a.n. yo! im so sorry that its been a while! had first week back at school and booktubeathon and life was cray. But! this is the last filler chapter until Malfoy Manor which im starting as we speak. well... anyway, yes get pumped for malfoy manor bc im excited

Gimme Romance: Thanks for your review, man! Sorry this chapter took so long, i hope its alright! x

Dancing-Souls : What a coincidence bc i love you xxxoxoxo

sweetjenndagz : I'm super extra glad that your enjoying it and i hope you continue to! xx

crazycanoodles: Ahhh! thank you! i'm so happy you like it. Ty about the comment on my writing style, no one has really mention that and im glad you like it. :))) xx

kelly-Ann Little : hahaha im glad i got that right, it would be embarrassing if you were talking about somethign else. Yesss, Malfoy Manor comin right up!

Joleigh13: Thank you! Yeah it is pretty slow, but i didnt want to leave gaps. So hopefully this is the last filler and things will definetly pick up!

emm74 : Emma, you are my sunshine! AAhh your reviews are the best! I'm happy you like Blaise because i like him too, he is a star. Thank you for reviewing, xxxx

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED, I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS CHAPTER!

Erin xx

Curled up on their makeshift bed in the tent, Hermione scrunched her eyes closed. She just couldn't concentrate. It was almost a week after they had made their narrow escape from Godrics Hollow and she was trying to remember. This was infuriating because she wasn't sure what she was supposed to be remembering.

Hermione thought back to the start of her 6th year. She recalled most of the first part of that year. Arriving at school. Harry's potions textbook. Ron and Lavender. Harry and Ginny.

In between all of these events were just dark corners in her mind that she couldn't quite reach. Black blurs that in a rush sometimes came back to her in an overwhelming wave. They all included the boy- And if she wasn't going insane- They all included Draco Malfoy.

She wasn't sure how she felt about this.

Something was definitely missing. Bits and pieces of her memory. She was intrigued and determined to find out what was hidden in these missing parts of her life. It also scared the hell out of her.

'Hermione!' Harry who had been on watch and had been quiet for longer than usual, shouted from outside the tent. 'Come out here!'

She groaned, rolling off the bed and making her way to where Harry was calling from.

Pulling her arms around herself as she stepped out into the cool, frigid air, she said. 'This better not be another bad joke-.' She froze.

Harry was standing soaking wet, his hair plastered to his forehead. He was shaking. 'Ron was always better at those.' Ron? Harry hadn't mentioned Ron since he'd left.

A laugh she knew all too well leapt out of the darkness next to Harry. 'Sod off.'

Hermione squinted and then sucked in a harsh breath. Ron stood next to Harry, also sopping wet. In one hand glinted the sword of Godric Gryffindor and in the other dangled the locket. For the first time, it had actually been cracked open. Cracked might be too delicate of a word. It was forced open, the gold singed around the edges. If she strained to see more, she noticed there was a trail of smoke coming from it.

Her eyes drifted to Ron's face. He smiled at her, like this wasn't the first time she'd seen him in months at all. All the guilt, worry and heartbreak that she had felt after his departure bubbled up inside her at a rapid pace.

Hermione stumbled towards him and as she neared he opened up his arms, expecting an embrace. She almost scoffed and she swung her hand towards him, slapping him across the face. The blow left her hand with a satisfying sting. She watched as Ron's jaw fell slack and his brow contorted in confusion.

'What-.' He tried to begin but not before she cut him off, pounding her fists at his chest and screaming.

'I can't believe!' She spoke breathily and in between blows. Harry didn't move to stop her. 'You just-.'

Harry finally stepped forward, pushing them apart, standing as a physical barrier.

'Move!' Hermione hissed.

'No. Hermione, calm down. Just- Just listen.' Harry told her, blocking her attempts to push past him.

'Honestly, I don't want to listen.' She replied.

'He told me what happened. Let him explain. Just listen, okay?' Harry asked. Hermione shot a look at Ron who smiled at her hesitantly.

