February
He called for them to enter his office, standing to greet the couple who had become lovers as well as his most senior partnership. He thought to himself how remarkable it was, the influence they had on each other. He truly had never seen her look so radient or him so content. They both looked as if a great burden had been lifted from their shoulders, their demeanor more relaxed and their countenance more serene.
"Hermione! Draco!" he greeted them, hugging Hermione fiercely before shaking Draco's hand warmly. "How have you been? Venice must agree with you, you look lovely!"
Draco raised an eyebrow "Lovely, Potter? Really?" he said with mock sarcasm.
"Well obviously I was talking to Hermione, Malfoy" Harry replied chuckling.
"We have been well, Venice is wonderful, the break has been good for me" she looked at Draco "well both of us really" she smiled as she squeezed his hand.
"Good, I'm glad" Harry told her genuinely, before turning to business.
He pulled a case file in front of him, placing a hand on it, wavering before opening it.
"I have an assignment for you. It's not like any of the others" he paused watching Hermione's eyes narrow. Draco's features remained stoic.
"I want you to head up a new Major Case Squad we are creating. As you know, there has been an increase in the number of Dark Wizards coming from the Middle East into Europe. We have suspected for some time that they are coming in via Italy." he told them, watching as Hermione moved forward slightly in her chair. "Your last case brought you to Venice. Did you find out why Venice?" he asked them.
Hermione turned to look at Draco before answering "We just assumed there was no specific reason for the cities he chose, just wizarding communities in Europe" she replied, trying to suppress the memories of the day Avery broke into Blaise's Villa.
"We have intelligence to suggest he was after a Dark Arts relic from Persia that had ended up in Venice during an invasion from the Ottoman Empire. We believe these Dark Wizards are searching for it and that there are wizards in Venice who are helping traffic them into Europe via the port city." he told them, watching for their reactions.
"We want to set up a joint task force to investigate this and similar crimes between the Italian and British Ministries. Hermione, you are a highly skilled agent and researcher and our only expert on Persian Dark Arts. Draco, you are out top Hit Wizard and have experience of working the most high profile case Venice has seen and your experience from the Middle East task force Operation Unity is unrivalled. We want you to head up this task force together."
Hermione's jaw slacked as she watched Harry push the case file forward. Draco reached for it but Harry's hand remained on the cover.
"This file is Classified above Top Secret. You can only open it if you accept" He told Draco firmly.
Without looking at Hermione, he answered
"Ok"