Hermione wrote a lot of letters to Harry and Ron explaining everything to them. But they just sent howlers at her or letters that made her heart break.

They didn't understand. They couldn't understand because Draco hadn't gone to them, Draco went to her and told her.

"Well, they are just going to have to accept Draco anyway. Dumbledore trusted Draco and even at this moment Dumbledore was planning for a way to get Narcissa out of the Malfoy Manor."

Hermione picked up her quill and took out yet another piece of parchment.

Dear Harry,

Please understand that even Professor Dumbledore himself gave Draco a thorough inspection and Draco passed. Please, if you do not trust Professor Dumbledores opinion then whose opinion will you trust?

Love, Hermione

She didn't bother sending it by owl. Draco was going to meet her at her house tonight with all his things and they were going to Grimmauld place together. Accompanied by Dumbledore himself. She put the letter in her trunk and she started checking through her things. Making sure that she brought everything she needed. She couldn't forget anything. Too bad they had to leave at night because Draco couldn't make it too suspicious to his father.

When Draco had arrived she noticed that today he wasn't wearing his usual dark clothing; instead he was wearing a more navy blue colour set of cloaks and a white shirt underneath.

Dumbledore had arrived before Draco and Hermione got a chance to greet each other.

"Well, everything is in order. Hermione you are allowed to apparate just this once by special request from me with the Ministry of Magic."

Hermione nodded and she took one of the handles on the side of her trunk.

Hermione said her farewells to her parents earlier that day before they went to bed themselves. She couldn't let them see Draco in her room. Although she was going to be of age soon, her parents were still quite strict as too the type of boys she hung around.

When they had arrived it was dark.

"Now, you must be very quiet no matter what." Whispered Dumbledore.

"Leave your trunks here I will get someone to bring them up for you."

Then Dumbledore led them into the kitchen where everyone was currently hovered around.

They all stopped and looked up as Dumbledore stepped in and their eyes were in shock when they laid their eyes on Draco.

Of course Dumbledore had already informed the Order that Draco was going to be joining but she thought that they might not have really believed it until now.

Ron, Fred, George, Ginny, and Harry's mouths fell open as they saw him.

"Well, lets get this meeting started shall we?" said Mrs. Weasley to break the tension in the room.

"Certainly Molly, we shall get started right away."

Hermione and Draco sat quite a far distance from Harry and the others. They stayed close to Dumbledore though.

"As you all see, we have a new member in the Order." He said as he noticed that no one was going to pay attention to him until he explained the company of Draco Malfoy among them.

No one said anything. No one even made motion that he was welcome there. They just glanced at him and many of them quickly returned their gaze to Dumbledore.

Hermione took Draco's hand under the table and held on to it. Draco glanced at her and he held on to her as well.

"Something has happened in Draco's life and he wants to make amends with the Order and help us defeat Lord Voldemort. I place my trust in Draco Malfoy despite the fact that his father is one of Voldemort's closest death eaters. I have spoken with Mr. Malfoy personally and-"

Draco raised his hand and Dumbledore stopped speaking and looked at Draco.

"Yes?"

"I would very much appreciate it if I was addressed as Draco rather than Malfoy."

Dumbledore nodded immediately

"Certainly, certainly. I am quite sorry that I did not notice this before. Well I have spoken to Draco and he has certainly proven to me that he is no longer willing to have any ties with his father, Lucius Malfoy. However he has volunteered to help the Order by staying close to his father and watching what his father does to give us information about Voldemort's moves and plans. However, I do not wish for anyone to treat Draco in a way that is not how he or she would normally treat his or her friends. He is a guest and I am very happy to welcome him into out Order of the Phoenix."

Draco turned a slight pink colour and let out a breath that he had obviously been holding for a while. He was afraid that perhaps Dumbledore would start talking about his personal life and he did not want others to know.

Dumbledore dismissed Harry, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, Hermione, and Draco. They slowly made their way upstairs and as if they all knew, they all headed for Harry and Ron's room.

They all entered and they all took a seat. The room was not a fairly large one but they were able to sit far enough away yet not too far away.

No one wanted to say anything. Hermione could feel the tension in the room.

She got up to close the door for if any shouting were to begin she did not want the rest of the house to know about it with the shrieking of Mrs. Black.

When she sat down it was actually Draco who decided to break the silence of the room.

"So, when did all of you arrive?"

"This morning." Replied Harry

"Since the summer began." Replied Ginny for the rest of her brothers.

Draco nodded. And they were all in silence again.

Hermione had had enough of this awkward tension between everyone.

"So, Harry, how was your past month with the Dursley's?"

"Absolutely awful. They are the way they usually are but not as bad since that warning they were given about two years ago. But they are still nasty to me."

"Glad you're here then?"

"Definetly. That was the longest month I had to live through."

"So, what do-"

"Uh, Hermione?" interrupted Ron.

"Yes?"

Ron gulped and looked at Hermione's hand, which was still holding Draco's.

"Are you-are you two-"

And he couldn't continue his sentence.

"No Ron. He's just a good friend and I'm here to support him." And she gave the two hands a light pat.

"Oh" said Ron and looked away.

"So" said Hermione as her eyes left Ron to look at everyone else. "As I was asking earlier, what do you think we'll be doing as we are here for the rest of the holiday?"

"We're supposed to be keeping out of anyone's sight. That's all mum told us." said Fred.

"Well, I'm supposed to be training with Moody and Lupin for the next month."

"Oh yeah! Harry have you been practicing for your apparation test?"

"That's going to be part of the training with Moody."

"Oh, well Draco helped me all month. I can apparate silently just like Draco."

"Really?" said Ginny, Fred, and George with wide eyes.

Then Fred added, "I didn't know you could do that."

"Me either but Draco taught me how. Its quite simple, it just takes a greater deal of concentration."