Chapter 10: In his Absence
Hogwarts held a grand welcoming party for the three schools, Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, and Aeacirce, which will stay for a week for the academic and sport exchange.
The Gryffindors and Hufflepuff were in charge of the program party and accommodations. Slytherin and Ravenclaw are on the entrance, decorations and safety committee.
As Malfoy is head boy and is not currently within the premises of Hogwarts, Blaise became the de facto prince. While Arden was assigned as the muse, much to dissent of Pansy and a bunch of Slytherin and Ravenclaw girls. Who Hermione shooed away and threatened, privately.
Nott in the other hand, who felt that he is not compelled to do these odd jobs, as he calls it, started following Hermione around. Which Hermione doesn't mind as he makes her job easier patrolling and keeping things on place.
He does not complain, grumble and threaten students who answer Hermione back or tries to defy her.
"Nott acts like a knight" Luna told Hermione in one of her rounds the day after the arrivals.
"yeah he does. If only Malfoy acts that way then I can support him" Arden agreed
"Support?" asked Hermione
Arden closed her mouth like a child, she shook her head and said, "Nothing"
Luna smiled at the nervous and panicking fellow Ravenclaw.
"Oh Look!" Arden pointed at the bridge, "It's the knight! Well, better get going Mione. Luna and I.." she pulled Luna beside her suddenly, "we need to finish some essays. So, bye!" and in an instant Arden and Luna vanished.
"why are those two rushing?" Nott asked, now beside the Head Girl.
"Den just kidnapped Luna" Hermione answered.
"That's not unusual" laughed Nott
"I think so too. If Malfoy is here he would have growl at Den" The Gryffindor commented chuckling.
Nott glanced at her. "should we start the patrol?"
"the prefects are conducting it right now. I'm going to the library"
"then I'll go ahead?" asked the Slytherin
Hermione nodded and smiled at him.
"You pulled me to give those two time alone" Luna said to Arden who is peeking at the corner of the corridor where Hermione and Nott are.
"I dont know. I just did. I feel anxious and I'm not sure who to cheer for. Both Nott and the ferret are my friends" Arden straightened up from her position, now facing Luna
"I understand" smiled Luna, "but Hermione will be the judge of that. It's her life that will be affected, not ours"
"I know. . . But!" Arden leaned against the wall, "I've never known a person as dense as Mione when in comes to love and romance. I mean, the ferret is like a whipped dog when Mione scolds him. He gets so overly protective and possessive over Mione that any male specimen who approached her is mark dead"
Luna laughed, "Hermione will come to that, don't worry. Things always fall into place when the right moment comes"
Arden smiled in agreement.
"Basker, what are you doing here? You should be at the great hall" Blaise appeared, who startled Arden making her spin around then covering Zabini's mouth using both hands.
"shut up!" hissed Arden, "I don't want to be in there"
"The male specimens are embarrassing her" Luna followed adopting the term
Blaise stared at her blankly then signalled Arden to take her hands off him using his eyes looking down to his mouth.
Arden immediately removed her hands like it was scorched. She wiped them on her skirt.
"I just sneaked out. Please, don't make me go back there" she pleaded to Blaise, who after agonizing seconds nodded his head.
"But only for a few minutes"
"an hour?" Arden looked at Blaise with a plastered sweet smile on her face
*suck it in Zabini! Don't let this girl manipulate you. Its so obvious that the smile is fake. Look at the corners of her lips its twitching! But damn, those lips... No!*
"Fine"
*Wait! No, no, no, NO! You're supposed to say no!*
"thanks Zabini, you're not as bad as I thought" Arden elbowed him in the stomach. When Blaise glared at her, she smiled then ran away leaving Luna.
"We'll go ahead then Zabini" Luna said smiling, slightly bowed her head. She proceeded to walk towards the direction Arden ran.
*Im a ladies man, i tell women what to do not the other way around* It is apparent to everyone that Blaise Zabini is frustrated.
