The Given Choices

*~~*~* Chapter Twenty-five - Consequences and Future Plans *~*~**~*~*

Hermione, Draco, and Severus sat in silence as they rode in the carriage back to Hogwarts. Their days of just them were gone and they were going back to putting up an act again. His pale hand squeezed hers as they reached their destination. Remus was standing at the door with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He walked up to them as Severus got out of their carriage and held his hand out to help Hermione. She gave a slight smile and Remus turned to Snape as he said, "Dumbledore thought it best if you two headed to his office first and we'll follow in a few minutes. So, it doesn't raise suspensions."

Draco leaned over and kissed her on the cheek before following the professor into the castle. Her eyes followed the man she loved with all her heart but the man, who was her father, spoke, "I was told this morning what happened. It seems that I was wrong about him. You didn't have to do it, my dear."

She subconsciously rubbed her arm where the Dark Mark was. There was so much she wished that she knew but they began to slowly walk inside as she said, "I know but I did it for the Order and Snape. He's done so much and is a great asset. Besides, soon the two of us will be within the inner circle and that is very valuable to our side."

"True, but your life is not worth loosing to get information. What you will be asked to do is not going to be easy, Hermione. I feel so helpless to you now. I can't protect you from them," her father admitted as they walked through the silent hallway.

Her hand reached out to his and took it as she quietly replied, "Severus and Draco will protect me. Don't worry. Things will all work out some how. I know that you will be there for me when I do need you."

They stopped in front of the Headmaster's office and Lupin turned to her before giving the password. He squeezed Hermione's smaller hand in his as he asked, "Ready to be inducted into the Order."

"Well, can't be as bad as the other," she kidded and she gave the password to head upstairs to where the Order was gathered to hear the new turning of events.

In the office sat about ten people from the Order, who were all giving Draco Malfoy leery looks as he sat in a single chair in front of Dumbledore. Mr. Weasley smiled at the sight of her but she thought it will not stay when he finds out what has happened. Mentally, she thanked Merlin for Mrs. Weasley not being there. Talk about a huge scene.

"Thank you for joining us, Hermione," Albus said as he stood as she took her seat next to Draco. Remus took his place behind her and Severus took a spot behind Draco's chair. The Headmaster smiled as he began, "I have called you all here for some things that need to be discussed that have arise within that passed few months but have become a point that needs your attention."

"Get on with it all ready," Moody barked from their right. Draco smirked at the man's impatience, which almost matched his own.

Dumbledore said, "Well, it all started last June when Bellatrix told Severus here that she had a daughter that was not known to anyone but her. After some digging and discussing, it was discovered that Hermione is her daughter that the Grangers adopted when a young Bellatrix Black left her after birth."

Mr. Weasley spoke, "What. Who is her father?"

Remus squeezed her shoulders in a loving way as he admitted, "I am. Lets just say that Hermione was result of a one-night stand but I consider her so much more than that."

Arthur Weasley conjured a chair for himself at the point when he kept looking from her to Lupin. The Headmaster started again as he stated, "It seems that Bellatrix promised to have her join the Death Eaters by this June and-"

"That's outrageous. She's got some nerve," the redhead commented as he shook his head.

Snape rolled his eyes and stated, "Yes, now let the man finish. There's a lot more to be covered. So, save the rest of your reactions till the end, if you don't mind Arthur."

Albus chuckled as he stated, "As I was stating, she wanted her to join the inner circle by August to become a valuable spy as Harry's best friend and Head Girl. Well, to make a long story short. Draco and Hermione have become close friends over the year and started dating sometime during the winter holiday, if I am correct."

Hermione smiled and admitted, "Yes, that's right. Of course, I do wonder how you know all of these things."

"I have to keep some of my secrets to myself, my dear," the headmaster replied. "But Lucius wanted Draco, here, to get the mark sooner. But this put a... what is it the muggles call it, my dear, a wrench into their relationship?"

She nodded and he smiled as he then continued, "So, he was to get the dark mark last Saturday but he came to Severus and me to offer his services to join our side of the war. No doubt that his feeling for the beautiful, Hermione had something to do with it."

