Disclaimer: I own nothing, every name you recognize is owned by JK Rowling and her publishing team.
A/N: First ever FanFic. Please read and review!
"Granger...I'm...I'm sorry.
OBLIVIATE."
Waking up with a start, I just stared at the window. Wondering how can I let that memory slip. Again. Good thing my Aunt and the Dark Lord never roam at my wing of the manor. I have to perfect my occlumency as perfect as I can. I can't let that memory be seen by anyone. I can't let anything happen to her. I can't. My legilemency is not as perfect as theirs, but I don't care. I honestly don't care if I can't weave through the victims' mind to know the whereabouts of Potter. As long as he's not captured or seen, I don't care.
Last thing I heard about him, is that he's on the run. Merlin's beard know how much I want him to finish the task that Dumbledore gave him. I wonder where Granger is. I hope she's safe and not on the run with him. I'm going to offer everything that I can, just to make sure she's safe, that she's hiding.
"Stupid!"
I just want to curse myself, after having that thought. I hope Dobby find Potter soon. I have to get rid of these memories before going out my room, before I feel the crawling sensation on my arm. I just hope that if someone finds my collection of memories, I just hope it reaches her. I hope she'll understand.
I slowly transferred my memories into the vials I prepared the night before. It took me awhile to finish and hide it, but just enough time before my forearm feels the crawling sensation. I immediately apparated to the opposite wing of the manor where the meeting will be held, and sat at my assigned seat, beside my parents and my Aunt Bella. When the monster entered, I'm sure another victim will be tortured in this room again. But I never thought I can be so wrong.
II.
"The Potter boy has been found!" the monster said. It was followed with sudden gasps and murmurs inside the room.
"SILENCE!" If only, everyone can stop breathing just to keep themselves, ourselves, as silent as we can, I think we already did.
"His running days, with his ever loyal friends, is about to end."
"My Lord, friends you say?" Aunt Bella asked with spark and excitement on her eyes. With Snape's reaction, I can say he's as surprised as everyone. I mentally note myself to question him afterwards.
"Yes, my dear Bella. It was reported to me that he was on the run with the blood-traitor's youngest son and the mudblood witch."
"May I ask my Lord, what exactly are they doing aside from running from death? Surely they have another reason?"
"Ah, my dear Bella, that is what I want everyone of you to know. Any sign, any information about them must be reported to me as soon as you can. Hiding them, or hiding any information about them, will result to death. I have to remind you, death of not only yourselves, but also your family." After his announcement, he apparated to God knows where, and everyone else followed.
Without any words to my parents and aunt, I immediately apparated to my wing. My mind was racing, my heart was beating hard, I can hardly breathe, I secretly wish and pray to all the Gods, that Dobby was with them. With that elf's magic and abilities, I know they have a higher chance at survival. I just hope Snape has an answer to this. He promised me that the Order can and will protect Hermione, he assured me that. He promised, and my godfather never breaks any promises, big or small, he always keep his words. I can't even process the thought of her being on the run. Is she cold? Is she wounded? Is she alright? Many thoughts are flashing before my eyes, memories of her, I can't believe this. After months of agonizing pain, with the thought of her being safe and sound somewhere and not remembering our moments, our love. With my sacrifices for her, it was still enough. I never thought that I was wrong all along, she's not in a safe environment, she's not safe. How can I protect her if I'm here at the manor? I'm still as hepless as I was before.
2 years have passed, And I can still remember how I paced the empty halls of Hogwarts while she's at the Ministry fighting my father, fighting for the things we both believed in. The facade we have to show everyone that day in order to help Harry.
I was running alongside with the group formed by Umbridge herself to catch the Dumbledore's Army members in action after Edgecombe's confession. I immediately notified Hermione about that plan, of course, she immediately thought of an idea how to outwit the evil pink witch, she will pretend that she knows nothing about it, and I will pretend that I'll be happy to catch them. The run was not as easy we thought it could be, I almost cursed my fellow members so that they cannot catch her, luckily, I saw Harry, attcked him with the tripping jinx, and then I called Umbridge. Tough luck, I rather be hated by her friends, than her being caught. When Umbridge asked me to run after the others while she brings Harry to the headmaster's office, instead of doing what she asked me, I went to our meeting place, knowing that she will be there.