"I can't find Hermione anywhere" he said exasperated, sitting on the Gryffindor table
"well she's busy. Aside from managing and cooperating with other school heads and professors, she's the head girl so she still needs to make sure that the student body aren't doing anything stupid, plus she needs to maintain her grades. Mind you with all the subjects she has. And let us not forget Malfoy, who by the way is the Head Boy, and who also decided to go home in the middle of all this mess. Try juggling all that"
He look at her with shock.
"Oh don't look so shock Ron!"
"Malfoy is the Head Boy?" the ginger haired boy asked, still in shock
"In everything I just told you, that's the only thing you picked up?" Ginny answered but Ron was still looking at her, "Yes. He's the Head Boy. It should surprise me too but it doesn't. since first year he's the only student in your year that ever came near to Hermione's grades, you know"
"But that was because he is rich" spat Ron
"Yes he is but it has nothing to do with his grades. When professors ask him questions he can easily answer them. He scores highest in essays and quizzes in subjects Hermione did not enrol" Brown interjected, "Hi Ron" she batted her eyes.
"Hey" Ron answered in a half-smile
"you'll bump into her sooner" Ginny said, "Or she's avoiding you. If Dean did to me what you did to her, I'll probably avoid you too"
"I don't think so, Hermione's too much of a 'reason person' to do that" Brown pointed out, inching closer to Ron.
In the entrance of the great hall, the Hogwarts head girl is talking to the Student President of Durmstrang, Caratos Abbadon, regarding the Quidditch match this afternoon. Caratos invited her to have lunch, she was considering it when she saw Lavender Brown talking to a tall ginger. "Uhh, maybe later? Or next time? I remember I had to check on the preparations for the ball"
"if that is the case then Miss Granger, that could not be avoided. Tomorrow then? Because I do not want to miss a date with a beautiful woman" Caratos kissed Hermione's hand
"we'll see" smiled Hermione awkwardly looking around, "I need to go" she wiped the back of her hand
Caratos bowed and she hurriedly left to lock herself in her room and maybe just order something to eat from the elves, which she hates doing but this time is an exception.
"I hope I'm not in your way Miss Head Girl"
Hermione looked up from her book to find Theodore Nott smiling at her.
"Oh, No. And stop calling me that. How many times do I have to tell everyone to not call me that? But thank you for announcing you self, Malfoy usually just appear out of nowhere"
"I apologise Miss Granger" Nott took the chair in front of her, "How may I atone?" he didn't know how to react to the Malfoy comment.
Hermione smiled at him, "hmmm, let's see" she put down her book and acted to be thinking really hard, "how about..."
Hermione wasn't able to finish. Nott's smile faded when he saw the look on Hermione, she looked so sad, shock and pained at the same time. She was looking behind him.
Nott turned around and realized the situation.
A certain red haired boy was standing near the library entrance talking to Dean Thomas.
Nott heard Hermione's chair screech, "Hermione" he called but she didnt stop, the girl went to one of the last book shelves in the deep corner of the library. Nott followed.
He found her sitting between tall stacks of books. He sighed, "what are you doing here?"
Hermione still didn't answer. So Nott sat opposite of her as either side of the girl was occupied by books.
"Fine. I wont ask but dont you think what you're doing is sort of childish? I mean, hiding and your supposed to be a Gryffindor. You know, brave?"
Hermione looked at him and said, "I know but right now I prefer not to hit this head on", she lowered her head again to continue to sulk. "can't we talk of someting else while I stay here until they're gone?"
"Ok. What do you want to talk about?"
"anything"
"anything under the sun huh? Well that's difficult"
After a long pause, Hermione curled up, she placed her hands on her knees and buried her face.
"Now you just look like a ball" Nott commented, he heard her speak but couldn't understand as he only heard grumbles.
Hermione slightly raised her head, "I said, where is Malfoy?"
Nott smiled, "why do have to be embarrassed in asking where your boyfriend is?"
