A/N: As of October 2017, this story has been revised and updated.
My inspiration for this story was Schindler's List. I hope I've done it justice.
*Warning* Spoilers for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
There is torture and horrors in here. It is very harrowing to read or so I've been told.
Lastly, there is no smut in this story. Sorry.
Chapter One: The Statute of Secrecy
Hermione felt like she was suffocating. It had been less than six months since Harry had defeated Voldemort at the Battle of Hogwarts and it looked like a new war was brewing and she didn't know if she had the energy to fight another one.
Several months ago, the British Prime Minister had released a statement outing the wizarding community to all of the world. At first, there were many skeptics, but after Muggleborn relatives began speaking out, it turned into a witch hunt. Neighbor turned against neighbor and brother against brother. It was madness. Most adult witches and wizards were smart and capable enough to hide, only the most arrogant and ignorant were caught. Muggle-born children were also handed over to the encampment officials for a 'fair' trial. Either way, the Statute of Secrecy was abolished and everything was out in the open, just like Voldemort wanted.
The tides completely turned when a small group of Muggleborn dissidents who strenuously opposed the light sentences and punishments of Voldemort's followers, began hunting down and handing over the purebloods to the muggles themselves. That wasn't the only reason they hunted the pureblooded. They reasoned that if they handed over those that were on the opposite side of the war, the rest of the witches and wizards would be safe. Muggles, with the help of these vigilante Muggleborns, kept these witches and wizards in camps until each could be given a trial. Trials that never came.
What once started with the desire to punish wrongdoers, was now another full-on war between blood factions, this time, Muggleborns hunted the pureblooded. The hunters no longer cared for justice. Just as the Death Eaters hadn't cared about blood but those that stood against them at the end. A number of riches that the hunters had seized from the wealthier Pureblooded families was incredible. Their greed slowly overtook their morals and there were few left who could stop them.
As much as a lauded hero that Harry became after the war, he still couldn't stop the hunters from abducting his fiancé, Ginny Weasley. Ginny and Molly had been captured while in Diagon Alley, the first abduction to happen in a purely wizarding place and of those that had not been tried for war crimes. The outcry was enormous. The wizarding world owed much to the redheaded pureblood family.
So once again, Harry found himself at the forefront of the resistance, the remaining Weasley's beside him. Hermione, however, was put into a difficult position by the very man who sat across from her now in the library at Grimmauld Place. Should she join the resistance or should she stay and help in a different way?
"I have nowhere else to go. Nothing left to work with. My property and wealth have been seized, and Malfoy Manor is to be auctioned off within the month. My wand is gone. If I try to run, I will die. I can't join the resistance because they would never trust me. A former Death Eater and Harry Potter's enemy is all they will ever see me as." Draco Malfoy persisted.
He looked haggard, having been on the run for a while. His normally pristine hair hung in unkempt bunches, having grown much longer than he ever had before. The jagged tips reached nearly to his collar in a color that was much darker than his natural blond. He had purple bags under his eyes and a slight twitch that Hermione recognized as extreme exhaustion or what she liked to call constant vigilance, being on watch and not having enough sleep. A symptom that she was closely acquainted with. She pitied him, the once arrogant and proud boy who was once her enemy but was now a begging her for mercy.
"Why me?" She inquired. She pitied him and his situation. Knowing that the trials had been fair yet lenient, she disagreed heartily with the current war. Those that were not there in the middle of Voldemort's war should never pass judgment. Then again, perhaps the trials should have been open to all.
"Because you are a good person. You are strong, powerful, and respected. I need your protection. I will do anything." Draco's intense gaze pinned her to the chair.
"Anything?" She asked curiously.
"Yes. If you want me to be your slave, I'll do it. If you want to work me like a house elf, I'll learn how. If you want me to kill for you, I'll bloody my hands. If you want me in your bed, I wouldn't even hesitate. I will do anything. Anything." He walked over to her and got on his knees in front of her seat, letting his hands slide up her thighs.
Her conscience twanged. She couldn't- no- wouldn't take advantage of him like that. Even if it was tempting to have the once proud Malfoy at her beck and call. He may be a jerk that had been a merciless bully throughout school but she would like to think that she was better than that. Plus, she didn't believe that what the hunters were doing was right. It was just making the gulf of the blood feud wider. If she hid Malfoy and he was by no means the first to ask, she would have to present a public front with no ties to the resistance. Could she do that? Could she leave Harry and Ron to fight front and center without her? To be honest, she didn't feel like she had a choice. Who else but her could protect these people?
"That will not be necessary Malfoy. I will not force you into slavery or anything else. You can stay here but you will have to be confined to my room so that no one suspects that you are here. I will figure out what to do, but it will take me a few days."
He nodded in relief. His silver eyes devoured her, something unidentifiable dancing in his depths.
"If you ever change your mind," He sat up on his knees and leaned into her until his lips were just brushing the shell of her ear. "I would happily comply."
Hermione's eyes went wide. Draco pushed away from her and stood, holding his hand out for her to take. After a moment, she slipped her hand into his and led him up the stairs, into the room that she had once shared with Ginny Weasley.
"When I moved in here there were two beds but after the war and not having anywhere to go, Harry told me I could redecorate the room. Now, I really wish I hadn't thrown myself into that. As it is, I only have the one bed and bringing in another would raise questions that would be dangerous to answer. Not everyone that comes through here is against this new war. Anyway, I can transfigure something into a bed for you but I think this bed is big enough for the both of us if you can keep your hands to yourself."
"Of course. I will be a perfect gentleman." His eyes followed her like a hunter observing his prey.
"I'll see what I can do about getting you some clothes. They will have to be muggle ones. The hunters are watching the wizarding shops closely, believing that the purebloods wouldn't deign to wear muggle clothes or even know how to shop in one."
"That's fine." Draco agreeably stated. Hermione arched her eyebrow in surprise. Wow.
"I'll go get you something to eat. Make yourself at home."
Draco lightly grabbed her arm as she moved to pass him and leaned in until his lips were close to her ear.
"I will never forget this, Hermione." He took a deep breath before he pulled away and let her go. He stood straight, making his way to her en-suite bathroom without looking back.
Hermione stood blinking for a moment before whipping around and nearly flying down the stairs. Once she was in the kitchen, she put her hand to her rapidly beating heart. She needed to get herself back under control before someone came in and saw her. The whole time she was putting together a nourishing tray, she kept thinking that even though he looked ragged and his clothes torn and dirtied, he smelled great. Like pine needles and leather. She couldn't help but imagine what it would have been like, tasted like if he had kissed her instead.
