Last time:

I ran into my study for a parchment and ink. My heart was beating in excitement when I wrote my answer with trembling hand.

"Dear Mr. Collins. I accept. I'll see you on Monday."

The next week was...well, it had its bright and dark sides.

Bright: I was finally looking forward to something. Becoming an ambassador. In Paris. Becoming an ambassador in Paris. This thought always brought smile on my face.

Dark: Nobody has contacted me these seven days. It was like nobody was missing me. Harry had loads of work, Ron was desperately looking for any job, Ginny was still mad at me and my parents simply gave me some space. I had phone in my hand twenty times and I've always hung up. I by myself enjoyed solitude but a little "How are you?" call would cheer me up. I shook my head to get rid of these thoughts. I was in front of Mr. Collins's office and I couldn't afford to think about my personal problems. I knocked.

"Come in."

I entered the room. Mr. Collins was standing in front of his table, talking with someone. Stranger run his hand through pale hair. He seemed so familiar. When I came, Mr. Collins turned around and smiled.

"Ah, Ms. Granger. Good to see you again. I'm glad you didn't change your mind."

A light blush painted my cheeks. Obviously, Mr. Collins cared about me getting this job. He must have thought I'm more than eligible to work with foreign Minister. And I felt so happy that somebody had a faith in me. But I was also curious about this stranger. He must have known me as well, because he jumped a bit at the sound of my name. Then he turned his face to me and I gasped. What was he doing here? The stranger was Draco Malfoy. The old scar on my hand saying "Mudblood" started to burn. Every insult ran over my head. Thanks to this boy, I ended up a few times crying on the girls' bathroom. Well, I couldn't get my old enemy to get into my way. I smiled, ignored Malfoy and gave my attention to my employer.

"Good morning, Mr. Collins. I hope I'm not late."

"Not at all. Please take a seat. Mr. Malfoy, you know your task. I hope you will do well."

I sat down in comfortable black leather armchair, thinking about what kind of job could be Malfoy possibly interested in. He didn't seem participated, he just nodded.

"Yes, Mr. Collins. I'll do the best I can," he said and without saying anything else or even looking at me, he left. It was none of my business, so I decided to simply forget this. I smiled at Mr. Collins as he sat opposite me.

"Well, Miss Granger. I have asked you here today for a simple reason. I want you to go to Paris as soon as possible. But before you do, you have to understand what will be your job. You have diplomacy in your veins. I hope you can achieve everything we ask for."

Tall man passed me a piece of paper. I looked at it. It was just a list of things Ministry was expecting for me to achieve with Minister of France. Isn't there his name somewhere? You will be working, and so on, so on...with French Minister of Magic Monsieur Christian de Vitte. That name sounded nice, so I hoped the Minister himself would be nice as well. The list of thing to achieve was quite hard but as Mr. Collins said, I had diplomacy in my veins. As a little girl, I was able to persuade my parents about everything with my calm voice and logical reasons. If I work hard, I will achieve those things in no time. That's what bugged me a bit about this job. The second I achieve thing they wanted, my work would be done and I would come back home. But then, even a while away from this forsaken place is something. I looked up to Mr. Collins, who has studying my face with concern. I smiled.

"I accept Mr. Collins. These things seem hard but I'm fully capable of achieving them."

He breathed in relief. "Very well, Ms. Granger. I was afraid you'll get cold feet."

I laughed softly. "That's not something I would do. So, when will you send me to Paris?"

"Wednesday, at 1:00 pm. I'll wait for you before that big fountain on the main square. I hope it's not too soon."

"Well, it's a bit sudden, to pack in two days, but I will manage it. You said you'll wait for me. Are you going to escort me?"

"Yes, I'll take you to Paris, explain you basic things and show you your apartment." Mr. Collins smiled at my surprised look.

"My apartment?"

"But of course. You didn't expect us to let you live in some third class hotel, did you? I think you'll find it more than satisfacting."

