Whatever Will Be

What Ever Will Be

Chapter 1: Under the Influence

Flipping through the pages of her wedding album, Hermione smiled as she came across what would have to be her favourite memory of the day. It was a photograph of Harry and Ron, covered in wedding cake, hugging their respective partners, Hermione and Luna, both of who were squirming away from the chocolate-covered embraces of their men. Seeing her, the figures in the picture looked up and waved, their eyes shining with laughter.

That was 3 years ago, and now, at 24, Hermione had all she had ever wanted from life; a husband she loved, a beautiful home and a steady, well-paid job running her own bookshop and tutoring business in Diagon Alley. Life was good, and she had everything under control.

Hearing the front door unlock, she slid the photo album back into its case and placed it back underneath the coffee table. She stood up, straightened her pink silk shirt and went to greet her husband. As Harry turned to hang up his coat he was ambushed from behind, a pair of small hands gripping his waist. With a laugh he grabbed Hermione's slender wrists and pulled her around to face him. They shared a chaste kiss before heading into the kitchen where the soup Hermione had prepared earlier was stirring itself.

“How was your day, Honey?” Hermione asked as she collected two bowls from the cupboard above her head.

“Not bad,” Harry replied, “Moody came in to speak to some of the younger Aurors. He's planning on retiring in a few years, you know.”

Hermione arched her eyebrows in surprise. “Really? The Ministry will need someone good to replace him.” She turned and winked at Harry, “Other than you of course!”

Harry grinned back. “Tonks is really great too, she headed off to Serbia last week to speak to the Wizard's Confederation there. Got me out of a tight spot, I was the one meant to go!”

“But you'd've missed out anniversary!” Hermione exclaimed, knowing full well why Tonks had volunteered. “It was great of Tonks to do that.”

“Tell me about it.” he sighed “I wouldn't miss our anniversary for the world, you know that”

“So, any tips on what you're getting me?” Hermione hinted.

“None at all” he replied slyly.

None of Hermione's protesting came to fruition, and the next few minutes were spent with the two of them bartering over anniversary hints, however neither of the two gave anything away.

“Please?” Hermione asked, fed up with her forceful jokes not working, put on a puppy dog face, and stared into Harry's startling green eyes.

“No! And all that is going to do is get us into the bedroom”

“I swear, sometimes you have a one track mind Harry Potter!” Hermione said with mock agitation.

“I do not thank you very much!” Harry protested, still in jest.

“How do think we got our nickname “Rabbit” then?”

“Hey! It's not just my fault! If you weren't so tempting, we wouldn't end up in bed all the time!”

“Oh, so now it's my fault?” Hermione joked, “Well, looks like you're sleeping on the sofa tonight then!”

“I mean, it's not ALL your fault, I mean I could keep my hands to myself and be a good boy” Harry apologised, and at the same time taunted Hermione.

“I was joking, you git” Hermione laughed.

Harry blushed beet red, “I knew that, I was... just playing along with it”

“Sure, sure Mr. Denial!”

“I am not in denial!” Harry exclaimed, an expression of false shock on his face.

“Sure, sure!” Hermione submitted. “Just eat your soup, Ginny and that...” Hermione paused as if to think of her next words, “...Muggle boyfriend of hers are coming round tonight, and I want to clean this place before he gets here. I'm not sure if Ginny's told him about being a witch yet.”

“When was this arranged?” Harry asked. He had been looking forward to a night alone with his wife. Work had been so hectic they hardly saw each other for long periods of time.

“Ginny phoned around 10 for a chat and I invited them over for drinks tonight.” Hermione explained to him. But the truth was Ginny had confided in Hermione was that she was now dating Draco Malfoy, and was going to bring him around to tell Harry that he was not on the bad side anymore. Secretly Hermione thought this was going to be more difficult for Ginny than Draco.

“That was nice of you,” Harry said flatly. “I have a feeling that I won't like Gin's new boyfriend though”

“You can, and will, learn to like him,” Hermione ordered, “because it will make Ginny happy, and we all know that Ginny needs some happiness in her life right now, especially after her last break up.”

“Of course, I mean, it can't be that hard to learn to like this guy, can it?” Harry said, waving his wand to clear his plate and begin cleaning the kitchen. “See, I even started the cleaning for you!”

