Hermione swallowed. "I think so. I may have a mild concussion, but…" She trailed off as he moved toward the Sorting Hat, watching it ooze. Her throat felt thick as she moved beside him. "I suppose it's gone now."

There was silence.

"We should go."

Hermione glanced up at him. His mouth was in a hard line. He still wouldn't look at her.

Just as she opened her mouth to ask him what was wrong, he turned on his heel and wove them back through the destruction.

Something was wrong. That was all she could think about as Draco led them up the sweltering staircase, not bothering to look behind him.

They reached the top of the stairs. Draco's hand reached for the door to the residence, and as it swung open, Tom Riddle's voice floated in her ears.

I'll let you keep her. Marry her.

The door clicked closed, and Hermione's cheeks burned white hot. The warmth sunk inside her chest, sparking through her veins as Draco's books fluttered open on her shelves. She'd come to mean a great deal to him over the past year. The Horcrux had confirmed it.

Draco moved quickly through the sitting room, putting out the lamps and wrenching open the front door. He successfully didn't look back at her as they climbed the long staircases up toward the moonlight.

The warmth flickered as he led them out of the cave, and down the mountain. She wanted to beg him to look at her — but his gaze remained firmly ahead, as if they were still on the stone steps.

By the time they Apparated back to the edge of the Romanian town — Draco's hand dropping hers quickly — she felt cold again. And by the time he pulled out the Portkey, barely holding her forearm between his thumb and forefinger as they landed in a silent alley in Muggle London, Hermione was wondering if she'd miscalculated.

Lady Malfoy.

She wondered what he would say to her if she told him the truth: that she loved him. He cared for her enough to keep her from Dolohov — that much was certain. But did his feelings run as deep as hers?

Perhaps marrying her was the only way to keep her safe.

He paused at the edge of a dark alley, his palm outstretched. Hermione stared down at his hand, and took it.

Draco Disapparated them quickly to the hill outside the Manor, and trudged up the lane without waiting for her. Finally, at the base of the stairs, he paused. But he still wouldn't look at her.

"I need to… to check in with Blaise. Make sure they were able to…" He cleared his throat, and she felt her chest clench.

"Of course. Draco, I—"

Without a backward glance, he strode to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of Floo powder, and disappeared with a whispered, "Grimmauld Place."

Hermione watched the flames take him before settling back to orange. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed on the stairs.