A/N:

Hi guys, this is actually my first fanfic. This story about Draco and Hermione has been in my head for quite some time. I love the stories of Lena Phoria and her Dramione relationship was my inspiration.

Two things:

1. I used to be a huge fan of the HP universe for many years but I got older and less interested. There might be points where you wonder, if this was in the books. Especially the post Hogwarts story is something I am not familiar with. But this is fiction, so I guess it is fine.

The story takes place approximately five years post the final battle.

2. I am not an English native speaker but this story was in my head in English. I make mistakes. I try to reread the chapters and look stuff up in dictionaries. If it's too awful , just let me know and I will have to switch to my mother tongue. If there is someone volunteering rereading my chapters before publish, also let me know. Thanks!

Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling and her associates own these characters. I am writing this story for fun and not profit

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It has been a long day for all the aurors in the office. Voldemort's people, his former servants'heirs, the new generation of death eaters, were on the loose and wreaking havoc all over the wizarding world . For years people have tried to catch them and sue them . Once they even brought Yaxley's sons down and locked them away in Azkaban. But they escaped with the help of the others.

Rumors are, that there was somewhere out there a new lord, who the new generation of death eaters was following. Somewhere, out there ... but nobody has ever seen or heard him. There was not even a hint, who it could be . Who has the nerves to call himself the new lord anyway?

A few days ago somewhere in the woods of northern Scotland , near Dufftown, somebody has seen a gathering of the new death eaters around the new lord . But that is all they know. Not more , not less. It has been driven everyone mad that they didn't even have a hint they could follow . All they had was the saying of some old wizards in the area. Moreover his team was lacking one person, the only female auror in his team, Nala , gave birth to her first child a few days ago . She was a good auror. Trained for years , a perfect fighter with the wand , she was trained in special interrogation techniques and a master in Legilimency. He feared it the whole time but didn't want to believe that on her last day in the office she confessed, that she is not going to return to her old duties. He catched something like too dangerous and family first between the lines. They were looking for a suitable replacement but all the idiots Robards , the head auror, presented were too old , too young , too arrogant or simply not good enough. He pinched his nose while thinking about how he could motivate his team to do their work as good as always before totally going nuts because of all the long working days and nights. On his desk stood his glas with something strong , he needed that late in the office . And he thought 23:19 pm was late ! He looked out of the big windows on his right . It was raining like always during these April nights. His office door was open. Like always and like all the other doors in the Auror office . In the reflection of the window he saw somebody standing at his door. Messy hair, muscular statue , black cloak . Glasses .. Potter . His direct colleague . He was leading the neighbor team. As his team was more responsible for hunting down all the former death eaters and their entourage , Potter got the special cases . But this case which made them stay at the office late at night , was more than special and more than just death eaters, so they worked together.

"Are you planning on standing there much longer without saying what is on your mind or do you just want to see how real auror work is done? " After the whole mess with Voldemort and the final battle Potter and him didn't become friends , but they were civil to each other , respected each other and maybe even once had a beer together. When it was announced that he was going to be one of the lead aurors , Potter was the first to congratulate him. Which meant more to him than he would admit. Even when all the other were not respecting Robard's decision and made life in the office hard for him at the beginning two years ago , Potter always had his back.

"I .. I wasn't planning on staring... it is just"

Potter came with quick steps into the office and directly in front of his desk. He seemed nervous.

Sitting in his leather chair he leaned back, folded his hands in front of his chest and looked at his colleague with tired eyes: " Look, it is late , I can't think straight anymore and I will have to be here for Robard's morning update in.." he was looking at his overpriced wrist watch "6 hours again... what do you want to say?"

