a/n: if music is your thing, an official true faith playlist can be found in my profile (:

Hermione removed her palms from Kingsley's desk just as the door behind her opened. Harry entered, followed by Ron. "What's happening?" Harry asked, his eyes narrowing.

Hermione looked at Kingsley. He met her eyes. His gaze was serious. "Nothing," she replied, staring back at Kingsley. "We were just talking."

Harry looked at her suspiciously. "Kingsley," he said after a moment. "Hermione has brought it to my attention that we haven't discussed the Order's plans for our three defected spies."

Kingsley's jaw tightened immediately. "I've been thinking about it quite about it," he said, pushing the stack of parchment he had been scribbling towards them. "I've been looking into the sources of information we have lost. We've lost Malfoy's access to His plans, and to Malfoy's interrogations. With Nott, we've lost insider information to pureblood high society." He sighed. "Which would be fine, if we hadn't also lost Astoria. She was by far our most valuable. She had Fenrir wrapped around her little finger."

Fenrir. Hermione thought of Lavender's eye swiveling unnaturally towards her. Fenrir, who had mauled Lavender, destroyed her eye and left her for dead. He was the one who had wanted to buy Astoria. Astoria, though, had been smart, she had dated Draco to stay safe.

Draco, who kept Astoria safe.

Draco, who would always keep Hermione safe.

Suddenly, Hermione missed him intensely. It was ridiculous—she had just seen him, and he was safely back in her room. But still, she wanted to immediately abandon this meeting and bury herself in his arms. She had provided the Order with hope—but why should that be on her shoulders? Why had it always been on her shoulders?

She could provide them with hope. She could do that—but why did always have to be her?

In a rare moment of self-pity, Hermione wished that just for once, it was someone else's job.

She just wanted to be with Draco.

Hermione forced her thoughts away, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. "Yes, Kingsley," she said. "We've already discussed that having all Order spies here is not entirely ideal. We all know that. That horse has been beaten already—let's leave it alone. Astoria is in the infirmary for now, but she won't be there forever. Theo is with her—what is he supposed to do? And Draco will lose his mind if he's kept in that closet for much longer."

She looked over to Harry, hoping for his support. He nodded. "Hermione's right. We have to figure out what to do with them. They're Order members now. It's too dangerous for any of them to go back." He paused, seemingly thinking. "Ginny and Lavender have the biggest bedroom. We could probably add a third bed for Astoria."

"Dean and I usually have opposite schedules," Ron added. "It'll be pretty cramped, but we could probably fit Nott."

Harry nodded again, then looked back at Hermione. "I'm assuming Malfoy is staying with you?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied immediately.

"Well, that's one thing settled." Harry chewed his lip briefly. "Hermione," he said after a moment. "Does Malfoy still want that meeting?"

Hermione paused. Draco had been adamant about a meeting the first night. But so much had happened in the meantime. "I—I don't know," she replied. "I imagine that he does."

"Give us a minute here," Harry said, staring darkly at Kingsley. "Go ask him."

Unable to decipher Harry's gaze, Hermione nodded, happily disappearing from the meeting room.

When she returned to her room, she found Draco sitting cross-legged in front of the nightstand. He had pulled on a pair of underwear, but otherwise remained naked. He was already scribbling furiously at a piece of parchment in front of him, predictably writing down potion instructions.

He was ridiculous, and she loved him.

Finishing a line, he looked up at her. He must have seen the conflict on her face, because his brow immediately furrowed, and he patted his lap. "Come here."

She instantly obliged, practically falling into his lap.

Immediately, Draco wrapped his arms around her. "What's wrong now?" he asked quietly.

"I hate it here," she said quietly. "I feel trapped. I don't know these people. We're losing, everyone is incompetent and I—everything still feels like it's resting on my shoulders. It's always felt like that—I had forgotten until I got here."

She didn't want to cry. She wasn't going to cry.

"It feels like they can't do anything without me," she continued before promptly burying her face into his bare shoulder and bursting into tears.

It wasn't just tonight—it was two years of pent-up emotions that she had refused to let herself feel. It was today, it was the whole Order, it was everything. She was tired, and sad, and completely overwhelmed. So, she cried.

Draco said nothing, his fingers stroking along her spine. He let her cry.

