Disclaimer ~ I only own the plot everything else belongs to J K Rowling!
A.N.~ Sorry for the wait but I refuse to put up anything that is less then perfect for you guys. So this chapter lets Hermione get inside the inner workings of Draco. We also will find out who Blaise wrote to. I hope you enjoy.
Hermione awoke the next morning, surprised at how rested she felt. As she sat up and stretched she noticed the empty potion vial sitting on her nightstand. She was suddenly flooded with the events of the past few days and most of all, last night. At the thought of her returning nightmares, she sunk back down in the bed, no longer wanting to get up. She had been doing so well recently. She was speaking to people again, participating more in her classes, and she hadn't had a nightmare in weeks. She even found herself getting into some light banter with Draco. Draco, she thought with a sigh. It was hard to believe that her school long enemy, a person who had done nothing but harass, and degrade her for the past six years, would turn out to be the only person she confided her biggest secret in. She had to admit that if it wasn't for Draco, she probably wouldn't have come as far as she had. He never asked her about that night, but did let her know that he was there if she wanted to talk about it. He woke her from every nightmare, always with a vial of dreamless sleep potion, and a shoulder to cry on, never asking her to tell him about her dreams. He took every precaution when he was around her, trying to make her feel at ease when they were alone together. It was hard to believe, but over time they had moved from being enemies to becoming friends, and for Hermione those feelings were just a little bit stronger. She new the night of the Halloween Ball that things between her and Draco had changed, even if it was only for her. She had never felt as safe and comfortable in a boys arms before, not even with Victor, and this had surprised her due to everything that she had been through. By the end of the evening she felt like the old Hermione. They were talking, laughing, and for the first time since she was attacked she felt normal. Everything was going great. Then the dance ended and their friends had to ruin it. When Hermione first saw them all approaching she knew it was going to lead to a large row, but she never expected for Ron to say such a horrible thing about her. Draco was furious, staying in front of her the entire time, protecting her from the two people who had been her life line for so long. She was amazed and shocked by Blaise's reaction to the whole thing. His words were so honest and passionate that it gave her the courage to stand up for herself when Ron finally tried to apologize. She was angry with the two of them for their recent treatment of her, and she refused to let them off that easily. She still hadn't spoken more then a few words to either of them, no matter how many times they tried to talk to her, and she knew it was hurting them but didn't really care. As far as she was concerned they weren't acing like true friends at all. Hermione was shaken from her thoughts by the sound of a knock on her door.
"Hermione? You awake?" She heard Draco ask from the other side. Hermione sat up.
"Yes. Come in." She said meekly. She watched as the door opened and a freshly showered and dressed Draco walked in. He grabbed the chair from the corner and brought it over to the side of the bed and sat down.
"So." He started. "How are you this morning?" She looked down at her hands and then back up at him. She could lie and tell him she was fine but she knew that he would see right through it.
"I don't know. I feel like I'm right back at the beginning. Like I've made no progress over the past few weeks. I don't think I'm going to be able to handle it Draco. I just can't go back there, but I know that if I don't I will have to tell the headmaster why, and I don't want to do that either."
"I know your scared, you have every right to be, but maybe going to Hogsmeade is exactly what you need to start fully healing." Draco paused for a second allowing Hermione to fully digest what he said. "Besides. Its not like you will be alone. You'll have us with you." Hermione looked at him confused.
"Us?"
"Yes. Remember? We are short a prefect so the extra prefect will patrol with us. Blaise has been kind enough to offer to join us."
"Well that was very nice of him, but I still don't know." She said softly.
"Come now. You will have two of Slytherin's finest there to protect you. As you know Blaise is ranked third in our class and he was our head of dueling club member. He is quite good with his wand. Its the reason the Dark Lord wanted him to join his him so badly." The shock on Hermione's face caused Draco to let out a little laugh. "What? You didn't think I was the only student he wanted did you. Quite the contrary."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked curiously. Draco took a deep breath before starting his story.
