Secretary

By: Krissi

Author's Note: Plot taken from the movie"Secretary". I don't own the plot from "Secretary" or any of the Harry Potter characters

Sidenote: Hermione and Draco's point of views are in italics

Chapter 3: The First Step

Neither one of them could confront one another with the events that had just occurred. Hermione kept to her desk, only leaving to use the restroom. Draco stayed in his office, quite sure he wouldn't be able to handle even seeing her. Being stuck in such an uncomfortable position, the tension between them was thick as both of them weren't sure how to handle one another. Hermione, now afraid she would lose her position, kept her distance, and Draco, afraid he would just upset her even more, locked himself away.

---

"I'm home."

Hermione called out, sounding exhausted. Throwing herself on the couch, she quickly searched for the remote, flipping the television on. Ironically it was already set on her favorite talk show. The topic for today's show? 'Improving your relationship with your co-workers'.

"Funny.." Hermione mocked switching the channel

" How was work 'Mione?"

Merrill called out form the kitchen. Peeking from around the wall she gave her daughter a bright smile, already sensing something was wrong. Shuffling over to the couch she took a seat, setting her hands in her lap.

Hermione knew she was looking for an explanation. But instead, she felt the need to keep it to herself.

"Just, peachy."

Her tone obviously sarcastic as her gaze fell to the floor. She picked the lint off her skirt, wanting to distract herself from her mother's penetrating gaze.

"And Mr. Malfoy?"

"Fine."

Merrill knew Hermione wasn't going to confess, so instead she dropped the subject all together. That close bond that mothers and daughters supposedly had was lost years ago. The two were as distant as could be.

"Ron called."

Merrill jumped to a new topic.

"He did?"

"Yes. He wants you to call back."

The expression on Hermione's face was priceless. Merrill knew it would cheer her up- to some extent. Winking at her daughter, she stood from the couch and started for the stairs.

"He said it was important."

She called over her shoulder and nodded.

Important? Hermione reached for the phone and dialed.

---

"So what's so important?"

She finally got around to asking him after about twenty minutes of idol chit-chat. Mind you she never said a word about working for Malfoy. God only knows how he would react to that bit of information.

"Oh-well.."

Ron paused, flushing slightly behind the phone. "...I was wondering..I mean, I'm going to be in town for the next few weeks. Maybe...maybe we can go out for dinner tonight?" His voice cracked as he proposed his ideaplans.

Hermione gave a giggle, holding the phone away from her. She knew something was different. All those questions about her current status and what not. Clearing her throat, she tried to sound as calm as possible, wanting to milk this though something inside of her was already screaming the answer. Yes!

"Is Harry coming? That woul-"

"-No...no I just thought it would be the two of us."

She felt as if butterflies were fluttering around in her stomach. Scarlet red, Hermione contained her excitement.

"Oh. Well, I don't see why not. I would love to Ron."

"Great! I mean..good, good. I'll pick you up around-eightish?"

"Sounds good to me."

"See you then."

"Bye."

Click.

Hanging up the phone, Hermione immediately ran upstairs into her room, flinging herself onto her bed as she grinned with excitement. A date. With Ron. She didn't know what to think about it and it was anything but official, but she couldn't help but think of it as just that, a date. For once, she actually felt genuinely happy. Perhaps this was what she was missing...

---

Ron arrived at eight on the dot. He was dressed to impress, but tonight it was Hermione that stole the show.

"Herm-Hermione, you look; amazing."

And that she did. She tackled her misbehaving locks, forcing them into spiral curls, falling neatly past her shoulders. The bit of make up she had on brightened up her eyes and gave her deathly pale skin a healthy glow. She chose her favorite black dress, one she hardly wore but always attracted attention whenever she did. She felt gorgeous tonight and with the stares from Ron, she knew that he felt the same, giving her back the confidence she had lost long ago.

---

"His name is Peter Steinberg, A very important client of mine. Send him to my table as soon as he arrives. Do not screw this up. Understand?"

Draco scolded the young waiter as he took his over coat, sending it to the coat room. His pale gray eyes examined the ritzy Muggle restaurant, ignoring the frightened boy as he returned to lead him to his table for the evening. Even though he was a wizard, Draco dealt with a variety of cases, whether it be from a Muggle or Wizard client. As long as the pay was good, he was up for the case.

As he settled down to his table and ordered himself one of the finest bottles of red wine the restaurant had to offer, Draco's gaze began to drift around the room, and wouldn't you know it, it happened to land on a particular red head.

---

The two were huddled up together in an intimate setting near the back of the restaurant. The lights were dimmed just enough for candlelight. Her eyes sparkled and glowed as Ron continued to take about his latest match with his favorite team, the Chudley Cannons.

"--Bloody brilliant formations. Honestly, I don't understand how they are just so...just so–"

"--Synchronized?"

"Yeah that's it. Synchronized.." Ron finished, his voice slowly fading as his gaze fell to his cleaned plate.

"Sorry 'Mione, we didn't come here to talk about Quidditch, but here I am and I'm really sorry.."

His cheeks started to flush slightly out of embarrassment.

"No its fine Ron. I really don't mind. It's nice to see someone so enthusiastic about their profession, other then Harry o'course."

She answered back in a sweet voice, smiling lightly. Her frail hand reached out for his callous one, laying it lightly atop of his. "I'm just glad you're back and thankful for you getting me out of the house. I really needed it."

Ron still acted as if he was fifteen, with that same childish crush he had on Hermione since first year. Now a beet red, he did his best to calm himself as he reached out towards her, his two fingers stroking her cheek briefly.

"'Glad you came. I've– I've missed you Hermione."

With his sentence, it was Hermione's turn to flush as he leaned closer–closer–closer.

And just like that, the two were leaning over the table, their lips pressed together in an innocent kiss.

Little did the two know a haughty blonde was lurking in the distance...

---

He didn't know what to feel. He felt – he felt; enraged. Yes, enraged. Revolted. Disappointed.

A mix of emotions flooded Draco as he stormed out to his car. His night ended in a complete disaster. Not only did his client not arrive, but there he was feeling.. jealous because that redheaded dolt had laid a finger on her. On Hermione. But why he felt this way still baffled him. Now sitting in the driver's seat of his sleek black BMW, his hand on the steering wheel as he stared off in the deserted parking lot, he gave a great sigh, trying his best to relax by rubbing the his temples.

Get a grip he thought, closing his eyes and slouching slightly in the chair. But all he could see was her! With Weasley...why? Why, out of all people?

Slamming his hand down on the horn three or four times, he cursed in unison, a colorful arrangement of words leaving his thin lips. As soon as his nerves were settled enough, Draco glanced to the back windshield of the car, watching as Hermione and Weasley stepped out of the restaurant, hand and hand looking awfully close. He just glared. He sneered, snarled, grunted, everything to express his anger at that moment. Moving his jaw, Draco cleared his head, reaching over for the dashboard compartment and dug through it until his fingers came upon a single red sharpie.

Setting it on the passenger's seat, he stared at it for a few moments before sticking his key into the ignition and starting the car. He reeved it once or twice before he sped off back to his home to rest.

That pen was the simple symbol of change. There was going to be a significant change in the office. One Hermione would soon regret.

End of Chapter 3

R&R!

Author's note: Sorry it took me so long to update. I was caught up with schoolwork and finals and I wasn't really motivated to finish, but I had an itch for it and finally finished. I should have the fourth chapter up and running by the end of this week.