Draco's vision blurred. There was a rush of color and sound, and he thought he saw the outline of a man on a winged horse. The man looked down at him briefly, then kicked the horse's side, and galloped down the corridor.

Draco felt himself moving, and realized someone had levitated him. There were screams, as students caught sight of him drifting down the halls, drops of blood trickling onto the floor after him.

It seemed as though they were going in the direction of the hospital wing...

Soon, the sounds of hundreds of footsteps could be heard, as students rushed out of their dormitories and classrooms—news of Voldemort's attack spreading fast.

"Minister of Magic dead!" Peeves cackled, spinning into a fiendish loop above the hordes of students coming down the grand staircase, many of them already in their night clothes.

"Go to bed!" Filch shouted. He grabbed a broom from the cupboard behind him, and tried to swat a third year with it. "It'll be detention in the dungeons for the lot of you, you filthy brats!"

Draco suddenly became aware of Granger by his side, yelling at students to move out of the way as she and the Ravenclaws tried to get him to the hospital wing. It was then that he noticed how terribly cold he was, a bone chilling cold that contrasted with the warm, sticky liquid running down his stomach.

It was blood, he realized...

Minutes later, someone blasted a set of doors open, and he was thrust through them.

"My God," Madame Pomfrey breathed as she caught sight of him. "What's happened?"

They set him down on a bed, potions whizzed into the air, then Pomfrey's face loomed before his. She had a pair of scissors in her hands...she was going to cut his robes open.

No, he thought vaguely. He couldn't let her. Then they would all see...how would he explain?

He fought against her, and thinking he was mad with delirium, she stuffed a potion down his throat.

"You should all wait outside," Hermione said, turning to the Ravenclaws standing behind her.

Roman Everley was white as a sheet, and he looked like he was going to be sick at the sight of so much blood.

"Come on mate," said his friend, putting a hand on his shoulder. "There's nothing we can do."

Hermione watched the Ravenclaws leave.

Madame Pomfrey cut Malfoy's robes open, then struggled with his shirt.

Hermione twisted her hands nervously as she watched.

Suddenly, Madame Pomfrey looked at her, incredulous.

"Get Dumbledore."

"What's wrong?"

"I need the Headmaster at once," she insisted, a sudden edge in her voice.

Hermione nodded and rushed out of the infirmary.

She tore down the passages, crashing into students, a knot rising in her throat. Draco's injuries were severe, and she knew the more blood he lost, the harder it would be to heal him by magic.

"WHAT'S THAT OUTSIDE?!" a student screamed, as Hermione reached the entrance hall.

It was Lavender Brown.

Everyone turned to face the windows.

The Hogwarts Guards pushed open the doors to the castle. A handful of students ventured outside, Hermione among them. A dark cloud had formed, and it was slowly obscuring the night sky. In a matter of moments, the stars were no longer visible. Hermione's breath caught, and everyone next to her stood frozen, unsure of what was happening. The dark mass rolled out like a fog, expanding as far as the eye could see.

It was some kind of dark magic, Hermione thought. An enchantment of sorts...

For a few seconds she stared up at the sky, entranced like everyone else, then the guards shouted at them to get back inside.

They bolted the doors to the castle.

There was no time to waste...Hermione knew she had to get to Dumbledore.

She was out of breath by the time she reached the third floor, and skidded to a halt in front of the gargoyle that concealed the headmaster's office. "Fanged Frisbee," she panted.

The gargoyle sprang to life and moved aside. Hermione sprinted up the circular stone staircase, her heart hammering in her chest.

When she reached Dumbledore's office, she saw that the door was slightly ajar. She peeked through it.

She heard the voice of a man she didn't recognize. She turned to her left and saw that it belonged to the wizard that flew in on the winged horse. He had a shock of red hair, a large mustache and a white suit with pale blue trim. On his chest was a badge that read: Magical Alliance, with three wands intertwined. On his left stood Romena Wright, and further down, Professors McGonagall and Snape.

