...I'm back? Are you guys all mad that I haven't updated in forever? Lastly, I would like to say I have not only been lazy and none creative but I have been sitting on two chapters for about 5 months or so. Does that make me a bad person? I hope not.

Anyway, I hope you guys all enjoy this chapter. And I'm hoping to stay in my creative mode and update that second chapter that I"ve been sitting on within the month to get back in your good graces again. If you all want to hit me or send me a flame because of my unresponsiveness please do if it will help you feel a little better.

Also I would like to thank those who emailed me within this year because they boosted my creativity and gave me a positive insentive to continue working on this story again. Also thanks to those who have reviewed my story in the past. I appreciated every one of them.

ON WITH THE STORY! Enjoy?

Chapter 5

Draco didn't come back that night or the following day. Near the end of the following day everyone who knew Draco's secret were growing more and more concerned. Hermione sat on the ground examining the wooden figurine Draco had been widdling a few days previously in her hands slowly stroking every part of the smooth curves. She hadn't moved much since Draco disappeared into the dense forest. Ron didn't leave her side attempting to easy her recent worries of Harry's fate. The twins were at the corner of the camp whispering to each other. Ron had believed his brothers were plotting on the return to Hogwarts to cut Voldemorts penis off. At the other end of the camp Remus and Sirius were conversing with the other rebels. About what? No one really knew. Whenever Ron or Neville had asked them about it they said they would find out soon enough. Ron could never get anything else out of them.

The whole camp was not only worried about missing a member of their group, but the other thought that had been nagging in the back of their minds was they were staying in the area too long. The rebels knew it wouldn't be long before someone, be it a Death Eater or civilian in cohorts with Voldemort, would discover them and they wouldn't be able to get away.

It had been decided that if Draco didn't show up by night fall they would start to pack up and leave. They had long out stayed their welcome.

Just before nightfall they had everything packed for the morning journey. They fire was put out and everyone huddled together to keep warm. During the dawn of the morning, just before regular folk awoke was there rustling slowly creeping closer toward the small rebel group. Remus and Sirius were the first to wake. Both had wands drawn in the direction of the rustling Remus kicked behind him waking Ron who in turn woke everyone. By the time the rustling was but 200 yards away all wands were at the ready.

They needn't have worried however as the scarred face of Draco appeared. His face was tinted red in the early morning rays of sun, peaking through the woods. He was panting and holding what looked like a newspaper under his arm. He gasped before speaking with a panicked voice, "What the hell are you still doing here?"

"We were waiting for you, you asshole. Remember, we said we'd stay together."

"Never mind that now. We can converse later. Death Eaters found us out…or will. They're making their way in this direction scavenging the forest now. We have to move…" Draco turned around to the same direction and he started walking back the way he came. Everyone unconsciously followed him. No doubt in anyone's mind when one spoke of being found by Death Eaters. They traveled as quietly as possible not allowing themselves the luxury of using magic too much magic usage would send an alert to Voldemort and get them caught even faster. So just having a little magic here and there had sufficed fort them that long had kept them going.

Draco veered off to the left just parallel to the Death Eaters but about a mile separating them. The sun was fully shown throughout the forest now as the rebels picked up their pace. The dew collected on their robes and shoes as they made their way through the high grass along the creek. The sun was reaching its peak when the small group of 20 was almost seen by a second sweep of Death Eaters. Draco was the first to notice them and ushered the group to crouch in the high grass. Everyone dropped and many laid flat with their wands out just in case of discovery they were ready. Between the grass blades Draco and Hermione saw a Death Eater pass not a half a kilo away do a double take in their direction. That Death Eater changed course towards the high grass and shot a flare in the group's area. Draco whispered down the line "Don't panic—it's a flare. Keep quiet." There was one on the far end who didn't get the message as the flare blew up above them and she squeaked. The Death Eater who sent the flare started running in the small group's direction brings the other five Death Eaters with him.

"Get ready to fight." Draco voiced. The group tensed, slowly rising to their haunches with their wands at the ready. The Death Eaters were getting closer and closer to their hiding spot. Fear built up in many of the untrained fighters as they started shaking-rustling the high grass around them.

