New Beginnings

Lost and Found

Hermione paced through the tiny office. Her cheeks were still burning, the image of Draco seared into her mind. She remembered the sight of his tousled hair clinging to his face, and his lean, muscular body, slightly pink from the cold.

Hermione dug into her pocket to text Ginny. With a surge of panic, she realised her phone was missing.

'Bollocks!'

Behind her, the office door swung open. Bernadette and Bubba walked in, eyeing Hermione curiously. She was busy rummaging through her things, searching for her mobile.

'Where did you go?' Bernadette asked, tossing a pile of paperwork onto her desk.

'What?' Hermione's voice was muffled, half her body lost inside a magically extended drawer in her desk.

Bernadette and Bubba shared a look. He quickly backed out of the room, muttering about getting them some coffee. Bernadette sat on the ground next to Hermione, who was now tipping out the contents of her handbag.

'What's going on?'

'Nothing,' Hermione squeaked. 'Why would you think something was going on? I seem to have misplaced my phone. Have you seen it?'

Bernadette laid a hand on Hermione's arm, stopping her frantic movements. Hermione leaned back against her desk and closed her eyes.

'He was there,' she whispered.

'Draco?'

Hermione nodded. Tears prickled at the corner of her eyes and she brushed them away angrily. Bernadette slung an arm around Hermione's shoulders and pulled her into a hug. 

'I really can't find my phone though,' Hermione said, laughing weakly.

Bernadette rolled her eyes and pulled her own out of her pocket. She dialed Hermione's number and they waited.

Silence.

'Dammit! I must have dropped it in the forest,' Hermione groaned, putting her head in her hands. 

'You'd better cancel your contract before the pixies run up a huge bill playing with it,' Bernadette advised.

They both knew she couldn't go back and get it. The members of the camp had been furious at their intrusion, and rightly so. The aurors had trashed the site as they searched for a trace of the supposed missing child. The aurors were livid once they realised it had been a false report. They disapparated immediately to investigate the person behind the hoax. That left Bernadette to awkwardly finish up with Spartacus and apologise for the mix-up.

'Sorry for ditching you guys,' Hermione said.

'It's fine, we were pretty much done anyway.'

Bernadette helped Hermione to her feet. Bubba came back, balancing three coffees and a pile of pastries in his hands. Hermione took hers gratefully, sighing as she bit into the sugary treat. She ignored her two coworkers, who were silently communicating through wiggling eyebrows.

'Here's the original report we received,' Hermione said, plucking it from a pile on her desk.

She handed the parchment to Bernadette, who examined it closely. It clearly stated that the campsite was full of dangerous creatures who were evading MACUSA in an attempt to stay unregistered with the government. There was no name or indication of who sent it to them.

'I hate wizards sometimes,' Bernadette muttered. 'They can be so closed-minded. What did they have to gain by reporting those guys to us and the aurors, other than causing trouble?'

'Maybe it was someone with a grudge,' Bubba suggested.

'Maybe,' Bernadette agreed. 'I'll take this to Spartacus in the morning and see if he recognises the handwriting. I'll ask him about your phone too, Hermione.'

'Thanks, I appreciate that.'

*****

After she got home, Hermione curled up on  the sofa in her apartment. She absently flicked through the sketchbook Draco had left behind. There was a sharp pop outside on the landing, almost lost in the sound of the radio playing quietly.

Hermione grabbed her wand and pulled open the front door. Draco was standing on the step, his hand raised to knock. He looked startled at her sudden appearance.

'I...I...' Draco stuttered. 'I found your phone.'

He shoved the device into her hand and turned to leave.

'Wait!' Hermione called. She dashed inside and grabbed his sketchbook. 'You left this behind.'

Draco took the book from her. His nonchalant mask was back in place, hiding any emotion.

'Um, thanks. I'll, uh, I'd best be off.'

Hermione watched him walk away. He had almost reached the bottom stair when she forced herself to speak.

'Why did you go?'

Hermione grimaced at the hurt evident in her voice. She hated showing weakness, but she needed to know. Draco paused, leaning heavily against the banister. He shook his head, staring at his shoes.

'I deserve an answer!' Hermione's voice was stronger, and she felt anger rush through her veins. 'Dammit, Draco, get back here and tell me!'

'I can't,' he whispered.

Hermione marched down the stairs. He turned around in alarm. She jabbed a finger into his chest and he gulped at the fury in her eyes.

'I...I...I...'

'Answer me!' Hermione yelled, prodding him in emphasis.

Draco stared down at her, his face unreadable.

'What did I do wrong?' Hermione asked quietly. Her voice cracked and she felt tears forming. The fight had drained from her.

'Nothing!' Draco protested. He looked pained at the suggestion. 'You...I...no. It was nothing you did.'

Hermione sagged against the wall. Draco reached out and brushed a tear away. His face had softened, and to her surprise she saw his eyes filling too.

'Then why?' There was a long pause. 'What are you so afraid of?'

Draco shook his head and dropped his hand from her cheek.

'I should go,' he said, pulling away.

'Don't you walk away from me again, Malfoy!' Hermione shouted.

Draco flinched at the use of his surname. He had grown used to the sound of his first name on her lips.

'I...I have to...' he said, running a hand through his hair. 'It's for the best. Please.'

'Is it because of what I am?'

Draco looked horrified at her quiet words. Hermione's lip quivered as she stared defiantly at him, holding her head proudly.  Draco slowly walked up the stairs until he was at eye-level with her. He gently cupped her face in his hand.

'Never,' he whispered, fiercely. 'Never, ever.'

'Then why?' She repeated. Her voice was barely audible.

'It's because of what I am,' he said quietly, as though it should be obvious. 

They stood in silence, the warmth from his hand seeping into her skin. Outside, a siren wailed as a fire engine screeched past. The front door to the building slammed open and there was a burst of chatter from the couple who lived downstairs.

With a reluctant sigh, Draco moved away. Hermione's hand shot out, and before she realised what she was doing, she grabbed the front of his shirt and tugged him to her. She saw his eyes grow wide as she pressed her lips against his. His body stiffened for a moment, then he wrapped his arms around her. 

'You're a bloody idiot, Draco Malfoy,' Hermione said and kissed him again.