All characters are property of JK Rowling and I do not make a profit from this story.
Beta: Roman's Sundial
Chapter Fifty-Four: Grindelwald's Spy
Harry Potter – Present Day
January 7, 2001
"Let's go through it again," Harry said to the group.
"We've been over it one hundred times!" whined Seamus.
"And we will go through it one hundred more if that's what it takes!" Harry snapped back.
"Harry, they don't understand like we do," Hermione said quietly to him. "We need to be patient with them."
"I don't have time to be patient, Hermione," Harry whispered back. He knew the look on her face, however, and knew that she wouldn't let down. "Fine," he sighed.
"Okay," said Hermione, facing the members of the Order of the Phoenix. "Let's go over what we do know."
"Grindelwald wants the Deathly Hallows," said Ginny.
"Harry knows where all three are," said Angelina.
"Harry has all three?" questioned Charlie.
Harry shook his head. "I have one – the cloak." There was no point in denying it when the majority of the Order had already seen it. "But the wand is secure and he won't be able to get it."
"And the stone?" asked Percy.
Harry looked towards Ron and Hermione. "I would say it's safe," he said, as both Ron and Hermione nodded.
"It would be like finding a needle in a haystack," Ron told the group.
"But zen it is possible for Grindy-wald to find it," said a concerned Fleur.
"Even if he does, there's not much he can do with it. Who is he going to summon that will help him?"
"Dumbledore?" Suggested Molly.
"They may have been close before, but Albus would never help him – he was the one who took him down the first time!" said Minerva.
"I wouldn't be too sure," grumbled Aberforth.
"Should we go and get it?" Hermione asked him.
"I don't have time to go digging through the forest," Harry said quietly to her, but not quietly enough.
"Well, if it's in the Forbidden Forest, Harry, Fang and I can go an' get it," offered Hagrid.
"Let's move on for now," said Remus. "What about this Ralph guy?"
"He needs to be arrested!" Hermione said at once.
"On what grounds?" asked Kingsley.
"He attacked Hermione!" Ron yelled.
"Yes, but what grounds did Ms. Granger have for being there?"
"Does it matter?" questioned Harry. "He tried to kill Hermione!"
"Unfortunately, it does matter, Mr. Potter. Although attempted murder is never accepted, he could argue that it was self-defense as there was a trespasser on his property. If we are to arrest him, then we need to ensure that he cannot be freed on some sort of technicality."
"So, in other words, we have nothing to go on right now," Seamus growled.
"I wouldn't say nothing, but not a whole lot either," admitted Remus.
"Could he actually be related to You-Know-Who though? I thought his lineage was dead?" asked Lee Jordan.
"From what he said, it sounds like it's true," answered Harry. "What I don't understand, however, is how nobody ever found out about other relatives; wouldn't that have been a concern at some point?"
"Nobody was ever really looking into his heritage, though," responded Remus.
"Except Dumbledore."
"Yeah, well, Albus was an extraordinary wizard."
"I'm sorry, but how could nobody other than Dumbledore think it important to find out more about Voldemort's family?" questioned Hermione.
"We were at war," Aberforth answered her. "All people cared about was taking him down."
"Well, we mustn't make the same mistake twice," she responded. "What do we know about Grindelwald's family?"
"Not very much," replied Minerva.
"Aberforth? He was around your place a lot, growing up."
"Still don't know much about him, only person that would, would have been Albus."
"So, why doesn't Harry use the stone and ask him?" asked little Dennis Creevey.
"It isn't that simple," answered Harry.
"Why isn't it?"
"People kill for these Hallows, Dennis."
"They kill for the Elder Wand, mostly," mumbled Ron. Harry gave him a look, but Remus interjected.
"Dennis may be on to something, Harry. I agree that the Elder Wand should not be in anyone's hands, but the other two don't seem as dangerous. You use the cloak all the time, and-"
"And in the wrong hands, it could be used to do horrible things!" Harry yelled.
"Yes, but it isn't in the wrong hands, Harry, and neither is the stone."
"Let's move on," Harry said, irritated with what he was hearing. These people didn't understand how dangerous the Deathly Hallows were; he was not about to agree to use anymore.
"We know that Grindelwald has people working for him," said Hermione, doing as Harry requested. "Who are they?"
"Thicknesse, for one," said Hagrid. "And all them Death Eaters that were released somehow…"
"They were released after a fair trial, Hagrid," said Kingsley.
