Authors Note: Hi, welcome to my story! This is my first ever Dramione, so please enjoy :) This story is rated M for language and 'adult' themes (is this where I go *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*? hehe).

Please note that this story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K. Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros. Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.


I was a short fuse

burning all the time

you were a complete stranger

now you are mine

'Regret' - New Order

XXX

Hermione strode with determination through the Ministry, ducking and weaving through the usual Monday morning crowd. Just making it to an almost-full elevator, she gave an apologetic smile to the occupants as she squeezed in.

The lift jolted away too quickly, and Hermione, still trying to redistribute her handbag, paperwork and books immediately fell backwards into the arms of whoever was standing behind her. She turned around to apologise, but the apology died on her lips when she saw who it was.

"Malfoy." Hermione cringed when she realised that his name sounded more like an accusation, rather than a greeting. "Er, thanks," she awkwardly added.

"It seems as though that hair is throwing you off balance, Granger," Malfoy replied coolly.

Really? After everything that has happened, that's what comes out of your mouth? Hermione took a deep, calming breath as her cheeks tinged with red. She knew from the dead silence surrounding her, that the other estimated ten occupants were listening carefully to see what she would respond with.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Still the charming boy you were in school, I see?" Hermione replied with mock seriousness, before turning away from him again.

An awkward cough which sounded like a muffled laugh came from somewhere in the back of the lift, and a small smirk lifted Hermione's lips.

"Well, I was always taught to treat ladies with the respect they deserve," he replied, the sneer apparent in his voice.

Hermione felt as though she had been immediately thrown back to Hogwarts, when Malfoy would find any reason to bully her. Her jaw clenched and she felt the urge to reach for her wand and hex him. She couldn't believe that he still obviously deemed himself as such a superior being— especially after his stint in Azkaban.

Still, she swallowed her anger and turned back around to face him, smiling sweetly. "Why, Malfoy, I'm impressed you can still remember your manners after that stint in Azkaban."

Several other lift occupants tried, but failed to hold their snickers, while another couple coughed awkwardly. She watched with satisfaction as his jaw immediately tightened and his normally pale face flushed red with fury. He looked to be opening his mouth to respond when the lift came to a jarring halt.

"Level nine, Department of Mysteries," the cool voice announced to the lift.

Hermione sent him a winning look before quickly turning to leave; this was her stop, after all. Quickly stepping off the lift, and not looking back, she began walking down the corridor. Quickly checking her watch, she noted that she would be just in time for the Monday morning meeting.

Suddenly noticing the sound of someone following her, Hermione turned around, ready to greet one of her co-workers. Instead, much to her horror, she came face-to-face with Draco Malfoy, again.

"Malfoy, what in Merlin's name do you think you are doing here?" Hermione asked as she stopped. If her hands weren't so full, they'd be on her hips by now. "You do realise that you're only allowed to enter this department if you are an employee? You may also realise that anyone caught on this floor without the correct access levels will be turned over to the Wizengamot for questioning?"

Malfoy sneered at her and crossed his arms. "Why, thank you for your recital of the policy and procedure manual, Granger. But I've already read it, just like I've read—and signed off on—the current Unspeakable Code of Conduct, too."

Hermione blinked, a sudden sense of horror dawning on her. "But only—"

"Yes, yes, I know, only Unspeakables have access," he cut across her, before a haughty smirk crossed his face. "You're looking at your brand new colleague, Granger."

Hermione's eyes widened impossibly. "What?" she practically hissed.

"Yes, that's right. As of today, I'm an Unspeakable—just like you," he replied with a mocking smirk on his face.

"B-but—"

"Really, Granger, do you mind? the staff meeting is about to start in a couple of minutes and I would like to be punctual on my first day," he said in a bored manner as he quickly checked his rather expensive-looking pocket watch, which he had pulled from a pocket in his perfectly cut robes.

Hermione stood there for a couple of seconds taking it all in. She couldn't believe it! Malfoy; an Unspeakable! Why don't they just open the door for anyone? She let out an angry huff before spinning on her heels and storming off towards the meeting room.

"Why, how kind of you to show me the way," Malfoy said, as he caught up; his long legs easily keeping up with her angry steps.

Hermione didn't reply. She was too busy contemplating all the worst possible outcomes of having to work with such a git. Her frown grew deeper as she recalled more memories from Hogwarts. Working with Malfoy would be a nightmare!

Finally, they reached the door to the meeting room, and both trying to enter first, awkwardly stumbled through the door causing all eyes to fall on them. Hermione felt her cheeks flush and quickly stepped as far away from Malfoy as possible.

"Ah, Hermione, I see you've already met our newest recruit," Adrian Pucey, the deputy-director announced. "Though I understand that you two already know one-another."

Hermione gave Adrian an awkward smile and quickly sat down at the table, between Ernie Macmillan and Lisa Turpin, avoiding eye contact with the rest of her colleagues.

"Team, I want you to meet our newest recruit, Draco Malfoy," Adrian announced pleasantly.

Hermione watched as Malfoy took the spare seat on the other side of Lisa, while the rest of the Unspeakables either looked at him with curiosity or loathing.

