Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. All credit must be given to J.K.

The Cradle Will Fall

Chapter 10

"Where are we going, Draco?" The two were running off Hogwarts property very quickly. There was no one around to stop them, which was very suspicious to Hermione.

"Hogsmeade." He seemed very snappy for some reason. Hermione tried to get a better look at his face but ended up tripping and falling instead.

"Are you okay?" The two turned around to see who had spoken. Draco glared and took a step back.

"I'm fine, Harry." Hermione lied and gritted her teeth at the searing pain of her knee. She had a feeling it was very cut up. She could feel the blood seeping through her school robe.

"Where are you two going in a hurry?" Harry pulled Hermione up.

"Nowhere."

"Hogsmeade." Hermione didn't want to turn and look at Draco. She knew he was angry. She wasn't too sure what made her tell Harry. She told herself it was because she wanted to be honest with Harry. That was a lie.

"Oh, I was heading that way anyway." Harry interlocked his fingers with Hermione's and glared at Draco. Hermione could feel her cheeks and ears begin to burn.

"Potter, someone kidnapped Daniel. We're going to get him back." Draco said this as quickly as possible, obviously ready to leave. Hermione could see his face now: his cheeks were bright red. She couldn't tell if he was angry or embarrassed.

"I'm going with you." Draco turned a deeper red but did not say anything else. He wasn't going to waste his time trying to convince Potter to leave him alone. Draco walked quickly down the Hogwarts property in a brooding manner. Hermione tried to continue at his pace, but found her knee would not support herself.

"Let me help." Harry scooped her up and carried her in his arms. She almost wanted to giggle, but knew it wasn't the time.

Hermione glanced sideways, trying to secretly watch Harry.

Hogsmeade was covered in mud. The snow had melted down here and had made it very cumbersome to walk through. Draco walked very slowly through the mud, trying to avoid getting too dirty. Alas, just as he neared his destination, a clump of mud splashed up onto his cloak.

"Son of a—" Draco cursed to himself as he wiped off the mud. Hermione was silent, finding it ridiculous that he was acting in such a manner. 'Why is he acting like this? Maybe Harry and me really does bother him.'

"Did poor Malfoy get his expensive new cloak all dirty? Mummy would have a fit!" Harry poked fun at him for trying to rub the stain out. Hermione was pensive. She wondered when Draco had gotten his cloak, because it indeed looked new to her.

The three entered a tiny shop. It was very dark inside, but there was a candle lit at the end. Besides the flickering light, there appeared to be no signs of anyone being there before them. Every which way they turned there were cobwebs.

Harry set Hermione down and walked quickly over to a corner of the room. Draco, who was already there, warned Harry not to touch anything. Curious, Hermione limped her way over to the boys.

"What are you looking at?" She asked. She leaned to the side and caught a glimpse of gold. There appeared to be a golden sphere sitting on a dusty desk. It was untouched by dust and spider webs like the rest of the room was.

"Everyone set your hand on the orb." Draco instructed everyone. Hermione set her hand on it after Draco did, but Harry was hesitant.

"Let's go Potter! You're wasting precious time!" Harry remembered why they were there and immediately set his hand on the sphere. He hoped they'd find Daniel in time, wherever they may be going.

Draco pulled out his wand and was beginning to tap the orb in odd ways and places. Hermione assumed it was some type of portkey. She looked into Draco's eyes, trying to decipher what he was thinking. They had been so close not even half an hour ago. She just didn't understand.

Something caught Hermione's eye. She looked at Draco, watching for anything. She knew she had seen something.

Hermione gasped, causing him to look down at her with surprise. His eyes widened, knowing what had caused her to do it. Draco's dark, curly lashes were growing lighter and straighter. They were nearly white now.

Hermione tried to scream. It was too late, though. The tug behind her naval confirmed that she would not be able to escape any danger that came her way. Not without becoming hurt.

She screamed bloody murder...just hoping...