"Damn it!"
Hermione was seated at her desk. After her and Harry's horrid encounter with Malfoy during lunch, she was finding it difficult to concentrate on designing the interior of Mrs. Needs new flat, as well as a bridal gown for Parvati Patil, who was, interestingly enough marrying Seamus Finnigan.
Her desk was filled with different sketches and various fabric swatches. A team of designers were busy pitching ideas to Hermione and doing some of their own sketches. Frustrated, Hermione picked up her purse and gave a curt good-bye as she left her office. The designers just ignored her attitude and continued to work.
Taking her jacket off the hook, she told her assistant that she was taking the rest of the day off. She apparated to Flourish and Blotts, deciding that a few good books and perhaps a bottle of wine would calm her down and prepare her to get back to work in the morning. Hermione entered the store and took a deep breath. She may be in the design industry, but her love of books never died. A store worker recognized her and gave her a friendly wave. With a smile, Hermione began to walk through the aisles looking for new additions to her home library.
After picking up a book called "Magical Innovations of the Twenty-First Century," she immediately opened the cover and began to read the first page as she continued to walk towards a group of comfortable chairs the shop had set up for its patrons. She was barely a few feet from her destination when she ran into something...or someone. She peered up from her book and groaned inwardly.
"Well well, nice to see you again Granger."
Malfoy. Of all the people to run into at her place of solace, it had to be the person that she still harbored such anger for after all these years. No matter how 'nice,' or 'changed' Draco Malfoy was, he was still the reason that Hermione was constantly insecure about her looks, although she had no reason to be. The taunts and the curses he had directed towards her appearance left their mark.
"Out of my way. I'm trying to enjoy the last part of my afternoon."
Malfoy smirked, "Playing hooky from work? So the rumors of you being the most hard-working witch were wrong." He followed her towards a group of chairs set up around a large coffee table. He sat across from her, legs propped up on the table, a smirk still gracing his face.
"Whatever you have to say Malfoy, I really don't give a damn. If you don't mind, I am trying to enjoy this book, and your company is spoiling the moment."
"Touchy aren't we Granger? Can't an old school-mate catch up with you, or has your fame and fortune gone to your head?"
"I was never your 'mate' Malfoy, and unlike you and your family, I never held my position in the Wizarding world against those less fortunate than me. Again, I am asking you nicely, please leave."
Draco got up, and Hermione felt relieved, thinking that he was leaving. She was wrong. He walked towards her and sat down on the table in front of her.
"But why? I was enjoying looking up your skirt from across the table." Hermione gasped and pulled the hem of her skirt down.
"Malfoy, I think this conversation is over. Good day to you, and never speak to me again."
As she got up, Draco grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him. He bent down and whispered in her ear, "Oh, we will be talking again. See, I happen to be the new chair of the Board of Trustees of your little company, so trust me, we'll be spending lots of quality time together."
Hermione jerked her arm from his grasp and stare incredulously at him.
Draco sensed he was about to ask him what the hell he was talking about, so he continued to speak before Hermione had a chance to open her mouth.
"I thought you were such a little research wagon. Surely you would have researched that Donatella happens to be a Malfoy." Hermione's expression darkened, but she said nothing. "See, she is from the veela side of the family. But she stupidly ran off into the muggle world. But it was a good thing that she made a name for herself there, at least she wasn't some pauper begging in the streets of Milan. So after our little reunion at lunch I thought I would ring her up and let her know that I was in need of a new job. Being unemployed has run its course for me. So after I told her that I ran into you and what great friends we were at Hogwart's, she told me that the former chairman of the board of VERSAELF was retiring, so I got the position. I think it's a lovely arrangement, don't you?"
Draco stared at Hermione, searching her face for the answer to his question. Hermione just glared, grabbed her purse, and walked out of Flourish and Blotts.
With a small chuckle, Draco followed suit.
*~*
"Open your bloody door Potter! I know you're in there! OPEN UP! Alohamo....."
"Jesus, what the hell is your problem! Can't ring someone before barging up and banging the hell out of their door?"
Harry stood at the door wrapped up in a sheet. Hermione gave him a sly look and peered into the flat and saw that there were various articles of clothing strewn about the place.
"Did I come at a bad time? " Hermione asked innocently.
"Yes," answered Harry through clenched teeth. "I happen to have a lovely young lady lying in my bed unsatisfied due to your untimely interruption."
