Chapter Four:
It's Just Business
The buzzing of my wand jerks me awake. I quickly grab it to kill the sound and desperately reach for a pepper-up potion. I shake my hangover as best I can, dress for the day, and feed my cat.
Work is work, and people leave me alone for the most part. I meet with Kramer to get an update on the missing lists, placate Puckett by accepting his report as-is, and send out notices to Harry and the Minister when we manage to receive updates from the other countries. I'm in the middle of reviewing the Dagner report when my headache resurfaces. I put the papers down and rub my face, debating if it's better to find a remedy or dig out my guilty firewhiskey.
Last night was… interesting. Harry and Ginny are more understanding than Ron, of course, but that didn't make it any less awkward. I rummage through my drawers to find my personal pensieve, a smaller replica than the normal ones found in some wizarding houses. It can't store as many memories, but it still helps to lessen the mental load I've been dealing with for a while. I twist off the travel lid and deposit last night into it. Faces swirl around on the surface, flitting amongst each other as the thoughts settle and disappear.
Malfoy's face crops up, full of hesitance and hope, before suddenly turning away angry and slamming my office door. Ginny's mouth moves soundlessly, no doubt asking how the hell I ended up with him, and what's going on between myself and her brother. Ron is red-faced and yelling, mouthing "My permission? My blessing?!" before sinking to the bottom. I shove the pensieve back into the desk and lay my head in my arms.
It takes longer than I like for my thoughts to settle. They keep returning to how hurt Ron is, how disappointed Ginny seems. After Malfoy had left, and the facts came out, Ron didn't take kindly to it. He had stormed from my office as well, calling over his shoulder for Harry to let him know how our 'meeting' over the missing goes. I wanted to go after him and explain, but Harry held me back and suggested that it'd be best to let him cool off first. We then returned to my flat where I gave them more details, but that didn't stop Ginny from almost digging too deep. I did not and could not explain the bizarre connection Malfoy and I shared with either of them, no matter how they pushed. I have too much at stake with Ron and my emotions to chase the thought with any clarity. Not like it matters, Malfoy isn't likely to speak with you about it now.
Eventually they dropped the interrogation in favor of discussing the case. Before they left we had agreed that I would letter the Minister to request another meeting where hopefully we'll get some answers. We had to delay the meeting to tomorrow as presently Harry is busy with Ron and Rikton at the spot of yet another muggleborn disappearance. This time there's evidence of foul play, and although I have yet to see the scene, Kramer said there is blood and lots of it. Puckett had begged for the case, but with the presence of new danger the Auror's had first rights to it. Telling him 'no' was cause for another round of 'who's in charge', a game I am less fond of than him.
I end the work day as I usually do, stuffing case reports into my bag to peruse at home for no other reason than to keep my mind from other things. When I get to my flat I change into comfortable clothes and make myself some tea before I settle into the couch and spread out the files around me. Crookshanks sprawls himself across a couple of sheets cross-comparing names and locations, but I don't mind. At least he's always been here to keep me company.
Wand buzzing, feeding the cat, apparating to work. Lather, rinse, repeat. The day is full of much the same up until I get a notice from the Minister. Holding onto the remains of my coffee, I open the note, expecting an affirmation to the time of our meeting. Much to my surprise I find that the Minister is canceling it. I read through the message twice more, refusing to believe it, and feeling slightly miffed at his request to kindly reschedule. Baffled, I finish my drink and throw on my robes to find Harry.
When I reach his office I find that Lukas is still up to his neck in orders, but he still jumps to announce my arrival to Harry. I walk in to see him holding an identical note with much the same reaction as mine. I sigh into his chair and accept the offer of a cup of tea.
I gesture to his note. "Is that Shacklebolt canceling?"
"Yeah, I don't understand why he would, especially after the Paliz house yesterday." Harry pulls out a few more papers. "I lettered him last night with more information on the portkey lead. The signatures were stronger, and I have a hunch as to where they're originating. I was hoping he could give us some help defining them before we make any rash decisions."
I chuckle. "You making rash decisions? Never."
"I'm not fourteen anymore, 'Mione."
"No, but you have a pretty stellar track record starting at age eleven at least."
