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Rain spattered on the floor-length window of Hermione Granger's office. As the head of the Misuse of Muggles Artefacts Office in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Hermione was granted her own office. It overlooked the enchanted gardens of the Ministry on one side and muggle London on the other. She looked out the window, sighing. It has been nearly five years since the fall of the Dark Lord. Order was restored, Harry and Ron both became extraordinary Aurors, and Hermione was in a job she loved. It was intellectually challenging, fulfilling, and full of surprises. Yet she was not happy.
A knock on the door brought her back to reality. She frantically searched for her wand, which was of course conveniently buried under piles and piles of paperwork yet to be organized. I really need a secretary, she thought. She waved her wand dismissively, organizing all her paper work into tall piles on her desk. She looked around satisfied, everything looked orderly.
"Come in," she said. Kingsley Shacklebolt came striding in. His six foot frame towering over Hermione and her ridiculously tall piles of papers. "Sit down," she said with a smile, "please".
Hermione was perceptive. Kingsley's face, normally calm and composed, seemed strained. His eyes, unreadable as always none the less showed flickers of fear. What's wrong, she wondered. Aloud she said, "Kingsley, what a welcome surprise. What brings you here, Minister?"
"Hermione, I have a favour to ask of you, but you're not going to like it", he fidgeted in his seat. "No, no. Let me finish", he said when Hermione opened her mouth to interrupt. Having worked with Hermione since before the end of the Second Wizarding War, Kingsley knew Hermione well. He did not need to hear her question to know that she had already figured out he was nervous and would no doubt ask about it. "I, uh... Well, you know the Malfoys I believe. Well, of course you do. You went to school together, how silly of me. You two were the brightest of the bunch, I dare say. Don't tell Harry and Ronald I said that. But its true, its true. Such a shame he joined the wrong side in the last minute. Brave boy, he was, taking the dark mark to protect his family, trying to elevate their status by planning the murder of Dumbledore. Quite an admirable boy, he was. Don't you think?"
"Think, sir?" she had honestly zoned him out after he started babbling.
"Yes, think."
"Kingsley, what are you getting at?" Hermione asked impatiently. She would really like to go home before midnight tonight. She would not spend another Friday night cooped up in her office slaving away, whilst everyone was out doing God knows what. Having never spent much time outside of her jobs, reading, and housekeeping, Hermione realized a few days ago that she had drifted apart from her friends. She hadn't seen Ron in two months, finding his newest girlfriend insufferable. Did he always have to choose the bimbos? No wonder why we didn't work out then. She also hadn't visited the Potters in forever. I wonder if Ginny is showing yet.
Kingsley cleared his throat, interrupting her musings. "I need you to give him a job."
"Surely the family business is keeping him occupied," always collected, Hermione refused to show Kingsley how much she detested the idea, "Also, I'm sure his talents are better suited elsewhere. Perhaps a department that doesn't deal with anything muggle. What about the Department of Intoxicating Substances? I'm sure his knowledge and expertise will be valued there, I hear he frequents bars a lot."
"I know what you're insinuating, Hermione. I, however, believe that Malfoy's talents are well enough suited here. He did fix the Vanishing Cabinet at the tender age of sixteen. I may have misled you earlier. This is not so much a favour as an order," Amazing how he regained his composure so quickly. Then again, this is the Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"I'm sure I'll be able to find something for him to fill his time here, sir. If that's all-"
"Yes, I'll be leaving" Kingsley got up and opened the door. She returned to her work, hoping to finish the day early so she could floo over to the Potters or to the Burrow, she hadn't seen Mrs. Weasley in a long time either. Kingsley poked his head into her office "By the way, I want you to take the rest of the day off, Hermione. It doesn't do to work too hard. That is also an order. Oh, and thank you, Hermione".
Hermione hadn't actually seen Malfoy in years. Unlike Harry and Ron, she opted out of going to his hearing. When news came that Malfoy had been released without charges, a free man, Hermione felt nothing. No residual hatred or petty resentment. She had long gotten over his name-calling and discrimination, but that doesn't mean she was looking forward to working with him at all. Imagine how jealous all the girls would have been of Hermione if they found out about this. She had heard much of Malfoy's sexual escapades. Word travels fast in Hogwarts, and although she would agree that he was not bad looking, she had never been attracted to him because of his demeaning attitude. She definitely needed the company of her friends to make her forget all about this.