Fidelitas

The end of October was quickly approaching. Halloween preparations had begun in the Great Hall; Hagrid's pumpkin patch was full to bursting with huge orange gourds. The biggest excitement, though, was the Hogsmeade trip planned for the weekend before the great feast. All of the students in third year had been told stories of the wizarding village, and were constantly pestering the upper year students with questions. Harry and Ron were making plans to spend most of their time in Zonko's and Honeydukes and had made great long lists of all the candy and tricks that they would be buying.

Hermione wasn't as interested in the scheduled expedition, though she did enjoy spending time in the village. Her mind was more occupied with the confusing thoughts about her growing friendship with Draco Malfoy. Ever since the night that Draco tripped over her in the Slytherin dungeon and they had sat and talked, she had begun to feel torn between her two best friends and the strange new relationship she had with Draco. Ron and Harry still thought that Draco was as bad as he had been during the first four years they had spent at Hogwarts. Ron had gone so far as to call her 'mental' for believing that Draco could be changing.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to deal with Ron and Harry's attitudes towards the time she spent with Draco during the evenings. Even though she repeatedly explained that they were simply working on homework, the boys had started showing up at the isolated library table where she and Draco studied. They claimed to need help with their own homework, but it was fairly clear to both Hermione and Draco that they were there in an attempt to protect her from the Slytherin boy. She tried over and over again to reassure them that she was perfectly safe in the library, that even if Draco were as bad as they thought that he couldn't really do anything with most of Ravenclaw house sitting on the other side of the shelves.

After one particularly irritating interruption, Hermione had lost her temper and begun shouting at Ron. Her ranting drew the attention of Madame Pince and resulted in all three students being ordered out of the library. This wouldn't have been such a bad thing if it weren't for the fact that Hermione was working on an essay for Professor Binns and she needed books that she could only find in the library. She hadn't even had time to check the books out before Madame Pince told them that they were not allowed in the library until the next day.

Draco had been surprisingly even tempered about the whole situation. It was he who calmed Hermione down after they were kicked out, and he who made light of Harry and Ron's protection attempts. He even insisted on staying to help the Gryffindor boys with their homework when they showed up in the library. This did not endear him to Ron or Harry, though the air of mocking superiority Draco had when explaining solutions to Potions problems that stumped them might have had something to do with it. Or possibly it was his offer of the services of Crabbe and Goyle as assistant bodyguards. The faint sneer that came into the blond student's voice whenever the other boys were around was a large part of the problem. Draco certainly hadn't changed his opinions of her friends, much as his attitudes towards Hermione had altered.

The two students had discovered a mutual love for Arithmancy and Charms, and an equally mutual loathing for Divination and Astronomy. Draco repeatedly congratulated Hermione on the wisdom of dropping what he called 'wool-gathering with the half-wit,' which earned both a glare and a smile. Hermione was shocked that Draco had turned out to be such a good study partner; for his part, he claimed to be driven by a determination to find out her secret and use it to become top of the class. Hermione grinned, but secretly felt that Draco was more interested in his studies than he would even consider letting people know. Whatever the reason, she was enjoying this new and unusual experience: working with someone who took school seriously. It certainly made a pleasant change from Ron and Harry's lack of interest in anything academic.

Hermione was feeling increasingly torn between the three boys. She was also worn down by guilt at lying to Draco about what she did on the evenings when she refused to study with him. In an attempt to make up for the night she lost track of Collier, she had insisted on taking both weekend evenings, as well as her mid-week shift. Harry and Ron had protested, but she ignored them. It was only until she stopped feeling guilty about what she had done, she explained, then they could go back to taking turns on the seventh evening's watch. What this meant, though, was that she was doing her best to keep watch during her hours in the library and then coming up with excuse after excuse for why she couldn't continue working with Draco after the library closed.

She had tried to talk to her friends about letting Draco in on their plans. Ron had barely heard the beginning of her sentence before he told her, emphatically, not a chance. Harry backed him up, repeating his theory that Draco was just playing with Hermione's mind and hadn't changed in the slightest. Neither boy would listen to her arguments or explanations of the changes in the Slytherin boy. Hermione finally snapped and snidely asked what it would take for them to believe in the possibility of a changed Draco. Harry's response, seconded by Ron, had been "a signed and witnessed letter from Dumbledore himself."

That was the most recent discussion they had had about the matter, a few days before the Hogsmeade trip. Hermione had decided that she was done with fighting. If Ron and Harry couldn't accept her friendship with Draco, that was too bad for them.

As for what she was going to tell Draco about her evening activities... that was less simple. She knew she couldn't keep lying to him; it was breaking her in two every time they talked. He repeatedly mentioned how much he enjoyed spending time with someone with whom he didn't have to lie and pretend. Hermione winced every time Draco mentioned the word trust, or expressed his amazement at how they had become so open with each other after four years of bitter hatred.

It was a topic of some importance to him, especially as they watched the friendship potions wearing off on all the students in their Potions class. It seemed that the potions had worn off on all of the people who had not developed true friendships. As for the partners who had become friends, it was impossible to tell, but since all of the changes had happened in the past few weeks, Draco argued that their potions must have faded as well. He was amazed that, instead of disappearing, his and Hermione's friendship was growing stronger. Hermione agreed with him, but silently worried that her deceit might put an end to all that.

