Murder at Malfoy Manor

'EVERY MURDERER IS PROBABLY SOMEBODY'S OLD FRIEND.'
~ AGATHA CHRISTIE


"I don't know about spending the night here. Obviously something strange is going on," Ron said to Harry as they started up the stairs. "Why would someone give us all lethal weapons as gifts if that someone didn't want one of us to use them?"

"Afraid someone wants to kill you, Weasley?" Draco asked from behind them. He grinned at Ron as he placed his hand on the small of Hermione's back to help her up the stairs. "I'd do it myself, but I don't like to get my hands dirty."

"I'd sleep with one eye open if I were you, Malfoy," Ron retorted. "And get your damn hand off my wife."

Hermione reached around and held Draco's hand where it was. She looked at Ron with total malice. "The minute I found out that you gambled away everything we owned and that you slept with Pansy, I considered our marriage dissolved." She tilted her head and smiled sweetly at Draco. "I've found myself a REAL man." Turning back to Ron, she slapped him lightly on the cheek. "Reap the repercussions of your actions," she hissed, looking into his eyes with hate.

Draco smirked at Ron as Hermione grabbed his hand and pushed past them on the stairs.

"I've lost her forever, haven't I?" Ron asked Harry as they continued their climb.

"What did you expect? For her to hang around after what you've done?" Ginny said.

"But you and Harry have done horrible things and it looks like you've forgiven each other!"

Ginny frowned at her brother. "I haven't decided one way or the other what I'm going to do about Harry and I'm sure he hasn't either. Now is not the time or place to make snap decisions about the future."

"She's right. When we get out of here and are able to discuss things rationally, I'm sure we can come to an agreement." He was shocked and disturbed by what she had done but he loved her with all his heart and was sure they could work everything out.

They heard giggling behind them and turning their heads, they saw Pansy all in a flutter as Neville whispered in her ear and kissed her neck. He was walking closely behind her, his groin pressed into her ass.

"Just disgusting," Ron said. "Neville of all people? What does she see in him?"

"You sound more than a little jealous, Weasley," Blaise said as they passed him on the top landing. "Wish you were Longbottom right now, don't you? Does it anger you to know that she prefers him to you? How about the fact that your wife would rather be with Malfoy than to suffer another night with you?" He chuckled, looking very amused. "Take heart, maybe someone will kill you tonight and put you out of your misery."

"Just shut up Zabini. I wish someone would you kill YOU!"

"Hear that everyone?" Blaise said. "If I should be murdered this evening, remember that it was Weasley who said that he wished I would die."

They followed the elf down the hall towards the west wing of the Manor. They passed many closed doors along the way. Every one of them was on the same side of the corridor. The opposite wall was covered in moving pictures, mirrors and faded tapestries. It looked as if they were headed for the very end of the hallway.

"By the way Pansy, I just love the material you used for the tuxes the Elves are wearing," Harry said with a repressed grin. "It's a lovely shade of purple."

Pansy looked at Harry, confused and pushed Neville away from her neck in annoyance. "What are you talking about, Potter?"

"I'm talking about the outfits you sewed for the House Elves."

"Me? Sew?" Pansy laughed uproariously. "As if!"

Harry and Neville glanced at one another. "But the Elf that answered the door when we arrived said that his Mistress had made the outfit for him," Neville said. "And since this is your house..."

Pansy was about to say something when the elf came to an abrupt halt before a door.

"This room is for Mr. Longbottom," it said, opening the door and turning the lights on with a snap of its finger.

Neville looked around unsure of whether to go in or not.

"Go in please," the elf said. "Sir will find everything very comfortable."

Neville went in and the others saw just a flash of his frightened face as the elf closed the door.

They walked a few steps and came to the room where Pansy was told she would be staying. Harry thought this was very peculiar, seeing that this was her house. Why was she staying in a room that wasn't her usual one?

They moved on after Pansy went inside and came to Ron's room. "I'm not staying in there alone!" he said, sticking his head in the door. "Hermione?"

"I am not sleeping in the same room with you ever again, Ron."

"Harry?"

"Pardon, sirs but I have strict instructions that everyone must be having their own rooms." The elf opened the door wider and just about pushed Ron inside. He tried to protest being man-handled, but the door was slammed in his face.

"I'm curious," Ginny asked. "Who is giving you these 'instructions'? Clearly Zabini doesn't know what's going on." She received no answer and the elf pressed on down the hall. Ginny looked over at Draco. "This is your house, are you the one telling the elf what to do?"

Draco raised his eyebrow. "Who said..."

"This is your room for the night," the elf said to Ginny. "I'm hoping you find it to your liking."

