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Twisted Roots

Chapter 13

Andromeda gratefully deposited a happily squirming Teddy into Harry's arms two Saturdays before Ginny was due to leave Hogwarts for the holidays. Harry cheerfully agreed to babysit the blue haired tyke so that Andromeda could go Christmas shopping with Narcissa. Andromeda was pleasantly surprised to see Hermione and Draco at Harry's house as well. At first, Andromeda was nervous about reestablishing ties with her sister but was more than happy she did. Narcissa told Andromeda as much as she could about Lucius' plans without giving her too many details and while Andromeda was not totally convinced she was too lonely and missed her sister too much to not spend time with her. If Lucius' intentions were indeed honourable then Andromeda was willing to help in any way she could.

"So that's Lupin's and my cousin's baby, huh?" Draco asked tickling the baby's chin as Harry bounced him on his knee. Draco studied the child for family resemblance with mixed emotions. He never really knew Tonks like Hermione and Harry did, but he still felt he should be mourning the loss of the child's mother somehow. The only person Draco missed with all his heart was actually Severus Snape, but not even Hermione knew how close he actually was to his former potions professor and Godfather. Nobody answered Draco's rhetorical question, but Hermione watched solemnly as Harry placed Teddy on the floor and started to play pat a cake with him.

Andromeda noticed Hermione's somber expression and moved over to her. "Something the matter, dear?"

Hermione was startled when Andromeda addressed her; she was so deep in thought. Andromeda looked so much like Bellatrix it was almost frightening. If Bellatrix had two likenesses, one good, one evil, Hermione imagined that Andromeda was the good personification. She had all of Bellatrix's adumbral beauty but none of the haughtiness or the demoniac gleam in her eye. Narcissa resembled Andromeda only in the shape of her eyes and mouth. Narcissa was pale and light compared to Andromeda and her beauty was unparalleled and dynastic. Hermione marveled for a moment at the sheer scope of power those three sisters could have had if they had not been ripped apart by prejudice and war.

"It just makes me sad," Hermione said quietly, gesturing to Harry and Teddy. "It's the ultimate injustice that all the men in Harry's life had to be killed, and now Teddy is growing up without his parents for the same reason. And you lost everything too."

Hermione felt tears welling up in her eyes. Draco had joined Harry on the floor and they were taking it in turns to roll a ball back and forth with the baby who was laughing merrily.

"I would say it is a blessing in disguise that Teddy never got a chance to know his parents so will never know what he missed, but I can't because it's not true. I watched Harry battle with it his whole life, and now Teddy's parents are heroes to so he will go through the same thing. I'm really sorry Andromeda; I don't know what's gotten into me," Hermione continued wiping tears away from her eyes. Draco looked up at Hermione his smile turning into a look of concern at the expression on Hermione's face. Hermione smiled weakly at him, but turned back to Andromeda. After a pause Draco reluctantly went back to the game.

Andromeda patted Hermione on the arm and led her to the kitchen for some tea and conversation. "Sometimes I really truly feel like Andromeda."

Hermione looked at her confused. "What do you mean?"

"The mythical Andromeda, not myself, Hermione. Legends has it that Andromeda was the princess daughter of Queen Cassiopeia. Cassiopeia was a vain woman who bragged to the god Poseidon of her own beauty. Poseidon was so disgusted with her amour-propre that she forced her to sacrifice her own daughter to a great sea monster. Andromeda was chained to a rock in the sea where she was left to perish. Perseus happened upon her and fell in love with her. He saved her but eventually he too perished and now Andromeda is immortalized in the sky. She can be seen with her arms stretched before her with chains around her hands."

Andromeda paused to take a sip of tea. Hermione waited with bated breath to hear more. Setting the cup down, Andromeda stared in front of her with a faraway look in her eyes.

"My own mother was afflicted with conceit because of not only her beauty, but the beauty of her daughters, and her father's Pureblood values. She didn't literally or metaphorically sacrifice me, but she was bound to lose one of us because of her associations with people like the Dark Lord. I felt like I was chained to a rock in the sea my whole life waiting for that moment to come. I watched Bellatrix and Narcissa choose their paths and I feared that I would be the one forced; the one sacrificed so to speak. Teddy Tonks was my Perseus. We stumbled upon each other in unlikely circumstances, him a Hufflepuff, and me a Slytherin. Now that he is gone I feel like that constellation in the sky, I will always be reaching for him, and Nymphadora, but my hands will always be chained together."

Hermione was crying freely now. The metaphor was beautiful and while Hermione never really felt like her hands were tied and she had never lost loved ones to the same extent, she could empathize. She had seen enough people suffer to know that Andromeda was not being melodramatic she was stating an unvarnished truth. Hermione quickly wiped her eyes as she heard the bubbling laughter of little Teddy and the deeper chuckling of Draco and Harry approaching the room. She felt silly for crying, but the moment had been very emotional and it couldn't be helped.

"I think he's hungry," Harry said depositing Teddy into his high chair. Kreacher appeared out of nowhere ready to strain some fruit and peas for Teddy to eat. Teddy squealed with delight at his appearance and immediately transformed his own nose and ears to match the elf's. Teddy happily clapped his hands as everyone cheered his transformation, Kreacher included.

