Chapter Four

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or related characters.

Hermione laughed so loudly she startled most of the restaurant. Paisley Briar just smiled at the odd witch that sat across from him. Hermione cleared her throat self-consciously realizing people were now staring at her. She was ready to melt into the floor with embarrassment.

"Sorry" she whispered to Paisley staring at her plate.

"Sorry, for what?" he asked with a lopsided frown.

Hermione smiled at him, he was very nice. And very attractive, dirty blond hair, green eyes, tall…the list went on and on. But most importantly he had no preconceived notions about her. They had met at Malfoy's party and Paisley had asked her to dinner Saturday night. So here she was sitting with him and recounting tales of youth. "For being so loud" Hermione said with a blush.

"Hey, you're only trying to impress me here, don't worry about the other people. And I for one like a loud laugh, it's refreshing" he grinned wickedly. Hermione almost slid out of her chair with giddiness.

Hermione blushed again, "Thank you Paisley" she said courteously with a slight nod.

He gave her a nod in return and raised his glass to a drink. Hermione followed his lead.

Draco sighed softly and nodded, he wasn't actually listening to Parkinson. But he was putting on a good act. She continued to rattle on about her wedding plans with Danker, the Rockets chaser. He had only agreed to dinner with her because he had nothing better to do on a Saturday night. Granger was busy and he didn't want to be annoying and hound her.

"And you will be one of the groomsmen" Pansy concluded happily. She sighed dreamily and fixed her eyes on Draco, her gaze slowly turned into a glare. "Draco? Are you even listening to me?" she asked angrily.

"Blue and white, lilies, Vera Wang gown, huge reception, I'm one of groomsmen" he recapped shortly. Pansy was unimpressed; she frowned at him taking in his whole person. His hair was all over the place, his fingers were tapping on the table anxiously and he hadn't even touched his wine. Something was amiss.

"What's on your mind Malfoy?" she asked curtly folding her arms.

Draco looked up in surprise, Parkinson wasn't usually so observational. He shrugged, "Nothing, I'm fine"

"Right" Pansy said in an unconvinced tone. "You can pull that crap over everyone else but not me, I've known you since before we could walk. Something is bugging you out" she sighed.

It was true; the whole Weasley/Granger blowout was on his mind. He wondered how she was doing. If she was handling the situation well. All these thoughts harassed his mind.

"Oh god!" Pansy gasped suddenly smacking his hand roughly.

"What?" Draco asked tiredly pulling his sore hand away.

"It's Granger! With Paisley Briar. He is so cute" she sighed vaguely.

"Pansy, you are engaged, and they are on a date" Draco said perking up immediately and trying to see what Pansy was seeing. He caught sight of them near the terrace window. Granger looked brilliant. She was laughing and smiling, and doing it all in a risky little black number. It seemed his worrying about her health was unnecessary.

"A girl can look" Pansy smiled taking a sip of her wine.

"I wish boys could do the same" Draco sighed returning his gaze to Pansy, only to receive an odd raised eyebrow and a familiar smirk.

"Thank you for dinner. It was lovely" Hermione said quietly as she and Paisley stood outside of her apartment door. She grinned again and bounced on the balls of her feet, unsure of what to do. It had been four years since her last real date. Should she kiss him? Was it too soon? She wanted to kiss him hard, just because she was so glad that he had asked her out. She was just excited.

"I'll call you about next weekend" Paisley said chuckling at the apprehensive Hermione. He bent down and kissed her cheek gently, "Owl me when you can" he added with a wink as he began to walk away. Hermione watched him avidly until he was all the way down the stairs.

"Yeah" Hermione breathed out after he disappeared; touching her cheek softly. She quickly stepped inside and did a little dance. Take that Ron she thought angrily as she threw down her purse onto the couch. She went into the bathroom, energized for the first time in a long time.

Sunday passed quietly and slowly for bother Hermione and Draco. Hermione spent the day with her parents, while Draco spent the day listening to Blaise talk about the new girl he was shagging.

