Three weeks passed...three long weeks in search of horcruxes. The worst part for Hermione was three weeks without Draco. Harry was sitting outside the spacious cream tent while Ron glared daggers at Hermione, as she was reading the children's book left to her from Dumbledore. Ron hadn't stopped looking at her like that, since the day the trio left Hogwarts. And wearing the horcrox didn't help his mood. They had found he necklace pretty soon after leaving.

Hermione walked back to the common room, tears in her chocolate brown eyes. Draco's tie was hidden in the pocket of her clothes. She needed something, anything, she needed a piece of Draco with her. Hermione had fallen hard and fast for the slytherin prince. Aside from the tears, she was glowing from the magical evening with Draco. She managed to hide her hickeys, or Draco's little love bites, with her hair. This caught Ron's eye when she walked in. Harry was going crazy about her being gone all night. She made up some lame excuse which Harry bought. They apparated and were gone. Leaving Hermione's home behind. Leaving her love behind.

At Malfoy Manor, Draco was out of his mind with worry for Hermione. Not knowing if she was safe ate away at him, at every waking moment of the day. His heart actually ached for the girl he loved. The manor was dark and cold as the death eaters along with the Dark lord planned. Being forced to watch and be present at all the meetings pushed Draco into a worse state. He was scared. Truly terrified. It showed every night.

"Hermione !" Draco would wake up screaming, his bare chest slick with cold sweat. His pale hands gripped the dark sheets around his waist. He was shaking and panting in his big lonely room. Everywhere was lonely without Hermione. His heart pounded in his hard against his chest, trying to make an attempt to break through his rib cage. Another nightmare. Every time he closed his eyes he saw them. The nightmares going after the only light in his dark life. Hermione. What was happening to him?

Casting a silencing bubble over herself and the bed she slept in, Hermione clutched Draco's tie to her heart as she cried. Her heart ached for the slytherin she left behind. She needed to see him. Without him, Hermione felt hollow and numb. She sometimes woke feeling as if his warm and strong arms were wrapped around her small body, but found herself alone when she opened her eyes. The memory of his touch and smile even hurt now.

Pressing the tie to her nose Hermione finally drifted into the world dreams and nightmares. The familiar scents of broomstick wood and scents of fall wrapping around her like a warm blanket.