Authors note: Here it is, late as usual. I try to be on time, and speedy with my chapters. I know where I want it to end, how I want it to start. But the middle makes me go dskgjerhgekjhf, but eventually I get there!
The odd group made their way out of the castle, and finally out of the boundaries of Hogwarts with only a few angry remarks from Ron.
There was a small portkey that Mrs. Weasley had an owl drop off. It was a blanket with a dragon stitched onto it.
"Is everybody ready?" Harry asked, assuming the position of leader.
"Are we sure the ferret should come along?"
"Would you just get over it Weasley. Look at the big fucking picture, okay?" Draco snapped.
"Let's just get this over with." Harry said, and at once they all took hold.
It was a painful few seconds, but they all managed to land gracefully just outside of the strange and wonderful house.
Hermione held onto Draco's hand tightly as they made their way in. But of course there was no reason to worry; Mrs. Weasley wrapped them both into her arms for a big hug.
"Now you listen young man, I don't care about the wrong you've done, all that matters is the good you're going to do."
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley." Draco's relief filled the room, and everyone was able to relax for a moment.
"Not a problem dear. Now who's hungry?"
Everyone could agree, even if they weren't hungry, they would eat Mrs. Weasley's cooking anytime.
Mr. Weasley came down the stairs, muttering about rubber ducks, they really were a baffling notion to him still. "Arthur dear, forget about the ducks. Show everyone where they'll be sleeping, and then we can all have a nice meal."
As the odd group made their way up the winding stairs, Arthur pointing, and someone would break off. Finally they got to the attic, and there was only Draco and Hermione left.
"Well, I guess this will have to do, you two don't mind sharing, do you?"
They both stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say.
"I know that dark times are ahead, and now is the time to be as close to your loved ones as you can be."
Hermione came forward to give Mr. Weasley a big hug, "thank you so much sir, you are absolutely magnificent."
"No young lady, you are." They pulled away and Hermione went back to Draco's side as he picked up their bags.
"Dinner will be in about an hour, alright?"
The pair nodded and Mr. Weasley made his way back down the stairs.
"This is, uh, alright." Draco said, taking in the odd surroundings. A couple of tattered chairs by the window, and broken dresser, and a sagging bed.
"Look Draco, I know it's not as nice as you're used to, but it's better than nothing."
Draco said nothing, instead pulling out his wand. He muttered a few things under his breath, and the room came to life. The chairs became plush, and the dresser became grand. But the bed, it became like something from a fairytale.
"There, much better." Draco said with a satisfied smirk.
"How did you do this?" Hermione asked, inspecting the ornate carvings on the dresser.
"Just a little something I picked up."
"So vague." Hermione muttered as she began folding their clothes.
Draco came behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle, "it was something my mum taught me. She loved making the most ordinary things into works of art," his voice was soft as he shared this little piece of himself.
They stood there in silence as she folded the rest of the clothing, his fingers tracing small patterns on her stomach.
"I really am so sorry Draco, I know how hard this must be."
"Thank you love." His lips met her neck with a sweet kiss before he sat down on the bed. "So are we really going down for dinner?"
"You've never had Mrs. Weasley's cooking, have you?"
"Do you even have to ask?"
"Well I can assure you, you don't want to miss out."
As the pair made their way down the stairs, they could hear the raised voices of Molly and Arthur.
"You did what!?"
"Calm down love, it's not going to be a problem."
"How on earth could you let them all pair off and share rooms?"
"Because there is a war coming, and these may be the last few nights they have."
"Arthur, please, don't speak like that, they're only children."
"They are children that are sadly going to have to grow up sooner than we'd like them to."
Hermione and Draco decided it was time to leave the staircase, past Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's room, and into the kitchen where everyone else was already seated and talking happily. Ginny patted the seat next to hers, and Hermione sat happily, which put Draco in-between her and Harry.
This left Draco and Harry sitting awkwardly in silence with Hermione chatting with Ginny, and Luna pre-occupied with Ron, letting him know the importance of preserving garden gnomes.
"Look Potter, I really do want to help." Draco said quietly, not wanting anyone to overhear.
"I know Malfoy, and I would be lying if I said I couldn't see how happy she is with you. Plus, having a man who was on the inside could make all of the difference."
"I'm doing my best. So, do you have a plan of action?"
"Yes, after the wedding—"
"The what? How could anyone have a wedding at a time like this?"
"Trust me, I know, but they may not have the chance to pretty soon."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"After the wedding, I plan on leaving. There is something I have to find, something that will win us the war. Now that she has you, you can keep her safe."
"Are you bloody well stupid Potter?"
"No Malfoy, I'm not." Harry did a good job keeping his temper down, because he was fairly certain of what Draco would say next.
"You really think she needs my protection? Or that she would even let you just wander off on your own?"
"I can't have my best friends dying because they're out with me."
"They won't Potter, not if all four of us stick together. I know what you're looking for, and I can help you find it, as can she."
"How can you possibly know?"
"He set himself up in my home; I know a lot more than you think."
Author Note: I hope you enjoyed! I was thinking about going back and giving all of the chapters titles and then doing that from now on…anyhoo, reviews make me happy!