Chapter 29

Her feet pounded against the pavement as she ran. She breathed in and out in deep, lung filling, intervals, and she could feel her heart thumping against her ribs as she focused all of her energy on another burst of speed.

They were so close now, they couldn't mess this up.

Her legs ached and her throat burned icy cold as she followed the graceful figure of her partner through the streets of Anger, France. In the distance, she could just make out the shape of a tall and lanky man dashing away from them. Every few seconds, the man would cast a spell, sending it spiraling in their direction.

It was funny how everything happened all at once.

Just an hour ago, she and Draco had been eating breakfast in uncomfortable silence. Forty five minutes ago, they had searched the fifth out of seven house for their quarry, to no avail. Fifteen minutes ago, they had finally found him. Well, sort of. He actually found them first --then ran.

They had arrived at the sixth house on their list. It was a medium sized cottage on the outskirts of the town. When they knocked, a very old and very dirty house elf had answered the door.

"Pouvons-nous parler au maître de la maison, s'il vous plait?" Draco had asked casually, his shoulders stiff and his manner cold. It was the same tone and inflection that he had been using to speak with Ginny all day. (May we speak to the master of the house, please?)

"I is having no Master, sir. Wanny only be having a Mistress." It was an obvious lie. The house elf was shaking as he spoke, and the outer and inner décor of the house was not done with a so called 'woman's touch'.

"You're lying."

It was then that everything fell apart. A loud crashing noise came from inside the house and the elf jumped to the side as a barrage of spells came shooting out of the open front door. Without even thinking about it, Ginny drew her wand and cast a shield around Draco and herself. There was a flash of light and spots formed in front of her eyes, blinding her. When the spells finally cleared and her shield crumbled, they looked around, only to see Avery running towards the center of town.

Draco gave chase immediately, and Ginny followed, bringing them to the here and now: running through unfamiliar streets and chasing one of the most wanted wizards in England.

Her hair whipped around her as she rushed to keep up with her partner's long strides. She could see that Avery was tiring, he was beginning to slow down ever so slightly and he was panicking -evidenced by the way he was now glancing over his shoulder.

He sent a curse towards Draco as he ran. A second later, Draco went rigid, the spell having found its target. He fell forward, and hit the ground with a soft thud.

"Ennervate!" Ginny yelled, aiming her wand at her prone partner. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that he was beginning to get up as she hurried past.

Another spell came flying towards her and she ducked her head, her eyes trying to take in everything about her surroundings as she darted towards her suspect.

His movements were becoming more and more lethargic as he ran, and Ginny caught up to him quickly. "Expelliarmus!" she yelled, and his wand flew out of his outstretched hand. He looked shocked for just a moment as he continued to move away from her.

With a rush of adrenalin, Ginny sprinted forward and leaped, landing on Avery's back and knocking him to the ground. "Petrificus Totalus," she muttered, before turning him over on to his back and standing up.

He looked up at her defiantly, his eyes narrowed, and Ginny laughed, her breathing ragged. "Looks like I caught a Death Eater," she mused playfully as Draco ran up beside her.

Avery's angry gaze turned from her to Draco, and his expression took on a look of disgust. "Traître! Vous osez vous associer à ce filth? Jet vous-même dedans avec ce riff-raff? Vous avez- aucune honte? Vous avez le sang pur entrer dans votre corps, vous avez un devoir!" ( Traitor! You dare to associate yourself with this filth? Throw yourself in with this riff-raff? Have you no shame? You have pure blood flowing in your body, you have a duty!)

With a flick of his wand, Draco silenced the older man and said with a bored drawl, "Je l'ai entendu." I've heard it.) He pulled a small coin from his pocket and tapped the tip of his wand to it. "Portus," he said loudly, and the coin glowed for a moment before returning to normal. He bent down beside their captive and placed the coin in the older man's hand, wrapping his fingers around the object before stepping back.

A moment later, Avery was gone.

"Where did you send him?" Ginny probed, and Draco smiled for the first time that day.

"He should have landed on Tonks' desk by now." He smirked at Ginny's horrified look. "What? She's a married woman now; she needs some excitement in her life."

Ginny laughed loudly. "You probably gave her a heart attack!"

He raised his eyebrows at her in an arrogant way before gesturing towards the town with a tilt of his head and outstretched arm. "We should get back to the hotel. Kingsley will be giving us a call any moment."

She nodded, and with two quick pops, they apparated into their room.

They both sat down on the couch that Draco slept on and looked into the fireplace, waiting. After a few moments, the gentle popping noises of the small fire licking the firewood changed to a slight roaring hiss. Kingsley's face appeared in the flames.

"Good, you're both here," he said and Ginny's eyebrows rose at her boss' tone. It almost sounded as if he didn't expect them to be in the same room. "Nice job on apprehending Avery. Have you been able to find anything yet?"

