Dudley felt quite excited. It was his first quidditch match for Gryffindor. He had always wanted to join the team, but the Weasley twins had been just too good. But since Wood had left, he had decided to try out for keeper. It wasn't his preferred position, but still, he was going to play quidditch. He joined the rest of the team for brunch. Ron was sat with Ginny, since they were playing Ravenclaw, Cho was eating with her team. Luna was with them though, and she budged up to make room. Dudley squeezed in next to them.

"Feeling nervous, Dud?" Ginny asked, brightly. She looked perfectly at ease, despite the fact she was making her Gryffindor debut, too.

"Nope, I don't get nervous," Dudley said, grabbing a slice of toast.

"Me too, unlike Ron,"

"I'm not nervous!" Ron spluttered indignantly, spraying Nearly-Headless Nick with half-chewed sausage. He floated off wordlessly, looking affronted.

"Not now," Ginny admitted. "But you were during your first match."

"I'm still supporting Ravenclawm, but I wish you both good luck," said Luna. "I hope you do well, just not as well as us."

"Does Cho have a good team this year?" Ron asked, quickly.

"I think," said Luna. "I've only seen a few practices, but they look quite good. Anyway, I'm going to go and wish Cho luck, too. We're becoming quite good friends." she smiled. "I quite like being popular. It wouldn't have happened without you, Dudley."

She kissed him goodbye and went to join her housemates.

Dudley turned to say something to Ron when their came a loud thud, a splatter and a cry from Luna. Dudley leapt to his feet and spun around. Somebody had thrown a tankard of pumpkin juice at her. She was covered in the stuff.

"Who did this?" Dudley demanded, glaring around the hall as he hurried to console Luna. Ginny, quickly, leapt to her feet and hurried over, too, putting her arm around Luna who looked on the verge of tears. Usually, bullying hadn't gotten to her in the past, but then, that had only been namecalling and occasionally hiding her things-this was somebody throwing pumpkin juice over her.

"Who?" Dudley demanded, drawing his wand and glancing around. His gaze settled on Malfoy who was sat with Crabbe and Goyle. He was smirking ever so slightly.

Malfoy-of course it had to be him. He had been somewhat tolerable this year, so why had he suddenly decided to throw pumpkin juice over Luna.

Dudley stepped towards him, drawing his wand as he did so. Malfoy, seeing the danger coming, leapt to his feet also.

"What's all this?" Tonks had sensed trouble and come forward. She positioned herself between Dudley and Malfoy. Her hair was long and red today. She could have passed for Ginny's sister.

"Malfoy threw pumpkin juice at Luna," Dudley said, through gritted teeth.

"I didn't touch her!" Malfoy protested. "I don't know what Dursley's going on about. It wasn't me."

"yeah, right," Dudley said, disbelievingly. "Who was it then?"

"Enough!" Tonks said, loudly. 'Ginny, can you take Luna to get cleaned up?"

Ginny nodded.

"You two, with me," said Tonks. Dudley followed as she led the way out of the Great Hall. Dudley could sense everybody's eyes on him and Malfoy.

"Well?" Tonks said, folding her arms. She looked very stern all of a sudden.

"Malfoy threw pumpkin juice at Luna," said Dudley.

"I didn't!" Malfoy said. "Why would I?"

"You've always hated Luna!"

"I think she's a complete loon-that doesn't mean I hate her!"

Dudley moved towards Malfoy, his fists clenched, but Tonks stepped between them.

"Enough!" Tonks said, firmly. "Now, tell me again, what happened?"

Dudley took a deep breath and through gritted teeth told Tonks what he had heard.

"Draco?" Tonks turned her gaze on him.

"I told you, I didn't do it. I was just sat there."

Dudley snorted, disbelievingly.

"Can anyone else support that?" Tonks asked.

"Victor Crabbe and Gregory Goyle," said Malfoy.

'They'd say anything you want!" Dudley almost shouted.

"... and Pansy and Blaise," he continued. "And Warrington, too."

'He would lose his headboy position if he covered for you," Tonks said.