Draco slid into the chair next to Hermione and reached for her hand. Leaning over so the others wouldn't hear, he whispered in her ear. "Are you okay? You look upset."

Hermione squeezed his hand and looked into his shining silver eyes. She could see love reflected there and she felt another surge of emotion rush through her. Fighting back tears once again she forced a smile. "I'm okay."

"You're lying, Hermione."

"I'm not completely lying," she said a touch defensively. "I am okay, I was just thinking about some things."

Draco stared at her. Hermione was a rock and she rarely got overly emotional. The only time he had seen her cry other than the Final Battle was when she broke up with Ron and he had understood that. The only time he saw her temper flair out of control was when she'd hit him and Umbridge, and he'd understood that too, but now she was upset about something else entirely and she wasn't willing to confide in him. That really troubled him. He wanted to be her confidante.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.

Hermione turned toward him and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. "No, I really don't. It has nothing to do with you and there is nothing you can do about it. I really am okay. Just consider it girl stuff."

Still not completely satisfied Draco agreed to let it go. He knew better than to push her. She had never once pushed him, he could return to the courtesy.

"Well, I think I'll be off." Andromeda said walking over to Teddy to give him a kiss goodbye. "You be good be for Uncle Harry."

"Why don't we take Teddy to Hogsmeade?" Harry suggested after Andromeda left.

Draco looked at Hermione and then at Harry. He had been seen in public often enough with Hermione, it was only a matter of time before Harry came along. Draco finally nodded. "Just don't embarrass me," he said jokingly.

Harry laughed. "Well, hell has officially frozen over. Today you hang out in public with two thirds of the golden trio, and tomorrow we will make you an honorary Gryffindor."

"Watch it Potter."

It was no secret that Lucius Malfoy was a self-serving bastard. Malfoys were notorious for practicing self-preservation to a fault and it was that trait that had Xavrius Troy on his guard around Lucius. His conversation with the Lestrange brothers made him even more leery. He was playing a double agent to the Ministry and to the old ways but Troy couldn't quite figure out what he actually believed in. Lucius was playing both parts very well. Even now Lucius was visiting with Percy Weasley, in what Troy was to understand was a routine weekly check to ensure that Malfoy was following the terms of his probation.

Troy, Matthias, Koslov, Lucius, and Percy Weasley were all gathered in the lush smoking room of Malfoy manor. Lucius was once more perched on his Victorian armchair as if it was a throne. Percy stood up from his more modest wooden chair and approached the front of the room.

"I apologise for interrupting when you had company, but I assumed you remembered the time and date of our meeting," Percy eyed Lucius' other guests. They were both fidgeting as if they had news they wanted to share but did not want Percy to be privy to it. Sensing their consternation he concluded quickly. "I will return next week at the same time if you have any questions that cannot wait, don't hesitate to owl me."

Percy showed himself out. Lucius had looked thoroughly annoyed at the arrival of the three men remaining in the room. Ever since Lucius' release from prison he'd had a weekly standing appointment with someone from the Ministry. Percy was convinced that Lucius was trying to get into contact with Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange but as yet had been unsuccessful. Percy realized that Lucius was in a difficult position being homebound, but based on Matthias' ill concealed excitement, Percy was willing to wager that contact had been made. Troy had kept a suspicious eye on Percy during his short visit. There was something about Troy that Percy did not like. He did not particularly like any of the characters that Lucius called friends, but something about Xavrius Troy was particularly irksome.

Back in the smoking room, Lucius eyed his companions with a look that was dangerously akin to disdain. He didn't like his little weekly meetings getting interrupted, but he especially didn't want someone to just show up when Draco was around.

"I thought I made it clear that I do not want any unannounced visits," he stated. "I may be bound to my own home, but that does not imply I should lose my privacy as well."

Matthias shifted a glance in Troy's direction. Troy was watching Lucius carefully, Koslov was staring at a spot directly above the mantlepiece. Lucius' expression had not changed once since they had arrived. Troy guessed they came shortly after Percy Weasley so they had not interrupted a meeting deep in progress, but the interruption was clearly severe.

"We had news that could not wait," Troy said in as much of an apologetic tone as he could muster.

Lucius raised on eyebrow just a fraction and leaned slightly forward in his seat. "Oh? Do tell."

"We made contact with Rodolphus and Rabastan. Here, in England," Matthias said eager to please. Lucius suppressed an eye roll. Matthias was not a complete idiot but he was a follower and was always looking for a master. His only true use was his ability to maintain an extensive contact list. He knew a lot of people outside of England. The sooner Matthias could get out of this game, the better. Even Lucius knew how much the man was jeopardizing his business by being there.

"In England? That is interesting. I would not have expected that, I have to admit," Lucius said rubbing his chin frowning. "What did they say about my plans?"

This time Troy cleared his throat before Matthias could say anything. "I am afraid they believe your plan is a little too subtle. They are in doubt as to whether you are being truthful or not."

