Chapter 2: The Collector

"Miss Granger, Miss Granger!"

Hermione smiled as she looked at all the arms that were in the air. She turned to Jean who scanned the crowd before pointing at a young man, well-built with blonde hair. The man stood on his feet as Hermione admired how tall and broad his shoulders were.

"Miss Granger, in your story you said…"

"No questions regarding the plot of the story. Remember not everyone might have read it." Hermione interjected as the young man blushed, embarrassed at his mistake. Murmurs of agreement could be heard from the crowd.

"Well, then, not to give the plot away but how did you come up with a character like Count Constantine?"

"Well, that was easy. I've read up on past dictators like Hitler and Stalin and simply used them as a blueprint for Constantine. He wasn't born evil; he was made into one with his own beliefs. Sometimes our beliefs cloud our judgement especially a character like Constantine who was born without guidance or love."

"Next question," Jean said as she pointed to a young woman, probably a few years younger than Hermione herself.

"Miss Granger, there are some people who say that your books based on stories about magic, mythical creatures, and witchcraft can have an impact on impressionable youths. I'm not sure you heard but certain conservative groups are…"

Hermione raised her hand as she nodded. She knew where this question was going.

"Are you going to practise witchcraft because you read my stories, Miss…"

"Adler. Samantha Adler."

"Samantha. Such a lovely name." Hermione said as Samantha blushed. "Samantha, are you going to practise witchcraft because of my books? Perhaps use one of my made up spells?" Hermione asked humorously.

"Maybe just the Love Spell? Could use a boyfriend." Samantha said as the crowd laughed.

Hermione chuckled. "I'm sure you are able to get one without a spell, Samantha. But as to your question which I do apologise for interrupting, my view is that people should view my stories as fictional and are to be enjoyed, nothing more. I'm not trying to influence young minds into taking up witchcraft and I do respect other people's beliefs. Whatever these groups are saying, do not listen to them. Trust me, if I was a witch, the first thing I would do is get rid of taxes, those horrid things!"

Everyone laughed as a few people cheered.

"Now, unfortunately, we have run out of time as we need to begin our book signing. If you all wouldn't mind lining up…" Jean spoke as Hermione spied a tiny hand in the air. It belonged to a little girl, about eleven years of age if Hermione were to guess. Perhaps it was the brown bushy hair that the girl was sporting that reminded her of her younger self.

"Wait," Hermione said as people stopped moving. "Yes, dear, you have a question?" Hermione ask as the little girl looked extremely nervous to be talking to her.

"It's ok, ask me anything. Don't be shy." Hermione said warmly.

"I wanted to ask you…do you believe in magic, Miss Granger?"

"Thank you, dear, and what is your name?"

"Emma."

"Emma! I see we share something similar." Hermione said as Emma beamed up at her while everyone started to laugh. "Well, Emma, if I'm going to be honest, I have never seen nor have I experienced magic. But as to your question whether or not, I believe in magic, I would have to say…"

Emma looked at Hermione as the crowd waited tentatively for her answer. Part of Hermione, the honest and rational part of her wanted to say no and be done with it but looking at the expectant eyes of Emma, Hermione knew she had only one answer to give.

"Yes."

…..

"What are you still doing here?"

Ron scrubbed his eyes as he stared at the young blonde witch lying in his bed. It was his day off and Ron was looking forward to a nice long day at home reading his Quidditch magazine about the Chudley Cannon's newest acquisition. He walked towards his chair where he had left his shirt. He wondered if it was too big as his muscles, while more defined, were getting slightly smaller as Ron worked hard to lose as much fat as he could through exercise. Especially since he still had the appetite of ten men.

"Do you have to put a shirt on? I like the view." the witch replied as she ogled his half-naked body and the tight jeans that Ron was wearing. He stared at her trying desperately for a moment to remember her name, only to realise it didn't matter. None of them mattered. Ron often had flings with witches he found in pubs though he only started bringing them home recently.Ignoring her remark, Ron looked down to see a book that she was reading.

"The Magic Kingdom by Emma Watson," Ron said as he turned the pages to the end where a picture of the author was placed. A girl, judging by her appearance looked to be his age though she had smooth silky black hair with green eyes. She wore glasses and sat on a chair next to what Ron could only assume was her pet, a small Jack Terrier. There was something strangely familiar about the girl but Ron dismissed the thought.

