Author's Note: All disclaimers apply. I do not own the characters contained in this story. They belong to J.K. Rowling, her publishers, and Warner Bros. Inc. Also thanks for all of the reviews. They are very inspirational and appreciated! Edited to add credit to Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and her plot from Shanna. This entire disclaimer applies to her work as well.

Chapter 13

Return of the Potters

Harry and Ginny continued to put off coming home until just a few days before Halloween. Ron's visits had grown fewer and farther between, with Hermione telling him it was best if he kept his distance. So far Percy hadn't suspected his brother of being part of the Prinny plot. He thought he was being the proper little trainee, coming to work daily and keeping his nose clean. That was how Hermione wanted it. Neville was already treading on thin ice with their secret from a year ago, and now trying to help her resolve that error.

This left Hermione with only Malfoy for company, and strangely she didn't mind the fact all that much. Since the day the Ministry had searched the shop they had called an unspoken truce it seemed. One day they had actually played Wizard's Chess on an old board Hermione had found in an odds and ends box in the storeroom. She didn't win, but Malfoy wasn't as insufferable to deal with as Ron when he repeatedly triumphed over her.

She supposed if she hadn't had him for a companion she might have starting going a little insane. Not having a purpose, something to do, was infuriating. Once they had rearranged the storeroom properly following the search, and Malfoy had cleaned and straightened the shop itself, there was nothing left to do.

It did give her the opportunity to pay better attention to her research and skim through her history books at a more leisurely rate. Professor McGonagall had ceased their correspondence at Hermione's request in case the Ministry would ever suspect her of being part of the society. So, Hermione had reluctantly one day offered to let Malfoy peruse her essays and incantations.

He had read every word it seemed, and had done so quietly without immediately complaining or finding fault. Nodding, he handed it back to Hermione, but said nothing. Silence from Malfoy, she was learning, was more telling than an outright scathing remark. "There's something wrong isn't there?"

"Not entirely no, but not everyone is as thorough as you. You might want to think about shortening the length a bit. Then, the part in that essay about Divination and needing a spell that enables a wizard the ability without drawing from their inner strength completely ruins the purpose of the subject. Just because you gave up in that area in school before you even got started doesn't mean that others aren't proud to try something unknown and mysterious."

"I didn't just give up," Hermione replied, feeling slightly outraged. "It wasn't a subject that I felt I could devote enough of my time to. I was busy with other things than school if you remember."

"Yes, chasing Potter around and fighting Death Eaters I know," Draco drawled, never liking it when he had to relive the past as Potter's nemesis. "But, you did give it up. I always kind of wondered why. The Granger from school never gave up on anything until that class."

"There was no way to study for it, prepare. I didn't…" she struggled to find the words. Hermione had dropped the class because she didn't have any groundwork to go from. Everything came from deep inner thoughts and struggles. Nothing was written down or any definite technique applied. You were expected to know what way to go about it yourself, and to find your own energies to send and receive the information of what was yet to come. All a lot of nonsense she thought then, and still did.

"You quit something. Admit it." It was true that he had always found it strange she'd given up after such a short time in the class. At the time Draco only wondered about it in passing, now he thought he knew the reason. "It wasn't too hard, it just was too frightening. You might have had to open yourself up to other possibilities and emotions and that scared you more, then and now, rather than a battle with Voldemort himself."

"That's not the reason. I have emotions, and I'm not afraid to show them," Hermione defended herself, wondering why she had ever thought Malfoy could be trusted to read anything concerning her research.

"Yes, you're emotional and probably passionate about more than just those books of yours but you'd never let anyone know it." Not outwardly or without a little coaxing, but if he kept his patience just a bit longer he'd have her proving to him and herself how passionate she could be.

"I knew it," Hermione sighed, almost triumphant that she had been confirmed right. "I knew you'd resort to trying to argue or insult me."

"The truth isn't something anyone likes to hear, but I didn't think we were arguing. I thought we were discussing your essay and…"

"You were personally attacking me," she said, with a little outrage present in her tone. "Saying I quit a subject years ago in school because I wasn't good enough for it."

"I never said you couldn't have continued and mastered the subject. I said you gave up too easily. That's not personally attacking you, and neither is pointing out that you're scared of your own emotions." He had maybe taken the discussion too far. Her ideas were concise and her spell of Foresight to help those not mastered in Divination was worth a second look. The chance to debate with her had been too good to pass up however.