Lucius schooled his face back into an expression of disinterest. "And you, Troy, Koslov, do you doubt my intentions?"

Troy was completely unconcerned. He was not afraid of Lucius. There was a time when he might have been but not now, he would do better to be afraid of the Lastranges but with enough money he could permanently escape them all and that is all that mattered. Koslov was another matter. He openly distrusted Malfoy, but he remained silent.

"It is not important. You know how my loyalties lie," Troy murmured quietly.

Yes, I do,thought Lucius, in your bank account right next to Dawlish's."What will it take to convince them?"

"Draco," Koslov said quietly looking at Lucius properly for the first time since he arrived.

Lucius stood up and towered over Koslov who tilted his head back casually to maintain eye contact. "Excuse me?"

"They want to ask Draco where your loyalties lie."

Lucius turned abruptly and sat back in his chair. "No, they don't need him. They can ask me themselves. Clearly they don't trust me, but there are ways of extracting the truth from someone. Draco is uninvolved; it would be useless to interrogate him."

"I am afraid they do not see it that way. If you tell us where he is we can assist you in protecting him," Matthias suggested carefully.

Lucius was not to be swayed. "No, the fewer who know where he is the better; I made a promise to my son, and I will honour it."

Troy stood up and helped himself to a snifter of Lucius' brandy. "That is exactly the problem, Lucius. Rodolphus and Rabastan consider Draco's disinclination to stand by your side as traitorous to the family. They see your endorsement of his absence as treacherous as well. They do not trust you and they are not prepared to waste their time with you. They have other plans."

Lucius was worried now. Draco was going to be in danger no matter what he chose to do. "What else are they plotting?"

"Revenge for the death of Bellatrix."

Lucius joined Troy at the bar and poured himself a glass of brandy as well. "The Weasleys then."

Troy and Matthias both nodded their agreement.

Hermione laughed loudly as she watched Teddy suck on a large Fizzing Whizbee that was bigger than his fist. He was floating above the table that she, Harry, and Draco were sharing at the Three Broomsticks.

"Careful, Harry. Maybe you should take it away before he falls. He is a little young to have candy like that," Hermione admonished, though she was still laughing.

"Ah, come on, Hermione, where is your sense of fun?" Harry said, although he did take the candy away and used a sticking charm on Teddy's seat to keep him from floating back up again. Teddy crumpled his face in disappointment so Harry handed the candy back to him. Hermione scowled at him. "He's not going anywhere; I stuck him to the chair. I'll take it away before it gets too small."

Draco was thoroughly amused with the whole thing. Hermione was such a mother hen sometimes and Harry had some surprisingly Slytherin tendencies. Not for the first time, Draco wondered how different his life would have been if Harry had accepted his offer of friendship that first day on the Hogwart's Express. Slytherins and Gryffindors actually complement each other well in his opinion, not that he would admit that aloud. Draco spotted Hermione's watch and had an idea. He might not be willing to say it out loud, but there were other ways of expressing how he felt. When Hermione was distracted with the baby, Draco slipped out his wand and banished Hermione's watch into his pocket.

"If you both don't mind, I am going to excuse myself for a moment." Draco gestured to the back to where the bathrooms were.

"No, Malfoy, you're not allowed to go to the bathroom," Harry said sarcastically.

Draco just laughed as he walked in the general direction of the bathrooms but at the last second he slipped behind the bar and winking at Madam Rosmerta disappeared out the back door. Draco's destination was a little jewelers just a few stores down from the Three Broomsticks that his mother frequented. He wanted a magical engraving done on the back of Hermione's watch and he knew he could get it done there quickly with few questions.

Once inside, the jeweler behind the counter greeted Draco cordially. In about three minutes Draco had the engraving he wanted done to his specifications and put on the watch. Magic was a wonderful thing. Draco glanced at the time and turned to leave, if he got back within the next two minutes Harry and Hermione probably wouldn't be suspicious, any longer and he would have to create some stomach problems. Unfortunately, when he turned to leave he walked right smack into Ron Weasley.

"Out of my way, Malfoy," Ron said just as Draco blurted, "What are you doing here?"

"None of your business, Ferret," Ron snapped.

Draco scowled. It had been a long time since anyone had called him ferret but it still really ticked him off. "I would tell you to watch it, Weasley, but if 'ferret' is still the best you can do I have no worries."

"What would you do anyway? Are you going to hex me? Steal my girlfriend? Steal my friends?" Ron sneered. "Too late, you've already done all that."

"I didn't steal anyone from you," Draco hissed. "Maybe if you weren't playing git for England Hermione would want to be with you."

Ron stared at him his eyes narrowing, one hand clenched tightly around a small black ring box and the other reaching for his wand. Draco started to reach for his wand as well, but then thought better of it. Sighing in disgust he shoved past Weasley and raced back to the Three Broomsticks. He really wanted to continue that fight with Weasley, but in the end he decided it would probably be best to get Hermione out of Hogsmeade before she ran into him too.

Draco snuck back into the bar and rushed up to the table slightly out of breath. Neither of them noticed him though because both were looking under the table for something. "What's going on?"

