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Never Mine	By : RynStar15 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 21248 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters therein and do not make any money or intend any copyright infringement by placing them here.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
As I reached the next landing I was met with a hoard of younger students who were streaming up the staircase toward me, screaming and clinging to each other, prefects directing with their wands out. Before anyone could notice that their Head Girl was standing there uselessly and began bombarding me with questions, I threw myself into a side staircase through a portrait of a lost witch being led into a swamp by a Hinkypunk, and made my way down, trying not to think about the terrified students who looked up to me for leadership as I abandoned them in their time of need.
By the time I reached the entrance hall, a full-on battle plan was being assumed as Order members, teachers, and older students tried to block the front doors from being penetrated while more gathered in the Great Hall making plans. I weaved my way through the throng looking for Draco.
Someone yelled my name but as soon as I turned to see who it was the doors burst open, those closest to it thrown backward into the rest of the crowd, including me. I hit the ground, the back of my head smacking the stone floor, someone smashing into me as spells rained above us and my world went black.

...
One month, one week, and one day earlier…
I had to slow my steps as Death Eaters swarmed into the entrance hall, where Mrs. Black was still screaming, so as not to be heard. Their shouts followed me up to the second floor where I crept as fast and as silently as I could up the stairs, listening hard.
"Mulciber, Dolohov, Crabbe, downstairs!" came the cold, cruel voice of Lord Voldemort. My heart turned to ice. "The rest of you, follow me! If you see Potter or the boy, bring them to me! Kill the rest!"
With a quick charm I wished I had thought of earlier, I muffled my footsteps and ran full-out, using the banister to pull myself up faster.
"There's someone here, my lord!"
My stomach dropped. I was one staircase down from Draco's room, their voices so close. I scrambled up the last steps when I chanced looking down and straight into Voldemort's maniacal face. A scream tore from my throat unbidden as fear lanced through me like a shard of ice. I flung myself at Draco's door, which swung open with a wave of my wand, and straight into his arms. He clung to me, questioning frantically, but I just dragged him backward, slamming the door shut while casting more protective shields.
"The roof!" I cried, never stopping, pushing Draco bodily across the room as I battled to keep the shields up. He threw himself onto the sill, launched himself to his feet, and pulled himself onto the roof. I cried out as Voldemort broke through my magic in a burst of fury and the door crashed open, spells flying around me I tugged myself out the window, adrenaline moving me as I scrambled to grab the ledge but Draco's hands were there, hefting me bodily up and onto my feet where we ran flat out up the slight incline to the other side which faced out toward Grimmauld Place.
And then Voldemort was there, red light whizzing past us as I shrieked and ducked, slipping on the ice, grabbing Draco and pulling him down with me and we were sliding, the tiles exploding around us from misplaced spells. With a strength I never knew I had I pulled Draco to the edge and jumped with him in my arms, twisting as we left the barrier, Apparating into thin air as Voldemort's screams rent the air.
We landed with a crash! onto snow covered grass, Draco letting out a grunt of pain and I moaned, every part of my body aching, my back on fire. Cursing, Draco pulled me into his arms and held me, crushing me against his chest. I dug my face into his warm shoulder, a hysterical laugh bubbling forth in utter relief.
We were safe.
He pulled me back, shoving my hair from my sweaty face and cupping it, his frantic eyes finding mine. "How did you do that? How did you-?"
He seemed at a loss for words, his face full of admiration. I just shook my head and flung myself back into his arms because in all honesty I had no idea. I didn't even remember thinking, just doing, knowing that if I didn't act right at that instant, the man I loved would die. I finally understood what Harry had said in our fifth year about never having a plan with Voldemort. He was right. When those red eyes bored right into you there was no room for anything but fear and instinct.
"Hermione, thank Merlin! Quick! Get inside!" Tonks was yelling from the gate that surrounded the Burrow's garden. Draco dragged me to my feet and practically carried me through the garden and into the open kitchen door as Tonks replaced the barriers. He pushed me into a chair where I slumped, panting, every muscle throbbing. A cry went out upon my entrance and I looked up wearily again to see Ron who had a black eye and was limping, Harry who was clutching his side, Ginny who was still bleeding, and Luna whose ankle was obviously broken, her right arm hanging uselessly at her side. We congregated to the living room where Neville was laying on the couch, unconscious, Mrs. Weasley bending over him.
