(A/N) I planned to write most of this last week and have it out sooner, but with the arrival of Deathly Hallows part 2 on my doorstep, let's just say I got distracted :P So I made this chapter longer than intended as an 'I'm sorry'. Forgiven?

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and original characters. That's kinda why I'm on a fanfiction site instead of a private yacht.


Chapter Seven

The Splitting of the Group

He was late. But he would be damned if he actually cared. The bloody Golden Trio could wait, he was giving up his own time to help them, so they could sacrifice a few measly minutes.

However, he knew Potter and Weasley would be creating more dim-witted and idiotic insults the longer he wasn't there, each more pathetic than the last, and no doubt Granger would chastise him for being late, nagging at him about responsibility and such like. He had enough responsibility in his life to deal with.

Besides, he thought. It's only ten past eleven.

He opened the doors into the auror office, and turned to the first person he saw, who was just leaving his cubicle while carrying a large stack of papers that were balanced precariously on his hands.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Potter, Weasley and Granger. Where are they?"

The man inclined his head towards the left hand side of the open area. "Last door on the right" he instructed, before walking down the room, causing everyone to step out of his way, lest they be toppled over by a huge pile of papers.

Draco headed over to the door and took a deep breath. He could do this. He could manage one meeting with the insufferable twats without cursing one of them.

Then again, there was no denying that he would massively enjoy it.

He knocked on the door but didn't wait to be told to enter.

"Well come in then" he heard the Weasel snap sarcastically, and Draco's hand was already itching for his wand.

"Ron!" Came a sharp, warning voice from the left of the door, and Draco's eyes moved to see Hermione standing behind a desk.

Hermione was staring at Ron, almost daring him to make another snide comment. She then turned to look at Draco. "You're late" she said simply.

"Be glad I came at all" he replied, closing the door behind him. "I had some business to attend to at the Manor that ran a bit over." This was half-true – he did have to sort out a few issues with a case he was working on, but he could have stopped anytime he wanted. He just preferred to get it over with, and if that made him a bit late for the dreaded meeting with the bloody golden trio, then so be it.

"That's fine then Malfoy, just maybe tell us next time" she said as she walked around the desk to perch on the front. "We have the Floo network open here to allow calls, just not travel." She inclined her head towards a small fireplace in the corner between Ron's desk and the door.

Draco looked there and then over to the other two occupants in the room. Harry had merely looked up when he entered the room then continued to read a paper on his desk intently, as if he was trying to shut out the rest of the world – or rather, certain people in the room.

Ron on the other hand was leaning back in his chair, arms folded, and it looked as if he was trying not to say anything. He merely stared at the wall opposite him, but every now and then he would glance at Draco with nothing less than hatred in his eyes.

Draco couldn't understand it. When they were younger, sure he was mean to all of them, but he was probably rudest towards Granger, due to his belief that she was inferior to him in every way just because of her blood. So why was Granger the one talking to him and acting almost natural around him, while the two idiots had difficulty even looking at him?

"So Malfoy," Hermione began to break the silence, "have you had any thoughts on the case so far?"

"You mean since you talked to me about it last night? No, I haven't had much time." He said sarcastically.

Hermione nodded, a small blush appearing on her cheeks. "Yeah, fair enough. Um, so we should all probably discuss how this is going to work."

Draco internally groaned. This was exactly the kind of conversation he had hoped to avoid. Granger probably wanted them all to be friends and work together like a bunch of pathetic Hufflepuffs.

"Obviously Harry, Ron and I will be handling the case. Malfoy, we really just need you to find out as much as you can about these attacks and what people might be behind it. With you having a certain..." she struggled to find a word, "...past, we're hoping you can get some information that we couldn't. If it comes to it, we may even need you to go undercover."

"Well that will never work" Draco snorted. "Everyone knows how reluctant I was then, and I'm even less likely to start attacking muggles now."

"Hopefully that won't even have to be an option. But if it does, you'll just have to convince them you've changed your mind."

Draco rolled his eyes. She clearly had no idea how difficult that would be. However he would save the argument for if it was necessary.

"And of course, we'll have to ask about maybe getting another desk in here..." She continued.

"Why?" Three male voices spoke at her. It seemed like Harry and Ron were fully paying attention now.

