Perfect Storm

Chapter 22

*I don't usually do A/Ns at the beginning but I wanted to say that I updated the tags on this story, specifically because of this chapter. I decided to play around with dom/sub role play, with Dom Draco and Bratty Sub Hermione. Those that have been following this story forever might not notice the extra tags so I wanted to give a heads up in case it's a kink people would like to skip. No hard feelings, just scroll down to the line break. If you do enjoy it, please thank my inspiration, a fic called Bring Him to His Knees, by Musyc (on AO3). Also, if you haven't, go read it cause it's wonderful.*

June 2004

Hermione walked past the Ministry's alchemy labs, scrunching her nose as one of the doors opened and acrid, sulphuric smells seeped into the hallway. She pulled the lapel of her coat over her nose and moved as far from the odor as possible. As she took a second to glance down and make sure she hadn't pulled her entire jacket up, she knocked into another person.

Looking up her eyes went wide and she squeaked, "Harry!"

"Hermione?" Harry gave her a bemused look as he bent to pick up his dropped files and she took a hasty step back. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see Draco, obviously," she said, smoothing her hands over her jacket and ensuring it stayed in place. "Is he in his office?"

"Yeah, I was just dropping off notes on the case he's assisting us with."

"He's assisting on a case?"

"The final rogue death eater has been spotted. We have it on good authority where he will be tomorrow and Draco actually volunteered to help with the takedown."

"You found Rodolphus?" Hermione gasped.

"I know. We didn't think we'd see the day but our informant has been tracking his movements and we're finally set to haul his arse in.

"Please be careful," she said, placing a hand on his forearm. "I can only imagine the desperate state he's in and what actions that's capable of driving him to."

"We're not amateurs, 'Mione. Relax." Harry patted her hand and pointed down the hall. "Draco is the last door on the right."

Hermione nodded and set off, laughing when she heard Harry gag on the smell still emanating from one of the labs. She reached the door, running her finger over the gold nameplate engraved with D.L. Malfoy. Taking a deep steadying breath, she gently rapt on the door several times before letting herself in.

"I told you ten times now, Potter. I'm fully prepared for tomorrow," Draco mumbled, his head bent over a stack of parchment.

Hermione slammed the door and smirked when his head shot up and he dropped his quill, ink splattering all over the final flourish of his signature.

"You're not Potter," Draco said, arching his brows in curiosity.

"I most certainly am not."

"I thought you were going straight to the flat after you got in?"

"I wanted to stop by and give you your birthday present."

"It couldn't wait until I got home?"

"Nope."

Hermione moved forward, placing her hands on his desk, prepared to sweep them across the top but then hesitated and stepped back. He had his desk so neatly ordered, she was honestly worried about shoving it all to the floor.

"Granger."

She looked up and saw Draco watching her intently.

"Do it."