Chapter: 2
She apparated into a small garden and walked firmly over to a stone bench where a man sat with his head buried in his hands. She placed her hand on his head and felt his arms go around her waist. He buried his head in her stomach and felt him shaking with emotion. She ran her fingers through his hair, attempting only to bring him comfort.
As he quieted and loosed his firm grasp, she stepped back and said softly, "Would you like a moment?"
He nodded almost imperceptibly and said huskily, "I'll meet you in the study?"
She said brusquely, "Of course, I'll have your tea and biscuits ready."
As she walked away, she heard him taking deep breaths and the rustle of cloth as he readjusted his normally pristine attire.
She walked sedately to the study, glancing at the walls in the hallway. She paused a moment to examine one of the framed sheets of parchment that adorned the cold stone wall. She grinned to herself, remembering the day she had received the letter.
Dear Miss Granger,
We are pleased to announce your acceptance as an intern in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Due to your academic status we are dismayed at the inability to offer you full employment yet, but due to your excellent NEWT scores we are happy to extend this opportunity instead.
At your soonest convenience please reply with an acceptance or declination of our offer. Should you in fact accept, please present yourself at the Ministry of Magic on the first of August, the year of 1999 and be prepared to have your wand registered.
A Ministry official will meet you at the security desk there and would be honored to lead you to your Department.
Thank you and a marvelous day,
Percy Weasley
Undersecretary to the Minister
Level 1
Ministry of Magic
London, England
Short, sweet and to the point. She had snorted at the Ministry's protocol at the time. Harry had been accorded Auror status with little fuss just after the battle, and Ron – well Ron had gone to help out George.
She had known that not completing her seventh year would hinder her prospects, but had thought her new Order of Merlin, First Class would aid things along; not to mention the perfect NEWT scores. Apparently, the Ministry was still a little behind the times - she couldn't forget the submissive witch that adorned the re-constructed fountain at the Ministry.
She had however, not let it daunt her and walked into the Ministry as if she owned it that morning. She had snorted at the diminutive man who was sent to lead her around, but acquiesced anyways. She had been led up to the department and shown her cubicle area.
After an almost thirty minute wait of her organizing her space, she was summoned to her supervisor's office. She had met the woman before at the Celebration Ball and was looking forward to arguing with her about some finer points of the new laws.
Madame Smattery was not old exactly, but she wasn't young either. Hermione guessed that she was going to be turning 40 soon. Hermione appreciated the woman's intelligence and knew that her internship would be extremely fruitful and educational. Especially since the woman had already intimated that it was really only an internship in name only, as she would be paid and expected to work full time.
"Really, dear, it's only a means to an end. You do the internship for three months and then we can officially offer you a position in the department." She had said. Business-like and up front, Hermione could tell that her time working for the woman would be fruitful.
However, one slight snag that she ran into waswho she would be working with. Madame Smattery had at the end of the interview led her back to her cubicle and rattled off some luncheons and dates that would need to be added to her calendar.
She went on to elaborate on the project that Hermione would be commencing with, which was the full registration of all werewolves – across the globe. Hence she would by default be working with a member of the Department of International Cooperation.
Hermione could understand that. She even welcomed the opportunity. She didn't welcome what came out of the woman's mouth next.
"I took the liberty of setting up a luncheon between us two and the three members of the DIC that we will be working with, for today. Lord Malfoy was especially anxious to get started, since I believe he has a few other projects to work on afterwards." The woman had gotten a little flutter in her voice at the mention of the older gentleman while Hermione had gone pale.
"Malfoy? The Lucius Malfoy – as in the man who was a proven Death Eater?!" She was working herself up.
The older woman looked slightly shocked, "Well yes, however I would ask you to remember that he was cleared due to his lack of action in the last years of the war and stay in Azkaban. Also, he is a valued member of the DIC – known for his wonderful charm and powers of persuasion." The woman couldn't seem to gush enough.
Hermione snorted, "Obviously. Well this should be fun. I don't suppose I need to mention that I'm a mudblood?"
