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XX: Eight of Swords

"Pssst."

Hermione turned over in her sleep, drawing the pillow over her head.

"Hey, psssssst! Hermione!"

"Go away."

Hermione pressed her arm against her forehead, blocking the slivers of light that had begun to pour into the cave. She willed herself to succumb to sleep once more. She had only slept a few hours, the events of the evening prior had drawn so much from her. The gravity of the argument, from the initial irritation that stung her between the eyes to the tight knot that twisted in her stomach as she watched him go, caused her to seek out whatever positive coping mechanisms she had. Determined, and itching for a distraction, Hermione decided to channel her energy into fixing her wand once and for all. After seven hours of trial and error, she finally collapsed into bed where she still lay exhausted and half into the dream world.

"Hermione!" The voice which had previously resorted to whispers exclaimed her name at the sound of her sleepy dismissal.

The familiar cadence and sheer volume startled her as Hermione jumped out of bed, her brain reorienting itself to her current surroundings. The cave was empty, and it was morning - perhaps an hour after dawn based on the angle the light shone in. That voice sounded real. Was she dreaming it?

"Draco?" Hermione called out, a sense of hope apparent in her voice.

"Hermione, here," the faceless voice responded as she rose to her feet, grabbing for one of her wands, "in the fireplace."

"The firepl- Oh my God, Harry!" She squealed as she could see the floating head. Hermione dropped to her knees in front of the fireplace, hastily moving the cauldron that hung there from the night before. Harry grinned at her as she came into his full view. Upon seeing the big round glasses and the lightning scar, which was prominent even in the wispy movement of the flames, she immediately burst into tears. For the first time in days, she felt joy again. He was alive, and he found her.

She took the sight of him in. His raven hair had grown too long and his sparse facial hair had grown out into a forgotten dark scruff. She felt an overwhelming urge to reach in just to feel him and know that he's really there.

"Hermione, I'm so glad you're okay," Harry said, his wide grin plastered on his face.

"Me? What about you? You - you're alive! I had no idea if you and Ron..." her voice trailed. Tears rolled down her cheeks and fell to the floor, creating imperfect circular droplets on the stone. "Is Ron..."

"He's fine!" Harry reassured, "He's out with the Order at the moment."

Out with the Order, Hermione thought. Not at Hogwarts.

Harry continued, "They're making me stay in a safe house nearly every day, but yeah he's fine. So're all the Weasley's. We were all worried about you. Hermione - where are you?"

"In a cave in the Forbidden Forest. Harry, how did you find me?"

The shape of Harry's eyes resembled that of his glasses as they grew wide in surprise.

"Kreacher was rambling on about the 'mud-' er - well, never mind that. He was whispering under his nose about you trying to find me. Didn't expect him to be telling the truth about you being in the Forest, though."

She eyed him quizzically. She didn't remember telling Kreacher that she'd been in the Forest. Perhaps the house-elf had a knack for these things. House-elf magic was mysterious, even to Hermione.

"Felt odd Flooing to 'fireplace in the Forbidden Forest,' but it went through and - bloody hell - is that furry rug?"

"Er, yes, I had to rely on my emergency pack for some - er - necessities."

The rug was not a necessity, per se, but it definitely beat sitting on cold stone and dirt. Harry chuckled in response, and Hermione felt her chest swell with joy at the sound of his laughter. To say she felt relief was the understatement of the century. He was alive. They were alive.

"Are you alone?"

Hermione was unsure of how to answer his question. She didn't know if she could explain the situation, even if she knew all the details - which, thanks to her foggy memory and swath of conflicting feelings, she did not. The past few days were a blur. A big, messy, emotional, drug-induced blur.

She shook her head in response.

"Right, is Malfoy with you?"

"Er - " Hermione paused. How could Harry know that? And to ask it in such a casual tone? "He was," Hermione spoke the words carefully.

"What's that mean?" Harry stared at her in confusion, and she stared back, equally confused.

"He's not here at this exact minute - but, wait - why are you asking me about Malfoy? How did you know that I'm with him?" Perhaps he'd tried to Floo in earlier and saw him. Hermione pressed her fingertips to her forehead and rubbed, attempting to massage the daze of confusion by sheer force.

Harry averted his gaze, and she could see the cogs turning in his brain as he hesitated, clearly struggling with something.

"Come on Harry - spit it out!" Hermione wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks and leaned forward, perched like a curious cat as she watched his eyes move back on her.

"Well, I wasn't sure if it's true but - er, Hagrid told me that Malfoy fled with you after the fight."