"No, not yet. We arrived at the house and he ran. We chased, caught, and then sent him to you," Draco drawled flippantly.

"Alright, I want you to search that house immediately. You have the rest of today and tomorrow to find me something worth looking at. We need evidence, proof, leads; anything you can find. I'm counting on you. Keep me informed," he said in his deep soothing tones before disappearing from the flames.

With some quiet groans of frustration and general griping, the two Aurors headed out once more, in the direction of Avery's cottage.

They returned only a few hours later, frustrated and exhausted from the day's activities. They had just spent six hours searching Avery's house and had come up with nothing worth reporting. The house was large and magical, however, and they trusted that they would be able to find something the next day.

Draco collapsed on the couch, one arm flung over his head and one leg lifted over the back of the settee. Ginny hobbled over to the bed with a yawn and lay back on the soft mattress. She extended her legs up into the air and removed her shoes, throwing them to the floor before peeling off her socks.

"Bloody house elf," she heard Draco grumble from across the room, making her laugh lazily.

"He wasn't so bad…"

"You didn't have him clawing at your legs while you tried to search the place!"

Ginny tittered quietly. "He was old and very protective. It was…"

"Annoying! Doesn't he know that he can get a real job now? He can get paid and be treated better. Ugh!" Draco groaned, making Ginny laugh louder.

"I think he started to really like you at the end there."

"Hrmph!"

"I bet that when we get there tomorrow, he'll be so excited to see you!" Ginny chuckled, squealing loudly in girlish giggles when Draco threw his pillow at her.

"Damn it, look what you made me do! Can I have that back now?"

"What?! You threw it at me! Obviously you don't want it." She teased, grinning widely at his growl.

"It's my only pillow. Come on," He coerced, his voice almost pleading. Almost.

"No, I think I'll keep it, thanks. It is very comfortable. Maybe I'll give it to your dear house elf friend tomorrow." Only silence greeted her, and she sat up, confusion etching her features.

"Draco?" Was he angry? What did she say?

"SNIX!!!!" Her partner snored loudly and she just shook her head, getting up and walking over to the couch.

She looked down at his form, stretched out at all angles. His mouth opened slightly as he snored, and his silver hair fell in waves around his face. She sighed, a small smile on her face as she removed his shoes carefully. With a flick of her wand, she removed his shirt and pants and covered him quietly with his blanket. She sat on the coffee table and ran gentle fingers through his hair, watching him for a few moments as he rested. He was truly beautiful.

She shook her head and stood. He was beautiful alright. He was also arrogant, self-centered, sneaky, cold… charming, kind, strong, and gentle.

She stared at the floor, her arms folded in front of her chest. Why did she have to feel like this? So drawn to him? So attracted? He could fill her with burning lust with just a look, and fill her with cold fury with just a few words. He antagonized her and aroused her. She had never felt passion like he ignited in her, and yet she still knew it was wrong somehow. They were too different.

But they did understand each other…

Ginny sighed and massaged her temples. She didn't want to think about it. Any of it. She was dating Harry. Harry Potter, her childhood love. The one that she had never really gotten over; not in five years of being apart.

So why did Draco's touch set her aflame while Harry's… didn't?

Argh! She was thinking again.

With one last glance at her sleeping partner, Ginny walked over to the bed and climbed under the covers. She turned the lights off with a quick spell and focused on taking deep even breaths, willing her body to sleep and her mind to silence.

o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o

"I think I've found something!" Draco called out through the house, and Ginny rushed over to him, passing by the elderly house elf that Draco had spelled to the wall with a Temporary Sticking Charm.

"What is it?" she asked as she followed his voice down a corridor she hadn't seen before. She saw him sitting on the ground, staring at the wall in front of him.

"There is a powerful spell on his wall. I think it might actually be a door that leads to another room, but I can't be sure. We'll need to call in a curse breaker," he articulated, his eyes never straying from the wall. He looked as if he was trying to see through it.

Ginny nodded and moved to the fireplace to floo Kingsley. Less than twenty minutes later, Bill Weasley came through the fireplace.

"Gin-bean? Where are you?" he called as he dusted himself off and Ginny rushed back into the room.

"Bill! They sent you?" she asked cheerily as she was folded in his embrace.

"Obviously. Why else would he be here?" Draco said sarcastically as he entered the room. He held out his hand and Bill shook it.

"Good to see you again," Bill said as he inclined his head.

"Likewise," Draco intoned.

"So, where is this curse?" the elder Weasley inquired, a large smile pulling at his deeply scarred face.

"This way," Draco answered, leading them towards the corridor he had found.

As they walked, Ginny looked up at her brother. "Why'd they send you?"

"Gin-Bug! I'm hurt! Aren't you happy to see your oldest brother?"

