If you're visual like me, here's a photo of the dress: fs71/PRE/i/2013/208/1/f/danielle_white_dress_6_by_

He stood in a circle of dirt, his fingers immediately shot to his side only to discover his wand gone.

"Odd.." Draco murmured, straightening.

He discovered he was in the middle of a golden meadow, encased with hills of Red Poppy flowers. A small river was to his right, and the only sound to be heard were the soft whispers of wind and occasional song bird.

He began walking through the field, his fingers caressing over the tall grass and flowers. He hadn't felt this light...this carefree in years. A sudden movement in the corner of his eyes caught his attention, and the sight resulted in his breath hitching.

Upon the hillside, he saw what appeared to be himself-with a woman who's face he could not see-fawning over a cooing bundle. His mouth went dry, and the all-to-familiar pain clenched deep within his chest. He watched himself lean in to kiss the woman as the image slowly faded and a new one formed.

He was chasing a small, blonde toddler who was giggling madly.

"Daddy's too slow!" the child squealed as his father scooped him up, rolling around in the grass. Slowly, they faded into nothing as Draco's hand shot out, as if begging them to stay.

He was too entranced by the fading scene to realize a figure appeared behind him, it's angelic voice breaking the tranquility.

"Down the path along side the lake
A tender hearted woman saw a poor half frozen snake
His pretty colored skin had been all frosted with the dew..."

Chills ran down his spine, his feet slowly moving to turn around. Something within him reasoned this was the woman the prophecy spoke of; the mother of his heir. She was petite, long, elegant chestnut brown curls cascaded down her back. She was clothed in a long, flowing white dress. The bottom layered in chiffon and edges trimmed in lace, the sleeves were layered in lace and fell across her shoulders, revealing the slender curve of her neckline.

Draco didn't blink. He dared not to breathe. He needed to see her face-he felt compelled to touch her-be near her. He wanted to drown in her very essence and never be found again. He inhaled a slow, ragged breath as he stood directly behind her-too far to touch but close enough to become intoxicated by her scent.

But it was if she didn't even know he was so incredibly close to her, for she continued to sing as she harvested flowers.

""Take me in oh tender woman
Take me in, for heaven's sake
Take me in oh tender woman," sighed the snake"

"Snake?" Draco murmured, his eyes narrowed in confusion, his hand reaching out to grasp her arm-but she was already walking further into the meadow, heading towards a trail near the woods.

"Now she clutched him to her bosom, 'You're so beautiful,' she cried
'But if I hadn't brought you in by now you might have died'
Now she stroked his pretty skin and then she kissed and held him tight"

He followed her without hesitation, their pace changing from walking to a run. The sun's warmth was soon swallowed by the thickness of forest that now engulfed them both-Draco found himself leaping over fallen, rotten logs and ducking beneath low, piercing branches. Desperately, he tried to keep up with her-"Wait! Please! I won't hurt you!" his voice was ragged, his boots crushing the soil beneath them.

Draco stopped, his eyes wide.

She was on her knees in the middle of a small opening encased by trees, dark light seeping through the ragged branches, illuminating her small body. Her voice had lost it's one sweet tone, for now it dripped of despair, anguish and betrayal. Her head was bowed, covered by her hair, her body slowly moving with each intake of breath after every note she sang.

"But instead of saying thanks, that snake gave her a vicious bite,

'I saved you,'
'And you've bit me even, why?
You know your bite is poisonous and now I'm going to die'
'Oh shut up, silly woman,' said the reptile with a grin
'You knew damn well I was a snake before you took me in
'Take me in, oh tender woman
Take me in, for heaven's sake
Take me in oh tender woman,' sighed the snake"

"No-no!" Draco's voice was laced with mortification and anger "I made my choice, and my choice is death!" he roughly shoved aside the branches in his path, falling to his knees in front of the woman, his hand shaking as he tilted her chin up to face him.

His body shot back in horror as her eyes snapped open, revealing nothing but white. Her body slowly rose, levitating above him and the trees around them erupted into flames.

Draco was on his back, scrambling away from the woman, frozen in sheer utter terror.

"How could you, Snake?!" Her voice shrieked, her curls flying madly around her.

She swooped down suddenly, flying around Draco as if he were prey and she a hawk. "I saved you and in turn you give me Death? I should've let you rot, for evil like you deserve no redemption from darkness, and for this you will pay!"

He gathered himself on his knees, smoke invading his lungs from the burning forest. "No no no, I would do no such thing! Please I swear to you!"

"Lying, filthy Snake!" She bellowed, and as she swooped in the air and dove before him, Draco saw flames beginning to lick at his sides and-

"NO!" Draco shot up in his bed, his breathing hollow and ragged, body dripping in sweat.

"Master? Is Master Malfoy alright?" a small, bright eyed house-elf popped into the room, shaking hands holding a silver tray covered in various breakfast foods.

'A dream...a dream...' Draco thought hastily, his eyes darting around before settling on the small creature before him. "Yes, Libby. I am fine. Thank you"

"Oh good because Libby heard Master screaming in his sleep and was worried for him." Libby chirped cheerfully as she placed the tray beside him, and yanked open the heavy, red curtains.

"Does Master need anything else of Libby?"

