Chapter 5
July 5, 2018
Hermione trudged home from work, cursing House Speaker Dumbledore, Majority Leader McGonagall and all of their staffers who decided it’d be a good idea to come back to pass a budget deal the day after the Fourth of July.
Votes, as they were on all days when members flew in, were postponed until 6:30pm. But with Hermione being the only person besides Remus who was in the office that day, she was asked to stay until votes and Rep. Potter’s Energy and Commerce Committee markup finished, which meant it was now 9:30pm.
The only consolation was that Remus bought her dinner; unlike other days, she didn’t even try to pretend that she wanted to pay her own way. With Lee and Tonks ‘out sick’ in addition to Penelope, Dorcas, Frank, and Caradoc out on planned vacations… she deserved free food.
It was also Pansy’s first day working for Draco, and Hermione hoped the girl had gotten out of the office much sooner than she did. Knowing how Draco liked to treat his staff, she was sure he did.
And she hadn’t even seen Draco since Friday; it was now Thursday. The man had flown home on a redeye Saturday morning, knowing he had to be in the district for the Republican glory fest that was Independence Day, but wanting to see her before he left. They’d spent their sixth day together, this time, watching a movie and eating Domino’s.
It was her favorite date with him so far, spent seeing his fun and dare she say normal side. It was nice to know he had sweatpants, well, as close as lululemon joggers came to sweatpants, in his closet and knew how to shove a slice of pizza in his mouth without cutting it with a fork and knife.
For whatever reason, seeing him like that made him certain that this could work despite all of the circumstances surrounding them that this awful Thursday had made so clear.
The House needed to pass the 12 appropriations bills necessary to fund the government and its agencies by July 9th, and they were already cutting it close with voting on July 5 as the Senate still would need to vote on the bills once they passed the House. And, of course, after that, President Shacklebolt would need to sign the bills.
Otherwise? The government would shutdown, which would mark the first shutdown since 1943. The national news was already inciting panic over the possibility as this was the closest the federal government had cut it since the ‘43 catastrophe.
Hermione’d spent the past two weeks fielding calls from people who were angry that the government wasn’t funded and crying people who were terrified of a shutdown after watching Fox and WWN.
Without the government funded, she knew just how many people’s lives would change, even if it was for only a few days.
New and replacement Social Security cards wouldn’t be issued; people who needed help wouldn’t receive it.
VA call centers and hotlines wouldn’t be functioning; veterans wouldn’t be able to call when they were in need or on the brink of doing something unthinkable and reversible.
Housing loans wouldn’t be processed. Federal loans to small businesses would cease.
TSA agents and air traffic controllers would work without pay, almost certainly throwing the entirety of the air travel industry into havoc within two days of a shutdown.
Those receiving federal food assistance would likely see changes in their ability to buy groceries.
So yes; Hermione knew how important it was to fund the government, which is why she couldn’t believe that Frank didn’t change his vacation plans when his wife was a cruise executive who could very well book a trip with the snap of her fingers. And for Tonks, James’ godforsaken communications staffer not to come in because she was hungover after the Fourth of July, leaving Hermione to write a press release on the actions of her own boyfriend?
She was going to lose her shit.
So yeah, the day had been awful starting with the publication of a press release from one Congressman Draco Malfoy at 10am.
Draco had blown the entire appropriations process up with a report detailing the allocation of money to pet projects in districts across the country. The problem, of course, being that every dollar hidden in the 12 government funding bills were for Democrats’ districts.
$2.3 million for the creation of a Boston Red Sox Museum in House Speaker Dumbledore’s district.
$1.9 million towards the highway connecting Universal Studios, Seaworld and Disney in Rep. Milana Thomas’ district.
$750k to refurbish a single entryway to Grand Canyon National Park in Rep. Alastor Moody’s district.
$9.7 million towards a defense contractor in Rep. Aurora Sinistra’s Houston-area district.
And, of course, $17.6 million to Owl’s newly created Seattle headquarters in Rep. James Potter’s district.
Immediately after Draco’s report was released, House Minority Leader Corban Yaxley, a Republican from Texas, released a statement that all House Republicans would vote against each of the 12 appropriations bills when they were slated to be on the floor later that day.
And, to make things even better, the fiscally-conservative Blue Dog Coalition among the House Democrats released a statement an hour after that that they’d all be voting against the bill.
So no, Hermione had not had a good day.
The worst part was that she couldn’t pinpoint what she was most mad at. Was it the fact that the government likely wasn’t going to be funded? That her and Remus shouldered the brunt of James’ anger, the press emails that Tonks had autoforwarded to Remus’ inbox, the threats coming in from people around the country over the audacity of James trying to ‘sneak money for a wealthy corporation into the bill?’
Or was it the fact that she talked to Draco on the phone yesterday before going to bed, the sound of fireworks popping over the Charlotte, North Carolina sky in the background of the call as he was driven home in an Uber, and he said nothing? That she was caught completely off guard in his obliteration of bipartisan cooperation, and now her boss was caught up in a scandal for the first time in his long career.
Of course, there was the fact that earmarks were always in bills. The millions for national parks in Marcus Flint’s Montana district? The millions for military bases across the country in GOP districts? Universities? Private companies? Defense contractors?
It was just that Draco had brought attention to it for God knows what reason, causing people who were now only getting into politics ahead of the midterm election to get angry and cry corruption.
Hermione couldn’t help but be frustrated because there was nothing she could do to explain to people who didn’t understand historical context, but chose to wail about the first perceived injustice they came across. It was easier that way, of course; to see government funding as something sinister and corrupt. Sure, she didn’t see the need for a Red Sox museum.
