A/N: Hello everyone I am back finally! had a really shitty January- a death in family. So, I haven't been motivated to write.

CHAPTER 29: WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS

I straightened out the sleeve of my long-sleeved shirt. I was nervous. I couldn't stop fidgeting, by the side-eye Draco was giving me I'm sure I was about to witness an explosion of his annoyance. 3...2...1...

"For fuck's sake, Granger would you stop fussing!"

"Sorry" sorry, not sorry "I'm just a bundle of twisted nervous energy right now and... a little scared to be honest" My face flushed staining my pale cheeks red with mortification. I hadn't meant that last part to slip out. But it was the truth, after my tussle with Rodolphus and his brother then being kidnapped I was hesitant to leave the safety of the Manor. God, if Ron or Harry knew that thought, they would look at me like I had sprouted wings and horns or something. I knew it was absurd and just unwilling myself to admit that Tom was my anchor. My fierce independent streak was reluctant to concede that point.

"Granger we'll be fine. I'm sure Pothead will turn up, his saviour complex wouldn't be able to resist", I wanted to disagree but knew that Harry would be reckless enough to come. The only issue was if he could get out of the safe house or where ever they were unnoticed.

"How are your legs holding up?" I turned my head to look at Draco's profile; he was frowning down at the ground as we made our way on foot to the place we would be meeting Harry. I hadn't seen much of Draco over the last year or two years for me. We had parted on shattered hopes and dreams not knowing if we would ever see each other again. I still remember the persistent desperate press of his stress bitten lips on mine, just before the castle was stormed.

Now, he looked mature, his hair shorter, his faceless pointy and more filled out. He looked good.

"My legs are fine" he shifted his head and gave me a look- much like Tom, I wondered if this was some sort of conspiracy to team up against me. I huffed and rolled my eyes. "I'm a little tired, and the muscles ache- which is to be expected from lack of use."

"We can stop and take a short break if you need to" actually a small sit down didn't sound so bad.

"Okay"

"Okay?" he parroted back disbelieving.

"Okay, don't make me say it again" I snapped.

He lifted his hands in a defensive manner. "Just double-checking that the world is indeed about to turn upside down, now that the great swot of Hogwarts is accepting my humble supplication" I playfully whacked him with the back of my hand, it reminded me of better times at Hogwarts when we were together. His lips upturned in a genuine smile, he did have a nice smile when it was real and not that sneering fake grin he often had plastered on.

A heavy silence fell between us.

"Are you...is he...is it serious?" I wasn't expecting that question, and so my foot snagged a tree branch and I stumbled forward, Draco reaching out to grab my arm stopping my body from careening into the ground.

"Why?" was all I could articulate. Looking at his face up close, I could see a slight pain and hope swirling in his grey eyes. "Oh..." damn it he had reduced me to monosyllabic answers. He swallowed thickly, avoiding my eyes and pushed me away after he made sure I was stable on my feet.

After a few minutes of standing around awkwardly neither of us knowing where to go from this, I finally found my voice.

"Draco I..." my thoughts we're jumbled together because I wasn't entirely sure what to say that wouldn't sound hollow. Sorry, I moved on, sorry I fell in love with someone else. You'll always be dear to me, and I hope we can be friends? It was full of tired clichés.

"You don't have to say, anything Granger, no apology necessary. I just had some lasting hope...that..." He trailed off suddenly finding the tops of his dragon hide boots interesting.

"I feel like I should. But yes it's serious, more serious than I ever anticipated." I was still finding my relationship with Tom surreal, part of me expected to wake up and find it to be one crazy dream or a drug-induced hallucination which stemmed from a critical injury on the battlefield.

"I know the way he looks at you...it's intense. He won't try to kill me, will he?" He frowned looking slightly confused but genuinely concerned that that may be a possibility.

I reached out and patted his shoulder gently. "No, he may think about it on occasion, but he won't actually do it." Draco seemed dubious of my assurance on the matter. "He won't do it because of your mother" as I moved to walk in front to keep us on track.