"Mundungus is dead," Tonks stated, following us into the room and collapsing onto an armchair Ginny hurriedly vacated for her. Ron stilled in the process of lowering Luna into a straight-backed chair by the fire, Harry's neck snapped up so fast he got a crick, and I paled. All of us were quiet, Ginny laying her head on Harry's shoulder while pressing a towel against her temple, Ron holding Luna's good hand whose eyes were squeezed tight against her obvious pain. Tonks rubbed the small bump on her belly and behind her, Draco stood sentinel at the doorway directly across from me, his eyes never leaving me. Mrs. Weasley ran her wand over and over Neville finally turning to Tonks.
"He's not waking, I don't know what's wrong," she ran a shaky hand over her eyes. "I've tried everything-"
"Mrs. Weasley, why don't you take a break," I said, hurrying over to her and pulling her away, pressing her into a loveseat. I looked to Ron who jumped up and ran to the kitchen, hurrying back with a steaming mug of tea doused heavily with a Calming Draught.
Taking Mrs. Weasley's place, I began murmuring different spells, ones I was sure she had already tried but I needed to know for myself. Neville was breathing shallowly, but steady, his pulse strong beneath my fingers. There was no outward signs of damage and I didn't know enough about diagnostic healing to learn anything of value.
Discouraged, I turned to Tonks.
"He needs Madam Pomfrey. Can you Floo to her?"
"This fireplace isn't connected to Hogwarts, the only one that is-is-"
"No…"
We all looked to each other, terrified.
"They can't know," Ginny squeaked, as if speaking the words would make it true. "They've probably already burned the place down."
Draco shook his head. "They know you'll have some kind of connection set up and that will be at the top of their list. We need to shut the connection as soon as possible."
Everyone looked up at him silently, their gazes questioning, all asking the same thing: could we trust him?
"On it," Tonks finally said, conjuring her Patronus and walking to the window, whispering the entire time.
"You'll need to get one to the rest of the Order so they don't try going to Headquarters," I said and she agreed, sending out even more Patronuses as Mrs. Weasley sent her own off to her husband.
"Now what?" Ron asked.
"We wait, I suppose," Tonks sighed. "I don't want to chance anyone leaving in case they're watching the place. They know this is one of our safe houses and they probably figured we'd come here first."
"I would suggest setting up a new one," Draco said, looking into the shocked faces around him but made no indication that he noticed. "They'll be coming after the safe houses next. Are there any more Mundungus knew about?"
"All of them," Mrs. Weasley said, wide eyed.
"Well it's a possibility that he was killed before he was able to tell them about anything more than headquarters," Draco soothed, though the look on his face said he didn't really believe it. I glanced around at the terrified faces around me, taking in their injuries, Luna gasping in pain. I looked back up to Draco.
"Could you grab me some potions, please? In the pantry off the kitchen." He nodded and strode off.
I walked over to Luna and took her good hand.
"I'm going to heal your ankle now, alright?" She nodded, taking the potion Draco handed to her with a shaky hand and swallowing it as Draco turned to the others, distributing to those who needed it.
"Squeeze my hand tight, it will hurt before it gets better. Ready?" She nodded again. "Episkey!" A small moan escaped her tightly pressed lips before she exhaled.
"Better."
"Good. Now your shoulder is going to be a little harder as it's dislocated." She nodded again, apparently in too much pain to speak. "Alright, same thing. Squeeze tight, now." Her scream drowned out my spell but a second later she gasped, smiling.
"You know, for being so exceptionally narrow-minded, you are a very brilliant witch, Hermione," Luna stated and I let out a small laugh. "That feels much better now. Can I help?"
"Just rest for now," I instructed. I rose and kneeled in front of Ginny where she was seated on the floor leaning against Harry.
