Summary: Astoria was the head of the Ministry Treasury and oversaw everything that involved finances. A glaring problem arises on her desk and her suspect is just across the premises. He's lucky she loves him so much.

Rated: K

Genre: Family; Drama

Warning Tag: Illegal Activity

Competition/Challenge Block:
Written for/Stacked with: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Term 14); Monthly Challenges for All (Year 4)
Hogwarts: Ravenclaw; A10 Culinary Arts #2: Write about someone virtuous or kind-hearted doing something generous.

MC4A: Sh Bingo (5B-Office Romance); Chimera (Hurt/Comfort); (Short Jog; Bucket Listing (Y); Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y); Criminal MC; Rian-Russo Inversion; Ship Sails; Future Era; Slytherin MC; Ravenclaw MC; Old Shoes (Y)

Word Count: 1,148

Author's Note: Shoutout to my friend Gwen for yet another idea I was drawing a blank for. Where would I be without you?

Office Romance

Astoria loved her job. She earned it fairly, working through the ranks of the legal department and transferred to the financial department after learning all she needed to in order to take on the mess that waited for her there. Rebuilding an entire government was essentially messy, but it didn't mean they had to continue on the reckless course they had been on prior to the takeover, and even before that. Based on what she dealt with over on the legal side, it was going to be much worse.

Straightening it out took time and patience, but it was salvageable and left her with enough loose ends to enact several new ways of handling the entirety of the Ministry's budgeting and finances moving forward. She was quite proud of the work she had accomplished over the years, and she was also very proud of her son who had graduated healer's school with honors and her husband who worked his way up to being Head of the Department of Games and Sports. He hated every step of the journey, but she was proud of him all the same achieving it.

Everything finally seemed to settle for their small family. It all fell into place, slowly but effectively, within their lives and with their respective lines of work. Scorpius loved working under Healer Lupin, Draco couldn't stop talking about the next World Cup he had already started planning, and Astoria was simply glad that all the money that trickled in from fundraisers and charities had been put to maximum use to restore their government and leadership in a reformed society. She made it nearly impossible for large donations of money or equipment to come through now because corruption had run deep and the purebloods used their influence and deep pockets to their advantage. That was no more.

It was like their world had found a silent harmony, something several fought and died for and something others never wanted yet it happened anyway. All was well.

That is until Astoria started coming across discrepancies in certain departments' monthly budgets and overview plans each month. It didn't make sense, ever since she'd taken over, none of the branches ever went over budget, especially not multiple times within a single quarter.

There were no records of donations or receipts that came with it, either. And being the Head of the Ministry Treasury, these things were important, they were essential, vital, to be properly documented. It took several hours to dig through everything, trying to locate and pinpoint what was being bought that was tipping the scales so much until she finally sat back in her chair, tired and frustrated, realizing only then that it was only happening in two departments.

This set her to head straight to her husband's office located in the opposite corner of the Ministry. Astoria didn't mind the walk, it allowed her to show off her new stilettos and dress while she held herself with the aura of importance that she is. She could be humble, and often was, but she was on a mission, and sometimes certain things bled through the persona.

"Hello, dearest," she said sweetly as she opened the door to Draco's office. "Long time no see. Having a good day?"

Draco leaned forward in his chair in an attempt to hide his lazing position. His silver-grey eyes eying her suspiciously.

"Well I was, but something tells me you're going to fix that." There was no malice in his tone, but rarely did Astoria visit him in his office unless it was important work-related things.

They tried to keep themselves somewhat professional during work hours, but that didn't necessarily stop them from breaking in their new offices once upon a time.

Astoria pursed her lips at the comment before taking a seat and leaning over his desk. "I have found several discrepancies with your department's quarterly finances and budgeting outlooks. What, pray tell, did you do?"

Her voice was like sugar, and she saw Draco shift in his seat slightly and swallow, yet his immaculate skill of not averting his gaze held strong as he continued looking at her.

"Are you implying I broke one of your rules?" he questioned, raising a brow. "Because otherwise, I have no idea what you are talking about."

Astoria sighed, scanning his office for any signs of bugs before lowering her voice. "I've told you before that you need to come to me for these donations! You could get us both fired unless I figure it out, then it will just be you."

"How do you know it wasn't some generous no name with a deep vault?"

She only stared at him in response.

Draco smirked at this, tilting his head slightly. "In my defense, I did say I was going to do it. I remember mentioning it to you over breakfast."

"That isn't the point, love," she said, trying to keep her nerve. "It is illegal. At least muck up more than the two departments a Malfoy is a part of to cover your tracks."

"You did the same with the auror department," he remarked.

"Yeah, long after I transferred, and I did it the right way. The way that wouldn't get me fired," she snapped back. "If you want me to cover both of our butts on this you've got a lot of making up to do."

The silence lingered, and she knew Draco knew she was genuinely upset about this sloppy stunt he pulled. Good intentions or not, it was going to make her work life an utter nightmare to correct it. His facial features softened and he reached out to collect her hands in his, giving one a light kiss.

"I am truly sorry, 'Stori. My determination to better the two most important branches of the Ministry blinded my rational side and how it would affect your work in the process." He gave her hand a squeeze. "Please forgive me."

Astoria gave him a pointed look, letting him hang there for a moment before sighing. "That was pretty good, but I don't appreciate the sass, and I think you slightly missed the point just a bit. And the two best departments, you say?"

"Well, direct donations are illegal, so I couldn't put one in for your department," Draco said, smiling innocently.

"You're infuriating sometimes," she said with no venom lacing her words. "It is partly why I love you so much."

She got up to move around the desk to now sit on it in front of Draco. Leaning down, she gave him a loving kiss before pulling back.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a very busy schedule for the next several weeks ahead of me to rectify these discrepancies. I might not make it to lunch for a while."

Draco frowned slightly at this. "I'll just have to bring it to you, then."