Previously on For the Cause, For Herself:

"Lee and I reported your wedding on Potterwatch. The whole resistance knows."

-o-

Chapter 10: My Mudblood

Hermione lay in bed, covered head to toe in a warm pair of blue flannel pajamas, and turned towards Draco, who was reading a book beside her. It was odd for her to be in bed with a half naked man, but he didn't seem to feel self conscious at all so she continued to stare at him, purposefully avoiding the mark on his forearm.

Eventually he laid the book face down on his chest and turned his head towards hers, his blonde hair flopping to the side without his usual hair gel holding it up. "What?"

Swallowing nervously, she fumbled for a question. "W-What are you reading?"

"A book on the dark arts." He answered.

"Is that something that interests you?" She asked tentatively.

Draco rolled his eyes, "I was raised by my father, so of course it interests me. But no, I'm not up to any nefarious if that's what you mean." Draco sits up a little, adjusting his book and turning slightly to get a better look at Hermione.

"I'm looking for Horcrux clues, of course. What if there is a way to detect them?"

"That's a good idea. Have you found anything?"

"Only one thing, but it wouldn't be helpful in this scenario. Just a vague mention that souls can recognize parts of itself."

Slowly wiggling a little closer to him, Hermione said "Yeah, I don't think that will help. An intriguing thought though, a Horcrux that could think."

Draco put the book on his bedside table, making sure to mark his page. Then he turned towards her fully, moving an arm around Hermione's back, bringing her face towards his chest. Hermione blinked several times and attempted to leveling her breathing.

"You are nothing like I thought." She stated candidly.

Draco smiled, "Of course. I don't let many people see me."

"Why?" She tilted her head up to him, resting her chin near his biceps so she could look on his face again. She wondered briefly what Ron would have looked like, half naked like this, and quickly pushed the thought away.

"Because of my father. Because of Him. Pretending to be what they want made it easier for me to figure out, behind the scenes, who I really wanted to be."

"That sounds lonely."

Stroking a curly strand on her head, he thought for a few seconds before he spoke, seeming to chose his words carefully.

"It used to be. Until maybe fourth year."

"What happened in your fourth year?" She asked.

Hoping that if she didn't stare at him, he would reveal more, Hermione maneuvered her had so that her cheek lay flesh on his chest, looking into the dark corners of their joint bedroom.

"I made a friend."

Confused, "But haven't you always had friends?"

"No. Not really. Only lackeys."

Curious, Hermione asked. "Who was your friend?" She didn't recall seeing him with anyone new in fourth year.

Draco turned his body to the side for a moment, picking back up his book, and started to read once again, the book held with his left arm, his right still around Hermione. Before turning the page, he said simply. "I'll tell you about her one day."

And then Hermione was left with even more unanswered questions, more to add to the Draco file that was becoming fuller by the moment.

-o-

The next day, Draco and Hermione met the Headmaster in his office before breakfast.

"Hello Headmaster." Hermione said in greeting, sitting down on one of chairs closest to his desk. She briefly noticed the sherbert lemons sitting in a dish on Snape's desk and wondered just how close Snape and Dumbledore used to be. Snape didn't seem to her like the kind of person that would have a candy dish.

"Good morning, Mrs. Granger. Draco, please have a seat." Snape nodded towards his Godson, and then lifted an eyebrow as he watched Draco bring the only other chair in the room closer to Hermione before sitting down. Hermione glanced at Draco before turning to the Headmaster.

"So, what is on the table for today?"

Headmaster Snape sat down. "First, I believe we should set up a regular time to discuss the Horcrux progress and to work on any other plans we may need to go work with. Do either of you have class at 5 PM?"

"No, sir." They both chorused. "Good, then it's decided. Meet me in this office every other day at 5 for us to plan, starting tonight."

Hermione nodded.

"As much as I would rather…" Snape grimaced before continuing. "We need to discuss your… Marriage."

Hermione didn't know what to say, she glanced at Draco, who looked a little redder than usual. To Hermione's great relief he spoke first, "What about it?"

