AN: Abject apologies to all of my readers. November and December kicked my butt with work, illness and my rather poor judgement in signing up to do competitions and then not being able to write this one in between! If you managed to stick around this long, I'm grateful and hope you're still enjoying the story. Wishing you all a very merry holiday season! xx
Starched linen and the smell of disinfectant registered with her first before she rolled away from the pillow and rubbed her face to wake herself up a bit. After the days on the thin mattress in the cellar, this soft blanket and mattress and sheets felt like heaven. Wait, sheets?
She sat up in surprise, tense and still for a moment as she made a quick assessment of her surroundings. White walls, row of beds, secluded area with curtains, near complete silence. She was in a hospital. The dark skies outside told her it must be the middle of the night. She looked down at the bed and tried to place it, but couldn't. She reached for the medical record card strapped to her bed and frowned. New York Magical Maladies Centre. Fuck, they were still in America.
She tried to remember what happened, but her memories were somewhat hazy. How in the world did she end up here? Her surroundings would perhaps give her a better clue. The bed either side of her was empty, but across from her seemed to be another short row of three beds and someone was definitely under the sheets there. She craned her neck before spotting a shock of icy blond locks.
Her blood ran cold when she recognised it immediately, her stiff hands working to free herself from the bed.
"Draco?" she called to him gently, hoping he would turn to look at her and tell her that he was fine and just resting up under observation.
There was however no movement from the bed and its occupant.
Hermione set her legs down, uncaring of the hideous hospital gown hanging on her thin shoulders, and slowly got off the bed. She felt like a fawn, unsteady on her legs at first but slowly taking one step at a time to reach him. She was nearly at his bed when the door to the private room opened and Blaise came in carefully to not disturb anyone.
The moment he spotted her, he set his cup with coffee down and was by her side, gently supporting her. "What are you doing out of bed? You need to be resting," he tried to urge her back but she refused and continued on her way to the blond.
"Draco, is he alright?" she asked, managing to make it to his side and sit on the edge of his bed. His face looked clean, his hair was in place, he was lying on his side without any visible signs of injury. She was baffled. Did he sleep through all the talking?
Blaise looked at her worriedly. "Do you not remember what happened?" he asked tentatively.
Hermione shook her head. "It's so hazy… He got me out of my cell, we surrounded the house, and then they went in? What happened? What's wrong with him?" she demanded to know again.
Blaise flicked his wand and transfigured the chair beside Draco's bed to a two seater sofa where he gently guided her to sit with him. Hermione's grip on his forearm tightened, her nails digging into his skin sharply in distress as she could see clearly from this angle just how pallid Draco's features were.
"He's in a magically induced coma and healing on schedule. It took a while to fully stabilise him but he'll be alright in a few days. It was your statis that helped save him," he explained gently.
"What? I don't remember….." she murmured with a frown before he walked her through it.
Chris and Andreas kicked down the door and raised a swift shield around their team as Draco and two other operatives began firing body binds and disarming charms to secure the room. Like a Viking shield wall, they moved together, one step at a time into the room, the magical shields raise before them.
Hermione cast a charm on her ear piece and they were able to see the scene unfolding through Andreas' camera. It was messy, they could barely catch the images swimming past them as curses collided with the shields relentlessly.
"They have the guards," a small smile began tugging on the corner of her lips as one by one the guards inside the room fell down. "They're getting away!" she warned, seeing Pavlina shove the professor in front of her, the elder man falling to his knees as thick black ropes wrapped around his form. She ducked into the dining room where Hermione was tortured, followed by Sokolov who shrugged off all the curses that hit him. "Alice, are you seeing this?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, the spells are all being cancelled out by the ring. Switch to muggle forms of combat is advisable at this point," she observed.
"Andreas, lead the outside team, tighten perimeter. The rest with me, Chris at the front," Draco indicated as he took position at the rear of the group, as the leader.
Blaise cast a spell to connect their visual to Chris' camera instead. "Are there any other doors or exit points in the dining room?" Draco's voice came through the earpiece.
"Yes, a balcony door," Hermione recalled before getting Blaise's attention. He was the closest to the doors and Andreas was already moving around the villa to take position. "You should go to assist, I'll be fine."
Blaise squeezed her shoulder before getting up and catching up to Andreas to move in and corner the Russians. They never did though. The balcony door was boobytrapped and the moment Andreas pressed the handle to go through, he was thrown back into Blaise who was right behind him, the small magical field explosion shaking the house and the grounds around them.
