A/N This is the last part of the 'chapter', hope you like it. I won't be able to update for couple of days, so please be patient. Thank you.
Maybe just once more, pt 3
Chapter 9
"Draco, my boy" the severe-faced man old smiled softly and put his hand on boy's shoulder "I'm so glad I had lunch with you, I had wonderful time"
"Me too, Mr. Zabini" Draco nodded, trying to hide hid irritation. He met Gaston Zabini, his house mate Blaise Zabini's father, on his way out. The old Slytherin seemed very pleased of this unexpected meeting, so he suggested to Draco to have lunch in the Restaurant of the Ministry ("Excellent house elves cook splendidly" he had said). Being a proper pureblood, and a proper Malfoy, the boy couldn't refuse. So he spent one whole hour listening to Mr. Zabini complaining. It was terrifying what the ages could do to man. Gaston was more than 15 years older than Lucius, so he was… about 60 years old which wasn't much for a wizard. Draco remembered him when he had been coming to Malfoy Manor when Draco was kid. Lucius used to treat Mr. Zabini as older brother, with respect and veneration and he deserved all this. Gaston Zabini was magnificent wizard and dignified man back then. Draco used to awe him and was happy every time he got a short nod or some "How are you, young man?" it meant he was growing as a true pureblood. When the Dark Lord returned, Zabini senior stopped visiting the Malfoys and went to America, important business trip as he claimed. That business trip longed 4 years and when he came back to England he wasn't the same person. Deep wrinkles crossed his face and despite his still severe look he was all softened up. Nobody could explain why a 60 years old wizard was acting like some weak minded old man. Even his son Blaise seemed to despise him. However his old reputation still worked for him, the fools in Ministry jumped as dogs every time he showed up.
Now Draco was forced listening his speeches and memories about how it was back in his youth, how much Draco was alike Lucius, how he liked the boy and how he wished his own son was like him. Now they were walking through the hall and Malfoy was seeing the light in the end of tunnel.
"I swear you, my boy" he said "I'd be very happy if Blaise was half as helpful to me as you are to Lucius. You take care for all while your father is… away" being in Azkaban wasn't something you should be proud of, even in conservative pureblood society.
"I'm trying." Draco shrugged "I'm doing my best not to disappoint him. Family business is very important to us, Malfoys."
"It is, of course" Mr. Zabini rapped him on the shoulder. "So you know when I was young Lucius was the same as you're now. He was very ambitious boy, but he was always thinking about the good of the family first. He was fallowing his father's steps as you're fallowing his. He even gave up the marriage with this Prewett girl and married your mother, Narcissa. But as far as I know, he has never regretted that; he was happy with Narcissa, very beautiful woman if you let me notice…"
Draco stopped listening. Right next to the elevator, two people were talking and got his attention. They were wearing DMS uniforms; one of them was Brian Gallaxy. 'Great' Draco thought bitterly 'how am I supposed to act like nothing happened when she's always around?' She was right there, shamelessly chatting to that spineless fool, Gallaxy. Merlin, she had the worst taste for men ever! First was Weasel, now this… whatever. 'I so don't care where and who is she talking to! Just want to get OUT of here!'
They came to the elevator, Mr. Zabini still bubbling, and Draco pressed the button. He hoped that this freaky thing would come fast just once. A pulsing headache was driving him to the edge. Going back to his apartment, drinking a beer, reading a book, it all seemed like a distant dream. He had never realized how tiring all this work was when his father was doing it. Meeting few people, answering few letters, reading few reports, he had thought, what the big deal was. It was exhausting actually.
The heavy doors opened and Mr. Zabini and he stepped in the cabin. Draco was about to sigh in relieve when an arm slithered between the closing doors. They opened again and Granger sneaked in, panted. Some small locks of bushy brown hair had escaped the pony tail and were falling free upon her face. No make-up again, what a weird girl! She stayed still and fixed her eyes on the moving doors; never saying a word.
