A Matter of Honor
by Amy McWilliams (McAmy)

Book 3: Love and Honor

Chapter 22: Draco Malfoy

"We're due in Dumbledore's office in ten minutes." That was the only answer he had given to her questions. "If you hadn't returned, I'd have sent for you."

She had followed in his wake as he stalked through the hallways from the dungeon to the Headmaster's office, parting the students, who were on their way to dinner, without seeming to notice they were there.

They took their seats silently, and Dumbledore looked up from the papers in front of him. Without a greeting, he said somberly, "Tell me what Draco has to say, Severus."

Snape produced Draco's note out of some hidden pocket. Dumbledore scanned it quickly and handed it to Hermione.

Dear Professor Snape--

I think it's time we spoke face to face. Meet me on the far side of the Forbidden Forest, midnight, this Friday.

Come alone.

D.M.

The location was marked on a hand-drawn map at the bottom of the page, and the irony with which "Professor" had been written was almost tangible.

Hermione's eyes jumped to Severus's face, and Dumbledore asked the question that was on her lips.

"Surely you can't go alone, Severus?"

Snape sighed. "No. And I would expect Malfoy to assume that I will bring some well-hidden support. We must be very discreet, however, and extremely careful. We must not confirm his suspicions that others are there unless absolutely necessary."

"Of course," nodded Dumbledore.

"I will not take Black. And I'd rather not take Potter. Draco would not respond well to him, should he have to make himself visible." He glanced at Hermione before continuing. "I would choose to take Hermione and Lupin, if they're willing…"

"Of course I'll go," Hermione interjected. A smile flitted at the corner of Severus's lips, but he did not look at her.

"Fine. That sounds fine," Dumbledore agreed. "Two should be easily concealed, and you've chosen as I would have."

Hermione couldn't help it; her eyes went wide as she heard Dumbledore's vote of confidence.

"Now," asked the Headmaster, "why do you think Draco wants to see you?"

Snape reclined in his chair, closing his eyes and pressing two fingers to the bridge of his nose. "I'm not sure. There are several options. The fact that he chooses to meet so close to Hogwarts seems in our favor, and would indicate that he actually does wish to talk about something. One, he could want out--could want help to get out of this mess into which his father has dumped him. Two, it could be a trap."

"And three?" Hermione asked, not wanting to linger on the obvious.

He smiled for an instant, and his hand dropped to his lap. "Three, Draco Malfoy is going to make me an offer. An exchange, perhaps--his father for his own immunity. Or else a ceasefire, or an offer to trade information. He may be in earnest, or it may be part of the set-up. I won't know until I hear what he has to say--until I can look into his eyes."

It was Dumbledore's turn to sigh. "And you expect the third option, that is clear. I myself am not so sure that it won't be the second. All right. Let's have some supper, and then we'll talk to Remus and begin to make plans."

As they passed out of the office, Dumbledore put his hand on Snape's shoulder. "Whatever you need, Severus, we are here to help."

Snape nodded, then took Hermione's hand in his as the three of them headed to the Great Hall.

The plans were easily made. Remus was going to tell Sirius what was going on, for fear that he would learn about the meeting on his own and show up in the middle of it. Snape had reluctantly agreed. Black had made himself scarce, since the scene in Dumbledore's office, and seemed unwilling to cause any more trouble. Past that, Flitwick was going to help Hermione and Lupin with a few useful charms, and the preparations on Friday night would take only minutes. So they had the rest of the week to wait and worry.

The days passed surprisingly quickly, what with their potions work, grading, and an outbreak of minor classroom offenses brought on by a few days of surprisingly warm, sunny weather. On Friday, however, Hermione was free, and Snape was in class most of the day.

That was for the best, she thought to herself, since she would probably drive him crazy with her pacing. It was certain that she wouldn't be able to stop asking, "What if…?"

So she was very relieved when, at lunch, McGonagall asked her to tea that afternoon. It had been ages since they'd made the time to chat, and Hermione knew that a dose of Minerva's quiet confidence and practical encouragement would do her good.

