Title: Guilty By Association

Author: Tiny Q

E-Mail: one_legged_lesbian_seagull@hotmail.com

A/N: Well here it is. Finally. Sorry it took so long, but the teachers have been giving us all sooo much homework that I haven't had time to do much of anything. Oh well. I hope you enjoy this one. We're getting into the interesting stuff in the next few chapters, so if you are bored to tears already, don't worry! It gets better! Well yes, Harry Potter. Not mine. J.K. Rowling's and Warner Bros'. The Bureau idea. Not mine. From Angel. The WB. So now that we have all the little discrepancies out of the way lets get on with the story!

Guilty By Association

Chapter 4

Lightning 2001

As Draco Malfoy exited the fireplace in St. Mungos he was greeted by the sight of a partially deserted waiting room. The few people there that were still awake looked at him with mild interest then turned their attention back to whatever they were doing before.

Ginny Weasley soon emerged from the fireplace behind him and she stepped up beside him. They both just stood there for a moment until they heard footsteps coming quickly in their direction. A skinny little nurse with blond hair came around the corner and came to a stop. She began to look at the people in the waiting room until her eyes came to rest on Draco and Ginny.

"Ginny Weasley?" a nurse asked and she nodded in return. "Your brother is this way," with that said the woman turned on her heel and walked back in the direction she had come. With out looking in Draco's direction Ginny turned and followed her quickly. Glancing around at the room, he turned and followed as well.

The nurse led them down various halls lined with doors and hospital beds waiting to be moved. Draco could only assume that the definite lack of people meant that everyone was asleep or off duty. A feeling of foreboding began to fill his stomach again and he brushed it off distracting himself by watching the two women walking in front of him. A few minutes latter the nurse stopped before a door with the window beside it covered by a white curtain. She held onto doorknob, but did not open it.

"Your brother was hurt pretty bad when he was discovered," the nurse explained. "We did all we could to stabilize him, but he received a very nasty blow to the head. He is currently unconscious and the doctors are unsure as to when he will wake. It could take a few days for him to fully regain consciousness. He will be alright though, don't you worry about that." The nurse offered a warm smile to Ginny then turned her attention to Draco.

"Who are you?" she asked. He opened his mouth to respond but Ginny beat him to it.

"He's a good friend of mine," she said, glancing at him quickly. He nodded in agreement and the nurse smiled at him as well.

"I believe your friend said he would return in a little while," the nurse said, still holding the door closed.

"You mean Harry?" Ginny asked politely.

"Yeah," the woman said with a dreamy sigh. Draco resisted the urge to shake his head in disgust. After a moment the nurse shook her head and blushed in embarrassment, "Sorry. I suppose I should let you see your brother then. Just be careful, but then you should know that since you are going to become a doctor yourself, Miss. Weasley." With that the woman opened the door and allowed the two of them to walk in.

The room was small and white containing only a few chairs and one hospital bed, on which Ron Weasley lay. He looked quite similar to how Draco remembered him, except taller and more filled out. He looked as though he were only sleeping with a small Band-Aid over his right eye, but the moment Ginny saw him she let out a sob and rushed to his side. She sat down in a chair that was beside the bed and grabbed her brother's hand and began to cry.

Draco had no idea what to do as he watched the woman drop her head onto the bed and sob loudly, her whole body shaking in the effort. So he just stood by the door debating as to whether or not he should go out in the hall and leave the two of them in peace. As he was about to turn and leave the door opened and he snapped his head around to see who it was.

"Hello, Malfoy," Harry Potter said in a strained voice, closing the door behind him.

"Hello, Potter." Draco looked at the man and realized with a start that they were both the same height. Potter seemed to realize this as well for he seemed to hold himself higher as he stood before him.

"It's been a long time," he said, looking him straight in the eye.

"You think?" Draco sneered in return.

"Still an ass I see," Potter snapped, narrowing his eyes at him.

"No, that was always your job," he hissed back. Draco was really beginning to wish he had never returned to England. 'Why didn't I just stay in New York?' he wondered as he continued to glare at Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived.

Potter seemed about to say something but seemed to think better of it and turned and walked over to Ginny. He held out a Kleenex to her and she stood up and flung her arms around him. He seemed startled for a moment but quickly returned the hug.

Now thoroughly disgusted, Draco turned for a second time towards the door but was stopped once again by the sound of someone Apparating into the room. Despite himself, Draco turned to see Alubus Dumbledore standing on the opposite end of the bed from Potter and Ginny.

"Hello, Mr. Malfoy," his old headmaster greeted him. "It has been a while hasn't it?"

