A/N: I know, another chapter, just crazy. The favorites, follows, reviews and reads are just awesome. I noticed the story got pulled into two communities too. Thanks very much! Makes it worth the nervous feeling I get when I hit 'upload'.
I just want to say, Narcissa is a sneaky little thing. Leave it to her to out her son's relationship to the world. Seemed appropriate, who out Slytherins the Prince of Slytherin? His momma.
So this chapter, Lavender gets a little pay back for her comments from earlier. Also, there is something a little deeper to this Pansy. She may still be a spoiled pain, but she too endured the war. Life wasn't enjoyable for any of the characters regardless of their family wealth. Also there is a reference, made by Harry about what could have happened during the disaster that was the Ron/Hermione relationship. Nothing concrete, but he thinks Ron may have done something. Nothing really concrete here, next chapter explains what happened.
Finally, one of my favorite lines is in this chapter.
' - - - - - - - '
Draco answered the door to find Harry Potter jumping into the portal.
"Filch coming?"
"Yes, thanks for answering so quickly." Draco motioned for Potter to enter the sitting room. "What do you need Potter?"
"It has to do with the wand. I can't understand why Ron hasn't said anything about it."
"Agreed. So anything happen while we were gone today?"
"No, I didn't see him at all. His bed didn't appear to be slept in again. That is becoming a common occurrence. What is more unusual and unnerving is him missing meals. I checked with Dean and he said Ron didn't show for dinner. Since I met the guy all he ever was worried about was food. You've seen him eat. This is at least three meals he has missed. I checked with the elves and they confirmed he isn't going to the kitchen either."
"I wonder what Kingsley is going to do with what we told him. I hope that he doesn't mention it because that could end badly if he takes off and none of us know where he is lurking."
Harry agreed and realized that this was becoming a very dangerous situation. Hermione came into the common room still wearing the necklace and earrings from dinner. Harry smiled at how at ease Hermione seemed.
"I can't thank you enough for helping Ginny with the dress. I know what she was thinking and it was how she was going to pay for the dress or repay Lady Malfoy. I was going to offer and just so you know it is on the table. I know Lady Malfoy would see it as an offense but know that I'll cover whatever for Ginny."
"You're welcome Harry and you're correct, Cissy doesn't want any money. I want Ginny to feel amazing and not worry that she is less than any of the people who will be there. I saw the list. I'm a little starstruck."
Draco laughed at that.
"No, they will be the ones starstruck." Draco smiled at the petite witch.
"Harry, wait until you see the jewelry that Cissy let me borrow for the ball. They are the most exquisite things I've ever seen."
"Wait those aren't them?" Harry pointed to emerald set still adorning Hermione's person.
"No they are sapphires."
"She didn't let you borrow them. They are yours. Just like the emeralds. Those pieces now belong to you."
"What?" Hermione was stunned. She had never owned a real gem. Her fingers brushed against the green stones surrounding her neck. Some girls had small diamond earring studs but Hermione could never justify spending the money and now she was dripping in gems. "I can't accept these Draco. They are Malfoy jewels. They should be worn by the Malfoy family." Hermione was stuttering.
"Please don't try to reject. You can just tell yourself that you are borrowing them for an undisclosed length of time." Hermione still wasn't sure but nodded. Harry knew she was right. Those were Malfoy jewels; they should be worn by Malfoys; what Hermione was missing was that she would be a Malfoy soon and the jewels would 'return' to the family vault. His friend seemed a bit shocked and Harry knew when he wasn't needed.
"Ok I'm off to the tower; I'll see you both in the morning." Harry's abrupt exit pleased Draco. He was stunned at the lack of subtly the two Gryffindors had but at this moment Harry's departure left Draco with his witch.
"Let me give you the sapphires. I still have them." Draco quickly entered into his room and pulled the carefully wrapped package from his bag. This would be far from the last jewels he would give her. He glanced in his armoire and saw the dress still in its bag.
