Disclaimer: We meet again and once more I'll repeat myself, I don't own any part of this but you know that.
This one is for my ever faithful reviewer LadiePhoenix077.
Chapter 11
Every evening for the following week Hermione had Draco in the room of requirement, it quickly became their home from home. Changing constantly to what they needed but never feeling different. Candle light always flicked across soft mauve coloured walls, a patchy worn brown leather sofa stretched across the centre of the room with its sturdy oak companion coffee table laid in front. Untouched bookcases lined the far wall, but were parted briefly by a dusty gramophone. A new piece of furniture took up residence in their sanctuary that week, a large table now stood out the way in a corner. Littered with notes, open books with multiple pages marked and what looked like normal gold galleons. They'd stolen a march on secrecy.
'' Why's your money laid out all over the place Hermione?'' Looking up from something he was reading Draco nodded towards their operation table as it'd been nicknamed.
Stifling a giggle while she picked one up Hermione waved it towards him, turning it between finger tips. '' Don't you know what these are?''
'' I kind of want to say its money, but I'm guessing that's the wrong answer.'' Closing the copy of magical cures for everyday accidents Draco set it down on the floor, giving her his full attention instead.
'' It is, I invented these last year for the DA. There how we set up meetings, but these are a little different, I've enchanted them so they'll cover vast distances and I used the same seal charm on them as our notebooks. That way even if anyone else picked up your coin they couldn't read it, it'd stay a galleon. We can use them when we need to set up meetings or pass on emergency information, they get warm when there's a new message.'' The galleons were genius, she knew it and wasn't even trying to hide how pleased with herself she was, unafraid to take pride in her work.
'' Wow. You're incredible, I shouldn't be surprised really that you created something so clever. They're really good knock offs too, I bet you'd probably fool one or two goblins with these.'' Draco twiddled a coin between his fingers, obviously impressed with the workmanship gone into them. '' I've been thinking though, we should never meet up in the same place twice, it might even be best if we don't see each other at every meet in case one of us gets followed.''
All Hermione could do was shake her head in agreement whilst trying not to look hurt. '' But how we will pass information to each other if we don't see each other?''
'' By using another one of your brilliant ideas of course. We create a third notebook, moved by one of us and left for the other to find.'' Sensing her hurt Draco moved to stand behind her, snaking his arms around her waist. '' Little witch don't be sad, I'm not suggesting it because I won't want to see you, glimpses of you'll be the only thing keeping me sane, but if they get suspicious of me I don't want to get you killed because I got followed.''
Turning in his arms Hermione sank into the warmth of his toned chest. '' I'm sorry, I'm being stupid. Your idea makes sense, it cuts the risk for both of us, but selfishly part of me would rather risk my life to see you. Maybe I'm not cut out for this Draco.'' Tears trickled down her cheeks, silently she cried in the crook of his shoulder.
'' You think I'm not willing to risk my life to see you? Even if I only saw you across a crowded room it'd be worth it, I won't endanger you any more than I already have though. I might not be cut out for this either, being a spy's a learning curve they don't teach it at Hogwarts, when've you ever not excelled at something you put your mind to though? '' It dawned on him that fear of failure must be a new feeling for her. '' That's it, we're taking the rest of the night off. We've been working all week on plans, it's Monday tomorrow and it's been far too long since I've kissed you. Don't argue with me woman, you can forget all of this for the rest of the day or I'll very soon make you.''
'' But Dra…' The protest she was about to make got hushed, he smothered her lips with demanding mastery. Hermione willingly endured the punishing ecstasy that boiled between them.
It wasn't until second period the next day that Hermione heard from Draco, which for them was strange. Usually in the morning she woke to a sweet little message to start the day or a lustful description of what he wanted to do with her, depending on which side of the bed he'd got out of.
