The Right Choice

Chapter Nineteen

They found their ways out of the chamber, momentarily gleeful with having destroyed another Horcrux. Then they searched the castle for Harry, they knew he had gone to the Ravenclaw common room. But no one knew where that was. Evidently something had happened because students and Professors were scrambling all over the castle. Finally, Professor McGonagall rounded a corner and Hermione stopped her.

"Professor, what is going on?" she asked.

"Voldemort has made a threat. Potter has asked for time to accomplish what Dumbledore asked of him. We are evacuating everyone under seventeen and preparing the castle for attack." McGonagall told all three of them.

Hermione gasped. "Alright, do you know where Harry is?"

"I'm afraid not, Miss Granger."

"Hang on," Ron said, "don't you have the map in your bag still?"

Hermione smacked her forehead, "Yes I do!"

Draco had no clue what map they were referring to. He watched as Hermione dug into her bag and pulled out what looked like a blank piece of parchment.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Hermione said to it.

Draco furrowed his brow, but was amazed when ink began to spread. It looked to be a map of Hogwarts, with little dots moving around.

"Does that show everyone moving about the school?" he asked.

"Yes." Hermione said.

Draco looked at the map and, indeed, the dots were labeled with their owners' names.

"There!" Hermione said, pointing. "He just vanished, I saw it."

"Does the Room of Requirement show up on this map?" Draco asked, recognizing where she was pointing to.

"No." Hermione said, "That must be where he is."

They rushed to the corridor, and just as they arrived Crabbe and Goyle were entering, and they managed to slip in behind them before the door closed. The three of them watched from the shadows as the two boys searched for Harry, following them to ensure they could not attack. Draco felt a bit awkward stalking his childhood friends and being prepared to defend Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. He felt a little bad, but there was nothing he wouldn't do to protect them.

When Crabbe and Goyle found Harry they immediately tried to stop him, and Ron leaped out and began firing spells. Hermione followed suit, pursued by Draco. Goyle fired a Killing Curse at Hermione, which barely missed. That was all it took for that little bit of guilt Draco felt to disparate, he yelled his rage and took off after the boys when they ran from him, with Ron closely behind. That left Hermione to help Harry retrieve the diadem which had flown into a pile of junk. Harry retrieved it and leaped down, smiling in his success.