A/N - This piece is a sequel to The Train Ride. I still plan on doing the full story, but this next part just wouldn't leave my head so I had to write it. It takes place directly after The Train Ride ends.
Accusations and Alibis.
Draco Malfoy casually strolled away from the compartment where he and his lover, Hermione Granger, had just left Harry Potter, unconscious and obliviated. Before Hermione had departed in the opposite direction, she ordered him to get himself an alibi. When Harry was found, and Draco didn't doubt he would be found, suspicion would automatically fall on him, and he needed to be ready. Mentally running over everything that had happened since he left his friends, Draco formed a plan of action in his mind. When he reached the compartment his friends were settled in, he swept into the compartment and shut the doors behind him.
"Problem?" Blaise Zabini asked, looking up from the magazine he was reading.
"Yes, actually there is," Draco announced, grabbing the attention of everyone in the compartment. Aside from Blaise, there was Theo Nott, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass in the compartment.
"How can we help?" Pansy simpered, fluttering her eyelashes at Draco.
The entire group knew that Draco had somehow been allowed to join the Death Eaters over the summer holidays, and they also knew he was returning to Hogwarts with a task from the Dark Lord himself. However, none of them knew quite what he was up to as he wasn't allowed to tell them. Even so, they'd all vowed to help him in any way he wanted over the coming year.
"You six are going to give me an alibi," Draco said, ignoring Pansy's flirting. Right at the moment, he didn't have time to try and deal with Pansy and her unrequited crush on him. "I haven't left this compartment all journey."
"Why?" Theo asked. "Don't get me wrong, I'll back you up, I would just like to know what I'm helping cover for."
"Let's just say Potter poked his nose in where he shouldn't have and now I need an alibi," Draco said.
"We can back you up, but if Potter is going to point the finger at you, Dumbledore might want to check our memories or something," Blaise pointed out.
"Potter won't be pointing the finger at anyone," Draco replied. "But even so, suspicion will fall on me. If we all stick together no-one should check our memories, but they might just check our wands."
"What exactly did you do to him, Draco?" Daphne asked warily. As a pureblood with traditional parents she supported the Dark Lord's cause, but she wasn't a fan of the violence that seemed to accompany his work.
"I didn't do anything to him," Draco answered honestly. "But he's being stunned and obliviated. I'm guessing when he's found and they work out what happened to him, everyone's wands will be checked, or at least mine."
"If you didn't stun and obliviate him, who did?" Blaise questioned.
"You don't need to know that, Blaise," Draco said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "All you need to know is that I'm bound to come under suspicion and I need you lot to back me up."
"Of course we will Draco," Pansy said loyally. "We'll all say whatever you want us to say."
"We all just say we were together for the entire trip," Draco said. "Oh yes, and that I locked the door to keep Astoria out of the compartment."
"What has my little sister got to do with anything?" Daphne questioned with a frown.
"If they check my wand, they're going to find I locked a door after the train left London," Draco explained. "I need a reason why I locked the door, and I figured we could say we locked it to keep Astoria away from Blaise."
Daphne's younger sister had a massive crush on Blaise, and she'd practically been stalking him all summer, so claiming they'd locked the door to keep her away was perfectly reasonable.
"We're going to have to get Astoria on board with this," Theo pointed out. "If anyone checks our story out, and Astoria says she was never near our compartment everything will fall apart."
"Daph, can you sort her?" Draco asked, turning to the pretty blonde witch he was friends with.
"I'll do my best," Daphne said as she got to her feet. "But I'm telling you now, she'll want something for this. My sister doesn't do anyone any favours, not even me."
"Give her whatever she wants," Draco replied. "I'll make sure she gets it."
With a nod, Daphne disappeared out of the compartment in search of her sister. While she was gone, Draco made sure everyone was on board with backing him up, and by the time Daphne returned, everyone knew what to say without them all saying the same thing and sounding as though they were lying.
"Well?" Draco asked as Daphne sat back down in her seat next to Blaise. "Did she agree?"
"She did," Daphne replied. "But as I predicated, I had to agree to something in return."
