A/N: Thanks for the reviews. You all rule!
DISCLAIMER: Only the plot.
Chapter Eight: The Friend Dinner
"Ta da!" said Draco handing Hermione Marcus Flint's file, "This arrived half an hour ago."
"Oh, excellent," said Hermione taking it and opening it, "It says his ex-girlfriend put a A.V.O out on him due to stalking and domestic abuse. He was kicked from the Tornado's quidditch team for drug use."
"Messed up guy."
"Yeah. Worse then some of the other's," said Hermione reading other charges against his name, "He did time in Azkaban two years ago."
"What for?"
"Selling drugs. He lives in Knockturn Alley. The Castle Apartments. Number 14C."
"Shall we bring him in?"
Hermione nodded and placed the file on her desk. The pair grabbed their robes and badges and kept their wands in the front pocket of their pants before leaving with a crack.
The people of Knockturn Alley were becoming slowly used to their regular visits and said nothing as the pair walked through the grimy alley in search of Castle Apartments.
"I used to love coming here when I was younger," commented Draco, "Now I don't know what I saw."
"A young boy in a dangerous, dirty alley… you were probably curious."
"Maybe. My father did a lot of business around here."
"Do you know what kind?"
"Selling objects full of dark magic, buying things full of it. Other crap as well, but I don't really know."
"Here we are," said Hermione pointing to a grimy building a few buildings away from the Pub.
The pair walked in, flashing their badges to the buildings owner before heading up a rickety wooden staircase. People stuck their heads out of bedroom doors peering at them suspiciously before shutting the door hastily when they realised who they were.
"14 A… B and C," said Draco pointing to a dirty white door with a rusted handle, "Shall I knock?"
"Go right ahead," said Hermione gesturing to the door.
Draco knocked loudly and they were answered with a response of "WHAT?"
"Yo, man, I need some good crap," said Draco mocking some men from the mafia, "I know you got some good shit on ya, man."
"Got money?"
"Yeah man. All 200 galleons."
"Come on in, man."
Draco opened the door and walked in with Hermione close behind him. Marcus exited his bedroom and paled at who had entered his apartment. He reached for his wand but Hermione and Draco beat him to it.
"You are being brought in for questioning," said Draco.
"Do I have to?"
"It's that or get charged for selling drugs," said Hermione seriously, "Which will it be Flint?"
"Awww, a feisty slutty mudblood. I heard you were worth the ride."
Draco tensed but Hermione touched his arm frowning. She'd heard something, coming from the bedroom. Marcus paled even more and yanked out his wand shooting a spell at Hermione. Hermione ducked and hit him with the stunning spell. Running into the room she slammed the door open, stunning the person kneeling over a bound and gagged girl.
Draco ran in ahead of Hermione and rolled over the attacker, armed with a knife.
"We got him," said Draco lifting up Blaise Zabini, "Bloody got him."
Hermione walked over to the girl who was sobbing uncontrollably, "Gabrielle Delacour… it's okay. Your safe now. It's over… it's finally over."
HD
"Gabrielle!" cried Fleur as Hermione led her out of the interview room, "Iz she okay?"
"She was raped and nearly killed," said Hermione as Gabrielle stood silently beside her sister, "Take her to the hospital. We have done a rape test on her already. Tell them she needs to be checked over and they will give you the name of a good counsellor."
"We thought she waz at her home," said Fleur in tears, "None of us thought anything of not seeing her. Thankyou Hermione! I nearly lost my sister… you saved her!"
Hermione smiled, "It's my job."
"Hermione," said Draco softly causing Hermione to turn from Fleur, "We have too question Zabini. He's awake and furious. Is the knife being printed?"
"By Harry right now. Ron is waiting for the results from the rape test," said Hermione walking into the interview room where Blaise was bound to his seat.
"Ah, my bitch," smirked Zabini as Hermione sat across from him with Draco beside her, "You have returned for more."
"Guess what?" said Hermione with a small smile on her face as she leaned closer, "I won. I told you I would catch you. And now I have. Though I must say it was out of pure luck. You can deny it all you want. We have your handprints on the knife and I know you raped Gabrielle. She told me everything. You are going to Azkaban for rape and being behind all the murders. How does it make you feel that I beat you?"
"Bitch," growled Zabini struggling in his seat, "This isn't over! You think it is, but it isn't!"
"So you admit you did it? You admit you raped me, raped Cho Chang, and raped Gabrielle? That you made the murder's happen?"
"So fucking what if I did?" he roared angrily, "You think your so smart, you bitch! You know nothing!"
"I think we have heard everything," said Hermione gesturing to the guards, "Take him to Azkaban."
"This is far from over! It's only the beginning!"
Hermione stood beside Draco as Blaise was dragged out to be transported to Azkaban.