"I suppose..."

"Have the elves not regaled you with the tale of the time he got blood on one of the antique rugs? Which resulted in him enduring the wrath of your mother?" I asked him with a small smirk of amusement tugging at one side of my mouth.

"No?" I watched as his eyes darted from side to side as his mind appeared to be scrolling through memories of any mentions of rugs and Voldemort in the same sentence. "However I do remember my mother mumbling under breath and screaming at my father behind closed doors about a priceless rug for months, she was pissed about it, but I never knew it was...Tom..that ruined the cherished Persian rug".

" I won't spoil it for you but do ask the elves or your mother" he nods in agreement rubbing his chin between his thumb and index finger. We walked a little longer in silence; it was early morning- so the air was still crisp- causing goosebumps to break out all over my exposed legs. We walked past a particularly interesting tree, and I had to reach out and brush my fingertips over the bark. I took a deep breath and I could feel the magic woven into the ecosystem of the forest. The raised bark was rough and craggy in texture. Different shades of browns swirled together, with ribbons of creams and white cutting through creating its own unique fingerprint. Some sections of the marvellous tree had a pale green lichen growing in blotches, fanning out like the tops of umbrellas. A mutual symbiotic relationship. Hopefully, this is what will result when Harry agrees to this crazy plan. Hopefully, being the operative word.

"How do you accept his character? His actions?" Draco broke the silence. I paused and contemplated the question and my answer. I plucked a leaf from a low hanging branch, turning it over in hand. It was a vibrant green with the underside being a shade paler and not waxy. I traced the prominent veins with the tip of my finger as I answered.

" It's not like I have magically accepted everything or had a recent case of amnesia. Of course, I think about it, but if I keep dwelling on those past actions it will drive me crazy. I don't accept his past, but I accept him- as he is now." I look up from the leaf, with a challenge in my eyes. "I fell in love with the man I came to know while we were stuck wherever we were. The man who saved me from that brothel, the man who held my hair back while I was seasick then cleaned me up while I was unconscious. The man who taught me the seventh year curriculum, who made me this ring, the man who was scared when I got shot, who is now trying to rectify past mistakes, to do better, to be better. He may not deserve forgiveness and people may not understand or accept my relationship with him, but I don't need them too". I tilted my chin up, waiting for him to make some disparaging remark about well...anything.

A myriad of emotions and questions flickered over Draco's face, but he asked nothing; just a sigh full of resignation escaped his lips. He carded his hand through his hair, making it stick up at the front. It disarmed his usual confident facade, but then again I knew Draco intimately he couldn't mask things from me. Plus, I got extra practice from Tom, the king of cryptic.

"I guess I don't have to understand it. Anyway, we better keep moving if we are to meet the boy-who-annoyingly-won't-die", he said almost with a hint of bitterness.

"Is there a time where you won't needle Harry?" I tried for light-hearted, rather than it coming out as a mild censure.

"If I gave that up, then I may as well stop breathing. It is one of the singular enjoyments of my life." I couldn't readily deny that to Draco teasing Harry was practically a national pastime.

Silence once again descended between us, and I wanted to reach out and reassure Draco- tell him that everything can be normal again- although, now I had no idea what that word even meant anymore. But before I could even formulate something to say, there was an abrupt rustling followed by a thump and then a distinct ompf. It sounded like a body hitting the ground hard.

"Fucking bloody hell!" I recognised that voice. I felt cool fingertips grasp mine, I looked down and frowned confused at how my fingers had curled into Draco's shirt sleeve. All I got in response was the raising of an eyebrow, but his eyes held concern. Jesus, was I sweating?

I closed my eyes, and I took a deep calming breath. I hadn't wanted to look too closely at the psychological implications, of war upon the mind but now I will have too. Draco's voice mocking the person, made me relax my muscles- we weren't in danger.

