(January 14th, 2012)

So here's my new Dramione story! I'm trying to not go too stereotypical Draco/Boss story but hey it's meant to be a fun read, not a novel. I'm aiming for a shorter story, probably 5 chapters or so. It'll be mainly in Hermione first person but there will be a couple Draco first person paragraphs too. I hope you enjoy it (and if you do leave a review!) Read, REVIEW and Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Characters and world of Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling. Storyline is mine though.

Chapter One

I never understood the male species. Which I saying a lot because my IQ is about forty-five points higher than the average person. I was six when I came home from school crying because the boy behind me in class would pull my hair and another boy at recess would try to gross me out by shoving bugs in my face. My mother told me that even though they were being mean I shouldn't stoop to their level. In fact I should be nice to them. I was bewildered to say the least but I followed her lead all the way through my muggle schooling days and my years a Hogwarts.

Of course there was the slight issue of Draco Malfoy and the Slytherins, who took being spiteful to a whole new level. Even in my fifth year when I came home for Christmas holidays and I was fed up of boys, especially Malfoy, calling me names or in general ignoring me; my father told me that despite everything I should still be nice to them. Where was the logic in that? He said that it's easy for ordinary looking girls to be asked out or to have boys talk to them because they're not threatening. Because I was prettier than my friend I was intimidating. Of course I took the abuse of being the only girl who didn't have one boy ask her out (save for Krum, but it turns out that he was gay some five years later). Even though I knew that Ronald had a crush on me he never did anything about it. And even when I asked him out he constantly doubted himself. It lasted a month and a half. By the end his low self-confidence was enough to drive anyone batty.

So now here I am. I'm twenty-two years old and I've never had a proper boyfriend. In fact I've never even been on a date. My confidence in men is hanging by a thread. I work for the Ministry of Magic along with Harry, Ronald and many others of my graduating classmates. Including Draco Malfoy. Who, even though the prejudices against muggleborns disappeared six years ago, continues to taunt me and, in general, make my life miserable. I see him everyday in the elevator and in my department for eight hours of the day. I would've hoped that I would have a higher position than him in the Magical Law department, seeing that I not only graduated at the top of my class but also was Harry's sidekick during the Fall of Voldemort. But no, apparently if you're second in class and an ex-death eater you're more qualified. So if it's bad enough to have to just talk to him, he gets to order me around too. Because he's my boss.

He doesn't just give me extra work. He orders me to get him lattes. And pumpkin pasties. And to pick up his new tailored clothing. In short he's taken my perfectly dignified job and turned me into his personal assistant. Along with insulting me. He might as well be pulling my hair like that boy in the first grade.

"Granger!" I hear that tone and I know immediately who it is. Despite the fact that I told him a thousand times to not call me by my last name, it's like I'm in the military or something. "GRANGER!" I sigh and walk into his office. It's a nice office too. On the seventieth floor with one side made completely of glass so it shows a spectacular view of downtown London. Another side is a bookcase that takes up the entire wall. There's a beautiful mahogany desk with a very comfortable looking suede chair. There's a very plush couch with a couple armchairs, a fireplace and he even has his own ensuite. This should be my office.

"Yes?" I reply and he turns around in his swivel chair to look at me. His blonde hair has stayed cropped all these years and he's kept up with the quidditch too. I have to admit that even as he's gotten older, despite my wishes, he's gotten even better looking. And the worse part is that he knows it.

"I need those papers from Hurley on the sixth floor." I wait for it, because I know it's coming. "And a skinny, half caf, extra shot latte with no foam." There it is. I turn to leave. "Oh and Granger?" I look back at him. "Don't dawdle. Last time it was only mildly hot when you came back. I want it steaming." I try not to roll my eyes; instead I just nod and leave the room. I have been at this job for nearly four years. For the first two years I actually did real work. But when he got promoted two years ago I really should've switched departments. I kept telling myself it wouldn't be that bad. And then when it was that bad I told myself that it would get better. Only one more hours until I'm done.

I get back with his coffee and the legal documents. This time I mutter a spell and the coffee boils so it's piping hot. I go into his office and put down his coffee and hand him the papers. He takes a sip from the coffee and spits it out.

"Jesus Granger are you trying to set me on fire? Way too hot." I clench my jaw and don't say anything. I know if I do I'll loose my temper. I point to the spots on the documents where he's supposed to sign. He picks up a pen and starts to go through it. "You know, I know why you're so uptight."

"Mm-hm? Why's that?" I say as I point out the next spot.

"It's because you need someone to give to a good fuck." You'd think this kind of language would surprise me? This is just the tip on the iceberg. "You're just so uptight all the time. You really need to loosen up." I keep my face perfectly composed and don't reply. It's better if I don't engage him. I direct his pen to another line. "It's not surprising you don't have a boyfriend. Or even a life outside work really. You should try not to dress so drab. In fact try to wear a skirt that doesn't reach the bottom of your knees and get rid of the Penny Loafers." I just ignore him and guide him to the last signature line. "I mean do you even have any friends other than Potter and Weasel?" I take the papers and stride towards the door. "Granger! I expect you to answer me when I talk to you!" He bellows and I stop in my tracks taking a deep breath before I turn around. I put on a fake smile and sugar my tone as I speak.

"I do have other friends. In fact I'm pretty sure I have more friends than you do." I blink innocently. "Have a good weekend. I'll see you Monday." With that I walk to my desk and grab my things before rushing to the elevator desperate to get as far away from him as possible.

…..

"I hate him. I really do. I mean I loathe him. All day he just bosses me around, making me do the most pointless things that don't even pertain to my career! Then he slags on about how I need to loosen up and makes insulting comments." I take a long gulp of butterbeer. Ginny, Luna and Pavarti sit next to me in a booth at our favourite restaurant Gillyweeds after a long day at the Ministry. "I don't know if I can take anymore. I think I should quit."

"No! You can't quit! Then he wins. And do you really want that hanging over your head?" Ginny exclaims and she right, I don't.

"Well what else can I do? All he wants to do is send me on pointless errands and comment on my choice of unappealing attire." Luna nods solemnly.

"I see what he means though. Did you know the more fashionably you dress the less the Furgles will bother you?" I snort.

"If by Furgle you mean Malfoy then sure. What a prick." Ginny nods and points to Luna.

"You know she has a point." I raise my eyebrows questionably at her. "Not about the Furgles. I mean about dressing better. Why don't you?"

"Don't I what?"

"Dress the way you want him to." I snort.

"Yeah, and give him the satisfaction? No thanks." Pavarti nods along with Ginny.

"I agree with them. It's the last thing he'd expect." I look at them like they've grown three heads.

"You're mad." Ginny looks smug.

"No just brilliant." I look sceptical. "Oh come one Hermione! It's the last thing he'd expect you to do! He teases you about those things because he knows you'll dig in your heels about everything he suggests."

"Yes! I completely agree!" Pavarti exclaims, clapping her hands together. "We should go shopping this weekend! I hear a new shop opened in Diagon Alley!"

"And it will keep the Furgles away too. It's a win-win situation." Luna agrees.

"You can't be serious." But I've lost my nerve now that they're winning.

"It's settled. We meet tomorrow at ten and get you some sexy clothes for work."

"I'll look like a whore!" I protest.

"Now you'll look like the sexy secretary he never had. Then he'll stop commenting on your khaki pants and pantsuits. Plus the look on his face will be priceless." Pavarti squeals with laughter and the other two join her. I down the rest of my drink. What have I gotten myself into now?

Okay thoughts? If you liked it let me know and I'll continue! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!

~FunkyMonkey