Chapter 9: Career Talk

O-o-o-o-o-o-o

The day after her meeting with Goyle she arrived to the Ministry with an interoffice memo flying above her desk. She grabbed it and opened the parchment:

Hermione,

Let's grab lunch today!

-Harry & Ron

Hermione didn't know why but she felt a little unexcited for their outing. At noon, Harry and Ron popped into her office.

"Wow, I haven't been up here before," Ron said, looking around, "This is a great office they gave you!"

"It's very nice," Hermione smiled, "I had a much smaller one until this case fell into my lap.

"Shall we take a break at the Three Broomsticks?" Harry suggested.

They left the Ministry together, apparating into Hogsmeade and finding a back table at the Three Broomsticks.

The conversation was light, Harry and Ron telling her about their visit to the Burrow the prior weekend.

"Sounds lovely," she said, "Please tell your parents I say hello next time you're there!"

"I will," Ron agreed, "They miss you."

"So Hermione," Harry started, and she immediately knew where the conversation was going, "We heard you brought Malfoy with you to an interview with Goyle."

"I did," Hermione said, putting down her fork, "It was the right call and I think Goyle would have fed me a lot of bully if I hadn't."

"Why did you bring him?" Ron asked.

"Because we thought Goyle would be more honest if he was there. It's harder to lie to someone's face. He started fidgeting as soon as he saw Malfoy."

"By 'we' do you mean you and your boss, or...?" Harry let the sentence drift off.

Hermione pursed her lips, "Myself and Malfoy."

"Do you think it's a good idea to be working closely with the main suspect?" Harry asked.

"We're just worried for your safety," Ron added.

"I'm perfectly capable of handling myself," Hermione told them, getting quite annoyed now.

"You're more than capable, Hermione," Harry said, "But do you really trust him so much that you don't think he's at all guilty? Even if he's not the leader, that maybe he's still involved? It just seems like you're putting a lot of trust in him."

"I believe him," she said firmly, "I know it's difficult to understand, especially given our history with him, but I've been talking to him a lot over the course of this investigation so far and there's nothing he's said or done that's given me reason to doubt that yet."

"Sounds rough," Ron wrinkled his nose, "Having to talk to Malfoy so much, innocent or not."

"He's not all bad," she looked down at her food, picking up her fork to take another bite.

"What did he do with the old Malfoy then?" Ron joked.

"I think the old Malfoy grew up a little," she said.

"How much time have you been spending with Malfoy?" Harry asked, noticing her tone.

"I debrief him a few times a week," she said nonchalantly.

"At the Ministry?" Harry asked, and she looked at him sharply.

"Originally yes, but It's become a hassle to bring him into the Ministry, honestly," she told him, "It's easier now to just stop by Malfoy Manor to debrief. It's not a big deal."

"You've been to Malfoy Manor?" Ron asked incredulously.

"Yes. I actually think it helped me work through some lingering issues I had from… you know, being there before."

"That was kind of insensitive of him, don't you think?" Ron said, looking angry, "Making you come back to Malfoy Manor."

"He wasn't thinking," she said defensively, "Neither of us were. I didn't even remember that that's where we'd been until I was at the gates. That whole adventure leading up to the Battle was such a blur in my mind."

"I try to keep it that way still," Harry gave her a half smile.

"Well it's not as difficult for me anymore, to be there again," she said.

"You've been there multiple times?" Ron said.

"Just a couple," she said, "It's a convenient meeting place."

"How about the Three Broomsticks," Ron suggested, "Or at the Ministry, under supervision."

"Ronald, it's really not a big deal," she said.

Harry watched her quietly, picking up on an uncomfortable demeanor while they discussed Malfoy, and choosing to change the subject, "We just wanted to ask, Hermione. I know you're just doing your job and you're clearly very good at it. We heard from Neville the other day. Did you know he interviewed for a position at Hogwarts?"

Hermione relaxed a little, "No, I didn't hear, in Herbology?"

Harry nodded, "He should be hearing back soon, I'm sure McGonagall will give it to him though, he's been doing research for the last couple of years with a famous herbologist that Sprout put him in contact with. She's retiring at the end of this year."

"That's great," Hermione said, "We'll have to celebrate if he gets it."

Ron still looked like he had a lot of questions, but took the hint that the conversation about Malfoy was over. The remainder of the lunch was smooth and they returned to the Ministry shortly after, parting ways with a hug. Hermione felt an oddly disconnected sensation when she hugged Ron. It wasn't the extra tight hug it usually was, but maybe it was just because she was still a little frustrated with their reactions to her partnership with Malfoy. It was for the best for her case.

O-o-o-o-o-o-o

Over the next couple of weeks, Hermione would go to work and then stop over to Malfoy Manor a few nights a week with updates, or to bring files they could read through together. Mr. Northcott still had Draco's file, which she'd asked for and he'd offhandedly mentioned he was still reviewing. Draco's input was always helpful, his perspective much different than her own, which oftentimes made their discussions into debates.

