Title: ARGONAUT
Author: obalesque
Summary: With Hermione's freedom comes the judgemental nosing of the Ministry. The Argonauts need to get their plans rolling before the Ministry connect the dots.

Rating: M or R

Feedback: Please.
Main characters: Tonks, Weasley kids, Hermione
Notes: Characters may fall out of character, though since the books are seen through the thoughts of Harry ninety-nine percent of the time it is hard to understand what is exactly OOC and what is not.
Disclaimer: I do not own, though like many other's I wish I did. I am earning nothing off of this except a release of creative energies.

A/N: to cutehelenjames

I'm glad you like it. I'll keep the chapters coming.

March 13, 2000

"Master Snape, it is always a pleasure," Madam greeted Severus Snape at the door with a polite smile.

"Madam. I have come for my favorite Know-It-All."

"Yes, of course," Madam drawled as she took Snape's arm and escorted him towards Hermione's quarters.

"In what shape is she."

"She had a visitor from the colonies yester-eve. A young lord seeking solace from the ridged and prudish ways of his society. He spent his hour and left quite happily, but I assure you, I checked on your mistress and she was quite intact."

"Excellent. I do not like it when she is already worn from a days work. I trust she has not been visited today."

"Absolutely not. She was reserved, as requested. She should be ready in waiting."

"Good. I intend to spend three or four hours with the girl today. Tools I require are the branks, a restraint belt, and various whips. I also demand access to the rack, the horse, and the wheel."

"All that you desire shall be your's on the condition that you remain completely obedient of my rules concerning her. Should you violate the Cyprian's health or physical appearance it is I who will lose profit's. Governor Malfoy and Minister Weasley also are quite fond of her company. They will not be pleased should she be damaged."

"I am well aware of your rules, Madam. I am also aware of those insufferable twits affections for the Know-It-All. You have my word that she will not be damaged, so long as you do not remind me of your rules and those dunderheads again."

"As you wish, Headmaster Snape."

Snape glowered at the woman as she took her time opening Hermione's door. He waited impatiently for her to move aside allowing him passage into the room where his favorite victim lay in wait. She was asleep on the bed.

"Sleeping during my class, you insufferable Know-It-All. One hundred point's from Gryffindor and you will be serving detention with me, starting now," he sneered as he tipped the mattress over with her in it. He moved the mattress off of his pray and. . .

"Madam. There seems to be a mistake."

"Yes?"

"This is not her room."

"Yes it is, Headmaster Snape. She has not been moved."

"Then why is he here," Snape growled as he pointed to the shocked man sitting on the floor in a white evening gown. Madam's eyes went wide when she recognized the manservant from the night before.

"Merlin's teeth, Luther," Madam screamed down the hall to the enslaved eunuch overseer. He came running, wand drawn. "Summon the Aurors. Mudblood Granger has escaped!"

"The last person she was with was a Lord David Lee Roth of the Colonies. The man found in Granger's room was supposed to be his 'manservant' but he was actually Ian Flint, recent Hogwarts graduate," the Auror Theodore Nott said as he gave his report to the politicians in the Ministers' office.

Percy sat at his desk listening intently while Snape sat on the couch with Dolores Umbridge and Belletrix Lestrange. Lucius Malfoy stood by the fireplace glaring down into the smoldering embers.

"Flint claims not to remember most the ordeal, but he recalls the imperious curse being cast at him while he exited the Hogs Head Inn, a foul tasting potion, and the word Tonks. We also found evidence of a hasty and sloppy obliviate preformed on the victim."

"Tonks. Why that filthy little half breed," Umbridge sneered.

Snape shot her a look of contempt before standing up and ripping the report out of Nott's hands. "I am not surprised she has made a move. It was only a matter of time."

"Humorous," Lucius spoke up without turning to face the crowd. "This wouldn't have happened if your Aurors and Hit Wizards had done their job and brought that criminal to justice. I do not know why I bother to donate to such an defective Minister."

"Watch your tongue, Malfoy, or I will have you arrested for treason."

"I would like to see you try, Weasley," Lucius sneered as he turned to Percy. "I doubt you would jeopardize the reason your Minister in the first place."

"So like you, Malfoy. Throwing your galleons around as if they are the real source of power. Just once I would like to see you live up to the pureblood Malfoy magical prowess your family has so intricately fabricated," Snape sneered. "I doubt a sloth like you could wipe your own arse if you had to."

"This coming from a man who couldn't kill a simple little boy right after he murdered Dumbledore. The Dark Lord would be alive now if you had."

"Silence. I will not have this kind of behavior in my office."

"I say we activate the tracing spell we have placed on the mudblood. Then let me go after her," Bellatrix said, her lips twisted into an evil grin.

