What the fuck had just happened?

Granger had looked at him, angrily and expectantly, supposedly waiting for him to bring them to Blaise. Then in a second she had seemed to see a ghost and turned so pale he had thought she would faint. She had scratched her left arm so hard that she'd torn her sleeve. Draco realised it had all happened in that room. He was reminded for the second time that day of what his aunt had done to the small woman. What he hadn't done.

He stormed out of the room and walked quickly to the north wing, where the bedrooms were. Draco didn't like the Gryffindor but it had nonetheless been inconsiderate to apparate in that room. Thankfully she had recovered as soon as Brown had touched her and had returned to the bossy know-it-all behaviour he was familiar with. Strong one. Was that a compliment to the ex bushy-haired bookworm? No just a statement. She had recovered while he had stayed rooted to the spot. He hadn't even been the one under Bellatrix' wand and it still had taken him a moment to regain composure. Sure she was Granger, but he had to admit she had some strength.

There was light under Blaise's door but Draco knocked quietly anyway. A grumble answered him and he entered.

Hermione watched as Malfoy entered carefully in the room. His face showing concern again.

"Blaise mate there's ..."

"Company?" Asked Zabini, looking at the fireplace from a chair, nursing a glass of firewhiskey. "Took you long enough Granger." He added without looking at them. Hermione and Lavender considered they could enter the room.

"Zabini we have …"

"Who took her?" He asked and this time he turned his gaze to Hermione. He looked blanked.

"Luna Lovegood."

"The looney blonde from Ravenclaw?" He asked, no trace of mockery in his voice. He was just blank.

"Yes." Lavender stifled a giggle. An actual giggle. She had never liked Luna, and apparently the word looney had been funny. Hermione was about to shoot her a glare but Zabini actually smiled at her. Lavender gave him a guilty look but smiled too. The only one in the room that couldn't find anything funny either was Malfoy and he opened his mouth at the same time as Hermione.

"Zabini …"

"Blaise …" They stared at each other for a fraction of a second. Zabini returned his attention to Hermione, waving Malfoy's speech away with a hand.

"Where is she now?"

"At Mungo's for … hum …"

"Yeah okay, I've seen her too Granger." He sighed all smile completely gone from his face. "So, I guess you're here to ask if I know where they are?" Hermione just nodded.

"I don't. I've been going through every memory I have of anything that involved you-know-who since this morning. I even borrowed your mother's pensive mate, and I can't figure out where. How could I ever join? Do you think they're going to try to contact me? They just killed her! This must be some sort of sick warning of their intentions …"

"I don't think so. I think they wanted you to join in order to finance their new army."

"What? How … Oh my grand-mother …Of course! The Malfoys aren't paying any more, no offence mate. I was the perfect target! Single and isolated."

"Yes."

"Shit. But this is insane I have no idea where they are!"

"You might know something and not even realise you do. Lavender has a few questions." Hermione kept her voice professional but she couldn't help being impressed. She didn't remember Zabini as a clever boy. She remembered that he had been quite looked at by every girl at school but she was pretty sure his grades had been low. Maybe he just hadn't been working.

"Right. Go ahead." He said, showing the other chairs in the room with his chin.

Ronald Weasley was utterly tired. And bored. Watching over ex death eaters was not his favourite activity. He felt so relieved when Harry and Dean came to take turn that he almost cheered. Almost. Those bloody monstrous caped, well, monsters that were dementors kept coming back to him every other minute, just to check if there was still a patronus around. Those creatures were bloody stupid. He'd rather be as far from them as possible. Every time one approached, and despite his patronus, he kept having flashes of bad memories. Like the time he had met acromentulas for the first time or when he had worn the Horcrux too long, while being injured, and that he had left his best friends. Or when Fred had died. Merlin this was fucking shite. How Harry managed to work as hard as the boss and look so fucking heroic all the time Ron didn't know. His best mate had never known his parents and lost every parental figure he had ever had. Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus. All dead and Harry was still there, winking at him and patting his shoulder when taking his duty. Maybe his mum had something to do with that. Ron hoped so. Or he was best friends with a fucking god.

