The memory of Belby's unsettling demeanor kept surfacing throughout the day, making it a struggle for Hermione to concentrate on the details of the Mildred Duncan case. She had already recommended securing a search warrant for Belby's house to Harry, but with the investigation out of her hands, she could only push the matter to the back of her mind, focusing on the work at hand and letting events take their course.
Draco, looking slightly amused, waved a piece of parchment. "Hey, Granger," he called. "Have you seen Harry's new memo?"
Hermione glanced down at her desk, a flicker of surprise crossing her face as she spotted the memo. She'd been so engrossed in her thoughts that she hadn't even seen it arrive. "No, not yet," she admitted, picking it up. "What's it about?"
"Harry's organized drinks for everyone working on the case after work," Draco informed her, his tone light.
Hermione quickly scanned the memo, her eyes confirming the details of the invitation to the Leaky Cauldron. "Weren't you just out yesterday?" she asked, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Draco shrugged with a self-satisfied smirk, giving her a charming smile. "What can I say? I'm a popular guy." He then focused his attention on her, his expression genuinely curious. "Are you going to go?"
Hermione hesitated, thinking about what awaited her at home. The image of Cormac appearing unannounced on her doorstep sent a shiver down her spine. The longer she could avoid that potential confrontation, the better she felt.
"Why not," she said, making a quick decision.
Draco glanced at his watch. "I'd say they're already waiting for us."
Hermione looked at the clock and sighed slightly. "Right, well, we should probably start wrapping things up for the evening."
Draco needed no further prompting. The moment the words were out of Hermione's mouth, he was already efficiently gathering the papers, stacking them neatly back into the case file, and quickly tidying his desk. His movements were swift and precise, demonstrating his eagerness to leave.
Following Draco's lead, Hermione swiftly set about tidying her own desk, clearing away the day's accumulated clutter in just a couple of minutes. The thought of escaping the pressures of work, even briefly, brought a sense of relief.
Draco stood up and strolled over to the hook on the wall, where his jacket hung. He shrugged it on with practiced ease, then reached for Hermione's coat. Without a word, he brought it over to her.
"Turn around," he instructed, holding the coat open, the soft lining facing her.
Hermione shot him a look. "I can do it myself, Malfoy."
"My mother raised me to be a gentleman, Granger," he insisted with a straight face, though a hint of amusement played at the corners of his mouth.
Hermione reluctantly turned around, letting him hold the coat open wide for her. As she slipped her arms into the sleeves, his hands brushed gently against her shoulders, sending a faint shiver down her spine.
"There. All done," Draco said softly.
Hermione didn't respond immediately, her mind momentarily blank as she simply looked at him.
Draco cleared his throat, the sound echoing slightly in the quiet office. "We should probably go. Wouldn't want to be late," he said, stepping back, his hand gesturing towards the door.
Hermione nodded and turned towards the door, Draco shadowing her closely.
The moment they stepped into the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione felt a wave of relief wash over her. The warm, bustling atmosphere instantly began to dissipate the tension she had carried all day. The familiar sounds of the pub—the chatter, the clinking glasses, the crackling fire—washed away her worries. Their team, gathered in a cozy booth, spotted them and waved them over, their welcoming smiles a further comfort.
Draco nudged Hermione lightly with his elbow as they made their way over to the booth. "Looks like we're the last ones here," he said softly.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed, rising from his seat and enveloping her in a bone-crushing hug. "I wasn't sure you were going to come."
"Surprise," she managed to say, her voice slightly muffled against his shoulder, her eyes quickly scanning the familiar faces in the booth.
Margaux waved from corner, but Hermione's attention was immediately caught by Blaise and Theo. Back from their field mission, they were already deep in a game of wizarding chess, the pieces moving with a speed that suggested a long-standing rivalry.
Harry grinned, raising his glass. "Everyone gets one drink on me tonight. Let's celebrate…responsibly," he added with a wink, a gentle reminder that they all had work the next day.
Malfoy inclined his head slightly towards her. "I'll get your drink," he said, his tone smooth. "Sit down. What are you having?"
"Thank you. I'll have a butterbeer," Hermione said, with a polite smile on her lips as she sank into the seat beside Margaux.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're here, Hermione!" Margaux exclaimed, wrapping her in an enthusiastic hug. "I was starting to feel outnumbered by the men," she added with a playful grin.
Hermione laughed, "I hope they weren't causing you too much trouble."
"Hey!" Blaise roared from the corner of the booth, his eyes wide with mock outrage as the remnants of his king piece crumbled into dust. He pointed a dramatic finger at Theo. "You cheated!"
