[ Hiding In Your Arms ]

Fandom; Harry Potter

Pairing; Draco Malfoy/Hermione Granger

Summary; 'None of us want you here, We're only doing this for the Order, Mudblood' 'Don't call her that' 'What? 'You heard me, don't call Granger that..' In a world filled with hatred, Can two find love?

Rating; M

Fic; Multi Fic

Disclaimer; I do not own the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling does.

This is the way you've left me

I'm not pretending

No hope, no love, no glory

No happy ending.

It was like she was floating, in a world of sublime and utter beauty. The sky was a brilliant blue, no not blue, rather a perfect and wondrous aqua colour that only the finest of eyes could appreciate. The stream of sky appeared broken only by the sun's rays; glinting and perfect in their splendour. The odd cloud dotted the beautiful heavens, but it didn't pale its beauty, if anything it reinforced it; the mere white wisp here and their added to the unavoidable divine characteristics of the sky in front of her. Many people would scoff and only see a chunk of blue above them, however she only saw beauty of an untouched world as she looked above.

"When do we have to leave?" Harry's voice quickly jerked her out of her beautiful daydream and she moved with a start at his words. Her unfocused eyes suddenly became alert as she sat upwards, and she shifted quickly before muttering an answer under her breath in a response to his question. She suddenly wished that she had remained in her earlier state and that Harry had not interrupted the beautiful wanderings of her mind, however she regretfully knew that now she was back in the real world she had to remain their.

"A few days I believe" Hermione spoke softly, a smile ghosting her lips as she spoke. A few more days before they three of them were thrown into the unknown. To say she was pessimistic about the situation would have been a down play, Hermione was feeling incredibly negative towards the upcoming situation; they were three teenagers for gods sake, in her opinion they really didn't stand a chance. However she didn't voice that particular opinion; Harry was ridiculously optimistic and Ron? Well he seemed to go along with anything anyone said now days.

Harry nodded at her words and as Hermione glanced up at him she frowned. He appeared so much older than his years but then again so did she, and Ron. The war had done that to them; in fact the war had done that to most. It had made them all grow up and thus it had made them all seem much mature than they actually were. It was a hard life really, growing up in the middle of the war, Hermione knew she had some emotional scars that would never heal.

A small sigh left Hermione's lips but it didn't break the silence. The silence between the three of them was something she had become accustomed to of recent. It appeared the three of them couldn't laugh as they once had. With the looming fate of the horcrux search hanging over them; well it seemed impossible to have fun now. Who could have fun in knowing the fate of thousands rested on their hands? Who on earth could laugh and smile when they knew how much pressure was on them? All that Hermione knew was that she hadn't laughed in what seemed like weeks and fun seemed like a distant memory now.

Fun. The last she could remember of that was within the first few weeks with Ron. She near laughed at that, but not a real laugh, instead a mere bitter laugh; a laugh that would hold no joy, instead cynicism and hollowness. Her relationship with Ron had been building up for years, and when they had finally got it together; in the previous summer it had fizzled out in weeks. It appeared they weren't right for one another, perhaps Hermione was too frigid for Ron's taste? Or he to boring for hers? Either way it hadn't lasted, and it accounted for the small amount of awkwardness that had set between the two of them.

Her eyes began to glaze over and she could feel herself setting back into her previous state; the state which she had become familiar with. She often drifted off now days, into her dream world as she called it. She didn't ever dream of people or places, instead she just dreamed of an untouched world. A world that had not felt Voldemorts hands, a world that was beautiful and thriving, instead of saddened and dark. She wished most days for that world to come back but she knew that was merely that; wishing.

A small noise broke her out of her near daze, and she realized Harry and Ron had began speaking. Talking about plans for this search no doubt. A small sigh again left her lips as she ran her fingertips through her curls; her hair was pulled back into a ponytail per usual but she still enjoyed running her fingers through them from time to time, she remembered when Ron had run his hands through her hair whilst kissing her and oddly she shuddered at that particular memory. To say her time with Ron had been bad would have been an understatement.

They had argued on a constant, and more than once they had thrown things at one another. A particular memory surfaced to mind and Hermione nearly laughed, it was when she didn't have her wand on hand and instead of searching for it she had merely thrown a book at his head, she smiled at the memory and ignored the glance Harry gave her; better he not know about her cynical and bitter thoughts over her failed relationship with Ron.

"Hermione we were just saying about where we should go first" Harry spoke again, his eyes flickering over to her. "Did you have any thoughts about where we should head to?" He asked clearly desperate to pull her from her current thoughts and back into the plans of the near future.

"Well" Hermione began, ignoring the roll of Ron's eyes as she turned to Harry, the memory of Ron's facial expression as the book soared through the air towards him still prominent in her mind.

"You're probably wondering why we called you three here today" Lupins voice rung high over the group crowded around the small, worn table at the Burrow. Everyone appeared to be sat their, just waiting to hear what Lupin had to say; Hermione was surprised that herself, Ron and Harry were invited to the order meeting, of course it must have been important; otherwise the three of them would be in another room plotting, not at the Orders meeting in which not many were allowed to attend.

