A/N: Here's chapter 16. I finally managed to get an update up a little faster. It's a little longer than usual. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: All rights to J.K. Rowling for any material used from Harry Potter.
Chapter 16 – Unexpected Arrivals
Hermione watched the rain trickle down the window. For once she was tuning out Professor Binns' endless droning, and instead she stared glumly at the overcast grounds. The mood at the castle had taken a turn for the worse. It seemed Hermione had somehow overlooked the security increase at the castle in her despair over Draco's absence. But with his return, the Ministry Officials stationed at every entrance and secret passage finally drew her attention.
Hermione felt trapped. She knew Harry and Ron were out there somewhere and she longed to be with them. Her role as a spy felt like a charade. She could not even keep her secret from Draco. Why would the Dark Lord believe that she had changed? At some point Hermione realized her entire life felt flat at the moment. In reality, she knew it would feel fake until she was back with Harry and Ron and could be herself freely.
Her relationship with Draco was real, but they had barely seen each other lately and Hermione found herself withdrawing back into her old habits. She spent every free moment at the library forcing herself to study for her N.E. and continuing her old search on Horcruxes in secret. Even Professor McGonagall had noticed the change in her and authorized her use of the Restricted Section without question.
Hermione was scandalized one night when Madam Pince started ushering students out of the library at eight o'clock. She packed up her books and spare parchment angrily. She heard angry mutters from some Ravenclaws nearby. Unfortunately, Madam Pince heard them too.
"Out!" She whispered fiercely. "The library will be closing early for the rest of term."
"Where are we supposed to study," Hermione heard Michael Corner whining and she could not help but agree with him.
"I suggest your Common Room," Madam Pince said. "The library will be undergoing checks after closing, anyone lingering will be dealt with by the Ministry Officials." As soon as Hermione was out of the library she noticed the Ministry security team nearby, ready to punish the smallest violation.
Hermione hurried back to the Gryffindor Common Room. There was nowhere else to go. Officials walked the halls, any spare classrooms were locked, and the Great Hall was locked and guarded after dinner. The Common Room was rowdier than usual when Hermione arrived. She noticed Ginny and Neville first, tucked into their usual corner accompanied by Dean Thomas who was ranting angrily. Then she saw the commotion by the dreaded notice board. It was an official Ministry of Magic notification.
ATTENTION ALL HOGWARTS STUDENTS
Any students registered with a Muggleborn or Halfblood status must undergo a ministry administered magical standards examination. This testing will occur prior to regular end of year exams (including O. and N.E. ). Any students who do not meet Ministry of Magic standards must attend mandatory training sessions led by a Ministry approved instructor. Alecto Carrow has been appointed Ministry Standards Representative for Hogwarts, and as such is in charge of any and all training sessions.
Students who do not pass the additional training sessions will be expelled from Hogwarts and his or her wand will be confiscated and destroyed. Said students will be banned from practicing magic and from the Wizarding community.
Hermione stared gob smacked at the injustice in front of her. She was no longer surprised at the obvious attack on Muggleborns, she just could not believe that they could inflict that kind of punishment. She held her wand protectively under her robes. She was pretty sure she would be protected by her position as a (sort of) Death Eater. She was glad the Easter long weekend was coming up; it would give her time to study. Not that she was concerned with not meeting Ministry standards, but she did not want any trouble from either of the Carrows. Her last thought as she fell asleep was that Muggleborns could do magic just as well as Purebloods.
The Entrance Hall was unrecognizable when Hermione went down to breakfast the next morning. It had been completely transformed with spotlights, red curtains, and Hermione thought she saw one of those muggle boxes used to cut people in half during magic shows. Students looked confused and bemused as they waited for the Great Hall to be announced clear by the Ministry Officials. The D.A. had used that to their advantage, Hermione noted proudly.
"Good Morning Hogwarts!" Dean Thomas's voice echoed through the Entrance Hall. He appeared on the stage a moment later, decked out in a cape and top hat. Hermione wanted to laugh along with the other students, but she kept glancing at the doors to the Great Hall, waiting for the Ministry Officials to catch them. Dean proceeded to demonstrate all sorts of 'magic tricks' and Hermione was impressed at some of the N.E.W.T level enchantments he executed perfectly.
