Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related character belong to J.K Rowling.
A/N: I am getting addicted to this, and I have a stack of reading to do! Oh well! Appreciate your comments thus far!
Chapter 3
It was Wednesday evening, and Hermione was still in her office despite the fact that her whole department had left for the day. She was preparing for the monthly meeting with the Minister the following day. She needed to present a draft for the next issue of the magazine, and to debrief the muggle memory squad about a recent accident caused by drunken wizards at a muggle nightclub. It was no wonder she had often pulled an all nighter and slept on her office couch. It didn't bother her too much though. After all, her office was her sanctuary; she thrived on her productivity, her constant learning and drive for results, and there was no doubt she was admired all the more for it.
An inter office memo unexpectedly flew into her office, landing on the pile of paperwork before her. It was unusual to receive messages at this hour. She curiously opened the note reading it out loud - it was a habit when she was alone.
Attn: Director of Muggle Relations
Miss Granger, we have received a request for advertising space in your department issued magazine, 'Understanding Muggles', from a prominent conglomerate and request your attendance at our meeting on the fourth floor, Ministry Accounts Department, to commence in five minutes.
Yours Faithfully,
Owen Dixon
Director of Project Funding
She reluctantly headed to the fourth floor, through the glass doors of the number crunchers. She disliked their nosiness in her affairs and budget driven agenda, but she maintained her professionalism and kept her distance. Mr Dixon's door was ajar as she neared the entrance. There were a few people in the office as the conversation leaked through the opening. Hermione knocked, awaiting an invitation to enter.
"Ah, Miss Granger, do come in," Mr Dixon, a thin lipped, serious faced man of middle age motioned. She entered to see two other people seated around his discussion table and immediately knew that she was not going to like what she was about to hear.
"Hello, Mr. Dixon, this is an unusual time for meetings," She stated, eyeing his nonchalance for calling on her at this hour. He pursed his lips, standing to usher her to a seat, feeling compelled to apologise for the inconvenience although he hardly considered it necessary. Hermione moved to the table to sit only to notice the blonde mop of the one man who had caused much disruption to her state of mind lately. Draco Malfoy was staring at her, with a most obvious all knowing smirk. She sighed and sat across from him.
"Yes, yes, sorry to interrupt you after office hours but we thought we would address this before the meeting with the Minister tomorrow. Thought we should give you a heads up on the proposal which will affect your department," Mr. Dixon spoke slowly, with a thorough articulation that bordered on insulting; as if he were accommodating a learning disability or hearing difficulty. Hermione seethed at his behaviour. It did not help either that Malfoy was clicking his pen in an irritating rhythm and was sitting with one arm slung over the back of his colleague's chair, exuding such haughtiness, the air quality could suffocate a small animal. He was dressed in a sharp navy pin striped suit that only enhanced his features, and was custom tailored to fit his torso magnificently, to the point of distraction. Her peripheral vision was being overstimulated and she refocused her attention on the finance director.
"If I recall correctly, Mr Dixon, matters that have not been put on the agenda cannot be raised at the meeting, so I would have been in no such position. But, since I am here now, do enlighten me." Malfoy's clicking stopped for a moment as he eyed the exchange. Hermione turned to face him and his colleague, an attractive woman similar in age dressed in a power suit that screamed arrogance, or at the other spectrum, a superficial substitute for lack of ability.
"I'm sure you know of Mr. Malfoy." She lifted an eyebrow in disdain at the introduction, as if Mr Dixon here was name dropping for self promotion. "He and his colleague, Miss Crowe, have come to us with a rather beneficial proposal that will be to your advantage."
"I have little concern for the Ministry's finances." She stated, not wanting any more advantages coming from Mr Malfoy over there, thank-you very much.
"Well, Granger, perhaps you should hear what the proposal is before passing judgement," he remarked condescendingly. She glared at him, knowing full well that there were ulterior motives involved here. "Carla here is the marketing/advertising director of the Malfoy conglomerate," he started, exchanging a sickening smile with Carla, and spawning a strange feeling in Hermione as she caught the end of it when he turned back to face her. "She has suggested a brilliant way to target a wider audience, which will improve our market share."
