They proceeded into Granger's office, Granger and Malfoy laying their papers down before Granger sat. Malfoy stood awkwardly behind her, as if he expected to be told to leave... except he looked entirely too prepossessed to think that. No, more likely he strangely thought that looming behind his employer was where he was supposed to be. Mr. Sullivan considered this to be nearly worth a laugh - the slight lad wasn't at all intimidating, and it wasn't as if - oh, my!
"Would you like some tea?" Granger asked with all the grace of an iron pig.
"I suppose." Mr. Sullivan said, waving it into existence, slightly gratified at the way that both of the kids jumped. "You have created quite the fracas this week, I see."
Hermione Granger took the bait with a sigh, saying, "Unfortunately."
"Such things will blow over, as all storms do." Mr. Sullivan continued, "Although sometimes they do leave wreckage behind."
Smirking, Malfoy nodded at that comment, before drawling, "You'll want to watch your employees more than you watch us, I think, if you're the type that likes to watch wrecked flying carpets."
"I'd hardly have hired anyone likely to fly on one of those, let alone wreck one." Mr. Sullivan said sternly.
"Naturally not. Still, a weather eye will catch you many feathers from the cat you did hire." Draco Malfoy said smiling. It was plain that he was rather enjoying talking circles around the Gryffindor - particularly as she seemed about to bubble over with annoyance.
"I must say, lad, you have sparked quite the interest around here." Mr. Sullivan said, leaning forward, "And not just from the gossips and geese."
"Mindless drones always need something to think about, don't they?" Draco Malfoy drawled, affecting a boredom that he didn't really feel.
"Ah. But powerful drones are capable of strewing caltrops in your path. In all your paths." Mr. Sullivan said pointedly.
"Where should we lumbering elephants look to for trouble?" Granger asked, all false sweetness and humility.
"Ah, well, they'll have told you that themselves." Mr. Sullivan smiled a toothy smile. "Surely you didn't think I was here to help?"
"Why are you here, then, sir?" Malfoy managed, after shifting his feet a bit.
"Merely to indulge my curiosity." Mr. Sullivan said, "I'm not harebrained enough to think that you want to be your father - that's the news in the upper decks." *
Malfoy responded with a deprecating snort.
"As I don't really believe that, I am overflowing with curiousity as to what you are up to." Mr. Sullivan deadpanned.
"I can't tell you." Malfoy said firmly.
"Oh, dear!" Mr. Sullivan chuckled, "I wouldn't dream of asking. No, curiosity is my vice, not satisfying it immediately. Now if you'll excuse me, this has been quite a pleasant diversion, but I really do have work to accomplish today..." Mr. Sullivan left without a by-your-leave from either of his hosts, his thin frame radiating firm authority.
*naval man speaking.
[a/n: Well, Mr. Sullivan for you. And yes, there's the deeper current of what non-ninnies have to think about Draco Malfoy showing up out of the blue, working for Granger as a secretary. Leave a review, tell me what you think!]