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The Dare	By : Tassanaburrfoot Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 82898 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 11
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter. Don't own any of the characters. Am not making a profit.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
When Hermione finally awoke, she found herself lying on a plush couch with Remus kneeling by her side and Lucius hovering over her. Her eyelashes fluttered as the two men came into focus for her. “What happened?” she asked, groaning as she moved to sit up.

She paused when she realized they were in a large office. “Where am I?”

Remus handed her a glass of water. “We’re still in Gringotts, Hermione,” he told her. “After you fainted, Lucius and I thought it best that the three of us come here to Bender’s office to discuss the details of the vault.”

The witch took a sip of the water and grimaced. “Did I really just see what I thought I saw?” she asked after a moment.

She looked up to see Remus and Lucius exchanging glances with one another before Remus’s gaze dropped back down to her. “Hermione… if my estimations are correct, you are, quite possibly, one of the wealthiest witches in all of Britain.”

“Don’t forget that I also own a castle, apparently,” she snarked, taking another sip of water.

“Miss Granger, I do hope you’ll revisit the idea of a block?” Lucius asked, his hands resting on his cane. “Once word gets out just how much you’ve inherited; more people will attempt to usurp you. I would also suggest hiring some sort of guard for when you aren’t within Hogwarts, at least until you’ve married.”

Remus sighed, taking Hermione’s free hand and clasping it with his own hands. “I hate to say it, Hermione, but Lucius might have a point. People all over will…”

“Have the two of you forgotten that I am a war hero?” she asked, looking a bit peeved.

“Arrogance will only get you so far, my pet,” Lucius pointed out, raising an eyebrow. “Even a decorated war hero needs to have eyes looking out for her, especially one who has suddenly amassed a fortune.”

“Constant vigilance,” Remus agreed with a nod. “Alastor has always been a bit paranoid, but his words ring true.”

“It’s not arrogance,” Hermione argued. “And I am vigilant. However, people always seem to forget who I am. I’m a war hero. I’m the brightest witch of my age, from what I’ve been told. I’m one of Harry Potter’s best friends and I’m getting married to Draco Malfoy.” She stopped at that, her eyes widening. “Oh, God. Draco!” She looked at the men in alarm. “He doesn’t know I’m here. I was so distracted with all these things I forgot to send him an owl.”

“Draco will be fine,” Lucius stated dismissively. “What we need to focus on right now is what your next step will be.”
“
The Muggle born shook her head. “I have school. And I need to tell my parents. They don’t even know I’m engaged yet.”

“And the block?” Lucius pressed.

Again, Hermione shook her head. “I won’t keep another heir, if there is one, from their rightful claims,” she told him stubbornly.

“And if someone, a wizard, were to come and claim to be another heir…”

“Then he’ll have to go through the same process I went through,” she said, folding her arms. “If he’s found to be an heir, then he has rights. I won’t impede another and it’s not like I need all of that money.”

Frustrated, Lucius turned away from her and began pacing. Remus and Hermione watched him and the werewolf looked back down at her, still perched at her side. “You do understand why he’s upset, don’t you, Hermione?” he asked, his blue eyes watching her carefully.

Hermione snorted. “Of course I do. If another heir is found, then I would have to give up some of this wealth and I have no doubt the idea of parting with wealth angers many, if not all, wealthy people, which would mean that Draco, and the Malfoy family, wouldn’t get as much in my marriage,” she snipped, tilting her head up a bit so her nose pointed upward.

The blond Pureblood whirled on her at that. “Do you think I actually care what you do with your wealth, you ungrateful little girl?” he snarled, waving a hand at the door. “The Malfoy family is nearly as old as your own. Our blood runs deep and we have generations of wealth and purity within our family. I couldn’t give a damn if you were a Knutless guttersnipe so long as you acted like a lady.”

“And was Pureblood,” she pointed out angrily. “You forgot that part. A part I’m sure pisses you off, since not only does my inherited wealth equal and may even surpass yours, but I am a Mud…”

“Hermione,” Remus chided as Lucius barked, “Silence!”

The Muggle born felt her jaw snap shut as Lucius glared at her angrily. “Have you forgotten what happened during the holidays?” the older wizard growled. “A girl died in my own damn home in my son’s rooms! You know this. You were there! You watched as Aurors carted me off to Azkaban while they did their investigations. News flash, Miss Granger, they haven’t caught the culprit, which means that the murderer is still at large. And you were just given a very large sum of money.”

Before she could do or say anything, Lucius grabbed her arm and brought the girl to the window that overlooked the streets of Diagon Alley. “Did you think Dumbledore was joking when he said he had been getting owls since this morning? Look down there, Miss Granger. People will do anything to gain just a percentage of what you have. They will try to woo you, beg you to help them with imaginary problems, offer you the world if you’ll turn away from Draco and marry one of them instead. They will lie, steal, and cheat to gain a moment of your audience. And once they sink their grubby fingers into you, you won’t be able to throw them off. They will take every advantage of you that they can and you are naïve enough to let them.”

