Hermione didn't have to wait long for her reply letter from Harry. His new owl Oscar arrived during the evening post bringing with him a small box of muggle cherry cordials, her favorite treat. Oscar politely dropped the box into her hand and perched on her arm. She untied two letters from his leg, one for Ginny and one for herself. She smiled and patted his head affectionately before she gave him a bit of her toast. Ginny greeted him lovingly.

Oscar was a pleasant owl, a tawny brown color and larger than Hedwig had been. He was a birthday present from Ginny and Ron. Harry seemed to adore him and that made Hermione happy. Having the unconditional love of an animal was such a soothing thing.

She slid her knife through the envelope, breaking the seal and pulled out the tan paper beneath. It had the Auror Academy emblem on the letterhead. It was very official and regal looking. She smiled.

Hermione,

We appreciated your letter and we're glad to hear that things are going well at Hogwarts. Give Ginny a hug for us, well in Ron's case he said a punch in the arm will do fine. Ignore him, of course. Things have been busy here. We're doing a lot of coursework, but we got to start hand to hand combat training this week, which has been fun. Ron had a bit of a rough go at it to start, but he's figured it out. He says to tell you that's rubbish and he's amazing.

Anyway, we've gotten permission to have one week worth of leave the first week of October. Since your first Hogsmeade trip is that weekend, would you like to meet up at the Three Broomsticks? Ron says he'll buy you a pie with your butterbeer because he's a fancy working man now. Obviously you should bring that smoking hot girlfriend of mine because I'm a fancy working man now too. Ron says don't listen to me, I'm a gross wanker who's pervy over his sister. Ignore him, obviously.

We better go; it's almost time for lights out in the barracks. Oscar enjoys a bite of toast or bacon, but I'm sure you already know that. Give him a pat for me, though I'm sure you'll do that already too.

All our love,

Harry and Ron

P.S. We took a trip to London on Monday and I spotted these in an all-year round Christmas shop. Don't eat them all at once!

Hermione smiled brightly at Ginny and immediately passed the letter over to her. Ginny laughed and handed over her own letter. Hermione read it quickly and genuinely felt affection for Harry and his sweet words to her. They had struck up their relationship only a few months ago, but things were progressing quickly. Hermione was overjoyed to see them so happy.

"That gross wanker who's pervy on me sure knows how to be a sappy romantic." Ginny sighed and pretended to swoon.

"It's sweet. You're like a pair of cute cuddly bunnies," Hermione joked. Ginny stuck out her tongue and pulled the letter out of Hermione's hands with a fake annoyed face.

"At least we aren't like a couple of sweet slimy flobberworms," Ginny supplied.

When Ron had been dating Lavender Ginny had often joked that their kissing was like watching two flobberworms mate. It was a vulgar comparison at the time, but she wasn't wrong. As soon as the old joke left her lips, Ginny's lighthearted eyes lost a bit of spark. Lavender was gone and there was nothing they could do about it. If she were alive, perhaps she would have found the joke funny.

Ginny and Hermione ate the rest of their meal in silence. Afterward, Hermione wordlessly offered one of her coveted cordials and they walked side-by-side to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hermione felt a bit giddy at seeing Neville, her partner in the class.


"He's really handsome in a sinful bad boy way," a girl gushed.

Hermione could just hear the whispered giggles of a group of girls behind her. She huffed, annoyed. She'd rather not listen to gossipy girls when she could be focusing on her work.

"Imagine what he looks like naked," another whispered. Another round of giggles commenced.

"Do you think he's got the dark mark under those long sleeves he always wears?" This voice she recognized as belonging to Romilda Vane. Hermione rolled her eyes, honestly.

Hermione had spent two hours in the library after classes. Her research had yielded very few leads regarding the magic of unicorns and bonding rituals associated with unicorn blessings. She'd skimmed through at six tomes, written down the names of 8 more to read, and decided that she would take a few back to her dorm.

