Silence… and then…
"Wait a second. Is this the same Draco Malfoy that you've been complaining about every summer since you started going to Hogwarts?"
"Yes."
"Then what is he doing here?"
Hermione looked at her feet, then Malfoy, then finally at her parents.
"I think he should be the one to tell you the story."
"Okay. Into the living room, then."
Hermione and Malfoy followed Gabriel and Jane into the living room. Gabriel sat in his recliner, and Jane pulled her daughter next to her on the love-seat, leaving Malfoy to occupy the couch. Taking a deep breath, Malfoy began the Hermione's parents his story.
"I'm sure that Hermione has told you about what happened at the ministry a month ago." Hermione's parents nodded. "Well, one of the men that was after Potter and his friends was my father, Lucius Malfoy. When the Minister found out that my father was involved, my father was sent to the Wizarding prison, Azkaban. The man my father served return a year ago. And after my father was put in prison, the Dark Lord moved into my family's manor, and my mother became his happy and willing lover. Yesterday, when I returned home from school, I found out that the man had moved in a couple of days after my father was sent to Azkaban. Later that night, I saw him enter my mother's chambers and heard them… making 'love', if you can call it that. The man is pure evil, and everyone believes that I'll be following in my father's footsteps, but I don't want to. I've always wanted to be a Healer at St. Mungo's Hospital."
After his voice had gotten scratchy, Hermione had gotten up to get Malfoy a glass of water, which he had accepted gratefully. He took a drink before continuing his story.
"I ran away early this morning. I want to turn over a new leaf, but I know that most people won't believe me when I tell them. Coming to Hermione was my first choice, because she is the more level-headed of the Gryffindor trio. Potter is my second choice, because, even though our past is rocky, he can see the good in most people and can forgive those who have been cruel to him, though it can take a long time before he completely trust anyone, and Wealsey is my third choice, since he hates me with a passion."
Gabriel stood up for his chair and began pacing around the living room.
"Okay, let me see if I got this right: your father's in prison, his 'boss' moved in and he and your mother are lovers. With your father locked up, you want to follow your dream of turning over a new leaf and to help people. You ran away so you can do this without being influenced by the evil that this 'Dark Lord' shows to everyone and everything. Is that correct?"
Both Malfoy and Hermione nodded, but Malfoy was the one to answer.
"That's right, sir."
"So, why come here?"
"Hermione is smart. I knew that she'd be able to see that I'm truly trying to change my behavior towards others. I was hoping that I'd be able to stay here, until school starts. On the way here, I picked up a few applications for summer jobs in the area, and even though I was raised as a spoil brat that never had to do anything, I know how to clean, without magic, and I'm an excellent cook, as well, so I'd be able to earn my keep. When I was outside, I noticed that there's a room above the garage. I could sleep out there, if you want me to."
Gabriel looked at his wife, knowing that Jane wouldn't have the heart to turn the boy away, especially with the story he had just told them. Jane motioned for her husband to follow her into the kitchen to discuss what they were going to do. Hermione and Malfoy exchanged glances, both anxious to know what the answer would be.