Chapter Eighteen: Potter's Task

It was later that night, the temperature had dropped to zero and the snow slowly fell on the tiny island of Inis Clove. The house was completely silent. Even the waves seemed to comply to the cold and frigid night. There are was a small pop and a lone man in a simple black suit and traveling cloak appeared on the front landing. For what felt like the first time in his life, he felt excited. He had news, both good and bad, news that would finally change things. Finally make some sense to all this. Finally, just bring the war to them. But the news would bring a chill to his very soul, news that would complicate the actions that would take place for the course of the next several months or even decades for all he knew. He didn't want to be standing outside Demetrius Castor's doorstep, but at that moment, he knew that deep down, he truly didn't want to be anywhere else in the world.

He casually knocked on the door, and it opened after a few moments. It appeared at first glace that no one was at the entrance until he looked down and saw the house elf, now dressed in a thick sweater and jeans. Although he came from a pureblood background of wizards, save his father, he regarded each house elf with respect and civility. They were the last breed of slaves in his world, but as some left wing confidents tried, apparently they liked it like that, and he wasn't prone to change anyone's opinion provided it did the world some good.

'Evening Dobby,' he said smirking at the little elf. 'Where is he?'

'On the roof sir,' the house elf replied in a squeaky voice. 'He, eh, he might be drunk sir.'

The man smirked.

'After the day he's had I'd be worried if he wasn't drunk.'

The man passed through the threshold, keeping his coat on and began walking up the stairs. His normal steady manner was replaced with his hands shaking with excitement, but it did nothing to help the cold. He left the house elf at the base of the second landing and took the final stairs to a lone door which opened to the roof. He opened the door and breathed in again the cold still air, wishing he had dressed a little warmer, but knowing full well a glass of bourbon was awaiting him. He loved bourbon, the smell of it, the way it heated his blood and made him feel relaxed with the world. If all drinks made people feel that way he mused, there'd be less hate in the world. Castor hadn't brought much of his experiences in the United States back to him and England, except Bourbon, probably because of the liberal Headmaster at Balmorhea whose testament to the drink, the pipe and the book were paramount throughout the wizarding world.

Although the house was enormous, the top landing of the roof seemed small, only a quaint wooden deck with two metal lawn chairs that had been charmed to resist the weather. One of the chairs was vacant, the other clearly wasn't. Professor Demetrius Castor was idly sipping on a full glass of the amber liquid, a bucket half empty of cigarettes, cigars and burned rolling papers at his side, his feet up on the waist high iron gate. Beyond that, was the edge of the house and the ocean, the waves drowsily pelting the sandy beach. Castor knew that he was now not alone but his house was the only place he didn't jump and spin around at a new intruder. It was the only place in the world he felt safe. Not even Hogwarts provided him this serenity. Granted more people than he liked knew where he lived and a good majority he attempted to ignore; nonetheless he trusted them with his life. He couldn't say that about the students now eating his food, drinking his wine and putting dirty fingerprints on his priceless books in his library, especially the bossy little Head Girl. But Potter trusted them, and that was good enough for him. Besides, he knew who the man was.

'I thought you'd be at the Manor today Riley,' Castor said conjuring a glass and placing it next to the empty chair.

'I was thinking about it,' Riley Sevagio said pouring himself a drink. 'But Longstreet is more than capable to put up with the investigation.'

Castor grunted.

'Capable, sure,' he said stifling a yawn. 'But he's gonna need all the help he can get on this one.'

'I understand we got ourselves a new Auror,' Sevagio said not hiding the contempt in his voice. He didn't like Potter. He didn't like the idea of the fate of the wizarding world in the hands of a kid. He didn't want to believe in the prophecy even though at this point it didn't matter if it was true or not, every wizard out there did and was now either running scared or believing the shit the Daily Prophet was spewing out at five Sickles a page. He couldn't out duel Voldemort, it was luck that got him this far and the fact that he was Dumbledore's star pupil.

Gimme a break, he thought, the kid couldn't even out duel Snape. He couldn't get himself to kill Rockwood in New York. He didn't have it in him to kill somebody, even if that somebody was a bloodthirsty demon. What's he supposed to do now with Dumbledore dead?

'It'll give him more access,' Castor said ignoring Sevagio's snide remark. 'Some more practice is exactly what he needs.

He clinked his glass against Sevagio's.

'Little experience in the real world of fighting these assholes.'

'You gonna make Weasley and Granger Aurors too?' Sevagio said jokingly.

'I'm not an Auror, I'm a school teacher,' Castor said tongue in cheek.

'Dem, you are so full of shit it smells when you talk,' Sevagio said.

'That's only half my problems,' Castor said pinching his nose with the tips of his fingers.

'Oh?'

Castor took a drag from his cigarette and blew out a thin line of smoke.

'Potter asked me when we got back from Malfoy Manor to allow the Weasley girl to stay here for the break.'

'You fucking serious?' Sevagio said trying not to laugh.

