Btw, I don't own the Harry Potter world. That privilege goes to JK Rowling (who should be knighted as a Dame.)

Chapter 4

Clues and deceit

The next day, Hermione managed to arrive early at the Magical Government of Japan. She was greeted by the Minister of Magical Transport and Tourism, Mr Inoue who she has already met at the Kappa sanctuary. She was also greeted by the Minister for Regulations and Care of Magical Creatures, the Minister of Magical Enforcements, their assistants and a translator. She was surprised by the number of people who attended. Each one bowed enthusiastically at her and presented their business cards with such a flourish, she was almost embarrassed about her solitary attendance. The translator mentioned that the ministers were excited to meet such a famous war hero from Britain.

They waited in the foyer for a few minutes longer as they made small talk. Hermione received an owl yesterday from her boss who gave her some good news and said a representative from Pendragon Travel Company would attend the meeting to represent the business interests for the project. However not much else was mentioned in the letter.

She was listening to the translator explaining an answer, when heads turned to look behind her. She looked back and was displeased to see Draco Malfoy walking purposefully towards them. Her stomach sank at the sight of him. He was immaculately dressed in pristine linen navy robes and crisp white shirt. Of all the people in the world, the Ministry agreed on his representation!

She noted how he walked with purpose and certainty. He bowed smoothly to the Ministers and when he turned to face her. He stared at her intensely as if his grey eyes could pierce straight through her like a deadly sword. Before she could say anything, he gave her a curt and rigid bow. She was thankful for the lack of handshakes in Japanese culture. It would have looked awkward if he didn't offer to shake her hand.

The assistants led them towards an elevator where they all crammed in. Malfoy stood closely and she could smell his expensive cologne, like bergamot and something manly. They were led and seated around a conference table, her and Malfoy on one side and everyone else on the other side.

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger for visiting us. We are very honoured with your visit." Said the Mr. Inoue. "On today's agenda, we understand you may have questions after your visit to our Tochigi-Kappa sanctuary. But first, my colleague has a presentation on our magical enforcement policies."

Draco listened to what he considered a presentation that's dryer than Professor Binn's history lessons. He glared over at Granger who was dutifully taking notes. Her face was well structured and it was too bad she no longer had those buck teeth. He also noted that it was also a shame her hair isn't as bushy as it used to be. It was still voluminous but it now framed her face.

"Thank you. Do either Ms Granger or Mr Malfoy have any questions?" Said Mr Inoue after the presentation.

Granger's hand shot straight up in the air, her posture perfectly straight. Of course know-it-all Hermione Granger has questions.

"I have some questions about your contingency plans in case of emergencies..." she continued to rattle on and listened carefully to their response. Draco continued to study her, did she always have chocolate eyes and a full mouth? Her ears were like smooth creamy shells; one ear was missing an earring.

In her fury of writing quickly, she knocked over her spare quill. Her chair slipped back quickly and bent down to fetch it. When she came back up, she tucked some hair behind her other ear. Her other lovely ear decorated with a gold Celtic knot earring.

The voices faded in the distance, a burning fiery anger started to engulf his chest. It all started to fall in place now, the way she raised her hand at the bar last night, her job as a civil servant at the Ministry of Magic, her scent of cardamom, vanilla and honey…everything. Jean and Hermione were one and the same. He slept with the Hermione Jean Granger.

He had to focus his gaze on someone else and started to breathe slowly like he used to when practicing Occlumency. This is not the time and place for him to engage in emotions. He essentially had a job to do, the real purpose of why he's here.

"If I may also ask a question, could you explain how you liaise with local businesses, like hotels to cater for visitors?"

An assistant answered his question and for the rest of the meeting Draco could focus on what was happening. Although he made it a point to not look at Granger. As if to block her from his sight, he can carefully block her from his thoughts.

He thought he got everything he needed from the meeting and how the Japanese government were helping their national businesses. There was a lot of inspiration from their work ethic. The meeting came to an end, yet he still had to focus on ignoring Granger. They were both escorted to the elevator, the ministers and their staff bowed and said their farewells as the elevator door closed. Now they were alone.

