A/N: I apologize to Zook and all others who are taking valuable time away from their studies to read this story. But I don't want you to worry about it. I was the same way when I was younger, but I still managed to go out in the world and get a steady job where I am considered a reliable and trusted employee. And you can have fries with that.

To answer Mandraco's question, I would say chapter 13. Of course, I've already read the story. Either that or chapter 21. It's hard for me to say. I get confused very easily.

CHAPTER 6: AS TIME GOES BY

"Mum," Ginny called out. "There's an owl coming."

Molly Weasley looked out the window to where she was pointing. "That owl looks familiar. Where have I seen it before?"

Ginny grinned. "The Daily Prophet?"

Molly's grin matched her daughter's. "I guess he thinks it's safer to deliver his own mail."

Malcolm flew down and landed on the doorstep. He waved at Ginny through the kitchen window and showed her the letter he was holding but Molly pushed her daughter out of the way.

"Malcolm, I'm sorry, but I have to make sure it's you before I let you in."

"That's OK, Mrs. Weasley. If Ron's home I think I'd rather stay out here."

The door opened and Molly grabbed her visitor in a tight hug.

I . . . can't . . . breath.

"It is you, Malcolm. It's so good to see you again. How is America now that you're back in your old house?"

I . . . still . . . can't . . . breath.

"Come in. Come in," Molly said as she released Malcolm. She then dragged him into the house. "Can I get you something to eat? To drink? Would you like to come into the kitchen?"

"Malcolm?" Ginny asked, "Did you fly all the way here?"

"Of course he didn't," Molly answered. "If I know our Malcolm he flew here all the way from next door."

Malcolm nodded. "Mister Winter thought it might be safer. That's also why I'm here. I've got a letter for you," Malcolm said as he caught his breath. "My mom invited Ginny to visit us for a couple of weeks."

I told Mom that Draco won't go anywhere near the Weasleys after everything that's happened, but we might get him to show up if he finds out that Ginny's at our place.

"My mom thinks it might be fun for her. She's been reading all those stories, you know."

Molly was genuinely pleased. "That is generous of Lois, but I think not. What with everything that's been going on."

Malcolm frowned. "But that's all over here. It's not happening in the States."

Molly wanted to say something but she looked as if she didn't know how. That was when Ginny grabbed Malcolm's arm. "I'll explain it, Mum."

Malcolm said goodbye to a relieved Mrs. Weasley as Ginny led him up the stairs to her bedroom. They reached the top of the stairs when someone called out to him.

"Bonjour, Malcolm. What a surprise eet iz to see you 'ere." Fleur Delacour grabbed Malcolm into a hug.

"Fleur? You're here?" Malcolm's heart began to beat faster. "Did anyone else come with you. I mean . . ."

Fleur laughed. "She iz at home, thinking of you."

Malcolm blushed. "Do you think you could, I mean, if you want to, I mean, um, if, um, you need me to deliver a letter for you, It's kinda on my way home, you know, sort of, not too far out of the way." He paused briefly. "I've been learning French."

Fleur gave him a peck on the check and whispered in his ear. "Zat iz a wonderful idea. I will tell "er of ze wonderful boy I met, and that I am sending 'er a surprise. Give me one 'our."

"That's great. Thanks," Malcolm said as Fleur let go of him and Ginny yanked him into her room. "Yeah. Um, Ginny. Why are you scowling?"

"Phlegm!"

"What? I've got a booger on my lip or something."

"NO, MALCOLM. HER."

"I didn't notice. Should we tell her?"

What's going on? Now Ginny's really mad.

"She's Phlegm. She's obnoxious. She's rude. She's horrible."

"Then why is she here?"

"She's engaged to Bill?"

"That's great. Um, no, I take that back. Why would Bill want to marry someone who's obnoxious and rude and horrible. And she's French, too. And she has the same color eyes as Gabrielle . . ."

I think it's time to shut up.

"It's her personality," Malcolm said with authority, then immediately changed the subject. "So, why can't you come? Are things really that bad here?"

Ginny frowned. "My dad's been promoted."

"Yeah, Draco told me. Shouldn't that make things easier?"

Ginny's frown flickered briefly into a smile. "Well, Dad and his men raided Malfoy Manor. I don't know the whole story, but Reese was there."

"I know. Aunt Narcissa told me some of the things he said." Malcolm frowned. "I guess your dad didn't appreciate it."

"Good guess. Dad won't ever let me go because of Reese."

"That's okay. Reese isn't there. He's staying with the Malfoys."

"Why would he be doing that?"

Malcolm smiled. "I'll let Draco explain it when you come. Oh, and don't let my mom know about Draco."

