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Chapter 11

Viktor Krum had escaped.

Draco had been too focused on Hermione to realize that Krum had somehow left the manor without a trace. He was furious with himself for being that careless.

Draco gently pulled Hermione to her feet. She looked scared, but she had stopped crying at least. She used her palms and fingers to wipe the tears from her face. In the struggle her hair had started to frizz a bit, and she looked quite uncomfortable in her dress. Or maybe she was just uncomfortable around him. He had after all revealed that he was in love with her. He wasn't sure which it was, but he transfigured the throw on the sofa into a light button up sweatshirt for her.

"Um…here." He said as he held it out to her. "I thought this might make you more comfortable."

She took it from him and slid it on over her dress. "Thank you." She said softly, although she did not look at him. It was obvious she was trying to avoid his gaze.

"I know it's probably the last thing you want to talk about." Draco asked apprehensively, "But I need you to tell me what happened before I got here."

"Can't I check on Harry first?" she asked and tried to move the direction of the foyer.

Draco grabbed her wrist to stop her. "No." He commanded sternly. "Krum has escaped and you are the only one who might know where he went. I need you to tell me what happened tonight with as much detail as you can remember."

She finally turned around and looked at him. "You want to know what happened?!"

He nodded.

"What happened was my boyfriend who I was planning on breaking up with tried to kidnap me. He had me bound and silenced while he was getting all the bags he already had packed ready to portkey out. If you hadn't gotten here and separated us when you did, the portkey would have taken me with him!"

Draco's stomach lurched; the next time he saw Krum he was going to channel his inner Aunt Bella to make him pay for what he had planned to do. "So that's how he escaped? He had the portkey on his person?"

She nodded while looking at her feet. "Yes, he was trying to keep you talking and away from us long enough for the portkey to activate. It must have activated after he got knocked out and took his unconscious form to wherever it was he was planning on taking me… Oh god…if you hadn't separated us!"

"I'm going to kill that fucking bastard." Draco spat as he punched his palm and huffed. "Did he say where he was taking you? Or why at least?"

Hermione looked like she was going to be sick at the thought. "He didn't say where, I don't think he wanted me to know or be able to give anyone any hints…..but he…he said…" she had to cover her mouth with her hand and turn away from him.

At this point Draco couldn't help himself, he wanted to comfort her so badly. He didn't care how unprofessional he was being. He came up behind her rubbed her shoulder blade with one hand.

She startled at the contact and pulled away.

He closed his eyes and sighed before trying again. She stayed in place this time and let him rub her back. "Hermione…what did he say?"

She turned to look at him. The sadness was gone from her face and replaced by anger. "He said I belonged to him….he said that he was going to take me somewhere where I would never be able to escape him…he said that I was his reward. I was his payment for helping them…"

He stepped closer to her and placed both hands on her shoulders, her anger was mimicked on his face as he looked her in the eyes. "I will kill him if I ever see him again. I don't care if I end up in Azkaban, I will kill him for treating you like that…like a possession. You belong to no man, whether you choose to be with him or not."

She nodded before looking away again. "How did you figure out it was him?"

He ran his hands down her arms slowly before letting her go and crossing his arms over his chest. "I remembered you said that he wanted you to take the position with the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office. It's right next door to the Death Records and Applications office. I also realized he disappeared for a long time this evening and you couldn't find him. I just put all the clues together after that."

She turned away from him again and clutched her hands to her temples. "How could I be so stupid!"

He gripped one of her shoulders again from behind. "Hey, you are the smartest witch I have ever met. I even got you a necklace to prove it." His voice was dripping with humor. He wanted to make her smile again after what had just almost happened to her. "Don't blame yourself; his goal was to trick you. He wanted you to fall for his charm and as much as I hate the guy, it was obvious he was crazy about you."

"I wasn't crazy about him though." She stated as she tilted her head to look at him again. "I was going to break up with him on Monday."

Draco tried not to smile at her revelation but he was elated at her admission. The corners of his lips ended up turning slightly upwards before he leaned forward to kiss her temple.

"Draco I know now isn't the time…but we should talk about…about what you said earlier. " Hermione said quietly.

He sighed and turned away from her. "Yeah I know" he said as he rubbed one temple. "I was going to tell you on my own eventually…when you were single and I had time to make you change your mind about me... but Krum had to fuck everything up of course."

