Through the darkness of the night Draco heard the familiar rattling of a train. He knew it couldn't be the Hogwarts Express so it had to be a muggle train. Right now any train was a good train to him, he was totally fed up with walking by now. He made his way through the undergrowth and past some trees and then finally he could see the tracks. About a hundred feet away there was a small dimly lit place that seemed to be a train station which he decided to be his next destination.
***
I doubted it being possible but you are actually even more quiet tonight than usual. Minerva McGonagall said to the tall man walking next to her on their evening round through the castle. He didn't react.
Snape looked up from the ground and turned his head to face her.
What's on your mind? Is it because of Mr. Malfoy?
He frowned. How come you know about that?
It was hard not to hear what you and Albus were talking about at dinner.
Oh come on, at least admit you've been eavesdropping. He replied. You nearly fell out of your chair when leaning over in order to hear it.
So is that what you've been thinking about? She asked.
Snape said in a low voice. I'm afraid he might get himself into more trouble than he can handle. They walked a few steps in silence. I will go and look for him. Snape then added.
McGonagall sighed. I don't think that's the right thing to do, I mean...
Snape stopped walking to stand in front of her. Don't tell me you wouldn't go to search for one of your students. He said, glaring at her.
This should not and does not have to do anything with which house a student is in. She said calmly.
Yes? If you had a Gryffindor missing for ten hours you would be running through the forest searching for him, so don't try to take the right from me to do the same. His eyes flickered angrily.
I won't. She replied, continued walking and the younger man followed her, seeming to have calmed down again. All I'm saying is that you don't even know where to look for him, where would you start?
He can't be far. He hasn't taken his broom, there's no train at this time of year and he couldn't have used the floo-system without anyone noticing it. The forest maybe, or Hogsmeade, that's the only places I can think of. Snape muttered.
Let me come with you at least.
If you insist.
I do.
***
Draco didn't have to wait too long before a train stopped at the station. He had assumed he would need a ticket for the muggle train just like he did for Hogwarts Express, but since he had no idea how and where to get such a ticket he decided to try without one. He was quite surprised when the train allowed him to enter although he didn't have one, it wouldn't have been possible to board the Hogwarts Express without a ticket. He muttered under his breath. Noticing the curious looks of the other passengers he quickly took a seat in the corner and the train set into motion. He stared out of the window into the darkness for a while, then closed his eyes and fell asleep.
He was shaken awake again by a hand rudely grabbing his shoulder. Get up you little punk! This is no place for sleeping! When he opened his eyes he looked into the angry face of an elderly man, dressed in a blue uniform.
W... what? He muttered, rubbing his eyes.
Where's your ticket? The man snapped. I bet you don't have a ticket, you little punk!
I... I... Draco stammered.
The man seized his arm, pulled him up and dragged him into the aisle. I'll get you to the police you little bastard, they'll know how to deal with you... He muttered.
Draco didn't quite know what was going on, but he knew he was in trouble. Without hesitating he stepped onto the man's foot, the guard cried out in pain, let go off his arm and Draco dashed towards the doors and out onto the platform. He knew he didn't have enough time for examining his surroundings so he just ran along the platform, across the large hall and through the glass doors leading out onto the street. He ran along the pavement and around corners until he was totally exhausted and convinced the man couldn't have followed him.
Half an hour later it started to rain. Of course... Draco muttered under his breath as he was trotting along the streets that seemed still quite crowded to him despite the time. It was already past midnight. He had recognized by now that he was in London. It would be nearly impossible for his father to find him here as long as he kept away from Diagon Alley. This was the only good thing about his situation though. He was cold, hungry and tired and didn't know where to go, so he just kept walking. The big gray houses on both sides of the street seemed to stare at him out of empty eyes. Every few steps he thought he saw something moving in the black shadows but to his relief soon realized that it had only been his imagination. He felt totally out of place in this world.
A group of obviously drunk men was walking towards him and not wanting to collide with them he had to jump aside. Noticing he had stepped onto something soft he quickly looked down and saw something moving on the ground. A boy about his age was lying on a piece of cardboard in front of the entrance of an old house and glaring up at him.
Watch your step, you bloody idiot. He muttered and turned away from him to go back to sleep.
You better watch what you're saying if you don't want to be turned into a toad! Draco replied, cursing himself for it as soon as he heard what he had just uttered. He had never been really good at making friends but this definitely wasn't a good start. And more than that he knew he should better not run around telling muggles that he was a wizard, for most of them believed there were no such things as wizards, witches and magic.
The boy slowly turned back around to face him. Er... what? He asked at complete loss of understanding.
I... um... I meant to say... Draco stammered.
The boy ran a hand through his unruly green hair and sat up. His clothes looked dirty, old and worn. He looked at Draco out of narrowed eyes. You're not from around here, are you? He asked.
No, not really. Draco replied.
So what are you doing here, in the middle of the night?
That's none of your business. Draco snapped.
Fine. People around here call me Del. The boy said and held out his hand to Draco. You have a name too?
He muttered while slowly shaking the boy's hand.
Weird name that. Del replied. Anyway, you're hungry? Still have a sandwich left from my dinner. You want it?
