Unexpected Partners

Chapter 1

"If it isn't our Auror of the Month!" Harry called out as Hermione entered the break room.

Hermione blushed as she quickly walked over to the table and sat down. "I still don't know how you two talked me into becoming an auror all those years ago." She said, as she smoothed out her black Ministry issued robes and issued a glare at Harry and Ron.

Harry smiled at her, thinking about how they have all changed in the last 5 years. Hermione finally tamed her crazy hair but wore it up in a messy bun most days. She had been reluctant to become an auror but after she finished her 7th year, Harry and Ron had begged her to join. In the year she was at school, they had realized that it wasn't the same without her. So, they promptly got her to join the team after she had graduated. Now she was one of the best aurors on the team and her quick wit had gotten them out of many sticky situations.

Harry glanced over at Ron, who was in the middle of eating a sandwich. Ron hadn't changed all that much physically over the years but he had at least learned to control his tongue. He didn't say such stupid things all the time but he owed that to Lavender. The two of them had started dating again a couple of years ago and have been inseparable since. Harry had noticed a distinct change in maturity since then and was grateful for it. He still had his hot temper but he wouldn't be Ron without it.

And Harry, well, he didn't think he changed all that much. He had started dating Ginny right after Hogwarts but over the years they grew apart. She was always away since she joined the Holyhead Harpies as a chaser and it was difficult for them to make time for each other. It was only about a year ago that they realized they might not be meant for each other and decided to part ways. It was for the best and they managed to stay friendly. He was grateful for that since he knew that he would always want her in his life in one way or another.

"Lost in thought?" Hermione asked the obviously zoned out wizard.

Harry shook his head slightly, being brought back to reality. He looked at her and smiled. "Yes, well, I was thinking about how you're obviously invaluable to the team." He answered cheekily. "In fact, we should get awards just for convincing you to join."

She swatted him in the arm. "Oh, you're insufferable. It's not like both you and Ron haven't won the award three times already!"

Ron chuckled. "But, 'Mione, this is your fourth time!" He replied.

"You're the one who bagged the last death eater." Harry agreed.

Hermione blushed. "Yes, well, you were all with me."

"But we couldn't have done it without you!" Ron beamed.

"That's true, hence the reason you're perfect for the award this month." Gawain Robards said from behind them.

"Oh!" Hermione said as she jumped in her seat a little. "Well, thank you, sir." Turning around to look at her slightly round, slightly bald boss.

"You're very welcome. I'm just here to drop off the new partner assignments." He said as he put a piece of paper on the table. "There are no partner changes, the list is final." He gave a pointed look at Hermione and then smiled.

The three of them nodded as he walked away. Hermione quickly snatched the paper up and started to look at the pairings. "Let's see, Harry you're partnered with Katie Bell." She said and Harry nodded his head. "Ron, you're partnered with Justin Finch-Fletchly."

"Figures, I get put with the Hufflepuff." Ron snorted.

"Ronald, don't you think we're a little too old to keep on with house rivalries?" Hermione scolded.

Ron just shrugged as she continued to scan the list for her name. "And it looks like I'm partnered with...no." She said as she found her name.

"Who is it?" Harry asked curiously.

Hermione threw the paper on the table. "Malfoy." She answered. "I'm partnered with Malfoy."

Harry and Ron both groaned. "Ugh. I'm sorry. I still don't know how that prat ever became an auror." Harry said sympathetically.

"You'd think they'd have a rule against death eaters becoming aurors." Ron said disgustedly.

"Well, you'd think they'd had a rule against red headed weasels as well, but they apparently don't." They heard a scowl behind them. They all turned around to see the pale blond Draco Malfoy leaning against the doorway in his Ministry issued robes.

"What the hell do you want?" Ron spat.

"Fortunately, nothing that concerns you." Draco said as he pushed off the door frame and sauntered up to the table. "It seems that we're partners, Granger."

"Yes, it does seem that way." She said, not bothering to look at the blond.

"Probably because you need all the help you can get, Malfoy!" Ron said.

Draco smirked. "Tsk, tsk. Is that how you talk to the auror who has the record for most Auror of the Month awards?"

"Whatever, Malfoy. Hermione's only one behind you." Harry pointed out.

"Yes, but she's where she belongs, now isn't it? Behind me." He chuckled.

Hermione's head snapped up. "Was there something you wanted, Malfoy?" She said, anger starting to get the best of her.

