Hermione was right on time. And by Hermione standards, that meant that she was precisely twenty five minutes early.
She had made it a habit to be continuously punctual with anything and everything. As a student, assignments were never missed nor late, as well as any opportunity for extra credit. During the war, she was always where she needed to be, ready the minute anything was supposed to happen. And now, five years after the war, she entered her new workplace bright-eyed, bushy haired, and early.
The Ministry of Magic had become quite successful as well as dependable since Voldemort's demise. Under the eyes of the the new Minister, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and with the help of volunteers from every magical species, the structure and staff had been replaced and buffed to reflect the opportunity and pride it once again radiated. It now provided so many with jobs and second chances, and Hermione was thrilled to be a part of it all.
Crossing into the threshold of her new office, a spark lit behind her eyes, igniting her excitement for the third time that morning. She released a squeal of delight as she bounded her way to the comfortable desk chair she and Ginny had picked out last week while having a "Celebratory Office Decorating Shopping Spree". Staring at her desk, the flame inside her grew as she read her shiny, golden nameplate that sat towards the edge, whispering the words aloud and relishing in the tasteful way they rolled off her tongue. "Hermione Granger, Head Investigator, Auror Department".
She couldn't help the grin that spread across her face, and jumped especially high at the sudden knock at her office door. Quickly, she pulled herself together. Smoothing her hair down quite unsuccessfully, she took one more deep breath and felt her heart slow it's excited thump to a normal human tempo. "Come in," She said, shocking herself with how calm her voice made her sound. She shifted her features to mirror such coolness.
The door opened with a slow and soft creak, and two figures entered with wide smiles. The first was none other than the Minister of Magic himself, who crossed the room in long and patient strides. His arms were open to embrace her. "Welcome to the Ministry, Ms. Granger." He said, hugging her tightly.
"Oh, don't call me that." she laughed. "It is and will always be Hermione."
Kingsley's chest hummed against her cheek in a humbled chuckle, making Hermione's happiness double. Since she had heard of her parents unfortunate deaths, which happened only days before the final battle, the Minister had made it his duty to care for and protect the witch. They'd become a family of two, to the point that she had lived in his mother-in-law suite at his home for over a year and a half now. He was the father figure she had so desperately been missing; Comforting, teaching, and caring for her just as her biological family always had.
"Ah, but in the workplace, we must remain professional, yes?" He pulled back and looked down at her, raising an eyebrow. "The minister can't play favorites."
"Not like the last few have." The voice of the person who had come in with Kingsley snarked. Hermione had completely forgotten about the other person in the room at her dear friend's entrance, and looked just in time for him to step around the Minister and into her point of view. "Mustn't repeat history."
As she stared at the face that now stood directly in front of her, a nervous lump grew in the back of her throat. He was possibly the most beautiful being she had seen in a long while, but past discretions made her struggle to admire him. She glanced to Kingsley, who noticed her hesitation and cleared his throat. "I believe you remember Mr. Malfoy, Hermione." He said, his facade collected, and his eyes intensely trusting. Hermione looked back at the man, who stared at her with a strange expression she had never seen him direct at her: interest.
"Mr. Malfoy was my father. Please call me Draco." He said cooly, never tearing his eyes from hers.
She held a hand out for him to shake. It seemed to her that if Kingsley was bringing him to her office her first day, she'd be working with Draco often enough and must learn to trust him. The past was the past, and though working with her childhood enemy was not her first choice and could prove difficult, she'd survive it. She'd survived a whole bloody war, she'd be damned if she didn't survive working with the beautiful Slytherin. "It's been a long time, Draco."
Without hesitation or breaking eye contact, he grabbed her hand. "It has indeed been too long, Hermione." He smirked as he said her first name for the first time. "You're looking quite well." Hermione's cheeks burned immediately and she tore from his gaze. A soft "Thank you" was all she could utter as she turned around and sat in her chair. She motioned for the men to sit across from her in the two well-cushioned seats Ginny had insisted she get for her guests. Kingsley sat back with a thoroughly content sigh, giving Hermione a look that said he was all the more happy about her choice of seating arrangements.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Gentleman?" She said, stealing a look at Draco who was grinning like mad in her direction. He was leaning into the left arm of his chair, resting his chin on his fist and his legs were crossed. Hermione then noticed his hair was not slicked back as it always had been, but lying loose atop his head like a silky blonde mop. In fact, his entire outfit, though clean and pressed, was quite relaxed, compared to what young Draco would wear. He wore dark wash muggle jeans and a deep emerald collared button-down, unbuttoned at the top enough for her to almost feel uncomfortable with how much she enjoyed the sight. It was so different to see Draco Malfoy, so pleasant on the eyes and so different with his mannerisms that he seemed almost friendly. Hermione shook her head at such an irrational train of thought and returned her eyes to Kingsley.
