Author's Note: I really, really, really don't want to work on this problem set… so I'm back to editing another chapter for you guys! Going to regret this in the morning…

Chapter 81

"Greyback? He was here?"

"He spoke through the fireplace," I reply. Fucking deranged mutt.

Then Hermione is speaking. "We need to figure something out. Do you think it would help to evacuate everyone? Would we have enough time?"

Potter shakes his head immediately. "I don't think so. There are a lot more people now. It'd be impractical to get them all to move. Did he say what time?"

"He only said 'tonight.' I'm going to assume that he means nightfall," I say.

That's not an assumption—it's a fact. I've learned that Voldemort likes the natural cycle of time much better than any artificially imposed system of time. He uses precise hours whenever it's necessary, but he prefers terms like "nightfall" or "daybreak".

"That gives us a good two, maybe three hours, then," Potter observes.

"I don't think we'll need that much time," Blaise says.

Leave it to Blaise to guess what I'm thinking. I nod in his direction. I have to admit—I'm impressed that he's still just as adept at predicting my thoughts as he was years ago.

"What are you planning?" Hermione asks.

She looks worried. I don't want her to worry…

"I need some time alone," I say. "I've got some people to contact. You three can go to Hogwarts and warn them of a potential attack."

"You should tell us what you're thinking, Malfoy."

"I have to be sure that it'll work. Otherwise, it'd be pointless to suggest," I say.

And there's a huge probability that this won't work. It relies on so many uncontrollable variables.

"Let's just go," Blaise says.

"Do you know what he wants to do, Blaise?" Potter asks.

Ah, so he's caught on to the silent interaction between Blaise and me.

"I only have a vague idea of what's going on up there," Blaise says. "Don't do anything stupid."

That's rich, coming from him.

"Yes, Draco, don't do anything stupid," Hermione says.

"I won't," I say, mostly to alleviate her concern. "Don't worry about it. Be back in about half an hour, and if you haven't come up with anything, I'll let you know what I've got in mind—if it'll work."

"Fine," Potter says. "Let's go, then."

I receive a light peck on the cheek and turn to look at Hermione, hiding my surprise.

"Be careful," she says, her large brown eyes fixed on my face.

"You should be careful," I say. "I'm not even leaving the house."

She nods, continuing to look at me. Our eyes lock, and I can't tear my eyes away from hers. There's a popping sound, but I don't even want to check to see who has left. But she turns her eyes away, and I force myself to look at the ground.

Get a grip.

When I glance back up, she's looking at me, and my eyes are trapped yet again.

"Bye, mate," Blaise says.

"Bye," I reply without looking at him.

He Disapparates, leaving us alone. Merlin help me, I want to jump her.

"You aren't going to do anything stupid, are you?" she asks.

Define stupid.

I hold back my immediate response and grin at her instead. "Don't you trust me?"

"I trust you," she says seriously.

I smile at her. "Good. Now go."

She pulls out her wand, but she doesn't leave. Is she really that worried that I'll do something 'stupid'?

"I'm not going anywhere," I tell her.

I need her to get out of here. The clock's ticking. I'm pretty sure that half an hour is more than enough to talk to three people, but I'd rather have more time, just in case.

She smiles at me, and for a moment, she's the only thing in my world—I can't think about anything else.

Then she Disapparates, and my chest feels painfully hollow.

Fuck.

I'm acting like a lovesick puppy. That won't do. Not at a time like this.

Shaking away the emotions, I summon my wand—no point in wasting energy. I point it at myself and perform a bit of Human Transfiguration. It's not perfect, but I'm fairly certain it's convincing enough.

Then I connect with the fireplace at Theo's.

"Theo? Are you there?" I call out.

"Greg?" Theo responds, appearing from a hallway. His eyes widen. "I thought you and Vince were captured by—"

"You thickheaded dolt, shut your mouth," I say.

His eyes widen even more as he realizes the differences between Greg's real face and my Transfiguration.

"Are you alone?" I ask.

"Yeah," he replies.

As soon as he makes eye contact with me, I dive into his mind. I have to know what happened immediately after my capture. Has Theo been taken to see Voldemort?

