I'll say this much, I've actually written a few chapters on this already, but I'm going to space it out a bit before uploading them. Don't want to ruin the surprise. I like this one a lot actually. Draco/Hermione pairings only, though I think I might make a Harry jab in here, but nothing major in any way.
Post-war. They're about 22 maybe 23! Read and Review for my sanity.
Disclaimer! I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter one.
Not being one who thrived on gossip or other notions of the kind, Hermione Granger took no note of the scandalous rumors now scattering through out the halls of the Ministry of Magic, specifically the section she worked in, the department of magical law enforcement. She simply rounded the corner and into her office, setting down her cup of hot chocolate, slipping out of her jacket and hanging it on the coat rack, and then buzzing for her secretary to come in.
Timely, Susan Bones her newly hired secretary came bustling in on the tips of her toes with a smile. "Yes?" Her bright smile never failed to cheer Hermione up. "Susan do I have any owls or notes?" She asked watching as Susan counted in her head. "You received one from the minister about the up and coming ball, he says that he expects you there, as you are a department head." At this Hermione snorted. So called duties. "And I believe there was a mess that occurred somewhere in muggle London last night caused by a rampant creature of some sort that you're assistance is requested upon dealing with, otherwise that is all, Hermione."
Hermione nodded thankfully, and sat down at her desk. She knew Susan Bones all through out Hogwarts but she never knew just how lovely the other girls company was until a little under a year ago when they began working together. She looked back up from sipping her coffee and questioned her new friend and coworker who was still standing in her door, with unreadable eyes. "Yes Susan?"
The girl looked embarrassed for a moment, but then took a step further towards Hermione's oak desk, folding her hands in front of her tummy and lacing the fingers. "Well, I feel that you have a right to know what people are saying about you Hermione..." But she was cut off as Hermione held up a hand and gave a curt nod.
"Though it is appreciated Susan, there is no need to come to my rescue, I know exactly what people are saying, and I assure you, it will not affect me."
Susan gave one stiff nod before turning and exiting, and as soon as the girl was out of her wake, Hermione gave a slightly dejected sigh. Her life after Hogwarts and the second wizarding war had been a blur of emotions of every sort. After graduating she immediately pursued a job at the ministry, beginning in the department of control and regulation of magical creatures and entirely devoted herself to it and as a result grew somewhat distant of all her close friends. Harry Potter and herself, though he worked in the same department as her currently, scarcely talked anymore. They'd meet up on holidays or sometimes he'd swing by on a day off and likewise she'd visit him but otherwise, their contact was dwindling. He was a celebrity and by relation and simply because of her success, as well as her efforts in the war, so was she. That in it's self would have been enough reason for the two to be too busy for each others company.
On the other hand after the war Hermione and Ronald Weasley's relationship had bloomed. He had gathered the courage to tell her of his feelings for her and she of course, returned them and the two quickly began dating, to no ones surprise. They were a media hit and Ron loved it, but she on the other hand was not so fond of the constant spot light. Being war hero's she expected the attention and admiration they would eventually receive but she assumed it would soon fade away, and that it wouldn't be anywhere to this extent. But she found that Rita Skeeter took every chance she could get to write about at least one of the Golden trio. If she wasn't writing about Harry's job or his personal life, she was writing about theirs. She wrote about Hermione's promotion and Hermione "Strict" schedules and about her "beauty and refinement." And though that was flattering, it quickly wore off as Rita Skeeter used those very words against her. Writing about how Hermione was all brains and beauty, and never let her guard down, and though she was a the hero of London's hearts, that she was anything but the sterling lady she claimed to be. Somehow the harpy seemed to know about every argument Hermione and her boyfriend seemed to have. About every falling out and every doubt the two held.
But despite the pressures Hermione had still been more than overjoyed when Ron proposed to her the previous fall. He asked her to marry him and she instantly agreed, believing that perhaps her life was going to be steady after this revelation. Boy was she ever wrong.
Hermione shifted through her papers on autopilot, signing ones in this stack, reading over ones in that one, until she had completely finished an entire week worth of requirements in one day. She stretched mechanically and winced as a pain shot through her neck, undeniably from leaning over the whole morning.
She looked at her watch and it read 4:50pm. Had she really been there since 7 that morning? She stood, put her coat back on and left the room the same way she entered it, ignoring the fact that the room seemed to get much quieter as she left, and that there were eyes gleaming up at her like they expected her to break down and cry any minute now. She looked over at Susan, bid her good bye telling her that she would inspect all damage done by the so called "rampant creature" duly tomorrow if there was a file on her desk, and left quietly with all the pride she could muster.