She snatched her arm out of his grasp as she stared down at the street. Hermione could see reporters at the entrance of the bank. Aurors were fighting off the masses of people who were congregating near the bank. “I am not naïve,” she argued, but her words faltered as she watched the scene before her. The people were actually fighting with one another to try and get closer.

“This isn’t like being a war hero,” Lucius said severely. “As a war hero, you’ve had the rare opportunity to have a taste of what’s coming. However, this is something different, something more. Had you just been Draco’s betrothed, it would have been much easier to guide you into this new world you are entering, but we don’t have that luxury anymore. Everything you do, everywhere you go, every person you associate with, everyone will know. People will be watching you and reporting on you.”

“They do that now…” Hermione started.

“It will get worse,” the aristocrat promised her, his silver eyes, so much like his son’s, bearing down on her. “More will be expected of you. You won’t have a choice but to attend high society functions. Your attendance to balls and banquets will be anticipated. Everyone will want to know who Hermione Granger, the heiress of Merlin, is. We live in a world of celebrity now. And, unfortunately, you won’t be able to hide from it.”

Tired of seeing the masses, Hermione turned from the window to see Remus gazed at her in speculation. “He’s right,” the werewolf agreed again, much to the Muggle born’s aggravation.

“You think I should get a block?” she asked him, folding her arms and glaring at him.

Remus gave her a slight nod. “If for no other reason than your own protection,” he reasoned with her. “I can’t speak much on the wealthy end of things, but I do remember the things James had experienced as a child and young adult. I remember listening to him and Sirius rant about the latest ball that neither wanted to attend, but both were expected to. The press continued to report on their mischievous behaviours when they weren’t in school. It was luck that Dumbledore never allowed the press into the school.”

Lucius sniffed, though said nothing. Remus’s eyes never left Hermione and finally, he gave a sigh. “What about a compromise, Hermione?” the werewolf offered. “We’ll alert the press that we are looking for any other possible heirs. Given them a few weeks to respond with proof that they are heirs. If there is no proven claim, then we’ll set up a block.”

“A year,” Hermione countered.

Remus pressed his lips together. “Two months.”

“Eleven months.”

Lucius threw his hands up. “Why are we negotiating this, Lupin?” he spat.

The werewolf did not rise up to the Pureblood’s ferocity. Calmly, he looked at the Muggle born. “Six months,” he said. “I know how much you wish to help those that you believe need it, Hermione, but you also have to consider what Lucius is saying. He knows these people better than either of us. Not only has he been around these people his entire life, but he also spent years working in the Ministry. He knows exactly how ruthless they can be.”

Hermione folded her arms again and glared. “Fine. Six months,” she conceded. “If no one legitimately comes forward by that time, we will discuss a block.”

(II)(II)

It was with determined steps and an angry scowl that Draco traversed the halls with Goyle and Crabbe at his sides and Blaise, Pansy, and Theo at his heels. No one stood in the Slytherins’ way and those who were standing in the hall, quickly moved out of the way.

He stopped abruptly when he came upon what he knew to be the entrance to Dumbledore’s office and his frown deepened. “Does anyone know the password?” he asked, turning to Blaise.

The dark skinned Slytherin raised an eyebrow but had no answer to offer and, thus, didn’t say anything. However, Lovegood’s dove voice cooed dreamily, “He’s very fond of sweets.”

Draco’s eyes narrowed at the Ravenclaw. “That doesn’t help, Loony.”

“Don’t call her that,” Theodore snapped.

“It’s alright,” the blond girl said wistfully as she stepped in front of Theodore and looked up at Draco and then at the gargoyle. “I’m quite used to the names people call me, particularly when they are agitated. Perhaps naming a favorite candy or sugary sweet will be the answer.”

“Luna,” Blaise’s witch said politely, “I don’t think…”

He was interrupted when the gargoyle suddenly stood aside. Turning, Draco eyed the stone figure suspiciously, but it was from behind the students that Dumbledore’s voice floated, “What a pleasant surprise!”

Whirling around, the students watched as Dumbledore and Professor Snape walked towards them. A snarl formed on Draco’s lips, “Where is Hermione?” he asked, not bothering with pleasantries.

But the irritated old git simply smiled as he moved between the students to his office. “Why don’t the eight of you follow us? I was hoping to speak with you anyway, Mr. Malfoy.”

And so, they did. Once everyone was settled in Dumbledore’s office, with Snape standing off to the headmaster’s left, his arms folded over his chest as he cast a glare at the students, Dumbledore’s simple smile gave a twinkle to his eyes. “May I offer anyone some licorice snaps? They are quite tasty,” he said.

“We don’t,” but Draco’s voice was drowned out as Theo and Blaise both accepted the sweets graciously and offered some to their girls and Pansy. The blond wizard glared at his friends, grinding his teeth as the morsels were passed around.

