-Chapter 17-

Harry and Ron went to the Ministry Sunday morning for Narcissa's questioning. It was part of the plan that had been conjured up after hours of discussion amongst Bill, Charlie, George, Ron, Harry, Hermione, Aislin and Willow. Narcissa needed to see Ron and Harry at the interrogation. If she saw them she wouldn't alert anyone at Malfoy Manor. They counted on Narcissa thinking that Harry would be the one that would want to save the day, as he always did. His absence would tell her that something was going to happen and she would alert whoever was guarding Malfoy Manor. They were to listen very closely for any tips or clues as to where Ginny might be.

Harry and Ron sat patiently on a bench in the interrogation room. Harry had a clipboard with parchment and a quill, ready to scribble down his own notes. An Auror stood on each side of the door and there was a table in the center of the room, a chair on each side. In one chair sat Harry and Ron's boss. Narcissa was escorted in precisely at nine o'clock. She sneered at Ron and Harry then sat in the empty chair at the table.

"Mrs. Malfoy, do you know why you are here?" Robards asked, scribbling on some parchment.

"The letter I received did not give a specific reason as to why I was asked to come."

"Were you at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Weasley on this passed Friday evening?"

"I was, yes."

"And what was your business there, Mrs. Malfoy?"

"I felt guilty for the actions my son had taken against Miss Granger, the Potters and the two Weasley children. I wanted to apologize to them on Draco's behalf and see if there was anything I could do."

"Is that all?"

"I did attempt to make a deal with Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. I know they have standing in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and I inquired as to whether or not they could find it in their hearts to help me get Draco out of that awful prison. He is simply a misguided young man, I tried to make them see that but I was treated with anger and hostility."

"Anger and hostility you say? In what way?"

"Young Miss Ginny Weasley threatened my well being. I did understand though. She always has had a bit of a temper and she wanted to protect her loved ones, much like I want to protect my Draco."

"Where did you go after your visit?"

"I apparated to the nearby village and then used the Floo Network to go to Diagon Alley. I went to the apothecary to purchase hellebore for some Draught of Peace that I brewed later on that evening. After the apothecary I went right home."

"Can you provide witnesses to your whereabouts?"

"The apothecary will remember me, surely. He was just getting ready to close his shop when I went in for the hellebore. I offered him an extra Galleon over the price if he would stay open just long enough for me to get what I needed."

"Are you familiar with the surroundings of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's home?"

"Mr. Robards, with all due respect, I have complied with all of your questions. I believe I deserve to know why I am being asked them."

Harry noticed something when Narcissa changed the subject. There was a reason he was one of the most skilled Aurors in the department and it wasn't because he was only good at tracking down and getting Dark Wizards. He had developed a knack for knowing when someone was lying without the use of Legilimency or Veritaserum. His skills as a Seeker carried to his job, he was able to see fine details that others couldn't. Harry watched Narcissa's thin neck. There was a slight pulsation where her jugular vein lay just below the skin. Harry watched it intently. The minute she asked Robards to explain her interrogation the pulsation sped up.

"She's lying." He scribbled on the paper, showing it to Ron. "Her pulse just went through the roof. She knows why she is here."

"Mrs. Malfoy, Ginny Weasley disappeared from her parents' home last night shortly after your visit. Her broomstick was found, wand attached, in a nearby field with a serpent carved into the broom handle."

"How terrible!" Narcissa's right eyebrow twitched. Harry scribbled even more on his paper. "I suppose it does look like I would be a likely suspect, I can see now!" Narcissa's voice had gone up in pitch. Harry was sweating trying to keep up with writing down all the things he wanted to.

"Were you involved, directly or indirectly, with the disappearance of Ginny Weasley?"

"Of course not."

Another lie.

"Do you still live at Malfoy Manor, Mrs. Malfoy?"

"Of course."

"Do you still own other property throughout Britain?"

"Lucius sold all of it. I didn't find out about it until just after he went back to…after what he did."

Harry felt like he could do a back flip. Narcissa wasn't lying. There was only one place that Ginny could be. He scribbled it on the parchment and showed it to Ron who nodded slightly.

"I will be back momentarily, Mrs. Malfoy. I would like to have a word with my colleagues." Robards stood up from his chair and looked at Harry and Ron. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley."

The two men stood up and walked out of the room.

"Well, what do you think, Potter? I know your skill of lie detecting, what were your findings."

Harry fought a smile at the irony that the situation presented. "I don't have enough that would convict her or put her in Azkaban," Harry lied. He knew they would hold her if he said they should but they didn't have time for the other Aurors to formulate a plan and risk Ginny's life to get her out. They knew Narcissa would have warned whoever was with Ginny that if she didn't come back to kill anyone that stepped on the property or even Ginny herself.

"I think it does warrant house arrest though," Harry continued. "I'll look over my notes and if I think she needs further questioning I will let you know."

Robards nodded and they stepped back into the room.

"Mrs. Malfoy, I am going to request that after you leave here you go directly back to your residence and do not attempt to leave until such a time when we inform you that your name has been cleared of all suspect."

"I understand, Mr. Robards. I dare not defy the Ministry."

"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy. You are dismissed."

Narcissa got up and left the room. Ron and Harry followed. Narcissa got on the lift to head for the atrium.

Bill and Charlie waited in the atrium, cloaks on and hoods up. They watched Narcissa get off the lift and head to the fireplaces. They listened closely as she tossed in a handful of Floo Powder.

"Diagon Alley, Madam Malkin's!" she said as the green flames engulfed her.

Bill and Charlie tossed in Floo Powder into their own fireplaces.

"Diagon Alley, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes!" they said simultaneously.