Walking up the now familiar hallway to Draco's office, Hermione smoothed her blazer and mentally calmed herself. Everything will be fine. He won't berate you like in school. He's a professional and you're his employee. He won't dare.
"All right Hermione," Draco stated, stopping next to a desk in front of his office door, "this is your desk. You should have basically everything you need. Stapler, telephone, Roll-O-Dex, post-it notes, pens, you name it. If you need anything else, the supply closet is right down the hall to your left. It shouldn't be too hard to find. There's a large sign on the door that says "Supply Closet". If you need me, I'll be in my office. Today you're just getting settled. Welcome to the team." He smiled and turned towards his door.
"Thank you Mr. Malfoy." Hermione said to his retreating back.
"Hermione?" Draco asked, turning back to look at her.
She looked up at him.
"Call me Draco. It feels odd having you, of all people, calling me Mr. Malfoy." He smiled at her again and she couldn't help but feel like she was melting, just a tiny bit, on the inside.
Hermione sat at her desk adding a few personal touches to her workspace. Digging through her bag, her hand came in contact with cool metal. Pulling out the silver picture frame, Hermione glanced wistfully at the image it encased. It was a photograph taken by none other than Colin Creevey at graduation at the end of seventh year. Hermione stood between Ron and Harry, all in their graduation robes, arms around one another. Sadly, she looked at the smiling face of Ron Weasley. God, how she missed him. However, now was not the time to reminisce and become upset. She couldn't show any sign of weakness, so she put on a brave face.
Draco sat, watching Hermione finger the frame lovingly. He wondered what the frame held that made that dreamy look appear upon her angelic face. He sighed and admitted it to himself. He had feelings for Hermione Granger. How could he not? Since the day she had punched him in the face during third year, he couldn't get her out of his head. Even when he started his own business and moved to the muggle world, her face always appeared when he let his mind wander. When he had received her application, he had been ecstatic. The only other person who had known about his infatuation had been his mother. When he told her that Hermione had applied she had warned him not to hire her just because he was "romantically inclined" towards her. Draco knew better than to hire a person because of his feelings. He had been even happier when he found that she was perfect for the job. Looking back through his window he noticed her wiping her eyes. Was she crying? Hermione placed the picture on her desk and she started to rummage through the drawers. Finding a pad of paper and a pen, she picked up the telephone, which must have been ringing. Taking a few quick notes, she pressed the hold button and pressed the buzzer.
"Draco," she sounded amused, "your mother is on line one."
Draco cleared his throat, trying to hide his embarrassment before answering. "Thank you Hermione, carry on."
"Yes sir," she replied and clicked off.
Draco picked up the phone and pressed the 1 button. "Hello Mother."
"Hello Draco dear. I see you've found a new secretary, hmmm? Someone by the name Hermione Granger."
"How'd you know it was Hermione?" "Well, she answered the telephone by saying 'Hello, Malfoy Incorporated. Draco Malfoy's office, Hermione Granger speaking. How may I direct your call?' Isn't she the polite one? I thought you said you wouldn't hire her because of your little infatuation."
Draco rubbed his forehead, he loved his mother but she could cause quite a migraine if you weren't careful. "Mother, I hired her because she was right for the job, just like I knew she'd be."
"Right," there was a silence on the other line. "Why don't you invite her for lunch?"
"You know, that might just be a good idea. I'll talk to you later Mum. Goodbye."
There was a knock at the door just as he was hanging up the telephone. "Come in!" he called.
The door opened and Hermione stepped in, closing the door behind her. "How's your mother?" she asked, trying to hide the slightly amused smile creeping to her lips.
"Go on. I'm sure you talk to your mother plenty. Don't start laughing at me because she's concerned."
Hermione raised a skeptical eyebrow but didn't comment.
"Was there a reason you wanted to come into my office other than to make fun of me because my mum calls me at work?"
"Yes actually. Mr. Dennison called to let you know he had to cancel your lunch conference at Le Petite Bistro on account of a family emergency and he'll get back to you when he can reschedule."
Draco leaned back in his chair. Perfect. "Well," he stated, "I happen to have reservations for twelve o'clock and I hate to break them seeing how hard they are to get. Would you care to join me for lunch Ms. Granger?"
Hermione looked shocked. They say a picture speaks a thousand words... he wished he had a camera. "Hermione? Are you all right?"
"Yes, yes I'm fine. Umm...certainly. I would love to join you for lunch."
He glanced at his watch. "It's ten of twelve now. Shall we go?"
"Fine. Let me just get my coat."