Happenstance

Narcissa took the news of her proxy appointment with all the hauteur of her birth. Hermione had not expected a shower of gratitude but she was a little miffed at the terse thanks she did receive. It rankled that her efforts were seen as to be expected. She would let it slide this time however quid pro quo for the public rehabilitation would be some actual rehab.

Mother and son went to the Ministry, leaving Hermione to finish her Christmas presents. Which she did then got changed and found her passport. Something had to be done. Equally clearly, she should be on hand for damage control in case Draco thought that ‘something’ was letting slip the dogs of war.

Hermione called some people she knew courtesy of work. It was all very unofficial. She did not want to step on Harry’s toes or give her friend the impression she did not trust him to do his job. She did. Research was research however. Primed with a little forewarning and an up-to-date spell for translation into Swedish, the witch sat down to wait.

The Malfoys returned after noon just as she was finishing giving the triplets lunch. She stuck her head out the door to watch Draco almost carry his mother to her suite. Hermione tidied up, giving him time to call house elves and put an exhausted Narcissa to bed. She intercepted him at his bedroom door.

“Who is your prime suspect?” She asked bluntly, deciding backing him into a corner from the beginning was the best strategy. Draco was not a man who persuaded easily whatever the honey used. Pansy could vouch for what.

“I don’t know yet. Once mother has recovered I’ll return with her to Stockholm and look around.” Draco spoke carefully. He showed little exterior sign of emotion but his jaw was clenched hard. He was very angry indeed. “Might as well get started searching as I doubt the Aurors will be tripping over themselves to find Father.”

“Harry said he’d see to it they’d investigate properly.” Hermione reminded him before he dug himself into a vendetta.

“I wouldn’t take Potter’s word for it if he said my arse was on fire.” He snapped, striding past her into his room to march to his closet and angrily pull out heavy coats. “I am going to make inquiries, nothing more.”

Hermione did not defend Harry’s promise even though it felt like disloyalty but it would only aggravate Draco further. His words were terse and she did not believe him. They could be in Sweden in ten minutes just the two of them. If Draco kept with his plan to go with Narcissa, it would be hours. He would not wake his mother before she was ready even though the wait would grate on his nerves. All sneers aside, pure-bloods were high-strung. He’d be pacing and unbearable before dinner.

“We’ll go.” Hermione spoke firmly. “Your mother needs to rest. She said herself she looked everywhere. I’ll bet she’s been up all night.” The witch regarded him seriously. “It will look bad for you if you charge around alone.” Catching his expression, she continued quickly to forestall an outburst. “I know you don’t care. I know you think no one else gives a damn but you won’t find your father by setting Europe ablaze.”

“Fire will not be involved.” Draco shrugged on a Burberry coat as though donning armour. Hermione had expected this and had dressed warmly. She had also packed an overnight bag and shrunk it, and had expressed enough milk for the dinner feeding in case she was late. Apparating once was not much of a strain but if they were going to be hopping around the continent it would be exhausting.

“Accio coat.” She flicked her wand out, cast then slid it back in fluid motion. Her blue woollen trenchcoat fluttered into the room. The witch put it on and directed a mulish stare at the wizard. Hermione had been there and done that and she knew better than he how bad it could be. But she said nothing, just looked at him expectantly.

“Very well.” Draco conceded, rationalising that he did not want to argue with her because it might harm his campaign to win her. The private assessment that he was unlikely to best her in this nor really wanted to got shoved aside as immaterial. “Give me a moment to write Mother a note.”

Hermione kept her mouth shut though the temptation to quip ‘don’t forget to ask for permission to stay out late’ was almost unbearable. Draco dashed off a quick explanation then filled his pockets with galleons from a wall safe, and slipped a second wand into his coat. It might be necessary to be coercive in his persuasion. Hermione would never agree but what she did not know he would not tell her.