Mercury1

Mercury and Gold.

Silver.

Silver, not gray. Two liquid pools of silver, like two drops of mercury, like two frozen tears. Two silver eyes, sometimes blank, seemingly emotionless but surely he can't be like that on the inside.

Ivory.

Ivory strands of hair, flipping over a pale, pointed face. Doesn't look quite human, Veela perhaps? Or maybe vampire or elf? Hard to say but not quite human.
Handsome, no beautiful in a strange, melancholy way. Cold, hard, cruel. Uncaring, unloving, unkind and unhappy. Always on the edge of falling over, either to the dark side to join the Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort or t-

The bell ringing startled me out of my reverie. I had been dreaming about Draco, trying to understand him, to understand why he hated us..........and why I loved him. It was stupid, irrational and illogical. After all, he hates me. He never misses a chance to call me a Mudblood' or hurt my friends. If anything, I should love Ron who is kind and reliable and BORING! Maybe I'm just attracted to him because he is so different. His looks, the way he acts, everything is so different to what I'm used to. Mayb- My thoughts were cut off when I ran into someone and dropped my books.

Watch where you're going Mudblood! It isn't as if I like having to be near you anymore than I have to. A loud, lazily arrogant voice drawled. I recognized it immediately and flushed, muttering a summoning charm under my breath to gather my books. Then again, maybe Draco's just a jerk.

It isn't as if she likes bumping into you either Malfoy. Harry replied as calmly as he could.

Oh, how sweet, high-and-mighty Potter is sticking up for his Mudblood girlfriend. Does the Weasel know or haven't you told him yet? Draco retorted mockingly.

Come on Hermione, let's go. It isn't as if there's any point to hanging with that scum. Harry said, grabbing my arm and hustling me away. I let him, for the simple reason that I was too busy kicking myself for ever thinking that Draco even had a good side or a heart. From now on, I vowed, Draco will be nothing more than a Death Eaters son.


I watched Potter pull Hermione away from me, after his futile effort to defend her. Completely unnecessary I was sure. Given a few more seconds, she could have collected herself and replied with something that even I might acknowledge to be a good insult. I started moving again, realizing as I did that my next class was Potions that we still had with Gryffindors. I hate the Gryffindors. They are all the same. So moral, so conscientious, so good and so BORING! Even Potter and his pet weasel fit the pattern. Especially that Mudblood Hermione. First in any class, best student around and general know-it-all. She even to managed to beat me, a Malfoy. I winced, thinking of how my father had beat me when he had found out that I was getting lower grades than a Mudblood. I wondered briefly if the scars had healed by now, and then shrugged it off. After all, the pain had stopped and that was the important thing, right? Besides it wasn't as if it was the first time that I had been punished for something I couldn't help. That was just another reason to hate that Mudblood Hermione, and I did. I hated her with all my heart.


Potions class was my least favorite class. Snape hated us and really had it in for Harry and Ron. Luckily I was a good enough student to cover for both of them. That wasn't the most unfair thing though. What was really unfair was that Snape favored Draco so openly. To be fair though, he is a good student. Not as good as I am, but good nevertheless. Still it was unfair. He caught me looking at him and for a second I thought I saw something, I don't know what flicker in his beautiful silver eyes. Then he set his face back into his usual scowl, making me sure that I hadn't imagined it. After all, why else would he have covered up so guiltily?

Why had she been looking at me? How did she know I was thinking about her? I was scared. For a brief moment, I had dropped my facade and allowed myself to be myself and it HAD TO BE that moment that she looks at me. Why? Did she know that I was thinking about her? Had we been making psychic potions or something? It is just my luck that the one nanosecond I'm thinking something nice about her, she catches me off-guard. Calm down Malfoy, I told myself. She didn't look into my mind, that's impossible and even if she had, then I shouldn't have panicked. After all, it isn't as if I care about that Mudblood. With that reassuring thought in mind, I went back to concentrating on the lesson after shooting Hermione a poisonous glare.


Hermione, what's wrong? You look like you saw a ghost! Ron exclaimed, alarmed at the shocked look on my face.

Huh? Oh maybe I did. I answered rather unsatisfyingly. Maybe that was what I saw, a ghost of what Malfoy was like. After all, he couldn't have been this evil his whole life long, could he? The answer came back with surprisingly promptness. No. Even if he is evil, he wasn't born that way. It was just the circumstances that he was raised in. I dismissed this thought as much too pro-Draco and asked myself the same question a different way. Is Malfoy completely evil? Again, the answer was no. But it didn't make any sense! How could he be so heartless towards us? Then it hit me. Malfoy could be acting. If he was acting now, the chances are that he has been acting all his life long. But the problem was that I didn't think he was acting now. Even if he was, what could I do? I couldn't go to him and say Hey Draco, even though you act so tough, you're really just a big baby on the inside. Yes, I can really see him taking that well. Maybe if I asked him to meet me outside and then asked him? No, he would still deny it on the principle of it. But I can try anyway. I started scribbling immediately.


