Chapter 4
Draco’s badge started wailing about an hour after Granger had left his office. In that time, he hadn’t gotten anything accomplished. When she’d started laying into him about his name and his own self importance, he’d lost his control completely. The second he realized how close they were, he’d Occluded so quickly he had gotten dizzy and tripped.
He wasn’t that boy any more. He generally kept his composure in the face of insults and distrust from the wizarding community at large. He’d been raised to not let his emotions get the better of him. Yes, in school he’d been a bully. And yes, he’d done terrible things against his will during the war. But he didn’t believe himself above anyone else simply because of his surname, and he damn sure no longer believed in blood supremacy.
Draco slung his official robes on and Apparated to the location of his newest crime scene. He arrived at the northern end of Ashdown Forest. Once again, Potter was already on scene.
“Malfoy, good.” Potter was using that in-charge voice again. “Bad news. Looks like your centaur isn’t an isolated incident anymore. We had a hiker alert us to another body.”
“Is it the same situation? Runes and burns?” Draco conjured a camera to take photographic evidence.
“Yes, and all of the injuries as well. Slash marks, arrows, and the throat was cut open.”
The two men walked to where the centaur body was. Draco could see for himself that Potter was accurate in his assessment.
“The runes though, they aren’t so sporadically placed. There’s more of a regular pattern to them now.” Crouching down, Draco pointed towards the equine torso. “Look here, it almost seems as though these five are in a row, and those seven form a circle.”
“I’ll take your word for it Malfoy. Have you cracked why runes are being used?” Potter stood and scanned the forest around them.
“Not yet. I have a few more books I need to look into. Specifically ones on the Dark Arts. I’ll put in the formal request to access them as soon as we get back.” Draco replied, standing again.
“I’ll send it up as soon as they reach me. Do I need to call Hermione out here for this one?”
Draco paused. “Have you made contact with the herd in this forest yet?”
Potter crossed his arms. “That’s the weird part about this one. There is no documented herd in the Ashdown Forest. And this location is across the country from the last.”
Draco considered that for a moment. “No herd, no advocate needed. I do need to secure the scene, however. Granger mentioned that she used a variety of charms to protect a large area during the war while she was with you. Do you remember the sequence of casting? I don’t mind doing them myself, but if you already are familiar it would expedite the process.”
“She told you that? I mean, yeah I think I remember how it went. Fuck, that was a long time ago. Let me think for a moment.” Potter mumbled under his breath. He scratched at his scar. He looked to the sky and turned in a small circle. “Yeah, I remember the order. I’ll get it done for you.”
“Then I think there isn’t a need for Granger to be here this time. Thanks Potter.” Draco got to work on photographing the runes covering the deceased centaur.
With the scene secure, Potter left to find a crew to collect evidence. Draco documented the placement of the body, the runes, and manner of slicing hexes used. It seemed most were used in conjunction with the arrows to bring the beast down. The runes had been added afterwards, but not postmortem. It matched the first centaur, Sylvanus.
The crew arrived, and Draco left them to their task of scanning the area for additional evidence. Then he Apparated back to the front of the Ministry of Magic.
Hermione was reading over the centaur texts for the third time. The limited amount of information concerning the species was frustrating, to say the least. She was beginning to think the only way to learn more was to speak to the centaurs themselves, but they were notorious for being secretive and uncooperative with wizardkind.
Heading down to the Archives again was probably futile, but that’s what Hermione was doing. She found Theo in a small alcove at a worktable. He seemed to be in a conversation with someone else, so she waited until there was a pause to speak.
“Theo, you’re just the person I was looking for.” Hermione greeted him.
Theo stood from the table and smiled. “Granger. What can I do for you on this fine day?”
“Well I was hoping—Oh, hello.” Hermione caught herself staring at a witch with short black hair, sharp features, and an impeccable style. Pansy Parkinson was at the same table as Theo.
“Granger. Long time no see.” Pansy looked Hermione up and down. “Is it casual Friday today?”
Hermione looked down at her own outfit of slim fit black trousers, red short sleeved button down shirt, and black ballet flats. “Uhm, not that I’m aware of.”
Theo shot a glare at Pansy. “I think she looks lovely as always. Is there something you needed from me, Granger?”
Hermione shook off her shock and turned back to Theo. “Oh, I was just checking that there were no new documents you’d found for my bill?”