She sighed to herself. There was no sense in making herself exhausted before she'd even had the chance to work on her assignments for the night. She had a crick in her neck and an ache in her back as she rose to shelve her used books on the magical cart. Madame Pince used the carts to return books to their respective cases throughout the day. As she returned to her table so let her eyes roam over to the group of girls sitting with Romilda. None of them appeared to be working. Go somewhere else, she wanted to tell them, but she refrained. She was leaving anyway.

Hermione glanced outside and saw that the sun was setting. She grabbed her three remaining books from the table and took them to get checked out at the librarian's desk. She bid Madame Pince goodnight as she placed them into her bag. Her stomach growled its desire for dinner. She placed a charm on her bag to lighten the load.

"Granger."

She paused at the voice behind her. Draco Malfoy was leant against the wall just beyond the library doors. She wondered if he had been waiting for her, waiting perhaps to catch her alone rather than approaching her in the library. He stepped toward her. She shivered.

"Malfoy?" she asked quietly when he said nothing else.

He looked tired and grey again. Very unlike the way he looked bathed in magical light. He bit his lip.

"I got a letter from my mother." His voice was quiet. He lowered his eyes to the large stones below their feet. He seemed nervous and the thought made Hermione feel anxious.

"…Okay?" Was he implying it had something to do with her or Aine?

"Is something wrong?" She inquired.

"In a way, yeah."

He paused and looked back up at her. His eyes were dark in the muted light of the hallway. The nearest torches were further down the hallway and there weren't many windows to bring in the waning sunlight. It felt chilly.

"My mother wants to ensure my safety and stake a claim on the right to bind with you."

Hermione's heart rate increased, pounding roughly within her chest. "Stake a claim? I'm not a possession."

Draco stepped forward once shaking his head. "I know that."

"I just wanted to tell you before she got any crazy ideas like sending you a letter as well." He ran a hand through his hair. It was already a bit disheveled, but that made it worse.

"Oh. Thanks for letting me know, I guess," she said uncomfortably.

She felt infinitely awkward. The tension of the previous day, the kisses, the energy; it was so fresh in her mind still. She had no idea how to handle a situation like this. Malfoy didn't seem to know what to say or do either. They stared at each other warily, waiting for the other to act.

"Listen Granger – "

"Excuse me, you're blocking the exit!" Romilda Vane's haughty voice jolted them both. She sneered at Hermione and shot Malfoy a strange questioning look.

"You should take your angst somewhere else Granger," she shrilled.

"No one wants to see it. No matter if you've been blessed or not." She shoved between the two of them, roughly hitting Hermione's shoulder. She marched down the hallway and glanced back at Draco with a coquettish look.

"What was that all about?" Draco asked.

Hermione huffed in annoyance. "I've got an idea, but I don't think you want to know."

"Malfoy, I better go to dinner. Thanks for the warning." She smiled shyly and left him standing there without turning back.


As she approached the Gryffindor table she could see Dean regaling Neville and Seamus with some sort of story. He was always telling them horrible jokes. Hermione was familiar with a few. They were common muggle ones. Her dad always liked to tell ridiculous ones like them. She smiled as she approached, but none of them had noticed her.

"I mean, she's fit as hell nowadays. I would just snog the hell out of her if I was you. Forget about discussing it." Dean grinned.

"I'd shag her, who cares about snogging. Imagine those perfect tits bouncing," Seamus elbowed Dean who laughed and nodded. "True."

Neville blushed deeply, "Alright, that's enough about Hermione. Save the talk for the dorm."

Hermione stopped so abruptly that she jostled into a girl who was playing wizard chess with a friend. The girl knocked over her pumpkin juice and the pieces all scattered trying to avoid the fluid. Hermione mumbled an apology to her. She looked at her startled friends. All three of them had the decency to look embarrassed. Seamus even looked down-right ashamed.

His freckles stood out starkly on his red cheeks. He cleared his throat and sat up. "Evening 'Mione."

