Author's Note: Firstly, i apologise profusely for such a long delay between this chapter and the last! These past few weeks have been incredibly busy - i hope you can forgive me! I'd like to thank everybody who has read and reviewed this story so far; it means the world to me. I hope you enjoy this chapter. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. :]


"Or being hated, don't give way to hating,"

Tuesday 20th January, 1998

He couldn't help but spend time with her. It was the oddest thing which, whenever he considered it, baffled him to no end. It wasn't that he liked her any more, or that there was any particular enjoyment during the long hours spent in the library, but it was something to beat the tedium of being locked in the house. He found that it helped him, consoled him; he never thought of his father when they were together. Every morning he would get up and eat his breakfast, before heading to the library where she would join him. They would read in silence, mostly, but occasionally she would try and make conversation – they never really found much to talk about.

Slowly, he ascended the stairs carrying two steaming mugs of tea. He could have levitated them, but he still felt uneasy using magic; even though Lupin had reassured him that it could not be traced. When he pushed open the door of the library, it was only to find Granger sat cross-legged on the floor with a huge dusty tome propped on her knee.

"I've brought you a cup of tea." She looked up with a small smile and a smudge of dust on her cheek.

"Oh thank you very much, could you just put it over there?" Draco placed it on the small table, before taking a book from the shelf and settling into the arm chair. He had only read the first page when she spoke again; her voice ringing clearly around the room and making him jump. "What happened…whilst we were away?" Draco was taken aback by the wistfulness in her voice.

"You should know better than anybody that nothing ever happens here."

He continued to stare at his book as she sighed, and he heard her shift position on the wooden floor.

"I didn't want to leave, you know, I thought it was silly. The only reason I went along with the boys is because Harry wouldn't cope without me. He has no plan, no idea about what he is going to do next; everything happens by chance."

"I thought you enjoyed Potter's recklessness; you always seemed to go along with it at school."

"It always seemed like he had a plan with Dumbledore on his side, but now…? Well, he really doesn't have a clue what he's doing." She sighed again. "That's why I go along with them – they would die without me."

They lapsed into silence again; Hermione's attention returned to her book, but Draco's lingered. It wasn't the first time he had seen a noticeable divide between the 'Golden Trio', but this reference both shocked and worried him. If the rest of the world knew that Granger did not think Potter capable, there would surely be riots in the street. What would they do if 'The Chosen One' wasn't able to defeat the Dark Lord? It was a future that Draco wouldn't let himself contemplate, for it was a future in which he would not exist. Draco suddenly realised that Granger was looking at him with wide eyes, chewing anxiously on her bottom lip.

"Yes?" Draco drawled, praying that his voice sounded level. The very idea of Granger knowing how he felt offended him.

"Forgive me if this is an intrusive question, but I've been wondering…what do you think of Harry?"

"Surely I have made it perfectly clear how I feel about Potter. I dislike him more than anyone else in my entire life; the very fact that he lives infuriates me." Surprisingly, Granger didn't even flinch. She continued to look at him levelly, only a look of curiosity glinting in her brown eyes.

"Oh I know that you dislike him, it's hardly a secret is it? No, I simply meant to ask your opinion on his abilities. Even one who hates him, like you do, cannot deny that he is a capable wizard?"

Draco thought for a moment, and tried to focus on Potter without thinking of the hatred between them. Draco's curiosity, jealousy and arrogance had been the creation of his hatred for Potter; it was only later reinforced by the whole debacle of his father's alliances and the Dark Lord. Draco let out a small sigh.

"Potter was an average student; he barely managed in Transfiguration, only just scraped by in Potions, was hopeless in Transfiguration and almost equally as terrible in his other subjects. The only things I have ever seen him excel in are flying and Defence Against the Dark Arts. He is, I will own, perhaps the best Seeker of our generation." Granger was smiling, and Draco loathed the smug look on her face.

"I'm glad you can see some of Harry's positives. However, you've only talked about his abilities so far as academics are concerned. You've witnessed Harry in battle, how do you think he fares?"

"Competently, thanks to his abilities in Defence. There is only one issue I have with Potter in battle: his emotions affect him. He takes his mind off the goal, and focuses only on how he is feeling. Lord Voldemort knows this, and has manipulated Potter's weakness several times. If I were Potter, I would work on trying to shut off my feelings when I am fighting." He was surprised to see Granger nodding, somewhat sadly, in agreement.

