CHAPTER ONE: Enter the Pariah

Six years later

It has been six years since Harry Potter defeated Voldemort in the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Wizarding World has changed since then, but there still was a bit of prejudice going around, especially with reformed Death Eaters. Draco Malfoy had the worst of the backlash after he and his mother were not found guilty of their crimes with the Dark Lord, but even with becoming the Pariah of the Wizarding World, he stood tall and made a life for himself. Although his mother wanted him to marry, Draco wasn't prepared for that, so he took a career that was risky to have a family.

He became an Auror. Not just an Auror, he was one of the few Aurors who trained with the Department of Mysteries. A sleeper agent for the Aurors. When Harry Potter became the Head Auror, he knew that the one thing that could make Draco more accepting to the world was to become the one that protected them from the Dark Arts. However, it hasn't been easy for the former enemies. Harry faced as much backlash for hiring Draco as Draco faced backlash just for everything he did.

Today though, exactly six years since the Battle of Hogwarts, Draco was ordered into the Ministry by his boss and former rival. An important mission only perfect for him and his group of Aurors.

The sleeper agents known as the Hidden Six were the only ones who truly accepted Draco Malfoy, because a lot of them were reformed Death Eaters. The few who weren't accepted him, because he does his job better than anyone else and has proven just like the others that he was a changed man.

Even if the Wizarding World didn't fully accept him, Draco was okay knowing that his partners accepted him as he is.

"Malfoy!" someone called out to him. Draco looked up to see Cho Chang running towards him. Cho was one of the Hidden Six to Harry's surprise, but she did her job well. She was just underneath Draco in talent and captures. "Harry called you in too, huh? Do you know if anyone else was called?" she asked as they entered the elevator.

Draco shook his head, "Theo said that he was on a separate mission with the Department of Mysteries, as for the others, I haven't heard them say anything if they were called in," he responded.

"It must be something serious if he called the two of us in," Cho sighed, "And here I was hoping that I'd have at least a week of free time before being called in."

"Plans with Wood?" Draco smirked.

Cho laughed, "Oliver has been busy with his practices that we haven't much time together since the last time you saw us. I miss him and he misses me, but I know that Quidditch season is nearly ending, so we'll hopefully have time then. However, knowing Harry, whatever this job is will take up my time," she frowned.

"Let's hope it isn't anything serious then, because I know how needy your fiance can be," he teased her just as the elevator came to a stop at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

The pair walked out of the elevator and towards the Head Auror's office. Draco noticed that the office had been busier than usual. Notes flying everywhere to be sent, assistants running up and down the aisles while Aurors were just as busy. This was strange, because nothing like this happened since he finished the academy. There weren't any national or international threats that he knew of. So the fact that the office has been buzzing with busyness made Draco wonder.

Cho knocked on the door of Harry's office. When the two heard him call them in, Draco opened the door. Harry was standing behind his desk while the Minister of Magic and Arthur Weasley were standing in front of it.

"Ah, Draco, Cho, thank you so much for coming in so suddenly," Arthur Weasley said.

Arthur Weasley was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He and Harry were the ones who suggested that any Death Eaters who wanted reform to work in the department, so Draco had formed a sort of soft spot to the old man.

"We were wondering why you needed us so suddenly?" Cho asked as they stood beside the two elder men.

Behind Harry's desk was a large wall that consisted of a map that located every auror, whether active or sleeper, was at all times. However, Draco noticed something off. Something that hasn't happened before.

"Why is Theo's picture yellow?" Draco asked.

Harry turned to everyone and frowned. "As the two of you know, Nott was on a mission with the Department of Mysteries to uncover just how we keep finding dead Death Eaters just as we reach the location we pinpointed them to. This mission was very high profile and high discretion so only a selected few knew about it," he explained, "The selected few are myself, Kingsley, Arthur, the Department of Mysteries, and the Hidden Six. However, just this morning, a high alert note was sent to my office just as I entered from Fowley in the Department of Mysteries saying that Nott's location had been compromised."