"What did she want?" Draco asked.
"Blaise," Daphne answered.
"Hell no," Blaise snorted. "I'm sorry Daph, I know she's your little sister but she's a bloody nightmare. I'm not getting involved with her."
"All she wants is one date," Daphne said.
"She can have it," Draco announced. "Just not at school. We can't claim we were hiding Blaise from her, and then have them wandering around Hogsmeade together. She can have her date over the Christmas holidays."
"We're on the same page, Draco," Daphne said with a smile. "That's exactly what I said to her, and even though she wasn't happy about the wait, she'll back us up in exchanged for a date with Blaise over Christmas."
"Do I get a say in this?" Blaise whined.
"No," Draco replied sharply. "I'm relying in you, Blaise. Just keep her sweet until Christmas, then take her out once. I can't get blamed for what's happened to Potter."
"It's a good job you're my best friend," Blaise said with a dramatic sigh. "Fine, I'll pimp myself out for Astoria."
"Don't go that far, she's only a fourth year," Daphne warned her friend.
"As if," Blaise snorted.
"Enough," Draco called, breaking into things before his friends got into a full scale argument. "Let's just enjoy the rest of the journey before the fun begins up at Hogwarts. I wonder just how long it will take them to find Potter."
Feeling much more relaxed with an alibi sorted, Draco sat back and enjoyed the rest of the trip up to Hogwarts. He was rather looking forward to what was going to happen next, as one thing was for sure, it didn't matter how much Dumbledore wanted to blame him for what had happened, there was no way he could prove that Draco had stunned and obliviated Harry because he hadn't. His own best friend had been responsible, but no-one would give Hermione a second thought as they tried to work out what had happened to Harry.
"Where is he?" Ron Weasley moaned as he watched the last few students disembark from the Hogwarts Express.
Ron was now seriously concerned about his best friend, Harry Potter, as he'd failed to return from his mission to try and spy on Draco Malfoy. When their other best friend, Hermione Granger, had returned to the compartment after getting waylaid by a few friends, Ron had lied to her and said Harry wasn't feeling well and was in the bathroom. However, the longer Harry stayed away, the more worried Ron had become. He'd tried to calm himself by telling himself that Harry could well be stuck having to wait for Malfoy and his friends to leave the compartment, but he'd witnessed the Slytherins getting off the train and heading off up to school in one of the first carriages, and still Harry hadn't emerged.
"Did you check the bathroom?" Hermione asked, even though she knew full well that Harry had never been in the bathroom.
"He isn't there," Ron admitted. "He never was."
"Then where is he?" Hermione asked with a fake frown of concern.
"He went to spy on Malfoy," Ron said at top speed.
"He did what?" Hermione asked, letting her annoyance seep into her voice.
"We didn't tell you because we knew you wouldn't approve," Ron began.
"Of course I wouldn't approve of you spying on someone," Hermione interrupted. "I know you two are convinced Malfoy is evil, but that's still no reason to go around spying on him. If he is dark, his true colours will be exposed sooner or later."
"Harry and I were trying to get it be to sooner," Ron muttered.
"So he went off to spy on Malfoy," Hermione stated. "And now he hasn't returned."
"That's about the size of it," Ron replied. "Malfoy must have done something to him."
"We either need to get back on the train and look for him, or tell someone," Hermione said sensibly.
"Let's get back on the train," Ron suggested.
However, no sooner had the words left his mouth than the doors all slammed shut and the whistle sounded to signify the train was getting ready to leave. Rushing forward, Ron tried to pull open one of the doors while Hermione looked around to see if there was anyone but students on the station platform. Hermione was just about to give up hopes of spotting an adult when a flash of bright pink hair caught her attention. That was when she remembered the Order saying they would be an increased presence in Hogsmeade while Voldemort was still a threat.
"Tonks!" She cried, waving to attract the attention of the bubbly Auror, Nymphadora Tonks.
"Hey, Hermione," Tonks greeted as she wandered over to the brunette witch. "What is Ron doing?" She asked as the redhead went flying to the platform floor as the Hogwarts Express began to move.
