Note: Wrote this hoping to find inspiration to finish my other fics.

In the bowels of the British Ministry of Magic sat the current minister of magic Kingsley Shacklebolt who was slumped over his large desk reviewing the Auror budget. Hearing the chime of the clock alerting him to the time he groaned noticing the hour. Pushing himself away from his desk he started pacing around his office to offer some relief to stiff back, deciding to call it a night he made his way towards the lifts. Walking through the mostly silent ministry the soles of his shoes click clacking against the marble floors he noticed another person who was burning the midnight candle.

Making his way to Hermione Grangers office the only other person who spent more time than him at the ministry, he gently knocked on her door. Hearing her invitation to enter he made his way in the room. Her office was considerably smaller than his, one side held a large filling cabinet while the other was taken up by a large bookcase filled to the brim. Her desk was notably very organised just as the rest of her office. With three piles of paperwork the only thing taking up space on it.

Noticing who it was Hermione placed her pen down and stood to great the minister and fellow order member. "Good evening Minister Shacklebolt. Is there anything I can help you with."

Smiling at the diminutive young woman he shook his head, "Please call me Kingsley Miss Granger. Just wanted to tell you you should go home. You have worked past midnight everyday this week. Don't want my best employee to burn out."

Hermione couldn't help but blush at the compliment, biting the inside of her cheek to stop herself from smiling like a loon she moved around her desk grabbing her coat and filling away the finished cases she had been working on. "Only if you call me Hermione, Kingsley." she said testing out his name against her tongue.

"May I walk you out." he said holding the door open for her.

Giving him a shy smile Hermione nodded. She loved the chivalry a lot of the purebloods had maybe it was because of her grandmother reading Jane Austen or the Bronte sisters to her but a man with manners was a big turn of for her. Before she could make her way over to the open door Hermione felt the first spasm rock through her body, steadying herself on her desk she took a steadying breath hoping it would pass before she collapsed on the floor her body writhing in pain as she shook from the after effects of Belatrixs' crucio.

Kneeling beside her as soon as her body hit her carpeted floor Kingsley looked at her jerking body in horror never having seen anyone experience the aftermath of the curse this terribly. Shrugging of his robe he bunched it up placing it underneath her head, and casting a warming charm over her body he placed her baled up fists into his large hands.

The spasms seemed to have been going on for what seemed like hours but must have been only a couple of minutes, then her body finally went limp. Wiping the blood running down her chin with his thumb Kingsley couldn't help but be in awe of the young woman before him. He had read the reports of what her part had been during the war and heard stories from Minerva about her Hogwarts years but he had never truly paid them any mind till now. Hermione Granger was strong, brave, intelligent beyond comprehensions that was rivalled only by her compassion. She had survived and accomplished what many people twice her age would never do.

Opening her eyes Hermione couldn't help but moan at the bright light hurting her newly sensitive eyes. Closing her eyes in discomfort she shakily raised her hand casting wandlessly to dim the lights. Her entire body ached and her nerves felt like they were on fire, even the air entering her lungs seemed to burn. She knew she was too weak to get up off the floor so she didn't even bother, remembering she wasn't alone when she collapsed she opened her eyes to see Kingsley staring worriedly at her.

"What can I do to help." He asked his deep voice laced with concern.

Giving him a poor attempt at a smile Hermione asked him to grab her beaded bag that was strapped to the inside of her thigh. Hermione was too weak and in need of her potions to be embarrassed about her request. Ever since the hunt she had taken to carrying her bag everywhere with her packed and ready for the next time they had to go on the run. During that year she had it hidden in her sock with her jeans easily covering the bulge. Dressed in button down white shirt that was tucked in to a black a line skirt that stopped just below her knees accompanied with flesh tone flats she didn't have that option. And with the enchantments on the bag she wasn't able to place a disillusionment charm on it.

Looking at her quizzically Kingsley hiked her skirt up slowly exposing her unblemished soft skin. Swallowing nervously he chastised himself for behaving like a randy 16 year old. Lifting her skirt a bit further he saw the bag whispering a quick finite on the sticking charm he grabbed it before waiting for further instructions.

Once he had given Hermione the potions she asked for he sat with her patiently waiting for the potions to take effect. Quickly noticing some of the colour return to her previously washed out complexion and her breathing steadying he scooped her up off the floor and transfigured one of her chairs in to a sofa before gently placing her on it and resting her head on his lap.

Breaking the comfortable silence Hermione spoke, "you don't have to stay with me Kingsley. You probably have something more important to do." Hermione closed her eyes bracing herself for his departure.

"Yes I do."

He heart sunk in disappointment. She could never bring herself to admit it to him but she found his calm and steady presence at that moment a welcome balm against her sore and tired soul.

"There is nothing more important than making sure you are okay Hermione."

Hermione couldn't help but beam up at him. "Thank you." she whispered as she closed her eyes. Placing his arms along the back of the sofa he absent-mindedly stroked her hair as he looked at Hermione fall asleep.

