Title: Guilty By Association
Author: Tiny Q
E-Mail: one_legged_lesbian_seagull@hotmail.com
A/N: Hello again! I'm back! Stop your grumbling! Just to warn you, I had a bit too much Easter chocolate when I was writing this so if it sounds a bit different from the other chapters blame the sugar! I own nothing! Except the bad plot. Oh and all magical creatures are from that little book J.K. Rowling wrote about Magical Creatures. Such a cute little book. Anyhoo. Tiny Q looks cautiously at Chained Doves' caged penguins then turns, grabs Mr. Flibble, tucks him under her left arm and darts into her car. She promptly locks the doors and drives away like a bat out of hell, all the while chanting: "Penguins can't fly, Penguins can't fly, Penguin's can't fly."
A/A/N: I do not know what the weather is like in England for I have never been there. Germany yes. England no. Only thing I have to base the weather in this story on is what I have seen or heard in the media or movies. Further more I live in Alberta Canada and we have been having the craziest weather lately. One day -30 the next +10! (And that's Celsius to all you Americans) So I apologize if the weather in this fic does not seem real, so just bear with me and pretend it's plausible!
Guilty By Association
Chapter 6
The Troublesome Jarvey
The Weather worsened as Ginny Weasley, Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter made their way towards the Ministry of Magic. It seemed that they were now in an all out blizzard. The snow was so think that Ginny could barley see two feet in front of her.
'Stupid Ministry,' she thought bitterly as she pulled her multi-colored scarf tighter around herself. 'They just had to put up safeguards to keep people from Apparating within a kilometer of the place.' She knew why they did it of course. With Voldemort back in power, the Ministry couldn't take the chance of Death Eaters just Apparating in there and killing everyone. She had been thinking about getting it done for the Bureau but it would be such a hassle. 'Like having to walk through a blizzard.'
Harry was once again walking to her right and Malfoy to her left. They were both walking pretty close to her for the wind had picked up and neither had thought to bring his hat or gloves.
"So who are we going to see?" Malfoy asked, breaking the silence the three had held since they had left the crime scene.
"Neville Longbottom," Harry replied, surprising Ginny. She hadn't seen Neville since the end of her sixth year. She knew he worked for the ministry but had never gone to see him. He was Harry, Hermione and Ron's contact. She felt a pang of dread at the thought of them.
"And I don't want you pulling any of the shit you did back in Hogwarts," Harry said sternly, distracting Ginny from the horrible feeling. She glanced sideways at Malfoy who had an extremely cross look on his face.
"That was five years ago," he hissed, glaring daggers over Ginny's head.
"Yeah," said Harry. "Right."
Malfoy opened his mouth to say something but shut it, obviously thinking better of himself. And so the three continued to walk in silence. The snow fall getting heavier by the minute and the wind colder. Soon they were all sniffling, Malfoy the loudest of the three.
"I can't take it any more!" Ginny hissed as she pulled off her mitts and began to search her pockets.
"Take what Gin?" Harry asked, looking at her curiously.
"His sniffling," she said, jerking her head towards Malfoy who sniffled to prove her point. Shaking her head her hand finally found what she was looking for. Pulling out a fresh Kleenex that she had shoved in there a while back. Shaking it out she held it in front of him.
He looked at her for a moment, a sneer playing across her face. He once again opened his mouth to say something but seemed to think better of this as well. He finally snatched the Kleenex from her hand.
"Thanks," he mumbled and blew his nose, then stuffed the Kleenex into his own pocket.
Ginny just shook her head and fumbled to re-button her pockets when her hand brushed against something cool. Reaching her hand in she pulled out the bullet she had removed from Malfoy's shoulder. She had grabbed it on the way out with the intentions of showing Harry. It had completely slipped her mind.
'A mole,' she thought suddenly. 'There is a mole in the Bureau.' She gasped coming to a sudden stop causing Harry and Malfoy to stop a few paces away looking back at her curiously.
"Why didn't I see it before?" she said, still looking at the bullet. Harry walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"See what Gin?" he asked.
"Harry. Do you know what this is?" she asked holding the bullet up to him. He held out his hand and she placed in on his palm. He took a moment to examine it.
"This is a bullet from Dudley's gun. The one he always uses," he said after a moment with a shrug and handed it back to her. "So. Why do you have it in your pocket?"
