Chapter 4 : Needing a new start
He did not regret his decision to leave his previous job. Since the end of his eighth year at Hogwarts - a year his mother had persuaded him to attend, claiming he needed a proper school year after the last chaotic ones (and she had insisted on the « chaotic » part) – he had been working for the Ministry, in the Magical Low Enforcement Depatment, in the Improper Use of Magic office. His father, though in Azkaban, still had connections among the employees there, and they were more than willing to have the Malfoy son working in their office. He could have liked his job. Hell, most people would have wanted it. It was the most important Deparment, as all others refered to it, and as it only answered to the Minister himself. Not the most glorious office, which was definitly that of the Aurors (and which, had him wanted, he would never have been allowed to enter), but still commanding other's respect. As Second Secretary, he was more than well paid. And, though some collegues still were a bit wary of him due to his family's history, most treated him with respect.
But here was the problem, some respected him a bit too much. He never told his parents, but it was at work that he met the most people reminding him of « the good old times » as they said. He had read reports of collegues being far too indulgent with the misuses from some old families' wizards, while being way more strict with less famous ones. These same collegues sometimes even seem to be waiting for him to show approval for their decisions. And he didn't like it. It made him feel uneasy, fed the guilt that sometimes kept him awake all night. He needed out of this poisonous environment.
So he started thinking about other job options for him. Of course, he did not really need to work. Even with more than half of the family treasure taken by his parents to start their new lives, he still had enough money to live a rather comfortable life without doing anything. Especially as after her death, half Bellatrix's belongings went to the Malfoy family. And she, too, had wealth beyond all needs. But Draco did not want to live the same way his parents did when he was a child, he needed to do something, apart from spreading prejudices and bribing the Ministry. He would not have remained sain, had he spend all days alone in the somber manor. So he concidered investing in potions trades. Potions had always been his forte. But he would soon have nothing much to do, after having hired a few employees, so it would not do him much good. He needed real work, something to keep his mind busy, to feel useful if possible. And more than all this, to be with people who would never praise his family's past actions.
This last part was the trickiest. For the other two, he had concluded that he should remain within the Ministry if possible, only in another Department. That way, he would always have something to do, even if sometimes just reports to fill or read. But where ? The Ministry was full of old wizards from ancient families, and it was among them that were most of the people he was trying to avoid. Once, he concidered the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office for a brief moment, then laughed – though bitterly – at himself for such a foolish idea. Of course, there, he would find no dignified wizard. But first and foremost, there was no way he would be allowed there, even with Mr Weasley's famous indulgence. And anyways, there were only three members for this office (one had been added a year ago to the original two), and none seemed eager to move from there. Plus his father might have a seizure if his own son were to join a muggle related office.
He kept thinking for a while, looking into the departures in the other offices. First, an old wizard had retired in the Department of Magical Transportation. Draco barely had the time to consider applying there that the place was taken already by a man coming, if he'd heard correctly, from the newest Department (led by none other than the great Granger heroine). Then about a month later, he heard that a secretary from an office in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes had left to raise her newborn child. But then again, her job was soon after taken by another guy from the same Department as the last one.
« Tough luck », he thought, « to loose two employees in such a short period, Granger must be having a hard time. » He did not really pity her, as guilty as he felt about her, he had no friendly feelings for her. It was hard to be fond of someone you learned to despise for years, especially when their cries deprived you from sleep more often than not. But he could no longer deny she had proven to be an amazing witch, nor that she had had a rougher life than he did. In a way, he probably hoped she would have an easy life now that the war was over, so that it would help him get over his guilt.
As he was casually discussing the matter with the First Secretary (leaving aside the part about his conflicted feelings), she shruged :
« Well, it's not too surprising, really. I wouldn't work for this Department either, if given the choice. I mean, appart from being led by one of the Three, there's nothing in it. Can't make a name working there, it's almost as bad as working for the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office ! »
She laughed a bit, though not echoed by Drago who regretted having forgotten that she was among those he wished to avoid. But suddenly, his mood improved, as the craziest idea bloomed in his mind. It was absurd, even more than working for Mr Weasley, and people would probably think he'd gone mad if ever he talked about his idea to anyone. God, even he was wondering whether he hadn't gone mad indeed. But it was the surest way to work only with people who had nothing to do with the old ideals : working for Hermione Granger.
Then doubt came rushing back, asking questions, some who had easy answers, and some who's answers he dreaded to find out. Was there an empty spot in her Department at the moment ? Easy : no, but surely, one would spring as soon as someone elswhere would leave. Would the job satisfy him ? Easy also : yes, he was certain that whatever she would ask for, it would be serious (whether he agreed or not with the overall ideas) and would require such focus from him that he would not have time to brood over his grim thoughts. What would his parents say when they learn that he's working for her ? Probably that it is not the right choice to make a great career, maybe they would try changing his mind, but he knew he would stand his ground. What would she say when he applies for a job in her Department ? Would she even consider his application ? He wasn't sure at all, she, more than anyone, more even than Potter or Weasley would have all the reasons in the world to refuse him. And the most harrowing question of all : if she were to accept him, how would he feel, working everyday with the person he hears screaming for help at night, the very same person he's been careful not to cross paths with during all his time working at the Ministry ? He didn't want to think about it...
