Summary: The assignment The Order of The Phoenix gave them should have been simple. It was never supposed to end up like this. But Hermione Granger should have known Draco Malfoy would complicate everything.
Word Count: 1, 596
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or related characters and settings. That honor goes to the brilliant J.K. Rowling.
In the end, Hermione knew it was for the best but that certainly didn't mean she liked it any better. She had argued, protested, done everything she could think of really, to change Professor McGonagall's mind. Unfortunately, her head of house would have none of it. With Dumbledore dead and Voldemort growing stronger all the time, it was imperative that everyone do everything they could to end the war. Well, there was no arguing with that and so Hermione had accepted her new task as best she could. She would miss Harry and Ron of course. They were still going after the remaining horcruxes as planned. After they left tonight, who knew when or if she would ever see them again. That thought made her unbearably sad and after leaving Professor McGonagall's office, Hermione headed towards the lake where she was meeting her two best friends. Once there, she found they were already sitting by the water's edge. Hermione sighed, trying to think of the best way to break the news to them. How to explain that not only was she not going with them, her new assignment was probably the worst alternative imaginable?
"Harry! Ron!" Hermione enveloped them each in a crushing hug catching them both off guard.
"What's with you, Hermione?" asked Ron as he rubbed his neck.
"Yeah, that hug was more painful than usual." Harry agreed.
Hermione felt tears welling up but she pushed them back and explained. "I can't go with you guys. The Order has given me an assignment."
"What? What assignment?" Harry demanded.
"Oh, you know, mostly researching stuff." Hermione fumbled. "It is what I do best."
"No, helping us is what you do best! We need you Hermione!" Ron argued.
Hermione looked from Harry to Ron with a painful expression in her eyes. She could tell this conversation was going to be a repeat of the one she'd had with McGonagall. "I know, Ron but there's nothing I can do." Her voice was practically a whisper.
Harry stared at her curiously. "There's more to it than that." he deduced. "There must be."
"Yes." was all Hermione said.
"Well? What is it?" Ron urged.
"Oh, I wish it were anything else!" cried Hermione.
"That doesn't answer the question." said Harry patiently. "Just tell us."
Hermione was silent for a full minute before answering, "I have to spy on Malfoy."
"Come again?" Ron said, surprised. "Just how the hell are you going to do that? Who knows where that blonde idiot ended up after he let a bunch of death eaters into Hogwarts last June! You're supposed to do this by yourself? What the hell is McGonagall thinking?"
The onslaught of questions was no surprise to Hermione but she wished they didn't sound so accusatory. It wasn't like she wanted to do this. After brief consideration of how and what to answer she decided to go with an abbreviated version of McGonagall's explanation.
"Essentially, he's being given a chance to prove himself. He's going to spy for the Order. Basically I have to help him as well as make sure he isn't double crossing us. I have to give the Order progress reports every week. Sooner if he does something funny."
Ron wrinkled his nose. "So what, you're like his babysitter or something?"
"Unfortunately so." answered Hermione.
"So they just expect Malfoy to screw up? What's the point of letting him work for the Order then?" Harry asked.
"He's desperate, Harry. And so are we. The Order isn't exactly warming up to Snape anymore but because of that we lost a reliable source of information. In theory, Malfoy will pick up where Snape left off and we can go on as we were before." Hermione explained.
"I don't like this." said Ron, "He can't be trusted, of course he's going to double cross us! There must be another way!"
"There isn't." Hermione replied, "I tried that with McGonagall. They've tried everything. The Order doesn't know who to trust. The only reason they trusted Snape is because Dumbledore did. With me keeping an eye on Malfoy, this is the best option they could think of."
"Why you?" asked Harry. "I can't imagine Malfoy is going to like this set up anymore than you do, even if he thinks it's because you have to work together."
"The rest of the Order has their own assignments as you know. Harry, you couldn't exactly do it, you have Dumbledore's orders to find the rest of the horcruxes. And Ron, well, let's face it, you don't always keep your temper in check. You and Malfoy would have each other in the hospital wing in a fortnight." answered Hermione.
