"Good evening Weasleys!"
Said Kingsley, the new minister of magic. He had just apparated to the Burrow, where Harry and Hermione were staying after the war.
"Hello there minister! How is everything going?" Asked smiling.
"Everything is okay now." He replied.
"I wanted this to be very fast. Is Harry, Ron, and Hermione here?" Asked Kingsley
"yes, they are. Do you want me to call them?"
"Please." He said.
walked out of the kitchen, and went to the living room. Where Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny stood.
"The minister wants to talk to you" She said looking at Harry.
"Me?" He asked her
"All three of you." "Come Ginny".
Molly and Ginny went back to the kitchen.
"They are right through that door" Said Mrs. Weasley.
Kingsley marched into the living room.
"Hello Harry. Ron. Hermione. How are you all doing?"
"I've been worse" said Harry.
Ron and Hermione sat there, and didn't say anything.
"Well, it's been a month since you defeated Lord Voldemort, Harry."
There was a short pause.
"proceed." Said Harry.
"Most death eaters are dead, the ones who are not, are in Azkaban by now. Except for-"
"The Malfoys." Said the trio together.
"yes, as you told me , Narcissa Malfoy lied to Lord Voldemort about you being dead. Right?"
"yes," Said Harry.
"After they went back to Hogwarts to get their son, Draco Malfoy, they ran away and didn't fight on the second war."
"For those reasons, I didn't put them in Azkaban."
"But, I would like you three to spend some time at the Malfoy Manor. Just to check on what they have been doing, and if they possess any dark magic object."
"No" Said Ron
"That's totally mental, spending time with Malfoy?"
"None of you are Aurors yet. But you are the best I have."
" I think we should do it" Said Harry.
"But-" Ron started, but never finished because Harry was still talking.
"It's not going to be that bad. besides, we can get back at Malfoy, Ron. Isn't that what you always wanted after all the things he said to you?"
"I'm still not sure." Stated Ron.
"This is important, . We need to be sure that they are not up to something. You know they were close to Voldemort." Said Kingsley.
"Yeah, sure. I'll think about it." Not sure at all
"Hermione?" Harry and Ron asked at the same time
"Well, I was thinking about going to Australia and find my parents. But, since this is for the ministry, and it seems important. Mum and Dad could wait a bit" She did not look happy at all.
"Ok, we're in." Said Harry.
"Thank you very much." Said Kingsley
"I will be awarding you each 650 galleons afterwards"
Their mouths fell open. They did not expect any money at all.
"I shall come back tomorrow for details." Said Kingsley.
"Goodbye" He said.
Before they could reply, he disapparated.
"I don't know about this, Harry." Said Ron.
"We are talking about 650 galleons Ron. And it's not that bad."
"Yeah, but is not only Draco, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy are gonna be there too."
"I think we should do it. We lived around Malfoy for six years. A few more days is not going to kill us, Ron." Said Hermione trying to sound cheerful.
"Yeah, ok, you are right. But if anything happens it's your fault." He said, smirking.
A second later, Mrs. Weasley came in.
"Dinner time!" She said.
"I'm starving!" Claimed Ron.
"you're always starving, Ron." Said Hermione smiling.
They sat down to eat.
The Weasleys were very silent since the war.
All they could hear was the noise of the silverware hitting the plates.
"So." Said finally.
"What did Kingsley say to you?" She asked.
"He told us about going to the Malfoy manor and watching the Malfoys." Said Harry.
"Why?"
"Because they were death eaters. They were the only ones that lived who didn't go to azkaban."
"Why didn't Kingsley send them to azkaban?" Asked loudly.
"Because Narcissa Malfoy lied to Voldemort. And when the second war started they ran away, not wanting to fight." Harry answered.
"But since they were death eaters, we still have to check on their house and see how they behave." Hermione said.
"oh, okay." Said
"Well, I do feel sorry for you. Having to spend time with that Lucius Malfoy." He finished.
"it's okay though. Kingsley is going to pay us 650 Galleons for it." Said Ron.
"Oh. That is very good." replied.
Ron nodded.
Nobody spoke until they finished eating.
"Well, I have to go to bed." Said Ginny.
She kissed Harry goodnight.
"Goodnight everyone" She said while walking up the stairs.
"Goodnight" They all replied.
"Well, I think we should go to bed too" Said looking at her husband.
"yes. Well Nighty night everyone." He said.