"You see, from the very beginning, my father was by Voldemort's side. When I was born both my father and Voldemort felt it was only natural that I be bred to be his heir. In time I would take his place as rightful ruler of our world and that would mean that I would need a few death eaters, that I could trust, by my side." He stopped to take another breath before continuing on. "Voldemort had my father, my aunt Bellatrix, and Peter Pettigrew as his most relied on death-eaters. My father and my aunt were the best he had and Pettigrew was the perfect lackey doing any stupid, dangerous, and ridiculous thing he was told to. It was important that I had the same and Voldemort, along with my father chose them. Blaise, for his dueling skills and intelligence, Theodore, for his cleverness and cunning, and Goyle for his brawn, and well, lackey skills." Hermione just stared at him, not really knowing what to say.
"But they didn't want to join?" Draco shook his head.
"None of us did really, but Blaise's refusal was much easier then the rest of ours. I had absolutely no choice because as far as they were concerned this was the reason I was born and to deny that meant immediate death. After all, why keep me around when I wasn't going to serve my purpose. It was pretty much the same for Goyle and Nott. With their fathers being death eaters they were expected to be, and the fact that they were going to be right at my side meant not only power for them but for their fathers too. Needless to say refusing was not going to be an option for them." Hermione took it all in, contemplating ever word.
"So why was Blaise able to refuse so easily."
"Blaise didn't have anyone pushing him the way we did. Its just him and his mum. No death eater connection within his family, at least that we know of." Hermione gave him an odd look. Draco shook his head. "Don't ask."
"So your entire life was being mapped out for you. What about what you wanted? Did they ever ask you how you felt about it all?" Draco smiled at her question. She really was so innocent, thinking that deep down there was good in everyone.
"No, not once. Everything was set in stone. My career, my colleagues, my wife, my..." He was cut off by Hermione gasping.
"Your wife. They chose the woman that you would have to spend the rest of your life with." Draco nodded at her.
"Of course. Pure-bloods have been having arranged marriages for centuries. Very rarely do you find a married, pure-blooded couple that wasn't prearranged."
"So its basically nothing more then a business deal. A merger of sorts. What about love? Happiness?" Draco scoffed at her words.
"Love? To dark lords, death eaters, and most pure-bloods, it is nothing more then a wasted feeling. Who needs love when there is power, and money to be gained? These are the thoughts that are embedded into most pure-bloods minds, no matter how wrong they are." Hermione gave him a slight smile, happy that he found the whole thing wrong. Draco smiled back, happy that he was able to get her mind off her problems. Hermione sighed, and stretched out her legs, looking over at her clock.
"Oh my. Is that the right time! I'm going to be late." She jumped out of bed, grabbed her clothes and headed to the bathroom door, as Draco put the chair back and headed toward her door to leave. "Oh Draco. Who were you to be merged with?" Draco smirked at the innuendo's her question made.
"Do you really have to ask? The Slytherin Princess herself, Pansy Parkinson of course." He said before giving her a quick smirk, and leaving happy that he had given her something new to think about.
The school day seemed to fly by for Hermione, in fact she had barely thought about the upcoming Hogsmeade trip. Her and Draco's conversation earlier that morning had given her a lot to think about and it had made her late for breakfast, so come lunch time she was starving. She entered the Great Hall and took a seat at the Gryffindor table, helping herself to the food in front of her. She had to admit that she had barely paid attention in her classes so far, her mind continuously going over everything Draco had told her. She was quite surprised that he was so willing to give her a look into the minds of Voldemort, his father, and pure-bloods in general. Choosing Zabini, Nott, and Goyle to be by Draco's side was not all that surprising. After all one thing that Draco had always made clear throughout the years she had known him, was that a Malfoy only deserved the best, even when it came to friends and colleagues. The three of them were the best in what they were needed for so it was to only be expected that they be chosen. There was one thing that was confusing her though. Why in the hell would they choose pug face Parkinson? While she was a complete and total bitch, that was about all she had going for her to even qualify her to be a dark lord in trainings wife. There were many prettier, smarter, and less annoying Slytherin girls to choose from. What made her so great? Why do you care? That is the real question, said a little voice inside her head.
