A Means to an End
"I'll be late home tonight," Hermione said to her boyfriend, Zach before work one morning. "I don't want you to wait up for me."
"Where are you going?"
"I told you, I have a function at work." Zach looked as though he was about to protest. "You know I want you to join me, but none of the other employees are taking their partners."
"Why don't I drop you off at work? I have a late start, we could grab a coffee on the way," he offered with what he thought to be a charming smile.
"That's sweet, but my bus will be here in a minute. I'll see you tomorrow," she said as she grabbed the doorknob.
"Hermione!"
She spun around, a questioning look on her face.
He approached her swiftly and roughly grabbed her around the waist, brutally kissing her. Every time he kissed her like this, she felt like crying. These kisses were nothing like his.
His were sweet and gentle but demanding at the same time. Even when he kissed her with all of his pent up passion, it was still tender. He always made sure she enjoyed his kisses. He was so unlike Zach; all he cared about was his own pleasure.
"I have to go," she said at last, pushing him away from her.
Hermione slammed the door behind her as she ran to the corner. Hidden by trees, she glanced around her as she pulled her navy robes on and Disapparated.
"Miss Granger, you are looking lovelier and lovelier. Obviously there is someone who is making you very happy?" Alexander Elliott said in his French accent as he handed Hermione a glass of Gilly Water.
"I think I'm glad to be back in London. I didn't mean to offend you, Mr Elliott," Hermione said quickly seeing Alexander frown. "Paris is a lovely place and I loved working there, but nothing can compare with your hometown."
"Too true. Tell me, who is the wizard?"
"He's a Muggle, actually. We met in-" Hermione broke off abruptly when she heard a rich, but cold laugh coming from the other side of the room. Frantically, she searched for the face that had haunted her dreams for the last seven years.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr Elliott," she apologised as she returned her attention back to Alexander. "We met in Paris. My parents were flying in to see me and he arrived on their flight. We constantly ran into each other so we exchanged numbers and when I came home last year, I decided to call him."
"Well, since your boyfriend isn't here, would you care to be my partner for dinner?"
"What about your wife?" Hermione asked desperately.
"Hannah decided to that she had had enough Ministry events to last her a lifetime." He paused. "So, Miss Granger, care to join me for dinner?"
"Yes, of course," Hermione said with a small laugh, accepting his arm.
As the dinner progressed, Hermione found it increasingly difficult to focus on what Alexander was saying. Her attention kept drifting to the wizard diagonally opposite her and the pretty brunette who was in deep in a hushed conversation with him.
"A job is a job. What does it matter if it's cleaning out cauldrons or modelling Madam Malkin's robes?""What about pride, Clarissa?"
"What about making a living and surviving?" Clarissa returned her partner's smirk with a sweet smile, however her eyes were flashing with anger. "As long as the work is honest, I don't think it matters what one does."
They had been together for two years. The only other girl who had come close to lasting as long as she had, was Isobella, who had lasted just over a year.
"And where do you fit into your little continuum, Baby?" he asked. "You call this 'honest' work?"
"Oh, don't think you can 'Baby' me, Lover. As far as I'm concerned," she said as she toyed with the ruby necklace around her throat, "This is honest work. A companion is an honoured job I'll have you know."
"What about what I asked you to do last night?" he asked, the smirk returning. "You call that honest?"
"I don't think you're in a position to criticise, Draco Malfoy, considering you were the one who approached my bosses."
"Well, you definitely are the best Cyprian I've ever had. I think I'll have to get you that diamond necklace," he drawled, resisting the urge to moan as Clarissa ran a hand across his thigh.
"What can I say? I aim to please," Clarissa smiled at him.
As dinner drew to a close, Draco seemed to realise it would be his only chance to speak to Hermione. He politely excused himself from Clarissa and began to make his way to her, pausing every now and again to stop and chat with a colleague.
Her was about to reach her. Draco felt his heart rate double and his need for oxygen increase. He had loved her for ten years.
"Hermione!" he said in a tentative voice.
"You just missed her. She's gone back to Muggle-Land," Alexander informed him.
***
He works at the ministry? Hermione's mind screamed over and over again as she slipped the key into the lock. He has a girlfriend?
She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Zach snoring in his room. It was one o'clock and she really didn't feel like explaining herself to anyone. Coming home in dress robes would have been fun to explain.
Slipping off her shoes at the door, she wandered into her room and softly shut the door behind her. She opened her window and saw Athena, her owl hooting happily in the tree outside.
