CHAPTER 3: Into the Alley

by Catriona

"What are you talking about Ron?" Ginny gripped the phone so tightly her knuckles were turning white.

"Listen..Gin...I can't talk..." the phone began to produce static noises, then became a dial tone.

Ginny swore as she slammed down the phone. Then, taking one last sweeping glance around the room as if to make sure Draco wasn't there, she slid into her jacket and exited the room. "I'm going out for dinner," she called to her secretary, who waved in response. Down in the lobby, she gave a quick nod to the woman with the RODNEY tattoo (I really have to learn her name one of these days she mentally noted), and breathed in deeply as she stepped out of doors.

A quick glance around told her that Draco was nowhere to be seen. She slowly let out her breath, trying to ignore the keen sense of disappointment she felt. Pull yourself together, Ginny. You don't want him around for this.

This section of London was bustling with muggles and wizards alike, all intent on their everyday business. Ginny's shoes clicked as she walked smartly down the street, trying to hide the nervousness inside.

It was only a few minutes before she reached the Leaky Cauldron. Inside, it took her eyes a minute to adjust to the dimmness. The pub was filled with the usual lunch crowd, none who seemed to take special notice of her.

"The usual, Miss Weasley?"

"Not today, Tom." She smiled at the familiar face of the bartender. "Just passing through."

"Gotcha," he said with a grin.

She pushed open the door to the back garden, and gritted her teeth in annoyance when she saw who was there.

"What are you doing here?" she growled.

"The same thing you are, I suspect. Going to Cowell's house."

"I thought you said you didn't know anything about him."

"I thought you did too."

"I lied." She scowled and crossed her arms. "Get lost, this is none of your business."

"You know, did anyone tell you you're very sexy when you're angry?" Ginny felt the heat rise to her face. "Look, Virginia, I know where you're going and it's dangerous. You're going to need some protection."

"Excuse me Draco, I grew up with five older brothers. I think I can protect myself. Now stand aside." She marched past him and pulled out her wand. A few taps- left, up, right, down- and the brick wall began to shift, revealing the bustling splendour that was Diagon Alley.

Draco continued to follow her,chatting incessantly even after the wall re-appeared behind them. She weaved in and out of the crowd, trying to lose him, but deep down she knew she couldn't shake him. And she wasn't sure she wanted to.

They were at the entrance to Knockturn Alley now. Ginny gave a little shiver as a cold breeze wafted through the alleyway and seemed to penetrate into her bones. "You know," said Draco, still behind her, "I never could understand why Cowell would live in a place like this."

"There's people here of his kind," Ginny snorted. "Besides, he's not in London enough to really care."

As they made their way along the alley, Ginny had to admit privately that she was glad Draco was with her. The looks some of the seedier witches and wizards were giving her looked less than friendly.

At last they reached the dirtiest, most ill-reputed part of the alley, near the very end. A shabby looking house, one of the few residences in Diagon Alley, loomed before them.

"So, do you think your brother's inside with Hermione?"

"No, I don't," said Ginny. "He got cut off when I was talking to him on the phone. I think someone's taken him."

"Know who?"

"I have my hunches."

They approached the door, and Draco jiggled the handle. "No good. They must have locked it when they took off." He began to run at it, ramming it with his shoulder, trying to loosen the lock. Ginny couldn't help noticing how well his broad shoulders filled out his suit...

"Whoa whoa whoa." Ginny took her wand out of her purse for the second time that day. "Let me handle this. Alohomora! " A spark shot out and hit the lock and it let out a hiss as it fell to the ground.

She blew on the end of her wand and smirked.

"Nice work, Weasley."

Inside looked dirty, but there were no signs of a struggle. Apparently no one had cleaned it out since Cowell had died. A thick coating of dust lay over everything.

"Ron? Hermione?" Ginny called, but there was no answer.

They decided to split up. Ginny went upstairs to the second floor, where a series of closed doors greeted her. She tried them all, but most of them were fairly empty. She didn't know what she was looking for, but she knew what she needed- evidence.

The last door on the right was the smallest one. She pushed it open and let out a gasp.

"Draco!" she yelled. "I think you better come see this!"

"What is it?" Draco said, running up the stairs. "Is there someone here?"

But Ginny didn't reply. Her mouth was still gaping open as she stood there, stunned.

"What is it?" Draco repeated, coming to her side.

"Well," she said quietly. "Now we know why someone might have wanted to murder Cowell."

The entire room was filled with money. It was piled everywhere, galleons, sickles, knuts, gleaming in the thin sunlight that came through the window.

"Yes, Virginia," said Draco, letting out a whistle. "There is a Santa Claus."