Antithesis of Virtue

Summary: He never thought they'd be able to get along, let alone fall for her. And he never imagined that she'd join him on the dark side.

Disclaimer: I am the proud owner of a free pen from my bank. Of course I don't own anything Harry Potter related. That all belongs to JKR. I'm just controlling the plot.

I would also like to clear some things up, if anyone was confused/angry/indignant. Voldemort just happens to have a wizard bodyguard who dresses like a CIA agent. We think it's to confuse everyone else. While you think that just being magical is security enough, it never hurts to have extras. And yes, I know Voldy should have just summoned Draco, but I needed plot development. Please get over it. And I apologise profusely for my grammar lapses. Oh, and Draco will be summoned from now on.

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Chapter 7: Malfoy Manor and St. Mungo's Hospital, December 12 and 13, 1999

It may have been over a week since Voldemort's dinner 'party', but Hermione still could not forget her 'initiation'. The Muggles' screams still haunted her sometimes. And that feeling. It kept coming back, usually when the screaming started in her head. Hermione couldn't figure out what it was, but the closest she could get was 'strength'. And even that felt inadequately wrong.

All these thoughts were flying through her head when Hermione came across Malfoy sitting on the stairs, looking (for some strange reason) very dejected. She approached carefully – all of Hogwarts knew how dangerous it was to talk to an upset Slytherin.

"Uh...Malfoy?" he looked up.

"Granger, what are you doing here?" he asked with a glare.

"Malfoy, I'm kind of living here."

"Oh. Right." Malfoy went back to ignoring Hermione.

"So...um...what's wrong, Malfoy?" Hermione tightened her grip on her wand in case he was extra touchy today. (A/N: Seven years with angsty Slytherins will do that to a person)

"Go away."

"That wasn't an answer. Tell me for real, Malfoy." She sat down carefully, sitting as far away as possible.

"You actually don't want to know, Granger."



"You know what I think?" she didn't let him answer. "I think you don't want to talk with me because both of us are still under the impression that the other is the 'enemy'. Well, we're partners now, whether or not anyone likes it. So deal. And, on top of that, I think this juvenile surname calling isn't helping. We will have to call each other by our first names. You will call me Hermione from now on, and I will call you Draco." By the time this speech had finished, Draco was staring at Hermione in something akin to horror.

"You what?"

"You heard me, Draco," she said firmly, though she had to try hard to say 'Draco'.

"Gran - Hermione," he swallowed. "I told you before, you don't want to know why I'm upset."

"Pish posh. If we're going to be friendlier towards each other, there has to be trust involved." Hermione was nothing if not determined.

"Fine." Draco inhaled deeply. "Well...Christmas is coming up, and, well, this is the first year I've ever been at home without my parents here, and it just feels weird, okay?" As a member of the male sex, Draco found it offensive to talk about feelings. Especially his own. He tried to start ignoring Hermione again

"But, just your dad is..." Hermione trailed off. Only his dad was 'missing' (as in, IN JAIL), right? But where was his mom? Come to think of it, she hadn't seen or heard Narcissa Malfoy the entire time she'd been in the Manor. And surely she would have seen, if not heard, the woman if she was still in the Manor. "Where's your mum, Draco?"

"She's in St. Mungo's. For her alcohol abuse," Draco turned away again. He felt like crying.

"Oh...I'm sorry, Draco," Hermione got up. "I'll leave you alone now, okay?" and she walked away. Draco stayed where he was. As Hermione was walking, she started thinking up ways to make him feel better. I never thought he could be so sensitive. Imagine, not having your family around you during Christmas! Poor guy...I wish there was some way I could make him feel better... Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she smiled. There was something she could do.

The next day, Draco was in the library, and he was still not happy. He was pretending to read when Hermione jumped into the room, smiling excitedly. Draco really wished that the smile didn't prelude something he would deem painful. Which would be, in his opinion, everything except moping.

"Guess what, Draco?" she bubbled.

"What?" Draco asked. He decided it would be painful.



"I contacted St. Mungo's, and you know what? I was informed that, not only is visiting happily accepted, but that you should visit your mother. They told me that she's getting better and has asked for you to come and visit!" Draco could only stare, gaping. Hermione began to get worried and started to back away. Then Draco suddenly leapt out of his chair.

"Oh, wow, Hermione!" this time he had no problem saying her name. "This is fabulous! How can I thank you?" Hermione smiled.

"I'm pretty sure you just did, Draco." He was still grinning. Hermione was happy that she had a part in that.

"When can we go?" Draco asked, sounding like a small child.

"Oh you can g – wait, 'we'?" Hermione stopped. They weren't actually dating...why 'we'?

"Yes." Draco said firmly. "You're the one who started it. So you're coming. Deal with it." Hermione swore that Draco winked – maybe. Still confused, Hermione pressed on.

"But why? You're mother is supposed to hate people like me."

