Previously on Returning To His Roots: Chapter 51

"I made a promise before I knew the extent of Boot's vitriol. I'm really not sure I'll be able to let this pass without confronting him. I can promise I won't kill him, or turn him into a bloody rock, but I will let it be known if he ever speaks to you that way again, he'll be living on borrowed time. The only thing saving his arse this time is that you drew your wand. As a man, that would have upset me as well. As far as the thing with Kingsley, I agree. If you don't close the office, you should move premises. I think that would be best all around. You had a good run as the prosecutor to beat, but now you can look forward to bigger and better things."

"That I can." Hermione whispered, before planting a wet kiss on Draco's lips. "Your support has validated my decision. Tomorrow I will make a list of possible candidates to take over any outstanding business when I close G&A. I'll have to give Justin, Walter, and the researchers at least thirty days notice."

Running her hand up and down Draco's thigh, Hermione asked him a rhetorical question. "How can I feel so happy and so sad at the same time?"

Draco knew it was rhetorical, but he answered anyway. "It's easy. I experience it all the time."

Hermione pinched the thigh she had previously been rubbing. "Hahaha. Did I actually say Malfoy crazy? I don't even know where that came from."

Draco laughed out loud as he pulled Hermione up from the couch. "How about we make our way to the bedroom where I will show you an abridged version of Malfoy crazy? It's a version you've experienced before, so I'm sure you'll like it."

"Lead on then," giggled Hermione, taking hold of Draco's waist. "Do your worst."

"That's the plan woman." Draco replied with his Malfoy smirk. "That's the plan."

/

Returning To His Roots: Chapter 52

Hermione and Draco spent a lovely night together with Draco sharing an abridged edition of Malfoy crazy which Hermione enjoyed to the fullest. Before falling asleep, Draco had offered some Malfoy advice.

"As I've said, I'm decidedly in your corner love. However, my one suggestion is that you give yourself a few days before making your final decision. Just to be sure."

Hermione sighed. "As much as I'd like to be able to find fault in your words, I cannot because you are right in one. The days events have left me in a highly emotional state. Before making my final decision, I will take time to be sure. However, I'm very clear that Granger & Associates no longer holds my interest the way it once did. Moving on is definitely a choice."

"Alright love, it's all up to you. I just don't want you to move too quickly."

"I won't. Whatever is to be done, will be done with the utmost caution. Thank you for following up. Your application of Malfoy crazy has totally relaxed me. I think I'll be able to fall asleep quite easily. I look forward to a further application in the morning love. Goodnight."

"Goodnight love." Draco replied, feeling good he had calmed his witch. "The morning cannot come soon enough. I look forward to you using my body for your convenience. Sleep well."

/*/

Severus was more than chuffed to have Jean beside him. Their lovemaking had invigorated him. Although his project was uppermost in his mind, Severus was sure Jean would hold a very close second place. Knowing her predilection for excellence, Severus was certain they would be able to give the wizarding world an amazing new product.

Normally not a demonstrative wizard, Severus found himself touching and rubbing Jean who was lying with on her side facing him. Leaning down, Severus placed a quick kiss on Jean's temple. "Thursday, you will meet the entire group associated with the project. You will be introduced as my second in command."

Inside, Jean was quivering. Severus had made remarks about spending most of his available time in her little cottage, now he was making her his second in command. This was so much more than she had hoped for. She had some reservations. She knew most of what Severus had put together for his project. She'd been there at it's inception. However, she was hesitant to think she'd be a knowledgeable second in command. The workers would know more about the project than her. The last thing she'd ever want is to embarrass either Severus or herself. She had to ask. Reaching up to run a gentle hand across Severus' cheek, Jean inquired. "I know it is unlike you to make snap decisions, but am I the person who should be first assistant? Will I be perceived as some sort of interloper?"

Severus turned himself so he and Jean were face to face. "First. I don't remember mentioning anything about a first assistant position. I already have a first assistant. You will be my right hand. You will oversee anything and everything I am unable to attend to. As far as being an interloper, how quickly you've forgotten how tight a ship I run, and what kind of people I employ. Each employee has had his or her position laid out for them. If you are worried you aren't up to speed on the current workings, do not stress yourself. I am a bastard, but not so much of one I would intentionally put you in an embarrassing situation. I have the situation well in hand. In fact, I have worked out a way to get you up to speed in a relatively short span of time, but that is for tomorrow. Tonight, we shall finish up our pudding then enjoy each other to the best of our abilities."