"We have your first case for you." Kingsley said, the seriousness in his voice bringing Hermione back to light that it was time to work.
She frowned. "Already?"
The two nodded. "We need to begin immediately," Kingsley folded his hands in his lap, looking the epitome of power and determination. Hermione always admired that about Kingsley, he was always one to get straight to the point. "We've received notice of a group of dark wizards who call themselves the Black Kings. They've been attacking small groups of people around the globe, but the number of fatalities is increasing exponentially."
"Where are they based?" She asked, leaning her chin against her folded hands and resting her elbows on the desk.
"They're centralized in the United States, actually." Draco said, the smile wiped clean from his face and replaced with firm stare. "We believe their headquarters to be somewhere in the Northwest Region, near some building with a name that sounds like a knitting utensil?"
"You mean near the Space Needle in Seattle?" Both men nodded, making Hermione huff. "What a random place!"
"Not quite," Kingsley hummed, almost to himself.
Hermione glanced at him, but he couldn't catch his attention. "What do they want? Who are they targeting?"
She looked back and forth between Kingsley and Draco before the latter leaned forward, a grim darkness in his eyes. "They're targeting people like us."
She frowned. "Us?"
Draco let out an exasperated sigh. "Muggleborns and Muggle sympathizers, as well as traitors of the Dark Lord. As far as we are aware, they are taking over where Voldemort left off." He ran a shaky hand through his hair. "They began their efforts just in U.S., but are getting closer every day. They're planning to finish their destruction with an all-out annihilation of the Ministry of Magic."
As Draco spoke, the information swirled through Hermione's mind. She'd known there were more of Voldemort's followers out there with plans on continuing the job he had set out to finish, but none of them had been strong enough as of yet to get so far. Each plan and group had been compromised before any real damage was done. "How do we have all this information?"
"All that we know is from the lone survivor of one of the attacks." Kingsley cleared his throat. "Draco here was on a holiday in California when the first happened."
Hermione's heart stopped and she looked at Draco with fear and sympathy decorating her features. For once, her eyes did not meet with his as he stared down at his shoes uncomfortably, as if recollecting a dark memory of pain that was meant to be forgotten. She swallowed back the lump in her throat and watched the handsome face that always looked so pompous and cold crumble, revealing a hurt and lost soul that longed to escape it's darkness.
"How did you survive?" Hermione's voice was just above a whisper. She felt as if she had spoken at any louder volume, the man before her would break entirely.
Draco was silent for a moment, and the only sound that could be heard slicing through the thick air was the breathing of the three persons in the room. He looked up to meet her gaze, his eyes glazed over as he reminisced. "I was there with my mum," He said, shifting awkwardly in his seat. "Sitting by the hotel pool when they captured us. Knocked us unconscious and took us to their headquarters in that Needle." Draco paused. "We were on a holiday, and they snuck up behind us. Took us both…" His eyes shut and for a moment, Hermione saw a flash of deep anger flow through him, and she couldn't help but think of old Draco, the one in Hogwarts who was so full of hate. In a flash, the hot headed boy was back at full strength with a black purpose gearing him toward the darkest of dark paths. But it was gone as soon as it came, and the serene sadness returned. "I came-to early enough and was able to hear bits and pieces of their discussions. Don't remember how, but I escaped and was able to apparate back here without being followed."
A question itched at the back of her throat that she failed to swallow down. Did she really want to know the answer? No but she had to know everything. "And your mother? Did she escape?"
Draco practically winced. "She was still alive when I left, I think."
He stared at Hermione with such sadness. She nodded slightly, conveying her understanding of his pain. She knew what it meant to be hunted, to be caught and tortured, and to escape. She remembered the roller coaster of emotions that she rode for months, the hurt and shame, the pride from escape, the confusion and the worry that the past would repeat itself. It was exactly what Draco was going through and though he was who he was, all she wanted to do was hug him and tell him everything would be okay.
She looked to Kingsley, who watched the exchange with a concentrated frown. Clearing her throat, Hermione sat up in her chair and waited for his eyes on hers to ask. "So what can I do?"
"You're up for this?" Kingsley said calmly. "This will be your first assignment, Hermione. We can start off slow."
Hermione let out a cough of dry laughter. "It's not like it will be my first mission ever, Kingsley. You don't think Harry defeated Voldemort on his own, do you?"
They looked at one another for a long lasting second. Hermione was determined to help with this. She was said to be the brightest witch of her age, and turning down such an opportunity would be a foolish move. Something was pushing, practically shoving her to do this, and as her eyes found Draco's solemn grey's once more, she knew she would have to solve this case, if it was the last thing she'd do.
A/N: HELLOOOOO READERS! I have been planning this story for months now and I'm so happy to finally post the first chapter. I sincerely hope you all enjoy it! Please leave review and let me know your thoughts on what you've just read! Everything helps! :)