Disclaimer: None of the characters from the Harry Potter series belong to me, only new characters I have created within this story.
A/N: Many thanks to my beta
Harry and Hermione apparated into the main Atrium to the Auror offices, deep within the Ministry of Magic. It was a small, circular room, dark wooden panels lining the walls, black marble covering the floor. Where apparation cannot take place within the majority of the Ministry, the entrance to the Auror offices was different, allowing Aurors to come and go quickly in cases of emergency.
As they materialised, six Aurors ran into the Atrium, wands raised at the duo. Harry and Hermione pulled their wands out instantly, both on high alert. Hermione muttered under her breath.
A stern female voice echoed from nowhere. "NOW!"
All six Aurors sent stunning spells at the duo. Harry raised his wand to defend, before realising Hermione had lowered hers. All six beams of red light hit an invisible shield two feet in front of them, revealing a dome surrounding two young Aurors. Their attackers lowered their wands.
"Did I ever tell you just how brilliant you are?" Harry asked Hermione with a laugh.
"Maybe…" Hermione spun her wand between her hands, smiling.
The large double doors that led into the offices opened up to reveal a tall, thin, middle-aged woman wearing ruby-red robes and high-heeled shoes. She approached the Aurors confidently.
"Apologies for the rather abrupt welcoming committee," she said in the same stern voice that rang through the room moments before. "We had to be sure you weren't imposters." The six Aurors sheathed their wands and made their way into the offices. "A truly remarkable shielding charm, Hermione – but you can lower it now."
"Who are you?" Hermione asked as she waved her wand, dissolving the shield before them.
"My name is Mildred Janes. I am head of the Auror department. I'm not surprised you don't know me – I don't normally meet new recruits until after their first probation year. But you two are different. Come," she signalled for them to walk with her into the offices, "we have much to discuss."
They walked through the double-doors into a large open plan room, the walls and floor the same colour and material as the atrium. Desks were lined several rows across on either side of the hall, separated by dividers six foot high, forming individual office booths. Balls of fire hovered over the desks and walkways, emitting the room's only source of light. In the middle of the room stood a large see-through dome, surrounded by more balls of fire. As they approached, Harry could make out a large executive desk inside it.
"I took over as head of the Auror department shortly after the Battle of Hogwarts, just after the new Minister for Magic was announced," Mildred explained as they approached the dome. Aurors at desks closest to them looked over curiously. "Since then I've been trying to reform the way we work, but recent events have… well, the Death Eaters have made it quite difficult for us." She pulled her robes back and slid her wand out from a sheath clipped to her belt. As she waved it at the dome, it's clear solid walls glistened brightly, and she walked straight through it into her office. Harry and Hermione paused for a second before continuing after her.
At first impressions the interior of the dome was bland – you could see through the walls out into the rest of the hall, leaving no wall space for pictures or ornaments and no room for privacy. It was empty apart from a massive executive desk in the centre, a large oak chair on one side, and two swivel chairs opposite it. The floor was the same black marble as the rest of the hall.
"Please take a seat," Mildred advised as she sat in the large chair behind her desk. As Harry and Hermione sat opposite her, the whole dome changed. The see-through walls morphed into a dark solid wood, revealing portraits, shelves full of books, and statues. Balls of fire burst into life above them, revealing a rich brown carpet where the cold marble lay moments before. In one corner of the room stood a suit of ancient armour, slightly rusted, a long sword in its hand which was raised upwards. In the opposite corner stood a model skeleton; at least, Hermione hoped it was a model.
"As you know, during your final trials last night a small group of Death Eaters infiltrated the Ministry and managed to apparate inside our training facility, interrupting your final test." Harry noticed several people in the nearest portrait move in closer to listen. "I received word from Professor McGonagall moments after it happened, advising you would both be travelling to see her when you reached the Apparation Circle." She lifted a Death Eater mask from the table and showed it to the Aurors. "Early this morning, I was woken by an owl carrying this. It had a note pinned to it from Minerva, explaining the events in Hogsmeade last night." She placed the mask back on the table. "I want you both to hunt this jackal down."
The three of them sat in silence for several minutes. Hermione was first to speak.
"Um, do you know where we should begin?"
Mildred laughed. "Not a clue, Hermione. We will know in good time, I am sure. What I suggest you both do is go home for the rest of the day and relax. Come back here tomorrow – we will have desks set up for you by then… well, if the Department of Furniture and Supplies can get up off their lazy arses and actually do their job for a day!
"Work through cases as normal. When I hear of anything suspicious, I'll call for you."
"Thanks ma'am," Hermione got up to leave before she noticed Harry was still sitting.