"Ginny, can you lower the towel, please?" She glared at me, but finally moved it aside when Harry stared at her questioningly. An ugly gash ran from the corner of her left eye, up her temple and into her hair. I ran my wand over it several times, the skin knitting together while Ginny breathed hard, Harry holding her hand. The bleeding stopped, the wound closed, and I siphoned the dried blood from her hair and face.
"Draco, can you hand me a-?"
He was already at my shoulder stuffing a Blood Replenishing Potion into Ginny's hand who looked at him distrustfully. I smiled up at Draco who looked pointedly away, returning to his position by the door, looking antsy.
"Harry, your ribs?"
"They're fine," he grunted.
"Oh, don't play the hero and let her look at them," Ginny scolded and he reluctantly pulled up his shirt where the entire left side of his chest was already bruising. Giving him an apologetic look, I felt for breaks while he grunted and groaned as he'd refused a Pain Potion. I finally found two, fixed them quickly, and had Luna run upstairs into Fred and George's old room to find the bruising cream they had once given me for a black eye one of their inventions had caused.
"Tonks?" I asked but she shook her head.
"We're alright," she replied, rubbing her stomach. I glanced to Harry, but he was too preoccupied with Ginny to hear her slip
"Mrs. Weasley?"
"I'm fine, dear," she said with a small smile. "Just tired." Her worried eyes travelled to the huge family clock sitting on a basket of folded laundry where every single hand still pointed to "mortal peril." I smiled, seeing the three extra hands she had added. "Fluer," "Harry," and "Hermione" were nestled in amongst the crowd.
Shaking myself from my musings, I turned to Ron.
"My knee," he stated, anticipating my question. "But it's alright; it's not broken or anything." I walked over to him and made a splint down his entire leg and told him to stay seated. I didn't know how to heal muscles or ligaments, so he would have to suffer until we could get to Madam Pomfrey.
Luna returned with the cream and daubed some on Ron's eye then handed it to Ginny who worked on Harry's ribs. I looked up at Draco who was watching me work, his jaw tight. He strode across the room and handed me a vial.
Rest, Hermione, before you faint.
Indeed, I felt shaky and lightheaded so I acquiesced and slumped against the couch on the floor, shakily lifting the familiar potion to my lips as Draco re-took his spot. I wanted to go to him but couldn't in front of everyone. So instead sat back as the potion kicked in, looking up when Ginny spoke.
"Does anyone know who killed him?"
"They did," Ron replied. "One of them, that big one, started shooting off Killing Curses every which way and Dung started running and he-"
Suddenly, Mrs. Weasley squealed. "Arthur is on his way!"
And sure enough, a knock sounded at the back door. Mrs. Weasley ran to let him in, answering their security questions, before Mr. Weasley rushed in looking frantic. Ginny and Ron ran up to him and he enfolded them in a tight embrace.
"Is everyone alright?" he asked, looking around the room, his expression horrified.
"Neville was hit by something, but we don't know what," I complained. "He needs Madam Pomfrey but the fireplace-"
"We're already working on closing it, Kingsley saw straight to it. Don't worry, we'll know in a moment, although I'm sure everything is fine," Mr. Weasley assured them. "I'll send word to McGonagall about Neville."
Not long after Mr. Weasley's arrival a silver cat slinked into the room and Professor McGonagall's voice rang through the silence:
"Floo Network blocked, all is well. Sending Remus for Neville."
A sigh of relief ran around the room and Mrs. Weasley bustled into the kitchen to make sandwiches and tea. Lupin, who had evidently been summoned back to work before the attack, arrived a few minutes later swiping snow from his graying hair. He ran immediately for Tonks who flew into his arms and everyone looked away, Quidditch the topic of conversation, to give them a moment of privacy.
Draco had eased down onto the arm of the couch during the commotion and I leaned surreptitiously against his leg, sighing at the small contact. No one seemed to notice as they were all enwrapped in an argument about some new Seeker who was supposedly better than Krum, so Draco stroked the back of my hair slowly, his movements minimal so as not to draw attention.
