"What?" asked Hermione.
"My father," said Draco, "Voldemort didn't kill him, he freed him. My father fled and went into hiding. He has com out now." Draco couldn't explain any further. He was having trouble absorbing it himself.
"Why?" asked Hermione.
"He is the new dark lord!" exclaimed Draco, "He is picking up where Voldemort left off!"
"Why now?" asked Hermione.
"I guess he felt the time was right," said Draco, "For an attack. You'll read about it in the paper tomorrow."
Hermione gasped. "Oh my God," she thought, "Who, how many, where?" She feared for her own family, Ron's family, everyone she knew, but she could tell Draco was not ready to talk about it.
She walked over to Draco and hugged him, "I am so sorry."
Draco hugged her back, "I know and thank you. I just… I thought he was finally out of my life for good."
After a while they separated and got ready for bed. They transfigured their bed into two smaller beds and put the desks back to the way they were. They said goodnight and turned off the lights. After a half an hour of worrying, Hermione heard Draco's voice in the darkness.
"Hermione?" he asked.
"I can't sleep either," said Hermione.
Seconds later he was in her bed with his arms around her. They both fell asleep instantly.
The next day, when the post arrived, all of Hogwarts was in chaos.
Harry relayed the highlights of the paper; Hermione, Ron, and Ginny listened intently.
"Lucius Malfoy broke into Azkaban late last night and freed Bellatrix Lestrange and William Nott. Seniors Crabbe and Goyle along with Macnair joined them in a raid of a muggle neighborhood killing 64 people. The Deatheaters left no one alive, the women and children were also killed. The Ministry warns citizens to take all precautions; act as if You Know Who were back alive"
"Well they certainly are singing a different tune this time," said Ginny, "What about calling Harry crazy and denying this whole thing ever happened? That is what they did last time!"
"I'm just glad no one we know got hurt," said Ron. Everyone was truly grateful for that and they paused for a moment to think.
"I wonder if Lucius will ever be as powerful as Voldemort," said Harry grimly.
"I don't know," said Hermione, "He certainly has the resources, but I doubt he will ever reach Voldemort's status."
"I guess so," said Ginny, "But all the same, I hope all of those monsters are put in Azkaban as soon as possible."
"Past experiences with the ministry would lead you to believe that won't happen," said Ron.
"Oh come on you guys," said Hermione, "We've been through much worse than this. We can handle this."
"You don't need to handle this," said Dumbledore at a meeting with Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Draco later on.
"Everyone expects me to," said Harry, "And I want to. I've proved I'm fully capable and I will help any way I can."
"If Harry is helping, then so am I," said Ron.
"I can help too Headmaster," said Hermione, "Please let us help."
"Okay I have two things to say," said Draco, "One; staying out of this would be the smart thing to do. Two; we are adults now and we can help whether or not Dumbledore wants us to."
"Draco," said Dumbledore, "Are you planning on getting involved?"
"Like I'd be left out," said Draco, "The Dork-who-almost-died over here will need some help."
"Hey!" said Harry.
"Besides, I know more about Lucius than anyone else." Finished Draco.
"What is your plan of action?" asked Dumbledore, "If I am to assume you have one."
"I will become a spy." Said Draco.
"You can't do that," said Harry.
"And why not?" asked Draco.
"Uhhh… I don't know," Harry shrugged, "It sounded like the right thing to say."
"Sure did," said Ron.
"Look, I know my father, he will send summons to Crabbe and Goyle. They are on our side and they'll tell me when they receive them. The three of us will go and I will swear my loyalty. My father can hardly doubt me. He fled and I'll claim that's exactly what I did. He wasn't at the final battle. He doesn't know I fought against Voldemort." Said Draco.
"Its too risky," said Hermione, "Its not worth it. Let Crabbe and Goyle spy; they never fought against Voldemort, they never openly opposed him. It makes much more sense to let them do it."
"Miss Granger has a point," said Dumbledore staring over his spectacles at Draco.
"Crabbe and Goyle will not be privy to as much information as me. I am the Dark Lord's son; I will know everything that is going on. My father will trust me." Said Draco, "You need me to do this. I will be a spy."
"Very well," said Dumbledore, "I will do everything in my power to help you. I can't teach you any spells or skills that you don't already have, but I can give you advice. Don't keep your thoughts inside; they will only spin around and leave you confused and afraid. Talk to your friends in this room. They can help you analyze things and can maybe see the flaws in your plans. This is not a time to be alone."
With these words, the four teenagers left the Headmaster's office and went to the Head's dorm to talk amongst themselves.
Harry and Ron sat in the armchairs while Hermione stretched out on the couch. Draco got four butterbeers and handed them out. He then sat on the couch and Hermione put her feet on his lap.
"I thought Dumbledore removed that spell," said Ron.
"Are you two going out?" asked Harry frankly.
"No," said Hermione, "I'm just comfortable and tired. If my feet touching Draco while I lie on the couch bothers you, then you can leave."
"Sorry," said Ron, "No need to get vicious."
"I'm just tired," said Hermione, "This has been the worst Tuesday ever."
"I agree," said Draco.
"Classes seemed to last forever," said Ron, "And I swear every teacher gave us a load of homework."
"Not to mention it was extremely hard to focus with all the whispering going on," said Harry, "I hope nobody's relatives were killed."
