This chap has a BIT of fluff at beg. Read on it gets better I promise!

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Chapter 9

Separated in darkness they shall grow

Of each other they shall not know

Prospering apart, until their ready

Together they will keep the dark steady

Then they will defeat evil with his own way

But not before in darkness they shall lay

Hermione lifted her tear stained face to look up at Ron. Ron, who was standing a few feet away, was bending over with a look of concern on his freckled face, asked quietly, "What's wrong?"

Hermione just sobbed harder at that. Everything was wrong. And he couldn't even guess, he was so thickheaded at times. But, unable to tell him that, she just wiped her face with her hands and said, " nothing. Nothing's wrong." Ron didn't seem to believe her because he sat down next to her and gave her a shaky hug. He awkwardly patted her back while attempting to whisper soothingly to her.

"It's okay. Do you want to tell me what's bothering you now?" Ron asked as she sat up again, her face now free of all traces of tears.

"Harry." She mumbled softly. "He's so different, you're so different, it's just not right."

Ron looked at her guiltily. " I know, but people change, plans change. I'm sorry I've been such a bastard lately, leaving you all alone. But that's over with. Friends?" Ron asked hopefully.

"Of course, but what about Harry?" Hermione's big brown eyes began to water once again.

" I know it took me awhile." At Hermione's look, he admitted, "we'll it actually took me awhile to listen to Ginny, but she finally convinced me it isn't as Harry says it is. I mean he can't be in Slytherin it just isn't him. I haven't really met Rose yet, but she seems to be a lot like the marauders. How can she not be in Gryffindor too?" Ron finished, half talking to himself.

He continued on when Hermione didn't say anything. "I got a letter from Sirius, saying he didn't believe it either. He wanted to know what was really happening. But I don't know what's going on!" Ron said angrily, slamming his fist onto the ground before wincing in pain.

"I got a letter from him too, I told him I agreed that it didn't make sense." Hermione responded, still next to Ron on the ground. "I believe it's up to us to help Harry, even if he doesn't want it."

"Whatever you say Hermione, I'm behind you the whole way. I just want to get that smug look off Malfoy's face as soon as possible." Ron finished vehemently. Hermione nodded in agreement as he helped her to her feet. It was hard not to attack Malfoy every time he laughed with, sat with, talked with, or slapped Harry on the back. Deciding that this needed to be solved as soon as possible before it was too late, they walked back to the castle together. Totally unaware of the two groups of people that came out of the shadows after them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rose had had an eventful day so far, waking up an hour earlier than usual on weekends, drugging her brother, and getting some informative news from some Slytherin third year's girls. Apparently the two girls had overheard a conversation between Ron and Hermione that afternoon. After getting all the information from the two suspicious youngsters, she modified their memories into thinking they saw just Hermione in the ally alone.

Annoyed that Harry's friends were too nosy, she made her to the Gryffindor tower. Rose passed a few Gryffindors on the way, all of which ignored her. Insolent fools.

Waiting for the hallway to clear before approaching the portrait, Rose scanned through all the latest gossip she knew. Finally picking on the one she wanted to spread, as it also happened to work with her scheme to rid Harry of those Gryffindors, she began to talk with the fat lady.

"You don't say dearie, well I for one am shocked. Your parents didn't get together until sixth year, and they were perfectly virtuous until their wedding day. Why they would just turn over in their graves if the knew what a little scoundrel your brother has turned into. I'm sure they'd be comforted to know that he has you to keep him close in hand. Go on in, I can see you're anxious."

Rose scrambled through, not bothering with the invisibility charm. Scanning the room she wasn't able to find who she was looking for. She had been so hoping on giving those two specific Gryffindors a lecture on staying out of other people's lives, especially when they weren't wanted. That was just plain harassment. Then Rose would have hexed them into oblivion; well she would have at least liked to have tried to. Disappointed to find her victims missing, she left the common room quickly not wanting to spend any more time in those people's company than was necessary.

