772Bet you didn't expect to see me again so soon!
This should be an interesting one, but not in a super obvious way. I think this is a turning point in the story, but you'll just have to read and find out...
Disclaimer: I like to pretend I'm as good as J.K., but there can be only one.
Tides Change
As he hopped around at the door to their closet, trying desperately to shove his foot into a shoe that refused to cooperate, Draco cursed his wife. He looked at his watch as he waved his wand, and the laces on his shoes leapt into action efficiently tying themselves, damning her for not waking him. Lunch was nearly over and his stomach growled as he shoved his blond head through the sweater he'd chosen for the day. She'd left at Merlin knows what time that morning, claiming that she'd gone to meet up with Potter and Weasley to study in the Gryffindor common room. No doubt she'd tell them all about the night before and the escape, and together the three of them would come up with some plan together, and he'd have no say in the matter. The very idea of it annoyed him. He was just notching his belt and heading for the door of the bedroom when something at the top of the cupboard caught his eye.
The box of potions, the ones that his mother had so kindly brewed for her, hadn't been touched since Halloween, weeks before. With another curse under his breath he used his wand to summon one vial to him and started hurriedly toward the door, her hand written note still clutched in his teeth where he'd put it when he'd immediately begun to wiggle into a pair of trousers in preparation to hunt her down. He slammed the portrait hole behind him and began the long march up to the Gryffindor Common room. As he walked he reread the note, glaring at her neat letters, and the love she'd put before his name.
He was exhausted still, the burns on his side and shoulder hadn't completely healed and he knew that he would have to put on more cream and rebandage the wounds, but he ignored that for now and started up the stairs. His stomach gave another audible growl as he moved, turning the heads of a few first years as they headed to lunch before it ended. He hoped that he was going in the right direction and that they were there in the common room and not also down in the Great Hall with all of the other students enjoying what could only be described as the most heavenly smelling meal ever created. His annoyance made him stomp as he moved, steering students to the other side of the corridor as he passed them. He didn't bother to care, as he continued to fume about Hermione.
The idea that Potter and Weasley would be able to talk to his wife about protecting her before he even had only made him angrier. He knew it was irrational and ridiculous, but he was happy to be angry about anything so trivial right then. In a weird way focusing on his dislike of her friends made the very real threat of his grandfather much less weighty. It helped him cope, and he would nurse it for as long as he was able. He felt a little like his old self as he marched toward the Gryffindor Tower, though much more tired and achy.
Because he was Head Boy, Draco already knew the password, and flashed the badge to the portrait as he said it aloud, watching with a satisfied sneer as the portrait hole swung open. He stepped inside, expecting to see a load of indignant Gryffindors to tell off, but instead found the Common room mostly empty. There were a few students who were studying together at a table, their heads all turned to look at him as he strolled through the room. But the people he wanted were clustered in a set of very worn armchairs by a roaring fire. Potter was pale, almost sick looking and Draco wondered as he looked at the boy what could possibly have caused that when he'd seemed completely fine the night before. Judging by the look on the Weasley's faces they were either sick or terrified, but he didn't bother looking at them any longer than he needed. She was who he was truly there for, and as he saw her perched on the edge of her seat, engrossed in the conversation, he couldn't help but pause. She looked just as stricken as the rest of them, scared, but so small. He'd come up there to tear her to pieces, quietly if need be, but still. Now he couldn't even bring himself to say her name in the old teasing way he once would have.
As he stepped into their line of vision they all turned.
"Draco!" she'd said, jumping up. "Why've you come here?"
"Well, I felt that maybe whatever you were discussing I should probably be present for." He said, his voice flat and even, but he could tell by her face that she knew that he wasn't pleased.
"Maybe we should move this conversation to some place more private." Ginny whispered as the portrait hole opened and the students who'd already enjoyed a lovely hot lunch filed in.
"The Weasley girl is right," he said. "Our common room?"
They all looked to Potter who merely nodded. That annoyed Draco too but he held his tongue. He'd tell her how he felt about that later. He turned and started towards the portrait hole, the others following behind. He held the portrait open as they filed out, and Draco noticed that Potter wasn't completely supporting himself. His brows knitted but the shake of Hermione's head silenced him. He led the group back to his dorm, the growling in his stomach obnoxious in their silence.
"Have you not eaten yet?" Hermione asked him.
"No. I woke up and when I saw the note on the pillow I threw on my clothes and headed right for the Gryffindor Tower."
