Disclaimer: You know the drill...J.K Rowling knows it too! Plot provided by me though!
A/N: A look into Draco...
Chapter 4
Draco Malfoy possessed all the qualities of the quintessential male thinker. This class of man exhibited such distinguished tendencies of superciliousness that any person who crossed his path was left with a lingering sense of astonishment. However, for Draco, this was the mark of a strong, confident, logical individual, who was bred to impress power and command respect. To anyone who knew little of his true character, Draco was intimidating, and that was exactly how he wanted it to be. Yet, to those fortunate few who encountered Draco on a level beyond his exterior shell, they would find that he possessed such complexity that it would have one on tenterhooks. No doubt, Draco Malfoy was an expert at social interaction and could second guess anyone, but, disturbingly, he was having a hard time lately.
It was not until very recently that this new phenomenon had converged on him. Draco could identify exactly at which point a sudden influx of foreign thoughts had invaded his psyche, creating a state of chronic unease. What was even more disconcerting was the fact that the nature of these thoughts bordered on insecurity, which was a major cause for alarm. In fact, Draco Malfoy was feeling rather bothered by one thing, or should he say one person, in particular: one Hermione Granger. For you see, she was the cause of it all.
Since the Ministry ball, Draco had been in a state of distraction. His usual self was so focused in his business ventures, his social affairs: they were so confidently achieved and self-assurance of success was analogous to the unchallengeable fact that magic existed. But, the woman in the exceedingly high shoes had left a lingering impression on him, much to his dissatisfaction.
In recollection, Draco had wandered down the corridor towards the restrooms to answer a private call from a muggle business partner. Few people were aware of the extent of Droco's entrepreneurial endeavours; he never disclosed his business associates to others unless he faced a potential conflict, but that would never arise between the two worlds. After taking his call and wandering out of the restroom, Draco's gaze had been drawn to the deep plum, silk clad vision of the slender woman ahead of him. He had been admiring her slender legs, accentuated by her heels, or to put it more bluntly, he had been checking her out on his way back to the atrium. Draco, in all his confidence, had actually moved to approach the woman to put a face to the fine figure, but, as he closed in on her she stumbled and he reached out to stop her from falling.
It was more out of curiosity, rather than genuine concern, that had driven his act of chivalry. And, he could tell the woman had been drinking from her delayed responses, which he considered rather amusing at such a formal affair. So, against his general instinct not to involve himself, he had healed her sprained ankle, perhaps driven by the thought that if he had called for help, this woman would feel humiliated in her current state. Draco could do subtlety if called upon, and that is exactly why he had ensured she was okay, or so he told himself. Now, if that was surprise enough, it was his behaviour upon discovering that the lady in need was the one and only Hermione Granger that certainly made him want to re-evaluate his sanity.
Draco Malfoy never felt compelled to do anything for anyone, even for an attractive woman. And yet, seeing Granger in such a state, he seemed to find his feet firmly fixed before her as his mind sought to rebel from the urge to stay with her as if he cared. Surely Granger could take care of herself, going by his history with her and knowledge of her rather obsessive self reliant and know-it-all attitude. Against his better judgement, he had ensured she had left the ball discreetly and safely, to the point where he had even considered whether or not to floo after her, only to remember that she would have had wards up to avoid strangers like himself from just popping in. He had tried to forget the whole ordeal by sweet talking a young blonde secretary all the way back to his apartment, leaving her date behind. Hermione Granger had left a lingering impression on Draco Malfoy, and that was a rare thing indeed.
Having mentally dealt with his actions, excusing his behaviour, it was not until the following Wednesday that Hermione Granger caused further disruption. This time, he certainly thought himself more prepared; the conversation had remained distant, he had snidely reminded her of her drunken escapades by referring to her shoes noticing the discomfort it caused her, as she rushed away from his presence leaving her food untouched as she had so eloquently put it. Nevertheless, his reassurance of a normal encounter was defeated when he had stupidly decided to run after her to return her diary in person. He tried to reason that it was the courteous thing to do, and probably because he would have been too enticed to read through it if he hadn't. He was well aware of the fact that he could have just handed it to the waitress and Granger would have come back for it.
Catching her off guard in the laneway sent his mind reeling back to the night of the ball. The surprise in her face was the same, but she masked it quickly being sober and all. He was reproachful for putting himself in the same situation of unexplainable antics and felt the urge to make her uncomfortable again as he remarked on her sudden reliance on him. It came across as indifferent amusement which angered her to no end, and re-affirmed her stubbornness. Some things never changed, he thought, and decided to let it go rather than revisiting old turf of aimless quarrelling that now haunted the halls of Hogwarts. He could tell that she was confused at his compliance, that she would take it wrongly and treat it as a personal attack that he had not time for her. She was right, of course, and he thought that would be the end of it. But, contrary to his uncanny ability to predict behaviour, he was mistaken in this instance. She wanted to re-affirm control, and she had thanked him. He accepted. They stood there staring at each other as if they had called a belated truce, he could sense her discomfort and it made him feel better. He carried the baton of control in the end, and walked away with it firmly in his grasp. The week progressed wonderfully.
In all honesty, Draco Malfoy had no knowledge that Hermione Granger was the Director of Muggle Relations. In fact the whole idea of working with the Ministry had never appealed to him; he had kept his distance from their affairs in contempt of his father mostly. But, new blood to the board of directors brought new ideas and he was inclined to overlook his preconceptions. It didn't help that he was visually allured by his new director of marketing/advertising, Carla Crowe. She oozed self-confidence, in the boardroom and in the bedroom and he knew she meant business, none of those emotional strings running loose. She had challenged him by throwing the suggestion of advertising through the Ministry, he knew she was testing her limits but it impressed him.
Yet, it was not until Draco was exposed to Granger in her element that left him in a state of bewilderment. Her Gryffindor courage was radiating off her, she was grounded, astute and determined, a complete contrast to her drunken vulnerability. He was losing hold of the baton.
He had to win the challenge, even if he was the only one competing. He went after her as she left the office while Carla spoke with Dixon. They were alone for the third time in less than a week.
"Meet me for coffee tomorrow?" He wanted to throw her off, intimidate her. He was not prepared of the waft of gardenia radiating off her hair as he closed in on her. He could tell she was searching for ulterior motive, and in the moment the lift doors closed on her, he knew they were on common ground: troubled.
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