A/N: Okay so this is a new story, it's Dramione, and it's set during HBP. The HBP timeline and events will not be totally the same through the story and I apologize if that bothers you. Anyways, review and tell me what you think :)

You are not alone

Chapter One

Hermione was walking down the hallway towards her morning potions class. She was late. Snape was going to be none too pleased. And to make it worse, the class was with the Slytherins. At least Malfoy might not be there, Hermione thought hopefully. The blonde haired ferret had been absent for quite a few lessons now. Seeing as it was Snape's class and Snape was somewhat a mentor towards Draco, he did not take points from Slytherin for the absence. Hermione was almost sure that's why Draco was choosing to miss that particular class and be present at all his others. Wondering what torture the seemingly evil professor would have for her today, Hermione continued on down the hall.

Rounding a corner, the young witch heard a rather odd noise coming from the lavatory on her right. It was a prefect's bathroom, so no one should be using it at this hour of the day, but someone was definitely inside. She paused outside the door and listened intently. A sort of strangled choking sound was coming from inside. Curiosity getting the best of her, Hermione pushed the door open and silently slipped inside.

What met her eyes shocked her. There was Draco Malfoy curled up tightly with his head buried in his hands, sobbing. He appeared to have collapsed. He didn't look up as she entered, not hearing her over his own muffled crying. Hermione's heart went out to him. Everyone always thought he was so bad, having joined the death eaters and all. But before her sat not someone who was bad, but someone who was just as scared as the rest of them. He was just like everyone else when it mattered, but his hand was forced by the choices of his parents. He didn't want the fate that was laid out for him any more than anyone else would.

The shy Gryffindor inched forwards, debating whether or not to announce her presence. Draco's sobs were getting louder. Hermione wanted nothing more than to just run over to him and wrap him up in her arms, tell him he had another choice. He had the potential to be so much more than this! A tear wound its way down Hermione's cheek, her heart breaking for the boy in front of her. She walked farther into the room and cleared her throat, announcing her presence.

Draco's head shot up and his eyes locked with hers. There were dark circles under his eyes and they were red around the rims. His face was thin and even paler than normal.

He attempted his famous sneer but it was weaker than normal, "What are you doing here, Granger?"

"You… Malfoy, look at yourself! What have you become?" Hermione inched closer, not wanting to tempt the temperamental Slytherin into hexing her or anything like that.

"None of your business, Mudblood," Malfoy's eyes gave him away, he didn't really mean that. His eyes weren't cold or harsh like usual, but resigned and pained. He looked so much older than the last time she had seen him and it was startling.

"Draco," Hermione knelt down on the ground next to him, speaking gently. "Draco, you have a choice! The order will protect you, they can get you out of this!"

'That's where you're wrong. He has my family. He would kill them in an instant. I can't let that happen; I won't be responsible for that!" Fresh tears spilled over and ran down his face. "My father, I couldn't care less… but my mother…"

"You're not alone, Draco. You really aren't."

"You're wrong, Granger! I am. I have to do this!"

"No, Draco, you don't. You could be so much more than this… Let someone help you for once in your life!"

"And who, exactly, would want to help me?"

Hermione glanced away. "I would," she spoke, barely above a whisper.

Draco looked surprised. Why would she want to help him after the way he had treated her? He didn't deserve her help, that he knew. So why was she here? After all the years he had tormented her, why did she even bother to stay with him? Could it be she cared about him? How would that be even remotely possible? He suddenly had the overwhelming desire to reach out to her, touch her, hold her. What is this, he wondered.

Before he knew what he was doing, his hand was reaching out to her face, turning her eyes back towards his. She inhaled sharply as his fingers grazed her cheek. She raised her eyes slowly so they were looking into his again.

"Why?" he spoke gently. "Why would you want to help me?"

Hermione sighed. "You can't go at everything alone, Draco. Everyone needs help sometimes. It just so happens I tend to be more understanding than most. I understand what you're going through. I can't imagine how it must feel… I know that isn't a very good answer, but it's all I can give you. In all honesty, I don't know either."

