A CERTAIN DARKNESS

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's been too long, Harry Potter community. I'm doing it. I'm writing a Dramione fic. Partly because I haven't been about to find the story I'm desperate to read. Like I say in my Lucifer fanfiction, sometimes you have to write the story you want to read. Please lend me your comments, opinions, and feedback in the reviews if you find enjoyment in this story.

I've had this idea in my head for a while. I haven't seen this written to the extent I plan to take this story. I won't apologize for how badly behaved Draco is in the beginning. It might not be healthy or what not. It's wartime, but this romance is my favorite of all the Harry Potter world. It could have gone this way. Let's explore it together, shall we?

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01. Bewildered bones

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"A certain darkness is needed to see the stars."

― OSHO, The Book of Secrets

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"Many things are inevitable, Severus." Professor Dumbledore popped a sherbert lemon treat in his mouth as he leaned back in his chair behind his desk. "You'll find comfort in that one day, too."

Professor Snape's robes flew around as he whipped back toward the headmaster. "There must be a way to help you, Albus."

"I am beyond help. Dark magic far greater than my own abilities will take me." Hermione covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a gasp. Professor Dumbledore had wanted her to be here for this? What purpose would her being here serve? Was she supposed to tell Harry everything? Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Eventually, old friend."

"Surely you cannot just accept this fate! Without you, the Dark Lord would wreak havoc upon the wizarding world!" Snape exhaled and rushed around Dumbledore's desk, falling to his knees.

Professor Dumbledore calmly turned to Snape. "It has already begun. Already he takes my students and knights them with suicide missions. Do you know what would happen to Draco if he succeeds?"

"I am aware, Albus."

"There is no doubt in my mind that Harry will win this war, Severus. We have all the tools we need. I'm just running out of time to see that the moving parts stay their course."

A tear moved down her face as she tried to stand quietly in the corner. Her knees buckled, but she closed her eyes, regaining a semblance of control over her nerves. Severus stood straight. "We're no longer alone, Professor." He erected his wand and wordlessly opened the door, revealing Draco Malfoy, eyes wide and face gaunt. Hermione narrowed her eyes. What in Merlin's name was going on?

"Welcome, Draco," Dumbledore greeted. Before he could scamper off, Snape barked, "Come in, boy." Malfoy narrowed his grey eyes, which only fed on Snape. Professor Snape shared a look with Dumbledore. "I suppose this is your doing?"

"What's the meaning of this?" Malfoy straightened and played with a cufflink as he took a few steps into the headmaster's office. He was thinner than Hermione had seen him last. Without the excess fabric of their house robes, it was obvious he'd lost some weight and sleep the last few weeks at least.

"Relax, Mr. Malfoy. We are all friends here." Dumbledore's voice was airy, warm. "We're all here to discuss the matter of your Dark Lord's mission."

Malfoy's eyes grew, and he immediately walked closer to Snape. "I always knew you were a rat, Snape! How long have you been feeding information to him?"

Snape reached out, taking Malfoy's elbow. "Careful, Draco. Your accusations are meaningless. Your safety is the most important subject I've meticulously seen to for years. You know not of what you speak." He shoved Malfoy to an empty seat. "Sit."

"I'll stand, thanks."

"Have it your way."

"I always do," Malfoy spat. When Snape looked away, Malfoy exhaled loudly. Hermione looked from within the invisibility cloak that he flexed his hands, fanning his fingers for just a moment until he balled them and shoved them in his pockets. "I was meant to hear this, then? What's the meaning of this?"

"Draco, you will have enough answers in due time," Dumbledore promised from where he sat. "How's your mother?"

Malfoy tensed. "Well." One word. That was all he had to say on the matter.

"Lying does little to become you, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore stood, albeit slightly shaky, on his own using his desk for support. "I know where she is."

"What?" Malfoy whispered. Hermione saw his eyes glisten in the candlelight.

"Your mother is safe. Not missing."

Swallowing, Malfoy stepped closer to the headmaster. "Get to the point!"

"A few weeks ago, Narcissa contacted me. We met in secret."

