Monday at the Alchemy Centre in Egypt
"Thank you for coming on short notice Regional Manager Elric of the Alchemists Centre Association. I have called you today to hear a proposition. As Director of the Alchemy Centre in Egypt, I wish to discuss the possibility of expanding the current existing Alchemy Centres and establish one in England…" Draco voiced professionally.
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Monday came too quickly for Hermione. She wanted the buzz she felt from her date with Draco to last forever, but that would require the other party to be present in her life and that simply wasn't possible at this time.
A note signed by Newt Scamander was sitting on her desk when she arrived, asking her to attend a meeting regarding his retirement and replacement as head of Department of Magical Creatures. At first she was confused, but then she realized that it could have been the paper she wrote on the treatment of certain creatures that might have influenced the invitation. The meeting would take place on Friday, after hours in the department boardroom. Hermione opened up her schedule to accommodate the meeting.
Wednesday came quickly, compared to the previous week. It was nearing lunch time for Hermione and she couldn't wait for Draco to arrive so they could eat together. At least until someone came to her desk with a dire request. "Um, hello?" A deep, timid voice came to Hermione as she was finishing signing some paperwork for her manager. She looked up to find Theodore Nott standing before her, looking like he was worried someone might see him where he shouldn't be.
He was quite handsome, on par with Draco even. His dark brown hair slicked back and his suit told much of his background. Hermione knew he was a classmate from Hogwarts and that his parents were once part of being Deatheaters. "Oh, hello there. You're Theodore Nott, aren't you?" She asked, just to be certain.
"Yes. Hermione Granger, correct?" He countered.
"Yes, that is correct." She picked up her wand and produced a chair in front of her desk. "How can I help you, Mr. Nott?"
He sat down quickly, looking most distraught. "Yes, I was hoping to…I need your help."
"I'll do my best, but I'm not sure what I can do from my position, depending on the request." Hermione said, confused.
"I'm a friend of Draco Malfoy…" He trailed off, causing Hermione to worry.
"Is he alright?" She asked, terror entering her heart.
"Yes, well last time I heard from him. This doesn't really have anything to do with him, I just wanted…" Flustered he took a deep breath and calmed himself. "I know you two are close now, and I thought I might use that to my advantage, given my situation."
"And what situation would that be?" Hermione inquired, the fear from before disappearing from her heart now that she knew this strange meeting wasn't about Draco.
Nott straightened up and adjusted his tie. "I'm sure you know my father's affiliation with you-know-who—"
"Voldemort." Hermione interjected, Nott cringed at the name.
"Yes, him. Well, I've been trying to keep my father's business afloat, but since most of his associates are in Azkaban along with him, I've had to file for bankruptcy. I think father rather despises me for it. I was never much good at business. Actually, I never really saw eye to eye with him on many levels…anyway, I ramble. I am here to ask for your help in acquiring a job. I wouldn't have to be anything prominent, I'm already living in meager accommodations. Anything would do." His face showed just how desperately he needed a job.
Having one's family business go under and having nothing must have been devastating for a Slytherin aristocrat. Hermione felt sorry for the lad, if only just. He might have been the son of a Deatheater, but she didn't have a heart of stone. "Please, Miss Granger?" he spoke quietly, as though he didn't want anyone to hear, "I'll do anything. I haven't had any success—"his attention broke to behind Hermione. "Draco! My friend! I didn't expect to see you here."
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Wednesday morning arrived and all Draco could think about in the back of his mind was his lunch date with Hermione. The Alchemy Centre Regional Director had proposed Draco to vice his proposition with the Ministry of Magic Department of International Magical Cooperation in England. Alchemy Centres serviced witches and wizards around the world, from Curse-Breakers to Professors from a number of Wizarding schools. To furthering education in Alchemy to those who were accepted to continue their education after their traditional education. Wherever an Alchemy Centre was built, having political ease to adhere to the countries laws, but also be able to obtain permits for work visas, transport magical potions, and magical artifacts with ease.
Draco scheduled a meeting with that department for Wednesday morning. This gave him an opportunity to use the portkey he designed to get him back to Malfoy Manor and then apparate to a Ministry entrance. Wearing his usual black tailored suit and tie he addressed a conference room with witches and wizards that ran the International Magical Cooperation Department. He gave the same presentation to them as he did the Regional Manager for proposal of an Alchemy Centre in England. The meeting was adjourned at 12:30pm for lunch.