"Are you going to eat that or just continue to poke at it?" Hermione looked up to see Neville looking down at her.
"Oh! Hello Neville. How are you?" She asked. Neville sat down next to her noticing her move away slightly.
"I'm fine, thanks. How are you?" Hermione smiled and gave him a quick nod.
"Good. I'm good." Neville didn't look convinced.
"Are you sure?" He said looking at her closely. Hermione was starting to feel very nervous under his scrutiny. She nodded again, and watched as he quickly glanced down the table to where Ron and Harry were sitting before turning his gaze back to her. Something was up.
"Whats wrong Neville? What aren't you telling me?" Neville leaned in slightly, causing her to lean back a bit.
"Ron and Harry. They've noticed a change in you and they think Malfoy has something to do with it. They think he has done something to you and that you are too afraid to ask them for help. They're planning something. Something against Malfoy." Hermione quickly looked at her two friends, noticing that as they spoke in hushed whispers to each other, they would glance towards Draco over at the Slytherin table. She turned back to Neville.
"Do you know what they are planning on doing to him?" She asked getting angrier by the second. He shook his head.
"No sorry. I over heard them talking in the common room last night, they didn't know I was there. I know they're wrong though. You're friends with Malfoy because you want to be. I can tell."
"How can you tell?" Neville smiled at her.
"I'm more observant then people would like to believe. I've seen you two together and you always look comfortable with him and him with you. Actually he seems to be the only person you're comfortable with lately. I've noticed that you seem to pull away from people when they get too close." Neville looked at her with a sad look on his face. "Kind of like you did when I sat down." Hermione felt terrible. She never wanted to make her friends feel like she didn't want to be near them, after all she didn't like it when they made her feel that way. She took a deep breath and reached over and gently covered his hand with hers.
"I'm sorry Neville. I'm just going through some things right now and I'm just trying to deal with it all." Neville nodded and turned his hand so he could squeeze hers.
"I understand Mione, but just remember that you have friends, people to talk to if you need it. I'll always have an open ear for you." He smiled at her again before standing up and going to greet Luna, who had just walked in. Hermione turned to look back at the duo of idiots that she called her friends, only to see that they were gone. She looked back towards the entrance just in time to see them following Draco out into the hall. Oh no! She jumped up and headed out into the hall. She new Draco would be heading to the dungeons for their double potions class, so she headed that way. She was half way there when she heard a shout and a door slam. Hermione hurried forward and tried the three doors that were in the hallway, all of which were unlocked except for one. Hermione pulled her wand out of her robes and pointed it toward the door.
"ALOHOMORA!" She said, hearing the door unlock. She quickly opened the the door and was shocked at what she saw. Harry and Ron had there wands pointed at Draco who was pinned up against a wall in the corner. It looked like he was under the Immobulus charm since he wasn't moving at all. She also noticed that Ron was holding not only his wand but Draco's as well. Neither of the Gryffindors had noticed her yet, however Draco did.
"Did you really think you would get away with it ferret! What have you done to our Hermione? A spell, perhaps.? Blackmail?" Ron said menacingly. "Tell us!" He yelled before punching, an imobolized Draco in the stomach.
"RONALD!" Hermione shouted causing both boys to spin around and Draco to fall to the ground. Hermione just stared at them, shocked at their behavior. She pointed her wand at Draco and said "FINITE!", removing the spell. "What is wrong with you two! Have you lost your minds! Attacking a fellow student, not to mention the Head Boy!" She watched as they at least had the dignity to look some what ashamed at their actions. Hermione was walking over towards Draco, to help him up when it happened. She was just walking past Ron, her arm extended out to Draco when Ron grabbed her roughly and pulled her back. It was as if she was back in the Shrieking Shack, trying to get away as her attacker pulled her back. Hermione let out a blood curdling scream as Ron pulled on her. She turned and started to fight him off only causing him to try to hold her tighter.
"HERMIONE! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? HES EVIL! STOP FIGHTING ME DAMN IT!" Ron screamed at her pulling her across the room and away from Draco and Harry who were both in shock at what was going on. Harry came out of it first and ran over to them grabbing Hermione's other arm, trying to get her to stop hitting Ron. This caused Hermione to start screaming even louder.
