Disclaimer: Bunch o' wizards belong to J.K. Rowling. Story's mine, la di da di da.

Rating: M for later chapters.
Summary: Hermione refuses to speak her mind lately. That's until she was cast by a spell. And now, as if through a powerful Sonorus Charm, her innermost thoughts can be heard by anyone within six feet of her – including Draco Malfoy, of course.

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"Hermione, this just isn't working."

Hermione tore her eyes away from her wine glass and met the eyes of David. He was looking at her sadly – almost pitifully – and Hermione began to fiddle around with the rim of her wine glass.

David grabbed her hand from the glass gently, and took her other free one and held them both in the middle of the expensively clothed table in the restaurant.

"Hermione, darling," David cooed. "I know this is difficult. It's difficult for the both us. But we can't keep running away from this. We can't keep denying things and pretend everything is alright."

Hermione remained silent.
"Thing is," David continued and gave her hands a gentle squeeze, "I feel like I don't know you at times. It feels like you're so far away from me. You feel distant, and I admit, I don't know what's running through your mind at all. You never speak your mind."

Still, Hermione remained quiet.

David sighed and let go of her hands. He then proceeded to tear the napkin off his lap and slammed it unto the table.
"This is exactly what I mean. I'm breaking up with you, Hermione. Goodbye." With that, he stood up and left, muttering something that sounded like 'don't know', 'what's wrong with the woman' and 'no backbone.'

Hermione let out a long, deep breath.

"Your order, madam." The waiter came by and set her food down in front of her. She silently thanked the waiter and proceeded to pick up the fork and knife, ready to dig into her Spicy Lime-Cilantro Marinated Flank steak. "Will you be dining alone, madam?"
"Yes, as usual," she said, letting out a bitter laugh.
"Very well, madam. What about the order the previous gentleman had made?" He asked politely.
"Just bring it here, I'll have it," Hermione replied, feeling like she needed the extra food.
"Right away, madam."

Hermione began cutting through her steak and shoving meat pieces into her mouth, trying to fight the onslaught of tears.

Stupid David. Stupid David and his stupid opinions. She thought. Glad he's gone. Good sodding riddance.

She paused her frantic eating to gulp down a large amount of wine.

"Never speak my mind," Hermione muttered, violently cutting her steak. "Never speak my mind, do I? And that seems to be the problem? I thought you stupid men like women like that. No? I guess nothing is ever good enough."

Her mind returned to the moment when Ron had broken up with her, just over a year ago. He had broken up with her because she spoke her mind too much. He left her for another girl who, safe to say, clearly didn't have much of a mind at all. She was an amateur model, Erica, who was literally a walking make-up store. The foundation she put on her forehead was enough to cover Hermione's face alone, Hermione was sure. Hermione had then wondered why Erica was attracted to Ron in the first place. It was probably because Ron was regarded as one of the War Heroes, right after Harry and Hermione herself, and he was still filthy rich and popular. No doubt Erica would get many privileges from Ron simply by dating him and by simply shutting up and not having any form of intelligent thought.

Hermione had then moved on, and met David Anthony Boswell. They had met at her colleague's party, and immediately seemed to hit it off. She had always remembered Ron's exact sentence, "you speak your mind too much, and it makes me feel smothered! And nagged! Nobody likes to be nagged!" and she had made it a point not to make any smart remarks to David.

And that apparently had cost her another man.

Life would start to become lonely again, Hermione knew. It was always like that. She would throw herself into work, and her friends would continuously urge her to go out more and meet more people. This time, though, she'd ignore it all. She'd just work, work, and work. There was nothing wrong with work. In fact, Hermione loved her job at the Ministry, as part of the Magical Law Enforcement Department.

There was nothing wrong with the people at work as well. Well, save for one man.

Draco Malfoy.

Ugh, there was nothing and everything wrong with the man. Despite their past history, Draco Malfoy turned out very well, if Hermione would say so herself. He was one of the top Aurors in the Ministry now and if that wasn't enough to impress a person, he had turned out to be quite the looker. Actually, very much the looker.