Theo smirked, leaning back in his seat, his arms crossed casually across his chest. "Don't hate the player, Blaise," he said, his laced with amusement. "Hate the game."
Everyone at the table burst into light laughter, enjoying the playful banter between Blaise and Theo. The conversation drifted away from work, and the group embraced the relaxed atmosphere of the pub. It was a welcome change to focus on casual topics and simply enjoy each other's company, free from the weight of their professional responsibilities.
"Granger," Draco said, setting her drink down before taking the seat directly across from her.
"Thank you," she said, a small, slightly hesitant smile touching her lips.
Blaise let out a dramatic snort from the other side of the booth, nearly choking on his drink. "Please tell me you're not still calling each other by your last names," he gasped between bursts of laughter.
Hermione frowned, her brow furrowing in genuine confusion. "Why is that an issue?" she asked.
Blaise grinned, glancing around at the others at the table, who were also starting to chuckle. "Oh, come on. We're not at Hogwarts anymore," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "It's just a bit old-fashioned."
"I agree," Theo said quickly, as if he'd been waiting for someone to say it.
"Oh, me too," Margaux added, nodding enthusiastically.
Amidst the laughter and lively debate, Harry sat quietly, a gentle smile gracing his lips as he watched the exchange. He was clearly enjoying the show, content to let them have their fun.
Draco rolled his eyes, but a telltale smile played at the corner of his lips, betraying his amusement. "A bit of friendly rivalry never hurt anyone," he said, though his tone lacked its usual bite.
Blaise let out a sharp bark of laughter. "Oh, the legendary Granger-Malfoy rivalry. A true epic." He raised an eyebrow. "I mean, you've been competing since you were, what, twelve? I bet you're still keeping score."
"We are not," Hermione began, shaking her head slightly, just as Malfoy, a smirk playing on his lips, said, "I'd be winning."
The whole table burst out laughing, and as it died down Hermione felt a light tap on her arm and turned to Margaux, "I'm heading to the loo. Are you coming?"
Hermione didn't need to go, but she noticed the way Margaux's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, the slight hesitation in her smile. Understanding dawned. "Sure, I'll come along," she said, rising from her seat.
As Hermione and Margaux stood to leave, Blaise's watched them, a slightly bewildered expression on his face as his voice drifted over. "I've never understood why women do that."
"It's a girl thing," Harry said from across the table, his tone light and amused.
Once inside the bathroom, Margaux stopped abruptly, turning to face Hermione with a searching look. "Was Draco flirting with you?" she asked, her French accent breaking through.
Hermione blinked, her eyes widening in surprise, "Wh-what?"
"Are you and Draco… together?" Margaux asked, her voice hushed, her wide eyes searching Hermione's for confirmation.
"No!" Hermione exclaimed, shaking her head vehemently. "Half the time, I'm contemplating his murder."
"Oh," Margaux said, running a hand through her hair nervously. "I'm sorry. I must be imagining things. It's just the way he was talking to you."
"I think he's just relaxed," Hermione said, her voice gentle and reassuring, giving Margaux a small, encouraging smile. "So," she continued brightly, "do you need the toilet?"
"Oh, yes," Margaux replied, quickly disappearing into a stall.
Hermione waited patiently for Margaux to finish, her mind replaying her recent interactions with Draco. As she headed back to the table, she made a conscious effort to keep their exchanges minimal. Her posture more rigid, her smile more reserved.
The rest of the evening flowed by smoothly. Hermione engaged Blaise in a game of chess, strategically making a few key errors to ensure his victory—a small sacrifice to maintain the peace. Through it all, she was acutely aware of Draco's occasional glances, the weight of his gaze a constant presence at the edge of her awareness. Each time, she subtly shifted her focus, directing her attention elsewhere, determined not to add duel to Margaux's fire.
The pub was bustling, a lively hum of conversation filling the air, but from across the table she heard a sharp exhale, almost a snort of amusement from Draco, which caught her attention.
As soon as she glanced his way, he seized the opportunity, drawing her into conversation, his eyes fixed intently on her face. "I was watching your match with Blaise," he said, with a nod towards the chessboard. "That was rather charitable of you, wouldn't you say?"
Hermione smiled, hoping to distract him, but he'd seen her deliberately lose. "It was just a friendly game," she said with a light shrug.
A hint of amusement played at the corners of his lips. "What do you say we settle this rivalry once and for all?" He paused, his gaze meeting hers, a subtle challenge in his eyes. "No holding back this time."
