Advised

Author's Note: Sorry about the cliff-hanger, everyone. Things are going to get semi-solved here, and we will finally establish some direction for the next part of the story. Thanks for sticking with me; I'm having a lot of fun writing it! As always JKR is the seven-time winner of the Witch Weekly Best Book Award!

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You could have cut through the tension in the room with a knife. Draco was staring at Hermione in complete shock as she watched Snape with a level of intensity that made him shiver. She looked determined, and he knew that she could be like a dog with a bone when she caught onto something. She was so stubborn. Draco knew that his godfather was one of the most dangerous wizards alive, but he wondered curiously whether he could stand up to the 'insufferable' Hermione Granger when she was onto something.

"Say that again," Snape snarled threateningly, his eyes glinting in warning. Hermione didn't back down, if anything she seemed to stand taller as she squeezed Draco's hand even more tightly.

"You didn't betray us like everyone thinks. You're still loyal."

Draco shook his head in confusion, frowning intently between the two of them.

"Wait… what makes you think he's on the Order's side? He killed…uh…"

He choked a bit on the words, and trailed off. Hermione shot him a sympathetic look when it became clear that he was so troubled by his involvement in that fiasco that he couldn't even speak about it.

"It just didn't add up to me. It never did. Dumbledore trusted you," she said quietly to Snape, her voice firm and sure, "and it would be absurd for you to spend years dedicated to protecting Harry only to turn on us then."

Snape paced furiously back and forth across the hearth, his expression thunderous.

"You think you're so clever, Miss Granger, that you're superior to all the much more experienced witches and wizards around you. You might be a know-it-all little swot, but you have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't speak to her like that," Draco interrupted angrily, but Snape just shot him a dismissive, exasperated look.

"Is your trust in Dumbledore so blind that you would believe anything he told you?" Snape growled, but Hermione just shook her head stubbornly.

"Don't mistake me for the kind of bleeding heart Gryffindor you despise. My reasoning is not emotional, it's logical."

"Logic should tell you that I'm a Death Eater, you foolish girl. I betrayed you all."

"Then why didn't you kill me the moment I appeared?"

"Maybe I'm just biding my time."

She made a scoffing sound.

"I hope you lie better than that to You-Know-Who."

"Your precious logic is nothing more than ignorance," he muttered furiously, "You're in denial, and despite all the evidence you're clinging to the words of a dead man." Snape was practically spitting from the mouth, and Hermione pursed her lips into a frustrated scowl. Draco understood that look only too well. It could be very tiring arguing with his godfather. The man was a cold bastard at the best of times, and he was also fiercely intelligent, which was a dangerous combination. But damn if she didn't look just as determined.

"Actually, logic tells me that Dumbledore had his arm cursed by an artefact of dark magic. And I can make an educated guess exactly what it was, and even why he tampered with it in the first place," Snape had opened his mouth to interrupt, but suddenly snapped it close with a wide eyed look of panic, letting her continue, "It tells me that you vowed to help him die on his own terms in a way that would enhance your position as spy. That you were fulfilling more than one unbreakable vow, and therefore it must have been Dumbledore's plan all along. And it tells me that you are intending to continue helping us. Am I close?"

Snape looked shocked, which was frankly an expression that Draco had never seen him wearing before. As for what Hermione had claimed, he felt a creeping awareness settle over him that the pieces of the puzzle fit together at last. His confusion about Snape's loyalties crystallised until he could see his godfather for who he really was. A troubled, decidedly unpleasant man who was trying desperately to do the right thing no matter the personal cost. He was the best Occlumens in the wizarding world. If anyone could trick Voldemort, then it was Snape. But Draco was blown away by the revelation that Snape could have been lying to the Dark lord this entire time. Damnit, but the man had balls. It could be the single bravest act that had ever been done in this war or any other previous war in the wizarding community.

"Severus," Draco asked with a touch of awe in his voice, "Is this true? Have you been on their side all along?"

Snape was completely silent. He had paused in his pacing to lean wearily against the mantel of the fireplace. His face was shrouded by the curtain of greasy black hair, hiding his expression from them. But Draco could see the clenching of his fists into white knuckles and the slight twitching of the leg where he had once had his knee chewed on by a three-headed cerberus. These were two of his tells, not that many other people would notice the small gestures.

"Severus?" Draco repeated, stepping forwards away from Hermione to approach his godfather.