Ron went back to the room they had settled in, Neville at his side. The lad had improved so much it was barely believable. Well he had improved too. Hermione regularly called his ideas genius. It seemed he was far more capable on the field than he had been at school. He was a great dueller too now. Yes they had all improved. He almost could grow a beard too!

His stomach growled and he pouted. They only had a few supplies there and it was shite compared to his mother's cooking. Neville handed him a poor looking sandwich, from which a worn lettuce bit poked out. Yuk. He ate it anyway. Neville then gave him a few squares of chocolate and he thanked him, strangely reminded of Lupin. This was utter shite. Shite, shite, shite. They had no lead, whatsoever, even Hermione was in the dark. At least with the other death eaters there had been clues. And things were linked. There, they didn't even know how in hell Lestrange had escaped. Neither did they know how he had known about the stone or who had it. Maybe he had just been straight to the right person coincidently. Maybe.

"You should tell that to Hermione mate. You might be right and Zabini or Malfoy would certainly know who." Ron hadn't realised he'd been thinking out loud. He took his golden coin out of his pocket and sent her a request for a patronus message. She accepted twelve seconds later and he quickly sent his patronus telling her to ask about who would Lestrange go to after years of captivity.

Ron was a bloody genius. Hermione had needed some time to get used to it. There had been no way for Lestrange to actually know anything about the stone. They had been kept in the dark purposely. The stone keeper might just have been the first person he'd gone too, and if not, that person still had known who had it. This was a start. Hermione came back in Zabini's bedroom, Lavender and he were now discussing his post war activities. Just in case. Malfoy frowned questioningly at her, with that sodding condescending lifted eyebrow.

"Do you know who would Lestrange go to, straight after escaping?" She asked Malfoy, after all the ex death eater was part of his family.

"I have no idea. Well I do, but they're all dead, well they were dead, or are locked up."

"Where would he go then?"

"How would I …" He started angrily. She cut him.

"I am NOT insulting you Malfoy. I'm just asking and I've got no time for politeness. Any detail you might know could be important." He didn't answer straight away but stared at her for a moment before saying:

"My mother might know."

"All right could you …"

"No way. It's nearly one in the morning I'm not waking her up. This will wait until morning." His tone didn't comply with discussion. She knew she wouldn't convince him otherwise and since she was so tired she let it go. No way she was waking up Narcissa Malfoy herself. They weren't thinking straight anyway, this had been a very long day and there was no point in arguing.

"All right. Lavender are you done?"

"Yes."

"Could you take us back Malfoy? What now?" She asked when she realised Malfoy was staring again, surprise taking his entire face.

"You didn't … never mind. Now you will. You're both staying I need some sleep and I'm not going back to the ministry now. My mother will be up around six anyway so that leaves you with just a quick nap in a real bedroom." He finished his too long sentence with a smirk. Hermione's brain was racing.

"I didn't what? And no way in hell are we … Oh." Malfoy looked pleased. For a brief moment because Hermione started again: "What does that mean? A real bedroom?"

"Enough." Lavender's calm voice sounded menacing. She wasn't up for arguing apparently. "We stay."

"Here I thought you were in charge Granger." This time Blaise Zabini was mocking her. His smirk contrasting with his sad eyes. Hermione was seeing red at the bloody condescending ferret though, and she wasn't about to let go.

"I asked you, you sodding git, what you meant by real bedroom?" The bloody ferret just sneered.

"I meant that it would involve a bed with clean sheets Granger. Unlike the dirty cot and worn blanket you share with the Weasel on a daily basis."

"You complete arsehole I knew it! There was no way in hell you would have changed! Harry's always too good and forgiving!"

"Yeah Saint Potter ain't perfect! How's your happy little world now Granger?"

"Shut your bloody mouth you obnoxious wanker! You know nothing about my world!"

Had he touched a nerve? Apparently. He hadn't meant to be this cruel but he was on edge and she had not argued with him when he had expected it. She was in a great fury and kept insulting him so he wasn't about to cower. Never cower to a bloody Gryffindor.

