Authors Note: Happy Hunger Games everyone! I won't be seeing the movie until next weekend, but I'm already super excited. Also, to anyone with a tumblog out there, feel free to follow me! No pressure; communicationcups(dot)tumblr(dot)com


It's always nice being fancied. It's always nice being wanted. Even if it's by the wrong person.

-Tabitha Suzuma, Forbidden.

"What about these pants? Ugh, forget it."

"Oh, this top and this- no, ew."

"This skirt? No way."

Hermione Granger was standing in front of the large mirror above her dresser. She had clothes strewn across her bedroom, and her hair was in a piled mess on the top of her head.

Wednesday meant seeing Ronald Weasley for the first time in what felt like forever, and Hermione was nervous, though she would never tell anyone. She fussed around her house for two hours, her hair was washed and piled onto her head to keep out of her eyes, and she was looking for something to wear.

Hermione didn't want to make Ronald fancy her again, she wanted to make him see how fantastic she was without him. A task that was seemingly easy, if she could just find something to wear.

"Maybe I'll just go naked." She said, flopping down to her bed. She erased that thought as soon as it came into her head, shivering at the thought of Draco Malfoy seeing her come into work in her birthday suit.

She rolled her head to the side, pleading desperately for her wardrobe to conjure up something beautiful. Just as she looked away, a piece of pink fabric crossed her eye.

Standing up, clad only in her underwear, and painfully aware that her curtains were not drawn, she walked toward her cupboard and reached in to the back, pulling out a pink pleated skater dress. Vaguely, she remembered buying it about a year ago, with intention of wearing it to a work dinner, before falling sick.

Hermione slipped it over her thighs, hips, then finally stopping at her chest, slipping her arms through the holes and zipping it up. She teamed this with a black cardigan that cut off at the elbow, and some black flats with a small bow on them. She let her hair down and combed her fingers through it, happy with the way the curls sat.

With one final glance at her mirror, Hermione grabbed her bad and walked determined out of her office.


Sitting next to Draco, awkwardly, she waited patiently for Astoria and Ronald to enter the door. They sat side by side, and when Hermione glanced at Draco, she noticed him staring at her. She glared at him before shifting uncomfortably.

The door to the conference room opened up, and Hermione stood up, followed by Draco. Astoria's thin hand reached around the door, and Hermione scoffed when she noticed the sheer fabric of her shirt. Draco stiffened awkwardly next to her, and she shrugged it off, before turning toward Ronald with a small smile on her lips. Ronald watched her the entire time he entered the room, and when Hermione greeted them, and gestured for the couple to sit, Ronald's eyes never left her skin.

Hermione began shaking her leg uncontrollably; her nerves were beginning to take over. Suddenly, she felt the material of Draco's pants caress her bare leg, and she silently thanked him for his small calming gesture, glad he was here to help her.

She cleared her throat, "So, Witch Weekly has requested the exclusive rights to your entire engagement, and then the wedding. This means we'd like interviews, first looks at the bridesmaids, details on wedding plans, and complete coverage of the wedding." Hermione looked up at the couple, with what she hoped was a smile on her face.

Draco's leg moved from hers, and she followed his leg for a fraction of a second, before composing herself.

"So, what do you say?" Draco's voice came from next to her, though his eyes were only on Ronald.

Ronald took a moment to look at Astoria, who nodded and turned to Draco, winking. Hermione opened her mouth in shock, before clamping it shut before anyone could notice.

"Okay, deal." Ronald's voice called, and Hermione stood up, staring at the ground the entire time.

"Fantastic," She tried to sound hopeful, "I need you to sign here." She walked to where Ronald and Astoria were sitting, before placing some parchment down, waiting for them to sign the papers.

"I think we're done here!" She said, and her shoulders felt slightly free, as she relaxed.

"Miss Granger, I'll have someone contact you in a few days; we want to start planning everything as quick as possible!" Hermione inwardly groaned as Astoria practically hopped towards her, before rushing out the door, and almost screamed when Ronald simply stared at her, making the air of the room beyond uncomfortable.

When he finally left, Hermione sunk into a nearby chair, tapping her fingers nervously.

"That didn't go so bad, did it?" Hermione could hear the smirk in Draco's voice, and she let her head fall to the table, moaning.

She was upset, to say the least. How was she supposed to handle Astoria and all her cheerfulness, mixed with Ronald just staring? Somewhere far away, she heard Draco's footsteps on the carpet, then the chair next to her scooted forward slightly, and Hermione studied Draco's shoes with insane curiosity.

Suddenly, a hand was on her back, rotating in smooth, calming circles. Hermione relaxed greatly under this touch, and wondered why she felt so calm.

"Granger?" Draco's voice came through her thoughts, and she moaned in reply, acknowledging him.

"You okay?" Hermione could hear the slight quiver in his voice, and she realized how uncomfortable he must be.

She sat up, and almost immediately, Draco moved his hand away.

"I'm fine, I didn't get much sleep last night, I guess." She said, stretching her arm slightly.

The two sat in silence for several minutes, and Hermione wondered how much work she had sitting on her desk.

"I should get back to work." She stood and walked over to the opposite end of the room, collecting her spare quill.

"Draco, I-" Just as Hermione went to thank him, Draco was gone.