~Chapter Thirty-Nine~ Regroup
Monday saw them all reconvene at the office, Draco via the floo. They all felt the same way. The third group murder had come as a hammer blow, particularly cruel after Hermione's success with the Mark removal, and facing a new week with wizarding Britain in a semi-lockdown, panicked and worried about their safety and the Ministry's ability to ensure it, was no small thing to face down.
For Hermione it was something of a relief when Harry's letter came early in the morning as she was brushing her teeth, having woken up at her usual time through force of habit, despite still being dead on her feet. He had written asking for her to come in, saying that Draco would floo, which had been both a relief and a disappointment for her.
She wasn't quite sure how her news had gone down with him the previous night, but she knew that there was no way he could have taken it as calmly as he had seemed to.
Even so, being in the office after what felt like an age away was a welcome change, even if she had to fight through the press line in the atrium, questions raining down like hail, the faces of all the Aurors in the office serious and grim.
Harry's had been no less so, even as he greeted her with a tight hug and a peer in the face.
"Sleep OK?"
Hermione shrugged. "As well as can be expected. It'll probably take me a while to be back to one hundred percent."
Harry nodded, leading the way over to the fire. "Malfoy should be calling in just a minute."
As if on cue, the floo chimed and Draco's incorporeal head, created from flickering flame, was in the fire. Even as magical flame, he too looked exhausted.
"Potter. Granger."
"Malfoy." Harry nodded, and together he and Hermione squatted down by the fire. "Now that we're all here, I've got the latest updates from Kingsley. He wants you to continue with the ruse."
"What?" Draco and Hermione's questions melded into one word.
Harry raised a hand. "It's a useful tool, and prematurely ending it now could simply come back to bite us later. We don't know when we might need a distraction provided by you two. Maintaining it is less trouble. If we suddenly turn around and say you've broken up or the whole thing was fake, that's just another thing to handle on top of everything else, not to mention the suspicious timing. It's far better if you continue it with some minor appearances, general coming and going from Draco's apartment."
Hermione cast a faintly anxious glance to Draco, but his expression was even harder to read when composed of live flames.
"The hope is also that it may yet draw the murderer's attention," Harry continued, unaware of the spanner his words had thrown into the thoroughly awkward works now subsisting between his colleagues. "I know it feels like throwing good money after bad when they haven't targeted you yet, but we don't know how much good it's doing until we don't have it, and by then it would be too late. With any luck it may also give people a distraction from their fear as well, although that's a bit of a longshot."
"We'll continue with it, it's fine, Potter." Draco said dryly. "Easy enough to do."
Harry nodded and turned to Hermione. "Kingsley does think it would be wise for you to start coming back into work again, if you're OK with that Hermione. It might help stabilise public opinion and prevent panic."
Hermione nodded. "Of course. It's just what I was going to suggest."
Harry turned back to Draco. "For the time being, it's probably safest if you continue to work from home and firecall us whenever you need to talk. I know it's not ideal, but we really can't have the ruse tumbled now."
Draco nodded. "It's fine, Potter. With Granger coming back to my place at nights, and us doing the occasional dinner or lunch, it should be enough to keep up the pretence without interfering with the work."
Harry shot Draco a brief smile of thanks. "Now. Work. Draco, you've got the protection scheme – Brockton is going to come over after lunch and go over the finer details of the plan that you come up with and help with any Ministry technical details you might need. He's got the lists of available Aurors for matching up to those needing protection."
Draco nodded shortly.
Harry turned to Hermione, his face no less serious. "Hermione, this morning I want you to focus on brewing the potions and removing the Marks today, if possible."
"I can have it done today."
Some of the creases around Harry's eyes eased with the relief. "Oh good. The Muggle families are starting to get very antsy about seeing their relatives' bodies. So focus on that for today, either here or at Malfoy's, whichever works better for you. Then take over the codes from Malfoy."
Hermione nodded. "I'll do the potions in the Department of Mysteries. They have potion labs for testing their experiments, and it'll save carting things everywhere between Draco's and here."
