A/N: Things might get a little hinky. I'm simultaneously trying to show you what's going on Hermione's mind while not leaving out Draco, Severus, or Luna. There is plenty more to come, friends. We can see some of what happened in this timeline to change the way Hermione thought and behaved. Enjoy, lovelies!
*Memory*
Hermione shook her head. Malfoy didn't want to be a Death Eater. Good for him finding his Slytherin self-preservation. Theodore Nott didn't either. She had dried her tears and found a determination to confront the Headmaster. They were children raised to be hateful bigots, but they didn't want to be. She was about to give them a choice. She was going to force the Headmaster to give them a choice. He owed her that, at least, for keeping Harry alive this long.
Hermione stomped up to the gargoyle, brassed off she didn't know the current password. She sighed and started to recite every candy she could think of, "Lemon drop, licorice wands, pumpkin pasty, treacle tart, butterbeer… Ah, there it is. He really needs a better list of passwords."
The gargoyle hopped out of the way and the stairs began to rotate. Hermione jumped on board and rode the stairs to the top. She knocked on the door to the Headmaster's office and waited.
"Come in," called the Headmaster.
Hermione entered the office and was surrounded by all of the Headmaster's trinkets. Fawkes sat on his usual perch and trilled a hello at her. Hermione smiled and went to stroke his head, "You look well, Fawkes."
"Hello, Miss Granger. How can I help you this evening?" Dumbledore asked, emerging from behind a tapestry in purple, sparkly robes.
"Well, Headmaster, I'm going to need your assistance," Hermione replied seriously, still stroking Fawkes' feathers.
"Do take a seat dear," Dumbledore motioned with his hand for Hermione to sit at one of the chairs across from his desk, as he sat down. Hermione followed suit. "What can I help you with?"
"Draco Malfoy, and Theodore Nott. They need to be hidden, removed entirely from the clutches of their families' influence. Neither one of them want to be Death Eaters, and if they refuse, they'll likely be put to their deaths," she said with no preamble.
Dumbledore didn't seem surprised. The man was evidently unflappable. "While I would like to help them, Miss Granger, I don't see how it would be possible for them to safely defect."
"You mean you don't see how it's possible for them to defect and you lose two possible spies," Hermione commented bitterly. "You will do this, and you will help me do this for anyone from Slytherin house who asks. You will hide them safely and successfully, and I will find you another spy to bring down Voldemort," Hermione replied firmly.
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes at her, "Why would you think that would be the issue, Miss Granger?"
"Because, Albus, she is no fool," came the acerbic reply of Severus Snape. "I have been telling you for months those boys want nothing to do with Voldemort, and I will not force them into spying for you. I will not watch you force them either. They are not made for it," Snape said, taking the other seat.
Hermione looked over at him and nodded, thankful she had backup to deal with the Headmaster. Hermione had spoken to him on a whim, and was glad she had. "Severus, you can't honestly expect me to fix all the wrongs in the world, can you?"
Hermione scoffed at Dumbledore, "You are the symbol for the light, act like it! I have done everything you have asked of me. I have kept Harry safe! I will not watch classmates die because it doesn't fit into your idea of the "greater good." These are students! If they were in Hufflepuff you wouldn't think twice. Put your prejudices to bed, Headmaster. The time is long since passed for such things," Hermione lectured.
Professor Snape raised his eyebrows at her, but didn't interrupt or comment. She figured she must be doing well on her own. "And what, pray tell, would you have me do with these students who wish to run away from the war their families' are waging?" Dumbledore hissed acidicly.
There you are, Dumbledore. I knew the doddering old fool act couldn't last forever, Hermione thought. "Try and read my mind, Headmaster. Try. Professor Snape can't, and I bet you can't either. I will be your bloody spy and I will ensure Voldemort's dead before Christmas," Hermione smirked at him.
Dumbledore made eye contact with the little witch. She could feel the Headmaster's attempts to read her mind, but she knew he wouldn't get anywhere. Hermione's mindscape was a difficult one to traverse. She had sealed all of her memories inside a vault, one like she had seen on an episode of "Doctor Who," dropped the vault to the bottom of a lake, and had set up her mind like a veritable house of mirrors.
