The Secret Keeper
Chapter 2: The Magic Centre
"Herms. It's time to get up." A male voice rang out through the door.
Hermione stirred but did not wake. The male then opened the door and peered his head round to look at the sleeping girl. Finding her still dead to the world he entered and sat on the edge of her bed next to her sleeping form. He gently shook he and said, "Hermione, it 7.30. Breakfast will be ready shortly."
The little lump under the quilt started to move until Hermione's head popped up from under covers; one eye was shut while the other looked around still unfocused. She groaned unhappily and let out a large yawn.
"Okay Daddy, I'm up. I'll be down in 5." She muttered letting herself fall back into her pillow with a huff.
10 Minutes later Hermione walked cheerfully into the modest muggle kitchen fully awake and ready for some boiled egg and soldiers. She quickly pulled out an egg cup and took an egg from the saucepan before taking her seat next to her father and across from her mother. The last remaining seat was set but everyone in the room knew that the 7 year old boy would no longer be able to join them.
See what everyone at Hogwarts didn't know about Hermione was that her dentist dad who everyone had met wasn't actually her farther – it was her step-father. Hermione's real father left her when she was a child of 8 and never returned. There was no warning but it look like he left for another woman and he never made contact with his own child again. She loved her new father and treated him as her own. She was over joyed when her mother found out she was having a boy and she loved her baby brother so much but just last year he was diagnosed with a severe case of cancer died soon after. There was nothing the doctors could do. But every meal the table was always set out for him in memory and his room hasn't been touched since the day he was taken.
Hermione was left with issues when her father left 9 years ago and had undertaken a lot of therapy believing it to be her fault her dad left. She had suffered with depression and dabbled in self-harm which left her family very worried. She had overcome it with the help of THINK community centre. But after her brother died she had a miniature break down and it was again with the help of the people at THINK community she was able to overcome it and be on the way to recovery again.
And I will stay that way. Hermione thought that's why I'm helping at the magick centre.
Hermione was proud to be working at the Magick Centre even if the name is corny. It helped people who had problems like her and she loved the idea of helping others. In fact she wished that in the future she would be able to become a councillor herself and perhaps own her own centre. She was working at the Magick centre on a summer apprenticeship being paid minimum wage but she didn't care she loved her job. Secretly she was hoping that once she finished Hogwarts she would get a more permanent role in the company.
"What are you day dreaming about kiddo?" Her father asked, cracking his egg open.
Hermione sighed shaking the thoughts from her head. "Nothing." She answered dipping a small piece of toast into her own egg.
"Come on dear. You'll have to eat faster. You have to leave soon." Her mother cooed glancing at the wall where the clock was situated.
Following her gaze Hermione sped up her eating and went up to get ready for another long fulfilling day at her great summer job.
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At precisely 10AM Lucius Malfoy arrived via floo to the dining room of Malfoy manor to find Draco and Narcissa waiting for him. He strode over to his rightful place at the head of the table without so much as a greeting and beginning to eat. After 10 minutes of silence Draco finally asked, "How was your trip?" through a mouthful of fried egg.
"Don't talk with your mouth full boy!" was the snappy reply.
Draco, who had already swallowed his mouthful by now put his fork down and apologizes. Lucius finished up and excused both himself and Draco from the table. He walked away without a word expecting Draco to follow and he did - like a lost puppy.
Once in the quiet safety of the Malfoy Library Lucius strode across the room to the back of the library where he tapped a sequence on a certain amount of books which then opened into a hidden corridor. Draco had long ago realised that Lucius had a secret study and in his childhood he had often gone in search for it but on no occasion had he been allowed to see where it was. Never had he had the honour of being invited into it.
Draco walked in and took in his surroundings with eager eyes. Not even his mother had seen inside this room. He looked from left to right. On his left was a large cherry wood desk that had a very imposing feel to it. It was covered in parchment, quills and leather bound books. He turned to look at what was in front of him and he found a huge empty ornate fire place with a delicate pot stood on top presumably filled with floo powder. And then turning to the right Draco found a set of leather sofa's in a dark cream with a small wooden table placed in the centre also filled with papers.
