The rain pelted against the window panes of the sunroom while a storm raged on outside. Hermione sighed while she quietly worked away at the runic puzzle box before her. Late summer thunderstorms were her favourite background ambience while she was trying to focus but this damn puzzle was proving to be more complex than she cared to admit. Draco had dropped it off at her doorstep with a shameless wink and minimal greeting before he apparated out to gods know where.
Ever since that night on Halloween where the aurors came in to her assistance, he has been perplexingly amicable while also maintaining that level of irritating that she had grown to be accustomed to. Harry was tolerant if not fond of the blond git and that also skewed her ability to appropriately gauge how to handle his now relatively frequent presence in her life.
Hermione usually loved puzzles but her mind was betraying her today.
Stepping away from the small table that she was working away at, she cast a cursory glance around her cottage and tried to catch a glimpse of the senior kneazle she adored so ardently. A tuft of orange fur sticking out of the wall-mounted cat bed she had installed near her bookshelf and reading chair gave away his current nap locale. He was just as feisty as when she was in Hogwarts, albeit with more nap breaks to help recuperate his well of spite. Hermione lightly chuckled to herself when she approached him and he cracked one eye open to acknowledge her presence before rolling his body away from her. She gently scritched behind the ear closest to her before she collected her bag and approached her fireplace. The clock above the mantle showed it was 4 in the afternoon. She had a dinner reservation at one of the newer restaurants on Diagon Alley in an hour with Ginny and she groaned inwardly.
The redhaired spitfire of a witch was back from her recent Quidditch circuit and was demanding a debrief dinner about what has become known as the Halloween from Hell in the small circle of friends.
Hermione quickly looked down at her outfit and decided that maybe she should change into something that wasn’t faded muggle jeans and an old Cambridge sweater. Setting her bag back where she collected it from, she moved through her cottage back to her walk-in closet and took in the racks of clothing she had accumulated over the years. Running her hand over the more wizarding world appropriate outfits, Hermione settled on a knee length navy-blue dress with matching cloak that she had previously imbued with water proofing charms.
-----
Apparating into Diagon Alley was jarring. The street was bustling with people despite the drizzle and Hermione ducked her head down when she wandered out into the crown towards the restaurant. She had typically avoided the general public since the battle of Hogwarts and even more so since taking her position as an Unspeakable. Spending her spare time hunting rogue covens of witches and dark creatures across the European landscapes while delving into forbidden and restricted knowledge kept her relatively busy and also allowed her the escape from the never-ending questions and haunting presence of paparazzi and nosey socialites. Hermione didn’t care to have a role in civilized society despite the requests impressed upon her to grace galas and attend afternoon tea parties. The notoriety of being the Brightest Witch of Her Age had depleted over time but not enough for her liking. People still sought her out and attempted to marry her into their families for the bragging rights of having a “prestigious war heroine in their family tree”. Casting a subtle disillusionment charm over her helped her wander through the throng of people unnoticed until she finally walked through the front doors of the restaurant. It was a more intimate setting with small tables, warm lighting, and petite fairy light lamps on each table. The food was reportedly to die for and the waitlist to secure a table was long and distinguished. However, with Ginny being a world renowned quidditch player and war heroine planning on having dinner with another war heroine it had given them the ability to bypass the waitlist. A small perk that Hermione won’t deny her enjoyment of.
Spotting the fiery redhead at a corner table near the bar, Hermione removed her disillusionment charm and nodded at the maître d’ before she moved through the dinning area. “Look what the hag dragged in! Oh ‘Mione, it’s so good to see you!” Ginny stood up to embrace her and plant a friendly kiss on her cheek. A giggle erupted from Hermione while Gin squeezed her tightly with zero signs of letting go.
“I wasn’t the one out galivanting around the globe being famous and fabulous” Hermione pulled back from the embrace and winked at Ginny, citing the recent Prophet headline about the witch’s return home to England.
“Ohhhh fuck off with that nonsense. Sweating my ass off on the pitch and breaking up fist fights in the locker room was not as fabulous as people make it out to be” Gin sneered and rolled her eyes, settling back down into her chair.
“Harry tells me that you’ve become quite popular in the Auror’s office while I’ve been gone?” Ginny took a sip of her cocktail and looked at Hermione over the rim.
