TROUBLING TIMES

Hermione hesitates at the thought of leaving her dorm. Her stomach gurgles in protest. How can she face Harry? It's as though pygmy puffs are performing a circus in her belly. She considers not going to breakfast. No. She has to go, she tells herself. Even if it's just to make sure Harry doesn't try anything with Draco. Plus, she's starving.

She makes her way down the steps and peers around the corner. She can't see Harry amongst the groups of slow moving, bleary-eyed students. She steps out. So far, so good.

Hermione spots Ginny and Ron's red hair as she enters the Great Hall and makes a beeline for them. No sign of Harry. Hopefully, he ate earlier.

She' wrong.

"You have some nerve showing your face here." Harry says, appearing from behind Neville.

She isn't hungry anymore, in fact she feels sick. "Harry, just let me explain. Please."

Harry glares at her. Heads turn.

"No need to explain. You're with him, aren't you? All this time. Keeping secrets from me, from Ron. Keeping his secrets. You choose him over us and that's all there is to it!" he spits.

Her legs are shaking. There's nowhere she can go, alone in the open with all eyes on her. Ron and Ginny have confusion plastered across their faces. Everyone else stares at Harry, exchanging confused looks.

"Harry, if we could just go talk somewhere I can explain everything." She tries to speak quietly, but her voice echoes through the silent hall. Her words are shaky. Tears well up as she tries to blink them away.

She looks around, hoping a teacher might notice and put a stop to the scene.

"What's he talking about Hermione?" Ron asks.

"Where is he now, Hermione? Why isn't he here defending you?" Harry glares at her. Hermione can't stop the tears, she tastes the hot salt as they stream down her face.

"I'll tell you why," Harry continues. "Because he's one of them! He doesn't care about you, he's using you to get to me! You need to see that."

Harry steps closer. Ginny stands up to block Harry moving foward. Ron glances between his two friends.

"Ease up, mate," Ron says, shooting Hermione a worried glance.

Hermione ignores the sound of footsteps and people shuffling behind her. Her eyes locks on Harry in defiance.

"Harry, it's not what it looks like. I'm not against you, we're on the same side. Stop being so stubborn and pig headed and listen to me!"

The Gryffindor table looks ready to jump in, though unsure who's side they should be on. Harry is red, about to explode. Ginny and Ron remain as barriers between their two friends.

The footsteps behind Hermione get louder. A warm hand wraps around her arm.

"If this is how you treat your friends, Potter, I'm surprised you have any." Malfoy says, loud enough for everyone to hear. "You alright?" he asks Hermione quietly.

She nods and a lightness fills her chest, relieved he's there beside her. But also horrified at the implications for both of them.

"Take your hands off her!" Harry yells.

"Come on," Malfoy says, turning her away from Harry. She doesn't need telling twice. Her voice has failed her, and her eyes are blurring with tears. She can't reason with Harry when he's in this state.

They walk away. The trudge out of the Great Hall is like a death march. Harry's screams of traitor follows them out of the room. His rage bounces across the stone walls.

It feels as if she just sold her soul to the dark side, though she knows it isn't true. She assumes that's what everyone's thinking, what they all see.

She doesn't care that Draco has his arm around her shoulders as they leave the Great Hall. She can't believe he stood up for her, exposed himself.

As soon as they're out of sight she collapses into Draco's arms. Her eyes squeeze shut to block out the world. Harry's horrible words drained all her energy.

Several minutes pass before she wants to open her eyes and face the daylight again.

She unwinds herself from Draco and looks up at him. "Draco you need to tell the Order. Tell them what your mission is so they can protect you. They can protect your mum. Voldemort won't trust you now. If he finds out about us—about me and you—he'll think you're working with the Order anyway."

Draco's chin rests on the top of her head, she feels him sigh. "I know. I need to think what to do next," Draco says, his voice strained.

"What a lot of commotion." McGonagall appears next to them. "You two. Come with me now."

Two cups of tea appear on the desk in front of Draco and Hermione, along with a plate of breakfast pastries.

"Drink up, you look like you need a cup of tea." McGonagall insists. "Professor Snape filled me in on your late night adventure last night. I think you better tell me what's going on before I bring Mr Potter in here."

