Chapter Ten.
Draco had led them both over to the couch, where he now sat patiently waiting for Hermione to start talking. He knew better than to push her. He could tell that she was nervous, and he didn't want to make her any more uncomfortable by making it seem like he was trying to pry information out of her.
He was beyond curious to know what her and her friends knew. He knew it was something important, especially now knowing that Dumbledore had left them with information which Draco assumed more than likely had to do with the demise of the Dark Lord.
If he had this kind of Intel a year or two ago, he would have went running back to Voldemort with glee, knowing he would be rewarded for his hard work. Now, however, he wanted to know so he could help Hermione and her friends take him down.
Funny really, how much a person can change in a year.
Hermione turned to look at him.
"Okay," she stated.
Draco nodded.
"So to answer your previous question, a Horcrux is an object that is formed by dark magic that a witch or wizard puts a part of their soul into in order to become immortal."
Draco's eyebrows shot up his forehead. "So he's immortal," he stated.
"Yes."
"That actually makes a lot of sense. Okay, so let's find this object and kill him."
Hermione smiled softly at him.
Draco studied her for a moment. "There's more to it, isn't there?"
"The nature and concepts of creating a Horcrux are said to be so foul and evil that very few books even mention what a Horcrux is or how to create them. Originally, Horcruxes were conceived as being a singular act. Splitting your soul in half in order to create one Horcrux is already bad enough, and according to records was only done once. We still aren't even sure how Voldemort found out about Horcruxes in the first place, but he did, and became obsessed with the thought of immortality."
"You said originally they were conceived as being a singular act….. Does that mean…?"
"To split your soul once is already a dangerous thing to do, which is why no other wizard had ever attempted to create more than one Horcrux. Voldemort did this process six times."
"He split his soul six times?!" Draco asked flabbergasted.
"Intentionally six times, yes."
"Granger…"
Hermione's eyes filled with tears.
"What is it?" Draco asked concerned.
"You know how Harry is able to speak Parseltongue, yet isn't a direct descendent of Salazar Slytherin?"
"Yes."
"And you know how he is the only person who was ever able to withstand and survive the killing curse?"
"Are you saying…." Draco said slowly, understanding overcoming him.
"I'm saying that I'm certain that Harry is the seventh unintentional Horcrux that Voldemort created, without even knowing it."
Draco's mouth dropped open in bewilderment.
"Is that even possible?" He questioned.
"The more I've come to understand and get information about Horcruxes, I was able to piece it all together. I don't even think Harry himself knows yet, and I haven't exactly had the chance to tell him. Besides, how am I supposed to tell him that? In order to kill Voldemort, all seven pieces of his soul need to be destroyed."
"Meaning that Potter needs to be destroyed in order for Voldemort to not be immortal," Draco stated.
Hermione felt a tear escape from her eye and run down her face.
Draco reached over and wiped it away with his thumb without thinking.
"Merlin Granger. What have you gotten yourself into," he stated softly.
"A lot more than I think any of us realized."
"How was Potter an unintentional Horcrux?" Draco asked.
"Would you purposely put a piece of your soul into the one person who is destined to be your downfall?"
"I guess I didn't really think of it like that."
"And the reason I knew a bit about Occlumency, is because Harry is able to get into Voldemorts mind, and vice versa. Voldemort found out about this connection and used it to plant false thoughts into Harry's mind, and Harry sometimes found himself slipping into Voldemort's mind when he was feeling a strong sense of an emotion."
"Merlin.."
Hermione let out a deep breath.
"And what sort of things did he put his soul into? Have you guys found any aside from your theory of Potter being a Horcrux?"
"You put your soul into objects of your choice. It can be anything really. Voldemort was very particular about the things he put his soul into. We've destroyed two, Dumbledore destroyed one. The first Harry destroyed in his second year at Hogwarts actually, not even knowing what it was."
"He destroyed a Horcrux at the age of 12? How?"
"At the time he didn't know what it was, none of us did. But yes. He destroyed it with a Basilisk fang"
"A what? Jesus Granger, what the hell were you guys up to in school?"
"Do you not remember the whole thing about the Chamber of Secrets in second year? Well, the reason that people were being petrified was because there was a Basilisk on the loose in the school, a creature that Voldemort had left behind in the Chamber of Secrets. Voldemort himself was the heir of Slytherin, and he was unable to finish what he set out to do while he was in school, so he left behind a diary, which had a part of his soul in, that took over Ginny and made her open up the Chamber of Secrets. It put her under a type of enchantment where she didn't know what she was doing, she was on autopilot, doing Voldemort's bidding. Harry figured out where the Chamber was located, and him and Ron ended up going down there in order to rescue Ginny. Harry fought off and killed the Basilisk, then destroyed the diary with a Basilisk fang, not knowing that it was a Horcrux"
"Why didn't you go with them?"
"Because I had been petrified by the Basilisk, remember? I figured out what the monster in the school was, and how it was able to get around, and thankfully Harry and Ron were able to find the note I left behind before I had become petrified, and they figured out the rest from there."
"I don't even know what to say. That's absolutely crazy."
