AN:/ Hey everyone! So I've always loved writing fan fiction, but I've never published it or really let anyone else read it so this is a first for me! I would love any input that you have, reviews, suggestions, helpful hints, anything! Thanks so much for reading; you guys are amazing.
-TheFreckledKangaroo
Ministry Mayhem
Hermione strode purposefully across the atrium at the Ministry of Magic, her heels clicking neatly against the smooth-cut stone floor, the parchments in her arms condensed neatly into a manilla file folder, and her hair bouncing lightly against her shoulders. She waited patiently outside of the lift doors, entering when they slid open; inputting the code for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and feeling the lift slide into action. Once the doors slid open once again, her heels resumed their aforementioned stride, walking quickly down the wooden floors towards the Auror quarters. After arriving and giving her name to the secretary, she entered the Auror department office and headed directly for the back right corner. Standing confidently in front of the fashioned oak door, she knocked smartly on the wooden panels; a small smile playing on her lips and she heard movement from the inside of the office. Her smile widened slightly as the door opened and Harry Potter smiled back at her as he ran his fingers through his raven black hair, adjusting his circular glasses to the center of his nose.
"Good Morning Hermione!" he greeted her, gesturing for her to come into his office.
Her eyes twinkled as she took his offer and entered his large office space. She wiped a few chocolate frog crumbs from the soft crimson chair before tucking her skirt underneath her and taking a seat.
"Sorry about the crumbs," Harry said sheepishly. "I had a family in here this morning and the only way the kid would calm down was if I gave him chocolate frogs. I totally forgot to clean the chair off; I hope it didn't get your skirt all spattered. Speaking of," he said with curiosity. "Why the heels? You never wear them."
"Don't worry about the chocolate Harry," Hermione reassured. "And I have a meeting with the Head of the Department of Magical Restrictions and Regulations in half an hour."
"I will be sure not to keep you longer than necessary then," Harry smiled, taking a seat behind his desk, which was already littered with papers from earlier in the morning. "So what have you got for me?"
Hermione gave him a small smile, while handing him the large manila file. "Harry, you're working too hard. You already have six other files on your desk and it's only eight o'clock in the morning."
"Hermione," Harry sighed as he picked up her file and took out the pieces of parchment. "I appreciate your concern, but… "
"I know Harry," Hermione reassured, placing her folded hands on her crossed knees. "I just worry for you."
"Thanks Hermione," Harry smiled, scanning through the parchments that Hermione had brought with her. "So what did you find?"
"The time turner that you're trying to find isn't one that's been registered through the Ministry. I checked the name-because as you know, all magical devices have a name and make- but nothing came up in the Ministry file with the name, so then I searched for the name and make, which also led to no results. There's absolutely no time turner on file with that name and make registered through the London Ministry," Hermione said in a business-like tone.
"Alright," Harry said with a sigh, rubbing tiredly at his eyes. "So we know it hasn't been registered here. Anything else?"
"After I searched long and hard and came up with nothing for our Ministry, I decided to try the other major Ministries in the world," Hermione nodded, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "So I checked the other major ones with no avail. Nothing came up, some countries didn't even have time tuners registered."
"This doesn't sound very encouraging," Harry sighed again, absentmindedly twirling a quill between his fingers.
"That's because I wasn't finished," Hermione grinned mischievously, an excited glint in her eyes. "I decided on a whim to check the smaller Ministries. And I found a small Ministry in Russia. Pavlovo to be exact.
"In the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Region," Harry said suddenly, hurriedly opening a drawer and flipping through stacks and stacks of parchment. "We had another case from there a few months ago. A non-resident tried to authorize some out of state artifacts, but it was a no-go. The Ministries around the world aren't registering items at the moment. They're confiscating them and locking them away. Especially time turners. The Ministry Council wants to lock those away for good."
"What was the man's name?" Hermione asked quickly, her mind racing.
"Let's see, it was Normank Ritchker. He's from Luxembourg, but the Ministry wouldn't let him register his items here, so I guess he tried Russia," Harry replied, looking up at her.
