Chapter 9

Hermione strode through the halls to the library. Hardly anyone know it, but there were actually comfortable armchairs way in the back. Hermione was probably the only person who spent enough time in the library to know it. She settled down into the chair and kicked off her shoes, ready for a relaxing read. That's when he showed up.

Draco Malfoy was pretending to look for a book on Potions. Merlin knew he needed the help. Then he saw her. All the anxiety he felt from his conversation with Professor Snape melted away when he saw her engrossed in that book.

"Hello, Grange," he drawled. His voice had lost most of the malice that she had become accustomed to, but it's hard for a Malfoy to change his hair gel and a twinge of animosity still remained.

"Hello, Malofy," her voice was tentative, not sure what was going on or how to react ot it.

"You enjoy reading, don't you, Granger?"

"What are you scrutinizing at his time of night?" his palms were sweating and it was all he could do to keep his breathing even. Her beauty took his breath away. The way her legs were tucked gently underneath her, the way her hair flowed down her body, gently swishing when she turned her head; it was enough to drive him mad.

"Hogwarts, A History," she said. Why was he making her so nervous? She didn't care about him. He was the insufferable ferret, the enemy. So why was his mere presence awakening feelings she hadn't felt since fourth year?

"Listen, Granger--" he stopped and methodically amended his statement. "Hermione, I would like to apologize for my rude actions this summer," Malfoy impregnated every word of his sentence with dignity and sincerity that was genuine. He was trying to hide his chagrin over his second actual apology by talking like a high-clan Malfoy.

"It's all right, Malfoy. I've forgiven you. Dumbledore must have told you something pretty awful, didn't he?"

Draco snorted. "That he did. But I really came to give you something, Gr - Hermoine."

"What is it?" Hermione could feel butterflies in her stomach.

Her pulled out of his robes a brown leather book and handed it to her. "I thought you might enjoy it. As a token of my gratitude."

Hermione paused. "Dear Circe, you can't be serious. You can't give me this." The book was very old, a record of the ancient witches and wizards. It was call Antiquitas Magicus and all copies were thought to have been burned centuries ago. The book Hermione held in her hands was worth more than all the treasure in Gringotts. "How did you come across a copy of it?" she asked.

"This is not a copy," Draco said. "It is an original printing, bound in approximately 1297. My father left it in my care, as it contains a great deal about my ancient ancestors." She was impressed and he was pleased. "I know you have an affinity for history."

"But I thought these were all burned; how do you have one? Especially one so old?"

"Most copies were burned, but the Malfoys have a way of . . . hiding . . . what we need at the appropriate time." He gazed at her face, memorizing every contour and delicate feature, wishing nothing more than to have her face between his hands, his mouth raining kisses down on hers.

"Malfoy," Hermione said hesitantly, reaching to hand the book back to him, "this book is priceless. I can't keep this."

"But I want you to have it," he said, pushing it back towards her. "I have read the first few pages and know that I have no use for it. Please accept it."

Hermione looked longingly at the old tome. "Are you sure?" she said.

"Quite," said Malfoy. He could smell her less than a meter from him, a clean scent of soap and fresh air. He looked into her eyes, and something passed between them again, but more intense this time, like electricity that both could hear, snapping and crackling in the air.

Hermione clutched the book to her chest and smiled at him. "Thank you very much, Draco," she said. "This is something I will treasure."

For the first time in his life, Draco forgot himself and smiled back. He knew that everything was different now and that nothing would be the same. And it thrilled him. Then, quickly, the façade was put back into place and he exited quickly.

* * *

"Are you sure, Severus?" asked Dumbledore concernedly.

"Postitive," said Snape. "The boy came and spoke to me about it this afternoon. Though why he would consider me for a partner in a conversation of that nature, I do not know."

"He considered you because you are all he has left. You are his father now, Severus."

"Well, I can't say I ever expected anyone to tell me that. But I do understand your reasoning."

"Now, back to the matter at hand, is that all he said?" Dumbledore reclined in his chair and put his hands over his eyes, roughly massaging his face.

"Yes; he only spoke of her," Severus sat in a chair on the other side of Dumbledore's desk. "What are we going to do?"

"Do? I don't think there's much we can do, is there Severus? We must let the thing run its course. Hopefully, it will not last long. These things usually don't; I've been here long enough to know that."

"You want me to continue with my current work?"

"Yes, Severus. That would probably be the best thing for now. Has the safe house been secured?"

Snape nodded. "It's in Wales somewhere, I think. Only Tonks and Lupin know for sure. I don't even want to know how they found it. They say it's unplottable."

"That should do nicely, then. I will make arrangements to have him transported there as soon as the school term ends. He should be safe for now."

"What of Miss Granger? Is she safe?" Snape wasn't one to show affection, but he did care about his students. Especially ones as powerful as Hermione.

"For the time being, she is. I expect she will stay in Grimmauld Place after graduation. She is in now immediate danger. As long as he doesn't find out about young Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore put a curious emphasis on the word 'he.'

"All precautions will be taken," said Snape. He knew the gravity of the situation at hand.

"Does he know that Draco survived?" Dumbledore inquired.

"Not yet," Snape answered truthfully. "But it is only a matter of time."

"What will happen when we run out of time?"

Snape spoke with precision, weighing every word. "I believe he will try to execute young Malfoy again."

Dumbeldore nodded. "Do we know why?"

"I believe he sees Draco as a threat. He knows of the prophecy as well."

The Headmaster thought. "If he knew of Mr. Malfoy's attraction to Miss Granger . . . "

Snape nodded.

"Not a soul must now of this, Severus. It doesn't leave the office walls."

"As always, Albus."

Dumbledore stood to leave. "Now I have some business to attend to in London. If you will excuse me, Severus, I will bid you good bye. I hope our next meeting is not quite so dreary as this one has been." The trademark twinkle was back in his eye as Dumbledore led Severus to the door. "Good luck, my boy," said the Headmaster. "Do not let him be lost. He is too important to the cause. You know as well as I. He is out last hope."

"I will not fail you, Albus."

"I know," said Dumbledore. "You never have before. Now, I believe Poppy needs some Headache-Relieving potions and I must go, so I leave you now. Have faith Severus. Everything will be all right. And if it's not, we'll soon be dead, so who cares, eh?" Dumbledore laughed. "See you later Severus."

And Severus Snape went down the steps, wondering how that old man could be so happy.

A/N: Sorry it took so long! The next chapters will come quicker, I promise. Hope you liked this one, review please! Sorry if my Latin title is crap. I don't speak Latin and used an on-line translator. Review!