Chapter 2
Hermione Granger never had the time to care about her looks as a teenager. Other girls learned to tame their curls, apply their makeup perfectly, and wore sparkly nail varnish. She did not.
Well, not until after the war when she roomed with Ginny for her final year at Hogwarts. And although Ginny wasn’t the most girly person you could meet, her best friends Pansy and Astoria were. They spent countless weekends showing Hermione how to put herself together, how to dress, and how to use magic to alter her clothing or anything else about herself that she wanted.
Now ten years later she would be featured in fashion columns a couple times a week. One even dedicated to covering what she wore for a whole month. Everyone loved her outfits that were the perfect mix of muggle suits and wizarding robes. The bright colors she wore daily brought attention of everyone on the street or at The Ministry.
The first time Draco Malfoy noticed her was a cross the Atrium. She wore a scarlet red pant suit in a sea of blacks and greys. He didn’t even recognize her with her normally tight frizzy curls softened and a big smile across her face. She waved at Harry Potter, his new boss, and stepped onto the lift.
“Malfoy? Did you hear me?” Potter waved a hand in front of his face.
“No, I didn’t. Who was that woman who waved at you?” He asked and turned to see a shocked look cross the other man’s face.
“Hermione Granger, she works for the Beast, Being, and Spirit Division. The Aurors office works closely with her so she will be around a lot. Is that a problem, Malfoy?” Potter raised an eyebrow and of course, was thinking the worst.
“Not at all. I was hoping to see her around more.”
•••
She could hear the lift arrive at her floor and the booming laugh of Harry’s as the door opened. He usually stopped by a couple times a day to chat or let her know of possible raids coming which might require her assistance or loads of paperwork for her. What she didn’t expect was for him to have someone trailing along behind him when he walked into her office.
“Hermione! I’m sure you remember Malfoy? I’m just showing him around since apparently he’s completed Auror training without ever actually leaving the second floor.” Harry chuckled and scratched the back of his neck. He obviously felt how awkward this was.
Yes, she remembered him. But what she didn’t remember was how attractive he was. She didn’t remember him being so broad, and the way his presence filled a room. What she definitely wouldn’t have remembered were his scars. The last time she saw him they were still so red and angry, but now years later they were jagged and silver. They ran across his face and from under his left ear to his chin. Suddenly he smirked at her and she watched the lines all pinch a little. He caught her checking him out.
“Yes, I remember him unfortunately.” She said while locking eyes with him. “Considering he’s never left the second floor is he even qualified to hold the title of Auror?”
“I can assure you, Granger, I’m more than qualified. If you’d like, we can discuss my training and qualifications over lunch?”
“Sorry, I’ve got plans today.” She didn’t.
“Tomorrow?” He said with a chuckle.
“Oh, would you look at that. I’m busy all week.” She raised the blank calendar off her desk to show him, knowing the only day she had lunch planned with anyone this week was Wednesday with Harry. “But I will try to pencil you in for another time. I have a meeting in five, can you shut the door on your way out?” She dropped the calendar and picked up some files before rushing out of her office.
She was half way down the hall when she heard Harry speak again. “Well, that went well.”