The Truth About Hermione Granger

The next morning at breakfast, Hermione gave the news to Harry and Ron. Surprisingly, Ron only smirked at her and Harry called her "Miss Snape," several times. She'd thought they'd have reacted in much the same way as they had the other times they discussed the subject, but they seemed pretty at ease with it this time. She decided not to make anything of it and simply finished her breakfast in peace. Potions wasn't until later in the afternoon today, so she wondered how Snape was handling it. He'd gone to Dumbledore immediately upon returning to school and had her records changed. He'd told her as they headed into breakfast together that Dumbledore was thrilled that he'd gotten custody of her. Hermione supposed that that was because he'd mellowed quite a bit since he found out she was his daughter. Of course, it had only been a few weeks, but the students had already noticed the difference.

Care of Magical Creatures was first, so the three of them headed down to Hagrid's hut together. They didn't notice they had company until they were almost there and heard Draco Malfoy's voice not far behind them. Hermione turned to see him, Crabbe and Goyle heading in their direction.

"Oh, great!" she said, rolling her eyes. "Looks like we're not the only ones who decided to get to class early. What are THEY doing, anyway? They're usually the last to arrive."

Ron said nothing. Harry frowned. "I don't know," he said. "They're probably going to try and torture us again."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Is that ALL they know how to do?" she asked. "I mean, what sort of job could you get- oh, right," she said, realizing just what sort of a job one could get torturing people.

"Hermione!" called Draco from behind them.

"What?" called Hermione over her shoulder, wanting to tell him to get lost.

"Well, wait up a minute!" he called.

She turned to see him hurrying towards her, Crabbe and Goyle in tow. "What is it, Draco?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked. "Alone!" But, the last word was directed more at Crabbe and Goyle than at Harry and Ron.

Hermione studied him carefully. "All right," she said finally. "Right now?"

"We've got time, haven't we?"

"Hmm, yes," she said. "All right, then."

"Don't you two cause any trouble," he told Crabbe and Goyle as he led Hermione away from the others. As soon as they'd rounded the corner of Hagrid's hut, Draco turned to face Hermione. "Look," he said quietly. "First of all, I've got to get some things clear. I know that Snape's a spy and that he's planning on making you one when he presents you to You-Know-Who."

Hermione was sure that her chin hit the ground and that her eyes grew to twice the size of quaffles. "How do you know that?" she asked sharply, closing her mouth.

"Look, I do, okay?" he replied. "Snape's my mentor, I suppose you could say. Anyway, he's converted me. I'm a spy, too, but only because I have to be, not because I want to be. I'd rather not be associated with the Dark Lord at all, but because of my father.... anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I'm on your side. But, I have to keep up appearances so I'll probably still pretend to hate Potter and Weasley, all right?"

"Sure," she said. "But, why are you telling me this?"

"Because," he said impatiently. "I'm getting to that! Now listen, the truth is, I've always thought you were kind of... well, you know, cute. But, you were muggle born and my father would have KILLED me if I said so to anyone. Anyway, now that we know the truth, it's okay. And, Dumbledore announced that we're having a Halloween Masquerade Ball this year instead of a Yule Ball, so I was wondering if you'd want to go with me. I mean, you know, if Potter or Weasley hasn't asked you already."

Hermione blinked several times before what he had said sunk in. He thought she was cute? Really? That was odd. Malfoy had always hated her. Well, of course! His father's a death eater and I was muggle born, she thought. He had to at least pretend to hate me, for his father's sake. Otherwise, he'd probably get himself killed for being a muggle-lover.

"No," she said finally. "I mean, no Ron or Harry hasn't asked me yet. I suppose... yes, I'll go with you."

Draco smiled. "Great!" he said. "Okay, then... well, I guess we'd better get back to class before we're late."

Hermione grinned and nodded. Perhaps Draco really was pretty decent.

