A/N: I know I promised earlier that I wouldn't do an author note every chapter, but I don't want to be sued for "stealing someone else's ideas" so here we are. I don't own any of this. It is all the creation of the wonderful J.K. Rowling. Please review!

Suspicions Arise… Dead Ones

"Potter!" Blaise fumed, storming into Grimmauld place. "Potter, wherever you are you'd better get out here now!"

Draco sighed, rubbing his hand over his eyes and wishing vainly that he was home instead of here; about to deal with Potter, all the while having a monumental migraine. Pansy followed silently behind him; keeping her eyes trained on Blaise as he paced furiously in front of the fireplace.

"He doesn't have to be this upset," she whispered, taking a seat on the couch.

"Blaise has this awful thing called a conscience Pansy," Draco murmured, sitting down besides her. "And he let's it rule his emotions too much. Even if the people concerned don't deserve an ounce of his consideration."

They both looked up as they heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Harry entered the room moments after, his face showing signs of surprise.

"How did things go at the club?" He asked, looking between the three Slytherins.

"Shouldn't you already know Potter?" Blaise asked, anger seeping through his voice.

"How in Godric's name would I know?" Harry asked, looking at the other man. "I've been here the entire night, looking over MLE files with Ron."

"And where was your wife Potter? Can she claim she was here all night?"

"I have no control over what my wife does Mr. Zabini," Harry replied, glancing into the entryway.

"Why did you send her to the club Potter?" Pansy interrupted, shooting a sharp glance at Blaise to silence him.

"Who said anything about sending Ginny to the club?" Harry asked, looking rather tense. "The Harpies often mingle at the clubs in the area. It doesn't mean anything that she was there tonight."

"Don't be ridiculous Potter," Draco jumped in. "It's obvious that she was there to make sure we did what we were supposed to do."

"Alright, fine. We sent Ginny to the club to make sure nothing bad happened," Harry said, sighing in defeat. "It was Arthur's idea. We just wanted to make sure-"

"You don't trust us," Pansy said firmly, a twinge of pain in her words.

"How could he Pans?" Blaise hissed. "He has every reason not to."

"So you three are upset because we sent someone to watch your backs?" Harry asked with disbelief. "That's unbelievable."

"That's not why Potter," Pansy murmured quietly. "It's who your wife was talking to that worries us."

"So who was she talking to?" Harry asked. "She know's loads of people guys."

"Theo. Theodore Nott," Blaise said quickly. "I don't know if she realized it or not."

"What's so bad about Theo?" Harry said, looking utterly confused.

"Of all the people we talked to tonight, Theo was one of the only ones who was furious over what happened to the Death Eaters and such during the War," Pansy explained. "He's one of the ones that said that if he had a chance to get revenge; he would. You can't let Ginny just talk to people like that. She's out there…. She's known. If someone wanted to get to you, they would have the perfect opportunity with Ginny."

"So it doesn't matter if you talk to them," Harry said, one eyebrow quirked.

"No it doesn't," Blaise stated. "We…. we are known as being shady and… untrustworthy just because we were in Slytherin and we're pureblood. People don't think twice about us asking things, or being seen somewhere shifty. If you care about your wife at all, you will not send her after us again understand Potter? You can trust us. We're doing everything by your book."

"Alright," Harry said finally. "Did you learn anything else?"

"No," Blaise answered. "The thing with Theo was all that we found. People seem happy with what happened and what's going on in the world."

"That sounds suspiciously like good news," Hermione quipped, coming down the stairs and heading to the kitchen.

Pansy's brow furrowed as Hermione's bushy hair disappeared around the corner into the kitchen. "Is she always that sarcastic?"

"Yes actually," Harry answered with a smile. "It's rather funny."

"Whatever you say…" Pansy said slowly.

"Well if you're done giving the report," Draco said, suddenly getting up from his seat. "I would like to be going."

"Sure," Harry replied. "Thanks for the update…."

"Sorry it wasn't more helpful," Pansy offered, standing to join Draco and Blaise.

