Summary- this chapter takes place in Malfoy manor where some expected visitors make appearances, and an unexpected ally is discovered.

*Authors Note- This chapter includes strong reference to different beliefs and religions, including Christianity, Atheism, Wicca, and moral values. If any of these things listed makes you uncomfortable, or you do not believe Christianity should be mixed with Harry Potter, I suggest you not read any further, I will absolutely not accept flames on that subject, as you have been fairly warned.

Many roads to take
some to joy
some to heart-ache
anyone can lose their way
and if I said that we could turn it back
Right back to the start
would you take the chance and make the change?

-Kate Winslet

"My father is a death eater." Lauren repeated, looking carefully around the room. "That's how I know Draco Malfoy, although I don't believe he recognized me, we haven't seen each other since we where very young children."

"You're the daughter of a death eater…and you didn't tell me?" Harry said, his green eyes shining bright with hurt.

"Well hell Harry!" Lauren said, sadden by Harry's brilliant eyes. "Would you have liked me to wear a sign around my neck that reads' 'kiss me! My daddy's a death eater!'?" Her own eyes flashed dangerously.

"Could have given me a little warning." Harry mumbled, sinking into a chair.

"Ahem." Dumbledore said clearly, getting the attention of all in the room. "This could prove very useful, Miss Covington, I believe you have met Severus Snape, our potion's master?"

Lauren gasped at the name, and, as if on cue, Snape entered the headmaster's quarters, looking on everyone with a cool acceptance.

"But! But Professor Dumbledore!" Lauren pointed at the black haired man, her eyes bright and wide in absolute terror. "He's- he's one of them, Professor, he's a death eater as well!"

All eyes were on Snape to see how he would take the accusation.

"Perhaps, Albus." He said with cool confidence. "That it might be well to inform the students of my current status?"

Dumbledore nodded and turned to the students. "Severus is a spy, Miss Covington, Mr. Potter." He said. "He has been for years and years now."

Harry and Ron nodded. They had figured that much from all the mysterious activity from the previous year.

"Miss Covington." Dumbledore said seriously. "I must ask you, would you be willing to risk a great deal for Hermione? I'm afraid that there are precious few that can reach her, and you, my dear, happen to be one of them."

Lauren looked confused, but nodded her head firmly. "Yes Professor, I will do anything to help Hermione. I know what they want from her, and I know she will never agree."

"Very well." The wise professor gave her a small smile. "I must ask you to go with Professor Snape, he will inform you of everything that is expected of you."

Lauren looked wearily at the shady potion's master, but she lifted her head in a brave manner and followed the black haired man out of the quarters, Harry's eyes on her the whole time.

"Now." Dumbledore said. "I Think I am correct in saying that you two will be in for the run as well?" He looked at Jared and Jessica.

They didn't even need to look at each other, they nodded their heads firmly.

"Very well." The old wizard looked at Harry and Ron. "Dark times are falling, and you will all need to be trained in magical defence.

Ron looked up sharply. "How?" He asked. "Jared and Jessica cannot use a wand, can they?"

"Not technically, Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore said. "But there are more that the form of magic you learn at this school. A type of magic's that draws energy from the earth and elements itself. I am talking about the Wicca practice that is as old as human kind itself, and for this, you must possess a strong will and a solid heart. No magical ability is needed for raw magic."

Jessica and Jared looked on to the professor with awe.

"What about our parents?" Jessica asked. "Wont they wonder where we are if we never come back?"

Dumbledore smiled. "There is a very simple confundus charm I can place on everyone you know, to make them believe you are there, when you are not. It comes in handy every once in awhile. As long as the charm is in effect, your parents, your friends, no on will know you are missing."

Jared and Jessica looked very interested, but did not push the matter.

"Now." The headmaster said. "We have some work to do."

~

He walked through a familiar stone hallway, looking for something, although the young man had no inkling of what. He brushed his pale hands along the cold surface of the solid walls, feeling his flesh scrape slightly against the rough surface. He pressed his hand harder, he needed to feel the pain, the pain that reminded him he was alive, but there was no pain. His physical being could feel pain no more.

He came to a room, although not bright, it was certainly more cheerful then the other dreary rooms of this place. He stepped inside and found that two small infants where playing together on the stone floor, a soft looking blanket in between their diapers and the floor.