When she finally pulled away from him, wiping her face, she laughed bitterly. "Sorry," she said quietly.

Draco was watching her with dark eyes, his fingers still stroking her back. He was silent for several moments. After a while, he finally spoke: "When this is over," he began, "When we kill Him and we've won, I am taking you away from this place. I don't care where—anywhere you want to go. I'll take you there. You'll never have to do anything you don't want to do ever again. If you don't ever want to see any of these people again, you don't have to."

"But—" she interrupted, thinking of Harry, Ron, and Ginny.

He nodded. "I know," he said, touching her face. "Whatever you want, Hermione. When this is done, we will do whatever you want. We just have to get through this next bit. Can you do that for me? Because I can't do it without you."

Slowly, Hermione nodded. "Yes," she said quietly. "For you, I can do that. Just you and me, when this is over?"

"Yes," he replied. "Just you and me, if that's what you want."

It was what she wanted more than anything. "Okay," she agreed. "Anywhere I want?"

He kissed her. "Anywhere you want," he promised.

"I just want to be back in the forest," she said quietly. "I want to be alone with you. I want to swim in the lake. I want to sit under the tree with you and watch the sunset."

Draco nodded. "Then that's what we'll do."

Hermione sucked in a breath and exhaled slowly, steeling herself. "Okay," she said, forcibly pulling herself from his arms. Her fingers traveled down his arm and intertwined their fingers. "Now put on some clothes, please. We're having a meeting."

His fingers clenched around hers and he swallowed. "Right now?" he asked.

"If you still want it, that is," she replied.

He nodded before snatching his clothes off the floor and hurriedly pulling them on. Briefly, Hermione wondered if he had any extras, or if he had left in too big of a hurry. Her gut told her that it was the latter.

When he was dressed, Hermione intertwined their fingers again. She stood on the tips of her toes and kissed him. "Are you ready?" she asked.

He nodded briefly; his eyes narrowed. Hermione sensed the shift in his mood immediately. At his core, Draco was a spy, and he was currently on a mission. She was thankful that she could help him with this one, at least.

Hermione cracked her door open, making sure that there was no one in the hallway. When she found it empty, Hermione pulled Draco out of her room by the hand and promptly led him towards the meeting room. He was holding her hand so tightly it nearly hurt. She found that she did not care.

Opening the door to the meeting room, Hermione found Harry and Ron both seated. Kingsley was noticeably absent. She looked at them both. "What's happening?" she asked.

Harry stared up at her. "Exactly what should've happened from the beginning," he said calmly. "You, me, and Ron. It was always us. It was always supposed to be us. I demoted Kingsley. He's no longer in charge."

Finally, Hermione thought to herself. Because, of course, it had always been them.

It had always been Harry. She'd just needed him to realize it.

She nodded, and clutching his hand, Hermione led Draco into the room. She looked up at him and could instantly spot that he was nervous. If she hadn't known him so well, she would have missed it. His tells were subtle—it was what had made him a good spy. She looked back towards Harry and Ron. "I believe we all know each other," she said. "But this is Draco. Draco, Harry and Ron."

Nobody moved. Beside her, Draco was barely breathing.

Harry's eyes shot to where Hermione was holding Draco's hand. He nodded to himself. "Malfoy," he said.

Draco nodded back. "Potter," he replied tightly.

Ron said nothing.

After a moment, something seemed to catch Draco's attention, and his grip on Hermione's hand loosened minutely. She looked up to find him critically studying the maps on the walls. She watched as his eyes slid over each map, his eyes narrowing. Eventually, he shook his head. "You fucking idiots," he said quietly.

"You think you could do better, Malfoy?" Ron asked, crossing his arms.

Draco immediately nodded. "I know I could," he said confidently, not looking at Ron. His free hand reached out to touch one of the maps, his fingers tracing an arrow. "The strategy isn't bad, but you've entirely discounted the fact that His army is four times the size of the Order's. You left yourself with no way to escape."

"We lost Luna in that one," Harry replied quietly.

Draco shook his head, his fingers still tracing the map. "It should have been here," he said, tapping his finger against the map. "So when you found that you were outnumbered, the Order could have easily dispersed."

Ron stood and walked towards the map. He stared at it for a moment before nodding. "That was my original plan. Kingsley boycotted it. He thought this one would've been the end."