“Thank you sweetheart, and now, can you please run down to the store and grab a carton of butterbeer, a case of beer, some crackers and a bottle of red wine” Hermione asked, grabbing some Muggle money from her purse and handing it to Harry.

“Sure,” Harry replied, and gave Hermione a swift kiss on the cheek before striding out the door.

Hermione set about preparing boards with cheeses, and dips. While the cheese unwrapped itself and the dips peeled back their wrappings, she sent glasses and a tablecloth flying over to where they would be sitting, and arranged them with a flick of her wand. She heard Harry's updated Ford Anglia pull out of the driveway and cruise down the street. Knowing her husband was gone; she walked over to the fireplace, picked up a handful of glittering green powder and threw it into the flames, clearly enunciating the words, “Number 12, Grimmauld Place”. She then promptly thrust her head into the whirling flames.

At the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, Albus Dumbledore was interrogating the newest member of the resistance against Voldemort. The man slumped in a chair, obviously under the influence of Veritaserum, looked up to Dumbledore from underneath is fringe of straight, blonde hair and said, “I promise you, my father is dead. Killed by his own kinsmen, the other death eaters turned on him. I witnessed it all, huddled in a cupboard in my own family's home, at the end of my 7th year at Hogwarts. I wasn't supposed to be there, it was a secret meeting, and I wanted to eavesdrop, my father thought I wasn't smart enough to work first hand with death eaters. I wanted to prove him wrong. But first I had to learn how he worked, so I could copy him. As I watched, the death eaters pounced on him, all four of them. One disarming him, another silencing his cries, one summoning the papers he had in his possession out from under his fingertips, and the fourth... I remember closing my eyes and turning away, but even from underneath my eyelids I saw the flash of green. I never climbed out of the cupboard for hours. I only emerged when I heard my mother enter the room and scream. The death eaters told me, later, that my father had gone into hiding. But I knew the truth. That's why I want to join you.”

Dumbledore appeared satisfied. At that moment the fireplace behind him sparked green and a head of bushy hair appeared. “Hello Professor!” Hermione smiled in greeting. “Can't stay long, just wondering if you'd...” she broke off, “...finished with Malfoy.” Seeing Ginny's boyfriend slumped in a chair, she blushed. “Obviously not, sorry.” Hermione apologised. “I didn't know you were using Veritaserum though.”

“It was necessary,” Dumbledore explained. “We can never be sure about the loyalties of those who change sides.” Hermione's thoughts flashed to a certain Professor of whom she had thought the exact same thing.

At that moment, a tall, slim woman walked into the room, her Quidditch robes still on and her red hair windswept. “Hey Professor, Hermione, Draco!” She leant down and planted a kiss on Draco's blonde head.

“I love you Ginny, marry me?” Draco said.

Ginny stoped flustered. “Umm...” she looked at Hermione and at Dumbledore for an explanation of Draco's excessively free behaviour.

“He is simply under the influence of Veritaserum,” Dumbledore explained cheerfully. “Nothing to worry about!” Ginny, however, was not worried, just happy. If Draco was speaking the truth, and he had to be, then he really did love her!

Reading the smile on Ginny's face, Hermione decided to withdraw from the scene. “See you at seven!” she called to Ginny, and pulled her head back into her own home.

A/N. Sorry its so short, but I have been swamped with school work! Hope you enjoyed, please leave a short review, but no flames please!

-->

Chapter 2: For Want of Some Cufflinks

Harry walked through the door only seconds after Hermione had pulled out of the fire.

“Hermione, where are you?” he called from the kitchen as he placed the case of drinks on the table.

“I'm just in the bedroom changing, I'll be out in a second!” she called back to him, quickly brushing a few stray ashes back into the fireplace. She then turned to the mirror and began to muss up her hair and spread some mascara along her eyelashes with her wand.

She had gotten a whole heap of make-up spells from `Witch Weekly', and since then had hardly bought a Muggle cosmetic product.
“Rosincto” she plainly said, and a rosy glow covered her cheeks.
“Alanta” she gained shimmery pink eyes, and
“Phosphore,” her lips took on a healthy, glossy glow.
As Harry walked into the room she transfigured her sensible slacks into a flowing hippie skirt and twirled to meet him.

