After speaking with the Minister, the aurors visited the jail where Oliver was being kept. Shackelbolt had already set forth for those tending the cells that he was to be released. Harry and Ron were simply to see to it and accompany him to his brother's home. The lead auror had informed Stephen of Oliver's arrest out of courtesy, unintentionally prompting the man to contact the Minister, pleading his brother's case and assuring him that they would both comply with anything needed. He included it to mean the extraction of memories and use of veritaserum: the truth serum.
Shackelbolt had not made his decision based solely upon Stephen's cry, yet he did tell him that should Oliver agree to these terms, he'd issue his dismissal from their custody to the senior Mr. Smith. The Minister left it to the aurors to receive this agreement and at their meeting with the misled wizard, he reluctantly confirmed the contract.
Harry informed Oliver that until further notice, he would be expected to stay within the perimeter of Stephen's property. The trace would be temporarily placed back upon him though the exact spell was slightly different as it would show the aurors his location twenty-four/seven with a second charm to alert them if he had moved beyond the protected vicinity. They were calling it the 'dog collar' charm. The wizard sighed, obviously hating the situation, but he agreed to this as well.
Stephen thanked the aurors when they arrived, taking his brother inside with a sad glance back at them before closing the door. Oliver had remained silent since the spell had been put on him and his escorts did nothing to push him, understanding he had quite a lot on his mind and his heart. They did, however, wonder how Mary was treating these events. She certainly didn't appear the kind to stay quiet or let go the fact that she had been right about Gerald.
Once all this was taken care of, Harry and Ron returned to their office to find Draco waiting for them. The ex-deatheater was propped against a desk with his arms crossed and raised an eyebrow at the aurors when they entered. He couldn't have been there for long, though, because it was only a quarter past the set meeting time. Surprisingly, he didn't address the issue, even when he was given no apology. Harry's only response to his presence was to say he needed talk to talk to Arthur before they departed.
Draco had stepped away from the desk so that the lead auror could place the papers he had brought from the jail on it. Malfoy did so without word and simply waited as Harry made the call to his father-in-law. The elder wizard said that Charlie had not gotten word from his coworker, but expected the aurors any moment. He told him that he should expect Draco as well, causing the wizard to groan his disapproval, although he didn't antagonize the matter by speaking on it.
Then, the trio started their journey. When readying to apparate to the London airport, the Slytherin finally spoke, "I am not flying in a plane."
"It's efficient," Harry replied plainly, trying to be civil.
"It's disconcerting and unnecessary," Draco retorted. "We can fly ourselves."
The aurors were shocked not to hear insults toward muggles or even to them as part of his reasoning behind refusing to take the plane. They were aware he wasn't the evil person he tried so desperately to be during their school years, yet to see the change was odd.
"We don't know where we're going," Ron argued. It was more difficult for him to be kind, remembering that however unintentional it had been, in Draco's quest to assassinate Dumbledore, he had poisoned and almost killed Ron instead.
"Don't be stupid, Weaseley," Draco rolled his eyes and turned away, "Gather your brooms and come with me to Malfoy Manor. We'll leave from there."
"You're not the leader-" the redhead stepped up, growling, but was cut short by his partner's hand on his chest.
"Alright," Harry said in the white-head's direction before speaking to Ron under his breath, "Be nice."
The other auror took in a deep breath, shook his head, and walked away, "My house then," he said, "Yours is still there after our last match with Neville and the others."
"Right," Harry nodded.
Draco was the first to dissapparate, followed by Ron and then Harry in rapid succession. The aurors stopped briefly to explain what was going on to their wives. Ron suggested that they come along, yet Harry voted against the idea, saying they shouldn't take extra people until they decided on a plan of action. At present, this was only a trip to learn, not an attack or a trek into dangerous territory.
Ron countered this argument, steadily growing aggravated at the current standings, and it was left for Ginny to step in and calm him. Hermione was the one to come up with the solution that they would fly with the boys to Charlie's house, where they'd wait should they be called upon. It would save time if their need arose. Having always been the go-to when logic was required, her idea was agreed upon. The four got their broomsticks and apparated outside of Malfoy Manor.
"I know almost every deatheater was killed or imprisoned...and Lucius is dead...technically..." Ginny breathed as the group strolled up to the front doors, "But this place still frightens me."
