Well, you all gave me such nice feedback, I thought I'd give you a little gift. It's a little sooner than I usually post, but I worked on this all day so I could get it out for Memorial Day. In between cooking out and cleaning and making cookies, that is :)

Harry is not in this chapter, but it explains what is going on

DracoMalfoyIsMyLionI'mHisLamb- Ooh, that's not in the plans, but what a great idea

Obsessed362- Draco hasn't done anything yet . . . But remember, he hasn't been very honest with him. He's already had opportunities to hand him over to his friends and didn't take them.

BloodyRose90- Yeah, as Draco's personal dresser, Elizabeth would know about the company he keeps. I imagine that he likes to dress his boys properly, being as particular as he is :)

ClaireBouldwin- I think you may have misread that. Owling Ron and Hermione was one of his options, but he decided to try and fix Harry himself. At this point, they don't know what happened to Harry.

da-blk-saiyangirl- you'll find out why the potion didn't work here

FantasyFiend09- Draco really is trying hard to be good, but Harry isn't going to make it easy lol

Thanks also to Bookwoman17NerdyMom, WitchRavenFox, Antybioda, ChrystelleK, Clary girl two, cassy1994, quirkyKitty93 & luvsallthingsslash for taking the time to read and review!

oOo

Day 7, Saturday

"I'm going out again," Ron said to Hermione.

"Where? Where else can you possibly look?" she asked.

"There are a million places to look."

"That's exactly my point, Ron. Harry could be anywhere. You can't keep searching willy-nilly."

"But I can't just sit here and do nothing." Ron cradled his head in his hands. "He's been missing for almost a week."

"I know," Hermione said quietly as she placed her hands over Ron's. She lifted his face up to hers. "We have to go about this logically, though."

The last time Ron and Hermione had seen Harry, they had been trying to talk him out of going after one of the Death Eaters on his own. He had received an anonymous tip that Nazar Duncan was hiding out in one of the abandoned store fronts in Diagon Alley. The Aurors received many tips about Death Eater activity, much of which turned out to be false. Expecting that the information about Duncan was also false, Harry felt it wasn't a risk to go alone.

Ron thought he had convinced Harry to wait for him on that Sunday afternoon six days prior. But when Harry didn't show up at the office on Monday, Ron grew worried. He searched up and down the Alley all day, finding no sign of Harry. He and Hermione tried Harry's home on Grimmauld Place, The Burrow, Ginny's home and countless others, on the off chance Harry just needed to get away and didn't inform them. He had been known to take secret holidays now and then. However, within a day or two, Harry would surface, or at the very least owl them. And the Ministry always knew of Harry's time off.

The Ministry was not aware of Harry's whereabouts this time, which led Ron to the conclusion that Nazar Duncan had done something to him. Ron hoped it wasn't the worst.

As usual, Hermione was the voice of reason. "We need to find out more about this Duncan character. He kept a relatively low profile, for a Death Eater. I suspect perhaps he was playing both sides. Let's go to the Ministry and find out what they have on file."

Ron sighed. "That's a good idea," he conceded. He gave her a small smile and kissed her cheek. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

The file on Duncan was relatively small, as Hermione suspected. But there was some very important information to be found.

"He sure moved around a lot," Ron frowned.

"Yes," Hermione agreed. "He's from London, but he lived in Scotland and Monaco for a while. His last known address was in Germany. He was working for a wizard named Hans Neustadt."

"I think we need to pay this bloke a visit," Ron said.

oOo

Day 9, Monday

"How long did Duncan work for you?" Ron asked Neustadt.

"Nearly a year," the man answered in a thick German accent.

"Did he give a forwarding address?" Hermione questioned.

"No. The man stole from me before he left. He wasn't daft enough to tell me how to find him."

"What did he steal?" Ron queried.

"Mainly potion ingredients," Neustadt replied. "And some of my notes. Not much of consequence. My research is copyrighted, so he can't do much with it. But it was the principle."

"What sort of notes?"

"The main focus of my work is memory recovery."

