With his heart racing and his lungs burning for air, Draco stopped a few feet away from Hermione. He could hear the battle going around him, the noise of metal crashing together. Clouds were now covering the sun, and it seemed like summer had been wiped away, letting a gray winter day take over. The trees moved behind him as a cold breeze rolled over the battlefield. The icy sensation reaching his bones and making him shiver. And for the first time in years, he regretted not listening to his father.

After all, he was young and inexperienced. Never had he fought for his life, for his people. Never had he needed to slice his sword over the enemy?

Everything happened in a fraction of a second, before Draco's silver eyes.

Before the sharp blade of the dagger could corrupt Hermione's body, the young woman grabbed the soldier's hand with a swift move. Pushing the man's arm and kneeing him, Hermione pressed the sharp, silver metal directly onto his attacker's jugular. Blood spilled over her face, tainting her pure skin with red liquid.

The man fell backward, letting go of Hermione, pressing his neck, and trying to stop the blood from spilling. The dagger fell to the soft grass under them.

Without even blinking, Hermione grabbed the dagger and kneeled before the man. Her hand raised in the air, before she harshly ran the blade over the soldier's throat, slaughtering him. Blood covered her hands, spilling over her armor, coating the grass with a deep shade of crimson.

And she stood there, knelt before the man she'd just killed, watching him bleed to death.

She looked up, her golden eyes meeting with his. Draco felt his gut clenching when he stared into her eyes. Her soul was burning bright, stronger than ever. But the fire behind her golden irises was not light, it was darkness taking over, controlling her soul. There was no going back. Her hands were now tainted by this man's blood forever. Hermione wiped her face with the back of her hand, smearing the thick, red liquid over her skin.

Slowly she grabbed her sword and stood up, never breaking eye contact with him. And as if nothing had happened, she turned around and ran towards where Sirius was fighting.

Draco clenched the handle of his sword. And as he looked up to the sky a lonely drop hit his face.

It began to rain.

Night fell as Deneb's soldiers surrendered and walked off the field. Tomorrow the Legion would return to Civitas and soldiers were celebrating winning the battle. But Hermione knew better. They hadn't won, the other army simply withdrew from the battlefield. And no one, ever, left something just because. They had bigger plans. Plans for which Aerglo was not prepared.

The dim light of the candle inside the tent flicked, her fingers finishing swathing a boy's, no more than fifteen, arm. The young soldier left, joining his peers outside for a night of awful signing and beer.

"Do you think you have time for me now?" the blond prince asked as he sat before her.

"You're not going to bleed to death," Hermione rolled her eyes but pressed a gauze soaked in water to the small cut over his left eyebrow.

The blood had already dried off, and her cares were a waste of time. But Draco had insisted on waiting for his turn to be healed.

"Did he hurt you?" he mumbled under his breath.

"What?"

"Today, at the battlefield. The man, did he hurt you?"

His silver eyes met hers, and Hermione frowned. "I'm alive as you can see. But then again, it's a battlefield, Master. No one comes out the same."

"No, I suppose not." Draco closed his eyes as she put away the healing equipment. The soldiers may want to stay up all night celebrating a useless battle, but she was more than ready to go to bed.

"I saw your face," he continued. "When you killed him. You just did, not a trace of fear or any hesitation. And you just left, as nothing had happened."

Hermione turned to face him, her back straight, standing at her full height. "Would you have liked me to mourn him? To put on my black long dress and cry into a silk handkerchief as a strong man comforts me? Is that what you expect from me, Master? Because I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't own a black dress and I don't need a man to comfort me."

"I know you don't. You're no lady," he stood up from, taking a step closer to her. "But you were thirsty for blood. I know for a fact that was your first kill, and don't even try to deny it," Draco growled as she opened her mouth. "I remember the first time I killed someone. My hand was shaking, and I didn't know what to expect. Felt horrible the next few weeks."

"I have no fear. I've made mistakes but regret nothing. And I'm not going to start now, Master."

"Why are you calling me that?"

"What?"

"Master!"

Hermione crossed her arms. "Would you prefer 'your Royal Highness' now that you are returning triumphant?"

Draco clenched her shoulders, pushing her down, and shook her violently. "Last night you called me by my name and now you are putting the barrier up again!"

