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: Sorry for the long wait. I update when I can. Thank you to all of you who have left reviews and added this story to your alerts and favorites lists!
Chapter 10
Hermione's mouth fell open. "No!" she cried, staring in shock at both Draco and Dumbledore. "Draco, you can't! Professor, how could you ask him that?" She shook her head violently. This can't be happening! The room still felt like it was tilting dangerously and Hermione felt slightly faint. How did it come to this? He was only supposed to offer Draco protection, not give him a job. What does Draco need to prove? She grabbed Draco by the arm. "Draco! You don't have to do this. You've got nothing to prove. There's no need for you to, to..." she sputtered into silence.
Slowly, Draco shook his head. "I think I do, Hermione," he said. "I'm not just signing up to be a coward. A life without fear of the Dark Lord is one worth fighting for. You showed me that. I can't expect others to do the fighting while I hide away. This is the best option." He swallowed hard, and Hermione could see fear and determination in his face.
"This is ridiculous!" she cried, completely outraged. She turned towards Dumbledore. "Professor, surely you can't mean to go through with this?"
Dumbledore eyed her calmly over his half-moon spectacles. "If Mister Malfoy is prepared to take on this challenge, Miss Granger, I most certainly am. He will be in no immediate danger while at school, and if he continues to behave as normal, no one will suspect a thing. The decision lies entirely with him."
Hermione goggled at him. He can't be serious. "But Professor! How can you say he will be completely safe here at Hogwarts? Just look at the things that have happened here in the past four years alone!" she cried. Draco's eyes widened at her outburst. Hermione blushed but did not regret her words. Even if they do incriminate the Headmaster a bit, it's true. Just look at all the dangers Harry's been through over the last few years. If someone suspected Draco, there's no telling what could happen to him.
"Hermione, it's my decision," Draco said quietly. Hermione spun around to face him.
"But," she began, but he cut her off.
"It's wonderful that you are so concerned about me, Hermione, but I assure you, I am quite capable of taking care of myself and making my own decisions. I don't need you to fight my battles."
Hermione was shocked into speechlessness. She couldn't think of a single thing to say in response. Anger, frustration and anxiety welled up inside her, but before she could muster up a retort, Dumbledore interrupted. "I think, Miss Granger," he said firmly, "that this is a conversation Mister Malfoy and I should have alone. You may return to your dormitory and talk to Draco later. I'm sure he will tell you anything he feels important to share. Thank you, Miss Granger."
Hermione bristled at the dismissal. Now I know how Professor Snape felt earlier, she thought bitterly. She opened her mouth to argue, but caught a pleading gaze from Draco that made her stop in her tracks. I suppose it is his decision, but I'm still not happy about it. "Just don't make any rash decisions, Draco," she said finally. She gave Dumbledore a curt nod and spun on her heel, leaving the room in the same angry manner that Snape had done.
She fumed all the way back to Gryffindor Tower, angrily snapping the password to the Fat Lady and striding into the common room in a state of great agitation. She spotted Ron and Harry placing a game of wizard chess in the corner of the room and started to head toward them before she remembered their fight and that Harry wasn't talking to her. Angry tears began to sting the corners of her eyes and brushed them away furiously. She turned away, intending to head up to her dorm, but Ron spotted her and cried out, "Hermione!" She froze and Ron leapt out of his chair, ignoring Harry's glowering look. He caught sight of her tears and immediately his face darkened. "What happened? What's wrong? Are you alright?" he said in a rush.
Despite her distress and her anger over earlier events, Hermione felt a surge of affection for Ron. He could often be a tactless prat, but there were other times when his compassion appeared at precisely the right moment. This was one of those times.
Her shoulders drooped and her whole body seemed to deflate as the events of the day crashed down on her and she burst into tears. "It's n-nothing, R-ron," she stuttered helplessly. "I'm f-f-fine."
Ron ignored this and rushed to her side, steering her towards the door of the boys' dormitory. "Come on, let's get you out of here," he said gently, throwing a nasty glare at a group of second years who were staring unabashedly at the sobbing Hermione. "Come on Harry," Ron called. Hermione hiccuped and stopped at the foot of the stairs. Will he come? She glanced over her shoulder to see Harry standing rigidly beside the abandoned chess table. His face was blurry through her tears, but she was sure she could see Harry's stony face, torn between anger and some other emotion, possibly concern.
Just when Hermione was sure Harry would turn away, he strode forward after her and Ron, causing a renewed flood of tears to roll down Hermione's cheeks. He's still angry with me, he didn't have to come! Ron patted her on the back, looking worriedly between Harry and Hermione. "Let's just get upstairs," he said, looking eager to get out of the common room. Hermione allowed him to guide her up the stairs, Harry following a few paces behind them.
Come on Hermione, get a grip! She tried to calm herself as they walked, but when Ron sat her down on his bed and handed her a handkerchief, she burst into renewed tears. "I-I d-don't know why you're b-being so n-n-nice to me," she sobbed.
