Okay, then, sorry about the delay in updating. I've been sick. I'm still sick. And busy. Good grief. Damn Mock Trial. Anyway, here's the second to last chapter!

Chapter Eleven: Seen It Coming

And even if I'd seen it coming
You'd still've seen me running
Straight into your arms

I would've loved you anyway
I'd do it all the same
Not a second I would change
Not a touch that I would trade
Had I known my heart would break
I would've loved you anyway

-"I Would've Loved You Anyway": Trisha Yearwood

Sitting down angrily in a chair, Draco Malfoy let his eyes slide around the room, casually observing. He frowned, noticing a few strange things going on.

First of all, Dumbledore was out of the wheelchair and talking in urgent hushed tones to a group of teachers, including Tonks and Lupin. And another scan of the room told him of the obvious lack of Slytherins. There were a couple nervous looking ones near the doors, but otherwise, only the other three houses remained.

"Attention!" Dumbledore shouted, using his wand to enhance his voice to echo across the room. The band quieted, the students of Hogwarts turning their eyes to the Headmaster. An uneasy feeling swept over Draco. "I must ask all of you to return to your dormitories immediately, and if you come across any other students in the hallways, please ask them to return also. Quickly now. Prefects, if you would assist your House Heads."

Crowds of people started moving towards the doors and Draco stood, seeing some hesitate. His mind was working furiously, putting the tiny clues together until he froze, realizing what was happening.

An attack.

Some sort of attack by Voldemort. It explained the severe lack of Slytherins, and Dumbledore's uneasiness. And why Tonks and Lupin were here. Draco was no idiot; he knew they were members of that Phoenix group. He had kept up with what was happening in the war until his father died. Attacking at a school dance was ingenious, with everyone celebrating, not caring about the war going on beyond the walls.

He had to find Hermione.

He took a step towards the doorway, when they flew open and a group of people in black robes and masks entered.

Death Eaters.

In front of all the remaining students were Dumbledore, Tonks, Lupin, and a couple other teachers, along with some more members of the Phoenix Order that seemed to have materialized. Everyone had shed their costumes, and wands were drawn.

Draco could see Harry, Ginny, and a couple members of that stupid DA group were lagging, wands drawn too.

He looked back and forth from the two groups for a moment, before he remembered the back exit behind the stage. He sprinted towards it, disappearing behind the curtains and out into the hallway of the school. Thinking only a moment, he knew to go to the main doors, and outside, heading for the lake. That's where Hermione would want to explain everything to Ron. His hunches hadn't been wrong yet.

"Ron, just calm down."

"Hermione, how can I be calm when you are dragging me out here to tell me that you've been cheating on me with Draco Malfoy!" cried Ron, his eyes searching her furiously.

"Cheating? Ronald, we weren't really together recently, as things were not going to work out the moment you pointed you wand at me! But I do apologize for not telling you sooner." Hermione replied heatedly. Ron sighed heavily.

"Hermione, I just don't understand how you can like that prat who has been a terrible git to you over the years, as opposed to me. Your best friend from day one."

"I have not been your best friend from day one. It took that troll at Halloween for you to be my friend, remember?" she demanded, hands on hips. "You were rather rude before that." They had reached the lake, and come to a stop. Ron sighed.

"Okay, 'Mione. If you really feel this way, I won't…stop you…" He gritted out, "I suppose Harry's said it's okay too?" He pried further, his eyes searching.

"Harry said he respects my decision." Hermione said, almost proudly.

"Bet he also said Malfoy's a prat who'll die if he hurts you."

"He might have mentioned that too." Hermione said, giggling slightly. Ron relaxed and looked at her carefully.

"So you're really happy? With Malfoy?"

"Yes Ron. I'm sorry. I…I still like you, a lot, but just…"

"Just not as much as Malfoy." murmured Ron, a bit sadly.

"Yes." She whispered back, looking down. Ron reached out, touching her shoulder lightly.

"As long as you're happy." He said, smiling and starting to move away when a group of shadows surrounded them. "What the bloody hell? What do you want?"

"Ronald Weasley, you are to come with us." said one, stepping closer. Hermione gasped, catching sight of their masks.

"Ron, they're Death Eaters!"