Listening to Severus speak had settled Jean's inner turmoil. Severus had a plan. How could she have had the slightest doubt after knowing him as long as she had. As a matter of fact, Jean was quite surprised Severus had kept a level temper. He wasn't a wizard who liked to explain himself. Jean was satisfied with his explanation. The only reply she made was about the pudding. "Yes Severus. Let's have pudding. Then we can have dessert."

Pulling Jean closer, Severus whispered in her ear. "Those were exactly my thoughts Miss Bradford. I see we are finally on the same page."

/*/

After Draco left, Theo spent some time in solitary thought. There was no accounting for taste, but he thought Draco and Hermione were like oil and water. How they had ever coupled up was beyond him. Hermione was nosy and unbending. Always had been. On the other hand, Draco who had always been arrogant and unbending was now some flexible git who seemed to bend to Hermione's every whim.

"What of it?"

Theo jumped as though he'd been scalded. He was hearing Padma's voice.

"At least Draco is trying to make a life. Unlike you who has become content ignoring the female population. You love me, but I'm gone. It's time for you to admit there are other witches who will complement you as much as I did. For Declan's sake if nothing else."

"Padma. My love." Theo whispered out loud. "Am I going mad? I hear you as clearly as if you were sitting next to me. These things you are saying insult your memory. You are and always will be the only witch for me. We traversed many storms to be together, and I will not give up our memories."

The voice purported to be Padma's softened. "You and I had a great love Theo. However, through no fault of our own, our time has passed. I love you Theo which is the only reason I want to see you move on. I want you and Declan to know happiness with a witch who will love you both. Do this for me Theo. If you won't, I'll put her in your path myself."

"You are asking too much my love. I cannot and will not…."

"I knocked father, but you didn't hear me," declared Declan glancing around the room. "Are you ill?"

Theo jumped up to face his son, glancing around the room as well. There wasn't any Padma. He'd been talking to himself. "Declan! What are doing up?"

Declan came to stand directly in front of Theo. "Sorry father. Aunt Esther and I have just finished our story. I wanted to say goodnight."

"Alright son. You've said your goodnight. Young wizards need their sleep and older wizards need to work on their business. To bed with you now."

Declan took a few steps towards the door before making a half turn back to face Theo. "Mother Padma speaks to me sometimes, but only in my dreams. Goodnight father."

Theo dropped back into a chair. Were both he and Declan going mad? Theo knew he was still in a bad place because of his wife's death and hearing his beloved wife's voice was a possibility, but Declan. Padma didn't know Declan nor did he know her. How could he be hearing her voice? Theo knew Padma would never steer anyone wrong, but he and Declan would have to have a conversation. It wouldn't do anyone any good to have an eight year old hearing the voice of a deceased witch. It was bad enough he was hearing Padma as clearly as he had when she was alive even though she was only trying to get him sorted.

Still a bit confused over Declan's comment, Theo slowly crossed the room heading for Esther's room. If there was something going on in Declan's head, Esther would know firsthand.

Theo made two soft knocks and waited. Perhaps Esther was showering, or had already fallen asleep. She couldn't be sleep. Declan said they'd just finished a story. Theo knocked again. This time, Esther opened the door pulling her robe closed as she peered at her nephew.

"Theo. Is everything alright? I didn't keep Declan up too late, did I?"

"No Esther. Everything is fine on that end. I have a quick question. Have you noticed anything strange going on with Declan? Has he been acting odd?"

For a fraction of a second, Esther thought this might have something to do with Nott, Sr. Then she realized, if Theo had thoughts of his father, he would have come right out with it. "No Theo. I haven't noticed anything strange or odd about Declan. He's a charming, intelligent young wizard. If I might be frank, the only thing strange or odd is how much he's grown on me."

Theo smiled at his aunt. "I appreciate your candor."

"You're welcome Theo. If there isn't anything else, I'll get back to my shower. Please don't worry." She whispered. "I haven't seen any unwanted signs of his father. Goodnight."

Theo let out a sigh of relief. Esther had taken his concern in a very different light, but he was chuffed Declan wasn't showing any odd behavior from either end. Walking quietly down the hall, Theo decided to look in on Declan. Declan was on his side facing the wall. Everything was as it should be so Theo started to pull the door closed but stopped when Declan softly called out to him.

"I'm not being odd or strange father. Mother Padma does sometimes whisper to me in my dreams, but that's our business. As much as I care for my aunt, I would never share what is meant to remain between father and son. I love you father. Goodnight."

"You and I will have a chat. I appreciate you keeping our business our business. Goodnight son."

