Suspicions

Harry groggily opened his eyes to hear an annoying, incessant beeping in his ear. It was coming from his watch, which was also flashing a message – Come to office immediately. Yawning, he sat up and checked the time on it. Six thirty a.m.

'God I hope it's urgent,' he mumbled. Ginny stirred slightly beside him. He leant down and whispered in her ear. 'Urgent call from office. I'll be back soon. Sorry to go. Go back to sleep. Bye.' He then kissed her gently on the cheek, and headed for the bathroom. It was almost two weeks after the first match, and Harry and Ginny had been sleeping in the same bedroom every since. He felt sad to leave her, and made a mental reminder to pick up a bunch of flowers on the way home.

Quarter of an hour later, he was striding down the corridor leading to Dynham's office.

Inside he found Dynham going through a file, a frown heavily set into his face.

'Hi boss. What's going on?' asked Harry as he walked in.

'Ah, Harry, sorry to bring you in so early. I have just had some news come in which I need your help with. It concerns Carlos Krap, the man who acted Death Eater on your first mission. Remember him?'

'Of course I do,' Harry grinned. 'His name is Krap?'

Dynham allowed himself a small smile. 'Yes, I'm afraid so. Anyway, I have some suspicions. You see, he was been pushing the rules a lot lately – doing things he shouldn't, and then saying he forgot or no one told him he couldn't. One of these cases is your first mission.'

Harry sat up a little straighter. 'My first mission?'

'Yes. You see, the spell he used to cut you is strictly forbidden in the Auror Training. Also, he wasn't meant to tie Sofya up – just keep her there, as if she was captured.'

'So, what do you thinks' wrong with him?' asked Harry.

'Let me finish! He has been spending a lot of time out of the office, going to Northern Norfolk. That's where many of the escaped Death Eaters are rumoured to be gathering.'

Harry frowned. 'You think he's a Death Eater?'

'Or at least supporting them. I need you to find out what's going on. Okay?'

'But I'm Harry Potter! I have more chance of angels coming out of my orifices then getting in there alive.'

'Potter, you're my best Trainee, and you will probably become a Top Auror. Also, I have pulled together a group of five more top Aurors for the job, as well as you. Now, here is the file on them, and go meet the group. They're two doors down from my office. Go on! I want you to leave by seven thirty.'

Harry sighed, but nodded and left the room. Outside the door he sent a quick couple of messages to Ginny and another apology, and then he entered the room, hoping that no one would be like Sofya on his first day of training.

There was only one other Trainee, and she was almost ready for her Finals. She was about average height, with long crinkly ginger hair in two plaits, a slightly upturned nose, pale skin scattered with freckles, and wide pale blue eyes. Her front two teeth were slightly crooked, one overlapping the other. But she greeted Harry nice enough, and introduced herself as Emily Sauthern.

Two other guys seemed to be playing a game, bouncing a ball against one wall with their hands. As Harry was led over to them by Emily, one missed the ball.

'Fourteen – eleven to me Theo!' the other yelled.

'Shut up Jake!' replied Emily. She pushed Harry forward. 'This is the last recruit.'

Theo grinned. 'It seems we got lucky, having you for this mission.' He shook Harry's hand. 'I'm Theo Carthell. I used to live in North Norfolk, which is why I'm here. I know the countryside like the back of my hand – and I have a few places I think it could be.' Theo had sandy blond hair and grey eyes. He was very tall and gangly, with big hands and a long nose. He had the long legs of a cross-country runner.

'And I'm Jake Rameras,' said the other, stepping forwards. He was smaller than Theo, and had tanned skin, untidy long dark hair, laughing dark eyes and well muscled arms. He was very cool, with a hoop through one ear, a can of Coke sticking out of his pocket and Puma trainers. 'Want a smoke?'

'Er, no thanks,' Harry replied, surprised that an Auror would want to do something that damages his health so much. Jake caught his look.

'Oh, don't worry; this is a type I have made. Exactly the same, except doesn't harm you in any way. In fact, you benefit slightly from them. Also, they're not addictive – I just like them. Want one now?'

'Sure,' Harry took one and quickly lit it. He was surprised to find he didn't hate the taste. In fact, he quite liked it.