"Now that we're on a roll, let's get this meeting going," Adrian stated.

Hermione sat back in her chair and began taking notes. She had a feeling her peaceful work environment was about to come to an end.

XXX

"Hermione, can you come and see me in my office before lunch please?" Adrian asked as they passed one-another in the corridor later that morning.

"Sure, I'll be down in five?"

"Great, just come straight in," Adrian replied.

Hermione quickly continued back to the Time Room. She had been working in that particular division since she had been accepted into the Graduate program three years earlier. They were currently working on rebuilding the Time Turners which had been destroyed in her fifth year, as well as conducting other magical research specifically relating to time travel.

As she placed a charm on her ears to stop her from having to listen to the incessant ticking of all the clocks in the room, and went straight through to her office located in the back of the room, she went over the events of her morning. She couldn't believe that Draco Malfoy was a Unspeakable. It was ludicrous. Thank Merlin he had been placed with Ernie Macmillan and not her. Hermione could not imagine explaining her work to someone like Malfoy.

Closing and magically sealing her most important files and ensuring everything was in order, she quickly grabbed her handbag and headed out the door, ensuring all the wards were in place. Since the events of Hermione's fifth year, the Ministry had upgraded security, embarrassed that a bunch of teenagers were able to break into the Department of Mysteries so easily.

As she walked towards Adrian's office, she wondered what he wanted to speak to her about. She had an awful feeling it was 'Malfoy-related', considering their shared history, but she held hope that it was related to something completely different.

She was aware that Adrian, obviously being an ex-Slytherin, knew Malfoy, though she wasn't sure if they were friends or not. Adrian was different to the other Slytherins. Mainly, because he was nice to her and a fair boss, but also, he never got involved with the Death Eater garbage, like so many other Slytherins. Hermione also thought he was exceedingly handsome—though she kept that to herself—and his fair attitude only added to it. He was engaged to Daphne Greengrass, another ex-Slytherin, who also never got involved in the pureblood-mania so common with that generation.

She entered his office and Adrian looked up from his paperwork and smiled, gesturing for her to take a seat.

"Hermione, I wanted to talk to you about Draco," Adrian started.

You sure are great at cutting to the chase for a Slytherin. "Er, okay?"

"I know you two have a history, and, as your manager, I felt it was important to speak to you about why the department made the decision to recruit him."

"Oh, okay then." Hermione felt more than a little bit awkward at being singled out.

"Part of Draco's early release deal from Azkaban is that he works at the Ministry. None of the other departments wanted him. I see the potential in Draco. He has a good mind, even if it has been a bit misdirected over the years."

"Misdirected?" Hermione asked, slightly incredulous. "That's the most interesting description I've heard of Malfoy's behaviour yet."

"Hermione," Adrian soothed, "I know it seems difficult to believe, but Draco does not share the same … views he did in school. I'm not asking you to become friends, but I want you to know that you won't have to put up with any insults regarding your heritage."

Oh no, just insults on everything else then? Hermione took a deep breath. "Fine."

"And I promise that I won't put you two on any projects together in the near future."

"I didn't want to be unprofessional and mention that. But I doubt Malfoy and I would work well together anyway." Hermione explained, relief evident in her voice at Adrian's promise.

"Hermione, I would never call you unprofessional," Adrian replied. "But thank you for agreeing to speak with me."

"Not a problem. Was there anything else?"

"Nope, you're free to go to lunch," he replied.

Hermione quickly left his office, a certain sense of relief making her feel lighter than she had felt all morning.

XXX

"Malfoy is an Unspeakable now?" Ron asked, spitting the name like it was diseased.

Hermione nodded; her mouth too full of her sandwich to speak. She was currently sitting with Harry and Ron at a table in the Ministry cafeteria. The food was average, but they were always guaranteed a seat.

"Robards mentioned that they were looking for somewhere to put him," Harry commented.

"But as an Unspeakable," Ron muttered, incredulous.

"You don't have to work with him, do you Hermione?" Harry asked, and she appreciated the slight concern etched on his face.

"No, I don't. Though Adrian reassured me that he is, apparently, not prejudiced anymore. He is still utterly awful, though. I was so close to hexing him this morning."

"Don't worry, you'll be okay," Harry said reassuringly.

"Plus I doubt the little Ferret will want to go back to Azkaban any time soon," Ron said between eating his hot chips.

"Yeah," she sighed. "So how's your Monday then?"

"Not as interesting as yours," Harry replied wryly. "Though Ron and I have to chase up some reported dark magic activity in Scotland this week, so I don't know if we'll be back for the weekend."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "But Ginny will still be off from training?"

"Yeah," Harry replied. "What are you girls up to this weekend anyway?"

"Well, this weekend we're organising the last bits for Angelina's hen party. Oh, Ron, is Luna still able to make it this weekend to help us?" Hermione asked.

Ron shrugged, seeming to be more interested in dipping a chip into as much gravy as possible. "As far as I'm aware. She won't be going away for another few weeks yet," he explained of his long-term girlfriend.

Hermione nodded. "I might Owl her later," she said absentmindedly.

