Chapter Two
A large eagle owl tapped on the window of Ron's room at the Burrow. Harry awoke to its insistent taps. 'It is way too early for tapping,'he thought, opening his eyes and making his way to the window.
He opened the window and let the owl in. Sitting on the windowsill the owl extended his left leg which had a parchment tied to it.
Harry untied the parchment and read:
Potter:
I believe I can be of significant assistance to you in your search for the remaining five Horcruxes. I became aware of the existence of Horcruxes containing Lord Voldermort's soul and a Prophecy, which intertwines with yours upon the death of my mother. As you are aware I was made Lord Voldermort's right hand after the untimely death of my father. This desired position has allowed me to obtain crucial information on the exact location of the remaining Horcruxes and perform additional research on the destruction of these items and Lord Voldemort himself. As I write this letter I am currently in possession of Slytherin's locket and Hufflepuff's goblet and know the location of the remaining two. The last piece of soul that has to be destroyed is Lord Voldemort himself, as you well know.
This parchment will activate into a Portkey half an hour after Weasley, Granger and yourself have read it. It will transport you to my mother's ancestral home.
I swear on my mother's body that this is not a trap.
Malfoy
Harry reread the parchment once more unable to believe that Malfoy had written and signed the letter in blood.
"Ron, get up," Harry said hurriedly as he took the sheets off Ron's body and threw a pillow at him.
"Bloody hell, Harry," Ron said in alarm. "What is SO important that I need to wake up now? It's three in the morning for Merlin's sake!"
"Here," Harry said as he handed Ron the parchment. "Read this, I have to wake Hermione." He quickly put on some pants and a shirt and rushed out the door. Running down the stairs he reached Ginny's room and knocked on the door. "Hermione, it's me, Harry. Hermione wake up." Harry went to knock on the door once more when it immediately opened.
"Harry?" Hermione questioned as her head peaked out of the half open door. "What is it? Is it your scar?"
"No, listen," Harry said rapidly. "Get dressed and come to Ron's room, I just got a parchment from Malfoy."
"Malfoy!" Hermione said in alarm. "I will be right up."
"Thanks," Harry said as Hermione shut the door. Taking the steps two at a time he reached Ron's bedroom door. Opening it he noticed Ron sitting on the bed holding the parchment.
"It's written in blood, Harry!" Ron said alarmed. "Blood! You know what that means."
"Yes, I know. Hermione is on her way."
The door to Ron's room swiftly opened and Hermione stepped in pulling her hair into a ponytail. "Where is it?" she asked.
Ron handed the parchment to Hermione. She took it and her eyes began scanning the writing very quickly. She pulled her wand out of her shirtsleeve and said, "Nomen Cruor". A red string came out of the wand's tip and elegantly wove itself identifying the blood's owner as Draco Malfoy.
"Wow, I never would have believed he would think of this charm. I'm impressed," Hermione said softly.
Looking up at her friends she firmly said, "You know we have to meet him."
"Yes," Harry said determinately. "I still don't trust him so we better go prepared."
"Harry, the charm Malfoy used is incredibly powerful. Only the intended recipients are able to read and understand the message. The charm binds the writer to the words he wrote, making it impossible for lies or deception to be written. It's written in his blood for goodness sake, he is telling the undisputed truth Harry," Hermione said handing the parchment back to Harry.
"I know Hermione, but why would he help us?"
"Only way to find out is to meet with him mate, and we better get ready to go we only have five minutes left," Ron interjected looking at the clock on the desk.
Harry folded the parchment and placed it in his robes. "Okay, let's go, but keep your wands out and ears open, just in case."
They all held the parchment and it immediately transported them the study in the Black Family Ancestral Home.
0
"Welcome, Potter and company. No need to have your wands pointed at me, you are in no danger," Draco Malfoy said as he stepped forward to meet his guests.
Harry, Ron and Hermione had appeared in the study of the Black Manor with their wands pointed at Malfoy.
"Malfoy," Harry said tentatively.
"Look Potter I know you all have questions, especially Granger here." Draco said nodding his head towards Hermione. "We do not have the time for childish antics. I know you hate me and I… well hate is not the correct word, dislike you. Yet in order to defeat Lord Voldemort we need to work together and trust each other."
Draco headed towards his desk and stepped behind it. He reached into one of the drawers and pulled out a sliver locket and an elegant goblet and set them on the desk. "Before you please find Slytherin's Locket and Hufflepuff's Goblet."
Harry, Ron and Hermione simply stared at Draco unbelieving that they had before them two of the five remaining Horcruxes. Hermione was the first to drop her wand and move towards the desk. "How did you find out about them and what they were?" she asked as she reached towards the goblet.
