I am soooooo sorry I havent posted anything in like over a year. I know I hate it when authors dont post, and i wont bore you with the details as to why other than the fact that I started a new job that doesnt let me work on personal things while I work, and its a full time job so I'm there all day. Anyway, chapter three is mostly written just needs to be typed.

Chapter Two: Repercussions

The next morning Hermione had walked into the auror department with a lump in her chest. She hadnt been able to sleep at all, no matter how hard she tried. With the burden of guilt hanging on her shoulders she had been surprised that she had been able to eat her breakfast. They had rushed Abbott to Saint Mungo's in time to save him and it had been just as Hermione had thought. The elder man had indeed suffered a heart attack. He had a heart condition that she hadnt been aware of and the stress of the interview and the news he had been given had sent his heart into overdrive.

Even though they had been able to stabilize and he had been resting easily, Hermione's guilt hadnt eased. She felt terrible. It had been entirely their fault, mostly Malfoy's but she assumed responsibly. I she hadnt lost her temper and hadnt been blinded by her frustration towards Malfoy than she might have been able to stop the argument before it had escalated.

She walked into her office skipping her morning coffee due to the fluttering of uneasiness that battled in her stomach and seen Malfoy already in there. He was earlier than she had been. Strange She thought. He cant be that nervous that he came in early. Remorse wasn't an emotion she knew him to be capable of. She shrugged it off and went to her desk. "Granger." He began, "I know what you're thinking but this isnt our fault!" She couldn't contain the scoff that rose to her lips, "If he had only answered our ques-"

"He was!" She snapped, "If you had given him a moment to think it over than he wouldn't have had that heart attack!"

"He might have been lying! Trying to trick us that he was a senile old coot!"

"Or he could have been just that!"

"Than he shouldn't be running a business!"

She could feel the deepest part of her mind screaming in fury. She took a calm breath to keep her anger from boiling over. She gave him a pointed look, maybe he'd get the hint that he was being a git. Maybe that would be asking for too much. "You're a real prat Malfoy. He couldn't have had anything to do with the murder, he had a heart attack at just knowing his employee had been murdered."

He shook his head, his blonde bangs fell in front of his eyes, he brushed them away before he spoke, "And I'm telling you he seemed too senile to be true." He argued. "Don't you think he would remember how his employee acted before she went missing and not needed to take that long to think it over? It just seemed strange to me."

"Than you can explain that to Kingsley, I'm quite certain we'll be called to his office within the next few minutes."

Just as she had predicted a small enchanted paper airplane flew through the small window above the door. She knew the stationary, it was Kinsley. He was the only one that still continued to use the older ministry stationary, he said he felt that the paper was more professional than the stationary they used now. The only difference was that they now used the white paper, instead of the sepia color they had in the part. It landed gracefully on her desk and unfolded itself revealing Kingsley's handwriting. She didn't need to read its contents in order to know what he wanted. She rose from her desk, "Malfoy, Kingsley wants us in his office." She said. She could feel her voice shaking with anxiety. He didn't argue with her, which she had been grateful for. He got up and followed closely behind her.

She knew how much hot water they were in It didn't take an idiot to figure that out. If they were lucky they would be off the case, it their fortune wasn't with them however, they could be removed from the ministry.

If the latter happened, she would never let Malfoy forget it.

Hermione had stopped before entering Kingsley's office. She had to regain at least some of her composure if she were to get through this meeting. She took a deep breath and counted down. Once done she glanced over to Malfoy who seemed just as apprehensive, if not more, as she did. She wondered whether or not she should calm him down. In the end she had decided against that. This had been his fault in the first place, he needed to feel this anxiety, maybe he would learn a lesson to not act unprofessional during a case.

She turned her head to face the door and knocked. With the go ahead she calmly walked into his office, Malfoy followed suit. She looked at Kinsley who had been seated behind his office, he looked to be working on paperwork. He hadnt even glance away from his work when he spoke to them, "Take a seat." He said. Hermione caught his tone and thought he sounded annoyed. Given the circumstances she couldn't help but feel she had been correct.

They both sat down in the two big black leather chairs in front of the desk. He still hadnt looked up from his paperwork. She took a brief moment to glance at Malfoy. She watched as he played with his thumbs. She also noticed how his foot began to tap against the floor impatiently. The man really had no patience.

She couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for him, even if this whole thing had been caused by him. She also felt a twinge of regret, she shouldn't have just ignored him, she should have at least tried and calmed him down. But this was Malfoy! He wouldn't do the same for her, right?

After what seemed like hours, Kingsley finally addressed the two. His expression unreadable, but his tone, she could tell had been stern. He was furious with them, and rightly so. They caused their only lead to take a unwanted trip to the hospital. Hopefully that wouldn't hinder their investigation.

"I'm sure you are both aware as to why I called you here."

Hermione mentally flinched at his tone and bowed her head feeling the weight of shame fall on her shoulders, and the anxiety then began to burrow into her. She prayed to anyone that could hear her, that she wouldn't be kicked out of the Ministry, he was finally starting to get comfortable here, with the exception of being forced to be partnered with Malfoy. "Yes sir." She answered.

Malfoy mumbled his response and sunk lower in his chair.

Kingsley turned his focus towards her and said, "Miss Granger, I am deeply disappointed in your actions. I would have expected better from you." He then turned his attention towards Malfoy who flinched under his gaze, "and Mr. Malfoy, I would like to speak with you privately once our meeting is finished."

Malfoy seemed to have sunken farther in his seat. She wondered why Kingsley would want to speak with him privately. Did it involve what had happened last night? Would he get more than being scolded or was this about something else entirely? She saw in the corner of her eye Malfoy straighten his back, "Of course sir." He tried to sound less worried but it failed.