"How long has he been missing?" Draco said quickly understanding now what yellow meant.

"Six hours," Harry frowned, "I've activated some of the Aurors in Romania that were stationed in the Dragon Reservation to scope out the building that Theo made base, but when they arrived, all the found was this," Harry said as he showed a pure white feather.

"They've moved again," Cho frowned, "The last known location for them was in Paris. How did they move so quickly?" she asked.

"That's the question all of us want answered, Ms. Chang," Kingsley replied, "Although we don't know who they are, we are aware of movements they make."

"Do they even have a name for themselves?" Draco asked.

"Not that we or the public know of," Arthur answered, "All we know is that they leave death behind them and disappear not long after they leave a white feather."

"Whoever they are, they are our main suspects for Nott's disappearance," Harry said with frustration, "This is why I've called the two of you here," he looked at Cho and Draco. "Theo's location has been compromised and the ones who I fully trust to figure out what happened to him is the few that know him very well."

Draco and Cho nodded. "When do we leave?" Cho asked.

Harry shook his head, "Cho, you are going to head to Paris. The location this group has been the longest is in Paris. We have some strong leads where their base of operation was in Paris, so I need you there to investigate. There might be clues there as to what they are up to."

Cho nodded.

"Malfoy, I need you in Romania. Theo is your friend and you two have worked together longest among the Hidden Six. If there is anyone among the few of you that can figure out where he's gone, it's you," Harry explained.

Draco nodded, "I am to believe that the Aurors are aware that I will be heading there?"

Harry nodded, "Ron is heading the investigation there and has been informed. The two of you play nice now. This is a high priority case since it is one of our own. The Death Eaters on the run will be handled by the Aurors here."

"All your gear is waiting for you in your office," Arthur explained, "Everything and anything you need has been provided for you."

"The Ministers of Paris and Romania have been informed of your investigations, so you will not have any problems from them," Kingsley explained. "Like Harry said, this is high priority and must be handled as such. Although it is high priority, it also needs to be full discretion. We do not need the public knowing that one of our own has been missing tracking the few that leave the ones were searching for dead before we arrive."

The two nodded. "We'll do our best, sir," Cho said.

"You're dismissed, Cho. Malfoy, stay a bit. I need to debrief you more on your mission," Harry said.

Cho nodded before she, the minister, and Arthur left the room. Harry plopped down on his chair and sighed roughly. He ran his hand through his already messed up hair.

"I didn't want to speak to the rest about this, because I didn't want to believe what one of the aurors in Romania told me," Harry started.

"What do you mean?" Draco asked as he sat down.

"Hermione."

When Draco heard Granger's name, he was shocked. It had been years since Potter spoke about the missing piece of the Golden Trio.

"What does Granger have to do with Theo's disappearance?" Draco asked.

"Nothing really. Only that Aurors believed that Theo was last seen following a woman who fits Hermione's description."

"There are a lot of women who fit her descriptions, Potter. So it could've been anyone."

Harry shook his head, "That isn't the only reason why I thought about Hermione. Ryder, the Auror in Romania with Ron, said the woman was wearing a gold necklace with a snitch charm, a book charm, and a cake charm."

"And that's supposed to mean?"

Harry sighed with frustration before pulling up his sleeve to show him the bracelet he wore. On that bracelet was a snitch, a book, and a cake. "Hermione made us these charms when we were traveling to destroy the horcruxes. Each charm is special to one of us. It helps us know when the other needs our help or when the other is in danger."

"Granger has been missing for six years and you two didn't think to use those charms to find where she went?" Draco asked curiously.

"Trust me, we tried," Harry frowned, "But when she disappeared six years ago, her charm stopped working. We knew that our charms worked, but hers was cold compared to ours being warm."

"Did you try contacting a specialist in charms?" Draco asked, "Flitwick? Anyone?"

"We tried everything, but they had no clue what Hermione did with the charms, because they've never seen this level of charming in history."