Hermione tried to quell her own embarrassment. She'd been an unwitting fly on the wall to many similar conversations between Ron, Harry, and the Weasley brothers. She understood the vulgar nature of boys. She'd never heard a conversation about herself though. It was mortifying and somehow satisfying at the same time.

"Hello boys," she said as she slowly lowered herself onto the bench.

She made sure to sit a few places down from them in order to keep a safe distance from Neville's magic. She took a deep breath and then looked back at them.

"You know Seamus," she said thoughtfully, "If you'd like to be a chauvinistic pig it's probably best you do it in a private place. You're liable to get your bits hexed off otherwise. I seem to recall that just the other day you said I was cruel and capable of poisoning you. I don't think you want to test the theory."

Seamus choked on his drink.

"If you want to know what my tits look like you could simply ask Ron or Harry. They saw them by accident during the war. I could tell you what happened to both of them afterwards, but I don't think they'd want you to know. Things are probably still a bit sore regarding that subject."

This time Dean choked.

"What's wrong with you lot?" Hannah asked as she sat down and appraised the boys.

"Nothing!" Neville said. His ears were still red.

Hannah raised her eyebrows at Hermione clearly saying, what did you do?

Hermione smirked and began serving herself food.


Mid-morning the next day Hermione received a note from Professor McGonagall concerning the Department of Mysteries. She entreated that Hermione and Neville join Draco in her office promptly at 4 o'clock. Hermione sighed as she folded the letter back up. She cast a tempus charm and winced when she saw 3 o'clock flashing back at her.

"What's with the face?" Ginny asked as she glanced at Hermione over the top of her potions book.

"I've been called to a meeting with Professor McGonagall. She wants to speak to me, Malfoy, and Neville. It sounds like a representative from the Department of Mysteries will be here."

Ginny nodded in sympathy. "Have fun with that, I suppose."

"Oh, I'll try," Hermione moaned as she threw herself onto her bed and opened her own potions text.

Hermione arrived at the entrance to the Headmistress's office ten minutes before the scheduled time. She took a deep breath before she provided the password to the archway. A staircase slowly descended, grating against the wall as it twisted downward in a spiral. She stepped up and allowed it to raise her. It felt a lot like a muggle elevator and she mused on whether the idea for it was derived from one. The door to the office was ajar and it fully swung open of its own accord when she neared it.

"Ah, Ms. Granger," the Headmistress greeted her.

She raised her arm and gestured for Hermione to take a seat in one of the wingback chairs or on the chaise lounge. Hermione noticed a woman sifting through a file near McGonagall's desk. The woman appeared to be around fifty. She was wearing the robes of the DoM Unspeakables and a pointed hat. Her ears were donned with numerous earrings. In a way she somewhat reminded Hermione of Tonks. A punch hit her heart at the thought of it.

Hermione smiled weakly at her old Head of House and fiddled with the cuffs of her school robes. The scrape of the staircase announced the arrival of another person. Both Neville and Draco stepped through the door. Based on their body language it appeared as though they'd just had some sort of argument. Neither of them looked at her as they greeted McGonagall and sat down, resolutely avoiding eye contact.

"All set?" The Unspeakable asked, lowering the file and smiling brightly.

"Yes, I'd like to introduce three of my best pupils." She named them as she gestured to each.

"Nice to meet you all, I wish it were under different circumstances of course. I'm Unspeakable Harrigan." The woman had a very pleasant and open face and Hermione instantly felt at ease.

"As you may have assumed an event such as this warrants investigation by the Department of Mysteries. I've been assigned to your case. None of us would like to see three promising young people die."

"Woah! Wait a minute," Malfoy interrupted at the exact time that Neville exclaimed, "Die?"

Unspeakable Harrigan raised her hands gesturing for them to calm down. "Let me explain please gentlemen."

"As young men raised in the traditions of the sacred twenty-eight, you are well aware of the instances in which death has occurred. It is unclear whether other factors played a part in the past, but I am here for the express purpose of preventing such an occurrence. This is an unusual case already due to the fact that three of you have been affected."

