A/N
Here's the ACTUAL chapter guys...
Can I just say a huuuuge thanks to everyone who's reviewed, followed, and favourited this story. I wouldn't keep writing if you didn't! And please, if you read ANY spelling mistakes or missing full stops, please tell me, because I sometimes don't notice them. And they really annoy me when I do see the.
Also, I might not be updating in the next two weeks, I have exams. But I'll upload extra in half term!
Chapter 9
Draco was quite happy to know he'd be working with Theo for the next few months. After all, he was quite a close friend, and someone he fully trusted. It would be great to have a few more laughs in the office. They definitely needed some more Slytherins in there. He had spent enough time with only Granger to talk to at work.
Where was she anyway? She had vanished quite abruptly after Theo had appeared. Typical Gryffindor behaviour. Run away when Slytherins got involved. He decided to go to her office to talk to her about the new deal. And, of course, irritate her about running away from the new Slytherin she had to work with.
He barged in with a smug look, only to see that the chair was empty. Huh. Probably in Potter's office.
'Potter!' he shouted as he walked through the hallway.
He walked into Potter's office and looked around. She wasn't here either.
'Malfoy? What the hell are you doing in here?'
'Where's Granger?'
'I thought she was in a meeting with you.'
'Yeah, she was. But then she vanished.'
'Hermione doesn't just vanish.'
'Well, she has!'
'Malfoy, leave her alone. She doesn't need you following her every move.'
After leaving Potter's office, he walked briskly back to his own. Maybe she went back to her apartment. Should I check?
He debated with himself for a few moments before deciding that he would check there. After a second of being squeezed unpleasantly, he arrived in the lounge. She wasn't in there.
'Granger!'
No answer. He walked through the rooms, still calling her name. Still no answer. Suddenly a thought struck him. What if her torturer had found her? SHIT. How was he supposed to find her? Where could she be?
Draco began worrying as he thought of all the things that could've happened to her. He was meant to be keeping her safe. He exhaled deeply, pushing his hand through his hair. Stay calm. He had to think of ways he could find her.
An idea appeared in his mind. If he sent her a patronus, he could follow it and see where it went! Why had no one in the wizarding world ever thought of that? Honestly. It would've been so easy to find dark wizards. But then again, then the dark wizards would know if someone was looking for them. What if Granger's torturer was still with her? They'd see the patronus. But it was the only way he could find her.
Come on, Draco. Think of a better way.
An owl, perhaps? No. Then he'd be risking the life of the owl.
Maybe he could try one of those private patronuses? They could only be seen by the person they were meant for. He could give it a try.
'Expecto Patronum!'
A silver dragon flew majestically from his wand tip, soaring into the air. It wasn't the size a real dragon would be, but still around the same size as Draco, only slightly smaller.
He sent a message to Granger saying he was coming, and with a flick of his wand, the patronus began flying away, and vanished into thin air. Damn. He summoned his broom, mounted it, and sent another Patronus, this time without a message. This one vanished after thirty seconds. He kept casting Patronus after Patronus, following their direction.
After a few minutes of high speed flying, he ended up at the Ministry. What? Granger's at the Ministry? But she hadn't been there when he had looked! Maybe he was overreacting. Or maybe she was somewhere he hadn't thought to look.
He cast a disillusionment charm on himself and his broom as he flew through the atrium, over the heads of unsuspecting ministry officials.
He flew after his latest Patronus, following it down to some stairs that hadn't been used in years. It vanished, so he cast another one, following it swiftly down two flights of stairs. He kept casting them as they lead him deeper and deeper underground.
He was beginning to doubt his Patronus. It was dark and empty down here, and just as he was sure they couldn't go any deeper, it leapt down another flight of stairs, which he warily followed.
A small noise was heard. He stopped and listened intently. Another one.
'Lumos!'
Light erupted from his wand tip. Someone suddenly began sobbing hard, and mumbling something. He looked through the light to see Granger huddled by a wall a few metres away.
Relief swept through him. She was alive. He hurried to her shaking form.
'Granger,' he said, relieved.
'Leave me alone, please! Don't torture me again! Leave me alone!' she whispered at him, scooting away.
'I'm not going to hurt you. It's me. Malfoy.'
At his voice, she slowly looked up at him, but carried on shaking with sobs. He sat down next to her.
'Did they find you again?'
She shook her head through her sobs. What? Why was she down here if no one had hurt her?
'So why're you here?'
She shook her head again, and carried on sobbing. He decided he wouldn't ask her any more questions right now, as she was obviously in no state to answer them. He simply sat with her, and put his arm around her shaking form.
'It's alright, Granger. No one's going to hurt you.'
She didn't say anything. She just took his support and leant against him, still shaking.
'We should go now.'
No response. He stood up, and pulled her weak form with him. Then he placed one hand under her knee, the other behind her back, and lifted her up. She burrowed her head into his chest as he walked over to his broom.
He decided that he would fly with her in front, where he could hold onto her so she wouldn't fall. Trying to keep her supported in his arms, he lifted his right arm slightly, and the broom jumped up towards him.
Slowly, he lifted one of his legs and sat on the broom. Then he managed to move Granger into a sitting position in front of him, leaning her back on his chest. She instantly turned around slightly to cry into his arm. After making sure she wasn't going to fall off, secure in his arms, he cast a disillusionment charm on himself, her, and the broom.
Time to get home, he thought as he took off.
A/N
Awww. Don't you just love Draco?
Leave a review pleeeeaaase :)
Airborne Kites;)
