Disclaimer: All characters and HP associated items belong to J. K. Rowling

Thank you to my beta - Charisma Tyson

Through the Mirror

While escaping Hogwarts, Hermione finds herself on a mission to help Draco Malfoy. Together in the Room of Requirement, they must come to terms and work together to survive the threat looming over their enchanted world.

Prologue

Swiftly running through the forest, three black blurs sped through the dark sanctuary that swallowed the figures within its depths. The forest closed around them, consuming them in a maze of trees and thick brush. The looming statue of the forest contradicted the security they had hoped to find, yet they continuously ran, hastily ducking between branches and jumping over tree stumps that only heightened the fear and adrenaline pumping through their veins.

The fingered limbs of the branches snatched at their school robes as if an evil force empowered them to stop their escape. A familiar cry stopped the other two in their tracks. Turning around they found their companion struggling against a particular branch that had somehow embedded itself into her hair.

"Hermione!" Ron cried, running over and yanking at the branch which was already successful knotted into Hermione's bushy curls.

"Ron, just break them!" Harry ordered.

Ron did as he was told and hand in hand they ran after Harry.

They weren't running for much longer when frantic whispers were heard. The three crouched low to the ground and crawled to a nearby bush. Peering through the branches, they saw a gathering of Death Eaters standing in a small circle, their wands drawn and their backs to a figure that stood alone in the middle pacing back and forth.

From behind them heavy footsteps where heard approaching. Harry pushed Hermione and Ron into a crevice created by the tree's root. He threw himself on top of them, pulling as many braches and leaves as he could with him, all the while cursing himself for not grabbing his invisibility cloak.

Just as Harry lay still a group of Death Eaters walked near them in single file line, their cloaks billowing around them and their metallic masks glistening in the darkness. Hermione watched in terrified fascination as they passed as if they were fallen angels, clad in black and filled with evil.

The group that had just walked into the clearing formed a line in front of the circle where the man no longer paced but stood glaring, his mask raised and flashing in the moonlight.

"Severus. Report," a low voice said.

"The attack was successful."

"And my son?"

"He failed to complete his task."

Silence followed Snape's statement and Harry saw the first man step into the light. "Where is he?" Lucius Malfoy asked.

"He ran."

Fury rose into Lucius' eyes. "Well?" he demanded. "Did you find him?"

Snape's eyes narrowed. "He disappeared before any of us could follow."

"Aren't you going to look for him?" Lucius asked.

"This is being taken care of as we speak." Snape replied, "Lord Voldemort is seeing to it personally." Harry saw Lucius' face grow pale while wordlessly opening and closing his mouth. Snape continued, "He will be dealt with for his failure."

Hermione gasped and poked Harry roughly in his side. "We have to find him!" she whispered franticly.

Ron pushed on her shoulder until she was lying down again. "Now is not the time for forgiveness, Hermione!"

"They are going to kill him!"

"Git deserves it," Ron mumbled.

Harry couldn't agree with him. It seemed that he and Hermione felt the same way; did Malfoy really deserve to die?

"Hermione, you need to hide," started Harry as Ron's face looked as if someone had slapped him.

"You mean you're going to help the ferret?" Ron said barely keeping his voice above a whisper. Harry began to shush him when a sudden vision of Draco running down a corridor and into a familiar door appeared in his head. Snape had heard them.

Harry directed his attention back to Hermione. "Malfoy probably already realizes they're out to kill him; look in the Room of Requirement. Just stay hidden with him." Hermione's face drained of color. "If they can't find him, they can't find you," Harry added, hoping she would understand. Hermione nodded slowly, a fierceness Harry had never seen in her eyes shining in the darkness.

"We'll distract them-" Ron opened his mouth to interrupt "-you hide until everything's clear and run back to the castle, straight to the Room of Requirement. If possible run to Gryffindor tower and get the invisibility cloak." Hermione nodded intently to everything said.

Together Harry and Ron hoisted Hermione into a nearby tree which she began to climb so she would not be hit by any ricocheted curses. Hermione was still climbing when she heard Harry and Ron's curses ring through the silent night. She had just balanced herself on a branch when a jet of red light hit it, and with a sickening crack it broke free and fell just as she wrapped herself around the tree's trunk. The shouting from below began to fade away as Harry and Ron led the chase deeper into the forest. Hermione took a deep breath and steadied herself knowing she had to return to the castle and find Malfoy.

Slowly she turned around preparing for her decent when she noticed a hole in the leaves where the branch had just been. Hogwarts stood before her framed by a starry sky. A trail of flames appeared in the night sky and Hermione suspected it to be Fawkes mourning Dumbledore's death. Her eyes glittered with tears as the sad tune found her ears. Fawkes was now circling the grounds and Hermione had the desire to call out to him. Before she could open her mouth a dozen green jets shot through the air, colliding with the magnificent bird. A sudden burst of light was all it took for the beautiful music to stop. Hermione gasped, knowing all to well what had happened; even Fawkes could not find the desire to live without Dumbledore.

Hermione began climbing down, sobs rocking her body as she tried to bring herself to safety. She slid along the rough bark, stretching her legs with each step, hoping to find stable ground. Hermione's foot slipped and she hugged the tree trunk tighter, a small cry of pain emitting from her throat as the bark cut into her palms, when a pair of hands surrounded her waist. Jumping in fright she turned to find Draco Malfoy's arms wrapped around her.

"It's ok," Malfoy said, pulling her arms away from the tree. He led her to the spot where Harry and Ron had previously been hiding, only to find a shimmering glass image of a Hogwarts bedroom. Malfoy's arms remained around Hermione as he guided her through, his strength her only support. The barrier rippled around their bodies as if it were made of water, the substance cool and dry to their touch. Once they had crossed into the room, Malfoy immediately removed his hands and stepped away from her. Hermione stood in shock as her eyes roamed over everything in the room. It was similar to a small studio apartment. Kitchen and sitting area open with a small divider that did not hid the tall canopies of the Hogwarts beds. Hermione's eyes finally rested on Malfoy, who had sat in a nearby arm chair.

"Everything doubled when Potter told you to find me," Malfoy explained.

"How did you know?" Hermione asked quietly.

"The Room of Requirements felt I needed to." He flicked his wrist toward the mirror behind Hermione, and she turned eagerly hoping to see Harry and Ron walking through to safety. Instead, all she found was her disheveled and frightened reflection. Her fingers touched the glass, her eyes welling up with tears as wished her friends good luck.

"Thank you," Hermione said quietly.

Malfoy froze at her words, his eyes darting nervously between his reflection and her tearful expression. He nodded and jerked his head toward the direction of the beds. "You need rest."

Hermione nodded and stepped towards the bed, but her legs were shaking so much she only stumbled. Instantly arms surrounded her waist and she stared blankly up at Malfoy as he picked her up, effortlessly bringing her to the bed side. Setting her down on her feet, he kept one arm securely around her waist as he used the other to pull back the bed sheets.

"Why are you doing this?" Hermione asked hoping she didn't sound rude. Draco pulled the covers up to her shoulders as she relaxed into the bedding, her eyes already drooping at the physical and mental exhaustion of the night. "Of all people," he began, not meeting her eyes, "I never expected the Golden Trio to worry about my well being."

Hermione watched as Malfoy retreated back to the fireside and wondered if anyone had ever sincerely worried about his safety before. "You're welcome," she murmured, as the soft cushions enveloped her exhausted body

Draco returned to the fire side and collapsed into the arm chair. He looked over his shoulder to the already sleeping figure. "Thank you."

So, seriously, let me know what you think.

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