"Five years sir," he replied, remembering how the old man had helped him to leave the country. Dumbledore smiled at him knowingly then turned his attention to the other three occupants in the room.

"When did they say he would wake up, Harry?" he asked.

"Within a few days," Potter said looking up. Ginny had stopped crying and stepped away from him to reclaim the seat she had had before. Potter sat down beside her and looked down at his best friend.

"That might be to late," the man sighed slumping into a chair beside the bed. "Miss. Weasley, you are sure that Mrs. Weasley is pregnant?"

"Yes," she replied with a hoarse voice. "She told me this morning after she went to the doctor. But I was the only one there."

"Interesting," Dumbledore said stroking his beard. "I can only assume that Voldemort has token her in an attempt to corrupt the child before it has a chance to fight on his own. If this is the case then we must find her soon. Who else knows about the prophecy?"

"What prophecy?" Draco asked from where he was leaning against the wall by the door. 'Might as well find out what I can while I'm here,' he thought and looked at the three expectantly.

"When we first opened," Ginny began ignoring the death looks she was receiving from Potter beside her, "This old woman came in and told us that Hermione's child will supposedly have powers beyond anything the world has ever seen."

"And bring about a new age or something like that," Potter added glancing venomously in his direction.

"Yes, now who, besides yourselves and Mr. Malfoy, knows about the prophecy?" Dumbledore repeated patiently.

"Well everyone who was there that day," Ginny started, getting a distant look on her face. "So that makes us and Tabitha Murphy. Remus and Sirius know too and Dudley found out last year. I don't know who you told but they are all I know of."

"And I doubt Ron and Hermione would have mentioned anything about it over dinner," Potter said.

"How can you be so sure, Potter?" Draco piped up, "The way I remember it, the two of them could never keep their voices down." Potter stood up angrily but when Ginny put her hand on his arm he sat back down.

"They wouldn't have said anything because they went to a muggle restaurant," Ginny hissed at him. He raised an eyebrow at this but kept his mouth shut.

"Where were they attacked?" Dumbledore asked wearily.

"By the docks," Potter replied and Draco looked at him sharply.

"Where about?" he demanded and everyone in the room looked at him curiously.

"Near the bureau," he said looking at Draco piercingly as if to detect some plot he was hiding to take over the world. "Why?"

"Because my father tried to have me killed today by the docks," he said as though it were no big deal.

"What?" Potter asked in disbelief. Even Dumbledore looked surprised.

"You heard me," he snapped back.

"Why Draco?" Dumbledore asked, turning in his seat to look at him. Draco suspected he had already put two and two together but wanted him to explain for the benefit of the other two.

"My father probably thought I was going to betray him," he said glancing down at the ground before looking up to meet the old man's eyes. "I was no threat to him across the world, but my being back in England I suppose made him a little wary. He probably thought it would be easier to just take me out than take the chance that I would help the Aurors."

"Did he have help?" the man demanded gently, rising to his feet.

"A group of Death Eaters and Voldemort as well," Draco said slowly. He heard Ginny gasp but he ignored her and Potter.

"Did you hear them say anything?" the man asked, now standing in front of him.

"No," he said after a moment, "I don't think so. But then I was out cold for most of the time."

Dumbledore gave a wearily sigh then began to pace back and forth across the room.

"What is it?" Potter asked.

"In the past month I have heard of odd occurrences happening in and around the docks," the old man said, still pacing. "From muggles and magic folk alike."

"Do you think that is where their new headquarters are?" Ginny asked. The old man finally stopped pacing and looked at her.

"It seems to be our only lead doesn't it?" he said then looked at each of them in turn. "The three of you should go down to where the Weasleys were attacked and see if there is anything left that might give away where Hermione was taken to. Do not Apparate in though, go by broomstick, who knows what type of magical detection spells they have there, if any.

"Tomorrow begin a search for her if you don't find anything tonight. I recommend that you keep a low profile though, because Voldemort, or whoever took her, found out through someone. I am going to go and try and find out as much as I can about the prophecy, maybe there is something in the books that can help us. Now fare well, and remember, low profile. I'll be in touch." The old man then Disapparated out of the room with a "pop".

"A mole?" Draco heard Potter mutter in disbelief.

"I can't see anyone we know being a mole," Ginny muttered in return, "Not even Snape."

Potter sighed then stood from his chair and walked over to Draco who was still leaning against the wall. He stopped in front of him and gave him a weary look. "Your father tried to kill you?" he finally asked. Ginny rose and stood behind Potter, peering at him from over his shoulder.