'Eurgh, I can't see how you two can like those things,' said Emily, wrinkling her nose.

'Hey, you two, chuck your cigarettes away and quite talking. We need to prepare!'

They turned to see a black girl frowning at them. She was sitting at a table with a large map set out in front of her. She had black hair cropped in a bob, with the tips dyed red. She seemed to be the leader of the group, as everyone obeyed her and came and sat down.

The final guy was tall and skinny, with pale skin and long black hair. He seemed to have a permanent frown, and looked trouble.

'Harry, this is Elissa and Malcolm,' said Emily, introducing him. Elissa said hello, but Malcolm just muttered something unintelligible. Harry sighed inwardly. Malcolm looked like trouble.

'Right team, we are here to track down some Death Eaters, mainly Carlos Krap,' said Elissa. Everyone snickered when they heard his name. 'The Ministry has been unable to capture many of the Death Eaters, because soon after Voldemort's death, they disappeared. A source has found out that they are in North Norfolk – but we are not sure where. It's bound to be protected with spells, so you can only find it if you bump straight into it. That's why Theo is here – he has been exploring the countryside of Norfolk since he could walk. Theo – over to you.'

Theo nodded, and pulled out a quill. 'Right, I think I have found the location. You will all know the name. It is Riddle Manor.' Everyone sat up straighter at the name. 'Yes, I think you know the main reason they picked there – the whole thing with Voldemort staying there. Also it's a nice place – a bit old, yeah, but still a pretty comfortable place to stay. They have made it Unplottable, muggles can't see it, and Sensory charms are surrounding it. But don't worry – we'll be able to get through that.'

'Okay, thank you Theo, and now, here's the plan. Theo will change his features to look like Lucius Malfoy, as he has pretty much sussed out the location of the Manor. He will pretend to have captured Harry and Jake, who will look like Ronald Weasley. Now, here comes the tricky part – the Sensory charms are turned off for thirty seconds to let Lucius in. In those thirty seconds, Emily and I will get into the Manor. Emily and I will look exactly the same, just to add some confusion. The only difference is I will have my hair tied back in a purple hair band. Malcolm will act as if he is a new recruit, and will come with Theo a.k.a, Lucius, as if helping him. Okay, got the plan? Right, now get disguising!'

Harry helped Theo and Jake change each other's looks, as it can be rather tricky to change your looks so you look exactly like someone else. Jake accidently gave himself a walrus moustache, for instance, when he tried to do it by himself. But in the end the two of them looked like they should. Malcolm changed himself so he was about a foot taller, thicker set and stronger. His hair turned into short bristles, and a thick scar marred his features, running down one side of his face.

Elissa and Emily ended up looking exactly the same. They both had longish, greasy, straggly black hair (Elissa's was tied up with a hair band, while Emily's fell over her face and shoulders). Their skin had been turned yellowish –white, and was gaunt and sallow. Their cheeks were hollow, and their eyes black and mean. They wore old black robes, which didn't fit and muffled the shape of their bodies.

'Nice,' commented Jake, grinning.

'Aren't we just,' replied Emily sarcastically.

'Right, sorry about this you guys,' said Elissa. Before they could react, she pulled out a large stick and whacked Jake on the head.

'Ow! What the hell?' he yelled as she landed another blow.

'Sorry, you've got to look as if you've been in a fight,' replied Elissa shortly while Emily burst into laughter. Emily swung around, catching Theo on the cheek bone and then hitting his eye.

'Why?' said Theo, wincing as a black eye formed.

'I'll explain in a second,' answered Elissa, hitting Harry and Malcolm.

'Ouch!' they said in unison.

'Okay Elissa – explain now!' said Theo angrily.

'Sorry guys, but you have to look as if you've been fighting each other! I mean, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley wouldn't go with some Death Eaters without putting on a good fight. So all of you would end up bruised and hurt! Don't worry – I'll heal them as soon as the mission is over,' explained Elissa.

'Thanks,' grumbled Malcolm. Emily giggled.

'Come on then!' said Elissa. 'Apparate to Little Hangleton Woods.'

Harry nodded and turned, disappearing and appearing in the outskirts of a wood. A layer of decomposing leaves lay on the ground, hiding the dirt, and all the trees were dark and wet, many with fungus growing on them.