"Whilst that is impressive, Miss Granger, you would never be accepted into their ranks as one of their own," Dumbledore mocked.
"I don't have to be me, don't you get it? I can be anyone. I can mimic anyone, and I have a plan to kill him, and someone to vouch for me on the inside," Hermione mocked back. "You want me to be an arrogant blood supremacist? Fine, I can do that. The point is, you don't really get a choice anymore. Your only choice is to remove these boys from school, and sequester them somewhere safe. You have three days. I suggest you figure out how to fake their deaths posthaste, because my introduction has already been made to Voldemort," Hermione seethed at him.
"Severus, you dared go behind my back and endanger a student! A Muggle-born student?!" the Headmaster rose from his seat, the air in his office becoming dense with his ire.
Hermione sat unaffected by the magical presence surrounding her. "Oh give it a rest Albus! I did nothing of the sort. The witch did it on her own and sought me out after the fact. She isn't stupid Albus. She's one of the brightest minds Hogwarts has ever seen, and well you know it."
To punctuate Professor Snape's point, Hermione flicked her fingers from her sitting position, and took the wind out of the Headmaster's sails. The magical pressure dissipated almost immediately. "Like he said, Headmaster. I'm fucking brilliant. Now, are you with me or against me? Because honestly, I don't have the time to fight you, but I will if I have to."
Dumbledore sat down, apparently at a loss of how to continue the conversation. He had never seen a student exhibit such casual use of power. How had he missed the increase in Miss Granger's magical core? Where had she been honing her skills? Had Minerva known and kept this information from him?
"Fine, Miss Granger. You have proven your point. I will fugure something out. I'm sure I've got a suitable property somewhere," Dumbledore replied dejectedly.
"Acceptable. It will be something better than the dump you tried to secret Sirius away into, and I will be it's Secret Keeper," Hermione said firmly.
"As you wish," Dumbledore made a push-away gesture with both hands. "What's the plan for killing Voldemort?"
"All in good time. Severus thinks it's a sound plan, and that will have to suffice to sate your curiosity for now," Hermione replied airily. She could see Severus smirking from the corner of her eye. He was obviously amused at her treatment of the Headmaster, but he knew all too well the type of bitterness that Albus Dumbledore could foster. He had experienced it himself many times, and found it had never really left.
Dumbledore shook his head and looked to Snape for confirmation, who gave it in the form of a curt nod. Dumbledore let out a heavy sigh, "I can see I've been outplayed here, and you'll not give me another choice. I'll alert you as soon as I've figured out a home for your wayward snakes. I presume you two can stage something to vanish them? I don't know how long I'll be gone."
Severus and Hermione shared an exasperated look. Of course, Dumbledore would foist this task onto them, but thankfully they had expected it and had a plan. A plan which involved an awful and tragic Quidditch accident, which might require a jinxed broom and an unfortunate crash into the Slytherin stands, and a few vials of the Draught of Living Death. See? They had thought about it. They knew Dumbledore would balk at the act of getting his hands dirty. They were, obviously, correct in this assumption.
"Fine, we'll handle it, just like we've handled everything else for you. Have the safe house ready by Saturday. If it isn't, they'll be your roommates until then," Severus' lips were curled in disdain. Hermione could not blame him. She had seen some of his memories, and she might hate the Headmaster on Severus' behalf from what she had seen.
Dumbledore shook his head again, "Tell Minerva I had to step out to make some preparations. She can handle the school for a day. I'll be back tomorrow with a safe house."
Hermione and Severus took it for the dismissal it was. The stood and left the Headmaster to ponder how he had so completely lost his grasp on his minions and dutiful pawns. They had a battle to plan, and apparently some deaths to stage.
"Can you take care of informing Malfoy and Nott? I'll go tell Minerva what's going on. She'll be pleased to finally be able to do something, "Hermione chuckled and paused, thinking. "Actually, let's pull Zabini out too. I know his family isn't involved and has tried to stay neutral, but old Moldy Pants is going to pursue him heavily after the loss of Malfoy and Nott."
