Let Me Help You
DracoxHermione
Rated NC-17
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling
Author's Note: Thanks so much to everyone who is following along this new Draco and Hermione story! I hope you continue to enjoy it as it goes on. I don't know if it will be as long as the last one or longer, so we'll just see how it goes. Again, thanks so much and let's jump into this new chapter. XOXO, SehunsBae37.
Let Me Help You
Chapter 4
Hermione stared down at Draco's forearm in shock and horror, not being able to believe what she was seeing. However the proof was right in front of her and Ron's spouting about the youngest Malfoy being a Death Eater had come to fruition. But even so something didn't seem right, like how Draco seemed to be scared out of his wits. A Death Eater wouldn't be scared about what they were doing, yet Draco was. Cautiously reaching out Hermione took Draco's arm in her hands and she caressed the Dark Mark, feeling Draco tense beneath her touch.
"Draco," Hermione started softly. "Were you forced to become a Death Eater?"
Draco didn't answer right off, letting Hermione know he was getting his thoughts together. However, she was surprised when she heard the choked sob that came from the blond boy. Looking up in alarm, the brunette was shocked to see Draco sobbing into his free hand, his pale face taking on a pink hue as his face (from what she could see past his hand) was contorted in pain.
Not being able to stand seeing her crush so defeated Hermione stood from her chair and stepped over to Draco, bending down and wrapping her arms around him in a hug. She cradled Draco's head to her chest as he wrapped his own arms around her midsection, his hands gripping her shirt in desperation as he released his pent up pain and emotions.
It was silent in the Room of Requirement, the only sounds breaking it were Draco's sobs and Hermione's shushes and words of comforts. Ten minutes later Draco had finished sobbing and was trying to get his emotions back in order, though he didn't let go of Hermione. While he had been crying the Gryffindor has started gently running her fingers through his blond hair in a comforting manner. She had yet to stop and he was okay with that, as the feel of her fingers helped to relax him.
Finally the Slytherin had calmed down and pulled away from the brunette that was holding him, taking her arms and unwrapping them from around him. Looking up into Hermione's brown eyes, Draco whispered, "Thank you."
Hermione smiled softly and replied, "Your welcome."
Taking her wand out Hermione pointed it to the chair she had been sitting in and Transfigured it into a loveseat with comfy red cushions. She sat on it and patted the space next to her, indicating for Draco to take a seat on it as well. Draco sighed and stood from his chair, sitting next to Hermione with just enough space between them so they weren't too close or too far apart.
They sat in silence for a while before Hermione asked, "Are you going to tell me?"
"About why I have the Dark Mark?" Draco asked in response. When Hermione nodded in answer, the blond let out a defeated sigh before saying, "I will, but you have to promise me you won't tell anyone."
"You have my word," Hermione said seriously.
Nodding Draco said, "Well, ever since my father failed at retrieving Potter's prophecy at the Ministry, no thanks to you lot, no offense, the Dark Lord has been rather cross with him and our family name. Especially so now that father is in Azkaban. The Dark Lord decided that since his own loyal Death Eater from his Inner Circle couldn't do any job he gave him right, he would have me do something instead and better my father. As you can probably guess I was reluctant to do so, even with father urging me to do so. You have to understand that I don't believe in his cause and those Purebloods' way of thinking, Hermione. And I'm sorry for insulting you and calling you a Mudblood, but I have to keep up appearances and all."
Hermione nodded and said, "It's fine, I get it. But continue on, please."
"Right. Anyway, it was reported that I was less than eager to join the ranks of the Death Eaters, so the Dark Lord told some of them to bring me and mother to him. As soon as we were in audience with him, he used the Cruciatus Curse on me then my mother. He told me that I was weak and a disappointment to my family name. The Dark Lord said he would not put up with anymore insolence from the Malfoy family and told me to take the Dark Mark right then and there. And if I refused he would kill mother right in front of me. I tried to beg for mercy but he wouldn't listen, so I said that I would take the Dark Mark and become a Death Eater."
Draco stopped talking for a moment and swallowed harshly, his grey eyes filled with pain at the memory. Hermione frowned and noticed him rub over his arm, which he covered back up with his sleeve, right over the mark of the Death Eaters. Reaching over she took his hand in hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze, feeling him return it.
The blond took a deep breath before continuing, "I let the Dark Lord put his mark on me, and then he hugged me, telling me that I made a "wonderful choice". He told me that he would like to meet with mother and me the next evening and he dismissed us. As soon as we were back home I got sick and mother had to take care of me, When I got over my nausea I cried in my mother's lap, something I haven't done since I was eight, and apologized over and over for what happened. She caressed my head and told me that everything was going to be okay and that it wasn't my fault. She let me cry myself to sleep in her lap that night, knowing that I needed all of the comfort I could get in that moment."
"She sounds like a lovely woman when behind closed doors," Hermione said.
"She is, the best in the world, though I may just be biased. Our relationship is closer than most think and every ounce of affection I could get from my parents came from her alone," Draco said with a fond smile on his face.
