A Hiding Place

Chapter Nine

Hey all. How's it going? There's the next chapter. It's long too! I think most people will enjoy that, and remember I changed a few things around.

Everything seemed to come to a stand still. The four of us jumped from our chairs and Hermione, Ron, and Harry pulled out their wands. Many others, however, seemed to still be in their trance, continuing to stare at the spot where the lynx had just disappeared. We hadn't thought anything was happening. That was until someone screamed.

Throwing ourselves into the panicking crowd, the four of us tried to get out of there as fast as possible. The guests were having a hard time as well. Many were dissaperating on the spot and others were running frantically around. I even think I saw Perkin's running in circles in the back. Too much booze I think.

"What should we do?" Ron gasped.

"Ah, get out of here?" I stated the obvious.

"And how are we supposed to do that?" Harry asked.

"Are you really that stupid- off," I bumped into someone.

"You need to get out of here!" It was Lupin. "Now!" He pushed us away.

Stumbling into the mix of people Hermione and I nodded to each other and each grabbed hold of Ron and Harry's hands.

"What are you two doing?" They questioned.

"Just shut up." I said squeezing their hands hard; I began thinking quickly about the best place to apparate to. A place that was away from the Burrow, away from the incoming Death Eaters, and away from maybe Voldemort himself…

"Where are we?" Ron asked.

Opening my eyes, I saw a bright, red bus zip passed us. Were we going to be hit? It didn't even feel like we apparated. If I hadn't opened my eyes, I would have still thought we were at the Burrow. We were still surrounded by people, however.

"Tottenham Court Road," Hermione panted. "Come on we need to walk, and find somewhere to change."

"Change?" Harry asked in a confused manor.

"Don't ask questions, just walk." I told him.

Thankfully the boys followed instruction as we pretty much sprinted through the crowd of dozens of wondering eyes that were looking at us like we were crazy. That's when I realized that they were most likely staring at Ron and Harry since they still had dress robes on. Heck, if I was a Muggle and I saw some random people running in the street like crazy people I would be ogling at them too.

"Um guys," Ron said. "We don't have anything to change into."

"What do you take us for?" I asked. "We're not the smartest witches in our generation for nothing. Oh look, we can go down there." I pointed to a shadowy alleyway.

Coming to a stop, I placed my hand against the cold, stone wall and panted. Felt like I ran half a marathon. Good grief Charlie Brown, I think I'm getting out of shape. The others looked a bit beat as well.

"We've been packing for a while; remember we hinted it at you guys a few days ago."

"Tired Haylee?" Harry asked smiling.

"Shut up." I really wish I had a rock to throw at him.

"So wait, you both packed clothes for us?" Ron asked.

"And the invisibility cloak. I'm not stupid," I said. "Hermione got your stuff, Ron, and I got Harry's. I got most of our stuff I think."

"You are the most brilliant sister. Did you know that?" Harry asked pulling me into a hug.

"That's because I'm your only sister, you butt!" I laughed hugging him back.

Reaching one hand into my bag that was hanging off of my one shoulder I pulled out a pair of his jeans, a pair of my lose fitting sweatpants, a sweatshirt for me and one of Harry's old shirts. One that I completely forgot he had. Walking further down the alley, I changed my clothes from what I had on from the wedding into something more comfortable. Whoever invented baggy sweatpants better be a millionaire. Stuffing the old clothes back into the bag and grabbing the cloak as I did so, I went back to the others who were changed as well.

"Here, Harry put this on." I shoved it into his hands.

"What's this for?" He looked confused.

"We have no idea where we are, well except Hermione. So there could be Death Eaters around for all we know." I explained.

"Then what about you?" he asked. "We both can't fit under this anymore."

"No shit, fatty," I laughed slightly. "Animagus remember?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot." Harry rolled his eyes.

"I think somebody's jealous." I flicked the tip of his nose.

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not!"

"Are too! You're jealous that you can't have awesome animal-like abilities." I folded my arms across my chest.

"Will you two stop?" Hermione broke up our fight. "You're acting like a bunch of baby childish jerks."

