authorsnote: I said last time I think I've got where I want to go with this and can now say I definetely do! here we go!
do enjoy, do review
songrecs: you're on your own kid - taylor swift (midnights is my new writing album, like over and over)
They leave the next day.
Exams sat, the school year ended, the funeral over, a horrible tearful event behind them. There is nothing left at Hogwarts for them, not anymore. Maybe one day they'll return, maybe one day they'll come back, but not next year, and probably not the year after.
No, they have other things to do first, and as he turns away from it, he feels something tug in his chest.
Hogwarts; his first and only true home. The last place he'd be able to call his. Turning away felt like closing a chapter, just as Dumbledore's death had, but somehow this felt more final, Dumbledore dying had started this, forcing him to take on his destiny, leaving Hogwarts confirmed it.
But he wasn't leaving alone, he wasn't sure he would have been able to.
He had, had to try to offer, to prevent Ron and Hermione from throwing their lot in with him, no matter how much he needed them. He had to offer them an out, offer them a way to leave.
His life was committed to this, the prophecy, Voldemort, there was no other future for him, no other way, and yet for Ron and Hermione they had other options, they had other choices.
And yet they had chosen him.
They had chosen to stand by him, like a brother and sister would, no matter what came next he had them by his side, and was infinitely thankful he did; he couldn't imagine having to do it alone.
He would have, if he'd had to, he'd have faced down Voldemort alone, with no one at his side, he'd have stood alone and faced down his death.
He was just thankful he wouldn't have to.
And yet, he could have used without the fourth person coming along; Malfoy.
And yet, Harry's trust in Dumbledore was unshakeable, Dumbledore had urged him, told him, ordered him to bring Malfoy along and so he would obey, he would follow, he would put up with Malfoy's snark and his prejudice and he would bring him into the fold.
No matter how much he hated the idea, no matter how he knew they'd come to blows, couldn't possibly peacefully co-exist, he remembered his Dumbledores words;
'You must stay together, the trio will become four, promise me, promise me now, this is vital'
The trio will become four…
He'd made a promise, and Harry wasn't one for breaking them especially not to Dumbledore.
And so, as he packed his trunk, grabbed his wand, gathered his backpack and met with Ron and Hermione in the Common Room, he didn't head straight out for the carriages as planned, no first they headed downstairs, down several staircases, past the Great Hall and further.
To the dungeons.
What came next was as expected difficult.
Malfoys parents were hidden away in some Order safehouse, and Hermione had never seen him so relieved when he'd been told that the day before, but now he was back to his usual self, bigoted, sneering, mean, and of course he couldn't even attempt to be civil.
The question was what to do with him.
She trusted Harry, alongside Ron more than she trusted anyone in the world, even more than Dumbledore, any other teacher, even her own parents; and yet, Harry's suggestion, of having to bring Malfoy along with them, of having him as part of their plans, did not sit right with her.
She knew it was because of Dumbledore, knew Harry's belief in their Headmaster was unshakeable, and yet she felt uneasy as they approached the Slytherin Common Room, felt uncomfortable.
Of course, Ron and Harry would hate having Malfoy with them, there'd likely be a fight (inside the first hour she was sure), and there would be no easy comradery, nothing more than forced civility to complete their mission, it would suck but they would get on with it, Harry because of what Dumbledore had told him, Ron because of his loyalty to Harry.
Hermione was loyal too, without question, but the idea of working with Malfoy was worse for her, and even the boys would have understood that.
He had joined a group who's goal was to stamp people like her out, he was racist, a bigot, and genuinely believed she was less than him, didn't belong in this world, because of her parentage. Just looking at him made her feel anger, hatred even, even though she didn't want to hate anyone, when Malfoy spewed 'mudblood' at her, when he sneered and called her blood dirty, she wanted to hex him through the wall.
All paired with her knowing, deep down, that he was like this because of brainwashing, that according to Harry he hadn't been able to kill Dumbledore, that he was to some extent not evil, just lost, confused, bigoted yes, but due to his upbringing.
She remembered something her Mother had said to her once.
'No one is born prejudiced'
It was true, and yet as they made it to the dungeons, and found Malfoy waiting in the alcove for them next to his Common Room as planned, her guts twisted, with nerves, anger, anticipation.
She'd have to be the bigger person here, lord knows Malfoy wouldn't be, but it didn't mean she had to like it.
'For Harry, for the Wizarding World' she repeated to herself in her head; Dumbledore had deemed Malfoy important, and though her trust in their Headmaster wasn't quite as ironclad as Harry's, she knew Dumbledore had, had a plan, and Harry trusted it, she would too.
Though that didn't mean she had to like it.
