(4)

Draco entered a dark cove practically hidden by leaves and branches of near by trees. He took one quick look back, for safety measures, before he walked in. Once he was deep into the concave molding, he came across a goblin shaped rock that stuck out from the edge of the left side ceiling. He pressed his hand into it once and instantly transported into a familiar foyer with a much warmer temperature then the cove. A chandelier hung in the center and was the only light source. Tension seemed to drift from his body as he looked around the place he had learned to call his home.

"Your late," a voice stated causing him to turn around and face the person. His entrance must have awoken the asleep because he, despondently, faced his friend Millicent. She had a golden goblet in her right hand and she took small sips as her eyes gazed, peculiarly, into Draco's. She was wearing a blood red cocktail dress, her pale skin beautifully contrasting. She had become as thin as a toothpick and Draco could almost outline her hip bones. It wasn't her fault, she had gotten so thin but sometimes he wished she ate more then her usual to help battle for her health.

"I lost complete track of time," Draco lied.

Millicent stepped closer to Draco and licked her lips. He could almost smell the sharp taste of her drink. "Don't lie to me, Draco."

"If you must know, I was disposing of an unwanted visitor." Draco took off his cloak and draped it on the only coat hanger in the large foyer. It was decorated completely in black tiles, walls, and even hangings for the overly sized ceiling-to-floor windows. It was pretty much the same as the rest of the manor; dark and gloomy.

"What happened before that? Did you get the information we needed?" Millicent inquired, taking another sip from her goblet.

"I didn't get the chance to; I was attacked by one of the pack."

"But I thought you got on well with your kind," Millicent said in a cooing tone.

"I'm in no mood to joke, Millie. I was so close...so fucking close," Draco continued as he remembered what happened that evening. He was in the forest three hours ago, with four men who he considered acquaintances for the time being. They held information he needed about Fenrir Greyback's plans but apparently they hadn't considered Draco an ally enough to let him in on the dealings and began to find his questions suspicious. And just when he thought he could talk his way out of the situation easily, the full moon decided to appear behind the heavy clouds and all transformed into werewolves. He barely escaped with his life. And just when he thought nothing could get worse, Hermione Granger, an old Hogwarts student, decided to show up.

"Draco, don't kill yourself over this. Regulus will understand," Millicent said reassuringly.

"Yeah well, if I don't find out what Greyback's up to soon, there'll be more innocent deaths," Draco said exhaustingly.

The two of them walked silently to the dinner room and just as he assumed, a single meal was waiting for him. Millicent sat next to him, wordlessly, and he was relieved. The last thing he needed was further questions about his failed mission. And not only had he not gotten the highly classified information, he was sure Greyback's pack would hunt him down. And to make matters worse, he had a sneaky suspicion that Hermione was going to try and find him as well. He didn't know which was harder to handle, a pack of raging werewolves or Hermione's yapping.

What a fucking night, Draco thought as he took a bite of his meat.

-00000-

"I came as soon as I could. What is this about?" Ginny asked the moment she walked to Hermione's desk. Hermione on the other hand was so busy drinking her morning coffee and reading Ghostly Encounters by Gulliver Pokeby that she hadn't noticed Ginny's presence at all. Hermione woke up early as she could that morning to reach the Dalton Wizarding Library across the street from her flat. She got a handful of books about ghosts, wizard death's, spirits, and anything else that would help her understand what Draco really was. He became the cause of her loss of sleep that night and her edginess. If anyone came walking towards her, she simply ignored them or waved them off and only looked up when her coffee was done.

A minute had gone by and Ginny grew tired of tapping her fingers on the burgundy desk. She grabbed the book in Hermione's hand and slammed it shut. Ginny was the only person who had the guts to stand between Hermione and her books. People considered her a no-bullshitter. She had little patience for crap and if Hermione needed something from her, Ginny wanted to know right away.

"I have things to do so I will not sit around waiting for you to tell me why you owled me with an urgent letter." Ginny said calmly.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was really into that book," Hermione said sincerely.

Ginny took a glance at the title of the book and arched her right eyebrow. "Ghostly Encounters? What do you need this rubbish for?"

Ginny noticed Hermione's cheeks darkening to a shade of red. What was she embarrassed about? A stupid book? "What's up Hermione?" Ginny asked curiously.

"I'll explain it all at lunch, so just meet me here at noon," Hermione said determinedly as she stacked a pack of parchment to keep herself seemingly busy.

