Hermione 2 August 2017
I honestly felt so relaxed and safe having Dra- Malfoy drive. Lunch was genuinely enjoyable, he has great taste in everything. The wine, oh I didn't get the name, I need some sent out as gifts this year.
He let me take a nap on the road. He didn't push or anything, and in no time between the gentle lull of the SUV, and the music he had in the background, my eyes drifted off.
My dream on the other hand, surprised even me.
It was at an outside cafe at night. I was sipping some coffee, strong coffee, by myself. Dra-Malfoy approaches and is shocked to see me, alone and somewhat melancholy. He joins me and we talk. And I cry. And I tell him everything from the last few months. He listens, just holding my hand, stroking the top of it with his thumb. It is so calming and strong. We talk late into the night, sharing a bottle of wine. It wasn't the same that we drank today, but it was amazing in it's own right.
But I tell him everything, how we had to bury an empty coffin since Ron was on a mission when he disappeared. Now he's presumed dead and I'm playing a single mum and trying to balance my additional workload too.
I know I lost it more than once.
I know I kissed him more than once. Toe curling kisses that made me only want to kiss him more.
I know we ran off and got married.
But it was all a dream I keep telling myself. Only a dream. Right?
Luna is amazing as usual. Quirky but amazing. She starts to show me the grounds and in her own way blurts out, "So how are you and Draco?"
"Excuse me?" I was taken back at the question.
"Draco. Draco Malfoy. That handsome man still in my office. How is your relationship with him going?"
"Uh no relationship."
"Really. Hmmm. Surprising." The only way that I can describe Luna's intonation is breezy. She said 'surprising' as if a bird had flown by and whispered something in her ear. Like the dream that I just had.
"What do you mean Luna?"
"You know he gave us a grant to start this. It's probably how he knows how to get here so easily. When we opened, he insisted on throwing a grand party. Lots of Ministry officials, lots of rich people, it was very advantageous for us. But his wife was there, and she seemed… how should I say it… put out at his lack of undivided attention." She looked at me, in a piercing way that only Luna could, "you he doesn't. All his attention is on you. You bring a light into his eyes. It is the sun breaking through the clouds after a cold heavy rain."
Damn that was descriptive. And now that I think about it, pretty spot on.
"Luna I want to talk" I feel my phone vibrate. It's Harry. "Give me a minute please."
Harry: Hermione, what the hell is going on? Zabini was in my office telling me to call Malfoy. Now I find out you're working details on the hemi-finals with him. Where are you? I can get there today. I already cleared my calendar.
I laugh at his concern that borders paranoia. He is the overly protective brother I never got until we met at school.
Me: Harry I'm fine. Draco drove me out here. Nothing scandalous. Yes he's working on the hemi-finals. Again NOTHING.
There's a defined pause. Luna and I are about to discuss a couple of safety measures that came to my attention when.
Harry: What really happened during the meeting? Be honest 'Mione.
How did he? I look up and Malfoy is looking at his phone. He must have said something. I sighed, my shoulders and lips slumping down. I know exactly what he's talking about.
Me: My mind wandered to Ron.
Harry: He noticed. He just told me.
Me: I'll be fine. Honestly.
Harry: 'Mione, he has bettered himself, but I still don't trust him. He's actually working with a few of the Magical Law Enforcement departments on cleaning up corruption, pretty much everywhere including his own company. But I don't trust him. Personally I think it's half for show.
Me: I got it. Watch my back. If anything gets the slightest shady, I'll let you know. You'll probably send half the aurors to my rescue.
Harry: Screw the aurors, I'll send the Weasleys.
Me: Lord help him in that case. :)
Harry always knows how to make me laugh. Over 25 years as best friends, and the first 10ish were anything but easy, he knows me. I turn my attention back to Luna, "So we need to add some additional safety measures. There are a few members that are showing concerns for your open field policy."
"Let me get Draco, he had a big influence on the whole design."
"He what?" I said incredulously. He who swore he nearly died at the foot of a hippogriff. The same hippogriff that is here, under a different identity. He had a say in the design?
Luna wanders back down the hill from her office with Draco - I mean Malfoy - following behind looking concerned.
"Granger, what safety issues are you concerned with. I had a team out here last month updating everything."
"You. Had. A. Team?" I am dumbfounded.
"Yes. Oh don't tell me that wasn't in your notes either. You need to have a sit down with the Minister on his lack of communication between the different departments and you."
Luna looks at the two of us, "I was expecting to hear 'my father will hear about this' come out of your mouth Draco." Her melodic voice rang like bells as she said Draco's infamous quote from school.
