A/N: Wow! It's been years since I've written FanFiction for Draco/Hermione. It's good to be back. This will be a two-shot.

Part I.

For the first time in five years, Hermione's birthday fell on a Friday.

Her boss did not approve her request for time-off but she was determined to have a decent day in the office regardless. Her last few birthdays were positively atrocious, to say the least, and she was keen on not shedding any tears this year.

Fortunately for her, it was also the first annual "Casual Friday," at the Ministry and for once, she didn't have to hide behind ill-fitting and unflattering work clothes.

No sir. Not this year.

This year, instead of opting for the usual turtle neck and mom-jeans combo, she decided that she might try something a little more scandalous. Sexy, if you will.

You only turn 25 once, after all.

Furthermore, the mundaneness of her life was beginning to affect her deeply. Her days were spent behind piles of paperwork, floating file cabinets and cups of black coffee. Her insufferable boss, Jacob, the Head of the Magical Law Enforcement department, brandished around the office constantly, making frivolous demands at her. As a new associate Attorney, her social life had become virtually non-existent and she spent most of her nights curled up in her bed with Crookshanks, watching mindless muggle romcoms. It went without being said but she was feeling quite pathetic.

She was pining for a little excitement in her life, a little more attention - just a little push outside of her comfort zone.

It was the Thursday night before her birthday and she knew exactly who to call for assistance as fashion was never really her forté. From her plastic-covered sectional, she grabbed her wand and casted a Messenger Spell. Hermione watched in anticipation as the silvery Otter gamboled out from the tip of her wand and disappeared into the distance. Crookshanks, who was sprawled against her lap, expelled a loud yawn.

About 20 minutes later, there was a loud crack and Ginny…and Harry? materialized in front of her.

They were windswept, breathless and Harry almost knocked over a plastic vase on Hermione's coffee table.

"Oh my God," Ginny breathed, staring down at an innocent looking Hermione. "You scared the shit out of us. Is everything okay? What's wrong?"

"Yeah," Harry said, clad in striped blue Pajamas, worry etched on his features. "What's the emergency?"

"Well, the Patronus was only meant for you, Ginny," Hermione started. She was grateful that the dim light illuminating from her television wasn't bright enough to show her flushed face. "Um…I need help with something."

They quickly surveyed the room and then gazed back down at Hermione, who was petting Crookshanks nervously.

"You need help with something?" Harry asked incredulously. "At…11:48PM at night?"

"Again, I only meant to contact Ginny," Hermione retorted.

Ginny took a few steps forward and sat down next to Hermione. "What's wrong?"

"I need your help something, Ginny," Hermione repeated.

"Yes, yes, we've already established that," Harry said impatiently. Ginny gave him a pointed look before placing a warm hand on Hermione's shoulder. Her brown eyes were heavy with apprehension.

"Don't mind Harry," she said, turning to give him another admonishing look. "We were…in the middle of something…"

"Oh."

Just then, from Ginny's embarrassed expression and Harry's irritable scoff, it had dawned on Hermione that they were in the middle of shagging. Ew. She tried her best to keep her facial expression neutral. Crookshanks, however, bounced off Hermione's lap and sprinted into her bedroom as if bored with the entire ordeal.

"Well, anyway," Hermione said, recovering quickly. "I actually needed your help…finding an outfit for tomorrow."

For a second, they looked nonplussed. And then Harry spoke again, bemusement and irritation obvious in his voice.

"Huh?" He said. "An outfit? You interrupted a perfectly good slobbery—-"

"—Okay, okay," Ginny interjected. "Relax Harry, it's Hermione's birthday in a few minutes, remember?"

Harry rolled his eyes before taking a seat next to Ginny. Obviously still irritable, he snatched the remote next to her thigh and switched through the channels on the television, huffing pointedly with every click. Ginny chuckled before turning her attention back to her curly haired friend.

"So, what were we thinking?" She asked Hermione, leaning in.

"I'm not too sure, exactly. But I know I want something…loud and…sexy."

At these words, they both stared at her in disbelief. They've never heard Hermione speak so uncharacteristically. Harry, who suddenly remembered that he was supposed to be ignoring them, quickly shook his head and continued clicking through the channels.

"Really?" Ginny asked.

"Well…yes," Hermione sighed. "Is that so hard to believe?"

"Does a certain tall, blond have anything to do with this?" Ginny whispered mischievously. Harry ceased clicking but kept his gaze on the TV, discreetly trying to listen in.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Get a grip, Ginny, Malfoy's getting married," she sighed. "I knew this was a bad idea...I'm sorry for wasting your time."

