Previously on Returning To His Roots: Chapter 7
Draco looked at Blaise in surprise. "What does she Weasley have to do with anything? You couldn't find anyone other than the witch who wants to hex my balls off to deliver dinner? I'm not that hungry."
"Very funny Mr. Malfoy," said Blaise with a good humored laugh. "Ginny and I have been dating for the last two months. We had a long talk last night and she has consented to be my witch."
"Dammit Blaise," huffed Draco. "That witch is almost as bad as Hermione Granger. She'll try to hex me the first chance she gets.
Blaise realized this was where he should explain what was what to Draco. For the next half hour or so, Blaise gave a brief synopsis of what had gone on between himself and Ginny the previous evening.
Blaise explained their argument and how Ginny had come back to his flat to work things out. "Ginny admitted that her feelings about you may have been the result of what Hermione feels towards you. So. She has agreed to start off fresh. She will not hex you, curse you or draw her wand. I promise."
Draco couldn't believe what he was hearing. One of his most violent detractors had done a turn around and was willing to be civil. Draco couldn't help thinking how Blaise always bragged he had a magical dick. In this case, Draco had to agree.
Feeling good over this turn of events, Draco's next thought was how he wished Terry Boot had a magical dick as well. Then all his problems would be solved.
/
A/N: Chapter is a bit longer than usual. Hope you don't get bored.
Returning To His Roots: Chapter 8
Hermione was true to her word. After checking in with Terry, Justin and Rebecca she went directly to Kingsley's office to see if he would give her a moment of his time.
Percy Weasley, Kingsley's Junior Assistant gave her some kind of look as he listened to her request and answered accordingly.
"It's Monday Hermione. The Minister has all kinds of business that need his attention. Can this possibly wait until…" Here Percy had let his words fade off.
Hermione caught on to Percy's bit of sarcasm and responded in kind. "Don't overplay your importance Percy. I've asked for a word with the Minister not a soliloquy from you. Please get off your lazy arse and go see if Kingsley has a few minutes for me."
"There's no need to be insulting Hermione. Perhaps it's you who overplays her importance. I've heard that the brilliant reputation you cherish so much is faltering for just that reason.'
Hermione stood by Percy's desk huffing to herself over how big she thought Percy's head had grown. "Stupid wanker."
Percy was back in five minutes advising Hermione that Kingsley had ten minutes to spare.
Hermione snapped off a gruff thank you to Percy as she passed his desk.
Percy rolled his eyes.
/*/
With a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, Kingsley invited Hermione to have a seat asking in the same breath how he could help her.
This was the opportunity Hermione wanted. Now that it was here. Deep down she wondered if reporting Malfoy was the right thing to do. Of course it was. This was her best chance to show Malfoy in the lowest possible light.
"Good morning Minister. Thank you for seeing me. I have a situation I feel should be reported."
A slight frown appeared on Kingsley's face as he mulled over who he thought could have offended Hermione this week. "A situation?" Asked Kingsley calmly. "Is it life threatening? Will it cause a panic in the streets of the Wizarding World?"
Hermione stared at Kingsley waiting for a smile to appear showing he was joking. None appeared which left Hermione a bit lost for words. Kingsley Shacklebolt was being… unkind. "No Minister. It isn't life threatening nor will it cause a panic in the streets of the Wizarding World. It is personal to me."
"Hermione." Kingsley replied with half the words coming out as a sigh. "I have a very busy morning stretching out in front of me. I agreed to see you because I thought it might be an important business related nature. If it is a personal matter, perhaps you could discuss it with Mr. Boot or Mr. Finch-Fletchley to get it resolved. Or, come back at a more convenient time."
"It will only take a second more." Hermione insisted pulling out Draco's message handing it to Kingsley. "I believe Draco Malfoy means to do me harm. That message is proof he is stalking me. I'd like to file a formal complaint."
Kingsley read the short message then turned the parchment over looking for the part which threatened Hermione or mentioned doing her harm. He didn't like to lose his temper. Especially with one of the former Golden Trio. So he reread the contents giving the anger which had come over him a chance to subside.
