It's a Mystery, Granger

Chapter 3

Hermione woke up late the next morning. She used magic to fix her hair while she did her makeup and got dressed, then made toast very quickly and filled a thermos with coffee. On her way to the Floo, she tripped over Crookshanks who she'd forgotten to feed and cursed. By the time she finally did make it to the Ministry, she was fifteen minutes late and had forgotten her uniform cloak. It was unlikely she'd be going out anywhere, but the Ministry was a bit chilly and she found herself regretting not leaving the cloak in her office.

She hastily passed the other offices, keeping her head down so no one would notice her late arrival. Harry gave her a worried look as she passed him, but she waved him off and ducked into her office. As soon as she had stepped into her office, she closed her eyes and leaned back against the door, taking a few seconds to breathe and enjoy the warmth coming from her thermos before she started what was sure to be a busy day.

"You're late."

"Merlin!" Hermione gasped, one hand darting to her chest as her eyes flew open at the voice. At the sight of who was sitting at her desk, her surprise grew. "What the—Malfoy?"

"Who else could it be, Granger?" Malfoy drawled. His feet were propped up on her desk and if he hadn't been reading through her paper files, she would have cared more.

"Those are confidential," she told him, flicking her wand and closing the files he'd pulled out. Malfoy frowned and looked up at her. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here?"

"In your office or in the Ministry?" Malfoy questioned with a smirk. Hermione scowled and with another wave of her wand, his feet were forced from her desk. Malfoy's smirk turned into a frown but he didn't let it stop him from reminding her, "It is my vault that your case concerns, Granger. Isn't it reasonable for me to stop by?"

"Reasonable, yes," Hermione agreed, taking a seat in the chair opposite her desk. "Expected, no. And would you get out of my chair before Harry or Larkin come?"

"I'll be gone by then," he said flippantly, waving a hand around his head. Hermione certainly hoped so seeing as she did not want to deal with Malfoy any longer than necessary.

"What are you really here for, Malfoy? I doubt it's to tell me what was taken from your vault," Hermione said. Malfoy hummed and steepled his fingers under his chin, looking at her curiously. Hermione glared at him. "You can either tell me or get out."

"Did you try to run Crabbe's obituary in the Prophet today?" he asked conversationally.

Hermione started, surprised that was the first thing on his mind. However, one thing did stick in hers.

"What do you mean 'try'? It published this morning," she told him, frowning.

Malfoy shook his head and summoned a copy of that day's Daily Prophet. Where Crabbe's death announcement should have been was the testimony of an old wizard that had died the same day.

"What did you do?" she demanded, tossing the paper back at him.

"I kept your Ministry from running a false report," Malfoy replied. Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Crabbe didn't die in my vault and publishing the report would contradict the Ministry records." At her doubtful look, Malfoy said, "Check. You'll see he didn't die this weekend."

"But he did die?" Hermione asked. Malfoy shrugged nonchalantly and Hermione sighed. This was getting her nowhere. "Are you just going to be cryptic or give me something to work with?"

"Is cryptic really an option?" Malfoy asked with a sly raise of his eyebrow. Hermione scowled and he nodded. "Didn't think so." He stood abruptly and fastened his cloak as he said, "As it is, I'm rather busy with one of my rings so I'd best be going. It's been lovely chatting with you, Granger, but I must take my leave."