"Kingsley is an idiot," Draco replied dryly.

"I think we can all agree on that," Hermione said. "There's only one way to end this."

"The snake," Harry prompted. "Nagini."

Draco turned his attention back to him. "Yes, the snake," he said.

"Hermione says you're sure it's her. What makes you think that?" Harry asked.

Draco looked down at Hermione, almost as if he were asking permission. She merely nodded, encouraging him.

"I've spent extensive periods of time around her and she's always been wrong. I feel wrong when I'm around her. I'm angrier when I'm around her. I'm sadder when I'm around her. She makes me sick to my stomach." Draco shook his head. "I always thought it was Him, but I've been around Him without her before, and even He doesn't make feel as bad as she does. It's like—she's corrupted."

"That's a fucking Horcrux," Ron said, shaking his. "Remember the locket?"

Hermione and Harry both nodded, remembering the effect the locket had on Ron incredibly well. "The locket?" Draco asked, looking confused.

"Slytherin's locket," Hermione replied. "We all took turns wearing it before we destroyed it. It took a—liking to Ron."

"If making me mental was taking a liking, sure," Ron said bitterly.

"You put that damnable thing on after what happened to Dumbledore?" he asked harshly, looking down at her. "Are you mental?"

Hermione shook her head. "It wasn't like the ring, Draco," she said quietly.

"Wait," Harry interrupted. "How do you know what happened to Dumbledore?" he asked.

Hermione didn't want him to have to tell the story again. Once, to her, she thought, was plenty. "He's been an Order spy since our Sixth Year, Harry," she replied. "You were right—he was a Death Eater. But he was also a spy."

"No—" Harry said, shaking his head. "Dumbledore would've—"

"Would've told you?" Draco interrupted. "Hate to break it to you, but Dumbledore was a fucking liar. He would've told you just as much as I would have murdered him."

"Hermione mentioned there was a plan," Ron said, his eyes narrowing.

Draco's eyes flickered to Hermione, before he looked back to the maps. "My mother," he said coldly. "She made an Unbreakable Vow with Snape."

"Snape?" Harry interrupted, looking surprised.

Draco merely nodded, still looking at the maps.

Harry looked directly at Hermione. "Snape was with us this entire time," he said quietly. "When he died—he gave me his memories." He paused, swallowing. "He was in love with my mother. His entire life. That's why—" he cut off. "That's why—everything."

That's why it always came back to Snape. Very suddenly, everything seemed to make sense to Hermione.

Snape had been at this much longer than she could even comprehend.

Kingsley had been gone only minutes, and Draco had been here only days—and everything was already beginning to unravel, and information was beginning to fall into place.

Snape had been a spy. He had been a double—no, a triple agent. He had trained Draco and had been in love with Lily Potter. He had been trustworthy, after all.

His death then, too, had been a huge blow to the Order. No wonder they were struggling so badly.

And then—Luna. Someone had mentioned that Luna had died.

Luna. Who had been strange and quirky, but full of love and optimism. Hermione swallowed. Another blow to the Order that she would have to process later. She looked down where Draco was still firmly holding her hand. But now, she was the one clutching at him. He was currently keeping her tethered. When she looked up, Hermione found that he had entirely abandoned the conversation with Harry and Ron and was instead staring at her intently. Are you okay? she knew he was asking, without him even speaking.

She nodded, turning her attention back to Harry and Ron. "We have three spies here now," she said. "We've got boarding arrangements, but we still have to figure out a way to introduce them to the Order. They can't hide forever."

Harry nodded, thinking. "Hermione's right," he said after moment. "Too much has happened today. We need to have a full Order meeting."

Ron turned to look at him. "Tonight?" he asked.

"Preferably," Harry replied. "We've got two useful spies amongst our numbers right now. Three, when Astoria wakes up. It makes no sense to hide them when we could be using them. Malfoy's already proved himself useful."

"Astoria will be easy," Ron said quietly. "She hasn't done anything. Nott, too, I don't imagine being too much of a problem." He paused, nodding towards Draco. "Malfoy will a problem, though, I think."

"I'm right here, and I can hear you," Draco replied.

Instinctively, Hermione squeezed Draco's hand. "I'll tell them," she offered immediately. She shrugged. "Kingsley said he was my responsibility, after all."

