Harry Potter and the Daoimear de Dán

Chapter Five- Diabolical Plots & Surprising Secrets

"Where's Hermione?" Harry asked Ron one evening about a week after the Draco incident. Ron had just settled down in a chair in the common room near Harry's own.

"No idea. The default answer is the library, but I've just come from there."

"You were in the library? Why?" Harry didn't bother disguising his surprise.

"Well, for your information, I was reading more about shamans. It's really fascinating. They exist in so many cultures and it's interesting to find out the similarities and differences... Bloody Hell!" he exclaimed loudly, causing the First years to jump.

"What?"

"I'm turning into Hermione! This shall not pass!"

"Calm down, Ron," Harry said calmly. "You're not turning into Hermione. You've just discovered that there's a whole other world outside the Quidditch stadium."

"Don't talk crazy, Potter," Ron said with a grin. "Anyway, I thought she was with you."

"Nope. She went to see Snape about a variation on the clotting potion. But I don't think that would take..." he paused to check the time. "An hour and a half. Not even Hermione is that obsessive about homework."

"True. Maybe she got caught up somewhere else. After all, you and Hermione have been neglecting your prefect stuff."

"I know. Fortunately, the other prefects don't seem to mind taking on extra duties, and Draco's been surprisingly good about taking on everything as Head Boy. I think they all realise it's for a reason."

"Yeah, so you and Hermione can go off and snog."

"What?"

"I saw you. Flying lesson was it?"

Harry blushed quite furiously.

"Yes. She wants to get proficient enough, in case we need to fly at some point."

"Like yesterday?"

"Yes Ron," he said, annoyed that he'd seen them. "Like yesterday."

"You know, if you'd done that in the air, you could've done yourself an injury."

"Thank you, Ron." Harry said through gritted teeth. "But to get back onto the actual subject, we were wondering where Hermione was."

"Oh yeah. Not as fun, but OK. Well... Girls' dorm?"

"Nope. She'd have to have passed me on the way up there."

"Right. Um... Boys dorm?" he grinned wickedly.

"Damn," Harry said, rolling his eyes. "You've worked it out. I've got her tied up in the Boys dorm waiting to cater to my every whim."

"You're a funny bloke, Potter. Tied up with what?"

"Focus, Ron," said Harry, clearly back on edge.

"You made the joke," Ron grumbled. "Maybe she went out flying on her own."

"No. She's still too apprehensive. Unless she scheduled another lesson with Madam Hooch. But we're meant to be meeting Sirius and McGonagall in five minutes."

"OK... I've run out of ideas."

"I did that about five minutes ago."

"Might I suggest you use the Marauders' Map?"

"Damn!" Harry said, wondering why it hadn't occurred to him sooner. After all, he was starting to get quite worried about this and he wasn't really thinking rationally. Hermione usually told him and Ron every detail of her schedule. He ran upstairs to get it. When he returned, he had truly gone a whiter shade of pale.

"What?" Ron asked, picking up on Harry's changed mood.

"She's not on it. Anywhere."

"Anywhere?"

"No. She usually comes up straight away, like me and you. But I tried everything. She's not here."

"Dumbledore?" Ron asked.

"We should stop off and get Sirius and McGonagall first."

"All right. Let's go."

***

Twenty minutes later, every Order member in the vicinity was searching for Hermione Granger.

Harry stalked through the Forbidden Forest, wondering where Hermione was, and who would take her. Why would they take her? Had someone found out about the two of them? Were they using it as a way to get at Harry? Because at the moment, it was really working.

Three hours later, with night completely fallen, the members of the Order were congregated in the same abandoned classroom that they seemed to use all the time. All the members were seated, calmly discussing the situation. Except, of course for Harry, who was sitting, feet up on a desk at the other end of the classroom, balling his hands into fists. Ron and Maura were also present, and both were watching Harry with concern.

"Harry!" Sirius called him back to Planet Earth. He turned to look at his godfather. "We've come up with a plan."

"Good. Does it involve carnage?" he asked, ninety nine percent sarcasm and one percent anticipation.

"No, it doesn't," cut in Professor Figg. "We're going to scour the country for her, strictly reconnaissance. We've got Order members and affiliates out looking all over. But we don't want to bring attention to the problem. But there's not a lot we can really do unless whoever took Hermione contacts us."

"Why would they do that?" Harry scoffed.

"There's not a lot of point trying to collect a ransom," said Remus "if we don't know where to send it."

"Oh," Harry said, looking down at the floor and feeling quite embarrassed. He was also getting the feeling that, unless he calmed down, he'd be less than no help at all. Sirius seemed to read his mind.

"You need to stay calm, Harry. Keep a clear head. I know she's your best friend, but..."