Noticing Draco's slightly agitated tone, Snape looked between the two, taking note again of their close proximity. "Well, we need to start training Mrs. Granger in Occlumency."

The Headmaster's tone sounded matter-of-fact, as if the topic were obvious. The tension in Draco's shoulders seemed to lessen, he leaned back in this chair. "That makes sense."

Snape looked towards Hermione. "I assume you know what Occlumency is, Mrs. Granger?"

Folding her hands in her lap, she answered "Of course, it's the act of preventing someone from entering your mind."

"That is the basic definition, thank you Mrs. Granger." Hermione hated when he used that clipped tone with her. "But someone that is actually proficient in Occlumency would tell you that it is also used to organize your mind, so that you can bring forth certain memories and hide others. It's essential in the life of a spy."

He turns to his Godson, "Draco, I want you to start with the basics of training with her. If you encounter any trouble with it, let me know and we'll set up a tutoring session."

Turning three quarters in her seat so that she could face both of them, Hermione inquired. "So, you both know Occlumency?"

Draco scoffed. "Of course. We'd be dead if we didn't."

Hermione paled, realizing why this would be important for her. "So, you think You Know Who is for sure going to want to meet me? That he'll want to read my mind?"

"Of course, Mrs. Granger. He is going to want proof that you are being swayed to his side. Or at least that you are in a great deal of pain. Whichever will give him the most information about Mr. Potter. My assumption would be during the holiday break, the Malfoys will call you both to stay with them at Malfoy Manor, where the Dark Lord often holds meetings."

Hermione stood abruptly, "We're going to live with You Know Who, for two weeks?!"

Draco stood up as well, reaching his arms out ahead of him, "Don't worry Granger, you'll be ready by then, we have a little more than two months to train." Slowly approaching, he took those outstretched hands and ran them along her arms, Hermione shook her head back and forth. "Oh, Merlin."

"Stay calm, freaking out isn't going to make it easier Granger. Besides, he'll only be there part of the time." He shook her arms a little, trying to jolt her out of it. Hermione took a calming breath, trying to push out all of her nerves in a shuddering movement. "Right, okay. We'll start planning and training tonight. We'll be prepared."

Snape looked between the two, "You are going to miss breakfast." and watched them both nod in unison, gather their items, and leave the room. "Interesting..." He muttered to himself, looking up to the portrait of Dumbledore on the wall. Headmaster Dumbledore looked back at him, a pleasant smile on his face.

-o-

Walking down the steps, Draco a hair's breath behind her, Hermione stopped dead. The Carrows were on the way up, blocking their path.

"Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. What a pleasure. We are both ecstatic to have you in our classes today. We know you will excel in the Dark Arts, Draco, and Mrs. Malfoy, well, you'll find Muggle Studies greatly improved." Amycus Carrow drawled to the pair, pointing between the two. Draco reached down and took Hermione's hand, pulling her slightly behind him.

"Yes, Mr. Carrow. We are quite looking forward to them both. Aren't we, Hermione?" Tightly smiling, Draco looked towards his wife. Hermione, knowing to play a part, lowered her gaze, "Yes, Draco." She said in a small voice, hoping to show a look of submission rather than the searing anger that was boiling in her.

Alecto Carrow turned towards Hermione. "Ah, it's lovely to see such a loyal wife. Good job Draco." She reached forward, about to run a finger along Hermione's face, her eyes alight with something venomous, when Draco intervened, pulling out his wand. Alecto pulled back slowly, turning her gaze to Draco, pinching her face in anger, dark hair falling slightly into her face.

"And just what, do you think you are doing Mr. Malfoy?" She asked very slowly, drawing out the words in an effort to keep tone level.

Ignoring her question, Draco posed a question of his own. "Yes, Ms. Carrow, she is training quite nicely. But pardon me, did the Dark Lord give you permission to touch my wife?" Draco tightened his grip on his and.

