Okay, I'm horrible…haven't updated in a huge amount of time…and I know everyone's forgetting about me, but here's a chapter for those who haven't!

Lucius had just sat down in his study, when a snowy owl tapped its beak furiously against the window. Lucius raised a curious eye brow. He knew one Death Eater who had a snowy white owl, so could this be the news that Draco had reached his destination?

Lucius got to his feet and calmly walked over to the window and unlocked the latch.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Lucius asked the owl, after ripping the letter from its beak- the owl screeched angrily. Obviously, the letter wasn't for him…Lucius turned it over and saw it was addressed to Miss. Granger.

Lucius smirked. "I think I will just take this with me…hold on." He turned back to his desk, and scribbled Thank you onto a piece of parchment. "Return to sender." He said silkily to the owl, who hooted.

When the owl refused to move, Lucius shooed it, and slammed the window shut. The owl screeched again, before flying away.

Lucius hummed to himself for a minute, before walking swiftly to his bedroom, where Narcassia sat on the bed, day dreaming.

"Who is that for?" she asked curiously, noticing the un opened letter in his hand as Lucius walked briskly to the wardrobe.

"An unfortunate late letter for a guest." Lucius replied, grabbing his favorite cloak.

"Hermione?" Narcassia sat up. "It's for Hermione, isn't it?"

Lucius did nothing but nod.

"So what are you doing with it?" Narcassia asked suspiciously.

Lucius turned to face her. "Like I said, it was late."

Narcassia nodded slowly, then got to her feet. "And you're just going to be a good little mail man and deliver it to her?"

Lucius smirked as his wife slinked towards him, a sly smile on her face. "Yes, maybe I am."

"Aw," Narcassia took the note from him, and glanced at it. "Would it be from her friends at school?"

"No doubt." Lucius said, taking it back.

Narcassia pouted. "Alright, off you go- but I want a message the minute they arrive there alright?"

Lucius nodded. "Alright then. I will see you soon."



Hermione stopped walking after a few hours, her feet begging her to take a break. They ached in pain as she sat down on an old log, and took a few steadying breaths.

Malfoy walked up to her, slightly flushed. "What has gotten into you?" he asked furiously, sitting down. "It's not a race or anything!"

"I just want to get there as quickly as I can." Hermione said, getting up again, but her feet protested loudly. She sat back down, wincing in pain.

"Well bloody hell woman! Don't kill yourself!" Draco snapped. "Just take a minute to rest!"

Draco took that moment to tenderly touch his stomach were the bruises still existed from the tumble they took the previous day. It was so tender and sore! He groaned, once again missing the use of his wand. It wouldn't be a big deal if he could use it!

Hermione, who had been studying her shoes, looked up in alarm. She was positive that she had just heard a stick snap, and it wasn't Malfoy.

After a few moments of intense silence, Hermione sighed. "Do you remember, back at the manor when you stopped me escaping?" she fought hard to keep her voice level.

Malfoy's mind buzzed. That felt like a million years ago. Then he nodded. "Yeah. What about it?"

"What were you doing outside anyway?" Hermione asked evenly.

"I was jogging as I recall." Malfoy replied carefully.

"Why? I mean, I thought you'd prefer flying."

"I do prefer flying, but its not as physically good for me." Malfoy said. "Besides, sometimes working up a sweat can be better." He paused before raising an eye brow. "Why?"

Hermione shrugged. "No reason…I was just thinking."

"About me running?"

"Not necessarily." Hermione answered, feeling her cheeks redden.

"Ok."

Hermione sighed again. "We should get moving."

Malfoy groaned in protest. "We only just sat down!"

"Are you going to sit here and sulk?" Hermione asked, getting to her feet, and ignoring the pain.

Malfoy sneered. "Malfoy's never sulk."

"Good. Then lets go."

"But-"

"Shhh!" Hermione hissed, holding up her hand.

She heard it again. Another stick was snapping, rustling bushes, then suddenly nothing. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, her stomach knotted and her blood ran cold.