I fumed silently as I gazed around the room, jealous of Luna who was holding hands with Ron, her head on his shoulder, and of Ginny whose head was in Harry's lap while he idly played with her hair. Remus was still clutching Tonks, his lips at her ear, speaking words of comfort, and Mr. Wealsey had sneaked into the kitchen and had his arms around his wife while she smeared mayonnaise onto bread.
What would it be like if Draco could hold me without worrying about the others seeing? What would it feel like to hold his hand in unity, to feel his lips against my temple without anyone batting an eye? I bit back the hurt and turned my burning eyes away from the painful displays of a love I would never know. Jealousy slammed through me until I wanted to scream.
"I can't stay long," Lupin finally said over Tonks' shoulder, shaking me from my ire as Draco created space between us. "Minerva wants all hand on deck. So, you said Dung sold us out?"
Discussion broke out and the general conclusion was that he had been placed under the Imperious Curse. An Auror scout would be sent out to headquarters to see what the Death Eaters planned to do with it and the hunt was on for a new safe house and meanwhile, Order members were being sent out to reinforce the dozen they already had.
Lupin finally took his leave, leading Neville out on a stretcher, and Mr. Weasley took off for the Ministry to get more information. Mrs. Weasley called the rest of us into the kitchen to eat and I only did so reluctantly to keep up appearances. Draco sat at the far end of the table, meeting no one's eyes and only poking at his food. The conversation was forced and tense, gazes occasionally flicking toward Draco. I couldn't get myself to look at him so kept my eyes on my plate of uneaten turkey sandwich.
Kingsley ran in halfway through the meal and, at Harry's approval, set out to demolish Grimmauld Place before the Death Eaters could get any more information on us. As it had been Sirius' old house I knew how much it would pain Harry to see this last bit of him go, but he shook it off knowing that this was the safest thing for everyone. Not to mention the loss of most of our worldly possessions; we had a small stockpile here and at Hogwarts, but most of our clothes and anything not in Harry's pouch hanging around his neck would be gone. It was a small price to pay for our lives, however. And hopefully, we could fell a few Death Eaters at the same time.
Mrs. Weasley made arrangements for Luna to stay until it was safe to get her back to Hogwarts and Tonks elected to stay as extra protection. She was given Ginny's room on the first floor as it was the closest to the entryways and Ginny and Luna were given Bill and Charlie's rooms, while I was put into the twin's on the second floor with Draco who got Percy's old room, and Ron and Harry were sent up to the top.
We trudged up the stairs and I said goodnight to everyone and took to my room with a brief glance to Draco who was already shutting his door. On a sigh, I moved between the boxes, each one making my heart twinge, and yanked open the curtains to the nearly cloudless night. The snow had stopped and the moon shone brightly on the scene below. I sat in the dark, staring out the window, my forehead against the cold pane.
I could see Order members patrolling the perimeter, the snow falling steadily, bouncing off an invisible bubble around them. The white-covered hills went on for miles, swallowed by the black. I had never seen such a lonesome landscape and my heart squeezed, even more so when I heard footsteps sneaking around quietly upstairs. It seemed the couples were switching up their sleeping arrangements.
A single pain-filled tear slid down my cheek. This crying thing was already starting to get on my nerves. Who would have thought that being in love with Draco Malfoy would finally reduce me to tears? Stupidly, I hoped that Draco would stride through my door, take me into his arms, and wipe away my loneliness and hurt, but I waited in vain, shivering against the cold window, the night as dark and quiet as ever.
Sick of my longing, I stripped off my dirty clothes and slid into the cold sheets of the nearest bed, gazing at the scorch marks on the ceiling. Hours later the howling wind finally eased me to sleep.

…
The next day was a flurry of people and plans, Order members rushing in and out frantically as the Burrow was temporarily the new headquarters. It had seemed the destruction of Grimmauld Place and the slaying of one of their strongest followers had spurred the Death Eaters into action.
