There was a crowd in the foyer of the Potter house for the briefing. Several voices were talking over one another as Hermione stealthily made her way towards the center of the action.

"Nope!" Parvati yelped out of nowhere.

She looped an arm around Hermione's waist and steered her away.

Hermione sighed and dug her heels in slightly. "Just for a moment! The last time George assigned posts I got stuck with Davies and Evans for six weeks."

"Gross. Let's hope he learned his lesson."

"He does it on purpose," Hermione growled.

"You're off duty for the next forty-eight hours. Begone, witch. You have no power here," Miller bellowed as he passed, and Hermione flipped him off.

"No one's going to take you seriously wearing that anyway," Parvati prodded and Hermione whacked her arm.

The first time she dared to wear anything impractical she felt self-conscious in a way she hadn't since school. The casual jeans and tight sleeved shirt were fitted, but hardly scandalous.

Hermione hadn't had a day off-duty in twenty-four days. Not that she was counting.

Parvati left her near the staircase to return to the briefing, and Hermione wandered around until came across Seamus and Ron in one of the sitting rooms.

"Are you leaving?" Hermione asked, entering the room.

Seamus nodded, keeping his eyes on the page. "Edinburgh. We're to set anchors for a new boundary."

Hermione looked at him questioningly. "I thought it was staying neutral?"

"For now. But it's better to have everything in place if they change their mind," answered Seamus.

Ron reclined on the couch, letting his head fall back as he stared at the ceiling. They hadn't yet spoken in detail about her interactions with Draco. A part of her was hoping that Molly would have given Ron the details for her. Since she liked to stay in the middle of the know so much anyways.

"We're close enough to Hogwarts. Weasley and I will show ourselves around town to draw the attention of any Death Eaters," Seamus said. "The rest of the team gets it done. Should be in and out in a couple of hours,"

"I'm good at distractions," Hermione offered. A distraction sounded brilliant at the moment.

The rest of the unit walked into the room, getting ready to leave. Ron and Hermione walked side by side across the yard. Ron was quiet, looking back at the house frequently.

"Alright?" Hermione asked, gently.

Ron stopped immediately, looking around. "I have to tell you something."

"Oh god. What?"

Ron blew out a breath, puffing his cheeks.

"Ron?!" Hermione growled, impatiently.

"Isla's pregnant."

Hermione's jaw dropped. " Ronald ."

"I know, I know- oomph -"

Hermione attacked him with a hug that nearly knocked the air out of him.

"That is so great!" Hermione cheered. "It's mad, obviously. But- oh, are you okay?"

Ron wavered a bit on his feet before righting himself. "I found out this morning. We haven't told anyone but I'm going nutty keeping it in."

"Hurry up!" Seamus called from up ahead.

"Ron's staying back!" Hermione answered.

Ron tried to walk around her. "Hermione, I'm a fighter."

"You're more than that now," said Hermione.

"I'm not staying behind-"

"Think of Harry," Hermione said. The group started to disapparated. "Think of the parents he never got to know and the house he never got to live in. Voldemort's made enough orphans."

Ron looked over his shoulder at the house and then back to her.

"Go on. I'm fair enough bait on my own. Isla needs you more than we do," Hermione started to walk away backwards, Ron finally not attempting to follow her.

"You think mum will be angry?" Ron asked, nervously.

"Probably," Hermione scrunched her nose. "Good luck?"

A double decker bus past Hermione and Seamus as they walked down a busy street. Half of the team was discreetly following behind them in case trouble arose while the others worked on the boundary in secret.

As they walked, more cloaked figures started to show themselves on the streets. Some in Death Eater uniforms. Hermione could feel them following. When the approached a building with music coming from an open door, Hermione pulled Seamus inside with her. Best to give the Death Eaters a place to swarm.

The pub was visibly muggle. Not one person inside was in anything representative of wizarding clothes. Seamus squeezed her arm before walking around the side to check out the room. Hermione casually walked forward, trying to get a look into the establishment behind the bar.

"Is this open?" asked Hermione gesturing to a stool.

The blonde woman with bright blue eyes and a pale, tight dress looked at her with disinterest before nodding slightly. Down the other side of the bar, there was a group of young men. One of them caught sight of her, looking over her body quickly with a grin and she smiled back.

"Why are you here?" a voice she wasn't used to hearing again growled behind her.

Hermione tried not to react. The pounding in her heart was surely enough to give her away.

