The Lovers of Azkaban

Disclaimer: All characters, entities, magic and scenarios associated with the Harry Potter series belong to JK Rowling. Any additions to the foregoing were achieved by my twisted mind.

Summary: Slash Harry/Draco. Sent to Azkaban together, the pair finds themselves immersed in the Adventure of their lives and in something else completely unexpected...

A/N: Thank you to everyone leaving notes…I really appreciate them.

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Little Box of Horrors

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Blaise was pacing outside of the Burrows waiting for the interview between Snape and Hermione to come to an end. He was certain that Snape was giving her hell for having left the Burrows and was aggressively forbidding her to do so again. He knew that Hermione could handle the situation for herself, but it troubled him that she should have to do so over something that he was principally the cause of.

He stopped pacing and turned his steps determinedly toward the Burrows rear entrance. He moved quickly inside and through the house, noting the kitchen and the official meeting room were empty. He came upon the closed doors of the front salon and knew at once that Snape had chosen that location for Hermione's impromptu disciplinary session. He heard nothing and was certain that the Professor had conjured silencing wards about the room; that didn't bid well for Hermione. With a face full of resolve he reached for the handle of the closed door.

Hermione stood gaping at Snape; the bouquet of flowers that he had conjured and was presenting to her, together with the uncomfortable expression on his face, had her completely astonished. Her brain was working furiously to understand and then deny what the gift he was offering to her meant. Snape simply could not have become enamored of her-'

The door burst open interrupting her thoughts and Blaise stood on the threshold staring at the pair; at first with a look of tenacity across his features, but that quickly turned into one of surprise. Both Snape and Hermione were staring at him and he looked from one to the other and then to the flowers that Snape still offered, before his beautiful features slowly began to crease with amusement. The small smile inched its way into a rather large one, a moment before he threw his head backward and began roaring with laughter.

Snape's face twisted with anger for the first time since he'd entered the room, 'shut up, Zabini,' he snarled, 'it does not surprise me that your depraved mind would leap to the wrong conclusion, yet I haven't the patience or desire to deal with your worm-like character at the moment. However, now that you have intruded, you may stay and learn what it means to make hasty assumptions.' He looked toward Hermione again; confusion had entered the astonishment that rode across her features.

'The flowers are not from me as the two of you seem to have concluded; if you look you will see a note attached; take them.' Snape shoved the flowers in Hermione's direction.

Hermione was completely bewildered. She reached and took the flowers and plucked the small note from the top of them. She read the small lettering on the card and then looked up at Snape with surprise once again ruling her expression.

'As you see, they are not from me, but rather from an old friend of yours; someone who asked me to deliver them if and when you appeared to be unattached.'

'Viktor Krum,' murmured Hermione, 'but how-'

'While I am concerned for your safety in general Ms. Granger, I have sworn to Mr. Krum to make an extra effort in that regard. That is why I do not like the fact that you are running about with Zabini on unapproved missions. I owe a great debt to Mr. Krum and he asked that I keep an eye out for your safety in return for that debt.

Hermione noted that Blaise's expression of mirth had crumbled into a frown and met Snape's eyes once more, 'you are in debt to Viktor?'

'I was, yes; he saved my life during the war.' Snape's tone didn't convey gratitude, but rather obligation, as if the words were being forced through his lips. 'As you know,' he continued, 'Voldemort found out that I was acting as a double agent and I had to escape. One day Voldemort asked for my wand indicating that he wished to infuse it with power. I saw through that flimsy excuse at once, however, I had no choice but to surrender it to him. I knew then that I was doomed and I immediately attempted to escape. However, Voldemort sent numerous Death Eaters in my wake moments after I left the headquarters and although I was in the midst of a forest and could see no one, I knew I was surrounded; I was good as dead.

The first to find me was Viktor Krum; he'd come from Russia swearing his allegiance to Voldemort and integrating himself with the Death Eaters. However, unknown to me, or to any of us, he was a double agent. He located me before any of the others and when I saw him lift his wand I knew that the end had come. However, to my surprise, he cast an Accio spell instead of a curse and his broom came whizzing toward us. Within seconds we'd mounted his broom and I used his wand to cast an invisibility spell about us. He flew us from danger and saved my life. Before he left for Russia, he asked that I repay that debt by watching out for your safety Ms. Granger, in addition to presenting the little gift to you at the appropriate time; I had no choice but to comply.'

Hermione looked flabbergasted, 'oh,' she remarked softly.

Snape regarded her for a moment, 'I cannot force you to remain here, however I would advise you to do so until we are able to ensure your safety, Ms. Granger. I would feel that I had let Mr. Krum down if something were to happen to you before he can arrive.'

Hermione nodded slowly, staring at the note in her fingers.

Snape gave Blaise a withering look before turning and rapidly striding from the room.

'Viktor Krum?' Blaise said coolly once the professor had left.

'Yes, we became friends during my 5th term…during the tri-wizard tournament.'

'I see. And he is…coming?'

'So it says in this note. In about a week,' she looked up into Blaise's narrowed eyes, 'he doesn't mean anything to me, that is, we are just friends. I will of course make sure he understands that.'

Blaise nodded slowly and regarded her for a moment before finally allowing a small smile to creep about his mouth, 'just don't go making any appointments with him for six 'o clock meetings.'

Hermione laughed.

'So about what Snape said; do you wish to remain here now?' he asked, his tone a little challenging.

'Of course not,' Hermione assured him.

Blaise smiled again.