It was a quiet Friday evening in the library. Most of the students were in their common rooms, making plans for the next day's trip. Even the Ravenclaws seemed to have abandoned the idea that homework could be worked on the day before a Hogsmeade visit. Draco and Hermione were at their usual table working on a tricky Arithmancy problem that Professor Vector had set for her advanced classes. Though they weren't in the same section, the two students were usually assigned the same homework, and as the coursework became more difficult both were grateful to have a second mind working on the problems.

Unexpectedly, the lanterns hanging above the table all dimmed in unison. Draco looked up in surprise.

"It can't be 8:20 already?" he asked.

Hermione glanced down at her watch. She frowned and shook her head.

"It's not. It's barely eight. Madame Pince must be confused."

They bent their heads over the complex chart on the table. Their concentration was so complete that both students jumped at the sound of a loud handclap.

"I am closing the library. The lights dimmed ten minutes ago and all the other students understood that that was their signal to depart. Have you two decided that this rule doesn't apply to you either?"

Madame Pince was standing over them with a very sour look on her face. Though she had let them return to the library, she still seemed quite angry over Hermione's outburst the previous week. In fact, on their first day back, she had tried to separate Draco and Hermione. It was only Draco using all of his charm that had caused the librarian to agree that the students could continue working together. She had told them, though, that if there were any repeats of the shouting incident that she would turn them over to Filch without regret.

Draco stood and smiled at Madame Pince's glowering face as Hermione began quickly packing their supplies into her satchel.

"We're terribly sorry, Madame," he said, trying his best to look abashed. "When the lights dimmed at an earlier time than usual, we though that perhaps, um, Peeves was playing a trick on you. We hadn't realized that you were closing the library early."

"Well, from now on when those lights dim I want you two to pack up and leave, no matter what the hour. I don't feel like keeping the library open for a small handful of students, none of who are even using my books. This is not a common room, it is a library."

"Of course, Madame," Draco replied. "We know that and are eternally grateful for having such a marvelous library at our disposal. We'll be going now and will finish our work in a common room, as you so kindly suggested."

He grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her across the library. Madame Pince sniffed loudly as they hurried through the door, but her glare had faded somewhat. Draco pulled Hermione through the large doors and down the corridor. The sound of the wooden doors being closed had barely echoed down the corridor when Hermione began snorting with laughter. Draco glared at her.

"What were you thinking?" he asked. "Making those faces at me over her shoulder. I could barely keep a straight face."

"I'm sorry, Draco, but you were so... obsequious. Fawning over her: 'Dearest Madame Pince, may I tell you how fabulous you are?' It was hilarious."

"I didn't see you coming up with a way out of that one. She was probably about to ban us from the library all weekend or something."

"I know. I know why you did it," Hermione said. Her laughter was fading, but she still had a huge grin on her face. "And I will always leave you in charge of finding ways out of tricky situations. I could never be that convincing, or charming, while making everything up on the spot."

"I'll give you lessons someday," Draco offered, smiling down at her. "So, shall we go find an abandoned classroom and keep going? It's not even eight-thirty, right?"

"Actually Draco, I think I might head back to my tower. I have some other work I need to do that I left there. My brain can't take any more Arithmancy tonight, not without bits leaking out of my ears."

Draco looked disgusted.

"That's a horrible image. Please spare me. But are you sure I can't convince you to keep working on something else instead?"

"I'm sorry, no," Hermione replied, pulling his textbook out of her bag and handing it to him. "I really should go do this other work... But tomorrow afternoon, I promise."

"Tomorrow?" Draco shook his head. "Hermione, I'm going to get you a calendar, or maybe a Remembrall. Tomorrow's the Hogsmeade trip. I'm not planning on spending that in the library. But maybe..." he trailed off and looked down at his feet.

Hermione looked at him, her face puzzled.

"Well, would you like to meet in town?" Draco asked. "We could have a Butterbeer at the pub, or go to Flourish and Blotts. What do you think?"

Draco held his breath. He wasn't entirely sure why this mattered so much to him, but the thought of spending time with Hermione alone, outside of school, with not a textbook in sight suddenly seemed very important. If she would agree to this, then she really was treating him as a friend. He crossed his fingers inside the sleeve of his robe, internally mocking himself for being so suspicious.

"Sure," Hermione said, after what seemed like hours. "That sounds like a great idea. Shall we meet at the tavern and make plans from there?"

"Great!" Draco let his breath out on the word. "Around two, then?"

"Two-o'clock it is," Hermione agreed. "I'll see you there, Draco."

She turned and started walking towards the Gryffindor part of the castle. Draco smiled at her retreating back. Hermione probably had no idea how good this made him feel, he thought, but he certainly wasn't fighting the warm, happy feeling inside of him. His father would be horrified, but for a change that thought didn't bother Draco in the slightest.