"NO! DON'T TOUCH ME! I SAID NO!" Draco, finally able to catch his breath after Ron's cheap shot, jumped up and ran over to them tossing Harry away from her and and kicking Ron in the shin causing him to drop her arm and Draco's wand. Draco grabbed the wand and Hermione and pulled her over to a chair, sitting her down in it. He pointed his wand at both Harry and Ron who were getting up and stupefied them, before kneeling in front of a visibly shaken, crying Hermione. Draco watched as the poor girl shook in terror, tears streaming down her face.
"Granger. Hermione. Can you hear me? Look at me Hermione." The girl looked up at him. "You're okay Mione. No one is going to hurt you." He stood up and reached out for her hand. She took it and he pulled her into him holding her like he had the night before. He felt her start to calm down and she was soon breathing normally again. "Do you want to go to potions class or back to our dorm?" Hermione thought it over. She really just wanted to go lay in her room and never come back out. She was so embarrassed by her behavior but when Ron grabbed her all she could see was HIM, however she knew that her grade in potions had already dropped slightly due to her issues and she couldn't allow it o drop any further.
"I need to go to class Draco." She said pulling away and turning to look at the two unconscious boys in front of her. As she looked down at them she could feel her panic and terror turn into anger. She lifted her wand and pointed it at the two boys in front of her. "RENNERVATE" She said and watched as they looked at each other before looking up at her and Draco. Hermione glared down at them.
"Her..." Harry started to say as he went to stand up. Hermione put a hand up to stop him.
"Don't speak to me. You both should be ashamed of your behavior. I have never been more disappointed in you two. One hundred points EACH from Gryffindor!"
"What! You can't do that! Hermione you just took two hundred points from your own house!" Ron yelled. Hermione turned her gaze onto him, causing him to step back. He had never seen Hermione so angry, and he was still trying to figure out why she had gone all mental on them.
"NO RON! You two caused two hundred points to be taken from our house! Be happy that that is all that I did. We should report this to the Headmaster but we won't. I suggest that both you and Harry stay away from Draco from now on and while you are at it, stay away from me as well."
"Hermione. You don't mean that." Harry said, looking quite hurt by his friend's words. Hermione ignored him and turned to Draco.
"Lets go." She looked back at Harry and Ron giving them a glare, before turning and walking out the door, followed by a very amused Draco.
The rest of the week went by with no other complications for Hermione. She refused to talk or even look at Ron or Harry, no matter how badly they tried to get her attention. They had even tried to con Ginny into talking to her on their behalf, not telling her why she wasn't on speaking terms with them. Needless to say, when Hermione informed her of what they had done she turned around, went back to them and gave them an earful. Now it was Saturday and she was getting ready to meet Draco and the other prefects to go into Hogsmeade. All week she had been dreading this day, but thanks to a surprise conversation with Blaise last night, she was feeling a little better about the situation.
Hermione was sitting at her desk in the common room finishing up her Herbology report, when she heard the portrait swing open and the unmistakable voice of the Head Boy and someone else. She looked up to see Draco come around the corner, deep in conversation with Blaise. "I know but she..." Draco stopped what he was saying as Blaise nudged his side and motioned to her. Draco smiled and walked over. "Evening Hermione. Hows the report going?" She smiled back up at him shyly. She loved it when he smiled because it made him look even more handsome then he already was.
"I just finished actually." She watched as the two boys walked over and sat down. "How was practice?" She knew that the guys had quidditch practice earlier that evening.
"It went quite well actually. We may just beat your house this year. Do you think you mighty Gryffindors can handle being defeated by us Slytherins?" Blaise asked jokingly. Hermione gave him her own version of the Malfoy smirk, catching both boys off guard.
"Of course we would be able to handle it, if you were to actually beat us. We are Gryffindors after all." Blaise smiled at her before responding.