"Why not?"

"He's hiding from his mom. And my mom's trying to help find him. He's staying nearby with a friend. Do you remember Dabney?"

"Well. I'll talk it over with Mum, but don't get your hopes up. Dumbledore told Dad he's bringing Harry around this weekend to stay with us. And Hermione's coming too. I'll be honest with you, Malcolm. I think Mum wants me around because she doesn't want to be the only Weasley woman here because of you know who."

"Fleur?"

"Of course. And with Hermione coming . . . I can't leave her alone with them."

Malcolm grinned mischievously. "You could bring her along."

Ginny snorted. "Oh, Hermione. Can you keep a secret. I'm taking you along so that I can snog Draco Malfoy."

"I'll bet she'd come along just to see if you're telling the truth."

Malcolm left the Burrow in high spirits. Molly Weasley bid him goodbye in full ignorance of his true destination. Fleur gave him a hug and another kiss, making Molly and Ginny frown at her, but neither she nor Malcolm noticed.

All the goodbyes said, Malcolm took to wing and flew off into the sunset, which happened to be the direction of his old house. Once past the hedges, he changed course and flew as quickly as he could to a small wizarding village surprisingly close to Paris. With the letter clutched firmly in his claws, the tawny owl headed straight for the window where he sensed Gabrielle, but as he came close, he realized it was the bathroom.

This'll be a great surprise. I don't know why I didn't think of it before. That's the room she's in . . . Un, she getting out of her bath. I shouldn't look.

In a supreme act of stupidity, Malcolm closed his eyes.

Gabrielle Delacour finished her bath. She stood up and had just wrapped a towel around herself when an owl flew in though the open window and crashed into the opposite wall.

"Gabrielle? Are you hurt" Her mother called out, in French of course.

"No, Mother. It was an owl. It . . . forgot to stop."

Gabrielle opened the door to let her mother in and they both examined the owl. It was unconscious but otherwise did not seem to be hurt.

"Mother, the letter! It is from Fleur." Gabrielle opened the envelope and began to giggle. "She saw Malcolm at the Weasleys, and they're sending me a present as a surprise." Gabrielle looked at the owl, which was shaking it's head as it tried to stand up. "Mother, the owl looks familiar."

Madame Delacour smiled as she pulled out her wand. "Accio." A framed photograph from a newspaper flew into the bathroom and into her grasp. "Does the owl look like this?"

Gabrielle looked at the picture from the Daily Prophet, of Malcolm transforming into an owl. "It is the same color. But it is bigger."

She smiled in delight. "Are you from Malcolm? She asked the owl as it roused itself. The owl hooted.

"Are you for me?" The owl flew up and gently landed on her arm.

"How delightful," her mother said. "An owl who will always remind you of someone special. Here, I will take him and get him a cage and some food while you finish with your bath. Then you can write a letter thanking him."

"Mother. Why did the owl hit the wall? There might be something wrong with it."

"We'll watch him for a few days," came the reassuring answer. "But I think the reason is simple. It was flying at night and flew suddenly into a brightly lit room. I do not think he will make the same mistake twice. He seems a smart bird."

At the compliment, the owl gently nipped at Gabrielle's ear, causing her to giggle again.

"Silly bird. I like you, as well. You are Malcolm's other face. I'll call you Janus."

Dewey smiled when David Winter came out of the fireplace with Ginny Weasley.

David frowned. "What did you do? And where is Malcolm?"

Dewey frowned. "I thought he was coming back with you."

"Did you now? Where's your mother?"

"Lucky-Aid. She'll be at work for another hour."

"And she left you on your own?"

"Nob's here."

David gave a smile of mock appreciation. "You're being watched by the junior member of the Malcolm fan club. Where did Reese run off too?"

"He's visiting Draco at the Malfoy's."

David turned to Ginny in time to see her hide a frown. He turned back to Dewey. "I happen to know that Reese is not at Malfoy Manor. Nor is Draco. And now Malcolm has disappeared. Dewey, this is serious. You are going to tell me everything. Right now. Don't bother looking at Miss Weasley for help. She has already told me what she knows. She is very concerned about your brother."

An honest look of surprise crossed Dewey's face before he could hide it. "That means if we get rid of Nob, I've got my own room."

"Where is Draco Malfoy?"

Dewey looked up with an air of defeat. "Dabney's house."

"Then get Nob. We're going to visit Dabney and his mother."

"Uh, Mister Winter. Dabney's Mom is still in Argentina."

"Whatever for?"

"Her visa expired and she couldn't get a green card."

"Then who is watching over Dab. . . Don't answer that."

