Chapter 20

The Otter & The Ferret

Hermione stared outside the window in her dormitory. Her legs were propped up in the window sill because she knew that she would be there for quite some time. She had a blanket wrapped around her that Molly Weasley had made her a few Christmas's ago. Placing her forehead against the large glass, Hermione could feel the warmth of the sun now hitting her. Her attention was only pulled away from the beautiful sight when she heard knocking on the door. Though she found it unusual that they wouldn't just come in, she quickly made her way over. Gripping onto her wand which was at her night stand, she pulled the heavy, wooden boulder over.

"Draco," Hermione felt her heart pounding again.

"Are you alright?" Draco entered the room, though Hermione wasn't acting like she really wanted him to.

"Y—yeah,"

"Potter told me you weren't feeling well. So I wanted to come by and make sure that…" He turned to her at this point and then lost his sentence. She was staring down at the ground, purposely averting her eyes away from him. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest as if she would break at any moment. He could tell by the flushness of her face and the sad look that her eyes carried that everything was wrong. So he moved closer to her, and put his hand on her jaw. Watching her timid stare as he forced her to look upwards at him, she lost her breath. His abruptness had made her lips slightly part.

"I—I'm fine, Draco." She tried lying to him once more.

"I'm not falling for it," He shook his head, "Did I do something?"

"No, of course not," Hermione immediately replied, "You're…perfect, Draco. You're just bloody perfect, okay?" She broke away from his grasp, and made her way back over to the window, where she stood and tried to recollect her scattered thoughts.

"You know that I love you…don't you?" He walked up behind her.

"Yes," She said in an unconvinced way.

"Then why are you acting like I hurt you? I would never hurt her, Granger." She remained completely silent. "I'm always going to be here for you. You realize that, don't you? I'm not leaving you or betraying you, okay? Whatever this is about, we can work it out. You just have to open up a little, Granger. Tell me what you're thinking about. It's going to be okay." He paused once more with hopes for her to reply, but still she said nothing. "I really do love you, Granger."

"Can you just—just stop!" Hermione finally turned around and gave him a stern glance. The two stood frozen in time for a moment. He had never seen Hermione in such an odd manner. He had seen her upset, angry, frustrated, hurt, but he never saw her with all of these emotions just raging through her like right now that it made her silent. Her emotions were literally engulfing her and she had nowhere to turn. Draco wanted her to just turn to him, to vent to him, or something…but she wasn't having it.

"Just talk this out with me," Draco began.

"There's nothing to talk about," Hermione went over to her bed where her bag lay.

"Obviously there's something you're trying to make your mind up about. If you talk to me, we can come to a conclusion together—a rational one. We can work it out,"

"I've already made up my mind." Hermione said flatly as she pulled out his black shirt and handed it to him.

His eyes left the shirt that she practically shoved in his hands, and drifted up towards her. She stood there looking at him for a mere second and then quickly turned away. Climbing back up to the window sill, she covered herself up in the blanket and pulled out a book to read. Draco watched how calm she was being and yet how broken she really was. He could see past this stupid act, this childish air that she was putting on for show. Walking over to her, he continued to watch her. Then eventually, he broke. When he began walking away, she went to get up, but then stopped halfway up. He was now sitting up on her bed in a comfortable position.

"What are you doing?" Hermione finally stood up fully.

"I'm not leaving until we talk about this."

"You're not staying." Hermione bit back.

"Try to make me leave," Draco stood up to his feet and watched the girl.

It wasn't until now that she snapped. She had been trying to hold it together so well and now she was bursting at the seams. Why couldn't he make this easy? Why couldn't he just leave her alone? Better yet, why did he have to show up at all? Could he not see how hard this was for her? Was it that difficult to realize that she had enough? This wasn't a good relationship for her to be in. This wasn't the right time, or place, let alone the right person. They were too different. She was foolish for believing that they could ever work out. And he was stubborn, and she hated stubborn people. She hated every stubborn person she saw, especially the one she found in the mirror.

