Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. All of this belongs to J.K Rowling and the publishers alike.
Chapter 7: Fermented Grain Mash
Hermione wrapped the cloak tighter around her form as she stared up at the Hog's Head in front of her. What was she doing? This could be a trap for all she knew. Hermione shook her head. If this was an attack then she would be ready. She would curse the Malfoy boy until he lost his capability to walk if he tried anything rash.
Hermione gripped her wand tighter as she stared at the building. Some things never change. She thought smugly, looking up at the building that looked exactly as it did when it was her time. She faintly recalled the first DA meeting here. She smiled weakly at the thought. The faint image of the DA members walking in here for the first time caused something in her stomach to rile up.
But now the majority of Dumbledore's Army were…Hermione bit back tears at the thought. Her beloved friends and family were no more.
The Gryffindor snapped the thought out of her mind and wrapped her black cloak tighter as a cruel cold wind rushed past her, causing her to shiver.
Hermione held the parchment she had found in her textbook a few days ago in her hand. All it said was:
Hog's Head
Hogsmeade Weekend.
Nothing more. No specific date or time. Hermione frowned. What could he possibly want? Buy a couple of drinks and start a hearty conversation? The thought brought dry humor to her.
Perhaps it was some form of act to humiliate her. Expose her for her secrets and then Riddle would find out of her plans and would surely kill her. If he was capable of killing his own father and grandparents then he would surely have no problem killing her.
Hermione's eyebrows narrowed harshly at the thought. She most certainly wouldn't go down without a fight if that were the case. She thought hotly. Hermione drew in a breath.
There was no point in coming here. He probably wouldn't even show up and just leave her waiting.
Hermione found herself throwing her hood over her face to hide it, only leaving enough room for her eyes to peek through from underneath the hood. She was going to see what this was all about. She would hopefully resolve her issue with Malfoy and then she could carry on peacefully destroying Voldemort's Horcruxs.
Hermione breathed a simple chuckle at the thought. Peaceful. She thought with mild amusement. Since when did peaceful and Voldemort fit into the same sentence?
The Gryffindor took cautioned steps toward the rusty and old building of the Hog's Head.
She opened the door and was welcomed with a dusty and ragged room. Filed with rusty and dusty men and women. Hermione tightened her hold on her cloak despite the fact that she was now indoors. She scanned the room.
No Hogwarts students ever entered here. They all went to the Three Broomsticks if it was a drink or snack they wanted.
It was slightly empty here. A few men and women scattered around the room but other than that it was quite vacant.
That was what made Malfoy so easy to spot.
He wasn't in his Hogwarts uniform, but rather in a black cloak, just as she was. He didn't notice her. He just stared at his dirty cup with intent interest. Bottles and bottles encased him around the table.
Hermione inhaled deeply as her grip on her wand tightened and she made her way over to his table.
She walked swiftly to the table unnoticed as Malfoy still didn't look up to acknowledge her he continued to ignore her. With reluctance to sit down, Hermione seated herself down on the rickety chair.
"You're late." He said simply, still not looking up. Hermione narrowed her eyes from underneath her hood not too keen on removing it.
"Says the boy who sent me a parchment with no specific date or time," She drawled sarcasticly, her clutch becoming tighter. Hermione's eyes narrowed as Malfoy chuckled lightly looking up at her with his grey eyes.
"I'm just messing with you, Mudblood. No need to overreact" He drawled harshly, causing Hermione to wince at his cruelty. That's it. She snapped and she abruptly stood up and made her way to leave. Getting up and leaving the table.
"Awww, come one, don't be a party-pooper." He hissed followed by a rather impressively loud burp. Hermione grimaced with disgust.
"You are ridiculously repulsive. I hope you're aware of that." She said in a clipped tone. Her patience thinning just by the mere presence of him. He seemed to have not heard her because he hiccupped and murmured something incomprehensible words that Hermione didn't understand.
"…sit d-down." He mumbled and took another swig of his beverage. That was when the pieces fell together. Hermione allowed a smirk to twist her features.
"Isn't it a little early to get wasted?" She asked in a mocking innocent tone. She took a quick glance at the clock. Indeed it was almost six o'clock but all in all, one shouldn't get so heavy on alcohol especially when he was a Hogwarts student and could get punished severely if caught.
