A/N: A special thank you ATaleOfTwistedSuspense, burungmalam, Jen0318, and the one Guest who commented on the last chapter! Your words make my day much better!

Disclaimer: I dont own Harry Potter.

As always, enjoy!

Chapter 7

The Ministry was oddly empty for a Monday morning. Hermione's shoes clicked loudly on the marble floors as she walked to her office— soon to be former office— on the fifth floor. Hermione was glad to admit that she didnt have to pack much, only a few framed pictures, her hair brush and other small, miscellaneous things she had collected over the years. With a final wave to Harry, she walked out of the lift.

When Hermione finally reached her office door she stared at her name plaque for a moment, then quickly entered.

The first thing she noticed wasn't how dry and almost suffocating the room was, but the single asphodel gently laid on her desk. Hermione's brows furrowed, and form the corner of her eyes she spotted the flowers she had gotten only days before wilted and rotting.

The brunette walked towards her desk slowly, finding the small scrap of paper gently tucked away underneath the flower.

Hermione gasped when she read the shaky, uneven script.

I'm sorry.

Small circles on the paper were wrinkled slightly, causing the paper to be misshapen. She looked back at the flower and her heart slammed in her chest.

Hermione dropped the note and ran to the lift.

Harry, she had to find Harry.

She smashed the button for the lift over and over until it dinged and opened. Hermione hopped in and continued her abuse on the button that would take her to Harry's floor.

She moved impatiently from foot to foot, waiting for the lift to open. Once the doors opened, Hermione bolted out, moving as fast as she could down the hall, trying not to crash into the Aurors walking in and out of the office.

Out of breath, Hermione stopped in front of Harry's office, which was tucked away in the very back the door was slightly cracked open and before she had the chance to march in she saw a flash a blond hair.

She froze.

Hermione pushed the door in slightly to see Harry very angrily gesturing at Lucius.

"I said no, Malfoy," Harry hissed, barring his teeth at the older wizard.

Lucius Malfoy, the usually calm and arrogant wizard had a desperate link in his eye. "Mr. Potter," he said, his voice carrying a pleading tone, "time is running out."

Harry scoffed, Hermione moved closer to the door, "I won't put her in harms way! She's been through enough, especially through the hands of your family." Harry's eyes hardened.

Hermione's hand flew to the Mudblood scar on her arm and with shaky fingers she traced the letters she knew were under her robes.

"Mr. Potter— without , Draco will not survive… And neither will your friend." The way Lucius's voice broke made Hermione's heart clench.

Harry rushed the older wizard, grabbing him by the front of his robes and slamming him against the closest wall, his forearm jammed under Malfoy's chin.

"Is that a threat?" Harry said with venom Hermione had never heard form him.

Lucius response was a pained gasp.

Hermione pushed the door open but neither man noticed the brunette entering the room.

"Harry?" Hermione whispered.

Harry's head snapped towards Hermione, his anger simmering once he realized that she was there.

"What's she talking about, Harry?" Hermione asked, approaching Harry almost like he was an injured animal, "Whats wrong with Draco?"

Lucius, who was still pinned to the wall snared at Harry, trying, and failing, to lunge at the younger wizard. "She doesn't know?" He yelled, spitting in Harry's face.

Harry staggered backwards cleaning his face with the back of his hand. Lucius approached Hermione, no longer the violent and aggressive wizard he was moments ago. With his back straight, heavily leaning in his snake head cane.

" ," Lucius said with a slight bow, "you're a difficult woman to get in touch with."

Hermione stood rooted in place, "Why have you trying to get in touch with me, ?"

Harry stepped forward to speak but Hermione put up her hand, her brown eyes boring into the older Malfoy's own grey eyes, and Harry stopped in his tracks, his body becoming rigid.

Lucius's eyes softened at the question, "My son— he's ill—"

"What does that have to do with me?" Hermione interrupted.

Lucius shifted in his spot, "He's cursed," he said, "Bellatrix—that crazy hag— cursed him."

"And how am I supposed to help?" Hermione's eyes drifted to meet Harry's, he quickly looked away, guilt masking over his features.

"He's bound to you, Hermione," Harry said, is focus in the edge of his desk, "The only way to save him is to tie yourself to him. Forever. I wouldn't— couldn't— let that happen."

Hermione's shoulders fell, "And you didn't think I should have a say in what happen's to me in my life?"

Harry crossed his arms in discomfort, "You're not strong enough."

Fire lit in the witch's chest, anger making her sight a little blurry, "Excuse me?" Hermione demanded, "And how would I have felt when I found out Malfoy died because I did nothing?"

Harry flushed and he stepped closer to Hermione, "You wouldn't have found out! Merlin, Hermione, if I had to choose between you or Malfoy, its obvious who would win! I made my choice."

"It wasn't your choice to make!" Hermione screamed, her magic crackling around her dangerously.

"Mr. Potter—" Lucius said but he was interrupted when Hermione shoved Harry narrowing her eyes at him.

"Dont you dare, Harry," Hermione hissed, "I've told you over and over that I dont need your protection!"

"You obviously do if you're considering helping Malfoy!" Harry hissed back.

"You are not my keeper, Harry," Hermione said before storming out, leaving both Harry and Lucius behind.

Hermione ignored the call of her name and the closer the voices came, the faster she walked towards the connected floos on the main level of the Ministry. Harry caught up to her, taking her by the arm and forcing her to face him.

"Hermione," Harry said, "I'm sorry—"

Hermione shook her head, "How can I trust you, Harry?"

Pain danced on Harry's features and Hermione pulled herself free with little effort. She walked into the floo and called out her flat, catching Lucius Malfoy's concerned, almost teary, eyes before she disappeared into the flames.

Did Ginny know?

Did Ron?

If they did, who else knew?

Hermione staggered into her flat and quickly made a small go bag. She squeezed her eyes shut and apperated to the one place she felt safe being in the moment. The warm and almost suffocating air of her flat became the cold and wet world of the outside. She opened her eyes to find herself standing in front of her childhood home. Hermione walked up to the simple red door, and knocked.

She waited a moment then knocked again.

The door opened.

"Hermione?" Came a soft voice.

"Mum."