Chapter 6: The Revelation
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Here you go.
Hermione's POV
"You are nothing but a Mudblood. How did you get into my vault?" screeched Bellatrix.
"We've never been inside your vault...It isn't the real sword! It's a copy, just a copy!"
"You are lying. CRUCIO"
I woke up sweating. I have had nightmares before. So I made it a habit of sleeping with silencing charms. It became less and less frequent as the years went by. Now it is occurs only once a month or so. The nightmares vary, it's either this or Harry lying dead in Hagrid's arms. Sometimes even Sirius dying and the night in the ministry. I glanced at my arm. Even after three years the scar is as prominent as before. Some days I am disgusted by it and on the others, I just wear it like a battle scar. With pride, pride of surviving it.
I looked at the clock on the nightstand. It was 6. Well no use going back to sleep now. I had to reach the Ministry by 9. I took a leisure shower and then prepared breakfast for Harry; he had a weakness for waffles. Leaving it on the table with a note and a warming charm, I left for the ministry. I was feeling relaxed after the shower. Sadly it was for a short time.
As I made my way towards my office I saw people engrossed in the Daily Prophet. It was early in the morning so I guess people reading newspaper shouldn't be surprising. But it is 'The Daily Prophet' hardly a reputable newspaper if you ask me. After greeting a few people on the way I reached my cabin. Placing my robe on the chair, I sat down with plans to read today's paper before starting any work.
Before I could even reach the rolled up paper, my door burst open and making his way towards me with an angry glint in his eyes was one Draco Malfoy.
"What the hell is this Granger? Or do you have no responsibility towards the guests of our nation?" he raged, slamming a copy of Daily Prophet on my desk.
"What are you talking about Malfoy?" I asked in confusion.
"So you have yet to read this literary crap. Please go ahead and read it" he spat.
Feeling beyond annoyed, I read it and felt my annoyance evaporating to be replaced by anger.
"Rita Skeeter" I spat.
"No shit Granger"
DRACO MALFOY GOES INTERNATIONAL!
Below was a full page picture of Malfoy and Arya hugging in the hallways.
On the back page was the article with two different pictures of both of them in Three Broomsticks and Honeydukes.
"Yes ladies, you heard it right. The Malfoy heir is out of the markets. Sources witnessed them getting rather cozy in Three Broomsticks where the Malfoy heir is a frequent visitor. Some even add that he bought her a wide range of sweets from the popular sweet destination.
"Draco is an old customer and when he asked to pack a bit of everything, we were happy to oblige. Draco even added that he wanted the lady to try all of them" commented the owner of Honeydukes.
Who is this lady you ask? She is none other than the new Ambassador from Egypt. Even though not that beautiful, the former Death eater seemed enamored by her. Maybe he is tired dating the same stunningly beautiful women he usually prefers and looking for variety. The reporter can only guess.
Mister Malfoy, who has never been shy about his other relationships, seems to be keen on hiding this one. Why could that be? Could it be because he is ashamed about it?
"She was quite fat and her behavior seemed so improper. She was latched on to his arm the whole time and was wearing his slytherin scarf, I mean isn't that inappropriately forward. I don't know what a guy like Draco would see in her. She is not good enough for him." said Lavender Brown, a former classmate of Draco Malfoy, who saw the two of them in Hogsmead.
Employees of the ministry while refusing to comment did confirm that the heir to the Malfoy fortune was indeed there and had a surprise for his international girlfriend. What the surprise was, we can only assume.
No reports could be found on the elusive ambassador only that her name is Arya Khan and she had studied in America."
I folded the paper back. I was only too aware of the vindictive nature of Skeeter, having tasted it in my fourth year. Now, as my status of a war hero in the war, she doesn't bother me much. Just a comment on my poor dressing style on events here and there and how I need my brains as I am lacking in other departments.
I was angry at the article. Even if I may not know their relationship, even a blind man could see it was hardly romantic. I was angrier on the venomous comments made on Arya. She was such a simple girl being devoured by wolves. Well as simple as a Princess could get.
"I understand your anger Malfoy. Tell me how can I help in this?" I asked calmly. It won't do well to loose temper in front of him.
"No offence Granger, but I don't need you help in this. I will handle it my way."
"So why are you here?" I asked feeling irritated.
