Letters and Memories

A/N: Sorry it took so long, i got a good beta now so i hope this chapter is to your liking...
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Finding Out The Truth

Draco and Hermione started towards McGonagall's office, on the way they met with Harry and Ron who had stopped to wait for them.

"I wonder what this is all about?" asked Harry.

"Who knows? Maybe you-know-who has finally surrendered?" chuckled Ron.

"That'll be the day Weasley," smiled Draco.

"Hopefully he dropped dead," said Hermione playfully.

"Hermione, Hermione, Hermione," said Harry shaking his head in mock disappointment.

"Lemon drops," said Hermione to the gargoyle. Once the stairway was clear they made their way to the Headmistress' office. They found McGonagall pacing her office clearly deep in thought.

"Professor, you called?" asked Hermione.

"Aah, yes. Severus has just requested a meeting with the order. I can not allow you to attend; you must not miss the rest of your classes. But there's a task I must ask of you," said McGonagall in one breath.

"What can we do Professor?" asked Draco.

"What I need you kids to do for me is what Mr. Potter did back in your fifth year, I need you to rebuild Dumbledore's Army," she said to the group in general.

The look of pure ecstasy came over them; they looked like children on Christmas morning.

"You have my permission to use the top of the Astronomy tower, as long as it doesn't interrupts Astronomy classes or your classes for that matter," at that Ron's face fell a little but the rest of the group were happy still.

"Am I to keep teaching like I did back in fifth year?" asked Harry.

"I was actually thinking of someone with a bit more experience with the Dark Arts and magic in general," said McGonagall.

"Please don't let Snape teach us," begged Ron.

"Actually I was thinking that Tonks and Carmen would be the perfect candidates for the task. Gather the students as if Umbridge was still in the castle. And Mr. Malfoy Slytherins are more than welcome."

"Thank you, I know who can be trusted," said Draco pleased to include his friends.

"I know you're not talking about the Slytherins," scoffed Ron.

"Ronald Weasley," for a moment Ron thought that his mom was in the room with them, but he relaxed a bit when Hermione pressed on. "You don't even know that," she told him sternly, it surprised even herself.

"Yeah I do. They're all snakes."

"Oh st-"

"Are you quite done?" interrupted McGonagall.

"Sorry Professor," said Ron and Hermione together.

"Now that we have that established, I must be off. The Order is at Headquarters, I'll fill you in when I return. For now you have your assignments, you may go," she said pointing them towards the door.

"Let me know when you have your group together so that we can set up your meetings," said McGonagall before closing the door to her office.

As soon as they got off the revolving stairs Ron stormed away. Draco bid Harry and Hermione good bye and walked away slowly, as soon as they were out of earshot Harry turned on Hermione.

"Okay what the bloody hell was that all about?"

Hermione knew exactly what he was referring to, but she decided to play dumb.
"Oh Harry you know how Ron's temper is, if he doesn't get his way than he storms off or blows up."

"Hermione, what do you take me for? I know that you know what I was talking about," said Harry grinning.

"I don't know what came over me, I'm just so sick of Ron judging them by their house-"

"Oh cut the crap Hermione, we've all done the same thing before and you are not an exception," said Harry smiling at her.

"He's become somewhat of an acquaintance, and I just wish that Ron would get it through that thick head of his that Malfoy is on our side now," she said trying to make herself believe that to be the case.

"Whatever Hermione, keep telling yourself that. Who knows, maybe you'll believe it," he said with mock seriousness.

"I do believe it, honestly I do believe it."

"Okay if you say so, but now let's change the subject. Can you get us some more coins?"

"Sure thing. Are we getting the old 'Army' back or are we making a new one?" asked Hermione.

"Some of the old Army has graduated and we don't really know who to trust so let's just make a new one."

"Sounds good, I can't wait to train again," she said as they arrived at their next class.

Classes were over with and before they knew it they were walking towards the Headmistress' office. They had been called over after dinner so she could tell them what had happened at the Order meeting. Harry said the password and they went up to her door, which was left open waiting for them to arrive.