“Well hello, Sunshine!” Harry laughed as he held Hermione's waist
She poked his nose with her wand, turning it momentarily orange, then tucked her wand back into the top of her skirt.
Harry reached for his own wand to retaliate, when he saw it in Hermione's hand. “You always were better at non-verbal spells!”

Hermione looked at him mockingly. “That wasn't a spell Harry; I took it from your pocket about 4 minutes ago.”

With a wink he put both his arms around Hermione and took his wand back. She giggled and he lifted her up onto his shoulder and spun around, laughing.

Abruptly, the doorbell rang, and Harry put his wife down and called, “Coming!” as he opened the oak door, only to find Ron standing outside.

“Ron? What are you doing here?” Hermione asked, puzzled by the appearance of her best friend.

“I need to talk to you about my sister Hermione” he said in a decidedly forced tone.

“Ron? What's all this about?” Harry asked, looking as well as sounding extremely puzzled. “Hermione?”

“You'll find out later honey!” Hermione said with a strangled smile as she led Ron into their living room and sealed the door with a silencing charm.

“Why is Ginny so damn happy? She is prancing round the bloody house without a care in the world! And when I asked her why she was so happy all she could do is say your sodding name and I want to know why!” Ron said all this in one breath, in a deadly calm voice.

“Look, Ron, nobody is supposed to know this except me, so you can't tell anyone!” Hermione warned him, “but Ginny is not dating a Muggle, in fact she's not even dating a half-blood.” Here Hermione paused as if unsure about what she was about to say. `She's... she's dating Draco.”

“Draco!” Ron exploded, “as in Malfoy? I'll kill him for putting his nasty little paws on my sister! Who does he think he is anyway?”

“RON!” Hermione shouted at her friend, “calm down alright!”

“NO! That bloody prat is going out with my sister!” he shouted back “How can you are telling me to calm down?”

“RON! Listen to me!” she said in a forced calm voice “I was at headquarters before, and he was under the influence of Veritaserum, and he said that he was in love with Ginny, and I can't see him hurting her if he says he loves her!” Hermione explained to her fuming friend, again, all in one breath.

Resigned, Ron flopped onto the couch. “How long have you known about them?”

“Since he asked her about a month or two ago” she said, waiting for him to explode in her face again, but he didn't.

“Why didn't she tell me? I'm her sodding brother and she can't tell me that she's going out with sodding Malfoy?” he said to no one in particular.

There was a loud pounding from outside which meant that Harry had taken the silencing charm off the door.

“Hermione, come on, it's getting late and Ginny will be here soon!” he shouted through the door.

“Ginny's coming over tonight?” Ron asked.

“Yeah, and she's bringing Draco, so you better go before they get here or you will tear Draco's' head off.”

She walked to the door and swung it open, to find Harry sitting on the couch with his face in his hands. He looked up at the pair.

“What's going on?” he asked them suspiciously.

“Nothing honey, you'll find out soon” Hermione reassured him with a, somewhat false, smile.

“Sooner then you think, as well” Ron muttered under his breath.

“What's that suppose to mean Ron?” Harry questioned.

“Don't worry, I got to go, see you guys later” Ron said and with that he apparated out.

“Bloody hell! What is that man on about Hermione?”

“I wouldn't worry about him Harry, you know what Ron is like, always worried about some thing or another. Anyway, can you get the butterbeer and wine out please and set them on the table with some glasses.”

“I suppose,” he replied with a sigh and went to the task his wife had set him.

Just as Harry had finished laying the drinks and glasses on the table, the doorbell rang.

“Coming!” Hermione called out as she rushed to welcome her guests.

“Ginny! Come on in and have a seat!” she said as she saw the young redheaded woman and her beau standing at the door. She closed the door behind them, Hermione was thankful that Harry had gone into the bedroom to change when the pair entered and took their seats. Ginny was still glowing with happiness after the recent events of the day, and her and Draco, if it was possible, seemed even closer.

“So Ginny, how was your day?” Hermione asked the redhead with a smile.

“Fantastic,” she said, knowing Hermione would know why. “How about you?”

“Fine, although your brother paid me a visit about half and hour ago, wanting to know why you were so damn happy. Now please don't get mad, but Ginny, I had to tell him about you both, otherwise he would have thought something was up.” Hermione rushed out, and instead of yelling and screaming at Hermione, Ginny laughed instead.