"Best friend?" Harry suddenly exploded with rage. "I'm in love with that girl!"

Everyone in the room besides Ron and Maura looked quite stunned. Perhaps they didn't believe that 'little' Harry Potter was at the stage of having such feelings. Perhaps they didn't think it would happen with Hermione. Whatever their reasons, they all looked quite surprised.

"This makes things a little clearer. Who have you told?" asked Dumbledore.

"No one. We kept it a secret from everyone but Ron and Maura. We didn't want something like this happening." Anger gave way to desperation and he sank into the chair beside Ron. He immediately felt Ron's hand on his shoulder.

"Well, you've done quite well, Harry," said Professor Figg. "Because I certainly didn't notice. Anyone?"

Everyone, including the usually omnipotent Dumbledore shook their heads.

"Oh bloody Hell!" Harry exclaimed. "Malfoy knows!"

"Malfoy?" now Ron looked stunned. "How does sodding Malfoy know?"

Harry went red. Everyone nodded.

"Let's find Mr Malfoy and ask him a few friendly questions, shall we?" Sirius said, rising from his chair. But Snape stood up.

"I'm afraid that Draco Malfoy was with me when Hermione came to the Potions dungeon. And he remained there with me until I got the message from the Professor. He's been working on a potential new lycanthropy antidote with me," he turned to Harry and looked him directly in the eye. "Honestly, Potter."

Harry nodded.

"But he could've still spilled the beans," said Maura in a cool voice that masked the fiery anger in her eyes. "We should ask him."

"Yes. Severus, perhaps you could go and find the boy? Take him to my office," said Dumbledore. Snape nodded solemnly and left the room. Dumbledore continued:

"Very well. I suggest that we proceed with the plan now anyway. I will owl you with anything Mr Malfoy can tell us."

Everyone went their separate ways. Sirius hung back until the room contained only himself, Harry, Ron, Maura and Dumbledore. He looked at Harry for a moment before hugging the boy.

"We'll find her," he said, flashing the famous Black Smile. "Promise."

Then, he transfigured into Snuffles and bounded out of the door.

"Harry, I want you to stay here," said Dumbledore.

"What?" Harry looked stunned and angry.

"I want you to stay here. If any owls come concerning her, they will come here," he said.

"You think I'm too upset to look?" Harry asked indignantly.

"Yes," said Ron firmly.

"What about you?"

"I love Hermione, it's true. But I'm not in love with her. And my hands aren't shaking so much I can't hold my wand."

Harry looked down at his hands. They were shaking and he hadn't even realised. Morosely, he nodded.

"All right. I'll stay here."

"OK then Maura, let's be off." Ron said with false cheer.

"We'll go to Kilburn and get the Guardians to give us a hand," she said.

Harry nodded. Ron squeezed his shoulder once more before he and Maura also left. Now only he and Dumbledore remained.

"I can't believe it!" Harry said angrily. "How can I not look? How can I be so messed up?"

"Because you are in love," said the Professor simply. "It isn't a crime, Harry."

"No? What am I meant to do when we have to fight Voldemort? Ask him not to hurt Hermione because it might throw me off?"

His voice was rising again, and he felt another surge of anger. This time, he managed to hold it at bay.

"You'll be fine, Harry. You'll be prepared for what is coming. I have no doubt that you will rise to the occasion admirably."

"Yeah?" asked Harry in the manner of an insolent teen. "What if I don't?"

"You will, Harry." Dumbledore said with a smile that actually reassured him. "I must go and see Mr Malfoy. I will have Dobby fetch you when we're done. And as much as you love flying, perhaps it's best if you stay in the castle."

"Fine," Harry's heart sank. He'd been thinking of going for a fly to calm his nerves. Instead, he followed the Headmaster out of the classroom before heading, for some reason, to the library.

***

He was reading about druid priestesses of the ancient Celts when Hagrid came into the library.

"There y'are Harry!" he said in a booming voice intended to be a whisper. He settled himself quite awkwardly into the chair opposite Harry.

"Hello Hagrid," he said in a monotone.

"They'll find 'er Harry, don't you worry."

"How do you know?"

"Because them's that's lookin' fer Hermione are the best at what they do."

"Yeah."

"You've got a real soft spot fer 'er, don't you?"

"Is it that obvious?" he asked sadly, closing the book. When Hagrid saw the title, he grinned.

"No, not really. But I've known you since you was a tiny baby. Not much you can fool me about."

"Yeah." Harry smiled at his friend.

"You've bin busy with all this extra trainin' have yeh?"

"Yeah. I'm knackered. Completely knackered."

"Well, might I suggest some sleep?" Hagrid said with a toothy grin.

"At a time like this? I don't think so."

