Hello all! It's finally here, Chapter 16. I apologize once again for the wait, and hope that you'll still be able to enjoy the story. Thanks go to all of you who've read and reviewed faithfully! Words can't express how much I appreciate you!

And now, the obligatory disclaimer: JKR owns it. I own some copies of her book. TWO MORE DAYS….

 Ginny blew on her hands as she watched Sirius scan the dark woods, searching for the source of a noise he'd heard. Morgan stood next to him, her stance alert and ears pointed forward.

She'd been arguing with Harry's godfather about Draco and her certainty that he was not withholding information or lying about what he knew, despite Sirius's obvious doubt, and the effort had both drained her and left her angry. The idea that this was some sort of elaborate trick was almost insulting, and Ginny was at a loss to explain how Sirius could think it was.

"Why would he lie about anything, especially now? There's nothing to be gained from secrecy at this point, it's more likely to get him killed!" She'd hissed.

"Who knows, but how in the world could he be chased around school, around Hogsmeade, around Britain itself, and not know a single reason for it?" Sirius argued, his shoulders setting stubbornly. "His father's a bloody Malfoy, and they're always involved in deep scams and plots. He could have the whole school convinced he's a victim when in reality he may be trying to lure Harry out of the school!"

Ginny had frowned, shocked at the very idea. What sane person would put themselves in so much danger just to get close to Harry?

"If that's all he wanted," Ginny had whispered more calmly, "all he'd have to do is challenge Harry to a personal Quidditch match or something. Harry's very good at sneaking out after hours, and that's partially thanks to you, Padfoot."

Sirius had scowled, running a hand through his untidy black locks. He never liked being reminded that the items he and his friends had been so proud to create were now being used to help Harry land himself in mortal danger.

"I'm well aware of that, thank you!" he'd huffed. "Look, all I'm saying is that we should examine the facts a bit more carefully. I don't trust him or his father."

So that's what this is about, Ginny had thought irritably.

"I don't think he's been exactly wild about you, either," she'd retorted, "and you seem to be forgetting that I've been here the whole time. I'm telling you, this is real! If you'd look into their eyes, you'd see it too."

Sirius had been about to reply, and rather sternly from the looks of him, when they'd heard a twig snap in the distance. Ginny had immediately gone still, her whole body tensing to run as Sirius whirled towards the noise, his face lifting slightly upwards. A quick glance over her shoulder showed the boys hugging the side of a large tree, their black robes blending with the shadows well enough to partially conceal them.

"Stay here," Sirius hissed at her. With Morgan at his heels he trotted into the shadows, leaving the students alone once again. Ginny heard a faint rustling behind her, and turned to see Draco walking quickly towards her, his eyes focused intently on the path Sirius had just taken.

"What is it?" he whispered, finally looking down at her.

"I'm not sure, but he's gone to look," she explained unnecessarily, staring determinedly ahead of her and trying to ignore the sudden pounding of her heart. She didn't see the slight frown that rippled across his face before he turned away.

"D'you think we should follow him?" Caleb asked, startling Ginny as he came up behind her.

"No, we should wait for him here," she replied once she'd caught her breath. "He won't be long."

"Are you sure?" Draco asked, moving forward and straining his ears for the slightest sound.

"Well, let's give him a chance before we run away in panic," she said wryly, rolling her eyes. It was then that she noticed the sky was no longer inky black, but a deep blue, and the stars were twinkling less. Dawn was coming, and that meant the vampires would be returning soon. Ginny frowned as the minutes ticked away and Sirius didn't return. Could he be in danger? Had he been discovered?

"I don't like this," Caleb murmured, his blue eyes sweeping the shadows uneasily.

"I'm going to see what's happening," Ginny whispered after a moment. Draco whirled on her.

"Are you mad? Those things might have come back! We need to hide, at least until we know for sure."

"If they have come back, hiding won't do us any good," she argued, welcoming her anger since it enabled her to look at Draco without embarrassment. "They'll be able to sniff us out or something – and I'm not going to just leave him alone!"

With that she began walking resolutely in the direction that Sirius had taken.

"Bloody Gryffindor!" she heard Draco mutter. For some reason it made her smile. When she heard the rustle of movement behind her a moment later, her smile grew wider.

"If I let you do this alone you'll get yourself killed, or worse," he muttered, glancing irritably at her.

"Since when are Slytherins heroic?" Caleb asked, coming up behind them and looking rather put out.

"Well," Ginny smiled sweetly, "you could always guard the clearing for us. Let out a yell if the vampires return before we do."

With a cheery wave she was off again, Draco smirking slyly as he followed. Caleb gaped at Ginny's reminder of their kidnappers and, after half a second's considering, followed quickly.

They hadn't gone far, though, when they almost literally ran into Sirius. He was slightly out of breath and sweating, but otherwise appeared unharmed.