Kingsely nodded his head, "Good, Now you both are hearby removed form the case due to your behavior. I'll be reassigning you both to another case. Miss Ramley will deliver the file once we finish." He said as he looked between the two, "You are now dismissed Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy will join to in your office once we are finished."

"Of course sir." She then rose from her seat and before she left she casted a quick sympatric look towards Malfoy. He did not look good, and even she couldn't help but feel slightly worried for him.

On her way back to her office she couldn't help to wonder why Kingsley wanted to speak more with Malfoy and only say a few words to her. Even if this mess had been caused by him she still was partially to blame and she was the senior auror out of the two. Wouldn't that have meant she was the one the greater punishment fell onto? It just didn't make any sense.

There had to be something more to it than that, she though. Maybe it had something to do with Malfoy's father? His parole hearing was coming up maybe he was involved, or had needed to ask Malfoy a few questions about his fathers behavior. For now that would have to be the conclusion she came to.

She could However ask Malfoy when he returned to the office. She concluded as she walked back into her office. Now would Malfoy give her a straight answer had been another story. She trusted Malfoy as far as she could through him, and she felt as if that feeling had ben mutual.

Even if he withheld the truth to her, the truth always came out.

Sitting at her desk she glanced down at the files that had not been on her desk before they had left. Penelope must have dropped them off while they had been in their meeting. She opened up the files and held back a sigh. It was another robbery case. Malfoy would have a field day over this.

She was about to read over the fies when Malfoy walked into the office. If it was possibly he looked even paler than he had when she left the office. He walked over to the chair in front of her desk with his shoulders tensed. He let out a grumble before he slid into the chair and relaxed slightly. She had a half of mind to ask him what Kingsley had wanted to speak with him about but ended up letting it go. For now they had a case they had to focus on, she could always ask later when he wasn't in such a ridged mood.

She quickly adverted his eyes before he caught her staring at him, the last thing she needed was for Malfoy to think she had been concerned with him. She'd never live it down.

He leaned forward in his chair, his chin resting on the knuckles of his hands, "What Granger." She said gruffly.

"We have a new assignment." She said nonchalantly. Maybe if she brushed off her own annoyances towards their new assignment than hopefully he would too. "I was about to go over the specifics but it looks to be another burglary case."

She could see the look of utter "joy" wash over his face, "Wonderful," he hissed through his teeth. "Where is it this time?"

She scanned over the information, "Perkins Potion and Ingredient Emporium, the thief-like the other robbery-left behind no evidence, no sign of a break in either. That could possibly mean it could be the same person-"

"Or both stores had terrible security systems." Malfoy chided.

"There's that…"She drawled out, "I'll go over the two cases later see if anything else pops out that's the same." It could be a definite possibility that the cases were connected, it couldn't be by chance that they both seemed to leave no traces behind and happen in the same month. "Let's go down and get a look at the scene."

Malfoy let out a groan but didn't argue when he rose from the couch. "I'll apparate us this time." He said with a slight demanding tone.

She looked at him questionably, "And whats wrong with me doing it?"

"Oh nothing other than the fact that you do it very rushed and roughly. You know apparition doesn't have to hurt that much." He finished with a shrug of his shoulders.

Are you telling me I don't know how to apparate?"

"No," He smirked, "I'm just telling you, you apparate like a butcher!"

He's not worth it Hermione! Her mind cautioned. They didn't need to get into another fight. They were already on a probation of sorts the last thing they, or rather she wanted was to get on the actual probation list.

"Oh get off your high horse Granger, I'm just teasing." He said as he rolled his eyes and offered his arm, "Come one we have a case to start."

She gave him a cautious look, "Draco Malfoy teasing me? I think that might be a bit out of character for you." She jested. Malfoy had always been a bully, but he didn't lightly tease people. No if he wanted to make fun of someone he would go all out.

He rolled his eyes, "Come one Granger, I'd like to get there before I grow too old to think clearly."

"Hey-" He was cut off by the apparting spell that she casted. She felt that gut wrenching squeezing sensation of her body being torn apart as the spell took effect. When the spell worn off she let of Malfoy and flashed him a smug look of victory, "You little buggart…" He huffed.

"Aw did I hurt your little feelings Malfoy?" She gushed faking sympathy. She turned around on her heels and headed towards the potion shop. She stopped right before the shop. Each crime scene always had a charm spell casted on them to prevent any unauthorized wizards from entering.

After using the counter spell she stepped through the charm and entered the shop, at first glance it didn't appear to be a crime scene, but after further inspection Hermione caught a few things that seemed off. This shop appeared to be a very unpopular shop. The shelves were mostly full, and had a thick layer of dusk and grim not only on the shelves but on the merchandise being sold. A few items-the barrels of ingredients in particular-seemed to had been dug through and a few of the bottles seemed ot have fallen off the shelf and had been left on the ground in shattered pieces. She would have to get a detailed list of everything stolen as well as a list of everything that had been disrupted or moved out of place. She looked around the shop hoping to find the shop owner, she did find a man was tall and lengthy with oily greasy hair and a face that seemed to have been stuck into a permanent sneer. The man had been bent over a work desk, his back arched into a hump, he seemed to be brewing a potion of sorts. When she drew closer to the man and his concoction she had the pleasure of getting a whiff of the fowl brew. She had to stop herself from gaging. What kind of potion is he brewing?

She looked to Malfoy who also had a problem with the scent but he seemed to have kept his discomfort to a minimum. He could be a child sometimes. She turned back to the man and cleared her throat, when he didn't respond she spoke up, "Um Sir are you the owner?"

