Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 126052 -:- Recommendations : 15 -:- Currently Reading : 31
Disclaimer: JK owns HP. Not me. I also don't own any quotes you might recognize. I make no money doing this, I just get the plot bunnies to quit interrupting my sleep.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Hermione hadn’t slept at all that night. Malfoy spent the entire night pacing the floors of the hospital wing. She warily watched him for any sign of what he was going to do. Snape had just put his life on the line again and she feared for him. However, Draco had taken an oath to prevent him from telling the Dark Lord anything. That didn’t mean he couldn’t tell anyone else. Snape had asked her to remove his memories if he didn’t choose their side. She was hoping against all hope that he did.

Around 4 in the morning was when Draco finally broke. “He told you to obliviate me, didn’t he Granger?”

Hermione’s eyes widened and she was struck dumb.

“I’ll take your silence as a yes. I know my godfather Granger. He’s a great man and he is smart. I knew he wouldn’t give me that kind of information without having a backup plan. His life is on the line.”

Hermione wisely stayed silent.

“I’m dead either way. At this point, does it matter which side kills me?”

She sat silently again while he worked through his feelings.

Draco couldn’t believe he was spilling this all out loud but he had to get it off his chest. “But my mother, Granger. I have a chance to save her. Snape may not be many things, but he is a man of his word. He’s never broken a promise to me. Never.”

Tears started forming in Hermione’s eyes as she watched him.

“What can I do? I don’t want to go into hiding. They’d find me; my father will find me. It’s the blood you see. He can track me using his own blood. They won’t be able to find her though. Even though Bellatrix is her sister, no one knows about blood tracking and my father, being the bastard he is, wouldn’t tell anyone. I was told that once he used to love my mother. That scaly bastard twisted his mind.”

Hermione was doing her best not to outright sob. It was gut wrenching to hear Malfoy talk of his family. What had he gone through growing up? She couldn’t begin to imagine the kind of horrors he’d seen. Still, it seemed that he needed to work this out on his own so she wisely stayed silent.

“Granger, she can’t die. She’s all I have. I know your lot thinks I am a cold, heartless, unfeeling bastard, but I’m not.” He half sobbed the last part. Finally he stopped from his pacing to see the tears streaming down Granger’s face. He immediately got angry and started shouting. “I don’t want your pity either!”

Before he could continue, she stopped him. “It isn’t pity. I can’t image what you’ve gone through. As big of a bastard as you have been in the past, it breaks my heart. I know we haven’t spoken about it Malfoy, but I know what I saw in your memories. If anything, I understand. I hate myself for it, but I can see why you are doing this. What makes it worse is that you refuse help because you believe you have no other options, but you do.”

“I DON’T”

“You DO! Professor Snape just said as much. Why can’t you let yourself just stop and imagine the possibilities?”

“I trust no one Granger.”

“You can trust me Malfoy. We’ve been bound together by mind and by a blood oath. I couldn’t say anything if I wanted to. If anything, that’s trust by default. Do you think it is easy knowing the things I do about you and going on like nothing is happening?”

“Do you think it is easy being me Granger? I know you’ve seen me at my lowest. I hate what I’ve become. I’ve seen you bleed, damn it. Your blood is as red as mine and I know your fucking powerful because all we seem to be able to do is draw in a duel. You don’t understand. My ENTIRE LIFE, I was schooled in the ways of a pureblood. You’re dirty damn it. Muggles are filthy and mudbloods are nothing but thieves.” He went silent then, panting from the exertion of his words.

“I’m not dirty Malfoy.” She spoke in a low tone just above a whisper. “I didn’t ask to be a witch. My parents didn’t even know that true magic existed. Magic was the subject of fairy tales. Merlin was nothing more than an eccentric assistant to King Arthur, embellished by folklore. Now they know. It’s all true. I’ve fought for my right to be here from day one Malfoy. I didn’t ask for this but I’ll be damned if I don’t belong here because of a random act of nature.”

“Damn it Granger, would you shut up! I KNOW. All right, I know. The truth is that I’ve known since our first year. You’re everything a witch should be and that goes against everything I’ve ever known. You’re bloody brilliant and so fucking good at everything it makes me fucking sick. There isn’t anything you haven’t bested me at. Do you think it is easy to live down the fact that a mudblood is better than me? You think my father just gave me a pat on the shoulder and said ‘Better luck next time son’? NO!”

“You have bested me Malfoy,” Hermione whispered.

Caught off-guard, Draco let his mouth hang open.

“You’re a better flyer than I ever hope to be. Judging from what I’ve seen in your memories, you are a better healer as well.” She cast her eyes downward, hoping against hope that he would come to the light.

“I’m not a good healer because it is a natural talent, Granger,” Malfoy spoke in a low tone. “I had to be. Father refused for Mother to see a healer. It was either learn or watch my mother suffer. So you see she’s been my motivation all along Granger. If I do this for the Dark Lord, she’ll be spared.”

