Returning to classes was more challenging than it once was for Hermione. Winter break had awoken something inside of her, reminding her of all the deaths that were to come. Every minute sitting next to Sirius, Tonks, or Remus soured her stomach. She could barely stand to be in the same room as Fred; his funeral was fused into her memory along with Mrs. Weasley's sobs.
Sitting in Snape's classroom, brewing a potion that she could practically make in her sleep, seemed a waste of her time. They needed to be making a plan; she needed to be saving her family instead of keeping things the same. There was more at stake than just keeping Draco from the Mark.
When she glanced over her shoulder, she saw him with a matching bored expression as he taught Crabbe how to brew the potion. Silver eyes found hers quickly and gave her a reassuring wink. She'd tease him later for still wanting to be everyone's favorite Professor.
Though they spent the night together in the Room of Requirement, he had not spilled the details of his holiday or his trip to St. Mungos. Then again, Hermione wasn't sure he had the chance to say much as she had done all the talking, filling him in on what she knew to be the same and different. Truth be told, not much had been different than her previous Fifth Year Christmas. Still, she was kinder to Kreacher to hopefully help later on and about how Harry was completely dreading his Occlumency lessons.
Hermione was still unsure about the lessons. It was a helpful skill that Harry needed to know, but seeing as he was a Horcrux, was it even possible for him to close off his mind? She was deep in thought about how to convince Harry to learn from Draco when Zacharias Smith approached them after class about the DA.
"Shall I jinx him? I can still get him from here," Ron offered, raising his wand and taking aim.
"Forget it," said Harry dismally. "It's what everyone's going to think, isn't it? That I'm really stup—"
"Hi, Harry," said a voice behind them. Hermione turned to see Cho standing there, looking bashful and soft.
"We'll be in the library," Hermione said firmly, seizing Ron above the elbow and dragging him off.
"Aw, I wanted to watch that," Ron whined. Hermione released him, shaking her head.
"You just want to tease him," she corrected.
"Well, yeah," Ron agreed with a laugh.
Once in the library, it took some time to find an unoccupied table. Hermione debated sitting with the Patel twins until she remembered their disdain for Ron. She pulled him along until she found a table near the back with a single student sitting quietly, working on an essay.
"Hi, Theo," Hermione said, greeting him with a smile as she set down her things. The brown-haired Slytherin looked up at her and Ron. He raised an eyebrow but gave a shy wave of hello.
"Hermione, er– Don't you think…." Ron started, causing her to roll her eyes.
"Oh, shush, and sit down," Hermione waved off Ron's skepticism. She heard Ron grumble something under his breath about Slytherin, but she chose not to respond. "How was your break?"
"Good. Really good," Theo said, his face brightening.
"No Death Eater meetings?" Ron asked. Hermione stamped down hard on his foot, making him yelp.
"Will you be nice?" she snapped, sitting in the chair next to Theo and gesturing to Ron to take the other.
Theo fumbled with his pen but shook his head. "I wouldn't know. Not really my thing, blood status and all that. You-Know-Who isn't even a Pureblood himself, therefore disproving his point that great power comes from the family line, so it seems a bit dumb to follow his rhetoric if you ask me."
Ron looked flabbergasted at the whole thing. "But you're a Slytherin."
"You ever do something because it's what your family wants?" Theo answered. Ron held his tongue in thought, giving a bit of a nod.
Hermione sat, watching the whole exchange, trying to keep a smug smile off her face. It wasn't much longer until Harry arrived, a broad smile on his face and his cheeks flushed.
"You guys wouldn't believe what just happened," he said, out of breath. "I asked Cho on a date."
"Cho Chang?" Theo asked.
Harry's green eyes whipped from his friends to Theo, taking in the Slytherin with shock and caution.
"Er, yeah?" Harry hedged. Hermione held in her sigh, expecting the same sort of conversation to be repeated once again.
"Be gentle with her," Theo said instead. "She cornered me once; had all these questions about my mum's death."
"Oh," Harry said, slumping into the seat next to Ron. "Do you think she wants to talk about Cedric?"
Theo shrugged. "It's possible."
