Disclaimer: JK Rowling is the brilliance behind the magic

1995 – Early June

"My father says the Dark Lord will be returning soon," Crabbe told the group excitedly. They were sitting in the Slytherin common room after a long day of classes. This statement seemed to perk a few people up. "It's only a rumour of course, but just think. Potter won't be a hero anymore and we won't have to worry about those disgusting mudbloods running around like they belong."

Draco flinched at the word mudblood and instantly thought of Granger. He was brought up to think muggle-born witches and wizards were not worthy of the magic they possessed, that they were less than purebloods, or even half-bloods. They were taught all about how wonderful the Dark Lord was and the nobility of the cause that the man had been leading. Their parents told them how horrible it was that he had been defeated, that their work of bringing mudbloods to justice was destroyed by the ministry. They explained to them as kids that one day, the cause would be renewed, ridding the magical world of vermin like Granger. Now, he wasn't so sure. Was Granger less of a witch because she wasn't born to magical parents? She was beating him in nearly all of his classes. It was more than a manipulation tactic that she was smart and beautiful. Draco hated that she was making him question everything he had ever known.

"Granger better watch out!" Pansy chuckled.

Draco had to reel in his emotions so he wouldn't lose his temper. He needed to keep his cool. Nobody would understand why he was feeling the way he was; they were all too brainwashed to see the lack of logic behind what they had been taught all their lives. They would probably think he had lost his mind, they would judge him, and shun him from the social circle he had grown up in.

"When's it happening?" Goyle asked with a cruel smirk on his face.

"Father says there's something being planned for the end of the tournament," Crabbe boasted his knowledge.

Draco had known something strange was going on with the tournament. There was no way Potter was doing so well on his own! But why would the Dark Lord want him to do well? This didn't make much sense. The final task of the tournament was also coming very soon. Draco could feel his nerves rising. Why did this have to be happening right now? He needed to get his head back to believing the things he was taught, and fast, if he wanted to live. He'd heard stories other than the ones his parents told him; stories of torture and murder of anyone who stood in the Dark Lord's way, and he sure didn't want them to be true. If what Crabbe was saying was correct, it just got a hell of a lot more dangerous for Draco to be thinking the way he was about Granger.

Muggle-borns were bad, gross, disgusting; wait, no, mudbloods were bad, gross, disgusting. Draco tried to picture someone else, someone other than Granger who was a muggle-born. Bad, gross, disgusting, does not deserve to live in the world of magic.

Though he desperately wanted to believe the words he was repeating in his head, there was a part of himself that said, Granger wasn't any of those things.

1997 – February 21

"Mr. Malfoy." Someone was calling his name, and it wasn't his potions professor. He hadn't really been paying attention, which potentially could have lead to a disaster in this particular class, but now, McGonagall's voice pulled him out of his daze

"Mr. Malfoy," she repeated. Draco realized that the entire class was watching his peculiar unresponsiveness he wondered how many times she had been calling on him. "I need you to come with me."

This could not be good. They had probably finally found the trail he had left a few days prior and Potter and Weasley had accused him. Draco wondered what had taken them so long. It had been almost five days since Hermione had gone missing! He guessed that maybe the clothes had been harder to discover than he had planned them to be. Perhaps an animal had found them and taken them elsewhere.

Each day since he had planted the clothes in the Forbidden Forest, he had been expecting and preparing for the moment when he would be questioned. He knew the two boys would be hunting for an opportunity to get him alone to find out what he had done to their precious Hermione, so Draco had made sure never to be alone and avoided her friends at all costs, unsure of the lengths they would go to for information.

Draco got up and followed the professor from the room without saying a word.

"What's this about?" he asked once they were in the corridor.

"Something terrible has happened and we need to ask you a few questions," she told him, speeding them along towards the headmaster's office. She didn't seem exactly angry with him at the moment, just very sad.

So this was it, now he would see the fallout of his actions. His stomach felt a bit queasy and his muscles began to tense as fear started to creep up inside of him. It was quite silly actually; he shouldn't be afraid of the professors when he had the Dark Lord to worry about. He was much more intimidating than the group of teachers he was likely about to face.

"What's happened?" he asked.

McGonagall sighed. "You will be informed soon enough. We are trying to find out exactly what happened, but for now, it needs to be kept quiet."

He understood what she was talking about. If they let it out right away that Hermione had been killed without finding what really occurred first, there could be a panic among the students. It made him slightly upset that this was being kept so hush. Hermione deserved more acknowledgement than that. Sure he had heard whispers of the fact that she was missing, but nobody had gone any farther than common gossip, at least to his knowledge, no one even looked for her; it was sickening.

They entered the headmaster's office, and he wasn't too surprised to see Potter and Weasley already there, talking to Dumbledore.

"Ah, Draco," the headmaster greeted him solemnly.

"You!" Weasley yelled marching towards him, wand raised. "You did this!" His face was contorted with pain and anger, tears left shiny tracks down his redder than usual face.