"he's not my boyfriend" Hermione said, "I just wanted to know why in all times given by Merlin, he decides to go home when we are so busy"
Nott nodded, he knew that Hermione's feelings are far from falling in love right now. "He needed to attend to some matters regarding their business. When his father died during the war he had to step up and help her mother manage. For his mother to ask for his help means that it's very important"
Hermione nodded in response, "I know that Malfoy is rich but I really don't know where they get all the money"
Hermione realized what she said, "Oh my god, I'm sorry. I'm not prying or anything, I was just curious. I'm sorry, you don't have to answer that"
Nott only smiled at her, like he always does. Blaise told him that he only smiles like that to Hermione. If he uses that smile to other girls, he may steal all of Blaise girlfriends. How in the world can Blaise keep up with all of those girls, he may never know.
"It's ok. Actually, I'm surprised you don't know" shrugged Nott
"huh?" Hermione blinked at the statement
"The Malfoys are like royalties in the wizarding world. They control 68% production of almost all raw materials. They produce all precious stones from diamonds, rubies, gold, silver, you name it. Also magical stones used in construction, potions, jewelleries. Also materials used in making wands. From stones to cloths to food. They have mines and different kind of farms. When we were kids we used to play at their baby dragon dens"
Hermione stared at him in disbelief; she knew that Malfoy was rich but not that kind of rich. "having that kind of business means you control almost everyone because you produce what they need. That can give a person a very powerful position not only in the wizarding world but also in the muggle world"
"yup. That is why even though their family was associated with Voldemort. You can't just cut you transactions with them. A lot hates them but couldn't turn away"
Hermione realized why Malfoy grew up as an arrogant brat who felt like he could do anything he want and control anyone because he actually can.
"even my family depends on them. Blaise too, Arden's and more"
"I could see that, maybe even the clothes Im wearing right now was sewn from materials produce by them" Hermione said
"probably" answered Nott, "My family dwells on medicine. Both of my parents are healers. We own most of the hospitals in the wizarding world. The Zabinis are in the clothing industry. They are the fashion and design merlins of this world."
"How about Den?"
Nott laughed at this which caused Hermione to hush him, "why are you laughing?"
"Because you won't believe me if I told you"
Hermione is confused, but insisted "try me"
"The Baskers produce mercenaries of the wizarding world. They also supply weapons and wands. They hold training camps for aurors and similar purposes. Their number one customer is the Ministry itself"
"what?" Hermione was shock, "but Den is so sweet and she can't even hurt a fly. Not to mention she's having difficulty in DADA"
"well, according to what I heard she was kept away from all of those as the last and only female child. She has three older brothers. She was home schooled all her life because her parents are scared that their only daughter will be targeted. Even when she was enrolled in a school they had to change her name"
"but during the war" Hermione didn't want to ask the question but she did.
"don't worry. Their family went neutral during the war. Her father, as strict as he can be chose to keep his family safe rather risking their lives. They vanished during the war. Even the death eaters couldn't find them"
"I don't know why but I'm happy they went neutral" Hermione said but was feeling guilt
"Don't be guilty. A lot of people were glad they went neutral. Some say that they actually sided against Voldemort as some of the death eaters was suspected to be killed by mercenaries of the Baskers"
"people do change in a war" Hermione said quietly
Nott agreed. He remembered the time his father was sent to Azkaban. Personally he was guilty of feeling that his father deserved it. Growing up he and Malfoy was subjected to strict pureblood beliefs. Their fathers have taught them about dark arts since the day they could walk and talk. He was lucky that their family is not that of the Malfoys that pressure will kill a person. No wonder Draco could easily compartmentalize his feelings.
When students are already thinning out, both realized that they've been there in a long time and the cause of Hermione hiding is long gone. Both agreed to have their dinner before retiring to their dormitories.
On the way to the Great hall, Nott asked Hermione, "Do you like Draco?"
Hermione just look at him, and said "No. why?"
Nott laughed. Making Hermione asked again "Why?"
"Nothing, it's just you reaction is so different from other girls. It's like your're just answering a simple yes or no question" Nott said in between chuckles
"It is a simple yes or no question" Hermione said confused
"I don't know. You've always been like that since then, you answer straight forward what is asked from you" Nott stepped in front of her.