"Hello—I am right here—"

Ron turned towards Draco, his arms crossed. "No offense, but you're notorious, you know," he said. "The Order hates you. You might wind up having a few wands pointed at you when everyone sees you. If you're smart, you'll let Hermione doing the talking."

Hermione winced, knowing instantly that Ron had made a mistake. Draco pulled Hermione closer to himself, as if trying to create distance between her and Ron and the wands he was certainly imagining. "If anyone dares to point a wand at Hermione, I will fucking kill them."

"Draco—" Hermione began.

Harry interrupted, laughing. "You won't make friends that way, mate," he said.

"He's being hyperbolic," Hermione offered, suddenly feeling nervous. This seemed to be going very badly.

"I am not—" Draco began.

Hermione squeezed his hand again. "Draco," she said quietly. "Stop it."

He swallowed, but his stance immediately relaxed. He nodded. "Fine," he said tightly.

When Hermione turned back towards Harry, she found him watching them closely, his eyes narrowed. "He will behave, I promise," she said.

Harry nodded. "How do we do it, then? Do we—hide him—or just—have him show up to the meeting?"

"What's with the theatrics?" Draco asked impatiently. "Just tell everyone that I'm here. I'm not going to Avada anyone in the hallway. We have more important matters to attend to. Have you idiots even bothered to look at the prophecy I risked my life to steal?"

The prophecy. Of course, Hermione had nearly forgotten. By the looks on both Harry and Ron's faces, it appeared as if they had forgotten, too. "No," Harry said slowly. He tapped his fingers against the desk. "Should we listen to this it now?" he asked.

"Yes," Ron agreed.

"It should've been opened fucking yesterday," Draco growled.

Harry opened the drawer in what had once been Kingsley's desk and pulled out the swirling orb. "Shall we?" he asked.

"Do it," Ron replied. "Malfoy's right. We've wasted too much time already."

Harry pressed his wand to the orb and immediately it split open, revealing a dark grey storm cloud, swirling violently up into the room. There was a flash of lightning that caused Hermione to jump. Draco wrapped his free arm around her waist, grounding her further. Suddenly, the cloud dispersed, fading into a light mist.

When it finally spoke, it was Trelawney's voice: "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord was born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. Defied once more, the one with power to vanquish the Dark Lord will surround himself with those prepared to also thrice defy the Dark Lord. One was born into the lap of luxury, just as the six month is born, a childhood stolen. A girl, wanting for nothing, sold for the illusion of power. The third—she is hazy. But she will be the one who will figure out how to destroy the Dark Lord for good."

As the cloud evaporated, Hermione felt herself grow cold. She knew exactly who the prophecy was about: Draco and Astoria.

Draco.

It was about Draco.

"Well, that—wasn't incredibly helpful," Ron said.

Draco stared at him, his eyes narrowed. "Are you joking, Weasley? I genuinely cannot tell. Because that prophecy is as clear as day."

"Then enlighten me, Malfoy," Ron said.

"It's fucking about me," Draco replied. "It's about me, and it's about Astoria."

"Astoria?" Ron asked, confused.

Hermione nodded. "Astoria was for sale," she said. "Her father was out of money, so he sold her."

"It's about me," Draco continued. "It's about Astoria, but at the end of the day, it's fucking about Hermione."

"What?" Harry, Ron, and Hermione all asked in unison.

"The one who will figure out how to destroy the Dark Lord for good," Draco quoted. "Who else is that but you, Hermione? You've devoted to two years to trying to find a way to destroy him on your own."

"It's about us?" Hermione asked, looking up at Draco.

Draco merely shrugged. "I knew it was about me, at the very least. I was able to steal it."

"You knew?" Hermione asked.

"I had to assume as much, Hermione," he replied. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to touch it. It's like the blood wards I cast for you."

"Did you fucking cut her, Malfoy?" Ron snarled, his face a bright shade of red.

"I certainly did not," Draco replied.

Hermione met Ron's eyes and shook her head. "He didn't, Ron," she said. "I swear."

Ron's eyes narrowed. "Right," he said sarcastically. "And I'm just supposed to believe you when your girlfriend wound up here maimed."

Draco's own eyes narrowed. "You seem to have a lot of questions about Astoria. Care to explain that to me?"

