A/N- Thank you all so much for reading. I wanted to give you a heads up that I'll be finishing the final chapters soon. Thank you to everyone who has stuck around this long and has been so supportive.
CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE- December 18th
Malfoy did not say a word or move a muscle until the sun began to rise. Hermione, unknowing how to comfort him, did not press him on speaking or expressing his thoughts. "I miss her," was the first thing Malfoy said.
"I miss Isola too," Hermione agreed. "He died for me. For Isola. Even for you," he said avoiding eye contact. Hermione had secret doubts that Lucius Malfoy died for her but she did not wish to upset him and simply nodded her head in agreement. "We should get Harry and Ron up and eat something," she said changing the subject.
"I'm not hungry," Malfoy said turning over in the cot. "Too bad. Up in five minutes or I'm giving your portion to Ron," she threatened. Stubborn Malfoy decided getting up and being forced to eat was better than Ron Weasley eating his breakfast.
Breakfast was awkward, silent, and cold. "You two seemed to have a better grip on the food situation," Harry said trying to start a conversation. "I ate a root once. It was awful," Ron grumbled as he ate the stale bread Atropa gave them. "We're not as incompetent as-" Malfoy started before Hermione stepped on his foot under the table.
Once their bellies were full enough Hermione asked how they planned to get into Hogwarts. "We can't just walk up to the gates and expect a warm welcome from the Death Eaters. Let's not forget Hermione, Malfoy and I basically have targets on our backs," Ron said.
"We know that Ron. We just have to be… Creative," Harry smiled. "Something funny, Potter?" Malfoy asked. "If we can't go through the gates we'll have to go over them," Harry said. He reached for his backpack and put his arm in much deeper than Hermione thought was possible. "You've made your bag magically expand as well?" Hermione asked, pleased someone else thought of her idea.
"No, actually," Harry said sadly. "It was a gift from McGonagall before Ron and I left school," he said as he pulled out a broomstick. Malfoy's jaw dropped at the sight of it. "You still have the Firebolt?" Malfoy asked. "Of course I do," Harry said. "If we can't go through the gates, we'll go over them," he said again triumphantly.
"Oh yes, Potter. Brilliant idea. Instead of cursing us dead on the ground they'll just kill us in the air," Malfoy said dismissing Harry's plan. Ron and Harry exchanged secretive glances and finally nodded at each other. "They wouldn't see us. They won't even know we're there," Harry said reaching into his bag again.
Harry's hand appeared empty when he pulled his arm out. Hermione was confused at first until she saw Harry's hand disappear after a swish of his wrist. "Where did you get that?" She asked stunned. The cloak was shocking enough Malfoy did not even have words to spare. He just stared as Harry wrapped a Cloak of Invisibility around his shoulders.
"It was my dad's. If we cover ourselves in the cloak and fly over no one will know we're there. There are too many Death Eaters coming and going to put a shield on the entire school. And obviously they are looking for us but this is our best option," Harry said removing the cloak.
"That won't cover all of us at once," Malfoy noted. "Then we'll have to take turns. I'll ride Ron over then come back for you two," Harry said. "I can ride a broomstick just as well as you, Potter." Malfoy said. "Oh I'm sure you can Malfoy. But it is my broomstick and my cloak," Harry said.
For what felt like the hundredth time that day the boys were at each other's throats. "Next time you all argue I'm cursing you! Enough of this!" Hermione shrieked. "We can figure that out later. Where will we go when we get in? If we get in?" Hermione said.
"The Shrieking Shack," Harry and Ron said in unison. "Why that old dump?" Malfoy asked. "Professor Sprout took care of the Whomping Willow before she was chased out of Hogwarts. Tending the soil to make it extra fearsome… and protecting what's beneath it," Harry explained. "We don't know how to get past it, Neville always did. But we can figure it out! Once we get beneath the willow we'll be okay," Ron said.