"No it was plenty helpful," Harry reassured. "It may come in handy later on. Or possibly sooner. You never know."

Pansy and Blaise nodded, following Draco out of the room as he headed for the door. Harry followed for a moment, and shut the door quietly behind them. Once the door was shut Hermione emerged from the kitchen, a cup of tea in her hands.

"What was that about?"

"Nothing really," Harry sighed, flopping down on the couch. "They didn't find anything really useful at the moment…. Although they did see Ginny."

"Good," Hermione said, sitting down next to him. "Then they know that we're watching and that we don't completely trust them. I think it's good they saw her."

Harry sighed again; removing his glasses and cleaning them on his shirt. "I do trust them though…. I mean, they don't have to be doing this for us. Granted, they're rather hesitant sometimes, but still. They could be letting us just figure it out on our own and they're not. And so far I think they've proved themselves."

Hermione snorted lightly into her cup. "Sure Harry."

"Well, at least we have more help so we don't have to do everything ourselves," Harry pointed out. "It should be easier this time."

"I do agree with that part," Hermione nodded, finishing off her tea. "It's too bad going to Hogwarts wasn't more useful."

"Don't worry about it Hermione," Harry said. "Sometimes we can't find everything in a book. Maybe this time we just have to go for it."

Hermione nodded, getting up and putting her cup on the small side table. "I know…. I just feel more confident when someone else wrote it down first you know?" Harry nodded, as Hermione yawned.

"Go home Hermione," Harry suggested. "There isn't anything more we can do tonight. Go home and rest. You aren't able to function if you don't sleep."

"Okay okay," Hermione said through more yawns. "You don't have to try and convince me. I was going to go anyways…. I'll be back tomorrow."

"Alright Hermione," Harry said gently. "Go home. We can work more tomorrow."

Hermione nodded, taking a pinch of powder from the pot by the fireplace; disappearing in a soft puff of green flame.

...

"What are you doing?"

Hermione glanced up from her book; her eyes widening when she saw who her visitor was. "Reading." she answered simply.

"Yes I can see that," Draco sighed exasperatedly. "What are you reading?"

"Just a history book on pureblood ancestry and traditions," Hermione said, her eyes returning to the page.

"I'm sure that's beyond interesting," he scoffed. "Did you want anything to eat?"

"Are you actually being nice to me and offering me food so I don't starve?" Hermione commented drily. "Awe the little itty bitty Slytherin actually cares about me…."

"I don't particularly care Granger," Draco said, scanning the book titles on the nearby shelf. "Potter's wife is cooking and told me to come ask you if you wanted anything. I wouldn't be up here otherwise."

"Wonderful," Hermione muttered under her breath. "You can tell her I'll be down in a minute," she said louder this time so he could hear.

Draco didn't say anything, just pulled a book from off the shelf. "What is this?"

Hermione glanced up to see what book he had pulled off. Events of the American Civil Rights Movement. She smiled to herself; and closed the book in front of her. "It's a book I got for Harry on his birthday a couple of years ago. I don't think he ever read it… You can read it though. You might actually like it."

He looked at it for a few moments before putting it back on the bookcase. "Make sure you're down in a moment," he called behind his shoulder as he left. "Potter's wife will kill me otherwise, and I'd rather not die on your account."

"Glad to see you have a heart," Hermione said sarcastically, putting her book down to follow him out of the room.

"Is she coming?" Ginny asked as Draco walked by the kitchen.

He rolled his eyes and paused in the doorway, glancing at the fiery redhead. "I'm not going to grace that with an answer," he finally said, disappearing as the bushy haired woman rounded the corner.

"I'm here," Hermione reassured Ginny, shooting Draco a sharp look. "It's a good thing too. I never really think about food when I'm researching."

"I know," Ginny smiled. "That's what I'm here for. To make sure you don't starve to death."

"Of all the ways to go, I would much rather not starve," Hermione laughed taking a seat at the counter, and accepting the plate of food that Ginny offered her.

