Who: Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott
What: Ernie's first day of work
When: ...Ernie's first day of work! (let's call it Friday)
Where: The Ministry
Status: Complete
Rating: These two? Does it ever get over PG?



To be quite honest, Hannah found herself fitting in quite nicely at the new job. She made a good secretary, really. She was organized, hard-working, all those perfect Hufflepuff qualities that had made her a dedicated student, even when she'd had to play catch up for almost a full term's worth of lost work. And she took orders well, at least, on the outside. On the inside, Hannah was cringing every time the people she'd come to disrespect the most told her what to do, and she had to actually go through with it. But at the end of the day she actually enjoyed the work. She could see how fantastic their government would be if it were only being ruled by the right people. And that small, childish part of her that still existed could still see that dream she'd had as a young student of her being the secretary to the Minister of Magic (one Mr. Ernie Macmillan) and handling all of the important business before it could reach him.

So her surprise on actually seeing the pale blond head of her best friend was a bit understated. At first, she admittedly just thought she was imagining it. She was a dreamer, after all, her imagination could be quite vivid when she wanted it to be. But then she heard him speaking to someone and then heading towards a desk and she blinked. "Ernie?" Okay, that was just weird. If he was coming to visit her at work, she could understand that. It wasn't as if he was exactly a threat to their 'project', though he had gone and hired a Death Eater. But that'd been ages ago and no one would ever question the pair of them being friends when they had been seemingly forever. But why was he headed towards a desk that...well, wasn't hers? Putting her quill down, she watched him thoughtfully, waiting to catch his eye. Maybe he just didn't know which one was hers and hadn't seen her yet? Then again, Hannah typically thought she was unmistakable. And she was wearing the lighter blue robes that day, not exactly the blend into the woodwork sort. What was he doing?

Ernie knew he should have told Hannah, but he really, really didn't want to argue with her. She had said she could take care of herself, but Ernie, being Ernie, couldn't help worrying. It was a hard habit to break, worrying after Hannah. He had done it practically from the moment they met on the Hogwarts Express. Yes, she was an adult, but why couldn't he look after her? True, he might have been miffed if someone did the same to him, but Hannah was...well, a girl. A very special girl. A very special girl he couldn't handle losing. The Ministry was dangerous and he simply couldn't allow his best friend into its evil doors without him. Did they ever go through anything without the other? Her mother's murder, his father's death, the war, their broken hearts...no, no, he couldn't lose her, not like he lost his dad. Still, he knew she was going to be peeved, and thus, avoided eye contact as he took the desk he was assigned. He did a good show of not noticing her as he tidied things and put everything into proper order. Finally, after a few moments, he couldn't ignore the eyes on him. He turned, smiling sheepishly. "Hullo, Hannah." He cleared his throat, looking guilty. Only Hannah Abbott could make him look that way!

"Hello, yourself," Hannah replied, halfway between cold and amused. He couldn't really be working. Could he? But he was organizing a desk. In the exact same set up as the one in his own office was kept. This was so not happening. "What're you doing here?" She tried to keep her tone casual as she finished the owl she'd been writing before she'd been distracted by the all too familiar blond head. She had a feeling about what was going on there. And it wasn't a good feeling, either.

"Well, don't hate me," He said in a low voice. That would really be a small price to pay if he could keep her safe, but he didn't want to fight with her to do it. He glanced around, hoping no one would notice them making "small talk" in the middle of the office. "I couldn't bear to be away from you," he said, desperately trying to making a joke.

It was a good effort, and she actually did understand the unspoken words inside the bad joke he was making. But Hannah rolled her eyes despite it. "Funny, since I didn't see you running to apply for a job at Madam Puddifoot's with me." Why? Did he really think she was too stupid to do this? Did he think she couldn't manage without him? She'd worked so hard to do this, it had been her idea all along. Why did he have to go and run around like her childminder?

Ernie resisted the urge to say something like, "The worst you could do there is burn yourself." He was proud of himself for biting that little stinger back. He wouldn't have meant it to hurt, but, nonetheless, he had a feeling she wouldn't like that too much. "Can't really discuss my reasons here, can I?" He whispered. He knew it was wrong; Jean had said so. Yet, the idea of Hannah alone in that building had scared Ernie something fierce. Could she even understand that?

"I don't have time for this," she protested, motioning to the pile on her desk. But the fact was, it was going to drive her completely mental until she got some answers. And the harder she tried to ignore him, the more obvious his presence became. People stopping to talk to him, paperwork coming through with his name, and, of course, the overwhelming urge to look over at him. Her best friend for eight years and he didn't trust her to do this herself? Brilliant.

By the time lunch came around, she was bursting from having him there and not being able to talk to him. Or rather, not wanting to talk to him. She thought she was putting on a good show of being angry, really. So she stood, grabbed her purse, and headed towards the lift. At that point, she didn't care where she had lunch, so long as she got out of that building. There were a million emotions running through Hannah, and only a single one of them was positive. And that was that Ernie was there with her.

When it was finally time for lunch, Ernie rushed after his best friend. Time to face the music, no matter how bad it might be. "Hannah?" He called, trying his best to act nonchalant. "May I join you?"