'As a heart attack,' Castor said still rubbing the bridge of his nose.

'How'd Molly take it?' Sevagio asked chuckling.

'She said it was alright,' Castor said flicking the ash from his cigarette carelessly. 'Provided her lovely daughter isn't going to do anything that would take her precious flower away from her.'

'So I'm guessing you didn't mention it to her you caught the two of them in bed this morning?' Sevagio asked now grinning with amusement.

'Even I'm not that stupid. Besides, Potter is about as experienced with sex as I am with vegetarian cooking.' Castor blew out a frustrated sigh. 'My house is turning into a fucking dormitory.'

Sevagio laughed.

'I take it you haven't told Kate about all this?'

Castor looked up quizzically.

'What's Kate Loughren got to do with it?'

'Oh come on, Dem,' Sevagio said irritably. 'Don't even act like you're not sleeping with her. The only thing I haven't figured out is why?'

Castor looked away and shook his head.

'I don't know Riley,' he said. 'Maybe its because she keeps me honest, maybe its because she doesn't judge me on my professional life and balance out my personal life. But, I'm gonna go with the fact that she's so goddamn good in bed that I'm seriously considering changing my religion.'

'From Nihilism to Nympho-ism?' Sevagio mused.

Castor grinned. 'Something like that.'

There was a moment of silence, the two men sipping their drinks and attempting to let the silence drag on for a bit, both knowing where the conversation would lead. Or at least, where they hoped it might lead.

'Alright,' Castor said. 'Please give me some good news.'

Riley Sevagio smirked.

'I got it,' he said. 'It exists, its genuine and all you need to do, is go down there and get it.'

Castor said nothing, Sevagio continued.

'Story goes about sixty some odd years ago some kid named Tom Riddle was born. The same night, a prophecy was made by some famous Seer named Rose Trelawney.'

'Robin,' Castor corrected.

'Huh?'

'Robin Trelawney,' Castor said. 'She was the mother of Sibyl Trelawney, the Divination teacher at Hogwarts and unlike her daughter, not a world class hack although many thought so. I even heard from Flitwick that even McGonagall liked her.'

'That oughta clinch it,' Sevagio said fully aware how much the iron board Headmistress despised Divination. 'Right, well, point is this prophecy foretold that this Riddle kid was gonna become the most feared wizard of all time, and we know how that turns out.'

'It say anything important?' Castor said, the liquor getting to him and making him impatient.

Sevagio took a sip and grimaced.

'Jesus, Dem, could you at least once in your life buy some decent bourbon?'

'Riley…'

'Ok,' he said correcting himself. 'So here it is, apparently the prophecy said something about him separating his soul and that before he could be destroyed, the pieces had to be cut out first. Otherwise, the Dark Lord would continue to exist.'

Castor turned to his side and looked at Sevagio.

'Get to the point would you? I know all this. Dumbledore knew all this.'

Sevagio clapped his hands together.

'There are only two known ways to destroy a Horcrux right?'

'Yea, so?' Castor countered placing his drink down and crossings his legs at the ankles. 'You could use the fang of a Basillix or you could use the Draught of Life.'

'Neither we have,' Sevagio said.

'The potion I'll give you that,' Castor said. 'The potion takes over five years to make and we don't have the time, and there are no known supplies of it, except one of course.'

'You're referring to the vile that Severus Snape made for Dumbledore and that are still in his possession.'

'The very same.'

'Well good luck getting that from him,' Sevagio said downing his drink and reaching for the bottle.

'Doesn't matter,' Castor said bitterly. 'The other is the Basillix which we do have.'

'No we don't,' Sevagio said quickly.

Castor's eyes widened.

'What do you mean we don't?' he said angrily. 'There's a fifty foot snake at Hogwarts as we speak!'

'With its fangs removed,' Sevagio said, avoiding Castor's gaze.

Silence.

Castor looked at Sevagio as though he had gone insane.

'What the fuck you talking-' he started.

'I met with McGonagall today,' Sevagio said quietly. 'Someone broke into a girl's bathroom at Hogwarts this morning, went down into the Chamber of Secrets and removed every last fang from that monster. Whoever it was made one hell of a mess and left us not a clue who did it, except one.'

'Which was?'

Sevagio took a deep breath.

'It was someone on our side, Dem,' he said calmly. 'The wards are too powerful to pass through undetected and forget about all those secret passages. They're warded and blocked off.'

Castor just stood up and walked to the fence, his hands gripping his glass tightly. He turned on his heel and just stared at Sevagio, trying to register what he had just said.

'So what you're telling me is that whoever went down there-'

'Is someone we know and trust,' Sevagio said refilling his drink.

Castor swore and began to pace.

'Who was at the castle during all this?'

'Not many,' Sevagio said taking a sip. 'The trolls, couple Aurors, and don't say anything about them, they were all put under Veritaserum the second McGonagall found out. They all check out. Only ones left are teachers, the ghosts, Filch and, uh, that's it.'

Castor's eyes narrowed.