They didn't move as Hermione closed her eyes and focused all her energy on her senses. Malfoy just looked curiously around, having no idea what was going on.

The figure in the bush didn't want to give away its position. It steadied it's breathing, until it was barely audible, and sat on its knees, watching the pair through the gap in the leaves. Obviously one of them had a strange feeling, so the figure had almost failed anyway. There would be no way that it would let them catch it.

Hermione's ears were listening to everything that they possibly could- she heard the soft breeze rustling the dead leaves, something small scurrying along the ground, Malfoy's calm breathing, and her own heart pounding in her ear drums.

Her eyes flicked open, and started scanning around her, carefully looking at each bush, expecting something to suddenly pop out and attack her.

The figure in the bush stopped breathing entirely when Hermione's steady gaze studied the bush it was hiding in. Her eyes seemed to widen slightly, and they lingered on the bush a fraction longer, before looking to her left.

Malfoy, who was still sitting down was starting to tire of the silence, and tense vibe that Granger was sending off. He decided to risk it and spoke.

"Granger, what the hell is going on?" He asked.

Hermione just shook her head in response, still looking around them. Suddenly, her eyes flicked upwards, just as something fell from one of the trees, landing on her.



Harry and Ron waited in the Gryffindor common room. Ron was sitting in one of the comfortable chairs, while Harry paced up and down.
both of them continued to glance at the clock. When 8:30 came, Harry walked to the portrait door while Ron pounced out of the chair and followed.

They made their way quickly through the corridors, heading to Dumbledore's office.

But as they climbed a stair case, they heard hurried footsteps coming up behind them. They turned; ready to tell a prefect to mind their own business, when they were faced with McGonagall.

"Come boys, we haven't got all night!" she snapped.

Harry and Ron quickly turned back around and hurried up the stairs.

"And when we get there," the professor said from behind them. "I expect you boys to tell me everything that Dumbledore said, in exact words!"

Ron shot Harry a look of puzzlement. "Don't worry Professor," Harry said quickly. "We weren't planning on hiding anything from you-"

"Good!" the professor barked.

Harry and Ron exchanged another glance before half running along another corridor, the Professor close behind them.

Thankfully, they came to the staircase leading to the headmaster's office, and quickly scrambled up the steps.

Once inside, the paintings on the walls stirred, slightly confused, but sat back and silently waited until McGonagall entered, stormed up to some spare chairs, and sat down.

"Right, now, out with it!" she snapped.

Ron looked at Harry.

"Er Professor, we're supposed to tell everyone…" Harry said carefully.

McGonagall's eyes widened. "Unbelievable!" she took a few calming breathes. "Sorry boys, but I cannot believe I don't know what's going on…and now I have to wait?"

Ron shrugged, while Harry surveyed the Professor carefully. "Sorry, but by the time we've started, everyone else will turn up…"

McGonagall sighed. "I suppose you're right. Alright, sit yourselves down, and we shall wait."

Harry and Ron sat awkwardly opposite her.

McGonagall started tapping her fingers on her knee, while Ron stared at the paintings around the walls. Harry just looked at the floor, thinking over what Dumbledore had said, so it would come out clear when he had to retell it.

They had been waiting silently for ten minutes when Lupin entered. He noticed the mood, said nothing, and pulled up a chair, so a small circle had started to form. Moments later, Snape entered.

Soon, the entire Order had sat themselves down in a circle, all looking around, searching for Dumbledore.

Once they were settled, McGonagall stood up and faced them. "Albus cannot come here tonight, but he has left a message with Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. Boys, if you will…"

Harry became uncomfortably aware that all eyes had turned to look at him, and were waiting for him to start speaking. Looking back at them, Harry saw a few new faces. One older witch, who he didn't know, had brought a cup of tea along, and was comfortably sitting down, sipping it slowly, and smiling at him warmly.

Ron, showing no signs of getting up, sat glued to his seat, and nudged Harry. "Go on." He said softly.