Without thinking what she was doing, she went to her desk, pulled out a roll of parchment, a bottle of ink and a quill and began a letter.
I don't know where to begin. I haven't seen you since we left Hogwarts, then you show up almost out of the blue tonight. Things have changed since we were sixteen. I have a boyfriend of my own whom I am very happy with. However, I couldn't help but notice the witch by your side at dinner. I had no idea you worked at the Ministry.
Hermione
She rolled the letter up and called to Athena who was more than happy to deliver it to Draco.
Draco had just finished his long, hot bath when he heard a scratching on the window. Tightening the towel that was wrapped around his hips, he opened the window and watched as an owl fluttered in, with a letter tied to its leg. Relieving the owl of the letter, Draco sat down in the armchair facing the fire.
"How about that massage I promised you?" Clarissa purred as she sauntered towards him, her long hair, wet and clinging to her shoulders.
"Not tonight, Baby," he responded as he used right hand to remover her hands from his shoulders. The letter was tightly clutched in his left hand.
She pouted as he returned his attention back to the letter. She stood in front of him, her hands on her hips for a few moments before she surrendered.
"I'll see you tomorrow night, then," Clarissa said in a sulking tone as she left the room.
He smiled when he read the contents. She hadn't forgotten him after all. In fact, he was more than willing to wager everything he owned that she was lying when she claimed that she was happy with her boyfriend.
Dearest HermioneI have missed you too, my pet. Not one day went by that I didn't think about you and wish that things could have been different. There is no gorgeous witch in my life. Although I am quite happy with my life the way it is, I believe otherwise of yours. You say you're happy with this wizard, but I don't believe that for a second.
With my love,
Draco
Hermione burst into tears when she received Draco's letter. He still used his endearment even though it had been years. And he could see right through her.
Dearest Draco
I can't tell you how happy it makes me that you still remember everything from sixth year. My boyfriend isn't a wizard - he's a Muggle. I am happy with Zach. He is a very curious, intelligent man who cares for me. You always told me that there is no such thing as a relationship without honesty and trust. Who was that gorgeous woman with you tonight?
Hermione
Pet,
I have loved you for ten years; I know when you are lying to me. This Zach doesn't know you're a witch, does he? How can you 'be happy' with a curious man who doesn't know the truth about you, Hermione? There is no hope for your relationship if you don't tell him. And what will happen if you do? Knowing most Muggles, he'll either send you to an insane asylum or burn you at the stake. In answer to your question, the woman I was with was Clarissa - my paid companion.
Draco
Draco, you don't seem to understand. It is true that Zach doesn't know the truth but that is the way I want it to stay. I decided when I left Hogwarts that it would be safer if I never dated a wizard again. I am at the lower end of the wizard hierarchy and far beneath all, especially a pure blood like you.
Mione
My love
We are getting somewhere. Hermione, it was not my choice. I had no say in the matter. If I could, I'd have asked you to marry me, but… Has he done anything to hurt you? If he has, I swear, I will Avada Kedavra him from here to Beauxbaton a hundred times over.
Draco
Her ever-protective Draco, she thought with a sigh. That was one reason why she had never lied to him before. He could see right through her lies. Even when the world was falling apart, she knew that she would always have Draco as her touchstone.
Darling
He has done nothing to me. Nothing in the way you mean. He isn't abusive. Although I admit that he isn't you. Oh, Draco all I want is to be with you again. I have missed you so much. You and Zach are so different. I find myself kissing him and wishing it was you. Draco, I need you!
Mione
Draco looked at the letter, trying to decipher what she had written. It was obvious that she was crying when she wrote it.
Hermione, Pet
I want you; I need you more than you can know. Abandon your beau and meet me at Flourish and Blotts tomorrow at two.
With love
Draco
My darling, Draco
I have a better idea. Come to 227 Juliet Street at eleven. Zach works on Saturdays, so we'll be alone until five.
With all my love
Hermione
Hermione nervously paced the living room the next morning while she waited for Draco. At exactly eleven o'clock, a pop sounded outside the door before a rap on the door. Smoothing out her best robes before checking her hair in the mirror, Hermione opened the door to Draco with a smile.
As she turned her back on him to close the front door, she gasped as Draco grabbed her around the waist and turned her so that she was facing him, holding as close as he could. His eyes searched her face, seeking permission while her hands stroked his face. He gently brushed his lips against hers, smiling when he felt her part her lips, indicating she wanted him to deepen the kiss – which he happily did.
Hermione couldn't help but moan every time Draco ran his hands along her side. His hands were better than she remembered and his kisses were a thousand times better than what she was used to.