“I said your name because I knew that Ron would come here and ask you what it was all about, and I knew that you would tell him.” Ginny smirked knowing her plan to avoid her brother's rage had worked.

With raised eyebrows, Hermione continued the conversation. “And how are you Draco?”

“Still recovering from that Veritaserum, but I'm sure it will wear off soon” he replied. This was certainly not the Draco Malfoy that Hermione had known in her Hogwarts days.

As Hermione was opening the butterbeer and wine, Harry stepped out of the bedroom and came face to face with Draco. There was a pause, and Harry abruptly said, “Forgot my cufflinks, I'll just get them.” Before turning and walking straight back into the bedroom. He didn't seem to realise he was wearing a t-shirt.

“Hermione dear,” Harry's voice floated back into the room. “Could you help me have a look for those cufflinks?”

Hermione sighed and walked into the bedroom she shared with Harry. He looked up at her from his seat on the queen-sized bed. “What is Draco sodding Malfoy doing in our sitting room?” he said through clenched teeth.

“Look Harry, I know that this is probably not the best way to tell you this but Ginny and Draco are dating, that's why Ron came around before, because Ginny was on a high because when she was a Headquarters before, Draco was under the influence of Veritaserum, and he said that he was in love with her and wanted to marry her, and look, don't go getting mad with Ginny about this, because she is happy with Draco and he treats her well and everything, so there is really no harm being done here Harry.” Hermione explained in one breath. “Now, you will go out there and be nice to Draco and at least act like you want him to be there. And if you are... there might be a reward.” Hermione said with a sly look on her face.

“Promise?” Harry asked with puppy dog eyes.

Hermione sighed. “Promise”

“Thank you” Harry smiled, opened the door of the bedroom and waltzed out into the sitting room.

A/N. I decided that since I had the second chapter written that I may as well upload it while I was doing the first one. Please review and don't flame. More coming soon!

-->

A/N When I posted this the first time, I had a lot of people reviewing saying that they didn't like the end of this chapter, so Lily, my wonderful co-author re-wrote it for your reading pleasure, we both hope that you enjoy it. Please review at the end

Chapter 3

When Harry and Hermione returned to the sitting room, Draco was smoothing down his hair, and Ginny was re-applying lipstick and straightening her shirt. Hermione and Harry shared a glance that gave away the fact that they knew full well what Draco and Ginny had been doing, having done a lot of it themselves.

“So.” Hermione began and smiled at the other people in her sitting room. “Thanks for coming everyone, umm, you all know each other...” Harry and Draco flinched. “Oh for Merlin's sake! I need a drink!” Hermione laughed and poured for herself and Ginny.

Harry levitated two Butterbeers over for himself and Draco. The blonde man winked and conjured a bottle of Vodka, which he added liberally to his bottle before easing himself back into the couch.

“So, Harry!” Draco began with a odd look on his face. “I hear the Auror squad was looking for a new head, now Moody has retired!” Harry nodded, unsure of what to make of Draco's suave expression. Moody had only called minutes before to announce his retirement, sooner than expected. “You know I've done several years of Auror training in Uruguay since we met last! Top of my class, graduated with Honours!” Harry still had no idea what Draco was on about. “You put in an application for top job, didn't you Harry?” Harry had, and was fairly confident too. The Minister had been dropping hints about a young head Auror all week, and had been rather nice to Harry as well. The replacement Chief of the Auror's Council was always voted before the current chief retired, so he could approve.

“Yes. I did. Why do you ask?” Harry was curt, his happiness from several minutes ago depleting.

“Well, Harry, it's like this.” Draco sat up straighter. “Since my return from overseas study and... shall we say, conversion to the `good' side, the Minister has, knowing of my high qualifications, decided to reward me, as such.”

Harry's eyebrows narrowed.

“I've been made Chief of the Auror's council, Harry.” Draco smiled, and shrugged his shoulders. “A nice surprise, really! After all, I wasn't even particularly interested in the job! It will be nice I suppose...”

Harry rose to his feet and nodded to Draco, curtly. “Congratulations Draco.” The blonde man smiled, looking up at Harry from his position on the couch.

“Thankyou Harry!” Draco was smiling, as if at his own little joke.