By time she made her way over to him, he was already standing there. She tried to gently push him towards the door, but when that didn't work, she began getting even more angry and things started getting out of hand. She pushed him backwards roughly this time. Though she had put all of her weight into this shove, he only stepped backwards one or two steps. This made her even more angry, so she slapped him once, twice, three times. But he still stood there, looking down at her. Why was he looking at her like that? Why wasn't he getting angry or upset or fighting back? How could he not be at his wits end? Was it really that hard to take a hint? She punched him in the chest just twice, before her knuckles turned red and she felt faint. But he was still standing there, strong and tall. It was obvious that even with her best effort, she couldn't make him do anything that he wasn't willing to do. Pulling back her hand, she went to slap him once more, because that's all she could think to do—but this time his hand was firm around her wrist, stopping her mid-action.

Their eyes met.

He could feel the abnormal pulse in her veins. He could hear her heart pounding through her chest. He could see her slowly breaking down. He could tell by the tenderness in her eyes that it wouldn't be long before she began crying. He could tell by her unsteady breaths, that she couldn't get enough air to satisfy her needs. He could tell by her tense muscles, that she wasn't willing to give up. He could tell that she wasn't willing to just give in.

But there it was.

Beautiful agony.

Hermione fell into his chest and she began crying like she never had before. Draco put his right hand on her waist, to make sure she wouldn't fall just in case she did faint. His other hand was on her head, to comfort her. And then he just stood there and listen to her cries which were angry yet mournful. And he supposed she wept for the dead—because she really did adore Dumbledore. And he supposed she wept for her condition—because there were no signs of her getting any better. And he supposed she wept for the living—because soon there would be few. And he supposed she wept for her innocence—because that was the last thing that she had left to hold onto. And he took it from her. He took it, just like he took everything else.

"Things are going to change," Harry said to a group of friends. "Everything is going to change. I can't guarantee life to anyone. This is getting serious and there's so many things that I need to do."

"But we'll help you," Ginny interrupted him, "We're all in this together, Harry."

"Yes," Luna nodded in agreement, "We're all going to help."

"I don't want anyone fighting for me. I'll fight my own way, okay? I need you guys to keep each other safe, though."

"Harry, you know we're all going to fight. There's no way around it." George offered.

"George is right," Ron nodded, "We're all going to fight. Some of us are going to die. That's just something we'll have to accept."

"No one is dying…" Neville started, looking a bit nervous. But when all stares fell on him, he decided to change his mind, "…yet,"

"It's going to be okay, Harry," Fred assured him, "We'll figure out a way. Between your luck, Ron's…well, I don't know what Ron offers, but Hermione's intelligence, you'll be—"

"I'm not dragging her into this." Harry replied quickly.

"Harry, she's going to fight," Luna crossed her arms, "There's no way she's going to just stand by and watch the rest of us."

"I don't want her fighting…especially in the state she's in. If she gets too emotional, or stressed...she faints."

"That won't stop her," Ron explained.

"I refuse to ask her to fight this battle, you guys. She's already fighting her own." Harry said loudly.

"How exactly do you plan this to work out? Are you just going to lock her up?" Ginny asked stupidly, "Harry, I love you, but you know that nothing will work."

"I know exactly how I'm going to do it." Harry answered.

"Granger…I didn't mean to…"

"You didn't do anything, Draco. There's just been a lot on my mind right now and I'm not too sure…how to handle everything. I hate to sound weak, but I feel weak right now." She took a moment to shrug, "I don't want you to leave…"

"I know you don't. That's why I stayed."

"How exactly did you know that?" Hermione questioned, as she turned over to see him. They were both know lying in her bed comfortably.

"You get this look in your eyes…and I can't quite describe it…" He stared at her, "But it's like in that moment, your body is pushing and shoving me away and all…but your eyes are begging me to stay, and I just know that inside you're conflicted by your emotions. But I won't leave you…if you don't want me too, anyway."

"You're lying," She laughed as she shook her head.

"No, I'm not." He put his hand on her face, "Granger, I…"

"Hermione," Someone rushed into the door.

Immediately, the couple jumped up and scrambled to their feet.

"Oh—Ginny," Hermione put her hand on her chest and said a silent prayer.

