I hope everyone has a wonderful and very Merry Christmas.

This chapter was hard to write. I'm not sure why. Let me know what yall think.

Chapter 16

Falling

January 30, 1999

Blaine, Washington, United States

"I know you don't watch American football over in England but you're really going to enjoy this game. It's going to be a lot of fun. You said you've been watching some since you moved here back in September, right?" Josh asked Michael as they sat down in Josh's living room.

Josh was having a Super Bowl party. The Tennessee Titians were playing the Saint Louis Rams. Michael was excited to watch the game. He had started watching football when he moved into the muggle neighborhood. He found the game very exciting and fast paced. He was never a big fan of quidditch but this American football was very interesting. No magic. Just really big guys and a funny shaped ball.

"Yeah, I've been watching some of it since I moved over here. It's an interesting game. I was never big into athletics but this one is fun to watch." Michael answered, not lying at all.

He was trying to give himself other things to do than sit around the house and ponder his motives behind the killings. He had gone out and made a few wizarding friends and they were going out tomorrow.

There were eleven people at Josh's house that night. They were all dressed in sports jerseys and were drinking beer. Michael wasn't old enough to buy alcohol in muggle America but Josh was and offered Michael all the beer he could drink. Michael took him up on the offer. Beer was something he wasn't use to drinking. Firewhisey- yes. Butterbeer- yes, just plain beer- no. It took some getting use too but after the first few beers he didn't mind the taste. He enjoyed the night with Josh and his friends watching the game. The Saint Louis Rams won the game. It was exciting. He enjoyed himself. He was glad he'd made new friends and was getting out some. He felt a lot less anxious. After the game ended Michael told Josh he was going to call a cab and head home. When Michael left he walked to the end of the street and apparated back to his hose.

February 1, 1999

Michael apparated to a bar in wizarding Seattle. He was meeting Anton, Malcolm, Edwina, Winnie, and Lisa there to go to wizarding Saskatoon, in Saskatchewan, Canada. There was a big wizarding fashion show there today and Anton invited him to go with them. Michael had met Anton and Lisa at a bar in Seattle not long ago and they hit it off. Anton said that he and Lisa had a girl that would probably go crazy over Michael and that he should go to with them to this fashion show thing. It wasn't really Michael's scene but decided it couldn't hurt. He could stand to meet a new girl and make some new friends. Edwina was the girls name. Anton said everyone just called her Wina. When he got to the bar Anton, Malcolm, and Lisa where there. They were waiting on Wina and Winnie. When the two witches walked in Michael was immediately taken by Wina. She had long dark hair and creamy brown skin. Her eyes were a golden honey and she obviously was into fashion. He was going enjoy this outing. After introductions were made everyone grabbed ahold of the portkey that Winnie had acquired and they landed in wizarding Saskatoon. Winnie and Wina led the way to the very large convention center where the fashion show would be held.

They were seating in the VIP section and the six of them chatted until the show began. Winnie and Malcolm were engaged and due to marry in June. Lisa and Anton had been dating for two years and there were rumors that Anton was going to propose. Michael enjoyed talking to Wina. She was witty and funny. She was easy to talk too and seemed interested in what he had to say. She did work in the fashion industry with Winnie. Winnie, Lisa, and Wina grew up together in Meridian, Idaho, United States. They went to school together and now Winnie and Wina owned a very successful clothing store that sold high end clothes. They also were starting their own fashion line, they were introducing their line to the world at the fashion show. Once the show began they all watched with great pleasure. Wina and Winnie's line was amazing. They really were trying to advance wizarding style. It seems that wizards and witches were behind times when it came to fashion and they were trying to push them along. After the show they all went to a very nice restaurant for dinner.

After dinner Wina and Michael went for a walk around the town, the others decided to go back to the States. It was a very interesting town, not like anywhere Michael and never been before. It was beautiful. They were having wonderful conversation. They were laughing and giggling and acting silly. They were having a good time until they came upon a group of people in black cloaks and their hoods up. They were of all different sizes. They had white sheets over their faces and were making odd noises. Michael didn't see the grieving family like Wina did, Michael saw death eaters. His heart began to speed up and he told Wina that he needed to go. She looked hurt and confused but he promised that it had nothing to do with her, but he had something he remember that he had to do that was very important. Wina said she would apparate to the International Wizarding Agency and get home that way. Michael thanked her for being understanding and promised to owl her in the next few days.

Once Wina was gone Michael cast a disillusionment over himself and followed the 'death eaters'. They were crying heavily and walking through the town streets. Michael couldn't help but wonder why the hell death eaters were prancing around the town and no one was running from them or screaming. He couldn't figure out why everyone looked sad instead of afraid. Michael followed the 'death eaters' for almost three miles to their home in Grasswood, Canada. Once they entered the house Michael made himself visible. This frightened the people but Michael didn't notice. He was bent on killing them.

