Chapter 15

Malfoy refused to let go of Hermione as they stalked down the darkened hallway, briskly keeping up with Harry's fast pace, their wands drawn and lit before them.

"Down this way," Harry called over his shoulder, all of them suddenly stopping at a large, wooden door as it swung open with a quick, sharp flick of his wand. "In here, 'Mione."

Malfoy rubbed Hermione's back gently with his thumb in assurance as they carefully walked into the gloomy bedroom, only lighting up when Harry flicked his wand again. Sitting in the middle of the room was a large, plump bed to which Hermione carefully made her way to, perching gently down upon it.

"I cleaned it all up after the War," Harry said as he peered around the place. "Kreacher's been managing it for me. He'll be here to provide anything you need. It's important that you don't leave the house."

Hermione only nodded before Malfoy looked over Harry's shoulder, narrowing his eyes at the man behind him.

"Weasel, stop gawping."

"Shut your face, Malfoy." Came the blunt reply from the corner of the room.

"Both of you," Harry sighed, rubbing his temples again. "Stop it."

"You had to choose him of all people," Malfoy shot at Harry, refusing to stop looking threateningly over at Ron Weasley. "Wise move, Potter."

"He's the only person I trust enough," Harry defended insistently. "And the only person with the skills and experience-

"-Skills?" Malfoy snorted, interrupting Harry as he eyed Ron with great distaste.

"Yeah," Ron glared, moving forwards to plonk himself next to Hermione on the bed, putting an arm around her shoulders. "So shut up, Malfoy. Hermione, are you alright? You look pale."

Malfoy scowled and opened his mouth to say something, but not before Hermione pulled away from Ron, feeling a little sicker, and got up, murmuring a small "yes" before moving into the adjoining bathroom and closing the door behind her. Malfoy threw a scathing look at Ron before moving to the door, knocking on it gently and murmuring her name. Harry shot a warning look at Ron before announcing: "Ron, let's go talk of the security I need you to place here."

Both men left, leaving Malfoy to knock a little louder before choosing to threaten Hermione, desperate to get inside. "Granger, open the door before I use my wand."

As expected, the door swung open, but with a very irritated looking Hermione, glaring angrily at him. "Don't boss me about, Malfoy."

He rolled his eyes, holding out his hand. She mumbled a complaint but shuffled into his arms, burying her head into his chest and inhaling his scent. He held her tightly, pressing his lips into her head with a small sigh.

"I can't believe this," She murmured, lifting her head a little to nibble absentmindedly at his neck, not noticing how he stiffened.

"Hermione… stop." He reluctantly backed away a little, his eyes darting towards the door where Ron and Harry had left. She couldn't help but chuckle a little at him, letting her finger wander down his chest.

"Not shy now, are you?" She asked him with an eyebrow raised, causing him to groan a little at her subtle seductive tone- after all, it was not usual to hear it.

"Quit it, Granger. The door is open," He nipped her ear before moving to whisper: "Only you could carry on as normal as if you didn't have some lunatic after you."

"I don't want it to affect anything," She told him firmly, leaning backwards to look up at him properly. "Promise me it won't."

His jaw clenched before a swift, blunt nod followed. "I promise."

He knew she didn't believe him, but accepted it anyway, moving to hug him again, only wanting the comfort he so well provided.

"'Mione."

Hermione turned around, her expression softening when she saw Ron standing sheepishly at the doorway, a tray in his hands.

"I thought you should eat." He explained quietly, before walking over and laying the tray down onto the bed.

Hermione only continued to look at him, causing Ron to feel a little nervous. His eyes met hers and she walked over to him, taking his hands and squeezing them.

"Thank you," she whispered with a small smile, before dropping his hands and sitting on the bed to pick up her plate of clumsily put together sandwiches, feeling touched when she saw the contents inbetween the buttered pieces of bread. "Crisp sandwiches... My favorite."

"I've gotten used to eating those muggle products you like." Ron told her, gently sitting on the bed and watching her nibble absentmindedly at the sandwiches. "So I told Harry to buy some."

"Thanks, Ron." Hermione murmured, moving to remove the crusts off of the bread, but chuckling when she saw that had already been done for her. "You really remembered everything."

"Wish I could of before," He replied with a small sigh. "Then maybe we wouldn't be in this mess."