"But I've treated you so horribly… how can you still stand to be around me?"

"It's in the past, Draco. Neither you nor I can change it, so I might as well let it go." The brunette sighed. "We can figure this out, Draco. I'll help you. But first we need to talk to Dumbledore."

Draco pulled away from her, realizing what she was implying, and realizing that he still had an arm around her shoulders. "He would know… The Dark Lord would know."

"You would be protected. I promise you, Draco. And as soon as we could get to your mother she would be, too."

"I don't know… I just don't know…"

"You don't have to decide now, Draco. But please, keep an open mind. There are other options out there for you."

"Yeah, ok. Why me, though? Why did he have to choose me to do this, Hermione?"

Hermione was surprised, he used her actual name for once. "Do what exactly?"

Draco hesitated.

"I'm not going to tell anyone, I promise. You can trust me."

"I know… I've just never told anyone but… well… Snape."

"You told Snape?" Hermione's eyes went wide. So it's true, then. Snape is a death eater.

"Yes, he's a… well… let's say friend of the family. My mother told him to protect me and he's been watching out for me all year."

"I see…" started Hermione cautiously. "Well, Dumbledore trusts him, so I guess I do, too."

"You're probably wondering why I've been missing his classes," Draco sighed. If he had looked ahead in his life and seen himself now, trusting Hermione Granger with something that could have both he and his family killed, he would have thought he'd lost his marbles. Well, the few that were left that is. You tend to lose it rather young when the only people you know are Death Eaters for your entire young life.

"Yes, actually, I am," Hermione leaned up against the wall behind her in an attempt to make herself more comfortable. Seeing this, Draco magiced up a small couch and stood, helping the girl to her feet. They sat down a respectable distance apart from each other and Hermione curled her legs up under her, ready to listen to him for as long as it took.

Draco put a silencing charm on the bathroom so no passersby would hear them and took a deep breath.

"The Dark Lord himself has given me orders. I must kill Albus Dumbledore. In one month. Ad figure out how to sneak Death Eaters into the castle undetected."

"So what have you been doing to accomplish this?"

"There is a vanishing cabinet in the room of requirement. I have been working to repair it. It has a sister in Bourgon and Burkes. From there, the… well… people, if you can call them such, would be able to come in through the room of requirement. I would lead them to wherever Dumbledore is at the time. And then I would do the deed. The problem is…" His voice trailed off and he looked at the floor, pulling Hermione close to him again. "I can't do it, Hermione, I can't!"

"Shh, Draco, we can figure this out. We are the smartest students in this school. If anyone can find a way around this, it's you and I."

"… Are you sure?" Draco looked up hesitantly, shyly, and resembled a child. Hermione's heart broke looking down at the man… boy really… before her.

"Of course I'm sure, Draco. But we need to go see Dumbledore."

"Let me go see Snape then. I will get you out of class."

"Draco… if he's a Death Eater like you say he is… I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

Draco thought for a moment and looked at her again. "You're probably right. Shall we just go then?"

"Yes, Dumbledore will see to it that we are excused." Hermione stood and pulled Draco up behind her before turning to leave.

"Hermione?" Draco caught the Gryffindor's wrist and turned her gently to face him. She looked him in the eyes, curiosity in the brown depths. "Thank you."

She looked startled for a second, never having heard those words come out of his mouth before. Then she smiled slowly, reaching over to embrace him. "You don't need to thank me, Draco."

"But I do." He pulled back and looked into her eyes. "You care when no one else does. I don't know why, but it means the world to me."

Hermione smiled. "Come on, let's go."

The two took off down the hallway, running. Draco was nervous and surprisingly, so was Hermione.

A/N: Ok so I know it is a kind of awkward cut off but the next chapter will be pretty long as far as I am planning currently. This was the best stopping place I could come up with. Anyways, review my loves!