CHAPTER 2: ADHERE TO CAUTION

"Do you think you deserve to be in such a prominent position in the Ministry? Being a young woman in control of such an important Department, would surely only have been possible because of your relationship to the Chosen One."

The crowd of reporters immediately ceased heckling, their cameras stilled, and everyone had turned to stare at the smug reporter who had been foolish enough to insinuate the one thing Hermione Granger loathed beyond all else. Hermione whom had just left her office at the Ministry to go out for lunch stopped dead in her tracks when she heard the question. Though he wasn't the first one to have asked the question, he was the one who spoke with most contempt and baiting in his voice. The last time someone dared to ask her that she ensured through some 'creative' methods that on no-one, especially reporters, would never question her integrity again.

'Clearly, this idiot missed the memo' she thought angrily, before adding 'I suppose a little education is in order' with a sly smirk. Turning around to address the small crowd,

"Please step forward whoever asked that question" she called pleasantly with an enthusiastic grin plastered across her face, easily masking her anger. She honestly hated how angry she got over something like this, but it was one of the few things that instinctively got her all fired up making her feel more alive than she had in years. She would often joke how it was like bringing back the Old Hermione who used to scold Harry and Ron all the time when they did something stupid or rash.

She watched on in amusement as the group of reporters glanced wearily at each other before quickly disapparating, until only one person remained – the smug little culprit. He was a man who looked to be in his early 30's, a little shorter than herself, with combed-back brown hair and an air of upper-class snobbery that seemed to emulate his entire being. His face wore a mixture of pleasure relishing in the fact he successfully gained her attention where others had failed, but also revealed how quite rattled he was at how quickly his colleagues had abandoned what would surely be a career-defining gossip story.

She approached the man calmly without reflecting the bubbling anger that coursed through her veins. It wasn't until she was almost toe-to-toe with him, that she allowed her rage to seep to the surface. She squared her shoulders rising herself up to her full height, clenched her jaw tightly with teeth bared, and with one eyebrow cocked she narrowed her eyes into a frightfully piercing death glare.

"You dare to question my integrity?" She enunciated each word in a voice very uncanny to the late-Professor Snape.

"Listen here you moronic half-wit, and listen VERY CAREFULLY because I will only ever say it ONCE. I kept Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley alive during all our years at Hogwarts and still maintained the highest O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s ranks Hogwarts has seen in decades; I fought alongside the Order at the Battle of Hogwarts; infiltrated the Ministry to defeat the most prolific Dark Wizard the world has seen in centuries; and I worked my way up from a simple Junior Receptionist to get to where I am today even with Umbridge - the loathsome gargoyle of a woman - trying to kick me out at every turn! And YOU THINK AFTER ALL THAT I DON'T DESERVE THE POSITION I HAVE?! AFTER EVERYTHING I HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND ALL I HAVE WORKED FOR?!!" She screamed in a shrill banshee-like voice. Her hair which was in a tight ponytail now had hundreds of escaped strands flying wildly around her face. Her fingertips had begun to tingle and spark – she was losing control.

"I kept Rita Skeeter in a jar for WEEKS because she dared to cross me. Do you want to be next?" she hissed in a deadly low voice, as a few bright blue sparks crackled from her fingertips and scorched the side of the payment. "Cross me again and you'll find yourself as UNDESIRABLE No.1 and praying that the Aurors find you before I do!" she spat at him. A burst of rage burst from her and erupted out her fingers – she let out an ear-piercing scream as an electric blue stream of magic blasted a nearby brick pillar to smithereens. The reporter paled, completely stricken with fear. He looked around nervously, fidgeting and unable to meet her eye.

Feeling somewhat deflated after dispelling so much anger and energy, she backed up from him. For the first time she observed her surroundings – there were scorch marks all over the payment. She silently waved a 'Reparo' towards the marks and over the destroyed pillar, before turning to observe the source of her anger.