"Fucking hell…she's…not wrong," Snape finally said in a tight voice, turning to stare at them both again. It seemed almost as if a weight came off his shoulders then, as he stood more upright, more poised, and the muscles in his face had relaxed minutely. Draco looked at him curiously; it was as if he were relieved to finally share his terrible secret with others. It was very telling that he wasn't even able to admit that she was right, he could only say she was not wrong.

"That's…completely insane," Draco finally said in a hushed, almost disbelieving voice, "How did you trick him all this time?"

Snape gave him a level, penetrating stare, his eyes flicking over to Hermione and back in a meaningful look.

"Exactly the same way you did. I shielded. I've kept my emotions buried for longer than you've been alive."

Draco imagined what it would be like trying to hide his feelings for Granger for years and years using heavy, impenetrable layers of occlumency. It would surely drive him insane. It just showed how strong Snape was; he was a stalwart of discipline, even if others didn't always see him that way.

"Professor, when Dumbledore pleaded with you on the astronomy tower, he was asking you to follow through with your vow," Hermione pressed quietly. It was a statement, not a question, but Snape still nodded slowly, cautiously in assent of her words.

"Yes."

"And no one knows?" she asked tentatively.

After a long pause, Snape gave them a slight frown and nodded.

"No one. God damnit, I should have known you'd be the thorn in my side, Miss Granger, just waiting to fuck everything up. You never did know when to get your nose out of other people's business."

Draco was still trying to come to terms with what Hermione had revealed. He was thinking back over his godfather's actions from the past few months, the last year even, and considering his behaviour from this new perspective. Despite his doubts about Snape's personal feelings, Draco had genuinely believed that by killing Dumbeldore, the other man had passed the point of no return in committing himself to the Death Eaters' agenda. To find out that it had been a plan all along, devised by Dumbledore himself, was a lot to absorb. He clearly remembered Snape cornering him after Slughorn's Christmas party and offering to help him. Obviously this had been a ruse to help determine his strategy and refine theirs. The thought bothered him for some reason.

"So…you knew months before it happened that I would fail to kill the headmaster?"

Hermione turned her gaze on him with her wide brown eyes, and she pursed her lips in sympathy as she saw how upset he was. Draco felt a slither of embarrassment. He didn't like talking about his task for Voldemort in front of her. He felt unworthy of her. He should have found another way, or resisted the Dark Lord's threats somehow, rather than persist with his task. He worried that on some level she might never forgive him for his actions that year. Snape, however, gave him a more penetrating, challenging stare.

"You are not a murderer Draco."

"So your offer to help me…?"

Snape nodded curtly.

"Was to help you personally, not help you fulfil the task. You just didn't realise it at the time."

Hermione cleared her voice and reached out to link her fingers with his again. He liked the feel of her warm hand wrapped around his cold one.

"Harry said that you wouldn't have done it. He said you lowered your wand."

Draco blinked a couple of times when he felt his eyes prick. He looked away, his fringe flopping down a bit to cover his eyes.

"I couldn't… I was a coward."

Hermione stepped forward, closer into his line of sight. She clearly didn't care that Snape was standing there watching them. She touched his chin with her other hand and raised his face so that they were looking into each other's eyes.

"No, Draco! A coward would have killed him, because it would have been easier than facing You-Know-Who's wrath. A coward would have just let me die at the manor, knowing that the risk was too great." she said the last part fairly quietly, her eyes flicking over to Snape apprehensively. Maybe she was self-conscious about what he thought of their romantic attachment. She seemed resolved though, and even with the older wizard there, she still took the time to let her fingers linger on his jaw in a show of comfort.

"What do you plan to do now?" Snape asked, studying his fingers closely, probably uncomfortable with Hermione's display of affection.

Out of the corner of his eye, Draco saw Hermione look at him curiously, probably very curious of the answer herself.

"I don't know," he said honestly, "Now that I know you aren't…well, it helps I suppose. I won't reveal your secret of course. I never wanted to be a part of this. But If I were to try and leave the fold now…" his voice trailed off at the end as he shared a dark look with Snape. The older man nodded and leaned against the back of one of the couches.

"You would be hunted down. No one has ever fled successfully before."

Draco sighed and mimicked Snape's position on the opposite couch, while Hermione frowned at them both from where she stood, her face a picture of confusion.

"What he did to Karkaroff-" Draco started, before he paused with a shiver. That had been one of his earliest experiences of the Death Eaters that had left him disillusioned and disgusted with the whole organisation. He could vividly recall the sight of the Durmstrang Headmaster flayed and skinned alive by some of the most sadistic members of the inner circle. The sound of the man's screams still haunted him; they had lasted for hours before he had finally been able to fall unconscious as he grew resistant to the charms that had been forcefully keeping him alert. Hermione's frown deepened as she looked between them.

