A/N: Here's to hoping you guys still believe that there is hope left for me in the world.

The chapter is dedicated to xXBeckyFoo for being an immense inspiration. Her Dramione fanfic Lover of the Light is one I strongly recommend for you to check out.

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"What's meant to be will always find its way. Maybe the absence of signs is a sign."

Hermione found her purse lying beside her. Without thinking twice, she took the offered hand. If it really was Malfoy, then he wasn't doing a really good job at, well, being himself. The man seemed gentle and hence, nothing like the Draco Malfoy she had grown up to know. Quite the opposite. After taming some wrinkles on her previously ironed robes, she looked up and saw a pale face with blonde hair and stormy grey eyes staring at her with a concealed expression. This was what she was dreading. This was what she was hoping wouldn't be. This was a disaster already. 'Better brace yourself, Hermione. This is going to be the exact opposite of my idea of a pleasant morning!' she thought bitterly.

"Granger, is that you?"

"Malfoy?"

"In the flesh," he drawled. She was suddenly quite aware of the fact that she was still holding his hand, and instantly dropped it as if burned by his touch. He smirked, and cringed, inwardly at her discomfort. He was no Mud- Muggle born lover, but he would definitely prefer not to be at the receiving end of the wrath of one. Especially the most famous, and infuriating of them all.

"What business do you have here?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but I'm here for a meeting with Max Wilson. Know him?" she tried to sneer.

"Max Wilson? As in, the Head of this Department?"

"Why, yes, Granger, I see that you do know your Ministry. I can't really say I'm surprised," he said as he sneered, silently chuckling to himself about her failed attempt at one.

She ignored his last comment and went on, "Correcting you Malfoy, once again, it is my business. I am here for a meeting too. At 9:00 am." 'And it's already 9:10. Just great! A stupid git decided to come and destroy my well planned schedule and reputation for never being late. My life is oh-so-desirable!' she inwardly grumbled.

"No. I have a meeting at 9:00 am. You must have messed up your timings."

"Not really, I don't think so. I never mess things up. I'm sure you got the wrong time."

"Whatever," he said, discretely rolling his eyes. He really wasn't in the mood for one of their banters after such a long time of keeping the peace.
Well, not really, seeing as they hadn't seen each other for that time, but anyway.

"See, so you agree! Anyway, you stay here while I go and check up on this problem. I wonder how you got here without really seeing anybody. And you seemed to be coming from the direction of his office," she voiced her thoughts, but her speech faded away as the wheel in her brain turned.

"Go right ahead."

Draco knew the cabin was empty but surely he wasn't going to tell her that. The chance to annoy Granger was just too tempting to let go. He watched her as she approached the cabin, pushed the door open when she received no response to her knocks, and went inside.

He continued to think about her. If she was the same bushy haired bookworm he loved to tease at school, he certainly did not feel like it. Sure, many things had changed- not necessarily pleasant ones. But change had done Granger some good. 'Good? She's bloody amazing!' Draco's inner voice echoed. He chided himself for letting something so unimaginable as a beautiful Granger ever enter his mind.

Wasn't she supposed to stay the same old, plain bookworm with snakes for hair like she was always was at school? Nose turned up in annoyance and a knack to turn any sane person irate in mere seconds?

But no, she had to go alongwith it all, didn't she? And now she had gone and filled out completely. She had an acceptable figure (something he couldn't help but notice), and that work-worried expressing suited her quite a lot. Her hair was not that bushy anymore- and her fragrance was very much pleasant. She was no longer the 'filthy, little Mud- Muggleborn' she used to be at Hogwarts.

'Control yourself! You absolutely cannot let that slip, ever!' he seethed at himself, willing himself to stop thinking about anyone's blood status for any longer. It would drive him mad if he did.