Draco found the Care of Magical Creatures Department and recalled Hermione speaking about her superior named Jeremy who he would have to see upon entering the department. "Excuse me, Jeremy is it? I am here to see Miss Granger." Draco asked. Jeremy stood and led him to Hermione's desk cubical, but stopped a few feet away since she was speaking with another. Draco was taken back when he saw his friend Theodore Nott speaking with her. An unfamiliar and illogical rage of jealousy hit him like a spell to the stomach. He almost withdrew his wand. But after taking a breath he regained his composure. Her two best friends were male and her work place had male co-workers. He was going to have to get used to the idea of other men in her life besides him. After all this appeared to be all business; nothing unusual or valid reason to get upset about.
He caught the gist of the conversation. Theo was asking about a job at the Ministry. Draco made his presence known at 12:58pm and the young man nearly jumped out of his own skin. "Hello, Nott. It's been a while friend. Under normal circumstances I would not show my face at the Ministry of Magic. But I can be persuaded to do so under the right circumstances." He stated looking at Hermione with that smirk of his and a simple head nod to acknowledge her before turning his attention back to Nott. "Did I hear correct that you are looking for a job? You ran your father's business into the ground didn't you? You were never very good with the business side of things."
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Hermione blushed and smiled when Draco looked at her with his adoring eyes. She turned back to Theodore and dug out a quill and parchment. "Be that as it may, I am willing to try and help you Mister Nott. Do you have a resume? Your OWLs or NEWTs? Maybe a letter of recommendation?" Theodore looked rather shocked. He didn't have anything with him. "I, um was hoping—"
Hermione cut him off. "That your family name would grant you the ability to bypass proper hiring process? Honestly, you just finished telling me that you filed for bankruptcy and you are not an ideal individual for business prowess. Not that we deal with business transactions here, but that isn't really a good start to finding a job anywhere."
Nott looked a bit sheepish and simply nodded. Hermione softened, "But, come back no later than next Wednesday with a resume, OWLs, NEWTs, and a letter of recommendation from a friend or family member about yourself all in hand, and I'll see what I can do." This encouraged Theodore, and a smile came to his face. "Thank you, Miss Granger, I will do that." He offered his hand and Hermione shook it.
As Theo left he addressed Draco with renewed vigor and said, "And so you know, it wasn't that I couldn't run my father's business, I refused to continue on with his side doings. Those were what really kept the 'family business' in good standing. For what it's worth I'm glad it's all gone and I get to make my own way. Good day." Theo explained looking as proud as a king as he took his leave.
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Draco looked at the clock, it was 1pm exactly. "For the record I was here a few minutes early as you requested." He walked up to her desk within a cubical and glanced about. "Sadly, this is not really an appropriate place for a proper hello greeting. None the less I am grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of your company over lunch this day."
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Hermione stood up and put away a few papers before she approached him. "Agreed. I usually go to a muggle delicatessen down the street for lunch. Shall we?"
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"Certainly." Draco agreed and held his arm up for her hand to grasp as they walked through the Ministry and exited. If they're relationship wasn't news before, it very well could be on the front page tomorrow. She led the way to the muggle delicatessen. The smell of made from scratch bread, soups, salads, and sandwiches filled the air. "Seems like a decent place, quiet anyways. We will see how the food tastes." He noted. It wasn't too often that wizards visited muggle food establishments unless they were Muggleborn like Hermione and comfortable with it.
The delicatessen allowed customers to seat wherever they pleased within the establishment. Draco and Hermione chose a cushioned booth to sit across from one another. Menus were already available to gander at. Within a few seconds a waiter arrived to take their order. It hadn't taken Draco long to find something upon the menu that seemed appealing. Although, nothing on the menu would be as appealing as perhaps tasting the woman he sat across from. He tucked such thoughts aside as he opened his mouth to state for the waiter what he desired. "I would like Goulash with Spaetzle, with rye bread slices; hold the butter. Instead place on the side extra virgin olive oil and twenty five year balsamic vinegar for dipping. At last, chocolate hazelnut cakes slice for dessert."
The lad looked nervous as he wrote down the request. "My apologies Sir, but we only have olive oil and ten year balsamic vinegar. Would those be a suitable substitute?" the lad asked. Draco was used to posh foods. For him ten year and twenty year balsamic vinegar for dipping bread in to eat was a significant difference. "I suppose those will do." Draco stated, keeping his dissatisfaction to a minimum. He knew it wouldn't be ideal to grumble about it to the lad, who surely would pass on the word to the cook or a kitchen boy.
"And for you, Miss?" the lad asked Hermione.
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"I'll have the turkey and swiss on marble rye, pickles, tomato and Dijon mustard and a cup of the winter's bane soup please." Hermione's order sounded rehearsed, as that was her favorite meal of this establishment.
"Alright, your total is eleven pounds and eighty pence." Said the lad. Hermione took out her muggle wallet and paid with the lad fifteen pounds and expressed him to keep the change as tip. They were given a ticket with a big number 'nine' to display on their table and a receipt before he departed.
