Hermione was pacing. And she couldn't seem to make herself stop. She had not been able to tell a thing from Draco's reaction at breakfast, and he had left so quickly… Harry and Ron were gone somewhere, probably with Hagrid, or taking the time to practice flying. They hadn't told her where, they hadn't actually spoken to her since the day before. Not that she had expected them to. But usually when she was this worked up about something, she would talk to them about it.
They may get impatient with her occasionally but they still listened, helped to calm her nerves, sometimes even just distract her. But there was nothing to distract her now so she was pacing. She briefly considered activating her ring, just to see if Draco would respond, but quickly decided against it. If he wanted to talk to her, ever again really, he would talk to her.

It was with a start that Hermione saw a parchment fluttering down before her feet, a strange trill sounding in her ear. She was in the abandoned potions room - having annoyed everyone in the common room so much with her pacing that she had been 'politely' asked to leave. She had thought, she wouldn't be bothering anyone here. Abandoned and all that. So it was particularly weird to see a lone paper fluttering in front of her, in an empty class room, in the middle of the day.

"Ms. Granger,
Please meet me in my office at 8:00 PM tonight.
Prof. Dumbledore"

That at least explained the odd delivery; it had to have been Faux. She hopped this was good news. Though she supposed Dumbledore could only want to break the bad news to her in person.

Hermione was in front of the Gargoyle at five to eight and, as she made her way up the spiral stair case was surprised to hear a number of voices coming from behind the door. At her knock the doors opened wide and she saw a group of Order members relaxing and talking in Dumbledore's office. Kingsley was speaking to professor Lupin by the fire while Tonks seemed content to examine the contents of Dumbledore's shelves. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley rushed over to give her a hug as she walked in and she immediately melted into the embrace. There was just something about Mrs. Weasley's hugs that reminded her of home, of her own mother's hugs. It felt reassuring and safe.

As Hermione pulled back from the embrace she noticed Snape leaning against a pillar talking to Dumbledore, eyeing her lightly as her eyes met his before turning back to the conversation. As odd as it was to see so much of the Order here at Hogwarts, it was undeniably stranger to see Draco Malfoy, sitting in a chair tucked into the corner. Arms folded and legs crossed, he looked for all the word as though he were simply observing the people in front of him. As though they weren't all on opposite sides of a war. His chin was tilted up slightly and his expression was one of haughty disinterest. Hermione knew there was no way it was natural, though she couldn't blame him for taking what comfort he could in his countenance.

Really she was so glad to see him there, the distant expression on his face hardly matter. This had to mean he had accepted their help. He would be safe, his mother would be safe.

Hermione politely excused herself from the weasley's company and slowly made her way over to where Draco was sitting. Before she got halfway there another chair appeared next to his, and, though Dumbledore still seemed as occupied by his conversation with Snape as he had a moment ago, the twinkle in his eye and slight smile on his face gave it away. Not to mention, she doubted anyone else in the room would have conjured a chair with quite so many colors on it. Except maybe Tonks.

Draco looked in her direction as she sat down next to him. He didn't say anything but his eyes momentarily lightened as he gave her a small nod. And Hermione found she was content to just sit next to him, watching the Order interact.

A few minutes later Hermione was surprised from her passive observations when Ron and Harry entered the room. She was here, so she shouldn't be too surprised. But, why were they there? All three of them?
After making the greetings Harry and Ron noticed Hermione sitting in the corner. They seemed to be making their way over to her, probably out of instinct more than anything else, but the both stopped in their tracks when they realized who she was sitting next to. Ron's face started to burn and he turned to walk the other way, but just at that second Dumbledore conjured two more chairs, right next to Hermione, this time looking at her friends and making it clear to them that they should sit.

A quick glance showed that the rest of the adults had stopped speaking to watch as Dumbledore stood straighter before them, waiting patiently for the boys to take their seats. They did so quickly under the eyes of the Order, and Dumbledore began speaking.

