A/N: Ok so I changed it again, this is it now, I'm finally happy with it. I just hope you guys like it. I must warn you though, it gets a little darker but I feel the darkness is needed to bring the story to a close. I'll try not to let it linger on. However if you don't like this version, one of my amazing readers (HermioneWP) gave me the idea to upload an alternate ending and so that will be uploaded within the next week as a separate story.

I'd like to dedicate this story to another one of my amazing readers Tricorvus because her reviews really inspire me and make me smile. I did dedicate an earlier chapter to her but she has been such a supportive and inspiring reader I had to dedicate the entire story.

So this is for Tricorvus and HermioneWP.

Disclaimer: Nope not mine, although I can dream.

Trouble in the Sweet Shop

Chapter 22

The following morning, Hermione awoke to a cold, empty bed. Looking at the alarm clock (9.03) she decided that Draco had probably crashed at Blaise's and gone straight to work, however she did find it odd that he never owled to let her know. Not that it mattered, he would be finished and home by 12.30.

In which time she had cleaned the family home, played and amused little Scorpious and made a nice lunch for the three of them to enjoy. 12.30 came by in a breeze and Hermione had set the table and was now watching her young son colour a picture for his father.

"This is me flying really high and you and daddy watching me. And I catched the snitch just like daddy does."

"Hmm, that's nice darling." Hermione's mind was wandering.

10 minutes past. Perhaps he was running late, his meeting may have over ran.

20 minutes past. She should be receiving an owl from him at any second, telling her why he was so late, there had to be an emergency at the office or something.

The minutes turned into an hour and Hermione began to panic, Draco had always kept her posted, if he was going to be late.

"Right Scorpious, want to go and find daddy? He's probably at work really busy and forgot about dinner." The little boy threw his crayons down and jumped down from his chair. He almost ran to get his coat and stood by the fire, although there was worry on Hermione's mind, she couldn't help but smile at her son. He was so full of life and excitement, he loved his father, the two of them were inseparable.

Scorpious was holding his mother's hand as they stepped out of the fire, he skipped along beside her, he loved going to his father's office. All the attention was on him, he was a Malfoy after all.

"Hi, I was just wondering if Draco was still here?"

"Sorry Mrs Malfoy, but Mr Malfoy hasn't been in all day. We had to re-schedule all of his appointments for next week." Hermione frowned and nodded her head, fear was now present on her mind but she had to stay positive and worry less for the small boy skipping beside her.

"Mommy, where is daddy?"

"I don't know Scorp, but don't worry, we'll find him." Scorpious frowned, his innocent face looking more and more like Draco's everyday. She started to walk towards the fire again. Where could he be?

"GINNY!" Hermione burst into the Weasley household via flu and began searching the house for anyone.

"Sit own darling, mommy will be right back." Hermione ran up one flight of stairs, pushing every door open looking for Ginny. She continued up every flight of stairs and finally upon finding nobody, allowed herself to lean against the wall for just a second, to collect her thoughts. Outside the window, in the very far distance, right at the end of the long garden, hanging the washing by magic was Molly Weasley. Darting down the stairs and out into the garden, she ran towards the older woman.

"MOLLY!"

"Hermione? Well isn't this a wonderful surprise. Are you hungry? Shall I make you a drink?" She briefly hugged Mrs Weasley and pulled back, grabbed her hand and began to walk towards the house.

"No Molly but thanks, can you do me a favour?"

"What do you need?"

"I need you to look after Scorp for an hour or so. I can't find Draco and I need to go see Blaise." Hermione rambled on and began walking faster towards the house. Mrs Weasley almost had to run to keep up with her.

"Yes of course."

"Thanks...OK Scorpi Mommy's going to find Daddy and bring him home, don't worry Grandma Molly will look after you. If you ask really nice, she'll cook you something really yummy." She gave her son a giant fake smile, he couldn't tell the difference and just smiled back at his mother, kissed her goodbye and went into the kitchen.

Hermione stepped into the fire and grabbed a handful of flu powder, dropping it into the fire-place she called out "Zabini manor" in a clear, crisp voice. She instantly felt the effects of the flu powder take place, she could feel the flames engulf her, tickle her entire body before she felt the pull of the magical flames. There was always a twist in her stomach whenever she used this method, a twist that never really sat well with her but it was the safest method of travel. She felt a barrier in the fire-place of Zabini manor, a wall, a block, something was stopping her from reaching the other side. With a thump, she landed back in the Weasley's fire-place. She couldn't enter the Zabini's house.

Hermione had always been allowed into Zabini's house. He had these special wards up to only allow certain people to flu in and out, Hermione was Blaise's best friend's wife. She was one of his closest friends, this was strange, however the bloke was allowed some privacy every now and then. Perhaps it was better to apparate.

Hermione knocked on the door and waited for an answer. Slowly the door opened and Hermione looked down upon a house elf.

"Hi, can I speak with Mr Zabini please?"

"Master has told Trixie he must not be disturbed."

"Please...it's urgent."

"Master has told Trixie he must not be disturbed." Hermione huffed, se needed to speak to Blaise. She hated how House elves were used like this, if it were a person, she would have pushed past them right now.

"BLAISE? BLAISE? IT'S URGENT? HAVE YOU SEEN DRACO? BLAISE?"

"Miss, Trixie cannot allow you in, Master says no visitors." She couldn't deal with this, she would apologise later, Hermione gritted her teeth and pushed past Trixie, bursting into the house, she walked through the hall and into a number of rooms. The living room was clear, as was the Kitchen. She was about to make her way upstairs.

"Hermione?" She turned to see Blaise, he had a calm composure about him, however Hermione noticed the stiffness in his posture and his hand behind his back. His eyes were red as if he hadn't been sleeping or he had been crying. Something was wrong, she could just feel it but she was already acting a bit odd herself. Perhaps it best she stayed calm for now.

"Have you seen Draco I haven't seem him since late last night, I'm getting worried." Blaise shook his head and for a moment Hermione thought she saw guilt in his eyes, however it could just be Blaise was sorry he could not help. Hermione backed away and walked out of the house. There was an eerie sense around.

"I'm sorry Blaise, if you see him, just get him to owl me ok?" He nodded and Hermione left, with one thing on her mind.

"Trixie, don't let that happen again" Blaise turned around and walked down into the cellar and face to face with an unconcious Draco.

A/N: Hello cliff-hanger. Well I hope you think that a little less cliché than the chapter I put up the other day. Like I said, I needed some sort of drama or darkness to finish the story. I am getting into the swing of writing and hopefully should be updating at the weekend.

Sorry if that wasn't what you wanted from the story, I know some people didn't like the other version but I just hope that if you don't love it, you can at least tolerate it until this drama passes and it gets lighter again.

Thank you so much, it really is because of you that I am still writing.

Review?

Love Ya

DD

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