Potter's P.O.V.

"Look Harry, I know you've got your hands full with the Malfoy case and all of your other duties but we just had three field agents go to the hospital and we need someone else on the field with the Dunningham case." Kingsley said.

"Malfoy can't be farther than one and a half miles from me. I'm not taking him on that case, Ron's hinted at how dangerous it is." I said knowing that Ron was the lead on that case.

"We need you...you'd have to give Malfoy over to someone els-"

"Now wait a m-"

"No!" It'll just be for two or three days, then he'll be under your watchful care once more." I thought about it.

"Two days?" I asked.

"Three tops." He promised.

"I get to pick who watches Malfoy?"

"If you'd like, but it has to be an Auror, Potter."

"Hermione" I said without hesitation.

"Is not an Auror." He reminded me.

"Hermione or no deal." I rebutted.

"Potter be reasonable! I know you believe in Malfoy but he could still be dangero-"

"You offered Hermione a job as an Auror." I reminded him.

" .It. Down" While he was speaking his eyes grew fiery, something that would have quelled anyone else's protest. But I wasn't as weak willed as everyone else.

"Hermione put him in his place third year, she can handle him. Hell, they're even getting along like friends now. Besides, I trust her better than any of these fools" I said pointing to the office. "She fought alongside me for years, she can do this."

"One of my Aurors can handle him!" Kingsley protested. I pointedly looked out the window Kingsley's back was facing.

"They're already throwing things at him." I deadpanned. Kingsley spun around to see half his staff tossing crumpled paper balls, paper clips, and rubber bands at Malfoy. He growled and turned back to face me.

"Fine. Hermione. Deal?"

"Deal." I said smiling. He opened the door with a bang.

"If you continue to act like children I'll treat you like children!" Kingsley roared. All tossing ceased. Except one last ball, which was thrown into the air a moment too late. It flew through the air, missed Malfoy and hit Kingsley who was standing next to him.

"DAWSON! MY OFFICE! NOW!" Kingsley screeched.

"Yessir!" He squeaked and jumped up practically running to Kingsley's office. Malfoy turned towards me.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Yeah." I said, then stuck out my hand, and apparated us to Ron's. I stomped my foot three times in greeting.

"Why do you do that?" Malfoy asked.

"They like to know when I get here, so they know to expect me for dinner or not."

"Shouldn't they be expecting you every night unless you specify that we'll be at my manor?"

"Oh...right...I suppose so." I said placing my stuff down. "Shall we?" I asked, turning to see that he had left without me. I sighed but followed nevertheless. The sound of laughter floated up the stairs. I walked into the kitchen, but Ron wasn't smiling. I didn't think he would be, three men got hurt on his watch today, but no one would know that, not here. I walked over and gave him a sympathetic nod. He weakly returned it.

"Oh, there you are Harry!" Hermione said cheerfully. "Draco was just telling us how Dawson hit Kingsley in the head with a crumpled up ball of paper." She said, laughing without a care. Draco smiled smugly as he took a sip from the glass of water in his hand.

"Yeah, hey Hermione, remember when you said Malfoy could stay here anytime he likes?" I asked. Everyone turned suspicious eyes to me.

"Er, yes?" She answered. I took a deep breath.

"You think you could be his watcher for the next two or three days? Kingsley wants me on the Dunningham case."

"Oh, Bloody Hell Harry!" Ron cried. We all turned to look at him, me wincing slightly. "Had I known he would ask you I wouldn't have said anything at all! He needs to give you less work not more, and definitely not more dangerous work!"

"It's alright Ron , I don't mind." I tried to reassure. "And I'll take him for nights and stuff."

"I don't like this. People keep getting hurt on this case." Hermione said. Ron turned a curious look to her, he most certainly didn't tell her that. "Oh please, Ronald, I'm married to you. I know the signs when people get hurt, I read your face like a book, remember?" Malfoy looked deeply confused.

"It'll only be two or three days Hermione, I'll be fine."

"Harry, I'm not sure about this either. You haven't been on the field in quite a while, a lot of good men and women are getting hurt." Ron tried to reason. I was only getting more and more frustrated.

"Ron...I can handle myself. I defeated Voldemort!" I said, the sound of glass shattering caused all three of us to turn to Malfoy who was visibly shaken, some blood running down his hand.

"Sorry." He said very quietly, while bending down to pick up the broken pieces of glass and ice.

"It's alright Draco dear." Hermione said dropping down with some paper towels to help him pick up the pieces. Ron waved his wand wordlessly and Draco's hand fixed up seamlessly. Ron's healing magic was quite impressive, even for Auror standards. I would have taken Malfoy to see Ron that first day if it wasn't for the fact that he would be out at that time and I didn't want Malfoy to wait that long. Plus, Hermione isn't that far behind Ron. I, on the other hand, am not gifted that way.

"Sorry, I didn't think." I said to Malfoy, beating myself up. Geeze how insensitive could I get?

"No, no, it's my fault, no worries." Malfoy said sadly.

"I'd love to have Draco as company." Hermione said, giving one of his shoulders a squeeze.

"Thanks." I said gratefully.

"Really Hermione!" Ron bellowed shocking all of us. "No! No! I am this case's lead and I will not allow you on this case Harry!"

"Excuse me?" I asked, my eyes widening at the audacity and the betrayal. Malfoy let out a low, long whistle, feeling more like his old self already apparently.

"It's nothing perso-" Ron tried.

"Oh no, of course not. My best mate just doesn't believe I can watch my own ass anymore." I said.

"Oh stop being so dramatic." Ron seethed.

"Oh, I'm being dramatic?" I snapped.

"BOYS!" Hermione yelled physically stepping in between us so we would lose eye contact. "Enough! Kingsley requested Harry for your case and that's all there is to it. Now, I made dinner, so let's tuck in before it's morning." She looked pointedly at both of us before moving to the table and sitting down. Malfoy quickly followed her lead.

"Excellent food, Granger." He said after one bite.

"Thank you Draco." She said pointedly. Ron and I sat down to eat, sharing glares. "You know, if we're going to spend so much time together you really should call me Hermione." Malfoy winced.

"I don't think it'd feel...right." He said, shifting uncomfortably.

"Just give it a try." Hermione said encouragingly. In that moment we all knew he'd lost this battle. The poor unfortunate soul. Dinner was filled with stiff conversation between the two as Malfoy awkwardly attempted to call Hermione 'Hermione' instead of "Granger." Had Ron and I not been currently at each other's throats, it would have been comical. Instead, as soon as I finished eating I got up and went to my room. Malfoy came up not to much later while I was finishing off the last piece of paperwork I had brought home with me.

"I don't know if this means anything." He said crawling into bed after changing in the loo. "But I think you'll do fantastically on this case." He then pulled the covers up and turned over. I smiled dotting my last 'i' and crossing my last 't' before doing the same. I woke up around midnight to use the loo only to hear some whimpering. I walked over to Malfoy's bed. His hair was stuck to his face with sweat and he was tangled in the sheets. He whimpered and jerked this way and that. I sat down next to him.

"You're safe now Draco, You're safe." I whispered. He started to relax while I stroked his hair. After five minutes he looked peaceful once more so I went to use the loo. When I went out, I checked on him again, happy to see him sleeping soundly. I went back to bed knowing I'd have a rough day in the morning.