She grabbed one of his elbows and turned him to face her again. "Maybe…" she said shyly, "Maybe you could take me to lunch one day this week? You can tell me everything then."

Draco's uncomfortable facial expression turned into a grin. "You want me to take you to lunch?"

Hermione nodded.

"I would really like that." He replied as they smiled softly at one another.

Arthur called from across the room for Draco to join the other Aurors. "We should join the group I guess." He said as he held his hand out to her. He was not planning on leaving her side for the rest of the night. Not until she was tucked safely in bed.

She nodded and stepped close to him on her tip toes. "Draco?"

He loved it when she said his first name. He had no idea how he was composing himself enough to not kiss her right then, but he did. "Yes?" he asked grin still plastered on his face.

She softly kissed his cheek. "Thank you for saving me from tonight."

He gripped her hand tightly in his, "Looks like even you need someone to save you every once in a while after all."

"Don't get used to it."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

An hour later, Arthur, Draco, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and a fresh out of St. Mungo's Harry were sitting in a conference room in the Auror Department. Everyone had finally changed out of their dressy attire into more comfortable clothing and Hermione had told them everything she knew about Viktor Krum. Everything from his family life, to Quidditch life, to personal interests. Even the smallest detail could come in handy later.

"I'm going to kill him." Was Harry's response after he was told of Krum's plans to kidnap Hermione.

"Get in line Potter." Draco responded. "We need to get this in all the papers. People need to know to be on the lookout for him and that he is not some hero quidditch star. They need to know what a creepy bastard he truly is."

"I've already released a photo and statement to The Daily Prophet." Arthur responded. "It will go out first thing in the morning."

At that moment Lucius Malfoy strolled into the room dressed in his usual black robes with his cane.

"Father?" Draco asked surprised. "I thought you weren't going to be back until Monday."

"Yes, your mother and I returned early. Arthur here sent my parole officer to fetch us after the Death Records office was broken into, he seems to think I can shed some light on the situation."

"We were going to call you in Tuesday to see if you knew anything about a dagger that belonged to Aunt Bella. Apparently Rodolphus and Rabastan have collected the cauldron that was used to resurrect Voldemort and that emerald encrusted dagger Aunt Bella used to carry around."

Lucius's eyes went as wide as he had ever seen them. "So the rumors were true." He whispered

"What rumors?" Harry asked curiously.

Lucius was stunned and silent.

"What rumors!" Draco asked louder.

Lucius sighed and collected himself. "The dark lord talked about wanting all of his followers to have their own horcruxes. Though he never specifically used the word horcrux and it was only ever talked about around his must trusted followers. He wanted to be able to bring us back if we were killed by an order member. Rumor had it that he was testing it with Bellatrix."

Everyone in the room was stunned to silence as well. They were all too shocked and horrified to say anything.

"I would bet that she succeeded in creating one and the dagger is the likely object." Lucius continued. "I would also bet that they are trying to resurrect her. You see this is a different kind of horcrux, one he modified so it would be easier to bring us back. This kind can be used directly to bring her back. He called it the Reficio Horcrux. He could use the horcrux itself with the person's remains to bring them back."

"That means that Viktor most likely broke into the Death Records Office to find out where the ministry had her body buried." Hermione said softly.

"That is the most plausible scenario." Arthur chimed in. "They would need her bones for the spells and potions to work. I will gather a team and send them out to guard the location. Maybe we can capture Krum, The Lestranges, or anyone else who tries to steal her remains." He walked out of the room to assemble a team.

"So if I am to believe the rumor I heard upon my arrival," Lucius asked after Arthur left. "Mr. Krum attempted to kidnap Miss Granger and keep her locked away somewhere?"

Hermione nodded and Ginny grasped her hand to comfort her.

"If I may suggest," Lucius continued. "I think that Miss Granger should move into Malfoy Manor with us until Mr. Krum has been captured. I think it is obvious he will attempt to kidnap her again."

"Father I don't think she will feel very comfortable staying with us." Draco announced. He knew what his father was trying to do. Lucius was obviously trying to help him, but he did not want Hermione to be more uncomfortable than she already was.

"Nonsense Draco, Malfoy Manor has some of the strongest wards in world. It would be an honor to host her until she is out of danger."

