Disclaimer; I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter Five: The Prophecy

Some time had passed since Draco apologised to Harry and now both he and Hermione firmly believed Draco was sincere. Ron had admitted he didn't want to keep fighting with his friends but he flatly refused to have anything to do with Draco. Jaide was pleased with Draco's progress and would frequently meet with him, eager to know more about her young ward. This was the state of things when Dumbledore made an announcement which would begin a chain of events to ruin all the improvements in Draco's life.

"May I have your attention please." Dumbledore addressed the students, "After many years of throwing the idea around, the decision has been made to have a Yule Ball this Christmas. All students in fourth year and above will be allowed to come, however younger students must be invited by the older ones. I hope you will all attend and, most importantly, have fun."

The students began whispering excitedly amongst themselves once Dumbledore had sat back down. Harry turned to Ron and rolled his eyes.

"Like I needed to go through this experience again before I left Hogwarts." Harry sighed.

"I dunno mate, finding someone to go with might be easier second time round." Ron said hopefully.

"Honestly you two. It's not something to dread." Hermione exclaimed.

"Hey! Since Vicky isn't here you can go with one of us." Ron told her.

She gave him a withering look, "No I cannot Ronald. I already know who I'd like to go with."

Harry looked up, "Who?"

Hermione forgot that Ron did not accept Draco and she only realised what she said when it was already too late…

…"Draco."

"Drakey?" Pansy whined, "Why have you been ignoring me lately?"

"Go away Parkinson. I don't like you." He snapped.

"It's because of that mudblood, Granger, isn't it." She said, "I can tell you like her but honestly Drakey, she's a filthy mudblood know-it-all."

Draco glared at Pansy, "Don't you talk about Hermione that way you whiney little bitch. She a way better person than you'll ever be."

Pansy burst into tears and ran up back to the Slytherin common room.

'Damn that stupid mudblood. She must've done something to Drakey to make him like this.' She thought, 'Yes. That's probably it. The conniving bitch has cast some sort of spell on him. Well I'll fix this.'

She went over to her bed and sat down with her quill and a piece of parchment.

After his little fight with Pansy, Draco had gone straight back to the Head's dorm. He had decided that he wanted to ask Hermione to the Yule Ball. She was such a beautiful person, inside and out, and he admired her loyalty and kindness. Yes, Draco Malfoy had fallen for Hermione Granger. However, as he was on his way to the Head's dorm he bumped into Jaide, who looked rather agitated.

"Oh, Draco. I'm afraid I need to see you and 'Mione in my office right away." She told him.

"What's wrong Jaide?" he inquired anxiously.

"Just find Hermione quickly please." She asked, "There's something we need to tell the two of you."

"Okay Jaide." He assured her, before hurrying off to his dorm.

He ran up to the portrait of the four house animals and gasped the password.

"Hermione!" he exclaimed as he burst into the common room, "Jaide wants to see us in her office right away. I think something is wrong."

"What?" she asked in a confused voice.

"I don't know. She just said to hurry."

"Okay, lets go."

They both rushed out the portrait hole and quickly arrived at Jaide's office. Inside they could hear people arguing.

"…too young. This will be too much of a burden for them!" they heard Jaide yelling.

"I'm very sorry you feel this way but we believe the time is coming and the risks of not telling them are too great. There's a reason we record prophecies you know." Another voice yelled back.

They looked at each other with puzzled expressions before Draco knocked loudly on the door. A few moments passed and then Jaide flung the door open, her eyes blazing with anger.

"Come on in guys." She told them.

They looked around the office and saw that the other voice was Cornelius Fudge, the minister of magic.

"Ah. Finally." He said, "Good evening Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger.

They were still very confused so they simply nodded in acknowlegment. Fudge decided to ignore this and gestured for them to sit down.

"I suppose you two are very curious as to why you have been called here?" he asked.

"Well, yes minister." Hermione stated, "Is something wrong?"

"Not really. There's just something some of us feel you need to know." He replied.

"Okay." Hermione said, "What is it?"

"A few years ago a prophecy was made. It went like this;

When the Second Shadow descends,

Not even He-Who-Lived will prevail.

Destiny turns to the long-time rivals,

For it is they who will not fail.

The Silver Heir and the Gifted Mind,

Must unlock the power deep within.

Lest the Shadow consumes all light,

And an age of darkness shall begin."

He paused and let them think for a minute, "Do either of you have any idea what it means?"

"Well, He-Who-Lived would be Harry wouldn't it." Hermione said.

"And I think I might be the Silver Heir." Draco told them.

"Very good. You are in fact the Silver Heir Mr. Malfoy, and Mr. Potter is indeed He-Who-Lived." Fudge affirmed, "And just in case you're wondering, The Second Shadow is Lucius Malfoy and the Gifted Mind is you Miss Granger."

"So the prophecy is aboput us?" Draco asked.

"Yes. And we think it will come to pass very soon."

"Basically it says that your dear old dad is going to attack using ancient magic from the Book of the Shades and only you and 'Mione will be able to stop him." Jade said sardonically.

"Um, okay then." Hermione said nervously.

"I think we'd like some time to process this." Draco informed everyone before he got up and walked out the door.

"You go to 'Mione." Jaide said kindly, ignoring Fudge's glares.

"Thanks Jaide."

"No problem. Goodnight 'Mione."

Hermione slowly got up and walked back to her dorm. She couldn't believe this was happening. It felt so weird knowing what the future had in store for her before it happened. She climbed through the portrait hole, noticing Draco had already gone to bed. It was all to much to take in so, exhausted, she too crawled into bed and was asleep within minutes.