The next few days pass in a blur, as the department is blown into frenzy as Nick announces the increased budget. I am busy preparing for the next meeting at Malfoy Enterprises, when Nick knocks on my office door. I wave him in and he sits himself down quietly in the leather chair opposite me in front of my desk. He knows me well enough now to wait until I have finished what I'm doing before starting to talk to me. I quickly finish the sentence that I am writing and look up expectantly.
"Hermione" he begins in a slow, serious voice, and immediately I think something is wrong. Nick and I have become good friends over the time that we've worked together and he's a very happy, light-hearted person – not at all who you'd expect to be the head of the Department of Mysteries. Therefore, when he's serious, I've learnt to realise that something good isn't likely to follow.
"I have some news" he continues. By now I can feel my heart attempting to burst out of my chest, running a hundred miles an hour, and I can feel my palms sweating, not in anticipation more in dread. "I am going to be leaving the ministry" he says. The words hang in the air and slowly their meaning settles in my mind.
"What do you mean? You can't leave, we need you here. I need you here" I sound shrill and he has the audacity to smile.
"You don't need me. You're the first person I've told and there's a reason for that. You know I wouldn't leave the department unless I knew that it would be in good hands. Earlier today I spoke to the Minister, just to clear it with him and of course there was no argument from him." He takes a deep breath and what he says next shocks me to the core: "When I'm gone, I want you to be head of the department."
I don't know how to respond. I never expected this, and it's unusual for me to feel this shock. Being me, every moment of my life is somewhat planned. I thought I knew how today would pan out. I would finish up the paperwork for the merger with Malfoy Enterprises then I would go home and have a nice long warm bath to relax me for the meeting tomorrow. Never did I think that a bombshell like this would disrupt those plans. Instead of feeling the dread that I was sure would come of this revelation, I find myself feeling a little churning of excitement. The truth is, I pretend to be a cynic but I am really a dreamer who is terrified of wanting something she may never get and one of those things has always been to head the Department of Mysteries.
"I'm going to take your stunned silence as acceptance of the offer?" Nick pulls me out of my internal whirlwind.
"Of course I accept" I gush. "In that case, I wish to offer my sincere congratulations!" Nick replies with a satisfied smile. "First things first, we will need to organise a press conference to make them aware and then of course there will be a gala where we do the official handover. I know how much you enjoy these public affairs" Nick continues sarcastically, well aware of the fact that I hate being out in public, what with all the attention being one of the Golden Trio garners. "But we can agree on all of that later. As for now I suggest you take the rest of the day off to celebrate. You certainly deserve it" says Nick as he heads out of my office.
I remain shell-shocked, leaning back in my office chair, waiting for the news to sink in. I know that it will take more than just a couple of minutes, but not being one to waste time, I decide to take Nick's advice and head home early. I quickly finish up the paperwork for the upcoming meeting and tidy my desk. I grab my bag and coat from the rack by the door and close the door behind me, informing my secretary that I shan't be staying for the rest of the day and to leave any messages in my office for me to review in the morning. She nods compliantly, never having been a fan of me, more interested in what the latest gossip rags deem newsworthy. Nonetheless I tell her to head home earlier than usual, should she get the chance. I practically run out of the Ministry and as soon as I am outside of the anti-apparition wards, I apparate home and feel free to scream with delight, unable to hold in my excitement any further.
After I have calmed down to an almost normal state, I floo to Harry and Ginny's, realising too late that they're not expecting me, and may be disgruntled by the intrusion, but I am too happy to really care.
"Hermione – what are you doing here?" Ginny questions, while wiping James' mouth as he appears to just have finished smothering his face with chocolate.
"I have some news" I say excitedly. "Nick is leaving the Ministry and has asked me to be the head of the department".
"Congratulations Hermione. I'm so proud of you. Just wait 'til Harry hears, he'll be so happy. "
"Wait 'til I hear what?" Harry interrupts as he strolls into the room.
"Hermione's going to be head of the department" Ginny says.
"That's amazing Hermione. Congratulations" Harry beams as he comes bounding over and envelopes me in a hug. "I'm so proud of you" he says as he kisses me on the cheek. "And I know your parents would be too." He whispers in my ear and I can't help the tears in my eyes. Harry always knows the right thing to say, because of course if I knew where they were, they would be the first ones to find out about my promotion. Harry and Ginny are as close to family as you can get, and I don't know what I would do without them, especially as I'm missing my own.
Harry finally lets go of me, and I quickly wipe away the tears. "Why don't you stay for dinner, Hermione?" Ginny offers, as she pretends not to notice the little exchange between us.
"I would love to Ginny, but I have that meeting with Malfoy tomorrow, and I need to get some sleep before that" I apologise. I don't really have to prepare much for the meeting, seeing as how it's just to look over and sign some paperwork, but I kind of want to be alone for today. Since I can't share in this excitement with my parents, I don't feel much like celebrating, so I think it would be better if I just go home.