"I can't find my watch. I had it on earlier, I know I did, but it just disappeared."

"Oh! I found it back by the bar on my way to the loo. It looked like the clasp came apart but I fixed it," Draco lied smoothly holding it out to her. "Here let me put it on."

"Thanks, although I don't recall going that way." Hermione held out her wrist uncertainly prepared to question Draco further when she noticed he was out of breath. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah Draco, you look like you just went for a run," Harry said. "You look agitated too."

"I'm fine, but it is kind of late maybe we should get out of here. Teddy probably could use a nap I'm sure," Draco replied breezily throwing a few galleons on the table to cover their bill.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other confused. Something was clearly bothering Draco and that something greeted them as they exited the Three Broomsticks.

"Harry?" Ron declared in surprise at seeing him with Draco and Hermione.

Harry looked around him sheepishly. Ron was red with fury, so was Draco. Hermione had turned white and a shocked and smug looking Lavender Brown was clinging to Ron.

Ron rounded on Harry. "I thought you said you were babysitting Teddy today."

Draco rolled his eyes. He could be so thick sometimes, nay all the time. "He is, you idiot, can't you see him?" Draco said dramatically pointing at the baby who was staring at Ron intently. After a moment Teddy's blue hair shifted to the same shade of red that Ron had.

"Stay out of it," Ron snapped stepping forward.

Hermione stepped in between Ron and Draco and held a hand to each of them. "Stop it you guys. Let's just go."

"No. I want to know why Harry is out here with you two when he said he was busy babysitting and couldn't hang out with me and Lav today," Ron demanded.

"Ron, I'm sorry I just didn't want to hang out with you two. You guys are sick when you're together."

Draco and Hermione both laughed involuntarily while Lavender looked completely put out. "You can't tell me that they," she gestured dramatically to Hermione and Draco, "are more fun to hang out with than us!"

"Look, I don't want to fight right now. Can we just talk about this later?" Harry pleaded with Ron.

Hermione far too used to being insulted by Lavender to care was ready to leave as well, but Draco was fuming. He was clearly struggling to keep his cool around Ron. They would always be enemies. Hermione felt him reaching for his wand next to her and immediately grabbed his hand. Turning to him fully she pleaded with her eyes for him to put it away. Relaxing a little he released his grip on his wand and laced his fingers through hers.

Ron noticed the exchange his face purpling all the while. "You two are awfully damn close now aren't you?"

"What's it to you Weasley? You had your chance," Draco retorted starting to walk away. He couldn't stay another moment without hexing Weasley and he didn't want to do that. It would just make Hermione mad and scare the baby.

"And I'm sure you were doing everything in your power to ruin it for me while we were still together," Ron snapped.

Draco stopped but it was Hermione's turn to round on Ron. "How dare you insinuate that I was anything less than faithful to you Ron? Draco had nothing to do with our break up. It was a long time coming and if you weren't so self-absorbed you would have seen that. Ah! This is ridiculous and I am leaving. You all can stand here and argue all you want." Hermione started towards the apparition point pulling Draco along with her.

"My mother was right about her all along," Ron said nastily to Harry. "She is a scarlet woman."

"That was a low blow Ron. Even from you," Harry said following in Draco and Hermione's footsteps, running as fast as he could with Teddy, who was blue haired once more and crying, to catch up with them. He could hear Ron yelling 'What's that supposed to mean' but ignored him.

Harry caught up with Draco and Hermione at the end of the road and passed the crying baby off to Hermione so that she could soothe him. Draco was red in the face. He wanted to hex Ron so badly he could taste it. He really hated him.

"I know he's your mate and all, but I really loathe him." Draco kicked a stone across the dirt in frustration.

Harry just shrugged. He was pretty angry at Ron too, but he was mostly just upset that none of his friends could get along with each other anymore. Harry didn't want to have to make choices but it was beginning to look like it was going to be that way. Ron had done his fair share of jerky things to Harry too.

"Let's just go," Harry said.

Later when Draco and Hermione were walking to Draco's house from Harry's he apologized.

"I'm sorry I baited Ron. I know you don't like that kind of thing, it's just that every time I see him I want to squeeze his head."

Hermione laughed at the image and she was about to respond when she felt a chill run down her spine. She quickly turned around and peered into the shadows behind her, pulling her wand out of her sleeve a little bit so that it was resting against the palm of her hand. She didn't see anything, but the feeling that they were being followed stayed with her as they continued on their path.

"What was that about?" Draco asked looking around them.

"I just got a chill," she said taking his hand again with her free hand. She kept her wand in the other. Soon they rounded the corner leading up to his house and she got the same shiver in her spine again. This time she turned around just in time to see a dark figure retreat behind a bush at the corner they had just walked round. Draco heard it too. Hermione slipped her wand out all the way and slowly started to retrace her steps. Draco stepped ahead of her in a protective stance and approached the bush first.

Hermione nearly jumped out of her skin as a cat tore out of the bush.

"It's just a cat." Draco said pocketing his wand again.

