Disclaimer: I do not own anything such as characters or such of Harry Potter these being the property of J.K Rowling.

"Ron! Harry! Wait up." a female voice called out excitedly. The girl in question pushing past numerous people in the corridor, muttering sorry and excuse me's as she went. Today was her first day back from the first semester hols and she had missed her two friends dreadfully.

"Hermionie!" the dark haired boy queried, spinning about his emerald eyes searching for the owner of the voice. Ron nudged him pointing towards the left of the students milling around. A small form burst through the throng and Harry grinned stepping forward to embrace her. Again amused at the fact at how much he'd grown, she didn't even reach his shoulder. Playfully he swung her around, causing her to squeak in surprise before, releasing her in his other best friends direction who immediately engulfed Hermione in his long arms.

"Where have you been?" Ron asked curious looking down at her. "Half the days gone already. I saved you lunch and everything and you weren't there." She frowned pulling back from the hug,

"I missed the train" she muttered grumpily. "I was at my aunts and she was late at dropping me off." Ron's mouth made an O in surprise, whilst Harry only laughed leading them both in the direction of the head common room.

"How'd ya get here then?" Ron said startled, "Apparate?"

Don't be foolish Ron Weasley; do you think I would disobey school rules? We're not allowed anymore even if we are seventeen" her eyes narrowed suspiciously "You haven't apparated yet have you? You know it's not allowed"

Ron raised his hands in defence. "No no of course not"

Harry smiled stopping at the entrance of the Head common room. "What about the time…"

"RON!" Hermione exploded in disbelief. Ron shook his head furiously in denial. Sending a glare at Harry for trying to get in trouble.

"Honestly Herms I haven't done anything like that" he pleaded convincingly trying not to whither under her glare.

She eyed him before huffing, turning away from him to follow Harry through the entrance of the door. Neither Hermione nor Ron noticing Harry giving the password in their squabble. "You better not of Ronald Weasley, I'll tell your mother if you've been lying to me" Ron kept his mouth shut, not wanting to get on her bad side, so early into the new semester.

The room they stepped into was warm and inviting. decorated in the red and gold of Gryffindor. A cheery fire already was burning away in the fireplace done probably by the house elves earlier that morning, whilst large comfy chairs were set around it. The common room of course contained all the essentials a nice table for studying, a wooden bookcase containing a large range of interesting parchments and books a young witch or wizard might want to read late one night. While other appealing touches like candles and ornaments were set around the airy room.

From one of the couches something ginger and fuzzy got up and dropped to the floor. A soft purr filling the air as the animal padded its way to the girl's feet arching its back for a pat. "Ooh Crookshanks, there you are, I wondered where you were sent" Hermione murmured reaching down and stroking the large cat, smiling as she heard her purr increase in volume.

Ron sent an annoyed glare at the purring cat before striding over to drop into one of the soft couches. "Merlin, I wish the Griffindor common room was this nice" Ron sighed wistfully. Hermione and Harry had got Head boy and girl, so they were given new quarters so Ron unfortunately was left out on the new pad. Not that he didn't spend as much time as possible in there as he could.

Harry gave him a pitying look before asking Hermione the question that had been nagging at him. "So Mione how did you get here anyway." She stiffened, before gathering her cat in her arms going over to join Ron, to his disgust while holding her pet. Hermione tried to look preoccupied for a moment, causing Harry to raise an eyebrow.

She blushed staring down at Crookshanks, "Um…a teacher came to collect me. I owled Professor Dumbledore and he organized something that's all."

"So who was it?" Ron questioned around a chocolate frog he was now munching on.

"Ah ... Professor Snape" she muttered quickly. Harry looked shocked, while Ron began to choke thumping himself on the chest to dislodge the frog. Once he succeeded he voiced his disbelief

"Snape got you, bloody hell why would he go pick you up."

Hermione glared at him "His is of the order, you know"

"Yeah yeah I know, but still Snape!"

Harry seeing a fight coming on broke into the conversation "So, if you didn't apparate how'd you get there? Floo?"

She looked up "No by portkey actually"

"Oh didn't think of that," he murmured thoughtfully.

Bored already Ron began to play with one of the crystal objects sitting next to him. Before a thought struck him "Oh yeah Harry tell her 'bout the announcement"

"Announcement?"

Harry nodded "Yeah Professor Dumbledore wants to see you as soon as possible he announced it over lunch"

"Still can't believe you missed the feast it was delicious" Ron sighed rubbing his stomach in remembrance.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Guess I'll see him in an hour before class" she paused "Oh no!"

"What?" Harry and Ron said as one

"I missed Care of Magical Creatures today" she complained miserably.

"Oh that all, you had me worried for a sec" Ron said in relief. She sent him an angry glare chucking a nearby cushion at him.

"What?" he said startled. Causing her to mutter something about him being an idiot while Harry could only laugh.

