Disclaimer: Harry Potter, associated characters and setting belong to JK Rowling and whoever she shares the rights with, which does not include me. This is for entertainment purposes only, with no copyright infringement intended, or profit made.

Chapter 15: Exclamation

The next week was a quiet one. Harry and Hermione's friends dropped by and stayed in the workroom to watch the map expand. Neville claimed watching the wizarding population of England was like watching a drunken anthill. They moved all over, willy-nilly, with no regard for the shortest path possible. After all, if one forgot to buy bread when one got milk, it's only a floo away. This doesn't encourage any great organizational skill.

The map gave them a record for each day, since otherwise the chaos would be overwhelming. One might as well have just poured ink over the whole thing. Even Snape watched the map. He even discovered how to zoom in far enough that he could critique the St. Mungo's brewers on their wasted movements.

Luna claimed the map one day, to watch the reaction when her letter arrived at the DMLE. She said she wanted to know who all was consulted about it. Harry, however, suspected that she just liked knowing how much trouble she was causing. She did, however, make a list of all the Aurors consulted before the owl was sent back. She even noted their response time, Apparently, when a suspected mass murder and or Greek mythological vigilante spirit sends in a letter, you can get department heads to run in the halls of the Ministry.

The letter back was terse. It stated that there were no marked Death Eaters spying for the DMLE. It also started, tersely, that the DMLE was required to attempt to discourage any crimes it might hear of ahead of time. It asked if, instead of hunting, the Bogeywoman would consider turning over her intelligence to the professionals.

Luna authenticated the note, using an obscure identity spell on the hairs. Harry, however, was sure it was really them from the beginning. Their level of uselessness, and their confusion at wanting to root for the hunter, yet not being allowed to under the rules shinned through the letter.

.o.o.o.

Professor Snape starred at the letter in his hand. It had arrived at breakfast, and there was a note over the seal, asking for a prompt reply.

Professor Snape

Would you be available to be off-site this evening for an hour, on personal business?

Mr. X. L. P. Winster

Snape was rather sure he didn't know a X.L.P. Winster, but he was equally sure he had seen the name before.

He showed the letter to Minerva McGonagall, and asked if he could be excused from patrol after dinner, as he was curious. After listening to five minutes of advice to stay safe, and an added reminder that he really did need to socialize more, she let him out of his patrols, and offered get Professor Vector to cover his house while he was away.

It wasn't until he was walking out of the Great Hall, and heard Luna's giggling over the radio that he remembered where he'd read the name. It had been one of Luna's pseudonyms for a letter to the editor.

"Miss Lovegood, care to explain? Now."

"We're taking you off to visit with folks, on personal business. You'd be out of the castle, so we thought that we'd give you warning to find someone to cover your responsibilities here."

Snape though for a moment before he replied. He looked around, and checked for listing spells before asking quietly "Draco?"

"Yes, Sir. And he's not a mouse, nor injured. He's not eating well, so we though you could come lecture him on nutrition."

Snape sighed. "I was worried when you slightly improved dunderheads didn't say anything. I'd be glad to come lecture him on nutrition."

"That will make Winky happy. She worries about him."

"As do I. And I was about to start thinking you'd moused him."

"Um, well.. right, your appointment will be in the mousery at 7 pm, Sir. But he's not a mouse, Professor, we promised you that.."

"Thank you, Miss Lovegood."

.o.o.o.

Severus Snape walked down the hill the hill toward the Hogsmead gates, and disapperated promptly at 6:59 pm. He'd nodded to professor McGonagall, and Hagrid had walked down to close the gates for him, so he could head out immediately upon hitting the edge of the wards.

He appeared, also at 6:59, in a cramped basement that smelled of rodent and was filled with distinctive Lovegood giggling.

Snape looked around.

"Miss Lovegood, the mousery seems to have developed another door."

"Yes, sir. We weren't using the root cellars or wine cellars before. Now we are, so we created the door."

"Why wasn't the door there before? Surely the residents needed access?"

"Professor, it wasn't there because the elves just pop down for onions or carrots, so why have a door. The House of Black would never be without magical servants. The wine cellars, also, didn't have a door, since it kept under aged children away from the good brandy. Or, at least, that's what Winky said."

