Chapter 1

Hermione sat in her chair and smoothed her palms across the surface of her desk as she surveyed her new office. Everything was unpacked and settled to her satisfaction. She tried to convince herself that it felt good to be back in London after all this time, but she wasn't so sure that was the complete truth.

A light knock brought her out of her musings. "Yes, enter," she called.

The door opened, and a messy dark head poked around the edge. "Hermione?"

"Oh, Harry! It's so good to see you." She rose and rushed to greet him with a big hug and a quick kiss on his cheek.

"I just heard the news this morning. Is it really true? You've transferred back and as head of your own department, no less?"

"Yes, it's true," she replied with a smile while she perched her bum on the edge of her desk.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"We weren't allowed to tell anyone... security issues. You know how secretive the Department of Mysteries is. But, yes, I am back for good if this all works out. I'm not really the sole department head, though; it's a dual role that I'll share with the wizard who's been my partner in the field for over five years."

"Who is it?" Harry asked. "You've never talked much about who you work with. They're keeping it all very hush, hush. What's the big secret?"

"I'm not a liberty to reveal his identity just yet, not even to you, Harry, not until the Minister clears it. But don't worry, you won't be kept in the dark for long, as I expect the announcement to come at any time."

"Well, I really don't care who your mysterious partner is. I'm just glad you're home finally. I've missed you, Hermione. It's been so long since I've seen you," her old friend admonished half-jokingly.

"Yes, it has been quite awhile, hasn't it? I think the last time I was home was for Neville's gran's funeral, four years ago. And I am sorry I wasn't able to get back for little Al's christening, but we were in the middle of a very complex case, and I just couldn't get away at that time. Of course, you also knew where I lived. I would have loved a visit from you and Luna or Ron and Pansy, or even just you and Ron if the girls couldn't come." Hermione poked right back, she wasn't going to let Harry make her feel guilty. In the decade she had been gone from England, neither one of her supposed ibest/i friends had ever bothered to pay her a visit. While she had come home often in those first years, as time passed her visits became fewer and farther between until she'd just stopped coming back at all.

"I know, Hermione, but we've been so busy with the kids and our work, and it just seemed so hard to arrange our schedules—" Harry stopped before he dug himself into a pit so deep he'd never be able to scrape his way back to the top. "But you're right, you are. Absolutely right. We shouldn't have left all of the burden to make the effort on you. I'm really sorry for that, Hermione. Please forgive me."

Hermione sighed. In truth she had been more than a little annoyed with both Harry and Ron. She had never made friends easily, back at school or in her present life. Still, she realized that she could ill afford to cast off old friendships that still meant something to her, even if she had been hurt by their seeming lack of interest in her life.

"Yes, Harry, you're forgiven," she said with a sigh. "I'll even give you the chance to make it up to me by inviting me out to dinner or over for a few home cooked meals."

Harry grinned and readily agreed, "I think that's a brilliant idea."

"I can't wait to see the kids. How is my goddaughter? Only a couple more years and Selene will be off to Hogwarts. That's hard to believe, isn't it?"

"She's beautiful, precocious, and too darn smart for her own good," replied Harry with a chuckle.

Hermione smiled in response. "And the twins and little Al?"

"Remus and Ronnie are hellions, but we adore them anyway. Remus is a bit more like Luna, he's wild for magical creatures and a bit dreamy. Veronica is already taking to a training broom like a pro, so I'm sure that she's going to be a Seeker. They'll be seven in a few weeks, and you're hereby invited to their birthday party, by the way. The kids will all be thrilled to see Auntie Hermione. And little Albus Severus has never even met you. He is growing up way fast too; he's three now, not a baby anymore," Harry concluded wistfully.

Hermione shuddered a bit. "Honestly, Harry, I'll never understand why you and Luna named that adorable child after that horrible man."

Harry looked surprised. "Who? Dumbledore or Severus?"

"Well, Snape of course, and to make him the boy's godfather as well, I just don't understand you two. Whatever were you thinking? But come to think of it, Dumbledore wasn't much better considering all of the manipulative things he did for the so-called greater good, the old bastard," Hermione replied with a bitter tone in her voice.

Harry frowned. "I suppose even if he did use me to achieve his ends, Dumbledore did what he thought he had to in order to save the wizarding world. And weren't you always the one defending Snape to Ron and me, telling us to show him respect and call him professor and insisting that if Dumbledore trusted him, we should trust him too ?"

"Well, that was before I realized how barmy old Dumbles really was. And I did feel we should respect Snape's role as a professor back at Hogwarts, but that doesn't change who he really is, does it? He's still a mean, awful, hurtful man. I heard that he's no longer teaching, thank Merlin for that at least."

