Two months into her pregnancy and still working hard at the ministry, Hermione's life left very little time for any other activities.
Every morning, her dear friend, Nausea came to visit her bringing them both to the bathroom in the early hours. Then her work took over her time and by the time she had some peace, she remembered how much more there was left to be done.
Draco had been fretting over her morning sickness, only a few steps behind her race to the bathroom. He had always changed food plans when one meal made her nauseous. A few times, he had been caught watching her as she rested on the couch, an anxious expression on his face. Hermione felt terribly guilty about snapping at him on more than one occasion.
Hermione growled, as she sorted her papers into her file and marched promptly out of her office. She made her way to the team lab to meet with her team once more before the weekend.
"Can I get a report before I let all of you out for the weekend?" she asked.
Brianna, Susan and Anthony handed her a muggle laptop with a small clip. She hit play rather aggressively, as the recorded scene began to start.
The street, Valentina Simmons lived on, was quiet and peaceful for the beginning of the clip, until a man swooped down the street, strolling with ease and purpose. He was dressed in dark robes, familiar robes to a few years ago when that man swooped into her and Ginny's apartment in Witchly Towers. He approached the house, as if he had been there before and removed the wards like they had been practiced. He then, placed a very good disillusionment charm on, making him invisible before apparating into the house. The clip ended there, and Hermione looked up to see the rather frightened faces waiting for her reaction.
She felt slight embarrassment at how moody she was. She gave a weak smile and handed back the laptop.
"Muggle cameras were useful. That's good work guys." Hermione said.
"No it's not!" Brianna said incredulously. "All it shows is that he knows how to get in and got in!"
"Yes, but it showed his preparedness. Everything was executed perfectly. He knew the wards, because he had obviously studied them, so he could remove them easily. He had clearly known well enough, his way around her house, since he knew which one was Valentina's and which room she was in." Hermione pointed out.
"The tub swabs, don't show any match with any of the death eaters. The blood we know matches the victim's but the area around the tub, shows no sign of the perpetrator's identity. No sign of struggle, or manhandling." Cho explained, her shoulders slumped.
"Terry?" she asked, hoping for some good news.
"The timer, I've found out was set to release a gas. I don't know what gas, but the matter was definitely a gas. That's all…." he said, sounding just as disappointed.
"This is still progress guys, good work this week. Enjoy your weekend, I'll see you on Monday." she said dismissing them, watching as they filed out, chattering.
As the door shut behind Cho, Hermione gazed around the room. It was a mess from all their research, meetings and tests. There was the front table cluttered with sheets of papers, notes and computers showing their collected data, suspects and list of samples. Cho's area was the lab side with vials, notes and a table for examinations, whether it be evidence or an autopsy. Terry had a desk in the corner dedicated to tinkering on that damned timer. His desk was by far the messiest with things everywhere and equipment lying around, a key sticking out of a drawer and mugs everywhere.
She sighed as she cleared up some of the space and headed out to her own office where she sat back down to complete more documents.
As 7:30 rolled around, the door swung wide open, as Draco marched in glaring at her before slamming the door shut. He crossed his arms and continued to stare.
"What?" she asked smiling up at him, stretching.
"What do you mean 'what'?" he demanded scowling irritated. "Do you know what time it is?"
She should have seen this coming, she thought bitterly as she glanced up at the clock. "7:32." she grumbled standing shakily, and collecting her stuff.
Draco sighed and rubbed his face. "Hermione you have to think about the baby too." he reminded quietly, making her nearly drop her bag.
The baby. Oh she was a horrible mother. She had completely lost the time, and forgot to eat although she should have considered the baby's needs.
She slid down the wall, groaning as she hugged her knees to her chest. "I'm sorry." she murmured, squeezing her eyes shut, feeling tears prickle. Damn these hormones. Draco slid down next to her on the office floor, pulling her close.
After a while he spoke again. "Let's go home." he whispered helping her up and leading her out of the ministry.
He turned on the spot, apparating them back to Malfoy Cottage where he lead her inside and sat her down at the island.
"Can you stomach some chicken penne?" he asked eyeing her in case just the words triggered nausea.
Hermione nodded her head, glumly as he pulled out the penne and warmed it, piling some onto her plate. He handed it to her, and within moments, she found herself wolfing it down hungrily. Her poor baby, starving because of her inconsideration.
