The Unity of Opposites
Chapter Three
Promises
Draco woke up with the first hint of light that shown to his room. It was a great Friday morning, which Draco hated. He wasn't that fond of the weekends anymore.
He used to spend his two days off relaxing in his home, have a drink with Blaze in their usual place, and read some of the books that were rotting in his big bookcase.
But now he always had to stay in the Manor, and perhaps attending one or two charities that his mother would have organized, and as a result he always has a strong hangover on Monday morning.
He couldn't stand that fake smiling and hand shaking with people who turned their backs to the Malfoy family when his father went to prison – and he certainly could not stand their existence in the same room with him.
He hated weekends - he hated that he has to show to the world how good he was with his job, his life, himself.
It was five thirty when he looked at his watch he kept at his nightstand and he was sure that Hermione would wake up that early too. Should he check on her? To make sure that everything is fine, of course.
No - the idea came and gone fast to his head. He was still feeling weird when he told her to give him a chance.
He had no right to do so - her safety was something that she has the right to choose, not Kingsley, not even him.
He sat on his bed and he looked around him waiting to see if he had any unexpected letter from Kingsley – he didn't want to believe himself when he felt a little bit disappointed.
He stood up and he walked through his closet. He chose his suit for the day, like every other day – one of the too many black suits he owned and he went to take a shower.
He was feeling an urge of protection suddenly – something that he never felt before. Maybe the whole story was making him lose his emotional stability.
Was that even possible? he thought as the cold water ran down his body. He shut his eyes for a second and the smell of the burning rose came to his memory.
He knew that Hermione was capable to defeat everything in her path – but this time, this specific time, Draco could see that Hermione was afraid.
Some feeling that he didn't know she had it anymore. In his eyes she was only the greatest. He opened his eyes and closed the tub.
Looking back now, he could sense something more than fear to her - it was something that she was hiding well, something like worry.
For what reason could she possibly worry? Her parents? Her life? Draco's mind didn't really find that correct.
In her mind, she had something else, something that only she knew. Maybe she knew something about Nehone? He could only guess with that woman.
He was about to brush his teeth when he saw the second toothbrush next to his. He took it in his hand and his brows frowned.
What the fuck? he thought and he threw it in the trash. Astoria was making him feel more pressure than the Dark Lord himself.
She desperately wanted to be named Malfoy and Draco knew it the second his mother met them.
True, he spent his time with her, making some of his nights far more interesting than he could ever imagine, but it was something to that woman that he didn't like.
Not only her constant need to start a family, but Draco could swear to Merlin that he could smell death to her - every day, more and more.
He looked at his watch and it was six thirty. He didn't know what else to do but to go to his office. He had a lot to do.
The night before, he sat in his living room with a book in his hand, although he didn't even read it, and some firewhiskey to keep him company.
He sat there, thinking about the way his life turned around - who would have told him that he would walk Hermione Granger home tonight?
Nights like this, when he used to drink to stop thinking were his worst - regrets, actions, words and events were playing in his mind like a tape.
Who could blame him? He had spent a good time in his life being taught that he was something more than everyone else.
He looked himself in the mirror and he fixed his perfectly combed hair. It was not the time to leave his demons out today.
He made up his mind yesterday night - he shouldn't deal with anything than the Nehone's case. The only thing left was to announce to his partner.
''Thank you for coming this early in the morning, Minerva.'' Kingsley said to her and he closed his office's door behind them. ''Please.'' he said and he offered her a seat.
''There is not such thing as early when you work with kids.'' she kindly smiled to him and he sat on his chair as well.
''What was that urgent then?'' she asked, looking around in his office, trying to find something personal in the space that was unfolding in front of her.
''I am afraid that we had a security break two days ago.'' he informed her and her attention was on him.
''At the Ministry?'' she asked and her brows frowned.
''At the Safe Holds of Gringotts.'' he pointed out and he put his hands together.
''Who is that mad to try a robbery at Gringotts?'' she said with a laugh, but the look on Kingsley's face made her understand that the robbery was indeed happened.
''What did they steal?'' she asked with a calm voice, trying to guess what would be the reason for her visit.
''One of the Heather's Stones.'' he said and he took out of his drawer the photo of the purple stone and placed it on the desk in front of her.