She crossed her arms, stepping back and scowling. 'Fine. Let's hear it.'

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Blaise and Draco sat in what Narcissa usually called the "parlour". It was basically a fancy lounge room. Most of the house was decorated with dark hard wood floors and furniture embellished with subtle hues of silver. They boys sat in front of a large window that spanned across the room and looked over the grounds of the manor.

Draco ran his finger along the glass, swiping patterns in the condensation. The window was fogging up from the heavy rain that fell outside. The dark grey clouds spread far out over the horizon. It was loud and beautiful. A constant rhythm. They listened to the beat of it on the roof and Draco wished for it to come to a cadence; but it didn't.

'God is in the rain.' Blaise sighed theatrically.

'My fist is going to be in your face if you don't stop talking nonsense.' Draco said and Blaise only stretched out further on the lounge, arching like a cat.

'Love your rage, not your cage.' Blaise said with a dramatic flick of his hand. Blaise watched Draco for a reaction but only received a roll of the eyes in return. 'Nothing?'

'I applaud your fascinating talent to speak bullshit.'

Blaise placed his hand over his heart in mock hurt. 'V for Vendetta is not "bullshit".'

'V for what?' Draco asked, still drawing shapes on the window.

'Vendetta.' Blaise told him exaparatedly. 'That film is a masterpiece.'

'A muggle film no doubt.' Draco noted. Blaise paused, expecting a snide remark.

'Yes...'

'Probably why I haven't seen it.' Draco replied of handedly. Blaise tilted his head in confusion. 'You hungry?'

'Sure…' They both rose to their feet and started towards the kitchens. They were passing the dungeons- Draco had always hated the dungeons- when he heard a whimper followed by a shaky voice. Blaise flicked his head towards the sound, having heard it as well.

'Is there actually someone in there?' Blaise asked, frowning.

'Not that I've ever known of.' Draco said. Another voice spoke. Blaise started towards the dungeons, feet shuffling down the steps until he reached the bars that blocked the entrance. Draco followed. Making his way down the stairs carefully. Blaise leaned forward trying to get a good look before he sucked his breath in and stumbled back, landing awkwardly on the step above him.

'What is it?' Draco asked, pulling the boy to his feet. Blaise shook his head, his expression full of rage. Draco leaned forward, looking into the dungeon and froze when he saw two shadowed figures on the ground. He squinted making out an older man- Mr Ollivander. Next to him was a younger girl with dirty blonde hair, the girl knelt by Ollivander, talking to him in a soothing voice. It was Lovegood. The ravenclaw girl from school. Draco let his hands drop from the bars. Why on earth would his father be holding people in their house? In their dungeons? What did they ever do?

Draco looked back towards Blaise who moved forward again. 'We need to get them out- or-or We need to help!' He gripped the bars. The two inside hadn't seen them yet.

Draco grabbed the back of Blaises shirt and –somehow- managed to drag him up the stairs. Blaise pushed Draco away from him, his hands in tight fists. 'Luna goes to our school! She is in our year! Our classes! And she's in your dungeons! And- Mr Ollivander, who gave me my first wand- gave you your first wand. Their trapped, we need to help or-.'

Draco felt his heart sink. Blaise was right. But they couldn't do anything. Not yet. 'My father will kill me and you and we release them-.' Blaise shook his head in disgust.

'Hey! I get it. Blaise I want to help, but we can't. Not at the moment.' Draco said.

'As If your father would kill you! You're his son!'

'That won't matter to him. It's not enough.' Draco said quietly. He placed his hand on Blaises shoulder. 'We will help them, just not right now.'

'Okay.' Blaise nodded.

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'So… The sword- It actually worked? On the horcux?' She asked. Ron had told her his story about leaving. It contained a story about a floating ball of light penetrating his heart that she tried not to be so amused at. He had apologised over and over. It didn't change the fact that she was still angry at him for leaving like he did.

'Yep. Just like you said it would.' Ron beamed. She could tell he was proud of himself. 'What next?'