Hermione watched as Harry nodded, any pretense of Theo being a Slytherin or a Nott completely slipping his mind. Eventually, Harry looked up from his hands to Theo, giving him a matching soft smile that Hermione had never seen him give anyone before.
"I-thanks," Harry said. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Not a problem," Theo shrugged.
Harry nodded, leaning back in his chair and running his hand through his hair, messing it up further.
"Do you think I could skive off Snape tonight?" he asked Ron and Hermione.
"Absolutely not."
"I'd tell you to do it if I wasn't in fear for your life," Ron chuckled.
Theo blinked.
"I've got, er, Remedial Potions," Harry lied poorly.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Snape's teaching him Occlumency."
"Hermione!" Ron and Harry both gasped at her.
"Oh. You know who's really good at that?" Theo said, not even phased in the slightest.
"Who?" Harry sat up, ready for a different option than horrible Snape.
"Draco," Theo said simply.
Both Harry and Ron exchanged looks before bursting into laughter. Hermione sighed and started back on her essay.
MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN
MINISTRY FEARS BLACK IS A "RALLYING POINT"
FOR OLD DEATH EATERS
Draco didn't need to read the article. He already lived it. He would always mark it as the day that everything truly changed. Voldemort returning at the Third Task was relevant, but the breakout was the start of the worst. It put everything into motion. It marked the proper start of the end.
All his classmates were whispering about the article, glancing at Draco and the other students related to the escaped Death Eaters. If they only knew how much he truly hated his Aunt Bellatrix.
He watched as Hermione rose from her seat and exited the Great Hall quickly. He'd have to ask her what that was about.
Even with the breakout, the school year returned to how Draco knew it. Umbridge was at all their Care of Magical Creature classes, and he always made sure to compliment her. She'd approached him several times about the students he found for her task force. He'd gotten Crabbe and Goyle to agree without argument. It was the others that would take more persuading, mostly because he needed to make sure they didn't take it seriously like last time.
"Keep an eye out for any student gatherings that are not permitted," she told him with a wry smile the last time they crossed paths.
Hermione had been trying her best to get the Gryffindors to befriend him and the other Slytherins. It was touch-and-go, as he figured, but speaking with Hermione was still impossible some days. His bond was annoyingly alive during classes, always trying to alert him that she was close like he couldn't bloody see her. Sitting next to each other would be too much, though; even he could agree with that.
Instead, they slipped into the Room of Requirement on nights without DA Meetings. They'd talk until they fell asleep, mostly about their days, the changes they'd made, and what that could bring. There wasn't much else to do; Hermione wanted to prepare for what was to come, but they couldn't make a move until the rest of the world did first.
"Do you have a date for Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked, lying with her head on Draco's chest one night in February.
"You mean for Valentine's Day?" he clarified, raising an eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes but then conceded. "Yes. Do you have a Valentine? I remember it was Pansy before."
"She already asked Theo," Draco explained.
"So you'll be free?" she asked and smiled at his nod. "Ron's got Quidditch and Harry's meeting Cho before our meeting with Rita so I was thinking maybe we could do something?"
"You'd be seen with me? In Hogsmeade?" He teased her.
"I figured you could wear that beanie of yours that hides your hair," she teased right back.
She had been right. Without Potter nearby, his hair covered and her's in a tight braid, no one seemed to pay them any mind. They stayed out of the more popular shops and areas, but it felt more like hiding from the giggling House Girls and other prying students.
"I've been thinking," Hermione said as they walked near the Shrieking Shack. She swallowed hard, thinking back to the last time they made this walk. But Draco looked perfectly healthy this time. There was no struggle to his walk or cough laced with blood. Instead, he held her and smiled softly. There was no Mark, but she was still worried.
"Should I be worried?" asked Draco, finding a log for them to sit on as they spoke. He doubted anyone would come up there trying to find them. Then again, it was the perfect spot for a secret snog.
He leaned in and kissed her softly before she could speak again. Hermione felt her blood vibrate with need. It was getting harder these days to contain herself. Her hands found his coat, tugging him closer with a needy whine. Draco chuckled against her lips, though he agreed wholeheartedly.
"Rethinking not sealing the bond?"