Her brows frowned again and she looked at Kingsley's secure eyes. Why was he that calm? she asked herself and she fixed her robes.
''Why someone would like to steal such a pure element?'' she asked taking the photo in her hand.
''That is the reason I called you here today. I believe you have a paper; a research that you once made regarding the matter?'' he said, his voice lower than a whisper and McGonagall nodded.
''Accio.'' she softly said and Kingsley waved to his window to open.
At once, papers one by one flew into his office and gathered in front of him in perfect order. He sighed and he looked at the old witch in front of him.
The specimens of Heather's Stones by Minerva McGonagall was the title. Kingsley looked at the handwritten front page.
''Any advice?'' he asked when she stood up from her seat to leave.
''One can not tame their true power.'' she said and she left his office to go back to Hogwarts.
Draco pulled up his sleeves. That was harder than he imagined. He looked at the file in his hand and he put it aside.
To his left, he had a pile with folders and reports that he wanted to look into, so Steele could have everything in order to continue alone.
With the corner of his eye, he watched outside of their office and then at his partner. It was a rather slow day at their Department and it was just perfect.
With any luck, he could finish today and he would have the rest of his day fighting with Steele for the reason why he is leaving him alone for a couple of months.
He took a large folder and he opened it watching the way his perfect handwritten private notes were in perfect order, based alphabetically.
''All of them? You give me all of your cases?'' Steele asked Draco for the fifth time.
He rolled his eyes, not feeling his mood for saying the same things over and over again, and he closed the folder.
''All of them.'' he said and he took another in his hand.
''Why on Merlin's name will you trust me in that?'' he asked and he looked at his desk to all the unsolved cases he gave him.
''Why wouldn't I trust you?'' Draco asked with amusement and he looked at him.
''Have you met me?'' he said and Draco smirked a little.
He watched him putting his feet on top of his desk and spinning his drink. Draco exhaled as his sight - if he was not that mysticism himself, he might consider asking him why he was drinking that early.
''Are you quitting or something?'' Steele asked narrowing his eyes.
''No.'' he casually spoke and he put another folder on top of the pile.
Steele watched it and sighed, feeling the need to leave the room, but his curiosity was to the highest levels.
''So it is about a girl.'' he commented and made Draco's eyes see him sceptical.
''Why would you say that?''
''Who is she?'' he said and he took a sip of his firewhiskey.
''It is literally nine in the morning.'' Draco said, rolling his eyes and looking at the folder he had in his hands.
''Who said I stopped?'' he winked at him, took his feet off the desk and stood up.
His expression on his face changed at once and his jaw tightened. ''Are you in any trouble?'' he asked him, standing in front of him.
Draco looked at him, in his eyes, he had the kind of worry gaze, his mother had every time he dared to say he wouldn't attend to some charity event.
It made him frown, thinking that this man, the one that was drinking his day away like it was his day off could worry about him.
''I am not. It is just a case that needs multiple significance.'' he said and he put on the pile another file. ''Thirteen with that.'' his partner's eyes followed him.
''Malfoy.'' he said and Draco looked at him.
''Do not try something obtuse only to prove that you are with the good guys now.'' he said leaving his glass on his desk.
''You have made your choice long time ago.'' he said and he pointed with his head the board they had with their unsolved cases of the Death Eaters.
''It is not that I..'' he said and he took a big breath ''..okay.'' he finally said and his partner took his seat back to his desk with his glass in his hand.
''Do I have to get a new partner? That would be lovely.''
''No.'' he said and he threw him the last folder slightly amused of his talent to change subjects.
''Why not? My untamed natured, wants a female who will depend on my provocative character for life.''
''I can not believe any female would want that.''
''You know what Malfoy - '' and a red ball flew fast across the room and landed on Steele's lap.
He took in his hands with curiosity - he rolled it once and the ball opened in the middle revealing a parchment with the stamp of the Minister.
He threw it to Malfoy and he read the note. His brows raised up - what on Merlin's name happened this time?
''Just do the research and when everything is finished we can start the hunting.'' he told Steele and he took his Auror blazer.
''Kingsley asked to see me.'' he informed him and he left the room, leaving Steele on the edge of thinking.