Harry turned to her for an answer as well.

'I think.. After you two get out of those sodding clothes… That we should go and speak to Xenophilius Lovegood. Maybe he does know more about the Hallows and can tell us.'

He boy's nodded, not moving to contradict her. 'Well come on. Go get changed we should leave soon.'

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Draco knocked on the door to his father's office. He found himself biting his lip in apprehension. A voice from the inside called.

'Come in.'

He turned the knob and pushed the door open with his shoulder, stepping into the room. His father looked up at Draco momentarily before looking down dismissively. 'What do you need, boy?'

Draco tightened his fists and stuffed them in his pockets. He had promised Blaise he would talk to his father about the dungeons. 'I want to talk to you.'

Lucius sighed. 'Can't this wait until later? I have work to do and I don't need pointless interruptions.'

Pointless. The word swiped at his heart with a swift jab. Draco's nails bit into his palms. 'No.'

'No?' Lucius would have sounded amused if his tone and expression didn't seem so empty and lifeless.

'Are you going to pay attention to me when I talk or should I just turn around and speak to the wall? I assume it would have the same effect...' Draco said.

Draco watched as Lucius became very still, straightened his spine and looked Draco pointedly in the eye. Draco wished that he could just fold in on himself and crumple into nothing. His father's stare was intimidating and heavy. 'Speak then; and be quick about it.'

'Why are there people in the dungeons?' Draco spat out; not as elegantly as he had planned in his mind.

'Because, that's where we hold the prisoners, boy. Would you rather I let them wander through the manner, fix themselves a cup of tea?' Lucius had meant the remark to come of sarcastically but it sounded hollow.

He refrained from rolling his eyes. 'I want to know what they did and why they're here.'

'It is none of your business.'

'I live in this house too.' Draco felt the word "father" on his tongue. But he didn't use it. Lucius hadn't been a father for him for a long time now. Rather, he was an imposter. Someone who had taken his real father's place and instead was empty and heartless and had no love for his son.

Lucius placed his hands on the edge of the table, gripping it firmly. 'Mr. Ollivander is there for the Dark Lords purposes. And Miss Lovegood is here as… leverage.'

'Leverage for whom?'

'For whom, that is none of your business. Although I have no doubt you will find out soon enough.' Lucius said vaguely. Draco stood waiting for more information but Lucius merely flicked his hand. 'You may leave.'

Draco laughed bitterly and then bowed low. 'Thank you, for your time. It must be hard for you to actually sit and listen to your own son.'

Draco turned and didn't look back at his father as he strode from the office.

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.

Xenophilius Lovegood's hands shook has he stumbled across the room.

'I'll get some more tea.' He stuttered. Hermione nodded, looking down at the diagram he had drawn. The triangular eye. He had called it the Deathly Hallow. The wand. The cloak and the resurrection stone. If one was in possession of all three, they would become the Master of Death.

Harry rose to his feet beside her chair. 'Do you need any help, Mr Lovegood?'

'No, No. It's fine. Make yourself comfortable.' The man turned on the tap, rinsing the mugs clean. He was very jittery. Not like Hermione remembered seeing him at the wedding. Harry didn't sit down. Rather, he moved to the side of Hermione's seat, perching on the arm and shooting her a strange look.

'So,' Ron began. 'Luna… Do you think she will be back any time, It will be brilliant to see her.'

Xenophilius's mug slipped from his hand, shattering into the sink. 'Oh.. I'm sorry.' He told them. 'Clumsy- Always breaking things.' He laughed forcibly and Harry looked at Hermione again in concern.

Hermione rose to her feet. 'That's quite alright, Mr Lovegood. We really must be getting on anyway-.'

'No!' He shouted, dropping the other mugs. He stumbled across the room to the door frame, stammering under his breath before standing hunched beneath it.

Ron stood beside Harry and Hermione now. 'Mr Lovegood…'

His head was lowered and his shoulders trembled. 'They took her.' His voice quivered.

