Anything you recognize isn't mine.


Hermione and Ron apparated simultaneously and blinked at each other in surprise. Ron grinned at her and looked for Harry.

"I knew it wasn't a dream! Alright, what are we doing?"

"Ron, I can't believe you agreed to come here blind- any number of Death Eaters could be in that Manor!" She scolded. Ron stared at her, offended.

"Hermione, you're here too, which means you agreed to fight blind as well." He pointed out and was saved from the indignant lecture by Harry's appearance. He looked bewildered as he silently materialized into view and the other two teens watched in shock.

"Blimey, Harry, how'd you do that?" Ron asked. "I didn't know you could silently apparate!"

"That's because you can't." Retorted Hermione. Harry was just grinning, checking his pockets and found his trunk and other stuff shrunken.

"I didn't do it, but I don't feel like I'm gonna throw up, so I'm not going to complain. But aren't we supposed to be saving someone right now?" Hermione nodded and Ron shrugged.

"I dunno, I was told that there was a fight and that you guys would need me, so I came. Who are we saving?" Hermione froze, realizing she didn't even know what gender of person she'd need to save, before Harry answered.

"A girl, named Aeris. She said she was in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor and that she needed help because Voldemort was going to either kill her or force her to kill others."

"Well, let's go get her then." Ron started to step forward but Hermione grabbed his shoulder and jerked him back.

"The wards, where are the wards?" She hissed suddenly, looking around. The two looked back at her, not understanding. "Malfoy Manor is famous for its extensive warding, we shouldn't be able to be even this close."

"Well, she said that there was another 'innocent soul' with her, maybe they dropped the wards?" Harry offered. "Or she did, if Voldemort wanted her than she must be powerful or something."

"Or this is a huge trap." Hermione muttered. Ron shrugged.

"If the wards are down and it is a trap, we could just apparate out." He replied. Hermione looked at him like he was a simpleton and he raised his hands defensively. The two didn't notice Harry tilting his head to the side or his eyes glazing over. "Or we couldn't, because that's a stupid idea?"

"The wards can be reset by anyone of the bloodline at any time." She started and Harry shook his head, having returned to himself.

"So we should get going before that happens. Aeris needs us." He walked forward, confidently, and Ron followed. With a huff, Hermione went too, keeping an eye around them.

They had reached the front door when it suddenly burst open, a crazy-haired and positively filthy girl bursting out, carrying a bulging backpack. She skidded to a stop when she saw the trio and glared.

"You three are the worst rescue squad I have ever had to set up!" She exclaimed. "Now, we better get out of here- somewhere quiet and alone, preferably unplotted, because Lucius is gonna free himself any minute. Hermione, be a dear and set some things on fire while we run. Ron, help her. Harry, no one besides you three can know about this right now, okay? Do you have somewhere we can go?"

Hermione and Ron stared at her for a second but a roar from inside the house had the four teens fleeing from the house, silent save for whispered Incendios as two of them set random trees on fire. Harry thought quickly and glancing towards Ron and Hermione, nodded at Aeris.

"Ron, Hermione, Grimmauld Place." Aeris smiled but no one saw. She snagged Harry's hand as they ran. They reached the apparition border in moments and with three sharp cracks, were gone.

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They stood outside Grimmauld Place, Aeris panting and then stretching.

"God, prison diets do not mix well with sprints, eh, Harry?" She asked, looking at the boy with a smile. He frowned at her, suddenly unsure of his decision.

"You put a spell on me, outside Malfoy Manor, didn't you?" He asked suddenly. She blinked and shook her head.

"Of course not, I reminded you of my promise. That's it." She replied evenly while Ron and Hermione looked on, both curious what the promise was. "And thank you, while the rescue part sucked, the getaway ride went very well. But, like I said to you last night, there's another person we need to save. May I give him our coordinates?" Harry nodded and she shut her eyes, reaching out. She reopened them and bounced on her heels for a moment, feeling awkward while she waited. "He kept me alive during my imprisonment; I wouldn't have gotten out without him. And you three wouldn't have gotten in." She murmured, waiting. There was another crack of apparition and Draco Malfoy stood there, wand out, looking uncertain.

"Elfy!" The boy was immediately pulled into a crushing hug. He hesitatingly returned it, gently patting the girl on the back before shoving her off him.

"When will you stop calling me that? And why are they here?" He griped, glaring half-heartedly at the girl as she brushed nonexistent dust off of him. "And stop pawing at me!"

"Never, and no. Unless you like the tracers?" She made a final pass over his chest and then looked him deeply in the eyes. Draco looked back evenly, matching her piercing gaze, and she smiled. The girl reached out and ruffled his hair before grabbing his hand and turning back to the shocked trio. "This is-"

"An evil Death Eater!" shrieked Ron, pointing his wand at Draco. "Step away from him, he'll call the other Death Eaters." Aeris looked at him coldly and Hermione automatically stepped back, Harry torn between defending his friend and getting away from the suddenly-dangerous seeming girl.

"Draco, my friend and the one who kept me alive and prevented you lot from being torn to shreds by the wards. And you are going to apologize. Now." She said, ice practically forming in the air.

"Apologize to him! He's probably brainwashed you!" He retorted and started to wave his wand. Aeris held her hand up and Ron found himself frozen, eyes wide. She waved her hand, flicking it downwards, and a burst of water soaked the frozen boy. She snapped her fingers and then turned to Harry.

"If you have a problem with Draco, then I must go. He and I cannot be separated, it is too dangerous." She said simply.

"I don't trust you, Aeris." Hermione said suddenly, stepping forward. "And I don't trust Draco, and I don't trust how easy it was to get you out. But the only way we could have gotten onto Malfoy land would be if either Draco or his father dropped the wards and none of us are safe in the open. I think we should get inside, now, and hear your stories." Aeris looked at her appraisingly and Draco nodded, an approving look on his face.

"Surprisingly well thought out, Granger." He murmured, clutching to Aeris's hand and shifting his grip on his wand. "And I agree. I brought Veritaserum, and the antidote, to be used on myself, should you feel the need. Potter?" Harry nodded and he started to head towards the house before turning back to Aeris, who was following.

"Can you unfreeze Ron now? We can't leave him outside." She sighed and waved behind her, ignoring Ron's swearing as she followed Harry up to the house.

"I rather liked him frozen and silent." Whispered Draco in her ear. She smirked, squeezing his hand again.

"Me too."


Okay, so this one isn't much longer, but you're getting three chapters in one day. Please review and tell me what you think, I'll have the next chapter (or chapters, depending on my mood) uploaded in a day or two.