"Yeah, it's a Muggle book. Her stories aren't half-bad. You could borrow it if you like. So long as you let me stay a while longer."

Ron smirked as he passed the book back to the witch. "Sorry, but I've already gotten my reading material. I thought you left already. You really need to go."

"I like your bed." the witch said as she spread her arms on his bedsheet. Turning around to admire the room, her eyes landed on a picture that stood on a cabinet next to his bed. The picture showed fourteen wizards and witches, all of whom were screaming and laughing as they jostled in front of the camera.

"Is this the Death Squad?"

Ron nodded. The Death Squad was a nickname given to an Auror taskforce designed to track and hunt down Death Eaters. Since the end of the war, the task force had spent their time learning and hunting former Death Eaters and Voldemort supporters to be put on trial for Azkaban which was now under wizard control. Ron had worked his way to becoming the leader of the task force and under his leadership, the number of Death Eater arrests had tripled until finally the last Death Eater had been thrown into Azkaban four years ago. Ron smiled as he thought of the squad. Most of them had left the Aurors, willing to pursue other things although a few like him had stayed. They were all still in touch though as they met occasionally over the years.

"That's Neville Longbottom. He's…wow!" the witch said as she admired Ron's good friend from Hogwarts. Ron remembered the day Neville left the squad. He had been Ron's number two and had requested his resignation the day the Lestranges were caught. Ron was only too happy to oblige, seeing how much Neville had found peace. He, on the other hand…

"Is he single?" the witch asked, breaking Ron off from his thoughts. Ron snorted.

"He's currently at Hogwarts as a professor. And he's married to Hannah Abbott both who are good friends with me."

"Marriages don't always last, Ron." the witch smiled as Ron grabbed his wand and placed it into a holster on his belt.

"No, but true love does. So you're just wasting your time." Ron said as the witch laughed before placing the picture back to where it belonged.

"What about you, Ron, ever been in love?"

Before Ron could answer, a white light entered his bedroom. Groaning, Ron waited as the light gave way to a bird, a corporeal Patronus that Ron only knew too well.

"It's my day off," Ron grumbled as the Patronus started to speak.

"Sorry, Captain but your off day has to be cancelled. There's been another one."

Ron grimaced as he grabbed his Ministry bag before packing a light bag. That news only meant that Ron was going to spend his next few days at the office.

"Sorry but you really have to leave."

"What does it mean by another one?" the witch asked as she got out of bed. Ron noticed that she was naked though that didn't seem bother her or him. The moment had passed after all.

"Read the Prophet lately?" Ron said as he tossed the wizarding newspaper to her. Her eyes widened as she looked at the headline.

WHO'S TAKING OUR CHILDREN?

"No, sir, he can't do it!"

"I'm giving you an order, son!"

"WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RON HERE!"

Ron winced as he heard his name. He had apparated straight into his office as he threw his bag on his desk. Behind his desk stood a whiteboard littered with pieces of paper, stickers, and strings. Five photographs stood at its centre depicting the six children who had been snatched from their families since the first victim two weeks ago. Whoever the abductor or abductors were, they moved fast speeding up the timeline quicker than Ron had anticipated. He sighed, knowing he had to make space for another photograph. Ron and his team had been working non-stop to try to find the children, especially Ron who didn't leave the office for two weeks until the Head Auror, Johnathan Wallaby, had forced him to take a day off. Bracing himself for whatever was to come, Ron walked towards the Head Auror's office and pushed the door open.

In the centre of the room, surrounded by shelves of files and books were two men. One was young and well built, blonde hair and was almost as tall as Ron. The other looked worn out, in his early fifties as he rubbed his bald head in frustration. Both turned towards Ron the minute he walked in as Ron gave a smirk towards the younger man.

"Parker, you know you're not going to convince John of anything. He's almost as stubborn as me." Ron said as his second in command, Ralf Parker, groaned in frustration.

"You're going to agree with me once you hear it, Ron," Parker grumbled as he dropped himself onto a chair.

"Weasley, please take a seat," John said as he motioned for Ron to sit down next to Parker. Ron took his seat without saying a word.

"Ron…" John began to speak but Ron cut him off.

"Another one? So we have seven missing now?"

"Yes. But this one is interesting."

"Why?"

"Because it's a girl."

"A girl!" Ron said as his eyes widened in shock. "But that goes against our M.O".

"Tell me about it."