Ginny smiled widely. "No, no, it's just…I have the perfect dress."

A smile tugged at Hermione's lips.

"Happy Birthday Hermione," Harry grumbled.

Hermione's favorite color was red. She owned red bedding, red scarves, red umbrellas, red jewelry etc. Even the Jell-O she had eaten for breakfast earlier that morning was red. As a full-blooded Gryffindor , she associated the color red with everything that the House symbolized: courage, passion, friendship, love. It was homey and familiar. It never ever made her feel uncomfortable.

That was until that morning.

Her usually bushy hair was straightened and endlessly shiny. Her makeup was mostly clean and natural except for jet black mascara and bold, red lips. Her pumps were silvery and her nails were nude.

After catching her reflection a few times, she had decided that she looked…well…quite pretty.

Actually, the only thing that had unsettled her that morning was her dress. Or more accurately, Ginny's dress.

It was a red, ruched midi dress with a v-neckline and spaghetti straps. Had it been any other color, it would've looked more casual. But it was a bright red. A bright, red number that deeply accentuated her figure.

'Have I always had hips like this?' She thought.

To be fair, she didn't have an exaggerated hour glass figure like Madame Rosemerta or her work nemesis, Astoria Greengrass but she did look a little more curvaceous than usual.

She wondered briefly if maybe Draco would notice but perished the thought immediately.

'He's getting married' she told herself. It was just a silly crush.

She had squirmed and tugged at the dress self-consciously. It was loud and sexy, just as she requested but maybe a little too loud and sexy for the Ministry. She wanted to rip the dress off and change into something more suitable, more practical, more sensible.

But before leaving her home that morning, she examined herself in the mirror once more. She didn't quite look like herself but it was her 25th birthday and she was going to make the most of it.

—Hermione took tentative steps to her office, she did not want to trip over her high heels. Everywhere she turned, eyes were on her. She noticed a few double takes, while others stared openly and unabashedly.

It was odd to see her colleagues dressed so casually at the Ministry but it was even odder to see how people, specifically men, reacted to her. She had briefly stopped by the pantry to fix herself a cup of plain, black coffee and noticed a group of witches, lead by Astoria, who were eyeing her in mild surprise. She offered them a small smile before heading to her desk.

On it was a card from Ron: Happy Birthday Hermione! Angelica and I can't wait to celebrate with you and the gang tonight at Chez Yves. I hope you have the best day. Oh and I know it's your birthday and you can cry if you want to but…please don't. All my love!

She grimaced. Angelica was Ron's extremely annoying and high-pitched financé.

Oh Goodness.

"Oh my Goodness, Hermione. You look gorgeous."

It was her neighbor, Padma Patil. She was dressed in a silk pink blouse and boot cut jeans. Her dark hair was twisted in a long plait behind her shoulders.

"I mean," she continued, loudly. "Your hair and that dress. You look just…wow. But you know? This look doesn't really scream Casual Fridays though, you look like you're dressed for a night out."

"Thank you," Hermione said, blushing profusely as she saw a few people turn to stare at them. She dropped her voice to a whisper. "It's my birthday."

"Birthday?" Padma exclaimed, earning a few more glances from witches and wizards in nearby cubicles. "Oh right! Of course, you turn 25 today. Happy Birthday, Hermione!"

She withdraw her wand from her back pocket and conjured five red balloons out of thin air. They looked like plain red balloons but when they started singing, "She's a Jolly Good Fellow," Hermione blushed even deeper.

"No, really. It's not that big of d—"

"You turn 25 today! That's a quarter of a century," Padma screeched. "Of course it's a big deal."

"It's really not tha—"

"Stewart!" Padma called over her shoulder, before Hermione could finish her sentence. She motioned him towards them. "Come here. It's Hermione's birthday!"

Stewart, an olive-skinned wizard with hazel eyes, strolled over. He caught sight of the balloon choir and then his almond shaped eyes fell on Hermione.

"I knew that Padma," he cleared his throat. "Happy Birthday, Hermione," he handed her a birthday card. "You look amazing."

Hermione gave Stewart a small smile. "Really guys, it's not that se—"

"Where's Harry?" Padma interjected.

"He requested the day off but I'll see him and Ron and the rest of the gang ton—"

But before she could finish that sentence, a few more people had joined them. And within an hour, nearly everyone in the Department of Magical Law had stopped by her desk to wish her a Happy Birthday.

"You look great!"