"And we're using that area now?"

"Yes, come along an see, since you've already guessed who we're storing in there."

Snapped followed Luna, and Harry, through the door. On each side there were three meter by three meter arched alcoves separated by solid walls. "There used to be a separate vegetable in each alcove. We just moved out the bad veggies, and added the bars and magic suppression."

"And we're rather thankful that the Hogwarts library had a do-it-yourself plumbing book." Harry added.

Snape stopped when he got to the only occupied cell. It was twelve feet by twelve feet, just like the others, although this one had 'roasting potatoes' carved above the arch. There was a solid but small bed, obviously bolted to the wall, with a lump curled up in the middle under a drab brown blanket. On the other side, there was desk-height table attached to the wall with a bench bolted the cell floor Beyond the table, Snape could see a muggle shower curtain, somewhat translucent, with bright yellow duckies.

"Duckies?"

"It's his bath area. We wanted to give him some privacy, but still know that he wasn't up to anything. It's a compromise."

"I wasn't arguing with the translucent curtain, but duckies?"

"It was on sale, Sir."

"Right."

Harry started explaining the cell to Snape. "He has all his school books, charmed to prevent damage, with a self inking quill. Winky provides parchment. His teacup, there, refills on command with a finger tap. Winky provides three meals a day, and two apples for snacks."

The lump moved.

Snape nodded. "You've done well to make it habitable. And given the other options, thank you."

With that, Draco's head finally emerged from the blankets, and snapped towards Snape. " Uncle Severus, you didn't just thank them for attacking, kidnapping, and sticking me in this prison."

"I did. You could be in worse places. You could be dead, or being tortured by the Dark Lord. You could be in the other room. This is the nicest prison cell I've ever seen."

"But..." Draco's voice was still uncharacteristically sharp.

"I did ask them to treat you better then the average Death Eater, since you're underage, and your participation could have been forced. And what happens, but that you don't eat, and they're forced to ask me to come talk to you. You're worrying the house elf, by the way."

"The house elf keeps muttering about bad boys who need love and fruit to make them better."

Harry laughed. "She watched Barty Crouch Jr go bad, she might know what she's talking about."

Draco looked over at Harry and Luna, where they were leaning against the far set of bars. "What are you two doing here. What are any of you doing here. And... " Draco's voice trailed off. He kept looking between the students and professor.

"We're here because we brought Professor Snape here. Well, Luna did. I'm here as Luna's backup because we don't visit the Death Eater cells on our own. It's a rule."

"And I'm here because they want you to eat. Because otherwise, Winky will complain about you to all of us, all the time."

Harry rubbed his temples away from his scar. "We don't have any problems with the other Death Eaters not eating. In fact, Avery looked a little chubby when I walked past."

Luna smiled over at him. "He could just be growing in his winter coat. And I think their instincts keep them eating, in that form."

Snape looked at a confused Draco. "Eat, study, keep yourself sane. Talk to Winky when she comes by. Write me letters. Just remember, this is the cell for those who've earned good treatment. Don't screw it up."

"If Avery is growing a winter coat... Is my father-" Draco took a breath "Is my father...?"

Harry and Luna looked at each other, and laughed. Harry, once he's recovered, looked at Draco. "Malfoy Sr. is a little patchy on the fur front, but he's ok. Last I saw he was nibbling on his toilet paper tube."

Draco winced.

"We talk to him on occasion. He's sane. He's just dealing with strong instincts, and teeth that keep growing."

"Can I talk to him?"

"No. Eat, read, write letters. Spend a week proving you're not going to be a pain. Then maybe."

Draco nodded.

"By the way, you were the only one in the school with the mark. We checked every damn arm."

"I... I can't see parent's liking that."

"The parents are actually about as upset that you got in with a dark mark as they are that the Bogeywoman got in."

"The bogeywoman got in... But you said you checked..."

"Goodbye, Draco. We'll send you your homework assignments with Winky. You won't be able to turn them in, but you can keep up."

"And, Draco, you will try to keep up."

"Yes, Uncle Severus. Will you visit?"

"Once a week, if I can."

"Without the Gryffindors?"

"Not until they trust you. They're not only backup for each other. They're also my back up."

"But why would I hurt you, you're on our side..."

