The storm outside boomed. I winced as I felt the vibrations of the crashing and rolling thunder, reminding much of waves knocking against a cliff side. The lightning lit up the room, blinding me momentarily. The lamp in Ron's room flickered out.
"Bloody hell," he muttered.
I was curled up in the chair beside his bed. I book, that had words that I could not read anymore was dangling from my hand.
"I was reading," I groaned.
"It's just a book. You've been reading for hours on end!"
"So? I'm almost done and — "
A crash erupted from outside. It wasn't thunder. Outside the window there was a flash of red light. Ron, holding me behind him, walked out the door. Despite him telling me not to, I flanked him.
The storm had left the whole house sleep deprived. Molly and Arthur came out of their room with startled expressions. Fred and George looked merely curious. Ginny came out of her room and ran down the stairs to Harry, whom was sleeping in the sitting room. We all, led by Harry, inched toward the door.
Outside, two figures stood, wands at the ready.
"Sectasempra," the taller of the two called.
The other one shouted, "Protego."
He ducked out of the way. "Stupefy!"
He shot backward to the ground. Even as the Weasleys warned me against it, I ran out. I aimed my wand at the taller man, wanting to protect the boy I loathed as an act of sincerity.
"Expelliarmus!"
His wand jumped out of his hand. Harry joined me outside with his wand raised. The boy had rose to his feet, shakily.
"Leave," he said with a deathly tone. "Now."
The Death Eater had his wand again.
"Stupefy," Harry cried.
He was knocked backward. When he rose, he Disapperated. I hurried over to Draco Malfoy; Slytherin, Death Eater and overall enemy. He had a cut across his cheek and his arm was mangled. It was splinched.
I raised my wand. "Episky."
He winced slightly as his cut sealed itself. "Thanks."
"Why are you here, Malfoy," Ron asked, approaching us.
"Didn't know where else..." He looked distant and full of grief. Tears threatened to spill over. For the first time in my entire life, I felt bad for Draco.
"What happened?" I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"He killed my girlfriend."
"You mean He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" Molly asked.
Draco nodded.
"Why?"
"Found out she was Mudbl... I mean Muggle-Born."
"Come inside, dear," Molly said. "Hermione, you've got Essence of Dittany, have you?"
I nodded. "I'll be right back."
The next morning, Draco was in the kitchen, his arm in a sling. He was sitting alone staring into space. Everyone else was outside for the most part. Ron and Harry were in Ron's room being secretive; No doubt talking about Malfoy.
I took a seat next to him and smiled feebly. He pressed his lips into a line and didn't say a thing. His tousled hair was extremely unkept and his clothes, stained.
"You dated a Mudblood," I said.
It wasn't a question, but he nodded.
"But you always — "
"I know what I called you, Granger. Ever realize that I stopped? They aren't as bad as my father made them out to be, alright? I know that."
I felt as if I'd been slapped. "I'm sorry, Malfoy...Er, Draco. I didn't mean it like that. I'm just curious. Sorry."
He continued to stare into space.
"I should leave soon," he said abruptly.
"What? Why?"
"All of you are in danger when I'm here. I'm sure he told You-Know-Who I'm here already."
"Draco, it doesn't matter."
"Why do you care, anyway? Weasley seems to hate me being here."
I nodded. "But that's Ron. And I care because you're hurt. You should at least stay until your arm heals."
He thought about it for a moment. "Fine."