Thanks to SB - Potterhead Budgie Lover, reptilegirl, and mishal18 mn for reviewing the last chapter!
-HG-
I slipped on a simple white blouse and the black high-waisted skirt I had purchased the day before. Be different, I told myself. I brushed out my now-short locks, and stared at myself in the mirror. I needed something...more. I needed makeup. Slight problem, I didn't own any. I could have transfigured something into a fully stocked make-up kit, but I didn't really want to do that. I didn't know what the difference in brands and quality was, so I decided against it. This would have to do. I slipped on a pair of simple black ballet flats and headed to my fireplace.
"Good morning Hermione!"
"Good morning Gladys."
"Good morning Hermione! And don't you look especially lovely today!"
"Thank you Blaise! Could you please drop off the files at my office? Thanks." My position in the department of magical law enforcement was never one I expected to take. I've never really considered myself to be the lawyer type. But I surprised myself, and quickly rose to be the head of the department. I sighed contentedly, and headed into the lift, where I was soon joined by none other than Draco Malfoy.
"Morning Granger. Hey, you actually sort of look half-decent for once!" I smiled and retaliated with a quick wandless and non-verbal charm to mess up his immaculately gelled hair. Despite our differences in the past, I hold no grudges against Malfoy for anything, I do not believe he is a bad person. I wouldn't say we are friends though, acquaintances is probably closer to the correct term.
"You too Malfoy. What are you doing here again?"
"What, is an old friend not allowed to come and visit?" He said with mock hurt, while attempting to re-sculpt his hair.
"Harhar Malfoy, what are you actually here for?"
"Just here to have a word with Nott, don't worry I'm not going to blow up your precious ministry." He smiled.
"Get on your way then; I wouldn't want to have to call for your immediate removal and ban from this building. Au Revoir." I left the elevator with a little wave, and let him see my smirk so he knew that I was joking.
I headed to my office, and closed the door firmly, and sank into my chair. I love my office. I keep it clean and simple, and it prevents me from being distracted. I glanced at the pile of files that lay on my table. Finally, Blaise had done his job. With a sigh, I reached forward and began to read through them.
"Katie is a menace, you must bring her to justice."
"But Hermione, she hasn't really done anything wrong, she's a good person! I can't Hermione, you must understand." Here we go again. Harry had been increasingly uncooperative, and as head of the department of magical law enforcement, it was my responsibility to ensure that he did his job.
"Harry, I honestly couldn't care less about your friendship with Katie right now. She may have been your friend in the past, but this is professional, not personal. She is a thief, she stole countless galleons from the ministry, and YOU must bring her here! It is your responsibility as head of the auror office, regardless of past ties to her."
"You need to understand, I can't do it. It's not like she's killed anyone or anything. And besides, I'm sure she won't do anything again. She was on my quidditch team; I can't betray her like that."
"Harry James Potter, I'm ashamed of you. Why did you take on a role in the department of magical law enforcement if you are not even willing to do your job. You're an auror for god's sake. Katie Bell stole, and in the process stunned Ernest Macmillan three times. He is still recovering in St Mungos. If you do not do your job for once, I'll fire you. Do I make myself clear?" Harry looked at me, dumbfounded.
"You wouldn't... you wouldn't fire me I'm a hero to the ministry! Kingsley wouldn't let you!"
"I'm sure Kingsley would understand if I told him you were uncooperative and refusing to do your job. And you seem to forget, I am your boss and you must show me respect. Good day to you, Harry.
I walked off without a backwards glace. Conversations with my old best friend had been reduced to nothing more than that lately, which saddened me. He was unreasonable when it came to his friends, leading me to believe that he really did not deserve a place in a world of justice. A hand fell on my shoulder, causing me to jump in surprise.
"Blaise you scared me!" Blaise had become one of my closest friends in the time that we had both been working in the same department. He was whom I would consider to be my second-in-command of sorts.
"Sorry haha. Just wanted to ask you, did you get a chance to take a look at the files on the disappearance of Cho Chang's children?"
"No I didn't, I got distracted with Katie Bell's case. Fill me in?"
"Sure." They began to talk as they walked, heading towards Hermione's office. "Cho and her muggle husband have two children, twins age three. Both have shown signs of being wizards. But yesterday, they disappeared. Since Cho prefers muggle technology, basically the only evidence is from a nanny cam, and it doesn't help much. Basically all that we can see is that they both were lying down, sleeping in their cot, when suddenly they disappeared. Weird purplish residue was found around the room. And that's all we know."
"Has anyone been set to work on the case?"
"Not from here, no. All the evidence we've got was found by muggle police officers. But I'm assuming we'll be taking over?"
"Yes of course, we must." I sat down at my desk, and pulled out a booklet filled with photographs of and listings of the abilities of my aurors. "I wish I could assign Harry to it, but honestly I don't think he's worthy of it if he's unwilling to perform simple tasks."
"Yeah, probably not him. How about Dean Thomas?"
Dear Diary,
Today wasn't great. Harry is growing more and more distant, and I hate it. What's more, he refuses to obey the rules I set, meaning I have to talk to him, tell him off more and more. Which in turn makes him dislike me even more. I really would like to put him on the case of the missing Chang children, due to his connection to Cho, but I won't unless I see a change in his behaviour. This is just the kind of case that he seems to enjoy solving most, but I will not give him that privilege. I need to be stricter, harsher. And make him truly believe that I mean what I say. I'll get there eventually.
I feel proud of myself; I managed to avoid thinking about Ronald more than twice today a massive improvement. Changing my look has maybe helped with that, it's given me something different to focus on. I think I'll keep this new me, I like her. Hermione Granger 2.0.
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falloutgirl567
