Out of the Shadows

Most of Draco's crankiness had vanished by morning, though he still looked tired as he dressed for the day. At least it was shades of grey, and not pitch black. Harry was learning Draco's clothes reflected his mood. He was also learning that "black" came in all different shades. Pitch black was bad news. Pitch black meant walk on eggshells. Grey was fine though. Harry was on his side watching Draco. Just seeing him, just knowing he was there made Harry happy. Even when Draco was displeased with him, like last night, he still loved him. Harry felt the same. It was liberating to not hide one's feelings all the time.

Draco sat on the bed, lacing his shoes. "What's going on in that brain of yours?"

Harry sat up and hugged his knees to his chest. "Nothing special. Are you working late tonight?"

"Hell no." In fact, he lay down on the bed, feet still on the floor, one hand reached for Harry and Harry leaned forward to take it.

"Then I won't either. I'll make something at work and bring it home. Then we can be lazy."

"Finally, something to look forward to." Draco got off the bed and kissed Harry sweetly. "Thank you. I needed that."

"Um, any day." Draco started to turn away, but Harry stopped him with a hand on his cheek. "Wait, one more thing." Then Harry was kissing Draco. The bed dipped down as Draco straddled Harry's legs, his hands on Harry's neck, his bare chest, his shoulders. One or both moaned and they continued the embrace until breathing was only absolutely necessary, breaking apart breathless. "There." Harry brushed his lip against Draco's ever so lightly. "Now you have something else to look forward to."

Draco's eyes were dark. His thumb caressed Harry's lips, his cheek. "That's certainly better than food." He got up reluctantly, fingers trailing Harry's skin until the last possible moment. Grinning, he shook his hair out of his face. "I'll see you later then."

"Bye. Have a good day."

"I will." Draco glanced at him once more. "I'll just keep this image with me." Then he spun around and he was gone.

Harry didn't have to be at Seven Thirty One at any particular time. He got up not long after Draco left, had some coffee and flicked through the channels on the telly. Nothing caught his eye and he turned it off. Later, right after he dressed in his chef's jacket, the bell to their flat rang. Harry thought that was odd. Only residents and hotel staff had access to their lift, and he hadn't ordered room service. He was buttoning his jacket as he came into the living room. "Coming!" He opened the door only to find an empty hallway. "Strange." Harry stepped out and looked around. "Hello?" There was no answer. Shrugging he went back in the flat and closed the door behind him. He decided to call it a fluke and finish readying for the day.

Five feet from the door the bell rang again, not once, but twice. Harry stood still, listening. The hair on his neck stood on end and he quietly moved toward the door, sliding his wand out of his jacket pocket. Without an announcement he flung the door open, wand pointing at nothing. No one was there. Harry's instincts were triggered though. He went back into the flat and closed the door.

Call it training, call it instinct, but Harry had a feeling something was off. For the next several minutes he added more wards on top of Draco's permanent wards, an added layer of protection that wouldn't interfere with the spells already in place, but would enhance them. As an after thought he also wove a protego charm around himself. Maybe Draco was right. Maybe a storm was coming. Or maybe Harry had an active imagination. He wasn't sure, and it was the only reason he didn't ring Draco right there. He stayed quiet for several minutes. No more bell ring, he didn't hear the lift moving, he didn't hear any sound at all except his own breathing. Doubt started to creep in. Maybe a kid was messing around. It wouldn't be hard to figure out a four number pin to the lift if you had enough time. Maybe it was just an old school ding dong ditch. He felt a little silly now. Glancing around, he left the flat for the restaurant.

Harry worked later than he meant to. When he was alone time went by faster. The evening crew wouldn't be in for another hour or so. They'd pick off where he had left off. It had been a productive day, at least. All the prep for the next couple nights were done and labelled in the fridge and freezer. That would help the staff (especially the new chef) if they got particularly busy. He also did payroll and basic ordering. How, Harry had no idea, but all the numbers balanced with his books. He grabbed a small roast chicken breast with rosemary, grilled and sauteed vegetables and prepared to leave when a soft sound caught his attention. Setting the food down on the counter, he went through the double doors into the main dining room. The lights were off; the light behind him casting strange shadows that moved and flickered.