Her head snapped up to look at him, immediately understanding his insinuation. "You think it's Draco's fault that I'm here?"

"Yes," Ron did not hesistate in his answer, gritting his teeth. "Yes, I do think it was Malfoy's fault you're here." He had noticed how Hermione had used Malfoy's first name to address him, and was instantly displeased.

"And what, if you'd peeled off the crusts from my sandwiches and remembered I liked crisps in them, we'd still be together? Is that what you're saying?"

"Hermione-" But Ron stopped, aware of her increasing anger and mentally slapping himself from saying anything to her, especially at a time like this where she was bound to be more sensitive than usual. "Hermione…" He tried again, but she had already thrust the plate down onto the bed and was stalking her way towards the bathroom door once more.

"You know what Ronald!" She yelled over her shoulder as she flung the door open. "Your lack of attention towards me was not the only reason we separated. You just won't get it and you never will!" And with that, she slammed the door, making Ron wince at the loud bang and groan inwardly when he heard Malfoy's concerned shout from downstairs. Heaving himself onto his feet, he shuffled reluctantly towards the door and poked his head out of the hallway.

"It's all fine, Malfoy." He called, but rolled his eyes when Malfoy came striding quickly up the stairs, his long legs allowing him to easily skip some steps. He sneered at Ron before walking past him into the bedroom. Ron followed him, his eyes narrowing. "I had it all under control-

Malfoy stopped in front of the closed bathroom door, before turning his head to raise an eyebrow at Ron.

"Clearly." Malfoy shot at Ron before once again lifting his fist and gently knocking on the bathroom door, coaxing Hermione to come back out.

That night, Hermione was extremely nervous. She had refused to try and sleep, opting instead to read a book in her room and allowing Malfoy to accompany her. Yet any small noise made- even a little creak of the old floorboards, and Hermione would jump.

"What was that?" She said immediately when she heard a small and very faint click.

Malfoy shifted from his position on the sofa, sleepily opening his eyes and looking lazily over at Hermione. "Hmm?"

"That noise. Did you not hear it?"

He yawned, stretching languidly before leaning back and closing his eyes. "No."

There was a moment of silence and he couldn't believe his luck; taking this chance to try and get some sleep. Ron was on duty, after all, and despite Malfoy's scathing comments towards his abilities, he knew Ron was capable of the job. Besides, it was extremely unlikely of anyone finding this place with the charms cast on it. He revelled in this moment of peace and quiet, having been so exhausted and wanting to catch up on some much needed sleep-

"Fuck!" He cursed, sitting up and clutching his stinging eye. He forced one of his eyes to open and saw a very irritated but smug looking Hermione and looked down, to find a shoe- the very object that she had hurtled towards him. "You-" He stopped at her rising smirk, feeling something growl in the pit of his stomach.

In two, quick strides, he had soared up from the sofa and pulled her by her arm, dragging her protesting self towards him and tossing her effortlessly over his shoulder. Beating her fists against his hard back, she screamed and tried to twist and turn out of his grip, but he ignored her, throwing her onto the big, soft bed and climbing over her, effectively pinning her down.

"Very clever there, Granger." Malfoy sneered down at her as he pinned her wrists down, his own firm hips keeping hers in place. "Trying to hit your protector when he's sleeping."

"I do not need any protector, Malfoy, and if you insist on being one, I'd have thought sleeping was a pretty useless way to carry out your job!"

"Technically," Malfoy smoothly replied, thoroughly enjoying himself. "I'm going to need sleep in order to protect you better through the night when you will be sleeping."

Both were breathless and excited at this new, rough treatment of each other, sub-consciously moving their lower regions together as they panted. It wasn't as if Malfoy hadn't been rough before: but now it was as if they were back in Hogwarts- it was something forbidden and forced.

Their slow rocking was causing the bed to creak and groan and Hermione couldn't help but struggle against Malfoy: "What about Ron?" She breathed into Malfoy's ear, moaning when he nipped at her neck.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I've never been inclined into having a threesome."

Hermione couldn't help but chuckle, kissing Malfoy's cheek before gently nudging it with her nose, causing him to turn his head to look at her. "You know what I meant, Draco. He could walk in, or… look, at least cast a silencing and lock spell-

"-Oh no," He purred, his eyes twinkling with mischief and thus making Hermione shudder with anticipation. "I think that makes it all the more exciting, don't you, Hermione?"

