The Quiz: Out of Character
Usual disclaimers apply.
"The Quiztions of Love"
By Amaryllis McAvoy
Question Five:
Do you find that life is so much more enjoyable with him around?
The natural reason for this, dear reader, is that the heart feels easier in knowing that it need not feel any danger of being bereft (refer to question four). Thus the heart and person in love experiences less stress and in consequence, enjoys easier and enjoyable days.
Moreover, the study has shown that whether or not the women and the persons with whom they were in love had actual unifying interests did not matter. What was common among them was a natural rapport and connection.
*Amaryllis would like the reader to take heart that it is neither a case of love and hate, or loving another all the way that made the participants of the study in love or not.
Hermione had been feeling sluggish for a week and had been bored at work. She was nearly up to here with her annoyance at paperwork, which she knew, still must be done. Her passion for magical creatures seemed like a sorry sizzle this week, and admitting it, even in a whisper, it a bathroom cubicle in her mind, was a blow to her dignity.
She trudged through the Ministry lobby in her brand new high heels wearing a dove grey suit and pearls that her mother told her should brighten up her complexion (although she remained dubious, she hoped they helped anyway).
She entered the lift, not curiously empty due to the fairly early hour. Just before the doors pinged shut to signal the close, as the open of another dreary day, a leather attaché case was neatly wedged between the shiny brassy doors. The doors opened again to reveal and admit Draco Malfoy, who was too surprised to see her that he uncharacteristically forgot to hide his pleased expression. Hermione beamed at him, hoping the pearls emphasized the whiteness of her teeth. She was sometimes adorably pathetic that way.
"How have you been, Granger? Any new files you want me to hand you?" Draco began with a genuine smile and a teasing note.
"Only the files you want incendio-ed, Malfoy," she returned in the same tone.
The lift had to go a long way to reach their department, and it gently rocked its occupants as it meandered along the bowels of the Ministry.
"What's that I smell?" Draco asked curiously.
"What smell?"
"That- that sort of sweet—" he very discretely leaned towards Hermione, invading her sense of personal space. When she moved to step back, quick as lightning Draco's hand clasped her arm to hold her in place. She stood still, mainly from shock and the sensation of him touching her.
"Merlin's hairy chin! Is that perfume on you, Granger?" He smiled devilishly.
Hermione stood stiffly, still in shock with traces of affront.
"What's it matter to you, Malfoy?"
He continued to smile and leaned closer; Hermione drew her head back and away, feeling giddy.
He drew his nose closer to her hair, behind the pearl earring and drew a deep breath. He gave a soft chuckle.
Said softly "Did you miss me, Granger?" and he gave the sweet spot a very tiny, innocent peck and drew away.
HG/DM HG/DM HG/DM
I was truly planning on ending this chapter here. But you'll agree it's better for everyone if I continued. :))
HG/DM HG/DM HG/DM
Hermione drew a bracing breath, savoring the moment, her rapid mind stashing the memory away like candy for a bad day. She laughed, even if it was a bit breathy, and gently slapped his hand away.
"In your dreams, Malfoy."
"You know, you should be really pleased with me, Granger," this was said with a soft smile.
"Oh yeah? Why is that?" She smiled back into his eyes.
"Because I secured the rights for the house elves of Gallamore that you wanted so badly." He watched as the happiness flash from her eyes, and enveloped her being. He was even more shocked when she threw herself at him and hugged him. He enveloped her smaller form with both arms and a briefcase.
"So that's where you've been all week!" Hermione was so happy, snuggling into the crook of Draco's neck (and she found he smelled divine). He had been working for a cause that was among the most dear to her. The Gallamores, a noble pureblooded family had been suspicious of Draco's intentions at first. They were more so unwilling to pay for the enslaved creatures' salaries, dignity and freedom. If Draco had needed a week to convince them, then Hermione was sure that the Gallamores were extra tough shells.
He squeezed her gently.
"Oh, Draco! Thank you!" and she gave him a tiny peck, just on the corner of his lips.
-End Chapter-
So, yeah. I'm ending it here instead. ;) See you in the next chapter!