"Very well. I'll send a message to the authorities to prepare for our arrival." Draco agreed and he began to retreat from the ruins. Once he reached the surface he withdrew his wand and thought of a happy memory. At first he was going to use a memory of his mum, but then the very memory of Hermione Granger and him in the Room of Requirement, particularly her attempting to be civil as he tried to learn how to execute a patronus charm. The memory of her holding out that ham sandwich to him in the napkin bringing a hidden grin to the corner of his lips. "Expecto Patronum." He said and his Asian dragon slithered from the tip of his wand.

"Draco Malfoy and associate, Hermione Granger, require an audience with Lucius Malfoy. Expect an arrival within twenty four hours." He spoke to the dragon and the wispy creature departed into the sky, taking the message to the necessary authority to the Isle of Lost Souls.

"Shall we leave the Jinn here or take him with us locked up in the Knot?" He asked once his Patronus was out of view, respecting her decision the matter.

As Draco headed topside, Hermione hurried back down to the Jinn and proceeded to cast a barrier spell around it, ignoring the creature's protests and mocking at her. She joined Draco in the bright desert sun just in time to see his patronus fly out of view. She was a tad disappointed; she rather enjoyed the sight of his unique patronus. "Don't worry; I took the liberty of setting up a barrier around him. He won't be getting out and no one can get in besides me." Hermione answered as she followed Draco into the tent. She pulled out her travel trunk and removed her potions kit, setting right to work on making the veritaserum.

"Good thinking, Granger." Draco commented. He had no desire to bring the Jinn above ground until they were ready to transport it to the Ministry of Magic. For now he needed to wait for Granger to get a veritaserum potion ready, just in case the two death eaters were not cooperative. He busied himself using magic to pack up their camp. By the time he was done the only thing left to pack was the tent and allow Granger to clean up her potions kit.

Then it was off to Azkaban. Draco felt a knot in his stomach grow at the thought of seeing his father. He had put up so many barriers and compartmentalized his emotions during his father's trial. Only because Lucius had deflected by the end of the war was he allowed to rot in Azkaban instead of receiving a Dementors kiss.

Draco couldn't understand why he was feeling nervous. Perhaps it was the eleven year old within him wanting his father's approval and he deep down had no idea if his father would approve of his career as one of the most esteemed Alchemists in the world.

"Draco, are you alright?" Hermione asked as the last bits of canvas were folded neatly in midair. Hermione had noticed an unusual look of serious thought and worry on Draco's brow, a certain crease on his forehead that reached down between his eyebrows. She noticed this look back in Hogwarts during their sixth year, though she didn't recognize it as such back then.

"If it's about your father, honestly I'm not too thrilled either. But I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle. Teamwork and all that you know?" She really tried sounding optimistic, but worry was clearly evident in Hermione's voice. Visiting Azkaban or seeing Lucius Malfoy again was not something she ever desired to do within the rest of her lifetime.

Draco didn't think his worry was that apparent, but even Granger must have noticed enough to ask. "I'm fine, Granger." He replied with a tone of voice that was certainly a bit on the defensive sound spectrum, even to him. If she was upset at him she didn't show it. If anything she replied with a boast of confidence and that Gryffindor/Granger optimism. Despite her outward efforts to seem positive, he could tell the idea of visiting his father in Azkaban was probably the second to last place she wanted to go. The first place being Malfoy Manor, or so he figured.

"Always the optimistic Gryffindor I see. No matter. I have no doubt that we can handle whatever comes of this whole endeavor." He replied this time in a more sincere tone of voice. He secured his pack onto his shoulders and did a final check to make sure all was well. "Let's get this over with. The sooner we get the Jinn taken care of the better. I have a feeling the Gringotts goblins aren't going to like you too much if they find out you chose to destroy the 'ruins treasure' instead of bringing it in like you are supposed to." He said as he mentally readied to apparate.

Hermione smiled when Draco noted on her disposition. "Someone has to be optimistic, I suppose." She said, giving Draco a friendly nudge. Draco's comment about the goblins at Gringotts had reminded Hermione about her original job. She had technically completed the task. All she needed to do was collect the scale and whatever else might be in the Jinn's room, so she wasn't too concerned. "I'm sure they'd be alright with the information I've gathered so far. Plus we know that Xerxes' body should be contained within the ruins as well, perhaps that would suffice."

