Hermione snuck back into the dorms early in the morning. After meeting Harry and Ron at breakfast the last few days, they'd started to get curious about why she was up so early. She doubted telling them she'd been spending the night with the enemy would go over all that well, so she decided to get back before anyone woke up.

After showering and getting ready, she waited down in the Common Room, catching up on the homework she'd not been doing the past week. It was near time for class when Harry and Ron stumbled down the stairs, laughing with Neville about something.

"Told you she'd be down here," Harry grinned and walked over to Hermione, pulling his bag up on his shoulder. "Ron bet you'd gone off without us again."

"I almost did; you were taking so long," she hummed, closing her book.

"Hurry up. I'm starving," Ron said, already heading out the Portrait with Neville on his heels.

"As if that's my fault," she grumbled.

Harry waited patiently as Hermione packed her things; his green eyes moved over the book's title. " Unspeakable Magic Vol. 6: Time and Fate? What class is that for?"

Hermione tucked the book away and then tugged on a stray curl. "None, actually."

They started walking together, but Harry stayed silent, allowing her time to find words to explain herself.

"What if I told you the universe is composed of multiple timelines? And each choice made causes a new one to split off?"

"It sounds like some of the Muggle comics I used to steal from Dudley," Harry said, biting his lip. Hermione's eyes glowed, and she smiled widely.

"Yes, exactly, I remember those too," she nodded.

"So you're saying that's real?" he asked. Hermione nodded again, holding the book close to her chest. He looked from the title to her again; his eyes sparkled with hope. "We could use it to stop Voldemort in the graveyard."

Hermione's heart broke for Harry. She'd forgotten how he was still grieving and processing what happened last year. It seemed so long ago to her, but it was only months ago here. Hermione frowned and shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, maybe, but that's the thing. Sometimes there's a point of fate that is for all time. It's concrete. No matter the timeline, it will never change," she explained. "Like Soulmates."

"Soulmates are real?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded. "How do we know what else is certain and what's not?"

Hermione sighed; she wished she had a better answer. Mostly because she wanted to know just as much. "We don't. There's no way, as far as I can tell."

"So then we have to try, don't we?" Harry asked, stopping at the doors to the Great Hall to keep their conversation private.

Hermione glanced at her best friend again and shifted on her feet. Guilt crept into her heart. She wanted to tell him, to explain to him she was from years in the future, hoping to save them from so much hurt. But, to Harry, she probably didn't go back far enough. She could have saved Cedric. Saved his parents. Saved the world.

"I'm not sure it's possible, but I'll keep researching with Theo and let you know," she settled and started walking again into The Great Hall. It wasn't lying, not really; it just wasn't telling the truth either.

"Theo Nott?" Harry echoed, his eyes wandering over to the Slytherin table to search for the boy in question.

Hermione followed and found Theo sitting alone, writing in his journal. He pushed his hand through his curls and sucked on the end of his quill. She briefly wondered where Draco was, but they were late for breakfast. "Yes. Theo checked out the book I wanted, so I asked him about it; he's interested in Time too."

When she looked back at Harry, he was still staring thoughtfully. Eventually, he snapped out of it.

"That's how you knew about his mum," Harry mentioned as they approached the Gryffindor table. She was surprised he wasn't giving her the third degree for speaking with a Slytherin, but maybe Theo was her way into changing things between them all.

"Maybe I'll join you next time. Could be helpful," Harry shrugged as they sat with Neville and Ron. They were already half done with their breakfast.

"Join her where?" Ron asked between bites of eggs.

"The library," Hermione grinned.

"Oh, pass," Ron chuckled.

Hermione rolled her eyes and grabbed some fresh fruit to fill her plate. They ate quickly before heading to class, only a few minutes before the start. The rest of the day passed without much incident.

After classes, she worked on her homework with Harry while Ron was at Quidditch. Then helped Ron catch up on his homework as well. She remembered this time as the quiet before the storm. These were the few months of reprieve they got before everything was lost to the War.

