HP/DM, The Spy Who Loved The Boy Who Lived: 21/35, NC-17
Title: The Spy Who Loved The Boy Who Lived: 21/35
Author: Alisanne
Rating: NC-17
Summary: There is a plot to capture Harry Potter, and an unexpected person steps forward to save him. Can Harry really trust Draco over his friends?
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Romance,
Warnings: Alternate Universe, Graphic language, Slash (Yaoi), Violence, Graphic sex (overall)
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19, Chapter 20
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
Thanks, as always, to knightmare_shad who, despite illness, took the time to beta this for me, and to sevfan, who always makes me look so much better than I truly am. All mistakes are mine.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
CHapter 20
~
Chapter 21
~
Earlier that day...
Remus was still lying on top of Severus when the Floo opened to show Dumbledore’s face. Luckily, they had cleaned up and Summoned a blanket over to cuddle under, and so were not completely exposed. There was no way to disguise what they had been doing, however.
“Remus. Severus.” Dumbledore was not smiling, which made Remus very nervous.
“Albus?” he said, starting to sit up and face the fire properly.
Severus simply held on to him and turned his head. “What do you want that could not have waited, Albus?” he asked curtly.
The werewolf dropped his head onto Severus’ chest. “Don’t be rude, love,” he whispered.
“I do apologize for interrupting, my boys,” Dumbledore said, “but something serious has happened, and I need your help.”
“What is it?” Severus sat up, uncaring of his nudity. The look on his mentor’s face gave him a momentary chill.
“I believe that Mr. Malfoy has been abducted,” the Headmaster said.
Remus started untangling himself from Severus. “Merlin! Abducted? How? And from where was he taken?”
“The dungeons,” came Dumbledore’s reply.
Remus paused, his eyes narrowed. “I thought it was odd when Harry and Hermione walked by here earlier, and Draco was not with them,” he murmured.
Dumbledore nodded. “As far as how, I suspect that a Portkey was activated late this afternoon, sometime just before dinner. That was when I felt the disturbance in the wards. Did you hear anything?”
Remus flushed, shaking his head. “We were a bit preoccupied,” he said.
A ghost of a smile flickered across Dumbledore’s face. “I really am sorry to pull you away,” he said, “but it will be faster if several of us search for him.”
“Have you said anything to Potter yet?” Severus asked, starting to pull on his clothes.
Dumbledore shook his head. “No. I thought that I would exhaust every avenue looking for him before I did that. I peeked into their quarters via Floo, and Harry and Hermione were both there, but there was no sign of Draco.”
“Damn that Narcissa!” Severus snarled. He handed Remus his trousers, and the werewolf accepted them gratefully.
Dumbledore shook his head. “I do not believe that it was she,” he said. “I was sure to note her magical signature when she was here before, and there is no trace of her here now. I realize that proves nothing, but this seems a bit heavy-handed, even for her. She seems to me to be more subtle.”
Severus nodded thoughtfully. “You are probably right,” he said.
“I’ll sniff around here,” Remus said. “See what I can pick up.”
“And I shall investigate the common areas,” Severus said. “Shall we report to your quarters, Albus?”
The Headmaster nodded.
“You should go and collect Potter and Granger,” Severus continued. “If you do not tell them soon, they will no doubt find out about it on their own, and then they shall go haring off looking for him, Gryffindors that they are.”
Dumbledore sighed. “Doubtless, you are right,” he agreed. “Very well. Come to my office when you have completed your searches, please. I shall have Harry and Hermione here.”
With a nod, he closed the Floo, and the two lovers looked at each other for a long moment. Severus walked over to Remus and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Be careful. And try not to be seen,” he admonished.
With a nod and a smile, Remus kissed him back. Then, walking over to the door, he cast a Notice Me Not Spell on himself, and let himself out of the room and into the hallway.
~
Harry followed Dumbledore down the hall, curious about what the Headmaster wanted, but not overly alarmed. He did wish he’d had a chance to let Draco know where he was going, but he knew that Pansy and Blaise would tell him that both he and Hermione had gone with the Headmaster. Unconsciously, he ran his finger over his pendant, as he often did, and the snake moved, stretching against him.
They walked past the gargoyle when Dumbledore muttered the password, ‘plum pudding’, and then they settled in his office. Both of them refused the obligatory offer of tea, having already eaten.
Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his normal twinkling subdued. Harry felt a stab of panic.
“Is something wrong, sir?” he asked.
The Headmaster smiled reassuringly. “Well, Harry,” he said. “I felt something... odd this afternoon, and so I have been investigating a possible disappearance. Did either of you see or hear anything unusual today?”
“Like what, sir?” Hermione asked, leaning forward.
Before he could reply, Severus, quickly followed by Remus, stepped through the fireplace and into the room. Remus glanced sympathetically at Harry, while the Potions master shook his head when Dumbledore looked at him inquiringly. The exchange made the Gryffindor really nervous.
“Have you seen Draco within the past few hours, Harry?” Remus asked.
Harry shook his head. “Not since late this afternoon... Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” he whispered. “Something’s happened to Draco.”
“We do not know that yet, Harry,” Remus said.
“The wards were breached this afternoon, and, I believe, something or someone was removed from Hogwarts.” Dumbledore was grave as he spoke. “All students are accounted for, except Mr. Malfoy. Do you know where he is, Harry?”
