A week after Draco and Hermione's unexpected day together found both slumped over their desks. They were completely burnt out. There was a storm brewing and their department had been thrown into disarray. Both had been working long hours, Hermione was certain she had spent more time in the office than she had at home. There was a war brewing in the East. A muggle war none the less, but it would only be a matter of time till the magical community got involved. It was up to the Department of International Magical Cooperation to help bridge the tension between the two countries. Mountains and mountains of paperwork piling up on everyone's desks. If they couldn't stop the muggles from fighting, they could at least intervene in regard to the magical communities.
Hermione finally looked up from the paperwork she'd been engrossed in for the last hour or so and groaned. It was already 9pm and she was nowhere near done. Everyone was still behind their desks, swamped with the new workload. She'd at least need another few hours to complete it. Next to her she heard a groan coming from Malfoy's desk. He was running his hands threw his hair and looked about ready to set all the paperwork a light.
Suddenly, Percy Weasley burst through the doors of the office. Everyone looked up, expecting good news. That was not the case. The look on his face told them everything. "Tensions are starting to escalate within the magical communities. We must dispatch some of you abroad to help with peace talks. I wish this wasn't the case, but we need more people out there." The office collectively groaned. Nobody wanted to be sent to a potential war zone. Hermione and Draco looked at each other. Draco couldn't be sent overseas due to his role in the war. He was prohibited from travelling outside the UK, failure to follow these restrictions would result in his swift return to Azkaban. However, Hermione was, well she was Hermione Granger. A decorated war hero. She held her breath waiting for Percy's announcement. Whoever was picked would have their workload dumped onto those left behind. "Ringrose, Earls, O'Toole you need to follow me.". Ringrose, Earls and O'Toole faces drained of colour. A wave of relief washed over those that had not been selected. However, Hermione felt sorry for Elaine Earls, she had only joined them this year.
Draco leaned over towards Hermione's desk, "Things are about to get really bad, aren't they?" Hermione looked at Draco and nodded. "I don't think we're heading home tonight." The three followed Percy out the door. The moment the door had closed all hell broke loose. People began to frantically run around, grabbing documents off the now vacated desks. Hermione began to feel overwhelmed and excused herself from the madness. She went to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face. She was very overwhelmed. She realised this was probably the best time to tell Ronald that she wouldn't be able to take the kids for the next week or so. She gathered her thoughts before entering back into the madness.
By midnight almost everyone in the office had left, they'd thrown in the towel. By 1am it was just Hermione and Draco. Hermione felt her eyelids drooping. She was doing her best to fight off the sleep. She just needed another hour and then she'd be done. She must've dozed off as when she opened her eyes, Draco was offering her a cup of coffee, which she gladly accepted. It may have been cheap bitter coffee, but it was coffee and it was exactly what she needed. She relaxed into her chair. "Malfoy, shouldn't you head home?" Draco sat on his desk sipping the incredibly bitter cheap coffee that the ministry provided. "Astoria's family have offered to watch him for the next week." Hermione hummed in response. Astoria's family were more than happy to dote on the sweet little blonde boy. "What about you, Granger?". Hermione let out a bark of laughter catching both off guard. She must have been going crazy. "Oh, I imagine I'll be sleeping at the office for the next week. I'll probably pop home tomorrow to get some supplies, but this will be my home for the next week.". They sat in comfortable silence, both more comfortable with each other presences. Had this of happened before the impromptu ice-cream date, they'd have just worked in silence. Now they'd grown somewhat comfortable in each other's presence. Were they friends? No. But they kept a good work relationship.
By 3am both had passed out. The caffeine of the coffee had done little to stave off their exhaustion. Hermione had woken up to the rush of movement around her. People had started trickling in. She glanced at the clock on the wall, it was 7am. She removed herself from the desk, her clothes from the day before plastered onto her skin. Now was the time for her to head back to her house to pack a bag, "Hermione, did you spend the night?" She looked up to see Percy standing over her, his expression much softer than the once her usually displayed at work. "Yeah. Percy, do you mind if I head home, I just want to grab some stuff." She must have looked a mess, "Of course, take your time. You got a lot done last night, you can afford to take an hour or 2 off." She mouthed a quick thank you before practically sprinting out the office doors.
