Chapter 5

The darkness surrounded him and Harry knew that even if he tried he couldn't see his hand in front of his face. He heard the steady breaths of Draco next to him and the slight snoring of Ron across the room. He wished he could sleep; he really needed it because tomorrow or really, later that day was Bill's wedding but more importantly they were leaving the burrow. Now that it had come to it, he wasn't sure he was ready to take on this impossible task that Dumbledore had left them--but what really bothered him most was Draco. Trusting Draco will probably be the hardest thing he will ever do in his life. There is no assurance that he is telling the truth about his situation or that the horcrux that he possessed was actually a real one. Refusing to ask 'why me' he rubbed his eyes, relieved that he now felt sleepy.

"Harry…" called a misty voice, "Harry wake up."

"Hmm…" he mumbled tiredly opening an eye. He was startled to find a rather faded Lynx Patronus blinking at him. He nudged Draco awake.

"Harry, this is Kingsley, I haven't much time so please listen. I have word that Scrimgeour is missing. The Ministry has been infiltrated by unregistered Death Eaters and I have a feeling I know exactly who is responsible for Scrimgeour's disappearance. I have also picked up on discreet talk of Draco's disappearance from the Manor. They know he isn't dead. It will be wise to leave now. There is a safe house in Wiltshire, I can take you--"

"No, we were headed to Grimmauld place…" Harry said.

"Ah, yes…those wards are old but resilient--ok then. Don't try to contact me, its too dangerous--I will send word of any news I hear. Good luck" and with that Kingsley's Patronus dissolved into the air.

Harry and Draco looked at each other and jumped out of bed. Harry hurried over to Ron who had slept through the whole thing.

"Ron we're leaving now, get up!"

"What are you talking about?" he mumbled, "We aren't leaving for another day."

"Yeah well plans change." Draco added.

"Who asked you?" Ron said sitting up.

"Ron, Scrimgeour is missing and Kingsley said that we should leave now because the Death Eaters know that Draco is alive and they will be looking for him everywhere"

"I knew this was your fault some how." Ron sneered at Draco.

" Get over it." Draco replied.

Ron gave him a look and rushed off to wake his parents. Harry waited until Ron was out of earshot. "Why do you do that?" He asked.

"Do what?" Draco grumbled gathering his belongings.

"Carry on like that. Why cant you…I don't know…be nice?"

Draco scoffed, "Nice? Really, first off he started it and second you couldn't pay me enough to be nice to that guy!"

"I shouldn't have to." Harry replied.

Draco rolled his eyes and continued gathering their luggage. "You know he could try being nicer too" Harry couldn't help but notice the disdain dripping from his voice as he spoke. This was going to be difficult and he knew that he had better talk to all of them or prepare for the impending fallout in the near future. "Alright, I'll be downstairs." Draco said leaving the room.

Harry sighed as he heard the house awaken and Hermione rushed inside the room.

"Are you ready, we need to go." she said with a demure sense of impatience.

"Yeah 'Mione, just a minute." he said as he gave one last look around the room to see if they were forgetting anything and left quickly downstairs.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were already downstairs when Harry arrived. He was aware of the fact that Mrs. Weasley was over-reacting just a bit, nonchalantly stuffing more food and supplies in the bag. He caught Mr. Weasley's beckoning gestures and followed him into the den.

"I know you mean well with helping Malfoy, but just keep an eye on him. There isn't any room for mistakes anymore."

"Yes sir I know, but Draco isn't dange--"

Mr. Weasley cut him off, "Not just Draco, Harry. The Death Eaters, they are looking for him." Mr. Weasley gave him a pat on the shoulders, "well you better leave quickly. I'm sure the Ministry is going to swarm us tomorrow since this is the last place Scrimgeour was…" Harry noticed that Mr. Weasley looked haggard by that fact. He nodded as they walked back to the group. Harry was anxious; this was it--the mission that has been looming over his head ever since Dumbledore died and he wasn't ready. He glanced at Draco who was sitting quietly resting his head against the couch, he looked so tired.

"Make sure you dismantle the Floo Network as soon as you get there." Mrs. Weasley reminded.

Hermione nudged Draco awake and Mr. Weasley said, "Keep to yourselves, stick to the plan, and don't try to contact anyone."

Mrs. Weasley hugged Ron and Hermione one more time, Harry grabbed Draco around the waist preparing for side-along apparation, and in no time they were standing in the dark living room of Grimmauld Place. Harry lit the fireplace and set the bag down.

"Can we just go back to sleep?" Draco asked breaking the silence.

"I think that is a good idea." Hermione said, "but why don't we sleep in the drawing room. I don't feel comfortable anywhere else." Ron began unpacking so they could settle in. Hermione picked her sleeping bag and claimed the couch as Ron lay on the floor next to her.

Draco was uneasy. Something didn't feel right about this place and found himself placing his sleeping bag closer to Harry's than he wanted to.

Despite being very tired Draco could not go back to sleep. He kept his eyes closed listening to the crackle of the fire place and wishing he was in a bed. This wood floor was very unforgiving to his back. He rolled onto his side facing Harry.

"Can't sleep either?" Harry whispered when he noticed Draco was awake.

Draco only nodded. "Are we safe here?" he blurted

Harry was surprised by the question, "Yeah Draco, we are."

Draco didn't seem to believe him, "Are you sure, I mean, no one can find us right?"

Harry gave him a comforting smile, "No I promise."

Draco didn't exactly relax but he wasn't as uneasy anymore. "okay Potter, I guess I can trust you then." he said with a half smile rolling on his back again.

"I'm flattered" Harry replied. "try to get to sleep, you need it."

Draco scoffed, "Sleep is for the weak Potter." he glanced at Harry to catch his reaction, "besides how could anyone sleep on a floor as hard as this."

"Try not to think about it."

Draco sighed heavily, "However impossible that may be, I guess I have no choice but to sleep like a peasant. --Good night Potter."

Harry chuckled, "Good night."