Hermione frowned. She was positive she had seen someone there just moments ago. "I don't know Draco. I know I saw someone. Let's walk a little further and find a safe place to apparate into the house."

Draco didn't think there was anything to worry about, but she was right. It was better to be cautious.

A lone hooded figure was lurking in the shadows of alleys and trees in a Muggle neighborhood waiting and watching for a blond haired young man, hoping he would appear. The hooded person was confident that this was approximately where he was living. The Granger girl had just been in the same area a couple of days ago surely leaving his house.

Finally, the figure heard hushed voices conversing with each other. I know that voice, it's them. The cloaked figure ducked out of the alley and followed the voices. Once the imposter was almost seen as the Granger girl looked behind her, but the figure ducked behind the corner of a building just in time. After a moment they continued walking so the stranger began following again.

Draco and Hermione's tracker followed them around another corner when quite ungracefully she stepped into a bush. This time they both turned around at the noise, but not before she had a chance to turn herself into a cat and run out of the bushes. She had not wanted to reveal herself, but nobody would know it was her. Giving up after the close call she decided that she had gotten near enough. There was plenty of information for her to share with Rodolphus and Rabastan now.

Shacklebolt's office always made Harry think about the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts when it belonged to Dumbledore. There were knick knacks and gadgets all over the place. The main difference between the two offices was that Shacklebolt's gadgets were merely trinkets from his travels or some Ministry related experiments. Dumbledore's gadgets all seemed to have some sort of magical purpose and were spindly and delicate compared to the little statues and bowls and things scattered all of the Minister's office.

Lately, Harry also had the same feelings whenever Shacklebolt called him to his office as he did when Dumbledore used to summon him. Shacklebolt had become a sort of surrogate mentor for Harry over the last few months and every time he called for Harry, he would swell slightly with self-importance just as he did when Dumbledore was teaching him about the Horcruxes. The situations were different, but the premise was essentially the same, Harry was being prepped on a secret mission to bring down dark wizards. Harry was beginning to wonder if there would ever be a time when the worst kind of mission he had would be to catch whoever turned all the road signs upside down on the M1.

Dawlish shuffled in the office behind Harry and took the seat next to him. He looked thoroughly annoyed. He had made three prominent arrests over the last week with Harry's help and had not been able to breathe one word about it. Dawlish thrived on recognition and when this whole blasted mess was over he was going to write a book to let the whole damn world know that it was he who spearheaded the efforts to bring down the Death Eaters. That pay off from Malfoy was helping buy his silence but it wasn't enough to keep him from wanting to throw the mongrel back into prison. Dawlish would never trust Lucius Malfoy, and that was that.

"Now that you are both finally here," Kingsley said giving Dawlish a cursory glance, "We can get down to business."

Harry leaned forward in his seat, eager for news.

"Our informant has brought it to our attention that contact has been made with both Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange."

Harry leaned even closer, the excitement of possible action bubbling in his chest. Dawlish bent over Shacklebolt's desk as well.

"Where?" Dawlish asked.

Shacklebolt steepled his fingers in a move that Harry was beginning to recognize as uniquely him as the twinkle was in Dumbledore's eyes. "In England."

"In England!" Harry practically shouted, and then composing himself, "Sorry sir. I just didn't expect that."

"That's quite alright. In England, yes. We don't know where, Matthias was reluctant to give out that bit of information and Lucius was right in not forcing it out of him just yet. It would be irrelevant anyway because I am sure the Lestrange brothers are wise enough not to remain in one place for long. But that is not all. Apparently Rodolphus is prepared to exact revenge for the murder of his wife." Shacklebolt stared down at Harry for a moment who was clearly upset that Matthias had not revealed the Lestrange's location.

"So, they want to kill Molly Weasley?" Harry asked. Dawlish listened to the exchange his frown deepening all the while. Now, not only did he have to hunt down the two most dangerous men that are still around, he would have coordinate protection for the Weasley clan. He was never going to be able to quit.

Shacklebolt looked at Harry carefully. "I don't know but we need to consider something here. Right now we only know of the plot to take down the Weasleys. Which Weasley? It could be Molly since she was the one to end Bellatrix, but I think there is something important missing here. Can you think of what it is? Who else was valuable to the Lestranges besides Bellatrix?"

Harry stared at a portrait of a portly wizard with an ear trumpet behind Shacklebolt's head for a moment. And then Kingsley's reasoning caught up with him. "Voldemort. Voldemort was important to them."

Dawlish, finally cottoning on, spoke. "So, you think they are going to want to get revenge for Voldemort and come after Potter?"

"Of course I do," said Kingsley seriously. "Don't you think it is a bit suspicious that they would share information about wanting to take down the Weasley's and completely leave Harry out of it? Rodolphus may be focusing on his wife now, but that surely won't last. Getting revenge on the Weasleys could be a trap. Everyone knows that Harry is practically part of the family and that he will do anything for them. If they get to the Weasleys, they get to Harry, and if there is a fight, it could look like an accident. I refuse to believe that they are not plotting revenge against Harry too, and I refuse to believe that they are going to be as out in the open about it as they used to be, despite their protestations that Lucius Malfoy's 'plans' are too subtle."

