The moment when she arrived at the Ministry, she was surrounded by piles of files and people knocked at her door, requesting for permissions and seeking for her advice. Since there was so much to do, she put back the locket into her pocket.
By the time she had finished her work, her stomach growled and she glanced at the clock. It was already half past one.
Immediately she headed out of the office and went down to Level Two, but the office was quite empty and only a few Aurors were around, reading documents.
"Sorry to intrude," said Hermione to a man nearby. "Have you seen Harry?"
"Oh, you mean Mr. Potter?" replied the man. "I think he's just gone out for business. We're trying to track down the wizards who had been hexing Muggles or poison them whenever he sees one. He is really being a trouble, I dare say this is the first time that five Muggles are sent to St. Mungo's within three hours, and we need to fix their memories one by one. What's more, the Muggle attack hasn't stopped. Nowadays people are getting more and more troublesome. Those days were the Dark Wizards, now—less than evil but definitely more than mischief."
"When will he come back?"
"I don't have much idea about that. He may now be in Knockturn Alley, trying to get more information, but you know it's hard for him, everyone knows that he still haven't fully mastered Occlumency—"
She thanked the man and strolled at the corridor with boredom. If only she had finished the documents earlier, then she would have the chance to come across him. Her hand reached into her pocket for the locket, but then there was nothing inside. She remembered putting the locket into her pocket, but where was it now? She could not miss it, she needed it. Searching the floor was useless, the Auror office's floor was as clean as ever, if one had dropped something onto the floor, it would be easily spotted without much problem.
"Looking for a locket?" asked a voice as Hermione bent down, trying her best to find the locket.
"Yes, did you—" began Hermione and she looked up, then gasped.
Harry lifted his hand in front of her and the locket swung.
"Thank you! I thought I'd lost it."
"I don't remember you having such precious lockets. Is this the one—"
"Correct."
Harry examined it carefully. It was just a golden locket with no obvious attractions.
"Have you opened it and see what's inside?"
"Erm, Harry, do you still remember how to speak Parseltongue?"
"Just a few phrases, you know that I have lost that ability."
"No. I am just thinking if you still remember how to speak 'open' then."
"I think so, why asking in all a sudden? You are not the type of people that would want to learn Parseltongue."
"Well, if people say that I am a pure-blood and suppose to be one of the Slytherin's descendants, then this locket is very likely to be—"
"Locket of Slytherin?"
"I am not sure if this one is like that locket. I didn't feel safe if I wear it. If it is really a Slytherin possession and there is no way for normal witches and wizards to open it, then it will be very likely that we need Parseltongue to open it."
"But do your parents know Parseltongue?"
"I don't know, but we need to try whatever we can."
"Let me see…"
Harry hissed for a while, but nothing happened. He hissed one more time, still nothing happened. Hermione frowned and whispered,
"It isn't Parseltongue, after all."
"Is it some other uncommon languages? Like Mermish?"
"I don't think it's Mermish,."
"Me too. But I don't think it can be troll or Gobbledegook either. Normally people won't know them, except for Dumbledore."
"And I thought you could help."
"Shall we go find Olivia? She may know something."
"Ever since that day we went to my old quaint home, I haven't met her then."
"I will try to find her for you—"
"Oh, you don't have to, you're busy—"
"You don't have to fear that you will bother me. After all, I care about you—as a friend."
"I owe you. And I can never pay it back."
"The quicker we get to the answer, the sooner you can repay."
"One more thing, are there any Slytherins working at your office?"
"One or two, but not much."
"Are they pure-bloods?"
"I think so. Why asking? Is there anything wrong?"
"No, it's just, would you mind asking them if they know about the curse that passes down in Slytherin families."
"Curse?"
"Please."
"…Okay."
The moment was so awkward that pink tinges appeared on her cheeks. He kept staring into her eyes, making her uncomfortable. His face seemed to have got nearer and nearer, with his hot breath steaming her face. Without knowing why, she closed her eyes, allowing him to gaze at her fluttering eyelashes. Just as she could almost feel his lips, a voice interrupted,
"Potter."
Hermione took a step backward and stared at Draco, alarmed. Harry glared at him as if he had destroyed everything.
"It's rare to see you coming to Level Two," said Harry. "Having some problem with your Malfoy Apothecary?"
"It's none of your business," replied Draco. "I am running errand for my father, and he asks for our return."
"But we are discussing about our business."
"My father asks for our return."
Hermione glanced at Harry, taking a few steps backward, then went to Draco's side.
"We can go, " said Hermione and she left with Draco, without looking back at Harry.
Later at midnight, an owl flew into her room in silence. Immediately, Hermione got the letter and read it carefully.
I have found Olivia, she agreed to show you something. I don't know if it has anything related to your locket, but still, it's a chance.
Hermione smiled and swiftly she took out her quill and wrote.
Thank you.
The owl nibbled her fingers as she tied the bit of parchment onto its legs. As soon as it flew off, there was a knock at the door. Out of fear, she hid her quill into her drawer, then as calm as possible, she said,
"Come in."
The door swung open and Draco came in.
"What do you want?" asked Hermione.
"Why did he want?"
"I don't understand," replied Hermione, though she knew perfectly what he was thinking.
"You know what I am talking about. Though you may be clever, I am not ignorant."
"Say what you must."
'"Stay away from that Potter."
Hermione turned around and snapped,
"What's wrong with Harry? He's my friend. "
"I don't think the relationship is that simple and pure."
Hermione could hardly breath upon hearing his statement.
"So what do you think?"
He walked towards Hermione, and she stared at him. He strangely took off his bath robes and showed his torso. He then went to the drawers and his hand dived into it.
No please, not the locket!
He took out the golden locket and examined it.
"Is this his gift?"
Hermione did not answer.
"Is this what he gave you this afternoon?" he sneered. "A gift of blessing? Or a declaration of love?"
"You already have your answer in mind, why should I argue on something that I can never change?"
His grey eyes flashed, like the cold lake in winter, so frigid that almost froze her brain. He was getting closer and closer, finally she was forced to meet his eyes. His peppermint breath was piercing her nasal cavity. As she opened her mouth, his tongue slid into her mouth, the sweet alluring scent in his mouth passed onto hers. Immediately, her brain felt swollen and she was unable to breath. Unknowingly, the clothes were all flung onto the ground, and Hermione knew she was doomed in his hands…