Hermione was speechless. She was feeling a mixture between anger and sadness all at the same time. Was she THAT repulsive?
“Of course I declined.” Kendrina said, like it was an obvious fact.
“But I want to get to the root of this problem. If it has gotten to this point, then I’m going to have to intervene.”
Hermione secretly felt relief, even though she was angry at him.
“Ms. Granger, I really do think you two need more time together. I can’t have my workers acting like this. We are a team.”
“Ms. Harwick, I honestly had no idea he felt that strongly about wanting to change. We were getting a long pretty decently.”
Kendrina sighed.
“Yes, I thought so, too. The reason I denied him is something you should know, though, Granger. If YOU hadn’t asked to be switched at the beginning of the case, I might have actually switched him. But the thing is, I have reason to believe this is just based off of some silly grudge back from your school days, and not a legitimate problem.” She said.
“Ms. Harwick, with all due respect, why didn’t you change me?” She asked curiously.
“I told you, Granger. I didn’t change you because I thought that you could handle it. We aren’t little children zooming around on toy broomsticks and licking acid pops, this is the real wizarding world. You’re BOTH going to have to get used to it. I suggest you have a discussion with Mr. Malfoy about this, if you know where to find him. I’ve given him tomorrow off so he can clear his thoughts, so I’d go see him then if you value your job.”
Hermione didn’t know if she should be thrilled or offended, but either way, she had to talk to Malfoy.
“Of course, Ms. Harwick. I’ll make arrangements.” She said uncertainly.
She knew she wasn’t going to go see him. She’d probably send him an owl. If she showed up at the Malfoy Manor, she’d definitely be seen as out of place. She shuddered when she thought of all the things she went through there. It wasn’t a comforting feeling.
“If you have no questions, I’ll be returning to my work, now.” Kenrina said.
Hermione headed for the door, thinking about what she was going to say to him. She was going to be hard on him. No one kisses her, then runs away like a coward.
“Ms. Granger?” Kendrina said just as Hermione was about to leave.
“Yes?” Hermione turned to her.
“I like you. Don’t mess this up.”
Hermione took it as a compliment. Kendrina didn’t like anyone. She clearly favored Hermione over the boys, but not by much. Kendrina wasn’t exactly a compassionate sort of person. When it came right down to it, she was a very blunt, cold sort of person. Hermione liked her well enough. She was strict, but working for her would pay off in the long run.
Hermione exited, her mind going in all sorts of directions. She was thinking about Kendrina, then she was thinking about Harry and Ginny, then she went back to the kiss. It was her most revisited thought. She really didn’t understand what was wrong with her.
“Hermione!” Harry and Ron shouted at the same time as the scrambled over to her.
“What did she say?” Ron asked anxiously.
“You’re not in trouble, are you?” Harry inquired.
Hermione sighed and waved off their concerns.