AN: I have the hits that I want so I'm going for this. Thanks for the reader's that have kept on reviewing and have this story on alert. It means a lot to me. So, here's the new chapter!

Chapter 17: Shiver

It was the next night at six, after a quick dinner, rushed by yours truly Snape. As Hermione and Draco followed the Potions master, Draco examined the past few times he'd been stuck with Hermione. He had gone back to a mostly impassive nature since it killed him to be cold when she worried. She kept his beast at bay apparently and he had no reason why. And he also didn't know why Snape was on his back constantly just because he wanted to know about the mission Voldemort had given him. But he was not going to find out unless there was an Imperius curse or Veritserum involved.

"Tonight, the two of you are going make a few bottles of Pepper-up potion for Madam Pomphrey. She keeps running out because of all the fifth years and seventh years fainting from OWLs and NEWTs. So, you're going to make some fresh batches for her." Snape lead them to a cauldron and had already laid out the ingredients when they went to a cabinet to get potions books; Draco battled for the newer looking one and got it.

"Stop fighting you two. That's why you're here." Snape said from his desk; he began to grade essays in front of them.

"Professor, Granger was laughing and I had a headache, that's why we're here." Draco countered.

"Get to work." Snape snapped and the two opened their books to the Pepper-up potion.

As Hermione read, she noticed sloppy, almost unreadable scribbling in the margins. As she automatically put in the right ingredients and lowered the temperature, she began to notice that they were instructions. More like tips though because they agreed with the book but adjusted them. So, intrigued, she began to follow them as long as Snape and Malfoy weren't looking. She snuck a side glance at him. She had noticed that he was hardly sleeping in the dorm anymore and continued to blame her cross-dressing. After three hours and about six batches each of Pepper-up potion, Snape told them to put the books back and that he will check the potions. Hermione went to the cabinet second and instead of putting the book back, she shrunk it and put it in her pocket. Walking back, Snape looked impressed with her potion.

"I can't believe you were the one who made this potion Miss Granger. I knew you excelled but nothing this out of the ordinary." Snape nodded at her and she blushed.

"Wait, did you just give Granger a compliment?" Draco asked incredulously.

"And I can believe this it your potion Draco. It is not extraordinary nor horrible just average." Snape stressed the last part and Draco glared slightly while Hermione continued to blush and silently giggle.

"Now that your detention is over Miss Granger, you can go. Mr. Malfoy and I have some things to discuss."

"Yes Professor." She inclined her head a bit and turned to leave; as soon as she opened the door, Snape had flicked Draco upside the head and Draco growled.

"Very nice Professor!"

"Shut it Draco. I've had enough of your- miss Granger, you're still here?" Hermione tripped backwards walking up the step because she was looking at them; her legs were at the bottom of the stairs and her head and arms at the top.

"No… Ow…." Hermione rubbed her head and looked to the side to see Snape merely looking at her with arched eyebrows and Draco examining her closely; she looked at her still lying down body to see her plaid school skirt raised up over her hips to reveal her hips and black lace thong.

"Um…….eh heh? I'm going now." Hermione muttered quickly turning unto her stomach and pushing herself up with her hands to hear Draco whistling, "Bye." Hermione turned around quickly to see Snape hitting Draco again and telling him to apologize.

"That was a nice view Professor. Good and round and whew! What a pair of legs…" Draco explained and Hermione rushed out the room, not bothering to close the door behind her.

"Oh well… what happened Severus?"

"Two things: that was extremely rude of you. How could you comment on… that… and act as if it were nothing? It was rude, vulgar and-"

"Right. I was right about all the things I said. Second thing." Draco said annoyed; they never noticed the door closing silently and silent invisible footsteps walking towards them.

"Tell me what's going on."

"I knew it! You can't handle me doing something on my own!" Draco pointed at Severus.

"I'm merely concerned for your safety and what you're doing in the Room of Requirement. You must know that any mission is-"

"A great difficulty. I know! Don't lecture me, you're not my father!" Draco slid a glass beaker across a table and broke it into a million pieces in his anger.

"No I'm not but I am your godfather and that gives me as much right! I made an Unbreakable vow to your mother Draco to help you anyway I could and you know I can't break it!" Snape finally yelled.

"That's not my problem! You should've thought of that before you made it!" Snape raised his hand and almost hit Draco with it but stopped. The two stared at it in shock before Snape brought it back down.

"I didn't mean that Draco." Snape said.

"I know godfather. I know you didn't mean it. You just wanted to help. I can't tell you, but when I'm done, you and the Dark Lord will be proud of me." Draco said and Severus closed his eyes and took a deep breath and they didn't notice the door open again.

