Harry Potter Oneshots

Stars Align (Harry Potter)

"What is it this time?" I don't look up from my paperwork and extend a hand where the new case is promptly placed. I look over it once and lift a brow, flipping through the multiple pages.

"We think it's a centaur, ma'am. We're sure he's involved with a dark wizard the aurors have been tracking, so their department has jumped on the case." My assistant clasps her hands behind her back nervously.

"As long as it isn't that whiny brat Malfoy, I couldn't  care less who is on the case," I say. A beat of silence follows.

"Well, er, about that—"

"Merlin, Grant, why do you never have any good news?" I groan and pause my flipping to look her dead in the eye. She perspires slightly under my scrutiny and I ignore it and lift a brow. "The one Auror I want nothing to do with and you didn't do anything about it?"

"I tried to get him switched, but they said many of the other Aurors are currently occupied, Miss. Please, I did my best — "

"No. No way am I working with Malfoy again. Doesn't anyone remember the Hippogriff fiasco?"

"He insisted it was just some childhood issue."

"Malfoy is chock-full of them," I grumble to myself and stand. I put the case file on the shelf against the wall and turn to glare at my assistant. "I'll work the case with whoever, but I will hope to see greater decision-making discrepancy in the future. Please leave me, Ms. Grant."

She nods her head and backs out of the room. As soon as the door is closed, I sink into my chair and sigh. I shut my eyes tight and rub my fingertips against my temples.

Malfoy was such a nightmare the first few times I worked with him, I can't imagine working with him again. I'd rather get mauled by the bloody centaur than have to deal with him for the while it would take to catch it.

My door creaks open. "Not now, Grant," I warn without looking up, though I admit my fists clench slightly.

"Your senses have dulled if you think I'm your lousy assistant."

My eyes fly open to glare at Malfoy's insufferable smirk. He hasn't changed a bit since Hogwarts: hair almost as pale as his complexion, gray eyes, and enough swagger to make you think he was the Minister of bloody Magic.

Merlin, his confidence should be studied; it's amazing he could even get through the door with a head that big.

"You'll find my senses haven't dulled in the slightest," I say back coldly. Before I can say any more, someone else enters the room and my eyes widen in surprise.

While Malfoy had stayed the same since Hogwarts, Harry Potter had changed. He still had his air of humbleness, and I would recognize those glasses and eyes anywhere, but he'd certainly filled out. Gone was the scrawny boy from Gryffindor House; he had grown nearly twice his previous size.

I lift a brow. "Hello, Potter. What can I do for you?" I ask politely. "It was to my understanding that Malfoy was the only Auror assigned to this case, although I am not saying other help wouldn't be appreciated," I shoot the blonde an annoyed look. "Welcome, even."

Malfoy shoots me a glare as Harry looks at me. His eyes widen slightly and he adjusts his glasses. "Er, Hale, how have you been?"

I look at Malfoy who is practically snickering. I ignore him and turn back to Potter. "Fine. Are you on this case as well?" I was never quite patient enough for courtesies and small talk.

Harry stares for a second longer before he realizes what he was doing and shakes his head. "Yes!" I lift a brow at the outburst and he continues. "Yes, I am on this case with the head of the Magical Creatures Control Unit and Draco. Do you know where we might find the head?"