Saturday was unexpectedly warm, the sun shining golden in a cloudless sky. The Hogwarts students took their time wandering from shop to shop, enjoying the weather. As Draco separated himself from a group of Slytherins who were advancing on Honeydukes with a determination that should have terrified the unsuspecting shopkeeper, he couldn't help smiling. It was gorgeous out and he was having a surprisingly good day. While he had no plans of spending his entire moneybag in the candy shop, as his classmates were intending, he had decided to treat himself to a present. There was a book on advanced flying techniques and Quidditch maneuvers that his father had been refusing to buy for years, but Draco had managed to save enough money to get it himself. And he even had a few sickles left over to buy Hermione a Butterbeer.

Draco wandered into The Three Broomsticks, which was crowded as usual, and glanced around quickly. He saw neither a flyaway tangle of brown hair, nor the fiery red or inky black hair of her friends. Slightly disappointed he checked his watch, then moved towards a seat at the bar where he could keep an eye on the door. It was only quarter of two, so he was slightly early. Besides, he told himself, it was a good thing that she was not already here with her friends because then he would have to put up with their not-so-good-natured heckling. Draco had never liked Potter or Weasley, but their attempts to 'protect' Hermione from him were really irritating. He had kept his temper, because he was afraid Hermione would never speak to him again if he hauled off and punched one of the other boys, but he didn't bother to mask his irritation and dislike. Of course, neither did they.

He could see how much it got to Hermione, how she tensed up whenever one of her friends found her with him. It was almost gratifying to see that it was her friends who annoyed her, rather than Draco; that it was their actions that made her irritable, not his. Though he knew Hermione would never admit it, Draco suspected that she preferred his behavior to theirs these days. Perhaps she even preferred spending time with him, rather than them. It was a stretch, but he had his suspicions. To surpass Potter and Weasley in her affections, now that was a goal to strive for. That would be a contest at which he would love to beat those two.

He felt a hand touch his shoulder and turned slowly on his stool.

"Hey Draco," Hermione greeted him. "I hope you haven't been waiting long."

"Not long at all," he replied, smiling at her. He stood and offered her his seat, looking around for another chair to sit in. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be a free seat anywhere.

"Why don't we get out drinks and go for a walk," Hermione said.

Draco grinned and nodded gratefully.

"Sure," he said. "What can I get for you?"

"I wouldn't say no to a warm Butterbeer."

"Just wait here a moment," Draco said. He pushed his way through the crowd to the bar. He placed his order and smiled at Madame Rosmerta as she handed over the drinks. Wrapping the warm bottles in his cloak, he fought his way back to Hermione and gestured to the door. They didn't speak until they had made it through the door.

"Whew! It was really busy in there, wasn't it?" Hermione shook her head in amazement. "The town must love visiting days. Or maybe hate them. I'm not sure."

"Oh, all the businesses make a fortune off of the students," Draco said. "Hundreds of kids with no one to stop them from spending all their pocket money. Shopkeeper's dream."

"Too true," Hermione agreed. "Shall we find somewhere to sit?"

Draco fell in step beside her as they wandered through the town. He pointed out several possible places, but Hermione rejected them all. After a few minutes, they had passed the edges of the shopping district and came to a small park. When Draco pointed out a bench near a small pond, Hermione nodded her agreement.

"Looks lovely. And in the sun, which is perfect."

"Yeah, it's a fair bit colder in the shade," Draco said, sitting and handing Hermione her Butterbeer.

"Thanks."

They sat in silence for a few moments, enjoying the sun and the warm drinks. Eventually, Hermione capped her half finished drink and turned to Draco. There was a serious look on her face, with a hint of nervousness.

"Draco, I want to tell you something," she began. "And I don't want you to interrupt until I'm finished."

Draco looked at her in confusion but nodded and placed his drinks bottle on the ground.

"Alright, now this is a bit of a risk I'm taking here, but I really can't handle this much longer."

Hermione stopped and took a deep breath.

"You know how some nights I won't study with you past library closing time?" she asked. Draco nodded, looking at her expectantly.

"Well, those nights, I'm not going off to do other homework. I know that's what I usually tell you. And I haven't been meeting Ginny, or people from my Ancient Runes class. It's something not related to homework at all." She paused and seemed to be trying to decide what to say next.

Draco sat silently. Hermione had been lying to him, lying to him for almost three weeks now. It surprised and angered him. In fact, he was really quite furious. Had she been meeting someone else, he wondered, perhaps having secret assignations in the Astronomy Tower? That would be too much. Shaking his head to clear it, he realized that Hermione had started speaking again.

"... so that night in the halls by the dungeons I was watching for suspicious movement. The student we're keeping an eye on usually stays in the Slytherin dungeons until curfew and then starts his wandering. So that's why I was there. Not studying the map. Well, not in the way I said I was."

"I'm sorry, what?" Draco interrupted. "You're spying on a Slytherin?"

"Yes, that's what I just said. One of the Slytherins has been acting very oddly. We think that he's helping an agent of You Know Who keep an eye on the school. So the nights that I won't stay late with you, those are my nights to keep watch."

"Why are you telling me this, Hermione?" Draco asked.