Finally, the wizened old man leaned back in his chair and regarded Draco with a penetrating stare that would have made the Pureblood uncomfortable if he hadn’t been leveling the same stare right back. “Hermione Granger,” Draco repeated. “I want to know where she is and when she will be back.”

“Miss Granger left this morning with your father and Professor Lupin to discover her heritage,” Dumbledore explained. “I’m sure by now you have all read the Daily Prophet and know the circumstances of her predicament. This morning I have received no fewer than ten proposals for her hand and I continue to receive more. Luckily, Professor McGonagall has agreed to be Miss Granger’s benefactor, so she has handled the bulk of this missives.”

Draco licked his lips before pinching them together. “Why the hell would you get proposals for her? Why not her parents?” he asked as he took the empty seat next to Theodore.

“I’ve no doubt her parents have received them,” the old man replied. “Or would if they were part of the wizarding world. I’m sure the reason so many proposals haven’t gone to them has more to do with their lack of magic than anything else. It is unfortunate, but there are a lot of wizards and witches who simply do not know how to correspond with Muggles properly, and thus are stumped by how to approach the Grangers. It doesn’t help that the Grangers’ also have an address that is, woefully, untraceable and no one has any idea as to where they live.”

“How convenient,” Draco snarked. He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter, anyway, as she is unavailable.”

Dumbledore smiled. “Are you here to confirm your engagement?”

“Granger and I have agreed to marry right after we’ve graduated Hogwarts,” Draco stated. “But that’s not the only reason I am here. Blaise informed me that he and his new wife will be given a private dorm.”

The headmaster tilted his head in affirmation and Draco continued, “And that dorm, according to Blaise, is available to any and all couples who’ve married or have had children together. Am I correct?”

Again, Dumbledore nodded. Draco fell back against his seat and glanced at Blaise who was staring at him in confusion. Licking his lips again, the blond Pureblood leaned forward in his chair. “If you will, Professor, I would like this same accommodation for Hermione and myself. We may not be married, but as you know, she is the heiress of Merlin. When she returns to this school, it will become difficult, if not impossible, to ensure her safety and privacy, regardless of whether she is in Gryffindor or Slytherin House.”

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. “And why on earth would she be in Slytherin House?” he asked, but Draco did not fall for his pathetic attempt to act dumb.

“For the same reason that she stayed in my family home during the holidays,” the Slytherin hissed. He squared his jaw. “You ensured Granger and myself that we will be Head Boy and Girl next year, provided that we keep our grades up. Thus far we’ve done an excellent job in doing so.”

“That you have,” Dumbledore agreed, “and I commend you both for your efforts. I’m also aware that Miss Granger has been helping Miss Brown with her studies and I cannot be prouder of her for it.”

“Is it possible for the Head Boy and/or Head Girl to be married and still remain Head? And if the Head Girl were to become pregnant…?”

Dumbledore held up a hand and Snape sneered at the boy. “There has never been a case where a Head Girl has been pregnant,” the headmaster answered. “Nor has any Head Boy or Girl been married, either to one another or someone else. And I wouldn’t recommend either of these events, at least not until after you’ve graduated.”

“Then the dorms…”

“As Head Boy and Girl,” the wizened old man interrupted, “you will be given a dormitory to share with one another.”

Draco sucked in his bottom lip. While he was grateful for this, “That won’t help either of us for this year,” he commented. “As her betrothed, I want to make sure Granger is safe.”

“Do you not trust your own House, Mr. Malfoy?” Dumbledore asked.

The young wizard opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. His eyes studied the headmaster. “To an extent,” he finally admitted. “But I also value my privacy and that of Granger’s as well. I trust you know everything that has happened. There is still a murderer at large and I fear, now more than ever, for Hermione’s safety.”

“What exactly is it that you want, Mr. Malfoy?”

Draco sighed. There were a lot of things he wanted. To be allowed to marry Hermione without the threat of losing those school titles he knew she craved so much. To impregnate her without worrying about the same thing. To have a guarantee that she would never leave him.

“I don’t trust everyone in Slytherin,” Draco stated. “But as much as I don’t trust them, I trust Gryffindors even less. I want Hermione to be with me.”

“Isn’t she already?”

“Yes, but I know my own House,” Draco snapped. “No matter how ruthless I am, there will still be blokes who will try to appeal to Granger’s better nature.”

Dumbledore nodded. “So, you don’t trust her to be faithful.”

“I didn’t say that,” Draco was quick to argue, looking at the man as if he had three heads.

“It was an implication,” Snape spoke for the first time. He raised an eyebrow and stared down at Draco and the boy realized that he had been glaring at him the entire time. “And a founded one. Your best bet at this moment, Mr. Malfoy, is to keep your mouth shut.”

But Draco wasn’t having it, he opened his mouth to argue more, however the sharp glare Snape gave him was compounded by the sudden back hand to the chest Blaise gave him. “Shut up,” Blaise hissed at him.