There was something bittersweet about getting these moments of friendship once again. She never thought she would sit in the Common Room again without worry. With her feet tucked under her, she smiled softly as Harry and Ron discussed Quidditch strategy. She laughed along with them, falling sleepy as the fire kept them hugged in warmth.

Finally, when they all decided to head to bed, she waited a few minutes before sneaking to the Room of Requirement.

The door was already waiting for her when she arrived on the seventh floor, but upon entering it, she almost thought it to be empty.

That was until she noticed the figure already tucked into bed, sleeping soundly among the many pillows. Quietly she made her way over to the bed and toed off her shoes. She had already changed into more comfortable clothing for sleep before leaving the dorm, making it easy for her to slip into the bed.

She did her best not to wake Draco, but he shifted at the movement and opened one eye just barely. "Finally," he muttered, but a smile laced his lips.

His hands found her waist and pulled her close, pressing her back into his chest.

"I didn't see you at all today," she whispered.

"Double Quidditch practice," he explained with a yawn. That explained why he wasn't at breakfast or dinner. She turned in his arms, facing him to see the face she had missed. She reached up and softly traced his jaw with her thumb. There were no scars. Not yet.

She kissed him softly; he smiled against her lips.

In a quick moment, he was atop her with their lips pressed together like their bodies. Her body surged with the need to be touched. It'd been too long without his hands. Her skin buzzed with gold; the threads reached and grasped at him. They danced with the ability to touch finally.

His hands moved up her shirt while hers became lost in his hair. Their hips slotted together, and a soft whimper escaped her lips when he moved to bite and suck at the spot just behind her ear. He pushed her shirt over her chest to move his mouth over the skin he missed. It was so pure and innocent with no scars marrings its perfection.

Hermione melted into his touch. Even in all the nights alone, they hadn't touched, not like this. The gold in her body hummed in approval, jumping and twisting through her veins, excited to finally meet him.

They were so close to becoming one, sharing a heart and every bit of them— even magic.

Hermione's eyes shot open. Even their magic.

"Wait, wait," she murmured as she pulled away. Draco swallowed hard and pulled back enough to look down at her. Her eyes were bright with gold that had seeped in from her veins. It was hard to resist pressing his lips down against hers; his whole soul protested the inches of air between them.

Hermione took a breath. "I think we should wait."

Draco's eyes widened with shock. "Wait?" he grunted out, barely able to speak a whole syllable with the lust built in his body. He didn't understand. Wait to have sex? It wasn't like they hadn't been like this before. Well, in their other bodies, but it was still the same.

She nodded, wetting her lips. "If we… do this… we seal the bond. I don't think we should just yet."

Draco closed his eyes and asked the gods for patience. He took a few deep breaths before looking at her again. "Please tell me you have a better reasoning than making sure we want each other 'cause if we're going through that again, I swear to Merlin–."

Hermione laughed lightly and pressed her hand to his cheek, pulling him down for a kiss. It took all his strength not to kiss back to convince her that all he wanted was this moment.

"I want you, trust me," she breathed hard as she pulled back. She had to work on not rolling her hips against his. "But if we seal the bond, our magical signatures will change. Everyone will know. Voldemort will know."

Draco's face was set in stone as he processed her words. She was right. Of course, she was right. Their magic would combine, and everyone would know they were loyal to each other. She would be in danger the second he stepped in front of Voldemort again.

Draco took a deep breath and rolled off her, planting face first into the pillows. He had taken the Mark to save his family from his father's blunder. This time, he'd take it if it were to save her. Hell, he'd die in a second if it were to save her life.

Hermione leaned over, rubbing his back softly. "Are you okay?"

He spoke into the pillow; she couldn't make out a word. He held up a hand with a finger raised to signal he needed a moment.

"I'm really sorry. I know it's not ideal, but–"

"No, you're right," he groaned, turning his face so she could at least understand him. "I'm just fighting the pubescent hormones raging inside of me."