"Here they are. I would think you could wear the bracelets without anyone noticing. The necklace and earrings you may want to only wear in the common room." Hermione nodded and took the package from his hands. Their fingers lingered over each other for moment before they pulled away.
"I have one other thing to show you. Stay here for a moment." Draco went back to his room and pulled out the garment bag containing the white dress. "You looked amazing in this and I wanted to get it for you." Draco held the garment bag as Hermione unzipped it. She suspected what was in the bag and she was right. She didn't know what to say. Draco had bought her wedding gown. At that point she realized that they would get married. She zipped the bag and tightly held Draco's free hand.
"Of all the dresses I tried on today this is the dress I loved the most." Draco smiled.
"It was my favorite too. Since you don't have an armoire I'll keep it in the back of mine waiting for you." Draco and Hermione looked deeply into the others eyes before whispering a quiet goodnight and went to their beds.
'- - - - - - - - -'
Monday came and it started like most for Hermione, Draco and Harry; they went to classes and pretended everything was normal. The difference was, this day, they continually looked over their shoulders while trying to figure out why Ron hadn't shown to any of his morning classes. Hermione had run into Ginny and asked if Ron wasn't feeling well. Ginny wasn't sure where he was. Ron hadn't been treating Ginny any better than his friends. This worried Hermione, as she didn't want Ginny in any danger. Harry had the same thought and convinced one of the other seventh year prefects to walk Ginny to and from her classes. Other than the Ginny issue the most exciting event happened at lunch. Draco had to admit it made his day. Weasley had walked into the Great Hall with some fifth year Ravenclaw firmly attached to his arm. He took her to her table and kissed her deeply before returning to his own table.
When they walked in Draco got Blaise and Theo's attention and pointed to the doors. He had given them the run down on Saturday night's discovery during dinner the night before and there was a bet going as to when Lavender would get her just reward. Draco won since he had selected lunch. Blaise picked dinner and Theo had lost when Weasley hadn't shown up for breakfast. They were now eager to watch fireworks display. While most of the hall was watching Weasley walk and kiss the girl the three Slytherins were watching the Gryffindor table. Hermione was amazed that Draco was right. She looked at Draco who smirked, pointed Hermione's attention back to the Gryffindor table and turned his attention toward Lavender knowing Hermione would accept his knowledge of all things sleazy from that point on. During the non-verbal exchanges, Lavender was turning a very Weasley shade of puce. Ginny was snickering after having heard what Lavender said to Hermione. No one felt bad for the tramp.
"Ronald, just what are you doing?" Lavender yelled. She had her hand on hip trying to look every part of the offended party. She had expected this to be the day that she sat across from Ginny and Harry and had the envy of every girl. What she couldn't understand was no one wanted Ron Weasley. The revelation the evening before, that Hermione and Draco were an item only increased Hermione's popularity. And increased Lavender's desire to better Hermione. Again, her fondest wish was being thwarted by the muggleborn witch.
"What does it matter to you? It's not like we are a couple. You were, what shall I call you, stress relief? How does that sound, probably better than a whore, I would assume? I mean if you had actually figured out what I wanted, I would have kept you around for a bit but you didn't; so I found someone who could do it. Don't worry some other poor sap will probably have need of your mediocre services at some point. Oh and if you think that you are a goddess on your knees, you probably should study more although you don't do it for classes so why would you for this?" Ron grabbed some food and before leaving the hall he turned back to his table. "Ginevra – later today we need to discuss how we are getting home for the holidays. Meet me in common room after curfew." With that Weasley left the hall. Harry was frantically trying to figure out how to protect Ginny and not let Ron know anything was amiss.
Lavender dropped to the floor weeping. She was babbling something about him loving her. After ten minutes of the caterwauling some of the younger students helped her up to the tower. She didn't come out of her room for the rest of the day. Hermione felt a slight tinge of guilt but then remembered what had been said. She didn't feel bad after that. The rest of the day was boring since all the gossip had been about the display during lunch.
