In The Garden Of Dragons Chapter 1
She had always loved flowers.
Their scent, their pretty colors that shone brightly in the morning light.
She loved all of it.
But never did she think that flowers would be her reason for living.
A year had passed since the war and Hermione Granger had changed just like the ever changing wind that blew her caramel colored hair off of her shoulders.
Never again would she be the innocent girl that looked at life with childlike wonder, instead destined to be barely half the person that she had been before everything had fallen to ashes around her.
She could still smell the ashes of the fires from the battle if she concentrated really hard.
The images replayed in her mind over and over like a broken record every day that she was alive.
It was at the beginning of this year that she had decided to follow her heart and not the plan that was so carefully laid out for her since she was born.
No more would she be the heroine that saved the world.
She left that particular job to Harry and Ron, who still had yet to lose their love of a thrilling battle.
Instead, she found herself on the steps of the Ministry of Magic in a light pink buttoned down shirt with a lacey trimmed skirt that fell to her knees.
She fiddled with the hair pins that were holding her hair in the most professional bun that she could manage.
She took a breath and made her way inside the building that she knew all too well.
Today she would be starting her new job as project manager at the Department Of Herbology.
Today she was going to change her life.
Her heels clicked down the marble hallway as she made her way to her new office.
A trace of a smile crossed over her lips as she opened the door and stepped inside the bustling center for the care of magical plant species.
A year ago she had decided to change her own fate by graduating Hogwarts with a diploma in Herbology surprising everyone in the wizarding world.
Different rumors and stories floated around the air of Wizarding London, but she didn't care.
She was finally going to be who she wanted to be without someone deciding for her.
As she stepped up to the desk of her old friend Neville Longbottom, she breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of a familiar face.
"Hello Nev. I'm here to report for my first project."
She said making the young man look up with at first a look of surprise before a gigantic smile took over his face.
Coming out from behind the desk, he threw his arms around her shoulders making her flinch slightly as he squeezed her tight in a friendly embrace.
"Hermione! I'm so glad you came! I was wondering if you were going to show. I'm glad that you accepted my offer. Please, take a seat. I'll go over your first project assignment with you."
"Thanks Neville. I really do appreciate your offer. It really came at the right time in my life."
Hermione said as she took a seat in the wooden chair across from his desk.
"It's no problem, Hermione. Really I was quite impressed when you took an interest in Herbology. I never would've thought that plants could interest you."
Neville said as he sifted through a bunch of manila folders that sat on top of his desk.
Hermione's smile faltered for a moment when she thought of how everyone had expected her to go a much more different route for her life after the war.
But she plastered on a smile and nodded, trying her hardest to not take his words personally.
"I have never felt more comfortable than when I am in a garden. It always gives me a sense of peace after everything that's happened."
Neville froze for a moment and raised his head to meet her cocoa colored eyes.
"I know the feeling."
He said before he dropped his eyes back to the manila folder that he now held in his hands.
It had been tough for all of them and Hermione mentally kicked herself for not inquiring more about how her friend was coping.
Just as she was about to answer, Neville opened the folder and began reading the files within.
"Alright Hermione. There is one major assignment that needs a strong leader to complete it. It is a rather…tough project because of the owners of the property. They do not have a record of being so….kind to put it lightly. But the land surrounding their property has been destroyed almost completely and as the Department of Herbology we are required to fix the damage no matter how difficult the client may be. You've always shown a great deal of courage and strength when it comes to dealing with difficult personalities and that is why I've assigned you to this particular project."
Hermione found herself wondering who on earth would be so difficult that even the Ministry didn't want to deal with them.
Deciding that she needed a challenge anyways, she nodded and accepted the file that Neville handed her.
"Thanks for helping Hermione. I really do appreciate it. You are to report to the property at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. And please…do try and give the owners a second chance."
They both stood as Hermione rounded the desk and gave Neville the biggest hug that she could muster before she shook his hand with a grateful smile.
"No worries Neville. I'm sure whoever the owners are deserve a second chance and aren't really as bad as they seem. I will be happy to complete the project and restore the property to its former glory."
Neville studied her for a moment before he placed a on her shoulder.
"I hope so Hermione. Because sometimes, second chances make way for a world of happiness between both parties."
Hermione was taken aback by his words and just nodded her head in agreement before giving him a smile and heading out the door.
When she reached the steps to the Ministry, the curiosity of who her clients were won out over her being patient.
She opened the folder and read the profile.
Project: Malfoy Manor
Clients: Draco and Narcissa Malfoy
The folder slid out of her grasp as she came to terms at the realization of what just happened.
She just signed her life away for the next couple of months, to not only her biggest arch enemy, but also her greatest forbidden love.
As tears rolled down her cheeks, she slowly picked up the folder and its contents and headed out onto the streets of London thanking Merlin for small miracles.