Ron cursed under his breath. For the past fortnight, the abductor had taken away children no older than ten. The abductor had taken children from all sorts of backgrounds. Muggleborns, half-bloods, Pureblood, this guy didn't discriminate based on that. Their families of the victims also came from different social and economic classes. The children even looked different, some tall and some short, different coloured hair all pointing to the abductor having no preference except one. They were all boys. Until now.

"Why would he take a girl?" Ron asked the other two.

"Maybe he wanted to mess with our investigation, Ron. I mean it is possible that the girl is just a red herring." Parker said.

"Why are you talking about fish all of a sudden?" Ron said as Parker started to chuckle.

"Sorry, forgot you didn't know much about our world. A red herring is a saying we used to describe a clue intended to be a distraction or misleading."

"We can talk about Muggle sayings later!" John growled. "Parker, tell him."

Parker glared at John for a moment before looking at Ron.

"The girl's name is Mary Honeypotts. She's eight years old. Her mother and her were at Diagon Alley, shopping for clothes at Madam Malkin's. Her mother and her were at the counter talking to the owner when her mother realised she wasn't next to her anymore. They searched the store and outside for her but to no avail. The girl had vanished."

"That's not so different from the other abductions." Ron thought as he recalled how each abduction had taken place. It was a pattern with this guy although there was no specific place or time for each abduction. In every instance, a child would be either at home or outside in public. Each parent reported that before each abduction, their children were safe, either tucked in their beds or holding hands next to them or being in close proximity before disappearing out of sight. One abduction, the first victim had gone to bed until the next morning when his mother found out he was missing, snatched in a room filled with his siblings. No signs of forced entry or magical penetration from the wards surrounding the home. It was thought that the kid had run away but after the next two abductions, it was too similar to be a coincidence.

"Yes," Parker sighed as he looked at Ron. "This time, however, when they returned back to the store after looking outside, there was something waiting for them at the counter."

"What is it?" Ron asked curiously as Parker glared at something on John's desk. John grabbed the item and gave it to Ron. It was an envelope. Opening up the envelope, Ron took out a piece of paper with something written on it.

To Auror Weasley, I wish to meet. Come alone or else the children will be harmed. It's time we had a chat.

Ron stared at the words. The handwriting was neat and tidy, written cursively. The person had used black ink. Turning the letter around, Ron saw a bunch of numbers at what he assumed could only be coordinates.

"We've inspected the letter, Ron. Whoever wrote it made it untraceable. This guy is good." Parker said as Ron nodded.

"At least we know it's one guy. Or rather one guy's plan." Ron said as he pointed towards the capitalised pronoun. "Okay Parker, let's see how well I trained you. What can you tell us about this guy?"

"Well, firstly this guy's a planner which I hate. He's obviously thought of the abductions for a while and each step he takes is methodical. We haven't had a pattern with these guys except that he takes boys and now he fucks up our investigation by taking a girl. Instead of calling you by your first name or any other name, he calls you Auror Weasley which means he wants to establish or thinks that you want to establish a form of respect which makes him bold and calling you out makes him a narcissist. Maybe this is something personal which is why he chose you or maybe it's not because the Prophet has already reported you as running this investigation. He takes the children not when they're at their most vulnerable but when they're supposed to be safe which not only confirms my narcissist theory but also tells us that he's well prepared which makes him dangerous. As to the dangerous part, it's our theory on how he does it that makes it scary."

"How does he do it?" John asked as Ron and Parker exchanged looks.

"We think he's using the Imperius Curse," Ron replied.

"But that's impossible!" John cried, aghast at Ron's words. Ron frowned, knowing too well why John was shocked. When he was with the Death Squad, it had been Ron's idea to put a Taboo surrounding the words used in Unforgivable Curses to track Death Eaters. While it was unsuccessful for the other two, the Aurors managed to place a Taboo surrounding the Imperius Curse which meant that not only will it help track whomever uses it, it also meant that any protective enchantments would be broken. It had helped lead to the capture of many Death Eaters and to keep this method secure, the only three people who knew about the Taboo were in this room.

"Unless of course," Parker said, breaking Ron out of his thoughts. "Whoever he is has found a way around the Taboo. He uses the Imperius curse to force the kids to leave their safety areas which is why we never had any evidence of foul play besides the multiple disappearances. Being young means they're much easier to control. If this guy can break through protective wards of homes, he can get around a Taboo which means he's dangerous and also means that what we're talking about just now, John, shouldn't be up for discussion!"

