I do not own Harry Potter or make any money off this fic. All rights to J.K. Rowling, etc, etc.

Hermione sat on her bed, huddled up against the headboard, knees tucked up to her chin. She was curled up very tightly, partly to savor the ability to do so. She supposed that in a few more months it would be more difficult to curl into herself; and eventually impossible. She smiled ruefully at Ginny, who was sitting across from her at the foot of the bed.

"Did that really just happen?" she whispered.

Ginny nodded solemnly and tucked her own legs up under herself, mirroring Hermione. "Oh, Hermione. What are we going to do?"

Hermione laughed rather bitterly. "You mean what am I going to do."

Ginny shook her head quickly. "No, I meant we. I'm not leaving you to deal with a Weasley's mess all on your own. And no matter what Ron says, he'll help too. That or I'll really kill him this time."

"He can help by staying out of it," Hermione muttered sadly. "It won't do us any good if I not only have an extremely unlikely candidate for the father, but Ron is also continually hanging about. It might throw the whole story! Someone might be smart enough to guess the truth."

Ginny looked about nervously before she remembered that they had cast a number of charms and spells to keep their confidences safe. She sighed heavily and picked at her sweater a bit.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right, as usual." She looked up to her friend, her eyes asking the same question Ron's had. "Do you think it will ever be safe to tell the truth? Maybe we could convince Dumbledore to put some kind of clause in the vow."

"I don't know, Ginny," Hermione replied evenly. "But I suspect he will do something like that anyway, although it won't change the fact that Ron will still have signed away his biological rights. We have closed adoptions in the muggle world, so I'm not unfamiliar with the whole concept."

"It's just that- well, Mum would be so sorry to miss out on the life of any grandchild…and yours is going to be the first."

"Yes, but she'll never know, that's the whole point. Ginny, I know you probably don't feel good about this…I don't expect any of you to be genuinely okay with it. I'm not even very happy about the whole thing; but it's what has to happen! And yes," she continued more quietly, "it is rather like lying to your mum. Do you think I enjoy the thought? She's been like a surrogate mother to me."

"I know," Ginny replied. "And I'm sorry." She furrowed her brow and chewed on her lip for a moment. "So, what do you think it will be like, the Vow?"

Hermione smiled gratefully, very glad for the change of subject, particularly to a far more academic one. "Well," she began, "I've read a number of things about them, and you really shouldn't be too nervous…" Scooting closer to her friend, the two girls began to exchange information and support, safe for now in their spelled bed chamber, far from prying eyes and ears.

Across the castle, down in the bowels of the dungeons, Professor Severus Snape was reorganizing the papers on his desk and trying to come up with a suitably convincing argument for the student in question. So far, he could think of nothing better than what Dumbledore had already suggested, and he wasn't sure if it was quite good enough. Then there was the question of how to word the request without giving away his own double agent position.

He'd asked the boy to come by his office after the lunch period, which was swiftly approaching. Turning from his desk, he was about to pile the excess papers on top of a nearby cabinet when the door to his office swung open and a familiar voice assaulted his ears.

"Well, Professor? What is this about?"

Snape stiffened before he continued the project of cleaning off his desk. As he turned back around, he lifted his head briefly to the boy's face.

"Ah, Mister Malfoy. You're early."

Draco rolled his eyes and sat down in a nearby chair, propping his feet up on the edge of the newly cleaned desk surface. He pulled an apple from his sleeve and began to eat it.

"Yeah, well. There wasn't anything good for lunch."

Severus raised an eyebrow and pulled out his own desk chair, waving a hand at Draco's feet in the process, which promptly fell to their rightful place on the ground. Draco laughed and continued to eat, watching his surrogate godfather closely.

Snape put on his best face and crossed his arms. "Draco, I think it best that I be straightforward with you. I know about your induction and the task the Dark Lord has given you. I met with your mother this summer, before the term began and swore to help you in any way possible."

Draco sat forward in his seat, a look of anger and indignation upon his face. "I don't need-" he began, but was swiftly silenced by a stern glance from Severus. He sat back petulantly and tossed the remains of the apple in Snape's garbage can. "Alright," he finally managed in an even tone of voice. "Let's say, for the sake of it, that I actually believe you and you aren't just trying to displace my family's position. What does that have to do with this meeting?"

"A certain…situation has just come to my attention that the headmaster could use my help with. It's the first of its kind here at Hogwarts, though not likely to be the last, and very, very delicate."

"Why would I want to help the old cock-up? I'm supposed to be killing him, remember?"

A pained look flashed across Severus' face, so quickly that Draco wasn't sure he'd even seen it. "Helping him could- will, actually- bring you in closer contact with him; even into his confidence. And the other student in the situation- well, let's just say that the Dark Lord will certainly not begrudge you the opportunity to grow closer to her. Suffice it to say, your actions will do a multitude of good for your current stature within the ranks and even help you reach your goal."

Draco had leaned forward again in his seat, his expression wary, but hopeful. "I'm listening."

"I don't expect you to approve of it, mind you- it won't be easy and you will have to face a barrage of questions and even lie to the Dark Lord. You will have to learn to be as cruel and deceptive as dear Bellatrix. Are you prepared to do so?"

The blood drained from his face, but the young man nodded, even smirked. "It isn't like I haven't had to lie to him already. Isn't that the nature of our company? We all lie and bow and scrape, to one another and to him- that's what happens when ambition and power meet mercenary tendencies." He shrugged. "He knows we do it, because he does it right back to us. We're all constantly double crossing one another." Here he made a pointed glance at his professor. "It makes me rather sick, sometimes."

Snape raised an eyebrow, surprised at Draco's sudden insight, but ignoring the obvious jab at himself. Perhaps Dumbledore had been right…perhaps the boy was having second thoughts. Doubts, even. Severus continued to eye him, but waited a moment before speaking again. Draco seemed lost in his thoughts and Snape didn't want to rush him. He needed the boy's full cooperation- no doubts or fears. It was all in, or nothing at all.

Draco finally seemed to shake himself back to the present and looked to Snape again. "Do I have to agree first, or are you going to tell me what this big secret is before I throw my life away?"

Severus allowed a snort of derision and stared at the younger wizard. "You've already done that, my boy. Now will you help or not? Mind you- don't think of it as helping the other side. What you're doing will greatly benefit your cause."

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that," the boy muttered at him, crossing his own arms.

Snape cleared his throat and placed his hands upon his desk. Now came the hard part.

"A certain student has found herself in a very delicate situation. Partly because of who she is, the situation puts her at great risk for bullying by your fellow housemates. However, she wishes to remain at Hogwarts regardless of her personal safety. The headmaster," he continued, "has made a ruling on the situation that the only way she can remain here is if we guarantee her safety…and the only way for him to do that is if a Death Eater steps in."

Draco's eyes narrowed. "What are you going on about? What kind of situation could any girl get into that would put her in danger at school-" He stopped suddenly and his eyes grew wide again. "Oh, Merlin- this is rich! Some bint is preggers? And you need a Death Eater to claim the baby so that she doesn't come to any harm? Oh, that is too much!" He began laughing, rocking back and forth in the chair. Snape stared at him, slightly disgusted.

"This is not funny!" he finally roared. Draco sobered and stared back, a little frightened. Severus glared at him and continued to speak. "I admit, when Dumbledore first brought the idea to my attention I thought he was insane. Who would ever believe that you and her would come together in such a manner?" He began pacing behind his desk and Draco's eyes followed him as the professor spoke aloud, almost to himself. "But this is, in fact, the perfect opportunity for you. Your participation will speak well of you to those in positions of power on the other side; and at the same time it will allow you to infiltrate their ranks, putting you in closer contact with them. The Dark Lord can hardly punish you for attempting to complete the task he has given you- especially in so clever a manner."