Next morning at the Slytherin table, I got a note from a strange owl that I had never seen before. Curious, I opened the note under the table so that nobody else would see it.

Dear Draco,

I was hoping that you would meet me outside after classes. Say near the lake, where the three willow trees are? If you can't I understand. Please come alone and I will too. I won't tell anyone so please don't tell anyone either.

Sincerely,
Hermione.

I was shocked and confused. After all, why would that Mudblood want to meet me outside, all alone. I could only think of one reason, a reason that many girls and quite a few boys have but surely that doesn't apply to Hermione?! It isn't as if she is stupid enough to fall in love with a Slytherin and the son of a Death Eater. (Although I was surprised at the amount of girls and boys that were, not that I cared for any of them.)

It had to be a trap of some sort. But why? Potter and the Weasel! They must have put her up to it. They probably thought that I would be willing to go outside all alone and then have them tackle me. No chance boys. I looked up and smiled at her and then waited until she had left the Hall. I smiled secretly and beckoned for Crabbe, Goyle and Zambini to come closer.


I had watched him from the Gryffindor breakfast table. First he had looked curious, then surprised and then something I couldn't quite define. Finally, he looked up and smiled at me. I left the Hall with a lightened heart, feeling relieved that he hadn't ripped my note to shreds or displayed it to all the Slytherins. Classes had never seemed so long or dreary before. It was as if I was hating every moment that kept me from finding out the truth about Draco. Was he as evil as he seemed or was he just acting and why did I care? I knew the answer to the last question, I just didn't want to admit it to myself.

As it came closer and closer to the end of the day, I grew more and more nervous. What if I was wrong? What if Draco was basically just a rotten person? I knew that I wouldn't know until I asked him but that didn't stop from worrying about whether I loved him or Ron that was my real problem. Last night I had decided that I was just imagining that I loved him, and that I truly cared about Ron but didn't know it. What ruined that theory was that you could say it the other way around. I was just imagining that I loved him, and that I truly cared about Draco but didn't want to admit it.


I waited under the middle willow tree for Hermione to come. I wasn't worried for I had a back-up plan just in case this was an ambush. I could see a vague figure in the distance. Was it her? She was too far away to be sure but I felt that it was she. I occupied the time while waiting for her to come closer by checking her out. Hmm, not bad. Great hair, it wasn't bushy anymore since she had enchanted it. Nice figure, she's really filled out since coming here and a beautiful smile. A glowing, peaches and cream complexion but it was her eyes that I really liked though. I didn't know many people whose eyes were golden brown. Most of the women that I dated had blue eyes since quite a lot of them were part Veela like myself.
Yes, on the surface, she looks a lot better AND underneath it she is as smart as she ever was. I mentally hit myself. What was I doing thinking nice thoughts about a Mudblood? Was I crazy? This made me even more determined not to fooled.

Hi Draco. she said happily, smiling while she spoke. Why was she so light-hearted? I had to answer though so I replied, if a bit reluctantly.

Hi Hermione, why did you want to see me?

Well, I was just wondering if you are really that mean and heartless or whether you are just acting? she said cheerily. My jaw dropped. I hadn't been expecting this! I had to do something and fast though.

If you wanted to insult me then why didn't you just do so in the hall? I asked her cautiously. My mind was racing, trying to come up with an answer.

I'm not insulting you, I'm serious and I didn't ask you in the Hall because I didn't want to embarrass you in front of all those people. she lightly replied. I was shocked yet again. Three times in one day, that has to be a record for a Malfoy.

Since when do you care about how I feel? I shot back at her.

Why, ever since I fell in love with you of course. she naively said. Make that 4 times. I looked up into the tree branches where my 3 friends were and saw by the shock on their faces that they had heard her. If my father heard that Harry Potters friend AND his best friends girlfriend had confessed to having a crush on me and I hadn't used it to my advantage........I would be lucky to get off with a lashing.

How do I know that you are telling the truth? I demanded suspiciously. She pouted and then answered.

I'll prove it.

How are you going to that? I asked disbelievingly. Even before the words left my mouth, she had stepped towards me, wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me. I know that I should have pulled away from this Mudblood, but instead I wrapped my own arms around her and kissed her back. The kiss lasted quite a while. Eventually I had to pull away to breathe. She looked up at me and smiled as sweetly as an angel. Then she frowned, pulled her wand out, pointed it at herself and whispered

She then shook her head and looked at me. She looked different now, more serious, more like herself. Before she had been slightly too childish to be real.

I had to put a Cheering Charm on myself to make sure that I would go through with this. I was so nervous that you would be mad. She said, looking at me with genuine fear in her eyes, her beautiful golden eyes.

What about Ron? I heard the words coming out of my mouth without any emotions. That would come later, right now I was still trying to recover from that kiss.

