CHAPTER TWO: Enter the Assassins
"I thought you were dead," Theo looked at the former Gryffindor on the other side of the cell, "Everyone thinks you are."
He noticed that something in her eyes shifted before they turned back to the hard gaze that he woke up. This was Hermione Granger, but there was something different about her. Something that he couldn't figure out.
"I may as well be dead," Hermione spoke, "But that's not why we're here are we? What exactly are you doing here, Nott?"
Theo looked at her confused until he realized what she meant. "You're part of the group that we've been tracking?"
Hermione didn't say anything but another shadow came into view behind her. Theo watched as a person materialized from the shadow. His eyes wide when he saw who it was.
"Blaise?" Theo asked.
"Hello Theo," Blaise smirked, "I didn't think you of all people would work at the Ministry."
Theo clenched his jaw and tried to stand, but couldn't. "Yes I work for the Ministry as does a lot of reformed Death Eaters or children of Death Eaters. It is our way to atone for our sins or our parents' sins."
"Really? That's very interesting," Blaise walked towards a chair and sat on it, "Has the Wizarding World forgiven those who have "atoned" as you say?" he asked.
"A few have yes," Theo replied, "They've forgiven a lot of us for what we've done, because of what we do now for the Wizarding World. You may not have seen it since you've been doing who knows what."
"What do you think we do exactly, Nott?" Hermione asked from where she was standing, "The Aurors or the Ministry should be grateful for what we've done to those who do not atone like you have."
"You're still killing people," Theo growled, "They may be horrible and miserable people, but killing them without reason is not helping the cause."
Blaise laughed, "Funny you say that, Theodore, but you realize that you're talking about Death Eaters, the ones who did the killing without reason before we even did. Besides, we are not killing them without reason, we are exterminating the ones that mean to destroy the advancement of the Wizarding World."
Theo scoffed, "This isn't any of you, especially you Granger. You wouldn't have killed any person for no reason years back. What changed?"
Hermione didn't answer. Theo saw a door open to the left of him and watched as a man walked into the area. Standing before him was Xenophilius Lovegood. Only he didn't look like the man everyone knew him as. He was more sane in just the way he dressed. He was dressed in the deep blue and bronze of the Ravenclaw colors.
"Don't patronize him, Blaise," Xenophilius spoke, "He takes his job very proudly. I am sure that you'd like a proper explanation, Mr. Nott," Theo watched as he flicked his hand and the cage opened, "Don't try any funny business. Your wand has been taken away from you and these walls suppress any sort of wandless magic."
Theo watched as Granger and Blaise walked behind Lovegood. He groaned as he attempted to get up. Once he was able to stand, he slowly followed the three. Theo pressed the charm on his bracelet and prayed that someone, anyone, figured it out.
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"We've searched every nook and cranny in the hotel room, but no luck for our eyes," Ron explained to Draco as they got to the front desk of the hotel Theo was staying at. "I'm sure that you will find more with whatever equipment you lot have in your hold."
Draco nodded. "Was there any sign of a struggle? Any blood? Or anything like that?" he asked as Ron grabbed the key from the concierge.
Ron shook his head. "Not that we noticed. Everything looked clean. Too clean in my opinion. I know Nott is an organized bastard like yourself, but this was too clean. We thought at first that he just up and left, but the only known time he left the hotel was a couple of hours before his disappearance to get something to eat at the restaurant across the street."
The two of them walked towards the elevator and Ron pressed the button for the floor Theo was staying on. Once they reached the floor, Ron walked down the hallway until they reached the sixth door to the left. Ron opened the door and gestured for Draco to go in.
Draco walked into the room and looked around. "You are right, Weasley," Draco flicked his wand at his bag and a silver snitch came flying out, "This room is too clean even for Theo's organization," he said as the snitch started moving around the room.
Ron looked at it flying around with curiosity. "New invention?" he asked as the snitch zoomed all over the hotel room.
Draco smirked, "They're retired snitches since the speed is no longer there, so the Department of Mysteries wanted to use them as something else. Tracey Davis was the one who actually thought of the idea of using it for investigations."
"What does it do?" Ron asked still with his eyes locked on the snitch.
"It's taking notes on what is out of place in the room. Things that we can't see with our eyes," Draco took out a notebook and opened it to show Ron a drawn image of the room with a few notes, "Everything it is looking at are all in this one notebook. Once it feels like it has done its job, it'll come back to me."
