The Uneventful Story
By Snowflake Imp
Rated: R
Chapter 07
Disclaimer: I would like to meet that ONE person, upon my lies of saying I own Harry Potter, who would actually believe me and become aghast with rage. Who would scream and rant and curse and threaten to sue me if I didn't cease immediately and apologize to the true owner/creator of Harry Potter. And then I would laugh. But not before crying over the stupidity that humanity is capable of creating. So yeah. What do you think? Do you think I own Harry Potter? You tell me.
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Both Harry and Hermione were silent as the sat in the elaborate carriage – courtesy of a Quidditch player's Galleon – heading toward the White Light District. The complete opposite of the Red Light District where sex and depravity was abound, the White Light District was a high-class area where only the best and trendiest restaurants, stores, and other entertainment facilities were present.
It was a somewhat awkward silence, as both mulled over what had just occurred. Had she really allowed THE Draco Malfoy, her sworn nemesis, to massage her temples? Had Harry really felt what he did when he saw the two together?
Just seeing the two together had made his blood run cold, but he had no idea why that would be. Thinking about it logically, he shouldn't have felt that way. Despite his ill feelings towards him, Harry didn't think of Draco as dangerous, as someone Hermione should avoid contact with at all times. He knew Hermione, more than all of them, was capable of handling him. So why? Why did he feel the urge to beat Draco and drag Hermione off to a safe place?
And that look.
Was it Harry's imagination that Malfoy looked at him with such a look on his face? Mocking, triumphant, depraved. It all happened so fast.
Harry shook himself. No, there was no way. Malfoy and Hermione had so much history behind them there was no way……. No way Malfoy considered Hermione even remotely…… No…
He cleared his throat, which startled Hermione a little. "You two seemed awfully chummy in that lounge." Might as well make things clear one and for all.
Hermione had the grace to blush. "Yes, it's bizarre now that I think about it," she muttered, absently rubbing her forehead. Surprisingly, her migraine was gone. "I must have just been so out it I had no idea what was really going on." That sounded weak, even to her.
Harry gave her a doubtful look. "Since when have you two even been on civil terms? This is news to me."
"Well, we have been closely working together for the past six months," she replied. "It's hard to explain Harry. I feel like we're so close sometimes that I know exactly what he's thinking. Other times I feel like I could just strangle him."
"So you're saying you're actually friends with him?" he asked incredulously. Harry imagined the two skipping hand-in-hand on a grassy slope somewhere with rainbows twinkling in the background. He gagged a little.
Hermione snorted. "Please, don't be so daft. After what, seven years at Hogwarts, five years of war, then five years at the Ministry, if I didn't know a lot about him, then I'd be worried. It's only natural. Not like I enjoy the slimy git's company."
He wasn't sure he was entirely convinced. "If you say so, 'Mione."
She sighed, making herself more comfortable and snuggled against his well-toned arm. "I do."
Harry pressed his cheek on top of her curly head, breathing in her scent – the scent of books and jasmine. "I've missed you."
Hermione chuckled. "Probably not as much as Mrs. Potter. Did she attack you as you walked through the front door?"
"No, this year she managed to tackle me into a carriage before I even saw the front gate and whisked us off to some remote bed-and-breakfast."
Hermione laughed outright at this. "I take back every time I thought of her as some wilting, simpering girl. Lav can be stronger than a gorilla and twice as vengeful."
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"About time the two of you got here!" Ron exclaimed. "If I knew taking a carriage would take this long, I would have just gone along with you."
"Instead you what, brother, decided to actually finish your work for once?" Ginny teased before getting up to embrace Hermione. They exchanged kisses. "How are you holding up in the labs? I heard about the Pinkiness. Awful stuff, that. Sometimes I hear Ron cry at night."
"I do not!"
Hermione laughed. Ginny was as funny as she was beautiful. Her long, shining locks of red hair attracted men from all over; her vibrant personality was what made them all fight over her.
"You're going to have to fill me in on that particular bit Gin, I was on holiday when that happened."
