Missing, Presumed Undead

Chapter One: Pride is a Bitter Potion to Swallow..



The staff of ‘See All, Hear All, Private Investigators’ were famous for their abilities. Since their founding ten years ago, they’d caught out seven-hundred-and-three adulterous partners; found ninety missing persons; protected celebrities from stalkers and found corruption in the ministry. They also rescued the elderly next door neighbour’s cat from trees frequently.



Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley sat in the waiting room, impatient to see the three owners – after a decade they’d swallowed their immense pride and admitted they needed help.



“Gentlemen, you can go through now.” Said the receptionist, throwing the aeroplane note she’d just received into the fire.



“Thanks.” They muttered, reading the sign on the door:



Lucius Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape.

Managers.



These three men were the best in the business, but history between Harry, Ron and them had been hard to put aside; but on the tenth anniversary of Hermione’s disappearance, they had admitted defeat in their searching and had gone to ask, begrudgingly for help.



“Potter, Weasley.” Snape sneered from the corner. His hair was much longer than it had been before, quite far down in his back and tied with a leather strip. He smiled with glee at the uncomfortable looks upon their latest customers’ faces. His billowing teaching robes had been replaced by duelling attire under a fitted long cape – they’d been hexed frequently on their missions and now they took no chances.



“Oh goodie.” Draco moaned sarcastically from the other side of the room; he had matured physically, had finally grown taller and gained wide shoulders. With his long hair, he looked much like a young Lucius, but with the softer features of his Mother. His voice was a pure tenor, melodic and calm – so unlike the boy he’d been.



“I presume you are here to have us search for Miss Granger?” Lucius said calmly, turning from where he was looking out of the window to watch the Wizarding Heros squirm. He had changed little, had not aged or changed shape, not a single grey hair amongst the blonde. He’d been voted Witch Weekly’s bachelor of the year nine times in a row.



“Erm, yes.” Harry said, trying to put on a stern face, and failing to do so.



“Wonderful, trailing after a supposedly dead girl who used to live to piss me off.” Snape groaned from the corner, moving to sit in one of the three executive chairs behind the huge oak desk.



“The bitch who broke my nose.” Draco supplemented, also taking his seat, leaving the centre chair for his Father.



“The young lady who landed me in Azkaban – twice?”



“Erm, yes.” Harry said again.



“I am warning you now, gentlemen, this will be a costly venture.” Lucius smiled, settling into his chair.



“Money is no object.” Ron said firmly, glaring at Draco.



“I’d never though I’d hear that from a Weasley.” Draco muttered.



“You have a deal, gentlemen – we will do our best – after you sign the contract.” Lucius said, producing a twenty-three page document to be signed.



“Do we need a lawyer for this?” Ron asked Harry, looking a little alarmed.



“Probably.” Harry said, opening the first page of the document.