"Of course! It's just… what about the bank?"

"I still work there. I just occasionally work with the Aurors and Ministry on certain cases."

"You never told me that!" she pouted.

"Top secret. You understand, right?" He grinned at her winningly.

She rolled her eyes and pushed on his shoulder lightly. "Yes, I understand."

"Great!" he said as he grabbed her arm and pulled her into his chest, trapping her in a head lock as they walked.

"Bill!" she howled indignantly as he dragged her along. She looked up as they stopped in front of the cursed wall and saw Draco smirking down at her.

Wonderful. She wouldn't live this down for weeks!

She tugged at Bill's arm and he let her go, his attention focused on the wall in front of him. He rubbed his chin in thought as he gave the wall a once over -as if he were sizing up an opponent. After a few seconds, he stepped back and rolled up his sleeves.

"This is going to be a tough one, kids. You guys go ahead and keep poking around the house. I'll call for you when I've cracked it," he announced and Draco nodded, leaving the older man to his work.

Draco brushed his fingers along Ginny's arm. "Come on, 'Gin-bug'. Let's leave him to it."

She scowled at him and stomped down the corridor.

They were busy searching one of the many bedrooms for the second time when they heard a loud bang. Ginny's head shot up from the drawer she was going through, and Draco met her gaze warningly. Her eyes widened slightly and Draco could see the worry etched in her brow; a second later, she was gone, sprinting out the door and down the stairs.

"Shit," Draco cursed before running after her. "Ginny!" He chased her down, catching her quickly by the arm and turning her towards him. "Gin, it could be dangerous!"

"I don't care! He might be hurt, I have to—" She gasped, fighting against his hold on her.

"Ginevra! Just breathe. I'm sure he's fine."

She stilled in his arms and looked up at him helplessly. "I have to know. I can't loose another brother." As if her words gave her strength, she ripped herself from his grasp and ran down the corridor towards her brother.

When Draco caught up to her once more, he saw her kneeling on the ground, her arms wrapped around her brother, who was lying on the carpeted floor. The floor was covered in debris, and there were strange burn marks on the adjacent walls, but the wall was gone, blasted open. Just beyond the gaping hole was another room.

Draco had been right. His celebration was very short lived as he stepped over to his partner and her brother. Bill's eyes were closed and he looked almost limp in Ginny's arms. She had her head resting on his chest and she was sobbing quietly. Bill's eyelids fluttered open and he looked up at Draco with a small, sad smile. Draco exhaled in relief.

"I was so scared!" she cried, clutching to her brother's shirt.

"Gin-Bug, I think you hurt me more than the explosion when you knocked me down!" He mock scolded her and Ginny laughed, lifting her head and staring into his eyes.

"I thought…"

"I know," he said lovingly before ruffling her hair.

Draco watched in fascination as she stood and helped her brother up from the ground. She led him to the sitting room and helped him into a chair before asking if she could get him anything.

Bill just laughed at her. "You're acting like mom!" he said, and Ginny wrinkled her nose in distaste.

"I am not! Mom would have already been force feeding you soup while berating you for almost getting yourself hurt," she defended.

"Don't forget the next three days of coddling," Bill stated with a laugh and Ginny joined him.

Draco stood in the doorway, watching the siblings as they laughed.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Ginny probed quietly and Bill nodded.

"Yes, Mom. I'm fine. I think you're just using me as an excuse to slack off on your job. I did open that wall, after all." He teased and Ginny nodded.

"Fine. But I'm going to check up on you later," She said threateningly as Bill stood and made his way to the fireplace.

"Deal," he said, before stepping into the flames. "Bye, sis," he said before flooing out.

Draco watched her silently as she took a deep, calming breath. She turned towards him slowly. "Well, let's get on with it," she said, and Draco gave her a reassuring half-smile as they made their way into the newly opened room.

The room was large and had a high, vaulted ceiling. There were magical windows sitting on the walls that showed different seasons and sceneries. The room was plain, with only a few chairs, a desk and a cabinet.

The two Aurors made quick work of the room, pulling open drawers and cushions in their search for information. By the end of the night and their second run through of the room, they had found a spy-glass, some acid pops, various ingredients and potions, a few dark magic artifacts (that tried to attack them), a number of letters, and a notebook.

The letters seemed to be from the infamous Mr. X and seemed to be written in some non-magical code. The large leather bound tome, when opened, proved to be blank.

When Draco opened the notebook, only to find it unused, he almost tossed it aside, but Ginny stopped him quickly. "Give it here," she said, eyeing the book with great interest as he handed it to her. She bit her lip and flipped to the first page.

She stared at the page quietly and pulled her wand from her pocket. After only a moment of hesitation, she closed her eyes and swished her wand. "Aparecium!" she whispered, and ink seeped onto the blank pages, forming words in a curly male script.