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For a muggle business it was surprisingly swift. The food even looked presentable and had a pleasant scent. It wasn't as lovely as Hermione's scent when he was in her arms embrace, but acceptable none the less. The ten year balsamic vinegar and olive oil was a disappointment and after a bite of his bread he opted to not finish it. He did however find the goulash to be in great taste.
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Hermione's feet contacted with Draco's, underneath the table in a playful manner while they ate. She took a bite of her sandwich, savoring the flavor. The soup was a wonderful combination of flavors and just the right amount of spice for the cold of late January.
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When Draco felt Hermione's feet tease against his, he reciprocated the gesture. He deemed it not a bad quality that they were able to bring out a playful side of one another. Neither of them was known to have such an attribute. She of course was known for being the brightest witch of their age; while he was known for being an ex Deatheater. Neither one of those expectations came with an idea of being playful as part of their personalities. "So, if I may inquire have you read anything non work related this week? I took it upon myself to read Professor Flamel's newly published work on Alchemy. I suppose that was work related in a way, but it was fascinating none the less."
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Hermione was well aware that the two of them made quite the odd pair because of their histories, and that 'playful' would be the last thing someone would likely say about either of them. But everyone had their little guilty pleasures, so she wasn't concerned.
Actually, Hermione had read several books that week. She was such a fast reader, and thanks to a spell or two, she could finish a decent sized novel within a few hours. But her non work related readings had been romance novels, Hermione's guilty pleasure. Some were sweet and romantic; others were risqué and almost more than she could handle. Probably not something that should be talked about in public. Something else she read came to her mind. She spoke softly as to avoid being overheard, "I did read something interesting in the Quibbler yesterday. Apparently the threat of the Second Salemers is slowly diminishing to the point there are talks of witches and wizards in America being allowed to fraternize with muggles, or no-maj as they refer to them. I thought that was rather progressive of them. Do you know what caused fuss about not even being able to be friends with muggles?" She asked of him.
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"Prior to 1689 wizards could befriend muggles for a variety of reasons." Draco answered, taking a sip of his meal then further explained a topic that was not in Hogwarts: A History. "Despite our magical abilities Muggles have always outnumbered us. In the late 1600's witch-hunts grew ever fiercer. Wizarding families began to live double lives, using charms of concealment to protect themselves and their families. Upon the signature of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689, wizards all over the world went into hiding for good."
"The Malfoy family line being a wealthy and influential wizarding family opposed the imposition of the Statute." As much as a surprise this news was and he was sure she wondered why he further continued this explanation. "Despite their espousal of pure-blood values and their strong belief in wizards' superiority over Muggles, my family had always drawn a sharp distinction between poor Muggles and those with wealth and authority; they had historically been associated with high-born Muggle circles, such as royalty. For example, William the Conqueror and Queen Elizabeth I and other persons of aristocracy. Which in part, resulted in their vast collection of Muggle treasures and works of art. Their strong opposition of the Statute was, in short, due to the fact that the law would force them to withdraw from this enjoyable sphere of social life."
"Once the Statute was passed into law in 1692, however, the Malfoy's cut off all ties with Muggle families, as they realized that further opposition would distance them from the new heart of power: the newly created Ministry of Magic. They performed an abrupt volte-face, and became vocally supportive of the Statute, hotly denying that they had ever fraternized with such people, in spite of the ample evidence that still resides in my vault at Gringotts." Draco took a moment to finish his meal and let her ponder at this knowledge and finally answered her original question. "Those 'second salemers' in America now, I would bet are descendants of the salem witch trial 'no-maj's' that killed fourteen witches and six wizards for simply having magic. Though back then America was not independent of the United Kingdom, so it was simply a colony location muggles and wizards alike traveling to; hoping for a new start. MACUSA was just enforcing the law like most Ministries of Magic do. Now a days it's more of a need to know basis, like your parents. Or muggle spouses of magical persons."
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Hermione ate as she listened to Draco. She was surprised to learn that his ancestors kept company with Muggles, but wasn't surprised by the kind of company they kept. She honestly wasn't sure if she'd ever understand aristocrats. Money wasn't everything, after all. "Yes, that being said, even after a time, wizards and witches began marrying muggles here in Europe, and there was no negative backlash. In America, after an incident where a witch was nearly killed by a boy she thought was trustworthy, but turned out to be a Second Salemer, MACUSA enforced a new level of secrecy and the poor girl's name became synonymous with the act of messing up and being exposed."
Hermione finished her lunch soon after. "I honestly couldn't imagine living in America. It makes me want to help somehow, but I'm not sure what anyone could do without breaking secrecy."
