A Future Uncertain

Chapter 23: Time

Draco knocked on the slab of nearly-rotted wood that the Weasley's decided to call their front door.

Mrs. Weasley answered the door, none too pleased by who was knocking, but not surprised either. Draco supposed Ron had already warned his family that a Malfoy would be coming to visit.

"Ron will be down shortly," she said, half her body covering the opening of the door.

It didn't get past him that she didn't invite him in and was blocking the doorway as much as reasonably possible. Draco didn't mind it though. He was used to it from most people he went to visit.

Draco expected Ron to look like he had the prior day, or at least groggy from sleep, but to Draco's surprise, he had some pep in his step.

"Ron," his mother said, leaving the door ajar and facing her son. She tried to talk low, but Draco could hear every word, clear and crisp.

"Don't trust him. It's you or him."

Draco didn't say anything. He deserved it.

Sorry, Mrs. Weasley. Draco thought. He's going to have to have unquestionable trust for this to work.

He took a step into the overgrown grass next to the stone walkway to let Ron out the door.

"He loves Hermione, mum," Ron said, stepping over the threshold and going shoulder to shoulder with Draco. Obviously, he wasn't trying to keep the conversation hush-hush. "He's not going to do anything that wouldn't help her. I trust that."

She gave a taught smile and shut the door without another glance at Draco.

"So, what's the plan?"

"Uh- well, I've thought it through, and I think it's best that everyone there still believes you're an Auror."

"They can believe whatever they want. As long as I'm not impersonating one, it's not illegal."

"Well..."

"Oy, what do you mean 'well'?" he said, scrunching his nose.

"I kind of need you to pretend you're investigating them."

"So, I should start questioning them? I still won't have to tell them I'm an Auror."

"Well..." Draco said, a little higher this time, still trying to warm Ron up to the idea of being bait. "I was thinking you would tell them you were leading an investigation."

Ron's jaw dropped. "I'm starting to think you're only trying to put me Azkaban." He kicked at the dirt, threw his head back and groaned.

"It's the only way to get as many people to leave as possible. I remember when there were raids in my house during-"

Ron snapped. "I don't want to hear about what you did in the war. And I'm not an idiot. I know that bad people run away when an Auror shows up asking questions."

"Then you'll-?"

"Do I have a choice? That's why you wanted me anyways. What about you?" he asked, waving an arm at Draco.

Draco shrugged. "I'm just going to run around till I find her."

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," mumbled Ron.

"You got a better plan?"

"I could get Harry's invisibility cloak. It would buy you time."

"Impossible."

"And why's that?"

"Because Hermione had it last, and that part of the house was destroyed."

Ron gave an idiotic smile. "We should go there first."