It was five O'clock in the afternoon when Harry Potter felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. But, seeing as he was an Auror and busy with paperwork, he left the phone buzzing until it went to voicemail. There was no need to get it now, he thought. It was probably just Ginny calling to ask him to bring home some milk or some kind of crazy food mixture…After all. Ginny was pregnant with their third child. Hopefully, this would be a girl… They even had a name picked out. Lilly.

"Knock, knock." A tall shadow revealed that it was none other than Ron Weasley knocking on Harry's office door. "Looks nice. The new office, I mean…"

"Thanks," Harry smiled, setting down his quill. "Its pretty roomy. Sure you don't want to set up office with me?"

"Nah," Ron shook his head, leaning against the door frame. "I'm happy with mine. Its not as big, but I know where everything is." Something in Ron's tone still convinced Harry that Ron was a little on the jealous side. "You and Gin' still coming over on Wednesday?"

"God willing," Harry nodded, "I really need to get out of the house. I love James and Albus, but sometimes I enjoy work more than I do going home…"

"Nobody told us how tough being Fathers was going to be," Ron agreed. "I wanted to go to the Quidditch finals last week, but Rose got sick. Threw up over everything, she did. I wanted to hurl myself." He grinned thoughtfully then looked to his pockets. "My phone's ringing…"

"Why don't you answer it?"

"I don't know how…" Ron's face turned red.

"I can show you-"

"-No, no. I'm going to figure it out on my own. Hermione tried to show me how twice. Just don't tell her I haven't gotten it yet, right? She'll kill me."

Harry was going to laugh, but felt his pockets vibrate again "Now mine's going." He reached for it, digging in his pockets like he was looking for gold.

"Mr. Potter?" A little witch in red robes knocked on the frame next to Ron.

"Yes, Bemilda?" Harry asked, still occupied with the phone under his robes in his slacks.

"Your wife is on line one. What should I tell her?"

"If my wife is on line one…" Harry growled, now clutching the tiny cell phone triumphantly in his hand, "Then who the Hell is this?"

"Mr. Potter…?" Bemilda asked.

He put up one finger to shush her as he studied the number and flipped open the phone. "Hermione? What-"

"Hermione?" Ron asked, but Harry put up the same finger to Ron, as if to say 'hold on a moment!'

"Slow down, Herms. What's wrong with Rose?….What d'you mean you can't find her? …Kidnapped? Hermione, come on… she's probably… well did you check down in the basement…? How long ago?…Well what were you…? Okay, okay! Don't swear at me! I'm -we're coming right now. Yes. I promise. Calm down. We'll find her. D'you wanna talk to Ron?" He waited a moment, before shutting the phone.

"What's going on, Harry?" Ron asked slowly.

"I… Rose. She's disappeared." Harry jumped out of his seat, throwing over a few bottles of ink and a stack of papers in the process. He grabbed up his coat in a flash and threw it over his robes. "Bemilda, make the whole Ministry aware that Rose Weasley is missing from her home. Have every available Auror at the Weasley's home as soon as possible!" He grabbed Ron, pale faced, and raced out of his office.

---

Ten Minutes Earlier.

Hermione sat on the edge of her daughter's bed, holding The Tales of Beedle and Bard.

"Again!" Rose jumped in her seat.

"That's the third time," Hermione rolled her eyes, "I thought you were sick."

"I am!" The five year old smiled, crossing her heart with her hand. "Cross my heart."

"Cross your heart?" Hermione smiled, setting the book down, then jumping on the bed and tickling her daughter. Rose let out a giggle and a small scream. When she started to cough, Hermione stopped tickling and frowned. "Lets see if you have a fever…" She pulled out the thermometer from the bedside drawer and stuck it in Rose's mouth. After a few minutes it beeped and she pulled it out. "99.6. Time for some medicine and some sleep."

"But I'm not sleepy!" Rose protested, but Hermione won in the end. After Rose was spoon fed some cough syrup and giving a small charm, Hermione kissed her daughter on the forehead and walked to the door. "I love you, Rosie."

"Love you, Mommy." She answered back. Hermione smiled, closed the door, and walked downstairs to grab herself a bite to eat.

"Ron should be home in an hour," Hermione said to herself. "And then its his turn for sick duty." It was bad enough that Rose was sick, but she had been sick for over a week! If the fever was not gone by tomorrow, Hermione was going to take her to the hospital. "Time for some tea…" She got all the necessary things for her tea prepared, and then set a T.V. dinner in the microwave. Even though Ron insisted on magic twenty-four-seven, that did not mean she wanted to. After all, before she turned eleven, she didn't even know that wizards and witches existed.