She served herself some more and in 20 minutes she looked up and spotted Draco looking down at her with a mix of disgust and amusement.
"What do you propose I eat?" he asked chuckling as she gazed around in horror, seeing both plates empty.
"Sorry," she said resting her hand on her stomach. Draco smiled and walked towards her, wrapping his arms around her and resting on her slightly protruding stomach.
"Remember this when Daddy asks you to do something." Draco said bending over to kiss her tummy.
Hermione laughed and got up to clear the plates and warm up something else for him. He looked as if he were about to protest as soon as she stood but the annoyed look she sent him was enough to shut him up.
"The Potter's and Zabini's are coming over tomorrow for dinner." Hermione reminded as she flitted around warming some mashed potatoes and steak.
"Two pregnant women in the same room?" he asked sounding wary.
Hermione smiled as she handed him his food. "Three rowdy men in one room?"
Draco smirked as he cut his steak. "And horny." He laughed as Hermione wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"How you can be normal one moment before you make some sex joke or insinuation, I have no idea." she said hopping up onto the island and watching him eat.
"Are you worried at all about the missing woman case?" Hermione asked.
"It's been a month, so yes, I've grown a bit anxious. We questioned all the death eaters in jail, but none were that useful. That was expected though." Draco sighed, rubbing his temples.
As Draco finished eating, they sat down together on the balcony, sipping their tea as the night glazed before them.
Similar to a night not long ago, as the Malfoy's headed to bed, their floo activated.
"HERMIONE! DRACO!" a voice bellowed as a crying child's voice came from below. A woman's scream penetrated the air as they raced down the stairs.
Hermione raced around the corner and spotted Harry in disarray, supporting a panting Ginny and holding a crying James.
"What's wrong?" Hermione cried running towards them and grasping Ginny's waist.
"Ginny's having really painful abdominal pain. I'm taking her to St. Mungos to check up on her and the baby." Harry said in a rush handing Hermione James. "Can you watch him?" he asked as Ginny screamed collapsing into Harry. Harry looked panic-stricken as he lifted his pregnant wife.
"Get your wife to the hospital Potter. We'll take care of James." Draco said ushering them to the fireplace.
"Thanks Malfoy." he said as he disappeared in a swirl of green flames.
"Your mommy and daddy will be back soon Jamsie. Don't worry, okay?" Hermione cooed gently, rocking James as he cried big fat tears. "You're gonna stay with Uncle Draco and Auntie Mione for now okay?" she asked wiping away his tears.
He nodded his little head sadly as he gazed at the fireplace where his parents disappeared. "Mama okay?"
"Your mama's just getting a check up okay? Her and your little sibling." she replied not meeting his eyes, so similar to Ginny's.
"Come on bud, do you wanna help Mione make some cocoa and cookies?" Draco asked trying to lighten the mood, although worry was etched on his forehead. James nodded, his eyes lighting up slightly. Hermione set him down and he took Draco's hand as well as Hermione's as they made their way to the kitchen.
They spent the next while, warming cocoa and baking cookies. After allowing James 3 cookies and a cup of cocoa, they tucked him in the guest bed and he fell asleep quickly.
Hermione and Draco sat back downstairs in the living room in front of the fire. They began working on some papers and documents to wait up to possibly hear something from Harry.
"I shouldn't have been so careless about eating, especially now that I'm pregnant." Hermione said quietly. "After whatever's happening to Ginny, I know I have to be more careful."
Draco reached his hand to Hermione's hand and cradled her face. "You work too hard and I know you care. You've been reading loads of books on pregnancy and all and you're just not used to it. Don't worry love." Draco murmured. Hermione shoved away her work and crawled closer to Draco.
He pulled the back of her neck closer to him and kissed her hard. His lips were soft and loving as they pulled on hers, his tongue tracing her lips. She parted them allowing him access, as her hands roamed up and down his chest. He gave a low moan and she pushed him down and hovered above him. His hands began travelling down her body, pressing her closer, so she could feel every part of him. She had denied him any action for a while due to her extreme fatigue. She felt his member considerably hard beneath her and her hand moved down to brush it.
"Fuck…..if you keep this up….I will fuck you right now...on the couch…" he panted closing his eyes as his chest rose and fell.