"Well, satisfy her later, I need to talk to you, and it's too far to apparate to Iceland and barge in on Ron."
"Damn it, this better be important."
Hermione stepped into Harry's flat, kicking some knickers and a bra to the side as she walked over and flopped down on the couch. A few moments later, she saw the clothes on the floor flying towards the bedroom, and shortly afterwards, a stunning blond stomped out, glared at Hermione and marched out the door. Following her dramatic exit was Harry, still covered in his bed sheet. He sat down on the couch and looked at Hermione. She was rubbing her temples and muttering something under her breath.
"So, what do I do this mid-shag interruption. And remember, this better be good because I just got slapped by Apexia Kishi."
"The super model?" Harry nodded and conjured up a tea pot and two mugs and began to pour himself and Hermione some tea.
"Well? I am waiting for a grand explanation."
Hermione sipped her tea, "Well, see, I was reading Playwitch at work, you know, just for the articles, and I though, 'Wouldn't it be wild if I showed up at Harry's and offered to shag him senseless using the new positions I just read?' So here I am, willing to take Apexia's seconds."
Harry stared at Hermione. For a split second he thought she was serious, then he laughed out loud.
"Merlin, for a moment there I thought you were bloody serious." Hermione's expression did not change. "You weren't serious...were you?"
Hermione smiled, "No, don't be stupid, if I wanted to shag you Harry, I would already be naked in you bed. You know I'm not much for small talk."
"So WHY are you here, why did you bang the hell out of my door, why did I have to make Apexia leave, and why are you being so sulky? Was it because you paid for lunch?"
"Shut up Harry, I don't care if I pay for all our lunches. I am here because I just received the most dreadful news. I am on my way to Corsica, but I thought I would stop by and tell you first, so just in case I end up in Azkaban for murder, you at least know why."
"Well, then, tell me now."
"Well, see, I was a bit put off by seeing Malfoy during lunch, so I thought I would head over to Flourish and Blotts and clear my head with a good read so I could be back in top form in the morning. Well, who do I literally run into at the store? Malfoy. He peeked up my skirt, then tells me that Donatella is some distant Malfoy relation, and that she just appointed him this afternoon as chairman of the board of trustees of VERSAELF, which means he is my BOSS! This means that I have to dance around that stupid ferret whenever I want something done. So I'm running to Corsica where Donatella is on holiday, resigning as president, castrating, and perhaps ripping out Malfoy's tongue, then I thought we could do lunch tomorrow."
"That's the stupidest thing I ever heard anyone tell me in the last twenty-four hours. This little 'issue' you're having did not warrant a shag-interruption, especially if the person I was with was bloody Apexia Kishi!" Harry got up, and stomped off to his room and slammed the door. Hermione followed him and knocked on his door.
"Harry! Don't be so cross with me! You know how I feel about Malfoy? Knowing that he is my boss is going to drive me batty at work!! Please come out and convince me that it's not right to inflict severe pain on him!"
Harry opened the door dressed in slacks and simple button down shirt. He grabbed Hermione by the arm and led her towards the door. He opened the door and nudged Hermione out to the Hallway. Before he slammed the door in her face, he smirked at her, much like Malfoy had that afternoon.
"You interrupted my shag-session to tell me that Malfoy snuck a peek at your knickers and that he is now your new boss? 'Mione, look, to tell you the truth, Ron and I always snuck peeks up your skirt. You always gave a lovely view. And as for Malfoy being the chair of the board, deal with it. You get to keep your great job, make loads of money, be on the cover of magazines, be a respected witch, and continue living your life the way you always have. All you have to do is grow-up, get over Malfoy and his antics, ignore him and move on. You are far too important to the company to think that his new position with VERSAELF will threaten yours. So thank you for the interruption, have a lovely weekend to Corsica, and NEVER, I mean NEVER make me send another girl home just because you and malfoy still try to one up each other."
And with that, Harry slammed the door shut on a shocked and embarrassed Hermione.
*~*
Hermione apparated to her house. It was dark and empty, which did nothing to improve Hermione's mood.
She placed her purse in the foyer and hung up her jacket. After taking off her shoes in the hallway, Hermione padded towards the kitchen to grab something to eat. It was after seven in the evening, so her butler and maid were already in their quarters for the evening. She saw that Matilda had left her a plate of roast beef on the table, along with a note saying that if there was anything else she needed, she and Mr. Castleton were at the servant's cottage. Hermione sighed. For someone who was smart, rich, and famous, she didn't have much to come home to in the evening.
