Draco was Apparated side along with a big Auror. He wondered when they had begun to think that he actually could fight his way free. He held back a snort when the big man magically tied his hands and grabbed his upper arm. As he was led though the Manor to the apparition point he noticed that more than usual house elves where out looking at him. Usually the elves did their best to stay out of everybody's way and sight. Tibbit even seemed to decide to come with him. And indeed, when Draco held out his free arm to the creature, it jumped forward and took his hand like a small child.
"Tibbit will go with master," said the elf. "Make good character witness."
Draco blinked; he had noticed the change in title the elf had used. That could only mean two things; either the elf had given up his freedom, unlikely since he was still wearing the shirt. The other choice was that his father was home.
"Sure, Tibbit," Draco smiled down at the elf. "Just what I need."
The big Auror snorted, but moved on though the halls to the point.
To his surprise, he was not Apparated directly to the Ministry of Magic, but to its front steps. This action was soon explained as at least ten flashing cameras went off in his face at the same time. There was a crowd of people waiting for them. Most of them seemed to be protesters holding up big magical signs, most of the signs where accusing him for crimes he never done. Reporters rushed forwards, quills at the ready.
"Mr. Malfoy, how do you feel?"
"You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"Mr. Malfoy, are you a Death Eater?"
"Draco, are you not to young to stand trial?"
"Mr. Malfoy, where is your father? Why is he not here?"
"Murderous scum! Rot in Azkarban!"
"Draco, sneer at the camera again!"
"How do you fell about Harry Potter?"
"Is it true that you tried to kill him?"
"Is he dead?"
After some more questions, that he was not allowed to answer, he was roughly pushed inside the Ministry. Behind him he could hear Tibbit bravely scolding the protesters.
"Do you know what you are doing?" asked George.
"No," Fred held the bottled memories close to him.
"Good," his brother smiled. "I thought we were in trouble."
"Mr. Weasley," McGonagall sighed, quickly regretting turning the bottle over. "I suggest that you begin to locate a Pensieve. I'm sure that there is one somewhere in the Manor."
"Good plan, Professor!" George smiled. "We can ask Mr. Malfoy."
"You can not be serious!" exclaimed Ron. "You are even madder than this one!" He indicated Fred.
"Then you have to shift though the memories choosing the ones to keep…"
"We are keeping them all!" Fred hugged the bottle to him. "When we find Severus we will give them back to him."
"It will take a little more, than just to 'give them back', Mr. Weasley," she puffed. "There are copies of a lifetime of memories in there, and if what you say is true…"
"It is!"
"…then Professor Snape has lost all of the original memories. It is going to take some strong magic to give them back to him."
"We are in a bad circle here," George scratched the light stubble on his chin as they walked towards the Malfoy's private rooms. "To give the memories back to Snape we need strong magic, Harry would be our best chance. But then to wake Harry we will probably need Snape, with all of his memories restored."
"And we do not have Snape," said Ron.
"When the Minister sees the memories," McGonagall pointed out," Severus will no longer be hunted as a murderer. He would only be a missing person."
"Yes," agreed Fred. "But he will not know that. I have to look for him myself; he will trust me, not the Aurors."
They had arrived at the main bedroom. After a moment's hesitation, Fred knocked at the door.
Lucius Malfoy looked surprised as he opened the doors. He quickly came to his senses and raised an eyebrow in interest. Behind him Narcissa lay in the bed under a big book. She peered up at the visitors.
"Yes?" asked Lucius folding his arms in a intimidating way. "How can I be of service to my jailors today?"
"Do you have a Pensieve?" asked George, trying to keep a steady voice.
"I have," Lucius eyed the bottle in Fred's hands. "That is a lot of memories, young man."
"Can we use it, please Mr. Malfoy?" asked McGonagall sternly.
"Of course, Headmistress," Lucius bowed to her. "Your word is my law." He turned to his wife. "I will soon be back, my love."
"It is in the Astrological room," said Lucius and held out his hand to show them the way. "May I ask whose memories you are penetrating?"
"You may not," scowled Ron.
"Testy child," Lucius glanced back at him. "I am glad my son has manners."
"Maybe manners, but not decorum," muttered Ron.
"That is a big word," noted the older Malfoy. "I am very interested on what you base this statement on."
"Let us just say…" said Ron "…that I have seen your son do things that would not count as good behaviour."
"Now you really intrigue me," Lucius gave him a curios smile.
He led them up the stairs to a room at the third floor. It was mostly decorated in blue and gold. There was a roof skylight, enchanted to show the sky even if there was another floor above them, for the moment the sky was blue with out a cloud. The tall shelves were full of books on astrology and other fortune telling subjects. There were also several, more or less, complicated instruments, ranging from simple telescopes to entire models of the solar system. It was an impressive room, even if it was clear that is was not often in use.
Lucius walked over to a cupboard. As he opened it they could see an impressive collection of memories in small golden vials, many of them had names or events written up on them. Most of the more recent ones were memories of Draco as a child. There was also a finely sculpted stone Pensieve.
"Dwarf craftsmanship," said Lucius pulling out the basin. "14th century, I trust you to be careful."
"Absolutely," McGonagall was almost breathless, her stern outlook forgotten at the sight of the work of art. "Take care, children. This must be one of the first ones made of the inventor himself."
"You got a good eye, Madame," complicated Lucius. He let his forefinger slide along the side of stone and suddenly he looked sad. "The last one in private ownership…"