Number 12 Grimmauld Place was empty. Apparently, he was the only one who was dressed when he received the message. Well, it was no surprise, and Draco didn't mind spending time alone. He rather preferred it. It wasn't like he was friends with these people; they all just had one common goal, nothing more.
As he sat in the drawing room, he heard Moody and Minerva McGonagall walk down the hall.
Moody's gruff voice rambled down the hall. "It was foolish for you to let them go, they were too young, I had other Aurors who could have handled the job better."
"-Nonsense," McGonagall interrupted. "This will clear up shortly. Tom Riddle is gone. What else is there to worry about? It is likely they simply took a detour."
"Tom Riddle wasn't the problem. You know that," Moody snapped.
Draco noticed they stopped talking, and felt it would be prudent to announce himself before they continued their private conversation. He was about to speak when he heard
Moody's voice behind him.
"Constant vigilance, Boy!" Moody growled. "It's a disgrace when an enemy can so easily sneak up behind you."
He bowed slightly towards McGonagall.
"Ms. McGonagall," Draco stated as if it were an insult. Snape had always detested the woman, and with good reason.
McGonagall looked over her glasses and inclined her head, "Mr. Malfoy."
"Moody"
It took all of Draco's restraint not to insult the man. He simply nodded and walked away. Others were arriving crowding the old man. So he walked around the left side of the room. There he stood with a scowl on his face daring any to speak to him. He hadn't expected the warmest of welcomes from the Order when he joined, but he had been there for six years already. Surely they were capable of simple social civility?
Moody moved towards the fireplace and coughed loudly, the phlegm in the back of his throat rounding out the sound with a moist sticky smacking. Draco was disgusted by the display.
"Sit down. Now against my better judgment Harry and Ron went to investigate the reports of terrorists hiding in the Alps. We have for a time suspected that they are Death Eathers attempting to recruit wizards from the area." Moody paced around, his magical eye examining every corner. "We had received information that they had gone from Paris to the base of the Alps at France's border with Italy and Switzerland. That was four weeks ago. Since then there has been no word from them."
Everyone in the Order looked quite concerned. Draco looked around, rolling his eyes. In his opinion, Harry was expendable ever since he defeated Voldemort. Besides, Harry and Ron had dealt with more dangerous forces than this during their school days.
"Yesterday, I received word that two English wizards were ambushed near a small village in France. For now that is our only information." Moody turned to face the Weasley brood that stood up. "Sit down. No Weasley's will be going to find those two."
Protests were raised by the Weasley offspring, but Mrs. Weasley hushed them. It was a testament to the truth of Dumbledore's statement.
"This time I'm sending an Auror and I don't want any arguments. He will also have a companion which will help him sort through the muggle end of the mission. They will both be Ministry employs as this has now become a joint venture. Malfoy and Granger you will be leaving tomorrow morning, that is unless you refuse.
Draco was surprised. He hadn't realized that Granger was going to be at this meeting. He looked around and spied her in a corner sitting next to McGonagall. Granger's teeth were clenched as she stared ahead, she nodded her response to Moody.
"Well boy, are you leaving?" Moody's question set Draco's teeth on edge.
"Yes." Draco's answer rang clearly with confidence and strength. Now was certainly not a time to show the doubts and fears that come with accepting such a duty. Especially since he didn't particularly care for the two people he was expected to find.
"Dismissed. Malfoy and Granger come speak with me."
Draco walked across the room, passing McGonagall and Granger speaking in hushed tones.
"You aren't the best auror we have boy, that's isn't the reason I chose you. Nor for your people skills. Your expendable and have ability to deal with these situations. And you Granger I didn't even want on this venture, but McGonagall insisted."
Granger sniffed as a tear built up in her eye at Moody's words. Wordlessly, and with a fair bit of disgust at her show of emotion, Draco removed a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Hermione. She didn't seem to notice, however. Gingerly she took it and dabbed her eyes.
"Meet me at Hogwarts in McGonagall's office tomorrow. Be prepared to leave directly after the meeting. Bring nothing, but have everything arranged. It isn't certain how long you'll be gone or if you'll return.