"Only if you care to explain you and Hermione to me," Ron replied coldly.

"Ron—" Harry began. "Mate—"

Once again, Hermione felt as if she were going to have to break up a fight.

"I owe you zero explanation, Weasley," Draco said coldly. "But if helps to soothe your ego, Hermione is the woman that I love. End of story."

Ron continued to stare at Draco. "Then I'll tell you the same thing I told her," he said coldly. "If I see you mistreat her even once, I will kick your fucking teeth in. That is a fucking promise."

Hermione winced, holding fast to Draco's hand. But Draco didn't even move. He merely nodded. "Fair, Weasley," he agreed.

Hermione felt herself flush. "Okay!" she interrupted, hoping to get the meeting back on track. "We have more important matters at hand. We know the prophecy now—it's not—not entirely helpful. Draco, Astoria, and I, apparently. We know the final Horcrux—Nagini. We just have to figure out how to destroy her. Where do we go next?"

Harry shrugged. "A meeting tonight. We'll discuss the spies and the final Horcrux. Without all the alcohol this time."

"Astoria isn't even awake yet," Hermione said quietly. "Let's just—let's tell the Order the identity of the spies and then go from there." She didn't entirely trust Draco not to Avada someone who pointed a wand at her.

"That's a good idea," Harry agreed.

Ron nodded. "I'll spread the word that there's a mandatory meeting tonight."

Harry nodded. "Fantastic," he said.

"I want to make a deal," Draco said.

"Draco—?" Hermione began.

"Go on," Harry replied.

"Whatever missions happen, Hermione will not be a part of them. I will take Hermione's place in any and all missions."

"Draco—" she began.

He looked at her, his eyes dark. And then she remembered—all he wanted to do was protect her. He wanted to take her away—once Voldemort was dead.

His eyes were murderous when he turned back to Harry. "She is protected at all costs," he said before swallowing. "I will do everything that the Order asks of me, and those are my only terms."

For a moment, Hermione wanted to argue. She wanted to tell him that she didn't need him to protect her. She didn't need him to speak for her. She could fight, just like everyone else in the Order.

The moment was fleeting, and it promptly vanished, and she found herself once again grateful for him. She didn't want to fight—and she certainly didn't want to voice it out loud. He had saved her from ever having to voice it.

She didn't want it always to land on her shoulders, and he had promised that it never would. He was here now, and he would help her.

Her rock. Her respite. He knew her just as well as she knew him. Perhaps better than she even knew herself.

She fucking loved this man. She could feel it so viscerally. It was beneath her skin, deep down into her bones. In her veins, in her heart.

So, Hermione didn't argue. She let Draco shoulder her burden.

She would shoulder his, too.

Harry's eyes shot to her, questioning her. Hermione merely nodded.

"We have a deal, Malfoy," Harry said after a moment.

That evening, Hermione reluctantly left Draco in her bedroom and headed downstairs, finding the living room and adjoining living room packed with Order members. Her stomach bubbled with nerves. Instantly, her eyes found Kingsley sitting in the back, looking surly. She immediately looked away. She had no idea what had transpired between Harry, Ron and Kingsley.

And truthfully, she found she didn't much care.

They would be announcing the identity of the spies to the entire Order tonight, and Hermione found herself concerned about how they would react to Draco. Draco wouldn't Avada anyone in the hallway—but what about the rest of the Order?

Ron had been right. Draco was notorious. The Order hated him. He had tried to kill Dumbledore. He had fought against them, even as he was giving them the upper hand. But the Order didn't know that.

She had to make sure that they knew that, while still protecting Draco. Her Draco.

"Quiet, everyone," Harry began, grinning. "Quiet, please."

Hermione felt sick to her stomach.

She wanted to be back in her room with Draco.

You and me, when this is over, Hermione reminded herself.

When this was over. Because this was going to end. It had to.

"I'm sure most of you are aware of the—commotion—we had the other evening, and I just wanted to give you an update on what's been going on." Harry paused, swallowing. "I'm back, guys." He smiled. "I was in retirement for a few days because of Hermione, but thanks to her, I'm back fully. You guys can count on me. We will end this."