Hermione drew her wand and issued an Accio command for the book they had come to retrieve and when it arrived she pocketed it in her overalls and then turned to Blaise, 'let's go.'

Blaise nodded and escorted her from the house.

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Blaise and Hermione appeared in the foyer of Armand and Leticia's temporary new home and the couple stood awaiting them; Blaise had given notice of their eminent arrival.

The moment they arrived, Leticia flew into Hermione's arms calling out her name. Her spontaneous greeting overwhelmed the Gryffindor who had not expected such a frantic embrace. However, she quickly recuperated and hugged Leticia warmly in return; she was very fond of the Ravenclaw.

Armand was welcoming Blaise and when the ladies finally parted he looked at his wife with a small grin, 'don't choke our guests before dinner, love.'

Leticia laughed, flushing, 'I am sorry, Hermione, I guess I am just a little bit emotional after everything that has happened.' She turned and gave Blaise a fierce hug despite her words.

'Of course you are,' said Hermione, placing her arm about Leticia's shoulders once she'd released Blaise, 'I would feel exactly the same in the reverse situation.'

Leticia smiled at her warmly.

'Hermione reached into the pocket of her overalls with her free hand, 'and here is something that will hopefully cheer you up a bit.'

Leticia took the book Hermione offered her and read the title, 'oh my god! The Complete Original Works of William Wordsworth, oh Hermione! How did you get a hold of this? This is terribly rare; it is amazing…you and I were just talking about it!'

'Yes I know; I had it all along, my father sent this copy to me when the writings were discovered. I had the idea of giving it to you during our conversation, so I didn't tell you.'

'You lovely, lovely girl!' Leticia hugged Hermione warmly, 'but of course I am just borrowing it, I know.'

Hermione shook her head, 'I have read it, many times and I would like for you to have it.'

'I couldn't,' Leticia said softly looking at the book.

'Of course you can. It will give me a good excuse to visit you from time to time.'

Leticia laughed, 'as if you need an excuse, you are always welcome and in fact, if you do not visit me regularly once we are out of this mess, I will be very upset.'

Hermione smiled and gave her new friend another hug.

'Love poems, bah,' Armand scoffed playfully, giving Hermione a hug. 'We'll let's go into the salon, shall we?'

Hermione and Leticia began busily discussing the poems as they followed Armand and Blaise into the salon and settled into the comfortable chairs in the room.

Blaise pulled the box of drill bits from his pocket that they had obtained from Vernon Dursley's office.

'What is that?' Armand asked.

'I am not quite sure; we uncovered it today from the office of a muggle. It is supposedly a simple box of drill bits, however it is impossible to open without magic.'

Armand frowned and took the box from Blaise's hand. He tried to lift the lid and surprise rode across his features as he found himself unable to do so. 'How very odd, from the office of a muggle you say?' he asked distractedly.

'We uncovered it in a muggle office as part of an assignment,' Blaise added.

'Yes and that is what makes it strange,' Hermione murmured, her attention as well as Leticia's now on the little box, 'I broke a nail trying to lift the lid and while only a simple spell is required to open it, that takes it out of the realm of being an ordinary muggle box.'

'Umm,' replied Armand, wise enough not to ask more questions about the assignment or the box. He well knew that secrecy abounded when it came to such matters.

Blaise frowned at the box, 'it is very curious.'

Armand set the box on the table and aimed his wand at it, 'it is possible that it is enchanted,' he said as he caused the lid to open. He narrowed his eyes at the box and emptied it of the drill bits. He then performed yet another spell on the box and the box suddenly turned a bright blue color and vibrated slightly before returning to its natural form. 'Yes,' he remarked, 'it has certainly been enchanted by a wizard.'

'Are you certain there were no wizards in the office?' inquired Leticia, not quite so discretionary with her questioning.

Armand frowned a little, 'it is what is known as an enchanted box; at some point a wizard got a hold of it.'

'An enchanted box?' Hermione questioned.

'Yes, something the Death Eaters were rather fond of,' remarked Armand distractedly. He looked at Blaise, 'do you wish for me to reveal its secrets?'

Blaise nodded slowly.

Armand looked at his friend, 'Leticia and I can take an oath if you like?'

Blaise smiled, 'it is not necessary, Armand. I trust you completely.'

Armand nodded and then waving his wand above the box, he began to chant a singsong melody in what sounded like a foreign language. Unknown to him, he was mimicking the incantation Draco had performed not many days before on a similarly enchanted wooden box.

However the results were quite different. Suddenly the box disappeared and a small puff of smoke filtered up in the air as if the box had vanished due to a small explosion.

'GET BACK!' Shouted Armand, standing up and moving quickly backward.

Blaise, Leticia and Hermione jumped from their seats and moved rapidly backward into the room.

Armand stood nearest where the box had sat on the sofa table, his wand aimed at the empty space where the box had sat moments before. Suddenly a black thick smoke began emanating out of thin air and within seconds began to take form; it swirled with an incredible quickness until it had twisted into a small tornado and moments later the whipping, black cyclone lashed out rapidly in Armand's direction.

'ARMAND!' Leticia screamed jumping forward, but she was immediately restrained by Blaise.

'EVANESCO!' shouted Armand, sending the spell toward the oncoming twister. The turbulently twisting form jerked abruptly sideways avoiding the spell and then surged forward again, hitting Armand in the head with its tail and knocking him backward onto the ground. The whirlwind immediately surged upward after striking Armand, twisting faster as if in preparation for another attack.

