New Beginnings

Chapter 4: Tom?

Harry called every hospital. He even personally went there and gave them a description and image of Malfoy. He told them his full name but everyone claimed they've never heard it. So far he's been to all the hospitals except one. The others had many possible patients due to it having been New Years, but none had turned out to be Malfoy.

He was thinking about going to the other hospital later after lunch when someone started banging on his door. "HARRY JAMES POTTER! IF YOU DO NOT OPEN THIS DOOR, I'LL BLAST IT OPEN!" Yelled a voice he knew all too well.

"Hermione" he said to the obviously angry girl. "Harry!" She launched herself at him almost squeezing him to death. "H-Hermione. Can't. Breath." Harry managed to get out before she finally let him go only to smack him. "What was that for?!"
"For not contacting! You haven't come to visit neither me nor the Weasleys in almost three months!"

"I've spoken to Ron" he said but Hermione still frowned, "That's only because of work, it doesn't count" Harry just shrugged at her. She sighed. "Harry you can't keep yourself holed up at home or at work all the time!"

Harry moved towards his kitchen and started taking out the ingredients for his lunch. "I'm not". Hermione started angrily chopping some peppers Harry laid out, "oh really? Because it seems to me that since you and Ginny broke up you haven't been outside unless you have a case. And when you have a case you're barely home". Harry wanted to deny it but he knew it was true. He's barely left the house to enjoy himself since they broke up but it was unknown to everyone else except Harry that he hadn't felt happy much before the breakup— like something was missing.

He just hummed in reply making Hermione sigh. They continued to cook silently until Hermione spoke again. "So I heard you got assigned a case involving Malfoy" Harry stopped what he was doing to look up at her in surprise then realization hit him, "Ron told you". "Yes. He was complaining about having small cases when he mentioned yours and I must say, I'm surprised you accepted the case". He hummed once again in response. Harry kept forgetting his two best friends were dating and that they were bound to tell each other everything.

Once the food was set to boil Hermione asked, "Why did you take the case?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe because you guys have hated each other since first year?" she said as if stating the obvious. "Well, people change 'Mione. Plus, after the war, we kind of made a silent agreement to end our rivalry."

Hermione offered him a smile, "I'm surprised, you have matured. Well, I'm sure you and Harvey can figure the case out soon. Missing person, right?" By now they were sitting on the couch getting comfy while they waited for their food to be done. "It is and actually, I'm alone on this one."
"What? Why? Is Harvey okay? Did he ditch you? Oh, he ditched you! I'm gonna have a word with him"

Harry laughed a bit at his friend's over-exaggeration before saying, "No no. One, Harvey's okay. Two, he hasn't purposely ditched me in a while. Third, I'm surprised you haven't heard of this yet but he's suspended for punching a secretary!"

"That was Harvey?! Some people at the office were gossiping that someone punched Rowan but I wasn't really listening." Harry chuckled and went to serve their pasta. "Yeah, he was apparently drunk while it happened. Should have expected it though, he's always had some beef with the bloke"
Hermione made an outraged sound "He still should control himself. He's an adult! This will go on his record!" The raven head on the other hand almost choked on his noodles, "Ha! This is Harvey we're talking about, I don't think he cares".

"Well, he should. Also, do you need any help with the case since you're in it alone?"

"Mhm.... I think I'm still in the finding clue process but I'll tell you".