'Stupid Harry,' thought Hermione. 'Grow up indeed! He has no idea what he's talking about!' Hermione grabbed the plate and made it up the side stairs to her suite.
Once she was in her room, Hermione changed to a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt and sat on the floor in front of the fireplace eating her dinner and sipping on a glass of Pinot Noir that was also left out for her. She thought about what Harry said, and decided there was not need to bother Donatella. She could deal with Malfoy on her own. She finished her meal and grabbed her sketch book and walked back downstairs to her office.
Hermione spent the next two hours completely immersed in sketching designs for Parvati's wedding gown, as well as making a model of the interior of Mrs. Needs flat that she was designing. Satisfied that she made up for missing an afternoon at work, Hermione stretched and began to put her sketch book and model away when there was a knock on her front door.
'It's almost eleven! That better not be Harry wanting to tell me off again.' Hermione walked to the foyer and looked through the peephole on her door. She cursed under her breath and opened the door.
On her front steps was none other than Draco Malfoy, dressed in an impeccable suit, briefcase in one hand, and a bottle of wine in the other.
"I don't care for cheap wine Malfoy, nor do I need a new briefcase, so you can take your goods elsewhere." Before Hermione had the chance to shut the door, Malfoy blocked her from shutting the door in his face and stepped inside.
"Now Granger, that's no way to treat you new boss. And for your information, this is a great bottle of Madeira. And this fine briefcase cost me almost five hundred galleons. Now quit looking like you swallowed curdled milk and show me in..politely."
Hermione fought the urge to grab her wand and curse him right then and there. She gestured towards the parlour and shut the door behind him.
Once they were seated, Draco transfigured some coasters into wine glasses and poured himself and Hermione each a glass. Hermione had not stopped glaring for at least five minutes, and it was the best five minutes of Draco's night.
"Isn't it past your bedtime Malfoy? I have to be in the office early and don't have time for your crap tonight."
"Tsk tsk, a bit feisty in the evening are we? Judging from your dress, you don't have anyone to bestow all that pent up sexual repression on. This is an impressive home Granger. Sure beats that crappy flat you and your boyfriends had after Hogwart's. Well, have some wine. Consider this a celebratory drink."
Hermione stood up and grabbed his glass and threw it into the roaring fire. "Who the hell do you think you are? You ruin my lunch, my afternoon, and now my evening. You may be my boss, but you have no right to show up here at eleven thirty with the intention of pissing me off!"
Draco leaned back into his chair and enjoyed Hermione's mini-outburst. 'She's such a predictable cow. I'm going to enjoy bossing her around.'
Hermione groaned, and sank back into her chair across from Draco. "Why are you here Malfoy? Isn't it enough that you get to boss me around at work, must you show up at my home and make my life here miserable as well?"
"Well, no, i didn't have to show up here, but I was curious as to what class a muggle such as your self would have in decorating this monstrosity of a house. But seeing as you are in the design business, I can see that you have excellent taste. And i can't really leave you see, I was dropped off here by a friend. I am a bit soused, and I don't think im capable of apparating. I don't need another Apparating Under the Influence on my license, nor do I wish to be splinched."
"I don't give a damn if you're splinched. I need to get to bed and be up in time to make a seven-thirty meeting, which, unfortunately, is with the board of directors, meaning you'll be there to sour up my morning." Hermione got up once more and nodded towards the front door.
"Alright Granger, don't give your self a heart attack. I'll leave, but it does make my evening better knowing that I get to see you first thing in the morning." Draco picked up his briefcase, and walked towards the front door. Before he stepped outside, he turned back to smile menacingly at Hermione who was impatiently tapping her foot in the hallway, waiting for him to leave. "By the way Granger, I'll leave this briefcase here. it contains some paperwork I need you to look over before tomorrow's meeting. I'll need a simple, but detailed presentation on the current state of the company and the various projects we're involved in, as well as the projected designs you have for the fall line, and the names of the people working on it. I suppose a twenty minute presentation, as well as a fifteen page written proposal, not including sketches, will suffice for tomorrow. Have a good evening." And he was gone.
Hermione was fuming. 'How DARE he push all this work on me on the eve of the meeting, not to mention at eleven forty-five at night!' Hermione picked up the briefcase brought it to her office. She grabbed her sketchbook, some quills, and a turned on her laptop that she had magically charmed and set herself to work. It was going to be a long night.
