Hello and thank you to all those people who are now following this story. It is my first so be gentle with me and I hope you enjoy.
I don't own Harry Potter yada yada yada.
Chapter Two – Ministry Dealings
Hermione looked at her clothing selection for that day. A pencil skirt tight at the hips flaring out slightly at the edge. A white blouse classically cut tapered at the waist. Trusty old black court shoes. She looked good, classic, elegant and sophisticated. So why did she feel like a bag of nerves? Every little hair on her arm was standing on end, every breath laboured. She really didn't know what had come over her since yesterday. It was seeing him it had to be. How could seeing Draco Malfoy of all people elicit such a response from her? I mean she hadn't even thought about him at all, why would she? He was rude, egotistical, incredibly vain. Well she didn't know all these things. He used to be. I mean how much can one man have changed really? No, she had to be fair she didn't know what he was like, but damn she liked what she saw. Holy Circe did that really just flitter through her brain. Maybe she should go to Mungo's and get checked out? This wasn't happening it was all Ginny's fault for putting the idea of flirting in her head. No, she would go to work act like the talented professional women she was and forget all about Draco bloody Malfoy.
One last check in the mirror before she left, all good. Hermione grabbed her satchel as she disapparated out of her house to the ministry. The security precautions enforced during the war had been lifted and an apparition point set up in the atrium. It made getting to work much easier that's for sure. Waving politely to several co-workers and giving a short good morning to others Hermione weaved her way through the throng of people to the lifts. She loved the Ministry like this. The hustle and bustle. Sometimes, to Hermione, the wizarding world could feel small, isolated little pockets of wizarding kind doted over the country. But not here. Here was the brain of wizarding Britain, the centre. It made her feel closer to her roots, when her parents would take her to muggle London. They would go to the Natural History Museum, the Albert and Victoria Art Gallery. They would walk the banks of the Thames and grab street food in Camden market. The lower levels of the ministry felt like the muggle underground and made Hermione feel nostalgic every time.
Perhaps it was fate or just damn bad luck that the lift she happened to squeeze into contained none other than Malfoy himself. The sheer number of people coming and going at this time of the morning meant that Hermione was a little too close to the current object of her discomfort.
"Good Morning Granger" Malfoy seductively whispered to Hermione "my my I didn't think we would be this close so soon didn't know you were that type of girl" Hermione blushed at the comment. She knew he was trying to get a rise out of her, the way he smirked as he spoke, the tilt to his voice slightly mocking in nature.
"I hardly think this intentional Malfoy" Hermione bristled in return. Salazar he was infuriating how dare he suggest she did this on purpose, like she planned it. AArrrhhh he was the most exasperating man in existence. She could feel her blood pressure rising with each movement of the lift she was currently trapped in. Damn it, it didn't matter how attractive he was the gall of the man.
Thankfully the lift opened at her floor, "Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Aurore Office" trilled the lift. Thank Merlin she could escape this hell. Unfortunately for Hermione this was Malfoys stop as well.
"Are you following me Malfoy?" she declared.
"Oh yes Granger I like to spend my days following bushy haired know it all's around for fun" he stated. Hermione spotted Harry talking to his colleagues in the Aurore Office. She proceeded to make a beeline for him if only to get out of the radius of Draco Malfoy. Once again fate was against her as it was Harry Potter Malfoy was there to see.
"Malfoy, glad you could make it. The minister is waiting for us" Harry addressed Malfoy. "Actually, you too Hermione did you get the message?"
"No I only just got here what is this all about Harry" said Hermione
"Can't discuss it here Mione let's wait till we see the minister" replied Harry.
"Listen Potter you might have all day but I'm a busy man let's get this show in the sky shall we" declared Malfoy.
"In the sky?" frowned Harry.
"It's similar to the muggle saying get the show on the road Harry some stupid reference to flying" countered Hermione.
"You two know you're wizards don't you pretty poor ones but wizards none the less?" Hermione threw Malfoy her best you are annoying me look. Rather than shrink back like most people it seemed to make him happier. This day was not starting well for Hermione. How much longer would she have to deal with this man? Just breath Hermione told herself. She was really losing it, fortunately for her the minister appeared from the lift and made his way towards them.
"Kingsley, sorry Minister, how wonderful to see you" beamed Hermione.
"Quite alright Hermione honestly it's nice that people remember I am an actual person these days instead of the head of state with no life" smiled Kinsley Shacklebolt. "Harry nice to see you, Mr Malfoy pleasure. As we are all here I suggest we deliberate in my office"
The odd ensemble followed the minister up to his office on the top level. Some small talk about who they thought would win the European cup this year ensued. Malfoy was resolute that Ireland stood a chance this year with Harry disagreeing, adamant that the new up and comers Iceland had it in the bag. Somethings will never change thought Hermione. It was a truth universally acknowledged that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy would never agree. Hermione couldn't care less one way or the other who won the blasted cup as long as she could get out of this nightmare soon and grab a cuppa. A strong cup of Yorkshire tea with a drop of milk would sort her right out. She has a china tea service in her office especially for situations like this where no amount of boring machine tea in a mug would do.