The door was suddenly flung open, interrupting their conversation and revealing a fuming Potter. For one horrific moment Draco presumed he had heard them, and was not prepared to see a duel between Granger and Potter. He was positive that, were one to take place, it would only end in the death of 'The Chosen One'. Granger scrambled to her feet, looking red-faced and flustered.

"Harry!" Potter looked at her only briefly, before fixing his glaring eyes back on Draco.

"What are you doing alone with him again?" Potter practically snarled. "This is becoming something of a habit."

"We're just reading, Harry, like we do every day."

"I don't see why you have to read with him though. You used to be perfectly content sitting downstairs with Ron and I."

"Maybe because he doesn't interrupt me! He can sit quietly, without making snide comments or teasing me." Potter snorted.

"That's a bit ironic, considering that all he did for six years was make snide comments and tease you! You shouldn't be spending time cooped up here with him, you should be helping me!?" Granger let out a small sigh, before smiling weakly at Draco.

"Could you give us a moment, please? Harry and I have something to discuss."

Draco nodded and left the room. As he headed towards the stairs, he suddenly found the desire to stay and hear what they had to say. It was clearly about him, and so his curiosity was truly piqued. Trying to be as quiet as possible, he headed back over to the door and pressed his ear against it. Potter was complaining about something which, it seemed, was all he ever did.

"It's unnerving me that you're spending so much time with him. I hate him, Ron hates him, and you hate him. Can you really be willing to break us apart because he can sit and read quietly?"

"Break us apart? You are ridiculous Harry! Yes, Draco was nasty and cruel when we were at Hogwarts, but we were only children."

"He was a Death Eater! And the last time I checked, Death Eaters kill muggles and muggle-borns."

"He left the Death Eaters because he couldn't take it Harry. Nothing you say will dissuade me from trying to befriend him, because all of your reasons thus far have been invalid! He is all alone Harry, isolated from his family and from his friends; he needs a friend. I think you need to grow up and realise that mistakes are made, and people can be forgiven."

"I won't change my mind."

"I know. I've long since ceased believing that you will ever change your mind about anything." Draco heard her sigh, the fatigue clear in her voice. "Just let me pack up here and then we must go to your room; I've found something I think could be useful."


Sunday 8th February 1998

Draco woke early that Sunday and, instead of going straight to breakfast, he headed to the attic. This unused room fascinated him – the curious objects that the family had stored there were incredibly interesting. He pocketed some of them, sure that the Blacks wouldn't have minded; he was a relation and, besides, they were dead. Inspecting an odd-looking ornament, he sat down on the window ledge. From there, he could see out onto the square and watch the muggles going about there business. That was another thing which intrigued him; the simple way the muggles managed to live without magic.

The sun was just about to rise as he sat there, cradling his knees and blowing the dust from around him. He wasn't really paying attention to the square, but a sudden movement caught his eye. His head whipped round, expecting to see a swarm of Death Eaters or simply his vengeful father. There were two cloaked figures crossing the square, but they were heading away from the house and Draco recognised them instantly. It was Potter and Weasley. They both carried large bags, with their wands outstretched in front of them. Draco blinked, and when he looked again they were gone. Mildly, he wondered if Granger knew. She would be furious when she realised – it was something he was looking forward to witnessing.

Somewhere in the house, a shrill alarm rang out, and Draco knew that it was Granger's alarm clock. Any minute now she would get out of bed and realise that they were gone. He briefly wondered how they could bear to leave her; after all she did for them, and how they were seemingly unable to cope without her. Draco was certain that, if he were to have a relationship like theirs, he would never leave her alone like that. Sighing, Draco stood to his feet and brushed the dust from his trousers, before placing the ornament on the windowsill and making his way down the stairs.

She was already in the kitchen when he arrived, leaning on to the table for support with one hand on her hip. Lupin was sat at the table eating porridge, and seemingly not paying much attention to her.

"Where are they?" Hermione demanded. "I've checked their room and their things are gone, so there is no point pretending you don't know!" Draco was surprised how calm she seemed; perhaps she had been expecting it a little? Lupin put down the spoon and looked at her, sighing tiredly.

"Harry said he had an important lead, and that it was imperative he left right away. They couldn't wait for you, Hermione, you're not well enough."

