Chapter Six

The first light of the morning was just peeking through the windows at number twelve Grimmauld Place, but both Ron and Hermione were wide awake. Neither had been able to sleep much the night before, their thoughts unable to focus on anything but Harry.

The pair still lay in bed, neither had the energy to get up and face the day. Ron's arms were firmly wrapped around Hermione, her back lay flush against his chest. He rubbed her stomach and leg absently, soothingly.

"You awake, love?" He whispered into her ear and kissed her exposed shoulder.

"Didn't sleep a wink." She muttered, her voice was hoarse from crying and exhaustion.

"Me either. I just don't know if I can believe it." Ron's voice held so much skepticism, yet at the same time, so much restrained hope and joy that their best friend may still be alive.

"How else would Malfoy have found his way here? If the Eaters knew about Grimmauld, we would have been dead ages ago. The only other Order members aware of this location are your mother, Ginny, Bill and Luna. None of them would have said anything."

At the mention of his sister, Ron tensed slightly. "Gin-"

"Don't worry, I heard her come in late last night. Contrary to your belief, you did sleep for a while. Snored like a pig, too." Hermione squirmed in his arms and turned to face him. They both chuckled, but the laughs didn't go any deeper than the false expressions on their faces. "I hope Malfoy and his sister leave before she wakes up. I would worry for his safety if they met here. I think Gin took it harder than any of us when Harry- 'died.'"

"How could she not, they were in love, she was head over heels, always had been."

"And always will be, I know. That's why she can't know, not ever. Even if Harry is alive, which I do truly believe," a genuine smile appeared on Hermione's face, "I also believe that what Malfoy says is true, that he's barely a shell of the person that we knew. You should know as well as I do that Harry always had a darker side lurking under the surface. He was always trying to shut us out, keep us from harm. If Ginny learns he's been alive all this time and never come to see her, it would be far more painful for her than if he had actually died."

Ron sighed deeply. "I know you're right, but I can't lie to my sister. If she asks, if she finds out Malfoy's here, I will tell her."

Hermione nodded. "I know." Both fell silent, taking comfort in each others presence.

"It makes sense, you know." Ron spoke up hesitantly. He was coming around, putting the facts together. "Who else could be carrying out all these raids? The Order is dead. Sure, we try, but there are maybe two dozen of us left, and our numbers keep falling. Other than my family and a few holdouts from Hogwarts, most have either been killed, switched sides or gone into hiding."

"Death Eaters have been dying mysteriously for years, whole groups of them turning up dead. I could never come up with a good explanation, but now it all fits. And the numbers have grown much greater in recent months. It's building up to something. And if, again, what Malfoy said is true, if it was Harry who burned down the manor in a direct attempt on You Know Who, Harry's become much more reckless than I could have ever imagined. I just find it so hard to believe, and maybe it's because I still picture Harry as the scrawny little boy with glasses, that he could be the only one behind all the raids. I... I don't know if I'd want to see him like that."

"No matter what he's become, I would give anything to see my best friend again."

Hermione smiled slightly. "Yes, you're right." She shook her head to clear her dark thoughts. "I don't think I would ever pass up an opportunity to see Harry again." She leaned forwards and she and Ron shared a soft, comforting kiss.

"Did you hear his sister crying last night?" Ron asked, hesitant to break the silence.

"Antigone? Yeah, I did. I just hope Ginny didn't, we don't need her asking questions. The poor little girl, living in that house with Lucius and Voldemort there all the time. I thought Narcissa was still alive, but now-"

Ron shook his head. "I never told you, it wasn't important at the time. She was murdered a few months back. Covered up completely, never released to the public. Bill dealt with the transferring of her bank assets. Malfoy and the girl got everything."

"Dear merlin, that means she's been only around Death Eaters for the last few months." She paused. "Malfoy seemed so protective of her. They'll both be better off, going back to America."

"I always wondered what had happened to him. After... after he took Harry away and the Eaters took over the Ministry, he never turned up again. I thought it was just a public show that they were searching for him, do you remember the posters were everywhere? Of course they weren't going to announce that he'd defected, but I suppose that's what happened." Ron chuckled slightly. "I guess Harry couldn't stand him for very long though, sounds like as soon as Harry was back on his feet he booked it. I guess he's still an insufferable bastard even if he does save your life."