'Took who?' Harry asked.

'They took her. My- My Luna.' Xenophilius stuttered.

'Luna?' Harry's jaw clenched. 'Who took her, sir?'

'They were mad. About- About what I was writin'.' He stepped towards Harry. His expression was unreadable and he reached forward, brushing Harry's hair from his forehead, revealing his scar. 'You're my only hope.'

Hermione slipped her hand into her pocket and drew her wand out, hiding it behind her back. Ron shot her a confused glance but she shook her head at him.

'We can help you- Who took her, Mr Lovegood?' Harry pressed. Xenophilius dropped his hand at his side. He inhaled and has he exhaled he spoke,

'Voldermort.'

The windows shattered in a rain of piercing shards. Parts of debris flew around the room, one piece missing Hermione by a hairsbreadth.

'Harry, look!' Hermione shouted. They were on the top floor and out the window she saw a pair of Death Eaters soaring towards the house. Harry cursed under his breath. He drew his wand and swung towards Xenophilius.

'Stupefy!' The man flew backwards, down the stairs and onto the lower floor of the house. Hermione looked for Ron but he laid on the floor, struggling to pull his leg out from the large piece of debris on top of it.

Below them, Hermione could hear the voices of the Death Eaters. She placed her finger to her lips. Quiet. The voices from down stairs echoed.

'What on earth are you doing on the ground, old man? I told you he was loony, Travers.'

'Pl-Please! Potter, he is upstairs!'

'Yeh, Right.'

'He is, I swear! Please, I just- I want my Luna back. Look for yourselves. '

One of the Death Eaters sighed. 'Homenum Revelio.'

Hermione heard Harry gasp next to her.

'Oho, Selwyn! There is someone up there alright!'

'It's Potter! I told you- Please- Just let me have my Luna!'

'Not until you go up there and get him yourself. Who knows what kind of crazy trap you could have set up...'

Hermione heard Xenophilius scramble to his feet. She moved silently over to Ron, carefully pushing the large rock from his leg. Harry pressed a hand over Ron's mouth as he emitted a pained groan.

'Okay.' She spoke quietly and quickly, her brain moving at a rapid pace. 'Harry, give your cloak to Ron,-.'

'Me?' Ron said, astonished.

'Yes, just trust me.' She whispered. Ron nodded and slipped the cloak over his shoulder. Hermione could hear Xenophilius getting closer. 'Harry, take my hand- And Ron, hold onto my shoulder. Don't let go, okay?'

They both mumbled in agreement. 'Okay. Hold tight.'

They fell silent as Xenophilius crawled up the last step. He was white faced and didn't have the chance to utter a word before Hermione cried,

'Obliviate!' Pointing her wand at Xenophilius before aiming at the floor. 'Deprimo!'

A hole ripped through the floor beneath them and they were surrounded by nothing but air. They fell fast and she squeezed her eyes shut, imagining a snowy forest floor. The apparition tugged at her stomach and she felt the breath drawn out of her before they were slammed into the cold, snowy floor of the Forest.

.

.

She was up instantly and jogging around them, 'Salvio Hexia. Protego Totalum.' She lapped around the boy's. Ron tossed Harry's cloak to him and Harry kneeled at Ron's leg, healing it with Ron's spare wand as best as he could.

Once she was satisfied with the protective enchantments she flopped down next to the boy's on the ground.

'That was amazing, Hermione.' Harry told her. She shrugged it off, there was more to focus on.

'I still don't know if I believe him about the Hallows.' She told them.

'Hard to after he just sold us out.' Ron admitted but Harry pushed on.

'No, What about the invisibility cloak!' He grabbed the cloak of the ground. 'What if this is it? The real one? Passed down through the Peverells.'

'I don't know… What about the stone? Or the wand?' Hermione countered.

'I think that's what he's after! The wand. That's why he's been searching all over the country.' Harry's face lit up. He really believed it. 'Vold-.'

'Harry, No!' Ron shouted.

'-Ermorts looking for the wand!' He finished, shooting a look at Ron.