He looked at the boy. He had bright blue eyes that you could practically see through. The young man knew that somewhere down the road those bright innocent eyes would turn a magnificent grey, although hardened by the horrors that await the soul, beautiful nonetheless. The baby's hair was a light brown, so thin that you could see the baby's soft head through the hair, the man also knew the hair would grow fairer as the years wore on, shiny in the sunlight during Quidditch, and illuminating in a dark, damp Slytherin common room.

The young man then turned to the small girl. She was vaguely familiar, as if she was in a memory that lived in the back of his mind and heart, and was fighting to be released. The small child had dark blonde hair that was already coming in thick. She had startling honey eyes that shone. The young man felt a pang in his heart somewhere, trying to fight the block that was preventing this memory for surfacing.

Then another being entered the room with the young man. This woman gave him a familiarity pang as well, but he couldn't place it. The woman held out a delicate hand to the man, but when he tried to take it, his own hand passed right through.

"Are you a ghost?" He asked, breathless.

"I am a memory." The woman said with a gentle smile. "I am a memory that you have locked in your heart, but I must ask you to fight for it, you must."

"Who are you?" They man demanded.

The woman simply smiled. (Even her smile was familiar!) "You must look within yourself, I'm afraid." She said. "Lives depend on you. An old friend depends on you."

"I have no friends." The man said coolly and arrogantly. "Friends are a weakness."

The woman looked over to the two small children on the floor. "They look so innocent, do they not?" She asked him. "They sit there on the floor, not knowing what is coming, or, in fact, who."

"That is irrelevant." The man said. "Quit wasting my time."

"Irrelevant?" The woman said, raising an eyebrow. "How, Draco, can you turn your back on your past?"

With that one question, Draco Malfoy was yanked out of the strange and startling dream.

~

"When the winds of remorse leave you tired and broken, know that I'll always be there. When the people you love show no signs of forgiving, know that I will always care, when you feel like the world wont turn, and the sun will never rise again, know that somewhere out there, a brand new day will soon begin. Remember your heart, never forget your heart, remember the love you can share, remember……just remember I will be there…"

Hermione sat in her dark, damp cell singing quietly to herself. She felt better to be able to hear something other than he sound of water dripping, or the scurry of a rodents feet. She made up the song herself, for herself. She did it right in that cell too, just so she could feel something, anything. A tear slipped down her cheek, but she didn't bother brushing it away.

She had seen Voldemort.

Hermione kept thinking that over and over, turning it around in her mind. She had come face to face with Voldemort, and was a smart-ass to him. To her surprise, he merely laughed at all the comebacks she had for him. Every single thing she said, only seemed to make him laugh harder. Hermione didn't understand, and the death eater that had threatened her didn't seem to either, but he was put under strict orders to not cause her any harm.

This left Hermione at a slight advantage. She was able to harass all the dirty death eaters as much as she wanted, and they couldn't do anything to her, because they all knew how touchy Voldemort could be. Hermione smiled slightly at the thought.

She was still getting dreams, dreams of the two infants and a place that was only vaguely familiar. She constantly racked her brain, trying to link the familiarity of the place to one that she knew, but nothing came to her. Her mother appeared only once, but was always so mysterious. She told Hermione that she must listen to her heart, and not her mind, which was such a new concept for Hermione, who was used to relying on her brain for every fix she ever got into. Her mother told her an unexpected ally was coming, but whom? Who in this place would be completely unexpected, besides Voldemort himself?

She prayed often, prayed to God and Jesus, not asking for their help, but guidance. Her muggle parents had been firm believers, and somehow talking to someone helped, just like singing. It was like an invisible person was always there, no matter what. She prayed that Harry, Ron, and all her other friends would be safe. She knew Harry had always been in danger, since he was a year old, but two muggles at Hogwarts…well, not that too many people can be especially happy about that.

Days went by, at least she thought so. There was no light, none at all, except for candles that seemed to never go down, but those were so depressing, Hermione would have rather stayed in the comfort of the dark.

She often hummed to herself, any old tune, usually things she remembered hearing as a girl. When she was younger and still thinking she was a muggle, she wanted to be a famous singer, but like all of us, she grew up and her dreams changed, but she still loved music.

A loud clang on the left side of the damp dungeon caught Hermione's attention. Usually someone came in a couple times a day to feed her, but not this time, it was the same man from before, she recognized his proud posture.

