Disclaimer: All characters owned by the lovely J.K. Rowling.

"You look stunning," Harry told her.

It was her first Winter Gala with the ministry nearly three years after graduation from Hogwarts. Her job within the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures was going swimmingly. She was working within the Being department and loving her job.

"Stop flattering me." she chastised him,

"You deserve it." he kissed her cheek lightly.

She was wearing a beautiful dark red dress that almost looked maroon. It hugged her tightly and she was a little worried about eating food in it.

"Ginny helped me pick it out," She told him and he nodded. Hermione could tell that he missed Ginny. With her travel schedule with the Holyhead Harpies, he had not seen her very much, which was why Harry was her date to the gala, "She comes back home soon,"

"23 days," he said, smiling, "But who is counting?"

"Can you see her game in Ireland?"

"I hope to, but work is a little hectic at the moment,"

Hermione fixed the bow tie on his dress robes. His job as an auror was not an easy one, and it often had him running about on all kinds of dangerous missions. While Hermione was grateful she had left that life behind, Harry seemed to handle it well.

"I hope you will take the time," Hermione said,

Harry chuckled, "I think if I don't go, Ginny will send me a howler,"

Hermione laughed, "I can almost hear it now,"

"Harry Potter!" He said in an almost flawless impression of his girlfriend. Hermione laughed.

"Aright, shall we?" She asked, holding out her arm.

"Let's," He replied, grabbing her arm and letting her apparate them to the ministry.

There was an actual red carpet leading them into the event. It was to be held in the main entrance, but the walk to it was covered in reporters. Harry led her quickly through most of the thrall.

"Harry, where is Ginny?" a reporter asked.

"She has a match tonight and couldn't make it," He said with a smile, "So I brought Hermione,"

"I brought you," Hermione corrected him, and a few of the reporters laughed good naturedly,

"Ms. Granger, your ascent through the ministry ranks is setting records, how do you feel about it?" A reporter asked,

"I have worked hard for the spot I have earned," she replied,

The reporters started yelling for someone else, so Hermione turned to Harry. But he had turned to the person entering.

"Malfoy," He greeted with almost a smile, shaking his hand,

"Potter," Malfoy replied, and Hermione would swear that it wasn't malice, "You remember Pansy," he introduced his date,

"Of course, hello Pansy,"

"Potter," she replied—now that was definitely malice, "Draco, I am going to go find the champagne," she said with a sigh,

"Of course," Malfoy said, releasing her,

"I thought after the last time you wouldn't bring her," Harry said to him,

"Yes, well. This one snuck up on me. But my mother has promised to arrive in an hour to take her home," He said as they walked through to the main entrance way. It was done up beautiful in snowy decorations. The mid January party was the perfect thing to look forward to, as there was little else to look forward to in the cold of winter, "And where is the third member of the golden trio?" Malfoy asked,

"Ron is working at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, so he isn't invited," Hermione told him,

"Still working at his brother's shop?" He asked,

"Yes, but he is thinking about leaving—and I think George will kick him out if he doesn't leave soon," Hermione said with a smile,

Harry chuckled, "Send him flying out on his arse is more like it,"

"They don't work well together?" Malfoy asked,

"George knows it isn't what Ron wants to do," Hermione said, her tone slightly defensive, but Malfoy just washed it off. She was surprised he did.

"I better make sure Pansy hasn't ripped too many shots," he told them, "I am sure I will see you both through out the evening." he strode off.

"When did you two get so friendly?" Hermione asked,

"It started during the trial," Harry said with a shrug, "But I see him a lot at work,"

"Why?"

"He is a lawyer that specializes in laws about Dark Magic. His knowledge has proven invaluable on multiple occasions,"

"I didn't know that was his job,"

"It isn't, he is—well, basically an entrepreneur. He holds a significant investment in the shop," He told her, the shop was Weasley Wizard Wheezes. It was referred to that mostly because it was the only shop worth mentioning,

"I didn't know that,"

"His investment helped them get into Hogsmeade," Harry said, handing her a glass of champagne.

"To us?" She asked, toasting her glass,

"To us," He replied, and they both drank.

There was mainly finger food so Hermione's worry about exploding out of her dress was not worth it. She got to talk to her boss, Penelope, for a while and several other people.

"Hermione," Kingsly greeted, his deep warm voice made her smile,

"Hello minister," She said, hugging him tightly and a camera flashed. A few members of the paparazzi were allowed into the party to document the goings on.

"So glad you could join us," He held her hand in his tightly before dropping it,

"My pleasure, I have had such fun,"

"Minister," Narcissa Malfoy said with a nod in passing, Pansy in tow. She barely looked like she was following the elder woman willingly. Kingsly nodded in reply before looking back to Hermione.