"I was thinking the same. You really should have been sorted into Slytherin, Hermione," Severus quirked his lips at her and continued, "We can duplicate all the items they have with them here at school and send them ahead to the safe house. That way they won't be completely bereft."
"Good thinking. See you in a bit. I'll come down and help you brew after I've spoken to Minerva," Hermione was waved off by Severus as she went in the direction of her head of house's quarters. Severus didn't think he would ever see the day a student would come along calling him by his given name of all people, but Hermione Granger was a witch to be reckoned with, and she was far too intelligent to be seated in a class of her peers. She needed a challenge, and she had gone looking for it.
Hermione Granger had been working tirelessly on a way to rid the world of Voldemort since she witness Harry Potter pulled from the bowels of Hogwarts holding the Sorcerer's Stone. Since she had witnessed the chaos and near destruction a diary delivered unto an unsuspecting eleven-year-old Ginevra Weasely. Hermione had researched endlessly, she scoured, she toiled, she trawled, and she been successful in her pursuits.
Hermione had figured out the diary had been a Horcrux at the beginning of her third year, and she had abused her Time Turner privileges to find every single scrap of information she could glean from Hogwarts. When she hit a dead end, she had gone directly to Severus Snape, who had insisted she learn Occlumency immediately.
Seeing no point to an argument over something so sensible, they had begun later that day. It had taken her a few weeks, but she'd developed an "acceptable" skill level, according to her Professor. Then, and only then, had Snape agreed to assist her in her possibly barmy and definitely dangerous plans. He had brought in Minerva nearly immediately after discovering the possibility that Harry Potter was a likely Horcrux.
Minerva McGonagall might currently be the Transfiguration professor, but the witch was highly intelligent. She was also a member of a coven, a very powerful coven. With her help they might stand a chance at ridding Potter of the foul piece of Voldemort which was staining they boy's soul; hopefully without him having to die first. So far as Severus could tell, Voldemort didn't know it existed, yet. Hermione was most insistent that Harry Potter not die, and Severus supposed he could understand her vehement opposition to the notion. He also would have done much to ensure Regulus Black had lived.
Hermione quickly found herself at the entrance of her favorite Professor's quarters, rapping firmly on the door to announce her presence. Within moments, Minerva had opened the door and was ushering the younger witch inside to warm by the fire. The castle was always a little chilly.
"Hermione, what are you doing here so late?" Minerva asked her sternly.
"Well, I've just had a bit of a row with the Headmaster, you see," she said pointedly.
"When?" Minerva cut to the chase, as was her way.
"Parts have already been put into play. We need to clear Harry and inform the Order. We're going to get those we can out this weekend," Hermione replied.
Minerva sighed but nodded. "Alright. I still think you're daft, but it will probably work. I just wish you didn't put yourself so firmly in harm's way, Hermione," Minerva said warmly.
Hermione smiled at her. "Unfortunately, I'm not willing to ask this of anyone else. I'm sure you can understand the sentiment, Minerva."
"Aye, lass, but that doesn't mean I'm pleased you're the one in danger. At least you have Severus. I don't know what Albus was thinking. Harry Potter is a wonderful boy, kind, but he is simply not cut out for this. He should have been raised properly in our world, instead of being abused by the Muggle family," Minerva replied hotly. She had never agreed with Albus that it was wise to remove Harry from the Wizarding world. Minerva would have taken the boy in herself.
"I can't argue with you there, Professor. Harry has suffered more than enough. I want to make sure he doesn't lose anything or anyone else to Voldemort. I'm simply better equipped to handle this, so I will see it done and ensure we are rid of the madman once and for all," Hermione commented firmly.
"I believe you will, dear girl. You impressed Severus and that is no easy feat. I'm sure you're aware of it."
Hermione smiled at her Professor, friend, and pseudo-mother. She had been living with Minerva since the end of third year. Her parents had tried to be supportive, but ultimately realized their inability to understand Hermione and her newest passions, namely magic. They just could keep with all her leaps, and Minerva had found her lost in grief in an alcove off the fourth-floor corridor, sobbing and bereft over a letter her parents had sent her.
