DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the story.

567random: Good question. As i've said, I honestly, truly have no idea yet...but I'll come up with something :)

Sorry about the short chapter, but I thought, regarding the title, that this was just the right place to stop.

I hope you enjoy! Please review.

THE HIDDEN PROPHECY

10. A change of heart?

Haloween morning found Lucius Malfoy standing outside of Hogwarts gates. It was just at the crack of dawn, The sky was already starting to show the first hints of an upcoming storm. The sky'c colour matched the exact color of the estimed Mr Malfoy's eyes. He was getting slightly impacient, he had been waiting for the past fisteen minutes, and he wasn't known for his patience.

Two anoying more minutes later, his lifetime friend, the godfather of his son, Severus Snape, oppened the gate.

''Lucius...'' Snape acknoledged.

''Severus...We need to talk.''

''I figured that much. What is it about?'' Snape asked, slightly bored. Lucius would come to him even if he had got a splinter in his finger. He was just hopeless.

''In private.'' Lucius said, throwing a cautious glance towards the Forbidden Forest.

This somehow got Snape's atention. It surely wasn't about a splinter.

''Follow me.''

Silently, they crossed the Hogwarts grounds, and slipped trough the heavy oak doors, and towards the dungeons, to Snape's private chambers.

Once there, Snape seated himself at his desk and gestured to Lucius to do the same, on the opposite chair.

''Well...'' Snape was waiting paciently for the other man to start.

''First...will you make an Unbrakeble?''

''Is it that important?'' Snape asked, rizing an eyebrow.

''Yes!''

Snape nodded and streched his arm, grabbing Lucius's wrist.

Lucius, after doing his part, pulled out his wand.

''Will you answer any question that I ask with the truth?''

''I will.''

''Will you promise to protect my son no matter what?''

This must really be important...or dangerous. But what about Draco?

''I will.''

''Will you make sure that this conversation doesn't reach the Dark Lord?''

Snape paused a moment, and looked in the other man's eyes. There was concern, honesty...and fear.

''I will.''

The spell being complete, Lucius pulled a piece of parchment out of his robe's pocket and handed it to Snape.

''Is it true?'' Lucius's mask was once again in place. His face was once again expresionless.

Snape unfolded the parchment and read it. ''Oh, Lord...''

''That was my reaction as well. So...is it true?''

Snape sighed and nodded.

''Do you know what this means? '' Lucius said with narrowed eyes.

''I do. Do you?''

The following statement, nearly made Snape pinch himself to be sure that he wasn't dreaming.

''I don't give a damn about that prophecy. That will be my grandson, and I don't intend to leave that snake harm him. I'll do whatever is needed to protect him. Will you help?''

Snape was indeed shocked. He blinked once, twice...nope, not a dream.

''Lucius...what are you playing at? What is your purpose?''

''None whatsoever...besides the one that I already told you.''

''Am I to understand that you had a ...shall we say...a change of heart?''

''Severus, you know how much I love the boy. He is my son for Merlin's sake. The problem is that I don't know who sent that letter...If that person knows, others will find out.''

''Lucius...are you trully willing to turn your back to the Dark Lord? Are you trully willing to help us?''

''I'm not decided yet about the helping part, but for my son, I'll do anything.''

The sincerity and determination in Lucius's voice, left Snape in awe. He had never seen his friend quite like this...never.

''Come with me.'' Snape said, standing and walking towards the door.

''Where to?''

''First...you will have a chat with your son...and your future daughter-in-law, and then I think that a trip to the headmaster is in order.''

Lucius groaned. ''What did he find in that gire...I'll never know.''

''I do. Belive me...she's a wonderful choice. The best maybe. If she won't be headmistress one day...my name isn't Severus Snape.''

Lucius looked at him a little puzzled, but continued to walk beside him. He knew the girl was smart, he had seen her himself in action. She was a smart witch, brave, and with a sharp flick of the wand.

Minutes later, they were standing in front of a portrait of a snake and a lion strugling. 'Figures',Lucius thought.

