Chapter 3
A sea of voices emanated from around the table between Hermione and Draco, as the pair awaited the conclusion of how the investigation into Edmund Frawley would proceed. Hermione caught a glimpse of Draco from her seat across the table. He leaned into the arm of his chair, his focus settling vacantly on a random spot in the middle of it, eyes glossed. Hermione recognized the look as one of melancholy and defeat. The very same look she’d watched him develop in their sixth year.
She’d not dare mention her preoccupation with Draco to Harry or Ron during that time. Harry had already had it out for him and Ron would have had a field day with Hermione if given the opportunity to criticize her concerns. Though, that didn’t stop her from seeing the everchanging differences in Draco across that year. Marked by his sunken eyes and pale skin that appeared even more pale than his original complexion, if that were even possible, Hermione thought.
Most pointedly, was the isolation. For the first time, Hermione watched as the monster who had bullied her relentlessly for years, sat alone. She knew now of course why he’d retreated from all of his friends, but at the time it had just seemed like an odd occurrence that she’d filed away, blaming it on his broody attitude and lack of empathy and understanding.
Now, as she sat across from Draco, she registered her own minute shred of empathy for him; something she had not felt since sixth year. Even now, it felt poignantly different.
“There is no way around it. Mr. Malfoy has a connection with this cabinet and therefore, will be considered a suspect.”
Draco’s unwillingness to care about what was being said had quickly changed to an intentional focus on the man who had spoken. Gideon Thorne, a lead inquisitor for ministerial investigations, sipped from a glass of complimentary water. Thorne had a reputation for death eater investigations and takedowns, and unsurprisingly had been involved in the raid of Malfoy Manor that had taken place after the war.
Hermione stiffened as the tension among the group of ministry officials and Draco continued to grow. She listened carefully as the carefree and boisterous Draco she’d been begrudgingly speaking with only hours earlier, caved into himself to rebuild his walls of defense, his cold demeanor resurfacing.
“I’ve no recent connection to that cabinet.” Draco bristled, his hand clenching.
Thorne scanned the ministry onlookers before grinning wickedly. “Mr. Malfoy, your magic is directly tied to that cabinet. Embedded in it.”
“Yes, as any wizard’s magic would have, had they spent over a year repairing it. Especially an underage wizard who had no reason to be fooling with that type of magic in the first place.” Draco spoke calmly of himself. “I spent more time with that cabinet than I did with my own family at the age of sixteen. I would be surprised if it didn’t have any of my magic tied to it.”
To Hermione’s surprise, Shacklebolt argued in defense of Draco. “Thorne, the boy has no involvement in this.”
“Boy?” Thorne countered. “Minister, with all due respect, the last time I investigated Mr. Malfoy, he was twenty-seven years old. Are you to tell me that he’s not of a responsible age?”
“I am simply saying he is not responsible for this cabinet and the killing of Edmund Fawley.” Shacklebolt stated firmly.
Thorne raised an eyebrow inquisitively. “Mm. I see.”
“What authority do you even have to be in my file at the ministry?” Draco, who had allowed Shacklebolt to vouch for him briefly, leaned up from his chair and rested his forearms against the oval table. “I was cleared for work here as an unspeakable years ago.”
“Yes”, Thorne said matter of factly, “However, you continue to possess the Malfoy genes, as well as the dark mark upon your forearm.”
“And what of that has any merit towards the work I do for this ministry?” Draco questioned fiercely.
“I’m so very glad you asked, Mr Malfoy.” Thorne reached into his ministry coat and retrieved a manila folder, with what Hermione made out, had Draco’s name etched into it with a case number.
Thorne tossed the folder to the middle of the table and muttered an opening spell, Hermione helplessly gazed upon the spectacle he was creating. He flipped open to a page filled with case notes and began to read aloud.
“The purpose of this investigation is to confer whether the subject is adherent to the laws and policies of the ministry and furthermore, the wizarding world.” Thorne paused to verify that Draco was still listening. Begrudgingly, he was. “This investigation was approved due to the ongoing and continuous efforts of ministry officials to ensure a safe environment for all witches and wizards alike.”
Without warning, Draco instantly had his wand aimed at Gideon Thorne’s heart, his instinct to kill alive now more than ever out of his need to protect himself. Hermione surveyed the other ministry officials, all with the same dumbfounded expressions on their faces. She stared back at Draco, as he held his wand steady, ready to cast a spell at a moment’s notice; just the way he’d been trained.
“Malfoy. Put the wand down.” Shacklebolt instructed. “This is not going to solve anything.”
Hermione glanced from Shacklebolt to Draco. She, along with the other ministry officials watched in a stupor, as the Malfoy heir held his composure, but did not respond. His cool demeanor eerily scary. After another split second, but what felt like minutes to Hermione, Draco pocketed his wand without missing a beat. Thorne, seemingly relieved, appeared to relax in his chair.
“I want this investigation dropped immediately”, Shacklebolt demanded.
