The Leaky Cauldron had never seen better days. Ginny had found a muggle farmer who sold vegetables to her cheaply, and another who sold her meat at a reasonable price. Finally, food at the Leaky Cauldron was good, and due to the prices, business was booming. Ginny knew it was because of the ten pearls that still resided in a container in her bedroom, but she didn't mind.

Hermione sat in the corner of the pub with a bowl of soup, and Ginny bustled over to sit with her. She grinned as she sat.

"Going well?" Hermione asked unnecessarily. The redhead's eyes were alive again, her hair looked vibrant, and she seemed to be sleeping well. Her gaunt face had filled out a bit with regular meals.

"Of course," Ginny replied, taking in Hermione's straightened hair and new cut. "Yourself?"

Hermione smiled slightly. "Yes, rather."

"Your parents are good?"

Hermione laughed. "They're about ready to kick me out! I don't think they realised how much they've come to appreciate their freedom. I'm looking at a unit down the street. Maybe you'd like to move in with me?"

Ginny considered. "Maybe, but I do like being on the premises. The University is a long way away from here," she added.

Hermione tilted her head. "I've been considering going into business for myself," she said. "I think I've had enough of the Muggle world again."

"Ron's moved back in with mum and dad; you might run into him at Diagon Alley if you come back," she added.

Hermione's face closed for a moment. "I know," she murmured. "But I can't hide forever." She brightened a little. "I've been thinking about doing mail-order things – maybe handy charms, or little potions or something. Perhaps even charmed items!"

Ginny smiled. "Sounds like a good plan; it'll go well for you," she added with a wink. Hermione grinned back.

"So," Ginny moved the conversation on. "Have you got in contact with anyone yet?"

Hermione frowned. "Well, I've spoken with Neville and managed to convince him that it's a good idea. I made a ring for him, and he's wearing it most days. Hannah Abbot was a bit reluctant – she was never really a friend at Hogwarts, and doesn't really trust me very much. But she's wearing it. I'm still trying to track down Luna."

"And Blaise?" Ginny pushed.

Hermione scuffed a shoe under the table. "I don't understand why you insist on involving him. He's…"

"A Slytherin," Ginny broke in. "And we need a balance of power, Hermione; not another monopoly. He was never a Death Eater. It's necessary."

Hermione pouted, and Ginny waited for her to demand that she do it. But Hermione squared her chin, set her shoulders and nodded. "I suppose you're right, Ginny. I'll try to find him. I don't like it, but I suppose it's necessary."

Ginny nodded, then looked back over at the bar. "I've got to go serve, Hermione; I'll see you on Saturday?"

Hermione nodded. "I'll tell you more about the flat then." She stood, gave Ginny some coins, kissed her friend on the cheek and left. Ginny made her way back to the bar, put the coins in the money box and turned to the waiting man.

"How can I help you?" She asked brightly.

The man was tall, even sitting on a stool at the bar, and he had long black hair that was tied back at the nape of his neck. His gaze was piercing as he looked at her.

"Are you Miss Ginevra Weasley?" He asked quietly, forcing her to strain to hear his words.

"Yes," she replied uncertainly. Why would this man know who she was?

"I have a message for you," he said. Ginny's stomach began to clench, and she could feel her heart pounding.

"I would be happy to receive it," she said in the calmest voice she could manage.

"Do you have a private room in which I may deliver it?" The man's black gaze moved over the sparse inhabitants of the pub. Ginny's mind ran over the back rooms of the establishment, and chose one that presented the least chance of the man being able to escape if he chose to knock her out and carry her off.

"This way," she indicated, and led the way behind the bar. She caught the waitress's eye on the way out, and she held up five fingers. Ginny nodded.

They walked up a staircase and into a small private meeting room. Ginny indicated for the man to sit, but he declined with a shake of his head. She shut the door.

"Mr Malfoy would like you to know that someone at this premises trespassed on his property three weeks ago. He wishes for the culprit to be caught and brought to justice."

Ginny could feel her heart in her mouth, and struggled not to let her panic show. "That's terrible!" she exclaimed. "My patrons come from all walks of life, but I never imagined that one would use this place as a basis for illegal activities…" Ginny rubbed a hand over her face. "I will go over the books, see who was here… three weeks ago, did you say? Did you follow the trace to any particular location?"

The man shook his head. "This address was as localised as was possible to trace. Here is the date, and the results of the spells." He handed over a sheet of parchment. Ginny took it, forcing her hands to keep still. She folded the parchment, put it in a pocket.

"I will give it my highest priority. Would you like me to interview the people who were here, or shall I pass that information on to you?"

"You may pass that information on. Send a warded letter via owl post to Seeker at Seeker Services, and I will follow up." Ginny nodded curtly.

"I will do so," she said. "Is there anything else?"

The man stood there for a long moment. He was preternaturally still, and Ginny absurdly thought that he looked like a cat waiting to pounce. But after a long silence, he shook his head. "No, that is all. If you have not contacted me within a fortnight, I will return."

Ginny accepted the warning, and showed him out. Once he had left, she collapsed into a chair – in the kitchen – and shivered for a long time.