"And the reason for that is not to discourage you of your plans to wonder" He spoke again his voice strong and firm "Though we have tried" He said and though the quip meant jokingly, no one laughed, the faces across the table all held frowns and Hermione knew it would take a lot to make them disappear. Everyone seemed to have frowns on their faces now days, smiles were a thing of the past. "No instead, we are here to tell you about something that's come up, something that affects one of you directly"

Hermione was barely listening now, which she knew was bad off her. Though she still held the strong fierceness within her when it came to battle, she knew the information would probably be about Harry, when was it not about Harry? Hermione felt no bitterness in her best friend being the constant centre of attention. In fact she was happy as the side runner, unlike Ron, who she knew constantly hated the idea that Harry was more important than him.

A small shock came through her as Lupin spoke her name, and she noticed everyone's glance appeared to shift to stare at her. She sat up slightly, her eyes now filled with curiosity and not boredom. What could be about her? She bit down on her lip softly, her eyes wider before she spoke. "What's happened? "The two words were simple but then again she knew Lupin would explain everything to her.

"A new committee has come into view" Lupin paused for a moment, it was clear he did not wish to be the one to tell her all of this, but he knew he had to. "The Muggle Born Elimination committee" He said a small noise of disgust leaving his lips as others began to gasp. It was clear without even explaining the grounds of this group what they did from the name alone. Hermione's eyes fluttered shut and she shook her head, what had the world come to?

Even though she already knew the grounds for this group, Lupin continued to explain "It's a committee set up by You Know Who, a committee of death eaters going door to door and taking Muggle Born's" He said shaking his head as Hermione had previously. "The public think nothing of it because well they're scared and no one can do anything about it"

Hermione nodded, of course people were hiding away from the fact that Muggle Borns were being captured and taken from thin air. Who would say anything? Everyone were looking out for themselves now, and no one even bothered to look out for friends, never mind strangers. A small sad sigh left Hermione's lips and oddly she welcomed Harry's arm over her back, resting her head on his shoulder as she did so. She could tell Ron wasn't pleased by this action but to say she didn't care would be true, she had long given up on caring what Ron thought.

"They're keeping tracks on everyone Hermione" Tonks spoke then, her voice no longer chirpy but grave as her hand-held Lupin's across the table. "For you to disappear, it would put all of us at danger" She said, Hermione could tell she wanted to speak further but instead Hermione somewhat rudely cut her off to speak.

"I have to stay don't I" She said, her head nearly buried in Harry's shoulder as she spoke, her words muffled. She shook her head as the tears formed, however instead of letting them fall as she wanted to, she bit her lip hard and held them back. She would not cry over these people. Her hand gripped the front of Harry's shirt and she took a deep breath to compose herself before shrugging of his arm and standing straight, her eyes filled with tears that she simply refused to shed. "I realize I have to stay, for the good of others, I have to remain behind"

Lupin moved to stand up then, his eyes filled with grief. Hermione didn't want his grief, she didn't want people feeling sorry that she had to stay behind for others. She shook her head at him and he seemed to understand, official details and all of that could be held back for a few days to allow Hermione to adjust to this news, Lupin could at least give her that, could he not?

"I'm going to bed" She said, her voice raw. She turned around then, and moved straight out of the room, her footsteps quick as she escaped; she could already feel the tears on her cheeks as she ran up the stairs to her bedroom. She shoved passed an eavesdropping Ginny without comment, before throwing herself into her bedroom, one slammed door later and she was sinking against the back of the door, her hand gripping the wall as she fell to the floor, tears now clouding her vision. She wanted to yell, scream, damn she wanted to just sob, however she waited until she could reach for her wand. She fumbled as she picked it up, her non verbal silencing spell quickly casting over the area before she dropped it, the sound silenced to the outside world as were her sobs, as she rested her head against the wall and simply screamed her heart out.

It had been a week, one week since the news had come to Hermione. The earth shattering, heart wrenching news that her two best friends would be leaving her behind on their search. Everyone insisted it were for her own safety, but she knew that was rubbish. Hermione wasn't stupid, far from it actually and to think she would be safer at home? She found that highly unlikely. She was only doing this for others, to keep others safe, if others hadn't been in danger she would have ignored the news and headed off with Harry and Ron as planned, but she couldn't; no she wouldn't do that to others.

In the past week she had continued to help Harry and Ron, giving them books and map routes she had prepared. After the first night of crying she had not allowed herself any more moments alone other than sleep, she didn't want to be alone with her saddened thoughts; if anything they hurt her more. She was determined to set Harry and Ron up with everything they needed for the trip they would now undertake without her.

She was now sat with them, going over book after book, sat around the Burrow table. No one spoke as they combed through texts they had all read thousands of times, though they all knew the time was coming to an end. Hermione had heard them chatting away only a day ago, oblivious to the fact that she was listening in on them. She knew they planned to leave tonight, and the thought terrified her, that for once she would actually be alone, she would be alone in the middle of the war, without her two best friends.

