Remus Lupin smiled at them all as he sat down at the kitchen table. Like Agent Shacklebolt, he had an ear-piece attached, but he didn't look as at-home wearing it like the MI5 agent did.

'So… if we have security clearance, that means we can be told certain things?' Ginny asked. 'About what you've discovered so far?'

Remus Lupin nodded.

'That's correct. However, before we start, I should stress that this information is of the utmost secrecy, and cannot be repeated to anyone without security clearance.'

Luna, Ginny, Neville and Ron all nodded.

Kingsley Shacklebolt leaned forward in his chair.

'We believe that the break-ins are one small part of the actions of a large crime syndicate,' he said, his tone serious. 'They are a worldwide organisation, and have been connected to various criminal conspiracies, illegal chemical weapons manufacturing, and… well, more than a few murders, to say the least.'

'We have reason to suspect that the branch of the organisation responsible for the break-in at Ms Lovegood's shop are part of a worldwide scheme,' Remus Lupin added. 'Rare plant research has been going missing across virtually every continent on earth and, on every occasion, it has been relating to certain types of plant bacteria. One plant that the organisation seems especially interested in is the Amazonian Octarine-Flame.'

Luna started, her eyes growing wide with alarm.

'A-Amazonian Octarine-Flame?' she repeated, her voice quavering. 'Someone came into the shop yesterday morning asking about it.'

'Any distinguishing features?'

'They were wearing black, and they were… fairly tall and thick-set. And… well, they wore large sunglasses that hid most of their face. But that's not why I'm worries. I… I think someone was in my shop last night.'

'Wait…' Ginny said, her eyes widening in horror. 'You mean… when you went downstairs in the night?...'

'That was likely a scout for the crime syndicate,' Remus Lupin said, softly. 'Ms Lovegood, you are extraordinarily lucky; usually they don't let people live if they've been seen.'

Ginny, her face pale, intertwined her fingers with Luna's.

'I'm okay, Ginny,' Luna whispered, softly.

The redhead nodded, still looking worried.

'Like we said,' Agent Shacklebolt continued. 'The break-ins are all to do with rare plants native to South America. The plants themselves and the research surrounding them. So… I put forward the plan that we track the syndicate. We start in Rio, Brazil, and move out into the Amazon delta when we are confident in a lead.'

'Hang on,' Ron said, crossing his arms. 'That sounds like trespassing in a sovereign nation without checking with the local authorities first.'

'I would normally agree with you, but this case is different. The British secret services are already liaising with our opposite numbers in Brazil, as well as with Interpol. Not to mention… well, the head of the crime syndicate is a British citizen.'

Agent Shacklebolt pulled a photograph out of his pocket, and placed it on the table. It was a grainy still image, that seemed to have been captured by CCTV camera, and looked several years old. There was a figure, shrouded in black but his face pale and thin. He was completely bald and his eyes seemed to glow red.

'This is… well, his alias is Voldemort.'

'French for "In Flight of Death",' Remus Lupin added. 'But his civilian identity was that of Tom Riddle, an illegitimate son of minor nobility.'

Luna stared down at the face.

'Most people have that reaction the first time,' Agent Shacklebolt said, noticing her horrified expression. 'It's the eyes, isn't it?'

'He doesn't look like any toff I've ever seen,' Ron said, wrinkling his nose slightly. 'Usually, they don't look so intimidating. What's with the bald head?'

'He didn't used to look like that,' Remus Lupin replied. 'Once, he was even considered a rather handsome young man. But that was a long time ago. Before he discarded his name and submerged into the world of international crime. He's at the top end of every security organisation's most wanted list.'

'Yeesh,' Neville said. 'And I thought normal toffs were bad enough.'

'Ms Lovegood,' Agent Shacklebolt said, addressing Luna. 'Mr Longbottom and yourself are two of barely a handful of people in Britain who know about these Amazonian plants. We'd like you both to come with us to Rio.'

Ginny looked up at Neville, feeling very confused.

'Er, Professor Sprout taught me,' Neville said, modestly. 'Luna's better at the theory than I am, though.'

He turned to Agent Shacklebolt.

'Count me in,' he said, his voice level. 'I want to help. I'm not a spy, but I can help out with the research into the plants as best I can.'

Agent Shacklebolt smiled.

'We wouldn't be asking you to spy,' he replied. 'We have people for that. But the talents of yourself and Miss Lovegood will aid us greatly, especially as we ascertain where the syndicate is based in the Amazon delta.'

Ginny caught eyes with Luna, and the blonde woman squeezed her hand.