"And do you believe he wanted to use your methods for anything in particular?" Hermione asked. Ron gave her a look of annoyance. It was supposed to be his interrogation. He was the Auror, after all.

"He never mentioned needing to recover someone's memory. He was much more interested in removing them."

"Like Obliviation?"

Neustadt laughed. "Nothing as simple as that. I've been working on very selective memory removal."

"How is it different?"

"Selective memory removal, or more accurately, masking, can be useful in psychological therapy. The number of wizards seeking counseling after the war was overwhelming. My experimental process is designed to mask traumatic experiences, and slowly bring them back bit by bit while undergoing counseling to deal with the patient's emotional well being. It's a slow process, but I've had success with a few patients," Neustadt told them.

"So, why not just remove bad memories?" Ron asked.

"Because, my boy, not dealing with trauma is no way to go through life. We must learn along the way. We learn more from what goes wrong, than what goes right."

Ron rolled his eyes, but Hermione leaned forward in her chair.

"I agree. For example, if we all simply forgot about bad things that happened as a result of the war, or why it began in the first place, it could easily happen all over again."

"Wars do happen over and over again," Ron interjected.

"True," she conceded. Then she put it in more personal terms for Ron. "What if you were made to forget Fred's death. You wouldn't have grieved for him. But how would you explain his absence? Would you rather not remember any of his life to avoid the pain of his death?"

For a moment, Ron was shocked that Hermione would be so blunt. However, he saw her point.

"Yes," Neustadt nodded. "Memories are integrated. It's difficult to lose one single memory alone."

"Mum could have used that kind of therapy. It took years for her to be able to look at George without crying."

"Is it hard to access the memories once they've been masked with your process?" Hermione asked, merely out of curiosity. "Some years ago, I altered my parents' memories of me and Harry, and magic in general, to protect them from Voldemort. Basically, I changed their memories as a whole, so it wasn't difficult to simply remove the charm to restore them."

"I see," Neustadt said. "Mine is a step process, and it takes time to conceal or reveal."

"Could Duncan do this?" Ron broke into their conversation.

"Excuse me?"

"Using the notes he stole, could he mask someone's memories?" Ron asked impatiently.

"No." Neustadt frowned. "I don't think . . . perhaps, if he took care. He's a relatively clever man. He made potions for me. Some of them tricky. But I don't think his skills with a wand are up to the delicacies of my techniques."

"And what if he tried? What could happen if he tried and wasn't very good at it?"

The man's face paled. "There would be consequences. Perhaps the permanent concealment of certain memories. Or too many taken."

"Mione, what if Nazar did this to Harry?" Ron whispered to Hermione. "Harry could be walking around not remembering who he is or something. We need to find him as quickly as possible."

"How? He could be anywhere."

"I'll contact the Aurors offices in all the major wizarding cities. Someone is bound to have seen him or Harry. I have a bad feeling about this."

Neustadt couldn't hear what the pair was saying, but he could see the concern on their faces.

"What is it?" he questioned. "Do you think Mr. Duncan has used my techniques on someone?"

"Possibly. Our friend has gone missing. We believe Nazar Duncan was the last person to see him.

"If you're correct, it could be worse than you think," Neustadt interjected. Hermione and Ron looked at him with dread. "The longer the memories are masked, the more difficult they become to retrieve. Or believe."

Hermione blinked at the startling information. "You mean, a patient may not believe his or her own memory?"

"The mind tends to fill in gaps. The power of suggestion also can play a part. Reality is what we perceive. That's why ten people who witness the same event can each have a slightly different account of what happened."

"So, if he goes too long with gaps in his memory, his mind will just make it up and we won't be able to convince him he's wrong?" Ron asked.

"That's a simplified way of looking at it, but yes," Neustadt said.

"How long is too long?"

"It's hard to say. Each patient is different."

"A guess, please?" Hermione appealed to the man.

"I've seen it happen after three months."

"Well, he's only been gone a little more than a week," Ron said hopefully. "We'll just have to find him straightaway."

"Thank you, sir, for your help," Hermione smiled.