"Your work in the Being department, especially with werewolves, would make Remus proud" Kingsly told her,

"I hope so. I wish he would be here to see it," She sighed, "I am trying to get someone to speak up as part of the werewolf community, but it is proving difficult,"

"It has been ingrained in them to stay silent for so long, it might take awhile,"

"Yes," Hermione agreed, "I just wish they would be brave enough to trust me," She said, smiling.

"I am sure someone will eventually," He said

"Excuse me, minister, I must interrupt you to grab my date," Harry said, and Kingsly waved them both on. Harry took her to the dance floor, and Hermione smiled as they clasped hands, "What?" Harry asked,

"I was just thinking about our dance in the tent," She responded, and he laughed. His laugh was so comforting to her, it made her laugh in response.

"I was so desperate to make you smile after Ron left, I would have tried anything," He told her, beginning to waltz her forward. They moved in nearly perfect unison. Their subconscious were linked through years of friendship, battle and shared experience, they didn't have to think to move together. Harry was quiet.

"He is seeing someone," Hermione said,

"How did you know?" Harry asked,

"You always get quiet when he is seeing someone," She accused,

"I don't know what you mean,"

"I know you too well, Harry Potter,"

He chuckled, "You definitely do,"

"I am glad he is,"

"I wish you would see someone, not that I mind third wheeling dates with you and Ginny," He smiled brightly, and Hermione laughed at his comment. He was a third wheel on his own dates when it came to her and Ginny.

"Eventually, Mr. Potter. But I am a career woman, have you read the articles about me in the Profit?" She asked, her tone teasing.

"Yes, you are a heartless career woman that has no time for Ronald Weasley. I still cannot believe you didn't rein Skeeter in on that one," He told her,

She spun out and then back in, "It good for Ron. He knew I could reel her in, and I didn't. I wanted him to know I meant what I said,"

The dance was ending, so Hermione dropped her hands.

"I need to go talk to my boss," Harry said, "You will be alright?"

"Of course, Harry," She nearly growled, and he laughed before kissing her cheek and walking off.

She grabbed another champagne glass and stood for a moment alone.

"Ms. Granger," A short fat man wheezed, he pushed his glasses up his nose, "I have been wondering on your work with house elves and its legality. You are arguing to put them from the beast list to the beings list. Saying they have near human capabilities," His voiced was high pitch and sounded as if he were about to cough at any moment.

"Yes. Do I know you?'

"Don Wrakspur, Head of the Beasts Department within the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures" He introduced, "How are you going to push through legislation about House Elves let alone your work with centaurs,"

"Granger," A deep voice interrupted her need to throttle the man in front of her. She turned to see Malfoy looking thoroughly annoyed, "You promised a dance for the cameras. I need my good PR," His tone was condescending, he held out his arm.

"I did," She said it like it was a fact, but her tone was a bit off,

"Yes, Granger. Surely your know-it-all brain can remember that minor detail. Excuse us, Wrakspur, I must take Ms. Granger," He said, sounding bored,

"Of—of course Mr. Ma—I mean—no—Mr. Malfoy," He squeaked, clearly frightened of the man's reputation, and Hermione took Malfoy's extended arm and didn't question it.

"Thank you," She said after he led her away.

"Do not let yourself get alone with him again," He warned,

"Speaking from personal experience?" She asked,

"Yes," Was his reply, and he didn't elaborate.

She was surprised as he led her to the dance floor.

"Really, Malfoy, you do not have to dance with me," She said,

"Worried page four won't have a spread of you dancing only with Potter?" He asked

"No," Was her strong retort,

"I need the PR, and I did get you out of Wrakspur's clutches,"

"Quid pro quo, Clarice," She said,

"Something for something is the Slytherin motto, though I do not know why you called me Clarissa," He said,

"Oh, it is a movie reference—Silence of the Lambs? It is a muggle movie," She told him. He nodded as he joined hands with her on the dance floor. Her heart was racing, though she didn't know what for. Though this close to him she finally realized how much taller he was than her as her head leveled with his chest. The music started and Hermione should not have been surprised to find him an impeccable dancer.

"I didn't know you could dance so well," She said as they moved across the floor,

"I had to best Potter in something," He retorted, and she laughed warmly, her head thrown back as he spun her across the room.

"I didn't realize the two of you see each other at work," She said,

"A few times a week," He confirmed,

When the dance ended, Malfoy stepped away, "Thank you for saving me," She said with a grin.

He nodded and went on his way.

