"You have to what?" Harry Potter stared at Hermione, trying hard to
understand the words coming out of her mouth.
"Yeah, Herm. You can't be serious. Dumbledore would never do that. He knows what Draco was like during school." Redhead Ron Weasley said skeptically, sipping his drink thoughtfully.
The famous trio had met up at a new and upcoming coffee shop in Hogsmeade to discuss Hermione's predicament. The ebony colored tables, and buttercup yellow walls was a cozy atmosphere, and it calmed Hermione's nerves slightly. Hermione had owled both of the men, to get their opinions on her new assignment for Dumbledore, and so far it hadn't gone so good; neither Harry nor Ron were helping.
"I know, guys. Trust me I'm not happy about it one bit." Hermione bit her lip, stirring her drink carefully.
"Hermione," Harry started out hesitantly, "Dumbledore has done a lot; for all of us I mean, and I could see why he expected you to help." Harry trailed off, and Ron picked up.
"He was always there for all three of us, Herm." Ron said, echoing Harry. "And I think you should do it for him. It's not like it'll kill you."
"We're talking about Malfoy here." Hermione said harshly, but softened her voice at seeing the look on their faces. "Okay, okay, you're both right. I'll do it, I just won't be very happy about it."
Harry smiled brilliantly. "Knew you wouldn't let old Dumbledore down, Herm!" He patted her shoulder. "So when do you start this mission?"
"Two days, a.k.a. Thursday." Hermione said, her voice wreathed with annoyance.
"That's not too bad, you can get started on you're assignment for work," Harry smiled cheekily. "Interview me first."
"Right, like I really have time to do anything of the sort. If the Malfoys are anything like I remember Draco Malfoy being, then they'll be working me like a dog." Hermione stood, throwing a couple of dollars on the table. "Look, I need to go think, I'll see you guys later."
Giving each of them a quick hug, Hermione exited the coffee shop.
"Wait until she knows the truth. About the prophesy." Ron said, after making sure Hermione had left. He took another swig of his drink.
Harry nodded. "'Until sworn enemies fall in love, and the snake and lion are brought together." He trailed off, leaving the rest of the prophecy un- said.
Ron and Harry looked at each other. "Do you think this'll work? Hermione and Draco, I don't think it's possible."
"I do. Anything's possible here, where magic surrounds us."
-
The next day was bright and beautiful, and Hermione itched to go out and breathe in the sunshine. She wanted desperately to roll around in the grass. But it just happened she had a lot of work to do. At the moment she was composing a letter to Mariah Rolinsky. She knew it would be hard to meet up with the woman seeing as she was constantly out of town, God knows where, but she was going to try. Surely the publicity opportunity would attract the woman enough to meet with her.
"Dear Miss Rolinsky," Hermione muttered, her quill moving across the page. "I hope to meet with you in Hogsmeade. No, no, scratch that."
After about 15 minutes the letter was finished, and Hermione was pleased. At least one thing went right in her life. She sighed, and got up. She walked out of her office and down the hall to the Owl's Office, as it was called. Slowly opening the door, she looked inside. There were about 15 owls snoozing on racks attached to the walls. She grimaced as she looked at the ground, where bones of rats and mice were scattered. She didn't bother stepping inside. Hermione heard a soft "Hoot" and looked up, finding one her favorite Witch Weekly owls, a peanut-colored female, named Marcella.
"Come here Marcella. I have a letter for you to deliver." Hermione gave the letter to Marcella, and smoothed out some of her fur. "Take care of it, and thank you." She watched as the bird flew out of a window.
-
It was the morning of her interview with the Malfoys, and Hermione felt sick. It wasn't an illness, but she felt like she was about to vomit, anyway.
"I don't know why you're going to do this if you don't want to." Ginny said, bringing Hermione a cold cloth. Hermione took it gratefully, and put it on her forehead.
"I have to Gin. Dumbledore is counting on me, and it didn't help that Harry and Ron are totally on his side about it."
"Of course they are, and I understand why. Dumbledore has done a lot."
