Save Me

WATCHED

The next day, there was a fully running secret operation, right under the ministry's and Voldemort's nonexistent nose. Harry, Ron, Neville, and Luna all moved in. They fully cleaned out the abandoned offices, transforming them into bedrooms. There were enough for each of them including Hermione and Draco. They even disassembled the bedcouch. Snape left for Romania on a hunch that Fawkes migrated to a rich and ancient magical land like one that housed Dragons.

Before he left, he had given Draco a magical salve that was supposed to slow the effects of the curse. Hopefully, he would be able to join the others working and only need small breaks every once in a while. Snape had mentioned that it was a trial slave made with a synthetic essence of murtlap- he wasn't sure of the potential side effects or how well it would actually work.

On the first day, they split into teams. Harry, Luna, and Hermione searched through love prophecies while Draco, Neville, and Ron took death. Draco felt like death. Around 4 pm, no one had found anything and the others started to feel the sense of impending doom that Draco and Hermione had accepted. At 7 Molly physically brought dinner with her. They were supposed to have a proper meal and reconvene each night, she said.

This will be civil, Draco thought.

By 7:30 Malfoy had showered, grabbed an extra t-shirt, and headed to Hermione's room for help with applying the salve. As he sauntered to her door, he noticed Weasley standing outside.

"Fancying an imaginary chat with Granger?" He asked.

"None of your business," Ron responded.

"Hm." Draco knocked on the door, which Hermione opened almost immediately, as if she were on her way out anyways.

"Oh Malfoy, I forgot you would need help, please, come in." She waved a shirtless Malfoy through the door, and looked back at Ron, "Did you need something Ron?"

"Er-no. Sorry. See you at dinner."

"Okay then," she said turning back to Draco and grabbing the salve, "that was weird."

Draco straddeled a chair with his back facing her. She gently rubbed the salve into his wounds and massaged his shoulders. His entire back was swollen and red; it didn't look much better than the previous day. "You have a lot of built up tension. Are you sleeping well?" she asked.

"When have any of us ever slept well love? It's okay I promise. I'm trying to take on some of your stress so you can focus."

"Draco- you don't have to, please. If anything, I should take yours on because you're already physically weaker. I promise everything is going to be okay. We'll fix this."

Draco stood and put his shirt on. He noticed that her hair was down, and it contrasted well with the white shirt and black leggings that she wore. It was casual, but she always looked beautiful and intelligent.

"You're staring."

"Yes."

She blushed. "Okay let's go."

She swung open the door and everyone else was standing outside looking guilty like they were caught. Draco held up the end to an extendable ear, given to Ron curtesy of Fred and George. "Classy."

Hermione looked angry and crossed her arms. "Anything you would like to ask? I didn't know it was custom of friends to eavesdrop."

"We thought that Malfoy might be, um, manipulating you? To fit some ulterior plan?" Ron suggested.

So that was what earlier was about, Draco thought. Oh darling, you're mad.

Hermioen started, furiously "Like the plan of Voldemort when all he's done has helped? And I'm quite capable of controlling my own emotions thank you. Maybe the reason we can't make any progress is because none of you trust him! You know maybe dinner isn't the best id-"