She groaned at the gentle caress of his silky words; the way he spoke always enticed her. She knew this was wrong- but that's what made it so very, very right.

"Bastard," She shot at him.

But very soon she closed her eyes in pleasure as his fingers trailed along her inner thigh and his mouth came down to kiss her hard, forcing his tongue into her mouth before he pulled away to simply reply with: "I know. But I'm your bastard."

Her head rose from the bed to kiss him again, to which Malfoy enthusiastically responded, managing to wind her legs around his waist and grind into him again. He let out a low, throaty groan before taking both of her hands in one of his and using his free hand to reach down and yank her shirt so the buttons flew off and he could cup her breast. He bent down to lick lazily at her neck before moving to whisper into her ear: "I don't know who's after you, Iny, but they're not going to touch you while I'm here."

She softened under his secret pet name for her that he so rarely used- only doing so when they were in such intimate moments like these. He had been delirious and half-asleep after their love-making one night and had murmured 'goodnight, Hermione', but had slurred every syllable of her name apart from the last- 'Ione', pronounced as 'Iny'. The next morning, Hermione had joked about his state, claiming he was too easily worn out and told him of his failure to even say her name properly. Ever since, the name had stuck, Malfoy claiming it was always his intention to give her that nickname, but Hermione knew better. Both pretended they hated it when really, they secretly liked it- it was certainly an alternative to 'Granger', but that was also a name both found a guilty pleasure in.

Her lips nibbled along his jaw as she moved up to his ear before whispering soft, encouraging words for him to end his sweet, long torture. Obliging her, he let go of her wrists so she could wrench his shirt open and run her hands along his chest and around to caress his back. He hurridedly undid his belt, ripping her knickers swiftly from beneath her skirt before-

"Hermione?"

Malfoy groaned at the sound of Ron's voice out in the hallway, not far from their room. Hermione, in her state of desire, gave a sudden small shriek, pushing Malfoy away and leaping to her feet, accepting his shirt to slip into it and hold it together with her hand, standing behind him. Malfoy was calm, his irritation evident with his hard, set jaw, but he kissed her forehead and turned his back to the door so her dignity was covered and when Ron would walk in, he would have a lovely view of Malfoy's buttocks.

"Merlin's fucking pants!" Ron yelped when he entered, his eyes almost popping out of his sockets.

"Here we go." Malfoy muttered to Hermione, before turning his head lazily to look over his shoulder, smirking amusedly when he spotted a very red-faced Ron standing at the open doorway. "Weasel, we're in the middle of something and you are supposed to be on watch. Get out."

"Malfoy!" Ron yelled, whipping out his wand and advancing towards them, causing Hermione to groan and for Malfoy to raise an eyebrow, perfectly still. "Don't touch her!"

"Bit late now," Malfoy pointed out with a glint in his eye, causing Ron to snarl and move forwards again, but not before Hermione stepped around Malfoy, her free hand pushing against Ron's chest and urging him back just as Malfoy slipped on his boxers, his back still to the pair.

"Ron, leave." She told him firmly. "You should have knocked!"

"What are you two doing? Wait, don't answer that. You shouldn't be- be," Ron now spluttered, unable to think of how to form his words together anymore. "You shouldn't be doing that at a time like this! Ferret, you are here to protect her, control your fucking self!"

Malfoy only raised his eyebrow again. "Oh sorry," He drawled lazily, his blonde hair falling lazily over his eyes as he turned to properly face them. "I'll tell my dick to make a mental note of that."

"I'm warning you, Malfoy-

"-Ron." Hermione repeated again, giving him another hard push. "Out."

"You think you're so fucking clever," Ron ignored Hermione, walking determinedly up to Malfoy, who had managed to find his wand too, both men prepared for a fight. "I don't know what you're up to, but it's something and I know you're just using Hermione-

"-Draco!" Hermione screamed as Malfoy's eyes narrowed into slits and he raised his wand, about to curse him. "No! If you cared at all you would both stop this, now."

Fuming, Malfoy obliged her, slowly stepping away from Ron. "Get out," He snarled at him.

Turning on his heel, Ron stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Hermione let out a sigh just as Malfoy looked over at her.

"You should've let me curse him," Malfoy muttered, raking a hand through his damp hair. "Fucking twat."

