Author Notes: Well, my Potterheads! Thanks for the reviews and interest in this story! I am excited to see how it slowly unfurled into something. I hope you are enjoying yourself and this piece of experimental work. I haven't written a blind character before so it has been tons of fun to really delve into the complications and sometimes perks of missing one of your senses. Thanks again!
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Hermione was sitting across from him on the patio and glancing down at her book. She was nibbling between pages and Draco listened silently as she fidgeted. Her foot tapped lightly against the ground as she sat and the rustle of pages was every few minutes. He finally couldn't stand the silence. "What are you reading?" he asked as he tapped the table with is fork.
"A book on gifted children development," she murmured, and he could hear the restraint in her voice.
"Does it bother you that his father left you both?" Draco mused, and Hermione glowered over at the clueless man.
"He is adopted," she snapped, and Draco's eyebrows traveled toward his hairline.
"Did you go to an orphanage for gifted children and steal him?"
Hermione groaned and slammed her book shut. "No, his parents died, and I was his godmother. He wasn't even two years old," Her voice was sharp.
He could sense there was more to the story but let it go. "That's nice of you," he noted, and Hermione snorted loudly.
Thankfully, her soon to be outburst was quelled when her phone rang. It was a tune Draco wasn't sure he remembered from, and she cleared her throat. He heard her move from the table and walk a distance away.
"Hey, lovely, how has your day been?" she paused and sighed. "Oh, it has been super. Everyone is so nice, and it is the best job ever." Her voice was light, even if she was feigning. "Did your uncle give you sugar again? You are bouncing off the walls." The woman giggled, and he could hear the distant muffling of a child talking.
Draco turned his head and listened more to her inflections as she strolled the patio. "Oh, yes, I will be home for dinner, I promise. I will even stop by the shop and grab the fixings for your favorite."
"I promise. I love you to the moon and back, my darling," she sighed, and there was another pause before he heard her walking back to the table.
"Kelly, you are a good mother," he said quietly and she snorted.
"Oh, sod off, I hate sarcasm," she snapped, and he frowned.
"I was honest, but if you want to be so abrasive," he growled and reached for his glass.
"Thank you, Draco," she responded, her voice gentle and almost breakable sounding.
He scowled as he swallowed his iced tea. "Why are you so crispy?" he inquired after setting the glass down.
"Can we focus on keeping a healthy working relationship?" she asked, and he couldn't figure out why her tones were familiar at times.
"Certainly, but I don't imagine we will avoid my need to boss you around," He declared with a half-smile.
Hermione frowned and folded one of her legs over the other. "You may not know this, but I am quite self-sufficient without someone ordering me around." She retorted, and a throat hemmed behind her.
"Malfoy, who's your friend?" Marcus declared as he approached the table.
"Ah, Flint, you are early. Marcus Flint, this is Helen Kelly. Miss Kelly, Marcus Flint," Draco declared before forking the last of his lunch in his mouth.
Marcus approached Hermione and smiled as he shook her hand. "Pleasure to meet you," she murmured, and his smile evolved.
"Aren't you a cute lookin' thing. I thought Draco lost his sight, but apparently not if he is hiring such a pretty woman to work with him, side by side," He teased, and her cheeks grew pink.
"I assure you, I am far meaner than I look," she retorted and Marcus chuckled.
"You would have to be to work with him," Marcus declared and sat down next to Draco. "Now, why did you tell me that she was good looking, mate?"
Draco chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "I must be blind," he said flatly and Marcus belted out in laughter.
Hermione sipped her glass and tilted her head at Flint. "What do you do?" she asked and he smirked at her.
"I come here and help this prat flex his soon to be pristine muscles," Marcus declared and Hermione's brows knitted.
"You must have a lucrative business," she mused and twirled her fork on the plate in front of her.
Flint nodded slowly and shrugged his shoulders. "It pays the bills. My wife doesn't complain because I am home more than not. I have a few other high stake clients, but Draco is almost family."
Hermione tilted her head and made an agreeing sound. "That's right, you married a Greengrass," she remarked and bit her lip in regret.
Marcus gave her a piercing look and nodded slowly. "Zabini must have told you about the Greengrass estate. What a business monger he is," he said with a knowing stare.
Hermione had to wonder how many of them knew who she was outside of Draco. That gave her a small hint of guilt, but it was whisked away swiftly and Draco pounding the table. "What a prick. Does he have to talk about my personal life to everyone?" he spat and Marcus stifled a chuckle.
"Well, shagging a Weasley is a bit of gossip up the grapevine, Malfoy," Flint declared as Hermione's cheeks bloomed in bold color.
The woman was trying desperately to avoid this world colliding with her own. "I pay no interest to gossip, it was only a musing from what was said."
Draco bobbed his head. "And you shouldn't, it is none of your bloody business. You work for me," he spat and snatched his cane off the bench. "I am going to get changed for our session, Flint. Escort Miss Kelly to the library until I am done," he finished and started to find his way back to the house.
