Draco shook Hermione's hand away as they Apparated to Diagon Alley. He hadn't been there since a long time, and it looked just like it used to. Its cobblestoned paths wound behind the Leaky Cauldron and the quaint alley was embellished with a diversity of restaurants, shops and whatnot. Howsoever, the only thing that differed was the gazillion Wanted posters carrying his face buzzing about.

A poster swam through the winds and hit Hermione's face. She grabbed it wrathfully as she ripped it into smithereens.

"I may not like what they're doing to him." Hermione squeaked. "But Malfoy's a complete arsehole. Why, even his posters can't leave us untouched!"

.....................................................................................

As Hermione interrogated fellow Witches and Wizards who happened to pass by and didn't mind a column of their views in the prestigious Daily Prophet, Draco sulked behind her. The time-turner, the cause behind all his trouble was right before him and he was unable to reach out and extract it from Hermione's neck because he was afraid that she'll hex him? Wait, did he just call her Hermione? Draco held his head in his heads. He was going-what do Muggles say- cashews? Oh yes, he was going nuts.

"So sorry, Ron. That took more time than expected." Hermione dropped her scribbled notepad into her handbag.

"And now, we go to the Leaky Cauldron."

"The Leaky Cauldron?" Draco's ears shot up as he scowled at his watch.

"Why, there's still time left for dinner."

Hermione stared at the skies as scarlet melted into inky blankets of night. The sun was setting.

"I think I told you that I'd promised Kingsley I'd sup with him tonight." Hermione was still staring up. Faint orange tinted her caramel skin. She looked awfully pretty. Draco was so distracted he didn't even hear as to what she was saying. Then, he was tugged to reality when she stared into his eyes with her warm ones.

"What-did you just say?" Draco gawked at her.

"I just said that we'll have dinner with him tonight. He needs certain propaganda of his new policies. And I need the cutting-edge news. So, we came up finding amity. He has been benign enough to invite you, too."

Why is Kingsley Shacklebolt such a gamine smarty pant?

Draco's adrenaline rush tinged his cheeks pink. Hermione's eyebrows furrowed as she kept her right hand on his forehead. Draco flinched.

"Your temperature is normal." She informed him. "So, why are you sweating so much?"

"I think I'm slightly hot." Draco shrugged his shoulders. "I'd like going to Florean Fortescue's. Are you coming with me?"

Hermione shook her head. "I'm sorry, Ron. I can't annul the meeting with the Minister of Magic, who's also my prime client. You can go and have fun."

Draco scowled. "So, this means that I can have Hot Caramel Sundae on by my own."

Hermione's eyes widened as she gazed at Draco.

"Ron, I-I never told you that Caramel Sundae's my favourite."

Draco winced. He'd seen her here, six years back in their second year, shopping at Flourish and Blotts with her parents. Draco had been lurking in the shadows behind the parlour of Florean Fortescue's and observing the glee projected by Hermione's face. Any man with some sense could realize what a girl's favourite is by eyeing her demeanour once she eats something. But of course, Weaselby could not be counted as 'someone with sense'.

"Some things don't need to be said, Hermione." He flipped his hands into his pockets as he whirled about and traipsed down the alley.

"See you at home, Hermione." And with this, Draco disappeared midst the crowds.

..........................................***..........................................

Hermione was sitting at one of the tables of the Leaky Cauldron as golden lights diffused throughout the diner.

"Would you please anything, young lady?" Tom, the innkeeper appeared right before her.

"I'm afraid not now, Tom." Hermione flashed him an amicable smile. "I'll be waiting for somebody."

Two minutes later, as the Grandfather's Clock in the diner struck half-past seven, a sudden Apparition in the halls shushed all the cheerful hustle-bustle. Kingsley Shacklebolt was standing at the centre of the hall in his azure robes billowing behind him. He had a pinstriped Penta on his head and the bronze badge reading 'Minister' was pinned to his attire.

"Don't let me spoil your fun, fellow Wizards." He beamed at the other customers at the Leaky Cauldron. "Carry on."

Instantaneously, the others reinitiated their vivacity. Children started running about, consorts started fighting and waiters started delivering meals to their clienteles.

Kingsley's eyes searched the halls as a young brunette waved at him. He grinned calmly as he made his way towards Hermione on the farthest table.

"Good evening, Miss Granger." He bowed respectfully.

"Good evening, Minister." She stooped down, elegantly.

"I see you have chosen the most suitable seat for us, in here. Please do get seated, Miss Granger." Kingsley pulled the chair in front of him for Hermione.

............................................***..........................................

"So far, Minister, I see that you have decided to alter all the major policy decisions of the previous Ministry." Hermione scribbled uncontrollably in her notepad.

"So, when do you plan to implement these changes from?"

"I suppose from the next week." Kingsley took a bite off his spaghetti. "Anything else you'd want to know?"

Hermione smiled as she set her entirely-scribbled notepad aside and sliced her Mexican Wrap. "Not now, Minister."

"So, we're through now." Kingsley sipped his Butterbeer. "It has been really great talking to you, Miss Granger."

"It has been indeed prodigious talking to you too, Minister." Hermione shone at him. "And how can I thank you for this extravagant do?"

Kingsley laughed, "Not to mention, Miss Granger, not to mention." His composure returned. "But, I can honestly not wonder as to why your betrothed Mr. Weasley didn't turn up."

Hermione blushed slightly. "He's not my fiancée, Minister." Then, the thought occurred to her too. "I don't know. I'd told about the feast to him a long time back, and he's seemed quite excited about it. But today, he acted all odd when he heard about it. He even began running a temperature, so he went home."

Kingsley pursed his lips. "He'd revive soon enough, do not worry." He stared at the clock. It read quarter to nine. The diner was clearing gradually.

"Miss Granger, there are certain things I'd like to talk to you over." He lowered his volume.

"Firstly, about the time-turner." Hermione stiffened.

"You happen to have the time-turner too, if I am not wrong?" Hermione nodded as she unhooked the time-turner from behind her neck and was about to offer it to Kingsley.

"No, no, I do not need it now." Kingsley waved his hand dismissively.

Hermione arched her brow, "And why so, Minister?"

"I happen to find out what could happen in case the submission of the time-turners begins about a week from now. It's merely a research facility, do not worry, and I'd like you to publish it in the Daily Prophet in your first edition."

Hermione nodded her head as she noted it in her extensively scribbled organizer.

"Secondly, Miss Granger, I happen to tell you of the flee of a terrible Death-Eater who happened to be your classmate."

Hermione rolled her eyes, and could have delivered a massive speech on the innocence of Draco Malfoy before Kingsley cut in.

"I know that you are a true lady, Miss Granger, and that you will defend Mr. Malfoy under the pretext of his blood-static and blind upbringing." Kingsley notified.

"But let me tell you that he is even more dangerous right now than Lord Voldemort was. He managed to flee from the grips of an army of the best Aurors, including me, when his treacherous parents were being tormented by the Dementors. He is burning in the fire of revenge, Miss Granger, and those infectious flames can affect anyone in his proximity."

Hermione grimaced, "What do you expect me to do, Minister?"

Kingsley leered, "Keep your eyes open."

........................................***.........................................

Just after Hermione Granger had left the Leaky Cauldron and thanked Kingsley Shacklebolt profusely, he sat on one of the tables tiredly.

"Any orders, Ministers?" He heard a voice call to him.

"Solace, Tom." Was the reply as he sent Tom scurrying away.

He stared at the doors which Hermione had just exited and sighed,

"Lying to you doesn't seem good, Miss Granger."