"Let me guess. You want me to go." Ron said as John sighed.

"James Fernandez, Paul Fawley, Jacob Higgins, all ten-year-olds abducted from their homes. Pietro and Dimitri Balic, twins aged nine abducted in broad daylight. Peter Collins, just turned nine abducted at King Cross Station and now Mary Honeypotts aged eight. We have no leads, no way of getting this guy until this letter showed up. I'm not saying you go alone, Ronald, but I'm saying you should at least meet up with this guy."

"I'm going alone," Ron said as both men looked at him in shock.

"ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Paul roared as Ron smirked at him. "This guy would probably want to kill you or even… control you!"

"I can throw him off. I've dealt with the Imperius Curse before." Ron said as John shook his head.

"Not like him. If he's as good as we believe, you might not be able to." Paul replied, scowling at Ron.

"If his plan was to put me under the curse or to kill me, there are much better ways of doing so. But he went to all this trouble, kidnapping kids and for what? To just kill me? There's a bigger play here and no, you're not coming. And I don't need backup, John."

Both men looked ready to protest when a witch entered the office. Ron recognised her as Sally, John's secretary, who flashed a smile at Ron before passing a note to John. Parker, forgetting he was angry at Ron for a moment, could not help but snigger. Sally had been trying to flirt with Ron for years but for some reason, Ron was not interested. Perhaps it was the way Sally presented herself. Brown eyes. Bushy brunette hair. Reminding him of someone he used to know.

"Weasley, I can't say I approve of this but I know you're going to do it anyways. We've managed to locate where the coordinates at the back of the paper is directing us to and it's oddly specific. Apparently, the place is a playground." John said as Ron and Parker stared at him.

"A playground?" Parker repeated. "Why a playground?"

Ron took the note from John as his eyes began to widen.

"You know something, Weasley?" John asked as Ron frowned deep in his own thoughts.

"Yes, I do. Anyways I have to go. He's waiting for me."

"How do you know that?" Parker asked as Ron gave him a bittersweet smile.

"He didn't specify a time. Which can only mean he's already there, just waiting in the shadows for me to arrive. I have to go. Parker, you're not to follow and that's an order."

"You can't be fucking serious! If you're not going to bring a team, at least let me tag alone. I won't go with you but I can establish a perimeter or stay far away yet close enough to intervene."

"He's right, Weasley." John sighed. "Let Parker tag along. That way, I can at least know you're safe. I won't lose my top Auror because of this guy, Ron."

Ron sighed as he glared at the two men. Ron always trusted his instincts and his instincts were telling him that whoever this abductor was, he wanted to only speak to Ron. Then again, rushing headlong into battle without any form of backup was exactly the kind of thing he would have done ten years ago. Times had changed and so had he."

"Fine, Parker, but you're not going to Apparate with me. Maybe at the street. It's in close proximity to the playground."

"Which street?"

"Spinner's End."

…..

It was getting dark when Ron walked towards the playground. Dark clouds were forming in the sky as the last botches of sunlight were blocked, leaving nothing but the dim light of streetlights lighting the way. A cold wind rushed through his jacket as Ron felt the smooth wood of his wand on his fingers. There was not a soul in sight as the streets leading up to the playground were deserted. Ron could hear movement in the playground from the creaking sounds of the swings being swung by the figures playing about. He could see figures on the see-saw as well as the slide. Ron could not help but shiver at how eerie the situation was but what he heard next was even creepier as well.

There were seven children at the playground and they were singing.

Ring-a-ring o' roses,

A pocket full of posies,

A-tishoo! A-tishoo!

We all fall down

Ron approached the children at the playground. He recognised them all. They were the missing children all six boys and one girl. The children had stopped singing as soon as he stepped foot on the playground. Instead, they skipped towards him smiling widely as they lined up in front of him from the tallest boy to the girl who was the shortest. Ron could see that each child looking at him with wide smiles and white eyes from rolling their pupils back. Yet that wasn't the scariest thing about the kids.

It was their hair. Although each kid had different coloured hair, they were all dyed to look the same.

Red hair. Just like Ron.

"Bloody hell," Ron whispered as he stared at the kids in horror.

"Hello, Ronald. We've been waiting for you." the children spoke.

