Chapter 1: Call Me Hermione

Hermione brushed her long brown hair up into a ponytail. "Oh, I look rough," she thought. She added a little bit of makeup to her face, just for color. "That's a little better." She looked over at the clock; it read 6:45 am. "Fifteen minutes 'till work starts," she thought. She made her bed and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. As she was brushing her teeth, she thought about the last few years.

            She graduated from Hogwarts three years ago and now, at twenty-one, she hardly saw any of her friends anymore. Her career path had not gone as she had planned. She had wanted to be a teacher or an Auror, but no positions were open. This left her with only a few things to choose from. She could either work as a waitress or clean houses. Luckily, she found a cleaning job that interested her. The job was live-in, and she wouldn't have to pay rent or board. It seemed to suit her. There was only one problem: It was at Malfoy Manor.

Hermione had never gotten along with any of the Malfoys. Draco hated her and so did Lucius. She had realized that this job was the best she could get at the time and decided to apply. She hoped Draco and Lucius had forgotten about her and wouldn't hold grudges.                  

She had arrived at Malfoy Manor one day three years ago. Unbeknownst to her, Lucius had died and left the estate to Draco. Draco had sent his mother to London to live in a flat so she could be with her rich friends. Only a few servants stayed with him.

**************FLASHBACK******************************************

She was met at the door by the Butler, Chives. "May I help you, Madam," he said, stuffily. "Yes, um, I'm here to apply for the cleaning job," she answered; she was nervous. "Right this way, Madam." He led her through a gorgeous hallway with white marble floors and carved ceilings. She passed mahogany doors with gold plates stating their names. "The Red Room," The Library," "The Black Room," she read.

Chives led her up a beautiful set up spiral stairs and into another hallway. Finally, after about five minutes of passing more mahogany doors, he stopped at one. This one read "Master Draco's Office." Hermione held her breath as she knocked at the door. "Come in," said a voice from inside. She opened the door and gasped. Looking back at her was the most handsome man she had ever seen. His white-blonde hair was cut short and not slicked back like he wore it in school. She was staring at his silvery grey eyes when he spoke.

"Granger, how nice to see you again." His voice was acidly sweet. "Come for the job, ay?"

 "Y-y-yes. Malfoy, er, Draco, I have."

"Sit down, sit down. How long has it been Granger? Two, three, years? Sit down."

 "Okay, Draco. I know you hate me but I really need this job. There are no openings in my field of choice.".

"And what, may I ask, is that?" He smirked at her. "Well, I wanted to be a teacher or an Auror."

. "You? An Auror? Hard to believe. A teacher seems fit for you," he laughed, "What do you want to teach?"

 "I would like to teach anything except Divination. I hate that subject."

"Well, Granger, I guess you're hired. Chives will show you to your room and inform you of your duties."

"Oh, thank you, Draco."

"On one condition. You call me Mr. Malfoy," he said.

 "Fine," she said, "if you call me Hermione."

 Disclaimer: Hermione and Draco are owned by J.K. Rowling, not me! I own Chives and the words.

A/N: Chives is named for my brother. His screen name is Chives. No one knows why. Please read and rate! I would greatly appreciate it.