"The Order could protect you-" she began, but Snape interrupted quickly.

"No," he growled angrily, his nostrils flaring, "the Order is not capable of that kind of protection. They have failed before, and I wouldn't trust them not to fail again."

Hermione's brows drew together in a crease, clearly thinking the same thing as Draco. That Snape had personal experience of this, and judging by his furious expression it still hurt him deeply enough to make him visibly upset at the memory. But while he was unsure of the specifics, Hermione seemed to think intently for a few moments before she nodded in understanding. It was clear that she accepted his reasoning, though what exactly it was, he wasn't aware of. Maybe there was someone who had died under these circumstances that they both knew.

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose, before turning his gaze on Draco in a way that left him feeling worried about what was coming.

"You cannot run, you would be in significantly more danger than you are now. However…an opportunity does present itself, now that I know with certainty where you stand, and you know where I stand."

Draco swallowed. That didn't sound good.

"What?" he asked hesitantly, seeing that Hermione looked equally worried.

"I am in too deep now. Dumbledore has positioned me to be close to the Dark Lord's side for the final stage of his plan. But you… you could still be useful in spying for the Order."

"No," Hermione exclaimed vehemently, her voice leaving no doubt of her horror at this idea, "Absolutely not."

"His help could be invaluable for winning this war, he has more than enough ability as an Occlumens," Snape muttered quietly, with much more confidence than Draco had in himself.

He felt his palms get a bit sweaty as he gripped the back of the couch. Spy for the Order? He had never considered that as an option for himself. Possibly because it was totally insane. If he were discovered, then death would actually be the least of his problems.

"That's…Snape…I'm not involved enough to learn any useful information. I've been keeping my distance, trying to stay unnoticed."

"Exactly. You've been mostly forgotten now that Lucius is spending one hundred percent of his time kissing the Dark Lord's arse. Which means you won't be observed as much."

"But…I couldn't…" he stammered a bit, and Snape leaned closer towards him, his eyes wide and shining with intent.

"I'm not saying you need to do anything yet… but there's a battle coming. Dumbledore was sure of it, and the Dark Lord has been preparing for it steadily this last month. Imagine the help you could give the Order and Potter if you were inside the enemy's camp."

"Stop it!" Hermione shouted, her voice shaking with terror, and Draco saw the anxiety, the fear written all over her face, "No, it's too dangerous."

"You should understand more than anyone, Miss Granger, how vital it is that Potter have all the support he can get for what's coming."

She was still shaking her head disbelievingly, and Draco couldn't quash the feeling of warmth that spread through him briefly as he saw the evidence right in front of him of how much she cared about him. She was literally terrified about him being put in danger. And while Draco couldn't give a shit about Potter personally, he had to admit that the idea held some temptation. Once the initial panic had faded he really thought about it. If he continued to feign loyalty, then maybe he could help the Order win the battle, which Hermione was sure to be involved with. It would increase the chance of her survival significantly. He was constantly plagued by the thought of her going off into the battle, and knowing there was little he could do to stop her. But if he fought alongside her – well, not so much by her side as opposite her – then he would be able to watch her, keep his eye on her. Stop her from doing anything too stupid and brave. And if the Death Eaters still won regardless, then he would be on the right side to ask for a favour from the Dark Lord to repay him for his service. Maybe he could barter for Hermione's life. They might let him keep her as a prize or something. So either way he would be in the perfect place to protect her.

"It's…actually not a bad idea," Draco finally said, giving Hermione a sheepish look. Her mouth dropped open and she gaped at him.

"Are you serious?" she asked, horrified, "They could kill you."

"Yes," he agreed, "but they could also kill you, and yet that isn't stopping you from fighting for what you believe in."

She scowled at him, clearly frustrated because she was unable to think of any way to refute him for a few moments, which she must hate. After a very long lip bite, she eventually settled on an idea.

"This is completely different," she said with an edge of anger, "I'm not fighting as a double agent, so only one side is trying to kill me – you might end up with everyone trying to kill you."

At that moment Snape hissed a little and flinched, standing upright.