"We already tried to, Governess," Nott replied quickly. "The tracing spells are showing nothing. She's vanished. We believe she may be out of range. Perhaps fled to the Colonies, as this Tonks disguise suggests."

"If that's the case, we won't be able to get her back without breaking our treaty with the Colonials," Percy said. "And those damn Yanks are compassionate towards mudbloods. They actually allowed one to serve as President once thanks to all their rants about rights, independence, equality, and that loathsome Colonial Muggleborns Association."

A shutter moved throughout the office as the people within entertained nightmares about a mudblood serving as Minister of Magic.

"How horrible," Belletrix cried out as she stood up and poured herself a glass of bourbon, downing it in an instance.

"I will send word to my associates in the Nihilists," Lucius said. "They may be able to locate her from the New Confederacy. Never the less. I will pay one million galleons to the one who returns the mudblood to me, given she is uninjured."

"I am not surprised. You are, after all, very much in love with the mudblood."

"I will not tolerate such a revilement, Severus."

"I do not see you as having a choice, my dearest friend."

"Weasley," Lucius turned his attention to the Minister, choosing to ignoreSnape for the moment. "I want her intact. I already paid for her."

"What are you talking about," Snape demanded.

"Governor Malfoy purchased Granger to serve as his broodmare," Percy answered.

"What?"

"That's right, half-breed. She was to be transferred into my care on Friday, where she would have bore me an heir, what with Draco being deceased."

"Why you-"

"It shouldn't matter, old friend. I'm sure you can find another mudblood to place your dour attentions upon."

"Old friend indeed."

March 14, 2000
"Theodore Nott, Auror for the Ministry of Magic. I need to ask you and your family a few questions."

"Uh, of course. Come in," Molly said shakily. "Arthur, kids get down here now."

Fred and George entered the livingroom and stopped cold when they noticed the auror. Arthur came up from the basement.

"Where's Ginny."

"She had to work late," Arthur said. "She should be on her way."

"Good. This may have nothing to do with you, but we have reason to believe that the criminal Nymphodora Tonks was responsible for the theft of the mudblood slave, Hermione Granger. The ministry demands to know if you have heard or if you know anything about this."

"Hermione's escaped," Molly said in shock. "Good you worthless little bas-" Arthur threw his hands over his wife's mouth then chuckled nervously at the glaring Auror.

"Forgive my wife, she rather lost her sanity when we were kicked out of wizard society," Arthur cried desperately.

"Right," Nott sneered skeptically at Molly.

"I assure you that we know nothing about this event," Arthur continued. "We haven't heard anything from Tonks since before the trials, and we haven't seen Hermione since she was dragged out of here because of the Mudblood Act."

Nott eyed Arthur and the twins before letting his stare fall onto Molly who was struggling against her husbands hand. He could tell she was about to lash out at him and would have already if her husband had not interfered.

"Very well. I have an order from the Minister of Magic to search the house."

"Yes, be my guest," Arthur replied, shooting Molly a warning look. Nott left them.

"Arthur, how dare you," Molly shrieked.

"Molly. If you would have said anything he would have taken you from me," Arthur sighed. "Please."

"I will try to hold my tongue but I'm making no promises," she huffed as she walked to the foot of the stairs to watch for the auror.

Nott checked all the rooms and was disgruntled when he found nothing. Just before he left he met Molly and Arthur at the door.

"If you hear anything you are ordered by the Minister of Magic to inform the Auror's immediately."

"And just how the hell do you expect us to contact you when we're no longer allowed to use magic, you son of a-"

"Insane, completely of her rocker," Arthur cried out, covering Molly's mouth again. "Muggles call it Tourrette's Syndrome."

"Like I care, blood traitor."

March 15, 2000
Hermione looked over Tonks forged papers briefly, just to make sure everything was in order while Tonks adjusted her muggle clothes in the bathroom. It was all part of the charade, just in case muggle authorities tried to question her that way she didn't have to take unnecessary risks with magic.

"Name," Hermione called from the kitchen.

"Amber Billings."

"Reason for being in Mexico?"

"I'm a tourist from Bristol, looking for ruins of the Aztec civilization."

"The location of the guy your looking for is littered with the ruins so the story is believable," Hermione said as she packed the papers in a side pocket of the carry-on Tonks would be taking with her.

"Remember to keep your face on."

"I always do," Tonks smiled as she came out of the bathroom and took the bag from Hermione.

"Well. This is it," Tonks said as she flung the bag over her shoulder and gave Hermione a brisk hug.

"Be careful, Amber, and stay warm. Especially over the ocean," Hermione said.

"What, me worry?"

Ginny pulled into the driveway, noting that her dad was actually home for a change. He was promoted two months previously and was working extra hours every week.