“Let us be completely honest here, Mr. Malfoy,” Dumbledore stated calmly. “I am just as aware of your relationship with Miss Granger as Professor Snape here is. This is Hogwarts. And I am the headmaster. I assure you that I know everything that happens within these walls.”

Draco fixed him with a stare. “If you knew everything…”

“Draco!” Pansy snapped. “Let the man talk, for Salazar’s sake!”

Dumbledore gave the boy a calculating look. “Are you sure you wish me to divulge all I know? I can promise you that you would not like the consequences. While I do not know the details of certain things, you can trust that I do know it all.”

Draco cocked an eyebrow at that. “So, why haven’t you?” he challenged. “If what you say is true, I’m surprised you haven’t tried to have me thrown out.”

“Don’t tempt them,” Theodore warned.

“Is that what you want?” Dumbledore asked. “Somehow I doubt that would endear you to Miss Granger.”

His eyes were slits as Draco watched the headmaster with suspicion. “What are you getting out of all of this? What’s your angle?”

“Show him, Severus,” the headmaster said calmly.

The Potion’s Master glowered at his mentor before rolling his eyes and taking out his wand. The students bulked, Crabbe and Goyle immediately going to their own wands and Draco and Theodore drawing theirs. Even Blaise sat up straighter and touched his wife as Snape flicked his wand and produced a golden cup.

Confused, the blond Slytherin eyed the cup as Snape plucked the cup up and explained, “This is a replica. It won’t harm you.” He handed the cup to Draco.

The young wizard scoffed. “You think I’m scared of some cup?” he spat with a smirk.

“The real object is a cup that once belonged to Helga Hufflepuff, one of the founders of this school,” Snape continued as though Draco hadn’t said anything, though there was irritation in the Dark Wizard’s eyes.

“And?”

“We believe the original cup may be in your late aunt’s possession, or rather, amongst her personal effects.”

The boy rolled the cup around in his hands a few times. “I don’t understand. Why would Bellatrix Lestrange have Helga Hufflepuff’s cup? And so what if she does?”

Dumbledore gave his own sigh with this. “The night Harry and I defeated Voldemort in the Ministry last year, there was something Voldemort had said that made me think. He said, ‘You’ll never defeat me, Dumbledore, for I am immortal.’ In the moment, I thought he was talking just to talk. However, the more I thought about it, the more it bothered me. I began investigating into Voldemort’s passed, and I uncovered something very curious.”

Theodore reached out to take the cup from Draco, but the blond just tossed it carelessly to him. “It’s not even real gold,” Draco muttered as Theodore studied the cup as well.

“Tell me, Mr. Malfoy, do you trust the seven people you’ve brought in here with you?” the headmaster questioned.

Looking up at the odd question, Draco glanced at his comrades. “With my life,” he responded without a thought. “I know neither Patil nor Lovegood will say anything to anyone because they are too wrapped up with Blaise and Theo.”

Dumbledore nodded as he stood up and went to a bookshelf. Taking out an old and tattered book, he handed it to Draco. “I would like you to give this to Miss Granger when you have the chance. It will explain more of what I’m about to tell you,” he stated. Taking a deep breath, he studied Draco for a moment before he asked, “What do you know about horcruxes?”

(III)(III)

It was luck that Draco saw Hermione right as she was walking back into the castle, his father and Remus Lupin on either side of her. All three looked haggard, but Draco only truly had eyes for his witch. He made his way to her in hurried, long strides, and the moment she saw him, she sprinted towards him. They met somewhere in the middle and came together in a clash of kisses and tight hugs.

“I was so worried about you,” Draco whispered against her neck which he peppered with kisses.

The Muggle born giggled as she shied away from his kisses and looked up at him. “I’m so surprised to see you up here,” she admitted. “Why…?”

“We just finished having a meeting with Dumbledore,” the Pureblood blond explained. “I was concerned when you never turned up for lunch.”

She pursed her lips together. “You know,” she stated a bit perturbed, “I can take care of myself.”

He touched her cheek. “I know you can,” he assured her, “but you can’t blame me for my concern. It’s just part of my nature. How I was raised. If the roles were reversed, you’d be worried, too, and don’t lie and say you wouldn’t.”

She gave him a gentle smile. “You know I would,” she told him. Then, she frowned. “We have some things we need to discuss.”

He nodded as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “That we do,” he agreed. “Come with me and we’ll go somewhere private to talk.”

“Son,” Lucius interrupted.

Draco stopped and glanced at his father, but Lucius wasn’t looking at him. Apparently, he had only called Draco to gain Hermione’s attention. Lucius pressed his lips together. “We’ll need to make an announcement soon, Miss Granger. Don’t forget.”

She sighed. “I won’t,” she promised, looking to Lupin. “I’ll see you at Easter?”

With a soft smile, Lupin nodded. “There are still some things we need to go over, so yes, you will.”

“In the meantime, please make sure you take care of what I asked of you,” she told him.

She allowed Draco to pull her away. “I’m sure you have questions,” she began as she walked with him down the corridor. Crabbe and Goyle, as always, followed close behind.