Hermione laughed. "Yeah well, we're sort of used to crazy."
Draco took a few minutes to think everything through. He couldn't believe the things he was hearing. It was absolutely crazy, but he also knew that Hermione was telling the truth. Draco knew that Voldemort was evil, but he didn't know he was a mental case on top of it. Although, a part of him wasn't overly surprised. He was obsessed with power. And being immortal was about as powerful as one could get. Draco didn't even know that being immortal was real, he thought it was something of a fantasy.
"It's a lot of information, I know," Hermione stated.
"It is. Do you guys have any idea as to what the other Horcruxes are?
"That's what we were trying to figure out, and why we were on the run. We were searching all over the world, places that we thought were of importance to Voldemort, places he would trust to leave his Horcruxes where nobody else would find them. But even if you find them, they're extremely hard to destroy. You can't use a wand on it, the object needs to be damaged to a point beyond all physical and magical repair."
"So the Basilisk fang?"
"The toxins from a Basilisks fang are poisonous and extremely powerful."
"Did you destroy the second Horcrux with a Basilisk fang also?"
"No actually, Ron used the sword of Gryffindor."
Draco ran his hands through his hair.
"And how the hell did you guys get your hands on a magical object like that? Although I shouldn't be overly surprised…"
"We don't really know how it showed up where it was, but it appeared in a pond near where we were camping."
"And it is able to destroy Horcruxes too?"
"Yes. Harry used the sword of Gryffindor to destroy the Basilisk, and in the process it absorbed some Basilisk venom. The sword of Gryffindor absorbs anything that makes it stronger, which is why I believe it was able to destroy the Horcrux."
Draco stared at Hermione. "I always knew you were smart, but bloody hell Granger you're a fucking genius."
Hermione flushed. "I wouldn't say that."
"Are you kidding? It's extraordinary and impressive how your mind works. I doubt many other people would be able to figure things out like you have. Your mind is absolutely astounding. I'm glad that you're working on Potter's side. You're a force to be reckoned with, and I think that everyone has severely underestimated you, myself included."
Hermione studied him carefully, and realized that he was sincere about what he was saying, and she felt a sense of pride within herself. Especially since the sincerity was coming from someone whom never would have admitted that sort of thing aloud to her before. Made it that much more meaningful and believable.
She also felt as though some weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. She hadn't told anyone about her theory of Harry being a Horcrux, and finally being able to share that information with someone instead of allowing it to eat her alive, was a great sense of relief. Of course, having to tell Harry was still something she was dreading, but at least now it wasn't a burden she was carrying alone. She had someone she could talk to about it.
"Thank you," she said politely.
"I still can't believe he split his soul that many times. I've never even heard of such a thing. I knew the man was evil and twisted, but this is beyond anything I ever could have imagined," Draco stated.
"Yes well, Voldemort wants power, and nothing is more powerful than immortality."
"I guess a part of me always thought that Potter would be able to finish him off, but now, knowing how much more needs to be done in order for him to be defeated? I'm not so certain I want to see the outcome."
Hermione let out a deep breath. "Even when Harry does find out about his own destruction in order to bring down Voldemort, he will not hesitate. We just need to make sure that all the other Horcruxes are found and destroyed before Harry potentially sacrifices himself, otherwise it will all be for nothing," Hermione said, he voice breaking at the end.
Draco looked up at her, and saw her eyes welling up with tears again, and all he wanted to do was comfort this strong, impeccable woman in front of him.
Without thinking, Draco softly grabbed Hermione, placing her between his legs, pulling her back flush against his stomach. He wrapped his arms around her, and leaned his chin on her head.
He had felt her stiffen when he had first grabbed her, but she had relaxed against him momentarily afterwards, and he found that he liked how perfectly she fit against his frame.
He, Draco Malfoy was snuggling with Hermione Granger.
And he had initiated it.
And he liked it.
"Malfoy?" Hermione asked softly.
"Mmmm?"
"I like the person that you've become. It suits you a lot better," she said before snuggling deeper into him.
Draco felt butterflies erupt in his stomach when she had nestled closer to him. Never before had a girl made him have any reaction such as this.
He absentmindedly started running his fingers through her hair, lost in his thoughts.
A few minutes later, he looked down at Hermione and realized that she had fallen asleep, her breathing heavier, and a look of peace upon her features, and Draco couldn't help but notice just how beautiful she was.
Not wanting to disturb her, he grabbed his wand from his pocket carefully and conjured up a blanket that he covered himself and Hermione with. Opening up about everything had exhausted her, and Draco wanted to let her nap.
He grabbed the tv remote and flipped to a movie channel, making sure the volume wasn't too loud as he nestled into the couch, holding Hermione Granger in his arms as she snoozed peacefully up against him.
A/N: Another week, another chapter. Thank you to everyone who continues to read my story, it means the world to me! I love writing the cute Hermione/Draco scenes. Nothing better than some warm and fuzzy moments to start the blossoming of their relationship.
Anyways, as always, let me know what you're all thinking and feeling in regards to this story, I'm always curious about peoples reactions and feelings to what I'm writing; whether you love or hate the direction the story is going.
Until next week!
Xo.