Because I have to make it up to you... Enjoy! :D

Chapter eight: A second Lancelot

When Draco saw his love's convoy arrive, he was full of joy: finally! But as soon as he noticed two men detaching themselves from it and gallop at full speed in the direction of the castle, he knew that something wasn't right.

So he got down the tower he mounted some time before to see the convoy arrive, and run towards the guards who were already opening the gates for the arriving guests.

He recognised King James' second in command as soon as he saw him and addressed him without hesitating: 'Sir Black! What is the meaning of this? What happened?'

'Your highness', the knight began his report, 'I have to tell you that the Duchess of le Grange has been abducted while roaming the woods one last time with the prince.'

'Abducted? Roaming the woods? And with Harry? What were they thinking?'

But Black didn't have to answer that, because just at this moment Harry entered the castle and heard Draco's question:

'I didn't think Draco and it is entirely my fault. I just saw how sad she looked in this carriage and thought that a little ride and a hunt would brighten her spirits. I didn't think a minute that the woods weren't safe anymore.'

Draco didn't linger on Harry's heartfelt apology but questioned him further:

'Where did it happen?'

'Half a day's ride from our castle, why?'

Draco sighed and put both his hands on Harry's shoulders, looking him in the eye: 'because it means that you were being followed from the beginning. And that also means that it wasn't entirely your fault.'

His words eased Harry's guilt a bit, but not completely. As the whole convoy was now inside the castle walls, both headed to the great hall, where Draco would hold an emergency meeting to build a plan to come to Hermione's rescue.

'What do we truly know about Lord Voldemort? Who are his men, what are they fighting for? What is his character?', asked King James.

Lucius seemed to hesitate, but soon decided that he had to be honest:

'Not much really. He is a fallen Lord that tries to steal and violate his way back to power and wealth. As such, he has of course attracted a lot of criminals and villains that follow him blindly because he gives them what they want.'

'He doesn't seem as the man who had the idea of relocating as often as they do', Draco thought aloud. 'Nor to patiently wait for Harry and Hermione detaching themselves from the convoy. In fact, someone had to know of your habit to go out into the woods.'

'Your son is right Lucius. Voldemort would have attacked the whole convoy, the way you described him.'

'So there has to be someone doing his more important thinking', Harry continued his father's line of thinking, 'someone who, as it seems, must have known Hermione and me. Father, what was the knight called you threw out some years ago?'

'You mean Snape?'

'Yes, that's him! I remember him being very loyal to mother.' His tone of voice when speaking the word "very" made everyone understand that this knight had to be after the queen.

'You're very right Harry. It is the reason why I had him thrown out of the castle and my service. He was an old friend of your mother's, they grew up together. But I couldn't have him turn around her like a panther around his prey for much longer, especially after she tried to reason with him. But he wouldn't have it!'

'So you think that he betrayed the Potters and turned to Lord Voldemort to seek his revenge?', Draco asked Harry.

'Well, it could be anyone, really. We have other enemies out there of course, but Snape even taught us once in a while. He knows both me and Hermione really well.'

The men went silent. Each of them trying to think about what this information could bring them.

'If I may?', Sir Black asked, 'even if it was Snape, which I really think probable myself, it doesn't help us in the short run. We still have to locate them, before we can think about outsmarting them to save the Duchess.'

'You are very right', announced King Lucius' Marshall, Theodore's father. 'Your Majesty, please let me search for them with some of my men. We will take some pigeons with us and follow them, so that we will be able to let you know of their position anytime.'

Lucius turned his head to James, who nodded once, signalling his accord.

'Alright Nott, do as you said, but take some of King James' men with you. I'm sure they are eager to help find their duchess.'

The Marshall nodded once then turned to Sir Black and both excited the hall to prepare their search for Lord Voldemort's whereabouts.

'Now', continued Draco, 'we need a plan.'