Draco was standing close behind her. As she looked over her shoulder, she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. He was dressed in all black, but no robes. His hair was charmed black and his eyes brown, but she could see him through the disguise so quickly she reckoned he only took a moment to cast the charms before walking in.

"Edinburgh is a free city," Hermione replied, keeping her voice flat. Not giving him more than a glance.

"You really have a death wish, don't you?" Draco hissed slowly in her ear.

"Oh- Sorry!" the blonde girl said sweetly after bumping Draco slightly.

He watched her look up at him with large blinking eyes before turning back to Hermione.

"Would you like to join us? We have another seat over here," the girl said.

Draco's eyes slightly flashed with annoyance before a smirk pulled at his mouth. He stepped between them, resting one elbow on the bar and getting closer to the girl. "That is very generous of you. But I'm afraid I'll have to decline. This time."

The girl leaned forward seductively. "I'm sorry, did I interrupt…?"

"No," Hermione snapped quickly. If they weren't in the middle of a mission, she would hex him. Where the hell was Seamus? They had to be close to done by now. "We don't know each other. Never will."

The girl scoffed rudely, her eyes looking Hermione up and down once more. "Yeah… I didn't think so."

Hermione turned her head forward, feeling the blood run to her face. Fuck this . She really should have taken the night off.

There was a small thud followed by a screech. The girl jumped up, her stool protesting against the floor and the glass falling off her lap and shattering. Her previously transparent drink had turned deep red and spilt all over the front of her pale dress.

"What the hell?!" she growled at Draco.

Draco stepped forward while letting the sleeve of the shirt ride up as he crossed his arms. The gasp was audible to all around when she finally saw the tip of his mark.

"Say again?" Draco threatened her.

The girl didn't say anything, she just backed away slowly, her friends and several other patrons following behind her as they fled the pub.

Draco kicked the wine soiled stool away to lean fully against the counter. Hermione saw Seamus looking at her. He circled his finger, gesturing to her to stay put for a little longer.

As far as distraction's go, this wasn't the worst outcome.

"You're not supposed to use magic on muggles in neutral areas," Hermione said to break the silence.

"Didn't know she was a muggle."

"You should at least deny it." Hermione scolded, quietly.

"You're not supposed to be here," Draco said instead of addressing her comments.

Hermione looked at him, furrowing her brows. "You have no say in where I can and cannot be."

Draco grinned, his irises much darker than they should be. Even his cheekbones and nose were charmed to be the complete wrong shape. The black fringe over his eyes was such a contrast to the blonde that it made him look sinister. Like his Aunt Bellatrix. Hermione didn't care for it.

"Don't I?" Draco taunted her as the barkeep finally made his way over.

Draco chalked the spilled drink to clumsiness on the girl's part and the barkeep didn't push the issue. Hermione ordered herself an ale and threw down a few extra pounds for his trouble. The silence as she took a few heavy gulps was defining.

"Why are you so skinny?" Draco asked, bluntly.

Hermione nearly choked, finally looking at him in his stupid, fake eyes. " Pardon ?"

Draco winced a little, like he didn't mean to say it aloud. It was too late to take it back. He was speaking so close to her that she could feel his breath against her ear. "Are you rationing food? You'd think with the fortune I gave-"

"Shut. Up." Hermione growled through her teeth. He was being incredibly stupid. It took another look in his eyes to see why. If she had a detox potion, she would slip it in his drink. "You shouldn't be out in this condition."

Draco was talking right next to her face now and Hermione didn't know when he'd gotten so close. "Well, when I am enjoying my evening and get reports that Hermione Granger is walking around one of my cities, it puts a damper on things doesn't it?"

Hermione let her eyes scope the room. There were definitely people staring but most were minding their business. It wouldn't be long before someone recognized him.

"What do you want?" Hermione whispered, trying her best to look bored.

Draco leaned in, using his height to tower over her and nearly brushing his nose against her hair. "I want you to leave. Go to America or Australia where no one can find you and never think of this place again."

Hermione felt a twinge of hurt. "Never."

"You asked."

"Please," The barkeep said, grabbing Hermione's attention. She turned her head to look at him, but Draco didn't move an inch. "This is a good place."

The undeniable fear in his voice made Hermione stumble. She looked back over the room to see every single person had their eyes on them. More people had entered and there was a clear line of death eaters on one side and her team with Seamus along with several others she didn't know on the opposite. All had their wands in their hands, waiting to see what their next move would be.