The fight. She could hardly remember that night. She remembered being in the library, reading about the use of medieval runes in Necromancy when she'd heard the commotion. She could barely see people on the grounds against the dark night, but as light shone down from the inky sky and suddenly several brightly colored spells were cast, it was clear to her that something awful was occurring. She remembered rushing to find Harry, and being told that he had already went to the grounds. Then she'd heard from a third year Gryffindor that Lord Voldemort was here at Hogwarts. She remembered the panic. Students running around the corridors in chaos, attempting to lock themselves in a classroom, trying to get away from rogue Death Eaters flooding into the castle, causing chaos. Throwing around the Cruciatus curse like it was candy on Halloween. Chaos. It was hard to remember past that. It was a blur.

"Malfoy fled with me?"

Harry nodded. His gaze would flicker to the side, and lips would purse and relax. She could read him like a book. He was hiding something.

"You mean he took me. I know what he did, Harry." He must have stolen her away during the fight. Taken her and kept her there after she had sworn him off.

He had been terribly obsessive with her. Though back then the feeling was mutual. They had been captivated with each other.

"Er - no - that's not what I was told -"

"Hagrid told you something else?" Harry nodded, oddly quiet. "Okay, please continue."

"He - well Hagrid said, and Gin - that Malfoy - Bloody hell." It was like he had struggled trying to pick the right words and couldn't decide what to say. He was trying too hard to protect her, or himself. It was impossible to follow. With a sigh, Harry spat out the words. "Hagrid helped Malfoy take you away - from the danger. He said he saw Malfoy save your life, he's totally wrecked about how weak and fragile you were that night. Said you were knocked out and burned all over - he cries about it almost every day - " Despite the green cast on his skin from the Floo Powder, Hermione could see that Harry's skin had blanched as he spoke the words. "He'll be overjoyed to know you're doing well now, though."

Harry paused to look at her, as if questioning his own statement.

"You are doing okay, aren't you Hermione? Malfoy hasn't hurt you, has he?"

Had he? During their time in the Forest, Draco had given her space, chastised her for venturing outside, warded the surrounding area, hunted and cooked for her. Sure, he hadn't done anything to rouse her suspicions. Hadn't attempt to hex her or harm her in any way, but that wasn't enough to give him a badge of honor and welcome him with open arms.

"Er, no, I mean yes - I am okay. He hasn't hurt me. What do you mean 'saved my life'?"

She didn't remember that part. She remembered fighting. She remembered... darkness. She remembered waking up with severe, incredible pain.

"Kay, good. So," Harry paused. He cast his emerald gaze on her and let out a deep sigh, so big that she could see his shoulders heave in the billowing green flames. She could see the hesitation fade with the sharp intake of his breath as words spilled out. "Merlin, Hermione, I didn't realize you were out the whole time. Malfoy didn't tell you any of this? Apparently it was quite brutal. I wouldn't've believed it if I didn't hear it from Hagrid's mouth. She was about to kill you, Hermione," Harry said, his voice dropping as the impact of that statement weighed heavily in the air.

"Who was?"

"Bellatrix."

The blood drained from Hermione's cheeks as Harry spoke the words. Her stomach squeezed and tightened into a dense cluster of anxiety and she felt like she wanted to throw up. The burn on her shoulder and neck suddenly felt hot again. She could see her face. The raven, wild, serpentine curls. Could hear the laughter. She had seen it in her dreams. It was Bellatrix.

Tears stung her eyes once more as her memories started to come back. She wished they hadn't. She wished her mind could swallow them up again.

"Christ, sorry Hermione - "

"Keep going. What happened?" She urged, reaching to wipe her tears as she attempted to stifle the sense of dread that had taken over her. It was in the air now. The space around her felt cold and bitter.

"He - he killed her. Stabbed her. She was about to cast the Killing Curse on you, and he stabbed her - to death. Hagrid said he tried to rush to help you both, but was only able to reach you once she was dead. Malfoy was trying to - save you."

Silent tears dropped with every blink. Hermione suddenly felt like she was teetering on shaky ground. Nothing felt solid or stable.

He tried to save her life? He saved her life?

"But he's - " her voice quivered as she sat, palms facing up and resting against her thighs as she stared openly into the fire, "he's a Death Eater, Harry. I've seen it myself, he has the Dark Mark. He's been so secretive and - he's a Death Eater."

Wait. That's right.

He was a Death Eater.

He had admitted it to her.

He bore the Dark Mark.

He told her there were Death Eaters at Hogwarts.

He let the other Death Eaters into Hogwarts.

"Hermione, I'm not sure," he responded.

She stared at him like he was insane. Like he was a bad impostor of Harry.

It looked like Harry. If it were an impostor, they were doing an awful job. He so flippant in asking about Draco. Why did it not shroud him with horror to find out that she was alone with a Death Eater? Harry Potter would never defend Draco bloody Malfoy.