After Hermione finished grading the first and second year Transfiguration essays that had been turned in that day, her personal homework (due in two months) and reviewing her lesson plans for the next few weeks she decided to spend a few hours in the library researching the Phoenix family. Sunday had been such a fun filled day she had completely forgotten about them. There were no records of the name in any of the family history books. Hermione made a rough guess as to when Narcissa and Lucius would have attended Hogwarts and in reviewing their class books there was no Percy Phoneix. Hermione had not thought to ask what Stephanie's maiden name was, not that it mattered. Hermione had found Narcissa's class and there wasn't a Stephanie listed, at all. She was able to find Narcissa and Louisa along with Harry's mom but no one by the name of Stephanie. Finally, she looked at each student's picture and none of them matched the portrait hanging in Malfoy Manor. She spent the remainder of the afternoon looking and failing to find any mention of the Phoenix family. Then it was time for dinner.
'- - - - - - - - -'
After a quiet dinner, finishing what coursework would be due the next day (Harry), making sure his teaching plans for the rest of the week were complete (Draco), and reading some of the books that Narcissa had allowed Hermione to borrow, the threesome looked at the orphaned wand.
What worried Draco was why the lunch entertainment had happened. Weasley had to have some game in play but how did it relate to missing his classes? What is he planning on doing to the Weaselette? And how did this all tie back to the fact that his wand was in their dorm and he wasn't. No wizard wanted to be wandless but maybe...
"Potter, how did you get the wand up here?"
"What do you mean? I carried it." Draco sat in silence rubbing his face. He knew what that would mean but Weasley wasn't a good enough wizard. How did he do it? Then Hermione spoke up. He hated to be right but the clues were pointing to only one conclusion. A conclusion neither of Draco's new friends were ready to accept. His internal dialog on how to address it with them stopped when Hermione's spoke.
"Wait Harry...you carried it? Why didn't it do whatever then? Why wait until it was in our dorm for hours and then only react when Harry touched it? It should have gone off, or whatever, when Harry first took it from Hall while I was in the hospital wing."
Draco smiled at this, she certainly was amazing. Then he correctly himself; she was bloody brilliant and she was going to be his. Then he corrected himself for a second time; she was his and he was hers.
"Wandless magic...he sent the protection spell after he realized it was missing. That was probably after Harry had dropped it off."
"Ron doesn't know wandless magic. He isn't that strong."
"You're right Potter, Ron isn't that strong."
After an hour of not knowing what to say Hermione stood up and pulled out the map. Laying it across the table she closed her eyes and whispered "Ronald Bilius Weasley". A dark dot with the blackest of writing appeared showing that he was in the Forbidden Forrest. Hermione's tears slid down her face as she realized that her best friend was gone. She gave herself a few moments to think about their history and grieve before standing up and turning toward the two men. The blonde man was her focus and she realized while Ron had been her friend, Draco now was her life.
"I'm sorry." Draco had walked up and saw what was on the map. He held Hermione tightly until she was able to pull herself back together. She went to sit on the couch with Harry.
"I think first thing tomorrow we should go speak with McGonagall. It's too late to be roaming the forest now. You need to get back to the tower and make sure that he isn't alone with Ginny. I don't know what he has planned but I'm worried he is going to try and use her to get his wand back."
"It's ok on that front. Ginny was able to postpone him. She has a study session tonight and the girls won't leave her alone. I made sure of that."
"At least that is one thing I won't have to worry about tonight." Hermione had started pacing; Draco and Harry both knew this was a precursor to a long night for her.
"Potter, why don't you go back to the tower and make sure that he doesn't try and pull anything. We will meet you tomorrow morning outside the Great Hall." Harry nodded, before hugging Hermione and leaving the dorm. Draco wanted to help Hermione relax and he knew better than to surprise her; so he made sure she saw him coming. Once he was in front of her he opened his arms and she quickly walked to him and his awaiting embrace. He held her tightly until she had relaxed and leaned into him. Draco pulled her to the couch where she snuggled into him while he played with her hair and gently rubbed her back.