Harry looked down at his watch. "Shit, we have to get back, Ron. Meeting with Robards in five."

Both boys quickly stood to leave, but Hermione remained, deciding to finish off her sandwich instead. After they had said their goodbyes, Hermione sat quite happily by herself and people watched.

"Ah, Granger, I see you're surrounded by your usual batch of admirers … by that, I mean no-one," said a familiar haughty voice.

Hermione groaned and turned around to find the subject of her morning drama standing right behind her.

"Malfoy, this is my free time, do you mind?"

"Not at all," he said with mock-cheer, and sat down where Harry had previously been sitting.

"Sod off," Hermione bit out.

"So, still best friends with the dim-witted duo? Or have you and Weasel tied the knot already?"

"If this is your way of getting information—you always were weirdly obsessed—it's not going to happen."

"Oh piss off, Granger, I was the person least interested. But I digress on my earlier comment regarding the Weasel. So, I do really want to know one thing … How does it feel know that the Weasel even prefers Loony Lovegood over you," he smirked nastily.

Hermione took a controlled breath. "If you know what's good for you, you wouldn't dare be nasty about my friends."

WIth that, she stood up quickly, grabbed her handbag and stormed off towards the lifts. She swore under her breath when she realised that Malfoy was following her.

"Poor Granger, all alone, while her friends pair off," he almost sing-songed. "Maybe Longbottom is still free for you," he chuckled. "Now that would be a sight!"

Hermione stopped and spun around to face him. "At least I have friends, Malfoy! Who do you have, hmm? Who cares about a washed-up Death Eater?"

Hermione didn't miss the look of pure fury that quickly flitted across his face before his expression became stony. She stood her ground and glared at him.

"Well, Granger, I can see you're already halfway to becoming the bitter, old, spinster troll you were destined to be," he spat at her before turning and walking towards the lifts.

Hermione remained standing there, in the middle of the Atrium, trying to catch her breath. When she had finally calmed down, she stayed still for a little longer, not wanting to risk getting into the same lift as the blond git.

Finally, when she knew he'd be gone, she quickly went over to the lifts and headed back to the office. Merlin, how could she possibly stand working in the same department as him? If it was going to be like this all the time, Hermione wasn't sure how she wouldn't not be able to hex the slimy bastard.

The thing that bothered her the most was Malfoy's attitude. Sure, she hadn't heard a single blood-related slur, but he had pretty much been able to insult everything else—and it was only halfway through the day!

Hermione was angry, because once again, she had to make allowances, while he waltzed around being King Prick. She thought that Azkaban might have given him a bit more of a sense of humility. Obviously she was completely wrong, and people like Malfoy (no matter how 'reformed' people claimed they were) were just awful and would never change.

She stepped out of the lift and headed straight back to the Time Room, hoping that her afternoon would be a bit easier to handle. She was making progress on fixing the Time Turners and was hoping to make a couple of inroads on some research she had been conducting on the sand used in the devices.

Letting down the protective wards so she could enter the room, she stepped through the door and didn't even cast a second glance as she reset them, adding an extra ward to ensure no one would disturb her for the rest of the afternoon.

She walked through the Time Room and opened the door to her office. What she saw when she entered her small office caused a scream of incredulity to leave her lips.

"Malfoy!" she furiously yelled, pulling her wand on him. "How the hell did you get in here?"

Malfoy jumped around in obvious surprise, dropping whatever device he had been holding on the ground, where it made a distinct crack.

"Granger, what the fuck are you doing here?" were the first words that came out of his mouth, as he spun around. When he finally looked at her, Hermione blinked at the surprise in his features, but his shock was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

"Me? What am I doing here? This just happens to be my workplace! Do you have any idea of the rules you have broken by entering this room?" she screeched at him.

He remained silent, just staring at her. Something seemed off to Hermione; like he wasn't right. He took a step towards her, causing her to take a step back, pointing her wand at his face.

"Her-Granger, just calm down, okay? I need you to get Adrian, right now."

"Why should I do that? What is going on?"

Malfoy ran a frustrated hand through his hair, causing it to fall into his eyes. Hermione thought that it looked longer—

"Why is your hair different?" she suddenly asked, a horrible—yet completely unrealistic—realisation forming in her mind.

Malfoy looked at her. "Granger, just get Adrian."

"No. Tell me first," Hermione replied, trying to control the waver in her voice.

Malfoy sighed and then bent down and picked up the object on the floor. Looking back at her, he said, "Granger, this is an advanced Time Turner. And as you can see, it's broken now. I'm stuck here."

"You're saying—"

"I'm saying that I'm three years in the past, stuck. Get. Adrian. Now."

Hermione stared at him in horror. Clutching the door handle for support, she tried processing all of the possible implications and current rules and legislation they were breaking merely by speaking and seeing one-another. Finally, the last thought that crossed her mind before she left the room was that Monday had really proven to be the worst day of the week.

XXX


Authors Note: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. I've personally always been fascinated by the idea of Time Travel!

Let me know what you think in the little box below (reviews are gold!) :) I hope to update soon.

xo W.I.M