Unofficial Portkey Archive

The Return from Holiday-Chapter 16

The news struck Hermione and Harry hard. Hermione had grown close to Tonks and Harry was finally becoming comfortable with the idea that the Aurors and the Marauder's Map together made it possible for him to relax. Now, Hermione brought back every possible issue of The Quibbler and The Daily Prophet she could find in Diagon Alley.

Harry was waiting for her as she got down of the carriage. They hugged each other hard and kissed briefly. "Harry, don't say it! I can't believe it either." Hermione said as she grabbed one bag and Harry grabbed the other.

"I went to Dumbledore yesterday because my scar burned again. He sent an owl to Minister Fudge to schedule a meeting. He went to the meeting and when he came back the expression on his face looked like the entire Ministry had been blown up. And, as far as I am concerned, it should have." Harry said.

"Yeah, don't tell me. Mr. Lovegood said he was never told his daughter was missing and he received letters from her frequently." Hermione said.

"How'd you know?" Harry asked inquisitively.

"Tonks told me. And, then I read these on the way back." Hermione said showing Harry the stack of at least six papers where the headline made Hogwarts either look like Azkaban or Dumbledore look like a raving lunatic.

"How do you think this happened?" Harry said.

"I don't know. I hoped all the way here that you'd have more information, but I guess it was just as much of a shock to you as it was to me. Let's face it. Dumbledore has as much trouble trying to untangle this mess as he does trying to protect you and I." Hermione said frantically. "Let me get this stuff upstairs. I'll be right back, sweetheart. I missed you." She finally gave him that heart-melting smile he'd waited to see for nearly two weeks.

He sat in the Common Room reading the outlandish mischaracterizations and half-truths that were being made out as fact. The idea that the Map's sole purpose was to root out Death Eaters had been corrected, but only to say it was used for purposes contrary to school rules still made both the originators and Dumbledore look foolish.

Finally, he heard Hermione coming back down the stairs. Her hands were behind her back and she was wearing an awesome looking fringed button-down blouse that fit snuggly but not to tight. Her denim skirt was fitted perfectly around her making her figure so shapely Harry didn't even look at the present she was handing him. "Harry, it looks like you've never seen me before or you have become an insufferable letch like Ron did this summer. I have something for you."

Harry said mindlessly, "I see. What? Did you say something?"

Hermione waved her hand in front of his face and said, "I mean your Christmas gift." She smiled thinking, `I wanted to look nice tonight, but I didn't figure you'd lose your mind.'

"You can't tell me you didn't dress like that on purpose. You're gorgeous." Harry said as he took the gift. "I am sorry sweetheart, but I couldn't get out to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley." He looked devastated that he didn't have anything for her.

"Thanks, Tonks helped me pick it out." She paused for a second. "So you think I look nice, huh?" She smiled fiendishly. She thought, `Harry would lose it if I got him the other thing she suggested.' She blushed.

Harry opened the wrapping and then the box. Inside he found a photo album of all of the pictures Hermione could find that had them together. Some pictures included Ron, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and even Snape once when Colin Crevey caught Snape giving the three of them hell in their second year.

Harry smiled. He wished he'd thought of something as inexpensive yet, so precious. "Hermione, you are the best. This is so wonderful. Did you put it together for both of us?" Harry somehow figured she knew he wouldn't be able to get her anything so she had done something for both of them.

Hermione nodded, "Someday I'll tell you what Tonks suggested."

Harry looked at her for a second, "I'll bet you that I can guess right the first time. If I do you owe me a massage."

"How's that fair? Do I get one if you're wrong?" Hermione asked figuring he'd never guess in a million years. "But I'm going bet you can't. Go ahead. Guess." She seemed all excited about her massage.

"Condoms; She told you to get me condoms." Harry said plainly and without hesitation. "I remember the day she said that it would cool me off if we had to have an Auror with us. Remember. She's got sex on the brain, I think."

Hermione stood there looking at Harry with disappointment and disgust. "I should have never bet. It certainly isn't that I mind giving the massage…but I never would have thought…grrrr. She told you, didn't she?"

"No, I haven't seen her since you returned. Don't worry I wouldn't think of not returning the favor." He smiled flirtatiously.

"I hate when you smile like that Harry. You make me nervous." She looked at him self-consciously.

"What?" Harry said in a half-worried tone. "What did I do?"

"You smile like the lovable sex fiend that I try to avoid, yet love so much. It's not fair that you can make it so that I can't concentrate." She smiled, blushed and then said, "We have other things more important to think about. We have to find out exactly what happened?"