On top of everything, the Ministry was in an upheaval: the Edgecombe family had been found slain in their beds and one of their top Aurors, Artie Hammock, had tried to murder Kingsley while operating under the Imperious Curse. Mr. Weasley was summoned out before daybreak as a vendor in Diagon Alley had been handing out talismans which put the owner under a powerful Confundus Charm and a dozen wizards were subsequently running around setting the place ablaze.
Tonks ran in white-faced as Order members had found her parent's house empty and several more safe houses ransacked. Bill and Fleur sent word to Mrs. Weasley that they were leaving Shell Cottage and would get in touch with them as soon as they were settled. The search for a new safe house was heightened.
Everyone spent the day at the kitchen table trying to get everything under control while thinking of what other Horcrux Voldemort might have and how they were going to find it. The continuous conversation was giving me a headache so I excused myself and made my way to my room. When I reached the third floor Draco was coming out of the bathroom, steam rolling out from behind him. In a perfect world, he would have been dripping wet with a thin towel slung over his hips, but alas, the world was not perfect and he was fully dressed but sadly just as gorgeous. He looked me up and down as if assessing my welfare and nodded to me before striding to his own room.
"Draco?" I called to him hesitantly. He stopped at his doorway but didn't turn around so I walked up to him. "Er, could we talk?"
It was a moment I had dreaded, but knew it was time. I couldn't keep the truth from him any longer. He walked into Percy's old room and held the door open for me to follow. The room was tidy: a Gryffindor banner tacked over the old but spotless desk, an empty wardrobe, and a bed with rumpled sheets, the only thing that was messy. It was as different as possible from the twin's room which was filled with boxes of unknown items and random trick objects poking out of every cranny. Draco strode to the window and turned to me when I shut the door. I twisted my hands, not sure where to begin.
"Yes?" he asked after several moments of tense silence. I opened my mouth a few times but nothing came out. Finally, I sat at the edge of his bed and looked down at my feet.
"Draco…during the attack yesterday…" I dug for my Gryffindor bravery and looked up at him. I had never seen someone stand so stiffly. "There was an accident. I don't know exactly what happened…I don't think anyone meant…"
"Spit it out!"
I sucked in a heavy breath. "Lucius is dead."
All color left his face but he didn't move a muscle. "How?"
Guilt assailed me and tears poured down my face. "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault...I-I fell backward, there was an explosion, and then he had me, Lucius-he had me and he-he was asking for you and I couldn't-Tonks saw me, but I don't know who…"
"What do you mean, you don't know?" he asked menacingly, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white, his muscles twitching from restraint.
"I couldn't see…" I didn't want to tell him why…it felt wrong, somehow.
"Why?" he thundered. "Tell me exactly what happened!"
I shook my head. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! If I had acted faster none of this would have happened, but I didn't know what to do, Harry was being tortured and I tried to get to him but Lucius-"
Suddenly it felt like the world was rushing at me and the battle was flashing across my mind from the moment I'd left Draco's room. He sped quickly through the mayhem, slowing when I made my way to the kitchen. I saw the fire, felt my fear, watched my friends fall and then the explosion which had knocked me back before I was being yanked up, Lucius' threats ringing in my memory. I watched through my own eyes as Harry thrashed on the ground, could hear myself crying for him before Lucius threw me to the floor yelling "Crucio!"
Everything went black, but I could hear the pain in my screams, feel the ghost of the torture I'd endured. When it was over, Harry was screaming for me, I was moaning, the room came into view, Lucius' dead body sprawled across my legs.
When he ended the connection, I was panting on all fours on the bedroom floor. I glanced up at Draco whose face was hard and he was shaking just as much as me.
"I'm sorry-"
He hit the floor and yanked me onto his lap, clutching me tight. "Stop. Stop," he snapped as I tried to apologize again. "It's what I would have done. The world is better off without him."
"You can't mean that," I whispered into his chest. "He's your father-"
"A man who could raise his wand against you is no father of mine."
Speechless, I held him tighter, impossibly touched. He was still shaking badly and the pressure on my back raged like fire but I couldn't find it in myself to tell him.