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Waking up to the chime of the clock on her office wall Hermione looked around her office. Hearing the soft breathing coming from him she guessed he was asleep. Tilting her head to look at his sleeping form she could see him asleep with the back of his head resting against the back of the chair tilting his head up. From her position she could see his long dark neck and Adams apple, the underside of his strong jaw and his earring glinting against the low light. Moving her eyes back down she noticed the top button of his dress shirt was unbuttoned, his purple tie lose. Taking note of his broad shoulders and chest Hermione wondered if he had any chest hair and what it would feel like to run her hands across his chest. Blushing at the thought Hermione shifted in her position.

Noting the heavy weight on her stomach her brown eyes saw Kingsley's large hands resting on her stomach. Feeling the familiar tingle between her legs Hermione pressed her thighs together unconsciously. Trying to sit up and remove herself from any more awkward situation she raised his hands off her stomach and stood up, placing it on the spot she just vacated.

Straightening out her clothing Hermione decided to wake up Kingsley. They had six hours before the skeleton crew that ran the ministry on the weekends arrived and she didn't want to start any more gossip. Grabbing his shoulders Hermione gently shook him gently rousing him from his sleep.

Feeling someone shake him Kingsley reacted with years of ingrained training and raised his wand at the person grabbing him. Noticing the wand in her face Hermione took a tentative step back raising her hands to show she wasn't armed. Noticing his error Kingsley quickly stood up apologising for his behaviour.

"It's my fault really. Shouldn't grab a sleeping Auror. You were just going on instinct. " Hermione said dismissing his apology. Running her hands through her messy curls Hermione thanked him again for helping and staying with her through her crisis. Informing her it was his pleasure to help her they stood smiling and staring at each other in silence before Hermione's stomach grumbled in hunger.

Hermiones cheeks flushed red. Kingsley smiled at her noting the blush creeping from under her the collar of her blouse and rising to her cheeks. He cast his gaze one more time to her collar wondering if the rest of her was flushed as well. Clearing his throat he decided to change the train of his thoughts.

"Would you like to have some dinner with me," glancing at the clock he amended. "or breakfast seeing as how it's well over three in the morning. I skipped out on dinner to go over some budget plans. You can tell me how you find working for the ministry."

Handing her her coat and picking his ruffled robes off the floor he opened the door for Hermione waiting on her answer. Normally Hermione would have refused but she was enjoying his company even though they hadn't talked about much and had spent the majority of the time asleep she wanted to get to know more about him. The only other time she had ever been alone in his company had been during the seven Harry's battle while they rode a thestral and fought off Voldermot and his death eaters.

"I would love to." she said as she walked out of her office towards the lift with him following close behind.

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At four on a Saturday morning they found themselves at small take away and restaurant eating pizza. When Kingsley had suggested a place that he knew that served the best pizza he ever had, Hermione looked at him sceptically. His booming laughter had rung through the quite streets of early morning London as he saw her scepticism at his claim.

He went on to inform her that he spent a number of years guarding the prime minister as one of his security service men so had spent a lot of time in muggle London, not just because of his job but the friends he had made while working in number 10. Kingsley had gone on to tell her stories of his first ever pub crawl , learning how to operate muggle machines from copiers to coffee makers. He had then gone off topic rumbling poetically about the amazing product that was coffee and how it was a shame most wizards didn't know about it. Hermione had sat there a smile never leaving her face as he shared part of a life she never knew he had lived.

"So is that why you use ballpoint pens?" she asked dabbing the corner of her mouth with the white paper napkin.

"Yeah, started using them during my body guard duty time and never went back. They are far more convenient and less messy than ink and quill."

"You should have them replace the ink and quills at the ministry even the parchments are outdated, with something more efficient." Hermione said looking at him while he ate the last of his pizza.

"I tried but had a lot of pushback on it. If I did that a whole industry would be out of work."

"Oh I never thought of that...how many people would that be?"

Smiling at her Kingsley sat back watching her face as he answered, "fifteen."

Looking at him wide eyed Hermione was speechless. Swallowing the food in her mouth she furrowed her brow in confusion. "A whole industry consist of fifteen people?"

Laughing at her incredulous tone he nodded. "Yes, they make the quills, parchment and ink for the whole of the UK wizarding community."

Leaning back on her chair Hermione tried to wrap her head around the ridiculous statement. "Let me guess they are pure-bloods who have some influence at the ministry?"

"Yes they are but no they don't have any influence at the ministry. This is a family that has been for generations producing quills, parchment and ink for UK wizarding community. A large percentage of their profit coming from the ministry. When it was proposed the biggest fear was who was next to be replaced by another muggle invention. Was it the candle and oil lantern markers when electricity is introduced to wizarding homes. Or the owl breeders and floo powder makers when telephones come in to wizarding homes. People were afraid of the domino effect it would have."

