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.
Author's Note: Chapter lengths are kept short so that I can update as regularly as possible. I have very little spare time and prefer to get the chapters done in one sitting. I will, however, attempt to lengthen them. Also, I'm lazy. Genre has been changed from Parody to Suspense, because I felt Parody didn't quite fit, and there's no appropriate genre for "Twisted".
Chapter Nine
The tent was the dictionary definition of twisted Gothic architecture; the ceilings were high, a culmination of pointed arches, ribbed vaults and unending pillars. So dark and gritty it was though, that there was no doubt it belonged to Severus Snape. That was the inside, of course. The outside showed a simple dome tent, to fit perhaps four, or at a squeeze, five. There were five of them now, and they could sleep well away from each other, if they so desired.
'This is some Undetectable Extension Charm,' muttered Tonks, looking upwards at the high torch brackets, which illuminated the tent to some degree. She squinted at the torch brackets. 'Is that Gubraithian fire?'
Snape did not answer; he had just set foot in the tent, and immediately stalked off in the opposite direction to everyone else. Evidently, he did not seem happy about sharing a tent with his companions, or so Tonks thought.
Obviously, they couldn't run headfirst into the nearest Wizarding Mafia outpost, claiming to be interested in the shadier side of life. Careful planning was required, beyond "we'll do it on Saturday."
Sirius looked at Tonks thoughtfully. 'He doesn't seem to happy, does he?' He gestured towards the retreating figure of Snape.
'I'm the one that should be unhappy,' said Tonks, with a mildly disgusted look on her face. 'I actually have to pretend I'm his wife.' She shuddered. It was deemed the best course of action was to set up camp in a muggle camping ground – apparently one that was close to their destination. As Sirius was still a fugitive, even in the muggle world, Dobby had used his considerable talents to make them invisible; while outdoors, at least. That left Tonks - transformed into a tall, middle-aged woman with blonde hair – as Snape's "wife", and Luna, their "daughter". On a camping trip.
Now indoors, Tonks had transformed back. She did not want to be stuck in the form that she had associated with marriage to Snape. Despite the transformations, she was still wearing the clothes she had put on three days previously. They were blood stained – a talking point in the muggle world, apparently – and would need to be replaced or cleaned. No time for replacement.
'Tergeo.' Most of the blood siphoned itself off, but there were a few lingering stains. 'Good enough, I suppose.' The two cousins sat on a couch next to each other, across from Snape. Luna sat cross-legged on the rug next to the flickering fireplace – Gubraithian again, thought Tonks – and began reading an issue of The Quibbler that she had stashed in the pocket of her luminescent robes.
It had been decided by popular vote – Snape the dissenting – that there was no real point in excluding the girl from their conversations. Dobby was not forbidden from the proceedings, but he apparently much preferred the nigh impossible act of sterilising the tent.
Apparently, Tonks looked a little nervous, for Snape said, with a slight hint of denigration, 'You needn't worry. I have ensured we are protected from intrusion.'
'I would've thought your house was protected from intrusion, too.' Sirius spoke back, somewhat harshly. He was quick to defend his cousin's daughter lately; their recent brushes with death only served to strengthen their friendship.
'It would have been, had Nymphadora not sent a Patronus.'
'She doesn't like being called Nymphadora.' Luna spoke quietly, and for all that softness, the unexpected sound of her voice made Tonks jump, almost knocking over the small table in front of her.
Snape ignored Luna's comment, but continued to throw harsh observations towards the two Black descendants before him. 'Your future actions will have to be much more careful, lest you wish to reveal yourselves before we find what we are looking for. I would expect nothing more from either of you.'
'I think he's just upset that he's not allowed to go alone.' Again, Luna's voice startled Tonks, and this time she did knock the table over, shattering its leg.
'Reparo.' She was not in the mood for non-verbal spells – they tended to open the mind to an extent, and that was not something one wanted to do with a Legilimens sitting right in front of them. Unfortunately, the table's state of repair was short-lived. A flash of fire cut the tension; Tonks lashed out with her wand, instinctively blowing up the table. A single piece of parchment fell to the floor, accompanied by a golden phoenix feather.
'Fawkes,' breathed Snape. Ignoring the blatant table damage, Snape retrieved the parchment. His eyes narrowed as they transcended the page. He handed it wordlessly to Sirius. Tonks leaned forwards to read it. The note was fairly short, and to the point:
Stay in your present location for now, I will update with further orders. Ginny Weasley has awakened, and mentions a man named "Pellinore", but nothing else. Wait for my next communiqué.
The note was not signed, but there was really no doubt as to who had sent it. For now, Dumbledore wanted them to hold their position. None of the three adults could feel more frustrated if they tried.
A/N: As you can see, everything is perfectly planned out, and every plot twist will be foreshadowed. As a further note, reviews detailing your thoughts on my progress would be much appreciated.