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"You already saved the world once, Hermione. You don't need to go 'help' with another countries politics. They'll sort themselves out soon enough." Draco stated, figuring if Hermione really got the notion of helping out the MACUSA all his hard work to get an Alchemy Centre here in the U.K. would be for nothing. She would be off gallivanting to America, which he had no desire to visit.
Having finished their meal, they stood and took their leave. He checked the time and found they had another thirty five minutes before she was due back to her cubicle. "Shall we take a walk for the remainder of this lunch date?"
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"I suppose you're right," said Hermione, smiling and shrugging, "Internal before International problems. Who knows what might happen if I tried to go to America." She added sarcastically, "The entire United Kingdom could fall apart without me here."
They finished lunch with plenty of time to spare and Draco's suggestion was welcome. Hermione entwined her arm with his and held him close, "That sounds lovely. Though I do hope it warms up soon. This dreadful cold is becoming unbearable."
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As they walked about the muggle villa, arm in arm Draco did notice an answer to Hermione's comment about the cold. "Look there, Hermione." He said as he brought them to a temporary stop to look at a tiny bud of a flower sprout that managed to peek out of winters snowy blanket on the ground. "The first bloom. A sign of winter coming to an end in one month." He declared pointing out the tiny, but might purple flower bud.
Valentine's Day was in two and a half weeks. He felt particularly pleased at the idea of this Valentine's Day being one he actually looked forward to. But this first bloom called for a not so iconic celebration. Besides if fate be had it he would spend Valentine's Day just he and Hermione. "I think this calls for a celebration. A Winter's Ease Dance next Saturday. It has been some number of years since Malfoy Manor has hosted such an event. I recall my childhood being abundant in my parents hosting such an event. I think it is time my mother and I show the wizarding world we are moving forward. What do you say Hermione, care to join me at such an event?" he asked leaving the choice to her in case she had other plans.
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Hermione looked at the single bud in awe. Somehow it inspired her to realize that wonderful things could grow even in the most unlikely of places. It gave her hope for her and Draco's relationship, and despite the cold, it gave her a sense of warmth. She looked up at Draco, his features soft and kind. Those piercing grey eyes no longer cold towards anyone or anything, his lips no longer sneering, his nose rose colored from the cold and not turned up at the sight of her. Something in that moment told Hermione that this was definitely the man she could see herself with indefinitely.
Lost in thought, she almost didn't hear Draco announce his plan for the dance. She was so transfixed on his face, she only saw his lips moving, but as soon as she heard his voice, she snapped back to reality. "That sounds like a lovely idea," she said softly, "I'd be happy to join you. Although, I am not sure if I have anything befitting to wear for such an occasion. Do you have any suggestions as what would be appropriate and where to obtain such attire?"
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Draco noticed her eyes gazing at him. It was as if she was mesmerized by him. Not mesmerized by his power, wealth, reputation, or status. But him, as if seeing him for the first time. A swell of pride filled his chest. He was one step closer to being a man worthy of her affections. "I will have a dress made worthy of the occasion and have it delivered to you by Thursday." He told her, knowing the tailor and seamstress couple his family employed for such events could make it happen on short notice. He himself needed a new suit. Something outside his normal black fitted attire to honor the occasion.
Unable to resist the urge anymore, he maneuvered his arm away from hers so he could grasp her hand in his as they resumed their walking.
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A squeal of delight nearly escaped Hermione. "Oh, thank you so much, Draco. You'll need my measurements then, won't you?" As they continued walking, Hermione was a little surprised when Draco took her hand in his. It felt nice, like nothing else mattered in the world. It felt almost like being drunk. Today surely had been the best lunch break she had ever experienced.
Later they returned to the Ministry entrance to part ways there. "Thank you ever so much for visiting on my lunch. This has been wonderful, and I look forward to the dance next weekend." She smiled warmly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a heartfelt kiss on his lips.
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"I don't need your measurements. One look at your picture in the Daily Prophet and my seamstress will get them right." Draco assured. He didn't need to inform her that he knew her measurements, or at least knew close enough. From their physical interactions it was easy to observe everything about her from height to waist size. Shoe size would be tricky, but a bit of magic would ensure a perfect fit.
Walking with her hand in hand enjoying her company in this manner was worth the trip. Being in her company was enough. "You are welcome. Perhaps you can come visit me for lunch sometime. I'm sure I can arrange a portkey for you." He answered and they shared a sweet farewell kiss. It reminded him much of his parents when he was young. He would catch his mother kissing his father farewell before he departed the Manor.
When they released Draco said, "Farewell Hermione. I will see you at the dance on Saturday." Bidding her a final nod before she departed from sight back into the Ministry.