Authors Note: OMG! I have like, almost 90 followers on this story and it hasn't even been 3 days! I had 55 followers within 24 hours and I almost cried! Y'all are amazing! I'm accidentally making this a slowburn, but it's going to be worth it, I promise. I've been writing it non-stop and am at chapter 3 on paper, like I've mentioned, I have limited access to computers so I'm typing while work is slow and I get my mum's laptop tomorrow! (My laptop is currently being fixed! Hopefully it's salvageable!) We're going to get through this ASAP! As for my Dragon Tails followers, same deal! And the same w/ The Curse of the Moon! I just don't have a laptop to type those stories up and am genuinely writing by hand. It's actually been really helpful for story development. I'm rambling! Let's get to the story!
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Chapter 2
Hermione wound up mainly lounging about for the rest of the day reading. In the back of her head she was working on a response for the press.
She devoured 3 books before finally taking out a pen and some paper to write her press response.
She then dressed nicely in a red cardigan and black slacks with a set of nice work robes; and finally left the comfort of her flat for the outside of her building.
The press had been milling about but snapped to attention as soon as Hermione opened the door.
She stood on the top step and cleared her throat.
"Good afternoon. I am shocked by the amount of press exposure my break up with Ron Weasley has created. I am private in nature, but the publicity must be addressed. Ron and I have been drifting apart for a long time, going through the motions of a relationship. That is not healthy. While the break up is not amicable, it is necessary to ensure long term happiness for the post of us. I wish Ron nothing but the best in all his endeavors and I hope we can resume our friendship one day. Please respect our privacy during this time. That is all. Thank you."
Quick quills fluttered across parchment as the bulbs of cameras flashed rapidly.
Once she finished her statement, reporters began shouting questions. Hermione ignored them as she returned to her flat.
She returned to comfy clothes once safely inside her living space and returned to the comfort of books.
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Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy was in his study writing.
He had lied in his letter to Hermione. He actually had 2 propositions for her.
The first one was business and the second one was pleasure. Usually he wouldn't mix the two, but this was Hermione Granger they were talking about. She was worth the complication.
He hummed softly as he penned a letter to Blaise Zabini.
Blaise,
Everything is going as planned. We are ahead of schedule. I will be proposing the plan to Miss Granger on Friday. In case you haven't heard yet, she is newly single. As you know, I have dreamt about her for years and I will be pursuing her. Wish me the best of luck.
All the best,
DM
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The next day, the front door of Hermione's flat was blissfully vacant of reporters. Hermione was very grateful.
She showered and readied herself for lunch with Ginny.
Hermione met the younger girl at a small deli that was in muggle London. Ginny was sitting in the corner and was staring daggers at Hermione as she walked in.
Hermione ordered her food before sitting down across from Ginny.
"Sooooo…." Hermione started.
"Sooooo, my mother came over this morning to collect the idiot. It appears that you packed for him."
Hermione nodded and stirred her tea wandlessly, "Yes, I did. I received some excellent advice from a Mister Draco Malfoy on how to deal with my break up."
Hermione handed her the letter Malfoy had sent her.
Ginny read it over and looked up at Hermione, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Well you know what this means right?" Ginny asked.
"What?"
"We have to go dress shopping! This restaurant is an upscale restaurant! You need a nice, new dress. Let's head to my favorite shop and get you a dress!" Ginny gushed.
"I thought you wanted to talk about Ron?"
"We've talked enough about him. He's an idiot who lost out on the best thing to ever happen to him. Now you're moving onto bigger and better things, starting with knocking Malfoy's socks off and seeing what the ferret's proposition is because I have a few theories."
"What are your theories?"
"Firstly, I'm thinking a sexual proposition. I bet that man is a kinky dominant. I know my brother never satisfied you. You need some good sex. Second, maybe a fake relationship to better his social standing. Finally, some kind of business proposal. You're doing well in the public sector at the Ministry but you would KILL it in the private sector! Your knowledge of magical creatures is very valuable to the right person. You know it, I know it, the muggles know it! But those are just my 3 theories!" Ginny rambled.
Hermione laughed and took a bite of her sandwich before responding. "I doubt he's sexually attracted to me. I'm not exactly his type."
"How would you know? It's not like you talk to him all the time. Now hurry up. I want to find you the perfect dress."
They quickly finished their meal and side apparated to the alley closest to the dress shop Ginny wanted to go to.
It was definitely upscale and had a large selection of dresses.
Hermione's eyes widened and she gulped. This would probably be an undertaking.
A sales associate approached them and introduced herself at Greta. Ginny started barking orders.
"We need a short cocktail dress. Hermione has a hot date on Friday and she needs to knock him off his feet. We will also need shoes and accessories." She barked.
The sales associate beamed, thinking about commission. "You have lovely collarbones, Hermione. I want to accent them. And your shoulders are amazing. I don't want to hide either of them with sleeves or high necks. You need to show off what you got. What color?"
Hermione shrugged, "I don't know. You are the expert."
Greta grinned widely, "Excellent, let's begin."
They started with an emerald green A-line V-neck satin dress. It had spaghetti straps and hit her knees. It was cute but Ginny shot it down.
"You're not a bloody snake! We don't like the prat that much to wear his colors!" Ginny chided.
Next was an A-line off the shoulder short sleeve black dress that went just below her knees.
Hermione looked at her back in the mirror and shook her head, "I like the style but I want a bolder color."
"I think I have just the thing!" Greta exclaimed.
She pushed Hermione back into the dressing room and handed her a red dress a minute later. Hermione slipped into it and Greta came in to help with the corset back.
The dress was bright red with a sweetheart neckline. It had off the shoulder sleeves and a tulle bottom.
"Bloody hell," Ginny swore, "Godric Gryffindor would be proud.That's gorgeous. It's the one. "
Hermione nodded, "Yes it is."
Greta beamed and quickly found red and silver stiletto heels to go with it and a silver clutch.
"Do you need any jewelry? We have some lovely rubies that would match this very well." Greta asked.
Hermione shook her head, "No, I have some family heirlooms that will go nicely."
Hermione made her purchases and left with Ginny. They made plans to meet up on Thursday and get their nails done.
Hermione headed home and placed her purchases in the closet.
For the first time in a long time, Hermione had something to truly look forward to
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