"Happy Birthday, Ms. Granger."

"Must tell me where you got that dress, dear."

"Looking good, Granger. Happy Birthday."

"25? I could've sworn you were 19."

The sudden and abrupt attention was overwhelming. It was a vast difference from the near-silence she had received in previous years. Everyone had complimented her, she observed, except her insufferable boss, Astoria, and Draco Malfoy.

She bumped into Draco during her third trip to the pantry. It was 11:45AM.

He regarded her briefly before using his wand to warm up his cup of tea. He was dressed simply, but managed to maintain his normal elegance. Posture erect, clothes impeccably ironed, gray eyes staring at her from over his cup. He looked mildly amused when she walked straight past him to the cupboards.

"Granger," he said finally.

She didn't turn around, she was suddenly nervous. "Hello, Malfoy."

She could feel his eyes piercing into the back of her skull. He casually took another sip of tea. "You look…different."

She couldn't tell whether that was meant to be an insult or a compliment but thanked him anyway.

"You hair…I don't really like it." He stated bluntly.

She said nothing as she warmed her coffee.

"It's very straight," he said calmly. "Hmm."

Hermione turned to face him. He was leaning against the refrigerator now, fingers laced around his mug, eyes drinking her in. His unblemished face was unreadable as he continued to observe her.

"Thank you very much for your much needed input, Malfoy," she said acidly.

He grinned at her and she felt her heart beat erratically against her chest.

"You're very welcome."

Just then, as if called by some mysterious force, Astoria came waltzing in. Her long and very straight raven hair swung behind her as she charged purposefully towards Draco. She flung her arms around his neck and Hermione tried, with great effort, not to roll her eyes. It wasn't the first time she witnessed Astoria's ostentatious displays of affection, but she felt her blood boil regardless. She watched as an expression of utter annoyance clouded Draco's features.

"Drakey," she said. "Where are we going for lunch today?"

Drakey? A small laugh involuntarily escaped Hermione's lips.

Astoria whipped her head around and glared at her. "Oh. Didn't see you there."

"Not a problem," Hermione said, grabbing her coffee. "I was just leaving."

"My, my…don't you look nice, Hermy," Astoria drawled oily, looking her up and down. "Doesn't she darling?"

Draco said nothing.

"Astoria, once again, it's Hermione," Hermione said exasperatedly.

"Mmhmm," she said, turning around and ruffling Draco's hair. "Darling, I —-"

"Please," Draco said, gently extracting her hand from his scalp. "Please stop calling me 'darling', we are not together anymore."

Both women stared at him in shock, mouths agape. This was very shocking news to Hermione. According to the most recent copies of Witch Weekly and The Daily Prophet, Draco and Astoria were due to be wed around Christmas time that year.

'The day just keeps getting better,' Hermione thought.

Astoria opened and closed her mouth several times but ultimately said nothing, obviously too stunned to speak. A thick, awkward silence settled between them and Hermione took this as her queue to leave

"Um…well, I'll see you both at today's meeting."

She caught Draco's eye once more before turning on her heel and leaving them alone.

Hermione grabbed lunch with Padma and Stewart. She had introduced them to a popular hibachi restaurant just outside of the ministry called Konnichiwow! and they made it a tradition to go there for very special occasions. They were endlessly dazzled by the pretentious display of Japanese chefs juggling cutlery and sizzling chunks of food between large flames. It was their favorite muggle restaurant.

Hermione laughed heartily when the one of the chefs threw a piece of chicken into Stewart's mouth. He made her wear a birthday Tierra and Padma threw confetti over head after the staff had boisterously sang her a "Happy Birthday." It was a bit much and she kept having to remove bits of confetti from her hair but Hermione was genuinely enjoying her day.

It was sunny, warm and for the first time in years, Hermione's birthday was going quite smoothly.

When they finally returned back to the office, Hermione immediately noticed Astoria lounging lazily in the chair opposite from her desk. Padma and Stewart exchanged puzzled looks before making their way to their respective desks. Hermione frowned and walked over to Astoria.

"Hello Astoria," she said flatly, plopping her purse on her desk and sliding into her seat. She swatted at a red balloon before turning back to Astoria.

Astoria smiled sweetly. "Hermy —"

"Hermione—-"

"I just came over to wish you a happy birthday. Listen…I know we haven't been the best of friends," she continued, with her palm against her heavily blushed cheek. "I think we should start over."

"Uhh…what?"

"We should grab lunch one of these days," she said in her fake sweet voice. "Try to get to know each other better. What do you think?