Sensing her chance, Hermione interrupted again. “Yes, Malfoy. She’ll be spared, but for how long? Once You Know Who knows that he can hold her life over your head, she’ll be in constant danger. He’ll dangle her life in front of you to force you into doing his bidding. You’ll be little more than a puppet and there is nothing to say that he won’t still kill her if he deems her unnecessary anymore. You know that. What if next time you do fail? How far are you willing to go to save her? Are you willing to give up your soul for a heartless bastard who could just as easily crush her if he feels like it? Let us help you. You know there is absolutely nothing in it for Professor Snape. If anything, You Know Who will torture him mercilessly. He’s practically given his life for you on a silver platter to help you and your mother.”

Draco screamed in agony. “It’s just not that bloody easy damn it!”

“Just think about it Malfoy. You have the rest of the year to think about it. Do me this favor. Don’t make me obliviate you. Take an oath. Say you won’t reveal anything about what you know about the professor to ANYONE, not just You Know Who. Take the oath and I’ll let you think over it. I’m sure you’ll see that we can help you. Please?”

“You seem very eager to protect my godfather. What’s in this for you, Granger?”

“Is my life not enough? If he wins, my life is over and you know it. All the muggle born witches and wizards will be rounded up. If we’re lucky, we’ll get a quick Avada. You know what happens if we’re not lucky.”

Draco nodded his head. His eyes held a haunted look in them as he remembered the last revel he attended. There was a girl that was similar in appearance to Granger. She had brown eyes and curly brown hair. He could still hear her screams as the Death Eaters surrounded her. He tried to block out what came next as he shut his eyes hard.

“See? Even now you’re thinking about it. Now think about this. We’re bonded Malfoy, not by choice, but we are. Everything I feel, you’ll feel. I know the Slytherin motto is to put yourself first. Could you go through all of that? If they kill me, what happens to you?”

“Very Slytherin of your Granger, turning this around on me.”

“Necessary Malfoy. I’ll put it anyway you want it if you’d just consider it. Let us help you. Help us.”

“What’s to say that the light won’t lose Granger? What then. We’ll both be dead.”

“We doomed ourselves to that the day we threw that first hex in the bathroom,” she answered, her tone flat.

Draco sighed heavily. “There is always a catch Granger. What would mine be?”

“I honestly don’t know Malfoy. You’d have to ask Professor Snape. I’m not going to say there isn’t one, but isn’t the chance to save your mother worth it?”

Draco sighed again and remained silent for a very long time. Finally he spoke. “Yes Granger. Yes it is.”

Elated, Hermione rose with her wand. “Take the oath then Malfoy. Promise not to reveal Snape’s duplicity to anyone. I’ll try and help the best I can. I promise.”

Grudgingly, Draco took the oath. Noticing it was close to six in the morning, he sat heavily on his bed. “We’re going to look like shit today Granger. Want to see if Pomfrey has some pepper up potion?”

Giving Malfoy a tiny smile, Hermione strode over to the medicine cupboard. She took out two vials of pepper up potion and pocketed them just as the door opened. She quickly sprinted back to her bed and the two pretended to be asleep.

“Wake up sleepy heads,” came Madam Pomfrey’s cheerful tones. The two students pretended to be roused. She quickly set to work examining them. Her face had a worried frown on it as she noticed that they both looked as though they hadn’t slept a wink. “I’m not so sure you two should be released today. You both look tired.”

“I’M FINE!” They replied simultaneously, just a bit too loudly.

“All right then, all right. No need to shout. I might be getting up there in years but my hearing is still perfect. You are free to go.”

Both gave a grateful sigh as they got up to leave. As they walked past the first alcove, Draco grabbed Hermione and dragged her into it.

“Since we’re both here, let’s go ahead and do the spell Granger. I’ll try to talk to Snape this evening. I’ll try to figure out a way to contact you and let you know what happened.”

“Ok, but I’m pretty sure we’re going to have detention for the rest of the school year with Snape after that incident in the Great Hall yesterday.” She had a large grin on her face.

Draco couldn’t help but smirk. “True. It was a bloody brilliant exchange if I do say so myself. Now, the spell if you please.

They held each other close as they recited the pain-relieving spell. The familiar gold light pulsed around them followed by the involuntary need to hold each other closer.

Draco couldn’t help but notice how curvy Granger was as he held her. Her hair smelled of vanilla and cinnamon and despite its bushiness, it was quite soft. She had the soft curves of a woman, rather than the stick-like figure he was used to. These thoughts disturbed him, especially after the conversation they just had. He’d admitted that he knew she wasn’t dirty. He’d never said that out loud in his life. He was starting to wonder if he’d gone a bit daft when he heard a noise outside the alcove.

Meow!

“It’s Mrs. Norris,” Hermione gasped.

“So what, Granger. We were just released. There isn’t a thing Filch can say to us.”

“Except the fact that we are together in an odd position in a small niche Malfoy!”

Suddenly, they realized how close they were standing and flew apart.

“You go first Granger. I’ll come out after a few minutes. Hopefully, that old bastard won’t notice anything.”

