"I'm on my side. I don't trust them. Any of them. Power corrupts."

Hermione's mind quickly latched onto what he had said that could upset her.

"Do you think my power will corrupt me? Do you think I will end up like THEM?"

Draco took a step back, and held his hands up trying to calm her down. He knew all too well what happened when a Goldwin got angry. His father's cousin had married one. He also knew that power did corrupt, but he wondered if it was not the Goldwin's power that corrupted them and turned them evil, but the Malfoy's they married who wanted their power. Hermione started to take deep breaths.

"Do you really think so, Draco?"

"What…oh you can read minds."

"Only when I want to. Do you really think I can control my destiny?"

"I think your name doesn't control what you become, but the people you are around do."

"So if I stay away from them, I won't become like them?"

"Right…"

"So I don't have to marry you!"

Before Draco could reply Hermione was out the door. Suddenly her prospects didn't seem so bad. She could choose to not become like her family, and she could avoid the fate Snape had planned out for her. Once she was through the door Draco sighed.

"That part doesn't work like that."

He didn't think anyways. He hadn't even known his father's cousin's wife was a Goldwin until he explained the situation to his father and Luicus told him. Draco had a feeling Goldwins and Malfoys didn't fall in love, because it's what their family told them to do. This based on the feelings he had for Hermione. That is what lead him to kiss her…twice. He had fallen for her over the summer, though he didn't know why then. It made since now; that's when she had changed. He groaned, and banged his head against the wall. Apparently even though he felt this enormous pull towards her, all she felt was a slight lust. He heard someone clear their throat behind him. He turned to find Snape watching him.

"What?"

"I know how you can get her to accept you."

Draco watched Snape's face for a flicker of emotion; something to give away what he was thinking. He saw nothing.

"How?"

"There is a ritual you must perform. That's how these things work."

Draco saw a slimy smile cross Snape's face, and he launched himself at him pinning him by his neck against the wall.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Women are easily lead and power hungry. All you have to do is perform the bonding ritual, and she will forever be yours. Do you really think Goldwins just fell in love with Malfoys?"

Draco didn't say anything. Snape took this as a yes, and laughed. He shook him off.

"Why only Malfoys?"

"Because they…you…know the secret."

"I don't, and how is my family secret your bargaining chip?"

"Lucius was more than willing to give it up to the Dark Lord. Who in turn gave it to me, in order to help you."

"They turned me out."

"Well obviously, we had to get you into Dumbledore's little group so we could get you to Hermione Goldwin. Of course, you gave us the perfect excuse with all that moon magic nonsense."

"Get away from me."

"Think it over, you don't love her. Her power draws you in, that is all."

Draco shook his head but refused to answer Snape. Snape looked him over, and then left. Draco was left sitting in the dark, mulling over what he had just been told. His father would take him back and he could have Hermione, but only if he made a deal with the devil. What was the cost, the sacrifice? Would Hermione become like the rest of her family? Like parts of his family? His mind drifted back to Hermione's question. Whose side was he on? Part of him wanted to accept Snape's offer because he would have his family back, but on the other hand the thought of Hermione like…like the witches in that book was unconceivable. Whose side was he on? Whose side?

"Hermione!"

She spun around to find Draco running at her. She wasn't sure whether she was glad to see him or not. He made her heart jump every time he smiled, but at the same time he was still Malfoy.

"Hermione, I know whose side I'm on."

"Whose?"