The show lasted an impressive five minutes before the Ministry security team stormed out of the Great Hall and straight for Dean. Hermione noticed other members of the DA casting tripping jinxes and body-binding curses that slowed them down, but they still managed to overtake Dean and grab his wand. Ginny and Neville started openly firing spells at them. Hermione clenched her fists, forcing herself not to react as Neville was Stunned and Ginny was hit with a Confundus Charm and was bound with rope during her confusion. The three of them were taken out of the hall by about half of the Ministry wizards, while the remainder cleared students into the Great Hall and returned the Entrance Hall to its normal appearance.
Draco appeared at Hermione's side as they were herded into the Great Hall. She wanted to look back, but she knew there was nothing she could do for Ginny, Neville, or Dean. Hermione ignored him. He did not understand what Dean was going through as a Muggleborn, nor did he understand fighting for a worthy cause, she thought bitterly. Hermione admired his survival instincts, but she knew there were things and people worth dying for. Draco surprised her though and did not bring up the spectacle they just witnessed.
"I thought you should know that we are expected at the Manor for Easter," he said.
"I was planning to stay here and study for my Ministry Standards testing," Hermione said. She knew most of the student body would be doing that because of the severe punishment for those who failed.
"You won't be getting tested," Draco said, looking at her in surprise. "After our Marriage Vow was complete the Ministry began the process of changing all of your records to comply with your new Pureblood status." Hermione nodded, but did not reply, feeling guilty about her bitter thoughts.
"Hermione," he said, grabbing her arm tenderly, "being a Pureblood doesn't define who you are." His comment surprised her, and as Hermione sat down to her breakfast, she realized she was being unfair to Draco. She could not take out her frustrations on him. If anyone understood her difficult position it was Draco.
Apart from the crackling of the fire in the hearth, and the scratching of his quill, Lucius's study was blissfully silent. Draco and Hermione had arrived the night prior for the Easter weekend, and Draco, claiming exhaustion, asked for him and Hermione to be excused from breakfast that morning. The blush in Hermione's cheeks when he saw them slipping into Draco's room gave away their true intentions.
Lucius was pleased at this development. He did not like the girl, but Draco seemed to – and despite what many people thought, his son's happiness did matter to him. More importantly, he knew that all of their lives still depended on her commitment to the Dark Lord. He wondered about her true intentions, but as long as they convinced the Dark Lord that she was his faithful servant, that was all that mattered to Lucius. She could deal with any lingering attachments she had to Potter on her own.
Lucius cast aside his quill and frowned at the breakfast tray still on his desk. The elves would need to be more efficient. The Dark Lord had arranged training for the new recruits to be held at the manor, and nothing could go amiss. With a snap of his fingers an elf appeared.
"How can Farley serve you, Mister Malfoy?" the elf squeaked.
"This tray has been left here for over an hour," Lucius said, sneering down at the elf. "This type of service is unacceptable. Important business for the Dark Lord will be held at the manor this weekend, and mistakes will not be tolerated. You will inform the other elves of this."
"Yes, Mister Malfoy," the elf said, quaking with terror. "How should Farley punish 'imself for displeasing you master?"
"Hmmm," Lucius said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. His eyes fell upon the dying embers in the fireplace. "You will clear away the hot coals in the fire and light a fresh one." Lucius paused, as the elf immediately grabbed the tongs by the fireplace, and added, "You won't be needing those."
"Yes master," the elf said in a barely audible voice, and kneeled by the fireplace to collect the hot coals with his bare hands. Lucius left his study to the sound of the elf's whimpers. The door had just clicked shut behind him, when he was bombarded by his wife in the corridor.
"Lucius," her voice was a quiet hiss, and he knew at once something was wrong. "The Dark Lord has just arrived," she whispered. She grabbed hold of his arm, her nails pinching into his flesh. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have prepared something…" He ignored the rest of her rant. The Dark Lord rarely made spontaneous visits, and when he did nothing favourable ever came out of it.
"Clearly I did not tell you because I did not know, Narcissa," he replied. "Where is he?"