"Voldemort has cast an obscurement charm of a magnitude we've never seen before," said the man in a heavy accent she couldn't quite place. "Britain is completely cut off from the outside world. Dementors are patrolling the skies, the floo network is shut down, muggle planes are grounded. No one can leave the country. The muggles think it's some kind of weather anomaly. And the allies...we don't know if they made it in time. The battalions from Norway and Finland set out last week, but we don't know if they reached the Scottish border."

"The enchantments we've placed around the castle won't hold for long," said Snape dryly, looking at Dumbledore.

The red-haired man spoke again. "I was only able to break through the magical barrier because I had knowledge of the spells that were cast. It will take the Death Eaters much longer."

"If you'll excuse me, Aksel," said Dumbledore, speaking suddenly. "It seems we have a visitor."

Without looking at where she was standing, Dumbledore gestured to the door, "Ms. Granger, join us if you please. This next part requires your attention."

Hermione slowly entered the room.

"Ms. Granger, meet Aksel Agarby, head of the Magical Alliance."

"Magical Alliance?" she repeated, shaking the hand of the red-haired man. "But that hasn't been invoked since—"

"1761, quite right," interrupted McGonagall. "During the wizard-vampire wars. A union between British, Finnish and Norwegian wizards."

"We've always regretted our inability to offer you aid in the last war," said Aksel, referring to Voldemort's first rise to power. "We couldn't refuse a second time. Not after—" He stopped mid-sentence, as if afraid to reveal something, but quickly recovered himself. "Not after seeing the devastation that's ravaged the country. If we don't stop You-Know-Who, this madness will surely spread across the continent."

Is that where Harry had been? Hermione wondered. In Finland and Norway, convincing members of the alliance? Is that what Aksel didn't want to reveal? But that must have been months ago, because Dumbledore had told her he was in Spain now...

Hermione looked questioningly at the headmaster, but he shook his head, now was not the time to discuss such matters.

"This is why the Bulgarian ship is the only way out, isn't it?" Hermione asked. "It's the only way to leave the country undetected. Voldemort can control the skies, muggle transport, the borders...but not the sea, and dementors have no way of surviving underwater."

"Precisely," said Dumbledore.

Snape rolled his eyes at her and muttered under his breath, "Insufferable know it all."

"When did you last hear from the allies?" asked Romena Wright, turning to Aksel. "If they fail to arrive, the Hogwarts Guard is more than prepared—"

'The allies gave us our word," answered McGonagall curtly. "They will arrive as scheduled."

"We can only hope," said Dumbledore softly. He turned to Hermione.

"It seems you have news for us, Ms. Granger."

"Yes," said Hermione, ashamed that she had almost forgotten why she'd come in the first place. "Draco Malfoy is gravely injured. We have to go to the hospital wing at once."

When they got to the infirmary, it was clear what had made Madame Pomfrey so nervous. Draco was lying unconscious on the hospital bed. His robes and shirt had been removed. And there, on his left forearm, was the dark mark: the image of a skull with a serpent protruding from its mouth like a tongue.

"I thought you should know, Headmaster," said Madame Pomfrey breathlessly. "The boy may not survive the night."

Professor McGonagall covered her mouth with her hands at the sight of Malfoy's wound.

Although Draco was unconscious, his body began to shake violently. "He's going into shock," Madame Pomfrey exclaimed. "Minerva, help me!"

"Professor McGonagall took out her wand. Snape and Dumbledore did the same.

Pink, gold and blue lights emerged from their wands and formed arcs over the bed, as they performed healing spells. Draco looked ghostly white, like a marble effigy in a cathedral, lifeless and cold.

Snape and McGonagall were shouting instructions, jostling past her, but Hermione stood frozen. The sounds in the hospital wing were muted, the movements of the professors distant. Blood rushed in Hermione's ears. She felt betrayed by the boy that lay helpless before her. But she couldn't contemplate the thought of his death. Malfoy had always been a part of her life at Hogwarts...even if he had made much of her time there unpleasant.

