After a week of unexplained absence, Severus reappeared at the breakfast table looking haggard in the extreme. There were dark circles under his eyes and his black hair hang even more lank around his face than usual. When he rose he motioned for me to follow with a jerk of his head. I followed him silently, knowing that it was unwise to attempt conversation before his first cup of tea.

I was still angry with him over the tattoo incident, but his present state was so forlorn that I felt more sympathy than anything else.

When we reached the potions laboratory Severus headed not for the work table, but for the small table and chairs in the corner. With a snap of his fingers, a pot of coffee appeared between us and he poured out two steaming cups. Apparently today called for something stronger than tea. Once he had taken a few sips I thought it was safe to venture,

"Rough week, Severus?"

"You have no idea," he replied with a grimace. "I've been all up and down the country hunting down werewolf packs during the day and setting up a network of safe houses for Draco at night."

"Why don't you go back to bed? Let me take care of the brewing for today?" I offered. Severus shook his head.

"It's alright. There's really nothing to do. I just needed to talk to you," he took another few sips of coffee before he continued, "I've got it all set up for Draco and Daphne. And Narcissa if she'll come. You're sure they're both in agreement to leave?"

"Positive," I answered, "They want nothing to do with this mess. Not the bravest thing, but who knows. Maybe they'll inspire more defections."

Snape nodded, "I suspect they will, actually. Although you never liked him, Draco is quite well respected among the Slytherins. People follow his example."

I shrugged, "Either way I'm glad they're getting out. It's nice to know someone has a shot at a happy ending."

Snape snorted, "Sweet Merlin, spare me from sentimental Gryffindors this fucking early."

I giggled. I didn't think I'd ever heard him curse before. Snape rolled his eyes in response, and then leant forward, ready to get down to business. He handed me a dented pack of mints, which I slipped into the pocket of my robes.

"This portkey activates at midnight tonight. It will them to the first safe-house. That one has the portkey for the next one, and so on. None of them knows the next destination, or the previous one. I won't tell you where they'll end up, for obvious reasons. Of course, they aren't to know it's me who set them up."

"Loud and clear." I responded. Snape looked confused, "Muggle expression," I clarified, "I'm on it."

"Very well, then get lost. I've got more werewolves to track down."

I grinned, "Always the gentleman. But I've got more for you," I grinned, enjoying the drama just a little, "I found out where the last horcrux is."

Severus's dropped his coffee on his lap. He leapt up and cursed, vanishing it with his wand. I took pity on his tired state and repressed my giggle.

"It's in the Rowle family cairn, somewhere in Scotland." Severus nodded, quickly schooling his expression back to boredom.

"Not bad, Granger. Now scram."

"Not even a word of apology?" I demanded with a raised eyebrow.

Snape curled his lip at me looking utterly unrepentant.

"Woe is you, you got some new ink. I haven't been dry since Tuesday,"

"I thought dungeon bats liked the damp," I retorted, without any real heat. Childish? Yes. My excuse is too much exposure to Bellatrix.

It was a mark of how far our friendship had evolved that Severus just snorted and went back to his coffee.

I grinned and skipped out. Once I'd reached the second floor, I checked that the coast was clear and then slipped into Daphne's room. I wasn't surprised to find her curled up in her window seat with a book.

I snagged a piece of paper and a quill off her desk and plopped down beside her. Jumped and shut her book with a snap- clearly she had been so engrossed she hadn't heard me come in. I felt a moment of envy, realizing I hadn't let my guard down that way in years. However, I brushed it off quickly. This was supposed to be a happy day, after all.

I wrote one word on the paper, muffliato, and mimed the wand motion at her. She raised an eyebrow at me and cast it.

Once we were enveloped in the familiar spell, I burst out, "Guess what!"

She laughed at my eager expression and dutifully played along, "You finally got one of those puppies from the kitchen?"

"Nope!"

"Antonin has decided to get a unicorn tattoo?"

"Ew, nope!"

"I give up then. What?"

I took a deep breath and felt the smile slide off my face. "You and Draco can leave tonight. Escape."

Her eyes widened, "What?"

"It's all worked out."