There was a faint buzzing in Harry's ears as he absorbed the words. He was not scared for himself, he rarely was, but something else had just dawned on him. "Ginny."

"What?" Dawlish practically scoffed. Kingsley merely nodded for Harry to continue his thought.

"If they were to somehow get Ginny, they would be hurting the Weasleys and me." Harry did not elaborate any further but Shacklebolt and Dawlish both seemed to get the point.

For the next hour the three men discussed possible tactics on how to go about finding the men and protecting the Weasley family without it being obvious that they were doing so. The more they talked the more Harry feared for Ginny. They had no idea if any of their assumptions were even correct, but Harry was not about to take any chances. At the end of the meeting Shacklebolt asked Dawlish to leave, but motioned for Harry to remain behind.

"There is one last thing we need to discuss."

Harry settled back in his chair and waited.

"Mr. Malfoy also informed us that the Lestrange brothers do not trust him at this point. He is worried that they might go after his son. According to Lucius' information the Lestranges believe that it would be faster and more efficient to determine where his loyalties lie by asking Draco. You might want to keep an eye on him, or at least find a way to warn him. The last I heard, Draco was not speaking with his father."

Harry nodded playing along. He already knew that Lucius had informed Draco of what was really going on, but they all agreed that it was imperative that every one believe that Draco was not on speaking terms with his family.

"Yes sir. I will do what I can."

Hermione stared at the stack of paperwork on her desk contemplating her future. She really, truly, did not like working in law. Rights for oppressed populations were still important to her, but she could learn more about the law and civil rights for all creatures by staying home and reading books than she would in this office. All she did was transcribe notes and she was seriously considering quitting her job. She would rather work as a healer at St. Mungos than do this anymore. Being a healer trainee was her second choice but over the last couple of months she was beginning to realize it should have been her first. What a mistake that was.

Surprisingly, the metaphorical straw that broke the camel's back for Hermione was the conversation she had with the two remaining Malfoy house-elves. Maude had told Hermione a story about how the first house elf to begin working for a British wizarding family was one of her ancestors. Thousands of years ago the first family to employ a house-elf had been kind and caring. The household was headed by a young widowed woman named Clarissa who had five children to look after. Although she was a busy mother trying to support her family she still had a reputation for helping others in need. Her kindness extended to all creatures and it was not uncommon to see her assisting a sick goblin or healing hurt centaurs. Her benevolence had no limits.

But one day, Clarissa herself fell ill and there was nobody there to help her. A small family of house-elves that lived in a nearby village whom Clarissa had helped provide food for, heard of her plight and were eager to do anything they could. It was then that they bound themselves magically to Clarissa's family. Clarissa was able to recover from her illness and with the help of the elves she was able to raise her children and continue to heal the people of her village. Clarissa provided all that was necessary to keep the house-elves fed and a roof over their head but clothing was difficult to come by. When the clothes the elves had come in were worn through, Clarissa cut pieces of white sheets for them to wear toga style. She told the elves that if they ever decided to leave her she would sew each of them a lovely outfit to wear out in the world but in the meantime she could not afford more.

The house-elves were appalled that Clarissa would think they would ever leave her and made her swear that they never receive a normal outfit from her again, for if she presented them with clothes, they would see it that she no longer had use for their services and could therefore afford to turn them away. Clarissa agreed despite her reluctance to allow the elves to bond with her. During the course of the next several decades many other elves sought employment in the homes of the needy satisfying their natural instinct to serve others whilst providing a sort of public service for the poor. Unfortunately rich wizarding families took it upon themselves to bring more house elves into their own homes as well, which eventually led to the belief that only the rich could have them. Clarissa never intended for that to happen and presented her elves with proper outfits and what little money she could spare so they may go and find their own way in the world, hopefully dispelling the notion that she had instituted a trend of slavery. Such was the personal disgrace of the released elves, they openly wept of their release fearing they had somehow failed Clarissa and her family. Unfortunately, the distress of the elves at being released from Clarissa's home only fueled the gentry's desire to keep their own elves, and began professing to their enslaved elves that getting paid and sent away would be a terrible dishonor, therefore convincing the elves to use their own brand of magic to bind themselves to their new owners.

'What about the other elves, Maude, the ones who were still free?' Hermione had asked. 'Why weren't they able to stay free?'

'You is so naïve, miss,' Maude replied in a grandmotherly tone. 'They was never free. Elves is born to serve same as wizards are born for magic. It is in the blood and must not be ignored.'

Hermione was outraged.

'That's like Stockholm Syndrome!' she'd cried.

'What miss?' Maude asked.

Hermione shook her head. 'Nothing. What I don't understand is why elves would want to be enslaved even if they are tortured, like Dobby was.'

Maude reached out a long hand and patted Hermione gently on the knee. 'Dobby is missed, miss, but its changed now.'

'But so many elves are treated badly,' Hermione said dumbly.

'A lot are, miss. But magic is magic and we can't fight it. That house elf magic, not human magic. We have to bind, and can't be forced. Some wizard bosses treat wizards bad too.'