As she stared at him, there was only one emotion that was winning in the war of her heart. It had squashed all the confusion and sprinklings of regret she had been sitting in for the past few minutes. As she stared into the fire, the only thing she began to feel was rage. It was so stupid, Hermione wanted to laugh. Why would he save her? Why on earth would Malfoy kill his own aunt?

But, wait, is that why they had Bellatrix's wand?

She remembered Draco mention Bellatrix Lestrange's name the night that she woke up in the cave. Hermione glanced at the crooked, distorted wand that lay by her side. She felt a sudden urge to chuck it in to the forest and forget she'd ever had it.

Her heartbeat pounded rapidly against the walls of her ribcage.

"Harry," Hermione leaned closer, barely blinking, "I don't know what you think you know, but it's wrong."

"It's all really odd," Harry said after a silent moment. "I didn't want believe it either."

He let out a deep breath as he considered it.

"It's Draco sodding Malfoy we're talking about. But I trust Hagrid - and Ginny even saw him save Luna from being attacked by Fenrir Greyback -"

Ginny?

"- And I definitely trust Ginny, she has no reason to lie about him. I dunno, Hermione, Malfoy may have been a Death Eater before, but with the intel Ron's been telling me - he's definitely not welcome in Voldemort's ranks anymore."

"I thought..." she muttered, her mind swirling.

Two credible sources had seen him. One saw him save Luna. The other saw him save her.

If he was a Death Eater, why would he do either?

"Harry," she spoke, her voice flat and eyes staring into nothing as the words left her lips, "whose hair did I use for the Polyjuice Potion in second year?"

He stared at her, perplexed.

"Er, Millicent Bullstrode, wasn't it? Or her cat, rather. Why are you asking me such a weird question, Hermione?"

Everything was spinning.

Harry was Harry, not an impostor. It wasn't some elaborate trick to make her forgive Draco.

She believed him.

Hermione leaned backward, a deep breath exiting out of her as she pressed her fingers to the ground to make sure she wasn't falling.

If he was the same man she'd known months previous. The man she had convinced herself was lying to her, trying to use her. The man who had been cast aside because Hermione had chosen to believe the words of Pansy Parkinson, and the evidence of the Dark Mark on his skin. He had been so mysterious, leaving gaps and pockets for Hermione to question and pick at. When no answers were present, she'd fill them with her own reasoning.

She was so sure. How could she have been so wrong?

"There's got to be some explanation. If he was a Death Eater..."

"If he's a Death Eater, he's got a death wish. Ron let me know Voldemort ordered all his followers to find Draco. Says he's planning on making an example out of him." Harry continued, "It's like they're not even looking for me anymore. Not sure why I'm still cooped up here when I could be helping the Order right now..."

"Don't take any chances, Harry," Hermione urged as his words sunk in. "Wait - they're looking for Draco?"

She gasped.

"That's what Kreacher meant! 'They've all gone to look for the traitor and the girl.' Oh no, but that's bad. Oh my God, that's us. They're looking for... for..."

"It's dangerous out there, Hermione. We're trying to find you two, but Hogwarts is still swarming with Death Eaters. I'll try to think of a way to let the Order know you're in the Forest, but please stick together and keep your heads low - and stay away from the castle."

"But I," she paused, her mouth suddenly dry. "I don't know where he is."

Harry's eyes grew wide behind his circular glasses and his brows disappeared into his thick mane of black hair. "What do you mean by that?"

Hermione tried to hold the shaking breath that was caught in her throat as tears began to build up again.

"Oh God," she muttered, burying her face in her hands again, "I fucked up, Harry. I cast him out, I - I made him go out there into the forest and he - oh but I didn't know!"

"Er - I'm sure he'll be back soon." Despite his words, she could see the slight panic in his eyes. "He wouldn't just leave you there alone after everything he did to save you - would he?"

The fact that Hermione didn't know the answer to that question terrified her.

"Hermione, I have to ask - " she could see his Adam's apple rise as he swallowed uncomfortably, "were you and Malfoy ever... Er, y'know, I saw you two on the Marauder's Map once, in the lavatory. Didn't think anything of it, just thought you two were arguing and he was being a prat by sneaking into the girl's loo like a pervert - but," he paused and his gaze dropped, "that was before my fight with him. If he's not a Death Eater - if he's not evil, I... y'know..."

"Oh Harry," Hermione sighed. She hadn't even considered how Harry might be feeling, having cursed Draco so badly he ended up almost bleeding out and dying. Even despite hating Draco Malfoy for being a total prat, she could see Harry wrangling with the concept that he may have almost killed the man who would go on to save Hermione. She could see the guilt on his face. His heart was so big. He was so pure, and good. "We, er, we were -"

"Shit!" He cut her off, "I hear people coming and I can't be caught Flooing here. Please, stay out of trouble okay? Stay safe."

