Chapter Text
art by Bombina62
***
“Malfoy.”
“…”
“Malfoy, there's ink on your sleeve.”
“Fuck…”
“It's that bad batch. Scourgify won't clean it.”
“…”
“…”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Sorry?”
“If you knew I wouldn't be able to remove it why would you point it out?”
“Well, I…”
“Just so you wouldn't be the only one bothered by it?”
“Hush! We're in the middle of a lecture…”
“You spoke first.”
“Well, I couldn't ignore it. I guess I was bothered by it. Sorry, I’ll stop talking.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“What's your department?”
“Magical Transportation. Broom Regulatory Control.”
“How long have you been there?”
“Two years.”
“…”
“What’s yours?”
“International Magical Cooperation — Office of Law.”
“I see.”
“Never saw you in the Ministry before.”
“We’ve never shared safety meetings before.”
“Right. But we might've bumped into each other…”
“Highly unlikely.”
“Seems so.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“These lectures are senseless.”
* * *
“That's so weird to see them sitting together.”
“Who?”
“Malfoy and Granger.”
“And who are they?”
“Grice, are you kidding me?”
“You're the one who watches people, Murphy. I don't do that sort of thing so I have no idea who you're talking about.”
“There, see, that blonde bloke and the girl beside him. Granger and Potter have been friends for years, and Malfoy is the son of a Death Eater. Don't you know about Lucius Malfoy either?”
“Okay, well, I've read something about them. Just don't remember the details.”
“Really, have you been living under a rock?”
“Oh, please. They sat together — so what?”
“Don't play dumb! I've just explained all of it!”
“Ahem. Sorry to interrupt, but...”
“Oh right, we'll shut up now. Sorry for bothering you.”
“Not at all. Actually, I was wondering if I could pass a comment. About Malfoy and Granger.”
“And you are?”
“Duncan Overjump. Magical Accidents and Catastrophes.”
“Sean Murphy, nice to meet you. So, what's on your mind?”
“There was a vacant seat beside Malfoy, and Miss Granger showed up late. I know her, she's a real work addict — she doesn't go home until she gets the job done. That's why she had to take that seat.”
“That sounds more like it. I doubt she would voluntarily sit next to Malfoy.”
“Look, the war ended six years ago. They couldn't care less about each other, why would sitting together be a big deal?”
“It doesn't work that way, Grice.”
“You're creating a scandal out of thin air.”
“Holy Hell, they're whispering!”
“Fascinating.”
“Something's wrong, I tell you.”
“To be honest, I am with you on that one, Mister Murphy.”
“There! We'll check if they sit together next time.”
“Man, your hobbies are... very singular.”