Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
A/N: Sorry it took so long again but my home computer is down and so I can only update when I have the opportunity at work. Hope you enjoy!
End of Chapter 9:
They didn't quite realize the intensity of the Dark Lord's spies. They really were watching Draco every minute, and he had no idea.
They arrived at the Headmaster's office and proceeded up the stairs. Draco knocked on the door, hoping that Professor Dumbledore wasn't asleep yet. Sure enough after a matter of minutes, Dumbledore's voice could be heard.
"Come in, Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger." When they entered, Dumbledore was sitting behind his huge oak desk. He motioned for them to take the seats in front of his desk.
They made sure that when they entered they were not holding hands or acting romantic in any way that would draw attention to them. They wanted to remain low key for the time being.
"Now, what brings the two of you in here at this hour of the night?" A slight twinkle in his eye was apparent as he directed this comment to Draco.
"Well you see sir," Draco then relayed all the necessary information to Dumbledore, telling him that despite the fact that he is supposed to become a Death Eater, he doesn't want to kill anyone. He kept away from telling Dumbledore that he couldn't kill Hermione because he had developed feelings for her. That was the last thing he wanted to say. "And so, I felt it fit to bring Hermione along as her life is in danger as much as mine. Even though my father would say he would never harm me...that doesn't mean anything. He's done it before and he'll do it again."
Dumbledore sat there gazing at the two students sitting before him asking for assistance. After a moments pause, he spoke up. "Look, there are a limited number of things I can do. I can put cameras in your common room and bedrooms to monitor people coming in and out. That will let us know if Lucius is in fact coming around when you are not there. It will also allow us to see if there are any other spies implanting themselves throughout the day. You will both them be given a device, similar to a pager, and when there is someone in your dormitory it will go off alerting myself, Professors McGonagall and Snape, and the two of you. A message will flash across alerting you where to meet us. The other possibility is that we install buttons that press to alert myself McGonagall and Snape if there is an intrusion. Please keep in mind that the cameras will not be shut off for any reason what so ever. So, converse between the two of you and decide."
The two heads looked at each other. This was a decision that had to be taken seriously. Hermione asked a question that was lingering in her mind. "Professor, there won't be cameras in the bathroom?"
"No, no Miss Granger. There will be no cameras in the bathroom. Rest assured. We will not invade your privacy to that extent. However, we will place a special lock on the bathroom door. If you are in your rooms and there is an intruder in the common room, the two of you can retreat to the bathroom, and be safe from harm."
"Well Malfoy, what do you think? I happen to think that the cameras would be our best bet." Hermione said, sounding confident in her decision.
"Sure, that sounds great. So, when will all the precautions go into affect?" Draco asked coolly.
"Well," Dumbledore paused, snapped his fingers and turned back to the two of them. "Right now. The cameras are set and here are the two keys to get into the bathroom, and the pagers. Now, you won't be able to see the cameras as the do blend in with the walls which they are on. Is that all?" Dumbledore allowed a brief yawn to escape his mouth.
"Actually Professor, we think that there might be someone in the bathroom right now. When we went upstairs there was steam leaking from the bottom of the door." Hermione was obviously scared that something was going to happen.
"Let's go check it out shall we? Then it is off to bed." Dumbledore rose to his feet an headed towards the fireplace. He instructed them to use floo powder to travel to the 'Head's Common Room'. When they arrived Dumbledore led the way up the staircase and into Hermione's room. They all looked at the bathroom door and indeed there was no steam seeping through the door as there had been thirty minutes ago.
"Professor, I promise you there was steam." Hermione said moving closer to the door. Coincidentally when you moved close enough to the door, the area rug and hardwood floor were wet. "See, the floor is wet. That is proof right there."
"Yes Miss Granger the floor does seem wet. But there is no reason to fret. Let's have a look in the bathroom, shall we?" Dumbledore motioned for Hermione to open the door with her key. She did so and pushed the door open. She walked in and noticed that the mirrors were fogged up and that the shower door was fogged up too.
"Someone was definitely in here." Draco finally said. It seemed like ages since he had said anything. "But whoever it was is gone now. I need my beauty rest. Good night Headmaster and thank you for all that you have done." Draco then retreated to his dormitory, where is fell asleep the instant his head hit the pillow.
Hermione, leading the Headmaster to the main exit of the common room, said, "Thank you very much Professor. I know now that I can sleep and not be afraid of being attacked in my sleep. "Hermione managed a half smile as she stood there in front of Dumbledore.
"Miss Granger, it is my duty to protect my students to the best of my ability. This is just one example of the ways in which I do so." Dumbledore turned and exited the room. "Goodnight Miss Granger."
With that said, the portrait swung shut, and the tired Gryffindor returned to her room. She pulled the covers back and lay down on her bed. She wasn't planning on sleeping, but for some reason or another her eyes could not help but shut and her mind wandered off to dreams full of...Draco.
A/N: Hey everyone! How's that for a chapter? I know it took me long to update, but that was because I had orientation for college and couldn't update while I was there! Hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you think!