The moment she had arrived home she'd stripped out of her clothes and into the shower. She scrubbed off the dirt and sweat of the day before. The shower was much needed, as when she left the shower to wash the previous days clothes, she could smell the sweat. The office must have stank when the other's arrived. She packed a bag with enough clothes and toiletries to at least last a week. She didn't have to worry about towels as the ministry had shower's she could use. She quickly dried her hair throwing it up into a bun before heading out the door. Her first stop was to the burrow. She badly wanted to see the kids and explain to them that she wouldn't be able to see them much.
The burrow had been quiet when she'd arrived, everyone had sat down for breakfast. Her children groggy eyed, hair all over the place. Both Hugo and Roses faces lit up when they saw her. Both launching into her arms. "Mummy!" she squeezed them both tightly. "Hermione, please join us." She gratefully accepted the offer, realising just how hungry she was. She hadn't had dinner last night. Once seated conversation picked up again, "Hermione, Ron was saying that you'll be very busy at the ministry for the next while.".
"That's right, with tensions rising in the East we're doing our best to help with peace talks and to try help avoid a war at all costs. Actually, I spent the night in the office last night.". Hermione saw Ron's ears perk up. "Was it just you?" Ron spoke up. Hermione was debating whether to lie or just tell the truth. Ron was very wary of her working with Malfoy. Despite years going by his hatred of the blonde Slytherin never diminished. She hesitated before answering, "No, Malfoy stayed behind too." The table became quiet, all eyes turned to Ron. His face turning red, "Malfoy!". "That's enough Ronald!" Molly shut him down before he could make a scene in front of the children. "Well please take care dear. Your health is very important." Hermione smiled at Molly, she'd missed that motherly love. Conversation died down. Everyone eating in silences as Ron fumed quietly in his seat, anytime he went to say something Molly shut him down. If looks could kill, he'd be dead.
She excused herself and brought the kids upstairs to help them get ready for the day, "Are we really not going home?" Rose asked, her eyes glistening with tears as Hermione brushed her hair, "I wish you could, but I have something very important to do. I promise I'll visit when I can." Then the tears started to fall and Hermione's heart broke, she whisked both kids into a tight hug, "It won't be forever, just a week or two. I promise when all this settles down, we can do something together." She kissed Rose's hair, before doing the same to little Hugo.
Once they were dressed, she excused herself. Wishing everyone goodbye. Her first stop before heading to the office was to grab breakfast for everyone in the office. She walked into the bakery next to one of the entrances to the Ministry. She grabbed a huge selections of pastry and went to pay. "Can I get you anything else?" the young women at the counter asked. Hermione looked at the coffee selection, "Can I get 5 lattes and 5 americanos?". The lady smiled and packed up her food while the other worker set about making the coffee. Once she had everything in hand she headed into work.
Upon opening the door to the office, she found it in more disarray. She took a step back taking in the madness. All heads turned towards her, "I brought breakfast." She announced and was promptly swamped by her co-workers as they grabbed coffee and pastries. She headed to her desk. She imagined that Malfoy must have headed home. She placed a pastry and coffee on his desk for him when he returned. It wasn't long before a dishevelled looking Malfoy turned up. His hair still wet from the shower he'd taken. "I got you breakfast." Hermione gestured towards the bag and cup on his desk. He said a quick thank you before jumping straight into his work.
The office worked in silence. New documents were constantly coming in. The paperwork kept growing and growing. To her left she saw one of the newer workers start to cry silently. She didn't want to draw attention to the girl so handed her a packet of tissues which were greatly accepted. It was around 7pm when Percy had come in to give them an update on the peace talks. "I've been in contact with the others, and they say things are improving. Tensions are still high but it's looking like they make work. It's still early days.". The tension dissipated in the office for only a brief second. Everyone knew that talks could easily turn sour, so it was best to not get too excited.