"Because I can't keep making up excuses to leave when I have to start watching the map constantly. I can't keep lying to you."

"Like you've been lying to me for the past month, or longer?" Draco said angrily.

"Draco, I'm telling you this against the wishes of my best friends. I'm risking a lot to tell you this, because I can't stand not telling you the truth anymore."

Draco glared at her for a moment. Hermione dropped her eyes and reached for her drink. She fiddled with the cap for a few moments and then burst out:

"I thought that I could trust you with this! Isn't this exactly what you want to hear, that I believe you completely and am willing to trust you with something that could really get me in trouble!?

"This means that I don't think that you're pretending to be my friend, or pretending to reconsider your stand on the Death Eaters. It would be deadly to me, to my friends, if You Know Who's people knew this information. But I told you anyway, because I know that you aren't one of them!"

Draco stared at Hermione. Her cheeks were red and her hands were clenched around the Butterbeer bottle so tightly he was afraid it might break. He wasn't sure how to respond to what she had just told him. She had lied; she had admitted that she had lied to him, but now...

"Hermione, I'm really not sure what to tell you," he said finally. "I think that... I don't know. I'm angry that you were lying to me. That you didn't trust me with the truth. I thought I'd proven to you that I wanted nothing to do with those people."

Hermione grimaced and loosened her grip on the bottle.

"I knew what you had said. I heard everything you told me. But I also heard your repeated statements that you wanted to be on the winning side in any battle. And I know - I knew - that you thought that You Know Who's people might be that side. I was afraid that you could still change your mind. It's not as though your past behavior has given me much encouragement."

"But you know what I said..."

Hermione cut him off.

"I know what you said. I remember all of our discussions. It was something we talked about the other night, about Dumbledore and the people that he trusts and the people who help him. It was how astounded you were at the idea that people didn't work for Dumbledore, that they work with him. That anyone can be the most important part of something, because everyone is needed.

"It was when you realized that, unlike the Death Eaters, we don't have to bow down and worship someone, that we all just fight for the same side, that was when I thought I saw which side you were more likely to choose."

Hermione smiled at Draco and he found remembering the night she was talking about. That night he had made a decision as he questioned Hermione over and over about the people he had previously doubted. He had begun by expressing his doubts over Dumbledore's powers, his prestige, and Hermione had argued back using examples that he had never heard of. Eventually Draco had discovered himself craving the respect that Hermione gave to people like Dumbledore and various others she mentioned. If people would think about him in that same way... it was a heady thought. To have people welcome his presence, ask his opinions, defer to his judgement, to have all of that without uttering a single threat. To have people smile rather than cringe when he entered a room. Draco had spent six years as his father's shadow, and he was starting to see the less enjoyable side of how people thought of Lucius Malfoy.

He had found the more equal system appealing. The chance for him to be somebody important, for him to have a say in how everything happened, that had suddenly seemed possible. He wouldn't have to grovel on the floor, begging approval, as he had seen his father doing one night when he accidentally looked into Lucius' study. The sight of his father lying on his belly, not even lifting his eyes to the face in the flames, had shocked Draco. He had backed from the doorway quickly before either man noticed his presence. It was something that he had never mentioned to Hermione, but somehow she seemed to know that that was how You Know Who treated his followers and had shared Draco's contempt for people who would act in such a way.

Even if he had to work a little harder, he would probably advance much further. The rewards for being one of the people who were fighting You Know Who could be great. Of course, he could also end up like Weasley's father; but Draco knew that his ambitions and abilities were greater than those of the older man. Besides, Draco had knowledge that would allow him to advance quickly. He could relay everything he heard from his fellow students, from that creepy little Collier kid. What the younger boy talked of would probably surprise Dumbledore, and if it ended up being useful, Draco was sure to be well rewarded. He might even replace Potter as the headmaster's favorite. Potter could only spy on Collier; Draco could actually milk him for information.

He lifted head to see Hermione looking at him expectantly. There was also a fair bit of nervousness in her gaze, Draco noticed. It made him smile to think that she was worried about what he might think of her.

"Well, Hermione," he said, "I'm not going to pretend that I'm not angry about being lied to. But I think I understand why. You had to make sure that I was safe to talk to. Anyone would do the same, I suppose. I know that I don't tell people my secrets easily."

Hermione smiled and relaxed somewhat.

"I know that," she said. "I remember how hard it was for you to tell me about... you know... And that was when I first started to trust you a little bit."

"Well, let me see if I can make you trust me even more," Draco said with a grin. "The student that you are watching, the suspicious one - it wouldn't be Jamie Collier, would it?"

Hermione blinked with surprise. Draco's grin grew wider.

"I thought so!" he crowed. "Now, I loathe that Collier kid. If you want to know anything about him, from his shoe size to his plans for helping his father and You Know Who, I'm your man."

Hermione blinked several more times, and her mouth dropped open.

"You... you want to..." Her voice was faint. "You want to tell me about Collier and his plans?"

"Yup." Draco could have laughed at the look on Hermione's face, but he didn't think she would appreciate it. "Just ask."

