Author's Note: Finally back on ! Hopefully I can give back to the community the same way it's given to me! Got this idea today and the words just flowed out! Hopefully you enjoy it! Please review! Thank you!
PS, As always, Harry Potter and all of its entities belong to the Queen, JK Rowling.
Hermione didn't like not knowing what was happening. Nervously tapping her foot as she sat in the waiting room, she couldn't help but sigh loudly. She was called to the office of her boss for an impromptu meeting. Had she done something wrong? Was she being fired? Her mind racing with all the horrible possibilities that awaited her, she barely noticed when someone else sat down next to her. At the sound of a cough, her head whipped up. And then she got angry. Who else could possibly be sitting next to her at such an inconvenient time but the world's biggest prat? Draco Malfoy. She sighed even louder. He smirked. His classic Draco smirk. She knew it so well.
"Granger."
"Malfoy. What are you doing here?"
"Oh just looking to pass the time."
About to snap out a witty retort, she heard Minister Shacklebolt's secretary call out, "Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, the minister will see you now." Judging by his reaction, Draco didn't know they would be in the meeting together either. Her nerves reached a new high, wondering what on earth the minister would possibly need with them both.
"Hermione! Malfoy! Thank you for coming. Tea? No? Both of you? Alright then. Let's get down to business! The war has been over for 3 years now. You both graduated from Hogwarts two years ago. Both successful in your respective fields. Moving up the ministry ladder at exceptional speeds. A minister could not possibly be prouder. Which is why I've summoned you both to my office to talk about a very special task. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't of utmost importance. I know that you two have a history", causing the young witch and wizard to glare at each other, "but I think you two are the best for the job!"
"Umm, minister…" Hermione started, "what is this job?"
"Oh yes, yes. I was just getting to that. A ball! I need you two to organize the Winter Ball!"
He'd gone mad. The minister had gone mad. That was the only possible explanation for this behaviour. Hermione couldn't help but gape at the beaming man. "Excuse me, sir?"
"Minister, forgive my boldness, but what in Merlin's name are you on about? A ball? A ball! WITH GRANGER? No. No." Malfoy was pink in the face. Hermione had never seen him look so embarrassed. "Surely someone with MY position is above organizing a measly ball. A ball!" He couldn't get over the idea. If she wasn't so peeved herself, Hermione would have giggled at the sight before her.
"He's right, sir. Surely there are more appropriate people to organize such an event. I have so much work already and –" the minister cut her off.
"That's precisely why I want you both to work on this! You've both been working so hard on getting ahead with your careers, if you don't slow down, I'll have two of my brightest employees in the mental ward for burn out. No. I won't have that. You will do this. No questions asked. And if you so much as try to pawn this off on anyone else, I will find out about it, and I can promise you, the next task I ask of you will be to pack up your offices. Have I made myself clear?"
A simultaneous "Yes minister" was heard from outside his door.