Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Odette cried the whole way to Hogwarts. The thresal's that took them to the castle were visible to both of them, and the second her face turned in their direction, she cried.
"I'm sorry sweetheart, I didn't realize…" Hermione's voice broke off, trembling. She saw her mother and father die before she had even truly met them. It was cruel that she should face the idea everyday.
"Keep it together 'Mione." She told herself, whispering it over and over again like a mantra.
She took Odette out of her carrier, and placed her over her shoulder. The rocking of the carriage didn't help to keep them steady, but the movement distracted her for a while. She rubbed her sister's tiny back lightly, softly murmuring to her that it was okay. She wondered if the small bundle could feel her heart pounding as she held her.
It was August 30th, the day before school started. The day she would be moving in with Draco Malfoy.
A part of her didn't know if she could do this, even after the pep talk Ginny gave her.
August 29th.
"Trust in Dumbledore, no matter what those two gits out there say." She scolded. Hermione groaned, and shook her head.
"Ginny, what if they're right? What if this doesn't work? What if I'm putting Odette in more danger?" She put her head in her hands, wanting to cry.
It's too much. I just can't do this on my own. She wanted to scream it at the top of her lungs.
"Hermione-" Ginny lifted her best friends face up, and gave a motherly smile.
"Dumbledore knows what he's doing, he's batty for sure, but he knows. It will work, the year will go by quickly, and you'll be a qualified witch with the ability to go and work anywhere you want. Not just some bookstore. You know as well as everyone else that Hogwarts is the safest place for all of us to be…" She paused.
Hermione nodded, taking a deep breath and nodded. "You're right, Gin. I CAN do this, I WILL do this, and even if Malfoy's a right wanker, I can still do this." She told herself as if she was drilling the thought into her the deepest part of her brain.
Ginny smiled at the older girl. "Hermione, he's there for a reason too. Maybe we need to give him a chance."
"I do hope you're right, Gin."
The carriage stopped, and Hermione strapped Odette into her carrier. She stepped out of the carriage, careful not to let Odette see the thresal's as they left. She took in a deep breath as she stepped toward the door.
Here goes nothing.
Professor Dumbledore was waiting for her at the steps. He was speaking to one of the ghosts, and Hermione cringed, hoping the sight wouldn't frighten her sister.
"Ahh! Ms. Granger, good trip here, I should hope?" He asked, giving her an all knowing look. He bent over the carriage, this time his beard was held close to him with his hand.
"Welcome to your new home Ms. Granger." He told Odette. She gurgled happily in response. He stood up straight, and Hermione noticed that he had placed an enchanted Pegasus in front of her. Odette squealed in delight, clapping her hands. Her attention now diverted from the hard carriage ride over.
"Come now…" The headmaster muttered, his gray cloak billowing out as he climbed the steps.
Hermione followed with Odette quickly. As they passed through the various stairs and hallways, Hermione felt an odd pull inside her. The castle was just as grand and wonderful as it was when she left.
I can't believe it's almost been six months, since I've been back. It was the longest she'd ever been away from Hogwarts since she first step foot in the magical castle. For the first time in months, she felt at home. She longed to see the Gryffindor common room, to see the library, and especially the prefects' bath.
"This way, Ms. Granger." Hermione was glad it was on the second floor, making it closer to her classes. He stopped at a portrait of Newt Scamander. He was sitting with his wife Porpentina, somewhere in the jungle.
"Ahh, Albus, I see this is our last addition, yes?" The painting asked. He swat a fly away.
"Yes, Newt. I'd like you to meet Hermione and Odette Granger." He signaled with his hands.
"Well Hello! Ms. Granger's. It's lovely to see such a pretty faces down our way of Hogwarts. Your partner hasn't returned yet, I'm sure he'll be back soon." He looked down at her with his glasses at the tip of his nose.
Hermione felt queasy. He's here already?!
"Right on schedule. Right! Now the password…" He paused, and then turned to Hermione. "You'll have to excuse me Ms. Granger, after so many years, and knowing all of the passwords for each portrait, one's password begins to blur into another." He chuckled and Hermione shook her head.
"Of course, professor." She assured him, an amused smile on her face. She heard her sister squeal happily as the portrait continued to move.
"AHH, yes of course! Fire whiskey Lollipop." His voice boomed unexpectedly and Newt bowed gracefully.
"Good day, Newt!" The headmaster called as he opened the portrait, Hermione could see a dark hall ahead of her.
"He's was a rather poor chess player, always tried to pretend some wild animal would attack me if the game went south." He muttered, almost as if it was not to her.