Harry's big smile dimmed a bit as he said, "I know. Should we go see Pappy? He might have more to tell us than Dumbledore can. I mean Dumbledore could really be in trouble from what I have heard; no one around here knows Pappy is still here so Dumbledore could have told him without too much to worry about."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Harry had been correct. Since Dumbledore had been Pappy's secret keeper, even when Goyle had been there he hadn't seen Pappy at the top of the staircase as he arrived. Madame Pomfrey had kept Pappy's bed away from the windows during the holiday so an empty bed with medical equipment next to it wouldn't seem strange. As Pappy's secret keeper only those Dumbledore had told or Pappy had told would know where to find Pappy or would recognize him. Harry and Hermione knew that it was possible that others might have heard it from them, but doubted if anyone who had overheard them talking about Pappy had anything to do with the current situation.

"Pappy, what happened at the meeting? What exactly are they assuming Dumbledore did? Are they officially accusing him of anything?" Harry asked in a rapid explosion of questions.

"First, it was an ambush. So, there are some things that he and I are trying to work dot at the moment. Someone is modifying memories or worse…using the Imperious Curse…not on everyone though. Dumbledore would have spotted that. There was enough truth mixed with enough exaggeration of the facts to indicate that they have some evidence to make trouble with. I don't want to say what, because we don't know how it's being done. I will say that neither of us feels that the Marauder's Map is impregnable anymore." Pappy said sadly. "Our best defense is all but useless now."

"Why do you say that?" Hermione asked. "It can't be that easy to beat."

"We don't know for sure, but we can't use it as the absolute truth anymore. That's all I meant. Up until now we have used it in that fashion." Pappy said.

"Oh, I understand. Better safe than sorry, I guess." Harry said.

"That's right, Harry. We're working on it. You two should leave this to the old folks and get ready for classes and catch up from the holiday. We're not in imminent danger. Whoever planned this has to be careful not to tip his hand." Pappy said with assurance.

"Are you sure? We might be able to help?" Hermione said.

"You might, but I don't think you can tonight. Dumbledore is down at Hagrid's and I have been working on it all afternoon. You might come up with an idea and we would be too tired to give it due consideration. We'll talk about it again soon. How do you feel about that?" Pappy said. He wanted to be sure to include them to keep them happy and not worrying.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and shrugged. "Okay, Pappy. We can just brainstorm and bring you our ideas sometime later." Hermione said sadly.

They walked out of Dumbledore's quarters a little downtrodden. "I thought we'd find out more." Hermione expressed her disappointment. "I think Pappy didn't want to worry us."

Harry looked at her and realized that was the impression he got too. "I felt that way too. But you know I am not sure there is that much he can tell us though." Harry pointed out rather uncomfortably.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Draco returned to Hogwarts rather distressed. He'd looked forward to seeing Ginny since five minutes after leaving. No one had seen his father in nearly a month. He was embarrassed by his father's politics but what separated him from his father was he was capable of love. He went to see Ginny first thing.

"Hi, is Ginny here?" Draco asked Madame Pomfrey.

"Yes, she is," she replied. She took a couple of steps around the screens blocking the view from the entrance. "Ginny, Draco Malfoy is here to see you."

Ginny looked at her with a smile and "Draco, come here." She turned her head in the direction she heard the footsteps coming from.

"Hi, Ginny, how are you? Are you feeling better?" Draco spoke softly and with kindness. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," replied Ginny. "I can't see your face but I can definitely hear something in your voice. What's wrong, sweetheart?" She was quiet for a minute or so and then repeated herself. Draco was silent.

"My father has gone missing. Even when he was running from the Ministry he'd keep in touch somehow with my mum….nothing since the middle of November." Draco sounded sad. "I don't like what he stands for, but he is my father."

"Do you think something's happened to him?" Ginny asked empathetically.

"When they rescued Luna, there were stories that there had been a battle in the dungeons. They didn't say who was there, but I think I heard Pappy had killed a couple of his pursuers. Didn't you hear that too?" Draco said in melancholy and knowing voice.

"I think so sweetheart, but it may not have been him." Ginny said hoping on one hand that he wasn't dead for Draco's sake, yet on the other she knew that Lucius' presence would spell disaster for Draco and her.

"Well, my mum has petitioned the Ministry for an accounting of his whereabouts if they know. She says they may have caught him and detained him to keep him out of the picture. I hope that's the case." Draco said. "I'm sorry, Ginny, darling. I know what horrible strain he has been on your family, but I want to know for sure if he's dead or alive."

"I understand. What if you found out he was killed as part of the rescue of Luna?" Ginny asked.

