Disclaimer…hmmm…let me check my pockets…no I still don't own it :)

A.N. Okay so I have been duly reprimanded, chastised and scolded for updating late and I sincerely hope that you will forgive me for last time. My late updating this time was directly because of the death of my Papa (grandfather). Thank you guys for your rave reviews as always and thank you especially for making me into a Spartan i.e. 300 (reviews). Meanwhile back at the super secret hideout…ah sorry I meant and now unto our story :)

Attention: the starting of this chapter will probably make more sense if you re-read the last few paragraphs of the previous chapter…. hey its just a suggestion :)

Devil's Deal

Chapter 12 – Disruptive Disquietude

Even as she tried to blink back the tears a few minutes later a feeling of foreboding was engulfing her. Dhiaran had been dangerous before this and she knew it would be even more so now. Undoubtedly Draco would be sacrificing his safety as soon as he apparated there and the memory of him returning the last time seemed to be stamped onto her consciousness. He had been lucky to come back with only the scar then, would he be so lucky now? Her heart was thumping with fear; she didn't have a good feeling about this at all.

All of the hurt and anger she had felt was exponentially surpassed by the worry she was now experiencing, nothing else mattered. What if he got hurt? Merlin…what if he died? Suddenly she was driven by the need to see him, she didn't know what she would say to him but more than her next breath she needed to see him. She didn't even bother getting her cloak before apparating to the manor and she was vastly relieved when her furious pounding on the front door was finally answered. She was greeted by a distressed looking house elf.

"I want to see Draco" she told the female elf urgently, knowing that she sounded abrupt.

"I'm sorry Master Malfoy is not at home" the house elf replied softly.

"Do you know where he is?" Hermione asked her, trying to subdue her feelings of anxiety.

"Master Malfoy left for Dhiaran" Jinky told her sadly coming to stand behind the now sobbing female elf. Hermione stared at them for a full minute as the impact of those words hit her. She had thought he would be in Dhiaran but to know conclusively that he was there was too painful to contemplate.

"Are you sure Jinky?" she asked him almost pleadingly, knowing that Draco had been at her house less than ten minutes ago.

"Yes Ms. Granger, Master Malfoy had his security wizards wait for him here and they only just left" Jinky told her regretfully, his tiny arm hugging the other elf. She was speechless, lost in her own world of worry and dread when she realized that Jinky was still speaking to her.

"Sorry?" she asked him, noting the understanding look on his small elfin face before he answered her.

"Would Ms. Granger like to come in from the cold" Jinky repeated, his concerned glance directed to her clasped hands that were becoming tinged with blue. How strange that she hadn't even noticed the freezing the weather.

"No Jinky, I'm leaving now "she told him quietly before apparating back to her home.

She had just missed seeing Draco. He had visited her last before leaving for the war and now she didn't know if she would see him again. She felt so powerless and she hated the feeling. She couldn't stomach the thought of him in danger, she wanted him back here safe, whether or not he was with her.

Her feelings were torn but she couldn't seem to be angry with him now. In fact all that had gone on before suddenly seemed so paltry compared to what he would be facing in Dhiaran. It should alarm her that she couldn't bear the thought of not seeing him again but it didn't because in some dark recess of her mind she had already known, since their first kiss, that Draco was going to leave his mark on her soul. Merlin what was she going to do? She couldn't follow him to Dhiaran although she desperately wanted to do the very thing. Recently the Ministry had set specific guidelines on civilian involvement in a war and defying that meant being sent straight to Azkaban. If she wanted to go she would need to get clearance from the ministry and that in itself would be an arduous process. Still she couldn't just sit idly by while Draco could be dying, she had to do everything that she could. This time she put on her cloak before apparating to the Ministry.

The Ministry was swarming with officials when she got there and she looked around her with some confusion. It was only then that she remembered the meeting this morning. Her mind was so overrun with thoughts of Draco that she didn't seem to be capable on focusing on anything else. Merlin…now she would have to wait until after the meeting to speak with the Head of War Administration. Quickly she made her way down the corridor, seating herself in the first available chair that she saw. Her agitation was almost a palpable thing as she waited for them to begin .