Draco rather wanted to decline but he really was hungry. He replied. I mean, it would be really nice of you...
Yeah, yeah, I got the point. The boy said and held out a sandwich wrapped in white paper to him. Why don't you sit down here, it's raining, in case you haven't noticed.
Draco followed the invitation, sat down and began to eat.
So where are you from? Del asked.
Can't tell you. Draco replied.
I see... someone's searching for you, right?
Yes, something like that.
Del was talking quite a lot although Draco didn't really join the conversation. He didn't know what to say to a muggle, never having spoken to one before. And he was too tired anyway. Del also seemed to have noticed that.
Hey you look really tired. He said. I've got something to do now so if you want to you can have my blanket and sleep a little so at least nobody will take my place, deal?
Yes, sure. Draco replied and the other boy jumped up.
Keep an eye on my stuff, will you. I'll see you later then! He said and ran down the street.
Draco watched him disappear behind the next corner, wrapped the old blanket around his shoulders, leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes.
***
Albus Dumbledore was waiting in front of the Great Hall. It was very early in the morning and still dark outside. Not many students were coming down to the hall for breakfast this early, only the Quidditch teams wanting to practice this morning as well as some of their fans. He smiled when he saw Snape striding along the corridor, motioned him to follow and walked away a few steps from the doors.
I hear you have been searching for Mr. Malfoy on your own last night? He asked in a low voice.
Yes, I have.
Dumbledore nodded. Have you spoken to Lucius?
No, not yet. Snape replied. If I would I suppose he would blame the school for his son's disappearance. You know he has been trying to get you out of here forever and this might provide him with another reason. However, I'm convinced he would have informed me if his son was with him.
The headmaster hesitated. Very well. He then said. Maybe it would be best to keep it secret for now, otherwise - in case you are right about Draco's reasons - we might risk to set the Death Eaters on his trail. Still, if we haven't heard of him until the end of the day we will have to inform the Ministry.
I'll leave that decision to you. Snape turned to walk back to the doors leading into the Great Hall.
Oh, Severus? The old wizard called after him. Would you do me a favour?
Snape stopped and slowly turned around again. Whenever the headmaster asked him like that he would give him a task that involved either something or someone he despised.
Of course. He replied nonetheless.
Would you please take Miss Granger to the train station in Hogsmeade? I don't like the idea of sending the students out alone this early, when it's still dark outside, a girl especially.
Getting up early seemed to have its drawbacks. Maybe he should just have stayed in bed till lunch. Snape didn't ask why the girl would want to go to the train station - simply because he didn't care at all. Still Dumbledore either felt the need to explain or maybe just thought five thirty in the morning was an appropriate time for a nice little conversation.
She will be visiting London with her parents over the weekend. The old wizard said.
Snape muttered.
It's her great grandmother's birthday.
Is it...
One hundred years, not a bad age for a muggle, is it?
Dumbledore didn't seem to notice this wasn't going to turn into anything like a conversation. He heard footsteps and a second later Hermione Granger came running along the corridor, a small suitcase in her hand. Ah, there you are, Miss Granger. The headmaster greeted her.
Good morning Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape. She replied and smiled. Dumbledore returned her smile. Snape rolled his eyes before turning around to face her.
Yes, I think you two should be leaving now. The old wizard said. Professor Snape will be accompanying you to the train station. He added, noticing the blank look on the girl's face.
Snape sighed inaudibly. Follow. I don't have all day. He then muttered, turned away and strode along the corridor, his black cloak billowing behind him. It wasn't a long walk over to Hogsmeade but dragging along the little know-it-all it definitely would be.
Hermione flashed the headmaster a quick smile, picked up her suitcase and ran after her professor.
It was still dark, it was cold and they had arrived too early at the train station. Or maybe the train was late. Snape didn't have the faintest idea when the train was due and didn't intend to ask the girl standing next to him. She had been quiet until now and he surely wouldn't want to risk anything by making her start talking. They were the only people at the station. Snape contemplated if he had fulfilled his duty by now. He had taken the girl to the station, actually he could leave now, couldn't he? Then again, now that he was already here he could just as well wait.
Um... you don't have to wait, I'm sure it will only be a few minutes until the train... Hermione's voice trailed off when his icy glare met her eyes. She lowered her head and stared down at the tracks. She supposed Dumbledore had told him to take care that she would get onto the train. They stood in silence for a few more minutes. He once again thought about asking her when the train was due but since knowing wouldn't change anything he refrained from doing so.
Looks like the train is late, it should have been here five minutes ago. Hermione said. She didn't expect an answer but saying this felt at least a little less awkward than standing there in complete silence.
Snape muttered, put his arms behind his back and started to slowly pace up and down the small train station.
Watching him Hermione wondered if he was doing that because he was cold, because he was bored or simply out of habit. The sky was turning from black into gray. She just hoped it wouldn't be long now.
'Finally' was the one word that came to both their minds when the train arrived another seven minutes later. Feeling the need to say something, Hermione muttered a quick 'Thank you for waiting', grabbed her suitcase and boarded the train.
