Chapter Text
“Minister Granger! Any word on the ongoing peace talks with Bulgaria?”
“Auror Potter! How goes the continuing hunt of the remaining Death Eaters?”
“Minister Granger! Auror Potter!”
That was all they heard. Hermione hid a grimace as they walked through the main atrium of the Ministry, knowing that if she let loose, someone would be writing a front page article on how she was somehow “failing the country.”
It was a bunch of bullshite, if you asked her.
Harry walked slightly behind her, being the head of her personal detail. If someone wanted to get to her, they’d have to go through him, and no one wanted to try and piss off the man who took down Britain’s darkest lord in decades. His face was set into a neutral gaze, eyes constantly scanning the crowd, his wand palmed and pointed at the floor. To someone looking, it was as if a machine had taken over his body and it was just going through it’s programmed motions.
Only Hermione was able to see the mild annoyance hidden within his eyes.
She leaned back slightly, putting her voice at a volume only Harry would be able to hear. “What’s on the agenda for today?”
Harry quickly ran through his mental planner, before his deep voice entered her ears. “Well, aside from the conference we’re currently walking to, you’ve got a lunch meeting with the PM, and a meeting with all the Heads of Departments later in the evening.” He smirked slightly, and Hermione could hear a distant squeal from a BWL fangirl. “And then it’s dinner with your best friend and bodyguard.”
She had to repress a shiver at that. His voice always sent her into a mental frenzy, imagining that voice whispering sweet nothings as he took her against the wall-
No. Not again. She couldn’t afford to have those thoughts at work again. Last time she did, she had holed herself up in her office and not come out for hours.
‘Besides,’ she thought bitterly. ‘He doesn’t feel the same anyways.’ She schooled her features, before continuing on her path towards the raised platform where she’d be making her monthly State of the Country address. Her inner thoughts were interrupted by a yell, and she looked up to see a man running straight towards her. Her eyes widened, before an arm pulled her back, and suddenly, Harry stood in front, fist already cocked back.
She watched as the muscles in his arm rippled, before his hand flew forward, knocking the running man straight in the jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. A look of fury was etched onto his face. Cameras flashed all around the atrium, but Harry was fully focused on the dazed man on the ground.
“I thought we had come to an agreement, Murdoch.” His voice was clipped, teeth slightly bared. “Was the last talk not enough for you?”
Silas Murdoch was a...well to be honest, he was someone Hermione had hoped to forget. Back during her tenure as an intern, she and Silas had met during a Department meeting. She and him soon became enamoured with each other, having conversations whenever the other was available, going on dinner dates, the whole shebang.
Then she had caught him cheating, with him saying she was just a stepping stone to him, breaking her heart.
When she began to rapidly rise through the ranks of the Ministry, he slowly began to try and worm his way back into her life, but at every turn, Harry was there waiting. She had begged him not to speak to Silas, wanting to be rid of the man, but it was apparent that he didn’t leave things settled.
As the man was cuffed and levitated away, Hermione whispered out to Harry. “Last talk?”
Harry had a small blush appear on his face, before responding back. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
She pouted jokingly, before smiling. “You better.”
He smiled at her, eyes crinkling a little, and it sent her heart stuttering. “Anything for you, Mione.”
He took the lead, which she was slightly thankful for, since she was currently struggling to keep her mind under control. The nerve of that man! Didn’t he know what affect his words had on her?
He had been doing this for months now, seeming to drop hints on his feelings, only to pull away and act like nothing happened!
She was so frustrated that she nearly missed Harry’s grumble before they made it to the platform. “Ah shite, Skeeter’s gonna have a field day with this.” He wiped a hand down his face, running his fingers through the short beard he kept, and Hermione made her decision.
‘Ah, sod it.’ Screw waiting.
She took a hold on his arm, causing him to look at her with surprise. Her face was set in determination, with a smirk growing on it. “Mione?”
“Let’s give her something to talk about then.”
She moved quickly, standing on her toes to reach his lips, an arm wrapping around his neck. Fireworks exploded in her mind, the feeling of his soft lips sending her mind into overdrive.
When he grabbed her waist and his tongue lapped against her lips, her mind blanked out, before starting again in a sprint. She pulled away, panting, absentmindedly noticing the camera flashes and reporters screaming out, demanding answers. She was only focused on the man in front of her, his emerald eyes sparkling and his raven black hair tousled. The grin on his face spoke volumes, and he neared her ear.
“I was planning on doing that during dinner, but I should’ve known better than to keep you waiting. Should’ve expected you to get what you want when you want it.” She blushed slightly, before intertwining her fingers with his. There’d be a lot to deal with, she knew that for a fact, but she decided that moment that she didn’t care.
‘Let the press have their day,’ she thought happily. ‘I’ve got all I need.’