The Distance to Here
Chapter 3
"He's gone. Disappeared without a trace, I've never seen anything like it. The last time a kidnapping was covered up this well was Bertha Jorkins. And we all know who was responsible for that incident," Remus Lupin ran a hand through his rapidly graying hair. Stress was the cause of those silver streaks. He added wryly, "And we all know what the consequences of her disappearance were."
Ron sighed, forcing his tired eyes open. He was far too young for all this drama. Disappearances, high profile cases, he was the media-bunny for the entire Ministry. Everyone asked him the tough questions, hounded him and twisted his words into pessimism when he was trying his best to reassure the frightened public. When Death Eaters went free, it somehow boiled down to his incompetence. Not the fact that juries all over the country were being bribed and coerced. "Well, just keep trying, I know if anyone can find something you can. But maintain your low profile. Snuffles hasn't been cleared yet and- oh speak of the devil."
Snuffles, the loveable black lab came bounding into the office, closely followed by Cho, waving her arms madly about. "That filthy animal! Jesus Ron, if you don't bloody control that animal, I'll have him put down!" Her expression mirrored the dog's, who was baring his teeth and snarling softly.
A glance at the dog's expression, she began backing out of the room. "By the way, have you heard from my wayward fiancé? I haven't heard a word all night or this morning. Probably out with your floozy of a sister-"
At this Snuffles started walking towards Cho, barking and growling. She took one glance at him and simply fled back to her office, leaving trail of scattered paperwork as she went.
Ron groaned and ran a hand through his vibrant hair. "Honestly, I don't know what Harry sees in her. What I wouldn't give to have that bitch fired." He strode over to his office door, safely locking it. "Alright Sirius, have it out, mate."
Snuffles quickly grew into the form of a handsome, no longer emaciated, man. He had cut his hair, explaining that it got far less greasy when short, and his teeth had returned to their normal colour, with some help from Remus and his latest experiment. The only difference from the man in the worn picture album that Harry toted everywhere was that his hair had some streaks of silver in it, and fine lines appeared on his forehead, furrowed from long nights of poring over documents and following dead-end leads.
"We have intercepted an owl flying from the east in the direction of the Ministry building. It was carrying a letter in cryptic code. Snape is trying to crack it now, but so far it mentions Albania, transport of the package and Avery." Sirius grimaced at the name. He knew Avery was a wily, clever man, always trying to get ahead. Sirius felt certain Avery would do whatever it took to gain Voldemort's attention and praise.
Ron looked puzzled. "Why would the owl be flying in the direction of the Ministry? How close was it, exactly?" This was odd. Surely if the owl held a letter containing messages about Albania, it would be heading to Albania, not the Ministry.
"The owl was heading towards the Owlery window. Looked like a Ministry owl, too. It was wearing a collar with the Ministry seal. No evidence of who sent it or who it was going to do," replied Sirius. Remus was disturbed by this new information.
"What if," Remus began shakily, "there's someone in the Ministry who's working against us? We never bothered to do screenings or background checks on anyone working here, you know." He knew what could happen if an undercover witch or wizard from the Dark Side was snooping around. The entire operation would be undermined, and the Ministry would have to start all over again to defeat Voldemort. The complications were drastic.
Sirius was having similar thoughts himself. However, the thought foremost in his mind was the added threat to his life by having a Voldemort supporter in his midst. If this person found out he was around, the Ministry would have him killed at once and the Voldemort supporter would look like a hero.
Ron got right down to business. "Okay, Remus, Sirius, I want every single person working in The Ministry checked out. Janitors, politicians, everyone. We can't let this go unnoticed. It has to be dealt with swiftly. If you find anything on anyone, no matter how small, I want to be informed. I know you both already have a lot on your plates, but this, I trust you know, is quite important." Ron turned to give Sirius a concerned look. "Sirius, you need to keep an especially low profile. We can't risk having you found out. That would be a serious blow to our intelligence contingent," Ron said with a smile.
Sirius flushed at the compliment. He was still getting used to being treated as a person, not just a prisoner. At least by some people, he was treated as a person. Sirius had never been cleared by the government, but Ron had put a stop to the investigation, using the excuse that no reports had come in about Sirius Black recently and that all Voldemort's supporters were equally important to catch.
Just then, a bright red barn owl came into view, flying directly towards the 13th floor window of Ron's office. He quickly unlatched it and stood back. The owl glided gracefully in, and landed on the floor, features rapidly elongating and feathers disappearing. Ginny Weasley stood before their eyes. Sirius' mouth dropped open. Remus looked fit to be tied.
"Ah, Ginny. Remus, Sirius, meet my sister, Ginny Weasley." Ron caught a glimpse of their faces. "Well, you didn't think that you were the only unregistered Animagi working for the Ministry, did you, Sirius?" he asked with a ghost of a smile. He whispered to Ginny conspiratorially, "You shattered his dreams, Gin."