"Yes, I'm sure I will," she said, a little hesitantly. "Will Harry be next door?" Her eyes were very large and filled with terror by the thought of sleeping in a room next to Blaise.

"Yes Miss. I am instructed to place Mr. Potter in the room beside your's."

"Thank Merlin!" she said and went inside.

Harry went to his room without a word and shut the door. He needed to think and was thankful for the silence. This whole situation was bizarre, to say the least. So many things did not add up! He walked over to the large desk in the corner of his lavishly decorated room and took out a pad of paper that was monogrammed with a fancy 'P'. He located a peacock quill, dipped it in the ink well, and started to make a list of everything that was bothering him.

***

"This will be your room," the elf said.

The three people left looked at one another. "Whose room is it?" Hermione asked. "You didn't say.'

"It is being for Mr. Malfoy and Mrs. Weasley, of course!"

"They get to share a room?" Blaise asked, in shock. "But why? Who the fucking hell is giving you orders?"

The elf gave Blaise a devious smile. "Why? It is considered a repayment for a kindness. Who? I cannot tell."

"You little shit! I should kick your ass, you dumb fucking bastard! How dare you not tell me!"

"If you so much as lay one finger on him, Zabini, I will hurt you," Hermione said. "He is just following orders!"

"But from who, damn it! I just don't understand what the fuck is happening here!" He punched the wall. "I planned every detail for months and it was all going fine!" He was furious and started to rant and rave. "I should have known something was up when Weasley showed up! I never sent him an invitation! Who in the bloody hell would do this?" He paced the carpeted floor. "They want me dead, it's obvious. Everyone got a gift except for me. Everyone here has a lethal weapon at their disposal and I know everyone here would just love to get rid of me! Well, I'm not going to let that happen- no fucking way!"

Draco put his hand on Blaise's arm, stopping him in mid step. "Weasley wasn't supposed to be here tonight?"

Blaise looked at Draco as if he were another planet. "I didn't invite him, did you?"

"No. I thought about it. You know what kind of dirt I have on him but I thought Hermione would be pissed at me. I didn't want her to think that I exposed him just so I could be with her."

"Well, someone else took your discarded plan, and decided to put it in motion. The Elf said this person is letting you and Granger share a room as a repayment for a kindness. Do you know what the hell he's talking about?"

Draco thought for a minute. "I haven't the faintest idea. I don't make a habit of being very kind, do I?"

"Well, I don't know what's going on here but there IS one thing I DO know," Blaise said, taking the revolver from Draco's pocket. "My life is in danger and it's kill or be killed as far as I'm concerned." He left Draco and Hermione standing in front of their door and followed the Elf to his room, which was the last one. He gave them a salute and went inside, slamming the door behind him. The Elf snapped his fingers and disappeared with a pop.

"Shall we go inside?" Hermione said, suddenly shy.

Draco closed the door quietly and looked around the room. It was huge and richly decorated in deep red and dark walnut. Very expensive paintings adorned the walls and in the corner was a lighted display case that contained various vases, sculptures and jeweled cases.

"Wow!" Hermione said breathlessly. "I've never seen a more beautiful room!" She walked over to the huge bed and saw that there were night clothes laid out for them. A pale pink silk nightgown with spaghetti straps for her, and dark blue satin bottoms for Draco. "I think I'm going to change into this, these stocking are killing me."

She picked up the gown and headed for the bathroom. After locking herself in, she leaned on the door and closed her eyes. Her heart was pounding with fear at the very thought of having to sleep in the same bed with Draco. This was her dream come true but it had a nightmarish quality to it. what if she snored or talked in her sleep? "Oh! God!" she thought, "what if I drool on him!"

Draco took off his tux, threw it into a crimson velour chair next to the bed and pulled on the pajama bottoms. They felt so smooth next to his skin- it was like pure heaven. He went over to the window, lifted back the heavy drapes and looked out across the wet, fog covered grounds. Lightning was still flashing but the thunder was far off in the distance.

He thought about Hermione and his stomach flipped. She had been the subject of his obsession for so many years and now here she was- about to climb into bed with him. The thought was terrifying! What if what Pansy said was true? What if he did have a small penis and was a horrible lover? He imagined Hermione pointing and laughing at his teeny weeny. Pulling back the elastic waist band of his bottoms, he looked at his package. "Pansy is full of shit!" he said, "I'm very well endowed!"

"What ARE you doing?" Hermione said coming out of the bathroom, smiling and a little paler than usual.

Draco let go and the elastic hit his bare skin with a loud snap. He looked at Hermione, the breath leaving his body. She was gorgeous! The pale pink of the gown was so- there was no other word for it- pretty. He had a hard time tearing his eyes away from the plunging neckline that hugged the tops of her breasts, inviting his tongue for a lick, kiss and suck session. "You look... um...