Hermione was seated at her desk. After her and Harry's horrid encounter with Malfoy during lunch, she was finding it difficult to concentrate on designing the interior of Mrs. Needs new flat, as well as a bridal gown for Parvati Patil, who was, interestingly enough marrying Seamus Finnigan.
Her desk was filled with different sketches and various fabric swatches. A team of designers were busy pitching ideas to Hermione and doing some of their own sketches. Frustrated, Hermione picked up her purse and gave a curt good-bye as she left her office. The designers just ignored her attitude and continued to work.
Taking her jacket off the hook, she told her assistant that she was taking the rest of the day off. She apparated to Flourish and Blotts, deciding that a few good books and perhaps a bottle of wine would calm her down and prepare her to get back to work in the morning. Hermione entered the store and took a deep breath. She may be in the design industry, but her love of books never died. A store worker recognized her and gave her a friendly wave. With a smile, Hermione began to walk through the aisles looking for new additions to her home library.
After picking up a book called "Magical Innovations of the Twenty-First Century," she immediately opened the cover and began to read the first page as she continued to walk towards a group of comfortable chairs the shop had set up for its patrons. She was barely a few feet from her destination when she ran into something...or someone. She peered up from her book and groaned inwardly.
"Well well, nice to see you again Granger."
Malfoy. Of all the people to run into at her place of solace, it had to be the person that she still harbored such anger for after all these years. No matter how 'nice,' or 'changed' Draco Malfoy was, he was still the reason that Hermione was constantly insecure about her looks, although she had no reason to be. The taunts and the curses he had directed towards her appearance left their mark.
"Out of my way. I'm trying to enjoy the last part of my afternoon."
Malfoy smirked, "Playing hooky from work? So the rumors of you being the most hard-working witch were wrong." He followed her towards a group of chairs set up around a large coffee table. He sat across from her, legs propped up on the table, a smirk still gracing his face.
"Whatever you have to say Malfoy, I really don't give a damn. If you don't mind, I am trying to enjoy this book, and your company is spoiling the moment."
"Touchy aren't we Granger? Can't an old school-mate catch up with you, or has your fame and fortune gone to your head?"
"I was never your 'mate' Malfoy, and unlike you and your family, I never held my position in the Wizarding world against those less fortunate than me. Again, I am asking you nicely, please leave."
Draco got up, and Hermione felt relieved, thinking that he was leaving. She was wrong. He walked towards her and sat down on the table in front of her.
"But why? I was enjoying looking up your skirt from across the table." Hermione gasped and pulled the hem of her skirt down.
"Malfoy, I think this conversation is over. Good day to you, and never speak to me again."
As she got up, Draco grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him. He bent down and whispered in her ear, "Oh, we will be talking again. See, I happen to be the new chair of the Board of Trustees of your little company, so trust me, we'll be spending lots of quality time together."
Hermione jerked her arm from his grasp and stare incredulously at him.
Draco sensed he was about to ask him what the hell he was talking about, so he continued to speak before Hermione had a chance to open her mouth.
"I thought you were such a little research wagon. Surely you would have researched that Donatella happens to be a Malfoy." Hermione's expression darkened, but she said nothing. "See, she is from the veela side of the family. But she stupidly ran off into the muggle world. But it was a good thing that she made a name for herself there, at least she wasn't some pauper begging in the streets of Milan. So after our little reunion at lunch I thought I would ring her up and let her know that I was in need of a new job. Being unemployed has run its course for me. So after I told her that I ran into you and what great friends we were at Hogwart's, she told me that the former chairman of the board of VERSAELF was retiring, so I got the position. I think it's a lovely arrangement, don't you?"
Draco stared at Hermione, searching her face for the answer to his question. Hermione just glared, grabbed her purse, and walked out of Flourish and Blotts.
With a small chuckle, Draco followed suit.
*~*
"Open your bloody door Potter! I know you're in there! OPEN UP! Alohamo....."
"Jesus, what the hell is your problem! Can't ring someone before barging up and banging the hell out of their door?"
Harry stood at the door wrapped up in a sheet. Hermione gave him a sly look and peered into the flat and saw that there were various articles of clothing strewn about the place.
"Did I come at a bad time? " Hermione asked innocently.
"Yes," answered Harry through clenched teeth. "I happen to have a lovely young lady lying in my bed unsatisfied due to your untimely interruption."
