loseDisclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N: Chapter two! Thank y'all for Reading! In this story Lucius physically abuses his son. I believe that although Lucius is cruel he would never physically hurt his son, on the other hand I do think he is mentally abusive. The reason why I'm writing about Lucius abusing his son is because I thought it would make for an interesting story(Not because I think he physically harms his son). Also Draco is mentally ill and just stressed out about everything going on in his life, so he could be civil at one point and cruel the next. With that being said on to the next chapter! Please review!
Chapter Two
[Present day]
Hermione's point of view
Winter is my absolute favorite time, looking out at the glistening snow, seeing everyone bundled up in heavy coats, it just makes me so happy. I glanced out my window -it is late maybe one-ish- to see the lake frozen over and snow over the grounds. Something else caught my eye though, a tall blonde figured walking around the grounds. I thought it might just be his turn as a prefect but I know that it is the Ravenclaw prefects supposed to be doing rounds. I focused more on him realizing that he was walking strange, like he just gotten off of a roll-a-coaster, all dizzy. He was halfway to the door when he collapsed. Oh my god! I dashed down the corridors and to the door and flung it open. There he was passed out on the icy snow. I raced up to him and bent down, he looked beaten and cold. I felt his neck to make sure he was alive and felt his racing heart.
"Malfoy..?" I said in almost a whisper but he didn't even move, that is until I realized he was shaking. His face looked pained and that's when I noticed tear stains on his face. I grabbed his shoulders and brought him to me, I tried to stand up but I wasn't strong enough to lift his tall form. I then pulled out my wand and cast a spell to make him lighter. I made my way to the prefect bathroom, dragging Malfoy along. Once inside I sat him against the wall and got warm washcloths to put on him. I put one on his forehead and two on his feet. I then began to carefully unbutton his shirt to put two more washcloths on his chest, that's when I noticed the scars, bruises, and cuts. I gasped at what I saw, it was horrifying, some of the damaged made years ago others new. I traced over the scars lightly with my finger, I came across what looked like a new cut and put a towel over it to stop the bleeding. He flinched every time I touched him and he kept muttering to himself. I leaned closely to his mouth to hear what he was saying.
"Please stop, please stop." He looked like he was in extreme discomfort. I felt his forehead, he had a fever.
"Malfoy please wake up. I'll have to take you to madam Pomfrey." He flung his eyes open and started to freak out. He tried to get up but I quickly pushed him back down.
"No don't take me to her it will only make it worse." He shook his head violently. He looked terrified.
"Malfoy…your….bleeding. And you past out in the courtyard." He looked as though he was in deep thought.
"Granger why didn't you just leave me there to die?" he looked down and tears streamed down his face.
"I couldn't just let you die are you mad? And look at yourself! Your bleeding and bruised!" He looked down and quickly grabbed his shirt. I snatched it out of his hand and threw it across the bathroom.
"You don't need to see me like this just leave me alone. Please just stop."
"That's what you said when you passed out-stop please. Malfoy who did this to you?" I grabbed his face with my hands and forced his grey eyes to look at me. In his eyes I saw pain and loneliness.
"I….fell off my broom." I could tell he was lying. He looked away from my face and stared at the opposite wall.
"Malfoy look at me." I pulled his face back to mine. "You and I both know that you did not fall off a broom. Now tell me who did this to you." He just shook his head. "Well if your not going to tell me then I need to get you to the hospital wing."
"Granger you don't understand! You take me there and I die, they will find me and kill me." He pulled away and tried to stand up but he was too weak.
"Who will kill you?" I knew he wouldn't answer. "Well considering you can't even stand….you need help."
"No. I don't have the best of memories there." He shuddered.
Oh my god! This just click!
"This doesn't have anything to do with what happened in the hospital wing five years ago?" He stayed silent. Then he looked at me abruptly.
"Nothing happened to me!" he quickly lied.
"Something did happen, Harry told me." He looked away again.
"I bet you think I'm weak don't you? Think you can pity me?" His voice was cold but I could tell he was hurting.
"Are you serious? What happened is unfair!" I tried to look at him but he hid his face. "You were only a boy! You were only twelve!"
"You don't understand Granger, and you never will." This time he managed to stand up.
"No Malfoy I don't understand, that's why I need you to tell me, that way I can understand." I stood up next to him and put his arm around my shoulder. "But until you can tell me we are going to madam Pomfrey." He didn't argue he just silently limped towards to door with me.
Once we entered the hospital wing madam Pomfrey came rushing towards us. Her brown hair pulled back into a messy bun and her blue eyes full of concern.
"What happened?!" she frantically took Draco and put him on the nearest bed.
