A/N: Thank you for those of you who read and those who reviewed and encouraged me to continue! I hope you enjoy this chapter; I did have this one closely mirror the situations and dialogue from the movie, just because it is executed so brilliantly. I could only try my own little version...I particularly love the "hole in my stomach, running out of shampoo speech" from the movie for those of you who are fans! Once again, please let me know if you are interested in me continuing the charge.

Chapter 3

One month later…

"MALFOY, where are you?!" she bellowed almost tripping as she flooed in to his room in the Manor.

He emerged from the bathroom in boxers and a t-shirt.

"Ah there you are Granger, and don't you look rather fetching. That is a lovely dress, where are you coming from?" he said as he towel dried his hair. He preferred it to magic, thought it gave it a bit of a mussy touch that the women seemed to love.

She was seething.

"I just CAME from the middle of Neville and Hannah Abbot's wedding, where I was a BRIDESMAID, Malfoy! Why did you text me SOS?" she yelled noting that he was seemed unperturbed and unruffled.

"Granger, why on earth would you leave a wedding?" he looked at her confused.

"Because, ferret face, you texted me SOS! And it does not seem like the sky is falling or that you are in mortal peril?" she was so angry, he could feel the heat emanating from her.

"Well, since you are here. I have an interview with Witch Weekly and I wanted to know if making inappropriate broom jokes would be considered risqué but cute or just plain sleazy?" he inquired politely sitting down on his bed.

Her hands were balled up in to fists. She closed her eyes.

"Please tell me, I did not leave the wedding of some of my dearest friends, to counsel you on inappropriate broom jokes," she whispered and he looked a little uncomfortable.

"Well, you shouldn't have left the wedding," he responded confidently.

"You texted me SOS," she said loudly angst-ridden.

"Granger, why on earth were you checking your phone in the middle of a wedding? I think you enjoy the drama of it all," he said bit back good-naturedly.

"You're right Malfoy, this is all my fault. Somehow, in this past year, I have turned in to this….this...I don't even know what this is called! I advise you on business, I come to all your social, work and personal events. I shop with you for you and anyone else you so choose to be inclined towards….I'm your multi-purpose, all-in-one, THING that helps you run your ENTIRE life. I don't even know where my job ends and my life begins….this isn't working Malfoy…" she veered off, suddenly tired.

"You think I like needing to know your every thought, Granger? I was so capable of running my own life as you so aptly put it, and then you came around all…Granger-ish and now how the bloody hell am I supposed to make a decision?! I just hear your voice in my head all day long second guessing my every inclination until I feel as though I will go mad and might as well ask you anyway so that you don't throw it in my face later. And by the way you LOVE telling me what to do. Don't kid yourself Granger, you did it with Potter and with Weasley and you missed that until you got yourself tangled up in my life. You crave bossing people around, does it kill you how well I know you? Plus, all of these decisions affect my life and my work and as an employee of Malfoy Inc, they affect your work as well. It's not just my reputation as you have told me on many occasions, it's OUR reputation, yourself included," he concluded feeling very proud of himself for making such a compelling argument.

"Not anymore Malfoy. Consider this my two weeks notice," she said quietly.

"What?"

"I just can't do this anymore. We've got the Muggle Division up and running at full capacity with a solid team, we're almost through with getting the Fair Wage legislation in place and your reputation is pretty much pristine from having me around the last year both personally and with the company. I'll find you a replacement and be on my way," she offered feeling that it was a good compromise.

"Ungrateful wench….I plucked you from obscurity, got you an amazing apartment, a larger than life office and all the power to play with and you're leaving me…I mean us! How dare you? I won't let you…" he pronounced his eyes narrowed, looking much like his younger self which flared Hermione's temper.

"I'll be going back to the wedding now Malfoy. Don't make the broom jokes and I will see you tomorrow," she turned and moved through the Floo quickly leaving Malfoy in his boxers and wet hair.

"I didn't even get to ask about my outfit…" he muttered.

Three days later…

"I made 60 phone calls and every single place that had been BEGGING me to come work for them had 'changed their minds' suddenly. Of course Malfoy had somehow strong armed them…I can't go back to the Ministry, their pissed that I pushed this new legislation through and someone has already registered SPEW in both the Muggle and Wizard domain," she whined nearly in tears, "I hate the ferret and I never want to see him again!"