"I didn't do it!' Malfoy looked angry now.

"I'll confirm with Warrington," Tonks said, giving a nod. "Draco, return to your table."

"Tonks ... come on!" Dudley protested.

"You didn't see him throw it, and Warrington is headboy. If he vouches for Malfoy, then I will believe him."

Dudley stared at her, unable to believe that he was hearing. How could she believe Warrington? He was a Slytherin, too. Of course he would cover for Malfoy.

"Look, Dudley," she said, in a kind voice. "I'll ask around, someone must have saw who threw the goblet at Luna. We'll find who it was. But you can't just go around accusing people. Go back to your table, finish your breakfast. Ok?"

Dudley gave a small nod and did as she said.

Tracey Davies

Tracey knew it had been a stupid idea, but she just couldn't resist. When she saw that horrible Loony Lovegood kissing her Dudley, she had just felt so mad. She had threw her at Loony before she even knew what she was doing. The goblet itself had missed, but the contents had ended up all over the crazy cow. She deserved it, Tracey decided. Loony didn't deserve someone like Dudley. Luckily, nobody had seen her do it. Tonks had questioned the Slytherins, but nobody knew who had threw it at Loony. Loony didn't more humilations—maybe then, Dudley would see what an embarrassment she was.

The Match

Dudley was still in a bad mood when he went to the dressing room with the rest of the team. He felt certain it was Malfoy who had threw the pumpkin juice at Luna.

"Relax, Dud, she's fine," said Ginny. "I took her to Flitwick, he got her cleaned up. We can pay Malfoy back at a later date."

"Yeah ... yeah, I can," Dudley brightened up. He had been content to ignore Malfoy and leave him alone. Last year, he had even given Malfoy a chance to change and stopped others from bullying him. And yet, Malfoy had just crossed a line. There was zero reason for him to attack Luna like that.

"Good quidditch conditions," Angelina said, as she returned to the dressing room. "A bit windy, so watch your passes-add a bit of extra power to them. Dudley, I hear Padma favors shooting to the right-her right, so be careful for that."

Dudley nodded.

"Ron-just do what you always do, OK-we know we are better than Ravenclaw. Let's go and prove it!" said Angelina.

The stands were packed. The entire school had turned out. As always Lee Jordan was providing commentary. "And here come the Gryffindor team! There are two changes from the team that won the House Cup two years ago. Oliver Wood had left, and Dudley Dursley fills in as keeper. And in a surprising move, Alicia Spinnet is dropped from the team in favor of Ginny Weasley!"

The Gryffindors applauded. Dudley looked at the stands. He wondered if Alicia had actually come to watch. She had been very upset when she hadn't made the team, and from what Dudley could tell, things were frosty between herself and Angelina now.

"And here come the Ravenclaw team. Cho Chang is the new team captain and has had to build a lot of her team up from scratch. Three new chasers and a new keeper. Padma Patil, Leon Bradley, Melanie Chambers and Sue Li join the side, with only Cho Chang, Duncan Inglebee and Jason Samuels returning."

The Ravenclaw fans applauded, so did most of the Slytherins. Dudley saw, however, a group of girls-Tracey Davis, Astoria Greengrass, Daphne Greengrass, the Carrow twins and a jug-eared boy who Dudley didn't recognize were holding a large Gryffindor banner. They didn't seem to notice the rest of the house glaring at them.

Dudley appreciated the support and as Madame Hooch blew her whistle and she flew up, he gave them a wave. Tracey waved enthusiastically back.

Dudley took position, sticking to the center hoop. He tried to focus on the game-Gryffindor were in position, but Cho had trained the chasers well. They were holding position and playing defensively, stopping the Gryffindor chasers from getting too close. It was hard to concentrate however, he kept thinking about what happened to Luna. He hoped she was alright.

He looked to his left, hoping to see her among the Ravenclaw supporters.

"Dudley!" Angelina screeched.