Ron frowned. "I guess that makes some sense but Malfoy aside, how dangerous will this be? Where are you going to be doing this research? What exactly are you researching?"
"I don't know what we're going to be researching. McGonagall wouldn't say. However, the only redeemable part of this thing is that I'll be here, at Hogwarts." said Hermione.
It was Harry's turn to frown. He looked up at the tall towers of Hogwarts and then back to Hermione. "What's going to be your cover? People are going to notice you two hanging around each other all the time. You can't exactly tell the truth. Though they probably wouldn't believe that either."
"McGonagall is making us Head boy and girl." replied Hermione simply.
Ron's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "She's making him Head boy? She can't be serious! No one is going buy that for a second!"
"It's easier to accept than that he's working for the Order." Hermione countered. "Besides, he was a prefect, if you recall. The Slytherins were the only ones to respect him at any rate so to the school, the only difference is that he has a private room now."
"Is that what McGonagall told you?" asked Ron. "He'll be able to override everyone who isn't you or a teacher! This is bad."
"Don't you think I know that, Ron? But we have to put our personal feelings on the matter aside. I know this isn't the ideal situation but in the long run, no one will care that Malfoy was Head boy. It isn't going to matter, especially not if Voldemort isn't stopped!" Hermione shot back.
The sun was beginning to set in the west and the shadows of the three friends were growing long. Hermione could see acceptance passing over the faces of her two best friends at last. No it wasn't ideal, no it wasn't easy but nothing about this was. Muggles were dying at the hands of death eaters all the time. The Ministry was infiltrated and more and more people were being accused of being muggleborn. Hermione, Ron and Harry couldn't afford to worry about whether or not instating Malfoy as Head boy was popular with the other students. They didn't have time to debate whether or not he could be trusted by the Order. They didn't have time to think of a loophole to get Hermione out of working with him. There just wasn't time. Those were the facts. Plain and simple. All three were quiet for a time but eventually Harry spoke.
"Ron, it's time to go."
Hermione's hitherto held back tears finally tumbled down her cheeks. She made no noise as the tears slid down her face. She pulled the two boys into another hug clinging on to them, willing to trade anything for things to be different.
"Geez Hermione, don't cry. You're going to shrink my jumper. Mum would freak!" said Ron trying to joke.
Hermione let out a little laugh and pulled away drying her eyes. "Don't either of you get hurt out there! Not even a scratch! I don't know what I'd do without you!"
"We've got this, Hermione." Harry reassured. "Nothing will happen to us. Promise."
"We'll be back before you know it." added Ron.
"I'm holding you guys to that." warned Hermione. "Please be safe."
"We'll take every precaution." Harry promised.
"Don't stay in one place too long, and I've packed some books I think you'll find useful, I've highlighted some spells for you, and there's a couple changes of clothes, and food, and-"
"Okay mother, we're going to look in our packs eventually. We'll see all your goodies and be really grateful." Ron interrupted.
Hermione knew that, she did. But what Ron seemed too oblivious to notice was that she was trying to stall them. Trying to put off the inevitable.
"Okay, we really have to go now." said Harry.
"I know, I know." said Hermione. She hugged Harry and Ron yet again. "Goodbye."
Harry immediately pulled away and the three of them stood apart. "It's not goodbye, Hermione. It's just see you later."
"That won't stop me from missing you." Hermione retorted.
"We'll miss you more." said Ron. He sounded somber.
Hermione took a couple of steps back. Ron and Harry collected their packs; preparing to apparate. Harry grabbed Ron's arm. Hermione didn't even have time to blink before they were gone. Apparated away like they had never been there at all. She stared at the spot where they had been just seconds ago trying to envision them still there. Had it been another day, they might have been going for a swim. Maybe talking about how their exams had gone. Maybe planning to visit Hagrid for tea. But that wasn't meant to be. With a sigh Hermione turned around and made her way back towards the castle. See you later indeed, she thought.