"Oh come on." Hermione quickly interrupted Ginny; she knew exactly where the conversation was going.
Ginny looked surprised. "What?
"Nothing." Hermione stood up, ready to take a shower.
Ginny followed her as she walked out of the kitchen. "Hermione you sulked all day yesterday, just come on and take on this challenge with your head up. Maybe you can set off a couple of dungbombs under his bed."
"Why would I do that?" Hermione asked bitterly. "I'd be the one cleaning it up."
Ginny sighed, trying hard not to give up. "Hermione the pay is great."
Hermione rolled her eyes, and closed the bathroom door. "I'll be out in a few Gin."
--
Hermione glanced at her clock, and flinched. It was already 10:00, and she was supposed to be at the Malfoy's around 10:30. She quickly threw on some black pants, a light blue shirt, and her black robes over them.
"Why don't you wear this?" Ginny asked, holding up a beautiful emerald green robe.
"Why can't I wear what I have on?" Hermione snapped back.
"Well." Ginny paused, looking pointedly at the tear on the hem of her robe.
"Ginny." Hermione shook her head and headed for the door.
"I can't let you go out in that." Ginny muttered. She was big on fashion, which you tell from her flowing, colorful robes. She pulled out her wand and pointed it straight at Hermione's back. "Furve un Instret."
Hermione froze; her right hand rested on the doorknob, ready to open the door, the other at her side. Quickly, Ginny ran up to her, and deftly took off the horrid robe. She replaced it with the green one, and magicked a different shirt along with it; the new one was simply black, though it complimented her curves, and had a revealing neckline, at least for Hermione's standards. One of Hermione's arms flinched slightly, and Ginny knew the spell was wearing off. A minute later, Hermione was glaring at Ginny suspiciously.
"Did you just do what I think you did, Weasley?" Hermione asked slowly, feeling her face for anything out of place.
"I don't thin so, Herm. What do you think I did?" Ginny asked inocently playing with her shirt.
"Where'd my robe go?" Hermione gasped out. Just noticing the different texture and color of her beloved robe.
"It went where in belongs."
"Ginny! That was a my favorite robe!" Hermione looked around the room. "Where'd you put it."
'Nowhere." And with a flick of her wrist, Hermione's hair came out of its usual braid and flowed down her back. "Much better."
Hermione fingered her hair, prepared to put it back on. "Ginny, you're making me late. Now I have to get changed, and fix my hair."
"Uh uh, oh no you don't. It's already 10:20. Just stay the way you are. It's a nice change."
"Ginny!" Hermione threatened.
"I owe you one." Ginny smiled smugly, opened the door, and pushed Hermione out.
Hermione turned quickly to make a retort, but the door was already shut. Extremely tired, not to mention annoyed, Hermione apparated to Malfoy premises.
Hermione felt the earth stop spinning only moments later, and when she opened her eyes she was standing before iron gates, almost 8 feet in height. In the middle there was a large "M" with a snake wrapped leisurely around the lines. She pushed slightly, but the doors didn't open.
"Umm." Hermione looked inside; there was no one around. Before turning around she noticed a red button. "What is that?" she muttered to herself. Cautiously she pressed it.
"May I help you?" A strong, male voice rang out around her.
"Uh, yes. I'm here for an interview with Narcissa Malfoy for the maid job." Hermione said, not sure if he could hear her or not.
"The gates will be opened in a moment." The voice said briskly.
Hermione said okay, and waited impatiently for the gates to open. 'They can't even accommodate their guests properly. Have to wait out here for no goddamn reason. Come on!" The thoughts shifted around in her head. Finally she heard a creaking, as the doors opened. She stepped gingerly inside and looked around.
"Wow." She whispered. Now she had a really good look at their house, and courtyard. It was magnificent. The house was huge, an intimidating black, with sharp angles. But the courtyard and gardens, that was something to be admired. It was the complete opposite of the Manor, soft, light, airy, feminine. It was gorgeous, but strangely complimented the masculinity of the house. Hermione walked carefully along a stone pathway, several meters away from the door. She passed pathways branching off from the main one and she couldn't help but wonder where they went. She looked to her right, and caught sight of a white gazebo. Finally she made it to the doorway, and not quite sure she was doing the right thing, knocked on the door. Almost immediately it was opened to show a man suited in black robes.
