Over 15,000 hits! I am both flattered and ecstatic. Thanks so much for the constructive criticism and paeans of praise I've received over this literary journey.
Best to EllenDraper who induced me to reflect upon my chapter names, and to "wow" who WOWed me with some wake up calls. Thanks to you both and everyone else who reviewed.
I won't even bother with apologizing for updating so late. I've already berated myself enough. I've always been my harshest critic.
Ladies and Gentleman: It's been a pleasure.
A/N: (insert sore attempt at relinquishing all rights to J. K. Rowling here)
"I'm just not sure our investors want to put their money into a product so… unbelievable."
I'll show you unbelievable…
Draco's jaw twitched as he listened to the expected concerns of Peter Thiel, the owner of a prominent investment firm in America. What irritated Draco most of all were the other companies who appeared to be Peter's lackeys. They seemed to flock and agree with Thiel's apprehensions by asking importunate and boorish questions about Malfoy's upcoming product.
"Mr. Malfoy, by no means am I denying the success of your previous products, but there are too many risks-"
"You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Thiel. The fourth prototype was brought to the board last week and worked almost impeccably. Of course we must fix a few bugs and minor details, but our fifth archetype is due two weeks from now with the repairs."
Mr. Thiel rubbed his chin considerately at Draco. He was a former business associate of Lucius, but shirked from the partnership as the man was sent to Azkaban. Now he sat in the boardroom of Lucius' son, looking upon the extempore speech of a calm and composed Draco.
The younger Malfoy was as much of a businessman as his father had been, and showed even more promising qualities. What drew Peter to Draco was his empathy, a trait that Lucius sorely lacked. Peter looked down at his papers and perused its content as Draco implored the investors not to miss this one-time opportunity.
Peter folded his hands in his lap and looked squarely at Malfoy.
"I'm sorry Mr. Malfoy, I just don't think this is the right move for my investors at the moment."
Peter shuffled the portfolio in front of him and turned to speak in hushed tones with the man at his side. Mr. Thiel arose to take departure but was interrupted by the melodious words of a woman sitting a few seats away from Draco.
"Mr. Thiel, I know you're one to invest in the more dicey products on the market."
"And what would you be insinuating there, Miss?"
"You invest in artificial intelligence and anti-aging research," her chocolate eyes flicked up to his own, "What I mean to say, is that you're a man who's not afraid to take a gamble. After all, the bigger the risk the bigger the reward."
She smiled at him.
"Malfoy Industries has proven time and time again that this company is not volatile in any way, nor is it a company to be ignored. We were one of the only companies whose shares never fell during the most recent financial crisis. Furthermore, Malfoy Industries has a net worth over 860 billion galleons. Forgive me if I'm wrong Mr Thiel, but is that not more than eight trillion U.S. dollars?"
Peter's eyes glazed over her final words. Hermione rejoiced internally; she had hit his weak spot: any opportunity to rake in the galleons.
"I believe the facts speak for themselves."
Mr. Thiel quirked his brows, instantly taken with the professional boldness of the attractive and intelligent women before him. She straightened her pinstripe jacket and absently twisted a curl deliciously around her finger.
He was impressed, and interested to know more.
"Alright, Miss Granger, dazzle me."
She didn't even blink at his request. Instead, she stood and addressed Thiel and his constituents.
"You've heard what Mr. Malfoy has to say about the cellular prototype, you've seen the projected returns, and now it is time to take a chance. When Lucius Malfoy approached each of you with the idea of bringing televisions to the Wizarding World you scoffed. You all told him that it could never, and would never take off."
Hermione stopped short as she felt each pair of eyes on her… all but one. She looked over at Malfoy whose troubled gaze lay on the portfolio and bandaged hand before him. She could see the distress on his features, but his stubbornness refused to let him look up. He wouldn't allow her to see the appreciation in his cloudy grey eyes.
She sighed, but carried on with more passion than before.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Lucius asked everyone here to take a risk and that's exactly what you all did. Every investor in this room contributed a combined three hundred million galleons to Malfoy Industries' first endeavor to combine Muggle technology with magic."
Hermione paused for effect.
"Take a look at what this company has accomplished. Our magic televisions were an economic sensation, and thousands of successful products later, Malfoy Industries remains a top achiever and has monopolized the technology market. Your investors have made more money off Malfoy Industries than every other corporation on the New York Stock Exchange."
Now she personally regarded Peter.
"Lucius may not be with us as we speak, and we may be new faces to you, but I for one am passionate and excited about the prospects of this prototype and the direction of Malfoy Industries. This is a fresh and bold idea that will undoubtedly be this corporation's next success and we are asking you to be a part of that. This time, Mr. Thiel, I'm not asking you to take a gamble, I'm asking you to invest in something bigger: this is the future of wizarding technology."
