AN: Hello, hello, hello! I told you the next update would be soon. :) I'm really getting into a groove with this story, though a lot of things are still up in the air. It's really interesting to see where this story naturally takes me and how the characters develop.

To my dear, faithful reviewers - ShatteredTruth and BlueIrishEyes, thank you. It means so much to me. BIE, Aneirin is pronounced A-NYE-RIN. Thank you also to chaste-aeon for your lovely reviews. Your running commentary on the story was not only very interesting and amusing but really helpful. So thank you! It scares me that I'm making Ron so unlikeable! Later, though, we'll see more from Ron and Harry and that lot.

Thanks to everyone who's made it this far. Yes, I know, the beginning is a bit dull and slow if I do say so myself... but that's my style and I'm sticking with it. I hope you see now that the beginning was rather necessary. The plot's really starting to pick up now so I almost hate to do this, but I find it rather necessary. It's time to step back. Literally. Three years back to be exact. Although Hermione doesn't remember, this is actually what happened... and you need to know this because in order to understand the present, one must understand the past.

Stand and Watch It Burn

VI. ...When He Appeared

Three Years Ago…

Two days ago, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had returned to the Burrow after a weeklong search for a Horcrux. They had gotten some promising leads, but most of them brought them nowhere. So after over two weeks away from their loved ones, the three agreed to return briefly to rest and recharge. And there was nothing in the world like Mrs. Weasley's cooking to help a person back on his feet.

Hermione sat next to Ginny on Ginny's bed, sharing her adventures on the road. Ginny listened, wide-eyed and envious, enraptured and constantly asking questions. Hermione was very glad to oblige. Her heart ached for Ginny – left behind by Harry in a ploy to protect her. Sometimes Hermione thought Harry was a little too noble for his own good.

"So the girl – Emily? – really did that?"

Hermione nodded vigorously. She was sharing the story of their stop in Edinburgh. They had been there on a lead about a secret society of wizards there, almost as old as Hogwarts, tucked away in a corner, hidden from most of the wizarding world. It was whispered that they knew more about Dark Magic (though they never practiced it), more than Lord Voldemort himself. Their secrets were passed down from generation to generation, never leaving the small circle. They were the protectors of these secrets – secrets that were saved only to be used in times of danger.

"But it didn't matter much. Besides, I think Emily a bit of a thing for Harry." Hermione giggled. "Oh, Harry was so embarrassed every time she flirted with him." Hermione regretted those words the moment they left her mouth. She mentally slapped herself for being so insensitive.

Ginny got quiet very suddenly. She asked in a small voice, "Was she very pretty?"

Hermione sighed. "Oh, Gin. I'm not going to lie. Yes, she was."

"And smart. And talented. Oh, God, Hermione." Ginny grabbed a pillow and stuffed her face into it.

"Ginny, Harry wasn't interested in her," Hermione said, her voice slightly pleading. Ginny didn't move. Hermione briefly wondered how she could breathe. "Gin… you know Harry still cares about you."

Ginny finally looked up, her eyes bright and shining from tears threatening to spill out. "Did he ever talk about me?"

"Constantly," Hermione said honestly. "Truthfully, it got rather annoying. And I think Ron was getting a little grossed out by it."

A huge grin broke out on Ginny's face. "Really?" she asked hopefully.

"Have I ever lied to you?"

"No," Ginny said smiling. "Oh, Hermione, you're the best friend I've ever had. You know I never would lie to you either, right?"

Hermione nodded happily.

"So…" Ginny said, a mischievous glint in her eye, "speaking of Ron…"

"Gin-ny," Hermione said warningly.

"What? I'm just asking. I know what happened at the end of last year. I'm not stupid you know. And by the way, I'd like to remind you that I – yes, me, Ginevra Molly Weasley – told you that he liked you too. You wouldn't believe me. Hah! And you're supposed to be smart, too."

Hermione laughed. "Oh, you've always been smarter than me when it comes to this stuff."

"So, really," Ginny said. "Ron."

Hermione shrugged. "Things are same as usual."

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound good."

Sighing, Hermione pulled her knees into her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "I care so much about him, Ginny, and he's a wonderful person. He makes me laugh… well, when we're not arguing. And he cares about me too. So much. But… I don't know…"

"Something's missing?" Ginny suggested.