I watch from his perspective on the ground and see myself shatter the window. Then my field of vision changes, and I'm watching as Naree struggles against the two other house-elves. He's finally subdued by a Stunning Spell to the chest, fired by one of the nearby Death Eaters.

Then Nott Sr. appears from the crowd of Death Eaters and drags Theo up to his feet. I'm surprised that he stayed down for so long—was he that conflicted about my defection?

Theo is led rapidly off the Manor grounds by his father, and I begin to notice blurs at the edges of the memory. I frown. Then he's sitting at home, speaking with his mother. The sound is slightly distorted, a telltale sign of having been tampered with.

Fuck.

I retreat from his mind, and he looks relieved.

"Have you seen the Dark Lord today?" I ask.

Theo shakes his head. "No, not that I remember."

"Funny you'd put it that way," I say.

Voldemort must have tampered with his memories. He must know that I know about Frank Longbottom's recovery. But does he know I've learned that Neville Longbottom is the spy?

"Why is that funny?" Theo asks me.

"No reason," I say, shaking my head.

"How did you escape? My dad said that the Dark Lord was furious."

"Can't tell you that. I want you to do me a favor, though. And you can't tell anyone that you saw me."

"Yeah, that bit was obvious."

"About two hours from now, Floo me again. I'm going to need your help."

"What're you gonna do?"

"You'll know when the time comes. Can I count on you?"

"Of course. I'm only a Death Eater because you are—remember?"

"Good," I say. "Two hours, then."

Theo nods. "See you soon."

I flash a brief smile at him before pulling my head out of the fireplace and extinguishing the flames.

Then I realize that I have a rare opportunity in my hands—none of Weasley's friends are with him, and he's completely at my mercy. But if I went in there myself, it'd be too tempting to just snap his neck. And I'm sure that no matter how furious Hermione is with him, she'll still be upset if I kill him.

"Naree!" I call out.

He emerges from the guest room. "Yes, Master?"

"I need you to do me a favor."

He nods. "Anything."

"Apparate to the Greengrass' home and tell me if Daphne is home."

"Is that all?"

"Yes. Return immediately."

Naree nods once and Disapparates with a crack. I count to five before he reappears.

"Miss Daphne is home," he reports cheerfully.

"Did anyone see you?" I ask him.

He shakes his head.

"Perfect. Are you feeling better?"

He nods.

"Well enough to have a little fun?"

"Fun, Master?"

"Weasley's tied up in the kitchen," I inform him.

His eyes light up. "Weasley is always speaking ill of Master. He deserves to be tied up."

I grin. "You can punish him, if you want, for me. But don't cause any lasting damage. I think Hermione would get on my case if I hexed an arm and a leg off him."

Naree nods and disappears into the kitchen, giggling.

I take a moment to stop grinning before performing another Human Transfiguration on myself and Flooing the Greengrass' home.

"Theo! How nice to see you."

Fuck, it's Astoria. I can't stand her voice.

"Yes, it's been a while," I say. "Can you get your sister?"

"Have you heard from Draco?" she asks, ignoring my request.

"No, I haven't. I wanted to talk to Daphne. Could you—"

She rolls her eyes exaggeratedly. "Oh Theo, when will you give up? She doesn't like you."

I only frown at her, and she walks out of the room. I'd never realized that Theo had feelings for Daphne. Bloody… when did that even start? I don't remember ever noticing anything like that between them.

Then Daphne appears. "Hello again, Theo," she says.

She's exhibiting her cold persona—I'm accustomed to seeing her without it, and it feels strange to be treated like a "normal person" by her.

"Hello, Daphne," I say with a faint smile.

She frowns at me, and then her eyes widen by a fraction. "You—"

"Shh. You're alone, yes?"

"What the hell are you doing here?" she hisses.

"I assume you're alone, then," I say.

"Yes. My parents went to a dinner party."

"Perfect. I'm here to ask a favor of you."

She sighs. "Can I just tell you no, and will you leave if I do?"

"No, and not yet. You have to hear me out first."

