Allo! Cordyangel is using her responsibility to readers as an excuse not to do homework. But I still haven't been working on Whole Again much, or What Not To Do at all. Don't worry though, I'm not abandoning. It's just that right now this story really seems to flow. I'm actually thinking that I may finish this fic before really working on What Not To Do. I don't know though, my inspiration for this story may fly out the window as quickly as it came. So get it while it lasts!

So you guys have noticed I changed the title. I'm adding in quotes as well, from The Phantom of the Opera fitting, since that's where my inspiration came from, though I started this before seeing the movie. Still not crazy 'bout the title though. Was going to change it to The Point of No Return or Music of the Night but there are like a thousand stories with those names. My title search lives on.

I'm getting major deja vu while writing this. It reminds me a whole lot of aspects of The Hooker and the Beast. It's like I took a snap shot of that fiction, changed some things, elaborated and took a different path.

Does that make sense? Probably not. But if you haven't read the Hooker and the Beast, read it. It's my only Harry Potter fic that's not involving the sexy Severus Snape. Don't know if I could ever do that again though.

Chapter 7: The Blame Game

" 'What's all this nonsense?'
'Of course not!
'Don't look at us!' "

Notes I, The Phantom of the Opera

"Did you eat?" The voice startled Hermione out of her concentrated state. Malfoy- or Lucius as she was supposed to call him now was in her doorway. It was funny; she hadn't heard him come in.

She shook her head, "No." She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. 2:00. She'd been reading for over five hours. "I guess I lost track of time," she murmured, still dazed from reading the tiny print for so long.

"It would appear so," Lucius looked down at the book. "It must've captured your interest to have made you forget lunch."

It continued to boggle Hermione's mind, that she would get three meals a day. She shifted under Lucius' gaze. It seemed as if he was looking through her, into her soul.

"Where's Draco?" She hadn't known she was going to say the words until they popped out of her mouth. Immediately, Lucius stiffened, his pleasant façade falling like a used garment.

"That," he said through clenched teeth. "That is none of your concern."

LHSLHSLHS

Harry, Ron and Ginny were still so euphoric over Hermione's release that they didn't mind as much that Draco would be spending some time at the Order. Unfortunately, that 'as much' was still quite a bit.

"He's back?" Harry complained. For a moment, everyone could see the schoolboy he'd been less than a year ago. "Oh, like that's safe. Why don't we just get a big flashing neon sign that says, "Come Here, We're Harboring the Most Wanted Man in Britain."

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Hon, just a guess but I think he'd be the second most wanted man. We're still harboring you. And besides, I thought you thought the whole 'I want Draco's head on a platter' bit was all a scam?" The friends had been forced to start calling Draco by his given name. It was getting too confusing with Lucius in the picture.

"How long's he been here? And where's he staying?" Ron asked, his mouth full of mashed potatoes. Ginny shot him a nasty look and he immediately closed his mouth.

"Since earlier this afternoon. And where does he always stay?" Molly asked.

The boys groaned; that was the answer they were dreading. "In our room again?"

"Yes." Molly replied shortly, indicating it was the end of the story.

The boys sank lower into their chairs and finished dinner quietly.

LHSLHSLHS

A week passed by at the Order and though Harry and Ron had to see them every time they gave into the urge to sleep, they hadn't spoken more than a sentence to each other. Neither party minded the other's complete ignorance. They lived in somewhat of a silent truce.

It was nearing the time when Harry and Ron were heading out again. They'd enjoyed their stay, but they had to figure out how to get Hermione out. They headed upstairs to begin packing and there was Draco, lying on a closed sleeping bag, reading a book. The two boys began packing in silence, and it was a huge surprise to them when Draco opened his mouth.

"So this must be hard for you guys," he said. "About Hermione, I mean."

Harry and Ron exchanged a look. What was he talking about? "Hermione's been released." Ron said haughtily. "Surprised you didn't know. It's all we've been talking about."

"I did know, that's what I'm talking about," this time Draco caught their perplexed glances towards one another. "Oh come on, you haven't thought about it?"

Harry's green eyes narrowed. "Thought about what? What exactly are you saying Malfoy?"

Draco put his book away. "Think about it. In the dungeons, you knew exactly where Hermione was. As uncomfortable as the dungeons are, you knew that she was somewhat safe. You knew what to expect. Now she's running around in the Devil's Playground. Who knows why they let her out? Whatever reason, it isn't good, I assure you that."

For about the millionth time, Harry and Ron looked at one another. "You know what Malfoy? It was better when you just didn't talk." Harry turned away.

"It wasn't my fault. I couldn't find you. I tried to in time, but I couldn't. You can't keep on blaming me." Draco stated in a matter of fact and picked up his book again.

"We don't blame you Malfoy," Harry said quietly. "We blame ourselves."

LHSLHSLHS

Okay. I delivered. I posted. So please review. Please.

You know you wanna.

prin69: Yeah, it is. But he's really skinny. I don't know! I was really tired when I wrote that part!

Natsuyori: Uh...I think so. Eventually. But there will definitely be some Hermione/Lucius stuff going on. No doubt.

CareBearErin: Can I say that you are the most awsome reviewer ever? You always review and tell me stuff. I love it. And with the pet thing, I don't know, it just seemed right.