After leaving the Gryffindor tower, Rose walked hurriedly to the Slytherin dungeons. She needed to get to the Marauder's map and see where Hermione and Ron were before they found Harry. All the while annoyed that some meddlesome Gryffindors had ruined her Saturday, she angrily stalked down the hall kicking all the suits of armor along the way.

Ignoring the coldness of the underground dungeons, Rose refused to put a warming charm on herself like she did every other day. She couldn't afford to waste any time, not even a minute. The only reason she didn't just accio the map was because she wasn't sure where Harry was at the moment. If was in his room and saw the piece of parchment suddenly start flying out, there'd be hell to pay. He had made it clear during the summer that she was never to touch it; he seemed to think she'd do something bad with the map. Odd, Rose only planning on helping him get rid of some unwanted people.

Looking down at her watch, she began to run. The potion Blaise gave Harry would be wearing off soon, and he'd be looking for her then. Shouting the password for all to hear, Rose entered her common room. No one spoke to her as she rushed to her brother's dorm. Slightly winded, Rose halted to a stop outside the door. Leaning her ear against the wood, Rose strained to hear something. Nothing. Assuming that it was empty, Rose turned the knob cautiously.

Peeking inside, she saw it was unoccupied. Rose then dashed to her brother's trunk. After performing an unlocking charm, she flung open the trunk. Fishing around for a bit, Rose struck gold. Tapping her wand to the map, Rose spoke. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Instantly the little dots appeared as expected. Rose searched frantically for Hermione and Ron's dots. But according to the map, there weren't anywhere in Hogwarts or the grounds. Frustrated, Rose put all of Harry's things back, being careful to return everything back in place. She then closed the lid and relocked it. Making sure that Harry wouldn't be able to tell that she had been there, Rose left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two days later found Rose in Dumbledore's office…again. Except this time Harry had been asked to accompany her there as well. Harry was angry that he had been taken out of class for one of Rose's antics. Rose was just angry that he had found out about her latest mischief so quickly. Inside the office, Rose rushed to get what she believed to be, the comfier chair. Harry sat down beside her, not caring one whit about which chair he sat in.

Looking up at her headmaster, Rose saw Dumbledore examining them. Normally Rose enjoyed being observed, she loved being watched enviously. But Rose did not like it this time, especially since Dumbledore wasn't looking at her with admiration or envy. "What?" She asked him, finally fed up with his staring.

Dumbledore broke his study and chuckled. Since he was obviously amused and not angry, Harry relaxed. He had thought for a moment that Rose had gone too far. Then he straightened again when Dumbledore suddenly became serious before speaking. "Have either of you spoken with Hermione Granger or Ronald Weasley in the last two days?" Rose clearly look relieved that he wasn't aware of her latest prank, and just nodded her head no. Harry shook his head as well, fully confused as to where this was going. Should he have seen them? He thought he was supposed to be avoiding them.

Dumbledore didn't reply right away and just sighed before sinking back down into his chair. "I was afraid you two would say that. No one else has seen them since Hogsmeade on Saturday." Dumbledore let his unexpected news set in before moving on. "We have reason to believe that Voldemort may have a hand in this, though we can never be certain." He finished stroking his beard, and talking as though he really had no clue. "The ministry has already been informed, and we are doing everything we can." Rose looked surprised, but not overly upset by the kidnapping. Harry was visibly affected, though he was doing a remarkable job of trying to hide it. "Have any of your fellow house mates mentioned anything about this?" When he received no response from Harry, he turned to Rose for an answer.

Feeling suddenly defensive of her new found friends, Rose sputtered with anger. "N..NO! I haven't heard a thing. They are not the Death Eaters, their parents are!" Rose said vehemently.

"I take it you trust them as well, Harry?" Dumbledore's voice audibly softened when he questioned Harry.

"I trust Draco, but you never know. After all, you trusted Moody, didn't you?" Harry said as he stood and left the office. Rose watched her twin leave before saluting Dumbledore. Then she too left to go back to class. Dumbledore watched them go sadly, it seemed as though Rose wasn't doing as well of a job on keeping Harry from dwelling on the past as he had hoped. On the bright side, she didn't seem to upset after the meeting. Reflecting back, Albus chuckled. Rose certainly did have spunk.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"What did Dumbledore want?" Draco asked as Harry sat down next to him in charms. They were working on healing charms, a subject that Draco found unimportant. Making no attempt to even try the spell, Draco just pressed Harry. "Well?"

