A/N: Shout-Outs!
AmErIcAnCoWgIrL—I have officially read and reviewed for you!
Four Leaved Clover—Your sequel to Pawn on the Chessboard is really good so far! Thanks for writing it!
Buddieluvr— I'm glad you enjoy my story so much. Like you, many other readers love Blaise's personality too, thanks. I don't know if you've read my "Mudblood" series yet, but Blaise Zabini is a frequent character in those stories of mine!
Psychoticdncr—I promise you I will not just give up on this story out of no where! Thanks for the uplifting review!
Toms girl— No, obviously this story is not done yet! I'll make sure and inform all my readers bluntly if I finish!
DrAcO'sblackrose—Yeah, that "mysterious guy in black" is pretty suspicious.
Krystal—Thanks for the congratulations! It feels great not to go back to high school, but now I have college, so it's just more school! Oh well!
BreakmyheartTearyoursoul—you want Draco and Hermione to die together in the end? Wow well aren't you the little Angsty Dramatic-shipper! Lol! You don't like Hermione? Oh, sorry. I hope you keep reading! Thanks for your comments!
Aurum Potestas Est—I hope you like this chapter, I think you'll be proud of Hermione.
Silent-Serpent—I'd love to answer all your questions, but then I've give too much away!
HJPotterFan—I'm glad I turned you to the multitudes of Hermione/Draco shippers!
Lady Underworld—Yes, I did get Skye Walker from Star Wars, although it's spelt Skywalker without an E in Star Wars.
Strawberrylemonade520—I was proud of my Draco's letter in the last chapter too, thanks!
Malfoy'sAngel—Thanks for your review! The Quidditch match is coming soon and I'm glad you like the smut and cuddling!
LegolasEstelstar—NO NO NO Uncle Jack would never lead that little amateur group! Lol! Thanks for reviewing and your emails!
Kara Black—Sorry I have a horrible tense writing problem I guess!
Cupcakes-20—I'm glad my Draco is out of that group too! That made me feel really good, almost wise like a Master Jedi Knight, when you said you've learned from my writing! I do want to become a journalist, so we'll see how that goes! Thanks for your kind words!
Also thanks to: Onewhoisweird324, slytherinprincess4life, AnitatheHun, jesska-14, cait xo, .CrimsonMysteryOfARose., sugarnspice522, stefix3, Kortknee, NeoAddctee, cocoajoa, honeybeequeen2005, malevolent-malfoy, wiccan-witch88, lilred-07, TigerLilly1889, MoosiesRule, zurkie, greengrl, fritcatized, EmilyEB, MusicaLee, Sunflower18, dracosgrl10291, Hannah C. Thaw, Draco's Wife Lover, sexyslytherin27, gigglefritzy, Piperleo201188, FaErIexFaItH, degrassichick, ChocolateShipSurprise
Chap. 27 ObliviateFriday, A Day Before Quidditch Game
Hermione went to the work the next day, a bit frightened about the wrath of her bosses, but also feeling relief that she had the lists that they needed.
She entered Nikolaus Neitzel's office hesitantly.
'Ah, good morning, Mrs. Malfoy.' Neitzel stated calmly, but not exactly welcomely.
'Umm, I have the lists that were missing, Sir.' Hermione said softly.
Nikolaus smiled approvingly.
'Good. I was hoping I wouldn't have to report anything negative to Fudge. Were the lists at your house?'
'Yes, they were under a couch. I never even knew I had them! They must have slipped out of my file.'
'And they were haphazardly thrown openly in your house then?' Neitzel asked, the smile removed from his face.
'Yes, I'm sorry I never had the chance to read the lists.' Hermione said apologetically.
'So, there is a high chance your husband could have read them?'
'Oh, no, Draco didn't read them. They were under a couch.'
'And they could have easily been placed them by your husband?'
Hermione narrowed her eyebrows at Neitzel in shock.
'Excuse me?'
'Did you even ask your husband if he read them?' Neitzel asked her accusingly.
'I don't need to.'
'He's on the list.' Neitzel spat.
Hermione looked down at the lists in her hand and read Draco's name, and the date for next week.
'What is this?' Hermione asked.
'The Questioning List. Those are the people from the Watched List that we will be questioning soon. Some have already been questioned. Your husband, Mrs. Malfoy, has not been yet.'
'You mean…they don't break laws or anything? They just agree to come get questioned?' Hermione asked incredulously.
'Sometimes. But usually we find them in public, or go to their house, and bring them in.'
'Like criminals?'
'Well, they are watched people.'
'Watched! Not dragged in against their will and interrogated! This is against their freedom and rights! The rights the Ministry gives them, but is now taking away!'
'Mrs. Malfoy, I'm going to have to ask you to calm down, or I'm sending you to Fudge's office.'