He was going to have a talk with Hermione. She probably wouldn't like it, but that wasn't anything new. Over the past six months, she hadn't liked much of anything.
Getting up from his desk, Kingsley walked over to tell Percy to hold all visitors. Closing the door, the Minister returned to his desk to face Hermione.
"I'm not sure why you feel Mr. Malfoy means to do you harm. From what I've seen and heard, it seems you may be the one who wants to do harm. It is my understanding you, Mr. Boot and Mr. Finch Fletchley attacked Mr. Malfoy at a conference in France. Is there any truth to that allegation?"
Hermione was at a loss. She, Terry and Justin had confronted Malfoy at the conference. Wondering how Kingsley had found out about that, Hermione replied truthfully. "He wasn't attacked sir. We had words. No wands were drawn." She added jokingly.
Kingsley failed to find it funny and resumed speaking. "Did you not verbally attack Mr. Malfoy this past Saturday at the Nott's Meet and Greet?"
Shite, thought Hermione. This is looking worse for me than for Malfoy. Folding her hands in her lap, Hermione admitted she had again had words with Malfoy.
Leaning back in his chair, Kingsley addressed the matter head on. "Hermione. Being one of your greatest admirers, you know I respect you and your opinions. However, in this case I believe you are mistaken." Holding up Draco's letter, the Minister forged ahead. "I see nothing spurious in this message. In fact, what I do see is a man asking to sit down with you to get things sorted and get the past behind him. I assume you are still furious with Mr. Malfoy for things done in the past. As long as you keep your emotions safely in check. That is your right Hermione. Attacking Mr. Malfoy, even if it is only verbally must stop. As a friend as well as The Minister of Magic, I will tell you two things. One. I will not allow this complaint to be filed. I believe you are angry and want to hurt Mr. Malfoy in any way possible. You will not do that through myself or this Ministry. Two. You are dredging up the past. It's time to look forward again.
"You are not a Ministry employee so I cannot direct you to take time off. But, I am your mentor and friend. A friend who suggests you take a week. Have a holiday. Do whatever you need to do to come to terms with this pathological hatred of Draco Malfoy." Handing the message back to Hermione, Kingsley asked if there was anything else.
"No Minister. There's nothing else. Sorry to have held you up. I appreciate your time."
As Hermione left Kingsley's office, Percy asked grouchily if her very important matter had been settled as it had put the Minister back by an hour.
Even though Percy's display of bad form warranted a curt answer. Hermione moved past him without uttering a word. She had just received a telling off from Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister of Magic.
Feeling hateful towards Malfoy, but also feeling defeated at being told off twice in twenty four hours regarding the foul wizard. Hermione swore she felt a twinge of self doubt creeping into her body. Everybody else had let the past go. Perhaps she should as well. Rubbing a hand across her forehead, Hermione began punching the up button thinking how great it would be if the button was Malfoy's face.
/*/
The day had gone well for Draco. Blaise had assigned two assistants. Brian Ross, a twenty five year old, effeminate acting wizard with astonishingly bright blue eyes and Donald Macomber, a twenty six year old wizard who wore Potter glasses. Not Potter's glasses, but a pair nearly identical to Harry's. Both men had gone to Hogwarts, but had been ahead of Draco so he didn't know them. They seemed intelligent enough, but he would find out just how intelligent on Friday.
Draco had spent the day poring over rules and regulations with regard to how evidence was processed. Tuesday would be spent reviewing the method of collecting evidence at a crime scene. Wednesday would be spent going over the correct forms that had to accompany different kinds of evidence. Thursday, everything would be tied up and Draco would assemble his kit. Friday would be the big day. He, Brian and Donald would visit the crime scene to get a feel for what went on. Then it would be back to the office to begin processing the case.
There were also rules regarding the OTS Department. There was a main door which could only be accessed by Blaise, OTS Agents and Assistants. All of whom had a permanent security charm cast on them when they joined the department. No one else had access. Not even Kingsley who had to request a special badge to visit. OTS was a very special, very selective and very secure department. Much like the Department of Mysteries had been years ago.