Potter sat down in one of the two chairs in front of his desk. He stille seemed nervous. "You are still understaffed, right ? " he nodded "Last time I checked." Potter continued : " I might have somebody for you. Of course she would only be able to do the paper work in the beginning. No field work, but she could help you... she is intelligent , knows the dark side and she would fit in the team. "."So - its a woman?" was his reaction. "Yes - she is a friend of mine and well... has been looking for a job ." He paused "She needs to do something with her life. " He wasn't sure , if he clearly understood. Potter couldn't be talking about ... no he couldn't . Even he was not that mad ... Potter continued:"Look, I know that all the people you were interviewing were hopeless cases. But she is not . She is perfect for the job. "

" Do you have a curriculum , references ... what has she done before?" "That's the thing" was Potters reaction " she hasn't been doing much since the war ended " Perfect - somebody who doesn't even know what having a job means and still the thought that Potter could mean a certain brown haired witch out of their school year , who was very good friends with him, didn't leave him alone .

"Okay- look Potter , I Dont really want to be the nanny for somebody who simply needs a job and doesn't know how life works .. this is a demanding job, where you need a few simple skills in magic ... not much ... just how you chase down people , how you fight with wands and how you use dark magic... I mean ... sure just bring your friend. We can see if she knows all that and we can talk about a little interview" he was being sarcastic and he didn't want to discuss this further with Potter . Clearly his friend wasn't suited . " She played a major role in the final battle . And yea - she does know all that . She has been the brightest witch of our age . She ... she simply needs a little help to remember that at the moment "

Jackpot ! His guess was right . Potter meant his lovely hero friend Hermione Granger or was it still Weasley ? He hasn't seen her in years. Rumours are that she was victim of a group rape a few month after the final battle. Locked- up top secret information in the auror office. That she somehow then married the Weasel just to get divorced a year later , the Weasel couldn't cope with what happened to her. She has totally gone mad and made a living through filthy next jobs. Some said she even worked as a prositute . That was definitely something he couldn't believe ... but what happened to her made her mentally ill , it seemed. And who could blame her ?Potter somehow tried to get her out of everything . But then she was nowhere to be found for a few month last year. Last thing he heard was that he found her somewhere in the Muggle world without a wand and no place to live and now she lives in his house and spends time with his wife. He seems to keep her locked up to protect her from all the bad things out there and of course from pulling a runner again.

His reactions was quick: " No way Potter ! I am not hiring Hermione Granger.. Weasley ?."

Potter seemed stunned "How did you know..." "Oh come on, give me a little credit . I am not dumb. But well the answer is no and you can leave." Potter didn't leave. He scooted to the front of the chair and put his hands on the desk " I know you have heard rumors ... probably lots of rumors. But she is almost back to her old self. She just needs a challenge , a job, something she can feel worth living for again. "

Perfect. Now she also seemed suizidal. "Her mind has been fucked with in a bad way. I don't think she could manage what we are doing here , you should know that." was his answer. There was silence for almost a minute "funny... that she describes what happened to her mind in the same way."

„Funny that you and the Weasel are the only people in the whole wizarding world, who don't want to believe that. Look, she can pack groceries for all I care in order to find something worth living for. I am not gonna do that. How do you think this works? I am the nanny and give her some folders to organize and sit next to her in order to make sure she doesn't go crazy doing that ?" Potter simply replied :" Well- Robards says we are going to work out a plan . The whole team ist going to be ..."

"Hold on ! Did you just say . Robards ?! Who in this fucking department forgot to inform me ?! The one who she should actually work for ?! Oh fuck off , Potter ! Bad move ! Really bad move !"

Harry looked guilty : " That was the reaction I was thinking about when I told Robards to inform you later than usual"

"Later than usual!? You almost forgot to inform me at all" he raised his voice.

The silence which followed was almost good enough to close the eyes and just go sleep with the sound of the rain outside and the steady noises of the computers, they have been using in the office ever since Potter became Robard's deputy.

Harry interrupted his doze:" You know I don't beg for much. Never been kind of a beggar. Especially not when it comes to you. But this time I need you to at least try. Do me the favor . I owe you the rest of my life. Let me bring her in tomorrow. Let us talk with Robards. Let us see , what she can do, just a few weeks maybe until you find someone ... you need somebody to do all the paper work while you are doing the real work and I have somebody who is good with paper work. So the deal is simple."

He started thinking. He really needed somebody to catch up with all the files behind him. If she is a quick learner and is still able to do simple work. And if he doesn't need to talk to her a lot.