"Ah," I gasped placing a hand over my heart. "Hermione, how can you say something like that?"

"Because it's true," she stated. "We need to move."

"I agree we need to find somewhere that's safe." Ron said.

What do you think happened to the others?" Harry asked throwing the invisibility cloak around his shoulders so that his head only showed. "The ones that were still at the wedding?"

"We can't worry about that now, Harry," Hermione looked at the crowded street ahead of us. "You two are the ones they're after. If we just go back, it will put everyone in danger."

"She's right, mate," Ron added. "Most of the Order members were there. They'd be taking care of everybody."

"Come on, we need to keep moving." I transformed into my Animagus form. I think for the first time in my life, I was glad that I was an Animagus. Harry pulled the rest of the cloak over his head and we entirely invisible. We moved swiftly through the crowd. Being careful not to be trampled by unknown feet in the process.

"Where should we go?" I heard Hermione ask as the two stopped at the intersection. Nudging my head into the side of Hermione's leg to get her attention. I looked straight at shabby looking café. "Brilliant."

The café looked a bit run down to say the least. Don't all 24-hour ones look like that anyway? Anyhow, Ron pushed open the door just long enough for Harry and me to sneak through. Both Ron and Hermione sat in one of the booths near the rear of the building. Almost everything seemed to have a thin layer of grease on the tops. Gross. And Hermione kept looking behind her shoulder almost as if there was someone to jump out and attack us, but at least there was no one here. Except those two guys sitting in the booth across from us.

"What do you suppose we do?" Harry whispered from underneath the fabric, making sure that he was not over heard.

"I say we find a quiet place to dissapparate and head for the countryside. Once we get there, we could send a message to the Order." Hermione answered also in a whisper.

"Can anyone do the talking Patronus thing?" Ron mumbled.

Kinda, not that great though

"I've been practicing on it, and I think it's OK." Hermione said.

"Let's get going then." Ron said.

To my left I could see the two men making identical movements, and my brother mirrored them. Dragon Boggies. Before I knew it the three of them drew their wands. Ron was the next to realize what was going on. He lunged for Hermione, pushing her to the ground to keep her safe. Harry, from under the cloak, shouted a curse at the larger, blond Death Eater causing him to fall unconscious.

How on Earth did they find us?

Bounding behind a fallen table I changed back and started firing spells all over the place and by the looks of things, the place was getting pretty messed up. Harry grabbed his wand from the floor and cautiously went over to the Death Eater that was lying on the floor. The other, over by some broken China.

"He was one of the Death Eaters that was there the night Dumbledore died." He said.

"He was?" I asked. "I didn't see him."

"He was there."

"That's Dolohov," Ron explained. "I saw him on some of the old wanted posters. I think the one over there is Thorfinn Rowle."

"Thankfully we go them, but how did they find us?" Harry wondered. Mind Reader. "Ron, lock the front door and turn out the lights."

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Just do it." He ordered. In the distance I could hear a man screaming at some random people. Could that be more Death Eaters? Where the hell were they coming from?

"What should we do with them?" Ron whispered signaling to the two sprawled on the floor. "Should we kill them? They'd kill us right."

"I think for the time being, we should wipe their memories." I stated.

"That's a good idea," Ron replied. "Who's good at memory charms?"

"I'll do it." Hermione groaned creeping towards them. "Obliviate."

"Nicely done." Harry clapped her on the back.

"There is still one problem," she announced. "Why were they here? Do- do you still think the Trace is on you do you?"

"That's ridiculous," I replied. "The trace breaks when we turn seventeen. How could it still be intact?"

"Well, the Ministry is corrupt isn't it?" she asked. "Maybe the Death Eaters found a way to keep the Trace on."

"Are they really smart enough to find a way to do that?" I asked aloud.

"Good point." Harry nodded.

"Can we just go to a safe place?" Ron asked. "It will give us time to think about some things."

"That's a good idea," I said. "What about Grimmuald Place?"

"What?" The three of them gaped. "Snape could get in there."

"There were jinxes put up for him remember." I said. "And besides, where else can we go?" They said nothing. "That's what I thought."