Hermione stood at the front of the large statue which was the secret entrance to Professor Dumbledore's room. She wondered curiously what sort of task the headmaster could possibly have for her, that would require her to see him immediately. She gave the password "Fizz Pops" whilst allowing her mind to wonder as she waited for the stairway to appear. Stepping up the solid stone stairs she decided it was probably just some simple head duty she had to attend to, nothing that demanding.

At the door she waited politely, smiling slightly as she saw the professor was absorbed in papers that were spread messily around the wooden desk. Eventually he looked up, adjusting his glasses he motioned her forward giving her a warm smile. "I'm glad to see you managed to arrive safely Miss Granger. Its regretful you missed the feast last night, but of course there's more in the future." Hermione nodded stepping around the assortment of objects to get to his desk.

"Its wonderful to be back Professor" she replied with a smile. "Harry and Ron told me earlier you needed to see me."

At these words the twinkle in the blue eyes in front of her seemed to fade, his face seeming more aged as if a burden of worries plagued him. "Yes, yes it is of very unfortunate circumstances, but hopefully we will come to a better understanding of them together" He stood "please take a seat Miss Granger, don't mind the papers just push them off the chair… yes that's it." Once she was seated he too reseated himself his expression grave. "The reason I required your presence today Miss Granger, is that a matter of extreme importance has come to my attention. Which presently involves you and it has been decided amongst the Hogwarts staff and the Ministry of Magic that I explain the matter and ask for your assistance.

She played with the hem of her sleeve nervously "You know I would help you and the order in any way possible" she said. Secretly pleased that the professor needed her help with something, although nervousness gnawed at her at what it might be. He smiled at her reply "Yes I was sure you would, but this matter is very important and much different to anything I have asked of a student before, it concerns a prophesy." Hermione felt a flicker of excitement at his words 'a prophesy' she couldn't wait to tell Ron and Harry, well that is if she was allowed to. "Of course naturally a prophesy is not normally told to one who is in it, but for this matter, we decided it was too dangerous to let it play out" he continued.

"I'm in a prophesy!" she queried stunned. Professor Dumbledore nodded solemnly

"Yes you are, but the problem is if this prophesy is not fulfilled the whole wizarding nation will be in danger."

"Oh" she murmured surprised "What am I to do in this prophesy? How is the nation in trouble?"

He sighed "Wait a moment, Severius!" he called. She turned startled seeing for the first time Professor Snape leaning against a far wall in the shadows. "Would you please bring up the Malfoys"

"Fine" he replied shortly, walking past the sitting pair and out the door she'd entered.

Hermione's mind was blank 'What in merlins name, has the Malfoys got to do with the prophesy, does it mean they're endangering her life, no that can't be it Dumbledore wouldn't send for them then now would he' as her mind turned through the possible answers. She saw Professor Snape enter with Lucius and Naricissa Malfoy in tow, Lucius scowling angrily while Naricissa's expression was completely blank but the eyes that settled on her form were cold and calculating. Hermione shivered looking back to Professor Dumbledore a little unsettled. 'Why would he be here, he's a deatheater' she thought nervously.

The headmaster seemed pleased "Nice of you to come, Lucius and you too Naricissa."

Lucius snorted, "we didn't really have a choice in the matter did we." he retorted standing completely straight, dressed in pure black with his small wife standing next to him, her arm linked through his primly.

"Now other then you Hermione, we all know why we're here today." Lucius scowl darkened if this was possible at Albus's words.

"This better of not been made up." he snarled.

Dumbledore sighed "You saw the prophesy yourself Lucius" He replied patiently. Lucius stared at the far wall his mouth set angrily refusing to meet the headmasters eyes. Professor Dumbledore then returned his gaze to Hermione, his look fatherly. "Now I suppose you'd like to know what's going on" She nodded now a little uncertain the prophesy wasn't seeming as exciting as it was a few moments ago and now she couldn't even imagine what it could be. "The prophesy, concerns yourself and Mr Malfoy"

Hermione kept her face expressionless 'her and Lucius, how?'

"From what we've gathered from the prophesy Mr Malfoy is going to become a very powerful wizard"

She looked at him totally lost 'Lucius was going to be powerful? Even more powerful then now'

"The thing is from what we know he will be so powerful he will overthrow Lord Voldermort himself" He caught her look, "Yes this would seem to be a good thing, but the problem is, is that he himself will become like Lord Voldermort being on the side of darkness. Once Lord Voldermort is overthrown he will take his place and take control of the wizarding world. No one from what our sources say will be able to overthrow Mr Malfoy, not even your friend Mr Potter."

Hermione stared down at her lap "How does this involve me Professor?"

Professor Dumbledore leant back in his chair smiling slightly "From what we know, if Mr Malfoy is to fall in love he will not take this destructive path instead he will choose other options in life. The person in the prophesy is to be you and no other, that is why we needed to talk.

She frowned 'What? Fall in love with her he can't mean Lucius he's married, what's he on about, who could he….' She froze 'No way! He can't mean, Merlin no not Draco, it can't be the ferret.' Professor Dumbledore had not missed the horror that had flashed across the girls face.