He glanced back around hurriedly. Padma Patil had somehow gotten the quaffle and was bearing down on him. He dived wildly, but, distracted by thinking of Luna, he had been out of position and Padma's shot went in the left-most hoop.

"A lapse of concentration from Dursley and Patil makes him pay! 10-0 Ravenclaw!" announced Lee. The Ravenclaws cheered and Dudley could hear insults from some of the Slytherins.

"Pay attention!" Angelina snarled, as she retrieved the quaffle.

Once again, Ravenclaw played defensive. Ginny, Angelina and Katie had the most possession, but they just couldn't work their way closer to the hoops. Dudley didn't know if it was because it was their first time playing together, but they didn't seem as fluid without Alicia in the team. Frustrated, Ginny tried a hopeful, looping shot that was easily saved by Sue Li. She hit it long, over the heads of the Gryffindor chasers for Padma to chase. It was only thanks to a well-aimed bludger from Fred that stopped her from catching the quaffle. It caught her on the thigh, causing her to drop the quaffle, which Angelina retrieved.

"Be patient, Ginny!" Angelina shouted as Padma raced back to her position in the defensive line.

It was a tough match. Cho had organized her team well and Ravenclaw were soon 30-0 up, with Padma scoring a second and Chambers scoring one. Padma had almost scored a third from a penalty after a foul by Katie, but Dudley had managed to get a hand on her shot.

Up above, Ron was getting frustrated. Cho was tailing him closely, obstructing him at every turn.

"Just fly through her!" Angelina shouted when she flew past.

Ron dived, but drew to a halt as Cho moved in front of him.

Finally, Gryffindor had their first real opportunity. Padma, trying to fly past Angelina and Katie, ended up losing the quaffle. Angelina quickly threw it to Ginny who was clear. Ginny's shot, however, was saved by Sue Li's fingertips.

It was encouraging—Gryffindor stepped up the pace and started to break through the tight Ravenclaw defence. Katie had a shot which bounced off the edge of one of the hoops and only a well-aimed bludger denied Ginny from getting the rebound.

Then, the crowd roared as Ron dived. Cho was close behind him, her long hair flying out behind. Ron's broom was faster, but Cho was smaller and lighter.

"Go, Ron!' Dudley cheered.

Ron reached for the snitch. Suddenly, his face turned red with surprise and he fumbled the snitch as Cho said something to him. Cho reached out past him, grabbing the snith.

The Ravenclaw fans roared. Angelina landed, throwing her broomstick to the ground in disgust.

"What was that?" she shouted at Ron.

"She distracted me!' Ron shouted back, his ears red.

"Of course she did! But why were you stupid enough to fall for it!" Angelina was furious.

"Angelina, come on …" Fred said, soothingly, but she turned on him.

"And where were you two?"

"We were stopping Patil from scoring!" George fired back.

"180-zero—it's embarrassing," Angelina said in a low voice, lowering her gaze.

Dudley felt uncomfortable. He knew his performance hadn't exactly been great. He had definitely been at fault for the first Ravenclaw goal, and he could perhaps have done better with the one Chambers scored.

Dejected, the team followed angry Angelina back to the changing rooms.

The whole team were sullen when they trooped down for dinner. Ron, irritable at losing, had brushed off Hermione's attempts to console him and sat apart as he moodily ate his fries.

"You'll do better next time," Dean said, bracingly to Dudley.

'I guess," Dudley said, hollowly. Losing like that felt pretty bad. It was made worse by the celebrating Ravenclaw table and the jeering Slytherins.

Dean nudged Dudley and nodded towards Ron.

Cho had come to join him.

"What do you want?" Ron snapped.

The smile fell from Cho's face. "What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled.

"You know what I mean!" Ron said, through gritted teeth. "That whole match you kept blocking me …"

"That's not against the rules!" Cho said, indignantly.

"It's dirty tactics!" Ron spluttered. He was waving his fork which had half a sausage speared on the end of it.

"It wasn't!" Cho retorted angrily. "Calm down, Ron—what I did was fair!"

"I would have won that match if it wasn't for you. What you said … putting me off … that's just low."