"Well, if yeh don't, yeh'll end up in the 'ospital wing."

"I'm waiting to speak to Professor Dumbledore," Harry said stubbornly.

"Ah well, thought it were worth a try," said Hagrid, graciously admitting defeat. "I'll take Fang roun' the Forest again. Worth a try, I s'pose."

"Thanks Hagrid," Harry said. Hagrid gave him that toothy grin again and disappeared out of the library.

Dobby appeared about five minutes later.

"Dobby comes to find Harry Potter," he said, and Harry noticed that Dobby was wearing some of the socks he'd bought for him. "Professor Dumbledore says Harry Potter can come in now."

"Thanks Dobby," he said gratefully, before bolting out of the library.

***

"Come in, Harry," said the Professor as the gargoyle opened. Harry was quite surprised to see Draco Malfoy sitting there. His usual sneer was nowhere to be found on his thin face.

"I'm sorry, Potter, I didn't mean..." he trailed off.

"Who did you tell?" Harry demanded, trying with all his might to keep his temper in check. He still had the presence of mind to realise that Dumbledore wouldn't appreciate the spilling of Draco blood in his office.

"Sit down, Harry," said Dumbledore in that comforting voice. He did so, shooting glares at Draco.

"It appears that Mr Malfoy made a brief mention of your relationship with Miss Granger in a letter to his mother."

"That's all, I swear, Potter! I don't hate you or her that much,"

"That's nice to know," Harry remarked dryly. Draco looked down at the floor.

"My father said something weird in a letter he wrote yesterday. I threw the letter away, but it said something about finding Potter's Achilles Heel. Trust me, Potter, I know you hate my father, but you don't hate him nearly as much as I do. If I'd known he was screening my letters to my Mum, I wouldn't have said anything. I mean, a deal is a deal."

"Yeah. That's what she said. What were you doing in the changing rooms?"

Draco went very red and Harry realised that it wasn't a look that suited him at all.

"Well, I've broken my half of the bargain, I suppose. I was practicing yoga," he admitted.

"You do yoga?"

"I have hidden depths, Potter," he drawled, recovering most of his poise. "And I'm not the cardboard cut out villain you want me to be."

"Well, I think we can narrow down our search a little," said Dumbledore, finishing a letter he'd been writing. "I'll send Snuffles to the Malfoy mansion. He was closest to that area. I'm afraid, Draco, that it was one of the places we thought likely."

Draco snorted. "Of course it was."

"Might I suggest, Harry, as it's quite late, that you get some sleep? I'll come and wake you if anything happens?"

"All right," he said in a despondent voice. He stood and left the office. It was a few minutes before he noticed Draco was walking right beside him.

"Do you, uh, remember that time on the train in the First year, Potter?"

"Most of it. It was where I met Hermione. Why?"

"Well, I... Uh... I offered you the hand of friendship then and you rejected it."

"Do you blame me?" Harry asked in a tired voice. Draco shook his head.

"Probably not. I thought I'd offer it to you again now."

"Why should I? What changed?"

"Umm... Well... I found out a few things recently... They got me thinking."

"What?" Harry asked, intrigued. Draco looked furtively around the deserted corridor.

"Can we talk somewhere more private?"

"Fine," Harry said with a sigh as he acquiesced and allowed Draco to lead him into a classroom.

Draco looked as if he might be in physical pain, but Harry realised that he was about to impart something very personal and likely embarrassing.

"My mother told me a few things recently about her family that I didn't know... I uh... Her maiden name is Richards."

"What?" If Harry's eyebrows could've shot up any higher, they would have done so.

"Don't tell me it doesn't ring a bell?"

"It does," admitted Harry.

"She's George Richards' cousin. I know you know about him because I heard you and the Weasel talking about him."

"What does this have to do with anything?"

"It means that my family isn't totally evil," Draco said with a self-satisfied smirk. "It means that part of my bloodline is full of all that righteous and heroic stuff. But that isn't even the best bit," he said. Now he looked like he was actually choking on the words.

"What?" asked Harry impatiently.

"My mother confided something in me the other day that nearly made me pass out. And I don't do fainting."

"What is it?"

"Ever wonder who your mum's best friend at school was?" Draco asked cryptically. Harry stared, dumbfounded at him. What was Draco trying to say? It couldn't be...

"Funny, that was my reaction. Narcissa Malfoy and Lily Evans? It doesn't sound likely."

"What house was your mum in?" Harry asked curiously. Draco paled.

"Gryffindor," he choked out, quite possibly in actual physical pain now. "The Richards in her coming out, I suppose. But her mother was from one of the leading Dark families. I never quite understood how one of those upright Richardses married a Borgia."