Hermione sat up straight. “We left him with Ron and Ginny this afternoon,” she said softly, eyes on Harry. “We haven’t seen him since then.”
Dumbledore nodded. “I saw Mr. Weasley in the dungeons earlier today. I saw no signs of Mr. Malfoy. Apparently, they had parted ways before then.”
“So then we need to ask Ron and Ginny where they were when they last saw Draco,” Hermione said. “Perhaps Draco told them that he was going somewhere before dinner? Gave Ron a message for Harry...”
“Indeed,” Severus said. “And Mr. Weasley is in the habit of carrying messages for Mr. Malfoy, is he?”
Hermione flushed and sat back in her chair.
“Severus,” Dumbledore said softly.
The Potions master snorted and then shook his head. “Draco is nowhere to be found, and no one will admit to having seen him. I checked in the Slytherin common room, the library, and the Potions laboratory.”
“You’ve been looking for him,” Hermione said with growing concern.
Remus nodded. “Yes. We knew that he was not with you two, nor was he with Pansy or Blaise. His scent stops in the dungeons hallway.”
Harry stared up at Remus. “His scent just stops?” he asked. “But, but then what could have happened....?” Pausing, he blanched. “You really think someone took him?” he said, looking up at Dumbledore. “But how? I thought the wards were supposed to protect us?”
“It appears that someone activated a Portkey this afternoon in the dungeons,” the Headmaster said. “I sensed traces of Transportation magic when I went to look.”
“But it might not have been Draco, right?” Harry said hopefully. “I mean, it could have been anyone....”
“Yes, but no one has seen Draco, Harry,” Severus reminded him. “And he knows enough not to be gone for this long....”
Harry jumped up. “I know! I can check the Map,” he said, excited. “That should tell us pretty quickly if he’s here, and if so, where he is.”
“Good idea, Harry,” Remus said approvingly. “It’s in your quarters? I’ll go with you.”
Harry started towards the gargoyle, but Remus stopped him. “It will be faster, and more discreet, if we Floo, Harry,” the werewolf reminded him gently.
A few moments later, the two of them disappeared into the fireplace with a flash of green flame.
Turning to Severus, Dumbledore said. “And while they look, we need to summon the Weasleys, I think.”
~
Waving goodbye to Ginny, Ron stepped out of the common room and headed up to his bedroom. He had planted a few false memories into Ginny’s mind, and she was even now tackling her Transfiguration homework before going to dinner.
As far as she was concerned now, they had apologized to Draco, he had been gracious, and then they had left him there in the dungeons. Neither of them had heard anything unusual on the way out of the area.
Ginny had gone immediately to the Gryffindor common room, and Ron had taken the long way around, which was why he had run into the Headmaster.
When he got to his room, Ron closed his curtains and then pulled out a bottle containing a silvery liquid that was sloshing softly against the sides. Carefully unstopping it, he set it upright against his leg and, taking his wand, placed its tip to his temple.
He centered himself as he’d been instructed, and then pulled, a silvery string issuing from his head. He placed the tip of his wand to the top of the bottle, letting the fluid drain inside.
He repeated the procedure a couple of times, and in short order, he’d extracted his most recent memories of plotting Malfoy’s Portkey transfer, and his Obliviating Ginny, and placed them safely into the bottle. Now, it would be no problem if he happened to fall under suspicion, and Snape decided to do Legilimens on him.
Restoppering the bottle, Ron placed it carefully at the bottom of his trunk, wrapped securely in one of last year’s Christmas sweaters.
Just as he slid the trunk back under his bed, he heard Dean and Seamus walk into the room, and he lay down, deciding to feign sleep. He closed his eyes for a moment and then the next thing he knew, fell into slumber.
~
Harry practically ran out of the Floo in his haste to get to the Map. Remus stepped out a bit more sedately, following slowly. He watched as Harry opened a trunk and started rummaging through it frantically.
“Map, Map, where’s the bloody Map?” he was muttering. He threw several parchments and books onto the floor until he uncovered it. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he spread it out.
“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,” he muttered, and Hogwarts buildings and grounds appeared on the blank page, moving dots roaming all over it. The majority of the dots were in the Great Hall and the public areas, such as the library.
Harry and Remus peered closely at it, searching carefully for a dot labeled Draco Malfoy.
“He’s not here,” Harry said, becoming more and more frantic.
Remus patted him on the shoulder. “No, it doesn’t appear so,” he said. “Come, let’s take the Map to Albus, so that he can look at it. He might be able to use it, expand its scope, perhaps....”
Harry nodded, not really listening, his eyes still searching. His hand stroked over his pendant, and then paused as an idea came to him. Pulling it out, he looked down at the snake and spoke.
“Sssnake,” he said in Parseltongue.
The serpent blinked up at him and stretched. “Yesss, Massster?” it replied.
“Do you know where your mate isss?”
It tilted its head as if considering the question. “Anguisss isss not here, Masster,” it finally said slowly. “He isss far away.”
“Can you ssensse him?” Harry asked.
“No, Masster.”
Harry sighed and then looked up at Remus. “He doesn’t know where his mate is,” he explained. “I thought he might.”
“His mate?” Remus asked.