"Telling me I'm afraid of emotions? This from the boy who used anger and bullying all through his life to hide whatever he was thinking or feeling," Hermione challenged. Even if he was right to a degree about why she had withdrawn from Divination she wasn't going to tell him so.

"You're right, I did. Anger is a nice solid emotion," Draco admitted, remembering all of the times he'd concealed the softer feelings in his younger years. "So is happiness, but there were times you put on a fake smile and skipped along with Weasley and Potter because you didn't know what else to do."

"That's not true I never…" she began protesting, but he didn't let her finish.

"You can't sit there and tell me that you didn't think Potter wasn't the tiniest bit dense for not noticing you instead of, who was it, Chang before the baby Weasley? Then of course the Weasel went from girlfriend to girlfriend until he settled with that Brown bint for awhile right?"

"We were only friends and I knew that. How did this topic come up? I thought you were going to honestly critique my essay and spells not start a small scale battle."

"All right then, I concede, and we'll go back to talking about that essay," Draco held up his hands realizing he had hit a nerve that still might be raw.

"Thank you. Do you think I should shorten the incantation still? Having Foresight isn't something that's easy to accomplish even with Divination. I wanted to cover everything as thoroughly as I could." Hermione scrutinized the paper again, holding it up for review.

Malfoy stood up from across the table they were sitting at and walked around to her side. "Yes, and maybe not. I'm not sure. You'd have to ask McGonagall really, but if I was a student again I'd hate the idea of any homework related to this spell."

"It is a little complicated isn't it?" she amended, biting her lip before placing the end of the quill between her teeth in a thoughtful frown.

"Not everyone sits and dreams of writing scroll after scroll of parchment about this sort of thing. Then again, for the more advanced student it wouldn't matter probably."

Malfoy purposefully moved closer until he was pressed against her side. Developing a friendship and trust had been more trying than he first thought it would be. Not because Hermione was boring, actually far from it. She was getting better at not being so quick to jump into an argument about menial things between them, she hadn't mentioned divorce in a few days, so that was a good sign, and she smiled and laughed. Until Hermione had smiled and giggled once he hadn't known how much he had wanted to see her do so.

"Oh well, until I can start owling McGonagall again I guess there isn't any reason to continue," she sighed, rolling the parchment up and tying it. "What time is it anyway? Harry's owl said he and Ginny should be getting home today around noon."

"All hail the conquering hero I suppose," Malfoy commented, dryly wondering how said hero was going to respond to his presence in Hermione's life.

She had expected that type of response, but it didn't make it any easier to stand. "Malfoy we're grown up now. We can't keep holding on to the past. Harry's going to have to accept things as they are and so are you."

"How are things?" he asked quietly then tracing the outline of her jaw softly. "Between us I mean? Have you thought anymore about what we've discussed?"

This was what Hermione had feared the most. That Malfoy would begin to behave as he did in her dreams. Lately, her dreams hadn't been nightly occurrences but they were just as haunting. Always he left her before she found that elusive fulfillment leaving her starving, craving for what he offered so readily then would snatch away. With him now touching her as a lover might touch another in an affectionate caress it was difficult to discern dream from reality. That had gotten her into trouble before. "No, I haven't."

Hermione stiffened as Draco kept running his finger over her skin, moving finally to take her chin in his hand gently. Feeling him tilting her face up, and to the side, she wasn't prepared for the darkness that mingled with tenderness. It was almost as if he battled within himself to overcome the shadowy feelings that he had used to mask softer emotions. That gave her a gnawing sense of unease, that he had held those sinister sentiments for so long, he might not be able to completely shed them.

Since Malfoy had come to her with Percy he had not be so inordinately cruel as to do her physical harm. He had sincerely tried to hold himself in check and he seemed adamant about the fact her heritage was not a factor between them. It had taken some time but Hermione believed that now. His reasoning for such an abrupt change in attitude still puzzled her however.

Then there had been his outburst of rage the night she had gone with Percy to the opera. In the end Malfoy had withdrawn, and not gone past a point where he would regret his actions, but why had he reacted so bitterly? A small voice had kept telling Hermione daily that it might be jealousy, but that was just a girlish imagination at work. Malfoy wasn't jealous of anything or anyone. He was too sure of himself for that she surmised.