These past few days had been different. Draco had pulled his mask away, if only for a second—and she had seen something real. And when he kissed her, it had felt right...in some strange way.

But maybe he had only been pretending. Maybe that was his one true talent.

It felt like an eternity passed before Madame Pomfrey announced that they had done all they could do. Despite all the healing spells, Draco's color had not returned. And now, there was nothing to do but wait. And they waited and waited. Not sure if he would live or die.

Hours later Hermione was shaken awake. Professor McGonagall motioned for her to approach the hospital bed. She turned quickly to the window. It was near dawn, but the sky was still dark...the obscurement charm remained. For how many days would they be submerged in darkness? she wondered.

As Hermione got closer to the hospital bed, her heart leapt in her chest. Malfoy was moving. He seemed to be in between sleep and waking. His lips were parted...his brows knitted together. It had taken the combined effort of three teachers and the school nurse, but he had survived the night.

"We must question him," Romena whispered. "He may have inside information on the incoming attack."

"I don't advise it," said Madame Pomfrey. "He remains in delicate health."

"There are lives at stake! It must be done!" Romena hissed.

Pomfrey looked to Dumbledore for advice. He nodded at her.

She fished a potion out of a cabinet and told them that it would make Malfoy lucid temporarily, but she warned that they must not exhaust him, or he would weaken again.

She tipped the vial forward, and a liquid-gold potion dropped into his mouth.

Moments later Malfoy coughed violently. A few seconds passed before he was able to open his eyes. He looked at his surroundings wearily. There were a great number of people standing by his bed, and it took a few moments for his eyes to adjust.

Slowly he remembered the fight with Everley, his injury, and he looked at his left forearm. There it was—the Dark Mark—exposed—for all to see. He had to think fast, if he did as his father had instructed, maybe he could make it through this...they had prepared for every possibility...

"It seems we have a snake in our midst," said Romena Wright through gritted teeth.

"Romena," Madame Pomfrey warned. "You mustn't upset him."

"He's a lying, traitorous little sneak," she said spitefully. "Forgive me for making a Death Eater uncomfortable."

"I'm not a Death Eater," said Draco, his voice raspy. "And I know nothing of Voldemort's plans."

"We can see the mark clear as day!"

Draco's eyes fell on Hermione. "I was branded with the mark, but I'm not a Death Eater," he repeated, just as his father had instructed him to do.

"Explain yourself," Professor McGonagall demanded.

Speaking was costing him a great effort, his wound was still raw, and a burning pain started up his side.

"I ran away from home and returned to Hogwarts against my father's wishes. I chose not to serve Voldemort."

Romena flinched. "You speak his name?"

"He will not be punished for that," warned McGonagall.

Romena laughed. "A likely story. You will be locked away where I see fit. You-Know-Who has no doubt taken over Azkaban once more, but there are other places..."

Dumbledore had remained silent until now. "He will remain in the castle until he has recovered from his injuries."

"HE IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED!" spat Romena. "I am beginning to question your sense, Dumbledore. You have a long history of trusting the wrong people." She spun around to look at Snape.

He looked down his hooked nose at her and simply glowered.

"Severus has my complete confidence," Dumbledore told Romena. "And his loyalty will not be questioned, not while I remain at this school."

She turned to Malfoy once more. "You will give us the names of every last one of the Dark Lord's followers and their hideouts. Including your father's."

Malfoy was silent for several seconds. Then he lifted his face to Romena's. "No," he said simply. "I'll give you whoever you want, but not my father."

Her eyes bulged in their sockets. "How dare you!" she hissed.

Under the covers, Draco jabbed at his side, upsetting the wound and prompting tears to form in his eyes.

