A/N: So this is sort of a mini chapter, but I promise it'll be exciting. Enjoy!

"HERMIONE!?"

My eyes shot open and sat up so quickly that the world blacked out for a moment. I threw my arm out, wand at the ready… pointed straight at a frightened Ginny Weasley. "Ginny! What's wrong!?"

A tear slipped down her cheek. Her shoulders started to shudder and her bottom lip began to quiver. "Ron's gone…"

As she began to break down, I felt myself start to lose it. My jaw dropped. My vision blurred. My heart raced. My throat went dry. My mind went blank. All of my energy was frozen to the fact that my best friend growing up, a man I had once planned on marrying, was gone. I wanted to speak, but the lump in my throat killed any noise I attempted and instead forced me to choke up a sob. It felt as though no loss that I had endured in my life had prepared me for this heartache.

I looked up and noticed Harry standing near the door, his hands shoved in his pockets. Redness and exhaustion rimmed his eyes. I pushed myself off the bed and ran at him, collapsing into a complete mess of tears and fright as I sobbed into his shoulder as he hugged me close. He whispered quietly to me, trying make things better. "We'll find him." "Don't worry." "The Order is looking for clues right now."

"Harry, where was he?" I pulled back and looked at him. "Where was he before he disappeared?"

Harry looked down and rubbed his nose. "He was at home. Molly and Arthur had just left."

"As soon as they got to the Burrow, their got calls that someone had broken through the wards at Ron's," Ginny stood, her words shaking like the rest of her. "As soon as they got there he was gone."

My eyes shut and I ran my fingers through my hair. "Why!?" I screamed. "Why now?"

Harry and Ginny glanced at each other sadly and pulled me into a group hug. I felt myself go completely numb. We stood there, hugging and sobbing for what seemed like forever, but at the same time, it wasn't long enough. The two let go of me and ushered me to the bed. They closed the door gently as I sank into the deep abyss of what was either misery or confusion, or a little of both.

I couldn't do anything but stare at the wall in front of me, picturing scenarios of how it could have happened. He could have just walked through the door. He could have been on his way to the kitchen for a glass of butterbeer and a slice of pie, his favorites when he was upset. He may have been sitting on the couch, blinking himself to sleep like he did every night. Memories flooded my head and I shoved the heels of my hands into my eyes. Although I didn't love him like I used, Ronald had always been one of my best friends, and, like Harry, I now thought of and loved him like family. He was important to me.

My window popped open and Screacher glided toward me, a large letter tied to his ankle. My heart sank, noticing that it looked to be the same size and color that I had sent to Malfoy. But upon closer inspection, I realized that it was my last name, not his, that was scrawled along the front. I wiped the tears away, momentarily letting the news be abandoned, and opened the letter.

Granger,

I am oddly glad to hear that you are safe. Though I hate to admit it, I was quite worried about you when I heard. Don't ask me why, because I certainly have no idea.

If our attackers were the same, I may have some ideas on how to catch them, but I can't do it myself. Meet me at the public library tonight at 7. Do not tell Potter. Come alone.

M.

The paper I held began to blur. And so did my mind. Was this real? Was Draco Malfoy asking to meet me? Asking ME for help? It was a concept I couldn't even begin to comprehend, especially with the disturbing thoughts of Ronald's disappearance mixing along with it.

My eyes found the clock and I sighed, pulling myself out of bed. I had eight hours till I had to meet Malfoy, but the thought of being surrounded by books made my soul feel lighter. I needed to clear my mind and escape from all of this uncomfortable reality. And the Library would be the perfect place for an all-day hide away.

The hours crept along so slowly and my impatience was getting the best of me. I spent most of my morning bent over a book that Ted had told me to read, glancing at my watch at the end of every chapter and feeling more and more disappointed when it still wasn't 7. Blaise watched me closely, a look of confusion clouding his face, but knew better than to push for an explanation. The only time I moved from my spot on the couch near the fireplace was when my mother practically forced me to join them for lunch.

"Draco,"

"No."

"You must eat."

"Must I?"

Her voice remained level and her tone calm. "Of course."

My voice was a little more cold. "I think I'm fine, Mother. Now if you'd please just leave me to read-"

"What's bothering you, Draco?" She sat at the edge of the couch, ushering my eyes to look into hers. "Are you still upset from yesterday's attack, Dear?" She put her dainty hand on mine and I finally tore my eyes from the page. Her eyes, like mine, where a fair gray color, and I felt as though I was looking into a mirror. I thanked Salazar that I had gotten her eyes and not my father's icy blue ones.

I gritted my teeth. "No. I'm fine."

She shook her head. "So stubborn," Her eyes fluttered a bit and I noticed she was on the verge of a break down.

I sat forward and put my arm around her. "Really, Mother, don't worry. I'll get to the bottom of all of this." I sighed, my pride slipping a bit. "We'll be okay. I promise."

A/N: Don't forget to Review!