Leticia screamed again when the cyclone hit her husband and Blaise pulling out of her grip, rapidly drew his wand and raced forward with Leticia on his heels.

'NO! GET BACK' yelled Armand from the floor as he raised his own wand at the cyclone, and screamed 'EVANESCO' a second time a millisecond before the oncoming twister would have hit him again.

'Armand' sobbed Leticia as the small tornado, hit by the full force of the spell this time, blackened and then zipped upward, winding around frantically and turning a multitude of colors before suddenly vanishing. A heaving cloud of smoke was left behind, this time red in color.

Armand stood quickly and began to move cagily about the smoke, his wand aimed at the disappearing haze.

'Come away Armand,' Leticia pleaded, once again tucked into one of Blaise's restraining arms. Hermione moved to her other side and held her hand.

'It will be alright, love,' responded Armand distractedly, 'please don't do anything…any of you,' he commanded quickly before suddenly crouching.

The red smoke had all but vanished before it abruptly whipped itself upward and turned a murky brown color. The color gelled and began to slowly take shape; seconds later it had taken the form of a large bat with over-sized wings and dark, beady eyes. It was glaring at Armand and its small body reared upward nastily before its small mouth opened wide to reveal an abundance of sharp white fangs.

The bat had formed and hissed to show its horrifying teeth in less than a second and then swooped down so rapidly, Armand didn't have time to utter a word. Leticia screamed again and this time her scream chorused with Hermione's as her husband struck the large bird with his wand which was aimed toward the creature. The bat was knocked dramatically sideways, but quickly regained its bearings and immediately set out for a second attack.

'Armand' Leticia wailed as she struggled to free herself from Blaise's hold.

The bat had given Armand time to recover, however, and before the creature reached him, he screamed, 'DIFFINDO!' The bird screeched loudly, the sound almost deafening as its body reared up and ripped in half, the two sides falling to the wooden floor with a sharp whacking sound. The two halves of the bird lay shuddering on the floor at a small distance from one another.

Armand raced forward and quickly kicked the two parts of the creature near one another and then immediately aimed his wand at the still trembling bat pieces, 'FINITE INCANTATEM!' he cried.

The creature, still divided into two parts, slowly stopped vibrating and after a few moments the bat parts slithered together, reforming and then transfiguring before the eyes of all present into the small, defenseless looking, cardboard box it had originally been.

Armand turned and ran quickly to where the others were standing and continued to stare at the box, 'if I am not mistaken, in a-'

However he stopped speaking when the box began to rattle and issue a great amount of white smoke. The smoke whipped upward and once again formed a figure, but this time it was the hazy, but recognizable figure of Rufus Scrimgeour.

'My god' muttered Hermione. Leticia was squeezing her hand tightly and cowering slightly against Blaise.

'I, Rufus Scrimgeour, appear before you to back up my own testimony which I have certainly already given with my own tongue,' intoned the ghostly sounding voice of the apparition before them. 'The Death Eaters associated with the Ministry are Aubrey Bertram, assistant to the head Auror; Turbin Lestrange, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Improper Use of Magic Office; and Frederick Malfoy, Department of Mysteries. There are also twenty-three Aurors associated with the Ministry who are Death Eaters, all of whom are among the Select Group of Wizards and need not be named as the seven who are not Death Eaters are included only nominally in this group. Urbert Lestrange, Grant Parkinson, Robert Wallace, Thomas Bletchley, Chin Lin Chang, Kenneth Lestrange and Jeffery Finnegan, Katherine Henderson and Jeremy Higgs are also Death Eaters and hold low level positions within the Ministry. I believe this will serve as excellent evidence that I speak the truth as this figment was created well before my expected apprehension.'

The figure disappeared suddenly and when it had gone, there was no trace of the box or the bits that had been inside of it. Instead there was a yellowing scroll on the table where the bits had been.

Armand looked at Blaise, 'Scrimgeour?'

Blaise nodded, 'I thought he would have concocted some method to use as blackmail against the Death Eaters he was working for, but apparently he was more interested in saving his own neck. However it serves our purposes perfectly.' He moved quickly to where the scroll sat on the table and looked at Armand before touching it.

'The charm is finished,' Armand assured him.

Blaise picked up the document, 'it is merely a written, dated and signed testimony of what we just heard.'

Armand sighed, 'well there was nothing truly amazing about that revelation, unless of course you were not aware of the individuals associated with both the Death Eaters and the Ministry.'

Blaise smiled at his friend knowingly, 'the Death Eaters…yes well that is what they were, however now they go by a different name don't they?'

Armand narrowed his eyes, 'I wish I could take part in such a discussion, however...'

Blaise nodded and released Leticia who moved immediately into her husband's arms.

'I am aware you cannot.' Blaise looked at the paper once more, 'fairly damning evidence though.'

'Scrimgeour was a fool,' muttered Armand.

'How did you know what to do against the…box?' Hermione asked Armand.

'I knew which enchantment had been used immediately upon seeing the box vanish. It is a three stage enchantment that was used quite frequently by the Death Eaters. We all knew how to defeat the enchantments; it is always, vanish, divide and terminate.'

'That's amazing,' responded Hermione.

Blaise frowned a little, 'For the most part, Scrimgeour only confirmed what I already knew.'

Armand smiled, 'that doesn't surprise me.'

Leticia looked at Blaise with a pleading expression, 'I hope you don't bring home anymore surprises, Blaise,' she said rather tersely.

