Chapter 2

"No. No way. Absolutely not," Draco stated emphatically.

"I'm sorry, Derek, but it's the best cover story I could pull together under the circumstances. We need to stay close and share accommodation. We don't look enough alike to pass as siblings and any other relative status would require us to have extensive knowledge about each other's families. Remembering one name is easier so just get over your stupid blood purity prejudice and focus on staying alive."

Draco dropped the scissors in the sink and grabbed her hand. "I've got no problem with the cover story or your blood status, Grace. My problem is that pathetic excuse for a ring. No wife of mine would be seen wearing that microscopic..." He inspected it closely and sneered derisively. "Merlin's beard! It's not even a diamond!"

Hermione jerked her hand back and scowled at him. "Well, I'm sorry! It was the best I had! Besides, the whole point is to NOT stand out in a crowd." She looked down and gazed fondly at the ring. "Anyway, I like it. I think its...elegant and understated."

"Understated?! It's well nigh invisible! People are going to think I'm cheap or worse...poor."

"Oh sweet Circe! A group of blood thirsty maniacs have escaped from a maximum security prison with the express stated goal of killing you. Sort out your priorities!" Hermione huffed. "If it makes you feel better you can tell anyone that asks that you wanted to buy something more substantial and I turned it down."

"Fine," Draco grunted as he picked up the scissors and turned his attention back to her hair. "So...how long have we been married?"

"Six months."

"Hmmm...still newlyweds then. How long did we know each before that?"

"We went to the same boarding school but ran in different social circles so we didn't know each other well. We met up again about a year ago at a grief support group and bonded over our shared losses. Figured that would cover any slip ups we might make about our past while still giving a plausible explanation if we don't know something about each other."

"Makes sense. Who were we grieving?"

She looked away. "Our parents."

Draco paused momentarily then resumed with the hair. In a tight voice he asked, "And how did they die?"

"Car accidents."

Their eyes met in the mirror and he spotted an almost imperceptible shift in her expression. "Any particular reason you chose that scenario?"

"It's a common way for people to die, Dra...Derek."

There was another awkward silence before he handed her a small mirror. "There. How does it look?"

"Not bad. Thank you." The timer dinged and Hermione stood. "Right. Lean over the sink and let's see how this color turned out."

He gave his hair a quick rinse and towel dry. Hermione eyed him carefully then gave a curt nod.

"That'll do. I bought an extra box in case we need to do touch ups but hopefully everything will be sorted out before its grown out that much." She leaned forward and inspected his eyes. "Can't do much to cover your eye color short of contact lenses and they carry a risk of infection so we'll go with these." She picked up a pair of eyeglasses with slight tint on the lenses. "They're trendy without being flashy."

Draco pulled on his jumper while Hermione collected his new ID papers then they both stood and regarded themselves in the mirror.

Hermione noticed Draco staring at her and snipped, "What?"

"Nothing, I've just never gotten a good look at your face before. It was always buried underneath all that hair..."

"And?"

Draco gave an indifferent shrug. "Not bad."

Hermione dipped into a mock swoon and sarcastically said, "Why, Derek! You hopeless romantic. That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

She then pulled a face as she reached into her pocket and produced a plain gold ring. She grabbed his left hand and shoved it on his ring finger. As he fidgeted with it she asked, "Is it acceptable?"

"It'll do."

Hermione wrinkled her nose and thrust a bin bag at him. "Right. Let's get this cleaned up. Be very careful and don't leave anything - not even a hair behind."

"Why not?"

"We don't want to give them anything additional to track us with. We have to assume that if they have someone on the inside at the Ministry they also have contacts in muggle law enforcement and they might be able to use it for DNA analysis."

"What?"

"It's basically a combination of muggle alchemy and potions. They can tell a lot of things just by examining a single strand of hair. That's why I covered the floor - to make it easier to destroy all the evidence. We bag everything up then I'll drop it in the incinerator before I leave."

"Before you leave?"

"In case you hadn't noticed this is not the sort of establishment where couples tend to show up and leave together. However, what it lacks in class and general hygiene it more than makes up for in privacy. The management here knows how to keep its mouth shut about the comings and goings of its clientele."

"And you know this how?"

"Like I said - I know things, including the short list of safe spots in muggle London. "

"Sounds like you've had a fair bit of practice at this sort of thing," said Draco.

"I've spent the past two years as a woman's crisis advocate helping women escape abusive partners and - in case you've forgotten - I've been on the run before, Derek. I know how to keep us alive. You just need to listen and trust me. Can you do that?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No. Quite honestly, neither of us do. I know how the people that want you dead think because most have them have tried to kill me as well. If they succeed with you I won't be much further down their hit list and I don't intend to let them be successful this time either. Now - clean."

As soon as they had everything squared away, Hermione drug Draco to the door and handed over his rucksack and a piece of paper. "Here are the directions to a cafe. Get a booth in the back and sit facing the door. Order a small coffee and wait for me. I'll explain the money later but for now I've folded one of the notes in half. Give that bill to the clerk and tell them to keep the change."

She tapped the wristwatch he was wearing. "Pay attention to the time. You will stay in the cafe no longer than twenty minutes after ordering. If I'm not there by then, get out fast and send word to Ha...our mutual friend that something has gone wrong."

Draco swallowed hard. "And what exactly does that mean?"

Hermione gave him a cold stare before shoving him out the door, "That means we've been found and they've already killed me so if that happens then you damn well better make my actual death mean something."