Were you dropped on your head as a child? You can't possibly be this stupid. – Hermione Granger
The days melted into weeks and before long, the Unintentional Indiscretion was a vague memory. At least, that's what they continuously told themselves as they avoided the subject altogether. Hermione buried herself in paperwork and Draco was happy to let her do so.
Of course, he was forced to avoid Molly Weasley as he would Filch, considering he had offered nothing more than excuses when it came to Brunches at the Burrow. Draco knew Molly was an astute witch and it wouldn't take her long to piece together the uncomfortable little puzzle between himself and Hermione. She considered them both part of her family now and unrest was completely intolerable.
Thus far, Molly had resisted the urge to send a strongly worded Howler, as her mother's intuition was working overtime. It wasn't like Draco Malfoy to continuously send his regrets and she wouldn't stand for much more of it.
"Quick, hide! Potter's wife is on the loose!" Draco bellowed into the sea of cubicles littering the Hit Squad, pleased to see his workmates scatter like insects.
"You're overreacting." Hermione shook her head and continued to write yet another report.
"Am I? Mrs Potter was particularly put out to discover her husband was late returning home last week due to his lingering conversations with you." Draco shoved Hermione's parchment into her messenger bag, and literally dragged her from the department.
He didn't have time to get them to the Floo Network, therefore the best he could do was an abandoned office near the lift. Draco left the office door cracked in order to watch Mrs Potter march down the corridor and slam into the Hit Squad. He winced as the door bounced into the wall, silently thanking the rush of luck that allowed him to catch the lift prior to her arrival.
"I could talk to her-" Hermione sighed impatiently and only wished to return to her reports.
"Not bloody likely. You might not realise it, Granger, but she absolutely detests you. I think you're the only witch alive that doesn't realise your best mate is in love with you, but that's none of my business."
Draco cringed as the words tumbled out of his mouth, immediately realising his error, but it was too late. It was easy enough to snatch Hermione around the waist before she barreled into the corridor. He should have known better. Hermione Granger was the sort of witch that wished to immediately correct all the wrongs in the world.
"I have to speak with her. You're wrong Malfoy, Harry and I don't feel that way about each other. She should know that. Gods, she's so ridiculous, I don't know how Harry puts up with her." Hermione struggled a bit, but Draco's hold was true. "Why on earth did he marry her?"
"You weren't available," Draco hissed. "Are you dating Weasley?" Draco's warm breath tickled Hermione's ear while she attempted to peer through the slit in the door.
"What? Now isn't exactly the time to discuss my romantic interests." Hermione cringed as angry screeching could be heard from across the corridor.
"We need to distract her, and last time-"
"Last time you kissed me, and I spent the rest of the day explaining to Ron why it had happened in the first place." Hermione pushed against his chest, but Draco didn't budge.
"It worked, that's the point, Granger. Fuck, here she comes. I'm fairly certain she's spotted your bloody hair," Draco cringed away from the mussed curls, his upper lip twitching with distaste.
Hermione was suddenly aware of his warm breath against the side of her throat, and his hard chest beneath her fingers. It wasn't a matter of attraction; she'd have to be a fool if she didn't acknowledge the fact Draco Malfoy was very easy on the eyes. His personality, on the other hand, left much to be desired, and despite their working relationship, he grated on her nerves like no other.
"Hermione?! Is that you?!" The very loud and very angry Mrs Potter stomped toward the abandoned office with narrowed eyes and a drawn wand.
In a moment of desperation, Hermione yanked on Draco's grey pinstriped tie and smashed her lips to his. Her intentions had only been to press a chaste kiss to his lips, as they had done previously, but Draco had other ideas. Perhaps it was the heat of the moment, or perhaps it was some subconscious form of attraction that fueled him. Regardless, Draco's teeth nipped Hermione's bottom lip and his hands went slack around her waist before fisting the fabric of her skirt on her hips.
Hermione felt the slight breeze as the office door swung open, but she didn't open her eyes, though she wondered when they had closed. She couldn't hear anything other than the sound of her heartbeat, and perhaps a few breathy gasps. She had to admit, Draco was an accomplished kisser.
He didn't force his tongue between her teeth and aggressively maul her until she either complied or shoved him away. Instead, he teased her, kept her wanting more, therefore it was she that slanted her lips across his and opened her mouth. Hermione felt the palm of his hand beneath the hem of her blouse, low on her back, but it was an angry huff that finally drew her back to reality.
