It all started over the winter holidays. Most people had decided to go home, to spend time with their families before it became too dangerous to leave Hogwarts. But Harry, Ron, and I had stayed to keep on training. Ginny and Luna stayed too; Voldemort would have captured them if they had gone home.
The surprising thing was that Malfoy was still in the castle, the only Slytherin left. I couldn't understand why, he had nothing to fear from Voldemort. His blood was as pure as it comes and his family as loyal to Voldemort's cause as it could be.
I found out the real reason in the Library one night. He was in there with a sheet of parchment, sitting next to him was Professor Snape.
"Miss Granger, you're late," said the older man.
"I wasn't aware that I was supposed to be here at a certain time," I replied. That was true. Professor Dumbledore told me to go to the Library at some point this evening.
"Sit down, Draco and I will fill you in," said Snape. At the sound of his name, Draco looked up and noticed my presence for the first time. He looked tired.
"Quick explanation: my father wants me to become a Death Eater. I don't want to be a Death Eater. We're making a list of ways to escape becoming one," he said concisely. I sat down opposite of Draco and read the list Snape passed me.
Become a spy.
Move to Australia.
Go into hiding.
"Draco has objections to all of our current thoughts," said Snape. "One, he doesn't want to be a Death Eater, and to have the Mark is to be a Death Eater. Two, Australia is halfway around the world and their magical community is tiny, so if the Death Eaters should win, he wouldn't be hard to find. Three, he'd like to maintain some normalcy in his life." I had an inkling of an idea. I sat at the table for several minutes thinking about Malfoy's objections.
"I have an idea. It's going to sound completely ridiculous at first, but it would prevent Draco from having to become a Death Eater or going to Australia or into hiding," I said. They looked at me expectantly. "Draco, you're going to marry me."
"WHAT?" exploded Malfoy and Snape at the same time.
"How does that solve any of my problems?" asked Malfoy.
"If we were married, I would be looking at your left arm. Voldemort couldn't actually mark you as one of his. Oh, you'd have to report on Harry and Ron and me to him, but he wouldn't be able to torture you, because I would notice, ask questions, and tell Dumbledore. You wouldn't have to move to Australia or going into hiding because Voldemort would think that you're on his side," I explained.
"This, this could work," Malfoy said to Snape, after a few moments of deep thought and consideration.
"But a romance between the two of you is quite unbelievable!" said a shocked Snape.
"We've been meeting around the school for months now to just talk," I said, making up the story of our relationship. "At first, Draco did it to feed his father more information, but then he realized that he was starting to care for me as a person. And I reciprocated his feelings. Eventually, Draco will go to Voldemort with an offer to spy on my and my friends for the rest of his life."
"When did this all happen?" asked Draco.
"It hasn't, yet. Today's our first meeting," I replied.
The next morning at breakfast, Harry received a letter from Dumbledore, asking the three of us to meet him in his office after breakfast. I got a letter too, from Snape, asking me to help him brew potions needed in the Infirmary after lunch, because I was one of the only competent Potions students in the school. I looked up at the Staff Table and nodded quickly when he glanced. My eyes wandered to the Slytherin table, where Draco sat alone, he had a letter too. His eyes found mine. I could see that he wanted to talk to me as soon as possible.
"Hey guys, I just realized that I have to turn a book in today. I'll meet you there in fifteen minutes or so," I said. The lie came easily. I didn't know if I could tell them though about the discussion I had with Snape and Malfoy yesterday.
I left the Great Hall and headed towards the Library. I didn't enter though, when Malfoy walked by, I whispered his name and walked to McGonagall's classroom.
"Hi," I said.
"Hi, did you get a note from Snape?" he asked.
"Yes. He's trying to get us to spend more time together, as well as getting out of making potions for the Infirmary," I said, muttering about Slytherins under my breath.
"If your plan works out, you'll be married to a sneaky, conniving Slytherin," said Draco. I didn't realize how loud I had been muttering. Blushing, I left the classroom and headed towards Professor Dumbledore's office. Harry and Ron were waiting just outside.
We were sitting in Professor Dumbledore's office with Professors McGonagall and Snape. Professor Dumbledore was standing by the window. When we were all comfortable, he asked Professor Snape why he had wanted to speak to us.
"Do you remember that night when I came to you about a student?" asked Snape. "It's about that student."
Professor McGonagall glared at Snape, but Dumbledore nodded.
"The student being alluded to is Mr. Malfoy. Mr. Malfoy came to Severus a few months ago with a desperate plea to save him from having to join the Death Eaters. That's all I know," said the Headmaster.
"Yesterday, in the Library, Ms. Granger came up with the perfect solution. Draco has agreed to it," said the Potions Master. Harry and Ron stared at me accusingly. Professor Dumbledore looked slightly amused.
"You're going to WHAT?" yelled Ron, after I explained my idea. Harry's mouth was open.
"Flies, Potter," said Professor Snape. Harry shut his mouth.
"I'm going to marry Malfoy, Ron. I thought I made that clear," I said slightly coldly.
"But why are you sacrificing your life for him?" he asked.
"Because I'm the only one who can. Ginny and Luna couldn't do it and no one else is close enough you and Harry to be able to pull it off successfully," I explained.
"If it's the only way," said Ron with a sigh. Harry looked at me, and I saw a tired old man in his eyes. I nodded.
I followed Professor Snape to his dungeon classroom. Draco was already there, setting up one of the cauldrons.
"Thank you for coming, Madame Pomfrey requires more Pepper Up Potion, and I have to brew other potions also needed for the Infirmary, so, you two will both be brewing Pepper Up. This will count as extra credit for you," said Snape.
I was half way through setting up my cauldron when Draco turned to me.
"Wouldn't it be easier to work together?" he asked.
"I suppose so. I'll prepare the ingredients," I said. About half an hour later, we presented our finished potion to Snape. He muttered a spell and the potion was transported to the Hospital Wing. Snape waved a hand, and we knew we were dismissed.
"Hermione, I was wondering if you wanted to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?" he asked, before we reached the Great Hall.
"But it's not a Hogsmeade weekend," I replied.
"I know, but my mum's birthday is next Wednesday, and I hadn't bought her a present. Besides, I know Potter has snuck down to Hogsmeade before. I saw him, remember?"
"Oh very well, but if we get in trouble, it's your fault."
"Of course," he smiled at me before walking into the Great Hall. I waited a few seconds, before going in myself. It wouldn't do to cause too much suspicion right now, because Voldemort and Lucius should get used to the idea gradually.
"Hermione, that sneaky Slytherin came in a couple of seconds before you! You aren't in cahoots, are you? asked Harry, who had been watching Draco more and more carefully this year.
"No, Harry," I said. He relaxed. "We're in love!" He fainted dead away, closely followed by Ron, and all the other Gryffindors in hearing distance.
"What happened, Granger? Did they finally realize that you're a girl?" shrieked Pansy Parkinson from across the Great Hall.
"No, I just told them about how happy Draco and I are to be in love! Isn't that right, Draco dear?" I asked him, smiling sweetly. Everyone fell silent, and turned to face Draco.
"Of course, love!" he called back to me. Pansy joined the rest of the school, and most of the faculty, in fainting.
