CHAPTER TWO

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Hermione looked worried as she spoke with her assistant, Brenda.

"There's been another attack in Russia?" Hermione asked.

Brenda nodded. "Yes, and Kingsley wants you to go because you're the only one in the Magical Communications department that knows how to speak Russian without using a spell."

Hermione bit her lip, then nodded. "Alright. Send a memo to Kingsley saying that I'll go."

Hermione hadn't gone outside of Great Britain ever since she visited her parents in Australia. It seems that the memory charm she placed on them was irreplaceable. Hermione had wanted to see if she could implant false memories inside her heads, but she knew that too much mind-changing could prove to be fatal to her parents.

Hermione felt a nip on her shoulder. The tan, wide-eyed owl dropped a letter in her hand and then hooted impatiently.

"You want a treat, don't you?" Hermione asked, knowing full well that the owl would not, and could not reply.

For some reason, her right top shelf, where her owl treats usually sat, remained empty that day.

"Oh, bugger," Hermione cursed. She stepped outside to ask Brenda if she had anymore, when she saw a certain blonde-haired Auror heading her way. Is it John again? I told him not to contact me during work.

"Hey, Granger," Draco called out. "We're on the case together, along with Potter too."

"Hmm, what did you say? Sorry, actually, can you wait for a second? I need to find some owl treats?" Hermione blabbed as she looked through all of her drawers. Where is Brenda when you need her?

"Oh, well, ok," Draco said awkwardly. "I have one if you want it."

Hermione didn't reply. She was too busy trying to convince the owl that she really didn't have anything for it. After a few minutes of coaxing, the owl finally gave an irritated hoot, bit Hermione's finger, and left.

"Oh, thank god. Wait - Malfoy? What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Well," Draco started. "I was just about to say. We're on the case together. For Russia. With Potter too. I came to tell you that the portkey is leaving at 9:00 tomorrow morning. And, by the way, if you want to leave the case because of me, I'm just letting you know that I won't be hurt."

"Oh," Hermione mumbled. She hesitated for a second. Do I really want to go with Malfoy, out of everyone?

She didn't want to seem prejudiced against him though. After all, his mom did save Harry. "Well, you know, I'm sure we'll be fine. If Harry's there too and everything. I hope not everyone is giving you such a hard time."

Draco let out a bitter laugh. "Oh no, everyone treats me great. They love the fact that I'm fighting the dark side now even though everyone's favorite friend, Voldemort, used to reside in my house."

"Right… Well ok, I really have to go, I need to pack," Hermione said hurriedly, not wanting to reply to Draco's outburst.

"Yeah, ok, Granger. See you."

Hermione hurried away to her apartment after. She felt bad for hesitating so much about going on a 100% professional case with Draco, but…

Cut yourself some slack, she thought to herself. After the way he treated you for all those years, you deserve to be a bit wary. But, then again, Harry seems to trust him, but maybe Harry's too trusting. I wonder why he never told about Malfoy then.

Hermione shook her head. She was not going to think about Draco for the rest of the day, she decided. With a heavy sigh, Hermione started to pack – the Muggle Way.

"Hey, Malfoy, can you go meet the person from the Magical Communications department that's coming with us?" Harry asked.

"Why can't you do it?" Draco inquired. "I don't like talking to other people."

Harry waved his hands around. "Do you see how much paperwork I have to do right now?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, sure, of course the boy-who-won't-fucking-die-yet has a ton of stuff to do, and I don't."

Harry looked up from his paper. "I'm sure it isn't because of me, probably just because you've been here for a few days. Also what did you just call me?"

"Nothing," Draco grumbled. He sat up, stretched his arms, and then left. At least this experience gave him the opportunity to fully explore the Ministry.

He entered the elevator, before realizing that he had no idea what floor to go to.

By his past experiences at the Ministry, Draco guessed it was definitely either the seventh or eighth floor. He decided to try the seventh floor first.

"Welcome, this is the Department of Enforcement," said the person at the front desk.

Draco couldn't help but sputter, "W-Weasley?"

The said person turned to look at him. "Malfoy," he said, his voice completely changed. It was filled with venom.

Draco immediately knew that it was time to get out of there.

Draco re-entered the elevator as he heard Ron's shouts. "I don't care about what the Wizengamot said, you're a death eater, and I know it. Stay away from my family! And Harry and Hermione!"

Thanks for the reminder, Draco thought. He fought the urge to tell Ron that he was already working with Harry and Hermione.

He quickly pressed the button labeled "Eight" and prayed that the elevator doors would close soon.

And that's how, ten minutes later, Draco found himself watching a frantic Hermione searching for something in her office. She had an angry owl following after her.

Draco took out a spare owl treat he was holding and tried to offer it to her. When Hermione didn't even reply, he figured she hadn't heard him. Not wanting to repeat himself, Draco stood there, stupidly holding out an owl treat.

He stepped outside Hermione's office, not wanting to intrude. He heard Hermione's soft voice talking to the owl.

"Come on, look at me. You can see that I have nothing for you," she murmured to the owl. Draco chuckled as he heard Hermione's gasp.

"Well, don't expect any treats from me next time either if you're going to bite me! Now, go away!"

Trust Granger to start bossing around an owl. Draco waited for Hermione to calm herself, before telling her the details of their trip. He saw that she didn't seem every happy about working with him, but brightened at the thought of Harry coming along too. What a typical Gryffindor, she doesn't even try to hide her feelings.

Draco told Hermione she didn't have to come, even though he knew she would – for her job, or to make sure his feelings weren't hurt. He did feel, a little miffed though, when she said that she hoped not everyone was treating him that bad. There is no way she doesn't know about how cold everyone is to me. I mean, honestly though.

Which led to Draco's small outburst, that he regretted very, very much after. He didn't need anyone's pity.

Well, we can't all be as perfect as Potter.

After Hermione left, he stood, in her office, for a bit before realizing it was time to leave.

Approximately 7 minutes later

"Potter."

"Malfoy. So, who's coming with us?"

"Granger. But you knew that already, didn't you?"

"Well… I might've assumed that, but really there is no way that I could've known."

Draco screamed, internally, but he forced his face to remain stoic.

"So, you were pretty sure that the person I had to talk to was your best friend, who hates me, and you send me anyway."

Harry nodded, and continued to write on whatever he was working on.

Draco ran his fingers through his hair, and left. And he made sure that he slammed the door to Harry's office very loudly.

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