DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. This fiction is purely for my own enjoyment and yours. No money is being made by me or anyone else from this fiction.

Author Note: Again, I apologize for the wait. Work has been keeping me dreadfully busy as of late. I hope this chapter makes up for it. Thank you to all you have left reviews and added this story to your alerts and favorites lists!

Chapter 9

"Come on!" said Hermione in a slightly breathless voice, dragging Draco along behind her. She had her hand wrapped tightly around his and was walking at top speed. Draco had no problem keeping up with her since his legs were much longer than hers, but unlike Hermione, who was hurrying towards Dumbledore's office with great excitement, he was lagging behind. He trusted Hermione but did not have her optimism. Dumbledore is liable to throw me out. What reason does he have to trust the son of a Death Eater? He brooded in silence as they walked.

Hermione was glancing around the corridors as they walked, her eyes peeled for any approaching students or worse, Professor Umbridge. Draco shared her caution. The last thing he wanted was to be caught by another student holding hands with Hermione Granger. Not that I'm ashamed of her, he hastily thought to himself. In his mind, the frowning face of Naomi stared back at him. I'm not ashamed, he thought again, as if trying to reason with the little girl. A moment later he shook his head at his line of thought. I've really lost it now, haven't I? Here I am, on my way to declare my allegiance to the Light and I'm arguing with a nonexistent little girl. As if miffed by this thought, Naomi tossed her head haughtily as Draco had often seen Hermione do, and stalked off to some far corner of his mind, a second girl with blonde curls trailing after her.

He came to a sudden halt and nearly walked straight into Hermione, who had stopped abruptly and gasped. Draco followed her line of sight and saw immediately what had shocked her. Professor Snape had appeared from around the corner, his dark robes billowing around him and looking as unpleasant as ever. His black eyes caught sight of them and darted down to their entwined hands, which Hermione had made no move to separate. Draco resisted the urge to yank his hand from hers. It's too late now. Snape already saw us and will demand an explanation. He steeled himself for questions, his face curling into his signature sneer. Teasing Hermione while in the potions lab somehow felt different than walking about the corridors hand in hand with her and he felt no desire to explain it to his Head of House.

"What are you two doing?" Snape demanded. His eyes once again flicked down to their entwined hands and Draco felt Hermione tighten her grip. It was a testimony to how much she trusted Dumbledore, Draco realized, that she kept her grip on his hand. "He trusts Professor Snape," she had said. It looked like she truly believed it.

"We're going to see Professor Dumbledore, Sir," Hermione said. She met Snape's gaze almost defiantly, as if daring him to say something against them. Don't push it Hermione, Draco thought exasperatedly. At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a small blossom of admiration for the way she stood up to Professor Snape. Many lesser students would have quailed beneath his menacing gaze, but Hermione stood her ground.

Snape's upper lip curled. "The Headmaster is busy," he said shortly.

Hermione was not deterred. "We must see him," she said. "It's important." Again Snape's eyes went to their hands and he lifted an eyebrow at Draco. I need to confirm it, Draco realized.

"Granger's right," he said. He could tell Hermione was surprised by his speaking since she straightened up quickly and glanced back at him.

Snape said nothing for a few moments, then gave them a curt nod. "Very well," he said quietly. "I will take you to him." He turned around and swept down the hallway, leaving them with no other option but to follow. Draco's stomach fell slightly. He didn't want Snape listening in on this conversation. Snape is too close to my father. If he thinks it will benefit him, he might... Draco gritted his teeth. He would simply have to tell Dumbledore he wished to speak to him alone.

Snape led them down the corridor, not looking back once. Hermione continued to pull Draco forward, walking even faster to keep up with Snape's long strides. All three of them were silent and it seemed to Draco they arrived all too soon at the stone gargoyle which guarded Dumbledore's office. "Fizzing Whizbee," Snape muttered to the gargoyle and Draco nearly gasped as it began to move, revealing a staircase that spiraled upwards. Snape stepped lightly on it to as though he had done it a thousand times—which he probably had, thought Draco—and Hermione did the same, pulling Draco along behind her.