The man turned and gave her a vicious look, flashing his yellow crooked teeth and sending a bitter chill down her spine. He then looker her up and down and too a whiff of the air, his nose wrinkled in disgust and he sent her a icy glare, "Mudblood." He hissed under his breath and Hermione felt anger swell within her. How the hell could he tell my smelling her?! When she stepped forward to give this greasy pompous snake oil of a man a piece of her mind, Malfoy's arm flashed out in front of her. When she looked to glare at him furious that he wouldn't let her defend herself she caught the wink he gave her. Confused she stood there as Malfoy stepped forward to address him, "Your Perkins, correct?" He demanded his tone stern and unwavering. His voice sounded so different than his usual tone that it had thrown Hermione for a loop. It was smooth as ice and commanding. She had never heard him-not even in school-speak in that kind of a tone.

Perkins-she presumed-flinched under Malfoy's icy stare, "W-who wants to know?" Her wormed out.

Malfoy took out his badge and flashed it at him, "My name is Draco Malfoy." He enunciated his last name and it made Perkins flinch once more and began to sweat in his seat. "I'm with the Auror Department, my partner and I are hear to investigate the robbery you had here last night."

The man sneered, his beady brown eyes glaring towards her, "I don' be wantin' no help from no mudblood." He spat.

"Well I can appeal to the ministry to reassign someone new to the case, but that could take weeks, you know we do have certain protocols to follow." He smirked at Hermione, then continued, "Then by the time you do have someone new, the trail will probably grow cold, and he'll get away."

Was Malfoy defending her? First he teases her playfully now he's defending her? This couldn't be the same stuck up pureblood she had gone to school with? No, he was only looking out for his own self interest. He had only done that to probably move the case along, and probably to prevent her from getting into a fight with the owner and getting them thrown into Kingsley's office once again. She would have to question his intentions later, for now she'd let him handle Perkins.

The man shook his, disgruntled he said to Malfoy, "Alrigh' fine, just don't be lettin' her touch nothin' don' want her stink muckin' up teh place."

She felt heat flare up in her face. How dare he insinuate she smelt when his concoction smelt like a sewer in the summer time! She said nothing as Malfoy took a parchment from the grease rat. "I this the list of the items stolen?" Malfoy asked.

Perkins nodded his head, not a strand of hair fell out of place on his greasy oily head. "I'll also need a list of thing out of place." Malfoy ordered his commanding tone hadnt wavered.

"Yes Mr. Malfoy." He wheezed and she grabbed a quil. Even though Malfoy's family name had fallen from grace with many people it seemed that a few families still feared and respected his name.

Malfoy nodded his head, and turned back to her, "Let's go take a look around outside while he does that." He barked. She was about to tell him not to order her around but caught herself. He had a reason, it showed Perkins how powerful he was. He wouldn't cooperate if he knew one of the oldest pureblood heirs took orders from a muggleborn. She gridded her teeth and followed him outside.

He turned around and flashed her a conceded smirk, "Your welcome Granger." He bragged. "I was pretty professional back there wasn't I?"

She rolled her eyes and walked to the side of the building, "Oh stop patting yourself on the back Malfoy, it'll leave a bruise on your delicate skin." She chided playfully.

"Bugger off Granger." He huffed as he joined her, "So, see anthing?"

She looked around, no signs of any window that might have been smashed then repaired with magic. Nor any signs of a door being broken into, "Why don't you question Perkin's about his security system, I', going back to the office and see what these ingredients give us."

He shrugged and walked back into the shop as she apparated back to the department.

Hermione had spent the rest of the afternoon in her office researching the ingredients stolen from each of the robberies. She tried all the combinations and none of them produced anything remotely usuable. And after all that work she still was no closer to determine why those items had been stolen, nor had she come close to figuring out who the culprit was.

She let out a groan and leaned back her in chair, this robbery couldn't be just a normal break in like Malfoy had assumed. It had been to professional, to clean. And why those ingredients? Most of them were inexpensive and very easy to come by, save for the moonstone. Anyone could just purchase the other items. Unless the thief had stolen the other items to have confused anyone pursuing them from their real goal. But if that had been the case than why not steal other items closer in value, why steal common ingredients that would make the rarer object stand out more.

This case had been proving to be a real mystery. She glanced over at the clock, four hours had gone by since her and Malfoy had split up. Hopefully he had found something.

Thinking of Malfoy made her thoughts drift over to the events of this morning. Whatever Kingsley and Malfoy's conversations had been about really straightened out Malfoy. He had barely argued with her today, sure he had joked around but that was nothing. He had even been cooperative if he hadnt intervened when Perkins insulted her and had let her duke it out with him than well it wouldn't have been good. She wondered whether or not Harry and Ron had found out about Malfoy working in their department. She had been surprised, they hadnt run to her to gossip about how he had the nerve to join the auror department. They could be busy with a case. She thought, maybe they were assigned to the murder case that her and Malfoy had been previously on. It was right up their alley. If that happened Malfoy would have a field day. Sooner or later though they would find out, and when they did, it would only be a matter of time before they found out that she was partners with him. That would be one conversation she wouldn't be looking forward to. She could already imagine their reactions. Harry would be concerned for her safety and blame Malfoy for no reason at all, and Ron would blow it up out of proportion claiming he was some sort of spy for a new dark wizard group that was lurking in the shadows.

She had been too deep in her thoughts that she hadnt heart the pop sound that had been made by someone using the apparating spell. She also hadnt noticed the person walk up to her desk until they slammed their hands in front of her, shocking her out of her thoughts-and out of her chair. "Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed as she fell down.

Said Weasley laughed and bent down to help her up. "Whaat 'mione?" She giggled as she pulled the brunette off the floor. "You make it too easy."

Hermione only glared as she dusted herself off and fixed her chair. Though her relationship with Ron had ended, her friendship with Ginny hadnt wavered. The redhead had harbored no ill feelings towards Hermione for ending things with her brother and –had for the most part- had respected her wishes on the matter. "Here visiting Harry?"

