A/N: Welcome to Chapter 2! The POV's will vary throughout the story. To be truthful, there is no method to my madness. I just kind of write when it comes to me, no matter who is portraying my words at the time. Harry, Hermine, Draco, and Blaise will be common voices. Hell, if you're lucky you may even get inside the head of the Giant Squid.

Disclaimer: I, RiddikulousRay, do not own the wonderful story that is Harry Potter. I only claim my story line or any original characters.

Chapter 2

The news spread quickly, and before they knew it, all anyone could talk about was the Gryffindor Golden Girl. It didn't matter how short-tempered Harry was with everyone, they still insist on stopping him and asking if he'd seen her and how is she doing?

He wanted to scream that he didn't know because the witch who was supposed to be his best friend couldn't find it within herself to tell him she was coming back to Britain. How fucked up was that?

It's not something he could exactly scream out to the world. It'd make him seem inadequate. What kind of person was he if his supposed best friend couldn't tell him she was back?

It didn't take long for Ron to burst into The Burrow demanding answers. Apparently, he forgoes reading the paper in favor of taking a trip to The Ministry - where he was bombarded with the same questions as Harry. Okay, that's a lie. Ron's questions consisted more of hopes on renewing love and well wishes.

Ron had no idea what the hell was going on, which he made clear when he stepped out of the fireplace raging at anyone who would listed that everyone must have gone barmy overnight. Harry told him in no uncertain terms that yes, Hermione is back, and she didn't have the decency to stop by with so much as a hello.

If he could take it back, he would. Harry is a reasonable wizard (at least in his own opinion, his wife's not so much), and seeing his mates face crush into confused despair really pulled on his hero instincts. It made his red and gold heart scream for retribution against Hermione, but he squashed the urge.

That's what got him in trouble in the first place! His wife is in feverous agreement that he needs to stay out of it and let Ron deal with his emotional turmoil on his own. She's never agreed with the way he left things off with Hermione, especially since she was a number one supporter on the curly headed witch's departure.

Some may think that she was happy to get rid of competition, but anyone who knows Harry personally can see that Ginny Weasley is the only witch for him.

Ginny was genuinely happy for Hermione when she came to her to bounce her idea off the witch. She said it was about time the witch did something for herself and no one else.

Everyone is selfish and it was her right to take her turn. Lord knows that the witch has had to deal with Harry and Ron's shit for far too long.

When Hermione didn't show back up in England after her time away, Ginny fervently blamed her husband and brother. Harry would never forget the hex he got when Ginny realized that Luna Lovegood was going to have to be her bridesmaid.

Wickedness is something his wife has in spades, but at that moment, he wished she didn't. What was once an endearing trait turned into the need to run like the hounds of hell were on his heels.

So, when he mentioned to his lovely - and beautiful - wife that Hermione was back in England, you can imagine his own terror at the backlash he would get from his wife for not telling her as soon as he knew.

It was a relief when he got off with a minor bat-bogey hex. Her brothers swear that hex is her most terrifying spell meant for retribution, but they have no idea that she takes it easy on them. Harry, not so much.

On good days. he thanks the gods for blessing him with such a woman, but on bad days he's bemoaning about his decision to marry the fiery witch. He adores her-he really does-but there's no in between. It's either a good day or bad day.

Today is a bad day.

"Harry James Potter!" His wife shrieks at him. "I can't believe the nerve of you!"

Harry shushes her out of habit, temporarily forgetting that his witch is out to murder him. "It's not a big deal, Gin. You would have found out eventually. James kept you up late and I wanted to let you sleep."

"Did you just-?" she cuts herself off and narrows her eyes dangerously. "You did. I can't believe you."

"Yes, yes. We already covered that," Harry rolls his eyes and rubs at his face tiredly. "You can't believe the nerve I have. Go ahead and blame me for wanting my wife to get some rest."

Her lovely brown eyes flash with warmth, but they're quick to harden right back up. Her expressiveness is another thing to add onto the long list of things he loves about her. "What makes you think that my rest is more important? 'Mione is back, Harry! We must go find her! Maybe we can catch her before she takes off again!"

"Calm down, sweetheart," he soothes. "What makes you think she wants to see us anyways? She's the one who left, remember?"

If his voice is drowning in bitterness, she doesn't comment on it. Years of practice allows her the ability to dodge any subject that's going to end in her dealing with a broody wizard. "Of course, she wants to see us. She hasn't even met James yet, Harry. He's her godson for Merlin's sake!"

"If she were here when he was born, she would know that." Harry says with acid coating his tongue. The truth is that he felt so bad about their parting that he couldn't bear to name anyone else godmother. It didn't matter that she wasn't present, it helped soothe his own guilt.