They started fifteen endless minutes late and Hermione had to stifle down the urge to shout at them to get on with it already. David, who was sitting to her right had been casting concerned glances at her for a while now, but she could do nothing to appease his worry. Finally the Minister began speaking and Hermione had to force herself to concentrate on what was being said.

"Dhiaran is currently involved in a war. This is by no means only a civil war since our Intel indicate that the wizards involved intend to take control over Russia and then spread their power throughout the wizarding world." The Minister's concise statements drew murmurs from the gathering but Hermione felt realization dawn on her, she now knew the purpose of the potion.

"A group of prominent Russian wizards are instigating the war. We have also come to know that they are in control over a large army, since they have been secretly recruiting wizards for some years now" Years? Merlin…this was even more dangerous than she had thought.

"They have made Dhiaran into their base and have taken most of the citizens as hostages" the Minister paused for a moment as though steeling himself to continue. "The wizards have created a weapons potion which has been used to kill one hundred of those hostages". Hermione gasped as did most of the other listeners.

"The potion in itself is very dangerous as it has the effect of permanently physically injuring its victim. Worse than this is that they have somehow managed to infuse the potion into their wands and their weapons and this is of course quite disastrous. We have received samples of the potion, however … we have been unable to obtain a counter potion" Hermione felt her heart sink, her last hope for Draco returning home safe seemed to have evaporated in front of her.

"The Ministry has already deployed our Aurors and will continue sending personnel until such time as this matter is resolved. The Potions Department will begin work immediately on creating a counter potion, that is their first and only priority." The Minister informed them, his face very stern.

"The other departments are expected to facilitate their work in any way possible. The Department of Deciphering Documentation will be in charge of going through the information we have received, they alone have permission to work with the information.

"Any questions?" he asked, looking at them expectantly.

"Sir, will we be required to go to Dhiaran?" a young wizard from the potions Department voiced his concern. The fear of having to go into war was quite obviously written on his face.

"Not at this time" the Minister told him, and then continued with a direct glance to the gathering "No persons will be allowed entry into Dhiaran and by extension Russia due to the high security risk and this will be enforced indefinitely." He stated, his tone one of finality. Despondency shrouded Hermione, she would not be able to follow Draco to Dhiaran. Merlin…was nothing going to go right for her.

"As there are no other questions I'll end this meeting and we can all get on with our work." the Minister finished, turning to speak with his advisors while the rest of them shuffled out of the room.

For the first time Hermione hated her job because as the Head of Foretime Documentation and Preservation her department dealt with working on ancient manuscripts and artifacts… this meant that they had absolutely nothing to do with helping the situation in Dhiaran. She needed to think, there must be some other way, there had to be some other way. Even if she went to the Minister now and begged him he would still want a reason for her request. She could just imagine telling him that she wanted to make sure that Draco was safe. Every route to Draco was blocked but she wouldn't give up. Stamping down her hopelessness she focused instead on trying to think beyond the paradigm.

Throughout the hours she fought hard to remain focused but her eyes had involuntarily been drawn countless times to the building across the street. During the past days she had resolutely ignored its presence as it had only served to remind her of Draco's treachery but now she drew strength from its tall, formidable looking exterior, knowing that in that regard it closely resembled its owner. It was around late afternoon that she started hearing the whispers of her co-workers. She knew everyone had been discussing and speculating about Dhiaran but she didn't know what was being said until she sat in the dining lounge, forcing herself to eat a sandwich and drink a cup of tea.

"Well I think we're walking into a trap" someone said in hushed tones and Hermione recognized the speaker as a wizard from the Deciphering Department

"I don't think so" replied his companion speculatively.

"Haven't you heard? All of the information we received was from that snake Malfoy. I am not trusting any thing he gives to us" the first wizard stated and Hermione's heart lurched in her chest.

"Malfoy? As in Draco Malfoy, why would he help the Ministry?" the other commented, his tone one of disbelief.

"That's exactly what I'm saying, he must have an ulterior motive and worse still the Minister was stupid enough to give him clearance to go into Dhiaran."

