In Dumbledore's office, what appeared to be a small army had formed. Severus sat with Hermione by his side. Harry, Ron, and Ginny were being supportive as well as Neville. The once chubby, but now tall but still clumsy boy had gotten curious and soon found himself wound up in the whole tale. He wanted to help, so he just tagged along and tried to be supportive. Professor McGonagall had arrived as well, finally informed of what had been happening though a bit upset she had not been told earlier. Through the floo came Remus Lupin, unexpectedly. Everyone turned to him, hopeful, but he just shook his head.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but we've had no luck finding Hell. It seems it is quite untraceable. And if Draco did ever send up a flair, we've not found it or found a trace of it. I'm sorry Albus." He took a seat near the headmaster, sinking into the chair dejectedly.

"Thank you anyway, Remus. I think we've all done what we can," Dumbledore responded in a disappointed tone.

Severus pulled Hermione closer to him. He did not care if the present company saw it or not. He needed her comfort at the moment. Somehow, with Hermione by his side, he was sure that he would be able to take the worst news and not completely break down. He had not told anyone, even her, but the loss of the child had caused Severus Snape to reevaluate his life. While it was something he had briefly done after the war, he had finally taken a good long look at what he found to be important in his life after the tragedy. He could not help looking at the Draco as anything other than a son. He imagined it was something akin to what Dumbledore saw in him to be honest.

Hermione looked at Severus and noted the lines of worry in his face. He started to look younger since the end of the war, more his actual age she supposed, but recent events were aging him again. She realized how unfair it was to him. While he certainly was not the most attractive man, there was a certain quality to his features that kept him from being ugly. She sighed and snuggled closer to him, showing her support. She knew he needed her, but she needed him just as much. Knowing Pansy Parkinson was running free was not ideal for her state of mind

Ginny and Harry were keeping each other close. They had come to find a friend in Draco over the last year, and it would be a shame to lose him in a situation like this. Harry gave Ginny a small smile, which she returned. They hugged each other briefly as a show of mutual support. While they worried for their friend, they had a feeling he would come back okay. He was a fighter, and he was resourceful, something they had come to find out first hand over the years.

Neville and Ron kept a bit more to themselves, but Ron was quietly glad that Neville wanted to be helpful. The two were friends, and Ron always felt a bit guilty leaving Neville out of things. Ron was happy though, that Neville and Luna had found each other. Something in that relationship seemed right. He gave Neville a pat on the shoulder so as to say 'thanks for being here,' and Neville gave a smile to say 'no problem.'

Professor McGonagall looked dour. She had come to like Draco Malfoy in the end, much like Dumbledore. The two had come to share the thought that the young man was truly something special and that he would go far beyond the walls of Hogwarts. Draco had a good head on his shoulders, a good sense of right and wrong, and the intelligence to back up anything he wanted to accomplish in life. While this mission was dangerous, they knew he was the right one for it.

: P

Draco coughed briefly as the ash cleared. He wiped down his cloak briefly and then took in his location. He should have just said 'Dumbledore's Office' when he flooed because he found himself in Snape's office instead. Grabbing the floo powder once more, he yelled the correct destination and soon found himself in front of a mess of people who collectively heaved a large sigh of relief.

Severus leaped up to take Parkinson's petrified form from Draco. "Well, it's about time you got back."

"Very funny, Severus," Draco responded.

"That's Professor Snape or Sir to you," he said half jokingly.

Draco rolled his eyes and was quickly pulled into another brief hug with his godfather. "Were you that worried?"

"We'll discuss that later," said Severus in an all business tone, though he was relieved to find Draco back in one piece.

Meanwhile, Remus had been entrusted with Parkinson who was now no longer petrified. She struggled with the werewolf briefly, but found he was stronger than he looked. She gave up and sat down heavily in the chair looking defeated and angry. A small team from the ministry came through the floo shortly after, having been alerted by Remus that Parkinson had been found and apprehended. Dumbledore had a few quick words with them before they ensured Parkinson could be safely removed with little trouble. It seemed, as soon as she had come through the floo, she left through the floo. However, during her time in Dumbledore's office, she had the fear of God put her in courtesy of Severus' death glare and the group's collective hostility in her direction. All she could do was look grim until her removal.

"Well, that's taken care of for the moment," came Dumbledore's voice, breaking everyone's thoughts. "I suppose that means you can all leave my office so I can get some peace." The twinkle that had not been present for some time seemed to be creeping back into the headmaster's eyes, as did the man's strange sense of humor. Those only loosely connected to the whole ordeal filed out of the office until only Severus, Hermoine, Draco, and Dumbledore were left. "Draco, we owe you our gratitude for what you've done. I think it would be best if you told us what happened at a later time," he winked.

"Yes, sir," Draco agreed. He was suddenly quite exhausted from the rush of adrenaline he needed to get through dealing with Pansy. "Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Hermione," he said on his way out, "good night."

They nodded their goodbyes. Hermione looked at Severus and realized he was seething under the surface as yet; presumably seeing Parkinson in the flesh had brought back a lot of the anger he felt. She knew it was true for herself. Feelings she thought she would not feel again after the war had come back to her in those brief moments when the murderer of her child was present in the room. Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her chair. It bothered her that she could feel so strongly about one person. She looked down at her hands, ashamed of herself. The feelings were so foreign, but at the same time very much a part of her. She began to wonder if that was how Severus felt during his days as a Death Eater.