"I suppose so." He agreed although he had no idea. He wasn't an employee of Gringotts. He was employed by the Alchemy Centre. They just happened to be on this extended time mission together because of her exceptional need for a skilled alchemist. Seeing that she was done and ready to go he reached over and took her hand into his. This time he was apparating them to a place he never figured he would go. The Isle of Lost Souls, the location of Azkaban prison.

Darkness surrounded them as the pull of time and space warped their bodies from point a to point b. Coming out of it was nearly disorienting as the travel itself. Dark ocean water surrounded them. The icy chill of unforgiving wind blew against their backs. In the distance a dark triangular building of stone looked just as forbidding as the rest of the dreary scenery surrounding them.

"Mr. Draco Malfoy." A voice stated at the bright silvery sight of a stallion horse patronus greeted them. "Normally visitation to Azkaban is highly regulated and is only done with much paperwork and Ministry approval. However due to your relation to Lucius Malfoy and your accompanying associate Ms. Hermione Granger; you are permitted to do so this time. You will not be permitted to apparate to the prison. You must walk to it from here. Have your wands ready. Dementors are the least of the monstrosities that lay within the Isle of Lost Souls, however they are the most numerous. There will be an elf to escort you inside to the visitation chamber to speak with Lucius. Farewell." It said in finality and disappeared.

Draco wished he had transfigured a coat to wear before departing. The desert heat was a drastic difference compared to the North Sea's wind chill, even though he wore a business suit and jacket. Not that he would ever admit such. He wasn't going to show weakness, especially here. Without a word he began to lead their trek on foot toward the building. His want in hand as they got closer he could see the place was surrounded by dementors.

As they gained closer proximity the ground around them frosted over. "Expecto Patronum." He said out loud, though it sounded more like a hushed whisper over the howling wind. The tip of his wand lit up and out slithered a serpent dragon. With a swish of his wand the dragon 'flew' around them, bobbing its head and body in midair flight, making a patronus charm circle around them.

Hermione stayed silent as they arrived on the dreaded island. She'd never been very fond of dementors and was appalled that they were reinstated as Azkaban guards. But she unfortunately had no control over that decision. Every argument made for them were vague and horribly structured in her opinion. She talked Ron's ear off about it, picking apart every 'fact' displayed in the Daily Prophet. Again, unfortunately people preferred them over other alternatives, so Kingsley decided to go back to using dementors but also instated tougher regulations on them: fewer were allowed to breed, more laws on their use were put in place, strict monitoring and so on.

As Hermione and Draco trekked towards Azkaban, she kept very close to her comrade. Chills ran down her spine as she saw a few dementors watching them from a distance. One even swooped by, but Draco's dragon kept the foul creature at bay. Her grip tightened on her wand and they hastened their pace. It wasn't that she was afraid of dementors; she simply knew that every so often her patronus charm gave her trouble. Every once in a while she'd practice but have trouble with keeping the corporeal patronus. However, she did have slightly better luck when she used her memory of Draco, but she'd never tell anyone that.

They finally made it to the front gates of Azkaban where they were met by an elf holding a small door open for them. "C'mon, c'mon t'aint' got all day, then." He called out in a gruff voice. "Thank you." Hermione said going through the door. This took the elf by surprise but he quickly shrugged it off.

Draco inwardly chuckled at Granger's mannerisms toward the elf. His memory vaguely recalled that she had a soft spot for the servant creatures. Rumors of her starting a ridiculous 'organization' to free them or something drifted into his mind back in their 4th year at Hogwarts. It had been a ridiculous idea. The creatures lived to serve. His family's once house-elf Dobby had served them well enough. His father had treated the elf poorly on a regular basis. He had only done so on rare occasions. But Draco's mum, Narcissa, had been civil enough to the creature.

The prison was the essence of darkness, dampness, and decay. The elf had but a small torch to light the way as he led them around the triangular prison and up a few levels of stairs. Sound he had never heard before echoed through the halls. They even passed some cells that had figures that weren't exactly human. 'What the blood hell else are they keeping here besides condemned witches and wizards?' He thought to himself as they came to a stop.

The gruff elf held out his hand to them. "No wands. Or no visit." He warned simply. "Fat chance, elf." Draco snapped, holding his wand tighter. "I give you my wand and you have the advantage should you use it against me." Draco added to which the elf replied. "I don't need your wand for that Mr. Malfoy."