Harry rolled his eyes, then stood up. He felt his stomach twist as everyone watched him in silence. Slowly, he opened his mouth, and started to speak.

He watched everyone's face turn from curiosity, to slight confusion before Snape interrupted him.

"Perhaps Potter, you should fill everyone in on what is actually happening. Some of them do not even know of Miss. Granger's disappearance."

Harry glared at him- he didn't want to be speaking for more then was necessary, but now he had no choice. He would have of course much rather have sat in the back corner, listening to them all discuss what was happening, but he took a deep breath and started from the beginning.

He saw things click in some people's faces as he talked, until finally he was up to where he was before. He paused then continued, retelling exactly what Dumbledore had told him to say.

"He's gone to the Malfoy Manor alone?" someone asked once Harry had quickly sat down after he was done.

"Well, it's not like Albus isn't strong enough to repel them if it is a trap." McGonagall snapped. "And we shall do what he said- if he doesn't return, then we go looking for him."

"But what if he doesn't come back?"

"Then we go and get him, exactly like I just said!" McGonagall snapped again.

Harry and Ron sat back and listened while they muttered amongst themselves for a few minutes.

"It was a good idea though." Lupin said, stepping forward. "If he went to manor asking about Hermione, then he would surely put himself in danger…but by asking about Mr. Malfoy's son would indeed answer his questions."

"How so?" someone asked.

"Well, if they got all defensive, then he would know something was up. if they refused to let him see Draco, then Albus would also figure something wasn't right. I mean, two teenagers, around the same age, disappearing?"

Everyone started to nod slowly.

"I believe he will return with a smile on his face, and a trick or two up his sleeve." Lupin concluded.

"You really believe that?" Snape asked.

Lupin turned to him. "Yes, I do."

"Well Lupin, it will take more then just smiles and a few tricks to get into the Malfoy Manor." Snape said coldly. "That place is more guarded then the royal family."

"We will come up with a plan!" McGonagall waved her hand dismissively.

"It will also take more then a clever plan- trust me, the things guarding that manor are darker then the things you would find in the darkest corridor of your minds." Snape said, glaring at them.

"Well then, we'll light up our wands!" someone said lightly.

Many of them chuckled.

Snape intensified his icy glare. "You think it will be amusing when one of their guardians catch you? Or when you make it into the Manor and Lucius Malfoy traps you into a corner? He isn't stupid like most of you think- he is smart, and knows how to play cat and mouse!"

The amused expressions died off their faces one by one.

"Really Severus…you don't have to be so…blunt." McGonagall said, looking at him with a disapproving glare.

"Would you rather I sugar coat it?" Snape asked. "Very well then." He turned to Harry and Ron. "Don't worry boys, nice little pixies guard the Manor, and they will invite you back for a cup of tea-"

"Oh enough Severus!" McGonagall snapped. "You know what I meant!"

Snape glared at her. "Well, you all seem to think that you can simply walk up to the door, and be invited in with a warm hug…"

"That is not what we think, and you know it!" Lupin said calmly, though his eyes betrayed his calm being.

"You could have fooled me." Snape snapped. "But you wont find it so amusing when Lucius is showing you the way to his dungeons."

"He actually has dungeons?" someone asked. "I thought that was a myth, or a scary story people liked to tell about that family…"

"It is not story, believe me." Snape said coolly. "And when you're confined by those cold walls, you will know its no myth."

"You've been there?" Harry asked before he could stop himself.

Snape looked at him carefully. "I have seen them once or twice…even stood in one…thankfully however, I had never got on Lucius's bad side to be put in one for a night. He was simply bragging when he showed them to me."

"What were they like?" Harry asked, trying to give himself a mental image of the prison Hermione had been in all this time- that is, assuming she was still at the Manor.

Snape was silent a moment, before noticing that the whole room was awaiting his answer with anticipation and wonder. His cold eyes turned to look Harry in the face. "They are no bigger then two meters long, and a meter wide. They have no windows, therefore no natural light. There are scratch marks on the stone walls from where men have been driven insane by isolation. It is cold, damp, and lonely." He paused, then continued. "If Miss Granger was in one of those cells, then she would have had no bed, only a pile of soggy hay, if she was lucky."

