Disclaimer: All characters presented in the fic are the property of J.K. Rowling. I just like to play with them on occasion
Author's Note: Written for elementaldeity for the dmhgficexchange on livejournal.
Special Thanks: Terri, Inell, Zephyr and especially nakhashmekashefah for the wonderful feed back especially in the eleventh hour.
Chapter Eight - Testing the Bond
Draco returned to the office feeling much better than he had in some time. For the first time, perhaps, in his life, he felt as if he had a purpose that was his own. Potter might think that he would be able to keep Draco from Rookwood but Potter wasn't a Slytherin. Draco knew that Snape would involve him once the time was appropriate, but until then he would have to bide his time. Certainly, helping Potter track down some of the other war criminals would prove to be more satisfying than waiting idly. It had to be.
Hermione didn't bother to look up when he entered the room. She had felt his presence from the moment he Apparated outside of the Ministry's telephone booth and immediately felt relieved. She did not, however, want him to know how uneasy his absence had proved, choosing instead to focus on the report in front of her.
They worked in silence well into their normal lunch hour. Draco was unsure of how to breach the uncomfortable silence between them and Hermione was unwilling. And so, as opposed to finding the words to discuss what had led to Hermione's departure last night, each simply settled for the inexplicable satisfaction that togetherness brought.
It was well into the afternoon before Draco set aside his quill and ink to address Hermione. "All right, Granger, I think we have both avoided this for long enough. I do believe that you wanted to discuss finding a way to break whatever curse we've been burdened with?"
Containing her urge to wince at the snide tone used to convey his words, Hermione raised her head as she set her face. Offering him a half-smile before speaking, Hermione replied smartly, "Malfoy, I do believe that is one of the most useful things I've ever heard you say."
Simultaneously, Hermione and Draco rose and retrieved their cloaks, neither feeling that their office was an appropriate location for the coming discussion. As they stepped out onto the street, Hermione turned to Draco. She had to suppress the urge to smile knowingly and ask him where to eat; the routine had become so embedded in her. Before Hermione could speak, Draco raised his wand and indicated a small Muggle café located nearby before Disapparating with a 'pop'; Hermione soon followed.
The start of lunch was barely cordial. Neither Draco nor Hermione cared to admit the fact that the only desire either had was for her to return home and make the intolerable yearning go away. It had only been one night, but it was more painful than all of the nights they'd spent apart since graduation.
Hermione decided to approach the subject quite calmly and rationally. "I do believe, Malfoy, that we are not making matters any better by sharing our living quarters. At best, we are allowing our tolerance, to whatever discomfort we experience when apart, to lessen. Entirely more likely is that we are strengthening the bond, making it more difficult for us to part.
"I think that we would be wise to plan on going back to our previous living arrangements. We are doing nothing more than setting ourselves up for disaster when we truly have to part company."
Draco listened to her words and could not find any fault with her logic. But he still did not like the idea. He couldn't have articulated his objections if he tried, but they were there. Pushing aside his opposition to Hermione's suggestion, Draco spoke.
"Perhaps you are correct. I don't want you to feel as if you have to move out though. As I stated before, I can easily return to the Manor and leave you with the flat, if you prefer. The lease has been paid in advance for the year, so you needn't concern yourself with that."
Hermione hesitated. She was an independent witch and hated to think of accepting such an offer. However, the thought of returning to the Burrow under Molly's questioning gaze was harrowing to say the least.
"That would be very kind of you if you are sure you don't mind. I had rather grown accustomed to my independence and sleeping in Ginny's twin canopy bed amidst her assorted stuffed hippogriffs and diricawls is a bit odd to say the least."
Draco's face eased as he let out a laugh, "Weasley still sleeps with stuffed animals? I would have thought that she had grown out of that by now."
The rest of their lunch slipped into the comfortable banter each had grown accustomed to since they began working at the Ministry. Draco made some questionable remarks about how much Ginny had matured over the years and Hermione scolded him appropriately. Both wished that they could forget the previous night but were too prideful to admit it.