"Oh, right. Gawain sent me to tell you that we are meeting tomorrow to go over the next assignment and renew our partner vows. 9am, sharp." He drawled in a way that bothered Hermione even more.

"Fine, you told us. Now please leave." She demanded.

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then, partner." He said as he winked at her and sauntered out of the room.

"Arg, he's such a git!" Hermione said as soon as he was gone.

Both Harry and Ron looked at her sympathetically. "Sorry you're going to have to put with that." Harry said sincerely.

"Me too." Ron agreed.

"Me three." Hermione answered.

************

Hermione looked at the clock as she entered the Ministry. 8:57am. She swiftly went down the hallway and into the conference room. She saw Harry sitting next to Katie, Ron next to Justin and Malfoy sitting next to empty seat. She sighed as she walked over to the empty seat and sat down.

"Oh good! Everyone's here! We can get started right away then." Gawain said as he entered the room. "Let's start with our partner vows. As you are all aware, with new partners come new vows. Let's start with Hermione and Draco." He said as he motioned them to come forward.

Hermione begrudgingly got out of her chair and walked to the front of the room followed by Draco. She put out her right hand and Draco just stared at it as if it was diseased. "Just grab my bloody hand." She said under her breath.

Draco looked at her and out of the corner of his eye saw Gawain waiting for him. Never did he think that he would have to take an unbreakable vow to protect Hermione Granger but he figured it was better than being partnered with the annoying Ron Weasley or the stupidly famous Harry Potter. He let out a grumble before wrapping his pale hand around her tan one.

"Excellent!" Gawain said as he took out his wand. "Let's start with Draco. Go on then."

Draco swallowed before starting to say the words that were drilled into his mind during auror training. "Will you do everything in your power to protect me while on Ministry assignments?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Hermione took her duties seriously no matter who they may involve and straightened up her back. "I will." She answered. Flames came out of Gawain's wand, wrapping itself around the interlocked hands.

"While on Ministry assignment, will you stay with me no matter what the cost?" He asked in a clearly rehearsed tone.

"I will." She answered. Another tongue of fire came out and wrapped itself around them.

"And will you put your life on the line to save me if necessary?" He asked the final question.

"I will." She answered steadily. The flames then turned into interlocking chains binding the two hands. The chains disappeared, signally the end of the unbreakable vow.

"Your turn, Hermione." Gawain said.

Hermione licked her lips. "Will you do everything in your power to protect me while on Ministry assignments?"

Draco answered quickly. "I will." The vow started again with a flame of fire binding them.

"While on Ministry assignment, will you stay with me no matter what the cost?" She asked, looking him in the eye.

"I will." He answered as another tongue of fire wrapped around their hands.

Hermione took a deep breath. "And will you put your life on the line to save me if necessary?"

Draco hesitated for a moment before answering. "I will." He said a little less forcefully. The flames again turned into linked chains and disappeared signaling the end of the vow they had both taken.

"There! Now, as you both have taken the partner vow to protect each other, you are officially partners." Gawain said, beaming.

However, no one else in the class looked thrilled at the announcement. Hermione and Draco sat back down in their seats both looking bothered. They were now bound together to protect each other; something they never thought necessary.

Hermione was of course aware of the partners vows. They were taught about it in auror training; it was to ensure the safety of each partnership. She understood the need, of course. The ministry used a slightly modified version of the unbreakable vow, though. As opposed to never being able to be broken, the vow was lifted once you changed partners. It would be too dangerous to be on an assignment with two people you'd taken the vow with. So, as soon as you took another partner vow, the previous one dissolved.

The next two sets of partners went through the same vows and she noticed that they were both visibly more relaxed than both her and Draco were. She looked at her new partner from the corner of her eye and tried to not audibly sigh.

"Now that we are all partnered up, we can start talking about the assignment." Gawain said, getting everyone's attention. "We think we have found the location of a death eater camp. I would like the 6 of you to scout it out, tonight. Do not take any action as I believe there are quite a few death eaters there."

Everyone looked around the room at each other. They had found a few death eaters here and there but not a whole camp. "Where is it?" Hermione asked.

"It's about 60 kilometers north of London, within the woods." Gawain answered. "I have paired you all with people I think you will have the most success with."

Draco failed to stifle a laugh at that part. Gawain looked at him pointedly. "Something funny, Draco?"

