Changed For The Better

Chapter One

No one really understood the amount of stress that Hermione Granger went through on a daily basis. She was a bloody war hero for Christ's sake who still couldn't rest even after she helped take a part in Voldemort's death! Couldn't they all just cut her a little slack sometimes? She could hardly ever really focus on her work with every single person in the ministry begging for her help on something. They all would bring up her days at Hogwarts and how she was the brightest witch of her age. She couldn't count how many times she had been told that. Sometimes, it got to be rather annoying. While the stress did get to Hermione at times, she couldn't help but love what she did. She was the head of the Department of Magical Studies at the Ministry while Harry was the head of the Auror Department. Ron decided to take up a managerial position for one of the widespread locations for Weasley's Wizard Wheezes to help George out since Fred had passed. Harry and Ginny had finally gotten married which Hermione attended as the maid of honor. They were expecting their first child soon to which she would be the god mother of. She and Ron had dated for time but the two both decided that they were better off as friends. Since the last time she had talked to Ron, he had met a nice girl named Isa and the two were hitting it off really well. It seemed to her that in terms of a social life and dating life, everyone else was on the straight and narrow path while she was lost. But then again, work was her life. She was the head of her department...there was just always so much work to be done between visits to wizarding schools all over the world to follow up on curriculum and of course spending majority of her time at her former home, Hogwarts. Sometimes she felt that she was cheating other schools by giving Hogwarts most of her time.

"Hermione. Come on, it's late. Go home." smiled Kingsley at her office door.

"I can't. There's too much work to be done." said Hermione. She didn't dare to look up from the parchment she was scribbling on.

"Listen to me. You became head of this department because it is one of our most important. You decide the things that our future generations will learn. I put you here because as I'm sure you've heard a million times, you are the brightest witch of your age. But honestly Hermione, you don't give yourself enough time for you. Sometimes, you need to focus on yourself. Go home and get some rest. Besides, I've got someone moving into your department tomorrow since we had to let go of your past assistant. You'll be busy making sure he learns the ropes until he's fully ready to take over as the vice president for the department."

Hermione let out a long sigh and glanced up at Kingsley. He really was the best boss she could ever ask for. "Kingsley, you can't honestly expect me to take time for myself. You know I will be right here everyday as always."

"One day you'll look back and realize you've lost so much valuable time. There's more to life than just work, Hermione. But at least turn in for the night or you're fired." he winked.

"Kingsley!" shouted Hermione with a grin. But she obeyed and closed her books for the night.

The two of them walked out of the offices and into the main lobby towards one of the giant fireplaces to take them home. Kingsley was right, it was late.

"Nearly midnight already?" said Hermione as she rubbed her eyes. "Time flies when you're having fun! Goodnight. See you tomorrow, Kingsley."

The two of them exchanged a nod and then stepped into the fireplaces. Green flames engulfed Hermione and then she was home.

She walked over to her kitchen counter in her small apartment and threw her briefcase down. She then waved her wand and opened a can of cat food for Crookshanks. That poor cat was getting on its last leg. Hermione reached down to pet her and then took off for her bedroom. She really needed to take a shower but she was just so exhausted. Instead, she pulled off her robes and got into her bed with nothing but her bra and underwear on. Her shower would just have to wait until morning. She laid there for what seemed like years and even though her body was physically exhausted, her mind wouldn't stop wandering. All of her life she focused on being the best, being the smartest, being the one who always knew the answers. She was always so concerned with having a good career which she now had. She was so grateful to have her job and to have moved up so far in life. Years ago she helped the most brilliant wizard of all time besides Albus Dumbledore defeat the most dark wizard of all time. She was a hero, had a nice apartment, plenty of money, better friends than she could ever imagine...but why then, did she still feel empty at times? She looked over at the set of pillows propped up nicely next to her as if they were waiting for someone and then it really hit her. While she had all of these wonderful things, she had no one to really share it with. Of course, she had gone on plenty of dates and met some great men but none of them gave her that feeling of seeing a possible future with them. As much as Hermione's independent soul hated to admit it, she was lonely.

"Ugh, I can't stand this anymore!" she huffed as she threw her covers off and marched into her bathroom to pull out a sleeping potion from the cabinet. She hated relying on potions to help her sleep but she had to be up in six hours. She needed sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day. She had to go to Hogwarts for some business and she was getting her new assistant tomorrow who would soon after her training be the one underneath her who she spent everyday with making important executive decisions. She could feel the sleeping potion begin to creep up on her and it wasn't nearly five minutes later before she was passed out cold.

…...