"Today I ask a favor of all of you here. By joining the Order you devoted your lives to our cause - to uniting the wizarding world, free of hatred and prejudice. But I do not ask you this as members of the Order. And, you are free to refuse, free of judgment or question." Dumbledore's eyes scanned the occupants of the room, not looking at Hermione and her friends, but keeping his focus on the full members of the Order.

"What I am going to ask you is dangerous and outside the scope of your role as members of The Order of the Phoenix. I ask you now to protect, not one of our own, but one of the servants of Lord Voldemort. I ask you to assist me in protecting them without getting anything from them in return. Not information, not even loyalty."

The Order members were confused, looking among themselves, but they allowed Dumbledore to speak. Every few seconds they were darting looks at Draco as well. But, Hermione could see his mask was firmly in place, and he was gazing determinedly into the fireplace, avoiding any accidental eye contact. The reflection of the fire on his eyes made them dance, smoke and fire.
Hermione mentally shook herself. Now was certainly not a time to be looking into Draco's eyes.

"Draco Malfoy has been placed into a situation in which I would not wish anyone to be placed. It matters not what he believes or does not believe. He has been asked to perform the impossible, and as he fails, his mother is held and punished. As is he, when he is not at Hogwarts. If we truly are meant to be a beacon of light in the dark times… We must not turn our backs on those in need.

"I want to repeat, any who agree to assist in this will be placing themselves in danger. Please do not accept unless that is a risk you are prepared to take."

Hermione started slightly when Tonks stepped forward almost immediately, raising her hand as though volunteering for a class assignment "Count me in! I blow to old Voldy is a blow to Voldy, right?"

Draco's mouth opened slightly at the pronouncement, though whether it was because of the eager volunteer or Voldemort's apparent nick name Hermione wasn't sure.

Mrs. Weasley stepped forward next, her husband right behind her "We will help." She looked nervously at Draco before continuing, "Lucius almost killed our daughter. But we cannot hold his son accountable for his actions. Any life we can help make better, we will."

Mr. Weasley nodded along, addressing Draco "We will do what we can to help you and your mother remain safe."

Kingsley stepped forward next, though he addressed Dumbledore directly and not Draco,"I can foresee many issues with this action. And many more stemming from it in the future. I am sure you see those as well and, so long as they are addressed, you have my full support."

Dumbledore nodded his acknowledgement and turned to Snape. Snape's eyes hadn't left Draco this whole time, though Draco still seemed determined to avoid them.

"Dumbledore I am afraid I must question the… advisability of this course of action." His eyes remained on Draco as he began to slowly towards him. "I have spend considerable time with both Mr. Malfoy here and Narcissa. Never has there been any indication of… dissatisfaction." He was standing in front of Draco now, but Draco was still looking away. Snape bent down in front of him and jerked Draco's face to meet his gaze. Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but Snape stilled her with a quick glance.

"The boy is, as you know, a capable occlumens. How have you… assured yourself of his sincerity?"

"Severus, as you are aware I am a rather accomplished legitimens myself. Though I have made no attempt to break through Mr. Malfoy's barriers. If you wish to reassure yourself of your motives, I suggest you ask him yourself."

"All you have said of me could be said of yourself… professor." Draco spoke before Snape had a chance to ask him any questions. "I have also spend a considerable amount of time in your presence, heard much of the information you have shared with the Dark Lord. Imagine my surprise in finding you here. Playing the double agent."

"I do not need to explain myself to you Draco, I -"

"Nor I to you."

They stayed that way, staring at each other for more than a few minutes, the rest of the room holding its breath, waiting, watching. Eventually, just when Hermione had become convinced someone had cast a freezing charm on them as a joke Professor Snape nodded slightly. Hermione wouldn't say he smiled, but his mouth seemed less tight than usual, and he placed a hand briefly on Draco's shoulder before standing up and walking away.

"Well," Dumbledore clapped his hands once, as though no time had passed "if that is all settled, we have plans to make."

The adults all began to gather at Dumbledore's desk, eager to make their plans, and Hermione glanced over at Harry and Ron, still sitting in the chairs next to her. Ron only shrugged, and Harry shook his head.