Hermione's breath hitched. The thought of playing chess with Draco, under the watchful eyes of their friends after the earlier exchange with Margaux, filled her with a sudden dread. It felt like a public test, and she instinctively recoiled.
"No," she said firmly, avoiding his gaze and focusing on Harry, who watched them with a raised eyebrow. "I don't think so."
Draco's amusement faded, a flicker of disappointment briefly crossing his features before his usual composure returned. "A pity," he said smoothly. "I'm sure you would have given me a run for my money."
Beside her, Margaux seemed disconnected from the lively atmosphere, her gaze distant. Hermione, her concern growing, suggested they grab another drink and led Margaux to a quieter corner near the bar. "Hey," she said gently. "You've been quiet. Is everything okay?"
"It's Draco," Margaux admitted quietly. "I heard him earlier this morning… I thought he might…" She trailed off, her eyes distant. "He's barely looked at me all night."
Hermione's expression softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Margaux. I didn't realize. Draco can be… complicated. Sometimes he's not the best at apologizing."
Margaux's shoulders slumped. "He looks at you, not me," she whispered, her voice full of despair. "I mean, what do you have that I don't?"
Hermione gave Margaux's shoulder a gentle squeeze, trying to ignore the sting of the last comment. "Margaux, I promise, it's nothing like that with Draco and me. I know it's disappointing when things don't work out. If you want to grab a drink sometime just the two of us, or just need to get out and talk about anything else, please, let me know."
"Thanks, Hermione. That means a lot," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Are you ready to head back to everyone? Hermione asked softly.
"Yes."
Hermione turned, intending to rejoin the others, but a sharp intake of breath caught in her throat as she saw Cormac McLaggen enter the Leaky Cauldron. A cold dread settled in her stomach. Had he found out about Marcus? Was that the reason for his unexpected appearance? Her mind began to race.
"Um, why don't you head back?" Hermione said a little too quickly, her eyes darting nervously towards the bar. She could feel eyes on her. "I'm just going to grab another drink so no one wonders why we were gone so long."
Margaux nodded and headed back to the table. The moment she was gone, Hermione released a shaky breath, her shoulders tightening. She moved toward the bar, her gaze fixed on Cormac, who was now engaged in conversation with another man.
Cormac's eyes swept across the room, pausing briefly on various groups before finally settling on Hermione. He blinked, a look of genuine surprise flashing across his face. He stopped mid-sentence, his gaze lingering on her.
"Well, well, well," Cormac drawled, abandoning his previous conversation without so much as a backward glance and heading straight for Hermione. Her stomach clenched. "Fancy seeing you here," he said, his eyes taking her in.
"Cormac," Hermione said curtly, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"What brings you to this side of town?" Cormac asked, a confident smirk playing on his lips. His tone wasn't exactly accusatory, but it held a definite edge, as if he suspected she was up to something.
"Meeting friends," she replied, her eyes flicking nervously toward the booth. She needed to make this quick and inconspicuous.
Cormac's gaze followed hers, and his expression hardened instantly, the casual mask slipping away to reveal a raw, undisguised jealousy. "You're with them?" he spat, the word laced with disdain.
"Work colleagues," Hermione stated, her tone level.
"They're Slytherins," Cormac said in a low, menacing voice, practically spitting the word as if it were a curse.
"And so what if they are?" Hermione retorted, her patience wearing thin. "You said you would leave me alone." Her gaze was unwavering, daring him to contradict her.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Cormac said, waving a dismissive hand as if brushing her off. "I didn't think this would be your scene. Quite frankly," he continued, "it seems like you came here to see me." His tone dripped with arrogant certainty.
Hermione bit down hard on her tongue. She couldn't rise to his bait—she needed answers. Had Cormac spoken to Belby? The question hammered at her, but she forced her voice steady, determined to betray nothing.
"I actually… I do need to ask you something, and I want an honest answer," Hermione said with a slight hesitation.
Cormac's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze fixed on Hermione with a challenging glint. "And why should I grant you that?" he asked, amusemed.
Hermione seized the opportunity, knowing she was playing a dangerous game. This was a gamble, a desperate throw of the dice. "Because you claim you once loved me," she began, a slight tremor she quickly masked in her voice, "and maybe, if you answered honestly… maybe I might reconsider."
Cormac's expression shifted subtly, his head tilting slightly as a look of calculation entered his eyes. "Alright, ask your question."
"Does Marcus Belby know about us?" Hermione asked, the question hanging heavy in the sudden silence that fell between them. She held her breath.