He reached for his wand, and Hermione reached for her's, but there were a couple shouts of "Expelliarmus", and both wands arched away. A couple figures stepped forward, grabbing Ron, and Hermione shrieked.

"Let him go! What do you want!"

"Shut up, mudblood." hissed one, hitting both her and Ron with a temporary silencing spell.

"What are we supposed to do with her?" said another

"Leave her for him. He has plans. Take this section of The Backbone back to the school."

"Okay."

"Come on, let's go."

They disappeared, with Ron, and Hermione sank to her knees, crying silently.

Draco slowed as he neared the lake, taking a deep breath. The last time he'd had any sort of check-in with Voldemort and his Death Eaters, the blonde Slytherin had been signed up to join.

Actually, by the end of the previous summer.

But when his father had died, Narcissia Malfoy had become even more protective of her son, and begged the Dark Lord for some extra time. Now Malfoy was doubly grateful for this, knowing he wouldn't be so hell-bent on finding Hermione if he was in league with Voldemort.

A tickle in the corner of his mind.

Hermione was in trouble.

He increased his pace, close to the edge of the lake when he came across a group of Death Eaters. He leveled a glare at them, his wand out. But they merely looked him over, before brushing past. He somehow knew Hermione wasn't with them, so he moved on without a glance.

He could see Hermione's crumpled form when there was a murmur from behind him.

"Imperio!"

Draco stumbled as the curse hit him, and blinked, frowning. He knew that it was an Imperius curse. However, he had been taught to fight it from a young age. Turning though, he saw no one. He continued forward, and looked down at Hermione, who was sitting with her head in her hands.

"Hermione?" he whispered. She lifted a tear-stained face and looked at him dazedly.

"Draco?" she said hoarsely, pushing herself onto her feet. She stood unsteadily for a moment, before she started to fall again, and he caught her, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

"Shh, it's okay, Hermione. I've got you now…"

"They…they took Ron…" she whispered.

Kill her.

"What?" muttered Draco, gazing down at her, his gaze slightly perplexed.

"I said that those Death Eaters took Ron. You saw them, didn't you?" she asked, looking back up at him.

The mudblood is a nuisance. Kill her now.

He shook his head violently, fighting the influence of the Imperius curse.

Grab your wand!

His hand twitched, and he could feel it move for his wand. Hermione glanced down and saw. She blinked, looking back up at his face, which was blank as he tried to wrestle away the commands.

"Draco?" she inquired, quietly, gently trying to move away.

Don't let her get away!

His arms tightened, and Hermione let out a small gasp, starting to struggle.

"Draco, let me go." She stated firmly.

"Shhh, Hermione, be quiet. I need to concentrate." He tried to say comfortingly, but it came out in a sort of strangled growl. She started to shake slightly, looking at him with slight fear.

"Draco? What's going on? Why…why are there Death Eaters at the school?" she asked. He closed his eyes a moment, trying to gather his bearings. The voice had stopped for the time being.

"I don't know why there are Death Eaters here."

"I would think that you would!" she cried, almost hysterically, glaring at him. He frowned at her, his eyes snapping open as he turned slightly so he could push the sleeve of his shirt up.

"Does it look like I'm one of them?" he demanded, showing his pale arm to her. She stared at it, letting out a quiet sigh.

"No…but…I'm sorry. Your father- It's just…"

"Hush. I know. If my father weren't dead, there's a good chance I would be one of them right now. But I'm not." He said quietly.

Your wand! Now! Kill the mudblood! Before she gets her own wand!

His hand shook as he grasped his wand and drew it out, still clutching Hermione and his eyes focused on her wand lying a couple feet away. She looked at him with slight puzzlement.

"What are you doing?" she said softly. He looked at her slowly and took a deep breath.

"Hermione, I need you to take my wand, then grab yours, then go back to Hogwarts as fast as you can. Do you understand?"

"I'm not leaving you…" She whispered. He allowed himself a small smile. Faithful little wench.

"You don't have a choice. If you don't go right now, I can't guarantee that I can protect you for much longer."

"You'd never let anything hurt me Draco…" she murmured, leaning against him. So trusting. Any other time Draco would have been overjoyed.

