Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, sad but true.

Thanks everyone who reviews the last chapter I hope you enjoy this one.

Chapter 25

Three weeks passed since Dumbledore's murder, Hermione heard from Draco only twice during that time receiving both messages in their first week of separation. The first came less than 12 hours after he'd left Hogwarts, a simple reassurance of his well-being. His second message put any plans for a meet on hold, as punishment for failing to kill the headmaster personally he was put on lock down and confined to Malfoy manor. They'd agreed to only contact each other in case of emergencies, vital order business and to confirm arrangements for meets and drop offs. It was too dangerous for frivolous chatting, but two weeks without contact made her worry, made her antsy, intensifying her isolation. Every day since coming home she'd kept to herself, using solitude to plan, read and make lists of items to gather before setting out for the burrow. Her parents worried, each morning at breakfast they tried to pry information out of their daughter, searching for the reason of her sadness. In the end she fobbed them off with some tale about an argument with her friends and test result worries, they weren't exactly lies but it wasn't the truth either. What else could she tell them? They wouldn't understand her being married at 17 or why she had to play an active role in a war against a dark wizard, they'd insist on leaving that world behind and she couldn't. Hermione believed in organization, for days now she'd books, potions, clothes, you name it and the chances are she had it packed away, not that you'd know judging from the tiny bag that held it all and the clever extension charm that made it possible. A round shaped burning sensation in her front jeans pocket was about to test how well she'd prepared.

Your families a target, one of several getting hit in the next few days. Get out of there now!

Grabbing her wand and small beaded bag Hermione ran for the stairs, taking them two at a time before entering the living room to find her parents sat side by side on the sofa. This day was always going to come, she'd been involved to many times with Harry not to be a target. Draco knew what she'd do to guarantee their safety she just hoped he'd given her enough time. Silently she expressed her love for them one last time, apologising in the same breath for taking away their choices, but there wasn't any alternative for muggle parents to an enemy of Voldemort. '' Obliviate.'' Pictures changed as memories faded, Hermione Malfoy nee Granger vanished from their lives she didn't exist in their world, they didn't exist in their own world. No longer did they have a daughter, want to live in England or be dentists, they were Wendell and Monica Wilkens. Under protection of a disillusionment charm Hermione watched, waited over the road from her childhood home for her parents to leave before she could make her own get away. It broke her heart watching them lump heavy suitcases laden with possessions worth millions in sentimental value that they didn't care about into their car ready to head to the airport, she'd chosen Australia for their new life. Seeing them leave alive was better than finding their corpses. As they drove away she pulled out her fake galleon, not wanting to leave Draco on edge concerning her safety for any longer.

Thank you, my parents are safe, gone. I'm going home for a week.

Draco strolled down one of the manor's many hallways, his mind chaotic, panicking internally as he made his way back to a spare room that'd become Severus's temporary potion lab. He'd been kept out of the thick of it so far by serving as his god father's potions assistant after Snape insisted from all the dark lords' followers he was the only one that met his high standards of brewing.

'' Oi Draco, Draco!'' Rodolphus hollered at him from the opposite end of the corridor, his footsteps quickened once he realised the blonde heard him calling.

Turning he found the dark ratty haired wizard towering above him carrying the taint of death, his eyes wielding the same evil that lurked behind his aunt's. '' Yes uncle?''

'' Drop the uncle bullshit we aren't playing happy families, where's your father hiding?''

'' Not a clue the last time I saw him was at breakfast, wouldn't surprise me if you found him in the library or his study though.'' Honestly he barely saw anyone from dusk till dawn let alone his father now he worked with Severus, which he didn't object to.

'' If you see him before I do tell him the muggle attacks have been moved, we kill the mudbloods tonight.'' Salivating at the prospect of spilling blood Rodolphus appeared hungry, a starving man looking at a feast.

Struggling to breathe Draco stood shell-shocked, a million and one questions collided together in his mind and he didn't know what to do about any of them. What if Hermione hadn't got his message? What if she'd changed her mind about the emergency plan to get her parents safe? What if's plagued him, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth and then he felt it, burning in his back pocket that allowed him to breathe again. Derailing off course Draco forced himself not to run the short distance to the nearest bathroom, desperate to find a place where the walls didn't have eyes and ears. He read her short message three times, letting the relief wash over him now he knew for at least one week that she's untouchable. He found Severus typically bent over a stewing cauldron when he re-entered the pop up potion lab, his god father's body language noticeably stiffened, uncomfortable with a constant presence. '' The muggle born attacks are happening tonight.''