"How are we today, Miss Prewit?" He asked with fake concern.

"I'd be a hell of a lot better if you didn't keep me in this delightful tomb." Hermione answered sharply, but to her surprise, the man chuckled.

"As I suspected, and your wished has been granted, you are to be moved."

"Oh joy." Hermione muttered, as they opened the heavy iron bars.

Two hulking men held her by the arms and directed her through the dungeon. They stepped up some steep stone steps, and the further Hermione got, the more this place reminded her of her dream. They finally reached the living floor, so it seemed, wit with elegant candles and torches, you could tell that very wealthy people lived here. They went up some more steps, this time she was in a hall with many, many closed doors. She figured that they were bedrooms.

The tall man stepped in front of one door and opened it, confirming Hermione's suspicions-it was a bedroom, and a very lavish one at that.

It had a large four poster bed to the far wall, not unlike her one at Hogwarts. It was a large bureau that looked taller then she was, and a very fancy looking vanity, complete with a hairbrush and different makeup supplies on it. Hermione was actually curious as to see what was in the extensive looking wardrobe, but then remembered her circumstances.

"Alright buddy." She said wearily. "What gives, and why am I here now?"

"Well." The man said, you could almost hear his smile. "You complained so much about the dungeon, we thought we would arrange something nicer for you."

"Bull." Hermione said. "I don't believe you. What do you want from me? So what if my surname happens to be the big bad around here? Up until a few months ago I was nothing for then a muggleborn, and now I have all the nasties after me. Boy, being pureblooded really isn't all it's cracked up to be."

The two hulking men tuned and left to the door, probably to be guards, while the tall man walked over to the wardrobe and opened it, revealing some of the most gorgeous dresses Hermione had ever seen.

"I think some of these would look rather nice on you, don't you agree?" He asked pleasantly.

Hermione just glared.

"Yes." HE said, half to himself, then looked at her. "Try one of these on, you are expected at dinner tonight."

"What if I don't want to go?" Hermione said defiantly.

"Then we'll make you." HE said, closing the wardrobe door and turning. "I will personally come to collect you in one hour, do not be late, I am not a patient man." And with that, he closed the door, and Hermione heard the sound of a lock clicking.

~

"This school was based upon learning and mastering inherited magical talent." Dumbledore told Jessica and Jared. "But few know the true power of raw emotion, and that is where our defence teacher comes in, Professor Rain?"

Harry, Ron, Dumbledore, Jared, and Jessica were in a secret room, hidden far from the prying ears of the Hogwarts students. Dumbledore was telling the students in this particular room about an ancient magic that he wanted Jessica and Jared to attempt.

Ron was sceptical, how could a muggle do magic? But Harry was very optimistic, and he knew that Dumbledore wouldn't have them trying some bogus thing to use up their time. The old professor knew they were serious, they where serious at eleven, and have only become more so at sixteen.

Professor Rain entered the room with a cool demeanour, and Jessica gaped at him.

"He's a professor?" She asked, somewhat rudely. "He doesn't look older then seventeen!"

Rain gave her a small grin. "And indeed, in body, I am no older then seventeen. Seventeen, four months, and thirteen days, to be precise."

Jared looked at him oddly. "Is there something we don't know, that all of you do?" He asked, looking at Harry.

"Oh yea." Harry said, flashing Jared an innocent smile. "Professor Rain is a vampire."

Jared gulped ever so slightly and nodded. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." He said. "So." He said, turning to the Professor. "How old are you in years?"

Rain smiled. "I could be your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, and be very old at that."

Jared smiled but Jessica stayed still as stone. "Aren't Vampires, you know, bad?" She said with uncertainly. "No offence, but I'm curious."

"Vampires are the foulest beings on the earth, next to Dementor's." Professor Rain said, almost cheerfully. "Thankfully though, I have a soul, so no worries." He grinned and Jessica relaxed, although looking slightly confused.

Dumbledore clapped his hands. "Tonight Professor Rain will start training Jared and Jessica in their new abilities, we must get started quickly."

~

Hermione sat in front of the vanity, dressed in a very striking red and brushing out her hair. She couldn't lie and say she wasn't afraid-she was, but she'd be dead before she actually admitted it out loud.