'No! You aren't sending me anywhere! I applied for this job to improve and help the Ministry, not take part in it's illegal accusations and interrogations! No, I will not take part in this any longer. I quit.'
'You what? You quit, Mrs. Malfoy? You have a job in the Department of Mysteries and you quit? I'm afraid it's not that easy. You know too much about our goings-on.'
'What? So I can't quit?'
'No, no, it's your right to quit, but if you recall in that lease you signed before you started, the same one with the oaths, it clearly stated that you will have your memory of the information you received here, removed from your mind.'
'What? Where did it say that?' Hermione asked unbelievingly.
Nikolaus went to his desk and pulled out a file. He removed a sheet, and circled a sentence in ink and then handed it roughly to Hermione. She read the words aloud.
'If the signer of this contract decides on his or her own accord to renounce their position, he or she will be subjected to the actions of permanently not be able to give out any information about the Department of Mysteries.'
Hermione took a deep breath after reading the sentence.
'This doesn't say a thing about erasing my mind!'
'It clearly says "she will be subjected to the actions of permanently not be able to give out any information about the Department of Mysteries." Besides, we aren't erasing your mind, Mrs. Malfoy, stop being irrational. Our memory specialists are only going to be obliviating the information you received about this place while working here. You will remember working here, and that you worked in the Department of Mysteries. You will remember me, Fudge, fellow co-workers, and even the files, just not what is IN the files. You will also remember everything that happened outside your life here, in the time period of working here, do not worry.'
'Do not worry? I've never had my mind erased! What if something goes wrong and I end up in a comatose state!'
Neitzel huffed and said, 'You won't. Hence the word "specialists". Really, Mrs. Malfoy, how is it that you were able to survive this long?'
Hermione couldn't take being part of his staff any longer.
'Fine. Send me to the specialists now. I want to leave this place.'
'If you wish.'
Neitzel waved a hand and an airy female voice from the air began to speak.
'Good morning, Mr. Neitzel, what can I help you with?'
'Connect me to Specialist Nurse Nickelby.'
'Yes, Sir. Have a good day.' The voice replied.
A different voice then filled the air.
'Nickelby. What can I assist you with this morning, Mr. Neitzel?'
'Mrs. Hermione Malfoy has decided to quit this morning. I need you to cast Spell 4 on her.'
'Yes, Sir, send her to us. We are ready.'
Nikolaus then looked at Hermione and smirked.
'Go to Level Three.'
'Department for Magical Accidents and Catastrophes?'
'Correct, Mrs. Malfoy, I'm glad you learned something here.'
Hermione could barely believe her boss was treating her with such little respect. She threw the lists down on his desk, turned on her heel and left quickly.
'The nerve…' She muttered as she stepped into the elevator.
She pressed Level Three and was quickly brought there. She walked down a hall until she saw a woman at a desk.
'May I help you?' The red-headed woman asked sweetly.
''Umm, yes. Could you direct to me to the place where they obliviate?'
'Oh, sure. You wanted the Obliviation Headquarters. Down the hall, the blue door.'
'Thanks.'
Hermione walked down the hall, past a few doors, then saw a blue one. She walked in cautiously.
A woman was behind a desk there also, writing with a quill very quickly and sloppily.
When Hermione shut the door behind her, the woman looked up. Hermione noticed the woman looked very uptight. Her gray hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her lips were closed together firmly. She reminded Hermione much of Professor McGonagall.
'Yes? Are you Hermione Malfoy?' Asked the lady.
'Yes I am.'
'Take a seat.'
Hermione turned and saw no seats.
'Where?'
The lady looked up from her parchment.
'In the room behind me where you will be charmed…you are getting Spell 4 done, are you not?' The nurse questioned factiously.
'Yes, sorry.'
Hermione, feeling very foolish, walked into the room behind the nurse. She opened the door and revealed a circular white washed room with one chair in the center.
'Well, I can't get this wrong, there's only one chair!' Hermione said, making fun of herself.
She sat on the chair when the same nurse came into the room.
'I'm Specialist Nurse Rose Nickelby, I'll be obliviating your mind today.'
'Oh, thanks that's comforting.' Hermione said sarcastically.
The nurse narrowed her eyes at Hermione.
'You want me to accidentally cast Spell 9 on you?' The nurse asked angrily.
'What's Spell 9? It's nearly the same effect as a Dementor's Kiss.'
'No.' Hermione replied.
'Then sit quietly.'
Hermione leaned back straight and pursed her lips.
Suddenly the nurse pulled out a wand and waved a shape. Smoke appeared from the wand's tip and formed the number 4. Then the nurse cried, 'Obliviate!'
-Quidditch Practice-
Draco saw the golden snitch's wings fluttering below him, then quickly dived, capturing it in his fingers.
