My WONDERFUL Alphas and Betas helped me loads with my FIRST murder mystery! Q_Drew, Oftendisenchanted, Cbz

WARNING: One of the deaths is Scorpius, if you can't handle then don't read!

Draco/Harry are the main couple, Remus/Hermione don't get together but they're idiots so make your own conclusions

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

This fic is completed and I will be posted WEEKLY :)

TW: Death of Scorpius & vomiting

Flashback -

"Open up your mind," Voldemort hiss at the Death Eater.

They've been at it for what seemed like forever. But it was only a week since their sessions and already he's been warned out. He couldn't think of one single happy memory.

One day, however, The Death Eater had a memory that clicked in his mind. Though, realizing this he was reluctant to give the memory away because of how special it was to him.

His memory was the first quidditch match he had partaken in Hogwarts. He was elated that he was the seeker of the quidditch team for Slytherin. He couldn't believe that he had that privilege.

It was then that he invited his parents to watch his first game.

He had the memory clear as day in his mind of him catching the golden snitch and howling with a victory that he won.

At that moment his mind went blank and he began blinking uncontrollably at his master. "Did I do what you asked, m-master?" He was confused as he wasn't sure what had just happened.

"Swimmingly, my loyal servant." Voldemort hissed with satisfaction as he restricted the happy memory. "Now we can start phase two of my mission."

"Sir?" The Death Eater looked at his master.

"Weren't you listening, my servant?" Voldemort spat. "I am teaching you the ways of controlling the Dementors!"

"Y-yes my lord!"

October 1, 2023

Hermione had had a long day of work.

Ever since her department had been set up after the war, mountains of case notes, old and new, piled high on her desk, threatening to tumble to the floor. She had been wanting an assistant for quite some time now, but after a series of interviews, she hadn't found the right fit. Harry suggested this was due to her being unable to relinquish any control over her work, but that wasn't completely accurate. Her job was simply too important for someone to do a sloppy job; people, and the general public, relied on her for closure. Meanwhile, Harry and the Aurors kept up the work of policing the general public, guarding priority figures, dealing with the odd pro-pureblood rebellion, and generally keeping the peace.

Hermione would often describe her occupation as that of a Private Inspector; even if she did work for the Ministry Hermione dealt with different cases… the difficult cases that required more attention to detail than the Auror department could give them.

If someone had gone missing during the war, she would find out what had happened to them. Whether that was that they had gone into hiding, had changed their identity, or had been killed, many family members came to her seeking answers. She also looked into cold cases sitting unresolved in the Auror department, cases that perhaps needed a little of the finesse and lateral thinking she was known for.

She was just about to jot down a promising lead on a case when the door swung open and Hermione jumped out of her seat. Her carefully stacked piles of paper scattered everywhere, She didn't have a chance of picking them up.

Draco Malfoy charged into her office, anguish writ across his face as he rushed towards her. "M-My son, my-my son, my son has been murdered and I need answers!" he yelled then quivered.

She was shocked still, it had been fifteen years since they'd last said one word to one another.

They both attended Severus Snape's funeral and she never forgot that day. After Professor Snape was exonerated by countless trials with witnesses, the majority from Harry, the teachers of Hogwarts managed to coordinate the funeral. The funeral was full of people, especially the students and teachers of Hogwarts all celebrating a war hero who'd fallen, even though Professor Snape was known as the Bat of the Dungeons. Harry Potter was the only student to have given a speech and anecdotes about the former Professor. While everyone had their wands up for honoring the fallen hero, many others spoke about Professor Snape, especially, Professor McGonagall.

With an inhale and an exhale, she waved her hand towards the empty chair in front of her desk.

He kept on standing, however, Malfoy's shoulders drooped. It looked as though he'd haven't slept in ages. He had dark circles under his eyes and it looked like he was growing a five o'clock shadow. She could also heavily smell alcohol on him–specifically firewhiskey–she wrinkled her nose. The first thought that came to her mind was when? From the looks of his appearance, it looked like this happened quite recently. Was he murdered a day ago? A few hours? Half a day?

She'd have to tell Albus, or did he know already? Hermione grimaced. This news would surely break him as they were best friends since they started Hogwarts together.

"I need your help, you are an investigator, are you not?" Malfoy said in a quiet voice.

It was so hard to keep a straight face in front of the father who'd lost his son. "I - I…."

"Well? Why do you keep on staring at me like that?" Malfoy crossed his arm seeming more confident with his words. "Stop giving me those pitying looks and help me, dammit!"

Hermione looked at him and placed her hands over her face as if she was about to cry.

She was suddenly stammering until she heard the door open and Harry walked in.

Harry took one glance at Hermione and then back to the man who was standing and still glaring at Hermione. He looked as dreadful as Malfoy did. Malfoy blinked at Harry then sat down on the chair once again.