Draco then remembered that elves had their own magic. And chances of this one having powerful enough magic at his use to keep all the nasties in here contained was probable. "Fine. Have it your way then." Draco conceded and passed his wand over. Once both wands were in the hands of the elf he waved his other hand and the heavy door opened. Inside was quite a sight. His father was shackled to the wall, although he had been permitted a chair to sit in. His appearance was pitiful to say the least. Hair long as ever, though not brushed or washed gave it a dirty blonde look. His suit had been replaced with a dark and light gray horizontally striped pants and shirt that was in a similar condition as his appearance.

Lucius's figure was hunched over until the door opened and he raised his head. His eyes focused on Draco as he tried to stand but the shackles did not allow him that luxury. "So it's true. Look at you. My boy…" Lucius said, his tone of voice and eyes still sharp with wit it seemed.

"Hello Father. This is my associate Ms. G…"

"Granger. Yes, I remember you. And your parents. I certainly didn't expect you here. What is going on?" Lucius asked, his air of command ever present.

"No, Father. We are going to ask the questions and you will give us the answers we seek." Draco corrected. He was not going to play into his father's authority games. This was a business visit, nothing more.

Hermione couldn't help but feel a sense of impending doom and dread as they followed the elf. But a strange thing happened when she glanced over to her partner. She felt a sense of calm. His steely eyes observing their surroundings. He saved her life once, she was sure they could handle themselves in a pinch, with that thought she relaxed a bit. Plus, there was an elf. It was unlikely that he'd would allow anything catastrophic to take place.

When asked for their wands Hermione politely handed hers over, but watched impatiently as Draco argued. "Draco, be nice. We're lucky to be here at all on such short notice." She followed the now brooding Draco into the visitation cell and stood next to him. She wanted to show Mr. Malfoy that she and Draco were equals.

"If you would be so kind Mr. Malfoy, we need to know the names of any unspeakable that you know of, or the whereabouts of the veil in the Department of Mysteries, if it's been moved. You need not ask as to why, that's not your business." She spoke with authority but in reality she couldn't quite maintain eye contact with the man. The way he said her name with such dismissal sickened her.

"Draco, why is Ms. Granger speaking to me in such a manner? Is she your assistant or something? We don't get much news of the daily occurrences in here." The degrading tone of his voice reminded Hermione of how Draco used to speak back in Hogwarts.

Draco inhaled and exhaled silently, keeping his composure. "Answer her, respectfully.

Lucius cackled a dry laugh and stated with that signature smirk, "Don't believe that you are the one in control here, Draco. You have no wand. I will not give any information you seek until I get an answer first."

"I don't need a wand to be in control father. Surely you know that by now." Draco argued. Half the issue during the second to last year of the war had been helping Voldemort gain the legendary 'Elder Wand'. Only to have it not be loyal to him because Draco couldn't complete his mission.

Draco decided to give just a bit. But only just. "Ms. Granger is my professional partner."

Lucius eyes went wide with a glare of disgust, "My son became an Auror and got partnered with Ms. Granger, of all people." He trailed off glancing between the two. "What a disappointment." The man said, though he didn't specify what he was disappointed in more Draco's assumed career or his partner.

Draco had no intention of correcting his father. A part of him wanted the man who did anything to save his family to be proud of him, but not while his heart was still prejudice. Draco glanced over at Granger, hoping his eyes clearly said to not react. The answers they needed would come soon.

When no rise came, Lucius huffed in defeat. "I know of five unspeakable. Two are dead. One is here. Which leaves only two that might be of some use to you. Levina Monkstanley and Saul Croaker." He informed with a smug look on his face. "The Department of Mysteries lies on the second lowest level of the Ministry of Magic, Level Nine. It is accessible via the lifts from the Ministry Atrium. Behind the black door is the Entrance Chamber, which is designed to disorient any unauthorized personnel who enter it. It is a circular room with a dark marble floor that looks almost like standing water, candles emitting a cool blue light, and 12 handless doors. Whenever a door closes, the wall rotate, making it impossible to determine which door is which."

He took in a deep breath and continued, "I only know six of the twelve rooms…."