Hermione cleared her throat, "Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore? Excuse me, Sir?" She blushed slightly as all heads turned at once to look at her. Her 'sir' had been more of a yell than anything else, but they hadn't heard her at first "Um, I'm sorry, it's just… Why are we here?"

Harry and Ron nodded their heads and Dumbledore smiled. "I guess it would be prudent to address that first. As I mentioned to Draco earlier, the Order only has only location currently set up with the necessary protections. Another could be created of course, but it would take time, and I am afraid there is not much time here to be had. And once Narcissa is rescued, and placed under our protections, she will then become privy to those protections. That is, it would not be safe for her to leave again. Not until after the war."

This all made sense to Hermione, but that still didn't explain why they were here unless… She only knew of one place that had the necessary protections. The Black's House. Sirius's house. Harry's house…

"Harry, I will not, of course, be asking you to accompany us on this mission. It would be much too dangerous. However, I will be asking something from you. Rather a lot I am afraid."

Harry looked confused, he hadn't put the pieces together, but soon enough he would. And Hermione honestly had no idea what he would do.

"I am asking you if you will allow the Malfoys to reside in your house."

"My house? But the Durs- oh… My house - You want to keep the Malfoy's in Sirius's house!?"

"Yes Harry."

"How could you… When it was Bellatrix that – his aunt! … Have them live in his house?!"

Hermione could see Harry warring with doing what Dumbledore wanted and doing something that seemed so… wrong. Hermione completely understood. It almost felt like a violation. Narcissa living in the same house that had been Sirius's. Unable to leave. How ironic. She would be imprisoned their just as her cousin had been. Draco didn't seem much happier than Harry at realizing the place they would be kept belonged to Harry.

Draco had closed his eyes at the revelation, and taken a few deep breaths. His mask was back in place but his fingers were gripping the side of the chair rather tightly. Hermione didn't think, she just acted, placing her hand on top of Draco's. She didn't say anything, and she kept her face trained on Harry, but her hand was steady. She had expected Draco to withdraw his, had only wanted to communicated some small measure of support, like an activation of their rings. But, he left his hand underneath hers, and she felt his grip on the chair slacken, if only marginally.

Lupin's voice sounded from across the room and Hermione realized with a start that he had not said anything all night, "You wish to imprison - and yes, even if it is voluntary I would consider it imprisonment - followers of Lord Voldemort in the headquarters to the Order of the Phoenix. And expect no declaration of loyalty in return?"

"Yes Remus. However their, imprisonment, as you put it, does have the effect of making it so that they do not need to pledge any sort of loyalty."
Lupin looked thoughtfully at Dumbledore, and then turned to Draco. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Hermione and Draco's hands together.
"When you were in my class, I saw nothing other than your father's son through and through. Perhaps I was mistaken, or perhaps you have changed. It is difficult to see past our own biases, though it seems you've been able to move past some." He looked again to their hands, and then to Hermione before looking back at Draco. "Have you moved far enough past that you will accept this charity? Accept those you and your father fight against. Allow them to risk their lives for your safety. Accept a house that is not yours. Live in a house, the rightful owner of which died as a direct result of your 'cause'? A house now owned by Harry Potter?"

Hermione couldn't imagine how Draco was keeping his cool, but he seemed almost unaffected. Lupin had only curiosity on his face, despite his words. Hermione was shocked that he would say such things to Draco but, looking between them, she suspected this was more of a test than anything else.

Draco pulled his hand out from under Hermione's, and she looked at him in question, but he only raised a corner of his lip briefly, an almost smile, before lifting her hand back up and intertwining their fingers, looking at Lupin as he did so.
"Perphaps you were mistaken, though I think not. More likely I have changed. Or, my situation has changed. But you are correct that I have begun to look past some of my biases. I will not refute my beliefs, or argue them with you. But I would be grateful to accept your, charity, as you artfully put it."

He leaned back slightly to take the rest of the members of the order in his view and Hermione recognized the beginnings of his 'professor' attitude as he did so.