Ginny smiled "I haven't gone to his office yet. I wanted to talk with you first."

"Oh? And what could be so important that you needed to talk with me first over your "true love." She teased.

Ginny let out a huff and placed a hand on her hip, "Well if your gonna poke fun at me than nevermind."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Come one Gin I can tell your busting out at the seams over this, so just tell me."

Ginny shook her head, but grinned, "Oh its good trust me! But I cant tell you now, there's just too much to talk about. Can we meet up for dinner?"

"Alright how's six sound?"

"Excellent! Meet me at our usual place then!" She squeeled as she ran out of the office in a rush.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders but felt herself smile. It must be some new she had that she couldn't just owl her about. Either way it would be nice to get out and have a girls night. They hadnt done that since Ron and her broke up.

She glanced back down at her work, then to the clock. Four mor hours till the office closed, hopefully Malfoy hurried back before then.

It had been quarter to five when Malfoy returned to the office. She felt her frustration bubbling in her chest when he presented her with only a list of all the objects in the shop that had been disturbed after the break in. Calmly she asked, "This couldn't have possibly taken that long to get…what have you've been doing all this time?!"

He mearly shrugged her off and collapsed onto the small green couch she had in the corner of her office, "I looked around the shop found nothing by the way. And I thought I'd save some time and just question the people that lived around there-"

"You questioned people without me?!"

"Before you get your knickers in a twsit Granger." He badgered which caused her face to heat up and anger boil in her stomach, "Someone saw someone enter the shop."

And just like that her face cooked and her anger simmered down, "Did they give a description? Maybe they knew who it was?"

"Woah, don't get carried away! The woman only said she saw somone poking around about the shop after hours that's all."

"Oh…"

Malfoy smirked, "Come now Granger, it aint that bad of news. At least someone saw something." He shrugged, "And who knows maybe next time someone will actually see something."

Hermione looked down towards the two list, that wasn't good enough. They needed to know who this was before they committed another break in. " So Granger what you do all day?"

"I told you I was going to compare the two."

"Well what did you come up with then?"

"There were only one item stolen that the two shared in common." She addressed as she pulled out her notes from underneath the parchments. "Nightshade had been stolen from each of the crime scenes. I also had gone over a list of all known potions to see which combination of ingredients gave us something-"

"And?" Malfoy coxed.

"They produced nothing."

Malfoy let out a sigh and leaned back on the couch, "This case is a bloody waste of time and effort!"

"Well its what we deserve after last nights mission." But this is a waste of time. She agreed with him. "Its quite possibly it could be one person, and whoever it is attacking potion shops. Right now I think all we can do is warn potion shop owners on Diagon alley. It'll give them some kind of warning, but at this point its really all we can do."

Malfoy sat up from the chair and ran a hand though his hair, "I don't get it though." He pondered, "All those ingredients are extremely easy to come by with the exception of the moon stone. You could get them anywhere and everywhere. Why did the guy take them?"

Hermione had wondered the same thing. Why go through all the trouble for items that could grow in any garden. It didn't make much sense at all, "Unless maybe the culpit hadn't wanted to leave a trail behind." That or they didn't have the means to buy the items, but you would have to be dirt poor.

"Either why, I'm still thinking they were only after the moonstone."

She glanced towards the clock, it was already past quitting time, and there was no way she would let Malfoy be the one to keep her from her eveing. Gathering her papers she rose from the chair, "It's getting late, I'll drop off our findings with Penelopy. It wouldn't be a bad idea to start fresh in the morning instead of trying to wrap out brains around it tonight." Ordinarily she would be the one that would work all throughout the evening, but she did have plans she had not wanted to miss.

"Good idea Granger." Malfoy agreed as he headed for the door, but right as he had been about to leave, he glanced over his shoulder and said, "See yah Granger."

Why'd he take the time to wish her a farwell? She wondered for the moment, and then let it slide. She hadn't the time to waste on thinking about Malfoy. She'd be late if she didn't hurry.

After stopping at her apartment to freshen up-she could still faintly smell the lingering stench of the potion on her-Hermione had barely made it to the diner to meet with Ginny. She found the redhead seated at their normal table.

"Sorry I'm late Gin." She said as she joined her.

Ginny waved her off with a smile. "It's perfectly alright 'mione, you forget Harry that Harry's schedule is just as chaotic as yours. He rarely ever gets home on time." She said as she handed her the menu, "Now, whats with the face?"

"What face?"

Ginny merely rolled her eyes, "The look you give when something-"she paused as a loud chorus of laughter broke out form the table over. "Or someone was bothering you. You know the look you constantly made whenever Malfoy opened his mouth."

Hermione groaned at the very mention of his name. It was bad enough that her whole work revolved around Malfoy now. The last thing she needed was to have him get brought up on topic outside of work. She had hoped that it had been too loud in the building for Ginny to have heard her discontent but unfortunately the look she had been giving her had informed her otherwise.

"You ran into the prat didn't you?"

"What, no I-" She had been interuped when their waiter had shown up to take their orders. As Ginny gave her's, Hermione took the opportunity to think over her answer. She knew Ginny would find out about her partnership with Malfoy eventually. She also knew that out of Harry, Ron and Ginny, Ginny would be the only one that wouldn't blow things out of proportion.

After she placed her order and the waiter hurried off Hermione found herself under Ginnn's gaze. "No more distractions. What happened, and did it have something to do with Malfoy?"

Hopefully to avoid the subject entirely she quickly said, "We came here to talk about the big news you have, not about my day."

Luck had not been on her side that night for Ginny did not fall for the topic swap, "We'll get to that, I wanna know what the Ferret did that put you in a bad mood. Must be something big."

Hermione let out a sigh of frustration, "Fine." She pulled back her hair into a high pony tail, to avoid getting it into the food. "If I tell you, you have to swear not to tell a soul! That means you cant tell Harry, and you cant tell Ron."