"Lock me away if you want!" he shouted, letting his voice break. He felt the tears spill down his face...the pain was unbearable, but he needed to show a display of emotion if he wanted to appear convincing. He wedged his fist further into his side. "But if the Death Eaters find me, they'll kill me as soon as they storm the castle. That's the price of betrayal. And you won't have gained anything." He gave a sharp rasping breath and threw his head back onto the pillow.

"We must let him rest!" insisted Madame Pomfrey. "Our work will come undone. You may question him again once he has recovered more fully."

"I will not—"

"Enough," interrupted Dumbledore.

Romena turned on him. "I was appointed by the Minister of Magic—"

"The Minister of Magic is dead," said Dumbledore severely. "And his successor is in hiding. I am still headmaster of this school. It is my wish that you remain along with the Guard to perform the service that you were entrusted to do, and protect the castle. The allies may or may not come," he said gesturing to the window, and they all looked at the pitch-black sky.

Romena glared at Dumbledore, then she spun on her heel and stormed out of the hospital wing.

"It's time for Mr. Malfoy to get some rest," said Dumbledore. He turned to McGonagall. "We still have much to discuss with Mr. Agarby."

He paused, sensing another presence. "Ms. Granger, it seems someone is waiting for you."

Hermione turned and saw Ron standing by the entrance to the Hospital Wing. Dumbledore nodded at her and left with McGonagall. As she walked towards Ron, she snuck a glance back at Malfoy, his face was screwed up in pain from his injury. She'd have to speak to him later...

Draco watched Hermione walk away. Snape, however, lingered by his bedside.

"You lie almost as well as your father," he said.

Draco looked at him wearily. His head was beginning to spin. The effort it had taken to argue was taking its toll.

"Although, you shouldn't have upset your wound," said Snape pointing at his covers. A spot of blood was blossoming on the bed sheet, spreading like spilled ink. "You are of no use to the Dark Lord dead."

He raised his wand, "Scorgio."

The blood was wiped clean. Next, he pointed the wand to Draco's side, where his bandages had come undone.

"Reparo."

Draco gasped in pain, as the bandages pressed back into him.

He clutched his side. "I do what I must to survive, Professor. Same as you. You know well, where my loyalties lie." He looked at his Dark Mark.

"And your mission?" asked Snape, his black eyes glittering. They both turned to look at Granger. She was speaking in hushed tones with Weasley. "I presume you are close to discovering Potter's whereabouts."

Malfoy kept his face blank, and he could almost hear his father's voice in his ear. Snape is not to be trusted. We cannot be certain of his loyalty to the Dark Lord.

"Very close," Malfoy lied.

Snape nodded.

And you professor? Malfoy thought to himself. Has Dumbledore not relayed Potter's hideout to you?

Dumbledore trusted Snape with everything, how could he not know that one vital piece of information?

Snape moved closer to him, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've been tasked with telling you some unfortunate news. The Dark Lord has taken your mother prisoner to ensure that you complete your mission. If you fail, he will kill her."

Malfoy looked at him in horror. He felt what little blood he had left, drain from his face.

"Your time is running out. The Dark Lord needs to expedite his plans—for reasons I cannot discuss here."

Snape made to leave, but Draco grabbed a fistful of his robes. "Why not just take Granger prisoner during the attack? It would be the easiest way."

He felt guilty as soon as he said the words, but he thought of his mother locked away in some abhorrent cell, Merlin knew where. Maybe if Granger gave Voldemort what he wanted, he could help her get away unscathed—not likely, of course, but he would cling to the possibility.

Snape's lip curled. "We will torture the girl of course, if you are unable to complete your mission. But we both know that would prove...disappointing. She would sooner choose death than betray her precious friend, Potter."

Snape looked down at Draco's hands. "I hope for your sake...you do not fail." He snatched his robes away and left Draco's side.

Draco watched him leave, panic starting to consume him...then his eyes fell to Weasley and Granger.

Hermione had taken no notice of the exchange between Snape and Malfoy. She was too busy trying to ascertain what had happened to Ron.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his hair was unkempt.

"Ron, what is it?"