Harry snorts. "I'm not the one who was making polyjuice potions and used wandless magic." I glare over my tea but he only smiles. "Sounds like I wasn't the only one who had a 'pretty stellar track record'."
Two memos fly in, interrupting our banter. One lands on his desk while the other drops in my lap. We open the notes, pause, then glance up at each other.
Harry clears his throat. "Shacklebolt?""Yeah." I frown at the paper. "What made him change his mind?""I'm not sure," he throws on his robes and gathers the papers he has been poring over, "but I guess we better find out."
I finish my tea and follow him out the door. "I need to stop by my office on the way and grab my own reports."
I look at my wristwatch as Harry fidgets with his sleeves; we've been waiting outside our Minister's office for over forty minutes. My minor irritation is slowly turning into aggravation the longer I sit here and wait. Kingsley is in his office with the door shut tight, an obvious muffling charm preventing us from distinguishing who he's meeting with.
Percy sits diligently at his desk while commanding memo-birds to fly to their recipients. I endure the silence for another minute before I stand and begin to pace. Percy glances in my direction before he fixes his gaze back to his work.
"Hermione, he will be with you shortly."
I snort derisively. "You said that almost an hour ago."
Percy looks at me over his glasses. "The Minister is a very busy man with many responsibilities. He will attend to your 'meeting' when he can."Harry tugs at my sleeve to bring me back to my seat and regards his brother-in-law with a light look. "Perce, have you told him we're here?"
He sniffs at the letter he's sealing. "Of course I did, right when you arrived."
I cross my arms. "Why would he cancel the meeting, then memo us to meet him immediately, only to make us wait this long?"
"The Minister is a very busy man with his own schedule and matters of importance. As I said, he will be with you —"
Shacklebolt's door swings open. "Granger, Potter, come in."Percy gives us an 'I told you so look' as we hastily file into the Minister's office. Green flames dying in his fireplace catch my eye as we take our seats. Why would whoever he was taking to take the floo instead of leaving through the atrium? I'm nudged away from the thought when Shacklebolt sighs wearily.
"Thank you both for your patience, I've been a little scattered as of late."
Harry looks to me, expecting me to take over the role of primary voice box, but I'm too preoccupied by Kingsley's appearance. His clothes are slightly rumpled and there are circles under his eyes I haven't seen since the war.
Harry hesitantly picks up the mantle. "That's all right sir, although we are wondering why you changed plans."
Kingsley places his fingertips together. "I had a more pressing matter to attend to, so I cancelled. When that matter appeared closed, I asked you both to come here, but apparently the matter was not closed at all, so you both had to wait, regrettably." He sounds exhausted. The missing muggleborns aren't any easier for him either. "Now, tell me what you both have found."
I begin to pull files out of my folder to place on his desk. "One of my men, Kramer, has been in contact with several embassies around the world to keep an updated list of all the missing. So far the only countries without any noticeable missing are Greenland, Canada, Madagascar, and oddly enough, Columbia."
The Minister nods as he peruses the lists. "Mostly because of population levels versus area to search and the reliability of those embassies, I don't know if I trust these conjectures."
I pull out more papers. "Nor do I, which is why I have Kramer attempting to find any correlations aside from blood status. Puckett has been working alongside Potter's aurors at the scenes of the disappearances up until yesterday. Puckett reports that all the families he can track down insist that the missing wouldn't leave on their own accord."
He flips through my folder. "Makes for a good paper trail. Potter, what have you got?"
Harry hands over his own stack. "I've had men at most of the scenes, each reporting unusual pulses of magic in very confined areas. We suspect these are portkeys, as we mentioned before, and yesterday we found evidence supporting the theory. Weasley and Rikton were out helping to clean up the mess at the Boden's residence when they came across the same pulses. We're sure it's a portkey, and I have a team dispatched at the moment to see if they can trace the landing spot."
Kingsley gives my files back and opens Harry's. "Why haven't they narrowed the location down?"Harry runs his fingers through his hair. "It's tricky – whatever magic is being used is outside what we normally sanction for portkeys. It seems as if the object in question is reusable and triggered whenever the user wishes – and it has enchantments in place to prevent tracking."
"See if you can't get an Unspeakable to help narrow it down. Are you sure it's not apparation?" Kingsley gives the reports back.