"Oh yes, how was that? Sorry we couldn't give you a proper time darling, we just had so many orders to fill..," Lavender trailed off guiltily. Harry pecked her on the cheek and sat down next to her, with his arm around her shoulder. Lavender Brown-Potter had gotten even more gorgeous as she grew older. Her dirty blonde hair matched her slightly tanned skin perfectly; always immaculately dressed, always poised.
"Don't worry about it Lav. Things came up and I had to go back to work in any case."
"So you have to tell us all about working with Draco! I imagined many a hijinks occurred," Ginny exclaimed. Though Draco has been the epitome of a gentleman to her ever since his escape from The Burrow, she still enjoyed a good bashing.
"Let's not get into that," Hermione interjected nervously, eyeing Harry who wore a blank expression. "I still can't believe I'm sitting at THE Yellow Moon. Is there no place that doesn't kiss the ground you walk on, Harry Potter?"
Ron guffawed and Harry elbowed him roughly. "Don't make me sound like some namby-pamby celeb, 'Mione. I only go to these places now because if I go to our regular spots, I get mobbed by too many fans."
"It's true – high scaled places like this know how to back off and give him space to breathe," Lavender agreed. "You don't know how many girls try to get a piece of his shirt or how many men try to talk to him about Quidditch."
"Great season by the way, mate," Ron said, amidst groans from the ladies. Not another Quidditch-lead conversation. "The way you flew against the Irish – pure genius."
"Did you see the move I used when I needed to go back 'round to get the Snitch?"
"Ooh where you did that – "
"Yes! Remember when I was over last year and – "
"HAH with Fred, right, when we – "
"And then you – "
"With that twist that was bloody brilliant – "
"And then he –"
"Yeah!"
"Yeah!"
"ENOUGH!" Ginny roared. The two managed to look abashed. "We haven't gotten together in ages and I'll be damned if we have to sit through another dinner about Quidditch. At least finished your sentences so the rest of us can follow, for Merlin's sake!"
"Sorry Gin," they both mumbled. They shot each other a sly glance. They'd finish their conversation later.
"Well, that's much better," Lavender breathed as their cocktails and ales arrived. The conversation was slowly turning to work-related topics. "You simply must come over soon Hermione, this year I swear I won't let you escape!"
Hermione groaned. "Please Lavender, I've told you a hundred times, I feel silly in those beautiful dresses. Besides, I'm going to Prague this year."
Everyone at the table stopped. "Prague?"
"Yes, Prague – close that mouth Ron – they're having a wonderful exhibition and I should go…." she trailed off. Obviously she lost them at "exhibition."
"But Hermione, you MUST go!" Ginny nearly wailed. "This year I've sworn to myself to find the love of my life at the Gala and I need you there for support!"
"Wait a minute, what!" Ron snapped, turning to face his sister properly. "All the men that go there are slick, lying bastards that hope to pick up girls half their age!"
"Well, that may be true for some…" Ginny said softly, before quickly picking up her steam again. "But there MUST be some rich debutante just waiting for his red-haired goddess!"
Hermione couldn't help but smile indulgently as the two squabbled. It must be nice to have siblings. She caught Harry's eyes and knew he was thinking the same thing. Truth be told, when things didn't work out right with him and Ginny, she was worried his ties to the Weasleys would be strained and he would loose the big family he always should have had. Thankfully, he was still considered a son and brother to them, a fact that made Hermione extremely happy.
"Tell him Hermione!" Ginny pleaded. Uh-oh, she was getting dragged into this. "Tell him how awfully lonely it is to work at St. Mungos! All those lonely hours of working with the disabled and slow-healing…. there's just no way I can meet Mr. Right there!"
It was true. As a Physical Healer, much like a muggle physical therapist, Ginny worked with patients who have been healed as much as magic would allow, and it was up to their bodies to do the rest. The hot-tempered Weasley was surprisingly adept at helping patients through the long, grueling months of healing. It was sometimes a depressing job, as some never healed completely and were forced to live life as a disabled.
