Author's Note: Short chapter, I'm sorry! It's so much easier to write Draco/Hermione scenes than ones where they're alone!

Chapter 13

That Night

Hermione threw the last file of the day into her out box. The head of magical education was attempting to standardize the curriculum of defense against the dark arts at Hogwarts, but they were having a hell of a time going through the documents from past teachers and pull out anything of use. Hermione (And many in her department) were lobbying for a more practical hands on approach, but they had letters from parents that requested a more cursory overview, or even striking the course from the books. In Hermione's opinion, just because the war had ended, they could not take a cavalier approach to education.

She's come by the office after a full day of protesting, just to go over a few notes and review the schedule, but she'd ended up staying well past closing.

Glancing down at the photograph on her desk, she sighed. It was a picture of her, Ron and Harry after Ron's first quidditch game. She watched herself wave a flag in the camera with girlish glee.

Merlin, she needed a break today. Harry was leading a march along diagon alley tonight, but she couldn't bring herself to it. Her voice was already hoarse from all their chanting that day, and her mouth hurt from smiling for photos with people.

She gathered her things solemnly and filled her bag with the last few files. She would review them in the morning.

Hermione swept out of the dark office and startled when the elevator opened before she had even pressed the button.

" Miss Granger, I thought I might find you here," It was Mr. Bourbeau, secretary to the head of the Department of Mysteries. His face, normally quite Jolly and pink, took on a sinister nature in the dimly lit elevator.

" Mr. Bourbeau," She said warily, " What can I do for you?"

" Please, join me, I'm sure you're tired," He said, sweeping his arm wide.

She stepped into the elevator slowly.

" Miss Granger, as I'm sure you know, many departments are still sorting through the mess that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named left after taking over," He began slowly, " I'm sure Education is no different."

" That's true," She agreed.

" Well the Department of Mysteries has been trying to sort and label as many of the wartime prophecies as possible. Today, one came across my desk from the Head of Our Department," He related, " Normally it is not our policy to notify people, for we receive so many prophecies of a completely innocuous nature. However, in light of recent news…"

" What do you mean, recent news?"

" Ah… the Marriage Law," Mr. Bourbeau responded.

" I read that the law was proposed in your department," She put forth.

" It was," He said, surprised.

" That's highly unusual. The Department of Mysteries almost never drafts legislation for the Wizengamot," She narrowed her eyes, " Are you saying that the law might have something to do with a prophecy?"

" I'm not at liberty to say," He answered, eyes darting.

She looked at him hard, contemplating. It had occurred to her before that the Marriage Law could have more to do with the department of mysteries than just mere coincidence. It also explained how the law had been passed so quickly, with almost no prior warning.

" But if we had received a prophecy of an urgent and important nature, we would take the necessary steps to ensure the future of the wizarding world," He intoned, " And if, Miss Granger, a second prophecy of the same nature were to be brought in with your name on it, I would find it necessary to go to you and recommend that you come to our offices."

" Something dangerous, you think?" She whispered.

" I'm not at liberty to say," He said stiffly, " But yes."