"Come on, Hermione. She's in the mental ward anyways. It's not like she'll remember." Draco was almost begging, which was strange for a Malfoy. Draco made a mental note to never beg again.

"Oh, fine." Hermione said, giving up. It's not like she had to talk to Narcissa Malfoy anyways.

Fifteen minutes later found Draco and Hermione in the reception area of St. Mungo's. Draco walked with determination to the desk.

"I would like to visit my mother, Narcissa Malfoy."

"Of course," said the frazzled receptionist. "Floor three, hall 6. You should find her alright." The frazzled receptionist went back to his work. (A/N: Sorry if I put her on the wrong floor. I can't remember, and I'm too lazy to go get OotP off my shelf to check.)

"Thanks." Draco left, with Hermione on his heels.

"See, Draco, it's not so hard, is it?" Hermione was almost teasing him.

"Be nice to my mother. She's had a hard time," Draco looked at her seriously. Hermione raised an eye brow.

"I'm honestly more worried about her recognizing me somehow and then trying to kill me," Hermione said. It was true, though. The Malfoys were a scary family.

"She's in rehab, Hermione. She's not going to hurt anyone." He smiled with reassurance.

"Oh, fine," Hermione gave up. Hopefully, Draco was right about his mother.

Fifteen minutes later, the pair stood in front of the door for the sixth hall. Draco shook his head before pushing the door open. Hermione briefly entertained the idea of just waiting for Draco until he came back, but he turned around and glared. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"You're such a wimp, Draco, did you know that? She's your own mother and you need back up? Jeez," but she grinned to take the sting off. With that, they had reached a MediWitch.

"Hello, why are you here?" This witch was a stark contrast to the frazzled receptionist. She was quite calm.

"We're here to visit my mother. Narcissa Malfoy,"

"Ah! You must be her son, Draco! She's been asking for you, you know," the woman said, confiding. "She's been wanting to know how you've been doing, and if you've met any nice girls," the woman's eyes slid to Hermione.

"This is my friend, Hermione," Draco said, rather stiffly. As if he would actually date her.

"Right. Well, nice of you to come, Hermione," the MediWitch said. "Well, here's Narcissa. Have a good visit." She left. Narcissa was propped up in her bed, pillows surrounding her, long blonde hair draped over her shoulders. Draco pulled up two chairs and sat beside her. Narcissa smiled at him.

"Draco, my son, I have been waiting for you to come," Narcissa said, sounding a little hoarse. She reached her hand out towards him.

"Oh, Mother, I've wanted to come. I've just been busy with...work," Draco said, taking her hand. "I've been worried about you."

"Draco, you could have come sooner. Or written..." Narcissa trailed off, finally catching sight of Hermione, who was hovering near the bed. "Who's this?" Narcissa asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Mother, this is my friend Hermione," Draco said, grabbing Hermione's wrist and forcing her to sit down. "She's the one who convinced me to take a break and come visit you." Both he and Hermione knew it was a lie, but Narcissa's eyes welled.

"Oh, Hermione, thank you so much for getting my little boy here," Narcissa wiped her eyes. Hermione almost laughed at 'little boy', but stopped herself. Mothers were entertaining. Draco is anything but little. He had to be at least six feet tall...Hermione suddenly realized what (or who!) she was thinking about and stopped.

"Mother!" Draco exclaimed, horrified. "I'm nineteen!" Hermione started to laugh. Narcissa smiled. "What?" he asked.

"You sounded just like a little kid!" Hermione said between her laughter. Draco crossed his arms and frowned. "And now you're pouting," Hermione pointed out. Draco immediately stopped, but not before his mother got into the conversation.

"Are you sure you're nineteen, Draco?" Narcissa asked her son, a smile pulling at her mouth.

"Oh, fine, I guess that was a little childish. Anyways, Mother, I got you a present," Draco said. He personally believed he was an expert conversation diverter. Narcissa's eyes lit up. Draco magically pulled a gift wrapped box out of his pocket and handed it to Narcissa.

"You're such a good boy, Draco..." she said, as she unwrapped the gift. Hermione slipped away, leaving mother and son to have some time alone. Tears started to flow down her cheeks. It was the nicest present Draco had ever gotten her.

It was a photo of her and Draco, taken just before everything started going wrong. Both of them were happy, healthy, and smiling in the photo. She put it on her bedside table. Narcissa was still crying a little. Draco conjured a tissue for her. Draco and Narcissa continued the conversation, not noticing that Hermione had disappeared. She was reading in the hallway, waiting for him to finish.

The visit was for him, anyways.

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This was the feel-good Christmas chapter. I know it's not actually Christmas, both in real life and the story, but Christmas is coming up in the story, and Christmas in the story will be busy fulfilling key plot and character development roles.

They're starting to be friends, haven't you noticed? And it's not that Hermione's falling in love with Draco or anything, she just cares about her friends. A lot. She's a good person.

Anyways, thanks for reading! Reviews are much appreciated! Cyber cookies for all reviewers! (Happy New School Year!)

-MTYCH