Unspeakable Harrigan looked between them she came forward and placed the file open on the tea-table between the seats. She used her wand to swiftly move the furniture closer together. Hermione's chair slid so that she could now look down on the file effectively. It contained a number of magical signature diagrams, star charts, and several thick packets of paper.

"We have gotten thirty separate reports of prophecies, warnings from centaurs, and information from other sources. All of them center around three people pure of heart, immense power, and paths of either death or desire. After we started getting information from students who had witnessed the events with the unicorn it was very clear that the connections we had seen were leading toward the three of you."

She handed each of them a packet of information outlining the findings so far. "You may take these with you, but I ask that you do not share them with anyone and will need an oath that you will disillusion them in some manner and never speak of the contents unless absolutely necessary."

"At this time my team is working on a way to circumvent a binding process. We are also consulting with a number of specialists abroad. This is a mass effort, which you will also need to be part of. If you have any resources that may help, I will need them immediately."

"In the interest of not loading too much onto the three of you at once, I am going to allow you to take and read these packets. I will expect them back by our next meeting. I'd also like to interview you each personally to assess the effects of the magic. Let's give it a week so that you adjust accordingly and we are able to monitor vitals."

Unspeakable Harrigan smiled at them kindly. "I'm here to help you all, please do not hesitate to contact me if something out of the ordinary occurs. For now, I'd like you to have regular check-ins with Madame Pomfrey to monitor your wellness and magical signatures."

"Any questions?" She asked.

Both boys immediately looked to Hermione who launched into an examination of the subject. They shared a look of understanding as she went on. If there was anything they could agree on it would be that Hermione Granger was a veritable thesaurus on questions.

After two hours, Unspeakable Harrigan put a halt to the discussion and bid them farewell. Professor McGonagall thanked her for her time. Hermione's throat had been growing sore from all the talking anyway. She closed her packet and lay it on her knees. Her heart felt heavy.

"Now, the three of you have work to do and I expect you back tomorrow at this time. I have informed your elders of the situation and they will be here to discuss it," their Headmistress informed them.

"Off to dinner with you."


Narcissa Malfoy was the first to arrive at the meeting. She breezed through the fireplace with nary a hair out of place. To call her appearance immaculate would be an understatement. Hermione blushed as the woman appraised her. She was clearly unimpressed.

She turned to her son. "Hello darling, are you feeling well?"

She could see Draco nodding in her periphery, but Hermione did not pull her eyes away from Narcissa. She'd never had reason to observe her before. She was quite tall and thin. Her shimmering hair was longer than Hermione remembered and was pinned back at one temple with a gorgeous emerald hairpiece.

"Mother." He bowed his head slightly and moved forward to kiss her cheek.

"I'm as well as can be, considering the circumstances," he said lightly. Narcissa hummed and moved toward one of the chairs accenting the fireplace.

Hermione bit her lip as she glanced nervously at Draco. He was paler than usual, but his expression was perfectly blank. His eyes met hers as he turned back to stand beside her. Hermione immediately looked down at her shoes. She couldn't fathom why she was so nervous about this meeting.

A second rush of flame proceeded Neville's grandmother and what must be his uncle. Augusta Longbottom pulled her shoulders back and marched to the chair adjacent to Narcissa's. Her brother-in-law stood jovially looking around.

"Blimey," he said with awe as he looked at the trinkets.

Augusta was less impressed. She ran her eyes over the room and the three young adults, appraising them with an air of displeasure. Her gaze lingered on Hermione before moving to Narcissa. Augusta's attire was every bit as ostentatious as the Bogart Snaps Neville had encountered in third year.

Hermione was surprised when the flue went off a third time and Molly Weasley swept onto the rug, rubbing a swath of flour off her cheek. She glanced around at everyone with a false cheer and went to the chaise loung. When she realized it was the only option.

"Ladies," she greeted. Augusta greeted her warmly while Narcissa merely nodded.