You don't have plans this Saturday do you? – DM
Where've you been all day? I haven't heard from you and you weren't in arithmancy, I got worried. – HG
I'm sorry I didn't think to let you know, but it happened so fast I didn't have time to. – DM
What happened so fast? – HG
Just tell me you're free on Saturday? – DM
Well, I'd planned to go into Hogsmeade to buy a few bits and bobs but I'll put off. Why? – HG
Good because I have a surprise for you, meet me at the gargoyle on Saturday morning at 10am. – DM
What kind of surprise? – HG
The secret kind. – DM
Hermione was naturally confused that her surprise began in Dumbledore's office, nothing good started in there of late. For days she'd been asking for clues, resorting to girly tactics, asking for hints on what to wear so she could gauge what type of activity it'd be. Not that it helped. Draco's response never changed 'you look beautiful in anything' in other words he'd seen right through her plan. Lingering by the gargoyle she was happy with her outfit, low heeled suede knee-high boots over her favourite pair of blue jeans which went perfect with the grey jumper that clung to her shape like a second skin. That was until she saw Draco and felt slightly over dressed or maybe it was shock at how under dressed he was, gone was the tailored suit, replaced by converse and t-shirt.
'' Why are we back outside Dumbledore's office Draco?'' Hermione got distracted by the sight of him wearing a leather jacket, so much so she missed his answer altogether.
'' I'll tell you more when we get inside.'' As the gargoyle started turning Draco pulled the curious witch out of sight, along the climbing staircase to the headmaster's office.
'' That's it Draco Malfoy if you don' tell me right now what's going on I'm going back to my dorm and you can enjoy this mysterious surprise all by yourself.'' Pouting Hermione stood in the centre of Dumbledore's office, arms crossed forming a make-shift barrier between them.
'' You're here because this happens to be the only place in Hogwarts anyone can disapparate from and I'd prefer it if you kept that piece of information to yourself Miss Granger.'' Dumbledore waded in before Draco got a chance to smooth things over.
'' Sir I haven't passed my test neither's Draco, I don't understand.'' She searched the blondes face for an explanation.
Sighing first Draco gave her part of an answer, unwilling to say more in front of Dumbledore. '' I've been able to apparate and disapparate for two years now, father taught me after declaring that the ministry had no right to tell him what he could and couldn't teach his son. Today you'll be side along with me, don't ask where we're going that's no one's business but ours, just trust me Hermione.'' Holding out his hand he half wondered if she'd take it, but thankfully his doubt was proven wrong when she didn't hesitate to grasp his hand with hers.
In the library she'd read descriptions of apperation, once Harry told her it felt like been squeezed through a rubber tube, nothing however prepared her body for the sensation of being compressed yet stretched at the same time. Why can't wizards invent a relaxing way to travel? When they arrived Hermione became quickly aware that she'd landed flat on her bum on cold wet ground while Draco stood over her, without a single hair out-of-place.
'' This is the barely known village of Danby Wiske in north Yorkshire. Where we're going's a short walk away and I'm going to tell you a story on the way that will explain everything, is that okay with you?'' His hands dusted of wet leaves and twigs that stuck to her while he waited patiently for an answer.
'' Yes it's okay with me, but seriously Draco stop groping my arse because I know you must've got all the bits off by now.'' On tip toes she reached up to kiss his cold reddened cheek.
While flashing a mischievous grin he took her hand yet again, setting off in the direction of what looked like rolling country side to her. They walked away from stone white cottages wedged into a hillside behind them, as far as Hermione could see all that outstretched in front of her was a mixture of over grown woodland and uneven fields. Where the hell's he taking me?
'' My grandmothers name on my mother's side is Drusella Black nee Rosier, I hardly remember her. She passed away before I turned one and wasn't spoken about. The only thing I knew about her was she broke with tradition by naming my mother Narcissa, turns out my grandmother enjoyed breaking rules. On my birthday before the first year at Hogwarts a wizarding lawyer turned up at the manor, refusing point-blank to deal with my parents, they attempted to 'reason' with him but it was me he wanted. You see when Drusella died she'd a vault of her own at Gringotts, which isn't very common in pure-blood families. Usually when a witch marries she gains access to her husband's family vault and no longer uses her father's vault. Not my grandmother though, she'd set up her own and sold the few pieces of her mothers jewellery she had to fill it. This I know because last year I finally visited the vault and she'd left a note detailing where every galleon, sickle and knut came from. In a screwed move on her part she left a will, another uncommon thing for pure-blood witches to do. As a rule everything gets left to your husband if he out lives you or goes to the heir unless stated otherwise, my grandmother by passed her own husband and daughters to leave it all to me. No reason given, no note, just a letter instructing who it belonged to with a key attached to the bottom.'' Draco paused, his body matching his verbal action by standing still.