'Nice place,' commented Theo, appearing behind him. There was a short yell, a crack, and someone fell out of a tree with a shower of leaves and splinters. They laughed when they saw Jake stand up, looking rather embarrassed.

'Hey! Quit messing around!' yelled Malcolm. He and the girls were standing a few metres away, waiting for them.

'Okay! You two – come here!' said Theo, pulling out some rope. He quickly tied them together, and pressed his wand into Harry's neck. 'Get walking then,' he said in an impressive imitation of Lucius Malfoy's voice.

'Come on sun shines,' growled Malcolm. The group started walking oddly – Harry and Jake trying not to trip over, and Theo trying to keep his wand on Harry's neck. Emily and Elissa ran off to the back gate of the garden, and waited there for the signal – a shout of help from Jake.

As they reached the gate of the mansion, a figure stepped out. He was revealed to be MacNair, fingering his old axe and holding his wand in the other hand.

'What have we here?' he asked. 'I thought you just went out to terrorize some filth, Lucius.'

'Well I have come back, with Potter and Weasley. Also some new recruit,' replied Theo coldly, pushing Harry forward. MacNair smiled.

'Well come on in, I'm sure these will be much appreciated. Hold on – password first,' said MacNair as Theo made to step inside.

'But of course. Marvolo. Now may I come in?'

'Very well.'

'HELP!' shouted Jake as loud as he could as MacNair waved his wand, turning off the Sensory Charms.

'Shut up!' growled MacNair, kicking him. Jake winced, but fell silent. Harry quietly crossed his fingers. He thought he saw two shadows cross the lawn behind the house, but he wasn't sure. They were dragged up the drive to the front door of the house and inside.

Harry and Jake each had two wands on them. One was a replica, in their pockets. The other was the real thing, hidden in the thick lining of their robe sleeves. They knew that the Death Eaters would probably take their wands off them, so they out fakes in for them to take instead.

'Hello Lucius. You're back soon,' an oily voice came from the shadows. Nott and Travers stepped out.

'Where did you find these two?' asked Travers.

'In a pub a few miles away,' replied Theo, pulling Harry and Ron into the sitting room. They were tied back to back on a chair in the middle of a room, while Nott, Travers, MacNair and Theo circled around them.

'Well, it should make Krap, Rowle and Selwyn's task a lot easier,' commented Travers, smiling. 'The victims won't have their boys around to protect them.'

'What victims?' asked Harry, suddenly very worried.

'Oh, you'll know them. You'll see them soon,' laughed MacNair.

'Tell me!' said Harry, struggling on his bonds.

'No, no little boy, we want a surprise! They'll be here around nine, won't they?'

'Yes – maybe your son could help?' said MacNair to Nott.

'My son? Yes, I can't believe he chose to be given a second chance, and go back among the mudbloods!' growled Nott.

'He's keeping up your standard though, bullying them,' said Harry. 'Anyway, you owe me thanks, for making your son so much more handsome. Those boils have really made him popular, especially after the puss from when they were popped gave him terrible acne and made him skink.' Jake snorted with laughter.

'Shut up!'

'Right – who are you kidnapping?' asked Harry frantically. Where were Emily and Elissa? Malcolm had disappeared along the corridor, presumably to find them.

'Patience is a virtue, young Harry,' laughed Theo, playing his part well. 'Anyway, give me your wands.'

'Hey!' Jake tried to snatch his wand back. Theo just laughed and snapped both wands.

'You won't be needing that.'

'Who have you kidnapped?' asked Harry loudly.

Travers smiled horribly. 'Alright. We're kidnapping Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger.'

'No!' Harry struggled as hard as he could, but the bonds wouldn't let. There was a crash and the door fell off its hinges, landing in a cloud of dust on the floor. Elissa and Malcolm appeared with their wands out. Elissa cut Harry and Jake's bonds, and they quickly jumped up, forming a circle around the Death Eaters.

'What's going on?' asked Travers.

'I dunno – but let's get rid of these guys. We can show the Ministry their dead bodies,' replied Nott. He fired a curse at Elissa, but she ducked and it hit the wall behind, bouncing up onto the ceiling. A shower of plaster and the odd piece of brick fell down. Chaos reigned from then on.