"You look 'um' as well," Hermione said with a grin. In reality, he looked delicious standing there with his bare chest hanging out, and she longed to scrape her nails over the muscles and pinch his hard little nipples. She could feel her face grow red and she suddenly wanted to jump in the bed and pull the covers over her head.

"Er... shall we retire for the evening?" Draco asked, motioning toward the bed. He mentally kicked himself for sounding so damn stupid. Retire? what was he 80 years old? Why was he so nervous?

I... I guess," Hermione stammered and pulled back the blankets and silk sheets. She sat on the edge of the bed, facing away from him, closed her eyes and willed herself not to panic. Taking a deep breath, she swung her legs into the bed, lay back on the mound of fluffy pillows and pulled the covers up to her chin.

Draco turned off the lights and climbed in beside her, careful not to get too close. They lay there in the darkness, a very large space between them, staring at the ceiling.

Suddenly, through the silence, they heard the unmistakable sounds of two people fucking. It was very loud and sounded as if they were right in the same room.

"Oh! Neville! Yes!" Pansy moaned loudly. "In the ass! Yessss! Harder!"

Draco's body stiffened and Hermione gasped in shock. Hermione and Draco lay there, feeling very uncomfortable.

"Damn Pansy. You're ass is so fucking tight!" Neville said, grunting and groaning. "Yeah baby! You like that don't you?"

"Shut the hell up! I'm trying to get some damn sleep!" Ron yelled at the top of this voice.

That was enough to break the silence and both Draco and Hermione burst out laughing. Their merriment was brought to an abrupt halt, however when a terrified scream echoed through the corridor.

"That was Ginny!" Hermione said, jumping up.

"Wait!" Draco said, running after her as she threw open the door and rushed out of the room.

Doors opened and they all spilled out into the hall, frantic looks on their faces. Harry headed straight to Ginny's room next door and everyone followed.

Ron flipped on the lights and there was Ginny, sitting up in the middle of her bed, her eyes as big as saucers, her mouth trembling with fear. "Someone was in my room!" she cried.

"What? Did they hurt you? Who was it?" Harry asked, throwing himself on the bed and taking her into this arms.

"Are you sure you weren't just dreaming?" Ron asked.

"Dreaming? How could I even get to sleep with all the noise?" Ginny said, shooting Pansy and Neville a disgusted look. "I was lying here, with the pillow over my head, trying to block out the moans and grunts when I felt someone touch me. They were breathing heavily, hovering over me and touching me on the arm. Caressing me.

"Someone TOUCHED you?" Harry said, angrily.

"Yes, and when I finally got the courage to take the pillow away, I saw... I saw..."

"Damn it! What did you see?" Draco said, excitement in his voice.

"I don't know! I was a silhouette moving through the room. It seemed to float and then it just disappeared into that wall over there!"

Neville, Draco and Ron went to investigate. On the wall was a very big painting of a beautiful black woman in a chair. She looked down at them haughtily, fingering a pearl necklace that was around her slender neck. The painting was the shape and size of a door, maybe a little larger. Draco, put his fingers behind the gold frame and pulled. It swung open on its hinges and the three men poked their heads into the darkness behind it.

"It's a tunnel of some sort," Draco said. "Should we see where it goes?"

"Are you out of your fucking mind, Malfoy?" Ron said. "I'm not going in there! Who the hell knows what's on the other end!"

"Maybe it's a way out of here," Neville said.

"That's a possibility," Hermione said, "I think we should go."

"I agree, "Harry said, helping Ginny out of the bed and handing her dressing gown.

"Well I'm staying right here," Ron said, plopping himself down into a chair and crossing his arms.

"Fine, you do that, coward!" Hermione said. She picked up a candle from the dresser, lit it with her matches and walked through into the tunnel. Draco quickly followed.

Neville, Pansy, Harry and Ginny left Ron sitting alone and entered the secret passage.

They walked down steep stairs and then it leveled off for a bit in a dirt path It was very dark, musty smelling and rat infested. More than once someone tripped or fell over a scurrying critter. Finally, they came to more stairs; this time they led upwards.

"I'm scared," Pansy whispered as they came to another hidden door.

"We all are."

"What do you think we'll find?" Harry asked softly.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure it won't be good."

Draco pushed the door open; Hermione stepped in and held the candle up.

"Maybe Blaise..." Ginny started to say when Hermione screamed.

Everyone pushed Hermione out of the way and ran into the room. Harry turned on the lights and they all stood there in complete horror at the sight that greeted them. There, hanging from the ceiling beam, was Blaise Zabini, his naked, blood covered body swinging grotesquely. Knife wounds covered his legs and chest and he had clearly been shot in the head.