So much so that it had Hermione harbouring one of the deepest, wildest and nonsensical crushes on Malfoy.

Of course, Hermione would never admit that out loud. She would pretend to not bother whenever he was around, and ignore his endless trail of fawning office girls. They didn't speak much, just a casual call of their surnames and an acknowledging nod when they crossed paths and that was it. Outside, she would seem indifferent – disinterested, even. Inside her haven, however, she would think constantly about the man. About how his silky-looking messily-styled platinum blond hair seemed to beg Hermione to run her hands through it, about how his eyes are so stunningly grey and almost silver, about how he was no longer the lanky teenager from Hogwarts but a well-built sturdy man with an air of assurance and confidence around him. Not to mention that from the very top of his head to the tip of his toes seemed to scream 'SEX APPEAL!' There were a couple of times, while crossing Malfoy's path, she would get a whiff of his smell, and ungh, did he smell divine.

Oh God, just the mere thought of him made Hermione's mouth water and made her completely forget about her minutes-only break-up with David.

She smiled to herself before she put the last piece of steak into her mouth.

Draco Malfoy was a great distraction, and a great crush.

So long as he remained in her mind.

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"You broke up with David?" Ginny eyes widened.
"Yes, last week," Hermione replied, as she set two empty cups on her kitchen counter before pouring hot tea into them.
"And you never mentioned this why?" Ginny prodded.

Hermione took a deep breath.
"It didn't seem important."
"But why, Hermione, why? I thought everything was all perfect, fine and dandy! I swear I could see you walking down the aisle to meet him at the altar!"
"Well, apparently we couldn't see as far as you," Hermione let out a short laugh.
"Why did he break it off?"
"Apparently, I never speak my mind," Hermione handed Ginny her cup of tea.

"Oh," Ginny said shortly, "Shame."
"Indeed."

Hermione opened her refrigerator and took out the marble cake and set it on the table. Ginny eyed it hungrily before turning her attention back to Hermione.

"You used to be able to speak your mind so often, what happened?" Ginny asked.
"Well, those days are long gone, along with the relationship with your brother," Hermione looked at her pointedly.
"I miss that Hermione," Ginny admitted. "You used to be the most headstrong of us all, always having your opinion, always telling people what was right or wrong."

Hermione sighed.
"Can we not talk about this, please?" Hermione said, cutting a few pieces of marble cake and setting them on an empty plate.
"I refuse. You know what, we're going to have to change things," Ginny said.
"And how exactly are we going to do that?" Hermione said noncommittally.
"I miss the old you, and frankly, the world needs the old you back. You need to speak your mind again!"
"But I don't want to, not anymore!" Hermione retorted. "It's not going to change anything!"
"It is. Wait and see."
"Well, good luck with that, because I'm not going to do anything about it."

Hermione stuffed a piece of marble cake into her mouth, and Ginny drew out her wand.
"Who says you're going to have to?" Ginny grinned wickedly, and aimed her wand at Hermione, "Cogitationes amplificare!"

Hermione's eyes widened, and she almost choked on her cake, "What did you just do?"
"Oh, just a little something something to help you speak your mind," Ginny winked and bolted towards the door, "I've got to run, dear. I have a date with Dean. See you later!"

The door slammed shut.
Hermione rolled her eyes and continued eating her marble cake. She was about to ponder on what spell Ginny had most likely cast on her, before she was disturbed by an unmistakable 'pop' of Apparition. She turned around.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed happily and threw her arms around Harry Potter, who hugged her back earnestly and was grinning widely.
"Missed you, 'Mione!" Harry said.
"I missed you too, how was Egypt?"
"It was alright, we won the match again, as usual," Harry said.
"That's great, Harry, I'm so proud of you!"
"How's everything though? How are you? How are things with David?" Harry stuffed a marble cake into his mouth, and sipped on Ginny's abandoned teacup.