If your about to tell me that your in a secret forbidden relationship with the guy then I'll not only be hurt that you didn't tell me, but also disgusted that your snogging the guy."

"What! No! Merlin what would ever give you that idea?"

"Well I did catch him looking at you funny during seventh year, but if it isn't that, than what he do?"

Hermione shook her head, the very idea of her and Malfoy in that kind of relationship. She couldn't even imagine. She knew he hated her with everything he had, it was all there in their past. But yet he hadn't acted that way lately. He still hated her, she knew he did he was just more mature about it now. Right?
"You know how Kingsley assigned everyone a partner in the aurora department?"

"Yeah, Harry and Ron have been complaining about it. About time really what with all the stupid stunts those two pull." Ginny said rolling her eyes, "Who'd you get partnered with? Cant be Neville, he's with Ron, and it cant be Luna, she with Harry. Wait…don't tell me it's Malfoy?"

She sighed, "It is…"

Hermoine winced as Ginny screeched, "Bloody hell." She had gotten hushed by a few other of the patrons in the room but she had paid no mind. "I didn't even know he was in the ministry. You'd think I would have heard Harry or Ron complain about it.."

"That's the thing, they don't know. I didn't even know until I got partnered with him."

"What a crude twist of fate. He doesn't mistreat you does he? I swear if he said that vile nasty word to you even once, I'll hex him back to first year!"

Hermione couldn't hide the smile that crept to her face. Leave it to Ginny to put a smile back on her face. She was truly thankful that Ginny and hers relationship hadn't wavered since her break up with Ron. They were still as close as they ever been. "He's been a prat really. Complaining non stop and just doing what he feels like."

"So nothing out of the ordinary I suppose."

They both laughed and Hermione could tell that her spirits had been lifted and the events of the last few days seemed to drift to the back of her mind. For the moment she didn't have the constant nag at her mind that Malfoy was up to something, or that he would get them both band from the ministry. Ginny did have that effect on people she was a miracle worker when it came to cheering someone up. "We've managed to get into a fight in front of a witness and thanks to that were both under probation. It's mostly his fault really, he had been incredibly impatient with the witness and I had yelled at him. Which started the argument that got us into that mess."

"That's bullocks." Ginny spat, "He dragged you down with him."

Though he really didn't. Hermione thought feeling a twinge of guilt. "I admit it wasn't entirely his fault. If I hadn't lost my temper than it wouldn't have escalated. But it was still mostly his fault. He shouldn't have acted like such a child." She said right as the waited returned and handed them their meal after she had taken a few bites of her meal she continued on, "So after that Kingsley called us both into his office, told us we were on probation but instead of dismissing us both, he only dismissed me. He had said he needed to talk to Malfoy privately. I have absolutely no notion what it might have been about, but it had a real effect on Malfoy afterwards. During the case we had today, he hadn't complained. He even was helpful and hadn't argued once. He acted like a changed person."

"Strange…" Ginny piped in.

"I think it could have had something to do with the pretenses of him getting hired. But Ginny he had tease me, he wasn't being a bully, he was playfully teasing with me! He hadn't even called me that word once, he hadn't even hinted that he was better than me. It was so strange."

"Maybe Kinsley placed him under the imperious curse-"

"Ginny!"

"I'm only joking Hermione, but yes that is, peculiar…" She agreed.

By the time they finished their meal and had their plates taken away most of the patrons had already left leaving only their table and the table over to the other side of the room. Must be near closing. Hermione thought. Ginny began to speak again after a few moments of silence. "I'm quite surprise Harry and Ron don't know about Malfoy though. You would think Harry would know at least."

Over the last few months Kingsely had decided he would run for Minister of Magic which would leave his position with the Aurora department open. So he had asked Harry if he would be up to the job. Harry of course had agreed, not to long after did Kingsley start handing some of the decision making to him.

"Kinsley knows they had a history." Hermione added, "Maybe he wants Harry to find out on his own, bit either way, they'll both find out soon enough its not a very big department they'll run into one another eventually. I just hope I won't be there when it happens."

Ginny gave her a reassuring smile, "Don't worry 'mione I wont tell them."

Hermione smiled, "Thanks Gin, I'll tell them soon, I just need to figure out how so they jump to conclusions." She said, "Now enough about me, you promised me big news. Now confess, what is it?"

"Oh!" Ginny exclaimed her cheeks turning a slight pinkish color. "The other day, well you see, oh how do I put it?"

"Just tell me Ginny!"

"Harry proposed! We're getting married!"

Hermione let out a glee of delight-which had interuped the louder party over on the other side of the room- and leaned over the table to give Ginny a bone crushing hug. "That's wonderful news Ginny! I'm so happy for you!" She exclaimed as she released her, and sat back down, ignoring the comments from the other table to be quiet she said, "When's the wedding?"

"A year from now." She replied as she fixed her shirt and hair. "We decided to wait till after Kingsley becomes Minister and for Harry to adjust to be head aurora."

"I'm so happy for you Ginny!" It was about time Harry asked her.

"I was hoping, that since I don't have any sisters and as funny as it would be to see George in a bridesmaid dress, I was hoping you would be my maid of honor?"

The tears pooled in Hermione's eyes before her mind had registered Ginny's request. She felt her heart swell and couldn't hold the tears back. She had no siblings of her own, yet she thought of Ginny as the closest thing to having a sister. "Of course Ginny I would love to." She choked out. For once Hermione was speechless.

If Ginny's smile could get any bigger her lips would reach her ears. "I'll let you know when I go dress shopping! She said as she fished out her money to pay. "Though I think mom wants me to wear her old wedding gown, but that shouldn't stop me from browsing. Oh Hermione I'm just so excited I could burst!"

