Thank you all for the reviews thus far, keep em coming! I have serious goals for this story. I wanna do 10,000 views before the end of September. Can we do that?! :D I promise I'll keep updating! And I have a certain area of where I want the story to end but it won't be for a long while. I really like how Draco has developed as well, you'll find he's still pompous but also very tender towards Hermione. I am bringing Zabini into this as well. If there are any other characters you want to see, please let me know! :D Review my dears.

Chapter 18:

It was still snowing when Hermione left her room with Zac that evening. He was dressed in his best dress robes, a wonderful looking black suit with a white undershirt, buttoned, with a bow tie around his neck. His hair was tame, the blonde fading into a deep brown since they started their first semester. His blue eyes were almost as large as the moon that fell over Hogwarts when he saw Hermione. A part of her was uneasy as she approached him, only because she had just slept with the Slytherin not ten feet away from her. She imagined that this was what Parvati had felt like when she was seeing Michael Corner and had cheated on him with Cormack. Oh, the dread that filled Hermione was horrid, and she almost thought about turning right back into her room and staying there, contently in the arms of the man Zac knew nothing about. But, as Draco had reminded her: her presence was mandatory.

"Wow, Hermione, just wow," Zac swooned and offered her his arm.

Why was it so easy with Zac? He made everything about their "relationship" so easy. The compliments he paid her, how he swooned over her every move, and even the casual way he offered Hermione his arm. It was a match made in heaven… Unfortunately, Hermione had already gotten a taste of the dark side and she liked it much better.

"Thanks," Hermione said with confidence as she took his arm. Her gut felt like it was going to burst into flames. "You look quite handsome yourself."

"Not as good as you," Zac winked. "Do you think I'll have you all to myself tonight?"

Hermione gulped but did a good job of hiding it. "I certainly hope so. There is a matter I need to discuss with you, though. Mr. Nott is in the castle."

Zac's lips pressed together. "Rowley Nott, the Death Eater?"

"Yes," Hermione nodded. "The very same. If he taunts me with anything, do not interfere. Promise me, Zacharias."

Zac raised an eyebrow at her using his full name. He knew it must be a serious matter. "Okay. Don't tell me it's because you think you have something to prove to him."

The two passed a few couples heading down to The Great Hall themselves. Hermione was pleased to see that she hadn't overdone it. Every woman there was sure to look beautiful, and every man there was sure to look as dashing as Zac did. Hermione felt her heart crumble as Zac held onto her hand tightly, knowing that soon, she would have to deny him their relationship. After tonight, she knew where her heart truly lied.

"No, it's McGonagall's orders," she replied and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you for escorting me, Zac."

"It is my pleasure, Hermione," Zac smiled his breathtaking smile down at her and it only made her world shatter more.

When the two entered the Great Hall, they were pleased to see the row of teachers standing at the pillar in front of them along with all of the students dressed in their best wear. Hermione smiled and waved at her friends; Ginny had gone with Seamus (and she looked stunning in her long and lace lavender dress; Seamus looked remarkably normal in his white tuxedo with a black bow tie), Neville had gone with Hannah Abbott (she wore a long dress with a black sweetheart bodice and a light pink skirt that just touched the floor while Neville sported an all-black tuxedo with a black tie and shirt), Ernie Macmillian had gone with Lavender Brown (Lavender had worn a long light blue dress that mirrored the water in the fountain in the center of the room, and Ernie sported an all-white tuxedo with a blue tie matching Lavender's dress), and the last couple Hermione caught sight of before being turned to face the crowd was Luna and Theo… It had surprised her greatly when she saw them together. Luna wore her typical yellow sundress with flowers in her hair and a charm to keep away Nargles while Theo was dressed in black with a white tie. Hermione was shocked at the couple's pairing but contained her surprise as Zac turned her to face everyone.

