Department of Mysteries

Hermione gawked at the man sitting in the seat five feet away from her…it was Malfoy. She barely heard what the Minister for Magic said. Draco gave her a mischievous smirk. Gosh, he was devilishly handsome. She couldn't help but check him out. He did fill out quite nicely and his blue-gray eyes were remarkable. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

She managed to open her eyes and to look away from the man, not boy, that she was desperately trying not think about.

"I'm sorry I am late Minister. I got caught up at work and didn't realize that I received a memo from you. If only I could have better secretarial skills on my hand. I am terribly sorry si--"

Scrimgeour put his hand up to stop her. He let out a slight chuckle at Hermione's talkative disposition. "Don't worry about it. Please, have a seat."

She swallowed nervously and nodded her head. She walked over to a seat that was placed on Malfoy's left hand side. She sat down slowly, keeping a steady eye on Malfoy.

"Now that you are both here. I wanted to discuss a promotion."

Hermione's eyes popped open. A promotion sounded wonderful, but something told her not to speak too soon. After all Malfoy was there as well.

Malfoy grumbled in his throat. Hermione gave him a reproachful glare.

"You are to be partners!" he exclaimed animatedly, thinking it was the best idea in the world. Hermione wondered if he knew about her and Malfoy's past. She didn't think it would be the best idea to question him about his job offers.

Draco 'harrumphed' and whispered only for Hermione to hear 'just dandy'.

"Wow, that sounds really great,' Hermione mentioned half-heartedly, slumping in her chair. "Sir, what are we going to be partners at…we don't work in the same sector," she explained, hoping this was a big fluke.

The Minister for Magic sat on the edge of his desk and clasped his hands together. He gave both Hermione and Draco serious stares.

"Ah, good question Ms. Granger. You were always a bright one," he replied, his face calm.

She shrugged off the familiar compliment, feeling like she was a student again.

"I already know that you are from different sectors. I am not the Minister for Magic for nothing."

Hermione tried desperately to find a comfortable position in her chair, but continued to shift. Draco snorted at her red face. She was obviously embarrassed.

"Dear, I am assigning you partners, therefore, you can conduct experiments within the Department of Mysteries. You and Mr. Malfoy have proven to be both dependable and hard-workers. I feel that both your determination and intelligence will help us discover the secrets in the 'Locked Room'. That will be your area of expertise." The Minster took a deep breath and eyed the two firmly. "Do I need to explain more thoroughly of your new jobs?"

Hermione couldn't believe the words that came out of the Minster's mouth. He wanted Malfoy and her to work in the Department of Mysteries…not to mention as partners. Did he say that they were to work in the 'Locked Room'?

She turned her head to gaze at an, also, shocked Malfoy.

"You mean to say that we are 'Unspeakables'?" Draco's jaw dropped in awe.

"Not quite Mr. Malfoy. You still have to undergo some qualifying tests."

"Are we allowed to tell anybody? Do we keep our regular jobs? What will happen with the House Elves that I have as clients? What is the 'Locked Room'? I have heard rumors…that it holds the mysteries of love. Is that true? Oh my dear Merlin. When do we start?…" Hermione continued to ramble. She was so excited. The Minster for Magic wanted her to work in the Department of Mysteries. One of her biggest dreams.

--

Draco was slightly ruffled from this job promotion. He didn't look forward to working with Granger. The Department of Mysteries of all things; that means they will have to be close to each other and have to consult with each other. He didn't want to be that casual with her. They were enemies.

But a feeling of delight flowed through his body. This wasn't any ordinary job. They would get to explore the circular room and all the mysteries that were unanswered. The Minster said that they would be working in the 'Locked Room'. He didn't have a clue to what was in it. He wondered if he would be able to see the other rooms.

When it came down to it, he would be stuck with miss know-it-all, I-have-a-stick-up-my-round-arse, bossy, stubborn, Granger. Why him? He guessed the demons were punishing him for being too damn nice.

"Is she always this talkative?"

"Wh-? Oh yes. She doesn't shut-up for a second. Granger!"

"I can't wait to tell my friends. What Malfoy?" She didn't give the Minster a chance to answer her questions.

"Breath."

"What? How dare you ta--"

"Ms. Granger that will be enough and Mr. Malfoy please do mind your tongue around a lady," the Minster commanded. "Now Ms. Granger you mustn't tell anyone of your new appointment. You can't even discuss it with the other Unspeakables. You are both on a secret experiment that must be solved. I need to know what lies in that room or the future will be hell."

"I thought you already know what is in that room."

"Oh no Ms. Granger. We have an idea, but no one has been able to stay in there long enough without being suffocated." His eyes were wide and his tone very serious. Authority emanated off of his venerable body.

"Suffocated? How?" Draco curiously asked.

"Emotions. They can't handled the feelings that envelop them."

"What makes you think that we will?" Hermione was skeptical of the whole situation. She had a funny felling about this. She didn't think that the Minster was telling them the whole story. She hid that feeling and awaited his response.

"Well, funny as it may seems, we have never sent two people in the room together. For our first try we are going to use a male and female…for unity. The Department of Mysteries doesn't want to inform any 'Unspeakables' of this experiment because it can be potentially dangerous. Now, don't be alarmed, I have confidence that you two can complete this task." His smile was unreasoning.

"What you are saying is that we most likely will die?"

"Malfoy! I am pretty sure that isn't what he means." She eyed the Minster for Magic warily. "Am I right?"

The Minister could feel all hope draining from his body. This task needed to be done by the two sitting in front of him or the world would become corrupt and turn into chaos. He wouldn't tell them of course because that wouldn't minimize the pressure already set forth.