Hermione cast her eyes down and did not laugh with him. "I think it was very brave what Draco did, if that's indeed what happened. To betray You Know Who like that, right in front of him. He could have been killed right there. Harry too, if he had known he was still alive."

"You're right." Ron kissed her on the forehead. "I'm sorry."

"I wouldn't worry too much Ron, I've known you long enough to ignore most of the stupid things that come out of your mouth." She smiled.

"Cheeky." The kissed again and settled down into another comfortable but sad silence. They still had plenty of time before they needed to get up and greet the day.

Draco stared lovingly down at Antigone, finally back to sleep after her terrible night of nightmares. All night she had cried out for their mother, crying also for the dragon that was now the only physical thing left that reminded her of the good times in her former home. Draco's heart was breaking, he felt that he had no choice now but to retrieve the dragon.

He didn't want to go back, he couldn't. He was afraid of what Harry would do to him if he went back, he was afraid of what they would say to each other, but mostly he was afraid that if he went and saw that poor, broken man again that he wouldn't be able to leave him.

Draco closed his eyes, letting an image flow into his mind, one of many that he bad both tried to repress and yet desperately clung to. The image of bright emerald eyes we burned permanently into his mind, their warm, smiling gaze boring into his soul. He felt safe in this memory. He hadn't felt that way in a very long time.

He had to go back. He had no choice now. He had to go, not only for his sister, but himself. He had to sever himself from the ebony haired man once and for all, it was for his own good. Then they would go back to America.

"Time to wake up, Tig." He shook her gently and whispered in her ear.

Antigone whimpered and rolled over. "Do I have to, Draco? I'm all warm and cozy."

"Yes, sweetheart. We have to get up so we can go to our new home. I have to go somewhere first, but as soon as I get back, we'll leave, okay? Will you be okay staying with Hermione for an hour or two?"

Antigone nodded vigorously. "She was very nice. She said that she was going to be a mommy soon. Mommy's are always nice."

Draco understood now why Ron had been so protective of her, she didn't look well. Not that it was any concern of his, of course, but it made sense.

"Can't I go with you, Draco? Please?"

"Sorry, Tig, grownup business. You'd be very bored."

"Are you going to get my dragon back?"

Sometimes Draco wondered how children were so perceptive. "Yes, Tig, I'm going to try, anyway."

Antigone practically squealed in delight. "Yay!" She shot up out of the bed, forgetting how only moments before she did not want to leave her nice warm, cozy bed. Her feet pounded loudly on the wood floor and Draco was sure her steps were echoing loudly through the house.

"Keep it down, you little monkey." He laughed, but his face darkened. He did not know who it was, but he had heard another person return home the previous night and he wanted to keep their stay here as low profile as possible. He would do nothing to jeopardize his sister's safety, or his own for that matter.

Draco rolled out of the comfortable bed and ran his fingers through his hair to clear out all the tangles, he was sure it looked a mess. Antigone's didn't look any better for that matter, though her hair held a slight curl, the same as Narcissa's had. He would find a brush for her later.

"Come on." He held out his hand for her.

She took it but refused to move. "Up." She demanded.

Not one to take orders easily, Draco dropped her hand and stared down at her questioningly. "Excuse me?"

"Up, please?" She changed her tone and Draco could not resist her. He picked her up easily and she sat on his shoulders.

They left the room, Draco making sure Antigone did not bump her head on the way out. Reaching the bottom of the stairs and entering the kitchen, Ron and Hermione stopped talking immediately. They had obviously been talking about something they didn't want him to hear. He did have to admit, they were placing much more trust in him than he had ever thought possible, the fact that he had a child with him probably helped a little.

Neither party spoke. It was Antigone who broke the silence. "Good morning!" She squirmed around on Draco's shoulders and he let her down. She ran to Hermione. "Draco says that I-"

"Antigone." Draco sternly called her name and she was quiet. He looked up from her so he was looking at Ron and Hermione. "Thank you for letting us stay the night, I know how conflicted you must have been about it. I assure you we will be leaving as quickly as possible but there's one thing I need to do first. I'll only be an hour or so. Would you mind watching Antigone while I'm gone?" It killed Draco to ask so politely, but he had no other option.