The other woman looked shocked at the vulgar term and Hermione wasn't really that fazed, she had gotten over the desire to make a decent impression once she figured out her boss was crushing on Lucius Malfoy. "I … goodness, what a thing to say. Really …." The woman huffed a little, "We need to get to lunch and I would ask you to be civil – or as civil as you can be, since we will be working with him and his team for the next few months."
Hermione had simply nodded and grinned a little – looking forward to one Lucius Malfoy's shock when she entered with her boss for lunch.
Hermione shook her head slightly and kept walking down the hall towards the study, perusing the documents hanging on the wall as she sauntered. She ran a finger across one or two, but didn't stop again.
She summoned a pot of tea from the sideboard and conjured up some biscuits on a small china plate that accompanied the pot. She poured two cups of Earl Gray and put a small dab of milk in her own.
She opened leather notebook that lay on the side of the desk and studied her notes, quietly waiting for the man to arrive.
He walked in to see her perusing some notes for the next day. He chuckled, not bothering to stifle the sound. "Already hard at work?"
She glanced up at him and gave him a small smile. "Just making sure that I'm ready for tomorrow's meeting with the Minister. But I can stop if you wish?" She raised an eyebrow to punctuate her question.
He shook his head, "Don't stop on my account; I was merely curious if you wanted to go over our mutual parts or if you wanted any pointers on your individual ones."
She sighed and placed the folder back on the desk, "No, I think we need to talk."
He sat behind the desk stiffly and looked her in the eye, "I would rather not discuss earlier. So unless this discussion is about something else, I believe you should go back to your work."
She glared at him, "You know you ought to tell him, especially before the appointments come next year."
He raised an eyebrow and said over his teacup, "Oh and you've told your friends."
She huffed, "I shouldn't have to. We've gone over this! I haven't deliberately hidden it from my family or my friends; unlike someone I know."
"I have hardly hidden it from them. I haven't even had contact with him for eighteen years, as you very well know" he returned coolly.
She passed a hand over her face and massaged her temples, "Why do we do this? It's like we try to compensate for Teddy leaving."
He snorted, "I could think of far better ways of compensation."
She raised an eyebrow at that, "Oh and what might that be, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Well, I think it requires you nude and writhing beneath me." He took a bite of his biscuit as though their conversation was about the weather.
She grinned, "You're acting like a teenager Luc. That's Teddy's job. Which reminds me, he was apparently 'snogging' Victoire at the station."
Lucius chuckled, "Knew there was a reason he wanted to get there early. Can't fault his taste though." He glanced at her rather stormy face, "Not that I would … oh phuff." He glared at her and changed the subject, "And the driving test went well?"
"Well, I confunded the driver for the initial part of the test, but I think Ron did the same at the end; so the poor man was rather out of it."
The blonde man snorted, "So he passed?"
"Barely."
"Well, at least now he can drive that litter of his to the station." He sneered slightly, "And the reason you had to go instead of his wife?"
"Luc, you know Lavender was at St. Mungo's today. She had the facial operation to do on my old classmate Seamus Finnegan. He got attacked by a rather nasty Venemous Tentactula; was never the best at Herbology." She shook her head pityingly.
He sipped his tea once more and hid the smirk. She rolled her eyes and nibbled at a biscuit. She glanced out the window and looked out over the green hills that reached beyond the patio, embracing their peacefulness. She let her mind wander over memories. A slight cough brought her back to the study. "Where did you go my dear?"
"Just remembering," she said with a sigh. "Teddy has become such a man. It was hard to see him not get on the train today." She wiped a stray tear away.
He nodded, "Indeed, it was. He seems to be doing well at the Ministry though. Takes after his mother."
"Thank Merlin he isn't as clumsy though," she giggled.
He laughed, "Speaking of clumsy, do you remember that first luncheon? Merlin, you almost cemented every idea I had about uncouth muggles right then and there."
"That wasn't my fault! That stupid witch of a boss tripped me!" she protested.
She and Madame Smattery had apparated to Diagon Alley and were walking up a side alley to a chic bistro for the lunch meeting. Hermione was ready to hex her new boss. The woman had been droning since they left the Ministry about Mr. Malfoy's successes in the Ministry and his attempts at redemption. Hermione no longer thought they would get along well. In fact, she down right knew that they would not get along at all.
