A knock came from the door, and it was thrown open before there was an answer. Ron stood in the door looking worried until he noticed Hermione was in the room.
Harry slowly opened his eyes. 'Oh, hi Ron.'
Hermione looked up. She moaned and rested back on Harry's chest.
'Sorry…' said Ron. 'We were looking for Hermione, we couldn't find her. We're going to take your sister down for breakfast with us.' Hermione nodded. 'I'll be going now…' Ron turned and closed the door.
Harry rolled his eyes. 'Mione,' he whispered. He stroked her cheek lightly.
'Mm?' she asked.
Harry glanced over at the clock. 'You have to get up, baby. It's ten-thirty.'
Hermione lifted her head. 'Alright,' she said sleepily. She stood up. 'Meet me in the common room in twenty minutes, ok?'
Harry nodded, and stood up too. He pulled her close to him and kissed her, and she picked up her blanket and went to have a shower.
Harry turned and opened his trunk. He began rummaging through looking for his shampoo. He found it, and went into the bathroom that led off from his room.
Hermione showered quickly and brushed her teeth. She put on a denim skirt and black tank top, and she threw her cloak on over her muggle clothes. She hurried down to the common room to find Harry sitting by the fire waiting for her. "Have they gone, then?' she asked him.
Harry turned to her, and his eyes widened at seeing the short skirt she was wearing. 'Er…yeah. They went…a while ago…' Hermione giggled. Harry walked over to her and kissed her deeply. He slid his hand under her cloak and rested it in the small of her back. She relaxed into his arms and tilted her head, the kiss intensifying.
Hermione pulled back a bit, leaving her face about three inches from his. 'Let's go down and eat.'
'Ok,' said Harry. He kissed her forehead and pulled his hand from inside her cloak, instead sliding it into her hand. They set off to the dining hall for breakfast.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat on one side of one of the dining hall tables, facing towards the entrance doors. At the other side of the table sat Ginny and Maddy. At a table near by, Fred and George sat, pouring over a large pile of papers. At the far side of the dining hall sat Hermione's parents, Ron's parents, Remus, Tonks, Mrs. Figg, and various other Order members. It seemed that everyone was having a late breakfast this morning. Harry noticed that Dumbledore was not there.
The tables filled themselves with food, and the group began to eat.
After several minutes, the entrance doors swung open and Dumbledore walked through the door way, closely followed by a hooded figure, wearing all black.
Hermione worriedly slipped her hand into Harry's and rested against his shoulder. Harry looked up at Dumbledore, confused.
Dumbledore looked a bit worried, he signaled to Harry to follow him, and he did. The walked back out into the entrance hall.
Dumbledore closed the dining hall doors. 'Take off your hood,' he said to the hooded figure. The man slowly raised his hand and pulled the hood from his head. Harry got a glimpse of his steel grey eyes, filled with fear and confusion, before the young man dropped his eyes to the ground, leaving only his blonde hair showing. Harry gasped. It took him a moment to recognize Draco Malfoy through the bruises and cuts on his cheeks and eyes. His hair had been cut very short, and there was a large, white scar across his forehead.
Draco's eyes remained on the floor. Dumbledore spoke quietly. "Harry, Draco must stay here for a while. Please take him in so he may eat, then join me out here again for a moment.
'Um… Alright professor.' Draco raised his hood once more and followed Harry out into the dining hall. Hermione gave Harry a questioning look, but he just looked as confused as she was. He led Draco over to an empty table and, as Draco sat down, he went back out to the entrance hall.
'What's going on, professor?' Harry asked.