"Really?"

"Yeah, that's like handing over the war to those hostage takers" Hermione had heard enough, she turned giving them her most severe glare.

"I do not believe it is your job to pass judgment on decisions made by the Ministry. Furthermore it would be in your best interests if you did not repeat that nonsense you are spouting" she finished full of the authority her position as head of a department entitled her to.

"Sorry Ms. Granger" the second wizard responded while the first looked instantly contrite. They both knew she had the power to reprimand them for their derogatory statements. She cast them a final scathing glance and then left the room. Full of rage by the time she walked into her office she couldn't resist the urge to slam the door.

How unfair. How ridiculously unfair that after all the hard work that Draco had done; after sacrificing his safety and in the process losing two of his security personnel to gain that information, he was still being vilified. The thought hadn't even crossed her mind that he had been the one to pass on the information to the ministry, but this didn't surprise her. She remembered that he had told her of his intention when they had first started investigating the parchments, and true to his word he apparently had done exactly that.

She was still angry by the time she got home later in the evening, still worried about Draco but furious nonetheless even though her mind and body were exhausted. Stomping straight to her study she slumped despondently into her favourite armchair, hoping for some solace. She just could not get over the fact that everyone had such a skewed idea of Draco Malfoy. Admittedly he had been a Slytherin and everyone thought that once a Slytherin always a Slytherin. True he had been cruel and mean throughout most of his school days and who would know that better than her since she had been a victim of his taunts for many years. But did these things define the man? Weren't people allowed to change? Hadn't she seen proof of his other character, the one that was hidden from the world?

She recalled being surprised at seeing Jinky that first day. Draco came from a family who lived for abusing house elves and yet his elves were happy to serve him. Jinky's loyalty to him was undeniable and just earlier today she had seen another elf becoming emotional over Draco being in the war. If Draco had been slaving them would Jinky have been so worried that his master was spending Hallow's Eve alone? Were these the actions of cruel man?

Most people thought him a dilettante but he was so hard working and dedicated to ensuring that his companies were successful. She had seen for herself the amount of commitment he put into his work and that had only doubled when he had started on the research in Dhiaran. He had worked tirelessly and she was sure that he still continued to do so. He didn't need to do these things but he did them because intrinsically he was that type of person.

So many false statements about him, so many ridiculous stories contrived to make him seem a cold, heartless, pureblood. Yet to be honest she was well aware that in many ways he could be exactly like that. Undoubtedly he was ruthless in business, deceptively skilled at undermining his enemies as well as being coldly calculating and yet there could be so much warmth in his kisses…in his touch. She shivered just remembering how his lips felt on her skin.

She had been witness to him tenderly hugging a pregnant Pansy, gently cradling a sleeping Lucinda and being an absolute gentleman to Aunt Margery's eccentricities. She closed her eyes remembering her first night with him and how her very resistance had melted under the heat of his mouth. He had been a considerate lover and if she were completely truthful she would admit that she could never regret that he had been the one to initiate her into the pleasures of the world.

How many nights she had lain in his arms despairing for the morning light. Why hadn't she seen before this that she had wanted to be there and not because of some stupid deal but because there was nowhere else she would have rather been. That was why she had been so despondent at the thought of it coming to an end after the month.

She had fallen into the same trap as everyone else…judging him by his past actions without realizing that there was more than one dimension to his personality. Yes he was a Malfoy and inherently he would always have those qualities that characterized Malfoys…but he was also Draco and that made the world of difference. He was the one who had eased her fears on that fateful broom-ride, he was the one that had shared those peaceful yet beautiful moments with her on the terrace and he was the one who had thanked her for coming to him on Hallow's Eve night.

Her chest tightened remembering the stark loneliness she had see on his face that night. A man who had everything but yet had nothing. No family to call his own, no more of that pure bloodline. He only had his friends and he genuinely cared for them. He had forgiven Pansy in a heartbeat she realized now. Even after the scandal she had created, even after all the public turmoil and taunts Hermione knew he had endured he had still done it and why? Why had he forgiven Pansy?