"Well, I suppose that we should get back to the Ministry," Draco offered, as the conversation ended in abrupt silence. "You can return this evening. I'll send word to the elves at the Manor to fetch my things this afternoon."
Hermione smiled graciously as she thanked him for his consideration.
In the weeks immediately following Draco's departure, Hermione felt more alone than she had her entire life. As hurt as she'd been by her parents' deaths, not even that tragic event made her feel the emptiness that had been left by Draco's absence.
To make matters worse, he had taken two weeks leave in order to tend to 'private affairs'. Initially, her evenings were spent writing in her journal, trying to process all of her emotions. Because she was unwilling to admit that she did miss Draco, however, Hermione could make neither heads nor tails of the situation.
Abandoning introspection for research, Hermione began to comb through old texts brought home from the Ministry's library in search of ancient spells bonding individuals together against their will.
It had been after the first week, Hermione hitting dead ends at every turn as she tried to find some spell to explain the past year, that Harry popped in on her one day, insisting that they grab a bite to eat.
Hermione raised her head, eyes darkened from the fretful 'sleep' she had managed to get over the past week.
"Thank you, Harry, but I really have a lo..."
Harry shook his head. He'd been working with Draco over the past week and noticed a bedraggled appearance that he now saw mirrored in his best friend.
"Hermione Granger, would you deny your oldest friend the presence of your company at lunch?" Harry asked as he folded his arms across his chest and allowed the corners of his mouth to fall into an exaggerated pout.
Looking up at her friend, Hermione couldn't help but smile. "Do try not to pout, Harry, it doesn't suit you."
Sighing, Hermione grabbed her cloak and swung it around her shoulders. "Where would you like to go?'
Harry grinned brightly and threaded her arm through his own. "Someplace that I think we'll both enjoy, Honeydukes."
Hermione laughed. "Harry, that's ridiculous. Firstly, Honeydukes is all the way in Hogsmeade-"
"And to think I thought that you were a witch? You do remember Apparation, right?" Harry responded, a grin on his face.
Hermione shook her head, not able to let go of the fact that a trip to Hogsmeade in the middle of the day was not practical, regardless of how fast they could get there. "Fine, but Honeydukes isn't lunch."
Smiling at his friend, Harry took Hermione's hands in his own. "I know that you were raised by dentists, 'Mione, but even you at some point of your life must have experienced the delight that candy has to offer.
"To speak plainly, you look like you need something to take the edge off and I'm hoping that the familiarity of Hogsmeade, with a heavy dose of chocolate, will do the trick."
Harry noticed the hesitation in her eyes and put on his 'pout' once again. "C'mon 'Mione, I'll even treat you to a butterbeer. Besides, I have to go by Fred and George's shop soon or they'll have my head."
Hermione laughed again as she looked at Harry's face. "If only to wipe that pathetic look off your face... yes."
Hermione laughed as Harry's face lit up and they, once again, linked arms, Apparating into Hogsmeade.
As Harry was guiding Hermione about Hogsmeade, Draco was back in Wizarding London. Ron and Harry had been given a case involving one of their former classmates who apparently found it amusing to reveal his magic to Muggles before Obliviating them.
It really was quite ridiculous the constraints that the Aurors had to work under. For a case that seemed so simple, so straightforward, Draco knew exactly how the situation needed to be handled.
The wizard was a relatively upstanding member of society. He ran a rundown inn for those with limited means. Draco was quite sure the simple threat of long-standing ramifications for his hobby would be enough to put him to bed. But no, according to protocol, Harry and Ron were expected to uselessly follow the man, waiting to catch him in the act and arrest him, truly a waste of resources.
Draco strolled into the inn and approached the owner.
"Mr. Slaugh?" he questioned, taking in the small, rounded man who appeared nearly hidden behind his large- rimmed glasses.
"Wh- wh- what can I do for you?" the wizard asked.
Draco understood his hesitation. His establishment was barely reputable and he certainly would not be accustomed to receiving patrons of Draco's ilk on a daily basis. Of course, Draco was not a patron either and cleared his throat to respond.
