Chapter 9
Draco smiled and said, "I took this from a snatcher after you escaped from the manor. Sorry, there's a bit of blood on it," Draco grimaced. He brushed the cover with his fingers. "I had no idea the book meant so much to you, I've had it this whole time. What a coincidence you mentioned it today,"
Hermione gasped and reached out for the book. She flipped through the pages quickly and found the story of the three brothers. The deathly hallows symbol was right where it should have been. Hermione was at a loss for words. She slid her hand over the binding. A single tear slipped down her cheek. She hoped Draco didn't notice. "Thank you," she whispered. She looked into his eyes and gave him a watery smile.
"Typical Granger," Draco chuckled, "You are the only girl I know who gets weepy over books," He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and lead her out of the vault after filling a sack of galleons. The goblin was waiting in the cart, looking extremely bored again. Without comment, the goblin sped them to the surface and stopped abruptly at the main entrance that led out to the lobby. The goblin gave a little nod to Draco and Hermione and Draco followed silently behind Hermione as they left the bank. Draco was frowning again as he scanned the street for suspicious activity. Hermione extracted her list from her beaded bag and crossed off the first thing on the list:
Extract money from Gringotts for book order
Replenish supplies at apothecary
Place order at Flourish and Blotts
Buy instant darkness powder from George
New tent
Broomstick
Hermione looked to her right and scanned the street for the apothecary. Hermione turned around to look at Draco. He briefly locked eyes with her and then went back to scowling at shoppers. Hermione said, "I think we'll go to the apothecary next. It's the closest," and she set off when Draco gave her a nod. Draco stayed a few paces behind and Hermione admired him for taking his job seriously, even if it felt a little silly to be followed around. Wendell's Wondrous Apothecary was an odd sort of place. Plants loomed from every corner and odd animals in jars made the place feel rather creepy. Hermione replenished everything that was in her old Hogwarts potions kit and figured it would be just about everything she would need if she was in a pinch. She also bought a tiny vial of essence of dittany and pickled murtlap tentacles. Draco brooded behind her in the quiet shop and slid his wand out of his sleeve anytime the front door tinkled. The shopkeeper, Wendell, gave him an uneasy look and was glad to see them leave. From the apothecary, they made their way to a wizarding outdoor outfitters store. Hermione purchased a good pair of hiking boots and a small tent that would sleep two comfortably. Draco tried to persuade her to get one with a kitchenette, but she opted for just a camp stove instead.
"I think we should go to the bookstore next. I need to place my order for the children's library. I hope they aren't too busy."
To Hermione's and Draco's dismay, the bookstore was the most crowded establishment in Diagon Ally at the present. A sign just outside the door brought them a surprise; Luna Lovegood was signing copies of her new book. Hermione broke into a smile and raced into the busy shop. "It's been ages since I've seen Luna! She's always traveling." Draco was hot on her tail as they moved through the crowd.
"I'll make my order for the children's library first and then I will go see if Luna has time to chat." Draco glowered at everyone in the store while Hermione talked animatedly with the shopkeeper. After Hermione parted with a substantial amount of her gold, she gave a wide smile to Draco and waved him closer, "Draco, let's go say hello to Luna, I want her to know that I bought two copies of her book and I want her to sign them."
Draco furrowed his brow, "Er-Minister Granger," he said formally, Hermione scowled but listened, "I'm not sure it is a good idea for me to be near Luna Lovegood. She has made it quite clear she thinks I'm vermin," Draco said nervously.
Hermione, who had forgotten that Luna had been a prisoner in Draco's house for several months, said, "Nonsense, you've never even met Luna," and she clasped a hand over her mouth as soon as her words left her. Draco gave her an agitated look. "Well, I guess I'll meet you back over here when I am done," and Hermione awkwardly stepped toward the little-raised platform that Luna was perched at. Draco slunk into a shadow and watched Hermione interact with the witch. The women were very excited to see each other and struck up a conversation with ease. Draco would have given a thousand galleons to hear the conversation between the pair. Hermione and Luna seemed to be talking about Luna's new book and then Luna clearly asked a question and Hermione looked directly at Draco without meaning to and Luna's head turned in his direction as well. Luna's eyes narrowed and her lips turned as white as her hair. Draco gulped. Luna turned back to Hermione and asked another question. Hermione looked like she was getting defensive. Draco wondered if he should interfere. Luna raised her eyebrows and asked another. Hermione looked at her stunned for a moment and then nodded. Luna rounded on her quietly and eventually her face softened. Luna looked like she was pleading with Hermione and Draco could only imagine what Luna was saying to Hermione. Hermione nodded to the girl and gave her a hug. Luna gripped Hermione's shoulders with her hands and said something affirming to Hermione and Hermione stood up and hugged Luna again. Luna planted a kiss on Hermione's cheek and Hermione shot a glance at Draco. Draco tried to look indifferent and glanced around the room which was considerably less crowded. The door tinkled and a face Draco recognized walked in the door. Draco bolted for Hermione and before he could say anything to her, he latched onto her arm and apparated them both to the outside of the safe house.