It helped in practice, but he should have realized at the time that the boy was going to grow up only knowing his godmother from books and word of mouth. The little tyke is five years old now, and he still asks endless questions about his godmother. He blames her. He blames himself.

"You have no one to blame but yourself, you stubborn git. Quit using Ron's childish grudge as your own shield. It's time to move on, and I bet you if we make it to the ministry in time, we'll catch her there."

It doesn't take long for him to be swept up through the fireplace, being shoved in as he was. Despite the protests falling from his lips, his wife dutifully ignores him and sends him on his way in a blaze of green fire and cough inducing powder. When he hears the workers buzzing around like bees, he knows she sent him to the ministry. He groans and steps to the side in order to make room for her when she comes through.

For all his preaching about working for the ministry when he was young and a fresh war hero, he never stood a chance. Hermione always said that him and Ron would need to learn discipline if they were going to make it in the auror department. They were too accustomed to running off on their own to solve mysteries that they didn't realize that they'd have to follow actual orders.

It came as no surprise to their families when they quit to become quidditch professionals. Ron finally made his dream come true by playing Keeper for the Chuddley Cannons, and Harry became a Seeker for Puddlemere United.

While pondering, it doesn't take long for Ginny to come through the fireplace. He's not sure if it makes him a bad husband when he catches himself hoping she had gotten lost somewhere on the way. Harry looks at the hyper five-year-old sitting on her hip and decides that yes, it does make him a terrible husband.

And an even more terrible father.

They make their way up to Kingsley's office, listening to James' chatter the entire way. The boy loves his Quidditch much more than his parents. It's easy to tell with the gibbering and mock broom noises he makes.

Once they reach the ministers door, they knock and wait for his customary booming voice to grant them permission to enter. "Enter!"

"'Ello, Kingsley." Harry greets as he walks through the door. It's not often he sees the former Order member.

Ginny whacks him on the back of his head with a sharply whispered admonishment.

"Minister," she corrects. "It's good to see you."

"Ah!" Kings booms with a bright smile. "Well if it isn't the Potters! What can I do for you today?"

As soon as they take their seats, Ginny doesn't waste time with more pleasantries. "We seen the Daily Prophet and were wondering if Hermione was around. Its been ages since we've seen her and wanted to say hello."

"Yes, yes." Kingsley states solemnly, not warming up anymore due to the question. "I can confirm Ms. Granger's return to London, but I cannot tell you of her whereabouts now. She left not long ago to catch up with someone."

Harry raises his brow and lets the smug feeling roll around his chest. Maybe this will stop his wife from trying to contact the wild haired witch. It's not like he's the one his old friend is trying to contact. Who else would she need to see? Harry is no longer sure. Hermione burned a lot of bridges when she left.

Ginny slumps with dejection and he hates to see his wife so unhappy. "Do you know who that someone is?"

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Potter. I would tell you if I knew," he says comfortingly. "What I can tell you is that she will be present at the auror meeting taking place in a couple of hours. If you come back towards five o'clock, you may catch her on her way out."

"Thank you so much, Minister!" Ginny beams with happiness while bouncing James on her knee. "That helps a ton!"

It's Harry's turn to slump, knowing his wife won't let him miss the opportunity to see Hermione. He also thinks about why Hermione would be present during the Auror meeting. He seen that the paper mentioned her involvement with wrapping up some cases with the ministry, but assumed it was speculation.

Harry figured that she'd be off saving house elves and whatever activist tripe she was always going on about during school. It is unpleasant to think of her involvement with whatever is happening. What could be so terrible that they must call in Hermione Granger, master of solving problems? Knowing he can't ask anything from Kingsley, he keeps his mouth shut.

"No problem at all," Kings says with a smile and holds out a piece of candy for James. "I hope you catch up with her."

They say their farewells, and Harry can't help but think that it's going to be a long wait. In the meantime, he will get to decide if telling Ron is a good idea or a disastrous one. Time will only tell.

Hermione sits through the auror meeting with barely concealed impatience. For such a dark time, it doesn't seem like the wizards and witches are taking things very seriously. Twelve people native to their community show up dead and drained of every single drop of blood in their bodies, some showing up dismembered past recognition and they're sitting around joking with each other?

It makes her want to gag.

The head auror sits at the front table, surrounded by various important members of the auror force. The room is filled to the brim with those dressed in their auror robes, which makes her stand out in her muggle clothing. She doesn't care much, but she has received many sharp glances.

That is, until they recognize her, and then their eyebrows shoot up with surprise.

At the risk of sounding like Draco Malfoy, they're peasants. The whole lot of them.