"I can't stop the Dark Lord for forever, Hermione! Dammit, will you just take the two wands and go! You'll have a better chance with Potter and his gang than with me!" He shouted, trying to push her away. She took a step back, looking at him silently. If he was saying something good about Harry, she knew he was utterly serious.

He lifted his arm, wand pointed at her. "Hermione…please take it…I promised myself that I'd never point my wand at you…not like that damned Weasel."

Hermione reached for it.

Kill her! Say it!

Her delicate fingers closed around the tip of the wand.

SAY IT DRACO!

"Ava-" She silenced him with a kiss, tugging the wand from his hand. Then she staggered back, looking around for her wand, before she snatched it and took off for Hogwarts.

Draco sighed heavily, collapsing in relief.

You are a fool, Draco. Now you've let a piece of The Backbone go right back towards her death. I just thought you would have liked to perform it yourself. But, no matter. I'm sure someone else would be only too happy to do it for you. Unless you want to try again? I do give second chances.

"Don't hurt her!" shouted Draco into the night air.

There was no reply.

Hermione slowed her pace as she heard Draco holler, noticing she was near the entrance of Hogwarts. The two wands were gripped tightly in her left hand, and she reviewed the last fifteen minutes again quickly in her head.

She was amazed that Draco had acted in such a way. And before she kissed him, she was pretty sure he was about to utter the killing curse. The mere thought of it still sent a bolt of ice-cold fear directly to her gut.

"Mudblood!" yelled someone ahead of her, and she blinked, seeing a Death Eater appear. She slipped her own wand quickly into her casting hand, preparing to fight.

"Get away from me!" she shouted, pouring borrowed confidence into her voice. The Death Eater hesitated, seeming to size her up. Then he raised his wand and she lifted hers, both shouting spells at the same time.

Hermione stumbled back, trying to counter the leg-locking jinx. The Death Eater put a hand to his face, gasping at the loss of his mask from some sort of shredding spell. The pieces of it lay on the ground, and he was bleeding slightly. The brunette glanced up and was surprised to recognize him almost instantly.

"Dean!" she said in astonishment. He scowled at her. "You can't be a Death Eater!

"What? Gryffindors can't be a follower of the Dark Lord? Of course not…" He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Well, Hermione, it's only the weak that He does not accept."

"No…aren't…you muggle-born? Like me?" she murmured. He glared down at her.

"I am notmuggle-born. I only live with one real parent. My mother stopped using magic for the idiot she married. The so-called father I am forced to live with is not my own. My father used to serve the Dark Lord." Dean said heatedly. Hermione looked at him in surprise.

"Not muggle-born? But-you…X-men…the comics…" she murmured, her eyes wide in bewilderment.

"Yes. I helped you with your theme so that I would have prior knowledge of what was going on at the dance."

"But…we danced. You were so nice."

"Information, mudblood, information. I had to determine if Draco Malfoy was truly sinking down to the likes of you. Unbelievable. You damn slut. Just like Ginny…" He muttered, raising his wand again.

"Expelliarmus!" came a shout from behind Hermione, followed by a stunning spell. Dean dropped like a stone and Hermione managed to reverse the leg-locking jinx, scrambling to her feet. She turned to face her savior.

"Zabini!" she cried before letting out a trembling breath, "I'm so confused…"

"I tried to warn you." He said, stepping closer and snatching up Dean's wand.

She could vaguely recall his cryptic words about trust and a fight.

"You…you knew Dean was with Voldemort?"

"I had my suspicions. The Dark Lord is no where near as open with me as with others."

"What?"

He stepped even closer, and since he had rolled his sleeves up at some point, she could clearly see the Dark Mark burning on his arm.

"You're one of them!" she yelped, jumping back. He followed her fearful gaze to his arm and smiled a bit sadistically.

"As far as most think, yep. But Dumbledore knows I'm not. And I tried to tell you, Hermione."

"You're undercover? Like…Snape?"

"Yeah. My parents don't even know. I went to Dumbledore as soon as my grandfather scheduled a time for me to join the ranks of the Death Eaters. The Headmaster helped me to trick all of them, and help the Order of the Phoenix."

Hermione stared at him blankly for a minute, thinking about all he had said.

"Look, Hermione, Voldemort is using this attack to specifically remove something he calls 'The Backbone'."