“Please define ‘popular in the auror’s office’, Gin.” Raising an eyebrow at her in challenge, Hermione waited for her friend to respond to her. The sneaky witch looked away from Hermione while she took another sip of her drink.
“Oh, just that apparently Malfoy has been asking after you. Your dazzling performance in the face of barrow wights was reportedly mesmerizing and the man has been stealthily collecting information on you. Although, if we’re being honest here, there is nothing stealthy about it. Especially around Harry.” Ginny chuckled, “That man is taking his duties as an auror quite seriously and has become a bit of a damn bloodhound… always picking up on every little thing.”
“Is this just the blown-out-of-proportion office gossip that Harry brings home to you?” Hermione leaned back in her chair and laughed. The waitress stopped at their table during the brief break in their conversation. Hermione finally ordered a drink and the two of them decided to share a few appetizers before deciding on an entrée.
“You mean to tell me that he didn’t happen to drop some form of mysterious puzzle off at your house? Only after he managed to find out that puzzles are one of your favourite ways to tune the world out?” Ginny cocked her head in challenge.
Hermione nearly choked on her cocktail.
“That’s what I thought.”
“Is Harry willfully giving up my secrets or is he being interrogated at wandpoint?” Hermione set her glass down and leaned towards Ginny. The smug look of satisfaction on the witch’s face had Hermione plotting Harry’s demise in her head.
“I feel like it’s a little bit of both for each of them.” Ginny took another slow sip of her drink, “Harry and Draco are apparently quite amicable and work well together. Plus, you know I think mister tall, dark, brooding, and blond is quite fit. I don’t know what he does to stay in shape other than the department’s quidditch scrimmage matches but he is very fun to look at once you get past that attitude.”
“Bloody hell Gin, you sound like Witch Weekly.” Hermione laughed while tipping back her cocktail. “I thought you called me out to dinner because you wanted to hear the gruesome details about my barrow wight battles and dealing with the deep dark secrets of our world?”
“Oh please, that was a ploy. Harry gave me the gory details already and I know you’re far more tight-lipped than he is because you’re an Unspeakable. I missed you and our banter. It was a dull and soul sucking these last few weeks on the tour with the team, especially with trade rumours milling about right now in preparation for the playoff seasons. If I had to listen to one more person drone on about how they’re the lifeblood of the team and losing them would be like losing a limb, I was going to willfully deafen myself.”
“That bad?”
“Imagine Lavender while she was dating Ron at school but the object of her desire is a contract extension instead of landing a boyfriend… and then multiply it.” Ginny downed the rest of her drink and signalled at the waitress for another as if punctuating her sentiment with the gulp.
“Gods, I would also willingly deafen myself. How about we tackle another tough subject: how is homelife now that you’re back at Grimmauld for the break in the season? I’m shocked Harry let you walk out the front door or even put clothes on for that matter.”
Ginny nearly choked on her drink and Hermione let out a deep belly laugh at the sight and moment of retribution for making her choke earlier. It was vindicating to turn the table on her friend. It was common knowledge that Ginny was the sun that Harry’s world orbited around. It was also common knowledge that when she was on tour, Harry moped about and dove headfirst into all his cases to occupy himself and stay busy so that he didn’t spend too long missing his wife. It was disgustingly adorable that the two of them were still very much in love after all these years and Hermione couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy whenever she saw them together.
Her life was full in other ways, but seeing the two of them together made her consider if maybe she should entertain dating again. After her split from Ron shortly after the war, Hermione’s work hadn’t really been conducive to dating and neither had her personality. She was determined to become one of the best in her field and she did not need any distractions. She wanted to be able to work the long hours, take the extensive work trips abroad, and be able to bring her work home without being judged for her work-life balance. Ron was too busy trying to fill his life in other ways that didn’t leave room for Hermione’s career and the two of them decided to save their friendship instead of driving their relationship to ruins and end up resenting each other to the point of poisoning their social circles. They still met for coffee once in a while to catch up but Ron and Lavender found their way back together and the two of them had been blissfully married for a few years now. It was for the best and Hermione was happy for him.
But some days it would be nice to come home and talk about her day at work with someone instead of just updating Crookshanks while he actively avoided listening.