She brushed her nose against his and pressed her lips to the underside of his jaw. "Maybe I want you to fuck me on the couch…...even if that makes us terrible babysitters." she whispered and with that, he flipped them, so she was beneath and he had already ripped off her tshirt. She gasped as his hands gripped her bare torso and his lips began trailing down, leaving searing marks wherever they left.
She tugged on his shirt and successfully pulled it off. He began pulling down her pajama pants as she gripped his hair. He removed his own pants leaving them bare against one another.
"I hope James doesn't wake and come down…." she breathed as he spread apart her legs and began sucking on her neck, making her unable to speak.
"Bit late for that love." he murmured as he pushed forward hard. He paused waiting as she gasped and adjusted to him and then when her eyes glazed over he began moving in and out fast and hard.
"Fuck…." she moaned arching her back and throwing her head back. "Draco,"
He didn't pause and continued his pace, fast and hard fuck like he promised. Within moments, she released and he followed collapsing together, breathing hard.
"That was lovely," he grinned pecking her lips as he levitated a blanket over them.
"Can't do this when I'm a big whale." she whispered resting her head on his chest.
"We can do other things….." he pointed out. She blushed and pulled the blanket higher. He chuckled and tucked her hair behind her ear.
They fell asleep together for a while when at 4 in the morning their floo activated and Harry's head poked out.
"Pshtt!" he hissed as quietly but clearly as he could. Hermione stirred but snuggled deeper beneath the blankets.
"Hey!" he called again. Hermione and Draco remained oblivious to the irritated man. "OI!" he said loudly and Hermione and Draco jerked up. Hermione blushed and hid beneath the blankets transfiguring her clothes back on. Draco grumbled as he did so but they were both properly dressed when they addressed Harry in the fire.
"What happened?" Hermione asked kneeling down and sticking her head closer.
"Ginny has preeclampsia. She has a higher blood pressure and it may escalate to eclampsia later, which is life threatening but the healers say she should be fine now. They gave her some potions and she's feeling better. The baby is fine. Is James okay?" he asked.
"He's sleeping and he's fine." she assured as Harry's anxious face loosened up.
"We'll be by for dinner as planned tonight." he said about to duck out.
"But doesn't she have to recover?" Hermione demanded tempted to smack Harry's for lack of explanation.
"The healers are releasing her this afternoon." he said before disappearing.
"Poor Ginny." Hermione murmured moving to sit back on the couch.
"At least it's not life threatening." Draco said sitting next to her.
The pair went back to sleep and was reawakened by a hungry James who was also eager to hear about his mother.
James was playing with some toys, Hermione had lying around while Draco set the table and Hermione made dinner.
Their floo activated as Lara and Blaise walked in, with big smiles.
"Well if it isn't Little Potter." Blaise said in mock surprise as he crouched and James went running to him. "Hello Trouble."
James giggled as Blaise winked at him. "I'm not trouble. I'm a good boy!"
Hermione walked in and snorted. "You are your father's son, there's no way you are not Trouble."
"Aw come on Mione! He's a little angel." Lara smiled as she took James in her arms. "You're just Merlin's angel aren't you?"
James nodded his head in jerky movements in agreement when the floo activated once more. Harry and Ginny came out, dusting soot off. James nearly flung himself onto them, almost knocking them over.
Harry laughed and patted his son on the head. Ginny smiled and hugged him close, whispering to him.
After dinner, James sat watching the telly happily as he ate more of Hermione's cookies.
The adults sat in the kitchen drinking tea and chatting about everything that was going on.
"Ron and Lavender split again." Harry announced sounding wary.
"Again?" Lara asked, sounding rather alarmed. "It's what….the 4th time?"
"Yeah, but I think it's for real this time. Lavender was always just too clingy and I guess it was too much for Ron too." Ginny answered sounding annoyed that Ron finally came to his senses.
"Mrs. Weasley will be thrilled." Hermione said dryly. Mrs Weasley was not fond of Lavender and did not approve whatsoever. But it wasn't like Fleur, where she would come around. Lavender Brown was just a different story.
"We should get going. Thanks for watching James." Harry yawned standing up with Ginny as everyone made their way to the floo, where James lay asleep on the couch. Harry picked him up and the Potters disappeared in the fire.
"How's the little bugger doing?" Blaise asked crouching so he was level with Hermione's stomach.
