Disclaimer: Still don't own anything at all. :)

This Chapter is dedicated to my little sis Steph who INSPIRES and HELPS me ever so much, UH HUH. Yep. Or something like that! :P

A/N: There will be some flashback scenes in this chapter I will mark those with [[ double brackets and Italics. ]]

*********************************

Chapter 1 (part 2): Draco's Favor.

Draco turned and walked into the room without looking back to see if I was coming. I guess when you are as arrogant as he is, it just never crosses your mind that someone might refuse to do as you say. I wished I could be the first, but I knew it wasn't going to happen. Not today, not here. After all I owed Draco Malfoy a favor.

Favor.

The word stuck in my throat I couldn't even say it out loud. Its not like we had ever been friends. Growing up and getting into the real world hadn't changed that, nor the fact that he was still an absolute Slytherin to the core. All I could say is that it was good Ron didn't know about this. Break up or no breakup he would never have let me offer myself up on the alter of Draco Malfoy. (figurative here people)

When someone has been your friend for as long as Ron has been mine, you don't stop loving them just because you don't want to be their girlfriend anymore. Just because you may have hexed them while they were sleeping, or moved out of the apartment you shared for two years, doesn't mean you don't still care. It doesn't mean that you aren't worried about them and their futures. I knew that if Ron had known what I was doing, he would have tried to move heaven and Earth to stop me, to protect me. Too bad that there wasn't anything that could keep me from the vows I had taken. Too bad magic is so binding.

"Granger! Get in here! What's the hold up?" The offensive man called down the hall. I wasn't about to acknowledge that statement.

I walked toward the room that Draco had entered, and I could feel the eyes of the past Malfoys burning into my back. I knew it wasn't with concern that they were watching me.

The walk toward what, I guessed, must be Draco's office, seemed to take forever. And considering how slowly I was walking it probably did. I was not about to rush the sacrificial lamb thing. Granted I had entered into this contract with him, but I could at least make it a less than pleasing experience. I knew he would be happy to return that favor.

The room Draco had entered was like dozens I had seen before, desk, chairs, bookshelves, cauldron, bottle with dead cat, you know the usual wizard's work room. However, the man behind the desk wasn't exactly your average wizard. In all fairness, Draco Malfoy was exceptionally good with magic, granted he was evil and conniving, but the man could brew a potion better than anyone I knew, even myself. That was something that I had hated about him back at Hogwarts, and as I thought about it now, I still hated it.

I had noticed earlier that he had grown taller, and had slimmed down almost to the point of thinness. The gray eyes had a hollow look that he hadn't had when I last saw him. That had been over two years ago, and I guess I should have expected some changes. I knew I looked a bit different myself. I won't pretend to be pretty. I still have deplorably unmanageable hair, and I never did fill out in the 'right' places as I had been hoping, but I too was taller and I tell myself that I have a bit more grace than when I was a child. His hair was still that white blond that usually darkens when people get older. He took after his father in that regard, as well as many other ways, I was sure.

At the thought of Lucius Malfoy I felt a shiver run down my spine. Two years ago, after Voldemort was defeated Lucius Malfoy had been found guilty of his crimes and sent to prison, to stay this time. I found myself wondering what Draco had done when his father had gone to prison. I could imagine that things had been hard for him the last while. Not that I cared!

I looked at the smirk that was back on his face and found myself wondering if this man had any natural affection or love for his Death Eater father? Or anyone for that matter? He smoothed his hair back from his face with an absent minded gesture, still sneering in the usual way.

"Well Granger, are you coming in or still looking? Funny you never reminded me of a half wit before." He turned his back to me to get something off of one of the shelves behind him. And almost without thinking I put my hand in my robe pocket for my wand.

"I wouldn't if I were you." he said without turning around.

