*A/N* Sorry to intrude again but I just wanted to apologise for the fact that the chapters sometimes take so long to show up after I upload them. Even if reflected in the chapter count, the actual link doesn't upload till 4 to 10 hours later…aaargh! I wrote to HELP about it but that's the server problem and nothing can be done about it. Just be patient, please, you have been great so far!

Chapter 12: Draco Egentis

            "Sugar Quills!" she practically yelled at the statue that led to the revolving stairway. When she reached the top of the spiral stairway, she took a deep breath to calm herself as she knocked on the doorway that led into Dumbledore's office.

            Inside, she could see Fawkes the falcon sitting majestically on his perch and Dumbledore stroking him affectionately. At her knock, he turned slowly round to face her and looked at her over the tops of his spectacles.

            "Ah… Miss Granger! Come in, come in. Make yourself comfortable."

            "Yes sir" said Hermione as she tentatively moved towards one of the overstuffed chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk. Fawkes gave her a friendly look and fluffed out his feathers.

            Dumbledore ambled over to the chair opposite Hermione and sat down in it. "I trust you have been having a good Christmas, my child?"

            "Yes, thank you sir," answered Hermione.

            "Sherbert Lemon?" he said offering her a bowl of his favourite sweets. He noticed how her hands shook as she reached hesitantly for one. "Please, Miss Granger, calm yourself. Let me assure you that there is nothing to worry about."

            Hermione looked a bit comforted and began to feel better as she sucked on the sherbert sweet. It frothed pleasantly in her mouth.

            "Now, Miss Granger, I won't keep you in suspense any longer- that would be too cruel when I can see that you are greatly worried about what I have to say to you today. Let me assure you, Mr Malfoy is quite safe…" Hermione let out a breath she did not realize that she had been holding "…in fact I just had the pleasure of making sure he had a large slice of Christmas cake and a cup of punch. Those things seem to be in short supply at Malfoy Manor."

            "You've seen Draco? He's back?" asked Hermione eagerly.

            Dumbledore twinkled at her. "Yes indeed, dear girl. He wanted to rush off and look for you after our interview but I sent him to his rooms to freshen up and rest first. The poor boy has had a very tiring day…And may I say how glad I am to notice that my two Heads are finally on a first name basis. Mr Malfoy also seemed to have taken to referring to you by your first name. I hope this bodes well for co-operation during your prefects duties."

            "Yes, sir" answered Hermione, blushing a little.

            "As I was saying, Mr Malfoy is quite well. In fact, I would say that for the first time in his life, he seems more than well. And I am very pleased about it." here, the old wizard stopped and gave Hermione a meaningful look. Hermione didn't know what to say. What was going on?

            "Miss Granger, the reason I have asked you here today is because I have just had a very surprising, but pleasant, meeting with Mr Malfoy. I am not at liberty to reveal exactly what happened during this meeting as Mr Malfoy indicated that he wished to communicate the finer details to you in his own time. I respect that. However, I can say that after a very long interview with Mr Malfoy, I am convinced…absolutely convinced… that Mr Malfoy wishes to do his best to avoid being a Death Eater and assist us in bringing about the downfall of Voldemort."

            Hermione's eyes were growing wider and wider. So Draco had done it after all! He had seen Dumbledore and made a choice! She felt incredibly proud of him.

            "Miss Granger? Ah, I can see from your expression that this is not entirely unexpected to you. Well, Miss Granger, apart from what I have already told you, I am also convinced that Mr Malfoy will not be able to do this without the help of a very special person. The person, Miss Granger, is you."

            Hermione swallowed silently.

            "You see, dear child, when we make very difficult decisions, our path is always terrible and rocky at first. Good things seldom come easily even to the best of us. Mr Malfoy today made an excellent choice, but he will be discouraged often, in the near future at least, and feel great despair. Miss Granger, I am convinced that you are the only person whose support will see him through this difficult time. Remember, good things, or rather, good people… are always worth fighting for."

            Hermione cleared her throat which had suddenly gone dry. Her eyes were shining brightly, she was so proud of Draco! Whatever terrible thing had happened at Malfoy Manor today, it had served the purpose of helping Draco make up his mind. Her hand automatically went to the little silver dragon pendant at her neck. "Draco" she thought, rubbing it absently. Surprised, she felt it squirm under her blouse. She petted it gently and felt it go back to sleep.

            Dumbledore considerately gave her some time to gather her thoughts.

            "Professor Dumbledore sir?"

            "What is it, dear child?"

            "I know you can't tell me details of what was exchanged between Draco and you here today, but can you tell me what will happen to Draco in the near future and how I am expected to help, exactly?"

