Chapter Three: Of Dining and Death Threats
To say that Hermione was shaken would have been an understatement. This was understandable; after all, just two weeks prior to this message she was getting howlers daily screeching at her to retire from the ministry lest she wish to suffer a horrible death. The howlers had stopped two weeks ago but Hermione was still on edge. Her face flushed and she went to her bedside end table and picked up her cell phone. She dialed Harry's number and waited impatiently as ring after ring passed before he picked up.
"Ministry of Magic, Harry Potter speaking…I mean…This is Harry…"
Despite her current state she chuckled softly, then sobered
"Harry, it's me Mione, it's happened again."
"What? No sorry I can't sell you a fountain pen."
"HARRY! I got another howler!"
If anything, that got him wide awake.
"Huh?! Mione! When?!"
"Just now…It sounded like the same person that sent the other ones."
"I'm apparating over right now!"
Before Hermione could protest, Harry had hung up and she heard a loud pop come from kitchen. She rushed out and found Harry, still in his pajamas staring groggily back at her.
"Harry, you didn't have to come."
"Mione' we've been through this. We may not be dating anymore, but I still care about you…I don't want to see you hurt! Of course I had to come over."
Hermione sighed. She and Harry had dated since the end of their seventh year up until they got out of training. In the end, they decided that they were better off as friends. Since then, Hermione knew that Harry had developed feelings for another friend but he was just too shy to make his move.
"I appreciate it Harry, really I do."
"What time did you get home anyway? Ginny said Draco drove you home shortly after Ron and I left."
"He did, but we didn't go straight home."
"What? Where did you go then?"
"We went to an all night club and had dinner…or I guess I should say breakfast."
"Well, I never thought I'd see the day you two went out together."
"Harry, we did not go out. We were both hungry so we went to eat…and maybe we danced a little too."
"Oh yes Hermione, that really isn't considered a date." he said flashing her a mischevious grin.
"Oh shut up before I make you The-Boy-Who-Lived-to-Die-at-the-hands-of-his-best-friend." she said returning the grin.
Harry put on his best "deer in the headlights" face and proclaimed
"Oh no, Hermione is gunna get me!"
Hermione playfully slapped him on the shoulder and motioned for him to follow her into the living room.
"You know Harry; it's just like you to apparate into my kitchen."
Harry grinned cheekily, plopped onto the couch and patted the seat right next to him. Hermione sat next to him and switched on her 54" plasma TV. They sat there for a while watching an old movie on HBO and eventually fell asleep with Hermione's head resting on Harry's shoulder and his arm draped around her.
Around noon they were awakened by Hermione's ringing cell phone. Harry removed his arm and Hermione got up to take the call. It was Luna Lovegood, Hermione's secretary.
"Mione, where are you!"
"What?" Hermione answered groggily
"Jessica Carroway is here at your office and so is Draco Malfoy. You were supposed to meet Jessica for her interview at 11:45!"
"Oh my God, Luna…I'm so sorry! I guess I forgot to set my alarm when Harry and I fell asleep."
"Harry?"
"Yeah, I'll explain when I get down there…Oh Lun, why is Draco there? I didn't schedule to talk to him."
Luna giggled then whispered into the phone as if Draco was standing right next to her.
"He says you two have a lunch date"
Hermione had totally forgotten; she and Draco had decided to go out to lunch today to get to know each other. Thinking back on it, she wondered why she had agreed to the date.
"Oh yeah, I guess I'll explain that later too. See you in a few Lun."
"Bye"
-Click-
With that Hermione turned to Harry and explained the situation. He nodded and apparated back home while Hermione got dressed in a new set of robes and washed her face. Five minutes later she apparated to her office.
Luna was sitting at her desk when Hermione walked in 30 minutes late for her appointment.
"Luna, where is Ms. Carroway?" asked Hermione
"Well…" started Luna in her dreamy tone "she was quite hysterical when she came in here. She sat down for about 10 minutes in your office when she suddenly proclaimed that she had to leave and that she would owl you later to reschedule her appointment. She kept apologizing profusely while blowing her nose…"
"Oh dear…well, I guess it's my fault. I should have set my alarm."
"Well, Mione, someone else is here and HE didn't leave…" said Luna grinning widely. Hermione felt blood rush to her cheeks. As if on cue she heard someone step up behind her.
