Revenge

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places etc. they all belong to J.K. Rowling and her people.

Chapter Six: Just As Things Were Getting Good!

The next few days went by in a blur for Draco. His relationship with Harry had intensified greatly and Draco was at a point were he was wondering how he ever coped this past year without Harry.

Harry had talked to both Neville and Luna about his sexuality and they had told him that everyone had had their suspicions, but no one had said anything for fear of upsetting him. They also told him that they were very happy for him. Draco had been so proud of Harry; he knew that coming out had been a hard process for the other boy. However, Harry had not yet told Ron and Hermione of his sexuality, or his relationship with Draco. He had told Draco that he wanted to tell them face-to-face rather that through the fire, which Draco felt was reasonable. He knew that this would be the big test for Harry; telling his closest friends and Draco did not begrudge him any time that he needed.

Four days after the incident with Seamus, found Harry and Draco cuddled together on the sofa in the living room. Harry was stretched out along the bottom of the seat, Draco had his head on the other boy’s chest, and Harry had his arm sprawled protectively around him. They had been lying in that position for some time, just happy to be together. Draco had been listening to Harry’s even heartbeat; it had been oddly comforting to him, to know that Harry was so close. No one had heard anything of the young Death Eaters and Harry was regularly checking in with his boss, who had told them to stay put until further notice.

Luna entered, totally unfazed by their position, wearing an apprehensive expression. She sat down on one of the large armchairs, her head repeatedly turning to look at the Grandfather clock in the corner of the room. Draco looked in her direction. She seemed to be anxious about something, and as more time passed the worry lines on her face deepened.

“Is everything all right, Luna?” he asked, lifting himself up off Harry.

“Neville should have been home over an hour ago,” she replied, casting another look at the clock.

“Maybe he’s working late?” Harry replied, sitting up next to Draco.

“No, he would have Firecalled. Something’s wrong,” she replied, her voice portraying just how worried she was. She looked again at the clock in the corner and then cast her eyes towards the fireplace.

She stood, walked toward the fireplace, and started up the luminous green flames to make a Firecall.

“Mr. Tummblemyre,” she called. The flames gave a roar, momentarily growing larger before a man’s head appeared in the flames. He looked old, the crinkles around his eyes telling of his many years. He smiled up at Luna, showing an uneven row of teeth.

“Miss Lovegood is everything alright?” he asked.

“Is Neville there? He hasn’t come home yet and I was just wondering if he was still working?” she asked, her words coming out in a rush as her panic rose.

“No, he left at the usual time. I assumed he was going home, I could have sworn I heard him call your address,” Mr. Tummblemyre replied, his brow fussing in confusion.

“Oh Merlin! I knew it! Something has happened to him,” Luna cried, the pitch of her voice rising as she tried to hold back her tears.

“Thank you, Mr. Tummblemyre,” she said, ending the call and turning to look at Draco and Harry.

“Where could he be?” tears bean pouring down her face. Draco stood and enveloped the small girl in his arms, letting her cry out her panic and worry.

“Harry, I think you should call your boss,” Draco said, as he soothingly rubbed circles onto Luna’s back while his other hand tenderly stroked her hair.

Draco led Luna into the kitchen, leaving Harry alone to make the call. He thought it would be best if Luna did not hear that conversation, just in case the Aurors knew anything about Neville’s disappearance. However, he doubted they did. Surely, if they had, they would have been in contact with Harry. He sat her down at the table and, taking his wand, conjured up two cups of steaming hot tea.

“It’ll be alright. We’ll find him,” Draco tried to reassure her, though he had not sounded too sure about it. Luna remained silent, drinking her tea and occasionally wiping away stray tears that were still making their way down her cheeks. Draco didn’t know what else to say to her.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled, so quietly it was barely audible.

“What?” her head sprung around so that she was looking directly at him, her blue eyes pinning him with a confused expression.

“Well if it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t be in this mess. I mean I know we don’t know for sure that it’s the Death Eaters that have him, but if they do it’s because they are after me,” he said. He really felt guilty for what was going on; after all, he had put them in danger by being there. He just hoped Neville would turn up after going to the pub for a quick drink or something and laughing at everyone for worrying about him, but he knew Neville, he loved Luna too much to do something without telling her.

“Draco, it’s not your fault! You did not make them come after you and we did not have to let you stay here, but we did. Not everything is your fault Draco, so stop your silly talk,” she scolded. She stood then, clearing away the leftover tea with a flick of her wand, and motioned for Draco to follow her back into the sitting room. Harry was still conversing with his boss at the fire.

“But sir, under the circumstances do you not think it would be better to act now instead of waiting for the correct time length? He could be dead by then if they have him!” Harry snapped.

“Mister Potter, will you please calm down? You know the procedure; a person has to be missing for more than 12 hours before it can be investigated. Now I know you’re worried about your friend, but could it not be possible he has simply gone elsewhere without telling you?” Harry’s boss replied, sternly.

“But sir, if the Death Eaters have him, he won’t have 12 hours. Forget procedure, we need to do something now!” argued Harry.

Draco and Luna stood in doorway watching the exchange. Draco could not believe it; they would not do anything unless Neville had been missing for 12 hours. He looked at Luna who appeared to be in a daze, more tears were making their way down her blotchy face, but she made no move to wipe them away. Draco wrapped her in his arms once more, feeling her slump against his chest. He had to do something; find out where Neville was and save him.

Harry approached the two, attentively placing a hand on Luna’s back. Draco’s eyes caught Harry’s and they shared a worried, unknowing look. The Aurors weren’t going to do anything, which meant it was up to them to find Neville.