There was no time to argue because before anyone realized we were standing in front of a very familiar looking street. Grimmuald Place. Number twelve could be seen from where we were currently standing. Racing up the stone steps, Harry tapped his wand on the front door. Hearing a series of metallic clicks, and the fall of a chain the door opened.

Ron, Harry, Hermione, and I walked through the threshold of the house. The door creaked and everything had about an inch of dust on it as though no one had been there for months, years maybe. Cobwebs hung from the corners and pictures that were nailed to the wall. This place really needed some spring cleaning. The only thing, however, that looked out of place was the troll's leg umbrella stand. It was lying on its side. Hmmm?

"I think someone has been here recently." Hermione whispered.

"It could have happened when the Order left." Ron murmured.

"And when was that exactly?" I asked.

"Good point." He said.

"Now where are these supposed jinxes set up for Snape?" Harry asked aloud.

"Maybe they only get activated when he shows up." Ron suggested.

"Maybe." I agreed while we stuck together on the doormat. Afraid to venture off further into the house that who knows what could have resided in here.

"Severus Snape?"

Or not

The voice of Mad-Eye Moody echoed through the entire room.

"We're not Snape." Harry yelled out, before a large gust of wind drove into his stomach.

"What was that?" I asked.

"One of the jinxes for Snape I suppose." Hermione answered.

Harry staggered forward right after the hard blow and out of the corner of my eye I saw something begin to rise from the end of the hall. The figure emerged and began to limp towards us. It was tall, dusty looking, and awful to look at. I don't think I was ever this scared in my life. Now, I love scary shit and horror movies, but this was a new brand.

Hermione let out a blood-curtailing scream as well as Mrs. Black, her curtains flying from her portrait. The grey body, gliding now, was still set on coming towards us. It didn't have a chain saw did it? I really hope not. As it came closer, I could pick out more of the facial features. Although, it didn't remind me of the Moody I remembered. This Moody had long waist-length hair and empty eye sockets. At least there wasn't blood flowing down right? The horrid monster raised its arm at my brother before he yelled.

"No! It wasn't us. We didn't kill you!" And on the word kill, it exploded into a large pile of dust. Coughing, I looked at around after the dust had settled to the floor. Hermione was crouched down on the floor with her arms wrapped around herself, and Ron, who was shaking, was by her side making sure she was alright.

"Mudbloods, filth, stains of dishonor, taint of shame on the house of my fathers-"Mrs. Black was screaming from the picture frame.

"SHUT UP!" Harry shouted back at her, wand drawn. Casting a few red sparks. Black shut up. Thank the Lord.

"That was the scariest thing I have ever seen." Hermione whimpered.

"Yeah, it was." I shook my head.

"But that wasn't really him. It was just to scare Snape away." Harry added.

"Anything would be scared of that thing," I said. "I think we should go up now. I think the coast is clear by now."

Slowly we headed up the stairs to the drawling room on the first floor. Hermione pulled out her wand and ignited the ancient gas lamp that hung on the wall. A cool breeze floated through us. The window was open.

"I don't see anyone out there," Ron stated. "You would think that if you two still had the trace on you. The Death Eaters would have followed us here, so I guess that takes out that idea. What's wrong guys?"

I didn't really know how to explain. My scar never hurt. Harry's was the only one that did that. But mine, mine was on fire, and it really felt like there was actual fire running down my neck. Man, was this what it was like for Harry all the time? Thankfully, I didn't see anything that still belonged to Harry.

"Nothing, I didn't see- he's just angry. Really angry." He choked out.

"But that could have been form the Burrow," Ron said. "You always see something. Was he cursing someone?"

"No, Ron, he didn't see anything." I hissed. God, this really hurts.

"You need to learn to close your minds. Who knows what he could get from whatever you keep inside your heads," Hermione added. "Harry?"

"Bathroom." He bolted out of the room. I've never seen him move that fast before. Not even fifth year when we were running with Dudley.

"What do you suppose that was all about?" Ron asked taking a seat on the couch next to me and Hermione.

"I don't know he did look pale though." Hermione replied.