Sputtering, the Carrows looked at each other and then back at Draco. They pulled out their own wands as well. "Mr. Malfoy, you seem very possessive of your Mudblood, I'm sure the Dar-"

Raising his voice, Draco interrupted. "Yes, my Mudblood. As you so eloquently put it. Now if you'll excuse us, we need to eat. You wouldn't want me to tell Him that my Mudblood fainted in class because you prevented her from eating, now would you?"

Draco pushed his way through the two, bringing Hermione with him down the rest of the stairwell. They vaguely heard the Headmaster's door open in the background, leaving his room to investigate the sound as they were rushing away.

When they reached the hallway, Hermione pulled away from Draco, walking into an abandoned alcove towards the side of their path, bringing her hands up to her face. "I hate this! I am not a cowering damsel! This is not me!"

Draco quickly cast Muffliato around them, making sure to see if anyone was near.

"Of course it isn't Granger. You are stronger than that, which is why you have to act to make this work. The Carrows aren't disciplined enough to know Occlumency, the Dark Lord is going to see your performance through their eyes and see that I'm dominating you. Which is what we want!" Draco's hands moved as he spoke, exaggerating his points.

Hermione reached a corner and slid to the floor, bringing her knees up to her chest.

"I just hate this. I don't like pretending to be weak. I feel like everyday that I pretend to be something I'm not, the closer I am to becoming that cowering girl."

"Don't worry Hermione." He edged closer to the seated brainiac, "We're going to start researching and training tonight. This is only temporary."

Getting an idea, she looked towards her husband. "I think I want to speak on Potterwatch. I'll feel better if I can at least tell the resistance that things aren't what they seem, that I'm not actually the girl that people are seeing at this school."

He sat beside her, reaching an arm around her shoulder. "If you think you can handle it, and that it won't jeopardize anything, give it a try."

He adds, "Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"Can you bring Darkling with you, when you go to Potterwatch? Then he can tell me if the Carrows interrupt."

She dropped her head on his shoulder.

"When this is all over, you'll be welcome everywhere. People will know what we've done, that you aren't what you seem."

Draco chuckled at that, wiggling their bodies with the movement. "We'll see."

Hermione chose to ignore that, figuring she'd prove him wrong once the war was over. Assuming they'd both survive. Then she realized something, "Why doesn't Darkling stay in our room? Since we have a private room, he can stay with us."

Darting his eyes to the floor, Draco said "Darkling prefers to go flying whenever he wants, so he stays in the Owlery. Just stop by there quickly before the meeting and he'll follow you."

"Alright."

-o-

Grabbing a quick bite of toast, Hermione and Draco left for class, a trail of whispers crowding up in the wake of the hand Draco steadily kept on her back.

Muggle Studies and Dark Arts was just as horrible as they expected it to be. With Dark Arts replacing their Defense Against the Darks Arts, Mr. Carrow would cast harmful spells on students that would refuse to cast hurtful spells themselves. It was a torturous experience for Hermione, watching the students she cared about being hurt in front of her eyes. Feeling hopeless in her charade. With each moment that passed, she became more invested in the idea that there must be a hell, a plane where the damned were left to live in their sins. Regardless, she knew this was an injustice she would see heightened.

Hermione made a special note in her running catalogue of to-dos to confer with Headmaster Snape about adding in extra Healing Droughts and topical bruise and pain lotions for Madam Pomfrey. For now, that would have to do.

Muggle Studies was a travesty, a class full of lies. She could only imagine what these supposed facts would do to the already established prejudices some Purebloods may already harbor, and the naivety of some of the half-bloods that may not know any better than to believe Ms. Carros. It was obvious these two classes were being taught by Death Eaters as recruitment measures.

Thankfully with a few whispered exchanges with Neville in between classes, she was invited into Potterwatch that night. She was excited to reach out to the Order.

Ginny came with Hermione, stopping by the Owlery to find Darkling somehow already waiting for her, the crow flew to Hermione's shoulder, and they walked down the halls to the Room of Requirement. Along the way, Ginny informed Hermione of some of the gossip from Gryffindor tower. To Hermione's great sadness, and oddly some relief, she heard that many of the students were considering leaving but were unsure how to do so.

