A/N: Sorry for the long wait between updates. I have been busy with university work and have also been working on another novel-length story involving Hermione, Narcissa and Lucius based upon the song 'In My Daughter's Eyes' by Martina McBride. I'm also going through my chapters on this story and fixing up any plotholes. As I said waaay back in Chapter 1, this was my first ever fanfic and little planning went into it outside the story concept and the 'destination' (ending). So, as a result I've spotted a lot of plotholes that need fixing up. Sorry for the short chapter, but I know it has been a while since I posted and I wanted to reassure those that have subscribed to the story that it isn't abandoned.
A/N #2: With the rumours that could be going down, I have started cross-posting to AO3 - /works/42162231/chapters/105853914
A couple of days later at the Death Eater meeting, Voldemort made an announcement which was very unwelcome to Draco.
"Crabbe has reported to me that someone disrespected me by daring to utter my name in Grimmauld Place in London in the vicinity of the former Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix," Voldemort said.
"Those idiots!" thought Draco. He kept his face impassive, but internally he was boiling with frustration.
"Now, have you found a way around the defences the Order has set up against you Severus that prevents anyone with my Mark from accessing the place?" Voldemort asked.
"No, my Lord. I am however working on it," Snape replied.
"Very well. Continue to do so. In the meantime, I want around-the-clock surveillance of the place. I think a family team for first duty – Snydes, Carrows – get over there," Voldemort said. The Death Eaters stood and bowed as they left. "Draco, find out if it's Potter in there." Draco nodded. While his face was blank, he was surprised to hear that there was a ward up to prevent anyone with a Dark Mark from accessing the place, given he had been there more than once before since Dumbledore's death. Then it hit him, the one thing that he had that the other Death Eaters did not was Voldemort's charm allowing him to bypass any ward where Hermione was.
"Yes, my Lord," he replied.
"Dismissed," Voldemort said to the room at large. There was a scattering of chairs as all the Death Eaters rose and left. Draco walked out into the front yard, disapparated, and then appeared in the middle of the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place.
"STUPEFY!" he heard Harry's voice yell.
"Protego!" Draco responded. The spell deflected and smashed a vase on the windowsill . "WHAT THE HELL POTTER!"
"Expelliamus!" Harry yelled. Draco's wand went flying out of his hand and Ron caught it.
"Harry what are you doing?!" Hermione yelled.
"Prove who you are!" Harry said assertively.
"I am Draco Malfoy," Draco thought to Harry. Harry lowered his wand.
"Sorry Draco, but you turned up in the middle of the house unannounced. I had to check you were who you said you were," Harry said.
"Well, at least you're observing that part of security," Draco said bitingly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry said.
"Which one of you idiots said the Dark Lord's name after I specifically told you that it has been tabooed as a way to track people?" Draco asked. Hermione gasped.
"It was me again," Hermione said.
"Hermione! Come on. I told you! You're supposed to be the brains of this operation," Draco said exasperatedly.
"I'm sorry Draco, I forgot," Hermione said.
"You forgot. What a thing for the brightest witch of her age to forget. She can remember every question on an exam but forgets the important fact not to do the very thing that sets off a way for the enemy to track her and her friends!" Draco yelled.
"Shut up Malfoy!" Ron yelled.
"No Weasley, don't you get it. I don't want to have to keep worrying about you three!" Draco yelled back.
"Are you seriously suggesting you won't be worrying about Hermione regardless? I thought you loved her. She certainly worries about you!" Ron yelled.
"You know what I mean Weasley! The difference is, I'm constantly hanging around a homicidal maniac. You three on the other hand are here safe, but not if you keep forgetting basic security measures! I don't want to have to keep covering for you! They know you're in here and are putting 24-hour surveillance on this place," Draco said.
"But they can't get in here can they Draco?" Harry asked.
"Thankfully no," Draco replied. "Apparently, there's a charm in place to prevent anyone with the Dark Mark accessing it. Something the Order set up," Draco said.
"How can you get in then?" Hermione asked.
"The Dark Lord's charm between us. I'm able to get past any wards as long as you're inside the wards. Likewise, you can get past any wards to get to me," Draco said.
"Does the Dark Lord know about this?" Hermione asked.
"I don't think so, otherwise he would have asked me," Draco replied.
"That's something at least," Harry said.
"Now I have to think of something to tell the Dark Lord to cover up this slip-up," Draco said bitingly.
"Wait Draco, there may be a way to turn this to our advantage," Ron said.
"Well speak up Weasley," Draco said.
"You know You-Know-Who better than me, so tell me if this wouldn't work," Ron had a look on his face halfway between bitter and grateful. "He thinks Hermione is passing him information on Harry, but she's actually been passing him fake information."
"Right," Draco said.
"Well, tell him a version of the truth – tell him that Hermione said the name to alert him to our presence here. He already suspects we're here and has set up look-outs. Telling him that should keep him satisfied for a while," Ron said.
"There's something in that," Draco replied.
"Brilliant Ron!" Hermione said.
"Always the tone of surprise," Ron replied, rolling his eyes.
"Okay I'll do that, but you have to be careful coming and going," Draco said.
"Don't worry, we have that covered," Harry said. Draco was sceptical but didn't say anything. He strode over to Hermione and took her into a hug.
"Be careful will you," He said forcefully.
"You too," Hermione replied. He released her, stepped back and disapparated back to the manor