They had written her to tell her they were moving out of Britain, but the house would be available for her use should she have need of it. Minerva had something in Gaelic, ushered the distraught witch into her office and administered a calming draught. Hermione had since come to understand some of the Gaelic language, though the memory wasn't clear enough for her to have made out the words clearly.
Once Hermione had calmed some, Minerva got the full story out of her. Hermione's head of house told her, in no uncertain terms, she would not be returning to that house and she would instead be living with Minerva. The rest, as they say, was history. Minerva became her family as much as Harry, her friend, her home.
"I've always impressed Severus, he just finally admitted it," Hermione replied cheekily.
"Aye, that might very well be. He was always harshest on you and your assignments. I think it's only because he thought you were intelligent enough to grasp his instruction and to learn from it. He largely doesn't bother with the rest of the student body. Then again, you have always impressed us all," Minerva smiled at her.
"Thank you. Let nothing stand in the way of a determined witch," Hermione grinned at her, then change tact. "Can you have the coven ready by this weekend? We need to take care of Harry before we move any further and inform the Order. I will not have him used against us."
"Of course, we've been waiting. We will have his mind cleared of that monster in a matter of hours and we can move forward without such a worry."
"Lovely. Severus is going to be informing Malfoy, Nott, and Zabini. It may be nothing short of a gilded cage, but at least they'll be safe. And they won't be forced to kill anyone or take the Dark Mark," Hermione said grimly, mouth set in a straight line.
"It's a brave and kind thing you're doing Hermione. There are not many people who would trust Draco Malfoy solely on his word."
"I've watched him, Minerva. He is not as he seems. I've been privy to conversations others have not. I've seen the fear in him, in them. They don't want to be Death Eaters anymore than I would. Given the choice, in private or away from prying eyes, Malfoy is quite kind to me, and he is terrified for himself and his mother," Hermione replied thoughtfully, thinking of the library and when he asked for her help. "Of course, not many would believe me. Harry will be furious when he finds out, at first, and then he will realize the truth of what Draco Malfoy had to do. It is not an easy thing, to defy everything you've ever known and been taught."
"Quite right. Go and do your scheming then. I'm sure there is much to put into place," Minerva said.
Hermione smiled at her and took her leave, gratefully. She went to help her acerbic and dour, yet brilliant, Potions Master brew the Draught of Living Death for a few of his students, and one of his dearest and oldest friends. Hermione wondered if her life would ever reach a point of normalcy. Somehow, she doubted it was likely.
*6 Hours after the Legillimancy Session*
Medi-Witch Abbott had come and gone. She assured them she would be back in a few hours time to assess the state of their loved ones, but that by and large they were both okay. Hermione seemed to be locked into a deep sleep, which is what Draco had known would happen. She had to fight her way back out, fight her way back to him. If she could not, she would die, and a part of Draco would die with her.
Luna had forced him to eat dinner, though he truly couldn't fathom the concept of eating while his wife was in such a state. His godfather was better off, only drained magically and needing a significant amount of rest. Regardless, his knowledge brought him little peace of mind. His companion had urged him to rest, so he would be well when his wife returned to him, but he could not find sleep.
Instead, Draco sat up next to Hermione's bedside, and read to her what she had confided was her favorite book; "Hogwarts: A History." Granted, Draco might have found this to be his favorite book too if it were the first magical text he had read, and he could understand the fantasy and joy behind the reading of it. Even as someone who had been raised in a magical home, Hogwarts held a special place in his heart.
He warred with himself quietly, wondering where he should start. In the end he decided it was always best to start at the beginning, and so he read to her late into the night. His panicked thoughts and worried heart finally gave way to quiet, and he drifted off at her bedside, book still open and resting in his lap. When he awoke, he was in bed beside her and saw fit to cuddle into her side carefully and sleep some more, hoping this too would bring her peace.
She had often said sometimes his scent could soothe her distress far faster than anything else, so he gave as much as he could to her with his proximity. He saw no harm in seeking out the same peace and comfort as he lay next to her, breathing her scent in just as deeply. Perhaps it would serve as a reminder to them both not to give up.