The cabin was moving in an incredible speed. The doors opened few times, but just some flying letters entered. Usually at this time employees of the Ministry were working hard in their own offices; something that was rare as Draco had noticed. The constant noise coming from Mr. Zabini was fusing with Draco's thoughts. He hadn't heard anything since he saw Granger. Thanks Merlin, the old man never asked questions, listening to himself was satisfying enough.
"Oh, I almost forgot" he yanked fast "I have to visit the dear Mrs. Boot; she sends me these kind owls all the time, reminding me I should drop in sometimes to sign some papers. I believe that her office was on the 8th floor. Oh, here it comes. Excuse me, Draco, my boy, but I have to leave you now"
"What?" Draco said in startled voice. "Why, Mr. Zabini?"
"It's not urgent, but if I don't do it now, I'll forget again." He laughed shortly and joked "And I think Mrs. Boot's owl is starting to believe it lives in my home"
In some other situation Draco would be grateful but now he was wondering which was worse- Gaston Zabini's bubbling, or being in the same place alone with Granger for second time today. He did his best not to sigh and nodded:
"Ok, it was good to see you, Mr. Zabini."
"The pleasure was mine, my boy"
"Say 'hello' to Blaise for me" he made an effort to smile as politely as he could.
"I will, I will" Zabini shook his hand warmly and left.
The cabin raced again through the floors. Both, Draco and Granger remained silent and looked in opposite directions. The tension could be cut with knife. He held his breath and forced himself not to make a harassing hint. He just needed to reach the top floor and get out of this bloody dungeon. He'd Disappear if he shouldn't recertify his pass again. Moreover he shouldn't worry because Granger surely was going to get off before him.
Suddenly he heard a cracking noise and the elevator stopped. He took a deep breath and asked in loud irritating voice:
"What the hell happened?"
"Oh, no" Granger mumbled under her nose and added to him "Don't chicken up, Malfoy. It's just two o'clock; they check the elevators every day at two o'clock."
"Is that why there was no one to climb in?" he snored
"Well, yeah. Everybody knows it."
"Except for you" he grimaced "Did you want to be stuck in here with me, Granger?"
"Hell of a no!" she shouted "I was just late. Moreover the whole checking longs 10 minutes, never longer. Now we have eight left"
"Why do they check elevators at this time?"
"There's three checking a day." She explained calmly trying not to yell "The morning before everyone come to work, now and the evening after everyone leave. They're looking for Dark objects and spells because the elevators are weak spot in security system. When your former Master conquered the Ministry, the elevators were key places to the attack"
"What? Granger, have you read 'History of the building of Ministry of Magic' for millionth time?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Malfoy." She jerked her head "There's no such a book"
"Is there?" he mocked "If there's not, you should write it!"
"Shut up, Malfoy" she snapped at him and leaned to the wall.
"You're an employee of the Ministry, I'm guest, no I'm more, I'm investor" he grinned evilly "there're six minutes left. So you should entertain me, Granger"
"You have hell of a wrong idea of employees of the Ministry." She snored glaring at him.
"Ok, you're not just Ministry employee." He almost whispered his grin wider and even more evil "You're my employee, too. I give you money for freaky researches."
"My researches are not freaky!" she cut him.
"Anyway." He ignored her objection "As your boss" he underlined the last word "I'm telling you, entertain me!"
"WHAT? NO FREAKIN' WAY!" She yelled indignant. For a moment wrinkled her forehead. Her brain reconsidered an idea that had just hit her. Then her face became unrecognizable. "So… you…" she started with husky low voice and made a move towards him. Even the move was so un-Granger, so bold and seductive, it took him aback. "…you want me…" she made another pause and breathed in and out temptingly; it sounded almost like a moan "…to entertain you…huh?"