She had taken a shower, in the bathroom she discovered soon after the death eater left. It was extravagant, and fitted its purpose wonderfully. She needed a plan, but for right now, she would be satisfied with being clean.

Soon the door opened with a loud bang, and the same tall death eater strolled in, as if he were just accompanying her to a simple dance, and not the dinner of hell.

"I see you are ready, come on then." He said shortly, pulling out his wand.

Hermione lifted her head high and followed her. When she left the room she noticed the two thugs come after them. They had been guarding her the whole time.

She followed the tall man through several hallways, ones she hadn't seen before. He then led her down an immense staircase, the banister engraved with snakes, all the way down.

Hermione gave a slight shiver as the wind went right through her silk dress. Old manors like this were always said to be draftee, but Hermione had the feeling this house was especially cold.

Finally they came to what Hermione saw as the dining room. An enormous table was in the middle, looking like one right out of the Middle Ages. It was dark wood and probably a good several meters long, looking like it could hold fifty people.

She saw that about a dozed-masked wizards were already there, not to mention Voldemort at the head, sitting quietly when they entered the room, and to her surprise, they all stood up respectfully, and only was seated when she was. She was on Voldemort's left side, while the tall wizard that brought her was on his left.

Hermione looked around the candlelit room and saw that it was very beautiful in an old-fashioned sense. But she didn't have long to admire the décor, as Voldemort soon stood.

"My faithful deatheaters.' He said. "Tonight is an important, night, as some of you know. Tonight we have a special guest, some of you may know her parents. Please, let me introduce you to Miss Hermione Prewit!"

Startled chatter started throughout the long table, some looked at Hermione sceptically, while others with keen interest, but Voldemort left them at that and started the fine dinner.

Voldemort signalled to the tall death eater and he roughly grabbed her by the shoulders. He led her into another room, off to the dining room, and they're she, Voldemort, and her captor stood.

"Now, I do believe we need to show face." Voldemort said. "Lucius, if you would take of you mask?"

Lucius Malfoy glanced at his master, but willingly pulled off the gruesome mask, and all Hermione could do was stare. This was Lucius Malfoy, although she knew he was a death eater, actually seeing it for herself…it was unnerving. He came into her school, watched the Quidditch matches, everything, and now he was here, in front of her, ready to kill her at any given time.

"Now that we are all friends…" Voldemort said, his snakelike eyes were filled with an evil satisfaction. "Miss Prewit, could you tell me more about that charming necklace around your neck?"

Hermione was taken aback by the question. Her necklace? Sure, it was an old family heirloom, and probably worth quite a bit of money, but Voldemort didn't need money, he could probably transfigure his own.

"There's nothing to tell about my necklace." Hermione answered firmly. "It's just a family thing."

"puissance de l'amour vrai ET rectifient la haine se heurtera avec la mal foi ET espoir pur." Voldemort said simply, and Hermione started and looked at him.

"What?" she asked.

"The power of true love and true hate will collide with bad faith and pure hope." Voldemort said, almost smugly. "Yes, Miss Prewitt, I know, I know everything about you. Now please, would you let me see that necklace?"

Hermione gaped at him for a moment, then snapped back to earth. "You know I never would." She said, her eyes flashing. "I wouldn't give you the time of day"

Lucius glared at her, and pointed his snake-tipped wand. "You had better do as the lord says, you foolish girl." He threatened in a low voice.

"He isn't my lord." Hermione said. "At least I can say his name, Voldemort, while you're still too scared to directly refer to him."

"You have courage." Voldemort said, almost admiringly. "When I was younger, I admired courage, but I have learned that it is really nothing but a weakness, courage makes you do foolish things for what you believe is right. There is no right or wrong, child, think of what is to gain! I could give you powers beyond your wildest dreams. I could give you gold, and so many more things."

Hermione held her head high. "I am a very powerful witch on my own merit." She said. "And as for money, I am wealthier than Lucius over here."

Lucius trembled with anger, and Hermione knew she was skating of very thin ice.

"Very well." Voldemort said. "I shall simply have to take it from you."

He reached out an aged, dry hand to Hermione's necklace before she even knew what was happening, but to her immense surprise, her necklace didn't move an inch, as though it was cemented to her collarbone.

Voldemort was surprised, to say the least, and withdrew his hand. He turned to Lucius and said: "I see… well, it seems ad though we are going to have to take some entirely different measures altogether.

