Harmione - The Truth

Chapter Ten

"As your new Minister of Magic, I promise to restore this temple of tolerance to its former glory. Therefore beginning today, each employee will submit themselves...to evaluation. But know this, that you have nothing to fear...if you have nothing to hide." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Be a bit gentler..." Hermione mumbled; her voice was airy, a bit like Luna's, as she chuckled softly at Harry's attempt to play the piano. Their hands continuously hit each others', though neither Harry nor Hermione had any problem with that. Smiling, she gingerly moved his hands out of the way, playing it once more. Harry snickered as he failed to play it again, watching as Hermione stood up, motioning for him to follow.

The duo sat on the armchairs, directly facing each other. "They have flesh memories..." The brunette muttered, watching as Harry pulled the golden snitch out of his pocket. He began twirling it around in his hand, and Hermione could instantly tell how much he missed playing Quidditch. "When Scrimgeour first gave it to you, I thought, that it might open at to your touch. Dumbledore could have hidden something inside it."

Harry was about to reply but was silenced by the sound of someone yelling his name. He shared a knowing look with Hermione, before grabbing her hand, and pulling her along with him as he jogged to the kitchen.

"Geroff of me!" Mundungus Fletcher grumbled, pushing the two house-elves off him. Hermione winced as she watched them stumble back, glaring at the man.

"Expelliarmus!" Hermione hollered, catching Mundungus' wand as it flew from his hand. It was at this moment that Ron ran in, finally hearing the commotion.

"What are you playing at? Setting a pair of bleedin' elves on me?!"

"Dobby was only trying to help..." Dobby muttered, smiling at the trio. "Dobby saw Kreacher in Diagon Alley, which Dobby thought was curious and then Dobby heard Kreacher mention Harry Potter's name. And then Dobby saw Kreacher talking with the thief!"

"Me a thief? You foul little..." Mundungus frowned, sending a sharp glare at the elf.

"You're a thief, Dung, everyone knows it!" Ron scoffed.

"Mr. Weasley...So good to see you again!" Dobby smiled, reaching out to hold Ron's hand.

"Nice shoes..." Ron grinned, motioning to the snug, little shoes that the elf was wearing.

"Listen! I panicked, alright? He was right on me and Mad-Eye fell off his broom-" Mundungus started; his voice was shaky as he backed away from the group.

"You-" Kreacher gnarled, lurching his finger towards the short man.

"Tell the truth!" Hermione yelled, silencing Mundungus just as he was about to speak again.

"When you turned this place over, don't deny it, you found a locket am I right?" Harry jeered, glaring at the thief, as he took a seat in the corner, besides a pile of torn newspapers.

"Boy, was it valuable?"

"You've still got it..." Hermione mumbled, eyeing him suspiciously.

"He's worried he didn't get enough money from it!" The redheaded boy mocked, pointing his wand threateningly at Mundungas.

"Bleeding gave it away, didn't I? There I was selling my goods in Diagon Alley...when some Ministry hag comes up and asks to see my license, she says she would lock me up. Would have done too if she didn't take a fancy to that locket."

"Who was it?" Harry sighed, frowning when he realized that they would have yet another person to hunt down. "The witch, do you know her?"

"No..." Mundungus muttered, glancing down at the pile of old papers. Suddenly, his eyes widened as he grabbed the paper from the top of the stack. "Oh! She's there...Look! Big Bow and all." He sat the paper on the table, watching as the trio gathered around, all peering over to get a closer look.