A Mess And A Murder

Chapter 3 - You Know it Wasn't Me

The next morning, an urgent message came through at Malfoy Manor.

Draco dragged himself out of bed and snatched the letter from the house elf's hand

It read:

Dear Mr Draco Malfoy,

You are currently the prime suspect of a robbery of the auror department, Ministry of Magic. At 3:48am on the 18th November six valuable pieces of evidence were stolen.

To avoid further conviction at a future hearing, please report to the Crime and Law department immediately.

Regards
Zelda Kyward
Deputy Head of Crime and Law

Draco stood in the middle of the hallway in shock. Clutching the letter, he folded it neatly, and grabbed his expensive coat before apparating with a POP!

***

After the previous night's events, Hermione was yet again exhausted. Today, she decided to have a lazy day - she was sat in her pajamas on the sofa, snuggled in a blanket with a giant mug of hot chocolate. She was brain dead of ideas of where to go next and she had finally admitted to herself that she needed some rest.

But of course this relaxation was going to last long.

POP!

Draco appeared, a mixture of anger and worry across his face.

"What on earth are you doing here!?" Hermione exclaimed, still startled.

"Read this!" Draco demanded, shoving the letter he had received in Hermione's face.

Hermione's face went pale:
"What are we gonna do?" She exclaimed.

"We?" Draco stated, "You are going to tell them that it wasn't me because you know it wasn't me."

Hermione folded her arms:
"Tell them. Ok Malfoy. Tell them what? That we were both in the room where the evidence was stolen but it's ok it wasn't us!"

"For the 'smartest girl of our year' you do lack common sense, Granger," Draco said, "You tell them the truth.. just not the whole truth. You were with me... Elsewhere."

"Yes because that's believable," Hermione replied flatly.

The pair glared at each other and folded their arms.

"I'm leaving," Draco announced, "I'll be in the Crime and Law department... You better be there."

Without another word Draco snatched the letter out of Hermione's hand and disapparated.

Hermione put her face in her hands.
Why should I help Malfoy?
Well, I suppose he is innocent...
Or is he?

She stood up and thought hard about the events from last night.
He could have stolen something when my back was turned...
But what's the motive...
He couldn't of done it... The murder.. no.. he wouldn't

Right?

Hermione found herself at a crossroads. She could desert Draco and risk the crime trailing to her, or she could help him and lie to the ministry.

With the two options whirling around in her head, Hermione hurriedly got dressed and apparated to the Crime and Law department.

Draco was leant against a wall in a temporary cell at the ministry of magic.
Where is she? He thought angrily bloody Granger, absolutely useless.

As soon as Draco had reached the Crime and Law apartment, he was arrested. He was locked in the cell and told he would be questioned in an hour's time.

Draco stood tapping his foot impatiently and checking his watch every minute. He was getting nervous. As much as he hated it, Hermione was the only person that could get him out of this anytime soon.

If I ever get out here, no, when I get out of here I'm going to strangle that witch he thought to himself.

Draco peered down the hallway as he heard footsteps growing nearer. He looked at his watch and tutted. Ten minutes early.

"Malfoy?" Called a familiar voice.

Harry Potter appeared round the corner and walked up towards the cell.

"What do you want, Potter?" Draco snarled.
"Just to ask a few questions, Malfoy," Harry retorted back.

Draco glared at Harry with enough hate to buy the universe.

"Answer these questions honestly," Harry began, "Were you in the auror department at 3:48am on the 18th of November?"

Draco hesitated, before answering:
"No."

Harry eyed Draco suspiciously:
"If that is so, then where were you?"

"With me."
Hermione strode down the corridor up to Harry, clipboard in hand:
"On the 18th of November, at 3:48am, Draco was with me in my house."

Harry looked at Hermione incredulously.
"What?"

An enormous smirk appeared on Draco's face:
"Surprised at Granger's impeccable taste?"

Harry straight up ignored Draco and stared disbelievingly at Hermione.
"What. What was he doing in your house at three in the morning?" Harry demanded.

"Um.." Hermione hesitated,"it was... A long game of chess."

Draco chuckled.
"Yeah..... A long game of chess."
Draco winked at Hermione.

"Hermione... You wouldn't. With him?" Harry questioned.

"Harry this is strictly professional you must keep my personal life and choices out of this." Hermione replied.

Harry stared at Draco and then at Hermione and then back at Draco.
"Well, I, um. I'll have to report this to the department. I'll be right back." Harry said as he left the room.

Ron was waiting for Harry at the top of the staircase. At the sight of Harry, Ron jogged up to him to walk with him.
"So? He's guilty right?" Ron said eagerly.
"Well, not exactly," Harry replied.
"What do you mean?" Ron inquired.
"You'll see soon enough."

As the boys entered the deputy heads office, Zelda Kyward came up to them and shook their hands.
"Mr Potter that was awfully quick, did you get a confession?" She asked.

Harry shook his head and handed her the recording.

By the end of the recording, Ron's face was bright red with anger.
"There is NO WAY this can be true,"
Ron half yelled.
"Mr Weasley, calm down. You must leave personal opinions out of this. This is a professional environment. For now, Mr Malfoy must be let free from custody." Zelda instructed.
"WHAT!" Ron cried, "ARE YOU MAD?"
"Mr Weasley I have told you what to do. Here at the ministry everyone is innocent until proven guilty, now please, do as I have told you."

***

Draco, now proven innocent, was lying across Hermione's sofa, watching Hermione scribble away at her paperwork.

"How did you do it?" He asked.

Hermione looked up.
"Have your name cleared so quickly?"

"Yes," Draco replied.

"It's a secret," Hermione smirked.

"You're not funny, Granger, tell me what did you do?" Draco demanded.

"Why are you so curious? You are free are you not?" Hermione argued.

"Answer the damn question, Granger."

"I'm deputy minister," Hermione explained, "All I had to do was say you with me the whole time. The ministry would never expect me to lie even though you and.... Me is rather unlikely."

"You're a terrible liar, Granger."

"Ok so maybe I went to your house and-"

"WHAT!"

"-and... Borrowed your duvet to switch with mine."

Draco frowned but then began to smirk.

"Oh, you are crafty aren't you, Granger?"