She seemed shocked, "I didn't expect it to be so sudden."

I sighed, "I know, but it had to be secret. You understand, right? If anyone gets wind of this you'll both be killed."

She didn't say anything for a minute, and I almost started to fear that she was losing her nerve. However, after a moment she seemed to steel herself, "Okay. What do I do?"

"First of all, act normal. Don't let anyone, house-elf or human, see that you're packing or preparing to leave. If you're going to bring any things, pack them tonight after everyone's gone to bed."

She nodded, looking worried but determined. I handed her the mint box, "Here's your portkey. It leaves at midnight tonight. I'd suggest you pretend you're slipping into Draco's room for a late-night visit," I winked suggestively, trying to lighten the mood a little.

She rolled her eyes at me, but cracked a smile. I continued, "It will take you to a safe house, and there will be other portkeys from there so that no one person knows where you'll end up. Make sure you destroy them once you arrive. And that's it. Hopefully this time next week you'll be in Tahiti making little blonde-haired terror babies. And one last thing, Draco will want to bring Narcissa. If she refuses you'll have to modify her memory."

Daphne launched herself forward and hugged me. I hugged her back, my feelings warring between happiness for her and dread at losing my one true friend here.

We finally parted, and Daphne tried to say something, but couldn't. I could tell she was trying not to cry. She tried again and finally managed, "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too," I replied sadly, "Tell Draco bye from me. I was almost starting to not hate him."

Before either of us could break into tears, which would look extremely suspicious, I got up quickly and headed for the door. Daphne canceled the muffliato, and I called cheerily, "See you later then!" as I left, just in case anyone was watching.

Once I got to the hallway, I was at a loss for what to do. I hate being idle, and I never really know what to do with myself when I don't have a task at hand. Predictably, I decided to head for the library.

On the way there, I passed the door to Lucius's study. It was cracked open, and as I passed I heart a snippet of the conversation,

"... a true blow to them, finally."

"The Dark Lord will be extremely pleased."

I paused just out of sight, trying to hear more.

"You have the list?"

"I do. The little turncoat gave it all up."

"Excellent. Put it here so we can have a look."

Even though I had no idea what that list was, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Within moments, inspiration struck. I took a deep breath and cleared my mind of all thoughts of my mission, knowing that if I were caught these memories would be examined carefully. I focused only on my love for Harry, and my trepidation at what Antonin would do if he found out what I was about to do.

My plan was sheer insanity, but that's what comes of too much time with Harry Potter. I ran quietly down to the potions lab and threw some particularly volatile ingredients into a cauldron, saying a prayer to whatever gods had protected Neville from total obliteration all of these years. With a grimace, I rubbed an Aconite leaf down my arm. I knew it would produce a believable (and painful) burn, but do no lasting damage.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I left my improvised explosive cauldron simmering and hid myself behind a curtain next to the door of the study. Not ten seconds later, a loud boom shook the house, and noxious green smoke came rolling up the stairs. The study emptied instantly, all five people inside running full-tilt towards the source of the explosion. I darted inside, pulling to door to behind me.

On the desk lay a single sheet of crumpled parchment. I grabbed it and my mouth fell open in horror as I read the list written on it in a careful block print.

BLACK FAMILY HOME, 12 GRIMMAULD PL, LONDON
TONKS FAMILY HOME, 1115 BERKHOLD RD, BRIXTON
THE BURROW, 480 INGHOLD PLACE, OTTERY ST. CATCHPOLE
SHELL COTTAGE, 800 TINWORTH PL, CORNWALL
THE MANOR, 1818 APSBERG LN, CHELSEA

I stared at it for a moment, and then the sloppy block printing gave me an idea. I grabbed a quill and within seconds the list became,

BLACK FAMILY HOME, 42 GRIMMAULD PL, LONDON
TONKS FAMILY HOME, 4945 BERKHOBID RD, BRIXTON
THE BURROW, 488 RINGHOLD PLACE, OTTERY ST. CATCHPODE
SHELL COTTAGE, 888 BINWORTH PL, CORNWALL
THE MANOR, 4898 ABSBERG LN, CHELSEA

