Hermione let out an audible sigh as she looked around Draco’s office for one last time.
Well, this was the reason you took up this internship, said the tiny voice in Hermione’s head as it awoke once more.
“I know, I know,” Hermione answered softly. “I just never knew it would be like this. Things aren’t the same anymore.”
And, indeed, they weren’t. Last night had been absolutely wonderful, and Hermione still felt the aftereffects of being loved and loving Draco. But none of that could have changed the decision that had been made just the morning before.
You had to know this was coming, though. Why else would they give you an internship?
The voice, no matter how annoying, had a point. Hermione knew the reason she had been sent to work for Draco was because the current Minister of Magic was planning to retire. Draco was next in line to become the next Minister. Nobody could disagree with that. Not only was he smart, quick and all-together brilliant, he also had an uncanny way of knowing almost everything. This wasn’t an exaggeration. Give him a subject, any subject, and he could explain it to you from start to end. It was one of the things Hermione admired most about him, and now he was moving up, leaving the job they had grown close to behind.
It’s not as though he’s leaving you, though. He’ll just be a few floors up.
Hermione knew that as well, but still, she couldn’t help the gloomy feeling that had forced itself between Draco and her at breakfast.
It had been an amazing morning, after all - the perfect way to start their new life as a couple. However, as Hermione had waved her wand at the dishes in order to start their breakfast, an owl had tapped its leg against her windowsill. It was Draco who opened the window and stroked the brown owl before letting it fly off. The letter was addressed to him.
That was when it started; Hermione was sure of it. She had seen the look on Draco’s face as his eyes scanned the contents of the letter. His pale cheeks flushed, he smiled, then frowned. Folding the letter neatly in half, Draco then produced his wand and grabbed his cloak from the nearby closet.
“I have to go,” Draco had said in that beautiful voice of his. “There’s something up at work. The Minister has resigned.”
At that, Hermione gave him one of her brilliant smiles, the kind that had the ability to light up a whole room. “Does that mean the new Minister is right in this room with me?”
Draco had smiled at Hermione. “You might say that. But listen, I really have to go. Do you mind coming to the office later and clearing out my things? We’re both getting new offices today.”
Hermione had nodded and turned back towards the eggs that were slowly turning golden.
“Wha-“
There was a swish and as Hermione turned around, Draco had no longer been in sight. It hadn’t bothered Hermione that Draco hadn’t even said goodbye, or kissed her; what had bothered her was that when she arrived at his old office an hour later, Draco hadn’t even been there. He had simply left another floating note, , saying that if she didn’t mind clearing out his things on her own, it would help him a great deal.
The fact that he had left her alone to clear out his things didn’t bother Hermione that much either though; it was the fact that he hadn’t even checked in on her once today. Where was the love he had confessed to her just last night?
Hermione sighed. It wasn’t even 24 hours yet, but Hermione felt the flame Draco had built last night already slowly extinguishing.
A lone tear dropped onto one of Draco’s books as Hermione waved her wand at it and guided it to a large heap where it gently landed.
The books were all done now, Hermione thought. But there were still the other shelves to take care of. With another swish of her wand, Hermione produced several boxes in mid-air and began levitating objects from the shelf into them. The task was anything but exciting, but Hermione tried to focus on it as much as she could to distract her from the thoughts she was having.
Draco didn’t have that many things left after the books were done, and the office was soon empty. Hermione walked around it as she tried to imagine herself operating this office on her own. This was what she had been dreaming of, after all. Draco was now the Minister of Magic, and she was now the Head of Wizard Protection. What could be better?
Hermione groaned once more. Months before, she could have only dreamt of being in such a position, but now that she had it, she couldn’t help but feel unsatisfied. Finally having made it to the top felt amazing, Hermione had to admit, but it was an empty victory without Draco by her side celebrating it along with her. She knew she would probably see him tonight, and they would celebrate afterwards, but things wouldn’t be the same after that.
Hermione had loved working with Draco, though she would have never admitted it. And now, things were going to change. They would still see each other a lot, yes. But Draco was the Minister now. Important duties would fill in his already busy schedule. Hermione could already taste the chicken sandwich she would be making for herself when she would be forced to eat dinners alone once more.