“You are welcome. Draco.” Harry almost grunted out.

“No, no we can't have that!” Draco smiled, showing all his teeth. “It'll have to be `Boss' now, won't it!”

The air in the room could have been pierced with a knife. “I suppose it will.” Harry said after several seconds of shocked silence. Draco laughed. Hermione fidgeted. Ginny looked scared. The clock chimed. Harry poured his butterbeer down Draco's shirt and walked out of the room.

“I think that's enough for tonight, don't you?” Hermione said, as Draco sat, open mouthed, sopping on the couch. Ginny stood, her face as red as her hair and pulled Draco, still dripping, from the room.

As Hermione heard Ginny and Draco apparated away, she dried off the couch and went to see Harry. This wasn't going to be easy.

When Hermione entered the master bedroom, Harry was pacing its length. When he saw that Hermione had entered the room, he began ranting to her.

“That was my job! MY JOB!”

“Harry”

What does that little ferret think he's doing? He doesn't deserve that job!”

“Harry!”

“What has he done for our Auror division anyway?”

“HARRY!” Hermione finally hollered

“Yes dear” Harry answered sweetly

“WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING? THROWING YOUR DRINK ON DRACO LIKE THAT! I THOUGHT YOU WERE MORE MATURE THAN THAT?” she shouted at him.
Harry looked stunned.

“You will go over there first thing tomorrow morning and apologise for your appalling behaviour. Ginny left here in tears, all she wanted was for you to be happy for her, but, oh no, that's to difficult for you, isn't it?” She turned and walked into the bathroom adjacent to the bedroom, leaving Harry stunned and staring at the spot where she had just been standing.

After a few minutes, Hermione came back out of the bathroom and bent
over to get the bed ready. Harry stripped off his shirt and changed into his boxers, went to the other side of the bed, and sat down.
“I'm sorry,” he quietly said.
Hermione looked at him, surprised at the sensitivity her husband has
shown.

“I'm sorry too,” she said with a small smile.

“I know how much that job meant to you, I just wanted tonight to go well.” Harry met her eyes.

“Draco's on our side now Harry.” When Harry opened his mouth to reply, she stopped him.

“It doesn't make him any less of a jerk though, and I really wish he could put aside the differences you two have.” She paused and put her hand on Harry's head.

“He can't forgive Harry. He's like Snape - his past overpowers his present. You are the one who has to make a move to create a relationship with him. You two have to work together if anything is ever going to pan out.”
“It's up to me then, isn't it Hermione.” Harry said with a small
smile.
“Yes, Harry, it is.” And with that, Hermione kissed Harry's cheek and turned out the light.

A/N please review!!!! Tell us what you think of the ending this time.

-->

Chapter 4 - Polyuiced Again

Harry struggled through the next week at the office, walking red-faced into meetings and rarely catching anyone's eye. He heard the whispers of how large amounts of money had changed hands prior to Draco becoming head Auror, but paid them little notice. It didn't matter how it happened, he thought, but it happened. On the next Monday morning though, something changed.

`Hey Neville.' Harry said as he squeezed past a filing cabinet into their, temporarily, shared office. `Any news on the venomous tentacula outbreak in Surrey yet?'

`Yeah,' Neville replied, looking tired but pleased, `we think we have them all, there's just a small patch of Muggles in Little Whinging that are giving us a hell of a hard time getting in for removal.' At this Harry suppressed a laugh. The image of the Dursleys encountering a patch of venomous tentaculas was very amusing indeed.

Just as Harry had sat down, an inter-departmental memo fluttered into the room and began brushing at his ear. `Alright, alright!' Harry said agitatedly, as he tore hurriedly at the envelope.

`Mister Harry Potter will immediately make himself present at
a meeting in the office of Head Auror of the British Ministry of Magic,
Mister Draco Malfoy, as an urgent matter requires discussion.'

Harry sighed deeply, rose from his desk and began to jog the three flights of stairs leading to Draco's office.

***

`Well Potter, thankyou for gracing us with your presence!' Draco said, as he motioned for Harry to take a seat between Nymphadora Tonks, and to Harry's shock, Rita Skeeter.

Harry smiled and warmly embraced Tonks. `Back from Serbia already!' He grinned, but she did not return his smile.