"I recognize that name," Hermione said suddenly, snapping her fingers. "He came in one time to talk to my boss, thanking him for his help with something. He said something about going to Russia to meet his brother… what was his name?" Hermione thought hard, a pensive look on her face. "I got it!" She finally said. "His 'brother's' name was Knamron Rekhctir. He claimed that they were twins, separated at birth when their parents split. He also claimed his brother was raised in Russia," she finished.
"So it was his brother in Russia that has the time turner," Harry said reaching for an inkwell.
"Nope," Hermione chimed. "It's him."
"What?" Harry questioned, his hand paused on the way to the inkwell, the quill still posed in his fingers.
"Knamron Rekhctir is Normank Ritchker spelled backwards," Hermione said. "He thought he could pass
it off as Russian, because it looks sort of weird spelled backwards. I just connected the dots now. He thought if he went under a different name, a supposed Russian name, the Russian Ministry would let him register the stolen time turner."
"You're brilliant Hermione!" Harry exclaimed, quickly scribbling everything down on a spare piece of parchment. "I can't believe I didn't see that!"
"Always the tone of surprise," Hermione laughed. "And don't worry that you didn't see it. I didn't either the first time. Also, that's what my job is. To do stuff like this."
"Whether it is your job or not," Harry said with a huge grin. "I owe you one. A big one. You helped me with this and it's something my boss has been constantly breathing down my neck about. So thank you."
"It was my pleasure," Hermione smiled. "However I don't think I'll need your offer."
"You may someday," Harry said with a laugh. "It'll still be out there with all the other ones I've given you since well, forever."
Hermione laughed and shook her head, glancing down at her watch. "Great Godric I'm going to be late!" she exclaimed, jumping up from her chair. "I'm so sorry Harry, but I really have to go."
"Don't apologize to me, I'm the one who kept you so late," Harry called after her as she rushed from the room, as quickly as one could while wearing heels.
` Hermione rushed down the hall, fixing her hair while she waited for the lift to arrive. The sleek metal doors slid open and she rushed in, typing in the code for the conference rooms at the top floor. She tapped her foot impatiently against the marble floor of the lift as it slowly rose to the floor she needed. At the ding, the doors opened and she resumed her confident stride down the hall. Arriving at the large conference room at the end of the hall, she knocked politely and entered at the given permission. Entering the room, her confidence took a slight dip as she surveyed the other members already seated at the table. Neville, Sean, the Heads of the departments of Magical Law Enforcement, Restrictions and Regulations, and International Business and Banking, along with Ron, Kingsley was also seated around the large table. Straightening her robes, she pulled out the empty chair next to Ron, and took a seat.
"Miss Granger. How nice of you to finally grace us with your presence," a sarcastic voice from the head of the table stated.
Hermione looked over and was startled to find Cayson Whittle, head of the International Business and Banking department, staring her down. She quietly cleared her throat before speaking.
"I am so sorry Mr. Whittle. I was kept longer than I had intended at an earlier appointment," she apologized. "It won't happen again."
"Oh I can assure that Miss Granger," he replied hotly.
"If you're done talking about something that in no way pertains to why we are here Mr. Whittle," the dry voice of Mr. Coen Dawson interrupted from the other end of the table. "We would like to actually continue the meeting so we can get out of here at a reasonable hour."
Mr. Whittle sneered, but remained quiet as the meeting commenced. Once Hermione was absolutely sure that the meeting was in full swing, she slowly leaned over to Ron, tapping him lightly on the shoulder.
"What did I miss?" She whispered, keeping her eyes trained on the speaker.
"Nothing much," Ron replied, keeping his eyes on the notes he was scribbling. "Just Whittle and Dawson fighting for a while. Then just a quick reminder of why we're actually here."
"Really?" Hermione asked, a surprised tone lacing through her words. "That's really all I missed?"
"Like I said, you didn't miss much," Ron continued, looking up to train his eyes on whomever was addressing them. "You were only one and a half minutes late."
"That's practically two whole minutes Ronald," Hermione whispered. "That's plenty of time for something to happen."