"Salazar's left nut, Potthead, have you heard of a silencing spell?" I followed Draco's gaze to where Harry should be standing. There was a muffled curse, and the air seemed to 'wobble' then he pulled off the invisibility cloak with a flourish in a way that I could only describe as petulant. Harry pointed his wand at Draco.

"Willing to say that again ferret face?" Draco stepped forward.

"Is that a threat you four-eyed magically incompetent toss-"

"Enough! Can you two keep it down? Do you want to be overheard?" I snapped annoyed and a little exasperated. Neither boy moved, not taking their eyes off each other, but at least they had enough sense to keep their mouths shut. I shifted in front of Draco to get Harry to drop his wand and also to make a silent point that, I trusted Draco to have my back. Harry's eyes darted between us, more so when I felt Draco behind me and placing his hand on my shoulder. A sign of solidarity. Harry huffed and rolled his eyes, dropping his arm, smacking his thigh loudly. I relaxed my tense muscles again- at least Harry was going to listen to what I was going to say and not make a fuss about Draco. At least something is going our way for once, easy.

However, as the saying goes- when it rains, it pours.

"Aaaahhh", a yellow streak zoomed passed us, missing widely, hitting a bush to my left. " Ah, fuck!" A disembodied voice cried out. I was too stunned and caught off guard, that my feet remained firmly planted to the ground like my shoes had turned into cement weights.

We watched as the shrubbery behind Harry moved with resultant grunts. Our wands raised, poised for action. A body tumbled out, with bright red hair. They scrambled to their feet, red-faced and covered in scratches and ripped clothing. That particular type of flora looked rather thorny.

"Blimey 'Arry, you- hey get your hand off her, you ferrety git!" Ron proceeded to shoot randomly in his rage, making us throw up shields and duck for cover. I must have been a second too slow because Ron sent a slicing hex that was meant for Draco but somehow ricocheted zipping my thigh. I cursed the heavens at my dumb luck of recent and Ron's inherent ability to miss even at close range. Clutching my thigh as I skidded slamming my knee down, trying to stop myself from both landing on my face or my injured thigh.

"Fuck"

"Hermione!"

"You dumb ginger headed flea-infested cocksucking subhuman. What the hell do you think you are doing?" I winced as he reached for my hand, covering the wound. I looked back at Harry who was holding an angry Ron by the scruff of his neck. Harry was watching Draco crouched by my side, with a look on his face that held barely suppressed laughter and incredulity at Dracos' impressive string of adjectives.

"'Arry, let me go! We need to get 'Mione!" Ron was heaving and straining at Harry's hold. It took a while to register that Harry had struck his feet with a sticking charm.

"Tom is going to have my head if I come back with you injured. He'll eviscerate me and turn me into a eunuch" Draco worked patching up my leg and the tear in my shorts.

There's no question Tom would inflict some sort of bodily harm, but nothing that would be permanent. As for Ron well, I can't say the same- regardless of him being a best friend or not.

What I really wanted to know was why was he here?

"I should fucking truss him up and leave him here the fucking giant shit-for-brains twat", I snorted at Draco's under breath mumblings.

I picked my wand up and sent a silencing spell on Ron. His noises of protests were becoming taxing. I stood up in shaking limbs, helped by Draco clutching my elbow tightly. I tentatively stretched the limb, flexing it, testing for any twinges and there was none.

"Thanks" I patted Draco's arm and moved off towards Harry. He watched me warily, and the expression stung a little in my chest. "Harry..." I just held my hand out for him to take. He came but that didn't mean he necessarily trusted me. I waited patiently for him to take my hand, wanting to see if he indeed had faith that I wasn't luring him to be killed by Tom. "We can't stay here Harry; we need to go somewhere else to talk. Do you trust me?" he reluctantly let go of an irate Ron- thank god we couldn't hear what he was saying. His face was turning an unnatural shade of purple that alone said it all.

He stepped forward and took my hand, and I released the breath I hadn't known I was holding.