And so, with a sigh (internally) as they approached Malfoy she forced herself to have a neutral expression, they had to work together, she may not like it (and didn't intend to), but she wasn't going to kick up a fuss.
"About time" Malfoy drawled and she glared at him, he was just so contrarian, like he couldn't help himself in being complete and utterly unpleasant.
"Let's go" Harry said, his tone curt, se felt that was the best way, to0 keep conversation to a minimum, lest it cause a fight to break out.
Honestly, that seemed unavoidable, but the longer they could hold it off, the better.
"Where are we going exactly?" Malfoy said, and she could hear the sneer in her tone, but forced herself to follow Harry, Ron did the same, though the tips of his ears were red he kept quiet as they started to make their way to the carriages; down to Hogsmeade, and onward.
Hermione was just thankful no one looked at them too closely to see Malfoy with them, the few who did look shocked but kept quiet, the Slytherins ignored them, and they took a pre-planned route to avoid as many people as possible.
They hardly wanted to advertise their so called 'secret weapon'.
"The Burrow, we've got a wedding to attend" Ron said, his tone clipped too.
"Oh joy, do you think I'll be an usher?" Malfoy sneered again, was that his permanent expression? Like he'd stepped in something unpleasant, she felt an odd flash that he could be attractive if he wasn't so permanently looking down his nose at everyone (ignored the tiny bit of her that knew he was attractive anyway; she'd never fancy a man so prejudiced, she was no masochist).
"Mind your tongue Malfoy" Harry said, as they made their way outside. Hermione paused for just a second to glance back at the Castle, Harry and Ron did the same, just for a second, they wouldn't be coming back after all, and she felt a pang in her tummy as they turned away.
It was like saying goodbye to their childhoods.
For good.
Of course, Malfoy didn't look back.
"Or what?" He asked, and she knew he liked this, got off on it even, needling them, picking at them, getting under their skin, and making himself known. She was determined not to give him the satisfaction, and yet she knew she was glaring at him, he was damn good at it, likely had lots of practice.
"Or you'll regret it" Ron said, cheeks pink now too.
"Oooo" Malfoy said, laughing to himself then, though she could sense there was something there, some kind of front; he was alone now after all, no mates to back him up. "I'm terrified, truly"
"You should be" Hermione said, tone clipped, matter of fact, and it took every effort to keep it that way, "Insult Ron's family or home and you'll regret it, simple as"
"Oh you'll make me regret it?" Another sneer, it was growing tiresome, though she knew her cheeks were red now too, hands screwed into fists.
"Yeah, I always beat you in class, I can beat you in a duel" Her own sneer matched his then, though she'd have denied it if anyone said so.
Could she beat Malfoy in a duel? She knew deep down probably not, it was not her most gifted area, though she knew Harry would wipe the floor with him.
"Come on then" Malfoy needled, probably knowing the same as her. Exam? She always beat him, Questions, an essay? She'd be ahead. He had her beat in Potions and Dueling most likely, though again she was sure he couldn't beat Harry.
"Shut up Malfoy" Harry said, barging past him as they made their way to the carriages, "None of us like it but we have to work together, if you can't say anything useful then don't bother"
"You can't tell me what to do, I mean you can try, but it won't go well" He said, defiantly, but there was that hint again, of having to put up a shield … all alone.
"No" Harry said with a shrug, as though unbothered, though Hermione knew he was, "But it's us, or back to your Death Eater pals, though they aren't such pals anymore, are they?"
It was Malfoy's turn for his cheeks to pinken just a touch before it faded, he was good at controlling his own anger, but not that good.
"That's what I though" Harry said as he climbed into one of the carriages, Ron motioned for Hermione to sit next to him and she offered a smile, as Ron took the bullet and sat next to Malfoy.
"You don't know anything about my life" Malfoy said, and Hermione felt a flash of sympathy for him; this couldn't be easy for him either, but then she'd feel worse for him if he wasn't being such a dick about it all. "Nothing" There was a viciousness to his tone then.
They'd all suffered, they were all in circumstances they didn't like, but as usual with Malfoy it was all about him.
"No" Harry said, and Hermione admired how he kept it together, took his hand and squeezed it, which she knew he appreciated as he squeezed hers back. "But you don't know about ours"
Silence fell then, as the carriage took off, rickety it pulled them down to the train station, they'd get a compartment, hide Malfoy in it and then head to London, then onto the Burrow; it wouldn't be easy, or pleasant, but it was what Dumbledore would have wanted.
Why though, she didn't know.
What she didn't realise, was that they'd soon find out.
The train ride itself was quiet.
For a time.