"He…." Should I tell her? "He fell off his broom." I lied. I couldn't just betray Draco, after all he looked terrified.
She nodded her head and looked at Draco's bear chest, I could tell that she knew I was lying, yet she said nothing.
"Can you just get me some pain-killer potions." We both turned to Draco, as he winced in pain.
"Yes." She strode over to her office to get her potions. She beckoned for me to follower her. Once we entered her office she turned to me. "I need you to get the professors immediately." I nodded and swiftly went to go find the professors.
It took me a few minutes but I finally found them. I told them that madam Pomfrey needed them in the hospital wing immediately. I, of course, followed them back to the hospital wing to see what exactly she needed them for. My gut was telling me it was because of Malfoy, which means she did not believe he fell off his broom. He did look truly awful, worse than he did in second year.
All the professors surrounded him, making it to where I was unable to see. I could see their faces though and they all looked horrified. I didn't hear Malfoy speak a word, which most likely means that Pomfrey gave him a sleeping drought. Good maybe he will sleep well.
"Poppy what happened? Is this somehow connected to what happened years ago?" That was Dumbledore speaking.
"I think so. But the girl," She tilted her head towards me, "said that he fell off his broom." Pomfrey turned to Dumbledore and then back to Draco.
"I think we all know that merely falling off a broom would not do this kind of damage." Snape's voice was cold and hard but full of concern. With his long black robes flowing to the ground he spun around to face me. "Tell me Granger, what really happened?"
"Severus was there a meeting tonight?" Dumbledore turned to Snape. A meeting? What kind of meeting?
"As a matter a fact there was." Snape turned to face Malfoy once again. "See the mark right below his ear." He pointed to his right ear, and there was in fact a red slash mark that went from his ear and down to his caller bone. "That was made by a curse." Dumbledore leaned in and light traced the mark.
"This was made by a curse I've never seen before." McGonagle said in a whisper.
"A….a…curse? Wouldn't people have seen it before?" I finally spoke which seemed to startle some of the professor.
"Yes, a curse. No one noticed because my guess is that young mister Malfoy has been using a concealment charm. Now you better be off to your common room Miss Granger." Dumbledore pointed to the big oak door. I nodded and left at once because for once, I didn't want to know more. For once I didn't want to know more of the horror. I ran all the way out and down the corridors and to Gryffindor tower where I greeted the Fat Lady.
"Oh my! Isn't it a little late to be out my dear?" The Fat Lady said in her high-pitched voice.
"Well long story….Niffler." The Fat Lady swung her portrait open to reveal the Gryffindor common room. I quickly climbed into the common room to be greeted by Harry.
"Hermione where have you been?" Harry took one look at my face and started to panic. "What happened did someone hurt you?"
I shook my head and stared at his brilliant green eyes. "It's…Malfoy."
"Oh Merlin! What did he do this time?" His face slowly turned to anger.
I shook my head again and tears fell from my eyes. He grabbed my face and tilted my head up to his.
"Remember what happened in second year?" He looked confused. "With Malfoy?" He slowly nodded.
"Yes, but what's that got to do with now?"
"I found Malfoy passed out in the snow. When I went to help him I noticed he was bleeding and he had scars all over his body." Harry eyes widened at what I said. "I took him to the hospital wing and the professors said that some of the scars were made by….curses. Curses!" He looked sickened. "And they were talking about some meeting, I think Malfoy was apart of it."
"You don't think it's like some kind of death eater meeting do you?" Harry has been on about Draco Malfoy being a death eater all year. I think it's absurd.
"I don't know. He wanted to die though. Asked me why I saved him." He shook his head and looked at me.
"You need to keep your distance Hermione, please?" I cannot believe it! After all that he still believes that he could be a death eater!
"Harry!" he jumped at my sudden yelling. "I can't believe you! You can't even have pity for him! You were there five years ago when his father beat him! Why don't you believe me now?"
"It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that at any moment he could snap and I don't want you to get hurt." He said calmly. I mean I understand that but he didn't see him, rolled up in a ball crying practically begging for someone, hell anyone to help him!
"I get it Harry, but you didn't see the look in his eyes." I turned and left for my dorm. Pavarti and Lavender were already asleep, thank Merlin, I laid on my bed and stared at the ceiling, he could of died and nobody would have noticed, I thought. He looked so fragile like he could break at any moment. I need to let him know that I care or at least I think I care. The question is, how do I get him to trust me? I mean we are both prefects….I could get Dumbledore to switch up prefect partners? I mean that could work. Would Dumbledore see my reasoning? I mean he seemed to be concerned about Draco, so maybe he would see my reasoning? The only way to find out is to ask him, first thing tomorrow I will ask. There is no backing out. I will do this. With that last thought I drifted to sleep.
