Chapter Two

"Oh sorry about that Potter." Harry grinned good-naturedly and straightened his glasses.

"It's alright Malfoy, didn't see you either."

Draco held out his hand and Potter shook it. "Congratulations on getting married. You're a lucky man."

Harry's grin grew wider. "I know. I heard congratulations are in order as well. Kingsley received your act and passed it."Draco grinned. "Seriously? I wasn't sure if the draft was done. I wonder how he got it so fast?"

Harry raised an eyebrow, "You don't know? Hermione volunteered to proofread it and sent it directly onto the Minister. She said it was a revolutionary piece of legislation that couldn't wait. She gave it to him last week."

Draco felt his jaw drop. It took weeks to proofread an act, especially one as complicated as the one Draco wrote. Hermione must have worked on it night and day to get it done so fast. Harry clapped Draco on the shoulder.

"I must get going, see you at dinner tonight?"

Draco could only absently nod as Harry laughed and walked away. He finally snapped back to reality and hurried to his office. He walked in to co-workers clapping for him.

He held up a hand. "Now, now, none of that. There is no way this would have happened without you guys. You tolerated my rants and raves. my late nights, my grump moods, and most of all, you accepted me for who I really am and not for my past. I should be cheering for you!"

Elliot Grangrove handed him a pale violet memo. "The Minister wants to see you in his office as soon as possible."

Draco quickly set his briefcase on his desk and straightened his business robes. He gave a brief wave to the rest of the office before heading out. He reached the Minister's office and was quickly waved in by his Undersecretary.

Kingsley Shacklebolt jumped up when he saw Draco come in. "Ah just the man I wanted to see," he said in his slow, reassuring drawl, "fantastic piece of law."

He motioned for Draco to sit in a chair in front of his desk and he settled himself behind it. "I just wanted to let you know that I am proud to see what a hard-working individual you have become. Harry Potter was right for standing up for you. You definitely deserved a second chance, and what you are doing with it is simply amazing. Which is why I am offering you the empty seat to the International Confederation of Wizards."

Draco once again felt his jaw drop. "You are joking. There is no way, I would be the youngest there."

Kingsley laughed, "You would be the youngest ever. By three years. Unspeakable Granger was the one that mentioned it."

Draco raised his eyebrow. What was with Granger doing all this for him?

"She said that a lot of the country's delegates only listen to purebloods, and to have a pureblood with your views as a member would only be beneficial to the Ministry and our goals. She's completely right. You could be the ear of reason to those who think that blood-status is everything."

Draco felt his face flush, "I'm honored sir, really, but I just don't feel like I am the right person for the job."

Kingsley let out a deep guffaw, "Now I know you are the right person for the job. If you took it right away I would be worried that you are only looking for power. The hesitation shows me that you are going to humble and yet strive to do the best you can do. Say yes Draco, and quickly, I want to get it out into today's Daily Prophet."

Draco stood up and shoved his hands deep into his robes. He grinned awkwardly at Kingsley. "All right then. Looks like you have yourself a new delegate."

Kingsley clapped his hands together and shook Draco's hand. "Excellent. We will be having a formal gala to celebrate your position next Friday. Make sure you find a date."

Draco nodded to the Minister before he left, "Will do Minister, thank you again for the position."

The Minister only waved him out, grinning. Draco couldn't believe his luck. He didn't deserve any of this, yet here he was, the youngest delegate to the International Confederation of Wizards, and the act he had been working on for almost two years was passed and completed. There was simply no way he would be able to get any work done today.

He stopped by his office and picked up his briefcase, quickly informing his co-workers he was going to work from home the rest of the day. He made his way slowly to the apparation point, often being stopped by well-wishers.

He was about to leave when Granger called after him. "Draco!" He turned to see her hurrying towards him. He waited for her to come over. "I was hoping to catch you before dinner tonight."

"Something wrong?" He asked, suddenly concerned.

She smiled and waved her hand, "Oh no, I just needed to show you something. Can you come to my office with me?"

Draco raised an eyebrow, "How about my office, since I have clearance to be there?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Delegate Malfoy, you have clearance to be in the Department of Mysteries as long as you are with an Unspeakable. I assume you took the job?"

Draco smirked, "You really are a know-it-all."

She let out a bark of laughter, "No, I just knew you couldn't pass up the chance to do good in our world."

He gestured for her to lead, "You're right, now what is it that you have to show me?"

Hermione glanced around, "Not here, down in my office."

They made small talk about his parents and hers until they reached their destination.

"Department of Mysteries, Level Nine." The cool female voice let them know that they were in the bowels of the Ministry. The door slid open and Hermione let the way out.

At the very end of the hall was a simple black door. She pushed it open and they stood in a circular room with twelve doors. Hermione strode to the fifth door and opened it to reveal another hallway. She glanced at Draco, "The door changes every time."

He laughed, "Duly noted."

She led him to a door with a plaque on the front that read, "Hermione Granger" She opened it and he was surprised by the size of the room. The walls were painted in a warm yellow color and the floor was a dark hardwood covered with squashy navy blue rugs. One wall was comprised of bookshelves, wall to wall, floor to ceiling, and completely full. A large desk was positioned in front of two large enchanted windows. The sun streamed in, giving the room a homey glow. A fireplace sat opposite of the bookshelves and in front of it was a long leather sofa and a cushy armchair in a blue striped fabric. The mantle was covered in pictures, both wizard and muggle. To the right of the door was another door, which he assumed led to a water closet. And to the left of the door was a small kitchenette.

Hermione shrugged, "I work a lot. This place looks more like a home then my flat."

"Better than my little office, though I suppose I'll be getting a bigger one?" He looked at Hermione for the answer.

She nodded absentmindedly as she looked through a pile of papers on her desk. "It will probably be near the Minister's, and probably even larger than mine. Which is saying something, since I'm Lead Unspeakable."

"Lead Unspeakable?" Draco was suprised to hear that she was the leader of the Unspeakables. Not that anyone really knew how their hierarchy worked down here.

She chuckled, "I do the most research, therefore Lead Unspeakable. It's really only a title and a higher salary. I guess one nice bonus is that I get to regulate what everyone else is working on, and I get to dip in whereever I want. Other than that, it's no different then being Head Girl at Hogwarts. Some leadership, big title."

Draco nodded, understanding. "What was it that was so important that you needed to show me before dinner?"

Hermione finally glanced up and beamed. "I've finally proven that blood status is complete bullshit."