The last step was Blaise. After the Agents processed all the evidence, Blaise reviewed the file then signed off on it before turning it all over to the assigned prosecutor. Agents were sometimes called to court to clarify their findings. Sometimes, but not often because their collection and processing procedures had been proven to be exemplary.
/*/
Blaise stopped by Draco's office around 5:40 to inform him their dinner had arrived. Ginny was waiting for them down in the Food Service Area.
Draco adjusted his suit coat but couldn't keep a frown off his face.
"You'll be fine." Blaise told Draco clapping him on the back. "Miss Weasley will be on her best behavior. Try not to flinch when she reaches for salt or pepper. Otherwise, she'll smell the fear on you and pounce."
Draco gave Blaise a blistering glare.
"Come on mate. I'm kidding. Let's get downstairs. I haven't had lunch and I'm ravenous. We'll be back here by 6:30."
"Fine. Let's go then."
/*/
Ginny had chosen a table next to a window charmed to show a clear, sunny afternoon and was in the process of setting the food out on the table when Draco and Blaise arrived. "Hello love." She said kissing Blaise on the cheek. "Hello Malfoy." She said in an even voice without looking up at Draco. "As agreed, I've brought Italian. I hope you both like peas. I have an order of piselli al prosciutto, an order of pasta e piselli and lemon ricotta cookies for dessert. There's some crusty bread in the bag. Sit. Eat."
The food looked delicious. Not a combination Draco would have chosen, but it would do.
As the three sat there enjoying their meal, Ginny apologized to Draco for her behavior in Diagon Alley. "Blaise set me straight. He believes my opinion and treatment of you has a lot to do with what my best friend thinks of you. Of course I argued with him because that's my trademark. Arguing. Or at least it was my trademark." Ginny added smiling over at Blaise. "After I left Blaise, I stopped by Hermione's to let her know Blaise had asked me a question which I couldn't answer. She and I spoke for a few minutes. In the end, she couldn't or wouldn't give me an answer to the question Blaise had asked. I told her I was going to make amends with you and Blaise. That's the way I left it."
Draco continued eating, but was listening to Ginny's every word.
"In case you're interested Malfoy. The question was. What had you done to me personally to evoke such dislike? I've apologized and brought you up to date."
"Thank you Ginny. May I call you Ginny?"
"That's my name Malfoy. Feel free to call me Ginny. Sounds a lot better than that bint."
"I never…..," sputtered Draco.
"Yes you have." Blaise chuckled interjecting himself into the conversation. "She deserved it. I'm sure it's not a name we will be hearing in the future."
Draco showed his agreement and embarrassment by simply nodding his head.
They were down to the cookies when Ginny made a revelation which shocked both Blaise and Draco. "I know some of what Hermione's feelings are about, but I never figured out how to connect the dots."
Blaise glanced over at a startled Draco in surprise, but Draco was already speaking. "Ginny, I appreciate the stand you have taken with me. However, if there is something to be discussed. It should be a discussion between Granger and myself. Just so you won't rescind your apology and your authorization for me to use your name. I want you to know I have reached out. I sent an owl to Granger on Sunday morning seeking a chance to sit down with her. She never responded. I believe until we sit face to face. I'll never know what I've done to her. Other than the obvious war related shite. At this point, I don't think a discussion between us will happen."
Ginny was as surprised as Blaise by the information Draco had just divulged. The difference was Blaise knew when to stop inquiring into his mate's business. Ginny did not.
"Hermione never mentioned any message when I was at her flat. Was it sent with a trustworthy owl? We had an owl once named Errol that couldn't get a delivery straight to save his life. Perhaps…"
Blaise reached over and placed his hand on Ginny's when he wanted to place it over her mouth. "Let's leave Draco to his own business. It's very nearly 6:45. Draco and I should be getting back upstairs. There are files we need to review. Thank you for dinner. I'll see you later."
