Author's Note: I do not own any characters or the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, that belongs to the lovely J.K. Rowling.

Thank you to ZoeyOlivia for your review! If you have been reviewing my story and are not receiving replies to your reviews, that is because I am personal messaging you back so you will need to turn that on!

Look at me I didn't wait a whole month to write another chapter go me! I am trying to write on my days off from work since when I come home from work I am so exhausted I can barely form real sentences. I came home yesterday from work and slept for 13 hours so yeah I was tired!

I hope you enjoy this chapter. I finally reveal someone on the dark side and Narcissa's "dear old friend." The next few chapters will be building Draco and Hermione's relationship and not really anyone else's. So the next few chapters may be slow and I am apologizing in advance for that, but hey you came here for some Dramione so why not build it up!

I finally feel like I am getting my groove back in writing. Of course reading some of my favorite fics always help to inspire me.

Enjoy, review, like or follow!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 9: Werewolves, Vampires, and Centaurs, Oh My!

Draco woke that Monday morning to a sleeping form pressed against his chest. His nose was filled with the sweet smell of vanilla and sandalwood. Draco breathed in deeply and opened his eyes to a mass of curls in front of him. Shit, I'm still in Granger's bed, he thought to himself. He slowly began to uncurl himself from Hermione, trying not to wake her; there was no way she would remember the terrors that haunted her last night or that he had been there to comfort her, or so he hoped. He looked at his watch, groaning at how early he was awake. He and Hermione wouldn't need to be at the Ministry for another 2 hours.

Draco made his way down to the kitchen and began a pot of coffee. He waved his wand and the kitchen came to life with soft classical music playing, dishes being put away, and croissants being formed. Despite his time in the Muggle world and his love for cooking, he wanted to relax in the morning before going into work.

Draco grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down at the breakfast nook to begin looking over Hermione's notes and files. Over the past 6 months she had noted changes within three groups of creatures she was entrusted with: werewolves, vampires, and centaurs.

Fenrir Greyback appeared to be Hermione's main focus with the werewolves: he had managed to escape going to Azkaban and no one had seen him after the war until almost 8 months ago. Shortly after that, wizards and witches who leaned towards the dark arts, went missing. In bright red ink, Hermione had written, "Werewolf Army?"

Draco turned his attention to the vampire notes next. Pictured was a tall young man with dark black hair, pale face, and black clothing. He looked formidable and gave Draco an uneasy feeling. Sanguini had attended Slughorn's Christmas party sixth year and apparently now was having regular meetings with Henry Greengrass, Peter Parkinson, and Reginald Crabbe, all former Death Eaters. Each former Death Eater had their own files, tracking their movements, and showing their connections to other wizards and witches including their own family members.

Draco would have to review the Death Eaters again, many of them were old family friends and he wanted to know what they were up to and why. The centaurs got his attention next. Hermione had written down accounts from McGonagall, Hagrid, and other professors discussing movements of the centaurs in the Black Forest. It appeared the centaurs were circling the edges of the forest often and were not keeping well within the forest as they previously had. Hermione had written on the pages, exactly what Draco was thinking, "Centaurs aren't supposed to interfere with what is to come? No longer neutral?"

Draco drifted over to looking over his findings from the past 6 months. Small items from different dark shops within Knockturn Alley had gone missing. All items seemed harmless enough, but Draco knew better especially with these changes in creatures and Death Eater movements.

He heard Hermione plodding down the stairs and down the hallway to the kitchen, but couldn't tear himself away from the notes.

"Morning." Hermione said groggily as she made her way to the coffee maker.

Draco finally looked away from the files and nearly gasped at the sight before him. Hermione's hair hung in soft curls just above her shoulders and gleamed caramel, honey, chocolate, and mocha in the sunlight. She was wearing a royal purple silk button down pajama top with matching shorts. Her olive skin was radiant and her freckles stood out more with the sunlight shining in through the kitchen windows. Her face was slightly flushed from the coffee. He could get used to waking up to her like this every morning.

"What're you looking at?" Hermione moved towards the table to peer over the paperwork he had splayed before him.

Draco shook his head as if to rid himself of his traitorous thoughts, "Um. Our research. Have you talked to Potter about the Death Eater movements?"

Hermione sat down close next to him, he could smell the vanilla and sandalwood still. She reached for a croissant and began nibbling on it while she spoke, "Yeah actually I have. That's why I have these files. Harry copied them for me so I could look over them. It's actually a cool charm the Ministry's been using. Even though he's made a copy, if he ever adds to it, it'll update my copy as well."

Draco thought about this for a moment, "I think something is happening. The beings and creatures moving the way they are, having meetings with known Death Eaters, items going missing in Knockturn Alley..it's all too much of a coincidence don't you think?"

Hermione looked at him seriously, "I've been worried something was happening. Especially when the centaurs started rebelling. It's not what they do."