Harry and Draco nodded.
"Right." Harry prepared to stand. "I've got families to speak to and scouting reports to read. Good luck, everyone."
They all exchanged brief glances, trying to impart a sense of fortitude and belief that all of them were struggling to feel, then went their separate ways to their tasks.
Hermione paused on the carpet, feeling silly and awkward, waiting for Draco to appear. The floo had chimed, but she could hear no sound of him in the house.
There was a sudden crack and Dilly appeared.
"Good evening, Miss! My Master says that your room is still ready for you to use, and Master Crookshanks may be left with me, Miss." The tiny elf reached out her long-fingered hands to Crookshanks who happily allowed himself to be surrendered into her arms, purring. His furry form all but obscured the elf, her large eyes just barely visible through the ruff of his fur. "My Master is still working, Miss, but he has made a dinner reservation for you both for seven o'clock, Miss."
"Thank you, Dilly." Hermione let out a sigh, and she wasn't sure if it was relief or disappointment. "That's all."
"Very good, Miss!" Dilly toddled off, Crookshanks slinking by her side, taller than she was.
After a moment, Hermione followed in the same direction, moving through the quiet house towards the kitchen in search of some tea. She knew where Draco kept all the things, and once she had a steaming brew she took it upstairs to her room, sinking into the highbacked armchair in one corner, cradling the cup between her hands. She closed her eyes, breathing in the scented steam, trying to let it help relax her.
The day had been busy, filled with brewing and administering the potions. Then she had insisted on accompanying Harry to return the bodies of the Muggles to their families. It had been a difficult day, full of emotions from the families and her own, but rewarding to be able to return the bodies, unmarked, nevertheless.
She wasn't entirely sure what to expect from Draco, or how to act when they went out for dinner. He had been a little brusque in their morning meeting, though not impolite, but it was still a far cry from the easy banter they had established previously. Even with how unexpectedly cordial he had been the previous night, she couldn't help but feel anxious. Deeper than that as well, she could feel a real and genuine longing for what they had before, and the idea that that easiness which she had grown so accustomed to might now be gone saddened her.
"Am I disturbing you?"
Hermione jumped violently, slopping the tea over her front, and yelping as she scalded herself. "AH!"
Before she could fully take things in, Draco was already beside her, wand out, vanishing the spilled tea and taking away the cup, summoning a burn healing balm. "I'm sorry, here."
Hermione tugged open the top of her blouse, dipping her fingers in the pot and slathering the oily mixture across the red patch that was still blooming just below her collarbones. "It's fine." She winced slightly. The cool of the cream was a welcome counterpoint to the heat of the burn, but it itched as it healed, increasing the skin cell turnover rate. Hermione breathed through her nose for a few seconds, waiting for the sensation to subside, and then checked her skin. It was fine again.
Draco was still on his knees in front of her, expression concerned, the balm in hand. He produced a clean handkerchief wordlessly, handing it over and watching as she wiped away the last of the tea and balm.
"It's not your fault. I was miles away." Hermione smiled faintly. "Thank you."
Draco nodded, but he still looked guilty. He rose to his feet, the pot disappearing with another twitch of his wand. She made to return the handkerchief, but he waved a hand, indicating she should keep it, and then the unreadable mask was back. "Potter thought it best if we went to a wizarding restaurant tonight. Morale and all that."
Hermione nodded, collecting herself. "Of course."
"It's in Diagon Alley."
Hermione looked up at him, waiting for more.
"Is that…OK?" The hesitancy in his expression was carefully measured, as he was now in all their interactions, but it was still there.
"Yes. Oh. I see what you mean. Yes, of course. I'll be fine." The attack felt like it had happened on the other side of some great curtain dividing her life. She had almost forgotten about it.
Draco nodded. "All right. Well. I'll see you downstairs at quarter to seven then." He nodded again, then turned and marched woodenly out.
