I do not own Harry Potter or any other recognised characters, places etc. They all deservedly belong to J. K. Rowling.
- Chapter Seven -
"Neville?" Hermione started "But he couldn't, he had Defence Against the Dark Arts like the rest of us" she said, trying to place him in the class. To prove him wrong, prove herself right.
"I think he and Greg wanted to stay behind, make up the numbers" he told her, miserably.
Hermione sighed, tears streaming down her face "This is all my fault"
Malfoy turned sharply to face the girl beside him "You'll need to explain that one"
"I should have been more forceful in explaining what the spell would do, I didn't believe she would actually use it" she explained, gulping as much air as she could through her tears.
"It's not your fault. Look I'm the one who suggested people stay behind in the first place" he reminded her.
Hermione looked at him hard "You are not to blame"
"If anyone here is to blame it's me" he told her
"No. Look you may have suggested it and it was a damn good suggestion, we said half the year five people weren't enough. Their lives they-"
They sat in silence for a while, Malfoy's arm still wrapped around Hermione. "I blame Umbrdige" Malfoy said.
Hermione let out something that may have been close to a laugh "As do I"
"Hermione!" she and Malfoy put some distance between them as she heard the familiar male voices call her name.
"I'm over here" she called out. Harry and Ron followed the voice and found them behind a tree.
"Hermione? What are you doing here? Why are you with him? Have you been crying? Did he make you cry?" Ron asked frantically, grabbing his wand, pointing accusingly at Malfoy "Did you make her cry?"
"Fist of all, Drop. Your. Wand" he said slowly, emphasising every word "Secondly, well technically yes I suppose I did"
Ron was about to start throwing hexes when Harry stopped him "Hang on a minute, what do you mean technically?"
"There's something we need to tell you" Hermione said.
"Tell us? Both of you? Tell us what? What's going on?"
"Ronald, calm down" Hermione sighed, thinking about it brought tears to her eyes again.
"Do you want me to tell them?" Malfoy asked, in an offhand tone. But the fact he had offered aroused curious looks from Harry and Ron. Hermione was about to say no, she wanted to believe she could handle it. Instead she nodded in agreement. "You're not going to like this; you may want to sit down" Malfoy suggested.
Once they were both seated comfortably he launched into the events he had just told Hermione moments before, he paused afterwards letting the news sink in.
Ron was the first to speak "How? What?..." he looked horrified and speechless.
Harry didn't speak for a moment, instead he jumped to his feet, for a moment it looked as if he was going to find Umbridge himself, but then came to his senses, he was furious. "How dare she! She has just ended five people's lives, is there any way of coming back from this?" Harry asked Hermione.
Hermione shook her head "I don't know"
"You don't know? You don't know?" Ron asked, sneering at her "You bloody well know everything and now you don't know!"
"Watch your mouth Weasley or I'll have you chucking slugs for a month" Malfoy glared at the boy in front of him.
"That's uncalled for, Ron. This isn't Hermione's fault"
Ron's breathing slowed "You're right, I'm sorry Hermione"
Hermione nodded in forgiveness. Malfoy however, decided he would be keeping watch on the red-headed boy, Slytherins as a rule did not forgive so easily.
"There you are" came a female voice, all heads turned towards the voice, which belonged to Pansy "I've looked everywhere for you" she said, obviously speaking to Malfoy. "What are you doing in here?"
"Never mind that now. Will you do me a favour?" Pansy nodded "Tell as many fifth year students as you can to meet us here by lunch, and the Weasley twins.. and the Weasley girl" he added. Pansy looked at him, questioningly but at Malfoy's nod set off on her mission.
The three friends wondered why he didn't tell her of what happened however, decided not to ask.
"So, what do we do now?" Ron asked.
"We wait" Hermione told him.
"Together?" Ron spoke, obviously not pleased that Malfoy was yet again being included.
"Yes Ron, together" Harry confirmed.
They spoke for a while about the only common interest they knew they had, Quidditch however, the conversation rapidly drew to a close.
