"Where is Harry?" Hermione demanded from George. Her tipsiness from the alcohol and Draco had worn off, and she stood in between the vampire and her friends, making sure nothing dramatic would happen.

"Sit down, Hermione. Please," George said as he pulled out a seat.

Hermione shook her head. "Not until you tell me what's going on. If not, Draco and I will leave."

"It's okay, Granger," Draco said, taking a seat. Confusion was taking her mind, and her thoughts were racing. As she sat next to him, Draco's hand went to hers on the table, holding it in plain sight. Hermione knew exactly what he was doing, and it was working. She saw the discomfort on Ron's face, squirming in his seat.

"What's going on? Why did you call us so late? Is Harry okay?" she asked in rapid succession.

"Woah, slow down there, Hermione," George insisted. "Harry is fine. You know him, he'll always be fine in this war. Sleeping cozy in bed, I presume."

"That isn't fair, George," Hermione began to protest. Harry was important, he couldn't be out on the front lines risking his life. He was their leader and symbol of hope, it'd be foolish to put him out there. Their fighting chance laid within him, and he would be the one to kill Voldemort. Everything would come full circle, and they couldn't do it without him.

"It isn't? Last I remember, Hermione. You were sleeping in a broom closet and nearly got killed by a vampire on the battlefield. Then, you were taken as a prisoner of war, given away by Harry and Kingsley," George replied, a smug look on his face. "Even Ginny, his own wife, my sister, was fighting on the front lines. Think of everyone we've lost."

Hermione's palms began to sweat. "This is war, George. It wasn't going to be easy. It was never going to be easy. We'd all have to make sacrifices."

"You think he was in the right to sacrifice you?" Bill asked her, his eyebrow raised. Hermione hadn't seen him in nearly a year at this point, and she wanted to bring him into her arms and hold him, but she couldn't. It didn't feel right.

"It's been beneficial for the Order, hasn't it?" Hermione retorted.

Bill shook his head. "It's been disorganized without you. Lots of people lost faith after you were taken. You were the Golden Girl. People looked up to you."

"Disorganized because the lot of you have decided to rebel against the Order!" she yelled, slamming her fist into the table. Draco squeezed her hand softly, calming her from her fit of anger.

"And let those captured be killed once the war concluded? You know the first thing they'd do once the end was near is kill them," George scoffed.

Hermione knew that was true. She had tried in the past to retrieve prisoners, creating detailed plans and keeping track of every person who went missing. But it was never a priority to Harry or Kingsley. They were too concerned with trying to maintain the well-being of everyone still around them.

"Why did you summon us here?" Hermione choked out, flustered and confused.

"Well, I thought we could work together. Our little rebel group and the two of you," George replied, pulling out some rolls of parchment.

When he set them on the table, they revealed floor plans of Hogwarts and Azkaban. Hermione looked over them, seeing infiltration spots.

"You want to retrieve the prisoners at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.

"No, we want to take Hogwarts. It's about time we reclaimed something," George said defiantly.

"It's too dangerous, Weasley. Even with vampires and Dementors gone," Draco interrupted.

"Not if we have you to help us," Bill retorted.

"My loyalty is to Potter," Draco said flatly. "I won't do anything unless I speak with him."

"Your loyalty is to a man who plans on killing you when this is all said and done?" George said, looking Draco directly in the eyes.

"What can I say? He's given me a good deal," Draco smirked, bringing Hermione's hand up to kiss the back of it gently before setting it back down on the table. "He's promised me everything I want. Granger, immunity for the Greengrass family, shortened sentences for my friends. I couldn't ask for more."

Ron looked away angrily, turning red. She wondered why George thought it would be a good idea to bring him, given how explosive he could be about her and Draco. It was surprising that he would even want to come, but it was clear now, Ron had defected to his brother's cause.

"You could ask for more. We could give you more," Bill replied.

"If you help us orchestrate the siege of Hogwarts, we could assist you in escaping persecution. We have several safehouses that are not known to the Order across Europe. You could stay concealed until something is worked out for you," George added.

"Why not tell Harry and Kingsley first to bring to us? Why go behind their backs?" Hermione questioned.

"They hated the idea. Said it wasn't worth the time and effort. But they have been holding back, and we're tired of waiting," Ron spat.

"I won't do anything without Potter's approval," Draco replied.

"Draco, wait. Can we talk about this at least?" Hermione asked, turning to him. It was a tempting offer for her. It would give the Order a stronghold full of resources for them to finish out the war. Another heavy blow to Voldemort would weaken them further, making the final preparations easier. And they were willing to protect Draco, which would be an added bonus.

"I'm not risking what I've worked for just to give the Weasleys a victory they so desperately want their names on," Draco said directly.

"Harry won't need to know you're involved," George assured.

"Please, Draco. At least think about it," Hermione begged. "We'd be helping the Order and also helping you. Doesn't it seem fair?"

Draco stood up, pulling Hermione with him. Frustration and anger were radiating off of him. "We're going home," he muttered through clenched teeth.

