Author's Note: I do not own any characters or the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, that belongs to the lovely J.K. Rowling.
I have not forgotten about y'all or this story! These past 2 weeks for me have been so busy with travel and work (I just switched to surgery rotation so I'm up earlier and come home exhausted). Also I realized that my page/story breaks were not working so I am fixing that now :)
Anywho, this story is going to be a slow burn kinda love because quite frankly Hermione and Draco appear to be complete opposites and they can't just fall in love in 3 chapters or less so be prepared because I imagine this story will be at least (hopefully) 30 chapters long.
This chapter is kind of a filler chapter that needed to be done. I've been sort of dreading writing this chapter since it is a filler chapter, but this needed to be done in order for the story to progress. I am sorry if it's not my best writing, the next chapters will be filled with drama and more Draco and Hermione action I promise so just stick with me.
I am so appreciative of your reviews, follows, and favorites. Every time I get one I do a little dance and show my fiancé. It has taken me months to build up the courage to write and I'm still a little unsteady on my feet, but your love and thoughts are what keep me going.
Sorry for the long author's note, just haven't spoken to y'all in awhile. I hope you enjoy!
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Chapter 3: The Promotion
Hermione groaned as the sun began to shine through her curtains. It was the Monday after the ball and she still wasn't fully prepared for the shit show that would be the Ministry. She slowly crawled out of bed and put on her emerald green silk robe over her tank top and shorts while she walked towards the loo. As she started brushing through her hair she took in her appearance. Her olive skin was slightly freckled with the sun she had recently been getting on her missions. Her eyes were still the dark chocolate they had always been, but she felt that they finally didn't show so much pain. Her hair had finally calmed down over the years and were now just waves of soft curls, though sometimes when humidity or anger or passion struck her hair almost appeared to stand on end.
Finally having her hair in some semblance of order, Hermione made her way downstairs to begin her usual routine with Harry. She started the coffee and grabbed down two mugs. When the coffee was done brewing Hermione noticed that Harry still hadn't made it downstairs. 'Maybe he slept in?' Hermione thought to herself as she made her way upstairs. She knocked three separate times, each one increasing in volume. When no answer came after the third knock, Hermione opened the door to find Harry's neatly made bed and no Harry. 'Weird. Maybe he slept over at Gin's? Guess I'll get breakfast on the way and see him at work.'
Hermione made her way back to her room and began getting ready. She flicked on the light to her walk-in closet and stared at the work section of her clothing. She grabbed a burgundy pencil skirt that had a slit at her knee and paired it a black button up with sleeves that came halfway down her forearm and black suede pumps. She pulled her hair into a ballerina top knot with a few tendrils hanging around her face. On her way out of the closet she grabbed the golden cross necklace and love knot studs that she wore to the ball just two days ago. She looked over herself one last time in the mirror and was pleased with the woman that stared back at her. No one would ever know that she was struggling with a storm brewing inside her if they looked at this put together woman.
As Hermione made her way to the floo, she grabbed her black robes and flicked off the coffee pot with her wand. "Ministry of Magic," Hermione spoke clearly into her empty apartment. She felt the usual tug of floo travel and smelled the sulfur as she spun through fireplaces to her work. When she landed in one of the many fireplaces occupying the foyer of the Ministry of Magic, she used Scourgify to clean herself of the soot and patter her skirt and hair to make sure both were still in place.
Since the war had ended, the Ministry of Magic had done their best to integrate more muggle 'things'. For instance, they created ways to include food trolleys that would serve breakfast, lunch, or dinner items depending on which time of day you needed food. Despite having this "amazing muggle contraption," as some put it, only wizards were allowed to run it since the Ministry was still wary of muggles.
Hermione made her way to her favorite trolley with her favorite vendor, Amelia Hughes, "Morning 'Mione! Harry spend another with Ginny?"
Hermione laughed at how well Amelia knew her schedule, "Yes I suppose so! He wasn't at home this morning. How are you this morning?"
Amelia smiled brightly at her friend, "Oh I'm good. I see that you're doing better know that you've gotten rid of that trash," she said while gesturing at Hermione's empty left hand.
Hermione looked sadly at her hand, "Yes, I'm good. Still trying to deal with it all, but happy to be free."
Amelia looked at her knowingly, "I know honey, it's not fair that you had to find out in such a public way. You deserve better. You want your usual this morning?"
Hermione held back her tears, "Yes please, and can I get a blueberry muffin as well please."
Amelia smiled sadly at her, "Of course honey." She quickly prepared Hermione's usual, sausage, eggs, and some toast. She grabbed a blueberry muffin, something Hermione only ate when dealing with rough or sad events, and grabbed her a cup of coffee.
Hermione took the food from her and began to pull out her galleons to pay when Amelia spoke up, "How about this pays you back for the dinner you bought me last week, huh?"
Hermione smiled and nodded, giving her friend a hug goodbye as she walked to her office.
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Harry woke to a pecking sound on his window. "Lumos," he whispered as he fumbled to find his glasses. Once his vision was clear he looked to the window to see the minister's barn owl staring back at him. He got up from the bed to let the bird in. It flew to a perch Harry had set up in his room with treats and stretched out its leg. Harry took the letter while the bird continued to snack.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Your presence is requested at the Ministry of Magic at 7:00 sharp this morning. You will be meeting with myself and the Head Auror in my office. Please do apologize to Hermione as she will be having to buy herself breakfast this morning.
Respectfully,
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Minister of Magic
Harry laughed to himself about how Kingsley's letter was "all-knowing" just as Dumbledore's had been. He wondered what the Minister and Head Auror could possibly want from him at such an early hour and why the urgency. Despite his growing curiosity he began to get ready thinking about what he'd pick up for breakfast at the Ministry.
By the time Harry finished getting dressed and gathering all of his research for work, it was 6:50. He wouldn't have time to tell Hermione what had happened, so he'd have to tell her later at the office. "Minister of Magic's office," Harry spoke to the quiet apartment and felt the familiar tug of the floo.
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Hermione began pacing in her office. It was 9:30 and Harry was almost 30 minutes late for work. 'Where the bloody hell is he? He's never late. Shit did I miss a raid or something? No I couldn't have everyone else is here. Oh he has some explaining to do,' Hermione thought to herself.
Just as she had finished her thoughts, the door to her office opened and Harry arrived, "JUST WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?"
Harry cringed as Hermione's hair began to stand on end and her eyes began to fill with rage, "Geez 'Mione you're starting to sound like Molly. Can you sit down so I can explain?"
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot impatiently, "Harry James Potter, explain yourself. I have been worried sick!"
Harry put his hand on his wand, when Hermione got this angry she tended to try and hex him, "Well, I received an owl this morning at 6:30 to meet Kingsley and Aiden to discuss something. When I arrived to Kingsley's office they told me that I was to become Head Auror and Aiden would be retiring. They are going to announce it today. I've been learning the ropes of the department and working through some paperwork for the past two hours or so. That's why I'm late."
As Harry finished his story, Hermione grabbed onto him around his neck and squeezed him hard, "Oh Harry! I am so proud of you!"
Harry gave her a sad smile, "Yes, yes it's all very exciting. But there's one downfall. You will need to find a new partner, with this promotion I won't be able to have a partner."