Theo was astounded. His son had obviously heard his conversation with Esther, but had put it all in perspective. Something was happening, but it didn't make him strange or odd. It made him private.

Theo felt the love for his son grow by leaps and bounds.

/*/

Terry hadn't calmed all the way down in the hours since Hermione had sacked him. In fact, every time he glanced at Gloria his anger welled up even more as he continued to play the blame game. Three days ago he'd been one of the top prosecutors in London working for one of the top firms. Now, he had not only lost his position. He'd lost his champion. All for what? A chance to get under the skirts of a colleague. Why hadn't he just kept going with Della? She was tried and true. Instead, he'd let a pretty witch ruin everything. Gloria could have blown him off. She knew he was dating Della. But no, She had…

Gloria sat down beside Terry interrupting his stream of consciousness diatribe. "You seem to be deep in thought. Shall we discuss what happened today, and what we plan to do?"

Rubbing his brow, Terry stood up. At that moment in time, he didn't want to be touched, especially not by Gloria. "Unless you have a plan to get us back into Hermione's good graces, there's nothing to discuss. We were sacked. The end."

"Wait a bloody minute. You sound as though you think this is my fault."

"Your words not mine." Terry snapped back. "I didn't have any problems when I was dating Della."

"You bloody, fucking git." Screamed Gloria getting right up in Terry's face. "You caused this. All this over a bloody, fucking letter. Why would Della write such a thing if you…? Am I to assume you were lying when you said you'd ended it with her? Am I standing here without a position and on the shite list of a dear friend because you were too cowardly to end it right with Della?"

They were toe to toe.

"I didn't see you refusing my advances." Terry shouted back. "You knew I was going out with a witch. Why didn't you say no? The worst of it is you've ruined everything between Hermione and me. She'll never speak to me again."

Gloria was dumbfounded. How could she not have seen Terry for the arsehole he was? He lied and she fell for it. The corners of her eyes began to burn, but Gloria was too pissed off to cry. She took a deep breath and answered in a low deadly voice. "Hermione isn't the only one who won't be speaking to you again. I stood with you because I believed in you. If Hermione decides to disseminate this cock up, I'll also lose my hard earned reputation. You may stand there laying blame everywhere but where it belongs, on yourself. I'll accept my portion, but I will not shoulder yours as well. Kiss my arse and stay away from me. And remember, this time there won't be any sneaking back to Hermione to beg her pardon. She's through with you."

Grabbing her belongings, Gloria strode to the door with a million things to say on her tongue but too hurt and embarrassed to say any of it. She simply closed the door behind her with a snap.

"Good riddance." Terry shouted at the closed door as he hurried to his desk. "I'll just owl Della to ask her forgiveness. After that, I'll try to get Hermione to see reason.

After sending the owl off to Della, Terry poured an Ogden's, kicked off his shoes, put his feet up and grumbled about the shite Gloria had put him in.

/**/

Bright and early Wednesday morning, Draco was wide awake ticking off the minutes until he thought it would be safe to wake his witch. He had hoped she would wake on her own, but those eyes remained firmly closed. He turned onto his back then back onto his side. Suddenly Hermione made a snakelike move pulling him around to face her.

"Good morning handsome. I've been lying here quietly waiting for you to put some of your Malfoy moves on me, and yet….."

"And yet, you laid there letting me think you were still asleep." Whispered Draco as he ran his lips across Hermione's cheek. "I do have standards you know. After the day you had yesterday, I thought it prudent to let you wake naturally. Now that those lovely eyes are open, every part of that lovely body is fair game. Here's what I'll need you to do."

Hermione giggled as Draco lifted her nightshirt over her head. "I was actually giving you time to accrue a bit of extra energy because you're going to need it."

"Oh, am I? I was thinking more along the lines letting you accrue enough energy to meet my demands. If this bloody nightshirt would let go of your hair…."

Ripping the nightshirt from her tangled hair, Hermione grabbed Draco around the hips pulling him to her. "Give me enough of that Malfoy crazy to get me through my day. I think I'll need every bit."

"From your mouth to my dick."

/*/

As they laid there sharing the after sex sensations, Draco ran his fingers across Hermione's belly. "Excluding your tangled hair and the face set in a grimace, you are beautiful when you cum."

Being too weak to do anything other than speak, Hermione got in her shot. "Tangled hair and a grimace is it? Perhaps you should do better work. You know. Something that would make me smile, straighten my hair and curl my toes. When you do that, we'll talk."

