Chapter 12- Gone

"Hey Hermione."

"Harry? What are you doing here?"

"You remember that mission I told you I was going on?" She nodded, "Draco's going with me."

Hermione looked at him, "Why didn't you tell me Draco?"

"I guess you forgot that you accused me of being a Death Eater."

"You still should have told me that you were leaving to track them down Draco. And you Harry! Why didn't you say anything about him going?"

"We weren't supposed to say who else was going."

"So that's what you have been doing every night. Training for a mission. Draco why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you don't need to worry about me."

"So you expected me not to worry when I discovered you had just disappeared."

"Hermione I'm sorry but we have to leave."

"Potter could you leave us alone for a minute."

"Uh.. yeah sure."

"Look Hermione, I don't want to hurt you, that's why I didn't want you to know where I was going. I don't know if I want to forgive for accusing me of being a Death eater, but I know that I have to go and get rid of the rest of them. None of them deserve to be alive."

"I don't know what I was thinking Draco."

"I know. Look, I love you Hermione, and I will still love you when I come back from this. Let's work this out when I get back. Okay?"

She smiled at him, "All right. You better come back though, I love you."

With that behind them, Draco and Hermione walked into the common room where Harry was waiting. Hermione gave them both one last hug and then they flooed to the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters to meet with the others. Hermione slept in Draco's bed that night.

A week had come and gone without word from Harry or Draco. McGonagall had made Snape the Potion's Master again while Draco was gone. It was now a Hogsmeade weekend and Hermione went to the Three Broomsticks to get a butter beer. When she walked in Ron was there with Lavender. Hermione cringed at even the mention of her name. When Ron saw her walk in he excused himself from Lavender and walked over to where Hermione was sitting at the bar.

"Hey Hermione."

"Hello."

"Have you heard from Harry?"

"No, have you?"

"No. Ginny said she hasn't yet either."

"Oh. How is Lavender?"

"I guess she's okay, we didn't talk much."

"Oh. Well, I'm going back to the school."

"Do you mind if I come with you? I would like to visit it."

"Uh..yeah I guess."

Ron and Hermione set off towards Hogwarts, but Hermione couldn't help but to feel awkward.

"So why did you leave Lavender to come and talk to me?"

"I hadn't talked to you since the wedding and what can I say; I miss my best friend."

"Oh."

"I also miss being with you Hermione."

"I know. You've told me that before."

He took her by the waist, "Why don't we try it one more time then?"

She put her hands one chest and pushed him away, "Ron, Draco and me are back together."

"What?"

"Draco and I are.."

"I heard what you said Hermione, why though? He hurt you."

"We love each other."

"But he cheated on you with Lavender."

"How do you know that Ron? No one else knows about that."

"I...I..."

"You did it didn't you? You set Draco up."

"Hermione I don't know..."

"I can't believe you! Get away from me!"

Hermione ran all the way back to Hogwarts. When she had told Draco a few weeks ago that Ron had done it, she didn't want to believe it herself. But now, he had practically confessed to doing it. One of her best friends helped ruin the relationship that she had with the most important person in her life. My God she needed to see Draco.

The next day Hermione sat in her room all day staring out the window and reading books. It wasn't until dinnertime that night that she finally heard from Draco. A small brown owl pecked on her window and she opened the letter it had quickly.

Dear Hermione,

Everything is all right for now. I know you must be worried sick. Potter's okay too. We have not found the Death Eaters yet but we found what we think was their camp. It's a Muggle campfire but we think that they're trying not to use magic. Smart move. I'm sorry it's taking us so long to get back, but I'm hoping to get back soon. I love you.

Draco Malfoy.

Hermione smiled at his letter and walked down to dinner. She tried to fill McGonagall in on everything she knew, but she seemed to know most of it already. Hermione even talked to Professor Snape for a few moments before she started eating.

The next couple of days went by slow for Hermione. She got one more letter from Draco saying that they were hot on the trail of the Death Eaters. Hermione was so anxious to get Draco home. Ever since her incident with Ron, she had felt like part of her was missing. It was strange how the person she hated most right now was the person to make her see how much she loved Draco.

Hermione had also talked to Ginny some. Harry had told her he was coming home in two days. She was so excited about going on their Honeymoon. Hermione was excited to see Draco.

Those two days went by terribly slow for Hermione. Ginny and she went straight the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters to wait for their guys. Mrs. Weasley was also there waiting on the group to get back.

About two hours later Harry walked through the front door. Hagrid and many of the others that went along closely followed him. 'Where is he?' Hermione thought. She kept waiting thinking maybe he was bringing up the rear. Finally the last person walked in and closed the door, but that person wasn't Draco.

"Harry, where is Draco?"

"Oh..he um...Hermione he stayed behind. One of the Death Eaters got away; he wouldn't leave until we caught all of them."

Hermione sat down on the couch and cried. He was still out there alone, facing Death Eaters. What if he got hurt? Would anyone find him? Damn, she so didn't need this right now.

A/n: I know a lot of dialogue again and it's rather short.. But I hope you guys like and I felt like I needed to post soon for you guys. Sorry it took awhile too, i've had a lot of stuff on my hands lately. Thanks guys for everyone of my reviews. I almost have more than my first story with 8 chapters less. How Great is that?

I revised this February 22, 2009. :] I have found my story once again you guys! Thank you to sickforslytherin for pointing out my mistakes!

Missez Malfoy.