"Wait...I want to know how he followed me, and what are we going to do with him?" I watched Ron flap his arms in his anger trying to emphasise a silent point. I sighed, I wished we could trust Ron in this but unfortunately, there was no way at least now that we could convince him of Dumbledores chicanery. We would have to do this without him; maybe after we expose Dumbledore he would be more amenable. I could hear Draco muttering to himself no doubt he already had a mental list of all the things he would like to do.

"Ron...Ron...RON!" He finally stopped screaming and making gestures with his hands that I think were supposed to be rude towards Draco and focused his attention on me. His eyes we full of confusion and betrayal. It was easier to leave without talking to Ron because I couldn't trust that be would have let me leave. He isn't quite as understanding in some ways, like Harry, but that also comes down to personal experiences. "If I remove the silencing spell can I trust you will restrain yourself to be quiet? We don't need to attract attention". He looked like he was going to say something scathing as his face twisted into a deep scowl but ultimately held his tongue.

I flicked my wand, and the silencing spell dropped. No one moved.

"Ron, why did you follow me? How?"

"I knew you were up to something. How could you 'Arry, how could you!" He cried out, angrily.

"Jeez Ron, calm down. I came because I was curious and I wanted to see Hermione. I just want this conflict to be over Ron. I'm sick of running for our lives. Aren't you?" Harry sounded tired and not just tired like he ran around the block but deep-seated fatigue. This war was grinding us all down to the bone.

"This is a trick, Harry. He's behind this!" There was no doubt who he was. Harry shook his head, vehemently.

"I need to do this, Ron. I need to know."

"Blimey 'Arry, this is a mistake mate. Just come back, and we can discuss this with the rest of the Order" Ron was desperately pleading now, realising his bluster was getting him nowhere.

"No, Ron, I've made my mind up" Harry turned and walked away with a finality that Ron naturally didn't accept.

"Harry! No Harry come back!",

I watched Harry, and the look in his eyes said this whole thing better be worth it. I gave him a small nod in recognition and that I understood. I didn't like doing this, getting in between Ron and Harry, in fact it made me feel sick, but if everything unfolded the way we needed it too it would be worth it in the end.

"What are we going to do about Ron?" I asked no one in particular.

"Well, that's easy." I watched Draco walk up to Ron, ignoring the verbal diarrhea, that was flowing from Ron's mouth but failing to be as creative as Draco. Draco seemed nonplussed about the outrageous aspersions, being laid at his feet. He held his wand steady then obliviated Ron. My jaw dropped because I wasn't expecting him to do that so casually. He then cracked Ron over the head knocking him out.

"What? You know it had to be done. He couldn't go back to the order with what he has seen."

"But..."

"Hermione" he gave me that look again, the level of mimicry was disturbing. I wondered perhaps if it was a Slytherin thing.

"You didn't have to enjoy it so much" I grumbled lowly, but it was loud enough to hear.

"You know I never miss an opportunity to cause bodily harm to a ginger weasel." I tried to be offended about that, but I struggled to expend the energy to do so. Harry scoffed loudly, indicating what he thought about that.

"He'll be alright, though?"

"I just knocked him out. He won't remember seeing us here; he'll just think he followed Harry but knocked himself out from tripping over." It was surprisingly simple, but I guess it would be effective. My gut twisted looking at Ron sprawled on the ground, with dark soil speckled in his hair.

"Come on. Tom will be wondering where you are. I'm sure he's paced a hole into the carpet by now".

Tom POV

"Your sense of morals have been beaten and moulded on the anvils of compulsion, exigency and the dubious ethics of others".

I watched as Hermione walked towards me, the non sequitur falling from her lips. She was wrapped up in a towel, her hair was wet and beads of water trailed down her skin to be absorbed by the edge of the cotton. The inside of my mouth suddenly felt dry like all the saliva just instantly evaporated and the little streams of water dripping from her hair looked appealing on her skin. To lick and suck — a temptation.