Shuddering at the thought, Hermione looked around the office once more and forced a smile.
You made it, Granger, try being happy just for a few minutes.
The minute was over before it even started, and Hermione huffed as she levitated the twenty one boxes full of Draco’s things. She walked slowly, leading them up the stairs, into the elevator, across the corridors and finally up the steps towards Draco’s new office.
A large wooden door greeted her, and Hermione listened to the sounds of laughter from inside. Feeling like a complete outsider, she thought about leaving the boxes outside the office before changing her mind. This was no time to act silly.
Hermione pulled a strand of hair out of her face and tried to look composed as she knocked on the heavy door. The laughs stopped, and out peeped the face of a pretty woman. Her blue eyes widened when she saw Hermione; immediately, she led her into the large office Draco would now be managing.
The room itself was a work of art, Hermione had to admit. Draco hadn’t even been here for a day, and yet it exuded so much of his personality already that Hermione felt her theories being confirmed. Things would indeed change from now on.
“Hermione!” Draco exclaimed, standing up. With a wave of his hand, the woman stepped out of the room, and Hermione listened to her footsteps disappearing before she looked at Draco.
“Ophelia, my new assistant.” Draco said with a shrug. “Cute, but nothing compared to you.”
Hermione didn’t smile. Instead, she gestured towards the boxes that she now lowered to the floor with a soft thud. “Here are all of the things you kept in your office. I finished clearing them out.”
“I owe you an apology for leaving you so abruptly this morning,” Draco continued, standing up. “And I’m sorry I made you clean out my, well, your office all on your own. There were just a few things that needed my attention.”
Hermione gave him a small smile. “That’s perfectly alright. I was able to manage on my own.”
She turned around to leave, and her heart ached when Draco moved and caught her hand before she could leave.
“You’re mad.”
It was a statement rather than a question, but Hermione still tried to refuse it.
“You’re a terrible liar, so don’t even start coming up with excuses,” Draco said, cutting in as soon as Hermione opened her mouth. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Hermione answered, trying and failing to make Draco release her hand. “There’s nothing wrong at all.”
“Well, in that case, how about trying out that new desk?” Draco said with a smile. “People say it’s indestructible, but they’ve never seen us at work now, have they?”
“How can you think of sex at a time like this?” Hermione suddenly exploded, widening Draco’s eyes in surprise. “Doesn’t it bother you that we won’t be working together anymore?”
Draco studied Hermione’s face before answering. “It bothers you a lot, doesn’t it?”
Hermione sighed. “Of course it does. I’m really happy for you, Draco. But, I just don’t want things to change that fast yet. I was happy with the way things were. More than happy. And now, all of that’s going to change. You’ll be busy all the time, and we’ll never have time anymore. I know you; I know how much you like dealing with cases and such. And, with all the wizards in this world, they’re bound to keep you busy.”
Draco nodded. “You’re right, you know, Hermione, but only about one thing. I will be busy.”
Hermione waited for him to say something else, and when Draco didn’t, she felt her heart drop even lower. “So what now?”
Draco scanned the room as he talked, leading Hermione to the certain spot he wanted. “I’ve decided to hire someone to help me. It will be much easier on both of us that way.”
Hermione nodded. “But still… I really quite enjoyed working with you, Draco. I just didn’t want that to change right away.”
Draco nodded once more. “I agree. That’s why I had that sign there changed.”
Hermione looked to where Draco was pointing and saw the title “Minister of Magic” painted in silver across a portion of the ceiling.
“What did you have changed? And what does that have to do with any of this?”
Draco remained silent and covered Hermione’s confused eyes with his hands.
“Look again,” he whispered, taking his hands away a few second later.
Hermione looked up in confusion, but saw that the sign hadn’t changed. She noticed only a moment after that a new phrase was now under the first title. It now read, “Minister and Ministress of Magic.”
“Oh.” Hermione replied, her heart sinking even deeper. “The ministry let you appoint a ministress to help you? That would make you less busy, I suppose.”