Hermione looked slightly confused and she bit her lip. "Well, if Malfoy is helping with this case, it might sometimes be useful to have another desk-"

"Absolutely not" Draco said quickly. "I agreed to helping you with this, but I never agreed to having to spend even more time with the three of you."

"But-"

"He's right Hermione" Harry finally spoke. "Sorry, I'm willing to work with him, but asking us to work in the same room is just asking for trouble."

Hermione looked from Harry to Draco and back to Harry, obviously conflicted. "Fine!" She finally exhaled, throwing her hands in the air. "Be difficult! I'll speak to the head of the department about getting Malfoy his own office."

"Why can't I just use my office at home? Or here in the Ministry in the legal department?" Draco asked.

"Because, I don't want notes and pieces of evidence to be travelling all over the place. I want them all here where we can keep track of them. I think the office next to this one is free anyway."

"Fine" Draco said simply, while Ron and Harry let out a breath of relief.

There was an awkward silence before Harry cleared his throat and rose from his seat. Draco noticed that he kept his eyes low, avoiding looking at the unwelcomed guest.

"Okay, I think we should talk to the victim's parents. Kingsley sent a message early this morning saying that the victim had been identified by the muggle police yesterday and his parents were informed. I think if we talk to them, we might notice something that muggle police wouldn't."

"Like what?" Ron asked.

"Well, it might be possible that the victim knew a wizard, but didn't know that they were. Any connections we can make between the muggle and wizarding world could help us."

"What was the victim's name?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Lewis Fletcher" he replied.

Draco noticed that Hermione looked suddenly sadder, and he didn't understand why. Did she know him?

Harry, not noticing, continued. "So I think the three of us should go see them. Malfoy, you could, I dunno, talk to Slytherins or something-"

"Why? Because something bad happens it has to be a Slytherin, is that it?" Draco suddenly snapped.

"Yes" Ron bit back.

Draco couldn't help himself this time, and drew his wand from his pocket, but kept it pointed low, as if he was fighting with himself as to whether he should fight or not. "Don't push me, Weasley" he said in a low and controlled voice. "I'm not in the mood."

Ron, who had also drawn his wand and stood, merely glared at him, looked towards Hermione, then back to him, still glaring at him as he put his wand away.

"Honestly" Hermione said, disbelieving. "You're both acting like you're still in school! You're adults for Merlin's sake!"

There was a tense silence, until finally Ron muttered "Sorry 'Mione" and sat down again.

"As much as I like your plan Harry," Hermione said clearly, trying to pretend there had been no interruption, "I would like to make a small change. Something about the crime scene has been bothering me ever since we left it, and I can't figure out what it is. So I'd like to see it again."

"Okay, well we can go there after we talk to the parents-"

"Actually," she said hesitantly, "I was thinking that you and Ron could talk to them, while Malfoy and I investigate the crime scene."

Three sets of eyes were snapped onto her, paying full attention.

"What?" Harry asked.

Hermione proceeded to explain very quickly. "Well, we really don't know enough about this case, so we should try and get as much done as quickly as possible, while still being thorough of course, and therefore this makes more sense. And Malfoy hasn't seen the crime scene yet, and there could be some clue that we overlooked. Plus, you two are Aurors, and are trained to handle interviews in cases."

Harry and Ron both opened and closed their mouths, desperately trying to see a flaw in her flawless plan. Malfoy was just as surprised, but had to admit it made sense. He had no problem with this plan, and it was certainly enjoyable to watch Potter and Weasley squirm at the idea.

"But-"

"No buts, Ron. You know it makes sense. So I suggest you and Harry get over to the parent's house right now. We're wasting time."

Harry sighed. "She's right Ron. C'mon, let's go. We'll all meet back here at three o'clock at the latest. Good luck, Hermione." he said as he walked towards the door, Ron following him.

"You too, Harry, Ron."

Ron still didn't look happy with the situation, but nodded to her as he passed. He completely ignored Malfoy.

When they had both left, Hermione looked to Draco. "Umm...you might have to remove your robes. We're going to a muggle area, and they might get suspicious if they see strangely dressed people hanging around a murder sight."

Draco then noticed what she was wearing – a grey pencil-skirt and a long-sleeved white shirt. Salazar help him, she looked good. Even if it was in muggle clothing.

