Chapter 3

The sound of the grandfather clock striking twelve roused Hermione from her reading, looking around the room for nothing in particular. She couldn't believe she still hadn't made her choice. She had promised Harry an answer by morning, but at this rate she couldn't see that happening. She had gone over witness statements, court logs, case studies and psychological reviews on both Malfoy and Lestrange for the last five hours. She had always known that they were both sick, twisted and evil people, but she had no real concept of how sick or how twisted they truly were...until now.

Reading through the acts of terror they had committed both individually and together had made her sick. She was begging to wonder why she had agreed to do this. There really was no easy choice here. Malfoy and Lestrange had both done terrible things, they were as bad as each other. Both had killed and tortured muggles, muggle-borns, pure-bloods and even family. How was she supposed to choose?

Standing up from her plush leather arm-chair she had bought for the library of the bigger house she had signed the paperwork for three weeks ago, she arched her back to stretch it. She hadn't realised how much it had started to ache, her shoulders were burning from exhaustion and her neck hurt from being bent over case studies for so long. Walking over to the liquor cabinet she took out a bottle of firewhiskey and poured herself a generous glass.

"Right, Hermione. Stop messing about, just make your choice and get it over with," she said to herself out loud.

Sitting back in the comfortable chair she took a large gulp of her drink and set it down on the table in front of her. Grabbing both psychological reviews she looked over each one again, this time a little more closely. If she was going to get through this and get her transfer as fast as possible, she would need to work with the one that would be easier to deal with, the one she could turn into a half good person, sign them off and move on. Taking a deep breath, she began to read and take notes.

Lucius Malfoy:

Shrewd, opportunistic social climber, average intelligence. He likes to control others and he is very manipulative. Cruel, but is extremely cowardly most times. Seeks power and wealth. He is talented in potions and flying. He has average magical skill. Can be violent and can be roused into a temper easily. Has particular skill with money.

"Well, he seems charming," said Hermione to herself sarcastically. Continuing with her reading and note taking she moved on to Bellatrix.

Bellatrix Lestrange:

Highly intelligent, but becomes easily distracted and bored. Prone to violent outbursts, has a fierce and quick temper. narcissistic and cruel. Displays obsessive behaviour. Likes to be in control of situations. Highly skilled in flying, potions, occlumency and legilimency. She is capable of performing non verbal magic. Exceptional magical skill. Seems to show a skill for teaching.

"Oh, wonderful. Your choice tonight, Hermione, is a cowardly, aristocratic, greedy bigot or a smart, violent, obsessive narcissist," she said to herself.

She needed to pick the one that would learn fast, shut up and do as they were told. Skimming through her notes she made her decision. It would have to be Malfoy. She could only hope he would be smart enough to grasp the idea of the quicker he behaved and learnt, the quicker he would be free to live his life again. Clearing all the paperwork away and finishing her drink, Hermione stood up and went to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

Morning had come too soon for Hermione. After a quick shower, she got dressed, rushed a coffee and apparated to the Ministry.

Moving through the early morning chaos of the atrium and the maze of elevators, passageways and doors, she finally made it to the head of department's office. Taking a deep breath, she knocked firmly on his door.

"Come in," she heard her friend say.

"Morning, sir," she said, walking in and closing the door behind her.

"Morning, Miss Granger," Harry replied with a smile. He hated having to be so formal with her but he could understand and if it made Hermione happy, then he would play along.

"What can I do for you so early this morning?" he asked, knowing exactly what she was here for.

"I have been through the files of both candidates and have come to the conclusion that Malfoy would be the best option to begin your scheme with," she replied, voice shaking slightly. She was beginning to feel sick again. Images of the files' contents flashing through her head. She was glad she missed breakfast this morning.

"And what makes you think that?" Eyebrows raised. In truth there was something he had to tell Hermione that might make her change her mind, but he wanted to hear her reasons for picking Malfoy first.

"Well, he seems the more... rational of the two. Though he can be violent, he has no history of sudden outbursts. He was in a position of power before his imprisonment and knows how the Ministry works, so he should know what is expected of him and how to behave. He has no record of bad behaviour during his sentence in Azkaban. In truth, sir, he is the one I'm willing to work with for eight hours a day, five days a week. Im just happy it's no longer than that, really. Bellatrix Lestrange can be unstable. If this was based on intelligence alone, then she would have been the one, but you've read the files, seen the paper work?" she asked.

He nodded. In fact, it had been him that had signed off on those files.

"Then you understand what I mean?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"Ok. Well, I have the approved contracts here. The committee finished them last night and sent them through this morning. But before we continue, there is something you need to know. Since you looked through the rough drafts of the budget and contracts yesterday, there have been some changes," he stated.

"Like what?" Hermione asked sharply.

"The committee have decided that, since both candidates have residences of their own, an apartment paid for by the Ministry is an unneccessary expense," he said. "As are the number of Aurors assigned to this project."

"So...?" she said, tilting her head forward lightly and raising her eyebrows. She didn't like the direction this was going in.

"As a result of this change, the place of residency is down to you," he said with a flash of anger in his eyes. He didn't like what they had done. He now knew the reason the committee had chosen to approve the budget so late last night and without him present. They knew he wouldn't have allowed it. Getting it to him this morning meant nothing could be changed, the magical contracts had been bound and were set.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked even though she had a feeling she knew what the answer was going to be.

"It means that, because they want the Aurors doing other things and they don't want to pay for the apartments, the candidates will live at their own homes. Malfoy Manor in this instance, and you along with them to keep an eye on him full time," he said.