'Huzzah, Draco!' Skye Walker cried from his posts.
Draco simply nodded and rose higher into the air.
'Thank Merlin, Draco you're back!' Walker exclaimed happily punching the air. 'Well, it's noon! Everyone can head home!'
Everyone quickly flew down to the ground, and began to walk to the locker rooms, but then Draco saw someone standing by the stands. He thought it was Goyle again, but then realized the person was much smaller than Goyle. He grinned when he noticed his was his Hermione.
He dropped his broom and sprinted over to her. She smiled and waved happily to him.
When he reached her and grinned and asked, 'Hey baby, what are you doing here? Why aren't you at work?'
'I quit.'
'You what?'
'I quit.'
'Why?'
'Why don't you go change, and we'll go out for lunch and talk about it?' She replied.
'Oh, sure. I usually shower at home, but since I'm going to be in the presence of a lady I'll shower here, it'll take me about fifteen minutes until I'm ready, is that okay?'
'Sure, Draco, that's fine, take your time.'
He smiled and kissed her cheek, then sprinted back to the locker room, picking up his broom on the way.
About ten minutes later Harry walked out of the locker rooms and saw Hermione sitting on the first row in the stands.
'Hermione?'
He walked over to her quickly.
'Hey, 'Mione, why aren't you at work?'
'I quit.'
'Really? I thought you loved it?'
'I thought I did too. But I'm glad I'm done there, I didn't agree with a lot of the policies. How was practice for you?' She asked, diverting the subject.
'Oh, it was good. We're finally pulling our team back together after Draco's phase of laziness and irresponsibility.'
'Harry, stop. Are you excited for tomorrow? I am.'
'Yeah, I guess. Ginny'll be there.'
'She will? Oh, good! I'll have someone to sit with.'
'So, you came to watch Draco I assume?'
'Yes, I thought since I quit this morning, I might as well come be with Draco during the day and change it up a bit.' She said with a girlish grin.
'Yeah, it's good for him to be around you.'
A voice then sounded from a few feet behind Harry.
'Not harassing my wife are you, Potter?' Draco asked half-joking.
'Remember, Malfoy, she may be your wife, but she's still my best friend.' Harry said turning to face him.
Draco raised an eyebrow at Harry, but then turned to Hermione and smiled softly. Soon after looking at her face though, he frowned noticing she was frowning.
'What's wrong, love?' He asked. He then turned to Harry menacingly, 'What did you say to her, Potter?'
'No, Draco, Harry didn't do anything.'
'Then what's wrong?'
'Why are you back to Potter and Malfoy? What happened to Harry and Draco?' She asked softly.
Harry and Draco looked at each other and then at Hermione. They didn't really know what to say.
'Old habits die hard.' Harry shrugged, 'Well have a good day, 'Mione.'
'Bye, Harry.' She said quietly as he left the couple.
She looked up forlornly into Draco's eyes.
'Oh, come on, my love, don't dwell on my and Potter's relationship, if there is one at all…let's go grab that lunch now, okay?'
Hermione sighed and nodded. She looked down at her feet, but then saw Draco's hand in front of her. She looked up at him and his silvery blue eyes were smiling at her. She then took his hand and he led her to his vehicle.
A half hour later Hermione and Draco were sitting in a ritzy café with two mocha cappuccino's in front of them, waiting for their entrées.
'So, tell me more about your day at work, baby. Why did you quit? I thought you loved it.'
'I did. I don't agree with a lot of their policies though. Remember that list I misplaced?'
Draco choked a bit on his cappuccino.
'Yes, I remember. What about it?'
'Well, my boss interrogated me about it and basically told me off for losing it. He then told me I should have been more careful because you may have read it and just placed it haphazardly under a couch. He was openly accusing you of doing something like that and I remember I mainly quit because I disagreed with what was on the list, but I don't remember what that was.'
'I know you can't tell me, 'Mione, you don't have to claim you forgot.'
'No, Draco…I don't remember. The rule in order to quit is that my memory of everything I learned at the Ministry must be obliviated.'
'What? Can they do that?'
'Yes, it was in my contract apparently…'
'Well, at least they were careful and you didn't forget me or anything.'
'No, no, I made sure I'd remember important things and people, like you. But I couldn't believe that they assumed you took that list…' Hermione sighed, looking down at the swirls she was creating in her cappuccino by her spoon.
Draco's stomach knotted.
'Hermione…'
'Yes, Draco?' She asked looking up again.
'There's something I've got to tell you…'
A/N: Sorry, this chapter was a bit small, and I know it took awhile to get it out, but I was up North at a cabin this past weekend so sorry! I know I'm giving excuses but that's all I have! I also had to leave a cliffie! Review! Please and Thanks!