"Fair trial my arse!" yelled Hagrid.
"There is a woman," Remus said quietly.
"A woman?" repeated Harry.
Remus nodded. "That day we went there, Harry. The cloaked figure was a woman; I saw her shoes."
"Probably a Death Eater," said Dean Thomas.
But Remus shook his head. "I don't think so, she was more of an informer of some sort."
"Umbridge?" asked Ron, angrily.
"She was too tall to be Umbridge."
"So, we know what we have to do then, don't we?" said Hermione. "Find out what we can on Grindelwald's family, and find out who this mysterious woman is."
"Ginny, you've never seen her, have you?" asked Harry.
"No, there was never a woman there," she said.
"This woman is significant," said Remus. "She wasn't just one of his followers; it was clear that she played an important role."
"And she was hidden," Harry added. "Meaning that she is most likely somewhere in one of our lives, filling him in on what's going on."
"Harry, you don't suppose-" started Percy, but Harry cut him off.
"I trust everyone here at the Order," he told him. "Besides, Hermione's charms won't allow anyone to say anything, anyway."
"We should make a plan," suggested Hermione. "I can do some research on Grindelwald; Aberforth, will you help me?"
"I can try," he grunted. "But I hated the wizard then, too; I doubt I'll be of any use."
"Luna, can you and Angelina snoop around the Ministry?"
"I do not think that is necessary, Ms. Granger," said Kingsley rudely.
"Oh, but it is. This mysterious woman is going to insert herself wherever she can get information, and what better place than the Ministry of Magic itself?"
"The rest of you stay on patrol," said Harry, before Kingsley and Hermione started an argument. Everyone got up and started to leave, when Harry was approached by Indira.
"Harry, I really think that the connection to You-Know-Who is important as well."
"I agree, but I don't know how to investigate it right now."
"Well, I have a theory; do you think I can go explore something near Ralph's home?"
"It could be dangerous."
"I know, but I think I have a really good theory on this and I want to try."
"Fine," said Harry, not sure why he was trusting this witch that he didn't know very well. "But take someone with you, like Tonks."
"Uh, actually, Harry, I would much rather go in Dora's place," interjected Remus.
"Why?" Harry asked confused. Tonks was an Auror, and a very capable witch.
"Because," said Tonks smiling. "I am pregnant again!"
Draco Malfoy – Present Day
January 16, 2001
"Draco, where are you off to?" Narcissa Malfoy asked her only son, as he made his way towards the front door.
"To find Hermione," he told her, throwing on his cloak. "I haven't spoken to her in over a week! She won't answer my galleon messages; I even sent her an owl!"
"I suppose she values her and her friend's lives after all," said Narcissa.
"What?" Draco asked, confused.
"Sit down, Draco, I would like a word with you." Draco sat down obediently; he would never disobey his mother. "Ms. Granger has made an agreement with me to never see you again."
"What?" he said, but in a very calm manner. "I thought you were okay with everything."
"Oh, Draco, did you honestly believe that I would let the Malfoy name be tarnished with a muggle's blood?"
Draco sat there stunned. "But my hearing… I am released on Hermione's engagement to me…"
"I have worked it all out, dear boy; there is nothing to worry about and no need for her to be around anymore."
"Mother…" Draco didn't know what to say. He loved Hermione, he could not say otherwise, but he knew better than to cross his mother. "Hermione would never have agreed to it," he decided to say.
"I made it worth her while," she replied.
"You threatened her?" Draco asked.
"And Potter and Weasley."
"And if I saw her, would you…?"
"Draco, I would do whatever it takes to ensure that your life is secure."
"My life is secure…"
"It is now, my dear son. Draco, you are a Malfoy; your future was designed years ago, before you even went to Hogwarts."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you truly believe that your father and I wouldn't have secured a proper witch for you? You are the last Malfoy; your bloodline is of the upmost importance!"
"A proper witch? Mother, what is going on?"
"You are not this stupid, Draco, so stop pretending. You are to marry the witch that your father and I chose for you years ago, that will preserve the Malfoy name and lineage. With everything going on, first with the Dark Lord, then with your father, there was no need to inform you of this information. But the time has come, Draco, and you are no longer a child. I have confirmed the marriage, secured the plans, and once this hearing is over with, you are to complete your Ritual Knot, followed by your wedding."
"I cannot complete a proper Ritual Knot with father in Azkaban!"
"I told you, Draco, I would do whatever it takes to protect you and the Malfoy name."
