Draco's POV
Morning arrived all too soon. I had barely got two hours worth of sleep when Blaise decided to wake me up for breakfast. I had spent a lot of time last night thinking about how I was going to ask Granger for her help. My main concern revolved around- Would she help me? She could always make an excuse like she doesn't have time; she is busy studying or playing the referee between those two dunderheads! I walked in the Great Hall with Blaise and Theo. Pansy was waiting for us in our regular spot. When we settled down she smiled at me and said, "I have good news for you." "You found out how to save my mother from my father's evil clutches?" I asked without any mirth. "No. But I happen to know that the person who will help us do so is in an excellent frame of mind." "Granger is in a good mood?" "Yeah. Apparently her gryffindork friends kissed and made up." "How do you know about it?" asked Theo. "They were patching up when I entered. Kind of grossed me out! The sickening display of public affection between them. Yuck!"
Blaise said, "This will work in our favor if she is in a good mood folks. Now we just figure out how to. Draco was awake for most of the night so don't take anything he says into consideration. He's just sleep deprived." "Hey!" I cried out. But apparently Pansy was in a helpful mood today and it was confirmed when she said, "Actually guys it has been taken care of. I asked her to help you guys understand some muggle concept that you could not get through your thick skulls! And she agreed. Absolutely brilliant on my part, if I may say so myself. I mean I asked her to help slytherins with muggle studies! She just couldn't have said no!" All three of us stared incredulously at her. We couldn't believe that she actually came up with a good plan and that too so early in the morning. She just rolled her eyes and told that she would be expecting us in the prefect's lounge at six this evening.
The day went by pretty quickly and soon we were standing in front of the lounge. I thought of various ways of asking her for help. But none seemed to appeal me. When we entered, we saw Granger with an assortment of books and she was busy doing her homework. Pansy quietly whispered that the homework that she was doing not due until next week. I glared at her in a 'keep-quiet-for-once' way. Feeling our gazes on herself, she looked up and smiled at us. After a few pleasantries were exchanged and Granger was about to start teaching us, I quickly said, "Granger, you have to help me. My mother is under the imperious curse." I stopped and took everyone's expressions in. Granger's eyes were as wide as saucers and she looked too surprised to speak. Theodore then said, "Great way to be subtle, Draco."
Granger had regained her composure but still hadn't spoken. I was getting agitated now. A continuous chain of events in which she rejected to help us was now running in my mind. Suddenly she spoke, "What makes you think that?" I told her everything that transpired yesterday. She, too, saw all the signs of a victim of an imperious curse. She inquired some more about my mother and when I was sure that she will help me, she said, "Alright, but just to make sure that you are not overreacting, can I see your memories?" To say I was shocked would be the understatement of the century! I couldn't show her my memories, they were too distressing. I couldn't let anyone see those. But seeing my inner turmoil, she said, "Just show me the parts which makes you sure that your mother is under the imperious." Now this I could do.
About half an hour later, Granger had come to the same conclusion as the rest of us. My mother was indeed, under an imperious. Granger was quick to explain that we should help her immediately as prolonged effects of the imperious were volatile and unpredictable. She was still not convinced that it was my father who had put the curse on my mother. We tried to convince her but all our arguments fell on deaf ears. Then she said the strangest thing ever. "We should ask Harry to help us." This left all four of us dumbstruck. All of us were gaping at her with our mouths open. Pansy was the first to recover. "You mean that we have to ask Potter for help? We are doomed!" "Not only Harry but Ron too." "Oh great! Now we are definitely doomed!"
Theo hindered their cat fight and said, "No offence Granger. But those two have developed a distinct ability of getting themselves and everyone around them in danger. Also you might have forgiven us, but I don't think that they will be ready to help us." Granger cunningly replied, "Probably on account of that one time you made their life hell for seven years straight in school!" Blaise snickered and said, "Okay you may be right. We should ask for their help. But that does not in any way mean that we are going to be all nicety nice to them." Finally I asked, "What do you want us to do now? Certainly you can handle the heroes and talk them into helping us." She huffed a bit and said, "I will go right now and see if they will help you. Meet me here in an hour. Also all of you should behave nicely with them." Saying this she left.
Theo said, "That went well." Pansy retorted, "What part of that went well? Now we are working with the golden trio!" Blaise placated her by saying, "We don't really have a choice here, Pans. We should be kind of grateful if they really help us with this. After all we did to them; it would take a saint to really help us." Pansy sulked but kept her mouth shut anyways. I hoped beyond hope that the trio would use their saintliness and help my mother.
Exactly after an hour, the trio entered. Ron was the first one to start, "Is this some new evil scheme of yours?" I snorted and for the first time after I found out about my mother, I felt a small smirk adorning my lips. I coolly replied, "I was... just thinking Weasley, wouldn't it be funny some time to see each other when you are not suspecting me of doing something evil?" This caused Hermione and Harry to smile a bit while Weasley was red in the ears. Before Ron could retort, Harry said, "We will help you in this situation, Malfoy." I felt renewed hope in my heart. I was certain now that my mother would be freed from her curse now.
A.N:- The next chapter is going to be a funny one as the slytherins and gryffindors try and adjust with each other. Feel free to review/comment/suggest. Also if there are any lines that you want me to put in the next chapter, do tell me. Also I would like to thank everyone who reviewed.
Hazelnut, foolishdesires and UnfortunateObsessions.