My Note: After my very long break I've finally decided to update…I know you want to kill me if you're patient enough to still be following this fic…sorry.

Chapter 20: Ignorance is Bliss

Harry and Ron had used floo powder to get them into Biourne. They arrived a day ago and they still hadn't found a trace of Hermione or Malfoy. They've been asking around and it seems no one has seen them.

Harry was agitated, whenever they asked someone and their reply was that they haven't seen them he felt his stomach drop. "Where could she be?"

Ron was in the same state, he felt bad after their argument and now she was missing with their archenemy. He wished he could have gone about the deal differently. Just understood her and enjoyed her company. "Maybe they visited the shops here. We might as well check."

"What if they already left? What if he's taken her somewhere else?" Harry asked weakly. He had not gotten any sleep since they came here. Images of Hermione with Malfoy kept popping in and out of his dreams.

"Where else would Malfoy go? C'mon let's check this one," Ron opened the door to a quaint bookstore. A plump, bald old man was arranging books, his spectacles sliding to the tip of his nose. "I'll be there in a minute."

He placed the last book into the shelf and proceeded to accommodate Harry and Ron, "What do you lads need?"

"Good morning, sir. We were wondering if you've seen these two." Harry asked handing him a photo of Hermione and Malfoy. His stomach clenched, he hoped that he could finally tell them where they went.

"Hmm…," he studied the picture closely, "Can't say I have. I'm sorry. Maybe you boys are interested in giving your girlfriends personalize notebooks. It's very, how do you say that, 'in' these days."

"No, thank you," Harry turned to Ron. "He hasn't seen Hermione too. There are a dozen more shops here."

"Excuse me, did you say Hermione?" the store owner asked.

"Yes, do you know her?" Ron asked.

"No, but a curious thing a boy came knocking at my door yesterday evening asking me to personalize a diary with the same name. I really doubt that it's a different person. That name is special," he replied. He pulled out a large brown notebook. "Here it is. A boy named Drake Malroy paid for it."

"Drake Malroy? It must be Draco," Ron turned to Harry. "Do you know where he resides?"

"Oh, sorry. I can't give out that information. Unless, you have special reasons why you're looking for him."

"He's taken our…best friend hostage. Her name's Hermione," Harry tried to explain. He was desperate. He wanted to find Hermione as soon as he can.

"Hostage? I don't think so. He made me create the most expensive and elegant print I could ever make. It was made of the finest material. Very expensive and he even made me create a special lock for a very costly necklace. He seemed more in love than a hostage taker."

"Malfoy? In love?" Harry snorted. "He's a great actor. He's taken her against her will. You could give me a bit of credit here," Harry didn't like using his name to get favors but he needed it this time, "After all I am Harry Potter." Harry lifted his bangs and showed his scar.

"You should not boast about who you are boy," the man replied. Harry embarrassedly dropped his hand. "But if you're really that determined then it means this must be very important. Wait here, I'll check the records." The old man walked into a cramped room with what appeared to be thousands of books. He pulled out the newest one and brought it out with him. He laid it on the table and leafed through the pages; Harry was skimming it on his own with his heart pounding with anticipation. This may be it. The clue they needed to find Hermione.

The old man paused and turned the book to their direction, "Here, it says Drake Malroy, Special Order. Silk heading "Hermione" with special golden locket. To be delivered at Clover Inn. Rush."

"Clover Inn?" asked Harry. "Haven't we just been there?"

"I remember inquiring there. We should try it again. They might still be there we should try asking if a 'Drake Malroy' checked in."

"Malfoy's not that stupid. He must have used a different name, changed his appearance too."

"Excuse me, boys. May I see that photo again?" Ron politely handed him the picture. "Hmm, now that I think about it he does look like this except he was a brunette with green eyes. Attractive young fellow. Looked like you."

"Thank you, sir. You've done us a great service," replied Harry.

"Glad I could help," he replied closing the book. "I still think it wasn't kidnapping."

"Great Malfoy's parading here looking like me!" Harry said exasperatedly.

"The Inn is only a few blocks away we should get there in a couple of minutes," Ron replied trying to calm his friend.

"And could you believe what the owner said? That they looked like lovers?! Maybe Hermione doesn't want us to come and save her maybe she came here on her own free will."

"Don't be ridiculous. Hermione's not foolish enough to trust someone like Malfoy," Ron replied. They were nearing the Inn a couple more minutes and they were there.

I hope, was all Harry could think of. Hermione had acted strangely in Hogwarts but he blamed it on what turmoil she was experiencing. Being torn apart by your best friends can get you pretty screwed up, but is it enough to make her help the enemy. They once again stepped inside Clover Inn and approached the receptionist. "Excuse me, has a Drake Malroy checked in?"

"I'm sorry we don't give out that information," the lady replied.

"Please. This man has taken our friend against her will and we're afraid she might be in danger," Ron pleaded.

Harry's patience was wearing thin, why anyone won't cut them some slack and help them find Hermione. "He might not have checked in as Drake Malroy. We have his picture," Harry handed the picture of Malfoy scowling that he had taken from the Slytherin common room. "He is now parading as a brunette with green eyes and may be accompanied by a lady. Here's her picture."

The woman stared at it carefully trying to remember but she had seen a dozen faces and could not remember each and every one of them. "No, I'm sorry. I cannot remember anymore too many people visit the Inn."

Harry's shoulders dropped in defeat, he thought that with the lead the store owner gave they could find her but it seems like it was another dead end. "Thank you," said Ron taking the pictures and turning to leave when a drunken man approached them.

"'Ey, I heard you are lookin for this bloke with brown hair and green eyes with a woman. I saw 'em. Who can forget? The woman was steaming hot. The bloke puked and puked." He laughed, "I'll help you. Clover! Do you remember the lovers?"

"Why yes. They are such a cute couple," she replied.

"It's them."

"Oh, but they seemed in love. You know come to think of it they do look alike. They just checked out a few minutes ago."

"Thank you for your help," Harry replied. They rushed out of the Inn and ran outside. Harry searched the streets for couples. There wasn't any. He was frustrated. How could they have missed them! He ran, followed the streets looking for any sign. He was out of breath and tired when he noticed a carriage and a couple getting in. He shouted, "Hermione!"

The blonde woman turned and he saw her. It was Hermione. Beside her was Malfoy, he was helping her in. She looked at him and tried to say something, he couldn't decipher everything but he caught enough to know that she said she was fine. They entered the carriage and it drove off.

Harry was both relieved and angry. He thought he would never find her but now he did he wished he hadn't. She didn't look like she was taken against her will. She was smiling when he saw her. They were right. Every one of them. They looked like lovers.

Ron finally caught up and saw Harry staring at an empty road, "Did you see them?"

"Yes," Harry replied. "We're going back to Hogwarts."