"Hey Mione."
Hermione turned around when she heard the deep voice behind her…there was Draco wearing a business suit with an emerald green tie and looking very good.
"Oh, hello Draco…I suppose now that my only appointment this morning just walked out on me, that we can go to lunch now. Luna will you hold my owls?"
Luna nodded, still grinning and went back to sit at her desk. Draco walked over to Hermione and offered her his arm. They walked down to Draco's car and once again he opened her door before sliding in himself.
"So where are we off to?" asked Hermione.
"Le Petite Café, Blaise owns it."
"Blaise?"
"Yeah, he bought it as a tax deduction, but now he actually loves the place."
"Well, who would've thought?"
The drive to the café was relatively short and within ten minutes they were there. Draco once again held the door open for Hermione as she stepped out of the car and together they made their way to the door of the charming bistro. Draco walked up to the host stand and was greeted by a tall olive skinned man with an Italian accent and sporting a name tag that said Adamo.
"Mr. Malfoy! What a pleasure to have you here again. May I take you to your normal table?"
Draco nodded and discreetly 'ahemed' in Hermione's direction.
"OHHH! And your guest, if I'm not mistaken the lovely Hermione Granger, the sole reason crime rates in England have plummeted?" added Adamo planting a kiss on the hand Hermione had proffered. She smiled and nodded, a prominent blush coming to her cheeks.
Adamo immediately dropped her hand and led the pair to a secluded corner of the bistro where they could enjoy their meal in peace. He left, saying that a waiter would be along shortly to take their orders. Promptly a tall brunette wearing an apron and carrying a notepad walked up to their table. Immediately Hermione's mind clicked with recognition.
"KRISTIN!"
The waitress looked at Hermione for a moment before recognition dawned on her as well.
"HERMIONE! OH MY GOSH, I haven's seen you since lower school!"
"I know, well, as you know I went off to boarding school."
"Yeah, so did I!"
"But Kris, why are you working at this restaurant, in THIS part of London?"
"Mione, you didn't know?" seeing the puzzled look on Hermione's face she continued, "I'm a witch."
"REALLY? Why didn't you go to Hogwarts with me?"
"Well, I got my letter at what I'm assuming is the same time you did, but my mother went to Beauxbatons when she was younger so I went there instead. You see, my mom is a witch, a pureblood. But my dad is a squib and my mom was disowned and lost her powers when she decided to be with my dad."
"Oh" -ahem- "OH! Kris, this is Draco. Draco, this is Kris, we went to lower school together."
"Oh, I know him, he's Mr. Zabini's friend. Hello Mr. Malfoy."
"Draco, please." he said extending his hand and Kris took it.
"Well, what can I get for you two this afternoon?"
"Well Draco, since I've never been here what do you suggest?"
"Well, I always get the fettuccini alfredo and a glass of red wine, but that's just me."
"Hmm, alright I'll have that then."
"And I'll have the same."
"Alright, it'll be about fifteen minutes, and Mione, give me a call sometime and we can catch up." Kris wrote her number on a blank page in her notebook, tore it out and handed it to Hermione who took it and nodded.
Fifteen minutes later the two plates set out on the table filled with food and the glasses filled with wine, much like they did back at Hogwarts. The two began to eat in silence. After about fifteen minutes of eating and sparse conversation, mostly due to the fact that the food was so delicious that the pair continually had their mouths full, they were waiting for dessert and Draco restarted the conversation.
"So, any new leads on the case?"
"Well, considering that Jessica Carroway stormed out of my office in an emotional whirlwind, I'd say not. And I'd rather not talk about that…I don't mix business with pleasure."
"So, this is pleasurable for you?" he asked with a smirk.
"Oh, you know what I mean."
Just then, two slices of devil's food cake appeared on their plates and they dug in. Another five minutes later the conversation really got going.
"Mmm, that food was absolutely delicious. I've got to say Blaise sure picked a good cook."
"Yup, Blaise only settles for the best when he's paying. Just like me."
"I see. So, Blaise has his beloved restaurant. What do you have? Malfoy Industries?"
"Well, yes, there's that but that's more of an obligation I have to fulfill. Not something I can put much heart in to."
Hermione gave him a skeptical look.