Malfoy shook his head, wiping away a stray tear. "That gives me nothing, old man!"

"Calm yourself, Draco," Snape rudely said, eyes full of disdain. Why?

"Forget that! Why would she willingly seek your help?"

Dumbledore's featured sobered. "You know the answer to that. Your father..."

"WHAT ABOUT MY FATHER?"

Snape moved closer to Malfoy, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You will calm yourself at once."

Malfoy looked up at Snape like he would murder him. Soon. He shoved him out of the professor's grasp and rubbed his nose with the back of his hand.

Professor Snape sighed. "I made an unbreakable vow with your mother regarding the Dark Lord's mission. To finish it for you if you find it impossible and to keep you safe."

"Who knew how cozy you've been with this old geezer!" Malfoy's lip snarled. "You're a traitor!"

The headmaster held his hands up, calming Snape. "You will continue on your mission, Draco. No one is here to stop you."

Malfoy's eyes were glassy. "Because you're already dying." He scoffed. "That's hardly glorious!"

"You forget your place, Draco."

"It's alright, Severus. This is a lot for anyone unused to spying to take in." Dumbledore moved his eyes where Hermione stood. Just for a second. "The point of this arranged meeting is to make it clear that you must stay your path for appearances. However, you must not be the one who kills me."

A tear fell. Draco's features snapped, appearing disgusted. He immediately wiped it away. "Why would I listen to you? The Dark Lord chose me for this mission! I will not disappoint him!"

"You're in over your head, boy," Snape said, dragging Malfoy's shocked and vulnerable expression back onto him. "I will be the one who kills the headmaster to uphold my vow to your mother."

"I don't need your protection, Severus! I don't need anything from you! My father will hear about this! He'll tell the Dark Lord all about your treachery!" Malfoy's body shook.

"That's hardly wise, child." Malfoy looked to Dumbledore again. "Your mother deserted your home and family to be protected by the Order of the Phoenix."

"WHERE IS SHE?!"

"Safe, boy," Snape repeated.

Malfoy took out his wand and pointed it to Dumbledore. Snape quickly disarmed him, claiming his wand and grabbing his arm. Shaking Malfoy, Professor Snape sneered down at him. "You will listen. You will abide, boy. Why do you think we're all doing this? If Potter wins, and the Dark Lord is slain, you will spend the rest of your life in Azkaban!"

Malfoy's face drained of all color. "He won't win!"

Dumbledore walked closer to them, putting a hand on Snape's. "Easy, friend." Draco fled backward and shook his head. Dumbledore kept his distance. "None of this is easy, child. But your mother gave us enough information to convict more than half of the suspected Death Eaters. Including you. We've stored her memories away in a safe location. She's walked away from everything she's ever known because of her love for you."

Malfoy didn't look at the headmaster. His voice weak, he retorted, "She is weak, then."

"Going down this path will sentence you to more heartbreak than you're enduring now. Why waste your life that flourishes with vibrant potential?" Dumbledore moved closer toward him. "You bear his mark already, don't you?"

Hermione no longer felt her appendages. She slowly dropped her hand, sealing her narrowed gaze onto Malfoy through the borrowed cloak. Malfoy tightened his features and sneered, a grin plaguing his face. He tinkered with the button on his sleeve and pulled it up, revealing the familiar, horrifying Dark Mark. Fawkes' chirping covered up Hermione's gasp. "It's too late! I know the Dark Lord will prevail! Potter will be executed along with any of his friends or sympathizers!"

Dumbledore reached for his arm, but Malfoy lowered his sleeve with a prideful smirk that didn't reach his eyes.

The door began to open. Professor McGonagall stood at the door. "Sorry to interrupt, professor. However, I require Professor Snape immediately."

"And why is that?" Snape pressed.

McGonagall sighed. "Students remain unpunished without your presence?"

"I fail to see why you couldn't bestow your fair and just punishment without me." Snape straightened his shoulders and relaxed his jaw.

Dumbledore smiled. "Go, professor. I will wrap this up while you tend to your students."