"He just wanted to check where my alliances laid now that I'm friends with you." Harry stated as calmly as he could, guarding his emotions as he closely watched Draco's. Even if his statement was exactly true, it was close enough to it. Draco seemed surprised at Harry's straightforward answer and didn't reply right away. But when he did he voice was so forceful and confident, it surprised Harry.

Looking Harry right in the eye he said, "You can tell him he has nothing to fear from me either. I've made my choice, and it isn't with Voldemort." Yet again Draco surprised him using Voldemort's real name and not You-Know-Who. "I don't like anyone telling me what to do, so don't get Dumbledore thinking that now that Voldemort's out of the picture, he can be my new master. I will not be dictated ever again." Harry stared back into Draco's face, checking to see if he was sincere.

He was. "I wasn't suggesting that you were, don't be offended. I was just answering your question. But now that were on the subject, I'll tell you about myself." Harry said back amicably.

"No need, I know exactly who you support. Like golden boy would ever follow Voldemort." Draco snorted.

Harry waited a minute so that Draco would be paying complete attention to his next words. "Oh you'd be surprised."

"Humph, yes I would be so shocked that I'd drop dead if you ever thought about doing as Dumbledore asked." Draco said sarcastically, not believing Harry for a second.

"Look, we can't talk about this here, can you meet me in the Astronomy tower after lunch? We can skip History." Harry asked, and smiled when Draco agreed.

Lunch went by slowly for the two Slytherins. Neither really ate much as they anticipated their upcoming meeting, though no one looked as if they had noticed anything amiss with the two. After a half an hour, the food began to clear. They both got up at the same time, and left the hall together. All the while chatting happily so as not to arose suspicion. Once outside the hearing of the great hall, they fell silent.

Harry spoke first, "I'm not too pleased with Dumbledore at the moment, and haven't been since June. He treats me as a pawn, granted a well-guarded pawn, but a pawn nonetheless. Can I trust you with something?" Draco wasn't sure where exactly this was going but said yes anyway. "Good, then you won't mind if I put a truth spell on you." Draco did mind, but his curiosity to what Harry was up to won out.

"That depends, how long does it last?"

Harry smirked and said, "Until I remove it."

Knowing he would regret it later, Draco replied, "Fine."

Now they were at the Astronomy Tower and both stepped inside. Harry turned around and closed the door, then put various charms on it to lock it. Followed by a powerful silencing barrier. Nothing said in this room would be heard, or repeated. Draco was impressed but didn't say anything, just sat down on the edge. When he heard Harry sit down next to him, he turned to face him. "Ready when you are."

Harry waved his wand and muttered, "Versos," as a shot of sparkles came out of his wand and landed on Draco. Draco felt as though he had been lifted from his body as his eyes glazed over. Seeing that his charm had worked, Harry began the interrogation. "Do you support Voldemort?"

Draco was helpless as he watched his mouth respond. "No."

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"Should I trust you?"

"Yes."

"Are you loyal to me as a friend, forever."

"Unless you try to kill me, yes."

Taking the spell off, Harry watched as Draco came back. "I'm going to tell you what's happened to me since August, and you can decide if you want to help me or not. If not, I know you won't tell anyone." Harry went over what Dumbledore had told him and Rose in his office, in what felt like years ago.

"Wait, so the sorting hat was fixed?" Draco asked unbelievingly.

Harry chuckled and said, "No, I got in there all on my own. It wanted to put me in Slytherin in the first place." Harry finished his story with how they had trained over the summer. Harry watched as Draco digested all that he had just told him. He was just contented to watch the sky all day if he had to, so he stayed silent.