"No one asked you, you dirty little-"
"Yes, yes I know, I know," She hissed knowing that Malfoy would have spat a whole bunch of rude and creative words at her.
"Aw! Come on, have a drink!" He grinned and motioned lazily for her to sit across from whilst taking another sip. Hermione was taken aback by his sudden movement. Yup. She concluded with annoyance. The bastard is drunk.
"I'd rather not," She said stiffly, revolted at his state. His robes were rather sagged along with his mere appearance.
A cool sensation wrapped around her suddenly and before she could whip out her wand, she was hurled forward by the mysterious force and enforced to sit in the seat across from Malfoy.
"You bastard!" She shrieked, causing a few heads to turn. Though she didn't care as she tried to wriggle out of Malfoy's magical bonds that held her to the seat. He only chuckled wryly and took another sip of what Hermione now determined as Firewhisky.
"Calm down, sheesh, you're so loud!" He snapped with a smirk curling at his lip. Hermione continued to fight his spell. The Gryffindor ignored him and continued to struggle against the magic. Desperately attempting to reach for her wand.
"I'm warning you," She jeered bitterly.
"Oh no!" He slurred with sarcasm waving his hands in mock fear. "The Gryffindor is out to get me! Oh what will I do? What will I do?"
Hermione clawed to reach for her wand again, chastising herself for losing her grip.
"Let me go," She snapped back at him.
"No," He said simply with a lazy smirk still twisting his features.
"I have every right to have you arrested for assault," She wheezed, her temper rising every second. Malfoy shook his head and snickered cruelly. "I'll curse you. With or without my wand." She snarled hoping that it would intimidate him.
"Because you're wandless magic is so great." He hissed sarcastically.
"Silencio" She hissed wandlessly and to her immense pleasure, Malfoy was silenced. His mouth moving but no words coming out. Hermione threw her head back and laughed at him. However still bound to the chair by Malfoy's magical bonds, she was no longer annoyed.
"You were saying?" She asked smugly. "Something about wandless magic, I didn't quite hear you." She sneered with a chuckle. The blonde's mouth moved dramatically which were probably forming rude curse words and insults. Hermione was to amused to care when she could've sworn he mouthed the word 'Mudblood'
The Gryffindor watched him snarl and sneer at her. A grin curling her features.
"What?" She cupped a hand around her ear gingerly. "I can't hear you. Speak up." Her comment must have riled him up because she saw a tint of angry red shining in his face. His anger not affecting her, it only amused her. She preferred it this way.
He narrowed his eyes and he whipped out a wand and cancelled her Silencing Spell. Hermione's grin was immediately wiped off.
"That wasn't very nice," He babbled before he took another generous swig of alcohol. Then he waved his hand at the bartender. "Hey! Gimme another bottle of Firewhisky and one for my frie…this girl."
A scowl appeared on her features as the bartender rolled his eyes and brought to Firewhiskys up and brought them to the table. He sat them down and before Hermione could tell the bartender she didn't drink he walked away.
Malfoy popped open his new bottle of alcohol and took a hearty chug from it. As if he wasn't drunk enough. She thought with revulsion.
"Look I don't know why you asked me to come here, I don't have time to be magically tied to a chair, or listen to you babble along without a care in the world. Or watch you drink yourself to wastefulness or-"
"Hey," He rudely interrupted and pointed a sluggish finger at her. "Shut up." He slurred and took another drink. Hermione's face heated up with irritation. She stifled a scream of irritation. Immediately she recalled that she could just verbally conjure the counter-curse for the spell. She shouted the counter-curse but to her dismay nothing happened. She was still pinned and seated to the chair.
Malfoy's chuckle met her ears and Hermione scowled.
"Smartest Witch of your age," He said with bitter sarcasm, saliva escaping his mouth. "Only I can release those bonds-"
"Why are you keeping me here? Let me go? I don't want to be here-"She protested struggling against his bonds.
"Then why'd you show up?"
Hermione heaved in a ragged breath. Her rage seething within her, not responding to his question. She should've known that Malfoy would've tried something like this. Hermione stared at his drunken state. If she wasn't forced to remain in that blasted chair she would have been able to enjoy mocking him. Though right now her only intentions were to get out of here and curse him to the oblivion.
