"Wanna live like an animal,

By the skin of your teeth

Put your good face on, not foolin' no one

You're a jackrabbit underneath"

- Jackrabbit, San Fermin (2015)


Hermione was puzzled as the French Auror abruptly terminated the call. Fleur was an enigma to her, she was clearly dedicated to her job, working well into the evening. Yet, Hermione could have sworn she sounded a little inebriated on the phone.

Trying to correlate the girl in her memory to the woman she knew now she thought back to the Triwizard Tournament. She remembered Fleur as a charismatic, if not slightly snobby teen. Which seemed at odds with the aloof woman she was now. But then again, when she thought back to herself during that time she had changed a lot too. At fifteen, she had thought the answers to all of life's questions were in the pages of a Library book. She had also thought people were either good or evil. She smirked to herself, at twenty nine she was a lot more realistic and a whole lot less idealistic.

She wasn't left alone with her thoughts for long though, as Ron's daughter came into the bedroom. She had sought out Ron's old room while she was on the phone, which was how Ron had managed to interrupt her. Rose climbed up into Hemione's lap and settled herself there.

"Hi Rose, what are you doing here?" Hermione asked the little girl as her father walked into the room.

"Sorry about before, thought you were on the phone to your Muggle boyfriend." Ron said sheepishly, rubbing his hand through his messy hair.

Hermione glared at him over his daughter's head. He had sent the little girl in ahead of him, just so Hermione couldn't yell at him. Her 'secret Muggle boyfriend' had become a running joke, given how often the Commander from New Scotland Yard called her.

"Oh, I don't need a call to know he's at my flat waiting in bed." Hermione levelled back at him in a deadpan voice.

"What? Really?!" Ron spluttered out.

"No Ron! Of course not!" Hermione retorted.

"I was just teasing you, but you surprised me for a minute. It's ok to tell me though if you're seeing someone though. Or even just bring him along to these things, no one would mind. Anyway, actually came in to tell you Roxanne's birthday cake is about to be cut." Ron said, failing to notice Hermione looking uncomfortable.

At mention of the word cake Rose climbed off Hermione's lap and walked over to her dad. Hermione watched as Ron walked out with Rose. There was no mistaking Rose was Romilda's daughter. She had the same dark hair, dark eyes and olive complexion. When Ron started dating Romilda, Hermione felt only relief. Hermione had been happy watching Ron's dreams come true when he married Romilda and started a family. Her and Ron got along better as friends than they ever had as a couple. Romilda had even warmed up to Hermione after realising she didn't want Ron back, choosing her as Rose's godmother.

Singing Happy Birthday to a pleased Roxanne, Hermione looked around the very full kitchen. Except for Charlie, all the Weasley children were married and doing their part to add to the Hogwarts student population. There were already ten children between them, plus Ginny and Romilda were both pregnant. As usual Hermione could see Molly Weasley giving her a concerned look.

Molly constantly expressed worry about Hermione. Hinting that being single, childless and almost thirty was of concern. Although Hermione knew it came from a good place she was over it. She got that kind of nagging enough from her own parents.

Still, it was an enjoyable evening, using the rare social outing to catch up with her friends. Hermione didn't apparate back to her own apartment in central London until past midnight. Trying not to feel guilty about having the evening off at the start of an important case, Hermione did her best to get some much needed sleep.


Hermione arrived at her office half an hour before the agreed time. Which she thought was more than reasonable given her late night. It was soon clear Fleur didn't share her opinion, the French girl pointedly looking at her watch as Hermione walked in.

"Good afternoon Ms Granger" Fleur said without looking up.

"Oh, it's still there morning here in England Delacour." Hermione curtly replied. Noting Fleur's abrupt manner evidently hadn't changed after a full night of sleep. Although looking at the large stack of case files the French Auror had made notes on, Hermione suspected she may not have had much sleep either.

When it became clear Fleur wasn't going to engage any further Hermione sighed. The day hadn't exactly started pleasantly, a call from the Commander woke her up before her alarm. He was decidedly unhappy that he had learned more about the case from the morning papers than he had from Hermione. So that meant a visit to New Scotland Yard to appease him before following up any leads.

Weighing up her options Hermione considered the potential consequences of taking Fleur with her to New Scotland Yard. She had been naïvely hoping her French case partner would have transformed into a diplomatic asset during the inevitable stand-off with the Commander. Now she was considering just how much of a liability the French witch would be. The smug smirk that came over Fleur's face when Hermione's owl ringtone sounded made her mind up. She doubted Fleur could possibly make things much worse with the Commander, so she'd make her suffer his bollocking too.

"Just heading over now sir…" Hermione answered her phone, causing Fleur to look up. "Yes, I had to stop and pick something up from my other office. Sorry sir won't be much longer now.

Fleur was watching her as she hung up the phone, with a small smirk she asked "You're trying to pick me up?"

Hermione blushed a little at the implication of Fleur's wording. Wondering how comprehensive Fleur's colloquial English was.

"Yes, we need to go to New Scotland Yard and talk to my boss on the way to our interview." Hermione replied.

It was evident that Fleur had spent some time in the non-magical world. She wasn't phased by the short ride on the tube, or the metal detectors at New Scotland Yard. Hermione didn't run into any trouble until she asked Fleur to stow her wand.

"Non. I will not go unarmed." Fleur replied, crossing her arms over her chest like a teenager.

Checking her watch Hermione knew the Commander would be getting impatient. She didn't have time for Fleur's immature tantrum.

"Fine. Wait here then." Hermione fired back at her as she stowed her own wand. "I'll be back in around thirty minutes. Please don't break the International Statute of Secrecy or hex anyone while 'm gone."