"Take a seat please," said McGonagall as they walked in. Ginny and Luna had joined them. "I'm afraid to say that I bring bad news," McGonagall said avoiding eye contact with the group of teens.

"What happened Professor?" asked Ron concerned for his family.

"There has been an attack, Severus has told us that this attack was You-Know-Who's way of declaring war. I'm afraid to say that it has begun, there's no place safe… no safe place anywhere," Hermione knew that even though this was important to say, she knew that McGonagall was skirting around the subject. So she acted.

"Where was the attack Professor?" asked Hermione.

"A little village called 'Armony', so far no survivors have been found, the village was found in flames but the ministry is trying to keep this under wraps so the papers won't be reporting it," said the old Professor taking a pause so that realization could settle. Hermione felt pain, but she didn't know anyone that lived there, so the pain she was feeling was very foreign. Once she looked around at the faces of the silent group, she soon realized that one of them did, in fact, feel the pain. Luna had gone very pale and tears had started to fall down her face unrestrained, but she wasn't sobbing or making any noise for that matter. Draco and Harry seemed to notice too. Hermione and Ginny moved closer to the girl and shooed Ron and Harry so that they could sit next to her. When Ginny placed a hand on Luna's arm she noticed that the girl had gone freezing cold and was now shaking uncontrollably.

"Miss Lovegood if you would like I can owl your parents so they can come take you home for a week or until you feel better," said McGonagall sympathetically.

At the sound of the Headmistress' voice Luna looked up at her, tears now had seized to fall and the only emotion that could be read from her eyes were pure hatred. "No need Professor," said Luna simply.

"Miss Lovegood I think that this a tough time for your family and you should go be with them. So I insist that you go."

"My parents dropped me off at King's Cross and left to spend the week with my grandparents, so honestly there's no need. May I be excused?" said Luna getting to her feet and leaving the room without waiting for permission.

"I'm confused," said Ron looking lost, but he wasn't alone in this feeling even Hermione looked lost.

"Miss Lovegood's grandparents lived at Armony village and her parents might be dead. Miss Granger, Miss Weasley please go after her."

"Of course Professor," said Ginny pulling Hermione after her.

Ginny and Hermione found Luna out on the grounds, she was out for some fresh air but told the girls flat out that she was not gonna talk about it. Hermione felt that something had changed about their loony friend, but thought nothing of it being the fact that the girl just lost her family. Luna went on with life, her theory was that just because the end had come to some hers was yet to come. So the show must go on. There was no funeral due to the fact that there was no body.

Luna was different now. She was no longer the dreamy faced loony, it was as if the death of her family snapped her out of that. She looked like she could take on the world, 'hell to go through what she went through and still be sane, I guess one could take on the world,' said Hermione once.

Everyone was expecting her to break at any minute, but three weeks later that was still to happen so they just assumed that she wouldn't. And she wasn't going to.

The D.A was now reformed. Draco had gotten his friends to join, so from the Slytherin house they had Blaise Zabini a seventh year, Isabella Marlton a sixth year prefect, Kyle Werneck a fifth year and Pansy Parkinson also a seventh year. Kyle and Isabella were cousins and Draco had known them since he could remember. The group had started to meet the previous week and since the war had started officially, Tonks and Professor Carmen were training them hard. On Friday after one of their training sections Hermione, Ron, Draco, Harry, Ginny and Luna were sitting in the heads common room doing their homework. Their schedule had been packed so they used every chance they got to get their schoolwork done, and today was just one of those days. Hermione was done with her school work already, but she sat with her friends anyways. She was reading a book about the 'seven strong' that she had found in the restricted section of the library. Something about this book wasn't right, yeah it talked about the seven strong but it did so in a different way.

She stopped reading the book and started to think about the possibilities, 'was he alive still,' thought Hermione. Than she remembered the conversation she had with Professor McGonagall about her suspicions and how Professor McGonagall had told her to keep it to herself, she had told the professor she wasn't going to promises anything. But before she could say anything to her friends she must get the facts first, and she knew exactly who to go to for facts. DRACO MALFOY. But that would have to wait until she could get him alone, she looked at the clock in the wall and to her benefit it was dinner time.