They spoke of the latest teachers' meeting, of the students' weather-induced behavior, and of Greg and Bill's promise of an Easter visit. Minerva asked about the work with Lupin, and was genuinely thrilled to hear that the Dark research they had been doing was helpful. She inquired with a slight smile as to whether things with Severus were going as well as they seemed, and for the first time Hermione didn't cringe inwardly at the question.

Finally, the older woman set down her cup and said, in a tone that recalled her days as Hermione's Head of House, "Albus has told me about your task tonight." At Hermione's startled reaction, she explained, "Albus tells me almost everything, you know. Even though I sometimes have to pretend as though I know less than I actually do. Granted, he often tells me after the fact, but this time…I suspect he knew you'd appreciate a little encouragement."

Hermione smiled. "I would. Of course, it feels strange that you both know about our dangerous trip into the Forbidden Forest beforehand; when I was a student, you only ever discovered us afterwards."

Minerva smiled. "Yes, you three were quite a handful. Had me worried sick at least once every year, it seems. But that does not mean that I did not have confidence in you, even then. And we can only hope that this meeting will go smoothly, and that Draco…will find his way back to us."

Hermione didn't want to get her own hopes up where Draco was concerned, but she didn't say so. Just as she hadn't admitted it to Severus--though she knew his hope was less grand, perhaps, than Minerva's. She merely nodded.

"Flitwick is quite pleased with the charms you and Lupin have been working on this week. He was so tickled that you wanted to borrow his Veiling Charm. He's very proud of it, you know," McGonagall said, sounding for all the world like she was praising one of her students.

"He's been so helpful. And he and Remus have been helping me to review my charms and spells. I'm afraid I'm a bit rusty."

"You'll be fine, dear. Severus wouldn't have asked you to come if he weren't sure of that. And Albus wouldn't let you go if he didn't think you were up to the task." McGonagall's eyes met Hermione's. "Does Severus understand why you have to do this? Why you need to be a part of it?"

"I think he does," Hermione said, dropping her gaze. "Finally."

"And are you sure why you need to do this?"

Hermione glanced back up at her teacher, not sure what she was asking. "Because…it needs doing, and because I want to help him."

McGonagall regarded her for a long minute. "Good. I wanted to be sure you weren't going along out of sheer stubbornness, or because you were trying to prove something. I know…I know your time at university was difficult. But you are very valuable to all of us, and we wouldn't want to lose you." Minerva cleared her throat, and Hermione felt her cheeks redden.

"Now, would you like another slice of this poppy seed cake?" As McGonagall served, she shifted topics. "How are your classes going? Has Arthur Prichard decided to behave himself?"

Dinner was a quiet affair at their end of the table. At one point Hermione glanced over to see Hagrid watching her; she gave him a genuine smile to reassure him that all was well. Though McGonagall and Flitwick both knew at least some of what was going on, the rest of their colleagues did not, and Hermione wanted to tell all of them to stop exchanging worried looks. She made an effort to involve Professor Sprout in conversation, forcing Remus at least to nod in agreement every once in a while.

Snape left the table early, and after the meal was over, Hermione went to his rooms to find him. They weren't scheduled to meet until eleven o'clock, and they hadn't discussed what they would do in the intervening hours. But she needed to be with him.

He was stretched out on the sofa, long legs crossed at the ankles. She hesitated, not wanting to wake him if he actually slept. But he shifted onto his side, turned his head to look up over the arm of the sofa at her, and said, "We should try to rest a while." She smiled softly, and lay down beside him. He held her close, and they stayed there for a couple of hours. While she dozed off for a bit, she wasn't sure if he ever did.

At eleven o'clock, they met Remus in the Potions classroom. All three were dressed completely in black, with heavy cloaks. After a few murmured confirmations, they left the castle and walked to the edge of the grounds. They Apparated to a spot some distance from Draco's intended meeting site, and Hermione and Remus began to cast the charms needed for their surveillance--and possible defense--of Snape.

The Exaudio was first, because it was easier to cast without interference from the other spells. The charm would allow Remus and Hermione to hear each other clearly from a distance, even though they spoke sotto voce. Hermione glanced at Severus; he shook his head. They charmed him as well, but one way only; they would be sure to hear everything that passed between him and Draco, but he had insisted that he did not want them buzzing in his ear.

