Hermione rushed through the Ministry, humming to herself carrying a set of scrolls in her shoulder bag. As she crammed into the lift, she caught sight of Rita Skeeter who looked at her with recognition smiling stiffly.

Hermione smiled politely, pretending not to know her as the elevator continued. People entered and left the lift, and eventually the doors opened once more at the ground floor. Rita huffed in frustration. "These lifts. Always the same." And pulled the button for her floor once more.

"It's perfectly alright, Ms. Skeeter." Came a warm American accent and Hermione glanced up,catching the vibrant green eyes of Alfred Davis. Hermione would be blind to not acknowledge how handsome Alfred Davis was. Draco had a stunning taste in men. Vibrant green eyes that sparkled with mirth and wavy hair that stopped at his chiselled jaw. He smiled gently at her and sent her a wink. Hermione looked away, pulling the button for her own floor once more – as the lifts often reset themselves and missed floors all the time.

"I know, Mister Davis, but they really should fix it." She sighed.

"I couldn't agree more, Ms. Skeeter." Hermione said joining in the conversation. "That's why I escalated the issue and I can assure you the correction to the charms are on their way." She man smiled warmly, looking impressed.

"Delightful. My name is Alfred Davis." He extended his hand to her which she took, knowing there were many eyes here. Instead of shaking it he brought her knuckles close to his lips and like a gentleman looked back up, but didn't let go of her hand, openly flirting with her. Hermione pulled a little firmer on her hand and he gripped tighter. Hermione could feel some sort of tingle on her skin, as if she was coming close to touching electricity. Or magic. "Skeeter do you know who this resourceful young lady might be?" He asked and Rita shifted with a stiff smile once more.

"Why, of course mister Davis, this is Hermione Granger, I'm sure you've heard of her." Rita chuckled politely. Realising she was well known; Davis instantly released her hand.

"Of course, Miss Granger it's a pleasure to meet you." More people emptied the lift leaving the three of them alone.

"What brings you to the ministry, mister Davis? Surely there's no more ways you could possibly bend the English language sideways to retell every sordid detail of your relationship with one of our own highly regarded families?" Hermione asked bluntly, though still with a pleasant tone, which she knew Rita could tell was dripping with sarcasm. She would never talk highly of the Malfoys in their, or anyone else's, presence, but Alfred Davis was an outsider. She glanced at Rita coldly who paled a little, though she pretended not to notice by looking at the numbers changing on the lift. "I'm starting to think the Daily Prophet is becoming some sort of cheap smut printer. Haven't enough complaints from parents come to you regarding the newspaper they send to their own, underaged, children?" Hermione asked Rita looked like she wanted to be anywhere else but here.

"Yes, indeed miss Granger, I can assure you that we are taking all of our readers' complaints very seriously. We're here because of mister Davis' concern for his fiancée's welfare." She replied.

"Is Draco Malfoy in danger? With such a handsome, respectful gentleman by his side?" She asked moving her hand to motion to Davis who looked amused, which made her even angrier for Malfoy, if that was possible. Hermione had caught onto Harry's question about getting pregnant without knowing, and the implications made her disgusted at having to be polite to this man.

"You flatter me, I am a flawed wizard, like all the rest. My concerns for Draco are sincere though, I've not heard from him in a while and his family won't let me see him." He replied, a hand on his chest in sincerity.

Hermione shuddered. She would easily believe him sincere, if she hadn't seen Draco herself, sitting in Harry's kitchen, looking exhausted, pale, and getting refuge from Harry of all people. All while getting ready to live in a world he knew nothing about, just to get away from the humiliation this person in front of her had brought to him. She wouldn't wish it on her worst enemy and Draco Malfoy, with all his flaws, certainly didn't deserve this.

"Yes, why would someone's parents try to shield them from such a fine specimen." She said with a smile looking away.

"I'm sorry miss Granger, if I offended you. But do you know that I too come from a highly reputed family? Draco's betrayal has stained my reputation just as much." Hermione smiled. A man who couldn't bear to not have his words believed.

"I know your family very well. I work in the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. I go through the Davis family's high number of permit requests to export cotton nymphs from our shores after your family had their permits to breed them taken away in America."

"My, this is a long trip..." Rita laughed nervously, trying to shift the conversation.

His eyes brightened and his pleasant face return as he smiled warmly. "Ah, yes, but there's no need to talk business right now, why don't we meet over coffee and discuss the matter further?" He asked.