"Now Draco, take a seat."
Draco followed the instructions letting his eyes glance over the papers. He saw lots of letters, another promotional leaflet for the Magic Centre and lots of parchment covered in writing.
"I've been thinking a lot Draco. A lot about the future… of Malfoy Enterprise. As you know the Malfoy name isn't as upstanding as it was. Due to the war. But, I've been trying to make a mends and change that. We need to be seen in the eyes of the ministry to be doing something good. And I think I have finally succeeded with my next business move. As you are well aware once you complete this year at Hogwarts you will be joining me at the head of the company. I have set up a project that could be very lucrative, good for the press and also give you independence."
He stopped letting that sink in and Draco took this time to look from his father to the parchment on the table. He looked more closely and recognised the pile of parchment with writing on was a contract.
"Father, have you just brought The Magick Centre?"
"No Son, you just did."
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Hermione handed a small bag of money to Stan as she hoped off the Bus and walked straight into the door of the Leaky caldron. Waving hello to the patrons she recognised as she walked through the bar she headed straight to the back where she taped the bricks and entered Diagon Alley. Cheeking her watch she saw that she had 15 minutes until she had to be at work. Letting herself walk at a leisurely pace she glanced in all the shop windows she passed admiring what was inside. She stopped short when she looked into a small cookie shop window and recognised the familiar red hair of her best friend Ron Weasely.
Typical! Hermione thought cheeking her reflection in the window but stopped when she saw a busty blonde come up next to Ron and wrap her arms around him. It felt like a bucket of ice cold water was running down her back as she watched Lavender Brown lean up and kiss Ron on the cheek. Hermione turned around and speedily walked away towards her work building whilst replaying the scene in her head. She hadn't heard from Ron all summer and now she knew why. She shook the thought from her head. We weren't even dating. I have no clams on him. You can't be jealous. He didn't even ask you out!
Hermione walked calmly into the Magick centre trying not to show how much that scene had affected her. She was completely immersed in her own thoughts she didn't take notice of anything around her. It wasn't until Emma one of her co-workers was two feet in front of her shaking a café to-go cup that she even looked up.
"Hot chocolate! Just how you like it. How great am I?" her sing song voice rang out.
Hermione took a deep breath and forced a smile across her face, gracefully accepting the cup and mentally reminding herself that Ron can date whoever he very well pleased. The two girls turned to the left and down a corridor chatting idly as they went.
"Hey, that reminds me. I don't know if you heard but someone brought the centre! We don't have to shut down in December. How great is that?" Emma gossiped as they entered the office.
Hermione snapped her head to look at Emma, "Shut down?!" She asked bewilded.
"You didn't know?" Emma asked slowly unpacking a paper pad and pencil case from her bag, "Mr Kent can't afford to keep the centre open. No one wanted to buy it so we're all set to close in December. How do you not know this? Oh, it all happened before you joined us. Anyway, there's a compulsory meeting at 2 for all staff. I bet this is what it's about!"
Hermione let her friend continue to witter on as they prepared for the day ahead letting all thoughts of Ron disappear from her conscious mind.
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As 2pm rolled around, Hermione shuffled, along with all of her co-workers, into a large conference room. There was a lot of hushed convocations, whispered speculation, all of which stopped almost instantly as the fire turned a vibrant green and a tall figure materialised in the smoke.
Hermione laughed quietly as she listened to Emma babble on about how she hoped the new boss would be a piece of eye candy. When she turned back she was in complete shock to see Lucius Malfoy step out of the fire place followed by a very pleased looking Draco Malfoy. Hermione looked around finding astonishment on the faces of every other person in the room. This must be a joke.