"Nah, I'm in charge now. The only one who would hear about this should be me. Granger, give me a list of concerns, I'll send it off to my team when I get back to my hotel, and you should have your answers tomorrow. Does that work for you?"
My jaw must have got stuck in the mud here, because I had nothing to say on that. He took absolute control of the situation, and in a way it was steamy sexy.
Gathering my senses I blink, "Yes that will work perfectly. If there are any additional issues that arise…"
"I believe you already have all my contact information Granger. You can send it to me, and I will vow that it gets done in a timely manner."
Woah. Is this the same Draco Malfoy from school and the war? Uh no. He was a weak coward. Is this the same Draco Malfoy that Harry is still concerned about? Probably, but the more he talks and takes charge, the more I am doubting my best friend. And my feelings.
"Thank you Draco. You're help this trip, or at least this leg of my trip, has been immeasurable." Did that just come out of my mouth? Yeah, because it is accurate.
"Well who couldn't resist aiding such a lovely lady? Only a fool. And honestly Granger, if there is anything - on any leg of your trip - that I can help out with, please let me know."
Luna just watched the banter between us. I could tell that something was going on in her head from the looks she gave that I saw in my peripheral vision. Draco on the other hand, didn't take his eyes off mine. They were a warm grey, not the cold steel grey that I recall from school or the empty grey from the years of war. These were safe, comforting, warm, smiling eyes. It happened without my knowing, but a smile was on my lips just looking into their depths.
"Come let's have some tea," Luna offered. "It's a long ride back. If you want I'm sure Draco can show you around." There was a twinkle in her eyes - the same Dumbledore would get when he was planning something - and a slight smile hinted. "I'll go set a kettle on." She skipped up the hill. I don't know may adults, other than Luna, that skip. But then again most of us gave up skipping before we came to Hogwarts and her skipping always lightened the usually dark tension that engulfed the school.
Draco - wait when did that start? Malfoy held out his arm for me. "I'm serious with everything. No slipping or getting stuck in the mud, if there are any concerns to let me know, and only a fool would resist assisting such a lovely lady." His eyes twinkled in the sunlight, "My mother did not raise a fool for sure."
"Thank you. I mean it." I took a deep breath. "I might need your help. Until Kingsley retires. If he keeps leaving details out - critical details."
"Whatever you need." He looks down at me. Not in the condescending way, but literal physical way. He's got a gentleness to him. "If you want a list - probably a spreadsheet would be better - of all the outstanding contracts we have with the Ministry, I can have our contracts department create one for you. I know we only update our contracts weekly, but it may give you some help with this communication issue you are having within the Ministry."
"Should I even begin to ask how many there are?"
"Probably two thirds of all contracts are awarded to M.I.I. We review everything from the Ministry with great scrutiny."
"So that you get the best contracts?" I nod knowingly.
"Actually no. There are a lot that would be highly profitable for us, but we don't even bid. Because we know that our bid would be accepted immediately as the most viable. We spread the contracts out so that other businesses can have a go, taking a number of losers that no one will even bid on."
"Why would you do something like that?"
"So when it comes back, and there is an option to bid on the 12 game contract for the Quidditch World Cup per se, we already have the name recognition and the proven success record."
"I never thought you'd be this shrewd of a businessman."
"I guess you didn't know me at all Granger." He turned pointing to a hippogriff approaching us, "you may recognize this fellow. Hi Buckbeak, any good ferrets recently?" I can tell he's joking at his own expense with the whole ferret comment - his nickname from school. But he knew it was Buckbeak all along. He is surprising me. Everytime he opens his mouth.
It was if Draco actually paid attention to Hagrid at school. He knew a great deal on the different creatures housed, and even had some personal revelations about a couple.
"Did you know that is actually the Hungarian Horntail that Harry dealt with during the Triwizard Tournament? He did such damage to the poor creature that it couldn't even return to Romania to its colony. So Luna set him up here."
"No I didn't."
"There are a few more dangerous creatures that are off display, some at my insistence. Safety measures and everything, Granger."
Luna greeted us with tea, probably the most gawd awful stuff that we drank at her father's house when Ron, Harry and I were on the run. Draco saw me looking into my cup.
"We lost you there Granger." He took it out of my hand and placed it back on the saucer. "Hey, look up. Come on."
"Sorry, it just reminded me of something." He held my hand, rubbing the top of it with his thumb in that calming way he does.
I look at him, he is genuinely concerned. Trying to take care of me.
Ron wouldn't have even noticed the change in my demeanor.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Don't worry Draco," Luna sing-songs. "She's just remembering something from the war."
