Lydia snorted. "Like you could. Harry's the best Seeker we have at Hogwarts."
Cedric cleared his throat. "Well, that certainly put me in my place."
Matthew shot his sister an exasperated look. "Apologies, Ced, she's a tad Potter obsessed." He avoided the slap aimed in his direction.
"It's OK." Cedric said cheerfully. "Harry's great competition."
Neville felt the nudge his Gran gave him and said his goodbyes moving on. He definitely should look elsewhere other than Ginny, he mused. She was so caught up with Harry that she couldn't see anyone else. It was a shame.
He was in the middle of talking to Bill and the Doges about the plans he and Harry had for supplying Wolfsbane ingredients when it happened.
A scream sounded from the outer hallway where the powder room designated for the ladies' use was located.
Neville unholstered his wand immediately. He noticed that Harry had done the same across the room, although Sirius and Simeon immediately flanked their Heir.
His Gran raised her wand and shot off a small bang that gained everyone's attention even as she started walking. "Please remain in the room while we investigate. It may simply be a spider has surprised one of our more fearful ladies. Sirius, Simeon; if you could see to everyone?"
Sirius nodded immediately. "Of course, Augusta."
"Amelia, if you would accompany me?" His Gran was already half-way to the door.
Amelia was already in motion and fell quickly into step, as did the Head of the Aurors, Rufus Scrimgeour, and Albus Dumbledore.
"I'm coming with you too, Gran." Neville said.
He could see his Gran wanted to argue but she nodded swiftly. The corridor was a crowd of men hovering outside the door obviously torn between entering and not since it was a ladies' bathroom.
"Men!" His Gran said under her breath. "If everyone could take a step back, please!"
"I think it's my Hilary!" Douglas Vane said, whirling around in a panic.
"We shall see what the matter is." Amelia said stepping in quickly. "Rufus, with me!" She shot Dumbledore a look that told him to remain behind.
"Reminds me of the old days, eh, Director?" Rufus gave a rakish grin which Amelia returned.
They knocked on the bathroom door and Amelia entered swiftly, wand out and poised.
"We need a Healer!" Amelia shouted.
"Someone get Ted Tonks!" Augusta ordered smartly.
Terry Stebbins nodded at Neville and set off to the reception room at a run.
Neville craned his head and peeked in through the open door. Hilary Vane was flat out on the floor. Amelia was casting diagnostic spells over the woman but Rufus's attention was on the mirror. Neville glanced in and froze in shock at the blood red writing on the mirror.
"Tick-tock, Harry Potter. Your time to die draws closer."
Ted pushed past him and Amelia stood up to let him get to his patient.
"She's fainted." Amelia said briskly. "If you could revive her, Ted, and we'll move her to another room."
"The writing's singing with house elf magic." Rufus stated firmly. "I suggest we got a forensic team down here and see what else we can find."
Amelia nodded. "Lord Black should see this."
Dumbledore had somehow squirmed his way inside the bathroom. "Harry will need to leave immediately, Augusta."
"Yes. Neville, can you go and request Sirius comes immediately; you escort Harry home." His Gran's mouth tightened in a way Neville knew well; she was furious. Someone had come into the Manor, threatened one of her guests and disrupted an important gathering for the House of Black whom they were hosting.
Hilary Vane stirred as Neville nodded and made his way back to the reception room. He made a beeline straight for Sirius who hovered protectively near to Harry and Hermione who had evidently joined them in the wake of the scream.
"Lord Black, my apologies, my Grandmother has requested your presence." Neville said authoritatively. "Professor Dumbledore has advised Harry leaves immediately and my Grandmother concurs; I will accompany him to Black Manor."
Sirius's grey eyes widened but he nodded sharply. "I would appreciate that, Neville. Hermione and Andy, can you both go with them?"
"Of course." Andromeda said smoothly. She curtsied, Hermione following her example while Harry and Neville both bowed their heads.
Neville led the way to the floo; Hermione went first, then Harry, then Neville with Andromeda following on behind.
"Why don't you kids head for the kitchen and get Kreacher to make you some hot chocolate?" Andromeda said briskly. "I'll go find Penny and the baby."
They all trooped obediently to the kitchen. Kreacher sniffed at them but provided the hot chocolate.
"OK, Neville, what's going on?" Harry asked as soon as they were settled with mugs of Honeydukes' best cocoa liberally sprinkled with marshmallows.
"Another death threat." Neville said succinctly. He repeated the message and sighed. "They said it was house elf magic again. Mrs Vane just walked in on it, I think, panicked and fainted."
Harry slumped in his chair. "Perfect."
"Sorry, Harry." Neville said softly. "But it looks like the same prat who sent you the message on your birthday."
"The house elf magic would suggest that," Hermione agreed, a faint touch of her old 'know-it-all' tone colouring her words, "but the fact that they got into the party means we can narrow the field down to the Wizengamot and Ministry officials who were there."
"Which doesn't eliminate a great deal of people, Hermione," Harry pointed out calmly, "since most of the old pureblood alliance used to bow down to Tom."
"It eliminates some," Hermione insisted, "and if you also eliminate those who don't have a house elf…it eliminates some more."
"Maybe on the Ministry side," Neville said, "but most of the Wizengamot pureblood families have elves."
"Of course they do!" Hermione snapped. "They all have slaves! Why am I not surprised?!"
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