A/N: Next chapter. No cliffhanger on this one. Go ahead, breath a sigh of relief.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Arguments

Jennifer ran down the steps to the main lobby. When she reached the ground floor she was out of breath and Frank raised an eyebrow. She waved her hand and made to sit down on a cushioned love-seat. He walked over to her. "Are you alright?" It was then he noticed her tears. "Jennifer? What's wrong? Jennifer?" She continued to cry as if he hadn't spoken. He sat next to her and held her as she cried. Her breath became labored and Frank took her to the bathroom before a scene was created. Carter hated scenes. He set her on the counter and wet a paper towel, he then dabbed at her running mascara and eyeliner. "You okay?" She hiccupped then nodded. "We'll stay here a few more minutes then go back out."

"Thanks." She whispered.

"What happened?" She shook her head. "Can't tell?"

"Don't want to."

"Is someone hurt?" She shook her head. He was about to ask another question when Josiah walked into the bathroom. He did a double take then went to check the entrance sign.

"Yeah, Men's room. Why are you here Jen-what's wrong?" She shook her head. "Frank do you mind if-"

"Not at all." He smoothed Jennifer's hair. "Whatever it is, it'll be alright." He then walked out of the bathroom.

"Okay gorgeous, what's wrong." She looked down at her dangling feet. "Is it Carter?" She shook her head. "Your dad?" She shook her head again. "Mr. Weasley?" She looked up at him. "What happened?"

"He-I-well-"

"Calm down first." She took a deep breath.

"I took breakfast to him this morning and well...he wasn't alone."

"Another woman?" She nodded. "Ah Jen. I'm so sorry. I know you liked him."

"Which is why it was doomed from the beginning."

"What?"

"I don't attract the good guys."

"You'll find the right one."

Jennifer laughed, "Right, and you're a woman."

"Please God I hope not." He walked up to her and held her face in his hands, "it'll work itself out, and he's a jerk."

"I know that." Another man then walked into the bathroom. He stopped when he saw Josiah and Jennifer and turned to leave. "Please don't." She told the stranger. "I'm just leaving." The stranger nodded. She jumped off the counter and Josiah looked at her.

"Need the day off?" Josiah asked.

"Like that'll happen."

"True."

"I'll be fine, I'll just stay in the lobby today or something."

"Jen?"

"Yes?"

"He's not worth your tears."

She smiled a watery smile. "Thanks Josiah."

"By the way Amy wants to meet you for dinner later, you up for it?"

"No, but it'll be fine." She walked past him and to the door where the stranger still stood. She opened the door but he stopped her with a hand on her arm.

"You alright Miss?" His British accent was unmistakable.

"About as alright as I can be. Thank you for your concern, you don't meet much of it from complete strangers."

"It always hurts a man to see a lady cry." She nodded.

"I'll tell Carter you're in Josiah." He nodded. She left the bathroom.

Five minutes later, the stranger was Carter Forester's office. "Mr. Potter, it is a pleasure to have you in our hotel." Carter gushed.

"Thank you, the city is amazing."

"It is isn't it?"

"As is your hotel."

"Thank you. I suppose you'll be staying with Mr. Weasley up in the suit?"

"Is there room?"

"I should say so."

"Then that would be fine."

"Does Mr. Weasley know you're here?"

"No, but the Ministry sent me." Carter nodded.

"Very well, I'll have your things sent up. Ms. Summers!" Jennifer walked in.

"Yes sir?"

"Please escort Mr. Potter here to the suite."

"The same one Mr. Weasley is in sir?"

"Yes."

"Right away. Follow me Mr. Potter." Jennifer left the office. Harry and Carter spoke a few more words and then Harry walked out into the lobby. By the front desk stood Jennifer and Josiah talking. She looked up and smiled.

"Follow me Mr. Potter."

Harry held up his hand. "Please, it's Harry Ms. Summers."

"In that case, it's Jennifer."

"Lovely name." Jennifer blushed.

"Right well, follow me."

"Want me to call Mr. Weasley and tell him to become...presentable?" Josiah whispered in a tone he believed only Jennifer could hear.

She smiled kindly at him, "No thanks, he saw me and if he has any decency, he'll have changed." She whispered back. She then turned to Harry. "Right this way."

Harry looked at her curiously, but followed, after a few moments he asked, "What was that about?" Jennifer looked at him.

"What was what about?"

