My little cousin creating

It’s been this way since we were young…  (Where We Land - Ed Sheeran)

           

Hermione walked out of the door looking very pleased with herself. Harry knew he would have to face her results eventually.

“What did you get then?” he said half-heartedly. Hermione’s face beamed with happiness.

“Well I don’t mean to gloat, but I got all O’s” Ron’s mouth dropped open.

“How did you manage to get Outstanding in everything?”

“Well unlike you Ronald, I studied!” she said spitefully. Ron just rolled his eyes. He wasn’t happy with getting two Acceptables, 3 Poors and one Dreadful. He couldn’t wait to get home and tell his mum. Harry on the other hand, had done slightly better. At least he had got an E –Exceeds Expectations- in potions! And he had had Professor Snape that year.

            Draco stared down at the parchment that held the answers to his future. As he untied the green satin ribbon he was expecting to see how badly he had done. The first subject on the scroll was Potions with Professor S. Snape. As Draco carefully moved his eyes to the end of the line he was shocked to see he had received an O. Internally he cheered. He didn’t really care much for the rest of his results but he noticed how he had received a mixture of O’s, E’s and A’s. With a smug look over to a depressed Weasley he couldn’t help but notice how Hermione was so happy with herself. In the spare of the moment he decided to go over and ‘congratulate’ Hermione on her good results.

            “Why the long face Weasely, realised your girlfriend is going to be bringing all the money into this relationship?” Draco sniggered.

“We are NOT going out!” Hermione said in a huff before turning around to congratulate the Patil twins on their results.

“What do you want over here with us Malfoy!? Shouldn’t you be sulking over your failure with all your fellow Slytherins?” Harry looked over to Crabb and Goyle who were looking depressed and standing beside their ripped up result parchments. Draco pulled out his wand to threaten Harry –now that they were allowed to use magic at any moment-

“Actually for your information, my results were probably better than your Quidditch skills!”  Harry gave Draco a dirty glare.

“At least I don’t have to pull my wand out every 5 seconds to protect myself” he muttered. At that moment Professor McGonnagall walked over to congratulate her house.

“Well done students, I hope you are all happy with your results I am proud to say tha-- Mr Malfoy, why are you standing with the Gryffindors? Go back to your house at once!” she spoke in her quiet but stern voice. Draco gave Harry and Ron one final glare before returning to a bunch of moody Slytherins and Professor Snape.

You can’t play on broken strings….  (Broken Strings - James Morrison)      

Draco looked up at the sign above the giant green door. ‘Hogsmede Medical Centre’. He carefully hung the plaque ‘Founder, Draco Malfoy’ by the entrance. With a sigh of relief he opened the door and stepped inside. As he walked towards his new office his assistant Felicity Bell greeted him with a butterbeer and a list of people applicants.

“Thanks Felicity”

“That’s quite alright Mr Malfoy” she replied in her melodic tone. Draco walked into his office and chucked the list onto his desk. He hadn’t even bothered reading the names of the applicants. As he tucked into his butterbeer he placed his feet up on the corner of his desk and relaxed. Several moments later he placed the empty glass down and got straight to work. Ever since leaving school Draco had developed a serious work ethic. He wanted to prove everyone wrong and become a successful business man. He could hear Felicity outside talking with someone who had a very soft tone, a tone he recognised.

“Yes, he is expecting you”

 Draco looked up at the clouded window in his door and saw a silhouette. What looked like very frizzy hair and a slender face. Her body -assuming it was a woman- was very thin also. As the door handle turned Draco was not expecting to see this certain someone standing in his office

___________________________________________________________________________

            “Draco?” Hermione questioned. She was startled to see her former school enemy sitting in the office of which her interview would take place. Draco immediately picked up the list Felicity had given him and saw Hermione’s name right at the top.

“What are you doing here? God help me if you are here for an interview to be a consultant!”

“That’s what your paper says doesn’t it!” Hermione said.

Draco rolled his eyes. What was the mudblood know-it-all doing in his office? But surely he could have fun with this interview.

“Well, let’s do this professionally then, Granger, just because we know each other don’t mean I would treat you any different.”

Hermione took a seat opposite Malfoy.

“Well I know that”

“Talks back” Draco said whilst making a note on an application form.

