Hello and welcome to my first Dramione fanfic! Well, to be fair, I've read thousands and have done co-writing/roleplaying of them as well as have written fanfic in the past. Not that it really matters but here is my first chapter! This fanfic is based off a roleplay scenario my boyfriend and I came up with! Please enjoy and let me know what you think as well as any suggestions!

Chapter 1: An unwelcomed reunion

Hermione was tired to say the least. Exhausted. Completely physically, mentally and emotionally drained. Having been gone and traveling, working as an auror for 3 years after fighting Voldemort since her first year at Hogwarts had finally took its toll. Now here she was, finally back in muggle London, waiting for the worker she was to intern under in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts. She was currently exploring careers, finally taking control of her life and not letting everyone tell her where they needed her. She never even wanted to be an auror but after the war, she really didn't have a choice since the world expected the Golden Trio to continue to save and protect the world. She was ready for a change and was exploring different departments under the ministry. She only chose to do Muggle Artifacts first since it would be easy for her and she could finally have a job that isn't throwing and countering spells with the possibility of dying. Hermione had gotten back a week before and had taken some time off to sleep and regain some strength. A week was all the ministry could agree to give her though and it wasn't nearly enough time. Slightly dark circles still haunted under her eyes and she was a bit under weight from the constant action and inability to eat properly. Her hair lay in smooth, tamed waves down her shoulders and back and she wore a simply grey sweater with some black skinny jeans. She looked simple but she was okay with that, free from the attempts to impress someone since she was single, something she was still getting used to as well.

Meanwhile, Draco had been having the most different and wonderous 3 years of his life. As distraught as he was to see his mother be sent to Azkaban for participating on the Dark side, he knew she wouldnt want him wallowing in self-pity in some distant manor away from everyone, wasting his life away. Afterall, Draco had gotten a second chance due to his change in allegiance during his 6th year, having confided in Dumbledore everything he knew and becoming a spy for the Order. Only in Dumbledore's will was proof and it wasn't really well known until after the war had been claimed as over and the tabloids got a hold of the surprising information that a Malfoy was free and was even interning in the Ministry. It was a very different scene once Draco decided what he wanted to do. He wanted to atone for the sins he had committed due to being a Death Eater, even if he hadn't wanted to be. He had to pretend and keep up with the act. Which included terrorizing and even murdering muggles. So now, he was a fully employeed and very successful worker for the Ministry of Magick in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts department, working to protect Muggles and also working directly under Mr. Arthur Weasley. Now, he, himself, was getting an intern. He made his way down Muggle London, excitement and nervousness boiling in his stomach. He felt better though, having talked with Mr. Weasley as he stubbornly called him, despite Arthur's futile attempts and proclaimations that Draco was now family and could refer to him as Arthur. Draco still refused but it was heart warming. He also felt warm from Mr. Weasley's praise and encouragement.

"Draco you've been working underneath me for 3 years now and have done a most excellent job! I really doubt that there is any reason for concern, especially with this particular intern! Just give it a go and prove to yourself and everyone you believe doubts you that you are indeed changed! It is not blood that makes a person Draco. It is their soul." Mr. Weasley said with a knowing smile before clapping Draco on the back and ushering him out of his office with a warm smile that made Draco wish for a father like Mr. Weasley. How different his life would've been! But it didn't matter now. Now he took a deep breath and walked into the muggle coffee shop, ordering himself a hot milk tea with honey, having quite a sweettooth and definitely not the taste buds for coffee. Once his tea was ready, he took it and went over to the booth in the far back, having agreed to meet his intern there. Sitting there, however was someone he hadn't seen or expected to see in a very long time. Hermione bloody Granger.

For being away for so long and for being through how much she's been through, she looked good. Great even. Beautiful. Draco was surprised by his own thoughts but tried to focus on the task at hand. He ran a hand through his loose hair that he refused to slick back with gel.

"Granger?" Draco found himself saying, stepping closer, unconsciously clutching his cup tightly.

Hermione turned her head from looking outside to look at who had said her name only to find herself shocked and touching her wand that sat in her pocket, her eyes narrowing and glaring. Draco cursed in his head before putting his hands up a bit, still holding his drink. Hermione rationalized with herself and took her hand off her wand and sighed, running it through her hair, a nervous tick they both seemed to have.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Hermione demanded coldly before sipping her coffee, not looking at Draco anymore. Draco felt a tick of annoyance at her attitude but said nothing about it.

"Nothing I'm actually here to meet someone and we had agreed to meet at the booth you're lounging in." Draco admitted, attempting to keep his own attitude in check. It was difficult. Granger had always sparked something in him. Whether it be desire to do something good like how he discreetly gave her a page on the Basilisk that was terrorizing everyone in their 2nd year or how after seeing his insane Aunt Bellatrix torture her on his dining room floor, he vowed to help and protect muggles and muggleborn for the rest of his life. Now, she sparked his self-righteous nature, well more like his attempt at convincing himself he didnt deserve her attitude when he knew he did. However, once he said this, her eyes widened and she looked as if he had grown three heads. Shock, confusion and a bit of horror?

"Please don't tell me that you work in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts!" Hermione pleaded. Draco frowned.

"I do. Is that such a problem?" He snapped, unable to control himself. How dare she! Had she not seen the tabloids with a copy of Dumbledore's will that showed his innocence?! Hermione groaned and rubbed her temples.

"How wonderful. Then I'm your bloody intern." Hermione retorted in a very dry sneer. To say that Draco was shocked was an understatement but what really surprised him was how much her sneer and look reminded him of himself and how he treated her at Hogwarts.

'No wonder she hates my guts. Mr. Weasley must've known...he did. Bloody hell.' Draco cursed in his mind and sighed before sitting down across from her.

"Welcome back and to the department of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts I guess then." Draco said, hoping it could work like Mr. Weasley had said.