Blaise chuckled, 'just for you, I won't.'

Hermione wanted to ask Blaise the significance of the revelation, other than the fact that they now had a few more names. Blaise seemed inordinately happy upon hearing the testimony and she didn't really understand why. However, she wasn't sure he wished to discuss it in front of their hosts, so she said nothing.

Leticia detached herself from Armand and took hold of Hermione's hand, 'I have prepared a delicious dinner; let's go lay it out, Hermione, I really want to leave this atmosphere for a while.'

Hermione laughed a little nervously. She too had been frightened by the box's charge, 'Let's do that' she agreed walking out of the room with Leticia.

Blaise pulled a coin out of his overalls and aimed his wand at it, inscribing a message before replacing the brightened coin back into his pants. He smiled at Armand, 'well champ, let's go eat.'

Armand laughed and followed Blaise toward the lovely smells emanating from the kitchen.

The four sat comfortably about the dining table enjoying the delicious food that Leticia had prepared.

Armand looked at Blaise, his fork paused in the act of carrying food to his mouth; 'I have heard a rumor that Melina Jordon is in hiding.'

Blaise smiled, 'it's possible,' he replied nonchalantly.

Armand regarded his friend with a suspicious eye, 'yes, well I wonder if she realizes that she can come out now. Her husband is dead; Huge Jordon apparently never recovered from an attack while he was hospitalized. The Prophet said that someone nearly suffocated him a short while ago and left him for dead…he fell into a coma shortly after that and he died this morning.'

'Pity that,' remarked Blaise, 'can you pass the bowl of potatoes?'

Armand passed the bowl to Blaise and then looked at him knowingly, 'it is all for the better if you ask me, he was a mad man, always plotting to kill his wife for her riches and she knew it. She was a frightened little thing; every time I saw her she was a bundle of nerves; I thought she might die from fright. I really felt awful for her, so beautiful and so hated by him. I hope she finds peace at last.'

'I am sure she will,' remarked Blaise pulling a coin from his pants and noting its contents before shoving it back inside and returning to his meal.

After dinner, Blaise pulled Hermione aside, 'it looks as if you are going to get your wish a little sooner than planned.'

Hermione looked at him inquisitively.

'Harry and Draco have requested my presence and if you'd like, I will take you along with me as a little surprise.

Hermione nodded animatedly and her eyes lit up, 'when?'

'Now,' said Blaise and he led her to the kitchen where Armand and Leticia were using their wands to clear away the remains of dinner.

'We have to be on our way,' Blaise said.

'So soon?' Leticia asked sadly, 'I had hoped the two of you would stay the night.'

'We can't tonight, but I promise to return soon and I will bring Hermione along with me.'

Leticia smiled, 'very soon I hope.' She rushed forward and gave Hermione a hug.

The couple saw Blaise and Hermione to the foyer and from there Blaise apparated them to an official apparation point in London.

'We are going to have to Portkey to Hogsmeade; we don't have time to travel via normal means.'

'Portkey?' Hermione frowned a little.

'Follow me,' Blaise said as he began making his way to through the busy streets of London.

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Hermione was surprised when they arrived at the office of the Ministry. They tucked themselves into the phone booth and Blaise gave their names and indicated they wished to travel to Hogsmeade.

When the couple reached the underground reception area of the Ministry, they moved immediately to the reception desk where a pretty little witch sat addressing a small line of wizards. Blaise and Hermione reached the front after a few minutes and the witch stood up and reached over the desk to hug Blaise.

'Blaise Zabini, it has been ages,' she declared, her voice filled with delight.

'Hello Angela, how are you,' responded Blaise hugging her in return.

'I am great, a little tired though; it has been a long day.'

'I imagine,' said Blaise consolingly. 'We have to Portkey to Hogsmeade, is there a group leaving soon?'

She bent over her desk and looked at a scroll that sat before her, 'you and everyone else; it seems as if all of London is traveling to Hogsmeade today. Let's see, I don't have room for another hour and a half,' she looked up at Blaise smiling beguilingly, 'but I can put you with the group that leaves in five minutes if you don't mind squeezing in with a full group.'

'Not at all, that would be wonderful.'

'We shove people into full groups now and again in emergencies, so you just indicate that you are on important business if anyone asks,' she said winking at him.

'Will do' Blaise replied smiling charmingly.

The witch handed him two small slips of scroll paper and smiled at Hermione before turning her attention back to Blaise.

'We have to get together soon, Blaise.'

'I will stop by soon when I have more time and we can catch up on things,' Blaise replied.

'Great, hurry then you two, the group leaves in four minutes!'

Blaise thanked her and then moved quickly toward an adjacent room where a large group was already formed about a large statute that served as a Portkey.

The couple squeezed into the midst of the group surrounding the statute and a couple of minutes later a voice informed all of the wizards present to prepare to leave. The wizards all placed a hand on the Portkey and moments later the group as a whole was sucked up into a multicolored whirlwind that whisked them off to Hogsmeade.

When they arrived at the end of the main street in an area designated for such arrivals Hermione turned to Blaise, 'I can't believe I have never known about this service…when did the Ministry start doing this?'

'It is something they actually just began doing. They always offered it for emergency situations such as students getting hurt and such and their parents coming round to Hogwarts. However, the new ministry has set up regular departures to Hogsmeade for those who have not mastered the Portus spell so that they are not required to use the train. However, as you saw, the wait can be a bit long, so it is best to simply learn the spell…I'm working on it.'

