Disclaimer:  I'm not JK Rowling and I don't own Harry Potter, but at the rate I'm going it's going to take me about as much time to finish one of my stories as it takes her to publish hers.

A/N:  Hey everybody, sorry it's taken me so long to post and right after that terrible cliffie too.  Oh I wanted to ease some nerves, some people thought that Draco actually died…ummm yeah that didn't happen.  It was a dream, a dream that looks to be coming true but never-the-less a dream.  So Draco hasn't died…yet.  Thanks to everyone who reviewed!  Ok so here comes the story.  R/R!

Whisper~Mad~Crazy                                                      Chapter 17-Trust Me

          Hermione felt silent tears stream down her cheeks.  This couldn't be happening.  Draco and Snape halted their conversation.

"Hermione?  Hermione what's wrong?"  Draco asked climbing out of his bed.  Hermione tried to slow her rapid breathing.

"Dr…dream."  She stuttered through the tears.

"What?"  Draco asked still puzzled.

"Ms. Granger what is the problem?"  Snape asked in what would have been a nice tone. "Nightmare…Draco and…Lucius…Crucio."  Hermione said trying to get the point across.  If this really was her dream coming true they didn't have very much time.  Draco gazed at her, realization dawning on his face.

"This was your dream wasn't it?"  He asked her softly.  She nodded her head slowly looking towards the ground.  Draco closed the distance between them and swept her into his arms.

"It's ok Hermione.  Nothing's going to happen.  Trust me."  He murmured softly into her hair.  Snape starred at the two uneasily.  He cleared his throat.

"Mr. Malfoy."

Draco turned to the potions professor still holding Hermione.

"Yes sir?"  He replied.

"Well it is about your father."  Snape replied slowly.  Hermione's eyes widened again.

"He's here isn't he?  He's coming after us!"  She said shaking in Draco's arms.  Snape eyed Hermione.

"No, what would give you that idea?"  He asked.  Hermione relaxed so much that her knees went weak and Draco's grip tightened as he tried to support her.

"Then it's not my dream."  She said softly then looked up to Draco.  "You're not going to leave me?"  Draco gazed into her hazel eyes. 

"Never."

Snape sighed loudly breaking the moment.

"Draco this really is important."  He said impatiently.

"Well then let us discuss it."  Draco replied.

"Do you think we could discuss it…in private?"  Snape replied slowly.

"Whatever needs to be said, can be said in front of Hermione."  He said firmly.

"Draco, it's ok.  I'll leave."  Hermione said gently touching his arm.

"No."  He said quickly.  "I want you to hear this."  She nodded and stared intently at Snape.

"Draco, your father has requested another training session tonight."

Draco sighed and sat down on the nearest bed, which happened to be Hermione's.

"Training?  I…I don't understand."  Hermione said.

"Hermione I'm going to tell you some things but I need you to trust me.  Do you understand?"  He said slowly.  She nodded her head slowly, her eyes questioning his.

"As you probably know my father is a Death Eater.  He is Voldermort's right-hand man and as his son, some things are expected of me."  He paused and looked to Hermione expecting to see a look of disgust on her face and was surprised to find compassion and understanding but most importantly…trust.  "This training I've been going to, I'm training to be a Death Eater.  Not only a Death Eater but Voldermort's heir."  He finished with a heavy sigh.

"So you're everything everybody says you are and more."  She said tentatively.  He nodded but looked at her with pleading eyes.

"But Mione, you have to believe that I don't want to be any part of this.  I hate every minute of it.  I would do anything to get out."  Hermione sat down on the bed next to him and laid her head on his shoulder.

"What are we going to do?"  She asked quietly.  Draco took her hand in his.

"I don't know."  He replied.  "I don't know."

Snape watched at the interaction between his nephew and the girl that he had always hated.  It was time for Draco to know the truth.

"I believe I might be able to offer some assistance."

Draco and Hermione snapped their heads up.  They had forgotten that Snape was still in the room. 

"Sir?"  Draco asked.

"There's something that you too should know Draco."  He paused weighing the consequences of what he was about to reveal.  "Your father and I…we…I am your father's brother.  Which means that…"

"You're my uncle?"  Draco said suddenly.  He then smirked.  "So that's why I've been getting such good grades in Potions."

Snape laughed, an actual laugh, not the mocking laugh he gave a student when they performed badly and knew it.