"Hello, Miss. I'm guessing you're here for the job?"
Hermione was immediately struck by how handsome he was. He had dark brown eyes and hair, a prominent chin and nose, and extremely white teeth. Growing up with dentists as her parents, Hermione always inspected a person's teeth on instinct.
"U-uh yes." Hermione stuttered, and the butler's, she assumed he was the butler, smile grew bigger.
"Come this way Miss." And he held the door open for her.
"Okay." Hermione followed behind the butler in a comfortable silence for quite a while. They went along passages filled with portraits of different generations of Malfoys; each one seemed to glare at her, and many, many doors. 'How could anyone work here?' she wondered to herself.
They walked a little longer, and suddenly stopped in front of a large door, and a portrait of a striking blonde.
"You wait here, Miss." The butler trailed off, waiting for her name.
"Granger, Hermione Granger."
"Ah, yes. I'll go see if Madame Malfoy is done with their previous interviewee. He knocked softly, and Hermione heard a faint, "Come in." She waited, nervously toying with her robes, and pulling up her shirt. She hadn't realized how much it revealed. The door opened suddenly, and a beautiful redhead walked out. Actually it wasn't really walking; it was more like sashay. Hermione nodded, and the woman merely glanced in her direction.
"Right." Hermione muttered, and the Butler walked back out.
"They're ready for you, Miss Granger."
"They?" Hermione thought silently, but walked cautiously inside anyway. Almost immediately, she met the eyes of Draco Malfoy. No one else could have such beautiful eyes, even when they were cold, and obviously filled with confused hate.
"What are you doing here, Mudblood?"
- -
Bwahahaha! A cliff! Wee! Kind of. Well, anyway, this chapters okay, but I'm more excited about the next one, and the next one, and the next one. It goes on forever! Review you guys! :) Love ya.
"Yeah, Herm. You can't be serious. Dumbledore would never do that. He knows what Draco was like during school." Redhead Ron Weasley said skeptically, sipping his drink thoughtfully.
The famous trio had met up at a new and upcoming coffee shop in Hogsmeade to discuss Hermione's predicament. The ebony colored tables, and buttercup yellow walls was a cozy atmosphere, and it calmed Hermione's nerves slightly. Hermione had owled both of the men, to get their opinions on her new assignment for Dumbledore, and so far it hadn't gone so good; neither Harry nor Ron were helping.
"I know, guys. Trust me I'm not happy about it one bit." Hermione bit her lip, stirring her drink carefully.
"Hermione," Harry started out hesitantly, "Dumbledore has done a lot; for all of us I mean, and I could see why he expected you to help." Harry trailed off, and Ron picked up.
"He was always there for all three of us, Herm." Ron said, echoing Harry. "And I think you should do it for him. It's not like it'll kill you."
"We're talking about Malfoy here." Hermione said harshly, but softened her voice at seeing the look on their faces. "Okay, okay, you're both right. I'll do it, I just won't be very happy about it."
Harry smiled brilliantly. "Knew you wouldn't let old Dumbledore down, Herm!" He patted her shoulder. "So when do you start this mission?"
"Two days, a.k.a. Thursday." Hermione said, her voice wreathed with annoyance.
"That's not too bad, you can get started on you're assignment for work," Harry smiled cheekily. "Interview me first."
"Right, like I really have time to do anything of the sort. If the Malfoys are anything like I remember Draco Malfoy being, then they'll be working me like a dog." Hermione stood, throwing a couple of dollars on the table. "Look, I need to go think, I'll see you guys later."
Giving each of them a quick hug, Hermione exited the coffee shop.
"Wait until she knows the truth. About the prophesy." Ron said, after making sure Hermione had left. He took another swig of his drink.
