Breakfast in Granger's quarters was going as well as could be expected:
"So let me get this straight: there's some great, unseen, omniscient, omnipotent, Dumbledore-like being in the sky..." Malfoy's skepticism was obvious as he trailed off and spread marmalade on his toast.
"Yes. Muggles call It many things: God, Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah; actually, there are too many names to list when you take every religion into account. No matter the location, virtually every Muggle culture worships some version of an all-powerful deity."
"Some version? What, it varies much? I was taught Muggles aren't exactly creative-" he ducked too late as she shocked him by bouncing a peach off his head. "Ouch, woman!"
"Be nice, Malfoy. You said you wanted to learn about this." Her eyes twinkled just the slightest bit.
"I didn't say I wanted a lesson on the history of every bloody religion in the Muggle world, I just wondered where the snake came into things." Though exasperated with the fact that the witch was still an insufferable know-it-all, Draco found himself thrilled that she'd gotten fired up enough to throw something at him.
Hermione sighed. Of course all the Slytherin would care about was a damned snake. "The point I was trying to make before I was so rudely interrupted is that a being can have different meanings in different religions. In Christianity, a fallen angel named Lucifer runs Hell, an underworld reserved for sinners deserving eternal torment. In the Garden of Eden, he manifested as a talking serpent that tempted Eve."
"Poor Shaitan," came a new voice, "all he got to handle was torture and punishment. The Ancient Greeks believed in an underworld that catered to different levels of mortals. So much fairer, don't you think?"
Granger was out of her seat, pointing her wand at the stranger before he finished his sentence. He smiled at her indulgently as he took a pear from the breakfast spread before him, and dropped elegantly into a chair. Malfoy moved to stand behind the witch, gently holding her to him with one arm as he used the other to lower her wand.
"Malfoy! Have you lost what little mind I assumed you had?" She struggled against the wizard as he held her fast. "There is an intruder in my sitting room! And just who in the HELL are you?" Her hair rose in a staticky mess from her head as magic crackled through her uncontrolled. The blond winced more than once as he received increasingly powerful shocks from touching her.
"Close, darling. So close," the unknown man grinned at her, showing pointed rows of exceptionally white teeth. "I see you haven't mentioned my recent visit, Draco?"
"No, My Lord. I-"
"YOUR LORD?" Hermione screeched. "Who is he? Voldemort's replacement? This is a trap, isn't it? HELP! SOMEBODY! ALERT THE-"
Hades flicked a finger at the witch and her voice disappeared. A second gesture reattached her to her seat.
"There, that's better. Now we can talk. Please calm yourself, Miss Granger. I do not appreciate those who waste my time."
Hermione's eyes blazed as she sent the stranger a truly hideous glare. He tilted his head, regarding her carefully as he moved from her hair to her eyes, and back again.
"Are you aware of any Gorgons in your family tree?"
Draco intervened. "My Lord, please. She's endured so much, her battle skills and paranoia are heightened."
The god smirked and gestured behind himself, opening the same doorway he'd revealed to Malfoy. "Take a good look, Miss Granger, then think carefully how you wish to comport yourself."
The brunette got to her feet slowly and approached the doorway, comparing the left and right sides of the view it presented. Hades lifted the gag after a moment.
"No. You- you aren't. It can't be. You mean to tell me I have a GOD in my sitting room?" Her childlike awe captivated the deity for a moment, and made him miss his Persephone anew.
"Indeed. You may call me Hades, or My Lord." He suppressed the urge to laugh outright as the witch blinked at him, nonplussed.
"Draco? There's a god in my sitting room."
"Yes."
"You've met him before."
"Night before last."
"Smashing. Why is he here?"
"Young Master Malfoy made a request of me on your behalf, and I have decided to agree, under certain conditions. I was going to wait before complying, but events must be put into motion, and we are required to adhere to a mortal timetable, for a change."
"Thank you, My Lord," Draco did his best to cut off the inevitable stream of questions he knew would fly from Granger's lips. "The conditions are?"
"First, you and Miss Granger will remain seated at all times. Second, no questions will be allowed. That is not in line with the purpose of my visit. Third, you, Miss Granger, will follow any orders given you." She bristled, and Draco frantically shushed her.
"And finally, you will share this with no one. If I discover that either of you has broken any portion of this agreement, the consequences will be most...severe." A shriek from a damned soul rang throughout the room.
Granger and Malfoy looked at each other then back at the god. "Agreed."
Hades shifted, the tiniest sigh escaping his lips. "Remember now, don't move." His mortal counterparts gripped their chairs as a pillar of light shimmered into existence, taking the translucent form of a man.
"Ron? RON!" Hermione went to jump from the chair.
"No, Granger! Remember the agreement!" Malfoy relaxed as she sat back, unshed tears making her eyes shine. She held the armrests so tightly, her hands ached. A moment later, the telltale sensation of a Silencio washed over her, leaving her oddly grateful.
Ron smiled softly at her, shaking his head. "Don't move, 'Mione. And for the first time in your life, don't talk!" She blushed and he winked at her.
"Merlin, it's good to see you when I know you can see me, too. Look, I haven't got much time here. That's part of why Hades said no questions. This is my chance to tell you goodbye. I'll still be around, but you won't be able to see me." He looked chagrined as the tears fled her eyes and soaked her cheeks.
"Since we were 11 years old, at heart it's always been you for me." She nodded frantically in agreement. "But here's the thing: you actually belong somewhere else. With someone else, yeah?" She shook her head in fierce denial, droplets flying from her face and hitting Draco's, as he kept his eyes downcast in an effort to give them some privacy.
Ron's shoulders slumped. "Look, love, I can't tell you the details, because they aren't allowing me to. But trust me when I say you'll know everything eventually. No, really- I swear to you. And here comes the order part: You've got to trust Malfoy. Get to know him, and when the time comes, don't let your feelings for me keep you from where you're supposed to be, OK?" The ginger was crying unashamedly now. "Just- just don't forget me. I promise, right or not, I will love you forever, Hermione Jean Granger."
Ron sniffled and collected himself, smiling sadly at his ex-sweetheart. "For once, I got to give you an order. S'a weird feeling, ya know?" He wiped his eyes. "Malfoy?" The blond looked up at Weasley. "Remember what we talked about. Take care of her. I'll be around." Draco nodded gravely to the apparition, and shimmering gently, Ron left Hermione for the second time.
Hades rose to take his leave. "You may move now. Remember all to which you have agreed." Hermione was doubled over in her chair, sobs wrenching her tiny form. The god knelt before her, taking her chin in one hand. "Good luck, Miss Granger. While I cannot say that everything will be okay as it is, I can promise you that you will experience happiness again in this lifetime." He kissed her forehead, stood, and glanced at Draco.
"You've got your work cut out for you, boy. Just remember: when you hit a rough patch, it's worth it." And with a snap of his fingers, Hades disappeared, leaving a confused witch and a nervous wizard to stare at each other silently.