Disclaimer: All Harry Potter related characters, places and themes belong to J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury and Scholastic.

A Simple Course of Action
Chapter 2: Draco's Plan

"You're what!!" Ron and Harry replied.

"I'm her secret keeper. You know, when you make a vow to keep someone's secrets?" Draco answered condescendingly.

"I know what the term means, you arse." Ron replied.

"Why would you make him your secret keeper?" Harry asked.

Hermione looked at Ron and Harry and replied, "Well, I didn't have much of a choice did I?"

Somewhere a light went off in Ron's head, "Hey that's right. You said you figured it out on your own. Why did YOU decide to keep her secrets, Malfoy? What's in it for you? What did you get out of it?"

Draco shook his head, "Forget it. That's just between Hermione and me. Let's just say that Hermione is keeping a few of my secrets."

Ron raised an eyebrow at Hermione.

Hermione crossed her arms and humphed, "Ronald, it's not what you think."

"What do you think I am thinking, Hermione?" he taunted.

"Seriously Ron, you know me. Think about it. For the last few years we have been helping Harry win the war against Voldemort. When exactly do you think I would have had time for any kind of secret snog-fests with Draco Malfoy? Stop being a prat! Just let it go."

"Oh, I guess you're right." Ron decided that he would let it go for now, but he would watch Malfoy very carefully. He knew Malfoy wanted something. Imagine his surprise if he had learned the only thing that Draco wanted was Hermione in his life.

Wanting to change the subject, Harry looked at Draco and asked, "So, Draco. What's your plan?"

"It's quite simple really. We will go to Azkaban to confront Lord Ryuu. Since Lord Ryuu has been following Hermione's family for generations, and has admitted to knowing their secrets, we need to know what he actually knows. Hermione, you are going to have to get Lord Ryuu to reveal what he knows.

Tell him that you are tired of living a lie. That you are ready to give up your magic. That you cannot possibly lie about who you are to trick someone into marrying you. He would tell you that he knows the truth. You would tell him that you cannot marry anyone who would have you out of pity. He will of course reject that notion.

Then you can tell him, you would never live with the true reason why someone married you. Maybe sort of sigh and say It's just too bad that there was no way to break the spell yourself. Then, you would be free to consider your options. I don't know maybe throw in something like how the family line and all its secrets would end with you. If he knows anything, he will try to keep you from giving up. There is no way he is going to stop trying to get the keys to immortality.

That's it, it really is a simple plan."

Hermione thought to herself, What exactly is simple about this plan?

"Before we go to Azkaban we need to prepare ourselves. It's just that, you guys cannot be seen there looking like yourselves. It would be too volatile.

Hermione, you are going to have to drop your grandfather's charm and look like Artemisia if we are going to get anything from Lord Ryuu. He would do anything to get in your good graces."

Hermione nodded in agreement, "I guess you're right. Since I probably will have to look like Artemisia for a long time, can you guys get in the habit of calling me Mia when I look like Artemisia. I just don't know if I can pull off Artemisia all the time."

"Harry, we are going to have to charm you to look like Artemisia's cousin. There is no way that you are going to be able to waltz into Azkaban looking like yourself."

"What about me?' Ron asked.

"Ron, no one really cares about you so you're fine." snickered Draco.

"Prat!"

"Wanker!"

"Boys! Didn't we just go through this? At this rate we will never accomplish anything. Are you guys here to help me or not?"

"Sorry Mia," Draco answered.

"Yea, Hermione, we're sorry." Ron replied penitently.

"If this is going to work you three are going to have to get your petty differences behind you and work together. I cannot do this on my own. I really need to know I can count on you."

Draco, Ron and Harry looked at each other and nodded.

"Truce?" Harry said offering his hand to Draco. Draco accepted the hand and firmly shook it. "Truce." Draco replied.

"Only for Hermione," added Ron. The two other boys nodded in agreement.

Maybe this might work after all. Wonders never cease. Hermione mused.

A/N: Special thanks to Jessica and Veronica.Thanks to malfoholic18, JEFF HARDY FAN31, KaraSays, taxibby, Isadora120, xxxxcrazychickxxxx for their reviews and everyone who added the story to alert. I know this chapter is a little short but don't worry they will get longer. :-)