As always, a huge thank you to my main squeeze - MissyJAnne85. I love you & all that you do! You're the best!

You'll find this week's songs added to the ALG Playlist on Spotify which you can find here.

Songs are listed in the end notes for spoiler convenience.

A huge shout out to the gorgeous Fae Orabel for making this stunning manip for me! I can not thank you enough!

If you are so inclined you can find me on Tumblr here. Or find me on Facebook under Nat Wotso, to gain "insights" into the inner workings of my mind.

Draco and Hermione stood side by side in the Prefect's Cabin on the Hogwarts Express. Hermione was finishing up with her 'Welcome Back to School' speech, complete with her expectations for the term.

"Anything you'd like to add, Malfoy?" She asked, turning to him.

"No, I think you've got it all covered, Granger," he coughed into his hand. "Did you have any fun at all during the holidays? Or did all your time go into preparing this speech?" He asked with a disparaging smirk.

"I did, thank you! And the speech was not that long!" Hermione looked to her prefects for confirmation. They all had found other, more interesting things to look at - their shoes, someone else's ear, the Scottish countryside rushing by through the window.

"Ok, sorry, everyone. Go and enjoy your free time with your friends. See you all at the next meeting!" Hermione dismissed them, leaving her alone with Malfoy.

When the door slid closed behind the last one, Hermione flicked her wrist at it, effectively locking out everyone on the other side. She turned her body towards him and pulled him down to meet her in a kiss. "I missed you, Malfoy. I did not enjoy those two weeks apart - at all!"

Draco sat down on the carriage seat with a thud. "I've missed you, too. I almost didn't know what to do with myself without your constant pestering about homework and prefect duties. Almost," he smirked, that one eyebrow lifting to his hairline. Hermione sighed, sinking down next to him, completely content. She picked up his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders, leaning into him.

"How long do you think we have before someone comes looking for us?" Hermione asked him, her tone playful.

"Not long," Draco replied. He pressed a quick kiss to her temple and extricated himself from her grip. "We should probably split up for a little while. At least until we get back from dinner."

"You're probably right," Hermione sighed. Still, she wished he'd have let her hold on for a little while longer.

"I'll go first. I'll see you later tonight, Granger."

Hermione unlocked the door with a swish of her wand through the air. He turned and gave her a brief smilebefore he disappeared through it. Something unpleasant swooped through Hermione's thoughts, down to her stomach, and then back up to her heart where it settled with a heavy thud. Ignoring the sensation, she turned to her paperwork and made the necessary adjustments. As per usual, several prefects had prior engagements that meant a change to the roster. Hermione was glad for the distraction. It kept her from thinking of more disagreeable things - like how aloof Malfoy seemed to be this morning. I'm fine, he's fine, we're fine. We're happy and in love. Just focus on the damn roster, Hermione, she told herself.

After dinner, Hermione retreated to her bedroom to unpack her trunk. When her clothes were hanging nicely, and her shoes all lined up, she went to check on Draco. Curiously, he wasn't in his room, and his luggage sat untouched at the end of his bed. Maybe he was waiting for her in the bathroom, already deliciously naked in a hot bath. Anticipation singing through her nerves, Hermione danced down his stairs and all but skipped her way to the bathroom. It, too, was empty. No matter, she thought. I'll be the one who is already naked and waiting.

With this in mind, she turned the taps on and added their preferred scents. Vetiver for Draco and Jasmine for herself. The combination of the two had her feeling high. She knew she had missed him, but as the steam rose from the hot water, Hermione could feel how badly she had yearned for him dancing through her veins.

When the water reached the right height, Hermione shrugged free of her clothes and descended into the velvety depths of the swimming pool sized bath. She swam, and she floated. She washed and conditioned her hair. She played with all of the different scented soaps and then swam some more. She occupied herself while waiting for Draco until the water grew cold. Resigned, she left the bath, wrapped herself in a fluffy bathrobe and went back to their dormitory. It was still empty. Hermione dressed in her fluffiest, most ridiculous, and most comfortable pyjamas. She stuffed her feet into her oversized cat-shaped slippers and trudged back down the staircase.