"Making me sick in the morning and a wolf at meals." Hermione smiled fondly, stroking her stomach. Draco came next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"This one's a hyper one, you mark my words." Draco smiled brightly too.
"Well my dear lovers, enjoy yourselves this weekend and try not to wreck the house. We shall see you soon." Blaise saluted as Lara rolled her eyes. The pair disappeared in a swirl of flames leaving the couple alone.
"I rather like Blaise's idea…..wrecking the house….we have plenty others to choose from when this one is in pieces…" Draco said huskily, his arms pulling her against him as his lips nipped her ear.
"Draco….no…." Hermione moaned, unable to help herself. "We have to wash up, it's late and then head to bed. We have Sunday Brunch with the Weasley's tomorrow." she reminded eyeing his disappointed face.
"Well I'm sure the Weasley's have some spare rooms, we can occupy." he huffed as they cleared up the kitchen and climbed into bed.
Sunday morning, Hermione and Draco met the rest of the usual crowd at the Burrow for Sunday Brunch where they were free to come whenever they pleased.
Bill's family was there, and Fleur was cooking happily with Mrs Weasley as her children played with the Potters and other Weasley children.
Draco, Harry, Ron and Bill were having a rather loud conversation about the reckless work of some ministry workers. Some who were slacking off and not taking their jobs seriously. Hermione suspected by the end of the day, they would have a list of who needed to be fired as soon as Monday dawned.
"And Bertingol! He is the most incompetent person I have had the misfortune to meet! He was supposed to come along to inspect the object suspected of misuse and he never showed! He came the next day thinking it was yesterday, with the smell of liquor on him!" Draco ranted, slamming the table with the palms of his hands in emphasis.
"And Ruddford! Don't even start with him…." Harry began, Hermione too bored to hear any more.
"Brunch is ready!" Mrs Weasley called, as everyone made their way to the kitchen table. Everyone settled into their seats and began digging in the delicious meal.
"How's pregnancy?" Fleur asked in her thick accent, although it was much better now that she had practice with her English.
"Exhausting is one word to sum it up." Hermione smiled loading her plate up with the baked potato she had been craving.
Fleur chuckled and nodded in agreement. "It is isn't it? Victoire was easy, Dominique ahh, she was a little monster."
Dominique harrumphed and crossed her chubby arms and stuck her nose in the air at her mother's comment. "Je suis un ange!" she corrected. "I am an angel sent from Heaven above to earth to save you from the horrible petite Victoire!" Dominique sang in her ringing voice.
"Hey!" Victoire protested stomping her feet.
"I was the best gift to my dear mama et papa! Oh how blessed and fortunate-"
Dominique could not finish her sweet but insulting song for, the door swung wide open with a crash, startling them all.
Harry, Ron, Draco, Bill and Mr Weasley jumped up with their wands held up. George and Angelina had Fred and Roxanne squarely behind them, their wands out. Mrs Weasley was shielding Audrey and little Molly her wand held out like a sword. Ginny blocked James who was trembling behind her at the intrusion. Hermione shoved Teddy roughly behind the table and ordered him to stay there where Fleur was hissing at her children in rapid French to stay down. Hermione forced her way next to Draco, who failed much to his dismay to shove her behind him.
"Who's there?" Mr Weasley shouted into the open door as rain pattered in, spraying them all.
No reply came and for a few moments, everyone was in tense positions waiting.
Then, Percy stumbled in, bleeding in the chest as pools of blood spilled out of him.
"Oh Perce!" Mrs Weasley cried starting forward before Mr Weasley swung his arm out stopping her. "Arthur!" she exclaimed. "He's hurt!"
"It could be an imposter." Mr Weasley said grimly.
Audrey was crying softly, clutching Molly to her chest. Fleur and Angelina ushered her as well as the rest of the children upstairs before things became more serious.
"Watch my son." Ginny whispered to them, forcing James to follow. They nodded as they lead the scared children away.
Draco, Harry and Ron started cautiously towards who seemed to be Percy tentatively. Hermione's heart turned to ice as Draco used his wand to turn Percy upwards so his face was seen clearly. Harry nodded and Draco sat him up to face them.
"Ron, Mr Weasley, Bill, George if you could go check the perimeter for anyone and the wards?" Harry asked before he turned his attention to Percy. "What did Fred and George charm your Prefect badge to say?"