"Now I know this may seem rather overwhelming"

She stared at him in disbelief 'Overwhelming, like hell it was way worse then just overwhelming, he couldn't be serious about this. "Professor Draco Malfoy's a pure blood" she said shakily.

"Yes, but quieten your worries concerning that, its true he comes from a very old fashioned family who believe in that sort of thing"

Lucius sneered at his words "If my son, wouldn't end up wiping out all purebloods in existence, then I would be totally against this endeavour"

Hermione's eyes widened, 'wipe out all purebloods, no wonder Lucius and Naricissa were here.'

She tilted her head in thought "Endeavour professor?" she queried a little worried.

"Yes my dear, we wish for you to show young Mr Malfoy how to love, to get him to love you. If you succeed thousands of people will not die as prophesied."

She felt disgust crawl in her stomach 'love that prat, that was just wrong.' "H..How will they all die?"

He looked thoughtful "That is what we're not sure about, from what we know nearly all wizards and witches will be killed in anger. Why we're not sure. Some half bloods and muggleborns will survive but all purebloods will be destroyed."

Hermione was dumbfounded, 'all killed, that was terrible, I mean Ron was a pureblood and Malfoy hated Harry, her closest friends would probably die.' Nervously she glanced up at the Malfoys, quickly returning her gaze to the desk at the stony glare she received from Lucius. "Um… Professor Dumbledore, no offence but Draco hates my guts, I can't see how this prophesy is accurate."

The headmaster smiled widely, a twinkle seeming to return to his blue eyes. "Now now Miss Granger, don't be so negative. Things aren't always as they seem and I'm sure a large prophesy like this could not of gone awry, such a thing has never been recorded in wizarding history." The girl sighed, what he said was true, no prophesy had ever been wrong. "So my dear, are you still willing to help us by working on a relationship between the two of you."

" I.. I…um" she looked about unhappily, 'what an awful request, her and Draco, disgusting.' The professor's eyes caught her own and she knew at that moment she couldn't disappoint him. "Ok Professor, but I'm not sure how this is going to work out' she said weakly.

Albus straightened in his chair "Very good" he said pleased. "See Lucius, I told you everything would fall into place. So are you going to keep to your bargain, it is for a good cause after all."

Hermione was startled 'what?'

Lucius huffed his eyes narrowed in anger " You know I can't refuse, Draco will be prepared as discussed.

Dumbledore nodded satisfied, "Thank you Lucius, Naricissa for your time, you're doing the right thing I assure you"

Lucius only scowled "Whatever, this is being done for our son, we don't care in the least about your interest. Severius is to be included in everything, we want to know every little scrap of information concerning this matter understood."

"Of course" he said agreeably.

The Malfoys turned, Lucius muttering under his breath "He's the only one reliable in this pathetic establishment. after all" as they exited the room.

Once the door closed the headmaster breathed a sigh of relief "Well Severius that went rather well."

"If you call getting on his bad side well" he drawled sarcastically.

"You know what I mean." Snape shrugged indifferent.

"Ah Professor?"

They both looked at her startled. "Yes my dear" Dumbledore queried

"What exactly am I to be doing"

He smiled "Creating a bond with the young Mr Malfoy, of course we'll give you exceptions. The Ministry have agreed with you apparating underage and a small protection spell will be put in place.

"Ok… but what for" "Well we all know how teenage boys are, even wizards have a hard time controlling their hormones. And Slytherins have an exceptionally cunning way of getting what they want, so its just a precaution nothing to worry about."

"Aha" she said doubtfully.

"With the apparating you should be able to spend more time with Draco unnoticed of course so it'll be no time whatsoever before you two shall be in love." Dumbledore said excitedly. Snape snorted in disbelief, and Hermione could feel the blood drain from her face. "Well Miss Granger, its time for you to go to your next class, I hope to hear exactly what's happening between the two of you in the future and don't refrain to come to me if problems arise."

"Alright," she murmured in resignation. Getting to her feet she started out the door, Professor Snape not far behind. Going down the stairs she was startled as she heard Snape call her to a stop. "Professor?" she said confused.

The tall wizard looked down at her coldly. "Unlike that fool in there Miss Granger I know how difficult it will be to get not only a Slytherin with a Griffindor but also of different blood. So I will give you this advice, start a bet."

"A bet?"

"Yes a member of Slytherin love to win, a bet will no doubt at least start this relationship along" With that said he turned striding off down the corridor.

Hermione stared after him in disbelief, "Just what have I got myself into" she whispered.

Please Review, as any thoughts or comments on the story or its style would be much appreciated. Constructive criticism also gladly accepted lol try not to be too harsh though.

Have not decided how often I will put chapters up, many chapters to this story are already finished so it is just a matter of deciding what's best appropriate and if the readers are enjoying my story thus far. Feel free to tell me what your opinion on this matter would be.

GoldSaiyaness