A/N: Hey all! Thanks for the reviews. You all rock! And thanks to me pals Amy and Miri for reading the chapters when I email them and giving me back advice. You two are the best!

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot and five slaves.

Chapter Nine

Ginny exited the Great Hall after the meeting hoping to catch Harry, but as she went to call out his name he pushed past her ignoring her completely. Ginny watched him, looking stunned that Harry could be so rude, but he did have a right too after all. She did accuse him of being in love with Hermione, when, as he had admitted, he was in love with her.

Ginny sighed and headed up the Entrance Hall stairs for the Common Room. No, she couldn't go there, her friends would instantly know something was wrong and hound her until she told them the entire truth. She stood still on the fifth step looking around her wondering where she could go.

Ron cam running up the steps and stopped beside his sister giving her a small smile.

"Go talk to him," he said quietly, "The longer you don't the worse it will be when you both finally decide to talk."

Ginny sighed, "What if he doesn't talk to me?"

"Ginny, you said he loves you. If what he says is the truth he will listen to you and talk to you. Be honest, tell him why you thought he was in love with Hermione."

Ginny nodded, "Alright then. If you say so."

She continued up the staircase and took the same path McGonagall had shown them on their first night back to the guest rooms. She trudged up the spiral staircase and walked along the hall reading the names on the boards.

"Tonks, Lupin… Mum, Dad," Ginny walked over to the other side, "Fred, George… Ron, Harry."

Ginny took a deep breath and knocked on the door. She heard movement on the other side and the sound of feet hitting the floorboards evenly. Then the door opened, revealing a sombre looking Harry.

"Harry… can we talk? Please?" pleaded Ginny, her brown eyes wide.

Harry sighed and nodded. He stepped back opening the door wider for her to walk in. Ginny stepped in and Harry shut the door behind him. They walked over to the lounges and Harry sat on the one opposite Ginny.

"Harry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for accusing you of loving Hermione… I guess I thought that you did because you didn't let on to me that you loved me. So I assumed you loved Hermione."

"Ginny I didn't know I loved you. I only realised it back out at the lake," admitted Harry.

"Oh… well I didn't know that."

They both fell silent, with Ginny fiddling with the hem of her school skirt. She finally looked up at Harry, who was staring at the fireplace.

"So is this it?" asked Ginny, "We go back to being friends, or acquaintances, meaning am I just Ron's sister?"

"I don't know Ginny, I just don't know. Now isn't the time anyway. We have to much going on and a relationship would only make things harder."

"It would give us someone to turn too when things a hard. Don't you see that?" cried Ginny.

"I do see that and if one of us dies things would be even worse! I'm not going to risk it."

"Fine!" said Ginny standing up angrily, "If that's the way you want it, then you've got it."

Without another word Ginny stood and stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her.

HD

"That's the one," said McGonagall with a nod from Lupin as they looked at Tonks, "Even I wouldn't pick you out to be Nymphadorea Tonks."

Tonks turned and looked at her reflection. She was greeted to a person was an oval shaped face, long black glossy straight hair, a thin nose that was slightly upturned. Her lips were full and pouty like and her eyes were a shining pale blue. Dress her in a silk, expensive back robe set and no one would pick her out to be anything but a pureblood witch and hopefully one that Lucius Malfoy would find attractive enough to talk too. The plan was Tonks was to play the role of Melanie Trezmonzia. McGonagall would create a whole fake family tree that Tonks could show Lucius, should he doubt her story. The character Melanie would weave her way into Lucius' life and be invited to the manor on a daily basis. Somehow she would find Hermione and get to her and get information on the Death Eaters, but other then that they had no idea what to do.

"Right… well tomorrow I start the plan, bring down Lucius Malfoy," sighed Tonks nervously, "What if my clumsiness comes into play?"

"Well Lucius doesn't know you are clumsy," said Lupin, "Make it look cute… bat your eyelashes at him."

Tonks gave Lupin a disgusted look as she transformed into her pink haired self, "Basically act like one of his little toys."

Lupin sighed and gave Tonks a hug before she left McGonagall's office to go and practise acting like Melanie Trezmonzia. Lupin sighed and turned to McGonagall looking worried. McGonagall patted Lupin on the shoulder as she walked around her desk and sat down.

"Tonks will be fine Remus," sighed McGonagall, "She is a wise woman and when she puts her mind to it she can accomplish anything she dreams of."