"Ginny!" Draco looked up from the couch. Seconds later he had swept her into his arms.

"How romantic," David Winter uttered as he stepped into the den of Dabney's bedroom. "I thought Malcolm was the only one who was able to be in two places at once."

Draco paused in the middle of his kiss and looked at the gentleman in the navy blue business suit. "Hi, Mister Winter. I can explain."

David sighed heavily. "I know Draco. You hate your parents and ran away for the summer. You had Malcolm set up this ruse so you and your girlfriend could have some playtime together. And where did you have Malcolm go when he left the Weasley home?"

Draco looked at Ginny who nodded her head. "He was supposed to let me know what happened. Ginny?"

Tears welled up in her eyes. "He told me he hoped to see me soon. That's all I know. When Mum said I could come for a couple of days, Dad took me over to see Mister Winter. That's when Mister Winter asked us where Malcolm was."

Draco smiled. "Well, England is close to France. Maybe he got the idea to visit HIS girlfriend."

David nodded. "I checked. As Fleur Delacour is a guest at the Weasley's, it was an obvious assumption.. The Delacours received a letter and a gift from Malcolm, but Malcolm himself did not show up."

"What kind of gift?" Dewey asked as he and Nob walked in.

"I didn't ask," David said without humor. "I was more interested in what happened to Malcolm. I'm trying to find your brother."

Everyone paused as voices could be heard from the house proper.

"Look, Johnny. It's just for week."

"Dude. I can do a couple of days. No problem. But I got people coming in all the time to look around."

"But it's a hot property and you owe my dad."

Everyone turned in surprise as Johnny and Malcolm walked into the room.

"Um," Malcolm said as he noticed everyone. "It's, um, real hot. Like, everyone wants it. Not like what you're thinking." He smiled at Ginny as he smoothed his greased back hair and straightened his leather jacket.. "Hey, Babe."

Ginny smirked. "Hey, Louis. You remember Draco?"

"Oh, yeah. You told me if I hit on your girl again, you'd break my . . . Yeah, I remember. Hey."

Draco grinned. "Hello, Louis."

Dewey grinned. "This is great. I just got an idea. Nob?."

"STOP."

Everyone turned to look at the only adult in the room. He was glaring at Johnny. "I think I've just figured everything out. You do remember me, young man."

"Oh. Yeah. Hi, Mister Winter. I haven't seen you since your promotion."

"Promotion?" Draco asked.

David smiled without humor. "Johnny was in my charge before they gave me Malcolm."

"Ahhh," Draco mused, "your promotion."

David turned back to Johnny. "And you've used the time to grow taller and hairier. Congratulations. At least you've done something with your life. Would I be wrong to guess that you are here because of Malcolm?"

"No, Sir. This is legit. I'm house sittin' this kid Dabney and I got a whatchamacallit to teach magic to the poor little orphan."

"Johnny, I spent some time with Malcolm and his friends last summer. I know that Dabney is a muggle."

"I gotta go," Louis said, as he turned quickly around and headed for the door.

"MISTER RENAULT. Wouldn't you rather stay or would you rather I get a search warrant for the premises of Henry Renault."

Louis turned around, his face pale. "I'll stay."

David smiled without humor. "A wonderful idea. Why don't we all sit down and discuss certain matters."

Draco and Ginny sat next to each other on the couch. Johnny and Louis took chairs in front of the aquarium while Dewey sat on the floor. Nob chose a recliner chair."

"And where is Dabney?" David asked.

"With friends," Johnny said quickly. "Honest. He does have friends. Kinda."

"Ahh, and who built this wonderful house?"

"I did. Really, Mister Winter."

David laughed. "It's one of your hidey-holes? Only on a grand scale. I am impressed." He turned serious. "And how did you pay for all of this? I know defrauding Child Services couldn't bring in enough cash for all this furniture."

"It all on consignment. J&D Architecture. Like I said. I'm legit."

"Except for Dabney." Having made his point, he turned to Louis. "And what is this hot item your father has? Tell me and I'll tell you where he can turn in 'found' property."

Louis looked scared. "I can't do that. He'll kill me."

"Unless I am mistaken about your father's reputation, he will not kill you. He will probably understand."

"Not my Dad, you jerk." Louis pulled back as he realized what he said. "Look. I'm sorry. Haul me in, or whatever. This is all too big for me."

"Then tell me what it is. Maybe we can make a deal."

Louis not only looked scared. He really was scared. "It's, um, an import bike. Guy was real eager to unload it and not be found out. It was wizard owned."

"A motorcycle?" David understood the boy's fear. A tampered motorcycle was a violation of the wizard's covenant. While Europeans would often look the other way, it was one of those things that their American counterparts frowned upon. Unless it was licensed by the government. You could also add smuggling stolen goods to the charge. "And the man you're afraid of?"