'Who else?'

'No one,' Sevagio said not looking at him.

'Moaning Mrytle right,' Castor said snapping his fingers. 'She haunts that bathroom, she could have seen something.'

'Wasn't there,' Sevagio said. 'McGonagall herself asked her where she was. Apparently, she was down in the prefects bathroom crying her eyes out.'

'So who else then?' Castor said placing his drink down and turning towards Sevagio.

'That's it,' he answered but his eyes moved slowly.

Castor pulled out his wand.

'Goddamnit Riley we go back a long way but don't think for two seconds I won't curse your ass if you don't tell me.'

Sevagio looked up at Castor.

'Demetrius, McGonagall was holding an Order meeting at the castle,' he said coldly.

Castor looked at Sevagio as if he was about to say something but the Auror continued.

'She said she wanted to have an emergency meeting of all members to discuss the Malfoy murder. You, Potter and Longstreet were the only ones not there.'

Castor stared at Sevagio for a minute before grabbing his glass and hurling it into the darkness, cursing violently. After a moment he turned around.

'You're telling me we got us a spy in the Order?' he said angrily. 'That what you fucking telling me?'

Sevagio stood up slowly, trying to keep his composure.

'Yea, that's what I'm telling you.'

The two stood there silently, each one going over each person in the Order of the Phoenix, each name they met seemed less likely than the next. Most of them had been with the Order since the beginning and Castor would put his life on the line before thinking one of them was a Death Eater.

'And the good news in all this?' Castor said, his voice sounding hollow to him.

'Good news is,' Sevagio began, 'Is that this prophecy gives one more way that a Horcrux could be destroyed.'

'Which is?'

Sevagio walked back to the chairs, conjured up another glass and poured Castor a fresh drink before passing it back to his old friend.

'The Sorcerer's Stone.'

Castor swore.

'Fat luck of fucking good that does us. The Stone is destroyed Riley and Nicolas Flamel is dead, has been dead for several years now. What do you propose I do, huh? Just eh, walk down to his grave and bring him back from the underworld?'

'Wouldn't hurt,' Sevagio said only half-joking.

'Fucks sake,' Castor said irritably.

'There is a possibility that some of the elixir of life he made might still be around before the Stone was destroyed.'

'Bullshit.'

Sevagio smirked and dug his hand into his jacket, and pulled out a piece of parchment. He handed it to Castor.

'His name is Ivan Tasky,' he said. 'Ex-Auror turned vigilante nut case. After Flamel died a group of Aurors were sent to his house to provide security for the transferring of his effects to his vault in Gringotts and to members of his extended family. One of these effects was a box containing about a dozen containers of the elixir of life that Flamel didn't use before he died.'

'Let me guess,' Castor said catching on. 'Tasky was one of these Aurors. After everything was taken from the house, the box with the Draught of Life went missing.'

'Along with Tasky,' Sevagio finished. 'No one has seen him since, this was about four years ago, but its rumored that he hangs out with a certain old friend of the Order.'

'Who?'

Sevagio smirked.

'Mundungus Fletcher.'

'You're kidding?' Castor said trying to put the pieces together, angry with himself that he had drank so much. 'You think Mundungus had anything to do with the Chamber of Secrets?'

'Mundungus wasn't at the meeting, and with Dumbledore and Sirius gone,' Sevagio paused and looked at Castor, whose eyes had flashed dangerously. 'McGonagall doesn't put much stalk into Mundungus these days, you know that. More a lackey than anything else. Point is you find Fletcher, you find Tasky, you find the elixir. And then you have the way of getting rid of the Horcrux.'

'Another way,' Castor countered.

Sevagio swore.

'Don't think for two seconds you're going to get Snape alive,' he said angrily. 'That bastard is in it deep now, and if he does get caught which I don't see happening, he's dead on sight. I know that Scrimgeour put a million galleon price on his head, dead or alive. I wouldn't be surprised that both sides are looking for him with that kind of reward. My money's on he's hiding in Bora Bora right now waxing his nose and torturing endangered monkeys.'

Castor's eyes darted away from Sevagio for a brief second then back, Sevagio getting the feeling that Castor wasn't telling him something, but he didn't say anything.

He decided to change the subject a bit.

'Any idea what the other Horcrux is?' Sevagio asked. 'You know, without the cup and locket, or the snake or whatever's left inside Voldemort.'

Castor shook his head.

'Not a clue,' he said but he winked at Sevagio.

The two each pulled out fresh cigarettes and replenished their glasses, enjoying the cool air and stillness of the night. It was eerily quiet out, a million things running through their minds.

'Riley?'

Sevagio turned to face Castor.

'Do you remember when all this shit didn't matter?' Castor said looking out at the ocean. 'When all that mattered was getting drunk, hooking up with girls and not giving a damn about what we did or who we did it to?'

Sevagio nodded. Castor shook himself from his brief relapse and continued.