'I… I'll come,' Luna said, steadily. 'I don't know how much help I'll be, but…'

'It will be dangerous,' Remus Lupin said, slowly. 'Very dangerous. You will each be given a security detail, but you will need to keep your wits about you nonetheless.'

Ginny felt her stomach drop. Luna really was going to go to South America, into a world of criminal organisations and dangerous situations. Yes, she would be with Neville and the secret service people, but still. What if something happened to her? What is she… Ginny couldn't even finish that thought.

Without thinking, Ginny squeezed Luna's hand, and spoke.

'I'm coming along too.'

Remus Lupin and Agent Shacklebolt shared a quick look.

'Ms Weasley,' Agent Shacklebolt said. 'We are talking about a crime syndicate that thinks nothing of murder and widespread destruction.'

'I don't care.' Ginny replied, firmly. 'They broke into Luna's shop, and they could have easily killed Luna last night. No-one messes with my Lu.'

Remus Lupin smiled.

'I believe we can make an exception in this case.'

Agent Shacklebolt sighed, and nodded.

Luna squeezed Ginny's hand, a soft smile stretching across her face.

The next morning, Ginny and Luna took the tube to Heathrow. It was an overcast, drizzly day, and people scurried down from the streets above like rats escaping into the sewer. Except that rats are normally a lot happier about it.

Ginny felt weirdly nostalgic for the rural Devon of her childhood. She loved living in the city, but sometimes she did grow tired of the frantic pace of life. Well, she wouldn't have to worry about living in a cold, rainy metropolis for a little while, at the very least. Even if it was going to be more dangerous.

Neville had already left on a plane the previous evening. It had been decided that they shouldn't all go to Rio at the same time, just to avoid any additional suspicion. Ron had texted Ginny earlier that morning, saying that he wished both Ginny and Luna the best of luck, and that he'd be keeping in contact with Agent Shacklebolt until they were all safely back in the UK.

The two women entered Heathrow's main entrance, and spotted Remus Lupin stood outside a café, with someone that they didn't recognise; a short woman with mousy brain hair.

'Ms Lovegood, Ms Weasley,' Remus said, holding a takeaway cup. 'Allow me to introduce Nymphadora Tonks.'

The woman smiled cheerily at them.

'Wotcher,' she said, grinning. On closer inspection, her hair had pink highlights. 'Although Tonks is preferable, if you please.'

'Er, sure,' Ginny said. 'Are you…'

'Security detail,' Tonks said, sensing what Ginny was alluding to.

Ginny blinked. The woman was several inches shorter than both her and Luna.

'Oh, don't look so shocked,' Tonks laughed. 'I'm a master of several martial arts. You wouldn't believe the various ways I can wrap my legs around people.'

Remus Lupin choked on his coffee, and Tonks burst out laughing. Ginny couldn't help noticing that Lupin's ears had gone red, in much the same way that Ron's used to when he was flustered around Hermione.

Interesting.

'Seriously, though, it's nice to meet you both,' Tonks said. 'I've heard good things about you.'

'Since this is coming from a punk with pink hair, I'll take that as a compliment,' Ginny said, chuckling.

'You should,' Tonks replied, grinning. 'I am a bit more style-conscious than most of my peers. Or, as I call them, the black jacket and tie brigade. But Remus is alright, I suppose.'

Remus Lupin smiled to himself.

The four of them checked in their bags, and -a few hours later- Luna and Ginny found themselves in a plan bound for South America. Tonks and Remus Lupin had spread out, so as not to attract too much attention, but Luna and Ginny had been allowed to have two seats together.

'Ginny?'

The redhead opened her eyes, and turned to look at her girlfriend.

'Hmmm?'

'I'm… I'm worried.'

'What? About what will happen after we get to Rio?'

The blonde woman nodded.

Ginny reached under Luna's blanket, and squeezed her hand.

'What is gonna happen is that we'll get everything sorted,' Ginny continued, her voice soft. 'And, if anyone tries to hurt you, they'll have to go through me first.'

Luna smiled, squeezing Ginny's hand in return.

'You don't have to do that.'

'You're my girlfriend,' Ginny said. 'I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you. Ever.'

The skin around Luna's eyes crinkled as she stared at the redhead.

She leaned over, and rested her head on Ginny's shoulder. Within a few moments, she had fallen asleep. Ginny smiled to herself, enjoying the feeling of Luna's soft breath against her skin. She found herself drifting slowly to sleep, enjoying the brief bit of relaxation before they reached the unknown situation awaiting them in Rio.