Chapter Eleven
The sun was shining through Hermione's open window as she was making herself some lunch; she'd tossed and turned all night. She'd finally decided to just give up; so she'd gotten out of bed at like four in the morning and made a list. She was going to wash her bedding, steam clean her furniture and rugs, and then paint her bedroom. She'd taken a break after cleaning her furniture, after lunch she just had to empty out her room, paint and then put it all back in.
Hermione sighed; she was just sitting down at her kitchen table when a screech owl flew through her window. It held out its leg for Hermione to take the letter; it had the usual addressee on it, and on the back she found the Ministry's seal. Opening up the envelope, Hermione read the letter:
Dear Miss Granger,
I'm happy to announce that we are ready to start your advanced training. If you would please come into the Ministry today, we would be happy to meet you in the Department of Magical Education at 3 o'clock.
Sincerely yours,
Mafalda Hopkirk.
Hermione had scarfed down her lunch and jumped in the shower as soon as she finished reading it. It was already 1:30, and Hermione still needed to find the Department.
Frowning, Hermione stepped out her front door and hour later. She was running late, she only had half an hour to get there. Disapparating with a *POP*, Hermione appeared at the apparation point in the Ministry.
Hermione was feeling bustled, she asked the receptionist in the atrium for the floor number and then went and jumped into a lift, she only had another ten minutes. She was irritated; it was just like the Ministry to assume she'd drop everything and come racing in. She had of course, but it was still rude.
Draco was staring around his kitchen as Daphne was making breakfast; he still couldn't quite understand why she was sticking around. She'd said something about Pansy and then something else about…something. Draco shook his head; she was confusing to listen to now that she somehow stopped hating him. She kept switching subjects then jumping back to them, it gave Draco a headache; so he suggested that they get some food. So she, of course, took that to mean she should make something.
Draco was so busy try to think of a plan to get her to leave, that he didn't notice she was trying to talk to him until she banged the frying pan on the counter. Draco flinched and covered his head with his hands; he could feel the noise ricocheting off inside his head.
"Merlin, woman. What was that for?" Draco asked giving her a dirty look.
Daphne smirked, "You weren't listening to me."
Draco sighed, "Okay, fine, what would you like?"
Narrowing her eyes, "What do you want to eat?" Daphne asked, putting the frying pan back on the stove.
"Uhmm, coffee." Draco said absentmindedly. He was watching the house elves giving Daphne horrified looks, she'd forbade them to cook them breakfast and she wouldn't let Draco get a word in edge wise.
Daphne frowned, "That's not food."
Draco ran a hand through his hair, "Yeah, I know. But I'm not hungry."
Daphne sighed and got him some coffee.
"You know, I'm not one of those crazy people who don't know when to leave."
Draco smirked, "Alright."
Frowning, Daphne huffed, "No, it's true."
Draco narrowed his eyes, and cocked his head, "Then why are you still here?" he asked curiously.
"It's just something Pansy use to say." Daphne sighed, "If you had fun, you make breakfast." Shrugging, Daphne sat down across from Draco and put her chin in her hand, "And then slip out while they're eating."
Draco frowned, "Huh…"
Daphne nodded, "Well, if you don't want something to eat," she started, standing up, "I'm just going to leave."
Draco sighed, "Yeah, thanks." He called as she walked out of the kitchen, Ughh, girls are confusing, Draco thought, rubbing his temples. But know that she was gone; he had time to think again, which seemed to hurt even more this morning because of his headache.
When Draco heard the front door click, he stood up and ran a hand through his hair; he needed to get out again. Last night didn't go so well, Draco thought moving towards the stairs. He'd go out as his wolf today, but not to the forest, he thought less in that form. Sighing, Draco climbed the stairs to his room.
Hermione was sitting in the Department of Magical Education tapping her feet; she'd gotten there on time, but she hadn't been called in yet; it seemed like she'd been waiting for hours. She was nervous, she couldn't believe that they'd keep her waiting this long if it was something good.
Hermione sighed; she really just wanted to go home, she was actually excited to paint her room. It may have just started out as a distraction, but now she just wanted to.
Hermione was just about to get up and leave when someone walked in. Looking at a piece of paper, the man glanced up at Hermione and smiled, "You must be Miss. Granger, its pleasure to meet your acquaintance. My name is Thomas Gaunt, and I'll be working with you this summer."