They had debated more than once, over the course of the week, whether to use a full Invisibility Charm, or cloaks. Cloaks could be troublesome, catching on things or leaving one's appendages inadvertently exposed, Hermione had noted (Snape had raised an eyebrow but said nothing; Remus had smiled). But Invisibility Charms were difficult to maintain, and neither Hermione nor Remus had much experience with them. (Hermione assumed that Remus could well have managed, but also knew that, if the Invisibility Charm were the best choice, they wouldn't have refrained from using it only for her sake.) Hermione had thought of Flitwick's Veiling Charm. It served as a screen, curving around the front of the caster and moving with her, but it had the added bonus of muffling sound and was much easier to maintain because of the screen's set shape. From their positions, they'd only need to be shielded from one direction.

Unless Draco was bringing friends as well, Hermione thought. But in that case, they'd have to make a move, and their attempt to hide would be forfeit anyway.

There were a couple of other spells to sharpen their night vision and keep their muscles from tightening up too much during their wait, as well as a Warming Charm. For Snape, there were some low-level defensive spells, nothing to draw too much attention if Draco chose to look; they had each already taken a dose against Crucio in the classroom. Hermione had hoped that their work on that potion wouldn't be needed quite so personally.

Finally, Snape spoke. "Remember, watch for my signal before you get involved--whatever happens. Draco may try to test the waters, to see what he can get away with. I can handle him. But even though he may suspect I have somebody accompanying me, let us do our best not to prove to him that I have broken his trust before we've even started."

Remus and Hermione glanced at each other and nodded. Snape focused on Lupin. "Thank you, Remus, for agreeing to come." Remus could only nod again, surprised as he was. Then Snape turned to Hermione. He brushed a hand against her cheek, and said only, "Be careful."

He began to turn away, and she caught his hand. "That goes for you, too."

He smiled a little, and nodded. And then, after a pause, he leaned in and kissed her, swiftly and gently, before striding away ahead of them towards the meeting place. She didn't look at Remus, but hurried to follow.

Hermione sat cross-legged on the ground, her back against a tree trunk, her sides flanked by some rather large shrubbery. Despite the charms, she was already starting to shift, and wished she could see things more clearly. When she stood, she would have a clear view of Severus, who was now sitting on a large rock, waiting for Draco. Though she couldn't see him, she knew that Remus was directly across from her, watching from the other side of the clearing. The clearing itself was in a depression, surrounded by woods on all sides. Enough to hide any activity there from prying eyes; you couldn't see what was going on unless you were on the inside of the bowl, as it were. She and Remus had chosen spots near the top.

They had taken their places a quarter of an hour before Draco's appointed time. Hermione had asked if Severus's early arrival would make Draco suspect that there were others waiting as well, but Severus had said that it would allow Draco to survey the location beforehand, and to make a grand entrance, should he choose to do so. So here they sat, waiting in silence.

"He certainly does look calm," came Remus's voice in her ear. "How dangerous do you think Draco Malfoy actually is?"

"I don't know. It may depend on how desperate he is," she muttered back.

A few minutes later, there was a sound in the darkness to her left, and Hermione started. Then Draco Apparated into the clearing. Severus had been right; Draco had taken a look first to be sure that he was there.

Hermione stood, careful not to rustle anything, and looked at the boy she had known. He seemed pale--whiter than usual--and she could see dark smudges under his eyes. Even at a distance, he seemed tired, despite his arrogant stance. Snape still sat staring at the ground. Waiting for Draco to make the first move.

"So you actually came," sneered Draco. "I thought perhaps you'd think I wasn't important enough to bother with. Certainly not worth the effort you've made to find my father. Though your…canine friend was a bit of a surprise. Really, can't you find better help these days?"

Snape raised his eyes to meet Draco's, but did not stand. "You asked to speak to me. I had no reason to avoid you. And I will admit to being curious."

They paused before the next move, and Hermione weighed each line in her mind. Draco could be looking for attention, and it seemed clear that he didn't feel like he was of any real value to his father. And he was trying to push Snape's buttons with the bit about Sirius. For his part, Snape was avoiding the bait, as well as any attempt at flattery or dissimulation. Draco would see right through it, after all.

