Chapter 39-Dangerous Liaison

Hermione walked towards the circle of flame she had created 'enough,' she told herself, she would not slaughter the innocent. Parting the flames to let herself through she pulled the children into a tight huddle around her.

Hold on to me she told them as she increased the fury of the flame around them to both protect and camouflage her actions.

"All of you grab hold of me," she instructed, she felt rather than saw tens of tiny hands grasp her arms and her robes, quickly surveying them she told them all in her softest calmest tone. "Hold tight, don't let go we are going for a little ride." Then steadying herself and taking a deep breath she drew on all her magical strength. All that those watching would see was the flame swallowed up by the ground and when it was gone nothing remained, no children and no Dark Lady. As Hermione disapparated she was dimly aware that Voldemort had cried out in pain.

Hermione was exhausted she had drained her power to rescue those children and now she had to decide if she dare return to the Manor. Has she got away with it? Would anyone suspect her or wonder where the children had gone? Voldemort had seemed distracted, what had his cry of anguish meant? She couldn't be sure but she prayed it meant that Harry and Draco had been successful and destroyed one of his horcruxes. She could think of little else that would cause him any anguish. Did she risk it or did she run?

Am I a Gryffindor or not? She asked herself as she made the decision to return regardless of the danger.

Draco paced as they waited for Neville to return with Luna he needed to get out of there to get to Hermione but he dare not leave Potter. Hermione would never forgive him if he abandoned the dark haired wizard. Draco spun his wand at the ready, alerted by a sudden creek of wood behind him.

"Finally," he let out impatiently.

"Luna," Harry began to explain ignoring Draco's impatience, "we are looking for an important item of Ravenclaw's, an artifact something small but of significance to the founder."

Luna simply tipped her head to one side and looked at him curiously.

"I see," she said in her usual dreamy tone, "why?"

"Oh, for Merlin's sake," Draco huffed out, his exasperation increasing by the minute. Neville glared at him but Draco just ignored him, "just tell her!" he hissed at Harry.

Harry let out a deep sigh;

"We believe that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has created a number of horcruxes which are keeping him alive, one; which we have already destroyed, belonged to Helga Hufflepuff, another we believe belongs to Rowena Ravenclaw. It would most likely be small, a ring or a piece of jewelry."

"Or a diadem?" Luna interrupted.

"What's a diadem?" Harry questioned,

"Like a tiara," Draco told him his tone clearly showing considerable strain.

"It could be," Harry told her, "what would that look like?"

"Oh, she is wearing it in her portrait if you care to look," Harry made to move but Luna hadn't finished, "But Harry," she continued, "it will do you no good, no one has seen it for a long time. It is generally considered to be lost."

"Damn it Potter we've wasted enough time we need to get out of here." Draco stated becoming increasingly petulant.

"I need to know what it looked like; we need to know what it looks like." Harry corrected but Draco knew it was too much of a risk, if they left the room of requirements they would expose themselves to considerable danger.

"We can't, it's too risky." He told Harry.

"Malfoy's right, we'll look for it for you," Neville offered, " if it's to be found we will find it won't we Luna?"

"Of course," the blonde witch confirmed.

Draco couldn't wait for anymore pleasantries to be exchanged he was already on his way back down the tunnel to the Hog's Head.

Harry turned apologetically and followed.

Hermione sought the sanctuary of Draco's room as she returned to the Manor. She needed to rest and regain her strength but every time she closed her eyes all she saw was terrified faces emblazoned on the back of her eye lids. She felt as if another part of her soul had perished.

Despite everything Hermione eventually fell into a fitful sleep the magical energy she had used left her exhausted and vulnerable and she succumbed to the oblivion that she hoped sleep might bring. It must have been some hours later when she was suddenly alerted to another presence in the room.

"Lumos," she whispered wandlessly lighting the room.

"Lucius!" she exclaimed with alarm.

"Hermione," he addressed her with greater fondness than she had previously known him capable of.

He began to walk towards her but as she watched his hair suddenly began to shorten, the sharp cut emphasising his chiseled jawline, his features appeared to ripple, his waist slimed slightly and his mercurial grey eyes softened. Hermione held her breath unwilling or unable to believe what she was seeing.

"Draco?" she questioned.

He rushed towards her scooping her into his arms. Smothering her in kisses, she felt them burn as each one seared her skin.

"How did you... what are you doing here?" she managed to stutter out suddenly alarmed she dived for her wand. He stilled looking at her uncertainly but she aimed the wand at the door to close it and set up some protective wards.

"You bloody reckless fool, you shouldn't have come here it's too dangerous," she chastised him whilst simultaneously throwing her arms around his neck and burying her hands in his silken blond hair.

"Draco," she sobbed, pulling his forehead down too touch hers, "I have done such terrible things."

Author's note:

So dear readers the question is:- Is Lucius impersonating Draco? Or was Draco impersonating Lucius?

Slightly shorter chapter than usual but this was a good place to pause.