Northern Star (Hiatus)

Chapter Eleven

After several days of working in Draco's office, finalising the chaos of McKinley's allegations and finishing the review of all eight hundred and ninety four employees, Hermione made the decision to return to her office.
Draco had asked if she needed him to come in early for support but she had told him she didnt need it. She felt good. Light. Free.
Harry had informed her a couple of days after the incident that Ron was on house arrest, the trace placed on him once again and his wand had been taken. Of he dared even the smallest magic the ministry would know. He could not hurt her.

This morning she arrived early to work, heading up the stairs to her office before most other employees. As she got to the top of the stairs she had a small fear in her gut and suddenly wished she had accepted the offered support.
"Lucky for you I'm just as stubborn as you are"
Hermione looked up to see her boss Draco Malfoy standing in his office doorway. He smiled and put a gentle supportive hand on her shoulder.
Hermione half laughed and shook her head faking a steady breath and opening her office.

She was amazed with what she saw. The office looked completely different. The filing cabinets were along the left wall, her desk on the right and a small couch with a coffee table in front of the large window. The furniture was now a bronzed walnut with red cushioning on the chairs, her desk chair a maroon high back, and the couch a comfortable wine. It reminded her of the Gryffindor common room. The place she had called home for eight years, most only did seven but the war sort of cause her to repeat her final year.

She turned and looked at Draco who was looking at the room with a neutral expression.
"Thank you" she said softly
Draco shrugged "figured you'd feel more at home with red than green or grey." He gave her a quick smirk and nodded heading back to his office leaving Hermione to get to work.
_________

Several weeks after Hermione had moved back into her own office Draco found himself looking at an unusual report from the factory floor.
Blaise was sitting with him going over it "So we got an order for a low level love potion, basically a heavily diluted version of armortentia?"
Draco nodded "yep, but somethings gone wrong. It has the standard potion water, ashwinder egg, rose petals instead of thorns, the refined peppermint oil, the moonstone and mother of pearl." He listed off the ingredients and changes "Leave out the drop of blood or lock of hair binding the drinker to the creator and it should be the exact potion the weasley twins requested"
Blaise looked at Malfoy with a frown "but something else went in?"
Draco nodded sighing and running a hand through his hair with frustration. "Not just something. A shelf full of ingredients broke as they were wheeling the cauldron to the cooling area." He started calling out what went into the potion. "Fairy wings, occamy eggs, pearl dust, jobbernall feathers and rue"
Blaise looked at Draco like he got slapped in the face "So ingredients for liquid luck and truth serum fell into a love potion?"
Draco nodded his lips pressed in a tight line.
Blaise however looked intrigued "Man we have to test that"
Draco looked at him wide eyed "We what?"
Blaise lit up "Dude imagine if we have just cracked the difference between true live and infatuation?"
The blondes brows creased in thought as he swung his chair slightly left to right "so.... the potion would do what exactly?"
Blaise smirked "what if it shows someone their true love? I mean its love potion liquid luck and truth serum for fuck sake"
Draco felt the corner of his lip twitch into a hesitant smile "That would be one hell of a potion"
__________

"Cheers" Blaise said half an houe later, holding up a vial of purple liquid with feint blue and pink swirls.
"Here goes nothing" Draco replied as they clinked the vials together and drank them in one go.

Blaise hummed and looked at the empty vial "That actually wasnt half bad, tasted like cappucino"
Draco raised a curious eyebrow "Mine was caramel"
Blaise looked at his friend amused and impressed "Okay then first observation it tastes different to each individual."
Draco nodded "though we dont know why it selected those flavours. Caramel wouldnt be my favourite."
Blaise nodded frowning in thought "yea and I'd be more an espresso man"
Draco looked up eyebrows raised in realisation "what if its our true loves favourite?"
Blaise nodded clicking his fingers "that could be it. But we'd need to find them to confirm that."
Draco nodded and sat on the couch.

After a minute Blaise sat and held his head "Mate, I dono if its just cause my girls not near or whatever, but I dont think its working. And honestly I'm starting to feel a little dizzy."
Draco nodded "Yeah me too. Maybe its best we go home and get some sleep."

The two wizards headed out discussing the possibility that the potion would still be in effect by morning.
Blaise said it would have worn off while Draco thought it was possible that they'd still be under its effect for another few days.
With bets placed for the fun of it both wizards apparated home but when Draco landed he found himself in an unfamiliar livingroom and looked around dazed and confused.