Nox // Dramione

Sweater

"Genocide is a heavy accusation," Kingsley closed the file that Hermione had placed before him and folded his hands together on top of the documents.

Hermione chewed on her lip as their eyes fought a battle of wills. Draco sat beside her, looking very much himself in a fresh suit, one of his ankles resting on his knee as he leaned back lazily in his chair.

"We aren't proclaiming genocide, Minister," Draco responded, his eyes lingering on his fingers as he rolled his signet ring around his pinky. "But Pureblood immunity to the Nox is something to be weary of."

"Didn't you already start the Death Eater interrogations?" Hermione demanded. "When is that going to be released in the paper?"

"We've been busy making sure that people are informed about the Nox. Not to mention, my department head of public relations has been stuck in quarantine," Kingsley sighed and leveled a look at Draco. "It's good to have you back, Malfoy."

The muscle in Draco's jaw jumped, and Hermione watched him from the corner of her eye. She'd told him about Harry's announcement of his impending replacement, just the day before. "Thank you, Minister."

Kingsley released the two of them from his office with a flick of his hand. The Ministry was uninhabited; full of empty desks and ringing phones. The colorful memorandum birds flew around, dejectedly, without any workers to bother.

"Where is everyone?" Hermione frowned, as she and Draco walked past a dark office.

"Out in the field, or at home," Draco shrugged, the icy expression he had worn in Kingsley's office hadn't quite defrosted. "People are afraid to come into work."

They stepped into the elevator, and when the doors shut, Draco leaned against the wall. His mouth sloped into a smirk. Perhaps it was the small space, maybe it was the fact that Draco's eyes on her set her aflame, but Hermione could feel the surge of electricity between them ignite.

The shock was sudden that Hermione backed up to the opposite wall, the hand railing cutting into the small of her back. Just that small, antagonizing smile was enough to send a delicious warm sensation into her stomach. She ripped a piece of skin off of her bottom lip with her teeth. She needed to pull herself together before this got out of hand.

"My friends are getting together tonight to celebrate," Draco murmured. "Will you come?"

Hermione crossed her arms across her chest, and raised her eyebrow. She ignored the electricity that buzzed between them, feeling a bit prickly due to her body's reactions to her partner.

"A party sounds like a terrible idea," Hermione mumbled. "We should be social distancing."

Draco pushed off his side of the elevator, and stole the few steps between them. He slid his hands into his pockets, and smirked down at her, eyes molten with mischief. Her breath was stuck in her throat, as she gazed up at him.

"No one said it was a party. Just us, and a few drinks," Draco flashed a grin.

Hermione floundered for words. "Wh-what about the Nox?"

"As pretentious as it sounds, it'll just be you and a bunch of Purebloods. I have it on good authority, that Purebloods are immune to the Nox," Draco's tone was playful, but his eyes were daring.

His proximity was just enough to drench her with the scent of his cologne, and Hermione reached behind herself to grasp the handrail. She needed it to steady herself, so that he wouldn't be able to see how much he affected her.

"Are you scared, Granger?" He chuckled.

"I'm not scared." Hermione scowled. "I'm being logical."