Draco looked back at the files. An ominous feeling began to overtake him. He couldn't help but be concerned for his partner's safety. Even if they weren't on the best of terms, he didn't wish her any harm. How would he deal with the Death Eaters? They were like family to him growing up. They most certainly wouldn't be happy that he was an Auror. Would they try to use him to get a Ministry foothold? Or did they already have one?

Hermione's voice cut through his panicked thoughts, "Harry sent me an owl this morning. We've been assigned field work this week since we have all of this going on. Do you need anything from the office?"

Draco shook his head and Hermione stood, "Great. I'm going to get my field gear on. Meet you down here in 20?"

Draco nodded his head dumbly as his panicked thoughts still raced through his head. Hermione left the room and he heard her slowly climb the stairs again. As he cleaned up breakfast, the panicked thoughts returned.

Back in her room, Hermione began gathering her field supplies. She packed a small black pack that she'd used an Undetectable Extension Charm on, much like her beaded bag when Harry and her had been on the run. She filled the bag with medical supplies, potions, food, water, the Perkins tent, and other camping supplies. If she learned anything from her time spent on the run and in the Forest of Dean, was that you needed to be prepared for every possible outcome.

Hermione put on her normal training/field work outfit - black leather pants, tank top, and knee high boots. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun, leaving small curled tendrils near her ears out. She grabbed her black leather jacket and headed back downstairs.

Draco was waiting for her in the office, using his wand over the files, performing some kind of a charm. He was wearing black cargo pants, black boots, and a black short sleeve, v-neck shirt that hugged him so tight Hermione could see the muscles in his chest and abdomen flex with every movement. He had a black leather jacket much like hers laying next to the pile of files.

"I guess you got the memo about the black. What spell are you casting?" Hermione asked coming closer to see his handiwork.

Draco didn't look up from his work, "Well it's just easier to do black especially when being on field work. I'm casting a protection charm - water proof, fire proof - essentially destruction proof."

Hermione nodded her head thoughtfully, "Good idea. Did you pack for us to be out for the week? I think it'll take us most of the week to get the answers we need."

Draco looked up at her finally and nodded, "Yes, but I don't have a tent. I presume you have one?"

Hermione patted her beaded bag, "Yes. It's the tent Harry and I used on the run."

Draco's eyes grew dark and he looked back at the files he had just been working on moments before. When he spoke, his voice was low and Hermione barely heard him, "We should get going."

Draco packed up the last of their things into a backpack he had. He grabbed onto Hermione's hand and they apparated away to their first destination: Hogwarts. They both landed with a thud in front of the gates to the castle. Hermione pulled out her wand ready to cast a spell.

Draco grabbed onto her hand, "What the bloody hell are you doing?"

Hermione looked at their touching hands and felt her cheeks grow hot, "Headmistress McGonagall was notified we were coming, but I want to let her know we are here."

Draco looked confused, "How do you suppose you are going to do that?"

Hermione returned the look, "Um. A patronus? Have you never used them to send messages?"

Draco dropped his hand from hers and looked away, "No. Death Eaters cannot cast them."

Hermione stared at him for a moment. When she spoke, she appeared surprised, "Why the hell not? It's a simple enough spell. You have to have cast harder spells than that!"

Draco looked back at her, the darkness returning to his eyes. His voice was cold, "Yes. I have, but a patronus is based on a happy memory. Not many of us have truly good and pure memories now, do we?"

Hermione's eyes began to water. She was sad for the broken man that stood before her. Sure he had tortured her in school and had done some awful things, but how much of that wasn't due to his family's connections. How many dark and cold nights had he spent in that manor? How many missed childhood memories did he have? How cruel was his father and those that he called friends?

She cleared her throat trying not to let him know how sad she was, "Well. You never know. Maybe some day you will."

Draco just stared back at her, the coldness in his eyes beginning to melt. Both stood in silence looking back at one another for quite some time. Both were trying to understand what just happened between them; trying to understand if they were becoming friends and what that meant for the history between them.

Hermione was the first to break their moment, she turned towards the castle and whispered quietly, "Expecto patronum." An silvery-blue otter appeared from her wand and swirled around her head. The otter stopped after a few trips around the girl and Hermione spoke to it, "Please deliver this message to Headmistress McGonagall: Hello professor we have arrived. We will stop by Hagrid's hut to check in. We will be in the forest for the remainder of the day and tomorrow morning." The otter darted off to the castle and Hermione looked back at her partner. He looked awestruck by the little creature that was swirling its way to the castle.

"Shall we?" Hermione's voice broke through Draco's reverie. He looked back at her and nodded his head. Hermione began to lead the way to Hagrid's hut.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Narcissa was sitting in the garden waiting for her friends arrival, twirling a letter around in her fingers. Mipsy would be waiting by the fireplace in the den to gather her friend and bring her to the garden. The Malfoy matriarch had been out in the garden all morning reviewing over the letter in her hand,

Hello Mother,

I hope all is well with you. I regret to inform you I won't be over much this week. Last week, Potter had us in training and changed some partnerships. I have a partner, Hermione Granger. Potter appears to believe we will be good for one another and be able to work on our cases together. Granger moved in yesterday and today we found out that we will be doing field work all week. Something is coming, Mother, something bad. Please watch yourself and who you trust. Darkness is looming, Granger and I can feel it. I will try to keep in touch this week, but I won't be able to tell you where I am.