We hadn't crossed the line of touching for very long, and it all felt new. I don't understand relationships very well- and often I felt like I was shoved onto a tin boat and left out in open ocean without a compass. I found myself floundering in her presence, as no one else had ever done. I hated being so off-kilter.

"Tom, do you believe in fate? "She plopped into the chair opposite me at our little table with two chairs next to the window. Today it was clear of potions and instead stacked with multiple tomes.

I paused, turning the question over in my mind.

"Why?" I was perplexed as to why she would ask such a question when we both - well her distaste for divination and any of that mumbo jumbo 'art' had been sufficiently voiced on more than one occasion.

"Just thinking...Malia made a comment, and it got me wondering" I frowned looking down at the table and the marks covering the wood an indication of history. It gave me a moment to collect my thoughts on our destiny.

"Honestly, I can't make any grand assertions as to our fate or destiny, because Dumbledore has been meddling in our lives for far too long. I tried to make my own choices, and yet I still ended up here. However- look at it this way... fate is like a beautiful painting. I took the route of scribbling all over it with a permanent marker, and you decided to stand back and admire it. But you and I- together- I think we have unequivocally set the painting on fire. We have forged a new path with new opportunities, and I don't mind that at all. Whether we make it home or not, it's nice being on this journey with you". I reached out and laced our fingers together before bringing them up to my lips. She looked startled at my openness, her lips were parted, shiny and pink and made me start to think of something...well...dirty... I knew right then I would try my hardest to keep us together. No matter what.

I smiled uncharacteristically at the memory as I kept my head ducked and made my way through the crowd in central London. No one bar a few people know my face, and I needed to get out of the Manor and do some thinking. While the Malfoy Manor was spacious, you were still within the same building and it can feel like a prison after a while. I left my little star and Draco to get Harry and hopefully there are no problems. I feel itchy inside my own skin- and I know that is a restlessness because I am not there. Draco knows if she gets hurt there will be consequences.

The unmistakable feeling of being watched crawled up my spine.

I looked up into a passing shop window; it had a giant Christmas tree positioned in the window and obnoxious signwriting on the glass indicating a sale about Christmas in July. It wasn't even July yet. I shook my head, letting my eyes wander over the window. Swathes of people parted around me, like the parting of the Red Sea, when I noticed something across the street. I had to squint to get a clearer picture- that fucking beaded a-hole. Then he was gone.

Thirty minutes later, I had found a small café, down a side street. I had put a muggle repelling charm out the front to keep it quiet. If he wanted to follow me he could follow me here. I know Hermione will chew me out later about this recklessness, but I'm not going to give up this chance.

I choose the setting for two in the back corner. I can see all angles of the café in this position. I order an English Breakfast tea with two mugs. I fold out the national newspaper and skim until I get to the finance section now all I need to do is wait. Wait and once again make my own destiny.

Hermione POV

"No, no, no, no just wait!"

"No, Harry, I am not waiting- we can discuss the plan later. I need to find Tom. He's probably gone and done something monumentally stupid" Harry reaches out and grabs me roughly around my bicep, halting my determined march to the front door.

"Just...just wait a second", he twisted me around to face him. I wondered if this was an attempt to stop me from going after Tom. I plastered on my fiercest stern glare; it was something no one was going to sway me from doing.

"Ease up on the grip there Potthead" Draco didn't bother hiding the dark intent behind his words if Harry ignored the warning.

"Just answer me this please Hermione. I need to know... I need to understand, I guess." My eyes darted between his, noting the desperation- unsure at first what it was he was asking. It dawned on me a second later that he was asking in a similar vein to what Draco had.

"It's...that...It's hard to explain without it sounding utterly ridiculous or shallow. Honestly, it's like trying to find the right descriptions to describe the flavour of water. I love him Harry that's all you need to know", I gently pulled my arm away and stepped backwards not taking my eyes off Harry in case he decided to lunge after my revelation that had him stunned. I took another and then another.

I ran off down the hallway I needed to recruit an elf.