*Memory*
The match was today, and Hermione was a bundle of nerves. She didn't show it outwardly, of course. Severus had taught her better than that, and he would be quite cross with his student for not listening to his careful teaching instructions. Hermione would behave as she usually would, but inwardly she was so scared of something going amiss with their plan she could only manage tea for breakfast. She didn't foresee a lot of meals in her future.
She had been dragged down to the Quidditch pitch much like she always was. She had never developed a taste for the brutality of the game, and found it rather distasteful. She always had, and it was often something that her friends teased her about. She had tried to provoke an interest in the sport, but it was not meant to be, and she would much rather never be forced to watch another game. She was unlikely to get her wish.
The snitch was released, and the Slytherin and Ravenclaw teams shot into action. Hermione knew this game was not going to have a happy ending, and as such really could not be bothered to watch. Her physical attendance may have become mandatory over the years, but Hermione always brought a book with her. She decided now was a lovely time to lose herself in her reading, and promptly did so after taking a seat between Harry and Neville.
By and large lost in her story of fiction, she missed "accident" entirely. She looked up to the horrified gasps and screams of other onlookers. She shot a look at the green stands only to see the bodies of Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, and Blaise Zabini all terribly and awfully contorted. She knew Severus had jinxed Draco's broom to send him careening into the stands and into his two classmates. All three of them were to drink the draught at a specified time, and three minutes exactly after, Severus would cause an accident.
They would not be in pain, which Hermione was immensely thankful for seeing their broken bones, lacerations, and otherwise ragdoll like positions over the side of the railing. Hermione fought not to vomit then and there, knowing that this had mostly been her plan. She would not like to see them in pain but knew she would be escorting them to the safe house with Snape hours later.
Severus, in his wisdom, had found a way to create fakes of the three boys to be collected for burial by their families. Of course, Narcissa would know it was not really her son, but she was the only one who needed to be told. Hermione was several times assured that Narcissa Malfoy was an accomplished Occlumens and would have no qualms keeping the information to herself. Hermione was trusting Severus in regard to this.
The match was called shortly thereafter, none of the players willing to risk being jinxed similarly, and Madam Hooch was in a frightful state. She had been the referee for nearly 20 years, and since she had been overlooking the Quidditch pitch, death rates had drastically and quickly declined. Hermione couldn't imagine what it must have been like before the pitch had been charmed. She really did not want to know.
Hermione followed her friends back up to the common room and got them settled in before she went in search of her three wayward Slytherin's. This was not an easy day, and the days to follow would only be more difficult for her.
Hermione had convened with Severus in his chambers much later into the night. All three families came and went, beside themselves with the accident and the deaths of their children. Hermione would have told them they were alright, if their families weren't what they had been trying to escape in the first place. But they were, so she tried to remain strong in the face of their pain and do her job.
With no fuss, Hermione asked Severus, "You remember the location?"
He scoffed, "Of course I do. You take Draco and I'll take Mr. Nott and Mr. Zabini. I think it will be easier for me to take two, whilst you only take one."
Hermione nodded at her Potions Professor and gently took Draco's hand. She could see that while their parents had been grieving, Severus had been working to heal the wounds the crash had caused his students. Hermione was pleased about this, of course, not wanting them to wake up in massive amounts of pain. She apparated directly with Draco to the sitting room of Idyll Cottage.
Severus was quick behind her. They were the only two who could apparate into and out of this property. They had made it Unplottable and added blood wards of Severus' own making to ward off outsiders. This place could not be found by any who didn't already know of it. It could not be entered unless those persons came with either Severus of Hermione.
"Let's get them to their rooms and administer the antidotes. The less time they are in the suspended state, the easier it will be for them to bounce back from it," Severus ordered.
"Of course. Let's take care of our new pet birds," Hermione commented wryly.
Severus let out a rather put-upon sigh before saying, "Hermione, this might be a cage for them, but they know they will be safer here than you or I will. They have consented to staying here. You know all this, so stop feeling guilty at the idea of leaving them here in peace whilst you and I go off to fight a war."
