'I'll always love you, Draco…my feelings will never change, no matter what you do.' Hermione said looking into his icy blues.
He stared at her emotionlessly. Then he managed to form a smile, though his stomach was swarming with an aching feeling of guilt.
'Draco,' Hermione began with a worried tone.
'Yes?'
'Harry came over today…' She said as she sat up and pulled the thin sheet up over her chest.
'Mmhm?' He replied, knowing what was coming. He prepared for this.
'Harry said you weren't at practice, he was really worried. Aren't you going to be in trouble for skipping? Where were you?' She asked, flustered a bit.
Draco was silent for a second, but then lied to her calmly.
'I told my Captain yesterday that I would not be able to make practice, Harry must not have been there to hear. This morning at ten was the only time I could pick up your flowers, which were in Hogsmeade.'
'You couldn't owl and have them sent?'
'I wanted to pick them out myself, make sure I bought the best ones.'
'Why were they so important?'
'What's with the 20 questions, Hermione?'
'I'm just curious, Draco.' She replied defensively.
'The flowers were important, Hermione, because they were for you. I knew I was a bit hot-tempered about your job, but I'm really actually proud of you and how hard you're working, and I wanted to you to know that…that's also why I sent them to your work. To give you something special as you worked so hard.'
Hermione smiled appreciatively at him.
That new familiar feeling of guilt spasmed inside Draco again, but he ignored it.
Hermione was so delighted to hear Draco finally say something positive about her job, so she took his story for what it was, no more questions asked.
Thursday, Quidditch Practice—
On the way to the locker rooms after a regular three hour practice, Harry jogged up to Draco.
'Where've you been?' Harry asked.
'Why so interested?' Draco asked, not even turning to look at Harry.
'I just would like to know where my teammate and husband of my best friend has been recently.' Harry retorted with attitude.
'I couldn't make it to practice yesterday because I had to pick up Hermione flowers from Hogsmeade,' Draco said hastily, but didn't end there, 'and then that Rita Skeeter unfortunately caught up with me and hounded me about my honeymoon. I barely escaped and didn't give her an ounce of information. She doesn't need to know about my private life, and frankly, neither do you, Potter.'
'I do need to know if you are going to hurt this team, Malfoy. You can't go around doing personal shit when you're supposed to be helping us make it to the finals.'
'I wanted to get some flowers for my wife, is it really that big of a deal?' Draco snapped.
'Maybe Hermione believes that story, but I can see through it.' Harry said bravely.
Draco stopped walked and turned to finally face Harry.
'I don't care if you don't believe me. That's not my problem. All that matters is that I will be at the game on Saturday and I'll catch the Snitch to win you your game. See you.'
Draco left Harry quickly, jogging back to the lockers.
As soon as Draco entered the room, Walker strut up to him.
'You actually showed up today.' Walker said hotly.
Draco didn't say anything, he just turned to face him.
'As Captain, I have to scold you for being irresponsible. However, if I was anything less than Captain, I'd probably have a go at you for playing around with this team. Finals are coming up, Malfoy, and we all want to be in it. And in order to qualify we have to work hard…all of us, not just everyone but the Seeker. You better not skip one more practice, Malfoy, or I'll be forced to do something I rather not do.'
With that said, Walker left Draco's side.
Draco was the team's best Seeker, he knew Skye Walker wouldn't, or better couldn't, suspend him or kick him off. Draco arrogantly strut through the rest of the locker room, acting as if Walker's speech affected him none.
Department of Mysteries, Hermione's Office—
Hermione was writing out notes about a recent criminal (well, that's what Hermione thought the person was) they questioned, when a low voice spoke through the air.
'Mrs. Malfoy, this is Mr. Neitzel, please report to my office now.'
'Umm, yes Sir.' She said nervously.
Hermione quickly stood up from her chair and went to Neitzel's office. She entered quietly.
'Yes, Sir?'
'You were the last to remove the "Watched Persons" file from Room 3 were you not?'
'Umm, maybe, Sir. I am not sure if anyone else looked at it after I left.'
'Well, you were the last. You replaced the file two days ago, correct?'
'Yes, Sir, I replaced it.'
'You forgot to put the list of names and dates back with it.' He scolded.
'The what?'
'The list, Mrs. Malfoy. The list of the questioned people, and people to be questioned, and all the dates.'
'People to be questioned?'
'Yes, but the list title is not the problem here, Mrs. Malfoy. That list is not in the file any longer, you must have forgotten it.'
'I'm quite confused, Mr. Neitzel, I don't know which list you are talking about.' She said timidly.
'Mrs. Malfoy, everything was in that file that was supposed to be there before you checked it out, and now something is missing after you check it out. I suggest finding it and replacing it immediately. It is very important and cannot get into the wrong hands.'