“Which I’m sure you’ll answer once we’ve come to the location,” he surmised.

This confused Hermione, but she let him lead her, thinking they were going to Slytherin House. However, her bafflement doubled when they entered a corridor she hadn’t seen since her first year. “Why are we…?”

Draco stopped before a portrait of two dueling knights and glanced around. Stepping up to the portrait, he banged on the wall next to it. Confused, Hermione was about to ask when the portrait slid to the side and Theodore was standing at the entrance.

“Come on,” he ushered them in. “We’ve been waiting. Everyone else is here.”

Taking Hermione’s hand, Draco ducked through the portrait hole, guiding her inside. Hermione’s eyes widened as she entered. It wasn’t that the room was spectacular or particularly amazing. If anything, it looked just like any other Common Room, but that’s what had her so surprised. “This is…”

“Years ago, people used to get married while still in school,” Draco started to say.

“Yes, but those practices haven’t been done in ages,” she conceded. “Not since the 50s, if I remember correctly.”

As they walked further into the room, she saw Blaise draped over one of the blue couches by the fireplace. His feet dangled over the arm on one end and his head rested in the lap of none other than Padma Patil. “What?” Hermione breathed.

Blaise jumped up. “Oh, yeah, Hermione! I want you to meet my new wife, though I think you two already know each other.”

“Well, she did share a dorm with my sister for five years and we were both in Dumbledore’s Army,” Padma stated simply with a shrug.

The bushy haired Muggle born gaped at both of them. “Wife?” she repeated as she looked between Blaise and Padma, aghast. “You got married. When?”

The dark skinned boy shrugged. “Right before we came back to school,” he said.

“But you two don’t even know one another,” Hermione commented as the gears in her head started turning.

“Actually,” Padma corrected, “we know one another quite well. And in more ways than one.”

The double meaning wasn’t lost on the brunette and she blushed, looking down. She swallowed as she gazed back up at them. “Well, um, congratulations? What is this going to do with your schooling?”

“It shouldn’t do much,” Blaise assured her. “I still intend to graduate with honours.”

“As do I,” Padma told her. “We actually have a private competition between the two of us to see who gets the most Outstandings. The one with the highest scores gets to choose where we honeymoon to.”

Hermione nodded slowly, her mind quickly trying to come to grips with this new information. She turned her attention to Theodore. “And you and Luna? Are you two also…?”

“She’s only fifteen, Granger,” the lanky boy pointed out. “Though given the circumstances, I might see if I can convince her to marry come next March or maybe even February, if she’s amiable.”

Hermione shook her head. Between learning about her own heritage, her new fortune, Blaise’s wedding… She could feel her knees growing weak and hastened to one of the armchairs. “I don’t understand what the rush is,” she breathed, mostly to herself. She looked up at Blaise. “Why not wait?”

Blaise stared at her carefully and then shrugged, resuming his seat on the couch as Draco joined Hermione on the chair. “It gets my mother off my back,” the dark Slytherin answered as he laid his head back on Padma’s lap. “No joke, Granger, the moment I got home from the party, my mother started her rant about how I would be a better match for you than Draco. And then this morning, I received an owl from her lamenting about how I am losing my chance with you.”

The Muggle born blinked. “What chance?” she asked.

“The same chance my own mother is now talking about,” Theodore commented as he took a seat in the chair across from her. “And the same chance both Goyle and Crabbe’s parents have written to them about.”

Hermione’s lips curled in disgust as Luna suddenly walked into the room from a hallway near the back of the room. “Oh, hello, Hermione,” Luna greeted casually as she joined Theodore in his armchair. “I do hope you had a good day in Diagon Alley today.”

“’Ello, beautiful,” Theodore teased as he rubbed his nose against her neck.

Luna blushed and dipped her head as Draco gently untangled himself from Hermione and stood. “So, before we begin, I want to make sure you understand the importance of everything we discuss here and how very little should leave this room,” Draco said, looking at his witch.

Theodore held up a finger. “We can discuss with one another, but only if we are speaking privately. Never in the company of others where they can hear,” he added.

“No matter how good of friends they are,” Blaise conceded. He looked up at his wife. “That includes you, love. No sharing with your sister.”

She nodded silently. Hermione frowned at this. “You said very little. Care to elaborate?”

The platinum blond nodded and folded his arms. “There are some things that I don’t mind you sharing with your little friends. In fact, I encourage it,” he said. “However, after a lengthy discussion with Dumbledore, he has agreed to allow you and I to join Blaise and his new wife in this dorm, though we are unmarried.”

“What?”

“Well, he didn’t exactly say that in those words, mate,” Theodore pointed out and Blaise nodded.

“He said that there would be no teachers watching who comes in and out of this dorm as it’s meant to be a dorm for wedded couples,” Blaise articulated. “He also asked us to remain responsible and not allow a repeat of Halloween.”

Hermione’s cheeks reddened. “What exactly did he mean by that?”

