Dumbledore stood up and held out his arm, intending for Malfoy to take it. "We're going now?" Draco asked, perplexed.

"Well, you can't stay in the castle. And you're either going now or staying at Hagrid's,"

Draco didn't give it another thought and immediately stood up. He reached for the Headmaster's arm saying, "Nothing against Hagrid, but I'd rather not be sleeping in animal feces."

The two apparated, and then appeared in front of a row of townhouses. Draco peered into the windows and noticed people doing odd things. They were manually turning off lights, changing the telly, and cooking dinner. Things that could be easily done with magic. Draco made a "pfft" sound and said, "These people are acting like muggles."

"Well, Mr. Malfoy, they are muggles,"

Draco scrunched up his nose, "What? Where-"

"In the muggle part of London," Dumbledore answered Draco's unfinished question.

"Why? Doesn't Voldemort want to eradicate every muggle alive? I mean, he kills them like others like to knit scarves to pass the time! This place is begging for a Death Eater attack,"

"Not necessarily. When his plan to assassinate me failed, his forces were greatly weakened. He cannot afford such a public attack. Besides, this place has a little bit of magic yet,"

"Yeah, where exactly is this place?" Draco asked while looking around.

"Number 12 Grimmauld Place,"

Draco inspected the town house numbers and was confused to see how they jumped from 11 to 13. "Very funny, old man. It skips-"

Draco stopped when Dumbledore waved his hand. The townhouses began groaning as they started moving. Numbers 11 and 13 split and, like a cell, seemed to grow another townhouse in between. The muggles in 11 and 13 didn't seem to notice at all. On the outside wall of the new building, a number 12 was properly placed.

"It's under the Fidelius Charm, and no muggle can see it. I'm the house's Secret-Keeper and since I have directly shown you how to open it, you now have access as well," Dumbledore informed Draco.

The Headmaster led him to the front door and he opened it. The building was dark, old, and derelict. The floorboards creaked as Draco walked around on them. He had a feeling that this place was oddly familiar. "Have I been here before?" Draco muttered as he ran his fingers over the water-stained walls.

Dumbledore closed the door behind him and answered, "I wouldn't know, my dear boy." The Headmaster then walked beside Draco and continued, "I do know that this is the ancestral home of the Black family."

Draco stopped short, "This is the Black ancestral home? My cousin's home?"

Dumbledore remained silent as he saw Draco in deep recollection. Draco remembered how his family came here when he was a young boy. He recalled that he used to play in the drawing room with his cousins as his parents talked to Master and Mistress Black over tea-time. He even remembered that they had a particularly unpleasant house-elf.

He was so dazed with nostalgia, he almost didn't notice the very house-elf come down the stairs. When Draco looked at him, the house-elf gasped. Dumbledore immediately interjected, "Kreacher, you remember Draco Malfoy. He is currently under the Unbeautify curse."

The house elf softened, "Oh, yes. Kreacher remembers Malfoy. Kreacher remembers that Malfoy was the pale, miserable boy of Narcissa and-"

Draco viciously pointed at him and barked, "Speak about my mother again, and I swear I'll-"

Dumbledore grabbed the back of Draco's shoulder to hold him back, "Kreacher! Away with you!" Dumbledore demanded. The house-elf walked away, grumbling something about pureblood glory and blood traitors.

Dumbledore let go of Draco."That's Kreacher. He was, and is still, loyal to the Black family and their beliefs on blood," Dumbledore explained.

"Especially their beliefs," Draco added.

"He won't bother you. If you won't bother him."

Dumbledore gestured to go upstairs. He started talking as they were climbing, "This used to be Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. It's not anymore, but it' still used as a safe-house. No one ever comes here, though. So I thought we should take advantage of this empty building to keep you safe."

Once they reached the second floor Dumbledore began to speak again, "There are bedrooms on this floor and the floors above us. You can pick a bedroom and rest for the night. Your trunk will be sent here first thing in the morning."