"Is there something else, Harry?" Mildred asked.
Harry paused for a moment before responding. "What is this place?" he asked, looking around the office in amazement.
Mildred smiled, and tapped her nose. "All in good time."
/ - / - / - /
The elevator ride up to the main Atrium of the Ministry passed in silence. As the lift pulled to a stop, Hermione spoke.
"Um, Harry… Would you mind if I… well, I mean…"
"Yes, Hermione," Harry replied, looking at his friend reassuringly. "You can stay at mine as long as you want."
"Thanks Harry," Hermione replied gratefully. As they walked past the massive statue of the new Minister for Magic, she remembered Ginny. "Wait, Harry, I don't want to intrude on you and Ginny. You haven't seen her in days, and –"
"Hermione," Harry stopped her short, "you're not the only one with relationship problems." His friend looked at him, worried. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about… she's, well, she's staying at The Burrow for a few days. She needs some time." Harry shuffled his feet as they made their way to the massive fireplaces that would take them home. As they approached one, Hermione turned to him.
"I'm sure it'll be fine Harry." She placed a reassuring hand on his arm. A warm feeling flooded through his head.
"Yeah," he replied, trying to shake the feeling off. "It'll be fine."
/ - / - / - /
Their arrival at 12 Grimmauld Place came without a hitch. As they climbed out of the fireplace in the kitchen and dusted off, Hermione observed her surroundings.
"This place looks amazing Harry! How long did it take you?"
The walls were a neutral, crème colour, dirt and grime scrubbed away after months of monotonous labour. The tiles around the sink were shining brightly in the firelight. The chandelier hanging over the dinner table was also glistening – as golden as a sunset in May.
"A long time," Harry admitted. "Mr Weasley and George helped a lot. Come on," he took Hermione's hand. "I'll give you the grand tour!"
Hermione was impressed. Mainly because she could now sit down with the knowledge that wherever she sat was clean and curse-free. And the screaming portrait of Walburga Black had been successfully removed – after thirty-seven pain-staking attempts!
Later that evening, the pair sat in the living room with a glass of wine, talking over the last couple of days. Hermione sat cross-legged.
"Something must have happened," Hermione pondered, taking a sip of her wine. "They wouldn't have reappeared otherwise…."
"Maybe they're insane?" Harry suggested. The warm feeling he had experienced at the Ministry earlier that day had returned ten-fold. He couldn't take his eyes off Hermione.
"No… they appear too organised for that." Taking another sip, she inched closer to Harry, her knee touching his leg. His heart began to race. "What happened with Ginny?"
The question took Harry by surprise. Regaining some focus, he explained the situation. "Ginny… missed me. While I was away training for this job…" He took another sip of wine. "We lost our… spark. Our connection." Seizing the opportunity, he turned the conversation round. "What's happening with Ron?"
Hermione quickly took a sip of wine, struggling to best word her next sentence. "He's just not the same. He's… been seeing someone. I think. He won't admit it – says I'm being paranoid. But," She turned round to face Harry directly, "you noticed the awkwardness last night?"
"Well, yeah, but –"
"So you see where I'm coming from." She sighed and took another drink from her wine glass. "Something's not right with him…"
Part of Harry felt for his old friend Ron – there was a time when they were nay-inseparable. But deep down, Harry knew he had been hiding his feelings towards Hermione for a long time – feelings that had grown stronger since they were paired for the Auror Trials.
His conscience getting the better of him, he took another sip of wine before continuing. "Maybe he is cheating on you, but that doesn't sound like Ron, does it? Maybe –"
"Harry," Hermione said forcefully. Harry felt her hand on his leg, so he turned to face her directly. Her skin was perfectly smooth, her long wavy brown hair hanging over her shoulders neatly, her eyes glistening fiercely. "Just kiss me."
Letting go of his conscience, he moved forward, his lips meeting hers in a simple, perfect moment. His heartbeat accelerated as they embraced. He felt her arms wrap around him. He began to slowly slide his hands over her body. She lifted herself onto his lap as he kissed her harder. Tongues started to touch. He felt her hand begin to slide under his jeans–
She pushed herself off of him with a sudden, panic-ridden force, falling off the sofa and landing on her back in the process. Scrambling to her feet, she whipped out her wand and pointed it behind Harry, fury now dominating her ever-beautiful face. She was shaking with anger, the tip of her wand glowed bright red.
"How the hell did you get in here?" she snarled.
Harry pulled out his wand as he rose to his feet. When he saw the man Hermione was aiming at, he froze with shock.
"Nice to see you too, Granger!" Draco Malfoy replied, sneering. His wand was pointed at Harry, the tip of it glowing green…