Harry shivered at the mere image he had drawn for himself in his mind. Poor, poor Hermione!

The room was silent a moment, then a door opened.

They all turned in surprise, and saw Dumbledore standing there, with a friendly smile on his face, and the familiar twinkle in his eye. At their grave expressions, his smile faltered a little, before he walked swiftly into the room.

"I trust Harry has told you what I asked him too?" He looked at Minerva.

She nodded numbly, as she too was shivering from the image that Snape had provided her with.

"What-"

"What is the plan sir?" Lupin asked, over coming his brief moment of shock.

"The plan?" Albus looked puzzled. "I haven't come up with a plan…though I must say, going to the manor was indeed, a success."

"How so?" Snape asked, slightly satisfied that he had spooked everyone in the room to the very bone.

"I have discovered that Miss. Granger is no longer at the Manor, along with Mr. Malfoy." Albus smiled at Harry as he sat behind his desk.

"They told you that?" Minerva asked.

"Of course not."

Harry had to admit that he was some what relieved that Hermione was no longer in that cold prison, but almost immediately, a feeling of worry flooded through him- if she wasn't there, then where was she?

"So then where are they?" Snape asked.

"I don't know. I just know they are no longer at the manor." Albus's smile faltered again, but then his eyes flicked to Minerva. "My, what's with all the grave faces?"

She was about to answer, when there came a tap at the window. Everyone jumped and looked around, and Harry nearly shouted with delight.

Hedwig was sitting on the window sill, watching him closely, a parchment in her mouth. Harry ran forward, and opened it for her.

"I knew she would reply!" he said happily, taking the note and eagerly unrolling it. When he read the two simple words on it, the colour drained from his face.

"What is it Harry? Is it from Hermione?" Ron asked, quickly coming up behind him. "Harry?"

Harry stared at the curly writing in green ink, his eyes wide, and his mouth slightly open. "No," he choked out. "Its…its not from Hermione."

"Then who?" Ron asked curiously, reading the note over Harry's shoulder. "Thank you?" he paused. "Why is someone thanking you Harry? And that isn't Hermione's handwriting."

"I know." Harry said stiffly. He felt Hedwig land on his shoulder, and nuzzle his cheek. He ignored her as he walked over to Dumbledore, and silently handed him the letter.

Dumbledore glanced at it, and sighed. "Defiantly not from Miss. Granger?" he asked, staring at the note.

Harry numbly shook his head.

"No, I didn't think so- this is Lucius's handwriting."

"Lucius?" Snape asked, swiftly striding towards the desk and reading the note. "It is his alright, but why is he thanking Potter?"

"Harry, when did you send a letter in reply to Miss Granger's?" Dumbledore asked gravely.

"A while ago…I was wondering why she didn't answer…" Harry glanced sideways at the owl on his shoulder. "What took you so long Hedwig?"

"I believe your owl couldn't find Miss Granger, therefore, she went to the last place Miss Granger was known to be at…the manor. Lucius must have taken your letter." Dumbledore said slowly. "What exactly did you put into the letter Harry?"

Harry was aware that all eyes were looking at him. "I…I cant remember…nothing bad I don't think…just friend stuff…"

"Friend stuff?" Snape repeated. "Great. Fantastic piece of information Potter!"

"Severus, please." Dumbledore said calmly. "Harry, I need you to try and remember."

Harry sat down in an empty chair, his eyes closed and his brain in overdrive. What did he say? Remember Harry…come on, remember!

His mind tried, but all he could remember was telling her they had won their last Quidditch match…that was completely useless even to Lucius. "I don't know." He said, angrily shaking his head.

Quite a long chapter! Well, many things happened, and many things didn't! I promise that Draco and Hermione will reach Voldermort's home soon!

Please, if you read this chapter, please, please review! I am starting to worry that no one is reading it, or is interested in it anymore!