"Hermione where are you going?" Ron asked tiredly. He stood about a foot taller than me and he had his quidditch pajamas on. I looked up in the deep blue eyes unsure of what to say.
"I'm going to the library." I stated quickly. I knew that they would never go to the library on a Saturday. The truth is that I'm heading towards the Headmasters office, to talk about prefect partners. I normally tell Harry and Ron everything, but I don't think they would understand this. Actually I know they wouldn't understand this.
"They library? On a Saturday?" Ron looked at me and then back to Harry. "What do you think Harry?"
Harry looked at me and shrugged. "I guess if she wants to waste a perfectly good day in a smelly old library..."
"It does not smell!" They shrugged and went out of the common room. Well that was easier than I thought it would be.
It took me a while but I finally managed to get to the Headmasters office. I think that Dumbledore was pleased to see me but I couldn't really tell.
"Miss Granger, what brings you here this fine morning?" He asked; eyes twinkling.
"It's about prefect duties."
"Aww miss Granger you've come to see if you can switch partners, am I wrong?" He looked at me and then he walked towards the balcony.
"No sir you're not wrong." I slowly walked towards him.
"And why would you want to do that?" He kept his gaze on the Hogwarts grounds.
"Well I was thinking it might be good to….Make our houses more unified." That sounds believable.
"That sounds like a lovely idea." He turned and gave me a smile. "I will alert the heads of houses."
"Thank you, professor." I turned to leave when he spoke again.
"Don't think I don't know what you're doing miss Granger," I stopped abruptly and turned to face his sparkling eyes. "We must all face a choice between what is right and what is easy and miss Granger I do believe that you have made the right choice." I smiled weakly at him and went out the portrait hole.
I don't really know what Dumbledore was talking about, I mean, he couldn't know could he? It is a possibility but one I highly doubt. If he did know, did he care? I honestly don't know what I'm doing. If I'm doing the right thing or the wrong thing. Merlin, this is confusing! I'll go to the library that's the only place that clears my head. I kept my head down not wanting to be disturbed, unfortunately I ran into someone.
"Hey! Watch it!" I looked up and saw who I had run into. A tall, dark haired, Italian Slytherin.
"S-Sorry." I stumbled back away from him but his face went from dark and cold to a devilish grin.
"You must be mudblood Granger. I'm…" he began to say but I stopped him.
"Blaise Zabini." I said coldly. He had bowed and took my had but I yanked it away. "What do you want?"
"I was just being my kind self." His grin kept getting bigger. Amazing just what I need.
"Yeah right." I rolled my eyes and turned to leave but he grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. "Let go of me!" I tried to pull away but he was to strong.
"So I happen to hear Gryffindors princess decided to visit the Headmaster." I stopped struggling and looked into his deep brown eyes.
"What's it to you?"
"Well I heard from the same little birdy that your messing with prefect duties." I raised my eyebrow and again tried to get away.
"You aren't even a prefect!" he shook his head.
"But my best mate is." Merlin, of course his best mate is Malfoy. Of course. "You might know him?" I don't know what game Zabini is playing at but it's getting annoying.
"Yes, I might know him." I said sarcastically.
"Well, if you manage to take away his prefect badge," he looked at me darkly but I put my opposite hand up to stop him.
"Let me stop you right there, I am not trying to make him lose his badge." His expression quickly change to a confused one.
"Wait what? Than what were you doing?" He let go of my arm put his hand through his hair.
"I was seeing if we could change prefect partners." He looked at me suspiciously.
"Whatever." He looked at me once more and then headed down the corridor.
"Where are you going?" I asked. Why do I care?
"Well if you must know I'm going to see my best mate. He's in the hospital wing." Maybe I should go see him too.
"Wait!" I stopped him right before he turned and sprinted towards him.
"I get it I'm just so dashingly handsome you can't keep your eyes off me." he smirked. This is ridiculous, why am I walking with a Slytherin? Because you care about Draco. Nope I just want to help him.
"Shut up. I just wanted to see…if Malfoys ok." I looked down and the floor and quietly followed him to the hospital wing.
"Oh, are you falling for the Slytherin prince? Because I can tell you he's great in.."
"I don't want to know. And no I'm not falling for him that's just disgusting." He shrugged and continued to walk.
Once we got to the big oak doors I realized that this was not one my brightest Ideas. It's too late to turn back know. Blaise entered first and I followed staying a few feet behind. There were a lot of students it today. Some looked like they were cursed or hexed others just sick, then on the second bed to the right was a blonde boy reading a book. Once he saw Blaise his face brightened. Blaise quickly ran up to Draco and whispered in his ear. Draco nodded and turned to look at me. I slowly walked up to his bed, I felt foolish to come, I didn't even bring him anything. He sat up and tried to look at me but I kept my head down.
