The Auror and the Fountain

Chapter Five: Portkeys


As Harry looked around the hovel, his eyes intent on anything that would help him to find his quarry, he noted a soft breeze brush past him near the entrance. He turned and saw the shadow of a man sneaking down the hall and into one of the back rooms. He hurried to follow and find out if it was indeed Stan. He couldn’t believe his luck when he found the convict digging in a drawer in the house’s kitchen and taking out a fork.
“You miss your Mum that much, Stan?” he said as he raised his wand and took aim. “Enough to risk your freedom to come see her, in her old house?”
Stan froze, the fork full of cake hovering half way to his mouth. He hadn’t heard the other approach, but luckily he had already found his older brother’s wand, in the hidden rock out back, and it was now tucked into his other sleeve. He looked up and was surprised at who was standing in his mother’s kitchen, wand raised and smiling at him. “Harry Po’er? Wha’ you doin’ in me Mum’s ouse? Don’ they ave enuff Aurors these days, tha’ you gotta run down the likes of me?” Stan said as he put the fork down and turned a bit. He had the wand in his fingers now and just as Harry was about to answer him, he pressed it to his other arm and was portkeyed away.
Harry stood shocked, his quarry had escaped and he wasn’t sure how the man had done it. It seemed that the accomplice had supplied him with more than one portkey. Harry made his way out of the house and stood at the end of the drive. He took out his broom once more and after climbing on, thought about what the next step would be in his search. He was about to take off when a white blur, headed straight for him, came into view. At first, he thought it was his old bird, Hedwig. But the owl of his youth had been dead for so many years now, the first victim of the battles that had begun on his seventeenth birthday. He watched this bird come closer, finally landing on his arm and raising its leg.
“Who are you?” he asked as he took the note, noting the fact that this bird was larger than Hedwig had been and had less black mottling than his pet. He opened the note and read it as he held the bird carefully on his forearm.

“Potter,

I have just been the unhappy recipient of a visit from a man who is supposed to be in prison, under the guard of your department. As he claimed to being followed by you, I will assume he has escaped and you intend to put him back, as quickly as possible. If you will take the gift I am sending to you, and activate it with the term ‘Decorum Enervate‘, I will tell you how the man managed to penetrate the strongest wards in wizarding and just how he appears to be traveling at present.

Draco Malfoy, Hogwarts Potions Professor.”

Harry had lived through a wizarding war, the death of many of his friends and family, as well as twenty years in the auror’s department, so the contents of the note did not surprise him, nor did the fact that Malfoy was working at the school, but he couldn’t help but be a bit caught short by the fact that Draco had sent him this note, and that it only had one insult, that was mild in its inflection.
He took the paper swan from the owl, sent him off and held it in front of him.
“Decorum Enervate.” he said and the world began to swim. Harry had never been fond of portkey travel, and when one was not forewarned of such a trip, it was even more de-nerving. He wondered if this weren’t some back-handed trick that the blond had planned for him. He landed with a soft thud on the floor of the Ravenclaw common room, several pillows breaking his fall and making it tolerable.
“I could have warned you, but this was more fun.” Draco said from where he sat across from the auror.
“Malfoy, you still have a bit of an evil streak.” Harry said as he rose and brushed off his clothing. “How long have you been the potions professor?” He asked.
“This will be my first term. I plan to make the post mine, so don’t expect me to vacate it anytime soon. Why?” Draco returned.
“Cause, I used to work with Professor Dunbar, but Professor Dauggus was . . .well,” Harry said with a bit of hedge. He had found his feet and was brushing off his backside, with it facing the blond.
“An idiot?” Draco finished for him.
“I didn’t say that.” Harry hedged even more.
“But, you didn’t deny it. As for working with me, I haven’t the slightest idea where there are any old death eaters, so I doubt I would be of any help.” Draco sneered.
“My office does more than hunt down old crones. Sometimes, I come across odd potions and need to know what they will do, for the safety of those around them. I need to have a reliable source that knows their potions, and spells and charms. I remember you doing well in charms class, as well.” Harry said as he looked around the room. “Ravenclaw. I recognize it from Albus Severus’ open house, last fall.”
“Yes, sorry to have missed that one.” Draco replied. “Now, about Stan Shunpike. He was here, he left, but I don’t know where he went. I would have detained him, but he was a threat to others at the time. Are you going to ask me how he got here?”
“Portkey, just like me.” Harry answered for him.
“No. Not exactly. He has redrawn his Dark Mark, and turned it into a portkey of sorts. He can travel to any death eater he wants, as long as they are alive, I suppose.” Draco explained. Harry was looking confused, and Draco knew why. “My father is here, Potter. He is the ex-death eater that Stan found. He figured we’d be at the manor and that he would have some easy days ahead. You wouldn’t likely have looked for him there, and if he hadn’t been seen, he could have snuck into one of our unused rooms for a few days, unnoticed. We no longer have any house-elves, so he could have stayed indefinitely.” Draco continued. “Oh, and I could use your support when the ministry confronts me on that unauthorized key.”
“Oh, I see. Yeah, no problem. Official Auror business.” Harry said. “Do you think he ported to another one or did he just run, like before?” Harry asked, in an odd show of friendliness.
“Not sure. He looked a little drained, so I don’t think he could port too often, that way. Think about it, he has to activate the key, and be it at the same time. That could take a lot out of anyone, and he has been in prison for a bit, hasn’t he?” Draco said looking thoughtful.
“Yeah, you could be right. I’ll go have a look around.” Harry said as he headed for the exit. “Thanks, Malfoy. I’ll be in touch. Tell your mum hello for me.” he added as the door closed behind him.
Draco shook his head, “She doesn’t remember me, Potter. She wouldn’t remember you.” he said to himself.

Don't forget, this story is after the Epilogue, and lots can change. If they waited for a bit to get married, after they finished school and got their carriers started, then this is around fifteen to twenty years of marriage. That is a very bad time to some. So, for the question about Ginny, that's all the explanation I'm giving. Kay???