Draco had woken up early, carefully slipping out from under Granger's sleeping form and sneaking out to get Hermione breakfast before his surprise for today. He hummed happily as he sat down in the Great Hall, piling things that appeared at the table onto a plate for her. Draco couldn't believe that it was possible to feel as unencumbered as when he drank that potion just over a week ago. Yet, this week had been the best one he'd had in years. Consciously he knew his time with Hermione couldn't last, so he was adamant to make their final few days the best possible. Since it was New Years Eve, he planned to show her the best places in the castle and on the grounds. Then, they'd watch the fireworks together in the quidditch stands before starting the new year with a midnight kiss. Just as he'd finished compiling the plate, an owl dropped a letter off in front of him.

His humming abruptly cut off when he saw the handwriting on the letter. "Mother," Draco muttered aloud, dropping the plate with a loud clatter and snatching the letter. He tore it open to read, thankful to finally hear from her.

My dearest Draco,

All is well. I hope you had a good Christmas. My trip was lovely, though I missed you desperately. I hope your New Years is going well.

With love,

Mother

Draco sighed, wishing this was actually all she had to say. But magic hummed under his fingers, the true letter warded by blood magic. He stood quickly and ran to the nearest lavatory, locking the door with the flick of his wand. He pricked his finger with a spell and let his blood drop onto the letter. The words scattered and disappeared to show another message, written in a shakier hand.

My dearest Draco,

Your father and I are well, but are both worried about you. We will be hosting a guest when we return from this trip. Your actions concerning your assignment will dictate how the stay goes. Please do not delay - all I want is for you to be safe. Talk to Snape if you need help, he can be trusted. Be careful.

With love,

Mother

Draco read the message again before flipping the parchment over to see if she'd said anything else, desperate for more information. His mother's handwriting was a point of feminine pride and the messy scrawl from her underlined the gravity of her message. As he sprinted to the seventh floor, he thought about his mother's words with each heaving breath. The implication had been clear: if he didn't get back on task, the Dark Lord, now staying at his home, would make his parents pay for his delay. He tried to ask for the Room of Hidden things as he got to the right spot, but his mind was racing too much to think clearly and his mouth was dry with panic. Finally taking a few deep breaths, he was able to call up the room. As he diagnosed and tinkered with the cabinet, intrusive thoughts popped into his head. His mother bleeding out on the floor of Malfoy Manor's entryway. His father suffering under the Cruciatus curse. The cold embrace of death at Dumbledore's hand. But for the first time visions of Hermione popped into his head. Hermione being tortured by Greyback, Hermione's dead body at the feet of the Dark Lord, Hermione begging for her life before being snuffed out by a jet of green light. His stomach turned at every image that his brain invented and he hurried to work faster, cursing himself for recklessly adding another person to the list of people now in danger because of his actions.

Draco wasn't sure how long he'd been there when he heard a knock on the door. Sure he'd imagined it, he turned back to the cabinet. The knock came again a few seconds later, this time louder and more insistent. Draco debated his next course of action quickly, wondering if one of the professors saw him come in. He tried to still himself, reasoning that this room held many things and there was nothing suspicious about a cabinet on its own. He schooled his features as he he walked to the door.

When he opened it, he was immediately met with a mess of curls. "Granger? How did you know I was here?"

"I followed you up here the other day," she said as she pushed past him and looked around. "Well, this certainly was not what I expected."

"You followed me?" Draco asked hollowly.

"Of course. I knew you were in trouble," Hermione said as though it was the simplest thing in the world. As she continued to poke around the room and lift things to peek around, Draco felt anger spark. "If we had more time, I'm sure I would've worked everything out on my own, but I was worried you'd be doing something drastic and I couldn't risk it. Are you okay?"

"Is that what this has been then? You spying on me for Potter?" Draco spat at her, irritated that she'd be so casual about deceiving him. "Just a lie?"

"What? Absolutely not!" Hermione stopped and turned to look at him. "Look, I can see something is wrong, just please tell me," Hermione pleaded, her big brown eyes staring up at him. Draco said nothing and backed away from her, running his hands through his hair. He wanted to make her leave, but knew she wouldn't. Instead he settled on glaring at her.