Harry laughed, again. "If he were on your side, why would we let him in here?"

Draco's eyes widened as he looked at his godfather. "You're a traitor... a spy!"

Snape kept his voice even. "Yes. Since 1980."

"But... but. Why- How?"

"That's a long story, Draco."

"One he won't tell us." Harry muttered.

Draco spoke softly. "My whole life, you've been lying."

"Only about some topics. About most things, I'm as honest as I can be."

"I'll eat, Leave, please."

Snape nodded, and turned to the others. As they walked walked away, they heard a shout. "Wait, Wait, Professor Snape."

Professor Snape turned around to talk to him.

Draco was still sitting on the edge of his bed, looking rumpled and broken. "My mother?"

"Your mother had gone into a year of mourning. She has locked up the Manor, and refuses to leave it. I suspect she knows at least one of you is alive, since the Goblins are not reading wills nor closing out vaults, but she's decided full isolation, with family-only wards, is to her benefit. Bellatrix was saddened to learn she is not admitted by Malfoy family wards."

"So she's safe for a year."

"Technically she could claim a year of mourning for each of you."

"And the Dark Lord will respect that?"

"He'd be a fool to brake traditions and brake in for anything less then a complete win. Messing with the mourning widow of one of his followers would only loose him support."

Draco nodded slowly.

Professor Snape once again turned, and swept away, robe billowing behind him.

.o.o.o.

When the trio got back to the mousery, the mouse Malfoy was making an utter racket, upsetting his food bowl, and flinging his cardboard tube at the wire cage repeatedly.

"I think he's got good hearing." Harry suggested.

Luna leaned down to talk to him. "Draco's safe. He's not a mouse. He's got books, and ink, and parchment. He's got three meals a day, and two snacks. He's even got a refilling teacup. What he needs is time to adjust. We're going to give him that time before you talk to him."

Snape, looking at the panicking mouse. "I told them they couldn't make him a mouse. But, remember, Lucius, he has the Dark Mark. He's a valid military target. Be glad we're locking him away and letting him do his homework."

The mouse stopped breathing so fast.

Luna nodded at him sympathetically. "We told him he couldn't talk to you until he spent a whole week being a good boy, eating all his food, and keeping entertained. So no more mousey tantrums. You've mixed your kibble up in your bedding, and you're going to have to wait until Winky has time to clean it all. Think on that before you attack your food bowl next time, Mr. Malfoy."

As much as he might have tried, mice just can't produce evil glares.

.o.o.o.

Gibbons was found in the Hogwarts records. Slytherin, class of 1969, there was a Wendel Gibbons. That would put him in the right place and time to have made his school friends, as well as in prime Death Eater recruiting periods.

A covert search of public records and basic gossip performed by Snape brought up more information. He was an unmarried half-blood whose father was from a good family, but had not married his mother, leading to a lot of teasing while he'd been at school. He'd been a quiet student with above average OWLs and NEWTs. He worked for the Nimbus corporation, listed as a Quality Control Agent.

Given a full name, a working location, and Harry's map, their research was relatively easy. Harry copied over his movements for the past week from the records. Other then locating the Nimbus Factory, which Ron and Harry vowed to tour some summer, they learned relatively little. Mr. Gibbons was boring. He went to work, and came home. He disappeared off the map on the Thursday night at nine pm for an hour. Harry speculated he must have visited someone with wards better then his own, likely a Death Eater.

They tagged his dot with the Death Eater skull, and left a note by the map saying who it was, and to sound the alert if he was ever in public.

Luna, Neville and Ron all agreed he was boring, after spending time watching his unmoving dot.

Flitwick dropped by the workroom unannounced one afternoon, when they both had free periods. Luckily, Harry and Hermione had been working on inventing another object. They make a flashlight, with a switch, to be used by children and others. Harry explained that he hated using his wand for a Lumos spell in unknown territory, as one had to cast nox before you could try to get a shield up. They gave a lumos-light to Flitwick to give to Filch, knowing it was worth it to keep on (or get on) the caretaker's good side and keep the Charms Master enthusiastic.

Unfortunately, since they'd been surprised by him when he came in, they hadn't been able to hide the map from Flitwick when he came in. They'd thought they had managed to keep him distracted and looking the other way, until he squeaked, and turned fully towards the map. "Oh, I say. Your Death Eater is out and about... in Hyde Park."