"But why does any of this matter?" Harry asked. Draco sighed impatiently.

"Because, numbskull, it means that I'm not totally evil."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, thank you very much," Draco sniffed imperiously. "I was brought up to believe that my family was Dark through and through. No blemishes, no shades of grey, just Dark. But... I didn't want to believe it. For the last seventeen years, my life has been a charade worthy of What's My Line."

"You know that programme?"

"My mother loves Muggle television. Her favourite is Coronation Street. I suppose she lives in a gilded cage so she likes to see the working class muck about."

Harry noticed that, when talking of Narcissa Richards Malfoy, Draco looked a lot softer.

"You really love your mum, don't you?"

"Yes," Draco whispered. "And I hate what my father does to her."

"What?" Harry asked with alarm.

"He makes her stay at home all the time, he doesn't let her see any of her old friends. For starters."

"What made her tell you everything?"

"I think she wants to keep me away from being a Death Eater. Maybe she just needed to talk to someone. It's hard to keep your sanity being a Malfoy. Especially..."

"What?"

"When your husband puts you under Imperious whenever you're paraded out and about."

"Oh. At the Quidditch World Cup?"

"Yep," said Draco in a tone far lighter than the look in his eyes. "She loves Quidditch, you know. But he didn't want her making a spectacle of herself in front of everyone. Or getting in the way of his little prank."

"Didn't you enjoy that? Not even a little?" Harry asked.

"I thought it would've been funny if everyone hadn't been so bloody frightened."

Draco paused.

"None of this means that I'm about to become your newest bestest pal. It doesn't mean I'll be any less unpleasant to you around school," he said in his more usual sneer. "But it does mean that I don't want to be your enemy. And I'm really not evil. Hey, I'm part Richards!"

"You should talk to Maura," Harry said with a laugh.

"I've been trying. But you lot have such closed ranks it's hard to break down."

"That's why you've been hanging around asking questions?"

"Yes. What did you think it was?"

"I don't know, spying for your dad?"

"Nah. He doesn't trust me enough. I think he knew before I did that I'm not evil enough for him."

"You're only quasi-evil?"

Draco smiled, an open genuine smile that transformed his thin, slightly pointed face.

"Something like that."

"All right," Harry nodded. "But if you turn on us, if you join Lord Voldemort, I'll rip you to shreds."

"I'd expect nothing less," Draco said. "I'll be off then."

He went all the way to the doorway before turning back briefly.

"I hope they find her soon," he said, sounding almost sincere. Then he was gone.

***

The sun rose the next morning as it always did and still Harry hadn't actually got any sleep. He'd sat at the window all night, watching for... He didn't really know. Did he expect the Death Eaters to turn up and hand her over?

His heart had never ached this much before, not ever. The pain of never knowing his parents, of seeing Cedric die, it all paled in comparison to this.

"And it's all my fault," he whispered desperately to himself. After all, when she was just his best friend, she'd been safe. Ron was safe, wasn't he? No, it was Harry falling in love with her that did it. Well.... His heart constricted painfully as he decided what he had to do. Maura had been right, after all. If his being in love with Hermione put her danger, well, he'd just have to pretend that he didn't love her after all.

He didn't bother picking up the shards of his broken heart off the floor.

***

"Can I please do something?" Harry asked. After lunch, he'd not bothered to turn up to Professor McGonagall's class and had instead gone to Dumbledore.

"Do you really think you're in any state to do so?" Dumbledore asked gently. Harry did look a state: he had big black rings under his eyes from the complete lack of sleep and a complexion pale and wan with worry. All in all he looked like a rather ill-looking waxwork from Madame Tussaud's.

"Please," he said. Dumbledore shook his head.

"No. And it's not only because of that. Kidnapping is a serious offence. The Order have discreetly tipped off the aurors, who are investigating the kidnap of Hermione. If they go in it will be a full, public investigation and Malfoy and his cronies will be hauled up in front of the Ministry. Of course, it will be in all the papers. It may do well to leave this to the professionals for once. The more Death Eaters there are in Azkaban, the easier it will be on you all when the battle comes."

"What about when the Dementors abandon the prison? And you know they will."

"I suspect it very highly, yes. Which is why there is constant Order surveillance at the prison."

Harry smiled slightly. Dumbledore did seem to have everything covered. Except how Death Eaters got into Hogwarts in the first place. He asked the Professor, who sighed heavily and looked as old as his years.

"Ah, well, unfortunately a couple of Mr Malfoy's good friends are still governors of the school. There was a meeting of the governors that morning. All they had to do was remain in the castle until the opportunity presented itself. It is something that I have already ensured cannot happen again."

The cold fury was back in Dumbledore's eyes. After all, nobody ever hurt his precious students. Ever.