"Er, well, Gin is a grown woman and ah," Hermione stuttered, not sure of what to say. "I'm sure she'll find some nice bloke that uh….you know….um.."
"See! Hermione will be there to help me out – you know she's a good judge of character," Ginny said triumphantly.
"Hey, hold on, I never said I'd – " Hermione gave up. When Gin got worked up like this, there was no stopping her imagination. She'd sort it all out later, for now, let her believe whatever she wanted.
Dinner went by smoothly, with the conversation flowing easily as could only be done by close friends who've been through thick and thin together. As they were chattering about this and that, Ginny leaned near Hermione and whispered, "Oh, and thank you again for the donation. It really helped that wing out."
Hermione smiled sadly. Softly, she replied, "Don't mention it."
Persistent, Ginny continued, "Are you sure though? Each year you seem to be giving more."
Her friend merely shrugged and continued eating. Harry and Ron were aware of their conversation and grew quiet.
Lavender noticed a sudden change in attitude and her eyes furrowed in concern. To help clear the air she coughed gently, getting their attention, then with a wide smile she turned to Ron. "So tell me, dear Ron, how is your quest for the right woman? Last I heard the bird you were seeing wasn't up to par."
Ron flushed the famous Weasley blush. Everybody's attention was suddenly on him, with impish smiles abound. "Wha – stop that, stop smiling," he muttered. "She was too clingy and she had the nerve to say she didn't like large families. So that was that."
They all nodded, understandingly. Big families were very important to him and it didn't matter if he was dating the most gorgeous witch in the world – if she didn't want to make lots of babies, it was over.
"Well, welcome back to the world of the singles, big brother," Ginny announced, playfully throwing her arm over his shoulders. He vainly tried to remove it but to no avail. "Current population, me, you, and Hermione."
"Thanks Gin," Hermione said dryly. As if she needed another reminder of her sad love life.
"I heard from the grapevine 'Mione's getting pretty frisky with a certain blonde wanker," Ron said snarkily, knowing in his heart there was no way his Hermione would touch that snake with a ten-meter pole. Unless it was to hit him. The thought of her beating Malfoy with her delicate knuckles made him grin.
"Ugh, PLEASE Ron, I'm trying to have dessert," Hermione groaned. Why does he have to pop up into every conversation? At her disgust Ron couldn't help but goad her more.
"But Hermione, talk around the office has it that the two of you even eat lunch together sometimes. Wasn't it you who said you'd only eat lunch, the most sacred part of the day, with good company?"
"Wasn't it you who also said you'd get him kicked out of my department before my hols were over?" she snapped back, earning a huge laugh from Harry. "Tell me Ronald Weasley, who exactly is still there?"
Ron flushed at this. "That's not fair, the Ministry – "
"Give it a rest Ron," Harry interjected. "You're only going to give her more fodder."
The three continued their banter as Ginny and Lavender looked on with amusement with a hint of envy. The Impenetrable-Trio, they were known as. Ginny remembered always being envious of the three and Lavender at one point was openly jealous of their closeness. But both began to see the brilliance and beauty of their friendship and learned that it came part-and-parcel with them. To know them was to love them, after all.
Over time, they had learned to accept that it was inevitable that at times they would feel left out. It was mostly thanks to Hermione and her consideration that the two felt as welcomed as they did. She always tried to make them apart of their world as much as possible. Lavender remembered once Hermione physically removed herself from the equation just so she could feel more included. It didn't hurt that she also gave her two boys an earful on manners and feelings before the outing as well.
Ginny and Lavender looked at each other and shrugged. "To happiness," Gin said with a smile. Lav grinned back and clinked her martini glass with hers.
"To happiness."
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Midnight at Hermione's tiny flat was not such a happy occasion. Dark, inky fog began to invade her thoughts and dreams. Tossing and turning, her body began living out her nightmares. She felt hands running down, around, all over her. The hands were firm. They were hot. They were cold. They were sweaty. They were rough.