"Calm down Mr. Weasley!" McGonagall demanded.

"We do not know what has happened here," Dumbledore said. Then he looked between Potter and Weasley, both looking quite distraught. "It may be a good idea for you boys to take some time. We will keep you well informed and if you need anything, do not be afraid to ask."

The two boys reluctantly marched past Draco, sending deadly glares in passing, telling him that he had better watch his back. He had known it would be like this, though looking at them made Draco think that they should have appreciated Hermione more while they'd had the chance. In a strange way, the look of distress in her friends made him feel slightly better about their friendship with Hermione. Maybe they did care, they just didn't show it like they should.

"Come here Draco," the headmaster beckoned.

Draco walked over to the desk and sat down in the chair that Dumbledore motioned towards. Just then, the doors opened again and Draco's eyes widened when he saw Snape enter the room.

"Now, we can get started," Dumbledore said, crossing his hands and resting them on the desk. "When was the last time you saw Hermione Granger?"

A couple hours ago. "Several days ago. Why?" Draco asked, looking around at the professors.

The greyed man cleared his throat. "A few nights ago, she went missing and last night, there was evidence found that something terrible may have happened to her."

"What do you mean?" he asked, trying to sound confused.

"Your name has been brought up in certain discussions," Dumbledore noted carefully.

"I didn't hurt Granger." Well, not really. Not in the way he's thinking.

"If you are in trouble, we can help you." Bloody hell! Was the old man using legilimency? Or did he just display his fear for everyone to see? He was better than that damn it! At least he was, except seemingly when it came to anything about Hermione.

Draco looked over at Snape, who he knew was a Death Eater. Would he tell the Dark Lord if he knew that he truly hadn't completed his mission? Would he kill Hermione himself? Draco didn't know what he was supposed to do. Nobody could help him now.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Draco told them. He was feeling the need to run, like he was being strangled by his own lies. "I really don't know anything about what happened," he said, then added. "But I do hope you find her." He wanted to see what they really thought.

"I'm afraid it may be too late Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall informed him. "What was found does not lend itself well to a rescue."

"You mean…" he let himself trail off and his eyes widen in fake surprise.

"We do not yet know for certain, however, it is a possibility," Snape said, looking coldly at Draco, as if in warning.

"There will be a continued search of course, but we are doubtful. What was found seems several days old," Dumbledore concluded sadly. It took everything in him to restrain from asking why people weren't informed of her absence sooner, why the extent of concern seemed to just be gossip, why did it take so long to find the clothes? Surely they weren't searching hard enough if it took them this long. Were they really not prepared for something like this or was there more to it than they were letting on?

He tried to clear his head to avoid giving anything away. At least they actually had been searching for her. Maybe they would have found her if she had been held in a more obvious place, such as Malfoy Manor. He wondered if they had some way of checking there, to make sure she wasn't being held captive. Draco knew all this frustration was completely unnecessary, because at the moment, Hermione was safely in hiding, but what if something had happened and she wasn't safe? None of this is helping, he told himself.

After a moment of silence Draco asked, "Can I head back to class?"

"Yes, just remember, please, that we are attempting to keep this quiet for the time being," McGonagall said.

Draco nodded and headed out. He could not have gotten out of there fast enough. He didn't know if he could go back to class now. The feeling of shame crept up inside him, not for the first time, even that day. It was so strange how something that once felt so right, now tore him up inside. Was he a bad person? Was he a monster?

Suddenly, he was being pushed back into an empty classroom by a dark figure.

"Did you really kill her?" It was Snape. Draco's breath caught in his throat, unable to think of what he should say. The professor seemed to be having a peculiar reaction to the concept, almost as if he hoped that the deed hadn't been done. "Tell me. Did. You. Do. It." Draco stayed silent. "You are not a killer Draco. You and I both know that." When Draco again didn't say anything, Snape continued. "Tell me where she is. I can help you Draco."

"What. So you can take the credit?" he snapped.

A small smirk appeared on the older man's face and Draco knew he'd messed up. Snape had this way of getting information from people.

"So she is alive," he said, sounding almost relieved.

Draco was confused. Why was Snape relieved by that? Did he want him to be tortured? To be killed? "What do you want?" the boy asked.

"I want to help you. I understand this more than you know."

Draco didn't know what to say. How could Snape possibly understand this? He didn't want anyone to know that the cabin even existed. What could he say?

"Do not be stupid," Snape told him. "Tell me where Miss Granger is. She can be protected."

He wanted to protect Hermione? None of this made any sense.

"She's safe as long as everyone thinks she's dead," Draco said.

"The Dark Lord has ways of finding things out, ways of finding people. And when he does, how do you think you alone will be able to protect her then?"

Draco knew he probably looked terrified at the moment. It seemed that he wasn't very good at hiding his fear that the horrible images of what could happen to Hermione should she be found were invoking within him. Snape's gaze softened a bit, well, as much as the dark, cold, glare could soften.