"Is The Burrow not warded enough?" Ron asked.

"My dear boy," Lucius said mockingly, "We gained access to your humble abode quite easily at your brother's wedding last year. I dare say that if Krum is determined he could get in and out with her before you even realized he was there at all."

"The renovations at Grimmauld place will be done in a few weeks, she could stay there once they have been completed." Harry chimed in.

Lucius chuckled, "You do realize that several Death Eaters have been there as well right? After one of them side along apparated with you last year, most of us were able to gain access. She will be no safer there than at The Burrow." Harry leaned back in his chair in defeat. "If Miss Granger wishes to be safe she will come and stay with us at The Manor. I personally made sure that no Death Eaters could have access to it after our betrayal last year. It has been warded against anyone and everyone unless they have been personally apparated there in the last six months."

"Mr. Malfoy, I thank you for your generous offer. Are you absolutely sure I would not be a nuisance?" Hermione finally responded.

"You would be no such thing, we would be happy to have you." Lucius said as he leaned on his cane a bit. "Were there any more questions or concerns that I may be of assistance with before I head home to ready Miss Granger's quarters for her stay?"

"Actually yes" Harry chimed in, "Are there any estates you can think of that Crabbe Sr. might be hiding? He is a known contact of the Lestranges."

"I believe he has a small unplottable flat in Wales. It won't be listed as an actual flat number and I am not entirely sure which complex it is in, but it should be close to a dairy farm if I remember correctly."

"Thank you Mister Malfoy. If there is anything else you can think of please let Draco or I know." Harry said as he shook his hand.

"Well I must be off," Lucius said as he started to the door. "Draco please escort Miss Granger to her current residence to collect her belongings before bringing her to The Manor. I will have Mindy set up the second largest bedroom in the west wing." He said with a wink.

"The room next to…" Draco started to say but was cut off.

"Yes you know the one." His father interrupted. "See you at breakfast in the morning." He nodded at everyone before storming out of the room as if on a mission.

Hermione walked up to Draco slowly before whispering for only him to hear. "The room next to where?"

"The room next to mine." Draco cringed. "I can change it tomorrow if you're uncomfortable being that close to me."

"No," Hermione responded shyly, "It's fine. I actually feel safer with someone…with you close by."

"Well only if you're sure." He said while trying not to smile. He felt that hope begin to bubble up in his chest again. He wanted to pull her to him and kiss her until neither of them could breathe, but he settled for grabbing her hand and giving it a comforting squeeze.

She nodded in response, grinning a little at his facial expression. She could feel butterflies in her stomach as she looked into his grey eyes. She knew she wasn't suppose to be feeling so strongly for someone only hours after the worst break up in history; If you could call it a breakup that is. She hadn't really broken up with Viktor, but she assumed he knew that it was over. There was no way he could think she was still his girlfriend after his attempted kidnapping.

She was looking forward to getting to know Draco for who he really was, and to discover his true feelings for her. She knew she heard him say that he loved her, but in what way and why? She was glad she had the whole weekend at Malfoy Manor to spend some time with him and hopefully have all her questions answered. She was suddenly pulled out of her thoughts as the door crashed open and Arthur Weasley appeared clearly having ran there.

"Her body…It's already gone!" Arthur said out of breath. "Bellatrix's body has already been taken!"

Everyone's calm faces turned to panic. The thought of one of the most morbid and psychotic Death Eaters being revived and on the loose again was a nightmare.

"Any signs of who it was?" Draco asked going into Auror mode.

"Rodolphus' magical signature was all over her grave site. Krum must have gotten the information to him before he came back for Hermione." Arthur stated before turning to Harry, "Harry, I need to know everything that Wormtail did to bring Voldemort back the night of the Triwizard Championship."

Harry shuddered at the memories of that night but retold the story in detail.

xxxxx

"Then he cut my arm as he said that he needed Blood of the Enemy, forcibly taken."

"Blood of the Enemy?" Arthur asked looking fearful.

"Yes, that's why they needed my blood." Harry answered. "I was the one who destroyed him in the first place so I was his enemy."

"That means…" Arthur said horrified. "Molly!"

He jumped up and tried to run to the door only to be stopped by his daughter. "Dad…don't you dare run off without us!" Ginny yelled. "We are all coming with you!"

