Author's Note:

'This is a contest entry for the Dracolov challenge! If you would like to enter you must e-mail Dracolov, her e-mail is in her profile. The last day to enter is 12/1/04. Please R & R (read and review) and thank you for reading my story.

Disclaimer:

I don't own any of the orginial Harry Potter character because I am not that creative...but I wish i was...I only own the plot and my characters.

chapter 15: The Missing

Looking down upon the paper that Madame Maxine was holding, Dumbledore smiled openly at tactic used by the Ministry to try to flush them all out. The headline was an eye popper like few he'd ever seen before...

Infamous Headmaster Missing and Presumed Dead

In an exclusive story granted only to this publication, the Minister of Magic Arthur Weasley, announced

just moments ago that Hogwarts School of Magic Headmaster Albus Dumbledore has been reported missing

and presumed dead. Persons of interest in his mysterious disappearance are former students and natural

enemies Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. The Ministry has asked that anyone with any information to

contact the them immediately. Exact details will be reported in more detail when they become available.

"Albus, what is going on?" Madame Maxine inquired at the sight of his reaction.

"That is precisely what I am trying to figure out but I assure you that I have neither been kidnapped or killed. I am here to help some of my former students to solve a problem that has presented itself." He explained to her still showing obvious amusement.

"Why would such things be reported if they were not true?"

"It seems that an old power is attempting to resurrect itself. That's why I brought us all here, I believe that an old curiosity of yours may be able to provide us with some answers."

"What curiosity do you speak of?" She pressed on.

"The Priory of Sion." A muted gasp danced across her plump face.

"They're purely myth."

"No, I'm afraid that they real and wide spread. What I can't say is what they want from us. Can you explain us the function and goals that they symbolized?"

"Yes, I suppose but will you tell me what you know?" She bartered.

"The ever apparent negotiator. You help us and we will give you what has eluded you all these years."

"Excellent. Let's get back to the others and begin." She agreed cheerfully.

"Everyone, come here. Madame Maxine is about to give you an overview of what we are up against." Dumbledore called to noticeably fractured group. "Is everyone ready?"

"Wait Professor. I think that Granger should answers some questions first if you don't mind." Draco proposed coldly with his attention fixed on Hermione.

-

Ginny stood in front of Parisa watching herself say that she wanted Draco and no one else but it was just to eerie. They needed to get back into their own bodies before she went insane. Reasoning with this girl was like it had been trying to convince Ron that he was making a mistake in his new relationship with his former Professor and tormentor of his youth. Or worse yet, that putting Flint in Harry's body would be the same as having Harry himself. It's all just an illusion, a gross substitute for an ailing mind and heart. Was the impossibility of this plan finally revealing the truth of her own mental break?

"You're the key, Parisa. After everything that he's uncovered, he'll never willingly join you." Ginny begged of her to see things for what they really were.

"He will if it means that we save her."

"No, her death was apart of our agreement. I can't let her live after all she's done."

"We will only have to do it until the ceremony is completed and then once he's bound to me, we can dispose of her without any recourse from him." Parisa reasoned passionately.

"But it will never be real. Won't that create consequences?"

"Like what?"

"Doesn't the ritual have to be consentual?"

"It will be."

"But it will be coerced, won't that change everything?" Ginny persisted.

"Not so long as he says the vows willingly. You know that the Mother Mary in the religious text didn't have a choice, she was only following the instructions of the angels. It will be the same for him. His role to fulfill my destiny, my birthright." She recited it to Ginny like it was memorized verse rather than idle chatter but she knew better and, in all honesty, so did Ginny.

"You know what," Ginny asked in return.

"Don't tell me, I should be a motivational speaker?"

"You're insane but so I am. So let's do it." Life was funny like that sometimes. You know what you're doing is wrong and a piece of you knows that you'll never succeed but it's that minute possiblity that you'll win which serves as all the excuse you need to continue.

-

"What do you want from me?" Hermione stood just a few inches from him with a board stiff posture to indicate her lack of intimidation by him.

"Tell us all about Ron and how your relationship, or lack there of, was the trigger for all of this." Draco replied coolly calling her bluff.

"Not you too Malfoy." Harry had had enough drama to last a lifetime.

"No, Harry, he's right for once." It was meant to be a statement but came out as more of a confession. "After our break up, Ron found himself drinking and going to clubs frequently, as you may remember. He wandered into the wrong club one night and ran into someone he wasn't expecting."

"Tell them who," Draco demanded tired of the charade.

"Snape."

"Snape," Harry repeated unsure of where this was going. "I thought Ginny was the one that recruited him into this."

"Snape's not the culprit behind this, Harry." Dumbledore clarified slightly.

"What do you mean by wrong club?"