Draco opened his mouth to speak, but Dumbledore put his hands on Draco's shoulders. "Listen carefully," Dumbledore began, "In exactly one month's time, you will apparate to Hogwarts. You will find Miss. Granger, and you will watch her closely. Protect her, and keep her from harm. Make sure that she doesn't go anywhere private- keep her in public."

"How am I supposed to do that when I can't go out in public?"

Dumbledore let go of his shoulders and laughed, "Well it'll be Halloween, will it not? You will blend in perfectly!"

Draco's eyes narrowed. "Hilarious," he deadpanned. "Why can't you just warn her about the attack?"

"Mr. Malfoy, you know that Miss. Granger will want to fight it. I predict that she will run into the Forbidden Forest, wand in hand, and try to take on the Death Eaters singlehandedly ."

Draco smirked at the thought. "Must be that so-called Gryffindor bravery." he joked.

Dumbledore continued, "Anyway, there will be a huge celebration in the Great Hall. Miss Granger will be there, for she's in charge of the event. Well, so are you. But you will be preoccupied, obviously." Draco only nodded. He wondered who would be the new Head Boy. Would they dare pick someone from Slytherin again? How would he get along with Granger?

Dumbledore interrupted his thoughts, "I will send a housekeeper here tomorrow. As well as a tutor the following week. I will now take my leave."

Draco shook out his head at the words, "Wait, what?"

"Don't worry. They will be well informed about your delicate situation, and they will take care of everything you need so you don't have to go outside,"

"But-" Draco couldn't get another word out as Dumbledore apparated away.

Draco sighed. Well, he was on his own for now. He started to wander around the house. Eventually, he found himself in the drawing room. It was certainly the most unkempt room in the house. It was practically devoid of furniture, and there were holes in the floorboards. Draco could smell mold growing on the walls, as well as mildew. His eyes scanned the room, remembering it in all its glory and opulence. He remembered the plush couches and the elegant coffee table between them. He remembered the fireplace, and on the mantle there were valuable family heirlooms. He remembered the curtains he would always hide in when he was playing hide and seek with his cousins. One of the only things that remained from before was the tapestry of the Black family tree.

Draco walked into the center of the room to view the panoramic tapestry. It was greatly faded and worn, but Draco could still make out the faces and names. He recognized most of the people, and some of them dated all the way back to the Middle Ages. His eyes followed the literal branches around the tapestry, reading the names. He noticed that some of the faces were blackened out, one of them being Sirius Black. Upon further inspection, he saw that the fabric was singed. Whomever did this completely burned their face off the tapestry. He figured that they were either dead or disowned from the family. And for what? Being a blood traitor?

Draco's eyes wandered to Bellatrix and he shivered. He looked down to his left forearm. The Dark Mark was still there, intricately woven with the tree. It was gleaming, and it appeared to be even more grotesque than before his curse. He looked closer, and he noticed that the leaves of the tree have started to darken. This year is already moving by quickly.

Draco looked up to meet the fabric eyes of his mother. Draco's heart tugged as he looked at her face. He missed her desperately. He remembered what Bellatrix said about how she made her keep a promise to protect him. Despite everything Draco has done, his mother still loved him.

His eyes shifted down and saw his own face and name on the tapestry. He didn't know whether to feel proud or ashamed that his face in the fabric wasn't charred yet. After this year was over and, by some miracle, someone told him "I love you", would he want to go back to his old ways; his narcissistic, strictly pureblood lifestyle? Or would learning to love change him? Draco closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. This curse was a nightmare. He was being holed up like an animal, and he'd be let out soon just to protect Granger. Then what? He'd go back to living in this hellhole? How was he supposed to find love if he couldn't even go outside?

He looked up into his mother's fabric eyes again. They gave him comfort. At least it wasn't too lonely here. Draco walked over and lied down in front of the tapestry. He closed his eyes and fell asleep with his mother watching over him.

Hermione woke up in her bed with a crick in her neck. She sat up slowly as she rubbed the sore spot with her hand. She regretted falling asleep in the stairwell. She regretted even more her dramatic episode before falling asleep there.

