Authors Note: This is a sequel. So if you haven't read my other fic, The Mudblood and the Death Eater, I suggest you do. I got this up faster than I expected! I would just like to say thanks to my readers! I love you guys! This fic is going to be considerably darker than the first part of it. It might be longer as well… but we'll see. I hope you guys like it!


Draco smiled at Hermione. She was grinning up at him, a light sheen of sweat coating her forehead. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly. He pushed hair off of her face and resumed kissing her. She peeled his shirt off, breaking their kiss. As soon as his lips touched hers again, his Dark Mark burned. Suddenly, the scene changed. He was in a dark corridor with Voldemort. Hermione stood off to the side, his aunt holding her with the tip of her wand pressed against her temple. Draco made a move in her direction and was suddenly brought to the floor by the searing pain of the Cruciatus curse. Voldemort's cold cackle echoed in the hall. Bellatrix sneered and shouted, "Avada Keda-"

Draco awoke to a light tapping against his window. He cursed under his breath before getting up. Every morning an owl delivering the Daily Prophet seemed to interrupt his dreams about Hermione. Lately, he couldn't go a second without thinking about her. Usually his dreams were good. Nothing more than reminders of their time together over the school year. This one, however, was dark. Far different from the rest. He pulled open the window, expecting the usual lone owl. A soft sprinkle of rain was falling on the ground outside and two owls flew through his window. Draco pointed his wand at the empty fireplace and muttered a spell. Suddenly, bright flames appeared, warming the room. One owl dropped a letter onto his bed and soared out soundlessly. The other stuck its leg out as Draco untied the Prophet; he dropped three Knuts into its leather pouch. The owl gave a small hoot and flew away again.

Draco set the paper on his windowsill, more interested in the letter that lay on his disheveled bed. He picked up the envelope and sat down. There was no name on it. Unsure of whom it was from, Draco carefully opened it. A thin piece of parchment fell into his lap. He immediately recognized the handwriting as Hermione's:

Dear Draco,

Due to my current situation, I can't tell you who I am directly. But I'm more than positive that you can figure it out. And I can't tell you where I'm writing this from either. Don't try to find out.

It's stupid and dangerous of me to send this to you. Not just for my safety, but for yours. If it was my fault you got punished by you-know-you… I couldn't live with myself. I hope he wasn't mad that you didn't kill Dumbledore. If he hurt you, that makes my current 'mission' more important. I can't give you details, in case this letter were to fall into the wrong hands. I'm sorry, I wish I could.

It's been hard for me not to write you every day. I miss you terribly. And I won't be returning to school next year. I'm not sure if you, given your situation, will be either. I hope we can see each other again soon. At least I have all of my memories of you. If I get hurt, I really do want you to know that those times I spent with you were the greatest moments of my life.

As much as I would love to hear from you and make sure you're okay… it's far too risky. Please don't write back. Just for the sake of our safety. And in the hope that if nothing bad happens, we'll be able to be together again. I miss you so much. And love you even more.

Draco folded the letter in half and brought it to his lips. He was upset to learn that she wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts. That was the only place that they had a chance of being together. But with the way things were going, school would only be safe for a select few. And seeing that she wouldn't be in that few, her absence might be a good thing. He stood, walked to his desk, and pulled out some parchment and ink.

I know you told me not to write back. And I understand why. You're right; it's probably in our best interest to avoid communication for a while. But it's hard for me to know that you're doing some sort of a 'risky mission' and I can't do anything to help you. You're a tough girl, so I know you'll be okay for the most part. But the fact is, Death Eaters and Snatchers will find you and kill you. Especially because you're a muggle-born. I don't know what you're doing out there. But please, stay safe.

I don't know if this would help you… but I can pass on some information. Remember the old muggle studies teacher? A few weeks ago, the Dark Lord killed her. Only because of what she was teaching. And Snape is going to be the new headmaster at Hogwarts. Things will be really different. From what I've heard it will be completely horrible for everyone. Maybe it's for the best you won't be going back. And He's taken total control over the Ministry. The Unforgiveable curses are legal now. From everything I've heard, His enemies don't stand a chance. I know that isn't happy news in the least, but it might help. I know more, but I doubt sending them in a letter would be a smart idea.

I've been thinking about you a lot. Every minute away from you has been so difficult to live with. The only good thing that seems to have happened since the last time I saw you, and that night wasn't really that great, is my father getting out of Azkaban. But even that has a bad side to it. He's afraid of the Dark Lord. I am too, of course, but to a different degree. He knows that one more slip up could end with him dead.

I'm worried about you. I hope you're safe. Please don't do anything that could put you in danger. I love you so very much and would hate to see harm come to you. Please, please, please remember how much I love you. And I swear I'll remember how much you love me. Maybe that will give us something to hold onto during these dark times.

Draco leaned back and re-read what he had written. He softly smiled and pulled the Prophet towards him. He intended to send the letter at a better and safer time, when he was less likely to get caught. When he got a look at the front page, his heart sunk. A small picture of Hermione, along with a few other muggle-borns, sat under a large headline. "MUDBLOODS WANTED FOR QUESTIONING."

He knew sending the letter would be a mistake. He picked it up again and threw it into the fire. As the flames hungrily consumed it, Draco's concern for Hermione grew.