Set after Deathly Hallows, exempting the last chapter… just because that's not the way that I roll. :

Disclaimer: All characters and such belong to J.K. Rowling… I just like to make up my own plots.

Chapter 2: Taking Inventory

Hermione turned over in bed, pondering the dream she just had. It was indeed about Draco, but why? Ron, Ron, Ron, Ron, Ron! Hermione repeated in her head over and over again, squeezing her eyes shut tightly. There was a loud crash and that knocked Hermione out of her forced meditation. She threw her covers off and quickly swung her legs out of bed. She slipped her feet into her slippers and threw her robes over her pajamas. As she tiptoed out of her room with her baseball bat in her hands, she noticed the China vase that Molly had given her as a house-warming present, shattered on the floor. Her hand flew to her mouth to muffle her gasp, just in case there were intruders in her flat. She gripped the bat firmly and suddenly wondered why she hadn't grabbed her wand. Stupid me, Hermione thought. She crept into her living/ kitchen area only to find Crookshanks sitting in the middle of the hardwood floor, petting a mouse she'd just caught.

"Crookshanks," Hermione sighed and dropped the bat. "You silly little cat!" She looked at the clock on the stove and groaned. "Now I'm going to be late!" She patted her head and she purred happily.

Hermione hurriedly ran to her room only to realize that all of her work clothes were dirty. "No!" She yelled. "What in the bloody hell am I going to wear?" Hermione shrieked to herself.

She ran to her closet and ransacked all of her clothes that she had. All she could find were clothes that she had grown out of in length a while ago. She grabbed a black pencil skirt that was now a mini skirt and a plain white t-shirt. She put them on and groaned at her sleazy look. She threw an old blazer that now had ¾ length sleeves. She sighed, and slipped into her black pumps, grabbed her coat and handbag and apparated to the Ministry.

"You're late," Draco announced as Hermione popped in and quickly sat at her desk.

Hermione looked at the clock. "By like, ten minutes."

Draco suppressed a grin and walked back into his office.

Hermione sighed and went over to the filing cabinet to retrieve her inventory checklist. She found it and walked into the abyss of stuff to begin.

A few hours later, Draco emerged from his office and spotted Hermione's empty desk.

"Where's Granger," Draco demanded from his secretary.

"Doing inventory, sir," she squeaked at him.

He nodded his thanks and began looking down the rows and rows of things. After about twenty minutes of searching, he finally spotted her at the end of a row, trying to put a box up on a high shelf. As she was stretching to reach, Draco noticed her shorter than usual skirt, riding up so he could see the peak of her black underwear and her legs looked more long and slender than usual. Her T-shirt and blazer were also riding up so he could see her fit midriff. He had another urge to have his way with her again.

He shook his head from that feeling and began walking down the hall. She didn't seem to notice or hear him. He was within feet of her when she finally got the box on the shelf. She turned around and collided with his chest.

"Oh!" Hermione breathed and clutched the front of his sweater to keep from falling down from surprise.

Draco grabbed her wrists and pressed her against the shelf with his body. He lifted her arms above her head and rested his head on her neck, taking in her sent. She let out a soft moan against her own will and grasped his back. It was his turn to moan now.

"Hermione," Malfoy breathed. He felt Hermione's body tremble against his own and he closed his eyes. He slowly let go of her and backed away cautiously. "I'm sorry." He ran his hand through his hair and did not dare look at her.

"It's… it's all right," Hermione cleared her throat and smoothed her clothing back in their proper places.

"No, it's not." Draco sighed. "You're with Weasley."

Hermione nodded sheepishly. "I suppose." Draco nodded also and began to walk away. Hermione's heart skipped a beat and she desperately grabbed after him. He was further away than she expected so when she grabbed his sleeve, she fell into him and they both felt into the shelves, hard. She sucked in her breath, as did he. She didn't waste any time and grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him hard on the lips. The kiss didn't last long, but Hermione felt her heart begin to race. She pulled away and grabbed the collar of his sweater. She couldn't look at him.

"I've sort of wanted to do that for a long time," Hermione whispered. "Sorry."

"Oh, I'm not complaining." Draco winced slightly. "But my back is."

Hermione stepped away and furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean?" Draco turned to show her his back. There was a shard of glass from a broken crystal ball sticking in his back. Hermione gasped and covered her mouth. "Oh my God! Did I do that?"

Draco laughed. "Yes." She stood there dumbfounded. "Can you, uh, I don't know… pull it out maybe?" he asked.

"Oh, yes! Of course," Hermione nodded and pulled it out quickly.

"Ow!" Draco yelled.

"Oh damn," Hermione cursed. "Sorry… I'm just so flustered. I usually don't injure people that I kiss, let alone people that make my blood boil and my heart race and… oh God, I'm talking too much…" She sighed and covered her face with her hands.

"No," Draco replied and took her hands away from her face. "You don't talk too much at all." He kissed her softly and gently, trying not to push her too much.

Her eyes flitted closed and she ran her hands through his hair and delved into the feeling of his lips against hers. Suddenly, her thoughts drifted to Ronald for the first time since he had come down the row to talk to her. She felt that guilt gnaw at her again so she pulled away and tried to wipe the tears from her eyes before Draco could see them. "I'm sorry."

"No, no it's all right." Draco cupped her face in his hands. "I understand."

"I should… I should probably go," Hermione stated.

Draco nodded. "Okay." She began to walk away, touching he lips softly. He called after her. "Hermione?"

"Yes?" she asked and turned to look at him.

"When will you be mine?" Draco asked, half-joking, half-being serious.

Hermione thought for a moment and looked at him seriously. "Oh, I'm eventually yours."