"What is beneath the Whomping Willow? How do we know this isn't a trap?" Malfoy said. Annoyed, Ron replied, "If we wanted to ensnare you we could have done it dozens of times by now. Don't you reckon? Just trust us. Getting under the willow will get us inside Hogwarts."
"I think it's a brilliant plan. I'm positive I can disarm the Whomping Willow. This could all work," Hermione said. Out of all the times she had to come up with a plan, this was by far her favorite. She knew Hogwarts like the back of her hand, there were two more people helping them (not to mention all those who will help inside Hogwarts), and they even had an invisibility cloak.
"When do we leave?" She asked ready to go. "It would be best for the cloak if we traveled by night. But the Dementors patrol the grounds and sky at night. It will have to be in the day," Harry said. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go, we can get us all in before the students have had their breakfast," Hermione said.
"I agree with Hermione," said Harry. "The sooner we get going the better. The people from the night's watch will be tired and everyone else will be just waking up and sleepy. Let's go," he finished.
"Just like that? Fly over the gates, swoop beneath a willow, and into the shack?" Malfoy said. "Well, yeah. Basically. Who goes first?" Ron responded. "Hermione and I also have an old broom in our bag. We'll go in pairs," Malfoy said remembering the broom he used to fly back to the ship. "Yes we do, but not as fast as the Firebolt and only one invisibility cloak," Hermione said.
"I'll fly Hermione over first so she can disarm the willow and get safely beneath it. Then I'll come back for Ron, then you," Harry said. "Hermione is not going first. What if this doesn't work? I will go first. I can disarm a willow just as well as she can. And who's to say you won't leave me behind?" Malfoy said.
"I'm going first. I was always better at Herbology than you. Besides, the later we wait the more alert the Death Eaters will be. Do you want that? And they won't leave you behind. Trust them." Hemione said hoping to convince him. "Fine. But I demand to go after Hermione," he said. "Absolutely not. I'm going next. One Gryffindor then one Slytherin. That's fair," Ron said.
"And leave Hermione alone under a tree with you? I think not," Malfoy said causing the one hundredth and one argument of the morning. Hermione stuck to her word and silenced the three boys with her wand. "Harry will take me, then Ron, then Draco. Understood? Now pack up. Draco and Ron will need to replace the protective spells around them after Harry and I leave the shield. Can you do that without arguing?" Hermione said. When they were all in agreement she said, "Good. Now let's get to it."
While Ron and Malfoy packed up the supplies Harry flew around the camp close to the ground on his broom. "Nervous?" Hermione asked. "I haven't flown in a while, just getting the feel for it back," Harry answered. Hermione's face must have shown her worry because Harry added with a smile, "Don't worry. I'm the youngest seeker in a century. I'll get us there before you even know we've left."
Once the tent was down and the bags packed, Harry flew down to allow Hermione to get on the broom. She was never good at flying and knew how impossibly fast a Firebolt was. "You take the bag just in case. It has the potions and food," Malfoy said putting their bag over her shoulder. He reached out a hand to help Hermione onto the broom.
Harry aided her once she was on and Hermione wrapped her arms around him. "Just keep your hands to yourself, Potter. And fly quickly. If any harm should come to my wife I'll-" Malfoy threatened before being cut off. "I'll see you shortly, Draco. Just be ready to re-conceal the charms when we leave," Hermione said.
"See you soon," Ron said to Harry obviously worried. "Really soon," Harry smiled. Malfoy took Hermione's hand in his and gave it a squeeze. "Don't do anything foolish. I'll be with you again soon," Malfoy said to her. Hermione gave him a reaffirming nod and made sure her wand was close by in her robes.
Malfoy and Ron placed the Invisibility Cloak over the two flyers and tucked it around them the best they could. "It won't cover the very end of the broom," Ron concerned. "I'll be so fast they'll never see us," Harry said just before he shot the two of them out of the camp and off to Hogwarts.