Draco returned to his office and found it empty, to his innate pleasure. He briskly made his way to his chair, dropping the folder Dumbledore gave him on his desk. He leaned back in his chair for a moment relishing the last few moments he would have to himself. He had left earlier to speak with his Chief, as his chosen guise was bothering him. Not the fact he would have to appear to be Granger's husband, though he would have preferred another arrangement. No, the main problem with his guise was that he was going as a Lord, which meant they weren't just a normal couple. The titles they were receiving were genuine, meaning they were working with Interpol.
Interpol had been refining their methods of espionage over the course of many years. Disguising oneself too carefully would produce the opposite effect. The person who was purposefully trying not to be noticed would inevitably be noticed.
So, they decided to create a new style of undercover work. The titled class was slowly growing extinct and they felt the best way to hide their spies was to set them up into lives already documented. They would keep the paper work for any family title which went extinct, these nonexistent people would marry, have children, own property, and it would all have a legitimate paper trail. Whenever a spy was needed to go abroad, they would simply find a lord or duke that matched the spy's age and physical appearance.
If the other side became suspicious and sent their own members back to England to see if such a man existed, they would come across documents, homes, family and friends, all assuring him he was not a spy. In general, the system worked fairly well. In this case, Draco could see they found him a very close match. Malfoy manor was located in Salisbury so it wouldn't be very difficult to speak of "his estate".
It was Interpol's involvement which motivated him to speak with his Chief, that and the rambling of Moody. The old man had in so many words told them if they returned it would be a miracle. It had become clear they had been sent on a suicide mission. He knew the Death Eaters were using terrorists to rid themselves of the Muggle population. Most of the trouble occurring lately was because of them. Well, he wasn't afraid to die, as Moody had so kindly pointed out that no one would really miss him.
It surprised him that those words applied to Granger as well, he would have assumed her married or at the very least engaged.
That brought Granger to the forefront of his mind. She hadn't changed since Hogwarts, he had seen enough of her to be certain of it. Her need to feel superior was still there, she would take to this case like schoolwork. Luckily there wouldn't be a library for her to go running to, just the folder. He leaned forward in his desk and opened his folder. There was absolutely nothing about this assignment that he enjoyed; if it weren't for his pride he would have refused it. It wasn't the danger for Draco's life had taught him not to fear danger. Rather it was saving Potter and Weasley, and having Granger along for the ride. He could be decent and polite to Granger, but he knew it was near impossible to expect the same from her. She was also new to this kind of work, having never been forced to work undercover. It was going to be a long assignment.
He sighed, thinking back how their meeting at the train station in Hogsmeade, she was going to fight him every step of the way.
He skimmed through the pages to see where they were headed. The first few pages dealt with his guises. Those he easily memorized and moved on to the actual mission. This was interrupted the moment Addison walked through his door, his jaw clenched at the sight of him.
"Don't worry Mr. Malfoy, she's in good hands, Vivien is working with her," Addison spoke as he moved to sit on the edge of Draco's desk.
"Addison!" Draco barked at him.
Addison stopped a few inches from the desk, realizing he was in Draco's office. He quickly straightened up and sat on the couch as he chuckled lightly.
"Have you gone through the folder?" Addison tried to divert Draco's attention. "Ms. Hermione Granger is reading through it right now while she gets her hair done."
Draco raised an eyebrow at the thought of Granger's hair being done.
"I was trying to read through this thing," Draco indicated to the folder on his desk. "But unfortunately you entered and I haven't been able to get back to it." He looked pointedly at him.
Addison misread the look being directed at him. "Why don't I simply summarize the contents for you? It would go by faster, and we are really pressed for time. I have your flight to Paris scheduled for tonight at 10:45," and looking at his watch, "It's already noon and that doesn't leave us with much time. You still need to have your guises done with Vivien. You also need to speak with Miles Avery, the man in charge of this mission with Interpol. Lets not forget eat. And finally drive to the airport."
"Change our flight Addison." Draco spoke in a hushed tone, not his usual commanding voice.
"But that's the latest flight, Mr. Malfoy. I've checked, and there is nothing later." Addison jumped off the couch he was flustered now and felt he needed to regain control of the situation.
"Let me rephrase that, Addison, we aren't flying to Paris, get us tickets for the underground train to Paris." Draco spoke a bit louder, with more force in his voice. He hoped the other man would leave it at that and leave.
Unfortunately, Addison did not. He didn't like Aurors taking over his job. Their job was to go out use the guise he gave them and get the targets. He picked which guise was best for the job and decide every detail of that guises' life. He was flushed and was speaking louder then usual.
"But why? I got you first class seats-" he was quickly interrupted by Draco.
"She doesn't like flying." Draco really didn't want to explain himself but he knew if he wanted to be left alone he would have to. He wasn't doing this as a favor to her or to be nice, he just knew if Granger started the assignment agitated it would make it worse for him.
"Ms. Hermione Granger?" Addison was slightly confused.
"Yes. Go make the necessary arrangements and leave me be." Draco turned his attention back to his folder. He had given up the explanation. Addison would now leave and let him be.
"But your guise… you need to get it done!" Addison was nervous to leave Draco just yet.
"Addison just go." Draco barked at him, "I'll get to Ms. Moreley once I'm finished here."
Addison knew he couldn't push his luck any further and so quickly left the office.
With a hint of a smirk on his face, Draco spoke to himself, "Granger's hair alone should keep her occupied till I get there."
He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He was alone. He breathed in deeply enjoying his last moment of solitude.