Her dream – no her nightmare – was confusing and discombobulated. Scenes changed quickly from one to another. Suddenly, she was lying down on a bed in a darkened room. The door was slightly ajar, a sickly yellow light shining through. She felt cold, despite the rich, satiny sheets. Her heart was pounding, like was waiting for something bad to happen.
Like this has happened before.
She looked back at the door and her heart began beating faster. There she saw a vague outline – a dark figure looking in. She opened her mouth to scream but no words came out.
She was somewhere else, she was on the floor. The carpet was thin and scratchy. The ground was hard, it hurt her joints. She was blindfolded, some sort of cotton material. A large hand suddenly wove itself into her thick hair, pulling her head back roughly. The voice was low, rough with emotion. Dark. Sinister. She could feel hot lips near her ear. It growled. It spoke. It commanded.
You will never leave me. Even in death you won't be able to escape me.
Don't cry.
Don't cry.
Don't leave me. Ever.
She could finally see. A crumbling building. People shouting, blocks of walls falling, the hiss and sizzle of cooling curses. The heat and explosions of new ones. Her legs began to move on their own as she looked around in horror. She was running through the winding hallways, unsure of where she was – it all looked the same. The explosions grew larger, the sounds deafening. No matter which direction she ran, it seemed she was getting closer and closer to the battlefield.
Finally, she stood still. She didn't know what to do. If she didn't do something soon – but what dammit, what? – she would die. She could feel it in her bones. A voice shouted out to her amidst the cacophony.
Kill them! What's wrong with you? Lift your wand and kill them all!
KILL THEM.
Hermione woke up gasping for air. Her body propelled itself upwards and she nearly tumbled out of her twin-sized bed. She couldn't breathe. In. Out. In. Out. Her breath was ragged and wet.
She began to shake. What was that. A nightmare? A memory? Where did the memories end and the nightmare begin? What if they were the same thing. She started to rock back and forth on her tiny bed, her arms over her head, cradling it. A sob escaped her.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. It was past her. That's why she……that's why she agreed to….. So why?
"Help me," she whispered, not knowing to whom she was pleading to. The darkness swallowed her words. Could anybody even hear her?
"Help me."
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"I curse you, early mornings. Why do you exist," Hermione grumbled.
"If you're going to begin another of your cursing binges, might you add onto your list: devilish moochers of company means?" Ron asked distractedly, furiously scratching his quill on a long roll of parchment paper.
If one wanted to fight crime and do all that sleuthing goodness without the danger of being cursed, there was no better department to be in than the in Internal Affairs, Corruption Division – one that Ron was currently heading. He was in the middle of tracking down 3 (as of now) unnamed individuals that were leaking company funds into their personal accounts.
As he was writing down his latest findings that morning, Hermione was taking a break on his couch in his personal office. Not a stranger to his couch, she made herself at home by unceremoniously flopping down and Accio-ing a snuggly blanket in which to engulf herself in.
"You're usually a morning person luv," Ron observed. "Too much to drink last night?"
Hermione frowned. It was true she was scared witless last night, but she managed to fall back asleep. Somehow, in the daylight, the nightmare didn't see quite so bad anymore. She was able to go about her daily business without a hitch. But yes, she was tired. It was a long night.
"Something like that," she said softly. She shifted to make herself more comfortable, turning her back to Ron. She didn't have to energy to deal with her hyperactive minions, even less energy to deal with Malfoy. So she retreated to her safe haven.
She yawned. "My parents' new house should be finished soon. Do you think you can come to our 'Grand Opening'?"
"Of course," he replied. "It was very nice of you to pay for them to move closer to their workplace, 'Mione."
She merely grunted. He wasn't letting her off the hook so easily.
"It's a very nice house too, isn't it? Two stories and everything. Bet it was hard to find, what with the bad housing economy and all."
"I suppose."
His eyes narrowed. "You know, you didn't have to pay for all of it – aren't both of them still working full time?"
Hermione gave a frustrated sigh. Not this again. "I told you Ron, I wanted to. Isn't that what a loving child does for her loving parents? She takes care of them. I don't know why you keep fretting so."