Harry ran over to the map to look, while Hermione looked apologetically at Flitwick. "Professor, it would be very useful if you could step out into the hall for the moment."

"I understand. So long as you will show me that map in depth, contact who you need to contact."

As Flitwick went into the hall, Harry was readying his radio. As the door shut and Hermione hit it with a privacy spell, he was talking over the radio. "All call, all call. Gibbons, Hyde Park, Marble Arch corner. He doesn't seem to be moving. He's talking to a dot.. named Lupin. Damn. Repeat. All call, all call, Gibbons, Hyde Park. Marble Arch. We're pinned down talking to Flitwick. Go without us."

Harry nodded at Hermione, and she opened the door. "Professor. We've... we've alerted people. Thank you, for spotting that on the map."

"You're welcome. I was going to ask about the map, but when I saw that note, well, I do know that you students are involved in things. And watching a map and sending an alert if someone is out of wards, well, that's something I don't feel I have to report."

"Thank you, Sir. I guess... I guess you can understand our interest in WWN radios, if you've seen the muggle radio technology?"

"I haven't seen the muggle's uses for it, unfortunately."

"They... well, we can't show you in the castle. Hrm... They have radios that allow one person to talk to only those others who are on the same frequency... "

"Frequency?"

"Ummm.. Harry, could you grab me a physics's book? Here..."

Hermione continued to explain, using muggle science books, what their radios were doing, but not how. When he squeaked excitedly at the science for the fifth time, she pointed out the took she was using was for a fourteen year old audience. There were much more in depth books available. The Ravenclaw Head of house started browsing their bookshelves, with an eye to add to his library. Hermione surprised the little man by offering him a muggle pen to copy down titles.

Harry, however, was hovering over the map, which he'd folded and had in his hand, where it was out of view. He was listening along and watching, all the while hoping that the team would be able to get along without either him or Hermione, and deal with the added complication of Lupin being in the way.

Gibbons and Lupin were far enough into the park that they had a nice, open area around them. Harry didn't see any immediate threats around them, but Lupin was definitely talking to a Death Eater, which was concerning. Also, Harry was worried, because the map didn't tell him anything about either of their conditions. For all he knew, based on the map, Gibbons could be holding Remus at wand or knife point in the middle of a crowd of muggles. All Harry could do, short of confounding Professor Flitwick, was wait, watch and listen.

"Okay, we're meeting where?"

"Marble Arch Tube?"

"Because invisible people in a crowded tube station is a good idea."

"Right. Umm, Harry, got coordinates for trees or some such?"

Harry cast a privacy charm, then promptly stuck his head out of it. "Hermione, can you convert map to apparition coordinates for them?"

"Harry, you made them use the same coordinate system when you made the map. Just tap and ask for coordinate cross-hairs. Pick a tree or something, it works better then blank map."

"Right, thanks." Harry pulled his head back inside his bubble. "Here you go guys. It's a cluster of trees due north of where they're talking. Center of the cluster... " Harry gave them the coordinates. "Hopefully that means no Muggles will see you, but if you drop in on top of a snogging couple, I'm sorry."

Snape spoke. "We can confound snogging teenaged muggles. Ginny's wearing red, and centered. Everyone have their spot in the line?"

"Yup. From the left, Snape, Fred, Ginny, George, Neville, Ron."

"Lets move Neville to Snape's side. The Professor's gotten better at not tripping over people, and there's no need to bunch up the shielders."

"So, Nev, Snape, Fred, Gin, George, Ron?"

Ron spoke up. "That way, if needed, Snape and Neville can be mobile. Snape is a natural hexer, and Nev's shields are rock solid."

"Ok, twins are a go?"

"Twins are a go. Apperate."

Harry sighed. He hated being left behind.

.o.o.o.

There were snogging teens in the cluster of trees. Snape confounded them, and suggested homework as a replacement activity.

They had shrieked when the Hunter had popped in, so Snape sent them out shrieking and playing tag. It wasn't a good cover for the apparition pops, but it was better then unexpected screams that shut off abruptly. That's the sort of the thing that war hardened wizards pay attention to.