Ron said nothing as he scanned around the playground. Indeed, if this was their guy, it meant he had to be close by to control the children. Though Ron could not see him, he surmised that the guy might have cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself.

"Show your face! I thought you wanted to have a chat."

"We are talking, Ronald." The children spoke again as Ron growled in anger.

"It's irritating having to talk to seven people. I want to speak to just one. You."

"Very well, Ronald." Ron watched as six of the children collapsed to ground. Rushing towards the nearest child, Ron saw them breathing as they were asleep. Ron looked at the only one left standing. The shortest boy was smiling at him as he walked towards the swings. Checking to see if the others were okay, Ron contemplated just apparating away with as many as he can but he knew that whoever this guy was, he would have anticipated such a move. Begrudgingly, Ron walked towards the swing and faced the child. He recognised the child as Peter Collins, the youngest boy of the group.

"I meant you. Not someone you're controlling. Just you."

"That would be impossible, Ronald," Peter spoke in his childlike voice. "I am far away from here which is more than I can say for Auror Parker who you placed at Spinner's End."

"That's not possible. Imperius Curse has a range."

"A range can be manipulated. I've work on these curses all my life, Ronald and I am very good at how to use them especially when some irritating Aurors decide to put a Taboo on my precious curse."

"Who are you?" Ron asked.

"I have no name," Peter said as he gave Ron a sinister smile.

"Merlin, another egomaniacal bloody prat that I have to put down," Ron said as he sat on the swing next to Peter.

"Language, Ron. Hermione would be very disappointed."

Upon hearing the name, Ron growled as he glared at Peter. Peter let out a high-pitched laugh before removing something from his pocket. Ron's eyes began to widen as he saw that Peter had a knife on his hand which he now placed onto his neck. Ron grabbed his wand and attempted to pull it out from his holster. Before he could do so, Peter spoke again.

"Take out your wand and I promise you I will slit this little cretin's throat before you could even utter a spell," Peter said menacingly as Ron removed his hand from his wand.

"Now, this is how it's going to work. I will allow you to ask me questions though I will ask some of my own. Answer and I promise you that I will release all seven of this children to you right now. Now for my first question, do you know the significance of this playground?"

Ron nodded as he kept his eyes on the knife.

"This was the playground where Severus Snape met Lily Potter. Harry told me about this memory, about how he saw Snape looking at his mother and falling in love with her."

"But do you know the significance behind it?"

Ron sighed as he recalled a discussion he had with Hermione and Harry after the battle when Harry told them what he saw in Snape's memories.

"The significance behind this moment is that Snape fell in love with Lily the moment he met her and this obsession with Lily was what allowed for Voldemort to spare her life, allowing Lily to sacrifice her life for Harry who in turn, killed Voldemort and ended the war."

"Precisely!" Peter said as he snapped his fingers. "The moment that changed the war. Who would have thought that such an event could have such importance in the series of events which followed? Life's curious that way."

"What do you want?" Ron growled as Peter smiled sickeningly at him.

"Like my letter said, I just want to chat."

"Chat? You kidnapped seven children to chat with me? Don't give me that crap."

Peter frowned at Ron for a moment before smiling at him.

"It's always been about you, Ronald. These children are just a means to an end although I do hope you like my choices. Seven kids with red hair just like your dead siblings. And I used the youngest boy to talk to you."

"Why so interested in me?"

"Because you're determined, Ronald. You're like an animal that won't back down. I know all about you Ronald Bilius Weasley. War hero. The Death Squad. One member of the Golden Trio. Tell me do you know where Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger are?"

Ron narrowed his eyes as Peter started to laugh.

"Sorry, that question was rhetorical. Impressive, how you and your Ministry managed to hide them. I wonder, Ronald, why didn't you go with them?"

"They died ten years ago," Ron said grimly as Peter laughed.

"Do you take me for a fool? Dragon pox killed them both? And you? You survived?"

"No, I don't think you're a fool. I think you're dangerous and you've been planning whatever you've been planning for months."

"Flattery will get you anywhere but not deceit, Ronald," Peter said as he gave Ron a smirk. "I heard you're a chess prodigy, Ronald? Is that what this is? A chess move?"

"What do you want with them?" Ron asked, trying a different approach.

"All in due time, Ronald. First, you need to understand who I am." Peter drawled as he released the knife from his neck. Ronald watched the knife as Peter laid it on his lap, his hand still gripping the handle.