Hermione bit her lip and shuffled over to him. It always unsettled her when Malfoy got angry- it was hard to bring him back down again to his normally calm state. She kissed his clenched jaw repeatedly before she heard his small sigh and his muscles relax. His hand came to take hers and wordlessly, he pulled her into his chest and hugged her.

"Hello Uncle Harry!"

Harry looked up, his face stricken when he spotted Ginny at his office door with Ethan in her arms. He swiftly shot up from his chair and beckoned them in, closing the door and locking it behind them. Ginny gave him a worried look, but said nothing while Ethan held out his arms for Harry.

"Hey there buddy," Harry smiled and took Ethan from her, hugging him tightly. "Had a good day?"

"I read another book!"

"Did you?" Harry ruffled his hair and carried him over to the two armchairs in his office, offering one to Ginny as he sat in the other, Ethan in his lap. "What was it about?"

"Dragons! They are big and colourful and some have spots that mark-

"-Ethan, honey, why don't you tell Uncle Harry all about it later?" Ginny told Ethan, casting Harry a look. "He needs to tell me something important. Go and read the rest of your new book."

"Okay," Ethan sung happily, jumping from Harry's lap before trotting down into the corner, opening his book and beginning to read. Ginny moved to sit on Harry's lap, her arms winding around his neck.

"What's happened?" She asked quietly. Harry sighed, before kissing her shoulder.

"I can't tell you."

Ginny nodded, understanding protocol. She looked worridedly over at Ethan before back at Harry. "Should I be here?"

"I'd prefer it if you weren't."

"Should I be careful?"

"It's nothing to do with you, it's more a very slight chance of Ethan. I think he faces no danger, but I just… feel on edge. Can you take him home? I'd feel better if he was there. I was meant to tell you, but a letter didn't seem safe enough."

"So it's Hermione." Ginny stated simply, her worry beginning to grow. Harry said nothing, only kissing her cheek.

"Gin, I can't say anything."

"Alright, well… come home as soon as you can. And take care of yourself...And Hermione." Ginny kissed him properly before rising from his lap, walking over to Ethan to scoop him into his arms. Harry told Ethan to behave and be a good boy, kissing him on his forehead and then again but on his cheek and hugging him tightly before letting them go.

It had been three days, and Hermione was already contemplating her own sanity. Malfoy and Ron had this ruthless energy to bicker whenever they saw each other, and considering they should be working together, it was increasingly worrying. Matters were not helped when Ron had walked in on Hermione getting dressed and had only stood at the doorway and stared open-mouthed at her, despite Hermione's yells. Afterwards, Hermione was having to fend off Ron's lingering hands whenever he would 'help' her with anything, which increased Malfoy's temper in turn.

"Can't you keep your hands off of her Weasel?" Malfoy shot at him one day in the kitchen, Ron's hand on Hermione's shoulder as he stood next to her whilst she stirred some soup at the stove. Ron's hand- reluctantly- fell from her before he turned to Malfoy, his eyes narrowed.

"Can't you get over yourself, ferret?"

"I'm not the one not able to keep his slimy hands off of other people's-

"-You two," Hermione cut in tiredly as she started to cut up some bread. "Stop it."

An uncomfortable silence fell upon them again as Malfoy sat there, breathing hard with anger. Swiftly, he stood up to walk over to Hermione, effectively pushing Ron out of the way as he stepped between them to kiss her cheek before proceeding down her neck. Ron snorted and left, leaving Malfoy smirking but Hermione only more irritated.

"I'm not some prize to show off, Draco."

He rolled his eyes. "I know that. But he should keep his hands to himself."

"He's a friend," Hermione sighed at this repeated statement. "So grow up, Malfoy, and just avoid him instead of bickering. It's giving me a headache."

"Fine, I'll leave you too whilst I'm at it." Malfoy snapped before doing so. He strode upstairs, fuming. Why did Weasley even have to be here anyway? He thought to himself as he threw open a door, marching down yet another narrow hallway. He had never felt threatened before, but the history between Ron and Hermione ran for years- and it was true what people said. Everyone wanted them to be with each other, not for Hermione to be with Malfoy. He trusted Hermione, of course he did, and he knew she wouldn't go back to Ron. But living with Ron only frustrated him, made him annoyed that he had to even feel this way.

"Stupid moron." Malfoy muttered angrily to himself as he sat down in an armchair, trying to control himself.