Hermione wondered if Malfoy was a decent listener.
The moment the thought crossed her mind, Hermione shook herself mentally and took a long drink from her glass, signalling for the waitress to bring her over another. The two witches had successfully worked their ways through all the appetizers they had ordered and were now sharing two entrees so that they didn’t have to worry about choosing one over the other. The conversation was light and full of laughter. Ginny was determined to update Hermione on the latest gossip surrounding their old school acquaintances and it made for an enthralling discussion and helped fill in the gaps of information that Hermione had about her old classmates. Especially about why some people no longer ate lunch together in the atrium of the Ministry anymore or why the longing glances had intensified between two specific people. The waitress at one point brought over fresh drinks without prompt and let them know that the table of young, very attractive wizards near the bar had sent them over and Hermione and Ginny wordlessly shared a look before giggling and turning to raise their glasses at the men.
Before Hermione knew it, they had been in the restaurant for over two hours. Time didn’t seem to exist while she was enjoying it and a smile spread across her face. Hermione stated that she would pay the tab for their table despite the profuse rebuttals coming out of Ginny’s mouth. It was tempting to let Ginny pay for it after she claimed it was an early birthday gift from Harry but Hermione knew better. Sure, her birthday wasn’t that far off now that they were comfortable in September but she was not going to let the two of them win tonight. When the waitress came back with a smile on her face and no cheque, Hermione turned to Ginny accusatorily.
“I’m sorry Miss Granger, but your evening was already covered. Please give Mister Malfoy my thanks for the generous tip as well.” The waitress was almost sheepish and it took immense restraint for Hermione to not outwardly show how shocked she was. Ginny did not use the same level of restraint and instead stared at the waitress slack-jawed.
Once the waitress walked away from their table, an obvious spring in her step from what Hermione could only assume was an obscene tip from Malfoy, Ginny smacked Hermione’s arm repeatedly while angrily whispering at her, “Are you fucking kidding me? You have got to be fucking with me!”
“Gin… how did Malfoy know where we were going to be in order to pay for our meals?” Hemione swatted Ginny’s hands away and turned and leveled her with her signature swotty stare. The witch hesitated, thinking for a moment before she cursed under her breath.
“I am willing to bet you ten galleons that Harry told him this afternoon. I met him for lunch and brought him a nice little treat to the office as an apology for not being able to have dinner with him tonight. Harry is definitely the one that sold you out to the ferret.”
Hermione made a mental note of sending a howler to Harry regarding his loose lips and divulging all her information to Malfoy. She had assumed that he was involved but she didn’t realize just how good Harry’s working friendship with Malfoy was. What an absolute traitor.
The two witches exited the restaurant and walked down Diagon Alley, briefly extending their dinner date a little longer while they lazily meandered from storefront to storefront. Hermione quietly casted a disillusionment charm over the two of them to avoid any nosey reporters or photographers while they were a solid few drinks into the evening. Ginny was adamant on throwing a dinner party for Hermione’s birthday next week and after some groaning about the lack of need for one, Hermione folded and agreed to the idea. Ginny was a stubborn negotiator after being the only daughter in a family of rambunctious boys and Hermione found it hard to oppose her once she had her mind set on something. Ginny offered to host the party at Grimmauld Place and Hermione wasn’t going to argue further. Not hosting meant that she did not have to prepare her cottage for the party and then didn’t have to clean up afterwards. She would still assist Ginny but it was always easier to be a guest than to be a host and with the amount of paperwork and research she’s been doing after Halloween, Hermione really didn’t have the time to plan a whole party.
The two of them bid each other goodnight at the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron, Ginny flooing through first. Once Hermione was back in the comfort of her home, she decided that she now had the time and mental space to tackle that puzzle once again. Sitting down at the table, she flicked her wrist to wandlessly light the candles around her. The puzzle was a mess of runes and hieroglyphics in varying languages and proved to be quite complex. If Hermione were to guess, she had to solve the inscription on the box first and then that would reveal how she could unlock it. The wood of the box felt smooth and warm to the touch, worn down from centuries of age and being turned over and over again in the hands of many witches and wizards throughout its lifetime.