"That's what I said wasn't it?" Draco hissed.

"Well why didn't you say something?" he demanded.

"It's not exactly something I like to advertise. Imagine it: 'Malfoy disowned by his father,' seriously now," he said. "Besides, I did try to tell Weasley before but she kept interrupting."

"Not my fault you take forever to get to the point," she hissed from behind Potter, crossing her arms.

"Yes, well at least I don't have to hide behind the Boy Wonder to throw insults," he sneered and was about to say more but stopped at the look Potter was giving him.

"Whether I like it or not, Malfoy," Potter began, "I think we need your help. And I know why you were recalled to England and what you did. But you owe me and if I am understanding things right, Ginny too."

'Damn him,' Draco hissed in his mind, 'Can I ever go anywhere without owing someone a favor?' He glared back at his two former school mates. He didn't have to help them if he didn't want to, all his baggage was on him, he could just Apparate to the nearest Portkey station and be gone. But something made him stay.

"Fine," he sighed with disgust, "It's not like I have anything better to do anyway, since it seems I no longer have a job. But this does not mean I like either of you."

"And we still don't like you," Ginny snapped then stepped up from behind Potter to stand beside him. Draco glared at her but thought better of pulling out his wand.

"Good," Potter said, "Now if the two of you can refrain from killing each other, lets get our brooms and be on our way."

~*~

After a quick trip home, Ginny Weasley was ridding her broom behind two of Hogwarts' former Seekers. She had always enjoyed flying but had never been good enough to get on the house team. Even if she was a "speed demon", as Charlie liked to say. She felt a sudden pang of dread at the thought of having to tell her family what had had happened to their youngest son or brother and his wife.

Pushing the thought to the far end of her mind, Ginny glanced down at the broom beneath her. A Lightning 2002, one of the latest models around, well known for it's speed and excellent handling. She had been saving up to purchase it ever since she had heard it was to be released last summer. And now it was hers, one of her most prized possessions. When she had first got it, she had raced Harry and was pleased to discover that with this broom she was almost double his speed. Though even with the Comet she had previously owned, she could beat him on his Firebolt.

The docks were approaching quickly so the three of them soon landed a little ways away and began to walk silently towards where Ron had been discovered. It did not take long, and upon arrival they were startled to see several figures clad in black robes scouring the place with their wands.

It seemed that who ever had attacked her brother had had the same idea they had had and beat them to it. But instead of collecting the evidence, they were destroying it.

"Those are Death Eaters," Malfoy said quietly after the three of them had crouched behind a large dumpster, and observed the people as they went about their dark work.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked him, pulling out his wand.

"Positive," he said in an irritated tone, pulling out his own wand.

"What should we do?" Ginny whispered. She was on the end and had the best view of the black clad people, yet she could not see their faces. "Should we follow them when they leave?"

"I think that will give us the most answers," Harry whispered back, while Malfoy, who was on the opposite end of Harry, glanced around the corner.

"I don't think that is going to work," he said plastering his back against the dumpster and clutching his wand.

"Why not?" Ginny hissed quietly.

"Because they already know we're here." To prove this Ginny's broomstick, which unbeknownst to her had been sticking out slightly, burst into flames.

"My broom!" she screamed and watched helplessly as the object she had worked so hard to get quickly burned out of existence.

"Ginny, don't do anything stupid!" Harry called but it fell on deaf ears, for Ginny had already stepped out from behind the dumpster and was hurling curses at those who had killed her broom.

Ginny had always wanted to be a doctor of some sort, but she had always been good at casting complicated spells quickly. It was these two factors which got her brother Ron to convince her to join the Aurors with them. And it was times like these that she shown her brightest.

Bodies were flying about and lights of all colors were flashing in and out of existence. Harry and Malfoy were soon standing beside her, aiding her in the attack. The alleyway they were in was echoing with screams and shouts of curses and charms. If Ginny had been thinking of anything besides her rage, she would have been worried that some muggles would call the police.

They were out numbered ten to three yet the three of them soon managed to knock out eight of them. The last two seemed to stand there dumbfounded for a moment then turned and looked at each other and ran in opposite directions grabbing brooms that were leaning against the wall. They both flew into the air and headed quickly away.

"They're getting away!" Ginny called shrilly.

"Follow them!" Harry called, and Ginny went towards him to get on the back of the broom, since she no longer owned one. "Gin, it's to small, go with Malfoy." She looked in horror and realized that what he said was true.

"Figures," she said at the same time as Malfoy and they both shot each other death glares for saying what the other had.