As McGonagall addressed the students and teachers alike, Hermione felt something off. Zac must have noticed as well because his stance was uneasy. Her hazel eyes wandered over the crowd of students, and noticed Nott and Malfoy Seniors to her far left. Her heart began to beat faster as she studied the father of the man she had just bedded, not realizing how much Draco resembled him. Lucius looked over the students with his normal perpetual glare, not causing harm but not straying away from it. He wasn't to be worried about; even as Voldemort's most loyal, Hermione knew he would not make a scene at the castle, especially now. It was Rowley Nott she was more worried about. The last time she had seen the man was in the Department of Mysteries when he had hexed her, and the only good look she had gotten at him was after Sirius had hexed him and his mask had come flying off. He looked more cleaned up now than what he had two years ago, although his dark and possessive demeanor had not changed. She felt a lump in her throat at the memory and quickly looked onward at her classmates before tears filled her eyes.

Hermione met eyes with Seamus and Neville, knowing both of them had spotted the two Death Eaters in their Hall. Neville caught Hermione's eye and led hers to Arthur and Remus, who were standing to her far right. A sigh of relief caught in her throat as she noticed the two as well as Kingsley. They were safer than they had been before. But, the question still remained in her mind: Why were the Death Eaters here if they didn't plan to attack? When McGonagall was done with her speech and allowed the students to begin dancing, Zac led her out on the floor, but Hermione could tell his face was just a mask as they spun and twirled.

"I know what you're thinking," Zac said as he eyed the two men. "I'm thinking the exact same thing."

"They wouldn't dare cause a scene," Hermione said, hoping to convince not only Zac but herself as well. "They're too many Order Members here and they appear to be alone. They can't do anything yet anyway as long as the Ministry is still fully functioning."

"Why is Nott here? Malfoy I understand, but Nott?" Zac asked as he spun Hermione.

She laid her hand on his shoulder when she came to a halt and they fell into step once more. "Nott came for Theodore. It is my understanding that Theo isn't leaving, though."

"I wouldn't either," Zac said as they moved past Neville. The song ended and Neville allowed Hannah to go off to Seamus and he tapped Zac on the shoulder.

"May I?" he offered a little bow to Hermione. She couldn't help but giggle.

"Of course, Longbottom, just be sure to return her in one piece," Zac laughed and took Ginny off Neville's hands. "My, my, Weasley, you sure look stunning…"

Neville took up arms with Hermione and they fell into step quickly. Normally, her dances with Neville would have been most friendly, but this one had a much deeper meaning. She knew he was here to discuss the Death Eaters and maybe shed some light on the situation.

"I don't like it, Hermione," he said as they moved across the floor.

"I don't either. Zac was just saying the same thing," Hermione met eyes with Nott from across the room and she felt her blood boil. "They're watching us."

"Aye, probably planning," Seamus said as he passed the couple with Hannah. "Scouting us out, mark my words."

"Seamus is probably right," Neville nodded in agreement. The two couples turned so they could dance and speak without being overheard. "They're planning something, but the question is what?"

"That's always the question with Death Eaters," Hermione said softly, then got an idea. "Neville, I'm sorry, will you excuse me for a moment?"

"Of course, Hermione. Where are you going?" Neville asked as she dropped his hand.

"I just had an idea," she murmured as she left the Great Hall hurriedly.

McGonagall's eyes followed Hermione as she left. She was in mid-dance with Snape, who always raised an eyebrow. Both of them knew that she what she was doing and where she was going, and they couldn't interfere.

"This is the beginning of the turn, Severus," she said quietly.

"I wouldn't be so certain. Or, how do you say it? Put all your eggs into one basket," Snape replied, his eyebrow still raised. "There is a high probability that your plan will not work."

"I have faith in both of them, and that is all you need to comprehend," McGonagall bit back as she watched Hermione turn the corner out of the Hall.

Hermione swung open the dorm to her door to find Draco on the couch with a book in his hand and a sheet of parchment. He barely had time to process that she had come back before words started spewing out of her mouth.

"Your father is here with Nott. Why are they here?" Hermione demanded.