Louis looked resigned. "I didn't catch his full name. "Fletcher. He called himself Mud Dog or something like that."

David kept a straight face. Mundungus Fletcher was known to him, because of certain English friends. The boy would be in more danger if he walked across the street without looking both ways. However, he would have to find that out on his own. David would not tell him. Because, as things were shaping up, it could prove useful.

"Let me think for a bit. By the way, do you know that you closely resemble . . ."

"Malcolm? Yeah, I know."

"You could almost . . ."

" . . . be his twin. I know that, too."

"He disappeared sometime this afternoon. And we don't know why."

Louis was clearly surprised. "But? I ain't done nothing yet? It can't be because of me."

David sighed. It was a small chance anyway. He turned back to face Draco and Ginny. "Do either of you have any ideas? I'm open for suggestions."

"What kind of motorbike is it?" Draco asked cheerfully.

"ABOUT MALCOLM."

Draco dropped his smile for a more serious expression. "We need someone who can look for Malcolm without attracting attention. And it would help if someone could pretend to be him, for a few days. Perhaps long enough to rid himself of incriminating evidence?"

Dewey smiled. "That's a great idea. We can't let Mom know or she'll freak out."

David shook his head. "I will be telling your mother as soon as I get back to your house."

"But if she finds out . . . Mister Winter, she always worries about Malcolm. She knows what happened to him. If he's missing again . . ."

Dewey left the last words unsaid, but David understood. If she knew, Lois would become frantic and bother everyone she could. Conditions overseas were not conducive to a public outcry right now. He was forced to concede the point.

"Fine. We can . . . " he looked over his shoulder at Johnny and Louis, " . . . make arrangements for Draco to cover for Malcolm."

"NO," Draco said firmly. "You need me to hunt for Malcolm. I know who and where to ask questions. And I can disguise myself well enough. Just let me know if you'll be staying here, or at your new house. In case I need to get in touch." He noted David's doubt and added, "Do you know someone who can do a better job? If you can name him, I'll go with your plan."

"Then who covers for Malcolm?" Nob asked.

Everyone in the room turned and looked at Louis.

"What? No way. You guys are crazy. That Malcolm is some kind of weird genius. I took remedial reading. It won't work."

David smiled. "And so you see, your honor, neither this boy, nor his father, should be held guilty of any crimes because they were acting on the behalf of the United States Government and the Department of Magic. Louis, do you think your dad would like to hear me say those words when he finally ends up in a courtroom? In my profession, it's what we call a 'get out of jail free' card."

Louis nodded. "OK. What do I have to do."

You know something. Mister Winter could have ended all of this by just asking what the gift was that I gave Gabrielle. Once she told him it was an owl that looked like me, he would have figured it out. On the other hand, I spent two months living with my girlfriend in her bedroom. I know, it sounds cool until you remember that I spent it in a cage unless I was out delivering a message or hunting for food. And you know what the worst part is? I'm even going to be delivering messages to me at my own house and not even know that's what I'm doing.

Anyway, Louis's going to have a lot of fun. He gets to be me. Draco did that last year and he's still talking about it.

Gabrielle looked in the cage at her new owl. The Doctor examined him and told them that Janus would be fine in a month or so. But when the American called to ask about Malcolm, the doctor whispered something to her father. Her father told the man that Gabrielle had received a present but Malcolm had not come to the house. It was only afterward that it was explained to her, while the owl was not in the same room.

Malcolm had hurt his head, badly, but he did it as an owl. It had to heal while he was an owl. The doctor had arranged it that Malcolm would not remember who he was until he was reminded, and he should not be reminded until he was recovered. That is why they lied to the American. But even now, her mother was explaining everything to Malcolm's mother.

Tomorrow she would send a letter to his mother, letting her know what a thoughtful son she had. And, perhaps, Lois might let Malcolm come to Beauxbatons after all. Gabrielle gave one more look, a thoughtful one, then covered the cage with a blanket so the owl could sleep. She then went to talk to her mother.

Inside the cage, the dozing owl began to dream. He was flying, flying high in the dark night. Far ahead of him was a castle and a high tower. There were men on the tower. One of the men shouted. Another man was engulfed in a green light. It was Dumbledore.

The green man turned and looked at Malcolm the owl. His face grew large as Malcolm flew closer. Then the man spoke.

"Malcolm. You will never remember this dream. But when you see this, you will remember what I have told you. And then we will talk."

The owl twitched in his sleep as the dream ended. It slept undisturbed through the rest of the night.