“Basically, no parties,” Theodore stated. “But given that there won’t be teachers checking this room…”

“Blaise and I came to an agreement that it would be best if you and I joined him and Padma here. There are enough beds and each room is private,” Draco told her.

Startled, the Gryffindors stared at Draco with wide eyes and he scowled. “Don’t act so surprised,” he scoffed. “Word has gotten out that you are Merlin’s heir. People are going to start following us around like fucking puppies.”

“So he just agreed to allow you and I to live together?” Hermione asked slowly.

Draco shook his head. “It’s like Blaise said,” he told her. “He’s turning a blind eye to it.”

“The security in this school amazes me sometimes,” the bushy haired witch stated absently as she glanced away.

The blond shrugged. “And it’s always worked in your favour before,” he commented. “He’s entrusting us and by turning a blind eye, he’s allowing for you and I to actually have some privacy away from the stress of people hounding you whilst we are trying to study.”

“So that’s it?” she asked. “We’re going to stay in here rather than in Slytherin House?” At his nod, she grew quiet, thinking over what he’s told her.

He was watching her carefully as she mulled this over in her mind. “We can invite people to join us from time to time,” he assured her. “We just have to respect the rules.”

“Yes, because we’re so good at following rules,” she snarked. There was a brief moment of silence before they all broke out in laughter.

As he calmed down, Draco wiped a quick tear out of his eye and asked, “So, what did you wish to speak to me about, princess?”

“We need to publically announce our betrothal,” Hermione stated bluntly. Blushing a bit, her words started to speed up as she continued, “I spoke to your father about it at length and we both believed, and I hope you’d agree, that the Easter feast he and your mother have planned during the holiday would be the perfect opportunity to do so. He assured me that it wouldn’t be like the gathering during Christmas and that he was actually planning on tightening security before, during, and after the feast. Of course, he also hopes the Aurors catch the murderer by then, but you know there’s never any guarantees. However, we both feel that the announcement might actually stop many of the proposals that have been coming to the school.”

A quirk of Draco’s lips and the inclination of his head gave her the indication that he agreed. So, she took a deep breath and continued, “Furthermore, I’ve no doubt the Daily Prophet has already received confirmation that I am the heiress of Merlin and that I have inherited quite a large estate.”

“How large?” Theodore asked curiously.

Hermione bit her lip. “A vault worth well over 15 billion Galleons and a fortress in Wales,” she told him.

The silence was deafening as the group of teenagers gaped at her. Even Draco gazed at her with one brow lifted, though that was the only hint of surprise he gave.

“Damn,” Pansy breathed when the silence became too thick. “You do realize you’re richer than Draco, right?"

Hermione paused at that, looking to Draco for confirmation. He shrugged. “Not by much,” he assured her.

The Muggle born nodded slowly. “Your father didn’t really discuss your family’s networth.”

Frowning, Draco questioned. “Why should he? Given that you were at the bank to discuss your inheritance, the Malfoy family fortune seems a bit of an inappropriate topic. Besides, it doesn’t really matter, does it? Once you and I marry, it’ll all be yours anyway.”

Hermione sighed, shaking her head. “So what else is there that you wished to discuss?” she asked, a little more patiently than she had felt.

The blond wizard shrugged. “Just that,” he admitted.

Pansy glared at him as Luna said in her wispy, sing-song voice, “Aren’t we supposed to inform Hermione about the horcruxes?”

Draco rolled his eyes and groaned, letting his face fall into one of his hands as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I was planning on telling her that once we learned more about it, Lovegood,” he growled through clenched teeth.

“What are horcruxes?” the Muggle born questioned, glancing from her friend to her boyfriend.

“We don’t know,” Blaise said simply.

“Well,” Theo drawled, “that’s not exactly true, is it? I mean, we do know what they are we just… Don’t know what they are.” His brows furrowed in confusion at his own statement and he glanced at the bushy haired witch. “Does that make sense?”

The girl shook her head. “No, not really.”

Draco rubbed his temples for a moment and glanced at her tiredly. “It’s nothing you need to worry yourself over at this juncture,” he told her. “You already have far too many things going on right now. Soon people will be pouring in wishing to speak with you. Not to mention, you are already trying to find out more about Daphne, right? And our NEWTS are coming up soon.”

“I’ve already drawn up those study plans for all of us and Harry and Ron.”

Theo paled. “You did what?”

Hermione tilted her chin up. “I tell Harry and Ron all the time, and I’m telling you as well, Theodore Nott. You have to be prepared. The NEWTS are literally, as Draco said, right around the corner and it won’t be like taking our O.W.Ls. They’ll be harder and require more of you. They’re meant to test your capabilities as a socially acceptable wizard entering into society.”

“Granger,” the dark haired boy said slowly, “it’s January. We have plenty of time…”

“To study. Yes, I agree,” she interrupted shrewdly. “This should give you more than enough time to prepare yourself for what’s coming.”

“I don’t need a schedule,” Blaise started as Hermione reached into her bag and started pulling out rolls of parchment she had obviously written on.