"No. Well, yes, but that's not what I'd been thinking before."
"Go on," he nodded, pulling her into his lap and resting his chin on her shoulder.
Hermione took a deep breath. It'd been on her mind since they'd come back from break. With Spring right around the corner, they wouldn't have much time to plan for the Summer. Things were changing, but she had no idea if they'd changed enough for him not to get his Mark. If anything, he seemed just as on track as ever.
"I've been trying to think of a plan to keep you from your Mark."
"Granger," Draco groaned into her neck. "Do we have to do this now?"
She expected that response. "Yes, before we know it, it's going to be too late."
He rolled his eyes but didn't say anything. She took that as the okay to continue. "Harry, Ron, and I have been joining Theo in the library to study. If you were there, maybe they would start to warm up to you too."
"And that stops me from getting the Mark how exactly?"
"Well, we can protect you then."
Draco scoffed. "I don't need protection."
"What if you do? What if when you say no, they force it on you anyways?"
Draco was quiet. The first time he received the Mark, he went willingly with his Mother and Aunt Bellatrix. His Mother would have fought for him if he refused, but Bellatrix was a different story. He imagined her holding him down with the Imperius Curse. With a knife to his throat.
Hermione turned in his lap to face him. She knew he wasn't telling her everything. "I know you already have a plan, that's why you don't want to talk about this."
His eyes shot up from their hands to meet hers. "I don't already have a plan. I know what I don't want, but not what to do."
"Will you tell me then? What you don't want?"
He sighed and looked away again. But after a moment, he spoke again. "I don't want to be a spy and I don't want to just run away. I want people to know I said no, not because I'm a coward, but because it's the right thing. So then they know I deserve you."
Hermione smiled softly, her heart swelling. She cupped his face, making him turn back to look at her. "You do deserve me."
"Me years in the future, but Fifth Year me? Not even close."
"Well, good thing you got to keep your mind intact and we're not redoing this blind."
Draco cracked and chuckled lightly. "Thank Merlin. That would have been a nightmare. Can you imagine having to convince me to be friends with Potter? Let alone that we're soulmates."
"Like the bond wouldn't have you wanting to kiss me."
"It would, but I'm rather stubborn if you haven't noticed."
" I know. And I hate to say it again, but I think my idea still stands. If you become friends with Harry, they'll know you, the real you."
"Don't you have a magazine interview to get to?" Draco asked, playfully snapping at her.
She pulled his pocket watch from his pocket. "Bugger, you're right."
"Go then, go ruin my life, please," he laughed, nudging her off his lap to get going.
She kissed him again before leaving.
HARRY POTTER SPEAKS OUT AT LAST:
THE TRUTH ABOUT HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMES
AND THE NIGHT I SAW HIM RETURN
Draco sat with Theo in the library, leaning back in his chair, his textbook open, but the pages were actually a copy of The Quibbler with the pages charmed. Umbridge had become a madwoman, and he needed to stay on her good side. Draco sent Crabbe and Goyle off to spy on students for him to have things to report back. It gave them all a bit of free time as well; Goyle had even joined the Gobstone Club with the extra time he had.
"Ah, there you are," Hermione's voice whispered as she approached from the Partial Vanishment section with Harry. "Hi Theo, Malfoy."
Theo waved hello while Draco did his best to hide his smile or his eye roll at Potter's apparent regret at coming to the library.
Potter hung back with a weary nervousness that Hermione chose to ignore. She understood where it came from; one wouldn't expect the sons of the Death Eaters he named to welcome him kindly. But she also had planned for this very meeting, so she wasn't about to let it go to waste.
"Potter, Granger," Draco nodded as the dark-haired boy finally reached them and took a seat. Potter shot a look at Hermione, but she pretended not to notice.
"Great interview," Theo said as a hello.
A soft blush graced the top of Harry's cheeks.
"You're not upset?" Harry asked, his voice quivering slightly. Draco wasn't sure if he was nervous or readying himself for a fight.
"Nah, my Father can rot for all I care," Theo shrugged.
Potter looked to Draco, bracing himself.
"I'm not my Father's biggest fan at the moment," he said.
