A/N: Hey guys. Sorry it's been so long. I do plan on updating more often and finishing this story. I hope this is good. I know it's not the greatest, but I'm trying to bring the plot together. Review!


About 20 miles from Hogwarts stood a mansion. This was not the Malfoys's mansion, however. This one was a bit smaller, and gloomy...very gloomy. And inside were only two people: a woman wearing black robes, and a man wearing gray robes...tatty, old, worn ones.

"How long until this is finished?" the man asked, his voice croaky, yet harsh. The woman sighed impatiently.

"I've already told you, you must have patience with me," she snapped. "I can't just come out and reveal everything, can I?" she asked, hands on her hips.

"It's been taking all the patience I have left," he growled, voice raspy.

"It won't be long now. Soon, we'll have a new Dark Lord and the old days will return. It will work," she insisted. "My parents didn't die for nothing."

"How soon?" he yelled. "It's been three years! Why can't we find someone else?" She rolled her eyes and glared at him.

"Because you know how few of us are left. There isn't much to choose from, and you know the power and strength it takes to endure the...induction...of that title." The man shook his head.

"I can't stand it much longer. Can't go out without being recognized. Been digging through the garbage just to stay alive. We need a new Dark Lord. Our survival depends on it," he insisted angrily. She threw him a scornful look.

"You mean your survival depends on it."

"Only because no one knows who you are, that you even exist," he bit out.

"I wasn't stupid enough to get caught or identified! Fool, don't you get it? You should be grateful to have me to do what needs to be done for a new Dark Lord to arise. And when he does, I'll be almost as powerful...almost as feared." The last sentence, she said more to herself, and she hadn't meant for anyone to hear. He looked at her strangely.

"Is there a part to this plan that I don't know about?" he inquired.

"Of course not, you know everything. It'll be thanks to us when we have a new leader," she snapped.

"Right now, there aren't enough of us for him to lead," he said sarcastically.

"There will be. Since when have they all had a choice?"


Hermione had decided to take an airplane to the States. Any magical way would have made it feel less like a vacation. Unfortunately, the man beside her on the plane fell asleep on her shoulder with his mouth wide open...and he had horrible breath. She shifted uncomfortably, making a huge snore erupt from him. Finally, he turned to the other side.

She gazed out the window of the plane, finally having the time to just sit and think. She had tried to convince herself, along with Harry and Ron, that she was fine with Draco getting married. But now she was convinced that she did care, for just thinking about it made her heart twinge. But I really can't blame him, can I? She has a perfect face and body with gorgeous hair...money...and that maturity that any guy longs for. I'm just a curly-haired, dull-eyed girl. Determined to forget the whole thing, she settled down and fell asleep.

However, they found Draco easily as he stood there by himself, head down and arms crossed. Hermione ran to him. When he saw her, his face lit up and he opened his arms for her to jump into.

"I'm so glad you're okay!" she cried happily.

"I'm just happy you're safe," he told her...

Hermione jolted awake with the strangest feeling in her heart and stomach. Why would she dream that? She immediately knew what it was. Right after Harry's "death", they had gone to find Draco. It was right after the war during sixth year. She knew the feeling in her heart was sadness, just remembering the joy of those days after the war. But the feeling in her stomach bothered her. Just dreaming about being in Draco's arms felt so real. And she truly missed it. She shook her head violently. This vacation was meant to escape the things she was presently thinking about. She decided that until Draco left, she would have no peace. Unfortunately, he would take Harry with him.


Draco sat at the small table in the Three Broomsticks, nervously glancing at his watch. He's not gonna show up, he thought. He probably hates me. Just then, someone took the seat across from him. He breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hey, Harry. How are you?" he asked.

"Alright. And yourself?"

Draco laughed, smirking. "I guess it's ok. A little weird, but hey, it was expected." Harry nodded.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" asked Harry, after ordering a butterbeer.

"Well, first, I was gonna ask how Hermione is," he admitted. Now it was Harry's turn to smirk.

"Didn't you see her the other day? You oughtta know," he answered, not kindly. Draco shook his head.

"No, I'm too much of a coward. I pretended to barely even know her. Then I ducked outta there as fast as I could." Harry laughed.

"You dated for almost two and a half years and brushed her off like that?"

"I know, I'm jerk," said Draco, mentally hitting himself.

"Well, she left yesterday," Harry told him.

"What? She left? To where? For how long? She didn't have to move because of me! We're leaving soon," Draco said.

"Calm down. First of all, it's not like you care. And yes, she went to the States for a while. She said she hadn't had a vacation for a while and she needed some time off." Draco rolled his eyes.

"Of course I care. It wasn't a bad break-up. But she would never admit to needing a vacation. You know that. It's because of me."

"Don't flatter yourself. She has alot of stress with her friends and her job. She just needed a break."

"Yeah," Draco snorted, "she has 95 stress from me being here and 5 from her job."

"Whatever, I'm just saying she's gone," Harry told him. "Is that all you wanted?"

"No. No, um, I wanted to ask you, well...Alyssa wants me to find a best man for the wedding and well, I guess you were the only one I could think of," Draco blurted.

"Gee, I'm flattered," Harry said sarcastically.

"I didn't an it like that," Draco said. "I just didn't think you'd want to," he said.

"Well, I'll think about it. I don't want Hermione to think I'm betraying her or anything."

"Yeah, I get it. Well, I'm gonna get going. Thanks," Draco added, standing up. Harry nodded and sat back.