"Hermione, be careful!" Ron said alarmed, "you could get …"
"Oh honestly, Ronald, Malfoy touched them and he was perfectly fine. This is exquisite," Hermione said taking the goblet in her hands and looking at it closely. The goblet was gold with two finely wrought handles, yellow Amherst stones each engraved with a badger and surrounded by diamonds on each of its four sides.
Harry and Ron come closer to the desk. "So, Malfoy," Harry said as he reached for the locket, "where did you find them?" Harry inspected the heavy gold locket, turning it over in the palm of his hand to display the ornate serpentine 'S'.
Malfoy moved towards the sofa and armchairs in front of the fire. "I became aware of the existence of Horcruxes shortly after my mother's murder," Draco said taking the armchair closest to the fireplace and waved his hand indicating them to take a seat. Hermione placed the goblet back on the desk and took a seat on the sofa. Harry and Ron followed. "I, as the last living descendent of the Black family, have inherited this estate as well as some vital information concerning the destruction of the Dark Lord."
"You have got to be kidding me," Ron interjected standing up and pointing his wand once more towards Draco.
"RON!" Hermione said glaring at him.
"You cannot tell me you believe him?"
"Ron, mate, put your wand down and let him explain," Harry said motioning to Ron with his arm to take his seat.
"Draco, darling, maybe your grandfather can explain," Durella said gently.
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked towards the portrait of Durella and Cygnus.
"Hello," Hermione said tentatively.
"Hello, you are Hermione Granger, right?" Cygnus said with a pleasant smirk on his face.
"Yes," Hermione said hesitantly. "How did you know who I am?"
"Our dear grandson here has told us about your amazing intelligence and beauty. And I do say so myself, you are stunning," Durella said while she smiled knowingly towards Draco and causing Hermione to blush slightly.
"Grandmother!" Draco said alarmed, a slight blush also appearing on his checks.
"What?" Durella said amused. "I was just agreeing with you that she was beautiful."
"Durella dear," Cygnus said as he noticed Draco shift uncomfortably, "I think it is time we introduced ourselves."
"Oh yes, sorry, dear. My name is Durella Black and this is my husband Cygnus Black. We are Draco's maternal grandparents. We were in trusted with delivering certain knowledge concerning the destruction of Voldemort to Draco upon his mother's death." Hermione gasped and placed her hands over her mouth.
"During my father's birth a prophecy…." Cygnus continued toexplain the Prophecy to the three young people who were instrumental in ensuring his grandson's success with the realization and completion of the prophecy.
"Now that you have heard the reason for you being here, can you trust me?" Draco said to Harry as he stood and walked in front of him holding out his hand.
Harry glanced quickly towards Ron and Hermione, both of which gave a slight nod in agreement. Taking Draco's hand, Harry shook it and said, "Yes, we will trust you."
Draco let go of Harry's hand, sat down and leaned back in the armchair he had previously been sitting in passing his hands through his hair and letting out a sigh. "Thank you," he said slowly, sounding as if 100 kilos were lifted from his shoulders.
"Malfoy?" Hermione asked tentatively. "Hermione," Draco said, "if we are all to work together, I would prefer us to use our given names."
"Draco?" Hermione said tentatively as she tested out saying his given name. "Where are the remaining Horcruxes?"
Draco stood up and walked towards two maps, one showing Little Hangleton the other Godric's Hollow, each sitting on their on easel. "My grandfather's research indicates that the reaming two Horcruxes are locate in Little Hangleton and Godric's Hollow. Rowena Ravenclaw possessed a quill with unbelievable power. This quill was said to be from a rare blue phoenix and was used by Ravenclaw to write the document, which created Hogwarts's and dictated the school's purpose. It disappeared in 1944 from Hogwarts. My great-grandfather's discovered that Voldemort had taken it while in his 6th year at Hogwarts and made it a Horcrux after he murdered his father and grandparents. I discovered recently that the quill was located in the basement of the Riddle House in Little Hangleton."
"Godric Gryffindor had a golden shield, which matched his sword. It was said that this shield when accompanied with the sword contained enough magic to shield Hogwarts's students and faculty from harm. When Slytherin left Hogwarts, after getting in a huge row with Gryffindor, he took the shield with him. Voldemort found the shield when he opened the Chamber of Secrets the first time. He took it to Godric's Hollow the night he attacked your parents, Harry. He made it a Horcrux with your father's death, prior to seeking out your mother." Draco paused and looked over at Harry, his eyes expressing sadness and understanding of the loss of his parents.
