Currently, I have my fiancé staring down my back at this blank word document while I eat yogurt with butterfingers and chocolate chips and drink tea. Because I'm a classy bitch, you know. Anywho, I love Zac's character. It is so fun to write him, and one of the greatest pleasures I get is expanding on characters. I am a huge fan of him from the DA side. From the Slytherins, I adore Theo, so he will be coming into play here soon. Any ideas on who he should be matched up with? Leave your opinions in the reviews.

Chapter 16:

The next day was full of hastiness as from the moment Hermione woke up. She found herself on the arm of her chair, her neck in an extremely uncomfortable position and her legs felt like pins were continuously being pressed into them. Groggily, she looked up to see the sunlight streaming in through her windows and the body of a young man lying on her couch with his right arm above his head. She sat up as quietly as her body allowed her too, sneaking a peek at Draco's sleeping figure. It was nice to see him so relaxed, though she scolded herself because she wanted him to be like this all the time. Knowing all too well that when he woke up, it would most likely be back to spatting insults, she took her time in watching him, taking in the peace that finally surrounded them.

"Do you always tend to watch people when they sleep, Granger?" came Draco's voice, as pompous as usual.

Hermione bit her lip thinking up a response, but decided to leave without one. She arose from her chair, still taking the time to be near-silent about it, and walked to her room without saying one word to the Slytherin on her couch. Draco's eyes had long since opened, and he watched her as she walked to her room, ignoring him the entire way. If the woman thought just because she got him to mildly open up a few times that they were best mates, she had a lot to learn about Slytherins… and men in general. Draco stretched and yawned, realizing that he didn't have any nightmares last night for the first time in months. Shocked, he sat up, staring at Hermione's closed bedroom door, wondering if she had anything to do with that.

In her room, Hermione looked to the bag over the dress she had picked out for the ball that evening. On any normal occasion, she would have been more than excited to get dolled-up and leave her sanctuary. But tonight didn't feel right. She thought they shouldn't be celebrating in a time where everything was so uncertain. But, she was obligated to go. The witch ran her hand over the dress bag, taking a deep breath and moving it so she could go into her closet. She chose a pair of dark jeans and one of Harry's Quidditch shirts to wear for the day. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun, and she threw her sneakers on as she walked out her bedroom door. She noticed that Draco had sat up. He stared at her with such intensity, Hermione thought it best to go back into her room, close the door, and hide there forever. Was it because she hadn't answered his question? Or was there some sort of other deeper meaning to his stares?

Not thinking to deeply into it, Hermione only gave the young man a lingering look before tucking her wand safely in her back pocket and exiting their dorm. She looked down the hallways to see the same sunlight trickling into them as it did in her room. A few classmates passed and said hello, but Hermione was more interested in what was shining off of those windows. She bid her classmates hello, but walked quickly over to the window, and what she saw made her heart skip a beat. Snow. It was snowing.

"Absolutely beautiful, isn't it?" a familiar voice came from beside her. Hermione immediately knew who it was and only sighed.

"It is," she said. "It's funny how we were just saying yesterday that it hadn't snowed quite yet."

"It was bound to happen," Zac shrugged. "It is Scotland."

"Yes," Hermione said softly, watching the snowflakes falling down from the clouds onto the ground. "It makes everything seem so… peaceful."

"Everything has been peaceful this morning," Zac supplied thoughtfully. "Even the Slytherins weren't on edge at breakfast."

"I noticed," Hermione said without thinking, but her mind was on the only Slytherin she had seen this morning. Zac raised an eyebrow and Hermione blushed. "That everything has been so peaceful. It is a relatively nice change."

"Something will happen, Hermione," Zac crossed his arms and leaned against the banister below the window. Hermione looked at him curiously. "It might not be now, but it will happen. McGonagall is pulling Muggleborns out after the break, you know. I heard that Nott was forced to take The Mark. Parkinson practically got herself killed trying to kill you. It's just bizarre."

