Chapter 5
"I'm sorry Miss...?" The now familiar nasal drawl coming from behind a heavy oak desk where a very apathetic witch in her early thirties was idly paging through this month's Witch Weekly. How many times more must she still endure this. Can this woman be any more cumbersome! She was either exceptionally daft or purposefully oblivious. Hermione suspected that it was probably a mixture of the two.
"Unspeakable Granger" Hermione corrected for the fifth time, glaring down at the unaffected head. Hermione found herself becoming more and more exasperated by the second with Harry and his new secretary at the Auror-Offices.
Harry was now entering his third year as the Head of his department, and had only recently started to settle into his position, after a rather turbulent start.
Being given authority over Aurors with more experience and years beyond him had initially led to some opposition from other departments bringing into question his ability to lead a department at such a young age.
Becoming the youngest Head-Auror in five decades at the tender age of 20 had caused an initial outrage that had rivalled both that of his first year when he became the youngest seeker, and fourth year as the youngest Triwizard Champion, though both of the latter would have counted for his credibility for the position in Hermione's opinion.
Ron had not taken as kindly to it, quitting soon afterwards his position as junior Auror to join George at the Joke shop having always been more prone to jealousy that had only been made worse after their stint with the horcrux. Although Hermione hated the idea of being given opportunities because of name and status rather that actions, Harry really was good in his work.
"Well, Miss Granger, that is not possible."
The bent figure in front of her suddenly continued drawing Hermione from her line of thoughts.
"Auror Potter is exceedingly busy at the moment, and will not be able to see you this week." The voice unenthusiastically droned on, head lifting only barely to point a careless finger in the direction of an unassuming notebook "You are welcome to leave a message or make a later appointment."
The secretary, having said her part, promptly ignored anything further to do with Hermione, focusing her sole attention back on Seven Ways to a Warlock's Heart.
Why that caustic, simpleminded...!
No, she had already wasted too much time trying to persuade that woman to allow her, Hermione Granger, an audience with Harry Potter, her so-called best friend. It was actually quite laughable, she has faced dragons and lived, what was one conceited secretary going to do to stop her from marching strait into Harry's office and demanding he see her now. Narrowing her eyes, Hermione could see a shadow passing behind the glass of Harry's office door. So he was inside, well he cannot avoid her, or this situation forever.
Two weeks previous:
Hermione grimaced as another person bumped into her making her feel even more claustrophobic as little red-headed children everywhere were either clambering, cajoling or sprinting in-between dozens of adults congregated in the tight-knit space that made up the front porch of the Burrow.
She really did love all the Weasleys, but they had a way of becoming extremely overwhelming in a very short period of time, especially when all of them flocked together in one place. At least the hustle and bustle would keep her thoughts occupied.
Predominantly the reason of her being here instead of in her office was to speak to Harry outside the thin walls of the Ministry, where everything had ears. Hermione knew that she was being silly to let Malfoy get to her like this, but it was her paranoia (probably Mad-eye Moody to thank for that) that had gotten her and the boys through the war in mostly one piece.
It had been roughly two months since her somewhat unusual meeting with Malfoy, although she mostly tried to keep everything concerning that day out of mind. After snooping around through Ministry files she had rather regrettably, (maybe Malfoy was correct about her penchant for danger) found nothing out of the ordinary that hinted at Malfoy's claims, thus reinforcing her fear that Malfoy must either have another hidden agenda (being Malfoy that should probably be expected), or was playing her the fool.
At least Ron had been forgiving of her missing their date, not that she could tell him the truth exactly. (Since becoming an Unspeakable she had undeniably cultivated her proficiency in the art of lying, especially to Ron, although it always caused her a considerable amount of guilt)
Suddenly seeing the bustling form of the Weasley-matriarch closing in on her, she could feel herself plastering a smile on her face. "Hermione dear, it is so nice to see you. You do look lovely today, but you are becoming too thin dear. You must look after yourself, you know. Can't have you wasting away being so very busy these days, always working as I understand from Ron. Now don't let an old woman keep you too long, Ginny and Fleur are waiting in the kitchen" Greeted Mrs. Weasley if not slightly scolding, enveloping Hermione in a surprisingly strong hug before, directing her to where Ginny was setting the table.
Noticing her approach Ginny gave an exasperated eye-roll to the retreating back of her mother.
"Don't let her guilt trip you about having a career again, she'll have to get used to the changing of times at some point." Ginny gave a knowing smile at the guilty look on Hermione's face, before laughing and shaking her head at her mother's antics.
"Well Ginny, you probably 'as it ze most difficult of three of us"
The half-Veela's voice came floating from the other side of the kitchen. "You are ze only one that doez a professional sport such as Quidditch, non? Zat is most dangerous, of course a mother would worry" said Fleur before placing a final heating charm on one of the pots, before greeting Hermione with a quick hug and kiss, minding her growing stomach. Fleur was expecting her second child.
The conversation quickly lapsed into the newest antics of the other two women's toddlers causing Hermione's thoughts to drift to other matters. Outside she could see Ron mingling with his little nephews and nieces.
She knew theoretically that he would one day make a good father, but every time she felt him come close to proposing she would suddenly feel the oppressive need to flee.
She loved Ron yes, and he loved her probably even more, but these days it was difficult to decide if she could really give up her job and life for domestic bliss as Molly Weasley liked to exclaim, although Ginny was still managing quite well between work and house. Hermione hated not knowing but deemed this instance it to be wiser to not examine her feelings too closely yet.
Marriage and children would come someday for her but Hermione was nothing if not practical. First there was other things that needed to be resolved.
Abruptly becoming aware of the strange stares her friends were giving her, Hermione quickly excused herself before they started interrogating her again. She and Ron's relationship had become on of the favourite topics in the Weasley household, leading to many humorous jibes (and bets between Ron's older siblings) when they would settle down.
A conversation that she found herself predominantly wanting to avoid at the moment.
Spotting Harry holding a year-old baby James in the sitting area across the room came as twofold blessing enabling Hermione to promptly make her escape from the young mothers' inevitable direction of conversation regarding questions best left unanswered.
"Hey Hermione" Harry greeted her with a lopsided smile, though it had soon changed into his signature serious look that he wore at office.
Thinking back, Harry's non-answers that night pertaining to the day of Professor Snape's funeral had been more than an ample confirmation to Malfoy's claims.
Although it confirmed only some of her suspicions as she had felt too wary to discuss the rest of what Malfoy had said. She could still remember Harry's reaction the moment she had named Malfoy as her informant.
The change in Harry's manner had been immediate.
Harry suddenly start to shift about as if looking for something else to do, eyes never meeting her own. "Well Mione, there wasn't really said that much, why don't we talk about this at a later time if that's alright, I think Ginny is looking for me"
Well she had had been waiting now for over two weeks.
Enough was enough.
Having made up her mind Hermione purposely strode forward. Leaving a spluttering secretary in her wake.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling
Hi sorry for taking such a long time before posting my next chapter. Between tests, exams and writers block I do not believe I will be able to update chapters too regularly. All your feedback is welcome and very appreciated. Thank you for sticking with me. Hope you enjoy the story! (PS. the next chapter will hopefully make more sense)