Guiltily I realized that I had been about to do something that I shouldn't. When did I ever become this hot headed? I was calm! I was calculated! I was a brilliant mind! I stated my affirmations to myself firmly... And OK yes I was also still standing at the doorway staring at Draco Malfoy's back like some kind of village idiot. Removing my hand from my pocket, I moved to the chair that was across the desk from him. I felt slightly better with that substantial slab of Oak between us. In some cases all you have is your false sense of security, and I clung to mine desperately.

Draco turned back around with a piece of paper that was only too familiar to me. I could feel myself go white and that flight or fight response flooded me, sweat prickled along my upper lip, and I could scarcely breath. I hated this but I didn't regret it at all. I had done what I had to do. And Draco had taken advantage. That is what Draco did. So we had both played our parts well. He pushed the paper toward me, and the look on his face was grim, not the triumphant gleam that I would have expected.

My mind took me back to that place and time, I remembered it so very clearly. Everything about that day will be etched in my memory forever. The magic of the vows I took make sure I will never forget even the smallest detail. From the waking up in a burned out old farm house, the sketchy breakfast I had eaten of dry bread and cheese, the long walk into the forest to meet Draco, the smells of pine and even the sounds of the birds in the trees were still so strong in my mind, it could have happened moments before......

[[ Shhh...I told myself, you don't want anything to hear you. My feet tramped along an ill used path, the bushes and trees throwing out branches and catching in my frizzled hair. I had tried, without much success to tame it down today. After my hard night it stuck up in clumps around my head, a great deal of it escaping the ribbon holding it back. I shivered, and pulled my robes around me more tightly, but as the birds stopped singing I realized it wasn't out of cold that the hair on my neck was standing on end.

I wasn't alone!

I stopped and whipped around, peering in all directions. All I could see were trees. Tall stands of trees so thick that it confused the eye, and allowed only the smallest amount of sunlight to filter its way down past the dense canopy. I turned around and cautiously started walking again. This time my senses alert to any sounds or movement, but I didn't dare use even the smallest amount of magic today. My life and that of the ones I love the most depended upon my discretion. I kept walking and as I got deeper into the trees the light became dimmer. I lost my footing a couple of times and had to pick myself up from the ground. My hands and knees were becoming imprinted with the bits and pieces of the rocks on which I had fallen. It wasn't easy going now. My robe was ripped in some places and I knew that there was more than one tree sporting locks of Hermione Granger's infamous frizzy hair.

I finally stopped walking and sighed very loudly, how much farther was I expected to go? I sat down on a fallen log for a moment to catch my breath and tried not to think, but it was harder than it sounded. Like that old trick, don't think of a pink elephant, the moment you try not to think about something that is the only thing you CAN think about.

With renewed determination I stood up and turned around, squeaking in surprise. I wasn't the squeaking type, I was more the "long sustained blood curdling scream" type. But that's beside the point, I did squeak when he came out of the trees ahead of me. It was no wonder I hadn't seen him before. Draco Malfoy was dressed for tramping around in the forest. The deep green robe that was wrapped around him securely, was long enough to show the merest glimpse of his boot clad feet, and a hood covered his head . He reached up to pull the hood down and the famous Malfoy hair came into sight, he couldn't have hidden anywhere with hair like that.

"Granger." He nodded, and moved toward me. It was all I could do to hold my place and nod back. My mind was screaming for me to run and RUN now! Don't look back just go, it was telling me. I wanted so badly to give into my instincts. There was every chance that Draco had set a trap for me, but I was praying that his greed and self-preservation would overwhelm his loyalty to his own father and even the Dark Lord himself.

"So no small talk then? Shall we get along with the business?" He quirked his eyebrow at me.

"Malfoy." I grimly nodded, my lips pursed showing my displeasure at having to deal with him.

"So, Granger, what can I do for you?" He looked at me innocently as if he had no idea why I was here, he wanted me to say it all again, he wanted to hear me beg him? I hated him in that moment more than I had ever hated anyone else in my entire life. It was only the thought of what would happen if I didn't do this that stayed me. If I was going to sell my soul to a Malfoy at least it was for a good cause.