Meanwhile, everything was in turmoil in Draco's mind. Harry was against Voldmort, no surprise there. But Dumbledore had a plan for Harry to defeat him, and he needed Draco's help. The decision to help him was relatively easy. If he didn't, who knows what could happen if Voldemort took over. He personally would be on both sides' most wanted list if he rebelled against Dumbledore too. If Draco helped Harry he'd be going against Voldemort and the Death Eaters, a.k.a his father. Yes, Draco would be glad to do whatever he could.

"You can count on me Cobra," Draco said happily to his friend. Harry, who had been busy staring at the clouds, wasn't sure he had heard him correctly.

"Are you sure? This isn't a game, it's war." Harry reminded Draco.

"Positive." He replied without hesitation.

"I need you to become a spy, become a Death Eater for Voldemort." Draco's jaw dropped in surprised, but waited for Harry to finish. "Here's my plan. You get in by your father's connections, and this way you won't be targeted for your refusal to not be a Death Eater. You can keep us up on what he's planning. Snape used to do it, but he's been suspected of being a spy since last June. They'd never suspect you, the son of Lucius Malfoy to be one. "

"This is crazy. And you're the psycho who's got it all figured out. What does Rose think about it all." When Harry didn't answer him right away, Draco too a big breath before going on.

"I guess I'm a psycho too then, I'll do it." Harry let a grin spread across his face as he let out a breath of relief. Draco had just made things much easier for him. Maybe he'd be able to find out more about Hermione and Ron's capture. Even if he couldn't, then at least he'd be able to help others in the future.

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After neither nether Harry nor Draco showed up for Binns' class, Rose began to search for them. She looked everywhere, in the bathrooms, other common rooms, dorm rooms, and even the hidden passageways. But she still couldn't find them. At a lost at what to do now, she headed to dinner. Maybe she'd be able to think better on a full stomach. Most of the students were in the Great Hall when she arrived, including her brother and Draco.

Both sat on the far side of the Slytherin table near the wall, huddled together whispering, with no one even close to them. But, they seemed not to mind their solitude and were even laughing occasionally. Rose was slightly surprised that they appeared to be genuinely enjoying themselves, and not just putting up a good public impression.

This was a bizarre sight since they had been unable to spend a single afternoon together just last weekend without one being forced to drug the other to get rid of him. Uneasily, Rose advanced towards the two boys. They noted her arrival with a smile from Harry, and a wave from Draco. But other than that, they just kept on talking. Seeing that neither was displaying any signs of having a curse put on them to be civil, she left to sit with Blaise and Pansy.

Sitting down with the girls, Rose was immediately bombarded with questions on where the two boys had been, and why they weren't sitting with the group. "Maybe they want some alone time, if you know what I mean." Pansy said snidely, she was still angry that neither boy had paid any attention to her this year. Rose laughed to cover the awkward silence that had followed Pansy's comment. Blaise joined in, while Mandy just looked as though she agreed with Pansy.

"I know for a fact that Harry doesn't swing that way," Blaise said while still trying to recover from her laughter. Rose couldn't speak, and just shook her head in agreement. This was too funny; she couldn't wait to see the looks on the boys' faces when they heard this. That would probably break up their closeness. Pansy just sulked throughout the meal, while Blaise and Rose would share secret glances before breaking into hysterics again. Pansy was finally so fed up with them that she left before dessert in a huff.

Rose was halfway through her ice cream when Harry came over. "I'm going to bed early tonight, don't lose anymore points while I'm not there to watch you." Rose just pretended to be offended, and Harry walked away. Draco followed after him. During dinner they had devised a plan on how to find Hermione and Ron. Draco was reluctant at first; he still didn't like the Gryffindors, but had finally given in only after much persuasion from Harry.

Once inside their dorm room, Harry changed for bed using wandless magic. Then he spent the rest of his magical energy on summoning Draco over. Exhausted from the effort, Harry laid back down onto the bed. Draco looked sympathetic, but didn't stop what he was doing. He used magic to tie Harry to the bed, and put an invisible gag in his mouth so no one would hear him scream. Finally Draco waved his wand over him and out him to sleep. Listening, Draco heard the deep breaths that signaled that Harry was indeed asleep.

Draco heard a scuffle, and then looked up to see Pansy tumbling out of the closet. "Aha! I knew it! I knew you too were gay. Otherwise you wouldn't have been able to resist me." She said, pointing to Harry and himself.