She nodded and ran toward Gryffindor tower to shower and dress for the day. It was going to be a very long day too. She hadn’t gotten any sleep the night before. Then she realized that she’d never given Malfoy the vial of pepper up potion. Damn it. She was going to have to run into him again so she could sneak him the vial.

Draco got to the Slytherin common room just in time for everyone to wake up. He hurriedly got cleaned up and changed for the day. Halfway down to the Great Hall, a wave of exhaustion hit him. He finally realized that he didn’t get the pepper up potion from Granger before she left. Damn it. He’d just have to stick it out. This wouldn’t be the first time he’d gone a day without sleep.

Hermione saw Draco coming down with his friends just as she was heading down with Ginny and Harry. Ron and Lavander were running late and she was famished. She’d convinced Harry and Ginny to forgo waiting for the two lovebirds to show up. Secretly, she was glad they caved so fast. She didn’t think she could stomach them when she was so sleep deprived. Thinking she was going to have to make this look good, she launched into a discussion with Harry on what she had missed during classes the previous day. She hoped that it looked like she was completely absorbed as she timed the moment she was going to plow over Draco down to the second. Sure enough, he was the last one through and she viciously backed into him.

The hall fell silent as the two tried to get themselves untangled from each other. Quickly, she threw her satchel down next to his and stuffed a few papers in it while retrieving the vial she had set in there for him. He caught on and grabbed it, stuffing it in his own satchel. With a clearing of this throat, he prepared to put on a show.

Raising his wand, he began to start a fight. Before he could, Professor Snape was towering over them both.

“Miss Granger, I see that your detention yesterday has done nothing to improve your clumsiness. Perhaps a full week’s detention would encourage you to WATCH… where you are going.”

Draco smirked as he lowered his wand and tucked it back in his sleeve. Hermione looked glumly at Professor Snape, careful to hide her real feelings of relief and put a mask of anger and chastisement on.

“Yes sir,” she said solemnly.

“Good. My classroom, 8:00 tonight.”

She nodded and went to her table to eat.

The day passed slowly for Hermione. She found that she needed to take the pepper up potion right after her first class. It was a good thing she didn’t have History of Magic then or she would have been done for. She also noticed that she had to sip on her pain potion much more frequently when Slytherin had Herbology and she had Arithmancy. She hoped they could figure out what made this happen soon. The pain potion was quite effective, but disgusting. During lunch, she managed not to run into Malfoy, which was a relief. She’d heard the rumors: vicious enemies, spies, and her favorite one, secret lovers. If they only knew the truth, they’d be shocked to silence. She put on her best annoyed face when she was asked “is it true” for the thirtieth time that day.

However, she couldn’t shake the immense sadness she felt. According to Dumbledore, they were eternal soul mates because they were magically compatible. Or, could it be that it was the other way around. Either way, they were stuck with each other and had no way to reverse what had been done. How could either function like this their entire lives? The war could destroy them both, especially if Malfoy chose not to work with the light. If the distance didn’t kill them, Voldemort surely would. She found that she wasn’t hungry anymore as she exited the Great Hall. Suddenly, she was pulled into a niche.

Draco chuckled at her struggling. “Guess who Granger.”

“Damn it Malfoy, I told you a pssst would work.”

“Where’s the fun in that? Besides, what if someone overheard my pssst?”

Hermione sighed. “Whatever, Malfoy. You want the pain spell?”

Draco was silent for a second. “You seem very down Granger. Cat die?”

“No Malfoy,” she hissed. “I just have a lot on my mind. Did you happen to read that book?”

“No,” he replied. “I just cracked the wards on it right before lunch. I am going to read it tonight. Let’s do the spell and get out of here before anyone gets suspicious.”

This time, it was much harder to pull away for both of them. It was as if someone had glued them together. Hermione was very aware of the hard, lean, warm body pressed up against hers. Despite what she knew, Malfoy felt…safe. Only, he was probably the most dangerous student roaming the halls at the current time. Yet, it didn’t seem to matter. Her body was betraying her and her mind was at war. The shuffling of feet outside the niche broke them from their reverie.

“Hey Ron, did you see Hermione go this way?”

“No mate, I didn’t see anyone, but I swear I saw a gold light coming from over there. I thought someone had been hexed to hell but when I got here, there was nothing.”

There was giggling coming from Lavander. “Come on Ronnykins, I’m hungry.”

“Sure thing, Lav.”

Hermione made silent gagging noises, which caused Draco to snort softly. This was a mistake because they were overheard.

“Did you hear that mate?”

“Yea, it was coming from behind that tapestry.”

Draco panicked. They couldn’t be caught here. His mind was racing a hundred miles a minute. There was no time to use a glamour spell and disillusionment wouldn’t work because he knew Potty and Weasel would enter that space. Even they weren’t thick enough to not notice bumping into something. The tapestry was being lifted now. In one calculating stride, Draco pushed Granger against the wall and put his hands on either side of her head to hide the sides of her face and her hair. He quickly covered her mouth with his and made sure her wide open eyes were focused on him. He quickly broke down her occlumency wall and screamed into her head.

“GRANGER, WHEN I TURN AROUND, YOU DUCK AND TRY TO GLAMOUR YOURSELF TO LOOK LIKE PANSY.”

