But the World isn't Split into Good People and Death Eaters

- An Investigative Auror Mystery

Part One of Three / Chapter One of Six

Author: SimpsonSortia ( simpsonsortia)

The Mentalist AU. This story is based on episode 02x14 'Blood In Blood Out'.

Synopsis: "Malfoy? Are you ok?" Hermione asked. He cleared his throat. "Sure. Just another victim." "You weren't still friends?" "Not anymore." He strode away from the crime scene, heading to the apparition point. "But he used to be my best friend. He used to be like my brother."

Chapter One

Office of the DMLE

Hermione Granger, Special Auror In Charge of the Investigative Auror Department, stood before her world-class team in the office dragonpen of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

"Great work today, everyone." She commended. "Emerson, you handled that situation with aplomb, you'll be highly praised in the final report. Thanks for you work all. Have a good night."

"Are you coming to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink with us, Granger?" A voice called from the back.

"Not tonight, I'm afraid. Too much paperwork you've all left me!"

A chorus of groans went up from her team. She'd worked brutally hard over the past two years to build the unit up into something more efficient and reliable than her predecessor had cared for. Being a significant part of the war effort held it's own trials and tribulations in earning respect and making her voice heard, but she'd stuck at it, and now she and Harry, who had rightfully earned the honour of being the youngest ever Chief of the DMLE, had the most elite and dependable group of Aurors the Ministry had ever seen. And Hermione had an even more select group under her leadership in the Investigative Auror Department.

The entire DMLE worked more synchronized with each other than ever before. The Hit Wizards knew who to talk to about Ashwinder bites or an overdose of Hog's Head Brew in the Department of Intoxicating Substances, and the Improper Use of Magic Office were going for weekly drinks with Magical Law Enforcement Patrol. The Potter, Granger and Weasley administration was without a doubt progressing in leaps and bounds. So when Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister for Magic, had approached Hermione to discuss the possibility of an ex-Death Eater coming aboard as an Auror Consultant, she'd naturally been beaming with pride at being selected to head up a new initiative.

At first, Draco Malfoy had been abrasive, standoffish, frequently rude, and generally more of a nuisance on cases than any help. But, like all troubles Hermione had faced, with a lot of work and some professional tough-love, it soon smoothed out and Malfoy quickly fell in to the frenetic rhythm of the Investigative Auror Department. Now, he worked on most of her cases. She trusted his understanding and knowledge, and he, albeit at times begrudgingly, followed her leadership and instinct. He was a formidable addition to her highly successful department, and together they were an imposing pair. Professionally of course. The whole of the Ministry knew that Hermione Granger had no time for dalliances, and could barely be dragged away from her work for lunch or for a round at the Leaky Cauldron.

"Thanks for this, Hermione. It's much appreciated." Harry nodded to her through her office doorway. "Ginny will kill me if I'm late home again this week."

Hermione laughed. "Best you get home then, Harry. You're cutting it fine as it is."

"Have a good night. Try to get to the Cauldron if you can, might do you good." He grinned at her and ducked out, leaving the dragonpen empty save for the last couple of stragglers, one of which slipped into her office soon after Harry had left.

"I'm heading out for the night, boss." He told her, haughtily arranging his cashmere scarf. "Shan't imagine I'll see you at the pub."

"Thanks for today, Malfoy. Much appreciated as always." She replied, ignoring his jibe.

"Good night, Granger."

"Night, Malfoy."

A sudden whoosh interrupted the quiet as a memo flew into her office and circled around, hovering a couple of inches in front of Malfoy.

"A late one." She remarked, watching his face drain of the little colour left as he read each word at least twice over. "Malfoy?"

He swallowed heavily before responding. "It's, er, nothing."

"It doesn't look like nothing."

"No. It's... It's fine. I'm fine."

"Malfoy, you know better than anyone I investigate for a living. Tell me what's going on, or I'll just find out for myself."

He sighed, screwing the parchment up in a tight fist. "We'll probably be called in anyway. There's been a murder. In Suffolk."

She nodded. "I'll get my things."

"It's, er... It's..."

"Draco?"

"It's Goyle. Gregory Goyle. He's been killed."

An alleyway in Ipswich

"Auror Granger, I didn't realise we'd contacted you yet."

"Healer Caldwell." Hermione shook the hand of the Mediwizard in front of her. "We're here on personal business first."

"Ah, yes. Mr. Malfoy. Owled for identification of the corpse."

Malfoy nodded, heading over to the sheet-covered body a few feet away from them, gently pulling it back to reveal the vacant eyes of their former classmate.

"A little sensitivity would be appreciated, Caldwell." Hermione frowned at him. It wasn't a rarity for Malfoy to be treated with disdain, even from their colleagues, but she was adamant that it would be stamped out. All of her team deserved respect, no matter what their personal lives entailed now or previously.

"It's definitely Goyle." Malfoy choked out.

"Could be a mugging gone wrong?" Hermione asked the Healer.

"It could be but I doubt it. He was left with his family signet ring, although his wallet and wand are missing."

"Most likely an attempt to hide identification, I would assume."

"He did have this left on him, though." Caldwell produced a parchment scroll prepared for owl posting. "Addressed to Draco Malfoy, care of the DMLE."

Draco looked up.

"Contained these strings of runes. Patrol haven't yet been able to identify them, no surprises there." Caldwell passed the parchment to Hermione.

"Any idea why he'd been trying to get in touch with you, Malfoy?" She asked.

"He'd sent me a few messages. Said he needed help." Malfoy murmured. "I couldn't get involved."

Hermione nodded, familiar with the clause of his probationary contract with the DMLE, forbidding him from having any contact or affiliation with known or ex-Death Eaters. It was meant to be an encouragement for him to assume more positive and productive engagements and acquaintances, but she knew first-hand how hard it was to cut off people she cared about from her own life.

"Thank you, Caldwell. Please send over the forensics report to my office." The Mediwizard nodded and left them. "Malfoy? Are you ok?"

He cleared his throat. "Sure. Just another victim."

"You weren't still friends?"

"Not anymore." He strode away from the crime scene, heading to the apparition point. "But he used to be my best friend. He used to be like my brother."

A/N: Thank you for reading! Chapter Two coming shortly as a bonus, then weekly updates. Feedback is always appreciated. You can also find me on tumblr as simpsonsortia.