It was a sight she'd never seen: Harry Potter was kneeling in front of a disgruntled Draco Malfoy and placed one hand on his knee. Hermione was startled by the gentleness he had displayed towards Malfoy. Malfoy's head shot up to look at Harry's eyes.

"Hermione is the best." He stated as a matter of fact. "Aren't you?" Harry glanced up at his best friend.

Hermione grunted then nodded. "Yes…" She coughed nervously. "I'm -" she winced. She didn't know what else to say to Malfoy, sorry for your loss. She shook her head to get out of her thoughts. She inhaled and exhaled, "I'll need the facts, and need to go to the site where it all happened." Malfoy turned his head to look at her and she stared into those empty eyes.

"I - I was sitting in the bleachers of the Quidditch pitch during the game. It started to rain and grow cold, just like when it was long ago on the Hogwarts train…" Malfoy's voice cracked.

As Malfoy started talking, she automatically tuned him out. Who would kill an innocent child? And why doesn't Hogwarts have enough security measures to keep evil out? Why -

It was a cruel and terrible sight before her. And yet breathtaking as Harry was trying to console Malfoy. Hermione caught a glimpse of Harry tucking Draco's hair behind his ear. She watched for what seemed like forever as Harry pressed his forehead against Draco's and suddenly Hermione had heard the distraught Malfoy weeping and -

She turned her head ever so slightly and winced with the display she just watched. Hermione excused herself and rushed toward the nearest bathroom, and vomited her lunch. She decided to just lean on the toilet for a while and think. She couldn't get that look away from her mind. His vulnerability caught her off guard. He was always so cruel to her when he was a kid. And yet, now there was a void in his eyes that she couldn't get rid of.

There was a knock on the door and Harry cleared his throat. "Hermione?"

"Come in," she said shakily.

"Blimey," he muttered, then knelt and tucked her short hair behind her ear.

"This isn't the first murder, remember - "

Hermione interrupted Harry, "we still haven't found the killer, yes I know," she nodded. "They're targeting Ex Death Eaters, and I am tired of not being able to do anything about it!" She sniffled. Hermione still couldn't get that image of Malfoy whimpering.

Harry rubbed his forehead out of force of habit. "You are good at your job." He repeated that statement. "Hence the reason why the Ministry hired you. The unlucky bloke that quit the job couldn't find the killer." He frowned. "The previous investigator barely had anything. You saw that." Harry sighed. "He also went to the point where he did his research."

"I know that, I saw the records." She paused to look at her best friend's eyes. "But he's…." She winced. "He was just a kid. And an innocent one." Hermione looked at him baffled. " Wait - His research?"

Harry coughed, "Well, he'd mentioned it to me a few times, but I brushed it off thinking it was nothing to go by." He commented. "Maybe you should ask for his help this time." He muttered with a pointed look.

Hermione rolled her eyes thinking that she didn't need the help.

Harry just shrugged that off and then sighed. "Anyways, Albus is devastated…. I took him out of school for the rest of the semester." He paused for a moment. "Remus was the one to take the semester off for the kids. He sent everyone home."

Hermione sighed and when she reached the nearest wall in the bathroom, she leaned against it and brought her knees towards her. "I can't imagine what he and the other kids must be going through. I am glad that Headmaster Lupin closed the school for a semester."

Harry nodded with agreement and looked directly at her. "I do know that dementors were involved. I just don't know who's controlling them. You'd think the Hogwarts teachers learned their lesson since when we were kids…" He trailed off.

"H-how did it happen?" She finally glanced at him. When Malfoy explained it, she turned out because her mind shut down.

Harry understood what she had meant and placed a hand on her knee and sighed, "during a quidditch match…"

Hermione's eyes went wide as she had a memory slip into her mind as her best friend fell from the sky during his quidditch game. It was so long ago, and yet, "Again? How come no one helped?"

Harry looked at her with frustration and rubbed his forehead again. "Scorpius was so high up, higher than when I was when it happened, that they didn't see it happening until it was too late."

"That just….That just doesn't make any sense!" She pounded her hand on the toilet causing her pain. She winced once more.

They both stared at each other for a brief moment. Harry took her injured arm and healed it without any complaint from her. After her arm had healed, Hermione gradually stood up with Harry's help.

"I'll head over towards Hogwarts over the weekend and…" she muttered as she opened the door to her office and paused. As she glanced into the room, she saw Draco Malfoy sleeping soundlessly on the guest chair. The sight nearly made her legs wobble out of despair.

"I'll take him out of your hands…You have loads of paperwork to get through," he paused for a moment, "I'll need to discuss a few erm, things with you later," Harry blushed and grabbed Malfoy by the shoulders and dragged him towards her fireplace.

They both nodded toward each other and he left with Malfoy in his arms. As he left, she wondered if what he needed to discuss with her was his newfound relationship with Draco. Of course, she'd tell him that she would be okay with it.

Hermione knew she needed help from someone on the outside, preferably someone who already works at Hogwarts as the Headmaster. Remus Lupin was someone you don't want to mess with, and knowing that, she had a better chance of finding the killer. During the war, he was one of the greatest at taking charge and from being a student, he knew his defense skills.