She replied back “ok” in his mind and he deepened their kiss as he broke the connection. Their senses whirred as the kiss intensified. For a few minutes, neither heard nor saw anything else. They could only feel. It was a feeling of intense euphoria, gold light swirled around the couple and their two hearts beat as one. That was until…

“OI! Malfoy, what are you about!”

It was Ron. Hermione’s heart stopped. Malfoy gently broke the kiss and breathed “now” so only she could hear. She slid down the wall a bit so his body would shield her from view. It was a good thing Malfoy was quite tall. She immediately started turning her hair black and making it look as though it was in a bob like Pansy’s. Then she spelled a glamour that would smudge her features. It wasn’t proficient, but in the dark it might pass. They just couldn’t see her robes or stare directly into her face.

“Beat it Weasley!” Draco yelled.

“What was that gold light?” Harry asked.

Draco smirked wickedly. “Why Potter? Planning on using a bit of sex magic with Weasel in a dark corner somewhere?”

Hermione couldn’t help but give a small gasp. Luckily no one heard it.

“What would your little slag Pansy say if she caught you in here with another slag.” Ron spat smugly.

Sensing that this was her chance, she mimicked Pansy the best she could.

“It’s a good thing it’s me then, isn’t it Drakey-Poo.”

Malfoy shuddered as Hermione came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She made sure that her black hair was visible but his robes obscured her face. She also made sure that her hands were covered with her own robes. Pansy didn’t bite her fingernails. Hers were always blood red.

Draco couldn’t help but shudder at the sound of Pansy’s voice, but when Granger wrapped her arms around his waist, he had to hold back a groan. He didn’t know what was going on but he knew he had to get out of there and away from her so he could work this out.

“As you can see, we’re a bit busy so beat it unless you’d like to learn a few pointers for yourselves. Planning an evening romp in a dark corner?”

“Up yours Malfoy,” said Ron. Both Harry and Hermione let out a groan at the terrible choice of words he used.

“Actually, I think that’s exactly what you were hoping for. Sorry to disappoint, Weasel. I don’t swing that way.”

“Go to hell Malfoy!” Ron, turning the color of a tomato, backed out of the niche and ran to the Great Hall dragging Lavender along for the ride.

“Something the matter, Potter?” Malfoy spat.

“You might think you’re clever Malfoy, but I know that isn’t Pansy.” Hermione’s grip on Draco’s waist tightened a bit as Draco started clenching his fist. “I see someone coming so I’m going to go, but I promise you Malfoy, I’m going to figure out what little game you’re playing.” With that, Harry turned around and sprinted down the hall.

Hermione quickly let go of Malfoy’ waist, shaking slightly. “I’m just going to disillusion myself and go. I’ll…see you later Malfoy.” She quickly said the spell and took off down the hall, leaving Malfoy alone in the niche.

What the bloody hell was that, he thought as he banged his head against the castle wall. He had no clue what had just happened. He didn’t even like Granger, he was just stuck with her until he found a way to be rid of her. Wasn’t he? He couldn’t deny how wonderful she had felt though. Her soft pink lips met his. Warm and pliable, it was like a dream. The world around them disappeared and all he could think of was the beautiful creature he had pinned to the wall. Wait, beautiful creature? Where had that come from? Gah, he was going barmy. He decided to feign ill and read that book as soon as he could. It wouldn’t be too hard. Pomfrey knew he and Granger had been suffering from migraines since their debacle in the bathroom. He took off in the direction of the hospital wing.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione timidly knocked on Professor Snape’s door at precisely 8:00 pm. She was shaking like a leaf, unable to keep her mind quiet enough to relax. She didn’t know what kind of reception she’d get from her Professor. Two days ago, in a fit of what could only be described as hysteria, she had confronted him. She had chastised him for being so hard on Harry and enraged him when she told him she knew how he felt about his mother, Lily. Then, she had gone completely insane and told him that he needed to forgive himself and Harry’s father before he could be happy. Sure, it was how she felt, but it wasn’t exactly wise to tell this to the dour potions master. She’d be toast for sure.

Then there was Draco. Somehow during the day, he’d become Draco instead of Malfoy. She wasn’t sure why. The kiss they shared was merely a defense mechanism. Neither would have had the time to cast any sort of protective spell or diversion and he did the first thing he could think of. He kissed her. It was effective. Him being so much bigger than her, he shielded her from view. Then he gave her enough time to pose as Pansy and got rid of her friends. It was a brilliant plan really. No one ever questioned the nature of his relationship with Pansy. It wasn’t as if they kept it a secret. However, she was certain only she knew how revolted Draco, no Malfoy, was by Pansy.

His lips though, stayed in her mind. They were surprisingly soft and warm, so inviting. She completely lost her head. When he deepened the kiss, she swore that their hearts started beating together. Then she chastised herself. That kind of crap only happened in romance novels. The feeling of exhilaration however, couldn’t be mistaken. She felt… alive, safe, and relaxed. Gah, she was certifiably insane. This must be what happened when mixing with Slytherins.

