Guess whos back! I don't own anything...Sadly.
Chapter 7: Observations
The week flew by without anymore cases and a sense of normality came back. Draco worked endlessly with Lavender, understanding the importance of the position and what to expect. Lavender introduced him to a laptop Hermione insisted they used to keep organization between the two of them accessible. It came to a surprise to both woman that Draco already had experience with the device and worked on it without complaint. He had all the required skills but also held more then any of them expected.
On several occasions Hermione was surprised at how quickly and efficiently he worked, not that she was complaining about Lavender. It's just the last couple of months she had to slow down a bit to allow the pregnant woman to keep up with her, she'll never tell Lav that, goodness she would burst into tears and work harder then her body would be capable of.
It was a late Friday evening when a soft knock on her door came to her attention. She let out a kind ''come in'' knowing it was Lavender.
''I'm off Hermione. Today was my last day, I think Draco will handle all the work well, if not better then I could be capable of. He seemed ready for the job after the first day'' Lav explained as she closed the door and took a seat next to Hermione.
''Well then I guess we'll be fine until you return'' Hermione responded with a dramatic sigh.
Opening the first drawer on her desk she took out a medium sack and placed it in front of Lavender. Her friend's eyes widen at Hermione, surprise to see the small fortune.
''Mione I can't take that it to much. I'll be getting an allowance for maternity leave, so there's really no need.'' Lav objected as she tried to push the sack of coins towards Hermione.
''Lav, it's not the ministry paying you up, it's me. Please take as a present. I haven't been able to get you a proper gift will the lack of time I have to go out and honestly, it's the least I could do for you for all these years. Please? I know you haven't been able to get yourself new clothes for once the baby comes so please take it.'' Hermione persuaded.
With a heavy sigh Lavender took the bag, smiling gratefully at Hermione. Standing up she went around the desk to give her closes friend a tight hug, well as much as her stomach would allow. Hermione retuned the hug, as Lav began to cry. Chuckling at the woman's hormones she gave her one final squeeze before letting her go.
''I'll see you on Sunday for lunch at the Burrow, alright?'' Hermione said reassuringly. Not trusting her voice, Lavender nodded eagerly before walking out of her friend's office, closing the door behind her.
Hermione sat back at her desk and smile at how her life has changed since Angie's birth. The thought of her daughter forced her back to work, knowing the sooner she gets the reports done, the sooner she'd see her angel.
At exactly 9pm Hermione began to gather all her work and clear off her desk. She put all her documents that she would work on over the weekend into a black briefcase and gathered all her belongings. Closing her door and adding extra wards it she began to walk down to the flood channels. As it was Friday night, many of her workers took a half-day and left around 4:00pm that evening. There were still a few workers lingering around as she passed them. She gave them all kind smiles that encouraged them to work harder.
When she reached Lavender's old office the door was open to let a gentle draft from the window into the room, she was surprised at the sight in front of her. At the comfortable office chair Hermione bought for Lavender 2 months prior for the poor woman's back, sat an exhausted Malfoy scribbling furiously with a…. Muggle pen? Hermione would never have thought she'd see the day when Malfoy touched anything made by mud—
Don't think like that Hermione! Her inner thoughts screamed at her. How could you be so prejudice towards someone who you haven't spoken to in over 4 years. Don't be so…so..unHermione.
Her thoughts drifted towards the blond's feature. She will admit that he has matured physically in the four years. His hair was untamed by the number of times he's ranked his hand through it in frustration and he wore a simple muggle Oxford shirt with black suit pants and black shoes. His tie was crooked from the day's work and his sleeve on his right arm was drawn to the elbow, while the other stayed down. She understood why it was down as she has done so many times in the past. She wondered if his was fading. Every day she saw it in the mirror slowly going away. The healers at St. Mungo's couldn't heal it because Bellatrix used a cursed dagger and there was no cure for a cursed scar.
''Can I help you with something Granger?'' A voice brought her out of her trance. Feeling her cheeks blush with the fact that she had been caught staring at him, she looked at anything but his face.
''I just wanted to let you know I was leaving, Malfoy.'' Hermione explained. ''I don't know if Lavender told you, but I take my weekends very seriously, I usually don't bring any work with me and if something comes up with your work and need to run it by me, I'd appreciate it if it could wait until Monday morning.''
