Disclaimer: Again, I do not own Harry Potter, or anything of the sort. Not mine not mine not mine! Although I do own the plot and other characters that are not in HP books.
Authors Note: One of the reviewers asked me, How did Hermione know about Blaise. My fault for not saying that everyone knew about it, (it was also in the Daily Prophet) and since she worked in the Ministry, she got to hear most of the details. Although, no one knows it was Draco who bound Lucius so he couldn't get away.
Onward!
Draco Malfoy stood, ceasing his previous drumming-of-the-fingers on his desk. Today, he had a meeting with Hermione to discuss in further detail Blaises' case. He owned his own company since he graduated from Hogwarts, Malfoy International. He had offices all over the country, but the headquarters were located in London.
"Has Granger arrived?" He asked his receptionist, Leila.
Leila shook her head and looked down at her computer. Although Draco wasn't the biggest fan of Muggles, some of their gadgets were mighty handy.
"The appointment isn't for another twenty minutes, Draco." Leila replied softly.
Draco raised his eyes from down her robe and nodded.
Hermione walked up to the receptionist's desk. "Excuse me—I've an appointment with" she couldn't bring herself to say his first name. "Malfoy." She finished. Well duh, Hermione. This is Malfoy International, of course you have a meeting with 'Malfoy'.
"Granger, you're here ten minutes early. I bet all my galleons—which are over in the billions department—that you've arrived early to see my indescribable good looks." He said from behind the receptionist with the trademark Malfoy smirk.
Hermione mumbled something that sounded oddly like, "Indescribable is right, Ferret Face."
Leila opened the door connecting to the hall, and Hermione followed the retreating form of Draco to his office. Before they entered inside Draco stopped abruptly.
"Ooof". Squeaked Hermione as she walked right into him.
Draco immediately brushed off his shoulder and his back where she had contact with.
Hermione scowled, "What was that for?" she practically barked at him.
"Wipe your feet." Draco simply stated.
"What?"
"Wipe. Your. Feet. " He said slowly enunciating every single word.
"You're ridiculous." She said and casted Scourgify on the bottoms of her shoes. "Satisfied?" She questioned in a sarcastic tone.
He ignored her and walked into his office not bothering to invite her in. She stood defiantly outside his office, refusing to enter.
"Why don't you take all bloody day then, Granger."
This time a small "Hmmph"could be heard, but she ignored his comment and stood still pretending to admire the scenery.
"Oh come in already, bloody hell!" He said annoyed.
Hermione seated herself at the large table, and placed some rolls of parchment, her quill and ink on the table. A loud Pop sounded through the room, a tiny gasp escaped her lips. A low chuckle sounded from the opposite side of the table.
"Hello miss. I is Pinky, would you be needing anything to drink during your stay in Master Draco's office?" Said a small house Elf that appeared next to Hermione.
"Oh, no thank you, Pinky." She said and smiled.
Hermione waited for Pinky to Disapparate before she turned and scowled at Draco. "I can't believe you subject them to do such things."
"Oh honestly Granger, they like it. Are you still all mad about SPEW?" Draco asked in a sarcastic tone.
"It's S-P-E-W" She mumbled back.
Two hours later they were still conversing—half non-civil and half civil, about Blaise Zabini's predicament.
"You'll be employed at Malfoy International, so I expect you'll want a wage, hmm?" He asked nonchalantly.
"I'll be what?" She asked.
"Wanting a wage. You know, the thing people get when they work. Except in the Weasleys case, that is." He replied.
"Not that part, the first part, you arrogant prat." She said.
"Employed at Malfoy International." He stated in a bored tone.
"I don't think so, Malfoy." She said shaking her head slowly.
"You will, or you won't be working on Blaises' case." He said getting mildly irate.
"I can work on Blaise without your help, Malfoy." She said getting equally as annoyed and stood to leave. You arrogant, good-for-nothing, scum-of-the-earth Daddy's boy.
"Really? So you're telling me you've a full lab you can work in, with a supply of ingredients that would rival Hogwarts'?" He asked in his 'I-have-more-money than you' look.
"Well—"She thought. "I suppose that Professor Dumbledore would not mind in the least that his best student would like to use one of the potions labs to help Blaise Zabini. She said and smirked in a very uncharacteristic way.
"What ever do you mean, Granger? You know very well I have no desire to revisit the hell where I spent the longest seven years of my life." He replied in a matter of fact voice and made a smirk that put Hermione's to shame.
Hermione let out a small "Hah." "The best student is supposed to be well rounded in each subject. I think we all know just how well your Transfiguration skills are; turning that poor helpless rat into a giant pink—"
"Enough!" He shouted, his face turning a lovely shade of pink.
"In fact. You're face is now starting to rival that giant pi—"
"Granger!" He barked.
"Malfoy!" She repeated in the same tone of voice.
A house elf Apparated into the room and squeaked as she saw the look of anger on her Master's face.
"Master Draco, is there anythings that you be needin? Pinky asked frightened.
