Wand-Leader & The Spy

24- Ambush

London, Ministry for Magic, September 15th, 1999, 18.17 hours

"That was good work, everyone. While we didn't find the half-breed yet, we're on the right track. Sooner or later, the Fanatics will make a mistake, and we'll find their hideout."

Hermione didn't quite cheer at the words from Draco. She knew that the Minister's son was severely underestimating the danger he was risking.

"And as a thank you to you all, I'm inviting you to dinner." Draco flashed a smile at the group of witches.

Hermione's first impulse was to cite a prior engagement, and beg out, then she reconsidered. Refusing the invitation would be a snub, under the circumstances. It wasn't as if he had invited just her, after all. And the presence of the other witches should keep him from being too forward.

"Where will we be eating?" Jane asked. She sounded somewhat tense, as far as Hermione could tell - she was probably already planning the security measures.

"At my home," Draco said.

Hermione saw Jane nod, and relax a bit. Security would already be in place, after all. The Wand-Leader was grateful she hadn't turned the invitation down - she'd be able to find out more about the security measures protecting the Malfoys' home. Just in case.

"I'll just call Antoine and tell him he doesn't have to wait with dinner," Hermione said. She shook her head when she spotted Cleo grin, and nudge Teresa.

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Draco's parents were not at home, as he told them when they stepped out of the Floo connection a bit later. Jane entered with the air of long familiarity, as did Jasmine and Laura, but the rest of them looked around with open curiosity. Draco grinned, and led them on a short tour through the house.

"It's just a temporary home, of course, until the manor is rebuilt, so I'll ask you to excuse the cramped accommodations," he said while showing them the entrance hall, which was probably greater than the entire Leaky Cauldron. And Draco seemed to be serious even.

Hermione used the opportunity to peer out of the windows, and find out where the home was located. They were in Diagon Alley, to her surprise. And judging by the neighbouring buildings, the Minister's temporary home looked far less impressive from the outside, she thought as she noted where the guards were placed. And winced when she saw Sally-Anne was one of the guards. Half the Corps would have heard about Draco's 'new harem' by tomorrow.

"And here's my room. It's quite modest, but everyone has to make some sacrifices until we've finally dealt with those criminals." Draco smiled and looked directly at Hermione while he opened the door to an opulent room with a bed that could comfortably fit four people.

Everyone but Jane made the impressed sounds Draco would expect, though Hermione thought that at least Cleo wasn't actually impressed. She couldn't tell what Jane was thinking, but she had to be completely loyal to the Minister to have been trusted with the Malfoys' security.

On the way to the dining room - Jasmine and Laura were almost giddy at the thought of eating where the Malfoys usually ate - they passed the rooms of the Minister and his wife. Draco didn't show those, but Hermione made a mental note of their location. She planned to hand the memory of the visit over to Ron, but it didn't hurt to keep track of those things.

"Dobby!" Draco said, once all were seated - with Hermione to his right, an honour she could have done without, especially given the glances from Jasmine and Laura. The house elf that had survived the collapse of the Malfoy Manor appeared and started to serve the entrées.