The Mudblood and the Dragon

Chapter Six

Hermione and Draco remained quite friendly to each other while waiting for the invisibility cloak and Marauder's Map to arrive.

Tap, Tap, Tap!

Draco's owl was knocking at the window. Draco hopped off his bed and opened the window. "Where are the bloody cloak and map?" Draco bellowed.

"Harry will probably send it with his own owl, Hedwig," Hermione notified him. "In the first letter I sent him, I said to send letters back with Hedwig, since I stole your owl."

"Then where is Potter's owl?"

"Be patient. We can't use it until tonight anyway."

"Why?" Draco squabbled.

"Because it's less likely that we'll run into anyone," Hermione answered. "Snape already knows about the invisibility cloak, and he'd just love to be able to confiscate it."

"He wouldn't do it if I had it," Draco commented.

"Yes, but considering I will be with you, he'll think I forced you into it."

"What? Hold up! We never said anything about you going with me!"

"I got us the invisibility cloak and map, I get to go with you," Hermione said. "You should consider yourself lucky. I could just take the cloak and go without you."

"I guess..."

Just then, Hedwig flew through the open window and landed on Hermione's bed. She was carrying a very large package, and Hermione smiled. Hedwig gave her an affectionate nip on the finger as Hermione untied the package.

Hermione noticed a note tied to the package and quickly tore it open.

Dear Hermione,

Here are the invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map. I hope you remember how to use the map. I'd rather not say how in this letter, in case it falls into the wrong hands. Do you want me to meet you outside the kitchens? Good Luck!

Love, Harry

Hermione swore very loudly after reading the letter.

"Did you just curse?" Draco asked, very surprised.

"Harry wants to meet me at the kitchens tonight!"

"So, we'll go to the kitchens," Draco said. "What's the problem?"

"The problem is, he thinks you are going to be in our quarters sleeping and I will be meeting him by the kitchens."

Hermione ripped a piece of parchment out of her planner and wrote a quick note to Harry.

Dear Harry,

Don't meet me. I don't want you to be seen. You won't have the invisibility cloak or the Marauder's Map. If Snape finds you out of bed, you'll have detention for weeks.

Love, Hermione

"That should do it," Hermione stated, admiring her work. "I'll just send this back with Hedwig, and we should be safe tonight."

"Good," Draco said.

"What are we supposed to do until about ten?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know, you're the brains of the operation," Draco told her.

"Well, we could plan where to go tonight, I mean, since we have to stay together."

"We could got to the Astronomy Tower and snog," Draco joked.

"How about I act like I didn't hear that."

"What about playing a few tricks on some Gryffindors?" Draco recommended.

"I'm all for that, except for one minor change," Hermione said.

"Slytherins?" Draco asked.

"Wow, why didn't you tell me you were psychic?"

"Okay, no tricks."

As Draco racked his brain, Hermione sat down with her novel and let her mind drift. Should I tell Draco my secret? I mean we're getting closer. Maybe he would be able to help me... I can't go through with this alone.