This had to be a dream. There's no way he could be standing there, alive. She saw him die. And yet there he was, her cousin Draco Malfoy, offering her a hand up.

"What the fuck?" Hermione was able to mutter as she took hold of his hand and he pulled her up.

"Are you surprised?"

"That's an understatement,"

"Come, I'll explain," Draco led Hermione to a room decorated in blue and gold. The floor was a dark wood, furniture was dark blue and the walls were gold. Draco led the way to a couch and took a seat.

"Ok… I need to know everything,"

"That's a long story; it may take a while,"

"I don't give a damn how long it'll take Draco… I need to know everything," Shrieked Hermione.

"Alright, but you can't get pissed off,"

"I'm not promising anything,"

Draco sighed, "I guess it all starts after we planned out how to lure Potter to the Manor. I figured we could use some back up and called in one Death Eater. I figured he could stay with mother while we fight, in case someone tried to get into her room." Draco shrugged, "After I ran into you on your way to check in on her, I doubled back and we switched positions. He drank some polyjuice potion to look like me and I stayed with mother. The Death Eater was the one who died."

"Why did he protect me, try to save me?"

"I told him to do or die; besides he knew you were the Dark Lord's daughter. A valued asset to our side. Anyone would give their life for you," Hermione was quiet. "Are you pissed?"

"Not in the slightest, relieved actually. It was hard, thinking you were dead."

"I should've told you," Draco said, "That way you didn't need to worry. Besides, that was one of the reasons mother survived. It was Arthur who tried to break into mother's room, that's why I killed him and also what convinced me to switch places."

"And I never thanked you for that son," Hermione and Draco looked up to see Narcissa and Lucius standing in the door way.

"No thanks necessary mother," Draco said.

"Do the other Death Eaters know you're alive?"

"Only the Zabini's and you,"

"It's going to stay that way," Hermione said, "We could use this,"

"How so?"

"I still want vengeance and I thought of someone else I owe a visit to,"

"Who?"

"Albus Dumbledore,"

"I thought Snape killed him?" Lucius asked.

"He did, but his spirit still lives within his portrait,"

"What's your plan?"

"He has two portraits, one at the Ministry because he did so much to help them, and of course one at Hogwarts. I want to break into Hogwarts and burn his portrait aty the same time someone burns the one at the Ministry,"

"We could pull that off… but what does the Death Eater's have to do about it and why can't they know about Draco?" Narcissa asked.

"The Death Eaters would vengeance on his death. My destroying Dumbledore's portrait, Potter won't have anything left of his beloved mentor. He'll weaken and the Death Eaters can take advantage of Potter's weakness and attack the Weasleys, any and all of them, so I can take my revenge on Potter while he's at his weakest,"

"Brilliant cousin," Draco said.

"Yes Hermione, we may get rid of Potter once and for all," Lucius said.

"From you uncle, I'll take that as praise and meaning it'll work,"

"It's a wonderful plan," Narcissa said.

"Aunt Cissy, I want your word you won't…"

"Oh Hermione, are you going to make me stay out of the action again?"

"Only because you are my mother's sister. I care about you. I don't want to see you hurt. In fact, it may actually be better for you to stay at the manor, throw off suspicions you were involved in our breakout."

"Hermione's right Cissy," Lucius agreed.

"What? Lucius, I just got you back. I can't lose you again."

"Aunt Cissy, it's just for the time being. Wait for the Ministry to come and inspect the house and be convinced we're not there. Then you can come join us,"

Narcissa sighed, "Fine, I'll go back to the Manor, only for a week or two. And I get to visit for dinner every night."

"I suppose that would be fine," Hermione said. Narcissa smiled and gave her a hug, Draco a hug and Lucius a kiss and then she apparted back to the manor.

"I hated to do it, but it had to be done,"

"I know Hermione, and so does she." Draco said.

"Well, Uncle Lucius, good to be out though, right?"

"Very,"

"I think I'm going to take a nice hot shower,"

"That may be a plan," Draco said, "I haven't smelt something this horrible since that oaf Hagrid."

Flashes of her school days with Hagrid flashed through her mind. Asking about Nickolas Flamel and the Philosopher's stone, Talking and crying in her third year about Ron, Gwarp and of course the final battle, him carrying a dead looking Harry out of the forest, her father at his side. She felt a pain of sadness at first but then it turned to anger. He had been in the fight that killed her father.

"Hagrid was a joke," she hissed.

"As I told you for years,"

"It doesn't matter," Hermione said as she walked out, but stopped. "Where are the bathrooms?" Draco smirked and showed her to her room, which contained her own bathroom.

A/N: I am so sorry for the long wait! I haven't had time to write this story… I've been so busy with some of my others ones and I was busy for half of the holidays… with Christmas and working and spending time with the friends I never really see so I really haven't had time to work on it… but this is a longer chapter for you! I hope you liked it… and the surprise of Draco being alive… thanks to whoever gave me the idea… sorry I don't remember who it was but you have my gratitude cuz I didn't want Draco dead lol Anyways, please leave review and since I'm back to school I can write more of this story! YAY! Another update should be coming sooner! (sorry about the long author note lol)