But Owl, which was one of the top private companies providing jobs in the entire nation? Why wouldn’t the government provide assistance to them?
Like Remus had said earlier when James was screaming in his office, door open so Hermione could hear, there was no use talking sense to people who didn’t understand and didn’t want to be proven wrong.
So she stomped home, wondering how the hell she was going to talk to Pansy about this. How she was going to reply to the text Draco had sent 40 minutes ago asking if she was home yet.
Feeling much like a teen in a sitcom heading home to confess to her parents after doing something awful, Hermione took a deep breath before unlocking the door and walking inside. She knew she was prone to fits of emotion, and Pansy didn’t deserve her ire.
“Sis?” Pansy called over the noise of the TV.
“One sec,” Hermione shouted back, letting out a sigh as she took off her heels.
She’d been wearing them all day, having traded off with Remus on who was accompanying James to the Capitol for votes and leadership meetings.
Since Tonks wasn’t there to record any questions he was asked by the press like she normally did during contentious voting days, they had to do it. It was eye opening for Hermione, and made it even more clear that she hated political communications.
Even though she wanted nothing more than to run upstairs and change into pajamas, she went into the family room to see Pansy.
“Go change!” Pansy shooed her off immediately. “You look close to death.”
“Thanks,” Hermione snorted, turning right around and going to put on a pair of her father’s old sweatpants and one of Harry’s fraternity shirts that declared her a Fiji for the world to see.
“What do you need?” Pansy asked, swirling wine in her glass and looking concerned as she muted the TV.
She shrugged, taking a shuddering breath as she sat on the couch and tried not to cry.
“C’mere,” Pansy cooed in the gentle voice she only ever used in private, crawling across the long leather sofa until she could pull Hermione into a hug.
Yeah, now she was crying.
“Want me to quit? I don’t think I like having a job anyways, but I can do it in your name,” Pansy asked, causing Hermione to laugh through her tears.
“You’ve worked one day!” Hermione croaked, sounding like a monster who’d been pulled from a long sleep in a pile of mud through her tears.
“Hated it. Did you know they make me sit at the front desk? An intern even asked if I’d proofread something for them. What do I look like to these people?”
Hermione laughed at that, resting her head on Pansy’s shoulder.
“Did James lose his shit?”
“Rep. Potter,” she corrected.
“I fucked his son, I think I can call his dad James.”
“Ew,” Hermione replied, scrunching up her nose. “That’s why you hate him?”
“Oh no,” Pansy shook her head. “He didn’t tell me his parents were coming in from Seattle even though he convinced me to stay the night in their lovely rowhome in Dupont Circle.
“I really, really think I can call him James after the man insisted on me staying for bagels after seeing his fully naked son fucking me into the kitchen counter as they opened the door to their home after a cross-country redeye.”
“Oh. My. Gosh.” Hermione’s jaw was nearly on the floor. “They… saw?”
“Oh, they saw everything. And Harry thought it prudent to let them know who my family was during our family breakfast.”
“Lily definitely told him you were wife material,” Hermione laughed.
“You think I don’t know when he texted me asking me to grab lunch with his grandparents before he left?”
“Oh, Harry.”
“So now you know, which is clearly a testament to how awful and pitiful you look. Has Draco messaged you?”
Hermione nodded, handing over her phone.
“Why didn’t you reply? He literally asked if you’re home, it’s not that hard to say yes.”
“One, I wasn’t home. Two, I am pissed at him! He’s blown everything up and I had the worst day of my life because of it.”
“I hardly think this is the worst day of your life,” Pansy replied, giving Hermione the tough love she hated. The girl made it her life’s mission to lead Hermione off whatever emotional ledge she found herself on, even though it was a thankless job.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m annoyed with him, and any conversation we have via text isn’t going to do anything but irritate me further.”
“That’s very mature of you, but also not realistic. You need to text him back after you think through whether or not this is going to work, Hermione. This is the first, but not the last time he’s going to piss you off professionally.”
“I know that,” she replied defensively, getting an eye roll for her efforts.
“I’m not kidding you. I’m not infantilizing you, but you haven’t dated. I have dated, a lot, which is no surprise to you. It’s hard dating Democrats for me; once you get past your honeymoon phase and realize that there are very real differences in what you believe… that’s when the cracks show. All I’m telling you is that this is just the first battle of a relationship long war, only this is personal and professional warfare with your significant other.”
Hermione nodded. Pansy was right, of course.
“I think it’s been easy to pretend politics don’t exist outside of conversation, you know? We’ve talked about his family, about votes, about events, but it hasn’t been personal. Just… surface-level conversations about topics, not about our feelings or beliefs behind them. Kind of just polite conversation, you know? It’s like I didn’t want to break the ice yet.”
“He clearly doesn’t either; we both know he’s dated Democrats. There’s a reason those relationships don’t work out for most inter-party couples.”
“I know that! But putting all of those very real issues surrounding our beliefs and values and thoughts on human dignity aside, right now I’m just annoyed that he didn’t tell me what he was doing. Then I find myself pulling back; do I even have the right to be mad at him over this?”
“You want my honest answer?”
Pansy was being far too nice, which had Hermione very aware that she must look more frazzled than she thought.
“Always. You’re the only one who’s ever honest with me, and the only one who even knows about this.”
“He doesn’t need to tell you shit about his work. At the end of the day, you two are just dating without any formality. I don’t know how to say this softly, really, but you’ve been together less than a month, you are literally nothing in the grand scheme of a 40-year-old man’s life.