After she was done boiling the water for her tea, the microwave beeped in her ear. "Already?" She hadn't even mixed the tea with the water yet! Just as she was about to pull out her wand and cheat just a little, a large thump from upstairs made her stop all plans. "Rose?" No answer. Hermione waited for another sound. Nothing.

"Rose?" She called, louder than before. "You better not be out of bed! I'm not going to tell you again!" The silence haunted her. "Answer me, sweetie!" When no high voice obliged, she grabbed her wand out of her back pocket and took up the staircase, two at a time. "Rose?!" She turned the handle to Rose's room in one swift motion. Her heart leapt.

"Rosie?" She asked, staring at a now empty bed. A lump grew in her throat. It was hard to breathe. "Rose, this isn't funny." Frantic, she ran to the closet. Empty. Under the bed, nothing. Tears pushed against her eyes. "Oh, God…" She flew out into the hallway, checked the master bedroom, the bathroom, down the stairs, through the living room, kitchen, and down stairs to the basement. No Rose. The tears could no longer be held back -they fell down the contours of her cheeks like dew drops. "Ron…" She went back upstairs and grabbed her phone. "Ron… come on, pick up…" Her rings were not answered. As her fingers trembled, she dialed Harry. Nothing. Ron again. Again, nothing. Finally, on her last attempt, Harry answered his phone.

"Harry, oh my God, I've been trying to get a hold of you, and Ron, and Rose is… I can't find her!… I think she's been kidnapped!… No, Harry. She was right here and-- YES I CHECKED THE BASEMENT!… I don't know, like, ten minutes ago… I just went downstairs and I heard a thud… Just get down here! -Promise me, Harry." She began to bawl. "No, I don't want to talk to him. Just get down here." Her body crumpled to the floor. Her world was caving. How could she let this happen?

Who would take her little girl? She didn't think Ron had any enemies, and wasn't aware if she had one. She worked in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts department. Who would go so far as to kidnap the daughter of… an Auror. It hit her like a ton of bricks. Never did she think someone would Apparate into her house and steal her little girl over legal matters, but it was the only thing that made sense to her at this point. Hermione gathered her composure and set upstairs to see if she had missed something -some clue that could explain what had happened. Slowly, she walked back into the room. Wiping away some tears, she squinted her eyes for something. Anything. Nothing had been out of place -there was no sign of a struggle.

Suddenly, Symphony Number 3 in E Flat by Beethoven echoed from the speakers of her phone. Seeing it was an unknown number, she raised it slowly to her ear and pressed connect. "He-Hello?"

"Hermione Granger," Said a distorted voice from the other end, "I hope you are doing well today."

"Who is this?" She questioned.

"Inside your daughter's jacket hanging on the door, you will see a note. Get it now."

"Did you kidnap my daughter?" Hermione became enraged, "Who the Hell do you think you are-"

"If you want your daughter to live, you will meet one of my subordinates at the address on the note. Do not involve the Ministry. If you do, she dies. If you make any other calls on this phone, she dies. You have five minutes." There was a click, and the voice was gone. Overwhelmed, Hermione ran to the coat on the door and pulled out a slip of paper with shaking hands. On the note, it only read: Nocturn Alley. Wear red. Apparate.

Knowing it was a risk, she threw the paper on the floor. "Please see this, guys…"

She didn't waste any time -She ran to her closet, threw on a red sweater, tied her hair back with a hair band, and Apparated on the spot. She couldn't wait for Harry, or Ron. Rose didn't have that time. When the overwhelming squeeze of her trip was over, she gasped for breath as she looked around, now in Nocturn Alley. She landed right in front of a homeless wizard, who smiled at her with only two teeth in his head. "'Allo, pretay laday!"

Hermione was sure this man was not who she was looking for, and backed up slightly. "Erm… Hello…" She muttered, checking her watch. It was four minutes, thirty seconds.

"Tha's a nice watch!" Said the homeless man, inching closer. "Mind if I 'ake a look?"

"Um.. Actually--"

"She does." A deep, smooth voice answered from behind Hermione. Startled, she turned around to meet a cloaked figure. All that she was able to make out about the man was that he was very tall and had a prominent chin. Everything else was engulfed in darkness "There you are, darling." The man extended a hand out to her. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Come, we're late."

Hermione hesitated. Could this be who she was looking for? With a painful grudge, she placed her hand in his, and they walked out of the dark alleyway together. He did not speak -mainly just led her along alleyway after alleyway, until Hermione began to lose her sense of direction. She couldn't help but notice how soft and manicured this man's hands were. More so than her own. "Are… are you the one who has my daughter?" She asked softly, when she was sure no one would hear.

"Shut up." The man snapped, his hand gripping tighter around hers. He led her into a dark, dank pub with dim lighting and morose characters. "Give me your wand." The man ordered.