"Do you know where I found it?" Ginny asked, clutching the projectile. Harry shrugged and looked at her with raised eyebrows. "In Malfoy's shoulder."
"What?!" he gasped, looking like he had suddenly swallowed a bug. She saw him look from the bullet then to Malfoy who was still standing where he had stopped then back again. "But how?"
"He was late yesterday," she pointed out. "He's never late."
"He had car trouble," he said with a frown. "Remember?"
"He treats that car like it was his own child, Harry. It has a name for Merlin's sake, and it's not Benz. How the hell could it break down? He practically sings it to sleep!"
"Dudley has a Benz?" Malfoy asked as he walked up and stood beside them. "He doesn't seem the type."
"Shut up," she snapped at him and turned her attention back to Harry Potter.
"You're saying Dudley's the mole?" he asked slowly.
"Harry," she said softly. "I know he's your cousin but you said yourself, he's an edgy character."
"He was," he corrected her forcefully. "He's changed."
"Tell my shoulder that, Potter," Malfoy piped up.
"I thought I told you to shut up," Ginny snapped again. Malfoy raised his arms in resignation.
"Even if it is true, how could he have gotten the gun? The closet was closed that morning, wasn't it?" Harry asked, ignoring Malfoy.
"I didn't check it," Ginny said sheepishly, feeling her cheeks burn. "First time in three years that I haven't checked it."
"Figures," Harry said darkly. Then he let out a tremendous sigh. "But I'd bet my families' fortune that there isn't another gun like that within a hundred kilometers of here. We'll just have to keep an eye on him, alright?"
"I'll mention something to Tabitha when we get back," Ginny said as they resumed their walk to the Ministry, Malfoy trailing behind. "He didn't look to happy this morning."
"Would you be?" Harry mumbled, glancing over his shoulder at Malfoy and shaking his head.
"What?" Malfoy demanded stubbornly, looking at the two of them.
"I told you to shut up," Ginny snapped. "Or don't you listen Malfoy?"
"Obviously not," he said, looking at her coolly. Ginny let out a shriek of rage and picked up her pace causing Harry and Malfoy to both take larger steps to keep up. 'Men,' she hissed in her mind. 'There's not a decent one out there.'
"Shouldn't have done that, Malfoy," she heard Harry say.
"Harry," she called over her shoulder, still keeping her fast pace.
"What?"
"Shut up."
~*~
The three of them arrived at the Ministry a few minutes latter. Much to Harry's relief. He never liked being around Ginny when she was pissed. He always got bitched out for something stupid. In a way she was worse than Ron, when she had the Weasley temper in full swing that is. Luckily he had Malfoy as a scapegoat. If he had been close enough, Harry was sure that Ginny would have ripped the guy's hair out.
The Ministry of Magic building was disguised as a small record shop in the center of downtown London. Muggles could go in and shop around, which they did but not that often. Magical folk would head up the stairs and through the right enchanted wall where they would find a building as large as a skyscraper. It was here, in this impressive building, that the magical world of most of Europe was governed.
The three of them walked into the large lobby and glanced around at various witches and wizards sitting on large squishy couches. 'Busy,' Harry thought as he approached the front desk. A scrawny looking man was sitting there giving Harry the impression that he had just graduated.
"Can I help you?" he asked looking at Harry, Ginny and Malfoy in turn. His eyes flicked back to rest on Harry. "Harry Potter?" the man squeaked. 'Just once,' Harry thought grimily, smiling half heartily at the man behind the desk. 'Just once.' He could hear Malfoy snickering and he glared at him then turned his attention back to the man.
"We would like to see Neville Longbottom please," he said.
"Mr. Longbottom?" the man asked and begun to shuffle papers around the desk. "Um . . . yes. Here he is. He just got back from a meeting."
Harry raised an eyebrow at this. "And . . ."
"Oh! Sorry Mr. Potter sir," the man gushed. "Twentieth floor, office 236C, Department of Magical Creatures and Plants. If you get lost, which I'm sure you won't, there are maps at every fireplace and elevator." He looked wide eyed up at Harry and laughed nervously.
"Thank you," he said simply then turned and walked towards the elevator with Ginny and Malfoy close behind. As the three stepped onto the elevator, Harry tapped the twentieth button with his wand. The doors closed and the elevator began to accelerate quickly upwards.