Hermione got to her feet shakily, moving slowly but with determination towards them to try and assess the damage while all hell broke loose inside the house, shouting and curses flying through the air and the doors barely hanging on the frame. She cast a shield around the two wounded men. Blaise was already trying to sit up, his temple covered in blood from a gash but otherwise mostly unharmed. Andreas who took the brunt of the magical backlash remained unmoving on the ground. Only when they turned his head to check his vitals did they see his glassy lifeless gaze. He was gone.
The air was pierced with more curses and shots, as the battle inside the villa continued.
"No!" Chris' strained shout could be heard from the inside before several more shots were fired. The screams of pain that followed were chilling, Hermione's heart beating so furiously she thought it would jump out of her chest. Draco..she needed to make sure he was alright!
"You made me carry you to the house and keep Chris to the side while you cast status charms. We didn't know what he was hit with initially but you managed to stabilise the curse before he could be transported for treatment. Your body gave out soon after, I think your magical core was too exhausted," Blaise explained, rubbing her shoulder gently while she processed the information.
"Chris?" she asked after a moment.
"Fine, he's the one who shot both Sokolov and Vitalievna. None of their injuries were life-threatening, but they are being treated and will be extradited to Britain shortly. I've arranged the paperwork for their transport, as well as the transport of all the evidence we gathered at the scene," he reassured her.
"Did he see whom or what hit Draco?" she asked hopefully.
Blaise reached up towards the blond and moved the sheets from his torso, showing her the dark purple scar across his chest peeking through a thin bandage slick with ointment. "Looks familiar?"
Instinctively her hand flew to her chest where the same scar resided, still dark purple and puckered. "Dolohov… I didn't even see him there!"
"We found a crate full of polyjuice vials in one of the top floor bedroom. It's clear he had been staying at the villa under a disguise. Perhaps one of the bodyguards, or a silent guest?" he asked.
Hermione shook her head. "I couldn't tell you. I was in the cell most of the time and when I was tortured, I was nearly out of my mind. I can't reliably recall enough about the others present in the room other than Sokolov and Vitalievna. I presume he got away again?" she asked dejectedly.
Blaise shook his head. "He was killed during the raid, shot by Draco just as he cast the damn curse," he explained. "His body has already reverted to its actual form and he has been confirmed dead by the DMLE as well."
Hermione closed her eyes and her form slumped somewhat in relief. "Thank Merlin, it's a start. We need to catch the rest of them, but at least we now have all the information we'll need to find and prosecute them," she allowed herself a moment of silent victory before looking at the blond again. "How long until he's with us again?" she asked.
Blaise shook his head. "How long did it take you to recover?" He asked.
"Weeks," she admitted. "Can we take him home?"
He looked hesitant but inclined his head. "If you manage to talk the healer into it, I'll deal with the paperwork for you," he promised.
"Thank you," she squeezed his hand gratefully.
2 WEEKS LATER
"Are you sure you're well enough?" Hermione asked as she helped him tighten the bandage around his chest.
Draco took a breath as far as the bindings allowed and slowly pulled on the black shirt she readied for him. "It's the final mission debrief, of course I'm well enough. And I'm bloody sick of being an invalid," he grumbled to himself as he fumbled with the buttons. Hermione cast a spell to do them all up and helped him into a padded black velvet waistcoat that would keep his torso nicely contained and support the bandage.
"Stop being such a grumpy-puss. If you hadn't been playing hero and jumped in front of Chris, you wouldn't be hit with the blasted curse," she pointed out.
"Dolohov sent the curse at his back, I had no choice," he gritted out.
Hermione hummed noncommittally. "Sure. And Chris has been bloody miserable for weeks because you got injured because of him. So you better ruffle his hair, or whatever it is that you guys do, and let him buy you a drink to say thanks, or I swear he will be moping around forever," she drawled and gently smoothed down the velvet material of the waistcoat. "I'm glad you're recovering well though," she admitted, looking up at him with a small smile.
They were the lucky ones, they made it. Draco added to his repertoire of chest scars, the new puckered scar from Dolohov crossing down the middle of the silver spider web left behind by Harry's Sectumsempra. Hermione, now fully healed from her torture, had sadly added three cigarette burns to her back, paper-thin slashing scars onto her thighs, and her left little finger still shook and spasmed with a tick when she grew distressed or tired. She wouldn't be surprised if it became permanent, her body had endured so much Cruciatus over the years, she was wondering how she didn't end up a living vegetable. Draco's team suffered the loss of two agents, Darcy and Andreas, the latter a greater blow as he had been personally picked and trained by Draco.