I hoped that without an exactly correct address, the Death Eaters wouldn't be able to penetrate the fidelius charm. I cast a last look at the desk, ensuring that everything was in order. Then I dashed downstairs, wading through the still roiling green fog until I was in the thick of the dungeon, coughing with every breath. I could see someone's outline through the smoke, and it appeared that they were wearing a bubble-head charm. Unfortunately without a wand I had no such option, and I sunk to my knees coughing. I could taste the acrid, sharp smoke in my mouth and feel it burning my throat. My eyes were on fire, and I pulled my robe over my face in a vain attempt to shield myself. I vaguely remembered a muggle anarchist I had dated, who told me that the best remedy for tear gas was milk. I laughed at that thought, which probably should have been a warning that I was losing my grip.

I suppose I passed out for a moment because I suddenly found myself laid out in the corridor with Lucius leaning over me. There was still smoke in the air, but through my watery eyes I could make out the outline of someone siphoning the green clouds away with their wand.

"What the hell happened?" demanded Lucius.

I tried to speak, but my throat was too raw, and all I could produce was a feeble croak. Lucius picked me up and carried me up the stairs the the second floor. He put me down on a chaise lounge and called, "Mopsy!"

The elf appeared with a pop and I swear she rolled her eyes. Without awaiting instructions, she snapped away and re-appeared with a glass of water and a wet washcloth. She pushed me none-too-gently into a sitting position and forced me to drink as she held the cold rag over my eyes. The itching and burning in my eye subsided instantly.

"Thank you," I was finally able to croak. Lucius looked at me expectantly,

"Well?"

"I was trying to brew a hair smoothing solution," I invented. My voice was still croaky and cracked on the last words, "I forgot that I'd have to stir with my wand to neutralize the aconite until it was too late. At that point all I could do was try to get out of the way."

Lucius rolled his eyes, "Women. You'll do anything for vanity."

I kept a straight face, but smirked internally. As Ginny would say, the trick to getting a way with a lie is knowing what your mark wants to believe.

Lucius hauled me off the couch and propelled me up the stairs,

"Narcissa is out on the grounds, but I'm sure Draco is capable of healing you. He should at least be able to do something about that burn."

I nodded, my mind still spinning. Once Lucius had deposited me on Draco's bed and walked back down stairs to assess the damage, Draco looked at me with his trademark raised eyebrow.

"Hermione Granger blow up a hair straightening solution? I don't think so," he accused me with a smirk.

I nodded, but didn't elaborate. "You don't want to know. But listen, you're leaving at midnight tonight. Be ready in your room. Don't let anyone see you're preparing to leave."

Draco's face became serious instantly, "Daphne too? My mother?" he demanded.

"Of course, idiot. Daphne's in. You'll have to talk to your mum" I croaked, "I need to borrow your owl."

Draco strode over to Hyppolita's cage and pulled the cover off of his beautiful eagle owl's perch.

"I won't be here tomorrow, girl," he explained quietly, "You'll have to stay with father for a while. He'll take good care of you."

My heart went out to him, as I remembered all he was giving up: status, position, a beautiful home and at least one loving (if insane) parent. Things most would kill for.

I grabbed a piece of parchement off of his desk and scrawled,

Harry- There's a traitor in the Order. The Burrow, Muriel's, Tonks's, Grimmauld Place & Shell Cottage aren't safe. Get out now.

All my love, H

I gave it to his owl and told her, "Take it to Harry Potter please. Stay with him until tomorrow morning."

That done, Draco slathered a thick green paste onto my arm and wrapped it in a white bandage with surprising care. He snapped his fingers and a pot of tea appeared on the night stand. He filled the cup at least half way with milk before topping it off with tea and pushing it into my hands. I sipped slowly. Again, I remembered my anarchist fling and giggled.

Draco raised an eyebrow, "Only you could half blow yourself up and come out laughing."

"It's part of my charm," I croaked.

Draco rolled his eyes, "Get off to bed, you siren. Take better care of yourself."

Before I could think on it too much, I launched myself on him and crushed him in a hug. Before he could say anything or respond, I grabbed my tea and dashed out of the room before I could get emotional.