"Yes I know. But I love her and if anything happened…I don't know what I would do without her," sighed Lupin taking a seat of his own just as the fireplace burst alive with a letter flying out of it. Remus jumped up and caught it with one hand. He brought it back down and looked at the names, "M. McGonagall and R. Lupin, Urgent."

Lupin handed the letter to McGonagall who examined the penmanship closely.

"This is from Hermione. I know that handwriting anywhere," she said opening it so that the enclosed letter fell out. She cleared her throat as she unfolded the letter from Hermione, not noticing the addressee of the letter that had fallen out,

"Dear Professor McGonagall and Remus,

"This letter may confuse you both, especially with what I am about to say and what I am about to say may make both of you think I have gone insane from my time here at the Malfoy Manor. But I do have proof, as I have just found, that what I am going to tell you both is true.

"Sirius is alive. I swear to you both that I am being one hundred precent honest. The incident mentioned in the letter sent to the entire Order led me to discovering he was alive. The letter I have enclosed for you both to read is proof of this. Sirius asks you both to not let Harry know. If he ever found out he would come after Sirius making them both easy targets for the Death Eaters. With Sirius we may be able to bring the Death Eater's down. The information in the Order letter should be a start.

"More soon,

"Hermione."

McGonagall looked at Lupin in surprise, who leaned forward and picked up the folded paper. He unfolded it and looked at the handwriting, a smile slowly appearing on his face. He handed the letter to McGonagall, who read it and smiled a little herself.

"He is alive," said Lupin, "Surely you can recognise that hand writing anywhere."

"I could never forget it. I even remember reading his essays… once a man full of humour," sighed McGonagall, "Well this certainly is news and I understand why Harry cannot know."

"So do I. The question is who in the Order can we tell?"

"Tonks should know," said McGonagall, "I think she is the only one we should tell for the time being."

"What about Molly and Arthur?" frowned Lupin.

"It would be safer with few of us knowing. Now I need to send an letter to Rosemerta and have her forward all letters onto Hogwarts."

Lupin nodded, taking that as his que to leave.

HD

"Dear All,

"Firstly I would like to state that I am alive. Lucky to be alive actually. Where do I begin? I have so much to tell you all, but only I little bit of time. The night just going was one of horror. I went shopping that day with Narcissa and her son and Malfoy decided to put me on show. I lost control of my temper and said a few things that nearly caused me to be hit by Malfoy himself. Thankfully Narcissa came along and stopped him, but when I was let go I fell to the ground and had my hands trod on so severely I could barely move my fingers. When we returned to the Manor, Narcissa called me to her reading room and she healed my hands but later that night after doing a job for Malfoy, Lucius saw me in the hallway and spotted my hands. I don't know if any of you know this but he can read our thoughts, just like Voldemort.

"This is where the night got worse. Lucius found out Narcissa did it and with Malfoy dragging me to the reading room, I had to watch him nearly beat his wife to death. I tried to stop him but only got myself hurt in the process. Now this is the interesting part. I begged Malfoy to save his mother and he did. He cast a spell on Narcissa to make it seem she was dead. Lucius left and everything is fine. Narcissa is alive and getting well, and I am now fine.

"I have also learnt some interesting information from a source. Dementor's can be killed. Not with the Patronus but by pulling their cloaks off them. The raise in temperature on their bodies kills them instantly. My source is very reliable, if I didn't believe this information I wouldn't of mentioned it.

"I can also confirm that Narcissa is on our side. She cannot stand the Death Eater's cause. As for her son, I still don't know where he stands but I vow that I will find out and let you all know.

"I'd best go now. I miss you all so much and Harry, I know you too well, please don't blame yourself. This could have happened to me at any time.

"More soon,

"Hermione."

Harry lowered the letter and looked at the rest of the Order. It was now nighttime and McGonagall had called an Order meeting so all could hear Hermione's newest letter. Even Ginny was in attendance despite her student status. Harry passed the letter too Ron so he could read it again.

"Who is her source?" asked Ginny confused, "I can't think of anyone, I mean if it was Narcissa she would have stated so."

"I find it hard to believe Narcissa is on the light side," replied Molly with a raised eyebrow, "It seems like she is taking Hermione for a fool."

"I don't know," said Tonks, "Hermione is a smart girl. I don't think she could be taken for a fool easily."

"Me either. She has a good judge of character," said Ron sliding the letter to Ginny, "But that Dementor's information is useful."

"And dangerous if anyone tried it," pointed out Arthur, "It would take two people at least to accomplish it on one Dementor."

