"Your 9 A.M. is here Ms. Granger," Alana, her secretary, voice crackled over the intercom. It was 8:35.
"Send him in, please," Hermione replied, wondering what kind of alternate universe she lived in where a Malfoy made an appointment and showed up early.
As the wide, mahogany door swung open, a posh black dragonhide boot stepped through. Draco Malfoy gracefully strode to the maroon armchair facing her large matching mahogany desk. Her first observation was he looked the same, older, with sharper features. But, looking at him for a few moments, she noticed his pale skin was ashy, dark circles were under his puffy eyes and he was overdue for a hair cut with his signature white locks getting into his tired, gray eyes. He was wearing a black three piece suit, with emerald dress robes, styled to perfection as always.
Hermione hadn't changed much either, she just knew how to turn her brown rats nest of hair to soft ringlets with a flick of her wand, and dressed to flatter her petite, curvy frame. A simple cream blouse with a black pencil skirt was professional and polished. With little interest in make up, the Department Head kept it simple with mascara to bring out the gold flecks in her brown eyes.
"Malfoy," she spoke first.
"Granger, nice office," he replied almost indifferently, but Hermione noted something else, insecurity in his tone, perhaps.
"No need for small talk, let's get to it," Hermione did not want to play Slytherin games with double meanings and implied deals. She hadn't even stood when he entered, she did, however, put her quill aside, and gave him her full attention.
"Ah, I haven't been around any tactless Gryffindors since my trial, I'd like to start by saying thank you for that. You didn't have to attend, or testify for me. My lawyers said you and Potter changed the tides, so to speak." Draco didn't like speaking so directly, but he wanted to get this over with, and never have to thank her, or anyone else, again.
"Only you could put 'tactless' in a thank you," Hermione rolled her eyes and felt like it was third year again. She let a sigh, "the battle was five years ago, your trial over four years ago... it's over. We're in neutral standing with each other."
She meant it, too. She had moved on; after the Second Wizarding War was over, she had helped rebuild Hogwarts, it was like therapy, it freed her from the grief and anger. The following November she sat for her N.E.W.Ts becoming the new record holder of fourteen O's, beating Severus Snapes' previous record of a dozen Outstandings. She thought that would have earned a smirk from the late Potions Master.
"Yes, well, that's satisfactory to hear," Draco said slowly, clearing his throat.
He hadn't planned on this being so quick and effortless, he was expecting more banter, and most assuredly more convincing on his part, from the top student in his year. He had gone over this scenario in his head dozens of times, this was not an outcome he envisioned. Could she really be that indifferent to him, to the evil things he said and did? His mind was reeling, trying to figure out if she was being completely sincere or had other motives. No, he decided, why come to a trial for months and help clear his name, just to ignore him? She wouldn't, too noble, too righteous, too everything he used to find weak. Now, he had no idea what to think.
"If there's nothing else..." The brown haired witch said after an awkward whole minute of silence. She had picked her quill up again and started shuffling papers around into neater piles. Draco ears went ever so slightly pink but he straightened up and his eyes focus intently on Hermione.
"Actually, there is, father told me last week your funding fell through for your house elf orphanage, and I think I have a solution that would benefit us both," Draco went into full formal business mode. He was comfortable like this, sure of what to say and how to handle it, he was back to himself now, no more show of emotion today. "I've drawn up a proposal, I have housing at the Manor for up to one hundred elves comfortably in a restored stable. I have orchards spanning acres for them to work, and they will earn wages. They can stay as long as needed or move on to a better suited family should they wish, they would be free, of course. I know you have about forty elves they are effected by the loss of backing from the Ministry, and no where for them to live. The stables are more accomidating than that old boarding house you have them in, anyway."
He could admit he was being a little under handed trying to appeal to her need, and he hadn't mentioned that Lucius was the one putting ideas in the accounting department employees heads on where that money would be better suited than orphaned elves. Draco had simply set his proposal up for success, and Granger was benefiting, too.
"Forgive me, Mr. Malfoy, if I don't jump at the opportunity to send house elves to your Manor. I've heard first hand how you treat your elves, it's dishonorable. You do not have their best interests at heart and I have no idea why you think I'd even look at a proposal from you for positive elvish welfare. I'm not laughing, or understand quite frankly, at this joke. Also, it's NOT an orphanage, it's a place for rehabilitation to face the world as free souls. We have not spoken in years and you come in here mocking me. Get. Out." Hermione took the folder Draco had presented and tossed it unceremoniously into her trash bin.
"Granger, I assure you..." Draco started to say.
Hermione wrapped her hand around her wand in her waistband of her skirt. Draco flinched, not expecting the cool indifference to go to red hot anger.
"Get. Out." She repeated.
Without another word, Draco fled her office. Briskly walking by Alana, her eyes went wide at the heavy door bursting open. She peered in at her red faced boss, who was scribbling furiously at desk, stoping frequently to stare at her trash bin. Alana just closed the door, quietly.
That did not go well.
