Turning the corner of the doorway, she saw Lucius staring at a disheveled Draco, a tired and dirty Harry and Ron right behind him.
Hermione bolted towards Harry and Ron so fast it took a moment for the new trio to register what was going on.
"Hermione!" Harry shouted and engulfed her into his arms tightly, placing kisses on top of her head. Ron threw himself into the hug and the trio was reunited, relieved they all seemed fairly alright. Before long, Harry and Ron loosened their grip on her, and she whipped her head over to Draco. He didn't have the usual stern and crass look on his face, looking at her with a small smile. Hermione walked over to Draco and his surprise, engulfed him in a kindhearted hug signaling she was glad he was safe and hopefully showing her trustiness.
Lucius watched Hermione smile at the three and watched as she held Draco's hand while asking, "What you are doing here? Are you okay?"
"I noticed we were near home and needed to pick up some supplies," Draco said. Lucius interrupted.
"Draco, let us gather the supplies. I am sure Hermione would appreciate a moment alone. We will be back momentarily." Lucius kissed the top of her hair out of pure instinct and lead Draco out of the room. Draco let go of Hermione's hand gently, following his father out of the room.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron blurted out. Hermione smiled and walked closer to the duo.
"A lot has changed since we last each other. Come with me, I'll make you guys some food. I'm sure you are starved."
Hermione turned on her heel while the boys followed her. Over the last few weeks, Hermione started to explore the manor and most of its room. A week ago, she found the kitchen in the far reaches of the manor that looked completely abandoned. Asking Lucius if she could play around in the uninhibited room, he unreservedly agreed. Over the last few days, she started drying out herbs from the garden which gave the room a comforting smell, and cleaned off of the windows to allow more light to flood the room. The fireplace was charmed to maintain a low but comfortable fire throughout the day so as they entered the temperature created a cozy atmosphere.
Hermione waved her wand and made the ingredient to a hearty stew to flow into the cauldron. A final flick of the wand set a timer that allowed the fire to die when the mixture reached her desired temperature. Ron and Harry took a much-needed seat at the nook located in the corner near the window, feeling their muscles ache the second they took a seat.
She took a seat across from them and watched them lean back and relax.
"How are you guys doing? " Hermione asked to break the silence.
"We made as much progress as possible. You-know-who is getting weaker and it's getting easier to see his intentions. We think he might attack Hogwarts in 3 months. Well, actually, Draco figured that out." Harry replied. Ron rolled his eyes.
"How has he been? Draco, I mean."
"Better. It's like something shifted in him. Ron and I think that his being around Horcruxes growing up influenced him."
Hermione smiled. She was glad that they were doing well but something made her feel sad that she couldn't help more. She wanted so badly to be with them, help them out, be useful.
"Is there anything I can do to help? I hate being this useless."
Ron chimed in, "You aren't useless 'Mione."
The boiling to the stew stopped and she levitated bowls that filed themselves with the stew to the table with two extra ones for when Draco and Lucius came back.
They ate their stew slowly while catching up on the places they have gone and where they planned on going next. Ron went off in detail about their attempts to destroy a Horcrux and what resources they were using to get by. He let it slip that they still had her enchanted beaded bag and that the supplies she packed were becoming more useful than they thought.
"When it gets colder, I have self-heating potions in there and thermal clothing for you guys. I'm pretty sure there are a few pairs each in there."
Ron dropped his spoon and reached into his pocket to pull out the bag. He shoved his hand in there and started to dig around. Hermione knew by his huffing that he couldn't find the pocket and took the bag out of his hands and reached elbow deep into the beaded bag. She found the pocket and pulled out a flannel sweater to show.
"Here, I'll leave them in the main part. You'll probably need them soon anyway."
The door to the kitchen opened and Lucius was standing in the doorway with Draco right beside him. He towards the table and while Draco slid into the seat next to Ron he took his place to the right of Hermione on the bench.