"I am not allowed to meet with representatives from any of our requests." She said politely and the lift arrived to the auror floor.

"Then perhaps dinner where no business is discussed." He said with a wink. Hermione tried not to laugh at the sheer audacity. Didn't he just say he was worried for Draco? Cared for him? And he was flirting with her and asking her out on a date. Blatantly. In front of a reporter.

"Have a nice day, mister Davis." She slammed the gates shut to the lift before Rita could get off herself. In between floors, Hermione pressed the halt button.

"Rita, it's been a while since I've had you trapped in an enclosed tight space." Hermione smiled, a little giddy at the panic in her eyes.

"I haven't written anything regarding mister Potter." She said.

"No, you've only published one after another smear campaign on Draco Malfoy." Hermione was angry. "What the hell are you doing?"

"You don't understand, I still have a career to maintain. I wasn't the one that started the smut fest that was published everywhere. But I reached out to Davis and managed to win him over to my side. You have to admit that the articles I've published are far more tasteful." She argued.

"Not tasteful enough." Hermione hissed.

"What, are you going to police my writing still?"

"I swear to Merlin, Rita..." The threat was felt by Rita because the fear in her eyes made Hermione take a deep breath. "There is clearly an interesting story here, and it's not coming out of Alfred Davis' mouth."

She could see Rita's cogs turning and Hermione tapped the button to keep the lift going.

"If you want to keep fighting against younger reporters, rather than fighting against the ministry for not registering as an animagus, you might want to consider shifting your attention." Hermione said and they arrived at her floor. Hermione got off without looking back at her.

oOoOoOo

Ron sat at his desk writing more than he ever did at Hogwarts. His soul cried a little hearing Professor McGonagall's voice in his head asking him to apply himself more.

He looked up to see Alfred Davis coming out of his supervisor's office and shake his hand. "We'll get right on it." Auror Jenkins replied.

"I greatly appreciate it. Let me know as soon as you hear anything." Ron watched him go back to the lifts. Rita Skeeter stumbling out of it and apologising to Davis who smiled and followed her back into the lift.

"Weasley." Ron jumped and looked up at him startled. Jenkins stared at him unimpressed while Ron kept his amazement well hidden. He really admired Jenkins' ability to sneak up on anyone like a ghost. He reminded him of Snape, but without the insults and jabs.

"Yes sir." Ron said, standing, putting his quill away, wiping the ink and corking the top. His table was pristine and Hermione always admired it when she came by.

Jenkins wanted everyone's desk to be immaculate. He said a clean desk allowed for a clear mind. Out of everything it was the hardest habit he had to develop during his training.

"I need you to go over to the Malfoys. Just ask to see Draco Malfoy, write a report that he is well and healthy and have the report on my desk by the end of the day." Jenkins ordered and Ron smiled stiffly. Fuck. Now what? If he was caught lying about this, he could kiss his career goodbye.

"So, I just need to go to Malfoy manor and write a report on Draco Malfoy's wellbeing? What if he's gone out?" He asked.

"Just ask the Malfoys to point you in his direction or something, I just want this guy out of my floor for the foreseeable future." He said pinching the bridge of his nose. "Can you handle this?" he asked.

"Yes sir, it won't be a problem."

"Good. Morgan!" Morgan jumped looking up terrified. "Next time mister Davis appears unannounced to my office, please tell him I'm off on a covert mission." Jenkins snapped, slamming the door shut behind him and Ron once more was reminded of Snape. He sighed and grabbed his bag. He had an unannounced visit to make.

oOoOoOo

Ron stepped into Harry's living room to find a brightly lit, welcoming space. Herringbone wooden flooring and high ceilings, light welcoming colours and a large mirror above the fireplace making the room look bigger.

Right in front of him sat Harry and Draco Malfoy holding hands, foreheads touching, looking completely at ease.

He cleared his throat but was not heard. He could see light flowing between them in a loop, magic flowing from Harry to Malfoy, back to Harry. He stood awkwardly wondering what the heck was happening.

After a few minutes, they separated and the light faded. They stared at each other once more, smiling warmly like a couple of idiots.

"What the fuck are you two doing?" Ron asked calmly and both jumped turning to look at him in shock.

"You left the floo open?" Malfoy asked moving away from Harry.

"What? No. I didn't, Ron what are you doing here? I thought we agreed to meet tomorrow for dinner." Harry said.

"Oh, what happened to 'drop-by anytime, Ron'? You closed the floo against Hermione and me?" He asked.