"That feels really good Draco, please don't stop." Hermione let out a shaky breath and tried to allow herself to just feel. Her brain was still working in overdrive trying to understand why it happened, if she could have done something to stop it, how he could be saved and what happened if he couldn't be saved. She shuddered at the last thought. Draco was just focused on how to get her to stop thinking for a short time. His hands continue their gentle journey on her back and then to her arms. Never once did he grab or move quickly. Above all he wanted her to feel everything he was doing. When Hermione finally let out a little whimper it was when his fingertips had brushed a swatch of skin on her back. While rubbing her back, her shirt had started to lift up and neither noticed until skin met skin. Draco allowed his hand to stop and remain in contact with her back. Bolts of electricity shot through each of them and neither wanted the hand to be moved. Draco sighed and laid his head on her shoulder.
Hermione felt Draco's warm breath and began to run her fingers through his silky hair. She was shaking with a combination of fear, excitement, dread and desire. 'Sweet Circe how I want him; I wish he could love someone like me.' Hermione's brain refused to stop until Draco's lips touched her neck. Draco moved slowly as he savored Hermione's taste. His hands were gripping her sides. For one of the few times in Hermione's life, she shut out logic and allowed herself to become lost in the emotion. All she could feel was the warmth slowly beginning to build in her stomach. Never had the feelings been this intense.
Draco's lips were moving slowly down to her collarbone which he kissed across to the other side and began to suck her pulse point. As she let herself slip farther into oblivion Draco would nip and lick her throat. Hermione held his head to her with one hand while the other moved down his back. For the first time she could feel the muscles on his back. They twitched with each movement she made. Slowly she slid her hand under his shirt and was met with a groan as she touched him.
They lay like that until Hermione finally fell asleep. Draco carefully lifted and put her to bed. Before leaving her room he looked at the beautiful angel wished he could hold her for the rest of the night. Draco quietly shut her door and went to his room. He fell asleep thinking how wonderful she felt in his arms.
When Hermione woke the next morning she remembered the feelings Draco had given her and readied herself for the day. When she went into the common room Draco was sitting at his desk reading.
"Did you help me to my room?"
"Yes, you had fallen asleep and were so peaceful. I didn't want to disturb that so I carried and tucked you in. Did you sleep well?"
"It was the best sleep I've had since…well, in a long time. You figured out a way to make my mind stop working. Thank you." Hermione gave Draco a quick hug before turning to gather her things for the day. "Should we head down for breakfast?" Draco nodded and gathered his books before standing next to Hermione. His hand rested on the small of Hermione's back. A shudder ran through her and her breath hitched. Draco smiled to himself knowing her reactions last night were not because of her emotional state. She was reacting to him.
"If you need to shut your brain off again please let me know. Last night was very enjoyable." Draco smiled and started to move them towards the entrance. Hermione was a little stunned. 'He enjoyed that?' ́
"Ok. I liked it also." Hermione mumbled while blushing. Draco knew that this was all brand new for her. Sometime later he would give her a hard time for being embarrassed to admit her enjoyment. Harry and Ginny were waiting beside the doors to the Great Hall for Draco and Hermione's arrival.
"Good Morning." Ginny seemed quite happy. Draco raised a perfectly arched brow in Potter's direction. Harry didn't acknowledge Draco unspoken question. Draco chuckled as he walked into the Hall. Hermione and Draco separated from the Gryffindor duo.
"Enjoy your breakfast." Hermione had noticed Ginny's unexplained smile and figured she would ask about after they had finished eating. Draco and Hermione had their NEWT potions class with Harry and they would all walk out of the Hall together. After a quick breakfast, neither were very hungry. They returned to the tables where their friends sat. It was still awkward for both Hermione and Draco to sit at the house tables during the week, so typically the only time it happened was breakfast and that was only to pick up their friends if they had a class together.
Draco gave Hermione a heart stopping smile and wink before heading to sit with Blaise and Theo.