"Hello, dad," she said as she stepped in through the kitchen door. Arthur had a bottle of cola on the table next to a plate of a large sandwich and chips.

"Ginny, how was work," he asked before popping a chip in his mouth.

"They were slow so they let me off early. How about you? I'm surprised to see you here."

"I'm on call."

"Ooh, lucky you."

"Tell me about it. Ginny, since you have the day off I was wondering if you'd go shopping at the Leaky Chaldron for me."

"Absolutely."

"Great. We just need a few items, I'll make up a list."

In truth, Ginny was trying to think of a reason to go into the Leakey Cauldron for the last two hours. Little did her father know he had given her the perfect excuse. She knew she couldn't stay long because people always seemed to stare.

She was as well known in the world because of her trial. The Daily Prophet had let everyone know that she was partly responsible for the destruction at Hogwarts. She had even been given a handle, Lady Bloodsport. She still laughed over that one.

Though not allowed in Diagon Alley Tom at the Leakey Cauldron permitted her in his establishment, willingly supplying her with butterbeer nearly half off, as well as sending a runner into any shops for her provided none of the items bought were considered 'magical'. Parvati Patil worked there cleaning rooms and tending bar, so any time Ginny was in the area she would sit and have a drink with her old house mate.

That was good for her, especially now. Parvati, though not as chattery as Lavender Brown, was a gossip, and working at the Leakey Cauldron the girl heard a lot. And right now Ginny needed information.

When she arrived at the Leakey Chaldron she wasn't surprised to see Dean Thomas sitting in a corner, scribbling notes on a roll of parchment. He was once thought to be a muggleborn but it was revealed that his late father was in fact a pureblood, so he was fortunate to miss out on the Mudblood Act.

Parvati was carrying a tankard towards him and Ginny thought back to the last time she visited when she learned that the two were engaged. She smiled as she moved toward them, winding around the tables and patrons to the dark corner.

"Hey you two."

"Ginny. I wasn't expecting you for at least another week," Parvati said as she put the tankard down and threw her arms around Ginny. "How are you?"

"Never better. May I join you for a drink?"

"Like you ever have to ask. I see so few of the old gang anymore, I think I would enjoy sitting down with Pansy Parkinson if I had the chance."

"Now that's sad," Dean shook his head.

"How you doing, Dean?"

"Bad. My boss want's this full article about the upcoming charity gala done before six. Two hours is not enough time for something as important as that."

"Maybe I can help."

"If my boss finds out I let 'Lady Bloodsport' help me I'll get fired," Dean laughed.

"They still calling me that at the Prophet, huh," Ginny snorted, then grinned wide, "They have no idea."

"Now, Dean," Parvati chided as Ginny moved to sit across from him, "Whose going to tell her?"

"Skeeter has her ways of learning things, Par."

"Poo," Parvati said as she turned to Ginny. "Butterbeer?"

"Please." Parvati stomped off.

"I wish I knew how she learned so much. It would make my life so much easier not having to wonder."

"You remember the Tri Wizard Tournament when she was spreading those horrible rumors about Harry, then all of a sudden she stopped?"

"Yeah."

Ginny looked around for anyone who might be listening. Satisfied she was safe she leaned into Dean and whispered, "Hermione learned how she got her information, and she used it against her. I would be willing to give you that information in exchange for any news you might come across concerning old Death Eaters."

"Why would you want that kind of info-oh. Oh. I see," Dean's voice went low, realization hitting him. "You don't have to bribe me for that kind of info, Gin. Anything I can do to help, just ask."

"Can you come with me after this drink. We'll take a drive and talk," she asked as Parvati was making her way back to the two.

"Only for a bit, but you have to help with this assignment."

"Hop in," she laughed at his face. Though her neon pink deathtrap was now classic black it was still a nasty looking piece of work.

"Are you sure it's safe?"

"Absolutely. I've been driving it for over a year now without any problems."

"Ok, but I'm wearing the seatbelt."

They drove silently for a few miles before Dean stated talking.

"Look, Gin. If your up to something I want to know about it. I want to help in any way I can."

"I was hoping you would. How would you like to oppose the new Ministry?"

"You kidding? Life sucks after the Death Eaters took control. My family were all killed because they were muggles. I have to work with a woman that looks down on everything I do for the lowest of wages that the Ministry take over sixty-six percent of. I can barely afford to eat. My apartment flooded while I was at work the other day so I lost all of my belongings to water damage. Damn it all, I'm pissed! I did not fight and almost die for this bullshit!"

"So your in?"

"Hell yeah."

"Do you think Parvati will join us?"

"You know she will after what they did to her sister."

