Draco realizes just where Hermione’s gone off to and informs the Dark Lord.

When Draco made his way back to the Slytherin Common, he was surprised to not see Nagini curled up in her usual spot by the fireplace, but he did notice Daphne sitting with Blaise and Theo and they all looked unhappy.

Making his way over, he sat down and asked, “Have any of you seen Hermione?”

Theo and Blaise gave Daphne matching looks of sympathy as she sighed nervously. “Yes, Hermione was here and she left about an hour ago with Nagini. She didn’t say where she was going but she did tell me to relay a message.”

“Okay.” Draco’s breath hitched in worry.

“She told me to tell you she loves you, and she didn’t leave because of whatever happened earlier. She mentioned you two had some sort of disagreement, but she left because she’d discovered the answer to a problem she’d been researching and said you’d understand.”

Draco’s face paled as he realized what Daphne was talking about. “Did she say how she found this information?”

Daphne nodded. “Zacharias Smith. Apparently it was in a book he showed her, that’s why you saw her hugging him. She also mentioned something about obtaining the last object she needed.”

“Fucking shit!” Draco growled as he stood up and ran back out of the common room, realizing just where his witch was likely headed and praying the Dark Lord didn’t kill him when he found out where Hermione had gone.

When he made his way back to the Headmaster’s office, Severus didn’t look pleased to see him at all.

“Draco? What do I owe the pleasure of your company twice in one evening?”

“I’m sorry, Uncle, but I need to speak to the Dark Lord now! It’s an emergency!”

Severus rolled his eyes and grumbled as he lifted his sleeve and touched his Dark Mark. Soon, the floo flashed and Voldemort stepped out from the flames looking beyond irritated.

“What now, Severus? Has my daughter burned the castle down in a pique of rage?”

“No, my Lord. I am unsure what is going on. Draco requested you come immediately as there is some sort of emergency with Hermione.”

The Dark Lord’s eyes flashed red as he glared at his daughter’s intended. “What is the issue, Draco?”

Draco cleared his throat nervously before he spoke. “My Lord? I know you’re aware that Hermione has been doing some independent research on how to help Lady McKinnon. It would seem that earlier this evening she acquired the final item she’d been searching for. But more to the point, I believe she may have gone to the one person who could tell her how to use those items.”

Voldemort’s aura flashed out dangerously as he growled at the young Malfoy Heir. “Who?”

“Grindelwald, My Lord. I believe Hermione may be on her way to Nurmengard as we speak.”

The Dark Lord’s eyes blazed red in anger as his magic lashed out into the Headmaster’s office, shattering the windows, and other smaller objects while Severus shook his head in defeat.

“Perhaps she hasn’t left the grounds yet, My Lord?” Severus drawled. “She does have her apparition license, however without some frame of reference she couldn’t apparate in blindly. Therefore, she’d have to portkey in and as clever as Hermione is, it is highly unlikely she was able to procure one on her own.”

Voldemort nodded. “Which means she had help.” Thinking for a moment Voldemort growled. “Rodolphus and Rabastan. Marlene warned me that she had secured a promise from them both to protect Hermione as she likely sensed our daughter would do something foolish like this.”

“Will you punish them, My Lord?” Severus drawled.

“If I did, then I’d have to ‘crucio’ both of you for allowing my daughter to leave Hogwarts unattended. If something happens to her however...” Voldemort left the threat hanging.

“I don’t think she left unattended, My Lord. Nagini isn’t in the common room. I think Hermione might have either taken Nagini or told her where she was going.”

The Dark Lord snapped his fingers and his daughter’s familiar fell into the room, looking like she’d just eaten.

“Where is she, Nagini?” The Dark Lord hissed at his snake.

“She went to Nurmengard, Master...to Grindelwald.”

“Why?”

“To find out how to unite the Hallows.” The snake hissed.

“And you didn’t stop her?”

Nagini hissed angrily. “I told her Nagini was displeased but she is stubborn, Master. She would not take Nagini with her, so what should I have done? Made Mistress angry at me for keeping her here?

Voldemort shook his head unhappily at his daughter’s familiar. “Did you see who she went with?”

Nagini nodded. “I followed her to Hogsmeade, Master. The Lestrange Brothers were there with a portkey. Mistress told me she would return, unless she was able to get the information she sought.”

“And where did she say she’d be heading?” Voldemort hissed.

“She didn’t.” Nagini hissed back unhappily, knowing her Master would be very displeased if he’d discovered Nagini was lying to him.

But she’d promised her Mistress, and she wouldn’t break that promise.

Turning to Severus, he gestured to Draco. “Keep him here. I will hopefully be back shortly with my daughter.”

And with that the Dark Lord moved back through the flames to McKinnon Manor.

Draco sat down with his head in his hands trying to stay calm and hope that Hermione was alright.

He was angry at her for leaving without him, but more angry at himself for what had happened earlier. Perhaps if he hadn’t acted so rashly, he’d know what she was doing...and more importantly, where she was ultimately headed.