Hermione smiled at Draco as he smiled at the thought of his mother. It was amazing how she had only been sitting with Draco for about twenty minutes or so and she has seen another side to him that he wouldn't dare show anyone else, or that no one else would try and see. And even better, Draco was still holding onto her hand when he could have let go by now. Hermione felt like she could fly on a hippogriff she was so happy from just holding the boy's hand.
Draco looked over at Hermione and noticed how intently she was looking at him. What caught his attention more was the amount of happiness that shone in her brown eyes. What on earth could make the brunette so happy at the moment? Frowning in confusion Draco asked, "Are you alright, Hermione?"
Hermione blinked before nodding, a slight blush on her face. Draco nodded and continued on with his story.
"The next evening we met the Dark Lord and that was when he gave me the task of murdering Dumbledore and sneaking Death Eaters into Hogwarts. He made it clear that if I failed he would go through with his threat of killing mother, so I agreed. Mother however was concerned about my wellbeing in the whole ordeal, so she approached my godfather and asked him to protect me at all costs. He even made an Unbreakable Vow to follow through with my task if I failed to do so."
"And who is your godfather, if I may ask?" Hermione asked curiously.
Draco looked at Hermione for a moment before saying, "The best Potions Master to ever grace Wizarding Britain. He's also the youngest recorded and has been Potions professor for years until recently."
Brown eyes widened in shock as an amused smirk appeared on the blond's face. Hermione gasped before she exclaimed, "Professor Snape! Professor Snape is your godfather?"
"Yes, though I view him more like a father figure than my own father," Draco answered truthfully. "I guess you can say that is also why he favors me and I get out of trouble with him a lot."
"You're right, it's completely unfair," Hermione retorted, causing Draco to burst into laughter. The brunette couldn't help but laugh with him before she said, "But for him to go to such great lengths to protect you is amazing. He must really love you like a son to do so."
Draco nodded with a smile before giving Hermione's hand a squeeze. He leant his face back and let out what sounded like a sigh of relief, as if he had gotten something off of his chest that he wanted to get off for a while. And in truth he had, and despite whom it was he told it to, he was grateful. Hermione had willingly listened to him and hadn't judged him for his decision to become, albeit unwillingly, a Death Eater.
Giving the girl a tight hug Draco softly said, "Thank you for listening. I really appreciate it. And you have no idea how much it means to me that you didn't judge me, Hermione."
Hermione, who had stiffened from the hug at first, relaxed and returned the hug saying, "It's no trouble, Draco. After all I already wanted to know what was going on with you. I'm glad you finally decided to tell me."
Draco nodded as he pulled away before running his hand through his blond hair. Standing up he said, "I guess I should tell Uncle Sev that you know now. He won't tell the Dark Lord that you know, if only to protect me, but he has a right to know that you know."
"'Uncle Sev'?" Hermione said in amusement, a giggle getting past her lips.
"Quiet, Granger. Don't make fun of me for calling him that. I've been calling him that for years in private," Draco said, amusement in his own voice.
The two of them giggled softly before Draco asked, "So what were you doing before you followed me?"
Hermione looked next to her and picked up her book as she said, "I was going to go outside and read by the Great Lake, but you seemed more interesting, especially considering you were near the Gryffindor Common Room entrance."
Draco's cheeks took on a light pink hue before he cleared his throat and scratched the back of his head. Ignoring the girl's giggle he held out a hand to her for her to take, which she did and he helped her to stand. They both felt a tingle run through their fingers and up their arms from the contact before they let go.
As they walked towards the exit they talked about their studies and Hermione complained about how Harry seemed to suddenly excel in Potions. Draco made a comment saying he must be cheating or getting help from somewhere ('like the teacher's pet he is', he added), prompting Hermione to lightly hit him in his arm, reprimanding him for his comment.
"Besides, Ron would most likely be the one to get help elsewhere rather than Harry in Potions," Hermione commented, making Draco chuckle.
The door to the Room of Requirement appeared before them and they both looked out, making sure no one was around. Seeing no one around they stepped out and headed down the corridor, Draco walking Hermione back to the Fat Lady's portrait. The bell to end free period was about to ring and she wanted to get her books and notes together for her next class.
Reaching the Fat Lady's portrait Draco said, "Thank you for talking with me, Hermione."
"It was my pleasure," Hermione replied with a smile. "Do you think we will be able to again sometime?"
"Of course," the blond replied with a smile. Taking Hermione's hand he lifted it to his lips and kissed the back of her hand before saying, "Until then, Hermione."
Hermione waved after Draco as he walked away, softly saying, "Bye."
As soon as Draco was out of sight and most likely headed down the stairs to the sixth floor, Hermione let out a happy squeal and spun around in a circle, a silly grin on her face. Giggling softly she turned to face the Fat Lady who was looking at her with an expression between confusion and amusement.
"Are you alright, dear?" the Fat Lady asked.
Nodding the Gryffindor answered, "Never better, ma'am. But if you don't mind, don't tell anyone, portrait or person otherwise about that, will you?"
The Fat Lady pinched her thumb and forefinger together before dragging them across her lips. Hermione grinned and nodded before giving the password and gaining entrance to Gryffindor Tower. And as she headed up to the Girl's Dormitory, she couldn't help but think that today marked the beginning of a friendship between her and Draco.