Another headache pulsed through Harry's head. It wasn't as bad as yesterday's, now that had been painful, but at the end of the day, what was pain? Harry had been through death and back, pain was just an irritating insect nowadays.
"Painkillers, Harry?"
Harry spun around and gawked at the girl standing in the doorway, rattling a pot in her right hand. She wore a brown t-shirt, which was rather tight and she was very tall with shiny ginger hair that hung around her shoulders.
"Ginny!"
The seventeen year old laughed and walked towards Harry, holding the pot out.
"You sound surprised?"
"I am! You said you were coming in two weeks!" said Harry, his eyes still quite wide. She had grown so much in two years and was even more prettier.
"I know, but I wanted to see you, Harry! How have you been?" she asked, her tone of voice changing to anxiety.
Harry averted his gaze to the floor and shrugged vaguely. He felt hand on his shoulders.
"Harry, you can tell me, please," she said and pulled him into a tight hug. He could feel her against his chest and it took him a while to return the hug.
"I'm fine, really. But look, you shouldn't have come, I have to leave in two days to go to Brixton."
Ginny frowned and then smiled.
"Work never stops for heroes, eh?"
Harry rubbed the back of his neck and laughed weakly. "I guess not…it didn't end last year, it won't end now."
Ginny sighed and took Harry's hand.
"At least you still have friends, Harry. It could be worse." She smiled warmly at him and she was so close he could see each individual freckle on her face. He felt sixteen again when he used to spend hours just looking at this beautiful face, but for some reason, Ginny didn't bring as much warmth as she used to. At least his headache was subsiding.
"I guess Ron and Hermione will be there?" It was more of a question then a statement, since she couldn't possible know if they were going. Harry hadn't seen Hermione for 6 months, she did business in other countries, since she could speak plenty of languages.
"Of course."
"Could…could I come?" she asked quietly.
"Er…I don't think so, Ginny. The Minister for Magic just wouldn't allow it."
Ginny held his other hand as well now. "What exactly are you doing there?"
"It's the Corvette Mansion…"
"Lady Corvette? That rich woman?"
"Yeah,
well, you can't tell anyone this, its confidential…"
Ginny
nodded and moved a bit closer to him.
"You know how big that place is and how she doesn't mind who stays. Well apparently…that's where Malfoy is hiding…"
"And you have to retrieve him?" asked Ginny, her eyes wide.
"Yup, just us three because we're the only Aurors who know him best. A stupid excuse really, he's not exactly dangerous."
"But you don't know that Harry! He was You-Know-Who's right hand man!"
Harry flinched.
"Sorry, sorry, I shouldn't mention him…"
It wasn't that which had made him flinch; it was the fact that people were still calling him You-Know-Who or the Dark Lord. He was dead. Call him Voldemort the Dead Evil Prick who ruined families and kill the innocent. You-Know-Who showed people still feared him, still feared a dead man! It was like shaking every time someone said Hitler!
"Ok, so he could have a few spells up his sleeve, but at the end of the day, he's a lost and abandoned pathetic excuse of a human being and dangerous or not, I intend to have him locked up with a Dementer as a girlfriend." Harry's voice was harsh, showing his immense hatred for the last surviving Death Eater.
Ginny was staring at him oddly.
"You're going to kill him, aren't you."
Ginny had just outstayed her welcome. He pulled his hands away from her grip.
"You can't Harry, he has to be dealt with-"
"-Fairly? You think he dealt with people fairly? You think he cared for the people he had killed?"
"Harry, you can't just kill someone because you hate them!"
"Everyone hates him! I'd be doing the world a favour!"
"Everyone deserves a chance, Harry. I know he's an evil c-"
"No, he's beyond evil…he's…" Harry kicked the bin next to him when he couldn't think of another word. Harry had killed before, quite a few times actually, because those people had deserved death.
"You can't play God-"
"Ginny, I think you should leave."
"How do you think Ron and Hermione will feel? They've never killed someone before! They could get in trouble."
"I'll be the one doing it, not them!"
"It will be their responsibility as well! I know you're outside the law, Harry, but they are not!"
With his back turned to her, Harry was glad Ginny couldn't see the faint smirk on his lips. It was true; the law didn't seem to touch him. He was the best Auror in the Ministry and he was only eighteen, he had, if you will, a licence to kill.
"I think you should leave."
He could hear her scowl, her breath being sucked in to retort, but she obviously thought better of it and left, slamming the door viciously, causing Harry to receive another headache. This one hurt. He swallowed two painkillers and went to sleep.
"Surprise, surprise. The alarm bell goes off and Potter still refused to climb out of bed."
"Fug uff…" replied Harry, his voice muffled by his pillow.
Hermione laughed and whipped the cover of his bed.
"OI!" yelled Harry, sitting up.
"Don't worry, I know you sleep in your pyjama bottoms," said Hermione, her voice still rich with laughter. "We leave in fifteen. Hurry up."
She left the room, leaving a grumpy Harry to get dressed.
"Stupid bossy woman…don't know how Ron stands her…" he grumbled as he changed into some casual clothes.