Hermione entered Mr Wilson's office with slow and measured steps, her stance that of when she was on her guard. Once inside, she searched for human presence all around the vast cabin in vain. After a thorough check and a quick non-verbal 'Homenum Revelio' , she decided that it truly was void of any and all human presence. Curse her for not wanting to be jumped anytime. She then saw the fireplace and deduced that it had recently been used. There were sooty shoe prints gracing the carpet and floo powder was lying around. 'Malfoy That, that lying, arrogant ferret!' she said, gritting her teeth. Why did he always have to waste her precious time like that? Only he could get her so irritated over the smallest of things. She stepped out to discover a smirking Malfoy, his eyebrows risen so high on his forehead, she thought they might disappear. And he was beginning to release sounds of laughter. His annoying, ear-piercing laughter. She glared at him and started to walk towards another corridor.

"Wait, Granger! Where- are you- going?" he said, barely being able to control his laughter. There was sincere amusement in his eyes for a minute moment, something Hermione had never seen slip before. It was always his signature smirk or sneer, his eyes hooded, that covered his otherwise handsome face. 'Handsome? What the hell am I thinking?' mused Hermione.

"I, being the professional I am, am going to find Mr Wilson, and complete the bloody meeting. You can either stay here spouting your lungs out with those hilariously displeasing sounds spilling out of your uncontrollable mouth, or help me find him. Do whatever you please." "Like there's a need to even say that," added Hermione, a irked look on her face. She looked like she had truly had enough, and it wasn't even noon yet.

This was dangerous territory, he knew. But Merlin rather make him hang upside down than telling him to take a step back.

"Merlin Granger, didn't know you had it in you. Still, you need to brush up on that colourful vocabulary section you preserve in your head to sprout at me. It's getting rather repetitive," he smirked because he knew he had gotten to her.

"Oh honestly Malfoy, I-"

"In the meantime, I might as well try finding him too, if only to get this over with too," he added with a blank look. He really had no time to waste on petty discussions.

Hermione swiftly raised an eyebrow at his statement.

"Don't get any wrong ideas, Granger. This deserted corridor is getting on my nerves and before it stops the blood flowing in my veins, for the sheer reason that you are here, I need to get out of here. If I don't, I'll go bonkers," he said, smirking yet again at her expense.

"Oh, but I thought you were already! Aren't you?" she asked as she referred to the time he got turned into a ferret their fourth year. Oh how iconic the moment was. He recognized the way her eyes held that mischievous glint to them, and he instantly understood, and scowled while at it.

"You are insufferable, you know that?"

"Of course. But all these years and you haven't found me another adjective? That's kind of sad, Malfoy."

"Wouldn't want you to think I actually waste my time thinking about you now, would we?"

"Why? Because I'm a 'Mudblood'?" she asked, emphasizing her last word.

Draco calmed the involuntary shudder on hearing the word he'd been so hesitant to use, but it didn't seem to bother her calling herself that, and replied, "No. Because you're a know-it-all who thinks the meaning of fun is completing your work before time."

She scowled at his words. Not because she was uncomfortable listening to his insults, but because- how dare he? She could be fun. She huffed in annoyance. "Whatever. Let's just go."

"Fine."

"Alright, fine."

"Okay. Now go ahead."

"You always just have to be the one to end the conversation, don't you?"

"Ah, Granger, correct again, I see."

As they carried on their immensely civil conversation (note the sarcasm), Mr Wilson appeared in the hallway. Seeing his two visitors talking, he heaved a sigh of relief. At least they knew each other and so introduction wouldn't come with the awkward air that it generally held. And he happened to know for a fact the Draco Malfoy was rather concerned with others' first impressions.

"Ah, Miss Granger. How nice to see you there. Mr Malfoy, how have you been? Pleasure to meet you once again."

"The pleasure's all mine, Sir," Hermione replied politely. Draco just gave him a curt nod as his way of acknowledgement. "Wish I could say the same. I would have, had you been here on time, old hypocrite," he muttered roughly under his breath, but not quietly enough for Hermione to not hear. She awarded him with a nonchalant kick in the shin for his little comment.

"Oi, Granger! I swear..." he muttered, glaring at her.

"Oh, shush!"

Their little conversation went unnoticed by the man standing in the corridor as he was too busy lost in his own thoughts. Thoughts on how to break the news to them. Snapping back to reality, he said, "If you would both please follow me. This way."