Harry looked taken aback at the animosity in Hermione's words. "Awww... Hermione, he's really not like that, honest. Those things may have been true back when we were at school, but he was playing a role; he had to stay in character so he didn't reveal himself to Voldemort.

"But you are right—he's not teaching any longer. Severus works as a consultant to the Aurors' office now; he has for the past several years. In fact you'll most likely be working with him, at some point, as he is our top Dark Arts expert. And to be completely truthful with you, he has become a good friend to me and even more so to Ron."

"You can't be serious!" Hermione exclaimed, shocked and almost disgusted at Harry's statement.

"Oh, but I am. Severus is a regular guest in our home and at the Weasleys', both Ron's and Pansy's and at the Burrow. He and Ron have been working very closely together on a project for the past several months. They also partner together for dueling tournaments and coach a dueling league for young wizards at the Aurory. And they even get together regularly to play wizard chess, or gobstones, or just to hang out down at the Leaky for a pint or two.

"Look, it's true that Severus will never be the life of the party. But he's certainly not the devil incarnate, or the greasy git, or the bat of the dungeons that we called him as children—"

"Harry, you talk as if you actually like the prat," Hermione interrupted.

"Hermione, I do like him. I'm trying to tell you he's not at all the man you seem to remember him to be. He's not Little Mary Sunshine, by any means. He can still be quite sarcastic and cutting, and he's bitter at times, but who can blame him for that after the life he's led? And it's certainly true that he's not at all outgoing, and he tends to be rather quiet and bookish. He treasures his solitude and guards his privacy like a Rottweiler. But he's loyal to a fault; he doesn't make friends easily, but the people he does call friend... well, he'd do anything for them. All in all, deep down he is a good person and a good friend..." As Harry made this statement, he paused and gazed at Hermione in contemplation. "Hmmm... that sounds very much like another close friend of mine, as a matter of fact."

Hermione's eyes snapped up in shock. "Don't even imply that I am anything like that prat, Harry. Ever. If you want to think he's your friend, you go right ahead but don't try to get me involved. As far as I am concerned, he's a complete arse, and I want nothing to do with him."

Harry replied solemnly, "Look, Hermione, I'm just happy you're back, and I don't want to argue with you about Severus. Just be aware that he will be invited to family gatherings and such, and he is welcome there, as are you. None of that is going to change, so please don't ask or expect us to exclude him because you don't care for him. And I hope you won't let that keep you away either.

"Now, on to a different topic, do you have a place to stay? You know you're welcome to come to our place for a few days until you find something."

"Thanks for the offer, Harry, but that won't be necessary. I do have someplace to stay temporarily. But I am looking for a nice flat or perhaps even a small house of my own. I think I'd actually prefer a house, so if you have any leads on that front, I'd appreciate it," said Hermione, happy to get away from the topic of Snape.

"Okay, but the offer stands," replied Harry.

"I really do appreciate it, but honestly the kids would probably drive me round the bend. I'm not used to all the chaos you and Luna call everyday life," responded Hermione with a smile.

Just then there was a light tap on the side door to her office. Before she could reply the door opened and the man standing there looked surprised. "Oh, I'm sorry, I assumed you were alone. I didn't realize that you would have visitors here already. I've just received a memo from Kingsley. He's scheduled the press conference for two o'clock and would like us in his office fifteen minutes early."

He turned slightly to nod at Harry. "Mr. Potter."

Harry stood frozen, looking as if he'd seen a ghost.

"Well, I suppose since Kingsley is announcing it this afternoon anyway, there's no harm that the cat is out of the bag. My partner and joint head of the D.I.D.A. should, of course, need no introduction to you, Harry."

Turning to the tall blond man leaning against the doorway, she smiled and said, "Shall we adjourn to your office to review our statements for the press conference, Lucius?"

Harry was called to Kingsley's office to be briefed on the appointment of the dual heads to the newest department in the Ministry Bureau of Investigations, the Department for the Investigation of Dark Artifacts, otherwise known as D.I.D.A.

"This new department will be dedicated to discovering and deactivating, if necessary, Dark Artifacts. There is already a small team of wizards and witches who've been working for the Department of Mysteries for the past ten years performing just this task, here and around the world. They are rather like a special type of curse-breaker and very well trained in their field. We've kept them busy enough that the M.B.I. has decided to give them their own department," explained Kingsley to Harry. "Lucius and Hermione are two of the best we have, so they were offered the job to head the department jointly."

"Kingsley, Hermione is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Why am I only now learning that she has been working closely with one of my oldest and not-so-dearest enemies? In spite of any favors that git's wife may of done for me at the Battle of Hogwarts, I still don't trust him," said Harry.

