A/N: Hey, so, next chapter :) Gonna be preeeetty long. But that's good, right? I'm really tired at the moment, been reading some Stephen King books which have kept me awake at night.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"Draco, please" Lucius begged, but to no avail. Draco turned away and sat down next to Hermione, who was glaring at Lucius with disgust on her face.

"I think you'd better go" Severus drawled.

"I can't leave," Lucius snarled "My whole life is here, my house, my family!"

"No one wants you here though," Severus sneered. Narcissa was crying silently into a hanker chief, Draco and Hermione on the other hand, were gazing back into the blazing fire, their faces alight in the flames. Both of them were ignoring Lucius.

An awkward silence fell over the room, Lucius was stood glaring at Severus, who in turn, was glaring back at him. The tension grew thicker and thicker. A sharp tap on the window broke the silence. Severus turned his head to see Lucius's owl outside the window, a letter in his beak.

"Draco," Severus said, " I think the Order have replied"

Draco jumped up and ran over to the window, he took the letter from the owls beak, then went to sit back down by Hermione. He handed her the letter, which she took with slightly shaking hands.

"Everything rests on this one letter" she murmured. She gently tore it open and started reading the small, slightly rushed looking, writing.

Dear Hermione,

Of course we will help you, we too, are looking for the last remaining Death Eaters and think this is the best

way to catch them.

We will need to meet you, preferably at the Manor, to discuss the plan. Harry and Ron will be coming too, as well as some of Draco's old friends. We will arrive at Malfoy Manor tomorrow at 6 o clock.

Make sure to warn the Malfoys, as we don't want two fights.

See you soon.

Kingsley.

Minister of Magic.

She finished reading and handed the letter to Draco, who quickly scanned it. He glanced up at her, his face looking relieved.

"They're going to help us" He smiled, "This might finally be over soon"

He looked up at Severus who nodded back at him, then his eyes fell on Lucius, who was still standing in the same position.

"Why are you still here?" He spat.

"This is my house, Draco," Lucius replied, "You don't expect me to just leave, do you?"

"Yeah, I do! No one wants you here! Why can't you understand that!" Draco said angrily. Hermione placed her hand on his arm, he looked at her and she shook her head slightly.

"Narcissa, you should get some sleep. It's going to be a long day tomorrow." Severus said quietly. She nodded, wiping her eyes.

"Bet you'd like to join her wouldn't you, Snape?" Lucius sneered, his eyes narrowed and a slight smirk lined his mouth.

"No, I wouldn't, Malfoy." Severus replied coolly.

"Oh yeah I forgot, your love is dead isn't she?" Lucius smirked, causing Severus to flush and stand up, pulling his wand out.

"Don't you dare say Lily's name. You're not even worthy to mention that name!" He snarled.

"Why not? She was just a stupid little Mudblood. The Dark Lord did us all a favour by ki- "

Severus waved his wand causing Lucius to fly backwards and hit the mantelpiece above the fire. He slid down one side and lay in a crumpled heap at the bottom. Severus waved his wand again and ropes flew out of them, bounding Lucius.

He turned round to face the other three, they were all watching him, fear in their eyes. He lowered his wand and stuffed it back into his robes.

"You can all go to bed, I'll keep watch" He said, trying to sound as calm as possible. Draco stood up and held is hand out for Hermione, who took it and got pulled up. Slowly, all three of them left the room. Narcissa bid them both Goodnight and went up the stairs towards her bedroom. Draco pulled Hermione down another corridor and into his bedroom. He flopped down on his bed and sighed.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked, sitting down next to him.

"I'm ok," He muttered, "This started off so well - Us two alone in paradise and now look, we're preparing for another war, My Father's an abuser, and my Mother well - I don't even know"

He ran his hand through his silky blonde hair and looked up at Hermione, "Bet you really regret taking me on holiday with you" he smiled.

"I did, at first. When I left you I went back to the Burrow and saw Harry and Ron. I told them about how I was falling for you, and how I thought you were just playing me" She said softly, "But now, I've seen another side of you, the side you never showed anyone at Hogwarts. You're not a bad guy, Draco, and you don't deserve all this"

Draco sighed and sat up, "I was brought up to think Muggle Borns were scum. Mainly by my Father, he would take me along sometimes when they went out and killed Muggles for fun. They were like animals; him, Yaxley and Rookwood. They would "play" with the Muggles first, if you get what I mean, and then kill them. My Father told me they deserved it, that they were wrong and should be disposed off" He shook his head sadly, "My Mother didn't kill anyone, but she didn't tell him to stop though. Scared of him, and now I know why"

He paused, watching Hermione's reaction, then carried on.

"My Father told me that if I wasn't in Slytherin, he'd disown me. He was never proud of me. I guess that's why I envied Potter. He had friends and people who cared for him and wanted him to do well. He may not of had Parents, but he still had people who loved him, you, the Weasleys, Hagrid, Sirius, even Lupin cared about him. All I had was my Mother."