"Should we question Marcus?" asked Draco.
"You can. I want to check on the results."
Draco nodded and Hermione left at a quick pace. Draco watched Hermione walk away and sighed. Tomorrow he would have no partner. Tomorrow he would be looking for another job with another partner.
HD
"Hermione Jane Granger," said Harry holding the results behind him, "Who is your bestfriend?"
"Umm… you?" grinned Hermione.
"You bet I am! Blaise Zabini's finger prints all over it!"
Hermione cried out happily and hugged Harry as she looked at the results. She'd nailed the bastard! With Draco by her side the entire time. Ron walked in grinning as well and handed Hermione what she needed to see.
"Oh it is finally over," sighed Hermione looking at the two smiling, "He is being locked away and then charged with everything he has done."
"And you can get rid of Malfoy," added Ron.
Hermione gave a half nod, "Yeah I guess. I'll umm see you both later. I have to write up the report and that will take a long time."
Hermione left with the results and her two friends watched her silently.
"You don't think she?" said Ron.
"No… too soon. Maybe a little do you think?" replied Harry.
"It could be possible."
"Maybe."
"Yeah… in a long shot."
"I really long shot."
"Yeah… really long."
HD
Hermione walked into her office and looked up at the wall at the map of the investigation she'd started and had been added to by her and Draco. She looked over at his desk with scattered files and inkbottles, compared to her ultra tidy desk. She sat in her chair and sighed. Did she want to work solo?
She did enjoy his company. He had grown on her a lot, as a friend. He could make her laugh, he listened to her when she needed him too and he gave her advice she needed when she asked for it.
Shaking her head she pulled out a report file to go with the case. She began working away at it, filling it in with all the details.
"Already doing the report?" asked Draco an hour later bringing two mocha's with him, "Here. Despite you being happy enough, I thought we deserved an award for excellent timing."
Hermione smiled at him happily, "Thanks. You'll need to fill out a report as well."
"Yeah I know… I just can't believe how simple the case was to end. I expected a huge battle to happen… blood shed with more tears of trauma."
"Same. But I am glad it is completely over with. I don't think I could have dealt with any more twists and turns thrown at me."
"Yeah… it's over."
"Finally," nodded Hermione as she sipped her mocha.
The two fell silent at the realisation. Hermione turned back to the report and Draco gave a slow nod.
"I might go have some lunch and take the report with me," he said, "I'll catch up with you later."
"Okay then," said Hermione smiling at him as he walked out of the office.
HD
"Are you sure?" asked Kingsley frowning, "You both work excellently together. Look at how well you closed the mafia case."
"Yeah I know," said Draco, "But it was the deal Hermione made about my placement. She will want to remain solo from now on. So my best bet is to be transferred."
"There are no other positions anywhere for Auror's," said Kingsley, "The best I can do is give you the address of my brother's Private Auror Investigations business. He is looking for someone."
"Thanks," said Draco taking the bit of paper with the address written on it, "I'll send you the report tomorrow. And I'll come in later tonight to clear up my things. For now I have to move back into my apartment."
"Aren't you going to tell Hermione?"
"It's probably better off this way."
"Draco," sighed Kingsley eyeing him suspiciously, "Hermione is a special young woman. If you have something to confess to her… now would be the best time."
"Hermione isn't interested," said Draco, "Thanks for everything though."
Kingsley just nodded and watched Draco walk out of the office for the last time.
HD
"Harry," said Hermione as she left Kingsley's office later that afternoon, "Have you seen Draco at all?"
"I saw him heading to the reception around midday, but I haven't seen him since," said Harry, "Maybe he has some things to do away from work."
"Maybe," sighed Hermione, "Well I am going to go home. See you later."
"See ya," said Harry as Hermione left with a crack.
Hermione opened her eyes to be standing in her kitchen. She walked out to the lounge room and saw no Draco anywhere. She headed over to the cupboard and pulled open the door. His clothes were gone along with his bathroom things. Shutting the door Hermione looked over at the lounge biting her lower lip. He was gone. He'd done as she had said those weeks before. Once the case was over, he would be gone. And now the case was over. And now he was gone.
Hermione walked into her bedroom and saw an envelope on her pillow. She walked over and picked it up as she sat on her bed and opened it up and pulled the letter out.
She unfolded it and was met with Draco's writing.
Hermione,
Thanks for being a great partner to work with. Even if we did get off to a rocky start. I am glad I got the chance to get to know the real Hermione Granger. It's not everyday you get the chance to get to know someone who you grew up disliking.
Sorry for not telling you I was leaving. I am just following your wishes really. I have work already, so maybe we will meet up in the future.
All the best with your future and I am sure everything has fallen into place for you.
Your partner and friend,
Draco.
