CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR- Portkey
The four were alone in the moonlight in the middle of yet another forest. "If I see another damned tree after this I'll-" Malfoy started when Hermione elbowed him in the ribs. "Draco! Protective spells, now. It's too late for us to travel anymore tonight," she said as she began to cast spells.
"What spell is that?" Ron questioned. "Protego totalum" Hermione replied. "Not protego maxima?" he asked. "We do both. Now please stand aside," Hermione said pushing Ron out of the way.
"Hey Harry, do you reckon we should have done both protego spells?" Ron asked as the Malfoys finished up. "There are more than two protego charms you dimwits," Malfoy said unpacking their tent.
The insult sent the three boys into another frenzy until Hermione shot a fire spell at them for attention. "Enough. Sit down, all of you," she instructed. Obediently the boys all took a seat on the ground.
"We have bigger problems than school yard fights. You all must put your differences aside and figure out a way to help each other. Now if you three would all help put the tent up we could get inside much faster and start planning," she said. When none of the boys moved she said, "Well get to it!"
Silently the boys put up the tent and once inside Hermione made small contained fires for warmth and brought out the small amount of food they had. Malfoy was sitting smugly at the table glaring at the Gryffindors.
"I don't see how they can be helpful," Malfoy said earning him another elbow in the ribs from Hermione. "Speak for yourself," said Harry. "You're a Death Eater. Everyone knows it now. There's no reason you should help us," he finished.
"There is every reason for my help, Potter. Look at this," Malfoy said rolling up his sleeve to reveal a black and blue arm with his Dark Mark visibly throbbing. "Which side do you think I'm on now? I have my family to protect," Malfoy snapped.
"So it's true then? Your marriage? Your daughter? It was all a show?" Harry asked. "Are you calling my wife and child a sham?!" Malfoy shouted. Once again the three boys were arguing and Hermione had to slam her hand down on the table to stop them.
"We should each take turns and explain what has happened. Why don't we go first?" Hermione offered. Once Malfoy was calm enough they began to explain the prophecy, the kidnapping of Hermione's parents, their wedding, the birth of Isola and the journey that led them to Atropa.
They managed to leave out the misery they faced, the painful nights in the beginning of their marriage and that Narcissa currently had Isola. Hoping that they had not said too much, Hermione asked how they knew about Isola.
"Everyone does. You-Know-Who is offering everything and more to the person who brings her to him. She and Harry are the two most important people in the world right now. Second only behind us," Ron said.
"What do you mean?" Malfoy asked. "You, Hermione, and I are all kill on sight. He only wants Harry and Isola alive," said Ron. The thought sent chills down her spine but she pressed on. "Your turn. Tell us what's happened while we've been gone," she said.
"Do you know what a Horcrux is?" Harry asked timidly. Hermione thought hard. She knew that word, but from where? "Horcrux? Where do I know that from?" Hermione said out loud. "Search me, I've never heard of it." Malfoy said. Then Hermione remembered and felt the core of her being shake.
"No. It can't be, please tell me he hasn't-" Hermione began to say when Harry cut her off. "He has," Harry said. "Would anyone like to tell me what a Horcrux is?" Malfoy snipped. Hermione told him what she had read in a book called Magick Moste Evile that happened to be in the Malfoy library.
Blood began to flush Malfoy's cheeks and his temper went wild. "NO. This can't be. How can we destroy something immortal?! Did your damn book tell you that?" Malfoy demanded.
"We've already destroyed most of them!" Ron said. "The Order has helped us, we're nearly there," he finished. "The Order?" Hermione asked. "The Order of the Phoenix. They popped up the first time You-Know-Who came to power. Snape was even a part of it. Who's running it now?" Malfoy asked.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt. He took it up after Dumbledore died," Harry answered. "Why didn't you tell me about the Order?" Hermione said shocked to Malfoy. "It was a need to know basis," he said. "You didn't think I would need to know that?" Hermione said with her temper almost matching Draco's.
"Guys… Can we finish our story?" Harry said preventing a fight. Malfoy flagged him to continue and Harry explained their hunt for Horcruxes, the Order trying to fight Death Eaters, and the current state of Hogwarts. "It's all under siege. Last we heard McGonagall was trying to defend the students," Harry finished.
"Have you heard anything about our families? Our parents?" Hermione asked. Harry and Ron went silent and looked away from the Malfoys. "You haven't heard?" Harry asked quietly.
Hermione felt like her heart went into her stomach at those words. "What happened? Tell us," Malfoy said through clenched teeth. "I'm sorry, Draco. We thought you knew," Harry said.
"Out with it, Potter." Malfoy ordered. "Your father was killed when You-Know-Who went to your house and saw that you escaped with your daughter. He murdered him because he did not try and stop you," Ron said.
"Are you certain my father is dead?" Malfoy said. Trying not to tremble he reached for Hermione's hand. Unsure of how to comfort him she allowed him to hold it. "Yes. The Dark Lord announced it to show he'll kill anyone who gets in his way. Even his own servants," Harry said.
"And Hermione's parents? What of them?" He asked with his jaw still clenched. The grip on Hermione's hand was growing tighter and tighter. "We don't know. Your Aunt Bellatrix blew up the house they were in. We haven't heard if they survived or not," Harry answered.
A sliver of hope lined Hermione's heart but the fear and panic was ever present. "I've had enough for one night. We will talk more in the morning and figure out a plan. Granger, come to bed," Malfoy said dismissing himself.
"You may have my cot. The two of you will fit. It's in the other room," Hermione said offering her bed to Harry and Ron. Solemnly she left the Gryffindors to join her husband in his sorrow.