Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. JK Rowling owns all characters.

Author's Note: Thank you all for your reviews. In answer to some inquires, this story will turn out to be a girl/girl story, with a spattering of romance among the peripheral characters as well. R+R please. Happy Reading!

Wulfric

Draco's Room, 11:00pm

Draco was in the process of changing into his pajamas when there was tap on his window. Athena, his owl, was perched outside the window waiting to be let in. Draco finished putting on his pajama top and walked towards the window. When he opened it, she flew in and landed on his shoulder, affectionately preening his hair. "What are you doing here, girl? Do you have a letter for me?"

Athena squawked which Draco took as an affirmative, and then she shook her heavy talon, in which she grasped a rolled up piece of parchment. "Thank you, would you like to stay here tonight? Or do you want to go back to the owlry?"

Draco had always spoken to his owl as if she were a person. He assumed that she had opinions and preferences, which the other Slytherins found odd. Athena seemed to have no trouble understanding, because no sooner had he finished his sentence did she hop off his shoulder and glide gracefully to her perch on the desk. "I guess you will be staying then. I will get you some treats."

He walked to his desk and pulled some treats out of the top drawer, placing them in front of Athena. He then settled at the desk and unrolled the parchment.

Hey Drake,

I figured since I was using Athena that I wouldn't bother with the code. I just wanted to talk, but since we can't, I'm stuck sending this stupid letter. Sorry, I'm just a little frustrated right now. I needed someone to whom I can vent.

I yelled at Harry for talking about Sev. He kept calling her evil and saying that he would never eat with her. I mean, I know he only sees the male persona of Sev, but it just annoyed me so much.

And now that I'm thinking about it; did you see anything different about Sev at dinner? Even her disguise looked worn down. Do you think she is struggling with Voldemort? Do you think he is torturing her? I'm worried about her.

Maybe I will go see her sometime this weekend, so I can talk to her. I miss spending time with her already and it's only been one day. Is that bad? Why do I miss it so much? I'm confused about Sev, I'm pissed about Harry, and right now I can't think of any way to fix it. Drake, I need your help. I can't do this without you.

Love,

Hermy

The letter was speckled with wet spots from where Hermione's tears had fallen. Shit, she is really upset. I need to do something and I need to do it fast. But what can I do? I can't go see her…I can't comfort her the way I need to. We will have to figure out how to meet so we can talk. She can't go on like this. It will drive her insane.

He grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill and began writing furiously.

Hermy,

Calm down, luv. I do not think Sev is in any trouble. You know that Voldemort calls 'Severus Snape' at least once a week. She is probably just exhausted. The rest of your letter needs to be discussed in person. Meet me in the astronomy tower tomorrow night at 9:30. I know you will have to make your excuses, but just tell everyone that you are going to the Library to study for your N.E.W.T.s or something. They will leave you alone for fear of you dragging them with you. We can talk about everything there.

Potter is a tool. He knows that talking about Professor Snape upsets you but he does it anyway. Ignore everything he says; that's what I do. I will see you tomorrow, okay? Hang in there. With luck we will be eating together tomorrow. Not that we will be able to say anything; we still have to maintain our cover, but we can at least be close together. Miss you sis,

Love,

Drake

Draco tied the letter to the leg of Athena and pushed her out of the window. She wasn't too keen on making another flight, but it was important. I hope she is okay. I hate when she is upset. With that thought, Draco settled into his bed hoping that tomorrow would be better for Hermione.

The Great Hall the following morning-Friday

Hermione walked in to the Great Hall followed by Harry, Neville, and Ron. Harry had apologized for upsetting her when they met in the common room, so she had forgiven him, at least in words. She was still upset with him for the things he had said, but she was determined not to let it show. There was a heard of students hovering around one wall of the Great Hall. The four Gryffindors assumed this was where the table assignments were and they pushed their way through the crowd. Hermione was sitting at table 7, Harry at table 10, Ron at 15, and Neville at 8. They split up to head for their tables, all a little hesitant to see with whom they were sitting.

