Hermione huffed as she sat down in her office, cradling her head in her hands. She couldn't believe him. He had gone ahead and decided to disobey her direct orders. And now she would have to reprimand him. She hated the idea.
She picked up her mug and downed the rest of the coffee, standing up and walking out of her office. She entered the auror office and shook her head. "Hello boys, we need to have a chat."
The team looked up at her confused. Harry and Ron shared questioning glances, Draco and Blaise doing the same. Zachariah and Dean kept their eyes on her. "I have become aware of a breach of protocol on the last case."
Everyone gulped and sat still as she continued, "Although there were no casualties or injuries, defying my direct orders is unallowable. Therefore, I will have to put you," she said pointing at Draco, "on a week-long suspension."
She turned on her heel, planning to exit the room. Draco scoffed and stood up. "Oi get off your high horse Granger," he yelled. Hermione turned with a shocked look on her face. Her eyes darted from Draco to the other men in the room. Harry and Ron looked as shocked as she was. Blaise was holding his head in his hand shaking it lightly.
"Mr. Malfoy, you cannot speak to me like that. I am the Minister of Magic. Just for that, I'm adding another week to your suspension."
"Minister of Magic my arse. You play favorites constantly. And I'm sick of it."
"You're mistaken Malfoy, I do not play favorites," Hermione retorted, steppng closer to him.
"Like hell. Potter went against a command last week and got praised. Weasley does it every other mission. And don't even get me started on Smith over here. He goes off on his own every single time."
"I do not like what you are implying," Hermione muttered, getting angry.
Draco continued, oblivious to her tone. "The one time I decide to follow my instincts, which where correct I might add, I get punished."
"Draco, it's not like that," Hermione said, reaching for his arm.
"Then why is it that I am the one exception to your usual aversion?" He asked, inching towards her, still angry at her.
"BECAUSE I'M NOT IN LOVE WITH THE REST OF THEM YOU FOOL," Hermione shouted, her face red. Draco looked at her with wide eyes, occasionally squinting at her. She bit her lip and turned, rushing out of the room.
Draco turned around and looked at Blaise who was looking at him in disbelief. He looked at Harry and Ron who laughed loudly. "Blimey I didn't expect it to come out like that," Ron muttered between laughs.
"I knew this would happen. She loses control when she gets angry. Remember when she hit Malfoy," Harry retorted, clutching his stomach. Draco looked at the two of them bewildered.
"Aye, you two! What are you going on about?" Draco asked, crossing his arms.
"Did you not hear her Malfoy? How dumb can you be?" Ron asked.
"Of course I heard her. She said she wasn't in love with the rest of you," Draco answered quickly, not liking his intelligence being called into question. Then it hit him. "She's not in love with the rest of you. Because she's," he said, tapering off at the end.
"In love with you stupid," Blaise finished. Draco pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking over the information presented to him. He stood up quickly, making his way out of the room. "Go get her tiger," Blaise called as he exited.
Draco approached Hermione's office, walking past the secretary and going straight for her door. He knocked on it gently, hearing her tell him to come in. He entered and closed the door quickly. He heard the shuffling of the papers and then a gasp. "Draco, what are you doing in here?"
"We need to talk," he said softly, approaching her desk.
"There's nothing to talk about."
"You said you loved me," Draco countered, leaning against the desk.
"No I didn't."
"Ok not directly. But it was insinuated Mione," he said softly.
"Draco, you're reading too into it," Hermione responded, standing up and walking around the desk.
"Am I? Or are you in love with me like I'm in love with you?"
"You're what?" Hermione asked, shaking her head lightly.
Draco smiled and put his finger under her chin, tilting it upwards. "I'm in love with you dear Minister. I'm going to kiss you now," he whispered, leaning in to meet her lips. She reacted almost immediately, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him. He smiled against the kiss, wrapping his hands around her waist. She pulled away lightly, touching her forehead to his.
"Wow," she muttered.
"Wow indeed."
"Draco we need to talk about this, about us," she whispered. "My apartment after work?"
Draco looked down at his watch, seeing the work day would be over in 10 minutes. "How about we spend the next 10 minutes not talking?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and leaned against him once again, this time moving to sit on the desk. They spent the next 10 minutes engrossed in each other, pulling away as the clock chimed announcing the end of the day. "I can't imagine how I'll get anything done if this keeps happening."
"Speaking about getting things done, maybe lift my suspension?" Draco asked grinning, trailing his arms along her spine.
"Now who's asking me to play favorites?"
