"How are you feeling." He asked as he fastened the cloak she had wrapped around her shoulders. She had ironed her Auror robes and spent nearly an hour battling with her frizzy hair. She sighed and shrugged.
"Nervous, I guess."
Harry smiled warmly, then wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm sorry about yesterday." He mumbled. She smiled slightly and pulled away.
"Don't be." She said, looking directly into his eyes.
She could see him struggling as he tried to formulate his words. He cleared his throat and looked down at his fidgeting hands.
"It's just-" He began, then exhaled in frustration and turned away slightly. She placed a hand onto his shoulder, trying to calm his scatterbrained thoughts.
"Why Ron?" He burst out, his voice was tight as he held back his tears. She didn't speak, this time she found herself speechless.
"I mean, we already lost Mad-Eye, Tonks, Fred, Cedric, Severus, hell we even lost Lavender!" He exclaimed. He was becoming agitated once more.
"But Ron was supposed to stay. No matter what! I mean- I-" His words dwindled as he tried to get a hold of himself.
"I know." Was all she managed. He gave her another quick hug, then sent her on her way to the ministry. After all, she had a job to do.
The Ministry was crowded that Monday morning and she found herself checking her watch every two minutes, to make sure she was still on time. She had a plan. It wasn't a very good one but it would have to do.
Every morning she had observed Draco Malfoy step out of his office and order a drink from the coffee cart, then he would step back into his office, grab his cloak and head off. Draco Malfoy had become an Auror, and Hermione knew the daily calls all too well. He barely even had time to sit down in his office and just relax. She wanted to catch him before he left the building. She had two more minutes. Now, completely disregarding her attempts to keep a tidy appearance, she pushed through the crowd, her hair flying in all directions and her robes crinkling as she ran.
She reached Malfoy's office just as he was closing the door behind him. He didn't notice her and started to make his way towards the elevator.
"Draco!" She cried, trying desperately to grab hold of his robes. He whirled around as she clutched thin air and tumbled to the ground. He offered his hand to help her up, a perplexed expression on his tired face. She grabbed it gratefully and let him pull her to her feet.
"Hermione?" He asked sceptically.
"I need to talk to you." She panted. He nodded stiffly, then unlocked his office again and led them inside. She smiled gratefully and took a chair next to his desk.
"So tell me, what's all this about?" He queried. She took a deep breath and began.
"As you might have heard, or read-" She said, her voice thin as she swallowed the tears that threatened to fall. Now was not the time.
"Ron- Ron's dead." She finished. He blanched, then leaned back into his chair, a defeated look entering his pale grey eyes.
"Oh Merlin, Hermione, I'm so sorry." He breathed. She had never seen him so open before, nor had she thought that he would care.
She nodded quickly, trying to stay focused.
"I need your help." She continued. He nodded vigorously.
"Of course, anything!"
She swallowed and looked at him. Her hand clenching and unclenching in her lap.
"I-we suspect that he was murdered by a death eater, well an ex-death eater. And I know that the Ministry is going to make its own inquiries, but the Minister is not going to want to disturb the peace of the wizarding world, therefore, his death will be brushed under the rug. I'm sure of it, Draco!" She gushed, feeling herself get agitated as she spoke.
He looked confused, then nodded slightly.
"And how do you suppose I can be of help?" He asked quietly. She paused slightly but didn't want to unsettle him any further.
"Draco, where is your father?" She breathed. He froze, looking taken aback as he processed her blunt question.
"Why do you ask?" He couldn't help shooting back, unable to keep the defensive tone out of his voice.
"It was him and his cronies, wasn't it? Draco, he's planning something isn't he?"
He didn't answer, his jaw clenched and his eyes hard.
"I. Don't. Know." He snarled. She stood abruptly, inraged by his refusal to answer her question.
"Ron is dead, Malfoy, and I know your father is to blame. How can you want to protect him after that? How can you still respect him?" She cried, colour flooding her face as she stared at him. He stood, too, never had she seen him so livid.
"My father is a fool and a coward! I have already publicly made my relationship with my family very clear. I do not in any way condone his ideas and actions." He hissed.
She scoffed and made her way to the door, feeling hopeless once more.
"Hermione, I swear I don't know where he is! If I did, I would tell you." He said, his voice laced with regret.
"Draco, I need you to tell me about his plans." She murmured, facing him once more. He hesitated for a few seconds, she could see his internal war raging. With a resigned sigh, he opened his mouth to speak.
"He wants to kill Harry Potter and the entire muggle population." He whispered.
She knew it. She had known it all along, but still hearing the words spoken out loud made her seize up with fear.
"Why?" She asked urgently.
Draco gave a dry laugh, it sounded more like a bark.
"He wants to exceed Voldemort. He wants to be the one who killed the boy who lived."