Harry nodded. "'Until sworn enemies fall in love, and the snake and lion are brought together." He trailed off, leaving the rest of the prophecy un- said.
Ron and Harry looked at each other. "Do you think this'll work? Hermione and Draco, I don't think it's possible."
"I do. Anything's possible here, where magic surrounds us."
-
The next day was bright and beautiful, and Hermione itched to go out and breathe in the sunshine. She wanted desperately to roll around in the grass. But it just happened she had a lot of work to do. At the moment she was composing a letter to Mariah Rolinsky. She knew it would be hard to meet up with the woman seeing as she was constantly out of town, God knows where, but she was going to try. Surely the publicity opportunity would attract the woman enough to meet with her.
"Dear Miss Rolinsky," Hermione muttered, her quill moving across the page. "I hope to meet with you in Hogsmeade. No, no, scratch that."
After about 15 minutes the letter was finished, and Hermione was pleased. At least one thing went right in her life. She sighed, and got up. She walked out of her office and down the hall to the Owl's Office, as it was called. Slowly opening the door, she looked inside. There were about 15 owls snoozing on racks attached to the walls. She grimaced as she looked at the ground, where bones of rats and mice were scattered. She didn't bother stepping inside. Hermione heard a soft "Hoot" and looked up, finding one her favorite Witch Weekly owls, a peanut-colored female, named Marcella.
"Come here Marcella. I have a letter for you to deliver." Hermione gave the letter to Marcella, and smoothed out some of her fur. "Take care of it, and thank you." She watched as the bird flew out of a window.
-
It was the morning of her interview with the Malfoys, and Hermione felt sick. It wasn't an illness, but she felt like she was about to vomit, anyway.
"I don't know why you're going to do this if you don't want to." Ginny said, bringing Hermione a cold cloth. Hermione took it gratefully, and put it on her forehead.
"I have to Gin. Dumbledore is counting on me, and it didn't help that Harry and Ron are totally on his side about it."
"Of course they are, and I understand why. Dumbledore has done a lot."
"Oh come on." Hermione quickly interrupted Ginny; she knew exactly where the conversation was going.
Ginny looked surprised. "What?
"Nothing." Hermione stood up, ready to take a shower.
Ginny followed her as she walked out of the kitchen. "Hermione you sulked all day yesterday, just come on and take on this challenge with your head up. Maybe you can set off a couple of dungbombs under his bed."
"Why would I do that?" Hermione asked bitterly. "I'd be the one cleaning it up."
Ginny sighed, trying hard not to give up. "Hermione the pay is great."
Hermione rolled her eyes, and closed the bathroom door. "I'll be out in a few Gin."
--
Hermione glanced at her clock, and flinched. It was already 10:00, and she was supposed to be at the Malfoy's around 10:30. She quickly threw on some black pants, a light blue shirt, and her black robes over them.
"Why don't you wear this?" Ginny asked, holding up a beautiful emerald green robe.
"Why can't I wear what I have on?" Hermione snapped back.
"Well." Ginny paused, looking pointedly at the tear on the hem of her robe.
"Ginny." Hermione shook her head and headed for the door.
"I can't let you go out in that." Ginny muttered. She was big on fashion, which you tell from her flowing, colorful robes. She pulled out her wand and pointed it straight at Hermione's back. "Furve un Instret."
Hermione froze; her right hand rested on the doorknob, ready to open the door, the other at her side. Quickly, Ginny ran up to her, and deftly took off the horrid robe. She replaced it with the green one, and magicked a different shirt along with it; the new one was simply black, though it complimented her curves, and had a revealing neckline, at least for Hermione's standards. One of Hermione's arms flinched slightly, and Ginny knew the spell was wearing off. A minute later, Hermione was glaring at Ginny suspiciously.
"Did you just do what I think you did, Weasley?" Hermione asked slowly, feeling her face for anything out of place.
"I don't thin so, Herm. What do you think I did?" Ginny asked inocently playing with her shirt.
"Where'd my robe go?" Hermione gasped out. Just noticing the different texture and color of her beloved robe.
"It went where in belongs."