"Ron is going to be so disappointed in you. He wanted you for years. I mean, even when we were dating it was Hermione this and Hermione that. It was enough to drive a girl mad, but I managed. To tell you the truth, I always had my eye on Harry anyway. Ron wasn't much of a loss, but for you, it would be devastating. Draco Malfoy isn't going to sully his bloodlines with a Muggleborn witch, even if she is Hermione Granger. You're wasting your time warming his bed sheets. I won't inform Ron this time, though I don't know why I should do you any favours. He deserves better." Lavender Brown Potter shook her blonde curls with a sniff and left Hermione and Draco in the abandoned office.
Hermione's cheeks were a lovely shade of pink as she attempted to extricate herself from Draco's grip. He held her still and rested his head in the crook of her shoulder. She supposed he was just as mortified as she was, but she desperately needed a small modicum of space between them.
"Please stop squirming." Draco sounded pained, which only caused Hermione to sigh and roll her eyes until a shift of her hips made her thighs brush the front of his trousers.
Her velvety brown eyes widened with realisation, which only caused her more embarrassment. She stiffened and concentrated on the feel of the office wall at her back, rather than the smooth fingers still lingering on her skin. Her arms slowly unwound from his torso and hung limply at her sides, while she waited in silence.
"I'm sorry." Hermione finally broke the awkward semi-silence with a lame apology.
"What the fuck are you sorry for?" Draco was nearly his regular charming self and pushed her into the wall as he released her from his hold.
"I don't know. It seemed appropriate. Ron never had that sort of reaction from a bit of snogging." She shrugged, unconcerned with the workings of the male libido.
"Well, he should have. I don't particularly care for you, but you're a hot piece of arse, Granger." Draco winked, but it was quickly wiped off his arrogant face with a resounding slap. "That's twice." He spat, with curled lips and platinum hair falling into his eyes. "The next time you slap me, expect retaliation."
Hermione desperately wanted to slap him again, but there wasn't a bit of logic in such thinking. She spun from the office and hurried down the corridor without another word. She could barely formulate proper thought, and nearly considered vacating the Ministry to avoid Draco. Of course, she wouldn't, Hermione knew she wouldn't. She was entirely too dedicated to her job, but the thought was still there.
"Granger, where's Malfoy? There's been another. Assemble a team." Theodore Nott looked her over curiously, but with a trace of distraction.
Hermione pointed and Theo nodded curtly. He noticed her eyes were a bit red. Her lips were plump, swollen even, and her usually perfect ensemble was mussed. It was a curious situation for her, and he had a sneaking suspicion Draco Malfoy was at least partially to blame. He remained silent until he nearly walked into Potter and Weasley.
"Oh good, you're here. Team of six. Dispatch to Nottingham. I can't bloody find Smith, so send for Longbottom would you?" Theo didn't wait for a reply, instead, he turned his attention to the rumpled blond vacating an office near the lift.
"Nott."
The silent conversation between the two Slytherins was disconcerting to watch, at least it was to Harry and Ron. They might have been busy shrugging into their Auror trenches, but they were observant. They noted Draco's mussed hair and rumpled black shirt with interest, but Theo was pushing Malfoy into the last office on the left to hold one of their private talks.
"You kissed her again." Theo crossed his gangly arms across his thin chest and leant on the door with a scowl.
"Lavender fucking Potter was making a monumental scene, and! I'll have you know, I didn't kiss her. She kissed me ." Draco puffed his chest, quite proud of himself, but Theo wasn't fooled.
"You suggested it." Theo's eyes narrowed knowingly.
"That's not the point. The point is that she implemented the suggestion. Has there been another Muggle issue?" Draco quickly changed the topic, as it looked as though Theo Nott was geared up and prepared to head out on a case.
"You're not getting away with this that easily, but yes there has. Minister Shacklebolt is sending in a team of six. We're to leave in thirty, gear up." Theo smiled, his dark eyes dancing with delight, but Draco knew their conversation was far from over.
It didn't help his denials when Ronald Weasley burst into the office with Harry Potter close behind. Draco braced himself for a brawl, but Theo was quick with his wand and disarmed the Aurors without issue.
"You kissed her, again." Ron didn't sound particularly angry, but that didn't mean much.
"Brown was causing quite the ruckus, and I really wish everyone would get their facts in order before accusing me of misdeeds. She kissed me ." Draco's fingers scraped across his scalp in a futile attempt to compose himself.