Draco echoed Blaise. "Thank you for the meal." Then he told Blaise he would see him in his office and headed towards the lifts.
After Draco walked away, Ginny had several comments to make. "I love Hermione like a sister, but she is one headstrong witch. Malfoy has reached out. This is her chance to either kill him or give him a good telling off. Yet she won't talk to him. What am I missing love?"
"First." Blaise chided. "It's Draco. Not Malfoy. Please call him by his name. Second. It is up to them to sort it all out. Do not interfere if you value your friendship with Hermione. You've already struck a blow by dating me and accepting Draco. Tread lightly love. I don't want to see you lose your best friend. I have to get upstairs. I'll see you to the front doors."
Blaise was deep in thought when the lift arrived. As miserable as Hermione had been to Draco. He had sent her what amounted to a peace offering. There had to be more here than met the eye. Something both Theo and I missed back in the day. Well something Theo had missed. I had been hustled off to Italy first semester of sixth year when mother realized how dangerous Voldemort and his Death Eaters had become. I had no way of knowing anything. What had Draco been up to? Other than trying to kill Dumbledore that is. Whatever it was, Blaise decided he certainly wasn't going to push.
/*/
The office at Granger Associates was buzzing. In the midst of a fairly important case, they had been told their boss was taking a few days off. The only explanation they had been given was a pressing matter had come up.
Before the announcement, Hermione, Terry and Justin had been in her office behind closed doors. When the door had finally opened, Hermione called all employees together to tell them a pressing matter had come up which needed her attention. She would leave it to them to follow Terry and Justin's direction in her absence.
That had been it. Their boss would be away and they should take direction from Terry and Justin. The only surprises had been that Terry and Justin weren't accompanying Hermione on this pressing matter and the staff hadn't been given any advance notice. Hermione had left the office in the hands of Assistants and Clerks before. That wasn't a problem because everyone knew his or her job. But Hermione going off without her best Associates left them perplexed. The staff was also quick to notice that Terry and Justin seemed as surprised as everyone else over Hermione's sudden departure.
After Hermione left the office, it was business as usual with Terry assigning two additional clerks to the Woodson case.
Several of the employees who didn't want to be heard speaking badly about their leader huddled in a corner dissecting what they'd been told. To them, it was just strange. Hermione never went off by herself nor did she ever take time off for anything. The consensus after the huddle was that something somewhere had gone very badly wrong. However, the staff was glad to have the chance to prove their worth so they just went with it.
/*/
Hermione didn't plan on going any farther than Scotland. After the reaming she had taken from Kingsley, she had made the decision to step away from everything for a few days. So she called Minerva to beg a favor. Minerva had been more than willing to have Hermione stay in the small cottage on her property without any questions asked.
Minerva had heard rumors that one of her most favored students might be experiencing burnout. When Hermione called, the answer was an unequivocal yes.
Hermione had sent an owl to let Minerva know she would be taking the train to Hogsmeade then Apparate from there. Minerva had put together a light meal in case Hermione was hungry then went to sit on her front porch to wait.
Right off, Minerva could tell Hermione was troubled. The normally cheerful witch appeared to be on the verge of tears.
"Hermione. My dear." Said Minerva hurrying forward to meet her former pupil. "You look as though you've lost your last friend. Come inside for a few minutes."
"Thank you Professor McGonagall. I am a bit tired and a bit hungry. I wouldn't say no to a bowl of your lovely oxtail soup."
"I had sandwiches out, but I'll whip up some oxtail soup in a flash. Just sit down and take that load off your mind."
Hermione gave a wan smile. "Except for Professor Dumbledore, you were the most perceptive of my professors. I do have a bit of something on my mind. I just need a few days away to think. Professor?"
"I love company. Spend as much time in the cottage as you like." Minerva replied turning away from the fancy wand work she was using to prepare the soup.
"Do you…do you." Stammered Hermione hesitant to even ask the question.
Minerva stopped twisting her wand long enough to look at Hermione. "What is it girl? I'm not your professor any longer. I cannot take points from you."
