Alright, because this is the TENTH chapter, I'm going to list every reviewer ever! Look for your penname if you reviewed. It's listed in order of the first time you reviewed. If you didn't, scroll down to the story, read it, then REVIEW!
Shiroikao- You are the first reviewer EVER! You should be flattered!
Princess-of-all-things-sweet- You are the 2nd reviewer!
I'm Half Vampire- My secret: I'm half vampire too!
Felicitousmomento- You have reviewed since Chapter Uno. I dub thee...Awesome! Plus I like your penname.
HGDMfixrock- I like your penname also! Thanks for the wonderful reviews. Kudos!
Kandygurl4- Well, you only reviewed in chapter one. Are you still reading this story?
Sassy-A- I only remember you reviewing for Chapter One. Are you still reading?
RoadtoRuin- I love your stories! Thank you for reviewing.
Royally gobsmacked- Thank you, I like to think that my story is pretty good. Keep reviewing!
GREEN rox my sockx- Green is also one of my fave colors, as you will read in my profile. Thanks for the review.
Hogwartsgirl52- First reviewer of Chapter TWO! I only have one review from you. sniff
Sasmith- You have reviewed since the beginning! Thanks!
Mexicangirl01- Your reviews flattered me! Keep it up!
Black-Slacks-White-Pinstripes- I love your rhyming penname, so cute.
Hide-and-go-sit- I don't know if you're still reading, but I cracked up when I read your penname.
Ashie13- I'm glad it's one of your favs, buti don't even know if you're still reading this.
Twitchy the Squirrel- I love love love your penname!
NoteBookLove- Keep reviewing, I love your penname.
Laney- I doubt your still reading my story, but thanks for the reviews.
Slythrin Corps. - I'm glad you love this fic.
Dracosgirl3- Sorry but I'm Draco's girl. Just Kidding! Keep Reviewing!
Bethygirl94- Thank you! I know you've reviewed a lot for my story. Keep it up!
Sweetlyevil- There are certain pennames I remember. Yours is one of them because it's such an oxymoron.
Shortperson- I'm probably just as short as you, don't worry! Thanks for reviewing!
GalaxyStorme- I'm familiar with your penname as well. Keep the reviews coming.
Dracomionefan6132- Nice penname. Thanks for the review.
Hgdmforever- my fellow instant star fan! Woot!
HgDmfurever- Wow, look at the penname above yours. Talk about similar.
Queen of Serpants- You are a loyal, not to mention royal (queen) reviewer. Gosh I have cheesy jokes. Thanks!
LunaCatt- I took your advice in slowing down the story. Did it work?
HarryPotterLoverTillTheEnd- I got finger cramps typing your penname. Jk. Thanks!
Anon- Whattup anonymous? I love your cousin Unknown, such a sweetheart.
HRInuyashaFan16- Are you reading this? Just checking.
Dramione11- I love it when you complemented my writing, I got all giddy. Thanks!
Hermione-werecat- Are you still reading? Hmm….Thanks for the review!
Storseshavehalls- Your penname always left me thinking 'horses have stalls.'
Dark x Sorrow- I'm glad you liked my story. Thanks for the reviews.
UBERxCOOL- your penname is also one of those in which I always remember. Thanks for the numerous reviews.
Logan's Princess- I hope you are still reading my story. Review!
Phantom of a Rose- I'm glad you really really really really love this story! Keep reviewing!
Corporal Scarlett- I love reading your reviews because it really gives me some feedback. Thanks again! Keep reviewing!
Angelrider93- I love your review for Ch. 8. It's so sweet. Thanks!
KayeRyoko- Look, this story is going to have a happy ending. Maybe.
Hanna-Banana- I like your penname. Is your name really Hanna? If it is, that's so cool, cuz nothing rhymes with my name.
Cookiemonsterks- I love cookies! Especially oatmeal raisin. Thanks for the reviews.
Poisonruby- I'm glad you liked this story, I hope you'll continue to read and review!
xxxGuardian-Angelxxx- I'm sorry for annoying you. This chapter still has suspense, but I don't even know what's gonna happen next, so I'm stuck in suspense also. Thanks for the review.
Back to the story now...
Chapter Ten
Dear Mr. Malfoy,
I am remorseful to inform you that as of yesterday night, your mother, Narcissa Malfoy, was found lifelessly washed up on the shores of your private lake. St. Mungo's has done an autopsy and sent us the reports. The reports show that Mrs. Malfoy has drowned to death, but the cause of her drowning is unknown, for the lake is very shallow. Her house elves were not around at the time of death, but we were hoping that you would reply via owl with some information about your mother that would help our investigation of her death. Again, the Ministry of Magic sends their sorrows.
Sincerely,
The Ministry of Magic
Hermione tentatively put down the letter and looked at Draco, still hiding under the coffee table. She crawled over to him, still holding the letter, and cautiously took the bottle of whiskey from him. He stirred a bit, but other than that, he stayed in the same position.
"Draco," Hermione whispered quietly, scared that any loud noise might disrupt the inner turmoil he was probably going through. "Draco, I need you to talk to me. Tell me about your mom, anything, just talk to me."