They were standing in-between parting trees on a mound of earth. The path a head of them becoming less dense, a small steeple could even be seen peeking out which pleased Draco. Hermione noticed the pace increase especially as it became more visible, she struggled to dodge impaling branches, but Draco wasn't fazed by any of it. He'd walked this path before judging by his confident stride. '' How's a vault been left to you connected to the village Danby Wiske?''
It wasn't until they were clear out of the woods that Draco chose to answer her.'' Do you see that church Hermione?''
''Yes.''
''Do you see anything at all next to the church?''
'' No I don't, should I?''
A scrap of folded paper passed between them. '' Read it and then tell me what you see.''
Hawthorn cottage, parson's field next to the parish church, village of Danby Wiske.
Looking up from the scrap of paper Hermione couldn't believe what her eyes showed her. Out of nowhere an ivy draped cottage appeared in the empty field alongside the local church. Impossible to miss now, colourful bursts from vibrant English red roses and fragrant purple lavender circled the place. '' There's a fidelius charm on the cottage isn't there?''
'' Should've known it wouldn't take you long to work out what kept my home hidden.'' Leisurely Draco walked towards it, opening the little wooden gate that stood between him and home. Calm serenity washed over him as lavender flowers brushed against the back of his hand in a floral embrace.
'' Is this how you spent your grandmothers money?'' Mentally sewing the pieces together while searching for the remaining puzzle.
'' Yes, I wanted something solely mine that held no connection to my family. That's why it's protected so they can't step foot in it.'' He didn't want to add that it doubled up as his last hope of staying hidden from he-who-shall-not-be-named, a proverbial port in a storm.
'' Are you the only secret keeper?''
'' Not any more, not now you know. Sadly it's only the third time I've ever been here, getting away from the manor to buy the place without anyone noticing was chaotic enough so I haven't found time to furnish it yet. But I wanted to show you, I thought maybe this could be our safe house if we need it, maybe our home one day.'' Dream filled eyes grazed over the property, both of them yearning for a chance at a future.
'' Are you going to show me into your home then knight or not?'' Excitement bubbled in the pit of Hermione's stomach so much so she bounced towards the door only to be stopped by Draco lifting her up as if she weighs no more than a feather, instantly her arms looped around his neck.
'' What are you playing at now?'' Laughter coated every word, every movement.
'' I'm carrying you across the threshold, for a smart witch you do ask silly questions.'' Playfully he felt her swat his arm.
'' That's only what married couples do when they have their first home, we're not married so you can put me down Mr.'' Truthfully she didn't want him to, it felt right.
'' We're not married yet and this is OUR home little witch not mine.'' The heavy cottage door slammed behind them, to the outside world they didn't exist, they'd slipped into a world entirely their own.
Authors note: People who read my story might be wondering about my sudden use of Minnie and Dray, I find Hermione and Draco are serious names almost formal and I wanted to soften them a little. I've gone back 3 chapters and blended them in so it's not so sudden to anyone new reading this. Update - Scrapped them after listening to a few reviewers.
Have a slight problem though, writing improves from regular writing and I can see a difference from this chapter to the first and there's even more of one from the first to the 20th. I'm considering looking for a beta for the first 8 chapters because there the only ones that really bother me, they're a little messy. I'd do it myself but I don't have time to between work and writing new chapters. What do you think, fix or leave? Opinions actually matter to me.
Anyway complaining over, what did you think to this chapter? That's the important question. There's something about this chapter I love but can't put my finger on it, I remember feeling really happy writing it. Danby Wiske is a very real place, not far from where I live. I've had the pleasure of visiting it and it made such an impact that I'm using it.
Like it? Love it? Hate it? Let me know pretty please with a cherry on top.
(If anyone's interested in taking a look at the first 8 chapters for me send me a message.)
Kisses xox