Hermione, Neville, and Fleur landed in a heap on dead grass, the stiff trendels poking her skin through her jeans. Hermione shot up, the image of Bill and George staining her thoughts, and leaned down to help Fleur who was shaking violently.

"I'm so sorry we had to do that," Hermione breathed, reaching under Fleur's arm to pull her up. "I didn't know what else to do." Fleur didn't respond, and her head rolled against Hermione's shoulder.

"Neville?" Rang a voice, thin and strained. Hermione looked around to find they had apparated into a front yard, contained within a short silver and white gate that was rusting quickly. The house before her was tall, its walls black and windows shut with grey detailing on the panels. Ginny was standing at the door, her red hair loose and her green eyes full of worry. Hermione's heart squeezed, realizing she would have to tell one of her oldest friends her brothers were dead.

"Is that Fleur?" Ginny cried, dashing toward them. She went to the opposite side of Hermione and draped Fleur's other arm on her shoulder, as the front door opened once more and Narcissa Malfoy stepped onto the grey porch. Her hair was tied in a low ponytail, and Hermione noticed this was the most informal she'd ever seen the only female Malfoy.

"What happened." She asked, but it sounded like a statement, like she could already tell, could smell the death reeking off of them.

"Fleurs been badly hurt," Neville said, glancing at the pale witch. "Let's put her in a room."

"Let's take mine." Ginny said, and they slowly walked up the porch and into the house.

Narcissa backed up slightly, making room for them, shutting the door once everyone was inside. Hermione noticed Luna sitting in a large black chair, her legs folded beneath her with a book in her lap.

"What's happening?" Luna asked, her voice thin, and Narcissa gave her a fleeting glance, as she pointed forward to another room and the two able girls walked Fleur into what Hermione assumed was Ginny's bedroom. They set Fleur down on the twin sized mattress gently, and Narcissa beelined for Fleur. Hermione and Ginny both stepped back, and Hermione looked at the scarlet red blanket wrapped around Fleur's leg.

Her blood was going to stain the mattress. Maybe vinegar could get it out, or baking soda.

"As happy as I am to see you, I need to know what happened." Ginny said, and Hermione could see the fear in her stance. She grabbed her hand, pulling her from the room and gave Narcissa and Neville a knowing look.

"We'll be outside if you need us." Hermione murmured, shutting the door behind her. She could hear Narcissa instructing Neville and felt confident Fleur was in good hands. Stirring Ginny towards a grey loveseat across from Luna, Hermione pulled her to sit down.

"Hello, Hermione." Luna said with a smile, shutting the book. She folded her hands on top of the book, and cocked her head to the side, as if to listen intently.

"Where's Ron?" Hermione asked, and looked around what she presumed was the Blacks living room. A fire was blazing, and there was a rug in front of the fireplace. Over the hearth was a vast image of Narcissa and her two sisters, Bellatrix and Andremoda. Hermione noticed Bellatrix looked differently then, she must have been younger, and her large eyes seemed pleading, like she was asking to be released from the picture. There was a floor lamp besides the loveseat, and a few plants in ceramic pots littered the sides of the walls. While it wasn't much, it was clean and warm, and Hermione suddenly felt exhausted.

"He's in Diagon Alley. We needed some more food, for everyone coming. Then he'll go to my house." Luna answered, and Hermione nodded. That was logical. Logical, but dangerous.

"Dammit Hermione!" Ginny cried, and both Luna and Hermione jumped in surprise. "Tell me what's happened!"

Hermione took a breath, and said slowly, "Ginny I'm so sorry...we went to the burrow, to check on...why your mom hadn't been replying to her owls?" Hermione realized she was still holding Ginny's hand, and gave her what she hoped felt like a comforting squeeze. "The b-burrow was on fire..." Hermione stuttered, and could see Ginny's eyes start to tear. "Your mum was gone, so was your dad...I couldn't find them."

Ginny nodded rapidly. "Did you find their bodies?" she asked and took a breath when Hermione shook her head. "I called for them, and no one answered so...so we started to...we started putting out the fires." Hermione said, tripping over her words. "A-a-and then I found B-bill...he was...he was dead, Ginny."