"What backbone?"

"The Backbone includes Ronald Weasley, Ginny Weasley, and yourself. You are the backbone of Harry Potter. The Dark Lord is not stupid. He knows taking the three of you will weaken the great Harry Potter."

"But they already took Ron! He was with me by the lake."

"The Death Eaters escorting Ron were intercepted, although I do not know if he was recovered."

"Why didn't they take me too?"

"I'm not sure. A test is all I heard. Something to do with Draco I believe."

"Draco almost attacked me. He seemed to be torn…told me to take his wand." She showed the object to Blaise, her palm open.

"Imperius curse…"

"You think?" she asked unsurely.

"I'm sure Draco was taught to fight the Imperius curse from a young age, like me. But I doubt he was trained to throw off an Imperius as strong as the Dark Lord's. And he would never hurt you voluntarily. You two are bonded, remember? That is a deliberate act. He wouldn't bond himself to someone he would be able to kill. Even subconsciously"

"Voldemort's controlling him?" questioned Hermione, her voice shaking slightly.

"Most likely." said Zabini shortly, "Now, come on, I have to get you back to the castle."

"But what about Draco!"

"He can take care of himself. And he's a Malfoy. Voldemort won't kill him so quickly." He reached out, closing his hand lightly around her arm and guiding her towards a side entrance.

Draco stood, his eyes tinted red as he scanned the open field in between the school and lake. He frowned on not discovering his goal.

She's inside…

He moved forward smoothly, almost reaching the castle before he saw the crumpled form on the ground. He scowled down at him, prodding the body with his foot. It stirred slowly. Looking up at Malfoy and noticing the change, the boy gasped.

"Milord!" He said excitedly, getting instantly to his feet, "You have succeeded!"

"Shut up Thomas. I have to find Granger." snapped Malfoy, his voice sounding scornful, like it had back before his father had died.

"Are you sure that we should continue? I'm sure they've had time to regroup…"

"Well, well, Thomas, you're starting to sound like your father, aren't you? The one who wouldn't listen to the Dark Lord? So we had to get rid of him? The reason you have to live with that filthy half-muggle family?" demanded Draco cruelly. Dean winced, but nodded obediently.

"Yes. I apologize."

"Good. Where is your wand?"

"Um…I think that damn mudblood took it. She…stunned me or something."

"I see. Come then." Draco said, striding towards the school. Dean hurried after the Slytherin.

Hermione and Blaise walked carefully down a couple dark hallways, wands out, though extinguished. Draco's wand had been tucked away in Hermione's costume, and Dean's in Blaise's pocket.

Zabini stopped in front of a quiet door, and muttered something. The door clicked and swung open, revealing a large brightly lit crowded room. Hermione stepped in, Blaise following. The door slammed shut, and everyone immediately started talking again.

The room consisted mainly of Prefects and older students, with the occasional younger student. Hermione saw a familiar shade of red hair and ran over.

"Ginny!" she yelled. The Weasley girl spun, caught sight of Hermione, and shrieked, tumbling into the brunette's arms.

"Oh Hermione! We were so worried about you! Harry went back out to look for you and Ron." she stepped back and frowned, "Hermione, where is Ron?"

"They took him. But Zabini said he might have been saved." She replied hopefully.

"Oh." whispered the redhead, leaning back against a wall before sliding to the floor. Her green costume was ripped near the shoulder, her hair tangled. She let out a quiet sob. "I don't understand. Why did this have to happen today?"

"I don't know, Ginny." said Hermione soothingly, sitting next to her.

"Harry wouldn't let me go with him. Neville went did go though, and Luna stayed here, I think at Neville's insistence. Why do the girls have to stay and worry? We're just as good with a wand. I mean, jeez, Hermione, you're better at magic than anyone in our year!" cried Ginny in frustration. Hermione frowned, not expecting Harry to be so sexist. Well, it probably wasn't sexism, but trying to protect his girlfriend.

"I know Ginny…come on, we'll go find Harry." She said, getting to her feet and pulling the younger girl with her. They moved to the door, but were cut off by Zabini.

"No way can you two go out there."

"And why not?" asked Hermione furiously, her enthusiasm returning.