"I hate that man," She growled as she burst into Harry's office. She was surprised to see Malfoy in his office as well, his cloak off and it looked like he had been there awhile.

"Hermione, what are you doing here?" Harry asked,

"We have a lunch date," She said, thrown off,

"Hermione this is Blaise Zabini—I believe you know him," Harry said, motioning to the other man in the room. Hermione nodded, "Sorry, I got side tracked, let me grab my things,"

"Sure," She said, mollified,

"Granger," Malfoy nodded to her,

"Malfoy," She responded with a nod of her own.

"Who do you hate?" Harry asked,

"I had a meeting with the bloody department head of Beast and he kept trying to tell me that werewolves were bloody animals. I kindly reminded him that they forcibly turn into an animal once a month, while he chooses to be a prejudiced beast all the time. He didn't take it well," She had a smile on her face,

"I suspect not," Harry said, chuckling as he pulled his robe on,

"What are you working on?"

"There has been a string of attacks recently,"

"I haven't heard about them,"

"We have managed to keep it out of the papers for now, but I am going to make an official statement this afternoon," Harry told her. He said the last part quickly, he knew how Hermione felt about withholding dangerous information from the public, "And speaking of papers, have you seen todays?" He asked,

"No, I have been busy, why?"

"We have a wonderful spread in the social section," Malfoy told her, he almost looked bored. When she looked confused, Harry handed her the Daily Profit. She flipped to the social section to see a picture of her and Malfoy dancing. It was snapped as she was laughing, and her picture moved gracefully with Malfoy as she laughed. He didn't seem to have any facial expression whatsoever. Underneath the picture was speculation about the couple—and if they were a couple.

"Nothing provokes speculation more than the sight of a woman enjoying herself," Hermione said with a smile,

"Who are you quoting?" Harry asked, Harry always knew when she was quoting somebody.

"Louisa May Alcott—she wrote Little Women," She explained to him,

"Ah, I believe you made me suffer through that movie," He said with a smile,

"You slept through half of it," She accused, and he smiled, "Can I help your investigation?" She asked, getting back on track.

"I have a few symbols I want you to look at to make sure they are not runes," He said, "We can do it after lunch,"

"Sounds great to me," She said with a smile,

The two had a quick lunch, chatting mostly about how the Holyhead Harpies were doing remarkably well. Harry was determined to go to Ginny's game that weekend, and Hermione confessed she had already bought tickets for Ron, her and him to attend. Tickets in one of the box seats.

She had the money to splurge, and it was a big game.

"Malfoy was nervous you would be mad about the paper," Harry told her as he watched her finish her lunch. She ate slower than him,

"Why would I be mad?" She asked,

"Given his reputation as—associated with dark wizards—he was worried you would be upset,"

"He can't control the reporters," She replied with a shrug, "But I am glad he was concerned. At least he cares,"

"He has changed since he got out from his parents clutches,"

"He doesn't live at the manor?"

"No," Harry shook his head, "First Malfoy—or at least he thinks—ever to move out of the manor willingly,"

"Does he ever see his parents?"

"Occasionally, but sparingly. His father gave him a portion of their fortune and told him to get out, pretty much. So everything he has now he has made on his own,"

"I am surprised Lucius threw him out,"

"Well, it was in conjunction with Malfoy already moving out," Harry said with a shrug,

"You still call him Malfoy?" Hermione asked,

"Habit, I suppose. Plus, I think he would have a coronary if I called him Draco," Harry said with a smile,

"Might be worth trying just to see,"

"If it is half as good as Zabini's reaction to the name Voldemort, it will be worth it,"

When she was back at the ministry, Harry showed her the pictures of the symbols. Malfoy and Zabini were both there as well, she was positive they had gotten something to eat.

"They aren't runes," She agreed, sitting down to look at photos of the crime scene, "You use muggle cameras?" She asked,

"I find it easier to look at crime scenes that aren't moving," Harry told her,

The symbols she was looking at were drawn in blood. From the crime scenes, the symbols just looked like miscellaneous dashes across the wall. Hermione stared at the two photos.

"Is this all you have?" She asked him,

"I don't particularly want more," Harry responded,

"Who were the victims?" She asked,

"Absolutely not," Harry told her,

"What?"

"You are not getting involved. Go back to work," He encouraged,

"If you want me to figure out the symbols, give me more information,"

"We simply asked to see if they were runes, Granger. Not if you could figure it out," Malfoy pointed out,

"Too late," She told him, taking off her blazer and rolling up her sleeves.

