Author's note: Hello my lovely readers! I've finally decided to sit down and write a decent length Dramione, instead of just drabbles, so here I am! Hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer : Anything you recognise, I do not own. If I did, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction, would i?
Chapter 1 : The bombshell
It was a spectacular day, one of those rare days on which the English weather decided empathize with the poor people whom it bullied throughout the year. The air was full of cheer and the day being a Friday, the delight of the weekend up ahead further raised their spirits. All across England everyone was enjoying the day in a jovial mood. Except two people, that is.
In the office of the Department of International Magical Cooperation in the British Ministry of Magic, Mr Smith was patiently waiting for an interview with one Draco Malfoy. Mr Smith was an unassuming man, known amongst his colleagues for his cooperative, uncomplaining nature. His boss had especially selected him for this interview after much debate, after all, not many people were fortified to handle the theatrics which he had been assured would succeed his declaration. At four 'o'clock sharp, he was requested to enter the office by overbearing and haughty blonde which he assumed was the secretary.
Mr Malfoy, ever the gentleman, didn't even bother to look up from his files as he entered. After standing in front of his desk for an entire minute without being offered a seat, he took a seat of his own accord. Mr Malfoy finally noticed him but he didn't seem to mind. Without further ado, Mr Smith began reading aloud from the official Ministry document he had been assigned.
Mr Malfoy, he noticed, had a naturally clear and a rather pale complexion. Over the span of nine minutes, during which he was reading the document, he observed a plethora of changing colours on his face like a night sky lit up with fireworks. When he had begun he was sure that Mr Malfoy's face glowed with a pinkish tinge of excitement. As he proceeded, that pinkish tinge blended into a reddish hue of anxiety. By the time he had covered almost half of the document, he was sure that the present greenish complexion of Mr Malfoy' s face was a sure indication that he was about to upchuck his breakfast. Thankfully since nothing of the sort happened he bravely continued. When he had read out about three-quarters of the document, if the bluish pallor of his face and the record number of times he adjusted his tie was anything to go by, he seemed ready to suffocate on his own vomit which he had been so ready to spill forth. (Mr Smith quite liked this shade; it went very well with his grey eyes.) However, as he neared the end of the document, his face turned noticeably purple, and he presently got up from his seat to pace across the room. Mr Smith quietly angled his body towards the door to ensure a ready escape in case Mr Malfoy did act on the destructive tendencies he was currently showing. And when he finally finished reading the document, his face turned a mysterious shade of black and Mr Smith could literally feel the proverbial storm clouds amassing.
He never thought that the words "nine months" could ever have such a profound effect the on another creature.
He was correct in guessing that it was the calm before the storm.
"Get out of my office you filthy excuse of a wizard, you and bloody department can go to Hell", he shouted out bringing down a glass of water down on the table so hard that it cracked under the strain.
Taking it as his cue to leave, Mr Smith was out of the office in the blink of an eyelid. He was well aware of the Malfoy temper and even though the promised theatrics had been even better than watching one of those muggle movies, he really didn't want to stick around for the apocalypse that was sure to follow.
From somewhere he heard a floo-call, "Blaise Zabini, get your lazy arse down here asap. And bring that crate of firewhiskey I bought yesterday."
Poor Mr Malfoy, he thought. To have to hole himself up on such a beautiful day, just his bad luck, he supposed.
At Grimauld Place, there was cheerful gathering of several Potters Weaselys and Longbottoms for a special brunch to celebrate the achievement of a certain Granger who had just arrived.
Ginnerva Potter lead Hermione into the comfortable drawing room when, upon entering, she was greeted with a shouts of "Congratulations", "Well done", "We are so proud of you Mione".
"You guys, you really didn't have to….", Hermione started, but was interrupted by Harry. "We wanted to do something special, this new job is so important to you, and frankly, we couldn't be happier", he declared as he drew her into a one armed hug.
From beside Ron, Lavender Weasely waved a letter in the air. " And here's the name of the lucky partner."
Ginny quickly grabbed the letter from her. "How did you get this?"
"Ron had the letter redirected here instead, no big deal?", she said.
"Come on Mione, open it", Luna Longbottom encouraged as ahe handed the letter to Hermione. "You better hurry up or the Nargles will get to it before you, and you don't want that to happen", she said with an air of grave seriousness.
"Okay, here goes….." Hermione ripped open the envelope with unsteady fingers.
Ms Granger,
This is to inform you that you have been selected to work along with Mr Draco Malfoy from the Department of International Magical cooperation to participate in the International Rehabilitation programme for the endangered species of magical creatures. The duration of the programme will be nine months, during which you will travel around the world to help rescue and rehabilitate these creatures. The programme will commence in one week time, on 12.6.2003. We sincerely hope for the success of this programme and request your complete cooperation and your undiluted effort.
Thanking you,
The British Minister for the Control and Care for Magical Creatures
"I going to kill that ferret!", Hermione screamed out.
Immediately, three pairs of feminine hands were in action, patting her back, stroking her hair and embracing her tightly. But nothing seemed to appease the bloodlust she had acquired. "Four years, I've given four bloody years of my life for this opportunity, I am NOT going to let Malfoy ruin this for me. There is only one way out, I have to kill him."
"Can't you get a different partner?", Harry suggested helpfully.
"Are you kidding me? We are the only two people selected from the entire British Ministry for this job. Change of partner, my foot!"
"It's just nine months, Mione, I'm sure you'll be able to take him on. You're the Brightest Witch of Our Age, you'll figure something out", Neville said. If looks could kill, Hermione would have butchered Neville with her eyes alone, for that comment.
"I suggest you call a truce, after all, this is just as important to Malfoy", Ginny said, ever the voice of wisdom.
"Its Malfoy we're talking about, get real people! I suggest with continue with Mione's initial plan to Avada his arse", Ron shouted from his seat.
"I agree!", Hermione chorused.
If anything, it was going to be a long nine months thought Luna as she calmly petrified Hermione to prevent her from actually walking up to Malfoy's office and murdering him.
End Note: I am not under any circumstances going to abandon my other fanfic, " Fear of death follows form the fear of life". I'm going to updates at the same rate as I do now.
I've decided to post a chapter every Friday, and have a poll throughout the week to decide which creatures you guys want to see them take on. Please vote, otherwise the whole idea of this fanfic is a bit pointless! Also, if you have any ideas for some creatures, you can PM me along with the country they are found in. I'll try to do at least one creature per country.
And if you have suggestions for the name, please PM me, i am clueless in that respect.
The voting is open now! You can vote on my profile.
I'd love it if you leave a little review. Love it? Hate it? Want me to quit writing? (As if :)) Don't think twice before pelting me with whatever thought is on your mind!