Draco stood as well reached a hand out towards Snape. His face was almost contrite- almost. "Look, Professor, I see what you mean. Even I can see sense at times. I admit, it hasn't been easy so far. I'm worried."

Snape turned to face him. "Draco," he murmured. The boy shook his head and lowered his arm.

"Don't say anything kind or encouraging, for Merlin's sake. I don't need words- they won't help. But if you really think that my compliance in this matter will help, then I'll do it."

Severus eyed him severely, looking for any manner of duplicity; but all he saw was a scared, spoiled little boy he had known since birth. He nodded. "Alright. I'll give you a pass for your next period and we'll go see the headmaster. I would say that you won't regret this, but I'm confident that by the time this war is over we'll all have a few regrets."

Draco nodded and sat back down to wait for the pass. His face was drawn, but his shoulders were upright and almost stiff with resolve. He knew what needed to be done in order to save his family and his pride: anything…he was willing to do anything.

Half an hour later, Draco was repeating Snape's private opinion of the matter.

He leveled his gaze at the old wizard and frowned. "You're insane," he said calmly.

Dumbledore smiled evenly. "Am I, Mister Malfoy? The choice is, of course, entirely yours and if you have any apprehensions I completely understand. After all, this is a rather unusual request we are making of you. And you are no doubt wondering why, if I know of your allegiance, I am allowing you to remain in school."

Draco eyed him warily. "The question had crossed my mind, yes."

"The answer is both complicated and, in turn, quite simple. The chances of you switching allegiances if I toss you out of school now, the only safe haven for many young people from both sides of the divide, are very low, indeed. Why would I discourage any young witch or wizard from continuing her or his education, in fact? We will all need all the knowledge we can obtain to prepare ourselves for the coming war. Needless to say," he continued, "I am hopeful that helping us in this manner will be good for you."

"You want me to switch sides?" Draco asked, incredulous. He looked to Snape, suddenly confused and trying to remember what his house head had mentioned earlier. He will expect you to help in order to secure favor from his side for the sake of your family. Don't question it; just go along with it for now. For Merlin's sake, boy, it's not a sin to consider what might happen to you if the war doesn't go our way.

Draco smoothed his face out after a moment of what he hoped looked like indecision. "What are your terms? It's not that I don't…want to help…it's just that won't it seem a bit strange, me claiming to be the father of a mud- of a muggleborn's baby?"

Dumbledore smiled a little at him and shook his head. "It's a bit strange, Miss Granger being pregnant at all, so I suspect that once people get over the initial shock, they'll be willing to accept any answer. However, you will have to act the part. We still have about three more months before it will begin to show, so that gives us enough time to set up the charade."

Draco coughed and Snape looked over to him. The boy was looking decidedly green. "Does that mean I'll have to- er-"

"Make it appear as though you and she have been lovers? Yes, Mister Malfoy, I'm afraid so. I suspect most everyone will assume you were simply trying to get closer to Harry for your father's sake and some plot by Voldemort. However, no one needs know that you have taken the Mark aside from those people who are already aware of it. That, at least, will save you some embarrassment."

"Wait, you haven't told me who the father is, or how long you expect me to keep up the act," Draco interjected, frowning a bit. "Shouldn't I be aware of all the details?"

"I was getting there, Mister Malfoy," Albus murmured, sighing and removing his spectacles. He took a very human moment suddenly and rubbed his eyes. Draco suddenly felt a little- just a little, mind you- bad about the task he had been given. Not just the task he'd been given, either, but that he was actually trying to complete it as well. He raised his eyebrows and glanced away from the sight that made him suddenly uncomfortable: a very, very old man trying to worry out a problem he would never be able to solve, because the key rested on the shoulders of a sixteen year old wizard.

It was rather sad.