" A few weeks ? You say. 4 weeks is what I give you. But one problem . One mistake . One nervous breakdown in the office and she is out ... understood?"

Harry smiled:" Deal! You will not be disappointed. You know ever since this ... happened to her, I feel responsible. I need to make sure she is okay. After all she has done for me I finally can do something for her ." Draco didn't want to get too sentimental with Potter , he noted with a grin:" Somebody feel guilty?" " I somehow do ! Yes ! So - i guess . Thank you again " he stood up :" Tomorrow 8 o clock Robard's office "

His opponent simply nodded.

Potter stood up and still seemed nervous :"Good - one of two conversations tonight went in the right direction... now I have to hope the other will as well." Draco's eyes narrowed :" Wait!She doesn't know about the whole deal ?! And you think she will simply come with you here and pretend that she wanted all that ? How naive are you ? She is definitely saying no. I don't think she would have any interest coming here . But well good for me. I showed cooperation . I was willing to get to know her skills. But she is gonna be the one who turns you down. Not me ! She will disappoint you. " It didn't even come to his mind until now that Hermione Granger would have as much interest as he in working together- hence zero!

So it was done. If Potter didn't tell her so far , she will not be coming and if he would force her , she will pull a runner again. Potter stayed positivly :"I will make her come. It's a chance . Maybe her last"

„Yes sure !" Was his reaction. "Goodnight Potter ..."

Potter walked towards the door. He went back to the file in front of him when Potter stopped at the door, turned around and smiled at least a little:"Thank you, Draco. It really does mean a lot to me".

Draco took a huge gulp of his Glas and just stared outside ... this was definitely not what he had expected today.

The fireplace in Grimmauld Place number 12 made a the typical sound of somebodies arrival.Harry Potter was entering his living room. The house seemed quiet. With being pregnant Ginny was probably already asleep.

Hermione hopefully was stil awake , reading . Like most of the time since she moved in with him and Ginny. Harry thought that this was her way of avoiding conversations with him about what happened and what is going to be.

He went upstairs and saw that there was shining a little bit light through the door slot . He knocked and heard her faint voice telling him to come in. She was sitting on her bed and of course going through some books. Seeing him, she didn't look too content with his presence. „Hi" said Harry „Hi back „ she gave him a smile.

„What are you going?" starting with a little bit of smalltalk couldn't be that wrong „Well- looks like I am painting a picture , right ?"

Harry sighed . "Okay- guess you are reading. " "100 points , Mr. Potter" she smiled .

A few seconds passed before Harry sat down next to her and started : "I need to talk to you. " Her smile faded but Harry continued " I was thinking about you and what we could make out of your life" He thought being a little bit funny could help. It didn't " Are you starting again with that I need to do something , need to stand on my one feet and need to get back to a normal life ? I am sorry , Harry, we discussed this like one million times ... I don't feel ready, I need to think, I need to grieve for my old self which I lost that night, I need to find out what is going to happen with me. And if you don't like me sitting in your house and doing nothing , I can always leave.. you know I have places to go..."He interrupted her :" I don't want you to leave and I don't care for how long you will stay here. You can spend as much time as you need . But I need you to get your mind on something different .. something which challenges you that you can one day be the Hermione , I knew, again"

"Maybe I don't want to be her anymore . Maybe she just died that night ." Hermione became furious but Harry continued: „I got you a job at the office ... „ Hermine stood up from the bed taking the comforter with her and throwing it to the floor „ I told you , I don't want a job right now. I still have enough money to live and i somehow just don't feel ready to go out there"

„I know, l know ... it's hard." Harry approached her. Hermione was standing with her arms in front of her chest in the middle of the room. Harry came closer „Just give it a try . I promise you , you can leave the minute you don't feel comfortable . Just give me a sign and we will leave. I want you to try. We are one man down and there is so much paperwork left and it's a mess , we need a brain like yours to get this in order .„

„You know my mind ist not what it used to be" „shhh..." Harry hold her on the shoulders."We don't know that. And we are going to find out. And If it is damaged , you need training by doing something , by challenging your mind and by getting a new routine ." Hermione bit her lip:" I can leave the second I have the feeling I will start panicking and even of it works out I can still quit everyday!" Harry thought, that wouldn't be that simple but : „ Sure ! You can decide . If you don't feel comfortable , you leave „

„Good - I have your word on that ?"