"What did you just call me? A wanker? In my own bloody house? Who the hell do you think you are Granger?"

"Yes I called you a wanker! Because you are Malfoy! A fucking wanker! You can't be civil for a bloody minute when you claim you're so changed! You still bloody well are the same bully you were years ago and that's a fucking shame!" She roared, her face gaining colours that made her look more alive than before. He'd never heard her swear this much in the six years he'd spent insulting her at school. Actually he'd never heard her swear before this very day. And she was right. Of course she was right. She'd done nothing, just her job and his only response to her had been mockery or rudeness. Or accidentally taking her in that room. What he was about to do was not good. He was becoming soft. Shit he had become someone else.

"I did change Granger. Old habits die hard, I'm sorry." He said in the most peaceful tone he could manage, his nails digging into his fists from the remnant anger. She looked at him as if he'd grown another arm, on his forehead. Blaise's eyes were about to pop out of his head and Brown just looked at him suspiciously. Granger didn't say anything for a moment, she seemed to try and associate the words with him but somehow wasn't able to. He rolled his eyes and finally added:

"I won't say it again Granger. I'll be civil from now on if you bloody well quit insulting me."

"Don't like being fed your own medicine?" She asked and he was about to just forget what he'd just said and yell when he saw no trace of sarcasm nor mockery on her face. She was genuinely asking.

"Not very much." He scowled.

"Good. I'll be civil."He simply nodded in response. Brown didn't falter her gaze on him though.

"This is rather unexpected." Said Blaise. "I was hoping for a few hexes and maybe a chance to calm my nerves on you two." He looked falsely disappointed. Granger gave him a glare that made him swap from amused to a bit guilty.

"We are not children any more." She said. No one argued that and the atmosphere changed perceptibly. The heavy weight of the reason why they were gathered there fell back on them.

"You said we'd stay Malfoy? We should all get some sleep." Brown said, still looking at him with a bit of suspicion that made the scars on her face and neck tremble under the faint fire light. Draco really looked at her for the first time. She wasn't only marked by Greyback's claws and teeth, tiredness could be seen all around her bright and severe blue eyes and she looked dangerous. Her long and curly golden hair seemed to fascinate Blaise and Draco felt the urge to smirk. He didn't though.

"Yes. Follow me. Night mate." He said to Blaise as the two Gryffindors followed him outside the bedroom.

Malfoy lead them to another guest room close to Blaise's and Hermione took the opportunity of having his back to her, to tap her coin and tell the boys they wouldn't be back until the next day.

"I take it you'd prefer sharing?" He said, opening the door. Hermione wondered why she felt like it addressed only her. He finally turned around to face her, the question still in his eyes. Lavender was the painting of incomprehension.

"Actually …" She began. Hermione felt confused but cut her anyway.

"Why would we?" She asked to the white blond grown man facing her. What he did next was quite unexpected and actually explained why he proposed for them to share. He briefly looked at her left arm. So quickly that she first thought she'd imagined it. But then he was just looking coolly at her, right in the eyes and didn't say anything. His grey eyes were the total opposite of his cool and composed face. They expressed many things Hermione couldn't put into words. Lavender was loosing patience but they ignored her.

"Yes we will." Hermione finally said. He nodded and cleared his throat awkwardly before going away. She couldn't help it though, the old Hermione couldn't ignore an act of kindness, especially from such an unkind person. Especially from Draco ferret Malfoy, the boy that had tormented her for years. This was so out of character that she had to acknowledge it.

"Thank you." She quietly said to his retreating back. He hadn't expected anything for sure. He just stopped, gave her a brief nod and murmured something incoherently before going away again. Lavender didn't take really well being ignored and she grabbed Hermione by the elbow and pretty much shoved her in the room.

"What was that about?" She asked once the door was closed behind them, looking clearly angry.

"Calm down Lavender please."

"Right. What did he do that you accepted to share just like that?"

"Oh you mind? I'm sorry I thought you wouldn't …"

"No Hermione I don't really mind but I don't understand. You've been on edge today, I get that, we all are but … Hermione what happened just there? And … well, earlier in the drawing room?"

