Fixing what you broke

Chapter 4: Mistakes

Theo owled.

Of course he did.

He was a perfectly wonderful, charming, good looking and appropriate wizard for her to fall for… so she wasn’t excited about him. She didn’t think NEVER was an appropriate term… but certainly not now. It just wasn’t a good time for her…

She dodged a couple of well meaning owls asking her for another date and they eventually stopped coming.

It was official… no one wanted Hermione Granger.

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Hermione was headed to the Auror office and her mind was with the Dragons currently being crossbred, skinned and caged in Romania. The Sanctuary there was incapable of handling anymore Dragons and the poachers and breeders were taking full advantage. England needed to step up and take drastic responsibility but she wasn’t sure where exactly they could house a Dragon Sanctuary… or secure the funds for one.

She was idly reading through a report on the welfare of the Dragons under their current breeding captivity when she walked straight into someone.

“Oh, forgive me,” she looked up to find Theo Nott standing there in the middle of the office, dashing as ever and grinning at her like a fool, “Theo!” she smiled back at him.

“Well, I’ve rarely had to succumb to stalking a witch to get a second date, but here we are,” he leaned down and gave her a casual kiss on the cheek.

“Oh, stop that! What on earth are you doing here?” she said brightly.

“He’s here with me,” a familiar drawl caused her smile to fade rather quickly and her head whipped around. He was tan again.

She gulped.

“Malfoy,” she greeted flatly, “I didn’t know you worked with Malfoy, Theo,” she smiled again and began walking towards the conference room.

“Ay, someone’s gotta keep the man on his toes. He does the curse breaking, dark magic, bad wizard work… I handle… well, all the boring bits. Isn’t that right?” he looked at Malfoy with a jolly expression. Was he really in Slytherin?

“Well, I’m heading to a meeting now, but I’ll catch up with you soon,” she smiled and attempted a casual wave at the pair of them.

“You know, I’ve heard that before…” She stopped and turned as Theo spoke to her. She watched as Draco’s jaw clenched and his body tensed just a step behind Theo, “I’m still waiting on the second date,” Theo grinned.  

“It wasn’t a date though, was it Nott? I thought you said you just shagged her,” Malfoy said in a monotone voice.

“Malfoy!” Theo paled, “What on earth has gotten into you,” Theo elbowed his friend, “Your mother would slap you for speaking in front of a lady like that,” Nott was genuinely affronted, “I didn’t say that, Granger. I said we never had a proper date,” he made a flat face at Malfoy and continued, “And I would still love to take you on that date… Are you free tonight?”