Welcome to this first chapter of 'Choices we made'. It is my first piece of Dramione, so I hope you give me some reviews to improve the story.
If there are any mistakes in language or writing, I hope you don't mind too much for English isn't my mother tongue (in fact I'm German!)
I also hope that you enjoy reading this little story of mine and have fun!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything; no names, no characters, basically nothing.
Chapter 1 – 'About work'
Hermione never understood why her colleagues insisted on drinking a nice cup of strong tea first thing in the morning. They always told her that 'without tea, working was impossible'. She would always shake her head at that quote. For her, working could be done without any influences of whatever liquid. Of course, when someone offered her a cup (was it tea or coffee or hot chocolate), she wouldn't say no. But she didn't need any substance to find the motivation to work.
This particular morning wasn't any different. At 9 o'clock sharp she seated herself in front of her desk in the Ministry of Magic, department Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Hermione never was late although it had been quite some time since she was able to enter her own bureau. Her eyes wandered to the pile of files, carelessly thrown all over her desk. A silent sigh escaped her throat. Someone really needed to learn some tidiness.
It had been a month since she had last been here. Although she officially worked in this department, fighting for the rights of house elves, she was constantly asked to help out in other departments and projects. Her reputation was as flawless as it could be.
With a slow swish of her wand the files arranged themselves in order of importance. Of course she wasn't the only one working in this branch but her superiors saw how hard-working and determined she was and shoved most of the work on her desk. Being a war hero didn't help to minimize her tasks either.
Sometimes I really think being smart will crash me one day or another. she thought to herself, sighing again. Glancing over to the five now neatly organized stacks à 10 files, she combed through her hair with her fingers. Maybe a tea wasn't such a bad idea after all.
"Well, it has to be done." she murmured, turning to the first folder. It had Poppy, house elf, complaint written on it. If this was the most important thing she had to do all day, then hallelujah. But she wouldn't be Hermione if she decided to let her work drop. She had never stopped to be diligent. For example, she was the only one to return to Hogwarts to repeat her seventh year instead of taking Kingsley's offer to stark working without N.E.W.T.S. Otherwise she would have felt incomplete. It had earned her an understanding nod from Harry and a defeated mumble from Ron.
Harry and Ron had both happily agreed to start their training to become an auror right away. They earned it. , she thought with a tiny smile on her lips. The war made both of them grow up and Hermione knew that neither of them would want to return to Hogwarts for practise. They already had what it took to be an auror.
'My boys.' she would hear herself laugh when they broke their plans to her. They knew each other well. She didn't have to tell them that she was to complete her schooling.
'I'd rather be called your man.' was Ron's answer and giggling, they kissed each other until they heard Harry harrumph. He had grinned at them, that day. They had returned his grin sheepishly.
This happened 5 years ago. Now Ron and Harry were both full-time workers in the auror's department and she herself was doing paperwork. Well, if she wasn't inscribed in another project.
Her eyes had left the folder and stared into the distance. For her, that day felt like ages ago, when they still were suffering wounds from the war and more or less PTSD. And when her relationship with Ron was still new, still full of giggles and holding hands and kisses – passion. She knew that nothing could compare to the start of a romantic relationship, that this excitement would cool down some time but still, she missed it.
It wasn't that Ron wasn't trying. Every now and then, he would send her a flower (a gladiolus) or chocolate (dark chocolate with strawberry filling and without magic, her favourite), but it wasn't the same. Sure, they lived and laughed together, but their work was taking its toll on them as well.
A sudden knock brought her mind back to reality as she jerked her head towards the door, her hand clutching her wand tight. She was just about to send a Stupefy toward the intruder when she became aware of who it was.
"Kings- I mean, Minister!" she said, slowly releasing the firm grip on her magical instrument. Kingsley Shaklebolt's gaze slowly left the piece of wood in her hand.
"I didn't mean to frighten you, Hermione." he said, a slow smile appearing on his face. The witch now let go of her wand fully, feeling blood rushing to her cheeks.
"I... you didn't... it's just..." she stammered. Although the war was over for sure, she still couldn't completely let go of her readiness. It had been too dangerous for that.
"I know." Kingsley said and entered her bureau. He didn't need to say anything more about that incident. He knew she had seen too much for her young age. "Lots to do I see." he added instead, nodding towards her work-laden desk.
Hermione nodded. "I've just returned from helping out in Romania."
"Ah, the Dragon Riot. Successfully?" he asked, curiously eyeballing the five piles.
" Yes. Someone has given them some foul potion. It drove them mad." she answered, glad to have been of help.
The minister nodded understanding, finally returning his gaze to the young witch in front of him. "I'm glad we sent you. Well done." he told her. But before she could thank him for his appreciation, he spoke again. "Sadly I have to absolve you from your real work here."
Hermione raised an enquiring eyebrow. She had just returned and was now to be sent away again? She gave him a questioning look before he continued. "This time you won't leave the Ministry. It's just a change of department."
This statement made her even more curious. "What is it, Minister?" she asked, slowly rising from her chair.
"You need to be of help in the research company." he finally said. "Come on, follow me, I'll show you."
She tilted her head slightly before following him out of her bureau. She had never been included to the research team of the British Ministry, so this was fairly new for her. Their steps lead them to a section in the huge building she never had visited before. It was fascinating to discover new places in an environment she had constantly been for 4 years, but it had been the same in Hogwarts and she had attended it for seven to eight years.
The Ministry was busy as ever, and every person they met bowed to them. It was surely an honour to be accompanied by the Minister of Magic himself, but Hermione wished that the attention would just ebb away. She had had enough of it since the war ended.
Kingsley came to a halt in a nearly white corridor and finally turned to speak to her again.
"I'll get your partner. Your task won't be nice, I warn you." he said, his voice sounding dead serious. She nodded and wrinkled her forehead as the wizard motioned her to wait. She did as she was told, looking around the seemingly never ending floor. It was warmer here than in the rest of the building, and strange and different smells entered her nostrils. There were doors staggered in reverse order on each side of her. It reminded her of a hospital.
"... she will be a great help for you. Surely this will be done before either of you has any complaints." she heard Kingsley say as he stepped out of the door nearest of her. She tilted her head a little as to see who was accompanying the Minister and froze as he came in sight.
"I'm sure any introducing verbiages won't be necessary." Kingsley said matter-of-factly as he saw Hermione's facial expression.
"They won't." she confirmed, speaking through her teeth. Whatever it was that she had to do, she was sure it wasn't worth her partner.
"Granger." she heard him say, his voice as arrogant and annoying as ever.
"Draco." she answered, clearly as less pleasured as the blonde man standing right before her.
