Chapter Six: The Truth

Blaise disapparated immediately behind his friend, certain of where he had gone. Sure enough, as he arrived in the Burrow's front lawn he could see Draco storming toward the door. He didn't even bother trying to stop the irrate man, why would he? He had been wanting to do this for nine years.

Draco didn't even knock, he just burst through the door. It was his lucky day. Harry Potter stood and pointed his wand at the intruder immediately. Ron Weasley stepped in front of Hermione Granger. Molly Weasley put her hand to her chest in surprise.

"Who in Merlin's name do you think you are?" Draco's voice was pure, loathsome, ice.

"What are you doing here, Malfoy!" Harry demanded.

Draco rounded the table and punched Harry. "You sent her away? You turned her out and sent her away?" Ron had been about to hex Draco but froze. "She probably saved your life by trusting me and you drove her off! And YOU!" He turned toward Ron. "You are supposed to be her brother! You are supposed to be the one that protects her from gits like that," he pointed to Harry, "But you turned on her too!" He sent a hex at Ron who flew back against the wall. "I left her! I walked away from her because I didn't want to come between her and her FAMILY! Little did I know she didn't HAVE a family!" He had raised his voice but it dropped to a harsh whisper, "She has spent the last nine years alone because you were fools! You never deserved to have her in your lives but she loved you and you threw it all away." Molly was crying, Hermione had tears running down her face, and the boys were just staring. Draco disapparated.

Blaise lifted an imaginary hat at them all and once again followed his friend.

Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes was next. Draco apparated directly into their store with Blaise close behind. Blaise went to examine the merchandise as if they were on a day trip while Draco shouted for service.

"What do you think you're doing! We're..." Fred couldn't finish his sentence because he was up against the wall with Draco's hand at his throat. Before he could say anything, however, George spoke.

"Took you long enough! Nine years is a long time to watch our backs you know." Draco growled. Blaise ceased his browsing and raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Fred managed to whisper, "Does this mean you know where she is?" Draco let his hand fall.

"Great," George continued, "listen for a second and then you can do whatever you want to us." Draco nodded.

"We were out on assignment when the whole debate about your loyalty took place." Fred began. Draco turned to Blaise who nodded his confimation.

"And we weren't back yet from the field when our brother dearest kicked her out." George continued.

"Bill, Charlie, Lupin, Tonks, and Snape were all away as well."

"Bill went ballistic when he returned."

"Almost killed Ron."

"Would have if we hadn't stopped him."

"Wanted to do it ourselves, you see."

"Unfortunately, everyone was so determined to have the personal pleasure it never got done."

"Even Lupin was so angry Harry avoided him for months."

"Yeah, and Hermione still can't look Tonks in the eye."

"Neither we nor Bill have spoken to mum or Ron since."

"Charlie keeps trying to convince us to patch it up."

"Says losing his sister is enough."

"Doesn't want to lose his mum too."

"We understand that, so we talk to him."

"But we just can't have anything to do with them."

"They still haven't apologized for it."

"Though we think mum might."

"If it weren't for Ron."

"So if you could just beat us to a pulp."

"And then tell us where our sister is."

"We would be grateful."

Draco looked at Blaise for a moment who shrugged. "I wasn't there when she went home so I don't know who else was or wasn't. I was too angry to find out after she showed up at the estate. She certainly seemed to be under the impression that everyone felt the same way."

"She would be." George growled.

"Ron made sure of that." Fred spat.

Draco thought for a moment before nodding. He conjured up a copy of a Jennifer Wells print book and disapparated. Blaise nodded to the twins before following his friend for a third time.

They had gone back to the hotel. Draco was tired. He conjured four more of the photography books and looked at Blaise. "Yeah, I'll take them." Blaise knew what his friend wanted. Draco locked himself in his room and Blaise set out to deliver the books.

"Bill, this was left for you." Bill Weasley wiped sweat and dirt off his face before looking at the book that was being held out to him.

"Who left it?"

"Don't know, it was just on my desk. There's a letter to you in the front. Only read far enough to see your name."

Bill nodded and took the book. It had been a long day. They had almost missed three curses. Two men were in the infirmary. He sighed. He decided he would look at the book after he got something to eat, but he didn't get very far before two loud pops were heard directly in front of him and the twins were talking a mile a minute.

"We know where she is!"

"We are headed there now!"

"They brought you one too, did they?"

Bill almost dropped the book. "Who brought what! Wait! You know where she is? Ginny?" They nodded.

Fred pointed at the book Bill was holding. "Draco and Blaise brought you a book."

Bill decided he would read the note now. "Bill, figured you might like this. Snape, the Lupins, and Charlie are all receiving a copy as well. Fred and George already have one. If I had known the truth nine years ago I never would have cut contact. I probably wouldn't have been able to stop her from leaving, but we would have been able to look for her together. Anyway, we know where she is now, and that is the important thing. Zabini (Zan)" Bill looked up at his brothers. Again, before he had time to speak, another pop was heard.

Charlie stood before them and held up his copy of the book. They all looked at each and nodded. Four red headed men apparated in the middle of the Colleseum. It was the only place in Rome they knew well enough to apparate to. None of them spoke Italian. None of them had the faintest idea where they were going. All they knew was that somewhere in this city their little sister had a photo gallery.