Hermione laughed as she took out her own money to pay. Standing up she gave Ginny one last squeeze before they departed. She really needed to spend more time with the her, but with both of their own kinds of busy schedules, they never really had time. Ginny had joined a Qudditch team, the Harlequin Harpies, and had games all over Britain. "I'm so Happy for you and Harry both!"

"Thank you Hermione, and don't worry I wont tell a soul about your Malfoy problem."

Hermione knew Ginny wouldn't say anything, she thought as the two parted for the night. What she was concerned about was Malfoy and if his current disposition would last.

The next day Hermione walked into the office with a grin on her face. She has stocked up on her shampoo and conditioner, so no more frizzy unmanageable-well less unmanageable-hair, it hadn't rained a drop today, she had also replaced the book Crockshanks had destroyed at half the cost, and most important of all, Ginny and Harry were getting married! How exciting! She thought as she turned the corner towards her office. It had been about time really, the two had been together since school.

On her way to her office she had been passing by the break room when she heard familiar voices coming from inside the room. "Don't you two have jobs to do?" She heard Malfoy say.

She wasn't the most nosy person-well in regards to herself-but she felt herself peer into the room to see Malfoy standing behind Seamus and Dean who looked to be blocking Malfoy's exit to the door. Seamus took a step towards Malfoy and crossed his arms. In a threatening manner he said, "Why don' ya answer my question Malfoy?"

She was surprise to when Malfoy didn't step forward, he hung back and leaned against the wall, nonchalantly he said, "And I told you before, I work here."

Seamus scoffed, "I don' believe you, why would Kingsley hire the likes of you."

Dean piped in a response, "He probably bought or threatened in way in, its what he's good at."

Hermione managed to catch a glimpse of Seamus face before he turned his attention back to Malfoy. He looked very smug and way to full of himself. What had caused this little skirmish in the first place? Did Malfoy start a fight? That couldn't be the case for the way he acted. To Hermione it looked at though Seamus and Dean had been the ones to stir it up. But that couldn't be, could it.

The scene in front of her played out like a scene from school, but in this regards it had been the complete opposite of the fights that happened in Hogwarts. Werent they all adults here, shouldn't they be working together and no against one another?

And maybe she should take her own advice. Wasn't she the one who had jumped to conclusions about Malfoy, just as Seamus and Dean were doing right now? She wanted to step forward to interrupt but Malfoy spoke up, his tone firm yet nonthreatening which caught her off guard. The Malfoy she knew wouldn't keep calm in a situation such as this, yet here he was proving her wrong yet again. "Or you know I could be telling you the truth." He said with a roll of his shoulders. Where was that temper of his. Why wasn't he fighting back? Normally by now Malfoy would be shouting 'Wait till I tell my father!' or 'You'll regret that' Maybe it was because he didn't have daddy to run to. But Hermione wasn't so sure that was the case.

Both Seamus and Dean let out a bellow of laugher, "On what skills Malfoy?" Seamus sneered, "I remember you always had been shown up by 'arry or 'ermione!"

" That and you were always a bloody coward." Dean added.

"So tell me Malfoy, why would Kingsley hire you?"

Hermione watched Malfoy's face pinch in anger. His body language had grown tense and ridged. His cheeks slowly turned red with each mocking word they said. He was trying to keep his anger in, Hermione decided. "I don't see why you got hired Finnigan." Malfoy quipped, his tone edgy, "You always managed to blow something up, so don't you stop wondering why I got hire and start consider why you were hired hrm?"

Seamus took another step forward, his face had grown red and his eyebrows knitted together. Defensively Seamus said, "I was hired for me merit and not for being a death eater. I know it still here." He accused as he nudged his head towards Malfoy's arm, "Even with all those bloody glamour charms on it. Once a death eater, always a death eater."

Once again Malfoy stood there, he didn't sday a word. He only clenched his jaw and tightened his grimp on his arms to the point where his knuckles had begun to turn white with the pressure.

Seamus scoffed, "Were you too sentimental to get rid of it? If I were you Malfoy, I wouldn't get to comfortable you wont be here long."

Dean jumped in again and added, "Yeah once Harry becomes Head, you'll be gone faster than a hypogrif!"

Malfoy glared, remaining silent he moved to leave but Seamus blocked him from it with his shoulder. Now Malfoy was tall, tall for a regular man. But Seamus was taller, and wider than Malfoy, so when Malfoy got bumbed by Seamus's shoulder it pushed him back a little. "Runnin' with yer tail between yer legs eh Malfoy?" He mocked, "You were always good at doin' that!"

"Bugger off Finnigan, before you blow up the coffee maker."

"Why you little-" Seamus said while he reached for his wand, and on instinct-or as she had liked to have said-did Hermione. Before Seamus or Hermione could completely remove their wands, Dean had interrupted placing a hand on Seamus's forearm.

"He's not worth it mate."

Seamus nodded his head and move his hand away form his wand. "Yer right, I ain't stoopin' down to his level."

Dean then turned to Malfoy, and with an icy glare he said, "Why don't you just slither off Malfoy."

Malfoy shot them both a glare and said, "I would but your ego's are blocking the way." And then shoved between them. He briskly walked right past Hermione and towards his office, without ever inclining that he took notice of her.

Hermione followed suit, but at a much slower pace. Why hadn't he fought back. He just stood there and had only thrown a few innocent quips, but nothing like he would have if they had been back at Hogwarts. He might have even thrown a few jinks their way. But he hadn't.

Those questions weren't the only ones that puzzled her. She wondered why she had also reached for her wand when Seamus had gone for his. If a wand fight really had broken out, had she really been ready to defend Malfoy against her school hood friends? Or did she raise her wand out of instinct. That must be it, only reflexes. She told herself.

