Chapter Four

Investigations and Explanations

A wizened old wizard sat at the desk in his office at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He frowned as he gazed at the woman in front of him.

"Dumbledore? What do you suppose we do?"

"First, we should consider who might be behind this. You say the Dursleys saw no one new until today, Arabella?"

Arabella nodded. "They saw no one." She fidgeted every so slightly and she felt like Dumbledore's eyes were piercing her right through.

"Very interesting," he said slowly, "Very interesting indeed that no one would have seen anybody – it's as if this person simply popped out of thin air and took Harry away from his relatives. Very interesting."

Arabella hesitated for a moment. "The last time Harry came to my house, he brought a dog."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows, but Arabella couldn't help but notice that he didn't look all that surprised.

"A white dog with pale eyes, of a large breed but not fully grown yet…" she hesitated again. "Do you think it might have been an Animagus?"

"It might have been, nothing can be certain. It is all we have though." Dumbledore rested his chin on his hands. "Regardless, it still comes back to the same question as to who it might have been and why they did what they did."

Arabella nodded and thought for a moment, "Do you know whose magical trace was on Petunia Dursley?"

Dumbledore looked up and made a gesture for her to continue.

"Lucius Malfoy's."

Harry sat down by Draco, looking puzzled but keeping his silence.

Draco took a deep breath then began his story. "My father and mother were killed in an attack from people who were once their friends. My father used to serve someone who was a very awful wizard, 'the Dark Lord', 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named', 'You-Know-Who', people call him many things, but I think his real name is actually very interesting. Voldemort. A lot of people don't like to say his name because they are so afraid of him, but not only do I not fear him, I just think his name's cool. Anyway, my father denied any loyalty to Voldemort, earlier of the same day when Voldemort was defeated. Many thought he had something to do with it because of that, and those who used to serve this wizard with my father have been chasing him ever since."

Draco paused and sighed softly, "They broke into my home, my father hid me and gave me his wand, I still don't know why. Maybe he had a spare one, maybe he just knew he didn't have a chance, I don't know, but it was the last time I saw him except for when he took a curse for me that killed him. I ran, turning into a dog as I went, and when I stopped and looked back I saw my home on fire. I still don't know what became of my mother but I assume she was killed. I'm not sure, but most probably think I'm dead too. With all the suspicion that people have always had for my family, it wouldn't do for you, especially you of all people, to be seen with me either way."

Draco smiled slightly at the confused look on Harry's face. "Okay, now I'll tell you who you are, Harry Potter."

Harry sat with his mouth hanging open as Draco told him about his parents.

"No one knows how you did it, Harry, but somehow you beat him and you beat him good 'cause no one has heard anything about his possible whereabouts since, that's if he's alive still." Draco grinned, "What's your secret? I would love to know."

Harry opened a closed his mouth wordlessly many times until Draco burst out laughing. "You look like a fish when you do that. C'mon, do it again, it's funny."

Harry stared at him. How someone could go from talking about death to laughing so quickly, Harry had no idea. Then again, it had to look amusing if someone looks like a fish… Harry chuckled lightly then started to laugh like Draco and slapped his friend across the arm.

"I'm getting hungry," said Draco after a minute.

"Me too," said Harry.

"Well, let's go. I certainly don't want to eat here, it smells down there."

Harry laughed. "Okay."

Draco hopped from the bed and he and Harry went down into the courtyard again, but this time, after opening up the wall, Draco headed down a different path.

"There's nothing but shops and the bank in Diagon Alley, we're going to have to go through Knockturn, but I know a few places from there," said Draco.

Harry nodded. He felt a bit awkward going through Knockturn, him and Draco being the only children in sight, but it wasn't too long before Draco turned off onto a new street that gradually changed into a narrow dirt road.

Draco smiled apologetically, "I wish I had gotten my broom before I left Malfoy Manor, it's so much faster that way."

Harry shrugged, "I don't mind. It's kind of nice walking."

Draco nodded and in another few minutes they found themselves in a small city.

"Venustas," said Draco softly. "There are plenty of good places to eat here."

"Draco, I forgot, but I don't have any money," Harry muttered, blushing slightly with embarrassment at having not thought of it before.