Hermione sucked in a big breath of fresh air and after the shock on her face disappeared, she cried out, "What the HELL was that!?" Draco grabbed Hermione by the waist and half carried, half dragged her into the protection of the fidalius charm. Once they were inside the safety of the fidalius charm, Hermione dug in her heels and gave Draco a look of pure loathing. "I was talking to my friend one minute and then you decided it was time to go?" Hermione was seething.
Draco didn't have time for Hermione's questions or temper. Draco shouted, "Granger! I thought you were in danger! Now I demand that you go into the house and stay put until I get back. Do you understand me?!" Draco pointed toward the door and Hermione looked at him with wide eyes. She didn't move at first but then slowly started to walk toward the front door. With one hand on the door, Hermione turned back to Draco, "What did you see?"
Draco was already walking back to the garden gate but he shouted over his shoulder, "Marcus Flint," and then he stopped and turned around, "I'll see if Harry can come over to watch over you,"
Hermione nodded and entered the house.
Draco instantly apparated back to outside Flourish and Blotts. He entered the establishment and knew that Marcus was already gone. Draco raced back out of the shop and looked up and down the ally. Draco saw a shadow move in the dark space in between two shops and Draco charged forward wand outstretched.
"Whoa man, settle," and Marcus Flint raised his hands to show that he wasn't armed.
Draco growled, "What are you doing here?"
Marcus Flint, who had been wearing a hat low over his eyes, raised his head and sneered at Draco. "I'm just doing a little bit of shopping, what's it to you?"
"Everything. Was there a reason that you showed up in Flourish and Blotts today?" Draco had the tip of his wand pointed at Marcus' chest.
"Sure," I wanted to talk to you; off the books," Marcus added, "to give you a little information. See, I knew that I would be at the top of your suspect list and I wanted to clear my name. I do know a thing or two about what's been going on, but first I need your word that my words stay anonymous."
"I'll keep it anonymous as long as you tell me everything you know, Flint." Draco agreed.
Marcus looked down at Draco's wand and Draco reluctantly lowered it. "I don't have much information, but I do occasionally pick stuff up when I am on the job. People whisper about a revolution that will totally overthrow powerful governments across the world. The most important thing that I do know, is that it is more than one person. There is no way that one killer could have killed both of those men and I reckon that they were close to the attackers. I think it is some organization but I can't be sure."
"Any names that frequently come up?"
"No, but it seems that most people think that women are behind the attacks. That's all I know,"
"Why are you telling me all of this stuff? Whats in it for you?" Draco said in a low voice.
Flint whispered, "I just really don't want to go back to Azkaban." Flint gave a shudder and looked Draco dead in the eyes.
Draco grimaced, "I know the feeling," Draco took a step back from Flint. "Find me or Potter if you hear any more, won't you?"
"Sure, sure," Flint agreed. "I'll be going now." And with a crack, Flint vanished before Draco's eyes. A moment later, Draco apparated to the Ministry of Magic and raced up to Harry's office. Harry's receptionist knocked on his door and allowed Draco to enter after the receptionist got the ok.
"Malfoy, you better have a good reason to be here without Minister Granger strapped to your side." Harry looked up from behind his glasses and squinted.
"Yes, shes at home, safe for now." Harry narrowed his eyes even further. "You see we were out shopping today and one of my suspects showed up in Flourish and Blotts and I brought Hermione straight home and I went back to interrogate him. He told me that he had been looking for me and knew some valuable information."
"Well, what is it?"
"The guy wanted to stay anonymous if that's ok, I don't see why it's a problem at the moment. I'll disclose if I have to. He seems to think that a group of women is behind the attacks in Germany and America."
"Malfoy, that sounds absolutely ridiculous," Harry scoffed.
"I know that! But we have to take this seriously. This at least helps us narrow down the suspect list."
"I do not think we should be narrowing down the suspect list based on this information alone! What if your source is just trying to throw you off?"
"I'll treat the information carefully and look at more possibilities. I have no reason to think this person would lie to me, especially after tracking me down to pass on information," Draco looked at his watch, he had been away from Hermione for at least thirty minutes. It was far too long in his opinion. "I need to get back to the minister. Please owl me if anything occurs to you."
"Goodbye, Malfoy. Take care of our Hermione," Potter answered and he picked up his quill to jot something down. Draco nodded and walked to the apparition room quickly.
When Draco entered the house, he did not immediately place Hermione. He could hear the rushing water of the jets in the bathtub and he knew that Hermione was soaking in the tub. He did not alert his presence to her because he knew she could probably use the time to think. Draco did feel bad about stealing her away mid-conversation from her friend. Hopefully, Luna would understand. Draco was walking back down the hallway that leads to the stairs when he caught sight of something shiny in Hermione's room. He gently pushed open the door and walked inside. He felt bad for snooping in her room, but he was a Slytherin by heart and couldn't miss the opportunity to learn more about the witch that had turned his world upside-down in just a few days.
The silver flash of light had turned out to be a muggle contraption that had tiny letters on keys and had paper sticking out of the top. Draco knew this to be a writing tool. It seemed that the machine was fairly new and had a sleek design. Next to the contraption was a massive stack of papers. It was nearly two feet tall and looked like it was held in place by magic. Draco took a step closer and squinted at the writing on the page.