Mr. Thiel looked at Hermione, back down to his portfolio, and then whispered quietly to the two men beside him.
"Would you give us a few minutes, Mr. Malfoy? Miss Granger?"
"Of course." Malfoy coolly replied before Hermione could respond.
Her hand itched to thump Malfoy's composed form that had replaced his earlier worrisome stance.
The Malfoy Industries' associates left and waited outside the conference room with baited breath. Castillo's eyes were furrowed and he conversed heatedly with Abbott, Zabini, and Clayton. Hermione saw Matthew approaching her. Unconventionally wearing dress robes that complimented his raven hair and haunting azure eyes, Matthew regarded Hermione with a pleased grin. He snaked his arm around her and she jumped, surprised at the sudden contact to her waist.
"You, my dear Hermione, are an absolute life saver."
Hermione laughed at Blooming's merriment but told him cautiously that it wasn't over yet. He scoffed and praised her performance again, to which she could not help but blush. To her relief, Jackie moved between them both and threw an arm casually around Matthew and Hermione.
"I've got a fantastic feeling about this. It's just what we need to push the prototype through. Mark my words, by next quarter every witch and wizard will have their very own Malfoy Industries-serviced cell phone."
"How wonderful," Hermione lamented at the thought, "Malfoy will now have access to my private cell phone calls and messages. Blackmail is eminent."
The two men chuckled.
"You're a hoot Granger," Jackie marveled, squeezing her shoulder before he and Matthew joined the others.
"Hermione."
She smiled genuinely at Theodore who had taken her small hand in his own.
"If I so much as hear one word of admiration and thanks from your mouth, I will have no choice but to hex you."
He frowned theatrically and relished Hermione's timid smile.
"Not even one?"
She shook her head stubbornly, eyes bright and rich brown curls swaying. That wench had no idea the things she did to him; even simple quotidian actions made Theo want to snog her senseless.
"You'll just have to let me make it up to you another time then."
"How suggestive," she retorted with a saucy wink and Theo was instantly besotted.
Hermione glanced over at Malfoy's hunched form. He was leaning back, shoulders and back pressed against an Italian sofa, his eyes closed in thought. Draco's anxious expression spoke of his interior contemplations, and Hermione fought the urge to go over and comfort him. She simply could not forgive him for what had happened.
She just felt so puzzled.
It was for the best Hermione thought, leaving her feelings behind and acting like nothing had happened at Mungo's. Draco Malfoy was nothing but a synonym for trouble, confusion, and hurt – three facets she did not need to complicate her life further. Malfoy was a disturbed man with a complex, and his erratic behavior told Hermione she could not trust him. Perhaps it was Hermione's longing to save Malfoy that caused her thoughts to wander to him constantly; she would have to stave off her desires for him if not to save her own sanity.
Hermione walked towards Draco – she could maintain her poise and grace despite his presence that induced an unexplainable temptation to surface within.
Malfoy's eyes flickered open as she reached his side. She attempted a determined look, which probably appeared as some sort of facial contortion.
Malfoy grinned.
"Granger?" he asked, bemused.
Before she could open her mouth and counter his smug expression, one of the investors opened the door and asked for Draco Malfoy.
Guess I'll take a rain check on wringing your neck until after this meeting.
Every person returned to his or her seats; anticipation permeated in the air like a thick blanket. Hermione couldn't hold her patience.
She looked to Adrian, who was seated at her left. He met her gaze knowingly and squeezed her hand under the table. In this particular moment, it didn't matter that a git like Pucey was reassuring her; Hermione's urgency to know Thiel's decision transcended any awkwardness she would have otherwise endured from Adrian's touches.
And after what felt like a decade later, Peter cleared his throat.
"Miss Granger, you and Mr. Malfoy are two different people with two very different approaches to business. But…"
She held her breath.
"I can see that you are hardworking professionals, action-orientated, confident, and creative. You both have high standards and a professionalism that exudes leadership and a sincere desire to help not only yourselves, but everyone involved in this process. And I must, of course, address your undeniable ambition, drive, and hunger for success."
Is it just me, or is it over a hundred degrees in this room?
"We've deliberated. And frankly, Miss Granger, your zeal has given me the confirmation and faith I needed to reinvest with Mr. Malfoy. We're in."
Zabini, who had taken to clenching his fist in expectation, choked in surprise. He was certain Malfoy Industries had lost Thiel, but Granger had shown business prowess and impressed him and every other person in the room. A second of silence passed and the room burst to life with claps on the shoulder and excited chatter.
Peter reached over the table and shook hands firmly with Hermione.
