“I’m just not understanding - ” Kendrina said in a soft, dangerous voice. “Why you couldn’t come to me instead of Potter?”
Her eyes were piercing into Hermione like daggers, and she began to squirm underneath her gaze.
“I was just - ”
“She was waiting for me to get back.” Malfoy cut in, his voice firm and strong. Defiance and protection hung in his voice, as though he were shielding Hermione from Kendrina. He caught Hermione’s eye, and she threw him a confused glance.
“What do you mean, waiting for you to get back?” Kendrina narrowed her eyes more.
Malfoy threw a glance at Hermione, making sure she wasn’t going to speak, and told the story from the beginning. Kendrina didn’t utter a single word the entire time he was talking, which was pleasant and surprising at the same time. When he finished, Kendrina hesitated.
“How many were there?” She asked in a quiet voice.
“Just a small group.”
“Casualties?” She asked, frowning with a sigh.
“None for us – I body-binded a few of them.” Malfoy said promptly.
“Are you…. Are you alright?” She asked with concern.
This took the pair back. They’d never heard anything close to concern in Kenrina’s voice when she was speaking to Malfoy. Her eyes were warm, and they’d pried apart from their usual narrow stare.
“Me?” He asked.
The patience Kendrina showed wore off within a millisecond.
“Yes, Malfoy, YOU.” She said in exasperation.
Malfoy tried to scrape an answer together, but the recent events and Kendrina’s warm tone were just a bit too much. Instead, Hermione answered for him.
“He’ll be alright. A lot of stuff happened.” She muttered.
Kendrina’s head snapped into Hermione’s direction.
“And you, Granger? Will YOU be fine?”
Hermione nodded, biting her lower lip. Malfoy wanted to reach out to her and touch her hand to show comfort, but decided not to under Kendrina’s clearly perceptive watch.
“Very well. Take the rest of the day off. I hate to ask this of you, but I need full reports on my desk as soon as possible.” The official tone leaked back into her voice.
“There are a lot of risks with this job. I see you’re both prepared to take them. I just want you to know… I know this isn’t your fault. So don’t blame yourselves, alright?”
She was speaking to the both of them, but her gaze was fixed upon Malfoy. She broke the stare moments later with the wave of her hand.
“Before you go, I understand it that you’re to be substituting at Hogwarts next week, am I correct?”
The two nodded, avoiding each other’s eyes.
“I’ve gotten Ginevra to take over your position, Granger. I need you to find someone to replace yourself, Mr. Malfoy. This is only for ONE week, and it’s as a favor to McGonagall. We go back, that woman and I.”
Hermione repressed a giggle. Kendrina was more like McGonagall than anyone she’d ever met. Almost as if to prove her point, Kendrina’*** shifted to the hardened one that McGonagall wore when she was being serious.
“Leave.” She commanded.
Hermione turned to the door, hearing Malfoy right behind her. The handle felt cold in her hands as she swiftly turned it, trying to get out as quickly as possible. As soon as the door open, she tore off to her office, leaving Malfoy confused behind.