"What are you doing here?" he hissed.

"Just making sure you're all right," Ginny replied with a frown. Black swore as he grabbed hers and Draco's upper arms and propelled them back to the clearing. Draco protested angrily and shook him off, but Sirius wasn't willing to let Draco out of his sight and kept a hold of the back of his robes. Morgan was growling slightly, and Ginny felt the hair on the back of her neck and arms raise.

"They've come back, haven't they?" she asked urgently, her eyes darting around as they entered the clearing. There was no sign of anything living that she could see, but these weren't living creatures. Ginny's paranoia began to flare back up.

"Well, are they back, then?" Caleb repeated Ginny's question, feeling himself shiver.

"Not yet, but they'll be here any time now." Sirius replied, "I need to see what I can make of the situation, and meet with my contact one more time. You need to get undercover, and quick."

"I'd rather go with you and see what's happening," Draco replied forcefully, startling everyone. Sirius scowled.

"I don't need you tagging along right now, we don't have time!"

"I wouldn't just be your hanger-on, Black, and you don't tell me what to do!" Draco snapped back, his pale face flushing. "I've been pursued, attacked, kidnapped, everything except burned at the stake, and I'd like just a little more insight on why this is happening to me before I lose my bloody mind!"

Ginny stared at Draco, feeling slightly annoyed by his outburst. Yes, he had a right to know what was happening and why, but time was short, and the only thing she really wanted to do was jump on that damn flying carpet and go. Still, as horrible as this whole night had been for her, he'd been enduring these attacks for weeks now. She watched him quietly for a moment. His eyes were so intense they almost appeared glazed, and she could practically see the steam rising from his ears.

"I need to move quickly, Mr. Malfoy," Sirius growled. "If you get lost or left behind, on your own head be it."

Ginny snapped her head towards Black. Tell me he didn't just give him permission, she thought angrily.

But he had. "Ginny, you and Mr. Anderson get back to that barn and hide yourselves. Morgan will go with you. I'll retrieve you as soon as I have the information I need."

He turned and strode out of the clearing before Ginny could protest, Draco limping slightly after him.

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Draco walked carefully beside the unkempt looking Black, trying to absorb
everything that was happening. His leg was mended, thanks to Sirius, and
both Caleb and Ginny had their wands back. But what the hell was going on?
And what did Potter's godfather have to do with it?

"How does your leg feel, Mr. Malfoy?" Sirius asked quietly, making Draco
turn to him in surprise.

"All right, I suppose," he replied warily. Sirius nodded and began to walk faster, forcing Draco to quicken his own pace. His bones were still a bit sore and this wasn't helping, but he'd asked to come along. He needed answers, and that was worth a bit of discomfort.

"So who exactly are you going to make contact with? Is there someone conveniently sequestered out here in the middle of no where?" Draco asked, glancing curiously at Sirius.

"Not too bright, are you?" Sirius smirked, offending the young Slytherin.

"What do you mean?" he snapped.

 "Never mind, I have to gather some information that's critical to the Ministry. Our last meeting was interrupted, and I only had time to grab the wands." Sirius explained, a frown creasing his weathered face.

Draco closed his eyes for a moment, trying to still his whirling thoughts. The Celt, he thought dully, he's the one who had the wands. He'd suspected that the Celt was hiding something, but he hadn't guessed that this was it. A spy for Dumbledore the whole time! How had he not seen it?

Well, between the threats to my life, being messed about and the bone breaking, I guess it just slipped my notice, he thought sardonically.

"All right," Draco spoke after a momentary silence. "So once you and the Celt talk, we can hop on the carpet and get out of here, right?"

Sirius paused, staring at Draco, "I'm afraid it's a bit more complicated than that."

Draco frowned. "Complicated in what way?" he asked. Sirius glanced back at him a
moment but kept walking, irritating the younger man when he didn't answer immediately.

"I asked you a question, Black," he snapped.

"And I heard you quite clearly the first time, Mr. Malfoy," Sirius replied, his own voice dropping a few degrees. Draco shot yet another glare at Potter's godfather and decided he hated him almost as much as he hated Potter. What was it about Dumbledore's favorites that made them think they could keep secrets and dole out information at their convenience?

Sirius stopped suddenly, his hand dropping onto Draco's shoulder to halt him as well. Draco immediately shook him off but tensed his body, ready to run at the first sign of trouble.

"What's wrong?" he whispered.

"This is the place," Sirius whispered back. "Any minute now, I hope."

Draco stared doubtfully at Black, trying to hold back the fear that was threatening to rise again. A swift intake of breath from Black made Draco's head snap towards him. Sirius was staring straight ahead, and when Draco followed his gaze he felt his blood run cold at the sight of red eyes glowing in the surrounding darkness. 

The spy had come. 

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