"Do you know what you're risking?" Hermione asked. "Telling us things like that? If anyone finds out, you could be... killed."

Her voice was very small on that last word. Draco looked at her in amazement. He didn't know which was more surprising, that he hadn't even considered the risks or her horror at the thought of his demise.

"Hermione, I think I'm smart enough to not get caught," he responded, smirking. "It's not as though I plan on dancing around singing 'I'm a spy, I'm a spy.' I'm not stupid."

"But it's really dangerous," Hermione pointed out. "Don't you remember what your father did to that man? Can you imagine what he would do if he found out you were telling tales to his master's enemies?"

Draco's humour drained from him. He really hadn't considered the idea as carefully as he should have. He wouldn't just be killed; Lucius would take everything very, very personally. Draco had seen how Lucius killed people impersonally. He didn't even want to try imagining how his father would deal with a personal affront.

Hermione watched Draco's face change. All his grinning was done. The blond boy was paler than the Hogwarts ghosts, and he was blinking rapidly as if to clear images from his vision.

"Draco, I want you to know that it would be incredible if you would tell us about Collier, if you could help us deal with his plans," she began. "However, I don't want you taking risks you aren't ready for. And what you would be doing is an incredible risk. It's not like with me and Ron and Harry. We have to do this because if we don't we'll probably be first in line to be killed. That's something I've been living with for a while now.

"But it's not something that you have to do. You can just keep doing what you're doing: keeping safe. Someday you'll have to tell them no if you plan on sticking with us, but you don't have to do it right now. You can deal with that when you're ready. And when you do, you'll have the protection of Dumbledore and everyone else."

Draco snorted. "Some protection. How many times have you nearly died? How many times has Potter nearly bit it?"

"We, well, we kinda walked into most of those situations. Or jumped blindly, depending on who tells it," Hermione said wryly, thinking of how often she'd been told off for her adventures. "Dumbledore does try to protect us, we just ignore him sometimes. But you don't have to go looking for trouble, the way we do."

"Oh, I don't know. If I'm going to risk being on my father's bad side, I might as well get something for it. The risks look pretty similar, but the reward for actually doing something is much greater. I'm not just going to sit back and let you and your pals get all the glory."

"Glory!" Hermione snorted. "Broken bones and petrification. There's some glory for you."

"What I mean is, I'd rather..."

"I know, I know," Hermione said with a smile. "I'm starting to get used to your Slytherin ambition. You're going after the big prize, the admiration and respect, not to mention power that you can get from being a big hero. And I'm not complaining. We need the information you can give us. As long as you're willing to take the risk."

"I think I am," Draco said slowly. "I mean, I know I am. I'll tell you everything I can. I'll help you."

Hermione grinned.

"Well, let's tell Harry and Ron tonight. We should borrow a Muggle camera to keep the looks on their faces preserved for all time. It will be priceless."

"No doubt. They'll never believe any of this, will they?" Draco asked mockingly.

"I'll make them believe," Hermione stated.

She would. This time they'd have to listen to her.

The noise from the Gryffindor common room was nearly deafening, but it was nothing compared to the shocked silence that fell when Hermione led Draco through the portrait hole.

She and Draco had met in the library after dinner, as planned, and she had worked hard to convince him that this was the best way to have a discussion with Harry and Ron. Hermione wanted Draco to tell the boys everything that he had told her in the park in Hogsmeade. If he were to come forward volunteering the information, she felt that the other boys would have no choice but to believe what he was saying. And having the meeting in the Gryffindor common room would make them more open to Draco, rather than a furtive conference in a deserted classroom. This way Ron and Harry would have to acknowledge that Draco was willing to be part of their world, be on their team. Or that was what Hermione was hoping.

It didn't look as though it was going to be that easy, unfortunately. Most of the students in the common room were staring in shock, mouths agape. But Ron had shot up from his seat, and his fists were clenched. Harry remained on the couch beside Ginny, but his face was a study in dislike and distrust. Hermione looked up at Draco nervously, but saw only determination in his features.

"So this is Gryffindor tower?" he drawled. "Cozy. A bit red for my tastes, but Gryffindors seem to be fond of red."

Ron seemed to take this as a personal insult and moved several steps towards the Slytherin boy before a glare from Hermione stopped him.

"Ron, Harry," she said calmly. "Could we talk with you for a moment?"

Exchanging suspicious looks, the two boys slowly made their way over to Hermione and Draco. She gestured towards an empty corner. They gathered there, the two Gryffindor boys alternately glaring at Draco and looking at Hermione with confusion.

"What's going on, Hermione?" Harry finally asked.

"We wanted to talk with you," she replied. "Draco has something to tell you guys."

"Well Malfoy should know that his kind aren't welcomed here," Ron stated.

"My kind?" Draco drawled. "My kind, Weasley? Would that be the Slytherin kind? Oh, wait no, because I can count half a dozen of us in here. That must mean the Malfoy kind, then. Well, trust me, the Malfoy kind doesn't want to be in here any more than you want me here."

"Then why don't you leave?" Ron offered.

"No."

Draco leaned against the wall, folding his arms across his chest.

