Draco knew the halls and backways of Hogwarts so well that he wasn't really paying attention to where he had wandered in search of Blaise. When he heard a female scream he knew he must be close. Running to turn a corner and down a stairwell, the screams grew louder until he came upon Blaise with a young girl. She appeared to be a sweet little second year Hufflepuff with blond curls and terrified blue eyes. Blaise had her cornered, pushed up against the wall and tearing her clothes off.

"Zabini you idiot. Let her go now!" Draco was at his back trying to pull him off the girl.

"Fuck off and find your own Malfoy! She's asking for it, smelling like strawberries and virgins."

Draco's fury made him strike hard and fast, punching him in the kidney. Zabini yowled and fell to the floor. He looked at the frightened girl, she needed a new blouse, but was relatively unhurt. "Run. Get back to your house. I'll take care of him." Draco kicked him in the ribs enough to only bruise. The girl took flight, crying as she ran.

"I can't believe you Zabini. You know the rules. No one under fourth year and only consenting."

"Sounds like good rules for a Slytherin pig with no sense of morals. What do you think Sheamus?"

Draco spun around to see Neville and ten other wizards with grins on their faces and wands in their hands.

"I think we should gut them both and throw them over Malfoy Manor's garden wall." Finnigan had a black eye and split lip. Presents no doubt from the Carrow siblings.

"Now Sheamus, that's no way to treat guests. Even if one is a rat and one is a ferret. Still, I think they might be good for something."

Blaise managed to get up off the floor and looked at Draco. "We can take care of this scum Draco." He stepped in front and began firing stinging jinxes. He never saw the Stupefy that came from Draco's wand. Zabini dropped like a sack of flour.

Neville halted the assault. "What the hell did you do that for?"

Draco played it cool as he put his wand away. "I need to speak with you Longbottom. Alone."

"Why? So you can kill him in an empty corridor with no witnesses? Think again weasel. No one here is gonna let that happen." Finnigan came forward and grasped him by the shirt front pushing him to the floor.

There were a dozen wands trained on their captive, but he still seemed undisturbed. Draco folded his legs under him and sat calmly. "It's ferret bonehead, not weasel." Sheamus looked confused. "I know something you want to know very badly Longbottom. I will tell you, but only you. Send the others away Neville. It's important."

Neville knelt down next to Draco. "Why should I believe you? What's so important that you would risk your life, and Blaise there, to do it?"

Draco leaned forward and whispered so only Neville could hear. "Hermione."

Neville fell back on his butt as he went pale. He recovered long enough to get his voice back. "Sheamus, Dean, Take the others back to base. I'll meet you there."

Sheamus began to object but Neville silenced him. "Now. Oh, and take that rubbish and dump it outside the gates." Pointing to Zabini and watching for any objection from Draco. "And Sheamus. Alive, and mostly unhurt."

Finnigan grinned. "Mostly"

Draco didn't react. Zabini deserved what was coming to him.

They picked up Zabini and dragged him away. Once everyone was gone Neville looked at Draco to start talking.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Not here in the corridor. This is only for you Longbottom. You pick the place, as long as it's private."

"Stand up Malfoy." Neville stood and drew his wand as Draco brushed himself off. "Now move. Third door at the end of the corridor."

Once inside the empty classroom Draco cast a muffliato and locked and warded the doors. Once he was sure they were secure Draco began. "She's alive and well. I'm keeping her safe. Potter and Weasley are dead. Snatchers got Potter, and Weasley… Well Weasley kinda killed himself. It's a long story and one you'll have to hear. All of it. And by someone you trust. I want you to meet Hermione and I in a neutral place. Just the three of us. To talk it out. No tricks, no lies, just talk. Yes or no?"

Neville shook his head as if he couldn't believe any of this. "What proof do you have that Hermione is alive and well?"

Draco thought for a moment. "Nothing I have on me. I didn't know things were going to turn out this way today. Wait! The last thing you said to her was to be careful and you gave her a kiss on the cheek."

Neville nodded his head. "Yeah, we were alone. Only she would know that. Okay Draco, I'll play your game. We'll meet at the quidditch pitch at midnight tonight, south corner. Only the three of us. You have my word."

Draco grinned. "And what proof do I have that you won't have the entire Order of the Phoenix there?"

"None." Neville smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "You'll just have to trust me Malfoy, we're the good guys."

Draco smiled and sighed. "I guess I will." He stopped at the door with a stern look. "One more thing. Don't tell anyone… anyone…. you have had word of her, or she's dead. You have her life in your hands. Understand Longbottom? And she's coming back with me when we leave. That's non-negotiable." Neville started to protest. "They want to burn her at the stake Neville. I'm the only one who can protect her, so don't even ask." He took off all the wards and left the room.

oopOqoo

"Neville are you out of your mind accepting an invitation like that!" Dean looked at their leader with a disbelieving stare. "They know you are taking the lead around here. They're just trying to shut us down. You can't go. Send someone else in your place. I'll go."

Neville smiled and clapped his friend on the shoulder. "I gave my word Dean. It's got to be me. I don't think there will be a problem, but if there is, I want you to know what's happened. I can't tell Sheamus, you know how he gets. If I get held up, I'll send a patronis. If I'm not back by daybreak, go to McGonagall. Tell her I was to meet with Darco and didn't come back. Got it?"

Dean is a clever, reliable sort that knows how to use his head. He and Neville and Sheamus made their own golden trio. If Sheamus was Ron, then Dean was Hermione. Not prone to outbursts of imagination or emotion and Neville relied on him when things got sticky. "Be careful Neville."

The tall awkward boy smiled. "Who me? I'm always careful." Neville disillusioned himself and made his way to the pitch. It was just midnight and there was no one there. He was a bit spooked until he heard Hermione's whispered voice.

"Neville? Are you there? It's Hermione." She stepped out of the shadows and Neville cancelled his spell. "Neville!" She ran into his arms and squeezed so hard he could almost hear ribs crack. "It's so good to see you. You look wonderful. How is Hogwarts and everyone? Are the teachers okay?"

"Hermione! I'm so glad you're okay. We hadn't heard anything for so long, even in The Prophet. They loved to tell tall tales about you three and dragons and the ministry. Thank merlin you are in one piece." His joy sobered for a moment. "Are you, are you alright? Has Draco been taking care of you? If he's hurt you I'll kill him, just blink twice or something."

The tears in her eyes illuminated her smile. "I'm fine Neville. You sound just like Harry." Her face collapsed in pain. "Oh Neville. Harrys gone. Ron's gone. I watched them both die. There was nothing I could do." Hermione had the front of his shirt twisted in her hands. "Oh Gods Neville, it hurts so bad." She let it out now she finally had time to grieve with someone who would grieve with her. Someone who would understand the depth of her pain.

Neville held her tenderly and stroked her hair. "Shhh Hermione. It's okay. Draco told me. There wasn't anything you could do. It's a miracle that you got away. It's okay. Shhhh. Don't cry. You can be my sister now." She continued to whimper softly as he held her.