Draco's eyebrows shot up as he stood up carefully, setting the book down beside him. "If my father is here, then the Death Eaters are planning something…"

"I know that, Draco, but we need to know what they are planning," Hermione practically begged him as Draco began pacing. She watched him hungrily as he put his hands behind his back, deep in thought. "Talk to me, Draco. What are you thinking?"

Draco bit his lip before speaking. "My father came with Nott, which means that You-Know-Who probably sent them to spy."

"I gathered that already too! I have to have more detail than that!" Hermione said shrilly, in her most commandeering/motherly tone she could muster. "You sat in on their meetings! Did they mention anything at all about taking over the Ministry or taking over Hogwarts?"

"Of course they did, that's the ultimate goal, Hermione!" Draco said and gestured towards her. "If father is here then he is making sure that their plan goes as they expected."

"So something is going to happen tonight?" Hermione asked, her heart and head whirling at a million miles an hour. No, not tonight… please, Merlin, not tonight. She wasn't ready; no one was ready!

"More-than-likely," Draco replied as he paced. "They're not foolish enough to take over the entire school, so it has to be something on a smaller scale."

"Or are they?" Hermione whispered as a blue light appeared outside her window. Within seconds, a small white snow fox was in her room standing directly between Hermione and Draco. It turned to Hermione and cocked its head. She could have sworn her heart stopped beating as a feminine voice began to fill the room.

"He's coming."

Those two words were enough to make Hermione want to scream and leave the castle for good. Draco, on the other hand, had stared long and hard at the spot where the fox had just vanished, his heart in his throat. The Patronus was his mothers. It was her voice. Narcissa Malfoy had sent Hermione the Patronus to warn her, a Muggleborn, that Voldemort was coming. His eyes looked up to the girl in front of him, his grey eyes stormy and unreadable.

"Who was that?" she demanded as Draco immediately ran to his room and threw on a pair of jeans and a black shirt.

"My wand, where is my wand?" he demanded, cutting Hermione off and going to the parchment Harry and Ron had sent. He threw it in the fire immediately and began to stack books and clothes in piles.

"Draco, who was that?" Hermione demanded again, close on his heels. "Why did you throw that away? Draco, what the hell is this? What do you know that I don't?"

Draco marched into her room and began to root through her drawers to find his wand. Hermione, too in shock to stop him, stood in her doorway, waiting for a reply.

"The Patronus was my mothers," he replied. The third drawer down from the bottom was where he found his wand in an embroidered red box for safekeeping. He opened the box quickly and grabbed his wand, thankful to feel magic soaring through his fingers again.

"Your mother's?" Hermione whispered as Draco turned to face her. He held his wand to her and quickly transfigured her dress into jeans, a tan sweater, and a black peacoat.

"We need to leave, now," Draco commanded. "We have to warn everyone that he's coming."

"Why would your mother send me a Patronus?" Hermione demanded, following him out into the common room. She grabbed her beaded bag from her dresser and began the books and clothing into it. She had everything she possibly needed packed since the beginning of the summer, but she didn't think she would actually need it until now.

"She's on the Order's side, I'm guessing. Probably got fed up with my father's shit," Draco replied and grabbed a shirt. He transfigured it into a coat for himself and threw it over his shoulders. Hermione had never been so scared in her life as she looked at the Slytherin in front of her. "Tell me you lot had a plan for when he attacked."

"Well, of course, but –"

Draco rolled his eyes and made his way to the door. "Hermione, we need to leave now."

"I can't just let you walk out there, everyone thinks you're dead!" she exclaimed, realizing how insane this really was.

"It's not going to matter if I am dead or alive in about twenty minutes when You-Know-Who gets here. We need to leave, Hermione, we need to warn everyone," Draco said for what he thought was the millionth time. "I know his tactics, I know what he's about to do. You have to trust me, Hermione. Do you trust me?"