Hermione had a fleeting thought of Voldemort, and nodded. 'Don't you want to be free? To have money? Clothes?'

Maude blanched at the suggestion in turn causing Hermione to cringe.

'You insults us miss, and you don't know it. We are proud to serve.'

Hermione thought carefully before saying anything else for fear Maude would get upset and stop talking.

'If you could continue to work for the Malfoy's, but be able to wear what you want, and have a day off and some money, would you take it?' Hermione ventured carefully.

Maude frowned as if Hermione said something very nasty, but then her face relaxed. 'You is saying something you think we want. You don't understand, that is all. Maybe you should talk to more elves.'

Maude ended the conversation after that.

Hermione had never been so confused in her life. Maybe Maude was right and she really couldn't be Maude without a family to serve. Hermione couldn't fathom why wages would be so horrible, but then again the original purpose of their servitude was to assist the poor, maltreatment inevitably followed because man has a tendency to abuse their power. She didn't want to give up her campaign, but she was ready to take Maude's advice and visit more elves. That did not mean she wanted to continue her crusade working for the Ministry of Magic. The only thing she was absolutely sure of was that none of Maude's story really made any sense. Dobby was almost an opposite of Maude, and he seemed happy once free. They hadn't even broached the topic of self-punishment. Hermione also knew that she did not want to force her own ideas of what elves would want as compensation on them. In a way she saw that as being equally as high handed as the less kind house elf owners were. If wages weren't the right approach she would just have to find what the house elves do want.

Then again, she could turn out wrong all over again. She had been so wrong about so many things over the last year, Ron, her job, and the elves, that she felt at a loss. Draco was her constant and he was the person she needed to see. He always listened to her and she knew that he would support her if she left the Ministry. Hermione was just about to go see if he was ready to leave for the day when Harry walked in the office and approached her cubicle.

"Hey," he said sitting on the edge of her desk. "You got a minute?"

"I was just about to go find Draco to see if he was ready to go. I needed to talk to him," Hermione said gathering her things. Harry looked really apprehensive. "But of course I have time for you. Let me just go tell him I will meet him later."

"No, I need to talk to both of you. Anything I tell him he will just tell you anyway," Harry said walking with Hermione toward the Muggle Liaison offices.

Draco met them halfway down the hallway. "What's the matter Potter? You look constipated," Draco said in a teasing tone.

Harry smiled at the joke but he did not laugh. His mood was much to funereal to even try. Harry had spent the whole day worrying about Ginny and the other Weasleys and doubting that he was up to the task of protecting all the people he cared about.

"Sorry Potter. I know it was a bad joke."

"No, it's alright, and I don't want to interrupt your plans because I have plans tonight too, but I just wanted to talk to you really quickly. Let's go to Hermione's house." Harry said heading toward the lifts.

Fifteen minutes later Draco, Hermione, and Harry were gathered in Hermione's bedroom for privacy just in case her parents came home.

"So what's going on Harry?" Hermione asked as she cuddled up to next Draco on her bed. Harry sighed as he watched them get comfortable. He really missed Ginny and now it was even worse knowing that she was danger once more.

Harry picked at a string on his shirt for a moment trying to push Ginny out of his mind so could focus. "I found out from the Minister today that Matthias and his friends have made contact with the Lestranges."

Hermione and Draco looked at each other, surprised. "So soon?" Hermione asked just as Draco said, "Where?"

"Yes, already, and here in England. Could be in London for all we know. According to your father, Draco, they would only say it was in the country that they met them. But what I really need to talk to you about is your own safety. Apparently your uncles do not trust your father and rather than getting information straight from the horse's mouth they seem to think that you would be the best to question regarding his loyalty," Harry said getting into Auror mode.

Hermione sat up straighter and stared at Harry. "So, they're looking for Draco now?"

Harry just nodded. "I imagine they will be. I am guessing your location in Muggle London is still safe, but you should probably avoid walking in and out of your house and just start Apparating. I would rework your wards too so that they keep everybody out not just certain people. Of course you can set them up to allow Hermione in, but if I were you I wouldn't even let your parents in."

Draco found his respect for Harry growing. He was making an effort to protect Draco and although Harry had a history of saving him, he was surprisingly pleased that this time they were working together. Draco was slightly disappointed that he was getting this information from Harry rather than his father, but that was nobody's fault.

"I can do that."

Harry nodded curtly. "There might be somebody tailing you to and from work as well so I would stay on guard. Like I said, try to Apparate everywhere you can so you are harder to follow. Try not to make a habit out of doing things either, like go out to eat before you go home on some days or something. Stay here at Hermione's every now and then, that sort of thing. And Hermione it wouldn't hurt for you to be careful as well."

Hermione thought instantly of the strange presence she had felt behind them just the night before as they were walking to Draco's house from Harry's. Draco caught Hermione's eye and looked at her curiously thinking about the same thing.

"What else is going on Harry? You are a little too solemn for just this," Hermione said. She knew that Harry was developing a friendship with Draco but she didn't think he would get that upset over him.