"When you find your friend, bring him to me. Only I will be able to help. Conventional memory retrieval methods will have little affect, and could be detrimental."

"It's not just our friend. It's Harry Potter," Ron said.

"I'll come to him," Neustadt offered.

〪o 〫O〬 o〭

Ron and Hermione left Germany and returned home with renewed urgency to find Harry.

"We shouldn't jump to conclusions. We don't know if Duncan is even able to perform that sort of complicated magic. And why would he do it to Harry? We don't know if Harry even found Duncan that day."

"Maybe he did. Maybe Duncan is planning to do something to all the Aurors' memories."

"Or maybe he hasn't done anything to Harry's memory," Hermione said quietly. "We have to consider the possibility that he's done something more sinister."

"No," Ron said. "Fucking Voldemort couldn't kill Harry. No way some two-bit Death Eater got the best of him. I'm not giving up on him."

"I'm not either, Ron. I'm only trying to be logical."

"Well, stop," Ron snapped. "I'm trying to be hopeful."

"I'm sorry. Why don't you go now and get the word out to the other Aurors," Hermione suggested. "I'll take another trip to Diagon Alley. Perhaps if the questions come from a less official source, someone who's seen something will step forward."

Ron at first began to protest, but relented. "You may be right, Mione. People clam up when an Auror comes around."

With a kiss, they each went off to their appointed tasks. While Ron went to the Ministry, Hermione took a trip to Diagon Alley. She canvassed the shops to find that no one remembered seeing Harry recently, except for one woman who thought she saw him pass by the previous Sunday. It wasn't much, but it fit in with Ron's theory that Harry went after Duncan on his own.

Hermione stopped in to say hello to George at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Business was still brisk and he had taken on a new partner in crime. It wasn't the same as working with Fred. But with the help of his family and wife Angelina, George was healing.

He kissed Hermione's cheek. "What brings you in here?"

"A little levity."

His smile dropped. "What's wrong?"

"Still no sign of Harry. Ron's trying not to show it, but he's terribly worried."

She explained the theory Ron came up with after speaking with Hans Neustadt.

"Harry's been known to take off on his own now and again. It was Ginny's biggest complaint," George said. "Maybe that's what he's done this time."

"Yes, but not this long without a word."

"Maybe he's found himself a new bird," George suggested. "I think Ginny always thought he was sneaking off with some bint when he went on those soul searching jags." He crooked his finger for air quotes when he said the words soul searching.

Hermione sighed. "I don't think so." She did, however, suspect that Harry may have been meeting other men during those times. But she certainly wasn't going to tell George that.

Instead, she said, "He would have sent word by now if he could."

"Anything I can do?"

Hermione shrugged. "Just keep an eye out. And an ear. If you hear anything, let Ron know immediately."

"Of course."

"Well, I guess I'm off. Although, I'm not sure where else to look."

"Hmm," George stroked his chin. "If you want to find a Death Eater, why don't you ask another one."

Hermione cocked her head, questioningly.

"Malfoy," George said. "Maybe he's heard of this Duncan fellow. He may still have an in with the Death Eaters."

"I hadn't thought of that," she said. "Somehow, I doubt he'd be cooperative. Especially regarding Harry. But it's worth a shot, I suppose."

"He's got a shop around the corner in Knockturn Alley, The Dragon's Lair."

She smirked. "How apropos. Thank you."

"Anything for Ron's best girl," he smiled and kissed her cheek again.

〪o 〫O〬 o〭

As she walked into Knockturn Alley, Hermione thought about what she would say to Malfoy. She hadn't laid eyes on him in about four years, while he was an apprentice at a local apothecary. He had been just as smarmy as ever then, correcting her in her request for potion ingredients. He had been right about what she needed, but that was beside the point. He had been less than gracious about it, even if he did save her from having her potion blow up in her face. Malfoy left that shop shortly after to start up his own. Hermione never patronized his store.

She stopped and looked up at the sign hanging over the doorway. She had to admit that it was clever. The sign was beautifully crafted and stood out among others down the Alley.