Hermione gasped, she was shocked. How could they do this? They can't expect her to live with a Death Eater, in his own home, his own environment, among god knows how many dark objects that the Ministry has failed to uncover during their raids. She was expected to live with the Malfoys? Narcissa, and oh God, Draco!

"No way. I'm not living at Malfoy manor! Have the committee gone mad? Who knows what could happen to me! I have very little knowledge of the manor, I would be surrounded by Malfoys, two of which would have fully functioning wands and full magical abilities. I will have little contacts and cover from the Aurors...What the hell Harry! How could you let them do this!?" She was shouting, but she didn't really care.

"I didn't let them do anything, Hermione. I've have argued with them for over an hour this morning trying to get them to change it, they wont budge. They have agreed to give you one day guard and one night guard. They believe the budget is already over the odds and if they can save money any way possible, they will. Trust me." He understood why she was angry. He had argued near enough the same points this morning when he had been over the paperwork, and he had fought to have everything changed, but they were unmoving. This Ministry was a money hungry machine, and he was beginning to hate the politics that was included with his job.

"Then im not doing it. I'm sorry, Harry, but I would rather leave this Ministry than live with the Malfoys!" she said heatedly. What were they thinking? Happily putting her into hostile territory right in the middle of the enemy, risking her life just to save money.

Harry stood up, walked around his desk and knelt in front of Hermione. Taking her smaller, softer hands in his, he looked her in the eye and spoke.

"I'm sorry, Hermione, but you signed a preliminary contract. You're bound to do this project now. I hate that they have screwed you over like this and I promise I'll keep trying to get it changed, but until then, we are going to have to figure out a way of getting you through this," he said quietly.

She pulled her hands from his and stood up, forcing Harry back a few steps.

"I didn't sign a damn thing, Harry!" Tears of anger forming in her eyes.

"When you signed the paperwork to start-up the rehab department it acted as a preliminary binding contract. You know all this, Hermione. I'm sorry, " he apologised to her again. He had tried all morning to get her out of this situation. He would have gladly given her that transfer rather than have her live with Malfoy.

"They have signed off on the apartment to be used for one week at a time, it will act as a sort of holding facility. The magical bonds will be placed on Malfoy and his wand, but he won't receive that until he has reached his manor and the contracts will be agreed to and signed during that week, as well as everything else that needs completing. But after the seven days are up, he will be transfered to Malfoy Manor along with you," he said sadly, looking at Hermione crying. He hated seeing his best friend so upset.

"There must be another way, Harry! Some loophole or something for me to get out of this," Hermione said, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"There isn't. I'm sorry," he said sadly. Standing there with his arms hanging down by his sides, he felt helpless. He knew there was no way out of this for her. He felt guilty. After all, if it wasn't for his selfish reasons to keep Hermione around, she wouldn't be in this mess now, standing in his office crying from anger and fear. This was his fault.

Sitting back down in the chair, Hermione tried to calm down. She needed to work out how to get herself out of this contract and fast. Harry would be going to Azkaban in a few days to collect Malfoy with his time in the Ministry apartment. That left her roughly two weeks to get out of it. But how?

Harry conjured two cups of sweet tea and a box of tissues. Taking a sip from his cup, watching his friend, he wished he could take her to Ginny at his home, she was better at dealing with emotional stuff and tears. An idea hit him.

"Let him live with you," he said.

Hermione looked up at Harry, shocked. "What?"

"Hear me out a sec. You will be in your own home, obviously you know the layout, there are no dark magical objects, no extra Malfoys sleeping down the hall. He will have all the restrictions placed on him. You will be safe," he said, thinking he had found at least a temporary solution.

"Harry, he is a scheming, slimy git. He would have knowledge of me then. You can't stop his wife and son seeing him, you couldn't even do that in the prison. He would be planning God knows what with Draco, not to mention his old Death Eater pals that somehow didn't join him in Azkaban. He will probably poison the water supply or something.. No, Harry, that won't work. Besides, the new house isn't even ready for me yet and my parents' house is a big no." There was no way she would the Malfoy clan and associates anywhere near her parents' house. She would rather have Bellatrix Lestrange live with her in a half ready home. At least Bellatrix would attack her straight on and on her own instead of scheme behind your back.

"Harry... When I said Malfoys' name, did it automatically lock in to the contract?" she asked.

"No, why?" he replied.

"I've changed my mind. I'll work with Lestrange, at my new home," she stated.

"What? Why? Surely she is worse than Malfoy. You said it yourself, that's why you chose him in the first place," he said shocked.

"I know and its true, but at least with her I would see any attacks coming. She's not a schemer, Harry. She hasn't got the patience," she said almost matter of factly. If she was going to be forced to go through with this then it would be on her terms. Well, as much as it could be.

"If you're sure about this, Hermione, I'll make sure every protection is placed on your home. We could even create safe rooms, where magic can't be used at all. We will set up a way of fast communication between the two of us so we will be in constant contact. Bellatrix has also said that she does not wish to see her family again, though that might change once she's out, but we will just go with her first choice for now. I promise I'll do everything I can to make this go as smoothly as possible for you. To keep you safe," he said sincerely.

She nodded as he finished. Pulling the contract towards her, she read through it. Satisfied that nothing else had been drastically changed, she filled in Bellatix Lestrange's name and signed her own. Handing it back to Harry, she stood up to leave. There was a lot to do, she had to hurry the workmen on at the new house, move in and start placing wards and protections up. Harry could send someone over to place Ministry wards up and do whatever else needed doing. It was going to be a stressful two weeks.