Chapter One
One would think that someone who whizzed through her three years of auror training would be a valued member.
One would think someone who graduated from Hogwarts with the highest N.E.W.T. scorings in history would be able to pursue and succeed in virtually any line of work she chose to.
One would think she would not be forced to spend her entire day sitting at a desk trying to work out how to open a silly BOX.
One would be wrong.
I stared at it. It was simple really, or at least it should have been. It was cube-shaped, made of black obsidian but still totally opaque, and a seam running around it half way up where it should open. No hinges and no clasp. Although it had been tried by just about every member of the auror community, I gave another futile tug attempting to open it before slumping back in my chair. I glanced upwards at the enormous, leather-bound volume before me. I had already been through books on light magic, ancient magic, dark magic, elemental magic, death magic, and just about every other form I could come up with. I had cross-referenced every bit of information we had about the cube. Nothing. An old book written in ornate Greek was a last-ditch attempt.
Although giving up isn't usually my style, I was starting to get a bit frustrated. I was supposed to be out fighting evil, not reading Latin.
Don't get me wrong, I love Greek. It's an amazing language. I love books, too, I always have, and normally I was quite content to do a bit of research duty. However, spending two weeks trapped in my office staring at that same box was starting to grate on my nerves. The minute I heard my door swing open, I started off, ready for another dose of torture.
"Oh, let me guess, there happens to be one remaining staff member who forgot to come and laugh at me? Odd, I could have sworn everyone had come in here! Here, I'll help you get started: Having fun spending quality time with your box, Hermione? How about wishing some luck for those of us actually doing some work, Hermione? Haven't got a paper-cut, have you, Hermione? Well, how about you spend some quality time staring at the ruddy thing, then see if you prefer raiding former death eater hide outs and bringing home trophies for dear old Hermione to study?!" I was practically yelling when I finally spun around in my chair, to come face to face with-
"Oh. Hello Harry, good to see you."
Harry grinned. "Hi Hermione. You know, I considered making some biting comment, but I think you've just covered it quite nicely."
I could feel my face turning red. "Err, yes, well, I just… I mean, being trapped here all day long, it can be a bit…"
"Frustrating? I would imagine. I just thought I'd come see how you're doing, and make sure you're getting some sleep. We know how you get when you're doing research." He nodded towards the enormous stack of books that were accumulating on my desk. I bit my lip to keep back an involuntary yawn. "Ron wanted to come, but I got the feeling he might be more inclined… well, let's face it, if you did miss anything, he'd have thrown it out there for you." Harry moved a stack of papers to the side and sat down on the edge of my desk. "You've done another all-nighter, haven't you? Look, 'Mione, you can't let this get to you. Seriously, you look awful. Ginny says you haven't been eating as much, and that you slept here last night. What's up?"
I rested my forehead against my hand and sighed. "It's just driving me mad. It should be here, but there's absolutely nothing on it. This hasn't ever happened to me before." He's right, though, a part of me chastised. My hair was a mess, even bushy than usual (and that was saying something). I had gotten used to the weights on my eyelids four or five days back, as well as the dark circles. Although really, I wasn't nearly as pale as Ginny had said, and it was ridiculous to say my eating habits had changed; I just wasn't hungry, that was all. "Look, I'm fine, thanks though. And…umm… Please don't tell Ron I'm like this, okay? You know how he gets about this sort of thing."
Harry rolled his eyes. "All right. I'll keep it quiet if you swear that you'll go home for dinner tonight. No promises that he won't come busting in here sooner or later though, all right? He may be my partner, but that doesn't mean I can keep him under control."
I nodded wearily. "Deal."
"Good. Hey, did you hear the latest Weasley update? Fred and George opened their branch in America finally. Apparently they've been pretty successful so far."
I gave a smile that I hope didn't look to forced. "Look, that's great Harry. I don't mean to be rude, but I sort of have to get back to this."
Harry stood up. "All right, if you're sure. But remember, home for dinner, or else you'll find Ron bursting in here and force-feeding you chocolate at any moment."
"Definitely. Don't worry about me, you just go and fight the bad guys. I'm fine." I was practically pushing him out the door now.
"Hermione, I really don't-"
"I'm fine, go, you have work to do."
"Okay, but-"
"Go!"
I all but shut the door in his face, then collapsed back in my chair. Not because I was too tired to stand or anything, but simply because I didn't feel like it. It wasn't as though I was exerting any real energy, but still… Maybe everyone was right; my legs did feel a little shaky. One more chapter, then I'd head home. A deal was a deal, and the last thing that I wanted was for Ron to come and fuss over me. He could be so silly sometimes.