He was standing now alone in the middle of the office, looking at the files that was on his desk. Clearly his partner lost his mind.
Shit, he thought and he waved to his bottle to come to him. He grabbed it and put some on his empty glass. He put his feet on the desk again.
When he came back from Ireland and partner up with the Malfoy heir, he thought that it would be just like his father.
A cold, unreliable son of a bitch that would make his life difficult. Instead of this, Malfoy was a brilliant young man with lots of guts in his system and pure hate. Steele could see that to anyone.
It took him a while to trust him, but Steele knew that this would happen – he was a Malfoy after all, they can't even trust themselves.
In their first mission together, Draco fell to the sea to catch one of the Death Eaters that they were after. He was about to drown but he couldn't care less.
He could see the fire in his eyes the moment he took him out of his board. It was his moment of truth - he was not a man that everyone thought he was.
''Rough morning?'' he heard a voice coming from behind him, taking him away from his thoughts and turned his head. He raised his brow the moment his eyes landed at Potter.
''More of a night.'' he said and Harry's lips curled up a little.
''Quite the cases you have there.'' Potter said and he stood next to Steele.
He put his hands on his pockets and he looked at the tired eyes of the old wizard resting to his as he was waiting for an answer.
He only nodded to him, but Harry wouldn't give up that easily. He knew that Steele was one of the best Aurors in the Ministry but he wasn't afraid of him.
''It is all new?'' he said and he took a step closer to his desk to see what it was written on the top folder.
Steele put his feet on top of the pile and dangerously looked at Potter, who took his hand back really quick. He narrowed his eyes and then smiled.
''Can I help you with anything?'' Steele said and looked at him with a fake happiness all over his face.
''I heard Malfoy is giving you all the cases that he has.'' he said talking in a low voice not wanting to be heard by the people who was passing by.
''You heard wrong.''
''Am I now? I do not see any files on his desk.'' he said, pointing with his head the desk of Draco Malfoy.
''Spring cleaning.'' Steele said and Harry's eyes narrowed.
Steele wasn't that stupid to talk to someone else about his partner. He raised his brow, waiting for him to do something, but Harry smiled, turned his back and left.
Steele waved at the door and looked at his partner's desk. How Harry Potter learned about that? he thought as he held tighter to his glass as if his life was depending on it.
And what was wrong with his partner? These days he couldn't read him that easily. He stood up and he watched Harry Potter walking away from their office, furious.
In Harry's mind, there were only the thing he overheard at Kingsley's office. Who was that mentally ill person? And why Kingsley was not letting him know about it?
And why would he give all those cases to that scumbass? Maybe he needs to look it up, maybe he has to see what was going on.
His instincts were true the last time he was suspecting Malfoy and Death Eaters had busted into Hogwarts. Maybe he should talk to Hermione about it. She would know what to do.
Hermione's ears were burning and she was feeling a bit dizzy by the moment Kingsley revealed to them what happened.
She was sitting in his office, her hands in her lap, feeling paralyzed. She looked at Kingsley sitting behind his desk and Malfoy leaning next to the big window and facing outside.
How did they know about their existence in the Gringotts? And why would someone try to use the Heather's Stone?
That needs years of delicate practice and knowledge. Her mind was trying to look for a motif, but nothing was coming up. What was wrong with her these days?
''Are we sure that is Nehone's action?'' she heard Draco finally asking and breaking the silence between them.
Cold sweat ran down her spine, when she remembered the contract she once made for Kingsley, months ago. She traded a look with the Minister.
''He had to use magic in a long time, if he used a powerful spell to breath the Acacia Dust then his lungs must be burning. He only needs it for his treatment, right?'' she said and she watched at Kingsley, who was holding the picture of the Heather Stone.
''The Heather's Stones are more than a healing element miss Granger.'' he said looking at her with a concern.
''What more can they possibly do?'' Draco asked and he walked back to them, Hermione took her eyes off the Minister.
''They can bring you your youth back, your strength, even your soul.''
''That means that someone has to know how to succeed that. Nehone does not know about potions.'' she said with a small voice.
''But someone else might do.'' Draco said, and looked at her.
''This is madness! He is a wanted man! He can't run around trying to find a potion master to help him!'' Hermione looked at him, feeling her heart beating fast.
