Narcissa stood in the doorway, her chest heaving. She did not look triumphant or angry, but as sick as Hermione felt. There was blood covering her hands and she looked at Draco, trembling.

"Mother?" he asked carefully, and as he reached out for her she burst into dry sobs.

"I…I couldn't let it go on."

            Hermione then noticed the bruises on Narcissa's arms, throat, and the fading black eye once covered by make up, no smudged and running. Hermione's heart felt with sympathy and she understood that she had been at Lucius' mercy too, and had finally been pushed over the edge. She watched Narcissa fall to her knees, sobbing over her husband's body. Draco looked at her and they both helped lead her to Draco's bed.

Hermione decided to go and get Narcissa a glass of water to help her calm down. When she handed it to Narcissa their fingers brushed, and her finger was smudged with Lucius' blood. She looked around for something to wipe it off, but there was nothing. She went silently to the bathroom, listening to Narcissa cry in the next room she looked in the mirror and down at her bloody hand. She let the water run a bit before she remembered to rinse the blood away. She realized that she was in shock and washed her face. When she walked out Narcissa had stopped sobbing and was looking worried.

"They'll come after me, they're going to come and kill me…" Draco looked up at Hermione.

"You'll talk to Dumbledore, won't you Hermione? She was protecting us, they can't-"

"Not the Ministry, the…him…" Draco looked at Hermione again.

"Dumbledore will hide you from the Death Eaters, won't he?" Draco was looking at her pleadingly. Dumbledore? It was self defense, after all. She was sure he would.

"I'm sure he will," she tries to smile comfortingly. She had no idea what to do. Dumbledore…yes, she would get him. She walked to the fireplace, took a handful, and threw it into the fire.

"Dumbledore's office," she commanded. "Professor Dumbledore? Professor Dumbledore!" She called his name until he appeared.

"Is everything all right Miss Granger?" He appeared concerned.

"You need to come Professor. Something rather serious has happened."

"Very well, please stand back."

            Hermione did so and a moment later Dumbledore stepped out of the fire and into Draco's room. He looked over at Lucius' body, then over at Draco and his mother. She looked up at him through mascara-streaked eyes.

"Dumbledore? I…please help me."

"It is all right Narcissa. I see that Lucius was obviously intent on harming you and these children. It is clear to me that anything you might have done was in self defense or to protect Draco and Hermione." Mother and son breathed sighs of relief. Draco looked at  Dumbledore.

"Sir?"

"Yes Mr. Malfoy?"

"Sir, the Death Eaters will be after us both once they find out about father."

"I am resolved to protect you both from anything that may come upon you. Voldemort will have an idea of what has happened soon but he will have to send someone to be sure. So, we must leave as soon as we can. Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy?" They both looked at him, ready to do whatever he asked.

"Mister Malfoy, please retrieve two suitcases from wherever they may be. Miss Granger, pack Narcissa some clothes, and Mister Malfoy, and obvious valuables. We may have time to return later, but perhaps not. Pack anything of substantial value."

            They both nodded and Draco led the way to his parents' bedroom. Draco caught her hand, and she began to feel human again at the touch of his warm hand. He opened a cupboard and pulled down two suitcases. Hermione opened the largest and began to pick out the best of Narcissa's clothing. Draco strode over to a chest of drawers and looked disgusted. He began to pull out fists of jewelry boxes and tossed them into his open suitcase.

"Shouldn't you be more careful with those?" Hermione asked as she folded up black shirt after black shirt.

"Why? They're all covered in blood anyway…" She watched him pile silver, gold, diamonds and jade into the suitcase disgustedly.

"That's not your fault," she replied, packing black cloaks and some trousers. She pulled open drawers and began to pile underwear into the suitcase. She was done and began to look around. What else would she need? Her make up, her hair things. She passed Draco and pulled open a chest of drawers. She picked up the basics of a make up kit, and a few hairbrushes, combs, and clips. She put them in the trunk with the jewelry, which looked to be enough to buy a small country.

"Is there anything else she might need?"

"I don't know. Dumbldore did say we might be able to come back, and we have the basics." Draco seemed far away. She touched his hand and he looked at her intensely, seemingly searching her face for some kind of answer to an unasked question.

"What is it Draco?"

"How can you think about loving me? I'm a monster…" Ah, so that was what was bothering him, she thought.

"No you aren't, you're different."

"Did you see him? And her! I'm a child of monsters."

"Your mother did what she had to do. She saved my life, and I can't fault her for that."

"All right, but what about my father?"

"He was doing what he thought was right. I'm not saying he was right, just that he thought he was."

"Only what was best for him." This, Hermione had to concede, was true. Many a great man who claimed to work for the greater good worked their own good foremost. She sighed and replied,

"It doesn't matter to me. You aren't your father. Look at me." Draco had turned away and he now looked back at her.

"It was a long time ago. We hurt each other, but we're different now. It's different now and I don't care about what happened back then."

"It wasn't that long ago," he replied sulkily.

"It's long enough. God, do you want to be miserable?"

"Of course I don't!"

"Then forget about it. It's okay now." Hermione put the lid down on her suitcase and locked the clips with a snap. She smiled at him and he circled his arms around her, kissing her softly. She let herself get wrapped up in his warm arms, and his strong yet gentle grip. She could stay in this moment forever, except that they had to get out of here soon. Dumbledore was waiting for them down the hall, and this wasn't over yet.