"Back off," she mouthed to Draco, whose back was still to the room. "You want to start a war, Malfoy?"

"Not tonight, darling. I'm still in the middle of ending the last one for you," Draco whispered back, barely loud enough for her to hear. He cleared his throat standing up tall and leaning back and resurrecting his defenses. "Salazar knows the Order is helpless and pathetic."

Hermione walked backwards, keeping the death eaters in her sights. Even in neutral zones, they never interacted with death eaters so much in the open. Her exchange with Malfoy probably looked more like the start of a duel than whatever the fuck that actually was.

She kept backing up until she was aligned with Seamus, letting him direct them towards the exit. They walked out of the bar and out onto the streets.

"Time?" Hermione muttered.

"Night got away from me," Seamus replied, insinuating death eaters were everywhere.

They made their way around the corner and disapparated once they ensured they were alone.

"How was it?" Hermione asked the moment they crossed into the safehouse.

"The team made it back about ten minutes before we did. You did great, every Death Eater in town was circling the pub," Seamus said laughing a bit. "Do you know who you were talking to?!"

"Malfoy," Hermione confirmed.

No use denying it.

"You really are brilliant. All those death eaters and none could attack because you were occupying the only person who could give the order," Seamus said. "Ha-ha, Malfoy will probably get a good lashing or two for letting us get away."

Hermione stumbled slightly. She wouldn't feel guilty. No one asked him to show up there. And why the bloody hell was he showing up everywhere now?

"C'mon, let's get back to Potter Manor. Ron will be wanting to know how it went," Seamus said, grabbing her arm for her to side-along, and she let him.

No one was less in the mood for lessons than Hermione. Miller had relished in his inner sadist during morning training, which ended with everyone partnering up and taking turns running each other up the hill. Hermione's legs felt like they were going to give out at any moment.

The lesson she was instructing was a simple release of a hand binding jinx. A basic wandless technique everyone should know. After about thirty minutes, Hermione succumbed to exhaustion and excused them early.

"Giving up already?" Miller poked her as he jogged up to her side.

Hermione shoved him back gently and cringed when she felt his sweat slick against her bare arm. "Where did you disappear to?"

"Ran an extra 5k. Well, more like seven since I took the long loop around the pond," Miller said.

"You're mental," Hermione joked, and Miller chuckled under his breath.

They made their way back inside the house and towards the kitchen. Miller pushed the kitchen doors open to reveal Astoria, cuddled up next to Neville as he fixed her tea. When Astoria saw them, she sat back in her chair, creating more distance between them.

"Missed you at training, Greengrass," Miller said, making his way to the cooler.

"Pansy warned me," Astoria answered, sweetly. "You mutter to yourself in the mornings. Did you know?"

"Didn't know Parkinson could listen," replied Miller.

"It's selective," Astoria giggled as Hermione practically fell in the seat across from them.

That explained how Hermione got stuck with George for a partner. As gangly as he was, he was still heavy as hell.

"Molly is pissed at Miller," Parvati laughed as she walked in with Ron, sitting next to Hermione. "Three units were meant to depart today and none of them can even walk straight. Good day to skip, Tori."

"Luck was on my side," Astoria smiled back. "I was hoping maybe one of you would go over some wandless techniques with me."

"I would, but Hermione and I are leading a supplies trip to Diagon Alley," Parvati said.

"Oh- no. I'm going now," Ron interrupted, mouth full of a scone. "Mum is pulling Hermione. Said she's needed for a debrief."

"With who?" Hermione asked.

"Just you," Ron said, nonchalantly. "Apparently it's urgent."

" Jesus Ron," Hermione stood, abandoning her food and nearly tipping over her chair. Not trying to think too far ahead of herself.

"Bye!" Hermione hurled over her shoulder as a farewell.

Hermione played with the sleeves on her jumper as she waited and looked over the books on the shelves. Spinner's End wasn't a place people frequented voluntarily. There was an everlasting rain cloud that loomed over the home and life itself had forsaken it. The entire room smelt of wet dirt.

Two quick cracks got her attention. Blaise smiled at her, shoulders relaxing when she smiled back. When her eyes met Draco's scowl, it fell.

"I had plans today," said Hermione.

Draco raised a brow at her in response, as if giving her a chance to rephrase. Audacity was still fully prevalent, it appeared.

Blaise snickered. "You'll have to forgive my friend. He was worried you wouldn't show."

