12.
Hermione run at top speed and finally got hold of his arm "Draco, stop please. We need to talk" He turned his head "Take your filthy hands away from me." Hermione was shocked by his rude words but then she heard some Slytherins sniggering and she understood that he didn't say that phrase because he thought it.
She then said, loud enough for the watchers to hear "Malfoy, we need to talk about Head duties and I don't give a damn if you don't have time. Let's go to our private quarters or I will inform the Headmaster that you don't want to collaborate." He sighed "Fine, I'm coming with you but never, and I repeat never order me to do something again."
When they arrived at their quarters Hermione was the first to talk "I'm sorry Draco. With my silence I didn't mean that I would choose Harry over you." he looked at her angrily "I'm tired of your apologies. First you say something that offends me and then you think that with a simple sorry everything will be back to normal. I have news for you Granger I got enough. From tomorrow I will court you and you will show that you like me but that's it."
She looked at him sadly, she couldn't talk to him about the prophecy. They were all bound to protect Harry and to sacrifice anything for his safety. But how could Draco understand her thoughts if she couldn't freely express them? She knew in that moment that there wasn't anything she could do. She sighed "Are we still a couple?"
He was hurt, she didn't try to offer him anything more than a poor excuse. He was giving her the Malfoy's name and fortune. He was protecting her and risking his life for the good side and still, Harry bloody Potter was first in her heart. "No, we are not a couple anymore. I can't care for a person that doesn't care for me the same way."
She got angry "What do you expect Draco? You were awful with me for six years and then one day out of the blue, they tell me that you are on our side and that I have to marry you. You can't pretend that for a few weeks of happiness I would choose you over Harry. And it isn't because I love him more but because he is my family! Don't you see? I'm alone and he is like a brother to me."
She then started to leave for the library but he stopped her "Hermione, maybe this thing got too much out of hand. I don't like that you prefer Potter to me but I'm not stupid and I understand now that he is your family. I shouldn't have been so mean. I would be honoured if you still want to be my girlfriend."
Hermione was now crying "Why did you change so abruptly your mind?" he sighed again "I think that it is time that I tell you about what's happened the summer I turned a spy but it's not the right moment now. Let's calm down a bit before facing this discussion. We are going to meet here after dinner and then I will tell you. It is about family, choices and love. It's about Pansy."
Draco was surprised that he had decided to tell her about Pansy and the fifth year but now it was too late to stop. She looked at him and said "Pansy didn't come back in our sixth year, they said that she got by mistake the Dementor's kiss but I suspected that something was wrong."
He kissed her softly on her lips "Later Hermione, now I want to go and talk to Blaise." She nodded and slyly said "Regarding your question, my answer is yes. I would like to be your girlfriend but please don't dump me every time we have a fight or it will be a very long marriage" He smiled at her and then left for the dungeons.
Meanwhile in Dumbledore's office…
Severus took his seat in front of Albus. The older wizard told the younger one about the fight of Draco and Hermione. Severus smirked "That went very well and Narcissa's idea is absolutely brilliant." Albus said "Sarcasm won't help in this situation. I'm starting to believe that it may have been a mistake to put them together. We could be still in time to find another husband."
Severus tried to reassure him "Don't worry Albus. For as much as I hate to admit it, I'm sure that they will both benefit from this relationship. They will be a good couple. They can equilibrate and help each other." Albus sighed "I hope you are right. I really hope" Severus then said "Now, back to Mr. Zambini's issue. I had a long talk with him and it was very difficult for the young man to listen my proposal and my reasons for this offer."
Now Albus was very alert "Did he accept?" Severus smirked "As every good Slytherin he asked a few days to think it over. He wants to talk about it with Miss Weasley and then, they will let us know. I'm convinced that he would risk his life but he seems very concerned for his fiancée."
Albus was very serious now "I can understand him. Virginia has been into trouble since she came to Hogwarts and she has never fully recovered after her relationship with Tom Riddle in her second year. Whoever meets Voldemort from then on, he is in some way always linked to him. On the other hand, her family will know that she is acting and they won't ostracise her."
Severus was very grave when he added "I'm not concerned about her family Albus. The Dark Lord must be our concern. Sometimes, he has asked about her and he may have a plan for Miss Weasley. I can't risk to read his mind because I would be in danger." Albus looked at his old friend "Severus don't do anything that can compromise your position within the circle of Death Eaters."
Severus stood up angrily "You don't need to remind me that and now I need to go and grade some papers. See you later Albus." The old wizard said "I'm sorry if I offended you Severus. I'm just concerned about you." The potion master nodded and then left the room without a word.
On the way to his Potion classroom he met Draco, the blonde wizard smirked at his favourite teacher "Hello Severus, coming from a good chat with Albus?" Severus snorted "I swear that sometimes I could hex him into oblivion but I understand that he does everything because he cares." Draco nodded and then smiled when Severus asked "And how is the happy couple getting along? I believe there are some troubles between you two"
Draco became very serious "The worst has passed. Tonight I will talk with her about Pansy." He then hesitated "Do you think I should?" Severus looked the young wizard straight in his eyes "I believe that sooner or later she should know but it depends how much you think she cares for you. Some of the details may not be of her liking and you are risking to alienate her if your bond is not strong enough." Draco nodded "I think that I need to trust and to be sincere with her. If she won't understand then any kind of future together won't have any sense."
The two wizards arrived in front of the entrance of the Slytherin's common room where Draco entered and Severus left him to go to his classroom.
The common room was deserted except for Blaise, who was watching the fire in the fireplace with a faraway look on his face. Draco sat near Blaise "Hey mate, is everything all right?" Blaise didn't look at Draco but said "I'm thinking about an offer from Professor Snape and how to talk with Ginny about it."
Draco went rigid. That was not good. Severus' offer could only be of one kind. "Did he ask you to spy?" Blaise nodded. And then Draco went on "And you are scared that if you accept Ginny will leave you." Blaise shook his head "If it was that easy. No, they want Ginny to join me in the spying."
They remained silent for a while. "What are you going to do?" asked Draco and Blaise finally looked at his friend "What is your advice? Do you need help?" Draco pondered very well his answer "Blaise, I won't hide from you that to be a Death Eater and a spy it's not easy and you will have to do things that you despise. And more than that you will keep the guilt with you forever. There is no forgiveness for a bad action even if you do it for a good cause."
Blaise smiled "You have grown up." Draco smiled back "It was time that you noticed it." Blaise then said "Thank you Draco. I really needed a sincere assessment of the situation. Plus I think that if I join the Death Eaters I can kiss goodbye my chances to be an Auror." Draco nodded "And remember that if Ginny doesn't accept, you may have to break up. I probably wouldn't do it if I was you." Blaise looked grave "I think that you would do exactly what it is needed. Even if we are not in Gryffindor doesn't mean that we aren't brave or loyal."
"You know me too well, Blaise. I would do it, even if it would cause me to loose Hermione." Draco added seriously. Blaise then stood up "Ok, time to go and speak with Ginny. I will keep you informed."
Draco was left alone, he sighed and then stood up. It was time to face his fiancée and his fears.
AN: Thanks for reading.