"We didn't find a shield when we went to Godric's Hollow after Dumbledore's funeral?" Ron interjected trying to discredit Draco.
"You would not have would you. You would only have found it if you knew exactly what to look for," Draco said a bit exasperated at Ron's attitude. "Look, Ron, I'm on your side here and need your help so lay off the childish behavior. If we are to accomplish the destruction of Voldemort we all need to act as adults."
Hearing these words, Ron's face turned as deep shade of red in embarrassment.
"Right," Harry interjected. "Where and when do we start?"
"We start here and now." Draco said as he walked over to a small box on one of the bookcases and pulled out three golden keys and handed one to each of them. "These are Portkeys to this study. They will only be visible to you. Keep them on you at all times. We will continue the research here as well as plan the attack. You can come and go as you please, I only ask that we meet at 7:00pm every day and debrief. If one of us is unable to meet just tap your wand to the key and message will be sent to all three"
Hermione looked up at Draco in inquiry. "Yes, Hermione. I took the idea from the coins you charmed during fifth year," Draco said softly as he handed her the key deliberately letting his hand rest on the palm of hers for a second longer than required and causing Hermione to blush slightly.
Picking up an old journal from one of the bookshelves Draco continued, "Harry and Ron, I will need your help in the destruction of the goblet and locket. Hermione you need to research a way to kill the bastard. I think my grandfather was close but he died before he could make sense of my great grandfather's notes," He said as he handed her the journal he had retrieved from the bookshelf.
"Have you figured out a way to destroy the Horcruxes?" Harry enquired.
"Yes and no," Draco replied.
"Well, which is it?" Ron asked
"Yes I have figured out how to destroy the locket and goblet. No I have no idea on how to destroy the other two," Draco conceded.
"Well then, the choice is obvious," Hermione said as she flipped through the journal Draco had previously handed her. "You all go destroy the Horcruxes; I'll stay here and research."
"Right then," Draco said amused. This way gentleman, we will need to destroy these things." Draco grabbed the locket and the goblet in his hand. "Outside. And by all means Hermione, make yourself at home," he added as he lead Harry and Ron out of the study and looked back at Hermione who was already sitting on an armchair, legs tucked in reading the journal.
"Bye boys,"Hermione said as she waved them off with her hand without taking her eyes off the journal.
"You will learn real fast, Draco, not to get between Hermione and a book," Harry said smiling as they headed out of the study.
0
Six months went by and tremendous progress had been made both in the destruction of the Horcruxes and the relationship of the four unlikely allies. Harry, Draco and Ron had managed to destroy the locket and goblet but not without lasting reminders of the destruction. Ron had a burn-like scar on the palm of his hand from the locket. Harry and Draco both sported a scar on their lips from the goblet. Hermione asked how they had acquired the scars, yet all of them remained silent not wanting to share the darkness of the items' destruction with her.
Harry, Ron and Hermione had continued to take residence at the Burrow. They found that 12 Grimmauld Place was too full of members from the Order and none of them were able to find any peace and quiet. They would go to the Black Manor together or by themselves depending on what particular research they were doing. Harry and Ron took it upon themselves to research the destruction of the two remaining Horcruxes. While Hermione and Draco concentrated on researching for a way to kill Voldemort once all the Horcruxes had been destroyed.
To say there had been no arguments and everything was peachy between the four of them would be a lie. Yet they all understood that they had a purpose and they needed to work together in order to accomplish it. So the disagreements that came up were just that, disagreements and all knew when to compromise. Draco, Harry and Ron behaved like siblings, not a day would go by where they would not be fighting, playing pranks on each other or having deep conversations about a variety of topics. The three of them worked well together and none would have it any other way. Draco often wondered what had made Harry and Ron have a change of heart towards him and vice versa. He guessed that destroying Horcruxes together might have played a huge part.
Draco and Hermione's relationship was a different matter all together. As of late the relationship between them was bordering on a little more than friendship. It had stated four months into doing research together. Draco had been sitting on one of the armchairs when Hermione had suddenly jumped up from her seat and ran towards him engulfing him in a huge hug.
"I found it!" she said cheerfully, disentangling herself from him.
"Found what?"
"How to ultimately destroy Voldemort!"
"Really?" he questioned raising an eyebrow.
"Really!" she replied as she picked up the book she had dropped in her excitement and walked towards him. Pulling her down onto his lap he read the passage where she was pointing.
"A love potion, it cannot be that simple?"
"But it is," she responded. Finally noticing where she was sitting a deep blush started to appear on her face and she jumped out of his lap.
A small smile appeared on Draco's lips as he noticed her blush.
"Well then, we need Snape do we not? I'll contact him to get started," he said leaving her alone in the study.