Tired and beaten from nothing at all, Draco arrived home on Sunday evening and promptly fell into bed. He couldn't even think anymore, his brain had decided it needed a vacation. But his brain didn't control the unease in his chest. Seeing Granger and Briar last night arose some odd sensations in him. He wasn't sure what he felt, it wasn't jealously, it was more like guilt. Guilt because he had never given Granger a chance before, in school that was. It was only know that he could see how great it must have been to have her as a friend. So maybe he was a little jealous, but not of Briar. Maybe he was a little envious of the weasel and Potter. Or spiteful of anyone who had a real friend; and now that Granger was his friendhe wanted her to himself. She should only be his friend. No one else's.

Hermione on the other hand, spent five hours cleaning and getting her papers organized before turning in at two. She decided this would make her Monday easier, this way she wouldn't have to roam through a dump load of files in the morning. She felt good overall, her date last night had gone wonderfully, and she had had something to brag about to her mother today, who looked ecstatic that her daughter had moved on so quickly. She knew if her mother could, she probably would have strangled Ron with her bare hands and probably Mrs. Weasley too. Her mother could not believe that Mrs. Weasley was okay with her son's betrayal. But Mrs. Granger didn't know that the Weasley's were in the dark. Probably not anymore, but nonetheless, it didn't change the attitude they had had before.
Draco glanced at Hermione's shawl which was hanging over the back of his chair in his bedroom. When it caught the light from his candles it would send little orbs of light around his room like a disco ball. He reminded himself to put it in his briefcase in the morning to return it to her. He picked it up momentarily and pulled it between his fingers, admiring the soft silkiness of it. He then folded it up and placed it on the chair back again.
At four thirteen in the morning Hermione's apparition charm went off. The loud buzzing noise was shaking her head ferociously. Hermione contemplated remaining in her bed, but she knew she was the only witch in the complex; whoever had apparated into the building was here for her. She groaned loudly and threw her pillow off the bed; she still had an hour and a half to sleep before her work alarm went off. She had only slept two hours; whoever was here was going to receive an earful for calling at such a stupid time. What the hell could it be? If she was called in to deal with another cursed spoon she would go ballistic.

She slumped out of her bed and ran to the bathroom to empty her bladder and wash her face. The second she exited the bathroom her door buzzer went off; startling her and waking her fully. She frowned at the door, grabbing her wand on the bedside table she went to answer whoever was calling. She looked through the peephole and was troubled to see the dark eyes of Kingsley Shacklebolt staring back at her.

Draco groaned loudly as his elf Winkles attempted to get him out of bed.

"Master must wake up! You have guests!" the elf cried angrily pulling at Draco's feet.

"Fine!" he yelled pushing the elf away and jumping out of bed. "What time is it?" he asked tiredly, he didn't feel like he slept eight hours at all.

"It's four-twenty master" the elf said going about and fixing his bed.

"In the morning? Who the hell is calling?" Draco mumbled heading to the bathroom. Whoever it was, they were going to get an earful about calling at inappropriate times.

"Work" Winkles said happily now arranging Draco's pillows, his head flew around the side of the door, his toothbrush hanging loosely from him lips.

"What?" he asked in shock spraying toothpaste everywhere.

"Master Shacklebolt is here to talk with you" the elf said clearly laying out his clothing on the now neatly made bed.

Draco frowned and went back to brushing his teeth agitatedly. What could have been going on for Shacklebolt to be here at this time? Now he was shaken thoroughly.

Hermione nervously tapped her foot on the cold stone floors of Malfoy's sitting room. She was in her pajamas and utterly confused. Kingsley would not tell her anything, he had simply asked her if she had her wand and was ready to leave. Before Hermione had been able to answer Kingsley had seen her wand in her hand and grabbed her pulling her out into the hall where he apparated them to Malfoy's.

Now Hermione was sitting on the blue couch freezing. There was a fire blazing in the fireplace but she was cold. While Kingsley was in his clothing and a cloak, she was in a tank top and male boxers. She sighed and frowned at the pacing Kingsley. "Anything to say to me?" she asked angrily.

"We must wait for Mr. Malfoy to arrive and then I will explain what is occurring" he said shortly avoiding looking at her.

"Auror duty?" Hermione asked sullenly, "Or Order duty?"

Kingsley frowned at her, "For one of you, for the other…well" he then went silent and continued to pace the short stretch of rug in front of her. He wasn't making much sense, what did he mean?

"Would Miss like a sweater?" a female elf asked Hermione.

