DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the story.

Sophia Lena Duchannes Roddle: Well, you'll have to keep reading to find that out.

A/N: Um...guys, I haven't asked, what do you think about the capter titles till now? Especially this one.

I hope you enjoy! Please review.

THE HIDDEN PROPHECY

11. Patience.

Hermione was left alone in the heads common room, after a shocked Draco, and an apparently ex-Death Eater, Lucius, were guided towards the headmaster's office by Snape.

Somehow, she didn't know why, she belived him. Not only because of the Veritaserum, she knew very well that that could be decived by a very strong oculmens and legilimens, and she knew Lucius to be both. There was something in his eyes...sincerity, truth...hope. It was, by all means, very strange that Lucius had decided to help them now. Now was indeed a very needed time, but why did he choose this time to do it?

Hermione didn't like the man, not at all, especially after Draco had revealed to her that his father was forcing him to take the Dark Mark, aparently at the time, he wouldn't have 'no' for an answer.

When the first bell rang, Hermione was pulled out of her thoughts. Draco hadn't come back yet...and Ron hadn't shown up this morning...odd, terribly odd.

Frowning, she threw one more glance at the letter, that had remained in her hands. She gasped. How hadn't she noticed till now?

She suddenly stood and walked trough the portrait whole. She had Transfiguration with Harry...and Ron.

Reaching their desk, she noticed that the boys had left the middle chair for her. She frowned and leaned to wisper in Harry's ear.

''Take my place...I'll take yours..please.''

Harry looked puzzled at her, but nodded and scooted over.

Durring the lesson, as usual, she didn't speak with the boys. Not because she couldn't, but because she wouldn't. Her respect for professor McGonagall was only matched by her respect to Dumbledore.

Before the end of the class, she slipped Harry a little note.

'Meet me after class in the library...alone.'

When the bell rang, Hermione quickly gathered her books and fled the classroom, almost running.

Harry threw her a glance and turned to gather his books.

''What's wrong with Hermione?'' Ron asked.

''Dunno. Listen see you later, I've got to see Snape for a few minutes.''

''Sure Harry.''

Harry checked that Ron hadn't followed him and entered the library. It was a little odd that Hermione was willing to skip a class, so there must have been something wrong. Very wrong.

He looked around, but she was nowhere to be seen. Walking towards the back of the library, suddenly a hand came out of nowhere and pulled him into a darker row of books.

''Mione...what are you doing? What's wrong?''

''Guess who was talking to me and Draco this morning.''

''Beats me...who?''

''Lucius Malfoy.''

''WHAT? What the hell did he want? Are you ok? Did he do something to you?...'' Harry was talking rapidly, and at the same time looking at her for injuries or bruises.

''Calm down, he didn't do anything. Actually he wants to help us.''

''Mione...is this a joke?''

''Actually no. It seems that Lucius is...different from the person that we know.''

''Mione do you really whant to belive a Death Eater?'' Harry was looking at her increduously.

''He was under Veritaserum.''

''Ok...that's odd.''

''Tell me about it. He also recived this a few days ago.'' Hermione said, handing Harry the letter.

''But...this can't be. No one knows...How...''

''Ah...but I belive someone knows. Look at the signature.''

''XXX...whou could it be?''

''Harry...that's the way Ron signs all his letters. At least the ones he sends me.''

Harry was looking at her dumbfolded, as if he couldn't understand what she was saying.

''Ron? But why would he do this? And how did he find out? And most im portant WHY?''

''How he found out, I don't know. As to why...what would you have done if I hadn't told you, and you had...lets say overheard a conversation where I say that I'm pregnant with Draco Malfoy?''

''I would want to...kill him.''

''And , by all means...this is the best way. I'm a muggle born. Lucius should have been on a killing spree by now.''

''But Hermione, this would put you in danger also. He wouldn't want to harm you.''

''Harry...it's Ron. When has he ever come up with a good plan? Or a complete plan for that matter.''

''Touche.''

''What do we do?''

''My only thought is to go to Dumbledore. Can't think of something else.''

''No...not yet at least. I should have talked to him. It's my fault.''

Harry pulled Hermione in his arms, and started patting her hair.

''It's ok Mione... We'll figure this out. Are you going to tell Malfoy?''

''Merlin no. He'll kill him.''

''To be honest...I'd kill him right now.''

''Let's go get some lunch.''

Entering the Great Hall, Hermione scanned the Slytherin table, but Draco was nowhere to be seen. Neither Snape. At dinner, again Draco was missing. He had also skipped all classes. Hermione was a bit concerned. They had had potions that day, she wanted to ask professor snape about Draco, but receiving a glare, she thought otherwhise. She just had to be patient. Ron also hadn't talked to her all day. She couldn't find him at lunch or Dinner, and in class, he sat with Seamus or Neville, so she hadn't had a chance to talk to him. Again, she would have to wait for tomorrow.

After dinner, she and Harry, completed their homework in the library, afterwards, Harry had walked her to her room. She bid him good night and stepped trough the portrait hole.

She froze.

Lucius Malfoy was still there. Draco was sitting on the couch, and Lucius on the armchair, sipping from a teacup. Hearing the portrait open, they had both rised their eyes to meet her.

Hermione gulped, and took a few steps towards her room.

''Sorry to interupt.''

''Mia...come here.'' Draco stood and took her hand, guiding her towards the couch, and pulling her down beside him.

''Miss Granger...''Lucius said.

''Call me Hermione.''

Lucius blinked a few times, gave her a small smile and nodded.

''Hermione...I think I owe you an appology.''

She almost gasped.

''I have talked to Draco...thanks to you I can say. And he has finally understand why I have treated him the way I have all these years. I have talked to the headmaster, and we decided that I am to remain in the Dark Lord's service, and gain as much information as I can. You may not understand why I am doing this. Maybe you were thinking that I am a frawd, and that I want to harm you...'' Hermione looked down and nodded, ''...well, harming you means harming Draco. And I wouldn't do that. You have given him happiness. One thing that neither I, nor Narcissa were able to give him. So...thank you.''

Hermione looked at the man in front of her, and she could trully see the honesty of his words in his eyes. It was weird...it was like seeing an older version of Draco. Same silver hair, same stormy grey eyes, same sharp features. He had thanked her, for giving Draco her love, and she was thankful that he was accepting her.

Hermione couldn't speak, but she gave him a smile and nodded.

''Well then, we'll see you at Christmass, I will bring Narcissa. She is very eager to meet the woman that stole her son's heart, and is about to give her a grandson. She loves babyes you know.''

Draco groaned. He knew his mother. She had talked to him all summer, that soon he would graduate, and he was supposed to find a wife. She desperately whanted grandchildren.

Lucius stood, shook hands with Draco, kissed Hermione's hand, and he left.

Draco colapsed on the couch, and gave a heavy sigh.

''What did Dumbledore say?'' Hermione asked, placing a hand on his.

''He wants father to stay as a spy, and that we must be pacient till the baby is born.''

''But that's not all is it?''

''No...That bastard wants me to join...at Christmas.''

''But...your father said...that he'll come here...how...''

''We agreed to tell him, that I'm needed here, and that we should postpone it for summer. If we're lucky...I won't have to take the Mark.''

''Well...we just have to wait and see.''

''Yeah...wait.''