Disclaimer: JK Rowling's.
Chapter 9: It's Slow
Draco stumbled through the flames; his eyes alight with glee and accomplishment. He dashed out of the den and scoured the manor for Hermione. "Granger? Granger! I found a lead!"
Crumpy yelped at the sight of his Master and fell to his knees in tears. "Crumpy is sorry! Crumpy is sorry!"
Draco's light mood vanished when he saw the distraught elf. Panic flooded his being as he knelt down and grabbed the elf rather forcefully by the arm. "What's wrong?"
"Master Hermione-Forbidden Roo-" the elf choked out through the tears. "Crumpy is sorry!"
Draco bolted upright and dashed down the stairs to the room he had locked up long ago. His blood ran cold when he saw the curtain pulled aside, the door ajar. He took quick strides to the entrance, instinctly grabbing his wand in his pocket. He always hated that room since Hermione's incident. Everything was just how it was all those years ago. A broken chandelier was tossed carelessly aside, scuff marks and broken glass on the floor where the chandelier once hung above. A thick layer of dust covered everything, making it seem a lot older than it was. He tentatively took a step forward. "Granger?"
Nothing. There was no one there. He rubbed his throbbing temple and set up the wards, the Muggle lock, and 'decor again'. He had sealed off that room on purpose. He had hoped Hermione wouldn't be sticking her nose where it didn't belong, but then again, that was one of her key traits. He scowled. A thick layer of dust and grime coated the wall, and he threw in cobwebs and ferocious-looking spiders for good measure. Tossing the curtain back over the door, he slowly ascended the stairs and dragged himself to Hermione's room.
Hermione sat huddled on her massive bed, her back pressed against her headboard, chin tucked safely on her knees as her arms pulled her legs closer to her body. Wet locks were glued to the sides of her face and the nape of her neck, drenching her grey tank top. She had taken a shower in an attempt to soothe her nerves, but that did nothing to help her. Loving the soft cloth her navy blue pajama pants she was wearing, she buried her nose deeper in between her knees. She heard the distinct chatter of Lady Faye warning Draco of her current condition. She sighed, preparing herself for whatever he was going to give her.
"Granger..." he crossed the room in a few strides and sat on the edge of her bed, grey eyes staring warily at her, as though he was contemplating something. Before she could say something to break the silence, he swung his legs onto the bed and kneeled in front of her. They stared at each other again. Merlin, this is awkward... Just before she thought it couldn't get any worse, he hesitantly extended his arms and delicately pulled him toward her. He gulped nervously. "Uh...There...There?"
She went rigid under his touch and squirmed away. "Malfoy? What's gotten into you?"
He growled and rubbed the back of his neck, glaring at her. "Damn it, Granger, I was trying to comfort you!"
"Well you're doing it wrong!" she shot back, edging away from him. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back abruptly. She yelped and fell on her back. She glared at him, her arm twisted in an awkward position, his hand still securely around her wrist. His face was suddenly sober and sympathetic, lips pursed in a thin line as he stared at her exposed arm. The word 'mudblood' was nearly faded in her porcelain skin, but it still shined with a satiny luster. Hesitantly, he reached out and traced the 'M', then the 'u', and so on until he reached the end of the horrible word. She cringed in shame when he touched her scar, but she didn't pull away. The look on his face was too fascinating. Never had she seen so many emotions on the man's face. She spotted regret, grief, sympathy, and...awe? He shifted his gaze wistfully at her, releasing his grip on her wrist but still tracing the scar. She smiled bitterly at him before staring at the ceiling. "I remember that day. I remembered everything about it."
"Me too," he said softly. She shook her head and chuckled non-humorously. "I hated you ever since that day. I honestly truly felt that I hated you. You were there, Draco. You were there and you did nothing."
Draco cringed, pulling his hand away from her. She stared up at him and forced a smile. "But later in life...I realized...You couldn'tdo anything. And to me, there's a fine line between 'couldn't' and 'wouldn't'. So I decided not to hate you. If you did the valiant thing back then...I doubt you'd be alive right now...so..."
She trailed off, staring back up at the ceiling. "I went into that room thinking you were there. I thought you called it the 'Forbidden Room' because everyone was...well...forbidden. Except you. And I went through all that trouble just to find...that."
Draco eased down on the mattress, suppressing a groan as he felt his muscles fighting the slow, painful movement. He automatically relaxed once he was lying down, his legs swung over the side of the bed, his face about a foot away from hers. She copied his movements, her feet dangling a few inches above the floor, swinging them idly. They remained silent for a couple more minutes until Draco turned his face in her direction. "You're the reason I'm taking this case, Granger."