"I do believe," Draco drawled, as he removed his gloves from his hands, "that you would be more interested in knowing what I can do for you.
Draco allowed the ghost of a smile to cross his lips as the innkeeper briefly raised an eyebrow after his eye darted down to the emerald bearing the Malfoy crest on Draco's pinkie finger.
"It appears as if you have quite an interesting pastime, Mr. Slaugh. Some of my associates are currently conducting an investigation to see that you are justly compensated for your actions."
The wizard's eyes darted back and forth, before retreating up and to the right. Draco gave Mr. Slaugh's feeble mind time to process his words, looking around the dusty lobby. Chuckling Draco wondered how many questionable activities the man was a participant in.
"Mr. Slaugh, I am here to give you one, and only one, warning. The Ministry does not look kindly upon individuals revealing their magic to Muggles, neither by intent nor accident. Furthermore, it is unacceptable to go about casting Obliviate when one does.
"Now, I have assured my colleagues that you are a reasonable man. I would expect that, after our talk, the British Ministry should not expect to receive any more alerts causing one to question your motivations."
The man looked at Draco, silent, before a smile crossed his lips.
"Of course, Mr. Malfoy," the man responded, vocalizing his recognition of the crest upon Draco's finger. "I'll be sure not to give the British Ministry cause for concern."
Draco smiled to himself as he excused himself from the shop. He doubted that Harry would find his solution to the problem to be acceptable. But he doubted that Harry and he would ever see eye to eye as to how problems were to be solved. They certainly didn't when it came to Augustus Rookwood.
Meanwhile, Harry and Hermione were having a wonderful time wandering about the small settlement of Hogsmeade. Laughing as they wandered the streets, Hermione felt the tug of nostalgia as part of her wished that she were still a student living within the confines of Hogwarts.
Of course, she and her friends had thought they were quite mature while they were there. Working every year to defeat Voldemort and protect Harry from the Dark Wizard served to inflate the typical teenage attitude that they should be treated as an adult. But now, living in her own apartment, working with individuals that discredited her intelligence for her age, and not having the comforting presence of Albus Dumbledore to make her feel as if it would all work out in the end, let her know just how much like children they had been.
"Hermione," Harry interrupted her reverie, "do me a favor while we're here, let's just have fun. I don't want you lecturing the twins or carrying on about how foolish I'm behaving. I need a break from the real world and I can see that you do as well, even if you won't admit it."
Laughing, Hermione inwardly sighed in relief. Honestly, she could do with a day of fun, even if she weren't known for it. "All right, Harry. But from the sounds of it, I should notify the Ministry that I won't be returning."
"Don't worry about that, 'Mione," a familiar voice called, as Ron Weasley approached with Luna Lovegood. "It's already taken care of."
Hermione looked between Ron and his girlfriend. 'What is she doing here? It's not a Hogsmeade weekend is it? Of course not,' Hermione answered her own question, after all it wasn't even the weekend.
"It's good to see you, Luna, but shouldn't you be at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.
Ron smiled at Luna, as if to say 'I told you so.'
Harry laughed. "Apparently, Luna decided that, with the defeat of Voldemort behind us, she didn't really feel as if she had a need to continue her studies at Hogwarts."
Hermione shook her head. She'd always known that Luna had a different perspective on much of reality, but she had been sorted into Ravenclaw, surely she saw the value in education.
Turning back towards Ron, Hermione pursed her lips and shook her head slowly, tears forming in her eyes as she considered how long it had taken her to notice what was going on in his life.
"Oi 'Mione, that pleased to see me, are you?"
The familiar ache in her chest was still present, but the sight of her two best friends, here in Hogsmeade, was enough to put the sensation to the back of her mind.
Hermione should never have allowed Draco's presence in her life to alienate her from her friends. Harry had told her that he understood, but she doubted that he did. Ron was, thankfully, too busy with Luna to notice much outside of his relationship and work.
Hermione looked back to Ron before smiling at Luna, not wanting to ignore her presence. Luna had never acted as such, but Hermione had enough sense, after the 'Cho incident' in fourth year, to show her friends love interests the proper respect, even if they were often clueless about it.
