A/N: One hundred percent AU. Harry and Ron left Hermione behind to look for Horcruxes and then Hermione's mandatory presence at Hogwart's is requested.

Pairing is Hermione/Draco, rated M for themes of profanity, perhaps smut, torture, and death.

Let me know what you think :)? X

MEMOIRS OF AN UNTOLD STORY

CHAPTER NINE:

MIND YOUR OWN...

oOo

"So" Hermione took a deep breath, "What do you want to know?". A surge of tension and awkwardness thickened the air and she froze in place, almost wishing he hadn't come back. She had no idea what to say to him. His light blue eyes were dark and almost angry and Hermione wondered if she could brush him off about the whole thing.

As Draco's clouded eyes met Hermione's, he folded his arms. In that moment, Hermione realised with a sick feeling that he wasn't going to give up, no matter what. He took a deep breath and spoke one undeniable word;

"Everything".

Hermione hesitated and brushed her hair back behind her ear, looking up to Draco, "Thank you" she suddenly blurted out. It seemed like she was saying that all the time to him lately. She watched his expression change from tight to loose but kept the solid look of determination in his eyes. "You didn't have put me in your bed, or excuse me from classes, but you did… So thank you" and as Hermione looked over to him once more, something strong and powerful inside her gut just knew he wasn't evil at all.

Draco kept his tense posture as he waited for more. It was clear to him that Hermione was trying to stall, and badly. The urge to know just what the hell had happened last night was getting to strong and he found himself glaring at her, willing her to start talking at once.

"It's quite a funny story actually" Hermione began nervously, fidgeting with her fingers, no hint of humour in her voice or eyes. "I was trying to get out of here. I was trying to escape… I know how to apparate because Harry taught me over the summer, but since Hogwarts doesn't let you apparate out, I tried using dark magic" she looked over, to see if Draco was buying it but he just stared back with an unreadable expression. "It's stupid I know" she added, "So I tried the dark magic and it backfired, obviously. It blew up in my face and when I stumbled out to the common room I fainted".

After a pause of awkwardness, Draco finally looked up to her "And, you were completely alone?".

"Yes" Hermione didn't hesitate, "I was completely alone".

"See, I'm not really sure which story to buy" Draco walked into the kitchen and swiftly returned with a glass of some kind of wizard alcoholic drink, "Because I ran into Pansy this morning and when I heard Blaise had all the same symptoms you had… I went to see him".

Hermione's blood ran cold and she spun around, her heart beating so fast.

"And he told me this fascinating little story" Draco added, "Well it might have been the truth, who really knows, but it was interesting and a little shocking as well…".

Hermione felt the sick rise in her throat and before she knew it, she turned and ran into the bathroom and threw up in the toilet. She felt the tears run down her cheeks and her breath catch… If Blaise had told Draco the truth… That meant… That meant he'd die. That meant he'd be dead.

"Do you swear to tell no one of the D.A's existence, it's members or it's plans?" Neville's voice ran out inside Hermione's head, the memory of making The Unbreakable Vow swimming to the surface in her mind. Before she knew it, she was sick again but like last time, it was mostly just liquid.

"I swear" Blaise's voice replied inside her head and she gripped the edge of the sink weakly, letting more tears run out. She ran the tap and splashed water onto her face, gasping. It was her fault Blaise was dead- It was her fault. She could have stopped him from making The Unbreakable Vow but she didn't…

"I really think you need to go to Madam Pomfrey" Draco's cold voice drifted in from the doorway and Hermione spun around, eyes bloodshot and angry.

"Do you even know what you've done?" Hermione screeched, "Blaise is dead because of you! He was your best friend for years, even when you didn't deserve it and now he's…" she trailed off.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Draco's face twisted with confusion, "He's not dead! Theodore Nott told me at dinner time he was up and talking in the common room just half an hour ago".

Hermione slowly pushed her wet fringe back and frowned back, "He's alive? But you said he told you the truth, that it was shocking and interesting, I don't understand-".

"He told me you two were dating, secretly" Draco explained, even more confused now, "I know his story isn't true because Blaise has had a crush on that fairy friend of yours since 5th year and I know your version isn't true because you said you were alone and you obviously weren't".

Hermione gaped, "Blaise likes Luna?".

"Apparently so" Draco nodded "So, either you can tell me the truth right now or so help me God, I will strangle it out of you, or Blaise".

"You can't make Blaise tell you" Hermione replied hollowly.

"And why the hell not?" Draco barked, his anger boiling over.

"Because if you do, he'll die" Hermione whispered helplessly then pushed past Draco and into the common, gripping her hair in desperation.

"Granger if you don't tell me what the fuck is going on, I will go get Snape" Draco threatened emptily, gritting his teeth, following after her.

