Summary: Harry, Ron and Hermione are missing. Ginny is in a coma. Which odd folk will be charged with finding them, and just what does the Wizarding Mafia have to do with it?

Ratings: T (downgraded for now, because it doesn't seem as though I'll be doing anything too profane)

Timeline: Post Goblet of Fire, pre Order of the Phoenix, though keeping in mind the various character and spell introductions of the final books.

Chapter Three

Dumbledore, it seemed, was keen on providing Tonks and Sirius with a travelling companion.

'He is most loyal to Harry, and will serve as a link of communication between yourselves and Hogwarts.'

Sirius looked down at the short figure with an abnormally long nose. 'It's a house elf,' he proclaimed.

'Well spotted, Sirius.' Tonks grinned at her cousin. First cousin once removed, in all technicalities, but in the Wizarding world, relatives were fairly tight knit.

'Dobby the house elf at your service.' Dobby made a short bow, if hesitant. He knew that Dumbledore trusted the two humans, but he also knew that they were both relatives of his old mistress, Narcissa Malfoy. But, then again, if they were looking to help Harry Potter, then Dobby trusted them. His mouth split into a wide grin.

'He can be most useful at times,' said Dumbledore, looking kindly upon the elf. 'Elf magic is far different from our own, and is not to be treated lightly. And if I may make a suggestion, you should visit the wizard houses in the vicinity of the attack first; they may have witnessed something vital.'

So Sirius, Tonks and Dobby apparated to just beyond the Burrow. Sirius glanced around quickly before transforming into a shaggy black dog. This surprised Dobby, who was not expecting it. 'Mr. Black is transforming into a dog, Miss Tonks!'

'It's okay, Dobby, he does that when he's looking for a bit of attention.' Sirius snapped playfully at Tonks's heels, unimpressed by the attempt at a joke. Tonks looked around a little apprehensively; they'd apparated a mile or so south of where they'd intended, which meant there was walking ahead. Normally, this was fine, but with Dobby's short legs, it was likely they wouldn't even make it to the Lovegood's by nightfall. Apparating again so soon would be strenuous.

'Sirius. Would it in any way damage your pride for a house elf to ride on your back?'

Even for a dog, Sirius looked dubious, but eventually he barked in agreement.

'Is that alright with you, Dobby?'

'Dobby is not used to masters caring what Dobby wishes. He does what master says.'

Tonks knelt down beside him. 'Please, Dobby, if you're scared, or uncomfortable, just tell me, and we can sort something out.'

Dobby shook his head. 'Dobby is not scared.'

'Good.' She lifted him up onto Sirius's back, and was briefly amused by the sight of the small elf atop the massive dog.

The walk to the Lovegood's house was uneventful. In fact, the most interesting moment of the whole trip was the actual arrival; the house was a mysterious tower on top of a hill.

'That the Lovegood place you think?' huffed Tonks; she was regretting having not apparated. Her question was met with silence, as Sirius could no longer talk, and Dobby probably had no idea who the Lovegoods were. Tonks took the silence to mean "let's just go up and check."

Sirius barked. It was not a loud bark, but a short, soft one to get Tonks's attention. He was pawing the ground near her feet. Tonks looked down; there was a glove lying in the grass. A Quidditch glove as she recognised it.

'Harry's?' This was met with a bark of agreement.

'Well, we know we've been this way then. Talk to the Lovegoods. See what they know.'

The front door was no less foreboding than the tower itself. Tonks, being the only person who could actually reach the knocker, rapped on the door.

The door was swung open by a girl of no more than fourteen. She had blonde hair, a wide eyed look, and what appeared to be miniature pumpkins hanging from her ears. If what greeted Tonks was strange, what met the girl was much stranger; a young woman with bright purple hair and purposely tattered clothes, and a toga-clad house elf astride a giant dog.

'Hello?'

'Miss Lovegood?'

'Yes?'

'I'm an Auror with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Do you think I could have a word with one of your parents?'

Tonks saw the girl mouth a word that looked suspiciously like "Rotfang" before running off to find an adult.