The sun was sinking beyond the horizon, and Harry was pacing up and down nervously outside Draco's manor house. He'd told Harry he would meet him here just after sunset, and then they would be free to leave this life behind forever.

Harry stopped his pacing and turned to stare at the sun. It would soon be completely out of view. He heard a rustle in the bushes to his left and quickly jerked his head towards the source of the noise- a cat climbed out from behind a hedge. Harry cursed under his breath and resumed his pacing on the footpath.

Finally, after what felt like hours of endless waiting, Harry heard the snap of the front door closing and hurried footsteps down the drive. Draco's face slid into view behind the high, towering gates and he drew his wand, taping the chains which slid backwards immediately.

"What kept you?" Harry breathed, picking up his rucksack.

"Sorry, parents took their time," Draco muttered back, now tapping the chains to lock back around the gates.

The pair embraced in a short hug before setting off into the thickening darkness. Together they walked in silence, their ears picking up every rustle of leaves.

After half an hour of walking, Draco halted and quickly dropped to his knees, his head in his hands.

"Draco? What's wrong? We're almost at the portkey, c'mon!" said Harry sounding half-concerned and half-desperate.

"It's just this whole thing. I still can't believe we're doing this, Harry," Draco said into his hands.

Slowly he raised his head and stared into Harry's bright green eyes. Harry held out his hand to lift Draco to his feet, which he took without hesitation. For a few moments they stood there, each pouring is eyes into the other. Then quite suddenly, they broke their gazes and started walking again, this time more hurriedly.

After five minutes, they arrived at a paddock which was empty except for an old tractor tier. They walked towards it, and each placed a hand on it, apparently waiting for something to happen. And after a minute or two, something did happen. The tire glowed bright silver, and quite suddenly, it vanished along with Harry and Draco.

The pair felt as though they were flying extremely fast through the air, and everything was far too blurry for them to make out. Their hands glued to the tire, they continued flying, until quite suddenly, they flumped down with a thud on a soft, sloping lawn.

"Harry! Oh Harry, thank goodness you made it," a girls voice sounded from somewhere at the top of the lawn.

Draco grunted as he pushed himself to a sitting position somewhere on Harry's left. The girl who had spoken before was hurrying down the lawn. Harry felt her gently pull him onto his back, and all he could see was a mass of bushy brown hair.

"Hermione, how are you?" Harry asked, sitting up and pushing his glasses back on.

"Me? Oh yes, I'm fine. Ron's not here yet. I'm quite concerned… his portkey left at five," she muttered, looking around distractedly. She spotted Draco, and looked back at Harry with a startled expression on her face. "What's he doing here?!" she mouthed at Harry. He shrugged and got to his feet, walking over to collect up his rucksack.

Together the three of them climbed the lawn back towards Hermione's house. No one spoke until they were inside the living room, and Hermione had made them some tea.

She turned to Draco, catching Harry's eye. When Harry shook his head, she ignored him and cleared her throat.

"Malfoy, I'm sorry but Harry didn't tell me you'd be coming. What are you doing here?" she looked quite timid, but her voice was clear.

"Look Granger, it's none of your business why I'm with Harry. But you can rest assured that I won't murder you in your sleep, or call the Dark Lord to your house," he shot back calmly. "Where's the bathroom?"

Hermione looked as though she was about to spit acid, but Harry spoke before she had a chance, "First door to your left out in the hall," he said loudly.

Draco got to his feet and left the room. Hermione glared at the door he exited through.

"What are you doing, Harry?" she asked through clenched teeth, "I can't believe you'd bring him into hiding with us!" Then she too got to her feet and went back out the front door, evidentially waiting for Ron to arrive.

Harry sighed and finished his tea. He could tell this wasn't going to be fun. But what did Hermione know of love? For that was what he felt for Draco…