"Get me a shot of Firewhiskey, Pinky" He ordered. Although Hermione could not hear it he added in a "please" at the end.
"What abouts you, miss?" Pinky asked Hermione.
"A glass of Butterbeer would be excellent, please and thank you." She said smiling. She used all of her resolve not to kidnap Pinky and try to get her a job with wages. She was indeed still mad about the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, or for short S.P.E.W.
Draco coughed and rolled his eyes. "Where were we Granger?" He paused and continued "Forget that. What are you getting paid now at the Ministry? 50 Galleons a month?" He asked snidely
Hermione glared at him. "You're rude no matter where you are. And I make 250 Galleons a month, thank you."
"Only to you, Granger."
"I'm leaving." She stated and picked up her bag, stuffing her parchment, quill and ink into it.
"Goodbye, Malfoy. Good luck figuring out what curse your daddy hexed Blaise with!" She called and exited the office room right before a vintage vase crashed against the door and shattered into a million pieces.
Three days later Hermione was sitting down having a cup of coffee with Cassandra at a wizard Café in London.
"What an arrogant prat." Cassandra said in agreement.
"And he just treats those house Elves so poorly." Hermione said and sighed.
"But you know, at least he has a plus or two." Cassandra said with giddiness in her voice.
"Hah. And that would be…?" Hermione asked rolling her eyes.
"Well, you do have to admit, he's so…gorgeous! And, he's the wealthiest man in Britain!" Said Cassandra with a dreamy look on her face.
"That's disturbing, Cass. Snap. Out. Of. It!" Hermione said waving her hand in front of her glazed eyes.
Cassandra opened her mouth to reply but a giant eagle owl flew through one of the windows of the Café and landed in front of Hermione. Cassandra raised her eyebrows and Hermione shrugged back taking the letter from the eagle's grip.
"I wonder who it's from! It could be a love letter 'Mione!" Cassandra squealed.
"I honestly doubt that, Cass." She laughed.
The envelope was unmarked so before opening it Hermione cast several spells to make sure it wasn't hexed. Hermione sighed when she read the first word.
"Granger,
350 Galleons a month.
Reconsider.
D.M."
Hermione rolled her eyes as she read it out loud and glared at the eagle owl that would not leave until it received a reply.
"Hermione, 350 Galleons a month, take it. Seriously." Cassandra said.
"Are you kidding? He's the most arrogant jerk of the lot!"
"350 Galleons." Cassandra cooed.
"He's the most insufferable wizard of the century." Hermione said ignoring Cassandra's voice.
"You're never going to find a better offer." Cassandra said nodding.
"That's not true. What about…"
"Exactly. Absolutely nothing." Cassandra reasoned.
"Hogwarts is looking for someone to fill the post for Arithmancy."
"Not for 350 Galleons a month they aren't."
"I don't need 350 Galleons if I work there. They have the best accommodations." Hermione said thinking about the Castle she spent seven years of her life in. It would be wonderful to return there and teach.
"You don't like Arithmancy enough to teach it."
"Of course I do…"
"You don't remember everything there is to know about it. You wouldn't be giving the students the best education if you miss something."
"I wouldn't miss anything, I'd do my research."
"That doesn't sound like fun."
"Research is always fun. You learn a lot of things from books."
"Hermione, please just take it."
"I don't think that's the best idea, Cass."
"It's the best, and will be the best offer you'll ever get."
"I know." Hermione said after letting out a 'hmmph' in defeat.
"Magical negotiation abilities." Cassandra said smirking.
"It would seem that way." Hermione replied and scribbled a reply back to Draco. "I think it's about time I let him know he doesn't have all the say, hmm?"
"What did you have in mind?" Cassandra asked raising her eyebrows.
"I would never get an offer for 350 or over for any other job would I?" Hermione asked dipping her quill in ink.
"If you don't count high Ministry jobs and jobs that have questionable legalities, than no."
"Didn't think so," she said smirking.
"400 and we have a deal, Malfoy."
Hermione didn't bother signing her name, after all who else would have replied. She wasn't sure if she was pushing her luck with 400 or not, but if he really wanted her help he was determined to get it no matter the cost.
"How about a little shopping? On me." Hermione said and smirked.
Draco Malfoy was indisposed when his eagle owl flew through his window into his bedroom. Draco grabbed his letter from his owl and opened it.
He sighed. Damn it, Granger. You think you're calling all the shots are you now? That's alright. We'll see who gets all the credit for curing Blaise.
"What is it, Draco?" Came a very feminine voice from under his covers.
"Er. Nothing." He said and scribbled a "Fine." on the parchment.
"Oh. Well I suppose I should get back home anyways. Thanks for the fun, Draco." She said as she got up and picked up her things on the ground.
"Sure," he said and winked. "Give me a call tomorrow night, Cecile."
"It's Giselle, asshole." Giselle replied and slammed his bedroom door.
"Both sound French to me," he mumbled quietly.
Thanks so much for reading, and thank you's go out to CleverWitch, HRInuyashaFan16, and Artemis. You guys rock! Woo!