Draco stepped aback and found his back fully pressed to the opposite wall. He watched helplessly how his joke was turning against him. His skin was feeling funny; like it was few sizes smaller. She moved closer and a lump stuck in his throat. He swallowed hard. Few warm shivers ran down his spine. His brain was screaming to come to his senses, but right now this mission seemed impossible. Granger came closer and put her hands on his chest causing him shortage of breath.
"And… what… kind of entertainment… do you like?" it was a miracle that he could fallow her sentence, so not to mention answering. "Maybe… if I…" she was playing with his lapels "…press myself… like that…" and she pressed her body fully against his. It turned out he was a head taller than her "…or… do that…" she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and nuzzled her face to his neck. He couldn't help but groan. Was in here 100 degrees? "Or… mmm…" Draco was feeling her breath towards his skin "you would… prefer…" her face was on the same line as his now, just few millimeters away. She closed her eyes and her voice became even lustier "…something more…?"
"Oh… yes… I…" he moaned entirely in her power "I would prefer…"
"What?" she whispered so low he couldn't have heard her if she wasn't so close. "A… kiss…" Her lips were brushing his as she talked but it wasn't a real kiss yet.
"Yeah…" he leaned forward finding her lips for a particle of the second and then he felt sharp pain in his chin. She had punched him! Again! Granger withdrew herself immediately and shouted furious:
"If you do want this kind of fun, call a HOOKER!"
Draco bent a little holding his chin. His gaze was blurry, his mind was screaming at him and he felt more humiliated than ever.
"You stupid bastard! What were you expecting?" she continued yelling and looked at him disgusted "To have sex with you here in the next four minutes left?! Three" she corrected herself "But I'm sure you'd finish your part for two!"
Hermione was so angry and continued yelling and yelling, not caring she might get heard by someone on the floors. Her face was red and her hair was going wild and her robes were a mess, so she didn't notice when Malfoy came to his senses and stared at her in an indescribable way.
"What do you think? That I'm some slut?" she didn't stop
"Granger" he said clearly and calmly "Shut up" and before she could do something he grabbed her and kissed her furiously. Now she was the one pressed to the wall and she unconsciously wrapped her warm around his neck. The kiss was more fighting than anything else, fighting for superiority. When they broke apart they were breathless and in a deadly grip.
"Malfoy, I…" this time the pause wasn't pretending. She stared at him; her eyes sparkling. "I…"
"Granger, I told you not to talk" he cut her, press their lips back together and Side-Along Disapparated both of them.
After all, the guy on the Information would have to wait until tomorrow to recertify his pass.
~********************~
One hour earlier. The restaurant of the Ministry. Ron was waiting alone on a table. Harry should show up any moment, so he often looked towards the door. Ron hated when someone was late and was making him wait. Well, this didn't mean he wasn't late sometimes himself, but this was another story. He was patting his fork on the table and the waiter asked him to stop, he had been disturbing other clients.
Draco Malfoy entered with some old man. A wave of hatred hit Ron. This day was awful. First, the secretary story was creeping him out, he had to redo the damn report, Hermione had refused his lunch invitation ('Sorry, Ron, I do have to work a lot') Harry was late, and now Draco Hideous Malfoy was here! No, certainly this day couldn't get worse. Oh yeah, he remembered what was missing to the perfect 'The worst day ever" formula- humiliation. For example, just theoretically, Malfoy to make out with his (Ron's) girlfriend! It wouldn't be such a surprise, according to Hermione's coldness towards Ron himself. 'Don't give the Destiny ideas!' he scolded himself. "oh, here Harry comes'
"Hi, Ron." The auror greeted dryly.
"Hi, mate. What's up?" he asked as Harry took his seat.
"Nothing. Lots of work"
"Look, Harry" Ron started after they ordered their food "The weirdest thing happened today."
"What?" Harry scowled, obviously in bad mood.
"My boss came to me and told me he never employed Lavender Brown! He has never even met her!" Redhead's eyes widened.