Harry stood and wrapped his arms around Hermione and led her to the open seat at the table. As they sat Harry whispered that he had spoken with Minerva earlier in the morning and the meeting was scheduled during their free period after potions. Hermione nodded and looked to Draco who had noticed Potter whispering. Hermione mouthed 'Later' to Draco. He nodded and went back to his discussion with the other Slytherins.
The rest student body was focused on the doors to see if there would be any additional dramas today.
When Ron did not appear for breakfast, the second day in a row, the conversations turned to other gossip. Lavender had shown up for breakfast after Hermione and Draco had joined their friends. Lavender stared longingly at the open spot across from Ginny. How she wanted to be the one Ron chose to be with. She was obviously better than Granger. He had told her as much. In fact he had called Hermione a cold fish who couldn't get him excited. Her sudden plan wouldn't fix her embarrassment from yesterday but it would at least take some of the attention from her. When Hermione and Harry stood Lavender took her chance.
"Hey Granger, ever figure out how to get a guy to want you? You know, want you like a man should want a woman? Not just as a friend?" Lavender sat and was quite proud. What Lavender didn't expect was the vehement response from across the hall.
Pansy Parkinson had entered the hall to hear that sniveling Brown lashing out at Hermione. Pansy knew what Hermione had given over the last few years and in watching her this year Pansy had noticed a few things. Things that Pansy knew, things she was doing herself; war was hell. She was not going to allow that little bint Brown to win.
"What's wrong Brown? Just realizing that men don't want slags who can't formulate a complete sentence? If that little attempt was to draw attention from you it failed. Everyone in the hall was here yesterday when your supposed boyfriend came in with Chelsea. And we all heard what he said to you. Not Hermione. You. You are the one who isn't able to keep a boy. And we all know she can get and keep a MAN. By trying to hurt Hermione you only are proving that you are bitter and jealous. Not really good traits. I've seen those traits up close and it doesn't end well. I also saw no one from our class helped you when you had your fit. It was some fourth years I believe. Not even your gossip partner thinks enough of you to give you a napkin to wipe your tears. Who is going to stand up for you? Did you notice who else was ready to defend Hermione? Face it Brown no one wants you."
Pansy turned and started to leave the Hall when Lavender grabbed her wand and tried to attack the Slytherin. Before Lavender knew what was happening she was bound on the floor with six wands pointed directly at her. Draco and Harry were front and center. Draco's sneer was evident. He had never really cared for the girl but her attacking Hermione and then going after Pansy was bothering him. Before anyone could say anything McGonagall was standing looking down at the frozen girl.
"Ok everyone breakfast is over off to your first classes." When no one moved Minerva turned and faced the stunned student body. "Anyone who is still here in five minutes will be serving a month of detentions with Filch. Are there any questions?" Minerva looked to the students with the six drawn wands "You all stay; along with Hermione." Pansy had moved to Hermione and gave her a hug. She had been whispering something to Hermione when McGonagall requested they remain also. Hermione and Pansy acknowledged the request with a nod.
"Ok put your wands away. She isn't going anywhere I've immobilized her." Everyone wondered who actually threw the spell. "Now I just want to get a few things clear. I don't want to have every meal be a time where we have drama. There has been more than enough of that to last us all many lifetimes. This all ends today." Minerva glared at the girl still bound on the floor.
"Pansy, your defense of Hermione is appreciated and I believe it means more than if Harry or Draco had been able to respond. Your wand was drawn in self-defense so you will not be punished. Harry, Ginny, and Theo I know that you drew because Lavender was threatening both Hermione and Pansy. While we typically do not allow this, I understand and none of you will be punished for trying to protect your friends. After what we have all experienced, I believe it was instinctual on all of your parts. Draco and Blaise because neither of you threw anything but protection spells neither of you will be punished. Hermione, you are looking a little pale, please have Draco take you to the medical wing for Poppy to check you out. As for Miss Brown and her actions; none of you will need to worry about her any longer. We know what spell she was preparing to throw and the aurors are on their way. Please go ahead to your classes. Harry, please escort Ginny to her class and then come to my office after your first class is over."