Hermione folded the letter up and sighed with a nod. It was what she wanted. She wanted to work solo and Draco had respected her wishes. She kept on nodding and saying it was what she wanted and was for the best.
HD
"Honey, what brings you over?" asked Nigel surprised to see his daughter on his front steps, "Never mind that, come on in. It is getting chilly out there."
"Winter is coming," replied Hermione as her father shut the door, "Sorry that this is unexpected. I was just lonely."
"What about the Latin named boy?"
"Draco you mean?" asked Hermione as they walked into the lounge room, "He's moved out. He was only living with me until the case was solved. I… I was a victim in it all."
Nigel frowned at her looking confused, "I don't understand."
"I was raped… again. Don't worry. I got my closure. The man who did it is behind bars. That happened today."
"Oh honey," sighed Nigel looking at her with concerned brown eyes, "You have suffered so much… yet look at you."
Hermione smiled and then proceeded to explain everything about the case to her father and why Draco had to move in with her and why he moved out today.
"He left just a letter," finished Hermione, "Now I am partnerless at work and living alone."
"But you wanted to work solo."
Hermione nodded and sighed, "Yes… maybe… I don't know anymore. I think I got used to him being everywhere I went. He was literally in every aspect of my life. You know, he has seen me at my worst and at my craziest when I am hyper on a mocha. Even at my best, which was today after bringing down Zabini and his mafia once and for all. It's hard to comprehend that he won't be there anymore. He has become a really good friend over the past weeks."
Nigel smiled, "Maybe a little more then that?"
Hermione looked at her father surprised, "I don't think so. No. He is just Draco."
"Yet you seem lost without him."
"I am not lost without him, Dad. Anyway, how are you handling things?"
"Can I confess something to you?" said Nigel a little unsure of what he wanted to say.
"Of course you can."
"Well… I'm not dying."
Hermione just looked at her father thinking she was hearing things. She looked down at the carpet then back at her father, "Pardon?"
"I haven't got cancer. I am healthy as a man is at my age. I lied. I know it was a big lie and wrong to do. But I wanted to see you and I wanted to know you were okay after everything. Plus, I knew your return would be your mother's last straw."
"So you're divorcing Mum and not dying?" concluded Hermione.
Nigel nodded and watched as Hermione digested the information. He was expecting her to stand up and storm out of the house never to return, or rant at him or even, maybe if he were lucky, to hug him happily. Which was just what Hermione did. She threw her arms around her father and hugged him happily.
"I am so happy. I knew you and Mum wouldn't last."
Nigel smiled, "She is living with your Aunt. Jerry doesn't want her."
"There is something I want to tell you," said Hermione, "When I lost my baby… it was a little boy. I named him Jayden Riley. He would be nearly four now."
"I bet he would have been a little thing of joy for you."
Hermione smiled and nodded, "I've accepted it was never meant to be now. Have you had dinner?"
"Not yet."
Hermione smiled, "Care to take a trip with me to the magical world?"
"Sounds like fun."
Hermione and her father pulled their coats on and then holding onto his daughter tightly they apperated to Diagon Alley.
"That… is a horrible way to travel," said Nigel looking at Hermione in alarm.
Hermione smiled, "It is quick though. Come on. Ginny's restaurant is this way."
"What is it called?"
"Love 'n' Harmony," replied Hermione as they walked through the alley.
Nigel and Hermione chatted happily with Hermione pointing out new places and reminding her father of their first trip to the alley.
"I was terrified that day," admitted Nigel, "Whereas you just seemed to fit right in."
"It is where I belong."
"Hermione… hi."
Hermione whirled around coming face to face with Draco. He was exiting a business building that contained different forms of businesses inside. Mostly legal practices and small medical clinics.
"Draco… I got your letter," said Hermione as Nigel walked over to a store window, "You should have said something to me."
"Well I didn't know what to say to you."
Hermione just nodded, "I guess I will see you around."
"Maybe we can have dinner… as friends tomorrow night?"
A smile crept onto Hermione's face at the idea and she nodded, "Where at?"
"My place? Six-thirty?"
"I don't know your address?"
"Here at Diagon Alley. The Appealing Flats. Number seven."
Hermione nodded and walked back a few steps over to her father, "I'll ah, see you tomorrow then."
Draco smiled and left. Hermione turned to her father looking more bright and happy then she had all evening.
"I think that young man has a hold on you," commented Nigel, "You just don't see it yet."
Hermione chuckled, "Possibly so, possibly not."
HD
"You look like you are on cloud nine," commented Ginny as she left her business to go to lunch the next day, "Harry said you have the day off."
"Kingsley's reward to me for the case," replied Hermione as they brought a hotdog each and continued down Diagon Alley.
"Why are you on cloud nine?"