"The sitting room," Narcissa said. She loosened her grip on his arm giving it a reassuring squeeze before heading in the opposite direction. "I'll arrange for tea to be sent in." Lucius walked briskly to the sitting room, only stopping to adjust his robes before entering. The Dark Lord was standing at the window when Lucius arrived.
"My Lord," Lucius said, "I was not expecting you."
"Are you displeased to see me, Lucius?" Voldemort hissed.
"No at all, my Lord," Lucius responded quickly. "It is always an honor to serve you. What is it you wished to discuss with me?"
"As you know, training of our valiant new recruits will begin tomorrow evening," Voldemort began. "I will not be attending, however Bellatrix will assist you in leading it. The recruits have already been stationed in the village." Lucius nodded, silently, waiting for the Dark Lord to tell him what he was truly there for.
"Now I am sure you are wondering the real reason for my visit," Voldemort said, as if he had read Lucius's mind, which he probably had. "It appears we have a surplus of recruits for training, and I would like to offer you and Bellatrix some additional assistance."
"Thank you my Lord," Lucius said, "although I'm sure Bellatrix and I could manage." Lucius tried to conceal his frustrations, but he was truly hoping that he would not send McNair, or worse one of the Carrows.
"I would like Draco and Hermione to assist you with the training," Voldemort said watching Lucius closely. "I would have told them myself, but it appears they are otherwise occupied." Lucius kept his face carefully blank. He did not want to know how the Dark Lord had known what they were doing,
"Usually Bellatrix is the only female Death Eater involved with training," Lucius said cautiously. He was worried about Bellatrix meeting Hermione, no doubt she would rile the girl up and then go running back to the Dark Lord.
"Well, technically Hermione is not marked so Bellatrix will not have to worry about her position being thwarted," the Dark Lord replied with a wry smile. "But I sense something is still bothering you Lucius?"
"I was just curious as to why you want the girl there?" Lucius asked.
"Curiosity can be dangerous, Lucius," Voldemort said silkily. "But I will humour you. Hermione has adapted quite well, and I'm quite pleased with the process Draco has made with her." He paused here suggestively, and Lucius tried not to cringe. He did not care to put much thought into what Draco was doing with the girl in his room. "Naturally I was concerned about her loyalty to Potter, and though most of my concerns have ebbed, she must pass one more test. I want her to see what most recruits go through to become a Death Eater."
"As you wish, my Lord," Lucius said, praying that the girl did nothing to screw this up.
"I also came here because I wanted your opinion on her progress," Voldemort said, surprising him. "She is married to your son after all, and I expect you judgment isn't as clouded as his is at the moment."
"She is more intelligent than I originally gave her credit for," Lucius admitted somewhat grudgingly. He had gone through all the potions she made during the winter break and found them all prepared perfectly, most definitely better than potions he had brewed at that age. "And she appears to be coming around to our cause. Draco had no trouble convincing her to wield a weapon, though she struggled a bit with that physically. I believe she is rather intrigued by some of our practices," he finished, recalling her focus on some of the older forms of magic they practiced.
"You've been awfully observant," Voldemort said. "I see you are as captivated by her as I am. It appears that Hermione Gr-Malfoy is quite the puzzle, not at all the meek bookworm I was expecting. She has a fire inside of her, and as long as we continue to challenge her I wager it will continue to burn quite brightly for us."
"Is there anything else you needed?" Lucius asked, once it was clear the Voldemort had no more to add.
"No, that will be all Lucius," Voldemort said, rising from his seat. "I expect a full report of tomorrow night's proceedings. Lucius saw him to the door and then made his way to Draco's room, pondering how to break the news.
Hermione flipped a page of her book, feeling content for the first time in months. She was wearing one of Draco's shirts, curled up in his bed. It was a type of intimacy she wasn't used too, but these were her favourite moments – quick kisses in the library, flying back from Death Eater meetings, having a lie-in in his room. During these stolen moments Hermione could almost forget the trouble brewing in the world around her. But they were never far from her mind. With a sigh, Hermione turned to look at Draco, lounging next to her with a Quidditch magazine.
"Have you though any more about Moody's offer?" she asked tentatively. This was not the best place for this conversation, but her patience was running out. Draco hemmed and hawed, he had been evading the issue ever since Hermione had told him about the Order's offer.