And before Hermione knew what she was doing, she spun around and found Draco mere inches away from her. This was it. She had to tell him. There was no other way around this…And a part of Hermione just knew Draco wouldn't say anything. It was that invisible voice in the back of her mind that told her Draco would keep this secret, not because she would make it, but because he would voluntarily choose not to tell anyone.

Hermione took a deep breath, "You know how the graffiti on the walls, staying that D.A was still alive?".

Draco nodded slowly.

"Well, it is. Alive, I mean. It's still here. I'm a part of it. And so is Blaise" Hermione whispered the last part and sought Draco's eyes.

Draco blinked a couple times before going to slowly sit down on the couch.

"He can't tell you, from his own mouth though" Hermione added, walking closer to him, "He can't tell anyone… He can only discuss the D.A's plans and existence with it's members… Because, he made The Unbreakable Vow. I let him make it" she cursed herself inwardly for the last part. She didn't miss Draco's head snap round to her when she said this.

"When I snuck out the other night, I went to meet Blaise… He was over last night, and a spell went wrong" Hermione folded her arms.

"What spell?" Draco hissed hoarsely.

"One that would be able to let the D.A read each other's thoughts, so we could have private conversations around each, and nobody would know a thing. Only it backfired" Hermione found herself saying. It wasn't a complete lie but she wasn't telling the whole truth either. Which, was only fair considering the amount of secrets he was keeping from her.

Draco downed the glass of the alcoholic drink in his hand and suddenly sprung up from the couch and ran a hand through his hair. "I should tell Snape about this…".

Hermione took in a breath. Had she been wrong to tell him?

"But I won't" Draco added and Hermione's head snapped up in shocked, "Only if Dumbledore's Army stops. For good".

"I can't do that" Hermione stressed to him, "You know I won't. Malf-" she stopped and turned to look at him straight in the eye, "Draco, you may claim to be evil and soulless but you're not, and I know it. You've saved me a million times over since we've gotten back and I don't think you've even called me a Mudblood once! I get it, you have a job to do, or your family is in danger, really… I get that, but my family's in danger too okay? Everyone I love is in danger… You've got me here, I'm not leaving… Just…" she took another breath "Let me have this. Please".

"But if you do too much damage they will know it's Dumbledore's Army!" Draco cried, "They'll torture information out of you, they'll kill you! They'll find out I knew and kill me and my mother!".

"What damage can we really do, Draco?" Hermione asked, helplessly "This… this project we have to fight the Dark Lord, that's all we have! I don't even know where Harry is, let alone if he's still even alive! We don't know anything! Doing this little thing, could help Harry, if or when he chooses to make his final stand… I know you're being forced to live this life and I can see it's not what you want at all! Deep down, inside, you want us to win. You need us to win, Draco because if we don't win… everyone loses".

Draco groaned painfully and rubbed his face, trying to think straight. "Be it on your own heads" he looked up, eyes cold and bitter, "But if you get found out… I can't help you… I can't help you, Blaise or anyone. You will all have to die. Do you understand that?" he added harshly.

"Yes" Hermione replied squarely. "I understand that".

"You really haven't changed, Granger… Still as stubborn as ever" Draco shook his head. He looked like he was going to say something else but he didn't and walked away from her as quickly as possible and into his own room.

Hermione let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding and let her eyes trail to his bedroom door. As a lone tear fell down her left cheek she looked up hopelessly to the ceiling and felt another tear roll down.

oOo

Hermione slept a relatively peaceful sleep that night, considering all things said and when she awoke, she was so glad she couldn't smell the awful stench of potions in her room anymore. Draco said nothing to her as they passed each other in the common room, kitchen or even when they traded places in the bathroom. He said nothing to her when she exited her room, dressed and fresh looking, or when she grabbed some toast, passed him on the way out and got her books.

He said nothing to her as she left the Head's Dorm and began walking down the corridor. And that, was a very strange experience in itself. Usually she got a look, or a mumbling greeting or even a snarky reminder to keep her head down but today she got… absolutely nothing! She shouldn't be surprised really… Then were times when-

"Hermione" a voice hissed and she felt a hand snake out from a dark cupboard and suck her inside.

"What the hell-" Hermione shrieked but stopped instantly when the light came on and she came face to face with Blaise.

"You scared me" Hermione sighed but left annoyance out of her voice as she took in Blaise's appearance.

"Draco came to me" Blaise started hurriedly, "I didn't know what else to say so I told him -".

"I know" Hermione interrupted, nodding, "He came to me too. Demanded to know the truth… I had to stop him from making you tell him the truth so I… told him everything".

"What?" Blaise's face fell, "He knows? About D.A? About me?".