Hermione walked down the hallway, stopping to frown at Ron. "Have you seen Draco?"

"Ferret face? Nope." Came the curt reply.

Hermione glared at Ron, her temper steadily rising. "You know, Ronald, if you just got over yourself and stopped trying to give Draco a reason to argue with you, you could focus on your job a little more."

And with that, she stalked past him and opened the door to the library, suspecting Malfoy to be in it. Sure enough, he sat there, a book in his hands. He sat perfectly still as she entered and closed the door behind her, locking it. Walking over to him, she bent down next to the armchair to stroke his arm lightly before murmuring: "Draco?"

"Hmm," He replied absent-mindedly as he continued to read his book. He suddenly felt a pair of warm, soft lips pressing against his smooth neck and couldn't help but give a little sigh, closing his eyes in pleasure as Hermione nibbled her way up it and along his jawline, moving to straddle him in the chair. He kissed her gently before leaning back, his eyes bright with amusement as he stared up at her. "What happened to the yelling?"

"I'm sorry," Hermione stroked his hair gently as she sighed. "I guess I was on edge. Here, get up."

Malfoy narrowed his eyes at her in curiosity as she took his hand, pulling it back to brush his lips against her knuckles. "Why?"

"Come on," Hermione ignored his question, only tugging him to pull him to his feet. He sighed, but obliged her, moving to stand up on his feet as she gently pulled him to the centre of the library, removing her wand to flick it at an old, dusty music player. Malfoy raised an eyebrow knowingly, a smile playing on his lips, before winding his arms around her waist and shuffling closer to her, both swaying gently to the rhythm and taking tiny, discreet steps as they slowly turned on the spot.

Her head came down on his shoulder and he nuzzled his nose into her hair. There was a pause before Malfoy sighed too. "Look, I should be sorry. I kept arguing with Weasel and not thinking of you."

She started to smirk, unable to help herself as she leaned back to look up and into his face. "Is Draco Malfoy apologising? What a change."

He growled, reaching for her wrist to pull her back as they stepped backwards and sat into the armchair, yanking her down onto his lap again before hungrily kissing her, murmuring "Shut it, Granger" before moving his lips down her neck and sucking on the juncture at her neck and shoulder. Hermione drew a sharp intake of breath before leaning over him, biting her lip hard to stop herself from moaning as his fingers slowly slid between her legs.

"Draco," She breathed as he bit down her shirt, the buttons quickly ripping off of it as he progressed southward, his other hand resting at her hip as she arched her back, sliding back on his lap. His head rose to nip at her ear before licking along the lining of her bra.

"Hermione," He breathed back mockingly, causing her, in her hazy desire, to snap out of it and hit him on his arm. He laughed, lifting her in his arms as he stood before walking them over to a bookshelf and leaning her against it, her legs wrapped around his slim waist. "I'm joking, Granger. You know I love it when you moan for me."

She blushed again and only turned her head, surprisingly comfortable against the hard bookshelves. Her eyes lifted to meet his and she couldn't help but chuckle at his lustful gaze. "What?"

"Nothing. It's just very ironic," Malfoy leaned forwards to press a heavy kiss against her chest. "That I'm going to shag Hermione Granger in the library."

She wrinkled her nose. "I hate it when you say shag."

"How about fuck?" Malfoy smirked at her, his hands moving to tug at her bra, the hooks at the front sliding out so it fell apart, revealing her plump breasts. He immediately bent his head to take one into his mouth, grinding her into the shelves as she purred. "Or screw? Tell me what you'd like me to do Granger."

Hermione cupped his face, lifting it up so he met her eyes, feeling something strange in the pit of her stomach as they looked at each other. "Make love to me, Draco."

For once, it was not a smirk, or a smug grin, or anything teasing: but a rare, beautiful smile as he leaned in to kiss her and comply with her wish.

Malfoy groaned and shifted, sighing as he sniffed in Hermione's scented hair, trying to relax. He had been getting less and less sleep lately, but he was grateful that Hermione, at least, had been getting more. He bent his head to look at her carefully, smiling to himself at how she slept, her breathing even, her smooth eyelids shut and her long dark eyelashes tickling her high cheek bones.

She looked beautiful.