"It was a gay club. Ron didn't know that when he went in but it was and that made Snape assume, well you know what he assumed." This was wrong, Ron should be telling this not her.

"Ron and Snape? Is that what your telling us?"

"Yes, Harry, but there's more that should know. Snape's pregnant and..." she started to explain but Harry leapt to his feet with his eyes on fire.

"That's impossible, isn't it? They're both men so..."

"We don't know how but I swear that it true." Hermione reasoned while looking to Draco for a little help in explaining it. He was about to open his mouth to help her when someone else spoke up instead.

"But he's not a man anymore."

Every face in the room turned towards the soft voice in shock and disbelief, all except Dumbledore since he already knew what was coming.

"Excuse me?" Hermione questioned skeptically.

"I did an exam on him and found that anatomically, he's a she now. That's how the pregnancy was possible, not because of some silly hair tonic." BJ announced.

"But...how?" Harry chimed in now that he head was sufficently reeling.

"Parisa's way of ensuring his cooperation." Draco finally spoke as the puzzle became more clear but one question still remained. "The real question is what she gets out of this."

"I may now the answer to that." Madame Maxine interjected and Dumbledore sighed in relief as, once again, he was right about who to turn to.

"What," came several voices all at once.

-

Now while all this was starting to unfold in Paris and London, Jacq's was still in Diagon Ally with someone else getting the rundown on the events and revelations of the past few days. His informant was fast becoming unnerved by lack of reaction to the news but for the wrong reasons. If everyone thought that the wrath of Voldemort was bad then nothing could prepare them for what was at their doorstep now, he thought to himself.

"Alright, how long has this all been going on?" Jacq asked the jittery figure sitting across from him.

"The girls have been planning this for about six months that I know of but I have a feeling that Parisa has been at it much longer than that."

"And why have you come to me now?"

"It's falling apart and now with Dumbledore and Potter involved, I think the mudblood may unite them all. If she does that then it's going to be an all out war. I've been through one too many of those, I was hoping that you could help to stop this." the young and obviously foolish man confessed.

"We're talking about a high body count if I step in, is that what you want?" Jacq's warned him wondering if he had really thought out this scenario.

"No, that's what I want to avoid. Don't get me wrong, kill Potter and the mudblood if you want but as soon as the bodies start to pile up then so will the questions."

"This was a rogue plan by one of our own, we have but one directive when that occurs."

"But it's his own daughter and the heir, how you can even consider that?"

"Admittedly it is not the preferred solution but I will have no choice if I go to the Heads. Do you have something else in mind?"

"I might but it would be difficult and risky for us both, if we fail."

"So?"

"What if we just keep the ritual from being done?" The informant suggested.

"Can't." How much does this git really know or comprehend, Jacq aske himself.

"Why?"

"The ritual is the Priory's whole objective and they have agreed to the choice of mate. His lack of interest in Parisa created the need for backup plan and that's why we found you. So, you see, I would have to explain her betrayal one way or another."

"But what if the ritual were done with the girls the way they are right now?"

"With the IWB witch instead of the heir?" Now that's interesting, Jacq considered quickly, she would be my puppet and no one would the wiser.

Author's Notes:

I have now reached the 100 review mark...yeah...I realize that some may not think that this a big deal but to me it's quite the accomplishement. Thank you to everyone for helping this to become a reality for me.

Welcome to my newest readers...sxcting, Lillian-is-fickle and DracoDraconis. Thanks to the returning and faithful bunch: Dracolov/Mr. Big bad, darktwisted poet, slyswn28, Kim and Harrena Potter. I couldn't have done this without you. Special thanks to sugar n spice 522 for emailing me about a new Draco/Hermione awards sight which I have entered this fic in three catageories for...best post hogwarts fic, best twists and turns and best plot...the voting begins February 2 and if you would like to check out the sight or vote for mine...if it's chosen...please look in my profile for the link...

Lillianis fickle...t/yfor thechapter reviews. All of your suggestions, corrections and comments are greatly appreciated and if you noticed, I am trying to work on the grammical errors and punctuation more. You are awesome for all the reviews at one time.

slyswn28...Molly was clueless but she about to find out everything...Flint is still kicking but more is coming for him...Harry will find peace but it may not be the way we think...

Kim...well now you know about how Ron/Snape thing works...but that has something interesting coming too...

Harrena Potter...I hope this clarifies a little more on the Ron/Snape thing too but more will come later as to why Snape was needed to Parisa and Ginny.

Special thanks again to Dracolov for sponsoring the contest and remember to review, review, review and don't forget to vote on the awards sight even if it's not for me b/c they have some really great stories on there and I think that's it's a great reward for any d/hr writer and the readers that love them.