"I'd be sad, but if he was trying to do harm to Pappy or Luna….I don't know. How can you say your own father deserved death?" Draco truly seemed disheartened and depressed.

She could hear his breathing at her bedside. She took his hand and pulled him close. She kissed him. "No one deserves to be left feeling so miserable wondering about someone close, even if they don't see eye to eye. She hugged his neck and sat herself up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "Sit next to me. I was sleeping for a while. No, better yet, can you be my eyes while we go for a walk?"

She pulled on her robe over her pajamas. Draco let her take his arm and they walked. They talked and he felt better. He knew in his heart of hearts that his father had been part of the group attempting to thwart Luna's rescue, but he just wouldn't acknowledge it. Not yet, anyway.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tonks arrived at the ministry at half-past eight that evening. The first person she saw was Kingsley Shacklebolt. She was glad to see his grizzled old face. She knew she could trust him. "Hi, Kingsley, what is going on? I came here yesterday and thought better of going anywhere else but straight here tonight." She said, obviously referring to not going to 12 Grimmauld Place where the Order of the Phoenix called home.

"You thought correctly. Follow me; I have something to show you that will help you in your next assignment." Shacklebolt said quickly and quietly. They walked the corridor as fast as they could without running.

"What?" Tonks was confused.

"Sh," said Shacklebolt. "Someone is using memory charms and the Imperious Curse on influential members of the Ministry. I fear that you and I will be next. We must keep in touch very closely." Out of his robe pocket he pulled a pair of two-way mirrors. He had learned about their existence from Sirius one evening last year when they'd talked about Harry.

"What are those?" Tonks looked even more perplexed.

"These are two-way mirror. We can remain in contact through these. You look into one and say my name. We will see each other and be able to communicate. The Floo Network is being watched and Disapparating and Apparating can require explanations as to why we'd left our posts." Shacklebolt said hurriedly. "We must be sure that the other is not under the control of the enemy. We are the only Aurors that have not been `altered.' He said the word quietly and with such an ominous tone that Tonks finally understood.

Tonks said, "We are the only ones outside of Hogwarts who know the truth."

"Exactly," replied Shacklebolt. "If we are left alone with anyone, we should not hesitate to use these to warn the other. There is no reason for a private meeting unless it is you and I."

"What about the Chief Auror." Tonks said.

"He may not be affected, but we cannot take the chance." Shacklebolt said, pausing to think for a moment or two. "If necessary, make up a story about meeting me in five minutes somewhere and excuse yourself. We are going to have problems getting away, but it is better to be thought disrespectful than to be put under the curse. We can defend ourselves from most unless Voldemort has possessed one of the Ministry officials. Be aware of every possible hint that anyone may inadvertently give away."

Tonks thought, `I have taken my job very seriously since the beginning, but this warning from Shacklebolt is ominous. He could be right.' She looked around suspiciously and took the mirror from Shacklebolt. "Should we start with specific check-in times? Say within ten minutes either way?"

"Good plan," said Shacklebolt. "Every four hours, beginning at nine o'clock. That's ten minutes from now. We can check the use of the mirrors while we are close."

Ten minutes later they tried their clandestine communications system and found it to be satisfactory. Now the question was how to get to a place unseen every four hours to communicate. They'd just have to worry about that then. "No long night's sleep for a while Tonks," he said into the mirror.

"Yeah, I know, that sucks." Tonks said with a mock laugh.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dumbledore and Pappy sat up long into the night trying to assess the damage that could have been done by different people. They both agreed that most damage had been done during the time that Bellatrix had impersonated Luna. Her access to her father would have been the key. The Daily Prophet could not afford to ignore the stories printed by their rival because of their scoop of the return of Voldemort the previous spring. If they were willing now to backslide on their support for Dumbledore their must be a good reason.

"So, what do you want to do, Albus?" said Pappy as he walked slowly from the big chair near Dumbledore's desk to the sofa.

"I'd prefer to do the same thing as last spring," said Dumbledore. "Until they can come to me with evidence and not speculation, I will not react to their accusations. I will simply do what I think is right and if it violates their concept of my job and responsibility I will react then. I believe that you are my most powerful weapon and I cannot afford to have you exposed."

"That is what I thought a man of your stature and wisdom would do, Albus. However, at the current moment I am not nearly as strong as I need to be to fight the good fight with the Ministry and Voldemort." Pappy said sadly.

"Precisely. That is the reason I do not want your presence known." Albus agreed. "Can I send a student or two with you to your apartment to help you and keep you out of sight?"

"Who did you have in mind?" Pappy said.

"Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley, I think they both could use the rest and without the excitement around here they may get better more quickly." Dumbledore said.

"I would agree that Miss Lovegood's unspeakable treatment at the hands of Voldemort would require some time to heal. But why take Miss Weasley?" Pappy wanted to know.

"Her eyesight is improving slowly and she is unable as of yet to go to class. She will work hard and you could enchant the shop to mark the hazards for her. Teach her to use her other senses more completely, Pappy. If she can never see normally again, she may still have hope of leading an unrestricted life." Dumbledore said in a strained tone.

"I sense another reason you have not told me." Pappy said reluctantly after a few seconds pause. He'd hoped Albus would volunteer the rest. "What is it, Albus?"

"Do you recall the day of her accident?" Albus began. "We saw Ron in the dungeon, not Ginerva. She was not possessed in the normal sense when she first walked in here. I am sure of it. I am not sure how, but I am convinced it is the key to our current trouble."

"Do you mean that it is the method that Voldemort is using to gain access to high level officials without arousing their awareness until it is too late?" Pappy inquired with a puzzled and unhappy look.

"I do. If that is the case there had to be some reason Miss Weasley was susceptible. Do you see now why I don't want to take the chance that she is here when and if Voldemort comes back disguised? He has made it virtually impossible to detect his presence if he maintains his composure and does not allow the hatred to flow." Dumbledore spoke softly as if he were still composing his theory as he spoke. "I really have no idea how he has done it. I know what he's done, just not how."

"What about young Mr. Malfoy, will he pose a problem if she is gone? I think that he may need a friendly face more than we know. I overheard his conversation with Ginny today." Pappy said with a raised eyebrow. "He doesn't know that I killed his father and that it was with my bare hands, not through magic. It was very painful."

"No, I am sure no one knows what has happened to Lucius Malfoy. That is in our favor, because divulging his death would require knowing who did it, how it happened, and what he was doing in precisely the place we say the Death Eaters were congregating. Mr. Malfoy must not have that fact confirmed. If he asks, I will deny it and try to find a suitable explanation after I have altered his memory." Albus said this with difficulty. He was reverting to the enemy's tactics. Even though it was for a good purpose, relying on such tactics had possible repercussions.

"Very well, when do we leave?" Pappy asked.

"I would ask you to stay another week to ensure you are strong enough for the trip. You will have two young ladies to watch out for." Dumbledore wanted no mistakes this time. Pappy would need all of his strength to be able to break the strong spell on Hogwarts preventing Apparating inside school boundaries should an emergency require his presence.

"I will arrange a suitable reason for Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood to be leaving in the mean time," Dumbledore added.

Pappy nodded. He knew that the longer he stayed here the more likely someone would say something that would lead to his true identity and divulge that Dumbledore was his secret-keeper.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The morning after Hermione's return was a pleasant one for Harry. Her smile was such a confidence-builder and warming feeling that the bad news of the weekend was easier to handle. "How are you this morning, sweetheart? Did I ever tell you how much your smile makes me feel better?" Harry said with a sincere smile.

"I am sure you have, but don't let that stop you from saying it more often." Hermione smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "That is so sweet." She felt instantly better too.

"So what classes do we have to survive this term?" asked Harry.

"We went over this last night Harry. We will do well in everything. You have made sort of a friend out of Snape, haven't you?" She said with a wry smile.

"Very funny! Now that he's teaching both potions and the Defense against the Dark Arts classes it will be double your pleasure, double your fun." Harry frowned.

"All we can do is hope, Harry. He is probably very knowledgeable in the Dark Arts." Hermione said hopefully.

"Yea, he could combine potions that create all sorts of miserable lesions that require the Dark Arts to get rid of. He'll use me as the guinea pig." Harry was despondent.

"Or he could use Neville. He hates you both equally." Hermione said with a smile. "Don't get worried for no reason, until we see what's in store for us."

Defense against the Dark Arts was the first class that morning. Professor Snape was in class with the seats pulled up to the front standing at the lectern. "I should hope that all of your teenage silliness was expended during the holiday. Today I become the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher for the remainder of the school year."

A collective moan filled the classroom that seemed to bother Snape. Harry was surprised to see the look of hurt on his face rather than the one that indicated indifference.

"I am sorry that I don't meet up to your standards as Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, but I suppose I could change that if I just let Mr. Potter teach the class." Snape sniped meanly. "He is the reason you can thank the Ministry for putting me in this position. Mr. Potter thought that teaching students illegally on the side would serve some purpose. Apparently, he got Firenze sacked."