"I'm sorry, I had to tell him" Hermione shook her head, "Look, don't worry, he said he wasn't gonna tell anyone… And I believe him. It's too much hassle, even for a Malfoy".

"You really believe he won't tell anyone?" Blaise frowned suddenly, "But why? He's a Death Eater, he's-".

"He's being forced to live this life, Blaise" Hermione whispered, "He doesn't want this anymore than you do but he's in a different situation. His father is a Death Eater with personal contacts to Voldemort. They made him take the mark, I just know it! And he does it because he's scared and lonely and he wants to protect his mother… There's nothing evil about Draco Malfoy…" she trailed off, eyes somewhere else, "And there never was" she whispered.

Blaise watched her for a second as he came to his own realisation. "Wow" he muttered, "Who would have known it?".

"Yeah, at least one of the Malfoy's isn't soulless" Hermione cracked a humourless smile, "No wonder he's the way he is, can you imagine growing up with an abusive Death Eater father? I used to think Draco was just arrogant and judgmental and horrid but… I suppose any child would turn out the same way, growing up with a family like that".

After a moment of silence, Blaise asked; "Did the rest of D.A get the crystals?".

"Yeah, Ginny came round last night to check on me and I gave her them" Hermione nodded, "I was thinking, we should test them out tonight, at dinner time, in the Great Hall? I'll let the others know".

"Sounds great to me" Blaise replied, "Do the others know that Draco knows?".

"Not yet" Hermione rubbed her temples "And if this whole thing wasn't about reading each other's thoughts then I wouldn't tell them but it's not that easy. I really hope I don't think of anything embarrassing tonight". She looked over to Blaise, Or you, she thought, How embarrassing would it be to tell Luna you like her through your thoughts?

"Yeah same" Blaise went quiet, looking down. "I'll go out first, wait a minute and then go out after me".

"Okay" Hermione turned out the light in the cupboard and heard Blaise exit. He closed the door behind him and as she counted to 60 in the dark, a strange feeling came over her. Why did Blaise seem so surprised about her revelation of Draco Malfoy? He had been his best friend since 1st year… Didn't he know about Draco's upbringing? Or notice the eternal sadness that lingered in his eyes? Hermione shook these thoughts from her head and left the cupboard, closing the door behind her.

oOo

As soon as the lunch bell rang, Hermione rushed to the Great hall and told Ginny and Neville to wear their crystals at dinner and pass on the message to Luna. Instead of staying to eat something, she excused herself and exited the Great Hall, hoping not to see the blonde haired boy that confused her greatly. She was certain Draco didn't really want this Death Eater life and was being forced into it… But… That still didn't answer Hermione's question to whether or not Draco would be on their side in the fight against Voldemort if or when Harry returned.

As her thoughts turned back to Harry, she again wondered what he or Ron would be doing right now… How many Horcruxes had they found and destroyed? Were they even still alive..? If Voldemort had killed them, everybody would already know it by now but… what if something went wrong with the Horcruxes? What if something happened to Ron? What if Harry was all alone? Hermione stormed into the library, desperate to get these thoughts out of her head. She was so sick of feeling sorry for herself when all she wanted to do was find Harry and Ron.

As she took in the sight of the library there was nothing friendly about it and Hermione found herself backing out of the library and shaking her head. Something felt wrong about this whole place… Since the Death Eaters had taken over Hogwarts an air of doom and darkness loomed over it but… It just felt worse, somehow… Hermione turned and headed back for the Head's Dorm, obliviously walking by Snape, who was leaning on the wall, his eyes watching her every move.

oOo

Hermione left the Head's Dorm and walked with intention and purpose down the corridor, every stride she took made the hidden crystal underneath her jumper bounce against her skin and something that could only be described as power vibrated through her veins. This was when they took the fight to them. This was when they let Snape know they weren't stupid kids anymore; they were wronged witches and wizards, who would stop at nothing to succeed in the battle against evil.

As she walked into the Great Hall, her eyes scanned the room and Ginny and Neville were sat at the Gryffindor table, both silent but full of expressions. Blaise had yet to join them and so did Luna. As Hermione neared Ginny and Neville she suddenly felt heat emanate from the crystal and looked down to see a slight glowing light leak through the holes in her jumper. Hermione covered it with her hand and quickly went to sit down across from Neville and Ginny.

I didn't say that Neville!

But you thought it!

I see you two have become acquainted with the crystals, Hermione thought, looking up at them.

It's kind of annoying, Hermione, Ginny thought annoyedly, Yeah you're still brilliant and smart but, Neville's reading my thoughts!

I'm not doing it on purpose! Neville screamed back, It's not my fault you can't control your thoughts!

Nobody can control their thoughts, they're spontaneous! Ginny barked back.