Hermione didn't like the way Lucius grinned- evilly, but didn't have time to react:

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Lucius boomed, the room they were in echoing.

Hermione's eyes closed and she felt the green light coming toward her in slow motion, closer and closer, then it hit.

It threw Hermione back a small bit, like the kick in a shot gun, but when Hermione opened her eyes, she stared up into the cold grey eyes of Lucius Malfoy and the evil red ones of Lord Voldemort.

"Master!" Lucius said. "Master! She didn't die!"

Voldemort looked on with a cool air of dignity. "Indeed." He said. "It seems as though normal methods will not work. We shall try some others another time. Take her to her room Lucius."

Lucius looked like he wanted to argue, but he knew better. With one swift motion he grabbed Hermione's wrist and led her back to her new room.

For the second time that night Hermione heard the lock click closed and the mutter of an anti-alohamora. Not that it would be of any good, her wand was back in Hogwarts. She crossed the room and took a look at herself in the mirror. A pretty brunette stared back at her. Her eyes where bright with tears. Hermione shook her head at the reflection, and went to her bed to pray.

"Dear God, please let me survive this. I haven't finished living. I'm only sixteen Lord! Please watch over me, lead me the right way. I will never follow Voldemort, you are the only true Lord."

She laid her head down on her blankets, but was startled to her feet when she heard a very familiar voice.

"Well, wasn't that just touching?"

Hermione quickly turned around and came face to face with Draco Malfoy.

She hardened her eyes. "What do you want? Get out!" She folded her arms across her chest.

"Get out?" He said mockingly. "I don't think I need to get out, as this is my house."

Hermione wasn't expecting that, but she stood her ground. "Why did you bring me here? I know it was you that told me secret."

Draco grinned. "Well, besides the immense power, it was great to finally bring down he Gryffindor princess."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "what are you? twelve?" She asked, more annoyed than frightened.

"You won't be scoffing me soon." He said. "I could kill you right here, you know."

"No you cant." Hermione smirked. "Your dad just tried, and he didn't even give me a nosebleed."

Draco's face contorted into a slightly shocked _expression. "Ah, so that's why your necklace is so important." He said.

"There's more to it." Hermione replied. "I just don't know what."

Draco smirked. "You will soon enough, The Dark Lord will have it soon enough.

"You can't even say his name." Hermione said angrily. "You call him your lord, but you can't even say his name, or one of his many names! Harry had met both of him, and say's them in-jokes. He's referred to Voldemort as 'ol' Voldie! You really are a coward, Malfoy."

Draco's eyes narrowed. "How dare you." He growled. "You know nothing of anything. What about your God? He doesn't even have a name!"

Hermione looked at him, then said, "Although there may be many so-called gods in heaven or on earth-as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and for whom we exist.  And 1 Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom is all things and through whom we exist." Hermione stared into his grey eyes in cold defiance.

"Corinthians." Draco mumbled.

"What?" Hermione asked, having thought she heard him wrong. How could Draco Malfoy know who she was quoting?"

"Rubbish." Draco quickly said, which made Hermione raise an eyebrow.

Hermione sighed. "Malfoy, do you all plan on keeping me here until I die?" She asked.

Draco was somewhat taken aback. Hermione sounded indifferent, as though keeping her here till death with just a minor setback in her social agenda.

"Until Voldemort possesses your necklace, you are not leaving." He said, trying to sound grave and threatening.

"Alright." Hermione said, and turned around to her bed. "Well then, if you don't mind, I've had a trying day, and would very much like to get some sleep, I'm sure you can see yourself out."

And to both of their surprise, Draco did leave, bewildered and confused.

~

"This is going to be difficult, Lauren." Professor Snape said to the young girl. "I know you don't trust me, and I know why you don't, but you must. I know your father, and Lucius Malfoy. I know what they want from Hermione, and I know what Voldemort wants too."

"You were so convincing." Lauren said. "When you came back to the circle last year. Voldemort thought you had left him, but you told him you didn't have the time to escape, and you told him you were still doing your job as a spy, that's why you didn't try to find him, and he believed you, welcomed you back, and didn't even hurt you."

Snape nodded grimly. "I hope you are a good actress." He said to her.

Lauren gave him a brave smile. "One of the best." She said.

Snape nodded. "Good, now, tell me, how familiar are you with Malfoy Manor?"

