There was a clatter of cutlery as Hermione dropped the fork she was passing to Harry. Her eyes were fixed on the doorway, tears welling up in them; Ron was standing there, taking in the scene. Harry and Draco were sitting on the sofa, and Hermione was passing Harry his breakfast.
Ron stared at Hermione, his jaw clenched.
"Happy birthday Harry," he said, not once tearing his eyes from Hermione.
"Yeah, and thanks for being such a fucking jerk last night," Harry said viciously.
Ron turned on his heel and marched off to the kitchen, muttering abuse under his breath. Hermione hesitated for a moment, turned her back on the door and started chatting happily to Draco and Harry.
At one o'clock that afternoon, Hermione rounded up Harry and Draco and lead them out to the back garden. She'd set a table for three and prepared a delicious feast of roast pork, mash potato, sausages, chicken drumsticks, and an assortment of vegetables.
"Hermione!" said Harry weakly when he was close enough to take in how much effort she'd gone to.
"Oh, and the cake is inside. I didn't think there would be enough room for it on here at the moment," said Hermione happily, inclining her head to the table. She looked back at the house, an odd expression on her face.
"Forget him. After last night, do you really want to include him?" said Draco, following Hermione's eyes to the house. Hermione shrugged and took her seat.
The three of them enjoyed Harry's birthday lunch, talking excitedly about the journey which faced them, not seeming to comprehend how dangerous it could become.
Harry and Draco were sat next to each other and Harry was pleased that Draco was being completely normal towards him again. He admired the silver chain on his wrist again, and purposely knocked Draco's leg with his own.
Their happy feast was interrupted just after Hermione announced she was going to get the cake. Ron strode out of the house, his eyes fixed on Harry this time.
As Ron approached, Harry stood up to face him. Before he had a chance to straighten up properly, Ron's fist had collided with his jaw and he was knocked off his feet. Dazed, Harry heard Hermione scream and Draco yell. He sat up, spitting blood to see Draco on top of Ron, pinning him to the ground, his wand pointed at Ron's throat.
Hermione was dancing on the spot, apparently frightened to do anything, muttering to herself, "What do I do? What do I do?!"
Harry leapt to his feet as Draco jerked backwards, clutching his stomach, winded. Ron had aimed a punch at him, and his fist had met Draco's navel. Wheezing, Draco stood up to aim a hex at Ron, but Ron had vanished. He was now advancing on Harry who dove out of the way, cursing. His wand laid on the coffee table back in the living room.
Before either Harry or Draco could act, Ron was racing back to the house, Hermione tearing after him. Panting, Harry followed just behind Draco.
Draco almost collided with Hermione in the hallway, she was standing stock-still, staring out into the front yard, a look of terror on her face. Harry looked around her to see what she was looking at. He couldn't see (or even hear) Ron anywhere. He assumed he'd fled. However, Harry's eyes fell on two cloaked and hooded figures climbing up the front lawn.
"Who-?" Harry started.
"DEATH EATERS!" Draco yelled in panic. He took Harry's hand tight, and gripped Hermione's arm.
"No, stop! I don't have my wand!" said Harry, breaking out of Draco's grasp.
He sprinted into the living room, Hermione and Draco at his heels. Harry spotted his wand and snatched it up.
"Harry lets go to Grimmauld Place," said Hermione in an unusually high voice. Harry nodded, taking Draco's hand again, his wand safely in his pocket.
Blackness swallowed the three of them, and they all felt the unusual sensation of being sucked through time and space. Harry could barely breathe as he felt a massive weight was pressing in on every part of his body.
Then before he realized what was going on, he was standing in a shabby-looking, deserted square. Draco gave Harry's hand one last squeeze before releasing him.
Hermione was already hurrying towards number twelve, glancing around nervously for any sign of movement. She swung the gate open and looked over her shoulder.
"Will you two hurry up for Christ sake!" she said in an impatient voice to Harry and Draco.
They hurried forwards, Draco stopping abruptly just beyond the gate, frowning up at the old house.
"I can't see it," he said, staring directly at number twelve.
"Well of course not! We have to tell you it's here," said Hermione, stepping back.
"You should be able to see it now, though," said Harry frowning at Draco.
"Yeah, I can," said Draco smiling. "I saw it as soon as you stepped into its boundaries, Harry."
"Can we exchange this lovey-dovey stuff inside, please?" asked Hermione hysterically. "We were almost killed back there in case you need reminding!"
Harry and Draco silently agreed it wasn't wise to test Hermione's temper when she was obviously so worried.
The three of them climbed the worn steps up to the front door and stepped inside.