"I think that's the Soulmate bond," Hermione laughed.

"It's both. It's both, and it's hard."

"Pun intended or?" Hermione laughed, playing with his hair softly. He let out a groan of anguish. Hermione had to bite her lip to avoid more giggles. "Well, just because we can't, you know, doesn't mean we can't at all."

Draco's eyes flashed open with lust. "Don't tease me."

She nudged him to roll onto his side; her hand snaked between them to prove she was not teasing.

"Do you want to know a secret?" she whispered, her breath hot on his neck. He buried his face into her neck and nodded. "In this timeline, you'll be the only one to ever touch me."

A groan escaped his mouth before he kissed her hard and passionately.

With autumn turning into winter, Draco couldn't help but fall into the routine of the teenage life he once wished to live. It was easy to ignore the impending darkness when he had so much love. It was hard to feel alone between nights with Hermione and days with Theo, Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle. Pansy had yet to come along, still in denial about her feelings for Theo, but Draco wasn't worried.

Draco didn't want to think about how half of his friends were gone in his other life. He didn't want to think about how Crabbe died too young and how Theo was lost to the Mark. None of them were doomed here. They could fix it. Hermione was sold on saving as many people as possible, but Draco only needed to save them. No one else really mattered.

But as November faded, the winter chill brought more reminders of the War that was about to implode. When Draco wasn't with his friends, he was trying to remember the past and writing down a plan for what needed to happen. He knew Hermione was already doing the same, but Draco saw a different side of life.

Every class with Umbridge lurking in the corner reminded him of her tyranny that would take over. He knew he had to play nice. He always made sure to be extra attentive and rude when she was in class. Nothing in him wanted to be part of the Inquisitorial Squad again, but it was the perfect cover to spy on her.

So against his better judgment and some self-hate for doing this in the past, found himself arriving at Defense Against the Dark Arts earlier than the rest of his friends. Professor Umbridge was everything he remembered: a great toad of a woman all dressed in faux-designer pink tweed.

"Professor," he nodded as he entered the classroom. He hated the front, always choosing to sit in the back, but he knew that buttering up Umbridge always helped him get what he wanted- if he truly didn't want it.

"Ah, Draco dear, on time as always," she smiled.

"If you're not early, you're late," he said with a flirty little smile he mastered over the years. He noticed the tops of her cheeks pinken and felt sick.

"Quite right you are dear," she smiled. Draco set his things on the desk at the front of the room and slowly started to unpack his books. "I've actually been thinking of speaking with you about an exciting opportunity."

"Oh?" he said, stopping his hands. An exciting opportunity his ass, but he knew he had to feign interest. He remembered what he saw in his Fifth Year, the memory that never happened. He would make it happen this time, but that meant he needed to make sure he was still head of the Inquisitorial Squad.

She walked around her desk. "Yes. I would like to start a student… task force… if you will. Students that help keep their peers in line and make sure they are adhering to the new decrees."

"Like Prefects?" Draco suggested because he couldn't help himself.

He couldn't remember why he'd been so excited to join up years ago. It wasn't to catch Potter with whatever he was doing, though it was a bit fun watching them all scatter at his authority. It always was fun taking points away from Weasley.

"Well, yes, but a bit different. They'll report directly to me as I'm responsible for the enforcement of Ministry Decrees," she explained. He nodded and pretended to think even though he knew it was stupid.

"Sounds like a wonderful idea, Professor," he lied through his teeth with his best Malfoy smile. Thankfully years of watching his father speak to government employees and other important people made it rather easy, even if he felt like hurling.

"Lovely. If you can think of a few friends to join the cause, I'll get approval from the Minister. I hope to start as soon as possible," she concluded. He nodded; Crabbe and Goyle would be easy enough to convince again. He'd been avoiding them ever since being back.

He knew he shouldn't, but as easy as it was to bring Theo back into his life, the guilt he felt for Crabbe's death ate away at him every time they were together. Theo had been a series of dark events; Crabbe was just a spell gone bad that they should have never cast in the first place. It was a stupid death.