Hermione nodded, taking heed to what Zac had just told her. "I think that McGonagall is taking Muggleborns out for their protection, Zac. Just to keep them hidden the best we can. It's best they not be around for the war anyways. On the topic of the Slytherins taking the mark; a lot of them were probably forced by their parents. And Parkinson… she's just brainwashed like the rest of them."

"Could you imagine what a wonderful world it would be if You-Know-Who never existed?" Zac asked softly. Hermione could very well imagine it. "Everything would be so… perfect."

"We have Harry out there making it right right now," Hermione reasoned. "We will win this war, Zac. Don't tell me you're thinking we can't."

"No," Zac shook his head slowly. "I truly believe we can, Hermione. But, please don't tell me that I am not the only person who's told you that it isn't likely we will survive."

She shook her head that no, he wasn't. Almost everyone had been telling her that, and right now, what she needed was support, not people telling her that they may not come out of this war alive. Because if it continued, people would lose their faith. She would lose her faith. Faith in Harry, faith that somehow, they would get through this….

"Of course not. But, Zac, we can. We just have to be patient, that's all."

"I truly and deeply believe you, Hermione. I do," Zac said and reached out to run his fingers over her shoulder. "Just don't stop believing in it yourself."

The remainder of the day was spent organizing transportation for the Muggleborns to leave the castle. Ginny and Neville were in charge of rounding up the lot of them that stayed over the holidays and send them back to their parents or to safe houses. If everything went according to plan, they would be out of the castle by midnight after the ball had concluded and on the train as far away from Scotland as humanely possible. It was such a sad concept to understand, and the first-years, even though they understood, had volunteered to stay. McGonagall had forbidden it, but was touched none-the-less. She knew the time was growing nearer. She especially knew when Rowley Nott stepped foot into her castle that evening, apparently for a meeting with Professor Snape. The Headmistress knew, however, that even though the meeting with Snape was likely, Nott was here on other business. Most importantly, she knew she had to warn young Theo.

On her way to the dungeons where she presumed the young Master Nott would be, she caught Snape's eye. He quickly dismissed the student he was lecturing in the hallway adjacent to McGonagall and moved towards her with ease. He quickly fell into pace with her, and the Headmistress casted a silencing charm down the hallway, just for extra precautions.

"It is not usual for you to be in the dungeons, Minerva. I assume something has happened."

"Rowley Nott is in the castle for a meeting with you, Severus. A meeting I am almost sure you know nothing about," came her curt reply.

If Snape was surprised, he certainly did not show it. "Ah yes. Nott owled me not half an hour ago saying he would be in the castle on business."

"Not Ministry business, I assume."

"Obviously not."

"I need to tell Theodore of his father's presence," she told Snape quickly. She turned to face her colleague, a look of determination in her blue eyes. "Theodore is not allowed to leave this castle, Severus. Do not allow Mr. Nott to take him."

A moment of understanding passed between the two. Snape nodded. "He is of age. The Ministry law does not apply to him as long as he is in the castle. He falls under your jurisdiction."

"See to it that Mr. Nott is made aware of that," McGonagall said hastily as the two continued down the hallway.

"I assume you are still willing to risk Draco's life by bringing Theodore into this," Snape side-glanced the Headmistress curiously.

McGonagall wasted no time dispelling Snape's remark. "Indeed I do, Severus. Young Mr. Nott was only made a Death Eater because his father made him do so. I have faith that he is not like the rest of the seventh-year Slytherins."

"That is quite true," was the only answer Snape could reply with before they came upon the door to the Slytherin Common Room.

"Maestus," McGonagall said to door and it swung open. She lifted her dress and took two steps down into the sitting area, where about fifteen Slytherins were spread about. Theodore was in the left corner, dusting off his dress robes eagerly. The Headmistress cleared her throat loudly. "Mr. Nott, would you come with me please?"

The other housemates all turned to stare at Theo as he straightened his form and walked over to the two adults without hesitation. There was a twinkle in his eye, but when McGonagall looked down to his left arm, she could see the red poking out through the edge of his dress robe sleeve. The thought that he had taken the Mark alone had made her sickened. She turned Theo by his shoulder as the three descended back into the hallway. Snape silently cast the silencing charm this time.