She followed him, taking her levitation spell off the carriage and pushing it through the hallway. Her stomach ached as she grew more and more nervous. Odette laughed, oblivious to her sister's worries.
What am I doing? What was I thinking?! Hermione's inwardly screamed at herself, her grip on the carriage handle to the point where her knuckles were white.
Ron started laughing, almost as if he were crazy. They watched him as his face grew red.
"Ron…" Hermione and Ginny said in unison, their voices matching each other in worry.
"Ahh, 'Mione, it sounded as if you said you were going to be rooming with Malfoy. You kill me!" He continued laughing.
Hermione watched him, scooting slightly towards Ginny, and away from him. Harry took the folded Daily Prophet next to him and smacked him on the head.
"Stop being a dunder brain!" He practically growled.
Ron sobered quickly, his face changing shades of red. Laughter. Embarrassment. Anger.
"You're going to be living with HIM! Alone?! You're actually going to be dense enough to leave Odette with him! Dumbledore's off his damned rocker and you're just…you're just….dense if you think we'd allow you to do it!" The tops of his ears were tinged pink and Harry had quiet his voice before it woke the entire house up.
Hermione sat there, calmly. Her hands locked around her knees, keeping them up to her chest as she rocked back and forth.
"Ron…Dumbledore trusts him. He's obviously in need of help if he's got to live with me as well. Dumbledore said he already knows about the arrangement and that he's fine with it."
"Oh come on! Of course he's alright with it Hermione! He's nothing but a slimy bastard who's trying to…" He was cut off.
"So you know better than Dumbledore now? Ron, he wouldn't put Hermione in any danger, you know that! And no one would put Odette in any danger, LEAST of all Hermione." Ginny snapped, her face as red as her brothers.
"You can't be serious. You like this idea?!" He yelled.
The two Weasley siblings began a screaming match as Hermione sat there, cringing as she hear the steps creak up stairs. They were starting to wake people up.
"Enough, you two!" Harry said, glaring at his best friend, pushing him back down onto the couch. He wrapped his arms around Ginny, pulling her onto his lap. Every time she attempted to say something, he shushed her.
"But-"
"Enough love."
Hermione took a deep breath before speaking again.
"Dumbledore said that Malfoy has changed sides over the summer-actually-he said it was not even a few days after school ended last term. He's an order member." She paused, looking at her three best friends.
"He told me that something really bad happened to him-"
Hermione felt her heart drop as she knew to an extent what happened, but for some reason that she didn't understand, she felt as if she couldn't tell them.
You're doing the right thing; it's not yours to tell.
"He said that he had definitely changed, and for HIS safety needed to be in the same tower as I will be. I guess the Slytherin's have been threatening him over summer."
At least the second part is true. She hated lying to her friends.
Ron shook his head, still not having it. Harry starred at her.
"Hermione, this is Malfoy we're talking about. Do you really think he's going to want to live with a Muggle born and her five month old Muggle born sister? Because that's what it's going to be, you'll be playing house with Malfoy from September to May. It just…" Harry trailed off, not wanting to start another scream fest. Ginny had turned to look at Harry as he spoke, knowing she couldn't argue with him.
Ron threw out his hand towards Harry, as if trying to say "SEE".
"Does he REALLY know about this plan?" Harry asked.
"He does. Snape and Dumbledore talked to him about it before they told me." Hermione waited before saying anything further.
Harry let out a deep breath and Ginny looked helplessly between the two men and Hermione. She wanted to take Hermione's side, but they were right. She knew it, and Hermione knew it.
Hermione looked towards the stairs to see Fred, George, Remus, and Tonks leaning over the railing. They were listening, and from the somber looks on their faces, they disapproved.
"Dumbledore asked me to do this, as a personal favor to him. I have to trust him." Hermione finally broke out.
Merlin, help him be right. Hermione thought. Please…
"We all need to trust him…Whenever it seems he asks too much, we're the better for it. We HAVE to trust him."
She whispered that to herself the entire night, falling asleep to the soft snores in the crib next to her.
When the door opened, Hermione sat amazed again at how the wonderful the world of Hogwarts was. Her thoughts were momentarily wiped away as she stood speechless in front of the room.
In front of her, the large cream colored living room opened up to show a large fire place. The whole room was of light cream, gray and off yellow tones, down to the overstuffed sofas. Its large wall length windows shaped with wall length dark silver lined scarlet curtains.
She loved the two dark desks the stood next to one another at the end of the room. Tall shelves of books stood embedded furthest from the entrance. In the corner, a play pen stood with toys of colorful varieties inside. A dark crib was outside of the play pen.
