CHAPTER 2

Hermione was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. A candle was lit in her room, casting a soft yellow light on the wooden furnishing. Her eyes were glassy, not really processing what they were seeing.

Draco…

The word repeated itself in her mind. She loved him more than she loved anyone else. And she was sure he loved her too.

'So why did he go?' she asked, herself. 'Why did he leave me?'

she closed her eyes, her heart beating painfully. For some reason, she found herself concentrating on her heart beats.

Beating so hard…

So-

Her eyes flew open. For a moment, she had thought she had heard…

'I'm dreaming,' she whispered, almost to herself.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She stole a glance at the window. A large, deep brown and russet owl was hovering outside in the darkness. Hermione could see its green eyes very clearly. It was tapping again and again on the window with its beak, an impatient look on its face.

She slid off the bed, and padded softly to the window. Unlatching it, she let the owl in. it hopped onto her desk, and looked reproachfully at her.

'Sorry,' she muttered, 'I was thinking. I didn't hear.'

It stuck its leg out, meaning for her to untie the scrap of paper tied to it. Hermione's nimble fingers quickly untied it, and smoothed out the parchment.

Hermione

This is Carla. We met at the Yule Ball, remember. Anyway, I don't know you that well, but I read the papers, and know all about your husbands disappearance. I'm staying at the Haggard Bear Inn. It's in the village, right next to the Owl Emporium. Come right away, and ask for me at the desk. I think I have something that'll make you feel better.

Love Carla

Hermione crumpled up the parchment, frowning thoughtfully. Carla's letter didn't specifiy much, but it had left a tantalizing hint about Draco.

Do I trust her?'

I suppose so.

Carla had been a tall, tanned girl she had met at the seventh year Yule Ball. She had been cheerful, and had a great sense of humor, along with sparkling green eyes under her copper bangs. And if she had news about Draco….

Quickly making up her mind, Hermione jumped up, and threw on a sweater and jeans. She pulled a jacket on, and sent a note through the owl saying she would be right over. She scribbled a second note to Mrs. Weasley, saying she had gone for a walk, and would be back soon. Then, she quietly let herself out.

The path was soggy and wet. The air was cool and crisp, filled with the smell of fresh rain, and drops still feel from the leaves of high trees. Hermione inhaled deeply, trying to clear her mind of the millions of doubts and questions filling it. She began her short walk at a brisk pace, and reached The Village in about ten minutes.

Remembering Carla's words, she scanned the street for the Owl Emporium. She found it, and right next to it a small brick building, with a wooden sign which said "Haggard Bear." She quickly walked up to it, and pushed the door open. A small bell above her tinkled.

The room she had entered was large, and furnished of red stone. There were mnay tables around, and a bar at the far end. At the other end was a small desk, where a balding man with large spectacles sat. Hermione walked up to him.

'Good- um- night? Morning? Look, I'm sorry for the inconvenient hour, but could you please tell me Carla Croft's room? It's urgent.'

The man blinked blandly at her. 'It is violating our clients privacy to send someone to the room so late,' he began, in a slow voice. 'Perhaps if you could come next morning-?'

'She herself invited me,' Hermione said, curtly.

The man surveyed her critically for a moment, and the nodded brusquely. 'This way please,' he said, picking up a candle.

He lead her up a spiral staircase, and then down a very narrow corridor. He stopped at Room 216. Hermione noticed that it had a pair of antlers on a boards hung up over it. She grimaced.

'This is Miss Croft's room,' the man said, 'I will be at the downstairs desk if you need anything.'

Hermione nodded. The man left, and she knocked, her heart beating loudly.

Hey guys! Another chapter up! I'm sorry, I know this is kinda short, but it's late at night right now (11 PM) and I really want to go to bed… so I'll make the next one longer. This chapter was a relief to write, cause finally something HAPPENS! And Draco's back, yay!

Thanks to all of you who reviewed!

SHOUT OUTS

CherryBlossomAngel-225- Yeah, it's good that Draco's back! But Harry and Ron won't be back for a long time :( after all…Harry has a huge responsibility, and Ron's his faithful side kick. But anyway…Draco's back! Cheers again

SeXiE xOx BuNnIe- thanks for the review, nice name, lol. I'll update as soon as possible, worry not!

Rilicious- What a nice enthusiastic review! I promise I'll go check out your story tomorrow!

Duckeegal20- No, Draco doesn't need to do anything to win back Hermione's faith. After all, he has a perfectly legitimate reason for wanting private solace for some time. And plus, since Hermione's so lost without him, I think the only thing in her mind when he comes back should be "Yay! He's back!"

MissDitzy- Thanks for the looong review! Yeah, Ginny has a pretty bad time of it to, but then so does Hermione, and since this story is a DraMione, I'm concentrating more on that. And Ron sent the first letter, which had all Harry and the rest of the members of the resistance's messages too. But for some reason, they aren't writing now… well, you'll just have to read and see why.

And yeah, I'll update like the wind (!) like you say!

Eowyn89- Don't worry…Draco'll be back soon. As for Harry and Ron, well I can't promise anything!

Lilly- Yeah, Draco's FINALLY back. He can be a real jerk sometimes, can't he? But as for Harry and Ron- they have some more pressing matters to take care of at the moment- mainly Voldemort.

Lady-of-the-Moon- Thanks for reviewing! I promise to update faster from now on.

Dracosgirl2515- yay, your back! Omg, I just finished reading uptil where you last updated Relationships Change 2, It's AMAZING! You have to update NOW!

Slytherin-91- You're getting two horses? Lucky you!