“You know? His life is service; the name Malfoy basically means serving the people of North Carolina. If he made the decision to blast House Democrats and basically ensure a government shutdown that will hurt people in his district, I’m pretty sure he had an important reason behind it.”
Pansy was right, the truth did hurt. But she didn’t push back, because there was nothing to push back on. His job came first until they were at the point when she did, if that point ever came. But right now, her goal was to figure out if she could bear waiting for that time where she knew without a doubt that she was first to him. Or at least tied for first with his work for the people he served.
“Did he… how was work?”
“All I was told was that he needed his schedule cleared, then his communications chick Gemma had me add a bunch of phone interviews with journalists and one tonight with Rita Skeeter.”
“Ew.”
“Ew is right. Skeeter’s staffer was a total bitch too, not that I’m surprised. He’ll be on at 10:03pm with her, if you want to watch.”
Hermione checked her phone. 9:53.
“I do,” she agreed.
“Why don’t you text him back before he goes on?” Pansy asked gently. “Just tell him you had a long day and you’re now home and going to sleep.”
Hermione nodded. She didn’t want to be the cause of his nerves before he went on one of the highest rated shows in television. Not that Hermione understood how people watched Skeeter’s garbage, of course.
Hermione: Just got home, had a really long day. Talk tomorrow. Have a good night.
“This okay?”
Pansy let out a noise. “Aw, give him an exclamation point or he’s going to come bang down the door.”
“He doesn’t deserve one!”
“Then you need to stop using them so much, girl. Any text you send without an exclamation point shows you’re either pissed or had your phone stolen and someone’s impersonating you.”
Hermione laughed. “Okay, there. Good?”
“Good, send it so he can not look like a manic, worried daddy on air.”
“Stop calling him that!” Hermione squeaked, face red.
Her phone pinged almost immediately with a text from Draco.
“Open it!” Pansy replied, poking Hermione’s side, but not stealing her phone. Never let it be said the girl didn’t have some self control.
Draco: I’m sorry to cause you stress, sweetheart. Did you eat dinner? When do you have to leave for work tomorrow?
Hermione replied immediately. It was dangerous, the way that even seeing the word sweetheart in a text caused her to melt into a puddle.
Hermione: Not just your fault, but I appreciate it. Remus bought dinner for us. Will leave at 8am.
Draco: Okay. Thank you for letting me know you’re home and fed. I’m meeting with James tomorrow for lunch; please let me know what you’d like to eat and I’ll bring enough for your office.
Hermione: Will do. Goodnight!
Draco: Wishing you the sweetest of dreams, Hermione.
“I can’t tell if it’s sexy that he texts like an old man,” Pansy said from over Hermione’s shoulder.
“Stop! He’s sweet.” Hermione defended without thinking.
“Okay, sure.”
“Was Theo there today?” Hermione asked with a smirk, grateful to switch the conversation for a few minutes.
“Absolutely was, he looked like the fat cat that got the canary every time he came to the front office. The water culligan is near my desk, I think he may have peed 15 times today with how many times he refilled his water.”
“How progressive, Republicans with refillable water bottles,” Hermione smiled, knowing she deserved the following flick on her arm from Pansy. “But that’s sweet… kind of dangerous, no?”
“Coworkers fuck all of the time,” Pansy shrugged.
“Didn’t you say you were looking for a husband?”
“We’re just innocent, young babies, Hermione. I’m not looking to get married today, but it’s better to keep an eye on Theo from up close and be able to share the story of how we worked together and fell in love slowly at our wedding. It’s very believable and will play well in the papers.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“Smart and forward-thinking, you mean.”
“That too,” Hermione agreed.
“This bitch,” Pansy groaned as Rita Skeeter’s top-rated 10pm show on Fox News began. “Not even papa can deal with her, she’s awful.”
Thankfully, the woman’s normally scathing and newsmaking introductory segment was kept short so that she could cut to Draco.
“He looks good,” Hermione muttered.
“He’s far too good looking to be a politician. It’s not really fair to anyone else running against him in his district or future leadership elections. Hot people always win. Now listen.”
Pansy unmuted as Draco came onto the screen.
“Joining us live from the United States Capitol is Congressman Draco Malfoy. Despite the late hour, he’s working hard and here to keep our Fox News viewers informed. Thank you for joining us tonight for an exclusive interview.”
“My pleasure,” Draco nodded.
“Let’s dive straight in... what a report you released this morning outlining the egregious and self-promoting additions to this year’s appropriations bills! Why don’t you fill our viewers in on what exactly you’ve discovered, Congressman Malfoy?”
“Of course. This week, the House of Representatives is voting on the 12 bills that would fund the government through September 30 of 2019. Unfortunately, we’re left in a bad spot as we have only passed stopgap funding measures since October 1 of last year, when we were supposed to pass a bill to fund the entire fiscal year and keep the government running. Now the clock is running out before this short-term measure, or continuing resolution, expires on July 9.
“Due to indulgent personal spending measures hidden in these funding bills by Democratic authors, it looks like the government might shut down in addition to us not passing fiscal year 2019 funding, which is very literally the role of the Congress.”
“What a way with words you have, Congressman. I’m sure our viewers found that very helpful. Now, tell us more about these spending measures Speaker Dumbledore and his band of miscreants have tried to hide from the American people.”
“I don’t know if I’d go that far, Rita, but I was appalled to find pet projects, or earmarks, for Democrats’ districts as we went through the bill. What is curious to my staff and I, or especially shameful, if you will, is that many of these spending measures included are set to go to districts that Democrats are worried about losing in the upcoming midterm elections.