“Enter” Snape’s drawl broke her out of her trance and she pushed the door open to walk inside.

She kept her eyes downward and turned to close the door. When she turned back around, she froze. There, talking to Malfoy and standing next to Snape, was a Death Eater. He wasn’t in his outfit, but she’d know that voice anywhere. It was Antonian Dolohov, the Death Eater that had nearly killed her. Her blood ran cold as she tried to school her face into one of indifference. She didn’t know how she managed it, but somehow she made it to a desk to put her bag down. She noticed that Snape had discretely placed himself between her and her would-be killer and for that, she was thankful. She hoped he didn’t remember her but she knew that was a foolish thought.

“Miss Granger,” Snape’s low baritone broke into her mind. She wasn’t even aware her walls were down. Her eyes widened a bit. “You need to guard your mind! For the time being, take out your books and pretend to be doing your potions assignment.”

He left her mind and turned around again, still keeping himself between her and Dolohov. She immediately felt someone trying to intrude again. She hastily shut her walls down and felt a strange pulse throughout her body. When she glanced up, she noticed Draco, NO Malfoy, rubbing his temple and stealing a glance at her. Well, that answered the question of who was trying to break into her mind but she wasn’t about to let him in front of Dolohov.

After what felt like hours and a bit of a sting from an unseen hex, Dolohov left. He disappeared into Snape’s office and she let out an involuntary sigh of relief. Too caught up in her appreciation that Dolohov had left, she failed to notice that Malfoy had seated himself in the desk beside her. When he leaned over and loudly dropped an old tome on her desk, she promptly shot out of her chair and fell onto the floor in a heap.

“Little jumpy today, aren’t you Grager?” Malfoy gave her a mischievous smirk.

Already at her breaking point, Hermione snapped. She screamed at the top of her lungs and then lunged at Malfoy, catching him by surprise and tackling him to the floor. She scrambled on top of him and grabbed his robes. “Now you listen up Malfoy and you listen good,” she began in a very low tone. “I have had enough. No more sneaking up behind me, no more grabbing me and dragging me into dark corners, no more throwing books in my face, and NO MORE TRYING TO BREAK INTO MY MIND!” She screamed the last part as Snape came stalking out of his office, sans Dolohov.

The scene he encountered was most amusing. He was glad that Dolohov had gone through the floo before he could hear Miss Granger scream. There they were, in the middle of the potions room. Draco was sprawled out on the floor, wild eyed and Hermione was straddling him with a death grip on the front of his robes. He wasn’t sure if she was going to kiss him or rip out his throat with her teeth. He couldn’t help but chuckle at that thought, which alerted the students to his presence. Hermione slowly backed off of Draco and slid into her seat as if nothing had happened. This made him chuckle a bit louder. Hearing such a strange sound from him, both students looked at him like deer in muggle headlights.

“Miss Granger,” he cut straight to the chase. “You can’t afford to freeze like that again!” He spat. She looked down, obviously trying to hide her tears. In an uncharacteristic move, he lowered his voice in understanding. “I know what happened in the past, Miss Granger. It can be unnerving to almost lose one’s life, but you must shut down the fear and run off of instinct. He is not Dolohov, the Death Eater that almost killed you. He is a nameless, faceless enemy, one you must kill or be killed.” He then sneered, obviously displeased that a bloody Gryffindor ruffled his feathers.

“Yes, sir.” She answered so quietly, she wasn’t sure if he had heard her. “I don’t know what happened. I’ve never frozen before, never.”

“I suspect it was your frame of mind, Miss Granger. You were prepared for battle before. You weren’t when you entered my classroom just then which is WHY we have been studying this in my class.” He spat. “Now, I will give Mr. Malfoy exactly five minutes to spill everything we have discussed and what he has read in that book before you start your detention!”

Draco paled. There wasn’t a way to cover what he had read in ten years, let alone five minutes. Not to mention the fact that he now had Dolohov breathing down his back for results, a little “encouragement” from the Dark Lord his foot. It was more like, do this and you won’t die, which he already knew. Then there was Snape. Their conversation had been brief. Basically, become a spy for the Order and his mother would be hidden. If not, well, he knew that path all too well. His godfather had vowed to protect him no matter what, but he would be utterly alone if he chose to serve the Dark Lord faithfully. Not to mention he’d probably earn himself a healthy obliviate. Where to start, where to start? His mind whirred. It would be easiest to placate her if he let her know about spying, he thought. That would take most of the time and he really didn’t want to rehash their kiss.

“Well,” he began cautiously. “There isn’t time to cover all of it, so I’ll just get as far as I can then. Dolohov came to remind me of my duties, as if I needed reminding,” he sneered. “In addition to that, Professor Snape here wants me to follow in his footsteps.”

Hermione gasped. “He wants you to be a spy?”

“It makes sense, Miss Granger,” Professor Snape cut in. “He’s on his mission to prove himself right now. If he follows through, not only will the Dark Lord show him mercy, he will have a bit more trust in him.”

