Chapter Seven:
Suspicious
After Hermione had been home a few days Draco had finally let her go back to working in the book shop. When they had gotten home from the hospital he had been so over protective that he wouldn't let her do anything by herself except for going to the bathroom. As she walked down the stairs to the shop she was surprised to find that the mess it had been before, was now completely organized.
Initially when she had bought the place it had been so cluttered and unorganized that she hadn't known where to begin. Even after three months of organizing, the shop still hadn't looked like she hadn't wanted. But it seemed that in the three days Draco had forced her to take off work he had finished her work.
Hermione walked into the backroom where Draco was currently unpacking the two boxes of school-books that had come in that day. School was only a week and a half away and Hermione had thought it best to have a few more copies of some of the more basic school-books around.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, from behind "Thank you."
He looked at her from over his shoulder, "What for?"
"For organizing the shop. I've been trying to finish it for a while; it probably would have taken me a few more months to finish if you hadn't done it." She explained.
"No problem 'Mione." He said turning around and planting a kiss on her lips.
The bell on the door dinged and the broke apart, "I better go see if they need help." Said Hermione.
She walked out to the counter and a boy of about twelve was waiting for her, "May I help you?"
"No thank you ma'am. I'm just here to deliver this note." He explained handing her a piece of parchment.
She took it and grabbed a spare galleon out of the register, handing it to him, "Well thank you. How about you go get yourself a cone from Fortescue's?"
"Thank you ma'am." He said beaming. She watched with a smile as he rushed out of the shop and down the street.
She felt to strong arms wrap around her waist, "That was very nice of you. Who is the note from?"
"I don't know, I haven't read it yet." Hermione tore open the note and read it quickly. "There's no name but apparently they have a rare book collection that they wanted to see if I could come look at. They said they might even sell me a few." She explained excitedly.
"Only you could get this excited over books." Draco laughed.
"Yes and I see no problem in that. I should probably get going, they wanted to meet at the Three Broomsticks around nine and it's about eight thirty now." She stated detangling herself from his arms.
He frowned, "I'm coming with you."
"Why?"
"This guy sounds shady. There wasn't even a name on the note and instead of just bringing the books in here he has some random kid give you a note to meet him."
"Maybe he is just visiting and has a room at the Three Broomsticks and didn't want to come all the way out here." She reasoned.
"Well either way, I'm still coming with you." He stated simply.
"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Besides you need to stay here in case anybody comes in." she said getting angry.
"Hermione I just want to make sure that you are safe. The shop can be closed for a day, it will be fine."
"No. It is getting close to school and we will lose business if it's closed. I am a grown woman and I can take care of myself, alright?"
"I am coming with you."
"No you aren't! Please stop demanding something that isn't going to happen. I will be back in a little bit." She huffed storming out the door and quickly apparating away.
Hermione arrived outside the Three Broomsticks anger flushing her cheeks bright red. She looked around and saw that there were no lights on in the building. Then it dawned on her, the Three Broomsticks was a pub and it was nine in the morning, it wouldn't be open until at least noon. This confused her even more, why would someone want to meet her at a deserted building at nine in the morning? Unless what Draco had said was right, the guy was shady and had some ulterior motive. Hermione began to panic and was about to apparate back home and apologize profusely to Draco when someone put a hand on the back of her neck.
"Going somewhere Hermione?" a familiar voice hissed in her ear.
…
Draco paced up and down the floor of the apartment. Hermione had been gone the rest of the day and he was worried. Not only for her well-being but what if she left him, even with the agreement they had with the minister? Just when he was beginning to get used to the idea of having feelings for her, she storms out not to be heard from the whole day.
Tired of waiting he grabbed his wand off the coffee table and prepared to apparate to the Three Broomsticks and find out what was going on. Just before he thought The Three Broomsticks in his head, someone began pounding on the door.
Draco sighed and walked over to the door. He opened it to find a very disheveled Harry Potter, "I can't talk now Potter, I've got to go look for Hermione. She's been gone all day and-"
"Hermione's being held hostage at the Three Broomsticks."
A/N: Sorry I just couldn't resist *grins wickedly*. I know this chapter is a bit short, but I really wanted to leave it off on a cliffhanger. I will try to make this next chapter longer. Maybe if I get some good reviews I might just be able to have the next chapter up by Monday evening. Hint, hint. ;)
