Deal With The Devil (Dramione)

Chapter Eight: Lunch with Ginny

            An everything bagel with just the right amount of cream cheese – not too much – and a vanilla oat milk latte was waiting on her desk every morning the next week, much to her stomach's delight. She was happily sipping her drink on Wednesday morning when Yessica entered without knocking,

"Here you go," she spat, throwing a stack of papers on Hermione's desk. She stood there glaring at Hermione.

Putting her cup down, Hermione lifted an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"I hate you."

Hermione put down her cup and stared at the woman before her, perplexed. She was quite pretty – beautiful even. "Umm... pardon?"

Yessica tossed her hair over her shoulder. "I said I hate you. You're awful."

Slightly offended, Hermione stared at Yessica. "Why?"

Stomping her foot, Yessica turned and stomped out of the room.

Hermione picked up her cup, pondering the odd behavior of the receptionist. After a moment's contemplation, she decided she'd call Ginny on her lunch and turned her attention to the stack of papers the woman had brought in.

After a flurry of texts, Ginny arrived at 12:30, carrying lunch for both her and Hermione.

"That receptionist is a cunt," Ginny said without preamble, setting down the food.

"Ginny!" Hermione giggled. "I know, right? You'll never guess what she did this morning. Oh! And I didn't get to tell you about this weekend!"

"Spill!"

Twenty minutes later, Hermione finished. "And then he slammed the door in my face."

Ginny sat across from her, eyes wide and food forgotten. "He gave you his personal number?"

Hermione nodded, taking a bite. "I have Blaise's number, so it's not THAT weird."

"Blaise is here?" Ginny asked suddenly, her face brightening. "I'll be right back." She flew out of the room, Hermione staring bemusedly after her.

By the time Ginny got back, Hermione was done with her food. "Give me your phone," demanded Ginny, a glint in her eye. Once it was in her possession, she quickly sent a text off.

"Who was that to?" Hermione asked suspiciously.

Ginny smirked at her and handed back her phone. Hermione glanced down and groaned. "Seriously, Ginny?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ginny said, fake innocence dripped from every word.

There was a knock at her door, and then Draco stepped in. He took in the room and arched an eyebrow. "What do you need, Hermione?"

Ginny snorted, and Draco rolled his eyes at the indelicate sound. "Nice to see you, Ginevra."

"Same, ferret."

Draco turned attention back to Hermione. "What did you need?"

Ginny jumped to her feet. "It's actually me that needs to talk to you. Hermione, be a doll and step outside for a second, will you?"

Hermione stared at Ginny in exasperation. "You've got to be kidding me. You're kicking me out of my own office?"

"Yes. Now leave. I need to talk to the ferret in private."

Taking in the determined glint in Ginny's eyes, Hermione rose with a sigh. When she passed Draco, she muttered, "Good luck."

The door slammed behind her, and she rolled her eyes. Ever the dramatics Ginny. Standing outside her office Hermione didn't even bother trying to overhear what Draco and Ginny were talking about. She knew Ginny would have cast a muffliato.

"Beautiful, what are you doing outside of your office like this?"

Turning, Blaise was coming down the hallway towards her. She sighed in exasperation. "Ginny wanted to talk to Draco in private, and I got kicked out of my office."

Blaise grinned. "Apparently, we're all getting visits from Red today. I quite enjoyed our meeting. She's just as funny as she's ever been."

Before Hermione could reply, Yessica turned the corner. Seeing Hermione and Blaise together, she rolled her eyes and sneered at Hermione as she passed.

"What was that about?" Blaise asked.

"I have no idea. She hates me."

For the first time, Hermione watched Blaise frown. The expression didn't suit him. "Can't have that. Please excuse me." He stalked after Yessica.

Just then, her door swung open. Cautiously she entered, hesitant to see what sort of destruction had occurred. Instead of an upturned room, she found Draco sitting in her desk chair, smiling brightly at Ginny, who was giggling. Giggling.

"What..."

Ginny looked up at her, fake innocence dripping from every word. "I told you I just wanted to talk to him."

That evening Hermione sat with her phone clutched tightly in her hand. Taking a deep breath, she texted Draco.

Hermione: I'm so sorry for whatever Ginny said to you

Setting down her phone, she tried to pick up her book again, but the phone went off almost immediately.

Draco: She's a good friend. No need to apologize

Hermione: Wow, Malfoy saying something nice about a Weasley

Draco: Draco. It's always Draco with you.

Draco: It's happened before

Hermione: What???

Draco: Ginny's always been my favorite

Hermione: I'll make sure to let her know

Draco: After today, she already does

Hermione: What'd you talk about?

Hermione had enough time to get ready for bed and assume Draco had fallen asleep before his reply came through.

Draco: You.