Strange Dawn

The streetlight's sickly yellow glow started to be overpowered by the sunrise on the eastern horizon. Hermione smiled when she saw the sun creeping up over the buildings.

"It's dawn. We should go back now." Draco's voice surprised her. The silence that had fallen over the duo had been comfortable, so his voice was a bit unsettling.

"Of course," she agreed, sighing. She took once last long look down the street then turned on her heel. She didn't hear his footsteps through the noises that built up gradually as the city began to awake. "Aren't you coming?" she asked without looking back at him.

"Right." His footsteps slowly began to echo on the street in a soft rhythm. "Hopefully we can get back before the others wake up."

Hermione nodded, a nervous feeling overcoming her. What if everyone was already awake? How will they react to her giving Draco permission to leave 12 Grimmauld Place? As they walked the sun climbed higher in the sky. "It must be five in the morning," she said, stating the obvious.

"Luckily the Order are not what would be called early risers," Draco said his barb without sounding as if it was an insult on purpose.

The small amount of cars that had been on the roads seemed to double with the dawn as did the number of people that was walking on the sidewalk with the pair. Hermione felt a small pang of suspiciousness as she walked. Draco walked behind her, giving off a casual air. She had no idea how he could be so casual when he wasn't even supposed to be out. Every now and then, Hermione would look behind her just to make sure he was there even though she continued to hear his footsteps following, never ceasing or wavering.

As they reached 12 Grimmauld Place, they saw nothing out of the ordinary. 12 Grimmauld Place was dark and silent, as if not a soul was awake within its walls.

"We're here," Hermione said with no enthusiasm as she stood outside on the sidewalk.

"It seems my walk is over," Draco stated as he walked in the door.

Hermione hurried after him. "Malfoy," she addressed him. He didn't say a word when he turned to look at her. "Don't tell anyone, okay?"

"Granger, I'm not stupid." Shaking his head, he walked up the stairs.

Draco showered and dressed in a new set of robes before returning down stairs. By the time he was ready, everyone in the house had awaken. Hermione was sitting in the living room with Ron and Harry, reading, while they played wizard chess.

"I guess the world isn't ending today," Draco remarked, annoyed, as he dropped into a chair.

Hermione glanced over her book at him with a steel glaze, but didn't say a word. Harry ignored him completely and Ron said, "Shut up, Malfoy."

"The world doesn't need a savior today, huh, Potter? And the sidekicks must have the day off, too, it seems. I mean, if something substantial was happening, surely you two would not be playing wizard chess, like children. St. Potter and the Weasley. Not to forget, the know-it-all Granger." His words were deliberate, but no one took the bait. They all continued their tasks in silence.

"Draco, dear," Mrs. Weasley's voice drifted from the kitchen, "you missed breakfast, do you want what's left?"

"No thank you," he called politely. He had learned it was useless to be rude to those few who were civil to him here.

"Well, if you get hungry…"

"Thank you."

"Mum, let him starve," was Ron's rude interjection.

"Ronald!" his mother called warningly.

Draco wasn't sure, but he thought he could see Hermione smirking from behind the book.

Lupin walked in the room. He nodded acknowledgement to Draco, and Draco reciprocated. He then turned his back to Draco all together, showing he wasn't addressing him. "Minerva won't be back until dinner," he told the others.

Ron nodded. Harry didn't acknowledge his statement.

Hermione put down her book slowly and looked at Lupin. "We know. We were there at breakfast when she left. She's fine; there is no danger. It's not even a mission," she reminded him.

"I know, but it's the first time someone has left since…" his voice trailed off. It occurred to Draco that he meant it was the first time someone had left since Tonks died.

"I know. Don't worry." Hermione seemed to be purposely trying to be optimistic. Draco didn't believe she believed her own words for a moment.

There was nothing to do; no meetings to attend; no plans to make; no missions to discuss. The day ticked by slowly as fatigue overwhelmed Hermione. She hadn't bothered to try to sleep when she and Draco returned from their walk. Today, unlike most days, 12 Grimmauld Place was quiet. No visitors even came over.

Draco slipped insults and barbs into his conversations easily. His words were cold, and Hermione felt it was deliberate. He was even acting differently towards her. It wasn't nicer, not really; it was almost angrier.

"Hermione?"

Ron's voice cut through her fog of thoughts and she looked over her book. She hadn't turned a page in an hour.

"Dinner's ready," Ron said kindly. Harry was already heading toward the kitchen.

"Is Professor McGonagall back yet?" she asked hopefully.

He shook his head. "Not yet. No one is worried at the moment though."

"It's only been—" she glanced at the clock. "—12 hours anyway."

He nodded. She stood up and walked towards him. He stood, unmoving. "What?" she asked with a small smile. "You're never late for dinner."

He smiled. "Are you okay? You've been acting… strange all day."

"Oh, I'm fine," she waved him off. She tried to walk by him, and he grabbed her arm lightly, stopping her.

He pulled her gently towards himself and grabbed his arms around her. "Are you sure?"

This uncharacteristic act of gentleness made Hermione smile, and she whispered, "I'm sure."

He let her go abruptly, and turned away without another word. She followed him into the kitchen. The aroma of the food was almost overwhelming. She had no idea she was hungry. She had skipped lunch, and it was catching up with her.

There were four empty seats at the table. One was at one head of the table, which would normally be for Professor McGonagall; two were next to the empty head chair on one side; the other was by Draco. He was sitting at one end of the table, next to the head, and no one had chosen to sit next to him. Ron dropped in the seat next to Harry. Hermione walked discreetly over and sat in the empty chair next to Draco.

She piled her plate with food without saying a word as she ignored the looks she was receiving for her choice of seating. "Will you pass me the potatoes, Malfoy?" she asked casually.