"If you could please" Hermione shivered rubbing her bare arms. It was freezing in Malfoy's home. The elf returned with a dark blue sweater which Hermione assumed was Malfoy's but she pulled it on anyway. She looked ridiculous, wearing Malfoy's sweater, boxers and some slip on Keds. She was sure when Malfoy came down he would be wondrously put together.

As the thought crossed her mind Malfoy rounded the corner and walked into the living room. He was dressed in a collared shirt, jeans, and sneakers, at least he looked awake. It took Draco a moment to see Hermione but the look on his face was utter shock when it sunk in.

"Uhh" he stuttered unsurely. Hermione rolled her eyes at him.

Kingsley pointed at the spot on the sofa next to Hermione. Draco obediently sat; things were getting more interesting by the second. "I see you've raided my closet Granger" he smiled bumping her with his shoulder. He was unsure of what mood he should be in.

"Only the sweater is yours" she frowned not realizing he was joking.

"Right. There's a bit of a situation" Kingsley began unsurely interrupting their greeting.

Hermione looked at him skeptically "Really? I thought we were here to have a heart to heart" Hermione said angrily.

Both Draco and Kingsley glared at her, she mutter a few profanities under her breath and allowed him to continue.

"There's been a murder" he said simply, "And all you need to know right now is that your life is in danger Hermione, so I have brought you to Malfoy's for the moment being. His home has many protective charms and spells set centuries ago which should keep you safe for the time being. I'll assume since you work together you are on good terms. And that is all I can say for now, I will return for you both at eight in the morning" he concluded shortly. He looked anxious to leave.

"What?" Hermione asked angrily standing and marching over to Kingsley; she poked him roughly in the chest "Is that all? Have you nothing more to say to me? If my life is in danger and I would like to know why. If you won't tell me as the Minister, tell me as a friend"

"You will know, but unfortunately I'm needed elsewhere right now" Kingsley said sadly, "I will see you in a few hours Hermione. Take care"

Draco stood to follow Kingsley out, "Not a problem Mr. Malfoy, I can show myself out. All I ask is that you keep Ms. Granger here and safe for the moment being"

Draco nodded and sat back down next to Hermione watching Kingsley leave. "Well" he said awkwardly looking to Hermione.

Hermione shrugged, "Somebody was killed, and by some association that means that my life is now in danger as well. It all depends on who was murdered, but I've only had two hours of sleep, so I can't really function. But I'll assume it was someone in the order, otherwise what connection would there be…" she said nervously. "I hope it wasn't family" she added frantically, thinking she had just seen her parents hours ago.

Draco shook his head, "If it was a muggle this would not be happening, he's protecting you from a wizard if he's placing you here in my home. Someone magical was murdered. Especially if Kingsley himself is involved" he assured her; sadly realizing that did little to calm him or her.

"I have no idea what's going on. I'm so lost and confused. I'm starting to panic I think" she said quickly turning to Draco. Indeed her breathing was becoming erratic.

"No! Don't panic! Its okay!" he said awkwardly, he was no good in a situation with distressed women. "Please start breathing normally" he pleaded grabbing her shoulders.

Hermione began to take deep shaky breaths in through her mouth; her eyes were frenetically jumping about. After a few minuets she regained control of herself and now she just looked pathetic. It was Draco's turn to panic.

"I'm also so tired" she yawned unable to keep it in.

"Do you want to sleep, because I plan on going back to bed" he said uncomfortably trying to keep all panicking to a minimum.

"If I could please" Hermione said quietly, she was scared, she felt utterly helpless, and it was not a feeling Hermione Granger had experienced frequently.

"I'll have a guest room set up for you" Draco sighed; standing up and reaching out a hand to her.

"Oh no. Please no. I have a horrible feeling I would get disastrously lost, something on the ground floor, or close to a staircase would be nice, near the kitchens? I don't feel like sleeping in an obscure wing of your manor knowing that my life is now in danger" Hermione said quietly grabbing his hand and pulling herself up. She clutched his fingers tightly.

"Okay, my room it is" he frowned. "Granger, release" he said shaking his blood deprived hand. Hermione let go quickly in discomfiture. "I'll give you the bed and I'll stick a cot up there for me, is that okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm just really worried and paranoid right now" she groaned covering her face.

"Understandable, I wouldn't want to be alone with that kind of information hanging over my head" Draco said seriously taking her hand again and leading her upstairs.

