Instead of Harry, Dumbledore asked Hermione to talk to Slughorn. He then also told her about the horcruxes and he took her to find the locket. When they got back to the castle, Malfoy came in.
"Don't do it Malfoy," Hermione yelled. He whipped around to see her standing at the top of the stairs with her wand pointed at him. No Ron or Harry in sight.
"Get out of here Granger," he sneered, no knowing who to keep his wand on.
"Don't do it," she yelled again.
"You don't understand," Malfoy cried. Hermione looked at him closely. He was skinny, far skinnier than he should be. His blonde hair hung in his wide, bloodshot eyes. His lips quivered and his wand shook.
Dumbledore was standing behind Malfoy watching the teens interact.
"Let me understand then," she said softly. She slowly took a step forward and another when Malfoy didn't react badly. He just watched her with wide eyes as she walked toward him, step by step.
"I can't. I can't do it," he whispered. Hermione kept walking forward. She was only a few inches away from his outstretched wand when she stopped. She slowly reached her hand up and pushed his wand down. He slowly lowered his arm watching her carefully.
"Don't do it then," she whispered as she took two more steps toward him. They were now mere inches away from each other.
"I have to or else he's going to kill me," he whispered in a shaky voice. His bloodshot eyes finally connected with Hermione's brown eyes.
She slowly reached forward and pushed his left sleeve up. There on his pale arm was the dark mark, starring her down. She drew in a breath and looked back up at him.
"I had no choice," he whispered. Hermione reached up and pushed the hair out of his eyes.
"You always have a choice," she whispered. She glanced over at Dumbledore. Tears sprang to her eyes and she looked back at Malfoy.
"Come with me," she whispered. Tears began to fall from her eyes. Malfoy slowly, as if afraid of her, reached up and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"I can't. I have to kill him or else he will find me and kill me," he whispered. Tears were streaming down his face now. He didn't want to kill but he didn't want to die.
"Draco," Hermione whispered. "Please come with me."
"Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore spoke from behind. Malfoy whipped around as if he forgot that he was still there.
"Go. Severus will take care of everything else. Go with Miss. Granger, protect her, stay safe. Mr. Malfoy do as I say," Dumbledore said. A bang echoed through the room. The death eaters were here.
"Draco, please," Hermione pleaded. Dumbledore nodded at Malfoy. Hermione took his hand. Malfoy looked at Hermione and nodded.
And Hermione apparated.