"Hello Neville, Hermione." Both of them smiled at her.

"And Mr. Malfoy, nice to meet you officially," she said kindly. Draco seemed taken aback for a moment but greeted her cordially.

Hermione was surprised to see her, but guessed it had something to do with the fact that the Weasley's were the only family she had to speak of presently. She felt the sudden hole of her parents' absence like a knife.

Molly smoothed her hands down her front and seemed to suddenly realize that she was still wearing her kitchen apron. She flushed and quickly removed it, shrinking it for storage in the pocket of her dress. The awkward silence that followed was heavy. Then the sharp click of the door drew attention to the arrival of the Headmistress. McGonagall entered, her robes sweeping behind her. She looked annoyed.

"I apologize for my tardiness, I was attending to an issue amongst some students in the courtyard. "

"Mrs. Weasley, Mrs. Longbottom, Lady Malfoy, and – Mr. Longbottom I presume?" The Headmistress greeted Neville and Draco's families. Her expression was carefully composed. Hermione was practiced in the art of McGonagall's stoic faces, so she could just perceive the tension around the elder witch's eyes.

"Thank you for joining us. It has come to my attention that the Department of Mysteries has taken an interest in the magical blessing that was gifted to your sons and Ms. Granger. Yesterday we were joined by Unspeakable Harrigan to discuss the circumstances and options." She paused, glancing between each person. Her long grey hair was pulled into a severe bun at the back of her head.

"I thought it prudent that we meet about the now dire situation. We were hoping that there would not be any negative consequences from the complex way in which these blessings were acquired; however, Unspeakable Harrigan and her team from the DoM believe that one or more of them will die without a proper binding. This magic is volatile and resilient. It is difficult to suppress and contain."

The headmistress was standing stoically beside her desk, choosing not to sit as the the orher women had. Hermione found herself standing between Neville and Draco. She could sense each of their magical signatures and the blend of it was oddly soothing. Hermione saw the veiled fear in the eyes of Augusta and Narcissa.

"We are happy to hear that the DoM will be looking into this. Our family cares for Hermione very much and we are currently her surrogate representatives," Molly looked at her kindly. Hermione felt a sense of ease as she looked back at her friends' mother. A rush of affection bloomed inside her.

"No need to worry with the DoM. This can be resolved very quickly!" Algernon Longbottom was clearly a very boisterous man, despite his age. He was round in the middle, but also quite tall. His receding hairline gave him the appearance of constant surprise. He looked nothing like Neville but for the similar height. He cleared his throat, tucking his hands into the deep pockets of his grey robes.

"I've already got our family solicitor ready to draw up the marriage contract. No time to waste, I say. We might as well pursue the bonding as soon as possible to increase the magical potential." Algie clapped his hands together in a way that reminded Hermione of Arthur Weasley when he was excited to investigate a new Muggle object.

"A marriage contract?" Hermione demanded putting her hands on her hips and gaping at all of them. "Absolutely not!"

"I agree with Granger," Malfoy bit out quickly, grimacing as his mother glared at him. Clearly he wasn't supposed to speak until spoken to. Her icy blue eyes were very penetrating. Draco grit his teeth as he glared back.

Augusta Longbottom looked as though she was suppressing the need to roll her eyes at her brother-in-law. She leant forward in her wing-back chair. The raven on her hat swayed menacingly as she straightened her back and swiveled to look at him. The wrinkles on her face somehow added to her ferocious expression.

"Preposterous Algernon! We aren't here to formulate a marriage contract. Our Neville's life is at stake, we've more important things to worry about than who you're writing as heir to the House and whether Neville will become more powerful."

"Lest you forget, this is about my Draco as well," Narcissa added. She turned to Augusta with an attempt at a placid look, but there was clearly annoyance and an air of haughtiness in the expression.