`Actually Harry, I only got back now.' She paused. `This is what we're meeting about.'

Harry sat down, looking bemused. Draco stood up, looking overly full of himself. `Alright,' he said matter-of-factly. `The Serbs think that Nymphadora,' Tonks flinched, `is still in the country. They don't know she's left. She will be returning in an hour with her “husband”,' he motioned to himself, as Tonks flinched again, `and a representative reporter from her country, Rita.'

`Right,' Harry interrupted. `So why am I here?'

It was Rita who fielded an answer this time. `Well Harry,' she began, simpering, `I am not the most powerful of witches! In a potentially dangerous situation I would do more harm than good, and it would be awfully dangerous! The fact is, the Daily Prophet would be seriously lost without me!'

At this point Draco continued. `So, Potter, what we need is a powerful wizard who is also a well recognised reporter!' Harry paused, thinking. All the wizarding journalists he could think of were rarely more than average wizards. Draco, sensing Harry's confusion, spoke again. `Or,' he smiled, `we need a powerful wizard who looks like a famous British journalist.' With this he pulled out a small cauldron from underneath the desk. It was full of what Harry immediately recognised as Polyjuice Potion.

`No.' Harry said. `You can't possibly be serious!' At this, Rita pulled a pair of scissors from her jewelled handbag and snipped off a ringlet from the middle of the dense pile of curls sitting on her head.

`You'd better make that last, Potter, because I'm not hacking any more of my hair out for anyone.' She said contemptuously. `A professional woman must look her best.' She stated, and closed the clasp of her handbag with a snap.

`So Potter,' Malfoy said with a smile, `are you up for a stint in the cold, or do you want me to find someone else to do it?'

Harry knew Draco had him at a checkmate. If he refused the ministry would be abuzz that Harry Potter had not been chosen for such an important mission. If he accepted, his pride would be wounded forever. After a minute's silence, Harry placed reputation over pride and stood up, shaking Draco's hand. `Right Malfoy,' he said, `you're on.'

***

`Come out Harry!' Hermione said impatiently. `I'm sure it's not that bad, and everyone know why you're doing this!'

`This is so bizarre!' Harry mumbled to himself, patting his hands down the strange female form he now possessed. Underneath the lime green suit he was wearing he was sure there were bumps where there shouldn't be... and some that were definitely missing! `I don't know about this, honey...' he replied to Hermione.
`Hurry up!' snapped the voice of Rita Skeeter. `What are you doing with my body in there?' Harry stifled a laugh.

`Alright. I'm coming out.' He called. As he undid the latch of the door Hermione smiled, as did Draco, although for slightly different reasons.

`Looking good, Rita!' Draco said sarcastically.

`Yes, I think so,' said Rita, missing the tone, while Harry tried not to blush.

`This is only temporary, right?' Harry said while Tonks positioned him into a more feminine stance.

`Oh yes, Potter, this wont last for long.' Draco said. `At least,' he added, `I hope not.'

***

As the group waved goodbye to Rita Skeeter, Draco, Hermione, Tonks and Rita Potter walked into the ministry apparation room.

`Keep your knees together Harry!' hissed Tonks. `You're walking like a 24-year-old male Auror. What's wrong with you!' she joked.

`Oh shut up!' Harry hissed back as the group reached the centre of the room and prepared to apparate.

Draco began issuing last minute commands. `Potter, I've made a larynx-lifting patch for you, so you don't sound like a testosterone driven male.' He handed Harry a small, flesh-coloured patch about the size of a sickle. `Stick it to your throat.' He said when Harry looked at him, confused.

After the patch had melted onto Harry's skin he spoke with a high, fluttery twitter. `Will I be able to get this off Malfoy?' he asked.

`The incantation “Piello” and a good jab of the wand should do it.' Draco replied. `Tonks, all set?' he turned to the witch with bubblegum pink hair.

Harry turned to Hermione. `Goodbye,' she said to him. `Stay safe.'

`I will, I promise,' he replied, and kissed her passionately. They broke apart at the sound of a wolf whistle.

`I didn't know you swung that way Rita!' A male voice called from across the room. Harry immediately took a step away from Hermione, knowing what it looked like. `Coming out of the broom closet then?' another voice laughed. Hermione moved back closer to him and held his face in her hands.