'What I want to know is what's the connection between the cup of Hufflepuff and Mrs. Malfoy getting ripped to shreds by a werewolf? And what does that have to do with someone in the Order going after those fangs? And what is really pissing me off at the moment is what is Voldemort planning to do next?'

Sevagio cracked his neck and took a drag from his smoke.

'My guess is,' he said slowly. 'Is that somehow the Malfoys are connected to the Horcruxs. Malfoy is Voldemort's top man and his wife got murdered because Lucius knew about the Cup and was in charge of protecting it, Rockwood was just a point man. Voldemort knows that we have the Cup, and he had Narcissa killed to punish Lucius. He can't afford to get rid of Lucius, well, not yet, and now he's tying up any means to getting rid of the Horcruxs.'

Castor considered this for a moment then took another sip.

'You thinking the other side knows about Tasky?'

Sevagio nodded.

'No doubt,' he said. 'So you better get a move on and get him before they do.'

Castor sighed deeply. This was getting out of hand, and going not the way he wanted.

'What you thinking?' Sevagio asked.

Castor looked out at the ocean, again his mind going back to France and the warm weather, the Burgundy wine, the local nightlife. Then he came across a great idea. Something that would allow him to continue on with his secret business, and get Sevagio, Scrimgeour and the local Gryfindors off his back.

'I'm thinking this is a perfect opportunity for our new Auror to do a little fieldwork,' he said.

Sevagio looked at him incredulously.

'You can't be serious?' he said brashly. 'Potter's not up for something like that. Yea, he's got some talent but you're not going to put our only chance in getting the elixir of the Sorcerer's Stone in the hands of a kid.'

'He is our only chance, Riley,' Castor said remembering what his old Headmaster Professor Addams said to him that day at the lake. 'And don't think that I'm putting all my eggs in one basket.'

Sevagio grunted.

'You're nuts, Dem,' he said.

'Probably,' Castor said. 'But he's no kid, Riley, and I got a gut feeling that Potter would be more than willing to track down Mundungus. I heard Tonks tell me once about what that creep was doing last year.'

Sevagio nodded.

'It's a fair point,' he said. 'But there is more to this then what you're telling me.'

'Meaning?' Castor said, his anger starting to rise.

Sevagio took a deep breath.

'Demetrius,' he said slowly, 'All this shit you're doing. Look, say what you want about the money and owing a debt to Dumbledore, most can buy that bullshit. But less face it, you hated Dumbledore and unless you're not telling me something, he did nothing for you but cause you problems. So if you think that what you're doing with Potter and risking your life has nothing to do with your parents-'

There was a flash of blinding light and Sevagio let out a scream of pain. A deep cut trailed the left side of his face and blood started to pour down to his neck. He bit down hard and growled in agony. Castor had his wand pointing directly between Sevagio's eyes, his face a mixture of pure fury and contempt.

'If you ever mention them again,' he said in a hollow voice, 'and I'll kill you.'

There was a moment where the two men stared at each other, Sevagio suddenly hit with a wave of panic as Castor simply looked at him as those he was nothing to him but a means to an end. It was the first time they had known each other that Castor had physically hurt him, and it scared him. Castor simply stood there, his anger boiling to the lid, his eyes fierce and narrowed.

'Tell McGonagall no more meetings at this house until you find out who the rat is.' he said blankly. 'Now get out.'

Sevagio looked at him for a brief second before finishing his drink in one gulp and left without another word. Castor stood there in the darkness, his wand in his hand. He took one more look at the ocean, and after a few minutes he walked to the door, opened it, then made his way down the stairs towards his bedroom.

After what seemed like an eternity, Hermione Granger pulled the Invisibility Cloak off her, her mind racing, not believing what she had just heard.

* * * * *

It was later that night. Castor had gone to his room. Hermione had waited for what seemed hours finally deciding that he had gone to sleep, or was too drunk to hear them. She patted down the stairs and into the downstairs parlor. To her relief, Harry and Ron were playing chess in the corner, Ginny was asleep on the couch. The room was eerily lit by the lone fireplace, Ron trying to stifle a yawn as he knocked Harry's castle off the table with his knight. Hermione studied Ron for a minute, trying to stop her stomach from lurching every time she saw him, her heart racing when he played Quidditch or grinned when food appeared in the Great Hall.

What's taking him? She asked herself. They had gone to Hogsmeade together more than once, they had danced together at Bill's wedding.

He took me to the damn ball!

Hermione huffed. Why is it that in this world, she mused, is the people that mean the most to us were the ones who got under our skins the easiest? It was irritating, it was completely unfair and it was totally unfortunately true. She was calm, collective, smart and every bloody time the idiot said something, it went right to her, in a way that hurt her and in the same light made her weak at the knees. He was so oblivious. She quickly remembered herself and strode quietly to them, hoping not to wake Ginny. She didn't need to know this. Not yet.

'I need to tell you two something,' she said sitting down in the vacant chair between them.

'If it's anything about me sucking at chess, you can save it,' Harry said as his king ran from the table and fell to the floor in defeat.

