It didn’t appear to be the right time to say that Draco wasn’t in fact a Malfoy. When they’d married, Draco had actually taken Harry’s name. It surprised a lot of people; the papers had been running bets on whether they’d be Potter-Malfoys or Malfoy-Potters, but Draco was firm. He no longer had a reason to associate with the Malfoy family. He had no family left and no land to claim—he figured his marriage would mark the end of the family line and the beginning of a new life. Anyway, Draco had never found the time or the inclination to change his name back after the divorce. He didn’t particularly enjoy being a Potter, but since no one had ever bothered referring to him as one it hardly made any difference anyway. Only the legal documents would show any different.

‘I was not aware Mr. Potter would be joining us, Minister.’ Draco said coldly. Any excuse not to have to look at the git’s stupid face.

‘Ah, yes. I do apologise for springing that on you. Head Auror Potter will of course be handling a case as sensitive as this. You’ll understand I’m sure.’

Of course. Draco was stupid, at the very least na?ve, to think that he could do this without seeing Harry. Personal issues aside, Harry was excellent at his job and there’s no way he wouldn’t be involved in a case which the Minister was also dealing with personally. Draco could only hope that he’d be spending time in a lab and far away from Harry.

‘Of course.’ Draco said as he took the seat next to Harry. He could feel his eyes burning through the side of his head, but he refused to look. He regretted choosing to wear his muggle suit today. He figured it would be good to make one of his rare appearances at the Ministry an opportunity to show how much he had changed, and muggle fashion was an excellent way to do that. Harry, however, had always loved seeing Draco in this style of suit. Muggle formalwear was much more tight-fitting and tailored than its wizarding counterpart. Draco fought to keep the heat away from his cheeks and his attention on the Minister.

‘Ok, to business.’ Kingsley pulled two files out from his desk drawer and passed a copy to each of them. Draco took the file with shaky fingers and began skimming the papers inside. Harry didn’t even take his from the edge of the desk. He’d better not be expecting Draco to fill him in just because he’s too lazy to read the damn file.

‘We’ve had a series of cases in the past week of witches and wizards turning up with the magical core either almostpletely drained or severed in some way. There appear to be no connections between any of the patients, none of them had been to any of the same places in the previous twenty-four hours. Blood tests haven’t revealed anymonalities and thus far they’ve all been put in a magically induceda in the hopes that their magic will restore itself naturally.’

‘ive me, Minister, but it doesn’t sound like you have many leads here.’ Draco said. None of the information in the file seemed to make any sense.

‘Actually,’ Harry cut in, ‘my colleagues came across an abandoned potions lab yesterday which they think may be connected in some way. I’m pushing to get the paperwork through quickly so that we can scope the place out.’

‘et the paperwork, anything to do with this case has authorisation directly from me. We’ll deal with everything else later.’ Now this was a whole other ball game.

‘Excuse me,’ Draco knew he’d have to tread carefully here, but there was something off about this. ‘Is there something else I should know? I understand that this case is urgent but foregoing paperwork is another kind of urgency.’ Ever since the war the Ministry had be increasingly tight with its paperwork in an attempt to clamp down on the misuse of resources and corruption.

Kingsley looked wearily at Harry and Draco sneaked a glance in his direction. He looked far better than Draco did, a little tanned in fact. Probably been on a fancy getaway with Leggy-Blonde. Harry was tense, very tense actually. It wouldn’t be obvious to many people, but Draco knew. The small twitch in his sharp jawline, the way he held himself just a little straighter than was natural to him, his nervous habit of attempting to smooth his hair down. As if anything could tame the bird’s nest.

‘We have reason to believe,’ Kingsley said carefully, ‘that this has something to do with neo-Death Eater activity.’

And there was the other shoe. Apparently, it dropped right onto Draco’s chest and knocked all the air out of his lungs. Every muscle in his body tensed.

‘I see.’ Draco said, trying his utmost to keep his tone neutral. ‘What exactly has led you to that conclusion?’

‘Draco—’ He could see Harry turn towards him in his peripheral vision, but he didn’t dare look. He couldn’t handle Harry’s sympathy face, it would kill him slowly from the inside.

‘I’ve got this Harry.’ Kingsley rested his elbows on his desk and paused as though choosing his words carefully. ‘We’ve been keeping tabs on anyone with connections to the Death Eaters. In recent months, Albert Runcorn has been spotted numerous times with Mafalda Hopkirk.’

Draco’s brows furrowed.

‘Neither of those people were Death Eaters.’ The I would know went unsaid.

‘I realise that; however, both were employed under the Death Eater upation of the Ministry, and Mafalda was a confirmed informant. Unfortunately, the Ministry didn’t have the resources to send either of them to trial at the time, and they were allowed to go on probation.’

Draco heaved a sigh. The injustice of it all.

