in her gut. 'A terrible accident'?
"I see," she replied instead.
~*~
Harry Potter stood on the street corner, tapping his foot impatiently. It was quarter of!
Hermione should have been here 10 minutes ago! Where was she?
Oh Merlin…I hope she isn't hurt. And here I am, thinking the worst of her! What if she fell into a ditch and can't get out…? Harry thought worriedly.
Suddenly, he saw her figure running towards him, hair flying.
"I'm—so—sorry," she panted breathlessly, clutching his shoulder, and taking deep breaths. "There's—a new…a new Minister," Hermione finished, collapsing onto the bench. "Ran as fast as I could, darling."
Harry gave her a lopsided grin. " 'S ok, Mione. I was just starting to worry about what happened—"
"Oh my gods! I didn't scare you, did I, Harry?" Hermione cut in, looking upset.
"No, no, it's fine, honey. Honestly!" Harry protested at her gaze. "So…new Minister? Who?"
She looked exhausted, and quite put out. "Draco Malfoy," she answered flatly. "He's the new Minister."
He glanced at his fiancée, half-comprehending. "Malfoy?" he asked calmly. Finally, it sunk in. "MALFOY?!"
Hermione nodded weakly, clutching her stomach.
"Did he give you a hard time?" Harry asked concernedly. "I swear, Minister or not, I'll—"
She held up her hand, causing him to immediately stop. "Didn't touch me. He only helped me move a stack of papers. Well, ok, we exchanged the usual insults at first, but…he was actually fairly tolerable after a few minutes," Hermione finished thoughtfully.
"Oh," Harry replied, feeling empty. "Malfoy didn't…make you drink anything, did he?"
"Harry Potter!" Hermione giggled. "Draco was perfectly…I dunno, he was just nice."
"Nice?" Harry asked, disbelieving. "You're crazy. My fiancée has gone insane!" he laughed.
Hermione smacked his arm, getting up. "I'm not crazy," she protested. "It's just that Draco was more or less a gentleman."
"A gentleman? Are we talking about the same Draco Malfoy here?" Harry asked, moving one finger between the two of them. "The school snobby bully who took pleasure in calling you horrible names? The boy who mocked you constantly?"
Her mouth opened and closed, having no remark. It seemed as though she had just realized she was defending Draco. "I…you're right, Harry," she finished, defeated.
Harry moved closer to her. Wrapping one hand tenderly around her waist, he suggested, "How about we just forget about snotty old Malfoy. He's an insufferable git anyways."
Hermione laughed.
He started guiding her towards the restaurant they were supposed to eat at. "Then, once we order, we can start discussing the wedding. Guests, funds, limits, places, official dates…"
She nodded. "Of course. Before we even get in, we know that Ron, Parvati, and Lavender simply must come. And all our teachers, of course—"
Harry teasingly covered her mouth, to get her to shut up.
"Getting a bit overzealous, are we?" he asked, as she licked his palm. "Well, fine, if you wanted me to remove my hand, all you had to do was ask!"
Hermione stuck out her tongue as they approached the doors. "Stinker."
He sniffed his armpits, causing her to wince. Smirking playfully, Harry shrugged, and gave her a weird look. "Just showered this afternoon…"
"Oh, just shut your trap, Mister Potter!" she yelled laughing.
~*~
Draco Malfoy sat with his legs stretched out onto his desk lazily, his feet crossed at the ankles. He was slouched in his enormous black leather chair, and holding today's open copy of The Daily Prophet over his face.
A young woman sat impatiently in the chair in front of his desk. She bounced one leg up and down, waiting for him to notice her.
Draco smirked, only wondering who it was. He cleared his throat, and flipped the page. After skimming over the rest of the "Fudge Leaves Office" article continued from the front page, he reached around the opened paper for his cup of coffee.
A delicate hand landed on top of his, tugging impatiently at a finger that was curled around the mug.
"Minister Malfoy?" she asked frustrated. "DRACO!" she exclaimed, ripping the paper from his hands.
Draco glared at the woman, and brushed back a lock of hair before he started to speak. "Those reporters don't miss a trick, do they?" he asked, gesturing to the half of the paper clutched tightly within her hands.
She blushed, and handed the ripped half back to him. "No, I suppose not," she answered quietly.
Draco leaned forward, shoving the paper aside. He clasped his hands on his desk, and smiled with exaggerated friendliness. "What can I do for you, Miss Weasley?"
The small redhead blinked. "Hermione called in to take the day off, so I was here to let you know that when she takes leave—to plan for her wedding, and all—I take her spot."
He nodded. "I see. So, how is my favorite couple doing?"