"Albus, I will get my time with her," Severus said, more a statement then a question.

"Of course, Severus. You will not be denied it once they have questioned her. However, I will not know the terms until the Ministry has finished with her."

"Just make sure she's in one piece when I get to her," he growled in response, standing at the same time. "Come, Hermione. I would like to try to get some sleep before the night is out. Goodnight, Albus." He began to leave.

Hermione tiredly looked at the headmaster, said "good night" and followed her husband. He was waiting only a few steps away at the door, but she could tell he was anxious to get back to their private chambers. "It would have been quicker to floo," she said quietly.

"I know," he sighed. "But I rather think the walk will calm me a bit." He took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it lightly. She leaned into him a bit while they walked, finding comfort in his closeness. While she really wanted to know what was going on inside that head of his, she knew she could not rush him. He would tell her in time, she trusted that. He had given her no reason not to trust him since they became one in marriage, something she was afraid might not happen. But here she found herself, hand in hand, with a former Death Eater and spy, completely trusting of him. And that made her feel better than good in the midst of all the tragedy.

: P

The next morning, a small contingent of people convened in the Snape's private quarters for breakfast. Draco, well rested for the first time in days, arrived last. He noticed the presence of Severus and Hermione, of course. Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Remus Lupin were present as well. After saying "Good morning," to all of them, he found the empty chair and made himself comfortable. One of the house elves appeared with some breakfast for which Draco thanked the elf. The group discussed a variety of unimportant topics such as the weather while eating. After taking several bits of his eggs and toast, and washing it down with some orange juice, Draco was finally ready to get to the matter at hand: his capture of Pansy Parkinson. It went something like this:

"As soon as I arrived, I had the distinct feeling he did not belong. The sitting room was completely dark save for the dim firelight. Much to my embarrassment, I barely managed to get out before having my robes light, as I had not expected a lit fire.

"I quickly set out to try to find the exit to set the flair. However, I had the distinct feeling I would either not find the exit, or the flair would be no good if I did. As quietly as possible, I walked the seemingly deserted hallways of Hell. The paintings I found were all of grim and often horrific images. Doing my best to ignore them I kept pushing on through the vast expanse of hallways. Finally, after a good ten minutes, I found a set of what I imagined was a main entrance. As I approached them, a voice called out behind me, causing me to turn quickly and nearly trip over an end table.

"'Well, if it isn't the traitor,' said Pansy very clearly and smugly. 'Your father and I had hopes for you, dear Dracey-wacey.' I knew she was teasing me. She continued to say, 'Guess you're just too good for us though. Or is that too bad, I could never figure it.'

"I responded by telling her that we could help and that we didn't need to fight about this. It was better if she just came with me then, but you all know Pansy. She doesn't listen to anyone save herself most of the time.

"'What if I don't want to leave here peacefully? And what if I don't want to be stuck with all you goody two-shoes back at Hogwarts?' she replied.

"'We're not all goody two-shoes, Pansy,' I said back to her

"She scoffed before sending the stun spell my direction. Fortunately, all my previous training kicked in, and I easily blocked it.

"'You don't have to do this Pansy,' I told her.

"'Oh, and who's going to stop me?' she asked me, indicating that she had no desire to make it easy on me.

"I realized that I had to be careful at that point. All the anger I felt from the past, towards Pansy, towards my father, towards Voldemort and the Death Eaters, started coming to the surface. I managed to push it down, but knew eventually it would overtake me. I couldn't let that happen. I needed to get Pansy out of there quickly before I actually did do something unforgivable.

"Pansy, however, had no problem trying to do that. Again, I easily stopped her from casting one of the spells. I guess I had rather gotten used to deflecting those spell during the war, so it came easily enough when dealing with just one person.

"She tried spell after spell, but I blocked them all. I noticed her growing desperation and knew I needed to put an end to it once and for all so she would not do something reckless that would potentially hurt both of us or worse. I used Petrificus Totalus, taking her off guard. She couldn't react quick enough. Before the spell wore off, I grabbed her and ran the way I came, flooing into Professor Snape's office instead of Dumbledore's. With the remaining floo powder, I corrected the mistake of yelling 'Hogwarts' instead of being more specific. And that's how I ended up here. Nothing much more to it than that."

Everyone remained quiet while Draco had recounted the tale. The room was silent for several minutes before Severus spoke.

"Draco, thank you for what you have done. Hermione and I cannot thank you enough," he said, taking his wife's hand in his, knowing she felt the same as he. "You truly have come a long way from the brat I once knew. I'm proud of you, as you should be of yourself."

Draco then did something very uncharacteristic: he blushed. "It's nothing, sir," he replied sheepishly.

Dumbledore smiled at the young man. "Hardly, Mr. Malfoy. But that's another discussion." Addressing the whole group, he said, "I believe we should call this meeting to an end. I know we all have other things to work on today." With that, the group went their separate ways, content with the fact that, for the time being, Parkinson was in safe hands.

End Chapter 26

Thanks to all my reviewers. You're all wonderful, keep sending me feedback.

Amy: Thanks for the suggestion. As you can see, I kind of used it. I'd already had the chapter written by the time you reviewed, but it was no problem to shift things around a bit and make a few minor changes. It's reviews like yours that make this fic stay uniform (and helps me stay on track). Cheers!