"Hey, I was wondering if you could help me this weekend and go over some stuff for class. I just need help going over some of the example problems…to make sure that I'm doing it right, you know?" Ginny explained herself.

"Yeah, of course, Ginny," Hermione nodded, "I'd love to help."

"Right, well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Draco looked down at Hermione. He hovered over her for a few minutes and then finally leaned in for a kiss. Before leaving the room, he said goodbye to Ginny.

"Mudblood," Pansy called on the following Friday afternoon. Hermione sharply pivoted to see the girl who had gotten the attention of a nearby crowd.

"I don't have time for this," Hermione said before turning away.

"Did I bloody ask you if you had time?" The girl grabbed Hermione by the wrist.

"Leave me alone, Parkinson!" Hermione shouted as she got out of the girl's grip.

"I'll show you—"

"Stop," Draco immediately appeared alongside Hermione.

"Draco," She laughed, "Let me ask you something…how did the meeting go with your father?"

"Meeting? Draco, you met with him? You didn't tell me that he ever came back…"

"Why don't you mind your own business and stay the Hell out of my life." Draco barked at the Slytherin.

"You didn't tell her yet?" Pansy became thrilled, "Go ahead, tell her Draco…tell her what you promised him,"

"You're ridiculous," Draco shook his head, "Come on, Granger,"

"What is she talking about?" Hermione demanded an answer.

"Let's just go, I'll explain later," Draco pulled Hermione away from the courtyard and back into the castle.

"Let go of me!" Hermione yanked herself away as they got into a small corridor. "Tell me what that was all about! When did he—why wouldn't you…"

"It was right before the dance and I didn't want to stress you out…" Draco explained.

"Well tell me now," Hermione crossed her arms and looked up at him. "Oh wait, don't tell me, you can't." She watched him in a defeated manner as he sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Funny, how did I see this one coming?"

"I'm going to make you an offer." Draco crossed his arms as he leaned against the stone wall.

"Okay…" Hermione bit her lip as she listened to the proposition.

"I will tell you everything, if you promise to do one thing." Draco kept his gaze locked down on her.

"Alright, well…what is this one thing?" Hermione questioned.

"I can't…"

"Tell me?" She laughed, "You're absurd, you know that, don't you?"

"Please, Granger…just give me one thing and I will tell you everything." Draco looked down at her.

"F—fine," She rubbed her eyes slightly before letting him proceed.

"Alright, come here," He reeled her in and pulled up her shirt slightly to reveal her hipbone. He put the tip of his wand on her skin and repeated a spell that he had memorized recently. As he whispered on, an outline of a ferret started to appear on her skin. Hermione looked down at it and then back up at him, to realize that it was the symbol of his patronus, and he was putting an unbreakable vow on her. After the mark was imprinted, he pulled up his shirt and did the same. But on his skin there was an otter etched across. He looked back up at Hermione as if for reassurance that she was still okay.

"Yeah," Hermione said softly as she nodded.

"Granger, I told my father…that I couldn't…marry Pansy. I told him that I wouldn't. And he disowned me, but…but that doesn't change the fact that I'm still bound by this mark to serve a duty."

"I told you if you just let us protect you, nothing will harm you. I won't let anything happen to you," Hermione shook her head.

"Granger, I'm going to have to fulfill my duty as a death eater. There are things I will have to do against my will because of a promise I made a while back. I can't just erase this. I can't deny him what he wants. There's no way I can defeat him alone." Draco explained.

"Draco, please…" She whispered.

"I'm sorry. But I can't change my past, I can't change what I did." Draco blankly stated, "But all I know is that I'll have to fight on one side up until the war, but when it comes, I won't be on their side anymore."

"Okay," She shrugged, "I don't know what else I can do for you to understand…"

"Granger," He stopped her mid-sentence, "I told you everything that I can."

"No, no you didn't. You didn't explain to me about Dumbledore, or Snape, or that promise—" Hermione caught his eye.

"Voldemort assigned me…to kill him, Hermione. I didn't want to, but I had to. Snape took up the task though…and I really think he did it for me. He didn't want me to have to bear that, Granger. I don't believe he's truly on the Dark side…not really, anyway." Draco straightened his posture.