She saw the dining area, it's dressing's all in soft silver and gray. The chandelier above them looked as grand and old as Hogwarts itself.
"Professor, it's…" She was at a loss of words as she placed the carriage away from the entrance of the living space. She turned back towards where she entered and was surprised to see that a stairway wrapping along the wall led to a balcony-like area that oversaw the living and dining rooms from above. Odette clapped happily as she pulled her gently out of her carrier.
"Yes, and all of the sharp points will be soft to the young Ms. Granger's touch. The fireplace is charmed to not let her come within three feet of its entrance…" He trailed off. Hermione had walked into the middle of the warm living room, her eyes watering.
"All this, is for us Ode." She whispered affectionately.
The baby squealed, a smile on her face.
"Ah, yes, this way." Hermione turned, unable to get the smile off her face. Dumbledore lead her towards the dining area, a door she didn't notice led to a small kitchen. She stood, puzzled for a second.
It had beautiful dark green countertops, a large sink, and a Muggle refrigerator. The cupboards were a light wood with glass showing the cups, pots, and pans. There was even a pantry, filled with all sorts of goodies-adult and baby alike.
"Sir, I think I'm a little confused." She scrunched her face as Odette tugged at her hair. "I was under the impression that Muggle devices didn't work in Hogwarts, not that I mind of course."
"Ah yes…" He waved a finger in the air as he turned to walk out. "But I am the headmaster; I believe I am qualified to make an exception."
Hermione chuckled; following him as he strode quickly back into the living area.
"Of course sir." She agreed.
They walked towards the stairs, Hermione bit her lip, instantly thinking about how to baby-proof them.
"Not to worry Ms. Granger, she won't be able to climb the bottom step or touch the top step. Nor will she be able to slip through the railings. It is all taken care of." He said nonchalantly. She shook her head, a smirk on her lips.
"How does he do that?" She whispered to Odette. Her sister smiled in return and let go of Hermione's hair to swat eagerly at her nose, attempting to squeeze it. Hermione laughed, and stopped as they reached the top of the steps, and into the hall. She noted that there were four doors. At the end of the hall, another wall length window stood with a notably grand view of Great Hall.
"The door you are standing next to is Mr. Malfoy's room; next to his is the loo. I trust you two can get along well enough to share."
Hermione's eyes grew a little wide. Well, those locking spells will come in handy.
"Of course, this room here is yours, and the room next to it belongs to Ms. Granger."
She thanked him inwardly that their rooms were next to one another, and away from Malfoy's.
"Mr. Malfoy is with Professor Snape, he'll be arriving in-" He pulled out a time piece from his pocket. "92 minutes, 5 seconds, you must know already how much Severus values punctuality."
Yeah, five minutes early, you're on time. On time you- you might as well skip class. She thought bitterly, a good portion of her well-earned house points had been lost due to his hatred of her class.
"Yes sir, I know well enough." She answered.
"I trust you'll be alright from here, Ms. Granger. Yes? A few of the professors and I will drop by for dinner tonight to discuss a few details with the both of you." Hermione looked at him and before she could say a word, he was gone.
"Well…so much for not being able to apparate in and out of Hogwarts either. You know Ode; it seems there's been a lot of rule breaking as of late." She looked at the little girl in her arms that starred right back at her.
"You know Ode, you and I have the same eyes as mum did." She told her wiggling her nose.
She gurgled in response.
"Well, some conversation starter that was." She teased, gathering herself, turning to her door. She saw that her initials were engraved into the door knob, and she smiled. Turning it gently, she peeked through the door.
It was perfect.
She saw happily that her clothes had been put away into the dresser and closet. The large four post bed was against the wall, covered in fluffy scarlet pillows and sheets. The floors were dark cherry wood, with gold and scarlet rugs. She was relieved to see she had instant access to Odette's nursery, being that there was a door in that direction. She smiled for a second, and looked at the window.
"Well, if I see the sunset through here, then you know what that means Ode." She rocked the young girl happily. "That means that in the morning, the sun's going to wake up Malfoy, not us!" She grinned cheekily.
Excited, she looked at Odette.
"I suppose you'd like to see your new room now, yeah?" She grinned once more, opening the connecting door.
The room was a dream. She marveled at how light the room seemed compared to the darker tones in her room. It was an off yellow room, the floor the same cream color as it was down stairs. It was noticeably smaller than her. She pointed out the crib to Odette; a mobile of all things flying slowly spun around her bed. Odette attempted to catch the puffy snitch as it circled.