A small bell chimed as she walked in the front door. The man who greeted her with a smile was not someone she had seen before. He was unremarkable and therefor, forgotten almost immediately when Draco Malfoy approached.

"Granger. Slumming it?" He smirked. "How can I help you?"

Hermione was surprised by his nearly playful demeanor. She expected a scowl, if he spoke to her at all. She was also surprised by his appearance. No longer gangly and awkward, Draco stood confident and tall. His hair was styled more naturally than it had been when he was younger. She might have even described him as handsome, if she didn't know what a git he was.

"It's Weasley."

"Of course. My apologies. I did hear about yet another Weasley wedding."

So, his attitude toward her hadn't changed quite as much as she first thought.

He continued, automatically falling into his standard salesman routine. "Is there something specific you're looking for? Something unusual perhaps? I get so few customers who truly appreciate the fine art of potion making."

Thrown off by the compliment, if that's what it was, Hermione stammered. "Uh, no. Um, actually, I didn't come in to purchase anything."

"Oh," he frowned. His eyes narrowed with suspicion. Could she possibly have known Harry was there?

"I, um, came to enlist your help," she told him.

There was an awkward silence between them for a moment.

"Do I have to guess what it is?" he asked sarcastically.

"Sorry, no. I came to ask you if you've ever heard of a man named Nazar Duncan."

"I've heard of him, yes."

"You wouldn't happen to know his whereabouts, would you?" she asked timidly.

"Why would I know where-" He stopped and let out a grunt. "You think all Death Eaters know one another? Is that it? Do the Weasleys know all the other red heads out there?"

Embarrassed for her assumption, Hermione apologized.

"I didn't mean to insult you. I know you've renounced the Death Eaters publicly. It's just that, you're the only connection left in the Alleys."

"And you thought I could find out where this man is hiding at our next club meeting?" He spat mockingly. "Now if you'll excuse me. I have actual customers that require my attention." He turned to leave.

"Then, you don't have any idea where Duncan might be?" she reiterated. Malfoy never said he didn't know.

He turned back to her in disbelief. "First of all Granger, Weasley, whatever- I am a former Death Eater. Secondly, I am a legitimate businessman running a clean business. And thirdly- " He was frustrated at not being able to think of a third thing to say, incensed as he was. "If you're not going to buy anything, please leave my shop."

Draco had never booted out a potential customer before. He'd learned from the beginning not to burn bridges, particularly in Knockturn Alley. But Granger impugned his honor.

"Fine," she said. "You won't find me in here again."

Hermione regretted saying the moment it left her mouth. Draco's shop was meticulously kept, with potions arranged logically, the way she would have. Not to mention, he had a reputation for being an excellent Potions Master. She would have rather enjoyed spending hours perusing his wares.

She reached the front door, then as an afterthought asked, "Has Harry been here recently?" She was aware that Harry had been keeping tabs on Malfoy over the years.

He attempted to keep his reaction in check, but couldn't help glancing around to see if Harry was near. Thankfully, he must have been in the back with Mirabelle.

"Potter? No. He's not shown his face in here for quite a while." He was inwardly pleased with his phrasing, should he ever be called to task for lying. "Is there a problem?"

There was something odd about Malfoy's reaction to her question, but Hermione couldn't put her finger on it. With nothing else to say, she simply said, "Good day."

Draco breathed a huge sigh of relief when Hermione left the shop.

Harry would ask later about the young woman he was yelling at. When Draco explained that it was Ron Weasley's wife, Harry assumed she was giving Draco a hard time just as Ron had. Harry didn't think much of Hermione's visit and forgot about her as quickly as she dismissed him when she first entered the Dragon's Lair.

However, Draco learned a great deal from her visit. He had assumed that Harry's friends would be looking for him, but not so desperately that they would try to enlist his help. And now he had a name, a suspect in Harry's disappearance, if he assumed correctly. He'd heard of Duncan. He was neither a particularly good wizard, nor a good criminal. Perhaps, he was the key to Harry's memory loss.

〪o 〫O〬 o〭