There was the sound again, a gentle tinkling that Harry recognized. It was the sound the wine glasses made when they moved together, a clear bright sound. Frowning, Harry followed the sound until he came to a single table in the middle of the dark dining room. Four glasses had been preset on the table and they were rocking slightly, as if the table had been jostled. The sensation of being watched slammed down on Harry suddenly and forcefully. Walking backward he slowly made his way back toward the kitchen, eyes scanning the dark room for any movement. When he reached the double doors he stretched a hand inside and flicked on all the lights. The restaurant brightened, the shadows fled, and Harry had a better view now. No one was there. In the background he heard the heater to the building turn off and felt silly. It was probably just the heater hitting the glasses just right. Harry shook his head, feeling better and dismissing his feelings as paranoia. He turned off the lights and went to gather the food when his mobile rang.

Harry smile to himself as he saw Draco's number on the display. "Hey. I was just on my way home." Home. He still loved the sound of that.

"I'm glad I caught you at work, actually."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Do you have any fruits for dessert? Whipped cream maybe?"

"A sweet tooth? You never eat dessert."

"Humor me."

Harry could image the shrug that accompanied the request. "Sure. I'll be home in a few then."

"Me too. Don't forget the whipped cream."

And then he hung up. Harry frowned at the phone curiously, but did as Draco asked, adding a variety of fruits, honey and whipped cream to his to-go bag.

The real reason for the whipped cream became evident to Harry not long after dinner. Draco left a trail of clothing articles from the kitchen to their bedroom, undressing Harry and undressing himself with a devious smirk that made Harry forget the dishes sitting undone in the sink. Harry didn't even know whipped cream had another purpose other than going on desserts. Apparently dessert had different connotations as well. Draco was in a good mood, all the clothes were finished, he could start on a new line and he felt like celebrating. All of that was fine with Harry. It was hard to think of anything that beat Draco's undivided attention and ministrations. Harry was swept up in loving kisses, gentle bites and nibbles, roaming hands and Draco's presence all around him. It was Draco's big accomplishment, really Harry should have been spoiling him, but Draco dispelled that idea. He was having too much fun. So Harry let him until he was so close to coming that it hurt. Draco was hard too, Harry could feel him against his legs, his stomach, his own arousal. That was when Harry asserted his own control, sitting up and pushing a surprised Draco on his back.

Harry went down on Draco, using his mouth and hands. Draco gasped and threw his head to the side. Still, Harry wasn't done. He continued until he didn't think Draco could handle anymore and then he stopped, withdrawing slowly. Draco was trying to catch his breath, watching Harry with desire and a bit of curiosity. Why had he stopped? He could see the question in Draco's eyes and the longing to continue. So, Harry obliged, drawing himself up and inserting Draco inside him as he lowered himself down and down. Harry's breathing was rapidly increasing as well. Damn, it just felt so good, and then there was Draco looking at him, wanting him, him! It made pleasuring Draco that much better and Harry moved, loving the feeling of Draco in him, loving the total abandonment on Draco's face, just loving everything. This position took more work and soon Harry was sweating, but he didn't care. He could feel Draco nearing the edge and knew he wouldn't be far behind.

"Fuck, Harry." Draco grabbed the sheets, every inch of his body alive and moving under Harry.

Harry grinned, "That's the idea, isn't it?"

Draco grabbed both sides of Harry's waist and held him down, pressing firmly as he thrust from underneath. His back arched up, Harry's arched back and together they came. Harry's was ready for the flood of emotions that came with their climax. It rocked him as Draco continued to rock in him and then settled over him as Draco pulled him to lie on top of him. Harry was close to Draco's face, nestled between his neck and chin and he allowed Draco's feelings to fill him. Normally he only got emotions from Draco, but tonight he heard snippets of his thoughts. ...can...do...this...forever...Damn, Harry, but I love you.

"I love you too," Harry kissed Draco's chin.

A startled realization showed on Draco's face, transforming to a gentler, softer expression as Draco wrapped his arms around Harry. They were backward on the bed, heads at the foot, but it didn't seem to bother Draco, so it didn't bother Harry, though he did rearrange himself so that he was stretched out along Draco and not hunched over. They stayed that way, Harry caressing Draco's chest and Draco trailing his fingers along Harry's spine. Both knew they'd have to get up eventually. Not only was Harry sweating, he was sticky too from the whipped cream. That didn't seem to matter. Harry just allowed Draco's love and caring flow into him until the connection faded. Oddly, Harry thought the connection was stronger this time, not as closed as a before. Like the door was left just a tad bit more open. It was intoxicating to feel Draco's love. Harry, who spent the first decade alive abused and unloved, drank up Draco's love as if he had been in a drought. He'd never get enough though, needed Draco now like he needed air in his lungs. Wouldn't, maybe couldn't, live without him.

