Lost Image | dramione

23 | the something more

There was a blue flash of light from the backyard, making Harry and Ginny jump.

"It's okay," Hermione said to her friends, holding out a hand. "It's just the Manor's security spells being put back in place- Narcissa must have activated them again." She recognized the spell easily enough- it was similar to the ones she would put on their campsite last year.

"So we know no one unwelcome is inside right now. No emergency tonight," Draco added, sitting back onto the couch with a sigh.

"If you're going to the address Parkinson gave you," Harry began, looking directly at Draco, "then you had better wait for us."

"Harry," Hermione said, confused. "You know we're not the secret-keepers. We can't bring you there, and you can't follow us."

Harry nodded. "I know, but I'd like to be 'on call,' at least. If something goes wrong..."

"We'd be totally screwed," Draco finished. "Because even if you were waiting behind to jump into action, if they have us trapped in a house under fidelius protection you wouldn't be able to find us if you were looking right at the place."

Harry grimaced, but seemed to accept Draco's point, nodding.

"I'll let you know, Harry," Hermione said. "Personally, I don't think it's such a good idea to go... why did she specify I should know the location, too?" The whole thing was very suspicious. She had never liked Pansy, and the girl had made her feelings about the worth of Harry's life, at least, perfectly clear when she tried to give him up last year. How was she supposed to trust someone like that?

Draco snorted. "No way you're going, anyways, since you're the one they want. And I'm not stupid enough to go alone unless I talk to Pansy again first. I'm going to try to get ahold of her tomorrow..."

"Is that safe?" Hermione asked.

"I'm beginning to think that it might not be safe around her parents... but I'll invite Pansy over here."

"And... that's safe?" Hermione asked again, trying not to sound too skeptical. She didn't know much about Draco's personal life at Hogwarts, but he seemed to be pretty good friends with Pansy. Even so... his friends had been known to turn against him before. Like Vincent Crabbe.

"Pansy would do a lot of things to survive, but she wouldn't hurt me," Draco said confidently, and Hermione frowned. There was a small knot in her stomach, and she concluded that she was worried about Draco, trusting someone like Parkinson with his life. Just how close were they, anyways?

Wait... why did she care? Draco was permitted to have loyal friends- everyone had people they trusted, even Slytherins. So why did she feel so... frustrated with having Pansy come over?

Harry stood up. "Let us know what you decide to do. I'll do a little digging at the Auror's office... see if I can find any recent info on the Parkinsons." Hermione hugged both her friends, leading them to the front entrance. Draco followed along behind her- even though they were safe, she had a feeling he didn't want to leave her alone. Or maybe he didn't want to be alone. Either way, she was glad for the company back to her corridor after Harry and Ginny were gone. It was quite a walk, afterall.

"I'm sorry if we didn't... include you in our conversation much," Hermione said, feeling the need to apologize for the whole issue. Harry didn't trust Draco, and Hermione knew there was still a lot she didn't know about her husband, either. But he had saved her life, at great personal risk, and whether it was smart or not she trusted him.

But she wouldn't break Harry's trust. She wouldn't tell Draco any more information on Horcuxes without Harry's approval. And probably Ron's too, actually.