"I do not mean to pry, but what about Mr. Weasley?"

She looked him curiously, "Don't listen to Josiah, he often talks without thinking."

Harry put his hand on her arm. "Don't take offense, but I don't believe you."

She sighed, "You'll see soon enough. I take it you're the best friend Ron...I mean Mr. Weasley speaks so fondly of."

Harry laughed, "I suppose. Have you two talked often?"

"You could say that." She answered, brushing it off.

"Care to explain?"

"Since you are his friend, no. I do not mean to be rude, but I'd rather not discuss my personal life with a stranger who happens the best friend of..."

"Of what?"

"Never mind." She continued to walk, and they took the elevator up to the top floor.

"Has Ms Granger stopped by?"

"Who?"

"Ms. Hermione Granger. About this tall, brown hair, brown eyes." He said, making movements with his hands. Jennifer stilled. She looked up at him, and Harry saw defeat in her eyes.

"I believe she has. Here we are. This way." She led him down the hall to the suite. She knocked twice then opened the door. "This is where you'll be staying. Your room is through there and-" She stopped at the sound of a man's voice.

"Anyone there?" Ron asked, walking out into the living area shirtless and in sweat pants. He was towel drying his hair. He looked over to Harry. "Harry?" He laughed. "What are you doing here?"

"Sent me to help out."

"Thanks. You staying here?"

"Yeah. Where's Hermione?"

"In the sho-" It was then that Ron noticed Jennifer. She smiled slightly and looked up to Harry,

"Right Mr. Potter, here's your key. I'm sure Mr. Weasley can show you around." She turned around and left the apartment. Ron looked at Harry.

"Wait right here." He told Harry. He then dashed out of the apartment. "Jen...Jen...wait!" He called to her, she finally stopped. He looked at her back and saw that she was trying to gain her composure. "Can we talk?"

She turned around to look at him. "About what?"

"I want to apologize."

"For..."

"For what you found this morning I didn't mean-" Jennifer held up her hand.

"No need to apologize Ron, I understand. I was your rebound."

"No that wasn't-"

"Yeah it was Ron, otherwise that girl in there wouldn't be Hermione Granger, your almost fiancée." She stated.

"How did you know it was Hermione?"

"I didn't...at first. But then Mr. Potter asked if Hermione had been here and I put two and two together and well...I'm not stupid."

"No, I know your not."

"I'd better get back to work." She said.

"Yeah. Jennifer?

"Yes Ron?"

"I am sorry."

"I know."

He took a step toward her and grabbed her hands, "And I don't want this to end." She took a step back.

"Excuse me?"

"I said I don't want it to end."

"Hold on. You come to town, basically lead me to believe that you held an interest in me, and just when I was beginning to trust you, you sleep with your ex-girlfriend I can understand that, you love her, it only makes sense. But now you tell me you don't want this to end? What do you want Ronald?"

He looked down and coughed. "I don't know."

"Obviously. I'm trying not to sound like a bitch, but you need to make your decision."

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"If it had been any other girl it would be so much more easier. Why? Well because it's simple, I have a chance then. You would have a lot of apologizing to do. But sleeping with your first and probably only love...I can't compete with that."

"So where does that leave..."

"Us? I don't know, that's up to you."

"I don't know where I stand with her."

"I'm not your play toy Ron. I'm not someone you can have a fling with every time things get tough with you and your girlfriend. You told me it was over, was I wrong in believing that?"

"No. I honestly believed it was."

"Then make your choice."

"I...I can't." He faltered. She looked up at him and smiled sadly.

"You just did." She then walked down the hall to the elevator. "Bye Mr. Weasley." The doors closed. Ron brought his fist to his forehead and walked back to his suite, he punched the doorway. Harry looked at him.

"Alright mate?"

"Why the hell not?" He asked, then walked outside. Hermione came out a few moments later.

"Harry!" She squealed.

"Hey Hermione." He said casually. She ran up to him and he hugged her.

"Where's Ron?"

"Outside, but Hermione, leave him be."

"Why?"

"He's upset."

"Why?"

Harry looked at his friend through the window. Ron was leaning over the balcony. "I don't know."

That afternoon, Harry and Ron walked down to the lobby, neither saying a word until they hit the main floor. "You and Jennifer had something going on didn't you." Ron glared at him. "Of course you did. What else would put you in a fowl mood."

"Why did she have to come here?" He muttered.

"Hermione?"