Hermione blushed at that and Draco reached over to hold her hand in his. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at the sight of love between the two and stated, "But Voldemort wanted her sooner than June. He ordered Severus to deliver Hermione or to face the consequences. Well, it seems that she found out about Voldemort's demand and offered to become a spy as well."

Several gasps came from around the room but with Draco's hand in hers and Remus's reassuring manners made her calm down. Dumbledore got up from his chair and walked around to the front of his desk to directly in front of the two students. "What she and Draco did is both very brave and gave us an advantage over them. But Voldemort did not stop there. He ordered Severus to bring all things in order for a binding and if either of them seemed like they were aware of it, he would suffer. So this past Saturday, both of these intelligent, powerful students became new Death Eaters and married by Voldemort, himself."

"What?!" Arthur jumped out of his seat. "There must be something to undo this."

Hermione spoke up, "No, there isn't, Mr. Weasley. But that's okay. I love Draco and this is the way it is supposed to be. I know what could happen and I am prepared to face them. But this is war and I can not just sit on the sidelines. Not when I have a chance to make a difference."

The wizard looked at her in a mixture of awe and confusion as he took his seat again. The Moody asked, "Is Harry to know?"

Dumbledore shook his head and spoke directly to Hermione. "Harry is not to know. With Voldemort having the ability to enter his mind, there can be no knowledge of their marriage or her getting the Dark Mark. No, only those in this room will know. Beside a few on their side."

Moody walked to him and asked, "How is that possible? Weren't they marked in front of all of the other Death Eaters?"

"Yes, but the Dark Lord insisted on keeping her identity to the rest a secret, which works in our favor," Snape explained. "We created a new identity for Hermione. Only those who wear these bracelets can see through her new mirage. To the rest of the Death Eaters, Draco is married to Silver Draconis. So, only Lucius, Bellatrix, Voldemort, and myself can see her as Hermione when she transforms and we make physical contact with her or speak her true name. But her name will come out as Silver. I sent Narcissa a bracelet too. I figured it would help."

Draco looked back to his mentor at the mention of his mother's name. Severus looked down and commented, "She hoped you would join the side of the light with Hermione. I made sure I told her of your decision to be a spy myself, before she panicked when she heard you got the mark."

Mr. Weasley asked, "What happens now?"

Dumbledore replied, "These two will show that they are friends but not showing loyalties any different to as they were before two weeks ago. Hermione is to there for Harry as Voldemort wants her. Draco is to remain her friend but not friends with Harry as expected. But there is another reason I called you all here together."

He walked around back to sit down in his large chair as he continued, "Severus told me the story about the death of your sister, Miss Granger. Oh, you must forgive us to remain calling you that because we are not supposed to know. But I must ask, is that the first sign of your wandless magic?"

Hermione gave him a confused look. "Wandless magic? Do you think I had something to do with the edge falling?"

"The first time with the mad dog, yes, but the second time no."

Severus glanced from Hermione back to the headmaster as he stated, "Wandless magic with the elements of the ground, fire, water, and air is rare. Moving the ground and such is not a normal ability."

Draco eyes shifted as he spoke up and commented, "Then there is something you such know. I had some similar incidents when I was younger. But it was with the wind or the air."

Dumbledore smiled and leaned back in his chair as he said, "Yes, suspected as much. There are two others within the walls of Hogwarts at this moment, which have these as well. Harry has a form of this but it is more of strength and power than just over certain elements. I believe this is what we have been looking for. Now, we just need to do some planning and some teaching."

Hermione glanced over to Draco and the Headmaster continued, "Next year, the both of you will be made Heads but your training up of your abilities will begin this summer. Severus, you will be in charge of their teaching at their Manor during the beginning of the summer. Then the four students will be brought together here to continue their lessons together."

She slumped back into her chair and her head started to ache again. Draco leaned over and whispered, "Don't worry, love. We've made the right decision with the choices we were given. I love you and I always will."

"I love you too," Hermione replied as she held his hand and listened to the details of their summer and training that was to happen. So much was happening but inside her heart she knew that whatever was to happen and the trials that their love would be put through that they'd make it together. He was right. No matter how things were changing they made the right decision with the given choices.

~*~*~*~ The End *~*~*~