"Arthur we don't even know if they need her." Draco chimed in, "My father said that this is a different kind of horcrux and he didn't mention anything about blood."

"Of course Ginny," Arthur replied. "and I know you have a point Draco… I appreciate the thought, but I don't want to risk it. There is no time to waste, so if you are coming to help me save my wife I am leaving now."

They all jogged up to the nearest apparition point and landed in the kitchen of The Burrow.

Mrs. Weasley was sipping coffee, looking very tired but perfectly safe. Arthur wrapped his arms around her tightly and kissed the top of her head.

"Are you alright Arthur?" She asked worriedly.

"I'm perfect now." He said relieved before filling her in on the news of Bellatrix and her horcrux.

"So you think I am in danger?" She asked her husband.

"It's only a possibility." He replied.

"I'll kill that bitch a second time. Don't you worry." Molly promised with a sinister twinkle in her eye. Most of the group felt a little better after that.

"Harry, Draco I need to speak with you both in private." Arthur spoke up.

The three men secluded themselves in a corner before Arthur spoke again. "Harry, I want you to stay with Molly and act as her bodyguard until all of this is over. Even if they can bring Bellatrix back without the blood of her enemy, she will still want revenge. Molly isn't safe until they are all behind bars."

Harry nodded in response.

"I am splitting you two up, Draco…. I need you to do the same thing for Hermione. Krum could come back for her at anytime and I understand arrangements have been made for her to stay at Malfoy Manor. Because of the way you feel about her, I think you are the best man for the job."

"You know I won't let anything happen to her." Draco said.

"On Monday I will have the ministry issue you both emergency portkeys." Arthur stated professionally. "Just in case a large group of them shows up and you need a quick escape."

Draco took a step closer to his boss. "I think you all should stay at Malfoy Manor. The wards are safer and you could have the entire east wing to yourselves. It has been empty for years so it's not like you'd be in the way. There are plenty of bedrooms to accommodate all of you."

"Thank you for the offer, but this is our home." Arthur replied, although he was clearly touched by the offer.

"I sincerely hope you reconsider." Draco said almost coldly, "I have surprisingly become fond of all of you over the past nine months and would be devastated if anything happened to any of you. Trust me when I say my Aunt will hurt any and all of you to get to Molly. If you want your family to be safe, you will stay at the manor."

"I understand your concern, but I want my family to feel safe in their own home." Arthur said. "I am going to place more charms and wards on the house to make sure no one can get in….I am going to make this just as safe as your manor."

Draco nodded his head in understanding. "I'll just go make sure Granger has all of her stuff gathered then."

"Keep her safe Draco." Arthur replied with a pat on his shoulder. "I trust you with her, but she is like a daughter to me."

"You know I would die before I let him take her."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Twenty minutes later Hermione was packed with everything she would need for a few weeks. After she had hugged everyone good night, she grabbed Draco's outstretched hand so he could side along apparate her to Malfoy Manor. With a pop, they landed in the front entry. She yawned widely and hugged her arms around her chest.

"I'm sorry you couldn't stay there with them." Draco spoke up as they walked; Her bag thrown over his shoulder. "Arthur wanted you near your bodyguard…and you had already agreed to stay here."

"It's fine really." She waved it off. "Ron snores very loudly and I would prefer to sleep as far away from him as possible."

Draco chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Gods that was one of the worst things about sharing a tent with him while we were horcrux hunting last year. There was no escaping it." She groaned. "Why do you think I stayed with Harry over Christmas."

"You shared a tent with him?" Draco asked trying and failing to not look jealous.

It was Hermione's turn to chuckle. "Yes…It was all three of us and it was the most uncomfortable living situation in history."

He breathed a sigh of relief that she had not enjoyed the experience. He knew that she was completely over The Weasel, but they had dated for a little bit after the Final Battle. The thought of them sharing a tent together while they were obviously harboring feelings for each other made him a bit jealous. They stayed quiet with different thoughts about the other going through their heads before they reached the west wing of the manor.

"Well this is it." Draco said as he opened the door to her room.

Hermione stepped inside. The room was gorgeous in different shades of creams and seafoams. A comfy upholstered bed on one wall and three large bookshelves on the opposite. There were large doors that led out onto a balcony. "This is gorgeous."