"Harry!" Ron cried, jumping back to his feet.
"Ron, don't," Hermione called, stopping Ron before he made a running leap at the train.
"But Harry," Ron whispered, watching as the train slowly pulled out of the station.
"What's going on?" Tonks asked. "What's wrong with Harry?"
"He's missing," Hermione replied as she quickly filled Tonks in on what Ron had told her.
"I want the pair of you to get up to school and inform Professor Dumbledore what's going on," Tonks ordered.
"What are you going to do?" Hermione asked.
"Stop that train," Tonks said, turning to where the Hogwarts Express was starting to pick up speed as it got free of the station.
Leaving Tonks to stop the train and search it, Hermione dragged Ron off to get into a coach so they could head up to Hogwarts for help. Ron complained about Malfoy the entire time, but Hermione just tuned him out. Although, it would be fun to see his reaction when Draco was cleared of any wrongdoing in regards to Harry.
By the time they arrived up at Hogwarts, almost everyone was already in the castle and as they bolted through the front doors at top speed they were greeted by a scowling Severus Snape.
"Now this isn't a good start to the new term," Severus drawled. "Lateness and running in the castle. I think docking ten points apiece should be fair."
"That is not fair," Ron spat.
"Would you rather, I made it twenty?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Professor, we need your help," Hermione said, jumping in before Ron just caused more problems. "Harry's missing."
"Missing?" Severus frowned.
"He got on the train with us, then he went off and we haven't seen him since," Hermione explained. "We told Tonks down in Hogsmeade and she was stopping the train to search it."
"We think Malfoy got him," Ron added.
"Do you have any basis for accusing another student?" Severus questioned with a snarl.
"Harry went off to find out what Malfoy is up to, and now he's missing," Ron retorted.
"I'll deal with it," Severus said. "The pair of you get into dinner."
"But…" Ron began to protest.
"No buts, Mr Weasley," Severus snarled. "Get into the Great Hall, now."
"Come on, Ron," Hermione urged, gently tugging on the redhead's arm.
Still grumbling, Ron begrudgingly followed Hermione into the Great Hall. As they sat down, the pair watched as Professor Snape entered the room, approached Professor Dumbledore and the pair had a whispered conversation. After the conversation, Professor Snape darted back out of the Great Hall and moments later, Professor McGonagall entered with the first years.
"I don't believe this," Ron hissed as the first years gathered at the front of the hall. "They're just carrying on as normal."
"I don't think so," Hermione replied as the sorting got underway at a rapid speed. From where she was sitting, she could see the anxiousness etched on Dumbledore's face and McGonagall had a frown on her face as she conducted the sorting ceremony.
No sooner had the last student taken their place at their new house table then Dumbledore got to his feet, made a very brief welcoming speech and departed the Great Hall with McGonagall on his heels. At the departure, the room burst into gossip and the food was largely ignored as everyone wondered what was going on. Slowly, attention started to turn to the Gryffindor table as word began to spread that Harry Potter was nowhere in sight.
"Where is he?" Ginny demanded, moving down the table to sit next to her brother.
"We don't know," Ron muttered, glaring over at the Slytherins, who didn't seem at all fazed by Harry's mysterious absence.
"Harry and Ron thought it would be wise to try and spy on Malfoy," Hermione supplied. "Harry hasn't been seen since."
"He's done something to Harry?" Ginny questioned, also shooting Draco a deadly glare. "Then why is he sitting there as though nothing is going on?"
"Because at the moment, we don't know what is going on," Hermione pointed out. "Just because Harry set out to spy on Malfoy, doesn't mean he succeeded.
"Of course he succeeded," Ron spat. "Malfoy's clearly done something to him."
"Let's just wait and see," Hermione demurred quietly.
Ron continued to grumble to himself, but he didn't continue to press his point with Hermione. Taking advantage of the peace, Hermione grabbed a little bit to eat but she was conscious that she had to look like the concerned friend so she merely nibbled at her dinner. She also kept an eye on the doors to the Great Hall, and as such she spotted McGonagall entering the room before either Ron or Ginny.