Draco stood quickly and moved beside her, looking over her shoulder. "It's a list," he said and Ginny opened her eyes slowly, seeing that it was indeed a list. A list of names.

Her breath caught as she flipped through the pages. There were pages and pages of names and addresses. She followed the words with her finger. "These are the names of the victims," she gasped and Draco nodded.

"And dates. Look," he murmured while pointing to the dates listed in the column beside the names. She remembered from her paper work that those were the dates that these families had been taken and their houses destroyed, all in the name of Muggle slave-trade and wizard superiority.

She flipped the pages forward and her chest filled with both sadness and excitement. "Some of these dates haven't happened yet. Draco, this is exactly what we need! We've found our proof!"

Draco let out a short chuckle of relief; they had found it. Their work wasn't done yet -not by a long shot, but with this notebook, they would be able to save potentially hundreds of people, and they would be much closer to getting to the bottom of their case.

Ginny smiled up at him and he almost wanted to reach down and kiss her, share their excitement together, but he held off. He needed to be patient, now was not the time. "Let's finish up here. See if there is anything left and get back to the hotel," he muttered and she nodded, shrinking the letters and notebook and placing them in her pocket before searching some more.

o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o.o.o.

Two hours later, the house had officially been searched, top to bottom, and back again. They Apparated back to the hotel and sat on the couch, papers strewn all around them, as they compared the notebook's list of names to their own list of victims. When they were done, Ginny stretched languidly and forced her lips together as she suppressed a yawn.

"I'm going to grab a quick shower," she announced.

"Alright. I'm just going to floo Kingsley and tell him of today's progress," Draco responded.

Ginny smiled at him sleepily before making her way to the bathroom. When Draco heard the water turn on he moved over to the fireplace and called his boss.

"Auror Malfoy, what do you have for me?" Kingsley asked him, his voice deep and calm.

"We've found something, sir. It looks like a list of victims and potential victims."

"Excellent…"

"But," Draco cut in, "we were unable to search any further today. There may be more in the house, more things of use." Draco lied smoothly.

"You're asking for an extension?"

"Yes, sir. Just one more day, so that we can be one hundred percent sure there is nothing else…" he said, schooling his expression into one of utmost seriousness.

Kingsley looked to be in deep thought for a minute before nodding his head decidedly. "Alright. One more day and one more night, but that is all."

"Yes, sir."

"I will see you in two days time," Kingsley said gruffly before ending the call.

Draco pulled himself from the flames and saw Ginny standing across the room in her night dress, drying the ends of her hair with a towel. "What did he say?" she asked.

Draco tore his eyes away from her, his body feeling warm as certain parts of his anatomy twitched to life. He swallowed deeply and looked at her once more, his expression unreadable. "He says that he's proud of our progress, but he wants us to stay for one more day and search the house again. Make sure we didn't miss anything."

Ginny gave an aggravated sigh. "We already searched that entire house. There is nothing else to find!" she exclaimed.

"I know," Draco said in a 'what a shame' tone. He watched Ginny from the corner of his eye as she stomped around the room, clearly displeased by his news.

"Hey, why don't we just…skip it?"

"Skip it?" she asked incredulously.

"You said yourself that there is nothing left to find in that house. Why not just skip it?"

"And do what?" she looked at him suspiciously.

"I don't know… I mean this is your first time in France, and you haven't even seen any of the sights," he drawled, a strange little smile curving his lips. "What about Paris? You can't visit France and not see Paris." He continued and could see her shoulders visibly relax. He had her.

"Paris?" she repeated meekly.

"Of course. I've been there a number of times, I'd love to show it to you," he said softly. He didn't want to push too hard, or she would become suspicious again. He had to deal with this carefully, pull at her childish dreams and angle it just right.

"I... I wouldn't know what to do with myself," she mumbled, and Draco's eyebrow raised just the slightest bit in victory. Take that, Potter. He almost hated using his tricks on her, but this was war, and Ginny was the ultimate prize.

"You'll be fine," he assured. "We should get some rest so we can leave early…"

"Oh. Of course," she said in a daze as she slipped under the covers and Draco dimmed the lights.

As he lay back on the couch, Draco thought that he could just barely make out his partner's whispered word of "Paris…"

A/N: Thanks to my recent reviewers! QueenBee11, babi-gurl-chels, okayummstfu, GinnyGINvampire00 aka Evon, Blairmalfoy22, CanYouLovetheImaginary, Dracoginnylover24, gh0ulish, kasey and tina 07, robin, Bella118, grannyHPfan, harrypotterchick4ever , Rebecca Munin, SilverUnicorn66, AuntAnnie, Tanelle, cheveuxrougefaux.

So tired, its been a rough week, so I'm off to bed! Tell me what you guys think! (: