Chapter 22 Shades of Gray

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"A journey of a thousand miles starts with single step."

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It's hard, sometimes, to determine what the 'right' path is for you. What path will allow you to be most successful? Which path will keep you alive? The lines between right and wrong are so often blurred to the extent that a good person will be locked away for evil deeds while a vile soul continues to walk amongst his peers free and unworried. This blurred area is often metaphorically referred to as the 'shades of gray' between the black and white worlds children are taught to believe in. White often represents good and shows tales of brave characters willing to risk anything to save ones he loves. Black signifies evil and demonstrates how contemptible one can be. Children are not told of the dreaded gray area where nothing is as it seems and the most charming person can be the most dangerous.

There often comes a point in every life where an individual must determined how blurred the lines are in their own life and which path they would be willing to take. They have to realize what side they are supposed to defend and fight for. White, black, or gray. Black would be the easiest, then white, and finally gray. The gray path makes you stay balanced; not allowing you to fall too far into either good or evil. The only question left is: are you willing to take the chance that you will not allow yourself to be swayed by temptation?

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Draco stood in front of the stone gargoyle in the early hours of morning. The first beams of light were just making their way into the hall giving it an eerie glow rather than a safer feeling. He was sure the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress would not yet be out of bed therefore he stood stone still and stared at the statue in front of him. His decision was not quite made as of yet but he was hoping something would make him choose the correct path.

He must have been standing there for some time because when a hand touched his shoulder, Hermione was staring at him impatiently and the hall was flooded with light. The tapping of a foot caused him to shake his head and enter into reality. She had her arms crossed and her lips thinned into a line that would rival Minerva.

"Are you just going to stand out here all day?" She finally snapped jerking her arms towards the hall to emphasize her point. Draco muttered the password.

"After you." He gave an elegant bow and when he looked back up, Hermione was rapidly disappearing up the winding staircase. He quickly followed suit and found himself in Albus' office. To his surprise, Severus was sitting there looking irritable and ready to kill at having woken up so early and being offered some light tea in place of his supremely strong tar he called coffee.

"Severus?" Draco asked in obvious confusion as he sat down. Hermione sat away from him leaving Severus in the middle and Draco on the left closest to the door. The older man merely grunted then looked annoyed as he glanced down at the tea cup in his hands.

"I believe you will find that it is best not to speak with Severus before he has had at least one mug of that awful mixture he refers to as coffee." Albus said walking into the office with Minerva at his heals. With a wave of his hand, Severus' cup was turned into a large mug filled with what looked like black sludge. Severus immediately seemed a bit less disgruntled and more willingly to join in conversation. Albus and Minerva took their seats behind the large desk. As soon as everyone had a cup of tea in front of them or in their hand, the conversation began.

"I assume you have made a choice." Albus said. His voice was confident but his smile seemed forced and the twinkle was more of a dull glow in his eyes.

"I have." Draco replied his voice shaking under the weight of his lie. All eyes were on him. Severus, although missing from the previous evening's discussion, seemed to know exactly what was going on.

"And?" Minerva prodded not bothering to disguise her curiosity and anxiety.

"First, I wish to know why Severus is here." He demanded appearing more smug and presumptuous than he actually was.

"All will be revealed in time." Albus replied.

"Oh, bollocks, he already knows about my situation with the Dark Lord." Severus snapped angrily not yet finished with his first mug.

"Just finish your Mug-o-Sludge and stop being so testy." Hermione said to him quietly while giving him a disapproving stare.

He put his head down and murmured something that sounded like, "Look who's talking." Draco cracked a smile and felt the mood in the room begin to lighten.

"Indeed." Albus said his smile not as fake as it previously was. Then, his face looked solemn, "Draco?"

"T-the prophesy pretty much left me with no choice, I suppose. I am willing to give you my loyalty." Draco's voice was shaking and tears were threatening to fall by the end of his brief speech. He had just reached a crossroads in his life and surpassed it choosing the longer and more difficult of the two roads. He felt a light touch on his shoulder followed by a soft caress on the back of his neck. He closed his eyes lost in the sensation of the mild contact on his skin and body. Just as soon as it started it stopped. He looked up to see a blushing Hermione, an amused Minerva and Albus, and Severus with a twitch in his eye that clearly said he never wanted to see that again or someone would die a most painful death. Fatherly protection and such. Draco was embarrassed to find that his body reacted so readily to even the lighted of touches. Had it really been that long? He shifted uncomfortably in his chair earning him a stern look of disapproval and three coughs that were clearly faked to cover laughter.