"Hey guys, its dinner time," she announced.

"Let's go then," said Ron rising from seat.

Draco remained seated and made no move to leave, just like Hermione wanted. But what she didn't want was for Harry and Ron to practically carry her out of the room, she tried to stay but they wouldn't listen, they were so focused in carrying her out the room that they didn't even notice Ginny lingering behind.

Draco heard the portrait close and didn't bother to get up from where he was seated to ensure that he was truly alone. He took in a deep breath and sunk into his seat, he was relaxed until he heard someone else in the room with him. He rose to his feet and spun around, wand at ready.

"You should know not to sneak up on an armed wizard," said Draco lowering his wand once he saw who the witch was. "What do you want Ginny?" he asked after a moment of silent.

"Hi Draco, nice to see you too," said Ginny sarcastically.

"Why aren't you at dinner with the rest of them?"

"Why aren't you?" she asked.

"Weasley I'm not in the mood so get to the point or get out."

"When are you ever in the mood? Besides when did we go back to last names?"

"Ginny get to the point, I'd like to be alone."

"Much better, anyway I'm here to offer a helping hand," she said taking a seat opposite his.

"Really? And what makes you think I need your help? Wait a minute, what makes you think I need help at all?" he said looking at her as if she had grown an extra set of arms.

"Because Draco, when it comes to Hermione you are helpless," said Ginny smiling.

"Is it that obvious?" he joked.

"Nope, but I know you like her and she fancies you, so all you two need is a nudge in the right direction," she said smugly.

"And I suppose that you're giving us a push in the right direction."

"Of course. Because I just so happen to know the object of your affection quite well," she said proudly.

"Okay, entertain me," said Draco relaxing back in his chair.

"Well, first of all she fancy's you she just hasn't admitted it to herself yet. And the best thing you can do right now is find yourself a date," said Ginny seriously.

"Ginny I'm trying to date her, not push her away," he chuckled.

"Draco, dear, you are pushing her away right now. Go on a date, show Hermione that she needs to hurry up and make a decision. Show her that you won't stick around forever."

"I don't know Ginny. I don't want to make her mad."

"You won't be making her mad, you'll be making her jealous," stated Ginny.

"And if she never speaks to me again I get to hex you with any hex that I want at the time."

"Deal, as long as it isn't an unforgivable," said Ginny simply.

"What?" asked Draco shocked.

"I said 'Deal'," repeated Ginny extending her hand to him.

"You do know if we shake on it, I'll have to hex you, right?"

"Yes."

"Okay, just don't blame when this plan goes to hell. It is all your idea."

"Just shut up, shake my hand, and let me get to work. When they announce the Halloween Ball and a pretty girl comes to ask you to be her date in front of Hermione just say yes," He too her hand a bit skeptically and shook it. Draco hoped that Ginny was right, and that she knew what she was doing. They got up and went down to dinner; Ginny had a satisfied look on her face. They were almost out of the common room before she turned to him. "Oh, and Draco, when I get you and Hermione together I would really love to be your made of honor," she said smiling brightly at him.

"If you can manage that Ginny, I'll do anything for you," he said as they kept on walking towards dinner.

Ginny had been working overtime. She had the perfect plan. She knew that in a week's time would be the first of October and normally when the ball would be announced. She found Draco the perfect date, Janet Thinhorn a sixth year Ravenclaw. Janet was around 5'4 and she had short raven hair and bright green eyes, she has a boyfriend but since she liked and trusted Ginny, she decided to play along. Hoping against all odds that Hermione would come to her senses in time so that she could go to the ball with her boyfriend.

On the first of October as the teens arrived in the Great Hall for breakfast they were excited, because if there were to be a ball it would be announced today. Draco was sitting at the Slytherin's table, some still sneered at him but he wasn't that worried about them. He knew they would never act in public, and he still had some friends there. As they settle down a bit Professor McGonagall got to her feet and motioned for silence, once she got the silence she wanted she spoke.

