One
Elevator Music
Hermione Granger stepped into the Ministry lift, putting quills into individual slots in her bag and allowing some memos to fly into the space above her head. She had much to worry about today - meetings all morning, reports due in the afternoon, and possibly a visit to the Weasley's after she was done - if she had time.
As the gate began to close, a hand suddenly appeared between the gate and the wall, and it opened again to reveal a slightly disheveled Draco Malfoy.
Hermione froze. She hadn't seen him in months, so his sudden appearance startled her slightly, and she covered up her surprise by clearing her throat and readjusting her bag. He strode in and stood beside her, not especially acknowledging her presence but not pretending to ignore it either.
As the mechanical locks and gears clicked and the elevator began to move, sideways, forwards, down, up, she came to realize that he was looking at her.
She swallowed, unsure if he was smirking or scowling, and unsure of why she cared. Surely he knew better than to make some comment to belittle her, years after the War. Surely he wouldn't prove everyone right and be the same prick he had always been.
Her cheeks reddened as she realized that he was still looking; she could see his head turned in her direction in her peripherals.
This was too much. As if she didn't have enough to worry about today, here he was, creating such an unnecessary nuisance! She turned to give him a piece of her mind, to demand why he was being such a prick without even saying anything, but was startled by his calm expression. She gawked for a second, then turned her head away quickly, realizing that her odd behavior was becoming conspicuous.
"You look nice today, Granger," he said, his lips curling into a small smile.
She glanced back at him, wondering if she had gone mad. He was looking back at her with his calm eyes and a hint of humor in his expression. Heat crept up her chest, and soon she was blushing. "Thanks," she murmured without thinking, her hand reaching up to make sure her hair was in place.
His eyes followed her hand, and she could feel them rove across her face.
What was he on about, complimenting her like that? Her hand left her hair to join the other behind her back, hiding it from his view.
The normally quick Ministry lift seemed to take forever now, and she felt every bump and corner with a slight cringe. Still, she liked to think that she was a different person now, and wasn't one to play his little games.
The lift finally reached her floor, and Hermione all but bolted out the door after a quick muttered "bye." She took fast strides down the corridor, but when she looked back, he was still looking at her, the memos floating around his head like little birds, wanting to know what was so interesting about her.
Author's Note: The first of hopefully many. This is where I'm putting my random Dramione ideas that are not meant for a story just yet, if at all.