“HE CAN’T!” She yelled. Then, remembering where she was, she softened. “He can’t do it, he just can’t.” She started crying silently, frustrated because she couldn’t repeat exactly what he couldn’t do and knowing that they knew.

“He must Miss Granger. Or, I must do it for him.” She looked up ready to speak but he cut her off. “I assure you that the Headmaster already knows his fate.” As she widened her eyes, he plunged on. “It is, apparently, all part of the grand plan,” he spat. “You must never reveal this Miss Granger. Once it is finished, Mr. Malfoy and I will have firmly planted ourselves into the Dark Lord’s regime. We will be above suspicion, a useful situation for a spy, don’t you think?”

“Yes, it would be terrific,” she drawled sarcastically. “However, who are you going to give your reports to, sir? Everyone will think you a traitor.”

“That is where I had hoped you would come in.” She paled. “Without someone to feed info to, I would have to find a way to pull strings on both sides which is rather difficult. I do not wish to imperio half the Order just so I can get what I want.”

She nodded. “I see. Would my position be compromised or would we be able to do this discretely enough that they would think the information was my own to give?”

“I would think we could be discreet enough!” Anger was apparent in his voice. “You forget Miss Granger, I have been playing this game since before you were born.”

“You’re okay with this, Granger?” Draco cut in. “I haven’t even said yes yet.”

“Yes, Malfoy. I told you, I would help any way I could. My life is in the balance, too.”

“Times up!” Snape slid his wand from his sleeve, effectively ending their discussion. “Now, since you froze earlier Miss Granger, you will be first. Block me, if you can.”

After an agonizing 2 hours under Professor Snape’s tutelage, the duel was over. Both students took the pain potions without protest, said their long lasting pain spell on top of it, and dragged themselves to bed.

The rest of the week passed in a blur. Draco spent every spare moment in the Room of Requirement working on the vanishing cabinet. He’d need it whether he decided to spy or not. He made sure to grab Granger after every meal so they wouldn’t have to take the pain potion so much. It was revolting, after all. She never protested, just said the spell and held him for a bit. Then they went their separate ways. It was mildly concerning. It seemed that Granger had settled for her lot in life. It concerned him greatly because she had never settled in her life. She was always fighting for what she wanted. He wondered if she knew what he had discovered in the book.

That damned book was going to be the death of him. He didn’t want to believe what he’d read. He knew he was strong magically, so strong that he had to be bound to keep his power “under control.” Well, under his father’s control. He’d learned to control it after the third time he’d broken the bond. The trick was to expel as much energy as possible right after breaking through using harmless spells that took tremendous concentration. Levitating his chest and bed back and forth across the room seemed to do the trick.

Could it be that Granger held that much power as well? She could certainly throw a strong hex. She was also strong in mind and body as well. Not many people could take a hex from Dolohov and live to tell the tale. That day in detention he could have sworn that she was glowing gold when she dueled Snape. That night had been painful. Any time either one of them had been hit, they both felt it. His godfather took full advantage of it, too. They’d managed a draw, but something told him that his godfather had been holding back as well. That didn’t bode well at all. If he was holding back with the two of them, how much more did they need to learn?

It wasn’t the power that concerned him though. He could see how he could have pure dark power and her pure light. She obviously couldn’t cast unforgivables, or wouldn’t and he most certainly would. No, it was what it implied that disturbed him. Every great now and then, two halves of the whole were born and those two would be magical soul mates. If they were bonded, even accidentally, that was it. They were bound forever. There was no breaking it. It didn’t matter if they were mortal enemies. Their lives essentially were wound together. If one died, the other died and that was the most disconcerting thing of all.

He didn’t want another life in his hands. He didn’t even like Granger. Did he? He could admit to himself that she was pretty in an unconventional way. He could also admit that he couldn’t get her out of his mind since that kiss. Despite their very rocky past, he found himself attracted to her. He wondered if it was the bond, the magical compatibility, or Granger herself that had him so intrigued. The next day was Saturday, and he needed to meet Granger somewhere so they could talk. He couldn’t send his eagle owl to her, too noticeable. He decided to send a school owl. It should make it to her at breakfast. At least he wouldn’t have to grab her in passing this time. It was a shame really. Her fighting amused him but at the same time, he was disturbed that it did. Whoever said life wasn’t fair was on to something.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was Saturday morning. Thank Merlin it was. Hermione didn’t know how much more she could take this week. Between catching up on her studies (ok, so she had to make sure she was two weeks ahead again, just to be safe), placating her friends, Malfoy dragging her into a dark corner three times a day for pain relief spells, and detention with Snape, she was completely frazzled. Normally, when she was this stressed out she would go to the Room of Requirement and indulge in her secret stress reliever. But now Malfoy had the ROR occupied seemingly 24/7, making it impossible to sneak in.

Her bond with Malfoy was putting a serious strain on her life in general. The pain potion took the pain away, but it made her a bit loopy as well. A loopy Hermione caused people to pay closer attention to her. You never knew what was going to come out of her mouth. Just that prior evening, she’d gotten fed up with Ron’s atrocious table manners so she stood up and yelled at him. “Ron, if you want to eat like a cow, I would be more than happy to tag your ear, slip a halter on you, and take you to a farm!” Then she had turned around and stalked out amidst snickers. She had left before Malfoy and escaped the expected lunge into darkness. However, she paid the price later when she had to take a double dose of her pain potion in detention that evening.