By the end of the meeting nothing has been accomplished, and it turns her stomach. Instead of waving the white flag, Hermione steps up to Head Auror Humphrey. The aging, bald man looks up and Hermione must hide her grimace when his jowls jiggle with the abrupt movement.

"Mr. Humphrey," she greets the irresponsible man. "Have you heard from Minister Kingsley in regard to my choosing of a partner?"

The man waves her off dismissively. "Yes, my dear. He was quite clear on it. Have you decided who you would like to work with?"

Hermione looks around the room, trying to spot someone who she would be able to work with for the duration of the case. Her eyes land on the only person who seemed to take the meeting just as seriously as her. His gaze is stuck on the board holding pictures of all the victims. The calculative look in his eyes tells her he's not a pompous auror with his badge stuck up his ass.

"Indeed." Hermione says with a small smirk.

"Who?" Mr. Humphrey asks impatiently, tapping his foot on the floor. "You may have all the time in the world, but some of us have work to do Ms. Granger."

The smirk slides right off her face. Hermione thought that she would be able to work with this man peacefully, but it seems like the pudgy wizard was going to cause her issues. Issues she has no time to deal with.

"See him right there?" she questions as she gestures towards the mysterious wizard. "Who is that?"

For some reason, the young man looks remarkably familiar. They look to be around the same age, so there's a possibility that they attended Hogwarts together. Surely, she would remember someone that handsome though.

With his dark skin and eyes that resembled the bluest of oceans in the world, the man is something to behold. She's seen plenty of attractive men during her travels, but the intelligent glint in his eyes called to her. Kindred spirits perhaps?

As her eyes roamed down his body, she finds herself feeling dissatisfied that his auror robes hide most of his physique. Hermione knows that she's going to have to keep her wandering eyes on lock down if the young wizard decides to work with her. Business and pleasure do not mix. It's a rule she has learned personally.

The head auror sputters with indignation. "That's my best investigator, you'll have to choose someone else."

"See this slip here, Mr. Humphrey?" Hermione asks rhetorically while handing him the note from Kingsley. "This is permission from the minister himself claiming that I have rights to pick whoever I want. Now, judging on the airheads that seem to fill this room, that auror will be the best choice to get the job done."

Hermione doesn't want to be pushy about it, but with all the random deaths and disappearances, it's best to hurry the process along. The last thing she needs is some power struggle with a man who cares more for image rather than results.

The old wizard rubs at the stubble on his jaw. "While I understand that the minister gave you special privileges, I don't think I can allow you to take him."

"With all due respect," a deep and commanding voice interrupts their squabble. "I don't enjoy being fought over like an object."

The wizard who they were fighting over steps up behind her, his voice sending chills down her spine. "I must apologize. It seems like your superior doesn't care about solving this case."

Hermione winces at her own blunt words. She knows that she's not the most tactful person but working on her own has given her freedom from these types of power struggles. There's no time to be squabbling like children over a toy.

Mr. Humphrey shakes his head and sighs defeatedly. "Mr. Zabini meet Ms. Granger. She came to me with a proposition I have no doubt you'll be interested in. I'll leave the two of you to discuss details."

The old wizard walks off with a slump in his shoulders, making guilt settle into her stomach. Hermione ignores it and turns to the familiar wizard. It wasn't until she heard his last name that she remembered the Slytherin. "I'm sorry about that. He was getting on my nerves."

Blaise waves her apology off. "Don't worry about it, Granger. I remember my first time meeting him."

"I must admit, two minutes into knowing him and I was ready to walk out that door and never look back." Hermione says with a sheepish smile.

"Wouldn't that be the dream," he smirks attractively, white teeth on display. "Now what is this so-called proposition you have for me?"

Hermione ducks her head to hide her blush. Why in the world did he have to make it sound so suggestive? It doesn't help that his eyes are running down her body. She feels it like a caress. Business before pleasure, she reminds herself.

Hermione straightens up and explains the situation. "Minister Kingsley hired my consulting business to investigate the recent killings and made it clear that I could choose a partner from the auror department. It would put people at ease if I had an official ministry employee with me. I could also use the help."

Blaise tilts his head to the side as he regards her. "I wouldn't be opposed to it, but first tell me what's in it for me?"

"See this badge?" Hermione questions and holds it up for him. "You'll get one of these. It will give you access to everything involving this case. Including the Department of Mysteries. We'll be working with the unspeakables indirectly, but it still gives you the highest clearance. Outside the minister of course."

"Of course," he echoes with a lazy smile. The glint in his eyes giving away just how pleased he is with the circumstances. "Do you have any one else working on this?"

"I have a few of my own employees investigating, but nothing concrete."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" he questions the wild haired witch. "Are you going to get me one of those fancy badges or not?"