As they rose slowly on the staircase, Draco felt his heart begin to pound and he wondered if Hermione could hear it. It's too soon; I need more time to think about this, I don't even know what I'm going to say! he thought wildly. He glanced at Hermione, whose eyes were sparkling with some kind of excitement or possibly apprehension, but she looked nowhere near as nervous as Draco felt. Tell me I'm doing the right thing, he thought, wishing there was someone who could reassure him. From the corners of his mind, Naomi and Evanna reappeared, summoned by his need. They smiled at him. Right. I'm doing this for them, Draco told himself. And for Hermione, because she's right. And she's worth it.

When they reached the top of the staircase, Snape rapped on the thick wooden door in front of them twice. From inside they heard a soft "Enter," from Dumbledore and the door swung open. Draco tried not to gape as they stepped inside, but it was no use. They were standing inside an oval office, surrounded on all sides by painting of past headmasters, most of whom were dozing in there frames. Many spindly tables sat in various spots in the room, covered with intricate silver devices, the purpose of which Draco had no idea. He spotted the ragged Sorting Hat on the top shelf of a bookcase along the far wall and a gleaming silver sword with huge rubies embedded in the hilt. He remembered hearing that Potter had used it to kill the basilisk in their second year. So it must be the sword of Godric Gryffindor. He blinked in surprise at the magnificent red and gold bird sitting on a perch behind Dumbledore's desk. It's a phoenix, he thought in awe. He recognized it from his studies in Care of Magical Creatures. When the bird saw him staring, it keened softly and Draco suddenly felt a surge of strength and hope flood through him. He relaxed minutely.

"Severus, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" asked Dumbledore, his bright blue eyes sweeping over Draco and Hermione and catching sight of their hands. His eyes twinkled and Draco felt himself blush. It's not like he doesn't already know about the dream, so there's no need to be embarrassed. But the feeling lingered all the same.

Snape looked highly annoyed, as though he had just been put through a great inconvenience. "It is no pleasure, Headmaster," he said. "Mister Malfoy and Miss Granger claim to have something of great importance to discuss with you." He sneered at the pair of them. What is his problem?

Dumbledore looked at them with great interest. "Well then, thank you for bringing them to me Severus. I shall certainly listen to their concerns. You may go now."

Draco tried not to sigh in relief. This was going to be hard enough without an audience, especially Snape. Professor Snape's eyes narrowed slightly at his obvious dismissal. "Headmaster, as this deals with a student in my House, I feel I should be here to hear his concerns," he said with a frown. Draco looked sharply at Dumbledore, pleading with his eyes and hoping Dumbledore wouldn't agree.

He needn't have worried. Dumbledore smiled lightly and said, "I understand your concern, Severus, however, I will hear Mister Malfoy's concerns and send him on to you if necessary. I will speak to the boy alone."

Snape's lips tightened and he glared at the pair of them, especially Hermione, as if this was entirely her fault. Draco began to think all those times Potter and his gang of Gryffindors had complained about Snape's unfairness to them wasn't entirely convinced they weren't right. He has no reason to be mad at Hermione. I'm the one who wants to be left alone.

"Very well," said Snape curtly and he spun on his heel and left the room without another word. Dumbledore stared at the door for a few moments before placing his piercing gaze upon Draco and Hermione. No one said anything for a minute or so. Where do I even start?

Finally Dumbledore broke the silence. "What can I do for you today, Mister Malfoy and Miss Granger? Am I right in guessing this has something to do with your recent dream as a result of your unfortunate Potions accident?"

Draco opened his mouth to answer but no sound came out. Thankfully, Hermione filled in for him. "Yes Professor," she gushed. Draco saw her glance at him before continuing. "Actually, it's not about the dream itself but what the dream has caused us to realize, Sir," she said very rapidly. Dumbledore leaned forward.

