Chapter Twenty-Five – He Escaped!

It was mid-May, two months later, Monday morning in the Great Hall. Hermione was reading the Daily Prophet. The top story of that day was:

Three Deatheaters Escape from Azkaban
Sources tell us that three Deatheaters escaped late Saturday afternoon from Azkaban. How they could have escaped is unknown. These three prisoners, Lucius Malfoy - guilty of torturing countless people and murdering his wife, Narcissa Malfoy, Desdemona Rhines - guilty of the murder of Millie Winchcombe, and Iago Fuller - guilty of the murder of Caleb Benett. All three are armed with wands and are highly dangerous. Anyone who spots any of these convicts is urged to owl the Ministry of Magic right away.

The article then had a still photo - a rarity in wizard photos - of each convict.

School had been going well. The homework pile was of a decent size - it was large, but not large enough to keep students up until 2:00. That Monday, most 6th years had very little homework. Because of this, many 6th years spent that evening relaxing and socializing. Draco and Hermione spent that evening in the Room of Requirement together. Hermione brought along cards so they could play War.

Throughout the evening, Hermione was very quiet.

"Hermione, is there something wrong?" asked Draco, concernedly.

"No. Why would you think that?" answered Hermione.

"I don't know. You're just really quiet today."

"I'm just thinking."

"About what?" asked Draco reaching for Hermione's hand underneath the table at which they were playing War.

"Nothin'. Just thinking about something I read earlier."

"What? Where did you read it?"

"It was a news article in the Daily Prophet."

"Oh really? I didn't read it this morning. What happened?"

"You probably already heard about it in one of your classes, but your father escaped from Azkaban."

"Oh," said Draco, sounding shocked.

"No one in any of your classes told you?"

"No, but I wasn't really listening in class much today."

"Didn't anyone tell you at lunch?"

"Heck no. Nobody even spoke to me at lunch!"

"Oh. I thought for sure someone had told you."

"Nope."

"I can't believe you're so nonchalant about this. I mean, this is a man who wants to kill you."

"Maybe. We don't actually know that he knows that I told the Ministry of Magic that he killed my mom."

"He doesn't know?"

"I dunno. He might not. Even if he does, I'll be safe here. If he isn't caught by the summer, I'll be safe at my aunt's house!"

"I guess so. I just still get the feeling that something's going to happen."

"Nothing will! I promise! I'll be perfectly fine!"

"I guess," said Hermione, disbelievingly.

"Look, I'll be fine. Don't worry."

"I can't help but worry. I love you."

"I know, and I love you too. But, please don't worry about me! Let's just enjoy this time together."

"Ok."

They kept playing War for the next fifteen minutes.

Hermione laid down her last card, which was a two. Draco laid down a card, which was a king.

"Ha. I win!" said Draco.

"Yup. I guess you did," said Hermione, getting up. She and Draco then sat down on the couch a few feet away. They sat in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying each other's company.

Draco yawned, then asked, "What time is it?"

"You're the one with a watch!" replied Hermione. "I don't know."

"I forgot my watch today."

"Good job, smart one. How are we supposed to know what time it is now?"

"I dunno."

At that minute, a clock appeared on the table where they had been playing War. Hermione, who was the first to notice it, said, "It's 9:30, according to the clock in this room."

"What clock? I've never noticed a clock in this room, before!"

"The clock on the table where we were playing War."

"There wasn't a clock on that table before."

"Well, there is now."

"I can see that. I guess we should get going. It's getting kinda late."

"Yeah."

They kissed, then headed to their dorms.