            "A good question, Miss Granger." Said Dumbledore, pleased to see that Hermione was taking this responsibility very seriously. "Mr Malfoy will be working very hard physically and mentally to change the course of his life and help our cause. You can expect there to be problems from his father if he were to suspect anything amiss before the time is right for our plans to come to fruition. All I can say is, Miss Granger, during this time- never give up on him. And, forgive me if I am being too presumptuous here- go on loving him, child. You have already done a marvelous job so far."

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            Hermione stood for so long in front of the portrait hole leading to the Heads' rooms that the portrait of the Fifth Countess of Burgundy asked in concern, "Forgotten you password, dearie? Would you like a hint?"

            Hermione started up. "Oh..oh…no thank you. I was just thinking."

            "He's inside already, you know" said the portrait of the countess. "Came in an hour ago in that gorgeous black suit of his." she sighed happily. "I always love a year with a handsome Head Boy."

            "Mm-Hmm." Said Hermione. "Thanks for the information. Butterfly."

            The portrait swung aside and Hermione entered the Heads' quarters.

            Draco had taken a shower and was standing in his quilted robe in front of the fireplace. The house elves had made up a huge fire. He was so deep in thought that he didn't even notice her enter the room.

            Hermione didn't really know what to do. Earlier in the day, she had assumed that when she met Draco, she would run into his arms and kiss him, thanking him for his Christmas present. But…the tenderness of last night seemed so far away after the events of today! Did he still feel the same? Had things changed? The blonde man standing in front of the fire seemed a total stranger. She suddenly felt ridiculously shy.

            "Hermione?" Draco turned from the fire to face her.

            "Draco. You're here."

            In four strides he crossed the room to where she was standing and folded her into his arms.

            The relief she felt was incredible. "Oh Draco, I was so scared!" she said, clutching him tightly. She didn't know whether she meant about him going to Malfoy Manor or about his feelings for her changing.

            "Hermione! I'm so sorry to put you through this! Hermione, my love. My love, my love." He pulled back from her so that he could see her face and began covering her lips with soft kisses. "I wanted to go to you sooner but Dumbledore forbade me to. He insisted I have a shower and some food first." Draco said as he pointed to the remains of a huge tea on the coffee table in front of the fire. "I must say the old man knows what he's about…I was really tired and hungry."

            Hermione laughed as she snuggled up to Draco. "Yes, he's always been that way, really."

            "Oh Hermione." Draco put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. "I hated being parted from you even for a second after last night…I knew how terrible you would feel. As I walked to Hogsmeade, I could feel my own heart breaking."

            She nodded. "Yes, when I woke up I was really upset. But then I saw your note and it was okay."

            His eyes brightened. "You liked my present?"

            "You mean this little guy?" she said, as she took out the pendant and chain from the collar of her blouse. "He's woken up a few times but he's terribly lazy."

            He laughed in delight that his charm had worked. "I charmed him to come to life for a few seconds every time you touched him and thought of me really hard. So I can see that you've been doing that a few times today!"

            Hermione turned red. "Yes, well…I have been. So there. He is really cute."

            The two of them sat side by side, staring into the flames of the fire.

Finally, Draco spoke.

            "I start Auror training next week."

            Of all the things he might have said, this was one of the most unexpected.

            "What? Draco…you want to be an Auror?"

            Draco nodded. He looked steadily into Hermione's eyes. "I went to see Dumbledore just now when I came back from Malfoy Manor. I learned terrible things this morning from Lucius. That, coupled with everything we talked about by the lake and what happened afterward, was enough for me to make up my mind."

            "Draco…"

            "Hermione, I know this is right. I want to do this. I know it'll be hard but with you there for me, I know I can do it. It's the only way Hermione. I talked to Dumbledore and Snape.." (Snape? thought Hermione) "…and this is the only way I can save myself, save us, from the future my father has in store for me."

            "Are you sure, Draco? What makes you so sure that it will help? Your father will kill you when he finds out."

            "IF he finds out. I don't intend it to get out. After all, Dumbledore told me that there are three other boys in my year who have been training intensely as Aurors for the last year without anybody knowing. Part of the secret of success is secrecy."

            "Three boys?" said Hermione aloud, trying to think of likely candidates. Harry, of course, but then, maybe not, because she spent so much time with Harry that he couldn't possibly have been going off for intense Auror practice without her noticing.

            "Yes. I'll meet up with them next week and the trainers."

            "Oh," said Hermione.

            "Before I say anymore, I want you to know what I learnt of my past and future today from my father, Dumbledore and Professor Snape."

            "Snape?" said Hermione. "What's he got to do with?"

            "Quite a lot. Let me explain."

            Holding her close, Draco began to tell Hermione slowly and clearly of what he had learned that day…