"Miss Granger, Mr Weasley, would you come with me please?" McGonagall said as she approached the pair.
"What about me, can I come?" Ginny asked as her brother and his best friend got to their feet.
"I don't think there's any need for that," McGonagall said dismissively, as she turned and led Hermione and Ron out of the Great Hall.
"What's going on?" Ron demanded, as they left the Great Hall. "Is Harry okay?"
"Mr Potter is in the hospital wing," McGonagall answered. "He was found unconscious on the Hogwarts Express."
"Who did it?" Ron asked with a snarl as he followed McGonagall up the main staircase.
"We don't know," McGonagall answered with a sigh.
"How don't you know, why haven't you just asked Harry?" Ron questioned.
"He's being obliviated," McGonagall replied. "But let's wait until we get to the hospital wing, something may have happened."
As she followed McGonagall and Ron up to the hospital wing, Hermione began to worry that her obliviate curse had been broken. Her father had taught her to cast the spell in a way that it couldn't be reversed, but she'd never cast it under pressure before and she was worried in case it had gone wrong. What is she'd messed up somehow and she was being led into a trap? What if when they got to the hospital wing, Harry and Dumbledore were lying in wait for her?
Fortunately, Hermione's worries were shelved when she entered the hospital wing to find Harry sitting in a hospital bed with Dumbledore, Tonks and Madam Pomfrey standing at the bottom of his bed, whispering together with worried looks on their faces. Severus was also in the room, although he wasn't part of the discussion and he didn't look worried, in fact he looked bored.
"Harry," Hermione cried in fake concern as she rushed over to her friend. "How are you?"
"Bloody confused," Harry grumbled. "And I have a splitting headache."
"I can give you a potion to ease your headache," Madam Pomfrey said, summoning a potion to help Harry.
"What happened?" Ron asked Harry.
"Hell if I know," Harry snorted as he downed the potion Madam Pomfrey handed him. "The last thing I remember is getting on the train in London."
"So the obliviate can't be reversed?" Hermione asked.
"I'm afraid not," Dumbledore said with a sigh. "Whoever cursed Harry knew what they were doing."
"I've told you, it's Malfoy," Ron insisted. "Harry went off to try and find out what he's up to."
"I can remember thinking about ways to try and find out if he's a Death Eater," Harry said. "Spying on him makes sense."
"It does if you're happy to invade someone's privacy," Severus drawled.
"Scum like Malfoy doesn't deserve privacy," Ron snarled.
"That's enough," Dumbledore called, stepping in before things got completely out of hand. "I'm not going to throw accusations around, but I do think we need to talk to Mr Malfoy. Severus, can you go and get him."
"Your office?" Severus asked, his disapproval evident for everyone to see.
"No, bring him here," Dumbledore said. "Let's get everything out in the open."
Shaking his head, Severus shot Hermione a quick glance, before heading out of the room to go and get Draco. While he was away, Dumbledore set out some ground rules and he warned Ron that if he interrupted and started causing trouble, he would be put out.
"And then can I go back to Gryffindor Tower?" Harry asked.
"I'd rather you stayed in the hospital wing overnight just in case you have a reaction to the trauma you've received today," Dumbledore answered, earning himself a scowl from Madam Pomfrey who was notorious for shooing people out of the hospital wing as soon as she could.
Harry clearly didn't want to stay in the hospital wing overnight, but he knew better than to object. Fortunately, he didn't have too long to wait before Severus returned with Draco following behind him. Hermione was pleased to find that Draco seemed as cool as ever, and clearly he'd managed to fill Severus in enough so that the Head of Slytherin seemed more at ease. When he'd left the hospital wing earlier, Hermione could see Severus was worried about what had happened, but clearly now he was satisfied no secrets were going to come out.
"Let's get straight down to it," Dumbledore said. "Mr Potter here was attacked and obliviated on the Hogwarts Express."
"And you're telling me because?" Draco asked in a bored drawl.
"Mr Weasley thinks you're involved," Dumbledore said.
"Does he now?" Draco growled, glaring at Ron.
