RAGE

“Listen guys.” Hermione said standing. “It’s been a long day already so I think we should sort out sleeping arrangements then put some wards on the house.”

“Sounds good to me.” George said.

As if on cue, Narcissa walked in.

“Just the person we wanted to speak to.” Hermione said.

Narcissa smiled.

“Well, go for it.” She said.

“We were wondering how many bedrooms you have; I think everyone could do with a shower and some food.” Hermione said.

“Of course.” Narcissa said, still smiling. “We have eleven bedrooms, all with their own en-suite. We have…umm…” She put her hand to her head thinking. “We have forty-four people here so that works out well; four to a bedroom.”

Hermione smiled at her.

“Okay, let’s get everyone settled, then we can put wards up.” Hermione said.

“Oh you’re not going to need many more wards, sweetheart.” Narcissa said.

Hermione frowned.

“Why not?” She asked. “We need to be prepared for anything.”

She smiled sadly.

“You forget I was married to a former Death Eater.” She said. “He had just about every ward and spell put on this house. He wasn’t taking any chances. Especially when he decided to betray the Dark Lord.”

Hermione nodded.

“All the alarms are still working.” She continued. “You’ll find all the stats and stuff in his office.”

“Alright.” Arthur said sighing. “Let’s get everyone to sort into groups and get them to a bedroom.”

They all walked out of the room and Hermione prepared herself to face the small crowd. Instead Draco smiled at her and told her take it easy. She needed to look after herself too.

He called attention to the people and they looked at him scared, tried and hungry.

“First I suppose I should ask, is anyone hurt at all?”

One man raised his hand.

“Don’t worry, I’m not infected.” He said as some of the people surrounding him moved away from him. “I cut my arm coming down the lattice. I don’t have my wand so I couldn’t heal it.”

“Well, if you would like to come up here, Hermione will heal it for you.” Draco said. “Anyone else?”

No one moved. Hermione quickly healed the mans arm and he thanked her.

“Secondly, we are in the middle of Scotland. We are over seventy miles from any towns or villages. We have every ward and spell on the house that you can think of so we are perfectly safe.” He said.

Some of the crowd sighed and looked relieved. Some looked skeptical, they had been told all of this before. Then they were attacked.

“And thirdly, we’d like you to divide into groups of four.”

No one moved.

“There are eleven bedrooms in this house and forty-four of us.” He said, seeing the confusion on their faces. “Once we are all in our bedrooms, we can shower and put on fresh clothes. Then we can all have something to eat.”

The crowd began to talk, liking the plan. Everyone looked exhausted. Then they began to separate into groups of four.

“Well, the bedrooms are behind you both upstairs and down stairs. Go for it. Just leave the two bedrooms at the end of the hall upstairs.” He added and walked down to where Hermione and the Weasley’s were standing.

Mr and Mrs Weasley were going to bunk with Charlie and Narcissa. George and Alicia were bunking with Goyle and a young woman who had attached herself to him. Harry and Ginny were standing with Luna and Ron. They looked at her.

“We were just trying to figure this out.” Harry said. “Maybe it can be you girls and then us guys or something.”

Hermione shook her head.

“No, it’s alright. You four bunk together. I’m fine.” She said. “I’ll find someone to bunk with.”

“No, Hermione.” Ginny said. “That’s not fair on you.”

“What, I’m not good enough for her?” Draco asked, appearing from behind Hermione.

“Are you sure Hermione?” Luna asked.

Hermione forced a smile and a nod.

“Of course. Who are our roommates?” Hermione asked, looking to Draco.

“Blaise and Pansy.” Draco said, faltering slightly on Pansy’s name.

“Oh.” Hermione said politely. “Cool. Well, I desperately need a shower. Let’s go find a room.”

“We’re going to my room.” Draco said. “We’ll chuck anyone else out.”

Hermione frowned.

“That’s a bit rough.” She said.

He looked at her and softened a bit.

“It’s my room. I need it.” He said.