Theo pretended to fight for the Death Eaters, but cursed Travers when his back was turned. A couple more Death Eaters ran in: Dolohov and Rabastan Lestrange. Emily appeared halfway through, confusing Dolohov, who had just cursed Elissa.

Suddenly, Lucius appeared in the doorway. Everyone looked up, confused. Theo turned around.

'Oh SHIT!' he yelled, firing a curse at Lucius.

'Jake! JAKE!' shouted Harry, grabbing his arm. 'I've got to go – I need to save Ginny and Hermione.'

'Good luck mate. I'll come as soon as I can, okay?'

Harry nodded and disapparated.

Ginny had got up in the morning, and found Harry's note. She sighed – he missed going to Hogsmede, which they had been planning to spend together. Ron was away, doing some business with George at WWW, so Hermione and Ginny were spending the day together.

Ginny and Hermione left early for Hogsmede, so that they missed the crowds. They weren't late sleepers, unlike many of the students, and were walking up the main street of Hogsmede by eight thirty.

'Oo – Honeydukes has a new sweet!' cried Ginny, pulling Hermione inside.

'But I was going to go to the bookshop...' replied Hermione, exasperated.

'Later, let's get some of this first, before everyone else comes along and buys it!'

Hogsmede had a few people wandering around, but not the usual crowds. Honeydukes and the Three Broomsticks were probably the most crowded.

Hermione and Ginny wandered along the street, nibbling on the new Honeybees, little models of bees which buzzed around, and unless you chewed them properly, buzzed in your stomach for ages. Ginny saw a couple of fourth year boys eating some whole for a dare.

'Let's go to the Shrieking Shack – yes, I know you find it boring, but it's interesting! Come on!' said Hermione. They left the village, and slowly walked up the hill towards the house. Soon they were by themselves.

'Are you done yet?' asked Ginny impatiently and Hermione walked around the Shack, murmuring to herself.

'Almost. I just need to – ARGH!' Hermione was thrown off her feet as the earth beneath her exploded. A nasty crack sounded from her wrist as she hit the ground. Ginny spun around, wand out. A high, cold laughter came from the trees.

'Aw! Little Miss Weasel thinks she can fight! No Potter to protect you darling, I'm afraid,' called Rowle in a sing-song voice, stepping out from the trees. Ginny fired a curse at him, which he deflected easily.

'You can't get us! It's two against one!' cried Hermione, running over to Ginny.

'I'm afraid not, darling,' two more Death Eaters stepped out – one from behind the Shack, another coming up behind them from Hogsmede. Hermione and Ginny stood back to back, trying to look at all three at once.

'Now, as long as you come quietly, we won't hurt you,' said one, coming from Hogsmede. He looked slightly foreign, with a brown ponytail and clean shaven face. Ginny recognised him from Harry's descriptions – Carlos.

'Never!' Hermione fired at Rowle, fell to the floor, winded.

'RUN!' screamed Ginny. They ran away from the other two, towards the only other place – the mountains. They wanted to run back to Hogsmede, but Carlos was blocking their way. Curses flew past their heads, and they dived into the undergrowth, rolling down hill. The other two Death Eaters were chasing them, with Rowle trailing behind. Hermione dragged Ginny out of the way of a curse which came so close Ginny felt the wind on her cheek. She winced as the curse hit a rock and shattered it into pieces.

'Come ON Ginny!' shouted Hermione, firing two curses back, making two trees fall in the Death Eater's way. Ginny nodded, and made the trees burst into flame. Ginny cried out as two boulders rolled in front of her, blocking her way. Turning around, she saw the third Death Eater – Selwyn – coming at her, wand raised. Suddenly he was blown backwards, as a figure ran out from the rocks. Ginny didn't recognise him, but he aimed a couple of mean curses at Selwyn, who looked surprised but managed to deflect them.

'RUN YOU IDIOTS!' the boy shouted. Hermione and Ginny nodded, and ran back towards Hogsmede. Rowle appeared, blew Ginny into a rock, half knocking her out and dazing her considerably. The boy was firing curses by the second, fighting Rowle as hard as he could. Selwyn was lying unconscious a few metres away. Hermione ran up to help him, firing more curses at Rowle. But as his back was turned, Carlos appeared, and grabbed Ginny's arm so hard it hurt.

