Title: Harry Potter and The Final Horcrux

Author: Edel

Summary: see first chapter.

Draco Malfoy held the steely gaze of Hermione Granger with his own as someone else staggered into his line of vision. Even when the person broke the silence, he refused to look away until the witch in front of him moved.

Hermione broke the staring contest and looked over her shoulder at her cousin, and only then did Draco allow himself to acknowledge the stranger. At full height, the raven-haired girl reached Hermione's shoulder, making Draco briefly think that he would dwarf her if she were to stand by his side. The girl's gaze flew from Hermione to his body, crouched against the cold wall, her eyes filled with unanswered questions.

"Not now, Hales," Hermione muttered, holding her wand with a ramrod straight arm. She unwillingly took a step back as Draco hoisted himself off the dirty, damp ground.

"Mudblood," he greeted with a sneer.

"Ferret," Hermione shot back, anger flashing in her eyes. Her grip on her wand tightened as Haley's eyes flew between the two. The tension in the air crackled as Draco smirked.

"This is quite a predicament I find myself in," he stated, gesturing around the alley with an arm.

"Indeed," the girl said with a wry grin.

"And just who are you?" Draco asked, his eyes leaving Hermione.

"She is none of your business," Hermione snapped. Her cousin rolled her eyes, unaware of who was standing before them.

"I'm her cousin, Haley." Draco raised a pale eyebrow.

"So that would make you one of them?"

"A muggle? Yeah. What of it?" Haley asked, hands on her hips. Hermione seemed to struggle with words for a moment, before she spoke.

"Haley, he's…Malfoy". Immediately, her cousin's posture changed as her face darkened and she took on a defensive stance.

"How dare you," she started, making to move towards Draco before Hermione slammed an arm in front of her.

"Got a bit of fire in her, has she?" Draco chuckled, despite the situation. "I can see the similarities between the two of you."

"This isn't the time for casual chitchat, Malfoy," Hermione spat. "What the hell are you doing near Diagon Alley, looking like…that?" He glanced down at the tattered clothes that hung off him.

"I'll give you three guesses, Granger. I'll be surprised if you don't get it in one."

"Snape dumped you? You got in trouble with Voldemort for not being able to kill Dumbledore?" Surprise was evident on Draco's face as Hermione continued. "Yes, I know that you were unable to kill Dumbledore. Harry was there." He remained silent, obviously debating internally whether to voice the questions running through his head. Suddenly, he seemed to come to a decision.

"So, what now, Granger?" Draco asked, advancing on the pair. Hermione pressed the younger girl behind her, her eyes not betraying the fear she felt. And then…she smiled, something that unnerved the blond.

"We're taking you with us."

TBC...