Save Me

PUZZLES

Draco still had so many unanswered questions. When he walked into the kitchen, Minerva was reading the Daily Prophet. It headlined "DEATH EATER DRACO MALFOY ESCAPES AZKABAN" and plunged into a ridiculous coverup story about some washed-up leftover Voldemort followers helping him escape. The prison had been weakened during the war when numerous other Death Eaters were freed by Voldemort. Draco laughed and jokingly said,

"Well, at least they put a flattering picture of me on the cover. I reckon I'll be just as famous as you now Potter, but much more handsome of course."

"There's the Malfoy we know," said Ron, "Thought you might not come back."

"Right, then how's your arm? Let me see." Hermione reached for the bandages. She winced as she unraveled them and grabbed a rag to gently wash the wound.

"It doesn't hurt as bad as it looks."

"That's a lie." She responded cooly as she continued working.

"I'm taken aback, I have never told a lie in my life, Granger."

She laughed. It was sweet. Like strawberries, Draco thought. He had missed their banter, or at least, the banter that he remembered. Hermione looked like she had some color back to her face. She was rather peppy and hopeful. It made Draco happy to see her happy. He smiled.

"Oi, pay attention Malfoy. Think about snogging my best friend later, would you?" Ron continued.

"Oh leave him be. I think it's quite sweet," said Luna.

"My apologies," Draco responded with a hand over his heart.

When Hermione was done cleaning his arm out, everyone pulled up chairs to the table. Before Draco was awake, they had decided that the safe house should be their new headquarters for the time being while they figured out what to do. Ginny was going to join them so she could be with Harry and had already left, but it would likely take her a week to arrive because she needed to be sure no one was following. It was better if she came alone, even though Molly protested. Minerva and Hagrid were set to return to Hogwarts to prepare for the fall term. It was late July now, and Hogwarts was still rebuilding from May. It would be her first year as Headmistress and she was quite prepared but dearly missed Dumbledore and Snape dealing with the ministry's politics. She looked at the table keenly.

"My students, you're all fully grown adults now who have managed to survive and conquer more than most witches and wizards ever dream of in their entire lives. Your tight-knit friendship and love for each other have been a beacon of light even in the darkest hours. I have no doubt you will resolve this situation as well. Hogwarts will always be there to welcome and support you. Now, I must leave you. Do send an owl regularly with updates and let us know how we can be of assistance."

Then Hagrid spoke, "I- he choked up- well I suppose you lot have been some dear friends to me over the years. Harry, you're the bravest wizard I've ever met. Ron, you're the dearest friend anyone could ask for. Hermione, you're the most brilliant witch of our time. Neville, I've never met a more dedicated Herbology student and Luna, your eccentric personality and heart can light up any room. Finally, Malfoy. I suppose you and I didn't exactly get along over the years, 'specially after the incident with Buckbeak in year 3. But I know yer a good lad. This lot would be bloody lost without ya. Glad to see you grew up into a fine wizard."

Everyone rushed to hug McGonagall and Hagrid, who was crying at this point. Malfoy just stared. He had a complicated relationship with his professors, but appreciated them and respected them just the same. They had made him into the wizard that he was.

"This isn't goodbye yer know, it's just for a short time. We'll all meet at some pub and laugh about this soon." He took out a handkerchief and blew his nose loudly. No one knew if he was right, but they chose to believe him.

With that, McGonagall and Hagrid touched Draco on the shoulder and exited the house. They all stood in the doorway and watched as she raised a hand before they used a portkey back to Hogwarts.

--

For the first time since arriving, Draco absorbed his surroundings. He guessed that they were somewhere in northern Germany as the air was cooler still in July and it seemed to rain often. The sky was cloudy and almost on cue, a downpour started. They were near the sea. He could almost taste the salt in the air. Their house was in the country and he appreciated the flower boxes that housed red, pink, and yellow Zinnia flowers. Neville's work, he guessed. He watched as Hermione burst outside and circled in the rain with her hair down and arms spread outwards. His face tilted towards the sky, and her bare feet stood in the mud. She was a vision, he thought.

"Draco," Harry started, "She needs you. She might not show it, but when you were apart...she was a mess. During the Battle of Hogwarts, she refused to leave your side because she couldn't fight knowing that you could be off dying somewhere. When we were looking for Horcruxes, she talked about you daily. That and her ring kept her going. When you were in Azkaban she didn't sleep. Neville had to give her a Calming Draught every single night. I can't imagine how she would have gotten over it if you died. Not after everything that's already happened."

"When I was in Azkaban and I didn't have my memories, I only thought of her. Every time I closed my eyes, she was there. When I was drowning and she saved me, I thought I was already in Heaven."

"You can't hurt her Malfoy," Harry responded, "She can't take it."

"I know. I won't. I'll never let anything hurt her again."

Hermione ran back laughing into the kitchen, Luna and Ron remained outside kissing in the rain. Harry thought of Ginny. They would all be together soon. They just needed to figure out how to clear Draco's name and combat Scrimgeour's political nightmare.

They were only missing one piece of the puzzle, what did Draco know that Scrimgeour wanted so badly? They couldn't do anything until he remembered, and it seemed he only had memories when he was asleep. They needed time that they didn't have. Draco suggested a memory log. They needed to be analyzed. Harry sent an owl to McGonagall to ask for Dumbledore's Pensieve so they could sift through them. Whatever Draco knew was important. It could be anything. Maybe he would know when he saw it, but maybe it would be small. Harry's eyes could help speed up the process.

"Keen for puzzles Potter?"

"My whole life has been a puzzle Malfoy."

–