Throwing her arms up to wrap them around Ron's neck, Hermione slapped him lightly on the back of his head. "Of course I'm happy to see you, Ron. It's been too long, hasn't it?"
Ron squeezed her playfully before lifting her off the ground.
"Way too long, why haven't you been round 'Mione? You know that it's dangerous to leave two bachelors to our own devices for too long. Even that git Malfoy has been by since you have..."
Hermione's eyes flashed at the mention of Draco before she regained her composure. Looking behind her two friends, she was pleased to see that they both were clean and in clothing that could be considered matching - though a bit eclectic.
"Oh, I don't know, Ron, it appears as if Luna is making sure things don't get too out of hand. Tell me, how much longer do you plan on being a bachelor?" Hermione teased, as she winked at Harry.
The day turned celebratory as Ron pulled out Luna's hand and tapped his wand to her ring finger, casting a revealing spell. They traveled first to Fred and George's shop where Harry disappeared into the back with George as Hermione and Luna conspired over what pranks they should try on Ron.
Draco arrived at Godric's Hollow several hours later to meet Potter as had been agreed. He hadn't been looking forward to the inevitable confrontation that always came when he and Weasley were within arms reach of each other. While tracking down the trivial criminals, that Potter and Weasley had been assigned to, proved to be distracting, it was not enough to take the edge off of his desire to get at Rookwood or the relentless ache that he'd felt since moving back to the Manor.
Hermione had been right. The pain had dulled to the point where he could sleep at night, though the dreams that came with that sleep were discouraging in their own right.
As Potter opened the door to let Draco in, he quickly grabbed the blond wizard's arm as he nearly doubled over in pain. "Ron!" he called sharply from the entryway into their home, "Come help me."
Draco gritted his teeth as he tried to stand erect again, pulling his arm away, "Let me go, Potter!"
Ron, arriving at the doorway and seeing the struggle that Draco was presenting against Harry's grasp, rushed to firmly lock Malfoy's arm in his grip. "Oh no, you don't, Malfoy," he said, as he helped Harry pull the wizard into the kitchen.
"You idiots, where is she?" Draco demanded, as they sat him in the chair, his hands landing heavily on the table to thrust himself back up.
"What are you talking about, Malfoy?" Harry asked, holding Ron back from physically restraining him again.
"Something's wrong! We've got to find her," was all that Draco said, before grabbing his wand and Apparating away from Godric's Hollow.
"What the bloody hell?" Ron asked, looking at Harry with utter confusion. "Why were you holding Malfoy back just now and why did you let him go?"
Harry sighed in exasperation. He now regretted agreeing not to let Ron in on Hermione's living arrangement as right now it was slowing him down. Turning to Ron, his eyes set and determined, he said, "Ron, I can't explain it all right now. Just suffice it to say that Hermione is in danger and we've got to find out where Malfoy's gone."
Draco Apparated first to Ministry Headquarters. It was very unlike Hermione to take time off. Harry had told him earlier that he was taking her to Hogsmeade for the afternoon so he figured she would return to put in some late hours. As soon as he arrived at the phone booth outside, however, the aching in his chest told him otherwise.
Disapparating with a 'pop', the ache dulled as Draco found himself outside of their flat. Where, before, he had felt a constricting pressure in his chest threatening to crush some vital yet metaphysical organ, he now simply felt a driving rhythm resonating throughout him as if his heart were beating hard and fast. Looking up the stairwell that led to their flat, Draco gripped his wand before taking the steps two at a time.
Draco had been careful not to Apparate directly into their flat because, if she were in danger, he did not want any other parties to be notified of his arrival. As he slowed down and struggled to regulate his breathing amongst the drumming in his ears, Draco noted that the door to their apartment had been left ajar.
When Draco stopped to listen, he heard nothing coming from the apartment and quietly pushed the door open, holding the wand in close to his body, ready to defend himself if necessary. When he stepped inside, the room was indeed empty, but a cold chill greeted him as a familiar scent invaded his senses. Rookwood.