''What if it can't wait until Monday morning?'' Draco questioned utterly confused by the fact that he was not allowed to contact her for 2 days. He genuinely was worried about it as he was accustomed to ask or contact his advisor during the weekends.
''Then you send me a floo call, but that is only for real emergencies. I'm usually home on Saturday but I'm out Sunday afternoon till evening. If it truly cannot wait until Monday morning then don't hesitate to contact me'' Hermione offered kindly. It was strange to communicate with Malfoy without throwing insults at each other.
''Alright, well I'll leave you to it. I hope you enjoy your weekend Granger. Oh, and another thing, the report came in about elf inspection in working facilities. The ministry needed a few workings to check major elf residents around the area. Places like hospitals, schools, orphanages and restaurants'' Draco handed her the report before going back to work.
''I'll look over it during the weekend and get back to you on Monday. I best be off, don't stay here too late Malfoy.'' She began to walk away until she heard
''Am I imagining it or are you actually worried for me Granger?'' wearing his signature smirk.
''Don't think of yourself so highly Malfoy. I simply don't want to hire and train a new assistant without Lavender. It would be a nightmare'' She quipped back.
''I am curious to how you too became such great friends, and I never knew the girl understood the aspects of working let alone using a brain'' He retorted sarcastically. However, Hermione didn't catch the sarcasm
''Lavender has changed and has made her name known. She is independent, bright, and only needed to be around the right type of people to push her to who is today. She did what most couldn't, she accepted her past, learned from mistakes and broke out of bad habits. Clearly, for people like you, old habits never die'' she was seeing red, but she didn't care.
Draco was shocked at her, shocked and speechless she continued.
''Lavender is family. She was by my side for those months, bathing me, forcing me to eat so we were healthy, making sure we survived but that wouldn't matter to you since you were never there. I understand that you had it rough the past few year but don't hold someone based on who they are now, I—''
''Funny how that's what you're doing now. Look Granger, I was only teasing, and I didn't realize how you wouldn't catch my sarcasm since we aren't friends. But I didn't mean to come of rude or snarky, I am sorry'' Draco frowned as he waited for a reaction, perhaps more ranting from the woman in front of her.
For the second time in the last 10 minutes, Hermione flushed with embarrassment. How could she let herself go and jump into conclusion? He clearly has changed, him apologizing was proof of that. Never in her wildest dreams would she every think of DRACO MALFOY apologizing to her.
''I should be the one apologizing, it wasn't right of me to jump into conclusion, let alone judge you for our past. We're adults and I reacted like some stupid teenager. Please accept my apology'' Hermione finished looking down suddenly interested in her heeled boots.
The long silence lingered in the air as they both had conflicting thoughts in their heads. It was unbearable until Hermione had enough of it. Taking all her courage she looked up and saw him staring at her with an unreadable expression. She took a deep breath and said:
''Since you and I will be working together for some time I think it's time we put our past behind us and just get…. acquaintance with each other. I don't want any more miscommunication between us''
''Yes of course'' was all the reply she got. Battling with herself to get more of a response with him. In the end she decided that it was best for both of them to think it through the weekend and start fresh on Monday morning. Giving a final nod she walked out of the office, towards the floo corridor and made her way to the Burrow to collect Angie.
Back at the office Draco was still standing looking out the door. From Hermione's rant one line stood out to him the most. It repeated itself over and over again.
…She was by my side for those months, bathing me, forcing me to eat so we were healthy, making sure we survived but that wouldn't matter to you since you were never there…
Who was 'we' or 'us'? Why was it a survival situation? Why did it matter if he was there or not? So many questions ran through his head. Blaming it on the amount of work he's done to keep up with Granger in the past week, he was exhausted. He was about to floo home when a sudden wave of loneliness washed over him. Instead, he flooed to the orphanage and to his mother.
And I am alive! Sorry I kept you guys waiting. I had so many deadlines and assignments complete. But since it's the holidays and I have a little bit more time to myself I think I might be able to write more. Anyways, Merry Christmas Guys and I hope you enjoyed. Please rate and review. Tell me how you guys like it. Is it taking too long to the kidnapper part? Did you's forget about that? Do you want more Dramione? Is it too slow? Please tell me guys!