"Oh, umm. We broke up," Hermione said simply.
Harry sent her a sympathetic look, with a bulge on his left cheek, still chewing.
"Must I ask why?" He asked timidly.
"Umm, I never spoke my mind."
"What a shit reason," Harry said, sitting on the kitchen table.
"Oh, you know how it is. Nothing is good enough."
"But I miss the old you though, the opinionated one."
"Oh, no. Not you too."

She turned to her sink and began to wash her dirty dishes (she preferred doing it the Muggle way).

"It is true, though. I'm being honest," Harry said from behind her, no doubt finishing her marble cake.

Men are a bollocking nightmare. Nothing is ever good enough. They should each come with a handy manual, at least I'll be able to read through and understand them perfectly before jumping into a relationship with them, she thought.

Harry laughed from behind her.

"What?" Hermione asked.
"What you just said, that sounded so much like the old Hermione."
"What are you talking about, Harry? I never said anything," Hermione turned and looked at her best friend.
"The one where you said men should come with a handy manual, so that you'll be able to read them like a book before doing anything with them," Harry said, swinging his feet.

Hermione's eyebrows knitted.
"Goodness, did I say that out loud?"
"You didn't just say, it was more like you shouted it. It was really loud," Harry answered.
"Hmm," Hermione hummed in confusion, and turned back to her dishes. "I must be stressed out."
"You probably are, you need a break."

You've known me your entire life, Harry, and you should know better than to think that I would actually take a break. The day I take a break is the day pigs fly, Hermione thought.

"You are right," Harry laughed, "But save it for another day, when you feel like heeding my advice, do take a break."
This time, Hermione looked sharply at Harry.

"What?" Hermione asked.
"I was answering you; you said the day you take a break is the day pigs fly. Merlin, Hermione, are you going deaf as well?" He knocked the side of her head twice.
"But Harry, I never said anything. This time I am positive that I didn't say it out loud."
"Funny, like I said, it was like you were shouting it."

Something clicked in Hermione's brain, and her eyes widened.

Oh, no.

"Oh, no what?" Harry was cutting another piece of marble cake.
"Harry, ask me something."
"Umm, would you like to know what Ron's sex life is like?" Harry said randomly.

Hermione shut her mouth.
Well, I'd rather go vomit and study the pattern of said vomit rather than know Ron's sex life in detail.

Harry laughed out loud and slapped his knee.
"That was really funny, 'Mione! Good one!" He said, "'Mione?"

Harry watched his best friend, looking dumbstruck and speechless (not a very normal occurrence at all), and frozen to her spot in the kitchen.

"Harry," Hermione started, "I think it was the spell Ginny had cast on me."
"What spell?"
"The Cogitationes amplificare spell! If you translate it into English it means …" Hermione paused, "It means amplify thoughts! Oh, God, Ginny!" Hermione threw her head back in exasperation.

Harry stared at her blankly, "I still don't get what you mean."
"Quick, ask me another question, and this time watch my mouth as I make a reply."
"Okay," Harry looked around, searching for something to ask, "Hey, isn't this your famous delicious marble cake?"

Hermione kept her mouth shut.
No, I never bake. I can't bake. I just order it from a Muggle bakery and tell you people I baked it just so you all will think I'm a great baker.

Harry's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.
"Your mouth didn't move, but I swear your voice was booming throughout the room."
"Oh, Jesus," Hermione clapped her forehead with her palm. "That Ginny. She's going to have to remove this spell!"
"Oh, Ginny? I just bumped into her at Ron's, she was so excited. Apparently, Dean had suddenly asked her out on a trip to New Zealand. She's gone by now," Harry said.

Hermione almost fainted on the spot.

What the fuck?

"I know, right?" Harry said, "But it's cool though, you'll be like a ventriloquist."
"No, Harry, it's not cool! Can't you see, my thoughts are open and unfiltered! Anyone can hear my thoughts!"
"What is the difference between the old Hermione and now?" Harry grinned mischievously.
"You don't understand the gravity of the situation, Harry!" Hermione said exasperatedly. "I feel so vulnerable, so open to attack!"