"Look," He said pointing a lazy finger at her. "I just wanna talk," He said, Hermione grimaced as he looked like he was ready to pass out. His eyes drooped and tinted with red. His skin appeared to be an unhealthy grey. What happened to him? She thought rather arrogantly.
"I'm sure you do," She snapped sarcastically. The blonde's eyes narrowed dangerously to slits. He took hold of his Firewhisky and took another gulp. Swallowing down the alcoholic contents till it was empty. Then he set the bottle down and examined Hermione with the eyes of a cruel critique.
"Say," He began. "Do you always look like that?" Hermione rolled her eyes at his comment. As if she needed any more reminders on how dreadful she looked. Then she realized some where along their argument, Hermione's hood had slipped from her face.
"Look, just get to the point, I have no time to waste-"Hermione was cut off when he reached for her given Firewhisky and snatched it and flicked it open and downed it down. She shook her head at his actions. She wondered if Malfoy was even conscious of what he was doing or if it was simply the alcohol. Hermione scowled at him and he merely looked at her unconcerned.
"What?" He said taking another greedy sip. "I seriously doubt that you were going to drink that." Hermione's frown narrowing again. She drew in a breath of impatience.
"Why did you bring me here?" She asked in a rather pleading tone. He tilted his bottle slightly to the sight, causing some Firewhisky to spill out.
"Is it so bad to just want to talk to an old classmate?" He asked with mocking innocence. His comment caused cruel, bitter laughter to escape from her lips.
"Of course," She snarled back. "And while we're at it, let's catch up on old memories and experiences we had with eachother. Hm…let's see. Shall we talk about the times where you ruthlessly insulted me and humiliated me? Or shall we discuss 'happily' the way you and your goons nearly killed us all with that Fiendfyre? Or the time you nearly sentenced us all to death. Oh! How about the time where you used the Cruciati-"
"Keep talking and I'll use that Cruciatious Curse on you." He warned darkly, though Hermione wasn't affected by his cruel warning.
"Yeah, like I hadn't heard that one before," She snapped back, however his comment caused harsh memories to ram into her Mind's Eye. Something she had refused to think of. Malfoy slammed his drink down harshly causing it to smash and spill everywhere but he paid that no attention. Hermione flinched and nearly shrieked but he simply glared at her as she glared back at him. In the background she heard the bartender yell at them while Malfoy responded with rude curse words at him. Normally she would appologize but she was to furious and angered to spare a second glance at him.
She watched as he leaned forward his anger etched clearly on every feature on his face. His fists clenching till the point of palling.
"I'll curse you right here, right now," He threatened sinisterly. Hermione's anger flared up as well.
"Do you have the stomach for it?" She taunted him. It wasn't necessary, in fact it was something she shouldn't have brought up, but she was too furious to care. She instantly noticed that he knew exactly what she was referring to. He knew that she was taunting him with Dumbledore's murder. Something he wasn't capable of doing. Yet, Hermione still had the nerve to insult him for it. Don't get her wrong, she adored Dumbledore, though her dislike for Malfoy was greater.
"Are you testing my patience?" He sneered. Hermione noted how his arm was beginning to etch towards his wand.
"I dunno," She shrugged her shoulders lazily. "Let's see how long it takes before you throw a cruse at me,"
"I just wanted to talk," He said through gritted teeth as though it pained him to say it. "But if you continue to be a stubborn little bitch then I will throw every illegal curse in the god damn book at you." Another scowl etched its way onto her face. Threatening. How Death Eater like.
"Oooooh!" She hissed sarcastically. "Scary man! Merlin, give me strength." Her voice was beginning to tremble with all her fury. He leaned forward again. His torso crunching against the table edge.
"I have every intention to curse you till you lose sight in your right eye," He warned with nastiness.
"Look," Hermione quickly changed the subject not wanting to edge him on. "What do you even want to talk about? What is there to talk about?"
"I think the proper question is: What isn't there to talk about?" He replied coldly. Hermione could only arch an eyebrow. Oh how she yearned to pull out her wand and strike every curse in 'the god damn book' at him. She inwardly scowled as she mimicked Malfoy's phrase.
