The next day at work, Marian and Ron sat at the coffee table, looking over the suspect files yet again. Hermione and Harry had taken Quillic out for a walk, since the dog had been complaining. Marian had asked they bring back some coffee and lunch.

"Maria," Ron said.

"Hmm?" she answered, setting a file aside and looking up.

"I'm sorry about last night," he said. "About leaving you-"

Marian placed a hand on his arm and said, "It's fine, Ron. You got to meet up with an old friend, and I got to dance with Father Christmas. Besides, I had no expectations of you sticking by my side all night. We went as friends, not as dates." Ron looked relieved and Marian picked up the next file.

"Maria," Ron said again.

"Hmm?" she answered.

"Do...do you think Hermione and your brother...well, do you think-"

"That they make a cute couple? That they might date and become serious? That they might even get married some day?" Marian said. She smiled and said, "God, I hope so. She's good for him and him for her."

"Oh," Ron said. Marian looked up and saw his crestfallen face. "We were together," he whispered. "It didn't work out between us but..."

"It's hard to see her move on without you?" Marian finished. Ron nodded. "Look," she said, leaning forward on her knees. "You'll find someone else. One that will work. You'll move on and you'll be happier for it."

Ron nodded and rolled his shoulders. "Man, where's that coffee?" he asked.

Marian laughed. "You're starting to get addicted to it," she said, opening the file. She paused and stared.

"I blame you for that. If-" Ron cut himself off as he looked up. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Marian put the file on the table between them and said, "This is my father's file."

Ron looked down and said, "Oh, Marian..."

The door opened and Hermione and Harry walked in. Marian looked up and the other two froze. "What's wrong?" Harry said.

Marian showed them the file. "Damn," Hermione said. She looked at Marian. "Should we pull you from the case?"

Marian shook her head. "No," she said. "I can't. I have to see this through." She ran a hand over her face and Quillic rested his head on her knee. She dropped her hand and stood. "If my father is a suspect, then I better be the one to talk to him."

Hermione put a hand on her shoulder. "You want me to go with you?" she asked.

"Better not," Marian said. "My father isn't too happy with you and I don't want him to say anything that might hurt you."

Hermione shrugged. "I'm use to the names. What can he say that will hurt me? Call me a 'mudblood'? I'm use to it. Come on. Let's go talk to Lucius."

Marian pulled on her Auror robes and walked over to the fireplace. She took a deep breath and let it out. "I'm ready," she said.

Hermione tossed some powder into the fireplace. They stepped in and Marian called out "Malfoy Manor."

AN: Ohhhhhhh. It's gonna get awkweird next chapter.