"Of course Granger would figure out a new type of charm," Draco sighed, "So other than trying to find my teammate, I am to look for clues of her?"

Harry nodded. "I know it's a lot to ask, but it's the closest clue we have to where she's been all these years. Maybe it's a chance to find answers."

Draco rolled his eyes before standing up. "Fine, I'll do this, but only because it is in the same area as Theo's disappearance," he walked to the door before stopping, "Did you ever think that she wanted to disappear for a reason?" he asked without looking at Harry.

It was silent for a bit before Harry responded. "I just want to know if she's okay and to figure out why she left. If it isn't her or it was just the eye playing tricks on us, I will not ask for anyone to do anything about it anymore."

Draco gripped the door handle before leaving the room. He walked out of the Auror office and headed to the elevators. Although the Hidden Six worked under the Magical Law Enforcement, their offices were near the Department of Mysteries, because of the covert missions they did. All the files had to be filed within the Department of Mysteries so it was easier to have their offices there.

When he got to the office, he opened the door and saw Cho already collecting her items for her trip. The other three of the Hidden Six were at their desks working away.

"I heard you two have important missions," Justin Finch-Fletchley said at his desk as he put his quill down.

"We were told to not ask questions about their missions, Justin," Tracey Davis said not looking up from her writing, "I am sure that Potter has his reasons, so don't try and ask."

"Don't be such a spoilsport, Trace," Marcus laughed, "It's been pretty quiet here lately apart from Theo's mission, it's interesting that both Draco and Cho have missions coming up."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Like Tracey said you two," he walked towards the field inventory room, "Classified. Besides, we all can't be laying around while everyone does our jobs."

The other three laughed. Just as Draco collected everything he needed, a note flew into the office. Everyone looked up at the note as it took the form of a howler.

"To the remaining Hidden Six members,
you are to head to the Auror Department
to be debrief on your next missions. Head
Auror Potter requests that you all come
gear ready."

The note burst into flames.

"Always with the theatrics," Marcus laughed as he along with the other two stood up and went towards the field inventory room as well.

Once everyone had their gear, they turned towards Draco. Being the head in command, the rest of the Hidden Six looked to him for words of assurance, even though he was shit at it.

He sighed and looked at them. "Whatever missions we all have, remember to safe and be alert. Don't go trusting anyone and don't go into things without planning first," he looked closely at Marcus who just shrugged. "Chang and I will be out of the country, so that means Tracey, you are in command till me or Theo return. Remember to always send in your reports on time and for fuck's sake, don't forget that everything we do is covert. Quiet in and quiet out."

"Yes sir," everyone called out.

Draco hated when they responded to him like that, but it was protocol. He nodded, "Good luck to all of you. Be safe."

Everyone filed out and into the elevators. Once the other three disappeared towards the Auror Department, Draco and Cho were alone in the elevator. Draco could sense Cho's nervousness. The mission they gave her was a risky one, because it was dealing with people that were always so close but yet so far. They weren't just a group of people, they were a dangerous lot.

"I'm guessing you'll have someone or a few people with you in Paris?" Draco asked as they got to the lobby floor of the Ministry.

Cho nodded as they walked out of the elevator towards the floo. "Harry said that a few aurors will be with me since we need to cover a lot of ground in the city," she explained as they stopped in front of one of the fireplaces. "Be safe, Draco. Whatever or whoever took Theo probably means business. If it is the same people that I have to deal with in Paris, you need to be extra cautious."

Draco nodded, "I'll be fine, Cho. Besides, I am the best at my job. You be safe. Wood is expecting to marry you in a few months, so you need to come back."

Cho nodded with a small smile. "I'll see you when I get back, sir. Remember Constant Vigilance," she said before disappearing into the green flames.