Gazing at the flawless face of Astoria Greengrass, Draco Malfoy allowed his heavy lidded gaze to rest on her own. She seemed to wiggle beneath his scrutiny and this made him amused. It shouldn't of course. Draco Malfoy did not need a woman who was going to cower before him, or faze out of the picture beside him what he need was a woman who could stand her own against, or beside him, whatever the situation called for. Previously he had been considering taking Astoria as his wife, not because he really loved her, no he wasn't sure what such thing truly meant, but because she seemed suitable to bare the Malfoy name. But in light of recent weeks he'd spent with her, more time than usual, he had began to notice small but extremely annoying things about her. For one, she was extremely vexing on his time. She was always at his heel, and if she wasn't, she was owling him asking what he was doing. This was causing him to become, slowly but surely, manic. Though Astoria Greengrass was pleasant on the eyes, he knew many women who would compare when examined and therefore looks were not really a deciding factor. Astoria was fickle to a point that exceeded his wildest imaginations and she was also unbearably, unrightfully jealous. He could go on for days just how insane she drove him with her unpredictability or her air headed prattle.
These things were his deciding factor. As the waiter passed them Draco waved the man down, "Check please." He politely asked and the man nodded, immediately dropping what he was doing. He turned back to his companion who did indeed look lovely and gave a tight smile that was nothing more than a cultured gesture.
She smiled back and though he hated to do so, as they exiting the restaurant, and Draco grabbed her hand offering to walk her home, he knew he must end it today.
So they walked the short distance to her flat and she opened the door quietly, assuming he was coming in with her. Her face fell as she turned to see him stopped at top of her steps. She tilted her head. "You aren't coming in Draco?"
His face was blank as he shook his head. "I'm afraid I must decline."
She frowned. "If you aren't coming in this afternoon, then will I see you tomorrow?" She asked with a hopeful smile.
It fell immediately as he pushed his hands into his pockets and answered, "I'm afraid I must decline everything. I'm sorry Astoria. You are a wonderful girl, but perhaps you should seek other options in suitors." She didn't pretend she wasn't hurt just as he didn't pretend he was and in that sense, they had a mutual agreement.
Somehow maybe, she knew and that was why she held her last bit of pride, kissed him on the cheek, and retreated before her emotions got the better of her.
This was not something he enjoyed doing, but it was something he was rather used to doing. He had turned down many woman who didn't meet his expectations. He pulled out his wand and apparated home where his anxious mother was fortunately already asleep, and with luck, so would he be.
The morning came through his window inviting with it the jovial songs of birds with all things cheery and great, and with a growl Draco muttered something obscene. Over all, the effect it was having on his morning was down right atrocious. Who had the right to be so jolly when he felt so fiendish?
Throwing on a pair of slacks, a gray button up shirt and throwing his robes over top he wondered down the long halls of the Malfoy manor, his heels tapping against the dark marble floors. Entering the kitchen, his mother was seated at the table, awaiting him eagerly. He awaited the bombardment he knew would come, but surprisingly never did. His mother simply sat quietly eating her breakfast.
He sat at the head of the table, told his house elf he'd simply like a piece of toast and sat quietly. After a moment his mother looked up from her eggs and peered at him curiously. "Have you seen the paper today Draco?" She asked and he shook his head distantly.
She tossed it to him and he picked it up with a smirk. As he peered at the front page his mothers voice registered in his ears, sounding very strange. "Didn't you go to school with that girl?"
He nodded a yes that he knew she couldn't see as he looked upon the article. The picture on the front, though the dull color of the newspaper, was undoubtedly Hermione Granger. She was smiling at a slur of reporters, waving sweetly, her best publicity face on. He grinned down at her as if in response to her own smile.
Madness overcome?
Hermione Granger, Ministry prodigy has done it again. Granger, recently promoted to head of the department of counterfeit defensive spells and protective objects after Arthur Weasleys, father of Hermione Grangers recent ex-fiance, early retirement, Granger is already making enormous headway. It seems that even in light of her devastating break off with her fiance Ronald Weasley, Auror and well known member of the golden trio, just last month, Granger is bound and determined to create a name for herself. The clever witch is said to have created a defensive spell that will revolutionize St. Mungo's mental health ward. We quoted Granger and her words, though short, ring true.
"Clariluce can be used to clear the minds of those who are otherwise unable to do so themselves." She said, flashing a smile.
When I asked her if it could be used to prevent or reverse madness she simply laughed at me with a shake of the head, "I wouldn't be so bold as to say it is a spell to reverse madness, merely a step in the right direction. Clariluce is simply a way for those who are lost in their mind to find peace, if only for a temporary time." ...
Draco put the newspaper down with the shake of his head. That Granger will never change. Always the overachiever.
His mother eyed him carefully as his toast arrived and he nibble the corner. "It's a shame her fiance just left her, considering how famous she's becoming."
He shrugged. "She's probably better off anyways. That Weasel was always a buffoon." As his eyes took his mothers which had blurred and dulled sense his father had been locked away in Azkaban. She was a shell of the woman he once knew to be lively and wonderful.
She seemed to share his opinion as she stood from the table, "Well, either way, it doesn't seem like she'll be single for long."
He quirked an eyebrow, "Why is that?"
She smiled. "Draco dear, women who look like that, and who are as famous and powerful as that, don't stay single for long."
He shook his head. "Granger's better off single. She's a hell raiser, one that nobody will be able to tame, mother."
She didn't answer him if she disagreed as she turned the corner, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the smiling face of Granger where she lay on the table right in front of him.