Night came far too fast, Hermione willed the clock back but she knew from years and years of wishful thinking that willing things never made them so. Soon enough however Ron and Harry were packing up their things ready to go, Hermione didn't leave the table, however now she didn't even read the book in front of her, she just stared at a passage, not even taking it in as Harry and Ron said their goodbyes to the others.

"Hermione" She heard Ron's voice and she stood up quickly, her eyes clouded with tears once more. He pulled her into a somewhat awkward hug but she hugged him back still, her eyes misting over as she held him close before releasing him moments later. Then she turned to Harry and their eyes connected before Harry stepped into her embrace. She hugged him quickly holding him close. Harry was like a dear brother to her and she couldn't contemplate a year without him. She sobbed softly into his jacket and he only squeezed her tighter against him before he had to regretfully let her go. She shook her head and hugged him again pulling a choked sob from his lips, she didn't want to leave him and yet she knew she had to let him go.

"I love you both" She said her hands shaking, the words coming from her lips as tears streaked her cheeks, the promise not to cry seemed in the distance as tears fell from her eyes. How was she meant to contain this? Her two best friends were about to walk out on her and it killed her, even their mutterings of 'Love yous' to her did nothing to still pain. She nodded at their words and pulled them both close once more as they promised to keep in touch. She knew they would do no such thing due to security, she could hope for the odd letter but she guessed she wouldn't get much in their time away.

Hermione held them close still, her hands dropping as they stepped back to leave. "Goodbye" She spoke, tears forming once more as she placed a kiss to Ron's cheek and then Harry's ignoring however awkward it may have been. She could barely look as they left the door of the Burrow, she didn't dare follow them as others did to see them apparate. Instead she turned back around, resting her hands on the table, her body shaking as sobs continued to shake through her.

She was suddenly jerked out of her sobbing by Lupins voice, couldn't they just let her cry? Wasn't she allowed to have mere moments to be human? Who else wouldn't cry at the departure of their dearest friends? But no Hermione was not allowed to cry, instead she had to deal with this easily so to save others per usual. It felt like Hermione had sacrificed a lot to save others but that was just the kind of person she was, she wasn't cruel enough to only think of herself.

Straight away she knew what Lupin wished to discuss. He had cornered her about it just over two days ago. She had guessed as a Muggle Born she would not be able to stay with Weasleys, she hadn't even hoped to stay. Hope she found was far too dangerous when it came to war. Hope was the emotion that could kill people as easily as a death eater could. Lupin had simply told her she would have to go into hiding, Hermione didn't like the idea of hiding it seemed cowardly to her and as a Gryffindor she wasn't a coward, no matter in war.

"Yes?" She spoke, her voice a whisper. She seemed a mere shadow of herself now days, since the news that she had to stay she had barely eaten, causing her hair to become lank, and her skin pale. It may have only been a week but there was something different about her attitude and the way she seemed, she just seemed off. "I know I have to leave today, don't I?" She spoke turning to look across at Lupin, swallowing down her tears, along with every other emotion that screamed through her entire body and mind.

"Yes" He paused shaking his head before speaking once more "We've found you a family to stay with, a couple of hours away in the country side" Lupin spoke placing a hand on her shoulder and glancing across at her. Hermione merely nodded, shrugging his hand off and heading upstairs to grab her stuff, she had already packed up all of her stuff, not that she had much, merely clothes, books and the odd keepsake. Her wand tucked in the pocket of her jeans and everything else she was leaving behind, leaving behind so many beautiful memories here, it bought a tear to her eye but she ignored it and walked back down the stairs, her feet heavy as she trudged down the wooden stairs.

It killed her that she was now alone. Who else in the world did she have? Ron and Harry were gone, her parents didn't know she existed, and frankly she had never felt very close to members of the Order, she had no one. Hermione had never felt more alone at that point, the other relationships many saw as close friendships Hermione barely acknowledged as acquaintances. She had Ginny but the relationship since Hermione had broken up with Ron was strained to stay the least, as it was with most of the Weasleys, though she could understand that, who wouldn't take the family's side over friends?

Hermione sighed and met Lupin at the bottom of the stairs, she exchanged goodbyes with the few people, and promised to send letters once a month, she probably wouldn't but why cause more grief? So she just nodded at their requests and then headed to the door with Lupin, her hand on his arm as they left the warm confines of the Burrow into the cold air outside, she realized she didn't even know where they were going, however she didn't bother to ask, she would find out soon enough. Her hand clutched Lupins as they crossed the threshold and she gripped her backpack tightly as they apparated together, the sick feeling fell through her stomach and the burrow disappeared before her as she closed her eyes, her thoughts mute as she awaited her fate. _

a/n; So what did you guys think? Please review this story guys and tell me what you think. I know there's no Draco in this chapter but don't worry the next Chapter will have some Draco in, and some Draco/Hermione interaction. I hope you've enjoyed my story and I hope that you continue to read.

Song used; Happy Ending by Mika.