"Are you alright?" he murmured, pulling me back and looking into my eyes as if assessing whether the torture had any lasting effects. I nodded, unable to speak, and he seemed to relax a bit, enveloping me once more, his face digging into my hair, breathing deeply. My heart leapt as I snuggled in, comforting him as I tried to memorize every moment of being in his arms. Then, just as suddenly, he let me go and stood, backing up.
"You should be with the others," he grated out, turning away. "Go on."
He grabbed the desk too hard, his back was too straight. I knew he was in pain, a choked sound breaking through his lips as he tried to contain it.
"You don't have to hide anything," I said, standing and walking towards him. "I can grab you a-"
"Please-leave…"
My hand stopped halfway to his shoulder and dropped slowly. I did as he asked, making my way to my room, and tried to ignore the silent shrieks of pain.

…
"Hermione, Draco? Could you come down, please?" Mrs. Weasley's voice called from the bottom of the stairs. I put down my book and hurried from the room, reaching the living room before Draco had even opened his door. I was greeted by a rather large crowd: Harry, Ron, Ginny, Luna, and Mrs. Weasley, of course, but also Mr. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Kingsley, Lupin, Tonks, Mad-Eye, and several other Order members I barely knew. The room was crowded, every seat taken by those most injured or pregnant, in Tonks' case. I settled myself next to Ron and Harry on the rug before the fire, questioning them silently. Neither would look at me.
When Draco descended, every eye was on him. He did not move but neither did he break gaze. I had to admire his courage.
"Draco, we are all here because we need your help in answering some questions for us," Lupin started, stepping forward, his voice ringing around the silent room. "We need to know if you are truly on our side or if we are just hiding you for your own selfish benefit. I ask this of you simply because our situation is dire and growing graver by the minute; we cannot afford to keep you and put so much of our side in danger unless we know it is for good reason."
I didn't dare to breathe, beside me Harry and Ron were oddly still and silent. Draco's expression never changed, but a muscle twitched in his jaw.
"There is reason," he said, his voice low, dark. "I do not wish for others to die for me, it is not what I intended. I know you risk much by keeping me and I understand you need an absolution for those lost. I alone know why I am here and I am sorry to say I cannot tell you, at least not now."
The room shifted uneasily, the strained tension in the room palpable.
"You cannot tell us why you've come to us for help?" Lupin asked, incredulously.
"I did not come for your help," Draco said, looking to each person. "That you give it just goes to show that I have chosen correctly. I do not think even you understand the good you are doing ridding the world of the Dark Lord and his scum. I cannot say I am above them, because I am not. I stood alongside them, assisted them, fought with them. All I ask is that you find it in yourselves to trust me as I can be of assistance to you."
Moody let out a derisive bark. Kingsley put a hand on his shoulder and Mad-Eye clenched his jaw. Lupin continued.
"We would appreciate any insight you can give us."
The tension shifted, if not eased, as Draco spoke, explaining Voldemort's moves, what he knew Voldemort knew, what his intentions were to Draco's knowledge. He told us how the Death Eaters think, what they were capable of, what their future actions would be. The weak grey light of day faded into the inky blackness of night as he explained what drove a Death Eater-that fear of their master far superseded that of death; that in a duel we had the disadvantage as a Death Eater was rarely afraid to die, driven as they were by that terror. His words were chilling, bone-deep penetrating so that no one moved or spoke, our entire beings intent on soaking up the information provided by a Death Eater born and bred.
I couldn't breathe, my lungs seemed restricted as I watched the man I loved turn on those he had once stood alongside, his manner calm, almost nonchalant. For weeks I'd watched him struggle, I'd pushed and begged and pleaded for any information, for his trust, and now, with just once simple inquiry from Lupin, he was spilling it all. My eyes narrowed as I watched him. What had changed?
"Now, if you want to get Fred and George back I need to know which Death Eaters we are talking about," Draco told them seriously, the tone of the conversation darkening. "If we're talking about low ranking scum, they'll have just turned them in for a few galleons. Get some of our sicker bastards and they'll find themselves tortured and questioned," he met my eyes and I turned away. "Anyone higher up, they're already dead."
