Disclaimer: JKR owns the Harry Potter universe. I simply enjoy writing stories with my own plot.
Chapter 4: Visits; Part 2
In the next few days, Hermione and Angelo had fallen into a sort of routine: waking comfortably at 9 and hanging around both Wizarding and Muggle London.
When Monday came, however, Hermione woke bright and early. Angelo begged her not to leave, but conceded when she informed him that he'd be going to Wizarding preparatory school with Emmett. Excitedly, he ran to his room to get ready. After packing his lunch, dropping him off, and promising him she'd pick him up at the end of the day, Hermione finally left for the Ministry of Magic.
She apparated to the bathrooms and flushed herself into the golden Atrium. After greeting a few of her co-workers, she walked to the Auror department on the seventh floor and knocked on Harry's door before entering.
"Good morning, Harry!" She greeted him brightly.
"Morning, 'Mione. I thought you were taking the day off?"
"Oh I am. Well, I'm working from home this week, actually." She paused. "I was just wondering… have there been any missing persons cases recently?"
"No, not as far as I know. Why?"
"No particular reason."
"Alright. Well, don't forget—Dinner at the Burrow on Saturday."
"How could I? And do you think it'd be alright for me to bring a plus one?"
"Of course! Wait…" Harry narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Does this plus one happen to be a member of the male population?"
"Yes, but—"
Harry held up a hand to stop Hermione from continuing.
"I won't bother asking who, but if Ginny or Molly start harassing you, don't blame me!" Harry warned.
"I'm not worried. I'm sure you'll love him."
"We'll see…"
Two floors below, Draco and Astoria Malfoy were in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. While the title of the department was rather misleading, the department also dealt with other legal issues. The reason for the Malfoys' visit fell under the 'other' category. After a long discussion with the elder Greengrasses and elder Malfoys, Draco and Astoria agreed to divorce by mutual consent; their marriage just wasn't working: Draco couldn't be the husband Astoria wanted him to be, and their constant arguing had driven Scorpius to the point where he left.
Draco walked towards a desk where a woman named Claire sat. She looked up.
"May I help you?" she asked.
"Yes. I'm looking for Miss Granger's office?" Although the former schoolmates had been far from friendly at school, he hoped that she would be professional enough to disregard that. After all, she was the best, and Draco Malfoy had to have the best.
"Last door down the hallway to your left." Draco quickly marched down the hallway, Astoria trailing close behind. Stopping at the glass-paneled mahogany door, he raised his hand and knocked thrice in quick succession.
"Come in," came an unfamiliar voice. They entered, surprised to see not Hermione Granger, but instead, a straight-haired brunette named Sophie. "May I help you?"
"Yes. I was wondering whether I could speak with Miss Granger?"
"I'm afraid she isn't in. Do you have an appointment?"
"Err… no. When will she be back?"
"Next week, most likely."
"Where is she, may I ask?"
"I'm afraid I cannot disclose that information. Is your matter urgent?"
"Yes, quite," answered Draco and Astoria simultaneously.
"Well, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until 2 weeks from now. All of this week's appointments have been rescheduled to the next, in addition to the ones of that week. What is the manner of your situation?"
"We are seeking legal aid in…personal matters. We'd like the best, and Hermione Granger is the best, no?"
"Yes, she is. However, Mr. Jameson is also quite acclaimed, I assure you. So if your situation is impertinent, you may schedule an appointment with him. His office is across the hall."
"Thank you." Draco paused when he was halfway out the door. He turned his head back in. "May I write a quick note to her?"
"Of course." Sophie reached for a notepad and pen and pushed it towards him on the countertop. The muggle invention had recently been implemented in the Ministry, after a few influential muggle-borns and half-bloods introduced them to the current Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt. Draco scribbled a quick note, bid farewell, and exited.
Richard Jameson was a kind, middle-aged man, with salt-and-pepper hair. He had a kind smile and greeted the Malfoys warmly.
"Now, what may I help you with, Mister and Missus Malfoy?"
"We'd like legal aid," began Draco.
"As I presumed, seeing as how you're here." He indicated.
"Yes, but we need you to sign a confidentiality agreement."
"Why, may I ask?"
"Gossip. Tabloids. We'd like to keep this as discreet and private as possible until it is complete."
"Alright. And what would the consequences of telling be?"
"You essentially wouldn't be able to speak nor write, or by any other means of communication, of it. It has the same effect as a Tongue-Tying Curse about that specific topic until we null the contract and/or the task is completed. Also, if you communicate about the topic, all payments are returned to us."
"Very well." He pulled out a pen and touched the paper in the glowing, yellow box. He knew the glowing, yellow box signified a binding contract of permanence—there were no loopholes, and any possible discovered loopholes were to be considered void.
Once Mr. Jameson signed all of the glowing, yellow boxes, he turned again to the Malfoys. "I assume this issue is either quite controversial or dangerous for this level of security." He gestured around the room, where Draco had cast numerous wards.
"The former, if you will," he replied. "We have, by mutual consent, agreed to a divorce."
Jameson was surprised to say the least, but he didn't let it show. He now realized the reason for the confidentiality agreement: the tabloids, namely Rita Skeeter, would be fighting to dig their claws into a story like this!
"I see. Is there a particular reason for this…mutual agreement?" he questioned.
"We'd like to keep that matter private," said Draco rather tensely.
"Of course. Well, I'll just start drawing up a contract. I'd like you to create an…inventory of sorts, if you will, of things that both of you will take or split, or whatever you decide to do." Jameson paused. "You have a child, yes?"
"Yes, we do," replied Astoria. She had kept quiet throughout the meeting. Jameson's eyes flickered between Astoria and Draco, who both sat rather stiffly.
"Have you decided which of you will keep him?" Jameson asked tentatively, delicate of the situation.
"No," they both replied simultaneously.
"Very well." Jameson had the feeling he wasn't getting the full story; however, he knew it was not his place to question that. "I can get that contract to you in a week's time. How does that sound?"
"Fine. We'll come and review it then" said Draco. "We'll owl ahead."
"Alright. That'll do for now. I'll see you next week."
"Thank you," said Draco, as they exited the office.
Jameson sighed and rubbed his temples. He knew this process would be a long, tiring, and difficult one. His wife would not be pleased. Where was Hermione Granger when you needed her? he thought rather exasperatedly. He pulled out a piece of parchment and penned a quick note to the head of the department, William Cromwell, telling him he was unavailable for the next few weeks. He sighed again. It was going to be one hell of a divorce.
A/N: What do you think? Sorry, it was more of a filler chapter. But the Burrow will be next, and Angelo shall be introduced to the Weasleys!