Disclaimer: I do not, and never will, own Harry Potter.

Dare she say his name? She stopped herself, letting the situation sink in. The boy that she loved had just kissed her. What was she doing pulling back? Almost immediately, the answer came into her mind. Draco. She couldn't help but be drawn to his strength and his fragility, his cunning wit and his lapses. His strikingly cold gray eyes; eyes which tell her everything his words could not say.

"The war," She lied, looking away. "It's too risky." She tried to walk away, but Ron would not give up. He stopped her.

"I don't care, Hermione." He answered.

"Well, I care, Ron. I think its better we remain friends." She said in the kindest possible way. She was rejecting his love; pushing him away. Her vision was suddenly blurry. "I have to go." She said, and before Ron could reply and stop her again, she ran towards the fireplace.

x0x

She went back, finding Draco sitting on the steps of the stairs, obviously waiting. He stood up when he saw her, and a wave of relief overcame him. But she was not okay; she had just killed a man, and there were tears in her eyes. He went closer to her.

"You okay, Granger?" He asked sincerely.

"I just need some rest, Draco…" She said, tired and careless, as she walked directly upstairs. He went after her, walking beside her.

"What did the others say?" He asked. He knew that after a threat on the life of one of their own, most especially the bright and young Hermione Granger, they would discontinue the operation. He had half-expected her to return, but she did. As strange as it may seem, he wouldn't know what to do without her.

"I came back, didn't I?" She answered, annoyed. She didn't exactly know why she was angry. She was angry with a lot of people; angry with Voldemort for causing so much evil and distraught, at Harry for putting her up to this business, at Ron for realizing his feelings too late, and even at herself for calling the Slytherin prince by his first name. She knew that this would change everything.

"Fine. I'll see you in the morning." Draco replied curtly. He hadn't meant to be cruel, but he was, too, angry that she knew his purpose for asking the question. He walked briskly up the stairs, leaving her alone. It was then that she spoke again.

"He kissed me." She said, and Draco stopped in his tracks. He felt a pang of hatred for the Weasel Boy. He knew that everyday she resented the fact that Ron and her would never be more than friends. Even when they were at Hogwarts, he knew. Seeing the look of love on her face was so revolting that he wanted to hit Ron's head on one of the posts and shout, "Bloody open your eyes, you arse!"

Draco turned around. "Good for you then, Granger." He then continued on walking, not wanting to prolong the conversation. He hated the fact that he could actually stomach being with her, when for six years they've been enemies. Six years of insults and pain, and in a few days, it seemed like it had never happened. "Good night," He called out, running to the top step.

x0x

"Insolent fool!" The Dark Lord bellowed at Severus Snape. The air was thick with anger and pain as Snape let out a cutting scream. Wormtail was sitting in a corner, looking very pleased. Greyback sat beside the Dark Lord. The plan was to lure the young Malfoy out, not attack him, or his companion, who apparently, is a friend of the order. Now, the Order knew that the wheels were turning.

"Apollo is dead," Voldemort said, lashing out spells to torture and damage him. He did not deserve the Avada; the quick and painless way. His horrifying, slit-like eyes glowed with rage. "You disobeyed me again, Severus!"

"My," Snape tried to explain. He cared for the boy, the good side of him did. Imagining him with that mudblood was intolerable. He could only save him from his misery, but it seemed that he was not miserable at all. "My Lord, I beg for mercy,"

"You had that from weak old fools." He replied, his thin, pale arms growing weary with the use of the wand. "You will not have that from me." He then stopped. "But, you are fortunate that I still need you."

Wormtail stood up in revolt. "My lord, he is a traitor!" He exclaimed loudly.

"Silence, Wormtail!" Voldemort said, pushing him back to the wall with the use of his wand. "The boy still trusts you." The Dark Lord paced around, and Snape could feel terrible cold mix with unbearable pain. "After this, he still does." He turned to the werewolf, who immediately bowed his head. "You are to follow him at all times, Fenrir. And if he disobeys me again," The Dark Lord turned to Snape, aimed his wand at him, and constricted his breathing. "Then you and your friends will have a delightful snack."

"Yes, my Lord." Greyback growled. His eyes flashed hatred at Snape.

"Good." Voldemort said, and waved his wand to stop the spell on Snape. He was bloody and weak, but he knew that if he passed this test, he would have more power than he could possibly imagine.

"The boy, Severus. And this time, bring him to me alive."

x0x

The next morning, Hermione woke up to a loud bustling sound downstairs. Instinctively, she reached for her wand, as she walked slowly out the door. She then remembered that Malfoy lived here too. She sighed heavily and walked briskly towards the staircase, eager to speak her mind.

"Malfoy, will you stop that raucous?" She said, as she went down the stairs. "Honestly, I don't know why—"

She looked down and saw the bewildered faces of Mrs. Weasley, Lupin, Harry and Ginny.

x0x

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