Hermione jerked her wand hand in the direction of the fire. Flames burst up through the grate to a height she hadn't predicted. Calming herself, Hermione pointed her wand more accurately, and the flames lowered, crackling nicely in the pit. She picked up a book she had left on the coffee table during the holidays and thumbed through the pages. Still feeling uneasy, she searched for the tumbler and flask of Firewhiskey hidden behind some books. Hermione poured herself two fingers' worth and went back to the book, intent on absorbing some of its knowledge.

It was two in the morning when Draco crept in through the portrait. He came to a complete stop when he saw Hermione still curled up on the sofa, book in her hands, and fresh tears in her eyes. Even the secondary portrait of Anne Boleyn was glaring at him. Draco gulped.

"Nice to meet you, Malfoy. Where have you been? I didn't realise that 'I'll see you later tonight' meant that you would be gone for the entirety of it," Hermione said, gritting her teeth. She did not want to cry, not again, and not in front of him.

"Granger, I-"

"You're sorry? I know! So what? Are you going to explain where you've been? Or why you suddenly seem to be avoiding me? Is our love a game that you want to play?"

"Granger, look. I'm sorry I was out all night. It wasn't my intention. I just -"

"You just what? Suddenly forgot that you told your girlfriend to wait for you? Did you make other plans - forget to tell me about them? What, Malfoy?"

"I just got sidetracked. I was with Theo and I-"

"Oh, ok, then. Acceptable. All forgiven. I'll just go to bed now and pretend I haven't been waiting for you for the last-" Hermione looked at her wrist, checking her watch for the time. "Six and a half hours. No problem at all. See you in the morning, Malfoy!" Hermione slammed her book shut, stood up and turned for the stairs.

"For fuck's sake, Granger. Will you let a man get a word out?"

"Not if the words he wants to say aren't worth hearing!"

"They might be if you'd just take the time to listen! Magic and Madness, you're infuriating!"

"Excuse me?" Hermione whipped her head around, facing him once more. "Say it again, Malfoy. Make your next mistake!" Hermione dared him.

"Fucking hell, Granger. You're always screaming or crying. You're a perfect storm, did you know that? A rose garden filled with thorns just waiting to tear my skin to shreds at the slightest provocation."

"We just seem to keep coming back here. Stolen kisses and pretty lies, and you're happy keeping me a dirty secret. Then we argue, I cry, and you apologise. It's all just one vicious cycle. You're a fucking nightmare dressed like a daydream!"

"You're one to talk, Granger. It's like you found out what I wanted and became that girl for a month. I knew we'd take this way too far! "

"Yes, and what am I stuck with? You seem to only want love if it's torture. You're the king of cowardice, Draco - does that make me your queen?"

"I knew this would go down in flames! And don't you say I didn't warn you! Cause I fucking did! Tell me, Granger! Is the high worth the pain?"

Hermione sighed. The fight had left her. She was red in the face when she plopped back down on the sofa she had only just vacated moments before. Draco carded his hands through his hair and down over his face. He slumped down next to her, taking her hand in his.

Hermione looked down at their interlaced fingers with interest. How could they go from screaming and yelling one moment, literally tugging at their hair, to sitting quietly and holding hands the next? This was unhealthy. She knew it, and she didn't care. She still loved him. "We are young, and I suppose that makes us reckless. But Malfoy, I don't want to be reckless with my heart. Or yours. I am sick of this feeling. Every time we're together, I'm wondering if you'll leave me breathless - or if you'll come up with some other way to pretend this isn't real. That's all I need - another nasty scar." She tightened her grip on his hand. "We need to figure this out. We need to learn how to navigate this - us - properly."

"According to the school rumours, I have a long list of ex-lovers, all lined up and ready to tell you that I am insane. The long list is a lie, but I'm sure plenty of people think I've lost it," Draco hesitated, changed tack. "I have one blank space in my heart, Hermione. And it's where I've written your name. I don't know what we need to do, but you're right. This isn't good."

Hermione leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. She slumped back against the couch, exhausted. "That's a lovely sentiment, Draco. But I'm done talking for the night. I'm tired. Let's go to bed."


