Chapter Five

The fire grate spun brilliant shades of vivid green, with the grace of a Malfoy, Draco folded out perfectly from the base of the fireplace, not a hair out of place or a wrinkle in his fine robes of silk black, with silver along the edge of the fabric. He stood there in the cool and dimly lit pub, and stared shrewdly around. His eyes flashed over faces briefly, sometimes stopping longer on certain wizards and witches. After a quick look to all the private booths, and when he saw nothing or no one out of the ordinary, he stepped forward satisfied, toward the private booths, which had their own cast iron doors and a tiny little window just large enough for one to see out. With his robes swaying behind him, it was really quite rare, that Draco was out by himself without his two friends, to make sure no one started anything, and instead, they were at Malfoy Manor, in his intimate corridors, waiting on his or Cherity's message. If Skeeter had everything he needed, he would need a few more hands and eyes to go through these particular documents. They would have no idea why he needed them, but then again, Crabbe and Goyle never asked questions. He debated on getting a hold of Blaise. He knew, his best friend would help, even if he did ask a million and one questions.

When he got to the back booth, he opened the iron door, and stepped into the booth, only to find the presence of one Rita Skeeter, sitting at the table, drinking tea. Her curly blonde hair was up in a messy clip and her nails were chipped something terrible. He had a feeling; this had something to do with Hermione Granger and her hold over the reporter, who had been found out to be an animagus. She had black rimmed glasses over her blue eyes.

"Ms. Skeeter?" said Draco's voice coolly.

She looked up, "Ah, Mr. Malfoy." she gave him as cheery of a smile as possible, as she held out her hand, slender hand.

They shook, and he sank down opposite of her, adjusting his robes, while doing so. Tom came bustling over, entered the private booth, "What will it be Mr. Malfoy?" He said, pleasantly.

Draco simply ordered a gillywater and waited for the man to come back with it and leave before he began.

"Cherity?" said Draco, out loud.

When she appeared, she bowed gracefully, and beamed at him. "Silence the door." Cherity squeaked and did as she was told; with a snap of her fingers it was silenced. "Thank you." He gave her a sharp nod.

Cherity bowed and disappeared, leaving Rita to give him a small smile, "I was surprised to receive your urgent owl. I had no idea, that I would be in touch with you ever again, but as it is, what is it that you are wanting from me, Mr. Malfoy?" she asked, in an amiable voice.

Draco's eyes flickered over to her, and for a moment, he thought about using her illegal animagi against her. However, Hermione Granger already had that over her head. Instead, he pulled out a dark purple money sack with a gold string wrapped tightly around the expanding cloth. He placed it on the table right between the two of them.

She stared at it, her eyes glittering suddenly, "W- what do you need?" She said, hungrily.

Perfect, though Draco. She was desperate. "Every file you own on one Cornelius Fudge, and with those files, I mean from school, school friends, right down to his favourite dessert." He nudged his money sack.

She stared at it, "That's a lot of information," she said, slowly, "how much?"

"20,000." He really had fifty thousand in gold on him, if he really needed it, but he doubted it, seeing the shape she was in, from the lack of slandering the famous.

"When do you want them?"

"I need them in confidence. No one is to know, that I am using these. I'll throw in five thousand more," he said, casually, "For a Secrecy Charm, overlooked by house elf." He arched an eyebrow, waiting for her answer.

"You have yourself a deal Mr. Malfoy." she said nearly breathless.

"That's not all." said Draco, slowly. "I also, need information on the people around him, who are the absolute closest, including his dear wife and children."

She smirked, "That's all included." she told him.

"Good. If I need you..."

"I will be at your assistance." said Rita Skeeter, swiftly. "Shall we meet in two hours? I have a special room full of Ministry files."

Draco gave her a nod for his answer, before taking a long drink of gillywater. Well, if there are five crates, he would definitely need Blaise's help.

Eighteen hours of no sleep, continuous cups of coffee and tranquilizing potions later, Draco had sitting in front of his study desk a list of names, people, their places, and their association with Fudge. Crabbe and Goyle had passed out in the guest rooms and Blaise was fast asleep on his leather loveseat, feet draped over the arm, and his mouth open snoring very ungracefully.

Dark rings wrapped around his blue eyes, as he rubbed his forehead and flipped open the information that he had narrowed down. Anything, that had sounded fishy, he pulled, anything that sounded like anything but a future Minister was also pulled and placed in front of his desk, that was now in complete disarray. Scratching his head, he shook his head and flipped over to one file. Helix Hudson.