"Augusta, as man of this family I have a right to decide what is best for my nephew. He is the scion of a very old and important family as you well know!" Algie huffed in annoyance. Hermione grit her teeth and took a deep breath. Professor McGonagall had a hand raised to her temple as she appeared to be taking her own deep breath.

"Man of the family!" Augusta bellowed angrily.

"You are NOT the head of House Longbottom Algernon. That mantle was given to me." She grit out.

"Besides that, it's not up to you to decide when and who Neville marries," Hermione said to the man, though it may have come out as more of a snarl. She wasn't going to stand by and let someone dictate her friend's life. Neither was she going to have someone dictate hers.

Algie turned toward her in annoyance, "Now see here miss, you are Muggle-born and therefore lack the knowledge of how important these blessings are. It's not something to be trifled with. Clearly you were meant to bind with House Longbottom. The unicorn even chose our house first."

Hermione scoffed, "You weren't even there! Aine chose each of us, not Houses, and certainly not to bind us in marriage. It's a magical blessing for a reason, to make us more powerful and help us understand our own magic in a deeper way –."

Algie made to interrupt her tirade, but his speech was cut off by Mrs. Malfoy. She coughed lightly as she interjected.

"I'd rather not listen to the opinions of a man who once threw his nephew out a window in order to determine if he were a squib."

Narcissa somehow managed to be regal while ridiculing the man. Algie looked perturbed and annoyed at the chastising.

"I'm appalled Mr. Longbottom, these aren't the dark ages," Molly agreed.

"Gran, Mrs. Malfoy, Molly, I think we are all grateful for your interest and care in our wellbeing, but I think this is a matter left to Draco, Hermione, and me."

Neville's voice was clear and strong. He stood straight and Hermione could feel his warmth radiating a defiant sort of looked at him proudly.

"You're right dear. I think it would be best to suggest though, that you get to know Ms. Granger further. I really would rather you live a long life and not die from your own magic combusting."

Narcissa nodded. "As much as I would like for Draco to be considered your biggest priority Ms. Granger, I think Augusta is acting reasonably, for once."

She glanced condescendingly at the other woman, sweeping a bit of her long shining hair over her shoulder.

"You should carefully think about what you are doing to my son and to Mr. Longbottom. I'd rather not see any more senseless deaths nor be exposed to any meaningless pain in my lifetime," Narcissa vowed.

She looked at her son and Hermione could clearly see sorrow in her eyes. Mrs. Malfoy shook her head lightly and Hermione found the Malfoy matriarch's piercing eyes on her. At her right she felt Draco take a step closer to her. It placed him ahead of her and directly between his mother and Hermione. The stance didn't go unnoticed by his mother who graced him with a raised brow. Hermione's anger seemed to wane at the caress of his serene magic.

"I will not get married out of obligation because some ancient magic demands it." Hermione balled her hands into fists and focused on the soothing feeling of Draco and Neville beside her.

"This isn't about marriage Ms. Granger," Professor McGonagall said firmly. "This is life or death dear and we need to focus on ways to prevent or circumvent it."

"But it is, isn't it? About marriage," Algie demanded. His cheerful voice juxtaposed the annoyed statement.

"If she won't bind to House Longbottom solely then she could always bind with both houses. Triads were respected in ancient times."

"I'd prefer it if you spoke about me by name. I do have a name. It's not she." Hermione had frankly had enough of the man.

"Uncle Algie, that's enough. This isn't a light decision and we are looking into ways to address it with the DoM," Neville assured. His magic burst against Hermione. It felt like something protective.

"We will think about this very carefully," Draco stated seriously, emphasizing their joint decision. Augusta and Narcissa weren't looking at him. They were both penetrating Hermione with very determined stares.

"I can't force you to make a decision girl, but I will not allow you to kill my grandson with your indecision," Augusta said firmly.

Despite her strong self-determination, Hermione felt herself wavering under the crushing looks. The urge to grasp for Draco and Neville's hands overcame her and she threw caution to the wind and grasped both of their palms firmly.

