Chapter 16 of I Work for You:

Disclaimer: I do not own anything regarding Harry Potter.

Summary: I hope you all like this chapter. I apologize for not putting much effort in the previous chapter. I'll try much more in this chapter.

Recap from Chapter 15:

The Malfoy Manor was beautiful, and she couldn't help but feel a little twinge of disappointment that she would be leaving it in a couple of weeks.

She continued on her 'journey,' but all of a sudden, she did a double take.

There was somebody outside of the Manor dressed in nothing but black!

Chapter 16:

Hermione stifled a gasp. Her eyes glanced hurriedly around and she saw that Draco was near close to the man.

Her eye's widened and she suddenly clamped her hand over her mouth.

"Draco!" she whispered.

The man was walking closer and closer towards Draco and Hermione closed her eyes.

"Oh no, I can't look."

She quickly closed her eyes and backed away from the window ledge.

After a couple of minutes, she approached the window cautiously and couldn't help but want to see what had happened to Draco.

She frowned and apparated towards the gardens where Draco was.

"Percy!" exclaimed Hermione.

The redhead turned his head towards Hermione and he grinned.

"You like my outfit?" he asked, smiling.

Hermione frowned again, "No! You scared me, I thought you were Chris out to get Dra…"

Draco, who had been talking to Percy a couple of minutes before, perked up.

"What? What were you saying?"

Hermione glanced sharply away and she started to turn red.

Percy chuckled before walking away.

"I feel that you two need some time alone…"

"What were you saying Hermione?" asked Draco.

Hermione snapped, "Nothing."

"Ah, on the contrary, it sounded as if you were concerned for me…"

Hermione frowned, "So what if I was?"

"Ah-ha!" said Draco gleefully, "You care about me!"

Hermione's eyes flashed, "If you don't stop saying that, I'll hex you."

Draco automatically shut up, but he still had a boastful look on his face.

"If you'll excuse me, I think I'm gonna go back up to my room."

All was right in the world … Draco smiled.

"Hermione cares about me," he said aloud.

"I wonder what would have happened if it were Chris," he thought himself.

The sky seemed a bit bluer, the trees greener, and the clouds a bit whiter and puffier.

"I should start to think about my future," mused Draco.

Of all the women that Draco had dated, Hermione was the most appealing.

Though she was not beautiful, she was perfect.

If Hermione walked outside in a bathrobe, make-up running down her face, her hair a mess, she would be perfect in Draco's eyes.

"Ah, what love does to us," said Draco.

"Yes," agreed a voice.

Draco turned around surprised and he saw Hermione.

"How's it going?" he asked.

Hermione settled herself next to Draco, who was sitting under the tree, and put her back against the trunk of the large willow tree.

"Fine," she said simply.

Draco nodded, and he closed his eyes.

"So, do you really care about me?" he asked, grinning.

Hermione frowned, "Oh, shut up Draco."

"Come on, I'm your husband!"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Fine Draco … I was concerned for you! I thought that the guy was going to hurt you. I don't know what I'd do without you! Is that what you wanted to hear?" she said, nearly shouting.

Draco's eyes snapped open, and he put his hands up in the air, "Jeez, no need to get all angry. I just wanted to know…"

Hermione took a deep gulp of air.

"I'm sorry … I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

Hermione shook her head, "It's not your fault. I'm really sorry for snapping at you."

Draco smiled, "So are we even?"

Hermione nodded, "Yeah, I guess."

"So, you don't know what you'd do without me, eh?" Draco said after a couple of minutes of silence. He raised his eyebrows and smirked at Hermione.

She stood up and said, "I give up!"

"He's just a jerk. All he cares about is himself! He thinks he's the man for every woman. How I hate him!" scowled Hermione.

"Do you really?" asked a voice.

Hermione turned around, and saw Percy.

"My gosh Percy! Don't do that! Oh, and … never do what you did in the morning. It scared the heck out of me."

"Gosh Hermione, I never knew that you would be watching my every move."

She rolled her eyes.

"So what's a beautiful girl like you sitting up here for?" he asked.

"Draco sucks."

Percy pretended to look hurt, "Now don't say that! He's your husband."

"And your point is?"

"It seems as if you're in denial. Draco is actually a very … nice, and thoughtful guy. You should know."

"Yeah, but why doesn't he quit teasing me."

"Hermione, that's why he was born! It's his job to tease you."

She gave a bitter laugh.

"But sometimes, she makes me feel so … so … I don't know. I just get all frustrated around him."

"It's okay. But I think that you two should talk about your relationship and see where that takes you."

Hermione nodded, "Yeah, you're right."

Percy smiled, "Aren't I always?"

Just then, an owl swooped in from outside, and landed gracefully on Hermione's table.

Hermione immediately leaned over and petted the brown majestic creature.

"I'll give you some time to think," said Percy.

Hermione nodded and took the letter out of his right claw.

Dear Hermione, it read

I'm so terribly sorry to have hurt my beautiful princess. Can you please forgive me? I know you must think I'm a jerk, and … I do too, but sometimes I can't help teasing you. It's so funny when I see you blow up. But now I know that I should not hurt you. Please accept this apology and meet me outside in the gardens at eight p.m. tonight. I'll be waiting.

Love,

Draco

Hermione smiled as she read the letter. At least he apologized.

She quickly got up.

"What should I wear?" she asked herself frantically.

"I hope Hermione accepts my apology!" thought Draco to himself.

He was pacing in the garden, walking to and fro on the grass.

He glanced down at his watch.

A quarter to seven, and still Hermione had not arrived.

"Where can she be?" he asked.

All of a sudden, there was a stirring behind some bushes, and out stepped a gorgeous Hermione.

"…Wow! Hermione, you look … absolutely…" he started to say.

Draco was cut off by Hermione's scream.

His head started to pound and to his amazement, Hermione's face seemed to faze from his vision. She began to grow dimmer, until he could see nothing at all.

All he could see was darkness.

"Hermione!" he whispered, before he passed out.

Author's Note: Please read and review!