Stylistic Harmony

Chapter Nineteen
The next two weeks passed in a whirlwind, Hermione, Draco and Blaise were buried under a mountain of work. The School Governors having decided that Hogwarts would close come April; the seventh years would take their N.E.W.T.S two months early, so their Professors had upped the amount of work to compensate for the loss of weeks of preparation. This meant that Blaise hardly had time for Ginny, not that she minded, considering what little time he did have with her was spent in his bed. Ginny had experienced more in two weeks then most woman did in their lives. Blaise had surpassed his reputation, and she was falling deeper and deeper for him every second. Hermione was still worried about Draco, he had almost stopped talking to her altogether, and she could see his troubles every time she looked in his eyes. He was still utterly devoted to her, but he felt that every moment he was with her, the more danger he was putting her in. It was beginning to eat away at him, and he began to withdraw into himself, using every free hour he had researching Horcruxes. He did not request help from Blaise, he had his own shit to deal with right now. His endless researching was not in vain, he had discovered tidbits of information, that if pieced together correctly would may provide some clue to the whereabouts of the final four Horcruxes. Unfortunately he needed the help of the one person he had no clue where he was. Potter. Fortunately, an opportunity was about to present itself to him, an opportunity he had to take advantage of. Even though it may endanger the life of his girlfriend. Pacing back and forth in his private rooms, he pondered the best way to inform Golden Boy about his discovery, sitting at his desk, he pulled out a parchment and a quill and began to write. An hour later he had constructed a letter, informing Potter of the details of his discovery and suggesting a meet; folding it, he addressed the front in his neat script. He was pouring himself a drink when a knock on his door distracted him. Pulling it open he found Hermione standing on the threshold.

Hermione and Ginny were reclining in the Heads Common Room, taking a well earned break from their studies and their rather persistent boyfriends. Ginny still had no idea of Blaise's true involvement with Hermione and Draco and the trio were keen to keep it that way for now. Ginny was talking to Hermione about something or other Blaise had done, when there was a short cough from the portrait by the door followed by a request,
"Headmistress McGonagall requires the presence of Miss. Granger and Miss. Weasley in her office as soon as possible." The two girls looked at each other, there was only one possible reason for McGonagall wanting to see them both, news from Harry and Ron. Both felt the sharp pang of guilt as they made their way to the Heads office. Upon entering they found McGonagall sat behind her desk, a letter in her hand and a grave look on her face. Hermione's mind went into immediate overdrive, it had to be Harry and Ron, they had been injured or worse, she couldn't stop herself, tears began to form in her eyes. Ginny beside her was silent, but all the colour had drained from her face. A movement by the fireplace caught their attention, red-hair, followed by freckles and gleaming blue eyes. Hermione's heart pounded with guilt,
"RON!" screeched Ginny, flinging herself into her brothers arms. His eyes sparkled with happiness, but behind them was a hollowness, whatever had happened in the past two weeks had changed him. Ginny released herself, Hermione stepped forward and leant into her 'boyfriend's' embrace. He hugged her to him like he would never let her go. He looked down at her, kissing her gently on the lips,
"Hey girl. I missed you." She smiled warily, lying through her teeth she said,
"I missed you to. What happened? Where've you been? Where's Harry?" Too many questions came tumbling out of her mouth, before Ron could answer, McGonagall cleared her throat and motioned for the two girls to sit. Ron watched wearily from his place by the fire. The Headmistress handed Ginny a letter, it was in Harry's handwriting. She then began to speak,
"I am sorry that this news does not come direct from Harry. He sends his apologies to you both, he so wished to come but Remus and myself thought it best that he not, for his safety and for yours." Ginny began to sniffle, and said in a tiny voice,
"He's okay though right? He's okay?" McGonagall nodded,
"Yes, he is in one piece Miss. Weasley. However for him to come out in the open now would endanger his mission. Mr. Weasley, if you would be so kind as to relate to these two the progress you and Harry have made." Ron stepped into the light,
"The attack on the Ministry wasn't random. Voldemort wanted to create maximum chaos, throw the wizarding world into disarray. The Order believes that this was the first in a series of attacks, the beginning of the chain of events if you will. The climax being the Final Battle. But the Dark Lord had an ulterior motive, something within the bowels of the Ministry, the explosion acted as cover-up. It was the cup, Hermione. Helga Hufflepuff's cup. The Ministry acquired it when the Dark Lord fell the first time, Voldemort wanted it back. We believe that Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange retrieved it, and have hidden it. Our sources tell us that Malfoy has it at the Manor. Even though he isn't living there, the chaos allowed him to return and hide it. Harry insisted that I come here, I have a letter from him to Draco Malfoy asking for his help. Harry seemed to think that Malfoy will cooperate." Hermione almost vomited, if Lucius caught Draco with the cup, that would be it, he would be branded a traitor and destroyed. She couldn't let him.
"Why can't the Order just storm the Manor. They know that Lucius is on the run, the Manor should be open to them." She asked, desperate to keep Draco away from danger. McGonagall shook her head,
"We already tried. It appears that the wards re-activated when he escaped Azkaban, only a Malfoy can pass them. Harry is adamant that Draco will provide the key." Hermione was silent, worry for her blond lover coursing through her veins, her dream from the other night kept replaying in her head. Ginny didn't understand,
"Professor, why is it too dangerous for Harry to be out in the open? I don't get it." Ron answered her, cutting McGonagall off,
"We were following a lead, Snape had been seen way out in the country. We went to investigate, we spotted him. Harry's anger boiled over and he snapped. He and Snape dueled, it was fierce and violent. Neither of them really got anywhere, Harry was too angry and Snape was too cowardly. He got away." McGonagall finished the explanation,
"We have assumed that Snape will have informed the Dark Lord that Harry is out of school. Which means that he will have people on the lookout for him, we felt it best that he stay concealed. Voldemort cannot find out what Harry is looking for." Hermione could understand that, she fought back the lump in her throat, and said in a businesslike tone,
"So, what happens now? Malfoy just cooperates? He'll want something in return, it's what he's like."
"We have thought through all possible options, Miss Granger. Harry has informed me that Dumbledore trusted that Draco would aid him, and Harry himself said that Draco told him he wanted Voldemort gone. So for now, Mr. Malfoy is our only option." Hermione nodded, looked up and said,
"I'll give it to him. The letter. I'll give it to Malfoy. It's probably best if no-one sees Ron talking to Malfoy." Ron started to protest, but the Headmistress put her hand up,
"I think that wise. Ron it is best that you wait here and then return to Harry with Draco's response. Miss. Granger, if you would take this now. The password to the Slytherin Common Room is 'Endgame'." Hermione took the letter from her Head teacher and walked from the office to her lovers dormitory. She walked into the dank, dark of the dungeon and stood outside the door, whispering the password it swung open. Several students were lounged around the cavernous dungeon room, no warmth emanated from the fire that roared in the grate, all in all it felt cold, empty and emotionless. The students swung their gaze to her, disbelieving that a Gryffindor and a Mudblood no less, was striding across the floor towards the staircase that led to their Prince's private suite. Ignoring everyone she strode past, the look in her eyes purposeful, she ascended the staircase to his door. Knocking lightly, she stood waiting for him to answer. The door opened and there he was, a glass of fire-whiskey in his hand, his hair disheveled and a troubled look on his face.
"Hermione?"