'' I know.''

'' Obviously.''

'' What's that supposed to mean?''

'' I can see your heart beating on your sleeve, you felt lighter when you returned and you're making the mistake of displaying it. Keep your emotions in check, you can't afford to have anyone else noticing your swaying aura.'' Severus wasn't trying to reprimand him even if it came across that way, after years of mixing with these people he knew they took the slightest change in personally suspiciously.

Hermione couldn't clearly remember the last time she visited the burrow, it felt so long ago that strolling into the Weasley's yard made her feel like a stranger. It looked different not as wild, Molly had obviously made the Weasley clan clean up the garden in preparation. She'd spotted the men while walking to the house they were putting up a marquee with Fred and George sabotaging their efforts, blaming someone else every time. During any other visit she'd just have walked through the back door with a smile on her face, but she couldn't now things were different, she wasn't part of the tight-knit circle anymore and didn't want to be. Bracing herself for hostility Hermione took a few shallow breathes before reaching out and knocking on the back door.

'' Hermione dear what on earth are you doing standing out there, you should have come in you're always more than welcome here.'' Molly's arms constricted around her, forming a warm friendly hug before she'd had chance to fully shut the door. '' We haven't seen you in so long, it's early you must be hungry I'll make you some toast and a sweet tea that was always your favourite in a morning. How's your poor mother by the way, better I hope?'' Concerned eyes raked over her, checking for signs of over tiredness and under eating.

'' What do you mean by better? There's been nothing wrong with my mother Mrs Weasley.'' Confused by Molly's question Hermione stared at her as if she wasn't quite all there mentally, for a second wondering if stress might've sent her doolally.

'' I don't mean to be rude, but are you sure dear? Ron gave us the impression your mother's terribly unwell and expressed your apologies for not being able to visit during the holidays. '' Bustling around the kitchen Mrs Weasley did several tasks at once, including buttering Hermione's toast while interrogating her over her mother's health.

It rapidly dawned on her why Molly thought something's wrong, Ron, laughing hysterically Hermione couldn't believe he'd gone so far as to lie to his mother instead of confessing his stupidity. '' You've been lied to by Ron and his lies are exactly the reason I haven't been here, he turned the whole tower against me with them. I've had no friends, no one to talk to and insults thrown at me constantly, even Harry turned his back on me. We've had nothing to do with each other for a year, I'm sorry he embroiled you into our conflict.''

Stunned and speechless by the truth the curly red-headed witch didn't want to believe one of her son's capable of such deceit, she'd raised them to be good and honest. '' What could he possibly of lied about to invoke such a deep reaction from the Gryffindor's? The three of you've been friends for long that surely it can be fixed, I'm positive Ron only lied to me out of shame because he didn't want to admit he'd hurt you dear.''

Frustrated by Molly's relentless softness towards her son Hermione fought to keep herself from snapping. '' I've really not come to discuss this, but if you want the truth you can have it, your sons a pig. I spurned his sexual advances to put it nicely and because of that he switched the story around and made me sound like a whore, not a single person sided with me. I've endured cruel comments for a year, most coming from Ginny she really does have a nasty tongue on her, I've even had Ron get physical with me because I stand up to him. Ask Harry if you don't believe me, he found out the truth eventually, but honestly I don't care if you believe me or not.''

'' Why are you here then?'' Forcing the words out Molly seethed inside at the possibility of two of her children not turning out the way she'd intended.

'' To help me, she's agreed to help me.'' Standing on the bottom step Harry looked like a small child who'd just walked into a grown up conversation and thought he was about to get punished for it.

'' Let's not kid ourselves Harry we both know I'm not doing this for you.'' Behind him stood Ginny and Fleur both waiting to get past him as he shared a brutally honest moment with Hermione. '' Do you mind if I use the bathroom quickly to get changed in Mrs Weasley?''

'' Of course Hermione dear make yourself at home, you know where everything is so don't feel the need to ask permission.'' She shared an uncomfortable moment with Ginny as they glided by each other now Harry stepped aside, granting entry into the sweet-smelling kitchen.

Upstairs, out of sight Hermione tip toed towards Ron's room that he shared with Harry when he visited, hastily she shoved clothes first into the small beaded bag she clutched. Followed by personal belongings such as Harry's invisibility cloak and the marauders map, the pair didn't have useful books like she did unless you counted the greatest quidditch goals of all time as useful. Sneaking back the bathroom without anyone noticing she applied a light touch of make-up to her creamy complexion, half pinning her curls up and magically ironed out a simple red dress she brought to wear to the wedding.