Subconsciously they decided Harry and Ron would talk privately while Hermione and Malfoy did the same. They found they had more in common than they had initially thought, which lead to more intellectual conversations. Hermione would normally be worried about missing her classes however, since they did not yet have teachers for all their new muggle subjects the did not need to go to their lessons.
"Have you noticed" Malfoy started "She never calls Professor Dumbledore 'Professor'? Always Albus?"
"I have noticed" Hermione told him "My theory is that, not only does she want the students and teachers thinking of him as Headmaster but, after Professor McGonagall told us about her attending Hogwarts, this is probably her twisted way of stripping him of the power he had while she was at school"
"My thoughts exactly"
By lunch time all fifth years had all received the word. It seemed Ginny, Fred and George had also gotten the message, as had Lee Jordan, Luna Lovegood and Cho Chang. They weren't sure what was happening however, they noticed immediately that Malfoy sat with the Gryffindor trio, and they knew it was important.
Eager to hear why their peers summoned them, the students fell silent.
"OK everyone, I'm not sure if any rumours have started yet, regardless we need to tell you something which took place this morning" Hermione looked to the other three, hoping one of them would take over. It was quite obvious it would either be Malfoy or Harry, the question was which one would be more suitable for the task.
Malfoy nodded to Harry to continue, he had experience with spreading news - good or bad - and knew how to phrase things, he was more trusted and respected, even after all that had happened over the summer.
Harry nodded in agreement and stepped forward to face the crowd more directly.
"What I'm about to tell you is, I won't lie, it's awful" he started. And so he began to re-tell the tale of what happened earlier that day, finally giving them the names of the victims.
When Harry told them about Neville it caused the most outrage among students, except one who fought her way to the front towards Malfoy.
"Greg?" Pansy asked, walking up to him "Tell me it isn't true" she begged "Please tell me"
Malfoy shook his head "I can't do that Pansy"
Pansy shook her head "Is he-?" she asked, not able to finish the question.
"We don't know" He replied honestly. Pansy collapsed into him and he put his arms around her for support. Everyone looked upon them, only Slytherins seemed to understand.
Hermione too looked at the pair in front of her. She supposed Pansy had a close relationship with Goyle. It couldn't have been a romantic relationship for Hermione knew Pansy wanted Malfoy. Hermione decidedly ignored the pang of jealousy she felt at Malfoy and Pansy's embrace. She did not like the feeling one bit, for she had no reason to be jealous.
Malfoy looked in Hermione's direction and spoke to Pansy "Why don't you talk to Granger, girl to girl"
Pansy shook her head "No, she probably has better things to do than speak to me"
Hermione admitted it took a moment before she realised that Pansy had not insulted her. More than that she had heard that tone in her voice before, in fact before she had made any friends, when she was younger she would have told you, with firm belief, that she herself had invented that tone. With that Hermione took hesitant steps towards the girl.
"Come on" she said, steering her away from their gawking peers. Hermione's eyes sought through the crowd and finally landed on the people she was looking for. Tilting her head she motioned for Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood to follow her, and they did.
Having separated themselves from the others it was rather awkward. Hermione noticed Pansy playing with her necklace and decided that they needed to start somewhere. "That's very pretty" she told her.
Pansy smiled a watery smile "Greg gave it to me at the start of term" she told the girls. She looked up at their bewildered faces "I had to make it look like I wanted Draco, it's what my family wants" she explained. "I know to you Greg seemed like a dense thug but, while he was by no means intelligent, he was kind" she told them "To me anyway" she added.
"You love him" Ginny said. Pansy nodded, more tears streaming down her face.
"You're a good actress" Hermione complimented, for she and the rest of the school, truly believed she loved Draco.
"Thank you. It's a necessity in Slytherin. It's the only way we know to survive" Hermione nodded, pondering this. "You think too much" Pansy said suddenly.
"What?" Hermione said, taken aback.
"Draco likes you, you know" Pansy told her. Hermione looked at Ginny not knowing what to expect from the youngest Weasley. As far as she knew Hermione and Ron were meant for each other. However, she only looked intrigued.