The office of the Minister for Magic was as opulent as the position suggested. The room was circular with tall ceilings and huge floor to ceiling windows. The charm on the window showed the London skyline as viewed from the Shard (a building the muggles were particularly proud of). The room had a regency décor gilded with gold. Rosewood polished floors lined with antique rugs centuries old and hand woven. The room held a slightly oriental feel with lanterns and vases lining the walls. A mosaic ceiling with an intricate pattern that could certainly only be created by magic shone with tiny diamonds reflecting the light making the room shimmer. It was a truly spectacular space that never failed to amaze Hermione every time she entered it. Malfoy swanned around the room as if he were walking through a market not surrounded by breath taking beauty. His nonchalance grated on Hermione's last nerve testing the very last of her patience. Rather than create a scene she bit her lip and took a seat counting to ten in her head.
"Now I'm sorry this has all been so cloak and wand but this is a top-secret meeting. What I'm going to tell you must stay in this room between us, at least for the moment. We are fortunate that the press hasn't caught on yet." The Minister was pacing as he spoke clearly a little agitated. Hermione snorted a little the only reason the press (Kinsley really meant Rita Skeeter) were not all over whatever story was brewing was because Rita was up to her old tricks trying to besmirch Hermione's name. Skeeter had managed to make the most devastating break up, with someone whom Hermione had loved with all her heart, into a Shakespearian tale with Hermione being the women of wantonness and destruction. The truth couldn't be any further, it was Hermione with the broken heart, Hermione the wronged women. But Rita Skeeter had never forgiven her for the Triwizard Tournament debacle so she was determined to do the thing that would hurt Hermione the most, question her integrity. Hermione for the most part had been ignoring the headlines. It didn't matter. She had a good job, good friends, who cares what random strangers thought of her.
The Minister continued. "There have been several incidents. Incidents where people have been hurt in targeted confrontations. Several members of prominent families have been attacked."
"When you say prominent families, you mean members of the sacred twenty eight?" replied Malfoy.
"Yes, Mr Malfoy, I mean member of the twenty-eight" said the Minister. "At this time, Marcus Flint, Lavinia Avery and Atticus Shafiq have been attacked. The attack on Mr Flint was particularly unpleasant. Mr Shafiq doesn't live in Britain anymore he emigrated thirty years ago but we retain good links with the auror's of MUSCA. Aurore Sam Kolwalski has sent us all the details they are in the little packs I have complied for you to look over, along with details of the other crimes." Shacklebolt gestured to the folios on his desk with his wand and one flew to each of them.
"With all due respect, Minister, why am I here? Or are you worried for my welfare?" Malfoy spoke as he skimmed through his folio.
The Minister considered Malfoy for moment before saying "We have reason to believe Mr Malfoy that technology from Magitech may have been used in order to perpetrate these crimes." For a brief second, something like surprise shone in Malfoys eye before it was gone as quick as it appeared. Interesting thought Hermione he didn't see that coming. "We were hoping you could be of some assistance to Mr Potter and Miss Granger here to understand how some of your products work. To better understand how we may catch the people or persons responsible."
"Of course, Mr Shacklebolt, Malfoy industries are available to aid the Ministry anyway we can" Malfoy retorted. "I can have any number of engineers available to explain how our products work and their capabilities at your earliest convenience"
"Mr Malfoy this is a sensitive issue you understand the … 'politics' of the situation. We that is to say the Ministry is hoping you will assist us personally in order to keep the circle tight" explained the Minister.
"You mean it gives a certain credence to have me, a prominent member of the twenty-eight, working on this" replied Malfoy. At this Hermione snorted. "You may feel that it is inconsequential Granger but I can assure you the other members of the sacred twenty-eight won't put their confidence in you and the boy wonder over there. I imagine they are leaning rather heavily on you Minister what with it being time for a general election"
Kingsley sighed "You are right Mr Malfoy certain pressures are being placed on this office".
After considering the Minister for a moment Malfoy seemed to come to a conclusion "Ok Minister I will help you and your little band of heroes with certain conditions of course"
"Naturally may I ask what these are" replied Shacklebolt.
"Firstly, I want all details implicating Magitech kept out of the press at all times. I don't care how you do it just ensure it is done. I have shares that will plummet to nothing if this is leaked. Second you may use my name to back this little investigation however I need to have the power of an outside consultant to the auror office. I can't be explaining my motives and involvement at every stage. Call it my knowledge of wizarding families or dedication to the Ministry whatever just as I said keep Magitech out of it. Thirdly I want to work with Granger directly there are too many idiots in this building and I can't deal with them. I will concede working with Potter also but only because I know he will be her bitch and do as she says." At this last part Hermione vented her frustrations.
"Now look here Malfoy you can't just order us around however you please" shouted Hermione.
"Done" agreed the Minister.
Hermione turned to Kingsley Shacklebolt in a flash. "Minister you can't just …."
"Hermione, I realise this may be unorthodox but I must remind you, you are a ministry employee under my governance"
Hermione sunk back into her chair. She saw the look of determination in the Ministers eye and knew her cause was lost. She was going to have to work with Malfoy. This was not going to end well, not at all …
Well that's it folks chapter two hope you liked it. If you are so inclined, please review. There are bits I can explain further in these little ramblings at the end such as the places described in London are real and that Auror Kolwalski is the grandson of Queenie and Jacob. Do people like authors to go into details like that at the end? Answers on a postcard!
