Finally it's reading week! I can do whatever I wa-oh wait, I have essays and French grammar test. Oh non!
As expected, Hermione turned up at the studio. Lucius and Draco were talking to the director in the middle of the room. This room was located at the east of the building, sunlight shone through windows and it was the perfect place for filming interviews.
Soon as Hermione entered the room, she was greeted by a tall middle-aged man. He extended his hand and said,
"Patrick Brookes, director of the show 'City Hunt'."
"Hermione Granger, Public Relation Officer."
"Great, we will be contacting you more frequently as the December comes."
He nodded and went back to Lucius and Draco, continuing their conversation. Just then, Karen sneaked into the room in her Romantic tutu, holding her teddy bear tight. She beamed at Hermione and greeted,
"Good morning, Ms Hermione."
"Good morning, Karen," answered Hermione.
Seeing Karen made her think of Lydia, it was unfair that she was refused without a proper reason. Lucius would not tell and certainly did not even listen to her opinion. But gazing at the little girl's angelic face, Hermione could hardly frown at her.
"How long would the interview be?"
"Well…"
To be honest, she did not know the answer at all, Lucius told her nothing and she did nothing. But she could not just tell the little girl that she did not know. Apart from hating to disappoint Karen, she also did not want anyone to realise that she as the Public Relation Officer, knew nothing about the interview.
"…It won't be very long. If you feel hungry, I can get you something to eat."
"Thank you, Ms. Hermione!"
Karen was ever so polite and cheerful. It was no surprise that Lucius would like the girl, hardly anybody could not like her.
"Karen, come over and practice!" ordered Draco.
After a quick curtsey, Karen fluttered towards the young man portraying Clara's father. She first wore her en-pointe shoes, warmed up for a while and began dancing, with Sofia at the back of the room, warming up at the barre. After half an hour, the interview began. Karen, Sofia and the young man sat in the middle of the room beside Lucius and Draco. Hermione gazed at them, hoping that the interview would soon be over and she could go back to the office. But on second thought, Narcissa was in the office, her situation would not get any better.
After an hour of talking, Karen stood up and starting dancing across the room. If Hermione had not known, she would certainly be convinced that Karen was so much in love with the teddy bear. All her moves were smooth like water droplets rolling across silk. But then she remembered, Lydia could also do the same, if only she had the chance.
The moment as she turned her head to the door, she saw Narcissa staring at Lucius, then shifted her stare to Hermione. A chill went down Hermione's spine as their eyes met, so she quickly turned away and tried to stay focus on the interview. But she just felt uncomfortable being watched, all her actions were monitored and she could not do anything that could lead her to disadvantage. After all,
she just wanted a peaceful life at work.
As the clock struck twelve, the interview ended and Karen got up, running towards Hermione.
"Ms Hermione, how is my performance?"
"Well done," said Hermione, smiling.
The little girl bounced while grinning, then she turned her head and stared at Narcissa, then asked Hermione,
"Why is Ms. Narcissa staring at Mr. Lucius?"
Hermione licked her lips, how should she answer the little girl?
"Perhaps she wants to talk to him," replied Hermione.
"Should I tell Mr. Lucius that she is waiting for him?"
"Don't worry, I am sure she can wait."
"Alright…"
"Let me get you something to eat," suggested Hermione.
"Lemon tart please!"
Hermione smiled and went out of the room. Narcissa was staring at her, then began,
"You don't have to do anything, do you?"
Hermione dazed with confusion, then decided that she should make no answer.
"I wonder why you are still there, getting paid while doing nothing," continued Narcissa. "Apparently me and young Mr. Malfoy had realised this, and I do hope Mr. Malfoy would soon also come to realisation too."
"Mr. Malfoy knows what he wants," answered Hermione as calmly as possible.
"Wants from you?" asked Narcissa. "Don't think too highly of yourself, Ms Granger. We perfectly know whom you are and where your ability lies."
Knowing that she could never persuade Narcissa to stop arguing with her, she lowered her head and slid past Narcissa and went out of the building, then she headed to the closest coffee shop.
"A lemon tart please."
After she paid, the staff gave her a card and said,
"We are having a gypsy fortune teller here today, she's at the corner of our shop."
Hermione raised her brow, then she smiled and replied,
"Thank you."
Then she went to the lady with accessories around her her arms and neck. The lady saw her and said,
"Are you seeking your fortune?"
"I don't really trust these things," answered Hermione. "They exist because people are insecure of themselves."
"So why are you talking to me if you don't believe in whatever I would say?"
Hermione shrugged and gave her the card. The lady placed a deck of tarot cards in front of her and said,
"Pick four cards."
Hermione licked her lips and hesitated, then her fingers slid four cards, then the lady withdrew the rest of the cards, then said,
"Place your cards in the following order, work, finances, health and love."
"Huh? But they all look the same."
"Trust your instinct."
Slowly, she placed the cards in order. The lady flipped the first one on the left, it was a man with an infinity symbol above the head, he was holding a wand, reminding her much of a Christian figure.
"It's the Magician," said the lady. "Possibly you will receive a promotion or a new job. If you are working in the creative industry, this is the time for a great change, a change for better things."
Hermione nodded, with the interview ended, she should receive a new job. She was surprised that the lady seemed to understand her well.
"Then finances," said the lady.
This time the card had a lady in blue sitting down, with a black and white pillar on each side.
"The high priestess," explained the lady, with her voice turned lower. "It's means somebody is not being completely honest with you. Do more investigation before letting your money slide pass your fingers."
"Thank you for the reminder."
"And this…"
Just before the lady flipped the card, Hermione pressed her hand and asked,
"Can this card interpret other's health?"
"Yes, it can."
The lady flipped the card and said,
"This is the Devil. The person you are thinking needs to watch out for being overworked and over-stressed. If that person has chronic illness, don't let it define you."
"And the last card…love."
Hermione suddenly felt nervous about the card. For years, this word had been a taboo, she had never thought of that until now.
"Emperor….interesting," said the lady.
"What is so interesting?"
"This card means you may find yourself falling in love with a man who is older than you, possibly in your company. Or at least, he is interested in you."
Hermione dazed for a while, the only possible person she could think of…
Lucius Malfoy.
"I don't…think it is possible."
"Are you ruling the possibility out because he is a lot older than you?"
"Well—"
"You may feel him ruling 'with an iron fist' but he will let you see his reason, when you are ready to accept him."