"I am a Malfoy. And Malfoys are many things. Noble, proud, ambitious, intelligent, to name a few. However, we are also able to accept facts for what they are. We are also able to, on occasion, 'see past our biases'. If you would like to look at it cynically, it is an act of self-preservation. If you prefer a Gryffindor slant, I am doing my best to protect my mother. Both are true. And for either of those reasons I am capable of putting aside my pride. If Harry is willing to allow us to reside in the Black residence, I would not hesitate to accept."

Draco glanced at Harry and Ron, both of whom looked rather like they had just been hit in the head with a set of frying pans "Well, I wouldn't hesitate too much at least."

The smile he gave Hermione was small, and certainly restrained but it made her heart grow inside her chest anyways. His hand felt good back in hers, and, although Snape and Mrs. Weasley both kept sending covert looks in their direction, as though their hands were unexploded grenades, it felt good to have people see him holding her hand.

"Malfoy… You owe me. Oh Merlin, you owe me so much for this. Ron, please remind me tomorrow that this was not a dream, because I am pretty sure I will not be able to believe it." Harry shook his head, "Yes, Dumbledore, they can use the house."

"Very well, thank you Harry, I, as well as the Malfoys, I am sure, appreciate the concession. You may go now if you'd like."

"But why am I here professor?" Ron seemed to regret the words as he said them, and began blushing slightly, but Dumbledore only smiled

"I guess you could say, emotional support?" Ron only looked confused, but Hermione was rather sure that Harry took comfort in Ron's presence the same way she usually did. Especially when having to give up his godfather's house. And now at least Harry wouldn't have to recount the entire evening back to him in the common room. But that only explained Ron; surely Dumbledore didn't think Harry needed both of them to keep his head on.

"And me, Professor?"

"Hmm, I rather think the same thing." Hermione opened her mouth to question him further, but his eyes travelled between her and Draco and she understood. She was here for Draco. She felt Draco's grip tightly slightly, and knew he had understood the comment as well.

"Mr. Malfoy has asked to be included in the planning, you three may leave if you wish." And with that Dumbledore turned back to his desk, gesturing for the rest of the Order to follow.

Hermione looked over to Draco, who finally seemed to have removed at least part of his mask as he smirked at her, though with no heat behind it "You are the most nosey, insufferable witch I have ever met."

"And you, my dear Draco, are a complete ass."

"Hmm. Yes, you are quite right I'm afraid." He finally gave into his full smile, the one Hermione had never seen before a few months ago, and Hermione couldn't help but smile in response. They just looked at each other for a few minutes before Draco's face began to sober.

Hermione did not know where they stood. Their tone had been light, playful and she had felt happy just being able to joke with him again. But the memories of their last actual conversation were creeping back.

"Mr. Malfoy?"

Hermione jumped as though she had been electrocuted. The adults around the table seemed, to varying degrees of success, to hide the fact that they had all been watching them. Except of course Tonks who seemed to have no shame in her stare.

"Would you care to confirm the accuracy of these maps of Malfoy Manor? Dumbledore's voice was even, but those damned twinkling eyes seemed to dance with concealed amusement.

"Certainly" Draco stood up, and straightened his cloak before turning back to Hermione. "You should go get some sleep. I will catch you up tomorrow if you wish." A small smile, and he was all business again.

Hermione quickly stood. She had no desire to listen to the Order discuss tactics. She knew from pervious experience - helped largely from some of Fred and George's extendable ears, that although it might sound exciting, these discussions were endlessly dull. Quickly gathering her things Hermione waved a quick goodbye to Mrs. Weasley, the rest of the order had already turned back to the maps. As she slowly closed the door behind her she heard Draco comment,

"Yes well, although I am not entirely pleased that you have quite so accurate a map of my manor, it will make this easier. There are some things however, I will need to adjust…"

She couldn't believe that Draco had actually done it. She had hoped of course… but she had never really let that hope go too far. He was going to accept help from the order. Hermione wasn't sure exactly what this changed, but she was sure that it was something. Sure that things were different.