The sound of her alarm had her jump with fright. She grabbed her wand to make it shut up and then she sat there rubbing her eyes. If you thought Hermione's hair was rather wild on a regular basis, you should see it in the mornings when she woke up.

"Bloody hell!" she piped as she jumped out of bed and into the shower. She had thirty minutes until she had to be at work to greet her newest partner. She quickly bathed herself and then in a hurry, tamed her hair for the most part, pulled on her ministry robes with her department head patch, grabbed an apple for breakfast, and jumped into her fireplace.

"Someone looks like their in a bit of a rush."

"Shut it, Harry. I had a long night last night and barely got any sleep. On top of that, I've got a trainee today."

Harry looked at her with questioning eyes. "Isn't that other people in the departments job?"

"Not when the newest trainee is about to take over as vice president. You can't have just anyone training someone for that position."

"Yeah, just last week I had to train a new bloke who was moving up the ladders into an official position in the auror department."

"Speaking of the auror department, any new news?"

"Other than taking care of some death eaters that remain around the area, nothing much. It's like there's not much excitement left since we defeated Voldemort. Sometimes I think it's only a matter of time before they shut the whole bloody department down."

Hermione gently stopped and gave Harry a hug. "You're my best friend, you know that. Meet me for lunch and we'll talk some more because I've really got to get a move on right now."

The two quickly parted ways. Hermione made her way towards the elevators and was greeted by Kingsley.

"So, who is the lucky new member of the Magical Education Department?" said Hermione as she summoned a cup of coffee. The warm drink soothed her throat as she took a sip.

"Now listen to me, I know that this person is not going to be someone that you find suitable for the job but you have to trust me, he's different."

"Department of Magical Education." said the woman's voice as the elevator came to a halt and the two made their way down the hall towards Hermione's office.

"Surely whoever you chose for the job would be the perfect person for it. I trust your judgment here Kingsley." Hermione laughed as she turned open the nob to her office. "I mean, you are the man in charge."

She slowly set her coffee down and watched Kingsley anxiously await for their new arrival. Hermione was in a sense worried about the way he was reacting. It was like he was scared for her reaction. There was a firm knock on the door and Hermione called for whoever it was to come in.

"Well, well, well. Long time no see, Granger."

Hermione held her coffee cup in front of her lips, her eyes now wide as she glanced over at Kingsley. That all to familiar blonde hair and those gray eyes were staring at her, smirking. Surely Malfoy had only stopped by for a quick question for Kingsley. After all, he worked in the Department of Mysteries...didn't he?

"Is there something that I can help you with, Malfoy?" asked Hermione.

"There certainly is. You can teach me how to run this place seeing as I just might end up taking that head spot away from you after this training is over."

Hermione's eyes grew large with anger. "Kingsley...hall...now..."

The two hurried into the hallway and made their way down into an office that was empty. The office that would belong to Draco. Over her dead body!

"ARE YOU CRAZY?!" she bellowed. "Surely you must be out of your mind if you think for one second that I will train that insolent little brat who not only joined Voldemort's side but has said the most vile things to me throughout my whole career at Hogwarts!"

"Hermione, listen. Calm down. Malfoy is different. It's been years since the battle of Hogwarts. He's a changed man. Never in my life have I seen such a lost soul come back for the better. I trust this man with my life now."

It was now at the point where Hermione was pacing the room, running her fingers through her thick hair. "I won't do it. I don't care if you think he has changed. I know who is. I know who he will always be. And besides, what makes you think that he will want a filthy mudblood in charge of him, huh?! Did you ever think about that?!"

Kingsley quietly waited as Hermione calmed down. He knew this would upset her. "Hermione, I am the Minister of Magic. I make the rules and I say who works where. I know that Draco will make an excellent addition to our team. Just give him a chance. If you don't see a change in him within the first month, then come talk to me. I sent him to this department to be under your watch for a reason."

Hermione was staring at the floor the whole time and then she peered up at him. As much as it pained her, he was the boss and she trusted him. Kingsley had been the best minister this place had seen. His decisions never failed. "Fine. But I swear to you, the moment he gets out of hand, he is gone...even if I have to do it myself."

Hermione made her way back to her office slowly only to find Malfoy with his back turned, looking at all of the pictures hanging on her office wall. She had pictures of her family, of Harry and Ron, of the members of the Order, Dumbledore...

"Look here Malfoy. What I say goes. You listen to me. You do as I say. You don't question me. I am the head of this department and you follow my orders." said Hermione as she sat down at her desk.

"Well, look at Granger. All grown up and taking charge. I like a woman in charge."

Hermione sighed in disgust. Was this day over yet?