“Hey, I wasn’t--“

“Interrupts whilst busy” Draco said slyly again whilst making notes. Hermione sat abruptly in her chair and folded her arms. She knew Draco was going to be annoying, but she didn’t imagine him this bad. Whilst sitting there, waiting for Draco to finish jotting notes she noticed a band on his ring finger where she guessed a wedding ring would have previously sat.

“So what happened then?” she asked, smirking to herself.

“What are you talking about?” Draco scowled.

“The missing ring, I’m guessing the poor girl realised what she had married” Hermione chuckled

“That private business Granger, nothing you need to know about. Do you know that this could harm your chances of getting this job?” Draco spat.

“I’m not really worried about your bloody job!” Hermione said angrily

“Mind your language Granger, that’s another bad remark going on your application” Draco said with an evil glimmer in his eye.

“Wow Malfoy, after all these years I thought you might have matured at least a little; I thought you would be able to hold a decent conversation. But I guess I was wrong. You’re just a joke, and if you think that anyone is going to see you as a successful business man then you might as well give up now!”

Draco slammed the papers down onto his desk.

“Right, now you’ve done it!” he took a step towards her.

“Don’t even think I’m still going to consider your application. As if I’d have someone like you working for me, I would never be taken seriously. You might as well get out now, your time is up!” Draco shouted.

“Gladly!” Hermione snarled. As she walked towards the door and turned the knob Draco called after her; “Now I feel bad for saying that the Weasely boy liked you! Even he is too good for you! You’re just a good for nothing mudblood!” He shouted. Hermione turned her head to look at him. She just shook her head and exited quickly. Draco slumped down into his chair. He placed his fingers on his temples and sighed. Felicity entered the room a little worried.

“Well…um…how do you think that went?” she asked politely.

“Felicity, just get out” Draco sighed. 

Aint Never Gonna’ Change…  (Change - Daniel Merriweather)

            Hermione strode down the streets of Hogsmede. The sound of her heels beating the floor was being to aggravate her even more. Her face was pink and flustered and her frizzy hair was bushier than ever. As she stopped outside The Three Broomsticks and looked at her reflection in the window she undid the button on her pinstriped blazer and took off her shoes. She pushed open the door and the little bell rang. As she walked in and looked around she spotted Harry and Ron sitting in a booth in the corner. Ron also noticed her and stuck his hand in the air and beckoned her over.

“New look Hermione?” he smirked

“What?”

“No shoes.” Harry added.

“Oh right…the sound of them was annoying me” She said shyly. Harry and Ron chuckled a little, but when they noticed how upset she looked they stopped.

“I’ll go order then shall I? Butterbeers all round?” Ron asked. Harry and Hermione both nodded. After Ron walked off Harry broke the silence.

“Dare I ask how the interview went?”

Hermione glared at him. He gave her a sympathetic smile.

“Its okay, there will be other jobs”

“That’s not the problem; the problem is that I lost to Malfoy!” Hermione said sternly

“Did someone mention Malfoy?” Ron moaned, balancing 3 butterbeers in his hands. As he placed them in the middle of the table Hermione nodded limply to answer his question.

“I wonder what that freaky blokes up to these days?”

“Wasting people’s time that’s what he’s doing” Hermione said viciously.

“Please don’t tell me he was the one that interviewed you” Ron said worryingly. As Hermione took her butterbeer she rolled her eyes at him.

“Well - don’t worry - about him, he’s always been - an idiot” Harry said, between slurps.

The three best friends continued to chat when the bell above the door rang melodically. Ron looked over, let out a little snigger and nudged Harry in the side.

“Look over there!” He pointed.

“Where?”

“The door!” As Ron pointed to the people walking in they noticed it was Neville holding hands with - was it? - Luna? Hermione just sat, staring at the bottom of the glass. She couldn’t stop thinking about the interview; she thought she would have been a shoe in on nabbing that job.

As the tall figure turned his head and caught a glimpse of Ron sniggering at him.

“Hi guys!” Neville chirped.

“Neville! Long time no see mate, take a seat. Oh and you too Luna.” Harry replied, giving Luna a half smile as he invited her to sit down. Neville pulled up two chairs and took a seat. He then put his arm around Luna and pulled her in close to him. Luna looked into his eyes lovingly before wrapping her arms around his torso.
“Something going on between you two?” Ron questioned.