Mr. Weasley cleared his throat and Mrs. Weasley whimpered, Percy taking her hand and squeezing it.
"Where is Verity?" Bill asked to the room in general.
"She's with the Quinton's," Tonks said. "Hannah and Jack took her in; they have the Fidelius Charm in place already."
"Who is their secret keeper?"
"My mum."
A few people swore, others just groaned in submission. There had been no hide or hair of Tonks' parents.
"Let's get a team on it then," Moody grunted. "Tabor, you and Green head out-"
"No, Mad-Eye," Tonks snapped at her mentor. "I want to lead this."
"Tonks, honey," Lupin started but she held up a hand.
"They're my parents! Marcus, do you still have the invisibility cloak?" she asked, turning to a tall dark man standing by the wall.
"Yes, ma'am," he nodded.
"Great. Let's go."
She strode out the door without a backward glance, Lupin left gaping nervously after her. More plans were made and the house emptied one by one; Draco sneaking back to his room, Ginny to her room with the radio, tapping and muttering to it, and Mrs. Weasley bustling off to make dinner, Luna hot on her heels. Harry caught my eye and hooked his chin up the stairs. The three of us stood and made our way to the attic room the boys were sharing.
"So, what d'you reckon?" Ron asked as we settled in the violently orange room.
"I don't know," Harry said, sinking onto his makeshift bed across from me on Ron's. "How do we know any of what he said was true?"
"I still think he's a right git," Ron muttered, pacing. "He could be leading us into a trap."
"Into a trap?" I screeched. "You do realize that he is trying to save your brothers?"
"So he says!"
"I don't know how you do it, Ronald!" I groaned.
"Do what?"
"Have a Mudblood best friend and yet still be one of the most prejudice people I know!"
"Don't call yourself that," Harry frowned.
"I am not prejudice!" Ron sputtered indignantly.
"Yes, you are, Ron!" I cried. "You are blinded by a petty childish rivalry! You and Malfoy are from two completely different worlds and grew up with completely different ideals; it was only natural that you hated each other. But we are adults now, he is on our side, your differences are behind you. You are acting just like Snape and Sirius, throwing away an important partnership because of a hate you can't learn to let go!"
"Do not bring Sirius into this!" Harry snapped.
"Then why can't we learn by their mistakes?" I begged. "Please, why can't we just leave the past where it belongs and move forward? Isn't this all about getting rid of Voldemort? Shouldn't we grab at any help that comes our way, especially one as beneficial as this?"
"Look, just because he's shagged you onto his side doesn't mean-"
"That's enough," Harry growled menacingly, standing up to Ron when I let out an outraged cry. "You're out of line."
Ron looked surprised at his friends threatening posture, then apologetic as he turned to me. "Hermione, I'm sorry, that came out wrong-"
"How else could it come out?" I spat, insulted, though I knew I shouldn't be. Was that what I was doing? Was I really just sleeping with him hoping it would-? No. I knew the answer even before the question fully crossed my mind. What we had shared was special, intimate, and I wouldn't allow a scab like Ron to ruin it.
"Hermione, honestly, I'm sorry. I know you would never sink to that level," he said, and I couldn't meet his eye. He, however, took it that I was still mad at him and gazed at me imploringly. "Look, I'll try, alright? But if that scumbag turns out to be selling us out to daddy-"
"He can't," I muttered, my heart sick. I looked up to Harry, wondering why he hadn't told Ron yet. He shook his head and scrubbed his hair as if trying to rub the image from his mind.
"I didn't mean to, it just sort of slipped out!" he shouted, his voice shaky, launching to his feet to pace. "What was I supposed to do? He was torturing you to death, Hermione! I just snapped-"
"Harry, Harry, I don't blame you!" I said, hurrying to him, taking his hands and looking up into his eyes. "You saved me. You did what you had to do. It was an accident." I sucked in a deep breath. "Draco doesn't blame you either. He said he would have done the same."
"You told-"
"Am I missing something here?" Ron asked.
"I had to!"
"Hermione, I can't believe you would-"
"I didn't mean to! I wasn't going to tell him who it was but he…"
"But he what?" Harry growled and I flinched.