Snape noticed him looking away and watched his face from the corner of his eyes. That reaction was interesting. Perhaps Albus was right about him, indeed. He shifted in his seat and looked back the headmaster and the person with whom his true loyalties lay. Severus hoped- he desperately hoped- that this plot would achieve what the man expected. He was fond of Draco, despite the boy's terrible manners and overwhelming desire to do everything on his own. He had known Lucius and Narcissa for a very long time and in spite of their ties, they were his best friends after Albus Dumbledore. If Albus even was a friend. The man was more of a protector and mentor- a leader. Not really a friend, but he had never betrayed Severus and in his world, that counted for an awful lot. Voldemort? Had committed nothing but betrayals, since the minute Snape had been introduced to the disgusting half-man.

Albus finally lifted his head and replaced the glasses. "As to the father's identity, You will be asked to make an Unbreakable Vow so that we know you will keep your word and the true father's identity a secret. As for how long you are to maintain the illusion, well, that depends upon you and Miss Granger. I imagine, however, that once the war is over- assuming our side wins- there would no longer be a need to keep up appearances. If we go by that model, you could be father to the child for as much as a year, or longer. Are you prepared to accept such responsibilities?"

Draco looked to him again, his face once more unreadable. "And am I expected to protect her as well?"

"That is understood, yes. But if you wish for your responsibility to extend only to the child, you will need to speak to her."

He shook his head. "No, that's alright. I don't really mind that part, I suppose. It's just that this is all going to be such an annoyance…just when things were getting comfortable, too," he murmured, feigning indifference. Although, a voice in his head whispered, it will be easier to accept this responsibility this year, while your father is away. He would never believe any of these lies. Better hope your mum doesn't go visiting him in Azkaban with the news.

Dumbledore watched him carefully for a few seconds, but seemed satisfied by his performance. At any rate, he was getting what he wanted from Draco, wasn't he? He looked to Snape, waiting for some confirmation that the boy was committed to the little drama they had devised. When the man met his eyes, Albus glanced back to Draco.

"So you agree to our terms, with the knowledge that we offer you protection for yourself and family, if situations allow and favor our side; and in exchange Miss Granger and her unborn child receive protection from you and your family name under the law of the Death Eaters…that you will maintain this lie until a future time which Miss Granger requests or agrees to; including under any questioning by your fellow Death Eaters, the Ministry, the School of Governors, classmates, and even family members."

Draco kept his head up and the nonchalant expression upon his face, though he knew his eyes had hardened just a bit. He couldn't help some reactions. After all, they were asking to lie to everyone and everything he had ever known, on the off chance that his side would lose. It wasn't much of a bargain, but Snape was right. This agreement would position him closer to Potter and Dumbledore, leaving him, he hoped, plenty of good opportunities to complete his task. The eyes which had just hardened, seconds before, softened again as he thought of the old man. He did- he did want to complete the task, right? It wasn't as if Dumbledore had ever done anything for him. He wasn't Hogwarts' prize student; why should the headmaster care about him?

But he hasn't kicked you out of school, though he knows what you are now and where your loyalties lie. He convinced the Ministry to spare your mother when your father went up for trial…he hasn't been deliberately unkind, only perhaps played favorites with that sickening Potter. Draco growled at the voice and it shut up. That is reason enough to hate the man, he told himself as he turned his attention back to the headmaster.

"Well, are we going to do this now, or later?" he asked.

"Perhaps you would like to know who the father is, first, Draco?" Snape reminded him. Draco merely shrugged.

"What good will that do me? You'll just have to make me take an Unbreakable if you tell me, so why not get the Vow out of the way? What were you going to do to me after this meeting if I said no? Some kind of memory charm, I bet."

Albus stood up, smiling wearily. "He has a point, Severus. Well then, Mister Malfoy? You are ready?"

Draco stood as well and nodded, not bothering to look to Snape again. He would be on his own for the time being and it was best he learned to make his own decisions- to stop taking cues from those around him. In order to complete his task, in order to save his family, he would have to be strong enough on his own. No one could assume or know that Snape had taken a hand in this situation. In order to be believable, it would have to appear as though he had done everything himself. He looked the headmaster directly in the eyes, grateful for the lessons from dear Bellatrix. For all her faults, she was his aunt, after all. He smirked.

"I'm ready."