"I will not." Hermione jutted out her chin.

"Accio wand!" The man said under his breath, and her wand flew out of her pockets and into his. "You have any muggle technology on you?"

"No," She lied, aware of the cell phone in her back pocket.

"Go sit in the corner." He turned to face her, and she saw his lips were pulled in a sneer. "We've got a long wait. -Want something to drink?"

"By drink you mean…"

"Forget it." He growled, and began to turn away, but she grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"I'll take some Gin."

The stranger paused, as if studying her underneath his hood. "Alright. Go. Don't try running. I don't have time for a struggle today." Hermione did as she was told, and sat in the back corner of the pub where no one would notice her or the company she kept. Secretly, she was afraid to give up her cell phone, but knew that it would do her no good at this point. The voice on the phone talked as if it were monitoring her calls. Would they monitor texts as well? As she was debating on the plan of action to take, the cloaked man approached the table with three shots of Gin and three shots of Tequila. He sat the Gin in front of her and took a seat across the table, throwing back one of his shots in the process. She still could not make out his face.

He noticed her lack of enthusiasm in her drinks, and said, "Drink up. Trust me. It'll calm your nerves."

"How do I know you didn't spike this?" She frowned.

"I did spike it- with alcohol. Honestly! Either take it or leave it. Because if you don't drink it I will."

Hesitantly, she picked up one of the shots and downed it. Yes, it burned, but nothing burned like her desire to find her daughter. "So… do you have Rose?"

"Who?"

"My daughter!" She sighed angrily.

"I don't know a thing about your daughter." The man looked around the pub, as if keeping an eye out for something. "All I know is what I'm told."

"And what were you told?"

"I was told to find a woman in red in Diagon Alley and take her to this pub and await further instructions. That's it.'

"But who told you to come here?" She begged. The man ignored her and downed his second shot. "Please. Tell me. They took my Rose. Right out of my home."

"If I tell you, I could lose my son -my wife." The man sat the empty shot glass on the table. "Not to mention my pay. Forget it. I'm not telling you a thing." They sat across the table, both in frustrated anger. Hermione picked up her second shot of Gin, but did not drink it. It seemed like forever before she spoke again.

"Can I at least know your name?"

He did not answer her.

"Look, if you help me out I'll double the pay of whatever this person is paying you. I'll get you a better job -with the Ministry--"

"I don't need a hand out. And I don't think you could afford to double the pay."

"I can!" She insisted, raising her voice a bit too loud. "My husband is a powerful Auror. So is my friend. Look, they'll find out who you are and throw you in Azkaban if you continue down this road. Let me help you." Her eyes were pleading, but it did not sway him. After a pregnant silence, she tried a different route. "My name is Hermi-"

"I already know who you are, Granger." He spat, taking the shot glass out of her hands and swigging it down the hatch.

"You… I… I haven't been called Granger in six years… Not since I've been married." Her eyebrows knitted together, as did her thoughts. "You know who I am…"

"That's just what I said." He nodded. "Yup."

"Who are you?"

Just when she thought she might receive an answer, the cloaked man shifted in his seat and stiffened. "Keep your mouth shut. Do not talk, no matter what. Got that?" She nodded, just as another cloaked figure approached the table and took a seat between Hermione and the man.

"Dragon," The new man nodded his hood towards Hermione's new companion.

"Beetle," The man called 'Dragon' replied.

"Here's your instructions," Said Beetle, handing Dragon a slip of paper. Dragon opened it up, took a moment to read it, pulled out his wand, and obliterated it on the spot. "She's a pretty one." Beetle nudged towards Hermione. "You single, darling?"

"She's not interested in a twat like you, Beetle." Dragon took his last shot. "She's a mother, besides."

"We've got a MILF on our hands…" Beetle reached his hand in Hermione's direction, but Dragon sent red sparks out of his wand, burning Beetle's fingers. "Alrigh'! I get it! Off limits. Gees, lighten up a bit Mal--I mean, Dragon."

"I'd watch myself if I were you, Beetle." Dragon leaned closer, his pale hand gripping his wand tightly. "Unless you want to end up in a cell in Azkaban? She's with the Ministry. I'm tempted to tell her your name."

"Fuck off…" Beetle scoffed, but instantly regretted what he said when a fist came in contact with his eye. "Fuck it all! You twat!" He stood from his seat and fled the bar in three strides.

"I hate him." Dragon growled, pulling out some money and setting it on the table. "Never understood why he thinks we're friends…. Shit!"

"What… what did your instructions say?" Hermione gulped, hoping it was something helpful.

"What does it matter to you?" He growled.

"Because it concerns me, doesn't it?"