And then, Harry felt, reluctantly, it was time to discuss strategy. It felt strange including Malfoy, a boy he did not trust even remotely, and yet Dumbledores words echoed in his head again and again,
'Three must become four'
He trusted Dumbledore, and so by extension he had to trust Malfoy.
Though he was at least comforted by the fact there was no way Malfoy could go back to Voldemort, they had his parents safe, and he would not be welcomed back, and he knew it, at least that was something.
Not enough, but it would have to be.
"Right, so to the Burrow first" Harry began, plunging right in, there was no time for nice conversation, not that he expected anything from Malfoy, "And then we leave, and start searching"
"Do we have any leads at all?" Malfoy drawled, wand in hand, which he was flicking up and down, vanishing the window and reconjuring it again and again, so quickly the rain outside didn't even make it in.
Harry supposed there could be worse things than having someone so gifted along for the ride, though that hardly made up for having to put up with him.
"No" Hermione said, honestly, and he winced, but it was the truth, "We have to go back over the histories, the memories Dumbledore gave Harry, and go from there"
"Memories?" Malfoy asked, and he sounded completely uninterested, Harry wondered if he practiced that or was truly that unbothered about a madman who planned to take over the world and kill them all.
"Yes" He continued, "Of Voldemorts childhood, his early years"
"Those must be a thrill and example of stability" Malfoy mocked, and Harry noted he didn't flinch at his name, Ron still did, Hermione shuddered but Malfoy didn't so much as twitch; interesting.
"You're the one who threw your lot in with him" Ron sneered, though it didn't have the malice Malfoy's had.
"Didn't have much of a choice on that front but sure" Malfoy sneered back, and there was plenty of malice in his.
"Stop" Hermione interjected, which Harry was thankful for, though he was curious by what Malfoy had meant about not having a choice, they didn't have time for that now.
They had much to do after all.
"So, we go to the Burrow, move on from there, make sure we have supplies and then we start digging, visiting old haunts of Voldemorts, looking at the memories, chase them all down" Harry said, and Ron and Hermione nodded, Malfoy did nothing which he supposed was a positive.
"Where are we going to live?" Malfoy asked condescendingly and Harry felt his temper rise, forced himself to keep a check on it.
"I've got a tent packed up" Hermione said, "I've got to head home for a few days and then I'll join you at the Burrow with some supplies, I've got a bag at mum and dads"
"Should you be going alone?" Ron asked, and Harry agreed, it seemed too dangerous.
"I'll be fine" Hermione said, but Harry noted a flicker of worry across her face.
"You need someone to go with you" Harry insisted. "But I've got to see to the Dursleys, and grab some stuff too"
"I'll come with you" Ron said, with a fierce nod.
"No" Hermione interjected, and Harry felt a feeling akin to dread settle in his stomach as he realised the solution, no, there had to be another way; he wouldn't do that to Hermione, "You're needed at the Burrow"
"No, I'm not" Ron said with a shake of his head, evidently coming to the same conclusion as Harry.
"You are, for the wedding stuff, and I have some stuff I need you to track down, some books and stuff, I need you to go over to Lunas for something she set aside for me, and Malfoy can't be there alone" Hermione said biting down on her bottom lip.
"Don't even say it" Malfoy interjected then, eyes a touch wider, his expression one akin to shock.
"Looks like your stuck with me Malfoy" Hermione said, and Harry hated it, Malfoy would be awful to him and Ron, but it was worse with Hermione, and he hated the thought of leaving her alone with him.
"I won't enter a muggle house" Malfoy continued, and Harry clenched his fists together, feeling the very real urge to repeat what Hermione had to Malfoy's nose in third year.
And yet what Hermione said next near made Harry laugh, what was he thinking? Hermione was hardly fragile, and could more than handle herself, especially as at her words Malfoy turned quite a sallow shade of grey.
"Insult my parents and I'll make the curse I gave Mariette Edgecombe look like child's play" Of course Malfoy hadn't known that was Hermione and touched his face, a flicker of fear in his gaze "And then I'll dump you on the doorstep of Malfoy Manor and the Death Eaters can have you, maybe they'll just kill you and forego the torture" She shrugged then.
"You'll be polite" And at that Hermione cracked open a book and buried herself in it, and Harry squeezed her knee, knowing she still hated Malfoy's prejudice but would die before she cried in front of him.
"You heard her Malfoy" Ron said in a self-satisfied sense before he pulled out a chess board for him and Harry, and Malfoy reached for his own book, glaring at them all.
They'd get through this.
Just.
yes, it will become clear why dumbledore forced harry to bring malfoy along, no, it won't be revealed for a while
pairings: draco/hermione, others up in the air but I'm 90% sure I've got harrys! any suggestions for ron?
hope you enjoyed