Their combined magic coursed up her arms. It tingled every fiber in her muscles. It spread up into her core. A soft glow began to emanate from the three of them. Neville squeezed her hand tightly. Hermione glanced between Neville and Draco finding both of them looking at her. Both of their faces held determination.

"I won't let them die," Hermione said firmly.

"We won't let anyone die," Neville affirmed.

He looked at Draco as well, bridging some sort of wordless agreement between them. Whatever they were communicating nonverbally seemed to boost the intensity of their combined light.

Professor McGonagall was taken aback by the brightness permeating her large office. Algie gasped, wide-eyed and whispered, "Blimey", once more.

"Take Neville on a few dates. Heavens, take Mr. Malfoy if you must, but you will decide on something by the end of this year. You're meant to be the brightest witch of your age, so figure something out," Augusta said firmly.

She left no room for argument and stood with an air of finality, apparently determined to ignore the bright glow in front of her. She adjusted the brim of her large hat and turned to her grandson with her chin raised.

"Give a kiss to your Gran, Neville love. I have several specialists to owl now." Neville obliged his grandmother and moved forward to press his lips against her left cheekbone.

"Come Algie," she demanded and pulled her brother-in-law rather forcefully toward the flue.

"Molly dear, say hello to Arthur for me." She said, voice sacarine.

"Narcissa." She turned toward the younger woman.

Mrs. Malfoy nodded back in what was clearly an act of pureblood etiquette and not one of respect. She rose as well, smoothing out her absolutely immaculate navy robes. She turned to Professor McGonagall.

"Headmistress, I trust that you will do your job and ensure that all of your students make it home safely at the close of the year."

McGonagall raised her brow, her annoyance thinly veiled. She folded her hands in front of her. Her expression was fierce, a Gryffindor through and through. She wouldn't back down to someone, no matter how high society the person might be.

"Mrs. Malfoy, I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to cooperate with the Department of Mysteries and all of my students will receive the utmost care and attention."

Narcissa swept away, bidding a quick farewell to all of them. Her eyes lingered on her son, but she said nothing more. She threw her flue powder into the fireplace and called out "Malfoy Manor."

Molly looked between the three of them, marveling for a moment at their glow. "Take care then dears. Good evening Minerva." She was gone quickly. Hermione let out a breath.

There were a few beats of silence.

"That went well," Neville said sarcastically.

"You're uncle is a fucking imbecile Longbottom," Draco snapped. Neville released a sharp laugh of agreement.

"Mr. Malfoy, language. I will remove house points if you make any further unrefined statements even if I agree with you." Neville smirked at her.

McGonagall looked between them solemnly. She walked around her desk and lowered herself slowly into her chair. The desk and chair were decidedly different than the ones Dumbledore had used before her. Several of the trinkets were the same. Perhaps they were homages to her old Headmaster. Hermione quickly looked toward the frame that would typically hold him, but found it empty. Snape's was occupied however, and he stared at her blankly.

McGonagall settled her elbows onto the surface of her desk, clasped her hands and peered at the three of them pensively. She seemed both resigned and concerned. Hermione couldn't quite figure out what that meant.

"Ms. Granger, I think it wise that you let go now," she advised, glancing down at their joined hands.

Hermione looked and found the glow between them was turning into a deeper hue, the shade it had been when she had kissed Draco. She blushed and quickly pulled her hands back. She folded them across her chest.

"I will not discourage you from further researching this; in fact I want to encourage all three of you to exhaust every possible avenue. I in turn will do all that I can. I've already contacted a number of renowned wizards and witches. I will not allow any of you to fall into harm. I will advise that you all think very carefully about what you want and what you will do. Dismissed."

All three of them did not linger in her office. They filed out in silence and went their separate ways. Neville waved at her halfheartedly as he turned to go. Hermione of course went immediately to the library.

She wasn't going to marry these men of that she was certain. Beyond that though, she wasn't going to let them die.

She'd do whatever she had to.


A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing! You can find me on tumblr as Fortunefaded2012