Draco made a strange choking sound. "Harry." Oh, but how Harry loved it when Draco said his name that way. Draco moved, hovering over Harry's form on the bed using his left arm for support. "Harry...Harry…" Cool hands touched his leg, his waist, his arms, and cool lips met his own. This kiss was a different kind a passion, not designed to raise ardor, but to exchange a message: Draco needed Harry too.

They lay together for a while longer before silently getting up for a shower. The sooner they were clean, the sooner they would get back into bed. After cleaning and readying for bed, lights were off and Harry was being held by Draco. Harry inhaled deeply, taking in the unique smell that was Draco mixed with their soap and shampoo. It wasn't very late, they'd retired early, and now Harry found himself with a second wind.

"Harry? What did you want to be when you grew up? You know, before you knew you were a wizard."

Apparently Draco had a second wind as well. "Hmm, let me think. It was such a long time ago." Draco stroked his arm as he waited. "I don't think I had anything concrete, just an idea: away from the Dursleys. I was good with animals. A vet maybe."

"I can see that. You have a calming temperament."

"Thank you?" Draco kissed his head so Harry figured it was supposed to be a compliment. "What about you?"

"Me? Don't be absurd. As a child I was raised to be a Malfoy. We didn't work."

Harry grinned. "Careful, Draco. Your snob is showing."

"Ha ha."

"Did you ever want brothers and sisters?" Harry asked curiously.

"Sometimes, but not for very good reasons.

"What do you mean?"

Draco sighed. "I had an awful lot of pressure on me. I thought maybe a sibling could take some of the burden."

Harry made a face. "You're right, that's not a very good reason."

He felt Draco shrug. "I was a child." He didn't sound at all repentant. Nothing more was said for a long while. Harry just listened to Draco's steady heart beat, his head rising and falling with each of Draco's breath. It started to lull him into sleep. Harry yawned and snuggled closer, squeezing Draco in a quick hug. Draco returned the gesture, gently holding Harry's head to chest. "Ready for sleep?"

"Yes, but I'm being stubborn and don't want to."

Harry felt Draco's deep chuckle rumble through his ear. "Why not?"

"Because I'm enjoying this." He yawned through the last word.

"Love, go to sleep. I'll be here in the morning." A promise.

Harry's eyes were already closed; sleep was pulling him under. "I love you too, Draco."

It didn't feel like a very long time later when Harry was roused by Draco getting out of bed. Half asleep, he grumpily wanted a reason for his desertion. "Where are you going?"

"Listen. A mobile is ringing."

Sure enough Harry could make out the familiar ringtone of his mobile. "I think that's mine. What time is it?"

"Midnight maybe. I'll be right back."

Harry flopped to his side and tried to keep his eyes open, waiting for Draco to return. A few minutes later he heard Draco's soft footsteps enter the room. "Who was it?"

"No one. The line was just blank. I turned it off, is that ok?" Draco was climbing into bed as he spoke, reaching for Harry in the darkness.

"Yeah. It was probably just a prank call."

And they fell back asleep.

Ding dong! Ding dong! Ding dong! Draco and Harry both sat up as the doorbell sounded off three quick times in succession. "What the hell?"

Harry remembered yesterday and the similar occurrence. "This happened yesterday, too. Think there's a short?"

Draco gave him a look that implied it unlikely. Harry felt the bed move and watched Draco's silhouette as it left the room. Harry waited, head tilted, listening. The door opened and then shut. Draco returned a few moments later, shaking his head. "There's no one there." He came back to bed, but remained sitting up, one leg bent at the knee.

Harry turned to his side, head propped up by folding his softer pillow in two. "What are you thinking?"

Draco was quiet, a tapping toe any indication of being unsettled. He took a deep breath. "I'm thinking these aren't coincidences."

"What? That they're all connected?"

"Yes...that Death Eater."

Harry sat up. "That was almost a month ago. Isn't it possible he just left?"

"No, he's still out there. And I bet he's been watching, learning, waiting…"

Watching? Harry suddenly remembered the time on the train when he had the uncomfortable sensation of being watched. And then again at the Gardens. Harry could have sworn someone was there, studying him, watching him. And more recently at the restaurant. "Draco...I didn't want to mention this, I honestly thought it was nothing, but I think someone's been following me lately."