"I should warn you we're doing whatever it take's to bring the Ministry down."

"Good. I'll do my part, and so will Par."

"Good. Right now we need information. You and Parvati are in the best position to get info for me at this point in time."

"Alright. Um, the only thing I can think of right now would be the Annual St. Mungo's Charity Gala. It's a big deal for all the big wig purebloods out there. Lucius Malfoy has always been in attendance since back when he was a youth, except for that year he spent in Azkaban. Apparently he is one of the biggest givers, donating thousands. What makes this year so special is St. Mungo's is awarding him for thirty years of donating at the estimate of nearly five hundred million galleons. They're placing a statue likeness of him in the entryway. It's supposed to be made out of mammoth ivory, which is unbelievably expensive and just plain wrong."

"Hmm."

"I know it's not much, but at the moment it's all I have."

"No, Dean, every little bit helps. When is this gala?"

"Two weeks from tomorrow at the Celestina Warbeck Opera House in Tomes. Start's at eight."

"Tomes?"

"It's a new all wizard town. You know, after Hogsmead burned, the Ministry felt they needed to establish several new wizarding villages. Tomes is the second one built. It opened three months ago, but only the wealthy live there. Little people like you and I are not welcome without an invite."

"Sounds dull."

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Thank's Dean. Any time you get any new info about Death Eater's or anything else that is big, call me on my cell. You have the number."

"I will."

"I will get in touch with you about setting up a meeting with the other Argonauts."

"Argonauts," Dean gave Ginny an amused look.

"Nifty, huh," Ginny grinned. "Let's get back to the pub and get that article done."

March 16, 2000
"Malfoy," Hermione whispered to herself as she stalked the room of her little shack. Ginny had popped in to tell her everything Dean said. Hermione climbed up onto her bed and pulled out her notebook.

'Malfoy could be the key to solving several problems we may face real soon,' she thought to herself. 'He would be one of the first to oppose us, and with his wealth he would buy our way into Azkaban, or even our deaths. Possibly even Harry's. We cannot afford that.' She wrote her thoughts furiously on the notepad, her brow furrowed in deep concentration.

'Also, sending Tonks to Mexico consumed much of our resources. If we could find a way to make Malfoy play benefactor to our cause. . . black mail has too many flaws as Weasley's government will probably look the other way from his transgressions and he could easily slip away. We could imprison him, but people would notice he's missing. We could impersonate him, but not without a lot of polyjuice, and that too could backfire. Maybe we can just rob him blind.'

"Hey, Hermione. What are you writing," Ginny asked when she came out of the bathroom. Hermione almost forgot she was there.

"Brainstorming. Trying to figure how to use that information Dean gave you, it could be used as our first move, but I can't quite work out the game plan." She told Ginny everything she'd written down on the subject.

"Malfoy is a pretty big fish to fry, but with the right disguise we could get close to him. I say we kidnap and obliviate the hell out of him. He deserves no better."

"People will notice, and we could really use him intact. If we could only figure out a way to manipulate him without revealing our movements to the Ministry."

"Imperious."

"We could... but again, he may know how to fight it seeing as he is a Death Eater. We cannot rely on only one method. We need to compile several into one master plan, and we need several back up plans just in case."

"Well, you wrote one thing that we may need no matter what. Polyjuice Potion. Wouldn't hurt to brew some just in case, even though it won't be ready in time for the gala."

"I suppose."

"In any case, we should ask Tonks what she thinks about it. She'll be the one in disguise, and she was an Auror, so she should advise on the idea."

"I agree," Hermione said. She was about to add more when Ginny jerked. "What's wrong?"

"Cell, it was on vibrate," she said as she pulled it out of her pocket and answered it. "Dean, what's up?"

"Hey, you said call. I got something."

"Go ahead."

"Seems Hermione Granger escaped from her slaver's a few day's ago. The ministry thinks she fled to the colonies and Malfoy is putting out a one million galleon reward for her return, uninjured. Seem's he bought her to be his broodmare. If you know anything about this you better keep it quiet, maybe warn her what's going down."

"If I know anything I will, Dean. Thanks for the warning, bye."

"What was that."

"Malfoy put out a million galleon reward for the return of his broodmare."

"What? Who?"

"You."

"What!"

"I hope Tonks get's back soon."

"Maybe you can turn me into him and collect the reward."

"Are you nut's? One, you are not going back there, no matter how much we could use the money. Two, it's gotta be a trap. If I were Malfoy I wouldn't pay a mil to get back what I already believe is mine. I would assume whoever turns you in was responsible for your loss in the first place."

"You're right. What was I thinking?"

"Never mind.

A/N: I intend to load up the next chapter real soon, I just need to do a quick once over. It will be up tomarrow or the day after.