"No, I wasn't," Draco snapped.

"You said we'd be waiting for hours."

"That was a suspicion, not a worry."

"More like an accusation," Hermione chimed.

Draco's eyes traced down her once before blinking and fixing his gaze to meet hers. "I'm surprised you actually left your boyfriend behind."

"I'm here. Get on with it," Hermione said rashly, not liking how his stare set her on edge.

Draco and Blaise shared a look. They were all standing somewhat awkwardly close to the door and Hermione took a few steps back to lean against the windowsill.

Draco dropped a few scrolls onto the table. The contents were all the typical things provided. What Voldemort's next initiative would be and the larger attacks to look out for. There was nothing that wasn't typically discussed with Molly and Arthur.

"The Dark Lord isn't pleased you walked away yesterday," Draco said as Hermione tucked the scrolls away.

Hermione fought the urge to roll her eyes. It was really incredible how he could manage to blame everything on her.

"You've come to hand me over?" Hermione said.

Draco's jaw tensed. "Don't be stupid."

"You're stupid."

"Mummy, daddy, please. I hate it when you fight," Blaise whined.

The remark jolted her, and she was surprised when it made her slightly laugh. Out of habit she looked around her, used to seeing other people in the room that she had to try and hide the truth from.

In a way, it felt like they were doing something wrong. Like she was regressing to a young girl who shouldn't be running off with boys without a chaperone. Not that these boys wanted something like that from her. They were the killing type, not the fucking around type.

Well actually …

Now she was angry again. Hermione's eyes found their way back to Draco, looking at how he filled out his clothes better than when he was hers. He still seemed lean. But, wider? Like his frame had grown more and he had gotten heavier and stronger. Maybe she didn't know that body at all.

"He's starting to credit you for all our failures," Draco answered.

Hermione shrugged, taking a break from looking at Draco to focus on the wall behind him. "If you're claiming to care for my well being, you're several years too late for me to believe you."

"I care about winning," Draco barked back. "That will be harder if you get yourself killed. People are looking to you to find hope. Inspiration. Dying would ruin that."

"Careful, Malfoy. That was almost a compliment."

Draco walked towards her, and if her legs weren't so fatigued she would have jumped away on instinct. Hermione shuffled a little down the windowsill to give a nearly negligible amount of space between them. But it was better than nothing.

"You'll be the one meeting with us from now on, " Draco muttered, looking down at her.

Hermione gripped the windowsill tighter. Long ago, that was all she wanted. Every time she saw him it felt a reminisce of her old self trying to claw its way out. The part of her that loved and waited for him. Eager for a chance to believe that she meant something. But she wouldn't allow it. She was worth enough on her own without digging up old wounds he made.

Blaise was still standing across the room from them and had a joint between his fingers. It was unlit, and he was tapping it against the wall.

Draco pushed himself away from the shelves and took several heavy steps away from her. "You'll come the moment you're called."

Hermione nearly growled. "I don't believe I've agreed."

Draco pulled the blunt from Blaise and snapped his fingers to light it. The end burned bright red, angrily hissing as Draco took a drag that burned it nearly in half.

"We should keep things the way they are," Hermione decided.

Draco shook his head, passing the lit blunt to Blaise who instantly brought it to his own mouth. Draco's eyes bore into hers.

"Stop being difficult," Draco commanded.

"What Malfoy means is," Blaise stated loudly. "Is that we would strongly prefer it to be you. The Weasleys have become complacent. We need someone who will help us win, not just survive."

"I'll think about it," Hermione said, bitterly.

She gathered some courage as she approached them. Blaise smirked around the blunt, taking a quick pull before pulling it from between his lips and offering it to her. She waved it away, before reaching into her pocket.

"I have something for you," Hermione said cautiously.

"You have wholly piqued my interest, Granger," Blaise joked, lazily leaning back against the wall.

Hermione could see how his throat constricted as he inhaled again, and she pulled out the photo and handed it to him as smoke started to pool from his nose and mouth.

The bunt fell from between Blaise's lips. He stood up straight, pushing off the wall and nearly stumbling.

Draco swiftly walked the few steps between them and looked over his shoulder. Hermione watched as his lips parted. It was the one of Theo and Blaise from Christmas. Where Theo was blushing, and Blaise was smiling like all was right in the world.

"It's not moving," Blaise choked.