Hermione turned to look at the three Weasleys. "George, we'll talk about it and let you know."

George smiled at her and nodded, tossing another charmed coin in her direction. "Take your time, but know the sooner we get this done, the better. You know how to contact us."

Within seconds, Hermione and Draco were back on the grounds of Malfoy Manor. It was cold out, and Hermione pulled her cardigan tightly around herself. She watched as Draco stormed into the manor and followed behind him.

"Draco, would you please talk to me?" she asked, seeing his shoulders tense.

He turned back to her, his hand at her throat, pressing her against the door. The rage was spilling off of him and dripping onto her. "Why the fuck do you make things so difficult for me?"

The words he spit were as cold as the night air outside, almost cutting into her skin with how harsh it felt. He was trembling, but she knew that he wouldn't act out on his anger. His hand on her neck was just a hollow threat to her. A sick part of her almost liked that he acted out like this, at least she knew how he felt. So often people would mask their feelings, but Draco would never do that to her.

"They're going to help us, Draco. We just need to help them," she whispered softly, her hands on his wrist.

He leaned down until his nose touched hers. "I will not keep making compromises to please you at the risk of everyone else. If Potter or Kingsley found out, it's over. Don't you understand?" Draco's fingers squeezed harder against her throat, but not enough to stop her from speaking. "Haven't I given you enough? You're going to bleed me of everything I am."

"I'm going to protect you, Draco. I'll protect them all. Just trust me," she said softly, reaching her hand out to his cheek. He released his grasp on her, turning away. Running his fingers through his white hair in frustration, he paced the foyer of the manor. The sharpness of him was in full force, the way his jaw was clenched and how his shoulders were angled made him look deadly.

"Fucking hell," he barked. "Everything I do is for you. I can't stop myself from faltering to your every wish. Do you know how fucking infuriating this is?"

Hermione took a step towards him, trying to calm him out of the spiral he was going through. Guilt, anger, fear, she knew all of it too well. Was she asking too much of him? There wasn't anything she wouldn't do to ensure the success of the Order, even if she was directly going against Harry's wishes. George was trying to implement everything she had wanted to do but fell short because of bureaucracy and her undying loyalty to Harry.

But she was willing to go against everything she had ever prided herself on for the slim chance that Draco would make it out of the war unscathed. Her entire life she had framed around Harry, she had realized that very early on. From doting on him in their school years like a mother to becoming a soldier in his army. She even stuck by him when Ron hadn't. The love she had for Harry was unwavering until now. Unwavering until she saw the monster in front of her looking as helpless and scared as she felt. The monster who she had wanted so badly to kill was now becoming the only tether she had to this world.

"I know, Draco. Before, I would have never considered going against Harry. You know that. You know how much I love him," she desperately pleaded. "I need you to understand how much I love him and how much I am willing to risk for you. Everything I have, my morals, my friendships, my fucking soul I would give away for you."

"Stop, Granger. This is getting out of hand," he said, stepping away from her.

"You promised me you would try!" she cried out.

"And I will! But this is too much, you have to realize this. Think, Granger. Use your big fucking brain. Every day this war drags on, we become more exposed. There is only so much I can do to hide from the Dark Lord. You expect me to hide from Potter as well?"

"No, I expect you to fucking try to be with me," she said as she shoved his chest in anger, but he stood in place, not backing down. "I expect you to help the Order and be with me."

"Go to sleep, Granger. You're tired and not thinking rationally," he muttered, looking down at her as she pressed into his chest.

"Come with me," she murmured, reaching up to kiss his face. His stoic demeanor didn't deter her from attempting to comfort him and seeking his comfort in return.

"I have things I need to do," he said, pushing past her and towards the door. Hermione didn't stop him, she didn't even turn to watch him leave. Slowly, she made her way to the east wing of the manor to a bed she hadn't touched in weeks, falling into a sleep filled with nightmares of Draco being torn from her.

–

Hermione worked diligently in her workshop, grinding several herbs and diluting them into vials. The easiest way to distribute the counter to a blood curse would either be through an injection or potion, though they would have to be potent to work against the vampiric healing and strength. The hours she spent trialing several methods of combining ingredients sucked her in, not allowing her to think about the other pressing matters. All she focused on at this moment was doing her best to cure Draco and Astoria, hoping the latter wouldn't be necessary for quite some time.

Two days she spent in her laboratory, attempting every spell, enchantment, and potion she could to bind the ingredients together. Every test on Draco's blood fell short, either not being strong enough to uncurse the blood or not having any impact at all. After what seemed like over a dozen attempts, she sat in defeat, desperately wanting a drink and a hot bath after being covered with lethifold blood and crushed billywig. She didn't sleep much the night before, waking up in the late hours of the night and deciding it was better to work than lay in bed idly.

A tap came at the door, drawing her attention to the vampire standing in the hallway, nearly taking up the entire frame. As badly as she wanted to go to him, she didn't allow herself to. It was strange for him to be home so early in the day, usually he was working or at least in his study. But she didn't question him, she just sat, waiting for him to break the silence he had given her for days now.