One of Fudge's best friends, from first year onward. Fudge, was not a Hufflepuff, like Draco had suspected and he wasn't a Slytherin either. He was a Ravenclaw, made Prefect and Head Boy. But, that was just all simple facts, nothing suspicious. However, what was suspicious was this particular friend, who was now residing in St. Mungo's on the exact same ward that the Longbottoms were stationed, and another suspicious thing, was Cornelius Fudge's other two school friends from Hogwart's both died that same year, of mysterious causes.

This was worth looking over. But, only after he had a few hours of rest. He wouldn't be able to think properly if he didn't. He sank back and slouched like Harry would do. A simple but tired smile swept across his features, as he thought of Harry.

He couldn't get mad at him. He didn't know what it was, but there was something about Harry, that just would not allow Draco to get upset. He should have been steamed, at Harry getting attacked by Dementors and nearly killed, when he had warned him time and time again. Draco had every intention on going into that small bedroom, and chewing him out. Not only did, Harry scare the hell out of him, but he also put his life in danger. He knew, Harry was restless, tired of being confined. Hell, he would be too. But, that didn't escape the fact, that Draco nearly had a heart attack over him.

Then, Draco saw it. The very thing that made his heart jerk and pump more vigorously. He saw Harry in a corner, looking guilty and helpless. It wasn't exactly a sight, Draco could lash out on, and so instead, his heart melted, and he had no choice but to sink down and wrap his arms around Harry.

Draco felt himself wake up just a bit, at the memory. He had asked himself time and time again, how'd this happen? Draco was not a mellow person. Someone do something stupid, he was going to point it out, even Blaise, he'd make his best friend out to be a laughing stock if it the mood was right. But, with Harry, he couldn't do that. Was it, because he had already been through so much? With no help from his own self, of course. Draco in the previous years made his life a living hell. All to gain what? Nothing.

Draco refused to be stupid any longer, he refused to stand behind his father, and become an ideal model. One thing as a father, that Lucius Malfoy had done right by him was allow him to take his own path. He knew that the Dark Lord wouldn't like it, but if anything, Lucius Malfoy would simply say, 'I've disowned him.' That would be enough for the Dark Lord, Draco supposed.

Stifling another yawn, this one so large that tears of exhaustion drained out of his eyes, he shook his head, and felt his jaw stiffen. Enough, intense thinking, at four in the morning, thought Draco staring at his pocket watch.

After only five hours of rest, Draco was up again. This time however, he was not going to do research, instead, he would be making a stop at Helix Hudson's relatives, and try and persuade them to sign a slip that he could speak with Helix Hudson. But, first, he would have to inquire that the man was still alive.

To Draco's surprise, none of this took longer than two hours. The Hudson's, which consisted of Helix's mother, Ruthann and Helix's younger sister Esmeralda, were very happy to talk about the good qualities that Helix Hudson had possessed, and about how talented and smart he was. Always wanting to be a photographer, ever since he was six years old.

Then Draco charmed them, before asking about meeting with him and talking to him in private. The two had been so captivated by Draco's charisma that they immediately granted him permission. Soon after, Draco made his way to St. Mungos.

As soon as the nurses allowed him access to the corridors in which Helix Hudson was stationed upon, the teen saw him. He was definitely older and more care worn, but it was him. The school picture of Helix Hudson was a teen of great looks. He had flighty straw coloured blonde hair and a boyish face. His eyes were the colour of chestnut and he had a carefree looking disposition. He was thin, with squared off shoulders, and he slouched just a bit.

This, Helix Hudson was none of the above except for the eyes and hair. His face was round, and although he was skinny, his body had taken on a boxed shape, due to the lack of exercise and being confined to one bedroom all his life. He was wearing light blue pyjamas, with the bottom three buttons ripped off, and white strings hanging down from where they had at once been attached. His hair, while straw colour, had grey at the roots, and it spread around like someone had dumped cigarette ashes in his hair. He was glistening pale, more than him and more than even Harry. His face looked twice what it ought to be.

The nurse smiled and left him alone. The door closed, and the man didn't move.

"Mr. Hudson?" said Draco, in a low tone.

The man jerked, and he stared upwards, his eyes widen, when he saw Draco, "You?"

"I am a friend of your mothers?" tried Draco, unsure of how to go about this, as he took two steps closer.

"Mummy." he breathed, looking up with innocent eyes. "Pictures!" He then said, pointing.

Draco looked over his shoulder, where pictures had been taken and then placed into the Potion Dye, they were moving and in bright colours. "That's amazing." said Draco, pretending to be full of interest. "Did you do that?"

"Pictures!" he said again and pointed.

Draco nodded, "Who are they?"