“That includes millions in projects for Congressman Alastor Moody’s Arizona district, Congresswoman Dorcas Meadowes’ Illinois district, and Congresswoman Aurora Sinistra’s Texas district, not to mention funds for Speaker Dumbledore and his leadership team’s districts as well. The fact that Speaker Dumbledore tried to sneak these unnecessary expenditures in, as though funding a Boston Red Sox museum is as critical as providing much-needed funding to serve the veteran community in my hometown of Charlotte and around the country, is just sickening. It’s a gut punch to the American taxpayer who elected us to steward their hard-earned dollars well.”
“Oh, it is… This surprises none of our loyal viewers; we continue to provide updates on Dumbledore’s malfeasance and potentially criminal behavior. What now, congressman? How will we fund the government and hold the dirty dems accountable?”
“Again, ma’am, I don’t know if I’d cast stones at my colleagues on the other side of the aisle so quickly. Overspending is not partisan, and I’m highly certain members of my own party would do the same if we were in the House majority right now. I’m pleased to share that I’ll be meeting with a delegation of bipartisan members tomorrow afternoon to discuss a way forward. This will include a diverse cross-section of members, including those who serve on the appropriations committee and in Republican and Democratic leadership positions.”
“You heard it here first on How Rita Reads It, Congressman Draco Malfoy has formed a bipartisan coalition to try and fund the government while the clock continues to tick down and many are worried about what’s to come. Thank you for your time tonight, Congressman Malfoy. Please update us tomorrow on how your very critical meeting goes. The country is depending on your leadership.”
Draco smiled, “Of course, Rita. Thank you for having me.”
Pansy shut the TV off.
“He’s good,” Pansy said into the silence of the room.
“I could tell he doesn’t like Rita Skeeter,” Hermione offered. “He blinks his left eye before his right when he’s annoyed instead of closing them at the same time.”
“Weird. You need to go to sleep. You washed your hair last night, right?”
“Yes, mom.” Hermione replied, rolling her eyes.
“Just go to bed, I’ll come pick out your outfit while you’re getting comfy cozy.”
“What would Theo say if he knew you were such a mother hen?”
Pansy let out a bark of surprised laughter, throwing an arm around Hermione’s shoulder and pressing a sisterly kiss to her cheek.
“He’d cream his pants. Boys like that? His mother’s a total bitch, he practically floated back to his desk today after I told him to leave me alone.”
“There’s... a lot to unpack there.”
“Correct,” Pansy agreed. “That’s why we’re going to let our cute little love story build up for a bit until I’m ready to dig into his boxes.”
“And let him into yours,” Hermione piped up.
Pansy sighed. “And let him into mine. Brush your teeth, let’s go!”
Hermione fell asleep to Pansy’s gentle jibes about the sad state of her closet, knowing that her alarm would come far too soon the next morning.
xxx
Hermione’s 6:57am alarm felt like a punch in the face, not that she’d ever taken one, but it’s what she expected it felt like.
She woke up to a text from Draco, which wasn’t out of the ordinary. The man worked out at the Capitol Hill Orangetheory at 6 or 7am every morning depending on his schedule, and had gotten into the habit of texting her hello.
It was just… this morning, she didn’t quite want to talk to him just yet. Not when she could build up a false feeling of okayness that she certainly wouldn’t feel until they talked again.
Draco: Good morning, sweet girl. I hope you slept well. Please answer the door when someone rings.
Pansy yelled something unintelligible, clearly back and showered after her 5:30am Pure Barre class she tried to pay for Hermione to take with her. Not that Hermione would ever let her friend pay an extra $200 a month just so she didn’t have to work out alone; nothing sounded more absurd.
She trudged out of bed, making it dutifully before walking down the stairs in her pajamas.
“Girl,” Pansy called in a tone that was far too happy for the early hour.
“Hm?” Hermione groaned, sliding into the kitchen on her fuzzy socks.
“Your first apology present has arrived, and I have to say I’m a fan.”
“What?” Hermione asked, looking up at the counter.
“Your man bought us Bullfrog Bagels and Starbucks,” she smiled, body wrapped in a fuzzy emerald green robe and hair in a similarly colored towel as she dug through the bags. “And a frap for you and tea for me. I had no idea why Theo asked for my drink of choice last night, but here we are.”
Draco had sent a spread of half a dozen bagels and two types of cream cheese. Why was he always so thoughtful?
She voiced the thought and got a snort from Pansy who was loading up an everything bagel with veggie cream cheese.
“He’s your sugar daddy, he likes knowing you’re fed and happy. Especially when he’s the one making it happen.”
“That’s not a real thing,” Hermione rolled her eyes, grabbing a plain bagel and smearing on scallion cream cheese. Draco clearly remembered an obscure conversation they’d had where she brought up the merits of the green cream cheese, and not only that, but that Bullfrog Bagel had the heartiest scallions in its concoction of any DC bagel shop; it warmed her heart in a way that left it impossible to truly be mad at him.
“Oh, it’s a real thing, Hermione. And it’s your life. Draco Malfoy is rich as blazes, and he is your sugar daddy. Maybe just your daddy, honestly, Lord knows you have enough issues on that front.”
Hermione shot Pansy a hurt look at the low blow.
Pansy, for her part, looked guilty. “Ugh, I’m sorry, that was mean. Sometimes the words just slip out. But really… he clearly likes you a lot and knows how to treat his woman and her sister. Just text him thank you and let him know what you want for lunch.”
“It’s fine, you’re right,” Hermione replied. Not that he knows the extent of her familial issues, she thought to herself. It still was nowhere near the right time for that conversation.