A surge of pure terror and alarm shocked Harry through his connection from Draco, almost knocking the air out of him. Draco reached and found his arm in the dark. "What are you talking about?"

And so Harry told him. "But each time I figured it was nothing...an overactive imagination."

"Shit."

That pretty much summed up Harry's feelings as well. Before Harry could answer another mobile began to ring, this time Draco's. It was on a set of cheshire drawers lining the wall and it was loud in the night, flashing a dull yellow light. Harry looked at Draco, expectantly. Draco folded his arms over his chest. He wasn't in the mood to answer. Curiously, Harry got out of bed.

"Harry, don't."

Too late, Harry flipped the phone open. "Hello. Drake Black's phone."

A snicker came from the other end. "Drake Black. You mean Draco Malfoy, don't you? Harry Potter? Late to be keeping company, isn't it?"

Harry turned toward Draco, gesturing for him to come. "What of it?"

"It's unwise to sleep with serpents, Harry. They tend to bite!" The voice laughed and Harry questioned if there was much sanity left in a man who laughed like that. "Now, let me speak to Malfoy. We have unfinished business."

Harry extended the phone out to Draco, who took it uneasily. "He wants to talk to you."

With a deep breath Draco put the phone to his ear. "What do you want?" Harry tried to listen, but he only caught bits and pieces of the other side of the conversation. Draco only responded in single words, short, clipped and even in the dark Harry could make out the scowl on Draco's face.

Harry concentrated, tried to listen in. What he got was a surprise. He started hearing Draco again, but in his head, his heart, inside. Not Harry...give anything...not Harry...could leave...Not Harry...Draco snapped the phone shut and threw it on the ground. It didn't break and by the look of disappointment on Draco's face he had wanted it to. Draco glanced at Harry and quickly looked away, moving toward the bed. He sat down shakily. Can't...dammit, I can't...Must...Harry followed him, holding him down, one hand on each shoulder. "No, Draco." Harry's voice was firm, commanding and Draco stared up at him, face warily blank. "I can hear you, here." He pointed to his chest. "You can't leave again."

Draco's face turned defiant and he brushed one of Harry's hands off his shoulder. "What do you know about it?" Make...mad...shit, stupid b...o….n...d.

Harry felt their connection narrow. A bond, Draco called it. What kind of bond? Harry shook his head slightly and put his hand back on Draco's shoulder. "I still know what you're doing. Listen to me Draco, I understand you, I do. But you leaving isn't the answer this time."

For a moment Harry thought Draco was going to argue. His eyes were narrowed, his lips in a thin line. He was glowering at Harry from behind his blond hair. Harry refused to move, he refused to react at all. It was what Draco wanted, needed in order to leave or to throw Harry out, and he refused to play along. Finally after several moments of silence Draco's expression shifted from anger to fear and worry. He rest his head on Harry's stomach. "Harry, you...you didn't hear him. You don't know."

"It doesn't matter. Look," he tilted Draco's head up and kissed him gently. "He either doesn't know where we are or he can't get through the wards. He wants us to panic so we make stupid mistakes. It's a tactic."

"I'm a liability Harry, a risk."

"No. We're stronger together, Draco." Harry caressed his face. "Where I go, you go? Remember?"

Draco pulled him closer, holding him tight. "I remember." He whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Their connection (bond?) widened again and Harry was able to feel a new resolve in Draco. He wasn't going to leave; he was going to stay and protect Harry.

Harry continued to hold him in the darkness, rubbing his back. "I'll protect you too. Come on, come back to bed. I want your arms around me." Harry was already climbing back under the covers, a chill not altogether from the temperature settling around him.

Draco hesitated, sitting on the edge a few minutes more before getting up and retrieving his mobile from the floor. He held a button down until it powered off and then tossed it back on the drawers. Only then did he come back to bed, instantly reaching out for Harry. He was rattled, Harry could tell, even though he was doing his best to tamper down the anxiety. Instead of settling into Draco's arms, Harry pulled Draco to him, the cooler man's face against his neck, his arms resting on Harry's, and their legs intertwined. Harry held him, stroked his back and tried to push as much calmness and surety through their connection that he could. He didn't know how long they stayed like that until they began to doze again, but one of Harry's last conscious thoughts was to ask Draco what he meant about a bond.

The doorbell rang again, startling Harry and Draco for a fourth time in what was rapidly becoming one of the longest nights in Harry's life. Draco lifted his head and glanced down at Harry, wary. The sun wasn't quite up yet, but the blackest part of the night was over. Harry could see Draco's apprehension clearly etched on his face. Neither moved to answer the door, but they listened. The bell rang again, this time followed by several quick knocks.