He didn't like the idea of dressing like a muggle, but he removed his robes anyway so he was just in his white shirt and black trousers, grumbling as he did it. He then quickly transfigured his cloak into a smart business jacket he had seen muggle men wear and slipped it on.

"I don't like this, Granger. I, Draco Malfoy, am in the Ministry of Magic, dressed like a muggle."

"Don't be so dramatic" she replied, shrugging on her own jacket. "You look fine."

She turned to pick up her bag, and when she turned back she wasn't staring at Draco Malfoy anymore.

"What the-"

Draco had magically altered his appearance so that he now had dark brown hair, and his eyes were so dark they were nearly black. His hair was also slightly longer and he had a small beard.

"What are you doing Malfoy?"

"I already told you, Granger, I look like a muggle, and I refuse to let anyone see Draco Malfoy dressed as a muggle."

"You are being ridiculous! Do you really care that much about being associated with muggles? Are they that bad that you can't even be seen looking like one?"

Draco thought she seemed angrier, and possibly a little more hurt, than was reasonable. And then he realised; she thought he was still prejudiced towards them and their blood.

"Bloody hell, Granger, that's not what I meant. It's not that I don't want to be seen dressed like this because I think muggles are inferior, it's just that wizards have a certain way of dressing, and although many do dress more like muggles nowadays, the Malfoy family is a very old, traditional one. And I refuse to be seen wearing anything other than what is expected of me. My family may have lost a lot of respect during the war, but I will still try and gain respect any way I can, and dressing like a muggle instead of a wizard won't help me."

Hermione still didn't look entirely convinced, but she relaxed her shoulders slightly and sighed. "Fine, Malfoy, but at least go back to looking normal when we get to the crime scene. It's weird seeing you look like that."

"Deal. Now, should we go?"

Hermione nodded and led him out the door. Although she was in front of him to begin with, Draco was taking long, quick strides down the corridors and soon overtook her. Grumbling, Hermione sped up her steps.

She was nearing the lifts when she saw him quickly slip into the front of an overcrowded one just as the golden grills began to close. Huffing in frustration, she watched as Draco's smirking face disappeared from sight.

It's going to be impossible to work with him if he keeps acting like this she thought as she stabbed the 'down' button by another lift a little harder than necessary.

When she finally reached the atrium, she looked around and spotted him leaning against a nearby wall, one foot propped up behind him resting on it. His smirk only grew as she walked up to him, an irritated look on her face.

"Are you in some sort of hurry?" she asked snippily.

"Well I was under the impression you wanted this done as quickly as possible. Isn't that why you split up the dream team?"

"I do want this done quickly, but I don't see how you racing ahead and then waiting for me speeds it up!"

"You could have considered it motivation to hurry up. Now shouldn't we be going?" he continued before she had a chance to retort, "You're wasting time by discussing this."

With that, he shrugged away from the wall and headed towards a nearby fireplace, leaving Hermione opening and closing her mouth in disbelief.

"Will you hurry up Granger?" he called to her over the crowd of people. "I don't know where the bloody hell we're going."

Hermione shook her head and walked over to him. She wasn't sure if she could get used to this new Malfoy. Ignoring the times she'd briefly seen him around the ministry, and now and then in Diagon Alley, the last time she had really seen him was during the Battle of Hogwarts, and he seemed somewhat lost during it. She also remembered how stressed and distracted he had been during their sixth year, and she realised with a stab of pity that he had been forced to grow up too quickly.

But now...It wasn't like he was a changed man. In many ways, he was still the arrogant prick she and her classmates had had to endure while they were at Hogwarts. But something was different, deep down. He almost seemed more light-hearted. She knew he wouldn't be acting like this around her while they were at school. He would have just constantly sneered at her, and otherwise ignored her, only breaking his silence to insult her and call her a mudblood.

She took a quick glance towards her left arm, where today her horrid scar was covered by her long shirt sleeve.

Shaking her head again slightly to clear her thoughts, she arrived at Malfoy's side by the fireplace.

"We'll just apparate straight there. But since you don't know where the apparation point is..." she bit her lip.

"Spit it out, Granger."

"You'll have to side-along apparate" she said, holding out her hand, half-expecting him to have a disgusted look on his face and step away from her. But she told herself not to look away from him as she put her hand out.