He spend the rest of his day considering this option, finding it brilliant a minute, and then terrible the next one. He needed to leave his Department, and could see no safer one than hers, but he feared meeting her gaze. He thought, thought for hours, until late in the night, until he heard the familiar piano piece from the magical clock. And eventually, exhausted, almost unconscious of his actions, he took a piece of parchement, a bottle of ink and a quill, and he wrote his resignation letter.
He handed the letter the next morning, directly to the Minister himself, as he was the real head of this Department. He didn't give much reasons, only expressed a need for a change, and thankfully, no questions were asked. He knew he could (and should) have given the letter to the head of his office, but he was certain that, had he done that, the man would have bombarded him with questions about his decision, what he wanted to do know, and why he was not satisfied here. He didn't want to have to give his reasons, nor to lie. The Minister having told Draco that he would inform his office head at the end of the day that he was leaving, the blond haired man kept quiet about it all day, only packing his (very) few belongings before going home in the evening, not to come back in the office anymore.
He thought that he would have some time before a spot went vacant in the Deparment of International Cooperation and Justice for Magical Beings. After all, it was not every day that people resigned from the Ministry, so no one in Hermione Granger's Department would have an opportunity to change place in the next few days. But in his hasty calculations, he had forgotten that yes, a spot had just gotten vacant in another Department : his. Two days after his resignation, he was informed by the newpapers that a place as field worker had just gone vacant in her office, and that « Miss Granger informed that she urgently needed someone to fill in ». He wasn't ready. Not so soon. He needed time to prepare himself to meet her after all those years. So he didn't send an application file, feeling too confused for now, and was thus certain that someone else would take the job before he did.
But he was wrong again. Four days later, as he was still brooding over his missed opportunity, absent-mindedly reading the day's newspapers, he noticed another advertisement for a job at the Ministry. As he focused on it, he realised that it was the same job, and almost the exact same ad, only with three more words in bold letters : « Serious candidates only ! » He blinked, slowly processing the meaning of the message, then laughed genuinely. So no one had been good enough for the « brightest witch of her age » ? Well, it was not really surprising, he had no trouble imagining her exasperated by her candidates for what she would consider to be a cruel lack of knowledge. He'd seen her do so with her own classmates more than once. Then amusement made way for a new confidence. The post was still vacant, and the employer was setting high standards for the job. If so, she would probably favor the current qualities over the past faults. And he had qualities, that he knew. He was rather knowledgeable, had (through his family) a few connections in other countries such as France or Germany, knew how to behave in front of important people – and he was a pure blood wizard, though he knew she did not see this as an advantage of any kind. Maybe he did stand a chance after all. No, in fact, his pride whispered that he had to stand more chances than any of the previous candidates, that she had to acknowledge his qualities. As his natural arrogance quietened his previous doubts, he knew it was now or never. So he stood, went to one of the bathrooms to smarten up, and without even writing down an application file, he used the main floo to reach the Ministry's main hall. There, he annonced at the guardian that he was coming for an interview at the Deparment of International Cooperation and Justice for Magical Beings, and was shown the way down to the right era.
The reception was rather empty and very quiet, reminding him of the Hogwarts' library. There was an elegant desk made of what he suspected to be gum tree wood due to colour (a very light brown with almost pinkish reflections), a red carpet floor and two ceiling lights. Behind the desk was a woman in her late thirties, with short brown hair, who raised her head from whatever she was doing upon hearing Drago's arrival.
« Good day Sir. I am Mrs Plunkett, Mrs Granger's First Secretary. May I help you ? »
As Draco approached the desk, he noticed a little jar on top of it, with a blue flame inside.
« Good day, I am here to apply for the field worker post, if it is still available. »
« I see... I must inform you that Mrs Granger does not accept candidates who cannot promise to stay for at least the next five months, as she has an important journey arriving. »
Oh. So maybe she had not refused the previous ones due to their lack of qualities, but only because they could not stay that long. His confidence lowered a bit, but his pride still pushed him forward.
« It's fine by me, really. I'm here to stay if possible. »
« But what if another Department was to offer you a better job ? Maybe the Law Enforcement, who knows ? I dare say it is rather more prestigious than our own. »
Drago frowned. What was this woman playing at ? Could it be that even here, he would meet those superficial witches and wizards ? He would have thought that Hermione Granger would have chosen her employees more carefully. When he answered, he was a bit colder, though still polite.
« I come from the Law Enforcement, and I have no intention of going back, or even going to any other Department, but thank you for you concern, Mrs Plunkett. May I be allowed to apply for the job, now ? »
To his surprise, the woman smiled at him, rose and walked around her desk to stand in front of him.
« Very well, I shall inform Mrs Granger of your presence. May I have you name ? »
« Mr Malfoy. Thank you. »
If his eyes didn't drift to the little jar once more, Draco would have noticed the small start of the lady in front of him as she realised who he was. But one his gaze rose again, she was already walking away to the farthest door, knocking politely before opening it and having a conversation he could not hear clearly. After a few seconds, she returned to him.
« Mrs Granger will see you now Mr Malfoy. If you will follow me. »
Suddenly, anxiety rose inside of him upon realising what was to come. He was going to meet her, for the first time since his parents' trial. He was going to talk with her, for the first time since the eighth year, and even then he almost never talked to her. As he was following the short haired woman, the questions that had assailed him before quitting his job bloomed once more inside of him. He could feel his heart beating faster, and his hands getting a bit clammy. Mrs Plunkett stepped aside, held the door open for him as he walked into the next room and at last...