"You've been up all night, haven't you?" he asked.

Hermione crossed her arms, "What do you think?"

"Come with me," he said, holding his hand out to her. "I've got a surprise for you."

Reluctantly, she stood and took his hand. It was cold, but she missed the feeling, and she finally felt her shoulders relax once he held her hand. He waved his wand, and the blood and billywig guts disappeared from her clothes as a winter cloak pulled around her. In an instant, they were at the entrance of the museum they had taken her for her birthday, and there waiting was Harry, Albus, and James.

"Thanks for taking them for the day," Harry said with a grin as the two boys jumped up to give Hermione a hug. "Ginny appreciates it too. Lily's been a handful, we've barely gotten much time with just her."

Harry handed Hermione a picture of her with the Potters after Lily's birth. She had nearly forgotten they had taken it. Behind it was another picture of James holding Lily with Albus by his side, looking at their baby sister.

"It's no problem, Harry," Hermione said with a smile, placing the pictures safely into her cloak pocket. "Anytime."

"I'll meet you at the farm house tonight to pick them up," Harry said before Apparating away.

James and Albus excitedly pulled Hermione around the empty museum, asking numerous questions about the interesting muggle artifacts they had never seen before. Draco walked behind them, and Hermione turned back to see him smiling a few times. The two boys sat in awe of the dinosaur bones and taxidermied animals that they had never seen in person, running around between the exhibits so quickly that even Draco had a hard time keeping up.

After a few hours, Albus looked up at Hermione with his arms outstretched, wanting to be held. "My feet hurt," the small boy said.

Hermione lifted him, grunting softly, still achy from the lethifold attack that happened just the week prior. Though she was healed, there was still a dull pain in her bones and nerves. "You're so big now Albie. I can barely carry you anymore."

"I can take him," Draco said, holding his arms out for the small boy. Albus went willingly, wrapping his arms around Draco's neck.

"You're cold," Albus giggled. Draco smiled, shaking his head and continuing their path along the museum.

They spent the rest of the afternoon there until the boys began to get tired. She and Draco took them back to the white farmhouse where they laid them down for a nap. Hermione went to the kitchen, where she began to prepare dinner. When she cooked, she normally did most of it by hand, only using magic to help with certain tasks like stirring or making water boil instantly.

"Can I help?" Draco asked, rolling up the sleeves of his jumper.

"You can peel the potatoes," Hermione said, not looking up from the cookbook she was reading. Draco began to pull out his wand, but she held out her finger. "By hand, please."

"Yes, ma'am," he smirked, grabbing the peeler.

"Do you know how?"

"I've seen Tappy do it a few times, how hard could it be?"

The potatoes looked butchered by the time Draco had gotten a hang of it, underestimating his own strength, crushing them in his hands. Hermione suggested they do a mash instead of roasting them to salvage what they had. They laughed as cleaned potato remnants from the ceiling and walls.

Just as they got done cooking, the boys were up and at the dining table. Albus no longer needed a high chair, but did require a few books to sit on so he could reach. Draco plated the mashed potatoes, proudly presenting it to the boys.

"This is the first thing I've ever cooked, James. Take a bite and see how you like it," he urged.

James smiled, taking a huge scoop on his spoon and shoving it in his mouth. "Yummy. Good job, Dave," he said, even before swallowing.

"Okay, now eat the chicken too," Hermione said as she cut it into small pieces for Albus. When she was satisfied that each of them had enough on their plate, she served herself and began to eat.

"Dave, you're not hungry?" James asked curiously.

"Not tonight. I'll eat later though," he replied.

"But you haven't even tried your potatoes," James pouted. Draco laughed out of his nose as he grabbed a spoon and dug into the serving dish. He took a heap of potatoes, and put it directly into his mouth. Hermione watched as he swallowed hard.

"Those aren't half bad, I did do a good job," Draco chuckled, setting the spoon back onto an empty plate in front of him.

After dinner, the boys played with toys in the livingroom while Draco and Hermione watched them. It wasn't long until Harry arrived to pick them up and bring them home, making sure to give Hermione a big hug and thank you before leaving. The pair were alone by the fireplace, sipping on whiskey, not acknowledging their prior argument. Hermione didn't want to speak first, scared to start another fight where he'd end up leaving again. His arm was wrapped around her, and she was leaning against him. It felt calm, she didn't want to ruin it.

"You know," Draco said, finally breaking the silence. "If we go forward with Weasley's plan and Potter finds out, he won't trust us again. We won't be able to do things like this."

It was true, it was already a lot of Harry and Ginny to allow Draco to be around their children. If Hermione were to do something to betray them, there'd be no turning back.

"He'll have to forgive us one day, when he realizes that we've done nothing but aid the Order," she whispered.

"Is this really what you want?" he asked.

Just for a moment, she hesitated, thinking of James and Albus. But she knew that if they won the war, it would all be worth it. If Draco was safe, it would be worth it.

"Yes."