"What are you doing here?" He said, somewhat tersely. She shoved him back into his room and kicked the door shut. He grinned wickedly, "Well if that's what you're doing here, who am I to object?" He went to her and bent to kiss her when she pushed him back,
"Draco, I need to talk to you. We haven't got much time." She pulled him to sit on the edge on the bed, he sank down beside her. She took his hands in hers, looked deep into his beautiful grey eyes and said,
"Ron came back. He had a message." She pulled the letter out of her pocket, and handed it to him, "It's for you." He looked at the letter in his hand, then back at her, confusion etched into his face,
"For me?" She nodded,
"Its from Harry. He needs your help. He needs you to...." She trailed off, it was to hard to say, she really didn't want him to go. No matter how much it helped towards defeating Voldemort. He raised an eyebrow, she waved it off, "Just read the letter and then come to McGonagall's office. I'll see you later." She got up to go, but he stopped her.
"Wait for me." He said. She sat back next to him, he opened the letter and begun to read,

Malfoy,
Whatever the hell you're motives are, and whatever the hell I think of you, right now I couldn't give a toss. As much as I hate to admit this, I need your help. You're ass of a Father has something that I need to destroy. Destroying it will bring me a step to finishing Voldemort once and for all. Send you're answer back with Ron. I don't trust you but I can tell that there's something thats happened and that you do want him dead as much as me. I'll write again when I have your answer.
Potter

No need for pleasantries then, thought Draco. He looked down at his girlfriend who was waiting patiently for him to finish, rose off the bed, picked up the letter he had written earlier and held his hand out to her,
"Lead the way Granger."

They arrived back at McGonagall's office, Ginny had disappeared, presumably to read Harry's letter, Ron was still stood at the fireplace, looking into the flames. Hermione sat back in front of the desk, Draco loitered by the door. McGonagall looked straight at him and said,
"Well Mr. Malfoy, what have you decided?" He stepped forward, taking the seat next to Hermione, propping his feet up on the desk. He pulled his letter to Harry from his robe, and placed it on the desk in front of McGonagall.
"As long as he gets this, I'll do whatever he wants." With that the blond cast a look at the figure by the fireplace and then swept out of the room. Hermione was confused, Draco had a letter for Harry? What could it say?
"Well," said McGonagall breaking Hermione's thoughts, the Headmistress ran her wand over the letter, checking it for curses, it was clean. "That settles it. Mr. Weasley, please take this letter to Harry and tell him that Mr. Malfoy is willing to cooperate. I will leave you two now, I have some business to attend to." She left them alone in the office. Ron came over to her and gathered her in his arms. She felt wrong in his arms, he wasn't like Draco. There was nothing there between them, but she was too much of a coward to break his heart.
"Its good to see you Mione. I am so sorry I didn't come to say goodbye when I left, but it was early and I didn't want to wake you. I promise you darling, I will see you in the holidays, its only three weeks away. Mum is coming to Grimmauld Place especially to cook Christmas Lunch. She's worried about everyone, its her way of keeping things normal." Hermione chuckled,
"Oh, Ron. Everything will be okay right? We'll get through this?" He couldn't lie to her,
"Honestly, I don't know. Harry is a bit of a mess right now, he's getting slightly obsessed. Which reminds me, I said I'd try not to be too long. I have to get back. I'll meet you and Ginny at the station in three weeks. I'll see you then. I love you, don't forget that." They kissed, she couldn't say it back to him, so she remained silent. He pulled away and flooed back. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, then left to find Draco and get him to explain what the hell was going on.