"That you are, my dear Hermione. You truly are the epitome of a Gryffindor. Your bravery, and courage is unlike any I have seen in any of the others, even Potter and Weasley." Hermione just stared at him, stunned by his words.
"Um..well thank you Blaise. That is very kind of you to say."
"Well its true." He said, tilting his head to the side to examine her for a moment. "Actually, if you really think about it, you have all four house traits in you. While your bravery is the most potent of your traits, you are as hard-working and loyal as a Hufflepuff, as intelligent and clever as a Ravenclaw, and as determined and ambitious as any Slytherin. You truly are the greatest witch of our time." If Hermione was stunned before, then now she was completely stupefied. No one had ever given her such a compliment before, and the fact that it came from a Slytherin made it mean a hundred times more to her. Before she could say anything Draco spoke.
"Blaise is right. Of course with me being the greatest wizard of our time its only right that we are in the positions we are in." Blaise scoffed at Draco's self appointed status, while Hermione giggled at them both.
"Oh yes Draco. You are the best wizard to ever walk the Hogwart's halls." She said sarcastically. Draco nodded and threw her a smirk.
"Glad to see you've finally noticed Granger!" Blaise stood up laughing.
"Well I must get back to my room." He turned to walk out but stopped and turned back, his eyes focusing on Hermione. "Did Draco inform you that I will be joining you on your patrol tomorrow?" Hermione's smile left her face as the remembered that they would be going to Hogsmeade tomorrow. She nodded, looking down at the floor. "Oh good! I was hoping that we could discuss the upcoming essays for Transfiguration and Arithmancy. I have some ideas of what I would like to write them on but I would love your input on whether they are N.E.W.T worthy. After all I still have time to try to bump Draco out of his number two spot on the headmaster's list."
"Oh. Yes of course. I would be happy to hear your ideas, and give you my input. I must say I'm quite flattered that you would ask." Hermione said slightly flushed.
"As I am flattered that you have accepted. Until tomorrow then. Draco, Hermione." He said bowing slightly, before leaving.
Now here she was finishing getting ready, and looking forward to the day. She quickly glanced at her reflection to make sure she looked okay. She was wearing dark flare leg jeans, a long sleeved dark purple top, black zip up hoodie, and black boots. She had tied her hair up into a pony tail and tucked her wand into her winter jacket pocket. She grabbed her list quickly looking over the list of people she needed to buy for. Ginny, Neville, Luna, Harry, Ron. Hermione had thought about crossing them off her list, knowing that they deserved nothing, but her heart just wouldn't allow her to do it. There was also Lisa Turpin, her secret snowflake, and the name she had added last night, Draco. Hermione took one more quick look around the room, making sure she had everything, pocketed her list and headed out the door to meet her fellow students.
After arriving in Hogsmeade Ginny grabbed Hermione and headed off to purchase their Christmas and secret snowflake gifts. Hermione purchased a pair of new dragon hide gloves for Neville, seeing as his were all worn, a bracelet made out of glass beads that was charmed to randomly change color for Luna, a set of new quills for Mr. Weasley, a new apron for Mrs. Weasley, and while Ginny was busy trying to choose a new hat for her mother, Hermione was able to purchase the ice blue dress that Ginny had been eying for over a month now. The store was going to gift wrap and send it to her, for Hermione that way Ginny would never get the chance to see it. She also grabbed a couple of new journals and a quill set for Lisa, who according to her friends loved to write her own little stories. She had only two more stops to make, Honeydukes to purchase all of the Weasley boys and Harry their bags of sweets, and Spintwitches to purchase Draco his. She had thought long and hard about what to get him and had finally thought that anything to do with quidditch would do. As she and Ginny walked into the store, Ginny looked at her strangely.
"I thought you were mad at my prat of a brother, and boyfriend."
"I am." She said gazing around the store trying to find the perfect gifts. Ginny placed her hands on her hips.
"Then why would you go out of your way to get them something nice for the holiday? Hell! I would have just got them a bag of sweets, and they would be lucky if I even did that."
"I did get them each a bag of sweets, and you're right. I don't know if they even deserve that." Ginny now looked confused.