'There's a spy in the Order,' Hermione said plainly.

Harry and Ron turned to her gaping.

'What are you on about?' Ron said

'There's a spy,' Hermione repeated. 'Someone in the Order broke into the Chamber of Secrets and stole the fangs from the Basillix.'

'Why would they do that?' Ron asked.

'Because it's one of the only known ways to destroy a Horcrux,' Harry said angrily. 'Try to keep up will you.'

'What's the other?' he asked looking back at Hermione.

'The Draught of Life,' she said.

Harry turned to her.

'How do you know that?'

And Hermione went into it. She told them how she saw Sevagio walking up the stairs. She had gone into Harry's room and grabbed the cloak, thrown it on and dashed up the stairs to the roof and through the door just as it closed. She told them how Sevagio had told Castor that there was without doubt a spy in the Order of the Phoenix, that the Draught of Life would take five years to make, and the only person who had them was Snape, about the prophecy made by Robin Trelawney about Voldemort, and that Castor was planning to make Harry go get the vile holding the elixir of life made by the Sorcerer's Stone from a man named Tasky who apparently had connections with Mundungus Fletcher. She was breathing heavily when she finished, constantly turning to look over her shoulder as Ginny slept nearby. Halfway through she pulled out her wand and muttered, Muffliato and continued. Harry and Ron simply stared at her, not quite believing that she had heard all of this, horrified the same. Finally, Ron spoke.

'That means there's a connection between Malfoy and the Horcrux, doesn't it?'

'Ron,' Hermione said, 'What's more important is how is Harry supposed to go after this Tasky?'

'With my bare hands,' Harry said darkly. 'Castor is right, you know. I'd love to get my hands on Fletcher again.'

'There's more,' she said.

'What do you mean?' Ron asked getting nervous. The news she had told him was enough.

'Castor attacked Sevagio,' Hermione said. 'He pulled at his wand and cursed him.'

Harry looked at her.

'How bad?' he asked.

'I don't know Harry,' Hermione said. 'I had to bite my tongue to make sure they wouldn't hear me. The next thing I knew Castor was telling Sevagio not to have anyone from the Order at his house and telling him to get out.'

'But why?' Harry said after a minute. 'Why would he do something like that? Sevagio and him go back a long way, they trained together as Aurors. I mean, Sevagio took his classes when Castor was gone, didn't he?'

Hermione opened her mouth but didn't say anything, looking hesitant.

'Spill it,' Ron said earnestly.

'Sevagio said something about his parents,' she said quietly. 'Said something like Castor was doing all this because he wanted to get revenge for his parents.'

'His parents are dead,' Harry said. 'He told me the day I met him that his parents had been dead for a long time, and that he barely remembered them.'

'Yea,' Ron said, 'but that doesn't tell you how they died, does it? Maybe Voldemort had something to do with it.'

'I don't know how it could,' Hermione said but looking at Ron impressed with his logic. 'He's an American.'

'Actually,' Harry said remembering. 'He was born in England, and grew up in the United States.'

'Harry,' Ron said, 'That doesn't really say a lot. Loads of people are born in one country, but raised in another. His mother could have been really pregnant or something and had him in England then moved back. His parents could be American for all we know.'

Hermione looked at him sternly.

'Do you really believe that Ron?' she said, trying not to smile as his face screwed up in bewilderment which she thought was incredibly cute.

'Not really,' he mumbled.

'He did say something about having cousins here in England,' Harry said. 'But every pureblood family is related. He could of just said that and not meant anything.'

'Doesn't matter anyways,' Hermione said. 'Whatever the reason that Castor cursed Sevagio is not the point right now. The point is there is a spy in the Order, and that Sevagio thinks the Horcrux is somehow connected to Narcissa Malfoy getting murdered.'

'No argument there,' Ron said bluntly. 'Draco's dad was the one who slipped Tom Riddle's diary to Ginny. He was the one who Voldemort entrusted in getting the prophecy, and he made Draco make it possible to have Dumbledore killed.'

'The Malfoys are the biggest supporters of Voldemort,' Harry said angrily. 'Longstreet told me that with Narcissa dead, Draco just got everything. He's talking to the goblilns, using Mr. Weasley to crack down on their house, he made me an Auror. He even knows about the Horcruxs.'

Hermione and Ron looked at Harry in surprise. The second Harry had returned from Malfoy Manor he had told them everything that had happened. He told them about Longstreet and his southern accent, how Amos Diggory had figured out it was a werewolf that had killed Narcissa, and that Longstreet, with the advice from Castor had made Harry an Auror so he was now free to leave the school, work with Castor and get information regarding the Horcruxs and anything tied to them.

'Whoa,' Ron said. 'Castor must really trust this Longstreet guy.'

'What's he like?' Hermione asked.

'He's from, eh-' Harry said trying to remember, 'I'm not sure, his accent is really strange. Said something about, eh, 'trailn down New Are-Lians.''