As Harry explained about the pendants, he and Remus repacked the trunk and rolled up the Map, Harry tucking it into his robes next to his Cloak that he habitually kept with him.
“You really feel strongly about Draco, don’t you, Harry?” the werewolf asked.
Harry nodded. “I love him,” he said softly.
Remus patted his shoulder. “Then let’s go back to the Headmaster’s office with the Map. Perhaps it can be used to find him,” he said.
Harry got a thoughtful look on his face. “Do you mind if I go and talk to Ron first?” he said. “I’ll report to the Headmaster right after, I promise. I just want to see if he knows anything.”
Remus hesitated, but then nodded when he saw the determined look on Harry’s face. “Very well,” he said, reluctantly. “But, come to Professor Dumbledore’s office as soon as you speak to him, all right?”
Harry nodded, and checking again that the Map was in his robes, gave one last glance around his quarters before he walked out the door. Remus sighed and Flooed back to the Headmaster’s office.
~
Ron woke up with a start. The room was quiet, indicating that Dean and Seamus had probably already gone to dinner.
He blinked blearily, the action clearing his mind of the remnants of a hideous dream he’d been having, in which someone had been torturing him.
He sat up and rubbed at his face, tossing back his curtain. As he stood and stretched, Dennis Creevy walked by the room. The inquisitive boy paused and looked at Ron, puzzled.
“Ron? You’re late, mate. Get a move on. At this rate, dinner’ll be over.”
Ron blinked as Dennis casually tossed the words over his shoulder and continued walking down the hall, accompanied by Jimmy Peakes. The two Gryffindors headed down the stairs, chatting loudly.
“Oy! Wait up! I’m coming with,” Ron called, swinging his legs over the side of his bed. He smiled for a moment, eager to see the reaction when people realized that Malfoy was gone. He would have to practice his surprised face.
Wish I could tell people it was me. They’d probably be lining up to thank me, he thought, as he joined the group of fourth-years heading down the stairs.
He was lagging behind them as they walked, deep in thought, when a hand came down heavily on his shoulder. Ron spun around, startled, then let out a relieved sigh when he saw it was only Harry.
“Ron! There you are!” Harry said. “I’ve been looking for you. Can we chat for a second?”
Ron grinned and then nodded at him. “Sure, mate,” he said.
Pulling Ron aside, Harry looked for an empty classroom, and the two boys slipped inside and closed the door.
“What’s up?” Ron asked.
Harry was pacing, wringing his hands agitatedly. “Ron, Draco’s gone missing,” he said in a soft, broken voice. “You and Ginny were probably the last people to see him before he disappeared; did you see or hear anything?”
Ron barely kept himself from smiling. Surprised, act surprised.
Ducking his head, he replied. “Err... Wow. No, I can’t really say I did, Harry. Although, when I last saw him, he was acting a bit odd...” Ron paused artfully.
“Odd in what way?” Harry had stopped pacing and was now standing in front of Ron, looking at him intently.
Ron quailed under the look. He’d had a vague idea about what he could tell Harry to make him forget Malfoy, and it was now taking shape in his mind.
“Are you sure you want to hear this?”
At Harry’s impatient nod, Ron continued. “Ginny and I left him in the dungeons, but as we walked away, I turned back to see if he wanted one of us to walk him back to your quarters, because of all the threats, you know? Anyway, I heard him talking to someone, and when I caught up with him, I saw...” Ron paused again, peeking up under his lashes to see if Harry was buying his story.
“Saw what?” Harry asked.
“He was talking to someone hidden in the shadows. I couldn’t see their face. Anyway, he was talking about how things were going well, and that everything was in place so he could ‘go home now’.”
Harry paled. “Go home?” he repeated. “But that’s impossible, Ron! Draco would never want to go home. Not to Malfoy Manor, anyway. His mother is after him!”
Ron shrugged. “All I know is what I saw, Harry,” he said. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but I’ve been saying that Malfoy’s full of it for a while now.”
Harry’s eyes filled, and he turned away. “I don’t believe it,” he said under his breath. “He wouldn’t, it can’t be true.”
Ron shook his head, a sad expression on his face. “That’s what I saw, Harry,” he said. “Malfoy took something from the person in the shadows and then... Well, I turned away for a second, thinking I had heard something behind me, and when I turned back, he was gone. I figured he left while I wasn’t looking, but he must have used a Portkey.” Ron shrugged again. “He didn’t call out or anything. I doubt it was unwilling, whatever happened.”
Harry shook his head. “No,” he whispered. “I... He wouldn’t...” Faltering to a stop, Harry looked almost pleadingly at Ron.
“Are you sure it was Draco?” he asked.
Ron rolled his eyes. “Blond git? In fancy robes? Who else could it have been? I’d only just seen him, too, Harry. It was definitely him.”
Harry shook his head once more in denial and then, with a strangled sob, he ran from the room.
Ron smirked. Well, that had gone fairly well. Now, if he hurried, he’d be able to catch up with his house-mates before they ate all the good stuff at dinner.
Whistling softly, Ron walked sedately out of the classroom, smiling. Now that the seed was planted, perhaps he’d have his friend back soon.
~
Ginny walked into the Great Hall and was surprised to see empty seats where Harry, Hermione and Ron generally sat. Glancing over to the Slytherin table, she saw that Draco was missing, too. Not so unusual, then. She was somewhat used to those four being gone at the same time, so she shrugged and sat in her place, reaching for the potatoes.