"Are you in love with her?" The dark wizard asked. Draco didn't answer. He sighed. "Do you realize how dangerous this is?" he scolded. Draco knew all too well how dangerous the situation he was in currently was. He had no idea what he was doing or how he was going to protect Hermione. The extent of his plan had already been completed and now, he was just improvising.

"I had believed that you were better at controlling your emotions than this. You have not only endangered yourself but Miss Granger as well." Like Draco didn't know that. He was in this situation and now he didn't know how to get out.

"She must not discover how far your feelings for her go, do you understand me?" the professor continued. Draco nodded, still staying silent. "If she is found, it will be much worse for you if she knows. The Dark Lord will learn of your feelings from her and you will be punished even more severely because of it."

"And you … you won't tell him?" Draco asked, surprised at the man's seeming acceptance.

"I will keep this secret from him. Now tell me. What is your plan?"

"How do I know I can trust you?" he asked, reluctant to give any information that could be fatal if fallen into the wrong hands. As much as he had grown up knowing the man, he was still a Death Eater.

"Because I am your only chance. You will not be able to protect her on your own. If you believe you can, you will be sadly mistaken. This is bigger than you could possibly imagine!" The older wizard said in frustration.

Draco still wasn't so sure. Plus, he really didn't have a solid plan at the moment.

"Don't be stupid. Don't let your own arrogance get Miss Granger killed," Snape warned.

He didn't know what to do. He had gotten himself and Hermione into quite the mess and was at a loss for what he could do, who he could trust.

The professor seemed conflicted for a moment, as if he was trying to decide what he could or should tell him. "Let me not regret this," he muttered, taking a deep breath. "What I am about to tell you must not leave this room." Draco nodded and Snape continued. "I too once loved a muggle-born."

Draco's eyes grew wide. What had happened? How had he not known about this? How had he kept it from the Dark Lord? He had so many questions. "What happened?" he asked cautiously.

An an unusual flash of emotion appeared in Snape's eyes. "She was killed because of my intel to the Dark Lord. I know what you are going through, and I have learned from past failures. So I'll tell you again. Let me help you."

Draco was shocked. How could Snape stay a Death Eater? How could he face the Dark Lord and still be on his side? He couldn't imagine the guilt if something he did caused Hermione to be killed.

He nodded once in acceptance, knowing full well that Snape was right. He would never be able to protect Hermione on his own.

"So what was your brilliant plan?" the man asked with implied sarcasm.

Draco shrugged. "Keep her where she is until this is all over I guess," he admitted.

"Stupid! What were you going to do when you were called before the Dark Lord?"

"I know occlumency. Aunt Bella taught me. Only good thing she's ever done for me. And probably anyone."

"You were expecting to use occlumency against the greatest legilimens of this age?"

"You did didn't you?" It was the only way he could have possibly been able to keep his feelings for a muggle-born a secret.

The professor paused for a moment, then replied, "Yes, but I have perfected my abilities more than you could ever hope to at this point in your life. The Dark Lord will see straight through your defences."

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Figure out what you want and do it quickly. I can only cover for you for a short while. Listen to what I tell you and do not respond when the Dark Lord calls. Now, where is she?" Snape asked.

Draco wasn't about to tell him that yet, especially in the school. He didn't trust that nobody would be able to listen in, plus, he wasn't fully convinced enough to let Snape know the exact location. And what did he mean about figuring out what he wanted?

"Not here," he said, buying himself some time.

"Fine, but the longer you wait, the more chances you are risking. I can cover you for one meeting but the Dark Lord may desire some sort of proof that the task has been completed. Be prepared." With that, Snape swept out of the classroom, leaving Draco standing alone, stunned.

Draco was so confused. How was any of this possible? Severus Snape was a Death Eater like any other. He had to admit, he did see some difference in him than the others, but still, he followed the Dark Lord's orders strictly, even some of the grislier demands. Though, he never did show pleasure in those orders. Could it be true that he had loved a muggle-born? Draco didn't understand how it went both ways. How could he love someone, then torture and kill others like her? It just didn't make sense.

How was he supposed to go back to class now, when he had even more thoughts flooding through his mind at lightning speed? Especially potions. He could literally kill someone with his current headspace. Even though Draco wanted nothing more than to go back to the isolating cabin and see Hermione, he knew it was far too early to be leaving the school. He decided he needed some time to himself anyway, even if he couldn't give in to his wishes just yet, so, he headed towards his room where he would sit in silence and could let his mind wander freely without the risk of explosion.

Author's Note:

Hey! You guys made me so sad this week! Not a single review for the last chapter? If you're reading my story and aren't really enjoying it, I would still like to know why, or how I could improve it for you! And even a couple words telling me if you are enjoying it would truly make me happy!

Next week's chapter will be some more Draco/Hermione interaction so stay tuned! Thanks to everyone who is reading and I hope you have a great Sunday and an even better week!