"I'm not on cloud nine," replied Hermione, "Just relieved to-"
"Be rid of Malfoy?"
"No!" cried Hermione, "He is a good friend to me Ginny. In fact we have having a friend dinner tonight at his place."
"Right, friend dinner."
"It is."
Ginny just rolled her eyes, "I believe you, but million's wouldn't."
Hermione just sighed, "I don't like him in that manner. We only worked together for a month or so."
"A lot of things can happen in a month Hermione. Feelings can develop, cases can be solved… soul mates can be found."
Hermione looked at Ginny in disbelief, "Soul mates?"
"Yes, soul mates."
"Ginny, it took you and Harry years to work out you were soul mates. And it took six years for Harry to realise his feelings for you."
"So? It doesn't have to be the same for you and Malfoy."
"Do you approve of a never going to happen relationship between him and me?"
Ginny shrugged, "He makes you happy."
"He's just a friend Ginny," sighed Hermione with a shrug, "Nothing more."
Ginny rolled her eyes and looked in a shop window, "That is a beautiful dress."
The gown was a shimmering white with diamonds around the waist. It flowed freely, as though a breeze were moving it gently. The bodice was fitted looking and it was strapless.
"When are you and Harry getting married?" asked Hermione curiously, "You both have been engaged forever."
"He is caught up with dealing with his Aunt and Uncle," said Ginny with annoyance, "Dudley got a girl pregnant five years ago. And his daughter is displaying signs of magic… you know, making odd things happen."
"Oh."
"Oh is right. Now he is helping Dudley out when he can… which is when he isn't at work. I have barely seen him in two weeks."
"Maybe you should talk to him."
"How can I possibly talk to him when I never see him?"
Hermione went silent for a moment and looked at the ground thoughtfully before answering Ginny's question, "You could go around to his Aunt and Uncles. He will have no choice but to face you then."
"It would only anger him."
"Ginny, Harry loves you and he would want to know how you're feeling. Just give it a shot. It's the only one you have."
"Okay fine. You win, like always."
Hermione smiled and looked up at the dress, "When you set the date, do you plan on wearing that dress?"
"As beautiful as it is, I don't," said Ginny, "Mum and I are going to make one and the bridesmaid dresses. And knowing Mum, she will make Harry's outfit along with the groomsmen."
"Your mother just wants the best for you on your big day."
Ginny nodded with a smile, "I know."
HD
Hermione looked at her chosen outfit for her friend dinner. She was wearing a knee length gypsy style forest green skirt with black flats and a white short sleeved fitted blouse. Her hair was down and curled nicely and for once, Hermione was wearing a little makeup. Just some pale eye-shadow, brown mascara and clear lip gloss.
"Why am I getting dressed up?" murmured Hermione looking over at her cat, "It's just two friends, having dinner."
Hermione grabbed her purse and wand and apperated to Diagon Alley. She walked down the alley looking up at the building signs as she reached the residential end. Housing Estate, Wonderful Rooms, Ideal Home… Appealing Apartments.
Hermione walked into the building and smiled at the receptionist.
"Can I 'elp you Miss?"
"Hi. I am here to visit Draco Malfoy?"
"Ah, you must be the woman he has been talking about since his return. He is so excited that you are coming to visit him."
Hermione smiled a little, "He is a good friend of mine."
"Right, good friend... Well he is apartment seven. Up stairs."
Hermione smiled again and walked up the dark wooden staircase. She reached the landing and walked down a well-lit hall reading the door numbers as she went. Finally she reached number seven. She stood outside it and took a deep breath.
She was nervous.
Why on earth was she nervous? It was just Draco, her good friend. She'd been living with him, working with him. She wasn't nervous then. What was so different about now?
Finally she knocked twice and stepped back a bit. The door swung open seconds later with Draco dressed in a black shirt and dark blue jeans.
"Hello," he said smiling before taking in her clothing attire, "You look lovely."
Hermione smiled, "Thanks."
"Ah, come on in."
Draco stepped back and let Hermione into his apartment. It was a cosy place with a fireplace being the main feature of the living room. Two brown lounges with a coffee table in between them sat in front of the fireplace, with a stacked bookcase behind one lounge. Behind the other was the dining area with a round table and dark brown chairs. The kitchen led off the dining room and the hallway from the other side.
"This is nice," said Hermione looking around.
"No television," joked Draco.
Hermione smiled, "Have you become a television junkie?"
"Maybe a little... so umm… do you want a drink? I have some butterbeer."
"Sounds nice," nodded Hermione.
"Right well you sit down and I'll, ah, get us the drink of choice."
Hermione nodded and Draco walked off to the kitchen. This had a feeling of a first date. But it wasn't… was it?
A/N: I wonder what happens? Of course I know… but anyway. Please review!
Until next time…
Love yas!
Love Coz!
