Chapter 2
A/N: This is unreasonably late and delayed. I'm very sorry and I hope that there may be some interest in reading what happens next. Let me know if you'd like me to continue the story!
One month later
"Malfoy, I'll kill you," she rasped as she picked up the phone at 3 am.
"Granger, I'm glad you're up."
"If this is another question about what to get Narcissa for her birthday…"
"Granger, you sound upset."
"It's 3 AM, I am TIRED. Why did you wake me up at this god awful hour?" she growled.
"I think I'm a little drunk."
"I gathered that."
"But, tonight, I'm drunk and at home."
"How fascinating."
"It's kind of a sad night Granger."
"Did you lose money in the Muggle stock market?"
"If only Granger. Is all you think about money, woman? There are greater things in this world."
"Who is this?"
"It's Malfoy."
"I know…I was being ironic."
"Oh. You're not very good at it."
"Malfoy. Why is it a sad night?"
"I was thinking about you Granger."
"I'm hanging up."
"Wait…no! Not in that way. I was thinking about how very muggle you can be. You do so many muggle-like things."
"Is there a point to this?"
"But you're also a very talented witch. You're quite good you know."
"So I've been told."
"You also know how to keep me in line. Even mother can't do that."
"I'll be sure to add that to the list of special skills on my resume."
He rumbled in drunk laughter.
"How many companies have tried to poach you since you've come to work for me."
"Twelve."
"Granger."
"Twenty-two."
"Good. It should be more, but most of them are afraid of me."
"You're so arrogant."
"I'm doing the best I can Granger."
"I know you are."
"Sometimes, being my best is not enough, Granger."
"Malfoy, what's wrong?"
"If I can't be the best, at least I have the best with me."
"My brain hurts."
"Mine does too Granger."
"Malfoy, I think you need to get some sleep."
"I guess I should."
"Are you going to be okay Malfoy?"
"You'll be at work tomorrow?"
"Yes, Malfoy. Someone needs to keep you in line."
"Then I'll be okay."
"Then…good. I guess."
"Granger?"
"Yes, Malfoy?"
"I'm sorry. For everything."
"Thank you."
"I know giving you a bigger office won't make up for it."
"No, it won't."
"Maybe someday I can tell you sober."
"That would be nice."
"Would it help?"
"It would."
"Okay…I'm going to sleep now. Stop bothering me with these 3 am conversations. I'm a very important person you know."
"I know, Malfoy. Good night."
"Good night, Granger."
The 6-month mark:
"Ah Granger, you look…well look at you…" he intoned when she had opened the door hand on one hip. He was referring to her current state of dress, a pair of worn three-quarter pyjama bottoms and an old oversized sweater she had clearly stolen from one of the various men-fixtures in her life. She scowled at him, not impressed.
"Well, this is perfect, you don't have any plans this evening…" he continued, taking in the giant hair-nest bun-like thing on her head wondering if she was raising a small group of sparrows in there.
"I told you I had plans with Viktor…" she muttered unconsciously stepping aside to let him in.
"That was tonight? Granger, unless Krum is in to the disgruntled housewife look, I might suggest changing in to something he would appreciate flying half the world over for. I mean it's been two months since the last time you saw him."
Her scowl became deeper as he spoke, "Hah! Well, he's cancelled now, so I guess it does not matter if I continue in my disgruntled housewife ways."
He clapped, "Brilliant, get dressed. As lovely as I find that ensemble and it brings to light my more personal attractions in life, I don't think we'll be let in anywhere."
"No."
She was pouting.
"Granger, come on, get dressed, stop pouting and let's go celebrate."
"What the hell are you on about?" she had folded her arms. Not a good sign.
"My freedom, my dear darling law superstar of the planet. You finalized my divorce this morning. Now I can roam about as I please and please where I roam," he wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
"I'm not your wingman, go find someone else," she said irritated, flopping on the couch.
He shook his head, "You're the only one who can slap me and get away with it. Come now Granger, let's also celebrate your six-month mark at Malfoy Industries, working for the best boss."
As he spoke she slowly laid down and curled up in to a ball.
He looked around her new apartment. After three months, he had threatened to fire her if she didn't get a better place to live, in a safer neighbourhood. He did not want to get murdered when trying to find her.
He sighed and sat down next to her on the couch and almost patted her birds-nest head, but thought otherwise.
"I'm getting depressed now," he whined, "what the bloody hell is the matter?"
"Men suck."
"Yes, they do, Granger. Why is this new knowledge to you?" he inquired politely.
She mumbled something under her breath.
"I'm sorry, I can't quite hear you."
"I thought Viktor would want to see me and not cancel on me again."
"That's your problem Granger, with Krum, the key is to never think."
"I hate you."
"I know, but unfortunately, I'm here and that's all you've got right now. Now, let's show that Krummy bastard, get drunk and get laid!"