"You had friends. Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy" Hermione said quietly.

"Crabbe and Goyle followed me cause my Father was high up with the Dark Lord, and Pansy only wanted me because I was popular. But you're right, they were good friends and when Crabbe -" He broke off, remembering the fire in the room of requirement at Hogwarts.

"He didn't deserve to die" Hermione murmured softly, linking her hand with Draco's.

"You're right, but he got too - attached to the Dark Lord's ways. He liked what he was doing, he enjoyed hurting people for no reason. He could of killed us all" Draco sighed. "Father should of had him as a son instead, at least he'd be proud then"

Hermione stood up, "We need to get some sleep. It's going to be a long day tomorrow" She leant over and kissed Draco on the cheek before leaving the room. Her bedroom was only two doors down, Lucius refused to let them sleep in the same room, and she didn't want to risk it, even though Lucius was now tied up.

Her room was impressive to say the least, it had a huge four poster bed in the middle of the room, with burgundy curtains hanging down each side. It reminded her of the Gryffindor Tower and seemed strange that the Malfoy's would have these colours in their home. She walked over to it and saw a little note on her pillow.

Thought you'd feel more at home with these colours,

Sleep well,

Love Draco

Pulling the covers back she saw a deep red nightdress, and smiled. Draco really did have everything sorted out, and wanted her to feel at home as much as possible. She slipped it on and climbed into bed. The mattress was springy and seemed to mould around her body, the pillows were the softest she'd ever felt and before she knew it, she was asleep.

oOo

"Hermione, wake up. Breakfast is ready" A sexy, familiar voice was saying. Hermione opened her eyes blearily and saw a blond head obscuring her vision. The blond head seemed to smile slightly, and then - she was on the floor.

"Oomf," She huffed, "What was that for?"

Draco smirked, "You were taking too long getting up, So I helped a little"

"Git" She muttered, pushing her brushy brown hair out of her eyes and looking up to see Draco grinning at her. He held out his hand for her, and she grabbed it suspiciously.

"Wow Draco, you sure change moods quickly"

He grinned, his eyes flashing mischievously. "That does tend to happen when I'm hungry" He drawled.

Now that he mentioned it, she could smell food. Quickly pulling on a dressing gown, she followed Draco out of the room and down the corridor towards the dining room. Narcissa was already sat at the table, reading what looked like, the Daily Prophet.

Draco pulled out a chair for her and she sat down smiling slightly, he then sat next to her and clicked his fingers. The next moment a house elf appeared out of thin air.

"Master Malfoy" It squealed, "What can I do for you, Sir?"

Draco looked at Hermione, "What would you like for Breakfast?" He asked.

Hermione looked at the house elf, this one seemed to be different to Dobby. Where he wore a dirty Pillowcase, this elf had a nice piece of white cloth tied around him, and was also wearing bobbly socks. He seemed to be happier and fatter as well.

"-Slow today"

Hermione shook her head slightly and looked at Draco, who had just spoken.

"Sorry, what did you just say?" She asked.

He smirked, "I was apologising for you being so slow." he said, causing her to flush.

"I'm sorry, I'll have some toast please" she replied hastily.

"And I'll have a full English breakfast please, Dibbins" Draco said, still smirking at Hermione's slowness.

Dibbins bowed deeply and then with a loud CRACK Disapparated.

"What's on your mind?" he asked quietly.

"I just noticed that your house elf was a lot happier than Dobby, and it had a fresh cloth and socks"

Draco laughed, "Yeah Father treats them better now after what Potter did. Besides, me and Mother didn't like the way he was treated but you know what Father is like"

Narcissa looked up, watching them both talking and laughing and cleared her throat.

"Hermione?" She said.

Hermione looked over, startled. She hadn't spoken to Narcissa before, well apart from that time in Diagon Alley, and that didn't turn out so well.

"Yes, Mrs M-Malfoy?" She stuttered.

"Call me Narcissa please" Narcissa smiled, "I was just wondering if maybe, we could go for a little walk. Get to know each other."

Hermione looked over at Draco, who looked stunned. "Mother?"

"Draco, if she's going to be part of the family, then I'd like to get to know her" She replied.

"Part of the family?" Draco asked, which caused Narcissa to laugh.

"Did you think I wouldn't notice? That ring on Hermione's finger does stand out quite a bit you know. And beside's I'm your Mother, I know these things" She smirked.

"I'd love to Mrs - I mean - Narcissa" Hermione smiled faintly, "I'll just go and get dressed"

She got up and left the room, leaving Draco and Narcissa alone. Bibbins returned with two plates,

"Master Malfoy, where is your lady friend?" He squeaked, placing one of the plates in front of Draco.

"She has gone to get changed. Take that plate to her room, Knock first" Draco replied, and with another CRACK Bibbins vanished. Draco turned to his Mother.

"What's going on?" He said, eyeing his Mother suspiciously.