Disclaimer: I own nothing; just frolicking in the world of HP.
The morning hours passed quickly and with few insights for his research. The ministry contained thousands of files of magical misuse and even though in the last few weeks Draco had gathered some interesting details, at times he wondered if his research proposition was misguided. Luckily, Professor Slughorn was encouraging and they had already owled notes of his previous findings. He figured there would be days where nothing of interest would be found and this Monday seemed to be one of them.
Gathering his robe, Draco prepared to make his way down to level 2, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, where his old schoolmate Blaise Zabini had acquired the position of head of the Special Cases Unit. Blaise was considerably smart in his schooldays, even gaining the attention of Professor Slughorn who invited him to be part of his Slug Club. He had an uncanny ability to figure things out, which is why his ascent as head of the special investigations unit was not surprising.
As Draco passed through various corridors (this department was undoubtedly the largest in the Ministry), he pushed a creaky hinged wooden door that opened up into a large airy space that had closed offices off to each side. Bulletin boards lined the walls, each with photographs of various criminals, some briefly repeated seconds of movement; files and paperwork scattered each desk as remnants of the productivity of that morning. Blaise Zabini was grouped with a few other staff members in front of a bulletin board whose space was not yet full. A face shot of the same muggle girl from the back cover of the confiscated book hung in its corner. Draco immediately noticed the auburn hue of her long, straight hair and heavy fringe, and the creamy paleness of her skin. Next to it were undercover surveillance photos of her activity; one showing a few seconds of her walking down an avenue with her hair pulled back and oversized black sunglasses across her face, another of her looking around suspiciously while leaving a coffee shop.
Draco could overhear Blaise discussing details to the group, "Alice McNally, muggle, age 26, currently residing in the northeast of city center, Oxford graduate, US and British dual citizen…by the end of today we need to know more about her background, family, other relations…And yes," Blaise stopped briefly, glancing at the team member whose eyebrow raised when he mentioned the word muggle, "We don't normally deal with muggles, but this investigation was given to us from the top. Do what needs to be done." With that, those around Blaise quickly dispersed as he continued to survey the photographs of the young woman.
Sensing Draco's presence or perhaps realizing the time, Blaise turned around to greet his old friend, the two men shook each other's hands strongly and with meaning.
"Investigating muggles now, eh? Moving up in the world?" Draco said, maintaining the snarky tone they often took with each other.
"Only the unusual ones," Blaise smirked, glad to see his friend hadn't changed.
"Unusual indeed. Quite a lot of work going on for one book," Draco remarked, wondering whether Blaise would divulge any more information.
"So you've seen the book?" Blaise questioned.
"Level 3 is filled with boxes of it," Draco waited for Blaise's reply.
"Yes...it may not seem like much but the book is eerily accurate, some believed it had the possibility of undermining muggle/magic relations."
Draco hid his astonishment and decided that perhaps the book did warrant spending the night reading in front of the fireplace after all.
Blaise continued, "And its author, this Alice McNally, something is off about her…" Blaise trailed off, still contemplating the subject.
"Lucky you," Draco interjected, sensing some uncomfortable tension with discussing an issue not yet solved, "How about Gygons for lunch?"
Coming back to reality Blaise concerned face lightened, "Sounds good, you owe me a review of what you and Slughorn have been concocting, people say you're on the verge a major potions breakthrough."
Draco laughed and the two tall men, each robed in black and with an aura that protruded royalty, headed to the main lobby where they along with multitudes of other witches and wizards, would take the Floo Network to Diagon Alley for lunch.