Draco slowly began to undo the clasps to her robes. She opened her eyes as he began to trail kisses down her neck.
"Zach!" she screamed, pulling her robe together as she pushed Draco away. "What are you doing here?"
"I wasn't feeling well, so I decided to come home early. Just as well I did. What do you think you're doing with this pretty boy?"
"Umm… Zach, this is my old friend, Draco Malfoy," Hermione said weakly.
"Old friend, hmm? How long have you been seeing him? I never imagined you'd be the kind of woman to cheat on me! You whore! You're a bloody tramp; that's what you are!"
"How dare you insult her like that you pathetic excuse for a Muggle."
Zach frowned at Draco for a second.
"You're the guy in that photo Herm has in her diary. The one that was taken at a ruin!"
Draco smiled as he remembered the photo that was taken outside Hogwarts. "I remember that one!"
"You've been through my diary?" Hermione cried, tired of remaining silent.
"You've never really loved me, have you? I'm just second best, aren't I?"
Hermione stood there, looking horrified.
"Fine then! I hope you're happy with your black shirt guy!" Zach raged as he went to his room to pack his things.
***
Hermione was absolutely distraught at the thought of being caught kissing Draco in front of Zach that she decided to stay at home, moping instead of going to work on Monday. The headaches that had started not long after Draco left escalated into a migraine.
At twelve o'clock Monday, just when most members of the Ministry of Magic were stopping for lunch Draco decided to find Hermione to check on her. He slammed the gold doors of the lift shut and punched the button to Hermione's floor.
"Draco," Alexander said with a smile, "What brings you here?"
"I'm after Hermione."
"She didn't come in this morning. She's taken the first day off since she left Hogwarts."
Draco nodded numbly as he slowly made his way back to his office. Hermione was still obviously troubled by Saturday's events and it was his fault entirely. If he had just left well enough alone, then she wouldn't be at home, probably crying. The thought caused his heart to break. The smartest thing to do would have been to return her letter unanswered. That way he never would have arranged the tryst with her and she would still be happy… But he wouldn't.
Draco arrived back at his desk to see his Father's owl sitting on it, a letter tied to its leg.
Untying the letter, and dismissing the owl with a flick of his wrist, Draco slowly sat down to read the letter; dreading what his Father had to say.
Draco I am concerned about your loyalty to the Malfoy name. I realise you are climbing the corporate ladder of the Ministry, however, at the age of twenty-six, I was one of the highest ranking members of the circle, a millionaire with a wife and a child on the way.
I have decided that it is time that you take a wife. I believe Georgette Hallow will make you very happy. I don't need to remind you that she is wealthy, pureblooded and beautiful. Your engagement will be announced in two weeks.
Yours sincerely,
Father
***
He was right! Hermione thought to herself as she sobbed into her pillow. She was a tramp and a whore! She had just committed one of the worst imaginable crimes. She was no better than Blaise Zabini, the resident Slytherin slut!
Draco probably would never want to see her! Not that she could blame him. She wouldn't want to see her either if she was caught kissing someone else. And now that Zach had left her, she was forced to pay the rent of the house alone which was quite impossible considering the conversion rate between Wizarding and Muggle money was at its all time low.
There was a pounding on the door, and Hermione just assumed it to be one of her neighbours or Zach.
"Hermione!" Draco's voice rang frantically through the door. "Pet, are you in there?"
Hermione slowly wandered out of her room and over to the front door.
"You're okay? Oh, thank, Merlin!" he sighed as he gathered her in his arms and kissed her hair.
Once the relief had finished washing over him, he remembered part of his reason for calling.
"What's the matter?" she asked gently as she saw his face drop.
"You weren't at work."
"I couldn't bear to see you! You must be disgusted with me," she said as she looked away. "There's something else. What is it?" She wasn't going to leave it alone.
"I received a letter from Father."
Hermione blanched. A letter from Lucius was not a good sign.
"He has arranged for me to be married."
"No!" Hermione said weakly as she sank down on chair.
"Who? Do I know her?"
"You could say you know her."
"And? Who is she?"
"Georgette Hallow. The engagement is announced in a fortnight." Draco moved to comfort her but she pushed him away, not wanting his comfort.
"Little miss prissy?" Hermione screamed as she tried to shove him out the door. "Your father has arranged a marriage with that… that thing? Are you going to do anything?" Hermione asked, finally accepting the comfort Draco offered.
"I'm going to try and do everything thing I can," Draco promised in a whisper as he stroked her hair.