Harry sat silently avoiding Snape's penetrating eyes. Hermione sat next to him just as quietly hoping that Snape would not directly address either of them.

"So where had you left off with your previous classes Mr. Potter? I asked Firenze but he said that he had been discussing Occlumency. Where do you think we should begin in your exceptional professional opinion?" Snape asked as he walked between the pairs of desks.

"Firenze was doing an excellent job with the Occlumency lessons, Professor. Can we begin where he left off?" Harry said as innocently as he could manage.

"I expected more information out of you Potter, since you are the recognized expert here. Maybe Miss Granger would care to enlighten us with more information? She is unusually quiet this morning." Snape asked.

"I am very sure I couldn't Professor." Hermione said holding her disgust at his attempt to bait her and Harry.

"Well, haven't you two become model citizens? It is sickening. Don't you think Mr. Malfoy?" asked Snape unaware of the growing relationship between Malfoy and Harry.

"Well, Sir, I do see a difference in both of them that I hadn't noticed before. It is a little too sweet for my taste." Draco winked at Harry as a smug Snape cracked a rare smile not realizing that Malfoy had meant that he was disappointed in them for not fighting back against Snape.

"My reaction exactly, Mr. Malfoy. I believe they are being a bit condescending, don't you?" Snape replied.

"Honestly, Sir, I find this to be boring. I would expect to be taught something of Defense of the Dark Arts instead of discussing the reactions or attitudes of Potter and his girlfriend. They may be reacting exactly that way but this is a waste of my time." Draco said without remorse.

"May I remind you who the head of your house is? You would do better to mind your manners." Snape reacted angrily.

"You also told us to answer questions directly and truthfully. That is what I am doing. Would you prefer that I be condescending as well?" Malfoy asked.

Snape was as angry as he'd ever been at Malfoy. He looked at him with a glare. "No. Let us begin with Occlumency as suggested by Mr. Potter. I will speak with you later Mr. Malfoy."

Harry and Hermione were thankful for Draco's interference this morning but had never imagined he would do it in front of his housemates. Class continued with a review of the need for Occlumency as a defense of the mind against intrusion by a hostile wizard. Harry immediately realized how important his lessons with Snape the year before were. He tried to remain as clear-minded as he could.

Harry felt uneasy as he looked into the staring face of Snape. His brows furled as he turned his head toward Hermione as he tried to avoid Snape's gaze. "Professor Snape, did you ask me a question?" Harry said in desperation.

"No, do you have something you want to tell us Mr. Potter?" asked Snape satisfied that he'd finally upset Harry enough to create a reason for detention.

"Not really, Sir, except that staring is rude and I feel uncomfortable." Harry said.

Snape was shocked at Harry's honesty. There was nothing Snape could do but ignore Potter's response or acknowledge that he was staring at him. Snape continued to teach. "As I was saying, the most important thing is to realize situations in which you are vulnerable to intrusive thoughts." Snape left Harry alone until just before the end of class. "Potter, stay behind." Hermione turned to wait with him. "Alone, Potter."

"Yes, Sir, I'll see you in a few minutes, Hermione." Harry said glumly.

"I see that you have learned a great deal more since last year's lessons. I don't know what you and your lot are up to, but it seems that you have gained enough composure not to be rash. I want to put you on warning that I am going to watch you closely. Don't exceed your abilities Potter, because under the current circumstances I cannot let you create more trouble for Professor Dumbledore than you have." Snape's expression was unreadable, but his tone was both protective and ominous.

"I understand, Sir." Harry replied as benignly as possible.

"I don't think you do, but that is not my concern. Nothing would make me happier than for you to finally get that smirking smile removed from your face permanently." Snape said with such disgust that Harry wasn't sure that he wasn't smiling.

"Is that all, Professor?" Harry asked.

"Yes, I wonder if Malfoy will still want to assist you when I tell him who killed his father and how?" Snape's expression was different than Harry had ever seen.

"Good afternoon, Sir." Harry said without remarking about the veiled threat. Snape knew of course, but his role in the Order was to remain divorced from its activities to allow him to move in circles others could not.

As he walked out of the classroom, he looked for Hermione. She was a few feet away down the hall laughing with Ron and Malfoy. Harry could see that the real solution was to tell Malfoy the truth. But he knew that he must get to Pappy and Dumbledore before he did.

"Draco, will you meet me at Dumbledore's quarters in fifteen minutes?" Harry asked.

"Why would I want to do that?" Draco looked impatient. "We're still not best friends Potter, even if I had to haul you out of the fire this afternoon, you prat."

"If Ginny were to ask you would you go?" Harry asked.

