A/N: Some spells mentioned in this story may not exactly make sense, the effects may not match the actual results of the spell according to J.K Rowling, and they may be spelled incorrectly. Please overlook this; I was very lazy and couldn't be bothered to look up to exact effects of the spells.
Chapter 1: That Git
"I think that Ronald is quite lovely." - Hermione Granger.
"I disagree. Profusely." - Draco Malfoy.
"Stupefy!" Hermione shrieked, aiming her wand with a professional precision. The worthless wizard flew backwards into the stone wall, hitting his head and knocking himself out cold.
"Protego! Petrificus totalus!" I yelled quickly, pointing my wand over Hermione's shoulder. The wizard's partner – who had tried to sneak up on us but ruined her cover by shooting a spell – froze in place and toppled to the floor, her wand clattering loudly.
Hermione and I circled back to back, our heaving breathing the only sound in the room. I held my wand coolly, professionally. My eyes scanned the darkened room carefully, looking for any sign of movement in the shadows.
"Crucio!" a voice cried. I felt the Unforgiveable curse hit me with such intensity that I was reminded briefly of my Death Eater days.
"NO!" Hermione screamed, slashing her wand through the air. I didn't hear her voice, but I felt the wizard fall to the ground heavily. Hermione came rushing to my side, waving her wand over me.
"You okay?" she whispered as she healed various cuts and bruises. I nodded shakily, getting over the aftershocks of the curse. A few moments later Hermione stopped waving her wand and I could move without pain.
I did a cursory check of her, but besides a bruised cheekbone she looked fine. I healed her and we helped each other stand.
We automatically moved for a hug and I wrapped my arms around her in a way that I knew made her feel safe.
"Thanks," I murmured into her sleek hair. She nodded.
I could feel her heart beat in her chest, and I had to admit to myself: it may not be the most romantic moment, but it sure was one of my favourites. Definitely in the top ten.
We could hear the Aurors moving stealthily through the warehouse, searching for Dark artifacts and the likes. Hermione looked at me again though I pretended not to see (I knew she hated it when I caught her looking).
Together we walked down the stairs, announcing our presence.
"Well done," Francis Valentino said pompously, shaking our hands. I rolled my eyes at his obvious attempt to get in good with us, but pulled Hermione away when he started flirting with her.
Hermione, ever the innocent one, denied it when I mentioned it to her. "What? Oh, no he wasn't! He was just being kind, that's all."
"Hermione," I said bluntly. "He was looking at you funny, he was complimenting on everything about you, and he was playing with your hair. Tell me you don't see that for what it really is."
Hermione frowned unhappily. "Okay, maybe he was. But doesn't he have a wife?"
I almost laughed at her old-fashioned thinking of marriage. "His wife is fat, ugly and never does anything. She showers once a week, max. He's in an unhappy marriage. You think he's going to stay satisfied?"
"You know, sometimes you can be quite rude," Hermione sniffed. I shrugged and we reached the Disapparating point.
"That's why you love me."
With a quick glance at her, memorizing her disheveled hair, torn and dirty clothes, speculative eyes, I Disapparated.
Oh, how I hoped her office would be empty when we arrived.
Not for the first time, I hoped that he wouldn't be waiting for her return.
But, as usual, my hopes were futile.
Ron Weasley immediately stood from the chair he was resting on when he heard me Apparate into the room. The hopeful look was replaced with one of contempt.
"Oh. Malfoy."
"Weasley."
I lounged against the wall, patiently waiting for Hermione to turn up. I took a private pleasure from watching Weasley squirm. He was uncomfortable in my presence, he always had been. He probably always will be, and I enjoyed that fact.
Hermione popped into the room and the look of relief on Weasley's face was almost comical. He strode forward and pulled her into a tight hug, which I knew Hermione didn't always enjoy.
Now was one of those times.
"Can't... breathe..." she gasped, looking severely uncomfortable. From my position against the wall, I frowned. How could Weaselbee not know Hermione didn't like being hugged tightly after missions?
Weasel let her go immediately, studying her face. "Not a scratch on you," he said, almost proudly. I rolled my eyes.
We are magical, dumbass.
"I'm glad you're back," he mumbled, pulling her into a softer hug. I took that as my cue to leave and very quietly exited.
Stupid Weasley... doesn't understand what he has... what she does out there!
I strode through the Ministry halls, nodding here and there to colleagues, admirers. I was, after all, one of the top Aurors in the department. I say one of because the other one just happens to be my partner, Hermione Granger.
Who is stupid enough to choose to be with someone who doesn't know her at all.
I grumbled in my mind all the way to my office, while I slouched comfortably in my leather chair, while I filled out the required paperwork. Actually, I grumbled to myself for the rest of the day. I didn't notice when she walked through my door.
"Good grief. Pull yourself together, man!" Ginny Weasley ordered, snapping her fingers in front of my eyes. Her very pregnant belly dug into my desk. "What's wrong now?" she asked, as though I did this all the time.
And hey. I probably did.
"Nothing, Red. Go away."
"No, Malfoy. Spill."
She waited impatiently for me to talk, but I refused to open my mouth. "It's Hermione again, isn't it?" she asked knowingly. I scowled and she took that as a confirmation.
She tried coaxing it out of me. "Draco, come on. You can tell me. You know I'd never tell anyone. Not even Harry."
"She just doesn't see it!" I blurted out. Ginny looked... sympathetic. It wasn't the first time she'd looked at me like that.
"I know my brother can be a selfish git," she said, "But Hermione knows that. She accepts it. It's time you should too."
"But she doesn't realise that he doesn't know her," I pointed out. Ginny sighed, rubbing her belly softly.
"Well, that's her mistake, isn't it? And when she realises it, she'll deal with it."
"But don't you want to help her out? Do you want her being miserable until she realises it?"
Ginny laughed. "If she wants my help, she'll ask for it. And really, Draco. Next time you see her, look at her closely." Like I don't do that already. "Doesn't she look happy to you?"
With that, Red heaved herself off my desk and walked to the door of the office. "And Draco?"
"What?" I asked moodily.
An evil smirk graced her face. "When and if she does realise it, we'll be the ones saying 'I told you so'."
"You could be in Slytherin, you know?"
Ginny snorted. "Just this once, I'll take that as a compliment."
Red walked out. Despite the lift in my mood, I slammed my fist on the table.