The thought of Malfoy looking at this puzzle and its complexity and thinking of her sent a chill up her spine and Hermione was willing to admit that it confused her. Yes, they fought together quite well on Halloween and they have shared a few amicable conversations with varying degrees of snide remarks while they were trying to sort out the paperwork regarding the whole incident. With Hermione’s rank within the Department of Mysteries, she was able to commandeer the case away from the aurors and remove their involvement. However, she didn’t want to fully snub them and potentially risk souring her relationship with the department since she had to work with them quite regularly to bring in people for questioning and arrests. The Death Chamber had been filled with a weird energy since she interrupted the ritual on Halloween and since none of the other members of her department witnessed or heard what was being said and done during that ritual, she may have been pulling Malfoy aside for some casual brainstorming regarding the incident.
The annoying git was incredibly quick witted and intelligent – not that she would ever admit it to his face – but he had been painfully helpful in trying to dissect the ritual. He had an impressive knowledge of ancient rituals and spoke enough languages that he was an irreplicable asset. If Hermione had to guess, the only reason he wasn’t an Unspeakable himself would be due to his brief albeit notable stint as a Death Eater. His dark mark was still present on his forearm. She had caught a glimpse of it while they were going over their memories in a pensieve to help with the case. It was faded and he had added some kind of floral arrangement around it and it helped to draw away from the mark – if someone had no idea that it was there. However, Hermione was acutely aware of its presence. She didn’t want to blatantly stare at it and that unfortunately was the root cause for why she didn’t get a good enough look at the florals to understand what they might be.
Hermione turned the box over in her hands, carefully inspecting it with fresh eyes and a fresh sheet of paper in her notebook. She didn’t want her previous assumptions to soil this attempt at the puzzle. Steadily, she started to break down the runes and hieroglyphics. The more she pulled the inscription apart, the more she thought about Malfoy. Had he solved this puzzle? Had he instead just given it to her with zero concept of what was inside? Hermione highly doubted it, the man was forever plotting and working three steps ahead of most people; he didn’t do anything without an intention or endgame in mind.
He had to know what was inside the puzzle box and the fact that he either knew what was in there already with or potentially without solving it lit a fire under Hermione. She could not let Malfoy beat her. She had successfully dominated the top student ranking while at school but he was never far behind her.
The sound of her pencil scraping against the parchment of her notebook was calming and the scent of the melting wax helped create a soothing atmosphere. Her sunroom was her sanctuary. She had viewed half a dozen homes and apartments before she stumbled into this cottage. It was in the middle of a woodlot with a small pond off to the side and it was quite run down when she did her first walk through. Her realtor was certain that she would love it and she was right. It was perfect. The beautiful thing about the floo network is that she didn’t have to worry about not living within apparating distance of anything. She was currently nestled into the quiet English countryside where the light pollution of the city was unheard of and she didn’t have to worry about nosey neighbours. She spent the first year in the cottage renovating it both the muggle and magical ways. Her expert skills with the extension charm paid off as she patiently grew the interior footprint of the home. Her attic became her own library and research station while her living room’s reading nook was more for a relaxing break from the tomes she housed upstairs. She kept the sunroom the same but upgraded the glass panes to let sun in and yet not allow anyone to look into her cottage similarly to muggle one way glass. She had the full view of her woodlot and pond but no one could look in on her. Once she mastered the charm here, she did it on all her windows as an added security measure.
Hermione pulled her mind back to the present and looked down at her notes. A pattern emerged before her and the smile that spread across her liquor-warmed face was undeniable. She was making a breakthrough in the puzzle. She started matching up the words and runes she had, slowly and steadily creating a phrase in front of her on a fresh page of parchment. The scrape of the graphite quickened and her skin began to buzz with excitement. It was some form of riddle in what Hermione deduced was meant to be in Gaelic. She stared down at it once more before quickly closing her notebook and turning the additional sheet of parchment over. She needed to sleep and this riddle could wait until tomorrow. Self control was key and she needed to pace herself before she burned away all the hours she could be using to sleep instead.
-----
It was a birthday present.
Hermione couldn’t sleep that night and instead she tossed and turned and screamed into a pillow in a fit of frustrated rage before she went downstairs at 3:32am and proceeded to finally crack the puzzle.