Hermione realised she never told her friends exactly what had happened here. Harry and Ron knew, exempt the details, Luna and Dean too. But the others just believed she'd received a curse from Bellatrix. That her scar was just a dark curse. She was going to have to relive that memory if she told Lavender. She had no strength for that discussion.

"Can … could you wait until tomorrow that we're out of that monstrous house?"

"Why? You've been acting …"

"Come on Lavender please. We need the sleep and I promise I'll tell you everything as soon as we're out of here."

"Promise?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Let's go to bed."

Undressing in the same room as Lavender Brown was reminiscent of their Hogwarts days, except that they were both grown women now, and that there was no giggles, nor boys talk. Which was frankly a relief for Hermione. Nonetheless it felt strange. As they both settled under the covers, still in their tees, Lavender actually giggled. She turned her face toward Hermione's and both women were balled up on their side of the bed, looking amusedly at the other.

"This is so weird." Hermione simply stated, which made Lavender giggle even more. "Stop that! It brings back too many memories of your gossiping nights." She added but couldn't finish her sentence without giggling herself. It felt good. They were not laughing and nowhere near the happy days at Hogwarts but this was still nice.

"You were always the one telling us to lower our voices. Pavarti thought that you were trying to sleep but I always knew you were reading behind your curtains."

"That's the worst, I actually was and I couldn't focus with your giggles."

"Such a serious person. You've changed you know."

"I know. You too. For the better." Hermione added, sticking her tongue out at Lavender. This was so childish that they actually laughed this time.

"Yes I know. You know sometimes I'm glad this … you know, happened to me. And then I want to kill everyone, but sometimes I'm glad." Hermione didn't want to cut her friend's confession, it was the first time Lavender confided in her and she appreciated the trust. "I was so … stupid before. I was just a kid but still, always gossiping, no other interests than, well actually Zabini was one of those interests …"

"I know, I heard." They smiled at each other and Lavender continued:

"Yeah well, now I have a purpose. And I actually don't mind the scars any more. Show them where I've come from. They give me that dangerous look you know." Both laughed again.

"Yes the look you gave Malfoy when he shoved us off of his arms for instance. The face he made!"

Just before you snapped like a mad woman, she then told herself. Hermione suddenly felt the urge to touch her ugly scar again. Maybe it was time to confide in her friend too. They saw each other everyday anyway and Lavender was the closest thing to a sister she had. She no longer saw Ginny enough to call her more than a friend now. Lavender had somehow taken that spot in Hermione's life. She lifted her sleeve and showed the scar to her friend. Lavender had a strange reaction and reached out to touch it. With one finger she lightly brushed the end of the word.

"What happened?" She asked. She knew the curse was a lie anyway but had never dared ask. As all her other friends.

"We got captured by snatchers. Harry, Ron and I, when we were Horcrux hunting. That bloody taboo! There was Dean too. I had stung Harry's face but they still thought it might be him so … they took us here, in the drawing room. It was after we broke into Gringott's and when Bellatrix saw me … She decided to torture the mudblood to know what we took in her vault."

"What did she do to you?" There was a dangerous wolf shadow in her eyes.

"Curciatus, multiple times. And, well, she carved this with a cursed blade. That's why it won't come off."

"Oh my god … Hermione … Didn't Harry or Ron …"

"The others were in a cell downstairs, I was alone there. Well … actually I wasn't. The Malfoy's were there. Lucius had no wand and he would never have helped me anyway. Narcissa … well I don't know she helped Harry so she was probably as scared as her son. He was … He couldn't look at me, I was looking at him and … well he was terrified. I don't blame him there was nothing he could have done anyway."

"He would have gotten killed probably … helping a …" Lavender looked at Hermione's scar but didn't say the word.

"A mudblood. Yes I think so too. I guess he thought I wouldn't want to be alone here after that."

"That's … disturbingly nice of him."

"Yes that's why I actually thanked him."

"Well I wouldn't have. He apparated into that room."

"He looked shocked enough when he realised."

"Mm. Still he did. And he was very much his arrogant and annoying self to you all day."