This time, Snape spoke first. "Well? What did you want to tell me, Draco? What is so urgent that you brought me out here in the middle of the night?" A touch of the easily irritated professor, keeping this on familiar ground.

Draco barked out a laugh. "My father told me to meet with you." At Snape's reaction, he smirked. "Are you scared, Snape? You should be. But don't worry; I'm not here to drag you kicking and screaming to my father. I told him I wanted to talk to you once first, here, near Hogwarts, so that you wouldn't be so suspicious when I asked you to meet me…somewhere else. I told him I'd lure you in by making you think I was ready to turn against him, that I wanted help. He knew you'd fall for it. So here we are."

"Why are you telling me all of this?" Snape asked calmly.

"Good question," said Hermione. Remus snorted.

"Maybe I'm telling you to gain your trust. Or maybe this is the trap. You certainly were stupid enough to step right into it," Draco answered. "How did you ever stay alive so long?"

Draco was pacing now. Snape sat calmly, but watched him carefully.

Hermione whispered to Remus, "What's he up to? Is he stalling for some reason?"

"Maybe he wants Snape to make him an offer first, to ask him for something?"

"Maybe…" But Hermione wasn't convinced.

Draco came to a stop and glared down at Snape. "I have information you want. And I'm willing to bet that you'll pay good money to get it."

"Perhaps." Snape sounded bored. "Or perhaps I can give you something better than money."

Draco snorted. "And what would that be?"

"Perhaps I can help you stay out of Azkaban."

Draco's eyes went wide. Hermione wondered if Severus was doing the right thing, putting an offer on the table rather than waiting for Draco to play out his hand. And there was still something niggling at the back of her mind. Something that wasn't quite right…

"Wha…you…I'm not going to Azkaban," Draco insisted. "I've done nothing wrong!"

"Draco, do you know where your father is?" Draco nodded once, hesitantly, his eyes afraid. "And do you know that he is wanted by the Ministry?" Draco turned away. "You are an accessory, Draco. Your father has used you and turned you into a criminal. And do you think he would raise a finger to help you if you were caught?"

Draco glanced up into the woods surrounding them. Snape added, "No, Draco. I am not here to capture you. I came because you wanted to talk. But you have said nothing of interest yet. You have offered to sell me information--but how can I trust that what you tell me is the truth, and not a set-up? You'll have to do better than that."

Hermione could see that Severus was keeping Draco off balance. At first, he had been seemingly submissive, but now he had taken control of the situation while not posing any clear threat. It still didn't seem the right way to appeal to Draco--more like bullying--but maybe Draco would be suspicious of anything else.

Draco seemed flustered, but his jaw set as he answered, "I would think that my not having set a trap for you at this meeting--that my telling you what my father wanted me to do to you--would be enough proof that my intentions are…"

"Honest? Honorable?" Snape's tone was still quiet and smooth, but Draco flinched at the words.

"You're just like my father. How do I know you're not going to turn on me? It seems to me that both of us will have something to risk. Do you want the information or not?"

"Just like my father…turn on me…" Why on earth would Lucius Malfoy let Draco decide what steps to take where Snape was concerned? Clearly he would be suspicious, would wonder why Draco really wanted to meet with his ex-Potions Master--the ex-Potions Master who was still at Hogwarts, who was still working, now openly, with Albus Dumbledore.

Unless… "Remus," she hissed. "What if this is a trap, but Draco doesn't know about it?"

"What?"

"What if Lucius decided to lay a trap anyway, despite what Draco said? What if he doesn't mind using his son as bait?"

Silence for a minute. "We haven't seen any sign that there's anybody else here. What kind of trap…"

"Stay here, Remus, and keep an eye on them. I'm going to circle around to you."

"No…Hermione! Wait!" But she didn't answer. After murmuring the charm to shut out Severus and Draco's conversation, she eased herself around her tree trunk, and backed a few feet into the darkness, over the crest of the rise. She set out to pass behind Draco, since they had come from the other direction.

"Hermione!" Remus's voice in her ear.

"I'm ok. I don't see anything yet. I…wait."

"What? What is it?"

"Nothing. Never mind. Must have been an animal. I'm going on."

