Project 137.43.M.D.

XXXVII. | CONDITIO NECESSARIA

XXXVII.
CONDITIO NECESSARIA
(necessary condition)

"Mr. Malfoy has behaved in a very exemplary and affable manner during his Rehabilitation Phase. He was always on time for all his appointments." Hermione summarized her report with trembling lips. "The magical community has responded well to him. I noticed a lot of suspicious looks at the beginning, but over the past few weeks they almost entirely disappeared. I actually have the feeling that the general public has become accustomed to seeing him. The Ministry's precautions have definitely come to fruition."

Tiberius Ogden nodded. He had Hermione's report, which she had placed in the Wizengamot's inbox the night before, spread out on his desk and was reading it fleetingly while listening to her words at the same time.

"He's already made a few acquaintances and visited Diagon Alley alone several times. His healers were also very pleased with him. Mr. Malfoy's body has been regenerating at a breathtaking rate. So there are really no obstacles to the Restoration," she finally concluded, nervously folding her hands in her lap.

"But there was an incident in Diagon Alley involving Mr. Theodore Nott. Is this giving cause for concern regarding a criminal recidivism?"

Ogden didn't sound entirely convinced. When he got to the relevant passage in the report, he adjusted his glasses.

"There was indeed an incident, Sir. But Mr. Nott unfairly provoked Mr. Malfoy. He made insinuations about the Memory Modification and threatened him," Hermione immediately interjected defensively, straightening up a bit. "He jeopardized the whole project and I'm sure it was on purpose. I advise the Wizengamot to question Mr. Nott in that respect. We can't risk him behaving the same way towards other Obliviated perpetrators."

"Well, thank you for your assessment, Miss Granger." Ogden gave her an indefinable look over the rim of his glasses and Hermione blushed.

The high-ranking member of the Wizengamot was hardly used to receiving a recommendation from a humble administrator like her. She lowered her eyelids in embarrassment, but Ogden made no further comment.

"Then it's about time. I have my next appointment at half past twelve and a Memory Restoration takes at least fifteen minutes. Mr. Potter should be in the courtroom by now."

Hermione nodded, rose from her chair and headed for the door.

"Ah, and Miss Granger?"

She turned back to Ogden, who gave her a strange look. It wasn't exactly friendly, which was in stark contrast to his next words. She couldn't make any sense of it.

"Well done."

Hermione swallowed hard. Then she stepped out into the hallway and hurriedly made her way to the agreed meeting point to escort Draco to the Wizengamot's premises.

***

Oddly enough, he was quite nervous.

Draco had arrived in the Atrium ten minutes earlier than Granger had requested. Now, with feigned indifference, he leaned against one of the marble columns and watched the golden elevators used by countless witches and wizards in Ministry robes.

Of course he didn't have to wait long for Granger. She was (as always) a bit early and, much to his chagrin, spotted him immediately. He had hoped to be able to watch her unnoticed for a moment, but she promptly came up to him and greeted him with a curt nod.

She was stressed. Draco had learned to read Granger's facial play, so he noticed it with a quick glance. But he put it down to everything that had happened between them.