"You're not?" It fell from Potter's lips before he could even register who he was speaking to. He sat down at the table across from Theo, but his attention was still on Draco.
Draco nodded, but at Hermione's pushy glare, he knew he had to say more. "I know you saw my bruising at St. Mungos."
A quiet hush floated off the table, locking them all in a moment of empathy and hurt. Potter pursed his lips before nodding. "My uncle broke my nose once. Door slam to the face. Said it was an accident but–"
Theo nodded. "Mine likes to throw heavy objects."
"I was stepped on," Draco admitted.
Hermione's breath caught in her throat as she looked at each of the boys, all abused and hurt in their own way. Without a second thought, she reached under the table to take Draco's hand and give it a comforting squeeze. She wished she could do more but knew it'd have to wait until that night.
None of the boys offered comfort in the form of words. Still, as their eyes moved from one to the other, a simple understanding formed that not even Draco predicted happening tonight or any other night for that matter. He squeezed Hermione's hand back, but the Holiday break already felt like a dream from another life.
"So, that Potions essay?" Hermione asked, breaking the silence.
"Right. Granger told me you're in Remedial Potions? Never thought you were that dense, Potter," Draco teased, the side of his lip curling. Potter went rigid again, a look of annoyance in his features.
"I'm not-"
"He's joking," Hermione stopped Harry. "Syltherin's have a rather good sense of humor, believe it or not."
"First time I teased Granger, she looked ready for a fight," Draco smiled, remembering the Great Hall. "Ever the Gryffindor."
A soft blush spread across her cheeks, and she raised her book high to hide from Harry. Their first meeting as Professors felt like years ago now. It wasn't that she didn't remember it, but moments from that life were starting to feel like distant dreams. Some days she forgot she was even a Professor at all.
"Wait till you meet Blaise," Theo nodded in agreement.
Harry looked from Slytherin to Slytherin, still unsure of this study arrangement. But as Hermione lowered her book again, he seemed to relax. Draco still wasn't sure this was a great idea, befriending The Boy Who Lived, but he already decided if anyone asked, he'd just say it was to fuck him over later. Which could always be a possibility if needed.
Hermione was happy, though. She launched into explaining her thesis for her essay and thoughts on what would be expected during their OWLS. It seemed like the biggest hurdle was past them. One civil conversation was the start of a friendship. It worked before. Maybe a bit more liquor, a finished War, and time for healing wounds had been involved then, but she had hope. Enough hope that she kept holding Draco's hand under the table as they worked.
Potions homework worked as an excuse for the four to meet at the library each evening for the rest of the week. Hermione debated how she could interest Ron to join them, but with the number of Quidditch practices he was doing, he seemed to only be able to sleep and go to class. She knew Draco wasn't looking forward to befriending Ron either, so she didn't push her luck when things with Harry seemed to be going well.
Then again, it seemed like Harry and Theo were getting along much better. She'd seen them even speaking in the Great Hall as she walked up to meet Harry there before heading to DA lessons.
"What were you and Theo speaking about?" Hermione asked after waving goodbye.
"Nothing really. Potions then asked if things with Cho were going well."
"Are they?"
"We're friendly again, after the article and all, but I don't think that's going to happen."
"No?"
"Nah, I've… I dunno. I'll let you know when I figure it out."
Hermione smirked and nodded. She wondered if this was when his feelings for Ginny started. She never knew exactly when he began seeing Ginny from a sister to something more, but she wouldn't be surprised with how Ginny was always chatting him up for Quidditch tips.
Harry walked quietly next to her, keeping his lips pursed.
"I've been thinking about my dream, in the Department of Mysteries," Harry confided as they neared the Seventh Floor.
"Harry, you need to stop–"
"I know, I know, I need to put more effort into my Occlumency. I don't want to hear it again," he sighed, frustrated at her badgering. "But, listen. Do you think Malfoy knows what his father is up to? He might know what the weapon is."
Hermione swallowed hard. Fifth Year Draco may not have known, but her Draco now most certainly did. In fact, she even did. But she had no way to explain that to Harry. Then again, she wasn't even sure she'd want to. The Department of Mysteries was too important to the War.