"Yes. Everything between Jennifer and me was great. Then Hermione showed up and I...I don't know."

"Hate to break it to you Mate, but you slept with her too. I do believe the experience was consensual." Ron nodded.

"I don't know why I did it. It just...happened."

"Kind of a big thing to just...happen."

"I know that Harry."

"Do you regret it?"

'I don't know."

"You don't know a lot." Ron glared at him. "Sorry." The two walked past the desk and Ron saw that Jen was talking to some tourists. Harry waved a hand and she gave a small wave back.

"You two seem chummy."

"She's a nice girl."

"I know." Ron stated.

"Come on, we have a meeting with one of the victim's sisters."

"How'd you manage that?"

"Don't really know." The two apparated to a small house over on Staten Island.

"This it?"

"Yup."

"Alright." The two men walked up the pathway and knocked on the door. A blonde petite woman answered the door.

"Mrs. Loland?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Mr. Potter, and this is Mr. Weasley, we're here to talk to you about Issak Denton."

"Come in." She said as she opened the door a little wider.

"Thank you." She nodded.

"Coffee?"

Harry answered for them. "We're fine."

"Very well. What do you want to know." She asked, getting straight to the point.

"What can you tell us about Issak Denton?"

"Not much really, just that my sister's family had grown quite frightened up to their deaths."

"Do you know what happened to cause that fear?"

"Lydia said something along the lines that her husband had angered a very powerful man."

"Anything else?"

The woman thought back, her eyes then grew wide. "Yes. The day before their deaths she mentioned that Quinn had a meeting with a hotel manager over in the city...Carter something."

"Forester?"

"Yes that's it. Carter Forester. She said she didn't know what the meeting was about exactly, only that it was a big meeting."

"I see...do you know of anyone else who may have attended?" The woman thought for a moment.

"Mr. Rodenski had a meeting with him as well."

"Rodenski you say...do you know his first name?"

"Something weird...Jorgi. That's it Jorgi Rodenski."

"I see...is he married."

"Yeah, and he has three children. All adorable."

"Is there anything else you can tell me?"

She shook her head, "I'm afraid not. Just the meeting with Carter Forester."

"We plan to look into that."

"Please do, and find who murdered my sister."

"We plan to." Mrs. Loland nodded.

"Please be careful, the death toll is rising too heavily." Ron looked grim.

"I agree. Thank you for taking time out of your day to help us."

"No problem at all." Mrs. Loland took them to the door. "Good luck."

"Thank you." Harry and Ron left the house.

"What do you think?" Harry asked.

"I think we need to look into Mr. Forrester's files."

"I agree."

The two men sat in their hotel room going through Carter's files and finding nothing good.

"He seems to be connected to every one of the murder victims." Ron said, putting his arms around his head and leaning back.

"You think he could be Issak Denton?"

"It's possible. Look at the facts, he knows every one of the murder victims, and had meetings with all of the husbands the day of their families abductions. Plus...he's just a sleazy guy."

Harry looked up at him. "I agree, but what made you come to that consensus."

"He has his eyes set on Jennifer Summers, and from what I heard, it's almost obsessive."

"Perhaps. Did you find the Rodenski file."

"Yeah, entire family found murdered a week after the Daniel's were found dead."

"Looks like we found our guy." Harry said.

"Maybe, but something doesn't feel right about this situation."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I think we are only uncovering the top of this case, a case that needs to be solved quickly."

"I agree." The two men went back to work when the phone rang, interrupting them. Ron picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ron? It's me, Brian Dursely."

"Brian! What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to know if you wanted to meet me for lunch, I think I found something you may find useful."

"About Denton?"

"Yeah."

"Okay sure, where?"

"Danny's? It's a muggle restaurant but they have great food."

"Sure. When?"

"About two?"

"Sounds fine."

"See you then."

"Bye."

Ron hung up the phone and Harry looked at him curiously. "What was that about?" Someone I met yesterday who was very helpful."

"Really? What was his name?"

"Brian Dursely."

"Dursely? He's not..."

"Related to your aunt and uncle? 'Fraid so mate."

"Poor kid."

"I agree."

"What are the plans?"

"We're meeting him at two at Danny's."

"Alright, well let's keep looking here.

Ron and Harry left the hotel around one-thirty, and Ron was dismayed to see that Jennifer was no longer at the counter.

"Perhaps she's running errands." Harry stated.