"No quidditch for you, it's much too dangerous." Hermione muttered quietly. A large changing table was next to her, stocked full with diapers and wipes. She noticed that there were chests of toys, and a small shelf of children's books.
"I think- this will do just lovely. Don't you?" Hermione asked.
Odette was much too busy swatting at the mobile to notice anything else.
"Alright, alright, let's see the loo." Odette fussed as they left the room. "Shhh… It's alright, we'll be back."
As she crossed the hall, she opened the door to the bathroom.
She completely forgot all about the prefect's bathroom at that point.
Hermione watched quietly as Odette sat between her legs, clapping her hands together. Hermione enchanted a small rubber duck to squeak as it waddled past. The two of them sat in the living room with the radio on softly.
"Ode, this is going to be our home for a while." Hermione sighed, leaning back by propping herself up by her hands. She sighed, and looked at her surroundings. It was different, living in such a grand area after the past few months.
Not that she'd ever complain, but it was nice to have a space for just her.
Odette rolled slightly and Hermione smiled at her futile attempts to push herself up.
"That'll have to wait a while…" She felt a pang of sadness, knowing her parents would not be there to witness it.
Just as she said that, the portrait opened.
Hermione felt her body tense, and gripped her wand. No one out of the order had seen Odette yet. She hadn't even taken her outside anywhere other than the Burrow and the Muggle hospital.
Odette looked in the direction of the noise and footsteps, soon distracted again by her toy.
He walked in, seemingly too wrapped up in his own world to notice the two of them sitting on the floor. Hermione felt her heart pound as she watched his every move.
"QUAACK!" The duck groaned loudly as Odette finally caught it, making a loud squeal of laughter.
He whipped his wand out in their direction, eyes wide. Hermione's wand was pointed back at him, her hand nearly shaking. They stood there starring at one another, wands still poised as Odette cheerfully clapped the duck and another toy together, making a loud "bang" noise. His eyes averted from her to Odette.
He dropped his wand quickly, looking nearly relieved.
Who else did he expect? She thought. Who else did I expect?
"Granger." He acknowledged. His voice was hoarse.
"Malfoy." Hermione said back.
Odette finally looked up, confused by the stranger.
He stood there for a second, looking as if he didn't know what to do. Hermione silently prayed that he would say something rude, just so the awkward silence would go away.
She was about to open her mouth to say something when Odette began crying. She went down to pick her up, rubbing her back. By the time she looked up, he was already entering the upstairs hallway.
BREAK BREAK BREAK
He hadn't come out of his room yet.
She had passed it twice since he'd gone up there. Once to use the bathroom and a second time to clean up Odette after she'd messed herself.
When she walked down the second time, Odette in her arms, she saw that the dining table was full with food, and even had table settings on it.
"Ahh 'min-E!" Even though she knew who the voice belonged to, she still nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Dobby!" She yelped.
The odd house elf had a very long black and pink sock on his head, and a blue toga-like wrapping around him. He wore something resembling a bunny slipper that was twice the size of his feet.
How does he get any work done dressed like that? Hermione thought, wanting to laugh.
"Miss. Dobby is setting table for Dumbledore and guests. He will be here in five minutes. Dobby is happy to help." He beamed proudly, his sock flopping into his face.
Hermione stifled a laugh, and nodded. Odette tried to reach out her hand to play with him, looking like a big toy to her.
"Thank you, Dobby." With that, he disappeared. Hermione looked up the stairs and huffed, making the trek back up for what felt like the tenth time in one day.
She flicked her wand, and immediately the plush broom stick that Harry had bought Odette was in her hand. She wiggled it in front of her playfully and she giggled as Hermione handed it to her. She re-adjusted Odette, so now she was on her hip slightly. Taking in a deep breath, she softly rapped on Draco's door.
What could he be doing this entire time? She knocked again, and heard something stir behind the door. She heard distant footsteps reach the door, and with a jerk of the handle he opened it. He stood there, shirt off, blinking sleep out of his eyes.
Hermione stepped back, eyes wide, lengthening the gap between them. She had never seen him like that before.
He's so…
"Granger?" His voice sounded better, still hoarse.
"Dumbledore wanted-" She was cut off by the unhappy noises Odette started to make. He bent down, and she felt his fingers just barely graze her ankle as he picked up Odette's toy. He handed it to Odette lazily, one hand rubbing his eye.
Odette eagerly took the toy back, a goofy smile back on her face.
"Yeah?" He asked her, waiting for her to continue.
"Uhh- well- Christ. He mentioned to you that we were to have dinner with him an a few professors?" She stumbled over her words at first.