Thought 'brain' room

Death 'veil' chamber

Hall of prophecy

Love 'amortentia' chamber

Space chamber

Time 'time-turners' room

"Should you wish to leave, return to the circular 'handless door' chamber. It will present upon verbal request for an exit if asked. I do look forward to seeing you two here again soon. Breaking into the Department of Mysteries is a one way ticket to here." He said laughing manically.

Hermione's stomach churched at the sound of Lucius' laughter, but managed to meet his nasty glare with a stern one of her own. She quickly pulled out a parchment and quill to and wrote down the information he so 'graciously' gave them. She turned to Draco and nodded. "That should be plenty to go off of for now. If we can speak with either Mr. Croaker or Ms. Monkstanley, we might be able to convince them to let us in if we are unnoticed. I might have to burrow Harry's cloak for this." She whispered to Draco. She then turned to Lucius. "Thank you Mr. Malfoy that will be all."

"Foolish woman. It is unfortunate Bellatrix Lestrange did not deal with you when she had the chance. The horrors in here make her handy work towards you look like child's play." He snapped then whipped his head towards Draco, "How dare you go through with this plan. Your mother is going to end up alone. Is that what you want?" Lucius roared as he pulled against the restraints trying to break free, but to no avail. Hermione looked rather smug at the situation, but budging an inch.

Draco raised his eyebrows up in curiosity when Granger whispered to him about possibility of burrowing Potter's cloak for their endeavor. She had told him briefly about it before. That Potter had in his possession a Cloak of Invisibility. Rare beyond what money could offer, it surely was a family heirloom.

Part of him felt a sense of pride when Granger addressed his father so smugly. It was the same air of confidence that she had displayed during their second year of Diagon Ally. When his father met her the first time and she dared to be factitious with Lucius about fearing a name. Back then Draco resented that confidence. Now it was kind of charming. In a tolerable know it all manner.

Draco looked to his father. All worn out, pathetically chained up, serving a life sentence for his many crimes committed in the name of prejudice and nobility. "I am sorry for you father. I am sorry you weren't able to see past the bloodlines and anarchy. You still have mother's love and mine, as your son. You always will."

Lucius turned his glare to his only son, "This is the result I get after everything I did for you. No matter what I did or how much I paid, you were never good enough. Potter always bested you at Quidditch. Bested you in dueling. This very woman always bested you in class. Even Snape had to do your task for you. A pathetic excuse for a Malfoy."

Draco relaxed as his eyes met Lucius' once more. "I am a disappointment to you, but despite my past, I am proud of who I've become. Farewell Father." He said in a formal farewell and turned away to exit the room. He held the door open in a gentleman manner, "Ms. Granger." Draco spoke being overly kind and courteous. Even went so far as to take her hand and brought it to his lips in a soft kiss. An old but formal ritual of British greeting when escorting a lady out.

It took everything in Hermione's power of will to keep a stern face and not break into a wide grin while Draco spoke to his father. It was refreshing to see this boy who once feared his father's disappointment, become the man before her. Denouncing his upbringing and say that he was truly proud of himself. It was actually rather an attractive trait, something she admired in many of the men she read about in her romance novels.

As the two departed she was a little surprised by Draco's display of courtesy, and couldn't help but giggle when he kissed her hand. "Thank you Mr. Malfoy." She said throwing back one last haughty glance back at Lucius to see what his response would be from the display. As she predicted, he looked as though he could explode with rage. His teeth bared and sweat rolled down his forehead. He looked like a rabid dog chained up. She thought she heard a animalistic wail echo through the halls as they got further away from the visitation chamber. It sounded mournful, yet full of rage. It she didn't know any better, Hermione might have felt sorry for the old sod, but as it were she didn't know what to think.

Without a word the elf lead them away, back to the outside. "Well, I don't think that could have gone any better!" Hermione said cheerfully. "You handled yourself very well Draco."

"Thank you, Hermione." Draco replied, keeping an eye out on the nearby Dementors as they walked away from Azkaban. His mind momentarily reflected on the wail that he thought he heard as they had proceeded down the hall way from the visitation chamber. It pained Draco's heart, despite logic and reason. They walked in silence. Mostly keeping an eye out until they reached the boundary of the anti apparating border line.

"Where to now?" He asked finally relaxing now that they were outside the border. The chill of the wretched wind threatening to mess up his hair.