Chapter 5 - What to do?

"Was that Hermione's voice?" Luna asked as everyone started looking around the room.

"I think so?" Neville Said.

Draco was using an advanced form of legilimency with Harry scanning the room. Draco and Harry had become closer while working together over the years. They had learned this trick along with Hermione. Harry was able to learn very quickly with a trainer that wasn't Snape. Usually out of the 3 of them at least two were chosen to do the more expert missions. This training came in handy allowing them to communicate without words. The entire team was trained to do legilimency but not to the extent of communication and as the lead aurors they used it to their advantage.

"Potter?" Harry heard Draco's voice in his head

"Malfoy, I have a few questions?" Harry replied

"As do I, but first, back in sixth year you hit me with a spell, where did it happen and who healed me?"

" The restroom on the 3rd floor and Snape, During sixth year on the train you tried to send me back to London, what did you do?"

"Stupifed you, broke your nose, and threw your invisibility cloak on you, than I left you in the compartment."

" That hurt you know."

"Not as bad as bleeding to death. OK at least we know we haven't been imperiused, but can we be sure neither of us is a traitor?"

"Good point, but do you truly believe I am the traitor?"

"No, Hermione voice sounded almost confused and that makes me wonder, Do you think I am the traitor?"

"No, your patronus is enough proof for me. So as much as a mistake as this could be, let's say neither of us are the traitors."

"Agreed, by the way, I have been scanning the room everyone is confused and worried. No one is giving anything away."

"I have been getting the same readings, ok time for some hard ball."

"Hardball?."

"Muggle saying."

"Ok Team." Harry said aloud. "I know that Hermione's message has come as a bit of a shock to everyone, but we need to remain in this room until we get this figured out." A murmur of agreement was heard throughout the room.

"So, how do we figure out who the traitor is?" Luna asked.

"I'd be willing to take Veritaserum, it should clear up the matter quickly so we can continue to find Hermione." Draco said.

"That would be the fastest way to figure this out, as much as I hate the idea that someone in this room can't be trusted this is the best course of action. I will have Kingsley bring the Veritaserum" Harry said as he sent his patronus out of the room.

Everyone stared around the room as they waited for Kingsley. Ron was beyond nervous, He didn't know what to do and feared that he was going to get caught. Then he remembered that everyone in the room knew legilimency so he quickly blocked his mind. This was something everyone was taught in Auror training so if they were ever captured they could keep the secrets of the enemy. Everyone knew that Harry, Malfoy, and Hermione had done advance training on the subject and he was not willing to let a wondering mind be his demise.

Kingsley arrived with the Veritaserum, and Ron started to panic. Than it hit him, The drinker is only forced to answer the question directed to them truthfully, but anything said after the initial question as been answered could be a lie. So he just needed his lies to be convincing he thought. As long as the questions weren't to specific then he would be able to pull this off. Everyone was asked the same question "Do you know where Hermione is?" Luna, Neville, Pansy, Blaise, Draco, Ginny, and Harry all answered "No". Even the Minister took some, to prove a point. Everyone was now staring at Ron. He gulped and took a sip..

"Do you know where Hermione is?" Kingsley asked Ron.

"Yes." he answered. Everyone was continued to stare at Him. He knew what he needed to do. Turning to Harry, Ron said "She told us Mate, in the letter. I don't know why but I really believe that is where she is. So much that the Veritaserum is making me say yes. Do I know for sure she is there, No. But I know Hermione and she was smart enough to get us the message so I really believe that is where she is."

Harry was eyeing Ron when he heard Draco. "Potter, Weasley is occlumency, everyone else is wondering what the heck is going on. Try another question."

"Ok Ron, I have to ask you another question just to be sure... Sorry Mate. Have you seen Hermione since her kidnapping?" Harry asked.

"Yes." Ron answered again. There was some muttering around to room so Ron opened up his wallet. He took A photo of Hermione, Harry and Himself out and handed it to Harry, "I have been looking at this since she was kidnapped, I really miss my friend." Draco attempted not to snort, he knew the truth behind the break up with Hermione and was not falling for his lies.

Harry heard Draco again. "Potter, he is trying to play you. We should let him think he has tricked us and come up with a plan on how to deal with him. He is the only one lying to cover his answers. I know he is your best mate but I really think it is him. Would you or anyone else ever think Ron would or could do this. Please Harry, believe me."

Hearing Draco call him Harry shocked him a bit. Draco rarely called anyone by the first name. He knew Draco was right because he felt the same way. Harry was very upset when he spoke. "Ok, I get it, I miss her too." Harry turned to the rest of the team. "Maybe Hermione was wrong or tricked or maybe the abductor made here send the Patronus to get us off guard. Whatever the case may be, I do not see a traitor with us. With that being said everyone take a break for lets say, an hour while I pull the blueprints of the Manor." Harry finished. With a nod everyone left the room.

Not five minutes later everyone except Ron had returned with Draco. "Take a seat," Harry said. Everyone did and looked at him curiously.

"What is going on Harry?" Neville asked.

"As you can tell we have one person missing from the group right now. Hermione was right about the traitor." Harry said.

"When is she not right?" Ginny asked. A small laugh went around the room.

"Ron is the traitor?" Luna asked bringing everyone back to the issue at hand.

"Yes, we didn't want him to know that I figured out he that he was lying. This is not easy for me so I need your help. We need to come up with a plan, any ideas?" Harry asked

"I think I have one, but you will not like it Potter" Zabini said.

"I am not going to like any ideas involving Ron, Blaise, so what is your idea?" Harry answered.