Unfortunately, the following morning was a school day and classes had resumed as per the usual. Hermione left Draco in his bedroom to get ready for the day. After the holidays, Hermione didn't have any of her things stored in his room. She had just arrived at the bottom of his staircase when she realised that she was not alone.

"Good morning, Miss Granger."

"Oh, uh. Good morning, Headmistress McGonagall," Hermione stammered. "I was just err, just making sure Malfoy was awake and not going to try to skip any classes today. It's uh, become somewhat of a habit, I suppose."

"Mmmhmm," McGonagall intoned. The older woman peered over the top of her glasses at Hermione, obviously not believing a word of Hermione's lies. "Your sleeping arrangments do not concern me, Miss Granger. I have a confession for you, and I'd like to share it with you when you have a free period today. Please come and see me in my office when you are available."

"Oh, of course, Headmistress. I will be sure to do that."

"Good day to you, Granger. I'll see you after lunch."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief when the portrait closed behind her professor, and she could make her way to her bedroom. Apparently, Minerva was not fooled by Hermione's lies. She would need to be embarrassed about that later on. Right now, she was consumed by the thought of what McGonagall needed to confess to her.

Hermione pulled on her school pants and tucked her shirt into it. She fixed her tie around her neck and pulled her sweater over her head. Hermione checked her appearance in the mirror. She sighed when she saw the state of her hair. Her curls were running rampant in every direction. She dipped her fingers in a pot of Sleekeazy's and ran them through her hair. It didn't help. With a sigh, Hermione tied her hair back in a bun and decided that would do. Slipping her shoes on her feet and her Gryffindor robe over her shoulders, she went back downstairs to meet Draco in the common room.

"Did I hear McGonagall in here earlier?"

"You did," Hermione confirmed. "She caught me coming out of your bedroom in my pyjamas. She didn't buy the lie I spun her."

"Shit," he swore. "I guess the old bat has eyes sharp as a cat's after all."

Hermione swotted him on the arm. "Minerva McGonagall is not an old bat!" She chastised him. "But yes, it appears that she knows and isn't one little bit phased."

"What did she want?"

"For me to come and see her this afternoon in my free time."

"Hmm," Draco pondered. "I guess we will have to save our real talk for after dinner tonight."

"I suppose so," Hermione said. "And you will be back here straight after dinner?"

"As much as I am dreading this conversation? It'll be hard, but I promise," he said, kissing her forehead.

"Good, I'd rather like to avoid any more of these fights," Hermione's smile wavered. She took one of his hands in hers and gave it a short, tight squeeze. A deep breath in cleared her foggy eyes.

Me too, but I think they're far from over, Draco thought. "After you," he said, gesturing towards the exit.


The whole day long, Hermione had been on the edge of her seat; curious about what McGonagall wanted to tell her. She'd been having a hard time concentrating in class, almost missing out on answering various questions. During lunch, she had eaten ravenously and avoided Ginny's curious gaze.

"McGonagall wants a meeting," Hermione shrugged. "I want to know what it's about and then try to put my study period to actual study use," Hermione said by way of rushed explanation, folding bread into her mouth.

"Ah, makes sense," Ginny said with a roll of her eyes. "You're giving yourself a stomach ache so you can get more study done."

"The N.E.W.T's aren't getting further away, Ginny," Hermione reminded her with a wink and a smile.

"Yeah, yeah," Ginny waved her friend off. "Go and have that meeting with McGonagall."

Hermione wiped her mouth on a napkin and stood. A pair of dark grey eyes watched her leave the Great Hall.


"Cinnamon sticks," Hermione said to the stone Gargoyle and waited while it turned, making the staircase accessible.

"Professor McGonagall?" Hermione asked, knocking on the door.

"Come in, Miss Granger."

Hermione did as she was told and entered the Headmistress' office. "You wanted to see me, Professor?"

"Yes, please take a seat. Tea?" McGonagall offered.

Hermione nodded and watched as a teapot filled her cup with the steaming liquid. She stirred a splash of milk into the tea and waited patiently for the Headmistress to speak. Minerva seemed to be nervous about whatever she had to say. Hermione looked up and locked gazes with the portrait of Dumbledore. He steepled his fingers and watched her over his half-moon spectacles. Hermione smiled when he winked.