“Hey, Neville,” she said. “Would you pass the roast beef, please?”
She chatted with everyone, her mind still on her Potions homework, so she was startled several minutes later when a large hand landed on her shoulder.
“Miss Weasley, come with me.”
She looked up into the stern face of Severus Snape, and she blinked. “Yes, sir,” she replied, pushing away from the table to stand.
“Where is your brother?” Severus asked, looking around at the Gryffindor table.
She shrugged. “I suppose he’s late for dinner, sir,” she said.
“Typical that he’s late the one time that I need to speak with him,” Severus muttered. “Well, you can come with me now. I shall have to find him later.”
Ginny nodded and followed the tall figure, having to practically run to keep up with his long legs. She was surprised as he led her towards the Headmaster’s office, but she walked past the gargoyle readily when he gestured for her to do so.
She hesitated when she saw Hermione there.
Damn, she thought. They reported me already?
Sighing, she sat in the chair indicated and refused the tea offered by the Headmaster. No one seemed to be saying much, and the tense atmosphere made her quite nervous.
“Let me get right to the point, Miss Weasley,” Dumbledore said, smiling reassuringly at her. “First, let me say, no one is accusing you of anything.” He glanced at Hermione, who looked guilty, and continued. “I understand that you played a bit of a prank, but all of that is forgotten. I believe that you are contrite, and that you will not do such a thing again.”
She nodded eagerly and started to speak, but the Headmaster held up a hand.
“At the moment, we are looking for Draco Malfoy. He appears to be missing, and Miss Granger tells me that she last saw him in your company this afternoon. Can you tell me what you discussed with Mr. Malfoy?”
Ginny blinked. Draco was missing? No wonder Harry hadn’t been at dinner.... Focusing on the question, she told them about what she remembered of the afternoon.
“And then, Ron and I left Draco there. I thought he was returning to his room. I went to the common room and Ron,” she paused, “I’m not sure where Ron went, actually. I haven’t seen him since, but I figured that he would be at dinner.”
“So the last time you saw Draco Malfoy, he was fine?” Severus pushed.
Ginny nodded. “Yeah, he was quite nice, actually...”
Hermione narrowed her eyes. “Nice? That’s surprising,” she said. “I practically had to beg him to talk to you.”
Ginny frowned. “Yeah, that was weird,” she admitted. “But I remember it, clear as day. He was really pleasant; he even told me that my robes suited me. And, he was nice to Ron.”
Severus narrowed his eyes. “You are telling me that Draco Malfoy was actually pleasant to you, Miss Weasley? To you and your brother? No snide comments, no... insults? He complimented you?”
She nodded. “Yes, Professor,” she said.
Severus snorted. “Do you mind if I examine these hard to fathom memories?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I... will it hurt?” she asked.
Severus smirked. “No, Miss Weasley. It will not hurt, unless you resist. If you relax, you should not feel a thing.”
She sighed and then nodded her acquiescence.
Despite the scowl on his face, Severus was quite gentle as he used his Legilimency on Ginny. He was in and out of her mind before she was even aware of his presence.
She blinked, slowly coming back to herself. She sat down in the nearest chair, suddenly tired.
“Severus?” Dumbledore looked at the Potions master hopefully.
Severus shook his head. “False memories,” he declared. “Clumsily done, too.”
Ginny gasped, shocked. “But... but how? When?”
“Unfortunately, I cannot say exactly when the memory was created, but it was today sometime, obviously. Who have you been in close contact with this afternoon?” Severus stared intently at the redhead.
Hermione gasped. “Ron,” she whispered.
At the Headmaster’s inquiring look, Hermione blushed. “Well, it makes sense that he should know something,” she said. “We left Draco with Ron and Ginny. We know that Ginny has a false memory of the encounter, so all we have to do is see what Ron’s recollection of it is, right?”
“True,” Severus said, nodding. “We shall see if his memories have been tampered with, as well. I have to find him first, however.”
“He’s probably at dinner by now,” Ginny said. “He hadn’t gotten there yet when you came to get me, Professor Snape.”
Before anyone could say anything to that, Remus stepped through the Floo.
“Where is Harry?” Hermione asked.
“He went to look for Ron,” Remus said. “He said he’d come right back here when he found him. Why? What’s happening?”
“Mr. Weasley is suddenly a popular person,” Severus muttered. “A first.”
Hermione glared at him as Dumbledore explained about Ginny’s tampered with memories. “So we need to speak to him as soon as possible, Remus,” he said. “How did Harry say he’d know where Mr. Weasley was?”
“He has the Map,” Remus said. “He’ll find him soon enough.”
“Then we shall wait,” the Headmaster said. “And then perhaps your brother can shed some light on this, Miss Weasley.”
Ginny nodded absently, staring at Remus. “Professor Lupin?” she asked softly. “Is that you? Are you back now?”
Severus sighed, shaking his head. “Great, just great,” he muttered. “So much for keeping your presence here a secret.”
Remus smiled and hugged his lover, ignoring Severus’ sputtering.
Ginny’s eyes widened. She suddenly realized how much had been going on that she hadn’t been aware of. Her gaze flicked to Hermione inquiringly. The older girl shook her head subtly. Ginny sighed. Guess I’ll have to wait for answers, she thought.