Hermione sighed, staring back at him. While he knew he was radiating anger, she was calm, watching him and waiting. Eventually she spoke. "You're right about one thing. I did lie to you," she said quietly, still looking at him. Draco stiffened. "About my parents. I mean, you'd have to be hiding under a rock not to see where things are going. There will be a war, and soon. My parents are muggles, so they are totally defenseless," Hermione said, speaking quickly, as though she knew if she slowed down she would stop. "And what did you call me on Christmas Eve? Potter's secret keeper? My proximity to Harry makes them a potential target. So I performed a memory charm on them, erasing myself from their memory. They are in another country now, with no idea they have a daughter," she finished, her croaking voice betraying her peaceful demeanor.

"You did what?" Draco asked, his voice barely audible. He slid onto the floor and sat silently for a few minutes, processing. To cut yourself from the life of someone you love - Draco could now see clearly why she wasn't placed in Ravenclaw. "Is it reversible?"

"I - I don't know," Hermione said in a hoarse voice. "But even if it isn't they will be alive. We all do what we have to for the people we love," Hermione said, her eyes watering. "Just like I think you're doing."

Draco dropped his face into his hands and scrubbed them, trying his hardest not to cry. He wanted to cry for her and her loss, cry for him and his parents, cry for the inevitability of their situation. Only three people had ever seen him truly cry in his adult life: his mother, Theo, and his house elf Tippy. He desperately did not want to add Hermione to that list. He felt a small hand on his shoulder.

"Draco, you're not alone," Hermione said softly, rubbing her hand in circles on his shoulder. "Let me help you." He lifted his head to see her crouching across from him, her expression twisted into concern for him.

"I was tasked to do something I don't want to do. But I am doing it for my parents," Draco gritted out, sure he was condemning her to a painful death with each word.

"What is it? I assume this is an order from Voldemort." Draco tried not to wince as she said the name.

"I - I'm meant to kill Dumbledore," he said before dropping his head into his hands again.

"You? You're meant to kill one of the greatest wizards alive?"

Draco scoffed at her disbelief and narrowed his eyes at her. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"I see. So, what?" Hermione asked, angry now. "If you try and fail, Dumbledore kills you in self-defense. If you succeed, the Dark Lord has eliminated a major player." Hermione paused, the pieces falling together. "And if you refuse, he kills your parents?" Her eyes searched his, though he wasn't sure for what. "Oh Draco," she whispered softly, the pity bleeding into his name in a way that made him want to explode at her. Instead she kept talking. "Something in this room is meant to help you murder our headmaster then?"

"My project - repair the cabinet, allow the Dark Lord's followers into the castle," he said, pointing to the vanish cabinet behind them. Hermione stood and circled the cabinet, studying it. She kneeled to look below it before knocking on each of the sides. Draco watched as she opened and shut the door several times before speaking up. Even thought she looked completely bonkers, he couldn't find it in himself to smile at her strange behavior.

"Granger, if you chew your bottom lip anymore, it'll come clean off," Draco said, quirking an eyebrow at her. He had no idea what she could say or do now to make this situation any better.

"Draco, do you trust me?" Hermione asked, door still open in her hand.

"Yes," he said immediately, surprising himself at how readily he answered.

"Good," she said, smiling as she slammed the door. "I need to leave. Stay here."

"No, I'm not letting you go anywhere alone right now," Draco stood to block her exit.

"Fine." She sidestepped him and kept walking with a purpose. "Coming?"

The pair walked silently until they reached a door he'd never been to before. When Hermione knocked, she reached out and squeezed his hand. The mystery door opened nearly immediately to reveal a frowning Professor McGonagall.

"Miss Granger...and Mister Malfoy? This is unexpected." Her gaze bounced between them before dropping to and pausing on their interlocked hands. "What do you need?" Professor McGonegall asked Hermione directly, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Professor, we need to talk to you and Professor Dumbledore immediately," Hermione said urgently, a desperation in her voice that Draco hadn't heard before.

"What is this concerning?" Professor asked stiffly, now looking at Draco.

"I'm afraid we can't tell you until we get to the headmaster's office," Hermione said, straightening up. Draco watched the two women maintain eye contact until the older witch gave a slight nod.

"Follow me. This is most unusual Miss Granger." Draco counted the steps to Dumbledore's office, wondering if he was counting his way to the gallows, handing himself over to be hung with a rope of his and Hermione's own making. After a whispered "Acid Pops" and a set of stairs, the headmaster looked at the three of them expectantly from his desk, as though he knew they'd been coming.

"Hello Minerva, Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy. Lemon drop?" The old man gestured to the bowl of candies on his desk.