"How can I help you, Professors?" Theo asked, his cocky attitude shining through his words.

"Mr. Nott, your father is in the caste," McGonagall told the young man, not wasting any time beating around the bush. The cocky aura around the young Nott fell like the snow around Hogwarts. He turned to face Snape, a look of anger in his eyes. "It is my duty to tell you that if you do not wish to leave with him, you do not have too. You will be under my protection. It is very important that you know this, Theo."

"I knew the bastard would come for me. I've been ignoring his letters, and it is a day before Christmas," Theo shrugged. "I don't plan on leaving."

"You know he will try to make you, do not be a fool," Snape shot at him.

"Severus, he knows his rights," McGonagall said, hushing her friend. "Theo, we have an important task for you, if you are up to the challenge." Theo looked at her with interest. "It is of the utmost importance you do not leave with your father. Do you understand?"

"Yes ma'am, crystal as ice," Theo nodded. Snape shot him a look, but Theo didn't cringe under it like he normally would have. Something inside told him that Snape was not out to harm him. He had been under that impression for quite some time and it was proving to be true.

"Good. When the ball is over and your father has left the castle, please come directly to my office. We will discuss it from there," McGonagall ordered hastily. "Now, off you go."

Theo nodded and went back down the hallway to the common room to finish getting ready for the ball. Snape crossed his arms and looked at his friend, the look of nothing on his face. McGonagall continued walking down the hallway, the opposite direction from Theo and Snape.

"I sure hope you know what you are doing, Minvera."

"I do, Severus. I am rather good at these things you know." With that, the Headmistress was up the stairs and out of view and earshot before Snape could get in another word.

Hermione felt entirely self-conscious the entire afternoon, even when she was summoned to McGonagall's office. Zac had made her feel important, so important that she did not want to leave his side. A part of her wanted to invite him back into her dorm, snog him, and meet him at the ball at seven thirty prompt. The other part knew that there was the Slytherin Prince behind those doors, and his kisses were like gin and tonic, fiery and irresistible. How she wished things could just be normal… How she wished Harry and Ron were there, that she would be free to pursue a relationship with Zac, that she wasn't a key player in this war, or maybe… maybe she wished for the first time that she wasn't Muggleborn. If she was Pureblood, her feelings for Draco would be justified…

"Miss Granger? Would you please have a seat?" McGonagall asked curtly. Hermione was so deep in her own thoughts that she hadn't noticed she had arrived in the Headmistress' office.

"Certainly, Professor," Hermione showed herself to her usual seat, wondering what the meeting was called for.

McGonagall took her glasses off her nose and rubbed the bridge of it with closed eyes. "Miss Granger, you are aware of young Theodore Nott, are you not?"

"Yes, ma'am," Hermione nodded, wondering what Theo had to do with anything.

"I don't know if you have heard this, but he was forced to take the Mark," McGonagall said, her eyes still closed tightly. "However, Theo is unlike his fellow Slytherins. He is, may I say, more like your roommate."

Hermione raised an eyebrow skeptically. "He doesn't want to be a Death Eater?"

"Anyone who makes the choice willingly has bigger issues than what they do or do not want, Miss Granger. Theo despises his father for presenting him to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to be a servant for him. So much, that he came to us for help," McGonagall explained. Hermione's eyes widened. "Mr. Nott is… how do I say this kindly?"

"Something tells me you can't, Professor."

McGonagall's eyes opened. "You are right indeed. He is a terrible man. An evil one at that."

Hermione's eyes closed at the thought of her last encounter with Theo's father. It was in the Department of Mysteries. He had gotten her with a hex, a pretty bad one that would have more than likely killed her if Nott hadn't been distracted by Sirius jumping into her rescue. Still, it had left a scar about five inches long under her left breast and had taken months to heal completely. She shuddered, knowing all too well how evil Theo's father really was.

