Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling
Twisted Roots
Chapter 24
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 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 and Troy were reluctant to give out that bit of information. 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.
"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 like an accident. I refuse to believe that they are not plotting revenge against Harry too."
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." He said.
"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."
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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 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 charming 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 and the rest is history. The only unfortunate part of the story is that house-elves began to live generation after generation in families of increasing wealth and they began to get mistreated. Hermione realized after hearing that story that she was insulting the nature of a house-elf by insisting that they be free. Being a servant was as much in a house-elves blood as her magic was in hers. She couldn't be Hermione without her magic just as Maude couldn't be Maude without a family to serve.
Hermione knew that many house-elves were mistreated and she shouldn't give up on that campaign but she was wrong about everything else. She had been wrong about so many things over the last year, Ron, her job, 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 Troy 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, Matthias and Troy 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. "Their 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. They were more silver than she had ever seen them 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 said before kissing 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 pulled her shirt over head and unhooked her bra. He pulled his own clothes off quickly before moving on to Hermione's skirt. 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." She breathed.
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 apologized 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."
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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." She said immediately.
Rabastan leaned forward sneering slightly, a menacing gleam in his eyes, "Ahh wonderful Deloris. I knew we could count on you."
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A/N: The end. Just kidding.
I would like to dedicate this chapter to Rachella23 for being the first (and so far only) person to guess who the cat was!
For those of you said McGonagall, I was expecting that since in canon she was a cat animagus. But to me, McGonagall will always be a hero. And in case you haven't already figured it out ;) the tracker definitely loves cats but in canon was not an animagus as far as we were aware. Oh yeah, and Bellatrix is definitely dead.
Thanks for reading and reviewing you guys are awesome!!!!