Draco was shocked and looked at the Headmistress with new respect. "You aren't the only one who knows Legilimency and trained with Severus." Minerva whispered as she passed Draco.
Everyone left quickly once dismissed. As they exited the hall Kingsley and a few aurors arrived and headed towards the Hall. Kingsley nodded at the students before continuing to the destination. Draco noticed Hermione was acting very odd. When she started blinking and shaking her head, he quickly grabbed her just as she passed out. He ran to the medical wing as fast as he could while not jostling Hermione. The excitement of breakfast had passed and there was no discernible reason for Hermione to have passed out. Poppy did some initial tests with no results. She went to get a potion that would bring Hermione around when her fingers started to move. Draco was at her side holding her hand.
"Come on sweetheart open your eyes." Draco was rubbing her hands until her eyelids fluttered open.
"Hey. Sorry."
"What happened?"
"I'm not really sure. It felt like I was being pulled out of my body. It's really hard to explain…". She paused in her description in order to get her wits about her. Draco let go of her hand and stood looking a little shocked himself before she could continue. "It was like how it feels just before I sent myself out but I wasn't using it. I was still feeling a little shaken and on edge from everything with Lavender. I don't think that should have caused me to react that way. I think my body shut down to stop whatever from happening."
Draco was pacing now.
"This is not good. We need to speak with Minerva now." He spun and faced the room where the medical supplies and potions were kept. Using a louder voice than necessary for inside, Draco addressed the medi-witch. "Poppy, she is awake and I know that you don't want her roaming but we need to speak with Minerva now. Please I'll bring her back if anything odd happens." Poppy had exited the room and gave the wizard an unimpressed glare.
"Since telling you no won't stop you, I'm not going to try, go ahead." Turning toward Hermione she smiled. "Just don't over exert Hermione." Poppy released Hermione. She and Draco headed straight toward the dorm.
"Draco we need to get Harry too. Let's discuss everything with Minerva and see what she thinks. We need to get..."
"Yes, we do but let's not talk about that in the open." Draco was suddenly very nervous. Hermione nodded noticing Draco's change in attitude. He was acting as if he expected Voldemort to jump from behind one of the tapestries. As they passed the entrance to the Headmistress's office Harry turned the corner and was headed for them. He had just dropped off Ginny and was headed to the dungeons for potions.
'- - - - - - - - -'
Hermione grabbed Harry and pulled him along with them. As they got near the entrance to their dorms they all noticed something unusual. Harry and Draco realized that someone was invisible and trying to access the portrait. Before either could throw a stunning spell the pop of apparition was heard. None of them could understand how that happened. No one, and that means no one was allowed to apparate within the walls of Hogwarts. Quickly the three fled into the common room and verified no one had accessed the dorm.
They quickly calmed and Draco explained what happened to Hermione. Harry was becoming just as jittery as Draco had been since the infirmary. Hermione was also uncomfortable but her level of worry was nothing compared to the two most important men in her life.
"I guess we need to get to McGonagall." Draco spelled Ron's wand, still encased in the bubble charm, to follow them before heading towards the door.
"Wait he can't take that through the halls we will need to use the emergency path." With that Hermione turned toward the other bookcase.
"This is Hermione Granger; we must see Professor McGonagall immediately. Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy and I have no intention to harm just to discuss a matter of highest urgency." The bookcase slid open and the three headed into the darkness. In a matter of moments they were walking into the headmistress's office. However she wasn't there. She was still dealing with the Brown situation.
"Hello Professors – do you know why we are here?" Hermione asked knowing that at least one of them did.
"Hello, my dear and yes we do."
"It's not difficult to ascertain considering the wand Mr. Malfoy is dragging behind him. However, I am at a loss as to how you got it." Snape drawled while Draco snickered quietly.