"Don't look at me like that. Don't get me wrong I enjoy being the tyrannical power hungry executive, but I'd much rather be sailing around Europe on my yacht."
He was met yet again with a skeptical face.
"Okay, Ms. Auror Extraordinaire. What do you consider your passion? The Library?"
"Don't be ridiculous Draco. I love to read but it's not all I like to do."
This time it was Draco's turn to look skeptical.
"Whatever you say. What DO you like to do then?"
"Well, since you asked, I like to shop. I guess you could say I'm addicted to retail."
"HAHA, YEAH RIGHT. YOU ARE ADDICTED TO SHOPPING!" Draco exclaimed, garnering the attention of half the restaurant.
Hermione felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she glared at him half heartedly and nodded.
"Ok, sorry, everyone go back to your lunches. And you Hermione, tell me. what do you love to buy?" he asked with a glint in his eyes.
"Well, if you must know, I have taken a liking to designer accessories. I love Coach and Prada."
Draco looked to the back of her chair where Hermione had hung her purse and sure enough, there was a black Coach signature purse hanging there. His eyes also strayed to Hermione's sunglasses which were perched on her head and sure enough, they too bore Coach's signature logo. At this revelation he broke into a new burst of snickers.
"Well, Malfoy, I think you've had enough of a laugh at my expense."
"Ahem, hah, yes. I guess so." But his serious expression did not reach his eyes and he burst out laughing again.
"Oh, I give up." Hermione sat there sulking until Draco finally stopped laughing.
"Okay and why pray tell was that SO hilarious?"
"Because Granger, THE Gryffindor bookworm, the same girl who used to spend 4 hours a night in the library before we started rounds, the girl who back at Hogwarts couldn't tell the difference between Madame Malkin's and Malted milk balls" -snort from Hermione- "is now a designer junkie."
"I fail to see the humor."
"Well, then I guess it's lost on you."
Just as Hermione was about to reply with a comment of her own, something involving an incident in seventh year when she had accidentally used his very expensive shampoo by accident in the prefects bathroom and he had just about had a heart attack, her cell phone went off and she picked up.
"Hello?...Yes, this is she. Wh..wh...who is this? My WHAT? But he's n... Hello? HELLO!" -click-
Hermione sat there looking petrified while Draco looked worried.
"Hermione, what happened? What's wrong?"
"Nothing Draco, uhm, would you mind taking me back to my office now? I have something I need to do." She smiled a smile that did not quite make it to her eyes which were fearful and alert.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine, just a little stressed. That's all. I get this way when a big case starts."
"Who was that on the phone?"
Hermione sighed.
"Okay, I'll tell you, but let's get out of here. I don't need anyone over hearing this."
Draco nodded and motioned for the check to be delivered. It immediately popped onto the table with a quill and ink. He checked the box labeled "Add to Tab" and signed his name, he also dropped a few galleons for Kris' tip and they walked out. As soon as the valet brought the car around and they had left, Draco asked Hermione what was going on.
"Draco, do you remember reading about the Christine Russell homicide in the papers?"
"Yea, she was that healer who was found murdered and mutilated in Knockturn Alley. You solved that case didn't you?"
"Yes, I did. Well shortly after I had taken on the case I started getting howlers and phone calls. The voice was always the same but he used different accents or he'd pretend to have a speech impediment so we'd never know what he really sounded like. Well, he started threatening me. He said that if I stayed on this case I would not live long enough to regret it."
"Wow."
"Yes well, of course I couldn't back down. I mean I faced Voldemort with Harry, a disgruntled psychopath was the least of my worries. I continued on the case and as you know, I solved it. However, the calls and howlers didn't stop. After a while I just started to ignore them and not pick up my phone but then, something happened..." She stopped, a look of pain coming across her face.
"What happened?" Draco asked as he turned onto the street Hermione's office was on.
"Well, I got home the day after the case was officially closed. I had just been to muggle London to visit my parents and go shopping with my mum..." she allowed Draco the opportunity to smirk at her before continuing on with her story. "Well I unlocked the door and my flat was a mess. The TV was smashed in, the kitchen was a mess. My bedroom was completely torn apart and several pieces if my lingerie and some very valuable personal items were stolen. I was disturbed but I called the ministry and they down body guards to protect me...actually, they sent Harry and Ron, but you get the point."