"Fine," She spat. "Let us talk." If she wasn't bounded she would have waved her hands around dramatically, unfortunately she couldn't.
He watched with attentive eyes as the witch and wizard snarled and batted at each other. The wizard taking an unhealthy dose of Firewhisky every now and then while shouting something offensive at the witch. The female unusually stiff however that didn't stop her from replying the wizard's taunts with taunts of her own.
A smirk tugged at his lips at the amusing sight. However suspicion caused him to frown. There was so much he didn't understand of this odd pair.
The boy, a Slytherin. Tom didn't consider much of him until that day he had caught the boy arguing with the witch. Nothing interesting about the boy though he did hear some rumor that the boy was from Rome. He didn't look roman though that didn't mean that he wasn't. He furrowed his brows together in curiosity. If he kept this up he would most surely get permanent wrinkles.
Then there was the girl…my, the girl was a strange thing wasn't she? Another smirk appeared on his features. He had never seen anyone, let alone any female, act so hostile towards him. It unnerved him and he absolutely despised it when he was unnerved. He had done much to attempt to get close to her, to pry any information from her, but he couldn't even look her directly in the eye. Which was strange because every girl in the castle was eager to throw themselves at the him. The girl was a mystery as was the boy.
Although strange, he could only conclude that these two knew each other before arriving at Hogwarts.
"Whatya lookin' at, my Lord?" Lestrange asked as he to, took a gulp of his Firewhisky. Tom didn't respond to his followers and simply continued to glance at the pair who were still engaged in a heated argument. Lestrange followed his gaze.
"Ah," Lestrange said with an amused smirk before he took another sip. "Caius and Grainford," He chuckled into his drink.
"You know them?" Riddle said, turning his attention to his Knight. Lestrange nodded and so did a few of his followers.
"O' course," He responded. "Their transfers," Tom rolled his eyes at Lestrange's answer.
"Really now?" He spoke in cold sarcasm causing several of his followers to cower, especially Mulciber. Tom nearly smirked as he recalled how Mulciber was screaming and flailing under Riddle's Cruciatious Curse.
A smash caused all those in the Hog's Head to jump, except Tom of course. He turned around to the cause of the disruption and to his curiosity it was the Caius boy who had smashed a Firewhisky bottle, his repulsively drunken state threatening the immobile witch. The witch snapped something back that caused Caius' face to darken considerably.
Riddle wished he had been able to sit closer to pick up pieces of the conversation.
"What is all the rukus over there!" The bartender yelled at the arguing pair. Tom heard an impressive amount of curse words from the boy before he returned his attention to the girl.
"Yeah," Lestrange chuckled then jerked his thumb in the direction of another of Riddle's followers. "Nott here says he caught them snogging in the hallways." Riddle raised his eyebrows as several of his followers began to make inappropriate and sexual comments. All except Mulciber who remained cowered in his seat.
"Is that so?" He turned his attention to Nott who was also sipping an alcoholic beverage.
"Yeah, deducted ten points from Slytherin because of that Caius kid," Nott replied bitterly at the subject.
"You sure 'bout that?" Dolohov spoke now his eyes narrowed at the strange pair. "Canis says that he saw them get into a pretty nasty dual." Now this spiked Riddle's attention even more. Tom returned his attention to Mulciber.
"Really now?" He asked secretly taunting the scared Knight. "When did you see this, Mulciber." Riddle asked innocently but to those who listened closely enough, they'd be able to hear the mischief underneath his tone. He smirked when he saw Mulciber paled drastically when his leader addressed him now.
"A-A few d-days ago, my Lord." He said quietly, almost whisper like.
"Speak up," Riddle commanded. Truth be told, he heard him perfectly well, he just enjoyed taunting his follower.
"I saw them cursing each other a few days ago," Mulciber murmured louder this time.
"What did they do?" He pressed on causing Mulciber to shift uncomfortably in his seat.
"D-didn't see much, t-they were arguing. C-Caius said something that made the lady…m-mad then she shot a curse at him." He said nervously avoiding Riddle's gaze. Tom simply raised his eyebrows at him, telling him silently to continue. "T-then he called her 'ugly' so she shot him a nasty Pimple Jinx at him."