Just as the Death Eaters were 100 yards away the moment came when three deer jumped out of the tall grass running away from the scene. They had probably been in a daze from the bright and only how had just recovered. The group saw with relief that the Death Eaters stopped and looked at each other with realization. They seemed to chuckle before resuming their search.

Draco and the rest of them waited for another half an hour before they got up and began moving again at a much quicker pace. "That was close. Thank Merlin for scared deer." Hermione said just loud enough for everyone to hear and their tension disappeared slightly. Everyone chuckled and kept walking. They walked until nightfall—no one daring to talk after their close up of death. No fire was built for fear that there were Death Eater around the area. All were huddled close to keep warm when Hermione spoke in a whispered conversation.

"Draco, where have you been? You just disappeared and didn't let us know where you were. I think we all deserve an explanation. You almost got us killed back there."

"I am not the only one at fault for that little mishap. You could have left." Draco said harshly whipping his head around to glare at Hermione. Draco saw that she had a hurt expression on her face and his anger dissipated. He let out a frustrated growl for making her upset before answering her question. "I got a letter the other night so I went into the closest town from where we were camping out. My informant told me to get a hold of the Daily Prophet because there was something I should see. I went and got it yesterday night and just about back to the camp when I saw those Death Eaters around. At least I snuck over and warned you, didn't? How can you possibly fault me?"

"Yes you did warn us and I, I mean, we all thank you for that otherwise we would have been caught. But you still should have told us, you idiot." Hermione's hurt expression shifted into a mischievous glint in her eyes as she smacked the back of his head. Draco gave her a pained expression with his famed glare, but didn't say anything knowing he deserved it. He never thought he would see the day when he would let a hit slide by without retaliation, but then again when did he ever think he would be on the run from the Dark Lord?

"Can the rest of us see the newspaper, Draco?"

Draco just sighed. Hermione could feel him shifting nervously next to her before she felt something placed in her lab. "Don't look at it tonight you won't be able to sleep. I'll explain more in the morning."

They were silent for a while before Hermione felt over Draco until she reached his face. Pulling it close she whispered in his ear, "You don't have to hold your feelings in about Harry most of us here care deeply about him. We'll get him out and we'll get rid of Voldemort and the other thing and then he's mortal again. Think positive." She lightly patted his cheek before she let go of Draco's face and hugged him. "You're not alone." Hermione whispered before releasing him and cuddling next to her boyfriend. Draco looked over at her watching her fall asleep before looking at the rest of the small group. Everyone was cuddled next to someone—Remus and Sirius to the left of him, Ron and Hermione, even the twins had each other. Who was left for him? No one. Harry was warming his ex-Masters bed and he was left by himself. He was truly alone. Just before Hermione fell asleep she heard Draco whisper, "You're wrong, Hermione I am alone—at least until Harry's at my side."

Draco waited for almost everyone to fall asleep before he got up and crept over to the edge of the campsite. He sat down with his knees to his chest arms wrapped around them and his chin on his knee. Draco stared out into the inky blackness of the forest. He thought back to the article in the paper. Everything written in the Prophet spurred his anger outward again. He wanted to kill the Dark Lord more than ever, but he didn't know if he had the guts. What Draco really wanted to know was why he had these feelings. He was sure he never mentioned anything akin to attraction to the scar-faced boy, but somehow the Dark Lord knew and spurred his attachment even further just to goat him. Even though he didn't want to admit it to himself but Draco bit the bait that the Dark Lords dangled in front of him. He needed to prove himself. Prove himself worthy of courting Harry. With determined eyes Draco took a short walk around the camp to calm himself and plan before settling down for the night.

The next morning everyone was awake as the sun peaked out over the forest's edge. They were on the move again and the group would continue to be on the move until everything was finally over. It wasn't quiet light enough to read the newspaper Draco had provided, so instead, Sirius, Remus, the twins and Hermione bombarded Draco with questions about the paper.

"What did the paper say was happening around the town?"

"Does it say they know where other rebels are?"

"Is Harry Potter in it?"

"What's the Dark Lord up to now?"

