It was a busy morning for Mrs. Weasley.
Arthur had received news that Ronald's involvement at the Malfoy Manor was known amongst the ranks of the death eaters. Since Ron was supposedly at home sick for the past couple of months, the suspicions of the family being "blood traitors" with ties to the Order were reinforced.
With the death eaters aware, and well infiltrated within the ministry of magic, the Weasley's were currently packing up and going into hiding.
The Burrow was no longer safe.
Dishes were packing themselves into open boxes, cutleries were lining up to be washed, and all manners of kitchen cloths were folding in on themselves, creating neat piles on the table.
Molly sadly glanced around her kitchen.
In a couple of hours, she would be leaving her home, where she had raised way too many boys and a most loving daughter. She blinked when she heard a loud splash on the deck and jumped after a loud thud followed.
"Arthur!?"
When a female cry pierced the air, she grabbed her wand off the counter and ran outside.
In the middle of her soaked deck was Hermione Granger, who was lying atop another.
"Hermione?"
With a great deal of pain and exhaustion, Hermione released her vice-grip on Malfoy and rolled onto her back.
Mrs. Weasley took a moment of consideration before addressing the secret password all members of the Order knew. Better to be safe then to assume and be sorry.
"What is Honeydukes special today?"
"Bertie Botts every flavor...every flavor…" but she wasn't able to finish her sentence and passed out.
"She didn't say it all the way," Came Mr. Weasley from behind Molly.
"She was clearly going to. That's good enough for me!" She stated starting to walk towards Hermione.
"Is that who I think it is?" Said Arthur as he noticed the other limp body.
Molly stopped in her tracks.
"Is he dead?" He pushed.
"I don't know."
Arthur pointed his wand at Draco's chest.
"One way find out," Molly stepped out of his way. "Innervate!"
A fountain of water dislodged itself from inside Draco's chest and he immediately rolled onto his unwounded side to puke it out.
"Incarcerous!"
Thick rope rapidly wrapped around Draco and a cry of pain escaped him as they tightened. The friction and pressure on the stick between his ribs only injured him worse.
"Still alive then," said Mr. Weasley "We should call Remus."
Watching the young Malfoy struggle against his binds made both Weasleys uncomfortable.
"That would be best," Molly finally responded and proceeded to go inside to call the previous defense against the dark arts professor.
Arthur, wand still pointed at Draco observed the scene in front of him.
It was quite unbelievable really.
They hadn't heard from Ron, Harry or Hermione in months. To have her suddenly appear on his doorstep with Draco Malfoy was most unusual.
The young man was avidly glaring at him and noticeably using shallow, measured breaths.
He flicked his gaze to Hermione, still unconscious.
Her lip was busted and he noticed several random bruises.
A dejected appearance overtook him as his gaze swept across her arm, it didn't quite look right.
He kept silent, wand still hovering as the boy defiantly looked up at him.
"Who do we have here?"
"Ah, Remus, I assume Molly's already filled you in."
"She has." He said as he overlooked the pair, hands finding his pockets.
"Let's bring them in," he added. "No point in keeping them out here."
Remus assisted Malfoy to his feet and with the okay from Lupin, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley levitated Hermione inside to one of the upstairs bedrooms.
Malfoy was nudged onto a second-hand couch that sported several holes brought on by years of use.
He audaciously gave his old professor a dirty look.
"It's been quite a long time since we've last spoken Draco"-
"It's Malfoy."
"Yes, well would you care to explain your presence alongside Miss Granger?"
Draco tightened his jaw and kept it shut.
He had no business with this dog. Besides, werewolves gave him the creeps.
"What does our guest have to say?" Asked Arthur as he strode back into the room.
"Nothing yet. I don't think he'll be a willing participant today. How is Hermione?"
"She'll be alright. A broken arm and a split lip. I think she's mostly exhausted. Nothing Molly hasn't dealt with before."
Their interest fell back to Draco, his grey eyes shone steadily at them, but his pain betrayed him as his chest rose and fell in heaves.
Remus almost felt sorry for him.
"I tell you what Draco - "
"Malfoy."
"If you tell us what happened, we'll stabilize your wound for you."
Draco's attention shifted between the two as he considered it.
"Granger stabbed me with a stick."
"That's not what I meant."
"Granger kicked me in the stomach, then stabbed me with a stick."
"Draco."
"What do you want from me?"
"Why are you here with Hermione?"
"Because weasel can't deflect worth shit."
Remus closed his eyes and took in a deep breath.
"Who is weasel?" Asked Mr. Weasley as he took a step in his direction.
Draco snickered.
"Are Harry and Ronald safe?" Asked Lupin, trying to redirect the conversation.
"Like I would tell you."
Something in Mr. Weasley broke, he walked to sit on the table in front of Draco and put his hands on its surface.
"Mr. Malfoy, I haven't seen my son in months. If you could give us any indication on - "
"No doubt my father has them by now; packaged up and ready to be delivered to the dark lord."
The color of Mr. Weasley's face washed away as professor Lupin grabbed his arm and guided him out of the room.
"Why don't you go check on Molly…She might need some help with Hermione."
Mr. Weasley paused to compose himself before nodding his head in defeat.
"I'll stay with our pleasant guest" Remus added, trying to lighten the mood.
Mr. Weasley hesitated.
"Go on Arthur; Draco won't say much to us at the moment. If he does, it'll only be taunts and hotheaded reactions. He was the same in school. I can handle him."
Mr. Weasley gave him another nod and disappeared up the stairs.
Remus sighed as he watched him go and turned his head back to the living room. It was going to be a rather long day.
End of chapter 3.