He reached up to hold her hands in his, his gaze just as melancholy. "I miss them too, you know. I'm just glad we were able to get to you in time. The thought of being too late-" he wanted to express just how much the thought haunted him but his voice cracked at the very notion that he would have to live in a world without her.
She reached up and cupped his cheek gently, her thumb caressing his sharp cheekbone. "But you found me. You always find me, which is just one of the many reasons why I love you so much," she admitted is a soft voice, her eyes cautious but hopeful.
Draco's breath caught for a moment, the feelings that have been brewing between them for so long finally made real by being voiced aloud. He leaned down and pulled her into a searing kiss, grateful to Merlin, Mordred and Morgana that they were alive and well, and that they made it through the mission together. "As I love you," he pressed their foreheads together once their lips parted.
"You best heal quickly then so you can show me just how much," she teased with a grin before wrapping her arms around him tightly for a moment, relishing in the feeling that she could now do this without any fear of rejection or guilt for wanting to. The mission was over and they were healing, perhaps it was finally time to just relax and let themselves discover how they would get on once they crossed that line from friendship to lovers and partners.
A chuckle rumbled in Draco's chest. "I won't make you wait too long again," he promised, before she pecked his cheek and headed for the shoe rack to pull her boots on.
"It's Halloween in a couple of days. Want to see if Blaise and Michele are up for dinner?" she suggested.
"I'd like that," he agreed and watched as she wrapped a light scarf around her neck before grabbing the folder with the final report that they've been working on over the past week.
"Ready?" she asked, coming over to check that he had everything that he would need before looping their arms together.
"Let's get this over with, I still owe you that lunch," he grinned as they stepped through the floo and called out their department's address and access code.
They stepped out of the flames and Hermione just brushed some dust from his shoulder when sound of clapping hands greeted them from the team that was already assembled for debrief. Hermione waved to them all and motioned everyone into a briefing room, a grateful smile on her lips. They could allow a moment of celebration despite the losses they've incurred. It has been a difficult mission but they pulled through and made and an exceptional arrest.
"Thank you all for the warm welcome back," Hermione opened the meeting as they all sat down, "and for your work on this case. I can now confirm that we have Ivan Sokolov and Pavlina Vitalievna in custody, awaiting extradition to Berlin to the International Magical Criminal Tribunal. As we've been able to collate enough evidence about their activities impacting the gas industry and the environment in several countries of the EU, as well as the kidnapping and intent to commit international magical criminal activity, they will be tried accordingly. I have been assured that Theo Nott will be presenting the case from the DMLE team, and we all know his track record," she offered and let the chuckles die down before continuing.
"Furthermore we've been able to secure the following known Death Eaters: Augustus Rockwood, Robin Jugson, and Alistair Mulciber Junior. They are all facing life term in Azkaban or the Kiss, depending on their level of involvement with this case and previous evidence of Death Eater activity. The prosecution team requested someone from our department to aid in clarifying any evidence and supporting the research into further activities that need to be reviewed for the charges. I suggested you, Alice," she turned to her colleague who nodded in agreement with the solution. She needed to stay on desk duty now anyway. "Assisting you will be Erik," she smiled at the surprised young man. "As you have contributed to this case despite not having finished your training, I suggest you consider this a form of practical experience before early graduation. Alice will walk you through the processes of working with the reds, before you resume your final training."
"Yes, ma'am, thank you," he nodded, clearly pleased but trying not to show it too much.
Hermione hid her smile in her cup of tea before continuing. "We've also been able to secure the body of Antonin Dolohov, killed in combat and confirmed deceased by the DMLE. The other two cohorts that are known to us, Arseni Malinin and Zoran Ulyanov, have been captured and will be extradited to Russia for prosecution. The evidence that we've been compiling in this case will help towards efforts to stabilise Europe's gas industry despite the turbulent financial situation. Well done," she nodded in thanks to them all.
"And finally, we've received notice that the Ring of Dispel, the artefact found by Professor Hoxby in Germany is in fact the legendary relic from the Arthurian legends. As so little is known about its origins, workings and possible uses, it has been handed over to the civil Research section of our department to further investigate it. Perhaps in time we will be able to understand its full powers," she concluded and stepped aside, letting Draco take over.