Several of his men at the table laughed, Mulciber simply did not see the humor in the situation and continued to look down at his lap.
"Probably went through a nasty breakup." Avery suggested and nudged Lestrange and they both howled with laughter. Losing interest in harassing Mulciber, he returned his attention to the pair. Convenient that they were too busy snapping at each other's throat to notice they were being observed.
"Fine, tell me what I should call you then if I'm not going to call you Mudblood." Malfoy sneered at her angrily. Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. This discussion was progressing no where. He had insulted her about her blood status with multiple and creative words and she had warned him that she was not to be referred as a Muggleborn while she was here.
Honestly, how was she even supposed to approach a Muggleborn hater if she was proclaimed as a Muggleborn? No…she would at least keep her status hidden, something she didn't like at all.
"Hermione Grainford is what you call me." She announced.
"Blood status?" He asked it like he was asking what her gender was. Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"As if you can trollop around the school as a Malfoy, Pureblood extraordinaire." She retorted harshly. Malfoy smirked at her as if he had won the argument.
"Actually, Ms. Grainford," He waved his hands around dramatically as he spoke her false name. "I can. Draco Caius is a Romanian Pureblood. One of the most respected Purebloods around." Hermione scoffed as he announced that.
"Right. And then someone looks you up and finds out that you are not a Pureblood and you officially have questionable heritage. Oh no!" She hissed the last part with dramatic sarcasm. "What will Drakey do? How can he possibly survive knowing that he is no longer considered a Pureblood?"
It was his turn to whip out his wand and cast a Silencing Charm on her and Hermione could no longer voice her insults.
"Listen up, Grainford." He warned his wand pointed at her, threatening to curse her. This time she had taken his threat seriously and visibly tensed. "I want answers." Hermione opened her mouth to say something but he interrupted her once again.
"Don't you dare ask me what you want answers to, because I know full out well that you already know what I'm talking about." He sneered his famous 'Malfoy sneer'. Hermione grimaced. Even in a drunken state he managed to impose a threat. "Not like you can though," He smirked lazily. Hermione watched as he nearly toppled over and fell asleep.
Hermione drew in a deep inaudible breath. How was she going to get out of this one? Could she lie? Tell him something that wouldn't reveal her plan? After all, she couldn't trust him at all. He was a bloody Death Eater for Merlin's sake. He wouldn't allow Hermione to destroy his Lord. She thought bitterly.
She had made her choice. She opened her mouth and mouthed the words: 'Go to hell' which caused the drunken man to anger. He slammed his fist onto the table which caused some of the Hog's Head patrons to jump and shriek some nonsense at Malfoy.
"That is it!" The bartender hollered at the Gryffindor at Slytherin. The bearded bartender took the rag slung over his solder and whipped it onto the table in anger. "If you two don't behave, I'll throw you out!" He hollered his face turning red. Hermione fought the urge to blame Malfoy for it all and get away scat free. Gryffindors are not placed in that House because of their betrayal. She reminded herself with humor.
"Shut up, ya bearded freak." Malfoy snapped at him with his droopy demeanor. Hermione was thankful for the Silencing Charm because it silenced her groan of irritation. Stupid Malfoy. She cried mentally for the umpteenth time. He just had to get-
SMASH!
Hermione watched with horror as Malfoy threw a bottle of Firewhisky at the young bearded man. The bottle missing the intended target by mere inches as it smashed and shattered into pieces. If Hermione wasn't under a Silencing Charm the whole bar would have been filled with her shrieks of and hollers about Malfoy's idiocy.
The bartender snarled at Malfoy and he stalked towards the blond angrily and yanked Malfoy from the collar and dragged him out of the bar, throwing him out. Hermione heard shouts of outrage and anger coming from both parties and by the way the bartender was approaching her, she knew that she shared the same fate as Malfoy did.
Hermione attempted to calm the agitated bartender but her mouth only moved but no sound came out. The man grasped her by the collar to and he lifted her up. For a moment she was engulfed with the horrid smell of alcohol and overdose of cologne. The scent sickened her.
