Draco sighed as he sank into the chair in his cubicle. "That's another day wasted running around in a goose chase." he muttered. He ran his hand through his messed up, platinum blonde hair and glanced at the map on the wall opposite him. A series of indicators showed where recent muggleborn attacks had taken place. These attacks were haphazard and the indicators seemed like they were just a bunch of dots messing up the map. But Draco's instincts were telling him something else. The attacks where somehow connected. Draco felt that he had over looked something, some clue nagging him in the back of his head; the answer that will connects the dots together.
"But WHAT!!" he yelled in frustration, pounding the wall with his fist.
Suddenly, before he could continue abusing his hand, somebody rushed past his cubicle, nearly colliding with Professor Longbottom, the herbology expert in the Ministry.
Draco stood up, immediately regretting his action as his tired leg muscles protested loudly against the sudden move. "Oi there Harry," he hobbled in the direction of the person apologizing to Neville,"Weaslette wants her dinner cooked?" he teased.
To his surprise, Harry Potter didn't smile. "Hermione's in St. Mungo's Draco. I just got the news."
The color drained from Draco's face and his heart skipped a beat, then sank to his boots. "Merlin, what happened? Is she okay?" he asked, or more specifically, demanded. Harry took a look at Draco's stricken face, and saw the battle going on in his stormy, gray eyes, and the painful love in them. "No one told you?" Harry asked, perplexed. " No. Do you honestly thinking I'd be standing here, wasting my time asking you what the hell happened to Hermione, if I already knew?! Honestly Harry, you can be bloody thick at times.
He doesn't know? Then I can't tell him. I shouldn't be the one telling him anyway. That's Ginny's job, and besides Draco can find out later, when he's less agitated and sitting down in a chair, handcuffed, and with a silence charm on him. Draco would never forgive himself if he knew the whole truth. Yeah, I better make up a lie then." thought Harry, analyzing the situation. "Hermione was... uhhh, I mean she has...errr...she has a stomach ache!' Harry finished triumphantly. "Stomach ache? She's at St. Mungo's because of a stomach ache? Are you trying to hide something from me Harry?" Draco asked, utterly confused. He searched Harry's green eyes to know if he was telling the truth. Harry turned away, lest Draco saw the worry, fright, and sadness in his eyes. Nevertheless, some color returned to Draco's pale face, and his heart went back to its rightful place in his chest. Hermione wasn't in any danger after all. He waited for an explanation from Harry. " Ginny nearly snapped my head off a short while ago. 'Mione's pregnant, remember? Apparently, having a stomach ache while you're pregnant is bad news. Ron's already there, he just flew from London, but Ginny wants me there as well. I'm in a bit of a hurry, as I really don't feel up to another blowup from Ginny. One's enough for me any day." Harry forced a grin on his face, so he can leave without Draco being more suspicious than he really is. To avoid any more questions, Harry turned on the spot and apparated.
"How could I forget 'Mione's pregnant? Especially since that idiot Roger has been reminding me every day for 3 months now!?" Draco spat bitterly, still staring at the spot Harry Apparated from. " From all the agencies in the world, and all the departments, he had to work in RAID." The Research and Information Department, or RAID for short, was from the very few departments that worked closely with the Auror Department, as their main purpose was to create and research disguises and identities undercover Aurors use on spy missions. And Roger, Draco's arch enemy and the Minister of Magic's personal favorite, was a prominent figure in RAID. " Careful Mrs. Spinelli doesn't hear you." commented Nymphadora Tonks, recently promoted Head of the Auror office since Kingsley Shacklebot retired after his marriage 2 weeks ago. She was Draco's favorite cousin, and Harry and Draco's boss. She was laughing at Draco's rare emotional outburst as she added, " Nor the Minister for that matter. You still have feelings for her?"
"I'll never stop, Nymphadora," he smiled as he saw her squirm, after all these years she still hated her name. "Though I can't do anything about it anymore, can I? I was idiotic, and 'fessed up too late. I could never live with myself if i was the cause of her unhappiness, or the breaking up of her marriage. Speaking of Hermione, you should know that she's in St. Mungo's with a stomach ache that, according to Mrs. Potter, is bad news for pregnant women." He was eager to change the subject away from himself. He succeeded, for Tonks opened her eyes wide and clutched Draco's arm tightly. " Bloody hell, she's in labor??" she asked breathlessly. Draco gave a chuckle; how his clumsy, absent-minded cousin ever became the Head of the department was beyond his comprehension. " No. In labor? Nymphadora, she's just 3 months pregnant."
" Oh right. How silly of me. I'll go and take a peek at her anyway, I haven't seen her in ages. Do you want to come with me?" Draco hesitated. "No I'd rather watch from a distance." he replied. " Suit yourself. In that case, can you cover for me? I've finished all my work, but i want someone there just in case of emergencies. It'll go in your overtime pay." Tonks looked at him waiting for his reply. " Sure. I don't mind." he said, he had nothing better to do. " Alright. It's all settled then. Wotcher, Mister Malfoy." She beamed, and with a flick of her cloak, she apparated for St.Mungo's.