He nodded.
"Well, dinner's in five minutes downstairs." She said quickly.
Merlin, get a grip Hermione. What the bloody hell are you so nervous about? She scolded herself.
"Ok." He answered. He held himself up tiredly, looking at her for a second.
"What's her name?" He asked, nodding his head towards her.
"Odette." She answered, looking down at her.
He nodded to himself, and looked back at Hermione. She held her sister closely, protectively.
"I'll be right down." He told her, closing the door softly this time. Hermione stood in front of it.
What just happened?
They felt a certain awkwardness as she and Draco sat next to each other at their dining table. It was as if they both didn't know what to do with their hands. Odette was in her high chair making soft noises with the broom stick floating in front of her.
The other three professors had made quiet conversation throughout dinner, but now, with dinner winding down, Hermione knew it was time to discuss their situation.
Draco knew this as well and wandlessly stirred his drink.
Odette found this rather amusing.
"Well, I suppose we should begin right?"
They nodded.
"Ahh yes, well as you both know, the rules have been bent a little in your circumstance's. So as with most lies, we will have to add to the story. Everyone will arrive via train tomorrow except for the two of you. We'll announce at the Welcoming Ceremony that the two of you have been chosen from a lottery to participate in our Inter-House Relations Program. The two of you will eat together, take classes together, and live together."
They turned to look at one another for a second. The same thought running through their heads.
We'll be spending ALL of our time with each other?
"Of course, in between these tasks, you may go about your normal lives. This will be your cover for having to live together. Now, on to living together… You both know the rules?"
Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but Dumbledore continued.
"Yes, of course you do. The biggest importance is the secrecy of your reasons for this situation. I need you both to exercise caution. Hermione, you are here for Draco as much as he is here for you. I already expect that Mr. Potter and Mr. and Ms. Weasely will want to tend to you as much as possible, however, I hope you'll have the courtesy to respect Mr. Malfoy's wishes to privacy." Snape rolled his eyes, as if the idea was impossible, and Dumbledore narrowed his eyes at her, the twinkle in his eyes still shining.
"Yes, professor. Of course."
"And Mr. Malfoy, I trust you'll keep an understanding with and the younger Ms. Granger. Their situation is as delicate as yours; I hope to see you benefit from them. I also expect you to respect their need for support."
He only nodded.
"The order will meet in here every other Friday. The two of you are to attend." Professor McGonagall said sternly.
"I do hope to see you two become friends."
Hermione and Draco turned to look at one another, giving each other a long stare.
And while the first thought that popped into both minds were:
Yeah, not going to happen.
She felt an odd feeling as he looked at her, and she doubted herself.
The silence signaling that it was the end of the conversation, Draco bowed his head slightly, bidding goodbye to his professors, and walked out.
Malfoy, what happened to you? She wanted to ask him, but she knew she never would.
Her professor's stood up, walking towards the portrait. Hermione bid them goodbye, and pulled Odette out of her highchair.
As she did this, a voice behind her made her jump.
"Ms. Granger." The drawl meant that her potions professor was behind her.
Odette fussed, not liking Snape.
"Yes professor?" Hermione asked him curtly.
"I hope that I do not have to press upon you the delicate nature of Mr. Malfoy's situation." He sneered, and she stood up straight, adjusting Odette carefully.
"You don't." A voice interrupted.
They looked up; Draco was sitting on the top steps, looking down at the both of them.
The professor turned and after a quite intense glare shared between them, he walked out.
Hermione stared at him, a million thoughts running through her head.
They starred at each other for what seemed the twentieth time of the night, when a figure in the fireplace yelled out, breaking their thoughts. Both wands whipped out towards the fire place.
"Mione are you there?" It was Ginny's voice.
She walked towards the fireplace and saw her friend's face in the flame. Looking back, he was gone.
"Yeah Gin, I'm here." She told her loudly.
"How's it going so far?"
I have no clue Gin, it hasn't been a day yet and I'm so confused. I don't know what's going on with Malfoy OR SNAPE OR myself for that matter. I'm so lost. She wanted to tell her, but she didn't.
"It's fine Gin, brilliantly actually. I've got to put Odette to sleep, but I'll owl you before I crash for the night."
"Alright." The fire place died out, and Hermione walked back up the stairs.
"Goodnight Malfoy." She said almost whispering, as she passed his room.
Unknown to her, Draco heard her, loud and clear.
Devine- Ok, so I wasn't able to post anything for Shut Up…/Please Let… maybe tomorrow if I'm lucky. REVIEW! PLEASE! I need feedback! PLEAAASE!