Harry tucks them under his arm. "Pretty sure, there isn't any 'personal' signature to trace or identify."
The Minister shakes his head. "As I said, memo an Unspeakable, see where this leads. I'm going to issue a state of emergency tomorrow morning with The Daily Prophet. With the Boden incident, we can't keep the blood from the people." He gestures at a stack of parchment on the corner of his desk. "That damn Skeeter woman is about the death of me."
Flashing letters read "MUGGLEBORNS MISSING – IS YOU-KNOW-WHO BACK?". I take the top magazine and flip it over. "Does she really have nothing better to do than fear monger?"
Kingsley shrugs. "I plan to discuss it with the Editor as well. Granger, I need you to clear your schedule for the next month, preferably the next two."
I sit a little straighter. "I'll start on that after our meeting. What am I planning for?"
He stands and leans against the mantle of his fireplace. He must be exhausted, his meetings are normally more rigid. "I'm going to be sending you as a Ministry Ambassador to some of the countries more heavily affected. As the head of Muggle Relations in Wizarding Britain it is imperative that you work with these other embassies to unite us all in a common front."
My heart skips a beat but I recover with a business tone. "Sounds like a plan. When will I leave?"
"The first of the week. I'll have Percy give you a rough itinerary in the morning. You'll bring one person from your department and one from Potter's, just as a precaution. When you have decided on your companions, memo me the names so I can help with their arrangements."
That soon? Harry nervously glances at me before clearing his throat. "Minister, are you sure she's the best for the job?" I cut a glare in his direction, which promptly pushes Harry to backpedal. "Not that you're not qualified, I'm only wondering because of the fact that you could be taken too, given your – well, your – um —"
"Blood status." Kingsley and I finish for him.
"Yes, that." Harry musses his hair again.
Kingsley turns towards us. "That would be why I'm sending her with a small entourage. Two people are enough to keep an eye on her, yet small enough to keep the other officials at ease while she's visiting."
Sensing his conclusive tone, Harry and I stand to leave. I head to the door just as Harry speaks again.
"Oh, I wanted to run something by you with the Zabini-Malfoy case." I turn to see Harry wiggle a different file out from his stack. "There were dark objects rumored to be located on Zabini's property, with ties to Malfoy's. After obtaining said artifacts we've found they originated in Malfoy Manor. To us it seems that when we performed a dark-magic sweep of the Malfoy residence they may have hidden some things at Zabini's to avoid detection. This could have happened before the war, but I doubt this personally due to the Zabini's lack of involvement with Voldemort. If I'm right, this calls for a deeper investigation of both parties."
Shacklebolt thumbed the report. "According to your interviews and my own personal knowledge of their trials, it doesn't seem as if the heirs had any involvement with these circumstances. Perhaps we have to look at the parents, see if Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Zabini have anything to say." He offers the report back to Harry. "I want a copy of this on my desk in the morning. Also, bring Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini in tomorrow at noon. I'd like to talk to them myself."
Kingsley sighs into his seat. "Granger, I'll memo you tomorrow with a meeting time to further discuss your schedule."
Harry drops me off at my office. Before he leaves I grab him by his sleeve. "Did Kingsley seem different to you?"
He shrugs. "I don't know, he just looks tired. We're all dealing with a lot right now."
I consider arguing with him, but on what grounds? My gut? I assent with, "Yeah, we are." Harry pats my arm and heads off to deal with his own work.
Lather, rinse, repeat. The next morning starts off normally enough before I hit my office. An owl lands on my desk with a small parcel from Percy. I hand a treat to the bird before I open it, resignation my only emotion as I look over my itinerary. I'm visiting Italy, France, Russia, the US, Brazil, and – oh. My heart pangs over the last country on the list – Australia.
I shove the list aside and dig through the rest of the parcel. There's a list of higher-ups I'm to know before I meet them, a bullet list of topics we're going to discuss, a serious of maps from my hotels to the place of the meetings, and finally a few pamphlets of what etiquette to follow in each country. This is Percy's version of a 'rough itinerary'?
I gather them all and place them in a new folder to look over later. I memo Kramer and Puckett to meet me as soon as they can, and send another to Harry to ask which auror should come with me. I'm reading over his response just as my guys come to my door.
"Please, have a seat, I need to speak with you both."