"Two parts of The Backbone? Definitely not." stated Blaise firmly. Hermione planted her hands on her hips, as Ginny looked between the two with confusion.

"Blaise Zabini, we cannot just leave Harry, Ron, and Draco out there! I am going to help even if I have to hex this entire room!" She whipped out her wand to finish her pointed, aiming it directly at Zabini. He frowned a second, looking from Ginny to Hermione, and back again.

"Fine. But you are having escorts."

"Whatever." huffed Hermione, "As long as they're ready right now." She walked purposefully to the door, Ginny, Zabini, and two others following. She pulled it open and walked out into the hallway.

"Wands out!" said Zabini in a hushed tone, and moving to the front.

"Since when did you become leader?" said Hermione peevishly.

"Since I spent five months undercover with Voldemort." He returned easily, with a snappish tone. She bit back a reply, walking behind him silently.

It was sudden when they came upon the fight in the entrance hall. Dumbledore was fighting a large group of older Death Eaters who were attempting to get up some stairs that led to dormitories. Harry was there, along with a large group of DA members, including Neville. Ginny gasped and rushed over to her boyfriend, wand out and immediately started casting spell and jinxes. Harry spared her a stunned glance, but smiled faintly before going back to fighting.

Hermione searched the room, seeing Ron over with a group of Ravenclaws, Parvati Patil, and Lavender Brown. No sign of Draco though. She shot a stunning spell at a group of Death Eaters, and a couple fell, one stepping forward.

"Granger!" was the familiar hiss Hermione heard.

"Parkinson." Hermione responded, glaring at the girl, "Still hiding behind masks I see."

"Be quiet, mudblood. You're just jealous 'cause you are on the wrong side! Once a loser, always a loser!" yelled Pansy, lifting her wand aggressively.

"Oh really, Pansy? I seem to remember I was the one dancing with Draco before this entire mess!"

"We'll see who comes up on top." sneered the Slytherin, stepping forward in preparation of yelling a jinx.

"Pansy stop." came a cool voice. Hermione knew it instantly it and sighed inwardly, turning to smile at Draco.

The relieved expression melted at soon as she saw the blonde male. He stood angrily in front of Dean and a couple other masked Death Eaters, his eyes almost red and his features dark. Hermione stared at him fearfully. He spoke again, and she realized it was the icy voice he had used on her in previous years.

"Let me take care of this particular mudblood." He said, smirking at her. But it wasn't his sexy smirk that made Hermione shiver. It was an evil smirk that Hermione hadn't seen since for a long time. "Come on, Granger, don't you want to duel?"

"Malfoy, get away from her!" yelled Ron, appearing at Hermione's side and pointing his wand at the Slytherin. He glanced at Hermione for a second, saying with irritation, "And you preferred him to me?"

"That is not Draco." said Hermione firmly.

"Apparently Granger wants to play pretend. I'm not Draco. Let's pretend you're mudblood scum that I'm going to kill! Wait…that isn't made-up; it's real!" exclaimed Draco with glee.

"Hermione, remember the bond!" shouted Zabini from over near Dumbledore, fighting off a couple Death Eaters.

"Draco…" she said quietly, stepping closer. He narrowed his almost crimson eyes at her. "Do you remember saying that you wouldn't mind me being a Malfoy?"

"I would say no such thing!" he yelled crossly. Her mind raced frantically for another solution. She looked around the room again and noticed Zabini. She could see that his lips were still slightly swollen. Ah. That gave her an idea.

"Ron!" she whispered urgently, motioning to the redhead. He moved closer to her, eyeing her warily.

"What are you doing, mudblood? Don't worry; Weasel will get his chance too. Let him wait his turn. You'll all die in time." Malfoy said quietly, his gaze leveled at her. She returned it bravely, and then pulled Ron to her, giving him a hard kiss on the mouth.

Crack!

Yes, yes, I know. A terribly teasing cliff-hanger. But the next (and LAST) chapter will be up by Sunday evening. I promise.

What did you think of the twists? I hoped you were at least a little surprised, as I only hinted at it a little bit. Let me know what you think, and if you catch any typos or mistakes, please do tell me what they are when you review! The more reviews I get, the sooner the last chapter shall be posted!