Blood Supremacy

"And that's why Mister Malfoy has requested I instruct the lot of you on how to use computers. Are there any more questions?" Hermione asked exasperatedly. The sullen group in front of her all had new, top-of-the-line Macbook Pros, yet none of them had been touched. The chorus of voices started up again. 

"What makes you think you're the most capable?"

"Why has Mister Malfoy agreed to use these muggle contraptions?"

"What are these even for?"Hermione sighed and massaged her temples. Managing the boardroom of older, prejudiced people was proving to be a difficult task. Malfoy sat in the corner, looking increasingly frustrated and making marks on a clipboard. "One at a time, Hermione shouted.The room silenced. One of the more reasonable witches asked, "What are these for? Who proposed the usage of these?""I did. I suspect that these will highly increase the efficiency of the company. While it is already very efficient,' she held up her hand to forestall any further outbreak of noise,' I have calculated that using computers in this company will increase revenue vastly. I have the calculations on a whiteboard in my office if anyone would like to see them. It will also open up a whole other level of tools and utilities that we don't already have. Not to mention it will help to prove your open- mindedness when it comes to the business as a whole.""Why has Mister Malfoy agreed to use these muggle contraptions?""Because of the aforementioned reasons- efficiency, open- mindedness, and new utilities. These will also help organize all the company's assets, contracts, and other business deals.""Are you the most capable of teaching the rest of us on how to use these?" The wizard, Amoran Peters, sneered."If we're going to use them, we might as well hire someone to teach us how to use these properly." Malfoy spoke up now."Peters, I have known Miss Granger for eight years of my life. She is an intelligent and more than capable of teaching the lot of you on how to use these computers. I will admit, I was skeptical at first, but once she demonstrated its abilities I was more than happy to try them out for the rest of the company. She is also, despite her lack of experience specifically, your senior considering she is my P.A. You would do well to respect her."He spoke quietly, but authoritatively. It was clear why he had been able to keep these traditionally- mindset people in line- he spoke confidently, and didn't waver in defending her. "Sir, with all due respect, why haven't you chosen someone with more experience to work as your personal assistant?" His tone of voice was even and modulated, but his face made it clear he resented Hermione. Draco sighed."Peters, it is no secret that you have been vying for this position for years. I do not wish to aggravate you, but the reason you are not in that position is simply because I did not think you were suitable for the job. You could not ever be as level- headed when taking orders, and while I am not saying Miss Granger is weak- far from it- she knows what needs to be done. To be honest, the only reason you are still here is because my father requested I keep you in the company for as long as possible. It was one of the last reasonable requests he ever made which is the only reason I've honoured it. I would honestly have fired you long ago. You have no sense of others, nor their feelings; you are unable to take orders from anybody, your temper is volatile and you can't go a day without blowing up on someone. If you want to stay, I suggest changing your mindset to something closer to the expectations of today's society." Peters sneered again. "Very well then. Fire me. I know you won't, Draco Malfoy, your dad has always held a certain shadow over you. You want to fire me but you can't, because you'll have let down your He mocked Draco in a sneering tone, taunting him. Draco held his head in his hands."Mister Peters, I would request that you please exit the room." Hermione's quiet voice cut through the tension and silence."Why should I? I don't need to take orders from "As Mister Malfoy has already stated, I have more power in terms of hierarchy in this company. I am politely asking you to leave the room until you are invited back in."As Peters's temper rose, so did his viciousness in his choice of words."I don't take orders from Hermione flinched visibly at the use of the slur, but Draco was outraged."I will not have blood-supremist working at this company. You are fired." Peters smirked."From what I've heard, that's an accurate description of yourself, "Ah, but the difference is Draco can own up to his mistakes and apologize, whereas you have your head so far up your arse you probably don't know what an apology is. Not to mention the fact it was a matter of abuse or not, which I'm sure you've never had the of experiencing."Hermione's razor-sharp words hit home, and Peters snarled before leaving."You'll regret ever coming to work here, M-""Mudblood, yes. You need to come up with something new. Now, if you would get out, we have business to conduct." Hermione dismissed him with a wave of her hand and he slammed the door shut on his way out. Hermione sent a quiet patronus to Alexis, telling her to make sure he made it out and he never came back. She turned back to the room of awestruck employees, who started at her with wide eyes. Someone let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God, I thought he was never going to leave." A chorus of agreement ensued. One man stood up. "I think,' he said, looking around at his colleagues,' that we should all apologize to Miss Granger. On behalf of the rest of my co-workers, Miss Granger, I would like to apologize for the behaviour of Mister Peters and our lack of faith in you and the value of your opinions. I think, after that little display, we can all agree that there is no one more suitable for the job than her. The fact that she is subjected to blood prejudice - and after the war- but is not afraid to stand up for the best interests of those around her is proof she is as strong as Mister Malfoy has told us."There was a smattering of applause as the man sat down. Hermione was blushing. "Well, thank you very much, Mister-?""Mister Xander.""Mister Xander." She smiled gratefully. "Now, let's get started. Everyone open your computers..."

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