"Not when Dawson and Whittle are in charge," Ron said, a small smile playing across his lips.
Hermione refrained herself from rolling her eyes, readjusting her position in her chair. She took a small breath, and braced herself for the long meeting ahead of her.
"Mr. Whittle, why did you need all of us here?" Mr. Dawson asked drily. "You should have enough people in your own department to figure this out on your own."
"It doesn't just concern my department you old coot," Mr. Whittle sneered. "This is something that concerns all of the departments present here."
"A few missing Galleons isn't something that should concern the MLE department or any of the other departments in the whole Ministry," Mr. Dawson said with a roll of his eyes. "Missing Galleons are something that is part of your department and your department only. I believe we're done here," he finished, rising from his seat.
"Sit down Dawson," Mr. Whittle hissed. "We have reason to believe that the person who interrupted our bank statements was someone who is on your wanted list."
"Mr. Whittle the only people left on our wanted list at this time are Death Eaters," Mr. Dawson stated with his teeth slightly clenched. "Those Death Eaters haven't been seen since the end of the Second Wizarding War."
"Which is why it makes sense for them to need monetary compensation!" Mr. Whittle exclaimed. "They have been on the run for three years! Don't you think they would need food, money, or something else that money can buy?"
"Dawson, whoever it is only stole five Galleons. Five Whittle. That's hardly a reason to get the MLE involved," Mr. Dawson sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Besides, Death Eaters know how to live on the run. They don't need monetary compensation."
"Say whatever you want Dawson. This is something that is going to affect your department sooner or later," Mr. Whittle said, standing and exiting the room.
"We're done here," Mr. Whittle sighed, picking up the large file in front of him as he stood from his seat. "I don't want to hear anything else about this phony case. End of story." He paused and looked around the conference room before continuing. "What are you all doing still sitting here? Get back to work and solve the real cases."
After Mr. Whittle had finished his little spill, everyone still present scrambled for their parchments and quills, getting up and exiting the room one by one.
"Well that was a waste of my morning," Ron sighed, stacking his parchments into a messy pile. "I could have been working on literally anything else on my desk and it would have been more important than this meeting."
"No meeting is unimportant Ron," Hermione chided, picking up his quill and handing it to him. "Every meeting has some importance, no matter how little."
"Sure 'Mione," Ron said, rolling his eyes. "Every meeting is important, and I love spiders."
"Yeesh," Harry said, entering the room, a cup of coffee in his hands. "That was the absolute worst analogy that I have ever heard."
"Harry Potter!" Hermione exclaimed, jumping in her seat. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Seriously mate," Ron agreed, putting his stack of parchments back down. "You gotta start introducing yourself when you enter a room or something. Also, what are you doing drinking coffee? That stuff is the nastiest bloody drink in the world."
"Apologies," Harry said, holding up his free hand in defense. "I'll try and remember to knock or something in the future. And in response to your question Ron," he added, looking pointedly at him over the top of his coffee cup. "Coffee is the most disgusting drink in the world. However, it seems to wake me up enough to do my work, so…"
"Gross Harry," Ron said, his face wrinkled in disgust. "Put that away. It's stinkin' up the conference room."
"You guys are leaving anyways," Harry said, waving his hand dismissively, and setting his cup down on the table. "So it really doesn't matter what the room smells like."
"What are you doing here then?" Hermione questioned, picking up his cup and dumping its contents into the trash, oblivious to his protests.
"The Auror's have a meeting," Harry answered, staring dejectedly at his empty cup.
"Why weren't you here for the other meeting Harry?" Ron asked. "Aren't Aurors part of the MLE department?"
"Yeah," Harry replied, taking a seat in one of the cushioned office chairs. "And I got out of it so I could have that meeting with the family I told you about Hermione. I didn't know how long it would go for, so I asked Neville if he would go as the representative."
Hermione shot him a disapproving stare, but said nothing. Ron however sighed again, picking up his parchments and walking towards the door.
"Harry, don't kill yourself alright?" he said on his way out. "I have enough to do already."