At this, Draco turned over to face Hermione, looking at her with an unreadable expression. Suddenly, he began to laugh hysterically, which Hermione found to be absolutely annoying and unnerving.
"What? What's so funny?"
Draco sobered up a bit, but a huge smirk was still spread across his face. "It's just…I can't believe you're begging me to talk to you. I've been spending the past (counts on his fingers) forever days…trying to get you to even look at me. And you wouldn't even do that."
"Well, you know perfectly well why I ignored you then, but that's in the past now, so let's just…move on." Hermione replied nonchalantly, even though she really didn't want him to move on. She reached for a bottle of whiskey and took a drink, keeping her buzz on.
Draco looked at her wide-eyed and disbelievingly. "Move on? I thought you were supposed to be smart! How could we honestly 'move on' when there isn't anything to move on from? Seriously, that's like asking your pig-brained Weasel to 'move on' and read an actual book before he even learned the alphabet! You can't move on from nothing."
Hermione glared at Draco, even though she knew he was right, she wasn't about to admit it. She was about to reply with an insult until she saw another owl fly into the common room carrying a blood red letter. The owl dropped the letter right on Draco's chest before flying out again. Hermione grabbed the letter before Draco could get it.
"Well aren't you popular today." Hermione said sarcastically as she noticed it was another letter form the Ministry, except this one was marked 'urgent'. She ripped it open as Draco struggled to get his letter back.
"Dear Mr. Malfoy." Hermione read aloud, causing Draco to stop fighting for his letter back. "We have some terrible news about your father. He has, in fact, escaped Azkaban this morning after we informed him about your mother."
Hermione looked nervously at Draco, whose face turned an even paler color, as he took a swig from his already empty bottle. "We just recently were informed of his escape, and we don't know how it was possible for him to get away since he was under the high security you requested." Hermione stopped reading once again and looked over at Draco questioningly. "You asked that your father was locked and watched under high security?"
"Yes, now will you please continue the letter?" Draco said impatiently with a sour look on his face. Hermione rolled her eyes, and continued the letter.
"Lucius' conditions were unstable when he escaped. He is extremely dangerous, as he always was. Mr. Malfoy, I hope you take heed of my warning and stay within the safe walls of Hogwarts, for even you know what your father is capable of. I'm sorry for the horrific news the Ministry has sent you today. May you have the best of luck, The Ministry of Magic." Hermione finished. She quickly dropped the letter as if it was filthy, grabbed her fire whiskey, and began to chug it. All this drama was too much, even for her.
Draco amusedly watched Hermione chug his bottle of fire whiskey as he stared at his own empty bottle of whiskey. "Let me get this straight. My mum dies drowning, when I know perfectly well she was the best swimmer, my dad escapes from Azkaban, probably out to kill me, and I am stuck within these walls for my safety, and you're sitting their drinking my fire whiskey." he said, emphasizing all the 'my's. "Hand it over, Granger. I need it way more than you."
Hermione giggled as she handed over the whiskey, managing to spill half of it all over the rug. "Whoops." Draco began to giggle along with Hermione at the spilled whiskey. Yep, that's right. Giggle.
"You have got to be the clumsiest clumsy clums ever." Draco said, as he sent whiskey up his nose instead of his mouth. This sent Hermione into a new fit of giggles.
"There's no such word as clums, you dolt."
"You know, I've always wondered if Professor Snape took showers. His hair is greasier than a homeless'." Draco said randomly to nobody.
Hermione giggled, and then looked at Draco seriously, almost cautiously. "Draco, if your mother knew how to swim, did she drown herself… on purpose?"
Draco stopped laughing, and watched Hermione's beautiful face hurting for him. He slowly lifted her chin and brushed the hair away from her light chocolate eyes. He had the urge to kiss her, whether it was from the alcohol or not, he didn't fight it. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, hoping she would start ranting at him, instead of making him answer the question.
Hermione blushed when he kissed her, but surprisingly, she didn't kill him for it. Who woulda thunk it? She gave the kiss no other thoughts, but continued watching him. "Draco, did she, or did she not drown herself on purpose?"
Draco groaned, and then reluctantly replied. "What do you think?"
She watched him intently, thoughts swarming her mind, and swore she saw tears forming in his blue-grey eyes, but he turned away before she could know for sure. It was silent for a very long time, and if he was crying, he was doing it quietly. Hermione put her hand on his shoulder comfortingly. He took her hand in his, and began laughing. He laughed hard and almost in an insane way.
"Why are you laughing? Especially at a time like this." Hermione asked confusedly and scared at the same time.
Draco smiled and looked up to meet Hermione's sweet brown eyes with his cold, grey ones. "Sometimes, you just have to laugh to keep from feeling too much."
Hermione just observed him laughing, not understanding what he said. For she didn't know what he meant because she already felt.
She felt too much.
-:-
I like this chapter…I don't know how to describe it, but I like this one. The alcohol sort of wears out their outer façade, giving the characters a bit more depth. I hope you liked this chapter, since Hermione and Draco are finally talking to each other now. Please REVIEW!