"I know you're right, Severus. That does not mean it makes me feel any less horrid," Hermione said. He let it drop, because of course he understood all too well the necessary evils one might have to involve oneself in. Sometimes, no matter how necessary, the guilt was great and there wasn't much to be done for it. Severus might have learned to Occlude just for that purpose if he hadn't already.
Idyll Cottage was, in a word, picturesque. It was peaceful and quiet. It was surrounded by wonderful foliage and grassy fields. There were trees aplenty, certainly not enough to qualify as a forest, but plenty to get lost in if the need arose. There were gardens and a small lake, as well.
The Cottage was certainly not the size one might think of when one heard the word, "cottage." It was rather large, with ten suites and eight other bedrooms. There was a library, several sitting rooms, a large and usable kitchen, and a formal dining room. It would be comfortable for them, even if they could not leave the grounds.
Hermione followed Severus to the east wing of suites and settled Draco down into a bed. She knew if a person was under the influence of the Draught of Living Death for too long, it could actually kill them. Due to the nature of the potion, it required a slow waking if the person had been suspended long. Thankfully, that was not the case with these three patients. Hermione cast a diagnostic charm on Draco, something Severus had taught her, and saw that he had sustained a broken arm as well as three fractured ribs. Considering the high-speed crash he had been a part of, it was not all that bad.
Hermione was confident Draco could handle the pain of this long enough for her to get a pain potion in him, so she administered the remedy and waited impatiently for Draco Malfoy to open his eyes. Within two minutes, he had gasped awake and his eyes sought her out. For a moment or two, she could see his expression unguarded. She could see the fear and worry in his eyes until he locked them away behind his own Occlumency shields.
"I'm not dead, then?"
"No, my dear ferret, you are not. You have several broken bones, though. Drink this," Hermione ordered brusquely.
Draco rolled his eyes at the term of endearment but took the potion with no argument. "Thanks, Granger."
"Don't thank me yet, you'll need to regrow those bones," Hermione smirked.
"Yeah the Skel'O'Grow will be disgusting, but thanks anyway," Draco replied sincerely.
"You are most welcome, Malfoy." She handed him a measured vial of the potion. "Chug that, I have water here for you. Do you want Dreamless Sleep?"
Draco knocked back the nasty potion, grasped for the water, and chugged that as well before answering. "Yes, please. But don't leave any out where we can get to it. None of us sleep particularly well and we are all a little addicted to it."
"Oh, me too. How do you think I function day to day?" Hermione quipped, setting it out for him. She smirked. "Dobby!"
Dobby popped into the room, looking a little hesitant at the boy in the bed. "Yes, Missy Hermione?"
"Dobby, Draco, and two others, Mr. Zabini and Mr. Nott, will be staying here for the foreseeable future. Please help them if they need something, and please come to me if they need me. Owls are not a safe form of communication. I know I can trust you with this."
Hermione looked at Draco askance to see his mouth open in shock. He undoubtedly didn't think to see his former elf here, taking orders from Hermione Granger. She really couldn't blame him, but she had to get back to the school before she was missed.
" Dobby will do as Miss bids," the elf said with a smile. "Young Mr. Malfoy was never mean or cruel to Dobby, that was Dobby's old wicked master who is not his master anymore."
"Good. I'm glad there is no bad blood between the two of you. Take care of them, Dobby. I doubt any of them can cook, and I just saved their lives so make sure they don't starve, if you please," Hermione chuckled good-naturedly.
"Of course they can't be cooking Miss!" Dobby growled at her and then popped out of the room.
"Well, I never thought I would see that," Draco commented breathily.
"There are a lot of things that are going to be happening. This place is Unplottable. Only Severus and I can get in. If you need us, send Dobby. He knows how to be discreet when he needs to be. I'll come back as soon as I can to check on you. Or Severus. Whichever one of us is freer to do so," Hermione rattled off. She knew she had to be getting back to campus soon.
"Done. Check. Will do. Got it. Thank you, again," Draco replied. She smiled at him and disapparated without another word.