"Of course, I would." Draco returned.

"Then trust me that I am talking about the safety of Ginny and all of us." Harry lied. He needed to gain an advantage somehow. It was not the truth but the implications of Draco divulging the true identity and power of Pappy would be disastrous.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"When we met with Snape last week, no one was aware that he was here, correct?" asked Goyle.

"Not as far as I know, why would that matter?" asked Minister Fudge. "He is a Professor at Hogwarts and we are going to instruct Dumbledore to have him teach Defense against the Dark Arts."

The entire time Goyle had been working here in the Ministry, he'd not yet found a time where his anger had reached such heights. "Minister, are we not trying to gain as much information as we can covertly?"

"Why yes, of course, but I still do not understand." Minister Fudge looked perplexed.

For the first time, the evil nature of Voldemort extended to the personality of the generally jovial and oafish Goyle. "Minister, you are a fool. I should kill you where you stand, but you are the Minister of Magic. I will not have such idiots working for me again. Do not speak of Snape's visit here again or you will not survive the day."

Voldemort had taken over complete control of Goyle. He raised his wand and cried, "Crucio." The Minister went down in a heap as he convulsed. His eyes rolled in his head as he attempted to speak as he looked at Goyle with disbelief. "I will not have you thinking that you are in charge of anything. You will treat Goyle as your equal in private and will respect him in public. You can be replaced." Not a sound escaped Minister Fudge's lips; he understood.

As he regained his composure Voldemort regained control as Goyle, but realized the strength he had exerted in possessing a body and soul from that distance would be dangerous. It was the only problem with his new found power. He had always possessed a person face to face except as he'd done with the Weasley girl this winter. He'd left Dumbledore's quarters feeling much the same as he did now. Expending the mental energy could leave him defenseless in that cavernous dungeon under the Forbidden Forest and his body would die. He would be bodiless again.

Outside the Ministry, Goyle disappeared from the street as he Disapparated to entrance to the dungeons. The dungeon in which Lord Voldemort's body lie was cold and dark. He reached for the body. As he touched it, Lord Voldemort gasped loudly as if he'd just been revived. Goyle fell to the floor, unable to move back to the chair.

Lord Voldemort stood up, picked up the immense body of Goyle and placed him in the chair. "Ennervate." Goyle was slow to recover. Even as he recovered his eyes shuddered slightly and he fell asleep again almost instantaneously.

"That was close Goyle." Voldemort was speaking to Goyle and himself as savored the victory of not being dispossessed of his body once more. "We must do this quickly. If that happens again in a situation where I must use magic to defend myself, I am vulnerable. I must be more careful."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The news that Snape knew who Pappy was shocked both Harry and Hermione. "Why would Snape know? I know you trust him Professor, but he is the most determined to do me harm of any person I know other than Malfoy up until the past month." He glanced at a nodding Hermione as he spoke.

"It is strange that Severus would intentionally tell Malfoy more than he needs to know about Nathaniel. Do you mean that Draco has never met Pappy in person?" Harry said.

"If he has met me, I am sure we weren't introduced as any more than your friend from this summer." Pappy said. "I have been careful not to expose myself as Nathaniel outside of these quarters."

"Nathaniel, this is another reason for you to leave as soon as you are able. It is becoming nearly impossible to tell who knows of you and who doesn't. Those who know you as an old man with strange powers that has a link to Harry may be too much of a coincidence with you living here in my quarters." Dumbledore pointed out.

"So, what do we do with Draco Malfoy? Do we tell him everything and then create some reason for him to go missing as well? Sending him with the girls would not be a bad thing at this point." Pappy said.

"It might if he's hell-bent on revenge." Harry said matter-of-factly. "My parents didn't die at the hand of Wormtail, but I don't care how Wormtail died. I hope it was as painful as possible. He might feel the same way about the man who killed his father."

"Harry, you have a point but we can be honest and appeal to his new found appreciation for the lives of witches and wizards born of non-magical parents. He may have not been completely brain-washed by his father and his cronies yet." Dumbledore said with a glance at Pappy. "The question is, how much do we tell him?"

"Harry and Hermione, we are going to need to discuss a few things with Draco alone. Please wait outside until he arrives. Tell him that Professor Dumbledore will answer all of his questions." Pappy said without delay.

Harry and Hermione were not quick to head for the door, but after a few seconds did as they were told. They waited outside for nearly five minutes until they saw Draco who looked rather happy. "Hey, what are you two waiting outside for?"

"Professor Dumbledore wants to speak to you in private." Harry said. "He said that he would answer all of your questions."