Much to my surprise, they both sit with without complaint. Kramer leans forward with elbows on his knees. "I haven't quite finished that list, if you're looking for an update."
"No, no." I hand them both a cup of coffee. "I'm actually in need of a favor from the both of you." They look startled but stay quiet. I ignore the odd behavior and push on. "The Minister is sending me out of country to be an ambassador for Muggle Relations. Here's the list," I pull it out of the file and hand it to Puckett, "and I'll be gone for a month if things go well, two if they don't."
Puckett hands the list to Kramer, who whistles low at the prospect. Puckett smirks. "So what do you need from us?"
I grip my cup a little tighter. "Stop rolling your eyes for a moment and hear what I have to say. I'm going to need someone to look after the office while I'm gone and take care of affairs here, and I also need a companion on the trip to help me with these officials." They both stare at me, a little shocked at my tone. "Kramer, I need you to stay here. You're still working on this list and you have a good head for the paperwork needed to stay on top of these disappearances. Puckett, I need you to come with me. You've been on the scenes more than anyone in our department, and you're great at cutting to the chase. I need those quick wits if I'm to deal with so much political jargon."
Kramer is the first to speak. "You leave on Monday?"
Puckett glances at his partner with a slight look of worry. I take back the itinerary and nod. "The Minister wants us to get going right away. Puckett, I would make arrangements to have your affairs handled for two months, it's better safe than sorry."
A memo flies in and drops into my hand. I swiftly read through it and write my reply. To the partners I say, "I am meeting with the Minister at one with my picks for companions. I'm also to bring an auror, and at this juncture I'm leaning towards Rikton. Is there anything else I should bring to his attention?" When they shake their heads 'no', I pull up a small notepad. "I'm also going to get a second itinerary for you, and a time to meet on Monday."
Kramer stands and takes both of their empty mugs to the counter. Puckett glances me over before standing as well. "I'll look for the memos."
They left without another word. I send a note to Harry with my auror pick, asking for his approval. I then get ready for my meeting with the Minister, my head spinning. Australia?
I walk past Percy to an open office door. The Minister glances up when I knock on his door and motions for me to come in. I'm barely in the room before I notice two people already occupying his chairs. I stifle a groan at the sight of them.
"Come in, Granger. I'm just finishing up with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Zabini."
I hang inside the doorframe, conflicted. "Are you sure? I can wait outside until you're finished."
"Nonsense." Kingsley summons a third chair and gestures for me to occupy it. I slowly sit and ignore the two men beside me. Blaise leans forward to catch my eye, to which I reluctantly meet.
"Miss Granger, what a surprise. I haven't seen you since you monitored our edict signatures and contract negotiations."
"Mr. Zabini, a pleasure as always." I fight the urge to purse my lips and instead settle on a dead-pan expression. Malfoy nods in my direction, his eyes flat and expressionless.
"Miss Granger, pleasure to see you again." His tone suggests it's anything but. I stiffly nod and murmur, "Mr. Malfoy, to you as well." My tone is decidedly less masked, something Shacklebolt doesn't miss. His eyes flick between us before he resumes his paperwork and conversation with the boys.
"I don't like what this suggests, but I'm sure that neither of you are involved. The best way to ensure that Wizengamot believes this as well is to have you both as far away as possible from the proceedings and away from the investigations of your houses."
Zabini stiffens in his seat. "Away for how long?"
The Minister pushes his hands into his face, a motion that catches me off guard. What is getting to him so badly? He glimpses over the papers again and sighs. "I would think at least a month, that should be enough time to get through the proceedings and beginning of the trail dates. We can focus on your fathers before we go any further, see if this is business done willingly."
Malfoy crosses his arms. "How can we maintain our businesses with such an extended 'vacation'?"
Kingsley pulls at the front of his robes. Is he wearing the same ones as yesterday? Surely not… "You'll be allowed contact with your offices and the general workings, but you'll need someone to physically fill your spot for the time being. If we don't go through with this, it could mean fingers pointed at the both of you, and the loss of your businesses, standing, and potentially your freedom."
Trademark Slytherin venom enters Zabini's voice. "Where are we supposed to stay during this little hiatus?"
