For once, he was completely surrounded by the sound of air whirring softly through the stone Work and marble floors of the ministry. It was nearing just before 7am as he stepped through the empty archways, perhaps only a handful yet to arrive for the day.

Draco meant to be earlier than usual, knowing full well the Ambassador had a great deal waiting for him this morning involving the Dock suspensions. He dropped a sigh as he rounded the corner towards the elongated hallway, that beckoned him to his office door.

The room was darker than a pocket, when the door creaked as he slowly swung to reveal just a sliver of light from the hall, illuminating his rug.

The lights flickered on lowly before steadily waking up to their full brightness for the day. He hung his coat upon a hook before slightly adjusting his tie. A window might help the stuffiness of the room, or any natural light at that.

The ministry was always such a dark and gloomy environment to have to be in day in and day out. One might never know Night from day unless meticulously eyeing the clock.

A rapping so suddenly resounded about the room upon the frosted glass, as the door creaked ajar- revealing a small portly face.

"Begging your pardon sir" a stout man peered in, "There is Someone here to see you Mr. Malfoy"

Draco knit his brows, of course someone would need to see him- the Ambassador perhaps? Ready to thrust an entire Weeks worth of duties needing to be finalized within the hour?

"Please, send them on in" he motioned to the witch, watching to door steadily widened into the room.

As the door opened wider, a taller black haired figure stepped in, pace hurried before Draco caught a glimpse of the familiar face.

"Potter!" Draco was surprised only a moment, steadying his gaze upon him

Harry thrust from his hand, a Manila folder across Draco's desk heatedly, "The Ambassador met with the Minister this morning, they've signed off the entire team that's been on this investigation"

"Damnit" Draco cursed under his breath

"This entire case is being handed over, and setting back months of hard work from dozens of people." Harry was frazzled with anger, "Our trails are only going to get colder the longer we wait for the next body to turn up god knows when"

"Potter, I should have warned you" Draco finally set his eyes back towards him considerably "...Buckley confided in me that this could happen. I didn't think that he'd be so quick to actually go through with it"

Harry's eyes grew wider behind his round lenses, "How long have you known"

"Since yesterday" Draco heaved a sigh, feeling the same frustration burn into his chest

"We're close on something here Malfoy" Harry leaned his palms down over his desk, "I know it, we just need to buy some time"

Draco was caught hard in the wreckage of being struck with such an abrupt turn. Potter's stare was firm and burning for any means to overturn the proceedings. Draco's throat twisted knowingly that the Ministry could be facing a grave mistake. Harry was their best chance, and he felt helpless without possessing an authorities influence on reinstating his expertise.

"Look-" Draco's words were tedious to find at admitting his own lack of power here, "Under any other circumstances, given there was anything in my scope of authority, You know I'd pull a few strings- but this ones out of my hands"

"People are going to continue dying if the Minster allows an entirely new team onto this investigation" Harry's voice rose with fervor "-The only leads we have in this entire development could be lost without the aurors already working on this! We'll lose our advantage!"

"My jurisdiction is far out of this league, Potter" Draco knew Harry could only see reason behind his own morale, the man fought for his convictions through and through

"You Work side by side with the Ambassador, if you can influence him enough just to buy the department some time, he can reconsider his standing and retract the movement with the Minister" Harry was almost borderline bewildered, the tension between the men only mounting

They stared eye to eye without breaking contact, fires crackling in their bellies shooting sparks at each other. Draco knew this wouldn't be a win on either side, and Potter was not a man to back down when met with a challenge.

His hands were tied, even with his influence, the proceedings had been brought forth without his presence at the hearing for one reason or another.

Draco exhaled as though to mark a draw in the exchange between them, "...I'm sorry"

Harry's gaze bore down upon him coolly as his brought his hands away from Draco's desk, "Not as sorry as I am"

The air in the room suddenly fell heavy and chilled with the shiver that ripples up Draco's spine. This wasn't how he wanted the case to go either, but he could not Deny that Harry's foreboding was more than justified.

Turning on his heel, Harry made his way to the door, back facing Draco with a fist clenched and jaw set like stone.

"Potter, wait" Draco called out to Harry's back, If any condolence could be found to rectify their professional differences, he knew Harry Potter was the best damn Auror this Ministry had seen. He had respect for the man, even if there was nothing more he could offer right now, "If anything comes across my desk, I'll have it sent your way first. The best I can do is keep an eye out"

Without a word, Harry continued forward the door, and slammed it with a harsh resonance throughout his office, echoing the injustice of that morning.

Draco's fingertips met the bridge of his nose and forehead as a dull ache began to creep itself across his brow. How could he keep himself in the position he was, while maintaining his long standing relations as well?

The Ministry was not only testing his willpower, but his constitution as well.