"Oh yes, me too. These new decrees are too important to ignore," he said with sarcasm laced into every syllable. Sarcasm the old toad didn't pick up in the slightest. Instead, she preened like she had a praise kink. Merlin, he was going to vomit right here.

"Exactly! I knew you were the right student for the job," she gushed. Draco gave a knowing smile, glazing behind him as the door opened and students started to file in. Blaise and Theo came walking in together, saving Draco from this fresh hell. Thank Merlin.

He grabbed his things and moved to the back of the room, not even giving Umbridge a second look. Just as Theo pulled out his chair next to Blaise, Draco slid into it.

"What the hell?" Theo asked, crinkling his forehead.

Draco kicked back and smirked up at his friend. "The seat next to Pansy is open."

Theo looked over to see that Draco was indeed correct. Pansy had already gotten her books out and was talking to Daphne and Millie who sat at the table next to her.

"She doesn't want me to sit with her," Theo mumbled, shifting awkwardly.

"Says who?" Blaise asked, catching on quickly. "Did you ask?"

"No, but–"

"I think he should ask," Draco said to Blaise with a wicked grin.

Blaise nodded in agreement. "Most definitely."

"I hate you both," Theo muttered. "Move over."

Draco leaned back in his chair, putting his feet atop the desk so Theo couldn't cross and sit on the other side of Blaise.

"Nope, she's had enough time to grieve the loss of my cock. Go get talk to her," Draco told him.

"Poor Draco here is without sex just so you can fall in love," Blaise teased. He'd been filled in about Draco and Pansy's break-up for the most part. Specifically, the part that Draco not only didn't care about Theo having a crush on her, but he did it for the poor boy to finally make a move.

Theo snorted. "Trust me. He's not without sex."

"Who the fuck are you shagging now?" Blaise asked, giving Draco a shove.

"No one, I'm a perfect angel," Draco smirked. At least that part for true. He wasn't a fan of it still, though. Being fifteen really did a number on his hormones any time Granger was near. He pretty much had to run to the loo when he accidentally saw down her shirt in Care of Magical Creatures the other day.

Theo made a move once more to pass Draco's legs, but he was unsuccessful. It was enough to make Umbridge notice and give an annoying "ahem."

"Please take your seats. We have much to learn today," Umbridge said, pointing to the chalkboard. Of course, there was no actual information on the board, just the chapter they would be reading from that day.

With one more glare, Theo surrendered. He slowly made his way over to Pansy, shifting awkwardly on his feet and mumbling something. She nodded so quickly Draco had to hold his tongue from shouting an 'I told you!' Draco watched as Pansy did her best to keep her attitude while her cheeks turned a soft pale color. They fumbled through hellos and sat down, keeping enough room between them while also leaning into each other unconsciously. Draco chuckled, thinking about how their bond must be going insane at the proximity.

"They're perfect for each other," Blaise whispered, rolling his eyes as they watched Pansy and Theo awkwardly bumble around each other. When she dropped her quill, they both reached to grab it and almost knocked heads on the way down. Theo turned as red as a Quaffle and Pansy almost fell out of her chair. "Tragic, really."

He and Draco both burst into laughter before yelled at to quiet down.

Draco walked down the halls with Hermione's hand laced in his. Everything seemed so calm in the castle, but as Winter Break drew closer, they both knew it was coming to an end. Nothing had truly changed in the castle since they got there months ago. Some small things here and there, but the future still seemed to be going it's the same route. There was no reason to think the war was going to be any different. Not yet at least.

"What are your plans for winter break?" Hermione asked softly. "I just realized I have no idea what you did during the holidays."

Draco bit his lip, remembering his holidays. As a child, they were different, full of a doting mother and the safety of darkness still hidden underground. But this Christmas it would change.

"We used to throw a large Winter Gala at the Manor for all the pureblood families. This will be the first year we don't," he explained, swinging their hands between them. "I'll just be at home for the break, nothing exciting."