Cormac let out a short, sharp laugh, devoid of warmth. "Marcus and I go way back. Slug Club, you know." He shrugged, making Hermione's stomach churn. "It would have been odd if I hadn't mentioned you. We talk." The last sentence was delivered with a casual air, but felt deliberate.
The noise of the pub seemed to fade. Cormac watched her, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. Marcus knew. Not even her closest friends knew about what had transpired. The realization hit her like a physical blow. She fought to keep her expression neutral.
"What did you tell him exactly?" She breathed.
A dark look entered his eyes as he leaned closer, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. "I told him everythi—"
"Hermione, I actually changed my mind. I'd like a drink after all," Margaux said, appearing suddenly beside Hermione, effectively shattering the tense silence that had hung between her and Cormac. "Oh, sorry, am I interrupting?" Her apologetic smile was directed at both of them.
"No," Hermione said sharply.
"No," Cormac said at the same time, turning on a dazzling smile for Margaux, the sudden shift in his demeanor almost jarring after the tense exchange.
Hermione glared at Cormac, her gaze sharp and unwavering, a clear warning in her eyes.
Cormac, catching the hint, gave a curt nod and stepped back slightly, his jaw tightening as his gaze lingered on Hermione with a mix of bitterness and something else she couldn't quite place.
Sensing the tension, Margaux turned to Hermione. "Drink?" she suggested brightly.
Hermione gave a quick, tight-lipped smile. "Yes, let's go." Then she turned abruptly, almost jerking Margaux slightly as she led her towards the away, pointedly not looking back at Cormac.
"Who was that?" Margaux asked in a low voice, casting a quick, discreet glance over her shoulder.
"Just someone from school," Hermione replied vaguely, her mind still occupied with the tense conversation.
"He's quite handsome," Margaux observed, tilting her head slightly as she looked back at Cormac.
Hermione's expression hardened, her gaze fixed on Margaux, blocking her view of Cormac. "Don't go near him," she warned, her voice low but firm. Margaux blinked, taken aback by Hermione's intensity. "Trust me on this."
"Territorial, are we?" Margaux joked, giving Hermione a playful nudge with her elbow, dismissing her warning.
"Sure," Hermione said, her voice weary, a hint of desperation underlying her words. "Just… stay away from him."
"Feisty. I like it," Margaux said with a playful grin, before catching the bartender's attention. "Two Firewhiskies, please."
"Two?" Hermione asked, surprised. "Don't we have work tomorrow?"
Margaux shrugged, her smile widening as she tucked a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "I'm getting one for Draco."
"Oh, that's nice," Hermione said.
The bartender turned to her with a polite smile. "Anything for you, miss?"
"Just some water, please," Hermione said, her stomach tightening at the thought of losing control in this situation. She needed to stay sharp, especially with Cormac still present. The last thing she needed was to be anything less than fully alert.
When Hermione and Margaux returned to the table, it was as if nothing had changed. Blaise was in the midst of a heated debate with Draco and Harry about which Quidditch team reigned supreme. To Hermione's surprise, Draco and Harry were united in their stance, leaving Blaise outnumbered. To drown his sorrows he drank Draco's untouched drink, and she saw Margaux deflate next to her.
Despite the lively conversation, Hermione found herself unable to fully engage. The uneasy encounter with Cormac had left her feeling on edge. She nervously twisted a strand of hair around her finger as the quidditch debate unfolded around her, forcing a smile and nodding along. But her mind was elsewhere.
"I think I might head home," Hermione said, forcing a yawn, glancing at the clock on the wall. It wasn't even late. "I'm feeling quite tired."
Harry nodded in agreement, glancing around the now thinning crowd at the Leaky Cauldron. "Yeah, I think it's time to call it a night. We've got an early start tomorrow."
While the others grumbled and gathered their things slowly, Hermione, eager to leave, quickly gathered her belongings and made her way to the door.
"Hermione," Draco's voice cut through the remaining chatter of the Leaky Cauldron. "Are you okay?"
"Yep," she replied, a bit too quickly. "Just tired."
Draco's brow furrowed slightly, his eyes searching hers. "Let me walk you to the Floo Network."
Too tired to argue, Hermione conceded. As they headed for the exit, she saw Margaux watching them, arms crossed tightly. Blaise, unaware of the tension, tried to talk to her about Quidditch, but she remained unresponsive, her gaze fixed intently on Hermione.
"Come on. Let's go," she said to Draco.
Hermione and Draco were almost outside when she glanced back and saw Margaux, shoulders rigid and expression stormy, marching directly towards Cormac. The sight made Hermione's heart plummet. With a sense of urgency, she quickened her pace, eager to leave the scene before anything else sent her over the edge.