"I'll head down to the kitchens and have them send up some food." Weasley said. "We haven't eaten really either."
"Thank you, Ron." Hermione said as he headed down the stairs as they started down the corridor that led to Hermione and Draco's dorm.
"You need to take this." Draco said, holding out his hand. "You've not taken it in a long time, so Mother will probably not be happy about that, but better late than never I suppose. You don't seem to be suffering from any symptoms but I'd rather be sure. At least until this particular batch is done."
Hermione took the vial and he watched as she paused while he gave the dorm's portrait the password and drank the whole thing without so much as a word. She let Harry and Ginny go into the dorm before stopping Draco as he made to enter as well. He looked down into her eyes, rimmed with dark circles from so little sleep the night before and waking up so early. She apologized for running off and not waking him up, and promised that she would explain inside. He listened to her, not really angry anymore, more annoyed now than anything. She kissed him on the cheek before she hurried in and Draco followed.
As he came around the sofa Potter was sitting in a chair close to the somewhat dead fire. Hermione was before it, coaxing it back to life. Soon enough the fire was going again and Weasley had arrived with a little line of elves in tow, each carrying a platter topped with dishes overflowing with food. Sandwiches and tureens of soup, pies and bowls of mashed potatos and peas, all steaming and smelling so wonderful it took all Draco's willpower not to pounce on them. The little elves laid the platters on the table before the sofa, and a few on a table behind it. There were plates and cups on a little end table with a flagon of pumpkin juice that was so cold there was still bits of ice sliding down the sides. Draco's mouth watered.
Hermione kindly thanked the little elves who bowed and stammered their thanks. They squeaked that they would return later for the platters, and Hermione merely nodded. There were a few pops and they were all left to their discussions. Draco immediately grabbed a plate and loaded it up with all the most delicious things and parked himself on one side of the sofa where he proceeded to eat much the same way Ron Weasley was in a chair opposite Harry's. Potter looked tired and pale still but ate with as much fervor as he could muster. Hermione and the Weasley girl ate much slower and offered to refill the plates for the others as certain dishes emptied. For a short time the only sounds that broke their silence were the crackling of a cozy fire and the sound of knives and forks on plates.
After two helpings of everything on his plate Draco laid the clean plate on an almost empty platter and sat back on the couch content. The others had mostly finished as well and with the last swigs of pumpkin juice, Hermione turned to Draco. The others were looking at him as well, but he wasn't sure what they were expecting from him.
"What?" was all he could think to say as he sat back on his sofa and relaxed.
"Well, you obviously had reasons for coming all the way to Gryffindor Tower to fetch us." Ginny remarked bravely, "We just want to know why."
"Was lunch not enough of a reason?" Draco remarked with a smirk.
Draco saw Hermione roll her eyes. It only made him smile as he leaned forward once more and looked around at the group of Gryffindors gathered there in his common room. He looked at the rug, trying to figure out how much he could say, how much he should say. The pause was heavy, filled with the secrets that Draco couldn't speak, and the secrets that Hermione's friends wouldn't tell either.
"We know what happened." Ron said suddenly. Draco's head lifted slowly.
"How much did you tell them?" Draco asked Hermione, not bothering to look at her.
"She didn't tell us anything. I saw it. I know your grandfather showed up and rescued Malakai. They're both Animagi and they both escaped." Harry explained shifting in his chair. "Only thing to figure out now is whether I write to Lupin and ask for a meeting."
"Well, if you decide to call one, leave me out of it." Draco said standing. He walked around the sofa, ignoring the platters and dirty plates that lingered on the tables in the common room. He paced the floor by the portrait hole, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked. "I can't be involved with your Order anymore."
"But Draco," Hermione started but she stopped. Draco looked over to her, waiting to hear the rest of her plea but there was nothing. Nothing but silence.
"I think that's a good idea." Harry said turning the attention to him.
"Why's that Potter?" Draco asked, stopping and turning to face the grate by which Harry sat.
"Well, no offense, but you're still working for the enemy. I'd prefer you not know all our secrets. Even if most of them you can't reveal, it's still better that we keep enough to ourselves. I saw most of what happened, the important bit that is. And we won't ask Hermione for any information about your circle."
"She couldn't tell you even if she wanted to. The only person who knows all of the Dark Lord's plans is the Dark Lord." Draco said, cursing himself once the sentence left his mouth.
