A/N I know it has been a long time and my sincere apologies. I seem to have random bouts of ideas and before I could get my lazy bum to my laptop to type it out, some work or the other pulls me away.

I am in my summer holidays but because of the classes I am taking, life is too busy.

Thanks to,AutumnRose12452 and Smallwren.

You guys were really prompt and literally made me jump. Yeah, this chapter was supposed to be about the life after the war but, I thought that giving an introduction of sorts to Draco Malfoy was necessary.

The next Chapter will most probably be up by next week. I promise to update soon. And please continue with your reviews and criticism is very much accepted. As I am an Indian some of my grammar could borrow from the Indian slang. I try to reduce it but, it'll be helpful if you could point out such errors.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter series nor the characters.

Chapter- 4- A Business Point of View or What?

The sound of bells in the nearby Church was what woke up Draco Malfoy that morning. He was normally not a great believer in God but that day something made him or rather his mother made him go to the Church to pray for success.

Running a huge company that was the best in the business all at the age of twenty one was no easy feat. Add to it the extra burden of extra work- behind the screens of course.

He knew he was coward for hiding behind his work in an attempt to nullify his heart and mind. He knew what he had to do. He had suggested a Joint Venture with the Ministry and hoped that everything will fall into place. That day was the day of the first meeting in person.

He had gotten dressed up in his best suit and his mother picked out an emerald green tie to go with it. 3 years had passed since the war and still the memories haunted him. He could still hear Granger's strangled screams in his dreams as night after night his crazy aunt had tortured her.

He had wanted to stop his aunt but she was his closest aide and one word wrong with her meant that the next stop for the Death- Eater army would be Malfoy Manor.

He quickly flooed to the Ministry before his past caught up with him. The Ministry hadn't changed much and the next thing he knew he was walking to the Minister's Office without getting lost. The Ministry had been a place of wonder to him ever since he was a kid and he immediately made his way shaking aside his memories.

The Minister had been cordial in his welcome and no traces of his feud with Lucius were visible. Yet, Draco Malfoy had to admit that the hospitality extended towards him seemed odd like a fresh leaf in the middle of autumn.

The Minister sent a flying letter (?!) to his PA and asked him to wait in the office. Draco settled on one of the big armchairs but decided that it was too boring. So, he went to stand by the huge window that offered a spectacular view of London- Muggle and Wizard.

He looked around the room and took the time to fully absorb how tastefully it had been made. The huge room was oval in shape and the Minister's table made of teak sat in the middle just in front of the window. There were three armchairs to the side near a huge bookshelf filled with many books. The bookshelf was unique and the top two corners had Viking type of dragons and the carpet was fully covered in patterns of red and gold, emerald green and silver, yellow and black, blue and bronze signifying each of the the personality traits as belonging to Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. The fireplace was cozy and the couch in front of it almost called out to him to come and take a nap there.

He was cut off from his mental ramblings by the sound of the door opening on his right. In walked the girl who had tortured him in his dreams day and night. He saw her enter and sigh loudly. Well, what to say, old habits die hard and he found himself making a cheeky remark.

"Better close your mouth quick, Granger. Wouldn't want any flies getting inside that big mouth of yours."

She had whipped around and the look on her face was hilarious. He mentally chastised himself for being so rude and cheeky but really, he just couldn't help it.

She seemed to look him up and down as though weighing him up and he found himself doing the same. She wasn't looking too bad, he concluded.

Both of them literally jumped with the sound of the Minister clearing his throat. She was the one to come to her senses like always.

"Minister, I got a letter that I was needed here in your…"

Draco was shocked to realise that Hermione Granger, of all people was the Minister's PA. The Minister merely continued.

"Ah, yes, Ms. Granger. As you know, Malfoy Inc. is the largest private company in the magical world." His eyes flicked to Draco's side for a moment.

Draco thought that he would never see the day know- it- all Granger would be confused. Apparently, he was wrong and he knew that it frustrated her to be confused. He just couldn't help but smirk albeit in an inconspicuous way. He wanted this to be a success and that meant no bad moves on his part.

"I know so, Minister. But, what has that got to do with the Ministry?"

He was secretly glad that he and his company were the reason for her confusion. A feeling of intense satisfaction filled him.

The Minister meanwhile was attempting to pacify her. What a scene, the boss pacifying the employee. If there was a book on ironies, Draco Malfoy was sure that this would be the first on the list.

"Patience, Ms. Granger. I know you are eager to learn about this and I will explain everything. But first please take a seat and you too Mr. Malfoy."

Draco smirked.

"Ladies first."

Hermione rolled her eyes in what Draco could suppose was a haughty and distant gesture as well as a gesture to show her irritation.

"For the git who troubled me in high school, you seem to remember that I am a lady. I am surprised Malfoy, that you can be civil and actually chivalrous."

Draco's smirk grew wider. She was still the same fiery girl.

"What to say, the Malfoy family takes pride in being the most intriguing members of our magical world."

Hermione rolled her eyes yet again and this time Draco could help but notice that her eyes were the same colour as his mother's brownies- warm and smelling so good after just being taken from the wizard version of an oven. Her eyes were big and it looked like she was about to pass a remark when the Minister spoke again.

