Chapter 2: The Funeral

Dawn crept up over the castle grounds, bright and clear. It was late October and dew lay thickly over the grass. Harry, Hermione, and Ron stood in a huddle shivering as they watched the autumn sunrise. They had just apparated outside of the Hogwarts gates. It was the day of Minerva McGonagall's funeral.

The trio had arrived at the castle early, none of them being able to sleep. Harry found that nightmares from the war were liable to keep him awake long into the night, and tonight had been no different. He had woken in a shaking sweat at three in the morning. Heading into the kitchen to get water, he found Hermione half slumped in a chair, her face showing obvious evidence of crying. They had decided that a walk around the Hogwarts grounds before the ceremony was due to take place would be the medicine that they both needed. Not feeling right to leave Ron behind, they had gone down to wake him from a deep sleep and drag him up to Hogwarts in time to see the sun rise.

The three of them walked slowly and in silence, their black funeral robes billowing slightly in the sharp breeze. Hermione kept up a heating charm on their feet to prevent their shoes from getting soaked in the dew on the long grass. They took a slow meandering route across the grounds, speaking little, but comforted by the others presence. Eventually they reached the place of Dumbledore's grave and they stood in silent mourning together. Hermione reached her hands out and grasped a hand each of Harry and Ron; they squeezed gently back. Hermione felt the strength and comfort that came from know that they would always be an inseparable grouping. They had been through too much together, from the troll in first year, through to their tricky attempts to navigate adulthood in a still politically unstable environment, and she knew that there was nothing that could break them apart.

The sun continued to climb in the sky brining a crisp and clear autumn day, and Ron soon spotted some of the other Weasley's across the grounds as the guests began to arrive and make their way over to the funeral location. The trio headed over to meet the sombre group and together they headed over for the ceremony.

Whilst not as emotionally charged as Dumbledore's funeral had been in the middle of the war, somehow this felt even worse. With nothing to focus on, or to channel her grief into, Hermione found that her emotions were fraught, and the wave of sadness threatened to overcome her.

It only took one look at Harry distraught face for Hermione to pull herself together and perform the duties that only best friends could. She put her own feelings of grief aside, to be dealt with later, and concentrated on comforting her friend.

The truly difficult part of the day came after the funeral was finished. A wake was being held in the Great Hall, and for all intents and purposes, that meant mingling. Hermione had discovered the hard way that networking and mingling at work were not her strong suits. With her head-strong opinions and slightly pretentious attitude, Hermione had a habit of rubbing people the wrong way. She was still trying to figure out the right way to go about it but was struggling to find the skills required and was yet to discover the right book to read about them.

With no real option but to mingle, Hermione threw herself into it was wild abandon and determination. She left Harry and Ron with the rest of the Weasley's – Harry didn't particularly need to network and Ron simply had no interest - and she began to make her way through the crowd, greeting old friends from school, the odd ministry employee that she recognised, and having some slightly more intellectual conversations with old Professors.

It was whilst in conversation with Professor Vector, and a couple of Ravenclaw students that Hermione recognised to have been in Ginny's year at school, that Draco Malfoy made his appearance, stepping into the conversation and fluidly greeting the Professor. Both Draco and Hermione had been in the same N.E.W.T level class. Hermione had caught a glance of Draco's tell-tale blonde head at the funeral but had neglected to mention it to either Harry or Ron, concerned that the sight of the blonde could cause tempers to flare. After all, you could never be too careful when a Malfoy was around.

"Now you two were some of the best students I saw through this school." Professor Vector said, pointing her conversation at Hermione and Draco. "Quite exceptional, you both provided a strong competition for the other."

Hermione and Draco glanced at each other. Hermione smiled slightly. Whilst she thought their school relationship could be summed up a number of ways, 'competition' was probably the most apt for the circumstances.

"Such a shame how it all ended." Professor Vector finished with a grimace.

Before Hermione had a chance to comment, Professor Vector was hailed in a different direction by some other guests and was pulled away from the conversation.

"Hermione Granger. International Magical Office of Law." Draco said. His intonation almost suggested a question.

