Chapter 11

"Mr. Potter, we have Denis Creevey in questioning room number three," Diane said, as she handed Harry is daily morning cup of coffee.

"Thank you, Diane," Harry said tiredly as he took the cup from her, and began heading in the direction of the

He had been up all night thinking about the case and going over the details of the case. He didn't want it to be Denis; not after his brother had died.

Harry had to admit, there were times in school when Colin bugged the hell out of him. He hated being treated as famous by people; why should someone become famous because their mother died to save them? It wasn't right, and it was slightly irritating when people made a big deal out of it, especially because something which rid the world of an evil also took away his family. Maybe that was selfish of him, but could anyone really blame him for that?

And Colin seemed to personify his fame, and because of that, he wasn't always Harry's favourite person. However, when it came down to it, Colin was loyal, and he was brave. He was a fighter who believed in helping the greater good, and ended up losing his life because of it. As unfortunate as it was, only in light of his death had Harry been able to see him for what he truly was. Colin was a great man, and Harry hated to even believe that his brother could be involved in anything so deadly just made him sad.

Hermione was waiting outside of the room, just as she had promised the day before. When he approached her, she pulled him into a hug, sensing the conflict he was feeling.

"I know this is hard for you, but we'll get through it. Denis is our only lead, and we have to go through with this. For all we know, it might not even be him," Hermione said soothingly.

"I know," Harry said with a sigh. "I just feel like I'm somehow dishonouring Colin's memory just by suspecting his brother."

"You're not," she said firmly. "Colin was a good person, and nothing anyone, even his brother, does will ever change that fact."

He gave her a nod, and turned the doorknob to the room, before entering. Hermione followed his suit, and the two of them sat in chairs across from Denis.

"Is there a particular reason why you wanted to see me?" Denis asked.

"I need to ask you about your whereabouts for the last 24 hours, Denis," Harry said, trying to ease into the matter, but at the same time get right to it.

"I was at home for most of the day," Denis said. "I had a lot of paperwork that I needed to catch up on, and I decided to spend the day working from home, seeing that I didn't want any interruptions."

"So you have no alibi for that period of time?" Hermione pressed him.

"No," Denis said puzzled. "I'm sorry, what is this about?"

"Denis, have you heard of the murders of the purebloods that have been happening lately?" Harry asked gently.

"Of course. It's been all over the papers lately," Denis said, pausing, "Wait, do you think I had something to do with it? Is that why you asked me about my alibi?"

"We found a strand of your hair at the crime scene, and we need to follow up on it," Hermione said, as she took over slightly, knowing Harry was still having a hard time with all of this.

"I didn't do anything!" Denis exclaimed. "I swear. Why would I have any reason to kill those people?"

"Because of your brother, Denis," Harry said softly. "Because you have the motive, seeing that your brother was killed by Death Eaters, nearly five years ago. And maybe it's finally getting to you. There are several steps of grief, and maybe you feel like you deserve revenge or retribution for your brother's death, and don't believe that those Death Eaters got the punishment they deserved, so you're taking it into your own hands, and killing them, just as they killed your brother."

"That's crazy!" Denis cried out. "I loved my brother so much. I worshiped him and I would have done anything for him. But I wouldn't ever kill another person because I feel like he deserved that much. My brother's killer is dead. Bellatrix Lestrange killed him, and Molly Weasley killed her. So as far as I'm concerned, he has been put to rest. It was war, and people did what they had to. No, I don't believe that some of those Death Eaters should have gone free, like Malfoy and his gang, but I never would do anything to take justice into my own hands. I work at the Ministry for Merlin's sake, and if that doesn't say cares about authority, I don't know what does."

"So you have no reason to have gone after Adrian Pucey, Marcus Flint, or Fredrick Gregson?" Hermione asked skeptically. "Because it's a strange coincidence that your hair turned up at the scene, now isn't it, Denis? Do you want to know how we found the hair? It was in the body of Gregson, buried in one of the wounds that the killer inflicted. Now, do you think you could tell me just how your hair got there, seeing that you 'were not at the crime scene'?"

"I may have worshiped my brother, but he worshiped you," Denis said coldly to Harry. "I feel ashamed that you would sully him and his love for you by accusing me for such a heinous crime. How could you even think for one second that I would have done such a thing? He would be ashamed of you for your questions, and thinking this of me."