Hermione gave another wan smile as she blurted out her question. "Do you think I'm the type of person who keeps dredging up the past?"
With one last strong, left twist, Minerva pronounced the soup done answering Hermione's question while laying place settings for herself and her guest. "I imagine you are looking for the truth so I shall not split hairs. I don't know if you have been dredging up the past. What I do know is you are a very tenacious young woman who will not let go of something until you're satisfied it has been settled. In your favor or not. You have a tendency to hold onto things long after you should have let go. You've been that way since you walked through the doors of Hogwarts at age eleven. To my experienced eye. It seems there is something upsetting you so badly it has put you off your game. Get it fixed."
Get it fixed, thought Hermione. I'll just sit here for a bit and wait for Professor Snape to chime in.
Minerva sat down across from Hermione using her wand to ladle out the soup. "Let's have some soup. Then if you want to talk, I'll be glad to listen. If you'd rather not, I'll show you to the cottage and leave you to your thoughts."
"Thank you Professor McGonagall. After soup, I'd like to retire to the cottage. There are things I need to work out for myself."
While she and Hermione ate their oxtail soup, Minerva took stock. Hermione was definitely torn about something. Minerva hoped she could get it sorted.
After they finished the soup, Minerva showed Hermione to the cottage where she left the troubled witch at the door wishing her a good evening. As she walked away, Minerva good naturedly added that at this late date she should be addressed as Minerva rather than Professor McGonagall.
Hermione actually smiled as she joked with her retreating former professor. "I'll call you Minerva, but you'll always be Professor McGonagall to me. Goodnight Minerva. Thank you."
/*/
Terry Boot moved about the office in his usual manner. Advising here. Interjecting there. All while keeping a firm composure. Yet inside he was in shreds. Hermione had flounced back into the office from wherever she had gone announcing she would be taking a few days off. He had been astounded. Hermione taking a few days off was tantamount to Voldemort giving a child a sweet. It didn't happen. As close as they were. Or as close as he thought they were. Hermione hadn't given him any explanation. She was taking a few days. That was it.
When Hermione made her announcement to him and Justin, he felt like he had just lost something. From the beginning, he and Hermione had shared even the most minute details of next steps. Almost nothing was done without one informing the other. Yet she had stood in front of him making some generic statement as though he was just one of the staff.
To say the least. Terry Boot was in turmoil and would remain in turmoil until Hermione returned to explain herself.
/*/
Blaise and Draco spent an hour going over applications. They had made a first pass through the batch to get a sense of the caliber of the applicants. Draco could faintly remember some of the names, but faces were another thing. He was most familiar with the Slytherins of course. The former Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws not so much. Draco remembered the Gryffindors because. Well because they had been his most vocal opponents. Especially Harry Potter whose name Draco was surprised to see on one of the applications.
Reaching for a glass, Draco summoned a carafe of water from the department kitchen. Before bringing the glass to his lips, he asked about Harry. "So. Potter is interested in joining OTS then?"
Blaise gave Draco a skeptical look before answering. "Rhetorical question Mr. Malfoy? Harry's application is here for a reason."
Rolling his eyes, Draco shot back. "Let me word it a bit differently. It is my understanding Potter is happy with his spot as top Auror. Him and his Hit Team or whatever the fuck they're called."
"Hit Team?" Blaise echoed looking sideways at Draco. "What are you on about? No such thing."
"Someone should tell Granger then. One of the insults she threw at me in France was she would have Harry send his Hit Team after me. Quite annoying and embarrassing to be shouted at in the middle of a venue foyer about Potter sending hit wizards after me."
Blaise turned himself around until he was directly facing Draco. "You didn't seriously believe that bullshite? Your appearance must have really sent Hermione over the edge if she threatened you with nonexistent shite. I don't mean to laugh mate, but the picture of you standing there while Hermione shrilly called you everything but the son of Merlin strikes me funny."
Annoyed with Blaise and the fact he had let Hermione threaten him with bullshite, Draco was over discussing their encounter. "Let's just get back to the applications or we'll be here all night."
