Northern Star (Hiatus)

Chapter Four

Hermione had been given the grand tour of Malfoy Apothecary straight after finishing her tea that first day. Draco had insisted on giving the tour himself and Hermione had found it quite refreshing seeing how he interacted with his employees. They all referred to him as Mr Malfoy but it was light, happy, not a single worker who approached them was nervous or afraid to interrupt their boss while he showed someone around. And to Hermione's surprise Draco was polite and friendly to each of them, helping with issues that needed immediate solutions and advising how to follow up on it later if the issue was of less urgency. What made it even more baffling was each time he had been interrupted or called away Draco would return to Hermione with an apology for the delays.
The tour had gone in a circle of sorts, from his office to the factory floor where potions were produced, then up to the testing areas where witches and wizards worked happily to ensure the quality of each potion met standards. Then they moved on to bottling where everything was carefully labelled and dated and then back around to the hallway with offices. Hermione was pleasantly surprised that Draco's office was located in the same area as the offices of his other managerial staff.

The tour had ended at her own office. Draco opened the door for her and revealed an office very similar to his own, minus the liquor cabinet and the addition of filing cabinets on the back wall either side of a large window which looked out onto a lake which, judging from the way the sun shone directly into her office at that time of the evening, Hermione had surmised must have a beautiful view of the sunset.
She had been given the job right away and told to take her time settling in.

That had been a week ago and today Hermione was receiving her first case from Malfoy. She apparated to the front door and walked in with a bright smile as she passed co-workers arriving for the start of their day too.
"Good morning Debbie" She chirped as she passed the delightful receptionist who had just set her own bag down.
"Morning Hermione. I'll bring some ice tea by shortly if you'd like?" Debbie offered with a bright smile
"You are a star Debs" Hermione called back delighted as she headed up the marble steps hearing her newest friend laugh softly at the new nickname.
Walking into her office Hermione was stopped by a gentle hand placed on her elbow. She turned surprised to see Malfoy leaning out of his own door to catch her arm "Soon as you have a moment I need you in here please" He instructed before letting her go and retreating back into his office leaving the door open.
"I'll be in soon as I leave my things down" Hermione called after him gently before going into her office. She did exactly as she said, left her bag down next to the desk, tossed her coat over the bucket chair Debbie usually sat in for their morning ice tea and turned on her heel to report to her boss for her first case.

When Hermione entered the office Draco was sitting back at his desk with his head down looking at paperwork "Close the door" He instructed without looking up, his voice was gentle but slightly distracted.
Hermione nodded and shut the door before walking over and taking a seat in front of his desk, waiting quietly for him to finish what he was reading. It was now that Hermione realised Draco looked like he hadn't gone home. He had the same shirt from the day before and his hair showed obvious signs of being constantly ruffled by an agitated hand through the hair. Frowning Hermione watched her boss as Draco sighed and sat back.
"We may have a problem." He said as he handed the file to Hermione. "I'm being sued." He stood and turned to look out his window while Hermione read the file.
Hearing that Draco was being sued she was surprised but kept calm reading over the file and going into her problem solving mode. As she read her brow furrowed "There's no case here." she stated looking up "I mean there is for you, if they pursue this you can counter sue for defamation of character."
Draco turned looking at her shocked "Defamation of character? Granger you know better than anyone that they are not wrong how can they be countersued when I am not being wrongly accused here. They're right."
Hermione shook her head "No they state you are not were so they are wrong."
Draco scoffed and ripped up the sleeve on his left arm showing the branding he received during the war "Then what's this Granger? A freaking tattoo?" He sighed slamming his sleeve back down turning away again.
"It's evidence of what you endured. I have my own mark if you recall" She stated calmly, her eyebrow raising when she noticed her boss flinch at the mention of the mark his aunt had given her. "You WERE a Death Eater, you are not currently one. You sat your trial, you did your time and you were pardoned."
Draco sighed and sank into his chair looking at Hermione with apologetic eyes "I wouldn't have been if not for you and Potter."
Hermione gave him a small smile "You may have been a git, but you were no Death Eater. Not really." She smiled softly as he looked at her with a look she never thought she would see on Draco Malfoy's face. Gratitude. Genuine, Honest Gratitude.
Draco nodded once and pointed at the file "Well I guess you have your first case, though it was not exactly what I had in mind."
Hermione nodded and asked "Was there another one you needed me to look into?"
Draco nodded and pointed at another folder "Just a small shipping thing but it can wait."
"Nonsense I can do both" Hermione said stubbornly as she picked up the other folder.
"Always happiest buried in your work" Draco joked lightly with a grin "Very well. Thank you Granger I will sleep better knowing you have this in hand."
Hermione nodded and said "Speaking of sleep, you look like you could use some. If its not too bold maybe I could suggest you go get some rest? Perhaps Mr Zabini can oversee things for a while?" Blaise was the VP and Hermione was sure Draco's best friend would agree that he needed to get some sleep.
Draco nodded and sighed "Good idea. I'll talk to him before I head out."

Hermione headed back to her office just in time to meet Debbie who was coming with a tray of iced tea and cakes.
"Good timing I see" Debbie joked softly. Debbie was a lovely young woman, with silvery blonde hair and a model like figure. Debbie had attended Beauxbatons and her accent was very similar to that of Fleur Delacour who had married Bill Weasley five years ago, just before Hermione went on the run with Harry and Ron. Debbie had perfect english and had been working for Malfoy ever since finishing her education three years ago. Hermione had learnt a lot about the delightful young woman during their talks.
"Wonderful as always Debs."