Chapter Two

The Man Behind The Newspaper

Alexia was a beautiful child. Even at the age of five, you could tell she would grow up to be a stunning young woman. She was already smart, witty and charming. Everyone had instantly fallen in love with her. Whenever Hermione brought her to work at the ministry, she would instantly be surrounded by Hermione's co-workers. They would laugh at Alexia's little jokes and listen to the sound of her lovely little voice as she talked.

Hermione and Alexia were almost mirror images except for the hair and eye colors. They both had silky hair that ended in soft ringlets. Hermione's was a light golden brown, Alexia's a golden blond. They both had eyes that sparkled under long lashes. Hermione's was a soft honey, while Alexia's was a startling blue. They had the same lips, same nose, same cheekbones and same chin.

Hermione didn't have a hard time raising Alexia in the beginning. Her job at the ministry had reasonable hours. She would start work at 9:00 and be home by 4:00. She had the weekends off and got good pay. She managed to get a nice flat in London. She could afford child care, but her parents and Mrs. Weasley said insisted she let them take care of Alexia when Hermione was busy. Mrs. Weasley's children were all grown up so she was happy to have another child in the house. Her parents were the same way. Hermione was lucky. She had a good job and a lot of help.

o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0

Hermione apparated to the ministry. She had just dropped Alexia off at her parent's house. Hermione said a quick hello to the ministry guard at the end of the atrium before going to her office one the first floor. She walked to the lifts, her heels clicking against the marble floor. When she got to her floor, she headed straight for her office. The first floor was mostly the offices of the higher ministry officials and members of the Wizengamot. Hermione had just been promoted from Junior Undersecretary to Senior Undersecretary.

"Morning," greeted a tall wizard with a buzz cut and grey eyes, "Here are those documents you wanted on the goblin issue."

"Thanks Robert. I appreciate it," she said before entering her new, larger office located next to the minister's office.

A month earlier, the goblins in Gringotts got angry after Ministry officials ordered them to change their means of transportation to bank vaults. The Ministry got hundreds of complaints about the rather hazardous carts. The goblins flatly refused and got even angrier when officials fined them for pelting an ministry worker with several bronze knuts.

Hermione sat down at her desk and began working on a compromise with the goblins. Barely ten minutes later, Cornelius Fudge, who was still the current Minister, came into her office.

"Hermione, there you are," he said in a cheerful voice.

"Good morning Minister," she greeted, looking up.

"I've been looking for you. I've just filled the spot of Junior Undersecretary. The thing is, there's going to be a slight change."

"Beg pardon?" asked Hermione, confused.

"Well, the thing is, I offered him the position of Junior Undersecretary, but he wanted the Senior title. Merlin knows I can't fire you, the ministry would be in ruins without you. But hiring the man would do wonders for us, financially. So I thought we could have two Senior Undersecretaries." he smiled boardly.

Hermione sat there, mouth slightly agape. Hermione knew that the man he gave the job to was probably rich. Fudge was always like that, giving jobs to rich members of society for his own gain. The thought of having two undersecretaries seemed completely ludicrous.

"Well, come on now," continued Fudge happily, motioning for her to stand up, "Come and meet him. He has the office right next to you."

Hermione followed him. Fudge knocked once and opened the door.

"Finally! Took you long enough to get a cup of coffee," said a drawling voice. He was sitting in a chair behind his desk, reading the Daily Prophet. "Oh, my apologies minister, I didn't know it was you," he said in the same bored tone.

Hermione could recognize that voice anywhere. Hermione desperately hoped it wasn't him. The man lowered his newspaper, revealing the smirking face of the man she least likely wanted to see. Draco Malfoy.

o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0

I'm sorry it's such a short chapter. I'll try to make the next one longer.