Draco looked surprised, then angry. "I am not gay, but if you were the only female on earth I would be. LEAVE!" Draco bellowed as Pansy ran out of the room. Learning from his mistake, Draco now locked the door.

Then he returned to his own bed and laid down. He was equipped with a quill and a piece of parchment, waiting for Harry to have a nightmare. Harry had been taking a potion to have a dreamless sleep for months now, so he hadn't been aware of Voldemort's activities. They were hoping that if he didn't take it tonight, then he'd dream if where Ron and Hermione were.

So Draco was waiting, when Harry started shaking, a signal that his nightmare had begun. Draco watched in horror as Harry started twisting violently, with sweat pouring down his ashen face. He felt helpless as Harry tried to scream, but couldn't. Draco got up to wake Harry and end his nightmare, but stopped himself just in time. Harry had to find out where they were; otherwise he'd just have to do it again tomorrow night.

One long minute later, Harry's red eyes shot open. Draco rushed forward and removed the gag and ropes. Panting, Harry attempted to speak. "Ah…Ah…At a mansion…a big black one in London…with white roses in the yard…and dungeons in the basement, under a trap door that you get into by taking the heads off statues of muggle children. That's where they are." Harry finished, his breathing more normal.

Draco had been listening, and with dread and realized where they were. Hermione, Ron, and Voldemort were at Malfoy Manor.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Her head felt as though it was a balloon, and had been pumped up with helium. Groaning, Hermione brought up her hands to cradle her aching head. She then slowly opened her eyes, as her mind began to fully function. Looking around, her memory slowly came back to her. Hermione quickly shut her eyes again, hoping that it wouldn't be true, that she was just dreaming. Cautiously, Hermione opened one eye. No, she was still there.

She and Ron had been walking back to Hogwarts, finally together again when it had happened. A group of people masked as Death Eaters suddenly appeared, surrounding them both in a circle. Hermione had screamed while Ron started to curse them. He had only managed to knock one down before she herself was captured. Hermione had begun screaming but had been taken away before Ron could help her. Then she must have been stunned, because the next time she woke up a Death Eater was kicking her into consciousness. He had given her some food and water, and let her use a bathroom. But he refused to answer any of her questions.

Hermione hadn't seen Ron since the initial kid knapping. And she had absolutely no clue as to how long ago that was; it could have been hours, or even a week. Knowing she couldn't go back to sleep again, Hermione examined her prison. It was stone, (how original), and had a wooden door with a window that had bars on it, presumably for the guard to check on her. She wasn't chained to the wall, and there weren't any hooks coming out. It was just plain bare.

Already bored with her inspection, Hermione started to think of where she could possibly be. She was most definitely here by Voldemort's orders, but why, she had no idea. Since she and Ron were no longer friends with Harry, what use could Voldemort possibly have with them? And where the bloody hell was she? Where was Ron? And most importantly, where was her rescue team? Somebody must have noticed them missing by now, so where was Dumbledore?

Hermione knew that the guard wasn't going to answer her, so there was no point in asking him. Frustrated with all the mysteries, Hermione began to pace. But quietly, she didn't want to draw attention to herself, maybe then Voldemort would forget about her until she figured out a way to get out. So Hermione continued to pace, even after she ate the food the Death Eater gave her.

She was beginning her 567th walk around the perimeter of her cell when she heard a male voice screaming, "AHHH!" It was ghastly to listen to. Hermione then ran to the door, trying to be closer to the agonizing sounds. The guard appeared undaunted, like he didn't even hear the screams. But he couldn't be deaf, for he looked up when she banged into the door in an effort to hear better. The Death Eater looked, his mask covering his satisfied smirk, and growled, "Get back."

Complying, Hermione walked shakily to the wall and sat down. Praying that it would all end soon, and she and Ron would be back at Hogwarts with Harry.

Because she was so engrossed in her efforts, she failed to notice someone else inside her cell.

AN: this was one of my least favorite chaps personally, but it had 2 get written. please remember to review.