Chapter 3

Decisions

Authors Note: Hey everyone. Hope you enjoyed chapter 2. Here's chapter 3. Please give me some REVIEWS as well. I'm really looking forward to reading them. :) OK Chapter 3. Here we go.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters created by Ms. Rowling. I'm just borrowing them.

Last Chapter: Hermione was trying to catch her breath and had not noticed that it was Draco that had caught her until he had spoken. Her head snapped up to meet his silver eyes and she was shocked at what she saw in them. It wasn't anger or hatred but rather affection and something else that she wasn't quick enough in deciphering. He hurriedly let go of her and quickly walked away leaving her behind to think about what had just happened. She walked towards her first lesson, Transfiguration with shaky legs.

It was nearly completely dark in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor. The only source of light was the merrily crackling fire in the fireplace. However the atmosphere in the room was far from merry. A Deatheater meeting was in session and Lord Voldermort was in a towering rage.

"How is it that my diary that you were supposed to keep safe is destroyed Lucius?" he yelled making all the windows rattle and Nagini hiss.

"My Lord. Forgive me my Lord." Lucius replied shaking and kneeling in front of You-Know-Who.

Draco stood against the far wall of the room watching the whole scene unfold. He was scared for his father and he was scared for himself. It seemed that that diary had been something of great importance to Voldermort. Draco quickly made a mental note to tell Dumbledore as soon as possible.

"Crucio!" Voldermort yelled, but before Draco could look up to see who was being tortured he was filled with pain so terrible he could do nothing other then scream and writhe in pain.

"Please my Lord. Not Draco. Leave Draco," begged Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy but it was of no use. Voldermort was too angry to care. He had lost something very important to him because of the senior Malfoys ignorance. He was going to pay. After what seemed like a millennia the pain Draco was feeling receded a little. He found himself unable to move. He just continued to lay on the ground and taste his own blood from where he had bitten down into his own cheek.

"My Lord," ventured Severus Snape, "if I am not mistaken, Dumbledore has no knowledge of your progress in the path to immortality." He seemed to be choosing his words very carefully as if he didn't want any of the others to understand.

"Lord Voldermort does not forgive easily Severus. You know that as well as anyone else. I guess our slippery friend Lucius here is going to have to make up for his little 'slip up'," Voldermort hissed and without warning cast the Cruciatus curse on Draco again. Draco was vaguely aware of his parents' shouts of protests. Again and again the Dark Lord punished Lucius by hurting his son.

"Maybe next time you will be more careful with the things left in your possessions Lucius. This time I have refrained from killing the boy. Next time neither of you will be so lucky." Then with a swish of his cloak Voldermort disappeared. Almost immediately after his departure the Deatheaters also fled leaving only Snape and the Malfoys. All of them bent over Draco to see the amount of damage done to the young man. Other than being completely shaken up and with numerous deep cuts along his neck and face from where he scratched himself due to the pain, he seemed to be ok. Narcissa kneeled next to him and started gently weeping.

"I'll take him Lucius, back to Hogwarts to Madam Pomfrey. He needs to be at the hospital wing. Leaving him home will put him in more danger," Severus said.

"You're right Severus," answered Lucius all the while never removing his eyes from his bleeding son. "Take good care of him."

And with that Severus leant down and lifted Draco from his shoulders. Slowly whilst supporting his weight he carried him over to the fireplace, threw in floo powder and called out 'My quarters'. He had some important things to tell the Headmaster about the things that Voldermort had let slip, But they would have to wait. Draco needed to be taken to the hospital wing.

Hermione was sitting in the Heads' common room by her self absent mindedly flicking through the pages of one of her school books. She was thinking about Draco. It had not escaped her attention that Draco hadn't come to the heads' dorm all day. Now it was 11pm and he was still not present. It didn't even cross her mind that he might be in danger. All she seemed to be able to think about was whether Draco was with some girl and staying in her bed for the night. She didn't understand why this was making her feel angry. Draco was just an acquaintance so it should not matter who he sleeps or doesn't sleep with.

Feeling angry at herself for having these stupid thoughts Hermione placed her book on the coffee table in the middle of the common room and went off to bed.

