Pesky Purple Memos
A twenty-one year old Hermione Granger stepped into the morning traffic and clutter of downtown London with a straight back and sheer confidence that exuded from her slender body; she carried a medium sized black, leather briefcase. The Ministry of Magic was only a few blocks from her flat and she enjoyed her walk through the busy city. She let a smile emerge on her pink lips. She felt overjoyed for every apparent reason. She had finally moved on and had broken up with Ron. She finally got the courage to tell him that she no longer had intimate feelings for him and truly only wanted to be his friend; it was the natural thing to do. Ron didn't seem happy at first, but then he told her that he felt the same way. He was more content with his position as keeper on the Chudley Cannons anyway. Harry was happily married to Ginny. They had married when she graduated. They couldn't wait any longer because of the war; they feared that they would lose one another. Hermione shuddered at the thought of the war. Harry defeated Voldemort at a mere age of eighteen. Ironic enough, Harry killed Old Voldy in his childhood home, Godric's Hollow. Well, she was happy that was all over with.
She continued down the side street and made a sharp right turn into a dark alleyway; an abandoned phone booth was the only thing in sight. She walked up to it completely unperturbed to its defective condition. She opened the door and stepped inside, closing the grimy-red door behind her. She picked up the dangling phone, half the wires were ripped out, and dialed I 6-2-4-4-2 /I . The inoperable phone started to ring insistently.
A very shrill voice answered.
"Who are you and what is your business here?"
"Hermione Granger, assistant to the assistant of Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, my office is centered for House-Elf Relocation," she stated simply.
"Thank you. Have a nice day Ms. Granger."
"You too Joy!"
Hermione grabbed a validation slip from the coin re-depositor and seem unalarmed when the phone booth descended. She stepped into the Atrium; her face lit up from the gold glow that radiated of the golden fountain in the center. She turned left and walked up to an oak reception counter.
She handed her ticket over to an employee.
"Ah! Ms. Granger. How pleasant it is to see you dearie?" Mrs. Crisby said, a senior receptionist, who treated Hermione, like her very own child.
"I am very well and you Mrs. Crisby. I hope that husband of you is treating you well, " she teased, knowing that her husband adored her.
The lady chuckled. "Of course he is…otherwise he'd be lost," she gave Hermione a knowing eye.
"Aye, very well. I'm off to see Harry and then work of course," she feigned boredom.
Hermione hustled to the elevators and made it just in the nick of time. She noticed two purple memos that zoomed in over her head. More witches and wizards crammed into the small space, pushing her to the corner of the elevator. The briefcase that she held in her hand was pushed up to her chest; therefore more room could be made for a short witch standing to the right of her. The witch gave her an indifferent look.
The amount of people, who worked or came into the Ministry of Magic, was astronomical. She could hardly keep track of herself. Before the doors of the elevator closed, she caught a glance of platinum hair. Most likely Malfoy; her face cringed at the thought of him. Her hate for him still burned. He was the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, which was outstanding for someone of his age. No doubt his influential father helped him get the job.
She was envious of him in way because she still had to work for her job no matter the credentials she had. She was only the assistant of the assistant of Head for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
She felt the pull of gravity give as she descended to the second floor, the Department of Magical Enforcement. She quickly pushed her way through the crowd as the door popped open; running out before it could close. She bumped into a rather toned man. She quickly continued walking, not giving a backward glance to the man she bumped into. Grey eyes burned into the back of her skull as she made her way down the busy corridor to say hello to Harry in the Auror Headquarters.
--
Draco Malfoy itched in his tweed suit. He didn't liked to be crammed into a small space with so many detestable people. Merlin knows what blood! This was the most efficient way of getting to his office on the fifth floor.
As he marched into his office, he rethought his encounter he had with a young woman that morning. He could have sworn it was Granger. He shook his head in disbelief. The woman who was in a hurry had sleek brown hair and a beautiful body; it couldn't have been Granger. His mind was playing tricks on him.