"Well if you aren't in here to buy something for them, and I'm pretty sure you aren't thinking about taking up quidditch yourself, why are we here?" Hermione looked at some very nice, but expensive quidditch robes.
"I've decided to get something for Draco."
"WHAT?" Ginny squealed. "WHY?" Hermione turned to her friend and sighed.
"Because Ginny, while Harry and Ron have been acting like complete and total jackasses, Draco has been there for me. Being made Head Boy and Girl has brought us to a kind of truce. He is actually quite nice when you get to know him." Ginny shook her head.
"But Mione, this is Malfoy! He almost got Dumbledore killed last year and he let all those death eaters into the school. If Dumbledore hadn't figured it out..."
"And exactly how did that happen Ginny!" Hermione cut her off. Ginny looked perplexed.
"What do you mean how did that happen?" Hermione turned away from the set of quidditch balls she had been looking at.
"How did Dumbledore know Ginny? How did he know where the death eaters would be coming from? How did he know exactly where the order members and us D.A members should be so we could catch them? How did he know that Nagini would not be with Voldemort, but in the Great Hall instead? Didn't you ever wonder how he knew so much?"
"Well now that you mention it, it does seem like a lot to know based on just one of his hunches."
"Thats because it wasn't a hunch Ginny," she said before stepping closer and lowering her voice. "Draco told him. Voldemort had his mother Ginny. He was going to kill her, he thought he had no choice, but then he decided to give Dumbledore the chance to prove that he did have a choice and that the light side was the better side." Ginny just shook her head in disbelief. Hermione sighed. "You don't believe me?" Ginny looked up at her.
"Oh I believe you, its just hard to fathom. Draco Malfoy, actually doing something good for once. Who would have thought."
"Please don't tell anyone Ginny. I shouldn't have even told you, it could be dangerous." Ginny nodded.
"I understand and don't worry, you can trust me." She looked around a bit and then back at her. "So what are you going to get him?" Hermione had searched the entire store and was about to give up when she saw the owner put up a sign on the counter displaying one of a kind autographed golden snitches. Hermione walked over.
"Excuse me." She pointed to the sign. "How does this work and how is it one of a kind." The owner smiled at her.
"Well miss. You purchase the snitch and then tell me the name of the autograph you want. Every single professional quidditch player has written one autograph to be given out. If that autograph has not yet been purchased then the autograph will appear on it, however if someone else has already chosen it, then it will not. You are in luck though as they are brand new and we are the first to get them."
"It would be perfect! However I don't know who..." She was cut off by Ginny.
"Aidan Lynch ." Hermione looked at her strangely. Ginny shrugged. "What? A group of our players and the Slytherins got into a row about who the best professional players were. Draco was all about Aidan Lynch and how he was the best out there." Hermione smiled brightly at her friend before giving her a huge hug.
"Ginny you are the greatest!" Ginny just shrugged and smiled.
"I know." Hermione purchased the snitch and had Aidan Lynch's autograph added to it. The owner placed it in a special display box before placing it into another box in which Hermione had him wrap it with green paper and silver ribbon. With their purchases complete they had their bags sent back to Hogwarts, and then headed off to meet the incoming Hogwarts students.
Blaise watched as Ginny dragged Hermione off, and Pansy dragged Draco behind her claiming the need of a mans opinion on the gift she was getting for her father. In all truthfulness Blaise had paid Pansy ten galleons to take Draco with her, saying he had to get Draco's gift, and being the greedy little slag that she was she agreed. He watched them walk away and headed to meet his guest at The Hogs Head. When he arrived he headed to a booth in the back where though it was secluded he could still see the front door. He ordered himself a butter beer and was sitting there enjoying it when his guest arrived, standing next to the booth.
"Well now Mr. Zabini. I must say I was quite surprised to receive your letter. What is so important that you have asked me, of all people to meet you?" Blaise motioned for his guest to sit down, before speaking."
"Its Hermione Granger. Something has happened and I think you may be the only one who can help her Mrs. Weasley."
So thoughts, comments. I would love to see what you have to say about it all.