Only You (Hiatus)

Six

The next morning Hermione made her way down to Malone's cafe to meet with Síofra. She was going to accept the job, she had nothing else lined up and something made her feel good about Tír na nÓg, it was a peaceful store.

Walking into Malone's Hermione was met with a familiar scent of pastries and smiled seeing a sign saying, Fresh this morning from O'Neill's, she glanced out the window at the bakery across the street smiling as she saw the name was indeed O'Neill's.
"Hermione" came the delightful voice of Síofra who was sitting in the corner with a bright smile
"Morning Síofra" Hermione greeted as she joined the woman.
"I ordered a coffee but wasn't sure what you might want so I didnt order on your behalf" Síofra explained quickly as the barista came their way with a coffee and a cinnamon roll.
"Oh thats perfect I wasnt sure what I wanted either" Hermione admitted as she settled in her seat.
As the man left down the order in front of Síofra he asked politely "can I get you anything miss?"
"Could I get a croissant and a tea please" Hermione requested softly earning a nod as he went to get her order.

When they were both settled Síofra took out the contract she had written up and passed it to Hermione. "Take a look and tell me what you think" she said softly "take your time I dont want to rush you"
Hermione took the contract and nodded as she started to read it. Everything was looking good. She was being promised a minimum of 20 hrs a week at €13 an hour. She wouldn't get paid for more than 3 sick days, but she wasnt limited to a set number of sick days. If she was sick she was sick it couldnt be helped. She was also being promised 25 days holidays a year that must be taken between Jan 1st and Dec 31st each year. She finished reading and smiled "Síofra this is a very reasonable contract I really appreciate it."
"Oh stop its nothing special" Síofra chuckled"so what do you think?"
Hermione smiled and asked "do you have a pen?"
Síofra nodded laughing and handing the pen to Hermione who smiled and signed it.
Síofra chuckled "well then welcome to the Tír na nÓg team" she took the contract and pen signing her name and said "I'll photocopy this and give you a copy of your contract when you start. So, I wanna give ya time to settle into town so I think if you come in on Monday at say 10? We can go over the basics of the job"
Hermione smiled and nodded "sounds good."

The two women had settled down into a casual conversation when the door opened and Síofra beamed "Oh I just got an idea, what if we go to Kelly's tonight? Its the local pub." Hermione nodded her mouth full of croissant "awesome" Síofra said before waving to someone behind Hermione and calling out "Hey Drake are you playing Kelly's tonight?"
Hermione tensed a little hearing who Síofra spoke too but covered it quickly, silently praying Draco wouldnt come over to them.
"Yeah as usual" he called back to her with a friendly kind of tone that surprised Hermione.
"Great. Come here I want you to meet my newest employee" Síofra said excited and Hermione swallowed a sigh as she turned and once again silver met gold.
"Morning Granger" Draco greeted his face and tone neutral.
"Morning Malfoy" she replied also being neutral before looking back at Síofra who spoke up "You know each other?"
"We went to the same school" Draco answered as he paid for his coffee
"That's fantastic" Síofra exclaimed surprising them both "Hermione could be your roommate!"
Hermione choked on her croissant and Draco nearly dropped his coffee while Síofra was simply beaming as though she solved the biggest problem in town "it will be perfect. Hermione is looking for a place and Drake is looking for a roommate to split bills"
Hermione shook her head as she tried to recover and choked out "no no I'm seeing somewhere today I'll be fine"
Draco composed himself and said "I have to go" and walked out with Síofra waving after him and calling out "think about it Drake"
When Draco was gone Síofra looked to Hermione with a smirk "So why is it not the best idea? You already know each other"
Hermione shuffled uncomfortably "we um didnt exactly get along" she wouldnt say anything to make Draco look bad in this new life since he seems to be really different here but she also couldnt find a way to get around admitting at least a little truth.
"How could you two not get along?" Síofra snorted as she laughed "you are both so smart and so kind there is no way you two were at odds"
Hermione blinked she couldnt stop staring in shock at what Síofra just said. Draco. Kind?
"Was it a rivalry over good grades? Drake did say he had a hard time keeping up with a girl who had the top grades in class" Síofra asked as she thought about what she knows of Drake.
Hermione blushed and nodded "you could say that"
Síofra chuckled "Then the rivalry is over. You arent in school competing for grades anymore you have different skills and different lives. You can learn to get along"
Hermione shuffled uncomfortably again and shook her head "I dono Síofra. I can just check out the place later and it'll be fine. I dont need to room with Malfoy."
Síofra raised an eyebrow "you two use last names huh? Well in time I think you will both see that I am right. You'd make a good pair."
Hermione gulped her drink and looked at the contract she had just signed. Síofra might not let this go which means as much as she hates the idea, she will have to talk to Draco at Kelly's tonight, hopefully without being seen.