"They did it in front of you?" she asked, shocked.
                              
"I was closest to the door. I saw everyone leave," he whispered.
                              
"I'm so sorry. That must have been so terrible, Draco," she said, and put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm really sorry that you had to lose your parents like that. Harry tried to free your mum, too, but they all wanted revenge."
                              
He nodded. "They deserve it, after what the Death Eaters did... twice. They wanted to make sure there wasn't a third time."
                              
She frowned. "Draco, you weren't one of them. No one knew what you went through. Harry had a feeling and tried to save you... legally. When that failed, he started planning this. This is Bill's vacation home. Harry put the Fidelius Charm and was trying to convince Kingsley to do the right thing when he got your letter. Kingsley just thought it was a ploy to grant clemency. Harry was livid, and we all agreed to bust you out until he can get you freed... properly."
                              
Draco nodded.
                              
"You might be here a long time, Draco."
                              
"I know."
                              
"But... you can heal... rest. You're going to have to learn how to take care of yourself. Do you know how to cook?"
                              
He shook his head.
                              
"Well, I'll be showing you how. If Harry gets us off on charges, we aren't going to stay here. We have to work to get your pardon. It'll be... dangerous to come back here every day. We'll have to take precautions. You'll be by yourself. We aren't going to leave a wand here... Harry said he didn't want to leave you the temptation to try to run. Outside of the property... you're... well...."
                              
"Dead man walking..." he echoed.
                              
"Yeah," she said. "Why don't you get changed? Then we can make breakfast together."
                              
He nodded, and turned toward her, still unable to meet her eyes. "Granger... I mean Hermione?"
                              
"Yeah?"
                              
"Thank you... for this... everything," he said.
                              
"No problem, Draco. Don't take too long, okay? Ron gets cranky when he doesn't get his meals."
                              
Draco gave her a weak smile, and she left him. He had a minor breakdown, but got changed into some dark trousers and put on a blue jumper. He used the loo and went back downstairs.
                              
Weasley and Granger were in the kitchen. He came in and stopped at the doorway, uncertain of what she wanted him to do.
                              
"Oh, Draco, you look great."
                              
"And you're wearing my jumper," Weasley said, with a hint of amusement.
                              
"Ron!" Granger said, and smacked him. "We can buy you some new clothes... when we get out of here... I mean. But come on. We can fry up some eggs and bangers for breakfast?"
                              
He nodded and Granger talked him through cracking eggs, oiling the pan and turning the stove on. It didn't seem too complicated. Don't let the food burn and don't set the place on fire. They put the food on the table and sat down.
                              
"Looks great, Malfoy. I'm guessing Hermione didn't let you poison it," Weasley muttered, scooping a pile of eggs on his plate.
                              
Granger gave him a nudge. "Ignore him, Draco. Eat. You need to get your weight back."
                              
Draco didn't seem interested in food, but took a few bites. He ignored what they were talking about and slowly ate his meal.
                              
"Draco?" Granger called. "Is it good?"
                              
He looked down and nodded, unsure of what he was supposed to say.
                              
"Draco?"
                              
"It's good," he replied.