Kingsley patiently explained, "Harry, as employees of the Department of Mysteries, both Hermione and Lucius held positions equivalent to Unspeakables, and thus they weren't permitted to talk to anyone but their superiors about their cases or their association with each other."

He laughed when relating their reaction when they had been assigned to work on their first case together. "Between the two of them, they owled or Floo-called the Ministry at least once a day for weeks, repeatedly demanding that we reassign the other one to a different partner. But in the end they worked brilliantly together, so much so that shortly thereafter it was decided to pair them up permanently as a team; and they have worked together ever since. They are without a doubt the M.B.I.'s top field agents; if you ever get the chance to see them together in action, you'll be amazed.

"I need you to set up the security detail for today's press conference and for Malfoy Manor. With the Malfoys coming back, there is some concern for the family's safety, and I'd like you to handle the project personally."

"Why is Malfoy working for the Ministry in the first place?" asked Harry.

"After the war, Lucius was acquitted, but conditions of his parole dictated he work for the Department of Mysteries; considering his expertise in the Dark Arts, it seemed like a good fit."

"Who on earth would think it was a good idea to trust Lucius Malfoy with Dark Artifacts?" asked Harry.

"Ummm... that would be me, actually."

"Oh, sorry, Kingsley, I meant no disrespect."

"I figured we could make use of talents that weren't readily available from just anyone; plus at the same time, it offered the Ministry an opportunity to keep an eye on him and make sure he wasn't stirring up trouble. However, he was worried about his family's safety, so we agreed to relocate them outside England. They've all been living abroad, first Spain, then Argentina, and for the last five years in the US—Chicago, I believe. But now, Lucius naturally wants his family here with him. I think—or hope anyway—that after all this time none of the Malfoys would be in any danger, but just to be on the safe side, the Ministry will provide security for the first few months until they get settled."

"Hermione has been living near Chicago for the last five years," stated Harry bluntly.

"Well, of course. They were partners and had to work together every day," said Kingsley. "Look, Harry, if this is going to be a problem for you, say so now, and I'll ask Robards to assign someone else. I thought you would be the best man for the job. By putting our top Auror in charge, I hope to send a message to any malcontents who might cause trouble. Plus I thought you would want the assignment, considering your debt to Narcissa. But if your feelings toward Lucius—or perhaps it's Draco—are going to interfere with this assignment, then maybe it would be better for someone else to take it on."

Harry answered, "No, Kingsley, I can handle it. I do admit that I don't entirely trust Lucius, but if you say he's been working for us for the past decade, then I believe it. I just don't really like the idea that Hermione has been working that closely with him and I never even knew about it. But I can put my personal feelings aside and act professionally."

"Thanks Harry, I knew I could count on you," Kingsley responded with a smile, shaking Harry's hand vigorously.

Harry observed the press conference in his official capacity. And although he knew this was not what Kingsley had been referring to, he got a chance to see Hermione and Lucius together, in action, so to speak. He watched as they charmed the crowd of reporters. They both were very captivating speakers, their demeanor with each other was relaxed, bantering back and forth, and they knew each other so very well that they practically finished each other's sentences. They finessed the crowd who were initially a hostile press. Between them, they outlined their vision for the future of the D.I.D.A. and explained their background and training; they spoke of their many years of experience in fieldwork and then shared a few anecdotes about cases they'd solved.

Harry felt a flash of jealousy. He thought briefly of the Hermione he'd known more than a decade earlier when he and Ron had been the center of her world, the ones who finished each other's sentences. Hermione had drifted farther and farther away from him with each visit over the years until she'd just quit coming back. He realized now that he was probably more to blame for that than Hermione; she had made an effort, but he was determined now to make up for past mistakes.

After the press conference there was a short meet and greet with the department heads and a few higher ups in the Ministry. As he watched them from across the room, he saw Malfoy lean in to whisper something in her ear and his fingers lightly caressed the small of her back. Hermione responded with a smile and a light touch to his forearm as she leaned up to say something in return, causing Lucius to chuckle deeply. Harry had a light bulb moment and was shocked and appalled by what he'd just witnessed.

He approached Hermione as she stood making small talk with Arthur Weasley, Kingsley and Malfoy. He grabbed her arm, a bit more roughly than he'd honestly intended. "I need to talk to you. Now," he demanded as he pulled her away from the three.

"Of course, Harry. You can walk with me back to my office." She pointedly removed her arm from Harry's grasp, then politely made her excuses to the three men before she led the way out of the room.