Ron was downstairs looking just as tired as Harry, but he was ready and looking smart, most likely Hermione's doing. He didn't even raise his eyes at Harry and only moved when Hermione gave him a slight push. They took a portkey to Brixton and the first thing they noticed was the goblin standing less than a metre ahead of them.
"Can I 'elp you?" he snapped.
Harry frowned. Why weren't they in the mansion? It wasn't protected except against Muggles. A cauldron stood next to the goblin and on the side perched a green bird.
Hermione stepped forward with a piece of parchment in her hand. "I'm Auror Granger, this here is Auror Weasley and Commander Auror Potter, we're hear to inspect the house."
The goblin snatched the parchment away and gave it to the bird, which ate it.
"Hey-"
No sooner had the words left Harry's mouth when the bird coughed and spat back a smaller piece of paper at the goblin, who read it.
"You're allowed in. Wands hidden, don't cause any disruption."
Hermione nodded and started off towards a large black gate, which swung open with alarming speed.
"This is bound to be fun, eh Harry?" said Ron, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Get to meet our old pal! If the judge asks about the bruises, its because he retaliated ok?"
They both laughed. "He won't get a chance to," whispered Harry.
The Corvette Mansion was enormous, even though it only had three storeys. It had many balconies, nearly all of which were full of people.
Inside it was even bigger. The entrance hall was the size of Hogwart's Hall and people were exiting and entering through doors or climbing up stairs. It was painted a light blue with clouds on the ceiling, which gave it an odd dreamy effect.
"This is going to take a while, we'd better split up," said Hermione.
Ron shot her a look. "Why?"
"We can contact each other, but remember, you can't disapparate in here. Ron, you can be first level, Harry second, I'll go on the third, ok?"
Ron groaned, nodded and left through the nearest door. Harry and Hermione both made their way up the stairs.
Hermione stopped at the top and turned to him, her face even more serious than usual. "Good luck, Harry. And remember, his life lies in the hands of the jury, not yours, ok?"
Harry nodded, stony faced and continued up the stairs. Say what you want Hermione, but I want him off this earth.
Harry entered the first door he came to and instantly felt his tummy rumble. It was a buffet. The tables were full of bulging cream éclairs, chocolate cake, toffee apples…
Stick to the search! Harry had to tell himself. The next door was black with a boys sign for toilets on it. Harry opened it up and found himself looking into total darkness.
"Riiight…" and he closed the door. A man passed by him and laughed at his expression.
"Yeah I know, wouldn't pee in there if you paid me!"
Harry forced a laugh and carried on. After opening four more doors (one was locked, but after using x-ray vision, Harry found he wouldn't want to go in there anyway and disturb the giggling couple) Harry realised it was going to take ages, perhaps even days, to search every room. But he carried on, he had to.
The next room was like a woman's bedroom. It was pink with a red bed and various wardrobes. But there were many hiding places, so Harry entered to search it.
"Lost something?"
The voice made Harry jump. He spun around and found himself looking at a beautiful woman lying on the bed wearing nothing but a robe. Was she lying there before?
"Er, yeah, kinda." Harry felt his face redden.
"Might take you a while to find it, my home is rather large," she said, smiling. Her voice was rich and deep, with a slight American accent that Harry found very attractive.
"Lady Corvette?" Harry exclaimed, horrified. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know-"
Lady Corvette paused him by raising a slender hand. She rubbed the quilt next to her.
"Sit down, Mr Potter."
Harry's eyes widened but he obeyed her and sat down. From where he was he could make out every outline of her body beneath that silk robe, but that wasn't what was making his heart race. What if she knew why he was here? He had to finish this mission…
"What makes you think the one you seek is in my home, Mr Potter?" she asked him, turning over on her belly.
"I have my sources, Lady Corvette…"
"Please, call me Jennifer. And Mr Potter, what will you do when you find him?"
"Take him to the Ministry for Magic – he is to be put before the Supreme Court, the rest is confidential." Harry gulped as Lady Corvette – Jennifer - placed her hand on his lap.
"I don't want any hassle in my home, Harry, you understand?"
Harry made to stand up but she was far quicker than him and she had her arms around her waist before he could pull away. She was also very strong.
"Yes, Miss Corvette, no hassle…"
Her hand went up to his neck and she stroked his jawline.
"Do I have your word, Commander Potter?"
Harry's face flushed red again. "Y-yes Miss Corvette, as an Auror for the M-Minitry of Magic you have my word."
Lady Corvette suddenly let go of him, almost causing him to fall over. "Good, now enjoy your stay." She smiled at him and watched him rush out of the room, stooped slightly to hide his groin area…
He breathed heavily as he exited the room and carried on entering doors. People questioned him why he was in such a rush when he was in a house as marvellous as this, but he spared them no time. He had to find Malfoy, he had to bring an end to his existence, and he had to ask him why…
He came to a room that was full of shower cubicles and hot tubs. It reminded him vaguely of the Prefects Bathroom back in Hogwarts. He walked in and began checking each cubicle. He was in one when he heard a loud slam. He darted out and ran to the exit, which had somehow snapped itself shut. It seemed to be locked, which puzzled Harry. Why lock a bathroom? But then a voice came from behind him, a familiar voice.