"It's all yours." He said as he leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed. "It's almost four in the morning, I'll let you get some sleep."

She took her bag from him and set it on the dresser. "This has been one of the longest nights of my life…and as you know that is saying something."

"Like the Time Turner night?" He asked as he snorted.

She nodded with a smile. "I literally added time to that night, and I still feel like this one was longer."

He stood up strait and returned her smile. "My rooms right next door if you need anything."

"Thank you."

He turned to go back to his room when he heard her voice say his first name again. He shivered slightly loving the way it sounded before turning back to her "yes?" He asked as he turned to face her again.

She walked toward him slowly and nervously before stopping inches away from him. "Thank you."

He smirked. "You said that already."

She smacked his chest but grinned. "I wanted to say thank you for trying to keep the Weasley's safe…they are the closest thing I have to family."

"Believe it or not… but I do care about them too. Arthur gave me a chance to redeem myself and offering them a safe place was the least I could do to repay him for everything he has done for me."

Her heart started to swell at his words; He really truly was a good person after all. There was no mistaking it after everything that happened tonight. After hearing his words she knew that was it, she had made her decision. If he truly felt strongly for her in a romantic way, she was going to reciprocate those feelings. He had truly earned it with his actions since the war ended. Not only that, but she had started to feel more for him in the past few weeks than she had felt for Viktor in years.

Mustering up as much of her Gryffindor courage as she could, she took another step towards him and stood on her tip toes. Placing one hand on his bicep, she gave him a soft lingering kiss on the lips. He froze. Not quite believing that she really had just kissed him willingly. Her other arm snaked its way around his neck as the first kiss turned into a second. He immediately grabbed her behind the neck and deepened it, pulling her body flush against his. If she thought she felt sparks from the kiss earlier in the evening, it was nothing compared to when they were both active participants.

He, on the other hand, couldn't believe his luck. She had initiated this kiss…this kiss that was the most spectacular kiss he had ever felt before. Her lips felt perfect against his and he couldn't stop himself from pulling her tighter against him. He could not figure out what he had done to deserve this, the thing he had wanted more than anything over the past few years.

He suddenly felt guilty and pulled away from her. Taking a step backwards and breathing heavily he noticed a disappointed look in her eyes.

"Granger you don't have to do this…you don't owe me anything." He said sternly.

She took another step toward him and touched his chest with her fingertips. "Draco…I kissed you because I wanted to…not because I felt I owed it to you."

He huffed in annoyance. "Don't you get it!...I don't want you to reciprocate my feelings unless you truly mean it." He scolded. "I can handle you rejecting me Hermione… but what I can't handle is you trying to feel something for me, giving me hope, and changing your mind later."

She stepped back and crossed her arms. "How am I supposed to know if I can return your feelings if you won't even let me try?" She said annoyed. "I happen to know for a fact that I feel more for you than I ever felt for Viktor, even on our best day!"

He looked shocked at her response.

"In fact I still have no idea how you really feel…or why." She expressed calmly.

"Granger…Hermione, it's late. We are both exhausted and a bit cranky…why don't you get some sleep and tomorrow, after we are both in a better mind set, we can have this conversation. I promise that I will tell you everything."

She bit her lip but nodded in response.

He stepped toward her and gripped the back of her neck gently, forcing her to look up at him. "That balcony is actually part of the one off my room…why don't you go out there when you wake up tomorrow and we can have a nice private breakfast together."

"Alright." She said as she chewed on her lip a little.

He kissed her forehead gently before starting to his room again. "Goodnight…please get some sleep."

When he got to his room he threw off his clothes except for his boxers and fell into the bed. He didn't have the energy to seek out pajamas and it was a warm night anyway. This had been one of the craziest nights of his life. He had not felt that angry, that frustrated, or that scared since the war ended; but yet he had also received something he thought he would never have. A kiss from Hermione Granger. She had willingly kissed him, even after everything he had done. He didn't know how he could be so elated, yet so nervous at the same time. She had the power to absolutely devastate him if she decided to be with him only to leave him later. He didn't know if he could take that kind of heartbreak, which is why he had guarded himself so much. He fell asleep that night knowing he had to try or he would regret it for the rest of his life. Knowing that she was worth the risk if he ended up with her in the end.