"Ron, please stop," Hermione begged. "Draco's here because I asked him to be here. He has something he wants to tell you."

"I don't want to tell them, Hermione, I wanted to tell you. Which I did," Draco pointed out.

"What did you tell her, Malfoy?" Harry asked suddenly. "Some pack of lies about how you're all reformed and now you love Muggles and hate Death Eaters? Or how you've finally seen the error of your ways and want to come fight You Know Who alongside us?"

Draco looked down at Hermione, who was wincing at what Harry had said.

"Didn't I warn you, Hermione?" he asked. "They're never going to believe any of this. I could tell them everything I know about Collier and my father and they'd still think it was a trick. Some people never get over their little preconceptions."

"Like the idea that you're a Muggle-hating jerk?" Ron snarled. "Or the fact that you've rejoiced at the thought of Hermione's death, and mine, and Harry's, more times than I can count?"

"Or what about the part where you've been calling Hermione horrible names for years?" Harry chimed in. "And how you've been after Hagrid since we started school? Or how much you've always made fun of Dumbledore?"

"Guys, please. Please stop." Hermione had heard all these arguments time and time again. "I know what he's done. Draco knows what he's done. And he's here to offer proof that he has changed, that he wants to help us."

"Help us?" Ron laughed. "Trick us, more like."

Draco turned on his heel and started walking away. Hermione rushed after him and grabbed his arm. He stopped and looked down at her. His face was set in what she liked to tease him was his 'high-and-mighty-Malfoy' face. Hermione looked at him pleadingly, but he just shook his head at her, pulled his arm free, and walked right out of the common room.

Hermione watched him go and then turned back to her two friends, who were still standing in the corner. She advanced on them, shaking with anger.

"How could you? How could you both do that to him?"

"Do what to who? Who cares what we do to Malfoy?" Harry said.

"Yeah, Hermione," Ron added, "we've told you all of that before. It's not like you didn't know."

"You didn't even give him a chance," she accused.

"A chance to what? To lie to us, to try and trick us like he's obviously tricked you?"

"He hasn't tricked me, you idiots. He was coming here tonight to explain that he's changing sides. That he's going to help us. He's going to help us get Wormtail. He was telling me all sorts of things about Collier this afternoon. He was going to tell you all of that and now he's never going to want to talk to you again."

"How does he know about Wormtail?" Harry asked, staring at her.

Hermione could feel colour rising in her cheeks. She tried to stop the blush, telling herself she shouldn't be ashamed of what she did, but now Ron was staring at her curiously as well.

"Um, well, he knows, um, because," she stuttered, "I told him.

"WHAT!!"

Harry and Ron's yells attracted the attention of most of the common room.

"I told him, guys. After he told me a whole bunch of stuff about Collier."

"Are you mad, Hermione? Telling Malfoy about what we know. He'll turn about and tell his father."

"Don't you listen to anything Ron?" Hermione could hear her voice rising. She tried to be more quiet. "He won't. He doesn't want anything to do with his father. He's not the Draco you think you know."

"No, Hermione," Harry said, "he's not the Draco you think you know. Your mind's all messed up."

"Harry, don't you trust me? Can't you believe me on this one?" Hermione pleaded with her friends. "Ron, don't you trust my judgement? You're always saying that I'm the level headed, logical one. Can't you two just believe me?"

"No," Ron said flatly.

"I'm sorry Hermione, but I don't think you know what you're talking about," Harry said.

"I don't know what I'm talking about? When have I ever not known what I'm talking about?" Hermione's voice was getting strident. "Where do you two get off telling me what to believe? I'm not stupid. I know what I'm talking about here. You two are just so pig-headed and prejudiced that you won't even consider what I'm saying.

"You want to tell me who I can trust, who I can spend time with, who I can be friends with. Not a chance. At this point I don't think I even want to be friends with you!"

Draco leaned against the wall by the entrance to the Gryffindor tower. A large lady in a dress that reminded him of Pansy's robes for the Yule Ball was eyeing him suspiciously from her picture frame. He stared back at her boldly, trying to dare her into an argument. Of course, picking a fight with the guardian of Gryffindor tower would be a fairly stupid idea, especially since what he really wanted to do was go back into the tower and rescue Hermione from her incredibly dense friends.

Staring grumpily at the tower entrance, he wondered what the passing time could mean. Was Hermione actually managing to convince her thickheaded friends? Or were they fighting? Worse still, could the two numbskulls be poisoning Hermione's mind against him? Draco's hands formed fists at the thought. The lady in pink started to look worried. Just as Draco had resolved that he would try to go back into the tower, having listened carefully as Hermione gave the password, the portrait swung open and Hermione came rushing out.

She was in tears, Draco could see, and definitely didn't notice him lurking in the shadows. As she rushed towards the stairs he followed, calling her name. At the sound of his voice Hermione froze but did not turn. Draco heard a few sniffles and watched her use her sleeves to scrub away tears. Only then did she turn to face him

"What is it Hermione?" he asked gently, taking another step towards her.

"Those... those idiots," she gulped, her face screwing up again.