Hermione watched him go, and sighed deeply after the door clicked shut, slumping into the seat again. She flicked her wand in the direction of the bathroom, the taps of the bath turning, hot water and steam gushing out.
Dinner had been exceedingly awkward. Even more so than when they had first been starting out the ruse at Monte Rosa. Draco was stiff, but trying to pretend otherwise, and Hermione could feel herself reacting to his true feelings, despite both their efforts. Fortunately, the news had made most wizarding folk more retiring, and they were one of a very few out in the restaurant, and even those who were out and about weren't in a mood to notice the stilted conversation and long pauses between the couple.
Walking Diagon Alley had been somewhat eerie, the cobbles quite silent in comparison to the usual evening bustle and chatter, and they had linked arms for the look of the thing, although barely exchanged a word. Hermione had rationalised that looking subdued given recent events would be see as appropriate, at the very least. Draco steered her past the mouth of Knockturn Alley, taking the opposite side of the path both times, placing himself between her and the entrance without speaking. She hardly realised until it was done.
They apparated together back to the front step of Draco's, and the moment the door was shut he lowered his arm, releasing her to remove his coat, and disappear further into the house.
Hermione hurried after him, still in her coat, catching him on the stairs.
"Draco!"
He stopped.
"Look at me."
He turned, very slowly. His eyes met hers in obeyance with her request, but his expression was guarded and very careful.
Hermione paused. She hadn't expected him to turn. It didn't help that several steps above her his height became intimidating. "I…look. Can we talk? We can't keep on like this."
"What would you like to talk about?"
He was so good at pretending. "This." Hermione gestured between them. "Us." She paused, and hoped he didn't hear the wistful note that had made it into the single syllable. She sighed. "We need to clear the air at the very least. If we keep on like this then people are bound to think something is up. And then what's the point in carrying on."
Draco regarded her for a moment, then slowly came back down the steps, approaching her and stopping on the step just above her, still looking directly into her eyes. His were teetering on opening up she could see, thoughts swirling behind the shutters, but the control was still very much there, a shield to hide his true reaction from her. Despite it all, she dared to think she could see beyond it. "I…"
Tentatively, Hermione reached out for him with her mind. She could feel his barriers firmly in place, ineffectual against her but there nonetheless, and she gently pressed up against them, waiting for them to ease. You can tell me.
Draco's lashes fluttered as he felt the touch of her consciousness, the shutters in his expression faltering. I'm sorry.
There's nothing to forgive.
But there is. Truly there is. So much.
I understand how you felt. It was such a bitter disappointment.
Yes.
It's OK. I understand.
It's not. Your understanding doesn't mean my actions or words were justified.
Hermione blinked, astonished, her eyes locked with his, and for a few moments she was lost for words.
Thank you. For understanding. And giving me another chance.
It's nothing, Draco.
It's not nothing.
A turn of phrase.
An incorrect one.
Hermione rolled her eyes and huffed slightly, but she could see the faint glimmer of his amusement behind the seriousness in his grey eyes.
You know I'm right, Granger.
Fine. You're right. You're welcome.
Better.
There is the other method I figured out. All hope isn't lost.
Draco's expression softened slightly as he laughed in his head, and it was like the warmth was allowed to spill out from his eyes across his features again. Don't waste your time, Hermione. It's fine. I'm resigned to it.
Hermione's eyes filled with sorrow and understanding.
Don't look at me like that. I can't bear it.
How should I look at you then?
Draco met her eyes for a moment, something shimmering in them, a thought blossoming like an iridescent bubble deeper in his mind, too far away and nebulous for her to understand. I…never mind. Just. Don't worry about me, Hermione. I'll be fine. I'm a Malfoy, remember.
Hermione snorted. Now who's forgetting things? I'm me, remember. Of course, I'll worry about you.
Draco stared at her, astonished.
Hermione flushed, suddenly self-conscious. Are we good again?
Draco nodded, very carefully. Yes. If you say so?
I do.
OK. Then we're good.
Hermione smiled, leaning forwards to hug him.
