Chapter 3:

"I'm sorry sir," said the lady at the desk. "But we are doing all we can."

Harry and Ron were at the information desk for the Ministry of Magic subdivision, Location of Lost Wizards or Magical Creatures. It had been a month since the wedding already, and the two were beginning to get impatient about the speed the search was moving.

Harry rubbed his eyes. He felt a bubble of frustration swelling inside him, but he had learned long ago not to let seething emotions overcome him. Ron, on the other hand, hadn't.

"Listen, and try to understand. We've both lost the girls we love. We tried your method, but it hasn't helped at all. If you would just let us assist…"

"Sir, you would only get in the way. Then what the professionals have already done…"

"THEY HAVEN'T DONE A BLINKIN' THING!" Ron roared. "THEY'VE JUST BEEN ROAMIN' AROUND LONDON PEERIN' IN THE WINDOWS OF OLD DEATH-EATERS! WE TOLD YOU WHO DID IT! HARRY DOESN'T LIE!"

"Sir, even if Barney Kingledarm did the deed you claim, we would still need proof solid enough for a warrant. For all we know, he was subject to the imperius curse."

"WELL YOU DONE A BLOODY GOOD JOB FINDING OUT!"

Harry rested his arm on Ron's shoulder. "Come off it Ron," he said calmly.

Ron calmed down. "Sorry," he said to the attendant. Then he turned to Harry.

"I just don't know what we're going to do. My bride taken on my wedding, my sister shortly before, it can just get to you."

"Listen Ron," Harry said. "I believe that they may be in the USA. Both crimes seem oriented in the same way, and Barney Kingledarm gave me this, written on the back of a clipping from the Sweet Water Journal, shortly after the quidditch match."

Harry handed Ron the paper he had received. Ron stared at it blankly. "Number Two shall suffer the same fate," he read aloud.

"I don't know what it means," said Harry, "but it seems to have been referring to Ginny. After all, she was my second wife."

"Blimey Harry! You don't think he means to kill her?"

"And this point, Ron, I don't know what to think."

"Well Harry, we should get going! These idiots and the ministry of magic aren't going to do anything."

"Hold on," said Harry. "We can't apparate, it's too far."

"And we can't fly," said Ron. "We'll be seen for sure."

"Wait," said Harry. "Maybe we can fly. We just need to do it the muggle way. Via airplane."

"I guess…"

"It will work, I swear. All we need is a travel agent to get us there."

"Well then, let's get to it, post haste!"

And so, Ron and Harry went to the travel agency. Ron felt delighted that he was finally going to help in the search for Hermione and Ginny. "Two tickets to Sweet Water, Texas please," he said to the woman at the desk. "And be quick about it."

"Sir, there isn't a Sweet Water in the Texas area, to our agency's knowledge."

Ron's delight quickly faded. "Now what?" he whispered to Harry.

"Sweet Water is a magical city," Harry whispered back. "Like Hogsmeade, muggles don't know about it. Better go somewhere nearby."

Harry approached the woman at the desk. "Excuse me 'mam," he said. "But it is terribly urgent we get to Houston, Texas as soon as possible. What is the fastest way that you can get us there?"

"There aren't any flights going direct to America from Britain for six months. The best I can do for you is a train tomorrow to Frankfurt, Germany. From there I can get you on a flight to Houston in three days."

"That sounds great! Thank you," said Harry.

Harry and Ron bought their tickets. Harry purchased four, so that Ashley and James wouldn't be forced to be home alone. Then Harry and Ron bid each other farewell, making plans to meet at the station the next day.

Harry and his family were waiting at the station for Ron. Ron was running a little late, and Harry was afraid he was going to miss the train.

"Daddy, are these trains like the Hogwarts Express?" Ashley asked Harry.

"No Ashley," Harry replied. "Muggles think that only new stuff is better. They also think that adding a lot of curves on things make them look new. So, this train is going to look different. But it will still feel the same."

Harry still saw no sign of Ron. The train was pulling into the station now, and the conductor was announcing that the train would be leaving in 15 minutes.

"Ashley, James, I didn't have a choice of which trains we got. This one doesn't have a toilet. I suggest that you go now, or you may not get the chance."

"We'll be fine," both Ashley and James barked. Actually they were afraid that muggle cleaning methods weren't up to wizard standards.

"Fine. James, watch your sister and look or Ron. I need to go."

Harry left to use the men's toilets. He had just gotten to the point where he couldn't see Ashley and James, when he felt a bash to his side. Someone was knocking him over.

"Get off me!" Harry screamed. The man rolled over onto the floor beside Harry. Harry jumped to his feet and pulled out his wand. "Who are you and what do you want."

"Please," said the man. "I want to help." It was Barney Kingledarm.

"If you will only listen, I can give you some helpful advice."

"You kidnapped my wife, and my best friend! Give me one good reason a should!"

"It wasn't my choice."

"Imperius?"

"No, much worse. You have no idea who you're dealing with."

Kingledarm rose to his feet. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but instead fell on his face. A figure cloaked in black attire had just shoved a knife through Kingledarm's back.

Harry hadn't even seen the murderer come. He had snuck in with stealth matching that of a ninja. Without even a breath, this man had disappeared into the shadows with just as much stealth as he entered.

Harry heard Ron calling his name. "Harry, there you are," he said catching up to him. It took him but a moment to realize that someone lay dead at Harry's feet. "Whoa," said Ron upon its discovery. "What just happened here?"

Then Harry felt the knife in his pocket.