Hermione nodded, "I know the feeling..."
"It's alright," Ron clutched his wife's hand reassuringly as they reached the entrance and pounded, asking to be let inside.
The door soon creaked open and they carefully crossed the threshold, each couple close together. Within the home, it was empty, a feeling deepened by the echo of the door slamming shut behind them. And there was no sign of their host.
"Draco?" Harry called, his voice booming in the large foyer.
Instantly, the young Malfoy showed at the top of the staircase, broom in hand, doubling down toward his guests. He reached the bottom floor quickly, placing his old classmates in his sights, but their attention was no longer on him. Behind, the late Lucius had misted into view about halfway up the steps. Just as his son opened his mouth to talk, he beat him to it, speaking strongly to his heir even though the words might not be understood.
"Kane afton ton bastarcho no plirosei, Draco."
The younger wizard twisted to look at his father, staring in desperate hopes to know what had been said to him. "Den... Den to k-kano..." he stuttered.
"Draco," Hermione spoke up in awe, "Have you been trying to learn Greek?"
Shooting a hateful expression at the witch, Draco searched unsuccessfully for how to respond, unwilling to admit to the softness in him that she had suggested with her tone. Fortunately for him, Hermione gave an out. She hadn't been learning the language, but had purchased an electronic translator. Not a cheap muggle item in those days, yet she judged that it would come in handy. Her good memory along with her brief brushup on Greek allowed her to enter into the device an approximation of what had been said. She bit her lip at the displayed translation, but spoke it aloud even so.
"He said... 'Make that bastard pay..." the witch then glanced awkwardly from the Malfoys to her friends.
Draco once again looked at his father and gave him a promise, "He will pay... But first, I will make sure you are freed."
Sinister overtones and all, the moment was touching even if the Gryffindors couldn't fully comprehend the strange love. Especially that on Draco's end... In any case, they stood at the door patiently, politely doing their best to not make apparent notice of the scenario. Soon, Draco left his father and the stairs, marching toward the others and gesturing rudely for them to leave. They did, and he followed behind.
Outside, he took the lead, calling over his shoulder as he mounted the Firebolt he carried, "I have the route. Just keep with me."
Harry could sense Ron's anger returning, but Draco was in the sky and the rest were ignoring the redhead and keeping with Malfoy's instruction before he could voice any complaint. Once everyone was airborne, the disillusionment charm was cast to keep them hidden. The moment it was done, Draco sped off, leaving them with no option except to chase.
It was already chilly and the added factors of height and wind increased that significantly. Twas why Ginny had suggested added layers to their attire as well as mittens, scarves, and hats. The journey was easily fifteen hundred miles...over a twenty hour trip via land. By broom, however, it could be decreased to an amount similar to if they had traveled by plane. It did have its cons though, such as exerting a certain extent of physical strain on the wizards and the danger of being directly in the open. Pros, however, included being able to stop at any point or change their path. Also, they didn't have to worry with other passengers. Harry couldn't imagine the frustration of being stuck on a flight with Draco, surrounded by muggles, and having to deal with his whining and attitude even though these weren't as bad as they once were.
Occasionally, their current leader would set a boost to jump ahead and the rest would follow suit. It was a good thing that each one of them had upgraded their brooms from Cleansweeps and Nimbus 2000s to the latest and most popular Nimbus 2001. It wasn't as fast as the Firebolt could be, but they managed to keep up just the same. Harry also rode a Firebolt like Draco, the same broom gifted to him by his godfather. Sirius had emptied his entire vault to afford it for his godson so Harry held onto it dearly as one of the few personal items left that connected him to his godfather.
It was a tiring flight and took them several hours to complete. There was very little dialogue as the winds made it difficult to hear each other as well as distract them from pressing forward with the silent and persistent Malfoy ahead of them. Ron, of course, found time to complain about his hunger, bringing suggestions from the others that they stop and rest, but Draco would hear none of it. So they continued. They could have interrupted the journey anyway except if they lost the Slytherin, they would have to discern where they were and how to get to Romania on their own, in addition to enduring the certain, petty wrath of the Malfoy family.
Sliding to a halt, Draco looked back at the other wizards a bit behind him until they caught up and stopped as well. "Welcome to Romania," he stated bluntly.