She knew she couldn't make a scene there. No matter how badly she wanted to snap. "I don't see why not," she replied through gritted teeth. Only slowing down long enough for him to fall into step beside her, she remained silent the entire way out of the building and into the busy London streets. When they were far enough away that she didn't see coworkers around every corner, she spun on her heel to face him and glared. "You don't trust me at all, do you?"

Couldn't she at least wait until they were inside somewhere? For one thing, he didn't really want a scene. For another, his stomach was rumbling. He had been too nervous to consume much more than tea that morning. "Trust you?" He asked, his face showing bewilderment at the mere thought of doing anything other than trusting her. "How can you even ask me that?"

But in a non-characteristic manner, Hannah didn't care if she caused a scene or not. Ernie didn't know it, but he'd pushed the wrong button. She'd taken this on as her 'big girl' job. Finally, her chance to grow up a little. And now? It felt like he was taking even that away from her. "You don't think I can do this on my own," she shot back, keeping her words vague just in case somewhere someone was still listening. She'd worked at the Ministry long enough already to know the walls had ears. "You think poor little Hannah's going to mess something up and get caught and ruin everything."

"What?" Ernie shook his head so hard it actually hurt a bit. "No, Hannah, that isn't it!" His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to explode out from under his robes. He didn't often get nervous or worried, but he hated when Hannah was angry with him. He never felt right when that happened. "I..." It felt ridiculous; why was he there? He was worried about her. He didn't want her to feel alone. Yet, seeing her face, all those excuses seemed like the wrong things to say. "I," he tried again, "I just...couldn't bear the idea of anything happening to you." He managed to choke the words out, surprised at how vulnerable and weak he sounded.

Vulnerable and weak were not words typically used to describe Ernie. So when he did sound that way, Hannah paused. "I... Ernie, honestly. What makes you think for a minute anything's going to happen to me?" Or that nothing would happen to him? If their theory was true, they'd already gone after his father. Why wouldn't they take out the next male in the Macmillan line?

Ernie wasn't thinking about himself. True, he knew it was dangerous. He wasn't so macho as to think he could save anything single-handedly. He was no Gryffindor. It just seemed unimportant when it came to protecting those he held dear. And Hannah? He held very dear. "Something always happens to..." He looked away. He hated feeling that way. He hated admitting it even more. "It's dangerous!" He wound up snapping. "Everyone always thinks they can be careful...be safe..." He was nearly breathless from his outburst. "Fine, do what you want." He started to walk away, feeling foolish and defeated.

Sighing, Hannah shook her head. This wasn't what she'd wanted at all. Jogging a step or two to catch up to him, she reached out and grabbed his hand. In some ways, it was completely familiar. In others, it felt entirely new. For some reason, the once comforting hand hold now sent an additional rush of warmth through her. Maybe because of the fact that she knew how much he wanted to protect her. Even if it did drive her completely mad. "Ernie, no," she protested, shaking her head. "I didn't mean to... I'm sorry. I am. I just... Everyone always treats me like some little China doll who's going to break. I've taken too many bludgers for that."

His hand accepted hers easily. Turning, he caught her eyes. He felt badly when she said that, but what did she expect? That was what men...mates were for. Still, he had to chuckle. "Quite a few if I recall. Always did have my heart in my mouth." No, he hadn't run off to join Quidditch, but this? Seemed different. It felt like they were fighting against something without a team.

Rubbing her temples with her free hand, she couldn't help sighing again. "I can do this, you know. You're in more danger on any given day than I am, really. I'm a muggleborn, they don't want to bother with me."

"Like they didn't want to bother with your mother?" Ernie knew it wasn't fair to bring it up. He knew it was a different set of targets given the age, but, really, was anyone safe? "Then what? I lose you knowing I didn't do a damn thing to help? I've been a coward."

Hannah bit her lower lip. Hard. "That was different," she said, pulling her hand away and crossing her arms in front of her. "She was killed by Death Eaters. That was before any of this ever even began. And mum was..." Her mother wasn't as skilled as she was. The DA had done its job. She knew how to take care of herself, how to fire a defensive spell when necessary. Her mother hadn't been taught anything about the magical world. Hannah hadn't let her.

Ernie released her hand in favor of brushing hair out of Hannah's face. "I know it was. I know." He shrugged. "If you don't want me there, I won't come back. I just..." His hand fell to his side as quickly as it had combed through her soft hair. "Just don't feel good about it."

Though she wouldn't admit it out loud, Hannah wished he wouldn't stop. It had been a long, long time since someone had comforted her so sweetly. Since... Well, since Teddy, to be honest. "I just want to know you trust me," she admitted quietly. "But..." A tiny smile crossed her face. "It would be kind of fun working together."

That smile gave him hope that he hadn't royally screwed up. "I do trust you," he insisted again. "But does that mean I can't want to help make it easier?" He cracked a smile too. "Even if it is only carrying heavy files."

Her smile grew a bit more and she playfully rolled her eyes. "Don't forget reaching the top cabinets on supply day. And you owe me at least one lunch out a week, mister."

"Only if I actually get to eat next time." He patted his stomach. "I know I can get a little thick, but a bloke has to eat!"

She poked his tummy teasingly and grinned. "You're not thick. Unless," she added, tapping his forehead, "you mean up here!"