"May I go now?" Draco asked trying to fight off the blush that was rising on his face.

Albus smiled obviously enjoying the show, "Of course. Perhaps we could meet tonight after dinner to discuss the details."

"Well, I plan to be busy after dinner." He answered his face now beat red. Hermione started to laugh outright her face red also, though, from embarrassment or amusement no one could tell.

"Indeed?" Severus raised an eyebrow. Hermione stopped laughing and seemed to realize that her father was in the room.

"Um, well, you see, DracoandIhaveadatetonight." She said all in one breath smiling.

"If it's a dinner date, you should be available after dinner." He replied not willing to let it rest until the obvious was said outright.

"Dad," Hermione started to butter him up, "don't make me tell you I plan to shag my husband tonight," noticing Draco's smug look, she added, "if the date goes well. If it doesn't, Draco will be here after dinner."

Severus stiffened, "Just, please, stay out of the halls and don't let me see you. Don't do that to me again."

Hermione chuckled, "If all goes well, we'll be fully ensconced in bed." Severus nodded then swept out of the room.

"I believe our meeting has come to an end. If I do not see you tonight, come by Monday after dinner." Albus said standing.

"Why Monday?" Hermione asked.

"Because," Minerva smiled at her naivety, "if we don't see you tonight, we very much doubt you will wish to leave your bed tomorrow. The young couple blushed at the implications and glanced in different directions.

In a matter of minutes, Draco and Hermione found themselves standing out in the hall in awkward silence.

"So, what do you have planned for tonight?" Hermione asked as they started the journey towards Gryffindor Tower.

"That would be telling. All I can say is I've conversed with some of your close friends and family members and you should expect some music." He smirked.

"I'll have to get it out of Harry or Ginny then. A letter to mum would take too long." They laughed together then fell into pleasant silence.

"I'll see you tonight," Draco said when they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, "Come by around seven and everything should be ready."

She nodded, "All right." She leaned forward and captured his lips in a kiss. She never realized how much she missed the feel of his body on hers until she had him pressed against the wall snogging him senseless. The kiss was everything neither of them were willing to say aloud. 'I'm sorry, I love you, I want you back.' Draco pulled away breathing heavily.

His voice has ragged as he spoke, "I'll see you tonight...when I plan to finish this." With that said he walked away leaving her staring after him hungrily until see snapped out of her daze enough to give the Fat Lady the password. Finish it they would.

A/N: Well, another chapter down. It's currently 12:19 A.M. or 00:19 for those used to military time (I think). I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Next chapter: Draco's Big, Romantic Plan; I can't keep it to myself anymore.

Reviews: Keep them coming; they just make me write faster.

Angel5blue5: I hope you liked his choice (hint hint nod nod)

Sunflower 18: Thank you. You have such a cute penname.

Anarane Anwamane: I think he's going to.

PreciousPrincess: Thanks. I'll be sure to read you're stories. Only my English teachers ever told me I was a pro at grammar. For anyone who cares I got over 100 on my English final and had 12 extra credit points to start with (the most in the class).

apparateawayhplivesagain: I love you. Sorry, no cliffy this time. I went to your xanga site. He is so pretty. The Picture that changes to show his expressions, you have to tell me where you found the sulk pic. It makes him look so innocent like a kid that just got scolded for sneaking cookies. I have a pic of him as my desktop. (Tom Felton!)

Gryffindor620: Thank you, son.

Erilyn Rose: It's McGonagall and thanks. I don't lie when I say I'm a grammar freak and it goes for spelling, too. Love your reviews though.

Flammingvampire207: Like the name.

The Cedar Girl: The grammar, it kills! Just Joshin'. Thanks for reviewing.

Now for the kicker:

( Reviewed for Chapter 8 in As it Begins) Acacia Dyre wrote:

This is a great story and I can't wait to read the sequel, but there is one thing I don't understand. Why would Hermione need to be resorted? Slytherin isn't based on blood-lines and not all Slytherins are pureblood, it is based on ambition. Tom Riddle was a half-blood, Harry Potter isn't pureblood and he was almost sorted Slytherin as well. And according to JKR there were several other Slytherin students who were half bloods and muggleborns, including Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode.

I will now clear up your confusion: Hermione wasn't really resorted because she was a pureblood, it was because her family were all either in Ravenclaw or Slytherin and her grandfather (who knows Lucius Malfoy who controls the ministry and the Hogwarts equivalent of a school board) demanded a resorting. It didn't have to do with bloodlines; it had to do with family traditions. Thanks for allowing me to clear that up in case anyone else was confused.