"Pinhead." Percy croaked as the blood reached an alarming amount. With that, Harry nodded exhaling as Mrs Weasley and Audrey rushed forwards.
"Oh darling!" Mrs Weasley cried clutching at Percy. Audrey was sobbing as she grasped his hand. They levitated him to the sitting room couch where they lay him down. "He has to be taken to St. Mungos."
Leaving the others behind, the group apparated to St. Mungos where healers rushed to aid Percy.
The rest sat in the waiting room anxiously, Ginny consoling and assuring a weeping Audrey. Ron was off notifying the ministry as they treated Percy.
After a few hours, everyone marched in when the healers permitted access.
"I said close two family members!" the irritated healer growled.
"Oh shut it." Ginny scowled as she slammed the door.
"Ginevra!" Mrs Weasley scolded as she smoothed Percy's hair back.
"Er….sorry, Percy but we need to know what's going on as soon as possible. So if you can….." Harry said awkwardly.
Percy nodded his head weakly and Harry again awkwardly asked for ministry investigation and auror members to stay and the rest wait outside.
"Don't be so embarrassed Harry dear," Mrs Weasley smiled lightly and pecked his cheek. "Just find the man who did this and give him hell to pay."
Once everyone was out, Harry continued the questioning as Hermione took notes.
"What happened?" Harry began as Draco placed muffliato charms.
"I was completing a report and as head of transportation andI went to check up on one of my workers on a project we were working on. We had planned to meet so I went to her house and no one answered when I knocked. I became nervous when I tried the door and found it open. I searched each room and started heading up the stairs and found her in her bedroom. But she wasn't alone." Percy explained.
"What's her name?"Harry asked gently.
"Thalia Gordon." he replied before he continued. "There was a cloaked man who was hovering over her, his back was to me so I couldn't see his face. She was unconscious as he levitated her up. I was about to creep up behind them when the floorboard creaked and the man swivelled around and I saw his face. Rodolphus Lestrange. He sent the killing curse at me but I managed to deflect and he fired a cutting dark curse that hit my torso. I managed to back out of the room before I apparated to the Burrow, where I knew everyone was." Percy finished the horrific tale.
"Merlin, Percy you could have been splinched!" Hermione whispered finishing her notes. "So now we know who the culprit is, but we still can't catch him."
"Rodolphus Lestrange." Draco muttered darkly. "I'm so sorry Percy-"
"Don't apologize Malfoy. Just catch him and keep us all safe." Percy interrupted.
The three of them left and allowed the family to re-enter as they apparated to the ministry.
Rodolphus Lestrange. Vengeance is a promise that will be served.
"I want my team and the hit team to head straight to the scene of the crime now! Draco, you're in charge of the team going in. I'll go with the hit team. Hermione take your investigation crew and head in as soon as you can! I know it's Sunday but we need to sort this out! Go, go go!" Harry shouted as people rushed about a bit startled and filled with adrenaline.
Hermione met Draco's grey eyes and a silent agreement was said; Come back to me.
Hermione turned and rushed outside where Brianna, Anthony, Terry and Cho were waiting anxiously.
"Susan and Ernie will meet us there." Brianna said before they apparated away.
"Anthony and Terry I want you to mark off the crime scene and check take notes on the appearance. Cho and Brianna start looking for evidence, small scraps anything. Susan and Ernie start looking for Lestrange's evidence left behind to where he went or what he's up to." Hermione barked as they charged into the house. Well isn't this a familiar situation? Hermione thought bitterly as she too entered.
Aurors were once more milling around searching the house, and the hit team was heading in all directions hoping to see signs of Lestrange.
Hermione watched as Draco and a team surrounded the house, before he entered with a group and began searching each room.
She headed up stairs and found the bedroom easily. Cho and Brianna were crouched on the floor, with flashlights searching for small items lost. Terry and Anthony were inside the bedroom surveying the bed. Terry hunched over taking swabs of the bed, to later be used to test for fingerprints, to confirm it was Lestrange.
"Oh shit!" Anthony cursed as he leaped away from the open window.
"What? What is it?" Hermione demanded starting towards him. Anthony was cradling his left hand which was swelling larger and larger by the second.
"I….I touched that damn glass." he muttered nodding to what lay on the sill below the open window.