They entered the bistro and walked to a table where Hermione saw a sheen of long, blonde hair atop broad shoulders. Two other people were with the man, but straightened as she and her boss drew near. Lord Malfoy turned and stood in one smooth motion, his eyes narrowing when he identified the young woman with Madame Smattery.
Hermione suddenly felt a foot nudging her own underneath her robes and in combination with a chair being pushed out into her other hip, she felt the strange sensation of gravitational pull. She grimaced in horror as she realized she was going to fall smack into Lord Malfoy.
Two arms shot out and steadied her. She looked sideways into the beaming face of Ernie MacMillan and grinned. She straightened up and enveloped him in a large hug. Hearing a cough, the two broke away, Hermione glancing unabashedly at the sneering Lord Malfoy. "Miss Granger, it has been a while. I see your composition hasn't changed, however."
She narrowed her eyes and then gave him a matching smirk, "Nope. I'm still just as Muggleborn as I was when your family tortured me for it. But at least I have a First Class, instead of none at all."
She heard a slight gasp from behind her and knew that Madame Smattery was probably ready to kill her. Lord Malfoy merely raised his eyebrows at her and motioned for the group to sit down. She glanced across the table at the other, quiet member of the team and noticed Blaise Zabini winking at her. She rolled her eyes and turned to Ernie as her boss flirted with Lord Malfoy. "So Ernie, are you and Susan still together?"
He answered in a proud voice, "Indeed we are Hermione, dear. I've even asked Mother to take out the wedding jewels so I might peruse them."
"Oh, Ernie! That's wonderful!" She grinned and bit back the laugh at his pompous wording.
He nodded, "And you? How are you and Ronald faring?"
She felt her grin fade, but as Lord Malfoy's eyes lock on her face, she hitched it right back in place, "He's working so hard for George that we barely see each other anymore. Last year was nice for him because I stayed at home and studied for my NEWTs and everything, but I really needed to get out and work. But we shall see."
Blaise cut in, "He didn't put up a fuss about you working? I'm rather in shock."
She shot a glare at him, "He knows me better than to try. He respects my intelligence to know that I am more than capable of working."
Blaise snorted and Lucius sent a glare his way for the uncouth sound. He looked slightly abashed, but winked once more at Hermione. Madame Smattery cleared her throat, "Well now that the relationships are all covered, could we possibly get on topic?" She shot a glare at Hermione.
Lord Malfoy nodded his head, "Indeed I was wondering just that. Young people these days just don't understand the value of time."
Hermione grumbled under her breath, "Oh like you didn't waste twenty years of your life being a Death Eater." He shot her a knowing look and she had the uncomfortable feeling he had read her silent lips.
The group discussed different tactics they would take in the project and laid out the various aspects they needed to cover. It became apparent that Madame Smattery would have very little to do with project on the DRCMC side, while Lord Malfoy would be the main contributor on the DIC side. Hermione had grinned at her supervisor's frustration initially, but then realized that by default she would be the one dealing with him. And they had talked about business trips!
Lunch had gone by with minimal arguing and lots of planning. When the group stood, the two younger men waved quickly to Hermione and apparated away. Madame Smattery stood staring pointedly at Hermione, as though waiting for her to do the same. Hermione merely raised an eyebrow and turned to Malfoy, "Lord Malfoy it was intriguing to meet you in such an endeavor and I look forward to the educational challenge that this project will present."
He raised an eyebrow at her, "Indeed Miss Granger. Might I have a word with you about our terms of the project, deadlines and such when we get back to the Ministry? I know you should like to have your calendar, and I would prefer to have mine as well."
She nodded, surprised at his organization. She glanced at Madame Smattery and realized the woman was not going to leave before or even with her, so she merely tossed her hair slightly and apparated away once more.
Once back in her office on the fourth floor, she gathered up her calendar and marched to the Department of International Cooperation. On her way, she contemplated the changes she had sensed in Lucius Malfoy and wondered at how much the war had really affected him.