Draco hated those words with a passion. Potter spouted those words constantly, but he knew that it worked all the time with the aurors. It was said by one of the best Aurors in the business. Although Draco did not like Mad-Eye after the stunt in fourth year, he always knew how much of a brilliant Auror he was. If he had survived, he would've been the head of the Magical Law Enforcement rather than Arthur Weasley. Draco shook at the idea of Mad-Eye being in charge. Weasley had it handled like a pro which is why Draco had respect for the elder ginger.

He sighed before going into the green flames. He ended up in his apartment and walked towards his room. He came out of the office with not one, but two, missions. One mission that needs to be done with Theo coming back with him and the other mission just a mystery.

Granger, Draco thought as he flicked his wand to pack his bags for his trip.

Six years has been a long time since the brunette disappeared without a trace. For nearly three years, the Golden Duo looked and looked along with their family and friends, but they never found a thing. Even with the help of the Auror department, hell the entire Wizarding World, no one knew where Hermione Granger disappeared to. Six years have passed and every year on the day of the Battle of Hogwarts, people mourned those who were lost, but also mourned a war heroine.

Draco heard a tap on his window. He looked up to see one of the ministry owls. He opened it up and handed the owl some treats before taking out the envelope from its leg. It was his Portkey.

"Thanks, now off you go," he said just as the owl finished its treats.

He heard the fireplace go off and already knew who it was. "Mother," Draco greeted turning to his mother who was accompanied by his Great-Aunt and cousin.

"DRACO!" Teddy screamed before running towards him. He laughed and knelt down to the younger boy.

"I like the look, Teddy," Draco smirked. Teddy had platinum hair and silver eyes. If it wasn't for his round features, Teddy would've definitely passed as a Malfoy.

"Are you going somewhere, dear?" Narcissa asked noticing the bags that were currently floating into the sitting room.

Draco stood up and walked towards the two elder women and kissed them both on their cheeks. "Yes," he smiled at them, "Important mission. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone," he said.

"Harry works you too hard," Andromeda laughed, "But since it is important, we shouldn't keep you."

Narcissa looked at her son and nodded. "I want you back, do you hear me?" Draco nodded, "I want you to owl me as soon as you come back from your mission," she leaned up and kissed her son on the cheek, "Be safe, my dragon."

Teddy pouted, "You're leaving again, Draco?"

Draco chuckled and knelt down once more to the boy. "Sorry mate," he smiled at the boy, "I know I promised to teach you to fly your broom, but it'll have to be a little later. Okay?"

The younger boy frowned and nodded. "Come back okay?"

"You know I will," Draco winked.

Narcissa and Andromeda led Teddy towards the fireplace once again. Draco looked at his mother who had those worried eyes. He knew his job always made her worry, but it benefited her as much as it did him. To the Wizarding World, Draco was the one who did the wrong things more than his mother. He wanted to keep it that way.

He was fine being the Pariah anyways.

It made his job easier.

Draco grabbed his bags and took the portkey out of the envelope. With a pop, he disappeared from his apartment.

X-x-x-x-x-x

Somewhere in Romania, 2004

Theo groaned as he slowly opened his eyes. His whole body felt like it was one fire. When he finally came to properly, he looked at his surroundings. He was in a cage or a cell of sorts. He couldn't find his wand anywhere and he wasn't tied up, but his body didn't feel like moving. The last thing he remembered was seeing a shadow hovering over the body of the Death Eater he was following before blackness took over him.

"You're finally awake," a soft voice said in the shadows.

Theo blinked quickly before looking where the source of the voice came. He watched a figure appear out of thin air on the other side of the cell.

"Granger?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here's the first chapter! Thank you to everyone who has favorited and followed this story. Please remember to leave a review, because I would love to know what you think of the story so far. Also, if you have any questions as the story progress, please leave it in a review and I'll answer it at the end of the next chapter.

THE HIDDEN SIX MEMBERS

- Draco Malfoy (1st in Command, Best Sleeper Agent)

- Theo Nott (2nd in Command)

- Cho Chang (2nd Best Sleeper Agent)

- Marcus Flint

- Tracey Davis

- Justin Finch-Fletchley