Draco flipped himself so he had Hermione pinned down. "Are you insinuating that I put forth a less than stellar effort? Because if you are, he said, reaching down to place his member at Hermione's slit. "I'm willing to do it again."

The words and the moment inflamed Hermione who begged Draco to push in.

"Are you sure?" His lips catching hers. "Are you sure you want more of my less than stellar moves."

"I want you." Hermione replied huskily.

"I want you too." Draco murmured just as huskily. "I'll always want you."

/*/

They moved together ferociously and came just as hard.

Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and brought it to his lips. "You are amazing. We are amazing. We have started our day the best way possible. Speaking of our day. Owl me immediately if Boot shows up, which I'm sure he will. Remember, take some time to mull over your options. Theo would probably be able to find you a decent premises if you choose to retain your offices." Leaning down, Draco placed a long kiss on Hermione's lips. "I'll be on my way. I need to get to the house to shower and dress. Blaise has called an early meeting. I'll see you at the house unless you'd rather I wait by the lifts to take you out to dinner. You choose. I must get going. See you later love."

"Dinner sounds lovely Draco. I'll message you before the end of the day."

/*/

Hermione continued to lie there running her options through her head. When she finally got up to shower, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her hair really was a mass of tangles. She'd have to work on that.

Because she and Draco had been up at nearly the crack of dawn, Hermione still had plenty of time to have a breakfast tea and some cold cereal. More than enough time to try to plot out her day. The first thing she would do was contact Severus. If he didn't have a place for her, she'd have to review her other options. Better now than later. Hermione took a last sip of tea before getting paper and pen.

Good day Severus:

I have a request. I have made several life changing decisions which will leave me without offices, premises, or a position. I have decided to hand my business over to another party. The role of prosecutor no longer intrigues me. All this to say that telecommunications has caught and held my interest, and I'm hoping to land a full time position with your company. I am willing to start at first step if that is what you require. All I ask is that you take my request seriously. I hope we can discuss this in depth after Thursday's group meeting.

Best regards,

Hermione

/*/

Hermione looked over the letter two or three times before judging it acceptable. Tucking it into her purse, she decided to mail it on the way up to her offices.

It only took Hermione a further thirty minutes to get ready for work. Before leaving, she freshened the air in the bathroom and bedroom. She didn't want any stale or foul smells emanating about in case Mr. Malfoy decided to spend another night at her flat.

/*/

Granger Associates was quiet when Hermione arrived. Too quiet. She put her purse in a drawer but kept her wand in position. Intent on finding the reason for such solitude, Hermione started for Walter's desk but stopped halfway down the hall when Terry stepped out of his former office.

Hermione was startled as well as angry. Draco's words came back in full force. Call me if Boot turns up, which I know he will.

"What are you doing here Terry? How did you get through the doors without credentials?"

Holding out his hands in front if him as though begging Hermione to remain calm, Terry asked if they could speak in her office.

"There's no need to speak in my office. You've turned in your resignation and are not authorized to be on this floor. You wanted me to fuck off. Well I have. I have nothing to say to you. Leave these offices or…."

"Or what Hermione? You'll get pretty boy Malfoy to tidy up for you?" Terry sighed. "Alright. I didn't mean that. I'm happy that you're happy. Just give me a chance to get back into your good books. I'll do anything you ask."

Hermione remained firm. "I thought I made myself clear. I'll never ask you to do anything for me ever again. I meant it. And you've done it yet again. The person who saw fit to let you through these doors has also lost his/her position. Is there anything else you would like to do on your way out? Leave now."

Turning her back on Terry, Hermione walked back to her office. She had an inter-departmental message to send. It seemed as though she might not have to make a decision. Fate had stepped in to make her decision for her.

To All:

I would like to see the person who gave Terry access to the floor this morning in my office now.

Thank you.

HJG

/*/

Ten minutes after the memo was sent, a red-faced Walter turned up at her door holding the memo in his hand.

"The person you are looking for is me."

Hermione sighed. "Come in and shut the door." Even though she should discuss her plans with Justin first, Hermione decided to get this sorted with Walter first.

For the next five minutes, Hermione explained to Walter the necessity of keeping a tight ship no matter where he worked. Walter pleaded innocent, but Hermione was more than sure Terry had cajoled him into letting him through, which was unacceptable.

Hermione didn't see the need to belabor the point. "Please get Justin and the researchers and return to my office."

"Hermione," pleaded Walter.

"Now Walter please."

Whether Severus had a position for her or not, Hermione was ready to give up Granger & Associates. It was time to let everyone in on their futures.