“Sadly, what you have is all I could find.” Theo grimaced. “You’d think the Ministry would have a more comprehensive collection than three books with vague passages in them.”
“Yes, I’d like to think so. It seems that no one has been willing to put in the effort though.” Hermione could hear the disappointment in her tone.
“Isn’t that your specialty, Granger? Going the extra mile?” Pansy asked from her chair.
“Would you like to join us for lunch?” Theo asked Hermione brightly. “We were just heading down to the little cafe on the corner and you’re more than welcome to come with us.”
Hermione glanced between the two Slytherins. “Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude on your time together.”
“Nonsense, Granger. Join us. Theo tells me how close you’ve become working here together.” Pansy stood and gathered her purse. “I want to hear more about what he’s like when he’s away from us snakes.”
“Oh, uhm, alright. Let me just go grab my bag. I’ll meet you outside?” Hermione backed away a couple of steps.
“Perfect!” Theo beamed.
As Hermione entered her office, she couldn’t help but wonder what the universe was playing at. First, she was working a case and having tea with Draco Malfoy. Now she was going to lunch with Theo Nott and Pansy Parkinson. She’d have to get together with her Gryffindor friends soon, just to balance things out.
She met Theo and Pansy outside the front doors, and together they walked to the cafe. Hermione ordered a cold cut sandwich, Theo asked for chicken and potatoes, and Pansy got a salad.
“Granger, I must ask. What is it you’re wearing?” Pansy’s tone didn’t hold any heat.
“What do you mean? It's just trousers and a shirt.” Hermione glanced at her outfit again.
“Where did you get them?”
“Uhm, a muggle department store.” Hermione replied.
“That explains it then. No designer in the magical world would make anything so tight fitting.” Pansy looked her up and down again. “Tell me, are you happy with your job?”
Perplexed, Hermione kept answering Pansy’s questions. “Well, yes. I suppose. I hope I’ll be promoted soon, but I haven’t even submitted myself for it yet.”
Their food arrived, and Hermione managed to take a small bite before Pansy resumed the conversation. “Do you want my honest opinion?”
“I always value honesty, above all.” Hermione said.
“You need a new wardrobe if you want to be promoted.” Pansy spoke without looking at her and added the dressing to her salad.
Hermione put down her sandwich. “I beg your pardon? What has one thing to do with the other?”
“Everything. These old men who make the decisions at the Ministry are set in their ways. They look at a woman’s appearance first, family connections second, and qualifications third.” Pansy scoffed. “As if any of it matters for a man getting a promotion. They only look at his qualifications and breeding.”
Hermione found herself reevaluating Pansy. “Agreed. It's a shit system where a man only has to mention his surname, but a woman must put in so much more effort.”
Pansy stabbed her salad with her fork. “Complete shit. But I can help you if that’s something you want. I’m a fashion designer with clients in the highest social circles.” Surprisingly, her tone wasn’t bragging, just matter-of-fact.
Theo chimed in. “I’ve seen her designs and they really are great. In fact, everything Pansy has on today is something she designed herself. Parkinson & Co even designed the suit I’m wearing.” His pride in his friend was evident.
Hermione studied Pansy’s outfit more closely. She had on a lilac blouse, tucked into a deep plum wide leg trouser, with black dragonhide boots. Everything from the cut to the stitching was quality, but didn’t scream out pretentiousness. Her accessories were all gold, from her earrings to her belt buckle. She turned to look at Theo’s suit. The subtle pinstripe in the jacket complemented the lines of his Oxford shirt. The trousers fit him well, obviously tailored to fit him. Even his loafers matched the color of his suit so there was a seamless line from shoulder to sole.
“You certainly design quality.” Hermione honestly gave her opinion. “I’m not sure I’d be able to afford your services though.”
Pansy scoffed. “We’ll work something out. Here,” she handed Hermione a business card. “Come to my office and we’ll hash out the details. I’m pretty flexible right now, so just send me an owl for when you’re free. Wait, you probably have a cell phone, don’t you?”
Hermione had to consciously force her jaw not to drop. Two of the people who had regularly used the term ‘Mudblood’ when talking to Hermione now had cell phones? Internally she glared at the universe.
“Yes, in fact I do. I’m having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that you know what that is.” Hermione told her.