But No. Mr Thomas Kent, owner of The Magic Centre walked up to the Malfoys welcoming them and holding out his hand to Malfoy Sr. It was even more surprising when Mr Malfoy stepped back and Draco Malfoy took the awaiting hand. All three of them then turned to the awaiting crowd. Malfoy sr. pulled out a pile of parchment from his inside pocket and handed it over to Mr Kent who after scanning the contact with beady eyes, placed it on his desk, picked up a quill and signed quickly. Lastly, Mr Kent held up the contract for all to see and following procedures set it alight and threw it into the air as it burned, as was tradition in a business transaction. It was all done in silence, the audience holding its breath.
Once the business ritual was complete, Lucius finally cleared his throat before addressing the audience, "Ladies and Gentlemen. We here at Malfoy enterprise have always valued the needs of all magical children and we are honoured to finally have the opportunity like this to help the next generation. In celebration, we are hosting a gala day dedicated to all of you and your charges. Tomorrow the centre will be closed. Invitations have already been sent out detailing the layout of the day. You can expect them tonight. See you all tomorrow."
With that both Malfoys re-entered the fire place and disappeared but not before Draco spotted Hermione and gave her the famous Draco Malfoy smirk.
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"Did you see him? I mean Wow! I wouldn't mind being in trouble with him. If you know what I mean" Emma gushed adding a cheeky wink before plonking herself down behind her messy metallic desk. Her desk sat opposite Hermione's which was also filled with papers only Hermiones were all sorted into neat piles and categorised into order of importance. Both girls set off dealing with paper work of all sorts.
Hermione started with a report she had to make on one of her charges Ryan. Once she finished that and sent it off to her boss she moved on to answer any letters she had. Her second letter was from Abigail Collins.
Dear Hermione,
So I know we said we would try to meet every two weeks rather than weekly but I don't think I'm ready. I'm freaking out. I'm scared not seeing you. I really need to, it's making me panicked. I'm not doing so well. It's been a really bad week. I think it would really help to see you this week rather than next. Would that even be possible? Please.
Also A few weeks ago my mother spoke to you about my medication and we were wondering if the doctor had made the decision to up my dose or not. Any news on that front?
Love
Abi Collins
Hermione frowned while reading it and then bit her lip in concentration. She picked up a quill and fresh parchment to write her response. She then put down the quill and stood up walking across the office and to the filling elf, asking for Abigail's records to cheek exactly what the doctor had written. She took the file back to her desk.
Hi Abi,
I'm glad you got in touch we me rather than doing something dangerous that you'll later regret. I have some free time Friday at 1.30 if that's okay. I will pop over then but if you need me before then you already know my house address to send an owl directly to me. I have spoken to the doctor and he has given the go ahead to up your medicine so I will give them to you mother when I see her.
Be safe,
Hermione Granger
Care co-ordinator for The Magic Centre
Hermione then sent out rescheduled appointments for the patient she was due to see the following day. When going through her records, she only had to rearrange 3 appointments as 2 had already cancelled and the last 2 hours had been scheduled for a training session in anger management.
Hours later Hermione was finishing her last reply when a gruff man came through the door and looked around seeing only Hermione, Emma and an older lady sat writing at their desks. The other colleges had already packed up for the day.
"Well," Emma said, shovelling a bunch of stuff off her desk and into her bag, "That's my ride. Literally. Tonight at least." She through a wink Hermione's way, "See you tomorrow!"
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Draco sat in a strange cold room sorting through papers. This was his new office that his father had built as a surprise but it currently wasn't very homely. It was very bare and needed a lot of TLC. Draco was going to make it his summer project to turn it into a secret place for himself that he looked around and felt proud of.
His father had taught him a spell that filed all his work within the walls, so that they were hidden but whenever he chose documents would appear on his desk and the disappear when he was done. It was a marvellous spell in Draco's opinion. He used it now as he thought back to all the records of The Magick Centre that had automatically appeared when the contact was signed. As Draco was out, he had the Elves file the records with the intention of looking through each one very carefully over the next year so he was fully ready to take on the company next year. The records were very extensive showing the history of the Centre, the patients and even the employees.