"What barrier? You are insane! Stop!"

Hermione raised her hand in the air and slapped him, hard. His head flinched with the force of the impact. The raw noise numbing her ears as his pale skin turned a deep shade of red where her hand had been.

Her brown eyes opened in surprise, the action still registering in her brain, her mouth opened. This is it, she thought, he has forgiven me many times, but not today, not now. He's throwing me down to the kitchens as soon as we arrive. But maybe that's the best, as I'll far from his crazy wife…

Strong, rough hands grabbed her by the face.

"This is the end Hermione. Don't you understand?" the despair in his voice and eyes took her by surprise, and she tried to step back, but he only held her closer. "Tomorrow, as soon as we enter Civitas, everything as we know it will end. This war is just starting, barely a spark of the fire that is coming our way. Tomorrow I will return as a prince closer to the crown than I've ever been. Winning a battle, expecting a child… Nothing would be the same. And you…"

Draco started laughing, taking a step back to look at her. His eyes out of focus, far away from where they stood. And as he ran his fingers through his platinum hair, Hermione was sure he had finally lost his mind. After all, Sirius had told her that the stress was driving him crazy. Maybe he was not joking.

"You, Hermione, are returning as the first woman to ever fight in a Legion. And you won. You're not lying cold on the ground. You're standing here with all your pride and your beauty like you fucking own the world. Like you can make them obey with a snap of your fingers. Maybe you can."

Again, he took a step closer and Hermione didn't dare to move, not sure where he was going with all this.

"I just wanted to be Draco with you one more time, here, where no one can see us. And pretend I don't even know you tomorrow, keeping everything we've been through as a secret until my last breath."

Draco cupped her cheek, his thumb gently caressing her cheek. Hermione closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. His skin and warmth were something she could recognize with closed eyes, after spending too much time with him.

Outside men roared in laughter. Hermione sighed and turned her face slightly so that her lips were pressing against his palm. "They're fools if they think they've won."

"Maybe we are all fools," Draco whispered and leaned closer.

His soft breath hit her face and his lips were so close to hers that she could practically taste that familiar flavor. But before he could kiss her, she stepped back.

"I won't be able to leave if come back to me. You don't belong here, and I don't belong with you. We've been made to accomplish our destinies, and I'm afraid I'm not part of yours. Goodbye, Draco," she whispered, walking out of the tent as her heart clenched inside her chest and a lonely tear rolled down her cheek, disappearing into the grass.

They returned triumphant, people in the streets greeting them as they marched towards the palace. The images of his people screaming his name like he was some god haunted his dreams. Now that it was clear that war was one breath away from them, everyone seemed interested in hearing what he had to say. People were treating Draco as if he was the new King as if his father no longer existed and it was creating more tension between Draco and Lucius with every passing day.

The sound of the tea being served brought him back to the present. He looked up and watched Hermione carefully as she filled his cup. She was back into her Lady duties, wearing the backless blue dresses as the heat of summer got worse. Those dammed-backless dresses exposed her kissable skin for everyone to see. Ever since that night, they had only spoken when it was completely necessary, Hermione avoiding him at all cost, especially when he was with Astoria.

"Thanks, little flower," his uncle Sirius said in an overly sweet tone and Hermione rolled her eyes, holding back a smile.

Astoria was sitting next to Draco, rubbing her still flat stomach and talking about how wonderful it was for her to be pregnant and how good it would be for the Kingdom to have an heir. But the men at the table were far more preoccupied with the thickness of the air, and the lingering feeling that war was coming.

"One of the captured soldiers said that they were prepared for us to attack, that's why they were so quick," Theo rubbed his temple.

"We were not going to attack, that was our last resource," Remus shook his head.

Draco stood up, exasperated. The heat in the room was unbearable. "That's not the point!" he roared. Everyone turned to look at him, Astoria holding her cup mid-sip, the Ladies standing like statues, and the men he trusted astonished. "It doesn't matter if they got the information wrong. If they were expecting us exactly where we were, it was because someone leaked information!" he spat through clenched teeth.

"But the plans were in your office, nephew! How could they get a hold of them?" Sirius looked directly into his eyes.

"I can count the people allowed into my office with my fingers. God, forbid I found the intruder is in this room. I'll have you skinned alive."

