Dumbledore walked down the Great Hall, between the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables.
It was dinnertime, and Dumbledore was just running over his plan in his head. The meeting was taking place in a few hours, and Dumbledore had to be clear on what they were going to do. As he walked, Dumbledore looked around at all of his students.

Many of them had defiantly bought Dumbledore's story about Hermione being sick in the hospital wing, and only the girl population had noticed Draco's disappearance- well the girls and their boyfriends, who were probably thankful that Draco wasn't around.

Dumbledore's robe was dragging on the floor as he came up behind Harry and Ron.

They both turned, and looked surprised.

"Please, come with me, boys" Dumbledore said, smiling down at them.

Both Harry and Ron looked confused. Why was he smiling?

"We are going to the meeting later tonight sir." Ron said, standing up with a chicken wing half eaten in his hand.

"Yes Mr. Weasley, I didn't doubt it," Dumbledore smiled. "But I would like you to come with me anyway." He looked at the chicken wing. "But perhaps you could leave that right there." He pointed to the plate.

Ron shrugged, and put the chicken wing down. Harry stood up, slightly smirking, and followed Dumbledore out of the hall, aware of the eyes on him.

Dumbledore led them up to his office, and sat down behind the desk. "Please boys, sit down." He gestured to the seats in front of him. Harry and Ron sat down. "Now Harry, I know you were against me invading Miss. Grangers mind, so I have come up with another plan."

Harry's eyes widened. "Really?"

Ron punched his other hand. "All right!"

Dumbledore looked at him, a twinkle in his eye before continuing. "In about twenty minutes, I am leaving the castle, and I will go to the Malfoy Manor."

Harry and Ron exchanged glances.

"You're just going to waltz right up to the Manor door, and ask to see Hermione?" Ron asked, lightly.

"I don't know if I'm going to waltz up there, but yes, I will walk casually up to the door, and not ask to see Hermione." Dumbledore said.

"Well what are you going to do? Ask for a cup of tea?" Ron said, completely confused.

Dumbledore smiled. But Harry remained silent, and was just watching the Headmaster. "I will not ask to see Hermione, but I will ask to see Draco."

"What? Why?" Ron asked.

"If I ask to see Hermione, Mr. Malfoy may be slightly offended, and think that I am suggesting that he was the cause of her kidnapping. However, if I ask to see Draco, I am simply being a concerned Headmaster, wondering about the location and safety of his student."

Ron just blinked.

"So you wont be at the meeting tonight?" Harry asked after a minute.

"No Harry, I will not." Dumbledore said. "And I would like you two to tell the other staff members where I am. Tell them that if I do not return before tomorrow, then they are to go to the Manor."

Ron was still blinking.

"Can't I come with you?" Harry asked.

"No Harry, you have to stay here, with Ron." Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "Just make sure that you go to the meeting at nine o'clock tonight and tell the teachers what I have told you to tell them."

Harry nodded. "Good luck."

Dumbledore smiled. "I don't think that I need luck Harry. I'm not going to put myself in a position of danger."

Harry smiled. "Yeah, I didn't think that you would." Harry stood. "Come on Ron,"

Ron stood, then followed Harry out.

555

Hermione was sitting down in the hole, talking to Wilac.

Malfoy tumbled out of the tunnel, and rolled to his knees.

"Feel better?" Hermione asked, smiling. His hair was no longer brown, but blond, though she noticed that the blood, now dry, was still on his lip.

"Much better." Malfoy smirked. "I don't know how much longer I could have lasted, without having a bath."

"Nor do I." Hermione agreed. "You were really starting to stink."

Malfoy looked outraged. "Well…you are still stinking."

"Get over it. You never stay near me long enough to smell me." Hermione mumbled.

Malfoy nodded. "True, very true. That's because I can't stand it. Speaking of time, when are we going to reach the Dead Lake?"

"Weca haveay stillay aca fewish moreish dayca." Wilac replied, coming out of the wall.

"A few more days?" Hermione said quickly, turning to Malfoy. "But you said we only had one more day."

Malfoy looked at Wilac suspiciously.

"Iay mustish haveay madeca aca mistakeish." Wilac shrugged.

"Simply made a mistake, or are you lying to us?" Malfoy asked, standing up, bending his neck, and advancing slowly, looking very pissed off. "I don't particularly like being lied to."

Wilac just stared at him.

Draco grabbed his shoulders. "Have you been wasting my time?" he shook Wilac violently.

"Malfoy stop it!" Hermione said, scurrying over.

Malfoy did stop shaking Wilac, who looked like his head was about to fall off, and turned to Hermione. "Come on, from now on, we travel alone. Let's go."

"But Malfoy, Wilac knows the way around here!" Hermione said desperately, as malfoy headed over to the tunnel.

"He may know the way around here, but I just don't trust him. He could be leading us in completely the wrong direction, and we wouldn't know. If he didn't slip up, he might have led us into a trap of some kind!" Malfoy said, turning around to face her. "Let's go." He pointed a finger at Wilac. "And you, if I ever see you again, I will use you for firewood."