Hermione only nodded and allowed Draco to step closer to the door. She whispered the charm to lower the wards and carefully opened the door, not knowing what laid in the corridor. Draco looked outside and freely stepped foot into the hallway he was so familiar with. He breathed in the cool air and sighed, looking at the deserted corridor. He turned to Hermione, and looked her dead in the eyes, knowing that if they didn't make it through this, he needed her to know.

"If my father or any Death Eater sees you with me, you will be a target. If they catch you, regardless, they will do terrible things to you. You won't survive it. I need you to know that if something happens tonight and I never see you again…" Draco trailed off, not bringing himself to say the words he so desperately wanted to tell her.

But, Hermione understood. "I know."

Draco gave her a lingering look before both of them bolted down the hallway. Hermione cast a Patronus out of her wand, thinking solely of knowing that Draco loved her, and the otter swam gracefully through the air and around the corner. She had just alerted McGonagall and the DA members of the oncoming threat. As they approached the Hall, the music had stopped and the students were in a hustle to leave the area. Hermione, knowing that Draco was not supposed to be seen, kept him pressed up against the wall, hidden out of view, until she saw a familiar face in the crowd.

"THEO!" she bellowed, and Theo's head snapped in their direction. He dodged terrified students and in the commotion, hadn't noticed that Draco stood to his right. When he did, he greeted his friend with a handshake, a look of happiness on his face, despite the circumstances.

"Long time no see, mate," he said and clapped Draco on the back. "It's my job to see you out of here."

"No, I need to stay and fight," Draco insisted, turning to Hermione for support but she just shook her head. It was at that moment that McGonagall and Snape found the trio.

"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, good to see you're prepared," McGonagall said with a side glance to Snape who, although he wanted to roll his eyes, strained greatly.

"I need to stay and fight," Draco repeated to the Headmistress, dismissing Theo and Hermione's protests completely.

"No," McGonagall commanded sternly. "You will leave the castle at once and Mr. Nott will accompany you. You know as well as I do that if your father finds you alive, he will single-handedly kill you and every person in this castle."

Draco couldn't argue with her because he knew she was right. "Where is my father now?"

"He left, along with Theodore's father," McGonagall replied with a look at the two Slytherins. "We will not be holding the castle tonight, Mr. Malfoy. This is all part of our plan."

"Plan? What plan?" demanded Draco, now looking back and forth between his Godfather and the Headmistress.

"Draco, I will explain later, please you need to leave with Theo right now," Hermione pleaded with him. She turned him to face her and put both of her hands on his shoulders.

"No, this is bullshit, what plan?" Draco practically yelled, and if there wasn't already screaming and yelling, someone might have heard him.

"Draco, please," Hermione begged. Finally, Draco looked down at her, his eyes wide and menacing but they softened as her hands cupped his cheeks. "I will explain it to you when I see you again. Please, go with Theo."

"Hermione –"

"Go, Draco, now," Hermione commanded. It was that moment that Draco surrendered to his fate, unknowing of what it could possibly be.

"C'mon, mate," Theo took his arm and led him down the hallway. McGonagall, Snape, and Hermione watched them until they were out of sight.

"You need to go too, Miss Granger," Snape said. Hermione turned to him, about to start the same argument Draco had, but Snape's glare shot her down. "If they capture you, which they inevitably will if you stay, they will use Legimency on you and see your relationship with Malfoy. They will use you to lure him out of hiding. They will rape you, torture you, and kill you."

Hermione couldn't bear the thought of any of that happening to her, but knew damn well it would. She looked to the Headmistress and took a deep breath. McGonagall held out a golden necklace to her, half covered with a cloth. Hermione took it, knowing it was a Portkey, but didn't know to where.

"Go out beyond the walls of the castle, and use this Portkey," McGonagall commanded her. "Do not ask questions, just get yourself as far away from here as possible. Do you understand?"

Hermione nodded and tore down the same hallway Draco and Theo had gone down. She didn't know what Theo's plan was to get Draco safely out of Hogwarts, but she knew she had to leave as well. She pushed past the students rushing to get to safety until she heard her name being called from the crowd. She turned to the voice to see Zac, dressed in casual clothes now, yelling her name and trying to reach her through the sea of students. Hermione knew she couldn't go to him, she couldn't waste any time getting off the grounds. She met his eyes and shook her head before bounding the other direction.