How to put this delicately. In addition to denying herself a higher salary multiple times (she would only take marginal raises and the occasional well earned bonuses), she spent most of her money on, well, people other than herself. She was reduced to living in a tiny flat with a minimal amount for "personal items." She certainly didn't live like a world-renowned Alchemist, much less the head of her department.
"I just worry, 'Mione. Sometimes it seems you barely squeak through the month."
She gave a little chuckle. "I know you mean well, but I'm honestly doing fine. I'm a minimalist, remember? I don't need much to survive – I'm just happy I get to do what I love here."
This time Ron sighed. Could there really be such a loving, giving person? With no strings attached?
"Besides," she added, "It's not like I buy them a house every year. A one time thing, I promise."
Before Ron could reply, a Ministry brown owl tapped at his window. Ron rolled his chair over and opened it, letting the owl feast on a few treats in a bowl on his desk.
"For you," he said, nimbly throwing the card to Hermione. It landed on her lap and she lazily opened it.
"I swear if it's another explosion I'm going to hide here for the rest of the day," she muttered. "Oh."
Hermione turned towards the door. "Sorry about that, come on in."
A muffled "Thank you!" could be heard before the doorknob turned and in walked a living glamour doll. A blossoming 5'6'', the beautiful blonde smiled politely to both Hermione on the couch and a gaping Ron behind the desk.
"Hullo….Mindee Case, correct?" Hermione asked, trying not to flinch as she read the rest of the letter. What is it with the weirdly spelled names these days? And on gorgeous women to boot.
"Yes ma'am," she said brightly. "I recently graduated from the Red Earth Institute in Australia. I'm here to fill the position as the new General Level Assistant?"
Hermione smiled as she stood, offering her hand. They shook. "Yes, your resume is very nice. Only 21 and already in the Ministry? Very impressive."
"Yes, welcome ah..aboard," Ron stammered before remembering his manners and walking up to her to shake her hand as well.
"Yes well, this is Ronald Weasley, Head of the Corruption Division," Hermione introduced, sighing mentally in her head. Oh no, it's going to be one of those days.
"A pleasure sir," Mindee said pleasantly, her blue eyes sparkling. She turned to Hermione. "I'm told I was to be given a tour of Level 9 before I was to find my spot?"
The Ministry was divided into Levels, the lower levels being underground. Officially there were only 10 levels in the Ministry, but technically there were 11, the 11th being where the Department of Mysteries resided. The Minister obvious was in Level 1, when Ron and Draco's departments were on Level 5. Hermione's was Level 9, being deep underground due to dangerous nature of their experiments. In fact, so dangerous was their department that they shared their Level with only one other department, the Department of Healing. Usually the Ministry tries to cram at least 4 departments into one level.
"Of course, sorry for sending you all the way up here," Hermione said apologetically. To be honest, she was a little surprised at Mindee's nice nature. Most women that good-looking tended to have the worst personalities. When Mindee shook her head, waving off the apology, Hermione's opinion of her grew.
"Please, please let this girl be genuine," she thought to herself.
"I'm surprised they sent you up at all, I was sure there would be someone waiting for you down at the labs," Hermione mused.
"Oh, one of the secretaries told me my guide was out running errands. They didn't know what else to do, so they thought that maybe a Head of a department should show me around," Mindee said earnestly.
Hermione tried hard to not show the distaste on her face.
"Oh dear oh dear," she thought miserably. She felt much dread. Showing this beautiful young girl around the office meant the beginning of a new hunt. If this woman wasn't the cause of at least five different cases of office drama, then Hermione was certain the world was malfunctioning.
"Well, no time like the present," she said in hopefully a cheerful voice. "Let's take that tour, shall we?"
While Hermione tried to concentrate on giving Mindee the best tour possible, she couldn't help but notice all the appreciative stares the blonde was getting. Or to be more exact, all the stares Hermione wasn't getting. She tried not to let this bother her. Besides, who needed good looks when you had a brain that could help all of wizard-kind? Right? …..Right?