"I am here because I don't want Khano to read this piece of trash. Ban it or burn it. Make sure it doesn't reach her until and unless tomorrow's copy is out. I will make them pay for this. Daily Prophet will soon be old news if they don't print an apology tomorrow. I have already called for a meeting with the Editor. Granger, don't muck this up or else you will have-" he was cut short in his attempt to threaten me by a new voice
"Draco"
Malfoy turned at the sound of her voice and froze. Wearing emerald green robes, with the Slytherin house scarf wrapped around her neck was Arya. And clutched in her hand was the Daily Prophet.
"Please don't shout at Hermione. She is my only friend here and I like her" she said in a small voice.
It is at moments such as these Arya reminds me of Luna and makes me want to protect her, even though I don't know here that well. She wears her heart on her sleeve and is not afraid of what she feels.
Malfoy went towards her and enveloped her in a tight hug. "Khano, I am so sorry. I promise you I will make them regret the day the thought of hiring Skeeter." Malfoy assured her.
She pulled back and straightened her posture and with a look of determination told him, "I want to be at the meeting. We will have it in my cabin."
Malfoy objected, "You don't have to be there. I will handle it."
"I want to be there. It am not fragile Draco, I can take care of myself. I appreciate what you are trying to do but I want to do this. I can defend myself and it is my duty as an Ambassador to stand up straight. If I cower in the face of criticism, what does that tell you about my people?"
She took his hand in both of his hands and said softly, "I need to do this. You will not always be there to protect me, no one will be. Not even the ones who promised." She said the last part so softly that I almost missed it.
Draco kissed her temple and nodded.
"Hermione, will you be there with me? Draco can lose his temper, having you there could help" she asked politely.
I did not understand the reasoning but still accepted. Surprisingly Malfoy had no objections and just said, "Meet us in an hour in Khano's office."
I nodded and he led Arya out of my office and shut the door. Can't I have a normal day? Is it too much to ask? Okay now that I am done lamenting about my horrible luck, I am really impressed by two things. I always thought of Arya as a soft spoken and well-mannered overgrown child. Not in a bad sense but in a cute innocent sense. But the look of determination in her eyes, took me by surprise. I guess I can now see what Harry was talking about. She is fierce.
The other is Draco Malfoy, the everlasting enigma. He cares about the young princess that much was evident. But going to such lengths to protect her and the tone he spoke to her, dare I say was filled with love. That is what surprised me. It is how I protect Harry. Now there is a thought, I and the ferret having similarities. Who would have thought about it? Definitely not me.
I browsed some books which I thought could help. I looked down at my warm neck and flipped it. "Thank you for the waffles Mione. See you soon." Harry was called in late last night. So slept in. he was to be back after lunch. I realized my hour was up and made my way towards the cabin next door. There were three chairs on either side of the large desk and five already occupied as I was the last to arrive. As I made my way towards the only empty chair I noticed that the balloons were gone and the animated wall was frozen. Aladdin was perched on his stand, glaring at the three people in front of him. Malfoy sat on the seat next to him, Arya in the middle one and I took the last one. Facing Malfoy was a balding man in a suit whom I could only assume was the Editor. Next to him facing Arya, sat Rita Skeeter. She sneered at me which I returned happily. Facing me was Rita's assistant, Parvati Patil. She gave me a small smile. I did not bother responding. It maybe Lavender who commented but Parvati definitely must have had a hand in it.
"So this was the surprise, I have to say I thought it would be a bit more mature" Skeeter said, looking around the room.
"Shut it Skeeter" snarled Malfoy.
"Why are you hiding this Mister Malfoy? Please comment, the readers want to know." She said.
Malfoy looked ready to throttle her but before he could say anything, the editor cut in.
"Why are we here Mister Malfoy?"
Malfoy composed himself and said, "You are here because I have been feeling generous and willing to offer you a deal. You will post and apology to the Ambassador and retract your trash article or Miss Khan here will sue you for defamation of character and you can be rest assured she will win the case because I will be fighting it and you know, I don't lose."
"Freedom of press Mister Malfoy and Miss Khan, being a public figure is liable to public speculation." The Editor added with a satisfied smug.