He glanced in confusion at Malfoy's direction, but was too distraught to ask her what was going on.

"It's my mum...she's gone missing."

"W-what?"

"I got a final owl, before the enchantment was cast. She was reported missing two days ago."

"Oh Ron," Hermione whispered. "I'm so sorry."

She wrapped her arms around him, and he dropped his head on her shoulder.

From afar, Malfoy watched their every movement. It seemed the Weasel was devastated by some piece of news he had received. Malfoy's stomach clenched, as he saw Ron pull Hermione into a tighter embrace. The simple act infuriated him. But then Hermione caught his eye, and he looked away.

"Dad's completely devastated. Bill and Charlie are out looking for her. I need to find a way to leave the castle."

Hermione shook her head at him, and kept her voice low, aware that Malfoy was staring at them. "You can't leave. And you can't go back to the Burrow. You're one of Harry's best friends. You'll be tortured or killed."

"That's why I need your help," he said, taking her hand in his. "I need a few vials of the Polyjuice Potion you brewed over the summer."

Hermione thought back to the laborious month she had spent preparing the potion...she knew the time would come for them to use it, but Ron's plan sounded flawed, too many things could go wrong...

"No," she said firmly.

Draco strained to hear, but Hermione's voice was barely above a whisper when she spoke.

"Dumbledore found a way to get the younger students out of the school, and he wants me to lead the evacuation. You can come with me."

Ron frowned at her. "I won't run away like a coward. My mum is missing Hermione." He dropped her hand. "I'm leaving with Fred and George as soon as we find a way to get out of the castle."

"What about Ginny?" Hermione asked.

What about me? she thought, but she didn't have the courage to form the words.

Ron seemed to know what she was thinking. "Dumbledore will make sure you're safe, and I know you'll look after Ginny. Now please, help me."

Hermione was silent for a long moment, then she crossed her arms over her chest. "No," she said steadily. "I won't help you get yourself killed."

His face blanched, and for a few seconds he could do nothing but gape at her.

"Fine, then I'll get the vials myself," he snapped. He turned on his heel and made for the door, heading for the Gryffindor common room. "Ginny will know where you've hidden them."

"Ron!" she shouted, chasing after him. "This isn't what your mum would want! You shouldn't risk your life!"

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT MY MUM WOULD WANT!" he screamed, spinning around to face her. DON'T TALK ABOUT HER LIKE SHE'S ALREADY DEAD!"

Hermione gasped, taken aback.

Ron marched up to her, and when he spoke again his voice was low, seething, "I'm sick and tired of you always telling me what to do." He breathed in deeply, trying to contain his emotions. "I'm leaving tonight."

He stormed away. Hermione watched him leave, incredulous, her feet rooted to the ground.

Things were spinning out of control, much faster than any of them could have imagined...

A day passed before Draco saw Hermione again. At least he thought so. It was hard to tell how much time had passed, when the sky remained dark. Madame Pomfrey made him sit up, and she was about to replace his bandages when Granger walked in.

Hermione noticed how starkly the Dark Mark stood out against Malfoy's alabaster skin. It made her stomach turn.

"Ms. Granger," said Madame Pomfrey brightly. "It's a good thing you're here. I must speak with Dumbledore urgently, we need more supplies. Will you tend to Mr. Malfoy, here?"

"Of course," Hermione answered. She waited for the school nurse to leave before addressing Draco.

"You lied to me," she said, careful not to let her voice betray any emotion. "When you said you weren't like your father..."

"I'm not," Draco started. He paused for a long moment before he spoke again. "I hate what he's done to my family—"

"But you protect him!"

"He's my father. Would you turn yours in so easily?"

Hermione was silent for a long time, then she said,"My father would never do what yours has done."

Draco nodded. "You're lucky in that way, to trust completely in your parents. But the truth is, you've lived a sheltered life, Granger, you've never had to decide between two horrors...you only see right or wrong. The world doesn't work that way."