A few hours later, she walked towards the floor and jumped when the fireplace came to life without her doing.

"Professor Lupin," Hermione breathed.

"Hermione, how many times do I have to tell you, you can call me Remus? Anyway, sorry about barging in, I couldn't wait any longer, and Harry said that you'd floo. Are you okay?"

Without thinking, Hermione's emotions became overwhelming she was in shock with everything that's happened that she couldn't quite yet come to terms with it. "As well as I can be I suppose, how about you, Remus?" She sniffed. "I heard you closed Hogwarts for the rest of the semester.

"Indeed I did, which was why I flooed you, let's get to the point, shall we? Look, I've already arranged for your visit." He sounded as though he was crying earlier. He paused for a moment. "I've erm - " he grunted. "Made arrangements for you to stay in my quarters that have a guest room."

Hermione raised her right eyebrow. "I don't want to impose," she blushed.

"Nonsense, it's already done, I'll see you sometime tomorrow." Before Hermione could argue about her staying at his quarters, he'd left the fireplace.

As she walked out of the Ministry, she was flashed with a photo mob trying to question her about the recent events.

Do you know who the killer is!?

Who was the murder victim, did you know the victim personally?

How do you feel about the turn of events?

Are you taking up the investigation?

The crowd was getting larger and it felt like she was being swallowed into oblivion. She suddenly took a sniff at the ink that the reporters used to write on their little notepads and started to grow dizzy from being overwhelmed. She could've sworn she saw that ridiculous green hat that Rita Skeeter wore. She should've just left via the floor.

"Please…. No comments at this time," Hermione said with a firm voice.

She struggled to get out when someone wearing a trench coat grabbed her hand. She didn't feel like herself, especially today. The news had overwhelmed her to the point that she was flustered.

As the two made it to the closest alleyway, she found that none other than Percy Weasley had helped her escape. She was bent over with hands on her knees, panting. "Thank you."

"I apologize for the encounter. After the newspaper came out, well the media was determined to get answers." Percy ran his hand through his already messy hair with frustration. "Even though it was only a few hours since the event had happened," he grimaced.

When her breathing was controlled, she stood up straight and took a proper look at Percy. "I don't suppose you know a way out that doesn't require onlookers?"

Percy nodded with a blank expression. "Follow me." They zigzagged their way out of the alleyway near the Ministry and found that they were near a parking lot.

"You've got to be joking me, absolutely not." Hermione frowned then crossed her arms.

"You asked and I happen to still have the Ford," Percy explained. He walked towards the passenger seat and opened the door for Hermione.

"It is like a hundred years old and look!" she pulled on the rusted door handle and it popped off, "this is barely being held together."

"It's as old as Charlie and he's just fine-"

"First off, Charlie isn't a car-"

"Hermione-"

"Does this even have seatbelts?!"

"Hermione-"

"What exactly do you need for a flying license anyway?"

"Hermione. Stop looking at a gift car in the bonnet and get in".

"Fine. But I get to control the radio."

After what seemed like forever, she relented and then got in the car.

Hermione had her eyes closed the entire flight. Her hands were gripping tightly to the dashboard. With her fear of heights, she was grateful that at least this car wasn't a broom.

"We are almost there," Percy yelled over the wind.

She opened her eyes carefully and peeked at the landscape as they arrived at the Burrow. Looking confused, she glanced at Percy.

"Mum didn't want you by yourself tonight," he placed his hand on her shoulder for comfort.

"I-I don't know what to say," she sniffed. She was too drained to argue.

"Think nothing of it, you'll be staying in Ginny's old room for tonight. I'll be in my old room too. If you need someone to talk to about it."

"Honestly, the recent event that happened hasn't completely hit me." She whispered then started to shiver, probably from shock.

"Here, let me," he got out of the car, opened the door for her, and held out his hand to help her out. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and walked towards the front door, to find that his mum had already opened it.

"Oh dear, come on in!" Mrs. Weasley rushed outside and took hold of a fragile-looking Hermione.

"Careful, she's a bit sick…She's distraught with finding out what happened." Percy explained.

"Ron, he has to know…And the kids…." Hermione trailed off.

"Not to worry dear, that's all been taken care of," Mrs. Weasley said calmly. "Let's get you inside and I'll take you to your room." Percy let go of Hermione and nodded towards his mum while Mrs. Weasley helped her climb the stairs. Once she arrived at Ginny's bedroom, Hermione slumped on the bed and sleep overcame her.

"Can you stay?" Hermione whispered. "Has Ron managed to take the kids home?"

"Of course, dear, and Ron has brought the kids with him here, so they're safe and sound" Mrs. Weasley muttered then caressed her hair while sitting on the bed. She glanced up to find Percy near the door frame.

"Good, I am glad," Hermione said with a soft smile and drifted off to sleep