"Since then?"
Nott bit his lips, "Never mind that. Com' on, I'm starving"
Hermione smiled, she was reminded of the little boy she used to play with in the summers back in the muggle world. She took Nott's hand and lead the way to great hall.
Nott was surprised of the girl's action, but was happy, it felt like those summer days back then.
In the Slytherin dungeons Blaise is pacing in front of the fireplace. He knew that anytime soon Draco will be flooing him. He is anxious if Draco would ask how the bushy haired Gryffindor is. Of course he could not say that Nott has been hovering around her and he can't certainly tell him that both disappeared in the afternoon. Even Arden can't find them. Then in addition to the problem Arden heard Thomas telling the weaslette that the weasel plans to talk to Granger about their relationship that he wanted to fix it. "Oh Merlin" Blaise said desperately.
The flames started to change color but Blaise didn't notice it. Then a head popped out.
Draco watched Blaise paced in front of the fireplace. He cleared his throat but no reaction.
"Zabini" the dark skinned man was startled and hurriedly went to the fireplace
"Oh hey Malfoy"
"What's eating you?"
"nothing" Blaise realized he answered to quickly, "enough about me. So, how's your mother?"
"she's fine. Peachy. We just had a problem with the mines at south East Asia. But everything's under control now. I'll be back there by tomorrow night"
"good to hear mate" Blaise sound too cheerful
Draco noticed but he decided to ignore it. It's probably one of his girlfriends. Instead he asked, "How's Granger putting up with the work load?"
"ooohh. What's this? Is the Slytherin number one bachelor showing interest on our Muggleborn Extraordinaire?" Blaise teased Malfoy, expecting to make the other defensive and will stop asking *smooth Blaise* he congratulates himself
"My only interest is if that muggleborn is making a sloppy job and ruining my status while I'm not there " Draco defended
"sure, sure" grinned Blaise
"Now answer my question" The blonde demanded. Blaise didn't expect that his best friend would still demand an answer.
"uhh...she's doing fine. You know her. She has an unlimited energy to deal with all of those stuff. You know... alone" shrugged Blaise. *Good Blaise! Very Good!*
Draco eyed him, "are you sure?"
"Don't worry 'bout her. I'm keeping her company"
The face in the fire changed. Draco's expression became blank. Blaise wanted to punch in the face the Slytherin who suddenly appeared beside him.
"that's... so kind of you Nott" Draco gritted his teeth.
"Okay. Okay. It's late and we still need to do a lot of things tomorrow" Blaise started pushing Nott.
"Blaise why don't you go ahead. Nott and I need to talk" Draco's calm but cold and dangerous voice is heard.
Blaise knows that tone, it means 'don't argue with me or else' and when Draco uses that, he means business.
Blaise pocketed both of his hands, "just make sure that no one dies after this" then he left.
Nott summoned a chair in front of the fireplace.
"Nott, there is no need lying to me now"
Nott crossed his legs, "I know"
"why?"
"do I really need to tell you why?" Nott crossed his arms
Draco's voice became colder "Do I need to force you?"
Nott laughed then he loosen up, "Malfoy, relax. I told you already. Don't worry. I have no intentions of taking her"
Draco didn't answer. Nott stood up, "But" his voice matched the coldness of Draco's, "If you hurt her. I won't sit back"
Draco was surprised with what his friend just announced. Nott is always the calm one in the group, he never felt compelled to be in the group or to follow other people's orders.
"I won't" Draco said
The voice of Narcissa Malfoy calling for his son could be heard.
"I need to go" Draco's face started to fade
"wait" Nott went nearer to the fire
"what is it?" asked Draco
"You need to come back immediately. The weasel's back and according to sources, be threatened Draco"
"why should I care?" Malfoy replied smugly, going back to his defensive self, 'I hate that Mudblood'
"I think you do" Nott smirk at him
Before Draco put out the fire he heard Nott shouted, "she can't stop talking about you"
Draco smirked. Six words have inflated his ego so much that he can apply for statehood.