He brushed the photo again, quicker than the last time and Hermione realized he was wiping off tears that had fallen onto it.

"It's muggle film," Hermione said, apologetically. "I… It's okay if you don't want it. I understand-"

"I want it."

Draco looked from the photo to her, his eyes asking. She considered bringing him the one of him and Neddy but decided against it. They were far from a place of doing thoughtful things for one another. Better not to open those gates.

Blaise and Draco flinched at the same time. Draco looked up at the clock again.

"We need to be off," Draco said.

Blaise didn't answer, but took out his pocket journal, looking at the photo one more time before tucking it inside.

"Zabini. We must go," Draco said, more insistently.

Blaise ignored him, stepping towards Hermione, pulling her into him. One of his arms circled her waist and his lips pressed firmly against her temple.

A part of her was in denial. Another felt guilty that Blaise would show her such kindness after all the suffering she had caused him. But mostly, hugging Blaise made her feel just the smallest bit forgiven, and that was the part she chose to believe.

Blaise pulled away quickly, turning his back to both Hermione and Draco as he wiped a sleeve across his eyes and exited the room. It left her and Draco standing there alone.

"Thank you," Draco whispered low.

Hermione looked at him, brows drawn together as she tried to decide what exactly he was thanking her for.

There was no one in the foyer of the Potter house. Silence was rarely peaceful. The doors to the dining room were closed, and when Hermione opened them and stepped inside, the sounds of the Advisory shouting over each other erupted in her ears.

"Granger!" Aberforth shouted. "Where were you?!"

"I had to speak with one of my contacts," Hermione answered, keeping her voice calm while the others were frantic around her.

"Death Eater's attacked Diagon Alley," Kingsley said.

Hermione's eyes scanned the room as her arms pushed everyone carelessly out of her way. There was a pile of red hair, but Charlie was under it. She pushed past him, eyes scanning the room but Parvati and Ron were nowhere to be found. After she pushed by Podmore, nearly knocking him off his feet, she spotted Ron. Molly was fretting over him, and his skin was unnaturally pale, but he was there and he was alive.

"They took Isla, Hermione," Ron choked, voice weak and hoarse. "You have to go to Malfoy. Tell him to save her. Please. Tell him I'll do anything!"

"Ronald quiet ," Molly fussed, in obvious distress.

"Fucking hell, mum. I don't care!" Ron shouted at her.

No one else in the room was paying them any mind. Hermione looked around for Parvati again but didn't see her.

"It's all my fault, Hermione," Ron cried. "I shouldn't have let her come."

"Where's Parvati?" Hermione asked.

Ron's shirt and trousers were nearly shredded and caked with blood, but the skin beneath was already healed and light pink. The scars were so large and angry. He was lucky he was to be alive.

"We have eight dead. Sixteen captured," Kingsley interjected. "We sent out units to each neutral area where we had an anchor in place. Once they are all active, we'll assess the rest of the damage."

Hermione exhaled. Her mind was processing how the very little diplomacy they had established with the neutral areas was now destroyed.

"The Death Eaters that are already within the boundaries, what happens to them?" Hermione asked.

"Any that remain alive after tonight will be taken to the Manchester house," McGonagall said, appearing at her left.

"To trade for ours that are captured?" Hermione shook her head slightly. "That's not going to work."

"They've taken them to Hogwarts," Aberforth revealed.

The words were a simple fact, but Hermione could hear them for what they were. Hopeless.

"He has to get her out. Just her," Ron said slowly, directly to Hermione.

"No one can get into Hogwarts," said Podmore.

Ron squared his shoulders, towering over the old man and bulldozing towards him.

"I can," Hermione thought out loud.

The room was finally silent. Ron may not know how, but she could see he believed her.

Kingsley spoke next. "Wait a moment. If Granger can breach the wards, we need to think about this strategically. We don't want to waste our one chance getting into Hogwarts."

"I'm going now," Hermione said, cutting him off.

She walked out of the room and several footsteps followed her. Some shouting encouragements and others their protest. All of it she ignored. Nothing mattered but getting Isla and Parvati. She made it to her room and locked the door behind her. The invisibility cloak felt heavy in her hands and her dagger felt hard in the waist of her trousers.

Lucius was the one who created the wards there. They were the same ones that they used at home. The ones that knew and accepted her. If anything, the wards put up at Hogwarts would be less secure without the modifications Lucius had made to the Manor.

It could work.

She didn't let herself believe anything else.