Draco smirked in amusement as the witch waved her wand and the parchment parted and each one went to the respective witch or wizard. “Of course you do, Zabini,” he taunted. “The NEWTS are what? Four? Five months away? I’m surprised you haven’t already started studying.”

“That’s my point, Malfoy,” the black Slytherin drawled. “I already have a study schedule. Need I remind you both that I am married to a Ravenclaw?”

“Stop whining and just accept the stupid thing,” Padma hissed as she looked over the schedule Hermione had written out for her. “This actually makes more sense with my schedule anyway,” she praised, smiling up at the Muggle born before rolling up the parchment and whacking Blaise with it. “You should be grateful our friend took the time to write this out.” As Blaise shied away from the Ravenclaw, Padma took his parchment and scanned the contents. “Look, she even gave you some time for Quidditch practice and the next Hogsmeade trip.”

“What?” Draco shouted, sitting up and unfurling his own parchment. “Granger… How are you expecting us to have the pitch at this time to practice?” he questioned, pointed at the allotted time. “I hope you’re not expecting us to share the pitch with those Gryffindorks.”

Hermione’s eyes narrowed at the Pureblood. “Do not call them ‘Gryffindorks’. Ever. And no, you’re not scheduled to practice with them. Harry and you both would’ve had my head if I had tried it. If you look at the actual time and date, it’s one that you had already planned on having. So, there’s no reason to complain.”

He gazed at her doubtfully for a moment before he glanced back down at the schedule she had made. Lifting a brow, he stated, “You’ve allotted time for me to help Goyle and Crabbe as well?”

With a smile, she nodded. “And even others as well. You know I am part of a study group. I wouldn’t mind if you helped with that also,” she told him.

The Pureblood grimaced at that. “Granger, I don’t usually help others who aren’t –“

“Not everyone is taking their NEWTS and I already have at least six people wanting help with their O.W.L.s. As Head Boy and Girl, it is our obligation, and privilege, to help them,” she finished, ignoring his interruption.

He rolled his eyes as he sighed. “Granger, we’re not Head Boy and Girl yet,” he pointed out.

The Muggle born simply shrugged. “But we will be. And the current Head Boy and Girl already have their hands tied with people asking for help. I offered for you and I to take on these as well as our friends to lighten their already burdened load.”

Pansy’s unladylike snort disrupted whatever it was Draco was getting ready to say and, upon further examination, the others had been watching the couple with varying degrees of amusement. Everyone except for Luna who was looking at Draco rather curiously, her head tilted a bit to the side. “If it’s too much trouble, I wouldn’t mind taking on one or two of the younger years,” she offered serenely.

Looking relieved, Draco opened his mouth, but Hermione cut him off, “Thank you, Luna, but really, it isn’t necessary. I believe we can both manage. It really isn’t that much of a workload and nowhere near what it’s going to be like next year.” She paused for a moment and added, “I like to think of it as practice.”

The blond Pureblood shot his betrothed a sour look, but she just ignored him. Instead, she continued, “Now, I assume as many of you are close, personal friends of the Malfoys, you’re already going to be invited to the Easter feast. I spoke it over with Lucius and he has agreed that I can invite Harry and Ron and their dates. All I ask is that everyone here treats them with the same respect you’ve given to me. I may not have known them for nearly as long as some of you have known one another, but they are still my friends and very much my family in many respects,” she explained. “I don’t want schoolyard animosity to bleed into what Lucius and Narcissa are hoping to be an amazing feast turned into an announcement party.”

“Well, look at you!” Pansy exclaimed, leaning back into her seat. “Not even a Malfoy yet and already you’re acting just like one.” She gave a smirk as she cocked an eye at the betrothed Slytherin wizard. “It seems you’ve chosen well, Draco. No doubt your parents are proud.”

The blond glowered at her. “Don’t get smart, Parkinson,” he growled.

“Isn’t that the point, though?” she snarked. She held out her own piece of parchment. “If I follow this schedule, I have a chance of actually getting smarter.”

“Doubt it,” he retorted.

The smile that had lit up Hermione’s face faltered. She stuffed the extra parchment she had taken out back into her bag and closed the bag. Standing up, she slung the bag over her shoulder. “I wish you all a good night,” she said as she pivoted on her heel.

“Where are you going?” Draco asked, his brow furrowing.

“I’m going to bed before any of you are given any more chance to mock me,” she told him in a clipped voice.

Draco sighed. “Sit back down,” he said. “No one is trying to mock you.”

The Muggle born glared at him. “No? That’s funny because from the way I saw it, you were. Now, if you’ll please excuse me.”

Draco quickly got up and followed her, stopping her when she reached the entrance. “The bedrooms are down that way,” he told her, pointing back towards a hall.

“And who says I want to sleep in here?” she asked, folding her arms in front of her. “I don’t recall you even asking me if I wanted to sleep in this dorm. You just assumed.”