Draco wanted to confront her desperately about her secret, but in his years surviving the war and in business, he knew it was best to be prudent and certain.

"Granger, I believe you dropped an earring." He had pretended to pick up the missing gold earring which he had tucked in his robe pocket. Her hands fell to her ears quickly and he noticed how she swept her hair from her graceful neck.

"Thank you Malfoy." Draco noted how her voice was brittle when addressing him, so different from the night before. She placed her fingers over his open palm and retrieved the earring she had dropped the night before. Perhaps she's still oblivious to the situation.

"No problem Hermione Jean Granger." He took out the presentation notes he was given and had to pull it back a bit.

"It's a shame the font they use is so small." His other hand reached inside his robes and pulled out his reading glasses. They were made of tortoiseshell and handmade to suit his face.

He pretended to try and read his notes until he couldn't help but glance to the witch beside him.

Her chocolate brown eyes were wide as saucers, her usual full lips drawn to a thin line. The penny has dropped. The veil has been lifted. So many questions and rage swarming through their heads

Suddenly the lift door opened and Hermione wasted no time to get out of the confides of the box. Though, Draco was ready with his quidditch reflexes and caught up with her in long strides. He pulls out his wand, snakes his arm around her waist before apparating to somewhere he knew is private.

Hermione was caught surprised by the sudden side-apparition. She withdrew her wand quickly as soon as they landed, pointing it directly at Draco Malfoy. She noticed they were in a traditional Japanese room, like the one she was in last night. No, it was the same room.

She glared at him who had held his hands open, wand lightly balanced between his fingers. He was still wearing those tortoiseshell glasses which framed his steely silver eyes.

It all fell into place. He went to boarding school in Scotland, as in Hogwarts. He plays quidditch, his expensive cologne, the stories he told about his parents – how his father had ruined his family's reputation, his aristocratic nature. Malfoy's hair was more platinum blonde and she could see how the side streak he had as Orion was truly his natural hair. Actually he wore it in a similar style, short at the back but longer at the top. How didn't she see it earlier? Wasn't she supposed to be the brightest witch of her generation?

He looked at her with a focused look like a prey would to a predator. No, he was the predator and she was the prey to his games.

"How dare you Draco Malfoy!" She accused him, she can't hold back her fury anymore.

She watched as Malfoy's face changed from impassive to one of rage, as he stepped right up to her and gripped her arms tightly. "How dare me?! How dare you! What is this game you're playing at? Was it Potter who set you up to this? Or are you a spy for the Ministry?!"

She had to yank herself away, almost walking back into the balcony door. She could hear the trickling of water into the hot spring tub. That tub! Where Malfoy practically made love to her in it. She feels betrayed by her own past feelings, it was all a lie.

"Don't you throw accusations at me, I would never stoop to that level. If anything I would think you're the kind of character who would be so deceitful. After all you were the one who spent an entire year plotting to kill Dum…!" She put her hand over her mouth, already regretting what she was accusing Malfoy to be. An unrepentant Death Eater. She knows deep down that's not true, but it's too late.

"Get out now." He said through clenched teeth.

Hermione storms out but before she left, she turned around. "Thank Merlin we figured this out now. You're a sliar and I hope we never meet again!" Her hands flung the door shut with a resounding clatter as she raced down the now familiar corridor.

Hot tears streamed down her face as she went, her mind spinning wildly in contrast to the tranquil moss-covered garden she can now see in the broad daylight. Hermione ran out into the foyer and apparated to an alley near her hostel where still in tears, she packed her belongings and grabbed the portkey home. Although she didn't stay home for long, the minute she landed in her apartment, she grabbed a fistful of floo powder and threw it into the fireplace. "12 Grimmauld Place."

I'm so nervous to hear your reactions. Were you expecting that? What are your plot predictions?

I've got big plans for the rest of the story and it's been so much fun to writing this.

Riaroo400 - I hope the tension is not longer killing you now. ;-)

Thanks foreverkake, Pjyenn and all the guest reviewers too!