"He might," she nodded. "But don't you think you have too much on your plate to worry about that right now?"
"That's the most important thing!" Harry burst, scaring some Second Years as they passed. He apologized and turned back to Hermione. "Why do Potions matter or Hagrid being sacked or even DA lessons if we don't know what Voldemort is doing and how to stop him?"
Hermione sighed. "I won't ask him. That's up to you."
"But he's nice to you; I've seen it when we study," Harry whined. Hermione felt her skin heat with a slight blush. She hadn't thought she and Draco had been anything more than amicable whilst studying. In fact, they even bickered so fiercely over their Potions essay Madam Prine came over and told them to leave.
"I think you're confusing lack of insults as friendship," she laughed, trying to deter Harry's suspicions.
Harry laughed too. "Probably. It's really weird to think we're in a study group with Malfoy. I haven't even told Ron yet."
"We probably should soon," Hermione sighed.
"If I have to talk to Malfoy on my own, you get to talk to Ron. The study group was your idea," Harry said, starting to walk back and forth to open the Room of Requirement for lessons. Hermione huffed, her fringe blowing into the air. Harry just smirked as he opened the door, knowing she probably had it worse out of the two.
With his broom over his shoulder, Draco headed back to the castle after practice. It felt good to play Quidditch again. Being a flying instructor was one thing, but actually, getting to fly himself was something else entirely. Though the more he thought about it, the more he missed teaching. He missed those stupid First Years that could barely get on their brooms and the way he was able to be so free talking to them.
He still remembered his favorite student. He wondered what Bailey was up to at the moment. She couldn't be anything more than a toddler. Four maybe. But he'd never heard the surname in all his Pureblood studying. He supposed she wouldn't be much help talking to the castle at the moment, but something in his body told him he ought to find her. If anything, just write to her into his will if this all went to shit.
He glanced up at the castle; it was dark against the setting sun, but for some reason, he felt like it was watching him right back. He hoped he was doing Hogwarts proud and making all the right choices this time. Beyond the Fat Lady talking to Hermione, he hadn't noticed it trying to help or hinder them in any way. Though it would be nice to know which option was the best.
He could rebel and run like his Mother suggested, like Sirius had. He could be a spy like Dumbledore wanted, like Snape was. He could befriend Potter and hide, like Hermione kept telling him, despite the changes it could make.
As if the castle could hear his thoughts, the doors to the castle opened, and the figure stepped out. Draco could barely make out the person due to the bright light of the castle behind them, but as they stepped closer, he got his answer.
"Potter," he greeted the messy-haired boy.
"Malfoy."
Potter didn't move. Draco sighed, realizing that Potter was not going to the Pitch or Hagrid's.
"Yes?"
"Hermione and Theo, they both mentioned you know Occlumency."
Draco nodded.
"Snape's been trying to teach me, but it's–"
"You want me to teach you?"
Potter nodded back. Draco sighed, running his hand through his sweaty locks. He glanced up at the castle; one of the lights in the window flickered in a wink.
Befriend Potter it was. For now, at least.
"Okay. But you have to do something for me."
"What's that?" Potter snapped, his anger flaring, readying himself for an outlandish request he would deny in a single breath.
Draco hid a smirk, knowing his request was nothing Potter expected. He barely expected it himself. It was just something he wanted to know.
"Teach me how to cast a Patronus?"
Potter's anger dropped, and he nodded. "Okay, yeah, I can do that."
They stood like that in the evening, quiet, just soaking in each other for a moment, allowing an understanding to drift between them.
With a nod, Draco walked past Potter, heading back into the castle. But as he opened the door once more, a slight spark in his fingers reminded him of something that was about to come.
"Umbridge is onto your meetings," Draco said, looking over his shoulder at Potter. "Tell your mates to watch out for Veritaserum in her tea."
Potter's green eyes grew wide, but he nodded.
"Thanks, Malfoy."
"Anytime, Potter."
A/N: Happy holidays. I know this fic is slow to come out so if you ever want to read more fics by me, please check out thefrancakes on Ao3. I post a lot more there as it allows Explicit content, and I participate in a lot of fests. You can also come say hello on tumblr at the-francakes