"Why do you care so much about the name Malfoy, anyway? You're actually a-"
"I am a Malfoy! I married Lucius Malfoy and I am honored to hold the name, as should you be! Now enough of this! Do not speak to Ms. Granger again, do you understand?"
"Of course, Mother."
"Very good."
"Just one more thing, though. Who is this witch that I am to marry?"
"Her name is Astoria Greengrass."
Gellert Grindelwald – Present Day
January 22, 2001
Gellert paced back and forth, trying to figure everything out in his mind. So, they knew that he had a witch helping him. That was alright; they had no idea who that witch was. He also now knew where the resurrection stone was located. "The Forbidden Forest, are you sure?"
"Positive, that's what Harry said at the meeting."
"And the Elder wand wasn't mentioned?" asked Grindelwald.
"Not its location; just that it was secure."
"You need to find out where it is located," Gellert said to him.
"I'm trying, but I can't give myself away, either."
"No, you can't. Well, the stone is a start… Are you still trying to get the cloak?"
The boy nodded. "I know it's always with Harry, but he doesn't actually leave it out in the open. I know I'll be able to get it at some point, though."
"Only when the opportunity presents itself, though; do not compromise your position."
"Is there anything else you need?"
"The precise location of the stone; the Forest is far too big to be able to locate it on our own."
"Got it."
"Thank you as always; you are very valuable to me, and I assure you, Dennis, we will avenge your brother's death."
Nymphadora Tonks Lupin – The Past
December 8, 2000
"Remus!" Tonks called out towards her husband, who was helping Hermione organize all the new Order members who were crammed into the front hall of Grimmauld Place, waiting for the protection charms to be placed on them.
"If everyone can stop shuffling around, please," Hermione was calling out to the group. "I know that it is a bit tight in here, but none of you can pass until I finish these charms, and to do that, I really need you all to cooperate!"
"Just keep casting the charms, I'll organize the crowd," Tonks heard Remus say to Hermione.
"Alright, Dennis, let's do you next."
"Hey, I was supposed to be next!" yelled Seamus Finnigan from the back.
"Please do not shove, Seamus, you'll knock everyone down!" said Remus, as he headed towards Seamus.
"Remus, I need to talk to you!" Tonks called to her husband, trying to fight her way towards him. "Ouch!" Tonks had fallen over and banged her head on a nearby stand.
"Are you alright?" came Indira's voice, rushing towards her.
"I'm fine, sorry!" she said, as she made to stand.
"Indira, wait, you can't go that way until I do your charms! Here, let me do them quickly." As Hermione started working on Indira, Tonks pushed through the crowd some more, trying to get closer to Remus. "Alright, Dennis, let's continue," Hermione said as she got closer to the young man.
"It's my turn!" yelled Seamus impatiently.
"You will be done soon," came Remus' voice from behind Seamus.
"Remus!" said Tonks happily, finally reaching her husband. Her enthusiasm to get to him, however, caused her to trip, and she fell right into little Dennis Creevey. "Oh, I'm so sorry, are you alright?" she asked him, trying to help him up.
"I think so," he said from the ground. "Ouch!" he yelled out, when she grabbed his wrist to pull him up.
"Oh dear, you must have hurt your wrist. Poppy is here, she will be able to help. Oh but, Remus… Oh, never mind then, come along." She helped Dennis towards the kitchen and out of the busy hall, when she realized that she couldn't bring him this far. "Your charms! Hermione must put them up first."
"She already has," replied Dennis, cradling his arm.
"Oh, good. Come along, then, and we will make sure you get patched up."
"Besides, it seems like we are always going to have some sort of threat; so is there really a point in waiting?"
Author's Notes: A shorter one, but an important one! Yes, Dennis Creevey is Grindelwald's spy! We will learn much more about that, so I won't say anything here. Also, in regards to the scene with Narcissa and Draco, there will be much more about that as well. Draco knows better than to say anything in front of his mother and that is why he was so obedient. This will be where we start to see just who Draco really is.
To reply to some reviews: I do not think Hermione is trying to insert Harry into this thing with Narcissa, she was actually trying to save him! And Harry has no idea either, so I wouldn't worry about it being a problem between him and Ginny at the moment. XxBloodheiRxX, thank you very much! I was actually smiling when I read your review, because most of what you were asking for was in this chapter! You will eventually learn more about the Malfoys and who is and isn't alive.
Hope you all are doing well and please keep on reviewing!