"All right," Harry said, resigned to remaining in the castle.

"Don't go to class, Harry. I want you to go to the hospital wing."

"Yes, Professor."

"Harry?" the Professor asked as Harry went to leave. "I mean it."

"Fine," Harry said, throwing his hands up in the air. He didn't have the energy to go against Dumbledore's instructions. He dawdled through the castle towards the hospital wing, mentally trying to calculate the percentage of his life he'd spent in the hospital wing so far.

"Look at the state of you!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed as he dragged himself into the hospital wing. "Why didn't you come here before?"

"Sorry," Harry said with a yawn, fatigue really starting to hit him as he gave into it.

"Get in that bed now," she said sternly. A pair of his own pyjamas were there waiting for him. Clearly, Dumbledore had tipped off Dobby and the House-Elves. He changed quickly and slid under the crisp white sheets. Madam Pomfrey reappeared and forced him to drink a potion he recalled all too well from Fourth year. Within minutes he was asleep.

***

When he awoke, the sun was streaming into the room. Looking at the time and date on his watch, he realised he'd slept nearly an entire day away.

"Bloody Hell," he muttered.

"I wouldn't swear like that if I were you," a familiar voice said. He turned around in bed and saw Ron standing at the foot of his bed.

"Ron, you're back? What happened? Is she back? Is she hurt?"

"Slow down, Harry, slow down," he said smoothly, sitting down beside Harry's bed.

"Maura and I are back. It's official auror business now. They don't want two kids messing about with their operation. No, I don't know what's going on, so save your breath."

"Sirius?"

"He's keeping a discreet eye on the proceedings. All I know is that it's something at Malfoy's house. I'm not surprised..."

"Ron, I should tell you something," Harry said before launching into a short recap of the Draco incident.

"Blimey, wait till Maura hears."

"I heard it all, dipstick," she said, approaching with a bandaged hand. "I was only over there getting fixed up."

"What happened?" asked Harry with concern.

"What?" Maura asked. When he pointed to her hand, she continued, "Oh, this. Not much really."

"For 'not much really' read: got into a fight in a pub," said Ron with a smirk.

"What?"

"Oh, I ran into an old school friend, had a pint of Boddingtons thrown at me. Wouldn't have minded if it were Guinness."

"An old school friend?" asked Harry. She grimaced.

"OK, when I say school friend, I mean the only person at school meaner than me. Right git, he was. Just did a spell in Maidstone nick... Anyway, words were exchanged,"

"Then beer was thrown," cut in Ron.

"And fisticuffs ensued," finished Maura.

"Did you get into trouble?" Harry asked her.

"Nah, we scarpered before the police turned up. Although I probably shouldn't show up round there any time soon."

Harry smiled for what seemed the first time in days.

***

When Hermione had been gone for four days and Harry had been allowed out of Madam Pomfrey's sight, an owl arrived for Harry from Sirius. It simply read:

They're moving in today at 3pm.

It was one of the shortest notes he'd ever received from Snuffles, but he really didn't care. He teetered now between completely manic buoyancy and excitement to complete despair. What if it didn't work? What if they hurt Hermione? The only thing that could be guaranteed was that if anyone spoke to him, they'd get a very snappish reply. By now of course, it was obvious to all at Hogwarts that Hermione was missing, but none of them quite understood why Harry reacted so much more violently than Ron.

The walking-on-eggshells phase lasted until 3pm, when Harry completely fell apart. He raced up to Dumbledore's office (Ron in hot pursuit) only to find the Headmaster unavailable. They managed to find Professor McGonagall, who informed them that Dumbledore had gone to retrieve his student.

At four, they were going crazy with anticipation.

At five, Harry felt like leaping off the top of the Astronomy Tower and seeing if he could summon his Firebolt before he slammed into the ground.

At six, he found himself walking around the lake incessantly. But it didn't feel right: whenever he walked around the lake, Hermione was there next to him. That's how it had been in Fourth Year, and how it had been ever since.

At seven, the winter sun was fully set, and he trudged back into the school.

At eight o'clock, he set up watch at the front entrance of the school. Ron and Maura accompanied him, along with Crookshanks, who had not taken Hermione's sudden departure with grace. It was hard to tell who was more tense- Harry or Crookshanks. They both paced up and down the entrance hall, stopping occasionally to swear quite loudly (Harry), hiss angrily (Crookshanks) or hit something (both).

At half past eight, both too tired to continue pacing, Harry and Crookshanks settled on the cold stone floor of the entrance hall, eyes on the door. Crookshanks (who had been a little cold to Harry since Harry and Hermione had begun seeing each other) nestled comfortably in Harry's lap. For his part, Harry stroked the cat's fur gently. Ron and Maura decided that they really did need to eat, and went off in search of some dinner.

