Lily's Son
Chapter 35
Hunting For Information
Severus had been looking forward to the summer holiday's all year. He had already informed Dumbledore he'd be leaving. He hadn't told the old fool where he was going. So he probably wrongfully assumed he'd be going back to Spinner's End. Dumbledore had never in all the years Severus had known him, come to his house. So there was no chance he'd start now, no Dumbledore would just send him a letter. Not that he was worried about the old fool finding out. Dumbledore would do nothing to him, not with him being the only spy he had. It was after his spying duties were over that he'd have to watch. He was grateful that the Ministry knew he was a spy now, or rather the Wizengamot did. He wouldn't end up in Azkaban, but Dumbledore was a sneaky bastard. He knew the man wasn't as light as he seemed, especially not after how he'd been with Harry.
Severus gathered everything he'd need for the summer, including all the books he had in his Quarters. He didn't want to have to come back, and since they were going to be doing research it made sense to have as many books as possible. The students had already boarded the train, and he'd done the last of his duties. He would be meeting Lucius at the train station in twenty minutes. Which would give him enough time to get to Hogsmeade and apparate there. He knew there was something evil, and very wrong about that diary Lucius had. It didn't help that Voldemort had given it to him either.
Once he had everything shrunk, he placed it in his transfigured jacket pocket. He was dressed like a Muggle, since that's where he was heading. He'd transfigure it back to his cloak the second he appeared in Malfoy Manor. He was dressed completely in black, no surprise there. He preferred wearing his Wizarding clothes, since it had been so long since he'd worn Muggle clothes regularly. He just felt out of place with them on.
He stalked through the empty halls of Hogwarts, no teacher of ghost in sight. This wasn't unusual, most ghosts ended up together during the summer, since there were no students to annoy (peeves) or protect (the house ghosts). The teachers took this time to wind down or leave, but he'd bet the ones that were leaving were already gone. Severus had stayed because he had a potion to finish and things to do before he left. Then he'd decided just to meet Lucius at the station. Climbing aboard one of the coaches ten minutes later he climbed down in Hogsmeade station. Once he was a few feet away he Apparated to the magical part of Kings cross.
Lucius Malfoy stood out, tall and like a beacon with white long hair. Severus avoided touching anyone as he made his way over, the station was unusually busy but it always was at the end of the year or September the second. It probably confused the Muggles to no end, he thought with a chuckle.
"Hey Severus," said Narcissa beaming at her long time friend.
Severus nodded in return, "Any sign?" he asked referring to the scarlet steam engine carting the students back here.
"Not yet," said Lucius impatiently, tapping his cane on the ground.
"The children are going to the Dursley's for the first week, then to Miss Grangers. Afterwards they are spending the rest of the summer at ours." explained Narcissa happy that her baby would be spending most of this summer at home.
"Then may I ask…why are we here?" asked Severus dryly.
"I'm escorting them back home, I've already told the Dursley's not to bother coming. Mr. Potter wants his room big enough for his friends to remain comfortable in for the first week." said Lucius his voice low so no Witch or Wizard could hear.
"You have permission to use magic on his home?" asked Severus surprised.
"No, you know as well I the only way they know is because of the trace," said Lucius dryly.
"It's a good job you're not really a Death-Eater then isn't it Lucius? Otherwise you could hand him to the Dark Lord on a platter." whispered Severus quietly. He still could, if his family was threatened Lucius would do anything. He didn't like to think like that, but he knew the truth. Family had been what made Lucius spy. Anything to keep them safe and happy, he'd do it if he could. Unfortunately there were some things that Money couldn't buy. Like to ensure Voldemort remained gone from the world.
Lucius just gave him a pointed look.
"Finally," murmured Severus hearing the distinct chug of a train coming. Severus was a man who did not like waiting, its' why he was always just on time to meetings. You'd never find Severus arriving early, unless of course to scope out the place and make sure it was safe.
Ten minutes later the students were finally in front of them, their trunks behind them. Lucius of course immediately shrunk them all, and took Draco and Harry into his arms before Apparating. Narcissa took Luna and Hermione leaving Severus with Neville. They all appeared inside Privet Drive, which was empty.
Harry went to the fridge to see if there was a note, there was. "Aunt Petunia went shopping, Uncle Vernon is at work and Dudley is at boxing practise." he told the adults.
"Lead the way," said Lucius smoothly, and Harry bound up the stairs his friends following him. The adults followed at a more sedate pace looking at one another in amusement. They could remember a time where they had that much energy.
Lucius removed his wand and began casting spells on the small room, soon it was much bigger. Lucius conjured beds for them, and a few couches and a table. That way they could do their homework, and they would be. He expected the best from his son, and Draco knew that. So he usually got his homework done very early into the holidays. So he could enjoy the rest of his summer expectation free.
"Thanks dad," said Draco grinning widely, choosing the best bed before the others. Which was ridiculous because they were all the same, same colour same size. Then again it was just teenagers being teenagers.
"Thank you Mr. Malfoy." said Harry grinning widely, he loved magic!
"You are very welcome Mr. Potter, now if you will excuse me, your Professor and myself have important business to attend to." said Lucius, a small frown of worry on his forehead. He too wanted to know what the hell Voldemort had given him.
"Of course sir," said Harry nodding his head in understanding, at the same time his mind went overdrive with curiosity. What could they be doing during the summer that was so important? And he could see Draco's father was worried. That didn't usually bode well, the only time he was worried was when Voldemort was mentioned.
"Be careful Draco," said Narcissa giving her son a bone crushing hug, then to the surprise of the others she gave them a brief hug too before they were gone.
