"Of course Hermione, What did you need to talk about?" Lupin looked down at her, his face filled with concern.
"Are you alone?" Hermione craned her neck to look around the kitchen.
"Yes," Lupin replied. "Well other than Tonks, she's in the next room."
"Can you get her please?" Hermione swallowed. "I need all the help I can get."
Lupin called Tonks into the room and crouched down to the fireplace so they were looking at each other.
"Hermione!" Tonks exclaimed as she joined Lupin by the fireplace. "What on earth are you doing here?"
"I need your help." Hermione looked between them. "I have a plan to help someone who desperately needs it, but I can't do it alone..." She trailed off, unsure of how to broach the subject.
"Well, I'm glad you kept our talk in mind." Tonks smiled at her warmly.
"Yes I did." Hermione swallowed. "Before I start, you both have to promise to keep an open mind. I promise you, my judgement is right in this case. I wouldn't have believed what I am about to tell you three months ago, but maybe you can take my word for it."
"Who is it Hermione?" Lupin frowned. "We will try to keep open minds but you need to tell us who needs help."
"Okay." Hermione took a deep breath. "It's Draco Malfoy."
"Draco Malfoy?" Tonks couldn't control the shock that filled her face. "I'm sorry Hermione, but as much as I would love to believe my cousin has had a change of heart, I'd sooner believe my two darling sisters were ready to join the Order."
"Hang on now." Lupin frowned, looking down at Hermione. "Why do you think that he has changed?"
"I don't think." Hermione looked back at them with absolute certainty. "I know. It's a long story and I can tell you, but I promise I know what I'm talking about."
"We do trust your judgement Hermione." Lupin quickly assured her. "But you must understand why it is so hard for us to believe in this case. Does know that you are talking to us?"
"I haven't told him the plan yet..." Hermione knew she couldn't tell Draco until she had the plan completely worked out, otherwise he would shut it down from the word go. "I thought it would be best to talk to both of you first. He just doesn't see any way out you know? He doesn't want to hurt his family but he doesn't want to follow in their footsteps either. He doesn't see a way out without hurting anyone."
"Do you see a way out Hermione?" Tonks looked down at her.
"Yes I do." Hermione jumped as she heard a sound behind her. "Hold on a sec." She said to Tonks and stood up and looked around. The common room was completely empty. She shook her head and put it back through the fire to see Lupin and Tonks patiently waiting for her.
"Sorry about that." She frowned. "I'm so wired lately, I'm completely on edge. I feel like I'm constantly watching my back."
"That's not necessarily a bad thing Hermione." Lupin looked as tired as ever. "We all need to be on watch at the moment."
"Yes I know you're right." Hermione took a deep breath and was filled with determination once more. "Okay, so I have a plan. A good one I think, but I need help to pull it off."
"Alright then." Lupin pulled up two chairs for himself and Tonks and they both sat down. "Tell us your plan."
She spent the next hour talking with them, explaining what she wanted to do and trying to work out any potential problems they might come across. When they were done, Hermione felt a lot more optimistic then she had in a while. She sent two quick patronus' up the stairs to let Harry and Ginny know that she was leaving and went to leave.
She left the common room grinning and ran as quick as she could back to where she hoped Draco was waiting up for her.
"Where the hell were you today?" Draco frowned at her, jumping up when she walked in the door. "I was so worried. I waited up because I didn't know where else to look for you."
"Are you totally sure about your parents?" Hermione ignored his question and stepped towards him.
"Am I sure about what?" Draco walked towards her. "Tell me where you were today."
"First, tell me that you're sure that nothing could convince them to leave the death eaters?" Hermione pressed.
Draco scoffed. "Of course I am. They have no doubts in their mind about how they want to live. It doesn't mean I want to put them in any danger though." He rolled his eyes. "Well anymore then they are already in obviously."
"Okay," Hermione took a big breath. "Then I think I know what we should do. I think I've worked out a way to keep you parent's as safe as they can be as death eaters and to get you out."
"Oh really? I'd love to hear it." Draco laughed sarcastically. "Is that what you wasted your day on? Because I'm telling you right now that if you think everyone is going to live happily ever after in this story then you are deluded."
"This colour isn't good on you Draco." Hermione glared at him. "Just because you are stressed doesn't mean you can talk to me that way."
"I know," He sighed and pulled her into his arms and swiftly planted a quick kiss on her head before looking at her again. "Old habits die hard I guess."
"Well make them die a little quicker than." Hermione grinned wryly at him. "I'm don't wish to talk to an obnoxious Draco right now."
"Fine then," Draco sighed. "Tell me your grand master plan."
Hermione's eyes lit up as she replied. "We're going to fake your death."