"That's great for you and your market share, but I don't see how this has any relation to my department affairs." Hermione tersely remarked.
"It has everything to do with your little muggle magazine, however," he continued, vaguely.
"And how is that?" She turned to Mr. Dixon for answers.
"Well, Miss. Granger, the Ministry is undergoing some budget re-evaluations and your magazine may be limited to a quarterly publication rather than monthly. The production costs outweigh the informative value," the thin lipped man declared with a note of self-importance. He suffered from severe short man syndrome, Hermione concluded.
She stared at him in disbelief that this issue had not been raised with her previously, and in a private setting. "On whose authority and evaluation has this judgement of value been made?" Anger was simmering in the pit of her stomach.
"Well…mine of course. I have a responsibility to ensure the Ministry can satisfy project aims and not exceed budget. It is a matter of checks and balances if you will."
"I am well aware of your checks and balances, Mr. Dixon. Our department went through all the necessary approvals. Is this the case for all publications? What about the law enforcement department magazine? Is that having cut backs too? Perhaps we should host fewer balls annually?" She was becoming livid now. There was no doubt in her mind that the number cruncher over here had not even flicked through her department's magazine.
She heard Malfoy clear his throat signalling his interruption. "Granger, if you agree to host our advertising you can issue your little muggle magazine fortnightly, if you so desire. This is a solution to the problem and it serves both our interests." His head tilted as if he were regarding a small child. Carla had a look of satisfaction that left Hermione thinking that arrogance was a pre-requisite for Malfoy company employees.
"And, what exactly will these advertisements contain, Malfoy? How many pages of your ads would we need to include? Don't you think it would appear strange that a magazine regarding muggle/ wizarding relations would be filled with promotions of companies owned by a Malfoy?" She wanted to laugh at the irony but maintained her composure.
"Miss Granger, consumers will not be interested in the origin of the advertisements they encounter. It is about the product and services being offered, and most are under company names that have no reference to the name Malfoy," Carla added. So, the sidekick wasn't just for aesthetic value. Hermione stared at her blankly.
"Miss Granger, do not think of this as a compromise. It is beneficial to everyone and you should strongly consider the arrangement." Mr Dixon was trying to elicit an encouraging tone that left Hermione is a state of repugnance.
"Mr. Dixon, I will not allow my magazine to be fluffed with product advertisements. It will only serve to undermine the content. If the only alternative is a quarterly issue then I will settle for that." She turned to face Malfoy as she stood. He also stood up. "If you will excuse me, I think I might call it a day. Thank-you for the offer, but I respectfully decline," she nodded curtly to Carla and moved to exit the office. Mr. Dixon was rather perplexed at the turn of events, his lips almost disappearing as he glared after the stubborn director of muggle relations.
Hermione was waiting for the lift, seething at the injustice her department suffered, reminding her of her personal hurdles as a muggleborn.
"If I remember correctly, this magazine is the best part of your job, Granger," the familiar drawl broke her thought process as she looked up to see Draco Malfoy.
"I don't see how that is any of your…," she narrowed her eyes at him in realisation, "You read my daily planner!" she exclaimed in distrust.
"Not read, skimmed Granger. It was open when I picked it up." He corrected smugly.
"That still gives you no right!" She wanted to stamp her foot in protest but the mature Hermione Granger was too professional for such a childish display of displeasure.
"Does it help if I tell you it was an accident?" his voice lowered to an unfamiliar tone.
"Don't see how that makes a difference, or why you care?" she retorted crossing her arms across her chest in defence.
"Meet me for coffee tomorrow?" He leaned into her as he spoke and she felt a slight breeze through her hair. She scanned his mercury eyes, confused at the change of behaviour and vibe surrounding her.
"And, why would I do such a thing?" She quizzed, her eyebrows raised.
"Because you and I are both people who know what we want Granger. Think about the proposal." She could not help but place a double meaning to his words, her breath shortened involuntarily. She did not have time to respond as the lift chimed its arrival and the doors open. She entered, turning to face him as she pressed the button to her floor. The doors closed, he was still regarding her with a gaze that suited his unfamiliar tone, a half smile crossing his face as she looked away.
Hermione returned to her office, grabbed her bag, not taking any work home with her. She was exhausted and definitely troubled.