"I know. Just… Me not being able to help is-"

"Not unusual." Draco said and Severus glared.

"Back to square one I guess. Get to bed Mr. Malfoy."

"Yes Professor." Draco walked out and heard a sniff on the floor next to him; he turned to see Hermione gripping her skirt over her knees and Draco kneeled next to her.

"Granger." He said softly and she turned her tear-stained face to him.

"Draco…."You Death Eater! You liar! You… "What do you want? Another peep show?" Hermione asked stubbornly.

"No. Unless you're willing… kidding Granger. Take a joke. You've been here the whole time?" Draco asked putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah, I was too embarrassed to do anything but sit down and well… you see the tears." Hermione lied perfectly and Draco bought it.I was crying because you're a Death Eater, fooling me and everyone else that cares. Well… cared.

"Well, it was a compliment anyway. C'mon Granger." Draco picked up Hermione from the elbow and helped her up.

"Alright Draco." You evil bastard! You think I can't see through you oh well. I'm telling Harry!

The two walked to the Head Dorm where Harry, Ginny and Ron were waiting for Hermione. Draco left quickly and didn't even bother going into his room. Not surprised by this, Harry led them to Mimosa's room and locked the door.

"Ok, I think that its time for a meeting." Harry said and pointed to the open Marauders Map in his hands; Hermione never gave it back to him.

"First thing's first: Hermione has a secret that I think Ron should know."

"What?" the three asked.

"Henry Garrison for one. And how you know him so well."

"Oh…Ron, I'm Henry Garrison. I was just dressing up so I could play." Hermione explained and Ron's eyes widened.

"Don't faint Ron. I've known the whole time and Harry found out only days ago with Jason. Malfoy knows too." Ginny said and Ron puffed up.

"Malfoy knew before me? What the hell is that all about?" Ron asked.

"Oh Merlin, does it matter! Harry what else?" Hermione asked, wanting to say her piece.

"Secondly, someone owes me an explanation." Harry looked pointedly at Hermione.

"What else did I do?"

"You stole my map that's what."

"Oh I'm sorry but I've been having that for a while. It was when you first brought up that Malfoy might be up to something." Hermione explained and Ginny gawked.

"'Malfoy'? When did this happen? You've always called him Draco before." Ginny said and Hermione glared and crossed her arms and went to the window.

"Yeah of course. Until tonight that is." Hermione turned back and had a murderous look on her face.

"Wait Hermione. What happened during detention?" Ron asked.

"Not during Ron. After detention." Hermione clarified.

"Did he hurt you? You're eyes looked red when you came in." Harry and Ginny said together.

"Two things happened. The first was that I accidentally mooned Malfoy and Severus when I tripped and Malfoy had a nice view from his whistle."

"He didn't! That sexist pig!" Ginny rose outraged.

"Oh that's only half of it Ginny. I have reason to believe that Draco Malfoy is the Death Eater that Harry's always suspected him to be." Hermione stated.

"WHAT!" the three yelled; and Hermione grabbed the Marauder's map.

"Yeah. Look, he's on the seventh floor. Walking around thinking really hard. And… he's gone. I think he's in the Room of Requirement, Severus said he was doing something there. Harry I'm sorry I ever doubted you." Hermione admitted and Harry gave Ginny a look.

"What? I told you that if you listened to Hermione everything will be ok and to trust us. And see where that got you? You have something on Malfoy." Ginny said and Hermione cracked a smile.

"See, you should listen to you're little lioness of love Harry, she's smart." Hermione mocked and the three others blanched.

"I don't need to know about their sex lives Hermione." Ron said.

"I don't call her that." Harry looked horrified.

"And maybe you've just given him an idea as to what to call me." Ginny stuck out her tongue at the thought.

"It's not like I would call you 'Gangstress of Love' or the 'Cleopatra of my dreams'." Harry said.

"And you never will…" Ginny growled.

"This isn't about you two and your nicknames. This is about what Voldemort is probably planning next using Malfoy as a friggin' operations master here at Hogwarts." Hermione laid on her side on the bed and scrunched up her face in pain."What the hell?" Hermione reached into her pocket and brought out the potions book that she had shrunk.

"What's that?" Ron asked as Hermione enlarged it.

"This book I found in Potions during detention that had all these hints in it about how to do potions right. It helped me get Severus to compliment my potion skills."

"He'll make a mistress out of you." Harry said and the three stared at him."A potion's mistress. Not the other." Harry clarified and they merely blinked at him as if saying 'We know that. We just wanted you to be uncomfortable.'