'New Orleans,' Hermione corrected. 'It's a city in Louisiana.'

'Right,' Harry said. 'Well, he's an Auror through the United States. He's a little bit older than Castor. He was at the house when we arrived last night, looking at the maps.'

'The one with the weird sideburns?' Ron asked.

'That's him.'

'Could he be the spy?' Ron asked.

'No,' Hermione said at once. 'The break in at Hogwarts happened when Longstreet was at Malfoy Manor. He couldn't be at the same place twice.'

'Unless he used a Time Turner,' Ron said smugly.

'Doubtful,' Harry said.

'Did he say anything else?' Ron asked addressing Hermione.

'Not really,' Hermione mumbled her face getting pink. 'Only something about some girl that he's sleeping with.'

'Professor Castor has a girlfriend?' Ron asked in astonishment. Harry too looked surprised at the news.

'He didn't say girlfriend, Ron,' Hermione said irritably. 'Just that Sevagio was asking Castor why he was sleeping with someone named Kate.'

Hermione flushed. As close as they were they had never really talked about sex, especially when the sex was in the same discussion as one of their teachers. Granted Castor was unlike any teacher that they had had before, but it made them feel uncomfortable all the same. Harry finally cleared his throat.

'So Castor is going to ask me to go after this Tasky?' he asked. 'And to do that I have to go through Mundungus?'

'Pretty much,' Hermione said looking between him and Ron. 'And no matter what he says we're coming with you.'

'Damn right,' Ron said looking fierce.

'What if Castor says no?' Harry asked.

'To hell with him!' Hermione said banging on the table. 'I don't care what he says. We're going!'

'Does Voldemort know about Tasky?' Harry asked.

Hermione bit her lip and looked down at the table.

'Sevagio said that Voldemort's followers were more than likely looking for him,' she muttered.

'Well-' Harry said but Ron cut him off.

'Damnit, mate,' he said leaning across the table, 'We're not going to just sit around in this house with Dobby and hope that you come back alive. We've been through this already. We're going, and if Castor doesn't like it, well tough shit.'

Harry looked between Hermione and Ron, and he knew at once that there was no way talking them out of this one. They were going to go with him. They were going to stand by his side no matter what. He felt a rush of gratitude that they were going to risk their lives to help him, and they, unfortunately, were right, Castor couldn't do anything. No one could at this moment. But the fear crept over Harry's back.

'Things are getting serious,' he said to one in particular. 'Narcissa is dead, and Voldemort knows about the Cup that we took.'

'We need the elixir of life,' Hermione said reaching across the table and grabbing Harry's hand. 'If we don't get it, there's no way we're going to destroy the Horcruxs, not in the next five years anyway.'

'Unless he gets the potion from Snape,' Ron said coldly. 'Don't really see that happening.'

'Hermione's right,' Harry said, trying to force the image of Snape from his mind. 'We need to get to Tasky before they do.'

'Castor might be a problem though,' Ron said. 'With us helping you.'

'I don't care,' Harry said standing up, a new wave of energy going through him. 'This is beyond him now. You said so yourself Hermione he wants me to go after Tasky, right?'

Hermione nodded.

'But Harry-'

'Listen,' Harry said putting a hand on her shoulder. 'Whatever he's playing at, and I have a feeling he's not telling us everything, but he wants me to go after Tasky, and I'm going to. And you're coming with me. And if he doesn't like it, I'll poison his damn whiskey.'

Ron laughed.

'He probably wouldn't even see it coming,' Ron said chuckling. 'You gotta admit it, mate, Castor likes you. You're the star student in his class, you're his assistant in the D.A. meetings. I mean, come one, he's using you to get back at the Slytherins.'

'Its not funny Ron,' Hermione said. 'This is dangerous.'

Ron stopped laughing and looked at Hermione, his eyes twinkling.

'Hermione,' he said. 'In all the time we've been at Hogwarts, we've done loads of pretty dangerous things. I'm not going to go through all of them cuz that will take all night. All we have to do is get the vile from Tasky, and bring it back here.'

'Easier said than done, mate,' Harry said.

At that moment the clock struck. The three of them all looked up and saw Ginny stir. She opened her eyes slowly and looked at them. Hermione pulled out her wand and pointed it at her under the table, muttering Finite. Ginny stood up and stretched.

'What time is it?' she asked.

'Midnight,' Ron said catching the look on Harry's face and trying to act normal.

'What are you lot doing?'

'Playing chess,' the three of them said at once.

Ginny looked at them archly.

'Takes three people to play chess these days?' she asked looking suspiciously at them.

'Hermione!' Ron said excitedly.

She turned back to look at him. Ron's eyes darted from Harry to Ginny and finally to Hermione, his brain working frantically.

'Come up to my room,' he heard himself say.

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise.

'What?' she asked.

'Yea,' Ron said standing up, giving a pointed look at her, then at Harry. 'There's something, I, eh, your Potions book is up there, and I need to give it back to you.'

Hermione eyed him for a second then finally got the hint.