"Like those drone things that muggles use, eh?" Ron said as the snitch came back towards them and landed in Draco's waiting hand.
Draco nodded, "Something like that. Tracey had to go undercover into muggle London, so she got the idea from those things. It is a fascinating charm. Thanks to the help of the Unspeakables and some talented charm casters, she was able to make these."
Ron nodded in amazement. "Blimey, the things you lot get to do because you work directly with the Unspeakables. Here I thought our jobs as regular Aurors was amazing."
Draco laughed before looking at the sketches the snitch sent to the notebook. He noticed something underneath the bed. He walked towards the bed and bent down. He pulled a glove on and looked under the bed to pull out a piece of parchment.
Ron walked over and looked down at what was written on the note.
The light has been lit.
The Shadows have been found.
Must protect mankind.
"What do you suppose it means?" Ron asked before he gasped as the parchment burst into blue flames.
Draco released it as it disappeared into the air. "It means something is about to happen and we have to find Theo as soon as possible," he explained.
That's when Draco felt it. He looked at the bracelet he had and it was glowing red. On the band, there was writing.
Injured. Prisoner. Granger alive.
"What is it?" Ron asked as he leaned closer to Draco. Draco's jaw clenched as he showed Ron what was said on his bracelet.
"We have to contact Potter now," Draco said. "Weasley, do you hear me?"
Ron was frozen in front of Draco after seeing what was said on the bracelet. Draco sighed roughly before putting his hands on Ron's arms and shaking him slightly. "I know it is a shock, but you have to contact Potter immediately. Theo thinks he's in danger that's why my bracelet was glowing red."
Ron shook out of his shock before nodding. "Expecto Patronum," Ron casted and his patronus popped up, "Warning sent by Nott. Backup requested immediately. Hermione is alive," he said and his patronus disappeared. He looked up to see Draco standing up and looking through whatever notes the snitch had caught.
"The snitch tracked footprints," Draco said as he flicked his wand and footprints appeared on the floor of the hotel room. "Three sets of footprints. One is definitely Theo's, the other two is what concerns me."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked.
"One is female's, so if what Theo says about Granger we'll assume that is hers. However, the third set of footprints are male."
"Okay, but what's there to be concerned about?"
"The footprints match those of Blaise Zabini who has been missing since the end of sixth year," Draco replied.
"What do you think is the connection of Zabini and Hermione? Do you suppose they work for whatever people are killing the rogue Death Eaters?"
Draco paced up and down the room as he looked through the notes. There was no sign of struggle, but there was a sign of magic residue leftover that the snitch found. "At this time, we aren't for certain what connection the two have with each other. For all we know, they're both in danger just as much as Theo."
Ron nodded just as Harry's stag patronus appeared. "Taking a portkey out immediately. Arthur and the minister request constant updates. Do not let anyone else into the room," Harry's voice spoke out of the patronus.
"I knew he was going to say that. Danielson and McBright need to be informed about this situation except for the Hermione part. We just need to be full on Auror duty in this room just in case someone comes back," Ron said as he pushed his hand through his hair.
"Are you going to head to the Romanian Ministry?" Draco asked looking up at Ron.
Ron nodded, "I need to inform the minister that we're going to be here for an extended period. I will have to inform him about the situation as well. Do you suppose you can give me a copy of those notes?"
Draco nodded before flicking his wand. Two long parchments appeared in front of Ron who took hold of it. "I'll stay here and look for anything that could help more."
"I'll be back once I have everything settled at the ministry. If you need a place to sit and look through your notes," Ron threw Draco another key that he caught, "I have a room set up just a few doors down."
"Yeah that'll do," Draco said as he continued to look at his notes. "We'll figure this all out and maybe just maybe we'll get a hold of whoever has been messing with us."
"The faster we get rid of them, the easier our jobs would be. I mean a few of us are grateful that they're getting rid of the Rogues, but what they're doing could have dire consequences," Ron said.
"Hopefully we can keep it confidential and pray that word doesn't get out about one of ours being taken by whoever it is we're tracking," Draco said.
"Nott is one of the best of us as are you, Malfoy. People may still see you as an arsehole Death Eater, but you've proven to a lot of us, myself included, that you will do anything to make things right. We'll find him and we'll figure things out."
Draco nodded.
"I'll be back as soon as I can. Harry might beat me here, but just let me know if you have any updates when I get back," Ron said before disappearing through the door.
