A/N: As always Reviews = love.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Despite how hard they tried to keep her return a secret, it seemed to spread through the Order like wildfire. More importantly, it seemed, was the mystery surrounding the two guests that she had brought with her.

It didn't matter that they were in no uncertain terms confined to the side of the base that housed the Infirmary and had been kept out of sight, the rumors grew with each passing hour.

It had only been two days since they'd arrived, but already she could tell that they were putting everyone on edge by not submitting to a quick mind sweep and interrogation. She'd already offered her brief report in but had refused to answer questions about Draco when he was still unable to answer them himself. At least not until Healer Warren had cleared him, which he was hesitant to do despite Draco's vocal insistence that he was fine. A fact that no one agreed with. He'd spent his first day asleep for Merlin's sake, surely he realized he needed the rest.

It all just seemed to alternate between questions and answers.

They'd dropped bombs of revelations since coming here.

Draco being defected.

Theo being defected.

Her relation to the Nott family.

Draco and Luna.

It seemed an endless list, and truly she understood where the need for answers came.

She just didn't like being hounded for them like she was in the wrong.

"Please Harry, I've given you all I have. Anything else I'd rather wait to say to Kingsley." She pursed her lips before leaning back in her chair and ignoring the looks Theo kept shooting her from his place on her side.

She should never have agreed to another partial interview with Harry. He seemed to have tunnel vision at the moment, poking and prodding for something she either did not know or would not tell. It wasn't all her story, and she wouldn't be the one to speak about things that weren't her stories to tell.

Theo had volunteered to come, though not in as many words. He'd simply followed her as she came trailing behind Harry, despite saying he wouldn't speak until Shacklebolt had returned.

"I know Hermione, but until you give a full statement you're going to be stuck here with…" Harry trailed off shooting a glance toward Theo before meaningfully bringing his eyes back to meet hers.

He didn't have to finish his sentence for her to know, and based on Theo's clenched jaw and the vein popping in the side of his neck he knew too.

With the prisoners.

With the people we don't trust.

It was wrong. They'd bled too. Didn't that mean anything?

"It's not all for me to say, and the parts that are I'd rather not repeat." She sighed, "Harry just be patient. I'm not…"

He slammed his fists on the table.

"We're in the middle of a war Hermione, there's no time to be patient." He stood abruptly leaning over the table.

"What is it that you don't want to say? You can trust me Hermione. You can tell me anything." he continued desperately.

"Harry." She said softly, hoping to perhaps calm him down before he lost it completely.

"We need to know. The longer we wait, the stronger he gets we can't just…dammit." Harry slammed his fists again before dropping his head to stare at the table.

She heard Theo clear his throat from beside her.

"You need to calm down Potter."

Harry threw his head up and glared at Theo.

"Watch it Nott. I have no problems with forcing answers out of you."

Theo raised a brow, not particularly impressed with the threat. He leaned back in his chair.

"I don't like your tone Potter, and I especially don't like it when you use it on my sister, who just happens to be one of your closest friends. She's given you enough, stop threatening and guilting her into giving you more than she can."

She gave Theo a small smile to show her thanks for his defense, but dropped her hand to grasp his lower arm in warning. She may appreciate how quick he was to give her aid, but his own position was precarious at best, and she didn't want him to make it worse on himself.

"Stay out of it Nott. Hermione's been your sister for what, a week? She's been my friend for half my life."

"Then act like it." Theo snapped, "Because even if Hermione's only been my sister for a week, she's been my friend for longer and you don't see me pushing my own desperate desires on her."

Harry clenched his jaw.

"Don't compare yourself to me Nott. I'm not the one who has to answer for a mark on my arm."

Her jaw dropped.

"Harry."

Theo growled, and if she hadn't been holding onto his arm, she was sure he would have stood and throttled Harry right then and there.

"You have no idea. No fucking idea of my reasons for anything." Theo said tightly.

Harry scowled.

"I don't have to know your reasoning. Fuck. I don't even have to know Malfoy's, but his I can somewhat understand what with the death threat over him and his mum." Harry said staring Theo down coldly, "But I mean she's dead now, and why he didn't leave after that is something he will be answering for too."