He bent down, and started crawling up the tunnel.

"M-M-malfoy!" Hermione scrambled after him, and quickly crawled up the tunnel.

Malfoy was just putting his cloak on, and handed her her shirt. "You might just want to put this back on."

Hermione noticed that her cloak wasn't quite covering her chest anymore, and Malfoy could clearly see her bra. She snatched the shirt, and hurriedly put it on. "We can't just leave him!"

"Yes we can, and we will!" Malfoy snapped, and started walking off.

"But-" Hermione turned around and saw Wilac climb out of the hole, looking around. "I'm sorry." She mouthed.

Wilac just shook his head and shrugged.

Hermione sighed, and ran after Malfoy.

555

Dumbledore sighed, then stood. He brushed down his robe, then started walking towards his office door. He quickly made his way down the stairs, and along the corridors.

Dumbledore made it to the entrance hall, and stopped as Minerva marched up to him.

"Albus, are you going somewhere?" She asked, looking at him over the top of her glasses.

"Yes."

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "May I ask where?"

"I am going to inquire about a missing student of mine." Albus answered, as he started to walk towards the entrance doors.

"Inquire about Miss. Granger? Albus, who are you going to talk to about Miss. Granger's disappearance?"

"I didn't say anything about Miss. Granger's disappearance." Dumbledore said, holding the door open for her.

"Then wh- Mr. Malfoy?" Minerva's eyes widened. "You're going to his manor?"

"Yes." Albus nodded. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley will explain it a little clearer tonight, at the meeting."

"Potter and Weasley know more about this than I do?" Minerva almost screeched.

"Yes, they do. Now, I have to go. Excuse me Minerva." And with that, Dumbledore started walking down the hill, towards Hogsmeade.

555

"You know, if we get lost, I am totally blaming it on you!" Hermione snapped, running up behind Malfoy.

"Look, for all we know, we could be lost already." Draco said, kicking at the ground with his feet as they trudged along.

"Lost already?" Hermione said, stumbling a little- her stomach was still killing her. "Malfoy, this isn't a rational move!"

He turned to glare at her. "Please explain, Miss-I-now-know-what-is-best-for-everyone!"

"Well, think about it!" Hermione mumbled, her voice sounding truly pathetic against his. "He knows where the Dead Lake is, and he knows where to find food!"

"We can find our own food, and as for the Dead Lake…I'm sure it wont be too hard to find." Malfoy said, then continued walking. "Haven't you forgotten that he tried to scalp you?"

"He didn't know who, or what we were! He was defending himself!" Hermione said, charging after him. "And let's face it, in a place like this-" she gestured to the foliage around them. "Who knows what's hiding behind the corner. He had a right to protect-"

"Oh, would you just shut up?" Malfoy exclaimed. "I am so sick of your complaining and attitude of feeling sorry for the situation that you're in!" He had turned around to face her, and was right up in her face too. "Just start to accept the facts would you? Merlin! You got kidnapped Granger, kidnapped by some pretty bad boys, and now you're here with me, not my first choice of company-"

"The feeling's mutual." Hermione mumbled.

He continued. "And no one can save you because you have received a personal invitation to visit Voldermort at his home- and trust me, its not a invitation that you have to RSVP for. You turn up, or you turn up dead." His voice had remained calm, and relatively level, but now, it was slightly raised, and firm. "Do I make myself clear, little Gryffindor?"

Hermione just stared silently back at him. She had never heard of him speak like that- never. Even when she pissed him off the most at school. And to say the truth- it scared her.

She could practically see the flames dancing in his eyes. Was she hallucinating, or had she seen those angry eyes before?

Her mind raced through her memory banks, trying to place those two angry eyes. Nothing. Then suddenly, as her mind raced over time she had spent in the manor, she remembered the dusty tower room, and not being able to breath. She felt her stomach knot at the memory, and almost started hyperventilating, but remembered why she had breathed in the god-for-saken dust- that dream.

Her mind ran through the dream, through the scared people, who were running away, from something hidden in the darkness. Then the sudden burst of flames, and the hooded figure. Those eyes had stared back, laughing at her. Eyes that had dancing flames, then suddenly went bright red.

Hermione's own eyes widened, as she stared, still silent at Malfoy, who was starting to look slightly uncomfortable. She squeaked, and walked quickly around him.

Draco stared at her back for several long seconds. What the hell just happened? She looked like her stubborn self, not willing to fall, then suddenly looked panic stricken…

Well good! Part of him said happily. Finally, she's afraid of me, and with good reason.

But those panic stricken eyes…that just wasn't natural.



Dumbledore walked up the driveway to the manor, calmly and smoothly. He had a small spring in his step, and his robes dragged along slightly behind him. He approached the two front doors, and knocked. He hummed to himself while he waited, and when there was no answer, he knocked again.

After a moment, one of the doors opened, and a short little house elf stared up at him. "How may Kippy help you Sir?"