`Don't worry,' she whispered. `This'll give the Prophet something to crow about!' And she planted her lips firmly on Harry's. After they broke apart, she remained laughing for a long time as she watched the three Aurors apparate away.

-->

Chapter 5 - Obliviate Femmus

With a loud pop, Harry (still polyjuiced as Rita Skeeter), Tonks (looking docile with light brown hair, brown eyes and elfin features), and Draco Malfoy (looking, as always, like he was the most important person in the room), apparated into a comfortable looking chamber, bitterly cold, as there was no fire burning in the grate. Tentatively stepping away from Tonks and Malfoy, Harry looked more closely at his surroundings. Three giant four poster beds were draped in red velvet coverlets, with gold gauze hangings dripping like honey over the bedposts to the floor. The carpet was thick and cream-coloured, with a semi-transparent demiguise pelt thrown on the floor like a rug. There were several antique wooden chests of varying sizes around the room, the smallest barely big enough to hold a snitch - the largest could have accommodated a whole Quidditch team with ease. This enormous trunk was located on the back wall of the room, a heavy iron key the size of Harry's arm hanging above it. The overall effect of the room was awe-inspiring, fit for a king.

`Well, let's get settled then!' Tonks said brightly, disrupting Harry's thoughts. `They are expecting me, and my husband and guest for dinner in,' she glanced at her heavy antique watch, `5 minutes!'

`Here, Potter,' Malfoy said, handing Harry a neat silver flask filled with Polyjuice Potion. `Just use the replenishing charm anytime it gets low - don't empty it entirely though or the charm won't work.' Harry grunted a reply of thanks, before remembering what Hermione and he had talked about. It's up to me to make this work!

`Thanks Draco!' Harry smiled. They were going to have to start by working on a first name basis if they were to become friends.

`That's... alright Potter,' Malfoy was hesitant in his reply, unnerved by Harry's friendliness.

`Come on, come on!' Tonks interrupted the conversation, asking them why they hadn't changed for dinner.

Sighing, she transfigured Harry's lurid green suit into a knee length, brown skirt and a brown and white fitted pinstriped jacket, covered by a simple caramel robe. `Honestly Harry, am I going to have to dress you every day?' Harry, who had no idea as to what a middle-aged reporter witch would wear, simply nodded.

Draco, on the other hand, had transfigured his travelling robes into a black suit-robe, with green detailing on the cuffs and hem. `Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin.' Harry muttered to himself. Draco had also taken the liberty of changing Tonks' clothes for dinner too. Her violet, slightly worn robes had become a tiny, spangled silver skirt and a strip of black fabric masquerading as a shirt, leaving little to the imagination.

`Draco Malfoy.' she said calmly, `I have no idea what you think you are doing, but whatever it is, stop it now.'

`Nymphadora, baby!' Draco smarmed, `you know in this country, a woman is a servant, in every way, to her husband! When in Rome baby...'
`Oh stop that right now Malfoy!' Tonks said unblushingly, as she transfigured Draco's `outfit' into something she was more comfortable in - a pair of navy pants coupled with a simple white blouse, again, covered in a deep blue robe. She fastened the catch of the robe at her waist and look Draco defiantly in the eye, led the way to dinner.

***
As the three Aurors, or what looked like two Aurors and one reporter, approached the heavy oaken doors before them swung open. As Harry passed them, he looked closely and saw they were engraved with the images of the country's most gruesome `Muggle trials', of the past. To his horror, he saw that the images were moving slightly.

`I don't like this at all...' he whispered to Tonks as she led them towards the heavy table where five men in heavy fur coats sat in silence. She didn't reply, but kept walking straight, her eyes never shifting from the quintet in front of them.

Harry felt very uncomfortable indeed. The chairs in front of them scraped back, inviting them to sit. Uneasily, Harry perched on the end of his chair, remembering, for once, to keep his knees together.

`Greetings, fellows.' Said the man at the centre of the five. `I am sure you have arrived safely, Ms Skeeter and Mr Tonks.' His English was stilted, with a strange accent that Harry couldn't place. `The fire has been lit, and the beds turned down in your absences.' The three nodded their thanks; it was not their time to talk.