Gathering their composure, they both shook hands with the pretty young woman before them and turned to look questioningly at Ron.
"Care to explain, Ron?" Sirius asked.
"Maybe I'd better do it," Ginny spoke up. "I know more than you do about this anyway." She took a deep breath and sat in one of the lumpy black sofas against the wall. "I'm a Ministry spy. A Death Eater." Seeing their faces she laughed. "Not a real one of course. To become a Death Eater you have to perform the Three Unforgivable Curses on three different people. Cruciatus and Imperius were simple. Perform them on Muggle criminals and then Obliviate their arses. But the AK was harder. We were developing it in Espionage for a year. A Simulacrum. We used Snape's body. He had been training me for a year, while we developed the Simulacrum. He got me accepted into the Death Eater circle, and then when it was time for my initiation, gave me instructions to expose him. It showed my utmost loyalty to Voldemort, exposing my senior, and it was my 'privilege' to dispose of him. It was my final test. So now I am a full-fledged Death Eater. But not trusted yet. Voldemort is cunning, and too intelligent to trust anyone. What I am privy to is mostly general information, but it has helped in the past."
She rose up from the sofa and smiled. "Ron, I need to speak with you." He looked confused.
"Alright, go ahead," he looked at her encouragingly.
"No, Ron, I need to speak with you," she looked meaningfully at him, raising one of her eyebrows. A look of comprehension came into his eyes.
"Thanks Remus, Snuffles, send word when you get the chance, and when Snape figures that letter out." Sirius 'dog-ified' himself and turned to go out, followed by Lupin. "Wizard Wheezes, on Tuesday, spread the word to the regulars. Oh, and be careful," Ron called after them.
When they had left, he turned to look at his younger sister, concern filling his eyes. "Alright Gin, I'm all yours."
"Voldemort gave me a real assignment," she said hesitantly.
***
Harry and Hermione stood outside Draco's make-shift room, that could better have been described as a cell. They were arguing about what to do with the hung-over man contained therein.
"I still say we send him to Azkaban. The man is dangerous, and there's no reason why he can't be interrogated in his cell," Harry said resolutely. "It's no more than he deserves."
"No. Harry, it would be much safer if he stayed here. At least we know that we'll keep an eye on him. And you know how faulty the security at Azkaban has been. Since the Dementors deserted and went to Voldemort, nothing has been safe. There's been wand smuggling, Harry! We can't risk that, and you know it. You're just afraid of bringing up childhood memories. Don't be a bloody coward! If I can deal with it you can!" Harry gave her a mutinous look, but he knew she was right. Sensing eyes on him, he turned to tiny cubic window of Draco's room. Hermione turned to look as well. They both saw Draco's intense stare for a split second before he turned away, humming non-chalantly to himself.
Hermione sighed. She was getting a little tired of the petty squabbles and unfinished business between herself, Malfoy and Harry. "Okay Harry, let's go listen to his story," she said. Actually, she was quite interested in what Malfoy had to say about his current predicament. It was bound to be interesting, whatever it was.
Malfoy glanced up as Harry and Hermione re-entered the room. While, settling themselves comfortably on their chairs Malfoy asked, "Okay, what is it you want, exactly? Just tell me, no beating around the bush, and no more little conferences concerning me. Clear?"
Harry jumped to his feet, "Hey, listen! We're in charge here! We're not going to take orders from a criminal," he hissed.
Malfoy's signature smirk spread onto his face. "Oh, I see. Still living in the past, Potter? You always did. You know, your parents and all. As it is, I believe I'd rather speak to Hermione. She seems quite a bit more rational than you." Malfoy knew he'd hit a nerve in Harry. Better not make it any worse for yourself, he said to himself. No point in giving them something else to throw me into prison for.
"Alright Malfoy. Let's hear how you got into this little situation," Hermione jumped in. She knew Malfoy was only trying to provoke Harry, and she didn't want to deal with two angry wizards, one of them a Death Eater.
"I'd hardly call my 'situation' little, Granger," he said smoothly. "But, as it seems I have no choice but to tell the both of you, here goes." He took a deep breath and began his story. "As I suppose you've both deduced, I've become a Death Eater. Well, no. That's not quite true, and that is where my troubles begin."
***
Lucius Malfoy looked at his son fondly. Draco had performed the first two Unforgivable Curses faultlessly and without emotion, the way a Death Eater should. The last test, Avada Kedavra, still had to be done, and soon. Lucius reclined on his chair and wondered who to pick to 'help' Draco in this test. The witch or wizard had to be chosen carefully in order to make the test the hardest and most trying.
