Devil Doesn't Bargain

The Swap

I–I've changed my mind. Stay.

You know I can't.

Come on, Granger. When do you ever do what you should?

Nice try. But I'm going. And then I'll be back in just a few weeks. Once a month, remember? And maybe we'll end this war before we have to go longer than that.

A month is forever.

You're being dramatic, Draco. A month is nothing.

It is.

It isn't.

You're just saying that because being mean is easier than being sad.

I...no, I'm not.

Don't bother denying it. No one knows you like I do.

Oh, sod off.

Admit it. You miss me already.

Oh fine, have it your way. Yes, I miss you already. Now shut up, I need to focus.

Hermione let Draco's laughter fade into the background of her mind, but she left the bond clear–always open. She'd never shut him out again, not after she realized how much it hurt him the last time. And quite frankly, it was comforting to know he was always with her in this way, even as she was hiding behind a rotting doorway in a dilapidated children's home. Any second now, they'd be arriving.

Crack.

There it was. She assumed it would be Remus approaching first, and sure enough, his familiar gait welcomed her from a few meters away. Hermione held her breath. His steps had always been so soft, so careful, but slightly uneven from some old injury. Perhaps it was an aching hip or a bad knee; either way, she'd never thought to ask. She'd always found it charming.

Remus poked his head inside, sniffing warily. He didn't see her in the shadows yet; his brows furrowed and he took a step over the threshold. It was the only advantage she needed. Before he could yell, Hermione had a hand covering his mouth and dragged him down a long hallway. The knife pressed against his throat was mostly for show, and they both knew it. She didn't bother being gentle; somewhere along the way she'd forgotten how to be, and Remus didn't seem surprised. No, he just seemed pissy. Well, that makes two of them. Hermione shoved him into the first open doorway just as Harry began calling out for Remus from the front path.

Once she released him, Remus huffed in exasperation and straightened his ratty cardigan. He calmly leaned against the wall as she locked the door with a flick of her wrist. It didn't need to hold more than thirty seconds, so they were fine.

Remus raised his eyebrows. "Seriously?"

Hermione shrugged. "I needed a moment alone with you."

"You could have just asked."

"I don't really do that anymore."

His eyes roved over her tense muscles and folded his arms. "No, I suppose you don't. Alright, talk. They're already looking for me."

Hermione knew that. Honestly, she wasn't an idiot. She barely repressed an eye-roll. No use beating around the bush. "Did you tell them I'm a Death Eater?"

"No."

"Horcruxes?"

"Yes."

"Hallows?"

Remus paused. "Not exactly. Harry hasn't even noticed the Cloak's missing."

Hermione snorted and nodded in appreciation. "Good. And thanks for that, I honestly hadn't worked out how to explain myself if he knew about the mark."