"Ginny! That was a my favorite robe!" Hermione looked around the room. "Where'd you put it."
'Nowhere." And with a flick of her wrist, Hermione's hair came out of its usual braid and flowed down her back. "Much better."
Hermione fingered her hair, prepared to put it back on. "Ginny, you're making me late. Now I have to get changed, and fix my hair."
"Uh uh, oh no you don't. It's already 10:20. Just stay the way you are. It's a nice change."
"Ginny!" Hermione threatened.
"I owe you one." Ginny smiled smugly, opened the door, and pushed Hermione out.
Hermione turned quickly to make a retort, but the door was already shut. Extremely tired, not to mention annoyed, Hermione apparated to Malfoy premises.
Hermione felt the earth stop spinning only moments later, and when she opened her eyes she was standing before iron gates, almost 8 feet in height. In the middle there was a large "M" with a snake wrapped leisurely around the lines. She pushed slightly, but the doors didn't open.
"Umm." Hermione looked inside; there was no one around. Before turning around she noticed a red button. "What is that?" she muttered to herself. Cautiously she pressed it.
"May I help you?" A strong, male voice rang out around her.
"Uh, yes. I'm here for an interview with Narcissa Malfoy for the maid job." Hermione said, not sure if he could hear her or not.
"The gates will be opened in a moment." The voice said briskly.
Hermione said okay, and waited impatiently for the gates to open. 'They can't even accommodate their guests properly. Have to wait out here for no goddamn reason. Come on!" The thoughts shifted around in her head. Finally she heard a creaking, as the doors opened. She stepped gingerly inside and looked around.
"Wow." She whispered. Now she had a really good look at their house, and courtyard. It was magnificent. The house was huge, an intimidating black, with sharp angles. But the courtyard and gardens, that was something to be admired. It was the complete opposite of the Manor, soft, light, airy, feminine. It was gorgeous, but strangely complimented the masculinity of the house. Hermione walked carefully along a stone pathway, several meters away from the door. She passed pathways branching off from the main one and she couldn't help but wonder where they went. She looked to her right, and caught sight of a white gazebo. Finally she made it to the doorway, and not quite sure she was doing the right thing, knocked on the door. Almost immediately it was opened to show a man suited in black robes.
"Hello, Miss. I'm guessing you're here for the job?"
Hermione was immediately struck by how handsome he was. He had dark brown eyes and hair, a prominent chin and nose, and extremely white teeth. Growing up with dentists as her parents, Hermione always inspected a person's teeth on instinct.
"U-uh yes." Hermione stuttered, and the butler's, she assumed he was the butler, smile grew bigger.
"Come this way Miss." And he held the door open for her.
"Okay." Hermione followed behind the butler in a comfortable silence for quite a while. They went along passages filled with portraits of different generations of Malfoys; each one seemed to glare at her, and many, many doors. 'How could anyone work here?' she wondered to herself.
They walked a little longer, and suddenly stopped in front of a large door, and a portrait of a striking blonde.
"You wait here, Miss." The butler trailed off, waiting for her name.
"Granger, Hermione Granger."
"Ah, yes. I'll go see if Madame Malfoy is done with their previous interviewee. He knocked softly, and Hermione heard a faint, "Come in." She waited, nervously toying with her robes, and pulling up her shirt. She hadn't realized how much it revealed. The door opened suddenly, and a beautiful redhead walked out. Actually it wasn't really walking; it was more like sashay. Hermione nodded, and the woman merely glanced in her direction.
"Right." Hermione muttered, and the Butler walked back out.
"They're ready for you, Miss Granger."
"They?" Hermione thought silently, but walked cautiously inside anyway. Almost immediately, she met the eyes of Draco Malfoy. No one else could have such beautiful eyes, even when they were cold, and obviously filled with confused hate.
"What are you doing here, Mudblood?"
- -
Bwahahaha! A cliff! Wee! Kind of. Well, anyway, this chapters okay, but I'm more excited about the next one, and the next one, and the next one. It goes on forever! Review you guys! :) Love ya.