"I'm afraid I may have done you a disservice, Miss Granger."

"Professor?" Hermione asked, confused. She wracked her brain to think of an occasion this could fit.

"I have encouraged you to spend time with Mr Malfoy, and -"

"Professor, please. I think I know where this is going. I want to stop you before we go any further. I - we - we're happy. For the most part, anyway. We still have a lot of differences, but I - I love him. And he loves me."

"I know, Miss Granger. I have known for quite some time and I believe I may be somewhat responsible for it." Minerva took a sip of her tea, hands shaking.

"I don't understand, Professor," Hermione confessed. She had never seen Minerva so on edge or unsure about anything. Ever.

"When I was younger, Granger, I had what I considered to be a healthy curiosity with time-turners. You will, of course, remember the one that I leant you in your third year," McGonagall did not stop to let Hermione confirm. "You will also remember the strict instructions I gave you to only turn it backwards? And never for more than a few hours at a time."

"Yes, and that's all I ever did," Hermione stated, still uncertain where this was going. What on Earth did time turners have to do with her relationship with Draco?

"Once, when I was very young, I wanted to experiment. I fancied myself rather an expert on the device. Perhaps I was also seeking a little adventure. In any case, I turned the hourglass forward. Three times, to be exact, and I landed thirty years in the future. Just a month or two from now, in fact. I saw, learned and experienced a lot of new and exciting things, and I learned of fates that I had no right to. One of those fates, Miss Granger, was yours. Yours and Mr Malfoy's. I knew - I have always known that you two would fall in love. I've watched the two of you grow all these years. I've watched you fight, and bicker, and compete against one another in classes. I watched, and I knew. And now I wonder if maybe I have taken your choices away."

Hermione was shocked, to say the least. McGonagall had experimented with time turners? That was forbidden as far as she knew. Not only that, but she had arrived in the future, and seen what exactly?

"How long did you stay in the future? What did you learn? How did you return? Have you encountered yourself? Did you know about the war - how things would turn out - both times? How about -"

"Miss Granger, please. I'm telling you more than I should, already. I thought perhaps I should offer you an explanation for my odd behaviour this year. I believe that I may have twisted the hand of fate more than I had any right to. I'd like to apologise. I don't know what more will happen between you and Mr Malfoy, but I will no longer interfere. This meeting is to officially declare his probationary period over. I hope that I do not need to remind you of the sensitive nature of this conversation. You may, of course, tell Malfoy because it involves him as much as it does you. Other than that, it should not leave the walls of this office."

"If I may be so bold, Headmistress -"

"You rarely stop to ask for permission, Miss Granger. I don't see why now should be any different," McGonagall smiled warmly at Hermione. She pushed her glasses back up her nose and cleared her throat.

"Why didn't you just ask Malfoy to join me here?"

"Ah, yes. I thought perhaps the news might be received better if you were the one to deliver it. Mr Malfoy can be," Minerva paused, searching for the right word. "Unpredictable in certain circumstances. This is sensitive information, as I'm sure you're aware. I had rather hoped to avoid another explosion in my office."

"Another explo-" Hermione's question was cut off once again.

"I think it's best if we leave it there, for now, Miss Granger." McGonagall rose from her seat, clearly dismissing Hermione.

"I, yes, alright," Hermione said, getting to her feet. "Thank you for your honesty, Professor."

Hermione left the office with more questions than she had started with.


Draco was pacing their common room and running his hands through his hair. Hermione hadn't seen him looking so dishevelled for two years.

"Draco, please calm down. I know it's unpleasant to hear, but -"

"No. Unpleasant is not what this is. All my life, I have had my choices taken away from me - been forced in one direction or another. It doesn't ever end. My mother knows about us, by the way! And you - the one good thing in my life that I thought I had chosen for myself, turns out that again, I was wrong. The choice wasn't mine! My fucking strings have been pulled by someone else - again! "

Hermione's mind was reeling. She was sitting on their sofa, watching him pace and throw things. He pulled at his tie and attempted to tug his hair right out of his head. She let him have his rant. She knew he needed it. She did, too, if she was honest. But he was doing a good enough job for both of them. She felt the pain and confusion rolling off of Draco, and she wanted to comfort him. Pull him close and nestle against his chest. Her thoughts wouldn't let her do that yet.