"Hurry up you two!" Harry called as he hovered in the air. "I'll meet you back at the Bureau!" With that he was off in a flash after the other figure on the broom who had a thirty second head start.

"Don't just stand there Weasley!" Malfoy growled, hovering beside her on his broom.

Hissing like a snake, Ginny hopped on behind him, and not knowing where to hold on, grabbed the sides of cloak. The instant she was on the broom, Malfoy pushed off the ground and shot up into the air like a bat out of hell. The cloak was not the best thing to hold onto for the instant he pushed off she almost fell off.

"You're going to fall, Weasley," he snapped, not looking back at her. Growling at the heavens in her mind, Ginny reached forward and wrapped her arms around Malfoy's waist and held on firmly. She felt him stiffen under her touch, which only made her hold on tighter to spite him.

To her surprise, Malfoy was a pretty good flyer. She would even speculate that he flew almost as fast as she could if given the chance. As they rose higher Ginny saw the black clad figure speeding away from them heading towards the north. She knew that Malfoy had seen it as well for he leaned forward and sped up. Ginny could feel the wind against her and she knew she was slowing them down.

"Lean forward," she heard him snap. In utter disgust she did as she was told and pressed her body against his and rested her head on the back of his shoulder. They instantly began to fly even faster and soon were gaining quite quickly on the figure ahead of them. As they got closer, Ginny caught the glint of blond hair flying out from the figure's hood.

They were now flying high into the clouds, which were large and grey, threatening to release a large amount of precipitation at any moment. The figure ahead of them disappeared into them and Malfoy followed without hesitation. Soon Ginny could no longer see her hand held before her face, let alone the figure they were chasing. But on they went, traveling at high speeds, never slowing down.

With a sudden jerk, the broom stopped abruptly, and if Ginny had not been holding on as tightly as she had been she would have been thrown off.

"Why did you stop?" she asked angrily, leaning back slightly and looking around. They were still in the cloud, and it was dreadfully cold and impossible to see.

"I didn't," Malfoy said from in front of her. "Something is making it not work." To prove his point he urged the broom forward, but it stayed put like a stubborn mule. On his second attempt the broom bucked forward and Ginny let out a yelp of surprise and held on tighter.

"What the-" he began to say but was cut off as the broom began to shake and rock, much in the manner Harry's broom had on his first Quidditch match but with more violence. Ginny realized with horror that someone or something was trying to get them tossed off the broom.

She was practically squeezing the life out of Malfoy, who was desperately trying to bring the broomstick back under control. Ginny began to look around frantically for the reason the broom was trying to kill them. All she could see was dark grey cloud everywhere.

The broom gave a particularly violent jerk forward and Ginny felt her grip on Malfoy's waist begin to fail. She had a feeling that the same was happening to his grip on the broom. Suddenly the broom twirled, causing the two distressed passengers to hold on with their knees, then flipped back up to repeated the pattern.

"We're going to fall!" Ginny cried, desperately trying to hold onto the broom and to Malfoy at the same time. Her grip on both was becoming alarmingly weak and she knew that if the broom did not stop it's crazed pattern she would plummet to her death.

Malfoy did not respond for at that same moment the broom suddenly stopped spinning and began to shake violently back and forth like a dog shaking off water. Every so often it would jerk to a stop tossing them hard to the left or the right.

With a startled scream, Ginny's legs jerked off the broom. She was now hanging there, arms desperately gripping Malfoy's waist. Just as he was about to reach down and pull her back up the broom flipped vertically. Now all that was keeping the two from falling was Malfoy's two hands that were slowly sliding down the length of the broom.

Ginny heard him grunt with the effort of keeping the two of them from falling, and she wished desperately that she could do something. Yet after all that had happened to her in her life she could not think of anything that would help them at this moment. The broom now began waving violently back and forth, trying to shake them off. With a sudden wave of shock, Ginny's grip failed and she was flung away to the right.

"Malfoy!" she screamed as she felt herself free falling back down towards the earth. Looking up she realized that he was falling right along side her.

~*~

A/N: He He He! Another cliffhanger! I know how much you all love me for them! Well now on to the thank yous!

Thank you to: Opheliac, Vamp Queen, Wyld Rose, Narcissa Malfoy, Evil*Fairy, Mojo, witchy_grrl, seekerpeeker, JennyT, Hippie Chick, Kacella, LilyAyl, isis, Baby, ChildLikeTendencies!

Thanks to NicoleTheNiveter for reviewing twice. And a speacal thanks to Stargazer, Verena Gruen, Rosandra May for reviewing all three times! ~grin~ Tiny Q is very touched