"I, well, Draco is living here..." Harry looked away, scratching the back of his neck.

"So, it's Draco now?" Malfoy glared at him and crossed his arms over his chest, looking away. "Look, we'll talk about whatever the hell this is tomorrow, right now I'm working." Ron said raising his badge. "Unannounced auror visit, surprise!" He said jovially and came to sit down making them move apart even further as he wiggled into place between them. "I'll just squeeze in here. That's nice, well isn't this snug." He joked looking to his left and to his right to catch Harry mildly amused while Malfoy shifted far apart.

"Why is Potter getting investigated by the aurors?" Draco-no. Malfoy asked.

"He's not getting investigated, I'm here looking for you." He said. "Your fiancée came looking for you. My boss sent me to go to your home, talk to your parents and write a report stating that I've seen you alive and well." Malfoy shot up looking horrified at him and at Harry.

"You can't tell him where I am. Potter. Potter, tell him, Weasley you can't..." Ron was taken back for a second, looking at the fear in his eyes with heightened attention. Before Harry could ask him to, Ron raised his hand.

"Calm down, Malfoy. I'm not going to reveal where you are..." Ron stood and Harry reached out to help Malfoy back to his seat, where he'd been before. All peace from before was gone and he looked pale as a ghost. "I just wanted to get our stories straight. I need to go to Malfoy manor. Do you need me to let them know anything?" He asked.

"Why? Why do you need to go there?" He asked.

"I need to write a report, but I can't lie. I need to actually show up there, ask them about you and eventually write that you weren't home but that I did see you alive and well. That's all I'll write. I just... figured I'd ask if you wanted me to tell them anything in person?" He looked at the way they looked at each other, Malfoy uncertain and Harry waiting for his response. "Is there something I need to know about?"

"Later..." Harry answered. "Later we can talk. For now, Draco? Do you want to send your parents anything?"

Ron watched them interact and began rubbing his temple while he waited for Draco Malfoy to respond. "If I send a message through Weasley they'll guess where I'm staying." Draco – no! Malfoy. Malfoy said.

"Possible." Ron agreed.

"Maybe you should just tell them." Harry suggested and Malfoy took a deep breath looking down, reaching for Harry's hand, which Harry held in return. It seemed to calm him down and Ron looked away, not having the emotional capacity to even begin to process what was happening right now.

"I'll be right back." Malfoy said and left the room. Ron looked at Harry who finally looked up at him straight, like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. One that looked not guilty at all.

"Harry...?"

"Tomorrow." Harry responded and Ron just stared.

"Harry..." He kept going.

"Tomorrow, Ron."

Ron stared at him and took a deep breath as he placed his palms together in front of his mouth as if in muggle prayer and stared at him. "Harry." He tried again.

"Ron." He said with a warning tone.

"Merlin, give me patience, are you two just going to wear down each other's name or something?" Malfoy snapped, storming in with a letter in his hands. Ron accepted the letter and looked at the back, seeing that it had been opened and the seal re-applied. "It tells my parents where I am."

"Thank you. Now, I will go to your parents, I will come back briefly, then make my report, and we'll all see each other tomorrow for dinner." Ron said, smiling warmly at Malfoy, and the blonde smiled back just as pleasantly.

"If you two don't cut this out, there will be consequences." Harry said and Ron smiled stepping back, dropping the act, grabbing a fistful of floo-powder.

"You better have a good explanation you spoilt git. Auror Weasley to Malfoy Manor." Draco simply smiled once more, tilting his head sideways, showing him the middle finger. The muggle expression left Ron shocked.

In a flash of green he appeared in the Malfoy's entrance fireplace, stepping out of it with a grimace at being back here. That being said when he looked around the place looked completely different. A wall had been knocked down and another had been placed, changing the structure within the manor entirely. It set Ron's anxiety at ease as he looked around.

"Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy! Unannounced auror visit!" He hollered as loud as he could relishing in the fact that he knew that it would piss Lucius Malfoy off. "Auror Ron Weasley attending!" He hollered once more, amused as he imagined their reaction.

With a pop, a house-elf appeared beside him. "Right this way, mister Auror, sir."

Ron followed the house-elf to another room, where Narcissa Malfoy sat before a table prepared for tea, and Lucius Malfoy stood behind her, looking annoyed but clenching his teeth through it all.

"Surprise." Ron smiled, amused at getting Lucius to break composure and roll his eyes at him.