"That is somewhat right Draco but I must admit you are quite accomplished in that subject.  Anyway as I was saying I believe I may be able to offer some assistance."

"Wait, wait, wait."  Hermione said standing up.  "You are Lucius Malfoy's brother?  You've been Draco's uncle this whole time and you could have taken him away, you could have saved him from the dark life he's had to live but instead you left him in the hands of one of the most evil wizards of our time?"

"Hey!"  Draco and Severus said at the same time.

"He may be evil Hermione but he's still my brother and he's still Draco's father."  Severus replied.  Hermione looked to Draco who looked ashamedly at the floor but still nodded.

"I'm…I'm sorry, it's just so…I don't know the word."  Hermione apologized.

"Peculiar?"  Severus offered.

"I suppose so."  She replied softly.

"So you've got a plan uncle?"  Draco said with some amusement in his voice.

"Now Draco no one can know about this."  Severus started.

"The plan or the uncle part?"  He asked still smirking.

"Both.  First things first, as I see you two have become somewhat well acquainted we have to address that.  You have to keep up the façade.  In order for the plan to work you need make sure everyone knows that you're still enemies.  Do you understand?"  Hermione and Draco slowly nodded.  "Good.  Second the actually plan.  I don't have all the details worked out but I've got the general idea.  Basically Draco as much as you want to just quit all of this Death Eater business right now you're going to have to put up with it.  What we're going to do is wait until the night of your ceremony for becoming a full fledged Death Eater and essentially Voldermort's heir."

"But why?"  Hermione questioned.

"That will be the largest gathering of Death Eaters that I can think of.  A new heir coming to power, a powerful Death Eater.  I don't think any one of them would miss it."  Severus stated.  Draco nodded concurring with him.  "Now we are going to need the cooperation of Mr. Potter for the final battle.  Hermione can you help with that?"

"Yes sir.  Harry can never resist being the hero."  Hermione replied.

"Yes we've noticed."  Draco said under his breath.  Hermione shot him a look but returned her gaze to the professor.

"Good.  I think you have a pretty good idea of where this is going but I want to work everything out before I explain in detail.  So for now there's only one thing I want you to do."

"What?"  Draco and Hermione asked.

"Work on the Cor Unum, Via Una spell."

The two students stared in shock.

"What…"

"How…"

They both started.

"How did you know?"  Draco asked.

"Come now Draco, you know Dumbledore sees all."  Severus said amusedly.

"Well yeah I mean everyone says that but he can't really see all can he?"  He replied somewhat panicky.

"He's just a very clever old wizard Draco."

"Um Professor, what do you mean work on it?"  Hermione asked.  "How are we supposed to work on it?"

"Practice.  Try experimenting with your feelings and your thoughts.  You could also try the library Ms. Granger.  I'm surprised you haven't already."

Hermione mentally slapped herself.  Of course she should go to the library, that's what she had always done.

"Yes sir."

"Very good.  Well you two rest a bit, you've been excused from classes for today and tomorrow."

"Thank you sir."  Draco said wrapping an arm around Hermione to keep her from protesting having to miss classes.  Severus nodded to the two then exited the infirmary.

"Well this has been an eventful day hasn't it?"  Hermione asked relaxing against Draco's chest.

"Mmhm."  He replied.  "So we have to keep up the façade do we?"

"I guess so."  She said softly.  "But I mean it shouldn't be that hard.  We've been doing it for 6 years right?"  Draco nodded again.  He laid back down on the bed pulling Hermione down beside him.

"But let's not start just yet."  He said softly wrapping his arms around her waist.  Hermione snuggled against him and closed her eyes.  Draco watched as she slowly fell asleep then he too drifted off.  Neither noticed the person lingering by the infirmary doors.

Severus shook his head chuckling to himself.

"This is going to take some work."

"How did it go Severus?"

He whirled around to find Dumbledore standing behind him.

"Fine Albus, it went fine."

"Excellent.  Now, care to join me for some tea and toffee?"  He motioned towards his office.  Severus smiled.

"Why not."

A/N:

Um yeah, Draco/Hermione fluff, sort of.   Anyway I'm tired and don't know what else to write and I'm getting sick again and it sucks and I've taken like 1000 mg of Echinacea and I think I've got a fever.  So I'm going to bed.  Sorry this was shorter than the rest and sorry it took so long to get out.  Excuses, excuses.  Anyway Read and Review!