"I heard Seamous's uncle was killed," said Ron.
"Oh my," said Hermione, "That must have been why he wasn't in transfiguration."
"We need to stop all of this as soon as possible," said Draco, "Before my father recruits more Deatheaters. The longer he has, the stronger he gets."
"God, I thought all of this was behind us," said Harry, "Yet, here we go again."
The next few days were Hell. Everyone in Hogwarts was panicked and anxious. Three students fainted at breakfast one morning after learning a relative had died. People were paranoid. No one walked the halls alone. No one felt safe. With Voldemort at least they had known what to expect. They had known about him all their lives, but this was new. This was dangerous and unpredictable.
On Friday Dumbledore spoke to the students during dinner.
"I am saddened by this new turn of events and I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to all who have lost a family member." At this point one girl started crying. "But we cannot let fear drive us insane. We were united against Voldemort and we defeated him. If we can unite once more and trust each other we will conquer this new foe in the same manner as we did the last. Hogwarts is safe and I can assure you no one will be harmed while they are in my care. Everyone hear can rest easy knowing they are safe from danger. If anyone has any concerns feel free to see me privately or talk to our head boy and head girl."
That evening Draco sat on the foot of Hermione's bed.
"We need to talk," he said.
"What about?" asked Hermione as she set down her book and looked at him intently.
"I know you didn't go out with Blaise because of me, but we can't be together," Hermione looked at him with pain in her eyes, "Not with my father on the loose."
"I don't understand," said Hermione, "Why should your father stop us from going out."
"There are so many reasons," said Draco, "If I'm going to be a spy who supports the Dark Lard, I can't go out with a muggle born. Even if my cover were blown, my father would kill you out of spite. You're Potter's friend too, so you're already a target. I can't endanger you; you're friends would assassinate me."
"Good to know you're doing this to save your own hide, not because you care about me," said Hermione.
"But I do care about you, which is why I don't want to put you in danger," said Draco, "What if we get really close to each other and I die. Why would you want that extra pain? What if you die; I wouldn't be able to live with myself."
"I'm a big girl you know," said Hermione angrily, "I can take care of myself."
"I know," said Draco, he sighed, "but,"
"But nothing," said Hermione crossing her arms in front of her chest, "I really like you, more than I've ever liked any boy before, and you Draco Malfoy are not going to stop me from going out with you."
"Are you sure you really like me" said Draco, "You could just be swayed by my charm and stunning good looks."
Hermione smacked him upside the head. And then she kissed him softly on the cheek.
"Your not that handsome."
"Well, good to know," he said, "Would you like to go to dinner with me tomorrow evening, girlfriend Hermione"
"Yes I would," said Hermione, "Where are we going? Somewhere in Hogsmeade, I presume" There was a Hogsmeade visit planned for tomorrow, despite the recent series of events.
"It's a surprise" said Draco.
Hermione frowned, "What do I wear?"
"Dress as fancy as you like," said Draco.
"I have to go see Ginny," said Hermione as she stood to leave.
Draco grabbed her wrist, "As I am now your official boyfriend, it is improper to leave the room without kissing me."
"That's ridiculous," said Hermione as she laughed. She did however kiss him on the cheek.
Draco did not let go of her, "On the lips."
"I've never kissed a boy on the lips before" Hermione blushed.
"Oh," said Draco, "Then you can leave."
"Hey!" she said, "Don't you want to kiss your girlfriend?"
"Yes, but I want your first kiss to be special."
"Fine," Hermione pouted, "But I'm so gonna pout for like an hour,"
"Well then good thing you're going to see Ginny," Draco smirked.
"Goodbye Draco"
"Hello," Hermione walked into Ginny's room, "I need your help."
"With what?" asked Ginny.
"You know what you've been asking to do forever?"
Ginny squealed, "I am so glad I finally get to give you a makeover! Whats the occasion?"
"mumble, mumble, mumble," said Hermione.
"What was that?"
"I'm going on a date with Draco," said Hermione.
"Aaahhh! I'm sooo happy for you!" Ginny gave Hermione a great big hug. "Where are you going?"
"I don't really know," said Hermione, "But Draco said to dress fancy."
"Even better," said Ginny, "We'll go shopping in the morning and have four or so hours to get you ready."
Hermione stared at her, "Four hours?"
"Yep, but trust me it'll be worth it," said Ginny.
The next morning they went to Hogsmeade early with permission from McGonogall. The headed to the shoe shop first because "The best way to pick an outfit is to start with the shoes."
After an hour of shopping Hermione found the perfect pair of shoes. They were deep red with a rounded toe, 3-inch heels, and a strap around the ankle with a black buckle. Ginny was very pleased with Hermione's decision.
"Now we have to find the perfect dress," said Ginny, "Red will look good on you, or we could do black- very classic, or…"
"We're here," said Hermione as they entered the store.
Hermione tried on dozens of dresses Ginny picked out until they took a break and went to a different store. Hermione saw the dress in the window and immediately fell in love. Ginny approved and they purchased it before grabbing a quick lunch at the three broomsticks.
Upon returning to the school, Ginny spent a ridiculous amount of time doing Hermione's hair and makeup. They also carefully picked out her accessories. Finally Hermione was ready