They'd stay up late into the night sometimes, coffee in hand and files spread over the den. When they exhausted a theory, they'd take a break, talking about books they'd read or places they'd traveled, two things they had in common (possibly the only two things). Hermione had taken to the couch more than the reading chairs. She could sink into it while she read through papers, a little too comfortable sometimes to the point where she'd doze off for a few moments and then move over to the reading chairs to keep herself awake. She was happily surprised to find Draco quite witty and smart himself, challenging her, making her laugh, welcoming her into his home so they could work together. When he wanted to be pleasant he could really pull it off. Deep down she thought maybe he was just happy to have someone else around the Manor to talk to. Either way, he was much better company than she ever anticipated.

She had found herself thinking about him when she wasn't there, but that wasn't odd based on the amount of time they'd been spending together. Sometimes they'd be reading a file closely together and she'd feel her heart beat faster in her chest, or she'd feel his arm graze hers and she'd get goosebumps. She could tell she was starting to feel something for him, maybe just a friendship? A partnership? It was comfortable and inviting and she could tell whatever it was had been evolving for them both in an unspoken way.

It was another evening at the Manor, spring was fresh on the grounds and the sun was setting out the window in the den. Hermione shifted in her chair, pulling her legs up underneath her and leaning towards him, needing a break from their work, "So tell me, Malfoy, what have you been considering for work when you get yourself out of here?" She hadn't asked him about it again since their first meeting where he told her it was more than he'd like to discuss.

"Well as of now I think I'd make a great prisoner for the dementors," he sighed, putting down the file he was reading.

"Stop," she rolled her eyes, "We're going to clear your name. We've just got clearance to bring in Rowle. It's a matter of time. What do you really want to do?"

"You know I love personal questions, Granger," he eyed her, but she didn't falter, "But you're not going to drop it this time, are you?" he said.

"No, I wasn't planning on it," she stretched her arms above her.

"Aright, fine. I'll take you to my 'professional studies' library section and show you."

They got up and he lead her into the library. They'd been in there a few times for Hermione to swap out books, but always in the novel areas. They hopped on the ladder and it took off to the other side of the room in the corner. He started climbing, "We've got a hike," he said, and she followed. When they reached the top he gestured to the books behind him, "This is what I study on my own time. This is what I'd like to do with my life."

Hermione pulled a book off the shelf, it was called Modern Day Healing: Ailments and Antidotes. She looked up at some others, Healing for Beginners, Magical Maladies A-Z, Advanced Healing, Heart of a Healer.

"Kind of ironic, isn't it," he said, "Death Eater turned Healer."

She tilted her head at him with a smile, "I think you'd make a great Healer."

"I know I would," Draco said with a bit of cockiness, "It's just that no one would want me as their Healer."

"I would," she said, "Once your name is cleared again, I think you should do it."

Hermione reached over to grab Heart of a Healer, Which seemed to be a little further away than it looked, just out of her reach. Draco placed a hand on the small of her back to stabilize her.

"We're 20 feet off the ground, Granger, be careful."

She cleared her throat, fully aware of the blush creeping onto her cheeks with his hand on her back, "Sorry," she said, "Thought it was a bit closer."

He didn't move his hand, but moved the ladder a foot to the right. She grabbed the book and he peeked his head over to read the back cover with her.

Do you have the Heart to be a Healer? We've compiled stories from hospitals around the world that can give you first-person perspective of the workplace and the normal (and crazy) things you'll see throughout your career.

"Why do you want to be a Healer?" She asked.

"Well, I did some research on career options for people who excel in potions, charms and arithmancy, my best subjects at Hogwarts, and what the most difficult of those professions were. Healing caught my attention pretty quick. It's complicated and combines a lot of those aspects of study. Something I would feel accomplished in and, if I'm being honest, as an added bonus, maybe something that would redeem me a little from the Death Eater days. Save a few lives."

"That's right, we did have arithmancy together," Hermione said, remembering him sitting quietly in the back of the class, for once not surrounded by Crabbe and Goyle.

"We did," Draco grinned at her, "Hard to forget the image of your hand shooting in the air from the front every day."

"I may have been a bit of an overly ambitious student but I'm proud of it," she said confidently, looking down at the book again, trying not to lock eyes with him for too long, fully aware of the butterflies in her stomach, "If it's any consolation, I really think you'd make a great Healer."

"That's nice of you to say," he said. His voice felt so close to her and she looked up at him again. His eyes met her gaze and she saw passion there.

She tried to say something witty, but her words caught in her throat and she didn't speak, didn't move, just continued to stare.

"Hermione Granger with nothing to say," he said it quietly and his gaze moved to her lips and back to her eyes.

She subconsciously licked her lips, feeling quite parched all of a sudden, trying not to bring attention to her increased heart rate.

"Doesn't happen often," she finally got out in barely a whisper. He was closer than he was before, had he moved closer to her? When did that happen?