"Yeah, she told me that. The Hit Squad is a fucking disaster. I don't know why Lavender is on a bloody rampage, but this is getting ridiculous." Ron sighed and shook his head, and Theo smirked as he detected the way Weasley was avoiding Potter. " I'd kiss you if it would make her shut up. Alright, are we going or not? Hermione is changing into her gear, and I'm pretty sure she's gathered yours, Malfoy. She's a bit rattled, which isn't like her. You lot need to suss out your priorities. Bloody snogging in order to avoid Lavender is ridiculous."
"Y-you're not angry with him?!" Harry Potter's narrowed green eyes were filled with hate, which didn't surprise Draco considering their stilted relationship.
"Harry, we're not together. It isn't my business as you both are so fond of informing me. Now you want me to be angry? Perhaps you should be angry with your stupid wife for blasting apart Hermione's reports. There's an idea!" Ron waved his hands angrily, and Harry flinched.
Theo snorted, while Draco looked downright horrified. Harry might have looked slightly chagrined but it didn't cause his fury to abate much if at all. He had honestly believed Ron would be the angry bloke and he'd be calming down his mate. It's how it had always worked between them, but add Draco Malfoy to the mix, and it seemed the entire dynamic was askew.
"I'm still amazed Potter chose Brown. He had the entire Wizarding World at his feet, and he chooses to settle down with his mate's obsessive ex." Theo snorted, knowing he was causing a bit of trouble, but he was Slytherin, and such things were expected.
"Ginny dumped him, and Lavender is really, really good at comfort." Ron's crooked smile seemed completely out of place, considering Harry's face was devoid of colour.
"Ron!" Harry punched Ron's arm, wanting nothing more than the oblivious redhead to shut up.
"What? She is! The girl can gobble a cock let me tell you and-" Ron had a dreamy expression on his freckled face, as he stared off into the distance.
"That's disgusting." Hermione Granger flung open the door with disgust written upon her usually serene expression. "Are we going? Neville's to meet us in the Atrium."
Theodore Nott was the first to admit Hermione Granger was deliciously attractive when she was angry. She wasn't what he'd consider a gorgeous witch, but she was pretty if one was only glancing upon her outward appearances. Her passion for nearly everything is what made her beautiful.
She had tied her hair onto the top of her head, and Hermione's toffee curls had been tamed as they swung against her back. Her Hit Squad gear was the same as every other member's, but the fact she wore a white button-down blouse beneath her inky black sweater was endearing, at least to Theo. Hermione's black cargo slacks tapered to her form, and Theo spent more than a moment admiring the comely shape of her arse.
"Stop looking at her like that." Draco elbowed Theo in the ribs just as the lift opened.
"Did…did Lavender really blast my reports?" Hermione gazed between Theo and Ron, with a slouch to her shoulders.
Theo didn't miss the way Draco sidled behind Hermione, but he kept his thoughts to himself. He stroked his pointed chin and made a mental note to bait Malfoy at a later time. His nondescript brown eyes looked to Hermione and nodded curtly. There was no need to say anything more.
"I'm sorry." Harry moved to put his arm around Hermione's shoulders, but she shoved him.
"Get away from me." Hermione whipped her wand from her thigh holster, but it was Draco who lowered her arm.
He tucked her into his chest and despite the curious eyes, he allowed the upset witch to draw comfort from him. Draco wasn't the sort of wizard that was used to physical contact, yet over the years, he had come to accept it from Hermione. It didn't matter how many times he glowered at her, she bloody well hugged him when she felt the need.
"It's alright. I have impeccable notes." Draco slowly backed her into the corner of the lift, and his soothing tones were quite disconcerting to the others present.
Hermione nodded and while her anger was slowly dissipating, the need for comfort was still high. She didn't usually receive nor seek comfort from her partner, but Draco understood her need for precise order in her life better than Harry or Ron ever had.
"What's going on there?" Harry prodded Theo, but it was Ron that answered.
"Honestly Harry. We've worked beside Malfoy for what is it, five years now? He's been Hermione's partner for nearly three of those years. He saved my mum. He knows Hermione just as well, if not better than we do. She's obviously angry because Lavender destroyed her reports, yet, she's also conflicted in displaying her anger because you're married to Lavender. She's not going to seek comfort from me because let's face it, that boat has sailed, yet it's completely unreasonable to expect Hermione to just carry on. She needs a moment to assess the situation, and Malfoy has provided her with a bit of relief because he's just as mental as she is when it comes to their addiction to hard work." Ron tossed his hands in the air with complete exasperation.