Thorne gave Shacklebolt a look that made it appear as if the minister had simply grown two heads, which in Hermione’s astute opinion, probably would have been more manageable at the moment than the ticking time bomb that was Draco.
“Is this the type of ministry you are running, Minister?” Thorne asked. “The type where ex-death eaters can hold their run of the mill and attempt to murder officials.”
“If I wanted to kill you, I would have.” Draco chimed in unexpectedly. Ministry officials, alongside Hermione, turned to peer at him. “The fact that I didn’t should tell you the type of employee and man I am because I promise you inquisitor Thorne, I could atomize you within seconds. After all, I am a trained killer, as you’ve so kindly put it before.”
Thorne, now filled with vexation, glowered towards Draco. But this time he only spoke when his eyes fell upon Shacklebolt again. “This isn’t finished.”
Gideon Thorne and officials who had accompanied him took their leave swiftly, not leaving any time for Draco to have a chance of changing his mind. When it was just Shacklebolt, Draco and Hermione left, she turned to face Draco.
“Are you insane?” She asked rhetorically. “What were you thinking, pointing your wand at a ministry official?”
“I’m sorry”, Draco responded calmly, a stark contrast to his previous demeanor. “I didn’t realize the moral police were here too.”
Hermione pushed from the table as hard as she could. “This is not about morals. This is about the type of image we present to the ministry; to the wizarding world.”
“Yeah?” Draco rolled his eyes. “Since when do you care about my image, Granger?”
“Enough. Both of you.” Shacklebolt’s voice commanded the pair’s attention and they gave it to him with no questions asked. “Malfoy, she’s right. You cannot threaten ministry officials. I am going to have my arse handed to me by the board over this.”
Draco huffed and shook his head as he placed his hands on his hips. Shacklebolt swiveled his head to Hermione.
“And you," he began. “From this point forward, you and Draco will continue to work on this vanishing cabinet.”
“You have got to be kidding me”, Draco retorted as his gaze shifted to Shacklebolt.
“No, Malfoy, I’m afraid I’m not”, Shacklebolt said. “You are the only wizard that knows this cabinet inside and out. Whether you like it or not, you are tied to this cabinet and chances are it will work more in our favor if you are the one working on it. Take the help of Granger, Malfoy. You know as well as I do, her assistance is invaluable.”
Draco rolled his eyes once more but didn't argue or protest Shacklebolt’s instructions, nor did he disagree with Shacklebolt’s opinion of Hermione’s value.
“Now go. If this cabinet is anything like it was when you were repairing it, you and Granger will need all the time you can get to investigate it.”
Draco and Hermione stood before the dreaded cabinet once more, both silent. It was not lost to her the horrors Draco must have experienced while trying to mend the cabinet in their sixth year.
The cabinet's magic hummed in response to Draco’s proximity once more, as if it yearned for him.
Hermione’s eyebrows knitted together. “With Voldemort gone, the magic shouldn’t be this strong. It’s alive as if something is controlling it.”
“Not possible.” Draco inched forward as he pulled his wand from his pocket.
“How so?” Hermione questioned.
“It was tied to the Dark Lord’s magic. After Potter defeated Voldemort, both this cabinet and the one in Borgin and Burke’s completely stopped working.” Draco ran his wand along the outer wood of the furniture, reading diagnostics.
“Meaning if the cabinets are working…”
Without looking back, Draco’s hand halted. “Don’t finish that sentence.”
“We have to consider the possibility.” Hermione argued. She took a step forward to see the diagnostics appearing over Draco’s wand a bit better. “It’s best to be realistic about this.”
Her eyes observed the diagnostic spell reflecting back to Draco that the magic of the cabinet was a life essence enchantment. Draco swore under his breath, his head dipped slightly.
“Animus Infusio”, Hermione whispered to herself. “Malfoy, we have to go to Shacklebolt with this.”
“And tell him what?” Draco turned around, pocketed his wand. “That you think the Dark Lord is back from the dead? Please, Granger. Don’t make me laugh.”
“It is a life essence spell, which means someone has embedded their magic into this cabinet.”
Draco’s eyes narrowed. “I know what it means, but as much as I despise your chosen one, you and I both watched him defeat the Dark Lord.”
“You’re in denial.”
“And you’re in over your head.” Draco said through gritted teeth as he shouldered past Hermione, his playful demeanor from earlier long gone. It seemed to her that within the span of a few hours–and with the news of this cabinet–he’d regressed back to his old mindset. Walls and Defenses up. Completely.
“Then what do you propose?” Hermione swiveled and faced Draco’s back. Draco stopped but didn’t respond verbally. “What’s your plan?”
“This stays between you and I for now.” Draco finally replied, though his back stayed towards her. “At least until we know for sure who’s magic is embedded into the damned thing.” His eyes met hers when he spoke again, “It could be anyone.”
“Fine.” Hermione reluctantly sighed. As much as she’d prefer to argue with him, she simply would have to find some other way to get through to him about it possibly being the Dark Lord’s return.