Hey, guys. This is just a small idea I had. I wanted to write something that would display the character of a soul wandering into darkness. We all need a reason to find something worth living for. And often, that reason and that worth are not us. This is a story of drawing the attention away from selfish living and the beauty of someone else. Tell me what you think. And just so it's known, I do not own Harry Potter.
"Least Likely"
Draco Malfoy was once again astonished at the stupidity of his friends. He smirked to himself. Okay, his cronies, but still, it was amazing just how clueless even the pureblood wizards could get.
To pair him up with a Hufflepuff! How absurd. How ludicrous. And to top it off, they actually failed to notice that the little chit was half mudblood. Even a fraction of such filth tainted anything respectable. He needed to clear his mind. Needed to divert his attention. And so again for the fifth time that week, he headed for the library without intention to study.
Oh, he couldn't stand what grime walked the school with him. Could hardly bear the thought of the terrible stench of unworthiness participating in the very same activities as he! Him, Draco Malfoy!
But slowly a haunting smile crept upon his lips. The old fool of a Headmaster had no idea how many young Death Eaters were beginning to grow within his school. Just a few more years and not just Slytherin, but other houses would have their share of spouting evil lurking about. His moment was to come very soon and his hands sweat with anticipation of that day. Yes, soon he would be able to show all those around him exactly how much he ruled them.
Soon. Not yet.
His train of thought was momentarily halted when he entered the library. It was rather late, 1 or 2 in the morning and so he was quite confident that he would be alone in his pondering. He had long ago taught a few of the prefects that made their rounds at night why it was wise to let this Malfoy go where he pleased.
He wandered through the rows of books, his eyes already adjusted to the darkness. 'Might as well read something while I'm here,' he thought wryly. But what? He thought for a moment. Ah, yes, a little dark arts would brighten his mood.
Heading to the Restricted section, he easily made his way through. 'Idiots don't realize 6th years know a bit more than the first day.' He chuckled to himself.
Years of darkness showed on Draco as he barely strained his eyes to see the title he was looking for. Suddenly he stopped, the last footstep echoing. 'Sniffling?' He continued again, the sound becoming clearer the farther he walked. At first he thought it was a stray book producing noises from its open cover. But the louder sniffling soon become crying, then the crying weeping, and then the weeping mumbled, incoherent words. It all seemed too real to be a book.
Why wouldn't he investigate these sounds in the middle of the night in a dark library? What simplistic fool chose a poor choice as this to pity himself?
All thoughts of tormenting a little 1st year vanished when his leg hit a lump on the floor. "What the-…?" He looked down and saw exactly what it felt like. A small lump on the floor. He nudged it with his toe a couple of times and was amused to find that when he did, the crying became a hiccup.
No doubt he was curious and so he knelt down to get a closer look at what unfortunate soul was soon to be prey. He made out a mass of honey curls sprouting from the lump. Should he touch the strange creature? Deciding that though his eyes were skilled, it would be safer to use a bit of illumination. Of course, he didn't believe he was in danger of this…this thing.
Taking his wand, he murmured a spell that brought on a glow around them. He set the wand down and gave another inspection. 'What…' "Granger?"
There he was, kneeling before mudblood Granger. She was pitifully curled up against the bookshelf, head buried in her arms, shaking. He was mere inches away from her and quite frankly, shocked. What was Ms. Goody Two Shoes doing in this blasted place? The Restricted section! Crying…?
Draco Malfoy had mudblood Hermione Granger figured out a long time ago. Bushy haired, pale skinned, doe-eyed, small muggle born witch. Oh, yes, she was a simple as they came. The know-it-all sidekick of Potter and love interest of Weasley. Book smart and strict and a fellow hater of Slytherins. She was practically famous. Known as the pretty slip of a girl who aided The Boy Who Lived whenever it was possible. She was like a nice decoration on the package that everyone wanted. Otherwise known as Harry Potter.
He had taunted her since the day he saw her. And still when he did, he envisioned that unfortunate looking girl from 1st year. Of course, as anyone would be, he was eventually bored with her. She never broke. She never reacted as he wanted her to. To crumble before him in defeat. Yes, that would have been satisfactory. He had effectively moved on to weaker victims.
And now here she was before him, broken and trembling. He didn't think she even knew he was there. Should he make her know? What fun he could have tormenting her at that moment, he knew.
But before he could decide what havoc to create, she lifted her head up to him and revealed the most expressive and sad eyes he had ever seen. It threw him off and all he could do was stare back at her. All he had seen in her in the past years was anger and a cold indifference to his mocking. She was making no move to hide her overflowing tears. Just gazing up at him. He had no idea how to deal with this side of Hermione Granger.
He could only stare back!
Finally she parted her lips. But nothing came out except a choked sob. He could see the surprise on her face but it soon became panic. She was all of sudden thrashing and screaming trying to get away from him. God, what was wrong with her?
He attempted to calm her by force, gripping her arms to hold her down but it only made her even more hysterical. The insufferable uproar was going to lead someone there! No doubt they would blame him for her state. He racked his brain for ideas. She was apparently terrified of him (for good reason, but he couldn't figure out exactly what he'd done).
"Shh, Granger! Shut up, you're going to get both of us a nice detention if you don't stop. Come on…I'm not going to hurt you." He couldn't believe what he was saying, but noticed she visibly relaxed at these words. Of course he couldn't tell her that he wasn't planning to hurt her beforehand, but this was a much more serious situation. So he tried it again. "Granger…I promise I won't hurt you."
And all of a sudden she was feeble in his grip. He swore he could break her in half. She strength of her dread had vanished and she was weeping again, latching onto him like he was life itself.
Draco was always in control. In his house, he was a leader among his peers and was never denied what he wanted. He was quick to show them his superiority and gain the respect and fear he deserved. He had learned that from his father. Yes, Draco Malfoy rarely missed a beat.
But at this very moment, he had absolutely no idea how to handle this state of affairs. It didn't take long for her to move further into his arms, head bent into his chest. How had he not noticed before how small she was? How fragile? Probably because his previous encounters with her usually involved spitting fire at him. He could feel her tears wetting his clean shirt. Did she not realize who he was?
His hands still lay on her arms and he felt the need to push her away. Pull some horrible curse on her and run for the hills. But he sat there on his knees, getting exactly what he had always wanted: A crumbled mudblood Granger before him.
And yet everything was not at all what he had imagined it would be like.