Draco smiled. “I even found the perfect woman for the job. She’s incredibly bright, and her mind is almost as brilliant as mine. She’s quick, too, and one of the fastest learners I’ve met in a long time.”
Hermione smiled, trying to control the tears that were on the verge of escaping. She watched as Draco drew nearer and closed her eyes as he began whispering.
“Not only that, but she is also one of the nicest people I’m sure I will ever meet. Her heart is beautiful, and so is she. She’s as near to perfection as humanely, and wizardly, possible.”
A tear escaped and Hermione wiped it away without Draco seeing.
“And you know what else, Hermione?”
Hermione shook her head and Draco moved even closer. Hermione’s eyes popped open as Draco began kissing her, his sweet lips moving over hers wonderfully.
“I’m kissing her right now.”
It took a few more seconds for Hermione to react, and when she did, Draco couldn’t help but smile at the shriek she emitted.
“Are you serious, Draco? Us? The Minister and Ministress of Magic? Don’t you dare tell me you’re joking!”
Draco chuckled and kissed her again. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m terribly serious. I love you, and the idea of not being this close to you everyday was killing me more and more every day. And besides, the Ministry didn’t even oppose the decision. Like I said, you’re completely brilliant, and everyone has finally noticed that.”
Hermione’s arms were around Draco’s neck the next second and in that moment, Hermione knew nothing mattered more at that moment than her and Draco.
“Let’s go home,” Draco said in a husky voice. “There’s some business I still need to take care of there as well.”
Hermione giggled and held onto Draco’s hand happily as they moved towards the large fireplace in Draco’s new office. With the help of a handful of Floo Powder, the pair arrived at Hermione’s apartment a second later, already kissing.
This is it, Hermione thought dreamily as Draco carried her to her bedroom. This is how it’s supposed to feel.
Draco and Hermione made love until they collapsed, exhausted once more. When Hermione stood up to run a bath for her, she smiled as Draco stirred and followed her into the bathroom. She watched him undress and get into the bathtub with her in wonder. He really was most beautiful when he was naked.
She kissed Draco as soon as he stepped inside the bathtub, and Draco held her for a long time, shampooing her wet hair.
“About your position, Hermione,” Draco began.
Hermione looked up at him and shifted her weight. “Am I too heavy for you?”
Draco chuckled. “Not that position. I was talking about your position in the Ministry. Your position right now is heavenly. Don’t you dare move an inch.”
Hermione smiled. “What about my position at the Ministry? You weren’t joking, were you?”
Draco smiled and kissed Hermione’s forehead lovingly. “I wasn’t joking about that. You’re brilliant, like I said before. You belong in an office with me. Your mind would be a terrible thing to waste stapling papers together.”
Hermione laughed. “Then what are you trying to say, Draco?”
“Well…” Draco said in a soft voice. “There was a certain condition, for you to become the Ministress of Magic.”
Hermione’s eyes opened in suspicion. “Oh? And what is that?”
Draco kissed her. “You’ll have to marry me.”
Hermione gasped before turning her whole body around to face Draco full on. “Are you serious? Do you want that?”
Draco nodded seriously. “I have wanted that since the first day in the office, Hermione. And even if it wasn’t a requirement for the Ministry, I would have asked you anyway. I love you.”
Hermione hugged Draco tightly, her heart exploding from joy. “I love you too, Draco. I have never been this happy in my life. I would love to become your wife. You’re truly amazing.”
“No, you are amazing.” Draco replied, before pushing Hermione against the opposite end of the bathtub, causing water to splash in all directions. “And I’m never going to let you forget that.”
Hermione gazed up at the ceiling in bliss as Draco began kissing her neck with all the love he was feeling. Hermione watched in a dazed smile as a few bubbles rose from the bath tub, and wondered how her life had gotten so wonderful so suddenly.
Draco continued kissing Hermione, and for that moment, she forgot everything but him. None of them noticed the one soap bubble that remained afloat, reflecting their happiness in its shiny surface. It floated high above them, still unnoticed, until, as though sensing its job done, disappeared.
POP.
A Popped Bubble by youngrowling
Chapter Endnotes: my amazing beta reader is to thank for all of this story's success. i hope you enjoyed reading this fan fic. :)