"Right."

"Don't forget how much you've changed Hermione. You take care of yourself far better since you bought that book about curse words." Lavender mocked and burst out laughing at Hermione's face.

"Very funny Lavender."

"Yes it was. Let's get some sleep now." They both settled once again under the covers and to Hermione's surprise Lavender took her hand in hers. Their days at Hogwarts had never felt more far away.

Blaise had drifted in sleep on the chair as soon as they had left his room. He was woken up by a sudden flash of his dead grand-mother's body not more than a few minutes after. Was it really that image that had woken him up barely five minutes after he'd fallen asleep or was it the giggles he could hear from the room down the corridor? We are not children any more. His arse. The two Gryffindor were far too happy for their own good. Blaise stoop up and decided to have a go at shutting their mouth. He strode irritably to the only other door where he could see light but stopped himself before knocking loudly. They were no longer giggling stupidly. They were quietly talking, Granger's voice strangely trembling. Not so happy after all. He couldn't decipher everything they said, they talked so quietly, but curiosity got the better of him and he practically glued his ear to the door.

"Curciatus, multiple times … carved this … it won't come off."

"Oh … Hermione … Harry …"

"Others … downstairs … alone. Malfoy's … Lucius … never … Narcissa … helped Harry... scared … He couldn't … saw him … terrified … nothing … anyway."

"Killed probably … helping …"

"A mudblood."

That was enough eavesdropping. That word out of Granger's mouth sent chills down Blaise's spine. He didn't understand exactly what they had been talking about but it involved torture and murder and Granger's voice had been so … torn, he had heard enough. Brown had seemed so … compassionate it must have been Granger's own experience. It had involved the Malfoys too and Blaise had to know. He would ask Draco in the morning.

"She's staying where?!" Harry Potter looked at the bubbling fury that crawled its way up his best friend's face. From his neck to his forehead, an ugly crimson colour settled.

"Calm down Ron, she's with Lavender."

"AND MALFOY AND ZABINI!"

"I trust Malfoy you know that."

"He's scum! Because he helps us from time to time doesn't mean he's gonna be all nice and friendly Harry! You know they hate each other!"

"She sent that everything was okay. I trust her."

"She's always saying everything is okay Harry! Have you looked at her recently? She's a bloody ghost!"

"Stop it Ron! There's nothing we can do anyway! She's with Lavender! She'll be perfectly fine!"

Harry didn't believe a word of what he was saying. His worry over Hermione had been so strong he had told Ron how he'd found her earlier that day. Which had proven to be the stupidest thing he'd done in months. It was going to take a lot of talking to calm the red-head down and he needed to sleep. He couldn't handle Ron right now. He couldn't stop worrying over their best friend either. She was at the Manor. Harry didn't worry about Malfoy or Zabini, he knew Hermione was perfectly capable of defending herself. She wasn't the brightest witch of their age for nothing. He worried over that incident she'd insisted had been nothing, just a bad memory. Harry had been sure she had lied. He had found her scratching her scar so hard that she had drawn blood. She'd been as white as a ghost and had been looking at nothing with wide, veiled eyes. It had scared the bloody shite out of him. And now she was in that horrible house. What if she had nightmares again? Harry remembered way too clearly their days at the shell cottage after Hermione had been tortured. More than once he and Ron had had to go in her bedroom to try and soothe her in the middle of the night. She'd always refused their presence once awake. The memory was as fresh in his mind as if it had happened the day before. Thank god she had Lavender with her. That girl was a rock. Which was still surprising even after all those years.

"Dean …" He pleaded.

"Yeah mate Harry's right, Mione's a big gal, she'll be just fine." That didn't calm him down at all, of course. This was going to be a long night.

"Maybe we could relay Neville and Kingsley now? Harry looks like he needs the sleep mate and we've had a pretty good nap already." Continued Dean.

Ron eventually complied but he didn't seem too happy about it. Harry was left alone in the room, worrying as he always did. He'd send a patronus to Mione first thing in the morning. Which happened to be in less than three hours. He had to sleep.