He looked at Theo, letting his eyes roam from the bottom to the top of his head.

"You may not have taken the mark until recently, but you still took it. What's your excuse Nott? Who'd he threaten, can't be family. Your's is all dead."

She slumped in her seat, unable to comprehend how utterly cruel Harry was being.

Theo tore himself from her grip, his fists clenched as he slammed them on the table as he stood.

"You want to know my reasons you bastard." Theo hissed, "I did it for my friend, my friend who was dying in there on his own while he risked his mind and his health for your fucking organization."

"We didn't need his help," Harry said stubbornly, "And we didn't ask him to stay with a fucking monster. Maybe he stayed because he was enjoying the perks of it. " Harry glared at Theo, not even trying to hide his disgust.

"You idiot self centered prick." Theo snapped. Hermione desperately shot him a look to stop, repeating the motion to Harry, but both of them seemed too angry too fueled to see reason.

"Why don't you consider what Draco has been doing for those 2 years. Did you think he was just fucking around like he was on some fucking vacation? Do you even realize how many of your precious Order members that he's saved?"

Theo was fuming and didn't seem to notice her pleas to stop. She was frightened. She'd never seen Theo get so furious at anything.

"What have you been doing in all that time?" Theo glared, starring Harry up and down with contempt. "You know, I used to think Draco was exaggerating when he said you couldn't see passed the rims of your glasses lest your sense of self-importance actually be put into perspective, but he was bloody fucking right. You know there were days he couldn't get out of bed, literally, physically could not get out of bed. Yet, he still found a way to drag himself up and do what he needed to do. You," Theo sneered, "Know nothing about that. You have no fucking clue. You sure as fuck aren't the center of this conflict, and make no mistake none of what I do or anyone else helping out in this war is doing it for you. You should be fucking grateful anyone wants to help you idiots at all. Even the people who've never faltered in their loyalty." Theo's eyes rested on her, "You don't fucking appreciate."

With that, Theo turned on his heel and left, slamming the door as he did.

She closed her eyes for a moment, still hearing Theo's pounding footsteps as he stormed down the hall until they faded to silence. She let out a shaky breath before she opened them and looked at Harry, who seemed somewhat stunned at Theo's outburst while also still slightly angry.

Her chair skid against the floor, and Harry looked up suddenly, having somewhat forgotten she was still in the room.

"I don't usually expect much Harry," she said softly, "But I expected more."

She left it at that not meeting Harry's eyes as she turned and slipped out of the conference room and out into the hall.

She walked quickly, somehow already knowing where she was going without having to think it.

When she finally did reach the infirmary, Draco wasn't alone.

He was up though, sitting on the edge of the bed with his legs hanging off the ends. He was flanked by Theo and Andromeda.

The other witch turned to her as soon as she entered and flashed her a large smile before coming over and hugging her in greeting.

The embrace was a shock, but it felt oddly right as though both she and Andromeda needed comfort for the culmination of events that had occurred between London and now.

Merlin.

She could see Theo was still slightly angry, standing straight and whispering something to Draco, who seemed somewhat confused but not surprised.

She wondered if he'd expected this kind of response.

Probably.

She pulled away from Andromeda and came to stand between Draco's legs. As it tended to do, her hand came up automatically to comb through his hair. He felt warm, soft, something that brought a smile to her lips to think.

He still looked tired though, even after a full day of sleep.

Perhaps it hadn't been as restful as she would have liked.

"You ok?" he murmured, placing his hands on her hips and letting his thumb stroke the bone that lay beneath the skin.

She nodded, keeping a smile on her face.

"You?"

He gave her a rueful grin.

"I'm well enough to leave this place."

She shook her head in exasperation and would have chided him on his impatience if Andromeda hadn't begun doing just that.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy until the Healer clears you, you will remain within this wing and in this bed, or so help me I will treat you as I treat Teddy and charm you to it."

Draco blinked, slightly taken back before he smirked.

"Well Dromeda that would be a great threat if I couldn't," He paused looking around the wing before bringing his hand up, lighting the tips of his fingers with a small flame, "do this."

Andromeda shook her head, trying to keep the frown firm on her face, but it was a futile attempt. Even if her mouth stayed turned downward, her eyes were laughing at Draco's display of wandless magic.