Draco stiffened for a moment, then let himself relax into it, his arms coming around her. Thank you for trying.
I'll always try. And you don't need to thank me.
Draco laughed properly at that, his chest shifting against her as he did so. "Such a Gryffindor," he muttered. "So stubborn."
"That's rich, coming from you." Hermione allowed herself a secret smile against his chest.
Draco chuckled.
"How was your work today?" Hermione pulled back from the hug reluctantly, looking up into Draco's face. He was relaxed again, although she could still see a shade of embarrassment and self-consciousness lingering on the edges of his expression, hesitancy in his movements and expression.
"Broxton is capable. We've managed to assign Aurors to those who need the protection. Luckily everyone I approached yesterday was too anxious to say no, so the scheme is going into effect tomorrow. I chose who's been sent to your parents myself."
Hermione smiled. "Thanks."
Draco nodded, the ghost of a smile in his eyes. "How about you?"
Hermione sighed. "Not particularly hard, just long and tiring. I went with Harry to return the bodies of the Muggles."
"Ah." Draco pulled her back into him. The foreign gesture felt indescribably right with her. He felt guilty for doing it, guilty for the sheer relief he felt being able to hold her in his arms, guilty for allowing himself to pretend for a few stolen moments that the dream could still be a reality. But he told himself this was only for her benefit. He had felt her need for comfort, whether she said it or not. It was in her very touch. And although he might not be her first choice, he was there, and she wasn't pulling away.
Hermione allowed herself to melt into Draco's arms again, relieved that he had made the move instead of her. This moment was all she had been wanting for days. He couldn't make the gruesomeness of the murders go away, or the carry the weight of the many tear-stained and grieving faces she had seen through the afternoon, but he could make the horror of it all pause. Just for those few seconds. He could make her feel safe from it all. "Thanks." Her voice was muffled against his suit.
"Nothing to thank."
She snorted at the words which she had said to him scant seconds before, but didn't surface. She dared to think she could feel him smile.
The next day felt a little brighter. It was a relief to both Hermione and Draco to have cleared the air, and even though the work that lay before them was no less, they were able to face it with fewer worries dragging them down. It was hard to ignore just how much their impasse had impacted them both, and even though they didn't discuss it, each recognised the relief in themselves and each other.
Draco had come to the resolution that even though the dream would remain a dream, he could still be friends with Hermione. The decision had come as something of a relief, easing his deep unhappiness. He could live with having only the friendship they had developed. It was good, and brought more light into his life than he had realised he was lacking. And knowing that the other door, the door with the dream behind it, was closed tightly shut by the Mark made the decision easier.
Hermione took over the code work from Draco, gathering his notes before she left for the Ministry after breakfast. Draco still had others to contact to bring in under the protection scheme, and had set up a station by the fire to floo throughout the day. Hermione made sure to whisper to Dilly, asking her to keep an eye on her master and ensure he ate and drank, and the little elf had nodded enthusiastically, clearly already planning the very idea, Crookshanks bounding by her side.
The Ministry was just as it had been the previous day, bustling and serious faces, and the ever-present wall of reporters at the gates. Their presence irritated her today more than it ever had in the past, the melancholy that had stained her soul from the murders and meeting the families of the victims turning to anger at their eagerness to capitalise on something so gruesome and horrible.
They swarmed her the moment she drew near, and it was only through sheer force of will that she made her way through them without reacting to the barrage of questions and the intrusive flashes of the cameras. Harry's work with them had been carefully curated, and her lashing out at the press in the wake of a mass murder that was currently sending the public into a panic would not help things.
The Auror Office had become a swarm of activity, Aurors rushing in and out as they exchanged shifts, those coming in tired from a night of being awake, but slumping over their desks to write out their reports before heading home to bed. Hermione shook her head, thinking about just how many of the reports would end up crossing Harry's desk. The job was often more paperwork than fieldwork and at times she wondered just how much Harry did it because of his need to save people, and how much was because he actually enjoyed the work.