She exited to the east, coming out by the pillars leading down to Hagrid's hut and the Whomping Willow. The air was cold against her face, and it was still snowing. It seemed like too much of a peaceful night for all of this to suddenly be happening. She sprinted down the side of the hill, almost tripping and falling a number of times. Hermione never stopped to look back, just clutched her wand in one hand and the Portkey in the other. Her hair was a mess around her, and her skin stung from the cold, but she didn't notice nor did she care. She couldn't stop running until she was a few feet into the Forbidden Forest where she finally crouched down in the snow and summoned her Patronus.

"Find Harry," she begged the otter. It looked at her skeptically. "Tell him Voldemort has made a move on the castle and the Ministry has fallen. Tell him I need to find him. Go!"

The otter swam through the air as soon as Hermione dismissed it, its bright light fading through the trees as it went upon its mission to find Harry. The portkey was hot in her hand as Hermione took one last lingering look at Hogwarts, seeing the castle looked so peaceful but knew of the chaos inside. She prayed a prayer that Hogwarts would be safe, that Draco would be safe, and that she would be safe, and then touched the Portkey, her feet leaving the ground she stood on not two seconds prior.

Draco landed with Theo in a snow-covered garden that was overflowing with juniper berry bushes. He coughed after hitting the ground hard, and looked around for any indication of where he may be. He didn't recognize it, but he felt a magical signature he was familiar with. Theo helped him to his feet, and when Draco's eyes focused, he saw he was behind a large house, not as big as the manor, but not as small as Hermione's in London. He looked skeptically at Theo, his eyes demanding an explanation.

"Just trust me, mate," Theo said and walked towards the door at the back of the house that was illuminated.

It swung open to reveal three women, one of which Draco had seen only twice before, one he had never seen before but resembled his mother, and the other… had him in her arms already was sobbing into his shoulder, as any mother would. Draco wrapped his arms around his mother and held her tightly, never happier in his entire life to see her until this moment. He allowed himself to cry then, and Malfoy's never let themselves cry. But, this was his mother… and he knew that she didn't care if her dress got wet because her son was ecstatic to see her for the first time in a year.

"Draco, thank goodness," Narcissa whispered through teary eyes as she pulled back to stare at her only son. "How I've missed you, son."

"Mother," Draco said sheepishly, but with a smile on his face. "Can't say I missed your teary hugs every time I came home for break, though."

Narcissa laughed at her son's humor and put her arm around him to lead him inside. "Theo, love! How are you?"

Theo looked upon the woman who had practically raised him since his mother died with love and compassion. "Just fine, ma'am. Better now."

"Good, I am so glad to know both of you are safe," Narcissa led the two boys over to the two women standing in the doorway. Draco's eyes fell upon them as introductions were made. "Draco, this is your Aunt Andromeda and your cousin, Nymphadora."

Draco suddenly realized why he had never met the two ladies in front of him. His Aunt had been shamed and disowned for marrying a Muggleborn, Ted Tonks, he believed his name was. And the lady to his Aunt's right must have been their daughter. They both looked delighted to see him, however. It was an awkward situation to be in, none-the-less. He bid them hello, unsure of how to act around his new-found family members. As soon as they were inside, Draco took in the warmth that was his Aunt's home. The colors in the rooms were all warm tones, reds, yellows, oranges, and blues. They were most unlike the manor, which was all black and silver. Narcissa ushered her son into a chair at the long dining room table to which Draco sat all while staring at the company around him. As grateful as he was to see his mother again, he had about a million questions that needed to be answered.