That just made detention with Snape worse. Completely uninhibited, she had asked him to tell her why he had a stick up his arse. Then he had proceeded to hex her on hers and assign four feet of parchment on why it was unwise to anger your enemy during a duel. It was her own fault. She should have known better than to provoke him. She was lulled into a false sense of security around the dour Potions Master turned DADA teacher. He seemed somewhat softer when they were alone. She didn’t know if it was because she had agreed to help, the fact that she had taken what he’d said about killing Dumbledore so well, or the fact that he felt sorry that she had been bonded by complete accident to her enemy.

Perhaps it was because she was the only person, besides Dumbledore she suspected, that had guessed what made him tick. They never revisited this and they never discussed what the Headmaster had said about being more alike than they thought. Somehow though, she thought she had gained just a smidgen of respect from him, her smarting arse aside.

He worked her hard during her detentions. He drilled her on every dueling stance they had covered, every spell, and every nuance. He made her duel completely silent and after she proved proficient, he had taken her wand and made her duel that way. He never actually hurt her; just disarmed her and she knew this was to spare Malfoy the pain as well. He really was an impressive duelist. Still, she wondered why he held back if he was so passionate about never showing mercy to the enemy. There, niggling at the back of her mind all the time, was the thought that maybe they should talk about why they were so much alike. She’d have to get the courage up today. It was her last day of detention.

Hermione walked into the Great Hall alone, having gotten up a good while before Harry and Ron. She had made it a habit these last few days because it was easier to avoid the boys if they were still eating when she left. She really hated to elude them but she had no clue how else she could hide her terrible secret. She was shite at lying and she loved Harry like a brother. It truly hurt her to hide something so sinister from him but she was under orders not just from Dumbledore, but also from Snape as well as an oath to Malfoy that she couldn’t reveal anything. Every time she saw the Headmaster with his twinkling blue eyes and warm smile she couldn’t help but tear up. She wasn’t even going to get started on Ron with his hot temper.

She was startled from her musings by a peculiar brown school owl. It had a gold piece of parchment tied to its leg. It landed on her table and impatiently hopped back and forth until she reached out and took the scroll. It let out a hoot of appreciation as she fed it a bit of her bacon and flew off. She quickly unrolled it and read the contents.

G:

I’ve finished the book. Made my decision. Meet after breakfast. ROR.

M.

“Who’s that from ‘Mione?” Ron asked from behind her.

Startled, she hastily dragged the parchment under the table and away from her friend’s eyes. “Oh, uh, it’s just a letter from, from somebody back home.” Her voice wavered at the last bit and she flushed.

“Oi! Hermione, have you got yourself a boyfriend?” came the cheerful voice of Ginny.

“Oh, well, um,” she stammered, turning beet red. Suddenly, a thought came to her. She could make this work for her. It would explain why she was acting so out of sorts lately. It would be an excuse to sneak out (sending an owl to the boyfriend), and it had the added bonus of potentially pissing Ron off. Why not?

“We, we met during the summer holiday. He wanted my address so he could write, but he’s a muggle so obviously that was out of the question. He, he somehow convinced my parents to act as a courier.” She stuttered. Then, she made sure she turned red again so they wouldn’t get suspicious.

Harry beamed at her. “That’s brilliant Hermione!”

“Thanks Harry,” she said barely above a whisper.

She noticed Ron was turning as red as his hair but wasn’t saying anything. She didn’t know if it had to do with the fact that Lavender was sitting on his lap at the present moment, but it made her feel just a bit better. A voice from behind made her stomach flutter, a very unwanted reaction.

“So Granger, finally got yourself a boyfriend. No doubt he’s a muggle. No proper wizard would want you.” Draco started laughing boisterously. When she turned, he flicked his eyes toward the paper under the table and then back up at her, hoping she’d catch on.

“At least he doesn’t look like a pug and sound like a screech owl Malfoy,” she spat. She knew what he was trying to do. To give him conformation, she simply folded the parchment and slipped it into a book while leveling her eyes at him. Apparently this got the word across but she still wanted to smack him.

Draco gave an indignant snort. “I think he’s a figment of your imagination Granger. Who in their right mind would want a girl whose hair looks like it came from Hagrid’s armpit?”

“Why you,” shouted Harry as he scrambled up from the table.

He was interrupted by the low baritone voice of Professor Snape. “Mr. Potter. Causing more trouble I see, 20 points from Gryffindor for shouting. Miss Granger, I trust you remember your last detention tonight? I’m sure you don’t want any more so that will be another 10 points from Gryffindor for disrupting meal time. Mr. Malfoy, I’m sure you have places to be.”

With that, Snape swept away, robes billowing behind him. Malfoy snickered as Harry said in a low voice, “this isn’t over Malfoy.”

