Author's Note:

Sorry for the very late update. Hope everyone is staying safe. Enjoy!

I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 3:

Hermione Granger was having a tranquil early morning, which was a welcome relief after the absolute fiasco her Department was subjected to these prior months.

Sighing to herself, she balefully eyed the congregation of reporters swarming near the atrium and slipped unseen into the nearest Ministry Lift.

Even after all these years, those pesky reporters especially those from 'Witch Weekly' (who frequently plastered her face along with false salacious headlines such as 'Golden Granger's Steamy Night with Quidditch Star - see inside for exclusive pictures!'), were determined to picture her every living moment. And yes, she should have been accustomed to the hurrahs of stardom, but even after the years, there was something entirely unnerving about hundreds of camera bulbs flashing and thrusted into her face.

As the elevator skidded to a halt and signalled her exit with the usual cool "Department of International Magical Cooperation", she frowned slightly at the memos which seemed to be following her, and stepped off the lift and entered her department.

Yes that was right. HER department.

At 23 years and 8 months of age, Hermione Jean Granger was the youngest Head of Department the Ministry of Magic had appointed in modern wizarding times. Her ascent to the position was expected, although it came quicker than she anticipated, after firm insistence from Minister Kingsley that she was more than qualified and capable for the job.

Although whispers of favouritism did surround her promotion, no one could deny her stellar record - defeating Voldemort, Brightest Witch of Her Age, Patron for the Lupin Werewolf Rights Act, Co-founder of the Rebuilding Hogwarts Board etc etc etc.

And, only after a few months at her new post, the doubters were silenced and instead praises were sung about the revolutionary leadership and guidance she displayed over the entire Department of International Magical Cooperation.

However, not all success came without some speed bumps - this particular speed bump being rather aggravating regarding the sensitive nature of the scandal. For some Merlin-knows-why reason, the Head of the International Magical Trading Standards Body, Mr Antoine Flopkins decided to abuse his own powers and approve of a contraband erectile dysfunction 'miracle cure' he concocted with his business associates. And so began, as the Daily Prophet and Wizarding Herald so eloquently coined, 'the Floppy Cock Scandal'.

'The Floppy Cock Scandal' was the bane of her existence as her integrity was publicly questioned by the Office of Fair Work Practices. A formal Ministry enquiry was convened, investigating Mr Antoine Flopkins' transgressions and by extension, her culpability in it all.

And that made Hermione Granger very angry. And an angry Hermione Granger was not a good sign. For anyone.

After giving a thorough verbal hiding to a crying Mr Flopkins (witnesses did claim to see him begging for mercy in the courtroom corridor), she marched into the new Office of Fair Work Practices and all but eviscerated their handling of the matter - including falsified reports of her own mishandling of the case, leaks to the press and blatant perjury.

After that, she rounded on the entire branch who worked under Mr Flopkins, and marched back down to the courtroom where she took all but 12 minutes to prove her innocence in the whole matter.

Well… 12 minutes was what was included in the official transcript as the official stenographer had passed out in hysterical fear. Who knows what had really happened down in the courtroom after she had locked and silenced it from pesky eavesdroppers.

And so, Hermione Jean Granger was cleared from all association with the Floppy Cock debacle and her name once again (rightfully) restored to its original glory - free of scandal.

Greeting her secretary Jennifer (who was oddly red-faced), she stopped short at the familiar blonde hair and figure who had his back towards her, facing her office door.

Maybe her morning wasn't going to be as tranquil as she had hoped.

"Hello Malfoy. This is the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Kingsley is that a way," Hermione stated politely, gesturing at the Ministry lifts which had just begun zipping away.

Mercurial silver eyes clashed with hers as he rose gracefully to his full height and regarded her with a lazy smirk. Perfectly swept platinum blonde hair, smoldering gaze, chiselled jawline - oh Godric he was devilishly handsome - not that was admiring him. It was no wonder her secretary Jennifer appeared flustered!

"Why brilliant observation golden girl Granger! Ten points to Gryffindor!".

And her 30 seconds of admiring Malfoy crash-landed spectacularly and a flash of annoyance raced through her mind.

Biting the inside of her cheek to prevent a taunt slipping past her lips, she inhaled and mentally chanted, 'Hexing Malfoy WILL get you fired. Hexing Malfoy WILL get you fired…' and smiled tightly back at the former Slytherin.

"Very funny, so then what brings you to my department Malfoy?".

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, he took a few steps forward, bridging the gap between them so that she could just inhale his undoubtedly expensive cologne.

"Wouldn't you like to know Granger. Shall we head on into your office then?". Lowering his voice he added, "Much more privacy in there to suit our needs…if you know what I mean…"

Glancing around the Department, she ignored his double entendre but did grudgingly admit there were a few too many curious faces (and probably Extendable Ears), popping over their cubicle walls - hoping to catch some action between their Golden Girl Head of Department and one of the wizarding world's most enigmatic and charismatic bad-boy businessman.

Huffing, she instructed Jennifer to not bother her until she had finished the meeting with Malfoy, and opened the door to her office.

"Point taken. Come on in Malfoy… "

Pausing before crossing over the threshold of her door, Hermione raised her eyebrow back at him and sweetly added:

"And really do try not to get your enormously egotistical head stuck through my door."

Turning back, all she heard in response was a deep chuckle which maybe, just maybe, sent a few shivers down her neck as he followed her into her office and closed the door.

~CLICK~

Sneak Peak:

"Well, Malfoy Enterprises International, as the name suggests Granger, is a global company. Did that talented brain of yours not figure that out?".

Thank you so very much for reading!

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