He could tell that Malfoy wanted to say something by the way his eyes were dancing maliciously. He kept glancing at Ginny though who still had a very cross look on her face. Harry finally heard him sigh and saw him lean against the wall. 'Ha,' he thought.
The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened a moment latter to reveal a large, brightly lit room filled with occupied cubicles and desks. It seemed to be very hectic today.
"Do they all work for Neville?" Ginny asked in awe as they stepped off the elevator and watched someone being attacked by a runespoor. He was screaming bloody murder and waving his arms around frantically in an attempt to dislodge two of the three heads.
"Isn't it obvious, Weasley?" Malfoy sneered as the three of them stepped back to avoid being hit by a screaming witch being chased by a horde of fire crabs.
"You're so immature," Ginny hissed as they began to walk through the chaos. There was a large group of wizards trying to stop a leprechaun from pulling down a bookshelf. While a group of witches were attempting to console a sobbing centaur.
'Only Neville,' Harry thought with a grin as he watched a witch try and pull a giant venus fly trap off her head. 'Could take a department of the Ministry and turn it into a zoo.'
After a few minutes and many close calls the trio finally managed to find Neville's office. He was standing in the doorway with a strange amused look on his face.
"A little hectic today," he called to them as Harry pulled Ginny out of the way of a white, ferret looking jarvey. It's target gone it approached Malfoy who took a few hasty steps back as the large creature began to speak.
"Pretty boy go boom!" it said shrilly. Malfoy pulled out his wand and took another step back, tripping over a fallen chair and falling flat on his ass. The jarvey instantly leapt into the air and landed in his chest where it closed his eyes and began to purr.
Malfoy had a look of utmost horror and embarrassment on his face as Harry, Ginny and Neville all burst out laughing.
"What is it with you and ferrets?" Ginny gasped between laughs, causing Malfoy's already flushed face to go pinker.
"Get off," Malfoy hissed, trying to pull the jarvey off. The creature dug it's claws into his cloak and refused to budge. Ginny fell to the floor with tears in her eyes from laughing so hard and Harry almost joined her.
"Vera," Neville called to a pretty looking blond woman who quickly hurried over. "Would you please help Mr. Malfoy." The woman, named Vera, looked at him oddly, then saw Malfoy lying on the ground with the large jarvey on his chest.
"Mr. Flibble!" she gasped and quickly walked towards the creature where she yanked him off. Tucking the creature under her left arm and used her right to pull Malfoy to his feet. "He's gone mad with all of them," she gestured towards the rest of the office.
"Um, it's alright," Harry heard Malfoy say and begun to laugh even harder as he watched him try and get the white fur off his black cloak. The woman laughed as well then used her wand to charm it all off. "Thanks," Malfoy muttered and she smiled.
"No prob," she said then turned to Neville. "Mr. Longbottom."
"Ms. Black," he said with a nod and she turned on her heel and disappeared into the chaos from once she came. "Such a nice woman," Neville sighed then seemed to remember who he was standing with. "How about we go into the office?" He held the door open and the three of them walked in. "Sorry about that," he said. "I hate it after Christmas. Everyone is trying to give us the creatures and plants they received but don't want. I have been trying to get the Ministry to pass a law to stop it. It's under consideration which means it will be passed in about twenty years."
He grinned at Harry then turned his attention to the woman beside him. "Ginny?" he asked with a large smile.
"Hullo, Neville," she said with a smile of equal warmth. He stepped forward and gave her a quick hug. After stepping away he looked over at Malfoy.
"Hullo, Draco," he said with a smile. 'Bad move,' Harry thought grimmly.
"Hullo, Neville," the blond responded to Harry's surprise. He looked over at Ginny who looked back at him with wide eyed surprise. 'What the hell,' she mouthed to him. He shrugged and watched as Malfoy and Neville shook hands like old friends.
"Let me guess," Neville said as he ushered them all to sit on a large comfy couch across from an equally comfy armchair which he himself took. "You're here about Ron and Hermione, right?"
"Yeah," Harry said. "I see you knew already as well."
"Well," said Neville with mock astonishment. "I am Neville Longbottom. I know all."
Malfoy snorted at this and Ginny hit him. "Quiet," she hissed and Neville laughed, raising his eyebrows at Harry who just shrugged.
"But I am sorry to say," Neville began. "That I don't know much more than you do." Harry felt his heart sink. If Neville, the master of gossip, didn't know anything then he highly doubted anyone else would either.
