A/N: This chapter's dedication comes in two parts :D First to Gavin Mikhail, who's music got me writing again, and secondly to Enya, who's music actually inspired the last quarter of this story, and it's title...which might have given a little too much away...
"Good morning," smiled Hermione walking into the common room. Draco hurriedly stood up from the couch and smiled.
"I just talked to Dumbledore, and he said we could go to Hogsmeade," smiled Draco, walking to her side.
"We don't have to celebrate you know," said Hermione grabbing his hand.
"I want to," said Draco smiling at her touch.
"So," said Hermione. "What's this big secret weapon?"
Draco shrugged, "I don't know."
"Come on," said Hermione rolling her eyes. "Can't you tell me now?"
Draco shook his head, "Not till we're at the Three Broomsticks." Hermione sighed and walked quietly next to him. He started laughing.
"What?" asked Hermione nudging him. "What's so funny?"
"You're taking this too seriously," said Draco with a smile.
"I don't like surprises," whispered Hermione. Draco took a side glance at her with a frown.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing," said Hermione shaking her head. Draco wrapped his arm around her, "What's wrong?" Hermione shook her head.
"Hermione," laughed Draco. "I'm trying to help here. What's wrong?"
"Not until you tell me the secret," said Hermione wiping away a tear.
Draco laughed, "You're impossible to talk to."
Hermione smiled, "You're just as bad. Do you agree to it then?" Draco sighed, but nodded his head.
Draco took his arm off Hermione's shoulder and opened the door to the Three Broomsticks. He followed her to the back table and sat down across from her, making sure he could see the door. "So," said Draco, putting a hand through his hair absentmindedly.
"What's the big secret Draco?" whispered Hermione.
"What would you two like to drink?" asked Madam Rosmerta.
"Two butterbeers please," said Hermione with a smile. Madam Rosmerta smiled and left to fulfill the order.
Hermione turned back to Draco and cocked an eyebrow. Sighing, Draco took a book out of his robe. "What's this?" asked Hermione looking at the black book. "Is this a muggle book? Why would you have a muggle book?"
"Read the title," said Draco with a laugh.
"Send Me An Angel," said Hermione. She looked up at him quizzically. "I don't understand."
Draco shrugged, "I read the book and, it gave me an idea."
"You read a muggle book?" asked Hermione as Draco nodded his head. "You do understand that it was written by a muggle?" Draco nodded his head again.
"Here's your butterbeers sweeties," smiled Madam Rosmerta.
"Thank you," smiled Draco taking a large sip of it.
"So," said Hermione flipping the book in her hands. "This is the secret? A muggle book?"
"You sound disappointed," said Draco taking another sip.
"Somewhat, yes," said Hermione. "You need to explain it a bit more."
"I don't want to ruin the story for you. Read the book," edged Draco reaching for her hand.
"Why don't you just tell me?" asked Hermione angrily moving her hand away.
"Because," said Draco. "I won't word it as well as she does; the author, I mean."
"I know what you meant," said Hermione sliding her finger over the title without looking at her.
"Will you read it?" asked Draco earnestly.
"It's a thin book," stated Hermione. Draco nodded his head. "And I'm not telling you anything till I know what this secret really is." Draco nodded his head again.
"So I'll wait for you to finish," said Draco folding his arms. "Do you want to be alone?"
"What?" asked Hermione with a laugh. "Now?"
"Yes," nodded Draco. "You want to know the secret, so here it is."
"I don't mind if you sit here," shrugged Hermione opening up the book. "But no talking." Draco smiled and put a finger to his lips.
"Four hours and three butterbeers later," said Hermione closing the book.
"So," asked Draco picking up his head from the table. "What do you think? Could it work?"
"Well," sighed Hermione. "I'm guessing Robert is Lord Voldemort in the book?" Draco nodded his head, rubbing his hands together.
"It'll work right?" smiled Draco.
Hermione nodded her head, "Oh, it'll work alright." Draco smiled again.
"So," said Hermione giving him back the book. "I guess I have to tell you what that whole "hating secret" things was about."
"Not if you don't want to," said Draco pocketing the book.
"I promised," shrugged Hermione.