'I can't have both of you, but I'll have you,' he growled. Hermione turned just in time to see him disapparate with Ginny.

'No!' she cried, running forward. All that was left was a few drops of blood from where she lay on the ground. 'What will Harry say?' She turned to see who the helper was – and was surprised to see Draco Malfoy standing behind her. 'Draco?'

'Granger – Hermione – I'm sorry. For everything. I've been a bastard,' replied Draco.

'You've also just been a hero. Thanks – come on, we need to find Harry. Explain about the last few years in a few minutes. Ouch – my wrist. I think it's broken,' said Hermione.

As they walked back up to Hogsmede, Harry appeared, looking frantic.

'Are you okay? Where's Ginny?' he asked, running forward.

'Harry – I'm so sorry – three Death Eaters came for us,' said Hermione.

'Yes yes, I know! Where's Ginny?'

'She – she got kidnapped,' replied Hermione. 'I'm sorry.'

'I'm going after her. What are you doing here?' accused Harry, pointing his wand at Draco.

'Harry, listen, Draco helped us. Now, you can't go after them alone. You need help, you don't know where they are – '

'Of course I know where they are! Riddle Manor!'

'No they wouldn't have taken her there!' cried Draco, stepping forward.

'How do you know?'

'Because I once was one. And I was once taken there.'

'How can I trust you?'

'Because he hasn't called me Mudblood once since he appeared to help me,' interrupted Hermione. 'Just listen to him Harry!'

'They will have taken her to some underground tunnels near Little Hangleton, where they take prisoners,' Draco told them.

'Why wasn't I taken there? On my mission? I'll explain later!' said Harry on Hermione's enquiring look.

'You're a number one, a VIP – Very Important Prisoner, in their terms. Ginny's just a number two. Look, I'll come with you,' said Draco.

'As will we,' Elissa appeared behind them. 'I'm sorry Harry, but we'll help.

'Yeah, course we will!' said Theo, stepping forward.

'Right, Harry, Draco, and me, let's go to the tunnels. Sorry you guys,' said Elissa, when the others sighed. 'But we can't have too many. Come on, while the trail is still warm.'

They all apparated to the same wood, and then set off at a run, with Draco in the lead. Soon they came to a large boulder. Draco pulled out a small knife and cut his palm, showering droplets of blood on the boulder.

'Blood sacrifice is needed,' he told them, healing his hand as the boulder rolled back. 'Come on.'

They all lit their wands, and stepped inside the tunnel. It was dark and dank, water dripped from the ceiling and roots brushed their heads. The floor was patted down by all the feet which had been walking over it. Harry noticed a small furrow in the ground, meandering across. He whacked Draco on the shoulder, and pointed to it. Draco nodded, understanding. A trail of new footprints went alongside. They followed the trail, which twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the tunnels. Some tunnels lead off, but the trail stayed in the main tunnel. Finally they came to a large round chamber, in the middle. Draco looked in and then pushed them back into the shadows.

'Carlos and Lucius,' he mouthed. Harry and Elissa nodded.

'Do they have Ginny?' Draco nodded in reply. Harry made to burst out of the shadows, but Draco and Elissa pulled him back.

'No! Wait!' Draco replied. He stepped out of the shadows. 'F – Father?' he cried.

Lucius turned around, his eyes narrowed. 'What do you want?'

'I'm sorry Father. Really I am.'

'Well I'm not accepting it!'

'Whatever,' Harry and Elissa stepped out of the shadows. Elissa immediately Stupified Lucius, but before they could do anything to Carlos, he pulled out a knife and pressed it against Ginny's neck, who was tied to a chair, looking calm but terrified.

'Stop right there! Move an inch, and she gets it!' he growled.

'You traitor!' said Elissa angrily. 'I trusted you! I even respected you!'

'Well isn't that sweet. Now, drop your wands!'

The three held out their arms as if to drop them, but as the other two dropped their wands, Harry made the knife burn, so that Carlos had to drop the knife. He did with a yell, but not before he managed to cut Ginny. A couple of seconds later, and the knife would have gone through her jugular vein. Draco Stupified him, and Harry ran over to Ginny. He quickly cut her bonds, and pulled her into his arms.