Draco didn't know what to do, so he took her by the arm and led her down a quiet hallway. Pausing by an un-shuttered window, he turned her to face him again. In the moonlight he could see Hermione's face was again streaked with tears, and Draco felt a twinge in his chest. Tentatively, carefully, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. Hermione shuddered.

"Idiots?" he asked quietly. "Weasley and Potter? Well, I could have told you that."

He tried to keep his voice light, trying to make her smile, hoping he could smooth away her upset the way she did his anger. But Hermione's face just crumpled again and fresh tears tracked their way down her cheeks.

"C'mon Hermione," he pleaded. "We knew that they weren't going to like any of this. You can't be surprised by their reaction really."

"But I thought they would trust me," she wailed. "They're my best friends. They're supposed to believe me. That's what we do."

Draco felt helpless as Hermione sobbed into her sleeves. Acting on impulse, he pulled her into his arms. Her body went rigid for a second but then she relaxed, resting her head on his chest, her hands clutching his robe. Draco held her tightly, his heart tightening as she shook against him. After a few moments, her sobs faded and she simply leaned against him. He let out a long breath and relaxed himself.

"Better?" he asked.

Hermione nodded against his shoulder. Her grip on his robes had relaxed and one of her arms had snuck around his waist. Draco lifted a hand and stroked the messy brown hair that fell over her shoulder.

"Good," he said. "I have a strict limit on how much crying I put up with and you were about to break it."

Hermione's head lifted and he smiled to let her know he was kidding. His hand moved from her shoulder to brush her cheek, smoothing away tears and a stray curl. Hermione's eyes closed. Draco stared down at her blotchy, tear-stained face for a moment then tilted his head down and gently kissed Hermione's forehead.

For a moment, Hermione stood completely still. When she felt the gentle touch of Draco's lips end, she let out the breath she had been holding and slowly opened her eyes. Grey eyes stared down at her, and Draco's face mirrored her confusion. She felt his hand fall away from her cheek, and then the other loosened its grip on her waist. Not knowing what to do, Hermione dropped her arms to her sides and took a small step backwards. She lowered her head and rubbed her hands across her face, trying to wipe away the evidence of her crying fit.

Draco was staring very intently at the floor between them. She didn't know what to say to him, or even if she wanted to call his attention to her. After a few confused moments that felt like eternity, Hermione shook her head and spoke.

"Thank you," she said, and then felt incredibly dumb.

"You're welcome," he responded, automatically it seemed.

"Wait, sorry, for what?" Draco asked, looking up from the floor suddenly.

"For, um, comforting me..." she stammered. "You know, for letting me cry on you and stuff.

"Sorry about getting your robe all soggy," she added.

"No bother," Draco said, looking down at the damp patch as if he'd just noticed it.

"Well," Hermione said, trying to sound business-like even though her insides were dancing around like leprechauns. "I think we're going to have to come up with another way to convince Harry and Ron about you."

"Yeah," Draco agreed.

Hearing the distraction in his voice, Hermione looked directly at his face. The blond boy was doing his best to look at everything in the hall except for her. And the look on his face, well, it looked like he'd be hit with a Confundus Charm. Hermione felt comforted by the fact that she wasn't the only one. Draco had kissed her. It was all a little too unreal.

The two students stood in silence for several endless minutes, lost in confusion. Finally, Hermione broke the silence again.

"I know what we should do," she said, her voice firm and determined.

Draco looked up.

"We need to go to Dumbledore. I know he can fix this."

Draco sat staring at the goblet in front of him, his mind still reeling from everything that had happened. He was relieved to know that he was only drinking pumpkin juice, but very little else seemed normal this morning.

Had Hermione seriously suggested last night that he drink Veritaserum to convince Potter and Weasley? Had the Headmaster actually nodded as if to agree? It was only after the terror had subsided that he had realized that Dumbledore was agreeing to Hermione's second suggestion; the one Draco hadn't even registered in his shock.

And that wasn't the first shock of the evening. Or the last. As she had lead him through the corridors, Draco had been in such a state of befuddlement over kissing Hermione that he had barely listened to a word she said. When they had gained access to the Headmaster's office he had stood in silence as Hermione outlined what they had talked about during that afternoon. When Dumbledore had turned to him for confirmation, Draco had been amazed at the understanding in the old man's face. The Headmaster talked with Draco as if with an adult, listening to his reasoning and responding gravely to his offers of information and aid. Though Dumbledore repeatedly mentioned that the risks were very great and that Draco did not have to put himself in such danger, it hadn't felt like doubt, just concern. Concern for him. So bizarre.

After Draco and Dumbledore had talked for a very long time, he had felt even more secure in his decision. The Headmaster had made many good points about how to ensure that Collier - and more importantly Lucius - would not suspect his actions. More astounding were his plans to protect Draco when it no longer became possible to hide that he had changed sides. Dumbledore spoke very seriously about the fact that he was going to have to cut himself off from his family, his friends. At this, Draco had felt Hermione's hand slide around his and squeeze. Tightly gripping her hand, he had been able to talk about a future stripped of everything he had ever known. Dumbledore then offered the safe haven of Hogwarts during the year and a magically disguised hideaway for the summer break, as well as the best protection he could provide. Assuming, he stipulated, that Draco did not imitate his new friend and go searching for danger. This was accompanied by a serious look for Hermione, which caused her to blush faintly.