"No problem, we'll see you tomorrow then maybe" Ginny smiles, seeming to understand. She always perceives more than she lets on, that's what I love about her. But it's also what can be extremely irritating, because you can never get a lie past her, she'll see right through you. Boy, do I feel sorry for her children!
"Yeah, see you tomorrow" I wave goodbye as I apparate back home.
Back in the comfort of my own flat, I grab a glass of wine and sit down in the kitchen, mulling over the events that the day has brought and wondering what tomorrow will bring. As I sit and think about the meeting, my thoughts slowly turn from business to pleasure, as I remember how gorgeous Malfoy looked. It's been awhile since I have been with someone, a really long while. In fact I've only ever really been with Ron, which was a disaster and a half, both of us unsure of what we were doing, teenagers just fumbling around hoping that what we were doing felt good, without ever actually feeling like it was fun. At least that was how it was for me. Ron seemed to enjoy himself, the one time we did it. It was after that, that we realised we probably didn't belong together and since then there have only been a few casual dates, with Ginny's set-ups, which never led to anything more. Of course, once in a while, I feel the urge to satisfy some of my more womanly needs, and for some reason thinking about how wonderful Malfoy was, has got me all hot and there's a slight dampness in my underwear. I think that this would be a good way to get rid of some of the stress that has been building over the past couple of days and a good way to distract me from the worry about the meeting tomorrow.
I turn off the lights in the kitchen and head to my bedroom, where I light a few candles and sip the last of my wine, slowly letting myself unwind, as I feel the neediness of my body slowly building. I unbutton my shirt, and undo my trousers, tossing them in the direction of the hamper, leaving me in just my knickers and my bra. I lie down on the bed, take off my bra and glide my hands down my body. When they reach my nipples, I give them a small tweak and take in a sharp gasp, as the feeling overcomes me. I can feel the dampness dripping down my leg now, as I slip off my knickers and discard them along with my bra. The coolness of my hand against my throbbing heat instantly provides a sweet relief, but that is short-lived as the need urges me on. I run my fingers through my folds and up again, tangling them in the trimmed hair at the top. The sensations are almost unbearable as I finally slip two fingers inside me, stretching me marginally. I begin to rock back and forth as the sensation increases. All the while my other hand is cupping my slightly too big breast, and pinching my nipple every so often. Soon the need becomes too much and I know I am close. I speed my fingers up and bring the other hand down to circle my clit, building pressure the closer I get. Before I know it, I can feel my walls clenching around my fingers and I quicken the actions on my clit as I ride through my orgasm, which has me seeing stars. As I hit my high, one word, no a name, slips carelessly from my mouth; "Malfoy" I scream as I come down from the high, too lost in the bliss to even care about this blunder. Too tired to crawl into the shower I mutter a quick Scourgify and pull the sheets up around me, the wine and the orgasmic bliss pulling me into a deep sleep.
I awake with a start, immediately worried that I've overslept, but I know that's not the case when I see the sun rising through the window. Knowing that sleep is out of reach, I stumble into the bathroom, picking up the clothes from last night on my way, and take a luxurious shower, washing my hair at the same time. Nervousness for the day ahead kicks in, as by now no doubt everyone is aware of the promotion, and to add to the anxiety, I have the meeting with Malfoy today. I can't help the little niggle of excitement when I think of meeting him again, but I also can't help the embarrassment which arises due to yesterday's memory. I shake my head at the thought of me fancying Malfoy; for Merlin's sake, this is the boy that tormented us through Hogwarts, I can't seriously like him can I? And then I think of our last encounter, he was so genuine and honest, and oh so beautiful. That's not normally a word I would use to describe a man, but I think it fits Malfoy perfectly. He has a natural beauty, probably a result of meticulous breeding, but awe worthy nonetheless. I pull myself out of these treacherous waters that I feel myself drowning in as I remind myself that Malfoy is a colleague and nothing more. For all I know he hasn't given me a single thought since our 'reunion', and here I am whiling away my morning daydreaming about him like a silly schoolgirl. I smile to myself as I make my way over to my closet. Before our first meeting I told myself that I wanted to look good so that I would make a good first impression. However, today I find myself in a similar position, but I find myself wanting to impress him for entirely different reasons. After reviewing several options I decide that a simple black shift dress is the way to go. It ends just before my knees and has three-quarter length sleeves, enough to fight the slight spring chill in the air. I dry my hair and apply the usual charms to make it look somewhat presentable. Not normally one to plaster my face with all kinds of products, today I just apply some light make-up, but for something extra I add a pop of bright red lipstick, which I match with some bright red heels as I grab my bag and make my to Malfoy Enterprises, unsure of what to expect at today's meeting.