Hermione got up and made her bed. She took a quick shower, dried off, and then got dressed. As she was brushing her teeth, she glanced at her watch. Breakfast will start in five minutes. Looking at her wrist, a memory from last night suddenly came to mind. She remembered the odd man she saw when walking back from Dumbledore's office. He had a black hood on, and refused to look at her. He seemed distant, and she wondered why he wanted to go to Dumbledore's office. She feared that he was the Death Eater that infiltrated the castle. However, he let her study the tattoos on his hands. They truly were magnificent. She remembered tracing the branches and intricate designs around his hand and wrist. Though she didn't know his name, she felt like his tattoos could tell a story all their own. Although, he did snatch away his left hand from her. Perhaps he was trying to his is Dark Mark? Chills went down Hermione's spine at the awful thought.

When she finished brushing her teeth, she went downstairs, and exited the Gryffindor common room. As she walked to the Great Hall, she noticed that students around her were talking in excited whispers. Hermione rolled her eyes. This was obviously gossip. Hermione usually tried to stay out of it, but she noticed that every student was doing this. She could only make out a few words: "monster", "Madam Pomfrey", and "Millicent". Hermione groaned. She would hate for the bullying of Millicent to spread throughout the whole school. But Hermione noticed that the gossip didn't seem vindictive, but rather it was almost frightened.

Hermione walked into the Great Hall and sat down with Ginny, Neville, and Seamus. They were also gossiping.

"Did you hear what happened to Madam Pomfrey last night?" Ginny asked Hermione as she sat down.

Hermione gave her a surprised look, "No! What happened?"

Neville answered, "Well she doesn't remember! She was probably obliviated. But the kids in the hospital wing saw the whole thing! A monster came in with Millicent Bulstrode all stupefied across his shoulders!"

Hermione gasped, "Monster?"

"Well, probably not. The kids in the hospital said it looked like a disgustingly deformed man. He had tattoos all over his body," Neville elaborated.

So the "monster" was that strange man she saw outside of Dumbledore's office. What could he possibly be doing in the castle, let alone with Millicent?

Seamus spoke up, "Forget that! Millicent had the bloody Dark Mark on her arm!"

Hermione's mouth dropped open, "What are you talking about?"

Before Seamus could respond, Dumbledore called attention from his podium at the far end of the Great Hall. Students were quickly silenced and they turned to face the Headmaster.

He began to speak, "Although the danger has passed, I regret to inform you all that there has been another Death Eater infiltration last night."

Students quietly chattered, and were quickly hushed as Dumbledore raised his hand, "We know that there was only one Death Eater, and only one student was harmed. Millicent Bulstrode of Slytherin house was stupefied. Fortunately, the effects have worn off, but she is still in the hospital just in case further damage was done. Also, that Death Eater attacked Madam Pomfrey, and she was obliviated of the incident. Although, we have students as eye-witnesses that were staying in the Hospital Wing. Though she fainted, Madam Pomfrey was unharmed. Unfortunately, the Death Eater got away."

Students began frantically chattering again. Hermione was right. That strange man was the Death Eater. But if he was going to Dumbledore's office, how did Dumbledore let him get away? Also, if what Dumbledore said to her last night about how Death Eaters wanted to kill her, why didn't that man with the tattoos attack? Did he not recognize her? Or-

"Silence!" Dumbledore said with a booming voice. A hush spread throughout the Great Hall, and Dumbledore spoke again, "I also regret to inform you that a student let in the Death Eater. This student has been coercing Millicent Bulstrode to aid him in letting the Death Eater into the castle. This earned her a rank among the Death Eaters. However, it's a position she did not want, for she was forced into it. Last night, Millicent confronted the student, refusing to help in. Unfortunately, with the wards down, it was too late. The Death Eater was in the castle, and the student fled. Millicent tried to stop the Death Eater, but he stunned her with the Stupefy spell."

Hermione looked at the Slytherin table. Her stomach dropped when she saw that Draco Malfoy was missing.

Dumbledore kept speaking, "I regret to inform you that the student that helped the Death Eater is an active Death Eater, and he has disappeared."

Don't say it. Hermione thought, her hand balling into a fist in her skirt.