"Granger, why have you come?" his voice was deep but cracked when he spoke.
"I came to see how you are." I kept my gaze down and focused on my shoes. He grabbed my hand which caused my head to jerk up. I looked into his grey eyes and he pulled me down that way he could whisper into my ear. I made sure not to touch him which was hard considering we were like two inches apart. When he spoke his breath tickled my neck, 'thank you' is all he said, then he pushed me away. I stood there dumbfounded. Did Draco Malfoy, Slytherins prince, just thank me? Blaise just looked between the both of us and tried to read his friends face, but Draco's face showed no emotion.
"Do you want to talk about last night?" Blaise asked as he sat on the end of the hard bed.
"Last night?" I looked at Blaise and Draco and gave them a puzzled look. "You mean when you fell off you broom?" Obviously I knew he didn't fall off his broom, but did Blaise?"
"Is that what your telling people? That you fell off your broom?" Blaise laughed. Ok so maybe Blaise isn't as dumb as I originally thought.
"It was the first thing I thought of. Besides we both know what really happened so it doesn't matter." I looked at Draco and he shrugged.
"Does she know what happened?" Blaise tilted his head towards me.
"No. So I suggest you tell me." they both looked at me and shook their heads. "Why not? I helped you didn't I?"
"You did, but that does not mean that I'm going to tell you." Draco is so stubborn, but guess what? So am I.
"You don't want to know." Blaise said. I saw something flicker across his face, pain, but it was gone as soon as it was there.
"Anyways why would I tell someone like you Granger? So you can go tell your scar-headed boyfriend?" Just when I thought he was being civil. "Oh, or is it Weaslebee?" I blushed and shock my head. Ok so I like Ron- big deal- but he's dating Lavender.
"Ohhh, does someone have a crush?" Blaise asked in a high-pitched voice.
I rolled my eyes and glared at him. "You do realize he's dating Lavender Brown?"
"Oh that slut from Gryffindor? You know she was flirting with me the other day?" Blaise looked rather pleased with himself. I rolled my eyes yet again.
"Shocking." My cold harsh tone made the Slytherin boys shiver.
"You guys can chat about one of the many Gryffindor sluts later, but if you please," he looked at me. "I need to speak to Blaise."
"Fine." I turned and started to walk away. I did happen to hear Zabini repeatedly saying sorry. I could have stayed to hear more of what they were saying but it didn't feel right. They asked me to leave so that's what I did. I didn't realize how late it was until I fled the hospital wing, everyone was heading for the Great Hall for dinner. I followed keeping my eyes open for Harry and Ron. Finally I spotted them sitting across from Neville and Seamus, I quickly ran up to them and sat by Ron. Careful not to sit to close.
"Hermione where have you been?" Ron asked; turning towards me.
"The library," I responded. "Honestly, I told you that this morning."
"Right." He looked back down to his food, his hair falling in his face.
"Look, there's Malfoy." Harry pointed to the grande doors, and sure enough a tall, blonde, Slytherin emerged from the corridor and entered the Great Hall. He had no cuts or scars showing which meant he used a concealment charm. Every pair of eyes landed on him -he just kept his head high and stalked to his table. Blaise entered shortly after with a smirk plastered to his broad face. He looked towards me and gave me a wink then proceeded to take his seat next to the Slytherin prince.
"What was that about?" Ron asked looking and me Strangely. I gave him a confused look and waited for him to explain. "You and Zabini?"
"Oh….I don't know." Ron wasn't one to question so he just continued to stuff his face full of food. Harry on the other hand will not let anything drop and will most likely bring it up tonight. For now though I just continued to eat.
Right before we were about to leave though Dumbledore stood up to the podium to make an announcement.
"Students if you please, take your seats once more." Everyone sat back down and brought their attention to the Headmaster. "It has been brought to my attention that our house's do not get along very well. So one way of solving that problem is by having prefects switch partners." There was a gasp and everyone looked around. I, however, pretended to be interested in my dule black shoes. Harry noticed my odd behavior and came over to talk to me. He bent down to whisper in my ear when Dumbledore continued. "Please everyone quiet!" Everyone quickly turned their heads back to the old Wizard. "I want all the prefects and Heads to meet me in my office. Now."
Me and Harry along with all the other prefects silently walked out of the Great Hall and to Dumbledore's office.
A/N: Thank you again for reading! Let me know what you think so far I would love to hear some input from you guys!