"Oh God, Drake are you alright?"
"Of course, Love. It was not me who was running away from them, remember?"
"Ha bloody ha. Take down the sarcasm please?"
"Sorry, Love. Are you alright?" while holding her in arms length, scanning her body, her face. Turning her sideways, just to check if she's not hurt.
"I'm perfectly fine, love. Have you forgotten how fast I can run?" she asked me with excitement on her eyes, I replayed that memory of her running away from me after I tickled her, before we almost got caught by the other students.
"No, but I just want to make sure you're alright. Was Dobby able to come to Harry?"
"Ye-yes. How did you know about that?"
"Oh, I don't share secrets that fast."
"You told him? But he told Harry, the elves informed him?"
"And who do you think informed the elves?"
"But I thought..."
"Well, technically, I didn't informed them...directly. I was talking to Blaise at the kitchens about the plan. They just overheard us."
"YOU CANNOT DO THAT!" she asked while slapping my back.
"What?! You're mad that I helped you to escape as smoothly as you can?"
"But, YOU COULD'VE CAUGHT TOO!"
"Hermione, I won't be caught. Besides, how can I let myself do that to your friends? Yes, you can outrun us, but how about them?"
"But...still. That's a dangerous act, Drake!"
"Hush, love. And besides, I can't let your friends be caught, I don't want everyone to have that ugly jinx Edgecombe already has, well, except Ron. Congrats, to your jinxing abilities. It's wickedly good." I said with a smile and pride on my face while looking down on her and staring at her beautiful brown eyes. How can I have a perfectly good girlfriend, I do not know.
"Hey! That's my bestfriend, you arse." earning another slap on my back.
"Well, I think your friends won't ever forgive me now, do they?"
"Yeah, well...wait, how about Harry?"
"erm...about that..."
"Draco Malfoy, what did you do?" she asked me with alarm on her face.
"Well, I caught up with him...and uhm. I tripped him."
"You what?! Oh please, Drake tell me you didn't."
"Didn't what? Exactly?"
"DRACO MAFOY! How could you? He's my bestfriend!" I frowned, and she removed herself from my hug.
"Well, I was trying to distract Umbridge, then I saw him."
"Let me get this straight, you used my bestfriend to distract Umbridge?" she said, with so much anger flashing on her eyes, the look that will make you run for your life.
"Yes, it was quite effective you know?" I quickly hugged her, and kissed her head to make her anger a little lower. I rest my chin on her head, and smelling her scent. It calms her whenever I hug her this way, as soonas I thought she was calm...
"Was Harry able to run away from her?"
"Uhm. That part is what I don't know."
"WHAT?!" with her sudden movement, she accidently bumped my chin with her head, and simultaneously slap me at my arm.
"Hey! What was that for? It was not ny fault I caught him. I perfectly helped to escape, but he runs slow." If she plays quidditch, with her arm strength, she can be a beater.
"Ugh. Draco, what if she hurts him? Or...worse!"
"I doubt it, she said she's going to bring Harry to Dumbledore's office." After realizing what just I said, and with the look at her face, I kissed her on the lips, which she responded, and I just know I'm already forgiven even before I asked for it. But when I looked at her eyes, now gleaming with soon-to-be shed tears...
"okay. I'm sorry, that was beyond limit. But, at least the others was not caught. Sorry, love." earning a flick to my forehead, followed by a frown.
I smiled to myself, how funny that was. If only I knew, what could happen next, I should've tried my very best for her not to go to the ministry with Potter. I should've went with her. If only I knew that we're already running out if time, I already spent my remaining days that year with her, in public and not in hiding. With a deep sigh, I removed that memory from my mind, knowing that it might slip. I can't believe I still have those memories in my mind. I wonder, what other memories of us is still in my head.