"Harry, they still there?"

"Still there, still stationary." Harry was watching the map like a hawk. He looked up to see Hermione wringing her hands, and Flitwick looking intrigued every time he talked. Harry pulled up his trouser leg to show the lump in his sock... his shrunken radio. Flitwick nodded.

"Ok, we're moving. It's a good thing the weathers bad. There's a few joggers on the paths, but it's mostly empty. We can see them."

"Remus ok?"

"Looks like a discussion. No wands visible, but we're in muggle territory. They may be up sleeves."

Neville weighed in. "It looks like a neutral discussion at least. There's no smirks or sneers, not that Professor Lupin sneers a lot."

"If they're having a friendly discussion, Lupin might be a difficulty. Potter, how are we handling incidental exposure to your pet wolf." Snape's voice wasn't sounding pleased, but since he was giving Harry the option of how to play it, Harry decided the animosity wasn't aimed at him.

"Distract him, turn him around, get him to leave. Hopefully, we don't get exposed. However, if it means exposing the secret... If he fights back, anything up to stunning him is ok. I... I don't know if we can turn a werewolf into a mouse. But if he's getting in the way, feel free to stick him a in spare cage. We can have Tonks retrieve him."

"Potter... Harry, You just made my day."

"If it's necessary..."

"Harry, we'll try to get Moony out of the way, but he's in close."

"Ok, we're in position. Weasleys, the elder, distractions, and confusion to the muggles."

"Mooney might just recognize the pranks and run, you never know. "

"Muggle safe fireworks at the other edge of the field in six... Five.."

Harry thought about it. Remus's dignity wasn't worth his friend risking themselves against a prepared Death Eater.

"Take advantage, guys. Just stun them both while they're surprised by the fireworks."

"Four. Three."

"Sure, Harry?"

"Yes."

"Two. One."

Boom. Crackle, Hiss.

"Stunners."

Boom. Crackle, Hiss.

"Got them."

Boom. Crackle, Boom.

"George, get Gibbons, Nev, Snape, Remus."

Professor Snape spoke. "I'm taking Lupin side-along. Get to safety."

Ron's voice was strong. "He's away. Scatter!"

Harry watched them all disappear of the map.

He unfolded another section, to watch them show up in the shrieking shack. However, he kept the corner of Hyde's park open. He watched for twenty minutes, but there wasn't any other magical activity.

"Good job guys. That didn't register enough to get anyone out from the ministry. The muggles will be confused about the fireworks, but that won't make waves in the magical world."

Snape came on over the radio. "Your wolf is in the cell across from Draco. That should confuse him enough to keep quiet. Plus, Draco could use the company."

Harry put the map in his pocket, and canceled his privacy bubble.

"We're ok, Hermione, stop worrying."

"I was listening, but still."

They both looked at Flitwick, who was watching them both with curious eyes.

"Yes, it's a complication. But he'd be a great addition."

"True. He won't be happy."

"Well, we know who to send to talk to him."

"I'm not sure that's fair. "

"Why not?"

"Sending her down there... with the others."

"Ah... Perhaps a side along straight into the hall? Although seeing the first room might be cathartic."

Flitwick raised an eyebrow.

Both Harry and Hermione looked at him.

"Toast" was all Hermione said.

Harry understood. They'd talk about it at the 'Monday' meeting over toast.

As Harry and Hermione started packing up in silence to go to dinner, Flitwick raised his other eyebrow. Harry took the time to explain to Flitwick that they'd appreciated his silence on the topic of their discoveries, especially the radio. When he argued that they were great inventions for the good of wizarding kind, Harry added a clause that they would appreciate silence until the end of the Voldemort threat. Once Flitwick was finished squeaking at the name, he nodded, and agreed to silence until the defeat of the Death Eaters and their Master.

Now Harry just had to explain to retired Auror Tonks they they'd 'accidentally' kidnapped her boyfriend, and that they were keeping him in a cell across the hall from a death eater. And then ask her help in getting him to swear an oath of silence.

AN Long Chapter. I think I'm trending longer as I figure out what I'm doing. Thanks for reading my Newb-ish story, and double thanks for the reviews.

Cm, Thanks for the review, and especially for the critique. I'll work on Snape's surly-ness.