Hermione shook her head. "No, no. Well… I don't know. Maybe it's just all these responsibilities. They're really weighing down on all of us, you know? We haven't had much time for us, honestly. All our energy has gone towards trying to find more leads and looking for those Horcruxes."

"Yeah," Ginny said softly. "Harry looks so worn out."

Hermione was about to respond when someone urgently rapped on the door. "Hermione?" asked a male voice. "You in there?"

"Yeah, come in," she replied.

A very perturbed Arthur Weasley walked in. He rubbed his head distractedly as he entered, a worried expression on his face. Hermione felt her insides twist. In times like these, looks like that usually meant bad news.

"Daddy?" Ginny asked, concern obvious in her voice. "Is something wrong?"

Arthur laughed nervously. "Oh, no one's died," he said, a little bluntly. Hermione and Ginny both heaved a sigh of relief. "But, Hermione, there's something really important... Harry asked me to call you downstairs, in the kitchen."

"All right, Mr. Weasley."

Following Mr. Weasley, Hermione walked down several flights of stairs to the kitchen and nearly ran into the small crowd of people there. Ron and Lupin stood facing the door, wands drawn and ready. At the door was Harry, who stood there with his hands in his pockets. Hermione wondered why Ron and Lupin would be wanting to attack Harry. But when she looked at the door again, she saw something else. She realized they weren't aiming at Harry… Their wands were both pointed at none other than Draco Malfoy.

But this wasn't the Draco Malfoy they had grown accustomed to seeing at Hogwarts. His robes were shabby. His hair was disheveled and he was absolutely covered in dirt. Hermione also suspected he had not eaten in days. There was a distinctly gaunt and empty look in his eyes.

"Hermione?" Harry asked.

"I'm here," she said, coming to the front and standing by Ron. Hermione narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing here, Malfoy?"

Malfoy, as different as his appearance was, was still the same: cocky as hell. He rolled his eyes impatiently. "Am I going to have to answer that every time someone else steps into this room?" He looked around at the growing crowd of people. "I've answered that four times now. Once when I saw Potter. Then Weasley. Then another Weasley. Then Lupin. I'm rather tired of answering that question."

Harry looked at everyone assembled before him, watching him expectantly. After taking a death breath, Harry blurted out, "He says he's turning himself in. Wants to help us."

"That's right, Potter," Malfoy said, smirking slightly. "Is this how you greet all your members? No wonder no one wants to join."

"Shut it, Ferretface," Ron snarled.

"Watch it, Weasel," Malfoy snapped back.

"Why should we trust you?" Ron asked. "After all you did, you think we'd just let you in like that? What do you take us for, stupid?"

Malfoy smirked again. "Too easy. Won't bite."

Ron glared at him. "Shut the hell up, Malfoy. You're a filthy Death Eater like your father and you'll never be anything better than that."

"I've already spoken to Potter," Malfoy said. "He trusts me."

All eyes turned to Harry. "You what?!" Ron spit out.

Harry was shuffling around the room. "Malfoy and I…" he stopped and cleared his throat again. "Yes," he said with conviction. "I trust him. He wants to help. Dumbledore would have let him," Harry added. He stopped as if he were remembering something. "So, that's my decision. We let him in." Ron made a very angry noise. "Ron, I don't like him either… but he has valuable information…"

"Harry, are you sure? This is Draco Malfoy we're talking about," Hermione said.

Harry looked a little upset now. "Yes, I'm sure. I trust him."

Ron was fuming. "Why the fuck would you believe any word out of his filthy pathetic mouth when all he's done is to insult us? Are you out of your mind, Harry? I thought that…"

Lupin cut in. "Harry, if that's your decision, I trust you." He turned to look at Malfoy. "Draco," he said kindly, "I hope you do not prove us wrong."

Malfoy returned Lupin's gaze but didn't respond.

Mr. Weasley sighed. "With Remus as head of the Order now, that's as good as done."

"Right then," Harry said. He walked over to Malfoy and reached out his hand. Without missing a beat and surprising everyone else, Malfoy extended his hand and shook Harry's hand. Hermione watched, amused. It wasn't a quick touch and release, but a real, bonafide handshake. Who would have thought?

AN: Kinda short, but I'm telling you it's important! And there will be more of these little episodes. Stay tuned.