don't own Harry Potter

Chapter 5

Draco awoke to the sight of his room mate's backside. He closed his eyes again and sighed. 'I gave up my 'Malfoy' life for this? What the hell was I thinking?' He re-opened his eyes to see the young man looking at him. The man was tall, tanned and muscular. His eyes were green and his nose was a little pointed. The only really distinguishing feature he had was his hair. It was all black with a white spot on the right side.

"Hello, my name is Ying and you are?" He stuck out his hand. Draco sat up and took it. The handshake was firm and yet gentle at the same time. As he did, that feeling of knowing or meeting this man before came over him again. He shook it off and tried to force a smile.

"My name is D; I am not really going to hang around here much longer though." He let go of Ying's hand and slid out of bed. Ying gave him a sad look and then took a deep breath.

"Why? D it's not bad here. Yea it's a church and they preach to you, but it's a warm bed, free food, free clothes and they don't ask you where you came from. All they want is to help you. I'd hang around if I were you. I mean its better then a box in some old alleyway." With that said he left Draco to his thoughts. Draco sighed and looked down at his clothes.

"I'd love to stay here, but you and your nice preachers would be killed." He said to the empty room. He got dressed fast and then tried to remember where the door was. It was best he leave as soon as possible. The muggles didn't deserve to die, because he told the Death Eater to bugger off.

"Leaving us so soon Mr. Malfoy?" Draco's heart stopped in his chest. His whole body froze as he heard the smooth voice say his name. He couldn't think or even move he just stood there. The man talking to him couldn't be a Death Eater or he'd be dead by now. "Don't be scared I just want to talk to you. Why not come to my office and I can explain everything to you."

Draco turned around to see the face that went with the voice. Father Elwood smiled a soft and friendly smile. Draco found it hard to say no to this man's smile. It was like he was looking into the face of good and saying 'No, I don't feel like saving the world today. Ask me tomorrow maybe I'll feel better then.'

"Lead the way." He whispered softly to the tall man in front of him. Father Elwood led the way down a hall to a small office. He led Draco inside and took a set in a soft chair; Draco shut the door and took a seat across form him. "Ok, Father ... Elwood, how do you know who I am?"

Elwood smiled and then pulled a newspaper from under the chair, then opening to the front page, he showed Draco the headline and his photo. Draco took the paper and read the article. His heart raced along with his mind. 'Mother did know about this. She disowned me when I told her; I had no plans of becoming a Death Eater.' Draco took a deep breath and laid the paper in his lap.

"Ok, I know you're not a wizard, so how did you get this? Who and what are you?" Draco eyed the man with great intensity. This was the first time he had been in the company of anyone who even knew his world existed in over a week. It wouldn't be so bad to find someone that didn't want nor need something from him, and for the first time he though there might be hope.

"You're a very smart young man Draco. I am a woodland elf and my name is Elwood. I know all about your world, Draco. I know all about you and your family. Now that I've answered your questions, let's get down to business. I want you to stay here for the rest of the summer. I and the others will protect you from harm. We will not tell anyone about this, as long as you want. All I ask in return is that you trust me."

"I trust no-one, but I will stay for now." Draco and Elwood spent the rest of that morning making plans and stories for him to use as a cover. It made Draco somewhat happy. He had found one person in the world who believed him with out any questions. It was his dream comes true. And he begins to feel like this man could be a great father figure for him.

The next day

Hermione yawned as she took her seat in the small family church. She had been up all night trying to figure out where Malfoy would go if he wanted to hide. She hadn't got a single ounce of sleep. Her grandma had spent all morning talking about this Father who was filling in for Father Sky. Hermione still couldn't believe Father Sky was away on businesses.

Hermione looked forward and heard the tall Father Elwood speaking. He looked like Lucius Malfoy in a way. She tried to keep her eyes open, but sleep was calling to her. She knew her Grandmother would ask her what she thought, but it was not as interesting as sleep right then.

Hermione didn't really listen to any of it. Until she heard the Father say something about runaways. Then she sparked up and listened harder. The man was talking about this church also being a shelter for runaways. For boy and girls who had nowhere else to turn. It was a place they could feel loved and cared for.

That was it! Draco Malfoy was hiding in a shelter, just like this one. He wouldn't be noticed with all the other runaways around and he'd be safe for the most part. She may not like the guy, but she had to admit he was very smart and would have done something like this to stay safe.

Hermione knew as soon as she got back to her Grandma's she had some writing to do and some information for her friends to find. She'd need a map of the wizarding world in England. How long he's been gone and how far he could have traveled in that time. Also she needed to know how he was traveling. Broom? Car? Or even on foot. She now had some idea as to where to start looking.

Hermione heard Father Elwood say the runaways were in that very room even now. She looked around, but only saw one boy that stood out in her mind. He had black hair with a white spot. There was someone sitting next to him, but they had a hooded sweater on.

'Well I guess he's not here.' She thought as the sermon came to an end. 'Like it would really be that easy to find him. Like he'd really be in the first place I looked! Silly me, Why would Malfoy come to my family church?' She laughed inwardly at herself and made her way to the door.

"Hermione honey, I sort of did something for you without asking." Her grandmother cooed. "See they need someone to talk with the runaways, someone the poor kids can relate to. And I volunteered you...I am sorry dear, but it is for a good cause." Hermione stopped in her tracks. She took three deep breaths, and then turned.

"Its ok grandma, when do I start?" The old woman smiled and took her by the hand. "You start right now. I just have to introduce you to Father Elwood." with that she dragged her granddaughter up the alter. Hermione glared inwardly at this, but knew it was for the better.

"Oh, Father Elwood!"