The uproar was thunderous. Hermione hadn't heard so much energy since she had arrived. Everyone was clapping, and a few people were shouting. Hermione's eyes found Ginny in the crowd. She was staring up at Harry with a smile on her face, and Hermione instantly recognized the look in her eyes—it was the same way Draco stared at her.

"Hermione mentioned the other day that we have discovered the last Horcrux—and we have more information that confirms that. Nagini is the final Horcrux. If we can kill her, we can kill Him. We have to devote every free moment to finding a way to destroy her."

"I've heard there's an Order spy here," Seamus said.

Harry pointed to Seamus. "I was just getting to that, Seamus, thank you. It's not just one Order spy. All three of our spies have recently joined the Order."

"All of them?" Katie asked incredulously.

Harry shook his head. "I know, it's not ideal. But the circumstances are what they are. It's become too dangerous for all of them. So I need you all to be welcoming to them, despite our differences. Astoria Greengrass and Theodore Nott have recently joined the Order."

There was mumbling amongst the Order. Disbelief coupled with outrage.

"Slytherins? Purebloods?" said one person.

"Fucking Sacred 28," said another.

"This is a trap," someone else muttered.

"You said there were three," Kate said, her eyes narrowed. "You only mentioned two, Harry."

"Yes, Harry, tell her the third," said Kingsley from the back of the room.

Harry looked to Hermione. She forced her nausea and anxiety down, rising from her chair to stand beside Harry. She looked at Harry, who only nodded. She swallowed. "The third spy that has joined the Order is Draco Malfoy," she announced.

The Order was completely silent for mere moments before it erupted entirely.

"I told you she was batty."

"We're all going to die."

"That isn't Hermione."

"I knew it. The real Hermione is dead."

There was arguing and screaming, some of it completely indiscernible. But Hermione knew what they were saying: She was crazy, she was unreliable, she was an imposter. Someone grabbed at her, and Hermione violently wrenched herself away, her sleeve tearing in the process. She didn't mean to, but she couldn't help it—she saw the Snatchers in her mind, and she screamed.

The uproar continued until very suddenly, it was completely silent. Hermione's ears buzzed with it. She looked up, wondering what had caused the sudden quiet. Everyone had turned and was staring at the staircase. Hermione raised her eyes to follow their collective eye-line. There, she found Draco, and his eyes were murderous.

As soon as his eyes found Hermione, he pushed his way though the crowd. Several people pulled their wands out, but Draco didn't seem to care. His only focus seemed to be her. As soon as he reached her, his eyes flickered to her torn sleeve. His eyes instantly softened. "You're okay," he murmured quietly. "You're okay. I'm here."

She nodded.

"Malfoy—" Harry began, his voice nervous.

"This was such a bad idea—" Ron said.

Draco didn't move. His eyes were fixed on Hermione. "You can all point your wands at me. Avada me if you'd like," he said quietly, his voice deadly. "But none of you are to ever lay your hands on Hermione, ever again."

It was Draco's deadly tone that brought Hermione back to her senses. This was dangerous. He was dangerous.

He'd told her before: He would kill anyone who tried to hurt her.

She grabbed his hand. "Draco," she said forcefully. "Stop it. I'm okay."

Draco stared at her for a moment before nodding. Hermione stood in front of him, and she could feel him flinch as there were several wands pointing directly at her. She knew he couldn't help himself as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

Suddenly, the room was quiet again. Every Order member's wand fell to the side, their eyes all trained on the way Draco Malfoy—Death Eater and member of Voldemort's Army—had his arm protectively wrapped around Hermione Granger's waist. She took a deep breath and spoke again: "The third spy that has joined the Order is Draco Malfoy," she repeated. "He's been with the Order since his Sixth Year. Snape trained him, and Dumbledore knew that he was instructed to kill him the entire year. He's been a double agent the entire time."

No one said a word.

What's with the theatrics? Draco had asked earlier in the day.

Maybe they needed some theatrics, perhaps, to understand.

Hermione smirked. She could give them theatrics to prove her point. Looking up at Draco, she took his face in her hands and pulled him down to her. He looked surprised before Hermione murmured against his lips, "You're mine, and I want them all to know."

He merely nodded before kissing her fiercely.

He's mine. You touch him and I'll Avada you myself.

She hoped the warning was clear.

a/n: See ya on the 18th. Until then, what the heck ya thinkin'? Lemme know