[sixty]

The first thing that Blaise did was poke Hermione's shoulder hesitantly, checking to see if his finger would go through. "I'm not a bloody ghost, Zabini. You just carried me on your back a couple hours ago!" Hermione snapped, still confused over what the Malfoy family tree was showing.

"Alright, fine." Blaise huffed, unconvinced "But what is this? What does this mean? I thought its a bond that ends only in death?"

Hermione held Draco's little ball of light at the tip of her finger, concentrating on finding where he was "Somewhere... South of Wiltshire?" Hermione frowned

"He's still at Theo's place, then." Blaise said, his eyes still on Hermione's faded name on the wall. He lifted his finger once again, just to touch her arm "I swear to Jesus if you poke me again, Blaise..." Hermione muttered

"Who's Jesus?"

Hermione sighed, shaking her head at him "Well, he's alive." She said, with so much relief in her voice. That was the only thing that mattered. Who cared if the tree thought she was dead? The important thing was Draco is alive, and they still have a chance of getting him back.

"Yeah, and the tree says you aren't." Blaise frowned "Shouldn't we go and find Narcissa?"

"I don't think Kingsley will let us go on a detour." Hermione said quietly as she, too, looked at her faded name "But look, Blaise. It's not quite faded like the rest. It's dim but not...quite."

Blaise looked at the other lights signifying the deceased Malfoy's and hummed in agreement "Something's definitely not right. You don't reckon it's just a...what's that muggles call it? Ginny mentioned it once."

"Glitch?" Hermione offered

"Right! ."

"It's more than a hundred years old, Blaise. I don't think magic as old as that glitches." Hermione shook her head, growing tired. The amount of adrenaline that coursed through her system had certainly depleted. She was exhausted from worrying, and now that she could finally breathe, a little healing session from Madame Pomfrey sounded good. "He's alive. That's all that matters."

"I still think we should talk to Cissa." Blaise shook his head "Find out what this means." He pointed at the tree "I don't like the fact that it's making you out to be dead, Hermy."

Hermione glanced at the watch on Blaise's wrist. She wanted nothing but to get back to her friends, her team, and plan for how they'll get the love of her life back, but Blaise made sense. Why was her light and name faded? "Will we make it back in time for supper?"

"Are you hungry?"

"No, I just want everyone to be awake and ready to plan when we return." She shook her head

"Cissa will get here in no time if you tell her what's truly happening. This is Draco we're talking about." Blaise nodded "If you could send a patronus..."

Hermione hesitated. It was a spell even she struggled on, and right now? At her current state and the fact that Draco was missing? Could she cast a corporeal one?

"I'll try." She nodded

———

There were only a few things in this world that can rattle Narcissa Malfoy, one of them is her son being in danger. The minute Hermione's patronus disclosed the news, she was on her feet and disapparating for her manor.

Narcissa held herself with the usual amount of grace that she had, but her eyes couldn't quite hide the fear that raged in her chest. She thought to herself, but deep down she was already planning the million different ways she was going to get rid of her sister's good-for-nothing husband.

"Tell me everything." She ordered quietly as she sat across her son's fiancée and best mate. Narcissa listened, expressionless and regal as ever, as Blaise dove into the whole story from the minute Hermione was kidnapped.

"And what is the reason for this whole thing? What do they want?" Narcissa asked, unable to mask the anger in her voice. Haven't these low-lives had enough?

Blaise looked at the minister for help "The bond." He shook his head

"These young wizards took an unbreakable vow to protect the , Narcissa." Kingsley said "It's the stone that the Death Eaters want."

"What for? The Dark Lord?"

Hermione shook her head as her eyes glanced down to her scar "Your sister."

Narcissa's heart stopped "And they have Draco because?"

"Lucius had specific instructions, and Rodolphus agrees that Draco needs to be punished for..." Blaise glanced at Hermione "There's a new spell. They want to use Draco as a pawn."

"What can I do?" Narcissa whispered, looking at Hermione "How do we get him back? I will storm that manor and kill Rodolphus myself if I have to."

Hermione shook her head "We have it handled, please trust me, Narcissa." Actually, they didn't, but she didn't want to worry Narcissa about this any more "There's something else."

Narcissa frowned "Yes?"

"Come with me please." Hermione stood on her shaky knees, causing Blaise to frown "Yes, go ahead and act like you're well enough to keep walking around! " He muttered

Narcissa paused, pursing her lips "Are you well enough to walk, Hermione?"

"I'm well enough to kill Lestrange." Hermione countered, causing Blaise to snort behind her "." He muttered, worriedly looking at her back, knowing full-well the state of her wounds. He stood up and followed after her, making sure she doesn't pass out.

Hermione led Narcissa up to the family tree quietly, the older witch growing more worried by the minute. If her hunches were right, this can't be good. When they all reached the north wall, where their branches were etched, Narcissa's heart sank.

"It thinks I'm dead... I think." Hermione mumbled

Narcissa looked at the faded name and dimmed light of Hermione, shaking her head. "Blaise? This spell you were saying... What does it do?"

Blaise frowned "It's supposed to make Draco a worthy Death Eater. Reach into the darkness of his soul, and whatnot."

Hermione didn't like the look of pity in Narcissa's eyes "What is it?" Hermione asked

"Hermione, dear, this doesn't mean you're dead." Narcissa said "Did Draco not tell you about this?"

Hermione frowned "About what?"

"I suppose he never wanted to entertain it in the first place." Narcissa glanced at the engagement ring on Hermione's finger "You haven't felt him across the bond, have you?"

"Narcissa, with all due respect, what's happening?" Hermione practically pleaded, the desperation leaking into her words as she felt her heartbeat quicken. What does it mean?

"The Malfoy bond is sealed only once you are married. That is when it can end only in death." Narcissa pursed her lips, tentatively gauging Hermione's expression "However, when one or the other decides to... Let go whilst you are engaged, it can be broken. The tree... It's faded your name because it's preparing for someone else."