Albus smirked at all through the Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson they were in. Malfoy had been scared out of his wits and wasn't coming within a foot of Dana. Dana had been talking non-stop but the others hadn't found it irritating. In fact, Dana had a wonderful voice and even the teachers were entranced with it. Now that Dana had her voice back Howard continued to insist that thy find out what Malfoy was up to. Even Rose was curious to see what Malfoy was planning. In fact, the only person who didn't want to go on another adventure was Albus. He had had enough. He couldn't understand how his dad had continued to risk expulsion from Hogwarts and risk killing himself and his friends. However, his lack of excitement only made the others want to discover what Malfoy was up to even more. Finally, one lunch time, Albus couldn't handle the conversation anymore. It was always about Malfoy. He got up and left the other three abruptly and wandered down the corridors, until he found himself outside the potion store room. Albus entered and whispered "Professor Snape?"
"There is no need to whisper. I wasn't seeping."
"Sorry" said Albus, at full volume.
"Well?"
"Oh…um… well I guess I came here for someone to talk to."
"Don't you have friends for that?"
Albus frowned. Snape was being quite rude. "Yes I do have friends for that but they are talking about something I don't really want to talk about."
"Like?"
"Well they think Malfoy is up to something."
"And is he?"
"Well yes."
"So? What's the problem?"
"Well they want to find out what he is up to but I don't."
"Why not?" Snape sounded quite surprised.
"Well because I am sick of the adventures we have had."
"And how many adventures have they been?"
"Only two. When we followed Malfoy to the Whomping Willow and when we took Polyjuice Potion to confront Malfoy."
"So how do you know if you dislike adventures if you have only been on two?"
"I don't want to risk the life of my friends, or my own."
"Are you in Slytherin house?" Professor Snape asked suddenly.
"No. Why do you ask?"
"No reason. You are less like your father than I thought."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No, quite the opposite. Your father had no regard for the school rules when he was here. On more than one occasion, I would have gladly expelled him if he had been in my house."
Albus grinned. His father had told him about all those times.
"I think you should discover what Malfoy is up to. It might help you understand what is going on."
Albus looked at Professor Snape in confusion but he would say no more. He left reluctantly and assented to his friends. However, that night, while Howard pored over the Marauders Map and Rose and Dana discussed different possibilities for what Malfoy could be doing, Albus sat in an armchair and wondered what he could possibly understand about Malfoy, other than that he wanted to kill him and that people never truly change? Albus sighed and rubbed his forehead. He really wished he could send his dad an owl.

Harry wasn't sure what he had been expecting but it hadn't been this. He read over Narcissa's reply again, even though he knew it by heart.
Do not come if you wish to live.
What did it mean? Harry had thought this would put Hermione off going to the Malfoy's, but instead it had made her more eager to go. However Harry wasn't sure he wanted to go now. Narcissa's letter was foreboding enough, without having to worry about Kreacher. Harry just couldn't shake the feeling that something was up. Maybe Kreacher's allegiance hadn't changed. Hermione didn't agree with Harry's theory and Ron said that even if Kreacher did love Malfoy, he would still be unable to disobey Harry. Ginny had no comment. She had been very grumpy the past week which left another thing for Harry to worry about. At the moment, though, his mind was solely focused on the letter. Suddenly a loud crack issued behind him. Harry jumped and turned to see Kreacher standing there.
"Kreacher! It hasn't been a week yet!"
"Did you summon him Harry? Why didn't you let us know?" Ron came into the room, his shirt wet from where he had spilt his tea.
"I didn't summon Kreacher!" Harry said, as Hermione and Ginny walked into the room.
"Master didn't summon Kreacher but Kreacher came anyway. Kreacher came to tell master that the Malfoy boy will be home and that it is unwise to visit Malfoy Manor while he is home."
Harry exchanged a glance with the other three.
"Kreacher, why isn't it safe?"
"Kreacher can't say!"
"Kreacher tell me why we shouldn't go!" commanded Harry
"Kreacher doesn't know! He can't say!" Kreacher began tugging at his ears, trying to pull them from his head.
"Kreacher stop that!" Kreacher stopped immediately. "I understand you don't know why but then, how do you know at all?"
Kreacher's eyes widened, and he shook his head.
Harry stared around the room in frustration. Why was Kreacher unable to answer him?
"Very well Kreacher, you may go back home."
After Kreacher left, Harry looked at the other three.
"What was that about?" asked Ron
"Oh couldn't you see? He was under an enchantment!" snapped Ginny.
"Oh my goodness, Ginny's right! Kreacher must have been caught and put under an enchantment. I bet you, Malfoy won't even be home. Poor Kreacher!" said Hermione.
"How is that possible?" asked Harry. Something felt very wrong here.
"Kreacher is old, Harry" said Hermione gently.
Harry nodded, but wasn't entirely convinced. Throughout his watch, he thought about Kreacher's behaviour. It didn't make any sense. Harry frowned. Maybe Malfoy Manor wasn't the place to go after all.

"Send dad a letter? But he told us not to!" yelped James.
"I know but I really want to ask him a question."
"Well ask me! Or else forget it."
"I can't ask you! It needs to be dad."
"Well I can't help you Al. Just forget it. Come on John!" James called to his friend and they both left.
"Well that's that" said Albus gloomily.
"Why do you want to send Uncle Harry a letter Al?" asked Rose.
"Because he could tell us what's going on and what to do next."
"Well there has to be a way!" said Dana in frustration, who had thought Albus' idea was great.
"We can ask my dad" said Howard.
"Yes!" said Albus, his eyes lighting with excitement. "Your dad will know what to do!"
They hurried down to the greenhouses, where Professor Longbottom was busy with some mimbulus mimbletomia.
"Hey dad!" called Howard!
Professor Longbottom looked around. "Howard! What are you doing here? Hello Albus, Rose. Oh and Dana too. I smell trouble."
"Sorry to bother you Professor Longbottom, but we need to ask you a question" said Rose. She looked at Albus expectantly.
He cleared his throat and asked "We want to send a letter to my dad."
Professor Longbottom looked shocked. "To Harry? Sorry guys but he told me explicitly to tell you not to send him a letter."
"Yeah he told us that too" said Albus in defeat.
"But this is really important!" piped up Dana. "We want to ask him about Malfoy."
Professor Longbottom's eyes narrowed. "Stay out of trouble, all of you. Malfoy is up to no good and I won't have you three mixed up with him!"
"But dad! This is important" begged Howard.
"I'm sorry, but no! Stay away from Malfoy. Your dad is working on the Malfoy's, Albus, so don't worry." Professor Longbottom covered his mouth. "Damn me and my loose mouth!" he cursed. "I shouldn't have said that!" He shooed them out of the greenhouse, all of them grinning. Albus was grinning the widest of them all because Professor Longbottom had reminded him of someone who could help them. Hagrid.