"Well we have gotten along lately, I suppose, but-"
"No, no buts. He wants to get to know you better. He wants out of his bigoted pure-blood upbringing too"
"You just told me Slytherins were very good actors" Hermione said, trying to change the subject.
"We are, but Draco has never been able to hide his feelings towards you, which is why he always insulted you. It wasn't just because you were friends with Harry Potter, that just made a good excuse. He used that because it was all he had"
Hermione sighed "Look I-"
"I know you're not ready to hear this, Draco would kill me if he knew" she told the three. "All of us in Slytherin know he's back as well"
Hermione and Ginny looked wide-eyed at the abrupt change of conversation, Luna however, took it in stride.
"Sorry" Pansy said, immediately "I don't really want to think about love and relationships now"
"Malfoy and I are not in love"
"Not yet, but your feelings towards him are changing, aren't they?"
Hermione didn't answer. She didn't want to lie but couldn't bear Ginny's reaction if she found out.
"Personally, I think it's a good match" Luna said.
Hermione couldn't believe it. "What?"
Luna smiled, in that knowing way only she could "Well, you're both rather intelligent, he is second only to you in class, a fact which infuriates most Ravenclaws of your year. If he really is changing then there's no real reason to see anything wrong with it"
"Ronald would disagree"
"My brother would disagree even if Merlin himself told him he was wrong. My question is, why do you believe Harry?" Ginny asked Pansy.
"Well, a couple of reasons" she said, vaguely. Suddenly alarmed, realising she had not thought her admission through.
"Pansy?" Hermione questioned.
"Well, all of us pure-blood families in Slytherin who had allegiances with the Dark Lord, when we turned seven our families decided to give us his mark" she told the girls.
"You were given the Dark Mark at the age of seven?" Ginny asked.
"We all were. Our fathers told us that we would be part of something extraordinary. We were young enough to impression easily, but not yet old enough to realise the implications. Before it was like a faded tattoo" she continued, subconsciously rubbing her forearm "It's getting darker, bolder as he grows stronger" Pansy sighed "I suppose that's one thing Greg will be grateful for, he never had much time for the Dark Arts"
"That's an awful thing to subject a child to" Hermione said.
"Of course it is, but our families didn't care about that they only cared that the world knew where our allegiance lied, no matter what our age. In all honesty Draco has more reason to be angry than the rest of us"
"Why?" Hermione pressed.
"He really won't like me telling you any of this"
"Then why are you?" Ginny asked.
Pansy hesitated "Because, right now, you're the only people I think won't tell anyone else"
"We won't" Hermione promised.
"You'll tell Draco I told you" Pansy said, knowingly.
"I-"
"I won't stop you"
"Why should Malfoy be angry?" Hermione asked.
"The other reason we know he's back is because he's in hiding. He's hiding with his family at Malfoy Manor. The things he's witnessed. He carries the mark and as he's there he's forced to attend meetings"
"Why are you telling us this?"
"Because he needs your help, he's just too scared or maybe to proud to ask for it"
Hermione breathed slowly this new information swirling from her brain uneasily into her stomach.
"Hermione" Malfoy spoke. Hermione looked up at him as if seeing him in a different light "We have detention" he reminded her.
Hermione nodded and stood making her way out towards the crowd of people still gathered there. She said her goodbyes and walked with Malfoy back up to the castle in silence.
Entering their Headmistress' classroom she had paper and a quill set out for them ready. "You will be writing lines for todays detention" she informed them, happily. Hermione could honestly say the witch was the least of her worries.
"What are we to write?" Malfoy asked.
"I must not tell lies" she told them. Hermione and Malfoy looked at one another then back to their teacher.
"What have we lied about?" Malfoy demanded
"Earlier this morning you took the side of Mr Potter when he claimed a certain dark wizard had returned from the grave. That is lying"
"Our punishment was for walking out of your lesson, not for telling the truth this morning" Hermione nearly yelled.
"Be that as it may, that will be your punishment"
"How many times?" Malfoy sneered.
