Undeniable Truths

57~ Negotiations

"You wanted to see me, Minister?" I step into Kingsley's office.

He sets down the file he was studying. "Mr. Potter, take a seat. I just wanted to know what's going on with the Draco Malfoy case. You haven't updated me in a couple days."

I'm going to have to tell him eventually, but that means I have to arrest Hermione's fiancé. "Well, sir, we've learned he's a healer at Saint Mungos..."

"So, nothing new. I though Detective Granger opened this case months ago, before we even got the tip that he was still alive. How hasn't this case moved forward yet?" Kingsley shakes his head. "This is ridiculous."

I shift on my feet. "There have been so many cases, we can't put priority on a case that was closed almost five years ago."

"Put priority on it, if you don't make an arrest within the month, I'll hire a new detective and Head Auror that can do it. Go it?" Kingsley demands.

"Yes, sir." I head back to my office and sit down at my desk. I know exactly who Draco Malfoy has disguised himself as. He's been living with Hermione for months, which is why I told her to stop investigating it.

I pick up the phone and dial Hermione's number. It rings twice before, "Hello, this is Doctor Weinberg."

"Hey, Percy, it's Auror Potter, is Detective Granger there?"

"Yeah, here she is." There's a rustling on the other end of the line. "This is Detective Granger."

"Hey, Mione, I need you to come into the office as soon as possible." I tap my pen in the desk. "It's about the Malfoy case."

"I'll be there in five."

I put down the phone and start flipping through the different files in my desk. I don't want to have this conversation with Mione, but I know if I don't, we could both lose our job. I've never had Kingsley be so adamant about a case being solved. I don't even want to think about how he's going to act when it comes to sentencing.

"What's going on?" Hermione stands by the door.

I gesture for her to sit down. "Kingsley called me into his office a few minutes ago and asked for an update on the Malfoy case. I told him there was nothing new because it wasn't top priority. He informed me, on no uncertain terms, that it is to priority now." I tap my pen a few times. "He also informed me that if we don't make an arrest within a month, we're no longer going to have jobs."

"What're we going to do?" She runs a hand through her unruly hair. "With it being top priority, there's no way I can fake it any longer than like a week."

"Maybe we should just get it over with. The longer we put this off, the less chance of him being out in time for the twins to be born," I explain. "Kingsley is going to be pissed if, or when, he finds out we've known all along."

"Maybe just put it off for a couple days. I have a doctors appointment the day after tomorrow and I'd like Percy to be there for it." She thinks for a moment. "I'm just going to go talk with him. Can you come over tomorrow with the entire family? I have to go plan something."

*+*+*

2 days later

I know I'm the door. "Ministry, open up!" I feel awful that I have to do this. Yesterday was amazing, Mione looked so happy. I just wish I could put this off a little longer.

The door opens to reveal a messed up Hermione. "Harry..."

"I have to..." I step in and see Draco at the other end of the foyer. "Put your hands where I can see them," I demand.