"Looking forward to working with you, Miss Granger. Keep me updated."
"Pleasure's all mine. We'll be in touch."
"That's what I like to hear."
With a curt nod, Peter was subsequently surrounded by his fellow investors in their loud and exited banter. Each Malfoy Industries' board member shook hands with dozens of new faces, congratulating each other with enthusiastic hugs and words of elation. Even though she wanted to appear humble, Hermione couldn't help but bask surreptitiously in the glory of her executive triumph.
As men and women gradually departed from the room, Theo who remained in the room to help Hermione clean up, quickly discerned the not-so-subtle tension between Malfoy and the brunette witch. She had snarled at Draco the second he smirked in her direction causing Nott to run his hands through his dark curls in mild trepidation.
"Are you and Malfoy having another spat?" he questioned, his tenor voice laced with concern.
Hermione closed the drawer behind her and frowned. She turned to Theo, arms crossed and threw a glance at Malfoy. That white blond monster appeared to be nonchalantly checking his Muggle cell phone, but his smirk gave away his attempts at eavesdropping.
"You say spat as though we're lovers."
She scrunched up her nose with utter distate.
"No, Malfoy and I are not having a tiff. I think he's just upset that Peter took a liking to me rather than his spoiled rich boy demeanor."
To Hermione's delight, Malfoy scoffed indignantly.
"Granger's full of shit, Nott. What she means to say is that our creative differences have gotten in the way of our team work."
"Keep telling yourself that, Malfoy."
"Alright," he drawled, giving her an unctuous smirk, "Let's rephrase that to cooperation, or perhaps business relationship?"
"We don't have a business relationship!" Hermione snapped.
"Merlin, calm down Granger. Your bloody voice will wake up the sleeping Durmstrang students in Norway if you keep that up."
"And your mere presence would give any Beauxbatons witch a migraine."
"You and I both know I'd be giving her much more than a migraine…"
"You disgust me."
"The feeling is mutual, I assure you," Draco quipped, looking down and admiring his freshly cut fingernails.
"Tosser."
"Slag."
"Well children," Theo interjected, sighing at the maturity level of his co-workers, "As cute as this verbal diatribe is, let's give it a rest, eh? I'm absolutely knackered and it's almost four."
"If I didn't know any better," Draco glowered, "I'd say you're asking for a day off, Nott."
"That's exactly what I'm asking for," Theo countered.
Draco's eyes narrowed.
As entertaining as Hermione and Draco's arguments were, sometimes Theo got bored and thoroughly bothered by their childish squabbles. This was one of those days he didn't need want to hear their incessant quarreling.
"If you think you're–"
"Actually Malfoy, Theo makes a point. We're all tired and we need some rest and relaxation in order to commence our aggressive marketing campaign tomorrow."
"No need to get your knickers in a bunch, Granger. I just got out of Mungo's and I don't plan on returning there to visit you after panty surgery."
Hermione huffed.
"I'll ask Gina to send a company-wide email informing everyone of the early day. Happy?"
Mother of Merlin… did Granger just smile at me?
Hermione shifted the binders under her arm and Theo proffered a hand to help her. Draco wanted to sock Nott in his manhood at the way he ogled Hermione's cleavage.
Nott, you bloody wanker. I'm going to… wait…
"Theo, Granger and I need to talk."
"Alone? Is that really necessary?" she asked with a sigh.
As she absently tossed a curl out of her eye, Draco felt desire scorching at the pit of his stomach. He was disgusted with himself. What was he doing pining after a Mudblood! He wanted to laugh crudely at the absurdity of it all.
"Complaining, Granger?" Draco inquired lazily.
Theo put a hand on her clenched forearm, taking the files out of her grasp. His light touch on her waist was a gesture that pacified Hermione, and she leaned into him and the comfort he was giving. Nott smiled.
"I'll be outside."
As the door clicked behind her, Hermione scowled at the sneer on Malfoy's face. His darkening orbs glinted mischievously, and Hermione was angst-ridden. She slid her hand into her pant pocket and fingered at her wand, just in case.
"And what is it that you want, Malfoy?" she spat.
"Since you're asking so nicely, I've always wanted world peace."
Hermione crossed her arms furiously over her breasts causing Draco's eyes to wander down the rest of her body. She colored when she noticed his wandering attention, and his arousal bourgeoned instantly.
"How about something more realistic, Malfoy?"
"I want to talk about desire, Granger."
Hermione felt as if all oxygen left her body as he stepped towards her. She knew she should be panicking, but instead Hermione could almost sense her body perk up as if bewitched.
She froze as a pale hand softly touched her cheek and tossed a curl aside.
