Well, that wasn't what I was expecting.

Draco had made amends with everyone willing to listen after the war. It was clear to me that his father had a great influence over him and once he was sentenced to a life term in Azkaban, Draco was finally free. He wasted no time in signing into the auror program and he came in second in our class. Unfortunately, it was tough to get passed some of the prejudice surrounding his role in the war and he transferred to the Paris office shortly after graduation where his legacy was less well known.

I straightened in my chair. "So, what you are saying is that if I want to continue field work, my option will be to partner with Draco Malfoy." Harry nodded and I sighed. "It's not ideal, but it has got to be better than working with Ron."

There was still tension in Harry's face, but he looked a little relieved that I had agreed to the partnership. "I'm glad you're open minded. I know how much this job means to you and having to give it up because Ron is an oblivious arse just isn't right. Draco has excellent references and commendations from his time in Paris. Who knows, maybe you two will shape up to be the dream team."

I raised a brow. "Unlikely, but given what I've been able to do with Ron as a partner, it can only be a step up."

"I'll sign the papers today. As soon as I know when he's arriving, I'll let you know. In the meantime, why don't you pass the warehouse case to Anderson and Bates."

It didn't make me happy to do so since I had spent the last month compiling the information necessary to procure all the warrants and other logistical necessities for the raid, but I had no choice. It was a four auror job and I was temporarily just one.

"Of course. I'll make sure they have all the information and have been briefed by the end of the day."

His features softened. "It will all work out Hermione. I promise."

I stepped around my desk to give Harry a brief hug. "Time will tell."

Harry made his way back to his office and as soon as I was confident he was back inside with the door closed, I rushed to ladies' room.

Normally I wasn't an emotional mess, but the day had already been too much. Once upon a time I thought Ron and I would be the ultimate couple. Two thirds of the famed Golden Trio in love at last and working together to make the wizarding world a safer place.

The biggest struggle was coming to terms with the fact that the life I had imagined didn't live up to its expectations. Instead of a loving relationship where we could rely on and bring out the best in one another, it ended up being very one sided. I pulled the weight both at home and at work while Ron did whatever and whoever he felt like.

It had been a year and I was over the whole mess, but having to work with him day in and day out didn't make life any easier. Whether he knew it or not, Ron left some serious scars that I'm not sure I will ever recover from. How do you trust someone enough to be vulnerable with them after what I've been through?

I splashed water on my face and stared into the mirror. Speaking of scars, Draco Malfoy had done a pretty thorough job of leaving his own marks through the years. Yes, I understood now why he did what he did, but it doesn't lessen the fact that I know how cruel he is capable of being. It also doesn't erase the memories of him calling me names and knocking down my self-esteem every chance he got.

One thing I couldn't deny though was that he was smart. He was the only one in our class that managed to keep up with my studies and get nearly as good of marks as I did. Actually, he beat me in potions.

I had two choices now that I would be working with him on a day-to-day basis.

Wallow in the past making life difficult for us both. This option pretty much guaranteed our partnership would fail before it even began leaving me back at square one of having to consider a different career.

Putting our past behind us and starting with a fresh slate. This is our greatest chance at making this work.

If I went with option two, perhaps I could take this as an opportunity to start over. Get to know who Malfoy is today. I mean, the war was seven years ago. I know I've changed and grown a lot in the last seven years. We aren't little eleven year olds fresh off the boat anymore. Maybe if more people had taken the time to ask his opinion and gotten to know him in school, he wouldn't have fallen down the path that he did.

I dried my face and used my wand to quickly touch up the small amount of makeup I had on previously before returning to my desk to begin the process of passing off my current assignments.