Draco stared at the abyss before him, wondering how much longer it would take for Potter to give them an update; Any update. The hallway leading to the library was darker and danker than Grimmauld Place. The sheer length of it made him feel as if he was falling into a dark well every time he traversed it.
But he would do as he must. The only thing that seems to be keeping Granger sane these days was research. So research they would do.
"Here Granger, drink," he said, holding out a cup of hot cocoa to her.
Hermione smiled softly, touching the top of his hand as she accepted it.
"Thank you," her scratchy voice came out, barely a whisper.
The more days that passed the easier it was for them to settle in the same routine. Rising at dawn. Breakfast followed by research until tea time, then back again. Lunch at noon, followed by afternoon tea - to which he'd been supplementing with cocoa for added caloric value - then research again until dinnertime.
Somewhere along the way, he'd discovered that Hermione treasured the cocoa because her parents made it as a tradition. So cocoa it would always be for the afternoon tea. After dinner they'd listen for any updates on the wizarding radio, then retire until the following morning.
Since the last night at the first cottage, they'd been sleeping together. Draco would watch over her until she fell asleep and always woke to rouse her from the nightmares that still plagued her. He'd protested at first, insistent that he didn't want a Weasley possibly coming down on him for sharing a bed with her, but it was Granger herself that insisted. After all, his last bedroom had been disintegrated while he'd been asleep in hers.
And so they existed. If it weren't for the nightly reports, they'd not even know what day it was.
"Malfoy, did you not hear me? I said, have you made any progress?"
He blinked a few times before taking a sip of his own cocoa, drawing it out a bit before nodding.
"I have. Watch."
He lifted his right index finger and after the briefest of moments the salt shaker on the table across from them moved about an inch to his left.
Hermione smiled quietly over her cup, the tiredness in her eyes dissipating momentarily. The moment passed as she heard someone apparate in the room down the hall.
"I've got it," he said quietly, wand at the ready.
Before he could get halfway out the door, Harry appeared like a light in the darkness.
"Please, Malfoy, I'm not in the mood."
Draco quickly put the wand in his pocket, stepping aside to let Potter in the small but warm room.
"Hermione," Harry said, reaching out to hug his oldest of friends. "Blimey, you've gained some weight since I saw you last."
That earned him a quick sock in the shoulder, but a smile as he rubbed it like it hurt more than it actually did.
"Well, Harry? Do you have any news, or not?"