"It doesn't matter. Malfoy is trying to do something in the school and Severus has no idea what."

"Why are you calling him Severus?"

"I have no respect for him out of class whatsoever." Hermione explained.

"Enough of the personal. Replay everything of the detention." Harry took command, as always, even though his tone didn't portray it that much.

Hermione replayed it from the moment she found the book in the cupboard. She had flipped through the book and found the name of the owner: Half Blood Prince. Well, how lovely: a smart boy at Hogwarts. Harry, Ron and Ginny contemplated what she said very seriously and even Hermione had to rethink about what she had heard.

When I'm done, you and the Dark Lord will be proud of me

What did he mean by that? Oh it made her head hurt badly. She felt like chunks of her memory were missing. When Ginny noticed her scrunching her face again in pain, Hermione told her the same thing she was thinking.

"What moments are missing?"

"Um… like when Lucius came. I remember that you told me when I was in the bathroom that he was upstairs. Then I heard a crash and from there I can't remember until I woke up on my bed to make dinner with Malfoy."

"Any other time?" Ron asked.

"Yeah… it was when I went patrolling the night after the attack on Katie-"

"Oh Harry how is she?" Ginny asked suddenly.

"Recovering, she'll be able to play in March." Harry informed before motioning Hermione to continue.

"Thanks. I remember we were having a good conversation until he… I don't know how but he grew cold again after opening up for two minutes. He told me… 'Don't ask me what's wrong. Don't touch me. Don't care so damn much.' I asked him why and he tells me because 'You're a muggleborn, you're a Gryffindor, and you are competition. I'm pureblood and a Slytherin, we can't mix Granger. Never can.' After that, we kind of settled down and then we heard footsteps behind us…" Hermione trailed off.

"And you can't remember anything but waking up in bed?" Harry concluded and Hermione nodded.

"Sounds like you've been repeatedly Obliviated by someone." Ginny said.

"We know who Ginny. Malfoy was the only one with her both times." Harry told.

"I asked Kanna what she knew about Malfoy." Hermione revealed.

"What'd she say?" Ron asked; they knew about the tomb.

"She told me that she and Conner have been discussing the men in my life and the women in yours, Harry. She said he said that he wants to protect me. He cares enough to protect me."

"Bleah! If Harry was a coldhearted jerk that Obliviated me,I would've already made sure Voldemort won the war by killing him myself. And without magic too." Ginny said and Harry cringed.

"Must not anger girlfriend." Harry made a mental note to himself.

"Very good for you Harry. But… Malfoy's planning something and the only witness to this stuff is Hermione, who he's obliviated twice already. So, we can't ask her. Isn't there a potion to retrieve the memories back?" Ron asked and Hermione looked in the potions book.

"Um… It's called the Obliviation-reduction potion. …it takes two months to prepare, make and be prepared to drink. We could do it unless you need this information before the middle or late February."

"Moaning Myrtle's bathroom?" Harry asked Hermione and Ron, who nodded.

"Why?" Ginny asked incredulously.

"That's where we made the Polyjuice potion in second year." Ron cleared but Ginny knew that.

"We'll need about the same ingredients and even some muggle ones too." Hermione continued.

"In the girl's bathroom?" Ginny was still hung up on that.

"The only girl that goes in there is Myrtle and she has a crush on Harry so we'll be able to go in." Hermione piped in and Harry glared at her while Ginny glared at him.

"Freaky love triangle." Ron muttered and the three glared at him.

"So let's try it during Christmas break. No one will be here and the school we be all to ourselves." Ginny piped in and Harry smiled.

"I always thought you were a genius." Harry pecked her on the head and Ginny smirked up at him.

"Aren't I?" Ginny said cockily and Harry shook his head at her.

"Don't be cocky sweetie." Harry mimicked and Ginny gleefully kissed him passionately.

"Love…" Hermione looked on disgusted.

"It sucks Blast-ended shrewt eggs when you're not in it." Ron finished and the two left with the potions book and Marauder's map with them.

"Rigel's coming." Hermione lied and she heard Harry falling off the bed behind them.

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It was the day before Christmas break and people were saying their final goodbyes until the New Year. Seamus, Dean, Lavender and Parvati had already come by, with Lavender getting a kiss from Ron. Neville came too but was whisked away by Cho's alluring voice calling to him. The prefects said goodbye in their dorm, guys with guys, and girls with girls. But it was when they met in the common room that confusion began.

"I can't believe I'm leaving now and am going to miss the party." Teresa exclaimed after hearing Hermione's plans with her friends and the team.

"Don't worry. It's just four more gorgeous looking men all in the room with little old me and my mother, aunt and apparently a whole lot of eggnog." Hermione said and Pansy's face fell even more.