Always
A Memoir by Hermione Jean Granger
Draco's eyes widened. This was the book Hermione was working on. Draco lifted off the cover page. The writing was tiny and Draco marveled at how much content must be in the book. Draco listened for the bathroom jets and found that Hermione was still in the tub. Draco picked up the first page and began to read:
Foreward:
The first time I met Harry Potter was on the Hogwarts Express. In an attempt to make friends, something I was never really good at, I helped a boy look for his toad that he had misplaced. I walked up and down the train corridors and opened every compartment and spoke to the inhabitants about the missing toad. This was how I met Harry Potter and Ron Weasley for the first time. I barged into the compartment asked them about the toad and found them attempting to do magic. Ron, who had a magnificent smudge of dirt on his nose, was trying to turn his rat yellow. Three years later we found out that the rat, Scabbers, was actually a man named Peter Pettigrew and this is why spells never worked properly on him, but I'll go into detail about this later. I then discovered that Harry Potter was sitting right in front of me and I proceeded to tell him all about the books I had read about him in. I do not think to this day that he has read a single one of them. I bossed the boys around a great deal that day. Harry, Ron and I did not become best friends instantly. I think that most people assume that we were friends from the start but we weren't best friends until they heroically and foolishly saved me from a mountain troll on Halloween.
This is the story of Harry Potter as I remember it. Harry has entrusted me with this task because he knows I will always tell the truth, even if I didn't in the past, and he has never been one to do homework. This is an accurate account of what happened between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort and I know that many of you will take part in the journey. Every person in this memoir has ups and downs over the years and I will not sugarcoat any of the encounters in this book. This story has a bittersweet ending and I look forward to sharing this memoir with you.
With Love,
Hermione Jean Granger
Draco's heart was beating fast. He lifted a section of the papers off the top and glanced at the words on the page. He hoped that he would find his name in the print. He desperately wanted to know what Hermione had said about him before the book was published. He knew his role in Harry Potter's life was not a positive one and he knew that he would get an even worse reputation once the book was out. Draco picked up more pieces of paper and at last, he found his name at the bottom of the page. He read the sentence and held his breath.
I saw Draco Malfoy with his two friends Crabbe and Goyle hiding in some bushes that overlooked Hagrid's cabin. They were sniggering and when they saw the three of us walking down the path, they began to taunt us about poor Buckbeak. Something snapped inside of me that day. I charged up to Draco Malfoy with my wand raised, deciding which hex I was going to fire out when suddenly my right fist closed into a tight fist and punched him. His nose made the most satisfying crunching sound I have ever heard. I screamed at him, "You vile, evil, loathsome little cockroach!" and the pure shock of my punch sent them scampering into the castle. Harry and Ron stood behind me entirely flabbergasted and when I turned around to meet their gaze, they looked a little scared.
Draco let out a little laugh at these words. Hermione was terrifying when she wanted to be. Draco rubbed his nose and remembered all to clearly how much Hermione's punch had hurt. The door creaked open and Hermione walked in and glared at Draco.
"Enjoying yourself?" Hermione said with a scowl. Draco instantly set the manuscript down neatly and backed away from the writing desk.
"Hermione, I'm sorry. The writing contraption caught my eye and I got carried away."
"What did you think of what you read?" Hermione inquired. Draco was relieved to see that she wasn't terribly upset.
"I read the forward and the part where you punched me in the face and I found both to be intriguing," Draco said honestly. "The part where you punched me in the face was extremely accurate."
"I'm glad you think so," Hermione said. She was wrapped in her bathroom and she strode into the closet to pick out clothes. She slipped on a comfortable t-shirt dress and leggings and exited. "Where did you run off to today?" She sounded a little less calm.
"I went to speak with Marcus Flint. He provided me with an interesting theory and then I went straight to Potter to talk about it."
"So what was the theory?"
"I'm not sure that I should worry you when there is probably nothing to it,"
Hermione made a face, "This is about my life Draco, and I think I should know everything so I can keep my guard up,"
"Alright," Draco agreed, "Let's go downstairs and I'll walk you through what I know so far," and the pair spent the evening trying to connect dots.
A/N: Wow. You guys are probably pretty shocked that I haven't updated until now. Thank you so much for reading this story. I have over 100 followers and I am so proud. It has been a crazy month. College has been extremely tough and on top of that, one of the girls I used to play sports with was sadly murdered in her home right around Thanksgiving and it made it impossible for me to write. When I finally did begin to write this chapter, my computer auto updated and only saved half of the chapter. Hopefully, I can have the next chapter up soon, but no guarantees with Christmas and New Years. I'm going to Orlando to see Harry Potter World for the first time and I'm hoping it'll bring me a lot of inspiration.
Also, I am looking for someone to start beta-ing this story. I feel like a lot of errors are slipping through the cracks. If you are interested PM me! As always, please please review! I love hearing your feedback about chapters. Tell me what you think! Reviews help me write faster. Sorry for the super long authors note and short chapter :(