Hermione nodded in reply, following Blaise along the route to Hogwarts, 'you seem to be on good terms with a lot of women' she said trying to sound nonchalant.

Blaise laughed, 'Angela and I are good friends nothing more. I got her brother out of a scrape once and she is grateful for it.' He looked down at her, 'I won't be setting up a meeting with her at six 'o clock.'

Hermione laughed and allowed him to take her hand in his. She liked the way it seemed to be becoming a habit.

When they arrived at the castle, it appeared deserted, but the front doors to the castle were open.

The pair moved inside and Hermione looked about her and frowned, 'aren't their Aurors here?'

'Probably' Blaise replied off handedly, 'but they will assume we are on Order business. They shouldn't bother us.'

'Unless they are associated with the Believers' Hermione said worriedly.

'Well I don't believe they would act here, there is too much at stake if the other Aurors who are not associated with the Believers see them molesting members of the Order. However, these days numerous people are coming to Hogwarts in order to prepare for the upcoming re-opening of the school. I believe the Aurors sit in their hideout awaiting signs of the escapees, anyone else is pretty much ignored.'

They reached the 7th floor without incident, seeing only a couple of wizard construction workers along one hallway as they moved up the stairs. The stairs had done a bit of moving about, so it took them a little longer than Blaise wished to reach the 7th floor, but they were still on time. They stood in front of the blank wall that held the Room of Requirement and waited.

'We just wait?' inquired Hermione when she noticed that Blaise was not making a request of the room.

'Yes, they will come for us.'

Hermione nodded and looked at the wall again, excitement at seeing Harry again welling up within her.

Blaise chuckled lightly looking at the excitement in her eyes and gave her a little hug, 'any minute now,' he said brightly.

Hermione nodded smiling with anticipation. About two minutes later a door slowly began to form before them; Hermione's heart began racing and a small smile appeared on her face. The door finished forming and moments later it swung suddenly inward; Harry stood on the threshold looking anxiously into the hallway.

Expecting to see only Blaise, Harry's eyes fell on the surprising figure of Hermione and his eyes filled with delight.

'Hermione!' he cried.

'Harry!' Hermione replied, in an equally excited tone, running forward into the room to give him a warm hug.

Harry returned her hug just as warmly.

Blaise entered and closed the door, walking by the hugging pair to clap Draco on the arm.

Harry pulled out of their embrace to look at Hermione appraisingly, 'your hair…it's different. You look great, Hermione.'

'Thank you, Harry' she said smiling and reached to hug him again, 'I have missed you terribly.'

Harry returned her warmth, 'and I you. What are you doing here? How did you find out Blaise was coming?'

'He told me and graciously allowed me to come. I was dying to see you, Harry.'

'I'm glad he did of course, how is Ron?' Harry asked.

Hermione pulled away and bit her lip, 'he is good…he and I…well we had a small falling out, you know, as usual, but I am sure we will patch things between us soon.' She continued to frown.

Harry frowned as well and glanced quickly at Blaise. 'What have you two argued about now?' he asked, trying to sound innocent, but he was putting two and two together in his mind and he had an idea that the handsome Slytherin who stood watching their reunion had been responsible for Hermione and Ron's argument.

'Oh you know us, nothing important' Hermione said dismissing the subject. She noticed Draco standing in the background then. 'Hi Malfoy,' she said quietly, her tone somewhat less agreeable.

'Hi Granger' responded Draco.

Hermione looked at Harry, 'so how have you been, Blaise told me that the two of you have been out of the room of requirement…that is very dangerous, Harry.'

Harry smiled engagingly, 'did you come here to scold me?'

Hermione laughed, 'no, of course not, I just worry about you. We have made great progress…you shouldn't have to be here much longer at all now, I know how trying it must be,' she glanced quickly at Draco and then at Harry again.

Harry wet his lips with his tongue and pushed a hand through his hair, 'let's sit down. Are you two hungry?'

'We just ate,' remarked Blaise.

The four moved to the salon area and sat down; Harry and Draco on the comfortable chairs and Blaise and Hermione on the sofa which Draco had re-transfigured into its normal shape once more.

'This room is magnificent, Harry,' remarked Hermione, looking around. Her eyes fell on the large bed in the back of the room and she frowned a little.

Seeing her glancing at the bed, Harry began speaking, 'it has two stories, we have an upstairs as well and there is a pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and more there, later you can have a look at it if you like.'

Hermione smiled and her face seemed to relax, 'oh, wow, that is incredible. I was wondering why there was just the one bed; there is another bedroom area upstairs as well then.'

Draco stood up suddenly, 'we should at least take something to drink,' he said quickly. 'What would you like to have Granger?'

Hermione looked at Draco, 'Pumpkin juice is fine, do you have Pumpkin juice?'

'We have whatever you want' he remarked, 'Blaise?' he asked turning toward his friend whose face was creased with slight mirth.

'I prefer something a little…gayer…can you conjure me a fire whiskey?' he said smiling.

Draco narrowed his eyes at his friend's choice of words, 'of course, but that might make you feel a little muddy; perhaps you would prefer a little Berry wine instead?'

The small smile swept itself from Blaise's face and he nodded without a response.

Hermione knew something strange had just passed between the two friends, but she was unsure exactly what was going on.

Harry looked at Blaise, 'you said that you discovered something,' he said excitedly, referring to the message Blaise had inscribed on the coin he'd sent.