A cough disturbed his thoughts and Malfoy did an immediate double take as he spotted none other than Ron leaning against a bookcase, glaring down at them. His mouth dropped open, but Ron only raised an eyebrow at him, forcing him to close his mouth shut again.

Carefully, he wiggled gently away from Hermione, trying his hardest not to wake her as he removed his arm from hers and stood, groaning as his bruised hips pulled hard. He stretched slowly to adjust to standing before Ron left the library and Malfoy followed him, feeling anger rush through him once again.

"Weasley!" He bellowed as he stormed down the hallway, stopping in his tracks when Ron swirled around. "What the fuck were you doing?"

"Malfoy-

But Malfoy had already grabbed Ron's collar, pushing him hard and fast into the door. "Spit it out. Now." Malfoy growled, his teeth clenched. Ron struggled, pushing Malfoy's arm off of him before both removed their wands at the same time, pointing them at each other.

"Keep out of my business, Malfoy." Ron told him quietly, not taking his eyes off of Malfoy's face as he pointed the wand more firmly at him. "I'm warning you."

"You're the one in mine," Malfoy shot back instantly. Ron didn't reply. He took this as his cue to carry on. "What the fuck is wrong with you Weasel? Perving on Hermione now are you-

"-You don't deserve her."

Malfoy stared at him. "I already know your opinions on our relationship, Weasel, but answer my question. What were you doing in the library?"

Ron hesitated, but jumped when Malfoy's wand poked into his forehead hard. "Alright Malfoy! But you have to keep your voice down before Hermione-

"If you care one inch for Hermione you'll spit out what the fuck is going on."

Ron's tooth bit into his bottom lip, before he nodded slowly, causing Malfoy to lower his wand. They regarded each other, ignoring the heavy ticks of the great grandfather clock nearby, their breathing now hard and short. Ron swallowed hard.

"I need you to leave her, Malfoy. Don't you get it? Someone's after her and strange stuff has been happening ever since you two have been going out. If you leave her, she can live her life again- Please." Ron added as Malfoy's mouth dropped open in anger and he made to retort. "Hear me out. It makes perfect sense. If you just... I don't know. Argue with her so she doesn't try to chase you down..."

Malfoy quieted, not exactly sure what had made him freeze so suddenly and force him to listen intently to Ron. He was prepared to tell him to fuck off, to never ever suggest something like that again, but he couldn't.

Probably because he knew deep down inside of him that he had been thinking the same.

"-If you do what I say, Hermione will be unharmed." Ron finished, nervously chewing on his bottom lip. "Alright? If you care, you'll go. So leave Malfoy. Get out. I don't care how, just go."

"Hermione."

Hermione groaned, but sleepily opened her eyes, taken completely aback with surprise when she saw Malfoy's intense grey eyes staring down at her. She forced herself to sit up a little, rubbing her eyes. "Draco? What's wrong?"

"I have to leave."

"What?" Hermione immediately sat up, his shirt falling open to reveal her plump breasts, causing Malfoy to swallow hard before he made himself look into her eyes again. "Why?"

"I just do. Look, this isn't working."

"What... What do you mean-

"-I mean that we aren't working." Malfoy gritted his teeth and looked away. He couldn't stand this. He couldn't lie to her. But he had to. He started to rise from the ground. "I'm leaving today and I-

"-Bullshit." Hermione stood up with him, seizing his arm and pulling him back. "What's Ron said to you?"

"Nothing." Malfoy told her quietly, mentally pleading for her to let go of him. "Get your hand off of me, Granger."

Her eyes blinked with hurt- it was as if they were back at Hogwarts again. His harsh tone his back, his expressionless face, his jaw was set. She tugged at his arm again to try and get him to respond, but he refused to move and she was beginning to get frustrated.

Malfoy wanted to close his eyes. He was secretly thankful that he had had all the necessary training to pull off such an act as this one, but right now all he wanted to do was to fall into her embrace. He pulled away harshly, storming out of the door and down the hallway, making himself move to the door as he begun to hear her cries and pleas.

Keep moving, you idiot. Don't stop. Ignore her. Don't stop. Move. Just move.

He passed Ron who simply looked at him, before moving to open the door, only to find it had been opened. He made to turn, to catch one last glimpse, but Ron's hand was pushing against his back, forcing him out of the door.

As Hermione bounded down the hallway, tears streaking down her face, Ron mentally cursed, turning to face her.