Hermione flushed in embarrassment as the chair was hauled up with her when he dragged her out. The bartender looked at her with anger when he saw that.
"Let go of the chair," He ordered. Hermione attempted to explain that she couldn't move because she was bounded to it. But the older man narrowed his eyes as his face darkened into a dangerous shade of red. "Are you mocking me?" He roared in fury. Hermione shook her head trying to mime her way into explanation but her hands were still bounded tightly.
Hermione was shocked at his force as he threw her out as she landed painfully onto the soil with the chair still linked to her. She gave an inaudible cry as she attempted to get up. She cursed Malfoy under her breath when she couldn't move at all. Just roll around the ground pathetically. Hermione shifted her gaze and noted that Malfoy was still on the ground groaning in pain, or maybe groaning about his drunkenness. Perhaps both.
Hermione was on the verge of tears at his stupidity. First he immobilizes her. Then he silences her. Then he throws a bloody Firewhisky bottle at the bartender. Then he gets them thrown out and now they were stranded in the middle of a road with no means of mobility. If only she could be heard. Then she'd be able to curse and swear every word she knew at him.
The Gryffindor grimaced as the chair dug into her back uncomfortably. Maybe she should kill the imbecile and save herself hours and hours of wasted time.
She tragically shuffled over to Malfoy and swung at him with any movement she could manage at him. She succeeded as he groaned again and waved his wand and released her spells. Immediately she sprung from the chair into a standing position.
"You bloody idiot!" She cried nearly kicking him in the process. "You are so stupid! Why are you even drunk in the first place? Or do you just think that this is all a joke to you?"
A few hours earlier Draco was at the Hog's Head waiting for a certain Mudblooded Gryffindor to arrive. Deep down he knew he shouldn't get his hopes up for the Mudblood to arrive. Merlin knew the woman would be suspicious and would refuse to talk to him.
He smirked as he took another glance around the filthy bar. Disgusting. If only there was a more secluded place he could talk to Granger but the Hog's Head was the first thing that came to mind when he wrote down the note, caused her book to fall and slipped it inside.
Cunning
He thought with a curling smirk. His pleasure didn't last long however. The more he looked around the more he recognized those family names.
The sight brought him pain. A constant reminder of what he lost. What was taken from him. Thoughts of his mother, his father, his whole damn family wouldn't be seen for another few decades. It pained him to know that he had lost so much because of the stupid Time-Turner or whatever the hell that Muggleborn used to get thrown back here.
He didn't want to be here, despite the fact that he was free from war. But was this blissful peace worth living in while his parents weren't there? His family and friends were far from his reach. He may never see them again.
Tears pricked at his eyes.
Stupid Granger.
He snarled in his thoughts.
All because of her, he was snatched away from his sanctuary. That Mudblood had pulled him all the way here and for what reason? Was she too scared and pathetic to accept a few measly deaths?
Without warning the sight of all the dead and deceased appeared in his mind and Draco had to fight the urge to wail as he recalled those images.
The dismembered, the lifeless, the decayed it was all a disgusting sight. Even in mere memory the sight made despair rise upon him. He shivered at the thought. He felt so hollow. How was it that in just a few months his whole life could be torn apart by…by that…what was he? Did the Dark Lord classify as a human? Did he classify as an animal? A demon? A monster? He did not know. In fact maybe it was best if he never found out.
A cold feeling enveloped him and he had to look around to make sure a Dementor hadn't stalked into the room.
The horror of those sights that took place in his own home. The draining of the life. The death the-
He couldn't take it anymore. That was when he signaled the bartender to bring him a bottle of Firewhisky.
"Come on," Hermione cooed as she held up the limp form of Malfoy. The blonde simply moaned incompressible words as she flung his arm around her shoulders and hauled him up. She had attempted a Levitation Charm on him but he fumbled too much and crashed painfully onto the ground once again. So she resulted into carrying him.
She wrapped her arm around his waist to support him. Her small form nearly toppling over from his weight.
"…mhm..Stupid…" He murmured.
"Yes you are stupid." She retorted hotly as she guided him back to the castle grounds. Hermione groaned in frustration as he leaned further into her. His eyes beginning to droop his body slagging with every step. His scent of Firewhisky clinging horribly to her nostrils. His feet were nearly dragging, in fact- she turned around and saw that they were indeed dragging.