Ginny shifted a tad uncomfortably, trying not to squirm under his penetrating gaze. "Er…very well, from what I hear."
"What you hear? Aren't they your best friends?" Draco interrogated.
"W-Well, yes. I only meant that—oh, bloody hell…Sir, I have to get back to my job," she told him firmly.
"Of course, Virginia. Let's let you get back to what you're paid for."
Ginny was halfway out the door when he had said that, and froze when he finished it.
"Oh, and before I forget…you'll be buying me a new issue of The Daily Prophet, right?" Draco called.
Ginny turned around, biting her lip. She mumbled something that sounded oddly like, "You big baby" before she lifted her wand and said, "Reparo!"
Just as she was closing the door, she stuck out her tongue hatefully at him. Draco let his head drop, and looked up at the door through his eyelashes, an amused look on his face.
"I saw that!" he yelled out the door in a booming voice. If he was lucky, Miss Weasley there cringed.
Draco smirked, and returned to his first position. He lifted the coffee back up, before he adjusted his silk black slacks, and turned to page 5.
~*~
Hermione glanced at Harry, sighing in aggravation.
"What?" he asked innocently, placing down the paper he was reading. "What's up with you?"
She clenched her jaw, and pointed to the front page of his newspaper. "Absolute garbage! He's bloody everywhere!"
Harry glanced at her as though she would attack him, but reluctantly picked up the paper, and flipped it to the front.
He smirked, and laid it down on the coffee table. "What? Draco?"
Hermione glared at him, and eventually turned her gaze to the newspaper. "Yes, that handsome bastard right there!"
Harry's jaw dropped at her use of the word. "H-Handsome?" he stuttered.
She grinned slyly. "Wouldn't you like to know?" she asked virtuously, batting her long lashes.
"You're evil, Hermione Granger!" Harry scolded, clasping her hand firmly in his hand.
"Me?" she asked, smirking.
Biting her lip, Hermione looked down at the picture of Draco, which was behaving rather snarkily. He winked at her.
Though feeling rather guilty, she couldn't help but notice how handsome he really was. His sharp glacial silver eyes had a certain alluring glimmer to them. Even with a smile, his lips were still slightly turned down at the sides, and it was rather endearing how Draco's silvery hair kept falling into his left eye, and he'd brush it back—
"Hermione?"
She snapped out of her little daydream, and glanced back at Harry, smiling. "Sorry, just thinking about the perfect wedding."
Harry enveloped her in a hug quite randomly, and returned her warm smile. It made her shiver, and clutch one arm.
"So how's Ron's mission going?" Hermione asked after a few moments of welcome silence. "He's well, I hope?"
Harry nodded. "Ron's being a trooper, no doubt. After all, it can't be easy teaching DADA."
She laughed, at the way he had finally revealed what they were talking about. Everytime they mentioned Ron's job—especially in front of important people—they'd call it his 'mission' as if it were top-secret Ministry business. But truly, it was just Ron's teaching job.
Still, it couldn't be easy.
Hermione rested her head contentedly against Harry's strong shoulder, and glanced down at the paper he had been scribbling on. "This wedding will be the one of the century. After all, 'Muggleborn Marries the Famous, Drool-Worthy Harry Potter' should make for an interesting headline, don't you think?"
Harry gave a mock sigh of unhappiness. "Damn. Just think…I used to be 'Harry Potter, the Sexiest Eligible Bachelor in the Wizarding World'."
Hermione scoffed. "Bit wordy, don't you think, O Quidditch Star? Merlin, you are full of yourself!"
He shrugged. "It comes with the package, sweetie. Didn't I tell you?"
"No, must've slipped your mind," Hermione replied dryly.
"Yes…yes, must have…" he finished in fake thoughtfulness. Harry stroked his chin with his fingers to emphasize his state of thought.
"You're funny, Potter," Hermione teased. "Too bad it has to wait."
"Wait for what?" Harry asked curiously, very obviously hoping for one particular answer.
"For our wedding to be planned, and our life to get settled down," she answered, grinning smugly.
As it was clearly obvious that Mr. Potter was disappointed, Hermione leaned forward, and gently kissed him.
~*~
Draco groaned, and lifted himself out of his chair. Today was one that was far too long to have been enjoyable.
It was same old, same old. Goblins wanting pay raises, trolls wanting better rights, and the occasional oddball: Wizard time-travelling, tragically caught between the Stone Age and today.
If he had to be asked to sign one more law…Well, needless to say, if he wasn't happy, the rest of the Ministry would not be happy.
At least this year, it seemed as though that old codger, Dumbledore, was staying out of trouble. Must've been his first year without anything terribly awry.