She could feel the weight lift from her shoulders as relief overcame her. It was not the right time to tell Harry about her - what was it - relationship?

Hermione nodded weakly, "Okay."

"Right, talk to you soon -"

"Harry, wait!" Hermione called out, "What happened to Draco's family?"

Darkness fell upon Harry's features as he spoke. His voice dropped into a low, rushed whisper.

"We got to his mum in time. She looked for us, actually. She's hidden away in a safe house." Hermione breathed a sigh of relief at that. Though she was distrustful of Draco's parents, she knew the love that Draco had for them. "She's alright, scared to death. But," Harry continued, hurriedly, "The Death Eaters in Azkaban got to Lucius before we could protect him... Once they heard of Draco's betrayal, they all wanted to get into Voldemort's good graces by taking vengeance on whatever Malfoy they could find."

"Oh my God," Hermione whispered.

She felt faint. Color faded from the room.

She could hardly register when Harry said his goodbye and disappeared from the fireplace before she fell back onto the stone cold floor, the flurry of this information - her whole world being spun on itself - overwhelmed her.

It all went black.

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The incessant sound of scratching and nibbling drew Hermione out of her involuntary slumber. She squinted and groaned as she woke, taking note on the source of the sound - the happy rabbit munching carelessly away on dinner from the night prior. Hermione's eyes wandered toward the entrance of the cave. It was like time had stood still since that morning, the earth beyond continued to cast its gloomy, grey shadow onto the forest as rain continued its heavy pour. As she rose to her feet, Hermione looked around the room for signs of life.

"Draco?" she called out.

No answer.

Nothing had changed.

Unease crept up inside of her when the instant flash of light shone throughout the cave as lightning struck the sky beyond. Within a few seconds, the deep and booming rumble of thunder followed making Hermione's hair stand on end.

He had been gone for over 14, perhaps 16 hours? Maybe even more.

Bloody hell, what have you done, Hermione?

She needed answers more than anything. More than her wand being fixed, or food filling her stomach. More than sleep or water. Hermione needed answers from him.

What part of Harry's story was true? Was Draco a Death Eater? Was he ever a Death Eater? She was sure of it - why else would he be marked? Why else would he be so secretive and unable to answer her questions? How much of Pansy's story was true?

If Draco did save Hermione's life, why? At the cost of killing Bellatrix Lestrange and infuriating Voldemort? Did he have any idea what sort of trouble he'd put himself in?

Why on earth would he do that?

Did he… do it for her? Was he protecting her? This whole time? Tightness gripped at Hermione's chest and squeezed as she attempted to swallow her anxious energy. If he had committed murder for her… Murder. He'd killed? For her. No wonder he was upset. No wonder he left her. She would have left too.

The amount of questions and contemplation made Hermione's mind swirl to the point of dizziness. And there were no answers yet.

"Draco Malfoy, where the bloody hell are you? What am I going to do?" Hermione rubbed her eyes as she ran through the possibilities. She promised Harry that she would wait for him, but then what? Harry had mentioned there were Death Eaters still at Hogwarts, it wouldn't be hard for one of them wandering around the forest to stumble upon her. And without a working wand, what could she do?

And yet, the idea of staying there made her feel sick.

Tapping her foot with loud echoing clacks, she stared out into the gloomy forest just outside the walls, then glanced around the room with hopes that inspiration would strike her. Her fingers fidgeted and fiddled, attempting to release the nervousness that had bubbled up.

Something caught her eye, though, as she looked around. Her bracelet, which sat snug on her wrist since the day Draco had gifted it to her changed color. The petals, which in their normal state were beautiful pastel colors, were suddenly morphing to a sickly yellow-green. Red streaks had faded into some of the petals, but the green was overwhelming the surface of the flowers.

"Er," she muttered, "What?" She had never seen that before. In moments of danger or need, the flowers had pulsed and squeezed at her wrist, attempting to get her attention. Their colors became red when he bled, but green?

"What are you telling me?" she whispered to the bracelet.

Her insides lurched at the ominous and mysterious message.

She stood still for a second longer, staring out into the rainy Earth. Somewhere, Draco was still wandering the Forest. She knew it. She prayed for it.

"Sod it," she whispered to herself, her limbs quickly moving to grab the cursed black bent wand that lay lifeless on the ground, her own makeshift barely-held-together wand, and the white rabbit which she dropped into her deep cloak pocket.

Without another thought, Hermione beelined for the exit of the cave.

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