"Indeed?" he asked softly, his gaze resting on Draco, who felt his insides squirm a bit. It's like he's looking right through me.

"Yes, well, it's just that, since the dream we..." Hermione trailed off, unsure of how to continue. Draco felt sure this was one of the only times Hermione had ever struggled to come up with an answer. "We're much closer than we were," she said finally. Draco snorted softly. That is an understatement.

"I see," said Dumbledore, as though he understood everything Hermione was trying to say with such a vague statement. "But as encouraging as it is to hear of inner-House relationships, I am sure that this is not what you had wanted to tell me," he said, gazing at them over the top of his half-moon spectacles.

"No, it isn't," Hermione agreed, but made no attempt to elaborate. She bit her lip and looked over at Draco, her eyes wide. "Draco?" she whispered so softly he almost didn't hear it. His heart seized. This is it. I have to do this.

He opened his mouth, but it suddenly felt like it was full of cotton. Nothing came out. He swallowed hard. Just say it. Don't be a coward, Draco. Never before had it been so hard to say anything. He took a deep breath and felt Hermione give his hand a squeeze. "I want to join the Light side," he blurted. He looked into Dumbledore's eyes earnestly, suddenly realizing how worried he was about the answer. He won't say no, right? Hermione said he would protect me. What about my family?

Dumbledore's eyes brightened and he looked as though he was witnessing something rare and beautiful. Draco fidgeted a bit under his gaze. "This is excellent news indeed, Mister Malfoy. May I ask what has prompted this decision?"

Draco glanced at Hermione. Isn't it obvious? "Well Sir, it's just that I've been through a lot of different experiences over the last few days. Things suddenly seem clearer and at the same time more confusing than ever." Dumbledore nodded in understanding and Draco continued, fearing that if he didn't say everything now he would never have the courage to say it again. "Hermione has helped me realize what is right." Suddenly Dumbledore's words from the previous year's end of term feast came back to him. "Dark times lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right." Guilt gnawed at him. Dumbledore was speaking about the death of Cedric Diggory, but Draco had only been half listening, instead whispering with his fellow Slytherins about Potter and his wild stories. Except they weren't just stories. Potter told the truth. He's always telling the truth... He swallowed his guilt and looked up at the Headmaster. "Will you help me Sir?"

Hermione held her breath as she looked between Draco and Dumbledore, her heart pounding in her chest. At the desperate look on Draco's face, she felt a twinge in her heart. She hadn't really thought how difficult this was going to be for him. Maybe I should have given him more time to think things over before going to Dumbledore, she fretted silently.

The tension was broken by Dumbledore beaming at the pair of them and saying in a soft voice, "My dear boy, of course I will help you." At once Hermione's face split into a wide smile and Draco's shoulders drooped in relief. "Have a seat," said Dumbledore, gesturing at the chairs behind them. "Lemon drop?" He held out a tin of the gooey candies.

Hermione stared at him in disbelief. Does he have any idea how hard that just was for Draco? I hardly think now is the time for candy. "No thank you, Professor," said Hermione, hoping none of her perplexity came through in her tone. She glanced at Draco, who had sunk into the chair beside her and was shaking his head.

"Very well," said Dumbledore lightly, replacing the tin of candy back on the edge of his desk. He regarded Draco for a moment with a sort of grandfatherly expression before speaking. "I realize, even if you do not yet fully understand it, that this decision will have serious effects on you and your family in the coming war. I must ask you…"

"I do," Draco interrupted. Hermione blinked and looked at him with concern. Draco was staring at his feet, but when Dumbledore paused he lifted his head and repeated, "I do understand, Sir." He took a deep breath and Hermione creased her eyebrow, wondering what Draco was steeling himself to say. Whatever it is, he's certainly worried about it. He looks as though his world is about to shatter…

"I do understand," Draco said again. "That's why I want to ask you, Sir, to protect my family as well." Hermione's stomach fell. We can't protect Mister Malfoy, there's no way he will abandon Voldemort. This thought seemed to suddenly occur to Draco as well. "If not my father, then at least say you'll protect my mother," he said, a bit of desperation creeping into his voice.