"We need to catch him off guard. I never figured him to be very smart but he was able to kidnap Hermione so we should keep an eye on him. He confirmed that she is in Malfoy Manor but we don't know what he has done to her or the Manor itself. I think we should let him lead us to her so he doesn't get suspicious and stun him once he is distracted" Blaise said.

"We have to be extra careful with letting him do that, who knows if he has placed traps for us. He may want to play the hero to try and win her back. I don't think he ever truly let her go." Pansy said Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I will go and get the maps," Draco said a bit of a bite to his voice. He was not happy about the possibility that Weasley would do this to try and get Hermione back.

"Harry, Ron has always been the strategist because of how well he can see the whole board. We should have him do his normal planing process or he will wonder why and we don't wont him to became suspicious." Ginny said.

"Good Idea, Gin." Pansy acknowledged.

"Alright, So we will act like nothing is wrong and take him into custody when it is safe to do so. Now that we have a plan let's go and take a break. It is going to be a long day" Harry said. Everyone nodded and left the room. Harry stood looking at the letter for a moment. I am sorry Hermione he thought. I will get you back safe. don't give up on me. He whispered and let a single tear fall form his eye. This was the first time he had a moment to be scared, worried, angry, and so many other emotions. He took this moment to release them all since no one was around. He turned form the letter and walked out the room, dreading what was to come.

Hermione's POV

Hermione was awaken by a sharp pain and realized she was being kicked in the ribs. "You... stupid... Mud...blood..., you... think... you're... so... smart..." Ron Yelled, kicking her with each word. Hermione looked up at him. "Stop it! Why are you doing this?" She screamed. He stopped and looked at her with cold eyes. Now remembering he had Oblivated some of her memory, so he asked "What do you remember?" Hermione had never seen Ron like this, nothing the was no emotion almost like he had no feelings what so ever. For the first time in her life she was actually scared of Ronald Weasley and desperately wished she had her wand.

"I asked you, what do you remember?" Ron said again with his voice as cold as ice. She needed to stall, to figure this out. She decided to tell him what she remembered so that way she could process what was going on aloud herself. "I was taken for my home by Lucius Malfoy, He had me write a letter to say my goodbyes, I have a missing memory or a fake one of someone on my team, our team, telling me that I would never have my wand again. I believe my memory was oblivated or attempted to be modified because the memory is blurry and fuzzy almost making me think it is not true, and then the next thing I know your kicking me." She finished

Ron stared at her. He had forgotten just how smart she actually was. He knew she was smart but to realize someone had messed with her memory slightly impressed him. "Very good, you know we found the hidden message in your letter. And we are working on a plan to come and save you" He grinned. Hermione became worried, she had seen that face before. When he would interrogate caught Death Eaters with unspeakable means. "Now that was clever, your boyfriend spent hours looking at the damn message sure there was something there. I thought he had gone completely mad. But no he found it, Malfoy Manor in black and white. So now that you have your team working on a rescue mission, what am I going to do? I could kill you, Move you, put traps around so that they could die trying to get to you, very tempting that one. I wonder if I could trick lover boy?, or maybe I will just do something a bit more drastic? Hmmm… What do you think Hermione?" Ron asked.

Hermione's mind was racing. She would be lying if she said she wasn't afraid of dying, but being Harry Potter's best friend and an auror the possibility of dying came with the territory. She had worked almost her entire life staying alive and keeping the others alive as well. But she wasn't worth dying for, she hoped Ron wouldn't kill anyone while they tried to find her. Moving her could be an option but then she would never be found and they, Harry, Draco, and the others would never stop looking for her. A lost cause that would drive them insane. And she didn't want to know what drastic measures Ron would take to keep her quiet. So she really only had one option. "Kill me" She said aloud, thinking that at least they would find her and be able to move on. Ron shook his head. "Really, that would be to easy and not nearly as much fun. Seeing Harry and your dear ferret standing by not able to do anything to help you. No I think I like this plan better." With that she was hit by a nonverbal spell.

She felt herself laying on the floor. She was unable to move but her body wasn't stiff so she hadn't been stupefied. She was able to hear what was going on around her but she wasn't able to open her eyes. She didn't know what Ron had hit her with but she really didn't like it.

"Aw Lucius, come and see what your wonderful spell did to the brains of the golden trio." She heard Ron say. Then she heard footstep and she assumed they where Lucius'. "I must return, it is almost time but before I go. I just want to make sure that she can hear everything and yet do nothing about it?" Ron said with a bit of giddiness in his voice. "That's correct," Lucius answered. "Perfect, Have you figured out what how you are going to get your son? It is truly a shame that we can't kill them, it would make thing easier. But when are prophecies ever easy?" Ron asked. "Yes, I have a plan for my son and we are ready to retrieve the Prophecy. Today should be as good of a time as any. Once they retrieve Miss Granger than their defenses will be distracted." Lucius stated. "I Agree." She heard Ron say. Then he heard him step closer to her. " O Hermione, no more funny business or I will make your life and the ferret's are a living nightmare and you will do nothing to stop me." He said laughing as he exited the room. Lucius must have gone as well because she heard no other sounds in the room.

Hermione's mind was still racing and now in overdrive. A Prophecy? An unknown spell? Argh she thought to herself. She hated not being able to figure things out, it was already making her nervous and it had only been a few minutes. Not being able to do anything was torture, and then it hit her. Ron had put her in a non physical but mental torture. He had prevented her from using the things she most needed, her mind and body. She would figure out how to break this spell and when she did the next thing she was going to break would be his neck.