"Granger, I've been looking for you all day, where the hell have you – well hullo there," Malfoy's voice suddenly turned smooth and melodic. Hermione's stomach began to churn.
Shite.
That's it, it's over. If Malfoy put her on his radar screen, it was a done deal. Even if by the slightest iota of a chance Mindee deemed him not worthy of her time, Malfoy had the skills, the money, the experience, and the charm to get her out of her pants. From the looks of things, it seems like he doesn't have to bother. Just a few simple words laced with a huge dose of innuendo were enough to turn the poor girl into putty. She was eating right out of his hand – this wouldn't even be a challenge for him.
Hermione sighed as she watched the frankly uncomfortable scene unfolding before her. It was like watching a sex scene in a movie theatre with your parents. It was just something you didn't want to look at. And here she really wanted to respect Mindee too. But judging from the way she was acting around Malfoy, she would be just like the rest.
She didn't want to think this way. She didn't want to lump all the girls together, like they were a simple equation and would follow a set path – they were humans, for God's sake. Humans were known to be unpredictable. However, this was one pattern they all repeated. Unfortunately.
Before, back when they first entered the Ministry and Malfoy began his very obvious questing of women, Hermione was sickened and angry at his behavior. She felt so sorry for the victims. Who wouldn't be, when what seemed to be every week there would be a new girl crying over the bastard.
They would all lament at how much they cared for him but he just dismissed them like servants. They would go on and on and on about how sweet and gentle and suave he was, but then it turned out it was all just a façade – it was how he treated all women, like a reflex mechanism. And even after he gave them the cold shoulder, there were many (no, make that most) that would forgive him at the drop of a hat the second he felt a little bored.
Finally, one day when a close co-worker of hers came crying to her, it was the last straw for Hermione. She literally dragged Draco into her office and began screaming at him, making her disgust for his misogyny known. She continued her increasingly enraging rant until finally, finally, Draco's perfect mask dissolved and he was screaming right back at her.
He raged that he never, ever, gave any of the women he dated the illusion that they meant more to him than a good time. He told them outright that their relationship would NOT be monogamous nor would it be long term. He thought with those disclaimers, the women would know what they were getting into and act accordingly.
But they don't. Why? He doesn't know why. Oh wait, he does. Because they were lovesick fools. Downright fools. They had all agreed with his terms, thinking they were so mature, but secretly hoped that later their charms and good looks would turn him around. Like they were the ones who would change him. And as time passed, they grew closer and closer to him as he increasingly lost interest. By the time he let them go, they had deluded themselves for so long that they couldn't bear to be parted from him.
So where was he exactly at fault here? What could he have done differently to prevent their misery?
After that fateful day, Hermione began to really look at the girls before the big breakup and realized that Malfoy was right. All of them bragged about how maturely they were taking his behavior, how worldly they were acting when they agreed to such a casual, open relationship. Then they slowly descended to becoming clingy she-devils that could not be separated from him. Hermione entertained thoughts of warning some of them beforehand as well, but decided against it when she realized her advice would fall upon deaf ears. So she left it up to their discretion but knew in the end, the only victor would be Malfoy.
Once, she couldn't help the busybody in her and dutifully warned one of their beautiful co-workers that worked on Level 4 about his indiscriminate ways but she merely waved Hermione off like fly. Later, when Draco tired of her, she came storming into Hermione's office. Never mind Hermione was of a higher status – the woman screeched and yelled about how she must have been jealous of their relationship and somehow sabotaged it. She even screamed that Hermione must have wanted Draco all to herself.
She was so shocked that she just stood there, staring at the woman's mascara-running face until she burst out laughing hysterically. She later had to be dragged out by a few of her minions. She just couldn't stop laughing at the absurdity of it all.
Coming back into reality, Hermione rolled her eyes at the display in front of her. Deep down, though she would never admit it, even under torture, she felt a bit jealous. Not quite at the fact that Malfoy was the one giving the attention, she tried to rationalize to herself, but that it would be nice to have a man treat her like she was the most precious thing he had ever seen.