"I know you think I should do," Draco finally said, "but I believe being a spy will not end well." Hermione wanted to protest, but she held her tongue. She owed it to him, to at least hear his reasoning. "Things have been going really well with us, and I don't want to jeopardize that. But I don't know how you can expect me to go against everything I know just because you asked me to, especially after you kept this all from me."
"I'm married to a pureblood," Hermione retaliated immediately, "the Ministry is changing my blood status, Harry and Ron are out there somewhere and I'm not helping them. Don't you realize that I'm going against everything I know too?"
"I never asked for this, Hermione," Draco said hotly, his temper flaring. "I never wanted you to become a Death Eater, and despite everything I knew you weren't going to change. All I asked was that you did what needed to be done to keep us both alive. I know this is something you care about," Draco said, making a conscious effort to soften his tone. "You know I don't believe that Muggles or Muggleborns are beneath me anymore. I've changed because of you. I will never do anything that could harm you, so your secret is safe with me, but I'm not going to have any part in it."
Hermione wanted to argue. They were a team. She wanted this to be something they did together. But Draco had never been a part of this aspect of her life. Maybe it was better that this part of her remained loyal to Harry, she thought, would Harry want Malfoy involved in this? She opened her mouth to fight back anyway, but was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door.
Draco opened the door, allowing his father to step into the room. "I have to go into the Ministry today, but the Dark Lord has just been here with some news," he said, causing both Draco and Hermione to become alert. She had not known Voldemort was so near, if she had she never would have discussed the plans with the Order. "He wishes both of you to assist with the training tomorrow evening. We shall meet in the small ballroom overlooking the courtyard at 7 o'clock sharp."
"Both of us?" Draco asked in surprise. He had specifically requested that Hermione not be branded as an official Death Eater because he did not want her involved in these activities but clearly those wishes were being ignored.
"Yes, both of you," Lucius repeated. "You will be assisting myself and your Aunt Bellatrix when she arrives tomorrow." Draco nodded, and look passed between them that Hermione did not understand, but she was too shocked by the news to question it. Hermione vaguely heard Lucius's shoes click down the hall before Draco closed the door and returned to bed.
"Are you alright?" he asked, all thoughts of their previous conversation gone. Hermione put her head in her hands to hide her panicked expression and groaned. She had been dreading the day she had to meet Draco's aunt. She was relieved that on the day of the wedding she had been tasked with attending to the Dark Lord. She voiced that concern to Draco.
"It's probably better this way," Draco assured her, "with all the excitement over the training she might not even notice you." Hermione gave him a skeptical look, but he replied earnestly. "You might not have noticed this about my aunt, but she's easily distracted. It one of her greatest battle flaws, the action becomes too much for her and she can't focus. I think that is part of the reason she is drawn to the Dark Lord. He has no shortage of enemies for her to bounce between." Hermione took in Draco's assessment of his aunt, wondering how accurate it was, and how strange to analyze your own family like that.
"I don't think she could possibly overlook me," Hermione said. "It seems that the Dark Lord wants me right in the… action with the new recruits." Hermione still felt the need to guard her words, even though they both knew Voldemort was testing her.
"You'll do fine," Draco said, picking up on her unspoken works immediately. "It will give you a chance to show off that whip I got you." The words were said lightly, but Hermione knew Draco was warning her to expect violence the following evening. And to expect that she would be delivering some of it. "First impressions speak volumes," Draco continued, "if you prove yourself tomorrow, most of the heat will be off, even from the others. Word will get around, and you'll gain the fear and respect of the new recruits, which will add to your status as well."
"I'm not sure that will be enough," Hermione confessed. Convincing them she had switched sides was one thing, but being a violent radical was a completely different matter.
"It will be," Draco said. He moved to wrap his arms around her and rubbed her arms reassuringly, Hermione leaned into him and closed her eyes tightly. "I wish I had known that, when I was" Draco paused searching for a word, "recruited."
"Really?" Hermione asked.