Once that discussion had finished, Hermione had broken in to explain the problems she was having with Potter and Weasley. Dumbledore had nodded, a faint smile on his face as he asked if she had any notion as to what would make the pair trust Draco. That was when Hermione made her rather startling suggestion about Veritaserum. When it became clear that the Headmaster preferred the idea of a signed letter of support, Draco felt as if he had been rescued from Dementors. The thought of being at Weasley's mercy while under the influence of a truth potion was terrifying. Especially as Weasley would be asking questions about Hermione, and at this point in time Draco wasn't even sure what he would say about his relationship with her.

Weak with relief, Draco had sat to write and sign a brief statement outlining the basic points he had told Dumbledore. The Headmaster then summoned Professor McGonagall to witness him writing a letter indicating his support and trust of Draco. Hermione had stood behind Draco with her hand on his shoulder during this whole ordeal. Her presence had made the suspicion on Professor McGonagall's face easier to bear. Then Dumbledore had sent Hermione and the Professor back to Gryffindor tower with the letters for Potter and Weasley. Draco had felt worried, suddenly left alone with the Headmaster. But all Dumbledore did was offer him a Sherbet Lemon, then they sat discussing Quidditch while waiting for Professor Snape to come to escort Draco back to the Slytherin dungeons.

That night Draco had slept heavily but woke early. He had lain in bed for a while, watching the sunlight creep across the room. Finally, unable to stand being alone with his thoughts any longer, he had showered, dressed, and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. No one worth talking to was up yet, unfortunately, which was why he was sitting alone, sullenly staring at his pumpkin juice.

"Plotting the downfall of evil pumpkins everywhere?"

Draco jerked his head up as the mocking voice interrupted his worrying. Pansy Parkinson was taking a seat across the table from him. With her were Blaise and Regina, who sat as well, making Draco feel as though he were facing a panel of judges. Pansy must have seen something in his face, because she didn't wait for a response.

"Don't worry Draco, we're not part of the Pumpkin Protection League or anything. Just wanting some breakfast."

"And a chat," put in Regina.

"A few questions, really," was Blaise's contribution.

Draco looked at them suspiciously. To his knowledge, none of these three associated with Collier and that sort. And of course, no one should know anything about what he had discussed with the Headmaster. So what were they on about?

"There's no easy way to ask this, Draco, so I'll just be blunt," Pansy began. "Why were you in the Gryffindor common room last night?"

"Who said I was in Gryffindor last night?" he countered, trying to recall even one of Dumbledore's suggestions on how to deal with this situation.

"We were there," Regina said. "All of us. And we saw you come in with Hermione Granger."

"And we saw you leave pretty soon after than," Blaise added. "So what were you doing there? Checking up on us?"

Draco stared at him, not understanding.

"Yeah, we know that you aren't a supporter of the inter-house friendships, but it's our choice," Pansy said defensively.

"I can't believe you, coming in and picking fights with Ron and his friends," Regina said. "It's not like it's any of your business."

"What's not my business?" Draco asked, even more confused.

"If Ron's friends with a Slytherin," Regina snapped.

"Huh?" It wasn't brilliant but Draco's mind wasn't really working.

"Me, you idiot," Regina clarified. "He and I are none of your business."

"You and Ron?"

"Yeah, and me and Neville," Pansy put in. "I told you about that the other week, so I don't see why you were coming to keep track of us."

"But I wasn't..." Draco said faintly.

"Then what were you doing in Gryffindor?" Blaise asked.

There was a silence as Draco desperately tried to figure out what was going on. Finally he decided to go with one of Dumbledore's suggested excuses.

"I wasn't there by choice," he said in what he hoped was a snarky voice. "I was dragged there by Hermione... uh, Granger, because she had to talk to those friends of hers. Nothing to do with any of you."

"Good. Because it's none of your business where we spend our free time," Pansy said.

"Of course not," Draco agreed. "Absolutely none of my business. Hey, I didn't even notice you guys were there."

"Okay, well, we've got that settled," Blaise seemed more calm. "What's on for breakfast?"

As the other three students started to choose their meals, Draco sat in stunned silence. He had had no idea what they had been talking about, but it seemed that he was safe in his deception. If those three were assuming that Draco's intentions in Gryffindor tower were entirely dishonorable, then there was probably nothing to fear from Collier and the idiots who surrounded him. So long as his mind didn't go completely blank the way it had two minutes ago.

Unfortunately, as soon as he had reestablished his composure, Draco happened to look across the hall at the Gryffindor table. Sitting directly in his line of site were three people, two with very angry looks on their faces. The third met his gaze, and he noticed that her face was pale with dark smudges under her eyes. Hermione's worried look sent a jolt through Draco. Before he knew what he was doing, he had stood and was moving towards to Gryffindor table.

"Where are you going, Malfoy?" a voice drawled from behind him. "Off to play with your little mudblood friend?"