Again Dumbledore regarded Draco silently for a few moments, until Hermione thought she would explode if he didn't give an answer. "If you are true in your convictions, Mister Malfoy, I will help you and all of your family that wish for my protection." Hermione's heart soared. I knew Dumbledore could help! "However, another decision lies before you, Mister Malfoy. I can provide you and your family with protection, yes. But it depends on what role you would like to play in the war." Hermione felt her nervousness return and she looked at Draco anxiously. His face was very pale and had a pinched look to it, bringing out the pointedness of his chin. "If you desire," continued Dumbledore as if he were discussing a schedule of classes rather than dangerous wartime roles, "I can arrange for you and your family to go into hiding. I can personally guarantee the safe house I place you in would have a miniscule chance of ever being found by Voldemort or his Death Eaters."

Hermione felt rather than saw Draco flinch violently at the use of Voldemort's name and she repressed a shudder of her own. Dumbledore and Harry use his name, so there's no reason I shouldn't be able to too. She turned her attention back to the conversation as Dumbledore continued.

"The other option available to you would be much more dangerous, but also much more useful." Hermione sucked in a sharp breath, silently willing Dumbledore not to utter the words she was so certain he would. Please don't ask him… she begged. "It would require you to continue acting as you have always done, but acting as spy for our side."

"No!" The word was out of Hermione's mouth before she could stop it. Both Draco and Dumbledore looked at her. She flushed. "It's too dangerous, Professor. You can't possibly ask Draco to…"

Dumbledore held up a hand to stop her. "I would not dream of sending Draco into unnecessary danger, Miss Granger," he said calmly.

"Then what…" Hermione burst out.

Again Dumbledore held up a hand to stop her. "Draco would merely keep an open ear for the happenings among the students, Miss Granger. Adults often misjudge the depth of children's emotions and understanding and children do not tell adults everything. As Headmaster of this school, my first priority is the safety of its students. The seeds of darkness are sown at a young age and adolescents are easy to manipulate. They feel things so strongly," he said, a bit of a faraway look in his eyes. Hermione thought she saw regret behind those blue eyes, but it was gone before she could examine it. "Lord Voldemort likes to start recruiting young, Miss Granger, and he does not limit himself to Slytherin House. I would like to protect as many young lives as I can. If Mister Malfoy is willing, he can help me in this task."

Silence fell over the office and for several minutes the only sounds that could be heard were the quiet snores of the past Headmasters in their portraits, the whirring of the silver contraptions on their spindly table and the soft ticking of an ancient looking grandfather clock behind the desk. Inside Hermione was fuming. How dare he ask Draco to do such a thing! He was supposed to offer protection, not give him a job that puts him in more danger! He's only fifteen! How could he ask for such responsibility? Questions like these continued to fly through Hermione's mind. Beside her, Draco didn't move. He seemed to be frozen to the spot, thinking hard. His face was hidden from her view as he stared resolutely at his feet. He just wants to stay alive, thought Hermione bitterly.

Unbidden, a small voice piped up in the back of her mind. Harry and Ron wanted to join the Order. They wouldn't hesitate to take a chance like this to help. Why should Draco? She gritted her teeth. Because Mrs. Weasley is right. We're only kids! There's no need for us to fight.

"I'll do it." Draco's shaky voice suddenly rang out in the office, breaking the silence. Hermione's head snapped up and her mouth dropped open in shock. She stared at Draco's face, set into a determined grimace. Dumbledore nodded slowly. Hermione felt like the world was tipping on its side. He can't possibly mean…

"I'll do it," Draco repeated in a stronger voice. "I'll spy for you, Professor Dumbledore. I'll do my part for the Light."