Hermione laughed silently before bending down and pressing a kiss to his temple.

"Be patient love." She whispered before turning back to Andromeda and asking about everyone they'd left behind.

The discussion that followed served two purposes. One, she was able to ask about all their friends and how they'd arrived.

Two,

it made them all forget about the fact that they were now really and truly in enemy territory.

The next morning, Draco got his wish. Padma came in with a bright smile and announced after this last physical exam and a new potions regime that she would approve his discharge.

He'd healed as well as he could with the aid of the healers. Now, he had to rest and return to health on his own.

Although, there seemed to be an alternative reason for this sudden discharge.

Kingsley was back, along with several prominent Order members.

Draco didn't seem surprised, nor bothered by this underlying fact. It made her think perhaps he'd already seen it to some degree before.

She wouldn't doubt it.

Padma ran down the basic tests and scans she was going to do, and at Draco's nod she began casting.

Numbers floated above Draco's head.

His temperature.

Blood pressure.

Heart rate.

Respiratory rate.

She frowned at that one, uneasy at the low efficiency displayed.

The last number took her a second to place.

Magical Output.

Padma was studying the fluctuating number, her brows furrowed in concentration before she waved her wand to end the spell.

"Respiratory function is a little low, but your lungs are still on the mend." Padma said, "Core is fluctuating so you should take it easy on the magic until it's a bit more stable."

Draco was lost in thought, but nodded to show his assent.

She took his hand and gave it a firm squeeze. He blinked before looking up at her with a forced smile.

Padma then waved her wand starting with his head all the way down to his feet before projecting the image out. Draco was studying the scan intently, nearly as deeply as Padma was.

He was so fascinating like this. When he became engrossed in something, his whole body seemed to change. He'd bite the inside of his cheek and lean forward with his head tilted only slightly to the side. His eyes would dart quickly between various parts that she could tell he was trying to piece together. She liked to watch it, and rarely had a chance to do so.

Although, if she were being completely honest, what she really liked most was when he'd finally figure out whatever he was pondering. His face would light up and a half smile would play at his lips as he tried to contain the childish glee that came over him when he finally solved the puzzle.

She understood that.

She was the same.

"What's that?" He asked suddenly pointing at the region between his heart and lungs on the scan.

Padma blinked surprised at his outburst before following his line of sight.

"That dark spot." She turned to him, "Well it was a source of internal bleeding when you came in; probably cut when you broke your ribs and then ruptured following the rounds of Cruciatus."

"But it should have healed by now." Draco said glancing back at the dark spot, clenching his jaw.

Padma tilted her head. "You've studied some healing."

Draco whirled his head away from the scan and met her eyes. He shifted uncomfortably on the bed.

"What makes you say that?"

Padma gave him a thin smile. "How else would you know it should have healed?" She shook her head before continuing, "You're right though. It should have. Healer Warren believes a secondary cruse you were hit with may have caused the delay in healing, and from what we can see, even when it does close the area is going to be permanently damaged."

She gripped his hand tightly.

"What does that mean?" She asked then.

Padma sighed glancing once more at the scan before turning back to the two of them.

"Maybe nothing, but more than likely you might see some strain on the heart which will in turn cause lung function fluctuations. You'll fatigue easily and probably need some rehabilitation to strengthen the muscle and organ function."

"Medication." Draco said then running a hand through his hair.

Padma gave him a thin smile before nodding. "Possibly, but we have to wait until the area at least seals over better."

The other girl than turned and continued going over the scan before she absently asked, "Who was the healer who did the cartilage salvaging in your shoulders and back? It's such a rare procedure…"

She whirled back to Draco. He'd gotten a cartilage salvaging? Even with her basic knowledge of wizarding medicine, she knew the procedure was difficult, rare, and done only when the pain brought on by the receding cartilage between the joints was crippling. He hadn't had it at Hogwarts that she was positive about, but then her thoughts turned to what exactly he'd been doing in London before her. It made her anger toward Voldemort increase exponentially. He'd very nearly broken everything and everyone she'd ever cared for...physically and otherwise.