She thought back wistfully to the beginning of the case, when she had just been a trainer, working with the new recruits, occasionally having input on cases when needed, of the breaks she and Draco had been able to take sparring in the S.T.E. It had only been a few weeks, and yet already felt like months and years had passed.
"Penny for them?"
Hermione jolted in her seat as Harry came in, and caught his faint grin at the vacant expression on her face. She flushed. "Sorry. Thinking back on things. To the start of the case."
Harry raised his brows. "Easier days."
"Exactly."
Harry laughed slightly. "Do you regret me pulling you into this?"
Hermione thought for a moment before shaking her head. "No. I don't. I'm glad you brought me in. Draco as well."
Harry's eyes crinkled at the edges slightly. "Oh?"
Hermione shrugged, trying to pass off the comment. "Well. You remember what I was like when I saw him."
Harry laughed, and even though the brief mirth dispelled the worried exhaustion in his expression, it didn't banish the creases etched into his face. "I do. That fight was quite something."
"Well." Hermione couldn't help but flush at the memory. "If nothing else, I'm glad I got to see his true colours. Thanks to you."
Harry smiled gently. "I only gave you the opportunity. You could easily have not seen them if you chose." The smile spread. "I'm glad you saw them too. He's…well…Malfoy's a bit of a cold fish, but he's really not a bad person. Once you get to know him." Harry laughed awkwardly, rubbing at the back of his head.
Hermione grinned. "Yes. Once you see through the many, many layers."
Harry nodded. He turned back to the mountain of reports waiting for him on his desk, the sternness resettling across his features. "Right. Better get going on these."
Dilly cooked dinner for them that evening, and it was nice just to spend the night in, particularly in the wake of the last lingering awkwardness from before. Draco had made some notes from his research and brought them down, set aside until after dinner when he shared them with Hermione.
"I feel like we need to go back to the beginning with this. We must have missed something. We never did figure out what required the blood of seven, and it has to be a potion of some sort." Draco handed her a glass of port as she glanced over his notes, curled up on the long settee in front of the fire.
Hermione frowned. "You mean back to the Bloodless Seven? Are you certain they're connected?"
Draco sighed. "I can't be sure, no. But something about it is niggling at me. The two cases might be extremely different in method, but something isn't adding up."
Hermione nodded. "It's worth investigating. Rather you than me though."
Draco grimaced. It was not going to make for pleasant reading. "I'll get on it." He settled down on the other end of the settee, relaxing with a faint groan. Bending over various tomes all day had stiffened his back and neck. "You don't need the dark grimoire anymore, do you?"
"No. It's all yours." Hermione grimaced. "I have to admit, it creeps me out a bit."
Draco's brows twitched faintly. "Unsurprising. Merlin knows how many people have suffered because of it."
The grisly thought hung between them for a few moments as they both sipped on their port.
"Well." Hermione's tone was forcibly stout. "All the more reason for us to use it to undo these things."
Draco glanced over at her, the fierce expression of her face outlined gold by the firelight, looking every inch the Gryffindor lioness she was so often described as being. He smiled and nodded. "Agreed."
Just got it in in time! For some reason getting back into the work mode this year has been harder than usual! I'm not sure why. And it's my birthday month so I got a bit distracted with deciding what to do for my cake haha. I am also taking serious steps towards beginning to send query letters to literary agents now, which is both exciting but incredibly intimidating. But on to the chapter!
This one is something that I had a lot of fun with writing. After tension and angst for the previous few chapters, the staircase conversation was emotionally really enjoyable to change to. The longing in this chapter is real though. Mutual pining is one of my favourite tropes (in case you hadn't already guessed XD) and these guys are just so perfect for it.
I am super excited to share the upcoming chapters! Everything is converging!
I hope you've had a great start to 2022, and that the year goes well for you. And I hope you enjoyed the chapter! :D
Please do review and/or favourite :) Tell me what you like or don't like :) Questions and speculations are always welcome :D As is incomprehensible flailing if that's what you go in for :)
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