"You've been doing that all day you know-"
Hermione was going to asphyxiate if he kept touching her. All she could manage was a subdued squeak in response. How was it that he had the ability to render her so speechless?
"Torturing me."
"I-I did nothing of the sort," she stammered, suddenly finding her voice.
He chortled darkly and traced the skin from her cheek to her jaw, resting finally on her flushed neck.
"Must I keep chasing you?"
His husky voice tickled Hermione's forehead. Draco Malfoy was intoxicating.
"You're killing me softly, Granger," he whispered as his hand found the elastic at her hip.
Thoughtlessly she leaned into him, an unintelligible sound escaping his lips as their bodies met.
"Fuck."
They did not need to kiss; his agile touches sent her to a state of euphoria and pure bliss. He trailed from the base of her stomach to her belly button, and reached the space between her laced bra. As his finger slipped beneath, she seemed to regain control of her body and shoved him away.
"Malfoy! I thought we were done with this. At least that's what I thought when you told me to stay away from you."
"You really think I want you to stay away when my hands are up your shirt?" he thundered.
Gods, Granger. You're so stubborn all the time.
"You're so vulgar, Malfoy!"
"Bollocks, Granger. I'm stating the obvious!"
"Oh, fuck you. Don't you dare touch me!"
Draco noticed the color that filled her cheeks. She was breathing heavily from yelling at him, her breasts heaving. All he wanted was to pull her back into him, tell her wanted her, and shag her silly. He needed Hermione to just see that this whole predicament pained and confused him as much as it did to her.
"Granger, I can't verbalize this to you, whatever this is. And Gods, you may think I'm mental but I don't even understand myself. Do you know what that feels like?"
"Stop playing the abused. I'm sick of you're attention seeking and unpredictable behavior."
"Can't you just shut up and listen for one second?"
"By all means, Malfoy," Hermione bit, "Take the floor and explain exactly what is going on in that thick skull of yours – if anything at all."
All Draco could see was red. Blinding blood ink red.
"You know what Granger? You drive me nuts with your stupid voice, and your fucking need to have your opinions heard. You strut around my workplace with a stick up your bum, butting into everyone else's business, and eating our partners' heads with garbage talk of spew–"
"It's S.P.E.W.!"
"There you go again! Correcting everyone like you're Professor McGonagall and it's bloody annoying. You're so self-righteous, that coupled with the fact you believe you're smarter than everyone in the fucking company makes me gag. And you know what, Granger? None of that matters anymore, because that's what I li-"
"Oh yeah? Well you can take all your insults and shove them right up–"
His deep voice interrupted her.
"Granger just listen!"
"YOU CRETIN! YOU VILE HORRIBLE PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A MAN! YOU SAY YOU DON'T WANT TO BE LIKE YOUR FATHER, WELL WAKE UP MALFOY - YOU'RE JUST LIKE LUCIUS IN EVERY FUCKING WAY!"
"I'm warning you, Granger. You know nothing of my father."
He sounded chilling, like death.
"You're a hypocritical chauvinistic bigot. You're a downright git and you always will be. People like you don't change, Malfoy."
His pale nose flared, his mouth twitching to abuse her in every horrible fantastical way he could imagine.
"You, will always be a foul pathetic mudblood who should know when to shut her fucking mouth."
With those final words, he stormed from the room and elbowed passed Theo, who called out his name. Tears welled up in the corner of her eye and threatened to give way. She couldn't breathe.
They are chemical. Hermione knew in that moment that the truth of their pasts and their very nature spelled out the fact that they were wrong for each other.
Passion, yearning, need, desire.
Fuck it all.
Hermione bolted from the room, but Theo latched onto her wrist and pulled her into an embrace.
"Hermione! Are you alright?" he asked, the concern evident in his voice.
As he smoothed her hair, she wiped the tears from her eyes and pressed into him.
She felt so conflicted, part of her wanted to retaliate and scream at Draco about all the ways she hated him and his character. They always fought as though it was coded into their blood. Together they are the loud screams and piercing cries, slamming doors and smashing plates. Clenched jaws and empty threats.
She sighed, empty. Hermione could no longer do this; it wasn't healthy for either of them. What she needed was something new, something to get her mind off Draco. Hermione had already promised herself to discard any feelings for him. And here was her escape: a man with his arms currently wrapped around her.
"Are you sure everything is fine?"
She withdrew from his hold and thought for a moment. The corners of Hermione's lip curled, her brown eyes bright.
"Still interested in going on a date, Theo?"
Look forward to: Hermione's date with Theo at the Burrow, a visit to Mungo's (again?), and someone else makes a late debut to the story!
(insert bribery for reviews here) I miss writing this and reading your reviews ):