"Sweet Merlin, Malfoy." She cried in exasperation. "You get yourself completely wasted and now I have to drag you back to the castle. And good Lord, your heavy!"
"Hey," He mumbled a small smile curving at his lips. "You talk too much."
"Why don't I just drop you here and come back for you in the morning." She barked at him with venom in her tone. She then heard mumbles and mutters about 'Gryffindor Heroics' from him.
Hermione sighed and hauled up his slipping form.
"Can you at least try to walk?" She pleaded as he sagged forward.
"No," He answered sluggishly.
"You're pathetic," She snapped.
"You're a…bushy…haired…k…know-it…all." He exhaled noisily, even his speaking was beginning to sag.
"I should just hex you and be done with it," She spat cruelly.
"Now that isn't very lady like," A different voice spoke causing Hermione to jump and nearly drop Malfoy in the process. However she clung onto him and pulled him up with difficulty.
She turned and to her ultimate horror saw Tom and his Death Eaters approaching her. How many were there? At least four, but she couldn't see the rest with Malfoy blocking her view.
Hermione desperately looked around. No one around. She had realized that they were just outside of Hogsmeade. Most of the students had already returned to the castle. Hermione frantically looked at the horizon. The sun was setting. Great. She hissed to herself sarcastically.
"Good evening," She nodded at him, attempting to sound composed.
"Good evening," Tom responded smugly, a devilish smirk curving his features. Hermione noted the suspicious glances from his followers. Tom remained collected and just damn good looking. Sweet Merlin maybe she was drunk to. "If you want, we can take Mr. Caius back to the Slytherin Dorms for you,"
"Oh, no," She said with a nervous smile pulling Malfoy's sluggish form to her protectively. "I wouldn't want to trouble you."
Tom chuckled and a few of his followers examined Hermione with the eyes of a predator. She grew tense as Tom took a step forward.
"Nonsense, we were heading there anyway." He tilted his head to the side with innocence. The act made Hermione shiver. No way would she allow a drunk and deluded Malfoy slip into the grasp of Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort. They would probably trick him into questioning and then Malfoy would reveal everything. If he already hadn't. She thought coldly.
"Oh, well you see I wouldn't want you to be held responsible for him if he gets caught-"
"Hey," Malfoy sighed. "Tell the bartender that I'll curse him if he doesn't shut up." He grumbled. Hermione winced. Oh they were going to die for sure now. But once again she was surprised when Tom threw his head back and laughed. The young Death Eaters laughed nervously to, as if they didn't know what to do.
"Shut up," She hissed in Malfoy's pale ear. Malfoy tilted his head to the side and leaned forward causing Hermione to stumble backwards.
"Have a seat," Malfoy grumbled. "Have a drink," Hermione closed her eyes in order to prevent herself from shooting a Stunning Spell at the drunken boy that was drooping on her. Then suddenly hurling noises were made as Malfoy vomited all over Hermione's robes and shoes.
"Oh for Merlin's sake!" She cried in exasperation which seemed to have brought amusement to the young Dark Lord and his followers. She then yanked Malfoy into so that he was at least…somewhat standing up and pulled them away. Not able to pull out her wand and clean up the mess because both of her hands were occupied with holding Malfoy up.
"Have a good evening," She said darkly to Riddle and his supporters. Hermione held back a screech of annoyance as Riddle fell into step beside her.
"Don't be so quick to leave," He said sensually causing shivers to run up her spine and her insides to feel suddenly damp. He stepped in front of her, blocking her path. He pulled out his wand and immediately Hermione cringed in fear. She eyed the wand with terror. The same wand that killed Harry. She thought angrily. But instead of an Unforgivable thrown at her, he mumbled a quick 'Scourgify' and her robes and shoes were cleaned magically. She was shocked for a moment and she could've sworn that her jaw had dropped to the floor.
"Thanks," She managed mumbled unsure if this was all a plan to lead her into a self-sense of security.
"Anytime," He added with an oh-so convincing smile.