"No, no you've done enough. Thank you." Draco responded quietly as he stood from the bed.

As soon as Libby departed, Draco quickly gave himself a one-over. His lungs ached as if they had been inhaling nothing but smoke. "Need a Pepper-Up Potion" he muttered.

He turned his left wrist over, feeling the blood draining from his face.

Snake.

It looked as if it had been dug raggedly into his skin by someone's nails. The words were sloppy, ugly, and ultimately, were screaming at him.

Murderer.

Draco fel, and stalked over to his wardrobe. Yanking on a pair of black slacks, a white button down, and a heavy black robe. He stood in front of his door, and rolled his shoulders. Now was not the time to mull over the dream or the scar. He had work to do.

He exhaled slowly, cooled his expression, and opened the doors.

xx

Hermione groaned, stretching her stiff muscles.

"Well good morning," Ginny pipped up, her legs crossed as she perched at the end of the bed.

"I feel like I got hit by a train," Hermione muttered, pushing herself into an upright position.

"Not surprising, you were moaning and tossing in your sleep. Woke me up!" Ginny said, cocking an eyebrow.

"Oh...sorry. I had this really absurd dream." Hermione stated, before climbing out of bed.

Ginny shrugged. "Had to get up anyways. Mum called breakfast thirty minutes ago and knowing Ron he already bloody ate everything, so we best get a move on."

Hermione stifled a laugh and nodded. "I'll be down in a minute,"

Ginny gave a short nod before heading out the door, "RON! You best left us something!" her voice bellowed, "OI! It's not my bloody fault you don't come when mum calls!" Ron yelled as Hermione closed her bedroom door, and leaned against it.

She trailed her finger across her palm, and down to her wrist, biting her lip at the sight of red scratch marks.

It was so...odd. The dream. She recalled seeing a small toddler playing with a man, and vaguely recalled a child swaddled...

But there was something else that happened which she couldn't quite recall, and she was sure she'd drive herself mad trying to remember.

She shook her head and pushed herself away from the door, threw on a pair of jeans and her favorite jumped, and headed downstairs.

As always, the kitchen was loud and buzzing with life. Molly was scolding Ron to chew his food instead of inhaling it, George was talking about a new set of prank toys he was working on, Arthur was muttering about something in The Prophet and how The Quibbler was more reliable, Mad-Eye, Kingsley, and Blaise were huddled together, talking back and forth in hushed angry tones. Everyone else was soaking in the sun that seeped through the windows, filling their bellies with warm sausage, and revelling in the fact they lived another day.

The only thing missing was Harry.

Her heart clenched in her chest for a brief moment, forcing herself to take the seat beside Kingsley.

"Good Morning Miss Granger," Kingsley greeted.

Hermione offered a smile, "Good Morning."

She reached over and grabbed the tea, pouring a small cup.

Milk. two sugars.

"Never imagined Granger to be a bit of sweet-tooth," Blaise commented dryly. He looked exhausted, as if he hadn't slept in ages. The deep lines riddling his face made him appear far older than he truly was. He looked as if he was a man teetering on the edge of oblivion, who held on by frayed threads.

"Good Morning to you too, Blaise." Hermione replied mockingly. "I see nothing wrong with indulging in a few simple pleasantries. Tea brings a sense of normality, while there is normality there is hope-sue me for wanting to sweeten the pot a bit."

Blaise smirked, "So easy to rile up, you are. No wonder Malfoy always targeted you."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, before taking a long sip of the tea, her eyes falling shut as she savored the delicate taste. She knew Blaise wasn't being malicious, it was normal banter between them since he had defected The Deatheaters and switched to the Light.

"I suppose you'd like to be informed of the plan?"

"Oh, yes! Of course." Her eyes flew open, placing her cuppa down.

"Malfoy is planning a false raid, in an attempt to capture Kingsley. From what he told me, he will be bringing a small team and they've been given orders to kill at will."

Hermione nodded, that much she had expected. There weren't very many of them left, and it only made sense to want to wipe them out entirely.

Blaise grabbed a piece of parchment from his pocket, and beckoned Hermione to come closer. "These are the teams Kingsley, Moody and I devised last night. Our goal is to capture as many of them alive as possible, to hopefully find out what's wrong with Potter. We're going to have three teams of four. You'll be in the front end team with me, Moody, Tonks and Remus. Weasley, Molly, Michael, and Justin are in group two and will follow behind us, and Kingsley, Angelina, Longbottom, and Lovegood are in the last sector and will be covering our sides."

"When do we attack?" Hermione questioned, snatching the parchment as she searched for any flaws in the plan.

"Friday, 6PM. Malfoy will be arriving shortly after. I'll be trying to find out who he'll be bringing with him, however I feel we will be fine."

Blaise cleared his throat, studying the woman who stared at the parchment intently. "Are you ready for this?"

Hermione's eyes shot up, "Why wouldn't I be?" she demanded accusingly.

"With Potter being out-"

"Enough Blaise, enough. I've never been one to sit and mope when something terrible happens. Of course I'm ready." Hermione snapped, her eyes narrowed.

Blaise nodded slowly. "Good. We need you for this to work."

"I know Blaise, I know."

a/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I loved writing it! Thank you for the reviews, they truly encourage me!