Hermione shot Malfoy another glare before quietly following her boss into his office. Draco followed closely behind.

Upon entering, they all took their seats, as directed by the 60 year-old man. Max Wilson sat on the opposite end of his work desk while both Hermione and Draco took their seats in the visitors' chairs. The desk was an expensive mahogany piece. Large piles of files covered one end while snacks waited on the other. Hermione happened to know that her most coveted guide in life, after Professor McGonagall of course, was infact very fond of sweets. He offered them both goodies which they politely refused, but they did notice that they had Muggle origins.

'He is so much like Dumbledore,' Hermione thought sadly. He was a great man like the late Headmaster. He was kind, patient and compassionate. Hermione was one of the Managers in the Department, thanks to her good work and her boss's consideration. He could be grouchy some days, though.

"So, let's get to work, shall we?" he asked.

Hermione and Malfoy nodded.

"Alright. Now, you might be wondering why I gave you both the same time for the meeting. I have some important business to discuss with you two. Miss Granger is one of our best employees, Mr Malfoy. She has immense potential and handles her cases very efficiently."

Hermione felt flustered immediately, a little apprehensive of where this conversation was headed.

"As you know Mr Malfoy, your charity organisation is an important firm. I personally want it to have no problems whatsoever in its dealings. The motive behind it was very appreciable, seeing how your help has restored many broken infrastructure. Your charity to St Mungo's for its war patients was a very compassionate idea. I have to congratulate you on your success."

Hermione was shocked. She had never imagined Malfoy, the arrogant, self-centered git to be compassionate. The idea was nothing short of laughable. But, 'being the professional she was', she didn't show her surprise. On her face was a mask of slight surprise, the intensity of it hooded rather well, unlike Malfoy's, who had an unreadable expression plastered on his face. It was times like this that she wished she knew Legilimency. Even that couldn't be used; she knew that Draco Malfoy was a pretty good Occlumens.

Draco instantly felt deep anger surging through him. This man had completely disregarded his notion for secrecy, that too in front of his once sworn enemy. Sure, he wasn't really fond of the idea of reviving petty school rivalries, but this was just unacceptable. He had worked his arse off to keep it disclosed as to who owned the mystery charity organization, and there Wilson went, trying to sabotage it all by giving away the entire reason why it was supposed to be withheld.

"I am sure you understand that being the Head of a Department is not an easy job. I have way too much work, which I have to refrain from enlightening you with just now. And Miss Granger has recently finished her report on the top two assignments, so I have no doubt she can manage sufficient time for this. I have decided to, very reluctant I may add, pass over your company's dealings to Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy. From now on, she would be granting all permissions and sign every dealing. I have complete trust that she will not let you down. Also, Miss Granger, I must let you know, this work comes with an important responsibility- one of secrecy. This is important to Mr Malfoy, and hence you must respect it on all occasions."

'Yes, the very secret you gave away right now without a thought, you scoundrel!' Draco seethed inwardly. And the thing was, he had an inkling of why, and what was going to happen. He just wished against his entire pure bloodline that it wouldn't. Obviously, he hadn't registered a single word of what the old sweet-tooth harboring man had said. He had been busy scowling his most intense scowl at him in his mind the whole time. That was a good enough reason to be distracted. Or so he thought.

"Rest assured, your organisation would be in very safe and efficient hands, Mr Malfoy. If you could just sign these documents, the transfer will be finalised..." he went on.

But of course, why would Merlin ever listen to him? The impact of his words hit like a Stupefy to his very soul, and he let his mask down for a moment to reveal his utter shock. Oh, shut up about the dramatics. They were absolutely necessary.

Draco and Hermione had tuned out his words when the dreadful sentence left his lips. Oh, this was not good. Definitely, surely, completely terrible to even begin with. This was going to end horribly, they both knew it.

"What?!" they asked in unison.

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So, that's it. You know what? I'm not even going to ask you how it was. I have too much faith in you to believe that you wouldn't comment on how you liked it. You guys are the best!

Always yours,

DoveMalfoy19❤️

Dramione Forever!