She reached her office and saw Malfoy sitting on the couch with their robbery file in hand. He peered up over the notes when she walked in. "You're later than normal Granger." His tone sounded stiff, did Seamus really get under his skin that badly? "Had a late night researching?"

"I suppose so…" She trailed off. Should she really ask him if he was alright? Would he even answer her? Couldn't hurt to try. "Malfoy, what was that back there Between you and Seamus I mean. Why were they-"

"Drop it Granger." He cut in.

"I just wanted to see-" She pushed back, but he cut her off once more.

"It's none of your concern Granger."

She shot him a glare, of course It was her concern. He was her partner after all, and if he let his feelings and mood get in the way, than it could effect the case and then they both would be in more trouble than they already were in. What Hermione had been telling herself why she was so concern.

"Alright." She said, "Have it your way then." She made her way over to her desk and sat down.

After a moment of sitting in an uncomfortable silence, Malfoy spoke up, "Anything new about the case?"

"Unfortunately no, nothing." She said with a sigh, she was glad that they were mature enough to move on, at least he moved on, "I think at this point, we'll have to drop the case. I'll talk to Kingsley about it." She finished as she rose from her chair.

"I'll go with you." Malfoy said as he caught up with her and went to the door. "I have to talk to Kingsl-" He had started when the door had been opened up abruptly , interrupting them both, as Peneople timidly entered the office.

"I-I'm sorry to i-interrupt Miss Granger, uh M-Mr.M-Malloy…but Mr. Shaklebott has called a meeting for all Auroras."

Hermione felt her stomach roll with the information. Something big must have happened for kingsley to have called a meeting with everyone. "Do you know what it's about" She inquired hoping it wouldn't be something horrible. Maybe there was just a change in policy.

Penelope paled a little, "Yes, it's about the, the new murder case." She said with a low quivering tone, her papers shaking in her hands.

Two murders in one month. Hermione's mind grasped. Murder wasn't to uncommon in the wizarding world, but for the last few years murder cases had been spread out to being month in between one another, and they would normally catch the murderer a few days after it was committed. They hadn't experience a professional murderer in months, not since Voldemort had been alive.

Could the two be connected? She wondered. The last thing the wizarding world needed was a serial killer. They've only had five years of peach, and they didn't need it being disrupted.

"We need to get assigned to that case Granger!" Malfoy urged her.

She shot him a look, was he still glory hogging, heartless boy he was back in school. She shook her head and whispered to him, "I highly doubt Kingsley would allow us." Then she turned back to Penelope, "Do you have anymore details?"

"U-unfortuntatly no," she replied, her tone wavering. "I-I have to go inform Mr. Potter and Mrs. Longbottom about the meeting." She finished and hurried out of the room without waiting to be dismissed.

"Mrs. Longbottom?" Malfoy asked, "Who the hell married Longbottom?"

Hermione rolled her eyes then shot him a look, "You make it seem like no one would marry Neville."

"It's Longbottom! He trips over his own two feet and runs from his shadow."

"Neville is one of the kindest men I know!" Hermione defended as she headed towards the conference room. "And instead of questioning who married Neville, maybe you should question who would want to marry you!"

That comment had caused malfoy to pause, "And just want do you mean by that Granger?" He huffed as he caught up to her, "I know plenty of women would would jump at the chance to marry me!"

"Marry you, or marry your money?" It had been a good question/comeback in her mind, but one look at Malfoy's face told her otherwise. She had thought he would be furious with her and throw one of his argumentative tantrums, but instead he once again paused and for a brief second a loook of hurt flashed in his face. It was so quick that Hermione thought she had been seeing things. He quickly regained his composure and had begun to walk ahead of her. Had she gone to far? Or had she struck a nerve without intending to. Guilty she quickly tried to change back to the original topic. "If you must know, " She said mockingly, hoping to mask her concern-which she didn't know why she Felton- "It's Luna Lovegood." Why would she care if she hurt his feelings.

Malfoy let out a snort, "I guess you'd have to be looney to marry Longbottom." He replied his tone held a sort of emotion that Hermione couldn't place, remorse? Jealously? But that would be unlike Malfoy. But yet that look of hurt he had made, made her question. It was strange to see these kinds of sides to Malfoy. She had always been used to the Malfoy she had grown up with. He snobby, shallow, the I only have two kinds of emotion's Malfoy. But now, now she wasn't sure what kind of person he was. Sure he was still immature, but something definitely was different about him. Maturity? Could be.

They reached the doors to the conference room and when they pushed open the double doors they noticed how full the room was. Maneuvering though had been tricky, but the pair had found themselves a spot in the back of the room nearest the wall. While Hermione wandered through the crowd, she had noticed that anyone Malfoy had walked past, either muttered , death eater or sent him a look of malice. She honestly felt bad for Malfoy. He might have been a death eater in the past, but that didn't mean he was one now. Could it? She wasn't sure. Malfoy could have redeemed himself, but at the same time he could be deceiving everyone. Noe one seemed to trust him, except for Kingsley, though that could be wrong. Kingsley might have allowed him into the Aurora, and the ministry, but that was different than trust.

She was his partner, shouldn't she trust him? They would be out in the field together, risking their lives. Shouldn't she trust that he would watch her back? And vice versa as well. She didn't know if she ever could, and for some reason that made her feel quilts. Shouldn't she be the one person that did trust him?

She looked around the room, trying to distract her thoughts from thinking too much on the Malfoy matter. She couldn't see Ron nor Harry anywhere. At least they weren't the last ones to arrive. She thought.

She watched as Kingsley and a few other interns set up a display and place some paper on the podium. She wondered if harry was supposed to be taking over Kingsley position, shouldn't he be here before everyone else? Unless he hadn't been briefed about it before.