She slowly turned her gaze to him in disbelief. "Pardon?"
"Really. That room...that day...it showed me what a coward I was. True, I couldn't have done much to help you, but still. And then...when I noticed the Muggle murders... I felt like it was my duty to do this. It was my way of redeeming myself for my lack of courage over my entire life. Back then, I didn't have any options, but now I do. I can try to save these people. Hopefully, this releases a little guilt I have bottled up in here," he said, pointing to where his heart was. Hermione sat up. "Malfoy..."
He waved it off, sitting up as well. "It's nothing. I really enjoyed this talk. This was considered...what friends do right?"
"Umm...Yeah?" she raised a quizzical brow at him. "Don't your friends do this?" she asked in a playful tone. He scowled at her. "Believe it or not, we do. But we treat our friends a little bit more different than you Gryffindors."
Draco stood up and straightened his attire, glancing out the bay window at nothing in particular. "Do you feel better?"
She nodded, surprising only herself. "Thanks."
Another moment of silence. He absent-mindedly rubbed his chin and glanced in her direction. "So...are we on a first name basis now?"
She shrugged. "I dunno. Let's just find out."
"Hermione. Her-mi-one. Hermio-nee," he held out the 'e', eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "Her...mione. Hermione."
She smirked. "Draco? Dra...co. D...raco. No, no this isn't working."
An awkward hush filled the room as Hermione quickly trailed behind Draco's confident strides. His chin was jutted up, grey eyes cold and unwavering as he watched the co-workers. He was used to being watched and gossiped about. But unlike him, Hermione wasn't as used to her fame. Not when she was admired for being a War Hero, and not now. She hung her head low, a blush crawling up her cheeks as Ron passed by and talked with a fellow co-worker. She breathed a sigh of relief, wondering how he didn't notice the two of them. In the corner of her eye, she saw Draco tucking his wand back in his pocket. "Oh...that's why she resigned," a plump woman whispered to the younger girl next to her, "Dating a Malfoy. No need to work 'ere. Makes sense, but I think 'at's all rubbish."
"Now, Miss Finks," the young girl whispered back, green eyes alight with awe, "I do believe they suit each other rather well. I've always fancied idea of the bad guy and the good girl together."
"You need some air," chided the older woman, returning to her work. "Whatever the case, I highly disapprove of such a sweet girl being with the likes of a Malfoy. The bad boy always hurts you. Get that in that thick skill o' yours."
Hermione sighed, sauntering in into Harry's office when Draco opened the door for them. Harry sat behind his desk, black hair slicked to the side in an attempt to look formal. She held in a snort, settling down in the chair he gestured her to and peeled off her jacket. Draco sat down in the chair next to hers, his face grave and smug at the same time. Harry glanced up at the magical clock hanging above the door, drumming his fingers incessantly on his smooth desk. "Why did it have to be here, Malfoy?"
"I won't have that bastard in my home," Draco scoffed, picking up a picture frame off of his desk. "Weaselette-I mean...Mrs. Potter looks lovely in this picture."
Hermione looked at the door curiously. "Mind your language, Malfoy. And who's this guy?"
"Martin Doucet. Draco forced me to look up some information on him," Harry explained, reaching over and snatching the picture from Draco's hands. They glared at each other for a few seconds before Draco huffed and picked up yet another picture frame. "Hey," Harry warned. Draco waved him off. "You've got millions more at home, Potter. And it's not like I'm stealing it."
Harry sighed, falling back in his seat. "He's clean. Sure, stole once from a candy shop-"
"Bloody git. Stealing from a candy shop. How juvenile," muttered Draco, staring intently at the picture in his hands.
"When he was seven," Harry continued, obviously frustrated. "Malfoy, if you're going to act like this the entire time, I suggest you leave."
He remained silent, setting the picture frame back on the desk. "Granger. Your phone."
Hermione rolled her eyes and handed it to him. He took it without hesitation and started playing with it.
"He's like a child," Harry commented with an uncomfortable smile. She smirked. "If only it were that simple. He just needs something to fiddle with because he's upset. He's releasing some frustration right now. Better than hexing if you ask me."
Someone knocked on the door. "Come in!" Harry called, straightening his coat. A tan-skinned man entered in khaki slacks and a light blue button up, his eyes cool and reserved as he seated himself in the last available seat in Harry's office. Harry smiled in acknowledgement, taking his wand and using a silencing charm around the room. "There we are. Thank you for seeing us today, Mr. Doucet."
"You as well," he replied, shaking hands with him. He turned his head and smiled nervously. "You must be Hermione Granger. It is an honor to meet you."
His smile faltered when he locked eyes with Draco. "Hello, Mr. Malfoy."