Stepping down from the spiral staircase Hermione turned and almost ran straight into Harry, who seemed to have been pacing and, glancing behind him, she saw an angry and resigned Ron. They stood like that for a few seconds, just looking back and forth between each other before Hermione finally broke the silence.

"Harry, thank you. I mean… I didn't know, and that was really… I mean, I can't believe Dumbledore even asked, but, just… thank you. I guess" Hermione looked down at her hands, which she was currently knotting together.

"You didn't know?"

"What do you mean?"

"Know they were going to ask Harry that." Ron's voice was rough with disbelief and the angry expression was still on his face. Harry didn't seem angry really, but he wasn't making any move to stop Ron.

"No! Of course not. I think it was rather cruel actually. And to ask with everyone there… Not like you were really given much of a choice. No, I never would have been okay with that Harry." She had turned to face Harry while speaking, hoping he would be able to read the sincerity on her face.

"But you knew he was going to ask for help from the Order." This wasn't a question, and Harry's tone was flat, but Hermione sensed he wanted to hear her say her answer.

"Yes. Well, actually, it was my idea. But I didn't think…"

"Didn't think? Hermione, since when do you not think? Malfoy and mummy need a safe house, you jump right into action, not considering the fact that the only safe house the Order has is the one that belonged to Sirius. The one that has all of his stuff… his life… in that house. And now the Malfoys will be there. What do you think he'd have to say about that?"

"Harry, I didn't know. Honest. The Order could have any number of safe places! I still don't understand why Dumbledore wants to put them at headquarters! Why would I ever think he would do that? I didn't know Harry…"

It was late, and Hermione was so tired. She had barely slept at all the night before because she was so worried about what she had done, and she had been so nervous all day she had barely eaten a thing. She was nearing her tipping point and she could feel her eyes beginning to pool with tears.

"Harry," Ron stepped forward to stand next to his friend "Look at it this way. Now the Order will be watching Malfoy's every move. He won't mess with your house or Sirius's stuff. You really think Lupin would let that happen?"

Both Hermione and Harry were looking at Ron in confusion. Not because what he was saying didn't make sense, because it did. But, because he was being, well… rational? No, that wasn't it. He was mediating. He was trying to calm Harry down. That was usually Hermione's role, and odd as it was to see Ron step forward and be unemotional - especially when dealing with Draco, Hermione was glad he was doing it. Her defending Draco would probably make things worse, but Ron doing it… well, that was enough to make anyone step back.

"Besides, just think how pissed the wanna-be Death Eater will be. Trapped in a house with only his mum for company." Ron shivered in disgust. "I wouldn't wish that on well… anyone but Malfoy."

Harry smiled a little bit at that and Hermione saw his posture begin to relax. They stood again in silence, but this time it was a little less awkward. Eventually it was Harry that broke it.

"Hermione, you're sure he is sincere about this?"

"Yes. Absolutely Harry. I know you don't have any reason to trust him or anything but… I mean, you know how he is about family. If you want to be cynical - like he was saying, he is protecting his family name."

"But what makes you so sure - the non-cynical reasons?"

"Well… The cynical reasons are part of it, I know that. But, he really does care about his mum. And you heard what Dumbledore said, she is in danger. And, honestly? Draco is smart. I know he is a lot of other things too, but he's really smart. How close do you think you could get to a madman before realizing he was mad? I think Draco may have just… hit that point. You, know?"

Hermione felt slightly uncomfortable talking about Draco like this in front of them, not sure exactly what they would want to hear, or what Draco would want them to know. Ron at least looked just as uncomfortable as Hermione felt as he toyed with the hem of the shirt under his robes. Harry just looked at Hermione for a few seconds before he started to turn to walk down the corridor.

"Time?" Hermione asked quietly..

"Ya, little more time 'Mione"

And, although she shouldn't, Hermione felt a surge of hope. At least they didn't hate her. And if that was what one day did, well… she could give them time.