"I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you so, Mr. Malfoy."

"'An inconvenience.' Yes, I suppose that sums you up, Miss Granger."

She refrained from rolling her eyes. They had six minutes, at best.

"I will provide them with a detailed account of my time spent at the Manor. I'll include vials of my memories to corroborate." Her leg bounced with nervous energy. "Between the two of us, I'm confident we can at least get you a life sentence to Azkaban—"

She startled when Lucius lurched forward, all mirth gone from his face. "Is my wife at the Manor?"

"Yes," she said.

"And they don't intend to move her?"

"No." The look on his face reminded her of the night Edinburgh was attacked, when he came searching for his son. "No, I don't believe so. She's under house arrest."

There was a knock at the door, and Hermione whipped around as it swung open. Pierre was there. It hadn't been ten minutes.

Pressing her lips together, she stood. When she turned back to Lucius, she found him reclining in his seat. "I'll see you at your trial, Lucius. Rest assured, I intend to inconvenience you for many years to come."

His eyes glittered as he nodded to her. She turned, moving to the door. Pierre had just stepped aside for her when Lucius called out, "Oh, and Miss Granger?"

She spun around, and saw him eyeing her denims and trainers with distaste.

"Will you at least attempt to dress yourself appropriately at the trial?"

She scowled at him and followed Pierre out, back down the halls, and to the lifts.

Her mind was spinning, replaying her conversation with Lucius on a loop. She still had no idea why he'd turned himself in, or what he planned to accomplish. And now she wouldn't have a chance to find out until his trial.

She barely heard Pierre as he bid her a clipped goodbye and left her at the fireplaces. But as she stood before the Floo, powder in hand, her muscles felt frozen at the thought of returning to the Burrow.

Her arm faltered. She couldn't return to silent dinners and George's sneers. Lucius Malfoy's life was on the line. Draco's father.

Four days to save him. That's all she had.

A sudden idea struck her. She tossed the powder and called out for Grimmauld Place, praying it wouldn't be barred.

The flames roared as she stepped through, and then she was walking out of the familiar fireplace there.

She felt dizzy with success. The Fidelius Charm was intact. Draco was the Secret Keeper. Since he'd taken her there, she still could return.

She pulled out her wand and cast a Homenum Revelio. No one there — she was alone.

She wandered into the kitchen. Blaise and the girls had left quickly. Dishes still in the sink were growing mold, and books had been left opened on the coffee table. A pouch full of Galleons lay on a cushion. Glancing around, Hermione called out for Kreacher.