"I bring good news. With all that's been going on with the wizarding world I have decided to ignore it for just one night and throw you a party," hushed whispers broke out in all four tables at once.

"Now it will not be on Halloween night, but the Saturday before. We'll make it a Hogsmead weekend so everyone can get costumes, and yes I mean everyone. The ball will start at 6:00 pm and end at 2:00 am. First, second, third years and the professors will be leaving at 10:00," the whispers got louder and one comment in particular caught the Headmistress' attention.

"Cool no chaperones," said a boy from the Hufflepuff table.

"I'm sorry to inform you that there will be chaperones, you didn't honestly believe that I would leave you all on your own. That would be asking for trouble," said Professor McGonagall sternly.

"And who's gonna stay with us forth through seventh years?" asked a girl from Ravenclaw.

"The two Heads and the prefects. Also the ghosts shall be passing by every now and than. And just one more thing," said McGonagall before sitting back down. "This time we'll add a little twist, this time the girls will be asking the boys to the dance. Enjoy your day," said McGonagall with an amused look on her face.

All through the day one could hear the girls complaining about having to ask the boys. And from the boys comments of relief that didn't have to go through the torment of having to be turned down. Classes went by quite fast and soon they were back in the great hall for dinner. Ginny had put her plan on gear, and tonight would be just the perfect time, she told Draco to sit at the Gryffindor table so they could watch Hermione's reaction. So as planed Draco was now sitting at Gryffindor's table. They were in the middle of dinner and Draco watched in great amusement as Ginny let her hair down and batted her eyelashes at Harry, it was a funny sight but Harry still managed to blush.

"Hi Harry," *wink wink* "Will you me the honor of taking me to the ball? That is if you're not already taken," *wink wink*

"My girl might be a bit jealous, but who could resist you," he said earning a playful slap in the back of the head by Ginny.

As if on cue Janet Thinhorn got up from her table and as planned came over to the Gryffindor table and tapped Draco on the shoulder. He turned and smiled at her, she smiled back.

"Malfoy, can I have a word?" she asked.

"Yes," he said simply.

"Here?"

"Yes."

"Well, you see I was wondering if you would like to go to this ball with me?" she said getting straight to the point.

"Don't you already have a boyfriend Thinhorn?" asked Hermione annoyed.

"What's it to you Granger? I asked Malfoy to the ball not you. So what's it gonna be Malfoy?"

Draco looked at her, then at Hermione, what he saw in her eyes took him by surprise. He saw hope in her eyes. Was she hoping that he would say no, or was she hoping that he would actually say yes? He almost said no but he had already agreed to go through with this, and Draco was no quitter, he would see this through. With one last look at Hermione he turned around to face Janet, "I would love to."

She beamed at him before walking back to her table. As soon as Draco turned back to face the table, Hermione got to her feet mumbling something about unfinished homework and exited the hall as if her life depended on it.

"You better be right about this Ginny," said Draco under his breath so that only Ginny, who was sitting right in front of him, could hear.

"You saw her reaction. Now I'm more confident than ever," squealed Ginny.

"We'll see," said Draco.

~~~**~~~

After Draco's rounds he returned to his common room to find Hermione sitting by the fire reading a book. He walked through the common room and was just about to open his door when she spoke.

"Can we talk?" she asked.

This took Draco by surprise. He wondered if she was gonna talk about the ball, hell he hoped she was going to. "What is it?" he asked not turning to face her.

"Well, I've made some discoveries and I think that you might be able to help me clarify some things," she said to the back of his head.

"It can wait until after I shower," he said with a sting of disappointment in his voice. He went into his room and around twenty minutes later he walked back down to the common room with wet hair, a pair of dark green sweat pants with a snake on his right thigh and a white tee.

"Can we talk now?" asked Hermione looking him up and down.

"Sure what's up?"

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A/N: Sorry bout the cliffie, next chapter is in the oven.
Luv NiNa