It would have been slightly exciting if that were the reason for his constant aggravation with Percy. Harry and Ron had only been jealous once, and that was during the Triwizard Tournament when she was with Viktor Krum. The reason had been that Krum was the enemy or so they said, not because they were missing her romantically either one of them. Well, Ron maybe, but that had been a crush and they had dealt with it during their final year of school.

No, Malfoy hated Percy because of his treatment of him in prison and his constant hovering. Except, Percy hadn't been to the shop since the morning following the search. His interest in her had considerably lessened since she had become a suspect of the Ministry she thought wryly.

"Staying married wouldn't be so terrible if you think about it," Draco said, interrupting her thoughts.

Those were nearly the exact words he had used regarding fulfilling the final term of their agreement in the carriage. Even then, when they still held more resentment than good will toward one another, Malfoy hadn't been cruel and vicious. Her body had responded even when her mind had told her it was wrong. Now, her mind was starting to betray her at times as well.

It wasn't fair really. Hermione had always known where she stood with Malfoy. They had nurtured a healthy hate, hate relationship from their first meeting. At the present he was changing the rules and she was letting him. She was helping him at times as well by working at getting along as much as he was himself.

"I always thought I'd get married when I was older, and I was pretty set on the fact that I'd love the person first," she replied almost absently watching the colors contrasting in his eyes. Gray to a dusky blue and then pure silver. Eyes shouldn't be that entrancing.

Malfoy himself faltered then. Of course, now Hermione would behave like a normal female and bring love into the situation. He would have to proceed carefully here. He wouldn't lie, but he wasn't going to crush her either. "Not everyone marries for love. Few people really do in the Wizarding world. Sometimes things grow in time."

Inwardly, Draco sighed in relief. That was a safe answer and vague too. He knew he wanted her for purely lustful reasons. He had developed a tentative friendship with her and enjoyed her company, which was promising. He'd actually admitted to himself that he did care about her, what happened to her, and if she was safe. That was all he could guarantee. He had never been loved by anyone, so if there was even such a thing he wasn't aware of it. Frankly, he didn't know what the emotion felt like or if he knew how to feel it.

"Another business arrangement then isn't it? For you I mean," Hermione sighed, turning her face away. What had she expected, an outpouring of his heart? Malfoy was too guarded for that. She felt silly for being so disappointed in his answer.

"No, I'm not looking at it in that way at all, but would you be more willing to think about it if we considered it that?"

Hermione paused for a moment thoughtful? Any further arrangements with Malfoy would end up like the last one. Always leaving her the defeated party she was sure. "What type of arrangement? Like a trial marriage or something? So many months, and when I decide I can't stand the sight of you anymore you concede to a divorce?"

Malfoy laughed softly at her statement. "Not exactly, more like a wager maybe. You know what it's like to live with me as a companion, but what about the other aspects of marriage?"

"What do you mean? Like fighting over bills, my shopping habits, your late nights away from home?" Hermione drawled, unconvinced of his intentions.

"To be such a bright and cheery thing usually you're awfully cynical about relationships," he noted wondering why she was trying so hard to ignore the aspect he was referring to.

"What are you proposing? Just go ahead and say it so I can refuse."

"Live with me as a wife in every way," Draco took her face in both his hands to keep her from looking away, "and give me until the New Year to prove to you that you've made the right decision."

"You said something about a wager?" Hermione avoided answering right away with another question.

"A game of chess. If I win you agree to what I just asked you. If you win…"
"You divorce me and let me get on with my life?" Yes, that was what she wanted wasn't it? Of course it was because staying married to Malfoy was a terrible idea, maybe worse than her initial decision to marry him.

"Muggle divorce rates must be on the rise as infatuated as you are with the concept," Draco commented sharply, getting annoyed again.

"I always lose at chess, you know that," she accused, deciding she was losing her good sense since she was considering accepting the challenge.

"Yes, so that's to my advantage."

A soft knock at the front door brought Hermione out of her trance, and she stepped away from Malfoy. Peering toward the door she saw Harry and Ginny starting to peek through the glass, motioning her to come and let them in. Genuinely smiling, she hurried over to do just that.

Almost to the door she stopped suddenly and turned back to Malfoy. "You better put the restraints back on," she whispered urgently.