Hermione raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Astoria, you've basically alienated me from the moment I've transferred to this department. Why the sudden interest?"

"Well, we're the best associate Lawyers. We're both going against each other for the senior role," she said. "I mean…don't get me wrong…I'm going to get the role. I just feel like there shouldn't be anymore animosity between us."

Hermione scoffed. "What makes you think you're getting the role?"

Astoria's forced smile grew wider. "Hermy, dear. No need to get frazzled. I'm merely suggesting that we call a truce. Raise a white flag! Women should be supporting each other, not going against each other."

Hermione considered her for a minute. Usually, Astoria wouldn't even look in her direction and when she did, it was to offer her a backhanded compliment or to blatantly insult and condescend her. Her group of cronies frequently sneered at Hermione and made vile comments about her appearance in hallways and bathrooms. They made her last few years at the Department of Magical Law extremely difficult.

Hermione shook her head. "Astoria, please don't bore me with this," she said, rolling her eyes. "We are both very busy. Get on with what you really want to tell me."

Astoria's smile dropped at once.

"Listen, Hermy," she said in a low voice. "What you saw between Draco and I in the pantry didn't happen, okay? We will be getting married and you will keep that open wound you call lips shut. Got it?"

"You really think I care that much about you two?" Hermione chuckled mirthlessly. "And anyway, you should be trying convince Malfoy to keep his mouth shut, not me."

"Draco was just having a bad day," she said flippantly. "He's still very much in love with me and you will say nothing about what you heard and saw. In fact, we're having dinner at Chez Yves tonight with our families to over details of the wedding. I can't have blabbering away to the media."

"Chez Yves?" Hermione asked anxiously. She was also scheduled to meet her friends and family there that night to celebrate her birthday.

"Yes," Astoria answered smugly. "I don't except you to know what that is. It's the most expensive magical restaurant in London."

Hermione glared at her. "Are we done here?"

"As long as you promise to keep your mouth shut," she drawled.

"And if I don't?" Hermione challenged.

Astoria stood up and gave Hermione a look of angry determination. "I'll personally make your life a living hell."

Hermione laughed and this time it was genuine.

Astoria dusted herself off and feigned a wide smile. "Well anyway Hermy," she said sweetly. "Happy birthday! Glad we finally had some time to connect."

Hermione shook her head in amusement as she watched her retreating form.

Jacob was a very short man with a Napoleon complex. He stood at 5'1, wore an old, ratty toupee and walked with a cane despite being only 35 years old with no visible injuries. He was rude, confrontational and tactless and nearly everyone despised him.

As the Head of the Magical Law Enforcement department, he held a meeting every Friday to discuss new initiatives, make announcements, and go over new magical laws with his team of Jr. attorneys.

For today's meeting, he was to make a special announcement.

The group of 15 lawyers took their usual seats in the main conference room and listened anxiously as Jacob began to speak. Hermione slid in her usual seat next to Padma and Stewart and noticed that, although Draco and Astoria took their usual seats next to each other, they (more so Draco) avoided any interaction.

Jacob cleared his throat . "Welcome. It's quite interesting to see everyone dressed so …casually. This is a supposed to be a place of work but I guess the Minister of Magic had nothing better to do," his eyes briefly fell on Hermione. "Anyway, we won't be going over anything too serious today. I want to use this time to announce our two new Sr. Associates...and a new Deputy Head."

No one moved.

"We've represented many clients this quarter and have had many successful cases," he went on. "…I don't want to bore you all with a long speech, I merely wanted to thank you all for your continued efforts. It's been much appreciated. I have already thanked the Aurors."

Still no one moved but this time it was from utter shock. They were all positive that Jacob had never thanked anyone a day in his life. He had never expressed, not even a morsel, of gratitude to anyone on his team.

He looked around at their stunned silence and said, "Next Friday is my last day at the ministry. My wife is pregnant with octuplets and I have resigned to be a stay-at-home wizard."

Eyes widened and mouths hung open, still no one uttered a word. Apparently, no one was aware that he was even married.

'This just might be the best day of my life,' Hermione thought.

He continued. "Anyways, congratulations are in order for Mr. Stewart Bradley and Mr. Draco Malfoy, our two new Senior Attorneys."

A loud chorus of applause boomed around the room as Draco and Stewart slowly stood up in their seats. Hermione felt mildly disappointed that she didn't receive the position she slaved for but was very excited to see Jacob go. Her current excitement for his departure overpowered her disappointment.