"Don't," Harry said, equally as coldly. "If I believed for one second that you were fully innocent, I would not have brought you in. However, we found your hair at the crime, and policy dictates that we have to bring you in. I might not like that I have to do this, but it is what it is. And don't you dare bring your brother into this like that. He sacrificed himself in that war, even though no one asked it of him, and he is honoured for it. Colin was brave and loyal, and while I wish that his memory was enough to let you off, unfortunately it isn't. You see, you have motive, and we have placed you at the crime. While we still will investigate further, you are the main suspect in this crime as of this moment, and I refuse to let you guilt me into letting you free. Do not attempt to leave the country, as we have Aurors watching you in the case that we find more evidence against you. We will notify you if charges are to be dropped."

And with that, he walked out of the room. He had no time for people who tried to blackmail or guilt him.

"We have someone else we need to talk to," Hermione said, as she caught up to him. "I did some digging into Denis' life after the war, and it turns out that he has been getting counselling by a therapist from the time after the war, to now. I sent her an owl, asking for her to come in so we can talk to her as well, to see if it was mentally possible for Denis to have committed the murders."

"Smart move," he said, commending her. "Is she here now?"

"Yes," Hermione said as she pointed to the room across the hall, "I had her show up for roughly the same time, so we could talk to her after we were done with Denis."

"Who is 'she' exactly?" Harry questioned.

"Pansy Parkinson. After the war she apparently got into the pathway of therapy," Hermione briefed him as she entered the room.

"Granger, Potter," Parkinson said, as she greeted them with an air of slight indifference. There was no malice in her tone; however she did not seem too pleased to have to be here.

"Miss. Parkinson," Harry said back, trying to keep the distasted out of his voice. "May I ask how you became a therapist?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but after the war I had a lot of mental anguish and began to see someone. It motivated me to help others the same way I was helped. A lot of us, on both sides of the war, went through things we could never forget, and I wanted to help get other people's lives on track. I joined a program at St. Mungo's and started my own establishment once I had finished."

"We need to ask you about one of your patients," Hermione said cutting in. "Denis Creevey."

"There is a thing called patient-healer confidentiality, you know," Parkinson said with a roll of her eyes. "Everything he tells me is to be kept between the two of us."

"We suspect him of the murder of the three purebloods," Harry said sharply. "Has he said anything which indicates murderous tendancies? And I know all about confidentiality. I also know that I have enough to get a warrant from Kingsley if need be. So either tell me what know, or tell me when I hand you the warrant."

"Just as bossy as you were in school, I see," Pansy said with a roll of her eyes. "No need to get all authoritative. I will need the warrant to give you specifics, because that is what policy determines, however I can tell you this. Denis Creevey is suffering from depression; he has ever since the war ended. I've only been treating him for the last two years, so I assume once he finished his schooling at Hogwarts he decided he needed mental help. The time around the war is always the hardest for him, because he gets war flashbacks. He also goes into withdrawal due to the pain. He has been known to lash out now and then, however I do not know about murder. But if I'm being honest, I thought he was recovering, but a few days ago, he called me out, saying I wouldn't understand his pain, due to being a 'Death Eater by association' and told me he was done coming to me for help."

"Does he believe that others are responsible, over Bellatrix, for his brother's death?" Hermione asked, as she took notes of Pansy's previous statement.

"He believes that his brother was an unfortunate circumstance, but I do think he hasn't forgiven all those Death Eaters, especially those who got off lighter."

"I'll get the warrant to you by later today," Harry said gruffly before walking out of the room. Regardless of what he might have hoped previously, the case certainly was not looking in Denis' favour. He knew Kingsley would want to hear about this latest development, and so he headed towards the Minister's office.

"Granger, wait for a second," Parkinson said, as Hermione was about to leave the room.

"Is there something else you need?" Hermione asked her politely, as she returned to her chair.

"I wanted to talk to you about Draco," the girl said softly. Pansy had grown up and changed a considerable amount since the war. She had grown her hair longer, and her once pug-like features had matured making her look more approachable. "Is there something going on between the two of you? Like what the paper claimed to be true?"

"I don't see why it would be any of your business, Miss. Parkinson. I do not need to involve you in my personal life," Hermione said stiffly, while attempting to be professional.