"Jeez, man, this sound like some Muggle crappy mystery movie" Harry shook his head and took a gulp of his pumpkin juice.
"I'm telling you, Harry! Lavender didn't show up and this thing with my boss, it's weird. Did I tell you yesterday that Ellen's ghost is screwing me out?"
"Ron" Harry started seriously "Did I tell you yesterday that this girl, Lavender is a nut!?"
"You think, she's…?"
"Of course!" Harry raised his voice, a little irritated. When Ron glared and him and he sighed then asked "How does it go with Hermione?"
"It doesn't" Ron said sullen "She was especially jumpy last night. I couldn't touch her again. She went to bed at like 7 o'clock and this morning she was up at 6. I do not understand her! She acts so… weird"
"To be honest, Ginny was acting strange, too, last night" Harry stroked his chin.
"Do you think it's related?" Ron blinked fast.
"Wait, you were acting bizarre, too"
"No, I wasn't!" the redhead denied immediately shaking his head as kid.
"Ron, you tried to eat a towel." Harry declared, raising his brows.
"Hey, I was distracted, because I was tired. That's all."
"Are you completely and entirely honest with me?" The-Boy-Who-Lived fixed his eyes on his friend's.
"Oh, dear, do you think it will affect our relationship?" Ron whined sarcastically, avoiding the question.
"Fine." Harry gave up. "Have you noticed Draco Malfoy is here?"
"Yeah, but he works here I think, so…"
And they went on conversation devoted to their common hatred to Malfoy and his family of Dark Wizards.
~***********************~
Whole God damned report! Page 27 and the end weren't even near. The quill was writing and writing on the parchment and Ron was getting sulkier and sulkier. He didn't remember exactly what he had written in this report before, usually he was making up some fudges and his boss was happy just to have the papers. Ron doubted he was even reading it.
It was five o'clock already and he had so more to do. He was sure that tonight he would have to sleep here. If this was what Hermione was doing every day, he'd understand why she was so tired, but not why she was so cold. A nice bed performance would be the perfect repose to him.
A beautiful sunset was mocking him from the magical window. The light was playing with his brain, making shadows and circles all over his office. He went to a shelf to take a folder and the room darkened. He looked around, this was far too creepy. Was really Ellen's ghost? Or some other enemies?
The dusk had two effects on him- freaking him out or turning him on. So he was alone and thinking of ghosts, icy shivers ran all over his body.
Than a curly-haired figure in lacy clothes Apparated in the frame of the door. 'Merlin was this Hermione? If yes, thank you! If no, thank you more!' Ron thought. The second effect of the dusk was appeared.
"Hey, tiger" he heard the husky whisper of Lavender Brown.
"La…" he began and dropped the folder he had just taken.
"…Vender" she murmured sexily, there was nothing sweet and tweeting in her voice. "I came to say how I'm sorry about yesterday"
"You've really been here?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes, I have" she groaned a little while saying that "As I am now."
"Thank Merlin" he sighed in relieve. "I thought I was crazy"
She stepped closer and started to circle around him. She must have worn a very thick cloak, because her robes were almost transparent. She ran her hand through his hair.
"Would you like to go relaxing, working boy?" she asked low "I'll do everything so you'll feel relaxed."
"I…" Ron had lost his ability of self-criticism somewhere of the moment when Lavender had first spoken. His ego and his libido were both screaming in conjunction, so he'd never hear his conscience even if it tried to protest "Just one question, Lav."
"Yes, my Won-Won"
"What did you do to my report?"
"This report?" and she pulled out a thick folder underneath his desk. "I put it here, because I thought you may need it."
"Oh, I love you, Lavender!" Ron shouted joyfully and grabbed her on the waist. He tapped twice with his wand on the folder and it flew away. Then he kissed the blonde passionately.
So if I continue we should do an age circle around the story because it would be strongly unsuitable for minors. Here we stop; we have kids in our audience!