"I'm starving." The girl to the left of Hermione announced. She eyes stot towards the clock. It was 9:30. The thought of food caused Hermione's stomach to rumble, "Me too. How about I get food for us?" Those left in the office agreed, "Is there anything you want to eat? Chinese? Chips?". Beside her Draco spoke up, "I wouldn't mind Chinese." That took her by surprised, she was surprised that he knew what Chinese food was. The office hummed in agreement. She began to take peoples orders, she finally turned to Draco, "What do you want?".
"I don't know, I've never had it. I'll have whatever you're having.". She stood up to head towards the door when she saw Draco grab his cloak. "What are you doing?". He shrugged his shoulders, "You bought breakfast this morning. So, I guess it's my turn to get dinner." They left work and walked in comfortable silence to the Chinese. The placed the order and sat down, to wait for the food. The didn't talk much both too exhausted to make conversation. Hermione's level of exhaustion was reminiscent of when She, Ron and Harry we're hunting the Horcruxes. Once the order was ready, they headed back. "We've got dinner." Draco announced as he walked in. The faces in the office lit up. He started handing out everyone's meals. Some we're hesitant to take it off him but took it never the less. Hermione handed it to Alice, the girl who sat next to her. "Are you ok? I was worried when I saw you crying earlier." She smiled at Hermione, "I was just overwhelmed. I was pretty young when the Great Wizarding War took place. This have been so quiet for so long, so I thought that this job would be easy. I forgot that conflict between muggles can start wars that get us magical folk involved." Hermione pat her on the back. She couldn't say anything to help ease the young workers concerns so offered a comforting pat. "If you need to talk, I'm here."
It was 4am by the time Hermione had finished her work, next to her Draco Malfoy was sitting back in his chair pinching the bridge of his nose. He was tired and fed up, this wasn't what he had signed up for when he'd joined the Ministry. He pushed his chair out and stalked towards the door. He didn't say a word to Hermione as he left. Hermione debated briefly whether to follow him or leave him be. She reluctantly got up to follow him. The halls of the Ministry were practically empty, those that generally remained were Aurors. She wandered down the corridors looking for the blonde man. "He's probably taking a break outside." She thought to herself. She made her way outside. There she found Draco Malfoy squatting against the telephone box, cigarette in hand, He quickly blew the smoke away from where Hermione stood.
"I didn't know you smoked." She replied staring at him, he looked up at her and shrugged. "I started after Astoria's death." He flipped the box towards her, popping it open, "Feel free to take one." Hermione considered for a moment before taking one, she'd never tried it, but she was curious. "I've never smoked before." Draco laughed, "That doesn't surprise me. You were always a stickler for rules.". He lit it for her. She took a tentative drag of it, only to start coughing up her lungs, "My god. That's vile." She handed it to Draco who took a drag before squashing it into the ground. "You really are full of surprise Malfoy." She commented, looking up at the foggy night sky, the moon was peaking through the clouds.
"Why do you say that?" he continued to puff away. Hermione didn't look at him, "You're really different from the Malfoy I knew at school. You were a deplorable person back then. You were an arrogant bully who thought he was above everyone else." Draco hummed in agreement. "Let's say Azkaban was a wake up call. I almost lost it. When you're there…you're... you're completely alone. All you can do is listen to the prisoners scream… I… I." Draco fumbled over his words, painful and dark memories of that time surfaced, and he felt like he was going to be sick. "It's ok." Hermione too was not ready to broach that topic. She still struggled internally. Even though time had gone by the wounds were still fresh and she had a reminder of that too. Sometimes she could still feel Bellatrix dagger as she branded her. That wound would never heal. Unconsciously she rubbing her forearm, where the vile brand was inscribed. Hermione was pulled out of her daydreaming when she felt Malfoys eyes staring at her, "I never did get to thank you for giving evidence in my defence. I think if you and Potter hadn't come forward, I would've gotten life." Hermione was taken aback the gentleness of his voice. The voice of a man truly grateful for what she'd done. "It was the right thing to do. Even if not, everyone agreed with it.". Silence fell between the two. Both too exhausted from everything to keep a conversation going. Hermione waited for Draco to finish before both headed inside. Neither had noticed the camara from across the street. They had no idea that they were about to be plastered all over Witches Weekly.