Hermione sat down to find four people already seated: Professor Sinstra, a second year Ravenclaw, a fourth year Hufflepuff, and her best friend, Draco Malfoy. They glared at each other, for the sake of everyone around them, but the glare didn't reach their eyes. Hermione gave Draco a slight nod to indicate that she had received his letter and would be in the astronomy tower that evening. Hermione looked around to see how Ron, Neville, and Harry were faring with the new seating arrangements.

Ron seemed to be in a deep conversation with the Keeper of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. They were gesturing widely, so Hermione assumed they were enjoying themselves. Neville was also enjoying his seating arrangements, for he was seated with Professor Sprout and they were enjoying a conversation about herbology.

Harry on the other hand, was looking distinctly uncomfortable. He was sitting between Professor Trelawney and Luna Lovegood, who kept trying to show Harry an article in the Quibbler about Drobytoads: evil creatures that live in the underwear drawers of unsuspecting children. Although, he did seem happy that Professor Snape was seated at a table across the hall. The bell for classes tolled, and in mass, the students and professors rose from their seats and proceeded to their respective classes.

The Astronomy Tower, 9:15pm

Hermione's day was uneventful. She went to her classes, in which she knew all of the material, she went to lunch and spoke with Professor Sinstra about astronomy, then went to more classes. The afternoon was spent in the library, and then she made her excuses to the boys and headed to the astronomy tower. She made it most of the way before hearing anyone around her, but no sooner had she reached the base of the tower did she hear Filch coming towards her. She would never make it up the tower before Filch reached her; she only had one choice. She quickly pulled out her wand and used a spell that Severity had taught her over the previous Christmas. "Nullus animadverto." And with a swish of her wand, Hermione disappeared from sight. In her invisible state, she traveled to the top of the astronomy tower to wait for Draco.

She was sitting on the ledge when she heard movement behind the door that led to the stairs. "Hermy? Are you here yet?" Draco asked as he walked through the door.

Out of the shadows of the tower, Draco heard a faint "finite incantum" and then Hermione had appeared and thrown herself into Draco's arms. "I was wondering when you were going to get here. I was getting bored waiting for you."

"I had to sneak around Filch. Apparently he thinks students will be sneaking into the astronomy tower tonight. It's as if he doesn't trust us at all." He chuckled as he said this, knowing that it would make Hermione laugh. "Polly!" He called for their house elf.

**POP** "What is you needing young sir?"

Could you summon us two comfy chairs and then bring us some tea, please?"

"Of course, little sir." She snapped her fingers and two over-stuffed chairs materialized. She then popped out of the room, returning seconds later with a pot of tea and two cups. "Is you needing anything else from Polly?"

"No, I think we will be fine. If we need you, we will call for you. Thank you, Polly," Draco answered.

**POP** And the house elf was gone, leaving a calming silence in her wake. "So, Hermy, tell me what is really bothering you?"

With a sigh, Hermione plopped, ungracefully, into one of the chairs. She was silent for a moment before she spoke. "Honestly, I don't know. Last night, I just worked myself into a panic. Sev looked ill, Harry was being broody, and I'm getting tired of this lie. I just want to be able to spend time with my family without sneaking around. Aren't you tired of it?"

"Well, yeah, Hermy. Of course I am. I want to be able to spend time with you, Sev, and Remus more than anything. But you know we can't while Voldemort is still at large. Do I want to pretend to hate you? Absolutely not, but you know that we need to."

Hermione took a sip of her tea and sighed. "I know that. I accepted it when we were five and I will accept it now. I just don't like it. I don't understand how Sev and Remus have done this for so long…pretending to hate your best friend is like asking someone to stop breathing. It is a near impossible task."

"I know, Hermy. I know. But we only need to do it for a little longer. Another year or so and then we will be free of Voldemort forever.

"Now, tell me what is going on between you and Sev."

"What are you talking about, Drake?"

"You were panicked when she looked tired at dinner; you said in your letter that you were confused about Sev, so tell me what you are confused about."

Hermione sighed audibly and then she slowly began to speak. "I…don't know. Seeing how tired she looked just really shocked me, I guess. I think the amount of danger she is in every time she goes to Voldemort is bothering me more than anything else. I fear what could happen to her if Voldemort finds out the truth."