I still couldn't believe it. All I asked for was to leave London and I get a great job in the most magnificent city and on the top of if, my own apartment? Only the best for the best. I thought smugly and almost bursted into laugh. I wasn't selfish or smug but sometimes it was the best way how to describe some situation.

"Thank you Mr. Collins. I can't express how thankful I am. I'll see you on Wednesday."

I stood up, shook his hand and left. In two days, I will start a new chapter. In two days, I will start my new life. In two days, I will leave.

Wednesday came sooner than I thought. When I got home from Ministry on Monday, I immediately started to pack. I have packed everything I need, everything I might need and everything I probably won't need. Now I was waiting for Mr. Collins in front of golden fountain on the main square. My employer was already five minutes late and I started to panic. Well, not exactly panic. I simply hated when people were late. A time is set, is it so hard to keep it?

"Ah, Ms. Granger, there you are."

I turned around to see Mr. Collins running towards me, all red in face.

"Good day, Mr. Collins."

"I hope you're not waiting too long."

"Not at all," I replied politely, although I wanted to shout at him: "We had a deal." like I would at Ron or Harry. Just a thought of them gripped my heart.

Mr. Collins cut off my depressing thoughts. "Ms. Granger? Shall we?"

I shook my head to clear it. "Yes. We shall."

He took my hand and we went to the nearest fireplace. Mr. Collins took the Floo-Powder and the next thing I know, emerald flames were kissing my body. When I opened my eyes, I knew I was in Paris. This city has its atmosphere and I could sense it even after all those years.

Mr. Collins helped me to stand up and said: "Ms. Granger, welcome to your new home."

I took a few steps forward, eyes widened in amazement. My apartment was incredible. The fireplace was in the living room which was connected with kitchen. I checked the other rooms. Large bathroom with blue lights. Study with books everywhere I looked. But my bedroom got me the most. Small, cozy room with window instead of one wall. My apartment was at the highest floor of a tall building, so nobody on the street could see me. And the view. It wasn't on just some part of Paris, but clearly on the Eiffel Tower. Sun was shining, smiling at the people and the whole city. I felt like I was in a dream. I slowly walked back to Mr. Collins. It was so bright in here. I actually considered an idea to stay here even after my work would be done. My eyes met the extraordinary eyes of my boss.

"Well, what do you think?"

"I don't know how to describe my feelings. It's much more than I deserve. It looks amazing, I can't..."

He laughed. "I knew you would love it. I'll leave you to unpack and explore your new home. You have your orders on the coffee table."

I simply nodded. Mr. Collins entered my fireplace, smiled at me and flooed away. He was back in England by now. I opened my bags and started to unpack. I could do it with a single wave of wand, but I always liked unpacking with my bare hands. After some time, my clothes were in wardrobes, personal things on shelves and pictures of my family and friends all around the place. I felt so comfortable, like I was at home. I sat on my new couch and read my orders. Meeting with Minister at 10 am. Directions were written there as well. I remembered a bit of Paris and I had a natural gift of orientation. With a little practice, I will browse the streets of Paris as I lived here for years. I got a little book from my study, prepared to revise some French. I shrinked on my couch with the colour of white beach sand. I smiled at my new home, made myself more comfortable. After few chapters, my eye lids closed. I woke up late. My clock revealed me the time: 10:54 pm. I was sleeping for nine hours. That was weird. Day naps weren't my style. But then I thought...so much stress I have been through lately and the excitement I got today from my new home...it all must have affected my sleep. I came to my bedroom. Paris was a black hole sparkling with millions of lights. I was amazed. I could just stand there for hours and watch the night Paris. But my body obviously desired sleep today more than ever so I crawled into my bed and immediately fell asleep.

So, we finally had a little Draco action. What the hell is he doing at Mr. Collins´s office? Does it mean...? Well, you have to wait until the next chapter :D
Betty xxx