'I promise I don't know what you're talking about!'
Neitzel sighed and spoke into something on his desk. After a few moments of silenced speaking, he looked back up at her.
'Fudge is waiting for you in his office.'
'Excuse me?'
He sighed in frustration.
'The Minister is in his office waiting to speak to you. Go to him.'
She nodded fearfully and left his office. She made her way to Fudge's office as quickly as possible.
'You need to speak to me, Minister?' Hermione asked.
'You need to find that list, Mrs. Malfoy. It probably slipped out and is lying in your office, just find it. Take the day if you need to search else where outside the Ministry.' He said sternly. 'If this list if not found, Mrs. Malfoy, I don't see how the outcome could be benefiting to you or the Ministry.'
Hermione nodded and left his office. She used all power to restrain tears as she went to her office and searched it thoroughly.
After about a half hour of searching she nearly gave into her tears.
'I'm going to be fired…' She said, choking on her words. 'No…maybe it's at home…but it's not! I don't even know what I'm looking for!'
She wiped her eyes and gathered her coat in her arms and left the building to go home immediately.
Malfoy Manor, 1:00—
Draco was in the kitchen, cutting up celery for himself when he heard the front door open and close with a weak slam.
That can't be Hermione…it's only one in the afternoon. He told himself.
He put down the knife and celery stick, wiped his hands on his black pants, and walked into the foyer to see a crying, shaking Hermione.
Suddenly Draco felt his heart squeeze seeing Hermione in this state. He heart squeezed tighter when she looked up into his eyes with her red, watery ones.
'Hermione? What happened?' He asked, moving quickly to her.
She gasped quietly and ran to him.
'I've lost something! I don't even know what it is, but I've lost it!'
'Hermione, baby, calm down. Who said you lost something?'
'Fudge and my department head! They both talked to me in their offices today saying I lost something from a file I was looking at and I don't even know what they are talking about.'
Draco immediately thought of the list from the "Watched Persons" file that he took. He felt guilty, once again.
'I have to find the list, Draco, or they'll fire me for sure. It's apparently a very important list and I have to be the one to lose it!'
Once she said the word "fired" his 'devil' conscience immediately became worried about his group losing their source in the Ministry. Without her inside, it would be much harder for them to get information out.
'Hermione, go to bed. I'll help you find it in the morning.'
'No, no, you can't. I don't even know what it is, and neither do you, and you can't know.' She immediately replied, not meaning to hurt his feelings.
Draco is inwardly upset, but outwardly he shows concern.
'Then go take a calming bath and look afterwards. You can't look while you're all jumpy, get relaxed, calm your nerves.'
Hermione nodded and went upstairs.
After Draco watched her disappear down the hall he apparated to Goyle's house. Without even explaining to Goyle why he was there, he took the list and went back to the Manor.
Draco ran into the family room, where Hermione always looked at her files, and threw it haphazardly under a couch.
Five minutes later Draco was in the Entertainment Room acting as if he'd been there since she went upstairs. He heard her run down the stairs and into the family room.
'Oh thank God!' He heard her cry.
She then ran into the Entertainment Room.
'Oh, Draco! I found it! It must have slipped out of my file, I never even looked at it! I'm so relieved…'
'You really have never seen that list before?' Draco asked, turning on the couch to face her.
'No, I had no idea this list existed. That's why I was so scared! I had no idea what my bosses were talking about!'
Draco turned to face the television, but didn't watch it. He just thought.
Hermione never read that list. She has no idea the Ministry drags people in off the street, does she? Did the Ministry explain it to her?
'Well, I'm glad you found what you were looking for.' He said truthfully.
Meanwhile at Goyle's House—
'Draco is too attached to that Mudblood.' Pansy said snidely.
'Draco is one of us.' Blaise retorted.
'He isn't one of us. He's part of her.' Pansy sneered.
'Pansy's right. Draco will never betray Hermione.' Goyle spoke.
'We're not asking him to.' Blaise replied quickly.
'Yes. We are. What is our next goal?' Pansy asked rhetorically, 'We want to bring down the Minister. He's the dictator of this government and he needs to be replaced.'
'Pansy,' Blaise began to explain, 'if the Minister is "removed" one of the Ministry officials will take over, nothing will change. All we can do is continue to find out the Ministry's secrets and avoid fulfilling their expectations for us.'
'That's not enough.' A nameless man said boldly.
'Oh yeah, Jim? And what do you think we should do?' Blaise said incredulously.
'Get one of us into the Ministry, gain trust, remove the Minister and take over.'
'HA!' Blaise cried mockingly. 'That's impossible, and even if it was, do you know how long that would take?'
'Look, Zabini, it seems like you don't even care about stopping the Ministry, so why don't you leave and let Brown whip you like Draco allows the Mudblood to do to him.' Pansy spat.