A purple letter flew over his head and banged repeatedly on his office door, waiting for someone to let it inside. Draco walked up to his secretary.
"Fee get that memo!" he bellowed, pointing at the purple letter. His voice was raised in frustration. His father wouldn't stop pressuring him about marriage. Lucius Malfoy was trying to get Draco a wife because it was time he did. Once Draco married, he would legally be entitled to his trust funds and ultimately his family fortune. Draco was in no rush; he believed he was too young and yet to live life.
A young blond-headed girl nodded and pulled out her wand, stunning the purple memo. She hurriedly rushed over to pick it up, glancing back at Draco every few seconds to make sure he didn't explode. She extended her arm out to him and waited for him to take the memo.
He didn't take it, but instead took off his coat and handed it to her. She stumbled back by the weight of it, a leather and fur coat that went down to his knees. She stumbled over to his office door and opened it. He stormed passed her impatiently and sat in his seat, placing his hands behind his head.
Fee magically put away his coat and reappeared seconds later in front of his desk with multiple messages and the purple memo. She placed them in front of him and silently exited.
"Fee!"
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy?"
He just stared at her, making her feel quite intimidated. He was letting her know who was boss. "That's all."
She turned and left.
Draco looked at the pile of messages in front of him and sighed miserably. He opened the nearest one and grumbled deep in his throat.
"Damn, Mr. Hewitt should leave Mrs. Hewitt a million galleons and be done with her. The woman is a hassle," he whispered to himself. He decided to conjure up some coffee. As he sipped the coffee, he caught sight of the notable purple memo on his desk. He picked it up and balanced it on one finger. After a few seconds, he opened it.
Dear Mr. Malfoy:
Please meet me in my office at half-past nine. I have some important news to discuss with you. Do not inform anyone of our meeting.
Minister For Magic,
Rufus Scrimgeour
--
"Hermione, you sure everything is all right between you and Ron?"
"Of course Harry. Never better." She gave Harry a reassuring smile.
"If you say so."
"Harry don't be a worry bunny. You and Ron will always be my best friends," she leaned over and pecked him on the cheek.
Harry managed a smile.
"I have to be at work Harry. You are still coming for tea this Saturday night, right?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"I'll chat later," she ran off.
--
She walked into utter chaos. Papers were flying everywhere. She could hear howls and whimpers from every corner.
"Where were you Hermione?" Diana, her boss' secretary whizzed by with a caged doxy that was hiccuping fluorescent bubbles. Hemrione didn't answer her in time. Diana disappeared into an oak door.
She saw a battered house-elf talking to an employee from her sector, House-Elf Relocation. The elf was probably looking for a new home. Poor thing. Who could be so cruel to beat her like that? Hermione's heart broke for the tears that were leaking out of the elf's oval eyes.
Hermione entered her eight by eight cubicle, her 'so-called' office and plopped her butt down. It took her a few seconds to realize that there was a purple memo sitting on her desk. After she read it she looked at her wrist watched. She nearly flew out of her chair as she realized it was ten to half-past nine.
She ran by a disgruntled Diana and out of the office door.
--
Malfoy dragged himself up to the Minister for Magic's office door and knocked; it magically opened on its own.
"Mr. Malfoy have a seat," a voice ushered from the corner of the room. Standing there was a scruffy old man with tawny hair. He was glancing out of a magically enhanced window, which depicted the weather outside. It slightly reminded Draco of Hogwarts.
A few moments went by. Draco nervously swallowed, trying to coat the back of his throat.
He coughed. "Excuse me sir, you want--"
"I wanted to discuss a promotion with you, but I am waiting for another arrival." There was a mischievous sparkle in his golden eyes. Draco didn't like the sound of his tone.
As if on cue, a steady knock sounded at the door.
"Please come in," Scrimgeour commanded.
The massive door cracked open and in stepped in a very disheveled woman.
"Here you are." The Minister for Magic waved the woman in. "Mr. Malfoy meet your new partner," he extended a hand in her direction.
"Granger!"
"Malfoy!"
"Oh good, you two know each other."