"Alright mate." Said Blaise with a nonchalant shrug. "Let's get on with it. The way I see it. You might want to think about getting yourself a nice witch to keep you company. You are definitely tightly wound. Now. To the subject at hand. This pass, we'll review qualifications. Since you've just gone through the hiring process. You know exactly what I'm looking for. There are eleven applicants. I'll take six. You take five."
Draco quickly went through his pile setting aside three applicants who had the best qualifications.
Blaise was a bit slower which gave Draco time to sit back and reflect on what Blaise had said. I am a bit tense and wouldn't say no to a bit of female attention. Draco jumped straight up in his chair when Parvati's face appeared before him.
Not that one, he thought. Absolutely not that one.
Reaching out for the applicants Draco had chosen, Blaise glanced at him with a curious expression on his face. "Alright there?"
"Never better." Answered Draco. "Random thought is all."
With a nod of his head, Blaise looked through the three pieces of parchment. "So. Let's have a look at who has risen to the top. Ah! Andrew Willard, two years behind us at Hogwarts. Acceptable. Wood and Potter. Wood is out. Too old. I'm looking for men of our age or younger who we can train. None of these set in their ways blokes who will find it hard to be team players. Harry is an acceptable candidate. Not only is he a team leader and team player, but he was smart enough to use Ministry sources to pay for his Uni credits. I've chosen four. Craig Dunn, two years behind us. Wayne Hopkins, our year. Tracey Davis, our year. Lastly, Michael Corner and Anthony Goldstein have almost identical credentials, but Michael Corner has more of a personality. And Anthony already has a prominent position. Currently, we have three agents. I would like to add three more."
Picking up the remaining six files, Draco told Blaise he thought any of the choices except Tracey Davis would fit in well.
"Why not Tracey Davis?" Asked a surprised Blaise. "She's fit and has credentials better than Hopkins and Dunn."
"I have reservations about her."
Blaise threw down the quill he had in his hand. "Reservations Draco? You've been gone five years. She was a Slytherin. What reservations could you have?"
Draco chose not to look at Blaise as he answered. Instead, staring straight ahead at the wall he replied solemnly. "I believe it was she who turned me in to the Dark Lord."
"What do you mean turned you in to the Dark Lord?" Asked Blaise raising his voice. "You lived with the Dark Lord! Your mother and father lived with the Dark Lord! He was Uncle Dark Lord. Wasn't he?"
Draco wanted to snap at Blaise, but was caught a bit off guard when the wizard who very rarely raised his voice raised his voice to a shout.
"Tracey Davis is the only witch I would even consider for a position. So explain this to me Draco because I don't bloody understand. What the fuck was there for one of our own to report?"
Draco sat rigidly trying to keep his composure while Blaise continued to question him. Even on his best behavior, there was only so much Draco would take. He had been insulted by Granger, challenged by Weasley now shouted at by Blaise. Enough was fucking enough. "You wouldn't understand." Draco snarled back with a ferocity he hadn't used in years. "You were in fucking Italy attending school in peace and harmony. I was here in the thick of it being browbeaten by that fucking maniac. I did things. Stupid, fucking things. When the dust cleared, Tracey Davies was the witch who approached me. At the time, I was unaware the Dark Lord had sent her. I had orders so I followed them. Not long after, Tracey was the first of the Sytherins to be rescued from Hogwarts. I didn't realize it at the time because of the turmoil, but it came to me later. Tracey Davis saved her own skin by using mine."
"Can you be any more vague Draco? She approached you. So what. You all did things during the war. What makes Tracey any different from all the other witches who wanted some Malfoy loving? I can't imagine how she got past Pansy's scrutiny anyway." Blaise added salaciously.
Glaring at Blaise, Draco went silent.
"Listen mate." Blaise remarked lowering his voice. "I don't understand what's going on here. I do know it must have been traumatic. I don't mean to make light of it. It's just that since you've been back, everything is like a mystery with you. If you need an ear, let me know. Right now, let's get back to what we're here for. Davis is out."