"Oh, come on, Ron! I didn't think you'd be stupid to be distracted!' Cho said, firing up.

"Stupid? Is that what you think of me?" Ron waved his fork harder.

"Right now? Yes," Cho said. "You're acting like a big baby, just because you lost!"

"At least I don't have to cheat to win!"

It was a nasty argument, which only ended when Ron's sausage did what it had been threatening to do the entire time and flew off the end of his fork, hitting Cho square in the eye.

She slammed her hands on the table and stalked off back to the Ravenclaw table.

"I think Ron's just blew it," Dean commented, watching her go.

Dumbledore

Mundungus Fletcher was one of the more unreliable members of the Order of the Phoenix, but he had his uses—it was why Dumbledore kept him around. It was always good to have somebody lurking inside the seedy underbelly of the wizarding world.

"So, I tell 'em there's what … gold, silver, jewels inside this Riddle place?" Dung asked, his eyes looking greedy.

"There aren't any treasures there," Dumbledore said, firmly. "So don't get any ideas about paying a visit yourself."

Dung looked disappointed. "Alright,' he sad but why?"

"I need the area scouting," Dumbledore said. "By someone not part of the Order of the Phoenix. A neutral—to see what protections are on the place."

"I'll put a few words in the right ears," Mundungus promised.

Dumbledore felt pleased that was over. He had been toying with the idea of going straight there by himself, but that would be foolish. Voldemort wasn't an idiot. If he discovered that Dumbledore was poking around the Riddle Manor, he would definitely be suspicious. And if, as Dumbledore suspected, a Horcrux was hidden there, then he knew there would be defences. It was imperative that Voldemort didn't know that Dumbledore was on the trail of the horcruxes, so he had to count on the likes of Mundungus and his criminal friends. Voldemort wouldn't be suspicious of a pair of thieves sniffing around. Once he knew what defences were around the old place, or if Voldemort could tell when anyone entered, then Dumbledore would make his move.

Lord Voldemort

"Aren't you grateful to have your dear wife back with us, Lucius?" Voldemort said to the man kneeling in front of him.

"Yes, my lord—I … thank you," Lucius simpered.

Lord Voldemort stared at him. He really didn't like Lucius. He would never forgive the man for losing the precious diary a few years ago. And while he had awarded Lucius by sparing his life, he didn't intend to fully let him off the hook. Even worse, Lucius' own son had turned traitor by fighting alongside mudbloods against his Dementors. Lucius deserved his torment.

"Lord Voldemort is glad too," Voldemort said.

Lucius Malfoy lifted his gaze. So too did Narcissa.

"My lord?" Lucius questioned.

"You have proven a useful servant by my side, Lucius. So quick and eager to do my bidding."

"Always, my lord," said Lucius.

"And yet—this house remains dirty … unfitting for one such as high. What it needs is a new maid …" he turned his gaze on Narcissa who looked shocked.

"You wish to repay me for rescuing you from the Ministry? You can serve as my maid. A fitting job for the parents of traitors." Said Voldemort.

It amused him to see the quick look of anger on Narcissa's face and, even amused him even more to see how dejected and humiliated Lucius looked.

"You can start with the bathrooms, Narcissa …" he paused, savoring the moment. "Speak to that wretched House Elf. He will give you your orders." He smiled as he twisted the knife in further. Taking orders from a House Elf—that was the greatest humiliation for the Malfoys.

There were tears around Narcissa's eyes as she left the room, and now Voldemort stared at Lucius.

"You still need to bring me your son," Voldemort said.

"I will my lord—but I can't while he is at Hogwarts. He is protected. But, there is a Hogsmeade meeting next week. I … I will try to bring him then," said Lucius.

"You won't try to bring him," said Voldemort. "You will bring him, or I will kill your wife. I will kill Draco and I will make you watch."

Lucius looked like he had been slapped. Voldemort felt delighted.

'I will do it my lord," Lucius said, bowing down.