"Evil death eaters. Serving the Dark Lord. You are going to pay for the lives you took, the pain you caused. You are going to die." Michael's voice came out cold and stiff. He sounded possessed. The oldest 'death eater' tried to speak but Michael silenced him with a swift sever of the throat caused by sectumsempra. He stood there watching the blood ooze from the mans throat. He watched the life leave the death eater. He felt relief. He then killed the remaining four people in the room using the same curse. He stood and watched the life leave every one of them. It felt good. He felt like he was basking in glory in seeing the evilness leave this world. He felt great relief once the death eaters were dead. He grabbed the portkey in his pocket and landed back in Washington from there he apparated to his home. He passed out on the kitchen floor again.

February 2, 1999

Washington DC, United States

When Roddy arrived at work on Wednesday he knew it was going to be a long day. Johnny Ray was running around ordering Greg about. Greg look flustered and it was only 8:01.

"You're late, Roddy. Where the hell have you been?" Johnny Ray demanded.

"I'm one minute late. What the hell happened? The bastard strike again?" Roddy answered without taking offense to Johnny Ray's harsh tone.

"Not only has he struck again but he killed a grieving family. The family was grieving the loss of their youngest child who was killed when he fell off his older siblings broom and broke his neck. You tell me what the hell a grieving family did to this fellow? What kind of sick, sadistic, bastard are were looking for. We need to go to Canada again. I hate Canada it's too frickin' cold." Johnny Ray complained.

Roddy laughed at him as they walked into Johnny Ray's office and took hold of the portkey. They landed in the International Wizarding Agency in Canada and were greeted by the WP (wizarding police) that were going to take them to house where the murders took place.

When Roddy and Johnny Ray arrived they were near sick to their stomachs. There on the ground were 3 children and their parents. They had on long black robes and white sheets over their faces. They were clearly morning the loss of a loved one. This bastard.

They quickly took samples and pictures and everything else they needed to do so they could get out of there. It was really effecting Johnny Ray. He had a small child and his wife was pregnant again. The fact that this bastard was killing children was really eating away at him. He needed this bastard caught for his sanity and his health.

Once they got back to their office in DC Johnny Ray and Roddy went through the evidence. Roddy also copied everything and sent an owl to Draco, Hermione, Harry, and Ron. They would be meeting Friday evening but this would give them time to go over the evidence before hand. After filing through the evidence Johnny Ray and Roddy left early. Lately their job had been exhausting. They had never have to do anything like this before. Johnny Ray was at a loss. Sure there had been other murderers and dark wizards roaming around but nothing like this. They didn't have anything to go on. They were tired, and they were loosing faith.

Blaine, Washington, United States

Michael woke on his kitchen floor again.

"SHIT!"

"DAMN"

"FUCK"

Michael screamed profanities over and over again. He went to the pensive and extracted his memories. He plunged his head into the pensive and he replayed his memories.

He and Wina are walking down the street laughing and giggling. She is flirting with him. She is touching his arm and bumping into him on purpose. He is soaking it all up.She really is very beautiful he though.The Michael from the memories is flirting back. He gently takes her small hand in his. They walk into a shop. Michael follows his memory self and Wina. They are browsing the shop looking at the different trinkets and items in the store. Wina is pointing out things she likes. Michael is absorbing it all. Michael is looking around, he isn't seeing anything that would have set him off. He is acting completely normal. He doesn't understand. Wina leads the way out of the shop their hands still intertwined. He and Wina were talking then all the sudden they stopped. He heard the memory self say that he had something to do and he would owl her.Michael looked around he sees people in the streets, coming and going from the shops, a family grieving, nothing unusual.

Michael is jerked from the memories. That's where it all ended. What the hell happened after they left that shopped? Michael had no idea. He decided he'd owl Wina and apologize for leaving her so abruptly and ask her to dinner on Saturday.

Hogwarts

Luke and Hermione were studying for their N.E.W.T.s when an owl arrived for her. The owl dropped off her parcel and then left. Hermione glanced down at the writing and recognized as that of Roddys'. She tried to keep her face blank but she didn't think it worked. She decided she'd open it later but she had a strong feeling it wasn't good news.

"Who's that from, Hermione?" Luke asked.

"A friend from America. I'll open it later. It's no big deal. Let's get back to studying Arithmancy."

Luke didn't look convinced but they went back to Arithmancy. They studied for a while before their final rounds.

When Hermione got back to her room alone that night she opened the parcel from Roddy. It contained pictures and information about the most recent murder. A family. Three children and their parents. Hermione couldn't help the tears that sprang to her eyes. What was wrong this guy? She thought to herself. Why would you kill children? What did they ever do to you? They needed to figure this out and fast.