She fled the office, trying hard to grasp Draco's words. Okay, so she still had no evidence but she had the confirmation of a viable source. Now all she had to do was convince Draco to testify in front of the wizarding court. Hopefully, they'd be able to get this inquiry started before Lucius managed to accomplish his bloody mission.
With a frustrated inhale she marched towards her office, ready to face the day's challenges. She checked her memos and saw that Harry had sent her something. She unfolded the piece of parchment charmed so that it looked like a fluttering dove.

Where are you?
We have to leave in five minutes.
The Bucksley arrest is today!
- Harry

She groaned, immediately grabbing her wand and cloak. She had completely forgotten about the Bucksley case. Corbyn Bucksley was a pureblood wizard, recruiting all kinds of muggles to experiment on. He was a cruel being and Hermione had been horrified when they had found the tortured and mutilated children and grown-ups. He had abused his magical abilities and they were going to serve justice. However, he had escaped when they had raided his house. An anonymous source had told them that he was hiding in Scotland. Today was the day they planned on arresting him and Hermione felt terrible for forgetting such an important event.
Ron might be dead, but that didn't mean she could abandon her duties as an Auror. She sprinted towards the elevator and when she arrived in the foyer, she saw that the entire crew was waiting. She apologised profusely for being late, then thanked Harry for reminding her about the arrest. He gave her a sceptical look but smiled slightly, and then they apparated.
They had villains to catch.

"Merlin, you look terrible, 'Mione!" Sirius exclaimed as she and Harry entered the kitchen. Sirius was holding Teddy in his arms and simultaneously drinking a glass of wine. She gave him a disapproving look as he took a long sip. Alcohol and babies were never a good combination. He winked at her as she took Teddy from him.
"Hello, my beautiful boy." She cooed as his bright hazel eyes gazed up at her. She straightened up and saw Remus leaning against the kitchen counter. He smiled at her, blushing slightly. Obviously their encounter last night wasn't yet forgotten. She beamed up at him, trying to communicate that there was nothing to be awkward about.
"Sirius is right you know. You look awful." Remus said in that soft, yet authoritative voice of his. She shrugged. She knew that she looked a sight. She had a cut lip, caused by Bucksley as she had tried to contain him, and a blossoming black eye, also caused by that bastard, when she had tried to take his wand from him. Harry wrapped an arm around Hermione.
"She was incredible today! You know the Bucksley case? She was the one who was finally arrested him!" Harry said animatedly as he recalled the day's events.
"Shut up, Harry! You're the one who saved Ginny from his bloody cruciatus curse!" She retaliated, embarrassed by his praise. They smiled at each other, but Sirius was suddenly serious.
"Harry, don't be reckless like that." He chided. Harry looked affronted by his godfather's warning. Hermione squeezed his shoulder and made her way towards the sink. She grabbed a clean handtowel and let cool water run over it.
"Here, let me." Remus murmured as he took the towel from her and placed it on her bruised eye. She let him. His warm hands were a nice contrast to the freezing water trickling down her cheek. They stood like that for a long time, whilst Teddy slept in her arms.
"You look like a little family." Sirius laughed. Harry couldn't help but grin at Sirius' comment. The two of them flushed and parted quickly. Hermione gave Teddy to Remus and grabbed the towel, not ready to give up the relief she felt at its cool touch.
"So, who's making supper tonight?" She asked, trying not to show how she had let Sirius' comment affect her. She couldn't allow herself to fantasize about having a family with Remus. He was forbidden fruit. After Sirius had reluctantly offered to make baked beans on toast, his speciality, she left the room, desperate to put a little distance between herself and Remus.
There was absolutely no point in letting herself get carried away by school girl fantasies.

Scabior's POV
"Where is the mudblood?" His voice drawls. Charlie Weasley averts his gaze but keeps his bloodied lips sealed. Scabior chuckles darkly and takes hold of his chin, yanking the Weasley's head so that he's forced to stare at him. Scarlett blood trickles down his chin as he struggles against his restraints.
"Believe me, Weasley, it would be best for you and your family if you just told me where Granger is." Scabior snarls. Charlie shakes his head in refusal. Scabior exhales in mock regret, then draws his wand and points it at his chest.
"Last chance." He singsongs. His hostage stays infuriatingly silent.
"Crucio!" He roars abruptly, causing Charlie to scream and writhe as his body contorts in pain.
"Tell me." He growls. The red-haired man doesn't answer as he continues to howl, tears streaming down his suntanned, freckled face.
"Please, I-I don't know." He cries. Scabior sighs gazing at his trembling victim. Charlie's shrieks reach a new pitch and Scabior watches with delight as something in his face snaps.
"Grimmauld Place. Sirius Black's house!" He gasps his voice hoarse. Scabior immediately lowers his wand.
"Now that wasn't that hard, was it, Weasley?" He asks pleasantly, kicking his limp body aside as he heads towards the door of Charlie's meager dwellings.
"Pathetic." He spits as he steps into the blinding sun of Romania.
Grimmauld Place. Lucius will be pleased.

Author's note:

I hope you enjoyed. Please a review and tell me what you think.