"Zabini, you can stay with other family for the time being, as long as you're away from the house and your business. Malfoy… will you stay a moment? As the questions lies more heavily in your house, we'll have to be more careful in picking a living arrangement."
Blaise stands and shakes the Minister's hand. "I'll owl you with the address of the location I'll be staying at. I'll see you later, Draco." He leaves the room, and as the door shuts behind him the tension in the room raises enough to make my skin crawl.
Kingsley pulls out a bottle and a few glasses. "Drink?"
I'm dumbfounded. Kingsley? Drinking before five? I accept the drink without much thought and take a few larger-than-necessary gulps to calm my nerves. Malfoy commits no sign that he thinks Kingsley's behavior odd and accepts his own glass.
"Mr. Malfoy, if you'll excuse me for a moment, I'd like to discuss a few things with Granger while I try to think of an acceptable arrangement for yourself."Malfoy only nods. He pulls at his tie only to loosen it a little, but the motion hurls my mind back into a moment several nights ago when he did just that. A blush threatens to cover my neck and cheeks, but I smother it down under Shacklebolt's gaze. "You received the itinerary?"I jump back into my business mindset. "Yes, and Percy astounds me yet again. I would like to request two more for my respective companion picks, Adrian Puckett and Tyler Rikton."
Kingsley leans back into his chair with a raised eyebrow. "I agree with Rikton, although I'm surprised Potter is willing to part with him at the moment. I was sure you would pick Weasley."I must be imagining the look Malfoy gives me, but I don't turn to see if I'm right. "Tensions are high and I'm not confident in the capability of us both to remain professional during such a high-stakes tour."The Minister nods slowly. "Alright, now why Puckett and not Kramer?"
"Puckett, while brash and uncouth at times, has been the one in the field the most out of my department. He has the best eye-witness material, and he's quick witted. I don't think he'd be as subject to the political sharks as Kramer. Besides, I need Kramer on the ground here to maintain my office and keep up with that list he's been compiling."
"Sound judgement. I guess I should tell you, Granger, I was owled this morning by the Italian Embassy. It seems that there have been a few security threats, and I feel obligated to expand your party by one."
I feel my glass grow heavier in my hand. "Would you prefer auror or another from my department?"Kingsley knocks back the rest of his drink and pours another. "I'm not sure yet. Allow me to think on it, if you will."
We sit in silence for a moment or two. I chance a glance at Malfoy only to find him looking at me intently. I can't hide the blush this time around, and both of us quickly look away from each other. I'm slightly horrified to see Kingsley watching us both with a slight grin.
"I believe I've found the solution to both your issues. Malfoy, you will accompany Granger as she completes this Muggle-Relations tour. It will get you away from these proceedings in a way that beneficial to your own cause, and provide you, Granger, with that third person."
I damn near drop my glass. Malfoy leans forward in his seat to beseech the Minister. "Out of the country? Wouldn't that look suspicious?"
Kingsley still keeps his smirk. "On the contrary, I believe it'll better your position. How could a man who voluntarily tours the countries more heavily hit by the disappearances of muggleborns be the same one who would hide a magical artifact? Alongside the head of Muggle Relations to boot."
I forge through my sudden apprehension. "While I know he's versed in the political sphere, is he really the best choice for either magical defense or these sensitive cases? My teams and I have been compiling these cases for months, a few days is too soon to teach him everything he needs —"
The Minister cuts me off with a stern tone. "Mr. Malfoy is admirable with politics, and a quick learner. His roll will be financial and political backing of our cause."
We're left speechless. Kingsley has never interrupted me…
"I will expect you both to arrive at my office no later than eight o'clock on Monday morning. Please have your affairs arranged. Mr. Malfoy, expect an owl with your own itinerary within the day."
We place our finished glasses and silently leave the office. We jump in the same lift, the tension between us driving me to say anything to make it stop.
"If you would like, I can send a few reports for you to read over so you're not caught off guard."
Draco nods stiffly. "I would be appreciative, Miss Granger." The lift stops in the atrium. "Have a good evening."I head back to my own office with heavy steps. We're all just professionals, right?
A/N: I'm sorry about the late posting! I'm starting college classes soon and have been a little busy getting all of that together. I should be posting a little more regularly now. Thank you all you have favorited/followed! A special thanks to the reviews! Love n' Light 3