With that Draco left the room. Hermione turned to Lord Potter, and he just sipped his cup. He didn't need to say a word. His eyes clearly said stay out of this. Ginny softly pushed her and Hermione blinked twice, before quickly cleaning up the table.

"What are you doing here?" Draco whispered. He was standing by the window, looking at the darkness of the night that covered his kingdom.

"I just wanted to know how you are doing, Master."

Hermione entered the room, softly closing the door behind her. She walked to stand next to him, looking out the window.

"You are worried."

"Of course, I am. Thousands of lives depend on me, there's a spy within my walls and in less than nine months I'll become a father and king."

"Six."

Draco turned to face her. "What?"

"Six months. Your wife is around three months pregnant, give or take."

"God…" he exhaled. "You don't happen to know who is betraying me?"

Hermione remembered the couple of times she had caught Lord Potter in compromising positions. But she had no proof, and if she was wrong, she was going to pay. And surely her master wouldn't be happy to know she had seen something and not told him immediately. But if Lord Potter was indeed the spy, she was going to be punished for concealing information. She would be a traitor.

"No, Master. I spend all my time around you, so I know as much as you do. The other things I've told you are rumors the maids whisper."

"I know you will never betray me," he moved her hair and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. Her Master's gray eyes staring directly into hers. "I know it's risky, and I'm asking for too much… But please don't go. I'll need you more than ever in the next months."

She hated him, for being mean, for putting her in this situation, for playing with her feelings. But she loved him. Twisted and ugly kind of love. She knew she wouldn't survive to tell the story, but careless and reckless she kissed him. Because she was going to be next to him when the kingdom burned down.

After deciding that the kingdom was at risk, her Master decided that meetings were only to happen with the five men that were involved. No maids, no Ladies, no guards. Only the five of them behind closed doors.

That gave Hermione plenty of time to roam the castle, keeping an eye on everything, smoothly extracting things from conversations. But nothing new came. No one knew anything that wasn't already known or suspected.

"Where are you going?" She stopped one of the maids that were walking towards Lord Potter's chamber. "Lord Potter is in the prince's office."

"Oh, I know Lady Hermione! I'm just delivering his late afternoon letter," the girl was no older than twelve.

"Of course. You deliver them always?" she smiled, walking along with the girl.

"Yes, Lady! Every two days just before the sun sets."

The girl opened the door to Lord Potter's office and left the sealed letter over the desk. Why was he receiving letters at such a specific time?

"You better go down to complete your chores."

"Yes, sure Lady, good afternoon."

The girl hurried away and Hermione was left alone in the office. She knew if someone walked in right now it would be the end. The envelope was sealed and opening it would show an intruder's presence. If it was a letter containing his treason to the crown surely, he would be more careful than to leave it where anyone would find it.

She opened one of the drawers, and scanned the papers. The letters were written in some code of figurative speech. None of them made sense.

After the sun dies… The fall of the apple… Unifying the sky…

"What are you doing?"

Hermione quickly turned around to find Ginny standing by the door.

"Nothing, just grabbing some papers for my Master."

Ginny just stared at her.

Hermione discretely closed the drawer and laid a blank piece of paper on top of the envelope on the desk. "But I guess I could ask you the same."

"Please," the redhead rolled her eyes. "I asked where you were and one of the guards told me he saw you coming here. There's something you need to hear for yourself, you won't believe me if I tell you."

They exited Potter's office, closing the door. Ginny grabbed her by the hand and rushed through the halls until they were in her Master's wing, stopping outside Astoria's tea room.

"The three Greengrass Ladies are in there. Astoria, Daphne, and their mother. You need to hear it."

Looking both ways, Ginny quickly disappeared, before a guard saw her. Hermione stood outside the door, and softly pressed her to hear to the small gap.

"… I'll probably just fall down the stairs," Astoria laughed.

"Don't be stupid, it was to be believable. But not concerning enough to make the Prince doubt your ability to produce an Heir."

The oldest Lady Greengrass sounded displeased.

"Please, mom. The physician can lie about anything, just see how easy was to convince everyone of my pregnancy! The queen is elated, and Draco is too."

"Yeah, sure," Hermione could almost hear Daphne rolling her eyes.

"Of course, he is! He's just busy with all that spy and war stuff."

