I sat in the passenger seat quietly, numb. My tears had long ago dried. The now-painful thoughts of what might happen to my parents and friends were poison to my mind, and I steered clear of them. I stared out into the dark night, only speaking when Chris asked me for directions.

Mom and Dad had given us explicit instructions on what we were to do and where to go. According to the paper Chris had given me, along with a map, Dad had booked us a hotel room in South Carolina, where we would wait until a family friend came to pick us up.

I didn't personally know the guy who was to pick us up. But the note said that he would have proof of who he was, so that would help. A lot.

Blaise was asleep in the back, sprawled out over his backpack. I pushed my coat off the seat onto the floor, stretching my cramped legs out. I stared at the bright green lights on the dashboard, watching as the time changed from ten-thirty to ten-thirty-one. I blinked slowly and reached out to turn on the radio.

About an hour ago, we had crossed the Mackinac Bridge. We had scrounged up money from between the seats and in cup holders, just barely enough for us to pass. We had gotten lucky, but we definitely had to stop and get some change – there would be other toll booths we would have to cross. Of course, we could always take back roads until we got to our destination, but that would take forever.

Chris glanced at me sideways, and I fiddled with the radio stations absently. Going from pop, to rap, to rock, to country. I settled on a pop station, humming softly.

"You hungry?" Chris asked. I tilted my head to the side and thought about the question longer than I should have to.

"Yeah," I said. Chris changed lanes to get off on the next exit, and I reached back to poke Blaise awake. He snarled tiredly and slapped my hand away, twisting on the seat. I sighed and turned back around, flipping the volume up louder.

I smirked, regaining some of my usual attitude as Blaise groaned and stretched out a hand to turn it down. He couldn't reach.

Chris checked the signs along the side of the road and said, "McDonald's, Wendy's, or Burger King?"

"Wendy's," I answered. Blaise's hand dropped to the floor as he gave up trying to turn the music down.

A couple minutes later Chris pulled into a Wendy's, turning off the engine to search his pockets for his wallet.

With a frown he studied the contents of his wallet, counting the cash he had. "I have forty dollars," he said. "We have to be careful with our money from now on."

I stepped out of the car and shivered at the cold air. I didn't want to put my coat on though. I walked quickly into the warm air of the fast food restaurant.

I turned around once I was inside to see Chris dragging a half-asleep Blaise out of the car. I smirked and moved forward to step in line, my mouth practically salivating at the smell of burgers. I hadn't had one in so long!

Chris shoved Blaise against me, and I stumbled under the added weight.

"Take him to a table, throw some cold water in his face, something, just get him to wake up," my brother grumbled. I sighed and gripped Blaise's arm.

"I want a cheeseburger," I called over my shoulder, dragging my twin behind me. I plopped him down in a booth and slid into the one across from him.

"Blaise," I said, kicking his shin. He jerked and mumbled in his sleep. How the hell did he do this? "Blaise!"

He sat upright, finally waking up. "What?"

"Go tell Chris what you want," I said, slumping in my seat. "He's standing in line."

My brother yawned and stumbled over to Chris.

I closed my eyes and sighed, tilting my head back. Where were we now? We hadn't been traveling in this part of Michigan for a while, and I had long ago stopped reading the map. It was kinda hard when it was dark.

Blaise slipped back into his seat, propping his chin on the palm of his hand. He yawned again.

"How the bloody hell are you so tired?"I asked, frustrated. He blinked at me tiredly.

"I have gifts."

"Whatever."

I rolled my eyes, my gaze sliding to the side to watch as Chris brought our food to the table. He handed me a cup and gestured for me to fill it myself. I glared at him as he took my seat, but I left anyways to get my drink.

Minutes later, I was scowling at Chris again as I slipped into the booth by Blaise. I grabbed my burger and unwrapped it, sending one last glare in my older brother's direction before biting into it.

At least burgers tasted the same, unlike my life, which seemed to be changing way too much for my liking.

/\/\

I was driving now. Hours since we had lat eaten – a short snack of Goldfish Mom had packed for us. We couldn't afford to spend any more money, especially not when we where only in West Virginia.

Chris had desperately needed sleep after driving all night. Blaise had taken over for him, until lunch, and then I switched with him. Now here I was. Driving in near-dark. I hoped Chris would take the wheel again soon. Driving in the dark freaked me out.

Blaise twisted the map around, and I glanced at him.

"You do know how to read a map, right?" I asked worriedly.

"Of course," he said confidently, then frowned as he stared at the map, "not," he added.

I rolled my eyes. "Wanna switch soon? I don't want to end up in Canada because you can't read a map properly."

Blaise frowned again and sighed, closing his eyes.

"Sure," he muttered tiredly. He struggled to fold the map, finally doing it somewhat, then sat back as he waited for me to find an exit so we can swap.

God, I really hoped that leaving our parents – and the Malfoy's – behind was for the best.

A/N: I've had this chapter half-written for a while, then I got hungry, and never finished it. But now it is! So those few people who are still reading this story, thank you for waiting so patiently! I honestly will try to update more often, really I will. Just keep on reviewing. Please?