"As you well know," he began, looking at Robyn, Chris and Wilkins who were acknowledging their victory but a deep sadness could be seen in their gaze, "we lost two members of our team in this mission, Darcy and Andreas. Their fearless response to the situation and creativity in overcoming any crisis situation will be dearly missed, as will their contribution to our team, and our lives," he acknowledged. Being such a small team, they were tightly knit despite the danger that they faced on missions. "Their names will be added to the wall of heroes in our office shortly. In the meantime, we will all have to go through the works and have our meetings with the mind healers, before taking a couple of days of rest. If you need any other support, my office door is open to you today and then when we resume on Monday next week," he offered. A few operatives will remain the office but most of the team needed a short break before they focused on new missions and finalised some of the active cases on their desks with the reds.
They concluded the debrief swiftly after that and Hermione left Draco to spend some time with his team before heading up to Level 2. She had one final visit to do before their much deserved break. The secretary got up to let her in the moment he saw her and she thanked him on the way in to the most important man in the country.
"Hermione, welcome back, and congratulations are in order I hear," Kingsley smiled proudly, taking the folder she was offering him.
"Thank you, our team has done well. I wish the cost wasn't so high, but we'll recover," she offered before sitting down, letting him flick through the report, nodding at the final actions and and recommendations.
"Very well. Mr Nott should ensure a smooth process. I will make sure there are no expenses spared for this case, and that he has any support he needs to ensure successful prosecution. How is Mr Malfoy fairing?" he asked.
"Recovering well, he should be good as new in a couple of weeks. Just in time to help pick the new head of my division," she said with a small smile.
The beat of silence between them lingered as Kingsley's gaze assessed her closely. "I take it I should be expecting a resignation letter soon?" he asked.
She nodded. "It's already in your hands, last page of the file," she offered.
"Is there no persuading you to stay?" he asked, not wanting to lose the most brilliant mind he knew.
"Sadly I don't think it would be wise. It would go against department regulations as Draco and I are no longer just colleagues. And I think it's time for me to take on a new rule, which I believe shouldn't be difficult considering my portfolio. I hear there is a recently vacated position that may be suited to my particular skill set," she inclined her head.
Her initial assessment about a mole was correct. Stephen Abernathy, the Muggle Secret Service Liaison was indeed on the Russian payroll, and worse than that, not just on their. As it turned out, the man was also passing information to the 'Ndrangheta and American far right groups working to undermine MACUSA's integration programme. To say that the Ministry of Magic was rather underwhelmed by the level of security from the Muggle secret service was an understatement. Kingsley was furious at the scale of information leaked and completely closed their files and ordered obliviation in certain cases to prevent further spread of their identities. It took a while to finalise the agreement but the muggle side relented to the demand for a wizard or witch being in charge of the Secret Service Liaison position this time around. It was only fair after their blunder.
Kingsley sat back and contemplated her words. It was a rather elegant solution actually. She was a muggleborn, understood the muggle culture and processes, would be able to better help assess the cases the Secret Service dealt with and detect any magical interference, and she was practically incorruptible due to her loyalty to the Ministry and the department she was currently heading.
"I will forward you the application form, though I expect it will be a mere formality due to your resume and fit for the job. I expect it on my desk no later than Monday morning," he finally agreed.
"Yes, Minister," she grinned cheekily before returning to her usual smile. "I'll make sure to train my replacement well, I have someone in mind. It should take only three to four weeks," she suggested.
"Very well, that should allow us to follow through with the interview process and finalise your contract. I must say, I hope you will one day consider an advisory role to myself, Merlin knows there is still a lot of work to do here," he pointed out.
Hermione got up and pulled on her light coat. "I think you're doing rather well, but if the Minister decides to call on me, I shall make sure to answer," she promised and with a final nod left his office.
Kingsley read through the file and the resignation with an amused smile. He had a good feeling about this change, something told him it would do the feisty witch a world of good. Not to mention he would be able to keep her council, and that he hoped never changed.
She landed back in her department, glad to see everyone finalising their own notes and clearance in preparation to take a well-deserved break.
"Ready, love?" Draco appeared beside her, his hand gently squeezing her waist to pull her closer to his aching side.
Feeling a sense of anticipation for the weeks ahead of her, Hermione smiled at him brightly. "Yes, I think I rather am."