"You know, dear, he fancies you," said a soft voice from above the desk.
"What?" Hermione said alarmed as she turned towards the portrait where the voice had come from. "He does not, we are just friends."
"My dear open your heart and you will see he is smitten with you," Druella said with a soft smile. "And you with him."
"You have got to be kidding me! As Ron would say, both of you have gone mental," Hermione replied authoritatively and left the study.
"You will find out soon enough, dear, soon enough," Druella said with a chuckle. "Oh to be 18 again!"
Since that day Hermione began unconsciously paying attention to the interactions between Draco and herself. They were so comfortable around each other. They talked about everything and anything for what seamed like hours. Sometimes she would even catch him give her a smile that would melt her heart. When leaving a room he would always lead her out with his hand at the small of her back. He also, she had noticed, stared at her when he thought she was not looking. He thought of the smallest things: bringing her tea when she had been researching in the study for hours and had missed dinner, covering her with a blanket when she had fallen asleep on the studies sofa- which she did often- and rubbing her shoulders when she was over stressed or tired. Harry and Ron had never thought to do small things like this. She knew they loved her, but Draco and her were different. She was beginning to develop feelings more than friendship and wondered if he felt the same.
0
The more time Draco spent with Hermione, the more in awe he was of her intelligence and beauty. That was what surprised him the most: that she became more beautiful the longer he was in her presence. She was physically beautiful, with her fit body, long chestnut hair and warm golden eyes. Yet Draco was most impressed with her inner beauty; this beauty that glowed in her. Hermione, Draco thought, had to be the kindest, honest, most caring, passionate witch he had ever encountered.
In the beginning she irritated the hell out of him. She would argue his every direction and decision, and she was not the least bit intimidated by him. She would tell him exactly what she thought regardless of his reaction. She would stand up to him and that in itself made him respect her from the beginning.
He began spending his free time with her, helping her read and research in his great-grandfather's and grandfather's journals. Sometime he would just stare at her as she intently read through a journal twirling her finger in one of her chestnut curls. Sometimes she would lift her eyes to meet his and send him a smile he fantasized was only for him.
0
Draco had been able to contact Snape and he had agreed to brew the complicated love potion. The ministry prohibited brewing a love potion some 100 years ago, so they had all agreed that the potion needed to be brewed at a discreet location. This location could not be the Black family Scottish manor, as it required constant vigilance when it was being brewed. Draco had arranged for Snape to brew the potion in an abandoned potion's shop in Knockturn Alley. The shop had been closed for years and had the majority of the ingredients and equipment required for brewing the potion. In addition an apartment was attached to the back of the shop where Snape could live during the brewing of the potion. Draco had placed some heavy protection and unplotable spells on the shop to ensure its safety and discretion.
Tonight both of them were sitting in the study reading through the list of ingredients and instructions that would be required to make the love potion Hermione had discovered a few months ago would destroy Lord Voldemort. Snape was to begin on the potion the next day and Hermione had agreed to assist him. Harry and Ron decided that they needed to release some stress and pent-up energy and were outside playing one-on-one Quidditch.
"Why do you do that?" Hermione questioned Draco as she caught him once more staring at her.
"Do what?" he asked with a small smile gracing his lips.
"Stare at me?"
"I was not staring, Hermione," he said as he stood up and moved towards the chair where she was sitting.
"Really?" Hermione said sarcastically as she followed his movements towards her.
"I was not staring, I was looking at you," Draco smirked as he sat down on the arm of the chair and gently placed a hand under her chin tilting it so she could look at him.
"Hermione?" he said softly, "may I kiss you"
"Yes," she whispered.
Draco lowered his lips towards her while looking directly in her golden eyes, reaching her lips he pressed his against them. They were the softest warmest lips he had ever kissed. He tentatively ran his tongue over her bottom lip, asking once again permission to deepen the kiss. Slowly she opened her lips allowing him entry into her mouth. She tasted of peppermint and honey; he of Earl Grey. This first kiss expressed their deep hidden feelings for each other. It was as if they both reached home, finding the missing part of their soul.
Draco reluctantly ended the kiss and pulled his face away from her resting his forehead against hers and caressing her check with his thumb.
"Hey," he whispered.
"Hey," Hermione replied. "I guess this changes things?"
"Only if you want them to change."
"I do," she replied, softly smiling.
"Brilliant, I do also," Draco said smiling and placing another chaste kiss on her lips.
"What will Harry and Ron say?" Hermione asked as they backed away from each other and held hands.
"We would say it's about bloody time," Ron said amused as he and Harry walked towards them with their brooms over their shoulders.
tbc