Blaise narrowed his eyebrows at her.
'Pansy, stop,' Crabbe whispered loudly, 'we need Blaise and Draco.'
'For what?' Pansy asked loud enough for everyone to hear, 'They aren't helping us! Draco is off fucking his Mudblood and Blaise is supporting him!'
'Hermione is not the enemy here, it's the Ministry as a whole. I think you joined this group for the wrong reasons, Parkinson…to get revenge against Hermione.' Blaise stated.
'The Mudblood is a speck in my eye…the Ministry is a plank. It's two birds with one stone, that's why I joined. But apparently my joining was futile because this group is going nowhere.' She said angrily.
'Then what do you want to do?' Blaise questioned.
'I've been doing some research…and I've figured out a way we can get into the Ministry and be official leaders.'
'How?' Many asked Pansy simultaneously.
'Draco knows more than he should about the Ministry because of the animaguses, Hermione doesn't know this though. However, the Ministry could find out that Draco knows more than he should, the Minister will assume Hermione told him…'
'How will the Ministry find out?' Millicent asked.
'One of us will tell him. I suggest it be Alyson.'
'Why me?' Alyson Crimson, a blonde hair, blue eyed beauty asked.
'The Ministry doesn't know about you. You are here because you think it's a good cause, not because you had family killed or thrown into Azkaban. They don't even know you exist really. You go to Fudge and say you have important information about Draco Malfoy, and you have been following him for quite some time. Ask to be a Ministry Spy in exchange for information. Fudge won't deny you, he'll desperately want that info.'
'Wait! Wait!' Blaise cried, 'If they find out Draco knows shit, he'll get thrown into Azkaban, along with Hermione because she'll be accused of giving out secrets.'
Pansy didn't reply.
'Is that your plan?' Blaise asked in shock.
'Some sacrifices must be made in order to get business done. In order to change the Ministry.'
'Wait,' Alyson spoke up, 'how will me being a Spy change the Ministry? I'm one person. Only a spy.'
'Well, well, that's where more sacrifices come in. You will keep giving the Ministry information, officials will notice your enthusiasm and hard work, and Fudge's incapability to keep up with you. They'll impeach Fudge…you'll become Minister.'
'That's absurd!' Blaise shouted, 'That'll never happen! Besides what other information can she give? Make up shit?'
'Exactly, we'll make what ever shit she makes up, happen.' Pansy explained.
'How?'
'For instance, Alyson will tell the Mysteries Head, "Gregory Goyle is planning on attempting to break into Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley". Then they automatically assume it's for Dark Arts purposes, because it's Knockturn Alley, they'll go to Borgin and Burkes and catch him.'
'Uhh…why would I be at Borgin and Burkes?' Goyle asked.
'To prove Alyson was right.'
'Then I'd get caught and be thrown into Azkaban.' Goyle said in a frightened tone.
'Sacrifices must be made, Goyle.' Pansy shrugged.
'Oh…why me?' Goyle asked to one in particular.
'No. This is ridiculous.' Blaise spat, getting up from a chair, 'I'm leaving. Draco is our leader and he's not even here. I'm not going to work behind his back to throw him to the Dementors. You're crazy, Parkinson.'
He then left the room, and left for his own home.
'Okay, Blaise Zabini is no longer wanting to change the Ministry and get our rights back. He betrayed us, like Draco has.' Pansy said.
No one argued with her.
'You'll be a hero, Goyle.' Pansy said with a sweet smile. 'A martyr.'
'I don't think this is a good plan.' Crabbe said quietly.
'You got a better one to change our lives?' Pansy asked angrily.
'No.' He muttered.
'After Alyson is Minister, she'll hire us. The Ministry won't even know what hit them.'
A dark man in a corned of the room suddenly spoke in a low tone.
'I think it's brilliant. Draco Malfoy was never strong enough for this group. The Mudblood has brainwashed him beyond hope. I agree. Sacrifices must be made for the improvement of the Wizardry World. Maybe after we take control of the Ministry, life will prosper for us now. Purebloods will rule, like they always should have. We can be better than the Dark Lord ever was. He wasn't even a Pureblood, he never deserved to have so many praise him. It's up to us now.'
Everyone was silent and stared at the dark, powerful-sounding man.
'Too right you are.' Pansy spoke softly.
She then looked around at the group.
'Who votes to replace him with Draco as leader?'
Nearly everyone rose their hands.
'What's your name?' Pansy asked.
'Calicifer Montgomery.'
'Will you lead us?'
'I will.' He growled. 'First, someone must Obliviate Blaise Zabini's mind. He must not remember this night, nor must he remember he was ever part of this group.'
'I'll do it.' Alyson said. 'I'm pretty good with Memory Charms.'