Harry returned his best friend's sigh, twirling in his chair as he stared at the ceiling. "I promise Ron. I'm fine. Except for the fact that Hermione threw my coffee in the wastebin," he added, giving her a pointed look.
"Harry, I'm not sorry about your coffee," Hermione answered.
"I know," he smiled. "Just thought I'd try it."
Ron walked back over, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Mate, I would love to stay and talk, but I gotta go, and I have a feeling Hermione does too."
Both Harry and Hermione nodded in agreement to Ron's statement. Ron and Hermione bid Harry farewell and headed back to the lift, talking pleasantly as they went. Reaching the lift doors, they entered and Ron was just punching in the numbers for the MLE floor, when another person entered the lift. Ron's brow furrowed in disgust, and Hermione looked on as if she had never seen the person in her life. Ron's finger paused over the last number, refusing to enter it and shut the lift doors.
"Don't let me halt your work with my presence," Malfoy said in a calm voice, not looking at either of them.
"You're not doing anything to hinder my work Malfoy," Ron hissed. "I just don't want to ride in the lift with you."
"Well then I guess you will just have to get off and wait for the next one," Malfoy retorted, keeping his eyes trained straight ahead of him. "Because I have somewhere important to be, and so I really must impress upon you the need to put in the elevator code."
Ron clenched his jaw, but typed in the code without meeting Malfoy's eyes. The odd trio spent the entirety of the lift ride in silence; Ron and Hermione standing on one side, and Malfoy on the other. The lift gave a soft ding when it reached the intended level, and Ron and Hermione exited without a backwards glance at Malfoy. They strode quickly down the hallway in silence, neither of them wanting to say anything. They reached Ron's office eventually and Hermione heard him whisper, "Bloody Malfoy" as he entered his office and shut the door behind them.
"Ron, don't let him get to you," Hermione warned.
"He's not getting to me," Ron protested.
"He's trying to get a rise out of you Ron," Hermione sighed. "That's what he does. Anyways, I really do have to get going. Pamela is going to be in my office any minute."
"Who's Pamela?" Ron asked.
"The intern that the Ministry sent to the Research and Information section. Kyan assigned her to me, and she comes every day around ten o'clock," Hermione answered easily.
"I won't keep you then," Ron sighed, dipping his quill into an inkwell and starting to write. "Have fun with the intern."
Hermione shook her head and gave him a small smile as she left his office. She walked down a few more halls and turned around three corners before she reached her office. She opened the mahogany door and was surprised to find the office empty. It was exactly ten o' five. Pamela should have been there already. She sighed and sat down heavily in her navy blue office chair, taking off her heels and throwing them under her desk. She was completely done with those heels for the day; she absolutely hated them. She sighed again, and pulled out a big black file from inside one of the desk drawers, dropping it heavily down onto her desk. Pulling out her quill, she dipped it quickly in some ink and started making quick notes along the sides of the parchment. Pausing when she heard a knock on her door, she looked up and was shocked to see Pamela enter the room, a sheepish look on her face.
"Pamela!" Hermione exclaimed. "Are you alright?"
"Yes," Pamela said nervously. "Listen Miss Granger, I'm really really sorry for not being here at ten, but I had a family issue…"
"Oh Pamela, don't worry about it," Hermione reassured. "Is your family alright?"
"I hope so," Pamela answered quietly.
"You know what Pamela? Why don't you take the day off. I don't have that much for you to do today anyways. Go home and care for your family," Hermione said, looking at the younger girl fondly.
"Really?" Pamela asked, her face shining with relief. "Oh Merlin…"
"Go Pamela," Hermione reassured as the girl rushed out of her office.
Hermione stood looking at the closed door for a few moments after Pamela had left, wondering about her young intern. She shook her head, and stared back down at her parchments, continuing to make notes. She continued doing this for a good couple of hours, but once again, she was jerked from her work; though this time not as kindly.
"Granger," Malfoy said, coming in through her office door.
"What can I do for you Mr. Malfoy?" Hermione asked, a small smile painted on her face.