He was already ahead of her, securing them in place and didn't reply. When Hermione gave him her back Draco did smirk pleased that she had worried about him even in that small manner. It was telling. She didn't want him to be caught and sent back to the Ministry. If he got her agreement about the proposed arrangement he wouldn't have any trouble convincing her that divorce wasn't what she really wanted.

"So you're finally back? Really, was Paris that interesting?" Hermione asked, hugging both Harry and Ginny as they entered the shop.

"Well, actually yes, and if I could convince Harry to move there we would," Ginny cried happily embracing her friend tightly.

Harry drew Hermione into his arms next but he was stiff against her. "Harry, is something wrong?"
She followed his gaze over her shoulder toward Malfoy, and frowned at him instantly. "I know I didn't tell you about this in my letters, but…"
"Ron's explained everything and I think you're barmy, but that's not the only thing. Mione' we know what happened with Percy and the whole elf fiasco," Harry began softly.

Hermione's smile faded, and she nodded solemnly. "What's done is done. Nothing I can do about it now except hope that the Du Mariers either get tired of pursuing their claims, or the Ministry finally realizes that they are abusive. Either way I don't know if I'll ever be able to continue my society or open the shop again."

"My brother's a stupid prat Mione," Ginny admonished angrily. "He knows better than to think you'd break the law. You were part of the war, and helped Harry and the others defeat Voldemort for Gods' sakes."
"There's nothing you can do Ginny, and I want you and Harry to stay out of it," Hermione warned, knowing her conscience couldn't stand it if they were caught up in her problems.

"Mione," Harry started again, trying to reason with her.

"So, what kept you all so long in France?" she changed the subject, readily crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.

Ginny started blushing and Harry beamed with pride. "We eloped," Ginny screamed happily jumping into Hermione's arms again.

"Oh, that's, that's great, but your mum? She's going to be furious you didn't let her and your dad be there." This was excellent news, and suddenly Hermione found herself a little disgruntled that she couldn't have been as happy about her first marriage. She wasn't even allowed to share the name of the groom.

"They knew, and had to keep it secret. We wanted to surprise everyone," Ginny explained, still grinning uncontrollably. "You shouldn't care, you did the same thing yourself remember. We still don't know who you even married."
"Ginny, the man died and it upsets her to talk about it," Harry quietly urged his wife to change the subject.

"Congratulations Harry. I know you'll be happy," Hermione said, sincerely pleased that they were going to be spending their lives together.

"Yeah, but we don't even know how he died. A train accident you said on your honeymoon in the United States?" Ginny kept prodding, her curiosity as insatiable as Hermione's at times.

Leaning against the counter Malfoy watched, avidly entertained and wondering how Hermione was going to pry herself out of the little Weasley's hold. He had to hand it to the redhead. She was determined when she wanted to be and she didn't seem to want and let the subject drop.

"Someday Ginny when I can explain it all I will, but right now let's just be happy about your own wedding. We need to have a reception or something. Has your mum got anything planned?" Please, just let it go, change the subject, Hermione pleaded silently, finding it more difficult as the days went to trip over the thinly threaded story as it was. She doubted anyone really believed her anymore, but because she managed to express how traumatic the experience had been, they usually let her alone.

"I don't know yet. I'm sure she does, but we weren't talking about that Mione' it's been over a year…"
"Ginny please," Hermione begged, now true tears starting to form in her eyes. Malfoy would love to jump in at any moment and discredit any further lies she told she was afraid. Harry hadn't said much about his presence yet, but she knew that was coming soon too.

"Fine, but you'll have to talk about it eventually. That may even be brought up if this family keeps going after you. The way you had to get your inheritance might be called into question, and then you'll have to talk about it whether you want to or not," Ginny explained with concern.

Without thinking Hermione glanced behind her at Malfoy, Ginny's sudden theory making her wonder. Could her marriage to him be brought to light if Percy became suspicious and didn't let himself be put off by her assertion she was still mourning? She could see that Ginny's suggestion had struck a chord in Malfoy as well. He was looking thoughtful and concerned.

"I don't think it'll go that far Ginny," Harry assured his wife, smiling at her lovingly and missing the exchange between the others in the room. "Scrimgeour knows Hermione, and he won't let this get out of hand."

