Sour Grapes

Chapter 30 - An Invitation

Hermione sat, once again, at her desk at the Ministry with a vacant expression on her face. It was Thursday morning and nothing much was being accomplished where her work duties were concerned. In fact, she couldn't remember the last time she had had a truly successful day at work in the last few weeks. The drama of her life had been taking precedence over anything DMLE related, and she could feel multiple deadlines beginning to creep up on her.

Having said that, nothing much was being accomplished where her personal life was concerned either. She had skipped the usual dinner at Harry's after her meeting with Luna, and had gone home to think instead. All the thinking in the world, however, had not calmed her tumultuous mind.

Draco Malfoy had been in love with her since they were young? It was a claim she could not lay any evidence to. All of her evidence proved the opposite, in fact, and yet Luna had been sure.

Luna Lovegood... a witch famous for being sure of fantasies.

"Nonsense. Utter nonsense," Hermione tried to tell herself for the millionth time, ignoring the sense of hope that had been bubbling up inside her ever since that conversation. Shaking her head, she began shuffling through the paperwork on her desk, grasping for something concrete to ground her.

The transom above her door opened to admit a flying memo, and Hermione looked up with a grimace.

What now?

She unfolded the paper and her eyes nearly fell out of her skull.

Astoria Greengrass here to see you, shall I send her back?

What. In. The. World.

Hermione's heart started pounding as a mixture of hatred and guilt washed over her.

Suddenly, there was a commotion out in the hall.

"Ms. Greengrass I must insist that you wait until I receive a response from Ms. Granger!"

"And what are you? Her personal guard? I won't be long, and I suspect that if we wait for a reply it shall never come, don't you know who I am? Now, are you going to physically restrain me or shall I simply knock on her door and ask her myself if she'll permit me inside?"

"No need to point your wand at me, madam, I am simply doing my job!"

At this, Hermione walked quickly to the door and wrenched it open. Both women were staring daggers at one another, though Astoria looked far more menacing and in control of herself than her secretary did.

"Artemis! It's fine, I am available," Hermione said in a shaky voice, not yet looking at Astoria directly and trying desperately to steady her breathing. The harassed witch tugged her robes down angrily in an effort to straighten them, and with a grunt, turned on her heel and strode back to her desk.

"H- hello Astoria, please come in," Hermione said, standing back to allow the witch entry. Her mind was spinning.

Was she about to be confronted about her relationship with Draco? Had he told Astoria? Hermione shook with anticipation, feeling as though she might lose what little breakfast she'd eaten.

"Thank you, Hermione," Astoria said cordially as she floated gracefully into the room and seated herself in the chair across from Hermione's desk. Hermione shut the door and crossed back to sit in her own chair.

"I'm sure I'm the last person you expected to see, however, I have a few matters to discuss with you and after multiple attempts at drafting owls to you, I determined it would be best if we spoke in person."