Blaise nodded, some excitement entering his eyes as well, 'like I thought, Scrimgeour had left more damaging information than the scroll you two found. As it turns out, it is better than we had hoped.' He pulled the scroll of Scrimgeour's testimony from his pocket and handed it to Harry.

Harry read through the testimony and then looked up with a little awe in his face, 'this should be enough to clear our names!' he said excitedly, his mind leaping ahead with thought.'

Blaise nodded, 'not only will it serve to clear your names, if I am not mistaken, this will be all Snape needs to bring down the entire group…at least in legal terms. Rounding them up might be a different matter; they will make themselves scare once they realize they have been discovered…but we should be able to get the main parties and that will all but disable the group.'

Draco, who had paused while making the drinks to listen, spoke suddenly from the kitchen area, 'clear our names?' he said, his tone greatly animated, 'what is it Harry?'

'It is the sworn testimony of Scrimgeour indicating all of those involved with both the ministry and Voldemort and several listed were among the group of Death Eaters we killed that day Draco…the evidence is even better than we thought. It does not only name Bertram who we can testify was there, it names others as well, several who died that day! That is definitive proof!'

Draco was smiling broadly, 'my god,' he declared, his voice full of happiness.

Harry shook his head a little unbelievingly, 'it seems almost too simple.'

'It is wonderful news,' Hermione said merrily, 'even I had not realized the importance of the evidence until this moment. You and Malfoy will be free again Harry!'

Harry looked at Hermione, a smile of happiness lighting his face, 'it is wonderful!' he declared laughing a little in delight.

'Well we cannot be one hundred percent certain until I speak with Snape, but I think you two are as good as free as soon as he acts on this information,' remarked Blaise, his voice also rather jolly.

Harry looked at Blaise, 'you discovered this at my uncle's office?' his voice held wonder.

Blaise nodded and explained exactly what had taken place earlier that day in Vernon Dursley's office. Harry and Draco listened in awe as Blaise went on to tell the tale of the enchanted box.

Draco spoke from the kitchen, 'that little box turned out to be terrifying.'

'Yeah it did,' agreed Blaise.

'I still can't believe that it was in my uncle's office,' Harry's face was slightly puzzled.

'It makes sense really,' Blaise responded, 'your uncle's office would be the least likely place for wizards to go, including you. Yet, your uncle is fully cognizant of the wizard world and as you said, he hates it with a vengeance. He would work consciously to keep anything associated with wizardry out of his life and certainly out of his office. That was exactly the type of place Scrimgeour would have sought to hide his little treasure. It was like he had a ready made guard in your uncle. I can only assume Scrimgeour new how your uncle felt.'

'All of the Ministers of Magic knew all about my situation with my uncle and aunt,' Harry said, his tone a little peeved.

Blaise nodded, 'well it makes sense then; but the good news is that I think we have reached the home stretch with this information. I plan to speak with Snape this evening as soon as we leave here.'

Harry nodded and then looked at Hermione, 'I didn't know that you were helping Blaise.'

Hermione flushed, 'we have been working together since you got out of Azkaban the first time.'

Harry looked at Blaise, his expression rather stern.

Draco noted Harry's expression and quickly carried in the drinks he had prepared, racing to place the four glasses he held between his fingers on the table.

'Well this calls for a celebration!' declared Draco, 'Pumpkin juice for Granger, Berry wine for Blaise and me and I brought you a glass as well, Harry,' he said as he placed the glasses before each of them, hoping to get the conversation away from dangerous waters. Draco gave Harry an appealing look and pressed a hand to his shoulder, sending a concept, 'tranquility'. However, he had a feeling that despite his efforts, there were going to be several eruptions taking place before the night was over.

He was not made to wait long.

Hermione saw the small exchange between Harry and Draco and was surprised that the two appeared to have developed a warm friendship. That was something she had not expected at all.

Harry handed the scroll back to Blaise and the Slytherin arose declaring he had to use the loo.

Harry turned to Hermione once Blaise had closed the door of the restroom 'what exactly happened between you and Ron?' he asked her, 'when we were last together I thought the two of you were kind of…that is, going to get together.'

Hermione flushed again, 'we just had a tiff, Harry, like always. We will patch things up.' Hermione glanced at Draco a little uncomfortably, trying to give Harry the hint that she did not wish to speak on the topic in the current company.

Harry narrowed his eyes at Hermione, 'you've dumped him, haven't you?' he asked blatantly.

Hermione looked at Harry with wide eyes, 'dumped him? No…that is-'

Harry looked suddenly furious, 'you've dumped him for Blaise,' he snapped impertinently.

Hermione looked at a complete loss for words for a moment. She stared into the sparking green eyes of her friend, 'no, that is, Ron and I were never exactly…that is…' She stopped speaking realizing that she had indeed dumped him…for Blaise.

Harry sat back and regarded her, his face filled with displeasure, 'that's it, isn't it?'

'Harry, I don't really want to speak about this right now,' she said, looking extremely uncomfortable.

'I imagine you don't' he snapped.

Hermione didn't respond and she didn't meet her friend's eyes either.

'I suppose you know about Blaise's stance on muggle born witches' Harry said roundly, 'although I believe he still refers to them as Mudbloods,' he said derisively.

Blaise came out of the restroom just after Harry's comment and sat down amongst the group once more.

'Why don't you ask him?' Harry said looking at Blaise.

'Ask me what?' Blaise asked pleasantly.

'Nothing' Hermione said quickly.

'We were just discussing your views on muggle born wizards,' Harry interjected immediately.