"Winkles!" Draco called; the elf appeared in front of him. "Could you set up another bed in my room?" he asked tiredly.

"Erg…what other bed sir?" the elf asked nervously, shifting on it's feet.

"A cot? A sleeping bag? Anything" Draco offered.

"Maybe" the elf said unsurely "I will go check for such things" then Winkles popped out of sight.

"Come on" Draco said leading Granger up the stairs to his room. He could feel her hand shaking in his; it was all finally setting in. Things were not all well. And having no information was doing little to calm either's nerves. He knew there would be little sleep tonight. He opened the door to his room and let her enter.

"My shawl!" Hermione said walking to his chair.

"Yeah, I was going to return it today, you had forgotten it on Friday. One of my elves found it" he explained.

"Yeah" Hermione sighed, pursing her lips at the thought of his elves. She sat down on his bed with the shawl in her lap, pulling it between her fingers absentmindedly.

She looked extremely on the edge. He didn't know what to say to make the situation better. He sat down next to her on his bed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She sighed heavily and leant into him.

"No point in worrying until you know what you're dealing with" he reasoned. Hermione nodded but he knew she didn't feel it. He knew in her head the gear were working and cranking to get some sense of what was happening.

Winkles cracked back into sight with a sleeping bag, "I have this sir" the elf said extending the grey sack.

"That will do" Draco said taking it from the elf. "Thank you Winkles, you can retire for the evening. Morning…whatever" Draco said laying down the sleeping bag on the ground. Winkles bowed and exited the room.

Hermione looked around awkwardly; she was going to be spending the night in Malfoy's room. It sounded awkward, but under the circumstances she was more than happy to be here with him right now. Who else could she have turned to anyway, if it had been her choice? Maybe Harry, but even he was distant from her lately. Hermione pulled all of his pillows off the bed placing them in the chest at the foot of the bed.

Draco grabbed his sleeping cloths and went into the bathroom to change. Under any other circumstance, this would have been horrible, but right now it was fitting. This was part of being a friend, he was here for her, and everything that was his was at her disposal, and he didn't mind letting her have his bed at all. He would give her anything she asked for at this moment.

He came back out dressed in his boxers and tee-shirt "Do you need the bathroom?" he asked her. Hermione was sitting up in his giant bed, she was on the far right side and she looked tiny alone in his huge bed. She shook her head so he closed the door behind him.

His sweater was folded and placed on the chair next to her shawl; her shoes were under the bed, perfectly even with the edge. He knew he had a neat freak on his hands. He turned off the lights with his wand and climbed into his sleeping bag. The cool material was not helping his conservation of heat; a shiver ran through his body.

Hermione slipped under the covers, the thick down comforter enveloped her in warmth. She felt guilty for making him sleep on the floor; she knew she was demanding at the best of times. "Malfoy?" she whispered quietly after a few minuets of debating.

"Yes Granger?" came his reply from the floor.

"Do you want your bed back?" she asked.

"Don't be ridiculous, you can have it" he replied.

"I feel guilty, and like I'm wasting space. It's a huge bed…" she drifted off. Draco remained silent wondering where she was going with this. "Do you want to share?" she asked quickly.

"What was that?" Draco asked, he just wanted her to repeat it.

"Do you want to share with me; I'd feel safer if you were right here. I'm seriously missing a strong man to make me feel better, maybe you could flex for me?" she said with a small laugh.

"I don't know about the strong man you're talking about, but I am okay with sharing" he said jumping out of the sleeping bag and under the covers with her. He shifted towards her underneath the sheets until he could see her face and feel the warmth coming from her body. "Aren't you worried I'll do something?" he asked her honestly.

"What would you do? Because if you are planning something you should leave right now" she said seriously, then she smiled, "Honestly Draco, I'm not really worried about you doing anything. You are my friend, which means you respect me. And thus respect my body" she said simply.

"Very true" he grinned back thinking that her body was something to behold, "So long as you promise to not deflower me in my sleep I will maintain my respect for you".

"I'm not sure what's funnier, me deflowering you; or you being a virgin!" she laughed loudly, it echoed in his room. He laughed along with her not knowing what else to do.