"And what may I ask are you doing?" Lucius asked as Hermione was still armed deep into a small purple bag.
"I put an undetectable extension charm on my purse and filled it with supplies a while ago. I hid some supplies and just needed to rearrange some things so they can find them better. Draco, I was telling Harry and Ron that there is some winter clothing in there when it gets colder. Now that I'm feeling around in here, I see you boys didn't find the extra food pockets. I know it's muggle food, protein bars, and such, but it should last a while. I'll throw that into the pocket upfront."
Lucius wrapped his arm around her waist and looked into the bag.
"Clever girl." He smirked.
Hermione smiled and handed the bag back to a confused Ron. He was still guzzling down his stew while grabbing the bad. Before Hermione could mention the stew to Draco, she noticed he was already stuffing his face.
"I made some stew if you are hungry." Hermione turned her head and was inches away from Lucius. He gave her a small smile and released his grip from her waist, taking the bowl and began to eat.
Harry tried to be subtle but Hermione picked up on his observing. Thankfully Ron was oblivious. She tried to play it off by starting a pot of tea with the tried herbs she had around the fireplace.
Draco offered to help her and stood from his spot, getting the high handing sage she couldn't reach.
Putting the kettle on the hood above the fire, Draco moved closer and put a few sage leaves in for a steep.
"Father told me about…" Draco whispered.
"Please don't tell them. I'll tell them when it's safe." Draco nodded and smiled.
He spoke in a more audible volume to knock off any suspicion.
"I'm glad you found the wand."
Hermione looped his arm in hers and walked back across the room to the nook.
Ron shot up and blurted, "Do you and Malfoy have a thing now?"
Hermione released his arm and let out a laugh while sitting down next to Lucius. She could have defiantly played it off better but honestly, she needed the laugh.
"You almost look like a normal guy in those Muggle clothes Draco." Hermione poked fun. It was almost strange to see him dressed in a pullover hoodie and jeans.
Harry chuckled, "You should have seen them about a week ago when we had to throw off the snatchers and go to London. You should have seen them play around with a T.V."
Hermione could just imagine it, a confused Draco and Ron trying to figure out how the magical muggle picture box was moving and making noise. She let out a laugh and asked, "So sad I missed that."
Lucius was puzzled by what Hermione and Harry were talking about and asked, "What is a t.v.?"
"It's a box that plays images and sound for entertainment. People watch shows on it, you can watch a film, or the news to see what is going on in their community or the world. There's this rectangle that comes with it that lets you remotely control the box so you can change what you are watching." Hermione tried to explain to the best of her abilities. Lucius seemed more confused and she told him when they had opportunities she would explain it better later.
"They had this program called Seinfeld that we liked," Ron said. Draco agreed.
Hermione smiled and was happy they were at least being civil with each other, a much better result than she was expecting.
"Where are you off to next?" Hermione asked to get them back on topic.
"I think it would be better if we didn't tell you. Just in case…" Hermione knew exactly what Harry was referring to. What if Voldemort read her mind and found out that Harry, Ron, and Draco were here? He would dig deeper and try to figure out where they were heading. The risk would be too great.
"Well if you ever need anything please use that book," Hermione said. Draco nodded and grabbed the pot the second it started whistling. Five levitating mugs set themselves across from each person.
After a while of catching up and making sure that all of their supplies were in order, Harry stood and gave Hermione a warm hug.
"We'll try to keep in contact Hermione. Thanks for helping us. If anything important comes up please use the book. And thank you, Lucius."
Lucius shook Harry's hand. Hermione hugged Ron and wished him safe.
Finally, Hermione gave Draco a kindhearted hug. She didn't know when the next time she would meet with them again but kept on repeating to stay safe and use the book.
Lucius lifted the wards off the property and Harry grabbed the portkey from his pocket. Draco and Ron took hold of it and within a split second, they disappeared into thin air.
Hermione turned to Lucius.
"You told Draco." She said.