"Either way Malfoy, your secrets are yours, and ours will be ours." Harry explained. "Despite this seemingly common enemy, I think it best if we separate."
"For once I agree with you Potter."
Draco sneered for old times sake.
"I have business to attend to. If you'll excuse me." With a quick look at Hermione, Draco turned and headed for the portrait hole, fully intent on finding his friends and making good on their father's promises for Hermione's protection.
Hermione watched her husband walk out the portrait hole and thanked Merlin that she hadn't asked him to stay. She'd wanted him to be there with her until she realized there was a good deal of secrets that she needed to share with the Order.
"Do you think a meeting is the best idea?" Ginny asked. "Dragging the entire Order to the castle where You Know Who will obviously be posting Death Eaters to keep watch in Hogsmeade, it sounds too dangerous to me."
"We could always hold the meeting somewhere else." Ron suggested.
"It couldn't be Grimmauld Place. If they managed to kidnap Hermione there you can be sure that they'd be able to overhear that meeting."
"What about the Burrow?" Harry asked.
"Would Mum go for that?" Ron asked Ginny.
"I think it's possibly the only way that she'd be comfortable with any of this." Ginny said shaking her head.
"We should talk to Professor McGonagall as well." Hermione remarked. "She might be able to activate some of the protective enchantments on the school. Honestly I think as long as Aemilius is on the loose no one is safe. Neither of them will stop, not until I'm gone."
"We won't let that happen." Harry promised.
"Yeah." Ron supported. Harry looked determined, whilst Ron merely looked worried.
Hermione tried to give both of them a reassuring smile. She knew that they would do whatever they could to keep her safe. They would protect her, and so would her husband, despite being forced to work with her friends to accomplish it. But Hermione couldn't help but feel a little apprehension at the idea of so many people being targets because of her. She knew, she'd seen the look in his eyes, that Malakai wasn't going to back down. He was consumed now, not with a hate for her blood, not even a hate for her, but instead just a vile need to watch her suffer. The lust in his eyes was for her pain, her screams, her fear, all things that she never wanted to give him again. The satisfaction of watching her break would never be his.
The house elves returned a few moments later to clean up the remains of lunch as Hermione and the others discussed their next moves. Hermione volunteered to be the one to explain the situation to McGonagall while Harry would contact Remus and use very stealthy means to communicate the need for an immediate meeting. They would have to request the meeting for sooner rather than later as the winter holidays were approaching and Hermione knew that there would be no traveling to spend Christmas at the Burrow this year. Harry had merely nodded when Hermione told him that. Ron couldn't look her in the eye.
"How'd Draco take his grandfather's being alive and escaping?" Harry asked, genuinely curious.
"He isn't pleased. He was so furious last night. He almost strangled Malakai with his wand. It's understandable. He saved me from that horrible man, saw him trying to do vile things to me. I wanted to kill him myself. I did knock him out though." Hermione then held up her bruised knuckles. They weren't nearly as bad as they'd been after she'd punched him, but Narcissa hadn't had enough time to heal them completely. Her knuckles were tinted with just a hint of purple.
Ginny laughed, and Hermione joined her. They giggled a moment at the silliness of resorting to hitting someone when one had access to any number of magical forms of retribution. Hermione knew it had been ridiculous, but at the time it was the only thing she could do. It was the only thing she felt like doing. Even if she'd had access to a wand she knew she would have hit him anyway.
Not long after they parted ways. Harry who was feeling better, now having eaten something, walked without help back to the Gryffindor common room where he would need to work on the homework he hadn't been able to do the night before. Hermione parted ways with them at the stairs where she headed down instead of up. She wandered through the corridors, nodding at students who lingered there, all the while trying to work out how she would broach the topic of school safety. She knew that Harry was upstairs composing a very important letter to Lupin, and wondered if the adults would deem this worthy of calling a meeting or if she would have to reveal her own reasons for wishing to call one.
Shaking those thoughts of Madam X from her mind Hermione knocked on the door to Professor McGonagall's office with her good hand. From within she heard the Professor grant her entrance and she peered around the door as she opened it to see McGonagall at her desk, her hair pulled back just as severely as ever. Her eyes were watchful as Hermione entered and closed the door. Hermione took the seat offered and greeted the Professor cordially.
"To what do I owe the visit Mrs. Malfoy?" the woman asked, looking over her glasses at Hermione.