He pulled her ever so slightly to him and captured her lips with his. It was soft and quick as he pulled his face back an inch to look at her again. She looked flushed and her hand had moved to his arm. They looked at each other, waiting to see if the other would pull back and when they didn't, their lips came together again.

She couldn't breathe, she couldn't think. She felt his tongue push past her lips and slowly, tantalizingly, massage hers. She felt warm. Maybe it was their bodies pressed together, or the heat coming off of his hand resting on her back. Who would ever know. But it felt good and she felt a way she'd never felt before. She wanted more.

"Draco?" It was Lucius' voice from the doorway, "Are you in here?"

They broke apart, breathing heavily and eyes wide at each other, feeling caught in the act of something highly off limits.

"Yes," He called back, "Yes, be right there, father, just looking for a book."

His look of shock had worn off into a coy grin, "20 feet in the air probably wasn't the best place for this anyway," he whispered in her ear, climbing back down the ladder.

She waited an extra moment, catching her breath and running a hand absently through her hair before she followed him, a lot of thoughts racing through her brain.

His father was walking around the corner as they reached the bottom, he looked surprised to see Hermione.

"I didn't realize you had a guest," Lucius said, and she could tell his eyes still looked down on her.

"Granger is the detective on the Death Eater case," Draco said, "I believe I told you that. She's been stopping over to brief me on the progress.

Lucius eyed the book in Hermione's hands, "Not sure a book on Healing will help much with that," he said snidely.

"We just got caught up in the library for a moment," Draco said smoothly.

"I've decided on a date for the interview," Lucius said, now addressing both of them, "We can schedule it end of the week. Just you. No one else. I'd like to keep the number of Ministry guests we have at the Manor to a minimum."

"I understand," Hermione nodded, "How is 2PM on Friday?"

"I'll be prepared," Lucius said.

"Great," Hermione turned to Draco, "I should be going. Early day tomorrow."

"Of course," Draco said, "Father, I'm going to make sure she gets past the charms," he nodded at Lucius and led Hermione out of the library and towards the exit. They didn't speak until they were outside the Manor.

"He's got impeccable timing," Draco said with a hint of humor.

"He does, indeed," she still felt a little uncertain addressing what just happened.

"I can be in the room for your interview with my father," Draco offered, "Hopefully that would keep him as cordial as he can be."

"I'm not scared of interviewing your father," she told him, "I have a feeling he's got information that will make it worth it."

"I know you're not scared, Granger, doesn't mean I don't want to do what I can to help it go smoothly.

They reached the gates, "I need to do this interview on my own," she said firmly and he nodded in acknowledgment, "But I will see you Friday," her eyes looked up at him as she paused for a moment.

"Alright," Draco pulled her into him with a grin on his face and kissed her again. It wasn't long, but it was lingering and he pulled back, "Looking forward to our next debrief."

Hermione smiled, biting her lip gently, "Goodnight, Malfoy."

She stepped through the gates and apparated back to her apartment.

O-o-o-o-o-o-o

Hermione arrived home that evening with a thousand thoughts to sift through. Draco Malfoy had kissed her. She had kissed him back. He was a suspect in a Death Eater case. That they were working together. He was a Malfoy. But he was so much more than that. He'd made her feel something deep within herself that she'd never felt kissing Ron. What a horrible thing to think. She shouldn't be comparing them. Ron was her best friend. Was she betraying him? Of course she wasn't. They had no obligation to each other. But what would he and Harry think? Would she tell them? Would Malfoy kiss her again on Friday? The interview was on Friday. The interview was what she should be thinking about, not a boy. A very captivating boy. Still a boy.

She sat down on her bed, groaning loudly so all of the noise in her head would shut up for a minute. They were working together. She could not go around kissing Draco Malfoy. But then again, no one really had to know she was kissing Draco Malfoy. She flopped back on the bed, covering her face with her hands. One case file drops in her lap and all of a sudden she's snogging Draco Malfoy in the library at Malfoy Manor. She just needed a few days away from him. Once he came to his senses he'd probably realize it was a mistake anyway. But did she want him to think it was a mistake? She rolled over, pulling a pillow over her head and engulfing herself in silence to think logically about the facts:

Did she enjoy spending time with Malfoy? Yes, their time working together had been more than pleasant to a point where it was comfortable.

Was she attracted to him? He was objectively attractive, so yes.

Did he make her laugh? Yes, he had a quick wit that rivaled her own.

Could he hold his own in conversation? Yes, he was very well read.

Did they have much in common? Not really but then again she was still just getting to know him, skimming the surface even.

Did she feel some kind of deep connection? ...Maybe? There was something unspoken between them, but what was it?

She finally pushed it all to the back of her mind, it was too much to handle on a Tuesday night. The only thought that lingered was the feeling of his hand on his back and his lips on hers and she smiled. If she didn't think too hard on it, maybe she could just enjoy whatever it was. They were adults, after all.

O-o-o-o-o-o-o