Draco looked at his bracelet and contemplated on responding to Theo, but he didn't know how much danger he was in, so he opted against it. He sighed roughly as he closed his notebook and walked out of the room. He was going to look through the notes and pray that he finds something more than just the residue or the footprints. Hopefully it could help with Theo's location.
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Theo felt like he was walking for ages through a brightly lit hallway. Even if he was in pain, he noticed a few things. Granger and Blaise were walking behind Lovegood like they were guarding him. They were also using similar robes to Lovegood only their robes were in their house colors. Their robes didn't look like typical robes. The robes looked like they could move around them swiftly.
He groaned as he held the side of his stomach just as they reached two huge doors. Lovegood flicked his hand and the doors opened. Theo's eyes widened as he was greeted to the sight of a huge dining hall almost similar to Hogwarts. The only difference was there weren't any students, just a few other people. However, one face caught his eye.
"Tracey?" Theo called out.
Tracey Davis looked up from whatever she was working on and smiled. She didn't say anything before turning back to whatever she was doing.
"Where are we?" Theo asked as he continued following them to a table that stood beside a giant window. Lovegood, Granger, and Blaise all sat down and turned to him. Theo looked at them curious before he felt his body go hot and groaned as whatever was in pain in his body started healing.
He turned to see Luna Lovegood standing next to him and moving her wand around him. "Hello Theodore," she said in her sing-song voice. "I am glad you woke up. I was starting to think Blaise put you in pain on purpose."
Theo heard Blaise chuckle. "Don't worry, my love, I made sure not to hurt him too badly."
Luna rolled her eyes as she moved away from Theo and walked to sit next to her father. "Welcome to our home, Theodore. You probably have a bunch of questions. We'll answer them to an extent."
Theo furrowed his brows as his eyes flicked everywhere. Familiar faces were around him, but only a few he knew of their names. "Who the hell are you people? I mean I know who you are, but what in the bloody hell is going on here?" he asked looking up at the four.
"Do you not know who we really are, Mr. Nott?" Xenophilius asked, "I am sure you know who we are or at least what we do. You have been trailing us for quite some time."
"You're the reason why many rogues have shown up dead every time we get close. The thorn on the Auror department's side."
"We are not a thorn on anyone's side, Nott," Hermione spoke, "If anything, what we do is for the better of the Wizarding World. We do the thing the aurors are too frightened to do."
Theo looked at Granger like she was crazy. "That's rich coming from the one person who I know wouldn't do something like that. Do you really believe that what you're doing will come without consequences?"
"There have not been any consequences or future consequences with what we do, Theo," Blaise said calmly, "We are doing the right thing."
"Right," Theo laughed shaking his head, "I am doing the right thing. I did the right thing after the war. Instead of flaunting and galavanting around killing whatever or whoever the rogue Death Eater is, I am doing my duty by helping the Wizarding World."
"Really?" Xenophilius looked at Theo curiously, "Tracey, darling, won't you come up and say what I know you want to say."
Theo turned to his ally or supposedly would be his ally. Theo has known Tracey for years and has worked with her just as long. Had she been lying to everyone about who she really was?
"What Theo says is somewhat true," Theo couldn't believe his ears, "However, he doesn't mention that he works with Unspeakables and other sketchy individuals in the Department of Mysteries."
"You work with them too," Theo argued, "You have been part of the Hidden Six just as long as Draco and I have been. Hell, you were the one who requested to work with us."
"I merely requested to work with the Hidden Six to dive into the deeper and more awful secrets of the Ministry."
Theo couldn't believe this. Not one bit. She was supposed to be his friend and here she was standing in front of him as if she didn't care for him or any of their colleagues at all. "So that's it then? You would sell people who have nearly died saving you to people who think they're the good people."
Theo fell to his knees in pain as he glared up at the four sitting at the table. Blaise had his wand up and scoffed at Theo. It wasn't until Luna put her hand on his arm that Blaise released whatever spell he casted on Theo.
"We are the good people, Theo," Tracey looked down at him, "What we do has improved the Wizarding World more than any of the aurors or ministry could ever do. This brotherhood helps the Wizarding World evolve and improve."
"Good people don't kill no matter the cause," Theo growled, "Potter taught me that or did you think that because Potter was now the head of the Auror Department that his way would change, hm Granger?"
Hermione clenched her jaw, "Harry has nothing to do with what we do."