"Would somebody mind telling me what the bloody hell is going on?"
"He used Ligilimency," I admitted so quietly I was surprised he could hear me.
"He did WHAT?"
"Should I leave the room and let you two have your little conversation alone?" Ron fumed.
"Of course not, Ron," I said weakly. Harry's anger had shaken me as he strode off to pace furiously again, his hands back in his raven hair. "After-after you left to Apparate with Luna there was an accident."
"I figured that much," he replied impatiently. "Would you care to tell me what this accident entailed?"
"I killed Lucius Malfoy," Harry confessed harshly. Ron gaped between him and me.
"Are you serious? Is he kidding?"
"He was torturing Hermione, what else was I supposed to do?" he ranted. "I don't know what came over me-"
"Don't beat yourself up, mate," Ron said. "I would have done the same for either of you. And so would Hermione, wouldn't you?"
"Of course!"
But I could tell our words wouldn't be enough. Harry never killed unless necessary, preferring to Stun and Disarm instead. Ron and I didn't like to kill, but it didn't affect us the same way it seemed to affect our friend. He claimed the only person he wanted dead in this war was Voldemort himself.
"Look, Harry," I said soothingly. "He was an important Death Eater. This will probably throw Voldemort off guard." Ron shuddered at the name and I glared at him. "You did the right thing."
He nodded jerkily. "I know. I know. The only thing that matters is that you're safe, we're all safe."
I rushed forward and hugged him tight. We held each other for a long moment, drawing comfort.
"He was angry," Harry whispered, stepping back. "When he found out about Lucius. Voldemort was so angry. And he knows we have Malfoy, he saw you two Disapparating off the roof."
I cursed inwardly. I had been worried about that, but caring for the others had driven it out of my mind. "Is he going to try to find him?"
"Yes, he's got almost everyone searching the safe houses for any trace of him. Mrs. Weasley told me earlier that they were planning on relocating in the morning and Draco will go wherever they go."
"And what about us?" Ron asked. "Are we going with them?"
"Of course not!" I said. "We have to go back to Hogwarts, it's the safest place-"
"What is the point, Hermione?" Harry raged. "I don't care about N.E.W.T's anymore! I think killing Voldemort is a little more important!"
"Can we not say his name, please?" Ron grated out. I ignored him.
"Harry, we've got to keep up appearances, you know that! It's just as important as anything else! We'll be just as well informed there as here. It's not as if we know what we're doing yet, so the best thing is to keep everyone calm, keep morale high, let them that they won't get us down. We will do all the research we can while we're there, nothing has changed."
"Hermione, how can you say nothing has changed? Every place we thought was safe is now in jeopardy!" Harry said.
"Except for Hogwarts!" I hissed. "All the more reason to go back. Ron, side with me here!" I implored. "You know the safest place for Harry is there!"
Ron looked torn, glancing between us with his hands dug in his jeans pockets. "Well, Hermione has a point…"
"You can't be serious!" Harry thundered, making us flinch. "We need to be out there doing something!"
"Like what, Harry? Until we figure something out we'll just be sitting around at the next headquarters or bouncing around the country starving and cold. Please, please, be reasonable!" I begged. The thought of having him out there, vulnerable, scared me more than anything. The entire summer we'd been out hunting the Horcruxes had been the most terrifying months of my life, worried we'd be caught at any moment, knowing Harry was out in the open where anyone could get him. I'd barely slept for two months; my stomach had been in knots. Hogwarts was the safest place in the world, one of the only places we still had control of anymore.
I knew he was torn; Harry was never one to sit around while others did the work. It was one of the reasons I admired him so. But he also knew that the most important thing right now was for him to stay safe. He was our only hope. If he died, we lost.
I knew I had won when he sighed and wouldn't look at me. "Alright, we'll go back. But if there is any hint of what the Horcrux might be-"
"We'll leave right away," I said, stifling a victorious smile.
…
A/N: Apologies for the belated update, finals and all. To my reviewers, favorites, and followers- all my love!
XOXO
RynStar15
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