"No, your life is your own business. However, when you get involved with Draco, it's mine. Draco and I, we're friends, and nothing else. I may have once wanted to have more, but I have long since grown up," Parkinson said, sounding somewhat distant. "His marriage to Astoria was arranged, however he did love her at first. He genuinely wanted to make it work, so both of them would have a shot of happiness. However him and Astoria were not on the same page for that. Unlike him, she only was in it by force. She would spend all his money, and had several affairs. To be honest, if Scorpius didn't look so damn much like Draco, I would suspect that he was another mans' child."

"I don't know what's going on between the two of you; maybe you're friends, and maybe you're more. However I do know that Draco doesn't trust easily, and the fact that he's opened up to you so much means that he's letting down his walls for you. I won't tell you not to date him, or to date him, because that is completely up to you and him. I will tell you not to hurt him. If you realise you don't have feelings for him, make sure you make that clear. Just…be careful, okay?" Pansy said, looking at here, completely sincerely.

Hermione's eyes softened at the girl, as she began to understand where she was going with all this. "I understand. I would have done the same for Harry, if I were in your situation. I-I care for Draco a lot. And I don't know if I'm ready to get into anything serious just yet, but I would want it to be with him, if I decide to get back into it. Scorpius is a great kid, and he deserves to be happy, they both do. And if it isn't with me, then I won't just cut him out of my life. He's too special for that."

"Good," the other girl said. "You could be really good for him. Just be patient with him, and don't let him shut you out. Any ways, I have an appointment in an hour, and I really need to be going to that."

Hermione nodded, "I'll have Harry come by with the warrant later to collect the files. If I'm going to be involved in Draco's life, then I don't want him to have to worry that I won't get along with his friends. Do you think that the two of us could leave the past where it belongs, and genuinely try to be friends?"

Pansy shot her a smile, "I would like that. I never had a lot of female friends growing up, and it might be nice to have some for a change."

Hermione gave her a light hug, "Good bye, Pansy, I'll see you around?"

Pansy looked a bit startled, both because of the use of her given name, and the hug, but she brushed it off and said, "I'll see you around…Hermione."

Hermione left the conference room, feeling lighter, and slightly happier. Ginny would always be one of her best female friends, but having more never hurt.

Diagon Alley always interested Theodore Nott, just as it did most other witches and wizards. There was an array of stores, any of which could be counted to have its own little gimmick to draw in attention. Because of this, it created a warm atmosphere.

On days where he didn't feel like working from home, he would bring his papers down to the little Café which was located in the centre of the Alley, and order a large coffee, a muggle drink which he had grown accustomed to, and would order which ever pastry caught his gaze that day. Theo preferred siting outside, because it allowed him to get in fresh air, but also allowed him to watch others get on with their busy days. He would work there for a few hours, before going back home and relaxing for the rest of the night.

Since the war had ended, his life had calmed down a significant amount. While for the first few years, he was fine simply investing money in corporations, he had come to an age where taking over his family's firm would soon be brought to his attention, and he would have to decide if it was what he wanted to do.

He had been considering it seriously for the past little while. It almost felt to him as he was simply just drifting through life, and he wanted more than that; he wanted to make a name for himself.

"Theo!' he heard a familiar voice call out. He looked up from his paper and saw Pansy standing in front of him, holding her purse in her left hand.

"Pansy," he greeted her with a warm smile. He stood up from his chair and drew her into a tight hug. "How have you been doing? It's been a little while since I've seen you last."

"A few months at least. I've been doing good, clientele keeps me busy," she said softly, as she brushed a strand of her silky hair out of her face.

"Would you like to sit down? I can order you a coffee," Theo offered, as he gestured to the seat across from him.

"As much as I would love to, I have a meeting in a little bit," she said, sounding regretful. "However, what if we met up another time? I have so much I need to catch up on, including Draco's love life."

"You mean with Granger?" Theo asked her in surprise. As far as he was aware, the pair hadn't made any major progressions, but it had been a while since he had seen Draco too, so for all he knew, he was missing some information. "Are they together?"

"No, well not yet anyways," Pansy said with a shake of her head. "But we can talk about this later. How about coffee on Friday? We can meet here if you'd like."

Theo smiled as he agreed, "Sounds perfect. See you then?"

"See you then," she said, as she gave him a quick hug, and continued on her way back to work.

Theo grinned into his cup of coffee as he got back to work. Today was shaping up to be a good day, and who knew where this coffee date could go?