"Alright Granger, shut it now. We need sleep, Kingsley will be here in three hours and I need those three hours of beauty sleep" he whispered to her. Hermione nodded silently "Can I get a hug before we go to sleep?" she asked. He was surprised; her voice was so small and timid.

"Yeah" he said shifting to her and wrapping his arms around her.

Hermione squeezed him tightly, she was glad he was hugging her, but in her heart, she secretly wished it was Harry's arms around her. She missed him. She pulled back with a sad smile.

"Goodnight" she sighed.

"Let's hope" was his gloomy reply.

Draco woke first, the sun had barely crept above the horizon, but there was a single strand of light across his face. He grumbled and rolled over, and rolled into… for a moment he almost crapped himself. Then his brain kicked in and he was reminded of who was sleeping next to him. Granger was curled up on the right side of the bed, the sheets wrapped around her tightly like a cocoon. He frowned and turned on his back, what times was it? The alarm clock on his bedside table said seven-thirty. He was tempting to sleep in, but knowing Kingsley would arrive in half an hour got him right out of bed.

He grabbed the sheets around Granger and pulled her carefully to the middle of the bed, one more roll and she would have gone over. He rubbed his face and went to the bathroom. He would need some serious wake-up drought this morning; he didn't even feel alive at this moment. He stripped down and stepped into the shower.

Hermione woke to the sound of a shower. She yawned loudly into her pillow then inhaled. And the sent she inhaled was not her own, it was that of an expensive smelling cologne. She opened her eyes slowly and blinked. Oh, that was right; she was at Malfoy's. Because someone was killed and she was in danger. That was the deal.

She felt slightly more refreshed, but not enough to go through with today. Her stomach was turning unpleasantly as her mind threw possible names at her. Could it have been a professor? Ginny, perhaps on of the Weasley siblings…but why would that endanger her? She was at a loss.

The water stopped. She sighed deeply and stretched out on the bed. She needed to pee, but if she got up it would only be worse, she would just have to wait for Malfoy to get out. She was actually surprised he hadn't tried to pull anything on her. She felt a little guilty for thinking he would. But then again she only felt better about his extended friendship now. He had managed to gain a little more trust, actually a lot. The first time she had slept next to Ron, he had attempted to cop a feel. Then again, so had Harry.

The door opened and Malfoy exited with a towel around his waist. Hermione sat up in bed, "Good morning" she said with fake cheerfulness but it came out sullenly.

"Morning" Draco said, opting to forgo the 'good' part. His eyes roamed over her, she was wearing a little skimpy shirt and boxers. He had not noticed this attire earlier in his sleep like state. It was nice to say the least. Her hair though…was another matter, the question there was 'which direction was it not going in?'

"Can I?" Hermione asked motioning to the bathroom eagerly, nature was calling.

"Oh, go ahead. There are towels and products in there, but I don't have any clothing for you…I'll get Topples to find some" he said absentmindedly looking around the room.

"Thank you" Hermione said getting off of his bed and walking to the bathroom, but she couldn't help that her eyes roamed across his chest as she passed him. She winked at him and closed the door.

Hermione rushed out of the bathroom at five to eight in a towel. She knew Kingsley was a prompt person and would be arriving at eight on the dot. There was clothing laid out on the bed and Malfoy was sitting on the bed with crossed legs already dressed. "Oh thank you!" she sighed in relief, "Are there…" she began to ask but stopped her question when she found the underwear. She gave Malfoy an awkward smile and rushed back into the bathroom to get dressed.

When she finally dressed herself she found the clothing fit perfectly, where had he found it? Was it his mothers? That would have been awkward. But she hardly imagined Narcissa in tight ripped jeans and a tee-shirt. Hermione exited the bathroom and frowned at Malfoy who was now reading a paper.

"Where did you find this clothing?" she asked unsurely.

"I had Topples go out and buy some" he said casually. Hermione frowned at him; that would be the second time he had bought her something. They were no longer even. Well she would get him something soon enough.

"Thank you" she said. Then she began looking around the room, searching for something.

"What do you need?" Draco asked with amusement. He was enjoying her flustered searching but he didn't want to stress her anymore than necessary.

"I don't suppose you would have a hair elastic" she said frustrated. Draco's eyes widened, yes an elastic would probably be best for Granger. He wouldn't want her to hurt anyone with that hair. It had already begun to expand.