~TBC in Chapter 22
Author: Alisanne
Rating: NC-17
Summary: There is a plot to capture Harry Potter, and an unexpected person steps forward to save him. Can Harry really trust Draco over his friends?
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Romance,
Warnings: Alternate Universe, Graphic language, Slash (Yaoi), Violence, Graphic sex (overall)
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19, Chapter 20
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
Thanks, as always, to knightmare_shad who, despite illness, took the time to beta this for me, and to sevfan, who always makes me look so much better than I truly am. All mistakes are mine.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
CHapter 20
~
Chapter 21
~
Earlier that day...
Remus was still lying on top of Severus when the Floo opened to show Dumbledore’s face. Luckily, they had cleaned up and Summoned a blanket over to cuddle under, and so were not completely exposed. There was no way to disguise what they had been doing, however.
“Remus. Severus.” Dumbledore was not smiling, which made Remus very nervous.
“Albus?” he said, starting to sit up and face the fire properly.
Severus simply held on to him and turned his head. “What do you want that could not have waited, Albus?” he asked curtly.
The werewolf dropped his head onto Severus’ chest. “Don’t be rude, love,” he whispered.
“I do apologize for interrupting, my boys,” Dumbledore said, “but something serious has happened, and I need your help.”
“What is it?” Severus sat up, uncaring of his nudity. The look on his mentor’s face gave him a momentary chill.
“I believe that Mr. Malfoy has been abducted,” the Headmaster said.
Remus started untangling himself from Severus. “Merlin! Abducted? How? And from where was he taken?”
“The dungeons,” came Dumbledore’s reply.
Remus paused, his eyes narrowed. “I thought it was odd when Harry and Hermione walked by here earlier, and Draco was not with them,” he murmured.
Dumbledore nodded. “As far as how, I suspect that a Portkey was activated late this afternoon, sometime just before dinner. That was when I felt the disturbance in the wards. Did you hear anything?”
Remus flushed, shaking his head. “We were a bit preoccupied,” he said.
A ghost of a smile flickered across Dumbledore’s face. “I really am sorry to pull you away,” he said, “but it will be faster if several of us search for him.”
“Have you said anything to Potter yet?” Severus asked, starting to pull on his clothes.
Dumbledore shook his head. “No. I thought that I would exhaust every avenue looking for him before I did that. I peeked into their quarters via Floo, and Harry and Hermione were both there, but there was no sign of Draco.”
“Damn that Narcissa!” Severus snarled. He handed Remus his trousers, and the werewolf accepted them gratefully.
Dumbledore shook his head. “I do not believe that it was she,” he said. “I was sure to note her magical signature when she was here before, and there is no trace of her here now. I realize that proves nothing, but this seems a bit heavy-handed, even for her. She seems to me to be more subtle.”
Severus nodded thoughtfully. “You are probably right,” he said.
“I’ll sniff around here,” Remus said. “See what I can pick up.”
“And I shall investigate the common areas,” Severus said. “Shall we report to your quarters, Albus?”
The Headmaster nodded.
“You should go and collect Potter and Granger,” Severus continued. “If you do not tell them soon, they will no doubt find out about it on their own, and then they shall go haring off looking for him, Gryffindors that they are.”
Dumbledore sighed. “Doubtless, you are right,” he agreed. “Very well. Come to my office when you have completed your searches, please. I shall have Harry and Hermione here.”
With a nod, he closed the Floo, and the two lovers looked at each other for a long moment. Severus walked over to Remus and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Be careful. And try not to be seen,” he admonished.
With a nod and a smile, Remus kissed him back. Then, walking over to the door, he cast a Notice Me Not Spell on himself, and let himself out of the room and into the hallway.
~
Harry followed Dumbledore down the hall, curious about what the Headmaster wanted, but not overly alarmed. He did wish he’d had a chance to let Draco know where he was going, but he knew that Pansy and Blaise would tell him that both he and Hermione had gone with the Headmaster. Unconsciously, he ran his finger over his pendant, as he often did, and the snake moved, stretching against him.
They walked past the gargoyle when Dumbledore muttered the password, ‘plum pudding’, and then they settled in his office. Both of them refused the obligatory offer of tea, having already eaten.
Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his normal twinkling subdued. Harry felt a stab of panic.
“Is something wrong, sir?” he asked.
The Headmaster smiled reassuringly. “Well, Harry,” he said. “I felt something... odd this afternoon, and so I have been investigating a possible disappearance. Did either of you see or hear anything unusual today?”
“Like what, sir?” Hermione asked, leaning forward.
Before he could reply, Severus, quickly followed by Remus, stepped through the fireplace and into the room. Remus glanced sympathetically at Harry, while the Potions master shook his head when Dumbledore looked at him inquiringly. The exchange made the Gryffindor really nervous.
“Have you seen Draco within the past few hours, Harry?” Remus asked.
Harry shook his head. “Not since late this afternoon... Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” he whispered. “Something’s happened to Draco.”
“We do not know that yet, Harry,” Remus said.
“The wards were breached this afternoon, and, I believe, something or someone was removed from Hogwarts.” Dumbledore was grave as he spoke. “All students are accounted for, except Mr. Malfoy. Do you know where he is, Harry?”