"Malfoy, you know why I am here. Don't be a prick, just give me the contract." I moved a couple of steps forward my mind protesting the whole way.

"Ohhh, now don't be like that Granger. I don't remember exactly. Refresh my memory." He closed the space between us and put his hand to my hair.

"Lovely as usual I see." The smirk was back.

"Malfoy!" I almost growled the name.

He smiled the first genuine smile I think I had ever seen on his lips, and chuckled before moving away a few feet to lean against the trunk of a large tree.

"I want you to keep your mouth shut about Ron and Harry and the rest." I looked him in the eye, not daring to look down.

"What's in it for me?" He was busy studying his fingernails in an unconcerned fashion and I felt my blood boil.

"Malfoy, you know very well what is in it for you!" I spat the words at him.

"Yes, I do don't I?" He laughed again. "But I do so love to hear you say it."

I turned to go, and had actually gotten a few yards down the trail before I realized I couldn't leave.

I returned to the clearing, and saw that Draco hadn't moved, which spoke of the fact that he knew I would grovel if I had to.

"Draco, you get everything by just keeping quiet. You and I both know that Vol...Vol..Voldemort..."I trailed off as dozens of birds flew from the trees squawking at the sound of the name. Draco strode toward me and clapped his hand over my mouth. Looking around us intently he hissed down at me.

"Keep quiet." His hand was pressing my lips against my teeth so sharply that I could taste blood. He kept his hand on my mouth, his other arm pressed me to him, his head was back and eyes were closed. I could tell he was searching for any sound or feel that we were overheard. I regretted my impulsive use of the Dark Lord's name. I knew that Draco would give me up, without thought, if we were discovered.

After a moment he removed his hands from me and paced back and forth.

"Never do that again!" He was glaring at me.

"Here sign this I will keep quiet. Your precious Potter and Weasel will be safe." He thrust the contract at me.

I read it through, then let out my breath slowly. If I signed this I promised to owe Malfoy a favor, anything he asked, I was in his debt and he could call me on it at any time he wanted. I had to sign my name magically to this document and upon pain of death I would have to agree when he called me. My hand was shaking as I signed and I dropped the paper giving it back to Draco. He didn't seem to notice, he was busily looking around making sure we weren't being seen. He rolled the contract up, thrust it inside his robes and looked at me for a moment.

"You will hear from me." Was all he said and he was gone.

All I wanted to do was sit down on the ground and cry for a very long time, but I knew that I had to get out of there. I had used magic to sign my name and any use of magic needed to be authorized. It didn't take a genius to figure out that someone would be sent to investigate. I wasn't willing to bet my life that it was the Ministry that would find me and not some Death Eater. Besides these days it was hard to trust either group.

I walked along and went over the reasons that Malfoy had been willing to help me. My being under his thumb was only one of them, and the others should have been good enough. He knew as well as I did that it was only a matter of time before Voldemort was found and killed, but even if Voldemort wasn't killed, no one would know Draco had helped me, after all he was the only one with information about where Harry and the others were hiding. Their lives were in his hands completely.

I never doubted for a moment that the ministry would rout Voldemort out and defeat him, I did however wonder if I would be alive to see it. Being Harry's friend made me a hot commodity to both sides in the war. Draco wasn't stupid and he was willing to play his game both ways, when the ministry won he would stroll on in and be granted a pardon for 'saving' the others. And I had just signed away my right to tell anyone why Malfoy had done what he had done. I realized I had signed for a lot of things that day. The urge to cry came over me again, but I just kept walking.

Back out of the forest, careful to not be seen, I traveled toward the burnt out house in which I had been hiding........]]

Remember how I said that I considered living with Ron as my first mistake? Taking Ron from friend to lover was the first real mistake I made in my life. I don't mean things like picking out the wrong socks to go with an outfit, I am talking about big life changing mistakes! Well I am sure a lot of you would think that signing that paper, and committing myself to Draco Malfoy's whims would be considered a mistake. But I would never go back and change that! Even though I am here in this position now. I would never begrudge my friends their lives.

