Hermione woke with a heavy feeling in her chest. She sighed as she pulled the thick cream comforter over her head to block the blinding sunlight. But it seemed as though the light had it out for her and managed to seep through the lightly coloured bedspread.
Too awake to try to go back to sleep, Hermione threw the covers down to her waist. She lay like a corpse, staring blankly at the white ceiling. With a sigh she swung her legs over the side of the bed and walked slowly to the attached bathroom.
She stumbled her way through her morning routine, hoping this was all just a really bad dream. She moved like a zombie into the kitchen, stepping on her oversized pyjamas. She tiredly rubbed her sore eyes and turned on the stove.
She was halfway through eating her scrambled eggs when there was a pop from her living room.
"'Mione?" came the voice of a female.
Hermione didn't react to any of the noises. The witch that had appeared out of thin air walked into the kitchen to find the brunette pushing her half eaten food around in front of her. She sat down at the opposite end of the table.
"'Mione? Are you okay?" the redhead asked. She stared at Hermione, whose cheek rested on her fist. After she didn't respond, Ginny resorted to the comical solution of snapping her fingers in front of Hermione's face.
"Ginny?" Hermione's brows furrowed. "When did you get here?"
"What's wrong Hermione? You look like you got run over by a herd of angry hippogriff's and then deprived of sleep for a month."
Hermione gave a dry laugh. "Thanks Gin."
Ginny smiled, "Harry and I were getting worried. You and Ron were supposed to be over at our place for breakfast an hour ago." her brows furrowed as she looked at the older witch.
Hermione looked down at her food blankly.
"Where is that brother of mine anyways? Still sleeping?" Ginny looked around, as if Ron was hiding somewhere in the kitchen.
Hermione rubbed her eyes with the bottom of her palms.
"He isn't here." she stated.
Ginny looked back at the woman sitting in her pink pyjamas.
"Is that why you look so depressed? Did you guys get in a spat?" she threw herself back, as if exhausted by her brothers numerous antics. "What did he do this time? Insult house elves? Choose quidditch over you? Gag while eating your homemade meal? Enslave a house elf? Burn all your boo- Oh my god!" she sat up quickly.
"Could he not get it up when you two were-"
"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed, her mouth wide open.
"Just had to make sure." The red head put her hands up in mock surrender. "But really, what happened? Did you catch him with another woman?" she said jokingly.
The back of Hermione's eyes burned. She bit her lip and looked to her right, avoiding Ginny's curious eyes.
"Oh- oh Merlin 'Mione! I'm so sorry. I didn't know!" she covered her mouth in shock.
"Yeah well, neither did I." Hermione said duly.
"Are you okay? You alright?" she looked concernedly at her best friend.
"Peachy keen." Hermione replied sarcastically, plastering a fake smile on her face.
Ginny gave her a no nonsense look.
"Sorry Gin. It took me by surprise. Well... I mean, you wouldn't expect to find your long time boyfriend snogging someone else. At your work. I just need some time to get over the ass hole." she looked up at Ginny, "No offence."
"None taken. That was a very ass hole-ish thing he did." she nodded. "But seriously I'm really sorry-"
"Gin it's not your fault-"
"Yeah well... fine, but just so you know, I'm here for you." Ginny smiled pitifully.
"I don't want your pity Ginny." Hermione eyed her.
"Oh Hermione, everyone needs pity."
"Not me, I'm a strong, independent, woman."
"I don't know Hermione. I think you're just like everyone else."
"Ginerva Weasley! I am wise, and thoughtful, and kind! Some man will come along and treat me better than Ronald ever could!"
"What?"
"I said, I am strong, beautiful, smart, and the brains to the Golden Trio!" Hermione stood up, pushing her chair out.
"Pardon?" Ginny copied Hermione's actions.
"I am independent! I am-" Hermione clasped her hands over her mouth. She revealed an o when she removed her hands. "Ginerva Weasley..."
Ginny shrugged with a smile. "I know." she moved to the fireplace, "Remember Hermione, I'm only a floo away!" she called as she sauntered away.
Hermione smiled and shook her head, feeling a hell of a lot better than she did when she woke up.