'My mother knows about us, by the way?' He's dropping this bomb - now?

"Wait, Draco. Stop for just a minute. Did you just say that your mother knows about us?"

"Yes. Apparently, we were not as subtle as we should have been at the ball. Both of us were missing at the same time. My eyes tracked your every move. Those godforsaken earrings that I insisted you wear. All of it - the biggest mistake I've ever made. I should have never given you that damned invitation - but no, I needed to be able to see you during the holidays. To see you in a pretty dress outside of this fucking castle, didn't I?" His breathing was laboured. Hermione thought it possible that Draco was having a panic attack.

"Draco," Hermione commanded his attention. "Will you count to ten with me?"

"What? Why?"

"Just do it, will you? One, two, three..."

"Four, five, six," Draco continued, watching Hermione with exasperation. When he reached number ten, he let out a long breath and sat down quietly next to her. "Thanks," he mumbled.

"For what?" Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder and took his hand in hers. "I understand why you're upset, Malfoy. You feel like you had no choice in the matter - but listen. You told me weeks ago that you had been in love with me for years. McGonagall had nothing to do with that. What she did do was to orchestrate us spending a lot more time together than we would normally. And I know I probably shouldn't be, but I am glad that she did. If she hadn't, I wouldn't know you. I wouldn't have you, and I wouldn't love you. And while I can admit that we are dysfunctional, I wouldn't trade you for anyone. Do you understand that, Malfoy? I was ignoring all of the things that felt wrong before - what the war did, made, created. But when I'm with you, I can't ignore it - and I don't need to. You're helping me heal. I hope I'm doing the same for you." Hermione smoothed his hair back to its usual style and placed a sweet kiss on his cheek. "Do you hear me?"

Draco grunted in response and held her tighter to his side.

"So. About your mother?" Hermione hinted. She didn't feel like the topic had been adequately covered.

"Yes," Draco sighed, heavily. "She danced around the subject, trying to get me to confess. She had already guessed before she requested that I dance with you. I suppose that was another of her tests."

"What did she say when you were finally honest with her?"

"I don't think you want to talk about this, Granger," he said, shifting uncomfortably. When Hermione looked up at him, he was wearing a grimace on his face.

"That bad, huh? She hates me, doesn't think I'm good enough for you, right?"

"Actually, she thinks that you're a great match for me in every way but the one that counts. I won't be allowed to marry you, Hermione." He said it quietly, his face in his hands.

"Marry me?" Hermione squeaked, face red. "You're not even nineteen yet, why on God's green Earth is anyone talking about marriage? Shit! We're still in school. Merlin's blue bloody balls!"

Despite the situation, Hermione's last epitaph produced a chuckle from Draco. "Malfoy's tend to marry young. Most pure-bloods do. Can't tell you why, but usually we're all bonded by the time we're twenty-one. My mother has been thinking about and planning my wedding day since my first day at Hogwarts, Granger."

"Well, that's just - just wrong. What if you wanted to pursue further education? Start focusing on your career?" Hermione floundered.

Getting married so young seemed absolutely preposterous to her. She had never once considered it, not with Ron and not with Draco. Marriage felt like something you shouldn't think too seriously about before you left school. Apparently in the Wizarding World, this was not the right point of view.

"Then you can do all of that once you're married, or at least engaged. Granger, you're missing the point. I will not be allowed to marry you. There are things out of my control that will ensure that we cannot continue our relationship. That's why I fought so hard at the beginning, tried to make you hate me. No matter how badly I want you, I can't have you, not really. Not even when you want me too."

"So all this 'protecting my reputation' bullshit?"

"Smoke and mirrors. Truth, but still not the truth. Not the real one, anyway."

"What are you trying to say to me, Draco?" Hermione held her breath. She could feel the panic start to set in. This was a dreadful conversation, and she wished she had listened to him and put it off. Hermione felt her insides start to bubble with anxiety as she looked at Draco's face, sensing his next words.