Augusta Longbottom

Augusta had worked hard on convincing Igor Karkaroff to join her. It had been difficult. The man was very stubborn and a coward, but Rufus Scrimgeour had convinced him that it was in his best interests to see Lord Voldemort defeated. He was a dead man either way for turning his back on the Death Eaters. Better to help those who may actually end up defeating the Dark Lord.

Augusta was glad to have him on board. She detested him for being a Death Eater, and for the fact that he had only changed sides to get his own skin out of Azkaban. But he was useful. He knew how Voldemort worked and, as he was proving now, knew how to get information out of people. He had just finished dealing with Rabastan Lestrange—through a combination of truth potions (unfortunately, veritaserum took too long to brew, so they had to rely on lesser alternatives), the crucio curse and legilimency, it seemed now they had some useful information.

"The Dark Lord's headquarters is … impenetrable," Karkaroff said. It was difficult to understand him because of his thick, Bulgarian accent. "Grimmauld Place is it's name …"

"The Black residence," Scrimgeour spat. "Horrible family.

"Yes … it is impossible. The most secure building in Britain … except maybe Hogwarts," Karkaroff said. "Getting in there is impossible. You need password, which he changes daily. You need Dark Mark. It is unplottable. No floo connection. No apparate in or out. You cannot use port key. There are many defensive charms and wards which the Dark Lord has added too."

"Anything else?" Augusta said.

'There was something," Karkaroff said, slowly and thoughtfully. "The Dark Lord wished to hide something very precious within the Lestrange family vaults. Something which they needed to protect with their lives."

"Which object?" Scrimgeour said, sharply.

"I do not know,' said Karkaroff. 'Rabastan does not know. The Dark Lord did not tell him. He … never share his secrets. Not with us."

"It must be something very valuable …' Augusta said.

"Or powerful,' supplied Scrimgeour.

Karkaroff nodded. "Yes, likely both … but is in Gringott's. Getting it … impossible. Can't be done."

"The Aurors?" Augusta looked at Scrimgeour.

"We don't have authority over Gringott's …"

'But, surely …"

"If the Ministry were to raid Gringott's what do you think would happen, Augusta? The Goblins would flock to You-Know-Who's side."

Augusta hesitated. He was right, of course. "What if we got it?"

"Impossible," Karkaroff snorted. "I read about Goblin magic. Very powerful. Very dangerous. Nobody gets in. Nobody gets out. Breaking into Gringott's would be folly. And for what? Item we do now what it is? It could be nothing …"

"Or it could be the key to defeating him," Augusta snapped back.

"It could be anything," said Scrimgeour. "The fact is, we don't know. And Karkaroff is right. Breaking into Gringott's is impossible and idiocy."

"Then what do you suggest?" Augusta demanded.

"We need to consider our options," said Scrimgeour. "Try to find out what the object is. Perhaps we could negotiate with the Goblins …" but he sounded doubtful.

"Why not just use him?" Karkaroff nodded at Rabastan. "It is his vault. It would be simple to cast the imperius curse. Get him to go in. Get him to collect the object. Get him to leave."

Augusta looked at Scrimgeour. It was such a simple idea, she couldn't believe that she hadn't thought of it.

"Can it be done?" she asked.

"It would be tricky, Rabastan is a wanted man," said Scrimgeour. "He can hardly go waltzing through Diagon Alley, and yet, the Goblins stay neutral … unless they have an agreement with the Ministry, they would not report a wanted man entering the bank."

"Will they have such an agreement?" asked Augusta.

"Unlikely," said Scrimgeour. "They want to keep out of the war, and, when I left at least, Lockhart wasn't focusing on the Goblins at all. There won't be an agreement. Rabastan could get the object, if we can get him to Gringott's undetected."

"That should be simple," Augusta said. "We could use an invisibility cloak …"

"There are ways for Aurors to detect people under them," Scrimgeour said, flatly. "It may disguise you from sight, but a simple detection spell …"

"Polyjuice potion, then," said Augusta.

"That could work," said Scrimgeour. 'It takes a while to brew, but, yes … that will work."