She made a warning noise.
"Of course not with EACH other, Granger, that would be highly inappropriate and unethical."
She hoisted herself up.
"Malfoy, I'm staying in. I am watching a movie, eating popcorn and drinking a bottle of wine. Have fun."
He rose looking insulted, "You'd rather stay here, by yourself and watch moving pictures, then spend time with an extremely attractive and intelligent human being?"
"Oh, you found someone else for me to hang out with?" she smirked.
"You're fired.
"Thank god!"
"No, I take it back."
"Ass."
"Well, with that, I will leave you to it," he said hovering in her doorway as she got up to get some snacks from the kitchen. When she returned he was still in her door way.
"Would you like to stay and watch? It's called Pride and Prejudice and is 5.5 hours in length," she asked him, wondering if he had anywhere else to go.
He shot a contemplative look at her.
"I suppose I could stay for an hour or so. You may need someone to restrain you when you try to send that howler to Krum."
"That was ONE time, and I said I was sorry," she retorted disappearing back in the kitchen to get another wine glass.
"Granger, the entire Board was there. This is why Howlers are usually reserved for irate mothers," complained Draco for what felt like the fifth time.
He had removed his shoes and taken a seat at one end of the coach, while she sat on the other end with her feet curled under her. He reached forward, uncorked the bottle of wine, poured them both a glass and handed her one.
"Now can we bloody well toast to my new freedom and you to not killing me in the past six months?" he drawled raising his glass towards her.
She clinked it and took a long sip.
Feeling her body relax she reclined back and started the series.
"Ah, this Darcy bloke is quite distinguished, though his friend is far too happy go lucky."
"I don't understand what is insulting about saying you do not find someone attractive. It's a personal choice is it not?"
"I wonder if Astoria's mother has seen this, I swear she once tried something similar to get me to notice the little minx."
"Who the hell is this Collins' fellow, he looks a little like Peter Pettigrew doesn't he?"
"Granger, Wikham has been greatly wronged. He should have been given his entitlement! This is Darcy is a bit of a pretentious sod, isn't he?"
"Lizzie reminds me of you, Granger. A little know-it-all who likes to have an opinion on all things. I will say she is quite funny on purpose, you're more funny by accident."
"I hate you, Malfoy."
"Right back at you darling."
Four months later
"Chin up Granger, you could look a lot less like you are taking a History of Magic final."
She glared at him, "I just don't understand why I have to attend all these events with you. Can't you just get one of your usual pre-law blondes to come with you?"
He took her arm and guided her towards the drink table.
"No Granger. You are contractually obligated to attend all and any events I request of you. It's a mutually beneficial agreement. You can prattle on about all your good deeds and I stay out of the papers for yet another scandal," he responded as though he told her the same thing every event.
"Yes, yes I know," she said irritatedly snatching a glass of champagne off the table and taking a big sip.
"It's actual ironic that having you here creates less of a media outburst then it might have once upon a time," continued Draco, sounding nostalgic.
"Not as ironic as how much time we spend together given how hard we avoided each other at Hogwarts," she snorted in response.
"Come now Granger. I never avoided you. In fact, I sought you out as often as I could. Boy Wonder and King Weasley were not very good at the sparring, but I could always count on you to give me a show."
He waggled his eyebrows and she punched his shoulder.
"See. Nothing's changed. Now I get to do it in a more…collegial manner."
"You were a racist, vindictive ferret."
"I was also devastatingly handsome."
"You were pale and whiny."
"You wound me Granger."
"Good."
They stopped to chat with a member of the Wizengmot who had recently gotten them an appointment in front of the court.
Hermione looked decidedly more cheerful after the conversation.
"Ah, I knew there would be something here to get your spirits up. Now, isn't this better than sitting at home and waiting for that dunce of a boyfriend to Floo?"
She chose not to comment at his remark.
"Seriously, there are at least half a dozen men here that would happily put up with your do gooder attitude and at least two of those that could understand half of what you say, present company excluded of course. Any of those would be a step up from Krum."
She rolled her eyes.
"Okay first of all, Viktor is not a dunce. He's very intelligent and does not feel the need to give his opinion on everything like present company. Secondly, I don't appreciate being told that people would happily "put up with me." Third, even if I was looking for a relationship, yours would be the last advice I would take. Finally, I'm so busy because my boss is a tyrant and can't seem to do anything without me that I would not even have the TIME to spare. You're lucky that Viktor is so understanding and also has a very busy schedule, because a normal bloke would not be okay with any of this!"
She had worked herself red in the face as he stood there watching her his head slightly tilted.
"If I gave you Friday nights off, would you dump the Krum?"
Hermione gave strangled scream and stalked off.
"Right, well, I suppose, no Friday nights off then."