Hermione looked over at Ron and Harry who were sitting across from her in the backyard of the Burrow looking uncomfortable.

"You know I'm right here, Granger," drawled Draco from beside them looking relaxed as he lounged on the grass.

She shot him a dirty look and then stared down the other two.

"Hey, you're the one who started bringing him here when he was following you around like a lost puppy. We've gotten used to him and need him for the Quidditch numbers," mumbled Ron knowing Hermione's wrath more than anyone else.

She let out a strangled scream.

"What did Viktor say when you told him," asked Harry, hoping to distract her from picking up her wand and murdering Malfoy. Apparently it was the right and wrong question to ask.

"He said he was happy and that I worked too hard. Then he said at least now I could look for a less demanding job," she quoted waspishly. The three boys drew in a quick breath…even they knew those were the wrong choice of words around Hermione.

"Maybe I should apply to Flourish and Botts," she snapped, "anything to get away from him."

"I told Flourish you liked to smell books and sometimes stole them. Not on purpose, of course, just some kleptomaniac tendencies," mentioned Draco examining his nails.

She was up like lighting dragging Malfoy up with her.

"That's it!" she announced dragging him to the Quidditch shed and stuffing them both in there.

"Granger," he muttered in the small dark room, "if you are quitting because of this unresolved sexual tension, I am sure we can work out an uh…agreement."

She stabbed him in stomach with her wand before casting the lumos spell.

"Listen Malfoy. I am tired. Since I started working for you, I have barely slept, you are constantly calling me and texting me. I can't go anywhere without you showing up and needing advice on something. I have Malfoy Inc on the brain 12 hours a day and then Draco Malfoy problems on the brain the other 12 hours a day. I burn my breakfast every morning because I am so preoccupied and then I have to make more breakfast. I can't even keep a goldfish because they keep dying because I forget to feed them, and people stop me on the street to tell me what they think of the latest Malfoy scandal. I've got insomnia, I'm running out of groceries, I've had 10 fish funerals and I don't even know what my job is anymore. You've got to let me go Malfoy…professionally-speaking of course," she added quickly, noticing his hurt look.

He paused.

"I won't text."

"Malfoy."

"Yeah, I know I will," he relented, "fine. I'll call Flourish and tell him we've cured your kleptomania."

She smiled a large smile that he hadn't seen in forever and clapped her hands excitedly.

"Don't worry, I know a ton of people who will be great at this job. You won't even miss me," she laughed launching in to his arms for a hug.

"Yes well, they better know their way around a wizard's boutique. Your fashion sense has improved being around me, but you've got no creative eye for colour," he quipped looking at her one-toned dress, but nonetheless holding her tighter around the waist and letting her wild hair entangle his face.

"I hate you Malfoy."

"Right back at you darling."

Day 4 of 14...

"I've gathered a list of potential candidates for my replacement, there's about 6 we should interview," said Hermione as they sat down for lunch.

"We?"

"Yes, they'll be working for you, Malfoy."

"I suppose I should make sure you don't hire a dud."

"I'll ignore that. There's a Sarah Smith I went to school with who might be good. Another strong candidate is Seth Miller, I've heard good things about him," she mused going through the resumes.

"No, it must be a witch," he said as the food arrived and he started separating out their plates and pouring her coffee before she took a sip from an empty mug without noticing as per usual.

"Of course," she rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue to let him know her professional opinion on that matter.

He paused, looking amused.

"I'll tell you a secret Granger," he said beckoning her closer.

She obliged leaning in.

"The Board is terrified of female lawyers. They don't believe in them and it makes them uncomfortable to have one in vicinity. Archaic I know since the Board also has a few female members, but it is in my interest to make them as uncomfortable as possible," he whispered with a wink.

She looked at him a little shocked.

"Despite the fact that I am totally appalled that this behaviour is allowed, I must say, I'm a little impressed with your strategy," she admitted, looking like she saw him in another light for once.

"Not just a pretty face my dear," he said without a trace of modesty and she laughed at his confidence. He smiled at the attention. He then switched their coffee mugs and poured her hot coffee because she hadn't taken a sip of the other one yet and it was getting cold.

"You also made a very pretty ferret if I remember correctly…"