"I spent all of sixth year terrified that I was going to get my family killed," Draco confessed, holding her a little more securely. "And it showed. They all knew I was a scared child, so I had to work twice as hard to prove that I was more than that. Getting the Death Eaters into the castle that day helped, but my position wasn't really secure until Gringotts. But there are always those who want to one up us, so we have to be on our guard. At least now, Voldemort believes he has secured our loyalty so he trusts us. That's what you need to do tomorrow: prove that he can trust you."
Hermione had listened to Draco quietly, taking in all that he had said. He played his part well. Unlike Hermione, no one would suspect he was anything but the ever faithful servant to the Dark Lord. Hermione knew she needed to achieve that too. She continued to fret, though, so Draco decided to take her to their library as a distraction. Like usual, both Draco and the books were able to take her mind of her concerns for a few hours of peace.
Draco held her hand as they descended the grand staircase, which Bellatrix sneered at with obvious disdain. "Draco," she said, "come give your dear auntie a hug." Draco obliged stiffly. "I hope the girl is prepared to handle the new recruits," she added without sparing a glance at Hermione. Hermione much preferred being ignored like this, than the way she had taunted Harry at the Department of Mysteries. If Bellatrix provoked her it would be much harder to stay in character.
"The Dark Lord requested her specifically," Draco interjected smoothly. "Are you doubting his judgment?" Bellatrix scowled at her nephew and turned away from them to face Lucius.
"The recruits are in the courtyard," Lucius said, leading the briskly away from the staircase. "We shall direct from the balcony attached to the small ball room." They followed a few paces behind Lucius and Bellatrix. As the approached the ballroom, Hermione could sense that Bellatrix's excitement was mounting. Her eyes had a slightly manic gleam in them, and her discussion about the training plans were becoming more and more animated.
Lucius held the balcony door open for both her and Bellatrix, and for a moment Hermione was taken aback by his courtesy. But then she saw the wave of recruits massed outside, going back far enough that they would have a clear view of the balcony. In front of them, neither Lucius nor Bellatrix could question her positon without making them appear divided and weak. A smirk graced Hermione's features as she walked to the railing. She was unaware of how well she wore the famous Malfoy smirk, but Lucius and Draco were not and shared a look behind her back.
Draco held back a grin as he came to stand beside her, his hand pressed lightly against the small of her back. Hermione met his eyes, and for a moment she was taken back to a time so many months ago when they shared a kiss on this very balcony after she had mastered the use of her whip. As if he had read her mind, Draco procured the whip from under his robes, but his face had grown somber.
"Don't you have your sword," Hermione asked lightly, aware that Bellatrix was watching them closely as she paired her jagged nails with her dagger.
"In the ballroom," he replied shortly, "but I doubt either of us will have much use for our weapons up here." Bellatrix swooped down on them at that moment, and Hermione held back a grimace as the vile woman dug her nails into her shoulder.
"Right you are Draco," she said gleefully, "maybe we should let Hermione have some fun, since it's her first training session?"
"What did you have in mind?" Draco asked coolly. If her statement bothered him, it didn't show. Lucius joined them that moment, ready to begin the training.
"Lucius," Bellatrix said, "you and Draco can instruct from the balcony. Hermione and I are going to go down to the courtyard to keep them in line." She looked at Hermione with malice, waiting for someone to object.
"I wonder if that is a good idea," Lucius replied, "given that she got to forgo the typical training process, it might cause jealousy among some of the new recruits. The Dark Lord…"
"The Dark Lord expected her to help with training," Bellatrix interrupted, her voice dangerously low. "If any of the recruits have issues dealing with their envy they can take it up with me and see how we handle recruits with a sense of entitlement." Hermione surprised them all by answering first.
"Well we'd better get started then," she said, taking her whip from Draco's hand and securing it around her waist like a belt. "The Dark Lord does not condone tardiness and we don't want to teach the recruits otherwise." With a crack she Disapparated and reappeared before the recruits in the courtyard. Hermione heard Bellatrix appear a moment later.
Hermione quickly strolled amongst the recruits, keeping her face carefully blank. She heard Draco's amplified voice calling them to attention and turned to face the front. Within moments Bellatrix's shrill voice echoed, punishing someone for sloppiness. It was a followed a moment later by the groans of her first victim. Hermione glanced from the corner of her eye and saw a boy not much older than her crumpled on the ground moaning as blood covered his forearm where Bellatrix had cut him.