Helix frowned, and looked down like a little boy would and he began to play with his shirt. He shrugged.

Draco walked over and pulled up a seat, "Are those from your old home?"

"Home?" Whispered Helix, raising his head. "Mummy, home, pictures." He stared far off.

"Helix?"

Helix Hudson turned his head, and stared at Draco, "Me!" He said, holding up his hand, like a child would in primary class.

Here it was, thought Draco, as he pulled the bag he had been carrying and pulled out a white tin. "Fudge?" Offered Draco, pulling it back and exposing the chocolate pieces.

Helix froze. His dark eyes had deep concentration on it, as if he was remembering something. Draco arched an eyebrow, "Fudge?" He repeated, gently.

"Bad!" Helix spluttered, "Bad, bad!"

"What?" asked Draco, glancing over his shoulder, to see three nurses standing by in case one or the other was to get violent. "What's bad, Helix?" asked Draco, in the most careful voice he could muster.

"Fudge." He said, staring blankly at the tin. "Pictures."

Draco leaned back, "Pictures? Those pictures?" he pointed, behind him.

"Birdie!" He said pointing behind him, to a large Raven picture.

Draco arched an eyebrow, "Raven? Fudge?"

Helix nodded, "Fudge! bad, bad!" he quailed.

"Okay," Draco studied the portrait behind Helix for several long moments. It was ordinary, in a silver frame with black onyx gems, and in the middle was a glorious raven, with grand feathered wings and behind it many colours from random potion dyes, of blue, yellow, green, and red. The dyes were swirling around the flapping fowl.

It was a beautiful photograph, and it looked more like a moving painting than a photo, except for the gloss over it. Was he saying, that Fudge was a Ravenclaw, and he was bad? He knew, Fudge was a Ravenclaw, but why was he bad?

Then as though the answer was staring him in the face, he stood up, and casually walked past Helix and to the large Raven photograph. "Beautiful picture." Said Draco, as Helix began snacking on the fudge, Draco had brought.

Helix turned, chocolate all over his face, "Picture!" He pointed. "Birdie! Secret."

Secret? Draco's eyebrows arched, and he crossed his arms, as he stared at it, narrowing his blue eyes up at the image on the wall. What was secret about it? His eyes went up along the edge of the frame and then down to the bottom and then to the side and that was where he saw it. A glint of gold sticking up from behind the frame. You'd never notice it because the colour yellow was in the background; with one look over his shoulder to the glass door, he reached his fingers in, and pulled out a gold key. It had two little teeth, and was very small, had to have been specially made.

Now this, was something. But what did it go too?

Draco turned, and held out the key and showed it to Helix, who had finished half the tin, however, Draco wondered just how much of it made it into his mouth.

"Bad!" he pointed. "Bad, bad!" His face screwed up suddenly, and he looked down at the ground, he looked like he was trying hard to remember. "Oooh." he said, tapping his mouth. He giggled to himself, his mind suddenly going from concentration back to his mental state; he placed the tin of chocolates down and ran over to his little bed, barefoot. He had a giddy look upon his face.

Draco followed, and saw that he was now on the floor and had pulled out a stuffed animal. This stuffed animal was a Hogwart's bear. It was all blue, and it had a t-shirt with a raven on it and then across its neck and arm was, 'Head Prefect - Helix Hudson.'

"Pressie!" said Helix, holding out the bear. "Pressie."

Draco reached out for the bear, and took it. It was soft, of course, but what was the significance of this teddy bear. Instinctively, he ran his hand up and down the body of the bear,

"Soft!" declared Helix, with a smile.

"Yeah, very soft." Draco turned it over and then ran his hand up and down the head and then he stopped when he reached the neck, he felt a very small hole. Upon further inspection, he noticed that the gold key would fit. Draco looked up to see Helix bouncing on the balls of his heels. He looked over at the chocolate, "Chocolate!" He said, blandly.

The man ran back over at that, leaving Draco to the stuffed animal. With his back turned to the door, he delicately inserted the key. He twisted it, and surprisingly enough the bear's neck opened up, but instead of meeting white fuzz, he met a white envelope packet. He reached in and pulled the white packet out, locking the bear he placed it on the bed. Draco glanced at the door for the thousandth time, the ladies were laughing and talking with one another, not even paying attention to Draco, who pulled along the sticky top; he reached in and pulled some photos out, this he was sure of, the smell and the way they felt. When he did, he met a white sheet of paper, and behind that paper, was something that made Draco's mouth fall flat open.

"Holy fuckin' shit!" He breathed.

The answer had become so clear, as to why, Fudge's friends were dead, all but this one.