Harry turned back to Hermione, his smile as wide as Ginny's. "Mione' we just came by to let you know our wonderful news and thought that you and Ron of course would like to take us to dinner tonight?"

"Harry, I'd love to, but do you really think you should be seen with me right now?" Hermione asked, genuinely worried the Ministry might look down on them for it. Harry of course would have to return to his position as an Auror eventually and if he was linked to Hermione publicly again his job could be in jeopardy as well.

"I don't care about what other people think, you know that. Let the Ministry think what it wants if they're going to believe the Du Mariers. In fact bugger the Du Mariers really if they've got nothing better to do than threaten people and ruin their reputations." Harry frowned slightly at his own statement, but his jubilance at his marriage couldn't be contained and he was smiling again.

"All right, but not tonight, tomorrow. Ron's working late I think, and I doubt Percy's going to let him take any time off," Hermione said wryly, rolling her eyes.

"Okay then. We'll owl you in the morning with the time and place. Our choice of course," Ginny grinned hugging Hermione again. "We are the newlyweds after all."

"I'm glad you're both back home," Hermione whispered, never meaning something so much in her life. If things did turn worse, or the threats increased having Harry home made her feel safer.

"Me too. See you tomorrow," Ginny said linking her arm with Harry's after releasing her friend.

"Malfoy I'm going to want to talk to you about this arrangement," Harry warned, leveling him with a dark glare. "This whole reprieve of yours doesn't make sense to me."

"I won't be able to contain my anticipation until you get around to making time for me then," Malfoy drawled with annoyance. Now with Percy out of the way he couldn't remember why he'd wanted Potter to come home in the first place. He wasn't tolerable at all.

"Take care Mione' and watch out for him," Harry urged kissing her cheek before throwing another scowl in Malfoy's direction.

"He's got his own wife to worry about. He should mind his own fucking business," Malfoy snapped when the door closed and he heard the lock click into place.

Hermione sighed, having expected an outburst but one of a larger scale. "I've been friends with Harry for as long as I can remember. I'll always be his friend so I'm not going to fight with you about it. I'm going to get us something for lunch and when I come back down I don't want to hear anything bad about Ron, Harry, or whoever else you've got a reason to hold a grudge against."

"You still didn't answer me," Draco said, his tone softening. "It's only fair that you give me an opportunity to try and convince you to stay married isn't it? You wouldn't want to be unfair."

"I'll think about it, now do you want sandwiches or something else?" Hermione wasn't just going to give in without giving this proper consideration. Maybe if she let him have his way for a while he'd realize that he wasn't thinking clearly. Staying married only because your family traditions wouldn't let you divorce or to separate wasn't a sound reason.

"I don't suppose you could bring back a roast duckling with new potatoes and…" Draco fell silent at her irritated glare slicing through him. Pretending to be thoroughly dismayed he sighed with exaggeration. "Sandwiches if that's all you can manage."

His mind was already made up, and he had his defenses in place should Snape think he was lying. He couldn't give the professor his mother's diary just yet, and he needed to ask him for something in return. Malfoy couldn't be sure if Snape had the diary he would ever return again, and he needed his help.

The large lanky man crept from the shadows in the alley as midnight approached, wearing a heavier cloak to protect against the elements. The nights were becoming increasingly cooler and winter was starting to threaten the fall season into letting it claim dominance. Still, the professor had come and that was all that mattered.

"Have you found the diary yet?" Snape asked in his usually bored tone.

"No," Malfoy lied, stepping forward from the back door of the shop. "I'm sorry but it may take me a little longer. Things haven't been easy lately."

Snape snorted in an undignified manner. "Yes I've heard about Granger's society and know she's been targeted by some of the well known families."

"The Du Mariers to be exact," Malfoy stated trying to gauge Snape's reaction to that information. If he was involved somehow in seeking to hurt Hermione this would be a certain clue.

"She's more daft than I gave her credit for. All she knows is in those books of hers. No common sense. They'll kill her most likely," Snape predicted gravely, but he seemed genuinely surprised to hear their name.

"I would prefer that didn't happen, and to ensure that I need your help." Now that he could be a little more certain of Snape again Malfoy felt more comfortable.

Snape pulled his hood back slightly and peered at his former student intently. "What are you suggesting?"

"If I tell you something in confidence and make you swear an oath, an Unbreakable Oath as you did to my mother, will you betray me?"