"Cut it Granger," Malfoy sighed, rolling his eyes. "Do you have those files for me?"
"What files?" Hermione asked with fake innocence. "I'm not sure I know what you're talking about."
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Malfoy demanded. "The files I gave you last week. I need them back. Now."
"Oh those files," Hermione laughed. "I don't have them."
"Sweet Salazar," Draco said, running his hands through his hair. "What did you do with them? You were supposed to give them back to me today at the latest."
"I didn't lose them Malfoy," Hermione reassured. "I sent them down to Study and Surveillance, and they haven't given them back yet."
"You sent them down to SS?" Malfoy asked slowly, his eyes flashing.
"Yes Malfoy I did," Hermione said simply. "It needed a double check so I sent it down there. They will be back by the end of tomorrow hopefully. Then you can have them back."
"Leave it to you to mess everything up," Malfoy hissed.
"I didn't mess anything up," Hermione smiled. "You'll have your precious files again soon Malfoy."
He said nothing back, just looked at her, his eyes flashing, before leaving her office in a huff. She rolled her eyes at his retreating form before closing the file, grabbing her heels from under her desk, and heading back over to Ron's office. She rapped smartly on the door and waited for Ron to answer. When he didn't, she turned the handle and entered the office, only to find it empty. She looked for a note, but finding none, she left, shutting the door behind her. She had started back down the hall, when she heard her name being called.
"Hermione! Hermione wait!"
Hermione turned and was shocked to find none other than Luna Lovegood walking quickly down the hall to meet her.
"Luna what are you doing?" Hermione asked, slowing her walk to allow Luna to catch up.
"I have those results for you," Luna answered in her airy voice. When she looked into Hermione's face and saw that she was confused, she continued. "From the papers you dropped off last week? From Draco Malfoy's office?"
"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed. "Right. I uh, didn't know that you worked down in the research department."
"I don't get out much," Luna admitted, handing her the file. "I'm in the back most of the time, so no one really sees me. Anyways, have a wonderful rest of the day!" she finished as she walked back down the hall, a childish skip in her step.
Hermione watched her leave, an iceberg of dread lodging itself in the pit of her stomach. She had Malfoy's papers and Pamela wasn't there, so that meant that she had to deliver them herself. She took a deep breath and turned back around, heading straight for the lift. Her nervous foot tapping resumed as she waited for the lift to take her up to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, where she figured she would find Malfoy. Hearing the ding of the lift, she mentally braced herself and stepped out, heading directly over to Malfoy's semi-temporary office. She didn't hesitate when she reached his office, just knocked politely on the door. She wasn't surprised when the door didn't open, so she knocked again. The second time, the door opened and she was faced with not with Malfoy, but with Fynn McIntyre, head of the department. Her eyes widened slightly at seeing him, but at his angry glare, she found her voice again.
"Mr. McIntyre, I have some files for Mr. Malfoy," she said simply.
"Thank you Miss Granger, you're no longer needed," he replied sharply, grabbing the file from her hands
and shutting the door promptly in her face.
She stayed outside the door for a few moments before walking away, contemplating on what she had just seen. She had gone to Malfoy's office to give him papers, but instead of Malfoy answering the door, she'd been faced with his head of department. He'd been there alright, she'd seen over Mr. McIntyre's shoulder. He'd been at his desk, staring angrily at the open door. And he hadn't been alone. Sure McIntyre had been in there, but so had Kingsley Shacklebolt. That's what really puzzled her. Why would Malfoy have both his head of department and the Minister of Magic in his office? She was still puzzling over this when she arrived back down at her office, with no conclusion. Hermione entered her office and grabbed her bag, gently putting in some files of parchment before exiting again. She re-entered her puzzling thoughts about what she'd seen in Malfoy's office and didn't even notice when she ran straight into the very center of her thoughts.
"Watch where you're going Granger," Malfoy said tersely. "Some people actually have work to do around here in case you didn't notice."
Hermione didn't answer, just watched as he walked away from her down the hall towards his office without another word.