"Drake! Harry! Wake up!"

Draco scrambled off Harry. "Brian?" He grabbed a robe and shrugged into as he ran into the living room, Harry following quickly behind as he struggled into his robe.

He got into the living room just as a frazzled looking Brian walked in. "I've been trying to get a hold of you! It's gone, Drake! All of it."

"What's gone?" Draco put a hand on Brian's shoulder, trying to calm him down.

"The warehouse. The clothes. Burned down!"

Draco spared Harry a glance before rushing down the hall. Harry gestured to Brian. "Hang on, wait here." And then he was hurrying back to their room. Draco was already half dressed, throwing a regular shirt over his head. "Hold on, Draco. You're not going without me."

"Harry…" He was pleading, asking for him to hurry.

"I know. Wait." Harry was dressing as he was talking, pants on, shirt on, pulling on boots as Draco looked around agitated.

"Where's my wand?"

Harry pointed down the hall. "Pants, floor." A remnant of their evening before.

Draco was gone in a flurry. Harry hurried to his new closet and pushed through all his clothes until he found what he was looking for hanging on a closet. He grabbed the garment, folded it tightly and put it under his arm before rushing into the main room. Brain was pacing, looking pale, ill, sweating and wringing his hands. Draco grabbed Brian's elbow, wand in hand. "Harry?"

"Yeah, go. I'll be right behind you." With a nod, Draco and Brian vanished. Harry grabbed a light jacket and his wand, apparating a view seconds behind.

The scene was calming down as Harry popped into view. He knew the area rather well by now and was able to watch the fire brigade roll up their hoses, men in yellow jackets yelling and communicating over the noise of truck engines. Blue flickering lights cast an odd glow over the wreckage as Harry finally saw what was left of the warehouse. Though made mostly of brick, the building was destroyed. Black scorch marks stained the brick, the windows were broken, glass blown out by the fire. The roof was gone, collapsed either by the fire or the weight of the water. Bricks were still falling, crumbling to the ground, rattling as they fell from window seals or from the taller parts of the walls. White wisps of smoke drifted up in certain corners. The fire was out, but it had done its job well.

Harry searched through the crowd (some early morning commuters were standing on a perimeter) until he spotted Draco talking to a firefighter. His head was down, arms crossed and Harry began to make his way over. Halfway through the crowd a firefighter stopped him in his path. Draco must have heard him, or sensed him, because he called out to let Harry pass. Harry came to stand next to Draco who was staring at the building. Brian was next to him, a hand covering his face.

"What did they say?" Harry asked quietly.

"They advised we stay out until it cools down."

"Are we listening?"

"No."

"I didn't think so. Brian, stay here. If anyone asks where we went, say to find a phone." Harry unfolded the cloak from under his arm, glancing around to make sure they were unseen. Draco was watching him with appreciation and ducked under the cloak with Harry. He had to bend down, but once they were sure they were covered, they snuck into the building. Draco's wand was out, flicking left and right, creating supporting spells so the whole thing didn't cave in on them. Once inside and unseen, Harry pulled off the cloak and tucked it back under his arm.

"Nice thinking, Harry." Draco was already looking around at the damage to the main part of the warehouse, shaking his head. "Damn."

"Can we fix some of it?"

He made a face. "Maybe some, but not much without raising suspicion."

Harry watched as Draco made his way to a corner of the warehouse, stepping over fallen bricks, carefully moving around obstacles. In the meantime, Harry starting looking around himself. Almost all the brick rubble was black from fire. Some bricks were intact, but others were crumbling. Brick was hard to destroy from fire. It would take an immense amount of heat to leave bricks disintegrating with a touch. Curious, Harry investigated closer. There was something familiar to this scene, something he'd seen before as an Auror. He made his way to a corner, stepping around the carnage of melted and deformed tables, piles of brick, a whole light unit had fallen from the ceiling. Near a corner Harry found what he was looking for; a blast mark that was made from a certain spell. Harry bit his lip and started searching for more. He found nearly ten spell marks before he called out to Draco. "This wasn't an accident." Draco made his way through the debris, following Harry's pointing. "This was deliberate, and it was magic." Draco looked around uneasily. "I don't think he's here," Harry offered. "This was a message, that he can get to us." Harry's eyes widened. "I have to get to restaurant."

