Chapter 1: Where do we go from here
Disclaimer: Hmm... Let's see, I'm not J.K.R. or the W. Bros. I'm StormyShade, I make no money of any kind from my fantasy.
A/N- No mature themes as of yet. Keep with me and it'll come. Lol hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Hermione Granger lives an uneventful life filled with nothing but work. Though she loves her job she often dreams of something more, a life worth living. Sitting here in her office at the ministry buried under loads of paperwork she wonders if child protective services was really her dream after all.
Gone where the days of heart stopping adrenaline pumping through her veins. Hermione often longed for action in her otherwise dismal life. Day after day growing more and more apart from her once loyal best friends. She thought many times that her slow paced life had no place in their chaotic world. What with wives and children to tend to not to mention their fast paced thrilling jobs as aurors.
Hermione was brought out of her wondering thoughts by a loud knock on her door.
"Yes, come in," Hermione said shuffling papers.
"Ah, Ms. Granger I'm glad I've caught you," the head of her department Mr. Richardson smiled sadly.
Hermione checked her watch. Damn.. I should of left an hour ago. This is getting really out of hand, I never use to lose track of time like this.
"I was just finishing some paperwork before leaving," she stated plainly shuffling her papers once more.
"I see..." he said shifting his eyes around her office. "Well I just received a floo message requesting your assistance in the field."
"Is it a new case then?" Hermione looked up from her work to see the sad look hidden behind his thick glasses.
Richardson wrung his hands, "There has been a murder in Wimbledon," he sighed taking a seat in front of her desk hanging his head slightly. "The whole family was massacred in their sleep. The walls all covered in blood, the lead aurors believe this may have been done by muggles."
Hermione's eyes widened, "Why have I been called for this case Matthew?"
Richardson lifted his head to lock eyes with Hermione, "They found the youngest child alive in a near by trash can. She's only 6 years old. The suspects left her there to die she has major injuries which are being dealt with at St. Mungos."
Hermione paled, "W-Will she be okay?"
"That isn't clear just yet, she was beaten to the brink of death Hermione. We need you to help the aurors in this case with not only the child if she pulls through but with the muggle aspect of this case also," Richardson said while moving to stand.
"Please report to this address right away," he said handing her a slip of paper.
Hermione stood taking the paper from his outstretched hand,"Yes, sir."
With that Richardson made his way to the door, "Oh, and Ms. Granger."
Her eyes flicker from the address to the man in her doorway.
"Do be careful out there," Richardson stated while walking out the door.
Hermione gathered her wand and notebook from the top drawer of her desk and disapparated to the crime scene. From her apparation point in a hidden ally in the middle of town. Hermione checked the address again and set off toward huge victorian houses.
She marveled at the architecture of these houses not really sure how anyone could commit such a heinous crime in such a lovely given her history and the others around her, she knew that human nature or rather the nature of certain humans defied all logic.
The house loomed overhead before Hermione even realized it. Running her hand slowly across the large wrought-iron fence leading to the huge gates. The bars curving in as if to keep the devil himself from reaching the other side. Standing at the thick gate Hermione took in the elegant home with it's pointed roof top to the large bay like windows and lovely yellow exterior.
"You there!" Someone shouted. Hermione almost jumped out of her skin. A man in a long brown cloak took big strides toward her.
"I'm sorry ma'am but this area is restricted from the public. You'll have to go back to town," his authoritative voice rang out in the otherwise empty street.
Hermione held up her badge for the man to inspect, "I'm Hermione Granger I was requested for this case."
"We've been expecting you Ms. Granger, would you follow me please?" he said with a twisted smile.
Hermione shivered at the darkened tone of this mysterious stranger. The always vigilant voice in the very back of her mind warned her against this man. Call it intuition or just the bad feeling this man radiated from his very core. Either way she knew better than to contradict her feelings.
Hermione pulled the heavy gate open only to hear the hinges creak as the old metal grinded together. Walking through she felt the cool sensation of passing over the wards set up by the aurors. Clutching her cloak closer to herself Hermione followed the unknown man through the magnificently crafted doorway.
"You'll have to wait here while I speak to our lead investigator," the man harshly bit out.
He didn't give Hermione time to even reply before storming away into the depths of the large house. Her eyes scanned the high walls of the entryway studying the portraits of the long deceased matriarchs of the family. Hermione heard a soft set of footsteps coming from behind her.
"It's nice of you to join us Granger," said the velvety smooth voice behind her.
Hermione froze for a fraction of a second before turning around and laying eyes on the aristocratic features of Draco Malfoy.
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