"Fine, but I am not putting my family in danger for you, Draco."

"It won't be for me," I say.

She rolls her eyes. "I doubt that."

"You don't think there's anyone I would give myself up for?"

Daphne narrows her eyes. "I know that you've gone to the other side—the Light side—but you can't possibly—"

"You'd do it for him, wouldn't you?"

"Don't pretend to know—"

"I'm not pretending, Daphne. I know."

"I'm over him. It was almost four years ago, Draco. We were children."

"You're clearly not over him. As soon as you realized I wasn't Theo, your demeanor changed completely. You and I were never close, so the only reason you have for treating me differently is that I'm his best mate."

"I don't—"

"Don't say that you don't treat me differently. Even at the dinner party a few nights ago, you spoke up for me. Now tell me, when was the last time you intervened on behalf of someone outside your family?"

She glares at me, and I know she has nothing to say to that.

"What do you need?" she finally asks.

"Blaise is going to be captured," I say. "I need you to find out where he's being held so that I can retrieve him."

She stares at me. "You've gone mad. How am I supposed to—"

"You're smart. You have contacts. You've been prepared for an emergency, if one of your family members gets branded a blood traitor."

"That's for my family! I can't convince them to give me the location of a member of the Order of the Phoenix!" she protests.

"But you can. You know what you have to do. You just don't want to do it."

"Of course I don't want to do it. I've managed to keep my hands clean for so long," she says, glaring at me. "You have some nerve, Draco, asking a favor like this."

"I'll have you know that I can guarantee his freedom, as long as you help me."

"I can't—"

"Mind you, he'll most likely die if I don't get him out in time."

She's silent.

"I understand that you need some time to think it over, but—"

"I'll do it," she interrupts.

"It's not going to be easy," I warn her.

"Just tell me this: will it save him?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll do it," she says. "What exactly do you need?"

"After finding out where he is, I want you to sneak in. Use a Disillusionment Charm. When no one is around, whisper his location to him."

"If you're going to force me to go to him, why not just let me rescue him myself?"

"You're not a Death Eater. You won't be able to open his cell. After you give him is location, I'll arrive—"

"How exactly are you going to manage that?" she asks.

"You don't have to know that. When I arrive, I'll take him out of the cell. Then you'll Disapparate with him—take him to Hogwarts, all right?"

"I'm associated with the Dark side, Draco. They won't trust me."

"But they won't kill you, and they'll know that you're safe because you're bringing Blaise to them," I say. "I'll vouch for you, if I return."

Daphne laughs coldly. "If, you say. What if you don't return? Should I just wait there and let them decide whether or not they should kill me?"

"Blaise will speak for you, then, if I don't make it out of this."

"Comforting. Why can't you just come with us?"

Because I have a feeling I won't be able to. I've had quite a streak of good luck in the past weeks, but I think my luck has just about run out.

"I'll have something else to finish up."

"Don't get yourself killed, Draco," she says warily.

"I'll try my best not to."

"So, how will I know when Blaise has been captured?" she asks.

I frown. That's going to be a bit difficult to estimate.

"And how do you know he'll be captured? Is it already unavoidable?"

"It's a long story—you don't have to know all the details," I say. "I'll send Naree over when it's time for you to start looking."

"And how do you expect me to contact you when I know his location?"

"Don't. You're to stay hidden outside his cell—remember?"

She frowns. "I don't understand how you're going to—"

"It's irrelevant to you. All you need to do is make sure you have the right location and that you tell it to him. I'll take care of everything from that point on. And no matter what happens to him, do not reveal yourself. Not unless they're about to kill him."

"Why can't I reveal myself?" she asks.

"Because then they might move him. And if that happens, then my rescue plan is screwed."

"All right," she says, taking a deep breath. "I don't know what you're planning, Draco, but I really hope it goes well. If this ends badly, I won't forgive you."

"If it ends badly, I won't need your forgiveness anymore," I reply.

"Good point. Well… good luck, then."

"Thanks. You, too."

I back out of the flames for the second time and put them out. Two down, one to go.

This just might work…