'Harry! The name's taboo!' Ron hissed. Harry froze. Not far away there was a loud crack. The sound of apparition. 'Snatchers.'

Hermione swore under her breath. They clambered to their feet.

'We know you're here!' A gravelly voice shouted.

'Run!' Hermione hissed.

They all started in the same direction. Feet hitting the slippery ground fast.

The tree's passed in stretched blurs and the wind whipped past her ears. A spell shot past her, hitting the tree before her, sending splinters flying everywhere. Ron was behind her, Harry in front. She gripped her wand tightly, aiming at where she guessed the Snatchers were.

'Stupefy!' She cried. Hermione heard one shout but otherwise it hadn't affected them much.

Hermione pushed on, the trees flying past like dark, looming shadows. She stumbled when she heard Ron cry out. She glanced back watching ropes whip around his ankles binding them as he tumbled to the ground. She couldn't leave him.

Harry was in front of her, slowing as they made it to a clearing. He turned to her, looking behind her for Ron but finding empty space. Behind them she could hear the Snatcher nearing so she aimed her wand at Harry's face. Under her breath he shot a Stinging Jinx at him. A fleeting expression of shock crossed his face before the spell knocked him to the ground. She threw herself down next to him; Awaiting the Snatchers.

'Gotcha's.' One of the men laughed. She felt a foot dig into her back as someone tied her hands behind her and her ankles together before pulling her to her feet. Hermione watched as they did the same thing to Harry.

'You're not the prettiest flower in the bunch, now are ya?' The man sneered at Harry. The jinx she had used had inflamed his face. He looked swollen the way someone with an allergy would look if they were having an allergic reaction. Harry peered at the man through slitted eyes.

Searching for Ron, she found him tied back to back with a group of more people. She hid the gasp that escaped her as she noticed Dean Thomas among the group.

The man finished binding Harry and walked to Hermione. 'Now, what av' we got ere'?' He gestured to her bag. One of the men with him snatched it from her grasp and tossed it to who must have been their boss. The man talking to her.

'My bag.' She said obviously.

'Really?' He retorted. 'Thank you, I had absolutely no idea. What's your name, genius?'

'Penelope.' She said quickly. He waited for more. 'Penelope Clearwater. Half-blood.'

The man stepped towards her and tilted her chin up with his pointer finger, examining her. She wanted to hex the skin off him. His gaze wandered down her body and back up and she resisted the urge to throw up. He sighed- his dirty breath invading her senses- and turned back to Harry.

'What about you ugly? What's your name?' He asked.

'Vernon Dudley.' Harry mumbled. His words distorted by the curse. It was hard to understand what exactly it was that he was saying. 'My father works at the Ministry.'

The leader nodded, turning to Ron. 'And you?'

'Barney Weasley.' Ron said. The name that Harry had used at the wedding.

'Ah.' The leader sighed. 'A blood traitor, how unfortunate. He'll have to go with the rest then.'

'Ay, Boss.' One of the Snatchers called. He pointed to Hermione and her heart stopped. They had been so close. 'That one looks an awful lot like that mudblood from The Daily Prophet, who's been angin' with Harry Potter.'

She froze, standing very still as the leader examined her again. A slow, nasty smile crept across his face. His hand shot and he slapped her across the face. Hermione felt the after sting linger and her eyes water. 'You shouldn't have lied to me, you filthy bitch. You'll get it now.' He said, looking between herself, Harry and Ron. 'Could it be… Harry Potter? I think you might be right, But- We best make sure.' The other snatchers nodded like it was obvious what he was talking about. He shoved Hermione and Ron into the group of people bound together.

'Where are you taking us?' Ron shouted. The leader barked a laugh.

'You'll do best to shut your mouth, Blood Traitor.' He said. 'We're taking you lot to the Malfoy Manor.'

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a.n. Yayy! Malfoy Manor! Hope this was alright,

tell me what you thought, or if theres something off that you noticed

Erin xxxx