Stay the Night

Chapter 3

Hermione apparated in the lobby of the Malfoy Enterprises building. Walking to the front office, her heels clicked, becoming a nice contrast to the eerie silence of the large room. She came to a desk occupied by a young blonde woman reading the latest issue of Wizarding Woman. It featured the picture a model witch in skimpy clothing, and an article named 'Young Witches and Wicked Make-up!' Well, nice to know young kids are reading the proper literature, Hermione thought sarcastically.

"Um, hello?"

"Yes, ma'am?" The young woman threw the magazine into a drawer at her desk, as if afraid she would get caught not doing her job.

"Do you think you could point me in the direction of Mr. Malfoy's office? It's extremely important that I speak with him." Hermione's voice was cold with anger and impatience.

"Whom may I say is requesting a meeting with Mr. Malfoy?" Her eyes arched with anticipation and a shred of amusement, as if women asked to meet with Malfoy on a regular basis.

"Granger. Hermione Granger."

Just as the secretary was about to buzz Hermione's name into the system, Draco's voice came booming over the intercom. "I'll see Ms. Granger now, Wendy – no need for delay, send her up."

"Um, well, you take the elevator up to the top floor, and his office is – well you'll know it when you see it. Good day, Ms. Granger." Wendy's face was filled with confusion- obviously none of the previous women actually got in to see her boss.

Hermione walked to the back of the lobby where there were sets of elevators all marked with 'DM' in calligraphy on the doors. What an ego, Hermione observed.

As she entered the elevator, a man came in at the last minute. Not only did he have a wand, but a muggle gun. He paused and gave her a lopsided grin. "Mr. Malfoy said you might need an escort. He knew you'd understand."

Hermione just snorted. What a prat, she thought.

The elevators doors opened, and a green and silver decorated room was revealed to Hermione. Wow, this is nice.

Another young blonde woman walked up to Hermione. "Um, Ms. Granger – Mr. Malfoy will see you now." The girl looked slightly intimidated.

Hermione followed the girl to a large wooden door, with the name 'Draco Malfoy' inscribed in silver letters. How- predictable.

"I can take it from here," Hermione spat. She brushed past the girl, who gave an exasperated sigh and mumbled something that sounded vaguely rude, and opened the door hastily.

"Well, Ms. Granger, I see you've managed to find my office. What, may I ask, is the pleasurable reason for your visit?" The annoying bored drawl of his voice had already begun to annoy her.

"Cut the crap, Malfoy. How dare you call my boss and lie about me. I just got that job- do you know how bad that makes me look? I swear; you are such a prat!"

"Tsk, tsk Granger. On the contrary, I must say. I vaguely remember a time- oh, it was this morning, that you were quite rude in your speech to me. I warned you of the consequences, but they did not seem to phase you." That damn smirk was still on his face.

"I swear by the gods, if I don't rip that blasted smirk from your horrid little face. Why are you doing this? What sick and twisted motives do you have as to ruining my life, again? Was once not enough? Do you hate me that much that you are not going to stop until I've lost everything? Is that it?" Hermione was livid, and the redness of her face showed it well.

"Wait, one question at a time. I am doing nothing but showing you the hierarchy that this city has. I was merely trying to show you that even though you were the smartest witch in our Hogwart's class, that means nothing here. Nothing, Granger, so that naturally means that I hold the power, and you must respect that. Whatever past that there was between us is over now. It's time to step into the real world." The smirk was gone, and all that was there was an empty face, void of any and all emotion.

"Oh, so now you're actually acknowledging that we have a past. As a matter of fact, I think it is high time that we have a little chat about that night. Why don't you explain yourself?" Do I really want to hear this?, she thought. Nevertheless, she sat down in one of the emerald leather chairs that faced his desk and crossed her legs, tapping her nails on the armrest impatiently.

"Well Granger, I don't really see as to how this is any of your business, the choices that I've in my days of youth."

"It concerns me, so it's my business. Stop stalling and tell the truth, Draco." She spat with abhorrence.

"Well Hermione," he spat with the same tone, "If you must know, you were just a sorry lay. I had to get out of there. You know how it is. . ."

"Shut up and stop lying. I haven't got all day."

"Well Granger, I'm telling the truth. Pansy was offering that morning and I can't say I couldn't take her up on the offer. I mean, why would I stay in bed with you when I could be-."

"I said. Stop. Lying."

"I'm not lying Granger! Why can't you get it through your little skull that I didn't want to stay with you? Why is it so hard!" His voice rose with every sentence.

It was Hermione's turn to smirk. "Because I know you too well. Your eyes get light blue when you're lying."

A shade of red covered Draco's cheeks in embarrassment, although he'd never admit it. He'd barely changed since Hogwarts. Same face, although chiseled with age, and a certain something no one was able to place. Hair long and no longer gelled back. Taller, more masculine, but same childish air of superiority.

"Well I guess that changes things doesn't it?"

A/N: Still not long enough, but I don't want to give away too much in one chapter! Did you guys like it, or no? I was in a slight rush to get something posted, so there might be some spelling mistakes, even though I checked a couple of times. Thanks for all the reviews, and I promise, I won't take too long for the next post. You know, school starting up and such took a bit of time. . . WHY must school start in the second week of August!

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