It went on like this for a long time. Hermione walked among the recruits, patronizing them when she saw fit, but Bellatrix was much more severe. Hermione had yet to actually strike anyone, and when Bellatrix made her way over to Hermione, she knew what was coming. Bellatrix stood next to Hermione and followed her line of vision to the two recruits who Hermione had been watching for quite some time. They had been chatting since training started and paying little attention. Hermione knew it had to be addressed.
"I had my doubts when they told me you were an expert with that whip," Bellatrix hissed in her ear maliciously. "Would you prefer my dagger?" Bellatrix flicked the item in question at Hermione, just barely missing her ear. Hermione steeled her nerves and stood a little straighter.
"That's quite alright," Hermione said as she uncoiled her whip. The cool metal slipped easily through her fingers. She tightened her grip and flicked the whip at the offender. Hermione tried not to flinch as it lashed his shoulder and back. He fell to his knees with a cry, drawing the attention of the other recruits. His brown eyes met hers and Hermione curled her lip. "If you somehow manage to complete your training, you'll find that paying attention is not optional as a Death Eater," Hermione said coldly. His eyes bored into hers, and Hermione looked directly into them to avoid seeing the blood seeping into his shirt. When she finally looked away, she found she was being watched closely by two sets of grey eyes on the balcony above.
Draco's stomach knotted as he watched Hermione's whip arc across the courtyard. From this distance he could not see her expression, but she could not be comfortable with his aunt so close behind her. He gripped the railing tightly watching his knuckles turn white. He felt sick. Watching her practice using the whip in the ballroom had been different than seeing her hit a person. A small part of Draco's brain pointed out that she had hit him in their third year. But that was different. She was not being forced to be violent for the sake of being violent. Draco tried not to think about how the war had changed him, but it was difficult when he was watching it taint Hermione, who in his eyes had been so innately good.
The guilt was leaving a bitter taste in his mouth and Draco turned away from the scene. He heard his father give the recruits a new order. They began to pledge their allegiance to the Dark Lord, and Draco almost sighed in relief. It was almost over. Hidden by the buzzing of the recruits, Lucius quietly asked him, "Have you and Hermione come to an agreement over your argument?"
Draco's guilt dissipated as quickly as it came. He was fooling himself if he truly believed the war had changed her, she was merely playing a part. And a small part of him was wondering if he was wrong about her feelings for him. He usually pushed these doubts aside, she would never had confided in him or been intimate if there was really nothing between them. Draco tried to hide his surge of emotions, "we're working through it," he said shortly, bringing a quick end to the conversation. They stood in silence finishing the training session.
Draco felt a chill go down his back, and knew the Dark Lord must be nearby. They had not been expecting him to make an appearance, but apparently he had taken a liking to surprising them. Draco felt his bony hand close over his shoulder, and the crowd below fell dead silent. Draco saw his aunt's face light up, and tried not to cringe.
"Welcome all," he said. "I trust my faithful Death Eaters have enlightened you on what it takes to join my army. But I believe it takes more than just skill and blood status to join my ranks. You need to be a cut above the rest. And to determine which of you meet those requirements, I must observe you myself." Draco and Lucius were relieved of their duties and met Hermione and Bellatrix a moment later.
"I don't think those two will be caught gossiping again," he heard Bellatrix telling Hermione. He could tell she took great pleasure in watching Hermione use her whip. "Tell Narcissa I'll see her next week, Lucius," she said before turning to Draco. "Come now give your Auntie Bella a hug Draco. I'm still devastated I could not be there for your wedding, but the Dark Lord requested my presence specially," she said proudly. She left the manor after that, and Lucius bade them goodnight as well, leaving Draco and Hermione alone in the Entrance Hall. Draco could tell she was feeling vulnerable after the night's events, but his anger was refueled and he could not give her the comfort she needed at the moment.
"I'm heading up to bed," she said quietly, "care to join me?" She held out her hand and Draco did not miss the suggestion in her voice. A huge part of him wanted to forget his doubts and trust her, but she had betrayed him once already.