Snape spared a look at the headmaster and then to Malfoy, eyes narrow. "If you insist." He set Malfoy's wand on the desk.

McGonagall and Snape rushed out of the office and closed the door, leaving only Malfoy, Hermione, and Dumbledore. Hermione closed her eyes. She needed to calm down. The whole picture hadn't yet been revealed. A clear head was needed. Rushing into anything or revealing her presence may be the worst thing for her to do. She wouldn't be so anxious if Dumbledore had only mentioned why she was needed here.

"Your mother has made her choice. She knows of your understandable fear. You've taken on too much. You know you cannot handle this, boy." Dumbledore moved back behind his desk. "This is the only way the Dark Lord won't hurt you or Narcissa. You'd be keeping her safe. She will not return to you and Lucius if you refuse my help. By continuing down this path, you'd ultimately aid in her demise."

Hermione hadn't seen Dumbledore be so forward or forceful. Why wasn't he expelling Draco for taking part in such a vile plot? What did any of this mean?

"You don't know what she'll do." Malfoy looked like he was close to spitting in the headmaster's direction. "You have control over any of this! No matter what you pretend!"

"I seek to prevent meaningless tragedies, Draco. While I still breathe, I will do all I can to ensure the safety of my students and possible victims of this vicious war."

"I have to kill you, headmaster! I have no choice!"

Dumbledore leaned forward. "But you do. Your mother explained that, in our care, you'd have to consider the possibility of leaving all this behind. If Narcissa remained in the ranks of Death Eaters, you'd never leave. You fear her death. You believe yourself capable of protecting her."

Malfoy ran to the desk and shoved papers and tickets off the desk. "I can protect her!"

"Draco, if you were going to kill me, don't you think you'd have done so already? We're alone now."

Malfoy reached for his wand without Dumbledore's interference. The headmaster appeared more calm than ever. Even Fawkes didn't move. Steadying the wand at the headmaster, Malfoy's eyes shined. This time, he didn't wipe away the tears.

Hermione's heart raced. Was no one going to intervene? This was madness.

"Draco, I don't doubt your capabilities regarding protecting your mother. That's why I've opened the door. To give you the opportunity to help your mother shape this war in the history books."

"I don't care what you say! I'm going to kill you!"

"As you wish," the headmaster said.

"SHUT UP!"

Hermione had enough. Dropping the cloak, she shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

Malfoy evaded her attempt, eyes wide and attention acutely aware of only her. "Expulso!"

Hermione ducked down, rolling away just in time to shout, "Stupefy!" Malfoy was just readjusting his wrist before he uttered his next spell, so he was still open when her spell sent him flying back against the wall. Potions and baubles fell to the floor around his body.

Dumbledore stood and waved his hands, saying nothing. Hermione's body froze, and she saw Malfoy's stiff body hover toward the lone chair in the room. His body relaxed as the headmaster guided him to sit. Hermione's body slackened. Not prepared for it, she fell to the floor.

"That's where you belong, mudblood!"

"What was that, twitchy little ferret?"

"ENOUGH!"

Hermione shook her head, looking down once the headmaster gave her a stern look. Swallowing, she muttered a weak apology. "I thought he was going to kill you, professor!"

"At least someone knows I'm capable!" Malfoy retorts. He struggled, but couldn't stand no matter how hard he tried.

"Hermione, I asked you to be here because you told Remus you wanted to be an active member once you were seventeen." Dumbledore ignored Malfoy for the moment. "I have a most important task that only you can see through."

"I'm ready, professor."

"Be careful! Once accepted, there's no going back. My personal requests tend to be a life-long commitment."

"I've come too far to turn back now." Hermione wiped her eyes. "Professor, we must find a way for you to heal."

Dumbledore held up his hand. "I am old. I have lived a long life. I am satisfied with this. I've made my peace." He looked at Malfoy. Hermione spared him an uncomfortable glance, seeing his eyes planted on her. "I cannot leave Harry behind. I feel somewhat responsible for him, you understand."

"What do you need of me?"

"I know you'd do anything to protect him. To keep him safe. Might I question the nature of your relationship?" The headmaster asked.