"There's a simple way to clear your name, Mr Malfoy," Dumbledore said. "If you cast an obliviate charm, there will still be a presence of it on your wand."
"You want to test my wand?" Draco asked with a frown. "Are you not even going to ask me if I did it first?"
"Did you?" Dumbledore asked.
"No, I didn't," Draco replied sharply. "I was with my friends the entire journey, go and ask them."
"We will," Dumbledore said. "But if you're innocent, you won't mind me checking your wand, will you?"
With a sigh, Draco pulled his wand out of his pocket and wordlessly handed it over to the headmaster. As Dumbledore began to test the blond Slytherin's wand, Ron shot Draco a smug smirk. Unfazed, Draco merely returned the smirk as he waited for Dumbledore to finish.
The spell Dumbledore had incanted, revealed the last spells Draco had performed and there was an air of disappointment when no stunning spells and no obliviate spells were detected on the wand. In fact, the last spell the wand had performed was a locking spell and by the time of the spell, Dumbledore could conclude that it was performed while the Hogwarts Express was on the move.
"That last spell," Dumbledore said as he handed the wand back to Draco. "It was performed on the Hogwarts Express."
"It was," Draco confirmed.
"And why did you use it?" Dumbledore asked.
"I used a spell to lock a door in order to obliviate Potter and knock him out," Draco responded sarcastically.
"Draco, you're not helping," Severus muttered.
"I locked the bloody door of the compartment," Draco snapped. "Astoria sodding Greengrass is obsessed with Blaise, so we locked her out of the compartment. A compartment, I didn't leave for the entire journey by the way."
"I think we've now proved Draco had nothing to do with whatever happened," Severus said. "He didn't obliviate Potter, nor did he knock him out."
"In any case, I would just like you to check with Mr Malfoy's friends and see what they have to say," Dumbledore said.
"As you wish," Severus replied with a nod. Turning around, he escorted Draco back out of the hospital wing and down to the dungeon where he would set about proving his alibi.
"I still say he's guilty," Ron muttered once the two Slytherins had left the hospital wing.
"His wand says otherwise," Dumbledore said. "Besides, the obliviate curse is very advanced. Probably more advanced than anything Draco could manage. If I had to guess, I would say Harry had encountered a fully trained witch or wizard."
"You think there was an adult on board?" Hermione asked, intrigued by the direction of Dumbledore's thinking.
"I don't think we can rule it out," Dumbledore confessed. "I've been thinking about this since we've found Harry, and I hate to say it but I don't think the train is as secure as it could be. Someone easily could have snuck onto the train down in London, and snuck back off again at Hogsmeade. I think it's time we looked at the train and its security, especially in times like these."
"In that case, we could be dealing with an adult Death Eater," Tonks said with a frown. "I could check the train for signs of dark magic."
"Please do," Dumbledore said as the young Auror hurried off after saying goodbye to the three Gryffindor students.
"And what about Malfoy?" Ron asked. "Is he just off the hook?"
"If his alibi stands up then yes," Dumbledore replied. "I'm confident, Mr Malfoy has nothing to do with what happened here."
Ten minutes later, Dumbledore reaffirmed his stance when Severus returned and confirmed that all of Draco's friends backed him up. Even Astoria Greengrass had backed up Draco's claims of being shut out of the sixth year's compartment. It looked like Draco was in the clear. Whatever had happened to Harry, it had nothing to do with the blond Slytherin.
By the time Hermione and Ron left Harry in the hospital wing for the night, Hermione was thrilled to find the theory was beginning to lean towards Harry disturbing someone who shouldn't have been on the train. The common theory was a Death Eater up to no good, and when Harry had disturbed them, they'd obliviated him to stop him from talking. Either way, Hermione knew she and Draco were in the clear and for the time being suspicion wasn't aimed in their direction. It meant the pair were free to carry on with their plan, and by the end of the year it wouldn't matter if the truth about what had happened to Harry came out. After all, the end of the year would bring far more revelations than just the fact Hermione had been the one to attack and obliviate Harry on the Hogwarts Express.