Draco just held up a hand and everyone hushed. "I would prefer you read it yourselves otherwise I might not be responsible for my actions. Just wait a little longer and you will ALL get your answers." No one said a word for the next hour when the sun was just high enough to read the small letters on the page. Hermione pulled out the paper from inside her robe. As she unfolded the newspaper the first thing everyone who could see the paper saw was the cover picture with the headline above reading, Identity of the Dark Lord's pet: Revealed. Everyone looked at the picture closer. Voldemort was standing in front of Harry, who was crouching on the ground. Voldemort moved his arm like he was motioning for Harry to do something and Harry's hand swiped his hand moving his bangs away from his forehead. He didn't look too happy do so either not looking at the camera or anyone else in the picture.

"No one knew until now? Wow, I really thought Voldemort would have told everyone." Sirius speculated.

"No. That's the way the Dark Lord wanted it. If anyone of the Death Eaters told a non-Death Eater that person would have been found out and killed immediately. No questions asked. He didn't want anyone trying to do a rescue mission so soon after getting Harry in his grasp." Draco's face contorted angrily.

"Hermione read it out loud so we can all hear it."

"All-all right." Hermione said hesitantly. She cleared her throat before reading the article with evident dread. "Today was the first day our Lord came to a public outing with his newly acquired pet. There had only been speculation before then whether or not our Lord had been keeping a secret from the public, but all has been revealed. This mysterious pet has been identified as none other than the former Savior of the Wizarding World, Harry Potter. From the looks of him time has not been kind to him. A new scar was revealed during this outing on the pets face, slashing across his right eye. How many more has there been since his downfall? Only time will tell. In an interview with Our Lord we were fortunate enough to ask his pet a few questions—"

"They can't even say Harry's name? These bloody ponces! Harry saved them time and again and this is how they thank him? Not even giving Harry the dignity of his name." Ron blurted out. Looking around everyone was nodding their head in agreement. He looked guiltily at Hermione before saying, "Sorry 'Mione. You can continue."

Hermione just smiled sadly. She had thought the same. "We asked him how he was being treated and his response was, "Bloody Fantastic, if you can't tell." So for any of our readers wondered he is being treated quiet well because he said so himself—"

"Obviously the reporter is lying there is no way Harry would say that." George interrupted Hermione. George was stopped short as Draco bit back a retort.

"Actually it's quite possible, Weasley. Harry's been with the Dark Lord for about six months already. Harry knows what he's like and probably didn't want to get punished for his truthful answer." Draco turned around slowly walking backwards and answered George.

"Harry could also have been sarcastic too. Just throwing that thought out there." Fred said casually. "Draco, George, remember Harry was very sarcastic when we were still in the castle. Sarcasm was at its best when Harry was around."

Everyone was silent in thought. The rustling of the newspaper brought everyone back to reality and Hermione began reading again. "Next we asked quiet a serious question. Our reporter asked our Lord's pet if there was anything he wanted to tell the rebels or if he had any advice to give tell to those on the run." Hermione abruptly stopped reading aloud as her eyes scanned father down in the article. She read a little farther and gasped, gripping the paper quickly looking up at Draco with fearful eyes.

"Hermione what does it say?"

"Hey, Herm, you can't just stop at a crucial point."

Hermione ignored them as she still had a pinning gaze on Draco who had his back to the group. "Is this what you were talking about?" Draco didn't acknowledge the question or didn't hear her. Hermione sped up folding the paper as she approached him. "Draco, did you hear me?

Draco slowed down and sighed. "I heard you and to answer your question" Draco rubbed hand over the scars on this face before sighing again. "…Yes…" Draco sounded defeated. "But I don't care what that article says." Draco said harshly as if speaking to see some unknown person instead of Hermione. "Harry deserves better and he's going to get better if I have any say in it."

Hermione's lips twitched into a small smile at his retort. The twins gushed at Draco, "Awwww…Draco has a crush." The twins were smiling as well. Hermione placed the folded paper into the folds of her robes. She was not going to read the paper anymore and swatted the twins in the head before going as they tried to steal the paper and giving them a punch on each of their arms. She gave them each a glare, "Just leave him be, guys."

They walked a little more than a mile before the badgering of the twins along with Remus and Sirius got to the bushy-haired girl. She gave a frustrated growl before reaching into her robes for the newspaper. Hermione gave them all a pointed glare.