Really, what is it with this guy and interrupting rambling moments.

"Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy, please act your age and stop fighting like school kids. Now that we're seated, I have called you here to discuss matters of utmost importance, Ms. Granger. As a wizard I have immense belief in your capability, as your boss, I have immense belief in your loyalty and as a person, I have immense belief in your character. Now, I would like you to know that these beliefs are well placed in you."

Well, That's a problem thought Draco to himself. This belief was good but if it was true, then problems will arise. He saw Hermione nod, a faint blush covering her cheeks. She glowed with the pride that the Minister had praised her.

Now, that was a problem. Damn, the man knew how to get his work done and how to put his point forward. Hermione spoke again and Draco was feeling kind of left out at this point.

"Yes, Minister. I understand and I try my best."

The Minister nodded once before continuing.

"Your best has been the best the Ministry has had in years Ms. Granger. Now, Mr. Malfoy has proposed to go on a co- operative venture with the Ministry."

"But, sir, there is absolutely no reason as to why we should accept his offer."

As Hermione's eyes widened to the size of donuts, Draco could not help but smirk in victory. He saw her glance at him and when their eyes met she immediately turned her attention to the Minister.

"Ms. Granger. As my PA you know that for the last couple of months I have been trying to make stricter laws for the private companies."

Draco continued to smile. His gut told him that things were going to work out fine. It would take some time to convince Hermione but, it will happen.

"Yes Minister, I am aware of it."

"Now, the private companies were not happy with it and Mr. Malfoy here proposed a venture with the Ministry in good faith, so that the private companies will not rebel."

"O- kay?"

Hermione nodded again and her face held an expression of mild recognition as to what was going on.

"Now, Ms. Granger, you might ask where you play a part. Repaying the good faith that Mr. Malfoy shows towards us, I am letting my own PA be a partner with Mr. Malfoy in the new venture."

And what Hermione did next made both Draco and the Minister flinch before collecting themselves to look like it hadn't rattled them. Truly, the phrase Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned took on a whole new meaning where Granger was concerned. She literally screamed at the top of her voice.

"WHAT!"

Draco collected himself before he spoke in a calm voice.

"Geez, Granger. You will probably be heard across the whole ministry even if these walls are sound- proofed."

He could see that Hermione was on the brink of shouting and being Granger, while she was angry she rattled on at full speed.

"Well, Minister, you seem to have forgotten an important point here. Being in a partnership requires the consent of both the individuals. And I know as sure as hell that I won't be giving mine."

The Minister seemed to think for a moment before he replied in a cold expressionless voice.

"Well, let me rephrase that, Ms. Granger. You have to be on the partnership or you lose your job. This is a matter of utmost importance and any childhood feelings of revenge should not be coming in the way of the development of the magical world."

Draco heard Hermione murmuring something that sounded vaguely like 'Screw the magical world.'

The Minister looked up.

"Did you say anything, Ms. Granger?

Hermione shook her head.

"No."

Draco looked at Hermione and decided that he had to say something.

"Well, Granger, think of it this way. You get to be my business partner meaning you get to be rich. Partners in business are always rich."

And with the glare Hermione gave him, Draco decided that he would face Voldemort any day other than Hermione on her angry day.

"I am pretty sure that partners in crime are also rich. God knows how much you could be cheating and who is there to tell that this venture of yours is in good faith? Puh- lease. If anything you do is in good faith, I didn't know I would live to see the day. You're still the rich spoiled brat who thinks that money is everything. Well, sorry to burst your bubble. Unlike you my mind is not always thinking of money."

Hearing her outburst sure did hit a fresh wound in his heart. He was surprised that his heart even felt anything. He was used to this lifestyle of being numb but the fact that it was her that had said those words just made feel hurt and disappointed. But, he quickly stashed those feelings away and saw that she looked like she hadn't meant to say those words. Well, too late for regrets.

Just then the Minister abruptly stood up from his desk.

"Ms. Granger, I give you a day's time. Join this venture or lose your job. The call is yours. Good day."

And Hermione stomped her legs in a very unlady- like way and marched out in a huff.

The Minister heaved a huge breath and sat down, a little exhausted on his chair. He looked at Draco and spoke in a quiet voice.

"I know that she didn't mean to say any of that. She was just being impulsive and trust me, I am surprised you didn't even flinch. Honestly, everyone is scared of her when she is in this impulsive phase. I will go now to her to try and convince her. You can rest assured that this Joint Venture will happen. Good day, Malfoy."

Draco found his voice to speak. He used a formal yet informal tone hoping that the vulnerable boy inside him did not get noticed.

"Minister?"

The Minister turned to him with an almost fatherly look.

"Yes Draco."

He knew he had to say them. Deep inside, he knew what he apologising for and he sincerely hoped that everything happened with the least guilt.

"I sincerely apologise for putting you through all this trouble."

The Minister nodded once before leaving the room. Draco exited shortly afterwards and flooed back to Malfoy Manor. Once in his room he pulled out a piece of parchment and sent his message through his owl.

Everything was in place.

A/N Phew! This one was longer than the others. Thanks for reading and please don't neglect the poor button in the bottom of the screen. Reviews are always appreciated and if you feel that I need to improve, feel free to point it out. I hold no hard feelings.