"Well just tell us what you know, Neville," Ginny said softly from Harry's right.
Neville nodded. "Um, Ron and Hermione were going out to dinner at that restaurant Ron first proposed to her. After their dinner they were heading to the movies when they were attacked by, what I have heard rumored to be Death Eaters. Ron was discovered a few hours latter in the alley that you three have been to twice already and Hermione was presumably kidnapped. And from what I've heard, she was pregnant."
"Sounds right," Harry said. "So people are saying Death Eaters, Eh?" Neville nodded. "That's what we have been thinking as well."
"But as to why now all of a sudden," Neville said. "I have no idea. I mean they haven't shown their heads since August with that odd murder."
"What murder?" Malfoy asked from the other side of Ginny.
"You really haven't been keeping up with the news over here, have you Draco?" Neville sighed. "I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Pansy Parkinson was found murdered in her flat with the Dark Mark over head. It wasn't a pretty sight."
Harry glanced over at Malfoy. He seemed to have gone a few shades paler if possible. He knew that the two of them had been dating on and off during their time at Hogwarts. It seemed that they had not kept contact since.
"But she was an author," Malfoy said in a daze. "What would Voldemort want with an author?"
"We never found out," Neville said gently. "We can only assume that she stumbled onto something they didn't want let out. But we haven't heard a thing since. Until now that is."
Harry felt a pang of sympathy for Malfoy. What a thing to hear after you have just been disowned by your father and nearly killed. An eerie silence was held between them all for a few minutes.
"Neville," Harry said finally, deciding to break the silence. "You haven't heard anything odd about Hermione's pregnancy, have you?"
Neville looked at him oddly. "No. Should I have?"
"Um, no. Just wondering," Harry said after a moment. Neville nodded then turned his head to look at the clock.
"Oh!" he said suddenly, standing up. "I have to cut this gathering short. I have a meeting with your brother Ginny, in five minutes."
The three of them rose to their feet and headed towards the door. Harry glanced out the large window behind Neville's desk. The snow had gotten worse. Neville followed his eye.
"Man," he sighed. "Am I glad I don't have to shovel any of that." Malfoy let out a short laugh at the look on Ginny's face, telling Harry that he was alright.
"Shut up," Ginny snapped. "Bye Neville."
"Bye. I'll tell you the moment I hear something," he said.
"Thanks," Harry said to him and followed Ginny out the door. Malfoy said something to Neville then joined them.
"Seems to have clamed down a bit," he said and began to stroll through the room which seemed to have gotten even more chaotic. Harry looked at Ginny who shook her head in disgust then followed the blond.
There was a great flurry of movement and Harry saw Malfoy get plowed down by a white blur. It seemed that the jarvey had found him once again. Harry let out a laugh while Ginny began to giggle insanely as they approached.
"Not you again," Malfoy hissed as he tried in vain to pry the creature off. Then sighed resignedly. Harry looked around and saw the woman named Vera Black approaching quickly.
"Mr. Flibble," she hissed as she pulled it off of Malfoy for a second time. "That's it. You're going back into that cage whether you like it or not."
"You're such a bitch," the creature said as she once again tucked it under her arm and pulled Malfoy to his feet with the other.
"Sorry about that," she said and removed the hair from his cloak with her wand. Harry was still laughing at the irony of the creature's appearance but quickly stopped at the dark looks he received from both Ginny and Malfoy.
"It's alright," Malfoy said watching the creature squirming in her arms.
"Maybe I'll see you around," Vera said with a smile then turned and headed back into the crowd.
"Come on," Ginny said darkly as she brushed past Harry and headed towards the elevator. He brushed past Malfoy who was still staring after the blond woman.
"She meant you too," he whispered, so Ginny wouldn't hear. Malfoy snapped his head to look at him and frowned.
"I know," he hissed and headed towards the elevator himself with Harry close behind.
"I don't get it," Ginny said when the three of them were heading down. "If Neville doesn't know about Hermione's child, then how does Voldemort?"
"I don't know," Harry sighed. "I just don't know."
~*~
A/N: Well that's it! Hope you liked it! Next part will hopefully be coming soon! I would like to thank isis, nala/ethereal, Chained Dove, Verena Gruen, tajuki, Rosandra May, Stargazer(He He He. That is all I am going to say. For now.) for all your lovely reviews! They always make me smile.