"Now be quiet you guys otherwise you will not hear the story at all." Hermione unfolded the paper again scanning through the article to find she place. She started, "It goes onto say, "Our Lord answered the question for his pet saying, "Of course, he as something to say on that matter. He has told me on numerous occasions that he would love very much to have them come here so my Death Eater's and I can destroy them. He doesn't want anyone to intervene with his new life, especially not his old friends who simply wouldn't understand his new relationship with me."

All were quiet. They were all glancing at one another trying to sort out what was just read. Then the silence was broken. "What the hell does new relationship mean?" Ron asked stupidly.

Sirius answered for him, "What do most relationships have in common?—A bond, a friendship, an attraction to each other. See where I'm going with this?"

No reaction. Ron stared blankly at the group as if hoping a light would pop on and give him the blunt answer he was looking for.

Remus chimed in with another response. "Harry is unfortunately Voldemorts slave—he can do anything he want to Harry even go as far as to…you know." He motioned with his hand carelessly trying to get his point across.

Still no response. "What does any of the things you say have to do with Harry?"

"For Merlin's sake, Weasel. The Dark Lord is having a sexually active relationship with Harry all right? Although rape is probably a better word. I swear you are one of the stupidest…" Draco trailed off venting his frustrations to himself as he walked on ahead. He left the group to stew in what had been revealed in the last minute or two. Ron, on the other hand, had started getting red in the face and it spread all the way to the top of his ears.

Everyone within earshot heard Ron venomously say, "…I'm going to murder him. We are heading to that castle right now. I don't care about the bloody Horcrux's anymore, we can finish looking for the Horcrux's later. Malfoy lead the way, which way do we go?"

Draco turned towards Ron with a nasty smirk on his lips. "You idiot. We've been going that ways since we left yesterday. You really think I would have just let that article slide? Oh no. We are as ready as we are ever going to be. After reading that rubbish I had the same thoughts though I loathe admitting it. Anyway, I've been thinking about the last Horcrux's and I believe they are at Hogwarts."

"How would you know that?" Neville questioned from just behind them. Everyone whipped their head around looking intently at Neville. This was the first he spoke in weeks. Everyone was shocked.

"Welcome back, Nev." Hermione cheerfully said. Neville shyly smiled back.

"Thanks." He whispered kindly. There was a warm silence in the whole group. All were smiling, happy that Neville had surfaced from his revive. Yet glowing in happiness could not stop Draco from answering.

"We have the ring, the cup, the book, and the necklace, two were sealed in school founders collections. The Dark Lord wouldn't make a Horcrux out of a Gryffindor artifact so therefore the Ravenclaw artifact left. I had overheard once that there was an actual artifact at the school…somewhere in the Ravenclaw Common room-supposedly. It just occurred to me a few days ago. Now if we can just infiltrate The Dark Lords headquarters then—"

"It's not V-Voldemort headquarters though…It has and will always be Hogwarts. A school of witchcraft and wizardry. No one can change that not even that Snake." Everyone stopped walking through the wheat field and stared at Neville. The last speech he gave was when he planned the battle strategies. "That Snake has taken everything from us, our lives, our families, our friends, but we cannot let him take the school too. We called Hogwarts our home and safe haven. That man has taken enough from us and it is high time we get it back. We WILL get that last Horcrux and kill Voldemort ending this madness."

All were awe-struck that Neville, the one who had been comatose since his last speech had given such a powerful comeback speech. He really knew how to unite people and make them feel like they were the ones in charge. He would be the new leader of the rebels when it came time to fight in the final scene Draco knew, but would never ever admit to thinking it. Neville would be the one people would look up to then, not Harry. He was going to be the new Savoir of the Wizarding world in these dark times.

Neville looked away shyly as he started walking again. The rest followed close behind. After they had been walking in silence a while Neville spoke again. "It's a long way back to Hogwarts, we should get a plan and a strategy going. Draco, I think I interrupted a plan you had."

"That you did, Longbottom." Draco said coldly, but Hermione could detect a hint of amusement in his voice as well. Hermione never thought she would see the day Draco would help plan something with Neville, a boy who had been tormented by Draco for years. She just smiled then as they walked farther through the dense forest as Draco began to speak of his master plan with Neville.

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