She sat there trying to contemplate his motive and found that it simply eluded her. He had not done it for publicity nor to save face. He had not even done it for the ridiculously scandalous arrangement between them. No… he had done it because he had wanted to protect Lucinda and even Pansy and Ron. And that was the plain and simple truth.

She had misjudged him and she had told him so many hurtful things, she had even compared him to his father who he was nothing like. Yes she had been hurt and angry but she should have asked him about it, she should have dealt with it differently. After all that they had shared, after all that she had come to know about him she should have let him tell her his side. Instead she had chosen to believe the worst of him and attributed qualities to him that she knew weren't true and now she was sorely regretting her actions.

She felt sick to her stomach with worry and fear and guilt and she knew it wouldn't lessen. It was not as though he was completely faultless in all of this because he should have told her the truth. But at the same time she too had provoked him into some of his actions. She remembered him telling her that all of this wasn't necessary and now she knew that he probably had only been trying to explain the situation but instead she had thought that he didn't care about the baby. She wondered how many times she had wronged him by always putting him into the mold of a Slytherin Snake.

Merlin…she loved him and there was no denying it anymore. He was everything and more that she wanted in a companion. Someone who was loyal to his friends, who had startling intelligence and a noble, commanding presence…how could she not love him? This revelation should come as more of a shock to her but intuitively she knew that her mind was finally coming to terms with what her heart had already been whispering.

She sat in contemplative silence for a few minutes just letting the peace of admitting her feelings wash over her. Slowly she opened her eyes feeling as though a great burden had been lifted of her but then the fact that Draco was in eminent danger assailed her again. She hoped and prayed she would get a chance to see him again she wanted that more than anything else.

Her eyes were drawn to a glittering object on her desk a few feet away. The early moonlight streaming though the window clearly illuminated its surface and she got up and walked over to it and it was with trembling fingers that she picked up the silver port-key. Her fingers curled around the cold metal and she was somehow comforted by it as she clutched it to her chest. She hadn't even remembered it being here but then the last time that she had used it was the day that she had the confrontation with Draco at the manor. How remarkable that she had kept it in her hands that day, even while she had been at her parents house, even when she had come and sat here the entire night. She remembered quite clearly placing it on the desk the next morning and then she had forgotten all about it. Impulsively she closed her eyes and wished herself to the place she wanted to be.

She smelt the fragrance of leather bound texts before she opened her eyes to look about her. The room was well lit by the wall scones and his study was the same as the last time she had left it. Their rug was still before the fireplace although there was no fire in the grate and she ran a hand over the back of the armchair next to it. He had been sitting in this very chair the first time she had kissed him and she could almost imagine his presence being in the room with her. She felt at home here and at the same time very close to Draco. It was eerily quiet and she smiled a little thinking that there was neither sounds of pleasure nor even the ruffle of parchments to be heard in the room.

She walked over to his desk, which was still brimming with texts and manuscripts and her pleasant reverie was interrupted by sudden awareness. She read the notes on the desk and felt the blood begin to drum in her veins. These were their notes about Dhiaran, this was the culmination of the work they had been doing. Draco had obviously given all of the original information to the Ministry but he had kept a copy of their work for himself. She opened a small wooden box that hadn't been there before astounded to find a vial with some dark purple potion in it. Could this be the same potion that had been developed in Dhiaran?

She remembered that the Minister had mentioned that they had received samples of the potion, maybe Draco had kept this thinking that he would have gotten a chance to work on it but instead he ended up being thrust directly into the war. She excitedly sat down behind the desk feeling a sense of purpose. She had all the things that she needed to try developing a counter potion and she was going to do exactly that. If the ministry created one before her then great, but if they didn't at least she would know that she had done all that she could do. One thing was for certain…she wasn't about to let Draco Malfoy say goodbye.

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A.N. Okay, so that's it. I know that this chappie might not be up to par but unfortunately it was either this or nothing. If you're very confused after reading this chapter you can send me your questions and I'll try to answer them. I know that I might have put too much info in and not stressed enough in other places. Anyways until next time, happy reading and keep safe wherever you are in this world.

Thanks for the review