What about him? she answered, taking a step closer to me. I took a step back and I thought fast. If I stayed under the tree, then Crabbe, Goyle and Zambini would hear everything we said. On the other hand, if I moved away from them, they would be suspicious. WHAT? Why did I care what they heard? It wasn't as if this was the first time that I had been in this situation. On the other hand, I couldn't just seduce Hermione and then dump her, which is how I normally deal with this kind of situation because my father would be mad, and when he's mad................ My thoughts trailed off as my mind reeled back from how my father would react to hearing what a huge tactical advantage I had thrown away. No doubt about it, the best thing I can do is continue to make her think that I love her back. Shouldn't be too hard after the way I kissed her although I'm still not sure why exactly I did that........


I looked up at him. Ivory hair, silver eyes, porcelain pale and transparent skin. I still couldn't believe how I'd told him that I loved him. It had most definitely been a good idea to put that cheering charm on myself. I was puzzled by how he had reacted though. First he kissed me passionately, then he brought up my boyfriend' and then he stepped away from me! I don't understand it but I don't really care. At least he hadn't pulled away from me when I kissed him. Suddenly, I was nervous. I was beginning to doubt how smart a move it was to come here when he looked at me and smiled.

Hermione, I was so relieved to hear you say that! I've also been feeling attracted to you but I thought that since you hang out with Harry and Ron, you would never love me. Draco said smoothly, the words tumbling of his mouth. There was something wrong though with his speech. It had been too fluid, too rehearsed. It was as if he had said it many times before......... I found myself wondering whether he did this often but snapped out of it when I realized that I still had to answer him.

Just because I'm friends with Harry and Ron doesn't mean that I can't love you. Besides there is no chance that you are actually as evil as you seem, right? I asked, slightly nervously. His silver eyes shone, radiating joy.

Of course not. That's just an act so that I can fit in with the rest of the Slytherins. He readily replied.

Good. Do you want to go walk around the lake? I queried, relieved but still anxious. Somehow, I hadn't expected this to be so easy.


1 week later.

I sat on my bed, staring at the letter I had just received from my father.

Dear Draco,

Everything at home is fine. Your mother and I have been rather busy with our responsibilities as Malfoys. However, we still enjoyed hearing from you. Reply as soon as possible.

Lucius Malfoy.

The phrase our responsibilities as Malfoys meant that there was a secret message. I took out my wand and glancing furtively around the dormitory hit the letter while whispering

The letter glowed green for a second and then line after line of purple writing appeared. I read the letter quickly. It had a lot of ramblings about embracing the Dark Side and my duties but its essence was: Good idea to make friends with Hermione. First seduce her, then teleport her over here. We can use her to lure Potter into a trap where he will be at a disadvantage against too many Death Eaters to resist our Lord.

I sat on the bed with a lump in my throat. I had of course known that my father would order me to do something like this. That wasn't surprising. What was surprising was how reluctant I felt. It wasn't repugnance at her being a Mudblood, it was more like..............guilt? Why? It wouldn't be the first time that a Mudblood had gotten ideas above her station and met with disaster. It was just that I liked being around her. She was a really smart, interesting person even if she was a Mudblood. That last thought slipped out involuntarily. I was scared. When school broke up, my father would as always put a truth spell on me and make me reveal what had happened. If he heard that I was sympathizing with a Mudblood........

+++++++++++++++++++

10 year old Draco.

Bruised. Bleeding. Blood trickling down from the many scars that criss-crossed over my back. I had failed him again. No tears. If I cried, he would only beat me harder. Gasping for breath, bent over double, my white silk shirt in rags. I straightened up. Mother and Father, looking coldly at me, as if I were a Mudblood myself. I bent back down.

Well? Have you changed your mind yet? Father of course. Mother never even bothered talking to me. Her indifference was almost as bad as Father hatred for me. I didn't have enough breath to reply so I spluttered out an answer. Soft leather boots coming towards me. A hand grasping my hair and pulling me up.

I said, have you changed your mind yet? Answer me! Leather whip, still bloody hanging from his hand. A stain on the carpet from where I'd fallen, unable to bear the pain any longer. He hit me harder for showing weakness. Shielding my arms with my head to block some of the blows. Didn't work. Nothing worked.

Yes Father. Mudbloods are scum. Only purebloods are true wizards. Lord Voldemort will someday rule over everything. I replied in a monotone, looking at the whip the whole time.

Good. Next time, don't answer back. He let go. I collapsed back on the carpet. It had hurt but not as badly as the Crucio curse. What hurt was knowing that other parents didn't treat their children like this, like toys or slaves.

+++++++++++++++++++

I crumpled the letter up in my hand, cursing the fact that I had to obey him. I was simply too afraid not to obey him. But I still didn't want to hurt Hermione yet I had no choice. If he kept on beating me like that, he'd kill me. Not for the first time, I wished that I hadn't been born a Malfoy. I wished that I was just a wizard, like Ron or Dean or even Harry. Harry's mother had loved him so much that she died trying to defend him. Ron's family didn't have much money but they his parents loved him too. I was sure that Dean also came from a loving family. All my life, all I ever got was hatred and contempt from my parents. Now that I've finally found love, I'm going to lose it again.

Goodbye Hermione. I'm sorry that I betrayed you. I whispered out loud, still sitting in the empty room. As empty as my heart.