Summary: Two years after graduating from Hogwarts, the war is still raging. After the death of Severus Snape, Hermione is asked to reunite with her old lover, Draco Malfoy, and become the Order's new spy. However, the world of the Dark Lord's inner circle is no place for a naive, nineteen year old muggle born. Hermione becomes trapped in a dangerous dance, trying not to be discovered without losing herself in the process.
Chapter One: The Potion Master's Demise
Severus Snape crept through the halls of Malfoy Manor, his black cloak swishing behind him. The mansion was eerily still and dark in the dead of night, the only source of light coming from the tiny orb of light at the end of his wand.
He whispered the password, "Amicus," and entered Lucius' private study. Approaching the desk, he hastily opened the drawers, shuffling through the many papers. Sweat began to pool at his temple while his hands shook violently. His normally pale face had turned white as a sheet.
After searching through all the files multiple times, he was no closer to finding his prize. "Damn it!" He moaned under his breath, slamming the drawer shut.
"Missing something Severus?" asked a silky voice. The Potion Master's heart stopped beating in his chest as he noticed the dark eyes of Lord Voldemort stepping out of the shadowy corner. His stomach lurched when he noticed the stack of papers in the Dark Lord's hands.
"How I had hoped it wasn't you betraying me, Severus," he said, snake-like eyes flashing scarlet. "How long Severus? How long have you been betraying your Lord?" His voice was chillingly soft and even.
Severus' tried to speak, but dry whispers were all that escaped his thin lips. His throat seemed to be tied up in knots. He threw himself at the hem of Lord Voldemort's robes, words finally escaping his cracked and dry lips.
"My Lord," he begged. "I am loyal. I have always served you well. I merely wanted to come protect the files myself. Protect them for you, my Lord. Show mercy on my idiocy, my liege. I thought only of you."
Voldemort cackled, causing a chill to roll up Snape's spine and raise the hair on the back of his neck. Snape was lifted to his feet not by his own volition, but by the incredible powers of the Dark Lord. "Severus, do you really believe me that idiotic? These papers are blank. It was all a test. One which you have failed. Avada Kedavra."
The Potions Master dropped to the floor like a dead weight, briefly illuminated by a brilliant green light. His eyes remained wide open, hollow and empty of life. Lord Voldemort stepped over him and walked out of the room, leaving his once trusted follower on the cold, hard floor.
News of Snape's death did not reach the Order of the Phoenix for several days. Dumbledore stood before the group, looking grave and defeated. "With no communication from Severus these last four days," he began solemnly. "We are forced to conclude that he has been discovered. If he is not dead now, it is only a matter of time."
The Headmaster's eyes glassed over with tears that did not spill. "We have no choice but to replace him, as soon as possible. Unfortunately, those with access to Voldemort's inner circle are not very interested in helping our cause. I am afraid to say that I am at a loss as to where to procede."
However, Albus Dumbledore's sparkling blue eyes focused solely on Hermione Granger. She looked away, ashamed of her cowardice. Dumbledore couldn't really expect her to infiltrate the Death Eater's could he? Draco of no Draco, she was a muggle born.
Remus Lupin stood up. The once strong werewolf was thin and gray. Ever since the death of Nymphadora Tonks, the light that once enveloped the former Maurader had dimmed. "Albus, what about Mundungus?"
"I am afraid that Mundungus Fletcher's connections do not extend that deeply into Voldemort's army."
The room shuddered slightly at the sound of the name. Even after all this time, the name still struck fear into the hearts of every witch and wizard in Britain.
Without any other ideas, the members dispersed. Soon, the House of Black was considerably emptier, though still full to the brim with people. Albus swept purposefully over to Hermione. She has not seen him look so somber or old before. The weakening of Albus Dumbledore scared her more than anything else.
"Miss Granger, a word if you will?"
She nodded silently, following him into the empty drawing room. He shut the door tightly behind her and she flinched at the loud sound.
"Hermione, I will not mince words with you. I want you to replace Severus as our spy. As much as it pains me to ask a person as young as yourself to step into this place, it is the only option I see. You were close with the Malfoy boy during your final year at Hogwarts, were you not?"
"Yes, Headmaster," Hermione answered slowly. Though she had graduated two years prior, she couldn't not think of Dumbledore as her headmaster. "But... How can I be a spy? I'm a muggle born."
Dumbledore's eyes sparkled brilliantly. "I am aware of your status, Miss Granger. However, Voldemort's regime is changing. It is becoming increasingly disorganized. You are an intelligent witch, Miss Granger. Voldemort would jump at the chance to use that. I have done some research. You have a great-uncle on your father's side who was a wizard. Not a very powerful one, mind you. He dropped out of Durmstrang during his fifth year. More likely than not, you did not inherit any magical ability from him. It came by you naturally, as it does for other muggle-borns. With this minimal magical relation, however, I believe that at this point Voldemort will allow you. You will probably be treated lower than the others, but your intelligence will help you."
Hermione stood there in stunned silence. "I don't... I don't think I can."
"Miss Granger, you must. You are our only chance." With that, Dumbledore gave her one last imploring look before sweeping out of the study. Hermione stood frozen where she was, thinking of what it would be like to see Draco again.
Flashback
Hermione rested her head against Draco's chest, reveling in the sound of his heartbeat in her ear. "I love you," she murmured to him.
Her ears were greeted with only silence. "Draco?" She questioned, looking up at him with her large, honey-colored eyes. He had never not responded to her declarations. Often, he'd been the instigator. "Draco?!"
He shifted away from her, putting space between their bodies. She ached for his warmth against her again, but remained where she was. Her eyes were already tearing up without even knowing what was happening. Their graduation was tomorrow. She was ready to start her life with him.
"Hermione, I'm getting my mark tomorrow night."
Hermione squealed slightly, before her hand flew back and slapped him across the face. She reached her hand back to hit him again, but he grabbed her wrist. He held on tightly, as if clinging to her.
She trembled. "Draco, you're hurting me." He dropped her hand as if it had burned him.
"Why?" The simple word hung in the air as Draco scrambled for words.
"I have to. It's what I'm meant to do. It's what I was always meant to be. I think... I think you know that too. I'm part of that world, Hermione. And I do know what I'm doing, what I'm getting into. One... one mudblood can't change all of what I am and what I believe."
The word hit her like a slap across the face. She could literally feel the sting throughout her entire body. Part of her, deep down inside her heart, had suspected he would leave her one day. She had tried to ignore it, but it had always been there. Now, it was no longer deep inside of her. It was out in the open now, and there wasn't anything she wouldn't give to make it go away.
"I thought you loved me," she whispered.
"I did. But you can't be a part of my world. I need to marry a pureblood. If you were, it would be different. I'm leaving tonight. I won't be at graduation. I'm not who you think I am. You should just forget about me."
He left her there to collapse upon the floor. She sobbed until Ginny came up and found her, wrapping the Gryffindor bookworm in a blanket and holding her until morning.
End Flashback
Hermione had shut herself emotionally since that day. She felt love for Harry and Ron and Ginny, but she didn't allow herself to love anyone. Leaving the study, she walked stoically up the stairs to the room that she shared with Ginny.
Sitting at the desk, she pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. "Draco–" she wrote.