Hermione shifts in her chair nervously and glances at Draco.

"I think I need help," Draco says.

It's the last thing Hermione expects hear. McGonagall nods for him to continue.

"Voldemort will kill my Mum if I don't complete the task he set me, and I can't do it. I need to get out, I need protection for myself and my mum." He says in a rush of words, staring down at his hands.

Hermione's breath hitches at his confession. She sits perfectly still. No idea what to think, what to say. She waits for McGonagall's response.

Their teacher sips her tea and looks Draco up and down. "This is a surprise. If what you say is true, we are obligated to help. Tell me about this task."

Draco takes a deep breath before speaking. He looks at Hermione, shame spread across his face.

"My task is to kill Professor Dumbledore," he says. Hermione sees his fists pressing into his thighs.

The icy truth shoots through her veins. For the first time Hermione feels the full weight of his burden. Why he didn't want her to know. The truth was more horrible than she imagined.

"That's absurd. Surly not? Why?" Professor McGonagall says in disbelief. "Asking a boy to complete such a horrific act and expecting him to succeed. That man is a monster."

Draco shakes his head and gives a dark laugh. "He never expected me to succeed."

"Oh Tom," she mutters to herself. Then turns to Draco, pity in her eyes. She's about to speak, Hermione can't help but butt in.

"You were going to let yourself fail?" Hermione says, panic rising in her chest.

Draco turns to her. "I was going to let myself die if it saved my mum. I didn't care," he says, shrugging. "I changed my mind about that recently."

His eyes fix on hers, it's a long second before he looks back to Professor McGonagall. A lump forms in Hermione's throat. He was that close to giving up? To ending it all? Goosebumps prickle up her arm.

McGonagall stands up. "I'm glad you came to me, Draco. We can protect you and your mother, but you will have to trust us."

She walks over to a painting near the door and speaks to it.

Moments later, Snape and Dumbledore appear in her fireplace. Hermione tenses in her chair. The room seems a lot smaller, filled with people. She shouldn't be there. Two more chairs appear and they crowd around the desk with Snape and Dumbledore at the ends.

Dumbledore clears his throat. "I am happy to see you have come to your senses, dear boy," he directs his words to Draco.

Draco subconsciously rubs his arm. "Excuse me Sir?"

"I have been aware of your mission for some time and hoped you would come forward."

"You what!" McGonagall says.

Snape sits there, a look of irritation on his face.

"Now, now. Hear me out. I don't hold you at all responsible, Draco. The situation was out of your control. However, I have asked something rather selfish of Severus." All eyes turn to Snape. His face sour, glaring at Dumbledore.

"He has already made an unbreakable vow. He will complete Draco's task."

Silence consumes all the air in the room.

"No Severus, why?" McGonagall asks.

"Apparently, there is no other way," Snape drawls. "It might as well be me."

A sudden coldness washes over Hermione, along with realisation. She can't be hearing this right? Snape agreed to kill Dumbledore? And Dumbledore's going to let him?

"No need to look so gloomy, I'm not dead yet," Dumbledore says, far too cheerfully for the mood of the room. He doesn't seem to notice, or mind, as he helps himself to several of McGonagall's fizzing mints.

"Oh Albus, there must be another way." McGonagall says, pleading.

Dumbledore shuffles his sleeve up his arm. It reveals a black and shrivelled hand that looks as if it should be attached to a corpse. "It is too late, I'm afraid. Severus has given me several months more life than I could have hoped for. I am grateful for this extra time, but it must end, and it will be soon. Now, young Malfoy, tell us of your plans so we can figure out how to use them."

Hermione feels like she's walking through thick fog the rest of the day. They stay in Professor McGonagall's office for some time, hearing out Draco's plans and making new ones. But once they have everything they need, Hermione and Draco are dismissed and are forced to go their separate ways to class.

Apparently the 'grown ups' will take care of the plans. It all seems like a dream, like everything has been turned upside down overnight. Hermione walks into Charms class feeling very alone. Everyone is seated already, they all stare as she walks in.

Tears threaten to burst though, but she won't let them, not in front of everyone. Her heart skips a beat when she sees a hand waving in her direction. Neville shuffles along to give her room on his bench. She forces a strained smile and sits down.

