A/N: This chapter, and probably some after, has spoilers for OoTP, so if
you haven't yet read the book you might want to turn back now. If you have
read it, well what's stopping you! Read! Oh, and when you're done, it would
be great if you could press that button at the bottom left hand corner and
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Ever since that night Hermione and Draco were never far apart from each other. They grew to be best friends. They also showed remarkable intelligence at an early age. As soon as they were able to understand, Lucius informed them of their mission in life. They eagerly agreed.
Why eagerly? After all, most wizards rejoiced at the mere mention of the name Harry Potter. Not these two. They had been raised to believe that Harry, and all those on the "good" side during the war were traitors to the true cause. While most children learned the words "Car" and "House", Hermione and Draco were taught "Mudblood" and "Crucio". By the time they reached 11, they were able to perform magic even those who had reached their sixth year in Hogwarts would have difficulty performing.
Their first year a Hogwarts went off without a hitch. Hermione, having convinced the sorting hat that she simply had to be placed in Gryffindor, fashioned herself a reputation as a know-it-all Mudblood who despised Slytherin and Draco Malfoy. Draco kept his part of the deal by behaving horribly towards her, thus making it easier for her to gain the trust of Harry and his best friend Ron.
Second year was even better. She managed to win the trust of her peers by her role in helping solve the riddle (A/N: pardon the pun) that was the chamber of secrets. It had impressed Draco to no end that she had been willing to put herself in the path of the Basilisk.
Third year was better again - no one but no one could have guessed that she would unearth the whereabouts of Peter Pettigrew. Lucius especially rewarded Hermione for her actions.
Fourth year gave her a world of opportunities. She managed to win the trust of those associated with Durmstrang, including the heart of Victor Krum. Draco teased her mercilessly for this until Hermione, in a fit of temper, hexed him rather badly.
Then came fifth year. What a year that was. The Malfoy's were able to receive information on a secret society they had not known of; The Order of the Phoenix and for the first time could confirm what they already knew - that Snape was not to be trusted. However, it was not intended for the prophecy to be destroyed. This set Hermione a new task - to make Harry tell her just what the prophecy said. It was also a tough time for our duo. Lucius being sent to Azkaban was not part of the plan. They then decided that it would be this year - sixth year - in which they would complete their mission.
Draco and Hermione sat in Draco's bedroom getting the last of their Hogwarts things packed away.
"You know, I almost wish we didn't have to go back." Hermione commented. Draco regarded his friend with sorry eyes.
"Herm you know I don't mean those things I say to you, I really wish I didn't have to say anything at all."
"Oh I know," she quickly replied. "It's just, I spend the majority of the summer with you, and I really enjoy myself, I mean I really enjoy myself, and then I go back there and-" Hermione stopped herself before tears fell. Her parents had always told her never to cry - it was a sign of weakness.
Draco gathered his friend up in a hug and dropped a kiss on her hair.
"Its ok Mione, its only for a short while. We'll do what we have to do and get out of that dump. Ok?" Lifting up her face he looked straight into her eyes, "And after that, it's me and you forever. No Potter, no Dumbledore, no nothing. Just Draco and Hermione. Deal?"
Hermione gave a weak smile. "Deal. Now hurry up, we leave tomorrow you know, not next year!"
Grabbing his pillow Draco whacked her over the head. Squealing, Hermione grabbed a cushion that was by her and hit him back. Soon, an all out pillow fight had started.
Hermione stood at the entrance to the Hogwarts express. One more step and she was stuck in the prison yet again. She hated this part. It was like saying a final goodbye to everything she loved for another while. Suddenly she heard her name being called. Turning, she saw Harry and Ron making their way towards her.
"Hey Hermione! We missed you!" Ron smiled. Forcing herself Hermione began to enter the train. Turning back one last time she caught Draco's eye. He gave her a quick nod and then turned back to his own "friends". Sighing she got on. At least she would have her secret meetings with Draco to look forward to - the one person she considered a friend.
The trio found a compartment. As soon as they sat down Ron leapt to look for the food cart. Hermione turned her attention to Harry.
"How are you really?" she asked in a kind gentle voice. Harry smiled at her,
"Really, Herm, I'm ok, I'll see Sirius someday, I know I will."
"Well, I'm just glad your ok" she replied and reached out to squeeze his hand. Harry blushed at the gesture but squeezed back.
'It's working!' Hermione thought gleefully.
"Oh how cute. The Mudblood and the Hero hand in hand. Couldn't find yourself a real girl Potter?"
Hermione glanced up and saw Draco. Hastily she let go of Harry's hand. She so badly wanted to grin at him but fought the urge.
"Get lost Malfoy!" she spat. Draco turned so as he was facing his friend.
"I don't think that's possible, after all we are on train. And to think, they call you the clever one. Stupid Filthy Mudblood!" He retorted. Although his words were dripping with venom his eyes were dancing. He threw her a quick wink, knowing all Harry could see was his back.
Fighting the urge to laugh Hermione let her eyes fill up with tears. Harry leapt up.
"Bugger off, Malfoy!" he yelled.
"Believe me, Potter, I have no problem in leaving you to your little girlfriend. God knows I don't want her." Then he turned and stalked out of the compartment.
Hermione let her tears fall. She knew a boy like Harry would not be able to resist the damsel in distress act. Sure enough he was by her side in an instant gathering her up in a hug.
