Chapter Nine:

(A/N. So here is the boon of Thanksgiving weekend. This was one chapter but I cut it. So that may be why it's on the short side. I hope you like it. For those of you who said there's no plot there is. As you shall see.)

A small yawn escaped her lips as Hermione changed out of her clothes. Ginny giggled softly and the brunette threw her a questioning glance.

"Something keeping you up in the night?" She said. Hermione's face blanched as she turned to the window.

"Yes," she murmured. Ginny stopped laughing and stared at her friend incredulously.

"Really? You and Draco have…" she trailed off and Hermione glared at her.

"No. I've been having these dreams. Something bad is coming, Gin. I feel it in my bones." Ginny swallowed hard.

"What kind of thing?"

"I don't know. Something wearing the mask of a friend. When Voldemort died he left a hole of dark power and now others are struggling to fill it. I fear that are peace may be short lived."

"Don't say that, 'Mione. You're just…nervous or something," Ginny tried to reassure her friend but her own heart was beating faster than normal. A soft rap on the door made them both jump.

"Come in," Hermione said as she came to her senses. Draco waltzed in and froze sensing the strained environment.

"What's wrong?" he demanded standing perfectly still. Hermione smiled and shook her head.

"Nothing," she said hoping he'd drop the subject. He did but the look in his beautiful eyes told her she hadn't heard the last of it and soon she'd have to tell him about the dreams.

"Well, I'll be going then. I think I promised Luna a game of wizard's chess," the redhead said and bounced away. Draco sat down and motioned for his fiancée to sit beside him. They sat in comfortable silence for a long time, enjoying the company of one another. The time flew by and soon enough the train lurched to a halt. Hermione glanced over at Draco who was staring at her oddly.

"What?" she asked self-consciously touching her hair with one hand. He took her hand and kissed the knuckles.

"You're amazing," he said sincerely. Hermione blushed and kissed his cheek with a small giggle.

"Like wise, my love," she said and he chuckled. They stood up and walked out of the compartment. They walked through the crowds hand in hand, a look from Draco sending most of the younger kids scurrying.

"Malfoy, scaring the kids?" Harry's voice called from behind them as they headed toward the luggage compartment.

"If it gets the job done…" Draco trailed off. Harry chuckled and shouldered his owl's cage.

"And here I thought you changed."

"A leopard can't change its spots," Draco smirked. Harry rolled his eyes. A passing third year bumped against Harry and the young man fumbled the cage. Quick as a serpent striking, Draco shot forward and grabbed the cage. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"It can't? Maybe magic and love can change its spots," Harry teased and then…Draco blushed.

"Don't get cocky, wanker," he growled, placing the cage gently on the crowd and storming away.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Men." She started to walk away when suddenly she felt a sharp pang in her chest. She turned and stared into the distance wondering what was happening to her.

The power calls.

 "You hear it too?" Draco asked from behind her. She turned and looked at him the mass of children around them oblivious to the cold.

"What is it?"

"Death," a voice said from behind them. The couple turned and watched as a woman with pure white eyes made her way toward them. Draco inclined his head respectfully.

"Cassandra."