She didn't say a word all the way back to her office. Harry could tell she was angry by the set of her mouth and the way she held herself so stiffly. As she entered her office, she warded the doors before she moved behind her desk, placing it between them like a shield. "What the hell was that all about, Harry?"

"Are you having an affair with Lucius Malfoy?" he asked bluntly. For a brief instant, before she could turn away and cover up her emotions, he saw the flash of shock and hurt in her eyes.

Shaking her head, Hermione's hand covered her eyes then slid slowly down to her mouth. He thought her heard her mumble, "Not you too, Harry...," before she confronted him.

"Why would you even think such a thing? Is it because of my promotion? Do you think the only way I could get this job is by sleeping with my partner? Like I couldn't be here because I earned it, so I must have slept my way to the top? I know that thanks to Skeeter's rumor mongering in the Prophet that's probably what most of the public would like to believe. But you know me, and I never thought you would think that of me, Harry. Hell, maybe you think I fucked Kingsley as well. That would make a lot more sense in regards to this promotion. Is that what you believe, Harry?"

"Hermione, no!" cried Harry. "I'm... I... that's not what I meant at all. It's just that you looked so at ease with each other, so close... intimate almost. I just... I assumed... that is, it looked like—"

"So, if I were to see you at a cocktail party, whispering in Ginny Weasley's ear, and then she laughed and patted your hand, I should assume that you two are having an affair?"

"Well, no! But Ginny and I are friends. And I would never cheat on Luna, that's just crazy."

"Yes, well, believe it or not Lucius and I are friends. He's not just my work partner, he is my friend, in fact, one of my closest and most trusted friends. But we are not nor have we ever been lovers. He's a married man just as you are, so what makes you think he would cheat on Cissy?"

"Well, he's Malfoy," declared Harry as if that explained everything. Even as he said it, he knew how stupid it sounded. With all of his experience as an Auror, he'd made a rookie mistake—he'd allowed his emotions to take control over logical thinking.

At that moment the side door to her office swung wide, and the wizard in question stood there with a malevolent glint in his eye. "Are you all right, Hermione?" Lucius asked.

"I'm fine, Lucius. I am quite sure I warded that door, though."

Lucius stood next to Hermione, and he smiled. "And I unwarded it, my dear. I did not care at all for Mr. Potter's actions toward you downstairs. Just what is going on here?"

"In answer to your question, it seems Harry has decided that you and I simply must be having an affair."

Lucius head snapped up and he looked at her with wide eyes. "An affair? You and I... with each other?"

Hermione nodded, and as their eyes met they both burst out in raucous laughter. Lucius laughed so hard he had to lean on Hermione's desk to keep himself upright, and Hermione was wiping tears from her eyes when she finally turned back to Harry.

"As I already pointed out, Lucius is my work partner and my friend, I would not be willing to put either relationship at risk merely for sex."

"Well, I must point out that it would not be imere/i sex; I am quite sure that it would be really, really, hot sex. Great sex, in fact. The best ever, probably," interjected Lucius. "But then again I am old enough to be your father, which might make it a bit awkward."

"Oh, I don't really think that would be a problem, Lucius. You know that I've always had a big thing for older men, and you actually iare/i quite sexy for a man your age. "

"Well, I do appreciate that, sweet. But we both know what the real issue here would be..."

"Narcissa!" they both cried simultaneously.

"You see, Harry," Hermione stated quite seriously, "Firstly, not only is Lucius a married man, but he is

married to the love of his life. He would no sooner cheat on Narcissa than you would cheat on Luna.

"Secondly," she continued, "Narcissa is my friend as well, and I would never dream of hurting her in such a way. And thirdly—"

"She would kill us both," interrupted Lucius.

"Oh, definitely. Happily and violently, she would torture us endlessly without a qualm, and then she would dispose of our bodies in such a way that we would never, ever be found."

"Mulch," concluded Lucius. "I'm quite sure she would turn us both into mulch."

"So, Harry, if we ever both turn up missing, you may assume that we lost our heads and gave in to temptation and got caught fucking like bunnies. Then, when Cissy learned of our betrayal, she mulched us and fed us to her roses. Be sure to check there first, won't you?" Hermione directed Harry facetiously.

They were making fun of him, and he knew he deserved it. "Okay, okay. I believe you. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions, " Harry apologized. "You two just seemed so cozy and easy together, at the time it seemed to be the only thing that made sense. I would never in my wildest dreams have imagined you being friends with a Malfoy, any Malfoy, Hermione."

"Well, that may be true, Harry. But on the other hand, I never would have pictured you and Ron being such good buddies with Snape either. That seems pretty unbelievable to me, so I guess we'll both just have to accept that things have changed, and we're all dealing with a whole new world."

TBC