"Can you believe they gave Dumbledore suspension during the holiday? He should have got longer!" said Draco as soon as his parents were gone. They'd read the paper on the way home on the train.
"I agree it's hardly fair that the majority of it is during the summer." said Hermione putting her trunk at the bottom of a bed she'd picked. The others followed her example and all of them were done. Harry had the first bed, Draco second; Hermione third one, and Neville and Luna had the ones against the other wall.
"Doesn't matter he's finally been punished I think that says more than the time he was suspended for." said Harry. He'd been looking forward someone getting one over Dumbledore. Ever since a seventh year had petrified Filches cat, only because it had gotten the guy caught out of bounds at night. During their second year, Dumbledore had zoned in on them and threatened to have them expelled. That had been the only thing to happen during their second year. Other than that Dumbledore had been quiet. Worryingly so, but he'd soon been back to normal. Manipulating everyone and most especially trying to manipulate Harry and those closest to him.
"That's true," said Draco.
"I suppose so, and it also said that if any student was hurt he'd be removed from his post." Neville pointed out.
"Think that will make him take more care?" asked Hermione removing her cloak; it was very warm in here. She put it in her trunk, they were in the Muggle world now, they'd be using normal clothes not Wizarding things.
"No," scoffed Harry separating his newly converted Muggle money from his galleons. He'd sent Gringotts a letter, they'd sent him money and a statement of what had been withdrawn. "He'll just blame someone else."
"Yeah, Dumbledore's too sneaky to get caught," said Draco confidently. "I mean he had a werewolf in Hogwarts - without the Ministry knowing. Who knows what else he'd done?"
"But he's getting caught now, and he'll be watched closely," said Luna. She was borrowing a jacket from Hermione and a few pairs of jeans. All hers had decorative pictures that move. Not something she'd be able to wear here. She wasn't about to go around wearing her grey school skirt or trousers.
"I can't believe it though, when I read about him I was so exited to meet someone who'd accomplished so much. I even wanted the hat to put me in Gryffindor until I met you guys." said Hermione shaking her head wryly.
"Harry are you home yet?" shouted Petunia from the front door.
"Yes," shouted Harry opening his door and standing at the top of the stairs, "Would you like a hand?" he asked referring to the shopping.
"No, go on have fun, you know what time Dinner is at," said Petunia.
"I was thinking about eating out…it's less for you to do at least tonight," said Harry.
"Alright then," agreed Petunia, "Do you need some money?"
"No I have enough for us all," said Harry quickly.
"Okay then," said Petunia nodding as she shuffled through to the kitchen and placed her groceries on the table. She headed back out and in with more bags before she began putting them away.
"What exactly do you think we are looking for?" asked Lucius sitting back in a seat, currently in his study. It was right next to the Malfoy library which was very extensive and had generations of Malfoy's adding to it. The Manor he was in had been home to seven generations of Malfoy's. Since they normally only had one child, and a boy at that it wasn't unexpected. The book was at the moment sitting between them.
"I have no idea," said Severus wryly.
"We need to narrow it down a bit," said Lucius pulling the diary towards himself. A stupid idea presented itself in Lucius' mind, picking up his self inking quill he scribbled a few indecipherable words on it. Both men sat up in astonishment when the ink disappeared from view.
Hello my name is Tom Riddle who are you?
"Fucking hell," cursed Severus staring wide eyed, at the diary, Lucius was trembling as if expected the Dark Lord to come bursting out the book.
"Alright Severus, I believe you," said Lucius any doubt he'd had was gone quicker than a boat in the Bermuda Triangle.
"You should know better than to doubt me," said Severus removing the diary from Lucius' hands and putting it back on the table. "That certainly narrowed down the field wouldn't you say?" his voice was calm, but his eyes told a whole different story - he was just as worried as Lucius.
"Yes," said Lucius his voice held a slight tremble.
"We need to figure out what it is, then destroy it." said Severus and with that he began pulling books towards himself and began reading.
"Wouldn't it be better if we went to his favourite hide out? See what we can find out about that thing?" asked Lucius a thought suddenly striking him.
"You think he'd be stupid enough to leave anything lying?" asked Severus.
"He didn't expect to die Severus, we might get lucky." said Lucius.
"Alright, there's no harm in that," said Severus. "Do you know Parseltongue?" he said sarcastically.
"What?" asked Lucius.
"I'm pretty sure all his passwords are in Parseltongue," said Severus.
"You seriously think any passwords are holding after all this time?" scoffed Lucius.
"Don't underestimate him Lucius," growled Severus, he had gotten cocky about the Dark Lord since Harry had killed him.
Lucius sobered, "It's worth a try," sighed Lucius contritely.
"Which one did you have in mind?" asked Severus.
"Where he liked to go when he first started his rituals." said Lucius.
"How would you know where that is? I doubt you were born then," said Severus dryly.
"No, but my father told me everything…know your enemy boy he said when I started spying." said Lucius solemnly.
"Alright which one?" asked Severus agreeably.
"Gaunt house," said Lucius.
"Then let's go," said Severus smoothly. "You know where it is?" he wasn't pureblood he didn't know the locations of the houses or areas where they were.
"Yes," said Lucius, grabbing his friend he Apparated them both from Malfoy Manor to the now ruins of Gaunt Manor.
Ooo will they stumble across the ring as well? :P will they quickly figure out what they are or will it take them years? will they have them all destroyed and harry kill voldemort before he can regin terror on the world again? in the graveyard? or will lucius give up his spying duties to save him and get them back home unscathed? R&R PLEASE!