*@*

Draco and Harry had decided they alone were not enough to find and rescue Neville, but they had a whole team of DA members who would be happy to help. They had spent over an hour Firecalling members, who were now on alert if they needed to be called into action. However, when Harry had called Ron and Hermione, they had insisted on coming over and actively help, rather than just waiting on the sidelines.

“So, who was the last person to see him?” Hermione asked, as they all sat around the kitchen table trying to get all the facts together and find something that they could base the search on.

“His boss, Mr. Tummblemyre. I Firecalled him earlier, he saw Neville leave, apparently calling our address to the fire,” Luna replied, she had now stopped crying and was trying to be strong, wanting to participate in the search and rescue of Neville.

“And the Aurors have no leads on these Death Eaters what so ever?” Ron asked. “You’d think after this long they would have found out something.””

Draco thought about what Ron said. He was right, the Aurors were the best at this sort of thing, and surely, they would have some leads.

“I have an idea,” Harry said. “Ron’s right, they should have some leads by now. I’m going to find out, but I’ll need to go to Draco’s flat first. I left my invisibility cloak there and I’m going to need it.”

“Be careful. For all we know, the Death Eaters could be having my place watched in case anyone were to go back there,” Draco said. He didn’t like the idea of Harry going back. He had only just found him and did not want to loose him again.

*@*

Harry had been gone for over half an hour and Draco was getting more and more worried with each passing second. Harry had Apparated to Draco’s flat and then gone on to Auror headquarters from there. Draco was anxious and it was starting to show. It didn’t help that he was pacing the living room earning him worried looks from all three of the other occupants.

“Draco, please sit down. You’re making me dizzy,” Ron said, as Draco walked in another circle around the front of the living room. He knew he should not be showing how worried he was for Harry, especially in front of Ron and Hermione who had yet to be told of their new relationship. He was suddenly stopped when a gentle hand was placed on his arm.

“Come and sit down, Draco. Tell me what you've been doing this last year,” Hermione said, leading him over to the couch.

“Nothing much,” he replied. “I own my own store. It’s an apothecary on Diagon Alley.” he didn’t offer much information, he couldn’t think of anything except Harry and if the other boy was all right.

“Yes, I know your store. I regularly buy from you actually, only it’s by owl and under my boss's name,” Hermione replied, desperately trying to engage him in conversation to take his mind off Harry.

He looked at her with a passive face. “Oh well, thanks for the custom,” he said, his voice totally void of emotion. He tried to smile at her, to show her that he was okay, but it didn’t work. He knew the worry was showing clearly on his face and he just hoped she did not read too much into it.

“He’ll be okay,” she said, quietly. “He knows what he’s doing; it’s probably just taking him awhile to get the papers from the office. It’ll be crawling with Aurors remember.” She had a knowing look in her eye that told Draco she defiantly knew that something was going on. Another five minutes went by in silence. Draco fidgeted on the sofa, his unease making him unable to feel comfortable. He would feel better when Harry was back, unharmed. He cast a glance over to Luna, feeling his chest ache at what she must be going through. At least he knew where Harry was and what he was doing. Neville could be anywhere; he could even be…

*CRACK*

Draco looked around trying to find out where the loud noise had come from. It was unmistakably the sound of somebody Apparating and Draco felt himself tense. There was a mild draft as Harry swung the invisibility cloak off his head, dropping it on a nearby chair. Draco felt relief wash over him and wanted to run over to Harry and hold him in his arms. He refrained however, knowing Harry would be mad at him for giving their relationship away to Ron and Hermione before he had had a chance to talk to them.

Harry stood clutching a thick pile of parchment in his left hand and his wand in his right. He looked slightly flushed as if he had been running and his chest was heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

“Are you alright, Harry?” Luna asked dragging him towards a chair and making him sit down.

“Yeah… just… had a close… call,” he said, between large gulps of air. He handed Luna the parchment and Ron handed him a glass of water that he had conjured.

“Here, drink this. It’ll help,” Ron said.

Luna separated the pile of parchment, handing Hermione and Draco a small pile each. Draco began skimming over the top piece; it was a report from a raid that had taken place at Nott Manor. Draco stared at the paper in confusion. Surely, the Aurors couldn’t have thought Theodore Nott was a Death Eater; he was the nicest bloke around and was a frequent visitor in Draco’s shop. The parchment showed that nothing had been at the Manor and Theodore had not been arrested due to lack of evidence. He turned to the next piece of parchment and realised it was some sort of medical report.

“Here Ron, maybe you should look this,” he handed the parchment to Ron with a small smile at the redhead.

Ron took a quick look the parchment and gasped. “It’s a medical report on Seamus,” he said. “It’s dated yesterday.” Draco shared a worried look with Harry.

“It’s says he was admitted to St. Mungo’s, he’s had a number of Dark hexes placed on his body. He’s unconscious and critical,” Ron continued, his voice starting to shake slightly.

After a few moments of silence passed, Harry spoke. “I guess that’s how they knew where Draco was hiding,” he said.

Ron sent an angry look at Harry. “You can’t honestly think Seamus told them. How would he know Draco was here anyway?” he asked, angrily.

Harry told them about Seamus, Dean and Ginny being at the house a few days ago, though not telling them about the incident that had occurred. They all went back to searching through more of the parchment, working in silence; the only noise that could be heard was the occasional rustle of parchment.

“I think I’ve found something,” Hermione said, her voice sounding loud in the silient room. Everyone looked at her expectantly as she began to tell them what she had found.