“We all do. Pans, Blaise, Draco, and myself.” Theo said between bites of potato. “I can’t believe I haven’t asked for your number before.”
Hermione blinked. “What, all of you?”
Theo smirked. “We even have a group chat that we use to mercilessly rag on each other, and plan our Snake Den nights.”
Pansy put her fork down and reached into her purse. “Here. Add your number so I’ll know when you call me.”
Theo pulled his own phone from an interior jacket pocket. “Might as well do me too, since I can respond to any Archive requests quicker this way.”
Fighting off a feeling of being in an alternate universe, Hermione pulled her cell phone out of her beaded bag. She handed it to Pansy. “As long as you add your numbers to my phone, too. Fair is fair.”
After everyone had input their information, the trio finished their lunch and headed back to the Ministry. Theo took Pansy’s hand and looped it through his left arm. He also took Hermione’s and put it through his right arm.
“Ladies, it’s not every man who is surrounded by such beauty. I’ll count my lucky stars for being accompanied by you both today.”
The women laughed next to him.
“Speaking of stars.” Theo straightened a tiny bit and smiled broadly. “Draco! What are you doing out of the office today?”
Hermione’s head snapped up. Sure enough, Malfoy was making his way towards the front of the Ministry as well. He slowed his progress to meet the trio.
“Pansy,” Malfoy greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. “Nott. Granger.” He nodded to them both. “I was working. What were you out doing?”
“We enjoyed a lovely lunch together. Isn’t that right?” Pansy looked at the other two, still with their arms linked.
Malfoy glanced between them with his brow raised. “And how long has this been happening?”
“Actually, I ran into the pair of them in the Archives.” Hermione chimed in. “They were kind enough to invite me to tag along to lunch.” She saw Malfoy’s glance back to the arm she had linked with Theo. Carefully, she untangled herself and took a small step away. She wasn’t sure if he had a problem with his friends being seen with her.
“We should do it again sometime.” Theo smiled. “Maybe Draco will come with us too. Oh! We should all go out after the Quidditch match!”
Malfoy glared at Theo. “I didn’t know you would be at the match.”
“Uhm, DMLE versus Accidents and Catastrophes? I wouldn’t miss that one. It seems as if those two departments like to cause catastrophes on the pitch!” Theo laughed.
Pansy looked at Hermione. “I don’t suppose you’ll be in attendance.”
“I actually never miss a match that the DMLE plays. Harry’s seeker for their team, so I attend all the ones I’m in town for.” Hermione glanced at Malfoy and quickly back at Pansy.
“Damn. That means I’ll have to come then. Fine, we can all do lunch afterwards.” Pansy looked only slightly put out.
“I’ve never seen you there before, Granger.” Malfoy looked somewhere near Hermione’s left earlobe.
“You must be too busy chasing the Quaffle then. I’m usually at the bottom of the stands anyway.” Hermione told him.
Malfoy looked at his shoes with a frown. “Seriously? In the three years I’ve been on the team, I don’t remember seeing you there once.”
Hermione cocked her hip out and lifted her hand to it. “And just because you never noticed, that means I wasn’t there?”
“I have an excellent memory, Granger.” Malfoy ignored the gazes of Pansy and Theo bouncing between the two like they were watching a tennis match.
“Perhaps, but maybe your observational skills need some work.” Turning to Theo she said, “Thank you for inviting me today. I’ll see if I can do next time, too. Pansy, I’ll call you about coming to your office. I must get back to work though. Goodbye.” With a small wave at the group, she headed back inside the building.
“I’ve got to go, too. Theo, it was lovely as always. Draco, I’m not sure what that was, but it wasn’t what I’d call nice. See you boys later.” She gave air kisses to them both and headed towards Diagon Alley.
Draco turned to Theo. “Things are getting more bizarre around here.”
“What do you mean?” Theo began walking towards the entrance of the building.
“First, I get assigned a case with Granger as a species advocate. Then, I found out you and Granger work together frequently. Lastly, I discovered the two of you had lunch with Pansy. It just seems odd that all of a sudden Granger is in the middle of everything.” Draco fiddled with his signet ring as they walked.
“She does seem to suddenly be around a lot. Who knows, maybe the universe or the gods, or Salazar himself is plotting something.” Theo laughed, but Draco didn’t.