"You do „

„When will I be starting ?" Harry scratched his head „ Well that's the thing... in 8 Hours ..." Hermione started laughing :"Okay good one , Harry. Honestly" Harry didn't say anything „Okay... are you kidding me ? Are you serious ? How am I going to start a job tomorrow when I didn't even know about it until 10 minutes ago ?" Harry tried to calm her down:" I didn't think I could persuade you and well that's why I delayed this conversation as long as I could . And here we are . I hope you will at least try. I will be with you tomorrow . I will not leave you. "

Hermione didn't seem to be convinced but then gathered him out of the room. " Okay- Mr. Potter . As I have a job to do tomorrow morning ... just let me get some rest ... I can't believe I am doing this . am I nuts? Oh yea - forgot - I am " Hermione started talking to herself. Harry was debating with himself if he should also give her some information about who she was going to work for , but considering how this went in the conversation an hour ago, he decided to tell her tomorrow. He stood in the door „Good night" " Good night " was her reply " so I guess we will be leaving around 7:45 am?"

"Yes, but I will already be at the office at 6 am. I will come back to get you then"

She smiled " okay! Then I will see you in the morning "

„Sleep well, Hermione and you will see .. it will work out just fine for you. I am happy , you are giving it a try"

He closed the door and went to his bedroom where he found Ginny in a deep slumber. After brushing his teeth and changing into pyjamas , sleep didn't want to come to him. He thought if he did the right thing. He always knew in the end, she was the one who would decide when she would start giving life a chance again. But he feared, she would never be ready and somehow she was his responsibility . The night , these guys took everything from her she had, she became his responsibility .

Meanwhile on the outskirts of London. A blond haired wizard was sitting in his living room with his third firwewiskey of the night .

How dare Potter to piss him off like that . He waited until the last minute to tell him they he and Robards were making his staff decisions now ... Robards... why didn't he tell him and why the fuck did he want to hire Hermione Granger. Everyone knew that she is not capable of living a life at the moment. Draco never really wanted to know what happened to her that night in November 1998. He never asked to get access to these files. Even though in some of his cases these information seemed relevant. He wouldn't admit it but he kind of feared , what he would find there and that in some way it would made him feel guilty. He never liked her, her know- it all -attitude pissed him off and her constant talking even more - it would have also bothered him , if she was on the Slytherin side . But this ... just the rumors made him shudder. She didn't earn this.

He took an other gulp of his firewiskey and looked at his watch 0:29 am, time to call it a day and try to sleep on this and hope that in the morning he would wake up laughing about this ridiculous dream. Hermione Granger being his employee. Under his lead - yea right !

He went upstairs. Ever since his ex-wife, Astoria, moved out last month the house seemed too big for him. It had three floors with huge rooms, an indoor pool and an outdoor pool , a guest house , a huge back yard and rooms for at least three children . It didn't work out the way he was planing . After the war his parents advised him, to get married to Astoria. She was friendly, very beautiful and most important didn't play a big role in the final battle, not like most of the other Slytherin girls . Her family was clean, they somehow were neutral. If you could put it this way. She was perfect to get a good standing in the new wizarding world after Voldemort. There was a time when he thought the same- but in the end it was her, who stayed in old patterns, met the old friends and people who still thought the lord's fall was not justified . She had no interest in his job or meeting his colleagues. She never came to the Christmas dinners at the office nor did she accompany him to his promotion.

So he ended it . After years of trying to get pregnant he thought that maybe it was meant to be that way. Someone didn't want to give her children and he actually didn't really want to be the father. Of course his father got mad and didn't talk to him for weeks- for him outside appearance was still important . His mother on the other side respected his decision. She said, she just wants him to be happy.

Being in that house alone made him even more lonely than he would ever admit. After drinking one more firewiskey in bed he called it a day and went off to a bad sleep with one nightmare hunting the next until 5:00 am.