So, you're saying that, because the Centre's full of diplomatic totty, it's suddenly serious?' demanded Gates.

Mehitabel Fortinbras sighed. 'What I said was, that in the light of the summit meeting, and the probability that many of the delegate's spouses are here, that it has been decided that this fashion show is to be considered a primary target.'

'So how's that different?'

'It's like this,' put in Styles. 'There are those who make the mess and those who clear it up and only very rarely are they the same people.'

Fortinbras turned to Tonks. 'Sorry, Tonks. I don't like to do this to you, but if it all goes pear-shaped, it'll look better if someone with a bit more seniority's in charge.'

Tonks shrugged. 'Fine by me.'

If, as seemed likely, things did go pear shaped, Fortinbras would weather any fallout and Tonks' fledgling career would not suffer damage. While Tonks felt irritation, her colleague was being supportive as well as practical. She watched the television monitor as Draco paraded to the end of the catwalk and then slipped of his raincoat and draped it over one shoulder before swaggering back. As he emerged backstage he redonned the raincoat. Perhaps the fact that the area was now heaving with Aurors was making him feel vulnerable.

'No barriers to apparition?' queried Fortinbras.

'Aunty Bella's completely batshit. If she thinks she's trapped she'll use it,' said Draco.

'Good evening, Mr. Malfoy. In the light of events, perhaps you should have this back.' Fortinbras offered Draco his wand and Draco took it from her as if it were fragile. He had been expecting to have to wait at least another two years for it under the terms of his parole.

'Thanks.' Draco slipped most of the wand into one of the coat's deep pockets hiding the rest with his sleeve. He probably wouldn't let go of it for a week.

'Mr. Malfoy, have you any idea where your aunt might be?' asked Fortinbras.

'Can't see anything from the stage,' replied Draco.

'So perhaps you could search for her in the body of the hall?'

Draco closed his eyes for a moment. This, of course, was why he had his wand back. He smiled ruefully. 'Be it on your conscience then if those women eat me alive,' he said before striding off towards a side door.

'How come?' asked Fortinbras

'Draco's paternal grandfather had a sister who was a squib,' explained Tonks.

'And she survived?'

'She was a pretty little thing. An uncle arranged to have her adopted by muggles. Anyway, she should have inherited but didn't, so Narcissa cut a deal with her daughter. The Ministry will have to hand over the squib sister's share because Lucius Malfoy shouldn't have had it in the first place.

'So what's Draco doing here?' asked Styles.

He's staying with his muggle "Auntie Patricia",' replied Tonks. 'Of course, if he calls her that she hits him with her handbag. So I'm told. My mum arranged it. Draco's safer here than he would be, wandless, in the wizarding world.'

'Ok. Any ideas on drawing Bellatrix out?' asked Fortinbras.

'None at all,' said Tonks, 'and we daren't even let her suspect that we're here. Anything useful from Rabastan Lestrange?'

'Well he's confirmed that the woman's not rational,' said Fortinbras. 'Apparently she spends a lot of time creating and then destroying Snape simulacra or worshipping at some sort of Dark Lord Shrine. She seems to think he's coming back.'

'Nice,' murmured Tonks and then 'Oh good. McLaggan.'

Auror Lachlan McLaggan strode towards them. Behind him, a group of five Auror Cadets formed his entourage. 'Tonks, isn't it?'

Tonks smiled sweetly. He knew her name. For almost a week, during training, he'd been her supervisor until he'd become rather loud about her accidentally causing a large flower pot to fall from a roof above him. Unfortunately it had missed. To the good, McLaggan had definitely lost interest in peering up her robes.

'In view of the seriousness of the situation and your lack of experience,' stated McLaggan,' I shall be taking charge.'

'Actually,' said Tonks, 'Fortinbras is in charge.' She could hear Potter and Weasley sniggering. So could McLaggan; he tramped off to find someone else to bully.

'So that's where Cormac gets it from,' muttered Weasley.

'Watch it you two,' said Tonks.' He's got a very long memory and no sense of humour whatsoever.' Then she spoiled it by adding. 'How in hell did that get to be an Auror?'

'Excellent exam results, family influence and very careful attention to hierarchy, announced a deep voice from behind her.' Kingsly Shacklebolt, for all his size, could move like a cat. He afforded the bedlam around them the benefit of his massive consideration. 'So. How do we find her?'

Tonks attempted to shake her head. The hair had to go. A moment's concentration brought the length to a little below her jaw. 'I don't know. Can't even put up anti-apparition wards in case we tip her off. She could be gone already but I suppose that would be too much to hope for?'

'Is anyone looking for her?' asked Kingsley.

'Draco Malfoy,' replied Fortinbras. 'Out in the hall.'

'Right,' said Shacklebolt, ducking behind a rack of clothes. 'Urggh!' Retching and sneezing noises came from behind the clothes and then 'Oh damn. Wrong hair.' After a minute a plump brunette in a waitress uniform emerged scowling.

'Teach you to be more careful with Polyjuice,' said Tonks. 'At least they won't make you wear the shoes.'

'Shoes aren't a problem,' replied Shacklebolt, heading for the side door.

Tonks decided not to ask.

'Sorry to hear about you and Remus,' said Fortinbras quietly, 'but it probably was for the best.' Tonks felt her hackles rising. 'Not because he's a werewolf, but because Remus is Remus. He couldn't afford to see himself as a burden.'

'He wasn't,' said Tonks.

'You'll never convince him of that.'

Tonks sniffed, but said nothing as the roiling darkness rose within her. She gritted her teeth, willing herself not to cry or kill something.

'Look, are you doing anything tomorrow night?' said Fortinbras. 'We're having a bit of a girls' night out.'

Tonks had heard about the infamous "Girls' Nights Out."

They were rumoured, in the past, to have included Polyjuice, midnight Quiddich and troll baiting and she'd been told that the "Failure to secure evidence in the recommended manner," that sullied Fortinbras' "Record" related to an incident in which an illegal lethifold-acromantula cross and a collection of runespoors had been discovered on and under Fudge's favourite couch. Alcohol was mandatory as was, apparently, the harassment of anything daft enough to get in the way. Oddly enough the only rules were "nothing permanent and no obliviation", which meant that some degree of intelligence and circumspection were required.

On the other hand, they were witches.

'Ok,' said Tonks.


Lachlan McLaggan here is Cormac McLaggan's dad.