As Lucius was thinking, Draco got up and checked the time. "I have to go, Father. I promised Pansy I'd pick her up at eight for dinner." He turned to walk out of the room, but stopped when his father asked, "You are quite fond of Pansy are you, my son? In love?" Draco wheeled around to stare incredulously at his father. Lucius Malfoy had never been one to pay attention to his child's welfare, let alone his feelings. Draco wondered what had inspired him to ask, but thought it best to answer honestly.
"Yeah, I guess I am in love with her. I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to her. Why?" Draco asked.
Lucius's mouth had curved into a malicious smile. "Oh, no reason, Draco, no reason," he said in a tone that made Draco think there was a very big reason why he was asking. With a final puzzled look at his father, he picked up his coat and left the house.
Lucius started to laugh. "Yes," he said aloud, "Miss Pansy Parkinson will do quite well, I think."
After he Malfoy got home that night, Lucius informed him that he would be performing the Avada Kedavra curse the next night. "Who will be my witness, Father? Which Death Eater? Not Crabbe or Goyle, they probably wouldn't be able to tell if the person was dead or alive," he joked.
Lucius smiled. "No, Draco, I will be witness to your final test. I know it's not usual to have a relative as witness, but I managed to procure Voldemort's permission." Draco thought it better not to ask just what he had done to get that permission. "Sleep well, Draco," his father said before silently leaving the room.
Malfoy hardly slept a wink that night. His mind just wouldn't shut down. He knew that Lucius was immensely proud of him for performing the Crucio and Imperio curses so admirably, and probably thought Draco was proud of himself as well. Draco, however, hadn't been jumping through hoops when he'd executed the curses. He'd done it out of necessity. Being a Death Eater was his lot in life. He had no choice. His last coherent thought before finally drifting off into sleep was, I wonder who it will be.
The next evening came much to quickly for Malfoy's taste. His father led him into a dark room far into a wing of Malfoy Manor. Lucius left him to wait while he brought in the witch he decided to use for Draco's test. He was gone for a few minutes and Draco was left to wonder if he knew the person he'd have to kill. When he came back, he was dragging Pansy behind him. It didn't quite register in Draco's head what was happening. Had Pansy been invited to watch? Then it all clicked. That's why he asked me if I loved her, he realized.
"Now, Draco. Here is your chance to attain all you want," he said pleasantly. The look on Lucius's face clearly said that he figured Malfoy would have no scruple at killing his girlfriend of three years. Draco turned to look at Pansy. Tears were silently falling down her face and her eyes were begging him not to do it. Draco raised his wand, his eyes locked with Pansy's. Suddenly he stopped. He stood staring at Pansy, images of the past three years flashing through his mind. He couldn't. He knew he couldn't do it.
Draco turned to look at his father. "Father, I can't do this. I'm sorry," he said coolly. Even he was surprised at how steady his voice was. "I can't. I told you I loved Pansy. How can you ask me to give that up for a black robe and a bad reputation?" Pansy choked with relief and started to walk to Draco, when she caught a glimpse of Lucius's face. His eyes were blazing with hatred. Slowly, he took a few steps toward his son.
"Do you know," he asked softly, "what will happen to my reputation, and this family's, if you refuse this task? Our life will be in shambles because of you. I will not let that happen, you ingrate." He stepped back, raised his wand, and said, "I'll have to do this myself. I'll make up something to tell Voldemort, something about your tragic demise, but I will not give up my life because my son is a coward!"
Just as he lowered his wand and shouted 'Avada Kedavra', Pansy threw herself in front of Draco, shielding him from the force of his father's curse. Pansy got the full blast of it, and died instantly, before she even hit the floor. Draco dropped to his knees beside Pansy, hoping against hope that somehow she'd survived. But, of course, she hadn't. He looked up at his father, still adamant on killing Draco. Draco scrambled to grab his wand and Apparated before Lucius could yell Avada Kedavra again.
He'd Apparated into London. Good, he thought. Lots of people. Gives me time to hide. He'd bought a hotel room, but seldom spent any time there, opting instead to drink his way through the night. Drowning his sorrows. In the back of his mind he knew Pansy's death wasn't his fault. She was trapped. If Draco hadn't killed her, Lucius would've. And he did. Still, Draco blamed himself. He was always on his guard now, jumping when anyone spoke to him, suspecting everyone was following him, ready to turn him in to Voldemort.
***
"That's when you picked me up. So you see, I'm alone. Hunted by both sides, both of which want me dead, or at least," he said with a wry look at Harry, "locked safely away." He'd been pacing the floor while he spoke and now looked at Harry and Hermione. Harry was expressionless, his face betraying nothing. Hermione, however, had chosen to disregard her own advice, and was letting her emotions get the better of her. She looked appalled and sorry.
Hermione didn't know what to say. Whatever she had been expecting Malfoy to tell them, it wasn't that. She whispered to Harry, "We need to discuss this outside." She got up and stiffly walked out of the room, Harry following in a slow gait his eyes still on Malfoy.