'Oh Ginny, I'm so sorry, I promise this will never happen to you again!' he cried, hugging her.

'Harry! Oh I was so scared!' replied Ginny, kissing him. She pushed him away. 'How dare you leave me suddenly!'

'Gin, I'm sorry, I hated leaving you. But there wasn't anything I could do!'

'You could ask why they wanted you before you went! Harry, you're still at school! You can't go on such dangerous missions just yet!'

'I'm really sorry about this Gin. Please can we get home though?'

Ginny nodded, and they apparated home. Draco came after them, bringing Carlos and Lucius.

'Oh my god thank goodness you're safe!' cried Hermione, running forwards and hugging them. Ron came forward and hugged them to.

'Mate, don't do that again! Disappearing off to some Death Eater burrow? What next?' he cried.

'Hospital Wing you group! Now!' said McGonagall, who had also been summoned, it seemed.

'We'd better get back,' said Elissa, gesturing to the group of Aurors.

'Yes – thank you so much. Come along you five!' said McGonagall, taking them up towards the castle. 'What has been happening? I have just had a gabbled version from young Miss Granger here.'

'Maybe in private,' murmured Harry, looking around at the students who had gathered.

'Yes – of course.'

Madame Pomfrey set them up in some beds at the far end of the Wing. Only Ginny and Hermione needed them – Hermione because her wrist had broken when she fell, and Ginny because she had mild concussion, and was being treated for shock. Harry sat on the bed next to her, with his arms around her.

'Explain, Malfoy,' said Ron, pointing to a chair.

'Right. This may take a while,' said Draco, sitting down. 'I was brought up to believe that muggleborns were scum. My father drilled it into me – he even beat me once because I played with a muggleborn when I was seven, in the playground. I was a little prince in my home – lavished and spoilt, with no siblings, I was the centre of attention. When I came to Hogwarts, I thought I was going to be the most popular, the best at Quidditch, and top of the class. And then you turned up. It's nothing against you, but for the first time, I realised that I wasn't the best, the most liked. On the contrary, most people hated me. I thought this was because of you. So I hated you. Also, my father had told me that you were just a scam, you were nothing at all. That's why I hated you. As I grew older, it got worse. I got into the Dark Arts, and then I started getting really interested in the Death Eaters. My father made no secret that he supported them, and was one. In our fifth year, when he failed to get the Prophecy, and was arrested, my mother and I were captured, and taken to the Tunnels where we have just been. We stayed there for a week, and then we were released and taken to Riddle Manor. There, I was given my task – kill Dumbledore. I didn't really know what was going on – I was hardly sixteen. But Dumbledore had always favoured you, and so I hated him too. Through the next two years, I saw more and more the error in my ways. Voldemort came back, and released terror on our world. I saw things so horrible, so awful, that I can never forget them. I saw that the Death Eaters and Voldemort were wrong, were evil. But it was too late – I had been sucked in, and you're a Death Eater for life. Of course, that changed when Voldemort died. I had my trial, and have been sent back to Hogwarts for my final year. I have been avoiding you – avoiding most people. I only came back a couple of days ago, and I haven't got my timetable yet. I was in the foothills of the mountains because I like to go there, and think things over. I can get away from the stares as well, and the whispering. I'm so sorry to you four, for all I've done to you. I hope you can forgive me,' he said.

Hermione leant forward, and hugged him. 'I forgive you, Draco,' she said quietly. At first he was surprised by the hug, and then he gave in and hugged her back.

'Yeah, okay Draco. You're forgiven,' said Harry. Ron and Ginny nodded in agreement. Draco smiled, and stood up.

'I'd better go,' he said.

'Draco – thanks,' said Ginny.

'Glad to be of help,' Draco gave a small bow, and left the room.

'Well, that was enlightening,' commented Harry.

'Yeah. The devil's turned into an angel,' said Ron, laughing.

'Glad he's seen the error in his ways,' said Ginny.

'Yes. Now, go to sleep you two!' said Madame Pomfrey, bustling out of her office. 'You boys can see them in the morning. Go on!'

The boys sighed, but knew they didn't have a choice.

'What a day, eh?' said Ron as they headed up the stairs to their flat.

'What a day.'