“Don’t be a killjoy, Granger,” he scolded. “Haven’t you heard anything I have said? The moment you step out of this room, people will be swarming you…”

“I did hear what you said,” she snapped. “And I’ll remind you that I can take care of myself. I don’t need you, Malfoy. I never did. The fact that we’re together is because I want you with me.”

“Then if you want me with you, you should bloody well stay here!” he shouted back. “Let me take care of you!”

She gave a scream of frustration and waved her fist in his face. “You don’t need to take care of me! And if you really want to take care of me than why the bloody hell do you allow your friends to speak to me the way they do? Why are they allowed to treat me as some second class citizen? I don’t need you, I don’t need them. I was perfectly content living up in Gryffindor Tower…”

“Yeah? Because watching that fucktard Weasel fuck the brains out of Brown was so much fun, was it? Is that what you thought when you left, fucking begging Ginger to go off somewhere, anywhere that wasn’t there?” he spat back.

Her movement was lightning fast, but so was his and he caught her hand before it had time to connect with his face. “No,” he barked. “You won’t hit me, Granger. You’ve done it before and you won’t do it again.”

“Let go of me!” she hissed as she struggled, trying to force him to release her.

“Calm down!”

Without saying a word, he cast a Stunning spell, that surprisingly rebounded. His reflexes were quick enough that he was able to dodge the rebound and he stared at her for a moment in shock. Her eyes had darkened angrily as her hair seemed even frizzier than usual.

“Draco Malfoy, if you try to hit me with a Stunning Spell one more time, I swear on my ancestors and yours that I will call off this betrothal and we will be done,” she snarled, pointing her wand at him. “You will not bully me into doing what you want me to do. Do you understand me? I’ve had it. I’m done with it. I’ve let you get away with too much and I’m finished. Now, let me pass.”

Though his eyes narrowed, Draco slowly backed away. “We’re not finished,” he growled, his hands balled into fists at his sides.

“No we’re not,” she agreed. “But you will let me out of this room. You won’t follow me. You won’t bully me into coming back here. You will allow me to sleep where I wish to sleep.”

“And where is that?” he asked. “Since you and I have been together, you haven’t once slept without me. You’ll be protected in here.”

“I’ll be protected wherever I go!” she argued. “Do you really think Harry or Ron would allow anything bad to happen to me? And I doubt Crabbe and Goyle or even Pansy is sleeping here, so if I stayed in the Slytherin Dormitory, I would be safe there as well. Not to mention, it may have escaped you notice, but I can take care of myself. I’ve done it for years before you and I started dating and, should something befall you, I will do it for years after. Sometimes, you can be just like your father. I don’t need protection! I survived a war. Hell, I won a war! You think Harry would have been able to defeat Voldemort without me?”

The other Slytherins in the room cringed at the name, but no one dared to say anything. “Potter hasn’t defeated the Dark Lord,” Draco replied.

Hermione’s rant came to a halt as she looked at him in confusion. “Yes, he did. He and Dumbledore…”

“Didn’t defeat the Dark Lord,” he interrupted. “They just stalled him.”

“What are you on about?” she asked as she felt the fire within her slowly die.

Sighing, he lifted his hand, palm up. “Will you come sit back down with me so I can explain?” he questioned, looking at her tiredly.

Wary, she took his hand. “I still get a choice,” she pointed out, to which he nodded.

“You’ll still have a choice, princess,” he promised. “You’ll always have a choice. Sometimes I just get overzealous in my need to protect you. And with what the headmaster told us, I’m even more anxious.”

She allowed him to lead her back to the fireplace, though her suspicious look did not diminish. “What exactly did Dumbledore say?”
Author's Note: I know what some of you will say, "There's too much going on in this story. What happened to Daphne? Where's the sex?" All of these things will be answered, I promise, and I'm looking at next chapter to be riddled with kinkiness. Draco and Hermione have a lot of things going on and we are entering their second semester of 6th year. (Remember I said this was going to continue through their 7th year?) Also, I know I haven't updated as much. Lack of internet has a tendency to do that. And it didn't help that my computer wasn't working for a few days. But I won't leave this story, I promise.
I also want to address those people who do not believe I am staying true to the characters enough or whatever. Please allow me to remind you that this is my story. And if you don't like it or don't agree with the direction it's going, you can simply hit the back button and move on to a different story. No one is holding a wand to your throat and forcing you to continue to read it. (Also, it's very brave of you to write such responses as a "guest".)
To those who have been enjoying the story, stay tuned! There's more mischief afoot. :)
Schoolteacher623: Oh just wait until you see what Draco does next! You are going to love it! (I hope.) Also, we don't see her vindictive side often and people have a tendency of forgetting that she has one, or feel that what she does in justified, but it's still there. And she is a 17 year old girl. (Which is something else people tend to forget. She was born on September 19, 1980, which makes her older than most of the students in her year, and while she tends to be more mature, she still has her immature moments.)

Please let me know what you think of this chapter! So much going on on so many levels!
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The Dare