"I am a Death Eater, Ronald. The last Death Eater."

"Bullshit. We took out all the Death Eaters."

"How would you know if Lord Voldemort never even shared the full identity of all his Death Eaters with anyone? Smart move on his part, I have to say."

"You said Voldemort's name. I thought Death Eaters didn't say it out of respect."

Peter sneered at Ron. "Respect for the dead? Voldemort himself would be ashamed. Perhaps in his prime, his name was to be feared but now, he is nothing but dust."

"So what do you want? To see your Lord back to power? To continue what he started?"

"Tell me, Ronald, what was Voldemort's main objective? To rule over Muggles and Muggleborns? Free the world from all this dirty blood his blind followers so often preach?"

Ronald bit his tongue. That was his initial answer. But Ronald knew Voldemort better than most, having stand side by side with Harry and Hermione to destroy him. Then there was the event with the locket which allowed Ron to feel part of Voldemort's soul.

"He wanted to conquer Death. To become immensely powerful"

"Right again," Peter said as he smiled. "Voldemort wanted power above anything else. At the end of the day, all these dictators and rulers can claim that whatever they're doing is for the greater good. They even have plans for a better future or whatever reason they choose to believe in order to justify what they were doing. But we both know the truth, don't we? Deep down, past all their thoughts about how the world should be, is their lurking inner desire to attain power. Greed is one of seven deadly sins, after all. So is pride."

"Is that what you want to be? As powerful as Voldemort?"

Peter got off his swing and stood in front of Ron. Gone was the smile that he flashed. Now, on Peter's face, was an expression full of seriousness and anger. Ron had touched a nerve.

"Tom was erratic. I used to worship him, what he preached but I guess that was my fault on my part. Did you know what I did for him? I used to collect items of power, ancient magical artefacts that sort of thing. He used a few to make Horcruxes but my collection is so much more than that. Even though I have no name, I suppose I should introduce myself before you or the Daily Prophet gives me some sort of horrid title. Ronald Weasley, you can call me, the Collector." Peter said as he stuck out his hand.

"The Collector?" Ron sniggered as he ignored the gesture. "What kind of idiotic name is that? Why not something cooler like Grand Arsehole or something?"

"It's interesting to me that you would think me a joke when all it would take to kill these children is nothing more than a few words. Would you like Peter to slit his neck? Or how about those six over there? Maybe I should tell them to smash their heads into the ground." Peter snarled as he put the knife on his throat. Ron reached for his wand and stuck it out.

"Playtime's over," Ron growled as he glared at Peter. "Let them go."

"You're right, Ronald. Unfortunately for you, this isn't a game. More like a quest. And who better than the Golden Trio to complete this mission." Peter said as he dropped the knife.

"Mommy! Daddy!"

Ron turned towards the six children. Some were crying while others were yelling for their parents. All of them scared as how they should be.

"I told you, Ronald, these kids are of no importance of me. All I ever wanted was you. Besides, I have leverage of a much more personal level. We will be in touch again, Ronald, sooner than you think."

Peter crumbled to the floor as Ron raced to catch the child. Brushing aside Peter's fringe, Ron could see his eyelids fluttering as two brown eyes stared at him in fear.

"Who are you? Where's my Mummy?" Peter cried out as Ron gave him a warm smile.

"Don't worry, kid, I'm an Auror. I'm here to take you all home." Ron said as thoughts of the Collector started to plague his mind.

…..

"Come in, Ron."

Ron entered the office of the Minister for Magic. Just like the Head Auror's, the room was lined with shelves of books and files while a tall, dark-skinned man sat behind the desk. The lines on his face, as well as his grim expression, gave the impression of man not to be trifled with, of one whose demeanour had been hardened by war. Yet Ron knew that deep down, the Minister, despite his tough exterior had a soft heart, especially for him.

"Hello, Kingsley."

"Why did you wish to speak to me?"

"The Collector knows about Harry and Hermione," Ron said as Kingsley's eyes widened before he let out a sigh.

"How does he know? We Oblivated the memories of all those who helped erase them from magical existence. Unless one of our operatives regained his memories perhaps?"

"I doubt so. You performed the Charm, Kingsley. I doubt anyone will be able to regain those memories again. Together with the story we fed about their supposed deaths, there should be no way the Collector knows about their existence."

"Then how did he know?" Kingsley asked as Ron threw himself on a couch.