'Right!' she exclaimed a bit hysterically. 'I let you borrow it!'

'Yea,' Ron said grabbing her hand and leading her out of the room. 'We'll see you two in the morning.'

Harry tried with all his might trying not to put his face in his hands at their lack of subtlety. Ginny meanwhile was looking at Harry, her hands now on her hips, and Harry knowing for a fact that she was not going to let him off the hook that easily.

'Okay,' she said walking towards him. 'Explain.'

Harry didn't know what to say. He just stood there. What was he supposed to say? He knew deep down that she had a right to know about what was going on, and he knew that she wasn't going to stay out of the loop for much longer. He, Ron, and Hermione would be going after Tasky tomorrow, he knew that at least, and what was she going to do?

'Eh, Ginny,' he said looking at her. 'There's something I need to tell you.'

'Yes?' she said, hands still on her hips, eyebrows raised.

Harry tried to think.

Think of a lie.

She won't buy it.

Tell her the truth.

No way.

Harry was out of options. He was stuck. But suddenly he looked at her, and his eyes widened. It was the first time since that moment sitting on the edge of the lake, when Harry was furious with Ron and Hermione with him and going to the Hog's Head that he noticed how beautiful Ginny actually was. They were standing alone in the room together, and Harry couldn't bring himself to lie to her.

Instead, he did something he hadn't done in a long time. He crossed to her, with one hand grabbing her roughly by the waist and the other placing it as delicately as he could by the side of her face.

He kissed her.

At first he thought that she was going to break away from him, and slap him for pulling a stunt like this and for also, and probably a harder slap would follow, for thinking kissing her would stop her from asking what he and Ron and Hermione had been talking about. But as Harry held her, she slowly put her arms around his shoulders and kissed him deeply, the two of them coming together so naturally it felt as though they had been together for years. Harry lowered both hands to her waist and pulled her closer, and she made a soft moan at the back of her throat. Harry's heart jumped as Ginny pulled him down towards the sofa, all the while kissing his lips, neck and jaw line, smiling coyly up at him as he fumbled where he was allowed to put his hands.

She giggled.

'Real pro at this you are,' she said smiling.

Harry wasn't really in the right mind frame to answer her with a smarty comeback. He was a guy, and his brain was not working at the moment. Ginny kissed him once more and began to lick his earlobe, the feeling of her tongue on him made Harry clinch his hands nervously. Ginny pulled back from him with a mischievous smirk.

'Don't think for two seconds Mr. Potter,' she said moving her hand from his face and resting it just above his belt, 'that I'm not going to ask you about what you were talking about.'

Harry couldn't help but grin. He finally got some courage and sneaked his hand around her waist, finally placing it just above her thigh.

'I'll you tell you all about it,' he said grinning while he leaned in and kissed her.

'When,' she said leaning back and allowing Harry to kiss her neck.

Harry lingered on her collarbone, enjoying Ginny hum in response as he made his way back to her neck.

'Soon as you get back into my bed,' he whispered in her ear.

Ginny smiled, placed her hand on Harry's and kissed him once more.

'Lead the way.'

* * * * *

She was lying next to hi, the bed warm and comforting. He sat up slowly and blinked his eyes, trying to focus. Harry was grateful for many reasons at the moment, like the fact that Professor Castor hadn't barged into his room hollering at him to "kick it in the ass," or that Ginny was such a sound sleeper. Judging by the way she grew with six older brothers he wasn't surprised. He also liked the fact that she looked ten times better in his shirt than he did. But the moment faded quickly. He had to be up, had to be ready. He slipped out of bed, dressed quickly and grabbed his wands and dagger, but trying to avoid the realization that he was probably going to use them. He gave one more look at Ginny sleeping soundly.

'I'm sorry,' he said kissing her forehead and left the room.

Harry found Castor, Hermione and Ron sitting at the table in the kitchen, both his friends looked as though they hadn't slept at all the night before, their faces ashen and framed with fatigue. Neither were eating anything, even Dobby, who was usually oblivious to people's moods gave them looks of concern. Castor was his usual charming self, dressed in dark grey khakis and a black shirt and coat, smoking and reading the paper, pointedly ignoring everyone in the room until Harry sat down. He folded his paper, downed his coffee and sniffed.

'I want you to fine someone,' he said.

Harry blinked.

Guy sure knows how to get to the point.

Harry tried to not act surprised.

'Uh,' he stammered, 'Who?'

Castor slid over a picture of a man with a thick brown beard, a round face and beady brown eyes. In the picture, his eyes shifted nervously.

'Ivan Tasky,' he said. 'Ex-Auror. I want you to find him and bring him back here.'

Harry shot a nervous glance at Ron and Hermione.

'Why?' he asked.

Castor reloaded his coffee.

'Tasky is believed to have a vile or two containing the elixir of life. Get Tasky, and we get the vile.'

'What's so important about the vile?' Hermione asked leaning over the table. Harry had to give her acting credits.