"I have some ribbons. I used to wear them when my hair was long" he said getting off the bed and going to his commode from which he pulled a green silk ribbon out of the top drawer.

"Thanks" Hermione said taking it and pulling her hair back. At that moment Winkles entered the room with a sweeping bow.

"Master Kingsley is here" he said shortly.

Hermione took a deep breath and nodded, Draco nodded in return, "We'll be right down" he said. Hermione reached for his hand, and he gave it to her.

Hermione clutched Draco's hand so tightly he was sure it was going to fall off. They continued to walk along the busy muggle street following Kingsley who was also in muggle dress. He had said little, but promised to take them right away to the scene of the crime. Hermione and Draco were both wondering what could have possibly occurred around muggles.

The May morning had begun to warm slightly; even though, Hermione was still shaking uncontrollably. She didn't know if she was ready to see this, whatever it was. The sun was hitting her skin and willing her to be happy and warm, in any other circumstance she might have. After such a great weekend, Monday seemed weaker than usual. But now, it seemed Monday was going to eat her alive.

Draco held to her hand still, no matter how much it hurt. He knew if he let go she would probably just topple. He tried to give her a reassuring squeeze but his fingers couldn't move, so he opted for a smile and nudge with his elbow. Hermione didn't smile at all; she just gave him a meaningful look.

"We're here" Kingsley said turning a corner. There were muggle policemen surrounding a car parked on the side of the street talking in quiet whispers. The area was taped off and traffic was re-directed into another lane. Hermione didn't know what to think. Was there someone in the car? In the trunk maybe, brutally murdered with a pickaxe? Why was there a car?

Kingsley turned back to Hermione and Draco, "These are members of the Ministry, dressed as muggles so as to not gather too much attention. Hermione, be prepared. Draco" Kingsley said evenly with a nod to Draco. Draco understood it as to not leave Hermione's side.

"Gentlemen, move please" Kingsley said, they took one glance at him and began to shift away; when the caught sight of Hermione some gave her sympathetic glances. Other's avoided her eyes.

Hermione let go of Draco's hand and walked forward to see what and who and whatever.

She stopped short, swaying on the spot unsurely. Her heart stopped beating; she didn't know what to do. She didn't know how to cry or wail. She felt a sickening gas in her stomach; it came up her throat, bile…sour and unwelcoming. She began to laugh.

Draco cringed from the sight. Hermione had gone over the deep end. He watched her fall to the ground by the body and laugh desperately. "Hermione" he whispered coming back up from behind her and pulling her away from the body.

"There is no way" she gasped tearfully, her stomach still churning. He pulled her to her feet; she began shaking and fell into his arms sobbing loudly "NO!" she cried. Kingsley sighed and went to cover the body, he nodded to the wizards and they began to clean up the scene.

"Hermione?" Kingsley began, "I'd like to know your thoughts on this. You are on this case and I want you to brief me on what you think" he said coolly. Draco glared angrily at Kingsley, how dare he ask something like that of Hermione so soon. Bastard.

"I'll tell you my thoughts" she said pulling away from Draco's chest. His shirt was soaked through with her tears. Hermione looked livid, anger had taken over her normally pretty features and she resembled a demon, her eyes wet and red. "This is someone's idea of a sick joke. A wizard run over by a car? Unable to use his wand to protect himself or even send for help? A muggle would have called the police. A muggle should have seen him nonetheless, especially if he'd been lying there for hours. And the car is still there, ruling out a hit and run" she was now hyperventilating. Her tone scary and vile, Draco wanted to step away from her but he knew better than to leave her at this moment "No, this is a sick joke, someone murdered him and then made it look like this"

"We know that Hermione. They are covering their tracks" Kingsley said with a sigh.

"But they didn't do it to cover it up Kingsley, this is a statement. They want it to be obvious, to be known. This is a warning. The great wonder, a member of the golden trio, Ronald Weasley killed by a muggle contraption. Who would have thought?" she asked with a twisted smile.

A/N: I think I said it would be a mystery...sorry if you didn't know. Lol. Ron had it coming, no? Okay, maybe I'm a bitch, but it was the plot all along. And things only get more interesting. But please don't hate me for killing Ron. I couldn't very well kill Harry, everybody knows he can't die. rolls eyes