Chapter 4

The meeting had started off rather unsuccessfully, but she supposed that was to be expected, Malfoy having never been her favourite person, not that they were sworn enemies anymore (that had been resolved long ago).

It had more to do with the fact of it being something of a silent agreement to ignore the other at all costs, and here was Malfoy suddenly trying to make an underhanded deal with her!

Hermione couldn't believe the nerve of that little git, but that would be lying.

Hermione now ignored Malfoy (hot-headedness has never been favourable to the work of an Unspeakable, probably relating to why she was the only former Gryffindor in the department).

Starting to pace, she began to muse the actual purpose behind the elaborate charade. Malfoys never do anything without a reason and someone of Draco Malfoy's standing, although disgraced, was influential and rich enough to be able to acquire anything his heart desired.

But leaving her scraps of information on time traveling, doing her actually any favour at all was entirely bizarre except...

At last turning to face the room's other occupant Hermione let a cruel smile twist onto her face: "You're desperate Malfoy, and now you need my help. You really are just the same little ferret as always; you haven't changed at all, no matter what the Ministry believes. You probably even blackmailed Professor Sinistra to help you. Well sorry to say, I'm not interested in anything you have to offer. Ron is waiting for me."

Out of the corner of her eye Hermione could see Malfoy smirk "You, and I both know that you're lying Granger. Are you really telling me Granger, that you came all this way, and stayed up until now, even ditching little Weaselbee, just to say that you're not the slightest bit interested in what I'm offering? You won't rest until you satisfy that curiosity of yours, you enjoy danger just too much. See, I know all about your little aspiration to recreate the time-turner, Granger. Why else would I leave that folder than to give you a taste of what you could receive in return. It's actually quite simple really: If you help me, I'll help you..."

Floundering Hermione found herself unable to say anything in reply.

The truth was that what Malfoy had said stung far more than what it should have, perhaps more because the ringing of truth than the taunt itself. Hermione Granger, a stickler for rules and all-around know-it-all, found herself unable to leave.

"Now if you're finished with your efforts to walk a moat into the poor professor's floors, I'll tell you why you are here" Malfoy drawled waving to her still pacing form.

Meeting no resistance, and seeing her now look at him expectantly Malfoy began his tale:

"It had started quite a few years ago, about right after the war. My father and mother had at the time been going through a series of trails and hearings and I had just returned to Hogwarts. It was in this time that the Ministry had started ransacking the Manor for any Dark-objects. Although I only recently discovered the loss of the object, being in itself not actually a dark-object."

Malfoy then smirked "Not that I expect even your big brain to know of it Granger"

"The epochal-cassum..."

"Actually Malfoy" She gleefully interrupted. "I have heard of it before, and isn't it the epochal-caesium? A pole-like tool used in Ancient Greece by wizards to determine the placing of the stars. But that is rumoured to have been lost centuries ago"

Malfoy shook his head "No, no Granger I don't even know what that is."

Malfoy sighed "but this is something different. The epochal-cassum is a bluish orb that can show and store memories, almost something like a pensieve. It had been made by, and belonged to my family for generations upon generations. Unluckily I had only come to understand this after the reading of the last will and testament of my god-father, Severus Snape. It stated that everything left to me of my god-father was stored in that orb. About six months ago I discovered that it is being kept in the Department of Mysteries."

"Wait, so this is what it is all about, an old family heirloom. Malfoy, you expect me to risk my life and worse my job, to steal back an old orb you lost to the Ministry! Why can't you send one of your other cronies, I'm most certainly not the only Unspeakable you know of. And must I even ask how you found out about all of this, it's not like the department of Mysteries is called that because it is so free-giving of its secrets?" Hermione exclaimed. She could already see where this was heading. Acting out on Malfoy's request would most likely end with her not only losing job and her standing in the Wizarding community, but also with a one-way ticket straight to a comfy little cell in Azkaban!

"Oh Granger, Granger" Malfoy had tutted "you forget that there has been a war. People are much wearier than before of the Malfoy name. It was difficult enough to just get the information. You really are a goody-goody to the bone, more frightened of losing your job or being expelled than your life, but that is not what I had in mind. See, I didn't say you had to steal it per se... But there is much more at play than just my wish to have the orb returned. I know you you've been wondering about it Granger"

"About what Malfoy?" she asked sharply. Hermione had the distinct feeling of making a deal with the devil, the more she was lured in by the information Malfoy supposedly had for her.

"The reason why you are being strongly discouraged to research time-turners."

Crossing her arms she announced defensively: "It was not disapproved of; they just believe my research skills to be of better use on space-transfiguration." That sounded false even to her own ears.

She knew that was not the only reason for her Overseers hurried dismissal.

"Well if that is what you want to believe Granger. I for one, know that the only reason you were asked to move departments and work for the Mysteries was that you could be better kept under the Ministry's surveillance."

"What are you talking about Malfoy?" Hermione could feel her heart start pounding in her chest, but this was nonsense she had nothing to go on but Malfoy's word.

"This is just a friendly warning, Granger, don't sound so offended. Let me know when you decide. Just don't contact me at work, it's bad enough with all the suspicions already" With that Malfoy walked to the door leaving the room's anti-apparation wards.

Inclining his head once more in her direction, Malfoy knowingly smirked: "Oh, and another thing Granger, it is much more than just the orb that was taken, I know for a fact that my god-father left you a part of his collection upon his death."

"Wh...why has nobody..."

"Why you weren't informed, well my guess is as good as yours, but I have a feeling that's a question only Potter and the Ministry can answer." With an imparting nod Malfoy apparated, leaving Hermione staring at the recently vacated spot, before hastily making her own retreat.

A heavy heart and weighted thoughts followed Hermione that evening all the way back to her flat. Grimacing at the knowledge of an angry Red-headed bomb probably still needing to be defused.

Disclaimer: Same as previous, Harry Potter will never be mine