"So then what happened?" asked Hermione, reclining into the sofa. "And what are the ministry doing about such a glaring lack of security?"
"Dad says he's never seen anything like it," said Ron, sitting down next to her. "Until further notice, you can only get in by apparition. Then you have to sign against a list of personnel in your department. All hearings have been suspended. Total chaos. And don't even get Percy started on the subject. It's like fourth year all over again." Hermione considered that, then gestured for the story to continue. Harry took it up.
"After the memory extraction, Malfoy went to be seen near Knockturn Alley before apparating and we took Lucie to change some money. When we chatted with anyone, we made sure to mention Malfoy and Lucie didn't hide that everything was new to her. Then she went back to George's and we went to the Burrow to get Crookshanks before coming home." Showing Lucie Diagon Alley had reminded Harry strongly of the first time he went with Hagrid. It had made him feel old and he missed Hedwig more than ever.
"And you think there's something between them?"
"I just don't want to be there when Mum finds out," said Ron.
"Because she's a muggle?" asked Harry, confused. Then he grinned. "Or should I say 'magically impaired'?"
"No," said Ron, also smirking at the memory of Malfoy's expression. "Make Mum sound like a Death Eater, why don't you. Nah, she loves you pair and one of you is muggle born and the other was raised by muggles…"
"Raised is such a strong word," interjected Harry.
"Either way, mate, I mean because Lucie used to be a thief."
"A shoplifter," said Harry. "It's not like she ever robbed a bank, so she's one up on us."
"Mum won't make the distinction," predicted Ron, darkly. "She's extra protective of George since Fred…died." The last word was quiet and reluctant, but both boys knew it mattered to Hermione that he didn't bottle things up.
"Well, maybe she won't be too harsh if she's making George happy," suggested Hermione, squeezing his hand.
"What about your lot, anyway?" Asked Ron, changing the subject abruptly.
"They're staying where they are for a minute. They want to think about what to do long term. They have a clinic out there and everything. They're happy. Happy to have me back, too. They want us to visit." She blushed slightly. "You know, as a couple. When I've sorted out my next steps, of course. I'm considering seeing if Professor McGonagall will let me go back and sit my NEWTs."
"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, scandalised. "We spent a year on the run fighting Death Eaters to avoid taking any more exams and here you are volunteering to go back!"
Harry laughed, revelling in the knowledge that some things never change. And so they let the evening wear on, chatting idly about this and that and getting Hermione worked up into research mode over the mysterious dragon's teeth.
The next week proceeded calmly. Harry and Ron attended classes, hampered very little by the stringent new security procedures. Kinglsey summoned them and announced that since Operation Dragon's Teeth was being kept as unofficial as possible to avoid widespread panic, no qualified aurors were being assigned. Instead, Harry and Ron would be the on-call Ministry assistance for Lucie (and George by extension) and Malfoy. On related matters they would report directly to him and it would be counted as their assessed project. This was greatly pleasing. As Ron said, even providing Malfoy with assistance would be better than writing a dissertation.
Hermione had hit the books hard, even going so far as to send an owl to Ginny asking her to copy passages from books in the Howarts library. She, too, was gossiping like mad with any friends she met about George's new muggle girlfriend and how Draco Malfoy had been spied, despite disappearing for months after leaving Hogwarts.
George had sent Ron a howler as a practical joke – it boomed through the house calling him inventive names and insulting him outrageously. It set off Mrs Black – the only significant remnant of the house's darker days – and Ron had laughed and laughed before running off to send owls to the rest of his family about this promising turn in his brother's behaviour. As pleased as Harry was that George was feeling somewhat his old self, he was less amused about being left to deal with the shrieking portrait.
Finally, Harry had received a reply from Charlie, informing him (Harry) that there was nothing beyond rumour, suggesting a list of research sources, imploring him never to put the idea in Hagrid's head and saying that they could catch up soon, as he would be coming back for the mass memorial that was soon to be held at Hogwarts. Harry had given the list to Hermione and the news of Charlie's visit to Ron and some serious thought on how to get through the memorial without having to give a speech.