Chapter 5-Frantic

After Dumbledore's demise The Order had laid low. They had needed time to regroup to re-evaluate their strength. With Snape embedded with the Death Eaters they had good intelligence. They knew what Voldemort planned, the raids on muggle settlements, the murders of muggle-borns but their resources were stretched and to their eternal frustration they could neither help nor save everyone. If they acted at all it was in the direst of need or in the most desperate of circumstances.

It was a grey day made greyer by the motes of dust that floated in the air of Grimmauld Place. Hermione sat curled like a cat in a chair beside the large ironstone range in the kitchen her habitual book in one hand and a large mug of tea in the other. It was a day like any other since they had all settled at Grimmauld Place that was before a flare of bright blue light fractured the grey.

A spectral hare raced across the room- a patronus, Luna's patronus. Hermione sat bolt upright.

"Hermione help us we're surrounded, Shell cottage." Luna's panicked voice rang out from her patronus.

"Harry," Hermione screamed, "Ron, Professor."

As she waited Hermione panicked, Shell Cottage was an Order safe house it was protected by the Fidelius Charm, Bill Weasley was the secret keeper. That could only mean that not only was Luna in danger but so was Bill. He would never willingly reveal the secret unless he faced death. Even then Hermione doubted he would reveal it- but if someone else was in danger, someone he loved?

"Harry" she screamed again at the top of her lungs.

Draco had begun to feel empty, hallow like a marsh plant transplanted to the desert where it wilted and withered and struggled for life. Everything seemed pointless but then there was her. He needed to get away from her before he did something he might regret-they were not meant for each other, he knew that, and no matter how much he had grown to enjoy talking to her he should not get used to it. Chastising himself he decided to try and wash these feelings away.

Draco knew he was taking too long in the shower, he was being selfish, but selfish was something he was good at and damn it all he wanted to take a long, long time in the shower. He needed to sort his head out; his priorities and the scolding hot water seemed to help. I Should be disgusted, he told himself, I shouldn't even want to be in the same room as her his chastisement continued as his flesh boiled to a bright pink, so why can't I stop thinking about her? He asked himself, why did he want to draw her to him, hold her, keep her safe? He was going insane. Shaking his head and unable to bear the scolding any further Draco finally stepped out of the shower. His skin steaming from the near immolation he had given it. He was amazed that no one was hammering on the door. Relieved to have had some peace, a rarity he had found whilst sharing a bathroom, he made his way to his room considering the benefit of applying some cooling charms on his skin.

Although it seemed like an age Harry and the others came running quickly.

"Luna, Shell Cottage." Hermione began breathless and unable to apprise the others of the urgency.

"Hermione calm down, start again." Ginny ordered in a Molly Weasley tone that brooked no argument.

Finally taking a couple of calming breaths Hermione was able to explain. They quickly established that not only were the residents at Shell Cottage in danger but, if they could not get to Bill quickly, the security of Grimmauld Place might be at risk too. Remus agreed with Hermione's assessment that Bill would only divulge the secret if someone else's life was threatened and they needed to quickly establish the whereabouts of Fleur his wife and the other Weasley family members, as well as Bill himself.

"Charley is still in Rumania," Ron offered helpfully, "Ginny and I are here so that leaves, Percy, George, Fred and Mum and Dad."

"Ginny, floo the Burrows and check who's home immediately," Remus instructed taking command of the kitchen as if it were a campaign tent and the other Order members were his Aide de Camps.

"Hermione, Ron, go to Shell Cottage, stay undercover and assess the situation there. I want to know how many Death Eaters we are talking about and who is inside, do not engage the enemy unless there is an immediate threat to life."

"Harry, Tonks, contact as many Order members as you can we may need some considerable force."

Everyone scattered going about their tasks with urgency. No one thought about Malfoy.

Ensconced in his room Draco had not noticed that Grimmauld Place had become preternaturally quiet. As dusk approached he left his room as always to take some air in the walled garden. He waited but she didn't come. Reading again, he scoffed to himself. He waited longer; it grew cold and dark, the hoots of a barn owl the only noise to disturb the silence. She had never 'stood him up' before, deflated and a little angry he returned indoors. It was only then that he realised something was wrong.

Many of the rooms were unlit and then realisation dawned. He had neither seen nor heard anyone for hours. No creak of boots on the loose stair below his room. No doors closing or slamming, no voices, nothing. Draco was overwhelmed with a sudden sense of panic. He raced from room to room, turning on lights and calling her name.

"Granger,"

Nothing,

"Granger this is not funny anymore," he bellowed.

Nothing,

Desperation began to set in.

"Potter damn it, Weasley."

Nothing,

"Anybody!" he yelled frantically.

He ran to her room, it had to be a joke, they were hiding, it must be an illusion, it had to be. He had never entered her room before it felt like an intrusion but he was desperate. He knew the house was protected by the Filelius Charm, he couldn't leave and no one would ever find him. If they had left him… he couldn't finish that thought her room was empty there was nobody there. Idly he lifted a pale pink sweater from the back of a chair it smelt of Jasmine, it smelt of her. He buried his face in it and sank to the floor.

Hermione and Ron apparated to the sand dunes around Shell Cottage the sky was grey and high winds blasted sand into their mouths and faces making it difficult to see. Ron made to shield them from the ocean blast but Hermione stayed his hand before he could.

"No magic, they might detect us and at this distance we could be some muggle couple on the beach."

Although Hermione wasn't sure a muggle disguise would help them it seemed to reassure Ron who nodded his acceptance.

"We need to get closer," Ron told her.

Hermione nodded reluctant to open her mouth as the sand continued to blast them.

There was little need to silence their footfall, with no magic to detect and the roar of the ocean and the screaming gale no one would hear them. They could see the lights were on at the kitchen window. They made their way around the cottage keeping low so they could not be seen from any of the windows. Finally they found themselves under the kitchen window. They needed to look and they needed luck that no one was looking out. Cautiously Hermione rose to peep inside.

Author's Note:

So Cliff hanger -please review if you want to find out what happens next sooner! Dramione action coming up!