The Game

As soon as steely grey eyes, so not unlike the smoke Hermione was fascinated with merely minutes before, met chocolate brown ones, something in Hermione clicked into place.

Not realizing what that was all about, she looked at her so called client with narrowed eyes.

“What are you doing here?” She spat.

“Now, now, miss Granger, is that how you greet all your clients or am I just an exception?” Malfoy said, obviously amused.

“Don’t flatter yourself. What’s this all about?”

“I do believe we have an appointment. House elves rights.”

“You? They sent you for this? That one’s rich…”

“Rich indeed, miss Granger. Now, if you don’t mind, I have some arguments I would very much like to present to you.”

What happened next could only be described as awfully boring discussion, Hermione thought. Yet there was strange, uncomfortable feeling in her body. It felt like the rage she was trying to suppress was boiling inside of her veins. What great relief would be, to stretch her fingers until they were tightly wrapped around the neck of the man before her. Or how his silky hair would feel to her touch. She obviously shuddered. ‘No way in Hell I was thinking that.’

Two hours of boring discussion later, Lucius Malfoy stood up from his chair and graciously glanced down at Hermione’s still sitting form.

“My uhm… pleasure, miss Granger. Farewell.” And with that, he walked out of her office.

Hermione, pissed beyond belief, set back to work, yet her thoughts were still tinted with Mister Oh-So-High-And-Mighty Malfoy.

An hour later, she was finally able to leave asphyxiating office and went home.

Later that day she found herself in her bathing tub, soaking in warm water and thinking of ways she could satisfy the burning hate for Malfoy. Hermione, while very intelligent and kind girl, had one quirk. She had to get her revenge, one way or another. She always did. For example, in third year, when she slapped Draco Malfoy, or even sixth year, when she set a flock of angry birds on Ron.

Laying wide awake in her bed, she contemplated various thoughts, running through her mind. She needed something creative, yet not too harsh (which resulted in murder). Because one thing Hermione would never forget, was how Malfoy knife felt against her skin, faint scars that spelled ‘mudblood’ still visible on her light skin. Although Ministry left him off the hook and he was still in good graces with many a powerful wizard, for he was not really evil by the heart, only scared, Hermione found excitement when she finally decided on her plan.

Of course it won’t be easy, but after seven years of friendship with Harry and Ron, rarely anything was really easy.

--

She woke up early the next day, and called in sick for work. Slipping into comfortable outfit, she Apparated to the nearest library.

Spending her morning surrounded by books on defensive wards, she was currently going through an interesting paragraph on how to break those wards, which was one of the crucial points in Hermione’s plan.

She spent whole day in the library, occasionally taking a smoke and a lunch break. Only when dusk started to appear, she decided she had enough for the day and was sure to come back tomorrow.

--

And so a week passed her by, and of course she had to go back to work. Yet every single day after work she found herself buried in piles and piles of books.

In about a month, all stages of her plans were completed. All she needed to do now was buy a decent outfit for the occasion.

‘Tomorrow,’ she thought, ‘tomorrow is the day.”

Getting to bed and covering herself up to her chin she was positive excitement wouldn’t let her sleep, yet she was very wrong. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she was drifting out of consciousness.

--

Waking up even earlier than usual, she packed some supplies in a small leather bag, which was under the Undetectable Extension Charm. Putting on her outfit, she suddenly felt very self-conscious. Then, a quick idea struck her.

Running to her bathroom, she decided she should put on some make up.

Ten minutes, a lot of eyeliner and red lipstick later, she was ready. Wrapping a cloak around her shoulders, her wand safely in holster on her thigh, she Disapparated.

Sudden force almost knocked her off her feet, but she straightened her back and lifted her head, staring stubbornly at huge mansion before her.

At last, she arrived to Malfoy Manor.

A/N: So here's the second chapter, which is also short. Next one will be longer, hopefully. Also thanks to HarryGinny4eva, for her lovely review. :)