"If you don't have something intelligent to say, don't speak Astoria," her mother responded. "You have to be useful to your husband, or at least not be a burden, or you will be kicked out as soon as you give him an heir."

"Mom is right. Everyone knows that little bitch has him wrapped around her finger."

Daphne stood up, and before Hermione could move away, opened the door.

The shocked expression of Astoria told Hermione everything she needs to know. She needed to reach her Master. Without saying anything she turned around and began running to her Master's office.

"Stop, whore!" Astoria yelled, running after her.

But Hermione was way ahead. She had to tell Draco before Astoria had a chance to trap him.

Astoria's steps stopped sounding, and Hermione turned to see her. Standing at the edge of the staircase she screamed, "Hermione, no!" before throwing herself down the stairs.

Hermione heard the creak of the cell opening, but she was too tired to open her eyes. A pair of arms dragged her up and pushed her out. "Hurry." The guard opened one of the doors leading to the stairs.

They had thrown her into one of the dungeons as soon as Astoria hit the floor. No food, no water. She had lost the concept of time, as no sunlight reached down there. Her back was aching as a result of the intense lashing. She had spent her time down there throwing up the non-existent contents of her stomach. Her head was pounding, maybe they had hit her too. She wasn't sure. The guards basically dragged her around the castle.

"… because I said no! I'm your future king! You have to follow my orders!"

"I'm sorry your Highness, but the Queen gave explicit orders."

"Oh, shut up! So, you punished her and now your men say that she didn't push Astoria. That my wife tripped on her own!"

"Oh, God."

She recognized Sirius's voice. The room went silent. She tried to focus her eyes, but the light was too bright.

Strong hands held her up, and she could form out Sirius's face. "My little flower," he whispered.

She tried to smile but her stomach turned, acid liquid spilling out her mouth before she passed away.

"You are Hermione's friend, aren't you?" Draco called the redhead.

"Yes, Sir."

She left the tray she was carrying over the table.

"How is she doing?"

Ginny squinted at him.

"I believe you ought to be more concerned for your wife, she had a miscarriage after all. Now, if you'll excuse me."

She turned for the door.

"If I want to know something, you have the obligation to tell me," Draco stood up, taking a couple of steps towards her.

"Well, Sir, if you want to know Hermione hasn't stopped vomiting, her fever is getting worse and her back is no better. The physician said she probably got sick down there, that he can't do anything for her."

Hermione was going to die? He felt the weight of his world settling on his chest.

"Your wife must be so happy, Sir. She finally accomplished what she wanted."

With that Ginny left the room, leaving him standing there.

The commotion following Astoria's fall shook the whole castle. Daphne screaming that Hermione had pushed Astoria down the stairs. Guards dragging Hermione down the hall while she cried she was innocent. I didn't do it! Draco, it wasn't me! But he couldn't stop the guards because all his fingers were pointed at her. He explicitly told everyone no punishment was due until after they had information about what happened.

The physician confirmed Astoria had a miscarriage. He spent all next three days by her side, hearing her complain about the pain. Now he had no heir, no right hand, and no strategy. His office felt so empty without Hermine, but none of the guards wanted to retell the events. Until one approached Sirius and told him that he didn't want any trouble, but that Lady Hermione had not pushed Astoria.

Draco couldn't bear remembering how they had brought Hermione into his uncle's chamber, the sight of her almost unconscious and in pain. But, even if he ached to see Hermione, to check she was still breathing, Sirius had told him it was better to leave Hermione alone. The "accident" didn't quite fit well with him, and it was better to keep the poor girl out of Astoria's reach for the time being.

Two days later, Draco was having dinner with his family. Everyone telling Astoria not to worry and that soon she would be having a beautiful baby. Astoria sighted and relished the pity of others. How disgusting. Too bad it was too late to annul their marriage.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the redhead enter the room. Hermione's friend. He stared at her, as she approached his uncle Sirius and whispered in his ear. With a shocked expression, he stood up and followed the read head out of the dining room, without any explanation.

Lord Potter also stared at Sirius, until his eyes came to meet Draco's, and took a sip of his wine.

Hey everyone! After so many years I've decided to continue. Hope you like it :) sorry for the extra long chapter. See you soon.

Please comment your ideas and opinions, I love reading you 3 Have a nice day