Draco for his part, had continued past the kitchen to enter the sitting room where Blaise and Pansy were already seated, scribbling on long scrolls of parchment.

"That took you much much longer than expected," Blaise commented without looking up.

"That's because Granger is a total prick who likes to make life difficult for everyone else," Draco countered, picking up a quill. "Which ones have you finished?"

"Those ones on the left," Pansy answered, pointing to a pile of scrolls piled on the couch.

Draco nodded, taking one off the pile and scanning it before adding a few lines at the bottom.

"When are you leaving?" Pansy asked, breaking the small silence.

"In approximately three hours," Draco replied, glancing at the watch on his wrist. "And before you ask; I get back on Sunday, which is two days from now. Anything else? Oh wait. I'm going to Belgium. That should answer all your questions."

Pansy glared at him, but he could see the smile behind her anger. He smirked in her direction before turning back to the stack of parchments and selecting another roll.

Exactly two and three quarters of an hour later Draco was gone, the stack of parchments was lying completed on the coffee table, and two remaining Slytherins were slouched on the couch, bits of ink dotting their hands and wrists. They both jumped as Hermione rushed into the room; her hair going everywhere and her robes half-buttoned.

"We have to go," she said is a rush of breath. "Can you guys come?"

"Of course," Blaise replied immediately, standing and grabbing his wand from the coffee table.

"What happened?" Pansy asked, grabbing her wand and following Hermione from the room.

"Katie flooed us from St. Mungo's where she works," Hermione said as they rushed out of Grimmauld Place. "Someone's house was attacked a few moments ago, and they're on the way right now. They're trying to keep it under the radar, but Katie needs us all there to figure this out."

"Where's Potter?" Blaise questioned as they hurried down the street.

"He and Ron flooed to St. Mungo's as soon as they heard," Hermione explained as they neared the end of the street. "The rest of the Order is either there or on the way. This is far enough," she said as they came to a halt. "We can apparate from here without muggles seeing."

Blaise and Pansy nodded; then all at once, the three disappeared with little pops, reappearing in the white-tile entryway of St. Mungo's. Hermione hurried over to talk to the receptionist, who gave her a few directions, pointing down the right hallway. Hermione thanked the young witch, and the three rushed down the hall to the room Katie was supposed to be in. Pansy opened the sleek metal door, and they were immediately greeted with chaos. Order members were rushing around the room; Katie was giving instructions, and everyone seemed to be in a panic.

"Katie!" Hermione exclaimed, pushing her way into the room. "What's going on?"

"Hermione," Katie sighed, relief flooding her face. "Merlin I'm glad you're here. Turns out the house that was attacked was Neville and Hannah's. It was really early this morning, and I don't think it's going to get out. Kingsley was here earlier and talked it over with the staff, and he's going to make sure it's not going to hit the public."

"Are they alright?" Hermione asked, her wand still clutched tightly in her hand.

"I think they will be," Katie reassured her. "I have people in here making sure everything gets done… I looked at them earlier, and nothing seemed too serious. A few broken bones, a some jinx and hex marks, and a slight Cruciatus Curse residue, but it was all pretty fixable. They'll need some time to recover, but I don't think there was any lasting damage."

Hermione let out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding at the conclusion of Katie's explanation. They were going to be okay. That was more reassurance than anything else.

"Hermione…." Katie said slowly. "There was something else I wanted to talk to you about… but I don't think here is a good place. Can we go to my office?"

Hermione nodded, and followed Katie from the bustling room and down the hall to the offices. Katie flicked her wand at the white frosted door with rose-gold letters; Healer Bell. They walked into Katie's office, and Hermione took a seat next to the window; her shoulders slumping slightly as she sat. Katie shut the door firmly, waving her wand over the door to make sure no one heard them talking. She turned around; her shoulders squared as she sat down in her chair, tucking her robes underneath her legs.

"Hermione, I might sound crazy when I say this, but…. I just have this gut feeling," she said, looking hesitantly at Hermione.