"Doucet," he regarded coldly. "Well, you're here now. Inform them of what you know."
"Wait," Hermione said, grabbing her phone. She clicked a few buttons and set it down on the desk. "Okay, now talk."
"Recorder?" he asked, although he didn't seem too surprised. She nodded. "Research for later. Go on."
He sat back in his chair, pressing his temples. "Well...I should start from the beginning. A few months ago, in mid-April, I believe, it was my uncle's birthday. I loved him dearly. Well, he's not my uncle by blood or marriage, but I go to him often when I feel like I need a companion. He's a Muggle, by the way."
Draco gave a 'I told you' look to Harry. Unaware, Martin continued, "We had a wonderful time, but when I went back home...There was a young man waiting for me on my couch. He looked very...casual about breaking into my house. He invited me for a drink, and I don't know why, but I did. He said that he was a Reaper, and he had come to do me a favor concerning my uncle. I was furious about how he said it, so I told him to leave. The boy said a position is always open for me, and that they would accept me with open arms when my uncle threw me out for being a wizard. I then told him he didn't know at all and probably never would. He said he understood and left. I filed a breaking and entering report, but the wizard detectives said there was no proof, so I was forced to let it go."
Harry slowly nodded. "Is there anything else?"
"I asked them who their leader was. He didn't know. He gave his name willingly though. Bernard Kirby. I asked him why he is called a Reaper. He said, 'Muggles will be reaping what they are sowing'. I would have chased him, but I couldn't. Paralyzed me for about twenty minutes."
"How is your uncle?" Hermione piped up. Martin smiled. "Very well, thank you. They haven't attacked him."
"So what do you think, Potter?" Draco asked. Hermione reached over and put her phone in her pocket, her gaze fixated on Harry. "I'll get some research done on the Reapers and if they've been heard anywhere. Thank you for your time, Mr. Doucet."
"If I may, could I still be involved with this case?" he asked tentatively, looking pleadingly into Harry's green eyes.
"No," Draco said adamantly.
"Sure!" Hermione grinned, standing up and shaking his hand. "We'd appreciate your help."
"Why do you even want to help on this case, Doucet?" Draco growled. Martin glared back at him and stabbed Draco's chest with his index finger. "They threatened my uncle. I won't take any chances."
Martin slowly backed away, bowed his head and disappeared out the door without another word. Harry sucked in his breath, hoping to get past what just happened and removed the silencing charm. "I think it's time we get more help. But I want it to be the ones we trust the most."
"Ginny," Hermione suggested. Harry shook his head. "No...not...not her. She's-I can't. Hermione, I suggest Ron."
Her face paled. "No, not Ron. Not Ron. You know why it shouldn't be Ron. There's Neville, Luna, Bill, Charlie...Seamus!"
Harry's eyes grew soft, his lips forced into a small frown. "'Mione..."
"Harry! I can't-He's-It's Ron!" she blurted in disbelief. "He's not capable-"
"He's more than capable, Hermione!" Harry replied swiftly. Hermione sat back down in her seat, stunned. "He hurt me. He broke me. He was a monster to me. He made a monster out of me. You can't expect things to go smoothly with him around!"
"Damn it, Hermione, let it go!" Harry yelled, his fists clenched. "I would choose someone else, but I can't! I can't think of anyone better than Ron! You know it too! You know he's capable! You just can't get past what happened!"
Hermione remained silent for a moment, staring at the floor. She tugged on Draco's sleeve and murmured, "Let's go."
"'Mione, I'm sorry," Harry blurted, rising from his seat. Draco motioned for him to stay put, opening the door for Hermione. "We'll see you when you have the information."
"But-"
"Information, Potter," he restated firmly, shutting the door behind him. The two walked together in silence, Hermione occasionally waving at a few passing wizards. Ron passed by and offered a lop-sided grin before continuing on. She sighed. "I honestly hoped he would have given more of a fuss, especially since I'm walking with you. No offense."
"Forget about it," he said casually as they reached the apparition point.
Hermione jabbed her wand at Draco's jugular viciously, her chest heaving as she tried to regain her breath. Her hair was all over the place, brown eyes narrowed on the man in front of her. Draco held up his hands in defeat. "You won, Granger. You can lower your wand now."
She slowly did what she was told, eyes roaming his body at all the injuries she had caused. Gashes adorned his arms like a tiger's stripes, but she knew she had done worse. "You alright, Malfoy?"
He nodded, lowering himself to the ground and peeling off his coat. "Yeah. You were fighting hard today. Frustrations?"
