Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Thanks!
Chapter 1
The brunette worked furiously, her quill gliding over the parchment. Stacks of finished work sat to her right awaiting a final review. She always did her best work at the office, when all was quiet and everyone had left for the day. Was she actually doing work? Not exactly, but she had clocked out hours ago so her conscience was safe.
Words poured from Hermione Granger as the hours ticked on. Page after page she continued until the early hours of the morning. It was nearing 2:25am when she finally glanced at the clock. With a yawn and a sigh she began to wrap up her parchments and clear off her desk. She would return in just hours, back to her daily job, International Magical Cooperation agent. Not exactly where she pictured herself after Hogwarts but it works for now. Especially as she followed her true passion; writing. And to the few true friends she had opened up to, no, not textbooks. Her heart lead with romance. Steamy novels that made her blush and brave hero's that swept her off her feet. Though nothing had been published yet, she was determined to see her name on a book jacket. It's not as if she was actually tried to submit a her work for consideration, she was just too nervous to do that. 'What if they reject me? What if they hate it?'
She was currently working on the third installment of a series, her best work yet, thank you very much. The hero had yet to get the girl but that didn't mean they hadn't had 'interactions' as she called it. Those were her favorite scenes to write, the erotic, loving moment when two…or more…came together. She would willingly admit only to herself that she had such a vivid imagination due to her severely lacking sex life.
No one had laid a finger on her since the split with Ronald nearly two years ago. Not that she hadn't tried, she'd been on so many dates she couldn't keep track of them anymore. But apparently when you save the wizarding world you become too intimidating to further a relationship with. The stuttering, awestruck boys she had been out with lately did absolutely nothing for her. She wanted a man, like her novels hero's; strong, confident, funny, yet oh so romantic. She was honest with herself though. Where was she supposed to find all these qualities in a guy? For two years she's searched and come up with bupkis. She was beginning to doubt someone with all these makings wouldn't exist.
Hermione grabbed her scrolls and headed toward the floo network, ready to fall into bed. She was pleasantly happy with where she had left her damsel in distress, right in the arms of not one, but two strapping young men waiting to take care of her every pleasure.
Upon arriving home, she grabbed the mail from her door and perused it while walking to the kitchen for a glass of water. Bill, bill, trash, bill, then a small unmarked envelope caught her eye. Turning it over she found the back to be blank as well. Someone must have dropped it off personally. She yawned again and decided to worry about it when she awoke.
Days bleed together as she repeated the same routine. Wake up, get dressed, work, write, and bed. Sometimes she forgot to eat in there she got so wrapped up in her process.
It wasn't until Friday retrieving the mail did Hermione remember the plain envelope from days before. She located it on her kitchen counter and made quick work of the seal.
My Dearest,
It has taken me so long to gather the strength and courage to reach out to you. But the time has come, as I am sure you are aware, for our feelings to be laid bare. I still love you. As I always have. We are meant to be, just as we have always been destined to be. Meet me outside Flourish and Botts next Tuesday the 24th at 4:00pm. I understand you'll be off work at that time.
My Love, our time has come.
Confusion first took hold but was replaced with a pang of jealously. Clearly the letter had been dropped off at the wrong house. But even her neighbors had better love lives than she. Unsure which local resident it could be meant for, she tossed it on the table like it burned her hand.
'Hmph, well good for them,' she thought bitterly. Before her unpleasant thoughts could continue, she grabbed her most recent parchment and a fresh quill. Back to her fantasy world where true love was easier to find.
The blond kicked, punched, and fought his way across the room, mercilessly dominating the magically animated boxing bag. Sweat trickled down his forehead but wiped at it with his exposed arm. Punch after punch he destroyed what was left of the fabric and sand.
"Looks like you're taking out some serious sexual frustration there bud," Blaise Zabini noted.
Draco Malfoy turned, heaving, to find his best friend leaning casually against the wall. Still trying to catch his breath, Draco pushed what was left of the fighting material at the Italian, "your turn."
Blaise pushed off the wall, already donned in his sweats and t-shirt and made his way toward the center mat.
The training center was a large, open gym with every kind of combat material available. To the right, the dueling quarters were dark and the lounge to the left unoccupied. Though it rarely came to it, even wizards need to know how to throw a few good punches.
Magically repairing the dummy bag, Blaise began the same routine Draco had just finished. Watching him, Draco grabbed a bottle of water and sat on the outside of the mat. Now both sweating, the dark haired man joined him.
"Any idea what our assignment will be?" he asked, trying to regulate his breathing.
"No, no word yet. But I don't know who much more desk work I can do. I'm not meant to sit in a chair all day."
"I hear you, brother," Blaise replied.
Completing their sessions for the day, the boys headed into the locker room. A few quick showers later they were dressed and ready to head into work both awaiting news of their new tasks. They had been Aurors going on a year and a half now and had so far only been given one real assignment. Paperwork. Which was not exactly what they had signed up for.
But Draco knew why. They were former Death Eaters' children, everyone was a little shocked when they had signed up. Even more shocked when they had been hired too. But passing the written and physical exam had been easy for the two Slytherins. It was just getting past all the judgement. But it was high time they were given a real case.
Hermione entered her flat around 830pm that next Wednesday. Per her routine, she grabbed the mail from the door and walked toward the kitchen. Nothing unusual except for another blank envelope. This time she opened it immediately.
You didn't show.
Why would you do that to us? Why would you toss out love aside like that? You better have a good excuse Hermione.
She froze, the letters were meant for her. But who would write them? And then drop them off? They weren't coming by owl, were they? Who would be in love with her? And who would think she was in love with them?