Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters sadly

(a/n) it seems like I always have to take long breaks before I can come back to finish stories. I don't think writing is something you should rush you know let it come naturally…lol 5 years is a long time but hey it's a good story so far right people?

Chapter 15 – The Question

(Somewhere near Malfoy Manor)

Its fine…no I'm not in need of backup as it is…yes he has been acting strange lately…none of my affair I'm tied up enough watching the Malfoy's…he & Granger have returned…no nothing so far…I will…

Cornelius Fudge walked slowly from his desk and towards his fireplace, his office was dimly lit & eerily quiet. He reached down and gripped a piece of wood to throw into the fire. As he tossed it into the flames they burst upwards sending him stumbling back a figure flew from the fireplace & landed on the floor.

Fudge eyed the crawling figure carefully reaching for his wand. "Potter?" he said curiously.

Harry stood to his feet brushing himself off staring at Fudge in silence for a moment. "Hello," he finally murmured.

Fudge slowly lowered his wand and returned it to his side. "What can I help you with Mr. Potter?" he asked, the curious tone still dripped from his voice his words seemed to tremble as he spoke them.

Harry noticed Fudge was sweating profusely and fidgeting a lot but he paid it no mind. "Fudge I'm sure you are monitoring the Malfoy's movements & actions," he began. "I was curious as to why you haven't attempted to stop him."

"Harry my boy you must understand the Malfoy situation is a delicate one not something that can be rushed into," Fudge turned and moved towards his desk as he spoke. "Evidence must be gathered, legal rights have to be respected I-"am a coward." Harry interrupted him.

Fudges eyes lit up but he said nothing. "Draco and his death eater father are attempting to become immortal and you let it happen because of legal rights?" Harry's words flew like darts & struck Cornelius Fudge in the heart. "Do you think Malfoy respects the legal rights of those he murders?"

Silence…Fudge said nothing just stood and listened, his movements where becoming noticeably awkward and he himself seemed not himself to Harry. He secretly moved his hand towards his wand.

"Fudge what is the matter with you?" he asked moving slowly towards his desk. Fudge was now shaking violently he had taken his seat and continued to shake. Sweat rushed down his head and neck soaking his body. He clenched the edges of his chair digging into the fabric and cushion, Harry drew his wand.

"Fudge," he repeated sternly. "Answer me." The phoenix feather wand pointed forward.

Fudges skin began to melt. He reached up fearfully and began trying to pull it back up to no avail. "Oh no, oh no." he cried out scrambling around his desk looking for something. His skin continued to melt away and he began to shrink in size becoming green as this happened.

"A fraud?" Harry whispered as he watched the polyjuice potion wear off before his eyes. The potion finally wore off completely and an elf was left standing there fear spread across his face. "WHERE IS CORNELIUS FUDGE?" Harry demanded.

"I, I don't know." The elf stammered. Harry fired a blasting charm inches away from it making the elf jump. "I don't know!" it shouted again. "The Malfoy's only gave me instructions to-"AVADA KADVERA!" the elf collapsed to the ground dead.

'What the hell?' Harry gripped his wand tight and spun around quickly. "Who's there?" he bellowed.

A familiar mysterious laughter filled the room. The shadows seemed to expand like evil shadows reaching out to Harry. "Lumus," Harry fired the charm around the room sending light all around.

Lucius Malfoy stepped slowly from a shadow. "Harry Potter it has been some time since I've seen you." He said as if he cared for the pleasure Harry however fired a blasting charm at his feet signaling him not to move.

"Ah Mr. Potter please," Lucius said dryly. "If I had wanted to fight you the killing curse would have hit you instead of the elf." Harry didn't lower his wand. "Potter it turns out I need you," Malfoy finally broke the silence. "For what I cannot say but the time for us to battle is not now."

"I'm tired of your deceptive games," Harry cut in. "you and your son are going to die." Malfoy began to laugh.

"I highly doubt that Potter," he replied. As he spoke his body began to fade like the wind he was apparting. "We will meet again soon Potter."

Harry stood in the office alone confused and alone his thoughts and heartbeat the loudest things in the room.

Hermione dashed and darted around her room emptying the dozens of bags she had brought home from the mall. Dresses, purses, shoes, jewelry, makeup, and other things a woman would love to have purchased for her. Diamonds sparkled as she removed them from the bags and tried them on. Gucci and Prada handbags, dresses made by designers she couldn't pronounce it was heaven.

'Why would Malfoy do all of this?' she wondered as she spun around in the mirror modeling a dress and earrings.

The door opened behind her and Malfoy entered the room grinning from ear to ear. "Hello my dear," he nearly whispered. Hermione spun around quickly.

"I wish you wouldn't call me that," she replied returning to her gifts.

"Well," Malfoy began. "I have a question I need to ask you my dear."

(Hagrids Hut)

"Harry will need his best friends help if he is to defeat both Malfoy's," Dumbledore explained to Hagrid.

Hagrid had begun to recover nicely from the wounds, the now deceased, Severus Snape had caused him. "So send em some type of magical assistance then," Hagrid replied and Dumbledore looked away. "I know ya'd be breakin the laws and whatnot but I feel this is a wee bit more important."

"You're right," Dumbledore replied. "You're right Hagrid."

Hermione's eyes lit up and her hands covered her mouth as she watched Draco kneel before her reaching for his pocket. She knew what was coming.

"Hermione," Draco began. "Will you marry me?"

She gasped for air and looked around the room waving herself with her hand. She jumped around a little and giggled like a little schoolgirl. Draco had her.

"NO!!!" she bellowed nearly knocking Draco off his feet. "You think I would marry you and forget what you've done just because you bought me some expensive gifts?"

Draco laughed. "Oh no my dear I didn't," he replied coldly. "The gifts are so you can look nice you're going to marry me regardless." He waved his hand over her face and Hermione collapsed to the ground. "I just wanted to have a laugh,"