Hermione nodded instantly. "Sure, o- of course. You really don't need to be in so much of a hurry though, sit down, you must be hungry. Toast?" She stood and moved to the counter.

"Okay, sure." Draco scratched the back of his head. This situation was eerily surreal.

Ron watched him like a hawk the whole meal. Draco noticed that both Ron and Hermione had opened their mouths multiple times, as if to start asking a question, but then thought better of it. Draco thought that they were wanting to ask more about Harry, but were afraid to hear the answers.

Draco stood abruptly from the table as soon as he had finished his last bite. "Well, I'll be back shortly. You be good, Tig, okay?" He bent over and kissed the top of her head. She just smiled up at him and nodded, as if to say 'aren't I always?'

Draco turned and left the room, unconsciously resting his hand on his wand, which rested on his left hip.

Hermione drew her own wand and pointed it at him from under the table. She whispered a quick spell before putting it back.

"What did you do?" Ron whispered to her, not wanting Antigone to hear.

"Tracking spell. I'm following him." She stood from her seat and knelt before Antigone. She spoke to her before Ron could respond. "Antigone, I have to go do some shopping, is it all right if you just stay here with Ron? He's a lot of fun to play with, I promise."

Antigone shrugged. "Okay. Can I go back upstairs and play?"

"Course you can, honey. Go on."

Antigone jumped down from her chair and raced up the stairs.

"You are not going after him!" Ron growled at her.

Hermione was already pulling on her coat. "I have to. We need to know what he's up to, where he's going. He might be going to see-"

"Yeah, I figured that part out already. That's why you can't go, it could be dangerous." Hermione's face was set, she was determined to go. "I won't let you go by yourself."

"Well, you're just going to have to, we can't leave Antigone here by herself." Hermione was walking quickly to the front door, she couldn't let Draco get too many steps ahead of her.

"Let me go instead, Hermione, this is reckless, I'm worried about you, especially after yesterday."

Hermione stopped and turned to face him. "I'll be back soon." She said softly and stood on her toes to kiss him softly. "Love you." She cast a disillusionment charm on herself, walked out the door and disapparated.

Draco arrived in front of the familiar run down house. The neighbourhood was still utterly empty. He walked up the driveway towards the front door. His hands were in his pockets, he was arguing with himself whether this was a good idea or not.

"I shouldn't be here." He told himself. "Why did I come?" He turned around to walk away but immediately changed his mind and moved towards the house again. "He'll be furious when he sees me." The same nagging thought kept entering his mind. "But the dragon. It has to mean something. I wouldn't have felt anything through it unless he-" Draco snorted. "No, now that's just stupid."

He argued with himself for another few minutes before finally taking a deep breath and knocking on the door. Surely the wards Harry had on the house would have alerted him to Draco's presence already. Nobody answered. He waited a couple minutes but there was still no answer. He knocked again, practically pounding on the door this time. His nerve began to leave him the longer he stood in front of the closed door.

There was still no answer. It was possible that he wasn't home. Draco sighed and turned to leave. As he was walking away he heard a slight thud, and the front door of the house opened. Draco turned back towards the open door and his breath hitched in his throat. Harry looked terrible. He leaned against the door frame, a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth. He wore only pants and Draco could see that the wound on his side was still bleeding a little, though it looked better than it had the day before.

He looked like he could barely stand, he was swaying slightly, his eyes glazed. What shocked Draco the most, though, was the very large gun he held in his hand, pointed out the door.

Harry seemed to finally realize who stood in front of his house and clicked off the hammer of the gun, it had been ready to fire. He replaced the gun in the holster at his side. "What do you want?" He sneered at Draco, but seemed to relax slightly.

"I think Antigone left her dragon here." He stated. He felt silly even mentioning it.

"Yeah, she did. Come in." Harry turned and motioned with his head for Draco to enter.

Draco felt an odd breeze brush by him as he tentatively entered the house and shut the door behind him.