Challenge Me

C H A P T E R O N E

Hermione Granger

Since the war, nothing had been the same. Death was a tragedy that everyone had been subjected too, innocent blood will forever be on the hands of many and tortured souls will never be at rest. So many bodies still hadn't been identified since the end of the second wizarding war, and each day many were added to the never-ending list.

Hogwarts had given students the chance to go back and repeat their last year, the chance to properly sit their tests without the worry of being blown up. It was everything Hermione had wanted since she was a little girl, she remembered the first day of walking through the once magnificent door of Hogwarts. She had studied with numerous hours being spent on figuring out the history behind the infamous school and the wizarding world itself.

But she didn't take the opportunity, instead, she found herself a job at the Ministry. Due to her role in the defeat of Voldemort, she had not only gained a lot of publicity but people now looked up to her and knew what she had done. This earnt her special consideration within the Ministry and since then, the smart Miss Granger climbed her way to the top. It hadn't taken her long to reach where she was wanting, not only had everyone she came into contact with knew about her help in defeating you-know-who but they were also aware of just how intelligent the petit witch was.

Onlookers stopped to watch as the famous Hermione Granger went on with her day, she was known to be the brains in the trio and every little girl now wanted to be her. She picked up her usual coffee and walked to her daily floo network which led to her work, after she juggled her briefcase and steaming coffee in the same hand she managed to pick up a considerable amount of floo powder in her free one.

Standing in the desired spot, Hermione lifted her arm straight out in front of her and clearly spoke the whereabouts of her destination. Not a moment after she let the power fall loosely to the ground, her entire being was engulfed in a bright emerald flame. Upon reaching her desired location, the brunette beauty wiped off the excess dirt and soot that had gathered on her freshly ironed work outfit.

Walking past the numerous friendly co-workers, Hermione muttered at least 13 hellos. After an awkward ride in the quiet elevator with only herself and one of the gossipy ladies who she knew to be from the second floor, she was finally opening the door to her familiar office.

She loved her office, it was decorated with exactly what she wanted and the best thing was; she didn't need to share. There were many photographs that showed her own smiling face, accompanied by her two best friends. Though she and Ron had decided they were better off as friends, she never let it get in the way of their friendship. Without him and Harry, she feared what her life may have looked like.

A mirror was in one of the four corners of the room and some small vases of flowers were randomly but strategically scattered around the open space, everything was finished off with her dark wooden desk and black leather chair being centred in the middle of everything. Hermione sighed in content as she took in the view in front of her, behind her desk was a huge window that overlooked many parts of the busy wizarding world. It truly was a magical sight.

Strolling over to her large desk, she placed her briefcase beside her roller chair, adding her now warm cup of coffee on top of her desk. Glancing at her reflection in the mirror opposite her she took in her appearance, her brown hair was pulled up in an elegant bun with only a few wisps of hair hanging loosely to frame her love heart shaped face. Her doe-like eyes held a deep depth of brown to them and her cheeks were coated with a light scattering of freckles. Her plump lips wore a natural pink shade and a silver pair of sparkling studs accented her lobes.

She wore a classy black dress that didn't reveal anything but at the same time left onlookers satisfied, well, apart from one onlooker...

Forgetting she hadn't closed the door to her office, Hermione's thoughts were startled as a throaty cough could be heard. Her eyes widened at the intruder and her mouth parted at who it was.

She hadn't seen him since the war had ended, she wasn't even aware if he had made it out alive. After declaring he was indeed turning over to the dark side, she hadn't given another thought to him other than wondering how he could live with himself. And yet, here he was leaning against her doorframe dressed in a black suit with a sterling silver tie that matched his beautifully alarming eyes.

"You know Granger, if you didn't want to be interrupted whilst checking yourself out, maybe you should have closed the door" She didn't know what to say, she couldn't believe he was here out of all places. The Ministry of Magic, where they were hunting down everyone who were known allies to the Dark Lord.

"But then again, if I looked nearly as good as you did in that snug little outfit of yours, I would want others to know too" his signature smirk grew as did the dumbfounded look on Hermione's face.

She never thought she would see him again unless he was dead and she was perhaps paying her respects. Boy, was she wrong because here he was. She finally opened her mouth, the words tumbling off her tongue coolly before she could stop them.

"Malfoy."