"Well, satisfy her later, I need to talk to you, and it's too far to apparate to Iceland and barge in on Ron."
"Damn it, this better be important."
Hermione stepped into Harry's flat, kicking some knickers and a bra to the side as she walked over and flopped down on the couch. A few moments later, she saw the clothes on the floor flying towards the bedroom, and shortly afterwards, a stunning blond stomped out, glared at Hermione and marched out the door. Following her dramatic exit was Harry, still covered in his bed sheet. He sat down on the couch and looked at Hermione. She was rubbing her temples and muttering something under her breath.
"So, what do I do this mid-shag interruption. And remember, this better be good because I just got slapped by Apexia Kishi."
"The super model?" Harry nodded and conjured up a tea pot and two mugs and began to pour himself and Hermione some tea.
"Well? I am waiting for a grand explanation."
Hermione sipped her tea, "Well, see, I was reading Playwitch at work, you know, just for the articles, and I though, 'Wouldn't it be wild if I showed up at Harry's and offered to shag him senseless using the new positions I just read?' So here I am, willing to take Apexia's seconds."
Harry stared at Hermione. For a split second he thought she was serious, then he laughed out loud.
"Merlin, for a moment there I thought you were bloody serious." Hermione's expression did not change. "You weren't serious...were you?"
Hermione smiled, "No, don't be stupid, if I wanted to shag you Harry, I would already be naked in you bed. You know I'm not much for small talk."
"So WHY are you here, why did you bang the hell out of my door, why did I have to make Apexia leave, and why are you being so sulky? Was it because you paid for lunch?"
"Shut up Harry, I don't care if I pay for all our lunches. I am here because I just received the most dreadful news. I am on my way to Corsica, but I thought I would stop by and tell you first, so just in case I end up in Azkaban for murder, you at least know why."
"Well, then, tell me now."
"Well, see, I was a bit put off by seeing Malfoy during lunch, so I thought I would head over to Flourish and Blotts and clear my head with a good read so I could be back in top form in the morning. Well, who do I literally run into at the store? Malfoy. He peeked up my skirt, then tells me that Donatella is some distant Malfoy relation, and that she just appointed him this afternoon as chairman of the board of trustees of VERSAELF, which means he is my BOSS! This means that I have to dance around that stupid ferret whenever I want something done. So I'm running to Corsica where Donatella is on holiday, resigning as president, castrating, and perhaps ripping out Malfoy's tongue, then I thought we could do lunch tomorrow."
"That's the stupidest thing I ever heard anyone tell me in the last twenty-four hours. This little 'issue' you're having did not warrant a shag-interruption, especially if the person I was with was bloody Apexia Kishi!" Harry got up, and stomped off to his room and slammed the door. Hermione followed him and knocked on his door.
"Harry! Don't be so cross with me! You know how I feel about Malfoy? Knowing that he is my boss is going to drive me batty at work!! Please come out and convince me that it's not right to inflict severe pain on him!"
Harry opened the door dressed in slacks and simple button down shirt. He grabbed Hermione by the arm and led her towards the door. He opened the door and nudged Hermione out to the Hallway. Before he slammed the door in her face, he smirked at her, much like Malfoy had that afternoon.
"You interrupted my shag-session to tell me that Malfoy snuck a peek at your knickers and that he is now your new boss? 'Mione, look, to tell you the truth, Ron and I always snuck peeks up your skirt. You always gave a lovely view. And as for Malfoy being the chair of the board, deal with it. You get to keep your great job, make loads of money, be on the cover of magazines, be a respected witch, and continue living your life the way you always have. All you have to do is grow-up, get over Malfoy and his antics, ignore him and move on. You are far too important to the company to think that his new position with VERSAELF will threaten yours. So thank you for the interruption, have a lovely weekend to Corsica, and NEVER, I mean NEVER make me send another girl home just because you and malfoy still try to one up each other."
And with that, Harry slammed the door shut on a shocked and embarrassed Hermione.
*~*
Hermione apparated to her house. It was dark and empty, which did nothing to improve Hermione's mood.
She placed her purse in the foyer and hung up her jacket. After taking off her shoes in the hallway, Hermione padded towards the kitchen to grab something to eat. It was after seven in the evening, so her butler and maid were already in their quarters for the evening. She saw that Matilda had left her a plate of roast beef on the table, along with a note saying that if there was anything else she needed, she and Mr. Castleton were at the servant's cottage. Hermione sighed. For someone who was smart, rich, and famous, she didn't have much to come home to in the evening.