Whenever Malfoy looked at her, it was with some sort of contempt, or like he was looking down his perfect nose at her. Like she wasn't worth his full attention. But when he looked at Mindee, or any other woman, it was like he was truly seeing her for who she was. Like she was worth something. Considering he was someone she saw as her equal, her rival, to not have that kind of acknowledgement was a little painful.
"It's not because I want that kind of attention from him," she sternly told herself.
"Hermione, I see you're showing the new Assistant around," a rich voice came from behind her. "I'm sorry, I sent Wethers out on a few errands – I didn't know you'd be troubled into giving her the tour."
Hermione flushed. "Oh, don't worry about it Alex, it was my pleasure." He was looking even more handsome today than he ever did. Just something about the way he wore his suit and the way he styled his hair…… heaven.
She felt the same flutters in her heart, but she quickly quashed them. "No matter what I say or do, he won't look at me any differently," she thought sadly.
What else was there to do but to give up on him? Return to all that hermity goodness, if she knew what was best for her.
"Alex?" a bell-like voice called out. "I'm sorry darling, this place is just so confusing. I'm afraid I was lost for a bit."
Oh great, could this day get any better? Now Hermione had to face Amelia, Alex's girlfriend. If she didn't feel frumpy at all today, now she felt it full force. Her heart strained.
Now she had to deal with Mindee who was taking up all the attentions of Malfoy, Alex, the one she has been in love with since she came to the Ministry, and Amelia, a constant reminder of what Hermione had to be in order to get the man she so desired.
Hermione was the personification of the fifth wheel.
Isn't this nice. Chatting in the middle of the hall. Surrounding by all these beautiful people. Hermione felt that if she had to smile anymore today, her mouth would fall clean off her mouth.
Gods, it hurt.
After Alex left with his girlfriend, Hermione thanked and cursed the heavens simultaneously. Before she could quickly make a tactful escape, Malfoy beat her to it and offered to give Mindee the rest of the tour.
As Hermione looked at Malfoy's retreating back, she couldn't help feel somewhat empty. He didn't even look at her. Somehow, she half expected him to…..well……comfort her. Or at least say something. He always had up to this point.
She shook herself. Who cares what he did or didn't do. Obviously his priorities are clear here. Not like she needed anything from him. These kinds of things should be expected, shouldn't it?
Hermione sighed. "Yeah. Story of my life. Shit and all that."
She wearily made her way back to the labs. If she was already feeling bad, might as well take her mind off things and work.
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As Mindee was walking away with Draco, she noticed he was suddenly smiling nonstop. When asked why, he answered smoothly, "If not because I get to accompany you for an indefinite amount of time, then for what?"
This made her blush and she not so subtly shook her hair to give it a more tousled, sexy look. To try to play it cool, she tried to bring up a more neutral topic, so that she didn't seem to eager to talk about the one thing she had in mind.
"That Dr. Granger seemed very lovely, didn't she?" she asked innocently. When she didn't get much of a response, she continued, "But it doesn't seem as though she has anybody, poor thing. I wonder if anybody has tried setting her up?"
She finally got a response out of him when he turned his head to look at her, then continued looking onward as they walked down the hall. Scoffing, he replied, "There isn't a man out there for her."
Not seeing the way his eyes darkened, she playfully swatted him on the arm. "Now that's not very nice at all!" she said with a smile. "She's not that hideous."
Draco merely smiled at her, like he was enjoying his own personal joke.
When they reached the end of the hall, Mindee's heart almost burst from her heart when he asked her, "So, what are you plans later tonight?"
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"Just a little bit more…..a little bit more…," she murmured to herself. A few more drops and the first step to that cure would be complete. Just had to concentrate. And not think about Mindee. Or Amelia. Or Alex. Or Malfoy –
POOMF.
"Bugger me bugger me bugger me bugger me!" Hermione ranted, throwing down her beaker in disgust.