Hermione glanced at Blaise who was looking at Harry with a rather unfathomable expression.

Draco cleared his throat, 'would anyone like chips?' he asked hopefully.

'Blaise considers those of muggle birth beneath him; perhaps he will tell you about it,' Harry blurted out, meeting Blaise's heavy stare with a challenging, slightly angry, stare of his own.

Hermione looked down, she wasn't sure if she were more embarrassed for herself, Blaise or Harry. She didn't understand why Harry seemed determined to speak about it now; it was not only embarrassing it was rude.

'Why don't you just mind your own business, Potter,' Blaise said then, his voice tight.

'Please,' Hermione cried, looking up again, 'let's talk about something else; we are supposed to be celebrating…why don't you show me the rest of your temporary home, Harry.'

Acute discomfort wiped the expression of anger from Harry's face.

'Yes, Harry, why don't you show us the upstairs area, I have yet to see it myself,' Blaise said, his voice slightly aggressive.

Harry looked at Blaise as if he might send a nice little gift hex his way and the two sat fuming at one another for several moments.

Blaise knew Harry didn't wish for Hermione to confirm that there was no second bed in the place…but he was incensed at Harry for revealing what he'd said about muggle born wizards; forcing the issue of touring the room and allowing Hermione to find out Harry's little secret seemed fair play to him.

Harry narrowed his eyes as if meeting the unspoken challenge between Blaise and him; suddenly he stood up, 'fine, come on.'

Harry led them upstairs and noted that Draco did not follow.

Both Hermione and Blaise were impressed by the upstairs, however, Hermione's face carried a small frown, 'but where do you sleep, Harry?'

'I sleep downstairs in the bed,' He remarked shortly.

'And Draco…?'

'He sleeps there too. You might have noticed that it is big enough for ten people.' Harry's voice was a bit surely, but he looked terribly uncomfortable.

'You share it?' Hermione asked a little hesitantly.

'Yes' Harry said abruptly.

Hermione's mind was busy jumping to conclusions. Harry's extreme discomfort and his uncharacteristically friendly relationship with Draco passed through her mind. She also recalled Blaise's earlier request for a 'gayer' drink and Draco's unhappiness with the comment…he had obviously been piqued enough to retaliate; that was why he had told Blaise he would feel muddy…likely referring to her and that explained Blaise's subsequent expression. She further recalled Blaise asking her if Harry batted for both teams some time ago. All of it seemed to point to there being a closer relationship between Harry and Draco than she could ever imagine.

She turned to Blaise, 'do you mind if I speak with Harry alone for a moment, Blaise?'

'Not at all' he replied politely before walking rapidly back down the stairs, a small smile playing about his lips.

Harry had turned from her and was staring at the pool.

'Harry' Hermione said gently, 'is there something going on between you and Malfoy?'

Harry turned suddenly his eyes alight with fire, 'is there something going on between you and Zabini?' he retorted, his voice cold.

Hermione dropped her eyes, 'yes, there is,' she replied in a small voice.

'You realize of course what he thinks of you.'

Hermione looked up, 'he thinks very highly of me,' she retorted, 'the issue you are referring to is something all purebloods are brought up to believe…but that doesn't mean that they don't change their views.'

'I'm not saying they don't, but Blaise was here the other day raving about how he was in…how he had feelings for a Mudblood. I assume he was referring to you.'

Hermione's eyes brightened a little despite the fact that Harry looked as if he might start sending curses her way at any moment.

'He was raised to feel that way Harry, all of the Slytherin pureblood families are. You know that…I spent every year I was at Hogwarts dealing with such comments from Malfoy.'

'Well Draco doesn't think like that anymore, but Blaise does.'

Hermione lifted her brows a little then looked down, 'I think they come to see that it is not as important as they were taught and their views change when they meet someone that they…have feelings for…someone who is not a pureblood.'

Hermione was thinking of Leticia and Armand, but began to wonder about Draco's change of heart as well, she wondered if the Slytherin had been inspired to do so because Harry was a half-blood.

She had not overlooked the fact that Blaise might very well take issue with her muggle birth, but it was clear to her that despite whatever he had said to Harry, he was obviously reforming his ideas about it all...at least where she was concerned.

Harry cut in on her thoughts, 'Blaise was very derogative. I wouldn't be so sure his views are changing at all,' Harry said tersely.

'He was?' Hermione looked at Harry and there was something akin to pain in her eyes, 'he was making derogatory statements about me?'

Harry's indignant attitude faded a bit, 'well no, not exactly. He was acting all superior and talking about muggle born wizards in general, calling them Mudbloods and saying that their bloodlines carried defects.' Harry's ire seemed to be on the rise once more, 'how could you associate with a person like that…and what about Ron? He must be devastated right now.'

Hermione shook her head, 'Blaise was just mimicking what he'd been taught, Harry. He is very smart; I believe he is coming to see that it doesn't matter. And Ron…I don't think he is devastated, that is…he…well he has met someone else, I think he is falling for her and I think he realizes that we…aren't suited.'

'AREN'T SUITED?' Harry roared, 'AND ZABINI AND YOU ARE?'

'Blaise is very intelligent, Harry,' Hermione said flushing. She recalled the fact that she had begun liking Blaise even before knowing the depth of his intelligence, but there was no need to add fuel to the fire and tell Harry about that.

'So now all of the sudden Ron is too stupid for you? Well I'll tell you something, Hermione, Ron is NOT stupid.'