"Last night as you know we were summoned for the sentencing of Draco's half uncle in his crimes against me. While we were there however, Draco's grandfather, who Voldemort and his followers believed to be dead, appeared and helped Malakai to escape. They are now free, and are targeting me again." Hermione explained in one breath. "I've come to tell you that in their effort to attack me, they will not care who stands in their way. I fear everyone at the school is in danger while they are still around."
"Draco's grandfather managed to infiltrate You Know Who's secure location while you were all there last night?" McGonagall was shocked.
"He is an Animagi. An owl. And Malakai is a mouse. He transformed the boy and carried him away." Hermione described the owl to her in the best detail she could.
"There are precautions that I read about in Hogwarts: A History that I think may come in useful in this particular instance." Hermione added after a moments silence.
"I suppose I will need to activate a number of the security measures for the school. I shall have to call a staff meeting immediately. I'd like you to round up the prefects. I want them to gather up their houses and keep them within their respective common rooms until dinner. While the students are safely tucked away we will perform the charms needed to guard the school. Tonight at dinner I will issue a few new rules. Do not brief the prefects on the reasons, I would like to do that this evening." McGonagall then rose from her seat, neatly placing the quill in her hand flat on the table and straightening her robes.
"Professor, Harry is writing to call a meeting at the earliest convenience. We feel like there's enough information that we should inform them."
"Mr. Potter need not, I will write myself and give him the details. No sense in calling a meeting over it." McGonagall said as she rounded the desk.
"There is more than just my grandfather in law to discuss. I have a few things I wish to tell you all, but I'd rather do so when I'm absolutely sure that it's safe. My husband won't be coming to this particular meeting, at his own request."
"Very well. Please Mrs. Malfoy, find the Head Boy and alert the prefects."
Hermione merely nodded. She headed out of the office, McGonagall hot on her heels. The older woman locked the office door behind her and began moving swiftly down the corridor, marching much faster than Hermione. She disappeared around a corner before Hermione heard the announcement that echoed through the school.
"Would all students kindly report to their common rooms. Prefects, please report to the entrance hall and await further instruction. Staff, please report to the staff room."
McGonagall's voice was magically projected around the castle and the grounds. Hermione happened to glance out a window as she passed it and saw a number of students braving the chilling breeze on the grounds, turn and look about them. Slowly they rose and began wandering towards the castle from all areas of the lawns, some even so far away as the Quidditch pitch. Hermione came across a few Prefects as they made their way down towards the entrance hall. She kept her eyes peeled for Draco, wondering where he'd gone, and what business he had to tend to.
The halls were abuzz with chatter about the command issued throughout the school. Many students wondered what could possibly be forcing them back into their common rooms at mid day. Hermione heard any number of ridiculous theories as she moved through the students, many of who asked her as she passed them, to which she replied that they would know in due time. The afternoon sun hung low in the sky now that it was budding winter. The shadows that were beginning to fill the stone corners let the cold seep in. The light was just a little bit less warm, the day growing just a little more cold, and Hermione longed for the cozy fire of her common room again.
When she reached the entrance hall Hermione saw a small gathering of about half the Prefects Hogwarts had, and no sign of her husband. As soon as she reached the bottom step Hermione was bombarded with questions. The same questions the students had were echoed in the Prefects. Hermione couldn't understand how she was expected to dictate to them when she wasn't allowed to tell them just what was happening. She quieted them as best as she could as she explained that she would give them their instructions once everyone was there.
Draco suddenly pushed his way through a sea of sullen looking Slytherins as they queued up at the top of the dungeons staircase. Behind him were most of his friends, only two of which were actual Prefects. He approached her, and every available eye watched them as they bent their heads low together to hear one another over the roar of the students milling about. Hermione couldn't help but blush at the attention but pushed the feelings of embarrassment down, instead pulling on her business face.
"What's all this now?" Draco asked. "What'd you lot do up there?"
"I told Professor McGonagall about what happened. She's going to activate some of the enchantments on the castle. Precautions to protect the other students." Hermione explained. "We are to instruct the Prefects to keep their houses in their common rooms while the teachers work."
"Couldn't they have just done it all later on?" asked Blaise who'd been standing at Draco's elbow.
"No, not now that we know Aemilius is an owl and the other one a mouse." Hermione replied. "Much more dangerous."
