The rest of the morning was spent in a companionable silence that he had rarely experienced before. Certainly not with Bellatrix, being around her was like walking on eggshells. One lived with the constant idea that she was about to hex you, whether you had done something or not. This was far better and he found that he rather liked it. To be able to be in someone else's company without the constant need to fill the room with chatter was rather pleasant.
When the clock on the mantelpiece, which was still working by some miracle, struck twelve, he straightened and stretched his arms. His stomach growled at the chime of the clock and he looked around. "Lunch?" he asked.
Hermione looked over her shoulder and glanced at the clock. "I have to be back at the Ministry at one," she said, "But if you're going to make something, then sure," she said.
"It's not going to be complicated." He was a rotten cook and he knew it but sandwiches and coffee should be alright.
"Anything's fine," she said before resuming her work. He left her in the sitting room and returned to the kitchen. He located some bread and began slicing it, intending to make sandwiches for them both to share. A quick flick of his wand had the kettle on and the coffee made before he had chance to find something to put between the bread. There were a few bits of salad and some ham, which he used and before long, he had acceptable looking sandwiches on a couple of plates and some decent enough coffee too!
He entered the sitting room and placed the food on the table, which was now shining rather than covered in dust. He pulled up a couple of the chairs and gave his unlikely companion a call over. She raised her head and pushed off the floor to join him. She looked over the plates with an approving eye and nodded, "Looks good, thank you," she said before sitting down and picking up a sandwich. Thankfully, it did not disintegrate as she lifted it to her lips and he could supress a proud smile. His own was not so fortunate but it tasted alright none the less.
They ate in silence, again, companionable rather than awkward and again, he found that a pleasure. When he had finished his sandwich, he picked up the mug and wrapped his long fingers around it, taking a sip. "What do you actually do at the Ministry?" he asked, more curious than anything, "Besides babysit former Death Eaters," he added.
She looked up and raised an eyebrow at him. "I do a lot of thing there," she said. "Support for Auror's in a main one. A lot of administrative work too, for the Minister and his associates, proof reading, checking reports and making sure they're accurate." He nodded as she spoke, taking in what she was saying. "I also have to ensure they follow up on everything you have told them," she added.
"So, essentially, you're some sort of secretary," he said. He didn't mean it insultingly; clearly her role was important in some way however the way she said it, it made her sound like a desk clerk rather than anything else. She pressed her lips together, as though she was thinking about disputing that but eventually, she flicked a lock of hair from her forehead and gave a nod.
"There is a lot to my role," she said, "But, you're right to some extent," she added with a small sigh. He got the impression that there was a lot more she wanted but for some reason, was unable to achieve. He left it however, not knowing her well enough to question her further.
"I'm sure you're very good at it," he said instead. She smiled at that, seeming to catch on that he was paying her a small compliment.
"I do the best I can." He took a sip of his coffee then, unsure what else to ask her. She had already done so much for him in the short space of time that he was unable to dispute her in that respect. He was about to say something further when she rose from her seat and looked at the time. "Thinking of which, I have a meeting I need to get to," she said. He got up and nodded.
"Thank you for your help today," he said, meaning every word of it.
"You're welcome." She offered him a small smile and nodded, "I won't be back tomorrow as I have a lot of work to do at the office, however I shall be the day after, which is Friday." He felt a little disappointed when she mentioned she wouldn't be there the next day but he shoved the thought aside. It was rather disturbing and not one he wanted to dwell on.
"Very well," he said with a nod. She gave him a final smile before disapparating, leaving him in the Manor on his own once again.