The Burrow

Harry and Ron both got owls that contained a package from Roddy. They both looked at one another and excused themselves to Ron's room. They went through the material that Roddy had sent. It made them sick to their stomachs to see what the bastard had done.

Harry was sitting in a chair drumming his wand. He was clearly thinking. Ron had no idea what dots Harry was trying to connect or what pieces he was seeing or missing. They all were missing something. It was pissing all of them off.

Harry knocked the table over. He was clearly frustrated. "I'm missing something very obvious. GAHHHHHHHH." Harry hollered at no one in particular. Ron didn't say a word. He just let Harry sent there and fume.

"I've got to go meet Ashira, Harry. You going to be alright here, alone?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'll just go for a walk or something. Maybe I'll go hang out with George. I've got to get my mind off this bastard. Atleast tomorrow is a full day at work and we'll be busy." Harry replied. He and Ron apparated to Diagon Alley. Harry went to George's shop and Ron went to meet Ashira.

London- Draco's flat

Draco was at his flat writing Hermione an owl when there was a peck at his window. He opened the window and in flew a bird he'd never seen before. The bird dropped off the package and left. Draco could tell right away that it was from Roddy. "Damn it!" Was all Draco said. He opened the package and at all the stuff Roddy sent. "Damn it! What the hell is wrong with this guy?" This guy was really starting to make Draco mad. It was also infuriating that they had nothing to go on. This guy was good. Whoever he was. He was good. Draco looked through it again and set it aside. He finished his letter to Hermione and then grabbed the list and began to go through it again.

February 4, 1999

Hermione's parents

Ron and Draco were the first to arrive at Hermione's parents Friday evening. They got there moments apart. Ron was setting up the food his mother prepared.

"Weasel, would you like some help?" Draco asked through gritted teeth. He was thinking of Hermione. He promised he'd try. He was going to try. Damn that girl. She had him wrapped around her little finger and she didn't even know it. He was being nice to Ron Weasely. Hell must have frozen over.

Ron dropped the container in his hands. Had Malfoy just offered to help him? Bloody hell! Hell was freezing over.

"Uh, sure Malfoy. You can help me unload what's in those bags. Mum tends to over do it when it comes to food." Ron blushed when he spoke.

Draco just gave a curt nod.

Ron and Draco were setting the table when Harry and Hermione apparated into the house. They both just stood there dumbfounded at what they saw before them. They couldn't speak. They just stood there in unbelief. Roddy apparated in about that time and got ready to speak but saw what Hermione and Harry saw and just stood there. Roddy finally broke the ice.

"Hey y'all. What's for supper?"

This got everyone moving. "Mum made lots of stuff. I don't even know what all is here, but we sure won't go hungry even if we are here for a week." Ron answered.

"Well, we might with the way you eat." Hermione said looking at Ron.

Harry laughed at this.

They sat down and ate.

"You're mom is a great cook, Ron. That was excellent." Roddy complimented after he finished eating. Draco had to agree with Roddy. Mrs. Weasely was an excellent cook.

"Thanks." was all Ron could say due to the fact that he was still stuffing his face.

Harry and Hermione just shook their heads. They knew all about Ron's eating habits and manners, or lack of manners, when it came to food.

"Ron, finish eating so we can talk about this shit. We can eat desert when we need a break. I'm sure we're going to need one." Harry chided. Ron swallowed what was in his mouth took a swig of butterbeer and stood up. They walked into the dining room and sat down to discuss the bastard that was haunting all of their dreams.

"I'm so close to putting these pieces together." Harry said clearly pissed that he still couldn't put his finger on what was going on.

"Why don't you talk it out, maybe that will jar something in one of our minds." Hermione suggested.

"You guys wouldn't mind if I talked it out?" Harry asked. They all shook their head. Harry started talking. He talked about the clothing and the looks of most of the people. Hermione wrote things down and scratched things out. She looked like she was putting pieces together too, but was still missing a few key pieces.

"Anything?" Harry asked when he was finished. They all just shook their heads.

"I am getting pieces of the puzzle too, but I can't put it all together. I think I see what you've been seeing, Harry but I can't formulate the answer." Hermione said sadly.

"It's not your fault, Hermione or yours Harry." Roddy chimed in. He continues to tell details about the latest murders. They all got a sick look on their faces when he started talking about the children.

"How about lets look at those lists y'all got. Hopefully, we can narrow down some people that way." Roddy suggested.

They all pulled out their lists and Hermione made a new one of all the names they had that were members of The Order, known dark wizards or held those beliefs, went to Hogwarts while they were at Hogwarts or when Snape was there. They had a list of over 1,000 names. It was much shorter than the first list. They marked out Ron and Harry's names and all the other aurors that were there for work for a while. Hermione separated them by members of the Order, dark wizards or witches, students during Snape's time, and students during their time. They all thought that starting with dark wizards or witches would be the most logical place to start.