“I thought you guys knew? -the three friends looked puzzled- Me and Luna are engaged” Neville said happily.

“You got engaged to Loony Lov--” Ron stopped mid sentence after Harry stomped on his foot to warn him not to go there.

“Congratulations Neville” Harry said politely. Neville smiled at him, and then turned his head to look at Hermione.

“Hi Hermione, how are you?”

“Just fine” she replied quickly, not bothering to raise her head. Neville took the hint she didn’t want to talk.

“So did you guys hear about Malfoy? I heard he’s got his own business now! Luna was going for an interview, but who wants to work for him eh?”

Hermione acted as if Neville had punched her in the face. She immediately pushed her empty glass away from her, picked up her shoes and walked away from the table. As she stopped half way to balance on the bar to put her shoes back on Luna left Neville’s side and walked over to Hermione. She placed her hand on Hermione’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry Hermione, you’ll find your soul mate some day, just like I found Neville”

Hermione shrugged Luna’s hand off of her shoulder.

“For your information Luna, that is NOT the reason I am currently in despair” and with that Hermione left the pub. Luna looked a little taken back, but soon resumed to her seat at the table.

“Where’s Hermione gone?” Harry said. He thought she was going to explain more about her interview. Luna looked glumly at him.

“Well…” said Ron, getting up and slapping his knees. “I best be going, I’ve got dinner at my mums…Oh Harry! D’ya wanna come along too?”

“Sounds great Ron” Harry replied. Neville opened his mouth as if he was going to speak. He waited a few seconds but realised he would not be receiving an invite to the Weasely dinner.

“Seeya Neville…Bye Luna” Harry called out as him and Ron left The Three Broomsticks.

            Draco sat at his desk with his head in his hands. The argument he had shared with Granger was repeating over and over in his head. What if she was right? People wouldn’t take him seriously as a business man. Wait…what was he thinking? Never in his life would he believe anything a mudblood had said to him.

Now Draco, that’s not a nice word…mudblood

So many things were whirling round and round in his mind. Then a soft little tap could be heard through the door.  Draco could immediately tell who it would be.

“Come in Felicity.”

“I am terribly sorry to bother you Mr Malfoy, and I did get your note about how I must not, under any circumstances, choose to hire the ‘frizzy haired freak’ -

In your words, not mine Sir, I think she is rather pleasant.

-But I can’t help but notice, Mr Malfoy that she has the best application of her own by far. She received all O’s in her exams, she has had lots of experience with helping her friends and she sounds like an all round pleasant person.”

Draco glared at her, with his cold blue eyes.

“Felicity, did you not hear the raging argument we had? There is no way I am hiring her. She’s a foul mudblood”

Stop using that word Draco!
Felicity flinched at the dirty name Draco had decided to address Hermione by.

“But, Mr Malfoy, I fear that we won’t find anyone as good as Miss Granger -she gulped- and I don’t know about you, but I would like to see this business as fine as it can be and I think that with Miss Granger on board we can acco--”

“Okay, okay Felicity -Draco interrupted- you have made a fine point.” Draco sighed heavily. He knew Felicity was right, all through school Hermione had been the best student, and no matter how much he tried not to think about it, she was extremely skilled and could really help the business out.

“Get me her address” he groaned.

Damn this shit gets old…  (This Sh*t Gets Old - Never Shout Never)

            Hermione loved living in the centre of Hogsmede. She was close to all her friends and all her favourite places. Her parents didn’t mind that she was so far away from home, as long as she promised to come home and visit every now and again. As Hermione walked from her glistening kitchen and slumped herself onto the patchwork sofa she reviewed how badly her day had gone whilst sipping her sweet coffee. Hermione had never really been one for interior design but her flat was very respectable and welcoming. With pale cream walls, plants dotted around and welcoming sofa, she was prepared for any visitors. Although, she didn’t really have many people visit her place often. She preferred it just being her, however, when the right guy comes along she would love to start her own family. She placed her coffee down onto a coaster on the wooden coffee table and picked up her copy of The Daily Prophet. As she began reading about the upcoming Quidditch tournaments there was a knock at the door. If this was going to be Luna again Hermione was quite ready to slam the door in her face. As she arose from the sofa in her pink fluffy slippers she walked to the door where an impatient person was standing on the other side continually knocking.