Glad to be off their previous conversation, Draco voiced his opinion without any further comments about Tracey Davis. "Of the six, I believe Potter should be first choice."
"Agreed." Blaise said putting Harry's application off to the side. "I'll have Craig Dunn and Michael Corner for the last two. I'm sure Michael will fit in well. I'm not familiar with Dunn's work ethic, but we shall see. We have our three. It has been about three months since they sent in the applications. I'll have them come in Wednesday morning to interview just to be sure they are still interested. That's it then. Thanks for the help mate. I'll meet you at the lift."
"No problem. I'll just lock up my office."
/*/
The two wizards were silent riding down the lift. Each lost in his own thoughts. When they reached the main floor, Blaise wished Draco a goodnight as he headed for the Visitors Floo calling back he would have a floo to Malfoy Manor set up by the next week.
Draco threw up a hand to acknowledge he'd heard Blaise, but headed straight to the front doors without slowing down.
/*/
Draco was still aggravated when he arrived home. In a fit of pique, he purposely knocked over the carafe of water on his bedside table before slamming the bathroom door open so forcefully it banged against the wall.
Missy had come up to Draco's rooms immediately after sensing he was home, but had stopped short when she heard him growling and throwing things about. She was on an errand, but knew better than interrupt Mr. Draco when he was out of sorts. Starting to walk away, Missy thought better of it and turned back to give a soft knock on the door.
"Mr. Draco sir." Missy called out hesitantly.
Draco was in no mood. "Not now Missy. Come back in an hour or so. I'd like a chicken sandwich with a few pieces of celery on the side when you come back. Thank you."
Missy hurried away with the owl message clutched tightly in her tiny hand thinking over what she had heard. Mr. Draco being in a bad mood. Missy be staying away for at least an hour like she been told.
/*/
Hermione spent the afternoon in a large lounge chair on the small covered patio going over things. She'd been shocked shitless over the past twenty four hours. Her best friend had been dating Blaise Zabini for two months without telling her. That was shock number one. Shock number two was having that same best friend tell her she was going to make amends to Malfoy. Malfoy for fucks sake. They hated him. Well, she hated him. He was the worst kind of… Here, Hermione's thought trailed off as she remembered what Ginny had asked. What had Malfoy done to them personally? Shock number three had been Kingsley. The Minister actually had gotten upset with her. But as bad as those three things were, Hermione was most shocked by the owl she had received from her enemy wanting to talk.
Hermione leaned her head back against the chair and let out a deep sigh. She hated Malfoy for what he'd done, but….but. She obviously wasn't seeing the big picture. How many bloody times had she stood in front of Terry, Justin and the staff reciting that very same mantra. Study the small things, but always look at the big picture. It was her theme. Her staff quoted it regularly.
Suddenly, a thought plopped itself in the front of Hermione's head and wouldn't budge. It had been about five months since she'd mentioned the big picture. In fact, she really hadn't been seeing much of anything since…..since she had run into Malfoy in France. Then, like in a bad movie, Hermione had an epiphany. Parvati was right. Ginny was right. Theo was right. Perhaps if she talked to Malfoy, said everything she needed to say and perhaps hexed his arse in the bargain. She could get rid of the knot of misery she'd been carrying around all this time.
Hermione decided what she wanted to do. She would take Malfoy up on his offer to talk. Then she wavered. She did not want to reminded of how stupid she had been. How used she felt and how treacherous Malfoy had been. Back and forth. Should she? Shouldn't she?
Hermione had worked herself up so badly she had to run for the cottage bathroom. She sat there shaking with sweat rolling down between her breasts while her stomach continued to roll and gurgle. She had spent the next twenty minutes indisposed.
After a quick shower, Hermione found parchment and quills in a desk drawer and began what would be her first of many efforts to answer Malfoy's owl.
Finally, on her sixth attempt, Hermione felt she had what she needed.
Malfoy,
You want to talk. Let's talk.
Hermione Granger