She stood there for who knows how long when there was a knock at the door.
She walked quickly to the apartment door and opened it.
A small old woman stood in front of her. Her nose was scrunched and her lips wrinkled and pursed. Her oversized blue floral dress hung on her slouched body, her cane supporting her. She stared up at Hermione through her glasses. Her fluffy white hair was curling out of her lavender night cap.
"Good morning Mrs. Levenston." Hermione smiled.
"Whats going on over here?" She asked in a strained voice. "Is it another fight with the red headed bug?"
Hermione almost laughed.
"No Ms. Levenston, he won't be coming back actually." Hermione leaned on the door frame.
"So you finally kicked his floppy arse to the curb did ya? You done the right thing there girl," the old woman waggled a bony finger in front of the witch. "I never did like that one. He was a nuisance. Always stomped his way through the halls at nine o'clock. At night! No one in their right mind should be up at such an hour."
The old woman shook her head, her short curls swaying in disapproval.
"Thank you Ms. Levenston, that means a lot." Hermione smiled wider.
"I didn't say any o' that to flatter you Ms. Granger." Ms. Levenston said, looking down the hall. She was a cold woman, rarely approved of anyone and didn't want to let people have power over her. But it seemed she approved of her one neighbour. "I have the right mind to not make enemies of all my neighbours. If Wilson tries something against me at least I'll have someone on my side."
"Ms. Levenston, Mr. Kross is very kind. He helped-"
"That man is a no good son of a nutcracker. He's got a peanut instead of a brain he does." She said loudly as she hobbled down the hall to her apartment.
"I heard that you old bag!" A gruff voice came from the door opposite the one the old woman stepped inside. "You wrinkly-"
"Go eat your hair growth pills Wilson!"
Hermione closed her door softly as the old muggles continued fighting in the hall.
"Ms. Granger, you have a visitor." Hermione's secretary told her.
"Where are they?" She asked, shifting through the duo tang in her hand.
"They insisted they wait in your office Ms. Granger."
"It wasn't..."
"Pardon me Ms. Granger?"
"Nothing. Continue with your work."
Hermione stepped nervously into her office. She looked straight at her desk to see her chair spinning wildly. She tried to catch a glimpse of the person but all she could see was a spot of white hair above the backing of the chair. She breathed a sigh of relief and leaned against the closed door.
She cleared her throat.
The chair stopped at once. Draco Malfoy stared at her, his eyes wide and his face like a ghost.
"It helps if you take deep breaths." Hermione offered, walking to her desk.
Draco leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his face low. She could see his shoulders rising up and down with each heaving breath.
He groaned. "Good gods Granger. I feel like my heads about to explode."
"Maybe you shouldn't use my office as a toy." she scolded.
Draco could only moan in response.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Hermione asked, scooting Draco successfully out of the chair. She conjured a glass of water for him as he slowly made his way to the seat across from her.
She watched as he closed his eyes and leaned back, sipping the water. His blond hair was in his eyes and his mouth was parted. His hands held tightly to the arms of the chair. They were nice, probably callused, long fingers- Hermione squirmed. Since when was she attracted to hands? She looked down to the papers she had just brought in as Draco got himself together.
"Okay, Granger." she looked up to see Draco looking normal. "I came to discuss our first date."
"What?" Hermione stared at him. Suddenly she remembered the absurd deal they made the day before. "Ah, I remember. Are you sure we should do this?" she questioned, setting her quill down.
"Granger! Are you really backing out?" the blond looked surprised. "Where's that Gryffindor courage? Their pride? What about bravery, and all those other silly character traits?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I know what you're doing Malfoy."
"You're right. Never mind. I didn't think you could do it anyways." He looked at her.
"Still not gonna work ferret." Hermione began working again, her eye twitching slightly.
"I'm not trying to do anything beaver! I was simply stating that I knew that you couldn't stick to something like this." Hermione's eye twitched again. "I guess we can just let Sorella and the Weasel live happily ever after without any bumps."
"Fine! You win. Whatever." Hermione threw her quill at the desk. She couldn't think straight. "I'll do it. But only because I don't want the Weas- Ron, to live a life of happiness even though he completely screwed over mine."