"Perhaps." The two arrived at the restaurant and Ron saw Brian over in a corner booth. "That's Brian." The two walked over to the blonde haired man. "Brian, this is Harry Potter, Harry, Brian Dursely."

"Nice to meet you." Brian said, holding out his hand for Harry to shake. Harry obliged.

"Likewise."

"Down to business." Ron stated. "What have you found out."

"Get this, apparently a man named Carter Forester was found at one of the crime scenes by one of the family member's brother."

"Really?" Ron said leaning forward.

"Yeah. The man saw Carter and when Carter saw him, he apparated. The man, Karl, said fear was in his face. Apparently this man did not want to be caught."

"Well no, not if he killed an entire family." Ron said. "We've gotten other sources who point to Carter as Issak Denton."

"Could it be him?"

"I don't know."

Back in the kitchens, Jennifer rushed in. "Hey Dolten!" She said hurriedly.

"You're late!"

"I know, I'm sorry! Carter wouldn't let me off."

"Hurry up."

"Thank you." Jennifer ran into the bathroom and pulled on the black button up and mini skirt along with the white apron. She then walked behind the bar. "Hey Tori."

"Hey Jen...your late."

"I know, I know, Dolten already scolded me for it."

"Did he now?" Tori asked, grinning.

"You know he did."

She laughed, "Take table seven."

"No problem." Jennifer walked over to the back booth and stopped in her tracks when she found the occupants. Taking in a deep breath, she walked over to the table.

"Welcome to Danny's, what can I get you to drink?" She asked the men in a cheerful voice. Harry and Ron looked up at the same time, and while Ron's jaw dropped, Harry grinned.

"We keep meeting up don't we?"

"I suppose we do." She said laughing. She turned to Brian. "You look familiar. Oh god, you're the man I ran into yesterday."

The blonde man laughed and nodded. "I am so sorry for that, around here I'm known for my klutziness."

"Yeah you are!" A waiter named Roger yelled.

She turned to him, "How did you hear that? I swear you have like magical ears or something."

Roger grinned, "Maybe I do."

"Shut up." She said, sticking out her tongue. She turned back to Brian. "I'm Jennifer." She said holding out her hand.

"Brian."

"Alright what can I get for-" She was interrupted by Tori's screaming.

"Hey Jen. Phone!"

"In a minute."

"It's your cousin?"

"Which one?"

"The one in England."

"Of course it is." She mumbled. "Take a message!" She yelled to Tori.

"He says it's important."

"Can he not get out of the front door?" Jennifer asked, Tori laughed.

"Says it has something to do with your uncle."

"Is he dead?"

"No."

"Take a message."

"That's cold."

"I know, and do it in your best Wicked Witch of the West voice...and cackle."

"You really want to give him a heart attack don't you?"

"No I just find it humorous that he runs for the hills when the words witch, wizard, or magic are said."

"Alright deeds done."

"And...?"

"He hung up immediately."

She laughed and shook her head. "Priceless." "Sorry about that." She said, returning her attention to the table.

"No...it was quite humorous." Brian said. "Who was she talking about?"

"Just some crazy relatives of mine. What can I get for you." After three glasses of water had been ordered Jennifer then asked. "Are you ready to order your lunch?" All three answered 'yes' and ordered. "I'll be right out with your drinks." Jennifer headed over to the bar and filled three glasses of water, when she turned around though, she spilt them all on one man. Ron.

"Can we please talk?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"There isn't anything to say."

"That's a little immature."

"You know...I just don't care."

"We need to talk."

"I don't agree with you on that."

"Maybe you don't but you need to hear what I have to say!" Jennifer looked at Tori who held up her hands.

"Take it outside." She stated. Jennifer groaned and grabbed Ron's hand, dragging him outside.

"Talk." She said, tapping her foot impatiently.

"What happened between Hermione and me was not planned."

"I'm sure."

"I wouldn't lead you on like that."

"Right."

"And I- Would you please stop tapping your foot? It's annoying." Jennifer continued tapping. "It's unnerving" Tap. Tap. Tap. "Fine! You don't want to talk, we don't have to talk. Have a good life Jennifer."

"You too jerk." She said stomping into the restaurant. Ron glared at the door and then apparated back to the suite, and to Hermione.

A/N: Thus ending chapter 8! Three more chapters to go before the end, and I have them all written! I am proud of myself. Please leave me reviews, like fifteen would be awesome.