"Mister Weaseley, please get to the point of this disrespectful intrusion." He said.

"I am so sorry, Mister Malfoy. I would have arranged an appointment, but, as you can imagine, that wouldn't be classified as an 'unannounced' visit."

"Please mister Weasley, have a seat." He smiled at Narcissa and took the seat offered.

"Thank you. I can't stay long, though." He said taking a scone from the pile.

"Do you promise?" Lucius asked and Ron pressed his lips together as he bit his tongue from responding with an insult.

"Alfred Davis is looking for your son. He is concerned that something happened to him."

"I'm afraid he is not seeing anyone right now." Narcissa said.

"I know." Ron said and decided to put the two out of their misery. "I know he's not here. He asked me to give you this." Ron took the letter out of his pocket and Narcissa snatched it out of his hands faster than Jenkins would have. Ron had to respect that.

"Is he well?" Lucius was the one to ask and Ron looked up at him.

"My boss wants me to confirm that he is alive and well, and without having to lie that is what I will report." Narcissa put the letter down and looked up at him with unshed tears.

"Can you... can you send him a message?" She asked and Ron nodded. Narcissa stood and went to collect something.

"Auror Weasley, you can't indicate that he is not here. My son is in danger." Lucius said coming closer, placing the letter Draco wrote in his pocket.

"My plan is clearly to be as vague as I can. Though I doubt getting humiliated nationally can be described as danger." Ron argued. Lucius shook his head and sat down.

"If Draco is staying with Harry Potter that means you are hiding him too. Are you aware of the... state that my son is in?" Ron wondered if he should lie but opted for silence. "He needs appropriate medical care. That man Alfred Davis is still engaged to him. He refuses to annul the engagement, which means he could track my son down and force the marriage to go ahead." Ron thought back to whatever the heck was happening when he first arrived at Harry's home.

"He is part of a powerful family, isn't that a dream match for you?" Ron asked.

Lucius sneered with disgust. "Never. I will not have Draco tied to a Davis."

Ron's training kicked in as he picked up on Malfoy's phrasing. 'a Davis', which made Ron think that Malfoy had learned that not just Alfred Davis alone was worth his disgust.

"If you have something to report to the auror department, we could investigate him." Ron said.

"I have no proof. Except Draco, and I won't have him humiliated further."

"If there's no proof of any wrong-doing then this is a family dispute, isn't it?" Lucius clenched his jaw and sat back frustrated.

"You people have done enough unannounced raids on us in the last number of years, can't you do one on that family?"

"And what are we supposed to be looking for exactly?" Ron asked.

"Just anything, anything that would get him thrown out of the country." Lucius insisted and Ron sighed shaking his head.

"This isn't the good old days where you could just order, or bribe, the auror department at will." Ron insisted.

"No, Potter gets the privilege now." Ron bristled up in outrage. "He might not be paying you with money, but you're twisting things around to cover up for Potter. As a favour to Potter. Certainly not for Draco, that's for sure."

"I'm leaving." Ron said, standing to do so when Narcissa returned with a box of old letters and one written by herself, addressed to Draco.

"Mister Weasley, please take these to Draco. It's important that he reads these letters." She said softly, imploringly and Ron, still annoyed, said nothing, but accepted the package all the same. "Thank you."

Ron blinked in surprise and shifted uncomfortably. "You're welcome." He said.

oOoOoOo

Alfred glared coldly at the response he got from the auror department, throwing the letter into the fire, watching as the parchment curled in on itself, turn black and then crumble into ashes. He caught the name of the Auror who made the report. The auror that had seen Draco in person.

"Ron Weasley." He repeated. Harry Potter's companion. He vaguely knew a few things about these heroes of England, but perhaps this Weasley could be bought. Part of a poor family and the youngest son, even if he had been compensated greatly after the victory in the last war... everyone could be bought.

He bought Draco for himself, after all, the moment he accepted the engagement and paid for the Malfoy heir's hand. He grinned maliciously remembering that stupid haughty look the blonde always had around him. Looking down at him thinking he would leave his Davis name to join his household.

To the stupid English family, Alfred was paying a dowry to be taken in.

To his own family, Alfred bought Draco as his property.

He would make sure the moment he put his hands on him once more, he would leave more marks on his body than the blonde already had so he would never dare to stay away from him ever again.

He looked up to look at Clair, who awaited his orders. "I need to speak to Auror Ron Weasley. Make it happen."

He did not notice the beetle hidden between the many books of the many shelves in his study.