Draco smirked. He just won over the Gryffindor princess.
"Alright, so, first date. Where and when?" he asked.
"Your the guy. Isn't it your decision?" Hermione countered.
"Fine." Hermione smirked. Draco stood to leave, "We should let everyone know they cheated first though, so the press doesn't switch everything around and make us the bad guys."
"Good point. Did you want me to send an anonymous letter to the Prophet?"
Draco nodded, "See you around Granger."
Is the Golden Couple in Trouble?
As you know, we've kept you posted on all the news of the famous wizarding couples: Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley, Victor Edmon and Trinity Dosland, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and Draco Malfoy and Sorella DeMale.
We're continuing with all the scandalous and juicy news. We've received an anonymous letter saying that, "Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger have broken up"! Who would've guessed? The short letter goes on to say, "Weasley was caught having relations with Draco Malfoy's, Sorella DeMale." You've heard it folks! The quidditch star and the smartest witch of her age are through!
It's open season readers! Hermione Granger is up for grabs. And we're guessing that Draco Malfoy will be too!
Keep reading on page 13 for the full information.
Hermione scoffed a she rested the news paper on her messy desk. She looked around at all the papers scattered around the flat surface. Sighing, she organized the papers into sections, then put them into different colour coded files in her drawer. She was nearly done when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," she called, still looking through a file. She looked up when she heard the clips of high heels on the hard wood floor.
"This letter came for you Ms. Granger," her blond receptionist said smoothly. Her cornsilk hair set pin straight down her back. Her ice blue eyes looked down at the envelope she held, her pale pink lips pursed in confusion. "It has nothing written on it."
"Thank you Chordrice," Hermione responded. "I assume you checked for any spells placed on it?"
"Like always Ms. Granger."
"Very well then. You may go." she nodded to the woman standing before her. Chordrice clasped her hands in front of her and turned, walking back out to her desk and closing the door behind her.
Hermione double checked to make sure no spells were attached to the letter. Nothing.
She opened the envelope and unfolded the letter.
Granger,
I've arranged to get off work at 4:30. I'll pick you up in your office then because I have no bloody clue where you live. Wear something nice. Like a dress. Or a skirt. Anything besides what you normally have on at work.
Draco Malfoy
Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at the clock. Her eyes almost fell out of her head. It was 4:00! She jumped up and ran to the door. Opening it she stuck her head out and saw Chordrice flirting with a man from the Muggle department.
"Chordrice!" Hermione called. The blonde spun around so quickly her neck should've broken. She pulled up her black shirt and smoothed down her hair. She opened her mouth to say something but Hermione cut her off, "I'm going out for just a little while. I'll be back in about..." she looked at the clock on the reception desk, "ten minutes."
Before Chordrice could say anything Hermione closed the door and ran to her floo.
As soon as she landed gracelessly on her floor she stood and dusted herself off. She ran to her bedroom and stood in front of the mirror. Her hair was a little poofy from the trip, her clothes were wrinkled and her shoes didn't scream anything close to 'date'.
She quickly jumped into the shower, washing her hair, shaving, and scrubbing her body. As soon as she hopped out she used a quick drying spell and ran to her closet.
She jumped from one foot to the other, "Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!" she mumbled under her breath. She threw all her clothes to the ground. Everything remotely sexy or date worthy was in the wash.
She sighed and picked up a cream silk shirt and dress pants. She threw her hair into a ponytail and ran back to the floo, slipping on her work shoes.
As soon as she flooed in she saw Chordrice setting ministry papers onto her desk. The receptionist looked over to Hermione and smirked.
"Ms. Granger, you're getting dressed up." she looked her over knowingly. "Who's the guy?"
Hermione furrowed her brow. "No one," she clipped, "Do I look okay?"
She spread her arms out for the blonde. She furrowed her brows when Chordrice grimaced.
"I'm sorry Ms. Granger, but I don't think- I mean, it... you certainly took a different take... on it?" she bit her lip.
"Oh Chordirce," she cried, throwing her hands in the air, "I need help!"
Chordrice laughed lightly and walked out of the office door, "I'll be back in five minutes Ms. Granger."