Her eyes finally settled on his and he gave her a sheepish look, knowing she was upset that he hadn't told her. He let out a breath before turning to Padma, an uncertain expression clouding his features that showed he didn't know how to respond.

"It wasn't salvaging. It was potion induced regrowth." Draco finally said ignoring her inquisitive gaze and focusing on Padma.

The girl's mouth was open in shock. "But...no one's been able to formulate the…" She trailed off before her eyes widened. "You did it, didn't you."

Draco smirked and then dipped his chin in a slight nod.

Padma opened her mouth to say something before she shook her she was speechless about it. He had a gift, truly, for creative undertakings and inventions. "You have to tell me about your work, but for now." She flicked her wand and the scan disappeared, "I'd say you're free to go with stipulations. Daily checkups for now and a potions schedule to encourage the wound healing along with a few symptom management meds."

Draco looked displeased, but seemed to sense that this was a decision he would not be able to fight against. He nodded after a moment before swinging his legs over the edge of the bed and stretching.

"Well Patil, let's get those potions."

When they finally left Padma's care, another Order member was awaiting them with Theo scowling at his side.

They'd been summoned.

"Stop fidgeting." Draco murmured to her as he clasped her hand. She shook her head following their escort's directions into the interrogation room.

"I'm not." She said, as they stepped into the room.

"You are." He countered squeezing her hand as the door shut firmly behind them.

She knew better than to argue. She was all nerves at the moment, not that she wanted to draw attention to it. Her eyes drifted across the bare interrogation room.

"Well this is homey." Theo muttered walking along the walls of the room.

Draco hummed in response glancing at the walls.

He walked slowly following Theo before stopping and leaning heavily on the opposite one. His hand came up to rub at his temple.

"This is just fucking great."

Draco and Theo started a bet for how long it would take before anyone came to them.

In the end Draco won.

It took 10 minutes.

10 minutes before the door to the interrogation room and Kingsley Shacklebolt came inside.

She smiled unconsciously moving toward a man that she'd come to regard as a personal friend and mentor.

"Hermione." He said with a thin smile, "It's good to see you."

She returned the action, but before she could speak Kingsley had drawn her up into his arms and hugged her tight.

"Welcome back." He said softly before pulling away and regarding the two occupants in the room.

He turned back to her.

"You have a lot of explaining to do."

So she did.

It was a long story starting from that failed mission at the Ministry and winding through the detailed twists and turns that she'd gone through in London both before and after Draco had found her.

Draco.

She could feel him watching them intently, his gaze calculating but not necessarily cold. He was planning his next moves based on the reactions Kingsley gave.

And they were many.

Despite all his training and battle wear, he didn't seem to be able to hide his horror at the changes that had come over London...or of all that had happened.

"I knew they were fleeing something, but I had no idea…" Kingsley murmured when she told the story of the Greengrass sisters that were now fully situated in the secondary order base.

She practically heard Theo's sigh of relief at hearing that.

When she finally finished, she could feel the tension within the room thicken as silence once more settled between them.

"I appreciate everything truly." Kingsley began, "But you've put me in a difficult position."

She felt her heart quicken, surely he didn't mean…

"On the one hand you've given me an opportunity for information, but." He paused, not bothering to hide the slight guilt in his gaze, "I have to consider the rest of those here in the base."

She gaped. A thousand protests and indignation's were whirling around her mind and begging to be spoken, though it seemed she was momentarily stunned at the situation. The more she thought about it, the more her anger seemed to fester.

"I suppose I'd be worried too about the big bad Death Eaters coming to kill everyone in their sleep." Theo said coldly, before she could even form a single clear protest to voice. "Even though we managed to bring Hermione Granger back to the resistance in one piece."

She looked at Theo, and it surprised her then how well she could read her brother despite not having known him for most her life. It was a testament of the time she'd spent with them all, her Slytherins as it were.

Currently, Theo was angry, rightfully so, but he was hiding it well. He was waiting, pushing as though he was searching for something. A glance to Draco seemed to confirm it as well. The two seemed in perfect sync as they attempted to play their hands without giving anything away.

It was an art.

It was also manipulation.