The Hufflepuffs and the Slytherins waiting to head to their common rooms stood around in small groups, barely paying attention to the queues for the stairs. Hermione tapped her foot on the flag stone floors, impatient with the slow progress and the missing Prefects. She could see a giggling group of Hufflepuffs standing at the top of the stairs, ignoring the rest of the school as they barely followed directions themselves. Draco was growing impatient himself. The sooner the students were safely ensconced in their common rooms, the sooner whatever precautions could be put into place. Hermione knew that her little Order had their own little plans, but he had his, and he needed to tell her about them before he could put them into action. And for that he needed her alone.
"You take the Hufflepuffs, I'll take my house." Draco smirked and turned away.
Hermione smiled before she called over the four Hufflepuff Prefects and led them to the door to the Hufflepuff side of the dungeons. She explained that she needed all the Hufflepuffs in their common room or dormitory, that they would need to stay there until they were summoned by their Head of House for dinner. The four merely nodded and began ushering their housemates towards the doorway. Two disappeared down the stairs to better organize the students filing down the stairs. Hermione however turned towards the other Prefects that stood waiting for their instructions.
Within minutes the Prefects for Ravenclaw and Gryffindor started up the marble staircase, heading for their own towers to better assist in the rounding up of their houses. Hermione followed them up the stairs, wading into the group of Hufflepuff girls and instructing them to make their way to their common room or points would be deducted from their house. With indignant looks the girls made their way down the stairs where Hermione saw Draco and his friends waiting. The younger Slytherin Prefects monitored the students as they made their way down the stairs while Draco's friends waited and talked with him.
Hermione started down the stairs. She could see Draco and Blaise deep in conversation with Crabbe and Goyle hovering and nodding between them. Draco's friend Marie Harrison hovered nearby, watching the students as they moved towards the dungeon staircase. It wasn't until Hermione was almost upon them that they broke apart, their whispered conversation ceasing. She ignored it. Just as she had secrets from Draco, she imagined that he had secrets from her. She didn't like it necessarily but she knew that their circumstances couldn't have it any other way.
"I've sent the Ravenclaws and the Gryffindors up to assist with their houses. I've told all the prefects to remain within their common rooms until their Heads of House fetch them for dinner." Hermione explained. "We should head to our dormitory. I assume that's what we are expected to do."
"I have a bit more to discuss with my friends. I'll finish up here, making sure the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs are rounded up. You should go to the common room though." Draco leaned in and kissed her quickly, a show for the watching crowd.
Hermione didn't bother to say anything. She had no intentions of going up to their dorm. She started back up the stairs, frustrated at the silly repetition, the noise below dying away as she moved up to the second floor. As she moved she pictured the protection enchantments she'd read in Hogwarts: A History. A few had been activated in their third year when Sirius had escaped from Azkaban and made a bee line for the school. Hermione could remember the massive locks on the inside of the door in the entrance hall. And the charms that had been placed on the windows that prevented them from opening. The enchantments on the grounds had been strengthened, despite the fact that the Dementors lingered out there. The idea that all of that was about to be put into place for her protection was overwhelming.
Hermione shivered at the thought of Malakai returning, moving easily into the school in whatever secret way Sirius had. She could just see him standing over her bed, eyes black as night, narrowed at her. She pushed the thoughts away, they only made her nervous. The twist of fear that sat in her belly when she thought about him was beginning to reform, sickeningly heavy as she kept walking up the stairs. She reached the fifth floor, the same floor that her suite with Draco was on but she headed west, away from her portrait and the safety of her common room. She followed the corridor listening for the sound of the students milling about outside their tower. But the halls were silent as she moved, only her feet echoing off the stone walls. Eventually she saw the foot of the staircase. Narrow and winding she started her climb, hearing nothing. At the top of the stairs there was a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle. It opened its beak to pose a question to her but Hermione waved it off. She was satisfied.
Hermione knew as she wandered back down the stairs that the same display would not be seen at the Gryffindor tower. She was almost positive that the lot of the house would be milling around outside the common room. Only two of the Gryffindor Prefects had even bothered to appear for their instructions. She just hoped that Ginny, Ron, and Harry would know what was happening and be of some help getting their house together.
She climbed the stairs to the seventh floor, by that point despising all the stairs in the school, and before she'd even reached the top she could already hear voices. She checked the sweater she wore for the Head Girl badge that she'd pinned on earlier, but knew that she wouldn't need it. Hermione wasn't surprised to see Harry and Ron outside the portrait of the Fat Lady as she approached. She was however surprised to see most of the seventh year students and a few of the sixth year students milling about. When they saw her approaching their conversations grew quiet.