"As long as it takes for it to sink in"
"There's no ink" Hermione said
"You won't need any"
Hermione and Malfoy took their seats and began to write. As soon as they did they both felt something was wrong. They continued and as they wrote their fifth line they saw their handwriting appear on their hands I must not tell lies etched into them. They risked a glance at each other, Hermione looked frightful while Malfoy silently fumed. This carried on for a full hour until she finally had them stop and sent them away.
The feast would still be going on however, neither Malfoy nor Hermione felt like joining. Instead they both headed to their now shared common room.
When they were far enough away from the classroom Malfoy pulled Hermione around the nearest corner, in hopes of gaining privacy. Hermione did her best not to squeal in surprise at the motion. She was about to ask what he was thinking when he took her scarred hand in his.
"Are you OK?" he asked
Hermione nodded and looked at his own hand, besides the fact the act was insanely grotesque she couldn't help but notice how his penmanship was better than her own.
"Are you OK?" it was her turn to ask. "What? Yes I'm fine" he said, impatiently still examining her hand, the words already starting to fade. "I'll get you some Murtlap Essence, it should help ease the pain"
Hermione nodded in agreement "And yourself" she said, after realising he hadn't included himself in the quest for pain relief. "What is that thing?" she asked, referring to the quill they had just used.
"It's called a Blood Quill" Malfoy told her, Hermione looked at him hoping he would elaborate "A blood quill is a dark magical object used for torture, it doesn't need ink as it uses the blood of the person using it, it's a medieval method of teaching at best" Malfoy informed her.
"How do you know this?" she asked.
"You don't grow up as a Malfoy without learning these things" he admitted, shamefully.
Instead of the disgust he was sure was coming, he felt Hermione's hand gently hold his face. "I know" she told him.
"You know what?" he asked, cautiously.
"About the Dark Mark they forced you to take at seven, and that he is now living in your house" she told him.
"Pansy told you"
"Please don't be mad at her"
"I'm not. She's been needing someone to talk to, funnily enough I'm not too chipper to talk to when it comes to him living in my home"
Hermione nodded in understanding.
"Listen, Granger"
"It's Granger again, is it?" she interrupted, stepping further towards him.
"You have yet to call me Draco" he reminded her, moving forward also, and she realised he was right.
"Draco" she tested, liking the sound.
"Hermione" he answered, with a small smile. Finally their eyes met, Hermione reached up while Draco stooped down, their lips almost touching when CRASH! They heard and sprang apart, hearts beating rapidly.
"Peeves" they said at the same time. Hermione could honestly say she hadn't really held anything against the poltergeist that lived in the castle, never until that moment. At that moment she wanted to hurl every hex she had ever learned his way.
She realised she wasn't the only one as she saw Peeves zooming past, apparently outrunning the Headmistress. "Come back here" she screeched.
Draco and Hermione looked at each other before running after them, they stopped as they came into sight by the entrance doors.
"Dolores Umbridge wants rid of Peevesy but she'll have to catch him first for he will not leave oh no he won't!"
"No matter" Umbridge breathed, slowly, getting her breath back "We'll have a spiritual cleansing of the castle"
"That's a rather muggle thing to do, isn't it?" Hermione spoke, forgetting her anger towards the poltergeist.
"Excuse me, girl?"
"Well, us witches and wizards, we know there is no need to be scared of ghosts and poltergeists however, muggles would use spiritual cleansing to rid their houses of them because they're frightened of them" Hermione finished.
"Us witches and wizards? You are no witch, not really - you come from muggles.. so I suppose you would know about these funny little customs" she smiled, sweetly before walking away "Come Mr Filch, we need to find a way to rid the castle of these ghosts and poltergeist in a definite non-muggle way"
As she walked away Hermione was at a loss for words, never had she been more humiliated. To be told she wasn't a witch. 'Mudblood' was cruel but it acknowledged her as a magical being. She felt Draco behind her, she felt his indecision. She almost wanted him to say something, silently daring him so she could take her feeling of anger out on him as he had been the first to make her think about her heritage.
The thought fled her mind as soon as it entered, it was a cruel thought. Draco really was trying and she didn't want to let anything interfere with all that he had accomplished so far.
