Chapter 1: A familiar face
The trio had all decided to go to the three broomsticks. So since Harry and Ron didn't pass the apparating test, the year before, they both took one of Hermione's arms and hold on tight. A "crack" was herd and the trio apparated in front of the bar. They opened the door and saw four wizards sitting while talking. They were a bit surprised, because since Voldemort regained his powers, practically all the wizarding world stayed indoors and traveled in packs. People only went out if they HAD to. They never stopped to talk or eat. They did what they had to do and left to go home.
Both boys sat down while Hermione went to order them 3 Butterbeers. She sat on one of the stools while waiting for her order. A man with a disgusting hood came in and sat beside her. So the barmen asked him if he wanted something. The man replied:
-A firewisky
Hermione was sure she had already herd that voice somewhere. That's when she saw a glimpse of hair under his hood. It was blond and silvery. She realized who it was. So she got up, reached for her wand and aimed at him. But before he could say anything, someone else pointed his wand at him and said:
-Avada ked…
-Expelliamus!
Harry had just disarmed the man.
Hermione looked around and realized that the four other wizards they saw earlier were standing up with there wands at the ready. But they weren't aiming for the man in front of her, they were aiming AT her. She threw herself at the floor as one of the men threw a spell at her. Harry and Ron started jinxing the 3 wizards while she was steel on the floor watching the scene. Then she looked back at the wizard who aimed at her…he was taking is wand out. That's when she decided she had to fight as well. So she got up and aimed at the men:
-Petrificus totalus!
The men fell right on the floor besides someone else. It was Malfoy! She ran to see if he was, well dead, and found that he was only knocked out. Harry and Ron came back to her as they were done getting reed of the 3 wizards.
-Are you alright? Asked Harry
-I think so. She replied uncertain
-Is he dead? Asked Ron
-No, only knocked out.
-oh…said Ron looking disappointed.
Harry took one of the men's arms and pulled up his sleeve. A pale tattoo of a skull with a snake appeared on the arm.
-He's a deatheater! Cried Ron
-Do you think there fallowing us? Asked Harry
-No, don't forget they were aiming for Malfoy. Replied Hermione looking at Draco
-Yeah, well we should go back home before more deatheaters come and try to kill us! Said Harry
-Ok, but help me take Malfoy. She ordered the two guys
-Why the bloody hell should we bring him? Let's just kill him and leave already! Said Ron
-No! We should take him back. Maybe he knows something. And besides we can't just kill him.
They were living at Number 12 Grimmauld Place for the time being. They entered the house and deposited Draco on a couch.
-Do you think we should wake him up? Asked Harry
-So he can jinx us! I don't thi…
Ron stopped talking and was pointing his wand at Malfoy who was awaking.
What the…where am I? He said
That's not important, said Harry, why were the deatheaters trying to kill you?!
That's none of your business, Potter! Draco replied
Hey! You better answer our questions! Replied Ron still pointing his wand at him
Do you think you scare me Weasley?
Well you should be! Approaching his wand closer to Malfoy's face.
What do you want me to tell you? Do you really think I stopped to chat with them to now why they were after me!?
Nobody answered. Hermione noted that it was getting late, so she suggested that they all wet to bed and sort out things in the morning.
She told Malfoy to fallow her. Witch he did.
Here's your room. showing him a little room with only a small bed and a dresser
Do you really intend me to sleep in this pig hole? He replied disgusted.
Well it's that or a coffin in the cemetery! She replied matter-of-factly
He did not reply.
Here, raising her wand to apparate some clean clothing.
Draco sat on the bed and looked at Hermione.
Why did you take me here me, why didn't you just leave me there? looking at the drawer in front of him
I'm not the kind of person who let's someone die. Even if you are my worst enemy.
He didn't say anything, instead he just looked at her, in her eyes as she did to.
Well I should get going. There's a bathroom in front of your room if you want to clean yourself up. And at that she turned around and headed for her room
Granger! He managed to blurt out
Yes?
…Thanks. He said looking at the floor
She smiled and headed back to her room.
He decided to take a shower before going to bed. He turned the handles until the water was hot, removed is clothe and got in.
Feeling the water run on him he realized how long it has been since he had taken a shower. But then just then his mind turned on to something else. Or should I say someone else…
He woke up seating strait in his bed remembering his dream or should I say nightmare. Then he herd knocking on the door.
-Malfoy! If you want some breakfast you better wake up! A feminine voice yelled out
-I'm up! He said still tiered
-Well common down, breakfast is ready. And then he herd footsteps running down the corridor.
At that he got up dressed and headed down to the kitchen…wherever that was. When he finally got there he saw the Weasel practically asleep on his plate, Potter reading the Daily Prophet while seeping on his coffee and Granger putting eggs, oats and bacon on a plate.
-Here sit down and eat. She said handing him the plate
He looked suspiciously at the food he had just been offered
-I promise you it's not poisoned. She said rolling her eyes
He wanted to reply something, something that would get on her nerves but he just couldn't. So he sat down and started to eat.