It was this last one that had Draco sat in his office late this night. As he was leaving the Centre earlier that day he could have sworn that he caught sight of that bushy haired, good-for-nothing, know-it-all Mudblood, Granger. Now to be sure he stood up and turned to the wall behind him now riddled with files and placed his left hand on the brick work thinking the name Hermione Granger. He heard a fizzle and turned to look at the desk finding a small thin file now taking residence on his desk.
The first page held personal information:
Name
Age
DOB
Date of application
Date of interview
References
Qualifications
Experience
It was the last one that interested him when he read she had personal experience. Everyone knew The Magick Centre dealt with the mentally ill and related problems and so he couldn't resist letting his hands open the file to the experience page.
He spent the next 20 minutes nosing through her file reading all about her unstable home life, her personal problems, her dreams to become a councillor and even the secret of her brother. As he read through, Draco Malfoy actually felt a slither of guilt and pity towards Hermione before shaking it off. Malfoys don't feel guilt! Man up. He thought. He then continued to read threw her file till well into the night.
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Dear Hermione Granger,
This is to invite you to a day of celebration at the Malfoy Manor Tomorrow. This will take place in two sections with a small interval of 4 hours. You will arrive at the Manor for a late lunch at 1.30 in smart casual clothes. This event will take place incorporating both employees and your charges. This will round up at 4. You will then be invited back in the evening for an employee ball. This will begin at 8 and go on all evening. This will incorporate all board members and employees of The Magick Centre.
Hoping to see you tomorrow,
Narcissa Malfoy
Malfoy Enterprise
Hermione read the letter identifying immediately that she would need a dress. What is it with purebloods and balls?! She quickly jotted down a time and place for Emma to meet her in the morning for some shopping and sent it off. She then looked at the small pile of letters that had arrived when she was away and took up the next letter.
Hey Herms,
It's your favourite girl Ginny! You will never guess what?! Harry and I just got together. We were taking a walk just hanging out and we kissed. It was so romantic and spontaneous and …romantic! He then told me how he felt about me and I, him. Hermione he finally asked me to be his girlfriend. Today was a fairy tale!
Anyways, enough about me. How are you getting on with your summer job? I hope it's everything you wanted it to be. I still don't get why you don't want to tell Harry and Ron. You were so excited about it – I'm so glad you got it! Hope you're doing okay? How's your summer so far?
Mines been great. Harrys been here since last week. Ron invited him after only two days he was that board. Only now he's gone and got himself a girlfriend which means he's excluding Harry – not that I'm complaining of course! Gives us time to spend together without telling Ron. (Please don't tell him.) But Ron. Oh. My. God. You will never guess who he's dating. Lavender 'I'll do anything' Brown! I mean Ewwww! She's such a sleaze. And so annoying. I can't stand her. Please come and save me! She's here all the time and doesn't shut up.
Sigh! Any way sorry for ranting. We have to meet up soon (before I go insane)
Al my love,
Ginny
P.S Harry sends his love too
Hermione read through the letter twice and wasn't very happy. Not only was she remembering Lavender kissing Ron but she also picked up on the fact that once again Ron and Harry were doing things without her - Again. She knew they didn't know anything about her job so for all they knew she was at home doing nothing and they still hadn't invited her. She sighed and told herself she was being stupid. To distract herself she set the letter aside and moved onto the third and final letter.
Hi Hermione,
1.30 is great. See you then.
Abi x
With that done she went down stairs to see that Dinner was almost ready and so she set up the dinner table quickly and helped her mother with the last few bits. After dinner she relaxed with a book in her bedroom before having a long bath in preparation for tomorrow. She planned to go to sleep early and just as she was getting into her Pjs an owl landed with a note attached. It read:
Hermione!
Sounds great
C U at 9.30.
E
After reading this she fell into a deep sleep dreaming of a variety of things that she won't remember in the morning. It was a peaceful night that she slept through till morning light.