Lupin nodded in agreement, "Very true. We need a plan for that should anyone decide to try it. Maybe we should send that information onto other Order groups."

"We should get to that. Alastar would love this information," said McGonagall with a slight smile.

"Well Tonks, you need to make yourself known to Hermione when you get into the Manor," said Harry, "She needs to know she isn't alone."

McGonagall and Lupin shot each other looks, only they knew and soon Tonks, that Hermione wasn't alone.

HD

The meeting soon ended with all heading off to bed. Lupin, lingered, pretending to speak to McGonagall. Once everyone, other then Tonks had gone Lupin shut the Great Hall doors. Tonks gave them both odd looks and followed them over to the table set aside for the Order members.

"What's going on?" asked Tonks frowning from Lupin to McGonagall, "You both look serious."

"Actually, we need to tell you something that has to do with serious… well Sirius," replied Lupin as McGonagall pulled out Hermione's letter and handed it to Tonks.

Tonks took it and opened it slowly, still frowning. The two elder's watched her read it silently, her mouth falling open upon reading the part about Sirius being alive. When she finished it she looked up at Lupin, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Is it true?" she asked quietly, "Is he alive? What's the proof? Has Hermione gone crazy?"

"Calm down," said Lupin placing his hand on top of Tonks, "Here."

He pulled out the letter and slid it over to Tonks, who hastily took it and read it, laughing at the end in happiness with tears falling down her cheeks.

"How is this possible?" asked Tonks in wonder, "He fell into that veil…"

"I know, but little is known about that veil," said Remus seriously, "Tonks you can't tell Harry or any other Order member. The little who know, the better."

"I know Remus," nodded Tonks, "I over heard Harry, Ron and Ginny talking the other day. They think there is a snitch in the Order. That would, after all, explain about the Death Eater's finding out about Hermione's mission to Australia."

McGonagall and Lupin remained silent considering Tonks' words. After a while McGonagall sighed with a nod.

"I think they may be onto something. From now on anything new stays between us and we slowly tell others to find out if this snitch theory is true," said McGonagall seriously, "We can trust Harry. I know he would never do anything to jeopardise the safety of his friends."

"What about the imperious curse? Any of us could have been hit with it and not know it? Something could be using polyjuice potion as a disguise. There are many different ways for someone to be a snitch," said Lupin, "But your plan is the way to go."

MD

Looking around her, through her pale blue eyes, Tonks walked over to the bar, her hips swaying seductively with every step she took. It was two days after Tonks had found out her cousin was alive and she was more determined then ever to get into the Malfoy Manor. News had spread of the 'death' of Narcissa Malfoy and every pureblooded woman was lining up to become the next Mrs Malfoy.

Giving a cheeky wink to the bartender, Tonks sat down on a stool and placed one leg over the other, so the split in her robes revealed her long toned legs.

She could see him across the other side of the bar surrounded by young pretty women and Tonks knew from his face he was lapping up the attention with pure enjoyment. As she ordered a shot of fire whiskey, she glanced over at him and saw she had indeed caught his attention. Pretending to be interested in her drink, she heard him excuse himself from the women and make his way over to her, taking the stool beside her.

"Excuse me," he said to her in a polite tone, "But I have never seen you here before."

"That would be because I am new here," replied Tonks hoping her Irish accent was believable, "I moved here just the other day."

"Well that would explain it then. My name is Lucius Malfoy. May I enquire as to what your name is?"

Tonks turned her body towards his and shot him a dazzling smile, "Melanie Trezmonzia. Have you heard of them? We are a long running pureblood families in Ireland."

"I can't say I have… I see you have no ring on your finger."

"Well I am only young. Do you expect me to be promised or married to anyone just yet?"

"Well no… are you over the legal age?" said Lucius sliding his chair closer to Tonks.

Tonks did a girly giggle and trailed a finger down Lucius' arm, "Sir I am well over the legal age by five years."

"Good because I wouldn't want to be breaking any laws," he murmured pulling her closer to him.

Tonks felt like throwing up at the feel of his hands running over her body, but had to play along. As Lupin said, get him drunk enough, get him to take her to the Manor and hope he passes out before anything happens. But she has to be beside him in the morning and hope he will not have her as a one-night stand.

"How about you buy me a drink?" murmured Tonks nibbling Lucius on the ear.

"That sounds like a can do," replied Lucius sliding his hand over Tonks' arse.