The box had quietly clicked open when she solved the riddle and said the answer aloud. Damhsóir. When she opened it, she was greeted with the site of a first edition text regarding the occult and dark magical practices that was older than any books she currently owned. Tucked into the cover was a small piece of paper with masculine sloping script inked across it.
Maybe this will help solve some of those burning questions you seem to always have.
Happy Birthday
- D.M
Hermione couldn’t tell if she was infuriated because he had obviously solved the puzzle before her or because he had procured a text that was sure would assist her because that man was methodical like no one else.
A frustrated yell bubbled up from her chest and Crooks popped his head up from his resting place to glower at her for the audacity of making such a loud noise this early in the morning. Hermione didn’t know what to do with this gods damned gift because the book was gorgeous and clearly well preserved considering it was written hundreds of years prior but she refused to be bought.
First the dinner cheque and now this painfully beautiful book.
Hermione decided to take a sleeping draught and conquer a few hours of sleep before heading into the Ministry at lunch tomorrow and confronting Malfoy. The one benefit of being an Unspeakable is that due to working practically all the time, she could come and go from the Ministry as she pleased. Which meant that while she usually loved a routine and starting in the office at the same time each day she really didn’t have to.
Hermione looked over at the clock on her mantle. The timepiece stared back at her with a glaring 4:05am.
Bollocks.
She walked over to her potions cabinet and poured herself a half dose of dreamless sleep and sulked her way back to her bed. Damn that man.
-----
Draco sat across from Harry as the two of them plotted out a small recognisance mission to help track the movement of dark artefacts. Draco’s source had given him a tip regarding a shipment of cursed objects that was set to be distributed in a few days’ time. Harry had selected the team he was going to work with but the shipment was something that needed to be handled delicately. They could either seize the shipment and stop the distribution of these artefacts or they could potentially let the items be sent to their buyers and crack down on them as well. They were drafting up two different plans of action to be presented to the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Best to leave that kind of decision to someone that wasn’t them, especially in this situation.
He was leaning over the map on the table plotting routes when her heard it – the sound of heels clicking against the tile floors of the DMLE bullpen. Harry looked at him with a confused look and Draco had to admit that it was justified since he just paused mid sentence to listen to the sound of a very angry woman walking towards him through a hushed bullpen filled with aurors.
There was only one woman he knew that could silence a whole room of men in their own place of work who would actually visit the auror’s offices.
She must have solved the puzzle and based on the speed in which she was moving towards him, she wasn’t pleased with the gesture. Even better.
“Auror Malfoy, a moment. Hello Harry.” The clicking of heels halted at the door to Harry’s office and Hermione’s voice cut through the tense silence like a hot knife. The way that Potter’s name dripped off her tongue was absolutely venomous. The she-weasel must have let it slip that Harry was his Hermione Informant.
“Absolutely, Granger. We can chat in my office.” Draco stood up and adjusted his waistcoat before he motioned for Hermione to follow him back through the bullpen. Wandlessly, Draco unlocked his office and opened the door for Hermione. He knew Potter had silencing charms on his office but he much preferred the ambience of his own space, especially it he had to entertain a rather enraged Unspeakable.
She was gorgeous when she was angry. The way her eyes cut to him, her mouth set in a firm line with one eyebrow raised as she took in his attire for the day. It was thrilling. He won’t lie, the puzzle box was intellectual foreplay and based on the way she stood there, her body strung tight like a bowstring, he knew that she was about to make her rebuttal play.
“Before I thank you for the book, what you did for Ginny and I at dinner was not necessary.” Her tone was matter of fact and emotionless which could only mean that he had struck a nerve.
“So, you do plan on thanking me for the book? Delightful, you’re very welcome. How did you find the puzzle box?” Malfoy flashed her a quick smile, electing to ignore the portion of her sentence that didn’t benefit this chat at the moment.
Hermione put one hand on her hip and raised a judgemental eyebrow at him, “Do not think that you can skirt your way around this conversation. If we are to work together occasionally on this case you cannot be buying me dinner and then gifting me what is very obviously a rare and expensive book.”