He averted his eyes from Hermione's face and shook his head. "It isn't for sure, but like I have said before, I have high hopes for you two."

"I'll do it."

"What? Granger are you out of your mind? We could die." His eyes were wide, his voice furious.

"Malfoy, will you stop being a pansy all of your life and be a man," Hermione retorted, clearly passed breaking point.

That cut deep. He never felt so ashamed in his life and to make it worse he was utterly speechless. He couldn't get himself to comment back. The truth is, she was right. He was always acting like a coward.

"The Minister says he needs our help…this will benefit the future or save it. Urgh, I don't know. Malfoy I don't look forward to working with you, but if this will save people then I will do it," she said sincerely, looking deep into Malfoy's cold, gray eyes.

'Damn brave woman' he thought. She was always risking her life for others. Quite admirable, but something he would never see himself doing, until now. He didn't know why, but something had pushed him into saying yes.

"Fine."

A high-pitched squeal came from Hermione as she wrapped her slender arms around Draco's neck in glee.

"Get off me woman! Have you gone mad?" Draco could barely breath. He purposely tried not to or he would inhale her scent. She smelled, like vanilla…one of his favorite scents.

Hermione let go and regained her poise, sitting back down. She just hugged Malfoy of all people. She must be nuts, like he was repeatedly trying to tell her.

"You'll live Malfoy. My blood will not kill you," she teased.

Ouch! He wasn't even thinking that. It was just…her hugging him overwhelmed him. The encounter released something deep within him. It was new…that is for sure, but he couldn't identify it. Something warm and tingling, but oddly terrifying.

"I am happy to hear that you will accept these positions, but there are few things that you both need to overcome before you start."

"We're listening."

"You need to trust each other. Since, we are pressed for time, I need you two to stay with each other in order to create a friendship and ultimately trust. Trust is the only way that you are going to survive this endeavor. I am giving both of you a month off with pay, so you can complete this task." He stopped to make sure that they were following. They were flabbergasted.

"I'm sorry to tell you this…the fate of the world lies in your hands. There is a lead that tells us the world will lead to chaos if the 'Locked Room' isn't unmasked. We need to know what is in it in order to survive. I hope you will help us and be successful. You can't tell anyone, do you understand?"

The first one to speak was Draco. "Is there anything else you would like to tell us? Maybe, I am destined to marry Granger." He didn't know how to react. Now, he knew how it felt to be like Potter…always having to save the world. The world was in his hands and Granger's. Boy was it stressful.

Hermione remained silent. She couldn't believe what she had gotten herself into. She would have to leave her life temporarily. She had to try to uncover secrets which seemed impossible. She had to live with Malfoy and become with friends with him. Trust. How could she trust someone, who has always been an enemy? It was inconceivable and gave her a headache thinking about it. A month would be forever in Malfoy-land. That alone would suffocate her. There were other people smarter than she, that could take her place next to Malfoy, was.

"Surely there are others that can do this."

"Dumbledore advised me that you and Mr. Malfoy would be the best for this job. He knows that you will not let the wizarding world or me down. He believes in both of you…"

"Dumbledore?" Hermione was overjoyed by the Minister's comment. She felt obliged to complete this task, just to please Dumbledore's wishes. After all, she did owe him for everything that he ever did for her. He broke Ministry rules in order to let her have a Timeturner in her third year. She didn't need to take extra classes, but Dumbledore insisted on the Timeturner. She mentally smiled at those years.

"Yes."

"I guess we have no choice." Draco said the inevitable. He gave Hermione an indifferent glance. She nodded in agreement. They would be partners and try to solve the biggest mystery in wizarding history.

"No…you don't. I'm sorry it has to be this way. I will make sure you are paid well in advance for your services. Where will you be staying?" They needed to make housing arrangements.

"I live in a flat a few blocks away from the Ministry. Maybe we can stay there?" Hermione offered. She was sick of the idea. She didn't trust Malfoy.

"Minister. I can't stay in a rat-infested cubicle," Draco rudely said.

"Rat-infested? I'll show rat-infested," Hermione was on the verge of smacking him, but was intercepted by the Minister's booming voice.

"Now would be a good time to be civil towards each other," he mentioned. He might have made the worst mistake in his life, but he had to trust the I prophecy /I and Dumbledore. "I will allow you to stay here, therefore there won't be any inquiries from your friends and relatives."

Hermione sat back down and flattened her disheveled hair. "Here?"

The Minster nodded. "I will create a room for your convenience."

"Separate rooms," Hermione demanded, giving Draco an evil eye. "I don't trust him."

"That is why we are here."

--

After the Minster for Magic situated Draco and Hermione in their new room, which was located on the tenth level, he sat tiredly down in his chair. He gave them a day to pack their things and to tell both relatives and friends that they had to go on a sudden business trip…no questions asked. He rethought the day's events and felt relieved…there was hope for a peaceful future after all. He relived the prophecy that was told to him by Dumbledore only last night.

It is the love with two enemies that the greatest mystery will be solved. One of great intelligence and one with a troubled past will unite to save the future from falling into darkness. This love will shine on the 'Locked Door', opening its secrets to these two. These secrets will be the key to a peaceful future. The one who wears their heart on their sleeve will learn to sacrifice their greatest treasure…

He was hoping that Draco and Hermione were the right two. He needed them to fall in love. He felt terrible for putting them through this trial because one of them wouldn't come out alive according to the prophecy. He leaned over in his chair and rubbed his temples. He just set two people up for the greatest challenge of their lives.