Andromeda set a steaming glass of hot chocolate in front of him, and his thoughts drifted to Hermione. Suddenly, his heart hurt too much and he focused his attention back to his mother.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions, sweetheart," came her understanding tone. The one that she did when she knew Draco was full of anger and she was trying to get him to calm down. The most recent time that happened was when he was forced to take the Mark. He remembered how he had passed out because of the pain; it had been the most unbearable in his life. She had nursed him back to health with healing potions and Dreamless Sleep for almost four days. It was a memory he wouldn't soon forget.

"I don't know where to begin," Draco eyed his Aunt and cousin who were sitting across from him, eagerly awaiting his questions. "How did you end up coinciding with the Order?"

Narcissa sighed. She knew that would have been the first question. "Your father has grown completely mentally unstable. He devotes himself to serve the Dark Lord and forgot where his loyalties truly lie, which is with you and I. After I saw my son take the Dark Mark and handed over to the Dark Lord like some toy, I knew it was time to act."

Draco had always admired his mother, but he never thought she would take these kinds of measures. He sat in silence and allowed her to continue.

"I left the Manor and went straight to your Godfather. We made an Unbreakable Vow to which he would protect you," Narcissa explained. It dawned on the young Malfoy only then that that was why Snape had killed Dumbledore that fateful night. His eyes widened and he stared at his mother; everything was beginning to make sense. "He pointed me to the Order, assuring me that they would help. You must understand my precautions, Draco. Pledging my allegiance to the enemy would have me killed or worse if your father or the Dark Lord ever came to know about it. However, when Severus told us that you had perished the night Dumbledore had died, I knew something was amiss. Your father… didn't grieve as I did. He accepted it and moved onto the next task that was given to him. It was his way of coping, Draco, so do not be angry with him. I had to know for certain that you were dead. It is just the possessiveness that is a mother and the determination that is a Black. They did not present us with a body, just an empty marble casket which we lowered into the graveyard at the Manor. I went to Minerva and explained the situation. She pledged that the Order would help me. I knew at that point going back to the Manor would no longer be safe, so I contacted Andromeda. She has been gracious enough to allow me to stay with her."

"Father just let you up and disappear?" Draco asked doubtfully.

"I told him I would be out of the country for quite some time," Narcissa explained with a chuckle. "I think he was more than happy so he could hold his meetings without my interference."

Draco nodded. "Did they ever make you take the Mark?"

"No. I was their bargaining tool," Narcissa explained and let her eyes drift down to the table. "It was how Lucius was kept in line. If he didn't succeed, my life would be put on the line."

"I remember," Draco said bitterly. And remember, he did. His mother was Voldemort's number one bargaining tool. Her life was threatened on multiple occasions, and she had been tortured on more than one. It was the worst scenario for a young man to watch Death Eaters torture his mother, but Draco had been forced too. The resentment he had for Voldemort was overpowering. "How did you know I was alive?"

"To your Father's ignorance, your name was still on the tapestry," Narcissa explained. Draco's eyebrows narrowed. How could his father have missed such a crucial detail? "And the magic of the House Black runs deeper than the Malfoy's. I would have known if you had perished, Draco. Those two things combined with the Order's cooperation with me led me to believe that you were alive, and they were protecting you."

"They had. I spent most of the summer with Snape, and then they moved me to stay with… Hermione Granger," Draco explained. "I stayed with her in Hogwarts until tonight. It wasn't the best experience."

"At least you're alive, and that's what matters," Narcissa reminded her son.

"How did you know to send your Patronus to Hermione?" Draco asked his mother. The two locked eyes, but Narcissa gestured towards Tonks.

Tonks only smiled. "Remember when Hermione went to Hogsmead not that long ago? She met Remus and I there and explained everything to us. She also mentioned something about a boy named Zacharias Smith…?" Just at the sound of his name, Draco clenched his teeth. Tonks's smile grew wider. "You like her, don't you?"

Theo stiffened a laugh as Draco turned a brilliant shade of red. It was only then that Narcissa knew what had gone on not four hours ago in the bedroom of one Hermione Granger. She looked at her son knowingly, but surprised. Draco turned to face his mother, sorrow in his eyes.