She had in fact testified at his trial about her torture at the mansion, and his lack of a wand or any real defense during her stay. She held no grudge towards his actions at the Battle of Hogwarts, because he focused on his family – the very same thing she had done. She couldn't forgive his prejudices and still thought him a stuck up bastard, but acknowledged at least from the luncheon that he was extremely intelligent. She had always had a slight weakness in her grudges for intelligence.
His ideas about relating to the foreign governments and approaching the foreign contingents of werewolves were very similar to her own, if a little more conservative than she would like. She knew she stood a great deal to learn from him and prepared herself to deal with whatever came her way.
She bumped into someone and stumbled backwards slightly, quickly being caught by a laughing young man. "Harry!"
"Hullo Hermione, I wondered when you'd notice me. Where were you?" He had a huge smile plastered on his face as he quirked his brow.
"Oh! I was just thinking is all. I've got to get up to Lucius Malfoy's office, though. I'll come visit you in the Auror office after though!" She hurried off.
Harry stared after her, "Lu … Oh Hermione. What the hell are you up to now?" He shook his head and sauntered back to his desk. He glanced at a note on his desk and recognized Ron's writing,
H-Can't do lunch today. Seen Herm? Can't believe she's working, I'm going to try and persuade her to stay home at a special dinner Friday. Any advice? I hate cooking.
-R
Harry cursed to himself, "Idiot. He'll get her all riled up and then they'll row just like they used to. I told him not to depend on that bloody book and then stop! Bloody hell." He scribbled out a note.
R-Advice: Don't. Bloody hell mate, do you want to have your head blown off? Learn to cook and don't depend on Herm for everything – she's not your mum.
-H
He sent it off with his owl and shook his head slightly. He sat at his desk and pulled another file to him to begin working.
Meanwhile, Hermione was tapping her foot at a sneering Lucius Malfoy. "So how long has she been like that?"
He rolled his eyes, "Three months and ten days."
She smirked, "Must be hard having all those females falling over you."
He raised an eyebrow at her, "It helps in somesituations to be adaptable."
She planted her hands on his desk and leaned towards him, eyes glowing as he settled in his chair, "I assure you, Lord Malfoy, I will not be one of those females."
He raised his eyes from her now revealed cleavage to her proud face, "I assure you Miss Granger, you wouldn't get the chance. Plus your Mister Weasley wouldn't take too kindly to me I think."
She let out an unladylike snort and flounced into her chair, "Hardly. Not that he has any bearing on my work – at all." She narrowed her eyes, "But we are hardly here to discuss each others significant others, are we? Let's get down to dates." She brought out a pad of parchment and poised her quill to begin taking notes.
Lucius studied her for a moment, enjoying her business-like attitude and sedate air, "Of course." And so they worked out details and travel dates for the next hour or so. Their conversation was focused more so on intelligent banter than any real or veiled threats. Each was intrigued by the other and neither was willing to openly admit it.
Hermione snapped her notes closed after writing the last date and said with relish, "Well that's that. Now, one last question." He raised his eyebrow once again and she marveled quickly at how strong his forehead's muscles must be, "Will your wife be coming with us on these trips, or are they going to be purely business?"
He stiffened and his eyes pierced hers. She suddenly caught sight of the Death Eater the man had once been and put all her resolve into not being afraid. He searched her eyes for overt malice or curiosity, but could find nothing but business intent to the question. "Not that it will affect this at all, but my wife and I have recently separated – so the trips will be purely business, Miss Granger."
She nodded politely and turned to leave, but stopped at his growled, "You will tell no one."
She turned her head and mimicked his own brow lift, "Of course not, Lord Malfoy. You may call me many things, Mudblood most of all, but I am decidedly not a fool."
She had then sauntered out of his office, leaving him with a strong feeling of being … impressed? Surely not. He shook his head and decided that the salad he had eaten contained off cheese.
He placed his tea back on the desk and chuckled. "You stunned me with that last comment. Great Merlin, you were spunky!"
She walked over to his chair and sat on the arm as he had motioned. "Was, eh? What can you be saying, my master Malfoy?"
He smirked up at her and pulled her head down to his own, "Nothing at all my dear Mistress Malfoy, nothing at all." He claimed her lips in a deep kiss.