“I’m coming I’m coming!”

            Draco stood outside the mahogany door and heard Hermione calling from inside. He rolled his eyes, what was he doing here again? As the door opened in front of him stood a flustered Hermione who was staring directly at him.

“What do you think you are doing at this time of night?”

“May I come in? Okay then.” Draco said as he invited himself into the bright living area. Hermione looked a little startled but closed the door behind him.

“You have 5 seconds to explain yourself or I’m calling the ministry”

Draco looked at her, studying her casual appearance.

“You look nice”

Wait; did I actually just say that?

“Flattery will get you nowhere Malfoy.” Hermione said spitefully, with her arms folded over her baggy jumper.

“You have no idea how much it pains me to say this, especially to you -he rubbed his head- I would like to formally ask you if you would like to take the job available at Hogsmede Medical Center”

Hermione giggled rudely.

“And what makes you change your mind? Realised you can’t live without me?”

Of course he can, can’t he? Well I am amazing.

“Well, actually Granger, it was mainly Felicity’s idea, but yes, that is the general gist. I would like to have someone with your skills -he coughed and tried to loosed the collar of his shirt- on my team”

“Well I’m disinclined to accept, Mr Malfoy.” Hermione mocked.

“I thought me begging you would have changed your mind, after all this is what you wanted isn’t it? -Hermione stared at him- Well if you aren’t going to accept, you can forget about a pay rise, I always knew you were a selfish piece of work”

Hermione thought about it for a second. Malfoy really had come to her flat to ask her personally, she knew it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to turn down this sort of an opportunity, and plus, what a story to tell. Hermione had got Malfoy begging her because of how amazing she was.

“Okay, but first of all, if this is going to work I want you to quit with the insults.” She said sternly.

“Whatever you say” said Malfoy turning around to walk towards the door

“Oh and one more thing, I’m expecting equal treatment, just because we know each other slightly more, I don’t want you favouriting me! She said sarcastically.

“I wasn’t planning on it!” Malfoy called out, now standing at the door. As he turned the latch he dropped his wand. As it rolled over to Hermione’s feet he noticed her pink fluffy slippers.

“How like a girl” he muttered to himself.     

Hermione was still a little shocked at having Draco standing in her flat and that’s probably the explanation for what she said next.

“Do you fancy a coffee?”

Draco gave her a puzzled look.

“What did you say?”

Hermione blushed, not wanting to repeat her statement.  She just shook her head shyly

“Never mind.”

Draco’s eyes whirled around the room. He was admiring Hermione’s personal taste.

Seriously Draco, seriously!?

“Nice place” Draco complemented.

Draco! No more butterbeer for you if its going to make you all soft towards her!

Hermione blushed further, her cheeks nearly the same colour as her slippers.

“Well, I better be going then” Draco murmured.

He opened the door and began down the corridor.

“See you at work!” Hermione called out after him.

Really Hermione, what are you doing! He hates you remember…and you hate him.

Anything to please you…  (Can’t Stand It - Never Shout Never)

                Hermione awoke with a pounding headache. Not a great way to start a new day at work. As she hurled herself out of the crimson bed sheets she felt as though she was about to collapse. Her hands worked fast in making the bed as she didn’t want to leave a bad impression by being late. She walked past the mirror and did a double take.

Hermione, look at the state of your hair! Fix the situation!

She sighed at herself and began to attack the birds nest on her hair with the hairbrush. After wincing at the size of the knots she decided taking a shower would be the best option.

As she stepped out of the shower smelling sweetly of jasmine and coconut she walked to wardrobe, whilst rubbing her hair dry with a towel. Hermione shuffled to her colour co-ordinated wardrobe, watching the sprawled hairbrush on the floor. She picked out a lilac blouse patterned with white lilies, a black pencil skirt that sits just above the knee and some white heels. After she was dressed and had sprayed a nice perfume it was time to tackle the hair issue. She pulled and fiddled until she eventually decided on a tight bun with some loose curls shaping around her face.  She finished the look with a white pearl necklace with matching earrings. Then sitting at her dressing table she applied some fine black eyeliner, mascara and a dusting of powder. Finally she applied some shiny lip gloss with the tip of her finger. Looking at the clock on the wall, Hermione realised there was no time to spare and quickly flooed herself to the Medical Center.

               

Bliss
XX