They headed out from behind Hagrid's hut just in time to see Hagrid coming out to start the class. She quickly found Harry and Ron and joined them.

"What did he want?" asked Ron.

"He asked me to the Halloween Ball," she explained.

"What?" exclaimed Harry.

"No!" said Ron.

"Yes, he did," she said. "Now look, Hagrid's starting. I'll explain it all to you later."

"You told him no, didn't you?" asked Harry.

"I told him yes, now pipe down, I'm trying to hear!" she hissed.

The boys just gave her a strange look and started paying attention to Hagrid.

Sometimes she wondered if they knew that she enjoyed making them think.

* * * * * * * *

Later that day in potions class, Snape surprised everyone when he called her Miss Snape instead of Miss Granger. The other teachers hadn't heard that he now had custody of her and they had still called her Miss Granger. She hadn't bothered to correct them, figuring they'd know by Monday. Draco constantly grinned at her across the dungeons and she tried her best not to keep glancing at him. There was something about his manner lately that captivated her. Perhaps it was just because he was being nice to her, or perhaps it was because she had always secretly thought he was cute, or maybe it was a combination of the two, but something made her want to smile at him.

Or maybe it was because her father kept giving Malfoy annoyed glances whenever she smiled at him.

In any case, she was beginning to like Draco Malfoy.

At the end of class, Draco hurried over to her. He wanted to walk to the Great Hall with her, but Snape called him up to his desk. Hermione promised to wait for him outside the classroom and he obediently went to see what Snape wanted.

Hermione told Harry and Ron to save her a seat and she'd be along shortly. They left her standing outside the potions classroom reluctantly. She didn't hear any voices from inside until after all the students had almost disappeared down the hall.

"What did I tell you about my daughter, Mr. Malfoy?" asked her father.

There was a pause. "I know, sir, but I just can't help it," he answered. "I'll be careful with her, I promise!"

"No, Mr. Malfoy," said Snape. "You know how I feel about her and you know very well that I won't give her to just anyone! Absolutely not!"

"Why not?" asked Draco. "After all, YOU know how I feel about her! I've told you on several occasions and before she was your daughter, you were encouraging me to DO something about it! And you KNOW I'll be good to her!"

"Even so, Mr. Malfoy-"

"NO! NOT even so!" interrupted Draco angrily. "Before you knew she was your daughter I was PLEANTY good enough for her and now? Now, I'm just another Death Eater's son! It isn't fair! You KNOW better than that!"

"Perhaps I do, Mr. Malfoy," said Snape, equally as angrily. "But the fact remains that she is my daughter and I don't want you seeing her!"

There was another pause. "Why?" asked Draco finally. "I can't believe it's simply because you don't think I'm good enough for her. There's GOT to be another reason."

A pause. "There is, Mr. Malfoy," said Snape finally, more calmly this time. "I've already told the Dark Lord about her and he told me that he has someone in mind for her. I've still got to talk to her about this. He intends her to marry one of the Death Eaters or one of their sons; I'm not sure which. He wouldn't tell me. But, the fact remains that if she is to be a spy, she has to do what the Dark Lord says. Do you understand?"

Draco must have nodded, because Snape said, "Good, you may go now."

"Sir," said Draco. "I've already asked her to go to the Halloween Ball with me. Is that all right?"

"I suppose so, Mr. Malfoy," he said. "Just remember what I told you."

"Yes, sir." And a dejected Draco came out of the classroom. He gave Hermione a pitiful look and she smiled weakly at him. As soon as they were far enough away from the classroom, he said, "You heard?"

"Yes," she said, sadly. "Don't worry. I wouldn't let him force me into anything, Draco."

He sighed. "I only wish..." he said.

"That you are the one?" she asked.

He nodded.

They walked the rest of the way in silence. Just before they entered the Great Hall, Hermione kissed Draco's cheek. "Everything will work out all right," she said, giving his hand a squeeze. "I'm sure of it."

She wasn't though.