"He is here in the castle on business," McGonagall explained. Hermione's eyes opened slowly, wondering how the bloody hell he was let into the castle. As if McGonagall read her mind, she continued, "It is Ministry business, Hermione. If you see him and he taunts you, walk the other direction. He wouldn't dare pull a wand on you here. But, that is not the topic I brought you here to discuss. Theo came to us for help months ago. We have been working out a plan to keep him out of harms way. One of the ways we thought to do that was to stage his death." Realization dawned on Hermione. Just like they had done for Draco. Had he gone to them for help too? "Obviously, two Slytherins in the same year with fathers that were high ranking Death Eaters that both mysteriously 'died' wasn't convincing. Theo agreed to come for his seventh year. Unfortunately, we were not quick enough to spare him from The Mark. Even though he has taken it, he assures us he is not loyal to the Death Eaters or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in any way. Which is why we are going to enlist his help."

"His help? With all due respect, Professor, if Nott is just playing along for Voldemort's sake –"

"He is not, Hermione. I am sure of it," McGonagall cut her off. Hermione clamped her mouth shut, a terrible feeling beginning to form in the pit of her stomach. "Theodore will help you and Draco. When the time is right, Draco will need to leave Hogwarts. Mr. Nott will help him out. We are sending them to a place that is safe, that not even He-Who-Would-Not-Be-Named would think to look. Theodore will look after Mr. Malfoy, I assure you."

Hermione sighed in frustration. "This doesn't sit well with me, Professor."

"At least you will know he is in capable hands," McGonagall said pointedly. "The Order needs as much help as it can get, Hermione. Draco plays a very important part in bringing down He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named; you must understand we need to keep him safe at all costs."

"Fine. So, Nott takes Dra- Malfoy to this safe place. Then what happens?" Hermione demanded. A new found concern for Draco began seeping into her from all angles.

"They will stay put until the time is right for them to appear again," McGonagall simply replied. "They know their place, Hermione. Draco has already helped you with clues the boys have sent you. Theodore does not want to go back with his father, only to be a servant for a cause he doesn't believe in. I know you think all Slytherins are vile and cunning, but bravery and courage are not just attributes to Gryffindor, Hermione. It took a lot of courage for young Theo to ask us for help, knowing we were the enemy, and not knowing how we would react. Take that into consideration before you judge his position on the matter. In the meantime, I would like you to speak with him tomorrow. If everything goes as planned, he will be filled in tonight after the ball on our plan."

"Yes, Professor. Should Draco know about Nott's involvement?" Hermione asked.

"No, I think it best not to clue Mr. Malfoy in on anything just yet," the Headmistress replied with a wave of her hand. "I am almost certain that Nott Sr. will be here for the ball. His business here is probably to evaluate Hogwarts for his master. Do not give him the time of day. Ignore him. And above all, do not let him see you with Theodore."

"I won't, Professor."

"Good. Now, go get ready for the ball. I will see you in a few hours."

Hermione fumed the entire way back to her dorm. If she could scream without anyone noticing her, she would. Normally, she would leave that for her dorm, but unfortunately, there was already company there. She threw open the door after muttering her password, and took a quick look around to see Draco was in his room, the door shut. Thanking Merlin, Hermione began stomping towards her room but not before Draco opened his door. She stopped short, her back to him, ready for a verbal beating or an ignorant stare. However, she got neither. He was silent. So much that she had to turn around to make sure he was actually there. And he was. But, his mouth wasn't moving to throw insults her way, and his stare wasn't ignorant. It was curious.

"You're mad," he observed with a raised eyebrow. Hermione glared his direction.

"And why do you think you know that?" Hermione asked. It wasn't polite but not mean either.

Draco chuckled. "My mother, when she was mad, would slam doors before making sure no one was around to hear them. Then, she would check to see if anyone saw her, and if they didn't, she would go to her room to fume. It looks like you just did the exact same thing."

"I haven't made it to my room yet," Hermione grumbled, tempted to hex him just for the hell of it.

"You still haven't told me why you're angry," Draco pressed.

"Honestly, use your head and you'll probably figure it out," Hermione snapped and marched to her room. She didn't close the door, because she was curious about what Draco would do. As expected, he came to lean against her doorframe, studying her little body intently as she moved around her room, rage-cleaning everything in sight.

