"The Malfoys have properties all over the world. Some… off the books." He brushed his thumb across his knuckles. "I believe I can assist, my Lord. In keeping Goyle safe."

Voldemort stepped into him, boring into his eyes. She heard Draco let out a shaky exhale next to her. And then—

"I must speak with Goyle again." Voldemort swiveled and glided away, before pausing at the doorway. "You will accompany me, Lucius."

There was visible relief on Lucius's face before he masked it. He inclined his head, and his dragon leather shoes clipped a quick pace to follow Lord Voldemort out.

Hermione's lungs begged for air once the door closed, pain pricking behind her temples. Draco opened his mouth to say something to her, but then the room began swirling and his words vanished like air in a vacuum.

The world ground to a halt, Draco holding her around the waist. There was a ringing in her ears as she looked around him, taking in their surroundings. They were in the dense forest of trees again — Little Hangleton in the distance.

"Granger—"

She pushed away from him with a gasp.

They were at the Gaunt residence. Where Voldemort had hidden the ring, one of his first Horcruxes. Of course.

"Granger." Draco caught up to her, grabbing her hand. "We can take a break. We can watch the rest once you've slept—"

"No. We have to find out what happened."

"I haven't gotten this far. I don't know what happens next, and you're exhausted—"

"I'm— I'll be fine, Draco." She stumbled forward, and she pulled him through the thicket until they caught up to the cloaked figures approaching the shack in the twilight.

Her mind wobbled and whirled, like a spinning top on a rough table. Why had Voldemort wanted to search her mind for proof that Harry was a Horcrux? What else had he thought she'd known — and how did it relate to Goyle?

The door flew open, and Voldemort swept inside. With a slight roll to his shoulders, Lucius followed. Draco hesitated at the door, staring back at her. She nodded, and he turned and led her into the shack.

They filed in next to Lucius, his wand raised in a Lumos, and followed his and Voldemort's gaze across the room. Goyle had his back to them, facing the opposite wall, as if he hadn't moved since he was last left alone. When he turned, his eyes were trained on Voldemort. His lips stretched in a smile, like he'd found a puzzle piece he'd been missing for years.

"Find the answers you were looking for?"

"Some of them." Voldemort tilted his head, appraising him like one might a new pet. "How long have you been inhabiting this host?"

Goyle stepped into the glow of Lucius's wand. He tilted his head in the same manner, and Hermione felt her skin crawl. "It was several days after the Final Battle. I was disembodied, wandering the forest next to Hogwarts when Gregory Goyle stumbled upon me."