Hermione sat up straight. “We left him with Ron and Ginny this afternoon,” she said softly, eyes on Harry. “We haven’t seen him since then.”
Dumbledore nodded. “I saw Mr. Weasley in the dungeons earlier today. I saw no signs of Mr. Malfoy. Apparently, they had parted ways before then.”
“So then we need to ask Ron and Ginny where they were when they last saw Draco,” Hermione said. “Perhaps Draco told them that he was going somewhere before dinner? Gave Ron a message for Harry...”
“Indeed,” Severus said. “And Mr. Weasley is in the habit of carrying messages for Mr. Malfoy, is he?”
Hermione flushed and sat back in her chair.
“Severus,” Dumbledore said softly.
The Potions master snorted and then shook his head. “Draco is nowhere to be found, and no one will admit to having seen him. I checked in the Slytherin common room, the library, and the Potions laboratory.”
“You’ve been looking for him,” Hermione said with growing concern.
Remus nodded. “Yes. We knew that he was not with you two, nor was he with Pansy or Blaise. His scent stops in the dungeons hallway.”
Harry stared up at Remus. “His scent just stops?” he asked. “But, but then what could have happened....?” Pausing, he blanched. “You really think someone took him?” he said, looking up at Dumbledore. “But how? I thought the wards were supposed to protect us?”
“It appears that someone activated a Portkey this afternoon in the dungeons,” the Headmaster said. “I sensed traces of Transportation magic when I went to look.”
“But it might not have been Draco, right?” Harry said hopefully. “I mean, it could have been anyone....”
“Yes, but no one has seen Draco, Harry,” Severus reminded him. “And he knows enough not to be gone for this long....”
Harry jumped up. “I know! I can check the Map,” he said, excited. “That should tell us pretty quickly if he’s here, and if so, where he is.”
“Good idea, Harry,” Remus said approvingly. “It’s in your quarters? I’ll go with you.”
Harry started towards the gargoyle, but Remus stopped him. “It will be faster, and more discreet, if we Floo, Harry,” the werewolf reminded him gently.
A few moments later, the two of them disappeared into the fireplace with a flash of green flame.
Turning to Severus, Dumbledore said. “And while they look, we need to summon the Weasleys, I think.”
~
Waving goodbye to Ginny, Ron stepped out of the common room and headed up to his bedroom. He had planted a few false memories into Ginny’s mind, and she was even now tackling her Transfiguration homework before going to dinner.
As far as she was concerned now, they had apologized to Draco, he had been gracious, and then they had left him there in the dungeons. Neither of them had heard anything unusual on the way out of the area.
Ginny had gone immediately to the Gryffindor common room, and Ron had taken the long way around, which was why he had run into the Headmaster.
When he got to his room, Ron closed his curtains and then pulled out a bottle containing a silvery liquid that was sloshing softly against the sides. Carefully unstopping it, he set it upright against his leg and, taking his wand, placed its tip to his temple.
He centered himself as he’d been instructed, and then pulled, a silvery string issuing from his head. He placed the tip of his wand to the top of the bottle, letting the fluid drain inside.
He repeated the procedure a couple of times, and in short order, he’d extracted his most recent memories of plotting Malfoy’s Portkey transfer, and his Obliviating Ginny, and placed them safely into the bottle. Now, it would be no problem if he happened to fall under suspicion, and Snape decided to do Legilimens on him.
Restoppering the bottle, Ron placed it carefully at the bottom of his trunk, wrapped securely in one of last year’s Christmas sweaters.
Just as he slid the trunk back under his bed, he heard Dean and Seamus walk into the room, and he lay down, deciding to feign sleep. He closed his eyes for a moment and then the next thing he knew, fell into slumber.
~
Harry practically ran out of the Floo in his haste to get to the Map. Remus stepped out a bit more sedately, following slowly. He watched as Harry opened a trunk and started rummaging through it frantically.
“Map, Map, where’s the bloody Map?” he was muttering. He threw several parchments and books onto the floor until he uncovered it. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he spread it out.
“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,” he muttered, and Hogwarts buildings and grounds appeared on the blank page, moving dots roaming all over it. The majority of the dots were in the Great Hall and the public areas, such as the library.
Harry and Remus peered closely at it, searching carefully for a dot labeled Draco Malfoy.
“He’s not here,” Harry said, becoming more and more frantic.
Remus patted him on the shoulder. “No, it doesn’t appear so,” he said. “Come, let’s take the Map to Albus, so that he can look at it. He might be able to use it, expand its scope, perhaps....”
Harry nodded, not really listening, his eyes still searching. His hand stroked over his pendant, and then paused as an idea came to him. Pulling it out, he looked down at the snake and spoke.
“Sssnake,” he said in Parseltongue.
The serpent blinked up at him and stretched. “Yesss, Massster?” it replied.
“Do you know where your mate isss?”
It tilted its head as if considering the question. “Anguisss isss not here, Masster,” it finally said slowly. “He isss far away.”
“Can you ssensse him?” Harry asked.
“No, Masster.”
Harry sighed and then looked up at Remus. “He doesn’t know where his mate is,” he explained. “I thought he might.”
“His mate?” Remus asked.
As Harry explained about the pendants, he and Remus repacked the trunk and rolled up the Map, Harry tucking it into his robes next to his Cloak that he habitually kept with him.