"I think I'm going to go for a quick fly," he said, watching her eyebrows raise in surprise. A hurt look crossed her face for a moment, and he added, "but I'll be up to bed soon." He kissed her cheek, and felt her press her temple against his affectionately. He ignored the palpitation of his heart and walked past her.
Draco had finally calmed down once he was soaring through the starlight. The wind lifted his hair and his spirits. It was a cold night and it was not long before Draco decided to land for the night. He was heading back to the broom shed when a movement caught his eye. Flying closer he realized it was two figures and it looked like they were trying to get into the manor through a window. Draco figured it was two recruits causing a bit of trouble. He sighed. Voldemort was probably still at the manor, Draco would have to report them and then they would pay the price. As Draco landed behind them, he recognized the lanky, red headed figure and the skinny, dark haired boy next to him. Draco's jaw went slack. Surely they were not that stupid.
"Looking for anything in particular," Draco asked tersely as they turned to face him, wands at the ready. Draco's wand was already in his hand and he disarmed them nonverbally. His anger was already getting the better of him. There was no way this situation ended in which Hermione did not get hurt.
"You slimy git," Weasley said, none too quietly. "Where is Hermione? What have you done to her? She would never willingly marry a cowardly Death Eater like you. Did you sneak her a love potion? Or did your master teach you some dark magic?" With each accusation Weasley's voice got louder and he moved closer to Draco. Draco tightened his grip on his wand, and it took all his willpower not to curse him. Draco turned his attention to Potter, who, for once, was uncharacteristically silent. Draco got the inkling that he had not planned on causing a commotion.
Draco mentally ran through his options. He did not want to lose Hermione. So he could not turn in her best friends. But he couldn't let her see them either. She would go with them in an instant. Thinking quickly Draco said, "I didn't need to trick her into it. Where else would she go for information on Horcruxes?" He had been suspicious about this for a while, and their reactions told him he had guessed right.
"She…" Weasley sputtered, "She couldn't have?" His face was turning purple, Draco noted, and Potter had gone quite pale.
"She didn't tell you what she learned?" he asked feigning surprise. He could see the rage building and almost felt guilty for lying about her. In his defense, Draco thought they believed him a little too easily. Even he knew Hermione would never betray them.
"We need to see her," Potter demanded. "I want to hear it from her."
"That's not an option," Draco replied. His heart was hammering again. He knew there was a large possibility that Voldemort was still at the Manor. If they got caught they would all die. Well, maybe not Potter, he tended to be pretty lucky.
"I swear, Malfoy," Harry said, "You take us to her or I will smash this window and find her myself." His arm was already moving toward the window, and for once Draco was faster than him. He caught him by the forearm, and as much as Potter struggled he could not get away from Draco's firm grip. Draco's younger self would have gloated that he was finally stronger that Potter, but now Draco saw that both Potter and Weasley were thin and ragged from being in hiding, so he took no pride in it.
"The Dark Lord is here," Draco hissed, deciding on telling them the truth. "If you go in there he will catch you, and Hermione will get hurt."
"Why would you care what happens to her?" Harry asked suspiciously. "And why should we care if she really did sell us out like you said?"
Draco ignored the first question. "You'll die too, you know that don't you?" Draco said, and then playing on his hero complex that the Dark Lord was always moaning about, he added, "and so will Weasley?" He could see the doubt in Potter's eyes, so he continued, "and who knows who else. With you dead the Dark Lord can reign freely."
"Why are you helping us," Potter asked.
Draco could tell Potter did not trust him, and he had no reason to. But he had to get them out of there before they got caught. "Let's just say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend," Draco said. He offered Potter his broom. "I've only got this one on me, so you two will have to ride together. Stay out of sight. Get away from here as fast as you can."
Potter took the broom and retrieved their wands from the grass, and despite a string of curses from Weasley, managed to takeoff. Draco breathed a sigh of relief once they were out of sight. Now he was the one who was going to be keeping a secret. Hopefully one day Hermione would forgive him.
Coming up in Till Death Do Us Part:
"Careful Hermione," he said, his voice held a dark and sinful edge to it, "some men enjoy a little whipping.