Draco was in shock and dismay at Luna's comment, "Don't worry? She doesn't need to be dealing with these demons alone." He turned directly to me, "have you talked to Potter about these things?"
"He has his own demons."
I saw him text something. Next thing I knew I was getting a text.
'Mrs Weasley, I'm Trini. Draco probably told you about me. It's lies, all of it. I don't have a preloaded rubber band gun pointed at his desk all the time. He suggested that I send you the information on a friend of mine - half-blood if that matters. But he is a Muggle psychologist and remembers the war. If you would like I can schedule an appointment for you. He's helped a lot of people I know. But Draco is stubborn and won't go.'
"I like Trini." I chuckle.
"Listen to her."
"Take your own advice Draco."
"I know. But it isn't the same. I deserve it." I looked over at him questioning. No one deserves the after effects of this war. The nightmares, the memories, the fears. Not even Draco. "Text her back. She'll take care of everything for you."
"She's your… what is she?"
"I call her the administration goddess. But her title is the senior executive administrative manager for the chair and board of directors. She just is much more than what her title represents."
"But she doesn't need to be doing this for me. I have my own team."
"It's just who she is. She'll complain to me until you do it, just so you know."
"How long has she complained about you not going."
"Daily, sometimes more than once a day, for over two years. It all depends on day." He chuckled and I realize he still hasn't let go of my hand and that sometime ago Luna left.
"Where did Luna go?"
"She's scheduling with my org team to work on this office. Organize it a bit, make it less of a fire hazard and such."
"How? When?"
"While you were talking to her outside, I called the division head and he worked with the safety team who actually brought it up on their last visit last month. I just put a fire under his arse. We need to keep the visitors and Luna safe. I also stressed how important this is for M.I.I."
He seems to be a step ahead of me at every turn. "We need to work on the abbreviation. Now every time I hear you say it, I picture Blaise running around." I am laughing again.
"Why don't you say your farewells, we need to go scout the sites and it isn't a quick trip." He winked at me. I felt like a pre-teen whose heartthrob just replied to her tweet. "I'll meet you at the car, as long as you don't get stuck in the mud."
He stood there like a valet, holding the door open and a hand out to help me in the car. Where did this side of him come from?
He was right about it not being a quick trip, but it was a beautiful one. I wonder how I slept through all this natural beauty.
"Here is the first of two sites that is proposed. Honestly I like the second better, but that may just be me." He stopped the vehicle, got out and rushed to my side. The ground was still muddy. "There is some problems with both sites and the um dirt." He picked me up out of the SUV and carried me around. "My team is trying to devise a semi-permanent drainage system. Otherwise every pureblood snob female will complain. Also I have informed that the design for the individual tents will be of better quality. I am suggesting, with your approval Granger, that a preference questionnaire be included with registration. Simple things - like preference in team colors, anything that needs to be included. Things like that. I came up with the idea thinking of the Weasleys. How big of an ice box that they will need - something along the lines of a walk in closet I'm thinking. And I don't think they would all like to be in a green and silver tent."
Another mental picture of any of the Weasleys - all redheaded Gryffindors - in a Slytherin themed tent with an ice box the size of a closet had me doubled over laughing. "You're more than welcome to do it to Percy, he's a prick."
"Got it. Percy Weasley - wait doesn't he work under you at the Ministry?"
"Yes how did you know?"
"Because his name isn't Kingsley Shacklebolt. The only one above you at the Ministry," he smirked, "for the time being at least."
"Shut it Malfoy." I quipped with our school comeback as I gently punched his chin.
I must say that I agreed with Draco that the second site would be much better. Built down into a natural crater, there was no bad seats. He also described in detail where everything would be in place.
"Plus if you notice, the ground isn't so sticky. Drying out here would be much easier. And therefore you'd have fewer pureblood witches complaining about ruining their new shoes."
"You mean like Astoria? Draco, I should have just left this decision to you. It really is the better of the two sites."
I must have hit something when I mentioned his ex wife. What should have been a jovial quip, he looked frustrated and hurt by.
"She wasn't… she wasn't that bad. Yeah her shopping could equal a small country's GDP, but she was good. It's just we didn't fit. Scorpius, he's the one paying for it."
"Not to pry, but what happened?"
He smiled. "It was bad timing and the wrong person. She knew my heart belonged to another, but married me anyways. Plus with mother's breakdown and father in Azkaban and trying to rebuild the family name and business. It just made a wrong decision even worse."
"Do you regret it?"
"Nah, we have a great boy out of it." His face brightened when he talked of his son. "Come on let's get back. Do you have plans for dinner? I was thinking maybe hash out a few more details while I still have you."
"Sounds perfect."