'It's our only way of destroying the Horcrux,' Castor said. 'At the moment anyways.'

'What does that mean?' Ron asked.

Castor shot him a look.

'Don't worry about that.'

'Couldn't I just get the vile from him?' Harry asked cutting Castor off.

'He'll not have them on him,' Castor said shaking his head. 'He's too smart for that.'

'We're going,' Hermione said not looking at her professor.

Ron went to say something but Harry could feel Hermione kicking him under the table, which Ron turned into a dramatic cough. To his astonishment, Castor merely shrugged his shoulders.

'Knock yourself out,' he said picking up his paper.

Hermione and Ron both looked at each other, then back at Castor who was mumbling something about the Quidditch team, Puddlemere United.

'That's it?' she said looking at Castor. 'You're going to let us?'

'Really can't stop you can I?' Castor said. 'You're of age, and your guardians aren't at the house at the moment. And you Mr. Weasley are of age, and you're going whether I like it or not.'

The three exchanged looks of surprise at Castor's indifference. He placed his paper down and pulled out his cigarettes.

'Tasky is known to hang out with Mundungus Fletcher, Potter, I'm sure you remember him.'

Harry looked ready to kill.

'Yea,' he said roughly. 'I know him.'

'Keep your composure Potter,' Castor said lighting a cigarette. 'Don't let your anger get the best of you, especially when you're on the job.'

Harry looked down at his shoes.

'Right.'

'My advice to you three,' Castor continued, 'Is head to the Leaky Cauldron and talk to Tom the barman, he'll know where Fletcher is these days.'

'What makes you say that?' Harry asked.

Castor blew out a ring of smoke.

'He's a bartender Potter,' he said. 'They know people, they hear a bunch of shit. And he's a fan of yours, so finding out where Fletcher is won't be any trouble.'

Castor said nothing after that, just continued to smoke and read his paper. Getting the hint, Hermione, Ron and Harry stood up and made their way towards the living room. As they opened the door to the kitchen, Castor called over his shoulder.

'I take it Ms. Weasley won't be joining you?' he inquired.

'No,' Ron said at once. 'She is not going.'

'Easy Prefect,' Castor said smirking. 'She's safe and sound in Potter's bed.'

Hermione gasped.

Ron turned on Harry furiously.

'She's where!?!' he said angrily.

Harry blinked, only inches from Ron who looked as though he was about to pound him. He looked over Ron's shoulder to Castor who was grinning.

'Whoops,' Castor said innocently.

Ron glowered at Harry. Harry was shocked that Ron hadn't punched him yet.

'Uh, Ron,' Harry started.

'Not a word,' Ron said. 'Not one damn word.'

He turned to look at Hermione who herself was pink in the face and looking between Harry and Ron anxiously. Ron took a deep composing breath.

'Let's do this,' he said, and without another word walked out of the kitchen and headed towards the fireplace in the living room, Hermione right behind him. Harry hung back, looking at Castor questioningly. Castor, on the other hand took sip of his coffee.

'Good luck, Potter,' he said. 'Try not to get yourself fucking killed.'

Harry grimaced. Castor had told him the same thing before they had gone after the Horcrux in New York, although this time around, Castor was smiling.

Harry glared at Castor, and left the kitchen with another word.

Castor finished his article on his favorite Quidditch team, listening to three distinct voices shout, 'The Leaky Cauldron' from his living room. After a few minutes, a young woman with flowing red hair walked into the kitchen and stood behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders.

'You sure he's up to this?' she asked.

Castor shrugged.

'I'm sure he'll be fine,' he said. 'If Potter can't handle a dirt-bag like Mundungus then I've been wasting the last seven months of my life.'

'So that leaves the house to ourselves,' she said as she trailed the side of his face with her fingers.

'Pretty much,' Castor said feigning interest. 'Except Ms. Weasley and the elf. Dobby went back to his quarters and Ms. Weasley is up in Potter's bed.'

'Young love,' she said in a mocking voice.

'Hey I just ate,' Castor said standing up and putting his arms around her.

'Sorry,' she said kissing him playfully.

They kissed for a minute, until Castor pulled away.

'Got a question for you,' he said.

'Hmmm.'

'Ever had sex on a kitchen table?' he said looking her in the eye, grinning suggestively.

'Can't say that I have,' she said as she moved back as Castor kissed her neck. 'I'm guessing you want to give it a try?'

Castor took his paper and coffee cup and flung them off the table.

'Pretty much,' he said kissing her again.

She smiled at him.

'I think I'd like that,' she said leaning toward, putting her hand on his chest. 'But there's something I want you to do first.'

Castor looked at her confused.

'Contraceptive Charm?' he asked.

'Well that,' she said rolling her eyes. 'But you need to brush your teeth. You smell like smoke.'

'Aw Christ Kate….'

* * * *

A/N: Thank you all for the reviews, I appreciate them. To all my readers around the world, Happy New Year, get as much tail as you can.

.Newcastle.