“You really feel strongly about Draco, don’t you, Harry?” the werewolf asked.
Harry nodded. “I love him,” he said softly.
Remus patted his shoulder. “Then let’s go back to the Headmaster’s office with the Map. Perhaps it can be used to find him,” he said.
Harry got a thoughtful look on his face. “Do you mind if I go and talk to Ron first?” he said. “I’ll report to the Headmaster right after, I promise. I just want to see if he knows anything.”
Remus hesitated, but then nodded when he saw the determined look on Harry’s face. “Very well,” he said, reluctantly. “But, come to Professor Dumbledore’s office as soon as you speak to him, all right?”
Harry nodded, and checking again that the Map was in his robes, gave one last glance around his quarters before he walked out the door. Remus sighed and Flooed back to the Headmaster’s office.
~
Ron woke up with a start. The room was quiet, indicating that Dean and Seamus had probably already gone to dinner.
He blinked blearily, the action clearing his mind of the remnants of a hideous dream he’d been having, in which someone had been torturing him.
He sat up and rubbed at his face, tossing back his curtain. As he stood and stretched, Dennis Creevy walked by the room. The inquisitive boy paused and looked at Ron, puzzled.
“Ron? You’re late, mate. Get a move on. At this rate, dinner’ll be over.”
Ron blinked as Dennis casually tossed the words over his shoulder and continued walking down the hall, accompanied by Jimmy Peakes. The two Gryffindors headed down the stairs, chatting loudly.
“Oy! Wait up! I’m coming with,” Ron called, swinging his legs over the side of his bed. He smiled for a moment, eager to see the reaction when people realized that Malfoy was gone. He would have to practice his surprised face.
Wish I could tell people it was me. They’d probably be lining up to thank me, he thought, as he joined the group of fourth-years heading down the stairs.
He was lagging behind them as they walked, deep in thought, when a hand came down heavily on his shoulder. Ron spun around, startled, then let out a relieved sigh when he saw it was only Harry.
“Ron! There you are!” Harry said. “I’ve been looking for you. Can we chat for a second?”
Ron grinned and then nodded at him. “Sure, mate,” he said.
Pulling Ron aside, Harry looked for an empty classroom, and the two boys slipped inside and closed the door.
“What’s up?” Ron asked.
Harry was pacing, wringing his hands agitatedly. “Ron, Draco’s gone missing,” he said in a soft, broken voice. “You and Ginny were probably the last people to see him before he disappeared; did you see or hear anything?”
Ron barely kept himself from smiling. Surprised, act surprised.
Ducking his head, he replied. “Err... Wow. No, I can’t really say I did, Harry. Although, when I last saw him, he was acting a bit odd...” Ron paused artfully.
“Odd in what way?” Harry had stopped pacing and was now standing in front of Ron, looking at him intently.
Ron quailed under the look. He’d had a vague idea about what he could tell Harry to make him forget Malfoy, and it was now taking shape in his mind.
“Are you sure you want to hear this?”
At Harry’s impatient nod, Ron continued. “Ginny and I left him in the dungeons, but as we walked away, I turned back to see if he wanted one of us to walk him back to your quarters, because of all the threats, you know? Anyway, I heard him talking to someone, and when I caught up with him, I saw...” Ron paused again, peeking up under his lashes to see if Harry was buying his story.
“Saw what?” Harry asked.
“He was talking to someone hidden in the shadows. I couldn’t see their face. Anyway, he was talking about how things were going well, and that everything was in place so he could ‘go home now’.”
Harry paled. “Go home?” he repeated. “But that’s impossible, Ron! Draco would never want to go home. Not to Malfoy Manor, anyway. His mother is after him!”
Ron shrugged. “All I know is what I saw, Harry,” he said. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but I’ve been saying that Malfoy’s full of it for a while now.”
Harry’s eyes filled, and he turned away. “I don’t believe it,” he said under his breath. “He wouldn’t, it can’t be true.”
Ron shook his head, a sad expression on his face. “That’s what I saw, Harry,” he said. “Malfoy took something from the person in the shadows and then... Well, I turned away for a second, thinking I had heard something behind me, and when I turned back, he was gone. I figured he left while I wasn’t looking, but he must have used a Portkey.” Ron shrugged again. “He didn’t call out or anything. I doubt it was unwilling, whatever happened.”
Harry shook his head. “No,” he whispered. “I... He wouldn’t...” Faltering to a stop, Harry looked almost pleadingly at Ron.
“Are you sure it was Draco?” he asked.
Ron rolled his eyes. “Blond git? In fancy robes? Who else could it have been? I’d only just seen him, too, Harry. It was definitely him.”
Harry shook his head once more in denial and then, with a strangled sob, he ran from the room.
Ron smirked. Well, that had gone fairly well. Now, if he hurried, he’d be able to catch up with his house-mates before they ate all the good stuff at dinner.
Whistling softly, Ron walked sedately out of the classroom, smiling. Now that the seed was planted, perhaps he’d have his friend back soon.
~
Ginny walked into the Great Hall and was surprised to see empty seats where Harry, Hermione and Ron generally sat. Glancing over to the Slytherin table, she saw that Draco was missing, too. Not so unusual, then. She was somewhat used to those four being gone at the same time, so she shrugged and sat in her place, reaching for the potatoes.