"Hello Godfather. Potter here took it from Weasley." Snape's expression changed to shock and concern once the "owner" had been identified. Snape realized it could only mean one thing and that thing wasn't good. Draco gazed at Snape with a look that confirmed the Potions Master's fear. For the first time in many years Severus Snape was well and truly speechless. Hermione had missed the unspoken conversation. She had been dealing with how to explain their fears.
"Professors, we know he has been skipping classes, hiding in the Forbidden Forest and that..."Hermione had to stop and take a breath before she could continue considering she was about to sign her best friend's death warrant. "...and that he has betrayed light. He has a blackened heart."
"How do you know where he is Miss Granger?" Snape, having found his voice was now curious at what they had discovered. He also did not question the fact that Ron had turned from the light just on how she knew where he was.
"Draco and I came up with an idea, similar to Harry's map but infused it with magic that looks for those with dark hearts. We have been working on it all term. It turned out the spell used to create the dark mark was an altered spell we found in the Malfoy family spell book. Once we found that we were able to "tune" the map to the spell. It works. Lucius attacked the Manor while we were there the other day and he appeared on the map along with his cohorts. We will be giving it to the Ministry but first I needed to see if Ron appeared on it. He did. He's turned against us. I don't know why."
With that Hermione lost her strength and fell to her knees sobbing. Draco was there first to gently console and led her to the couch. Harry was amazed to watch the gentle manner in which Draco cared for Hermione. It was obvious that Draco's feelings were becoming more intense by the moment. Harry compared this new relationship with the only one other one Hermione was in and instantly he saw the difference. Ron wanted the world to see them as a perfect couple. Harry wasn't sure if Ron had ever gone so far as to hit Hermione although there had been some psychological and definite verbal abuse before she ended it. It had been just after the war. Ron had been berating Hermione regarding her hair or clothes; it was something the old Malfoy would have done. Harry had been trying to get Ron to understand that he couldn't keep making those types of comments to Hermione. It wasn't three weeks after the final battle that Hermione ended it. Ron walked with a limp for a few days and Harry now wondered if there hadn't been a fight of some sort and that Hermione had won.
Draco, after calming Hermione's tears stood and addressed his godfather. Hermione, for her part, went to look at the candy selection on the desk. She needed something to get her through this evening. She had a feeling more secrets were going to be revealed and what little she ate at breakfast was not going to be enough.
"Severus after Lucius attacked the Manor, Hermione used her new power to sweep for anyone else. She felt something in the dungeon. She said it wasn't a person but it was something dark and yet familiar. She pushed it out of the dungeons and off the property. I was wondering if you had some insight on what it could be. I now suspect Hermione thinks the presence was Weasley. Is it possible for them to have the same ability?" While Snape considered Draco's line of thought, Harry started to question Draco.
"Draco you know about her power?"
"Yes, Potter I do. We were talking about the war and the aftermath one night and she let it slip. I suspect it is a little 'present' from the Dark Lord. It was said he could do the same thing but she seems to keep her magic while he could not."
"Draco has Hermione told you anything about my changes?"
"No Harry she hasn't. She once mentioned that she wasn't the only one with new powers but that it wasn't her story to tell. We dropped it and moved on." Snape decided to respond to Draco's initial question.
"Yes, there is a good chance that is true. I wonder what else Mr. Weasley may be able to accomplish right now."
"I suspect he has some wandless ability but I'm not sure exactly how much. This will sound very unlikely but I feel it is something that must be mentioned. When I was taking Hermione to the medical wing a bit ago she passed out. When she woke up she told me that it felt like she was using her power only that she wasn't. I'm concerned someone was trying to pull her out. Is there a way to remove a power once it has been gifted? What would happen if someone was forcefully removed from their body?"
The room fell silent. Draco was staring intently at Snape; there weren't many wizards who understood the depth of power that the Dark Lord had amassed. This was the point when Dumbledore cleared his throat and all eyes looked at their former headmaster.
"Let me tell you all a story." Snape let out a growl and wished he could drink.