Chapter 3

"We were in Diagon Alley, and I was getting a fitting at Madam Malkin's," sobbed Astoria. "It was stuffy in there so Draco decided to wait outside."

He'd been found in a narrow passageway next to the shop. Once again it was death due to the Killing Curse. Once again, there was no trace of a magical signature.

The team split up, with Harry and Padma heading to Diagon Alley, Marcus visiting the Aurors, and Daphne taking her sister home.

Madam Malkin was distraught. "I never heard a thing," she wailed. "Neither did Marian," she pointed to her assistant, who nodded mutely.

"What do you think, Leo?" Padma whispered. "Is it something against Slytherins, or purebloods, or…"

"Hold on." Harry held up his hands. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Instead of asking why, we need to consider who. It would take someone very clever to erase a magical signature so thoroughly. I don't think many could do it."

"But experimental magic comes out of our department, and we aren't working on anything like that."

"Right," Harry concurred. "So someone is tampering with spells that would be beyond the average wizard or witch."

"It's late," Padma said reluctantly. "I think we should go home, and get a fresh start tomorrow."

They started to walk towards the Leaky when Harry spotted Ron outside the joke shop.

"Hang on," he told Padma. "I'd like a word with Ron."

"He isn't still angry with you?" asked Padma. "I mean, about Ginny?"

"No," Harry admitted. "It took a while but he gradually came to see that she wasn't exactly pining for me. Now she is engaged to Dean Thomas, so all's well that ends well."

"Hey, mate!" Ron greeted Harry. "What are you up to? Don't tell me, I know. You can't talk about it!"

Harry grinned. "As long as you know that! You remember Padma, right?"

"Sure." An odd expression flickered across Ron's face. "She was kind enough to forgive me for the Yule Ball fiasco!"

Padma laughed. "Ron, that was years ago! You don't need to apologize every time you see me. I promise I've forgiven you."

He grinned at her "Shall we all grab some dinner?"

"Where's Hermione?" asked Harry curiously.

"Working, I reckon. Ogden manages to stick her with most of the paperwork. Mate, I'm so glad I decided not to work for the Ministry. Slave-drivers, all of them."

Harry forebore to point out that it was the Ministry who'd opted not to work with Ron, and they headed for the Leaky Cauldron.

At once they spotted George and Angelina, who waved them over.

"Harry!" Angelina squealed and hugged him. "This is perfect, you'll be one of the first to hear our news!"

George nodded, looking more content than Harry had seen him since Fred's death. "Angelina has just agreed to marry me!"

"Wonderful news! Congratulations."

"You'll be in the wedding, Harry?" Angelina begged. "Please?"

"Of course he will," George grinned. "I want …all my brothers with me."

Harry consented at once. He was closer to George than any of the Weasleys except Ron, and he felt honored to be asked. George ordered a bottle of wine to celebrate, and the toasts dragged on into the night.

By the time Harry reached home, it was nearing midnight only to find Macavity was wide awake and wanted to play.

Harry sighed. The kitten had recovered from the trauma of his near-death; his eyes were open now and he was growing lively. Harry had intended to gift him to Teddy, until he discovered that Andromeda was allergic to cats and couldn't be in the same room with one.

"Looks like you're stuck with me, mate," he told the kitten. Macavity, finally weary, curled up in his basket by the fire and started to purr.

"Master's pet is doing well," Kreacher announced.

"Thank you, Kreacher." Harry headed up to bed, so exhausted he was certain of a good night's sleep.

He didn't get it.

Two hours before dawn found him back in Diagon Alley, this time in back of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

"We found her here when we were patrolling," Neville told him. "My last patrol!"

Harry looked around at his team.

"Pansy Parkinson," Daphne whispered. "I shared a dorm with her for seven years."

"What do you know about her?" Harry demanded.

"Not much more than everyone knows. She hated muggleborns, and she was obsessed with Draco Malfoy."

"You don't suppose she killed him, and then committed suicide?" Marcus suggested.

"No," replied Padma. "Her wand was beside her, and she hadn't cast anything except a few grooming charms."

"Right. So, what do the victims have in common?"

"Purebloods?" offered Marcus.

"Slytherins?" Daphne suggested.

"Last heirs of a family line?" ventured Padma.

"All that," Harry nodded. "But also…they were all in the same year at school."

"Our year!" Padma gasped.

"Not mine, I'm a year older," Marcus stated. "Anyway, is that relevant?"

"At this point we don't know what's relevant," Harry pointed out.

"What I'd like to know," said Daphne slowly, "is what Pansy was doing in Diagon Alley. The Carrow twins lived nearby, and Draco was waiting for Astoria, but Pansy? I happen to know she rarely left Parkinson House, and never by herself! She was scared someone would attack her because she wanted to hand Leo to Voldemort."