Thankfully, the lift doors sprung opened before Harry could utter another ridiculous question. Neville Longbottom met the team near the Floo Network, his thin lips set in a hard line. He nodded his greeting and turned to Theo.
"Listen, Nott, I'm doing this as a favour. I've already submitted my resignation, and the Minister has accepted it. This is my last mission." Neville quickly buttoned his Auror trench as he offered Draco a tight smile.
"Finally got accepted for that Apprenticeship then yeah?" Theo clapped Neville on the back lightly with a grin. "I'll be sad to see you go. All right then, we'll leave in teams of two. Potter, you're with me. Weasley. Malfoy. Uhm, Longbottom, why don't you stick with Granger. Your Portkeys will take you to the location." Theo was brisk with his commands, like always.
The Aurors didn't usually bend to the orders of an Investigator, nor did the Hit Squad, but this was a different sort of situation. Theo Nott was well versed with the initial case and had a rapport with the Muggle Minister. Kingsley Shacklebolt had appointed Theo as point on the case, due to the Muggle Minister's request, and the rest of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement had fallen in line.
"Is there a dossier?" Hermione Granger finally managed to pull away from the comforting embrace of Draco Malfoy, yet she hesitated to relinquish her position beside him.
"You'll receive it on site." Theo thrust a rusty key into Neville's hand in order to force Hermione to accept his assignments.
Hermione hurried forward and touched the key. It was impossible for her to catch her breath when she was hurtling through the air, but she tried. She had once closed her eyes tightly, but that hadn't ended well. She landed solidly, though she dropped to one knee out of habit, as her fingers itched to draw her wand.
"I wonder what happened." Hermione mused as she carefully surveyed their whereabouts.
"I don't know." Neville pulled a few broken twigs from his hair and sighed. "I don't really understand why we've been called on in the first place. It isn't anything horribly upsetting, really. The first time was an insane amount of ale delivered to the Family and Alcohol Services. I just considered that bad taste really." Neville tucked his wand into the front of his slacks and leaned against a nearby tree.
"It amused Ron to no end, but not as much as the urine filled balloons. I do think that was his favourite until the little boy tossed one in his direction." Hermione squinted in the sunlight and realised they were in an alley near yet another NSPCC location.
"Why do you think they keep targeting Child Services? Why don't we have services like this in the Wizarding World? You'd think after the War, they'd want to take care of their orphans or something." Neville peered into the distance and snorted. "Looks as though Nott and Harry have arrived. Harry looks angry, but, it seems there's a fair amount of smoke coming from that window there."
Hermione and Neville carefully made their way toward Theo and Harry. They hadn't seen Ron or Draco arrive and assumed they were delegated elsewhere. Hermione kept a wary eye on the slow gathering of Muggles near the entrance and signalled to Theo with a small wave.
There were more than a few shouts, and the heavy metal door nearest Harry burst open. Heavy clouds of black smoke filled the air as the Muggles spilt out of the building. The cacophony of gasps and coughing drowned out Theo's direction, but Hermione and Neville were able to surmise Ron and Draco had entered the building.
It didn't stop Hermione from racing after him, and it was Harry that grabbed her arm. She struggled with him for a moment and nearly drew her wand, but Neville was quick to intervene.
"Hermione, stay here. There are people that need attending. Nott's gone inside to see to the source of the smoke and to retrieve Malfoy and Ron." Harry sounded quite authoritative, but Hermione could see right through him.
"You're not my boss, Harry Potter. Theo said to follow him, didn't he? He shouldn't be in there alone. Your friend is in there. My bloody partner is in there, and I'm not staying out here. You tend to them, Harry." Hermione nearly growled at him, but Harry didn't release his hold.
"Harry, let her go." Neville Longbottom drew his wand surreptitiously and prodded Harry's back, none too gently.
Hermione ran the moment Harry's fingers fell slack, and she held her forearm, knowing it would bruise. She pushed through the stumbling men and women, while she shouted for Theo and Draco. She continued into the building and was nearly blinded by the hot, thick smoke, hoping the Aurors would attend to the Muggles.
Hermione knew the rigid rules. She knew she was not to draw her wand in the company of Muggles, but this was different. At least, that's what she kept telling herself as she vacillated. She turned the corner to her right and ran smack into Theo Nott.
