AN: Hello to anyone reading this! This is my first Dramione story and I'm really hoping that it gets some interest. I love fan fiction and everything HP, so please read and review! Without further ado, on to the story!

Chapter One - The Assignment

"You have got to be kidding me." The words echoed in the almost empty room.

The woman standing before me looked uncomfortable, shifting her weight from foot to foot as she nervously rubbed her left elbow. Her nondescript face flushed with sudden colour; lending an autumnal tone to her features.

"Don't just stand there stalling for time! I said, you have got to be kidding me!" Fingers balling into fists, I stared at her again, harder this time. Slowly she raised her eyes to mine, blinking under the fury of my gaze.

"I'm sorry, but it needs to be done," she said shortly. "You were volunteered to do it, so the job falls to you."

My sudden sarcastic laugh rang resonant and harsh. "So some guy comes into our division with no idea of his own identity, and I've been volunteered as babysitter? Why?"

She looked stricken at my yelling, but didn't flinch from the question. "Your immediate manager volunteered you. He said you knew this man."

I picked up my wand and span on my heel. "Right, I've had it with the vague explanations. I'm going to see Harry." I marched out of the room and stalked up the tiled corridor, hearing only the click-clacking of my heels against the ceramic and the roaring of my blood in my ears. I knocked once on the oak-panelled door and opened it suddenly without waiting for a response.

Harry looked up, a flash of annoyance crossing his features. "Hermione, what on earth –"

"Who is this guy?" I demanded, slamming my wand down on his desk. "Who is the latest recruit, why doesn't he know who he is, and why do you of all people think I know him?"

Harry put down the sandwich he had been eating. He raised his face to mine, pushing his round glasses up his nose. His piercing blue eyes looked troubled and for an instant I felt guilty about interrupting his lunch break. He sighed. "Sit down. I'll need to explain this slowly," he stated, indicating the chair opposite him. "For Merlin's sake, calm down," he added, noticing my clenched fists.

With effort, I straightened my fingers into a more normal position and lowered myself into the chair he'd indicated. I crossed my legs and arranged my skirt before looking at him expectantly. "Harry," I said softly, my anger cooling. "I'm sorry – but my orders generally come directly from you. Marina took me by surprise. What's going on?"

He popped the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth before continuing. "As you correctly guessed, we have a new recruit. He was sent to us directly from a contact in Wales. However, when he arrived here last night he was in a bad way and it appears there have been some head injuries which have affected his memory."

"He has amnesia?" I enquired, leaning forward.

"Among other things," Harry agreed. "He is almost unrecognisable, but I met with him briefly yesterday for a few minutes. He's from Hogwarts, Hermione."

I stole a chocolate biscuit from the pack he had been nursing on his desk. "So who is it? Or rather, who do you think it is, Harry?" I asked; taking a big bite and letting the creamy chocolate taste glide over my tongue.

Harry looked slightly rattled. "It's Malfoy."

I choked on my biscuit. After several slaps on the back, I managed to wipe my watering eyes and bring him into focus again. "I'm sorry, Harry. I thought you said that Malfoy was our new recruit." At his silent nod, I felt my rage bubbling up inside for the second time that morning. "You mean the same Malfoy who betrayed Hogwarts to the Death Eaters? The same Malfoy who helped to kill Dumbledore? Oh…and just in case you forgot, the same Malfoy who KILLED Ron?"

Harry nodded. "Hermione – he doesn't remember any of it. He has no idea of his history. He remembers only tiny little bits of being at Hogwarts at all."

"I DO!" I bellowed, tears running down my face. "Harry, how can you ask me to do this? You know what was supposed to happen with R-Ron and I…"

He sighed audibly. "I know, Hermione and I'm genuinely sorry. It's just that I can't take the risk of him recognising me, so I'm unable to train him. If he remembers who I am then my post could be compromised."

"Why is he even here?" I sobbed. "He seriously wants to train as an Auror?"

Harry nodded. "Shacklebolt feels he could be a real asset, with his background and his father's former place in Voldemort's inner circle." He shrugged. "Personally, I don't like it – I think he's a wildcard, and his value to us is diminished by his apparent amnesia."

"Plus the fact that he murdered an Auror…" I mumbled. It hurt to think about what had happened with Ron. He had been killed in action, looking for Lucius Malfoy.

Harry looked at me gently. "Hermione…we don't know for sure that it was him," he reminded me. "It could have been Lucius himself for all we know. He was found dead as well."

I glared at my friend. "Regardless, Harry – Ron's b-body was found in M-Malfoy Manor," I stuttered through my tears. "That's enough for me, knowing all the w-wards that had been p-placed on that f-forsaken place."

He passed me a handkerchief and I blew my nose, dabbing at my cheeks. The hanky was linen and felt soft again my skin. It was remarkably soothing. "Hermione, we need to go," he said sadly. "I need to take you to him so that you can start on his training." I allowed him to help me up from the chair as I wiped away the last of my tears.

He took me by the shoulders and looked into my face. "You, Hermione Granger, are the bravest person I have ever known and one of the most capable Aurors on my team. I know you can handle this. I wouldn't have asked it of you if I didn't. Do you understand me?" I nodded, meeting his gaze. He was my best friend. I couldn't let my selfishness get in the way of the mission.

"Okay," I finally said. "Take me to him."