She moved slowly and quietly, keeping the Veiling Charm between her and Draco. She had to watch the ground carefully, so as not to trip over anything and give her presence away. She wished for more light, but couldn't risk it.

She hadn't let herself name her suspicion. But as she paused behind a rather large tree, she shivered. It felt cooler here. And the thing she feared…Dementors.

She remembered all too clearly that night in the forest her seventh year, when the professors had fought back the Dementors near Hogsmeade. She had been out in the woods looking for Harry. One of them had grabbed her…

She shuddered. "Back to the present, Granger," she muttered.

"What? Hermione, I couldn't hear you. Where are you?"

How glad she was that Severus wasn't listening in on this. "Nothing, Remus. I'm just talking to myself. Listen…did Snape say anything about the possibility of Lucius still having access to Dementors?"

A long pause from Lupin. "Hermione, what do you see?"

"Nothing, I…" And then there they were. She dropped to the ground. One, two, three…at least three coming from this direction. Not enough to pose a real threat--not to a wizard of Severus's caliber, surely. Even if he were alone. She held her breath as they passed a few yards away from her, headed down towards the clearing. She took a breath to speak to Lupin, and then froze.

Four…five…six…seven…

Shit.

If she spoke to Remus, they might hear her. One of them had already snuffled in her direction. And if she drew them all towards her at once…. Her Patronus had always been weak. And could one of the others get there in time? Severus was closest. But if she called out, he would have to deal with a startled Draco first, as well as the three Dementors that now stood between them.

She edged herself backwards, keeping an eye on the Dementors. She could run…could try to get back towards Remus before they caught her….

She sat, crouched in a bush, for several minutes. If she could drive even one or two of them off--surprise them. "Oh, Gods," she thought, "I'm seriously contemplating trying to surprise a pack of Dementors."

The four she was left with seemed to be spreading out. She had to let Lupin know what was going on before they were all completely surrounded.

"Remus," she whispered, covering her mouth with her hands. "Don't talk. Listen to me. Behind Draco--at least seven Dementors. I need your help."

At that point, she heard Draco yell something, and then saw the flash of a spell. Apparently it was now or never.

She stood, reassured herself that her Veiling Charm was still in place, and checked the positions of the other Dementors. She could see three…where was the fourth? She took a deep breath, and searched her mind for a happy memory….

Their first kiss…dancing at Valentine's…the Slytherin scarf she had bought him…waking up in his arms…Christmas…

"Expecto Patronum!" she shouted, aiming her wand at Dementor number four. A white form, wavering a little more than she would have liked, shot out of her wand and ran towards the Dementors.

She heard a cry from the clearing, and wondered if the first three had made their move. If so, at least she knew where they were. She looked around. Numbers four and five had backed away, but number seven was scanning the woods for any sign of their attacker. She still didn't know where number six was, and her Patronus would have begun to fade by now, even before it could return to her.

Her Veiling Charm was weakening, and she hurried to duck behind a tree. She would need a few minutes before she could successfully send another Patronus. She needed to get back to Lupin…

She took a few steps and then froze at the sound behind her. Number six, and it was coming quickly. Her mind raced across the happy thoughts again. "Think of one happy thought," she muttered to herself. "Focus."

Her mind reeled, and then… "Severus waking up in the hospital wing…when he came back to me…" She clutched at the memory, raised her wand, and shouted, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

An enormous form leaped out of her wand, and she stumbled backwards. The lion padded towards the Dementor, gathering speed, and she turned towards the clearing.

The ground was steeper here, and she slid the last few feet to the bottom. Quickly she stood, glancing around. Severus was there, with Draco unconscious at his feet. He had just sent a Patronus--the largest raven she had ever seen--towards the three Dementors at the front of the pack, and was headed up the hill after them.

"Severus!"

He stopped, a flicker of relief crossing his face at the sound of her voice, and then called, "Come on! Lupin's up there already!"

She ran to him, and he took her hand to pull her with him up the incline.

"How many?" he asked over his shoulder.

"I saw seven," she managed, her breath ragged. She wanted to ask after Draco, but knew it could wait.

The large, translucent lion approached before fading away, and she saw Snape's eyebrow rise for a moment before he called out, "Lupin!"

"Over here! I think that's the last of them!"