"Fucking hell." Theo dropped whatever he had draped over his shoulders, and turned to glare at her.
"Where's Malfoy?" Hermione coughed. She bent to help him lift an unconscious Ronald Weasley, and Theo scowled.
"I fucking told them to stay put. I told them to let the Muggle authorities search for the fire, but you know they didn't listen a bit. Weasley here was walloped on the head, and I just discovered him near the stairwell. I suspect Malfoy ventured into the basement. For the love of the gods, do not Rennervate Weasley. I made that mistake and all he did was howl at the pain of it all." Theo grunted with the weight of Ron on his back, but he trudged forward.
He knew there wasn't much point in warning Hermione away from the fray. Those bloody Muggles were taking their sweet time when it came to offering aid in the midst of an inferno. If he hadn't been constrained by the rules of the Magical World, a simple ' Aguamenti ' would have solved the bulk of the issues. Theo did bend the rules slightly and justified such acts by the surrounding smoke. He didn't even require his wand to use a Feather-light Charm, and it aided his endeavours significantly.
Hermione raced to the stairwell and coughed fitfully as the smoke thickened. She shouted over the roar of crackling fire she couldn't yet see but received no reply. She tripped over a fallen Muggle and paused to assess him.
The poor man's face was nearly melted to the concrete, and Hermione knew there wasn't a speck of hope for survival. Even magic had limits. She crawled across the grey cracked floor and drew desperate breaths.
"Malfoy!" Hermione's strangled shout was the best she could manage, and her eyes stung as the oxygen was sucked from the air.
"H-here." Draco Malfoy struggled to remain on his knees and wheezed harshly.
He seemed to be dragging an unconscious woman with him, which slowed his progress. He hefted the woman beneath her breasts and slid their bodies across the floor at a snail's pace. Draco hadn't the strength to utilise any sort of magic, even if he wanted too. He'd gotten her this far on sheer strength of will, and knowing his partner was close by, he faltered.
"The hell with this." Hermione Granger snapped angrily and pointed her wand at the unconscious woman.
Draco hadn't the breaths to argue with her. His eyes slid shut, and he felt his head bounce off the concrete floor. His chest burned with the effort to breathe, but then he was levitated outside, drawing great gasps of fresh air.
"Are you insane? The Minister specifically mandated we are not to use magic in the presence of Muggles!" Harry Potter ranted, but Hermione wasn't listening to him.
She crumpled to the ground under the weight of Draco and still managed to study the black smoke wafting from the seventh-floor window. She swore it formed shapes before it dissipated, but under the current circumstances, she couldn't be sure.
Hermione cradled Draco's head in her lap, while Theo tended to the Muggle woman. Her fingertips combed his soot-streaked hair off his forehead, while Draco coughed heavily. She rubbed his chest with her fist, having read somewhere it aided in drawing breath.
"I wasn't going to leave him there, Harry. He's my partner. You wouldn't have left me either." She watched Draco's pale eyelashes flutter, and closed her eyes in relief.
"I would have listened to the Minister." Harry sounded a bit pompous, and Hermione's brown eyes snapped toward him so quickly, Harry recoiled.
"Bollocks. You are a lying sack of shite. Do you really wish me to recount all the times you haven't listened to anyone when it didn't suit your needs? No, I didn't think so." Hermione returned her attention to Draco, as she was irritated with Harry and didn't wish to speak to him any longer.
Draco squeezed her hand. He knew she was anxious. He could feel it coming off her waves and wondered how Potter could be so oblivious. He also didn't mind being nestled in Hermione's lap, and Draco suspected that was part of Potter's upset.
"Have I ever…" Draco wheezed, and Hermione was forced to bend over him to hear his words. "Have I ever told you…I love the naughty words that pass your lips when you're furious? As long as…as long as they're not directed at me, of course." Draco sputtered a few more times, but the pain in his chest was eased after Hermione helped him sit up.
"You idiot. You scared me." Hermione sighed and moved to press her lips against his cheek.
However, Draco's grimy fingers lightly touched her cheek, which caused their lips to meet. It was brief, almost as an afterthought. It was sweet, as far as kisses go, and neither of them knew what to think about it.
In the distance, a man stood with his hood drawn over his head. He watched the Muggles and wizards come and go with a sneer painted on his lips. They had escaped this time and it was that stupid Muggle-born woman's fault. If she hadn't followed him, they'd all be dead.
"Next time," he muttered and Disapparated with a crack.