Houses Competition. A Muggledom piece, therefore highly AU.
Ravenclaw, HoH, Short 2 (Additional), Prompt: "From the moment I met you, I knew I would spend the rest of my life avoiding you.", WC: 560
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"Hermione!"
Draco Malfoy is shouting after me, his words chasing me down the overpopulated London street. I ignore him. I've desperately been trying to avoid him all week, especially after what he said to me on that awful Monday morning. He's been tragically unbearable since he joined my team at work two months ago. I work as a Project Manager in Claims for the marginally elusive insurance company, Gooper & Chan. Before two months ago, Draco was a Project Manager for the slightly more glamorous IT Infrastructure. Exciting, I know.
Stupid company makes it too easy to move departments.
Despite having first worked with him two months ago, I met Draco three years ago in the staff cafeteria. He was an arse, and I've been trying to avoid him ever since. I remember it well. He hit on me whilst I was reaching for my sandwich in the shared fridge. Then he informed me that it was part of the workplace banter. Personally, I find that sort of behaviour to be totally inappropriate. Alas, I'm not a snitch. I ignored him, moved on, and went back up to my sixth-floor office to argue over biscuits in meetings.
Two months ago, we were forced into the same team. Malfoy was supposedly moving to Claims permanently, and so had to shadow to a higher-up. Me. He's been utterly… Ridiculous ever since. Providing jokes for people in important meetings with clients, laughing down the phone at customers, dressing completely inappropriately – jeans and a cotton shirt is not our attire, but he refuses to change it. Utterly unprofessional. Last week, he informed me that he would be much better doing my job, with me being the subordinate. But not just at work. Suggesting... Urgh. Suggesting that, somehow, he should have dominance over me in both my professional and personal life.
Thus, I'm not talking to him.
I walk faster, making it to a small park that's crowded with lunch-goers.
"Hermione, will you please just stop a minute!" he shouts again, closer this time. "I need to talk to you about the Milton-Harrison case!"
I halt and he almost stumbles into me in his haste.
"You shouldn't have said that."
"I know, and I'm sorry." Draco wipes a hand over his face and glances around, as if concerned that someone will spot him even tending towards sentimental. His hair is a mess, which is unusual for him. "You're a far better boss than I could ever be. I didn't intend to suggest something lewd that would make you disappear. I just wanted to joke. I thought we could joke, can't we?"
Silence.
"I meant about the case. That's classified."
"Oh." He tries to smile. "In that case, you do still have a great little arse."
Smack!
"Really?" I ask, my hand stinging and eyes blurring with stupid tears. Stupid because I'm old enough to know that he doesn't know any better than to say these idiotic things. "You actually think it's okay to say that to someone? Jesus, Malfoy. From the moment I met you, I knew I would spend the rest of my life avoiding you. And for good cause."
He touches his cheek lightly, staring back at me with grey eyes. "Hermione, my brain obviously doesn't engage when I talk to you." He sighs. "I'm just…"
"Just what?"
"Totally in love with you."
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Thanks for reading!