"Don't let him bother you, 'Mione. He's nothing but a prat."
Burying her face into his robes Hermione smiled. The plan, it seemed, was working very nicely.
Ever since that night Hermione and Draco were never far apart from each other. They grew to be best friends. They also showed remarkable intelligence at an early age. As soon as they were able to understand, Lucius informed them of their mission in life. They eagerly agreed.
Why eagerly? After all, most wizards rejoiced at the mere mention of the name Harry Potter. Not these two. They had been raised to believe that Harry, and all those on the "good" side during the war were traitors to the true cause. While most children learned the words "Car" and "House", Hermione and Draco were taught "Mudblood" and "Crucio". By the time they reached 11, they were able to perform magic even those who had reached their sixth year in Hogwarts would have difficulty performing.
Their first year a Hogwarts went off without a hitch. Hermione, having convinced the sorting hat that she simply had to be placed in Gryffindor, fashioned herself a reputation as a know-it-all Mudblood who despised Slytherin and Draco Malfoy. Draco kept his part of the deal by behaving horribly towards her, thus making it easier for her to gain the trust of Harry and his best friend Ron.
Second year was even better. She managed to win the trust of her peers by her role in helping solve the riddle (A/N: pardon the pun) that was the chamber of secrets. It had impressed Draco to no end that she had been willing to put herself in the path of the Basilisk.
Third year was better again - no one but no one could have guessed that she would unearth the whereabouts of Peter Pettigrew. Lucius especially rewarded Hermione for her actions.
Fourth year gave her a world of opportunities. She managed to win the trust of those associated with Durmstrang, including the heart of Victor Krum. Draco teased her mercilessly for this until Hermione, in a fit of temper, hexed him rather badly.
Then came fifth year. What a year that was. The Malfoy's were able to receive information on a secret society they had not known of; The Order of the Phoenix and for the first time could confirm what they already knew - that Snape was not to be trusted. However, it was not intended for the prophecy to be destroyed. This set Hermione a new task - to make Harry tell her just what the prophecy said. It was also a tough time for our duo. Lucius being sent to Azkaban was not part of the plan. They then decided that it would be this year - sixth year - in which they would complete their mission.
Draco and Hermione sat in Draco's bedroom getting the last of their Hogwarts things packed away.
"You know, I almost wish we didn't have to go back." Hermione commented. Draco regarded his friend with sorry eyes.
"Herm you know I don't mean those things I say to you, I really wish I didn't have to say anything at all."
"Oh I know," she quickly replied. "It's just, I spend the majority of the summer with you, and I really enjoy myself, I mean I really enjoy myself, and then I go back there and-" Hermione stopped herself before tears fell. Her parents had always told her never to cry - it was a sign of weakness.
Draco gathered his friend up in a hug and dropped a kiss on her hair.
"Its ok Mione, its only for a short while. We'll do what we have to do and get out of that dump. Ok?" Lifting up her face he looked straight into her eyes, "And after that, it's me and you forever. No Potter, no Dumbledore, no nothing. Just Draco and Hermione. Deal?"
Hermione gave a weak smile. "Deal. Now hurry up, we leave tomorrow you know, not next year!"
Grabbing his pillow Draco whacked her over the head. Squealing, Hermione grabbed a cushion that was by her and hit him back. Soon, an all out pillow fight had started.
Hermione stood at the entrance to the Hogwarts express. One more step and she was stuck in the prison yet again. She hated this part. It was like saying a final goodbye to everything she loved for another while. Suddenly she heard her name being called. Turning, she saw Harry and Ron making their way towards her.
"Hey Hermione! We missed you!" Ron smiled. Forcing herself Hermione began to enter the train. Turning back one last time she caught Draco's eye. He gave her a quick nod and then turned back to his own "friends". Sighing she got on. At least she would have her secret meetings with Draco to look forward to - the one person she considered a friend.
The trio found a compartment. As soon as they sat down Ron leapt to look for the food cart. Hermione turned her attention to Harry.
"How are you really?" she asked in a kind gentle voice. Harry smiled at her,
"Really, Herm, I'm ok, I'll see Sirius someday, I know I will."
"Well, I'm just glad your ok" she replied and reached out to squeeze his hand. Harry blushed at the gesture but squeezed back.
'It's working!' Hermione thought gleefully.
"Oh how cute. The Mudblood and the Hero hand in hand. Couldn't find yourself a real girl Potter?"
Hermione glanced up and saw Draco. Hastily she let go of Harry's hand. She so badly wanted to grin at him but fought the urge.
"Get lost Malfoy!" she spat. Draco turned so as he was facing his friend.
"I don't think that's possible, after all we are on train. And to think, they call you the clever one. Stupid Filthy Mudblood!" He retorted. Although his words were dripping with venom his eyes were dancing. He threw her a quick wink, knowing all Harry could see was his back.
Fighting the urge to laugh Hermione let her eyes fill up with tears. Harry leapt up.
"Bugger off, Malfoy!" he yelled.
"Believe me, Potter, I have no problem in leaving you to your little girlfriend. God knows I don't want her." Then he turned and stalked out of the compartment.
Hermione let her tears fall. She knew a boy like Harry would not be able to resist the damsel in distress act. Sure enough he was by her side in an instant gathering her up in a hug.
"Don't let him bother you, 'Mione. He's nothing but a prat."
Burying her face into his robes Hermione smiled. The plan, it seemed, was working very nicely.