"And as I said, your actions will not be overlooked, "Kingsley was speaking, "and should you submit to willing personal vetting than I can further ensure your safety as well as security within this base."

"Is my character assessment not enough then?" She finally spoke, drawing from her building frustration, "How is it, that you can trust my intentions and my abilities in action, but when it comes down to something like this nothing I say is enough. Theo is my brother, and Draco...Draco's been working for the order since-"

"I know quite well when Mr. Malfoy began working with this organization." Kingsley interrupted her, clenching his jaw, "His efforts have been noted and acknowledge, but if he or Mr. Nott wish to continue with associating with the Order then agreements have to be reached and protocols have to be followed."

She clenched her fist, and her eyes snapped to Draco as he let out a breath. He'd been so quiet up until now that any sound from him was a surprise.

She couldn't help but think he'd planned it that way.

"It's seems wrong for you to speak of me, when we haven't even personally met." Draco said, looking Kingsley up and down. After another moment, he finally continued, "Draco Malfoy."

She held her breath, stealing a glance at Kingsley, who was regarding Draco with the same level of intensity and scrutiny.

Finally, he responded, "Kingsley Shacklebolt."

Draco nodded once.

"You know it's funny. I feel as though I know more about this Order and how it works than most of it's members." Draco said, pausing once more to meet Kingsley's eyes with his own piercing gaze.

"There have been better men who sat in your seat, and they all seemed to realize one very important fact." Draco leaned away from the wall. "You need me a lot more than I need you."

Hermione clenched her jaw, unsure if she liked the tone Draco had turned this meeting toward. Yet, the more she mauled on his words, the more she realized that he hadn't said them to be blasé. They were true. He had connections. He knew a bloody forger, smugglers, and he had resources. He could disappear underground or to the continent and only return when the war was over. She'd asked him once, about that contract he'd signed before the war had broken out officially. Reluctantly, he mentioned that he would avoid any punishment as long as he abided by terms of the original agreement. He'd served as they needed him, they couldn't recant if they were the ones to turn him away.

He'd weaved a clever safety net. He'd ensured that he would be safe.

That he wouldn't be trapped.

She bit her lip and glanced at Kingsley, whose eyes had narrowed. He seemed to arrive at the same conclusion she had.

She stole a glance at Draco, who had stuffed his hands in his pockets looking quite at ease, and then to Theo who was leaning on the wall not far from him. They were both smirking. You'd never have thought they were the ones being interrogated by the look of them.

It was quite fascinating really. She'd never seen him work this way.

"I understand your position." Draco began smoothly, "But fortunate for you I've had this nasty thing called a conscious nagging me lately," His eyes drifted to her before going back to Kingsley, "so I'm willing to negotiate."

'How benevolent of you." Kingsley said, with just the hint of annoyance.

"I will under no circumstances surrender my wand." He said glancing down to examine his fingernails, "Nor will any of my associates."

Theo bit his lip and looked away, and she wondered if it was to hold back the laughter that was dancing in his eyes.

"I don't think I can ensure…"

"And." Draco continued, unfazed, "Since I assume that your main concern is myself, even though I am the only one in this room with a contract that I signed willingly before the war…" Draco's jaw clenched in clear irritation. "I will accept some limitations."

Kingsley opened his mouth and then shut it, instantly looking both shocked and wary.

"Of course, I have to agree with these limitations. I believe a charmed magical brace should do the trick."

Kingsley folded his arms. "And if you don't accept the limitations?"

Draco shrugged. "Then you were the man who lost one of the most valuable assets the Order has ever had." He grinned, with only a slight hint of wickedness, "and per the contract, I defer the right to ignore any further contact, and I'll be on my way."

Kingsley stared him down for a moment before extending his hand.

"Deal."

Now she truly was in awe, though begrudgingly so. He'd gotten what he'd wanted, completely flipping the dynamic and anticipating exactly what would be imposed on him. She wasn't sure who she was angry with now though, Draco or the Order for putting him in this position to begin with.

Kingsley motioned for them to follow, and she saw Draco nearly lose his footing as they walked. A pang cut in her chest. He'd been bedridden a day ago. He really wasn't well enough to keep maintaining his defenses.

It certainly tilted her anger toward the Order.