Chapter 6~A Talk, Two Gifts, Caught!

"You-" Hermione was speechless. 'What the hell was he trying to pull?' she thought. 'How the hell does he expect that to happen?'

"I'm not trying to pull anything, Hermione. As for how it happens, I'm shocked that Ms. Know-It-All doesn't know how that happens."

"Oh, bloody hell! I can't believe I said that aloud!" She blushed as the meaning behind Malfoy's words sank in. "I know how it happens, Malfoy. I just don't believe that you-"

"Would want you, Hermione? I've been fighting my feelings for you for four years, ever since fifth year at Hogwarts."

"Please," she scoffed. "Why shouldn't I believe this isn't just a plot to turn me over to the Dark Side?"

"It's not, Hermione. Look at me, please." Draco cupped her face in his hand. He saw on her face that she believed him. 'Ha! I'm a better actor than I thought.'

"I believe you, Draco. But, let's just let things take their course. Not try and speed it up at all."

"That's fine with me, Hermione."

"I really should get going, Draco. I have to get to work sometime today."

"Okay. But wait just a moment. I have something for you." Draco left the room and returned with an ornate metal box in his hands. He opened it and lifted out a necklace with a single stone hanging from the chain. "the stone is called Aphrodisia. It's extremely rare, and allows apparation to and from places with the anti-apparation charms on them."

"Thank you. Draco. It's beautiful."

"You're welcome." He fastened it around her neck and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Go ahead, try it."

Hermione concentrated, and disappeared with a small pop. Draco smiled, 'little does she know it also gives dreams to the wearer about the person that gave it.'

Hermione's POV

I appeared back in my bedchamber, still intact. 'Thank Merlin, nothing happened.' Then I remembered the package that Lee had given me. 'I wonder what's inside it, and why Lee said that I might need it?'

I opened the package, and a long, silvery cloak slithered out.

"Oh! He gave me an invisibility cloak! How thoughtful was that?" I made a mental note to thank Lee for his gift. In my excitement over the cloak, I didn't notice the note that had fallen to the floor when the package was opened. When I finally did notice it, it picked it up and began to read.

Dear Ms. Marinetta,

I believe that you already know what this is. You may find it quite useful on your new mission. Since I am acting on Mr. Potter's last wishes, this is now your cloak to keep. It once belonged to Mssrs. James and Harry Potter, and the latter bequeathed it to you upon his demise. I kept in for safekeeping, until I felt it was the right time for you to have it.

Sincerely,

Minister of Magic

Albus Dumbledore

"Harry gave me his invisibility cloak?" I gasped after reading the letter. "I thought he was going to give it to Ron!"

I fingered the necklace that Draco had given me idly. 'I wonder, can a apparate with the cloak on?'

Now determined to try, I put on the cloak, and concentrated on my being in the same room as Draco Malfoy. Though a small pop was heard as I apparated in, I remained unseen. I had apparated into Draco's library, and began observing him as he talked to two of his associates.

Draco leaned against the front of his desk whilst the other two (I learned later their names were Stephan Polan and Martin Wilson)sat in the chairs facing him.

"Mr. Wilson, I believe that my current assignment is much more important than the killing of Weasleys, even if the Dementors are the ones doing the job. And Mr. Polan, you are here, I presume, to check up on me?"

Mr. Polan gave an affirmative response.

"Tell our Lord that everything is going according to schedule and that I shall be finished within the next months."

The meeting dispersed fairly quickly after that. I was about to apparate to the Ministry when Draco said, "Come out, come out, wherever you are."

I froze. 'How did he know I was here?'

"You can't hide forever, Ms. Marinetta."

'Oh, crap! How can he tell I'm here?' I mentally slapped myself.

"How do you know I'm here?" I called bravely, making my voice seem as disembodied as possible.

"Elementary, my dear Ms. Marinetta. Elementary."

"You know Sherlock Holmes?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, he was a wizard. Hermione, why don't you come out from wherever you're hiding? I will find you."

'Ha! Not bloody likely!' I thought, and it seemed I was correct. Draco was looking for me on the other side of the room, behind some bookshelves. I took a step out of the corner, then another.

I thought I was safe. But then hands reached out and grabbed my shoulders from behind.