''Fiery ice'',Snape muttered. Both lion and snake bowed their heads and the portrait flung open.

They found Hermione on the couch, rumaging trough her school bag.

' She was maybe the first student to wake up every morning.'Lucius thought

Hearing the portrait open, Hermione looked up and gasped. In front of her was the one and only person that she hoped never to see again...Lucius Malfoy. Imediatly, one hand flew protectively over her belly. In only two months of pregnancy, she was already starting to show a little, and she was forced to wear slightly larger shirts.

At that moment, Draco decided to exit his dorm. Already dressed for the day, he gave her a toothy grinn, that fell imediatly after seeing the horror look on her face. Turning on his heel, he was suddenly face to face with his father.

''Draco...'' Lucius said, his face was as calm as ever. That scared Draco a little. Why wasn't he saying something about Hermione? The first thing he would have said would be some foul word about her.

Draco tensed, and slowly started pacing backwards towards Hermione, hand half way to his wand.

''Draco...that won't be necesarry.''Lucius said, eyeing Hermione.

From Draco's point of view...it was very necesarry.

''Go to your room..'' He told Hermione, without taking his eyes off his father.

Usually Hermione would have protested, but not now. She took one step towards her room when Snape spoke.

''Draco, Miss Granger, this is not necesarry...I asure you we are here just to talk.''

''Why did you bring him here? You could have called me in your office.'' Draco said, gripping his wand a little tighter than he should have.

''Is it a crime for me to want to talk with my son...and future daughter-in-law?''

Draco felt as if a hippogriff had just hit him in the head, his mouth also hung open.

Hermione suddenly felt dissy. She slowly lowered herself on the couch, and looked wide-eyed at Lucius.

What the hell was he playing at?

''Draco if you will sit, your father has something to tell you and show you.''

Draco sat on the edge og the couch, beside Hermione, slightly leaning forward, and in front of her.

Lucius handed the same parchment to Draco.

''This came a few days ago.'' He said.

Draco scanned the text, and Hermione could feel him stiffen. De passed it to her and she gasped.

''What about it?'' Draco asked, eyeing his father.

''Son...there is...a prophecy...''

''What about it?'' Draco asked again, same cold voice.

''You know about it?'' Lucius was a little taken aback, he looked at Snape...he nodded.

Lucius sighed and his mask fell.

''Your mother send her love...and congratulations to both of you.''

Both Draco and Hermione were looking at him as if he had just grown another pair of hands...on his head.

''Excuse me?...''Hermione muttered.

''Hermione is it?'' Lucius asked. She nodded. ''Look...I know what you two think...so I brought this.'' He pulled a small vial out of his robes and have it to Snape. He oppened it and sniffed.

''Veritaserum.'' Snape exclaimed.

''Yes.'' Lucius said, taking the vial and drinking it. ''Now you may ask whatever you whant.''

Draco was still eyeing him suspiciously.

''Why are you here?'' He asked.

''I'm here to tell you that whatever you need, you can count on me. I'm here to help you.''

''Why?''

''Because you are my only son, and I love you.''

Hermione had already tears in her eyes. Damned hormones.

''What about Voldemort?'' Draco asked.

''In my point of view...if it is true that Potter can kill the bastard...I think I'm willing to help.''

''Why?'' Hermione asked shyly.

''The moment he started threatening my family, he ceased to be my master. That includes you now.''

The tears that earlyer threatened to burst, were now steaming silently on Hermione's cheeks.

''I don't belive you. Whatever you say, Veritaserum or not.'' Draco said, shaking his head.

''Draco...''

''No Hermione...I don't belive him. You don't know my father...''

''Just give him a chance...''

Lucius was a bit shocked...his own son wouldn't give him a chance to explain himself...but the girl who he was thought to hate, because she was a muggle-born, she would do it.

''Ok...I'll give you one chance...let's go to Dumbledore, right now, under the Veritaserum. If you do that I'll belive you.'' Draco said, smirking. He was sure that his father would say no.

''Agreed.''