"I've been instructed to end things with you." He didn't look at her. Draco fixed his eyes on the fireplace in front of him and willed his voice steady. If he looked at her, he knew he would break.

Hermione slumped back in her seat. She had seen the conversation heading this way only a minute ago, but hearing it confirmed stung like hell. "And will you?"

"I don't want to. Believe me, Granger. I don't want to," Draco choked out, hiding his face in his hands.

"But you will," Hermione said. It was no longer a question in her eyes or her heart. She felt the dead weight of it settle over her in what felt like a permanent way.

"I - just give me some time. I have some research to do, see if I can change things. Rewrite some history, that sort of thing," Draco finally looked at her, his eyes pleading. "Just some more time, Granger. That's all. Don't write me off just yet." He couldn't do as his mother wanted, not yet. Hermione was the absolute best thing in his life. He would not give her up without a fight.

"It rather feels like the opposite is happening," Hermione bent over and wiped the tears from her eyes. The panic she had felt earlier had not left her. It swirled around like an angry whirlpool in the pit of her stomach. She needed to do something - anything to get back to calm waters."Let me help you. I - this is the sort of thing I am built for. Researching, problem-solving. I can help!"

"I'm sure you could, and when I get to the right place in my family history, I'll tell you, and we can work together. Agreed?" He turned to her and placed his hand on her knee, squeezing harder than he needed to.

"We have to make this work, Malfoy. I don't want to lose you. I don't know how you do it, but all it takes is just that one look you do-"

Draco lifted his right eyebrow slowly, lazily; a sexy smoulder.

"Yes, that one! And I run right back to you. Even when I know I should be saying 'fuck you'. I could do without all of our fights, but I can't live without you," Hermione looked back at him, eyes still shining.

"Granger, you're like a drug that I'm addicted to, and I want you so bad - all of the fucking the time, all of you. You're stuck with me for now - I don't want to let you go."

"For now," Hermione repeated, head back in her hands. "Until such a time as we can't figure out whatever it is we need to, and you have to marry some other witch!"

"Granger," Draco stated, drawing her eyes to his face. "I promise you that I do not want anyone else. You are it for me! But I won't lie to you - that is what is expected of me." Draco sat forward on the couch and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Burying his head in her curls, he breathed her in long and deep and decided that Jasmine was the sweetest scent in the world.


"Nott!" Draco called, jogging to catch up to his friend. They'd just finished their Quidditch training for the night, and Draco felt like maybe he could use some help with the Granger situation.

Theo turned around, saw who had called him and came to a stop, letting Draco catch up. "Malfoy. What can I help you with?" He grinned.

"I was wondering if you might fancy a Firewhisky?"

"Sure. Why not? Your place again?"

"Actually, I'd prefer it if we could go somewhere neutral. Somewhere Granger won't be around to overhear."

"Oh?" Theo raised his eyebrows. "Trouble in paradise?"

"Something like that," Draco admitted. "I have an issue I could use your input on, and I'd also like to be distracted."

"Shall I ask some of the girls to put on a show for us? Parkinson is practically chomping at the bit to get one of us to notice her," Theo chuckled.

"Er, no thanks. Maybe we can meet at the boathouse?" Draco suggested instead. Seeing Pansy dance for him would not improve his mood in the slightest.

"That'd be freezing. Room of Requirement?"

"Permanently destroyed by the Fiendfyre last year. Erm. Abandoned classroom thirty-four?"

"Done," Theo said. "And if we catch anyone getting naked in there, you can just give them detention and kick them out." Theo teased him with a wink. "Behold, the Almighty Head Boy!" Theo playfully bowed before Draco.

"Yes, so they can wonder why you and I need a private space. Let's just hope that there is no one there, alright?"

"See you in half an hour, Malfoy!"


Checking that the coast was clear, Draco opened the door to the agreed-upon classroom. It was mercifully empty. He found an empty jar, charmed a fire inside of it and settled down to wait for Theo. Draco was halfway through his first glass of Firewhisky when the door creaked open, and Theo stuck his head inside.

"There you are! I thought we were meeting in classroom twenty-four!"

Draco rolled his eyes. "I said thirty-four, you idiot. Here, have a whisky."