Hermione: Thank you :) I can’t believe you remembered the scallion cream cheese…
She sent a photo of her uneaten bagel and frap, scallions clearly visible in the white cream cheese.
Draco: I’m so happy everything came, it’s the least I could do. The CC looks perfectly scallion-filled, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Hermione: Can confirm, I’m definitely into that sort of thing :) I’ll see you later.
Draco: What do you want for lunch? You’re not getting out of this.
Hermione: You and your food. So, Remus and I were the only ones in my office yesterday, everyone who didn’t already have off was ‘sick’ which is very convenient on July 5. Let me see how many people show up today before I decide, if that’s okay?
Draco: Whatever you need, sweetheart. Just let me know before 10am so I can have someone order.
Hermione: If that someone’s Pansy, make sure you explain how a tip works. She normally just adds $100 if she’s on the phone and someone is nice to her.
Draco: That’s why I hired her; good instincts.
Hermione: [Robert Downey Jr. eye roll gif]
Hermione: Rich people these days.
xxx
“Congressman Potter’s office, this is Hermione,” she answered, picking up on the first ring when she saw it was Draco’s office on the other line.
“Hey girl,” Pansy said, causing Hermione to smile as she thought about the way her friend would answer phones when evil constituents called. Hopefully their staff assistant would do that.
“Hi there,” Hermione replied.
“So, lunch? Draco said to call and speak to your chief about lunch for your team and to make it a surprise. So act like you don’t know anything. Still want Cava Mezze, right?”
“Yes, please,” Hermione confirmed. “Figured that's the easiest option.”
“Got it, sis. Now patch me through to your chief.”
“Yes ma’am,” Hermione smiled, clicking it through and waiting for Remus to answer. “Hi Remus, I have Congressman Malfoy’s scheduler hoping to speak about today’s lunch meeting?”
“Patch her through, thanks,” the man replied, sounding just as tired as he looked, which was pretty raggedy.
xxx
“Hermione, have a moment?” Remus asked from his desk in the way that meant he wanted her to drop everything and come to his back office. So she did.
“Yes, sir?” she asked, resorting to formality as she often did in the face of pressure and uncertainty.
“You may have seen on the schedule, but James has a meeting with a bipartisan delegation over in HVC-201 at 3pm. Do you mind heading over and ensuring everything looks okay about 20 minutes before and then welcoming members in? I’ll be walking over with James and sitting in on the meeting. I’ll make sure you have a list of who all will be there.”
“Of course, sir.” Hermione replied, trying to hide her glee at being chosen for the task over Lee, who technically should’ve been entrusted with the responsibility.
He and Tonks had actually shown up for work today, and then spent the morning bitching about the audacity of Draco Malfoy sending them lunch. She was ready to throttle the pair.
“I knew I could count on you,” he smiled and nodded. “James was impressed with your ability to keep up yesterday and maintain composure; keep up the good work. Don’t forget that Rep. Malfoy will be in for a private meeting with James at 12:15.”
“Thank you sir, I appreciate the kind words from both of you,” she tried not to look overeager at the praise, but it meant the world to her to be recognized in an environment that felt like a constant grind with no reward.
She was on a high when Draco walked in with an attractive brunette man who had a black wedding band glinting on his finger from where he was tightly gripping paper bags she knew to be filled with food.
“Good afternoon, sirs,” Hermione smiled, changing her greeting now that it was past 12pm.
“Miss Granger, pleasure to see you.” Draco smiled. “This is my legislative director, Adrian Pucey. Adrian, this is the keen eyed photographer who took the framed photo of Congressman Potter and I, Hermione Granger.”
“Pleased to meet you, ma’am,” the man replied in an extremely thick accent that had to be from rural North Carolina.
“You as well, Adrian,” she replied warmly and stood up. “Let me inform my boss that you’re here, one moment please. Feel free to take a seat.”
“Take your time,” Draco replied easily, moving to look at the plentiful framed photos that were hung up on all of the walls.
“Remus, Congressman Malfoy is here with his LD, Adrian Pucey.”
“Great,” Remus smiled, pulling on his glasses and grabbing his preferred yellow notepad and pen.
“Congressman, Adrian,” Remus smiled in a way that definitely didn’t look like he’d been cursing Draco’s life just 24 hours before, doing the weird clap handshake that men trying to look familiar with one another seemed to favor.
“Remus, pleasure to see you. I have food for your whole team, if there’s somewhere I can set it up.”
“You are far too kind,” Remus replied, leaving off the ‘you shouldn’t have’ that would normally fill the end of the statement, because they all knew… food was the least he could do when throwing one of his bipartisan allies under the bus without warning. “Hermione can set it up, would you two like to eat?”
“No, we ate an early lunch with my team,” Draco replied.
“Good enough, we’ll head in and knock James off a call. Our scheduler’s out, so I’m doing a bit of tag-in here. Hermione, if you’ll save me a plate and just put together one for James and bring it in.”
“Of course,” she replied, nodding at a fond-looking Draco before turning around and heading to set the food up on the meeting table in the back office.
“What’d he get us?” Lee asked greedily.
“Ugh, I almost hoped it would suck so I could hate tweet,” Tonks replied.
“Tonks,” Hermione admonished without thinking, forgetting the girl was technically her superior.
“What? JP isn’t mentioned anywhere on my Twitter account.”
Hermione didn’t dignify that with a reply, only loading up plates for both her and Remus with pita, grilled chicken, salad and dips. She put even more food on James’ plate, knowing the man’s penchant to eat like he hadn’t in weeks.