They headed towards the sound of his voice and found him a few yards away, two Dementors at his feet.

"The others headed that way, into the woods. I decided I'd better not chase them any further. Besides, I didn't know if I could manage another Patronus so quickly." He stopped to catch his breath.

"No, no, you did well to hang back," Snape said.

Lupin turned to Hermione, a grin on his face. "And that lion was yours, wasn't it?" She nodded, a little embarrassed. "Well, I can see that my teaching has finally paid off." He chuckled.

She was about to reply when a voice shouted, "Hey, did anybody up there happen to lose some Dementors?"

"It's Harry!" she exclaimed.

In a moment, Harry, Sirius, Ron, and a couple of men Hermione didn't recognize came out of the trees. Hermione ran to her friends, managing to get one arm around each of their necks before demanding, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Well," Ron said, "we are Aurors, after all. And we heard that you might be in need of a little backup."

"Always," said Hermione.

Snape glared at Black as he approached. Black shook his head, apologetic but dangerously cocky. "I know, I know, we didn't follow directions. But when I got wind of some Dementors moving about an hour ago, and Harry had heard the same, we decided that you were the most likely target."

Coldly, Snape turned away and headed back for the clearing. Remus put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Thank you, Sirius." Sirius nodded, but his eyes followed Snape.

"He'll sleep through the night, and probably most of tomorrow," Madame Pomfrey clucked. "I don't see why you had to use such a strong Binding Charm, Snape. He's obviously in no condition--he hit his head on the way down, too, and that can't have done him any good."

"Perhaps it will knock some sense into him," Snape replied.

"Oh, for heaven's sake," Poppy said, heading back to her charge. But Hermione could see her repressing a smile.

Professor Dumbledore waved them all towards the hallway. "Yes, yes, a job well done. It is good to have Draco safely back under our roof again. And I am very thankful that none of you were injured. Severus, I couldn't have done any better myself."

Snape ignored the last remark to comment, "Yes, we were lucky that Professor Granger's suspicions got the better of her. I was watching for trouble, but expected it to come from Draco. I had not wanted to believe that Lucius would so easily put his son's life in danger." Hermione, standing with an arm around Ron, blushed.

"And it was a good thing we had some Aurors along to help, as it turns out," added Lupin. "I'll sleep better tonight knowing that those other five Dementors aren't somewhere nearby."

Dumbledore beamed. "This calls for a bit of a celebration. I know it's late, but if you'll all join me in my office, I'll have some food sent up. And I could use a drink."

As he turned to lead the way, Snape's low voice brought them all up short. "Black." Sirius turned to face him. "You were…of use tonight. There is still work to be done, however. Perhaps you can see your way clear to not forcing me to leave you at home next time?"

As Black tried to decide what part of the remark to reply to first, Snape took Hermione's hand, placed it under his arm, and headed off down the hall. Dumbledore chuckled and followed.

"Come on, old man," Remus said, clapping his hand on Sirius's back. "Maybe by the time we get there you'll have come up with a suitable response."

Ron glanced at Harry before they moved to bring up the rear. "You know, I just can't make up my mind about him."

Harry grinned. "Aw, come on, Ron. You know he's not so bad."

Ron's nose crinkled, his eyes widened. "Not you too! I swear, I never thought I'd see the day."

"You've been spending too much time with your mother, Ron." Harry laughed, and Ron joined in.

A/N: Somewhere in the back of Hermione's volunteering is the scene from Return of the Jedi in which Han won't volunteer Leia and Chewie without giving them a chance to speak for themselves. I suppose that makes Lupin Chewbacca…. Flitwick's Veiling Charm is mine, and appears in the first chapter of this section. The Exaudio Charm, however, is from R. J. Anderson's Darkness and Light trilogy. I should probably note that lots of the gang at WIKTT have put Snape and ravens together, especially lately. It does seem the obvious choice, doesn't it? Finally, another note on influence: As I've discussed my comments on Laurie R. King with Irene, I've always insisted that there was another literary couple that was of equal importance, but have only now figured out who it is. So I wanted to mention that there's just a bit of Claire and Jamie Fraser from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series in the mix here as well. I'm not sure Snape would find that flattering, but he'll get over it.

On to Chapter 23