"I have to go, I'm being summoned," he growled, conjuring his mask and robe as he headed towards the door. His stride was hurried, but also revealed the weariness in his limbs. Draco shuddered at the thought of a summoning. He did not envy Snape his role in this war, to be constantly beckoned to the side of the violent madman you were trying to destroy, and unable to take direct action. He didn't have to imagine the horrors the older wizard faced, as he had seen enough to know that he never wanted to get more involved than he already was, not without suffering severe psychological trauma. It was amazing that Snape was still as sane as he was, if a bit of a bastard. As he watched his godfather stride towards the door, he realised that there was a certain weight lifted from him, as though he was suddenly able to breathe easier. Snape was one of the "good guys", even if no one knew it. He knew with a quiet certainty that they weren't being tricked or conned by the spy. He didn't fear being called in front of Voldemort because the potions master had betrayed him. It all made sense now. And strangely he felt like that made the two of them allies. They were both caught up between two sides of a war; wanting what was right, but fighting for the wrong. Which was what made him suddenly stand up straight and move towards the door as well.

"I'll walk out with you," Draco said quickly, darting a glance towards Hermione as he followed after his godfather. She just raised an eyebrow curiously and nodded in understanding as the two wizards disappeared outside.

They walked a few metres away from the cottage before the dark wizard spun around and clamped a hand on Draco's shoulder. He jumped a little, confronted with that penetrating black stare.

"You're playing with fire, Draco," he murmured with an edge of irritation in his voice. Draco swallowed and met Snape's eye evenly.

"So are you," he replied.

The spy blinked and his eyes darted to the cottage and back.

"I never could have believed you would fall in love with a muggleborn," he said with a small sneer, though it didn't really reach his eyes. Draco snorted.

"Neither could I."

"Does she…" Snape looked down in embarrassment and Draco was surprised to see a light blush creep over the man's cheeks. It was an altogether strange expression from the normally stoic man, "does she feel the same?"

Draco shuffled a bit on his feet. He wondered why Snape was asking him such a personal question. He seemed overly concerned about his feelings for Hermione. He cleared his throat.

"Uh…I don't know. I know she likes me, but only since she came here after I rescued her from the manor. I hope it becomes more."

Snape sighed and ran his long fingers through his hair.

"Draco, I know what you're thinking. You hope that if everything goes badly, you will still be able to keep her safe. That the Dark Lord will…give her to you as a reward."

Draco felt his heart thud painfully. Obviously Snape could read him too well, or he had first hand knowledge of this.

"Well…it's a possibility isn't it?"

"No," Snape released a breath and squeezed Draco's shoulders, his face betraying a hint of sadness, "No matter what he says, or how much you beg, you won't get what you want. Don't risk her life on the Dark Lord's empty promises."

Draco stared at his godfather with concern. It was quite apparent now that the man was talking from personal experience. He shivered at the thought of the gloomy, solitary man pining over a lost love; someone who had been killed by the very master he was still forced to serve. Another piece of the puzzle that was Severus Snape fell into place in his mind.

"Okay," Draco said with a nod of assurance, "I'll be careful."

Snape hissed again and flinched his arm back away from Draco.

"I really have to go," the man murmured, but before he turned away he shot Draco a sharp glare, "Draco, listen to me. You need to do the right thing by her. If you really love her, don't fuck it up. Don't let your pride ruin this."

Draco was stunned by Snape's words, and he couldn't help but wonder whether this also stemmed from the man's own past. Before he could say anything, Snape spun away, walking at a brisk pace towards the wards.

"I'll be in touch," he said over his shoulder. Draco watched him go with a worried frown. It was clear that there was a lot more to Snape than he had ever considered before. It left him feeling unsettled and anxious. He wished that there were more he could do for his godfather. He was the most isolated man Draco had ever known, seemingly cold-hearted but actually deeply troubled. But it was also apparent that his godfather cared about him. Much more than his own father ever had. He just hoped that Snape's cover stayed intact. The man deserved so much more from life than this constant peril and loneliness.

He took a deep breath in and turned back towards the cottage. He knew Hermione wasn't happy with the prospect of him spying, but the idea had sparked in his mind and wouldn't let go ever since Snape mentioned it. He knew they had a lot to talk about. He loved how worried she was. If she was terrified of him putting himself in danger, it meant that she had strong feelings for him, didn't it?

This wasn't over, but time was ticking for them, and he knew that if he wanted to make sure he was in the right position to protect her, he had to think and act fast. Snape was right, of course. He was definitely capable of royally fucking everything up with Hermione. But with this war coming to its inevitable climax, it was more important than ever to ensure her safety. He just wasn't sure if he could keep her safe and keep her affections at the same time.

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Thanks for reading. Get ready for things to come to a head soon. The tension is rising and is going to snap sometime soon. I'm pretty excited. Please review, I really value all your wonderful feedback.