Tonks smiled and for the next two hours she continued getting Lucius to buy her drinks. Along with this she continued to seduce him too the point he was driven crazy by her touch.

"Lets go to your place," she said murmuring in his ear again, "I want to see how wild Lucius Malfoy can be."

With an animal like growl Lucius gripped Tonks against his body and apperated her to his room at the Manor. Tonks instantly pushed him onto the bed, where he laid looking at her grinning like a fool. She turned around slowly and pretended to make a show of removing her clothing. Upon turning back to him, she found him just like Lupin had said – passed out cold.

"Thanks Merlin for that," sighed Tonks doing up her robe set again and pulling her want out. She muttered a spell at Lucius that would keep him sleeping till the morning.

With one more look at him, she ran for the door and opened it up, lighting her wand. She slowly walked down the corridor knowing she needed to be down stairs to find the kitchens, where she hoped Hermione would be.

Walking around a corner, she stumbled over the edge of a mat and fell to the ground, knocking a vase over in the process. The shatter from the vase breaking was loud and it echoed throughout the room. Cursing, Tonks stood up and muttered a spell to fix the wreckage she had heard. Hearing footsteps, Tonks ducked behind a heavy curtain and knelt low.

She carefully peered around the curtains and saw a man with short blonde hair running into the hall followed a few seconds later by two other people – one being Hermione and the other a dark haired man, standing close behind Hermione in protective sort of manner.

"What are you doing here, Granger? Shouldn't you be in the kitchens?" snarled the blonde.

Tonks watched as Hermione showed no regard for her ' social position' and glared at the youngest Malfoy.

"I came to see what the noise was. I thought it might be you throwing a tantrum," she replied icily, "Obviously it was nothing."

"Just the house settling," spoke up the dark haired man, "We should get back to the kitchens. Bridget could wake at any moment."

Hermione nodded and threw the blonde man a curious look before following. Tonks remained in hiding until the youngest Malfoy left. Once she was certain he was gone she took off in the direction that Hermione had disappeared in.

She wandered across the entrance room and glanced at her watch. It was 3:45am. Lucius would wake at 9am giving her plenty of time to return to the room… if she could find her way back that was. Walking through a rather shabby looking corridor Tonks saw stairs heading downwards to her right. There were voices travelling up from them. She walked down them and stopped at a door right at the bottom.

She leaned her ear against it listening.

"… loves playing wizard chess. Harry is pretty good at it as well. He has beaten Ron a few times."

It was Hermione! Without thinking or waiting, Tonks pushed the door open and stumbled in looking at Hermione excitedly.

"W-who are you?" asked Hermione looking up at Tonks in confusion.

Tonk sighed and closed her eyes in deep concentration as she transformed to her bubblegum pink haired self, "Wotcher, Hermione."

HD

"Remus… what are you doing up this late?"

Lupin spun around in surprise to see Harry walking over to where he stood by the dark lake with the stars glittering across it, through the gaps in the clouds.

"I should ask you the same thing, Harry," replied Lupin before turning back to the lake.

"Well I asked first," joked Harry standing beside Lupin with his arms crossed.

"I'm just worried about Tonks. This is really her first big mission for the Order. I trust her, I know she won't do anything if she doesn't have to, but it's Lucius who I fear will force her into something she doesn't want."

"Sorry to say it but, I wouldn't put it past him."

Lupin sighed looking grim before glancing at Harry, "What has kept you up all night?"

"A lot of things. Like when will this all end? I thought killing Voldemort would be the end. Then there is Hermione. I worry about her constantly. She is my sister and bestfriend. We have never spent this much time apart since our meeting. And there is Ginny. I love her, but I told her having a relationship is pointless basically and now I regret saying that."

"Well I can't answer the first thing. But I think everyone thought killing Voldemort would be the end of the world's torment. As for Hermione, her letters seem to prove she is coping fine enough and she will be with you before you know it. Now Ginny… Harry I had my issues with forming a relationship with Tonks. For one I thought I was too old for her and some people probably think I am. But I took a shot and I don't regret it at all. She has brought light to my life where there was none. If you love Ginny and she loves you, there should be no problems. Follow your heart, your gut instinct is not always right."

Harry smiled and nodded, "You're right."

Lupin smiled and sighed, "I think it is time we turned in for the night. Hopefully Tonks will return tomorrow with Hermione."

Harry nodded and smiled at the thought of Hermione returning.

A/N: So there you go. Another chapter and I know it isn't long as the rest but I had to leave it here. Please review!

Until next time…

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Love Coz!