Draco just shrugged his shoulders noncommittally, not trusting himself to voice his thoughts.

Gawain looked at the pair and sighed. "I understand that you two may have some...personal difficulties but you are two of my brightest aurors and you need to put them aside.. I think, especially now that you have both taken the partner vow, that you both will complement each other nicely."

Hermione begrudgingly saw the truth in that. They were the two of the smartest people in the department, that was for sure. And the partner vow would ensure her relative safety around him. In fact, if he wasn't such an insufferable prat, she could see this being a good partnership.

Gawain watched the two new partners appraise each other but neither contradicted what he said so he continued. "I expect there will be some high profile death eaters at this camp, including Lucius Malfoy." All eyes went to Draco but he chose to say nothing, his lips becoming a thin line. "I also expect that the Carrow siblings are there as well. Meet up here and I will apparate with you all at 8pm for the scouting mission. I will not stay, of course, and you all will be able to apparate back here when you need to." He watched everyone nod their assent. "Good, I'll see you all tonight." He said and then walked out of the room.

The 6 aurors sat in silence for a moment before anyone stirred. Out of everyone, it was Draco who got up first. "I'll see you all tonight." He said tightly, obviously still affected by the idea that he might confront his father. He quickly strode out of the room, his Ministry robes ruffling behind him.

"Blimey, I didn't think Gawain would put Malfoy on an assignment like this." Ron said quietly.

Harry agreed. "I hope he can handle it."

Hermione thought about it for a moment before saying anything. "As a former death eater, he will probably be very useful to this mission."

Everyone looked at her, surprised that she would defend him, but within a minute what she said sunk in and they all reluctantly nodded their heads. "I suppose that's true." Harry admitted.

"Well, I'm going to do some research." Hermione said standing up. "I'll see you all tonight." And with that, she walked out the door.

*********

Hermione was walking with Draco through the dark woods. Harry and Katie were 10 meters to their right and Ron and Justin were 10 meters from there. It was eerie walking through the woods with no light save for their wands and it reminded Hermione of all the times she was in the Forbidden Forest at night. She remembered the time that she had to find Grawp in the forest and shuddered in her memory. Lost in thought, she stepped on a fallen branch, snapping it loudly.

Draco cursed under his breath and glared at his partner. "Granger! What the hell are you trying to do?"

Hermione broke out of her reverie at the sound of the snap. She flushed red in embarrassment, thankful he couldn't see it. She didn't normally lose track of her mind on an assignment. "Sorry, I didn't see it." She said quickly.

"You need to pay more attention. A stunt like that and we could be killed!" Draco hissed at her.

"I didn't mean to, okay? Now stop being so argumentative." She whispered loudly back.

"Well, stop being so clumsy!" He shot back.

"I wasn't being clumsy! It was a mistake! I just didn't see it!" She argued.

Draco looked over at her and saw her hand gripping her wand tightly. "Whatever Granger. You're as quiet as a - "

"Well, what do we have here?" A male voice called out, causing the two to freeze.

Immediately their auror training came to the forefront of their minds and they stood back to back, wands drawn. Both cursed themselves for letting an argument distract them. "Who's there?" Hermione called out.

Suddenly 6 wands illuminated making it very clear that the two aurors were outnumbered. Still they held their ground with their wands drawn. "What do you want?" Hermione asked as Draco eyed the people surrounding them. They were in full death eater regalia, including the silver masks.

"Hermione! Malfoy! Everything alright?" Harry called out from a ways away. Hermione and Draco turned their heads to Harry's voice and both immediately knew they made a mistake.

"Petrificus Totalus!" All of the death eaters yelled in the moment that they were distracted.

"Protego!" Hermione yelled and blocked the first spell but didn't have enough time to block the second one. She immediately became stiff, nothing but her eyes able to move. She heard Draco yell the same spell, able to shield against two of the attacks but the third one got through. She saw Draco stiffen up as well and she could hear Harry and Katie's footsteps coming closer.

"Quickly, grab them and lets apparate before the others get here." A female said grabbing Hermione's arm.

Hermione heard Harry scream her name as he came into view and then she felt the familiar squeezing sensation of side along apparition.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: Here's my next story, hope you all enjoy it. I'm trying to keep variety in my writing so hopefully this will be a nice change from my last story. PLEASE REVIEW and let me know what you think. I consider all suggestions and always welcome ways to improve my story. ENJOY! -Chrissy