"I know you don't want to hear this, but whatever it is that's bothering you won't be bothering you forever," Draco said as she sped by him.

"And since when have you been so sentimental?" Hermione growled under her breath, thinking that it was most unlike the Slytherin to say something so touching.

"Maybe you just haven't seen that side of me," Draco shrugged. Hermione ignored him, and he waited while she passed him a few times before taking a chance and grabbing her arm. Surprisingly, she didn't pull away from him. "You will get over it."

Hermione didn't realize how close they were now. It had just been like all those other times, where she could feel his breath on her lips, how they had kissed more than once… She looked up into his grey eyes and saw the storms brewing. Brewing just for her. Even as Draco peered down at her, he cursed himself for finding a Muggleborn so damn attractive. She gazed up at him, and he could tell that the fire was slowly leaving her eyes, and her anger was beginning to dissipate.

"I don't think this is something I can get over," Hermione whispered. "It's kind of a direct result of you and the Order."

"A direct result of the Order," Draco corrected her firmly. "I didn't ask to be put here."

Hermione sighed, realizing that he was right. The Order was mostly to blame for their current situation. But even now, as she stared up into the eyes of Draco Malfoy, she couldn't help but thank them because if they hadn't brought him into her life, she wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to know him, or kiss him, or stand here… just like this.

"Things will work out, Hermione," Draco told her softly. It wasn't a request or a longing. His voice spoke the truth: he was sure that they would.

"I'm Hermione now?" she asked, cocking her head slightly, realizing that he was moving ever so close to her now.

"Would you prefer me to call you Granger?" he asked with a smirk.

"I think Hermione will do," Hermione whispered; his smirk was almost on top of her lips now. She could feel the warm tingle of his breath, the fresh mint of his aftershave. It was glorious, and she wanted it so badly it hurt.

"Good because that wasn't a request," was the last she heard him say before his lips overtook hers.

It was heaven; the type of heaven that you could only dream of because it was too good to be real. The kiss wasn't like their previous ones; it was full of passion and concern for one another. Unspoken truths that wouldn't be revealed for a long while. Hermione put her all into that kiss; how she was falling for the Slytherin, how all she wanted was for him to be safe, and how much she truly adored him. Draco moved his lips against hers in the hungriest of ways, only wanting to feel her body against his. He swore to Salazar that if he made it out alive from this war, then he would be the first to make a change in the Malfoy lineage. A deep rumble was building up inside his soul as he grabbed onto her for his dear life, the life that she had control over. He had let her take complete control over him, and somehow now, they were moving back over Hermione's now nice and neat floor to her bed. Mirroring their last kiss, Draco picked her up by her legs and wrapped them around his waist, stopping her backing up. He just wanted to feel her, to enjoy the warmth of her body wrapped around his. Her hands were on the sides of his cheeks now, around the back of his head, pulling only slightly at his hair in the way that drove him passionately insane…

And all he could do was focus so he didn't let Hermione fall. Her legs were locked in place around his waist, her chest pressed firmly against his. Draco took the liberty of moving closer to her bed, teasing her only gently as he let her fall back onto the cushion. She bounced a few inches off the mattress back into his chest while they tumbled back. Draco took his position over top of her, running his hands along her arms and slowly moving them above her head. Hermione's thoughts were clouded with passion, with angst, and even though she was slightly concerned about Draco pulling her arms above her head, she allowed him to do so. He placed kisses down the sensitive skin behind her ear and to her neck, where he stopped at her earlobe, nibbling gently.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he whispered, still holding her hands above her head.

"Yes," she whispered intently back.

Draco didn't have to ask twice. As he moved his lips back up, he knew he needed to enjoy this… For only in a few hours time, she would be off to the ball in the dress hung up on her closet door with Smith; as he was taking her away from him for the hundredth time. The thought made his soul suffer, and he came to realize at that very moment that he was possessive over her. After all, he wanted his dream to come true… in a perfect world without war, where Hermione could be all his.