Hermione was shocked she had never really taken the time to think in depth at how the wizarding world truly worked. "The unemployment numbers would skyrocket, and you would experience a depression..." she said looking at him."...wait electricity works in wizarding homes?"

Kingsley nodded his head in confirmations.

"But professor McGonagall told me it didn't work in Hogwarts."

"At Hogwarts no, with it being built over keylines and the amount of magic around the castle from all the students spells and the wards. But most wizarding homes don't have that much magic to affect electrical currents from working."

"My God i feel like my whole world has been turned upside down." she said looking at him confused and a bit lost. Kingsley felt bad pulling the rug from underneath her. Placing his hands over hers he apologised for upsetting her. Waving her hand to dismiss his apology she told him she preferred knowing the truth than living in ignorance. Feeling extremely tired he offered to accompany her home. Accepting his offer they made their way towards a discreet place to apparate.

Arriving in the middle of a large field Kingsley took in his surroundings. He was surprised by where they landed. A large thatched cottage sat in the middle of a field the brown straw roof covered in morning dew that glittered like jewels as the rising suns rays hit it, the white walls of the cottage contrasting sharply with the green blades of grass on the field. He hadn't expected for Hermione to live out in the middle of nowhere without another house in sight. He thought she might still be living in number 12 with Harry.

Seeing him standing in the field his back and shoulders straight, robes flapping in the morning wind as he gazed at the rising sun over the horizon Hermione couldn't shake the feeling of him belonging here. How his presence alone made it seem more like home than any picture of her friends and lost family that adorned the walls in her home.

Tearing his gaze away from the ever changing colour of the morning sky he looked at Hermione taking in her beauty. She wasn't the kind of beauty that turned heads or the classical kinds that people wrote poems and did paintings about. She was an understated...a soft beauty that you learned to appreciate over time. The more you got to know her the more beautiful she became. Instead of her mucky brown eyes you realise that they had amber flecks sprinkled in them and how they shine brilliantly when she laughs or is explaining something she is passionate about. How her hair isn't just brown but has three other tones blended in it from copper, mahogany brown and auburn and depending in the lighting a different colour shines through. Or the dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks against her olive skinned tone that you don't notice unless you are looking for them.

Without realising what he is doing he finds himself standing before her looking down in to those brown eyes with amber flecks that are sparkling beautifully. She looks up at him questioningly and expectantly praying for him to kiss her. He sees the longing in her eyes as he cups her face in his large hands, looking at how beautifully their skin tones contrast against each other. Feeling his calloused thumbs caressing her cheek Hermione's eyes drop from his to his slightly parted lips getting a glimpse of his perfectly straight and white teeth. Seeing his tongue dart out and lick his lips, she swallows nervously wetting her own lips unconsciously.

Stooping his 6'2 frame to meet her 5'4 frame Kingsley moves his lips towards hers slowly giving her a chance to step back. Stopping before he connects their lips he looks in to her eyes waiting for her to complete the connection. Raising to the balls of her feet Hermione places her lips against his soft lips. Feeling their lips meet Kingsley wraps his arms around her bringing her soft body flush against his own hard own. Placing her arms around his neck Hermione tilts her head encouraging him to deepen the kiss, swiping his tongue at the seams of her lips Hermione grants him access.

Their tongues move against each other exploring the others mouth. Hermione sucks on his bottom lip earning her a growl from Kingsley. Pulling back for some air he continues placing kisses against her jaw working his way down her neck. Reaching her pulse point he licks it before gently sucking on it causing Hermione mewls in arousal digging her nails against his back and shoulder. Doing it a few more times before moving down and burrowing his nose against the crook of her neck.

Loving the feel of her small hands roaming against his back, shoulder and Kingsley peppers kisses between the juncture of her shoulder and neck before working his way back up to her lips. Feeling her underwear dampen Hermione looks for a way to ease the tension between her legs and grinds against the sizeable bulge in Kingsley's slacks.

At the contact Kingsley hisses in pleasure bucking his hips. Hearing her moan against his mouth he finally breaks the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. They each listen to their rugged breathing waiting for the lust fuelled haze to clear before speaking. Kingsley wants her badly but not just her body alone, he wants all of her but knows that as her boss this could end up badly for both of them if it ever came out. That's not even including the fifteen year age difference.

Stepping away from the embrace Kingsley waits for her to say something. Looking up at him as the chilly morning air hits the front of her body Hermione misses the warmth his body provided but also the more intimate warmth and closeness they shared that had been more spiritual whist they kissed.

"I know I'm your superior and I'm a lot older than you," rubbing a hand across his closely shaved head he sighed. " I had a really wonderful time with you today and I would like to see you again...would you like to go out again sometime next week?"

At hearing his words Hermione wanted to throw herself in to his arms and go another round at kissing but planted her feet firmly on the wet grass. Smiling happily at him she readily agreed. Telling her that he would owl her they shared another deep but quick kiss before watching her go in to her home. Once he was sure she was safe inside he apparated home feeling like a teenager again who finally managed to get a date.