"Hermione-

"-YOU!" She roared at Ron as she ran down the hallway. "YOU. HAVE. SOMETHING. TO. DO. WITH. THIS."

"Hermione, I swear-

"-No, I swear! I swear that if I find out you were involved, I'll chop your balls off and feed them to Buckbeak! Now fucking tell me where Draco is going, Ron, or I'll-

"Hermione-

"-I'm going to go and find him," Hermione tried to push herself past Ron but his arms had wrapped around her and he easily lifted her, only to struggle again as she kicked and screamed against him. "Let me go Ronald! I'm not a doll! Fuck-

"-You are not leaving this house, 'Mione." Ron groaned as she kicked him particularly hard in his stomach, forcing him to double over and drop her. She punched him again before running back down the hallway, trying to curse the door open with her wand but failing. Even with her brilliant skills, her panicking only just prevented her from thinking properly.

"Come on!" She forgot her wand and tugged hard at the doorknob, yelping when Ron pulled her back and swung her around, faltering at the sudden anger in his eyes.

"You're not leaving Hermione." Ron told her firmly. "What Malfoy has done is for the best."

"No," Hermione started to sob again, shaking her head fiercely as Ron stepped closer to her to pull her into his arms. "No, no no."

He stroked her back as she cried, closing his eyes momentarily before gently lifting her to carry her upstairs, trying to push all of his guilt away as he knew what would be coming next.

Malfoy walked down the street, feeling his legs slowly turn numb as he did so, exhausted. He had never felt so awful. Had never felt so stupid.

Had never felt this much regret.

Cursing, he kicked a wall before he kept moving, only wanting to get out as quickly as possible. People pointed at him as he walked but he only ignored them, starting a small limp as his toes started to throb. He moved around the corner, looking to scowl at anyone who looked at him, before-

"Sacks?" Malfoy spotted Timothy Sacks suddenly, the man who worked in his department. He moved forward, frowning when Sacks backed away. "Sacks, what's up with you? Why are you here?"

"Oh you know..." Sacks forced a smile onto his face, bobbing on the heels of his feet. "Muggle London always intrigued me."

Malfoy looked around- they were in a very quiet street. He turned to look at Sacks again, but was met by a wand in his face. His eyes widened, everything finally making sense.

"Sacks..."

"Take me to Hermione," Sacks demanded, his voice a little shaky and nervous as he did so. "Now. I know she's somewhere nearby."

Ginny yawned as she shuffled over to pick the many toys up from the floor, smiling at the small boy in his bed. "Come on, sleep time hun- Ethan?"

She rushed over to him as he sat perfectly still, shaking him gently to try and get him to talk, but he was perfectly frozen. She started to panic. "Ethan? ETHAN-

His eyes suddenly came back into focus and he blinked several times before a horrified look replaced his face. "Auntie Ginny!"

"Ethan, what happened-

"-I saw Uncle Harry!"

Ginny froze. She tried to calm down and took a few, deep breaths before calmly asking: "Saw him? Ethan, what do you mean?"

"I saw him on the floor...Auntie Ginny he was bleeding-"

"-You..." Ginny started to feel sick and panic again, kneeling properly before him to understand better. "Ethan... was it magic you just did?"

"No, Auntie Ginny. I didn't mean to. I just saw him. He needs help! Now!"

"Ethan-

"Now, Auntie Ginny, now! Please believe me!" Ethan begged, before Ginny nodded and lifted him into her arms to hug him tightly.

"I'll owl him now, love. Please try to relax. I'm sure it's nothing to worry for."

But even she didn't buy her own claim.

A/N: I know I'm awful. I'm sorry. Shout out: Epixie, CheshireCat23, Sarah Liz B, nature love 95, mclovindramione, 27, Ulquishinee, BellasBeingBad, HotWolfGirl, Keke Koorime and flower123.

Thank you all so much!

Few pointers:

- Sarah Liz, you're a sweetheart for offering yourself as a beta. Be assured, I will contact you, but not for this story. I'm going to be writing a new story of Draco/Hermione and I'd love for you to beta it.

-I am terribly sorry to all of you for waiting for so long. I just needed to plan what I wanted where before going ahead. I hope you're not disappointed... I have a feeling I'll be yelled at for this chapter anyhow!

-It was my birthday last week: Please review as a birthday gift!