"Well, now that we know who we are going to start with, how do we begin? What are we going to do?" Ron inquired. It was a good question. Roddy, Draco, and Hermione were all trying to figure that out as Ron was asking the question. They all sat there and pondered the answer to this question.

After much discussion they decided that for now the best way to go about this was to have Harry, Ron, and Roddy go and meet with the dark wizards or witches. They made up a story about making sure there were no dark activities going on and they needed to make sure their business in America and Canada was legal. They decided they'd conducting these meetings after work and during lunches and on the weekends. These meeting should take very long. They all thought of questions that the boys would ask in their meetings and they decided they'd meet up again on Friday night and see what they'd come up with. Harry said he'd bring the food. Draco hoped he wasn't going to be the one cooking but he kept that comment to himself.

Harry, Ron, and Roddy left Hermione's parents. Draco and Hermione cleaned up the kitchen and told one another about their week. They talked about school and work and family. Hermione talked about being Head Girl and working with Luke and how Neville had been so much help. He talked to her about his job and how things were going there. He was getting ready to add another smaller branch of the company in Spain and he had his most trusted advisors over there. He spent days looking at plans and fixing them just how he wanted them. Things were going smoothly at work. He was enjoying himself.

"Draco, I'm proud of you." Hermione whispered in his ear as she was putting plates into the cabinets. His whole body went rigid. He wanted to shag her right then and there on the counter in her parents house. This girl was going to be the death of him.

"Why?" He asked trying to act normal.

"I saw you this evening with Ron. Thank you." She gently placed her hand on his cheek and held it there, "I know you weren't doing it because you like him, but I really can't even begin to express how much you at least attempting to be cordial means to me." She breathed almost breathlessly, her fingers gently tracing the features on his face. She wanted him. She wanted him now. She prided herself on her virtue and self control, but right now she would through all of her morals and self control out of the window for him. She slowly removed her hand from her face. Both of their faces were glowing red for desire. He wanted her, no, needed her. He needed to taste her. He needed to know if she felt the same way he did. His body was going crazy.

He gently placed his hand underneath her chin and pulled it upward. They were staring deep into one another's eyes. Draco wanted her. Hermione wanted him. Draco kept telling himself that it was too soon. He wanted her but he was going to have to wait. He placed his forehead against hers and they both closed their eyes. He was taking deep breathes trying to get his body under control. They were wrapped up in the moment. As much as Hermione wanted him she did want to wait a while longer. He wrapped his arms around her small frame and pulled her in closer. He did want to feel her body against his, even if she was fully clothed. She moved into his body and he held her there. They didn't speak, their breathes began to match one another's. Eventually, Draco picked her up and carried her to the couch where he sat down and she crawled in his lap. She placed her head against his chest and he grabbed the blanket from behind him and wrapped it around them. His arms were wrapped around her body as they drifted off to sleep.

February 5, 1999

Hermione woke pressed up against a warm body. Draco. The memories of last night came flooding back to her. She was falling for him. Falling for him, hard. He had been kind to Ron, he helped her clean up the kitchen. He made her entire body teem with need. He had respected her, even though they hadn't talked about it. She knew he wanted her last night, but he didn't take her like he could have. Instead, he just held her and made her feel loved and wanted. She couldn't believe she fell asleep at her parents. She was going to have to explain herself to McGonagall today. She should tell her what was going on anyways. She needed to use to loo but didn't want to wake him. She very slowly unwrapped his arms and slid off his lap. She went to the loo and decided to make him breakfast. She kept the house stocked with the basics when it came to food incase Ron, Harry, or herself ever needed to crash there.

She was making French Toast when Draco leisurely walked in.

"Good morning, sleepy head." Came Hermione's voice from over the stove. "I hope you slept well."

"I did. I can't remember the last time I slept that well. How did you sleep?" He said truthfully. He slept an entire night and didn't have one nightmare or wake up once. He felt very refreshed.

"Very well, thank you. Would you care for syrup or powered sugar on your French Toast?" Hermione asked.

"Both." He said smiling.

They sat down and ate breakfast. They both wanted to bring up last night but neither of them wanted to ruin the perfectness of their relationship right now. So they continued to eat in a very comfortable silence. They both knew they'd have to talk about it eventually but it would have to wait. After breakfast they cleaned up the dishes. Hermione made Draco do it by hand again, saying that using magic for little things was silly. It was much more satisfying to do them by hand, she said you feel more accomplished when you do. He didn't believe her but did it by hand anyways. They apparated to the gate of Hogwarts and Draco gave Hermione a hug and kissed her forehead. She hugged him back and smiled up at him before walking through the gates. He was going to be dreaming about her for a long time. He was falling for that bushy haired Gryffindor whether he liked it or not.