Her day continues this way. Whispers and accusations fly around her like rouge snitches. She does her best to ignore them. But by lunch time, it's all too much.

Instead of going to lunch, she sprints to her bedroom. Seeking the sanctuary of her bed and preferring the silent company of Crookshanks.

It's never that simple. As soon as she sits down, thinking herself safe, Lavender and Parvati and there either side of her. Like circling sharks, ready to tear information from her firsthand.

"Is it true then? You and Malfoy?" Lavender asks over-enthusiastically.

Hermione blinks, prepared for accusations and disgust, not girl talk and gossip. She's unsure what's worse. She figures there's no point in hiding it now, the whole school knows already. "Yes, it's true. Though not how we wanted the world to find out."

"I'm sure you didn't." Parvati giggles. The two friends glance at each other with a glint in their eyes.

"So what's he like then?" Lavender asks.

"What do you mean? You already know him," Hermione says.

"No silly! What's he like with his shirt off? He must be hot. I mean, he's a quidditch player. Come on then?" Parvati says.

Hermione isn't sure what to say. Of course he's hot, but it's none of their business. She thinks about the shiny scars that crisscross his body. How she knows every one of them.

"You're thinking about him naked aren't you!" Lavender squeaks. "Who would have thought, goody goody Granger with the biggest bad boy of them all. And here I was thinking you were pining after Ron."

Hermione scrunches up her nose and her cheeks grow warm, she tries to flatten her hair. These girls seem more like vultures than sharks.

"I don't really want to talk about this, in case you hadn't noticed everyone hates me right now."

"Don't worry about them. You're far more interesting now, we can help you out." Parvati says.

"Um thanks guys, I should be okay. I'm just going to hide for a while, avoid Harry for the day." She has no idea what they mean by 'helping her out', and doesn't want to find out.

"So have you slept with him? What's he like in bed?" Parvati asks.

Lavender leans in closer.

It's getting a little too personal, especially for these two. The girls she has lived with for six years and hardly talked to—who are now interested in her love life—no thanks.

If she tells them she has slept with Draco, will they go away? Or will it make things worse? Does she have a book on this somewhere?

"Um—" she starts.

"She has!" Lavender squeals. "I can tell from your eyes you have. It's something Professor Trelawny taught us in divination," she says proudly, Parvati nods and smiles to confirm.

Hermione is quite certain that isn't a real field of divination. "I think I need a rest now. Sorry to cut this short and thank you for checking up on me," she says, trying to sound like she means it.

They take the hint. "Don't worry, Mione, we've got your back! We better get to class. You can ward our room so no one can get in, if you like. Just key it into us so we can get back." With that, they skip out of the room, apparently appeased by her offerings of gossip.

Could this day get any stranger? Hermione flops onto the bed and Crookshanks climbs onto her chest, pinning her down as he goes to sleep. She takes that as a sign to stay in her room.

She wakes up to something prodding her shoulder. "Go away, Crookshanks," she grumbles.

"I am not your cat Miss Granger."

She opens her eyes to see Professor McGonagall standing over her.

"Sorry Professor." She sits upright, suddenly wide awake. "What's happening. I was just…"

"I must get Mr Malfoy to the safe house now. The Order has located his mother and she will meet him there. I ask that you accompany him, as to make the transition a smooth one and for your own safety."

"Yes, of course." Hermione looks around, eyes filled with sleep, wondering what she should be doing. "Where are we going?"

"To the safe house, dear. I suggest you pack as if you were leaving for a while. We are evacuating anyone who may be at risk if our plans go wrong. It's best you are out of the castle."

Hermione nods and begins packing. She isn't sure what the time is. It must nearly be night, judging from the pink glow outside.

"I'll meet you in the common room to leave in ten minutes."

Hermione grabs everything she has and stuffs it into her trunk. Which, like her beaded bag, has a little extra room than one might think. She looks at the map on the nightstand, a surge of guilt tightens her chest.

She scribbles a quick note to Harry, I'm sorry but what I did was the right thing. Draco is a good person, in time I hope you see that. I will always be on your side, Harry. Love Hermione.

She creeps into the boys dormitory, checking on the map first to make sure no one's home. She leaves the map and the note on Harry's bed.