"Now that really sucks." Pansy mumbled and Amy laughed.

"We're going to see her when we get back. Besides, we'll all send pictures and stuff and you'll all get to meet my real elfin cousin, Rogan." Amy smiled and Pansy looked interested.

"He's legal in wizard years?"

"He's legal in any race on Earth Pansy. But he has a girlfriend." Amy added before elegantly cackling, grabbing her bag and whisking herself to the door with grace.

"That is the kind of girlfriend any guy would want." Hermione said staring after he.

"Yeah if she knew what to do with one." Pansy snorted and they laughed until the boys came down; Jonah and David had their bags ready but Ron and Draco were staying, much to Hermione's dismay.

"C'mon Jonah, you can walk me down." Teresa held out her arm and Jonah took it.

"Alright. See you girls, Ron, Draco. Hurry up David." Jonah called behind him.

"Yeah. Coming Pansy?" David motioned for her to come and she nodded.

"See ya Draco." Pansy pecked him on the cheek and flung her arms around his neck but he merely gave her back a poor two pat hug.

"Yeah, yeah. See you after break Pansy." He said and Pansy slugged him in the arm before taking David's arm and walking out with her bag out the door.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Ron chanted with Hermione before Draco hit him in the arm as well,"Ow… no need for violence." Ron said, rubbing his bicep.

"Yeah and there's no need for stupidity either but you see a lot of that here too when you look in the mirror." Draco said and went back to his room.

"Here, take the book and meet me in the bathroom. Harry and Ginny should be there with the first ingredients and the cauldron." Hermione told Ron and after he left, she went upstairs to knock on the door.

"Come in." a muffled voice yelled and Hermione entered no woman's land.

"Malfoy." She said and he stiffened from her tone and from his position on his bed, he turned to her.

"Yeah Granger?" he put something next to him.

"I know you've been Obliviating me." Draco stood up but Hermione had brought her eyes down,"And Kanna's let me know it's because you care. I appreciate that and all but-"

"What else did Kanna say?" Draco had crossed the room and grabbed hold of Hermione's arms.

"Nothing else about you. But you know what? I can't believe you're not the man you swore you were."

"What the hell are you talking about Granger?" Draco asked and Hermione pushed his arms away.

"You were supposedly this guy that was really different from his father. You aren't. You are so much like your father Malfoy. Always personal gain at the end of whatever you do."

"Did you not hear yourself! Didn't you hear yourself say that I did it because I cared?" Draco yelled and Hermione clenched her jaw.

"Yeah I did. I can't believe your lies Draco Malfoy. And I won't anymore! Good night." Hermione muttered the last part.

"What are you talking about?"

"Impedimenta!" Hermione flung her arms and Draco slammed into the glass balcony door.

"That's nothing." Draco spat out blood unto the carpet.

"I know. Silencio." 'Levicorpus.' Draco was raised upside down and his screams of hate weren't heard.

"Oh I'm sorry I can't hear you Draco. Let me help you." Hermione placed her wand at his temple and brought out a vial with the other.

"Actually, let you help me." She took a long silvery thread from his temple and put it into the vial and Draco squirmed realizing what it was.

"Nope. Don't try it Draco. You're only tempting me more." She grabbed another thread and vial as the blood rushed more freely to Draco's head and he began to get woozy from it right when she put her hand on his forehead after she was done.

"Here's something you'll remember: Obliviate!" Hermione said hatefully and Draco fainted in midair.

'Liberacorpus.' Draco fell into a heap on the ground and Hermione found something sharp on the bed where Draco had been.

She picked it up and fingered the thin knife. It was like the kind that you used in Potions to cut up roots or something tough. It had been in blood already and Hermione reached over to Draco to check his wrists. One of them had a fresh cut that was still bleeding slightly. A cutter, she thought, she knew a lot of those back home. She leaned Draco's body against he nightstand next to his bed and made it look like he had fainted during his cutting. It could happen actually. Henry, the real one, had found his brother just like this one night after Henry had found shelter at her house. He had come home to a beaten mother in her bedroom, a drunken father passed out in the living room and a brother who had repeatedly cut himself to sleep next to his bed. And this was how Draco was now. A depressed prefect and Death Eater who had cut himself to sleep. Hermione shook her head and headed for the door, knowing how difficult it would be to get him to stop. So she didn't even bother with him because it would've made no difference since he was the enemy now.

AN: So there is the next update for you. My grammer's been atrocious. I'm sorry for not updating sooner. You all must really hate me now. -ducks behind Draco and runs for cover-