"Well, he did, did he?" Draco asked rhetorically as he announced himself.

"Come in, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said. "There is someone I want you to meet."

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Harry and Hermione began walking away from Dumbledore's office without direction. They held hands and chatted about the wonderful gift that Hermione had made during the holiday. "It's too cold to go get our winter cloaks and too much bother. Let's go to the Room of Requirement for a while," Harry said pleadingly he realized that his request could be likened to going parking if he were a muggle. He'd seen it in a movie once.

"Good idea, we can study in peace up there and create our own little study room," said Hermione with a serious look on her face.

"Oh yeah, that's what I was thinking too. Besides we could conjure up the room to give us a little music to listen to also." Harry said with as serious a face as he could muster. He had no idea if Hermione was having him on or not.

They arrived to an empty room much like the way the room began during the DA meetings. Harry concentrated hard on building the mood in addition to making it look like a study room. The deep shag carpet, soft lighting fixtures near the ceiling, a fireplace, two overstuffed giant pillows on the floor in front of the fireplace and two beautifully adorned study desks appeared out of thin air. Harry said, "I forgot." He imagined speakers throughout the room with softly playing music.

"Harry, this is beautiful except for one thing," Hermione said with deadpan stare at him.

"What? What could I have possibly forgotten?" Harry asked dejectedly.

"Well the way I see it the desks will be useless even though they are beautiful and instead of two overstuffed pillows…let's put one big bearskin rug in front of the fireplace. I'm sure we'll end up with backaches with those pillows." Hermione smiled suggestively at Harry pulling him over to the bearskin rug. First they had to get out of those silly robes that they were still wearing from class.

"I thought you wanted to study." Harry said with a flirting smile.

"Oh, I do, but I had these thoughts and dreams while I was gone that I just have to see played out. You can call this research if you'd like." Hermione said playfully. She pulled Harry's tee shirt off and conjured up a pair of thin silk shorts for both of them. "If you're going to try to seduce me, you can at least give us something sexy to wear. Lie down on your stomach.

Harry did as he was told. Hermione reached down and pulled off her top leaving only her bra, panties and the silk shorts. She straddled his bum sitting on it. She massaged his neck and back. She would lean way forward to massage his shoulders being sure to caress his back with her breasts.

Harry felt her soft breasts against his back and he could feel her weight as it became uncomfortable to lie on his stomach as his excitement grew. He could hear her breath as she moved her hands to his knotted shoulders each time she brushed her breasts against him. "Harry, are you okay?" She asked.

He was suddenly aware that he'd wished Hermione had taken Tonks advice as he became more excited with the tactile pleasures her hands were producing. He'd always been the one who had made Hermione breathless up to this point. "Hermione, why are you doing this to me? I mean the massage is one thing but…." His voice trailed off.

"Okay, on your stomach." She sat down on his crotch as soon as he had turned over, moving her hands lightly over his chest and nipples. "I told you I had a dream of sitting with you like this while I was gone." She moved slowly and rhythmically over his crotch using the leverage from her knees on the rug beside Harry.

Harry's heart was pounding. Harry's only thought through all of this physical pleasure was how would this feel flesh-to-flesh? He reached for the back of her neck as he pushed himself to the sitting position with the other hand and kissed her as deeply as he could. The pain in his loins wasn't from Hermione's weight it was the strain for release from his silk and cotton prison. Hermione deepened their kiss as he felt her moan into his mouth. Harry's hands moved to her backside as he helped her move slowly, lifting her slightly and then letting her weight press down on him again.

"Hermione, why are we playing at this and denying ourselves?" He said breathlessly in her ear. I was the first time he had spoken his desire to make love to her since she'd said she wished to wait until marriage.

"Harry," said Hermione nearly unable to speak as her breathing finally caught up. "Only because I didn't get the present Tonks suggested." She laughed throatily.

He didn't ask. He reached behind her and unfastened her bra softly caressing her shoulders as he removed them the length of her arms. She didn't resist as she pulled away slightly to let him remove it completely. I was the first time she'd felt a man's skin against her bare breasts. She held Harry tight as he lifted her behind with his hands and bent his legs slightly. He gently moved forward rocking Hermione to her back on that beautiful bearskin rug.

Hermione kissed his bare chest. She knew he'd stop if she asked. "I'm scared Harry. I hadn't planned for it to happen this way." Harry kissed her neck and slowly moved to his mouth to her nipples.