~

Draco lay in bed that night, his dark room suffocating him. His encounter with Hermione replayed again and again in his mind, but he could not figure out what it all meant. Hermione acted like she knew what was going to happen to her, and she didn't care. Or maybe.. she knew of something else.

He remembered his dreams. He knew who the boy was, but the girl? And the familiar woman, who was she? She said that he had an old friend, but he never allowed himself to have friends. Friends were a weakness, as Harry Potter knew. Yet, Harry allowed himself friends, even though he let them be in danger. Hermione knew friends were a liability, but she permitted herself to be a best friend to the most wanted-by-death eater wizard in the world.

Draco tossed and turned, trying to figure out what it all meant. He finally fell into a fitful sleep, dreaming of Hermione, and what was to become of her.

~

Lauren walked into the front gate of Malfoy manor as if she owned the place. She knew every trick Lucius had on the old house, as well as every intruder precaution.

She walked up to a massive stone gargoyle, and said "pureblood." The gargoyle whipped out two double edge swords and moved to the left, allowing Lauren to enter through the front door.

She walked into the main hall and took a left, following the corridor to a massive staircase. She climbed them until she came to another hall, a hall of doors.

"one…two…three…four…five... ah, six." She tapped lightly on the sixth door, and a feminine voice bid her enter.

"Hello Narcissa." Lauren said warmly to the older woman.

Narcissa stood, a bit surprised at her unexpected guest, but hugged her tight. "It is time, isn't it?" She asked simply.

Lauren nodded. "Dumbledore contacted you?" She asked.

"Yes." Narcissa said, nodding slightly. "He told me what needs to be done. That poor girl… How could Draco have done such a thing?"

Lauren put a comforting hand on the older woman's shoulder. "You know it isn't really him." She said. "I know Lucius, I know neither you nor Draco has a choice, only Draco thinks this is right. I hope we can save him."

"We will save him." Narcissa said firmly, but then sighed. "It just cannot be tonight."

Lauren nodded. "Come on, we haven't much time, Apparate her to the garden and I'll make sure she gets home." Lauren pulled out a portkey. "This will take us straight to Dumbledore."

Narcissa nodded and with a small 'pop' apparated. Lauren muttered a small prayer and made her way to the gardens.

~

"Hermione…Hermione dear, wake up, you must wake up now." Hermione moaned slightly and opened her brown eyes. Before her stood a familiar woman, but she didn't know who she was.

"Who are you?" She asked sleepily. "What do you want?"

Narcissa smiled. "My name is Narcissa Malfoy, and I'm here to help you find your way back to Hogwarts.

"Malfoy?" Hermione asked. "Lucius Malfoy's wife? Why are you helping me?"

Narcissa helped Hermione out of bed, Hermione was still wearing the beautiful dress robes she wore to the dinner.

"I was a fantastic friend with your mother, dear." She said. "I have to help you, since I could not help her."

Hermione immediately softened when she saw the look of pain in the older woman's eyes. Narcissa Malfoy was very beautiful, but Hermione could see small signs of wear in her perfect face.

Hermione stood up finally on her own, her sleepiness wearing away. "Alright, let's go."

Narcissa took her hand. "Lauren Covington is waiting in the garden to take you back to Hogwarts, we must be quiet."

The two women travelled lightly through the castle, until they came to a door.

"This leads outside, Lauren is waiting for you there." Narcissa said.

Hermione hugged the older woman, but before Narcissa could go, a question popped into Hermione's head.

"Wait." She said in a desperate voice, and Narcissa listened.

Hermione drew a deep breath. "I keep having these dreams, about my mother and- about these two small children. These two children in an old castle, and the more I see this place, the more it looks familiar, please, tell me, did I come here often before my parents died?"

Narcissa nodded sadly. "Yes, all the time."

Hermione's eyes opened a little wider with understanding. "Is Draco the boy in my dreams?"

Narcissa was a bit startled, then said, "Yes."

Hermione nodded grimly and gave the woman one last hug. "Thank you for everything." She said, and opened the door into the garden.

"Hermione!" A hushed voice whispered excitedly.

"Lauren!" Hermione ran over and hugged her friend. "I'm so happy to see you!"

"Me too Mione." Lauren said in a whisper. "But we need to get back."

Lauren pulled out a small lighter and held it out to Hermione. "Come on, we're going home."