"And I promise you," said Draco holding her hand. "You never have to tell me anything, unless you want to. When you're ready, I'll listen."
"What's the catch?" asked Hermione.
"No catch," said Draco with a smile. "I'm just glad that I have you back." Hermione smiled and blushed. "Let's go." Draco dropped the money on the table and stood up.
"What are we going to do today?" asked Hermione as Draco opened the door for her.
"Whatever you want," said Draco smiling. "We could play a game of chess-"
"Too violent," laughed Hermione.
"We could walk the grounds," suggested Draco.
"Too cold," said Hermione sheepishly.
"We could sit in our common room with a fire going," said Draco with a laugh.
"That sounds good," said Hermione happily.
"Are you serious?" asked Draco. "I was kidding about the fireplace and everything."
"Why," said Hermione. "It gives us time to talk."
"Alright," sighed Draco. "I did say whatever you want."
"Good," said Hermione running up to the gate.
"And why are we running?" asked Draco catching up with her rather easily.
"Because it's cold and I want to have a fire," said Hermione with a laugh.
"Alright, but I think you forget," said Draco pointing to his face. "These scars aren't just on my face."
Hermione stopped running, "They still hurt?" Draco nodded his head, but didn't look at her.
"It's nothing," said Draco bypassing it with a wave of his hand.
"It's not nothing Draco," whispered Hermione running a hand down his face. He flinched at first. "You're right, I did forget."
"Good," said Draco holding her hand to his face. "I don't want you to see my scars Hermione. I think you're the only one that looks past them."
"I'm sure that's not true," said Hermione as Draco dropped her hand softly.
"The fire's waiting for us," he murmured softly. She nodded and kept walking in silence.
Hermione sat down on the couch as Draco started the fire. "So," said Draco as he sat down next to her. "What do you want to talk about?"
Hermione shrugged and rested her head on his chest. Draco rubbed her back and traced small circles with his finger. "Are you alright?" he asked softly as she sniffed.
"I miss them," she whispered. She could feel Draco nodded.
He kissed her on the head softly, "I'm sorry Hermione."
"It's not your fault," she sniffed, rubbing her watered eyes. "I think I should tell you what happened." Draco didn't reply, so she continued. "It was a month or so before school started up again. Some of my old friends wanted to go to the mall." Draco nodded. "My parents usually don't let me stay out late, but they told me I could stay out as late as I wanted.
"I came home around dinner time," she said with a laugh. "Which is pretty early, even for me. And-" she stopped. Draco hugged her closer, noticing that she was shivering.
"You don't have to tell me," reminded Draco.
"I want to," said Hermione. "I feel like I know more about you then you do of me." Draco nodded and she continued. "Luckily I walked home, because the Dark Mark was in the sky. There were already a few Auror members at my house. My parent's bodies were already taken away, and they wouldn't let me see them."
"I'm sorry Hermione," whispered Draco seriously. "That must've been difficult."
"Yes, it was," said Hermione looking up at him. "But I had Harry and Ron." Draco nodded and wiped a tear from her cheek. "That's why Harry and I were so close. He helped me get through it."
"That's understandable," said Draco stiffening. Hermione noticed and smiled. "Are we going to sit on this couch all day?"
"Yes, and don't sound so bored," whispered Hermione closing her eyes.
"You better not fall asleep on me," laughed Draco playing with her hair.
"Too late," she whispered, drifting off to sleep.
"How can you be tired," laughed Draco. "It's only a little after noon."
"Shhh," whispered Hermione sliding her finger up his chest. "I'm trying to sleep." Draco kissed her head and closed his eyes, falling asleep with Hermione in his arms.
"I have to what!" yelled Draco as Rookwood tried to silence him.
"The Dark Lord wants you to bring Hermione in," said Rookwood going towards the door to make sure know one was listening into their conversation.
"Why? I thought he said he didn't need her anymore," said Draco angrily sitting down on his bed.
"I don't know why Draco," said Rookwood through gritted teeth. "This whole thing is getting out of hand. You shouldn't even be working for him."
"You don't think I don't know that," said Draco burying his head.
"Listen, Draco," said Rookwood clearing his throat. "I don't want to do this, but it's my job." Draco nodded his head. "And it's your job too."
"Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater," said Draco as Rookwood sat down on the bed next to him.
"Yeah," nodded Rookwood. "Well, I better get going. They want me back as soon as possible."
"What got you in it," said Draco as Rookwood stood up to leave.
"You're father," laughed Rookwood. "We were old friends at school and we kept in touch after we had all left. The Dark Lord showed up at my doorstep with Lucius, said if I didn't help, they'd kill my family."
"You have a family?" asked Draco.
"Had a family," said Rookwood. "After I started working for the Dark Lord, my wife killed herself and our little boy."
"I'm sorry," said Draco sincerely.
"I still blame your father for it," said Rookwood pointing a finger at him.
"I wouldn't blame you," said Draco. "I'd blame him too."
"Promise me, that you won't turn your friends into the Dark Lord like your father did to me." Draco nodded his head. "And don't tell anyone I told you about this." Draco nodded again. "Well, I better get going then." Rookwood took the paper he had brought with him and turned it into a portkey again. "I'll be back later to give you the plan."
"Take care," said Draco putting on his cloak and leaving before Rookwood could even vanish.
"Good morning," said Hermione kissing him when he got to the last step.
"Morning," grumbled Draco, trying to smile.
"What's wrong Draco?" asked Hermione as they walked down to breakfast together.
"I need to talk to my father," said Draco climbing out of the common room.
"Why?" asked Hermione curiously. "He's in Azkaban, you can't just go in there to talk to him. The place is surrounded with dementors."
"I can't, but the Ministry can," stated Draco. "It's important Hermione."
"There are no Aurors here," said Hermione thinking quickly. "We can get to Hogsmeade and you can Apparate to the Ministry of Magic."
"But will the Ministry listen?" asked Draco seriously. "I'll have to give them something in return, I'm sure of it."
"Do we have anything we can give them?" asked Hermione as they walked past the Great Hall quickly.
"No," said Draco shaking his head. "Damn it, they haven't told me anything."
"You'll have to try something," said Hermione.
"Dumbledore will know I'm gone," said Draco scratching his head. "They'll all know I'm gone if you're here by yourself."
"Then I'll come with," said Hermione with a smile.
"No," said Draco shaking his head. "It's too dangerous."
"Too dangerous?" asked Hermione stopping at the gate. "I can't just sit back and wait."
"Please, Hermione," said Draco putting a hand on each shoulder. "I have to talk to my father. I'll be back before dinner."
"I'll wait in my room then," said Hermione sighing angrily. "You can sneak back into Hogwarts through Honeydukes. Go to the cellar and climb through the trapdoor, there's going to be a long passage. Once you start going up, you're in Hogwarts on the third floor. You'll come out of the statue of the one-eyed witch."
Draco nodded his head and kissed her for a moment. "Thanks," he whispered hugging her. "I'll be back soon."
"Be careful," she whispered in his ear.
"You're taking this too seriously," said Draco letting her go.
"Someone has to!" she yelled after him. He waved a hand back in farewell and ran to Hogsmeade as fast as he could.
It must've looked suspicious, a Hogwarts student showing up in the middle of the Ministry of Magic at ten in the morning. Everyone who had a job had already arrived and been at work for hours. So it wasn't strange that everyone in the lobby turned and stared at him when he arrived, still out of breathe and sweaty from his run.
Draco quickly walked to the elevator, fully aware of the whispering wizards around him; along with a wizard dressed in blue robes that Draco knew to be Eric, the security man. He was lucky to find a barren elevator, and he quickly stepped in, shutting it before anyone else could enter.
As the elevator ascended, a cool even female voice spoke loudly into the shaft. "Level two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, incorporating the Auror Headquarters, the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects Office, the Magical Law Enforcement Squad, the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, the Wizengamot Administration Services, and the Improper Use of Magic Office." Draco rolled his eyes, as if they had to say every single one, he knew this was his floor after he heard what department it was; besides, his father had practically lived on this floor months ago.
The elevator opened with a loud thud, and he slid out as soon as there was room. He tried to be quiet as he walked down the long hallway. First split, he turned left, second and third, he turned right. Every hallway seemed more vacant than the other, and more gloomier. I guess that was the point of having the Auror Department so far back, most people would have lost interest with this long hallway minutes ago.