Ron looked bewildered and a bit guilty at this outburst. "We're friends, Hermione," he said almost questioningly. Hermione blinked and she saw he was again looking between her and Harry. "It's what friends do, even if they act like prats sometimes." Hermione hiccupped and gave a little laugh. Ron looked pleased. "There. So why don't you tell us what's got you in this sorry state?"
Hermione's face darkened and she sagged a little. "D-Draco..."
Harry was standing in front of her before the name left her mouth. "What did Malfoy do?" he demanded. His face looked murderous.
Hermione frowned. Always quick to assume it's Draco's fault. I suppose I shouldn't expect anything else. "It's more like w-what he didn't do," she said, reaching up to wipe away her tears.
"Did he hurt you? What did he say? I swear, I'll hex that twitchy ferret six ways to Sunday..." Harry hand his hand in his pocket and his wand drawn before any of them could blink. That, more than anything, sobered Hermione up. She straightened up and fixed Harry with a disapproving glare.
"He didn't do anything to hurt me! And you won't be doing anything of the sort" she sniffed. Ron looked confused.
"Then what's happened to turn you into a human hosepipe?"
Hermione gave him an exasperated look. "Honestly Ronald. A hosepipe?"
"You were crying an awful lot," he defended.
"Yes, well, it all just hit me, I suppose. I just haven't had time to process it—I mean, I never thought Professor Dumbledore would ask Draco to do something so outrageous—he's a student, not even of age! And the worst part..."
"Wait, wait, wait. Dumbledore asked Malfoy to do what?" Harry interrupted, looking keenly at Hermione.
Her eyebrows knit together to form a v. "He asked Draco to spy for our side, to find out which students You-Know-Who is trying to recruit, as if He would even bother with students at all, the very idea is ridiculous..."
"WHAT?" bellowed Harry and Ron together. Ron looked shocked, Harry just looked furious. Hermione, forgetting that Harry was supposed to be mad at her nodded vigorously, taking his fury to match her own.
"I know, I simply can't believe it. Professor Dumbledore was supposed to help Draco, not give him a job! He doesn't need to prove anything. He proved himself by actually lowering himself to ask for help! Not that asking for help is lowering yourself, but he might see it that way..." she rambled off, biting her bottom lip to stop her flow of words. Now that she had voiced her concerns, the words just wouldn't stop coming. How could Dumbledore have done this? "I just don't understand," she said helplessly.
"I don't understand either," said Harry harshly. Hermione's head snapped up at his tone. "I don't understand how Dumbledore could possibly trust Malfoy. His father is a Death Eater!"
"Oh, so that automatically makes him one too," snapped Hermione angrily. Of course Harry wasn't angry about the idea of using a student to spy on You-Know-Who. Just that it's Malfoy.
"Yes!" shouted Harry.
Ron looked uneasy. "You have to admit Hermione, Malfoy hasn't exactly given us any reason to trust him. Why should Dumbledore believe him?"
"Because he didn't ask for this!" Hermione burst out. "All he wanted was for the Order to hide him and his mother..."
"So you told Malfoy about the Order too? What else did you tell him, Hermione?" demanded Harry.
"Nothing! And I didn't," said Hermione, looking offended. As if I'd betray the Order. Have some faith in me, Harry! "I told him that if he wanted to be friends with me, he'd have to decide which side he was standing on, because I couldn't be with someone who supported You-Know-Who."
"Wait, be with? As in together? As in boyfriend-girlfriend?" asked Ron suddenly. His voice had gone rather high-pitched.
"What?" said Hermione, alarmed. I thought we could cross that bridge later. "No! I mean, not exactly. We're still sorting things out, and I meant what I said about choosing a side..."
"You're really, actually considering going out with Malfoy?" asked Harry and Ron incredulously.
Hermione turned a deep shade of red. "If you must know, then yes. I am considering it, though I really don't see how that concerns you." She huffed and crossed her arms, glaring at the pair of them. What did you think I was doing when you caught us snogging earlier? Honestly, boys.
"Oh course it concerns us!" Ron exploded. "We're your best friends, Hermione!"
"Oh, so that means you get to dictate who I date?" Hermione asked sharply. Ron quailed a bit under her gaze, but Harry's face hardened.
"It does if it's Malfoy you're dating, Hermione. How do you know he's not just using you to get close to me?"
Hermione bristled. As if he would…as if I would let him… She put held put a finger at Harry. "You listen to me, Harry Potter. I am perfectly capable of figuring out why a guy like Malfoy would want to go out with me. And contrary to popular belief, everything is not about you!"
"But it's Malfoy!" Harry exploded angrily.
"Yes, and that's not a good enough reason not to date him. I happen to know him a mite better than you two," Hermione sniffed. This is getting us nowhere!
"That was a dream, Hermione! This is reality!" Harry was really red in the face now. Ron glanced between the two of them, his ears as red as Harry's face, though Hermione's furious gaze was far worse.
"I could believe you, Harry, if my opinion of Draco was based on the dream only. But he's proven to me that it wasn't just a dream. He wants to make amends for the past and make a better future." She let out a despairing breath and seemed to deflate suddenly, all the fight going out of her. "Why don't you trust my judgment?" she whispered.