"No, thank you sir," Hermione said politely with a tight smile. "I'm afraid this is urgent." Draco opened and closed his fists several times as she talked. Surely her plan couldn't be to just tell the headmaster he was meant to kill him? That would mean certain death, or at least time in Azkaban while the Dark Lord murdered his parents in retaliation. "Before we can tell you anything, we need to make an Unbreakable Vow. I thought you and I could make it, with Professor McGonagall overseeing."

"My word," McGonagall exclaimed, her hand flying to her chest.

"I know it sounds extreme, but a binding agreement is of the utmost importance. I've read about the vow before and I believe it is the only way to ensure total compliance."

"And what would that vow be?" Dumbledore asked calmly.

"I can't tell you until you agree." Draco watched Dumbledore purse his lips at Hermione's terse response.

"Miss Granger, I can't commit use both to potential death blindly. You may speak vaguely, if you must." Hermione looked at Draco, setting her jaw. He tried to signal to her to keep her mouth shut by widening his eyes, but she turned back to the old wizard instead.

"To protect Draco and do what is in your power to help his parents escape their current situation," Hermione said quickly. Draco considered how far he'd make it if he ran now. The floo in Dumbledore's office was open. He just needed to make it a few steps and throw the powder in. He could go to the manor, close the floo, and wait for his mother to return. Perhaps they could flee the country together. Just as he'd convinced himself to move, Dumbledore spoke.

"I don't need to make an unbreakable vow to do that, Miss Granger."

"You may change your mind when you hear the circumstances," Draco muttered, doubtful that Dumbledore would do anything to help him, let alone his parents.

"How are we meant to completely trust you then?" Hermione tilted her chin at Dumbledore defiantly. Draco could not recall an instance of Hermione speaking this way to any teacher before.

"Am I to understand that this is in regards to Draco's mission to kill me?" Dumbledore asked as he popped a lemon drop into his mouth. The room was eerily silent. Draco felt all the air sucked from his lungs, suddenly dizzy. He could see Hermione's face reflect her brain working quickly to calculate her next move. "I had thought maybe," Dumbledore said, a small smirk playing at his lips. The noise of the floo broke the stifling quiet of the room, drawing the attention of everyone in the office. Professor Snape entered the room, brushing the soot off his black billowing robes, and Draco's breathing hitched.

"I've just killed them," he whispered, causing Hermione to turn sharply towards him. He could feel the bile in his throat, his knees so weak he was sure they'd give out.

"What?" Hermione demanded. Draco could only shake his head and look at his feet. He cursed himself for being so idiotic as to trust a Gryffindor, to think anyone could help him out of this.

"Minerva, can you escort Miss Granger out? We need to have a word with Draco alone."

"No, I'll be staying," Hermione said firmly, looking pointedly at Draco.

"It's okay, Hermione," Draco said, finally finding his voice. "You go. Thank you," he added with a grim grin, his best attempt to reassure her. But Draco knew he was really saying goodbye to her. She wavered, unsure if she should leave. He nodded again at her and she sighed, walking towards the door. Hermione looked over her shoulder before she disappeared down the stairs and he committed the sight of her to memory, sure it was the last time he'd see her face. Draco memorized the curve of her pink lips and the worried crease between her dark eyebrows. But it was her eyes that he wanted to remember most - the chestnut eyes that he saw in the dark when he closed his own, the warm eyes that could now melt even his frostiest moods. When he could no longer see the back of her head, he gulped and turned to see the two older wizards observing him.

"The girl then?" Snape finally addressed him as they heard the door at the bottom of the stairs close. He studied Draco intensely, his usually monotone voice taking an incredulous tone. Draco gave him a single sharp nod, not trusting himself to speak.

"Remind you of someone else you know Severus?" Dumbledore asked the other man with a smile, a knowing look in his eye. Draco wondered what that comment meant, but couldn't dwell on it. "You have my word that you are safe here. We want nothing but to help you."

"My mother," Draco started, looking at Snape. "Severus, please. I can't not fulfill my mission. He will kill her."

"Truth be told, we've been working to figure out a loophole. Half the job has already been done for you," Dumbledore said as he pulled up his sleeve to reveal a blackened hand. "Severus, sit. I believe the three of us have much to discuss."

In the hallway below, Hermione paced back and forth in front of the headmaster's door. After what felt like hours, the door finally creaked open and the tall wizard stepped through, ducking his head in the doorframe. Draco looked at her with a blank expression, one foot out of the door.

"So?" Hermione finally asked, irritated that she'd needed to prompt him.