"I knew I would hear from you sooner or later, I am really surprised it has been this long actually." I pulled the paper toward me and felt that tingle that tells of magic recognizing itself. I moved my hand back as if I had been bitten.

Draco didn't even crack a smile and I could see his face looked even more ashen that it had earlier. He really wasn't looking himself, today. When he looked back up at me, I could see that his eyes had a glassed over expression, at that point it became clear he was ill. Was that the reason for his thinness? How long had he been like this? What was wrong with him? I stopped that line of thought. Because, I told myself, I didn't really care.

"I hadn't planned on using it at all." He almost whispered the words.


"Sure Malfoy." I snorted in disbelief.

"I am serious, I hadn't intended to use this at all. I really only got it at the time to make you angry." He looked at me intently.

"Listen Draco, you did what you did to save your own hide. You own me, don't play games with me now. I know what kind of a man you are. If I hadn't signed that, Harry, Ron, George, Neville, Ginny...would all be dead. So don't pretend I don't know what you are like! I know you Draco." My voice was even and firm.

"I admit I am not a good man." I rolled my eyes at his words.

"But I am not a murderer either!."

"Could have fooled me" I said the first thing that popped into my head, and I regretted it the moment it left my lips. At my words his hands gripped the desk his knuckles going white. I was scared of him suddenly. His eyebrows lowered over his eyes and he glared at me, that familiar shiver walked back up my spine. I had almost forgotten in my anger that this was Draco Malfoy, but instead of finding myself at the wrong end of a wand, he merely rolled his shoulders and chuckled without humor.

"Good try Hermione, but there is no blood on my hands. I am NOT my father. But all that, changes none of this." He held the paper out to me again. I wondered if he realized he had just called me Hermione. I don't remember him ever having called me by my given name before. It was always Granger, or derisive comments about my parents, but never Hermione. He must have been even more rattled than he let on. Odd to see "Mr Draco Malfoy, Ex-Death Eater" worried about people thinking he was a killer.

"If you weren't going to use it, then why now?" This time it was me raising my eyebrow at him.

"I hate to admit it, but I am desperate. I have tried every other option available. I have no choice, you are my very last hope." After saying those words he laid his head back against he chair and rubbed his eyes with his hands. From anyone else those words would have taken on a sense of melodrama but Draco wasn't what one could consider a melodramatic person. I didn't like that I was his last choice. I will admit it scared me.

"Fine give me the paper. You know I have to do this." I took the contract from him, careful not to touch him in any way. I never lost eye contact as I took out my wand, muttered a spell, and signed my name magically under my former signature, this time I added "Payment in Full"

"Here you have what you wanted, Now what is it that you need from me Draco?" I pretended a calm I didn't feel. My heart was beating so hard I could hear it in my ears, as waited for him to speak. I waited to hear what sort of favor he needed that he was willing to call in my debt, something he claimed he didn't want to have to do.

"I need a babysitter."

"Hmm? You need a....a...babysi....A WHAT?" I stood up and glared down at him, his face looked stricken he didn't say a word.

"A BABYSITTER MALFOY?!?! You have got to be kidding me." I knew I was yelling, but I couldn't believe it, he had done all this for something like that? I think my mouth may have been hanging open in disbelief.

AND here is where I made mistake number 2, and that was that I didn't immediately call a mediwitch and have him committed! Very bad decision.....After all the man was clearly insane!

"BABYSITTER?"

**************************

A/N Well you know it is hard to find good help these days. HUH? Ok maybe not that hard.

**Thanks everyone for the reviews, and the constructive criticisms. I hope I can answer all your plot questions in the upcoming chapters, I like to give a bit away at a time if I can. I like comments even critical ones as long as they aren't of the "you suck" variety, which doesn't really help anyone. :) If any of you want to put your money where your mouth is...and become my punctuation police person, email me I need the help. :)

Well until next time. Unless Hermione kills Draco in the interim. ;)