'I know that, Harry' Hermione snapped, her ire matching his, 'I never said he was; I love Ron just as I do you and I have never thought him stupid. He merely is not stimulated by intellectual things the way I am.'

'And the way Blaise is I suppose.'

'Well, yes. I like the way Blaise thinks Harry…he thinks a lot like I do.'

Harry sighed heavily and looked away from her, 'I hadn't realized you'd changed your views on muggle born wizards' he replied, his tone full of scorn.

'You know what I am referring to,' Hermione snapped.

Harry still did not meet her eyes, 'you shouldn't have done it, Hermione. Ron loves you; he's loved you for a very long time. I don't know what Blaise is feeling…likely the most he is capable of feeling for you is infatuation.'

Hermione narrowed her eyes, 'it isn't like I am going to marry him tomorrow, Harry; and I really don't think that it is any of your business who I choose to date or…not to date!'

'Right,' snapped Harry turning his back to her.

Hermione stared at Harry's back for a few long moments, her anger fading. 'So there is something going on between you and Malfoy then.'

Harry remained still, 'I don't wish to discuss it with you.'

Hermione walked to where Harry stood, 'why Harry?'

Harry hadn't felt her moving behind him, his brain had been racing with thought, leaving him in an acute state of discontent. He knew he was blowing things out of proportion; there was no reason why Hermione should be with Ron if she didn't love him anymore. While he didn't trust Blaise's supposed 'love' for Hermione, he realized that Hermione was too intelligent to be duped by Slytherin. He realized he was not so much over-reacting to her situation as to his own; he desperately wished to avoid a conversation about himself; he was not ready to face her scorn.

'Because' Harry said, turning around to face her quite suddenly and causing her to jump a little, 'I cannot believe the way you have treated Ron. It may not matter to you, but it matters to me.'

'You think Ron doesn't matter to me? Of course Ron matters to me!' Hermione retaliated hotly.

'Yeah I see how much…and you wonder why I don't wish to discuss my situation with you.'

'That is completely unfair, Harry.'

'Unfair? Why don't we ask Ron to join us, I'll bet he has a great definition of that word bouncing around in his head right now.' Harry turned his back on Hermione again and trained his eyes on the pool.

Hermione once again found herself staring at Harry's back. She understood he would be unhappy about her dumping Ron, but she didn't understand his continued overt anger.

Hermione's tone was level, 'You know me well enough to know that I would not be with Blaise if he was the person you seem to think he is. I wouldn't want to be with a person like that.' When Harry's back remained staunchly aimed in her direction she continued, 'I will make things right between Ron and me, Harry,' her voice grew very small, 'I am not so sure I can do so between you and me though.'

'Does it matter to you?' Harry's tone was cold, 'your happiness seems to be your principle objective. You no longer need us, and frankly, that is fine with me, you don't have to make things right between us…I don't need you either.'

Hermione rubbed her palms slowly over her face and her expression was pained. 'You are wrong Harry,' she said in a small voice, 'I need you very much…both of you.'

'Yeah well you have a funny way of showing it.'

'If I lose the both of you…' Hermione sighed brokenly.

Harry heard the raspy breathing behind him. He felt something pull on his heart as it always did when Hermione or Ron suffered, and worse, she was suffering because of his inability to face up to his own situation. He sighed and turned to face her again, 'you are not losing me, Hermione.'

Hermione looked up and her eyes were bright; the light reflecting off of the water that was filling up within them.

Harry's anger fled as quickly as it had come when he saw her unshed tears. He reached out and pulled her into an embrace, 'I'm sorry,' he said gently.

She pushed her arms about his waist, returning his hug, 'I am sorry too. I didn't want to hurt Ron, I just…it just happened, Harry. You can't control something like that.'

'No you can't,' he murmured, putting a bit of heat under his words.

Hermione didn't miss the intent of his response, 'Harry, if there is something between you and Malfoy I won't…that is, I won't let that come between us. Don't let what is between Blaise and I do so.'

Harry's heart perked up at her words; perhaps, he thought, he had misjudged Hermione. He pulled her a little tighter into his embrace, 'of course I won't, Hermione. I just don't want to see you hurt.'

'I know.'

'And yes,' he added hesitantly, 'Draco and I are…together now.'

Hermione pulled away a bit and looked at him, 'you are?'

Harry nodded.

'You mean that you two are…a couple, as in gay?'

Harry nodded.

'But you aren't gay, Harry,' she said softly.

'I assure you I am' he said, tensing a little.

Hermione felt his body stiffen, 'I didn't mean that in a bad way, I mean…you were in love with Ginny.'

Harry dropped his eyes, 'I know, but I've changed, Hermione. I didn't know I was gay either until I found myself attracted to…Draco.'

'And Draco…I didn't think the two of you would even be able to get along in here…I thought you might try to kill one another. It seems impossible that just the opposite has occurred…'

'Well it has' Harry said a little defiantly. The fact that she still held him tightly made him look up at her once more, 'I don't know why or how, Hermione…just as you don't know how you became attracted to Blaise; it just happened.'

Hermione nodded then studied his face for a few moments. Suddenly she fell against his chest once more, 'I love you, Harry. I'll always love you no matter what.'

'I love you too, Hermione,' Harry said, his tone slightly pained, something very bright and lovely had erupted within his heart at her words, 'and I would never let anything come between us.'

The two broke suddenly apart as the sound of several loud shouts reached their ears from below stairs followed by a loud, resounding crash. Harry and Hermione turned as one and raced toward the stairs.