"She made me leave her behind," Draco said softly. Tonks immediately stood up.

"She's still in the castle?" Tonks demanded. Draco noticed her baby bump and watched her intently with his eyes. He felt attached to her, even though they had only just met.

"I don't know," Draco replied. "She made us leave, and the last I saw her, she was talking to Snape and McGonagall."

"I have to go, Mum," Tonks said to Andromeda and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

"Where are you going?" Theo asked, halfway standing up himself.

"Sit yourself back down, Nott. I can handle this," Tonks said dismissively, pulling out her wand. "Someone has to make sure Hermione got out of there before the Death Eaters came."

"You're pregnant!" Theo exclaimed and looked to Andromeda for help. "She's PREGNANT!"

"Pregnant but not incapable of doing my job," Tonks said and with that, she was out the door.

"Quite a spit-fire, isn't she?" Narcissa asked her sister as she sipped her hot chocolate. Andromeda only rolled her eyes at her sister and turned her attention back to Draco.

"Do you have any information that could help us find Harry and Ron? I have a feeling that wherever they are, Hermione will be as well," she said with a smile.

Why didn't he think of that!? "There was a letter that Potter sent. We figured out that You-Know-Who was after The Elder Wand."

Narcissa lowered her glass and it landed on the table softly. She crossed her fingers. "That makes sense. He would need access to Hogwarts in order to remove The Elder Wand from Dumbledore's tomb."

"Dumbledore had The Elder Wand?" Theo asked. "I thought that was all just folklore. Sounds like a bunch of shit to me."

"Watch your language," Narcissa tilted her head towards Theo, who clamped his mouth shut under her deadly stare. "Obviously, Theodore, that is not the case."

"So, he gains access to Hogwarts tonight, gets The bloody Elder Wand, and then what? Overthrows the Ministry?" Draco asked.

"I would assume so," Narcissa replied. "Thicknesse is under the Imperius Curse, and has been for quite some time. If the Dark Lord has all the cards, then there's nothing stopping him from taking over Hogwarts as well. Although, I assume that would take more time since he has the entire school and board to go through."

"How long do you think Hogwarts has?" Andromeda asked.

Narcissa paused for a moment. "At least until the end of term."

Draco ran a hand over his chin thoughtfully. "I'm assuming the Order is going to swoop in and save the day then?"

"No," Andromeda shook her head. "In order to win this war, they must allow You-Know-Who to think he has all the cards. If he has the Ministry and Hogwarts, or so he thinks, then it makes it easier to come up with a plan to overthrow him. They'll act when the time is right for them to act."

"What if it's too late?" Draco asked, becoming increasingly frusterated with how the Order was doing their business.

"We have to trust them, sweetheart," Narcissa laid a hand over Draco's. "They are some of the brightest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting."

For the next few hours, the four caught up and waited for Tonks' verdict on Hogwarts. When she finally sent word, it was close to one in the morning. A petite wolf landed in the middle of the table and spoke with Tonks' voice: "Hermione is gone. Students are safe. Snape overtook as Headmaster." Draco breathed out a sigh of relief, but wondered why Snape was suddenly Headmaster. After Tonks' Patronus dissipated, Andromeda insisted it was time for bed, and the boys needed a good night's rest. She led the two Slytherins to their respective rooms and bid them goodnight. Narcissa lingered in Draco's for a moment, knowing something was troubling her son.

"Tell me, Draco. Are you worried about Hermione?" Narcissa asked.

Draco turned in his bed towards his mother. "I am. Mother, you must know this. She isn't Pureblood. She is a Muggle-born."

"Blood-status was never as important to me as it was to your father, Draco," Narcissa told her son and used her wand to turn out the lights in his room. "If you are happy, son, I am. Do try not to worry. I'm sure Miss Granger will be able to handle herself. After all, I hear she is the brightest witch of your age."

With a smile, Narcissa closed the door to his room. Draco allowed himself a small smile of content before drifting off into some much needed sleep.