“Anytime Potter,” Draco spat and then stalked away. As he sat at the Slytherin table, he noticed that Granger had gathered her things and stalked out of the hall. He ignored everyone’s accolades as he stuffed a banger in his mouth and grabbed a few pieces of toast. He drank a glass of pumpkin juice and bade everyone goodbye, stating he had things to do. Then he made a break for the Room of Requirement. He’d seen Potter get up and try to follow him so he ran as fast as he could. Hopefully, Granger was waiting for him and he could get them into the room before Potter became suspicious.

Noticing her crouched in a corner, he waved her over as he began stalking by the door thinking what he wanted from the room. The door sprang up and he shoved Granger through. He caught a glance of Potter as he closed the door. He could hear Potter pound on the door and breathed a sigh of relief that he has asked for a place only accessible to him and Granger.

The room was surprisingly small. It held a sofa and a fireplace with a fur rug on the floor in between. There were two end tables on either side of the sofa. The room was dark, the fireplace the only source of light. He hadn’t intended to get this cozy, but he supposed that due to the nature of what he was going to say, it was better he get used to the closeness.

“Granger,” he nodded as he sat down beside her.

“Malfoy,” she acknowledged. It was obvious she was on pins and needles but was making a studious effort to be quiet and let him do the talking.

He pulled out the book as he began. “I have a feeling you know what I am going to say, Granger.”

“Why is that, Malfoy?” Her voice cracked and wavered a bit.

“I might not know you very well, Granger, but I know you well enough. You should have been at the library every waking moment trying to figure this bond out. Yet, you seem resigned to your fate. You have been since that first meeting with Professor Snape before our duel in DADA.”

Hermione ducked her head. “Ok. I know some things about it. Not everything. Dumbledore and Snape thought it best if you read it for yourself, rather than me telling you.”

Draco growled. “Figures. Well, start with how much you know and I’ll fill in the rest. Be sure to include what was in your conversation because I am dying to know.” He sneered at the thought that she had known all along. He was certain they had made her swear she wouldn’t tell him. Everyone wanted something, didn’t they?

“Ok. Well, first I need to ask you a question because something doesn’t quite make sense to me.”

“Shoot, Granger.”

“Malfoy, have you had your magic bound?”

Draco was completely taken aback. How did she know? “What’s it to you Granger?” He narrowed his eyes.

“Oh, for heaven sakes Malfoy. We’re magical soul mates. Dumbledore said, and I quote ‘you bonded because you are yin and yang. Your powers crave each other. Therefore, the effects are irreversible.’ He also said that your magical signature is pure silver and mine is pure gold, indicating light and dark. However, he said something that made me think about your power. I have been bound since I was ten because I couldn’t control my excess magic. My parents weren’t magical so they couldn’t help. You were glowing that day that Snape was accessing my mind and he told me to ask you about it.”

Draco paled. So, Dumbledore knew and he still said nothing. The man was practically a Slytherin! Well, there wasn’t much need to hide it from Granger. She’d just confirmed his worst fears.

“Fine, I’ve been bound since I was eleven. I assume you’ve never broken your bond?” She shook her head. “Well, I’ve broken it twice a year, that’s eleven times. It’s painful but I’ve learn to somewhat contain the excess energy. Whenever my father finds out, he uses an even more powerful bind. I’ve made it to the very last spell. Seems that if it doesn’t bind my magic, it will kill me. I’m not very anxious to find out about that Granger, but I know it’s coming. It seems to happen at Christmas and summer every year.”

Hermione nodded her head. “Well, they put an initial bond on me at ten, before I came to school. You,” she cleared her voice. “You saw what happened in my memories.”

Draco nodded his head. It had shocked him that her parents thought her a freak.

“Well, at the end of every year, McGonagall called me into her office for tea. The tea made me sleepy and then the visit would be over. Afterwards, I’d feel a bit, well, drained. I figured out by my second year what was happening. I presumed that it was for the best, so I’ve dutifully shown up in her office every year and drank the tea. I’ve never tried to break through the bind. I could feel it there last year, but I was cursed before I could push through it.”

“Well, that explains the powerful opposite magic theory then.” Malfoy sighed. “We’re stuck together forever Granger,” he whispered.

The silence wore on for a long while.

“Malfoy,” Hermione started.

“Hm?”

“What else did you learn? I mean, being bonded forever is, well. It’s hard to get my head around the concept, but I know there is more.”

“There is, Granger. We’re bound by blood too, remember?” She nodded. “Well, being bound both ways, we’re, well, we are inseparable.”

“I gathered that Malfoy.”

“No, damn it that is not what I mean. We’re inseparable in life, and in death Granger. When one of us dies, the other will too.”

Hermione felt all the blood rush out of her head. Her stomach lurched horribly and if she’d had more than a piece of toast for breakfast, she was sure she would have seen it again. Now their fates were truly intertwined. She wanted to run, as far and as fast as her legs would take her. Run until she couldn’t run anymore, away from this world and back to her parents. Back where magic didn’t exist. She couldn’t do that though. There was no running, no fighting it. There could only be acceptance.

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