A/N: Thanks for sticking with me everyone! This is chapter 21 of 29, so we are getting close! I've been busy writing an actual novel to publish (WHAT?! I finished the second draft last week!) as well as finishing up a Hermione/Oliver Wood fic (editing that now!) and starting a Hermione/Draco Marriage law fic and another Hermione/George story. So, lots more coming! I'm writing up a storm, but hopefully my updates will be more regular! I'm going to try and get this one fully uploaded by the end of the year 😊 As always, thank you for the lovely comments! They really make my day!

We spent the next couple days being spotted around wizarding Paris. Obviously, it wouldn't do us much good to be caught in muggle Paris which was a disappointment to me, but Draco promised that we would come back again together sometime.

Our evenings were spent in the resort restaurant and, as the weekend approached, we saw more and more faces that Draco recognized from the pureblood circle. We used charms to eavesdrop on the conversations all the while still looking like a couple in love. That part wasn't so hard to fake, but it was a little weird being so outwardly affectionate especially when we weren't looking like ourselves.

The first couple days, we didn't get much information, but by Friday there was a bit of a stir. The conversations were turning to a discussion of a proposition to join a new force. Most of the witches and wizards were absolutely appalled that someone would try to start another war over blood status. While the attendance was mixed from all over Europe with only a few from London, Voldemort's reign of terror was well known.

Draco explained to me later that for most, self-preservation mattered above all else. Knowing how spectacularly Voldemort had failed would be reason enough for many of them to abstain from any association with the unnamed source. However, there were a few that, albeit a bit jokingly, were interested in the idea. It was as if they didn't want to make their approval of eliminating muggles and muggleborns known, but didn't want to dismiss it completely.

We took note of these individuals. The information would be sent back to the appropriate ministries for further investigation.

For the most part, the parties that had arrived together remained separate. Every now and then someone would stop by another table for a quick chat, but we weren't seeing people grouping together. This was clearly a vacation for many and others were respecting that.

We had our own fair share of well-wishers stop by our table. No one stayed long or asked many questions for which we were grateful, but it gave us an opportunity to get a closer look at some of those in attendance.

The week was winding to a close and we had spent nearly every waking moment after that first day piecing together information on those around us. Saturday finally arrived and Draco and I were both quiet as we readied in the morning. All out of town guests were invited to a brunch. We hadn't yet identified someone we thought had potential to be Lestrange and today was our final opportunity to get close enough to see if our suspicions were correct.

Throughout the week we had been sending owls to Harry with updates on our progress. He was happy with what we had found so far, but Draco and I were both over achievers. There was no way we would be happy going home without Lestrange in custody, despite the fact this had mostly been an information gathering mission. The events today would also put to test our undercover skills. Both brunch and the gala itself were sure to be heavy on the mingling and actually talking with the other guests. We needed to be careful to play the part well of two pureblood newlyweds. Draco was a great coach and he had taken the lead so far to make sure we kept a friendly and warm demeanor to each other with slight touches, but no glaring displays of PDA. Pureblood families weren't big fans of showing great amounts of affection towards one another so it was a balance of showing that there was a happy relationship mixed with not getting too close or personal.

Draco adjusted his tie. "Are you ready for this, love?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. Do you think he will be there today?"

I didn't have to elaborate for him to know who I was talking about. "I really do. I haven't seen anyone that reminds me of Lestrange thus far, but this is one of the main events. Chances are high that he will make some type of appearance, though likely not as himself. So that last bloke we haven't had a run in with is worth investigating. It's probable based on the conversations we have overheard that he has had many private meetings this week to discuss his ideas. Today will be for the people he couldn't pin down most likely, but it could also be an opportunity for him to show a demonstration of power. We need to be prepared for both and try our best to catch him before it's too late."

I quickly pulled on a dress appropriate for this morning. I didn't bother to go in the bathroom to change anymore, Draco and I were quite familiar with each other's naked bodies at this point, though we still hadn't made the final leap to sleeping together.

"Do you remember the code phrase?"

He scoffed. "Do I remember the code phrase? Please, darling. I'm not Weasley." It was clear he instantly regretted his word choice. "Sorry love, some habits die hard."

I approached him and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Unfortunately, I've had you both as partners and I I can vouch that your statement is correct. And I, for one, am very thankful for that. I have complete trust in you as my partner and I'm sorry I doubted you for a moment. I know you would remember such an important thing, It's just the nerves. They make me crave control."

"That's alright. We should get going though. Yeah?"

"Yeah."

We knocked back our vials and waited for the transformation to be complete before taking the provided portkey to the event. I'd definitely be happy to be off polyjuice for a while after this.

Brunch was held outside in the gardens of the large estate. People were mingling everywhere by the time we arrived. We were greeted promptly and handed some kind of frothy, fruity drink in champagne flutes.

I look at Draco hesitantly and he nods slightly. "They wouldn't dare poison their guests."

Holding my glass up in a mock, "cheers" he does the same and we both take a drink. It tastes of strawberries and cream and is a lovely accompaniment to a breakfast.

Draco takes my arm. "There will be a formal sit-down meal in a half hour. For right now, let's take a tour of the grounds."

We did so, talking to several people as we go. Our eyes missed nothing as we roamed the crowd. Just before we were to be seated, Draco looked over my shoulder.

"Those flowers look lovely."

"Which flowers dear?" I turned my head in the direction of his gaze and saw a man standing to the side, appraising the room. "Oh yes, those are quite nice. Is that something you would like to bring back home?"

"I think that's exactly what we've been missing."

Our eyes met as we communicated without words. Lestrange was here. He was clearly in a disguise, but I trusted Draco's judgement. Something about the man over there was familiar to him.

Just then, house elves began showing us to our seats. I continued our conversation. "Shall we inquire about them this morning?"

He shook his head casually. "No rush. I'm sure the host will be more relaxed and have more time to talk this evening. We'll have time to inquire where he got them then."

Got it. He's fairly certain that's Lestrange, but without getting close and not having any direct interactions, we have no reason legally to swipe him other than Draco's identification and, in this case, it's not enough.

The house elf seats us at a table with ten others and we begin a friendly conversation. We've had plenty of time to prepare and our conversation flows smoothly with no doubt that we aren't actually who we say we are.

Draco and I both keep tabs on Lestrange, but he leaves before we have a chance to get near him.

Back at the hotel, Draco immediately unbuttons the top few buttons of his shirt of he takes the reversal draught and runs a hand frustratedly through his now blonde hair. "We were so close! If only we had seen him earlier, we could have caught a conversation and possibly been done with all this."

I put one hand reassuringly on his shoulder as I quickly down the draught myself. "It's ok, Draco. It was still good. You've identified him and we will know who to look for tonight. We are a step closer and soon he will be locked in Azkaban where he belongs. I have to ask though, how did you know it was him?"

Draco stilled. "I didn't at first. I actually recognized him as someone who was at the restaurant yesterday talking to a group, but I didn't notice it then. He does this thing when he is excited. A bit of a nervous tick. It's a shoulder movement and I've never seen anyone else do it before. I saw him do it this morning and I watched him for a few minutes after that. He hasn't taken polyjuice but instead he's changed his features. Now that I knew it was him, I could kind of undo what he had done in my mind and I knew it was him."

"Well, we'll nab the bastard tonight. No wasting time. We need to get him to approach us with his plans and bring him in quickly."

Draco agreed and we fluttered about the hotel room making sure we had everything we would need for the evening. We also sent an owl to Harry updating him on the newest development. Another letter went to the French Head Auror with a similar update including our intent for an apprehension this evening. Customs would be a bitch, but it would be so worth it to bring down Lestrange.