the key to happiness - dramione

(6)

Hermione Granger, age 24, temporarily unemployed. Engaged to Ronald Weasley, lives in a small cottage by the sea.

Draco Malfoy, age 23, working at the ministry. Dating Astoria Greengrass. Lives alone in Malfoy Manor.

- - - - -
Hermione stays for dinner at Malfoy Manor. The two individuals eat during silence and afterwards Hermione transfers back home late in the evening. She had almost forgotten about Ronald and him waiting for her at home.

As she arrives into the house the first thing she sees is a dirty plate on the table. Hermione ignores it and walks into the livingroom. Ron is sitting on the couch, watching a photograph on the wall.

It's an old picture of the whole Weasley-family before Fred passed away in the war.
"The dishes are still at the table." Hermione exclaims.
"Yes." Ron answers. "Hi."

"Hello." Hermione says and drags him up on his feet. "I'm not cleaning them up for you." She looks into his eyes.
"How are you?" she asks.
"Good." he says shortly.
"Did anything happen? Ron?"

He shakes his head. And it's true, nothing happened. All is well. Except something isn't. The books that Hermione got from Draco are now placed on a shelf by the wall.

"I was home early. To surprise you. I cooked dinner. It's in the fridge.... and I waited... I waited for hours..." he mumbles.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry Ron. I didn't know..."

"Hermione, i love you , don't you love me?" Ronald interrupts and her face is filled with tears as she nods.
"What kind of question is that? Of course, I've said it a hundred times. I love you Ronald, I always will."

There is a silent moment for away OLW and the only things you can hear are their breaths.
"So what did you do with Malfoy?" Ron suddenly wonders.
"Well... I got a job offer." Hermione tells him.

"As Draco's assistant at the ministry." she continues.
"You should take it."
"You think?"
"Of course, you kinda need a job, don't you Hermione?"
"Thought I'd wait for something better. But you know what, maybe you're right."

A smile spreads in Hermione's face and Ronald leans over her to meet her in a kiss. A soft, nice and warm, simple kiss. Like one of those kisses from a movie.

Right in that moment Draco walks back and forth through the corridors of Malfoy Manor. He thinks about how Astoria was there before. How she went home because Granger was there. He arrives at the kitchen a third time and meets a house elf.

"Could you make me a cup of tea?" Draco asks.
"Of course Mr. Malfoy." the house elf replies and disappears. Draco goes up to the library. There he is served his tea within a few minutes and soon he sinks into a lot of job papers.

Draco actually works more than he gets paid for. He is aware of it, but despite that he does not complain. But an assistant would be needed and Hermione Granger would be perfect for the job.

The smartest witch in their grade, as they used to say during their time at Hogwarts.That was probably true, even though Draco would never admit it. She would be perfect for the job although she is made for something better. When he works, he forgets the cup of tea that is placed on the desk.

And when he finally picks up the cup to drink, the tea is cold. He throws a heat spell over the tea and then sips some of it. He's done with work for tonight.

The next day, Hermione Granger is awake before Ronald Weasley. She got up an hour earlier than usual and had time to put on make-up and make breakfast when Ronald finally wakes up.

He comes out to the kitchen sleepy and looks at Hermione.
"What are you doing up here at this time?" he wonders.
"Cooking breakfast, I'm going with you to the ministry to accept the job." Ronald nods.

He kisses Hermione on the cheek and they sit down to eat breakfast together. When they are done, they get ready to leave for the ministry as soon as possible. They transfer together and there is no queue for the toilets, the entrance to the ministry.

They take the toilets next to each other and flush down at the same time. Hermione accompanies Ron to his office since Draco Malfoy probably hasn't arrived at his office yet. She just sits on a chair next to Ron for over an hour.

When about two hours have passed, Hermione stands up.
"I'm going to look up Malfoy's office." she says.
"Two floors up." mumbles Ron. She nods and walks out of Ron's room.

She takes the elevator two floors up and steps out into a corridor. The corridor has white walls, there is nobody there and Hermione does not recognize herself. She walks down the hall looking for a door with Draco's name on it.

Finally, she arrives at a door that says Draco Lucius Malfoy. Hermione taps gently and when no one answers, she pulls the handle. The door opens and Hermione is met by a furious girl.

It's Astoria Greengrass, who she last saw yesterday.
"Draco is not here." Astoria hisses at Hermione.
"Um ... may I come in?" Hermione wonders.
"Obvious." says Astoria angrily.

She moves so that Hermione can enter. When she's inside, Astoria slams the door shut.
"What have you done with Draco ?!" Astoria almost roars at her, furiously.