"We are all worried about Sev, but she knows what she is doing. This is her mission. She has been working on it since she was eleven years old. She will not get sloppy now; not when the end is so close." Draco took a long drink of his tea while covertly watching Hermione. He saw that she was gazing out the window more than she was paying attention to him. "There is something you are not telling me."

Hermione flinched with the realization that Draco had seen what she had been trying to ignore. "It's nothing, Drake."

"Bull shit. Tell me what is going on. I've been watching you; Hermy, and I'm pretty sure that I know what is wrong, but I want you to say it. You need to say it."

"There is nothing to say. I just wanted to talk to you about Severity, Drake. There is nothing else."

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself? I have seen the way you look at her, Hermy. Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me that we are not here because you are attracted to Sev."

"I'm not attracted to Sev. Sure, I admire her, but I'm not…I can't be…attracted to her. Merlin's balls; she's our mentor, Drake."

"Yes, I know who she is, luv. But that doesn't make her any more or less than an attractive woman…except when she is a man. We both know you like the ladies…you always have. Did I ever think you would fall for Sev? No, I didn't. Is it wrong of you? No, it really is not. Just see where it goes. She won't make any advances until after you graduate from the Academy anyway, so you have time to work everything out. My suggestion is to go for it. You only live once…think about it, Hermy. You deserve each other…Goodnight, luv." With that, he rose from his seat and made his way to the door.

Draco's Room

Draco got back to his room without any signs of professors. He walked in and began to change into his pajamas. It wasn't until he had finished changing that he saw Severity's owl, Copernicus, sitting on Athena's perch. Athena must have gone back to the owlry. Copernicus hopped off of the perch and over to Draco's outstretched arm. He dropped one of the two scrolls he carried into Draco's hand and then flew off out the window. The other one must have been for Hermy.

Draco unraveled the parchment and saw Severity's fine hand writing. The note said:

Dear Draco,

I am writing to inform you that on Monday evening, at 8:00pm, we will be beginning your practical training to become an animagus. Please meet Remus and me in the room of requirement no later than 7:50pm so that we can be set up by 8:00. I hope you have been thinking about what form you may take.

I was very impressed with the way you handled the first-years last night. They now know that they can go to you if they ever need help. That is the first step to acquiring information from your peers. Have a nice weekend, and I will see you on Monday.

Love,

Sev

Draco reread the letter three times. I need to keep thinking. I don't know what form my animagus will be. Maybe I will be something cool, like a hawk or a wolf. That would be cool. I want to be something that will show people that I'm not a nancy-boy; that I can take care of myself. With these thoughts swarming through his head, Draco settled into bed and was quickly dreaming about running through the grounds of Hogwarts as a large silver wolf.

Hermione's Room

Hermione had stayed at the top of the astronomy tower for another hour after Draco had left. She had so many thoughts running through her head that she didn't think she would be able to sleep. She finally returned to her room around 11:30pm to find Copernicus perched on the back of her desk chair. "Hey, boy, what are you doing here?"

Copernicus held his claw out to Hermione in response. Hermione took the parchment from the handsome owl and then sat down on the edge of her bed to read it. Unbeknownst to her, it was very similar and very different than the letter Severity had sent to Draco.

Dearest Hermy,

I am writing to inform you that on Monday evening, at 8:00pm, we will be beginning your practical training to become an animagus. Please meet Remus and me in the room of requirement no later than 7:50pm so that we can be set up by 8:00. I hope you have been thinking about what form you may take.

How was your first day of classes? You were probably bored out of your mind. I was wondering if you would like to have tea with me on Sunday around 3:00, like we used to do over the summer. Maybe we can swing a library day, where we can just read together. Just send an answer back with Copernicus. Have a great weekend.

Love,

Sev

Hermione quickly jotted an answer to Severity's note and sent it with Copernicus. What am I going to do? I said I would go to tea, but…what will I say? Oh Merlin, I'm getting nervous like a stupid school girl. This is ridiculous. Pull yourself together, Granger. It isn't even Sunday yet. Hermione changed into her dressing gown and got into bed. Unlike Draco, she fell asleep trying to think of conversation topics for Sunday.