May 29th

She needed to speak to Draco. How she was supposed to accomplish that feat was something Hermione wasn't sure about. It always seemed that when she was on the run, he was there waiting for her at just the exact moment that she needed him. When she would begin to lose heart and want to leave the Resistance village, he would just show up and squeeze her hand or say just the right words to encourage her to give it a little bit longer. The longer she was away from his presence, the more confused she became about his role. What was real? What wasn't? She feared she would never learn the full truth of the matter.

But, one thing was absolutely certain, she needed his help. There was too much at stake to trust that an untrustworthy acquaintance or connection she still possessed from her former life would keep silent about the help she required. If someone even hinted to her husband what she was on the hunt for, it would all be over. He would keep her protected from the consequences of the law, but he would make it so she couldn't leave their house again. Being a prisoner of her own home sounded like a fate worse than death.

Antonin had been wrapped up in something serious ever since she announced that Theodore Nott paid her a visit. She didn't have the first clue where he was or what he was doing. In that moment, she didn't want to know. All that mattered was the fact that he wasn't in her hair bothering her and keeping her from accomplishing her mission. With Dolores Umbridge underneath the influence of her Imperius Curse, she had someone to do her dirty work. This, however, was too much to ask. She had another task for the horrid woman. She couldn't risk that she would be caught and carted off to Azkaban too early.

By Tuesday afternoon, an entire week since the last time she encountered Draco in the woods outside of Hogsmeade, Hermione decided to put to test her theory that the tracker was always nearby. She wasn't sure when she started to believe that she could easily find the wizard. Maybe it was something he said to her all of the times they were alone over the course of the previous several months or maybe it was because she knew what it was he did for both the regime and the Resistance. In the past, he'd always known exactly when to find her when she needed him. If he was being as attentive to her movements as she believed he was, she would be able to find him easily.

She was glad to find that Antonin wasn't home when she returned home from the Ministry. Without him there to make a fuss about where she was going, she knew she could easily slip back out into the village. Making care to be seen by as many people as possible, Hermione retraced her steps from the last time she made the same stroll. Thankfully, no one stopped to talk with her that time either. Her return was still met with suspicion from some of the more hardcore members of the Death Eater Inner Circle and their families. Of course, there had been many that never trusted her to begin with. She was nothing but an upstart Mudblood who didn't know her true place, after all.

Just like the previous week, only steps into the thick forest surrounding the village she heard the footsteps behind her. She continued her trek through the trees until they were further away from the edge than they were before. They had been reckless. It wouldn't do either of them any good to get caught.

Draco seemed intent on recreating the previous visit down to the very last detail. When he pressed his body against hers to pin her against the trunk of a tree, Hermione had half a mind to let him. Antonin hadn't even gotten close enough to her since Sunday morning to put her in much danger of his amorous intentions. She wouldn't have been bothered at all by a little action in the woods. His mouth hungrily sought hers out. For the briefest of moments, after she willingly opened her mouth to deepen his kiss, she wanted him too. Good sense, however, prevailed. It only took a couple of presses of her hands against his chest to get him to stop.

"I only have a few minutes. Besides, just because we didn't get caught last time doesn't mean we're safe this time."

"Come spend the night at my flat. I can promise you we won't be interrupted."

It annoyed Hermione that she was actually tempted by his offer. Of course, it would be foolish. If she didn't come home that night, Antonin would go out searching for her again. He would likely never rest comfortably again while she was outside their home. Always he would be waiting for the moment she ran again. Because she didn't trust her response, she simply pushed on his chest lightly again before changing the subject.

"How is it that you're always able to find me and sense when I'm alone?"

He shrugged his shoulders. She wasn't surprised. It wasn't as if she expected him to give her a straight answer. Throughout the past several months he'd always been very secretive about how he managed to keep finding her when she thought she was doing such an excellent job at hiding.

"Part of my job. If I wasn't any good at it, there'd be no sense in keeping me around."

She didn't want to wander back down the path of remembering that he was fairly dispensable within the regime. It was a painful subject for both of them. Certainly she understood all too well what it felt like to believe herself unimportant. There was a time she expected to be murdered at any moment. Instead of allowing him a chance to feel sorry for himself once more, she blurted out the purpose of her meeting.

"Do you know where I can get some polyjuice potion?"

Just simply saying the name of the rare and practically impossible to find potion was enough to make the wizard nervous. As much as he tried to hide his discomfort, she'd already seen it. She knew it was a lot to ask. Polyjuice potion was highly illegal. Anyone caught or even suspected of using it was subject to a lengthy prison sentence in Azkaban. It wasn't something that could just be easily purchased or even brewed.

"What do you need that for?"

"Don't ask me that. Can you get it for me or not?"

Draco exhaled loudly. He wouldn't give her an answer for several seconds. Hermione began to worry that he was about to tell her to fuck off and find her own illegal potion.

"I'll ask around discreetly. But, you must be aware that I can't make any promises. No one wants to be caught selling that potion."

"Then just find me the ingredients and I'll brew it myself."

She didn't appreciate his laughter. Maybe she spent too much of her life in a position that commanded great respect, or great fear, from those around her, but she didn't like it. Pursing her lips and glaring, she fought the urge to curse him or kick him in his dangly bits.

"And you actually think you can brew it yourself? All of the books with the instructions were destroyed… on your husband's orders."

"I've brewed it before."

She didn't want to go into a history lesson to explain how she already knew she was perfectly capable of brewing the difficult potion. It was a long time ago and she didn't exactly come out looking that great in the story.

"Oh yeah? When?"

"I promise to tell you later when you bring me what I've asked for."

A devastating smile crossed his lips. Hermione hated that he could make her stomach flip with just a look. How different her life was since New Year's! She never would've guessed that she would be willingly standing in the forest collaborating with Draco Malfoy to commit a very serious crime. When he pushed her back against the tree to kiss her soundly again, she ignored her worries about everything moving just a little too fast. She wanted to enjoy the moment, however brief, while it lasted.

"Last chance to come to my flat tonight."

She thanked him for the offer as she shook her head. Neither one of them really wanted to walk away from the other. A stirring began in them both that wouldn't be satisfied with just another kiss. It would have to be enough for the time being. She'd already spent too long out in the woods as it was. He made his promises to seek out what she required. In a few days, he would find her alone again.

Antonin was already home when Hermione entered through the front door. Surprised to find her coming from outside instead of the kitchen fireplace, he furrowed his brow and asked where she'd been. Knowing that telling the truth was much easier than keeping track of a convincing lie, she told him.

"I went for a walk through the village to clear my head. Ended up in the woods. Just needed some fresh air. I'd forgotten how much easier it is to breathe here at home."

Her answer was exactly what he wanted to hear. His face split into a pleased grin. Maybe he was finally beginning to believe that she was settling back in to her old life. She knew that he desired nothing more than to see her happy and content in their home. To further cement the illusion in his mind that she was finding peace, Hermione leaned up to kiss him. Close-mouthed, but lingering, when they broke apart the tension that always hung in the air seemed to dissipate just a little. She turned her head to examine the pots he was standing over.

"What are you making for dinner? It smells wonderful."