At nine, the doors opened. Harry and Crookshanks were both fast asleep.

***

"Harry? Harry?" the voice was beautiful, like music or something, thought Harry. "Harry? Harry?" It was also quite insistent.

"Honestly! I'm kidnapped for four days, and this is the welcome home I get!"

Harry's eyes snapped open. A dirty, tired and slightly ill-looking Hermione was standing over him. Crookshanks was the first to react, leaping into her arms eagerly. Harry was about a second behind him.

"You two made up then? I'm so glad!" she said with a smile.

"You're back? You're really back? This isn't just a figment of my imagination?"

At that moment, Crookshanks jumped out of Hermione's arms, a couple of claws scratching Harry. He winced.

"Apparently not," he said, rubbing his arm.

He hugged her tightly, and planted a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Harry, Hermione needs to go to the hospital wing now," Sirius said. In his excitement, Harry hadn't even noticed his godfather standing there.

"Fine, fine." Harry said, releasing her from the hug, but keeping hold of her hand.

"Harry?" Sirius said with extreme amusement. "Hermione needs to go to the hospital wing solo."

"What? Why?"

"Do you want to deal with Madam Pomfrey on this one?" his godfather asked. Harry let go of Hermione's hand after a moment.

"Fine. But don't think I won't be waiting outside," he said obstinately.

"All right, James," Sirius said under his breath with a laugh. Hermione however, heard him and smiled sweetly.

***

True to his word, Harry was waiting outside the hospital wing when Madam Pomfrey finally came out to tell him that he could see her now.

"Hey," he called. Hermione was lying in bed looking quite tired, but no longer quite as sick.

"Hello!" she said happily. "Madam Pomfrey gave me some Pepper-Up Potion. I feel a lot better now."

"Good," he said, taking her hand. She smiled at him, tears shining in her eyes.

"I missed you Harry."

"I missed you too," he admitted. "They wouldn't let me search for you."

"Sirius said you shouted at the Order," she said with a grin.

"Something like that."

"Hermione! You're back!" Ron came bounding into the room with his sister Ginny. Maura was a few paces behind them.

"Hello," she said as they came rushing over to her beside.

"Quiet!" Madam Pomfrey demanded. They all sat in chairs around her bed and for about half an hour they chattered away about school stuff, studiously avoiding the subject of Hermione's kidnap.

Then, Draco Malfoy turned up. Ron growled, Maura growled, Ginny looked like she wanted to sock him and Hermione looked tired and angry. Only Harry looked remotely pleased to see the boy.

"I'm sorry Granger... Hermione," he corrected himself. "I didn't realise that my father was reading my mother's letters."

"Oh, that's charming that is!" Ron started, his temper clearly getting the better of him.

"Leave him alone," said Harry. They all looked at him, confounded. "He explained the whole thing."

"And you believed him?" asked Ginny, giving Draco the evil eye.

"Yes. I did." Harry said, looking Draco squarely in the eye.

"Is this really the time for this?" Draco asked. "I only came to see if you were all right. I'll leave now."

"I'm fine."

"Did he hurt you?"

"No. Just tied me to a chair in a dungeon and left me to rot," Hermione said, unusual bitterness in her voice.

"I'm really sorry," he said quietly before leaving again.

"What was that about?" demanded Ron, his anger still flaring. Harry recounted the conversation he'd had with Draco about his mother, and in much more detail than the humorous account he'd given Ron and Maura previously. Throughout, Maura remained silent, thinking very deeply.

"If anyone tipped off Voldemort as to who the Heir might be, surely it would be Lucius Malfoy?" she said suddenly.

"What?"

"You're telling me that he doesn't know exactly who the Richards family are?" she scoffed.

"What did he say to you Hermione?" asked Harry.

"Very little indeed."

"Do you remember any of it?" he pressed.

"He was purposely cryptic, having kidnapped me and everything," said Hermione in a sarcastic voice. "But he mentioned at one point wondering 'which of them' would come to get me. Perhaps he used me as bait for both of you. He probably thought that at least one of you would come for me, and statistically, one down is better for them."

"It's possible," Harry said, his eyebrows creasing in thought. "You should speak to Dumbledore."

"What do you think I'm doing tomorrow?"

"Oh. Course."

"All right, I want you all out now!" demanded Madam Pomfrey. "It's late and Hermione must rest."

Ron and Maura said their good nights and left. Harry lingered for a moment longer.

"Bye Hermione," he said very softly. He then gave her a kiss so sweet she was sure that Madam Pomfrey would have to treat her for spontaneous diabetes.

"Night, Harry."