"Oh, come on," Harry said, jumping off from the table and pulling her into a hug, "It won't be so bad. I've got to run, I have practice. Later, 'Mione," Harry kissed her cheek and Disapparated.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! Fucking fuckitty fuck!
Hermione paced, and wrung her hands around, wondering what the hell she was going to do now.

She can't possibly contact Ginny, she left no contact, no address – she left, just like that, leaving Hermione like this.

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Hermione avoided everyone at the office the next day, keeping to herself in her office. Had she any orders to pass on to her underlings, she would usually go and talk to them herself but provided that her mind was vulnerable to everybody around her, she sent flying notes to them instead.

She had popped into the Weasley's this morning, to find out if Ginny had left any contact details or not. Instead, she bumped into Ron.

"'Mione, what are you doing here?" Came Ron's surprised voice.
"Oh, well, umm," she started; it was still awkward being around Ron, "Did Ginny leave any contact details, by any chance? I am, umm, I desperately need it. It's urgent."
"No, not at all," Ron said, and suddenly Erica made an appearance – putting her arms all over Ron and kissing his neck, "Give the girl a break. I know you're lonely and all, but she does need time for herself and Dean."

Hermione glared at him.

Fuck you, Ron.

Ron's eyes widened and Hermione Apparated to her office.

There she stayed, until now.

So far, no one had bothered her the whole day, and she was perfectly content with that.

Well, maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I thought. I just have to wait for Ginny, and by then I'll just keep to myself.

She smiled happily, resuming work.

Just then, the door slammed open.
To reveal Draco Malfoy.

Hermione's mind went blank.
"Malfoy."
"Granger," Malfoy acknowledged, clad in an all-black suit. "So sorry to bother you, but I was meant to get my report of the Thompsons' case. Unfortunately, my secretary was off sick today so I came by to pick it up myself."
"Oh, right. Okay," Hermione said, ignoring the loud thumping of her heart in her chest, "Just give me a second while I look for it."

Malfoy nodded, and stepped into the office and began looking around and examining pictures on the wall. Hermione stood up and began looking through the files behind her desk.

Thompsons. Thompsons. Thompsons. Thompsons. Thompsons? Nope, not Thompsons.

He heard Malfoy snicker behind her.
"Calm down, Granger. No one's life is in danger; you can take your time."

Hermione's eyes widened.

Fuck.

"What's happened?" Malfoy asked.
"N-nothing, just hold on for a while."

There was no reply, and Hermione assumed he was back to examining pictures.

Fuck, I am so stupid, Hermione thought, and grabbed her wand and Accio'd the Thompson's case file. She turned around and saw that Malfoy was standing in the middle of her office, hands in his pockets. And he had never looked more delectable, ever.

She cleared her throat and handed the file to Malfoy, who took it.
"Thank you," Malfoy said.
"You're most welcome," she said, still standing.

Their eyes locked at that moment and neither wanted to look away.
She drank in every detail of him, trying to stop her mouth from watering.

And his eyes, oh dear sweet Jesus, his eyes …

I swear, if you continue to look at me like that I'm going to have this irrepressible urge to jump you and snog you silly and do all manner of unspeakable things to you and with you.

Malfoy's eyes widened a little.

"Oh, fuck," Hermione muttered, lips barely moving and her own eyes widening beyond control.

Malfoy had heard that. Malfoy had heard that. Malfoy had heard that. Malfoy had heard that.
She felt herself redden – she was probably redder than a tomato and she clenched her fists.
Malfoy made no move to leave, and she was beginning to feel like she was going to spontaneously combust.

She couldn't take it anymore.

"I, umm, excuse me," Hermione said and she brushed past Malfoy, and exited her office, all the while thinking 'fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck', earning a couple of looks from people who had heard her thoughts while passing her.