"As appealing as that sounds, I'm afraid I'll have to pass," a very amused voice drawled from the doorway. He couldn't have come at a worse time. "And how many would that be today?"
"I thought I told you to stop labeling me as 'the woman of a thousand oops'! I rarely make mistakes!" Hermione ground out, not even wanting to look at him. She viciously began scrubbing the countertop, lest it became stained permanently.
"Of course, that explains why your lab coat is now singed and smoking a nice, healthy green vapor?"
"Oh go shag a tart – oh wait, you're already doing that," she bit out, scrubbing even harder.
"Hilarious. Go ahead and mock my enviable lifestyle, it won't make it any less wonderful," he replied, completely unruffled by her bad mood. In fact, he seemed to feed off of it.
Hermione counted to ten before she got a hold of herself. She felt a bit bad about the tart bit. Mindee wasn't too bad of a girl, as far as the ones Malfoy dates. Her only fault was that she was too damned gullible.
"Look just….treat her nice, yeah?" she said, trying to maintain her calm. She removed her lab coat and wrinkled her nose.
Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "What's with the sudden concern for, and I quote, those silly bints I always spread my disease with?"
Hermione couldn't take it anymore. He wanted her opinion? Oh, she'd open the whole dammed floodgate to her opinion. "Because! You always have NO consideration for their feelings – yes, yes I know about your whole 'I never promised them my heart' spiel – and yet for some strange reason, they always come to ME with their Draco issues. ME! What the bloody hell do I have anything to do with your messy affairs? Instead of targeting you, or god forbid, one of the many other silly little bints that you're simultaneously dating, they come after me! Either they think I can get them back into your good graces or more than often, I'm somehow to blame for your lack of humanity."
She took a deep breath. "So in conclusion to this on-the-spot tirade, either treat them feckin' better or leave me out of it. I have better things to do than suffer from the wrath of scorned women I have nothing to do with!"
"There! Let's see what he has to say to that," she thought, a bit breathless from her outburst.
Draco merely looked at her blankly. "Did you know that when you actually said my name I got just the tiniest of tingles up my spine?"
Hermione's eyes bulged. "Did you not understand a word I just said!"
"Yes yes yes," he said, waving her off nonchalantly. "Despite your massive ego" – Hermione sputtered – "I rarely mention your name, if at all. I have no idea why they come to you instead of me, but know that I find it terribly amusing every time."
"GET OUT OF MY LAB YOU MISERABLE EXCUSE FOR A MAN!"
As Hermione grabbed the nearest beaker, Draco quickly exited the lab with a swiftness and grace a gazelle could envy.
The instant the beaker was in the air one of the minions shouted, "NOOoo Dr. Granger!"
When it inevitably hit the lab doors, another explosion was sounded, with purple smoke misting out of the cracks around them.
Malfoy's deep laughter could be heard throughout the level.
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Diary Entry No. 53, Vol. V
Yes, my life is indeed shit, but I have a way to make it all better.
I WILL KILL DRACO MALFOY.
Make no doubt about that. My mistake was getting accustomed to his presence and growing compliant. He is like hideous slow-growing cancer. I should have never gotten used to him.
I must be rid of him before he destroys me.
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Well, this must be the fastest update I've EVER done. And it's all thanks to your wonderful, inspiring reviews! I hope you all liked this chapter, as always. I'm having trouble keeping it light, since the path I've chosen for this fic is actually pretty dark. Oh well, I'll change the labels accordingly when the time comes, I suppose.
I hope I littered more tasteful bits on the mysssstteries and seeecreets of the backbone of this fic. I just have to remind myself when and where and what I put down so I can properly reference it.
Sorry about the whole Ministry Levels bit – I actually don't have the books with me and it's been awhile since I read them, so I actually have no idea how the Ministry is set up. Let's just say they changed infrastructures after all those years. Yeah, why not.
Sorry if the story seems like it's not moving anywhere fast. I tend to like to like the build-up just as much as the actually meaty bits.
Thanks for all your support and I'll see you next time (hopefully soon. Nyyuuu)