The door slammed and Hermione groaned. "Why was he so upset?" Hermione questioned and Flint sighed.
"Astoria cheated on him with Fred Weasley, Granger," Marcus said with a regretful expression.
Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head. "That is god awful. I know what that is like," she sighed and Marcus arched an eyebrow at her.
"Shagging Fred Weasley?" he offered and she snorted.
"No, but that doesn't matter."
Flint leaned forward and drew her attention. "Did he give you the, 'this is my house and these are my rules,' speech yet?" he asked with a smirk.
"No, but he did try to treat me like a dog and I told him off," she snapped and folded her arms against her chest.
Marcus arched an eyebrow. "You haven't changed very much, have you?" he asked and she shook her head. "I like that. Too many things change. You were a swotty thing in school and I am sure you are an educated swotty thing now," he finished and Hermione laughed.
She gazed out to the grassy hills beyond. "This place is beautiful," she sighed.
"It is, it is also a shame that dear old Malfoy can't see the changes his mother has done to the outside."
Hermione glanced back to him and saw his face pinched. "That is dreadful. It truly is sad that he is blind. I don't know how he does it," she murmured and Marcus nodded.
"The first two years were rough. I don't think I have ever seen someone so very torn at the middle. Astoria was there, but she really wasn't, ya know? Narcissa didn't snap out of her mourning for her husband until Draco announced he was going to off himself. She didn't believe him of course. Draco has a flare for the dramatics. Accidents happen. He almost did," Marcus summarized it and Hermione blanched. "We all love him. I know you have little love for the Malfoys. Less for Draco than anyone else alive, but he has been through more in ten years than you know," he finished with a large exhale.
The woman nodded slowly. "I will try not to be so hard on him," she offered and he smiled.
"Good, that's all I can ask. He is an arsehole and a right stroppy fuck, but he has something about him that is fierce and loyal," he said and Hermione smiled.
"You turned out better than I thought you would," she commented and he grinned.
"It is the love of a good woman, kids and a profession that helps me contain my aggression," he announced with a nod. Hermione smiled and stood up, grabbing the empty plates. "No, no, Granger. Ramsey will do it. If Narcissa hears you did that she will think he is slacking."
The woman sighed, shaking her head. "I don't understand how being helpful can be a problem. Let's go to the library." She grumbled and he stood up.
Marcus walked with her inside after she grabbed her book and he glanced at her a couple of times. "Wow, it is kind of scary. Blaise wasn't kidding when he said you filled out nicely." He murmured and Hermione blushed brightly.
"I haven't a clue what you mean," she mumbled and he choked on a chuckle.
They walked inside and he bit down on a huge grin. "Gr- Kelly, you have the nicest arse I have seen on a bookish woman in ages." He teased and she huffed.
"Are all of you going to hit on me over the next few months, because I can start dressing in mom jeans and sweaters," she growled and Flint shrugged his shoulders.
"Stop checking her out and let's go," Draco spat while coming down the stairs. "As for you, Kelly, you can go up and organize my work files. Alphabetical, numeric," he growled and Hermione tapped her toe on the tile. "Please," he groaned and she smirked.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy," she said cooly and Marcus waved at her.
"Bye, Kelly. I will tell Zabini you blew him a kiss when I see him later," he snickered and Hermione groaned.
She grumbled it but Draco could hear. "Bloody wankers and their cock wagging…" it trailed off as she left from ear shot.
"Oh, she has a mouth," Draco mused and Marcus laughed. "I thought the stick lodged up her arse was of my doing, but it seems it was up there before," He finished and flexed his free arm.
"Alright, chap, lets get some blood flowing."
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They were back in the plunging pool and Draco was listening to the peacocks in the distance. Flint however hemmed and tapped the stone. "Your new EA is something." He murmured and Draco snorted.
"She is a right pill," he growled and Marcus chuckled.
"I can see her challenging you," Flint murmured and fidgeted in the water.
Draco rocked his head back and forth. "My cousin hates me. She is going to be such a positively large pain in my arse."
"I think it is fantastic. When is the last time you were actually challenged by a woman?"
Draco tilted his head in thought. There really wasn't a moment in time in his adult life that a woman opposed him. Those that were not charmed by his wiles, were charmed by his wealth. It was an easy experience for him and women fawned over him and his entourage. Someone came to mind and he sneered. "Granger. She is the only little thorn in my paw. Did you know she told me that I should stop putting toothpaste in my hair? It won't grow in any whiter, she said."
Marcus laughed so hard the water swayed. "My god, that little swotty girl. I always did like her a bit. Sharp as a whip."
"Well, she has a good right hook to be sure," Draco instinctively rubbed his chin. "I wonder what happened to those Gryphems after ten years. Potter works law and married the Weasley girl, I know that. Weasel married that odd little flower-named girl a couple of years out of Hogwarts. Probably has a mess of kids… What happened to Granger? I never did find out," Draco murmured and relaxed against the tub. "I wanted to bang that bookish prissy bitch so bad." He groaned with a bright smirk stretching his cheeks.