"He probably made a guess. A good guess but a guess, nonetheless."

"You can't know that for sure, Ron," Kingsley said grimly as he stared at the young Auror.

"No, but it was the way he spoke. He profiled me just like I profiled him and from what I can gather, he made a guess."

"So why are you here? To tell me this or…"

"I want to bring them back," Ron replied as he gave Kingsley a determined look.

Kingsley sighed as he sat across from Ron. Waving his wand, a bottle of whiskey removed itself from the cupboard and placed itself with two glasses on the table between them. Pouring a drink for both himself and Ron, Kingsley took his cup before downing its entire contents down his throat.

"Ron, I'm talking to you now not as the Minister but as your friend. You are getting to that age where most men would think about settling down with a family. Are your reasons for bringing them in solely because of the case or because you want to see them again. Mainly her."

Ron scowled at Kingsley as he picked up his glass.

"I just want to protect my friends, Kingsley."

"You've had so many chances to join Hermione, Ron. Didn't you promise her that you would come once you've hunted all the Death Eaters?"

"Well, since the Collector claims to be the last one, I'm not exactly lying, am I?" Ron snapped.

"You thought you did years ago. Why didn't you go then?" Kingsley asked, not willing to give in to Ron's snide remark. Ron dropped the scowl as his face now had the expression of sadness.

"I…had my reasons," Ron whispered.

"Ron, unless you tell me why, I can't authorise you to go on this," Kingsley replied sternly.

"Who said I need your authorisation? I just need to know where they are." Ron snapped.

Before Kingsley could retort, his office door burst open as John stumbled through.

"Sorry, Minister, but there's been an incident at the Leaky Cauldron. Some witch started throwing hexes and jinxes all over the place before they apparated. Nothing serious, no injuries of any kind as these were mostly school-type spells. Childhood pranks."

"And that's important enough to come barging into my office?" Kingsley roared incredulously.

"No sir but the witch was, well, under the Imperius curse."

Ron and Kingsley both got to their feet. "I have to go, Kingsley," Ron said as Kingsley nodded. "We will continue our conversation later, Mr. Weasley."

"What kind of spells did the witch cast?" Ron said as he and John exited the office.

"Well, numerous spells but one seems to stand out. She kept using it over and over again."

"What spell?"

"The Bat-Bogey Hex."

Ron halted in his steps as John almost ran into him. The Bat-Bogey Hex was a spell that was extremely hard to get right and because of that as well as other much easier hexes, it wasn't used very often. In fact, the Ministry had only known of a few users, two in particular that used the hex more often than not. One was Miranda Goshawk, the inventor of the hex itself and the only other person he knew was…

I have leverage of a much more personal level Ron thought as he apparated on the spot.

…..

Harry grumbled as he, Jamie and the rest of the team sat down in front of their coach who was taking way too long to debrief them. Though he was just as passionate as anyone about football, Harry could not wait to return back to his apartment, take a nice long shower before getting a bite to eat. He considered taking another swig from Jamie's flask but with his coach keeping an eye on him, Harry knew he should behave. Anything that would get his coach to shut up sooner. As Harry looked around the pitch, he could see the place was almost deserted except for two figures in the distance sitting in the stands. Thinking nothing more of it, Harry went back to daydreaming about his shower.

"Are you sure that's him?"

The male figure grumbled as he took out his binoculars once more. Focusing the lens, he could clearly see Harry who now had his head leaning against one of his teammates.

"That's him. I've been following him for weeks. I know what he looks like." The male figure grumbled as he felt his intelligence being insulted.

"Describe him to me please."

"You can see him for yourself, can't you?"

"No, I already told you. What I see isn't what he really looks like. To me, the appearance is different because of who I am. But you are a Muggle so you can see him for what he truly is. Describe him to me. Now."

Perhaps it was the menacing tone that made the male figure shiver but he knew it was much more than that. There was something else about his partner although, technically, partner wasn't a suitable term. More like employer. Or boss.

"I see a young man with raven hair. He has piercing green eyes and a scar on his forehead. Was wearing glasses but changed to contacts for the game. Medium height, needs a little more muscle to be considered well-built and from my reconnaissance, is a little hot-tempered.

The other figure smiled as she heard the words. She had been searching for him for years and now finally, she had found him. Pushing aside a lock of her crimson hair, she sighed as she gaze at the sight of him in the distance.

Harry Potter. The Boy Who Lived.