She was pleased to see, as always, that Draco had gone all out. Whether it was Pansy or the man himself ordering, she knew that this was an ode to their care for her and felt warm the entire time she ate.
Draco shot her a wink when she brought her boss food that had her face warming up. The man was far too smooth, she didn’t know how she’d remain angry at him.
xxx
“What’s a lady like you doing in a place like this?”
Hermione jumped at the sound of Draco’s voice behind her, turning to see him smirking.
“Draco! You scared me,” she breathed. She had been bent over, back to him, straightening the tablecloth of the refreshments table. No one from Capitol Host, the catering service used for most events in the Capitol, had been there when she arrived, but thankfully the food and drinks were there and her only problem was poorly ironed linens.
“What are you doing?”
She huffed, “The tablecloth isn’t ironed well, but no one from Capitol Host is here to switch it out!”
Draco looked back to the closed door before striding over to her. He stroked her cheek once, and every inch of her being wanted to melt into his touch.
“All anyone will notice is the spread of food and drinks, sweetheart, and that’s if they’re not glaring at me or praising me for blowing their weekend up.”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “They’re not the only ones.”
His brow furrowed. “What’s wrong? James taking it out on y’all?”
“I told you, but no one showed up yesterday outside of Remus and I, and over half of our team is out of office until next week including our entire leg team. I’m just frustrated, honestly, but Remus and the congressman asked if I could oversee this and not our LC, so I guess it’s good for something.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Would you believe me if I told you it all happened so fast?”
She nodded. “I do, I’m not mad at you. I just think we need to talk because this isn’t the first or last time we’ll deal with something of a confidential blindside on my side or yours.”
Draco nodded, looking back before pressing a quick kiss to her forehead.
“Would it be too cute by half if I told you the only side I’m on is yours?”
That got a laugh out of Hermione. “It really, really would.”
“Well, I’m not taking it back, and I have the evidence to prove it. S.P.P.E.W. was in full swing for breakfast and lunch today, wasn’t it?”
“It really was, thank you,” she smiled, wishing she could pull him into a hug like they were middle schoolers sharing affection the only way they knew how.
“Anything for you and anything for the cause. Now, I’m going to wait by the door and welcome everyone in if you want to stand over by the food and help some very old men plate up some mediocre cookies and stay out of the crossfire. I’ll be sure to let them know who put this beautiful setup together.”
“Please don’t put this nightmare on me,,” Hermione groaned.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Draco replied, straightening up at the sound of voices outside of the room and moving over towards the door after dropping his papers and pens at one of the tables that formed an open square.
Hermione was surprised that Remus didn’t kick her out after the pleasantries ended and the bipartisan meeting of members had started, instead nodding his head over at the wall where LDs and chiefs for the members present were sat.
Draco winked at her when she sat down in his eye line, a small, pleased smile on his face at seeing her in the room.
She wondered if anyone noticed that his eyes continued to stray to her; she certainly did.
“It sounds like there’s press outside,” Rep. Potter said as they closed, smiles on everyone’s faces in jubilation that they’d actually come to a quick agreement. Who would’ve thought? “I’m fine giving leadership the slip and speaking to them on our deal, Dumbledore will follow the votes.”
Hermione was surprised to hear her boss stepping out against party leadership like that; this meeting had certainly been illuminating.
“Same sentiment on my end,” Draco agreed, nodding at James who was sitting next to him like they were red and blue peas in a pod.
As if James hadn’t been cursing the man’s existence yesterday; how did things move so fast from hell in a handbasket to hell yes and a handshake?
Hermione felt like she had suffered whiplash.
The meeting adjourned with most members just standing up to talk to their staff while they waited for Draco and James to lead them out of the room.
Draco walked halfway to meet Adrian while Hermione moved to start cleaning up the tables since Members of Congress seemed unable to throw their trash away. Would Americans elect these people to office if they knew their inability to execute general niceties their parents had taught them at age two?
She did happily note, however, that Draco made a point to throw his empty paper cup away after he’d finished his tea. He was a good one.
“You’ll come over tonight?” Draco asked quietly as he came up next to Hermione, pretending to reorganize his papers. She nodded even though she wasn’t sure she wanted to or would be able to, not looking up. It felt like an illicit thing, talking where everyone could hear.
She was helpless but to watch as Draco strode out of the room, the cries of ‘Congressman Malfoy’ filling the air as the press saw the man who’d both set the fire and seemingly poured it out come into the hallway.
Yeah, she thought as she saw his smile out of the corner of her eye as he shared the good news. She’d move mountains to get to spend time with him tonight.
xxx
“I haven’t done this in years,” Draco smiled, hair blowing lightly in the summer air.
She was surprised to find out that he had a 2018 Mercedes Benz GT, which was nothing more than a very nice black convertible to her uncultured self and something he waved off as his DC car. It was clearly expensive, but that wasn’t what mattered right now. All that mattered is that they were at the Mcdonald’s drive-thru.
“Same,” she replied, equally giddy. “My mom and I always used to go when I was in elementary school, just for m&m McFlurries and fries.”
“I don’t know if my mother’s ever seen a Mcdonald’s in her life,” Draco laughed. “My grandfather told me that the M stood for Malfoy when I was little, and that the sign was yellow to match our hair. I didn’t know he was lying until third grade.”
Hermione couldn’t help but guffaw at that. “Third grade? It took you that long?”
“You’re undercutting my grandfather’s lying skills with your insinuation.”
“Or it’s just that you’re gullible.”
“Both can be true,” Draco smiled, turning to face the woman manning the second window as she handed them Mcflurries and two bags full of food.
