Hunter and Prey

Hermione excavated her way diligently through the slagheap of reports. Their research was so innovative they had to document everything. She realised she was a bit of a harpy on that subject but after wading through Impediments and its ilk, she knew she was right to nitpick. Sandwiches were brought to her at intervals by Basingly who pointedly waited until she ate them.

Other than an annoying need to go to the bathroom every hour on the hour, Hermione felt good. Getting back to work was just what she needed. She got the leave forms sorted and the expense accounts initialled with a few queries, and was half way through the requisitions when there was a cough from the doorway.

“Its Saturday, Hermione.” Draco said with the astonishment of the wealthy and underemployed. “Isn’t it supposed to be a half-day for the labouring masses?” He leant photogenically against the door like a blonde James Dean. Hermione frowned at him then noticed the time. It was almost six.

There were no wizarding trade unions. Professional Associations abounded but labour reform had largely passed by the magical world. Ministry employees by custom worked to the work, which was why non-jobs were coveted. You were paid by the title not the hour. Hermione aimed to change that but it was a major project and politically speaking not the right time. There were so many other laws that needed passing.

“I am sure the proletariat appreciates your concern, brother.” Hermione saved and logged out, tidying up as Basingly appeared in the door way behind Draco. No sandwiches this time. He was wearing his Tyrolean hat, which meant he was on his way home. The two wizards looked each other over like alien species. Neither was impressed.

“Most of the teamleaders and research staff will be in tomorrow if you want to review the latest experiments, Ms Granger.” Basingly remarked. “But we have run through the authorised projects and will need to convene ARC and RINGO.” He deliberately used Department jargon. “The Blues Brothers won’t be back from Tel Aviv until Wednesday. So it might be best to hold off on the scrum until then.”

“Tell Delhousey I want surety on batch five before I green-light. Vlahoc can cater freely.” Hermione tapped her desk with her wand, locking everything. “I’ll leave Peer until Monday then Accio Meeting on Thursday.” She smiled and Basingly nodded, tipped his hat and sauntered off. Draco watched him go with a frown.

“Evidently gibberish is the latest fashion at the Ministry.” He was on edge from the effort to get into the Department to see her. He had a security escort waiting to take him back through the beeping gates. The subdued hum of muggle devices and the glass boxes in which people in white coats worked were foreign to him.

“I am happy to explain but it will involve a lengthy lecture and you are here for a reason.” Hermione prompted pleasantly. She was a bit weary but after enduring the dragging tiredness of the past few weeks she felt renewed. It was time to leave though if Basingly was departing. He was usually the last of the ‘office’ shift to depart. The research staff had an evening and night rota to supervise experiments. The lure of new discoveries and caffeine kept them going.

“I am here for several reasons.” Draco considered requesting an explanation then decided against it. He did not want to appear foolish and strongly suspected the older wizard had been speaking in tongues to exclude him from the conversation. Who was Ringo and how did one convene him? “Firstly and most urgently from the number of owls besetting Malfoy Manor, our affair seems to be the hottest gossip.”

“I know. Basingly mentioned it.” Hermione flicked the light off as she stepped out of the office. Standing beside the tall, handsome wizard in the shadows might have been romantic except he was eyeing the light switch skeptically. “Lumos destabilises the thaum-resonance even on a crystal matrix.” She remarked, all of which Draco understood clear as the aforementioned crystal. It was just jargon of another sort, the witch thought.

“Basingly.” He said sourly.

“When you screw up your face like that you look eleven and petulant.” She strolled through the halls, waving to the researchers on duty. They returned various gestures. When Lestrange saw her with Malfoy following, she clasped her hands to her heart and sighed at Carmichaels, who embraced her theatrically. Hermione gave them a genteel clap for their amateur dramatics before signing to them to get back to their cauldrons.

All the glass boxes were soundproofed by some muggle means, Draco realised having noted both the absence of sound from the pair making a scene and the absence of the distinctive buzz of an embedded silencing charm. He elected again not to inquire further. He had never taken a day of Muggle Studies at Hogwarts and had no intention of starting remedial classes now.

“If you are done teasing the animals, I would like to have a conversation.” Draco commented and made certain he was not screwing up his face in any way. Entirely to avoid wrinkles not because she had suggested it. Which in itself was childish, he reminded himself and tried to relax. Hermione tucked her arm in his as they rounded the corner so they strolled past the security wizard as a couple.

“Darling, you say the wickedest things.” She laughed softly, eyes dancing.