"Granger, you are not auror trained, therefore you are prohibited by the ministry to look further into the files," Zabini told her, his tone cold,

"I am auror trained. I accepted my auror rank and then transferred to the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures,"

"Why?" Zabini asked,

"Because she wants to be bloody good at everything," Harry told him, and Hermione laughed.

"I knew this would happen," Hermione explained to him, "What do the two victims have in common?"

"Both are male and white, about fifty years of age," Malfoy said, placing pictures of the two dead bodies. Both had had their jaw removed, leaving only the top row of teeth, "He used spells to stop the bleeding. They spent hours in agony,"

"He?"

"We assume a he, we have no idea," Zabini told her,

"How are you two involved?" She asked,

"My knowledge of Dark Art spells is—vast," Malfoy said, sitting down across from her, "The spell used to slow the bleeding like this isn't the one that the healers use. It is one the Dark Lord invented,"

"How do you know Voldemort made it?" She asked. Zabini must have jumped a foot in the air at his name. She turned to him.

"Every time," Harry said with a small smile, she shook her head,

"These," Malfoy pointed to burn patterns, "The healers would have the skin burned, it would be counter productive to heal. These wounds were slowed down by slightly cauterizing them, but not completely. I have only seen one hex that does this," It suddenly occurred to Hermione that he would have had to see it in front of him and she wondered the story behind that.

Hermione was silent, biting her lip. She grabbed a ponytail holder and piled her hair on top of her head.

"Anything else in common?" She asked

"Both of them have some what shady pasts," Zabini told her, "But nothing concrete to tie them to Death Eaters,"

"The world isn't divided into good and Death Eaters," Hermione said softly, and she saw Harry smile as Zabini chuckled, "What?"

"Harry says that all the time," Zabini told her,

"Sirius said it," Hermione said, smiling, then looked back down at the pictures, "What do we know?" She asked them suddenly,

"There is very little evidence left behind," Harry told her as she walked to a chalkboard in his office. She used her wand to wipe it clean.

"So he is experienced," Malfoy's voice was deep.

She wrote experience on the board.

"What else?"

"Probably a white male of nearly the same age," Harry told her,

So his physical description went on the board.

"He would have to have a shady past as well," Zabini said,

"Intelligent," Hermione added, "These killings are calculated, planned out. These don't look like crimes of passion,"

Harry nodded as she wrote it down.

"What else are you thinking?" Harry asked, running his hands through his hair that was getting a bit too long.

"They are missing their jaws and tongue," She said, holding a finger to her lips, "What can't you do without a tongue and jaw?"

"Speak," Malfoy answered, and she nodded, "You think he killed them for talking—but we don't have anything on record for saying that they spoke out against anything,"

"Maybe it is as much as what they didn't say as what they said," Hermione replied. It was quiet, "How far apart are these murders?"

"Nearly six months,"

"Patient," She added, "He is obviously enjoying the kill, but mentally in charge of himself to not let himself slip," She was quiet, looking to the board, "We just don't have enough evidence to make any more conclusions—did you have muggles look at it?"

"No DNA evidence, no finger prints. Nothing," Harry said,

"Muggles? What do they know?" Zabini asked,

Hermione nearly growled but gave a glare instead, "Since they cannot rely on magic, they use science to figure out information," Zabini did back up in his chair because of that glare,

"So he must be familiar with muggle technologies," Malfoy said, breaking up the tension, "He has either lived in the muggle world, or has been forced to due to people looking for him,"

"What is the blood status of both of them?" Hermione asked,

The room was silent and she nearly sighed, "We don't know," Harry said,

"I can go through Umbridge's list and find out," Hermione said, Harry chuckled, "What?"

"There is a portrait of her in near her old office. If you make a sound like cantering hooves, she starts screaming and running around," He smiled brightly, "I have come to making that noise anytime I walk down that hall,"

Hermione smiled at the memory of Umbridge being taken away by centaurs, "That would never get old," She said,

"Why does she hate the sound of hooves?" Zabini asked,

"Our fifth year, when we took her out into the forbidden forest, centaurs took her away," Harry said with a smile, "Never insult a centaur,"

They worked well into the afternoon, postulating different theories and such, but they couldn't come to any ground breaking conclusions.

"Can I have a copy of these pictures?" Hermione asked, pointing to the symbols on the wall,

"Sure," Harry said, handing her some,

"Alright, I am going to head home and get ready for the game. There is a portkey by my apartment," She told Harry,

"I'll see you then,"

"And do show up not in your work clothes, Ginny will never forgive me,"

"Yes, ma'am," He said, and Hermione shook her head,

"I will see you gentlemen later," She said to both of them with a smile before walking out.