She decided to spare her friend the horrific details of her brother's body and cringed when Ginny let out a sob. She sniffled, rubbing her nose on her sleeve as her other hand balled into a fist.

"What about George?" She cried, turning her face to Hermione, her cheeks red and tears streaming down her face.

Hermione shook her head and felt her own tears well up as Ginny's face went slack. Slowly, Ginny stood up, almost mechanically, and walked towards the stairs near her room. She climbed up the stairs, her feet slow without a word. Luna and Hermione watched her leave, and Hermione knew she was going to be sick.

"Come with me" Luna said, and gestured for her to follow as she stood up and exited the living room. Hermione stumbled after her, and they walked into the kitchen. It was small but neat, and Luna turned the faucet knob, water streaming out. Hermione lunged herself at the sink, and splashed her face, the water mixing with her tears. She could feel Luna watching her, and she looked away, her eyes falling on the fridge.

There were several photographs on the fridge, and it dawned on Hermione that this was a very muggle way of decorating. She stiffened as she saw a photo of a boy with silver eyes, holding a broomstick, his mouth in a thin line. Draco was obviously younger in the picture, and Hermione took a step forward, her eyes locked on his.

She missed him. As simply and stupid and dangerous as it was, she missed him.

He probably didn't even remember her.

"Do you think Draco's alive?" Luna asked, and Hermione blinked, having forgotten she was there.

"Perhaps." She said and tore her eyes away from the photograph. Luna gave a soft nod.

"He was kind to me when I was a prisoner, in Malfoy manor. He would sneak me food." Hermione did not reply. She felt like her mind was reeling, and she gripped the edges of the counter to steady herself. The sound of footsteps came from behind her, and the two girls turned just as Narcissa entered the kitchen, her hands red and mouth tight.

"She's going to be ok." Narcissa breathed, and Hermione gave a sigh of relief. "She lost a lot of blood, but she just needs rest now." Hermione moved out of the way of the sink, and Narcissa walked to the faucet, turning it on, and began to wash Fleur's blood from her hands.

"Did she tell you what happened?" Hermione asked. Narcissa shook her head but didn't look up, just continued to rub her hands together.

"She didn't see much. She said some men broke into the house, set it on fire. She said she could hear Molly and Arthur yelling and casting spells. Bill had locked her in their room, and she was in bed when a spell went through the wall and hit her." Narcissa replied and turned the faucet off. "She doesn't remember much else. Luna dear, can you give Hermione some clothes, and a towel? Set her up in Draco's room."

"Oh, I shouldn't." Hermione said quickly, even though the thought of a bed, even his bed, made her feel a temporary euphoria.

"Oh nonsense." Narcissa replied as she dried her hands on with a rag. "He hasn't used it in months."

March 20th, 1997

It was a Saturday when Hermione realized just how attractive her divinations partner was. Their project was due the following Monday and they were nearly finished, writing out the last bits and pieces. She watched as he bent his head, his finger underneath the sentence he was reading as his eyes skimmed the page.

"Granger, what was that vocab word again? It was Polish?" Draco asked, and she snapped her back straight.

"Milosc." She said, voice tight. "I believe the phrase we have to remember is 'miłość zagubiona'." He nodded thoughtfully and looked up at her.

"I'm assuming you know what it means?" He drawled, impatience edging into his voice. Hermione realized she was gripping her quill hard, and she softened her hold on it, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Yes, do you?" She asked, trying to feign innocence. Something in her wanted to hear him say it, and she brought her eyes to his face to find him watching her. He was silent, silver eyes peering at her in a quizzical look.

Maybe he truly didn't know, and she cleared her voice, "It means 'a love found'. We would use it when trying to predict a positive outcome between two people, or if the user is trying to find out if someone will continue to be in their designated future."

He laughed. Hermione blinked.

He shook his head, wiping his hands down his face, another chuckle escaping him, and Hermione felt her face grow hot. "What's so comical?" She asked briskly and picked up her quill once more.

"That's not what that means," Draco smirked. "I think that's the first time I've ever heard you get an answer wrong."

She rolled her eyes, annoyance crawling up her back. "Then what does it mean?" she asked, and he stopped laughing, his smile slowly melting off his face.

"The user would use this when they are trying to find a...something they've lost." He said, pausing slightly. "It reads 'a love lost'."