"I-"

Oh sweet baby Jesus

"Haylee!" I collapsed to the floor and began rolling around on the floor. Why was I in so much pain? Nothing was making sense. I let out a cry as the pain increased.

"Haylee, what's wrong?" Hermione knelt down by my side.

"It hurts," I moaned. "Make it stop, Hermione. Please."

"Ron, go check and see if Harry's alright," She instructed. Ron nodded in response and left the two of us alone. "What hurts?"

"Everything." I whined.

She looked around the room frantically in search of finding something that might be able to help, but I don't think there would be anything at thins point in time.

"Haylee, I don't see-, wait a minute," she picked up my hand. "How do you feel now?" Hermione asked whilst pulling off the ring on my finger, and just like that the pain stopped.

Sitting up and getting my bearings straight I looked at her. She at me. What the hell? Handing me back the fine, gold material I could see the fluxuating glow pulsing within. Something must have been happening on the other side.

"How is that possible?" I breathed.

"I guess when Draco put the spell on it; it was stronger than he thought, but see? It stopped." Hermione explained.

"That is so weird." I put it back on cautiously. No pain. "Do you think that was the Cruciotus Curse?"

"Seemed to be. What else could it have been?"

I shrugged. "Beats me."

Moments later, Ron and Harry reentered the room and we all sat huddled up together planning our next move. The only thing was; was where do we to go from here?

OK, so his plan wasn't working. Pretending to actually be faithful to the Dark Lord was not working the way Draco wanted it to be going. After the last couple of hours, Voldemort was not pleased. The Burrow had been attacked and there was no sign of Harry or Haylee Potter. Thankfully. So, Voldemort decided to take it out on pretty much every Death Eater there was.

Falling into his bed, a small groan escaping his mouth, Draco settled in and tried to let the tiny amount of pain still in his system to simmer away, but it didn't seem like it was going to.

Fuck

There was a faint knock on the door. "Great, wonder who that could be. Come in." His mother and father both entered.

"What?" Draco asked.

"Are you feeling any better, sweetie?" Narcissa asked.

"Fine." He lied.

"Don't lie to your mother like that, Draco," Lucius sneered. "You're lucky you got away with almost nothing down there. If-"

"If what?" Draco glared. "You were there. You know he didn't go easy on me. He went on easy on you because you aren't man enough to take his worst." When was he so gutsy?

"Why you little-"He went to pull out his wand.

"You don't have a wand remember," Draco smirked. "You lost it. You're obviously not worthy in Voldemort's eye to carry one. Now leave. I'm tired and want to go to sleep."

Lucius was about to jump when Narcissa grabbed him by his upper arm. Whispering something inaudible into her husband's ear, Lucius glared at his son once more before leaving them alone.

"Thank God," Draco said. "I thought he'd never leave." Gliding across the room, she sat on the side of Draco's bed.

"Why are you acting like this, Draco?" she asked. "It's not you."

"I'm just playing the part. Pretending like I actually agree with this shit. It was working out for a little bit, but not so much anymore." Draco sighed.

"Well, I think I know what will cheer you up." She smiled.

"I don't think anything can cheer me up at this point." He mumbled.

"I think this might," Narcissa went on. "All of the senior Death Eaters are going to Albania. You are to stay here, so invited over a few friends."

"You didn't?" He asked.

"I did," she said. "And the best part is that no one will now."

"How did you manage to contact them?" Draco wondered. "Owls aren't allowed, and Floo is being monitored.

"Draco you do not give me enough credit sometimes," she stood up and laughed. "And Brayden is bringing Ethan."

"Really?"

"Uh huh, now go to bed. You must be exhausted," Narcissa turned out the light. "Good night.

OK, so we got some Draco in this chapter. Woo Hoo!

Mike927- I'll trade with you! If you want. It sucks not being able to do so much, but I guess I'll survive. Maybe ;)

Extraho Lacrima- Hope you liked this one since you were looking forward to it!

BadassAlec- It's good to know that people still read this after my long absence. And I am so jealous that you can understand big words. I don't have a very good vernacular. *haha*

xXMizz Alec VolturiXx- Thanks! :)