Locked In

Dearest Narcissa,

Draco asked me to write to you on his behalf. He wanted to assure you that he is just fine! He hasn’t lost a stone. He is wishing you well in your endeavors.

Yours,

Professor Severus Snape, P.M.

Hermione stared out of the window in the infirmary anxiously. Draco had dictated the letter the night before, assuring Snape that his mother would catch his subtle meaning. He’d spoken of a certain artifact the Malfoys had in their possession designed to find blood family, a blood stone. Its original purpose was quite nefarious, tracking down illegitimate children to destroy them. However, it could be used simply to locate family members. He happily offered it to Snape, hoping to ease just a bit of the vampire’s woes.

“She’ll come through,” Draco whispered in her ear, startling her from her thoughts.

“I’m sorry,” she sighed. “I just… after seeing… well, if we can help just one person.”

“I know.” He embraced her from behind. “I want to as well, as odd as that sounds coming from me.”

Hermione chuckled. “Don’t worry, you’re secret it safe with me.”

“Speaking of secrets,” he began seriously. “What about ours?”

“Well, assuming that the aurors don’t come back, I say we break the news to our closest friends first.”

“I haven’t got any of those,” Draco said with a frown. “Well, I might tell Blaise. He was neutral and he seems to not care about my stance in the war. Pansy though, she’d flip out.”

“So we tell Harry and Ron first… but I say we give it a few days. I’d rather it not come out when they’re peppering me with hundreds of questions.”

Draco growled. “Haven’t they gotten it out of their systems yet?”

“You know I’m a horrible liar. They know something is up.”

“Weasel isn’t going to try and challenge me to a duel is he?”

She sighed sadly. “I honestly don’t know. I mean, he and I have a history… a more intimate one.”

Draco hummed. “I’ll be sure to keep my wand on me.”

“They’ll come around. I mean, we’re not at war anymore. If anything, we need to stop all this alienation and hatred. That’s what got us in this mess in the first place.”

“I wonder if that’s why Slytherin disappeared,” Draco said quietly. “The history books all say he came back to start his crusade against muggleborns and suddenly disappeared one day.”

Hermione frowned. “Half-blood or not, Magdalene was his child. He had to have felt something over it.”

“He looked crushed,” he whispered. “I couldn’t imagine. I mean, he really did love Helga.”

Hermione nodded. Something caught her eye and she squeaked. “Look!”

“That’s mother’s owl,” Draco confirmed, opening the window to admit the regal eagle owl. He carefully took the small package from its leg and gave it a bit of toast he’d saved from his breakfast.

“Ready to leave?”

The two whirled around to see Madam Pomfrey standing there with a smiling Dumbledore. Draco quickly pocketed the package and strolled forwards, Hermione trailing behind them.

“More than ready,” he said respectfully.

“Well,” Pomfrey harrumphed. “Let me check you both over one more time and I’ll release you.  However, you must both come by at least once a day and let me administer the nourishing potions to speed along your recovery or I’ll drag your bums right back in here. Is that clear?”

“Yes Madam Pomfrey,” they spoke in unison.

It only took her a couple of minutes before she sniffed in disdain and released them. It was hard not to crack a smile at the mediwitch. She never wanted to let her patients go, unless it was Draco as a young boy whinging on and on. He did smile at that thought. He was such a little shit as a lad.

“I take it you two are ready for classes?” Dumbledore asked, interrupting their thoughts.

“Oh, yes sir,” Hermione gushed before frowning. “What day is it anyway?”

“Why, it’s Monday dear girl. Breakfast is just finishing up. I imagine you could still catch it.”

“We already ate, thank you,” Draco said quietly. He always felt uncomfortable in the Headmaster’s presence. He still felt guilty for trying to kill him.

“Well then, best be off to classes then. Oh, and one other thing.”

“Yes sir?” they asked in unison.

“Whatever you experienced, it wasn’t done out of malice.”

“Oh… we know sir,” Hermione said softly.

“Ah!” Dumbledore said with a clap. “Then I wish you well. Good day to you both.”

“Think Snape will be in his classroom yet?” Hermione asked as they cautiously stepped outside the hospital wing. There was a sudden uneasiness that crept into her, a feeling that leaving was bad.

Draco cleared his throat. “He’ll be in his office by now. If we hurry, we can catch him and still make it to transfiguration before it starts.”

Hermione agreed and set off after Draco’s long legged form. She couldn’t fight the shivers that racked her body. Images the room had shown them flashed through her mind at every turn. A couple embraced in relief behind a tapestry here, another fight ensued behind a suit of armor there. Duels over affections streaked across the halls at intervals. It was terrifying.

Draco slowed down and grabbed her hand, pulling her into him. “I see them too.”

“I feel horrible,” she whispered.

“There’s nothing we can do for them,” Draco said quietly. “But we can do something for someone.”

They stopped at Snape’s office, knocking softly and waiting for the vampire to emerge. Snape called for them to enter. He didn’t even lift his head as they walked in and sat down, Hermione positioned in Draco’s lap out of habit. They waited patiently for him to finish his task.

He looked up at them and smirked. “I certainly hope you aren’t planning on this seating arrangement during your classes. I dare say you would draw attention to yourselves.”

Hermione practically leapt out of Draco’s lap in shock, only to be yanked back down. He placed a possessive arm around her middle while fumbling in his cloak for the package he’d received earlier. He watched Snape eye it with gleaming hope.

“This is it. You’ll need one drop of blood from two family members who share blood with the lost one.”

Snape’s face fell into despair. “L-lily is dead.”

Draco nodded. “But Potter is not. He is her half-brother. His blood will suffice.”

“What do you expect me to do?” Snape hissed. “Walk up to the boy and explain he has a sister?”

“I’ll get it professor,” Hermione spoke up. “I’ll bring it by this evening, if that’s okay.”

Snape sat back in his chair and relaxed, if only slightly. “That would be acceptable. Thank you.”

“I’ll find the instructions in my trunk and bring them by then as well,” Draco said. “You should have a location by tonight.”

Snape reached out and caressed the package, gratitude and longing in his eyes. The intensity of the emotions made Hermione tear up. Draco nodded to the professor and led her outside before Snape lashed out at her. The vampire wasn’t good with emotions, especially not those directed at him. They still had a full day’s worth of classes to attend as well. He wasn’t so sure they were ready for that.

AN: Think it will work? Any clues as to how Hermione's going to get Harry's blood? Is this the end? *maniacal cackle* As always, thanks to everyone who reviewed. I love them each and every one. Your questions should all be answered by the end. I hope. :) Keep those reviews coming and let me know how I'm doing. Until next time... love you guys.