Draco and Stewart grinned at each from across the table and sat back down. Astoria leaned in to kiss Draco on his cheek but he nimbly evaded it. She played it off by smiling and clapping more obnoxiously. Draco, although his smiled had faltered slightly, beamed at Jacob.

"Thank you Jacob," he said with a new grin. "Thank you…er…you will..be missed. Stewart and I will continue to work prudently and…make the ministry proud."

Stewart beamed at Draco and gave Jacob a humble nod.

"Way to go, Stewart," Padma said proudly, rubbing his shoulder. "Well deserved."

Jacob cleared his throat again. "Yes, well done, well done. Now…I have also elected a Deputy Head to be my replacement."

Astoria leaned forward enthusiastically and the room fell silent once more.

"Our new Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is….Ms. Hermione Granger."

Hermione froze in her seat and blinked in astonishment as everyone, except for Astoria, applauded her.

"Me?" She said finally, slowly getting up to her feet.

"You've been my hardest working employee, Ms. Granger. You've had the highest number of successful cases that we've seen in a very, very long time. Although you can be quite annoying and insufferable," he said and few people chuckled. "This promotion is well-deserved. You've worked and continue to work diligently. I've discussed it with the Minister and a few members of the Wizengamot. We're proud."

"Um…I…thank you so much sir," was all she said as slid back into her seat. She tried to blink away a few incoming tears.

Hermione heard a few people offer their congratulations but their voices sounded different and…distant. She was beyond shocked.

Astoria scowled at her, crossed her arms against her chest and opened her mouth to protest.

"Please do not ruin this moment," Jacob said curtly and Astoria's protests died in her throat. He turned to Hermione. "We will discuss the terms of your new role later today. Also, Whitney has informed me that it is also your birthday, Ms. Granger?"

Hermione nodded coyly and before she knew it a giant cake appeared, out of thin air, in front of her.

"Consider this my gift to you," Jacob said. "For your promotion. For your birthday today, but also for very obviously ignoring your birthday each year. Oh and the red dress…I like it."

A promotion, a gift, and a compliment? The tears were now falling freely down Hermione's cheeks. So much for not crying on her birthday. She looked up to find Draco smiling at her, his white teeth practically glowing. She smiled back.

Astoria noticed the exchange and whispered furiously under her breath.

In an instant, the giant cake flung into the air, a short distance from Hermione's head, and plopped down dramatically, landing directly on top of Hermione's newly straightened hair.

There was a uniformed gasp and then the room fell silent once again.

"That fucking bitch!" Padma spat from the women's rest room. "I cannot believe that stupid bitch. And I can't believe that Jacob only suspended her. Honestly, is he okay? She should've been fired for this shit."

Hermione, who was examining herself in the mirror, simply sighed. Her shiny, straight locks retreated back to their usually bushy and unruly state after Padma had removed the last chucks of cake out of her hair. Her makeup, however, was still intact and her dress was left unstained.

"It's okay, Padma," Hermione said with a weak smile. "It's not that big of a deal. Yes, I'm kind of annoyed at the state of my hair, but I'm actually having a great day. Also, Astoria won't be in for the next month."

Padma watched her sadly. "You Gryffindors are so so…are you sure you're okay?"

"I am more than okay, Padma," Hermione responded sincerely. "I just need to change out of this dress for dinner tonight."

Padma nodded and leaned in to give her friend a hug. She pulled away slightly, her hands still clutching Hermione's arms.

"Fuck that bitch," she said, and they both laughed and made their way towards the exit.

Draco was standing outside of the lavatory with his mercurial eyes casted downward. He lifted his head when he heard the door close behind them and stared at Hermione, who stared back.

Padma looked between the two. "Okay, right, I'll just leave you two alone," and she stalked away.

"Hi," Draco said.

"Hi," Hermione said.

"Look I—"

Hermione raised a hand to silence him. "It's okay, Malfoy. You don't need to apologize on behalf of your…whatever you guys are. I'm okay."

"I wasn't going to," Draco responded calmly. "I-I just wanted to properly congratulate you on your promotion…boss." He smiled impishly.

"Oh…well, thanks Malfoy and congratulations on your promotion as well," she smiled back, looking slightly taken aback. They stood in silence for several seconds before Draco spoke again.

"Well," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "Jacob wants to see me to discuss the terms of my new promotion. I best be going." He made a gesture to leave and but then turned around to face her again. "If it's any consolation, I like your hair better like this."

Hermione felt heat rise to her cheeks as she watched him leave. She released an uncharacteristic giggle.

What a day.