''Wanted? By who? The three of us?'' Draco said and Hermione closed her mouth having nothing to say.
''I talked to Warlock the day before.'' Kingsley said and their attention was on him. He took a big breath and he looked at the both of them.
''His words, and I quote here - do not want to have anything to do with the matter.'' Hermione's eyes widen.
''And how is he going to be trailed?'' she asked and she stood from her seat.
''We do have to caught him first.'' Kingsley said, looking at her face falling.
''You sound like we can't!'' she said to Kingsley and his eyes fell.
''If he manages to tame the Heather's Stone and go back to his youth, we will have a very unpleasant situation Hermione.''
''If is a big word Kingsley.'' Draco said and looked at the both of them. ''We have to look for people who had any schemed with the Stones.''
''The only person that had any knowledge is long forgotten.'' Kingsley said and Draco knew that he was referring to Snape.
''What about the person who did the research?'' Hermione asked and Kingsley's face darken.
''Headmistress McGonagall only has the knowledge not the way.''
''Maybe he has the way.'' Draco said and Kingsley started to breathe heavier.
''But he hasn't the slightest knowledge about potions! Herbology was his major. '' Kingsley said and stood from his seat as well.
''He doesn't have to be a genius to brew a potion. Damn, even Longbottom succeed it!'' Draco said and laughed a little.
Hermione looked at him, narrowing her eyes and he raised his shoulders. He was not wrong it it, everyone could make it.
''What are we implying here? That he will take McGonagall to heal himself completely?''
''He doesn't need McGonagall. He needs the research.'' Hermione said and Draco looked at her.
''And a place to complete his potion.'' Draco said finishing her thought.
''Precisely.'' she said and she looked at him as well.
Sunday came much earlier than Hermione would have expected. She was counting on that weekend to recharge her batteries and calm herself.
But instead of that, Hermione spent Friday afternoon finishing up some cases, and all of Saturday thinking about what she could do now.
Now that Nehone was after her, now that he might have stolen a Heather's Stone. Draco was right. He could brew a potion - it was not that hard.
Nehone was smart. He was a man that he could do whatever his mind wanted - and he was strong. His magic had powered up since he was a little boy.
She knew that Nehone could spend his time hiding before he could make another show, which was giving Hermione time to plan a way to get him.
''Hermione?'' her mother called her name and she snapped out of her thoughts.
''I am sorry, yes I -'' she looked at the smiling face of her mother.
She smiled back. She made up her mind to lie to her parents. She hated that. It was hard for her to make them believe something else than the truth.
She watched at her mother preparing their dinner. She was mumbling a song she had heard so many times before as a child.
''Mom.'' she said and her mother turned around to look at her.
Her expression changed at once. She could see that her little baby had something on her mind that made her worry.
She frowned and she walked towards her. She sat next to her at the table and she ran her hand to her face. Hermione gave her a weak smile.
''I will have to leave for some days.'' she informed her and her mother's face fell.
''Where to?'' she asked her and Hermione bit the inside of her cheek.
''I have to make some meeting with the Italian Minister of Magic.'' she lied to her not looking at her face.
''Is there something wrong?'' she asked, knowing that it was not her place, but her instincts were telling her that something was not right.
''All well. I just have to be there for a while.'' Hermione smiled at her mother, and she smiled back, after a while.
''If you have to be present, well, I believe they trust you with it.'' she said and Hermione's stomach twisted.
She smiled to her mother, face expressionless, heart beating fast. She nodded and she took her mother's hand to hers.
She had lost them once, she could never think of losing them again. Kingsley had made it clear - she had to say she would be gone for a short amount of time.
She couldn't risk their safety - she couldn't risk losing them again. It was the only way to keep them out of it - she had no choice.
She wondered if Malfoy felt the same thing all those years back, when he put his future in the hands of his father.
She wondered if he was feeling that defeat coming from his guts - if he was feeling trapped. She wondered if he too had no choice.
''Is everything alright ducklin'?'' her mother asked and Hermione felt her heart heavy.
''It will be.'' she said after some time.
Her cat jumped into her lap and she purred. He too knew that she would go for some time. She pet him a little and he found his place to sleep.
Hermione took her book back to her hands and she started to read. It will be - she said to herself again and she smiled at her mother.