"Katie, you never sound crazy," Hermione reassured her. "Besides, with everything going on, it would be pretty hard to actually convince me that you're crazy. I want to hear what you think."

"Alright," Katie said, taking a deep breath. "I think Bellatrix is the one who attacked Neville and Hannah's house."

"Bellatrix," Hermione repeated, her face blank. "Katie…..Bellatrix is dead. Molly killed her during the Battle of Hogwarts. There really isn't a way that any like that is possible."

"I know it sounds absolutely absurd," Katie said, looking somewhat doubtful. "But Lee was one of the ones who went over to their house once we heard, and what he saw really sets my theory in stone."

"What did Lee see?" Hermione asked, feeling rather doubtful and silly for even entertaining the idea of Bellatrix being alive.

"You know Bellatrix was the one who drove Neville's parents into insanity? Well there was a note on the wall, written in blood Lee assumes, that said 'mummy and daddy's crazy little boy.' You know Bellatrix is one to do insane things. And killing the entire Greengrass family seems a lot like something she would do."

"Katie…" Hermione trailed. "All Death Eaters are extremely violent. This doesn't mean that Bellatrix is back."

"Maybe you're right," Katie whispered. "Maybe I'm just working too much on an overtired brain."

"Katie, you know I respect you and your opinion… but this is a little outrageous," Hermione said softly. "It is undoubtedly Death Eaters that did this, but I don't think it's Bellatrix. There really isn't…." Hermione seemed scrambled and she floundered to find the right words without hurting her friend. "I just… I don't think there's a possible way for this to be the work of Bellatrix herself. Maybe someone is working in her name and doing things the way she did, but…."

"Hermione it's alright," Katie interrupted with a small smile. "You don't have to try and make me… feel better about it. I knew it was a crazy thought. Thank you for listening to me at least."

Hermione nodded, and both young witches headed out of the office and back to the now less crowded hospital room. Neville and Hannah lay on adjoining hospital beds; their peaceful faces contrasting the heavy cloud that floated over the room. Few people were left in the room now; and Blaise headed over as soon as he saw her.

"Gods Hermione, where did you go?" he asked, worry lining his voice. "You disappeared as soon as we got here and no one knew where you'd gone…"

"I didn't mean to worry anyone," Hermione replied worriedly. "Katie just wanted to talk to me in private."

Blaise nodded, seeming satisfied with her answer. "I know you probably want to make sure your friends are alright, but can I talk to you really quick sometime tonight?"

Hermione nodded, looking over her shoulder at the small crowd still in the room. "I can talk now if you want. We'll probably be here for most of the night."

The corner of his mouth turned up slightly, and they walked to a uninhabited corner of the room. "Hermione…. I don't want you to take this the wrong way or anything if I tell you this," he started, his gaze firm and unblinking.

"Blaise, I promise I'm not going to take it the wrong way. I'm just going to listen to what you have to say," Hermione reassured him, gently placing her hand on his arm.

He stood still for a moment, searching her eyes as if to read her thoughts before he continued. "What happened tonight and to the Greengrass family is all uniform to one person. Bellatrix is the only person who would leave marks like that in a time like this."

Hermione's shoulders slouched slightly and her brows furrowed as she looked at her friend. "You too? Godric, what are you all drinking? Katie said the exact same thing earlier and I'll tell you what I told her. Bellatrix is dead. I don't know if you knew that, but she is. She died in the Battle of Hogwarts, at the hands of Molly Weasley. There is no possible way that she could be doing this Blaise. Maybe someone is doing it in her name, but it's not her."

"Hermione I know you think I'm crazy, but I'm telling you it has to be her," Blaise insisted.

"Blaise…. I know we all want to find someone to blame for all of this and trust me, we will find someone. It's one of the remaining Death Eaters; but it is NOT one who is already dead."

Blaise looked at her for a few moments before giving her a slight nod and exiting the room without another word. Hermione watched him leave before turning back to her friends; hoping she could find some way to help.