"bye" Hermione,Harry and Ron replied.
"it's getting late, and i'm very tired." Said Hermione.
"Yeah, me too." Harry replied
Everyone was sleeping. Except for Hermione. She couldn't sleep, and this wasn't the first time either. All she thought about was Ron, and how they didn't snog once since that first time at the room of requirement. Did he not like the kiss? Was he still in "love" with Lavender? She didn't know, and yet, she was too scared to ask. Is it because they are around his family? Or is he sad about Fred's death? … They didn't hang out just the two of them, Harry was always around. Maybe that was it. Or maybe he just didn't want her.
"Hermione dear, time to wake up."
"Hermione!"
She opened her eyes. It was .
"Good morning dear."
"Morning Molly"
"I just woke Harry and Ron, they are downstairs eating breakfast. Kingsley said he is going to be here in one hour to talk to you about all that Malfoy thing."
"Oh,yeah…" Hermione started
"Well, i'm going downstairs so you can change." Said .
"Alright." Hermione replied.
walked out of the room.
Hermione went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.
She changed, and then ran downstairs.
"good morning everyone!" She said smiling.
"Morning." Said Ginny and Ron at the same time.
Hermione ate her breakfast calmly.
She walked over to where Harry and Ron were.
"What are you guys doing?" She asked.
"Looking at some old picture of us." Harry replied.
"Wow, I remember that one! Our First year at Hogwarts!" Said Hermione.
They just stared at the picture for a few minutes, nobody said anything.
"You kids better change. Kingsley will be here in a half an hour." Said .
"Yeah,sure Mum." Ron replied.
Both of the boys went to their room to change.
Hermione stayed down stairs, she had already changed.
She looked down to the pictures. And tears fell down her face.
"It's Ron, isn't it?" Asked Ginny as she walked into the room.
"No, it's just that..hmm.. I was..uh..looking at these pictures and it reminded me of our first years at Hogwarts." Hermione replied.
"I know it's Ron Hermione. Don't lie."
"You know, he told me all about that day you two snogged. He really likes you. He is just too scared to say anything to you. Even though it's obvious you like him back. You know Ron, Hermione. Someday he will tell you he likes you. You know he is kind of slow when it comes to relationships." Said Ginny.
"Yeah you're right, Ginny."
"I know I am." said Ginny smiling.
The door knocked.
"it's him!" Said loudly.
"Ginny go call the boys!" She said.
"HARRY, RON! THE MINISTER IS HERE!" Shouted Ginny.
and Kingsley came into the living room. A second later Harry and Ron appeared too.
"Come Ginny." Said .
The two witches marched out of the living room.
"Hello again . , Miss Granger." He said smiling
"Hello minister." They all replied.
"Well, as I was saying yesterday, you all will have to watch the Malfoys. And You will be having to live at the Malfoy Manor for about a month."
"Live at the Malfoy Manor for a month!" Asked Ron angrily.
"Yes, Ron. I know it's hard for you. But it's for the good of our people." Said the minister
"Why not just put them in Azkaban? They deserve it!" Ron replied.
"Well, they were death eaters. But they risked their life. Narcissa Malfoy lied to Lord Voldemort. If it wasn't for her. Voldemort would probably have won the war."
"But we still need to do this. To know if that wasn't just another death eater plan."
"Well. Yes, okay. That makes more sense." Ron said.
"So, as I was saying. You will have to spend about a month at their house. You will have to check every little part of the manor, and be with them in everything they do. You will even have to sleep at the same room as them. We have to know if they aren't plotting anything." Finished Kingsley.
"Wait. What do you mean by us having to sleep at the same room as them?" Asked Harry.
"Mr. and will not be sleeping in the same room for a month. Each of you, will have to take care of each of them. They can't be sleeping in the same room, but they will be able to spend time together as long as you're around and awake."
"I think I get it." Said Hermione.
"Do you all understand?" He asked.
"hmm Sure.. " Said Ron, who did not look sure at all.
Harry nodded.
"alright. . Would you like to watch ? Since I noticed you don't like Draco Malfoy?"
"uh.. Okay. She seems like the least worst."
"I'll take care of Lucius." Said Harry rapidly.
"Well. seems like Miss Granger here will be with Malfoy."
"Yeah." Said Hermione trying not to sound unhappy.
"I will see you in exactly three days. At the Malfoy manor."
"Bye." He said.
"Bye." The three of them replied.