"Is that all you know?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," Draco answered.

"What about the promise you made to your father? I thought you said he disowned you." Hermione bit her lip.

"I promised my father...that if Voldemort wins...I'd marry Pansy."

"You...you did what?" Hermione's voice started quavering. "Why would you ever, ever promise him something like that?"

"It was a difficult situation, Granger. I did what I had to do to get myself out of it. And I'm not fully out of it...but I'm pretty damn close to being free. I only made that promise because I know he truly believes that Voldemort will win." Draco explained.

"And what about you? Do you think...that Voldemort will win?" Hermione lowered her voice.

"No," Draco shook his head, "I can't let that happen." They shared a long moment of silence before they continued on.

"So um, what is it I have to do?" Hermione looked down at the ferret on her tan skin.

Within this moment, everything from last weekend had played through his mind. He could remember Potter pulling him aside after class. Ginny was already walking away with Hermione at arm to help her study some of her homework. It was now that he realized that Ginny was just covering for her boyfriend. Following along the boy, he noticed the Weasley boys who were waiting in the hallway for him. Part of him felt like he was walking into some sort of intervention, which threatened him.

"If you're all here to tell me that I need to break up with Granger, because it will be better for her—you're wasting your fucking breath." Draco stated before anyone else spoke.

"Relax, that's not what we wanted to talk to you about," Harry assured him.

"We didn't want to talk to you at all, actually," Fred snorted under his breath.

"Wonderful, the feelings mutual," Draco sneered over at the twins.

"Harry, I don't know about this," George began acting like he was backing out on a serious decision.

"We have to do this, and you all need to support me in this," Harry gave the boys a genuine glance. "Draco, we need you to do us a favor."

"Oh…really?" He became a bit interested. Potter—the chosen one, needing his help?

"When the War comes…we need you to…take Hermione and keep her somewhere safe." Harry finally broke the silence. "I don't want her anywhere near here when the War happens and I'm sure you feel the same. So not only for your sake, but for all of our sakes, including hers, keep her as far away from here as possible. I don't think she should be fighting in her condition. She's too…fragile."

"I agree," Draco was surprised that he would ever say those words to Potter. They were all so different, but they all shared one common characteristic. Hermione. And they all wanted to keep her safe and out of harm's way.

"So will you take her…away from all of this when I tell you?" Harry looked at Draco in the most sincere way he ever had.

"Yes, I will try, but it won't be easy. She's not going to willingly leave any of you." Draco offered.

"I need more than a 'I'll try', Draco. I need you to tell me you can do it. I don't care at what length you need to go to. I'm sure you can make some deal with her—some bet—something for bloody goodness, that will keep her away from here." Ron suddenly emerged from his silence.

"I..." Draco began to take a step back.

"Listen, I don't care anymore about this whole relationship issue. Your relationship is so small and immaculate compared to what is to come. And I care about keeping her safe, Draco. I'm sure you feel the same way. Just—just take care of her okay? I couldn't...so you better be able to, you—you idiot," Ron sighed as he began walking away to blow off some steam.

"Do we need to make some sort of deal or offer to—" Harry started speaking again.

"I'll do it." Draco simply told the group. "I want to keep her away from War, you all want that too, it's only reasonable that I should be the one to do it. I promise I'll keep her safe."

"Okay," The group seemed uneasy about just taking his word for it, but they did it anyway. They weren't in a position where they could be picky and choosey over deals that were made. This was War, and danger was inevitable.

"Draco," Hermione called out and brought him back to the present. "What do I have to do?"

"You can't fight…in the War." Draco blankly stated.

"What?" Hermione scoffed, "Draco, you're insane. You know I wouldn't possibly agree to that! I have a job, I have friends who need me—"

"They don't want you there, Hermione," Draco quickly said.

"They want me there—they need me there." Hermione shook her head.

"No, they don't." Draco pulled Hermione closer.

"Draco, please, you can't possibly take this away from me,"

"But you agreed to this. You agreed I could have one thing, so please, for me Hermione…"

"Don't take this away from me." She barely made out.

"I'm not sorry," He looked at her sincerely.

"I won't forgive you for this."

"I know," He nodded.