Hermione nodded, taking it in. She offered a soft smile of sadness, understanding his world was just starting to crumble. She hoped she could make it better this time.

"I'm supposed to go skiing with my parents, but then Mr. Weasley gets injured, so I stay behind," she told him. "I think I might do it again. I'm not quite ready to see them again."

"You never told me what happened to them," he said softly. He remembered their fight, how she said they couldn't remember her, and she blamed herself.

Hermione tucked her hair behind her ear and wet her lips. "Oh, um, I obliterated them. Seventh Year. To save them from…"

She trailed off, but he knew. To save them from Death Eaters. From people like him.

Draco stopped walking and turned to her. He tilted her chin to look up at him so that she could see the truth burning in his eyes.

"You won't have to do that again," he promised. "I'll make sure they're safe."

"You'll have your parents to worry about by then," she whispered. Draco shrugged.

"Who's to say I won't have joined The Order as a spy by then?" he smirked.

Hermione's eyes grew. "Would you?"

"An Inquisitorial Squad spy is good practice." He shrugged again. "Plus, it'd secure I can do this whenever I want."

He leaned in and kissed her, pulling her close by her hips. Their bodies pressed together as her arms wrapped around his neck and fingers laced into his hair. The gold danced between them happily. He could feel her smile against his lips. His hands wandered into her robes.

He gave her ass a quick squeeze before knicking her wand from her back pocket. She gasped as she felt the slide of her wand and pulled back. He smirked, taking a few steps backward, holding her wand in the air mischievously.

"Draco Malfoy, you give me my wand back!" she laughed.

He used it to make gold bubbles above her.

"It likes me," he grinned, taking a few more steps, "think I'll keep it."

He turned then and started down the hall. Hermione ran after him, watching the torches light their way. It was hard not to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. How this came to be. The portraits along the wall yelled at her to catch him.

She rounded a corner and froze; he waited for her, spinning, her wand between his fingers, grinning cockily with his bottom lip between his teeth. He looked deviously sexy in a way her sixteen-year-old hormones couldn't resist. She would show him later back in the Room of Requirement.

"Give it here, Malfoy," she said in her best stern voice, but her smile gave her away. His did too. As she crept forward, he took a step back to stay out of her reach.

"Stealing Potter's lines now?" He teased her, cocking up one dark eyebrow.

She inched forward, and he let her close the distance between them.

"I'll give it to you for a kiss," he smiled at her.

"Never," she told him, falling into the game of enemies they played when their friends were around. She hated those moments because she loved these so much. She went to grab her wand. He quickly pulled it out of her reach and held it behind his back.

"One kiss," he taunted her again. She'd already given him severely, but she wanted to kiss him again as much as she was pretending she didn't.

She rolled her eyes and got up on her toes to press her lips to his. It was quick, fleeting, a smooch more than anything.

"You can do better than that, Prefect Granger," he told her, his tone going from playful to husky.

Her toes curled at his voice. She remembered him in her bed, their bodies pressed together.

In a moment, she was wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his. She kissed him deeply, sliding her tongue against his, crawling into his arms so she no longer touched the ground. He kissed her hard, deep, passionately. They could do anything together; they would survive this together. All of it. Unmarked.

A seriousness washed over the hallway.

"It's about to get really bad," he warned her. She nodded; she knew. Once Mr. Weasley was attacked, the world would spiral out of their control. But she would try her best to keep her head above water this time.

"I love you," she said. They didn't say it enough. She wanted to make sure they said it always. His smile was soft, sad almost, but she knew they were the answer.

Their love would be the start to winning the war; she could just feel it. She kissed him again, reassuringly. It was enough to make him smile again.

"I love you, too, Hermione."

A/N: By the way, you can also find a bunch more of my stories and fics on AO3 - username: thefrancakes - that I haven't posted on because of their explicit ratings. so if you're interested, head that way! sorry still no posting schedule!