Back in her room she checks everything one last time, closes up her trunk and orders Crookshanks to wake up and follow her.

Hermione clasps her hands together, wringing them nervously. She's only half awake. She can't even levitate her trunk. Like a train, Hermione's trunk follows McGonagall, Hermione follows the trunk and Crookshanks follows Hermione. All the way to the school gate.

Darkness has fallen over the school. The tall trees seem particularly ominous, lit by the faint glow of McGonagall's wand. At the gate, Professor Snape stands with Draco. Hermione's jumbled thoughts become clear when she sees him. The upheaval seems a little easier knowing he's there beside her. He smiles as she walks up to him.

"Do you know where we're going?" she whispers.

"They just said it was an Order safe house, that's all I know."

"Shut it you two!" Snape hisses.

Professor Dumbledore appears with a loud crack, causing Hermione to reach for Draco's arm. She feels him flinch but his face doesn't change.

"Sorry to frighten you." Dumbledore chuckles. "Best of luck to you both and I thank you for your help young Draco." He shakes their hands and nods to both of them. "Well, toddle pip!" He leaves again with a crack.

Hermione and Draco stand there stunned. She wishes, more than ever, she knew what the Order was planning.

"Severus will accompany you to the safe house and get you in. Molly will meet you there. Please stay put and do not interfere with the Order's plans. Off with you now." She holds both of their shoulders for a brief minute, her eyes giving away a hidden sadness. She then turns and marches back up the path. They're left alone in the dark with Snape.

"Miss Granger is already a secret keeper of this house," he turns to face her. Her heart sinks. She hoped they were going somewhere else. "Granger, you will apparate yourself and your belongings to the house. I will side-along Draco and meet you there. You can apparate can't you?" He says with a hint of scepticism.

He knows very well she can. She did her best not to take the bait. "Of course Sir, I believe you were present at my test. I will see you there."

She grabs her trunk. Crookshanks is positioned on top of it. A hand wraps around her arm.

"Be careful, okay?" Draco says. She sees the muscles in his neck strain, his eyes don't blink. He's worried.

"It's okay, I know where we're going. Your mum will be there and it will all be fine." She kisses him on the cheek. He pulls her into a tight hug. She can tell he doesn't want to let go.

"Enough you two. Granger get on with it." Snape barks.

She untangles herself from Draco and squeezes his hand in reassurance. Not looking at him or Snape, she tucks Crookshanks into her jacket and does the zip up tight. Then holding her trunk firmly, she repeats to herself; destination, determination and deliberation.

Pressure blasts her ears and a wave of nausea rushes over her. She opens her eyes to the familiar steps of 12 Grimmauld Place. She checks Crookshanks is in one piece and she still has her limbs and eyes brows. All clear. But she doesn't have a key, she hopes Snape does.

Seconds later Snape and wobbly looking Draco appear on the now crowded steps. Snape does have a key.

Once inside, they dump their trunks in the hallway. Hermione hopes her favourite room overlooking the garden is unoccupied. But you never knew who was staying in the house.

They enter the kitchen to find Molly sitting with Narcissa, chatting over a cup of tea. Hermione isn't sure why she's surprised. All wizarding families know each other. For some reason she never imagined Mrs Weasley knew Mrs Malfoy.

The women see them and are at the door in seconds. Molly squishes Hermione into a warm bear hug. Narcissa is crying as she pulls Draco into her tight grip. Molly holds Hermione at arms length and sighs in relief. "I'm so glad you're okay, dear. I'll make you all tea. Welcome Draco." She adds.

Draco is still in his mother arms. Hermione smiles. He silently mouths help, Hermione shakes her head and beams at him. She can see the tension dissaparating from him already.

"I thank you for the offer of tea, but I mustn't stay. I am needed back at the castle." Snape says.

Narcissa lets Draco go and moves toward Snape, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for bringing me back my son."

Snape nods, patting her shoulder awkwardly, and swoops out of the room.

"Please sit, sit," Narcissa gestures to Draco and Hermione as Molly busies herself in the kitchen. Narcissa's eyes land on Hermione, she's drawn in by her slivery stare. "I hear you are responsible for making my son see sense," she states.

