A/N: This is post battle of Hogwarts. But still takes place in an AU. One in which Lavender didn't die during the Battle of Hogwarts. Since I am a severe Dramione shipper, but I also prefer things to mainly stick to the way they were, I am going to try to formulate an after story keeping personalities relatively similar. I hope you enjoy!
Hermione sat in her office tapping a pencil against her desk as she looked over the paperwork on her desk. Ever since she and her friends had left Hogwarts she's buried herself into her work. Though her friends would still classify that as normal.
She worked hard to get where she was, hoping for a better future for magical creatures, she joined the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. She partially desired this position after Dobby had passed, being injured by Bellatrix during the inevitable war. Hermione saw it as debt to pay.
Of course, working at the ministry did have its downsides.
"Hello, Granger" And there was one now.
Walking through her office door was the platinum blonde man Draco Malfoy. Hermione had always made the joke that if in the muggle world, he would be one of those women on TV preaching about how hair dye changed their life or what-not. And that's always because his hair seemed to bright to be considered natural, no matter how much it was.
After the War, Draco had worked hard to try and redeem himself in the wizarding world. Many wizards despised the Malfoy family for siding with Voldemort, however some were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Now, he was a respected head of the Ministry and practically liked by everyone. Except, Hermione.
"Good day Malfoy, here to drop off some paper work I presume?" She made idle small talk without even looking him in the eye, keeping her focus on the papers in front of her, she held out her hand to grab the papers.
"Of course, why else would I come down here to your office and be surrounded by muggle trinkets" He handed to papers off to Hermione and gazed around the room. By muggle trinkets, he meant the crummy souvenir gift shop items from the muggle world Hermione had neatly organized in her office. "I'm also taking your secretary out for a lunch date today"
Pansy Parkinson, the money grabbing girl of the wizarding world. No doubt one of the things she was after was a way to become in power above Hermione, and rub it in her face each day that went on.
"Great choice in girls Malfoy, I didn't realize trash was on your dating regimen" She cracked an inward smile as she set the paper into a stack and finally looked Draco in the eye.
"Aw, is little Granger upset because she doesn't have anyone to spend time with" Putting emphasis on time, Pansy sauntered into the office and linked arms with Draco.
Hermione groaned and rolled her eyes. 'Slytherins will always be Slytherins I suppose' She thought to herself.
"Come on Dracy, let's go" She pouted slightly and pulled him out of the office as Hermione chuckled at the pathetic pet name.
Even Ron had come up with sweeter things while they were dating, and those were pretty awful too. Eventually he defaulted back to her common nickname 'Mione'.
Now Ron was married to Lavender, and they had a baby on the way. While Hermione was single at age 26.
It wasn't that there was not an abundance of available men, she just couldn't find one who was both attractive and intelligent at the same time. Ginny had told her she needed to lower her standards, and find a guy who almost fits the bill. Harry suggested she join one of those wizarding dating services. Even Ron had pitched her to idea of going on one of those speed dates. None sounded appealing to her. Besides, it wasn't like she was unhappy. Everyday she was helping some House Elf out their gain an equal right, and what could make her more happy than that?
'Possibly a date with someone where she could talk about the controversial theories of new potion ingredients found only in Egypt'But, of course, the chances of that happening were slim to none.