"I would have to disagree. Miss Khan here is an Ambassador from another country. She has Diplomatic Immunity. One of the benefits is that she can take personal action on matters which harm her or her Nation's pride and honor, which this article did. So she will be within her rights as an Ambassador to sue you. Oh and by the way any other rights apart from the right to live will be overlooked as her position is more important to the Nation than the trash you call paper. Mister Malfoy can confirm it. As a prosecutor it is his forte." I said and looked at Malfoy. He was looking at me in awe. Finally gaining his senses back he nodded and smiled at me. His first genuine smile towards me. I momentarily lost the ability to speak. Breaking myself from another Malfoy trance, I looked at the Editor who had gone pale. Rita looked ready to kill me and Parvati had her head held down, wanting to go unnoticed.
"Pride and Honor," Rita spat, looking at me, "What will her Nation say when they hear her dating one of the Death Eaters?" she added with malice.
"ENOUGH"
We all turned at the source of the voice. Arya had stood up her hands balled in the fists. She looked at Rita with a look of pure hatred. I was taken aback. The smiling girl who looked as happy with balloons as one would be when gifted diamonds was nowhere visible.
"Let me give you a lesson on General Knowledge and History. I am my Nation's Pride and Honor. I am Arya Abdullah Khan, Daughter of the ruling King of Egypt both Muggle and Magical, Omar Khan, Next in line to rule."
I notice that as soon as she announced it, a long platinum chain became visible on her neck and reached till her chest. Hanging from it was a platinum snowflake. It shone brightly as if made completely from diamonds and it was. All three journalists visibly paled. But she was not done.
"Looking at your faces one can only assume you were not aware of this piece. Let me enlighten you more because obviously your brains did not grasp the true meaning of what Miss Granger here said. It means your rules don't apply to me. None of it, because displeasing me is displeasing my Nation. I don't give a shit about what you write about me. I am fat but tell me, do your families or salaries feed me? Secondly it is true I am not good enough for Draco. No one is good enough for my Draco," she turned and smiled at Draco who seemed to be in a trance.
Rita seemed to be grasping straws, "So that means you are admitting to be in a relationship with a Death Eater?"
"Take it as a warning or threat, but call my brother a Death Eater once again and I can promise you, it will be your last fault. Trust me on this; you don't stand a chance against me. Oh and Rita, stop bugging me and people I care about and that includes, the Malfoys, Miss Granger and Mister Potter and all those who they care about or will go about it as a personal vendetta, one which you will not survive. You all are dismissed and I expect an apology tomorrow. Have a good day." With that she flicked open the door.
I was surprised at Harry's name but they seem to get along that day.
All of them hurried out but before they could leave, "Patil, can you wait for 5 more minutes?" his tone suggesting that it was more of an order than request.
Parvati paled but agreed.
"Just inform Brown, that she will pay for the comment she made. She has hurt a Malfoy and a Malfoy always pays his debts" he said icily.
Partvati gulped and ran out of the room.
Once all were out of the room, Arya heaved a sigh of relief. Malfoy caught her in a hug and she broke down. I left the room, closing the door behind me, giving them some privacy.
I went to my cabin and thought about the meeting. I was worried about Arya. Surprisingly I was worried about Malfoy too. When Rita had called him a death eater, Malfoy had looked as if someone had slapped him. I know he never wanted to be one. It was to protect his family. Like us, even Malfoy was a victim of the lord maniac. He was misunderstood for his dry sense of humor, judged for his family name and stereotyped for his looks. Draco never had it easy but he still stood straight in the face of opposition and criticism.
So with that in mind, I went on to check on them. When I entered the cabin, Malfoy was the only one there. He was sitting on the chair Arya had sat and was staring on the walls, playing with a chain around his neck. I had never seen it before or maybe it was always there and I did not notice it. There was an open bottle of firewhisky on the desk. I tentatively knocked on the door and asked, "Mind if I come in?" He shrugged but still did not look at me. I made my way towards him and sat on the chair next to him.
"How much did you drink?" I asked frowning.
"Not enough."
I ignored the statement and asked, "Are you okay Malfoy?"
"Are you concerned Granger." He sneered.
I shrugged, "I wouldn't be here if I was not." I said honestly.
He laughed bitterly, "Now isn't that the sentiment of the day Granger? My sister is publicly insulted and all she could care about was if I was okay or not. You were tortured in my house, in my presence yet you sit here and ask of my well-being. Tell me Granger, why I deserve this? I am nothing but a Death Eater."