Be safe,

Draco

Narcissa laughed to herself, Harry Potter knew more than he let on. The Granger girl had always been thought to be the brains of the trio, and she truly was the "Brightest Witch of her Age," but that didn't mean the poor girl could spot a good partner for her. Look at her choices in men: Krum, Wood, and Weasley. Her son was hard headed too. He couldn't see the Granger girl for what she was worth. That was, of course, no thanks to her spiteful husband. Lucius was the love of her life, there was no doubt in that, but the man had his flaws. "Dirty" blood or not, Hermione Granger would certainly prove to be a true partner for Draco in every way and her husband could not see past that. Narcissa however always wanted her son to be happy and have the best and Hermione Granger was definitely the best.

Narcissa heard the click of heels approaching the garden and set the letter on fire. Despite her son's warnings in the letters, Narcissa knew she could trust no one since the fall of the Dark Lord and the loss of her husband. Many men had tried to court her and many of her girlfriends were not happy with the way she had been conducting her life, especially when she started to treat her house elves fairly.

A shrill voice broke through Narcissa's thoughts, "Narcissa! How are you my dear?"

Narcissa turned to see her best friend of 30 years stepping forward to embrace her. She had hardly changed in the 30 years she knew her. She still had a pug-face with a scrunched up nose and raven black hair. She looked as formidable as ever in her black and emerald green robes. The woman looked as if their side of the war had never lost and she was still ready for battle. Her friend looked tired though, gray hairs beginning to show in her hair and wrinkles beginning to form around her face. Her eyes had bags under them as if she hadn't slept in weeks and she looked slightly frail. Narcissa wasn't sure she liked this look on her friend. The war had ended quite some time ago, but the way her friend looked before her, reminded her of the days when Voldemort occupied her home and people were tortured or killed regularly in her dining room.

Narcissa embraced the woman and kissed both her cheeks, "I am well Petunia, how are you?"

Both women sat down at the table set up in the garden and Mipsy began serving them their tea and biscuits. Narcissa took a drink of the tea as her friend began speaking.

Petunia Parkinson beamed at her friend, "Oh I am just lovely. It's been forever since I have been over. Do you have any new gossip?"

Narcissa rolled her eyes, "No more than what's reported in the magazines. I do say I have lost my touch with the gossip haven't I?"

The pug-nosed woman laughed heartily, "I do suppose you have. But you are incredibly busy with your charities now aren't you?"

Narcissa chuckled, feeling nervous at this line of questioning, "Yes, yes I have. Have to rebuild my reputation."

The dark-haired woman looked at her darkly, "Ah yes, that we all do. But appearances aren't always what they seem now are they?"

Narcissa eyed her best friend, "Petunia, what are you on about now?"

Her friend had an evil glint in her eye, and Narcissa felt a chill run down her spine, "Well, what if I told you that the Dark Lords efforts and death were not in vain?"

Narcissa felt frightened, but schooled her features to appear impassive, "Tell me more."

Petunia Parkinson began to launch into her story of how her husband, Peter Parkinson, had started gathering the remaining Death Eaters and the younger generation to complete the Dark Lord's mission. She explained how he had begun speaking to various creatures and beings trying to get them to side with them and begin another wizarding war. One this time, they would not fail at winning.

Narcissa Malfoy sat there listening to her friend keeping her face as impassive as possible while a million thoughts raced through her head. How have they amassed that many followers? Who the hell would think this plan would work? What do I have to do with this? Draco won't join them. Oh god the Granger girl. Her safety is compromised. She'll blame Draco. I have to do something. What can I do.

Petunia huffed out a sigh after finishing her story and their plans, "So will you join us Cissy? I know Draco is partners with the Granger girl now, so we are already a few steps ahead in destroying the Golden Trio."

Narcissa was torn, say no and be killed by these idiots or say yes and risk the lives of her son and the Granger girl as well as countless others? She knew what she had to do, "Of course. I still believe in the cause. What do you need me to do?"

Petunia clapped her hands together excitedly and hugged her friend. What the bloody hell have I done, Narcissa thought to herself.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Author's Note: What did you think? I know I used some names of other characters in the orginal HP's for the Parkinson names but I wanted to keep with the theme of the girls names being flowers and their names starting with P's because why not?

Also, I am thinking of starting a new fic. It won't be posted until I am done with this one because quite frankly I would like to write it to almost completion so you don't have to wait so long for updates. But, what kind of themes would you like to see? I have a few in mind, but I want to push myself from this story!