Intrigued, and remembering his promise to Narcissa to keep her son safe, he wondered what help he would need. What secret could he be carrying with him now? "I will give you my word, but that is all I can do. You have no wand Mr. Malfoy therefore I cannot swear an Unbreakable Oath, but I have always honored anything told to me in secret."

Malfoy hesitated, unsure as to whether or not the professor could be trusted. Yet, he had saved him in the tower, and it would seem now continued to monitor him for his mother. Taking a deep breath he decided to have faith in the man before him, as there was no one else, except Hermione at the moment, which he could. "Over a year ago, before my execution was supposed to take place Hermione and I made a bargain. Now, the reasons for it don't matter, but to sum up we were married."

Draco paused, waiting for the professor to offer his disapproval, or surprise. Snape said nothing, but his eyes darkened, and he looked haunted not angry. "Mr. Malfoy, that is interesting news."

"Why I need your help is that I want you to use my mother's connection in the Ministry to stop Longbottom from drawing up any divorce papers. I plan on remaining married and Hermione needs a bit more convincing."

"If you're keeping her to get back at Potter or Weasley you're only going to make yourself miserable in the end," Snape snapped at him,suddenly, his usually aloof demeanor diminished.

"My reasons for, keeping her, as you put it aren't any of your business," Malfoy snarled back knowing that Snape would not congratulate him but he hadn't expected that reaction.

"Revenge will destroy you. I understand you feel the need for retribution. The plan went all wrong that night and I know that, but destroying Potter, and using Granger to do it, won't change anything." Snape wasn't able to see Malfoy before him any longer. He was staring back at Lucius ,as though it were yesterday. "Of course I'm keeping her. I'll keep her for the sheer reason it will drive you mad knowing she's in my bed every night. Knowing you'll be thinking of her, wanting her."

"Let's not relive the night in the tower," Malfoy whispered wearily. "Potter, Weasley, neither one has anything to do with my wanting her. If I wanted revenge I'd have a much more imaginative plan. Do I have your word you will say nothing and help me?"

Snape tried to discern if the young man before him was lying. He didn't mask his surprise when he saw the sincerity in his eyes and heard it in his voice. "Gods and Merlin help us all you actually care about her."

Malfoy stiffened and his face fell into a fierce frown. "I didn't ask for any opinions, I asked if you would help me and keep my secret."

"Yes, for now. You can't expect it to stay secret for long. Percy Weasley is determined to solve this crime for the Du Mariers so he will look favorable in the next election. If he starts digging too far into Granger's past he'll find out and I'm not sure it would be in her favor. As for stopping whatever papers that Longbottom boy is trying to obtain, that won't be difficult." Snape felt a little better knowing that Malfoy possibly might be headed for a different fate than his father. Choosing to stay married to a Muggle-born wasn't a promising future, but what if it was in a confusing way? That was their affair and he didn't like to have to imagine them in a relationship. Thinking on it though, with Granger's over confident intellect and Malfoy's conceited ways, they were probably suited.

"Thank you. If you betray me and it results in anything harming Hermione there will be consequences. Your loyalty to my mother won't matter to me," Malfoy warned him menacingly.

"Truly?" Snape asked, unexpectedly realizing how deep Malfoy's feelings ran. "I'll have to remember that," he remarked with annoyance. "Anything else?"
"Is my mother all right? Does she need anything?"

"She's as fine as can be expected. She actually sent me with this," Snape said, pulling a pouch from his cloak.

It clinked and Malfoy knew it was filled with coins. "Money? What is this for?"

"It was to buy your freedom, but considering what you just told me that might not be exactly what you want to do at the moment. Just take it," Snape barked, shoving the pouch into the other man's hands.

"Tell her," Malfoy started to say, but stopped not finding the right words. "Never mind. Tell her thank you, but I would prefer you not mention my marriage to her. I'll explain when I'm ready."

Snape disappeared down the alley and out of sight, and Malfoy tucked the pouch under his arm, wondering if he had made a mistake. Maybe he shouldn't have told Snape, but he had and he couldn't take it back now. Slipping inside he was too engrossed in his own thoughts to notice another figure slink from the shadows. Grinning with malicious satisfaction the man nodded to himself, and after a look up to what he assumed was Hermione's window, he Disapparated with a crackling pop in the air.