"Good day Kippy, I would like to speak with your master, if possible." Dumbledore said politely.

Kippy wrinkled up his nose. "Master is not seeing anyone at the moment Sir."

"I see…well Kippy, this is a matter of extreme importance…I wonder if you could just go and tell him Albus Dumbledore is here, and wishes to speak with him." Dumbledore said, happily bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Kippy looked at him carefully. "Please wait out here whiles kippy gos and checks with Master."

Dumbledore smiled and nodded. Kippy closed the door.

Dumbledore had been waiting a few minutes when the door opened. He turned, ready to greet Kippy again, when he was faced with Narcassia.

"Albus, I heard you were here…I didn't believe it!" Narcassia smiled warmly at him.

"Why Mrs. Malfoy, always a pleasure." Dumbledore smiled and bowed his head. "I am here to speak with your husband…is he around?"

Narcassia's face fell slightly. "He is Albus, but…um…oh, what the hell, come in, and I shall ask Kippy to fetch us a cup of tea…perhaps after a few minutes, Lucius will join us."

Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Of course."

Narcassia stepped aside, and held the door open for him. Dumbledore followed her down the hallway into a lounge room. "Kippy? Kippy, get us some tea would you?" Narcassia yelled, after sitting down on a long couch, opposite Dumbledore.

Within minutes, Kippy appeared, balancing a tray with two cups of tea. He handed one to Dumbledore, then one to Narcassia. When he was done, Kippy went and stood by the door.

They hadn't been talking about how each other was for five minutes when Lucius entered the room.

Kippy immediately rushed forward. "Would Master like Kippy to fetch him a cup of tea?"

Lucius looked down at him. "No. Get me a bottle of Firewiskey instead. It's too late for tea."

Kippy nodded, and ran off.

Lucius turned to Dumbledore. "And to what do I owe this visit?" he asked coldly, sitting down next to Narcassia.

"I would like to know where the location of one of my students is." Dumbledore began, shifting in his seat.

Lucius raised an eyebrow. "I am afraid I don't know-"

"I am talking about Draco." Dumbledore said quickly. "He has not returned to school."

"Draco? Draco is not well Albus." Lucius said silkily.

"Oh dear, it is nothing serious I hope?" Dumbledore sympathized, playing along.

"If it was serious, then you would know about it." Lucius said hotly.

"Oh I have no doubt Lucius, but I have waited patiently for an owl, explaining where young Draco is, and I haven't received one…so I thought I should just come by, and ask in person." Dumbledore said pleasantly, taking a sip of tea. He blinked, and missed the look exchanged between Lucius and Narcassia.

"Well Draco is ill, nothing life threatening, but he just needs rest. The physicians see him regularly. And I shall only send him back to Hogwarts when he has fully recovered. Until then, he shall remain here, at home." Lucius said, like he had wrapped up the topic.

"I understand…well, I am not sure if you know yet Lucius, but Miss. Granger, Head Girl, has been missing for a few weeks, and Draco was filling in for her duties… May I speak with him about it?" Dumbledore asked, choosing his words carefully

Lucius shook his head. "I am afraid that that is out of the question. He is not well enough to see visitors."

"Not even a harmless old man like me?" Dumbledore said innocently.

Lucius shook his head stubbornly. "No."

Dumbledore shrugged. "I see. Well, I wish to be informed of his progress if you please, and I hope to see him back at school healthy and well very soon." He stood, followed by Narcassia, but Lucius remained seated.

"Draco will be here until he is well, as I have already said. If that is all, good day Albus."

"Oh it is, for the moment. Pleasure seeing you again Narcassia." He bowed to her. "Don't get up Lucius. I know my way out."

When Dumbledore had gone, lucius turned to Narcassia. "What were you thinking, letting him in here?"

Narcassia glared up at him. "I know you don't like him, but not all of us hate him. I was simply being a good host, completely opposite to you."

"I was busy, Narcassia. Taking care of some business."

"Of course you were darling." Narcassia smiled up at him. "Is there any word of Draco?"

Lucius shook his head. "No. No one has seen them as yet."

Narcassia sighed. "Well, I'd better get going." She tapped his nose with her forefinger, smiled at him, then left the room.



Hermione walked a few meters in front of Malfoy and didn't turn around to look at him. She kept her eyes focused on the ground, and all her attention on kicking the rock in front of her.

She had no idea why she was so scared…after all, it had only been a dream right? Hadn't it?

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Hermione looked up and scanned the surrounding trees, plants and shrubs. Her stomach was knotting, and she had an uneasy feeling that someone or something was watching her. But all she could hear was her and Malfoy's footsteps, and the soft rustling of leaves.

Her senses sharpened as she continued walking, not wanting to be too close to malfoy.

He, of course, hadn't picked up on her tense mood, or he had, but he just assumed she was just panicking about what happened earlier.

At least one of them had a feeling they were being followed.

Another chapter…phew.

Aright, back to writing for me.

R&R

Aj