"Look. I know you're concerned about your daughter. But you can't do anything about it now." Dragon stood, and Hermione did the same. "You've done everything asked of you. Your daughter will be fine."

"Where is she?"

"I don't know!" It looked like Dragon was becoming mad. "Just come with me. Everything should be explained to you tomorrow-" Just then, Beethoven rang from Hermione's cushioned seat. "Beethoven. E flat?… Is. That. A. Cell. Phone?"

"Um…" Hermione turned red with defeat and brought forth her phone.

"Give it to me." Dragon demanded.

"No. -Your boss told me not to answer it for anyone other than him. Said nothing about giving it to you." She stuck out her tongue childishly and answered it. "Hello?"

"Give Dragon the phone." It was the same ominous voice from before. Hermione extended the phone out.

"Its for you."

Dragon reluctantly took the phone. "What do I do?"

"Just speak into the bottom and listen from the top."

"Okay… Hello?- Yes, sir. I received the instructions moments ago. Beetle stopped by. - A change of plans?.. I… yes, sir. Right away. Thank you, sir. --How do I hang up?"

"Just shut the top." She told him. "So your boss is a man? You called him sir."

"I don't know, honestly. Just an educated guess."

"You don't even know who your… never mind. Change of plans?"

"Yeah," Dragon nodded. "Says Potter and your husband have called out a search for you and for your daughter." He then unfolded the phone and broke it in half. "Trust me, this is for your own good. You did not want to be caught with that tomorrow."

Grieving over her only way of communication, Hermione asked, "What's tomorrow?"

"You'll find out- Tomorrow." Dragon offered out his hand.

"Where are we going tonight?"

"I'm to take you to my home and you're going to stop asking me so many Goddamn questions."

"But, what was the change of--"

"Ah, ah, ah!" Dragon waved his finger in front of her face. "Bad Granger."

"Its Weasley."

Dragon seemed to shiver. "I always knew you two would end up together. Does your daughter have the same annoying red hair as her dear-ol-dad?"

"How do you know us?" Hermione pleaded.

"Not now." Dragon led her out of the pub and with a pop they apparated into what was a lavish front lawn of an even more outrageously radiant mansion. For some reason, it seemed oddly familiar to Hermione. As if she had been here years ago…

"This is your home?"

Dragon nodded in response.

"Its lovely…" Hermione inhaled slowly. This Dragon fellow didn't seem so bad after all. After all, he claimed to not know where her daughter was. And he was prepared to defend Hermione against that Beetle bloke. Maybe he was being threatened just like Hermione, and that's the only reason he did this dirty job.

"Its home." He said, taking in the startlingly massive mansion. "Used to have Peacocks when my father was still alive. I always hated them. They'd chase me around the courtyard." With a hand on her shoulder, he guided her to the front door. Slowly, he stroked the massive door down its hinges and it swung open with ease. "After you."

Hermione took a small step into the elaborate entrance. It reminded her of The Phantom Of The Opera, with the large chandelier ceilings and bright tapestry, and the huge staircases. She hoped Rose was staying in the same conditions. No. Better.

"I'm sure she's fine…" Said Dragon, as if reading her mind.

"Are kidnappings regular?" She asked with a contemptible tone.

"I'm only one minion." Dragon led her into a narrow hallway that turned into a living room lit only by a large, warm fireplace. "I've never dealt with a kidnapping before."

"What have you dealt with?"

"Interrogating enemies. Taking one package from point A to point B. I really don't know what I've gotten myself into this time." Without faltering, he walked past her and warmed his hands near the flames. "You better not put my family in any danger."

"I wasn't planning on it." She walked up next to him, trying to peer into his hood.

"You're handling a kidnapping a lot better than I would."

"Its my daughter. I have no choice."

There was a noise behind them, and both turned their heads to see a small boy in his pajamas and holding a teddy bear. "Daddy? I can't sleep." The boy looked about the same size as Rose -with a pointy chin and silver blonde hair. His round face had startling features. His blue eyes glistened in the fire light. When he saw Dragon, he ran with all his might and jumped into his arms. It was like slow motion -Just as the boy jumped into the man's arms, the hood fell back past the shoulders to reveal someone she never expected.

Now she understood why his voice was familiar. Why his presence calmed her and yet made her weary. Why he knew who she was and what she was about. And why the mansion was so eerily familiar.

Draco Malfoy's eyes met hers, and all went black.

So this is a short side story I'm writing when I get writer's block. I am almost done writing it on my computer, so updating should not be a challenge.

PLEASE REVIEW!

The more reviews I get, the faster I will update. How bout this... when I get 15 reviews on this chapter, I will update to the next one.

Thank you!

Amy
AKA
RootbeerFloat

Thank you to those who have already reviewed!