"And he has also had recent history with the Death Eaters before. But, in light of the end of last year's events, many thought that he had changed. Unfortunately, he has not,"

For the love of Merlin, please don't say it.

"I regret to say that the student is your former Head Boy, Draco Malfoy,"

The Great Hall exploded. Students everywhere were gasping in surprise, or chatting away about it. It was absolute pandemonium. However, Hermione didn't hear it. The sounds were muffled under by her scattered thoughts. How could it be him? And how couldn't be him? He had a history. But, after everything, she thought he had changed?

She felt like whatever happened on that astronomy tower meant nothing to him. He sacrificed everything the moment he yielded, and after all of that, he's still a Death Eater? Nothing had changed about Draco Malfoy. But still, after everything, Hermione refused to believe it.

Hermione slowly felt tears come to her eyes, but she blinked them away. Not now! No more! She refused to cry over Draco Malfoy! During her battle with herself, she didn't notice the Headmaster come up to her.

"Miss Granger, may I speak with you?"

Hermione jumped at his sudden appearance. She nodded and followed him outside the Great Hall.

He turned to her, "I know what you must be feeling right now, but-"

"I'm not feeling anything. I'm perfectly content," Hermione snapped. She knew it was a lie.

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at her and spoke slowly, "Right. Well, we need to hold interviews for the next Head Boy. Can you join me in my office at lunch to conduct them with me?"

Hermione simply nodded. Once Dumbledore left her alone, she walked out into the courtyard. She leaned against a pillar and took deep breaths.

I'm not feeling anything. I'm perfectly content.

She ran through the same thought over, and over in her head. She eventually started saying it out loud. She believed the more times she said, the closer she would be to believing it.

Draco woke up to the sound of knocking. When he tried to get up, he yelped in pain. His entire body was sore from sleeping on the cold, hard ground last night. Last time he'll ever do that.

He groaned as the knocking became more frantic. "Hold on!" he shouted, trying to rub the exhaustion off his face. He gingerly stood up and walked to the door. When he opened it he saw a small, middle-aged woman. She had brown hair in a high ponytail. With olive skin and big, brown eyes, she had a huge smile on her face.

"Hi! I'm Isabella, your housekeeper," she held out a hand to him. Draco looked at her oddly. She seemed surprisingly chipper considering the fact that she just met a disgustingly disfigured man. It was only normal that he was cautious.

"Did Dumbledore tell you about-" Draco then gestured to his body.

"Yeah he did," Isabella responded, awkwardly taking her hand away and back to her side. "Honestly, I've seen worse."

This made Draco smirk. "Alright," Draco opened the door wider. "Come on in," Isabella smiled, and walked in, bringing her trunk with her. Draco then saw his own trunk behind her. He grabbed it, and then closed the door.

"Where should I put my things?" she asked, holding her trunk.

"Pick any bedroom you like. They're all upstairs,"

"Okie Dokie!"

Draco winced. He wanted to gag at how bubbly she was. It was way too early to be this happy. She almost reminded him of Lavender Brown. He noticed how she was struggling to lug her trunk up the stairs. Draco was puzzled. Why didn't she just use a levitating charm?

Draco took out his wand flicked it. Her trunk immediately started floating, and it flew to the top of the stairs. Isabella looked back at him with a grin, "Thank you! I guess I'm just used to manual labor. I completely forgot about magic."

"Uh-huh," was all Draco said. She turned around, and walked back up the stairs. Draco exhaled loudly. He would have to get used to her. She is going to be taking care of him for the next year. She was, to put it lightly, odd. He didn't buy her excuse about supposed "manual labor". There was something off about her, but he couldn't quite place it.

Draco cast a levitating charm on his own trunk and walked up the stairs with it. He was making his way to the master bedroom but stopped short when he heard singing. Singing.

Draco ferociously turned around."No singing allowed! This isn't a bloody cabaret!" he shouted.

She stopped, and then shouted back, "Sourpuss!" She then proceeded to sing again. Draco slapped a hand to his face and dragged it down with a groan. This was going to be a long year.