“You ordered way too much,” Hermione shook her head, taking a gloriously hot and crisp fry out of the bag and holding it up to Draco’s mouth in the same way she’d always do for her mom without a thought.
Draco’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment before he opened his mouth and moaned at the taste of the hot fry.
“God put a lot of effort into Mcdonald’s fries,” Draco said, opening his mouth again like a baby bird. Hermione popped another into his mouth.
“You’re not wrong,” she replied. “I think about that sometimes, what God thought we’d find to be the most special parts of creation.”
“That’s a good question,” Draco said, ever the gentleman as he chewed and swallowed before speaking. “I’d have to go with dogs.”
“Oh?” Hermione asked. “You’re a dog guy?”
“Dogs, cats, I’m an equal opportunity pet lover, but I just think the variety in dog breeds is special and required a lot of effort on God’s part. I mean… have you seen chihuahuas?”
Hermione couldn’t help but smile fondly, looking like a woman in love to the people in the car next to them as they hit a red light. How she’d dreamed of this sort of relationship, driving down Pennsylvania Avenue with the top down, the Capitol shining brightly in the night sky ahead of them.
“I have seen chihuahuas,” she replied just as playfully. “We never had pets growing up, so I’d always insist on keeping my dogs on my laps and in my sleeping bag when I slept at friends’ houses. I was that friend.”
“We had three golden retrievers growing up, but purchasing a dog is gauche these days, so my father’s parents adopted two dogs last year. My mother’s parents have at least ten dogs, but they live on an extremely large farm outside of Charlotte.”
“I think that might be the most attractive thing you’ve ever said,” her face turned red as she realized what she’d blurted out.
Draco just raised a questioning eyebrow, blinkers on as he waited to turn left onto the sidestreet that’d lead to his home.
“The entire system of puppy mills and breeders that have led to the pet trade is barbaric and cruel. Most people choose to tune the facts out so that they don’t feel bad about buying a puppy instead of going to a shelter.”
“Not the Malfoys,” he shook his head. “Unfortunately, North Carolina has a lot of dogs and cats that need homes, so we have more rescues than most states.”
“I’d love to see any and all of your family’s dogs,” she smiled as Draco promised to show her photos.
Her stomach was rumbling as she pulled up to Draco’s, amused by the way he told her to wait in the car and rushed around it to open the door for her.
“Is this a southern hospitality move?”
“It’s called taking care of my lady,” Draco replied, helping Hermione out of the car as though it wasn’t low to the ground and he wasn’t holding food and frozen drinks in his hand.
“You’re far too smooth to be real.”
“Mother and father would be pleased to hear your rave review.”
“5/5 would recommend,” Hermione replied drily.
“You’re in a fun mood tonight,” Draco noted.
“Delirious exhaustion will do that to you.”
“Before we get into that,” Draco replied, grabbing two plates and digging in his fridge for a large bottle of Heinz ketchup. “Promise not to judge my copious ketchup use?”
“Promise. It’s refreshing to know you engage in something so plebeian.”
Draco snorted before covering his mouth, looking far too handsome in his embarrassment. “I can’t say I’ve ever made that noise before.”
“No one thinks I’m funny, so I’m honored,” she smiled, squirting far less ketchup than Draco on her plate, but sprinkling on far more salt.
They settled on the couch, and Hermione knew that despite the spontaneous excursion, there were serious topics they needed to dive into. When their conversation about condiments died a few moments later, she knew what was coming.
“I’m not a man who skirts tough conversations,” Draco started. “So I’ll always be honest and would ask you to do the same.”
“Of course.”
“There will be information I can’t share with you regarding work, and I know you’ll encounter the same. I’ll be honest, Hermione, I can’t relitigate the bounds of our relationship every time something like this week happens. It’s just par for the course that we’re on, and I don’t know how to make that sound any less harsh.”
Hermione chewed thoughtfully.
“I’m not really one for nuance, so I’ll take you at your word when you asked for honesty. I was really upset yesterday, Draco. I don’t think that there was a way to separate you specifically calling out my boss from the impacts of that on myself, but at the end of the day, I do understand why you did it. And I understand that our relationship is nowhere near a place where I can expect anything different. So I think the best I can say specifically is that I understand why you did what you did…”
Draco nodded. “I think that we’ll find ourselves coming to an understanding rather than an agreement on a lot. Have you dated men with different political beliefs before?”
Rats.
“I’ve never actually been in a relationship,” she said quietly, wondering why she was so close to tears at the admission. It wasn’t like she was embarrassed or upset by the fact that she’d focused on her studies and retaining her scholarships throughout college. “So this is all very new and… a bit scary to me, Draco.”
She let out a sigh as Draco took her hand into his own and kissed her knuckles, like he was a fairytale prince.
“That makes it a little harder, but all in all, the newness might make it far easier. Preconceived notions are a hell of a mental stumbling block for most people.”
She looked up, knowing her eyes were slightly teary.
“You’re not mad?”
Draco’s smile was a gentle, sweet expression that could likely end wars.
“There’s nothing to be mad at, Hermione. This relationship won’t be without its challenges, by its nature and by the newness of it for you. But if I’m honest, the idea of being the first man to ever date you makes me feel like some sort of caveman.”
Hermione laughed, taking their clasped hands and sandwiching them between her shoulder and cheek.
“I was scared you’d be turned off, knowing I’ve never been with anyone,” she said, leaning into the honesty of the moment.
Draco’s eyes widened momentarily.
“Can you explain what you mean, Hermione?”
“I kissed a few guys in high school and college, but nothing more. It was just never in the cards for me, I don’t think.”