"We have a plan, but I'm not sure you'll like it," Draco said quietly. "Come with me." Hermione followed him silently, wondering where he'd be taking her and why he was prolonging this torture. He stopped her in front of the Room of Requirement and opened the door. Instead of a crowded room, full of junk, Hermione was pleasantly shocked by the cozy room they entered. Lined with full bookshelves, this room had a comfortable looking couch in front of a roaring fireplace. Draco reached out for her hand and led her to the couch. Once they were sitting facing each other, he took a deep breath. "They knew this whole time. Snape is apparently not as loyal to the Dark Lord as I thought. He made an unbreakable vow to my mother to protect me already, to help me carry out my mission. You see, Dumbledore is already dying," Draco paused as though to watch her reaction. Hermione's hands flew unconsciously to her mouth in surprise, but she kept quiet, knowing if she interrupted now it would prolong the full explanation."They want me to continue to play along to buy time to figure out how to get my mother out. With his vow and Dumbledore's condition, Snape will kill Dumbledore and I will disappear when it happens, supposedly killed in action. Snape will hide me in the castle and figure out how to protect my mother and I from there."

"Will your mom know you're alive?" Hermione asked first, thinking of her own parents.

"Snape is trying to figure out how to let her know without putting her in danger. She is not an occlumens," Draco said. "But I know how deeply he cares for her. I do trust that he'll help her."

"And us?" Hermione couldn't help but ask.

"We stop. When people come back," Draco said solemnly. Hermione felt her heart sink, though the logical part of her brain was yelling in agreement with Draco's plan. "For now," Draco added, taking her hands. Hermione nodded, questions and ideas swirling in a jumble in her mind.

"What are you thinking about?" Draco asked her. The question caught her by surprise, given how rarely she heard it. Most of her friends actively avoided asking, knowing it was a dangerous question with Hermione.

"I'm thinking of altering the Protean Charm to jewelry so we can still communicate safely. I'm also wondering where in the castle they'd hide you that would be truly hidden and if it wouldn't be smarter to get you out of the country. I'd also like to know what exactly Dumbledore is dying from as another loss will break Harry. And if Snape is a spy, how will he keep your secret?"

"Of course, I should have known better than to ask," Draco said, a laugh escaping him for the first time since yesterday. He squeezed her hands twice. "Although the charm is a clever idea. I don't know if I could go long without talking to you now."

"Me either," Hermione said, squeezing him back.

"Thank you for today. For saving me from my task." Draco said softly, a weight he'd been carrying for months finally lifting off his shoulders.

"You saved yourself, Draco," she whispered, slipping her arms around his neck and relaxing into him. He circled her waist and pulled her closer. They sat like that, just embracing, for a long time. "This is never how I would have pictured ending my year," Hermione murmured into his neck.

"That's right. New Years," Draco said into her hair before pulling back to look at her. "Let's hope next year is better than this one." Hermione gave him a small smile.

"Would you like to go up to the Astronomy Tower to watch the fireworks? I believe they bought Weasley whiz-bangs, it will be a good show," Hermione offered, though she knew the emotional exhaustion clear on her face sold out the forced cheer she tried to ask the question with.

"No, I'd rather stay here with you," Draco said, pulling her closer again. Hermione delighted in the comfort of his embrace and the warmth of his chest on her cheek.

"What about tomorrow? And when people get back?"

"We will deal with tomorrow tomorrow," Draco said simply, clearly unwilling to let his mind wander. Hermione wondered how he could compartmentalize like this and decided to offer her favorite advice: outlining a plan to combat the stress of the unknown.

"Well we could start pl-"

"Not tonight, ok? I know your giant brain is working at an absurd speed on how to fix all this, but can we just leave it? Let's let this be perfect, just for tonight." Draco sounded stern as he said it, so Hermione sighed and stretched out, leaning into him. Soon she felt sleep pulling on her eyelids, and while she wanted to fight it so she could stay up with Draco to welcome the new year, it overcame her.

Draco peered down at Hermione's sleeping form, going over the past few weeks and how different his future looked. When break started, he was sure he or his parents wouldn't live to see the end of the next term. Instead, Draco was on the precipice of change. As he looked at the witch sleeping peacefully wrapped up in his arms, he knew he was making the right choice.

A/N: Only the epilogue left now! It'll be up shortly after I post this :) What started as something that was meant to be simple Christmas fluff turned into something I could have written countless chapters about. I am playing with the idea of another fic with a similar setup, but focusing on the fallout of Draco shifting sides (aka the rest of 6th and 7th year). Let me know if that is of interest!