"You have to turn him in," Hermione pressed. "You can't let him walk free, even if he is your father."

Her stubbornness pushed him over the edge. "I heard you refuse Weasley, when he asked you for help the other day. If that's how you treat your friends, I'd hate to think how you treat your enemies. You're cold and unfeeling, and that's why Weasley will never touch you."

Hermione's mouth dropped open in shock. She swung her arm back to hit Draco, but he caught her wrist firmly in his grasp.

"You will not raise your hand to me again, Granger, do you hear me?"

Hermione was shaking with pent up rage. She wanted to curse Malfoy into a million pieces. "I see that you're much better now," she said, looking at the hold he had on her arm. "I shouldn't have come."

She wrenched her arm away and turned to leave.

"Madame Pomfrey won't be back anytime soon," he shouted. "Will you let me bleed to death?"

She froze in her tracks and spun around to face him. She looked like she had every intention of leaving him to his fate.

Hermione marched up to Draco. She knew she had two choices. Go up to her room and cry, or beat him at his own game.

Draco watched her closely. He winced as she yanked his shirt off and reached for the bandages.

She healed him, and pressed the new bandage to his side, then let her hand wander to the curve of his neck. His breathing became slow and he looked up at her, taken aback. She leaned in close, and brushed her soft lips against his.

He froze.

"But you don't mind that I'm cold and unfeeling, do you, Draco?" she whispered, reciting his words back to him. "The other night on the Astronomy Tower, you didn't mind at all."

Hermione gazed at his mouth, inviting him to come in closer. He leaned towards her, hardly daring to believe she wanted him...but then she pulled away at the last second.

"This, whatever it was," she said, waving her hand dismissively in the air. "Is done. Dumbledore will decide what's to be done with you."

He tugged at her arm, and pulled her down roughly, until she was forced to sit next to him on the hospital bed. He laced his fingers into her hair and put his lips to her ear.

"You don't get to decide how this ends," he hissed.

He fixed his grey eyes on her intently, challenging her to reply.

Hermione placed her hand on his bare chest, intent on pushing him away, but Draco only smirked at her.

"Feeling me up, Granger?"

Her face heated. She tried to move her hand away, but Draco held it fast.

"You want this, just as much as I do—even if you hate yourself for it."

Hermione swallowed."You're wrong," she said, but not as strongly as before.

"Kiss me," Draco demanded. "If you feel nothing for me, then prove it. Kiss me, and show me you feel nothing."

He didn't wait for her to reply.

He grabbed her collar and pulled her to him. Their lips met, and Hermione gripped at his arm. He kissed her roughly before she could argue.

Their emotions were completely unrestrained. This kiss was nothing like their first. It was a savage, bruising kiss. Hermione bit his lower lip, hard. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and tugged on it. They were at war with each other, each trying to subdue the other.

Hermione dug her nails into his arm, where the Dark Mark was, and he abruptly released his hold on her. He knew she was only kissing him out of anger, out of rage. He'd hoped she had been worried for him, fearful of his death even, but the look in her eyes said otherwise. There was none of the concern there she had shown for Weasley.

"Send for Pansy," he breathed. "She'll see to me. I won't be tended to by someone that thinks I'm a Death Eater."

Hermione's face darkened. "Malfoy—"

"GET OUT!"

Hermione stood up, and she took two steps backwards, shocked at his sudden outburst. She looked at him like he was mad, not understanding his spiraling anger. She bit her trembling lip and stormed off, shouting at a first year in the hall to send for Pansy Parkinson.

Draco watched her leave, resentment in his eyes.

His father was right. Learn your enemies' secret desires, their fears and weaknesses. Granger had come undone, exactly as he said she would. But then again so had he. Because it meant that she still loved Weasley, and that, was what he couldn't stand. The extent of her loyalty to him, he hadn't known until now. She loved Weasley. And she most certainly did not love Draco.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thank you so much for reading! Hope you take a sec to review :)