"Yes, that's right." Hermione answered crisply. "I didn't know that was popular knowledge."

"It's not." Draco replied. "I make it my job to know these things."

"And what would be your job?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, you know." Draco waved a hand vaguely in the air. "Charitable doings, here and there. Restoring my family name."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Buying power?"

"Don't be so crass." Draco rolled his eyes.

"I'm just being accurate."

"It's far more nuanced than what you could possible imagine." A slight haughtiness crept into his tone. "I'm a businessman."

Hermione didn't look impressed, a rather sour look appearing on her face. "I think we've had enough of those if that's what they're calling it these days."

Draco scoffed. "Don't give me that holier-than-thou crap. You know, I'm starting to understand why you're still a junior associate."

Hermione froze. "Excuse me?" She was starting to think that maybe Harry and Ron weren't the highest risk of causing a scene.

"Your career is going nowhere." Draco said bluntly. "I couldn't understand why for a long time. I know you aren't the most politically savvy person, and I didn't think you were that fussed about the Ministry, but I still couldn't understand how you hadn't had a promotion in two years. Well now I know." Draco made to turn and leave, but Hermione grabbed his arm tightly and pulled him back.

"Explain." She spat.

"You've got no idea how politics work. For a smart ass, you really should have seen this."

"I'm not in politics." Hermione scowled.

"Office politics." Draco sighed. "Now would you let me go? I would hate to break your arm."

Hermione loosened her grip but stayed close to Draco to prevent him from leaving. "Hold on, though." Hermione said, trying to collect her thoughts. "I'm going to skip over the question of how you seem to know every detail of my career. How do you know that's why I haven't been promoted?"

Draco sighed and rolled his eyes. "Because it's obvious. Everyone knows that you're smart, hard-working, and I've no doubt you're the best at your job in that office. But that isn't how you get promoted. This isn't school. Getting the best marks on your essay doesn't mean shit anymore."

Hermione took his words in with crushing realisation. She gazed off into the distance, slightly shocked. Whilst she would hate to admit that Draco was right, she was smart enough to see that his words fit her situation. She was certainly the best employee in her office, churning out cases faster than any of the other junior associates, and always to a much higher standard. And yet, she still seemed to be missing something, watching her colleagues get promoted over her, even when she was still clearing up their messy work.

"Can I leave now or are you going to assault me again if I do?" Draco intoned, flatly.

"Wait, but, isn't that what you do?" Hermione asked.

"What is?" Draco asked, confused and exasperated.

"Office politics!" Hermione exclaimed a little too loudly. A nearby house-elf laden with a tray of drinks squeaked slightly at the noise and quickly headed off to serve other guests, shooting Hermione an odd look.

"I guess, sort of at least." Draco answered. "Why does that matter?"

"Can you teach me?" Hermione asked, a determined look came into her eye and she stared at Draco.

"I don't think these things can be taught." Draco answered, trying to edge away.

"Nonsense." Hermione scoffed. "Everything can be taught. I'll pay you a small fee for your time. Or I'll buy you lunch, whichever suits you."

"I don't think you can afford me." Draco sniffed.

"Of course not, I'm presuming if you know my title you know how much I earn." Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm also sure, however, that there must be something that I can do for you in return."

Draco looked at her, considering the offer. He was aware that being seen publicly with Hermione Granger would do a lot more for his reputation than any amount of money could hope to achieve. And considering that the Malfoy reserves were looking a little low currently, he didn't think this was an opportunity he could pass up.

"I suppose there might be. Okay, fine. I'll try and teach you, but I make no guarantees."

A bright smile burst across Hermione's face. "Thank you."

"I'll owl a time and place to meet." Draco looked at her one more time, lips pursed, and then turned back into the crowd without another word.

Hermione smiled proudly to herself. She wasn't quite sure if she was making the right decision or not, and she certainly didn't know how she was going to break this bizarre new development to anyone, but her career was in dire straits and required some sort of shake up. She could only hope that Draco Malfoy would have the answers she needed.