Voldemort stayed at the manor, he'd been there for days leaving Draco tense, but he'd not requested to speak with him since being put on house arrest until today. Outside his families dining room he waited for a summons, trying to soothe his mind, locking away all the secrets that could get him killed if the dark lord probed further than the surface. Wormtail opened the double doors, gesturing him in wordlessly with his silver hand. Voldemort sat at the head of the table with Bellatrix and Severus taking up the seats closest to him, only his parents, aunt and uncle and god-father were present, no one counted Wormtail he's so low on the totem pole he became insignificant. '' Ah Draco we meet again and under better circumstances than the last time, you've been busy doing penance for your failings by assisting Severus.''

'' My potion talents are at your disposal my lord, if I'm serving you by helping Severus then I'm glad.'' Flattery, obedience and the appearance of blind loyalty, Draco hoped those three things would get him out of this meeting alive.

'' I've heard some of my death eaters say they can barely taste the difference between your potions and Severus's. '' Voldemort visually toyed with him, dangling a mouse for nagini, the symbolisation being obvious.

'' That's high praise and a compliment for sure, I did however have a brilliant teacher in that particular subject.'' Wisely he paid homage to Snape's teaching, unassuming most of the praise he'd been given. Imagining an inflated ego wouldn't sit well with the dark lord.

'' Severus is to leave my side in September and take over the running of Hogwarts, finally it shall be run the way Salazar intended however reforming such an institution takes up a great deal of time. I've decided you shall return to school with your god-father and take over his potion making duties for me, he assures me his private lab will double the weekly amount of potions and wouldn't want to fail me again would you Draco?'' Voldemort clapped as nagini fed up with teasing snatched the mouse from his fingertips, swallowing it whole.

'' I won't fail you again my lord you have my word.'' Draco meant it, unable to believe he might be able to scrape through the war by potion making.

'' I would hope for your sake that you don't, you've seen how tasty nagini finds white mice I'm sure she has a taste for blondes, leave us now.'' The dark wizard averted his gaze back to Bellatrix, lapping up her sexual loyalty as she paraded her faithfulness to him in front of her own husband. Bowing quietly Draco backed out of the room, returning swiftly to the blood replenishing potions he'd left simmering.

Evening descended upon the burrow, Hermione couldn't deny the ceremony had been beautiful, it left her retreating to memories of her own smaller wedding. Under cover of darkness in the garden she took a few minutes to gather thoughts, lovingly resting her hand over her tummy. '' I've been meaning to thank you all day for your heads up on the muggle born attacks.'' Remus Lupin waded out of the night, mixing perfectly with night's atmosphere, belonging there.

'' There's no reason to thank me, the whole point of my role in the order is to warn you about such things, it's Draco that needs thanking.'' She meant it, he's the one who really risked everything informing her, telling Remus posed no threat to her safety. '' I think it's unwise for me to keep using my patronus though, you'll need this from now on. '' Hermione handed him one of her fake galleons, sending her otter was dangerous when she didn't know in who's company he'd be when the message arrived. '' Press your thumb against it so only you can read it.''

'' That's extraordinary magic Hermione.'' Flipping it between his fingers he examined the fake coin, surprised by its authenticity.

'' You shouldn't be so shocked Remus, didn't you know I'm rather bright.'' Jovially Hermione teased him, seizing the opportunity to laugh while Kinsley's lynx travelled towards them ready to spoil it all.

A ball of light parted the guests transforming into a lynx, everyone gathered around to hear the message, some anticipating what's to come and apparating away before hearing anything. '' The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming.'' Panic set in, guests left behind coats, hats, shoes, determining their life more important than trivial possessions. Death eaters wasted to time causing maximum destruction, flames licked at the marquee's walls. Hermione ran to Harry who searched frantically for Ron, there eyes met, running the entire length of the tent the three gathered in the middle. The lightest of touches pulled them away, travelling to a part of London that Hermione hadn't been to in years but sprang to the forefront her mind when they needed a safe place to go, Shaftesbury Avenue.

Authors note: This was sort of an in between chapter because a whole different journey kicks off in the next yet things had to happen before we could get there. And personally I felt it was about time a few more people learnt what a scum bag Ron is.

Oh and a small spoiler for the next chapter: Draco's life really isn't going to be that easy.

I hope you enjoyed it, please as always let me know what you think. Like it? Love it? Hate it?

Kisses xox