"Look," Hermione said with narrowed eyes. "I would 'really' love to stay and chat, but I really need to help my friend here get back to his dorms. So if you'll happily step aside," She limply gestured for him to walk away, "Then I'll be on my way," She a scowl marred her features. Riddle only raised his elegant eyebrow.
"At this time?" He asked with that concern that nearly caught her off guard.
"Yes, if you keep me any longer then it will be late so…" She took a step aside nearly dropping Malfoy again in the process. Hermione squirmed as Tom stepped in front of her to prevent her from walking away. Hermione frowned at him. What the heck did he want?
"Can I help you with anything?" She asked in a dangerously, sickly, sweet tone. Hermione watched as for just a split seconds, his eyebrows shot up in surprise but he composed himself too quickly for her to know actually determine something at all.
"No," He responded calmly though there was aggravation in his tone. "I would just like to remind you that you have detention with me tomorrow." Hermione instantly frowned. But she couldn't care about a measly detention right now. Returning her full attention to the poor soul in her arms she pushed him up, told Riddle she would meet him then. Bidding them with a cold goodbye and left.
She breathed out in relief as she managed to escape their presence. She yanked Malfoy forward, tugging him and accidently chocking him every now and then.
She stumbled over the pathway as Malfoy fell forward and backwards and any other direction he could possibly fall in. He mumbled things under his breath. Some things she would rather not repeat, others made her want to scowl.
She dragged him further and further to towards the castle. Cursing Hogsmeade and Hogwarts for not being close enough to one another.
Night had already fallen and if she didn't arrive to the castle soon enough, her arms would break from this ridiculous work out.
"Granger?" He mumbled as his head was lying on her shoulder, his eyes closed.
"Yes?" She uttered with annoyance.
"Do you still think about them?" He asked in a surprisingly civil tone. She had never heard him acting courteous towards her. It was so foreign.
"Think about whom?" She asked her suspicion arising, unsure if this was a trap.
"I'm sure you do Granger, it's written all over your face," He added with a chuckle that allowed his alcoholic breath to incase her. Ignoring her question.
"Pardon?" She questioned, not sure how to respond.
"It's okay, Granger." He reassured. "I still think about them to," He sighed, a hint of sadness seeping into his tone.
"I'm sorry, who are we talking about?" She laughed nervously completely unsure of what was happening. He didn't answer he simply kept his eyes closed and allowed his feet to drag. Perhaps he has reached ultimate drunkenness and was knocked out. She lightly tapped him with her hand. "Hello? Malfoy you awake?"
No response.
Hermione didn't sigh with annoyance however but rather pondered on what Malfoy had said before he had seemingly gone unconscious.
'It's okay, Granger, I still think about them to.
Malfoy's words rang in her ears. She had a vague idea on what he was talking about, however, a part of her screamed at her to be careful and not to worry about Malfoy's drunken slurs. That part she didn't listen to.
Could it be? Was he referring to his friends and family? Was he hurting to? Did he lay in bed every night refusing to go to sleep in fear that he would suffer the horrid memories that would seep into his nightmares which would produce a pain far greater than any Crucio? Was the infamous Malfoy suffering from his loss to?
She looked down at the wasted boy in her arms. She had always thought of him to be nothing like her. She had never thought of him with fears, worries, frustrations, doubts, pains, suffering or anything of such. She had always seen him as a jerk or a git. A Death Eater's son. A Death Eater himself, nothing more.
But now as she stared down at his sleeping drunk self, she nearly stopped and embraced him.
Maybe, just maybe she and Malfoy weren't so different after all.
Tears sprung in her eyes though they weren't tears of pain like they usually were. Instead, a small smile graced her lips.
She wasn't alone.
At that was all it took. All it took was that small realization to make almost all her pain and agony seem bearable. As long as there was someone there who knew exactly what she was feeling. Exactly the pain she was suffering. Even if it was someone like Malfoy who was her complete polar opposite.
She wasn't alone
A/N: So this chapter wasn't very exciting, I'll give you that :P I just felt like that I needed to decipher Malfoy's feelings and point of view to clear things up for you readers :) Also the reason why I wrote this was to help progress with Malfoy and Granger's relationship. Whether good or bad I shall not tell XD Suggestions and comments will always be appreciated.
~We're All Just A Little Bit Mad
