Office of Percy Weasley
Investigations Department
Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Ministry of Magic
Monday 5th July 1999
9:35am
Percy smiled as he sat in his chair opposite Theo and Hermione. "How does it feel to know you are only a week's worth of exams away from completing your internships?"
Hermione started to speak but Percy chuckled. "I know you probably have a hundred and one questions about the exams, but honestly, Hermione, you know I cannot answer them. Your exams start a week from today, so after this meeting I expect you to go home and revise and focus all your energy into this. I don't want to see either of you inside this Ministry for the rest of this week. Not even in the library." He grinned at the face Hermione pulled, knowing how she loved to lock herself away in there.
Theo sat forward slightly. "After the exams, what then, Sir?"
"Well, I have no doubt you will pass, so once you have received your results we will meet again to discuss your caseload. You will continue to work together, and you will be assigned a case from the archives as your test case. Although, knowing you, to be the overachievers you both are, I would expect nothing less than for you to bring me your own case. Merlin knows there are enough cases coming in each day to keep us all busy for a lifetime." Percy paused to pour some tea. Hermione stole a glance at Theo, knowing where he was going with this.
"Actually Sir, Hermione and I have already been discussing this and we have a case we would like to look at." Percy smiled knowingly as he poured the tea into the cups. Theo paused before continuing. "We would like to look at the case of The Wizarding People versus Draco Malfoy."
Percy's eyes shot up, his piercing stare focused like a laser on Theo. "May I ask why?" he asked slowly.
"Because there may be grounds to declare it a mistrial," Hermione stated.
Percy's eyes darted to Hermione as he set the teapot down carefully.
"I would tread very carefully along that road, Miss Granger," Percy cautioned, leaning back in his chair. For a moment nobody spoke, the tension thick in the room.
"I assume this is something you have already spent your own time on?" he asked carefully. Theo nodded.
Percy leaned forward, his hands clasped together, his expression dark. "If, and I am not agreeing to this just yet, you have exams to do first, if I agree to this, you will have strict parameters in which to work. I would expect to be kept informed of your line of enquiry, and you will adhere to Ministry rules regarding timeframes and working hours. You will have other work to do alongside your test case, and as junior lawyers you will not be afforded the same freedoms as other more senior lawyers."
Theo again nodded his understanding.
Percy's expression brightened. "But enough of that, you have exams to prepare for." He smiled as he gestured for them to take their tea.
Office of Theo Nott and Hermione Granger
Investigations Department
Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Ministry of Magic
Monday 5th July 1999
10:02am
Hermione gathered her things from her desk into her beaded bag as Theo watched on, an eyebrow raised. "What the hell was all that about, do you suppose?" she asked quietly, her gaze drifting to the door as though she was concerned about the other interns listening as they busied themselves about their tasks. Each pair was to meet with their supervisor this morning for a final briefing before they were all herded out the door to prepare for their exams.
"That was a veiled threat. That was the Ministry telling us that we shouldn't get involved," he stated, watching intrigued as she continued to shove things into her bag. "Seriously, what is up with that bag?" he asked her quietly.
Hermione chuckled. "Undetectable extension charm. Comes in useful from time to time" she grinned. "Do you think he was serious about not letting us back in the library this week? Do you think he was serious about restricting our access to research that might be beneficial to our case?" Her face grew dark as she chewed on her lip thoughtfully, glancing again at the door and then at Theo.
"Yes, I do," he replied quietly, watching her as she turned to the bookcase, glancing a third time at the door. "Granger…" he cautioned, suspecting he knew what she planned to do. Reaching out, she took three volumes down, placing them on the desk.
Theo stepped forward causing Hermione to look up "Don't tell me you are going to be the voice of my conscience now, Theo?" she smirked. "Are you not a Slytherin?"
Theo frowned, confusion marring his brow "What's that got to do with anything?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow "Those cunning folks use any means to achieve their ends."
"But this is different," Theo argued, staring at her, his face blanching. "This could get us both fired." Neither spoke as they stared at each other, waiting for the other to back down. Finally Theo crumbled, groaning loudly as he raked his hand through his hair before pointing at Hermione. "Fine, but on your head be it."