Chapter 1
Hermione took the note from the Owls leg and gave it a little treat which it gratefully ate before flying off.
She unrolled the parchment and read the neat, handwritten note with little interest. She had a commission, which was good but if it was anything like the last few, she didn't have any great expectations.
She put the note to one side and moved back to her easel, leaning her head to one side to assess her work so far. The proportions needed tweaking on the bench her two elderly subjects were sitting on but other than that she was happy with it.
She rubbed her eyes and stretched, the message from work having interrupted her flow. She decided to go into the studio and get details of the new commission. She could then look at her current projects with fresh eyes when she returned.
Forty minutes later she was in the large office at the back of the art studio with Jamie, her immediate boss and friend. He was the same age as her and an extremely talented artist who, as well as painting himself, was tasked with distributing the work to the other artists.
"That was quick," he said, not turning away from his easel but hearing her enter from the front studio.
"Yeah, I was struggling so I thought I'd have a break," Hermione peered at his artwork over his shoulder. It was a large painting of the outside of the Ministry of Magic with a few distinguished looking wizards standing in a group.
"Looks great!" Hermione nodded her head approvingly.
Jamie put his brush down and swivelled round on his stool. "Thanks, I'm pleased with it."
"Great commission too," Hermione commented, trying not to sound too sour that her allocated subject matter didn't come anywhere near matching this.
Jamie twisted his lips at her, easily seeing through her cover up. "I know yours have been a bit uninspiring lately. I do try to spread the less interesting ones out but sometimes your time restraints impact which ones I can give you."
Hermione smiled at him. "I know…I wasn't complaining…..well maybe a little bit….."
He grinned back at her. "Well, be careful what you wish for Miss Granger because your latest commission is anything but boring….but with greatness, comes responsibility….." He grinned at his own humour.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "Ooh, now you have me intrigued!"
Jamie slid off his stool and called her over to the large desk which was high enough for them to stand at. He slid a folder from a large pile and opened it up to show a signed off commission sheet. Hermione pointed at the Customer name at the top. "W.N.R.O?" she looked at Jamie who grinned at her.
"Yep," he said, nodding enthusiastically.
"The Wizard Natural Resources Organization?" Hermione repeated.
"Yeah – it's a prestigious commission. Alexia had to fight for it."
Alexia was the studio owner – a large, gregarious man who usually wouldn't take no for an answer. Hermione liked him a lot.
"Given your penchant for the exotic I knew this one was perfect for you," Jamie turned a page and Hermione gaped at the image in front of her.
"A dragon?!" she exclaimed. "And I don't have a penchant for the exotic," she added, smiling to soften her words.
Jamie chuckled. "Oh, you so do!" he corrected her. "Dark, moody, exciting…..all your paintings lean that way."
"None of those words can be used to describe the two ancient wizards on a bench in their garden that is my current project!" Hermione rolled her eyes. "I think you may be overselling my abilities here!"
Jamie shook his head. "No, I'm not and what's more, you know I'm not. Your animal paintings are always outstanding and as for the exotic, remember the Mermen?"
"Who can forget the Mermen!" Hermione said and giggled. "What a drama that was!"
"It was, but the painting was outstanding – absolutely stunning."
Hermoine smiled at him and took the compliment without protest. She wasn't a natural artist and she often struggled with transferring the picture she envisaged in her head to the canvas but she knew she did have a talent. One that had remained well and truly hidden until about 5 years ago when she'd met Leo. She shook herself before her mind wondered down that path and picked up the picture from the file.
"So am I drawing just the Dragon? Or it's environment too? Where do I have to go?"
"You're okay to stay away?" Jamie flicked through the file while he spoke.
"Of course," Hermione's lips twisted a little. She had absolutely nothing to keep her here! Which wasn't a good thing but she refrained from verbalizing her thoughts.
"It's a huge commission," Jamie was scanning the documents. "Not just one Dragon – there are five dragons, separate portraits required. They want the owner/trainer in the paintings too and they would like the paintings to be in a natural environment and on an 'epic' scale," Jamie grinned at this. "They've paid an epic price for them!"
Hermione was silent staring off into space and Jamie receiving no response, turned to look at her. "Hermione? What's up?"
"Several Dragons?"
"Yeah – five."
"And their keeper?"
"Yeah – you probably know the place. It's pretty famous….proper Dragon hang out, caves, waterfalls and other Dragon stuff," Jamie grinned at his own joke but then realised that Hermione was not joining him in his joviality.
Hermione lowered herself heavily into a seat. "Oh no!"
"What's the matter?"
"I know the place," Hermione looked up at Jamie despondently.
"That's not good because?" Jamie looked back at her, puzzled.
"It's not good at all."
Jamie took the seat next to Hermione and raised an eyebrow. "Spill."
"It's Draco Malfoy," Hermione sighed. "Bloody Draco Malfoy!"
Jamie jumped up and grabbed the file, flicking through it. "Yeah, that's it I'm sure…yeah Serpents Conservation Reserve."
Hermione groaned loudly. "Of course it is!" she said and Jamie frowned.
"Aah! Hogwarts," he said with a nod of comprehension. "I'd forgotten about you already being acquainted. I guess I thought it would be water under the bridge by now?"
"Hogwarts isn't really the problem and you're right it should now be water under the bridge."
"But?" Jamie prompted her.
Hermione straightened her shoulders. "Sorry for the dramatics, Jamie. I'm being pathetic. It's just that it's Malfoys wife, well ex-wife – she's the one…"
Jamie narrowed his eyes. "You've lost me, Hermione…"
"Malfoys wife, Evangelina, she's the one…..the one Leo left me for…." Hermione blinked rapidly.
"Oh Merlin Hermione! I had no idea!"
"Of course you didn't – how could you?"
"I don't want to be insensitive but doesn't that make you and Malfoy kindred spirits? Both injured parties?" Jamie raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"You'd think so, wouldn't you?" Hermione said, despondently. "But not with Malfoy – never with Malfoy. I could never have any empathy with him."
"I'm so sorry…I'll reallocate the commission." Jamie stood up to grab the file and Hermione sighed loudly.
"I'm sorry to mess you around," she said.
"It's not messing me around. I wouldn't expect you to do this," Jamie sighed loudly. "It's a bloody shame though, you were perfect for it."
Hermione watched as Jamie put the paperwork back in the file, feeling dejected. Why did it have to be him? I mean, he was the main 'dragon' person around here, she knew that. He was well known and well respected but he wasn't the only dragon keeper, so why did it have to be him? Why? She rubbed her head, annoyed at the whole thing. He was destined to ruin her entire life! He'd made her school life a misery, his wife had ruined her engagement….and now he was striking a blow to a huge and exciting opportunity she'd been given. One that could move her whole career up a notch….
"I'll do it!" Hermione jumped up from her chair and blurted the words out, making Jamie flinch.
"You will?" he asked. "Are you sure?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, I'm positive."
Jamie shook his head. "I can't keep up with you…"
"He's ruined half my life so far and I've had enough," Hermione offered an unnecessary explanation. "I'm not letting him ruin this opportunity too."
Jamie smirked at her. "Good – glad you've changed your mind. I'll confirm the commission."