Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series.

Well here's the next chapter. I would love to know what everyone thinks, if you like it or not, please review it for me! If you have any suggestions, they are very much appreciated! :D

After the Dark Lord dismissed me, I hurried back to my bedroom. I wanted to quickly get packed and be on my way, but first I needed to think things through.

It wouldn't be hard for me to find Harry. I had a way of finding where Hermione was, it was something I could sense when she was near. We had lots of long talks about different trips she took with her family; I knew all of the places she would want to go to hide out.

But what if You-Know-Who sent someone to track me? What if he sensed that I wasn't being honest with him, and he wanted to make sure he got Harry and his friends? He could easily find Hermione if he could find me…

I needed to talk to my mother. She would know what to do. She would know if I would be able to shake anyone that was following me, and she would be able to tell me how to know if someone was in fact following me. The Dark Lord used to use her very often as a tracker. She knew the ins and outs of being on the run as well.

I started packing a few things. I wouldn't be able to talk to her for a few more hours. I had no idea when You-Know-Who wanted me to leave, but I figure it would be as soon as possible. I had to make it look like I was eager to do his bidding. This time, I actually kind of was. He was sending me on the greatest mission I could think of; he was sending me to my love. I had to stop and think about that for a minute.

Hermione was the only person I've ever had any kind of feelings for. It's true, while I was at school, I was constantly surrounded by people, but I never had any feelings for them. I had a couple of girlfriends, but it was only because I knew it would look odd if I never dated. I have always been, in fact, the most good looking boy that school has ever seen. I smiled at the memory that that thought brought back.

Hermione had said it to me after about a month of our secret meetings. We were sitting in an empty classroom, the mufliato spell used on the room to make sure we weren't overheard. We were sitting next to each other on top of one of the desks, my arm wrapped around her waist; she was lying her head on my shoulder. We sat there for hours, talking about everything we could think of. Home, family, school, friends, vacations, dreams, goals, love.

"You know, Draco, you'll never have to worry about finding someone, and having them fall madly in love with you," she had told me, glancing up at my face to see my reaction.

"Why do you say that, Hermione? I'm nothing anyone thinks I am,"

"That's exactly why, Dray. You are amazing. You're the kindest, smartest person I know. Although, you hide it well sometimes," she giggled. I squeezed her and let out a low laugh. It was true; I could be very cruel sometimes. It went against everything I believed in though.

We sat in silence for a little while. We were content just being together.

Finally, she spoke up again. "I think you're probably the most good-looking boy that Hogwarts has ever had the pleasure of teaching," she smiled.

I looked down at her, taken aback. Her cheeks blushed slightly. I reached over to her face with my free hand, and brushed the hair out of her face. I traced her cheek with my hand, stopping on her bottom lip. I looked deep into her eyes, and she looked into mine.

I think it was that moment, when I truly fell in love with her. It was the first time we had ever kissed; it was perfect. I can't even explain how amazing she made me feel, when I was with her, I didn't feel like damaged goods, I didn't feel doomed anymore.

I shook my head, bringing me back to reality. Hermione was in trouble. I knew she needed my help, and I'm sure Potter needed it too. I was anxious to find them, but I had to make sure I was completely prepared.

Out of the top of my closet I grabbed an old school bag. It didn't seem very big, but I had an expanding spell on it. Hermione and I had worked on the spells at the end of school last year. We both knew there were things we were going to need to run from, or in my case, to. I packed the essentials, of course, clothing and hygiene products. I also dropped in my broom, some healing potions, polyjuice potion, and extra ingredients for other potions we may need. I also dropped in some school books, and novels. I would need to find the old family tent and pack that as well. I told myself to remind me about bringing food with a no spoil spell on them. I would need to talk to the house elves for that one, I had never done any spells on food before.

When I was just about finished packing, I went looking for my mother. She had all of the information I needed. I found her in the library. We used to spend a lot of time here together, but when You-Know-Who moved in, that stopped. Nothing was normal anymore, and I'm not sure it would ever be.

I walked out to where she was sitting, and perched myself on the chair next to her.

She finished the page she was reading, and looked over at me. "Do you need something, Draco?" she asked.

"Yes, mother. It's very important,"

She set her book down, giving me her full attention. "What's wrong, Honey? What do you need?"

"Are we alone in here?" I asked in a low whisper. I glanced around to check.

"I think so, dear, now, what is it?"

I cast the mufliato spell around us just in case. I'm overage, so my magic can't be traced, plus, the Dark Lord himself is in charge of the ministry of magic, and he was living in my house. What would he care?

"Mother, I need you to tell me everything you know about tracking," I told her.

She let out a long breath. "Is that all, sweetie? You had me worried half to death!" She paused, putting her hand to her heart for effect. "Well, what do you need to know?"

I thought for a moment. "How do I know if I'm being followed?"

"That's easy. Trackers leave traces all around you. You don't see them if you don't know what to look for. They usually only come and watch you every five minutes, otherwise it would be much easier for you to spot them. They cause slight shifts in the air, every time they apparate out. If you are constantly looking around, you might even be able to see one apparate. It would definitely scare the bejeezus out of anyone following you, because they know their charges are always dangerous,"

"Is that all? I have to constantly look around for someone apparating in and out to know?"

"Oh, of course not, dear. There are many ways to tell. But if you catch them enough times, you'll scare them, and it will be longer before they come back. It usually gives the person long enough to get far away, and it takes the tracker some time to find them again. They also leave behind footprints, and usually some kind of sign as to where they've been, so they know if you're returning to the same place. Always be aware of your surroundings,"

"But is there any way to dodge them completely? If one is following me, can I ever really get away from him?" This was one of the most important questions I could think of.

"There are ways around anyone, Draco. You just have to be able to spot them," she smiled. "I know how clever you are. There are different ways to get by most trackers. If you are able to catch them, then you can pretty much control them completely. But it depends on who has sent the tracker, because even if a tracker is killed, the sender may decide to send more. Usually when more trackers are sent, it's on higher level missions. Nothing you should have to worry about for a while, son,"

"Do you usually know if there are trackers sent out, mum?" I was really hoping the answer would be yes.

Her forehead crinkled slightly. "Why do you ask, Draco?"

"I need to know if you know if there is going to be a tracker sent after me, mother. I have to know if I will truly be alone on my mission,"

"What mission is this?" she asked, her voice taking on a shrill tone.

"Father didn't tell you about it?" I asked. I was sure that would have been the first thing my father would have done.

"No. He's locked himself in his office; I only assumed the Dark Lord had given him a load of research to do,"

I shook my head. "No, I have to find Hermione. He told me that I have to bring Harry Potter and his friends here, to him. This is the only chance I have to help them mother, but I need to be sure I will be safe, and not followed. I still have to think of a way to get out of bringing them here, without anyone getting hurt. I know he has something up his sleeve," I stopped talking. I was going to work myself up, and that wasn't going to help anyone. I needed to keep my head clear. I needed to get away from the manor. I needed to make sure I wasn't being followed, and I needed to find Hermione. I had to make sure she was safe, and keep it that way. I would think of a plan, at some point, I always did. But first, I had to out think Voldemort.