Authors Note: Okay so this is my first ever fanfic. This is a Dramione so if you don't like pairing do please do not bash or whatever. If you do I'll just delete it anyways :P. Obviously I don't own any of the characters or anything. If I did the pairing would be cannon and Ron would be with Pansy. Anyways enjoy! ^^

Strictly Business

A petite woman stormed into her office and slammed her door shut. She stamped over to her desk and commenced emptying all her of her notes, documents, files and personal belongings into a large box. She trudged over to her bookshelf that was on the left side of her office and began packing the books that she owned into the box, glaring at the compulsory texts that the Ministry persisted that all it's employees keep close to their person. With an evil grin she set the texts aflame and cast a charm on them so that the fire wouldn't spread to the rest of the room but would remain blazing for several hours.

Hermione positioned the box onto her hip and carried on packing away her belongings. She finally finished clearing her office, one hour and fifteen minutes later. She gazed at the office with sadness, it had suddenly dawned on her that even though she had entered this job with a thirst for success and fulfilment that she had failed herself. Working for the Ministry of Magic was excruciatingly boring. Sure, she'd been able to resolve some issues and much of her research helped to solve cases for the Aurors and some gratitude was expressed but no one truly appreciated or acknowledged just how much effort and energy she put into it all. The truth was that she was working in a place that she couldn't stand, where most of the employees were uninterested in their own field, well with the exception of Harry, who got an adrenaline rush from capturing escaped and or on the run wizards and witches.

She grimaced. She needed something or someone to vent to. After all it wasn't everyday that Hermione the bookworm extraordinaire, member of the Golden Trio got fired from the Ministry of Magic. She scowled and what made it all the more frustrating was the pathetic excuse that the Ministry had owled her. Yes, they had actually owled her dismissal letter.

Written on it were the words:

To: Miss Hermione Jane Granger,

The Ministry of Magic is sorry to inform you that it is unable to continue providing your department with enough funding and therefore must terminate your contract with us. It is in the Ministry's best interest to maintain balance in the economy for its entire department, especially for its Investigation Department as Auror hunting is most essential in halting criminal activity.

Again, we apologise at the loss of losing an employee and hope you are able to find a new place of employment without any difficulty.

With Regards

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Minister of Magic

Hermione's immediate reaction had been to ball the letter and toss it across the room with as much force as she could. She'd stood in the same spot in her living room and seethed over the letters contents, fists clenched and her nails digging into her palms. She couldn't believe that the Ministry was dismissing her for lack of funding! She glared, that never seemed an issue at the Ministers' birthday celebration. If anything it looked like the Ministry had money to burn at their disposal with all the decorations and large banquet tables overflowing with food.

She sighed. With her head held high she opened the door and walked through the long corridor. Practically everyone of the employees stared at her, shock, confusion, and amusement were in many people's gazes and Hermione, as inconspicuously as possible, increased her speed hoping to have the elevator to herself on the way down.

She stepped through the front door, tossing her keys on the living room table and pushing her box of belongings into a corner. Hermione made her way over to the love seat and pulled off her turquoise four inch heels. Having done that she sighed contentedly and collapsed onto her sofa.

A smooth voice spoke next to her ear

"I was wondering when you'd get back."

She squeaked and fell off of the chair in a heap. The voice burst into uncontrollable laughter and she growled in annoyance.

"Of all the times today for you to show up, you pick now Blaise?" She glared at the tall dark skinned Italian and crossed her arms in frustration.

Blaise's left eyebrow quirked and he smirked at her.

"Bad day, Granger?" her eyes narrowed

"Sod off, Zabini" She got up from the floor and stamped over to the kitchen.

Hazel eyes trailed her movements and then blinked.

She heard his footstep behind her, her back was to him as she perused her fridge looking for her favourite treat. Her eyes found the large Galaxy Bar and she beamed at it, grabbed it and then sat herself down at her small dinner table. She pointedly ignored the taller figure who sat down beside and her and watched her slowly sink her teeth into the chocolate.

"The Galaxy's been pulled out so I'm guessing this was a bad day"

Hermione eyed him from beneath her lashes and then licked her lips. Hmmm, chocolate always hit the spot.

"I suppose I can't sit here and ignore you. You Slytherins always were a persistent bunch" she frowned, noticing that his smirk widened.

Blaise rubbed his knuckles on his pristine white shirt, removing the invisible spec of dirt and then observed his hands.

"You my dear girl are a charmer. Your compliments aren't necessary".

Brown eyes rolled.

"So my dear, dear friend Hermione, what seems to be bothering you? Come, tell Uncle Blaise."

She averted her eyes and mumbled. Blaise grinned and cupped his hand to his ear,

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that."

She stood up and balled her fists.

"I said I got sacked! Sacked, S-A-C-K-E-D! Can you hear me now Zabini?"

She stormed out of the kitchen and then threw herself, again onto the sofa and covered her face with her hands.

She felt two large hands slowly pry her hands and expose her tear filled eyes. Blaise looked at her with sympathy.

"I didn't mean for you to get upset Hermione." She softened.

He let go of her hands and then opened his arms wide and she willingly embraced him. She felt him rubbing her back in soothing circles and her eyes welled up. She cursed herself for acting so emotional, burying her face in her friend's chest.

"What am I going to do, Blaise?"

Blaise stared at the top of Hermione's head; he was silently cursing the Ministry for being so heartless to his friend. After all, she was a war hero and had put her life on the line to fight against one of the most evil and insane people the wizarding world had ever witnessed. She was Hermione Granger for crying out loud! Couldn't they have sacked some other employee, perhaps some random loser who didn't even compare to the not-so-bushy now, ex-Gryffindor?

Blaise thought about the best way to get the pretty brunette to perk up again. Hermione had lots of good qualities, ones that would mean that any employer would snap her up quickly; she was without a doubt a hardworking person, always at the top of her game. She was a terrific listener and gave great advice. She was always kind, sometimes even to people who didn't deserve it. What really impressed him was the fact that she actually enjoyed work; her eyes would light up and practically sparkle when she saw huge piles of paperwork, seeing it as a challenge, a test of her character. Yes, Hermione liked challenges, challenging subjects, challenging books, topics, hell she even liked taking on challenging people...

Wait!

Challenging people...

Blaise's hazel eyes flashed with recognition and he smirked devilishly. Had Hermione been looking at his face she would have taken several cautious steps away from him in terror.

Blaise Stefan Zabini had a plan.

And if you were a sane and smart person you would know: a Slytherin with a cunning plan was never EVER a good thing...

I'd really appreciate some reviews xxx

luvvs2dream :)