"Why didn't anyone know about this?"
"Well, obviously I couldn't let the person who did this know they had affected me so much so we kept it a secret. Eventually, the harassment stopped but then when I got home last night I got another Howler. From the same man. He warned me to stay off the Carroway case. Then he called...just now, in the restaurant."
"Hermione, I can understand why you're upset but, you're one of the most skilled witches in the country if not the world, and tell anyone I admitted that to you and I'll lie like a dog," she smiled "...so why on earth would such petty threats scare you?"
"Because Draco...he's aren't threatening me this time."
"What? Who is he threatening?"
"..."
"Hermione?"
"You.."
"What!?" Draco immediately pulled over and demanded an explanation.
"Well, uhm, apparently...that person was following me a little more closely than we had originally thought. He saw us last night at Jekyll. He uhm, assumed you were my boyfriend and well...here you listen, my phone has a call recorder on it."
Hermione took out her cell phone and pressed a few buttons before turning on the speaker phone. Suddenly Hermione's voice came on along with a man with a nasally crackly voice whom Draco did not recognize.
"Hello?"
"Hermione Granger?"
"Yes, this is she."
"Hello, haven't talked to you in a while. I trust you got my howler last night? If not, I can always send another one."
"Wh..wh...who is this?"
"You stupid girl. You don't remember me? I'm hurt, and here I was thinking I'd made a lasting impression on you. Well...I'll just try harder this time, maybe I'll go after you're new boyfriend."
"My WHAT?"
"Oh don't try to protect him babe, I saw you dancing with him at Jekyll last night.Tall, blonde hair, nice clothes.He's cute. Too bad you won't get to appreciate his looks for much longer. Bye Hermione, you'll be hearing from me again soon unless you get off the Carroway case."
"But he's n..."
-click-
"Hello? HELLO?"
The recording shut off and left an eerie silence in its wake. That is, until Draco got his wits back.
"DAMNIT, I KNEW BEING NICE TO YOU WAS A BAD IDEA! HERE I AM TRYING TO BE A NICE GUY, I CURED YOUR MIGRANE,I BOUGHT YOU DINNER, I DANCED WITH YOU, I TOOK YOU HOME AND HOW AM I REPAID? A DEATH THREAT!"
Hermione just sat there during his tirade and flinched at his insane arm movements and gestures.
"Draco...?" she said in a very small voice, afraid of setting off another episode.
"What?" he growled.
"I'm sorry, but I think of know of a way to fix this."
"Me too. I throw you out of my car and we forget I was ever nice to you."
Hermione flinched at his words and nodded before opening her car door and starting down the street towards her office.
"Oh bloody hell."
He caught up to her and rolled down the passenger side window.
"Granger, what the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Well Malfoy if you're so angry at me for making you the target of a death threat then I might as well just leave you alone. I will be calling you if I need any information about Ms. Carroway, other than that you won't be bothered by me anymore." she said, her eyes glistening with tears she refused to allow to fall.
"Granger, stop being stupid, I'm just upset. No need to go and get your knickers in a bunch. Now get in the car, I'll take you back to your office and TOGETHER, we will find a way out of this mess you've gotten me into." Then he smirked and added, "Besides, I don't think you'd want to leave this behind."
He held up her beloved black Coach purse.
She gasped and ran back to the car, opened the door and grabbed her purse. Then realizing what she was doing and that she must look like a crazy person, she sat down and grinned at him sheepishly.
"Well, lets go then..."
He smirked one last time and they drove the rest of the way back to Hermione's office.
Teaser:Draco is Hermione's boyfriend! How will they get out of this mess? Who is the mysterious caller? What's up with Cecilia's loved ones? All that in the next installment of The Crime of Passion.
AN: Sorry for the wait. Blame AP classes ( 5 of them). Thanks to my beta Trignifty for your suggestions and encouragement. Thanks for the Reviews. Please keep reviewing. No new chapter till I get five reviews. You know the deal. If I'm blowing off APs for this, then there had better be a reason.
P.S. The entire murder/investigation/discovery is planned (and only my lucky beta gets to know what's going on. You all had your chances lol). Now all that needs to be done is figure out how to get Hermione and Draco to live happily ever after. Wish me luck.