"Oh he definitely has everything to do with what you do," Theo rubbed his bracelet once more without any of them noticing since he was still recovering from whatever pain Blaise sent his way. "Potter will always be Saint Potter. No matter the career. Yes we are aware that the Death Eaters we catch will get the kiss no matter what, but he makes sure that they get proper trials for their wrongdoings. Potter would never turn a blind eye to killing, because he knows it's wrong."
"You speak so highly of Harry, Mr. Nott. Why is that?"
"The bloody hell kind of bullshit question is that?" Theo growled, "Potter is my boss. If it wasn't for him and his bloody goodness, I wouldn't have gotten a second chance. I made myself better than what my father tried to make me be during the war by working underneath Potter even though I despised him. Hell even Weasley is tolerable nowadays. The reason why I will constantly speak highly about Saint fucking Potter is because I would've been one of your victims instead of making a difference."
Xenophilius Lovegood laughed as the other three rolled their eyes. Blaise and Granger unimpressed by what Theo said and Luna just watching the man carefully. "So you think what we do is wrong, Mr. Nott?"
"Fucking absolutely."
"May I request a favor from you?" Lovegood said walking up to Theo.
Again Theo felt a rush of heat around his body and knew already that Luna was healing him once again. Once he stood up, Xenophilius stood in front of him.
"I am sure Mr. Malfoy will be close to finding this spot with how thorough he is in investigating, but I request a favor from you that I am sure you won't refuse."
"And if I do?" Theo asked.
"I know you won't refuse," Lovegood said with a smirk, "This challenge is simple. Merely let the world know who we are. Let them know who has been doing the bidding of the aurors and we'll see just how indifferent they are about what we do. You say we are wrong in what we do, but we know we aren't."
Theo growled just as Xenophilius presented Theo's wand to him. He looked at his wand just as Xenophilius flicked his wand. A long green string wrapped around the wand before disappearing into the wood. "What the bloody hell did you do to my wand?" Theo asked angrily.
"Do I have your word that you will let the world know who we are?" Xenophilius asked, "I need a firm answer, Mr. Nott since your father has been in hiding, it'll only be a matter of time before we catch him."
Theo froze. Not because they knew of his father's hiding, but because his father wasn't the only one hiding. Theo didn't want his mother to follow his father, but his mother loved that idiot man too much. "Why do you want me to tell the world? Why can't you do it yourself?"
"Because it wouldn't be fun if we did it," Xenophilius laughed, "Besides it's funnier when someone who's supposed to protect the Wizarding World is the one to inform the world that they aren't the ones keeping everyone safe."
"Fine, I'll do it, but how will you know I did it?" Theo asked.
"We have eyes and ears all over the Wizarding World and not just in London, Mr. Nott. We will know."
"What do you want to be called?"
Xenophilius snapped his fingers and Hermione levitated a rolled up parchment to him. He took the parchment and handed it to Theo who opened it. Theo furrowed his brows as he read what was in the parchment.
"Assassini Dell'ombra? Shadow Killers. That's what you are called?"
"Yes, we are the assassin brotherhood that protects the Wizarding World."
"And you want me to let them know?"
Xenophilius nodded. "Once this favor is done, we may be lenient to killing your father."
"You're pushing it, Lovegood," Blaise growled behind them.
"Don't be rude, Blaise," Xenophilius smirked, "Not everyone is like you. Theo here has a good head and probably wouldn't even think of killing his own father."
Theo clenched the parchment in his hand in anger.
"You will be found in three days, Mr. Nott. Normally the lovely Miss Granger would alter your memory, but since we want to be out in the open, I will not ask her to do it. Remember, you must let the world know and we'll let them decide."
Xenophilius disapparated in front of him with a pop. Theo watched as everyone started disappearing one by one until the only one left was Hermione Granger.
"You've changed, Granger," Theo said looking up at the once Gryffindor Princess.
"War changes you, Nott," Hermione said before flicking her wand.
The last thing Theo saw before his vision turned black was Granger disappearing with a pop.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Unfortunately I do not have a set updating schedule for my fics due to life being so hectic, but when things settle down, I'll be sure to post a schedule. The schedule will be posted on my tumblr ( ) once I have things figured out for it. Also I know it's going on at a slow pace, but the build up will hopefully be worth it for you. Don't forget to leave a review, I enjoy your reviews! Also if you like any questions answered, always leave it on your reviews and I will answer them on my Author Note after the next chapter!