Thanks a lot for your reviews!

Chelle86: Thanks very much for your nice comments! The only thing - Hermione isn't going to find out Draco's little secret. *evil look*

schoolcomp25: Thanks for your comments! =D

A/N: I guess this last chapter will be a bit of a surprise! *mysterious look* Read it and tell me what you think!

Chapter 7 - An Unexpected Sacrifice

"Mr. Malfoy! Mr. Malfoy! Pay attention to class, please!" Professor McGonagall was trying to draw the attention of his student, but Draco couldn't care less. And, mad hippogriffs, how could he care about a stupid lesson when his life was all messed up?!

"Professor, you should take at least 10 points from Slytherins, for Malfoy not being attentive!", Hermione Granger said unexpectedly.

"I much agree with her!", Ron Weasley took Hermione's part.

Harry gazed furiously at the two. "What, are they mad or something?", he thought. Not that he was Malfoy's friend now. Actually, he despised him more than ever, but his two best friends had kind of exaggerated with their revenge during these last weeks. Hermione even got herself detention with Snape for throwing her Agony Potion at the Slytherins and causing them to fall in pain over their own potions, which was shown to be very serious.

"Cut it out now, Hermione, will you! It's over, I got it, you don't have to act like a stupid kid!", Draco burst in fury.

Minerva McGonagall was flabbergasted. She looked from Malfoy to Granger, then to Weasley and Potter. She didn't know what to think. Never, any of these four students have been fighting in public as fiercely as now.

"You, you, you and you", said the professor pointing to each of the four, "shall remain after class and follow me to Headmaster Dumbledore's office. And I don't want to hear no more sounds!"

The rest of the class continued with no more interference, only frightened or surprised looks toward Draco and the trio from fellow Gryffindors or Slytherins.

When the break arrived and all the other students went out, the four outcasts followed their professor to the headmaster's office.

"Potter, you go first!", Minerva Mcgonagall said, and Harry obeyed promptly.

"Good morning, headmaster!"

"Aaahhh, Harry, what do I hear from Minerva?"

"Oh, professor, I might do something wrong, but I have to tell you. See, Hermione was Malfoy's girlfriend, but she dumped him for trying to attract her on Voldermort's side and now Ron is trying to get Hermione to like him, because he fancies her since 1st year."

"I see... What about Mr. Malfoy?"

"He... I dunno. He's a bit different than last year, I guess, but he's still the biggest brat in history!"

"I understand. You may join your classmates now, but please call Miss Granger in."

"Alright. Good-bye, professor!"

"Hmmmmm... Curious fact...", Dumbledore thought.

"H-headmaster Dumbledore?"

"Hello, my dear Hermione! Please, take a sit!", the headmaster smiled, pointing to a red silk covered chair.

"I-I'm sorry for interrupting the class, b-but I ..."

"You were upset about Mr. Malfoy."

"Precisely ...", Hermione sighed, staring at the ground.

"My dear, you should try and hear his story."

"His story?! His story is that the crazy power-hungry Voldemort sends him to kill 'unworthy mud-bloods' and he obeys like a slave!"

"You still love him?"

"No, of course not! It was a mistake! All just a big, foolish mistake!"

Dumbledore shook his head sadly.

"Off you go..."

"You wanted to see me, too, professor?", a blonde head appeared in the doorway.

"Yes, yes, come in, Draco."

The young man took a seat in front of his headmaster, trying to be as cool as he could.

"Tell me the truth."

Draco hesitated, but finally said:

"Very well, if I must."

As the teenager told his story, the eyes of the old headmaster widened in surprise. He had asked for a greater secret than he could bear. Dumbledore was now very much aware of the fact that once Draco would finish his tale he, the headmaster of Hogwarts, would have to take the secret down to his grave. Even knowing this, he asked:

"Wouldn't you prefer to also tell this to Miss Granger?"

"No. And you have to swear you will keep my secret. Mine and my family's."

The professor nodded. He had no other choice left. He wanted to advise the young student, to say something that would make him feel better, but he stopped. What use would it be? He knew not his bitter feelings and he did not wish to say anything painful to Draco.

"May I leave now?"

"Yes, you may. And ... call Mr. Weasley."

The youngest redheaded boy in the Weasley family seemed angry.

"Is there anything wrong, Mr. Weasley?"

"No. Nothing, professor."

"You know, Mr. Malfoy is not your enemy."

Ron seemed that he would begin yelling at Dumbledore, but instead he said:

"I am sure of that, sir."

"Do not become like him. Remember, you are a Gryffindor!"

"Yes. I know."

***

Outside the headmaster's office, Draco Malfoy was waiting for Ronald.

"What do you want?!"

"Tell you not to be a fool, Weasley."

"What?!"

"Listen! I have no more chances with her, and you know that! She loves you, instead! I know it!"

"What are you talking about?!"

"Weasley, you are more stupid than you seem! Fight for Granger, dammit!"

Ron couldn't believe his ears. His worst enemy, Draco Malfoy, ex- boyfriend of the one he fell for, was advising him to go for Hermione Granger. It was unbelievable!

"You aren't serious, are you?"

"Hmpf! Of course I am, you idiot!", Draco smiled bitterly and left, saying nothing more.

Ron was still amazed.

***

Draco Malfoy left the castle in a hurry. He knew something was wrong and something terrible was about to happen. The Dark Mark on his shoulder was hurting. The Dark Lord was near, and he was calling for him.

He arrived in the place he ought to. Draco knew this because his mark hurt him no more. He felt the darkness of his real father. He felt his hatred, his pain, his cruelty. Voldemort was there.

"Welcome, my ssssson!"

"I'm not ...", Draco stopped. In the distance he saw a person who shouldn't be there: Hermione Granger.

"Ssssso ...you like the little misssssy..."

"N-n-no!"

"Well, well, well! And what would happen if the little mud-blood would suddenly ...die? Avada Kedavra!"

"NO!"

The blonde young man jumped in front of the dooming wand, the green light hitting his chest.

"You fool!", he heard the evil voice of his father.

"Tom, leave the children alone!"

Draco heard the voice of his old headmaster, then various curses of both sides. He could no longer see clearly. He only hoped Hermione would be alright. Then, suddenly, everything turned quiet, until he heard Dumbledore again:

"It's alright, my child!"

"Don't...tell...Hermione...I died..."

***

During the dinner, in the Great Hall.

"I have to make a very important announcement!" The headmaster had rose from his seat.

"The Slytherin student by the name of Draco Malfoy was immediately transferred at Durmstrang, School of Magical Arts at the request of his father, Mr. Lucius Malfoy! He shall no longer attend this school!"

Some very happy, other very disappointed murmurs were heard in the Great Hall.

"Finally!", said a relieved Ron Weasley.

"Very curious, though, I could have sworn I saw him in the evening outside the castle with a tall man, dressed in dark clothes."

"You were probably just mistaking, my love!", said Ron carelessly.

"Yeah, probably just mistaking...", sighed Hermione, allowing the redheaded to pull her into a deep kiss.