"She probably has talent too," Marcus murmured with a deep sigh. "Yes, I could see it now. Library, books on the floor, her in an old small uniform…" He snickered with a moan, and Draco bit the inside of his cheek.
"Don't start that, I cannot see if you are actually serious," the Malfoy grumbled.
"Just as long as you don't tell my wife," Marcus teased, and Draco splashed him.
"I think having fantasies about the Gryphem Princess was pretty usual for us Anguis. No one would admit it, but everyone did it." Draco sighed and extended his arms behind his head.
"Too very true," Flint agreed and hemmed. "I have a tidbit of information," Flint said with a lighter tone. "Did you know your dear cousin Regulus knows where Drom's Grandson is?"
Draco jerked and his face grew tense. "How did you find that out?"
"Well, Zabini mentioned that Regulus made a phone call to someone when he was turning in reports. It was Hogwarts on the phone and Regulus said he wanted to pay for a child's school tuition in entirety. Before he could earwig anymore, Regulus dismissed him. Zabini is almost sure it is Drom's grandson. He wouldn't have jumped to pay tuition for anyone else," Flint explained, and Draco gnawed on his cheek.
"Well, that would mean my mother would want to know, but he hasn't told her or she would have said something." Draco tapped the rim of the pool. "Who did her daughter marry? Some Vet? I cannot even recall it has been so long. Maybe after Drom's death, they reconnected with Reg and fell on hard times?"
Flint grunted and sighed. "Who knows. Regulus has always been a brilliant man, he must know best."
"I best go see how my pill of an EA is doing," Draco grumbled and moved to get out. Draco fumbled for the bar and climbed from the pool with a heavy ache. "Oh, we worked hard today," he murmured as he moved for his cane on the ground.
"Always do, Same time Friday?" Marcus asked and Draco sounded agreement.
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She had just finished the two set of cabinets under the desk and was moving the older files to the cabinet across the room. It was silly secretarial work, but she didn't mind it. The view was choice and she got to do this part alone. It has been one of those days that will go down in the books as a mental battle between slapping Malfoy or just doing what Ginny said and make faces at him. She was shuffling with some files and one fell and splayed across the floor. "Ballocks," Hermione sighed and was bending to grab the pages from the ground.
She yawned loudly and shook herself out. "I need some tea," she murmured to herself and swiped up another page.
"Kelly, how is-" he paused as his foot caught on a sheet; he lost his balance and his cane fell from his hand.
"Oh! I am so sorry, I was in the midst of putting them away!" she exclaimed and rushed over to help the man get his equilibrium back.
His hand fell on her shoulder and his scowl was deep set. "I hope that wasn't on purpose," he said.
"No, of course not," she retorted and bent to grab his cane for him.
Draco felt her body graze his pant leg as she had retrieved his tool and his face hardened further. "I don't need you bloody help, Kelly. Just clean up the mess," he spat sharply as she handed him the stick.
Hermione pulled away as he prodded about for clear floor. She wanted to tell him to bugger off, but she kept quiet. She shuffled in grabbing the papers and placed them back into the folder they fell from. He had found his way back to his chair and flopped down with a groan. "You truly don't have to be so rude with me, Draco. The folder fell from my arms. Everything else is done," she murmured as she placed the older files in the cabinet in the corner.
"Everything? Alphabetical and numeric?" he questioned with an arched eyebrow.
He waited patiently for an answer but was greeted by her heels thumping on the carpet. "And, I printed your reports, in brail," she snickered and dropped the bundle of sheets in his lap.
"Brail, how did you figure that out? No one could figure out the setting on my printer," he murmured and she made a smug sound.
"Well, I did. Is there anything else I can do for you this afternoon? If not I wouldn't mind heading home," she said stiffly.
"Alexis, what time is it?" he asked loudly.
"The time is four fourty-five pm," the feminine voice sound and he snorted.
"It is later than I thought. When did we take lunch?" he murmured and scratched his beard.
"We took lunch at one, your trainer got her at one thirty and I started the organization at ten after two," Hermione remarked and Draco grinned.
"You are bloody good. Alright, have a good evening, Kelly. Let Ramsey know you are leaving on your way out so he can keep an ear for me."
"Of course. I also placed everything back to where it belongs on your desk and don't be alarmed, but I put the tacks that were out away. I am not sure why they were sitting there, but it isn't good to have sharp objects laying about." Hermione said in almost one breath and Draco chuckled.
"Thank you," he said and Hermione looked at the man a moment.
He was being sincere. "You are most welcome. I will see you at nine," she replied and maneuvered to grab her things from next to the desk. "Good night, Mr. Malfoy."
"Kelly-" he paused and waited for her to stop moving. "Just Draco. Mr. Malfoy was my father and I prefer not to be associated with him."
"Of course, good night, Draco," she declared and he heard her footsteps fade.