What I Deserve

The Unfortunate Incident

The office seemed like it was going to be a quiet work day. Draco had arrived early and had even gotten my coffee without me asking. 

"DRACO MALFOY! DID I NOT FORBID YOU FROM USING THE FAMILY BANK TRUST! HOW DARE YOU DELIBERATELY DEFY MY ORDERS AND PURCHASE AN APARTMENT! I'VE CONTACTED THE OWNER! YOU ARE NOT TO LIVE IN THAT APARTMENT WITH MY MONEY!" 

Hermione could not help but laugh. Draco undoubtedly heard her. 

"Did I hear you laugh?" 

Hermione pursed her lips. "It is laughable to be the age of 23 and still receiving howlers from your mum." 

Draco closed the door. "Look, this is not funny okay? Had I known it was a howler, I would have shooed the owl away!" 

Hermione giggled. 

"This is serious!" Draco exclaimed. "I have nowhere to live, and this job pays impossibly low for me to afford anything!" 

I caught on and stopped. Before I could stop myself, I started talking. "Look, I have an extra room and space. You can live with me while you search for a cheaper apartment." 

Draco looked at me. "And live with you? It's already bad seeing you at work everyday, and now you want me to live with you?" 

Draco smirked and leaned over the desk, his hand braced on it. "Are you falling in love with me, Granger?" 

I pushed him off my desk. "I am trying to be a decent human being, alright? If you want to live on the street, be my guest! 

*

As I opened the door to my house, I couldn't stop thinking about what kind of trick the universe was playing on me. How could I be so stupid? Letting this man into my house? Kill me now. Draco looked around, as he had never been in a muggle neighborhood. "So this is what mud- I mean muggle apartments look like."

We got in and I gave him a small little tour. "This is the living room, there's a TV and couch, the kitchen is on our left, down the hall is a bathroom and two bedrooms, and the last door down take and left is my library. Make yourself comfortable. Oh, and your room is first room on your right."

He left to his room without a word. I smacked myself in the head as I flopped down on the bed. I closed my eyes for a bit a realized I had to get dinner started, I was cooking for two again. I got up and walked down the hall to the kitchen, but not before I bumped into Draco and his abs. I fell back, disgusted (not really) about touching his bare chest, but he caught me midair before I could hit the ground and sustain an injury. His face was less that inches away from mine and I could've sworn his eyes dilated. Before we could do anything, he dropped me and I fell onto the ground. "Don't get any images in your head, Granger. You may be my boss and my helpful savior, but it doesn't mean I'll start being kind. That's only at work. Be prepared to see a whole new me." I laid foolishly on the ground as made his way into the bathroom. Yep, still a jerk.

I stood in the kitchen remembering all the times Ron and I made meals together, most of those meals bring chicken, and I couldn't help but feel a tear drop from my eyes. Now I'm here with a person who probably still loathes me, and I'm all alone. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I decided on quick and easy delivered pizza.

"What kind of pizza is this?" Draco complained. "The cheese is rubbish and the crust is too thick."

Baffled, I took the plate away. "Well then don't eat it." He took the plate back from my hands.

"I don't want to starve," he complained again, and reluctantly chewed the pizza down.

After dinner, I went to my room to change into my night clothes when I found Ron's t-shirt tucked into the back of my drawer. I picked it up and threw it in the garbage. "Wow," said Draco from the door. "You must still be pissed at him."

"Go away," I said.

"Oh no, don't get me wrong," he said. "I'm just here until I can find my own place. Don't start falling for me, Granger, because you will get hurt. I could never be with a muggle."

I walked up to him. "You know, I never had to offer you that job. I didn't have to offer you a place to stay."

"No," he said, closing he gap between us "No you didn't. But you're kind, Granger, that's what you are. And kindness blinds your judgement. I only said yes because it benefits me, so don't go thinking I'll be happy and grateful for what you did. You did that all on your own. Don't expect any kind of payment from me. I may be kind in the office, but this is also my place now, and I'm going to be whatever I want to be here." He was right up against me now, and I did my best not to back down from his eyes. "Don't go thinking you're special," he whispered. "I know you've always liked me." 

I chuckled. "Yeah, that's probably why I punched you in third year." His smirk was wiped off his face as he leaned in close enough for me to smell his breath.

"I take that's as a challenge, Granger," He whispered in my ear. He walked away, but not before slapping a smirk on his face.

I called Ginny that night, spilled all the tea, and then made her swear not to tell anyone. She promised, which reassured me I made the right decision telling her.

I laid in bed thinking what he meant. Challenge? A question never baffled me as much as this one. What does Malfoy want with me? Is he nice or mean? Thoughts and questions filled my dreams with wonder as I drifted to a sleep I didn't wish to wake from.