Draco stepped out his office, and waved to Ginny Weasley. "Great job today, Virginia. Glad you didn't let me scare you off," he complimented her.
She smiled, waving. "Yes, well, I think lunch tomorrow—your treat, of course—will get rid of any ill thoughts, don't you?"
Draco shook his head, a small smile on his face. "You drive a hard bargain, Miss Weasley."
Ginny shrugged. "I've gotten a few tips. I have a feeling I'll be wanting something expensive."
"Sure, sure," he replied with a wave of his hand. "G'night."
"Night, 'sir'," she answered, turning back to her filing.
In all rights, the old Draco Malfoy would have called her names, and insulted her family.
But then, after almost getting sentenced to Azkaban for being a Death Eater tends to humble oneself greatly.
~*~
Draco slammed the door to his huge manor, nodding briefly to a house elf. He handed his coat, and shrugged off his shoes.
He strode down the hall, remembering his younger years.
Coming home from Hogwarts, yelling greetings to his parents, who ended up being in the Master Bedroom, bickering about him.
He had once been under the impression that his mother was a dear old woman who had nothing but his best interests at heart. Well, events occurring in his last three years proved to him that she wasn't the innocent woman he had hoped she was. She, too, was influenced by the power, money, and Dark Arts.
Draco frowned, and headed sluggishly towards his bedroom, wondering when this huge house would get to be occupied by more than simply him and house elves.
What he needed was a party. Yes, a party. Invite the office, a few old friends…but if Harry Potter so much as dared to step foot into his manor, he was dead.
Engaged or not.
Speaking of…how in the bloody hell did that little bookworm get engaged before Draco Malfoy? Wasn't he most wanted in school?
Draco sneered at the thought. Pansy…ugh. If she so much as dared to set foot in his house as well—after all the things she did—she was going to find that Draco was not all fun and sex.
~*~
Hermione was just settling into her chair when Draco's head popped in.
She let out a startled gasp, clutching her chest. "Draco!" she scolded, trying to lower her rapid heartbeat. "You nearly scared me to death!"
He shrugged, stepping into her office. "The first of many, I hope," he quipped.
She scowled. "What did you want?"
"I'm having a party," he began, puffing his chest out proudly.
"Congratulations," Hermione told him sardonically. "I'm so proud, I'm sure. Your very own bash! How smashing."
Draco frowned, pouting like a little wizard who hadn't gotten the wand he wanted. "Well, fine, if you're going to be that way…"
Hermione sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Don't tell me I'm invited? What an honor. Again, that was sarcasm, my dear Minister."
Draco continued, ignoring her last statement. "Yes, you're invited. But please, refrain from brining Boy Wonder. It'll make me nauseous."
Hermione pretended to look joyful. "Really? Excellent! I don't believe he has any plans tonight—"
Draco shot her a pointed look, strands of hair falling into his eye again. Annoyed, he brushed it back, and replied, "Granger. I'm saying this in all seriousness."
She put on an innocent look. "As was I."
His shoulders dropped, looking utterly pissed off. "Do you enjoy being sarcastic like that? Is this revenge for all those years at school?"
Hermione shrugged. "It's just fun. You liked yanking my chains, I like yanking yours. Don't get your knickers in a twist."
"I'm not wearing anyway," he told her seriously.
Her mouth dropped open in disgust, and her face was absolutely horrified. "Draco, that's completely appalling!"
To her contempt, his face broke into a wide grin. "That was entirely priceless. Damn, if I had only had my wand with me—"
"You will die, Malfoy," Hermione hissed, covering her mouth in attempt to stop the upchuck reflex she had been experiencing mere seconds ago.
"Well now, that's certainly not the most welcoming sentence I've gotten since my arrival. My very own death threat! I believe that makes me the official Minister," Draco retorted with mock excitement.
She rolled her eyes, and pushed him out of her office. "I have to work, thanks. Go dance with joy in your own office, and break your own mirrors with your reflection!" Hermione yelled to him, as he opened the door to his office.
Draco turned around, and gave her an exaggerated wave and smile of joy. "Thanks, I will!"
A/N: Ok, this was a new idea I just came up with. To be honest, I'm not sure how great it is, but I liked the plot idea. It's kinda cute, and intriguing.
So, if you like it, please try and review. If you don't, try and review anyway. But keep it nice, eh? Lol.
For those of you wondering about the new chapter to Hidden Lioness, it's getting there. I've been really busy, and the only reason this is out, is because when I get a new idea, I go crazy if I don't get it written down.
I hope you guys enjoyed this!
[Submitted: July 22, 2003]