"Have I made myself clear?" She asked him gently despite the fact her eyes were still gleaming. Completely taken aback by her sudden change in demeanour, he just mutely nodded his head without taking his eyes off her, afraid she might act on her threat. But instead, her eyes softened and with a small smile, she gave him a polite nod before continuing her way to lunch. She had a long day ahead of her.

Elsewhere, inside the Ministry was another person being heckled by questions; but unlike Hermione, he had no choice but to answer each and every one. Although sat on his comfortable white leather lounge chair in his office, it did nothing to aid his ever-growing headache from the relentless questioning. The meeting had been going on for the past two and a half hours – a full hour and a half beyond what it was meant to. His irritation was growing even further as the small collection of International Ministers and Government Correspondents continued their pointless deliberations. It was clear they were satisfied with his pitch, but two low-level Government officials seemingly wanted to be difficult for the sake of things. The two of them worked almost in tandem; both picking out minute flaws and arguing heavily with the other Ministers over the tiniest details or discrepancies.

'This is ridiculous! If these two pathetic imbeciles don't give it up and just admit they agree, then I'll just have to make myself agreeable to their wives' he thought snidely.

As though hearing his unspoken threat, the two disgruntled Officials finally relented, silently admitting their defeat. Sensing his opportunity to adjourn the meeting, he rose from his couch to shake hands with all in the room before bidding them goodbye. When his office had emptied, he all but collapsed into his chair at his desk. His head was now positively pounding and causing the muscles in his shoulders and neck to tense. Reaching into his desk he pulled out a small glass and bottle of Whiskey from the bottom draw of his desk, while his other hand undid his tie and loosened his collar. Downing the glass in one gulp and pouring another, he went over his schedule once more – he hoped there was nothing else to do today so he could go home; he didn't give a rat's ass that it was only lunchtime, he'd had enough.

Unfortunately, there was still one last task scrawled on his agenda yet to complete before he was free to leave:
Consult Integration Manager at W.I&E. Department

Now that he had FINALLY gained Ministry approval he could now proceed in enacting the trial run for his project. The Integration Manager would be vital to ensuring the trial run ran without a hiccup and dealing with any issues if they arise. It also had the added benefit of bossing someone around and making them do all his work for a while – he needed the break anyways. With a renewed sense of evil delight and a devilishly cheeky grin, he headed towards the elevators, bound for the Department of Wizarding Integration & Education.

Stepping out of the elevator he was greeted by an approachable young woman – he didn't waste any time in hiding his appreciation of her. He made a mental note to frequent this Department - if only to keep the young lady company. But alas, 'work before play' as the saying goes, so he made his way briskly through the corridor, reading the labels on the doors as he passed them. As he reached the last door on the right, he saw in big bold letters that stretched across the entirety of the door length were the words: INTEGRATION MANAGER OFFICE; embellished on the frosted glass door.

"And they say my ego is inflated" He rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath "Least I know where the damn office is. Even a blind squib could spot it a mile away". He was just about to knock on the door with his best charming smile ready when he noticed something else inscribed on the door in significantly smaller print: HERMIONE GRANGER.

'Of all the bloody people in the world it just HAD to be that bloody infuriating woman! Seriously what other annoying twat do I need to put up with today before I can leave this bloody building?!' He pinched the bridge of his nose in utter annoyance. He seriously contemplated just returning to his office and doing the entire project by himself, but the temptation to boss around 'Little Miss Perfect' won him over in the end.

With complete reluctance he knocked on her door, half hoping she wouldn't be in there. He waited with baited breath until he heard a quiet voice call out "Come in!". He straightened his suit out and combed his hair back in place with his fingers, before taking a final deep breath and opened her door.

Hermione Granger was at her desk, bent over a small stack of papers with her quill twirling in her hand, and her hair pulled into a loose ponytail. Several books from various literature works were scattered across the desk and the small lounge chair that sat in the corner of the room. Evidently she was still the avid bookworm she always was. As she heard him enter, she looked up from her papers to a sight she never thought she would see. Completely taken aback by his appearance in her doorway, all she could do was stare wide-eyed at him, with her mouth hanging agape.

"… Draco Malfoy?!"