"Don't worry about it, Harry, I heard your parents left you a vault at Gringott's, you'll be given the key before Hogwarts, I'm sure, if you care to keep tabs, I surely don't, you can pay me back then."

"You sure?"

"Of course. I can afford it, my family has been rich for generations and since my father worked, we have even more money."

Harry nodded and Draco chose a restaurant. They got several odd looks as they were seated but Draco glowered at everyone until they looked away. One of the managers came up to them, smiling.

"Why, young Mister Malfoy, I haven't seen you in here for a while. I'd thought you'd died in the attack on your Manor I heard about, but it looks like you slipped past again."

Draco smiled, "You know me, I can weasel out of anything. How are you doing, Spence?"

"Pretty good, lad, pretty good. Let me go get Kendra."

Draco chuckled as Spence walked off, calling to Draco's favorite waitress.

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Come here often?"

"I've been a few times, yeah," Draco chuckled again.

"Well, if it isn't you," came a light feminine voice, trembling with contained laughter. "You haven't come to visit me in ages, and here I've been, worrying myself sick about you, what do you have to say for yourself, young sir?" She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot for a second in mock anger but Draco wasn't fooled. He simply smirked, leaned back in his chair, and put his feet on the table to irritate. She shook her head then her face broke into a grin. "It's good to see you. And my, my, another little sir," she said, noticing Harry for the first time. "At least you've done something good with your time and made a friend, Drake."

Draco nodded. "Now get out of here, Kendra, and let my friend look at the menu for a moment."

She feigned anger at his seemingly rude statement, but Harry could see the two knew each other well and it was not uncommon for Draco and Kendra to tease each other. He buried his nose into the menu to hide his smile.

After they'd ordered and their meal was brought to them, Draco continued a conversation with Kendra while Harry bolted down his lunch.

Draco glanced at him then raised one eyebrow, "Hungry, were you?"

Harry smiled sheepishly, "Just a little."

"Alright, Kendra, how much do I owe you?"

"It's on the house this time, but you owe me one," said Kendra, grinning slightly then ushering the two boys out. "Get out of here, and come visit more often, preferably not waiting a month and a half. Especially after an attack on your house, making me worry about you, you little hooligan."

Draco grinned back, "That's what I'm good at, Kendy."

"Don't call me that, you know it annoys me."

"Why do you think I do it?" Draco ducked a blow aimed at his head. "See you later, Kendy." He ducked again then dashed off.

Kendra watched them go then headed back into the restaurant, going into the back where there was a small fireplace. She tossed some powder into the flames then called for Dumbledore. Within seconds, the old man's head appeared.

"Yes, Kendra?"

"Dumbledore, Harry Potter just left, heading in the direction of Diagon Alley."

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A/N: I'm sorry for the long time it took to update everybody! This isn't even worth the wait, probably, being as short and crappy as it is. I kept hitting snags to where I couldn't think of what to say or how to say what I wanted to say next and… ack!

However, I would like to set aside a simple statement to dedicate this story to my Beta Reader, Dustin. Without his encouragement, I probably would write half as much as I do. Everybody thank him or I'll sick my cute little puppy on you! :: Points to said cute little puppy who sits there wagging his tail and looking cute and innocent :: … -_-'

This story seems to be going nowhere fast. The plot bunny keeps eluding me. I'll let it loose sooner or later though. I beg you readers to stay with this story for just a little bit longer then I should be able to spark some interest.

Now, to thank my reviewers.

zekkers: I'll consider that. Maybe not though. And they're not really worried about getting caught 'cause who exactly are they running from? Dumbledore doesn't count lol.

DreamingToThis: Thanks a lot, I'm glad you liked it, and I hope this chapter isn't a letdown.

Yuki-chu: Haven't seen too many? Hmm… how many HAVE you seen? I figured I would be the only one lol. Oh well. It's no big deal. I'm glad you like the story so far and thanks for your review!

Prophetess Of Hearts: I'll definitely continue. Thanks for your review and I hope you like this chapter!

:: Hands cookies out to all reviewers :: Thanks a bundle everyone!

~Sabre Black.