The door's suddenly opened, snapping Hermione out of her thoughts. Glancing over, it was harry and Ron, who both looked out of sorts. Must have been a late night. By the look of them both, Hermione decided she was right. They must have been out celebrating Harry's engagement. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of remorse. Once upon a time ago they would have invited her. But no matter, Ginny and her had a nice evening out anyway.

The two slowly, and very sloppily made their way through the room to a spot in front, all while under the very scrutinizing eyes of Kingsley. They were no doubt in for a lecture after the meeting, and judging from the pair's expression, and avoidance of Kingsley gaze, they knew it too.

As they began to take their seats, Ron stopped, his gaze lingering in her direction, yet he wasn't staring at her. After a second, recognition washed over his feature. Then all too quickly did his face pinch in anger. He leaned towards harry and said a few words all while pointing towards Malfoy. Hermione glanced at Malfoy who had seemed to take notice at Ron's gaze. He only raised an eyebrow and leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. She looked back over at the pair in time to see Harry turn, shocked. It quickly turned to suspicion as he turned to speak to Ron. They began a heated exchange from what Hermione could tell based on the faces and body language, all the while a knot began to twist in her stomach. She wondered whether they thought she was Malfoy's partner, or that she was unfortunate enough to be stuck standing next to him. She hoped it had even the latter. She wasn't ready to have that argument with them.

Kingsley moved to the front of the podium and started by saying, "Thank you all for coming, ,I know it's early." He emphasized while shooting a disapproving look towards Ron and Harry. It got a few laughs out of the other Auroras, but all humor was lost on the two, who kept looking over their shoulder at Malfoy. "But I've called this meeting to discuss the recent string of murder that have been committed as of late. Last night a young woman, A Marian Meyers had been found dead. Murdered in the exact same way at Gwendolyn Hopkins had been." Kingsley said as he displayed two photographs on the clear board beside him. Hermione recognized the first photo of Hopkins body, having seen it first hand, but she didn't recognized the other woman. She studied the photo as best as she could at the distance she was at. From what she could see, even the way the body was positioned were the same.

"The two cases share to many similarities to call these cases random." He continued as he placed more photo's from the crime scene up. "Both of the women had been found in a back alley way amongst the trash, both had been brutally tortured by use of the cruciotous curse, as well as sexual assault. And both had been given a poison that had turned their blood black, as well as both of their wands had been used to torture them and then broken and left discarded near the bodies." Kingsley paused and glanced down at the papers in front of him, he let out a long sigh and looked back up. Whatever he was going to say next would not be easy. Hermione noted taking in his stiffened shoulders. "That and both women were muggleborns."

The room had shifted uncomfortably as Kingsley's words hung in the air. She could feel the growing tension in the room and felt herself shift uncomfortably in her standing posting Even Malfoy had shown a sort of discomfort but the slightest intake of breath and the way his body went rigged.

Could this be only a coincidence? Hermione had hoped. It had only even a few years since the war had ended, they didn't need another muggleborn hater killing more innocent people on account of their blood. The war had already killed so many already.

She had been brought back to attention when an aurora had stood up to speak, "Sir, " The aurora began, Hermione had recognized him but couldn't place a name to the face. "Do you think whoever did this could be targeting muggleborn's specifically? Should we notify the public?" He asked and Hermione noted that his hands seemed to skate ever so much. He could be a muggleborn, that or a loved one.

Kingsley cleared his throat and shifted his posture, he too looked perturbed by the information he had presented. Ut after a brief moment, he regained that aura of calme and collectiveness, "At this point in the investigation we are going to assume that whoever is doing this is targeting young women around the ages of twenty and thirty." He addressed his tone even and clear. "We are not ruling out the fact that they could be targeting muggleborn's, but there isn't enough evidence to support that theory. At this point it might be only a coincidence.

Hermione's hand shot up ito their air, they were overlooking another detail, minor though it maybe, but it was relevant. "But sir." She began dropping her hand to her side. "These two women's shared some of the same physical features. Could it be he's actually targeting women who are brunettes with similar facial features.?"

Kingsley shook his head dismissively, "That is only a coincidence. Brown hair is too common of a hair color." He disregarded, then turned back down at his papers. How could he dismiss that fact so casually. She though. It maybe true that brown hair was quite a common hair trait, but that didn't mean you could overlook it so easily. And not only did the women have the same hair color but eye color as well. There physical similarities were to close to be ignored. Hermione decided. She would have to talk with Kingsley about it further.

"Now." Kingsley began again his eyes surveyed the room. "We need to keep the fact that they killer could be targeting muggleborn's quiet. The last thing we need is the public causing a stir and feeding the killer's ego. We don't give him any titles and do not talk to any reported. We don't want anyone getting all the details, and getting it into their head that they want to copy the guy."

Muggleborn Murderer

By:Rita Skeeter.

October 6th 2003

Last night another young woman had been found murdered in an alley way, skittered amongst the garbage and filth in Diagon young had been identifyed as one Miss Marian Meyers, an intern who had previously worked at the Daily Profet. Meyers had been reported missing when she had not shown up for her shift on October 3rd. There is no information at present on when she initially had been killed but the coroner stated she had been there for quite some time before the body had been discovered.

According to the corner's autopsy, Meyers had been severely tortured by the curious toys curse, sexually assault and had been fed a unknown poison before she had died.

The aurora department believes that this is the work of a serial killer, the same killer that had murdered Gwendolyn Hopkins not even a month ago in the same brutal fashion.

As of now the aurora department have not identified the serial killer, nor are they close to solving these cases for no new information have surfaced. Could this be the work of an agent of the anti-muggleborn supporters that have been cropping up, or could it be someone who had supported Voldemort and had taken up the mantle?

Whoever the culprit is he is still on the lose. Muggleborn's Beware!

You can be sure that Rita Skeeter will keep you all informed! Stay safe my loyal readers!