Chapter 1
A/N: I only own the plot. I don't own Wal-Mart nor do I own Harry Potter. Also while working on "How Strong do You Think I Am" I had mentioned that the first few people who reviewed would get a character in a story. So say hello to the OC character Alyscia.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hermione slowly trudged her way to the back of the store where she opened her locker and put on her vest. She was starting to have mixed feelings about this new class project that Dumbledore had the bright idea to think of. For a project in Muggle Studies her whole class had to get jobs in the muggle world. No magic was allowed to be used and all of the students had to act like they did not know each other since they would be working at the same place since it was "convenient" for the teacher and headmaster. There place of employment was Wal-Mart, some random store that not many of the students had even heard of.
Hermione had secured a job as a Sales Associate in the Fashion Department, working in Intimates. Hermione had managed to convince Harry and Ron to sign up for Muggle Studies last year (on the promise to help with their homework) and Harry was in Automotives, poor magical Ron was stuck in Electronics and Ginny was in Shoes. Ginny had been bumped ahead a year for Muggle Studies, so Hermione was happy to also have her along. When Lavender had announced to the two girls that she was in Cosmetics and Parvati was to be in Health and Beauty, Hermione and Ginny found it to be quite ironic. Neville, as luck would have it, was in the Garden Centre, so he would get the joy of working with plants. The Golden Trio had no interest where everyone else was situated, but they were sure they would eventually hear about who was where from Ginny.
--
"Hermione, wait up!"
Hermione turned to see Ginny dodging confused customers, her long red braid swinging behind her.
Hermione laughed. "I thought we are not supposed to know each other?"
Ginny paused and then pouted. "Well, I just had to tell you where Draco Malfoy got put," she gave a dramatic pause before continuing. "He is in receiving, so he will be walking past shoes and intimates a lot, and he has to be nice, since he has to act like he doesn't know us!"
Hermione grinned. "He's probably just going to throw a fit, seeing as how in receiving you do a lot of lifting and moving heavy objects."
"This will be great! I wonder how often he will complain about doing 'slave work' and how his father will hear about it," laughed Ginny. "But we should get to work now, so I'll come introduce myself to you later."
The two smiling girls separated into their own departments and introduced themselves to the people who would be showing them around their perspective departments for the day.
--
Later in the lunch room, Hermione stood in front of Harry, who was moodily eating his lunch.
"Hello, I am Hermione Granger," she chirped.
Harry looked up with a smile on his face. "Hi Hermione!"
Hermione looked at him pointedly.
"Oh, my name is Harry Potter, it is nice to meet you! Would you like to join me for lunch?" he asked.
Hermione smiled. "That would be lovely. Thank you for asking me."
She sat down and the two best friends laughed at the absurdity of their conversation before continuing on to the topic of their new jobs. They talked about who they met and what they had to do, although Harry did go a little red at hearing about Hermione's job description.
--
Later when Hermione was tidying up the pyjama section, she heard a crash as something heavy came down. She looked up to see Malfoy bent over picking up some of the many boxes that had fallen off of his skid.
Once he was done picking them all up, he continued on his way without a rude comment or look shot Hermione's way. Hermione was shocked, to say the least. Hermione noticed that his posture was straight and his hair was not slicked back with all of that gel like usual. She continued to let her eyes wander and took note of how nice he looked in a muggle outfit of slightly baggy, light blue jeans, black sneakers, and a red t-shirt.
After he was long gone, Hermione mentally slapped herself for thinking that Malfoy of all people even looked remotely good.
"He's Malfoy, he isn't supposed to look good," she thought.
She looked towards the Shoe department and caught Ginny starring after Malfoy. When she finally caught Ginny's eye, Ginny winked before walking away.
--
Back at Hogwarts, after everyone was fed and watered, Hermione sat in the common room with Harry, Ron and Ginny. They would snicker every once in a while since they were listening to Lavender and Parvati giggle how hot Draco Malfoy looked, how many "so not pretty" girls would come to their departments, and about all the cute boys that walked by.
Hermione leaned over and whispered to Ginny. "I am so glad that you are not like those two girls over there."
Ginny giggled. "I can be sometimes. You should know."
Hermione smiled. "I know. But at least it is not all the time."
--
A/N: My previous story that I am struggling to write has about 738 hits and 10 reviews. Lets see if we can do better here, agreed? Constructive criticism is helpful and flames are unnecessary. Please hit that little button and send in a Review.
Next Chapter: Hermione and Draco actually speak to each other and Alyscia is introduced.