She nodded, seating herself across from him and pulling up her pant leg. She winced, Accio'ing some healing balms over and wiping off some blood from the cut he gave her. Draco reached over and took one of the healing potions, gulping all of the bitter tasting serum quickly. Hermione applied the healing ointments on her wounds, watching it with dull fascination as it healed right before her eyes. The medical field had improved greatly in fifteen years. Draco unbuttoned his shirt, grabbing some ointment and lathering over his chest. "I-" he sucked in his breath at the sudden pain before relaxing again. "I'm having visitors over tonight."
"So?" she asked wearily, pulling up her shirt sleeve and reaching for a developing bruise. Draco sighed, rubbing the ointment on for her. "Just wanted to warn you. Why don't we go inside?"
She shook her head. "I don't like to move too much after a fight. You can go on without me."
"It's really cold-"
"You can go on without me, Malfoy," she repeated herself, her tone daring to be questioned. Draco huffed, dragging himself to his feet. "Suit yourself."
She stuck her tongue out at his retreating back, fighting back a shiver. The last thing she needed to show was being wrong. Hermione sighed, rubbing her arms slowly. Her fingers felt the faint markings of the scar Bellatrix had given her, reminding her of that night. She gritted her teeth together at the memory, pushing it aside. Shivers ran up her spine as she remained on the ground for another half-hour. Slowly pushing herself up, she stared at the grey sky before shuffling inside. The snow was slowly disappearing, and Hermione was hoping her distraught feelings would as well. "Ron isn't a monster," she murmured to herself as she ascended the stairs. She waved at Lady Faye before continuing on to her room for a much needed bath. He would be working with her. Just like old times. Hermione was quite sure Ron would save her somewhere along the line. He always did. Yes, dependable old Ron. She would trust him. She had to, right? There was no other way. And Harry was right, she was being childish. She had to get over it. It was for the best.
Hermione sighed, slipping on a light green night gown and snuggling under the covers. No matter what angle she approached Ron, she always came to the same conclusion: she felt something there. But then why, she wondered as sleep claimed her, did she feel she needed Draco's opinion?
Draco sat in front of the roaring fireplace in the den, a glass of firewhiskey in his hand. Blaise and Theodore sat across from him, holding glasses of firewhiskey as well. The two were wearing identical outfits, a habit they formed over the bromance they had after the war.
"What're you staring at, Blaise?" Draco asked, his tone fierce but held no malice. The dark skinned man shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. He pointed to his own neck, tilting his head to the side for a better angle."You got a little lovebite here, mate."
Draco prodded it with two fingers tentatively, slightly relaxing when he realized what it was. It was the bruise from Hermione's wand from earlier."Oh, no. My secretary did this."
Theodore Nott rolled his eyes. "Of course she would."
Blaise raised an eyebrow, his gaze sliding mischievously in Theo's direction. "Isn't Hermione Granger your secretary, Draco?"
Draco realized the misunderstanding, but was rather unwilling to say she beat him in a duel, resulting in the ill-placed bruise. His friends would mock him for days. He scrunched up his nose in disgust. "I would never let her touch me like that."
Theodore hummed, staring off into space. "I would. She looked smashing on the cover of Witch Weekly last year. Say, is she here?"
Draco shrugged, taking a swig of firewhiskey. Blaise grinned. "I hear she's changed, you know. A lot less uptight."
"Yeah, right," he scoffed. Sure, she had loosened up, but not enough for it to be considered a dramatic change. Theo set the glass down and clapped his hands together. "Let's meet her tomorrow, Draco. C'mon. I hear from Pansy Parkinson that Granger's a lovely woman and she's very nice and kind and-"
"Why do you want to meet her?" Draco asked suspiciously, his grey eyes studying every single movement Theo made. He would be able to spot a lie when he saw one. He was the master of it, of course. Blaise stepped in, flashing an arrogant smile in his direction. "To see if Miss Muggleborn is as interesting as Pans says she is. Hey, she's single. I'm single. Theo's single. You're single. She's bound to fall over one of our charms."
"I say this is fair game," Theo said with a playful smile.
"Whoever mentioned a game?" Draco shot back quickly. Blaise nudged his companion gently. "No one, Draco. Calm down. It's not like she's yours."
"Y-You're right," he said, slumping down in his seat. Blaise poured himself another glass of whiskey. "Ten o' clock it is. Now onto more important matters, I hear Brad Bricksworth broke his arm while trying to catch a snitch..."
I honestly don't know if I should include their lunch tomorrow. And, I'm sorry it ended in such a dull note, but the chapter is so long I decided to split it in half. Yeah… anyhoo, review!
Oh, and thank you all for telling me my story isn't cheesy, and I'm striving to keep it that way.