Harry practically ran out of the room, glad she hadn't noticed his choice of words. It was goodbye of a sort, for tomorrow all would change. He would do as he had promised, for he would not willingly put her in danger again. Even if it did kill him.

***

The next morning, Harry was summoned to the abandoned classroom/temporary Order HQ so that he could, along with the rest of the Order, discover what had happened to Hermione. He studiously avoided looking at her, certain that if he did, any resolve he had would disappear.

"Well, it all started when I was walking back from speaking to Professor Snape," she started. Snape nodded. "I was walking along the Potions corridor when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I whipped round to see who it was, but there wasn't anyone there. I thought Harry might have his invisibility cloak on so I didn't run straight away," she paused to smile slightly at Harry.

"But when I got no immediate response, I started to get worried. I pulled out my wand, and whoever the invisible person was, they knocked it out of my hand. I don't know where it went."

Professor Snape pulled it out of his robes.

"I found it this morning, it rolled under the door of the store cupboard in the corridor," he said. She smiled gratefully and took it from him.

"Thank you. Well, I tried shouting, but no sound came out. I think they must've incanted something without me hearing. Anyway, the next thing I know, the invisible person knocked me to the ground. I think I hit my head on something, because the next thing I remember was coming to in a car."

"A car?"

"Yes. I thought it was very strange. I could hear the engine, but I couldn't see out of the windows."

"Were you alone?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes. I tried the doors of course, but they were firmly locked and without my wand or a handy hairpin, I was useless. When the car stopped and the door opened, I feigned unconsciousness. I don't know if it fooled them, but they resuscitated me there and then. Probably didn't want to carry me anymore."

"What did you see when you got out of the car?" asked Sirius.

"Nothing. We were in a garage of some sort, I think. No windows that I could see, but it was dark out anyway. I was led up into a mansion, full of horrible dark gothic stuff, really unpleasant. When I saw a large portrait of Draco Malfoy at the age of two on the wall, I realised I must be at his house."

"She was taken directly there. Interesting. I get the feeling that Lucius wasn't necessarily working under instruction, but was using his own initiative," mused Remus.

"Well, I didn't stay in the main part of the house very long. I was taken to his study and then my guard left and Lucius Malfoy dragged me down into his dungeon. He threw me in a tiny little cell with one lit candle and tied me to a chair. He didn't say anything, just left me there."

"What happened after that? You were there for four days? Did you see or hear anything?" asked McGonagall eagerly.

"Slow down, Minerva," said Dumbledore calmly. "We will get the whole story in Hermione's own time."

"I apologise, Hermione," she said with a rare but warm smile.

"Well, I really couldn't tell you very much about when things happened. My watch broke when I hit the floor, I think."

She held up her wrist to show them all the shattered face of her Muggle watch.

"But he came in three times over the course of my stay at the Hotel Malfoy," she said with a wry grin.

"The first time was to throw a bottle of water at me for me to drink. Evian really isn't my mineral water of choice, but needs must, I suppose," she laughed now.

"Only Malfoy would give a hostage mineral water," said Sirius. "Just to show off, I suppose."

"Did he feed you at all?" asked Snape. She shook her head.

"But I did have the nutrition potion we'd just completed, Professor. I made it last the four days, and it tasted good."

Snape had never looked prouder.

"The second time he was with a couple of Death Eater friends."

"How do you know they were Death Eaters?" Professor Figg asked.

"I saw the Mark on their arms. I think he was in the mood to show off because his friends were there, so he spent a while taunting me about being a mudblood and not being pretty and things like that."

"Are you all right?" asked Remus with concern.

"Of course. I didn't believe him for a second. I know I have better marks than his son ever has, after all. And I don't really care if I don't conform to Lucius Malfoy's questionable standards of beauty."

"It's strange he didn't speak to you more," said McGonagall.

"I think... The way he was talking the third time, I got the feeling that he knew I wouldn't talk, so he was going to leave me there until I was prepared to talk. And he wasn't about to waste his time with me before that happened."

"What about the third time?"

"It was actually only about an hour before the raid. He came into my cell and starting telling me that nobody was looking for me, that it hadn't even been in the newspapers and that nobody in Hogwarts had even noticed. More morale busting I suppose. But then he said that once he'd sent a note from me, one of 'those two' will come after me, trying to be a hero. I don't know if he was talking about Harry and Ron or Harry and Maura. But he definitely knew that Harry and I had been going out. He said that Draco had been stupid enough to tell his mother."

"Maura suggested," started Harry, "That if Narcissa was aware of who Maura was because, they're in-laws of a sort now, perhaps Malfoy knew and was hoping to capture her to present to Voldemort."

"It's certainly plausible, and would explain why he didn't tell Voldemort about the plan. After all, if Maura didn't come, or if he failed, he'd get it in the neck from Voldemort," said Sirius.