A fire hotter than she'd ever known grew in her belly as he gently nibbled at her breasts and nipples circling them with his tongue. "Sweetheart, if you want me to stop you'd better do it now. I'm going to kiss you like this all the way to your feet. I can barely force myself to ask you now, I don't want to stop." Hermione could hear him breathing hard as he took a deep breath and looked in her eyes. He had her legs straddled against him. The confusion of the pleasure that was awaiting or their vow was at the breaking point.

Harry moved to the other nipple and began the same wonderful sensations growing in her again. She felt helpless in his grasp. His mouth moved to her stomach and lower as she felt the open air and a hand inside her panties. They'd managed to create such intimacy through their clothes that one time before, but this was beyond her dreams. His fingers touched off ripples of pleasure.

Harry had tasted the sweetness of her all the way to past her bellybutton to her toes; he looked at her not quite sure what to do next. She was naked in front of him, trusting his every instinct and massaging his arms as he held himself up. "Hermione?"

"I love you, Harry. I want you." He moved lower and kissed her. She held back the moan of pleasure as best she could, but realized she was robbing herself of the pleasure denying her emotion and physical reactions. She could feel the ripples in her tummy growing as he continued. His hand reached for her breast. She took his hand and put his fingers to her lips as he continued. Finally, as the waves of pleasure passed over her she pulled Harry's arm to indicate for him to sit up.

He removed his shorts awkwardly as she looked at him exposed. She touched him and felt his manhood warm and hard. "Harry, please be gentle." He reached for the box of condoms that had magically appeared as his shorts were removed. "Not this time, Harry. I know it's crazy, but not this time." She wanted them to feel every pleasure the first time.

He lowered himself on top of her. Her softness gave Harry a feeling of butterflies in his stomach and gave him the urge to move quickly, but as he did he felt the barrier he'd forgotten would be there. "Harry, just once quickly and then stop. Let me adjust." He penetrated her and waited as he saw the flash of pain on her face. As it slowly subsided, Hermione grasped his bum and pulled him in further and ground herself into him.

Harry could feel the warmth of her womanhood enveloping him. He moved slowly realizing that he too was beyond his ability to restrain himself. She urged him to move faster as she squeezed him; he could feel his ability to restrain himself weaken. He thought, `How could she know to do that.' The rhythm of their bodies continued for as long as they could bear. Finally, Harry's face grew taught and he convulsed in pleasure as tried to move away. She held him there wanting to feel the power of his orgasm inside her.

After a moment or two of silence, Hermione kissed Harry. "Don't ever think you forced me to do anything I hadn't dreamt at least a dozen times. I love you Harry Potter." She rolled atop Harry. They laid there in stunned silence for a moment lost in time.

Finally Hermione spoke, "I'd always heard the first time was terrible. It wasn't at all." She laid her head on his chest feeling his slowly rising and lowering chest as his breathing returned to normal. "Now wasn't that better than some silly old massage." They smiled at one another so honestly and passionately that all guilt was swept away from either of them. They'd stopped teasing and felt the love they knew they'd nurtured all this time.

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The Minister sat in the chair as Shacklebolt brought him some tea. "Are you alright, Sir? Goyle told me that you wanted to see me as he left the building. I came in and found you unconscious on the floor. What happened, Sir?"

"I don't know, one minute I was watching Goyle close the door and the next I felt light-headed. That's all I remember." Fudge lied. He believed Voldemort and knew he no longer had the will to fight back against him without losing his position as Minister.

"We should get a Medi-Witch down here from St. Mungo's to take a look at you." Shacklebolt was worried for the Minister. For all his faults, the Minister was not a bad bloke. He looked almost identical to the way Pappy had looked just two weeks or so before.

Fudge stood up and said, "See, not to worry, I am just…ff…" He fell to the floor again. Shacklebolt called to the outer office, but no one responded. He conjured a make-shift stretcher and put Minister Fudge on it. He levitated it and took it to St. Mungo's where the looks on the faces of the staff looked tragic. He waited.

"He will be fine. It appears that stress raised his blood pressure to abnormal levels causing him pass out. He's lucky it didn't cause a stroke. He'll need to rest for a few days." The Medi-Witch informed Shacklebolt. He left feeling much better.

Outside the room, he opened his mirror. "Tonks." He waited for a couple of seconds and called her again. Finally, she answered.

"I was standing in front of the Undersecretary. Thank goodness she didn't hear you. I just found an empty corridor." Tonks said. "What's so urgent?"

"The Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge has taken ill. The last person with him was Goyle. I don't trust that combination of events too neat to be circumstantial. Watch out for him." Shacklebolt said as he saw someone coming. "Have to go." He hid the mirror before he could hear her response.

Tonks never heard his final words. She lay motionless and breathless at the feet of Goyle.

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