Guys! Hermione cried, Please focus on the task at hand. If you keep arguing about this you're going to start thinking about things that you don't want other people to know… Like when Draco held me for a second time and it didn't feel- Pink ponies. My first bicycle. Death. Voldemo-

WHAT, Ginny's face looked thunderous, You told me you didn't have any feelings for him!

Feelings? Neville confused face looked from Ginny to Hermione and anyone looking at them from the outside would be very confused as to why they kept giving each other silent looks. Hermione, tell Ginny that was just a very bad joke-

It's not a joke Neville Ginny rolled her eyes, Can't you see it? She keeps claiming he's so good and tortured and blah, blah, blah! It's so obvious-

It's not obvious! Hermione screeched, Because it's not true! I was just using that as an example to show you how secrets can get out… Like the fact that Blaise likes Luna. Shit!

Blaise likes Luna? Neville gaped, How the hell do you even know that?

Draco Malfoy told me, Hermione thought back, Oh by the way… Draco knows everything about us and the D.A.

WHAT, Ginny and Neville screamed at the same time. They both leaned in towards Hermione with murderous looks on their faces.

I had to! He was going to get Blaise to tell him but he can't! Blaise will die remember? Don't worry though, he said wasn't going to tell anyone Hermione thought quickly.

Oh that's just brilliant, Ginny sat back with a sarcastic expression, The Death Eater told a Muggle-born he won't give her up to Voldemort… Are you out of your freaking mind?

If I could interject, Luna's dreamy and soft voice waded into their conversation, Hermione did the only thing she could. She saved Blaise's life and I agree you with you also Hermione. I don't believe Draco Malfoy will tell anyone.

Luna? How long have you been there for? Ginny thought and she, Neville and Hermione all looked round to see Luna sitting at the Ravenclaw Table.

A while, Luna smiled at them, I know how to keep my thoughts silent.

The three perplexed teenagers turned back around to each other.

Look, he's known for a day and nothing's been done. I trust he won't say anything… And thank you, Luna, Hermione added.

We're still not done with this Malfoy thing, Ginny thought sternly.

Yes, we are! Hermione barked and Ginny looked visibly taken aback. Hermione looked up and saw Blaise enter and take his seat at the Slytherin table.

How are we tonight? Blaise's smooth voice joined them.

Just wonderful, Ginny rolled her eyes, Turns out this whole think-it thing is worse than we thought. Neville heard me thinking about Harry and it just got awkward… Harry… He's so gorgeous with his black floppy hair and-

It helps to stop inappropriate thoughts if we interrupt each other! Hermione nearly yelled, wincing.

Yes, let's get back to topic. Everyone present? Okay. Who's first? Blaise's direct voice got Hermione back on the focused track.

While I was cleaning Professor Dumbledore's office with Draco the other day, we got sucked into Snape's Pensieve, Hermione reached over the table to take a piece of toast and chew it slowly, It showed us a scene with Snape, as a 7th year student at Hogwarts… with Lily Evans.

Harry's mum? Ginny frowned.

Yes, Hermione refrained from nodding, Lily was trying to stop him from leaving to become a full time Death Eater and he was warning her about an attack that year. He told her to leave… In fact… he sounded so… genuine and bare… I think Lily's a weakness for him.

So, what? We attack him with pictures of Lily and James? Ginny thought snarkily.

How about you come with something then, Princess? Hermione snapped back, glaring at her.

Just then, a tall, blonde-haired figure strolled into the Great Hall and Hermione just knew she wouldn't be able to control her thoughts anymore with Draco in the same room.

This is getting us nowhere. First meeting is over. Hermione grabbed the crystal from over her jumper and yanked the string. It snapped and came off her neck. Hermione let it slide down the inside of her jumper and quickly grabbed it when it fell onto her lap.

Wonder what's got her so jumpy? Hermione's head snapped up when she could still hear Ginny's thoughts.

I can still hear your thoughts, Hermione frowned, But I took it off?

It must be because your still touching it. I guess as long as the crystal is on you or still touching you it still works, Blaise thought passively.

Try it now, Hermione carefully put the crystal under her napkin and looked up. Silence. Complete and utter silence. Hermione smiled and looked up to Ginny and Neville. "Well dinner was great. Bye" she grabbed the crystal and shoved it into her jumper pocket.

If it's still on you it still works! Hermione heard Neville think as she quickly exited the Great Hall.

She waited for a second and once again, heard silence. It must only work if the crystals are in the same area as each other, Hermione thought as she walked down the corridor.

Hermione finally retreated to the Head's Dorm and once she put the crystal back in her top drawer she crawled into bed and sighed.

This whole crystal thing definitely had to be re-thought.

Soon.