"Why?"

"Because I have some things to tell you, I can't really speak about it right now." Hermione whispered making sure that no one could over hear their conversation. She may own her own office, but she knew the walls were quite thin and at times, she could hear her neighbor, Ron, talking. That only meant that she could be heard as well, if she spoke loud enough.

Ginny looked over her shoulder at the slightly ajar door and then looked back at Hermione skeptically. "Why can't we go out side in the hall or something and talk?"

"Harry and I need to attend a meeting, so I really can't. He'll be here any minute. But I'll need you to meet me at the file room on the tenth level."

"The file room? Isn't that where they keep all the information on all wizards and witches? What do you need that room for?" Ginny asked inquiringly.

"Let's just say there's some information on an old Hogwarts student that I need," Hermione replied.

Ginny narrowed her eyes, confused. "What do you need from me then? I don't even work in this department."

"I told you I'll explain more when we meet up later!" Hermione exasperated.

"This had better be worth it since I'm blowing off my lunch date with Spencer."

"Spencer? Spencer Switch? Isn't he the head of department of magical transportation?" Hermione asked, with interest. She had seen Spencer a few times, spoke to him only twice and couldn't get his body out of her mind at times. He was, as they say, a lady's man. He had the charm and often mixed business with pleasure, as she heard from a few people. Ron warned Hermione about his type; the one that easily broke hearts as though they were nothing. Of course, Hermione need not be reminded since she seen right through Spencer's act but she was a bit worried that Ginny was falling into his trap.

"Yes! He's so gorgeous," Ginny squealed in excitement.

"Is this strictly a professional lunch date or are we talking about something more..." Hermione asked.

"More. Or at least I hope so. You don't understand Hermione, he is amazing. He has the perfect smile and his eyes twinkle with mischief. I won't be so surprised if I had my way with him by the weekend."

"Umm...Ginny, is that all you want from him? Sex?" Hermione whispered. "I don't think you should set your eyes on a guy like him."

"Why? Because he's a charmer? I don't care. I'm a charmer, myself." Ginny waved off.

Hermione heard faint footsteps heading toward her office. "Ginny! We shouldn't be having this conversation right now. I'll speak with you at lunch."

Ginny looked behind her to see what Hermione was staring at. When her eyes landed on Harry's, Ginny simply turned to leave, brushing passed Harry's arm on her way out. Hermione watched the small exchange of awkwardness and shook her head. It had been such a long time ago when they both dated, and they still were nervous wrecks when they came into contact.

"Umm, hi Harry," Ginny said clumsily.

"Hello," Harry said and Ginny practically ran out the room at his response. "What was that all about?" Harry asked walking over to Hermione's desk.

"How would I know? I don't live in Ginny's head."

Harry nodded, doubtfully, and picked up the book that Ginny had confiscated from Hermione earlier.

"Ghostly Encounters? You weren't kidding when you said you'd read anything," Harry said jokingly. Hermione blushed slightly at the comment. She didn't intend to take it in a dirty way but after having that conversation with Ginny, her mind began to race. Harry's smile evaporated when he noticed her facial expression. "Oh Merlin! Not that way, Hermione!"

"What?" Hermione tried to act oblivious and walked over to grab her bag and cloak, "anyway, we have a meeting with my lawyer to get to." She was fully aware that she was still blushing, but still remained composed. They walked out the room in silence. Her eyes darted down Harry's trousers every now and then as they made their way down the hall.

"Is something wrong?" Harry finally spoke as they made their way to the lift that would transport them to the eighth level, the Atrium.

"No, why?" Hermione asked. She hoped that he didn't notice what she was doing as they walked. It was his entire fault anyway, she thought reasonably. He had to make her think dirty thoughts. Couple that with last night's image of Ron, she couldn't fight off her wavering eyes. And it wasn't even based on anything but primitive impulse.

"Since last night, you've been kind of off."

Hermione paused at the absurdity of his reply. "What would make you think that?"

"I don't know. You're acting distant and barely look me in the eye. Are you hiding something?"

"Of course not! What would I be hiding?"

"That's the thing, isn't it?" Harry said with a shrug. "I can't be sure whether you are hiding something or not. The old Hermione wouldn't be acting this way though."

"Don't be silly! There's nothing. If I seem distant, maybe I'm too focused on this case," Hermione said reassuringly. The last thing she wanted was Harry's involvements with who she crossed paths with yesterday. There was only one other person she planned on intrusting this news with, and it was not going to be Harry.