The next morning when she woke up, she fought the urge to run into Draco's room to see whether he was in there or not. She showered, got dressed and picking up her wand and book bag and walked into the common room only to stop instantly in her tracks. Her least favourite professor, Snape, was sitting on the very couch that she had vacated the night before. On seeing her come out of her room he slowly rose from the couch.

"Miss Granger, please take a seat." He said pointing to one of the comfortable armchairs next to the couch.

Hermione wordlessly walked towards the armchair all the while keeping her eyes on Snape. She looked closely at his face and even more closely into his eyes. He looked different. He was sad and there was unmistakably remorse in his eyes. Hermione instantly stopped feeling defensive and started feeling worried. Something had happened. Could it be something to Draco? When she thought this she gripped the sides of the armchair. Snape noticed the move and understood the reason for it.

"I am here Miss Granger to tell you what has happened to Draco." Snape began. Hermione sucked in her breath. It seemed to be coming in short, painful gasps.

"As you know Miss Granger, Draco is a Deatheater. Last night Draco was summoned by the Dark Lord. It seemed his father had not been fulfilling his duties as was expected by Voldermort. Draco was punished severly for his fathers mistake. He had the Cruciatus curse performed on him numerous times and he is very shaken at the moment. The reason for why he wasn't here last night was because he was at the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey patched him up as best she could. You see he scratched himself from the pain and ended up with some deep gashes along his neck. But the real reason for why I am here is to ask for your help. What Draco needs the most right now is a friend. A confidante. However it will be unwise for him to become too friendly with his Slytherin companions. Almost all of them have families that are linked closely with the Dark Arts. Therefore I must ask you Miss Granger. Please. Help my Godson."

Hermione found it difficult to speak. She had not been expecting something like this. She was scared for Draco. But she was scared for herself too. By being there for Draco she would be opening herself up to expected pain. Then she thought of all the other things that Snape had told her. Draco obviously couldn't rely on anyone. He had had to pay for his fathers mistake. He was in need of someone. Hermione was the best candidate because of their sleeping arrangements and positions. No one would think it weird if the Head Boy and Girl were conversing. And in the privacy of their own dormitories Draco could be as open as he wanted to be and none would be the wiser.

Snape had watched her carefully while she had been thinking these thoughts and was glad to see the things passing through her eyes. He realised how scared she was but being the smartest witch of her age he knew that she would figure out the seriousness of the thing that he was asking her to do. He inwardly smiled when he saw the determined look in her eyes.

"Yes Professor. I'll do it. I'll be Draco's friend." She said with the same determination that Snape had seen in her eyes. He inwardly smiled and stood up.

"Thank you Miss Granger. I shall never forget this. Please visit Draco in the hospital wing. I think he will be very grateful," and with a short bow he walked out of the Heads' dormitories.

Half an hour later Hermione found herself walking towards the hospital wing. She was afraid of the state that she might find Draco in but determined anyway. She walked in, to find him propped up against his pillows. He looked up when he heard Hermione come in. He didn't smile though, just silently watched as she approached. She stopped by the foot of his bed and hesitantly said, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," he answered all the while watching her through narrowed eyes.

"I was worried when you didn't come back last night." She said with honesty.

"Why?" Draco asked still with narrowed eyes.

"Well..because..well," she mumbled unable to find an answer.

"Why are you even here?" he asked with animosity.

"I said I was worried." Hermione said defensively.

"I don't need your pity ok?" Draco said with anger.

Hermione was so shocked that it took her a few minutes to be able to reply to Draco's outburst.

"I'm here because of Professor Snape. He asked me to be your friend but if your stupid enough to not understand the significance and danger of your situation. But you know what? You don't deserve it Draco. I'm out of here." She got up and stalked towards the door cursing Draco under her breath. He was angry with the way she was treating him like a charity case. Who was she to think he needed anyone. He punched his pillow into a more comfortable position and willed himself to go to sleep.

Hermione was lying in her bed late at night trying to get to sleep. Her anger had finally ebbed away. Now she was just upset about the way Draco had pushed her away. And once again she couldn't seem to get him out of her head. Little did she know that Draco was having the exact same problem.

End of Chapter 3

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