When he thought he would finally turned back, the hallway ended. As he stepped towards it he saw that it was ajar. Try to listen to anything behind the door, Draco looked in. "Minister," said Shacklebolt from somewhere inside the room.
"What is it Shacklebolt?"
"Don't you think we should be watching Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy at Hogwarts?"
"I'm not sure that's necessary Kingsley," laughed Rufus.
"I agree with Kingsley," said Tonks. Of course she'd agree with him, they're working together thought Draco, rolling his eyes.
"There's five students staying at Hogwarts for the next two weeks, along with a full staff," said Scrimegeour. "Do you really think something could happen?"
Taking a deep breathe, Draco decided now was the best time to intervene. He knocked on the door, making it slide open a little further. With his heart pounding, he stepped into the now silent room. The room was nothing like he had imagined; it was full of desks, on which were stacks of papers touching the ceiling.
"Draco," said Scrimegeour standing up from the closest desk. "What are you doing here? How did you-"
"I need to see my father," said Draco without looking at any of them. He could tell that Scrimegeour was looking at him sideways, "I'm sorry Draco, we can't allow anyone into Azkaban."
"You can escort me," said Draco knowing that it was a lost hope.
"Why do you want to see your father?" asked Alasdair taking a sip of coffee. Draco shrugged, "It's personal."
"Nothing can be personal Draco," said Scrimegeour stepping towards him. "Now, why do you want to see your father?"
"Rookwood told me that my father made him a Death Eater," said Draco pocketing his hands. "I need to know why."
"I can tell you why," said Tinsley crossing his arms. "You-Know-Who had one follower, Lucius Malfoy. He needed more, so You-Know-Who asked Lucius to give him names. Rookwood was on that list."
"I don't want to hear what happened from a damn Auror who doesn't even know what the hell he's talking about. Minister," said Draco angrily. "I have a right to see my father, please."
"I'm sorry Draco," smiled Scrimegeour. "Kingsley, Tonks, escort our young Draco back to Hogwarts. And stay with him, I've changed my mind."
Kingsley and Tonks both nodded their heads and stepped towards Draco. "So this is how you treat those who help you?" asked Draco trying to release from Kingsley's grip.
"Help us?" asked Scrimegeour with a laugh. "I haven't heard any information from you in quite some time Draco."
"All you wanted was your precious files back," yelled Draco. "You and your damn Aurors can all go to Hell."
"We plan on taking as many Death Eaters with us as we can Draco," said Windsor with a smile.
"Relax Draco," whispered Tonks as she helped Kingsley carry him out of the room. Kingsley slammed the door as they walked out.
"Don't tell me to relax," said Draco angrily. "I have to talk to my father."
"We know," said Tonks with a smile. "And you will."
"I will?" asked Draco as Tonks and Kingsley both let him go.
"If you promise to be quite, we won't drag you," said Kingsley as he continued walking.
"What's going on?" asked Draco following them quietly.
"Hermione owled the Order an hour ago," said Tonks excitedly. "Good thing too." Draco sighed in relief, well aware that this wasn't the first time Hermione had saved him.
"Both of you, quiet," said Kingsley as he muttered a spell behind him. "Now we run. Once we're in the elevator, we'll apparate to Azkaban."
"Won't you two be fired?" asked Draco running. He noticed that you could know longer hear the pounding of feet.
"Nice spell Kingsley," smiled Tonks as Kingsley answered Draco, "We'll work that out later."
When they came in distance of the elevator, they stopped running. The second floor seemed to be vacant, apart from the three of them and thankfully, they were the only ones in the elevator. As soon as the shaft was moving, and the cool female voice spoke, the three of them had apparated. And for what felt like the umpteenth time, Draco felt the butterflies in his stomach. This time, it wasn't because his world was spinning, but because he thought it might never stop.
A/N: Once again, thank my sister for bugging the heck out of me [literally...and bribing me to write nightly. :D I hope you feel better soon. XOXOXO And I know a few of you wanted Lucius back into the story, and I promise he'll be back next chapter...if you couldn't tell after reading this chapter...Please review and criticize me!