Draco’s eyes closed for a moment, as though he were trying to steel himself.
“Me callin’ you my good girl just took on a whole new meeting,” Draco smiled, when he opened his eyes. “I’ve already said it, and I mean it. Your consent is important to me, Hermione. And that’s in everything. Emotionally, physically, professionally… we are walking along an unpaved path, so it’s up to us to call the shots. Okay?”
Hermione nodded, feeling a weight lift off her chest at Draco’s easy acceptance of her. How was this so simple, for him to just take her as she was?
“Yes, Draco,” she agreed easily, and he let out a small noise as she did. “And… I think that we very much need to have a conversation about our beliefs. Maybe we can sit down on tomorrow after votes? I’m assuming you’re staying the weekend.”
Draco smiled, a small, crooked little thing.
“What?”
“Nothing, you just… reminded me of a conversation I tried to start a long time ago,” he replied.
“An ex?” she asked, realizing she didn’t feel territorial about the past women in Draco’s life. Not yet, at least.
Clearly, that showed on her face because he nodded.
“Yes, an ex, back in my 20s. She laughed when I told her I wanted to have a formal discussion on our beliefs, so I retreated. Is it any surprise what blew our relationship up?”
Hermione shook her head. “It’s important. I’d much rather find out that the hill you die on is passing a constitutional amendment to ban women from public service now than six months from now.”
Draco laughed. “That’s very specific, but I’m happy to share that I believe women in service make our government better and more rational.”
Hermione smiled at him. “See? Checking off boxes already… but in all seriousness, I think it’s important to talk things through, even if the conversation feels weird.”
“Much agreed, my smart girl. I’ll stay here through the weekend since we have votes Monday. We can order the fancy Chinese I was telling you about.”
“Sounds good,” she smiled, trying not to think about how long the day was going to be. Knowing Draco was at the end of it made the concept of working on a Saturday a bit easier to swallow, though.
He pulled her onto his lap, clearly dictating the end of their serious conversation. It worked out well for Hermione, finally being able to melt into Draco the way that she had wanted to for the past two days.
He kissed her like he knew her intimately, and at this point, she was pretty sure he did in so many of the ways that counted.
Their kiss was at first, until she shifted and swung one leg over his lap so that she was straddling him. There was something about being close to him that made it all the more intimate, had her feeling more certain of her very unpracticed movements.
Draco let out a soft groan, using one hand to gently grip her curls and the other to hold her lower back. His hand had a grip on her dress and tights, as though he needed to be anchored down. She couldn’t say she didn’t understand the feeling; the position left her feeling like the kiss could turn into something more for the first time, and she knew Draco was waiting for her to make any and all moves.
Unsure of what to do next, she continued kissing him, moving a hand into his hair to hopefully prod him along. What was next in this sequence of events? From the movies she’d seen and conversations she’d had with Pansy, the choose-your-own-sexual-adventure could veer off in many directions. She was curious to see what Draco would choose.
As though realizing that she was egging him on, Draco slid his hand down to her bum and squeezed.
Even with her dress and tights, the move had her letting out a gasp into the kiss, pleasurable tingles erupting all over her. Were butts even supposed to be sexy? She’d have to ask Pansy after a few glasses of wine, knowing the girl was far more reputable than the internet.
“Okay?” Draco asked gruffly, not removing his wandering hand but pulling back from the kiss to ask.
Hermione nodded, not sure what noise would come out of her mouth if she were to open it. Something very embarrassing and likely pathetic, she knew.
That, however, seemed to be part of Draco’s plan as he kissed down her throat, moving his other hand to her butt and leaving her helpless but to exhale breathy whimpers. She’d never intently watched porn, only witnessed it through half closed eyes at sleepovers, but she definitely felt like the world’s most buttoned-up pornstar at the moment as she rolled her hips into Draco’s.
“So perfect,” Draco groaned, pressing warm, open mouthed kisses on her neck.
“Feels good,” she whimpered despite herself, not sure whether it was better to push back into Draco’s hands to feel the warmness of his large paws on her or continue her hip rolls forward against his thighs.
As though he could sense the tension in her body at the indecision of how to move forward, Draco’s hands moved under her armpits. The man quickly stood up with her in his arms, which had her letting out a nervous squeak, and he sat back down once he was satisfied with the way he’d maneuvered her. Was he really that strong?
“My baby,” Draco cooed with a smile, now holding her like she was a child, cradled all up in his arms as he sat back down on the couch. She wished she wasn’t in her work outfit, so she could truly enjoy the intimacy that came with such a tender touch.
Hermione let out a snort, but pushed her head against his shoulder. “I always thought I hated being touched before, but you have me second guessing that.”
“Maybe I have a magic touch,” Draco replied, jolting her body with his shrugging shoulders.
“Hm… you may be onto something here.”
Draco sat her up in his arms after a few moments of peaceful silence.
“Was that okay?”
Hermione blushed at the thought of what’d just happened, though realistically she knew it to be nothing on the scale of what most people did in their relationships.
“I like kissing you,” she replied quietly.
Draco smiled brilliantly at that, pecking her lips. “I do too… it’s hard to remember not to kiss you at work.”
The thought of that egregious slipup had her laughing.
“I think that would be awful and you might give my boss a heart attack.”
“Unfortunately, at the moment... I can’t say you’re wrong.”
What he left unsaid was that one day, maybe there would be a chance for them to step outside of the confines of Draco’s home.
The day had proven that there were very real obstacles in their way, but hell if Hermione wasn’t willing to push forward. Because at the moment, lying in Draco’s arms, it felt like there was nothing to lose but each other.