‘And now you think that since it’s been so long since the war, they think they’ll be under less scrutiny.’ Draco suggested.

‘Exactly.’ Kingsley was watching him carefully, waiting for an outburst. Draco maintained his calm again.

‘And can I assume,’ he began slowly, ‘that my involvement in this case can be taken as reassurance that I’m not a suspect?’ He hated how much he sounded like his father, but he was not about to play games.

‘Woah Draco! You can’t possibly think that—’

‘Don’t,’ Draco said icily, ‘presume to tell me what I can and cannot think.’ He turned his body towards Harry and shot him the fiercest glare he could muster. Harry visibly shrunk into his seat and Draco felt a twisted sense of pride that he still had some kind of power over him after all this time.

‘I promise you, that the Ministry is more than aware of your allegiances Malfoy, and anyone who wants to question them will answer to me personally.’

‘I appreciate that.’ Draco knew when to pick his fights, and he certainly wouldn’t kick up a fuss when given support from the Minister for Magic on a silver platter.

‘I want to offer you a full-time consultation contract on the case. We’re pouring as many resources as we can spare into this and we need it resolved as quickly as possible. I’m willing to speak to your current employer directly ande to an arrangement if needs be.’

‘Ok, but what exactly do you need me to do here?’

‘Well, that’s what Harry is here for. He’s much more familiar with the case than I am.’

Draco glanced at Harry, who was suddenly engrossed in the file he refused to pick up before. Draco could tell he wasn’t actually reading it.

‘If you agree to help I’ll send you over the analysis from St Mungo’s. They tested for traces of poisons and nothing showed up, but we’re not convinced they haven’t used something untraceable. They’re not under any spells and they’re not responding to treatment. We really just need someone who’s got knowledge of rare potions and ingredients who can do more in-depth analysis. It would also be useful to get you to assess any facilities wee across, like the warehouse. Aurors have potions experience but nowhere near your level of expertise.’ Harry shut himself up when he realised he was babbling. Once upon a time, Draco had found Harry’s babbling unbelievably cute, he always did it when he was nervous. Now though, it infuriated him. The coward couldn’t even be professional with him in front of the Minister.

‘I see. Well, I’ll speak to my employer and let you know then.’ Draco wanted to get out of the room as quickly as possible. The tension was stifling.

‘Absolutely. Please do let me know as soon as possible. I’m sure for now you have much to do. I hope to see you soon Mr. Malfoy.’ Kingsley stood and shook Draco’s hand.

‘Potter.’ Draco nodded vaguely in Harry’s direction and winced slightly when he got a Malfoy in return. If only he knew.

Draco had nearly made his way to the lifts when a firm hand clamped down on his shoulder. He wheeled around, his wand out ready to defend himself, only to find Harry standing entirely too close.

‘What the hell are you playing at?’ Draco spit, his wand digging into Harry’s neck.

‘Me? You’re the only who has me at wandpoint!’ Harry shot back equally as fiercely.

‘You should know better than to sneak up on me.’ He said lowly. He knew it was a low blow, but he really wasn’t in the mood for this.

‘You’re right, I’m sorry.’ Harry took a step back and Draco lowered his wand. The Ministry was beginning to fill with people and they didn’t have the privacy Harry apparently wanted. He motioned Draco into an empty conference room and Draco didn’t have the energy to argue.

‘What do you want, Potter?’ Draco refused to sit down, he wouldn’t be staying long. He took the opportunity to take in Harry’s appearance more closely. It looked like for once he’d actually attempted to tame his wild black hair, not that it worked very well. He had a bit of five o’clock shadow which, considering it was just gone nine in the morning, meant he hadn’t had time to shave. It looked surprisingly good on him, Draco reluctantly admitted. His Head Auror Robes were horrendously ruffled, but he looked even more muscular than he had the last time Draco had seen him, which was just so unfair. He made Draco look like a spindly little waif.

‘I just want to know that we can get on if you take on this contract.’ Harry said earnestly.

‘I, unlike you, can be professional.’ Harry’s fists clenched.

‘For the love of god Malfoy, why do you have to be so defensive all the time? I’ve left you alone, I’ve made an effort to make sure I give you space, I’ve never once got in the way of you spending time with Teddy.’

‘Oh, so you mean after you dumped me on my sorry arse you were kind enough to let me live my own damn life? How charming of you Potter, let me know if you need me to write you a rmendation for your next marriage.’ Draco was furious. As if he should thank him for letting him be his own person.

‘That’s not what I meant! Why do you always have to twist my words? And I was NOT the one that left!’ Harry never was good at controlling his temper, so Draco cast an extra silencing charm around the conference room. They had in-built charms for the purpose, but Harry was known for defying the impossible.

‘I’m not twisting your words, Harry.’ Draco said calmly. ‘I’m just pointing out that in an amicable divorce you should do all those things. If you have a problem with t

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