Chapter Twenty-Five
Hermione was awake long before Draco's alarm went off that morning. She pretended to have just awoken as he climbed out of bed, but her yawn was real. She nodded when he told her it was just after six, choking back her tears as she watched him take in her body. He pulled her from the bed and spun her around before crushing her to his chest.
"I love you," he mumbled.
Her eyes filled with tears. "I love you, too."
Hermione let Draco leave the room first, not wanting him to see her break down. Once the door fully closed, she dropped to the floor and sobbed. She had a terrible feeling about this day. He was heading into the unknown and putting a target on his back once everyone thought he killed Dumbledore. After a few moments, she gathered herself and got dressed. She wanted to make it down to breakfast to see Draco, even if from afar. She wasn't losing any time she had left with him.
She raced down the many staircases leading to the Great Hall and seated herself facing the Slytherin table just as Draco was loading his plate full of food she knew he'd barely touch. She did the same with her plate. He looked up at her and ghosted a smile that she couldn't bring herself to return.
Ginny flopped down next to her at the table. "Morning!" she said cheerfully.
Hermione tried to hide her foul mood, but failed. "Morning," she mumbled. Ginny looked at her questioningly, but Hermione just shook her head. For once, Ginny didn't push the issue and just clicked her tongue, turning to the food. Hermione sighed softly.
She could hardly focus in her classes and the few times she glanced at Draco, he seemed to be in the same boat. By the time they arrived to Transfiguration, her nerves were shot. She had spent the whole day fiddling with her glamored ring, but in Transfiguration, she kept her hand firmly on his knee. They didn't look at each other but he would occasionally swipe his hand across hers.
Once class ended, McGonagall shot her a quick look, so Hermione stayed behind. "Did you need me Professor?"
"I just have a concern. I've noticed you've become… close with Mr. Malfoy."
Hermione swallowed. "I have."
"Just be careful, Hermione. His family can be dangerous."
"I know, Professor. We will be safe."
Professor McGonagall looked at her appraisingly. "Very well. I trust your judgement and I will keep my observations quiet." Hermione nodded at her professor and quickly left the classroom. She'd only made it a few paces down the corridor when she felt a pressure on her wrist and she was tugged sideways.
Stifling a gasp, she found herself in a small broom closet with Draco, only illuminated by his wand. "Hi," she whispered. He smiled and said it back.
"I just wanted to have a moment with you before… I mean, just to tell you, I love you," He whispered, leaning in to kiss her. It didn't last nearly long enough, and she laid her head on his chest, tears falling. She felt some wetness on the top of her head and assumed he must be crying too.
She was nowhere near ready to say goodbye. She didn't want the night to come, along with the worry that would last for months, maybe years, before they were able to be together again. She was aware he was going to be in more danger than she in the coming months. For now, she savored this moment. She only hoped it wouldn't be their last.
"Are you prepared for tonight? Will you be staying safe?" Draco asked her. She could feel him twiddling her ring as she'd been doing all day.
Hermione nodded into his chest. "I will stay as safe as I can be, but you know if a fight breaks out, I won't be sitting by the side."
"I know," Draco muttered. "I know."
Just after nine that night, Hermione felt her watch burn. She didn't have a chance to check it, as she was busy with Ron and Ginny, the half empty vial of Felix in her hand. Harry had taken a portion of it just days ago, to obtain the memory from Slughorn and now he and Dumbledore had disappeared off on the mission that Hermione knew would be Dumbledore's last.
She'd already excused herself to vomit twice, but now she was sitting on the sofa in front of the fire with her friends, awaiting Harry's return. They'd been sitting in their silent vigil for almost an hour now. Suddenly, there was a loud bang just outside the portrait hole. She heard the Fat Lady screech and instantly knew what was happening. Ron jumped up to run out of the common room, but Hermione stopped him and thrust the lucky potion at him. He took a small swig and grinned, passing it back to her.
Hermione drank a sip, and passed the last of it to Ginny. She grasped the younger witches face. "Ginny, you have to stay here. You have to stay safe. Please," she begged the girl, who seemed ready to argue, but the tower shook and she nodded. Ginny swallowed the last of the potion and sat back down on the sofa anxiously.
Hermione ran for the portrait hole and launched herself into the corridor, looking back and forth to find Ron. She spotted the familiar red hair darting around the corner, toward the Astronomy tower and took off after him.
When she rounded the corner, she skidded to a stop. A masked death eater had Ron backed into a corner with Ron's wand in the Death Eaters left hand. Hermione quickly shot him with a Stunner and Ron grabbed his wand back.
"Thanks! I saw Greyback, he went this way," he shouted. Hermione followed quickly, terrified that Greyback may find someone to bite. The made it down two staircases and found another masked Death Eater looming over the prone body of Professor Trelawney. Hermione blasted him away from her and bound him in tight ropes. Ron knelt next to Trelawney and felt for a pulse. Hermione let out a ragged breath when Ron confirmed there was a pulse.
They didn't have time to take her to the hospital wing, so they barricaded her in an empty classroom and Hermione warded the door. As they were doing so, she missed Snape dragging Draco right past them, down the staircase. Once Trelawney was protected in the classroom, she and Ron made for the staircase, still in pursuit of Greyback.
The duo had only made it one floor down when Harry came sprinting behind them, seemingly occupied with getting down the stairs as quickly as possible.
"Harry wait!" Ron bellowed, but it didn't slow Harry at all. Ron grabbed Hermione's hand and together they sprinted after their friend.