There were shards of black glass, broken in jagged pieces to form the dark mark.
"Do not touch again! You had gloves on but it still stung you. Get to St. Mungos Anthony. Terry take notes on this and Anthony on your way out call Cho and Harry." Hermione instructed.
Within minutes, Harry, Cho and Terry were studying the black glass. "Nobody touch." Harry repeated for the tenth time. "I'm going to call Kingsley and see how he wants this transported back to the lab for testing."
As Harry was about to exit, Ron came speeding in, breathing hard. He nearly slammed into Harry as he entered, panting, sweat dripping from his brow.
"What the hell Ron?" Harry asked grimly, eager to go call Kingsley.
"She's back…..she was found…..in Hogsmeade….Rosmerta…..found her….." he huffed doubling over.
"Who Ron?" Hermione asked, her heart beating faster.
"Valentina Simmons." Ron said.
There was a brief stunned silence, before Harry jerked back into action. "I'll leave Draco here in charge of this situation. Hermione, you and I will head to Hogsmeade with a few members from each team and investigate. Ron, inform Kingsley about what's going on, including that dark mark." Harry ordered.
"Terry, Brianna and Ernie you come with us." Hermione said as they raced down the stairs two at a time.
"Draco you handle this, there's another emergency." Harry yelled. "Ask Ron!"
They sped out of the house and apparated to Hogsmeade right outside Three Broomsticks.
"Rosmerta! Where is she?" Harry urged as the rest of the teams appeared around him.
"I'm right here…." a silky voice said softly from the shadows.
"Come out then….." Harry said slowly, raising his wand. Hermione and the others were tense around him as they too poised to attack.
There was a rustle of movement before a thin, thin, thin lady emerged from the shadows. She had scarlet hair, pale green eyes and even paler skin. She had thin lips and a pointy nose. She was dressed in a bathrobe and slippers, but looked completely unharmed.
"How did your fiance propose?" Harry asked loudly, his wand never wavering.
"Marc proposed in Alaska on top of a mountain, with an ice pale ring to match the setting." she replied folding her arms in front of her.
"Bloody hell, Ms. Simmons, are you alright?" Harry asked heading towards her.
Valentina held out her hands to stop him. "I'm perfectly fine, I don't know what the fuss is. I'm fine!" she said twirling around as if to show them.
"I think we should take you to St. Mungos." Harry said tightly. "Brooklyn-"
"No. Mr. Potter with all due, respect I'm fine. And I just want to go home to my fiance and in a few weeks, I intend to start teaching my new pupils at Hogwarts." she said firmly.
"You have to come with us first. We need to question you and figure out what the hell is going on." Harry said leaving no room for questions to contradict him.
"Glover, Banks, Welton, please escort Ms. Simmons back to the questioning room." Harry said ignoring Valentina's protests.
The three men apparated away with her, leaving everyone to digest all of this.
"I want everyone to patrol Hogsmeade for signs of Lestrange." Harry ordered, dismissing the team, before he turned to face Hermione.
"What the hell is going on? Lestrange can't kidnap Thalia Gordon and then leave Valentina Simmons in front of Three Broomsticks! And Valentina seems off don't you think? Why isn't she harmed in any way? She doesn't even think she's harmed, it doesn't even seem as if she were taken away!" Hermione exclaimed.
"He had time to move while we were at St. Mungos with Percy." Harry reminded. "As for Valentina, she does seem strange. Let's go talk to Rosmerta."
They entered the Three Broomsticks and found Rosmerta sipping from a mug at her bar. The rest of the restaurant had been evacuated as soon as Valentina was discovered.
"Madam Rosmerta, could you please tell us how you found Ms Simmons?" Harry asked not unkindly.
"I was taking out the trash out back, when I turned to head back inside, Valentina was laying unconscious on the steps. Naturally, I screamed and checked for life. She had no injuries and seemed perfectly healthy. She woke up when I brought her inside, and she smiled and claimed she was fine and tried to leave. I alerted the ministry that I found her and stopped her from leaving." she recounted gripping her mug tight. "She looked and seemed fine. But just the way she was acting….it was like….something was off….different."
Harry and Hermione shared a look and turned back to face Rosmerta.
"Thank you for keeping her here and alerting the ministry." Hermione said sincerely as they stood to leave. "Its helped us a great deal."