'Then, we'll need someone to tell Draco he's not leader and is out of the group. Tell him things are being taken care of, without his help.'
'He's not going to give up like that.' Adrian Pucey commented.
'He can't do anything about it. He can't tell his wife that his old group is planning something, she'll be upset with him for joining in the first place. He can't go to the Ministry, he knows he'll be in trouble and the Minister won't believe he was "kicked out". Besides, even if he did think of someone to tell, he'll be thrown into Azkaban before he can talk to them.'
'You really have this planned out.' Pansy spoke in admiration.
'I want to change the Ministry and this is the only way to do it. It must have no flaws.'
Everyone began to speak in murmurs. Alyson then left to cast a Memory Charm on Blaise. Pansy began to work on an owl for Draco.
Back at the Malfoy Manor—
Hermione had gone to bed, she felt lightheaded from all the stress of her day, while Draco continued to lounge around the Entertainment Room. He began to feel guilty for feeling such harsh emotions against her.
As he thought, a brown owl flew to his window and tapped on the glass. Draco rose from the couch and strolled over to the window, opened it, and took the letter from the owl's foot.
He opened it and read it to himself.
Draco, we think you are bringing down the group. You are too attached to your wife. You are no longer group leader. Don't go crying to Zabini either, he's has no say any longer. He too is no longer part of the group. Just forget about us. Just go on being the whipped ass for the Mudblood. You really don't have enough passion against the Ministry to help us. Sincerely, Pansy Parkinson.
Draco stared at the owl in awe. He couldn't believe he was the looked-up-to leader yesterday and now he was kicked out. He quickly grabbed a quill and some parchment and wrote back.
Pansy, I'm assuming this little expulsion was your idea. You always did let your jealously get the better of you. I don't give a flying FUCK about the group. Blaise and I were the only potential leaders, now that we're gone your little group is going to fall apart. You cannot lead. You are just a slut and you don't know how to do anything but whine and fuck. I get interrogated in a week and after they question me and I politely answer their little questions, I'll be free and done being followed. I'll be able to lead a normal life with my wife. And I'll be happy, which is more than I can say for you. You'll always be chasing something you'll never have. You may think you can bring down the Ministry but they are much stronger than you and a few remnants of Death Eaters. I know this might be a difficult concept for you, but don't do anything stupid. –Draco Malfoy.
Draco chuckled slightly at his letter, attached it to the owl's leg, and sent it off to Pansy.
He watched the bird fly off and sighed. He then grinned, waved his hand across the television, turning it off, and then sprinted upstairs to his bedroom.
He slid inside the bedroom across the newly waxed hardwood floors (waxed by house elves of course) and then crept softly to Hermione's side of the bed.
He stared down at her for a few precious moments. The blankets were pulled up to her chest, but he could still see she was wearing one of his T-shirts. It was the "Weasley is Our King" shirt.
He brushed her hair away from her face, and leaned down and kissed her cheek tenderly. It didn't mean to wake her, but she stirred when his warm lips touched her skin. He could see her legs stretch underneath the blankets. She moaned softly and then opened her eyes. Her large honey orbs met his silvery blue ones. She smiled when she realized he had just kissed her.
'Hey,' She said in a whisper.
'Hi.' He replied softly, 'I didn't mean to wake you.'
'It's okay. I don't mind.'
Hermione then scooted herself over to his side of the bed, so he could lay down next to her. He lifted the blankets and crawled inside them. After he put then blankets down against him, Hermione moved up against him. Draco then wrapped his left arm around her small body. He closed his eyes, and kissed her forehead.
''Mione, I'm sorry if I've been distant this past week.'
'It's okay, Draco. I knew you'd be back to your normal, sweet self eventually. I know you were not positive about my job in the beginning and I figured that's how you decided to deal with it. I just let it run through your system.'
'Hermione-'
Draco was about to tell her he read the list and ask her if she knew what the Ministry was doing but something held him back. He didn't want to admit he looked through her file.
'Yes, Draco?'
'Err, nothing.'
'No, it's okay. Is something wrong?'
He thought for a moment whether or not to speak up about the Ministry.
'No, nothing's wrong. Everything is fine. You're fine, I'm fine, we're fine.'
Hermione smiled, closed her eyes, and moved her head to the nape of his neck. She sighed tiredly, causing Goosebumps to form on Draco as he felt her hot breath against his skin.
'You're going to practice tomorrow?' Hermione asked, half-asleep.
'Yeah. I have a game on Saturday, too.'
'I know…I remember.' She sighed languidly.
He smiled to himself thinking, We're okay. I don't care about the Ministry any longer. All I care about is Hermione and my team. All I want to do is be successful for her. I just want to live for her. Even if the Ministry pries into my life for a while, at least I always have something to look forward to when I come home…