I was taken aback by his outburst. He has been called a Death Eater before but never had he reacted like this. I mean even though the article was beyond mean it was still an article. I would have thought it would take more than a petty article to break Malfoy. Was it because of Arya? Was he offended on her behalf? But even then his reaction seems a bit extreme.
"Wondering the reason behind all this, aren't you Granger." said Malfoy.
I had the decency to blush. The things did not add up. As far as I know, Malfoy had a hard heart. It would take a lot to rile him up or get him this bothered.
"I just don't understand why this would affect you so much. I mean I get that it was horrible but you dealt with it properly. So what are you so concerned about."
He just kept staring at the wall. I took his profile in. He looked guilty and something about it made me want to comfort him. So summoning all the Gryffindor courage I took his hand in mine and looked in his eyes, "Tell me, maybe I could help you."
He looked in my eyes, searching for something and must have found it because he sighed and said,
"Arya Abdullah Khan is the Daughter of Omar Khan and Carina Khan who was once a Malfoy. Daughter of Abraxas Malfoy and the twin sister of Lucius Malfoy. My aunt. We are first cousins. She is my Godmother and a great friend to my mother. Since then I have been a frequent at their place in Egypt. Almost all of my summers and Easter holidays till the stopped when I turned sixteen. You can guess why," I nodded. Voldemort had returned and Draco was to kill a man he respected.
"Apart from my mother, Arya is the most important person in my life. I can't imagine my life without her. She was my first friend. My only friend for a long time. My only wish in life was to not disappoint her. But being reminded of the fact that I failed in that miserably is a huge blow. I did not even think of the consequences she will have with her people due to her association with people like me. When I was marked, Egypt was on the brink of a civil I did not tell her. She did not need my worries. She had many of her own, but by Christmas, I was so torn up about my task that I told her. Everything from the time I was marked till Potter attacked me; I wrote in a letter and sent it to her. She replied in words which I did not totally grasp at that time but later when I did, I was more than grateful to have her in my life."
"What did she write." I asked softly.
He pointed to the chain in his hand and I saw it was a gold one, hanging from it was a dragon and behind it were inscribed three letters.
"HEA?" I looked at him in confusion.
"Happily Ever After. She wrote I her letter, 'Stay strong Draco, I may have not got mine, but you will get yours. In times of despair, look at it and believe that it will end and it will end for better' I can never forget those lines. Later I got to know what had happened and only the fact that we were at war stopped me from going to her."
I wanted to know what had happened, that made her think she has lost her happy ending, but I gathered this was not the time to quell my curiosity. I let him continue.
"After all she had done for me, I acted in such a manner, so blinded by my own selfishness, by my own happiness of wanting her here that I did not think of her and that is what is bothering me. I did not think of what her people would think about her associating with me? And you know what makes me more disgusted with myself? It is the fact that when she broke down earlier, it was on my behalf. She was more concerned about how I felt. I am such a bastard."
To say I was surprised by his whole speech would be like saying crucio is just a little painful. Everything fell into place. The love, the need to protect, Arya's anger on Harry for hurting Draco and Draco's extreme reaction to the article.
I tried reassuring him, but words were stuck in my throat.
Malfoy pointed to a picture on the desk, the one I had copied.
"The Summer before we started Hogwarts, I was in Egypt and from there my aunt took me and her on a trip to Florida. Arya's parents are not huge on blood purity, they look down to it. So when a half-blood friend of the Queen suggested a great place for children, my aunt took us there. My father was unhappy about it but couldn't do anything because my mother was firm about it. On reaching there Arya fell in love with the mouse, I was skeptical as I had not been with Muggles ever. But soon the amusement park grew on me and ever since then every summer was spent in Disneyland," his voice grew heavy, "Those were the best days of my life. I was not the heir, was not supposed to behave horribly to people who were not purebloods. I was a kid on a vacation with his best friend. And then it all stopped when The Dark Lord returned. He would have not appreciated the son of one of his prominent Death Eater gallivanting in a Muggle park." He spat.
I was holding his hand as hard as I could. Never had I seen Malfoy in such a vulnerable state. It scared me, to see him like this. Draco Malfoy was the cocky, arrogant not scared. Looking at him I felt a pull at my heart strings. Staring at me, me all masks dropped, it made him seem more real, more human. I could fall for this Malfoy. He could be Draco.