“Hey, Neville,” she said. “Would you pass the roast beef, please?”
She chatted with everyone, her mind still on her Potions homework, so she was startled several minutes later when a large hand landed on her shoulder.
“Miss Weasley, come with me.”
She looked up into the stern face of Severus Snape, and she blinked. “Yes, sir,” she replied, pushing away from the table to stand.
“Where is your brother?” Severus asked, looking around at the Gryffindor table.
She shrugged. “I suppose he’s late for dinner, sir,” she said.
“Typical that he’s late the one time that I need to speak with him,” Severus muttered. “Well, you can come with me now. I shall have to find him later.”
Ginny nodded and followed the tall figure, having to practically run to keep up with his long legs. She was surprised as he led her towards the Headmaster’s office, but she walked past the gargoyle readily when he gestured for her to do so.
She hesitated when she saw Hermione there.
Damn, she thought. They reported me already?
Sighing, she sat in the chair indicated and refused the tea offered by the Headmaster. No one seemed to be saying much, and the tense atmosphere made her quite nervous.
“Let me get right to the point, Miss Weasley,” Dumbledore said, smiling reassuringly at her. “First, let me say, no one is accusing you of anything.” He glanced at Hermione, who looked guilty, and continued. “I understand that you played a bit of a prank, but all of that is forgotten. I believe that you are contrite, and that you will not do such a thing again.”
She nodded eagerly and started to speak, but the Headmaster held up a hand.
“At the moment, we are looking for Draco Malfoy. He appears to be missing, and Miss Granger tells me that she last saw him in your company this afternoon. Can you tell me what you discussed with Mr. Malfoy?”
Ginny blinked. Draco was missing? No wonder Harry hadn’t been at dinner.... Focusing on the question, she told them about what she remembered of the afternoon.
“And then, Ron and I left Draco there. I thought he was returning to his room. I went to the common room and Ron,” she paused, “I’m not sure where Ron went, actually. I haven’t seen him since, but I figured that he would be at dinner.”
“So the last time you saw Draco Malfoy, he was fine?” Severus pushed.
Ginny nodded. “Yeah, he was quite nice, actually...”
Hermione narrowed her eyes. “Nice? That’s surprising,” she said. “I practically had to beg him to talk to you.”
Ginny frowned. “Yeah, that was weird,” she admitted. “But I remember it, clear as day. He was really pleasant; he even told me that my robes suited me. And, he was nice to Ron.”
Severus narrowed his eyes. “You are telling me that Draco Malfoy was actually pleasant to you, Miss Weasley? To you and your brother? No snide comments, no... insults? He complimented you?”
She nodded. “Yes, Professor,” she said.
Severus snorted. “Do you mind if I examine these hard to fathom memories?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I... will it hurt?” she asked.
Severus smirked. “No, Miss Weasley. It will not hurt, unless you resist. If you relax, you should not feel a thing.”
She sighed and then nodded her acquiescence.
Despite the scowl on his face, Severus was quite gentle as he used his Legilimency on Ginny. He was in and out of her mind before she was even aware of his presence.
She blinked, slowly coming back to herself. She sat down in the nearest chair, suddenly tired.
“Severus?” Dumbledore looked at the Potions master hopefully.
Severus shook his head. “False memories,” he declared. “Clumsily done, too.”
Ginny gasped, shocked. “But... but how? When?”
“Unfortunately, I cannot say exactly when the memory was created, but it was today sometime, obviously. Who have you been in close contact with this afternoon?” Severus stared intently at the redhead.
Hermione gasped. “Ron,” she whispered.
At the Headmaster’s inquiring look, Hermione blushed. “Well, it makes sense that he should know something,” she said. “We left Draco with Ron and Ginny. We know that Ginny has a false memory of the encounter, so all we have to do is see what Ron’s recollection of it is, right?”
“True,” Severus said, nodding. “We shall see if his memories have been tampered with, as well. I have to find him first, however.”
“He’s probably at dinner by now,” Ginny said. “He hadn’t gotten there yet when you came to get me, Professor Snape.”
Before anyone could say anything to that, Remus stepped through the Floo.
“Where is Harry?” Hermione asked.
“He went to look for Ron,” Remus said. “He said he’d come right back here when he found him. Why? What’s happening?”
“Mr. Weasley is suddenly a popular person,” Severus muttered. “A first.”
Hermione glared at him as Dumbledore explained about Ginny’s tampered with memories. “So we need to speak to him as soon as possible, Remus,” he said. “How did Harry say he’d know where Mr. Weasley was?”
“He has the Map,” Remus said. “He’ll find him soon enough.”
“Then we shall wait,” the Headmaster said. “And then perhaps your brother can shed some light on this, Miss Weasley.”
Ginny nodded absently, staring at Remus. “Professor Lupin?” she asked softly. “Is that you? Are you back now?”
Severus sighed, shaking his head. “Great, just great,” he muttered. “So much for keeping your presence here a secret.”
Remus smiled and hugged his lover, ignoring Severus’ sputtering.
Ginny’s eyes widened. She suddenly realized how much had been going on that she hadn’t been aware of. Her gaze flicked to Hermione inquiringly. The older girl shook her head subtly. Ginny sighed. Guess I’ll have to wait for answers, she thought.
~TBC in Chapter 22