"Well, whatever the reasons behind his decision to kidnap one of my students," Dumbledore said, eyes flashing angrily again. "He remains at large. The aurors who raided the house only found two minor Death Eaters in the house with her."

"Perhaps he was tipped off?" said Sirius.

"Or he got out quick enough. Perhaps before the anti-apparation ward was active," pondered Remus.

"We must keep a closer eye on Lucius Malfoy. He may now simply reveal the heir's identity and location to Voldemort."

"Alastor and I will set up watch at the house," said Remus. "I don't have a full moon coming up for a while."

"Good," Dumbledore nodded. "I think we should perhaps step up our reconnaissance of other known Death Eaters as well. MacNair, Crabbe, Goyle and the rest of the usual suspects."

They then sat for a while discussing who would trail who. Throughout, Hermione tried to catch Harry's eye, but he seemed to be avoiding her gaze. She looked questioningly at Ron, who simply shrugged.

"And finally, I would like to announce that Ron and Hermione will be initiated as full members of the Order of the Phoenix next week," said Dumbledore. They smiled eagerly.

"Really?" Harry looked up at him with a grin.

"Yes. We will hold the initiation ceremony on Monday at the time you would usually be with Professor Snape in the evening."

Harry tried to not look too relieved at that happy turn of events.

"I think that's every thing for now, don't you?" Dumbledore said. "I'm sure you're eager to get back to your classes."

"Yes Professor," said Hermione, as if the most traumatic thing about being kidnapped was missing classes. For her, thought Harry, it probably was. He smiled quite fondly before quashing the feeling. He knew what he had to do, and he would do it.

Harry walked briskly out of the classroom, not giving Ron or Hermione the chance to catch up.

***

By the end of the day, any chance Hermione had of simply imagining Harry's odd behaviour were dashed. They had continued their after-dinner tuition, although Sirius had insisted that Hermione sit out most of the physical lessons for a few days. Then, as was their custom, they headed back to the common room. Ron excused himself very quickly, knowing that Hermione wanted Harry all to herself, and imagining that it worked the other way around too.

"What's the matter, Harry?" she asked gently, sitting beside him in front of the fire.

"Oh. Uh..." he stammered. Could he do it? Was he really brave enough to give up Hermione? He cleared his throat, buying time. He was a Gryffindor, damn right he was brave enough, he told himself angrily.

"I've been thinking," he said in a tone that could only be described as ominous.

"You have?" she asked, quite cautiously.

"I don't think... I don't..." he said, trying to choke the words out, but they weren't coming. He'd never broken up with a girl before, and especially not with this one. This had never featured in the dream. OK Potter, he told himself, just come straight out with it. Like ripping off a plaster. Quick and easy.

"I don't want you to be my girlfriend anymore."

"What?" Hermione's face fell completely. Whatever she'd been expecting, it hadn't been that. "Might I ask why?" she managed to ask after a moment.

"Lots of things."

"Are you trying to be noble and heroic after what happened to me, because if you are..."

Harry cursed himself inwardly. Of course she worked it out, he thought irritably.

"No, it's not that," he lied, getting up and going to the window.

"What is it then?" she demanded, upset giving way to anger. "Another witch caught your fancy over the last four days? You and Malfoy have decided to elope to Amsterdam?"

"No, nothing like that."

"Then what?" she shouted, trying to not wake up the sleeping Gryffindors in the dorms above.

"I don't love you."

The bomb dropped and promptly shattered everything.

"What?" she whispered. He fought to bite back tears. He was lying, he knew that! He couldn't stand to see Hermione like this. But this hurt would go away, he knew that. It was better to get this done now, before she could get hurt anymore.

"I don't love you."

Tears fell from Hermione's eyes as he repeated it, but she was quite clearly refusing to actually cry. She stood up gracefully, and Harry was once again amazed by her. She carried herself with such dignity, even when she wanted to fall apart, he thought. Oh, he was a liar, all right.

"All right," she said softly. His heart was screaming now. How was it all right? How would it ever be all right again?

"Hermione, you're still my friend-"

"Well of course. You need me to help you and I promised you I would."

"We could just go back to how we were before."

"I think that's best. I mean, it's not like anybody knew about us," she said, her eyes shining with those unshed tears. "Good night, Harry."

Her voice had a strange calmness to it that bordered on coldness. Instead of turning to go upstairs, she went out of the portrait hole. Every fibre in his body begged him to run after her and tell her it was all a lie. But that damned brain of his forced him to stay. And he wouldn't cry. Nope, he wouldn't cry, he thought as tears pricked the back of his eyelids.

Heroes don't cry.

***