"Mum—" Draco says, glaring at her.

Hermione smiles. She likes this woman. "No, he did that on his own," Hermione says.

"You are too modest, I know a strong woman when I see one. So I thank you. You've saved both of us from a horrible situation I didn't see a way out of."

Molly is peering out the corner of her eye and listening in.

"Well I'm glad you are both safe." Hermione says, not sure what else to say.

They remain in the kitchen chatting and catching up on missed meals. Hermione didn't realise how hungry she was. Molly adds second and third helpings of everything to their plates.

Things get awkward when Molly brings up sleeping arrangements. She's has already prepared most of the bedrooms for guests. Ready for an influx of guests, it seems.

"Is it okay if I take the room with the garden view I stayed in last time?" Hermione asks.

"Of course dear, no one else is here yet so you have the first pick. Draco and Narcissa can stay in the second master bedroom, and the one across the hall. Both lovely rooms."

A look flashes between Draco and Hermione.

"Draco can share my room," Hermione says rapidly.

"Why on earth?—" Molly becomes flustered. Realisation spreads across her face. "No, I don't think that would be appropriate. I never let my children have bedroom guests, unless they are married."

Draco's trying not to laugh. Hermione's glad none of her friends are in the room.

"Oh, come now, Molly. Let's get with the modern times. You need all the rooms you can get, let them share. You know how young people are, they'll do it one way or another."

Hermione blinks in shock at Narcissa. She's on their side. How odd, and even more odd, she seems to be giving them permission to sleep together. She isn't what Hermione had imagined at all.

Molly doesn't agree, instead, ignores the subject and becomes very involved in cleaning up dishes. Hermione wonders who the other rooms are intended for. She decides not to tell Draco who owns the house. Narcissa shoos them off. They don't need telling twice.

They float their trunks up the many stairs. Hermione gives a brief tour of the expansive house on the way.

She stops at their door. Their very own room.

Finally, they can be alone together. It seems unreal. Everything happened so fast. One day they are hiding behind statues, the next day everyone hates her, but she gets to stay with Draco. It's not all bad.

She opens the door and they shove their trunks into the corners. Crookshanks is already asleep on the bed, he storms off angrily when they disturb him.

"You did it Draco, you got out," she says, not quite believing it true. They both sit at the end of the bed, legs touching. He's smiling. She notices how nice his smile is. They gaze at each other for a moment, his smile begins to fade.

"Don't stop," she says. But he's serious again. As if the reality of the situation just set in.

She's aware of every point where their bodies touch. His leg pressing against hers, his hand on her thigh, the point where their shoulders met, leaning into each other. The room is hot.

She swallows. "I wanted to ask you," she says, not looking at him "Are you sure you want me here? I mean, now that you're safe, your mother is safe. You can't exactly leave, so I'd rather you just told me now if you don't want me around all the time."

Draco looks at her in a way that makes her feel stupid. He doesn't answer her. Instead, he leans over and kisses her. He's gentle and tender. The kiss is surprisingly chaste, but causes a new warmth to flow through her. This is different to their stolen moments in classrooms and behind statues. No longer just excitement and passion. This is something else, something more.

He pulls away. There's an unexpected sense of loss, but he tilts her chin toward him and brushes her cheek with his thumb.

"Gods Hermione, I've been doomed since the first time you dragged me into the potions storeroom, and all the other times after. Can you not see it? I wouldn't be here without you, so whether you like it or not you're stuck here with me," he jokes but his eyes are serious.

She smiles. "Remember you said that when we're both stuck here with cabin fever."

"I can think of a few things we can do to pass the time." His wicked smile returns.

"What did you have in mind, Mr Malfoy?" she says, feigning innocence.

"I'll show you." He flicks off his shoes and pulls Hermione onto the bed.

She giggles. "A bed, how luxurious."

"Only the best for m-lady."

She winds her arms around his neck and pulls him down on top of her. Things are finally going their way. He kisses her without restraint.

She pushes the thoughts of Death Eaters, Harry and secret Order plans to the back of her mind. She's going to enjoy this while it lasts.

Authors note- Hi everyone, thanks for reading! If you like the story please leave a review to help others find it.

The next chapter will be next week. Happy reading :)