Hermione's POV

Something felt wrong.

The past few days had been careful, methodical. Draco and I had spent every free moment strategizing, ensuring that when we left, we stayed gone. The plan was precise, with no room for error.

But today… something was different.

The manor had an unnatural stillness to it, like the pause before a storm. The house-elves scurried more frantically than usual, their large ears twitching at every sound. Even Narcissa, who was always composed, wore an air of cold calculation that made my stomach twist.

And Lucius?

Lucius had been watching me.

I could feel it, even now, as I stood in the hallway, my hands gripping the edge of a silver tray. My knuckles were white from the pressure, my pulse hammering in my ears. I dared not turn around, but I knew he was near.

Lurking. Waiting.

I swallowed hard and steadied my breathing. Not now. Not today.

I needed to find Draco.

I finally caught sight of him in the study, his back to me as he stood by the fireplace, staring into the flames. He was rigid, tense.

He knows something, I realized immediately.

"Malfoy," I whispered, careful not to draw too much attention.

He turned quickly, eyes flashing with something between frustration and concern. "Granger."

I took another step forward, lowering my voice. "Something's wrong. I can feel it."

He let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair. "You're right."

My stomach dropped. "What is it?"

Draco's jaw tightened. "They're sending me away."

The words slammed into me like a physical blow.

"What?" I whispered harshly.

"My mother," he muttered. "She's arranging for me to leave tomorrow for a business trip. With Pansy."

I stiffened. "Pansy Parkinson?"

His lips curled into a sneer. "Apparently, she's to be my 'companion.' It's all bullshit, Granger. They know what we're planning. This is their way of splitting us up."

Panic clawed up my throat. If he left, I'd be alone. With Lucius.

And I knew exactly what that meant.

"They'll watch you closer," Draco murmured, as if reading my thoughts. His voice was tense, laced with something dangerously close to guilt. "My father will—"

"I know," I cut in quickly. "I know."

For a long moment, we just stared at each other, the weight of what this meant settling between us like a suffocating fog.

"We need a new plan," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He exhaled sharply, nodding. "We don't wait. We go before I leave."

I swallowed, my heart racing. "Tonight?"

"Tonight," he confirmed. "We move now, or we never leave."

I hesitated, just for a second. Not because I doubted the plan, but because I knew—once we left, there would be no coming back.

No more careful planning. No more second chances.

Either we escaped, or we didn't.

Draco stepped closer, his gaze locked onto mine. "I won't leave you here," he murmured. "I swear it."

I nodded, clenching my fists at my sides. "Then let's make sure we don't fail."

And just like that, the countdown began.

One last night in Malfoy Manor.

One last chance to be free.