Setting off down the hall at a brisk pace Hermione felt Fleur sidle up next to her after a few seconds. She tried ignoring the French witch, but she persisted in matching her pace. So Hermione stopped and looked at Fleur, glaring at her but unable to say much now they were in a crowded corridor.

"I'm coming. This rule is your English bureaucracy, not my obligation." Hermione didn't know how to respond to Fleur. So she closed her eyes and kept walking, hoping in vain that Fleur would disappear.

"Granger!" The Commander's familiar, grating voice rang out into the corridor. "In here now."

Hermione complied. And unfortunately for her so did Fleur. As the Commander looked between them a slow smile spread across his face. Hermione did not like the way he was looking at Fleur. It reminded her of the brainless infatuation the boys at Hogwarts had shown, following her around in swarms and parroting unoriginal compliments. Doing her best not to roll her eyes or sigh she kept her face neutral.

"Who's this Hermione?" he asked, like Fleur was incapable of talking for herself.

Hermione faltered, as she wasn't actually sure how to introduce Fleur. Any choice she had in the matter was taken out of her hands however when Fleur stepped forward, proffering a hand.

"Fleur Delacour, Head Auror with the French Ministry for Magic."

The Commander beamed at Fleur, nodding at her as held her hand a bit longer then he needed to. After he dropped Fleur's hand he turned to Hermione, the slightly vacant look gone and replaced with his usual stern impression. His look communicated that Hermione would pay later on for springing the French collaboration on him without any warning.

Turning back to Fleur he asked in a calm, gentle tone, "Tell me Fleur, why are the French funny Police here?"

Hermione saw Fleur's fist clench slightly by her side, but the girl suppressed any other outward signs of annoyance at being referred to as the 'funny police'. Staring down the Commander she replied in a flat tone, "Half a body was found our funny minister's office."

The Commander looked at Hermione impatiently, wanting a complete answer. She complied with her boss and provided a briefing him on what they had discovered. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Fleur switching off as she talked.

"Granger after this is all done I'll want an explanation from you about how the media knew more information than I did this morning."

Fleur smirked, "What a shame you English can't keep anything out of the media. There was no coverage on the French side."

Hermione tensed up, waiting for the explosion. When none came she quickly stole a glance at her boss, he was standing behind his desk gripping the back of his chair and looked red in the face. But, for once, he had managed to keep a lid on his temper.

"That'll be all." He hissed out. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth Hermione fled the room, glad she hadn't had to endure a tedious lecture when she was in a bit of a hurry.

"Still full of French charm I see." She remarked sarcastically to Fleur as they headed back to the basement.

"Well perhaps if the truth offends that man he should learn to do his job better." Fleur remarked back. Hermione had noticed that Fleur had an answer for everything, so it was easier just to let her have the last word.


The silence stretched out as they travelled further north of London. Hermione knew driving with Fleur was never going to be a fun road trip, but she expected more than stony silence. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Fleur fidgeting, again. The blonde was pulling on the seatbelt and trying to stretch her legs out. She ended up with her feet up on the dash and her seat pushed right back.

Driving was oddly relaxing to Hermione, it brought back memories of childhood trips and the sensible life she had envisioned as a child. She was so focused on driving she almost forgot her French colleague was there until a soft snore reminded her. With Fleur asleep Hermione decided to switch on the radio, quickly tuning it to her favourite Muggle channel. The music helped the miles pass quickly, at least Hermione thought so.

"Why is this taking so long?" Fleur complained, not opening her eyes or moving from the slouched position in the seat.

"We've only been driving two hours Fleur, we still have another hour to go." Hermione replied, trying not so sound exasperated at her peace being broken.

"Why couldn't we apparate?" Fleur asked petulantly.

"Fleur you know with Muggle media involved it will look suspicious if we suddenly did anything that would be impossible without magic. Like travelling a six hour round trip from London without it taking six hours." Hermione managed to say without sighing or rolling her eyes.

"We didn't both need to waste a day. I could have stayed in the office and you could have sent for me via Floo when you arrived." Fleur retorted immediately. Hermione bristled, that girl always had an answer ready.

"Just think of all the bonding we would have missed out on though." Hermione replied sarcastically, realising the next hour would really drag if Fleur kept up the nagging.

A temporary silence brought a reprieve. But typical of Fleur's timing she chose to break that silence during one of Hermione's favourite songs.

"Why do you answer to a Muggle?" She asked casually.

"Why is that a problem?" Hermione bit back. She knew she was exposing herself by being so defensive, but even after all this time she couldn't help herself.

"You are smart enough to be running the Ministry of Magic, yet you play Muggle babysitter. It just does not seem like an effective use of your talents. What did you do to deserve that?"

Hermione felt her hands tighten on the steering wheel. Although Fleur was perceptive she clearly had no grasp of tact. It had been a while since someone had so openly diminished the worth of Muggles in Hermione's presence.

"My parents are Muggles..." Hermione started quietly, "And during the war so many atrocities were committed against Muggles and Muggle born wizards. Strategies were devised and put in place to ensure Wizards were more accountable to protect all people, including Muggles. I mean you would have read about it in Runcorn and Umbridge's files, surely you can see why I needed to be involved on the frontline."

"I don't like the way that man treats you." Fleur replied so quietly Hermione wasn't sure if she heard the other woman correctly.

"Where are we?" Fleur asked at a higher volume a second later as Hermione pulled up alongside a nondescript warehouse.

"These are the offices of The Quibbler. They interviewed Runcorn two days before he died. We're speaking to the journalist who was the last person known to have seen him alive." Hermione replied, before she exited the vehicle.

As she approached the door of the warehouse it opened and a beautiful Asian woman stepped out. "I'm glad you guys are here, I've got some disturbing stuff to show you."