Hermione groaned as she sat up. She looked around and realized that she was in the hospital wing. As she moved to the side of her bed Harry walked in.

"Hermione, you're awake."

He came over and sat in the chair across from her.

"Hermione, what happened?"

Hermione looked at him for a moment before rubbing the back of her neck.

"I don't entirely know to be honest. One moment me and Draco were talking. I remember we started talking about something to do with his family then I felt like my head was being split open. I remember Draco asking if I was alright, but then everything went dark."

"So he didn't do anything to you?"

"No Harry, I don't know what happened but he had nothing to do with it."

Harry looked at his friend, processing her words. He let out a sigh before getting up and offering her his hand. She took it and they walked out of the hospital wing. Hermione thought for a moment, then looked at Harry.

"Harry, how long was I out?"

"A day, but I think most of it was just sleep."

The two friends laughed and made their way to the common room.

Malfoy manor

Narcissa walked by her sister on the sofa, plucking the glass of firewhiskey from her hand, earning her a rude look from Bella. She sat beside her and Bella instantly put her hand out for her cup.

"Bella do you really think it's wise to drink after what happened yesterday?"

Bellatrix brought her hand up to her head, lightly touching the bruised skin. Narcissa giggled at her action, causing her to huff and snatch her glass from her sister.

"I'm drinking in case it happens again."

"What do you think brings it on?"

"I don't know Cissy…"

The two women sat silent, Bella sipping her drink. Narcissa looked at Bella with a worried look and turned to face her.

"Could it have anything to do with the prophecy?"

Narcissa was surprised when Bella didn't snap at her and simply laid her head back on the sofa. Bella sighed.

"I don't know. I don't think so, or at least I've never heard of a prophecy having this kind of an effect."

Bella stares blankly into the fire before quietly talking again.

"If it is… do you think she feels it too?"

Narcissa looked at her, trying to read the emotions in her eyes. Bella looked over to her and grinned.

"If so I hope she suffers."

"Bella…"

"I do. Life is trying to force me to go against everything I was ever taught."

"Maybe that's what you need."

Bellatrix went silent, staring coldly at her sister. Her shoulders tensed up and her jaw tightened. Narcissa noticed but it didn't phase her.

"You were so happy when we were younger. Then Tom happened. Then Rodolphus. Don't you think you deserve to be happy again?"

Bella snarled, her breath catching in her throat.

"A filthy mudblood isn't going to make me happy Narcissa."

"How do you know."

"Ah right another wonderful point I wasn't happy being forced into my marriage, so why the hell would I be happy about a Prophecy forcing me into another, at least I knew my husband before."

Narcissa looked down at her hands to escape her sister's dead eyes. Bellatrix huffed and rose from the sofa, fixing her dress. She took another look at her sister before going up to her room.

Hogwarts

A month passed with no pain and brisk air had finally become cold. Hermione sat in front of the fire, thinking back on what Draco had told her, of course she had remembered what he said, she just felt it best not to tell Harry. He had told her how he overheard his mother and aunt fighting over a prophecy that included Bellatrix and herself, but he admitted the prophecy itself was too quiet for him to hear completely from the other room.

As she racked her mind trying to figure out what the prophecy could have said she felt the familiar cloudy feeling creeping into her head. She closed her eyes and prepared for the pain when Ron touched her shoulder. As she opened her eyes he leant in a bit to whisper.

"Hey mione, you coming to the meeting today?"

"I forgot there was one today, Ron."

He looked at her, worried.

"Mione, you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, just tired, I'll be at the next one."

He nodded and backed up a bit, waving as he walked to the door. Hermione gave an awkward half smile and shortly waved back as he closed the door behind him after leaving the room.

Hermione huffed and propped her head up in her hand, resting her elbows on her knees. She sat there for a bit before the door opened again. Seamus walked in with a strange look as he held a letter out in front of him.

"Hermione, Draco told me to give you this. I don't know why he couldn't give it to you himself, but here."

He talked in a rushed tone as he handed the letter to her.

"Now I'm off to the meeting."

He quickly waved and rushed out the door, slamming shut behind him. Hermione looked at the letter, unfolding it to see a short message.

'Granger,

My mother has requested a meeting with you, this winter break. If you have any questions please come find me.

Draco.'

Hermione folded the letter, placing it into her pocket as she scooped up her books and left the common room. She rushed through the corridor and out of the castle. Her mind raced and her heart pounded as she looked around for Draco. 'What the hell was going on she thought to herself before she felt a pair of hands grip her shoulders.

She spun around, ready to slap the person who touched her and Draco flinched a bit. She drew in a long breath.

"Christ, Draco!"

"Okay Granger, calm down, I really don't want to be hit by you for a second time."

Hermione didn't catch the joke and instantly grabbed his arm firmly. Her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

"Draco, why does your mother want to speak with me? Is it about the prophecy?"

Draco could feel how much she was shaking. He sighed and led her to a bench. When they were both sitting he spoke in a quiet voice.

"My mother believes you and my aunt are hurting each other."

"How could that be possible?"

Draco looked around for other students before he turned to her and looked at her with a serious tinge in his eyes.

"The day me and you talked about the prophecy and you passed out, I got a letter from my mother. She said that aunt Bella fell ill at their meeting, immense pain, gritting her teeth, then she passed out, hitting her head."

"That doesn't make any sense, I don't think Prophecies work that way…"

Draco shook his head, earning a confused look from Hermione.

"I asked Professor Trelawney. She said that such a thing can happen if both sides are trying to deny it. She said that they could feel the other's emotions and the bond can create its own way to nudge the two sides in the right direction, which I think is where the pain is coming from."

Hermione looked down and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to stay calm. She inhaled slowly but it hitched in her throat as a question began to burn into her mind.

"Draco? Why are you helping me?"

Draco shifted awkwardly in his seat, trying to inch a bit away from the girl.

"Well, after speaking to my mother I know that the prophecy implies that…you are to be family. Uh, my aunt."

Hermione looked at him in shock for a bit. Her body shaking and her hands clenched tight around her books. She finally let out a shaky sigh.

"I'll talk to her, Draco. I'll try to stay as calm as possible in the meantime."