'Stupid Harry,' thought Hermione. 'Grow up indeed! He has no idea what he's talking about!' Hermione grabbed the plate and made it up the side stairs to her suite.
Once she was in her room, Hermione changed to a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt and sat on the floor in front of the fireplace eating her dinner and sipping on a glass of Pinot Noir that was also left out for her. She thought about what Harry said, and decided there was not need to bother Donatella. She could deal with Malfoy on her own. She finished her meal and grabbed her sketch book and walked back downstairs to her office.
Hermione spent the next two hours completely immersed in sketching designs for Parvati's wedding gown, as well as making a model of the interior of Mrs. Needs flat that she was designing. Satisfied that she made up for missing an afternoon at work, Hermione stretched and began to put her sketch book and model away when there was a knock on her front door.
'It's almost eleven! That better not be Harry wanting to tell me off again.' Hermione walked to the foyer and looked through the peephole on her door. She cursed under her breath and opened the door.
On her front steps was none other than Draco Malfoy, dressed in an impeccable suit, briefcase in one hand, and a bottle of wine in the other.
"I don't care for cheap wine Malfoy, nor do I need a new briefcase, so you can take your goods elsewhere." Before Hermione had the chance to shut the door, Malfoy blocked her from shutting the door in his face and stepped inside.
"Now Granger, that's no way to treat you new boss. And for your information, this is a great bottle of Madeira. And this fine briefcase cost me almost five hundred galleons. Now quit looking like you swallowed curdled milk and show me in..politely."
Hermione fought the urge to grab her wand and curse him right then and there. She gestured towards the parlour and shut the door behind him.
Once they were seated, Draco transfigured some coasters into wine glasses and poured himself and Hermione each a glass. Hermione had not stopped glaring for at least five minutes, and it was the best five minutes of Draco's night.
"Isn't it past your bedtime Malfoy? I have to be in the office early and don't have time for your crap tonight."
"Tsk tsk, a bit feisty in the evening are we? Judging from your dress, you don't have anyone to bestow all that pent up sexual repression on. This is an impressive home Granger. Sure beats that crappy flat you and your boyfriends had after Hogwart's. Well, have some wine. Consider this a celebratory drink."
Hermione stood up and grabbed his glass and threw it into the roaring fire. "Who the hell do you think you are? You ruin my lunch, my afternoon, and now my evening. You may be my boss, but you have no right to show up here at eleven thirty with the intention of pissing me off!"
Draco leaned back into his chair and enjoyed Hermione's mini-outburst. 'She's such a predictable cow. I'm going to enjoy bossing her around.'
Hermione groaned, and sank back into her chair across from Draco. "Why are you here Malfoy? Isn't it enough that you get to boss me around at work, must you show up at my home and make my life here miserable as well?"
"Well, no, i didn't have to show up here, but I was curious as to what class a muggle such as your self would have in decorating this monstrosity of a house. But seeing as you are in the design business, I can see that you have excellent taste. And i can't really leave you see, I was dropped off here by a friend. I am a bit soused, and I don't think im capable of apparating. I don't need another Apparating Under the Influence on my license, nor do I wish to be splinched."
"I don't give a damn if you're splinched. I need to get to bed and be up in time to make a seven-thirty meeting, which, unfortunately, is with the board of directors, meaning you'll be there to sour up my morning." Hermione got up once more and nodded towards the front door.
"Alright Granger, don't give your self a heart attack. I'll leave, but it does make my evening better knowing that I get to see you first thing in the morning." Draco picked up his briefcase, and walked towards the front door. Before he stepped outside, he turned back to smile menacingly at Hermione who was impatiently tapping her foot in the hallway, waiting for him to leave. "By the way Granger, I'll leave this briefcase here. it contains some paperwork I need you to look over before tomorrow's meeting. I'll need a simple, but detailed presentation on the current state of the company and the various projects we're involved in, as well as the projected designs you have for the fall line, and the names of the people working on it. I suppose a twenty minute presentation, as well as a fifteen page written proposal, not including sketches, will suffice for tomorrow. Have a good evening." And he was gone.
Hermione was fuming. 'How DARE he push all this work on me on the eve of the meeting, not to mention at eleven forty-five at night!' Hermione picked up the briefcase brought it to her office. She grabbed her sketchbook, some quills, and a turned on her laptop that she had magically charmed and set herself to work. It was going to be a long night.