I was surprised at my own revelation. I was attracted to him. That could hardly be denied. But do I like him? Could there be more than physical attraction. Pushing those thoughts out of my mind, I concentrated on the silver pools staring at me with a strange desire in them. Seemingly coming out of the trance, he turned away.
Without thinking I threw my arms around him, trying to convey that I did not think of him as a selfish jerk and that he was not to be blamed. After a moment I felt his arms around me, tightening. I don't know how long we sat there but then I felt my neck grow hot. I reluctantly pulled back and cursing Harry, looked at the message.
"I will meet you directly at home and inform Malfoy dinner is at our place"
I frowned. What is Harry up to? I will kill Potter if this is another one of his pathetic attempts at matchmaking.
"Why" I sent back.
I looked back at Draco. He had started clearing the office. He was trying to return it to its original state. I noticed him stumbling. I got up and summoned my bag.
After a moment of searching, I found it and handed it to him wordlessly. He smiled and in one gulp drank the sobering potion.
Once head clear of fire whiskey, he looked at me and smirked, "Been drinking a lot Granger?"
I rolled my eyes and understood the need to be on familiar ground, "Shut up Malfoy, I keep it handy for Harry."
We both felt quite and I asked him about Arya, to break the awkward silence.
"She wanted to be alone. And if I know my sister, she would now be in the library of Malfoy Manor, in her ridiculous cartoon Pajamas and a bowl full of coffee flavored ice cream, settled on the couch with a fat book. Sounds familiar Granger?"
He grinned at me and then looked on the ground before saying, "I am sorry about earlier Granger or for making you uncomfortable."
I smiled at him, "You don't need to apologize Malfoy. I understand. Had it been Harry, trust me I would have been worse."
"I think after the day we had, you can definitely call me by my first name."
I was surprised, "Only if you call me by mine."
"No way. You will always be Granger until" he stopped.
"Until what?" I asked in confusion.
"Nothing, Granger your neck is glowing." He said swiftly.
I looked at him in confusion but shrugged. Checking my neck I sighed.
"I will explain later, but please do it. Tell him 8."
I looked up to Malfoy and he said, "So what did Potter want?"
"You know about it?"
"Of course, Potter told me when I saw him tapping at his watch. That is one impressive piece of magic Granger." He said sincerely.
I felt my cheeks heat up. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me?
"Harry wants me to invite you to dinner. At our place" I added hastily.
He frowned in confusion, "Why would Potter want that?"
I shrugged and he added cockily, "Unless he started swinging the other way. If that's the case than Granger give him my sincerest apologies because I don't."
I glared at him and said, "Harry is not gay. Trust me, I know"
Malfoy's smile vanished at that and he sneered, 'And you would know this because?"
I was surprised by his reaction but still replied, "We have been friends for a decade now and we live together and the walls are not as thick as Harry's memory to put silencing charms. And besides," I added as an afterthought, "I caught Harry and Ginny in the broom closet in our sixth year. That is one image I could have lived without seeing."
"Do I hear bitterness in your voice Granger? Did you wish to be in the She-weasels place?"
"Gross Malfoy, Harry is like a brother. That would have felt like incest." I said, feeling disgusted.
Malfoy looked relived so I continued, with a smug look, "Why do you care? Could it be that you are interested in Harry? Then let me confirm that there is nothing going on between us. You are free to pursue him."
I laughed at him. Malfoy looked scandalized. "That was a low blow Granger."
"You called for it." I shrugged.
"So what time should I grace you with my presence?" he added haughtily.
I shook my head at him, "Eight, Your Majesty." I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
He smirked and said, "Should do." And walked towards the floo.
I picked up the empty bottle of potion and threw at him.
Laughing, he called his destination and left.
I smiled and then realized the impromptu dinner party and frowned.
What in the name of Merlin was Harry up to?
A/N this story is Dramione all the way. The character Arya is to bring out the best in Draco. A sibling relationship is unique and that's what I am trying to portray. I am creating a base now. Soon the story will move in speed.
I have used a line from Game of Thrones. Try guessing it.
The next update will mostly be in a week. Please review and let me know what are your thoughts about it. I would really appreciate it. Good, bad even a word will do. Your opinions matter. Looking forward to your comments. Thank you