Probably feeling it was safer Draco put a hand on Hermione's shoulder, in an attempt of comfort. Hermione felt grateful for it and turned fully into his embrace. She thought idly that earlier today she had been jealous of Pansy for being in the position she was now. While still humiliated she felt rather safe. She would berate herself tomorrow for thinking like this, for now however, she was content.
"Let's go upstairs" Draco suggested.
Hermione nodded in agreement as they walked to their common room. "Malum dimidium semino" she spoke, disgusted at the new password chosen for them, for it meant 'evil half breeds'. "She's a foul creature"
"Is she a foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach?" Draco asked
Hermione felt a smile creep on her face "I reserve that name especially for you, Draco"
"Hermione, you wound me" he said, making her laugh.
Upon entering the common room they noticed Ginny who was not down at the feast.
"Ginny?" Hermione questioned.
"Hi Hermione, Malfoy" she nodded in politeness. "I decided not to go down, the people who reacted earlier this morning can eat other things, I can't" she told them at Hermione's unspoken question.
"What are you going to do?" Hermione asked her friend.
Ginny shrugged "I don't know"
"Tomorrow morning" Draco spoke "Come down for breakfast"
"What's the point in that?" Ginny asked
"Just come down" he said. Hermione looked at him however, he gave nothing away. "Goodnight" he bade, leaving the two bewildered girls in the common room.
The next morning, as promised, Ginny Weasley entered the Great Hall for breakfast. Seated at her own table she wasn't sure why she was here, watching as everyone around her at happily.
Hermione saw this and turned to Draco "What's this all about?" she whispered
"Trust me" he asked, and Hermione left it alone, hoping there was some form of plan here.
Suddenly they heard the hooting of owls. "Mails here" they heard someone say as hundreds of owls flew around the hall, all dropping similar packages.
Hermione caught one and unwrapped the parcel, looking as confused as everyone else. Before she opened it fully she read the note:
'If you do not need it, keep it anyway for a friend may be in need'
Looking around she saw that every student had been given the same thing. Anti-Allergy tonic. She also noticed Madame Pomfrey had around 50 bottles, which did more than replenish her stock. Hermione looked to Draco for an explanation.
"We would have given some to the House Elves in the kitchen however, Dobby was the only one willing to take it. They can't disobey the new Headmistress" Draco explained.
"We?" Hermione questioned. "You did this?"
Draco smirked, sparing a glance at the youngest Weasley. As if feeling eyes upon her she looked in his direction, a wide grin upon her face.
"What is this?" Their Headmistress finally spoke. "Who dares disobey me? I shall not tolerate it, I want all bottles-"
"I'm afraid you can't do that" Harry spoke, before she could finish her sentence.
"And why not?"
"According to the Department of Magical Education the Ministry of Magic allows a student to carry on their person at all times a tonic, potion, herb or stone which will ensure their health and well-being. As Headmistress you yourself must abide by the laws set by your Ministry" Draco finished.
Umbridge looked from Harry to Draco, realisation finally dawning. "Of course" she said, stepping down from her throne-like chair, hurrying towards them "It make sense, the tonic is not cheap and for you both to split the cost, why it wouldn't make a dent in your Gringotts accounts, would it?" she said, breathing heavily. "Detention"
"For what reason?" Harry demanded.
"For blatant disregard for the rules I set yesterday"
"Well maybe we should have a word with the head of the Department of Magical Education, see if they sack you for blatant disregard of the law" Draco suggested.
Looking around Umbrdige saw her case was lost "Fine, have it your way" she spoke with finality before leaving the Great Hall. Once the students were sure she left there was a huge applause and cheering for the two students who had undermined her authority.
"You're brilliant" Hermione spoke "Both of you" she grinned.
Professor McGonagall walked over to the pair "Just like your father and godfather" she directed at Harry "And you, just like your cousin" she told Draco. Draco blinked for a moment before he realised she was talking about Sirius, not sure how to take that.
"It's a compliment" Hermione whispered, Draco looked at her for an explanation. "Trust me" she winked.