"Don't mind if I do," Theo grinned. "So, what's going on? Did Granger stop putting out? She on your back about homework? She wants to take you home to meet mummy and daddy?"

Draco eyed Theo warily. "She's always on my back about homework, but no to the other two things. My mother found out about us, and she's pulled a cease and desist on me. Told me to break things off with her or -" Draco pulled his pointer finger across his throat, indicating to Theo that Hermione's life would be in danger.

"Fuck," Theo said, downing the contents of his glass. "What are you gonna do? You can't stay with her if her life is being threatened because of it, right? Who knew your mum would hate her that much?"

"Well, that's just it. It isn't my mother I need to be worried about."

"Your dad? Even from Azkaban?"

"Hmm," Draco murmured, swirling the whisky around in his glass before taking a sip. "The long-reaching arms of the corrupt. My father has his eyes, ears and wands everywhere."

"So, your mum just won't tell him, right?"

"Too late for that, I think. My mother isn't the only one who knows. She says Rodolphus picked up on things, too. Can't exactly stop him from sending an owl to my father. Curiously, my mother seemed to actually like Granger. If Hermione was a pure-blood, I expect my mother would already be planning the wedding."

"Indeed," Theo agreed, pouring himself another two fingers. "So, what do you need me for?"

"An honest opinion of what I should do. Another brain to ping ideas off. I don't want to end things with Granger - but I will if I can't find a way to keep her safe."

"So, what? You want to kill off anyone who dares to come near her?"

"If only it were that easy. I need to find ways around curses that are centuries old. Figure out how I can disable or break them. My ancestors were ready to do anything to keep our bloodline pure, even if we had to marry our cousins to do it," Draco shivered in distaste.

"Riiiiiiiiight," Theo drawled swilling the liquor around in his glass. "And just how are you going to do that?"

"I have no idea," Draco confessed. "I think I'll need access to the restricted section of the library. I'm hoping that my Head Boy badge and a note from some unwitting professor - Michaels, it'll be him - will get me in. Then I'll be pouring through old pure-blood curses and phrasing. Probably some alchemy or runes involved. Merlin, help me! I'm also wondering what is left of your library after the Ministry raids? I believe that they left our family history alone, but I won't be able to get my hands on any of that without raising suspicion. Do you think there is anything in the Nott collection that could help me?" And damn if I'm not going to get McGonagall's help on this, too. She's the whole reason we're in this fucking mess! Draco thought to himself.

"I'll see what I can do, Malfoy. Wouldn't this be exactly the sort of thing Granger could help with?"

"Yes," Draco growled. "But I have no intention of telling her that her life is at stake because she wants to shag me," Draco sighed. Just because Theo knew that he was head over heels, didn't mean that he wanted to talk about it like some kind of romance novel. "If it comes to it, I will, but until then, I'll do what I can on my own."

"You're going to an awful lot of trouble for this skirt, Malfoy. You really do love her, don't you?"

"As we agreed in our last chat, I'm fucked. In my mind, if she's not right there beside me, I feel like I'm going crazy. These last couple of weeks made satisfaction feel like a distant memory. And when I saw her at that damn ball -"

"In that red dress? She was looking fiiiine. She is a gorgeous witch, Malfoy. I'll give you that. Smart and witty too, from what I've seen over the years."

"All that and more. And for some reason, she wants me. All I want to hear her say is "Are you mine?" So I can tell her without a doubt that I am - even if I can't be. She's the great escape. When I'm with her, I lose track of time and space. She's the silver lining in all this fuckery," Draco drawled.

"Yeah, ok, mate. I got it. You love the girl. So what are we gonna do about it?"

"Break some curses. Find a way to be free of fucking expectations. Get my uncle - and then my father off my back. What do you think? Am I crazy?"

"I think the premise is excellent - but it's gonna be a shit tonne of work!" Theo lifted his glass, gazing through the contents at his friend. "Let's do this!" He saluted Draco. They both drank their tumblers dry, filled with a purpose and determination.

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Blank Space - Taylor Swift

All Falls Down - Alan Walker, Noah Cyrus & Juliander

R U Mine? - Artic Monkeys