He was about to disapparate when Draco stalled him, "Hold on. I'm coming too."

Harry apparated them directly into the dark dining room. Both had their wands out, back to back, spells at the ready. When no attack came, Harry lowered his wand. Draco cast lumos, a white light spread throughout the room from the tip of Draco's wand. "Hurry, Harry."

Harry nodded and began casting wards around his building. Some were easy; structure wards to help prevent damage, some were more complicated, like limiting who could apparate inside and out. Harry cast a variation of protego on the whole building, tying the spell around itself so that it would be nearly permanent. He also cast a twist on an avoidance spell; this was designed to keep wizards away, not muggles. It didn't take him long, but the effort left him tired and drained. He leaned against a table, wobbly.

"Are you alright?" Draco held his elbow, steadying him.

"Haven't done that much magic in a while," Harry responded with a weak voice. "Let me get some chocolate, I'll be alright." Gingerly he went into the kitchen, Draco following with the tip of his wand lighting the way. In a fridge was bars of chocolate from Spain they used for desserts and Harry grabbed one, unwrapping it and eating it as he leaned into Draco. "You ready to go back?"

Draco nodded and cast the spell that returned them to the warehouse. They were a ways from the remaining commotion. No one seemed to be looking for them and together they came to stand by Brian, who was still looking toward the building anxiously. "It won't be a total loss," Draco said.

Brian jumped nearly out his skin. "Jesus, Joseph and Mary. Don't do that!"

Harry looked around. The sun was just starting to come up in the east, tiny tendrils of pink and yellow peaking over the buildings. "Let's go back home. You too, Brian. There's nothing we can do here for now. Not with so many people."

With a sigh, Draco found a firefighter, gave him his mobile number and then began walking home with Harry and Brian. Once they were sure they were out of sight they apparated directly into the flat, Draco side apparating Brian along. All three men moved toward the kitchen table. Draco and Brian sat, both with their heads in their hands. Harry didn't know what to say to them. To work so hard and for so long and then have it all destroyed...Harry could feel some of Draco's sadness and anger and despair and imagined Brian had similar feelings. Harry made coffee and as it brewed, put a hand on Draco's shoulder. "We'll rebuild it, Draco. And, we'll save what we can." Harry saw one side of Draco's lips turn up in a quick, grateful smile before returning to his frown. "But for now, we have bigger problems. This Death Eater has sent us a message: He knows who we are in both worlds."

Brian looked confused. "A death eater? Who eats death? What are you talking about?"

Draco sat up, brushing hair out of his eyes. "He's a Dark wizard, Brian. A wizard unfortunately determined to end my life."

"What? Why?"

"Long story." Draco said with a low voice, nearly a growl.

Harry poured some coffee. "We need to tell the Ministry, Draco. The Aurors can help."

"No!" He hit the table with a fist. "The Aurors are part of the problem, Harry."

Harry bit his lip and handed Draco and Brian their mugs. "What about Ron then? And Neville. You can trust them."

Draco sipped his coffee, wincing as he burned his tongue. Brian just held his cup, keeping quiet. You could see it in his face that he was out of his league.

"They need to know anyway," Harry continued. "If this Death Eater has been following me, he knows I'm close to Ron and Hermione. Hell, even Brian isn't safe."

That seemed to sway Draco. "Fine. Ron and Neville then. I don't like it though, Harry. I don't want them involved."

Harry bent down so he was eye level with Draco. "We don't always get what we want, but we can get what we need. And we need help." Draco nodded, just once. "Where's my mobile?" Harry asked gently, remembering Draco was the last to have it.

"On the coffee table."

Harry retrieved it, and powered it on, ignoring the voicemail notifications. They were either from Brian or from the Death Eater and he didn't want to hear either. He dialed Hermione's number and waited as it rang several times. He thought maybe it would go to voicemail, but finally Hermione's voice came through.

"Hi Harry! You're up early. Can we make this quick? I'm on my way to work."

That would be good, Harry thought. The Ministry was one of the most well guarded places. She'd be safe there. "Actually, I was hoping to talk to Ron."

"Sure. Talk to you later, then." There was a pause as the phone was transferred. "Hey, Harry. What's happening?"

Harry knew he was just greeting him, but the words were coincidentally perfect. "A lot, actually. Can we meet you at your place?"

"Yeah...what's going on Harry?" There was genuine concern now.

"I'll tell you when we get there. And, can you get in touch with Neville. Have him meet us as well if you can."

"Alright, Harry. See you in a few."