"That's a pretty drastic reaction, don't you think?" Ginny said as Hermione approached.
"The teachers are enacting some charms on the school as a precaution." Hermione explained. "I'm not sure what they all are. The teachers are meeting now to talk about it."
"And the other thing you needed to discuss with her?" Harry asked quietly.
"She said we can." Harry only nodded.
"Precautions for what?" asked Neville quietly.
"It's a long story Neville." Ron said.
"Well shorten it then." Seamus exclaimed. "I'm curious meself."
With a sidelong glance at Harry, Hermione gathered them closer to her. The small circle of the seventh year boys, Hermione, and Ginny closed in on one another. Hermione leaned in and began to whisper her story.
"Do you remember a few weeks back, when I was in the hospital?" Hermione asked. The others merely nodded. "Well, I hadn't fallen down the stairs like the teachers told you. I'd been kidnapped."
"By You Know Who again?" Seamus asked.
"It's hard to explain, but no not by Voldemort." Hermione said and she saw them shiver.
"And he's coming back to get you again?" Neville asked, ignoring the look of fearful shock on Seamus' face.
"Yes. And he won't spare anyone. So the teachers are taking precautions to protect the students."
"Well, we can help." Dean said, looking to Harry. "We are the DA after all. And Hermione's a member. We can help protect her."
"That's not a bad idea," Harry said nodding even as Hermione began shaking her head.
"No, that's a terrible idea."
Neville opened his mouth to agree with Dean when he looked over Hermione's head. Seamus and Dean followed his vision, standing up immediately. Hermione's brows knit together as she stood and turned around. Sauntering down the hall was the Head Boy, his wand in hand, eyeing the circle as they separated. He approached her smoothly, stopping beside her and nodding at the others.
"Why aren't they in their common room?" he asked her.
"They were curious, that's all." She said simply, shrugging her shoulders and looking up at him with a smile.
"You all need to get into your common room, now. Hermione we need to get to ours. I passed McGonagall on my way up and she said that the teachers would be sweeping the halls in ten minutes." Draco turned to look at the group again.
"All right. I'll see you down there. I just have a few things to finish up here." Hermione said, smiling wider still.
She could see him ruffle, even if it wasn't that obvious to anyone else. She'd thrown his words back at him and she knew that he didn't like that. But instead of commenting or arguing he turned and headed away, not bothering to keep up the affectionate display for those standing there. Most of them knew it wasn't real, or perhaps not completely real. She watched him walk away and turned back to the others once he'd made it around the corner at the end of the hall.
"No protection." Hermione said sternly. She narrowed her eyes at Harry who chuckled. "Go on, I've got to get going."
Hermione watched as the portrait of the Fat Lady swung on it's hinges and the small group of students lined up to go in. Harry, however, lingered at her side a minute more. Once the others were inside Hermione turned to him, opening her mouth to reiterate her stance on the DA getting involved as her personal body guards but the look in Harry's eyes silenced her.
"Things are going to change really fast." He said quietly. "It's all going to get serious, really serious. I can tell that not everything between you and Draco is pretend. But you need to remember what side he's on."
He just looked at her, his green eyes shifting between hers. Then he turned away. He gave the password and with a huff the Fat Lady swung forward again. Harry's disheveled head disappeared behind the frame as it closed once more and she stood staring at it. Before the Fat Lady could angrily demand if she was staying or going, Hermione started slowly down the hall, pondering Harry's words.
She knew that they weren't on the same side, that ultimately they were still enemies, and that Draco would eventually be forced by his Master to betray her. She'd always known that. But she'd pushed it down, pushed it away, so that it wouldn't haunt her, so that she could live beside him without the constant suspicion. Hermione knew that Harry was just trying to help her. He wanted her to prepare for the inevitable broken heart she would get once Draco joined in the war, taking his Mark. She knew what side she was on, and she knew what side she'd fight for.
But somewhere in a ridiculously hopeful part of her, she still pictured an end where she could have it all. Her friends safe, their enemy defeated, and the man she'd married and fallen in love with, all in one pretty vision, lingered in the back of her mind. As ludicrous as it sounded, Hermione still hoped that maybe Harry would be wrong, and Draco wouldn't break her heart.
Protections and enchantments are being conjured, and there are two maniacs running around hunting our heroine.
The DA makes a return, and a meeting in the future. Oh and lets not forget winter holiday is coming up.
Honestly, even I'm psyched to see what happens next.
Till next time lovelies.
Tootles
Starry.