Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, nor do I own Harry Potter

A/N: Trigger Warning: This story contains some scenes of domestic violence. I will post a warning on the chapters that contain these scenes. If this is a trigger for you, please read with caution

Secrets

Chapter 1

"Even after all this time, I still can't comprehend it, Malfoy. A Muggleborn working in the Ministry of Magic," Blaise Zabini muttered, watching Hermione Granger enter the Office of Magical Law Enforcement. The look on his face was speculative.

"Given that she's best friends with Potter, you find it hard to believe? Shacklebolt couldn't offer the Golden Trio jobs fast enough, from what I've heard. Imagine, making Potter an Auror without his N.E.W.T.s, simply because it was what Potter told Professor McGonagall he wanted to be in our Fifth Year. And then to take up with Weasley? If she weren't such a prim and proper sort, people would begin to suggest she was attempting to raise her own status a bit by marrying into a Pureblood family. But then, the war took care of that already," Draco Malfoy replied, studying the slim and petite figure of the woman who he had secretly both feared and admired since he was thirteen.

"Keep your bloody voice down, mate, she'll hear you. George Weasley told me about how she enchanted canaries to attack Ron when she got angry, and that was at school! I hate to think what she might be able to do now. And she hasn't married Ron Weasley yet."

"Fine, engaged to marry into, then. The result will be the same. Her full potential goes to waste."

"Potential for what, Draco? She was always doing better than anyone in class. The only thing that kept her from having dozens of friends at school was her know-it-all attitude. For a Muggleborn, she's actually pretty in a way."

"If she could tame that hair of hers and dress in clothes you wouldn't also see on someone's grandmother, she might be acceptable. But even I have to admit, she did turn out nicely at the Yule Ball in Fourth Year."

"True. She did. Now are you going to tell me why you needed to speak to me, or are we just going to stand here and discuss school while you stare at Hermione Granger?"

"Certainly, Blaise, but not here. This needs discussed where we won't be overheard," Draco replied, the plan he'd been formulating for a year nearly complete. He only need to enlist the help of Blaise to make it work.

It had better work. His entire fortune, not to mention his life, could depend on this plan working.