“We’re working together now?” This was not a new development. Hermione had acknowledged that he had a decent amount of knowledge regarding the possibilities surrounding the death cultists and he had memories that were crucial in deciphering the ritual that they were performing on All Hallow’s Eve. They had been meeting at least once a week to discuss and breakdown the case right there in his very office. Unfortunately, he wasn’t allowed to ‘galivant around the Department of Mysteries’ whenever he wished but he had been granted a few chaperoned trips down to the bellows of the Ministry alongside Granger to work on the case. “Is this your way of telling me that we’re partners?”
“We are not partners. We just happen to have shared interest and information regarding a certain group of dark beings.” Hermione sounded absolutely exasperated and her clipped tone gave away how well his plan was working.
“Was the book a success? I saw it and after flipping through the pages I figured it would prove beneficial to possess while you – while we – delved more into this.” Draco adjusted some of the papers on his desk, looking over at Hermione while he spoke.
“As much as it pains me to utter the worlds, you’re right. It appears as if it may prove quite useful.”
Bingo.
“I am going to be pulling this memory and displaying it on a shelf so that I can revisit it in a pensieve whenever I wish.” The smirk that played at his lips was one of victory.
“Oh, come off it.” Hermione waved him off while narrowing her eyes at him.
“You set yourself up for it. Now, circling back to that puzzle box. How long did it take you to finish it? I’m guessing less than two days. Mostly because I just want to hear you say that I’m right again.” Draco leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk and interlacing his fingers so that he could rest his chin on them while he took in the intoxicating sight of Hermione Granger exasperated and being put on the spot.
“I was working away on it for less than two days.” She huffed it out as if it wasn’t a bragging right.
“I was right.” Draco quirked an eyebrow at her in anticipation.
“I’m not saying it again. You only get that phrase at maximum once a day. Anymore and I fear it may falsely inflate your already massive ego.” Hermione sighed.
“You wound me, Granger” Draco leaned back and feigned talking a hit to the chest. He smiled at Hermione as she rolled her eyes in response and moved to walk out of his office. “Maybe we could discuss the contents of that book later. Over dinner perhaps? It is your birthday coming up soon and it would be horribly impolite of me to not properly pay for your meal.”
“Send me an owl with the details. Good day Malfoy.” Hermione briefly paused in his doorway, not turning around while she answered before she walked out of his office. He sat there and listed for the clicking of her heels to finally depart the DMLE before he emerged from his office and made his way back to Harry’s.
The brown-haired wizard took one look at him and sighed. “Why do you look like the cat that just caught the canary? Did you rile her up again? You know she becomes quite volatile when she’s frustrated and damn is that woman terrifying.”
“She liked the puzzle box.” Draco plopped himself down in the chair across from Harry, the smirk on his face immovable. He was the cat that caught the canary and he was beyond pleased with himself.
Harry looked at him, stunned. “She said that? She told you that she liked it, outright?”
“Not outright, but she didn’t complain about it. In fact, she solved it in less than two days.”
“Less than two days? I thought the bet was that she could crack it in about a week due to the complexity of the whole bullshit riddle?”
“That’s how I know she liked it. She let it consume her spare time.” Draco leaned back in the chair; arms folded over his chest while contemplated the date he was going to take Hermione on.
“Fair enough.” Harry nodded his head before bringing his cup of coffee to his lips to take a long drag of the hot beverage.
“-and now she’s going to let me take her out for her birthday.” Draco winked at his workmate.
Harry nearly choked.
“You’re fucking with me?” Harry wheezed out between sputtering breaths.
“Nope. I believe her direct response to me asking to take her out for dinner was ‘owl me the details’. I believe that classifies as a yes, correct?” Draco tilted his head and raised an eyebrow in question.
Harry’s eyes widened.
He knew that Malfoy and Granger had been dancing around each other with banter and bickering for a few weeks now but this was a step that Harry hadn’t anticipated coming. Ginny was going to absolutely flip her lid when she finds out.
“I can’t tell what shocks me more, the fact that she liked the puzzle box that you tormented her with just to give her a book or that she is now willfully going out for dinner with you in an indirect response to that puzzle box.” Harry took out his wand and quickly removed the droplets of coffee from the paperwork in front of him that fell casualty to his shock and awe at Hermione agreeing to a dinner date with Draco.
“Her agreeing to the date is the more shocking part for me, if I’m being honest.” Draco laughed lightly. “Now I have to organize the perfect birthday dinner for her.”