Hermione narrowed her eyes and exhaled. Malfoy scoffed beside her. Her belly squirmed until she managed to calm herself. "Professor, if you must know, we're only friends. Best friends. We neither feel more or less."

Dumbledore smiled. "I'd always assumed otherwise. Sorry for making you uncomfortable."

"No worries, professor…"

The headmaster held her eyes. "You must not tell Harry I am dying."

"WHAT?" Malfoy flinched in his chair. Hermione shook her head. "I won't do that."

"You've come too far to turn back now."

She narrowed her eyes. "I don't understand!" Hermione searched her brain for any details she may have missed this evening. "What task did you have in mind?"

"You must promise to join Harry after this year and never leave his side until the Dark Lord falls."

"I've committed to that already."

Dumbledore leaned forward. "Not in the way I require."

"Tell me."

"You will take Draco with you."

"Are you mad?" Malfoy shouted. "I'm not going anywhere with Potter or his filthy mudblood!"

Hermione looked down, hating the vile word. It affected her. Even now. At least she didn't cry. She only needed to hold on for a bit longer. "He would turn us in! He can't be trusted, professor!" Hermione looked over at him, never blinking. "Are you sure it's wise to talk about such things in front of him?" She looked back at Dumbledore. "He hasn't proven himself trustworthy!"

"We have Narcissa, Ms. Granger."

Malfoy struggled. "You will not touch her!"

The professor looked at Malfoy. "We're unlike your Death Eaters, boy. We don't hurt people. We defend and protect. However, we're not above using what proof your mother gave us against her to send her to Azkaban. She's harbored and conspired with Death Eaters. That's enough to be charged."

Malfoy looked at the floor. "She's done nothing! You will not send her there!"

"I hope you're right." Dumbledore swallowed. "If you think to mention anything that transpired this night to anyone—your friends, your father, your Death Eaters—anyone, she will go to Azkaban."

"Blackmail?" Malfoy laughed. "You're just as dirty as any of us, headmaster."

"Remember it was your mother who turned herself to our care. She knows the dangers, but she trusts you anyway. That is the power of a terrified mother's love."

Hermione stared at the professor, saying nothing. Dumbledore shifted back to her. "Hermione, watch over Draco. Your task is to carry out my promise to Narcissa when I'm gone."

"Stop saying that."

"You need to hear it. This is the most important thing I will say to you. I am dying, Ms. Granger. I'm not asking you to be friends. On the contrary, I believe you two could work together and become an integral part in stopping this nonsensical war. You're both top performing, accomplished students in your own exceptional ways."

Hermione fixed her eyes in the professor's. His bright and warm eyes were still there. His trademark smile was still here. He was still here. "How long do you have?"

"It's hard to tell."

Nodding, she looked down at her shoes, closing her eyes. "How would I even begin to do this? Are you asking me to help him kill you?"

"I'm asking you to help him with the vanishing cabinet."

Hermione gazed back to the headmaster. Then something clicked. She reached for Malfoy, so he looked at her. "Is that what you were doing at Borgin and Burkes?"

"Don't you dare touch me!" Malfoy curled his lip, but he couldn't shove her away.

She moved her hand away from him. Take away her birth status. Take away her being his rival's best friend. He was so unruly at physical contact. They lived massively different lives. His whole being reminded her whenever they were forced to be in the same room together. She'd been spoiled by having Harry and Ron's friendship. The three of them were so comfortable around each other.

They would never be friends. Not that she ever wanted to. His cruelty had been the center of her childhood. It had taken her so much time to accept that there were some people who thought less of her.

She swallowed and looked away. "Where is the other?"

"Here at Hogwarts," Dumbledore answered quickly. "The Room of Requirement." He exhaled and popped in another sweet. "You will not help him this semester. I need more time. For now, just make sure you look after him. You're both prefects, so you have more privileges than most students. I need to know he's not going to try anything. Watch him for now. You will know when you need to begin helping him."

It was weird to hear the strategy while the man in question sat two feet away from them.

"I will write my father about this."

Dumbledore's eyes never left Hermione's. "No, you won't."

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