Harry stared at the ceiling for a moment before dropping his eyes back to Hermione's. "The Lestranges are going to get revenge for the death of Bellatrix which puts the Weasleys in danger. The Minister thinks they will eventually be after me for killing Voldemort. Hermione, I'm worried about Ginny."

Hermione was off the bed and at Harry's side in a flash. She wrapped an arm around him and gave him a hug. Harry had fretted over Ginny relentlessly the whole time they were searching for Horcruxes and she knew that he still pulled out his Marauder's Map to watch her progress around the castle from time to time.

"I just don't think I can lose anymore people," Harry said very quietly into Hermione's shoulder. Draco was able to hear him though and he shifted awkwardly on the bed. He felt like an intruder on a private moment and was going to try to slip out of the room when Hermione let go of Harry and sat back on the bed.

"It's going to be fine, Harry."

Harry nodded again and stood up to leave. "I have to go. We can talk about this some more later. In the meantime watch your back. Just try not to act suspicious, we don't want the Lestranges to know that we are on to them. I'll owl you later," Harry said to Hermione and with that he turned on the spot and disappeared.

Draco stretched back out on the bed and patted the space next to him signaling for Hermione to lay down with him.

Draco turned on his side so that he was facing Hermione. He leaned toward her and gave her a long lingering kiss that left her breathless.

"It's funny," Draco said tracing the lips he'd just kissed with his thumb, "that no matter what side I'm on, I'm in danger because of the same people."

Draco's eyes shone with something she had never quite seen in them before. There was more steel in the silver than usual and there was a hard quality to them that was not wrought from malice but what appeared to be sheer determination.

"I'm not going to let this continue. We have to find them before they can find us," Draco said with conviction.

Hermione leaned forward and kissed him again. "When we do, let's just hope that it will finally end things, at least for a long while. I am really sick of this war."

Draco pushed Hermione onto her back and rolled half on top of her. "Me too. But I'm not sick of this." He kissed her deeply again. His tongue dancing with Hermione's as his hands roamed over her breasts. Hermione moaned with pleasure as he reached under her shirt and pushed her bra aside so that he could squeeze the hardened points that were her nipples.

Hermione's moan sent his blood cascading toward his groin in a way that it never had before. He instantly felt desperate to be inside her and was slightly rough as he pulled her shirt over head and unhooked her bra. His own clothes were quickly removed before Draco returned to Hermione's. He had them both undressed in a matter of seconds. Hermione's whole body was flushed with desire and excitement at Draco's behavior. He was always so tender when they made love but his fervor this time was entirely new. Hermione knew it was borne from the anticipation of participating in the war again and it was almost as if he was taking her one last time before it was too late.

Hermione yelped as Draco nipped at her nipples with his teeth. He had never done that before and it sent a jolt of electricity straight through her body that made every nerve ending from ribcage to her toes quiver. Draco reached a hand down to Hermione's warm folds and found them slick and inviting.

"Hermione, I can't wait," Draco moaned into her mouth.

Hermione grasped his hips and pulled him so that he was on top of her. His member was hotter and harder than she had ever felt it and she could feel it pulsing slightly against her leg. "Then don't."

Draco didn't hesitate and he pushed himself into her to the hilt in one quick movement. Without pausing he began to move in and out. He hooked one of Hermione's legs over his shoulder so that he could find deeper purchase and thrust hungrily. He felt his body begin to shudder with release just as quickly as it had become aroused. Hermione's eyes were darkening as she too began to reach her peak. Draco called out her name in low rumbling cry as he came inside of her. He fell on top of her, out of breath and his body still quivering.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so rough," he apologised in a thick voice.

Hermione let out a shuddering breath. "Don't be. You didn't hurt me and I kind of enjoyed your urgency. I love you, Draco."

"I love you, too."

The short, squat figure that had been trailing Draco for the past few weeks entered the Black Knave just after twilight. She eyed the barman with disgust as she told him she was there to see Atlas and tapped her foot impatiently while she waited for him to direct her. Once upstairs and in front of the correct door she had to calm herself before knocking so that she didn't do it too loudly and give away her giddiness at being successful.

Taking a deep breath she knocked three times and called through the door quietly. "I am the Fountainhead."

The door swung open offering her admittance. In the shadows at the same table as before sat Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange, the customary bottle of whiskey glowing faintly below the half-lit chandelier.

The figure removed her cloak and draped it across the seat of one of the filthy empty chairs so she could sit on it. "I have figured out where his Muggle residence is, but the wards are would require talent to breach undetected. Thankfully, I have come up with another plan that would ensure success."

Rabastan leaned forward sneering slightly, a menacing gleam in his eyes, "Ahh wonderful Delores. I knew we could count on you."

A/N: I am back after what feels like a million years. I am really sorry for the huge delay, but I had a lot going on over the last few months. My mother was very ill and passed away, and I was also busy with work etc., so if you are still keeping up with the story, thanks very much. I am not entirely pleased with this chapter, partly because it is not completely edited, and partly because I stumbled over a few parts. The house elf story in particular. Anyway… here it is.