Deal With The Devil (Dramione)

Chapter Four: Breakfast

Hermione was on pins and needles waiting for Draco to return to her office as she got back from lunch, but he never did.

The next morning she came in to find her desk already occupied.

"What do you want, Malfoy?"

He smirked at her and gestured to the coffee and bagel on the desk. "I figured you probably left without breakfast."

"I'm fine," she said just as her stomach growled.

He raised an eyebrow at her blatant lie.

"Fine," she grabbed the bagel and cup off the desk, sniffing her coffee.

"I didn't poison it," Draco said with a sigh. "Then I'd have to replace you, and that's a pain in the ass, let me tell you."

Hermione was oddly comforted by this and took a long sip. "Ooo, vanilla latte with oat milk. My favorite. How'd you know?"

Draco just shrugged. "Lucky guess."

Hermione was too busy taking the biggest bite of the bagel as possible to contemplate the explanation, which was flimsy at best.

"Don't choke," Draco drawled. "Wouldn't want to have to give you mouth to mouth after all."

"It'd be the Heimlich, not mouth the mouth. And I'm sure you'd hate to get yourself dirty by touching me."

Draco shot up out of his seat and was uncomfortably close to Hermione in seconds. He bent down, so his face was in her face. Hermione could tell he was furious. "Don't you dare say something like that again. I've worked too hard to overcome the prejudice that was forced down my throat at every turn by my father. You know nothing about me, Hermione and don't pretend you do." He paused and straightened, his eyes flashing. "Such language or ideas will not be tolerated in my office. I will not hesitate to fire you, Ms. Granger." He took a step back.

Hermione swallowed her current bite slowly. It seemed to be stuck in her throat. When it was finally clear, she whispered, "I'm sorry, Draco. I understand perfectly."

The use of his first name seemed to shock him out of his anger. "Good, Hermione." He turned and sat back down in her chair before she could stop him.

"Can you move so I can sit? I have work to do."

"No, I'm comfy."

"I have a hard time believing you do this to all your employees."

"Only to the ones he likes," a voice behind them drawled. Hermione turned to find Blaise Zabini standing in the doorway. "I can't tell you how many times I've had to kick him out of my office."

"How do you do that?" Hermione asked, ready to take notes. "My boss seems to be determined to annoy me to death."

"That's for me to know and you to find out, Beautiful." Blaise winked at her. HER! Mudblood Hermione got winked at by pureblood Zabini! Obviously, things had changed. She cringed at her own prejudice and mentally slapped herself. People change.

"Zabini," Draco growled.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"No sexual harassment in the office."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "What about harassment from the boss?"

Draco laughed. It was a pleasant sound, one she'd never heard without sarcasm. "I didn't know that bringing you breakfast was considered harassment.

"Where's my breakfast?" Blaise pouted.

"I ate it," Draco grinned.

"Bastard," Blaise whispered to no one in particular. "Have you seen the Prophet article?"

Draco grimaced. "Yea, that's the second reason I'm in here." He picked up the Daily Prophet that had been lying on the desk.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked at their grim expressions.

"We've been keeping who the new Director is under wraps, but they got a picture of you yesterday using your wand to access the main building, and with you quitting your ministry job, they put two and two together. I'm sorry, Hermione." Draco looked genuinely concerned, and Hermione strode over to him, set down her bagel, and grabbed the Prophet

Brightest Witch of Her Generation Sold Her Soul by Rita Skeeter

It has been common knowledge that Malfoy Incorporated has created a new position – Director of Charity – to try and improve its dismal image. It has come to this writer's attention that they have somehow coerced Hermione Granger into the job.

Now we all know Ms. Granger as part of the Golden Trio, saviors of the wizarding world. How did she fall so far?

Malfoy Inc. is run by no other than Death Eaters Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. Why would little miss perfect choose to work for such foul men? Did she really have a choice, or was she cursed into it? Threatened? Is there a dark side we've never known of? How could she have sold her soul? This writer is determined to find out.

Hermione put down the paper and huffed. She glanced around the room to find Draco and Blaise staring at her, waiting. "What a load of bull."

"You aren't... upset by the insinuations?" asked Draco hesitantly.

"Of course, I'm upset! How dare she try to insinuate that you're both Death Eaters! You're ex-Death Eaters, if anything, although I'm inclined to argue you were never ones to begin with. And to say that you cursed me into this! Really!"

Draco and Blaise stared at her, their mouths open.

"That wasn't what he was asking, Hermione," Blaise finally broke the silence.

"What did you mean then?" Hermione asked Draco.

He cleared his throat, still looking a bit shocked. "I meant, are you upset about the things she said about you?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Not at all. I was expecting this when I took the position."

Draco stared into her eyes, looking for something. After a moment, he nodded. "Okay, then. As long as you're okay." He rose from her desk. "I'll get going then." He strolled out of the room.

Blaise turned to Hermione once Draco had left. "Draco really isn't that bad, Hermione. He takes care of his own. Give him a chance." He turned and left.

Hermione chewed on her lip. She had been unprepared for his genuine concern for her. And he hadn't said anything cruel to her since he'd walked back into her life. She shook the thoughts off. She'd deal with this another day; she had work to do.