When she entered the Room of Requirement with Ginny they found a comfortable room with beds and couches, and a central area near the fire that held a long table, microphones, and stiff chairs. Lee Jordan stood off towards the side of the table, already setting up, and Ginny stopped to talk with him briefly to see if there was any new news on Dean Thomas, her ex-boyfriend that had disappeared in the raids.

Hermione watched, trying to absorb as much of this as she could so she could tell Harry and Ron in the diary that night. Ron still hadn't written in it. Hermione mourned the loss of that friendship more than anything else, ringing her hands together, trying to focus on something else instead of Ron. As if sensing her sadness, Darkling nuzzled his face into Hermione's neck. Hermione reached up, petting Draco's pet before she turned to talk with Neville about the state of Hogwarts, and how she could try to help behind the scenes.

There weren't many others in the room at the moment, just Cho Chang, a few Gryfindors, and a splattering of Ravenclaws. She wondered how many people left after finding out she would be there.

Before she knew it, it was time to get started. Sitting in the stiff chair left for her, she watched the proceedings begin.

"Welcome to Potterwatch, friends. This is River here reporting today. We have a special guest. This is Brain, and she has a small announcement for the Pals of Potter followers. Welcome, Brain." Lee nods at Hermione, who brought her mouth closer to the mic set in front of her.

She cleared her throat.

"Hello, friends. This is Brain here, to let you know that things are not as they seem. A certain marriage announcement isn't the beginning and end of a story, but rather the beginning to the end. Behind the scenes things are coming into motion to help Harry, and you don't have to worry about those he left behind. Thank you."

And then her first broadcast was over within seconds after it began. It took some time to figure out what she was going to say on the broadcast, how she could say she was okay without implicating Draco. She wasn't sure if she succeeded, but she hoped the resistance outside of this castle now knew that she was not in danger, or at least she hoped they believed she wasn't in danger. She listened as Lee explained some other news and general survival tips, and signed off with the password for the next broadcast. She hoped the right people were listening.

When they finished putting the equipment away, the group all seemed to turn to Hermione, wanting more of an explanation. "It's all an act," Hermione began. "I am not being subdued by Malfoy." Darkling crowed. "I am gaining his trust so that I can send information to Harry."

"Is it working?" Lee asks.

"Yes." She answered simply, taking a deep breath.

"That's it?! That's all you're going to say?" Neville commanded in a louder voice than she'd ever seen him use.

"I can't say more until this is almost over. That's how it has to be. Harry's orders." And that was that.

"Don't you think that if we all knew the plan, we'd be able to help?" Lee enquired.

"I want to help." Said Cho Chang, Ginny turned towards Harry's ex-girlfriend. "This plan has to stay a secret. If not, it won't work."

Neville looked at Ginny, accusatory "So you know the plan too? Why not us?"

Ginny turned to Hermione, not sure what to say.

Hermione took the easy way out. "We have taken the Unbreakable Vow. We can't explain more to you." She shook her head. "Just know, that Harry is part of this plan. I am talking with him and Ron every night, giving him progress reports."

And that was all the could be said, no one can question the Unbreakable Vow. Sure, Hermione didn't volunteer that Ginny wasn't technically part of this pact, and could indeed talk, but she didn't want Ginny to be interrogated. It was easier this way, now that they all knew how serious she was about not talking.

Hermione turned and walked away from the room before anyone else could speak. Her life with Draco was isolating her, and as much as it pained her, she refused to regret it.

-o-

Next time on For the Cause, For Herself:

Neville watched Draco closely, noticing a slight tremor in his left hand. Professor McGonagall walked into the classroom. "Professor Carrow, what was that s-"

She stopped cold, seeing the blood.

-o-

A/N: Thank you vani12 for reviewing again! Also too Vadimmom, adam393, Neakco (happy you caught up with life too!), and ggROGANgg for your enthusiasm! Reviews really motivate me to keep writing. Don't forget you can find out more about me in my bio.