The cold night air whipped around Hermione Granger as she stood at the top of the Astronomy tower, shivering she wrapped her cloak tighter around her body. Standing looking out over the grounds of Hogwarts, Hermione heard the noise of the door opening behind her, without turning she greeted the person who had just appeared behind her.

"You're late."

"I know, I had problems getting away." The cool voice of Draco Malfoy drifted towards Hermione. "Pansy was been clingy."

Draco smirked as he heard Hermione's small growl at the mention of Pansy Parkinson, the Slytherin girl always annoyed the fiery Gryffindor, especially when she draped herself all over Draco.

Moving to stand directly behind the curly haired brunette witch, Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione and nuzzled into her neck.

"You could have told her to get lost." Hermione huffed.

Draco laughed lightly, "I've got to keep up appearances, we don't need anyone getting suspicious, especially now."

"I know, you're right." Hermione sighed, their relationship was dangerous enough without it becoming public knowledge.

They both stood silently looking at the view for nearly ten minutes before Hermione broke the comfortable silence.

"I need to go soon, Harry and Ron will be getting worried."

Draco nodded his head, "Yeah, so do I. I haven't got an excuse for being missing all night now I've fixed the vanishing cabinet."

Hermione turned in Draco's arms so she was facing her boyfriend. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"I don't think so, not to talk to." Draco responded, stroking Hermione's face gently.

"I wish things were different." Hermione said sadly.

"So do I," Draco said, just as sadly. "But we've been talking about this all year, it's the only option."

Hermione knew he was right but it still didn't mean she wasn't upset about what was going to happen.

Draco and Hermione had spent all year trying to find a way out of Voldemort's service for Draco, but because he was threatening Narcissa's life it made it extremely difficult. Eventually they decided to confide in Draco's godfather, Severus Snape, as he was the only person aware of their relationship. Snape had revealed to Draco and Hermione both the unbreakable vow he had taken with Narcissa and Dumbledore's pending death. The three had eventually decided that Draco should appear loyal to Voldemort, but Snape would make sure he didn't have to kill Dumbledore himself. The hard part of their plan came next as they would be separated for an indeterminable amount of time. Draco would be in the Death Eaters camp while Hermione helped Harry find a way to defeat Voldemort.

"You should go first so no one sees us together." Draco reluctantly told his girlfriend.

Hermione nodded slightly, before reaching up and kissing Draco softly on the lips. Draco eagerly responded pulling Hermione closer to his body and tangling his hand in her hair. Draco reluctantly broke the kiss to speak.

"I love you, be careful tomorrow night."

"I love you too." Hermione whispered, slowly stepping out of the blond Slytherin's embrace.

Hermione walked towards the door, before she left she turned around to look at her boyfriend one last time.

"Draco, when you leave tomorrow night, make sure you stay alive." Seeing the blond's puzzled expression she continued. "I don't care what you have to do, do it. Just make sure you live. Promise me."

Draco stood still, digesting what Hermione had just said, she was aware what terrible things he might have to do to stay alive. "You do know what you're saying don't you?" Hermione simply nodded.

"Fine, I promise, I'll do whatever to survive. But I also promise if you can't handle it, I'll let you go without a fight." Draco finally conceded to his stubborn girlfriend, knowing the reality of what she was saying might be too hard for her to handle.

Hermione smiled sadly at Draco. "Nothing you'll do will ever change how I feel about you."

Hermione then turned and left the astronomy tower, leaving Draco alone with her parting words and the promise she had made him give running through his head.

Draco turned and looked out at the school grounds, in twenty four hours his life would change forever, he would always be known as the boy who let Death Eaters into Hogwarts. For the first time since him and Hermione discussed the plan for the future, Draco doubted it's success, even if Potter killed The Dark Lord he would still be considered one of his followers and would probably be sent to Azkaban if he wasn't killed first.

Sighing, Draco left the Astronomy Tower and headed down to the dungeons for one final night at Hogwarts.

A/N - this is my first story and I would appreciate all feedback on how to improve.