Once his plate finished he asked a question that was running trough his mind since the night before.
-So what are you going to do with me?
-Well personally, finishing you off would seem fine by me!
-Ronald! Cried Hermione hitting his arm
-Ow! It was just a suggestion. And after what that git did…well it seemed pretty fair. Ron said looking angrily at Malfoy
-Why did you do it?
Everyone stared at Harry who was now standing up shouting glares a Malfoy. Draco didn't answer.
-How could you? Do you really want to become one of Voldemort's pawns?
-Harry calm down. Said Hermione with a calm voice
-HOW CAN I? HE'S THE REASON DUMBLEDOR'S DEAD! Yelled Harry who was now fuming with rage
Hermione turn to look at Malfoy. He seemed…lost and sad. Maybe he regretted what he did?
-ANSWER ME!
-YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY? Draco was now standing up looking as furious as Harry, WHY I BECAME A DEATHEATHER? WHY I DID WHAT I DID? IT WAS TO SAVE MYSELF AND MY MOTHER! I DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE! IF I'D EVER BETRAYED MY FATHER OR VOLDEMORT I WOULD BE KILLED INSTANTLY AND MY MOTHER TO. I UNLIKE YOU POTTER, I HAVE A MOTHER AND I INTEND TO KEEP HER! I DON'T WANT HER TO DIE BECAUSE OF ME!
Malfoy stormed out of the room and headed for the front door.
-Draco! Hermione yelled
He was amazed at herring her calling him by his first name but decided not to care.
-What? He said stopping but still facing the door
-You can't leave.
-Oh no, and why is that?
-Because…because you'll get killed…
-Since when do you care?
She approached him, and turned him so he was facing her
-Look, nobody deserves to die for not wanting to join them.
I don't know if I should, and as weird as it seems I trust you… and I'm willing to help you. She said looking at him with a sympathy look
-Nobody can help me. The deatheaters can find me anywhere. So if I stay you may as well all die to.
-That's were you're wrong! This house his protected with many enchantments. Unless you know that this place exists and Harry let's you in you can't come in. Besides you can help us by giving us information.
Draco thought about it and it seemed like a good idea but the problem is he would have to stay with the weasel, Scar-face and Granger. Somehow living with Granger didn't seem that bad.
-Ok, I'll stay but if deatheaters happen to drop by, I'll leave.
-That's seam's fair…now you better go to your room a bit will I'll talk to the guys. She gave him a faint smile and left will he went to his room like she told him to.
As Hermione walked in the room, Ron was the first to speak
-So is that git gone? He said Seeming annoyed
-No, he is going to be staying with us. And before nether of you say something listen to what I have to say. I know it's hard to believe but I think he said the truth, it really seemed like he became a deatheater just to save himself and his mother. And besides he can help us, give us information. So I really think we should give him a chance…
An awkward silence fell into the room. Harry was the first to break it.
-Fine but if he does anything to hurt us he will be dead before you can say anything about it.
Draco was lying on his bed asking himself a question: Why is HerGranger I mean so nice to me? After all what he had done to her in the past years…After a while and not getting any answers to his questions he decided to go for a walk. So he got up, put a clock on and made his way to the front door. The minute he opened the door he herd someone saying:
-Already leaving are we?
It was Hermione.
-Granger! Don't sneak up on me! putting a hand on his chest
-Sorry your highness.
-Oh haha very funny. He said
-You still didn't answer my question.
-I was just going for a walk. He said rather annoyed
-S-o-r-r-y didn't want to offend you! She said sarcastically
Silence fell in the room. Without even thinking Draco asked her:
-Would you care to join me?
-I…umm…guess. She said uncertain
They both walked out of the house and followed the road.
They had nothing to talk about so Hermione asked him:
-Why were the deatheaters after you? She said
-I already told you, I. But before he could continue she interrupted him:
-I know what you said and I know it's not true. Please Draco, I want to know! Now practically pleading
He had stopped walking and was now looking nowhere in particular.
-Voldemort wants me dead because I didn't fulfill his mission. My mission was to, well to kill…Dumbledore. I managed to get deatheaters in the school and even get Dumbledore wandless and harmless in front of me. But I just couldn't. So Snape did it at my place. Voldemort considers that as if I failed it. And I don't even think he ever thought I would fulfill it, I think it was just a punishment for my fathers actions.
Hermione couldn't make out what Draco was feeling. He just seemed so lost. Bizarrely, she wished she could make him feel better. Draco could see that she was sorry for him so he quickly added:
-But that's past, what is done is done. I've changed. I think for myself and not by my fathers or Voldemort's mentality. I know what's right and what's wrong. That's why… I've decided too help you lot. In any way I can even if it leads to my death. The sooner this his over, the sooner I'll be sure my mother is ok.
Hermione thought that, in the moment of a couple of second, ferret boy turned into superman or something. He seemed more mature and more handsome. So before she could say something stupid she simply replied:
-And I'll gladly help you on your way to the good side!
They both smiled and returned to Grimmauld place.