---

"WHAT!"

Hermione took in a deep breath and brushed her frizzy hair back. "I said...I saw Draco Malfoy yesterday at WaterMose Woods." She didn't think it was possible for Ginny's eyes to go wider then they already were, but she was mistaken. Ginny's eyes bulged out so much, she could clearly count the red veins.

"I bloody heard you the first time, Hermione!" Ginny yelled. "But I just don't bloody believe you! It's impossible!"

Hermione sighed and shook her head, "I had a feeling you wouldn't. But I'm going to prove it to you." She took a hold of Ginny's arm and dragged her around the hundreds of aisles of cabinets. They were inside the file room, alone, thanks to the password Ron retrieved for her. She was sure that there was some sort of information on Draco here. There had to be. The file room held written documentations on every witch and wizard born. From the moment they stepped into a Wizardy learning institute to their last breath and everything else in between. Somehow, if the community believed Draco to be dead then she would uncover some sort of slip up on his papers.

"How the hell are you going to prove it to me?" Ginny inquired, pulling away from Hermione's grip.

"Well, I'm hoping to find some sort of info here on him. Anything that would give me leads..." Hermione said as her eyes began to scan the M aisle, "...m, m, m...Malden...Maldor...ah! Here it is, Malfoy!" She pulled open the cabinet and looked through the Malfoy family folders. "Oh...here's Draco!" She took out the folder, flipped it open and looked up. "Lets go find ourselves a seat, Gin-" Hermione stopped in mid sentence. Ginny wasn't standing next to her any more.

"Ginny!" Hermione called.

"Over here!" Ginny's faded voice came from the far end of the library sized room. Hermione rolled her eyes and followed suit.

"Ginny! Where is 'here'?" Hermione called out once more.

"The S aisle."

"What are you doing!" Hermione asked once she reached Ginny. Ginny sat on the floor, happily, flipping through a folder.

"I'm looking at Spencer's folder. Maybe I'll find something incriminating to blackmail him with if he uses me. Or maybe find...oh! He was the captain of his Quidditch team when he was in school. He went to a very prestige school...Why are you tapping your foot?"

"Ginerva Weasley! This is pretty low of you; we haven't the time to waste on Spencer. I found what I was looking for; now let's go find a table."

Ginny stood up and placed the folder back to where it was. "Is it my fault you've gone mad? I just wanted to entertain myself while I'm here. Why is it so cold here?"

"Quit complaining." Hermione said sternly and walked off to find a table with Ginny in tail.

"You're serious, aren't you? So you really do believe you saw Malfoy?"

"Yes! There's no reason for me to make any of this up."

"But then again..."

"What!" Hermione yelled. She couldn't believe Ginny doubted her so much. She was hoping that Ginny would be more helpful and understanding. So much for friends, Hermione thought.

"There was that time you said Fred ate a spider for thirteen galleons. Oh wait...that was me. Okay, okay...umm...there was the time you told Bill that I had a fatal accident caused by a broom. Oh hold on, you did that to surprise him for his birthday. Shoot, that doesn't count...Okay I've got it for real this time! There was the time you lied to Ron about loving him..."

Hermione rolled her eyes and sat down at a table she found and reopened the folder. She was going to ignore Ginny's babbling. There had to be something here about Draco that would help her find him. She read through a few Daily Prophet clippings on the day of his funeral.

"Okay! Enough's enough. Jokes over. Where are Fred and George? Are they going to jump out of their hiding place and go 'Gotcha!' because, I'm on to you lot." Ginny said as she began to peak through the near by aisles.

"Oh god Ginny! No one but the two of us is here and for the last time, I'm not lying. Have some faith in me..." Hermione gritted her teeth in irritation and focused once more on her task

"Faith? Well in that case...why don't you just pray to Merlin you aren't lying. If I find that you and the twins are playing a nasty little trick on me...your lives are over. I still don't understand why you'd joke about Malfoy's death...he may have been a git but...Hermione are you even listening to me?"

It was then that something hit Hermione.

"Oh, oh my god! This is it!" Hermione said ecstatically and turned to look at Ginny. "I know how to prove it to you!"

"How!" Ginny asked perplexed.

Hermione jumped out of her seat. "Come on, let's go!"

"Where are we going?"

"To the Wiltshire Memorial Park."


To my reviewers: thanks once again for the comments. Keep them coming.