`Please, you must be eating now. Your hunger must be great.' The man spoke again, as a thick meaty stew appeared on their plates. `I am Yosiv, as you are knowing.' The man to Yosiv's right took a noisy slurp of stew, the brown sauce slopping down his front. Yosiv turned to him, disgusted. `Borag, must you eat like the pig your Muggle mother was?' he said maliciously. `You know it is only by my favour that you have a place at this table.' The man named Borag wiped his coat nervously. `You want to stay in my favour, Borag.' This was not a question from Yosiv, but an order.

During this exchange, Harry, Tonks and Malfoy remained quiet. It was not for them to interfere, but to observe. After the food was gone, Borag rose, taking two of the other men with him. `Mister Tonks,' he said, `come and be joining us in the room of smoking.' These people seemed to have a way of making every phrase sound like an order.

As Draco stood, he kissed Tonks on the cheek. `Goodbye Nymphadora, I'll see you tonight.' He smiled. Their cover was to pretend all was as they expected.

`Goodbye.' Tonks replied, hiding the fact that she was appalled that Draco was still calling her `Nymphadora'.

`Myself and Ithas will be along shortly.' Yosiv said to Borag. `I wish to discuss matters with the ladies.' Borag nodded curtly, and led the other men from the room.

Yosiv bent to retrieve something from the pocket of his coat. It was a thick wand of dark wood. He pointed it at Harry. `Stupefy Femmus!' he said, and Harry slumped in his chair. However, what Yosiv did not know is that Harry was far from stunned. While Yosiv turned his attention to Tonks, Harry wondered why he had not been stunned. He had slumped in his chair automatically, to cushion his landing. He decided that it was to his advantage that Yosiv did not know he was awake, and listening. Yosiv was pacing, while Harry wondered why he was not stunned. Then he realised. Yosiv had been attempting to strengthen his spell by adding the word `femmus', or woman. But as Harry was not, truly, a woman, the extra word had nullified Yosiv's spell. Harry was thankful for Yosiv's particularity.

`So, you come here with your husband, yes?' Yosiv said to Tonks. She nodded warily, eyeing the seemingly unconscious Harry. `I only stun her to protect her, Madam Tonks.' Yosiv said. `I have no wanting for stories unwanted, yes?' Tonks nodded again, although she didn't really understand what he was saying. `I will be watching you, Madam Tonks.' Yosiv said, `and your husband too.' At this moment, Draco walked in. `Stupefy Hommus!' Yosiv said, and Draco too, slumped where he stood. Tonks gasped. `Now, my dear,' Yosiv spoke to Tonks, `I have things to discuss with my colleagues.' He paused and smiled. `Stupefy Femmus!' With a flutter, Tonks' eyes closed.

`You know you could have taken them back to their rooms instead of stunning them all, Yosiv.' One of the cloaked men said.

`Yes, Moros,' Yosiv replied, `but would I have known what they were doing in their room? No, but here I can be keeping my eye on them.' Moros looked at the floor. `Now, is the plan all ready, The Wizards Confederation have gathered here, all of them. We have the top witches and wizards here, in our castle. They agreed to host their summit here as a “gesture of magical cooperation”,' Yosiv, Borag, Moros and the others laughed at this. It was all Harry could do to lie still. `So, now that the final country has brought its reporter here, the summit shall begin tomorrow. Little do the confederate heads know that England's chief representative will be under the Imperius curse, ready to hear our orders.'

Shocked, Harry knew he had to act quickly, and fast. He reached for his wand, thankful that he had mastered the non-verbal spells he began in sixth year. Yosiv raised his wand and pointed it at Tonks, smiled and said `Imperio!' Only seconds after Harry pointed his wand at Tonks and thought the incantation for the shield charm. He was the only one to notice the spark of Yosiv's curse stop short, centimetres from Tonk's unconscious form. `Now,' Yosiv said abruptly. `We shall awaken them... and make them forget.'

Borag swept his wand in a curve over Harry and Tonks. `Ennervate Femmus.' He said, then, as Tonks lifted her head slightly, `Obliviate Femmus!' Tonks looked at Harry with a dazed look, which Harry replicated. `Ennervate Hommus,' Borag smiled as Draco's face lit with recognition. `Obliviate Hommus!' With grim satisfaction, Borag poked the three of them with his wand and led them from the room, unaware that Harry was silently sending a communication to the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix.

-->