"You can be wrong, Hermione," Harry said stubbornly.
"And so can you," retorted Hermione. She glared at both boys and gave a disgusted sigh. "This isn't working. I never thought I'd see the day when Harry Potter took the easy way out."
Hermione…" started Ron, but she cut him off.
"I don't want to hear it, Ron. I'm going to bed. Good night!" She turned on her heel and stomped out of the dormitory, leaving Harry and Ron staring dumbly after her, shock and anger mingled on their faces. I will make them see I'm right. Just you wait.
Meanwhile, in Dumbledore's office, Draco stood nervously before the Headmaster, his heart pounding and his hands cold and clammy. The office was silent after Hermione's angry departure, and Draco didn't know what to say next. He suddenly wished he could call her back, just to boost his confidence. But it was too late now. There's no going back. I have to do this. He straightened up and his face became the smooth mask of indifference and haughtiness that often marked a Malfoy's face. Father would be proud, he thought ironically.
"So, Mister Malfoy, you wish to do your part for the Light," said Dumbledore calmly, breaking the terrible silence. Draco was secretly glad he had spoken first.
"Yes Sir. Sooner or later I will have to pick a side. I want to be on the side that is right."
"It may be dangerous," said Dumbledore, eyeing him steadily.
Draco gulped. "I know, Sir."
"I see your time with Miss Granger has affected you in more ways than one," said Dumbledore with a smile. "Tell me, why did you decide to step forward now?"
Draco was shocked for a moment. Didn't I already answer that? He took a deep breath. "Honestly, Professor, if I hadn't had that dream with Hermione, none of this would have happened. But as it is..." He hesitated for a moment, thought of Hermione, Naomi, Evanna and the unborn baby and continued. "I glimpsed a different future, one that could be mine if I wanted it. Well, I do want it. And I'm very accustomed to getting what I want, whatever it takes."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, I am aware of that. I can see why the Sorting Hat didn't hesitate to put you in Slytherin. But may I ask, Mister Malfoy, what happens if what you want changes? Love is a fickle thing Draco, and heartbreak can drive a man to do terrible things. How do I know you won't decide that a future with Hermione isn't what you want anymore?"
Draco felt a faint blush stain his cheeks. Love? That's a bit strong, isn't it? I mean, I like Hermione, but is it really love? He cleared his throat. "You don't," said Draco, surprising himself. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows, but remained silent. Emboldened, Draco continued. "I'm afraid I can't offer you any guarantee of my feelings, Sir. I can only offer you myself, as I am right now. I want to prove to myself that I deserve Hermione's friendship. I can do that by standing up for what is right and doing my best to help. If spying is what you need, Professor, I can help. Intrigue is the playground of Slytherins, after all." He stopped suddenly, smirking a little and feeling slightly shocked by his declaration. I mean it. Every word. Dumbledore can take it or leave it, I suppose.
After an agonizing minute of silence, during which Dumbledore's piercing gaze lingered on Draco, the Headmaster finally spoke. "I believe you, Draco. And I won't ask any more of you, for now."
Draco let out a breath of relief he didn't know he was holding. "Thank you, Sir. What will you need me to do?"
"I want you to keep an open ear and a watchful eye on your classmates. I don't want any student to feel they have no other choice but to follow Lord Voldemort, and I certainly don't want any student feeling threatened inside these walls. Unfortunately, young people do not always trust the adults in their life to help with such problems. You can help them Draco. Report back to me in two weeks' time with as much information as you can give me. Do not, of course, let anyone know what you are doing. We will decide on a further course of action when we next meet. Do you have any questions, my boy?"
Draco was silent for a moment, taking it all in. He believes me. He's not questioning my motives or calling me a liar…he's letting me prove myself. Maybe the old man isn't as biased as we thought. "No Sir," he finally managed to say. Draco felt a small stab of guilt when he remembered Hermione's reaction to being given this job, but he pushed it aside. She'll have to accept it. If Potter and Weasley can risk their necks to save the day, why can't I?
Dumbledore nodded. "Very well. You should return to your dormitory. I'm sure your friends will be wondering where you've been. Good night, Mister Malfoy."
"Right. Good night, Professor," said Draco absently. He turned and talked out of the office, barely paying attention to the whispering portraits of past Headmasters and Headmistresses on his way out, his mind much too full of the occurrences of the last hour to be bothered with anything else. He walked silently down the deserted halls, thinking hard. Finding out which Slytherins were being pressed by their parents to join the Dark Lord would be easy. It was a frequent common room conversation now, especially among those "privileged" few who had parents who had witnessed the Dark Lord's resurrection. Sorting out everyone's true feelings on the matter would be slightly more difficult, but Draco felt confident in his ability to do it. The name of Malfoy carried a lot of weight in the Slytherin House, and Draco would be using it to his full advantage.
As he came to the disguised patch of wall that served as the door of the Slytherin common room, he smirked to himself. Who would have thought? Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin Spy. A hero, possibly. Has quite a nice ring to it, I think. He laughed as he stepped into the common room. Here goes nothing.