What I've become

Chapter six

Hermione found Harry at the burrow making wedding plans with Ginny, they could both tell as soon as Hermione walked in the door that she had something to tell them both.

When she told them about the promotion they both jumped up and hugged her saying their congratulations.

“Why aren’t you excited Hermione?” asked Ginny noting Hermione’s worried expression.

“I was…I mean I am excited I nearly put a hole in my floor where I was jumping around so much” said Hermione with a small smile.

“Well, what’s wrong?” asked Harry. Hermione pulled out the letter and gave Harry the first sheet and he began to read it with Ginny at his shoulder also reading it.

They scanned down the letter to the end and both looked up non-repulsed.

“Look at the signature” said Hermione impatiently, Harry and Ginny looked back down at the letter and their chins dropped.

“That’s what’s wrong with me” said Hermione sighing.

“When did he get let out?” Ginny gasped.
“I don’t know…but what am I supposed to do guys?” asked Hermione taking the letter back off of Harry and putting the parchment back in her pocket.

“Well do you really want to work with this guy…he’s a Death Eater!” cried Ginny.

“No not really…but am I going to let him ruin my chances of getting this job…I mean I will be helping with what goes on at Hogwarts.” Hermione said talking to herself more than anyone else.

“You might not even see him Hermione,” said Harry positively giving Hermione a comforting smile.

“Yeah, maybe,” mumbled Hermione biting her lower lip while she was deep in thought.

“Any way” Hermione said giving her head a little shake, “how are you doing with your training?” she asked turning to Harry.

“It’s going fine…hard though,” replied Harry thoughtfully, then added, “I’m going in next Monday, do you want to meet for lunch?” Harry asked.

“I would love that…it will be my first day in my new job and a friendly face might be good.” Hermione replied both looking forward and dreading her first day all at the same time.

“So you’re taking the job?” asked Ginny slightly surprised.

“I can’t let that creep cheat me out of the job of my dreams,” said Hermione defiantly as she straightened her cloak.

“Well I’m going to get new robes for work” said Hermione cheerfully her excitement building once again, with a quick goodbye she headed for Diagon Alley.

Monday came quickly and Hermione was all in a flutter, she dressed in her new robes which had silver fastenings down the front and her hair was pulled tight into a bun.

She stood for nearly a quarter of an hour before she deemed herself fit for work.

She arrived at the ministry via floo powder then referred to her letter to see where she needed to go next.

She headed for the elevator and on her way she ran into people she knew from her old department and they all stopped to congratulate her.

Once on the elevator she went three floors down and went straight to chamber B like the letter had instructed.

“Come in” called a voice from within the chamber when Hermione knocked.
Hermione walked into the room her hands clasped in front of herself for comfort, the room held six other people apart from her self and all but one of them were all sat round a large table the last person was walking towards Hermione while extending his hand.
“Ah Miss Granger” chimed Fudge taking her hand and shaking it.
“It a pleasure to meet you minister” Hermione squeaked hoping that her hand wasn’t as sweaty as it felt.
“Well let me introduce everyone” said fudge cheerfully, turning Hermione to the room at large.
“This is Leon Lewis” said Fudge addressing a handsome dark haired man; Hermione nodded her head politely in greeting.
“This is Jack Minefield” continued Fudge pointing to A man on Leon’s left hand side.
This went on as she meets, Greg Toll, Damon Ashfield and Patrick Keenan.
“And where might Luc…” Fudge began but the door suddenly opened.
“Ah there you are…Miss Granger I’m sure you know Lucius Malfoy” said Fudge waving his hand in Lucius’s direction.
The hairs on the back of Hermione’s neck had stood on end the moment Lucius had walked into the room; she knew fully well that Fudge knew that they both knew each other.
“Miss Granger…it’s a pleasure as always” drawled Lucius taking Hermione’s hand and kissing it lightly, Hermione felt a shock when he kissed her hand, but she gave him a fake smile and jerked her hand away almost rudely.
Fudge waved them to there seat and Hermione was dismayed to find she was sitting on Lucius right hand side.
“Well as you all can see, we have a new member of the team…Miss Granger why don’t you tell us about yourself” said Fudge with a smile, Hermione felt the colour drain from her face as she stood up and she hoped the floor would open and swallow her whole, the last time she had done something like this was in her muggle middle school before she found out she was a witch.
“Hello” said Hermione feeling stupid as she gave a small geeky wave.
“As the minister said my name is Hermione Granger, I’m a muggle born and until today I had worked in the misuse of magic department” said Hermione wishing she could think of something else to say about herself, Fudge waited ten seconds to make sure she was finished before he said.
“Has anyone got any questions for Hermione?” Fudge asked.
“Geez enough with the meet and greet, what is this…an initiation to humiliate the new girl” Hermione wondered hoping no one would say anything but found she was unlucky.
“Where did you study magic?” asked Damon and Hermione heard a hint of distaste in his voice.
“Hogwarts” Hermione replied proudly, “did you enjoy it there?” Damon fired with a sneer, Hermione merely nodded, liking Damon less and less.
“How did you hear about the position?” asked Patrick kindly.
“Err well…I didn’t hear about it…I just got a letter telling me I had got the job” replied Hermione wondering how long the position had been open before they just gave it to her.
“I can help her there” said Fudge holding up his hand, “I was having a lot of trouble filling this spot until someone told me about a talented young witch in the misuse of magic department who would be perfect for the job” explained Fudge, Hermione’s head jerked up in surprise.

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In the same mourning of that day Lucius was in the dead muggle’s apartment once again watching Hermione dress for work.
He could not explain why he had taken to watching her every move, when she left for work Lucius had followed her to the ministry.
He stayed a few feet away from her but she was always in his sight, he watched as she smiled and greeted everyone she knew when they passed.
Before she had gotten the job he had noticed how unhappy she was and even now he noticed that when she thought no one was looking her face would lose its brightness and her loneliness would show though.
When Hermione had reached chamber B and entered Lucius waited out side the door and listened to Fudge introduce everyone and when he sensed his name coming he decided to make his appearance.
Walking in he saw Hermione’s back tighten and when he drew close there eyes locked for brief moment and Lucius felt a strange sensation start in his stomach and settle in his chest.
Without thinking her took her hand and kissed it lightly, He felt her power again and as she pulled her hand free it felt like silk running though his fingers.
Fudge made them take there seats and Lucius’s was just as surprised as Hermione to find she was sitting on his right hand side.
Lucius watched her out of the corner of his eye as Fudge made her tell them more about herself, then the other members of the panel began to ask Questions and Lucius heart froze when Patrick asked how she had gotten the job.

He did not yet want Hermione to know he had got her the job, Lucius felt his name coming up when Fudge was explaining but he only referred to Lucius as some one and he felt himself relax.

“Who put my name forward?” asked Hermione, her face puzzled, Lucius felt himself sink further into his chair.

“My dear child, I assumed you knew!” cried Fudge with an air of surprise. “Lucius Malfoy put it forward.” Fudge finished, Hermione’s face fell and she spun round to Lucius, who kept his eyes locked with hers.

“Why?” Asked Hermione when she found she could talk once again, Lucius did not reply, he just kept her eyes held by his making Hermione feel uncomfortable.

“Well…lets not get into this now, down to business,” interrupted Fudge; Hermione slumped back down in her seat and tried to listen to the minister but found it hard to pay her full attention when her mind had so many questions but nothing about what Fudge was telling them about.

“Why did he get me the job?” “Why is he being so nice to me?” “And why oh why won’t he stop staring at me!” Her mind cried, for the rest of the meeting Hermione tried to force herself to listen to her instructions and she was more than happy when lunch time arrived.