Draco looked at her for a moment, before he looked away into the fire with a shrug. "Fine."

He grasped her hand, and she was surprised to find it so warm in hers. It was soft, and yet slightly hardened, probably from fighting in the war and years of Quidditch.

Hermione took a deep breath, and together they stepped into the flames.


"Remind me again why we're here and Hermione is with Ferret-face?"

Harry sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Because it was her idea, and I think she has a point. You really should stop fighting this Ron."

Ron seemed to struggle with what he was trying to say, and he ran his hand through his hair. "I know...but it's just- it's like, I can't-" He stopped again to continue running his hand through his hair. "It's Draco Malfoy! Something about him makes me go crazy, and every time I see him I just want to-" Ron screwed up his face and punched his fist. "You know?"

Harry just nodded as he opened the gate into a small and tidy garden. There were flowers lining the path up to the door, and a small hanging basket next to it. "But unfortunately we need his help." Harry continued as they walked up the path. "And I'm willing to try and put the past behind us and focus on the present." He rang the door bell and it made a soft chiming noise which they could hear reverberate through the house.

"So you forgive him for everything he did in the past? Everything he did to us?" Ron asked incredulously.

"No" Harry said simply. "I'm just not going to let it affect how I act towards him now."

The door opened, and a tall woman in her late forties stood before them. Her face was pale and it looked like she had been crying earlier.

"Hello, Mrs Fletcher?" Harry asked.

The woman shook her head. "I'm Mary Bright. I'm a family friend of the Fletchers, I live a few doors down."

"Oh. Would it be possible to speak with Mr and Mrs Fletcher?" Harry asked politely.

"They've already spoken to the police" she said. "Why do you need to see them again so soon?"

"We're not the police. We investigate cases that are a bit more...complicated. That there may be more to it than it seems."

"What sort of things?" Mrs Bright asked suspiciously.

"We're really not at liberty to say right now. We just need to talk to Lewis Fletcher's parents."

Mrs Bright didn't say anything for a moment, simply stared at them, like she was trying to assess them. Finally, she slowly nodded and opened the door further.

"Thank you" Harry said as he and Ron stepped in and Ron closed the door.

Again Mrs Bright just stared at them for a few seconds before she said in hushed tones "I trust you understand the pain they are going through. Lewis was their only son. I would hope you don't cause them any more stress or grief."

Harry and Ron nodded, and she led them into a room on the left side of the hall.

"Claire, Matthew, there are two men here. They say they need to ask you some questions."

Over her shoulder, Harry and Ron saw a couple around the same age as Mrs Bright sitting on a couch on the left side of the room. The man had his arm around his wife who was leaning her head on his shoulder. The woman was crying a constant stream of silent tears, and her husband looked thoroughly shaken.

The man spoke to Mrs Bright. "We've already spoken to people."

"They say they're not exactly the police. They deal with more...complex cases."

"What do you mean?" Mrs Fletcher said, raising her head from her husband's shoulder. She spoke directly to Harry and Ron. "What's complex about our son's murder?"

Mrs Bright stepped into the room and directed Harry and Ron to the couch opposite the grieving parents. They sat down and explained that they had reason to believe that the incident was not a simple murder, but they were unable to tell them what evidence they had to lead them to this suspicion. Mr and Mrs Fletcher, understandably, weren't happy with this.

"He's our son" Mr Fletcher said to them. "We should get to know anything to do with this case!"

"I'm really sorry sir" Ron said. "But it's the rules we have to follow. It usually means we can be more efficient with solving the case."

Of course, everything Harry and Ron said to them was a complete lie, and it pained them to do it, but they knew they had to. They couldn't reveal the Wizarding World, even to grieving parents.

Mr Fletcher looked like he wanted to argue, but his wife gently put her hand over his.

"It's okay Matthew. If it helps them solve this case quicker, then I don't really care. All I want is for the person who did this to be arrested, so we can have justice for Lewis' death."

Her husband looked at her and reluctantly nodded. Then he turned back to Harry and Ron.

"Okay" he said. "What can we help you with?"


Hope you liked it! Next chapter will have the rest of the interview, and Draco and Hermione at the crime scene. :)

Reviews please! If I was evil, I would refuse to write any more until I get more reviews. But I'm a nice person :P