"I knew he had a lead – I gave it to them! I just don't believe that…what difference would a couple of weeks make? I cannot believe they have just left me alone…" She sat down at the table, folding her arms across her chest. Her head whipped round to glare at Draco. "I bet even you knew they were leaving!"

"They left across the square. I watched them go." She let out a squeal of indignation.

"This is unbelievable! He lectured me about breaking us apart and then...why did they leave me?"

"Harry must have his reasons, dear. But there's nothing you can do now." Mrs Weasley interjected softly. "Just have some breakfast. I'll make pancakes."

"I don't want pancakes!" Hermione stood up and walked towards the stairs. She stopped at the door. "Come with me, Malfoy."

He followed her up the stairs and into her room, where he sat down on the chair by her bed, whilst she began rummaging underneath the bed. Eventually, she pulled out a small bag made of green velvet and waved it in front of his face.

"What is that?"

"Those stupid little boys! I cannot believe that they think they can do this without me! They'll get themselves killed – I know it! And if they do, well then it's their own stupid fault! That must have been what Harry meant last night, when he said 'please keep researching, Hermione'. I thought it was a bit odd, a bit out of the blue! Well, I can't be expected to do this research alone!"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Draco was taken aback when she looked up and grinned at him. It was a not a pleasant grin, however – Draco could only describe it as feral.

"Let's see how Harry likes being betrayed, shall we? 'Don't tell anyone, Hermione'. Bollocks, I'll do as I please – they seem to." She tugged at the drawstrings of the bag suddenly, before tipping it upside down and watching as something fell onto the bed. With a gentle hand, she picked it up and dangled it in the air. It was a locket – a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, but tarnished by a small burn. Draco was particularly fascinated by the green 'S' emblazoned on it.

"Where did you get it? It's beautiful." He leant forwards to touch it, but Hermione snatched it away.

"You can't touch it. I wish it was just a beautiful piece of jewellery, but it's actually a powerful dark object."

"It's Slytherin's locket." Hermione smiled, nodding.

"Yes. Taken from the very vaults of your father's house – I thought you might have seen it before."

"I haven't. I've just seen the same emblem on some other things." He pointed at the scorch mark. "Why is it burnt?"

"We had to destroy it, so unfortunately the relic had to be damaged. Up until last month, a small segment of Voldemort's soul resided in this locket." Draco let out a low hiss, and leant back in his chair. It felt as though Voldemort had entered the very room. His heart rate picked up, his hairs stood on end and his blood ran cold. Hermione put the locket back into the bag and shoved it under the bed.

"There's no need to panic, Malfoy." She said quietly, putting her hand on his arm. "The soul was destroyed" After a silence of five minutes, Draco suddenly spoke.

"So Voldemort had a Horcrux?" Hermione laughed.

"I wish that was the case! He has, in fact, seven."

"Seven! Bloody hell."

"Yes…and that's what we've been looking for. The Horcruxes. Three have already been destroyed, so there are four left to find." She stopped suddenly and smiled. "How did you know about Horcruxes?"

"Snape kept making mention of them last year. I didn't really listen to half of what he was saying, I was too occupied with something else, but the idea of Horcruxes resonated with me. It's…it's too far – even for Voldemort."

"I'm glad you agree." They fell quiet for a moment. "That's what I've been doing in the library every day, researching Horcruxes. We need to find all of them before Harry can defeat Voldemort. It's imperative – without them he cannot be killed."

"And you require my assistance?" Hermione nodded, smiling.

"Would you help me? Would you help try and locate them?"

Draco hesitated for a moment. He had come to Grimmauld Place for refuge, for a safe place to stay away from Voldemort. He had never intended to actually join the fight against him, to actively get involved with the battle. If he helped her with this, well, he was getting much more than involved. The idea terrified him yet, at the same time, he was intrigued. It was inevitable that he would go on trial at the end of the war, and doing something like this would be a great help. He was a Slytherin, after all, and Slytherins know when something is in their best interest.

"Of course I'll help you. I cannot promise that I will be much assistance, but I shall try." Granger smiled and, before Draco knew what she was doing, she had placed a small hand on his left forearm.

"Thank you." Draco removed his arm from her grip. It was yet another moment loaded with discomfort; he had several of them when around Granger. And he had no real idea why.