Harry and Hermione apparated back to Thalia Gordon's house where the crowd had died down. They found Draco pacing in the kitchen as Ron retold the events.
He turned when he heard them enter and rushed towards Hermione. Hermione felt his strong arms surround her and enveloped her in a tight hug.
"What happened?" he asked smoothing down her disheveled hair. "Are you okay?"
She nodded and explained the story fast, as Harry checked over everything and headed to the ministry.
"Damn…." Ron whispered gazing outside as the rain smacked the window.
"Let's get back to the ministry." Harry said once he checked everything was going fine here.
The four apparated back inside the ministry and headed to the questioning room.
"Draco, if you don't mind, can you question her? I have to check in with Kingsley." Harry said already backing up.
Draco nodded curtly and the three entered finding Valentina tapping her foot irritated. Her nose was turned upwards and she had her face fixed into a scowl.
"What is the meaning of this? I. Am. Fine. I'm not injured, I'm telling you that I am fine, why am I sitting in here and being treated like some criminal?!" she screeched, her eyes darting from one person to the next.
"Ms Simmons, you need to calm down and just answer our questions." Draco commanded standing on the other side of the table. Hermione stood behind him with her notebook out. "Who took you?"
Valentina rolled her eyes. "Nobody took me. I left willingly. Aren't I allowed to do that anymore?"
"Okay so if you left willingly, where did you go?" Draco asked again. Hermione could tell he was getting irritated by her responses.
"None of your business." she snapped, sneering at them.
"Actually. It is my business, and if you're not going to cooperate things become a lot more difficult." Draco responded staring at her hard.
She didn't quaver under his glare and simply crossed her legs. "Fine. I went to stay at my cottage."
"And where is that?" Draco asked narrowing his eyes.
"In Manitoba Canada. Somewhere in the natural parks, I have no idea where exactly." she said plainly. Hermione too was getting annoyed fast.
"See the thing is, I don't believe you." Draco said simply. "You were believed to have been taken from a cloaked man, perhaps Rodolphus Lestrange. There was a dark mark where you were seen last, so I don't believe your story. Where did you go, I'll ask again." Draco said his patience withering, which was clear.
"I already told you." she insisted, playing with a strand of her hair.
"Alright then." Draco said turning away. "The three of you, please escort Ms. Simmons to the temporary room." he said, his jaw clenched as Valentina walked by them.
Harry found them just as Valentina exited and turned to Draco.
"Well?" he asked running a hand through his already messy hair. "Anything?"
"She was most unhelpful and I am now sure there's something off." Hermione huffed crossing her arms.
Draco nodded in agreement. "I need your permission to question her later under Veritaserum."
Harry read the interrogation notes and nodded, rubbing his forehead. "You can continue tomorrow. You can leave, the dark mark glass was transported back to the lab and the house had no evidence left behind. I'll see you tomorrow." Harry sighed bidding them goodbye.
Hermione and Draco exited together to a swarm of photographers. The press were already in on the latest action and were shouting questions to them as they apparated away.
Hermione sat exhausted at the island, her feet were killing her and she was starving. She rubbed her slightly protruding stomach as Draco dug around for food.
"Rodolphus Lestrange." Hermione muttered, staring at the rain drizzled windows.
"I know what you're thinking and it won't be like last time. He's not getting anywhere near you or the baby I can promise you that." Draco said his voice turning cold.
Hermione changed the topic, not wanting him to be bitter all night. "I don't believe Valentina. I don't think she went willingly."
"I don't either. But why would she say she did? I doubt she's under the imperius curse." Draco replied as he dumped some ravioli into a pan on the stove.
"No, I don't think she's imperiused. I'll check for memory tamperment tomorrow." she said drumming her fingers on the table.
"I think I'm going to request to Harry that you not come to crime scenes." Draco said suddenly. Hermione stilled then turned to meet Draco's intense look.
"Draco. I'm head of the investigation department. I have to be there." she persisted standing and walking towards him.
"I know but I'm not letting it be like last time. I'm not letting you get all involved in this crap." he murmured pulling her so she was flush against him.
"You can't protect me from this." she said wrapping her arms around his neck. "We're in this together. This is my fight too."
Author's Note
Thanks for all the support!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and whatever you celebrate, wherever you are! Hope you liked the chapter.
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