I need another story

Something to get off my chest

My life gets kinda boring

Need something that I can confess

~ Secrets x OneRepublic

Chapter 11: The Secret Dragon Trade

The forbidden forest was dark and quiet. There were only a few patches of light shining through every few or so trees—the moonlight making its way through the forest openings. But through those small patches of light, a shadow of a man could be seen striding through the forest. He walked swiftly—unafraid of the creatures and monsters that came out at night. His wand was tucked away in his robes, ready to be drawn if the situation presented itself. But the night was as calm as it was dark. He made his way towards the clearing, as he approached the other hooded figure waiting for him.

"You're late." Snape sneered.

"Sorry, I got held up." Quirrell said as he removed his hood. He went to stand beside his colleague and fellow Death Eater. He and Snape were not inducted together, but they had been on a few missions and Quirrell highly respected him. But he could see that Snape regretted getting the mark, as did he. He took it out of a desperate quest for power, to want more—for knowledge. Voldemort—or Tom Riddle—had convinced him to join his ranks—in the promise of all the knowledge in the wizarding world. But what he received was a fate worse than selling your soul to the devil.

Snape, on the other hand, did it as most Death Eater's did—seeing it as a duty, or being young and stupid as he was. Snape didn't realize his mistake until it costed him the love of his life. After that, Quirrell could see the pain in his eyes every time they suited up for a mission. He slowly saw the young, noble Severus Snape—top of the Dark Lord's ranks—turn into something darker, colder. He saw the meaning of life leave Snape's eyes as if he had been hit with the killing curse. Maybe he had been, that unforgettable night eleven years ago. Quirrell remembered celebrating with his fellow members as he eyed Severus at a table sitting alone, his face indifferent—something changed in him that night. He hadn't signed up for this, nobody had.

"Have you figured out how to get past the dog?"

Quirrell cleared his throat. "Music. If I remember correctly, that's was Hagrid said."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean if you remember correctly?"

"He was awfully drunk." Quirrell chuckled. "But after I gave him the egg, he was very….open."

Snape grunted. "And you honestly believe giving him a dragon was a good idea?"

Quirrell shrugged. "We got the information we needed. Have you figured out the other's enchantments, yet?"

"Flitwick's is simple. McGonagall's is a little harder to get around, seeing as I don't have the patience to play games, and of course, I've figured out mine."

Snape looked to the man beside him, who nodded at his answer. Snape was still baffled at why Quirrell chose to become a Death Eater. He was so young, younger than he was when he was inducted. He remembered a boy of sixteen coming to the Dark Lord, begging for knowledge in the dark arts that no one ever knew. And Voldemort abused his greatest desire, using him to increase his numbers. Quirrell didn't find out the extent of his commitment until several years later, which was longer than most inductees. He remembered the night Voldemort sent him on a mission to round up a few muggles—just for the hell of it, the order was laying low and everyone had become restless with no one to torture. He remembered Quirrell's face as Dolohov and Greyback brought in a fairly older woman. She had brown hair and blue eyes, her light skin shining in the light. She was terrified, her voice cracking as she looked to Quirrell—pleading for him to help her. His face went completely pale—as if he would be sick. At that moment, Snape saw Quirrell face the reality of what a Death Eater really meant. He watched Quirrell flinch as the Dark Lord whispered in his ear for him to kill her. The room filled with laughter and ridicule—the word 'mudblood' being thrown around like it was everyday slang, his comrades cheering him on. Snape watched as Quirrell stiffly raised his arm, pointing the wand at the woman. Snape couldn't hear him, but saw him mouth the words, a green light ejecting from his wand. Quirrell retched uncontrollably the rest of the night—it wasn't until months later when Severus found out that he had killed his own mother.

Snape looked at the man now—he was much different from the boy he met those many years ago. He was much more mature, much more patient. He now saw the world for what it truly was, but never allowed it to ruin his good-nature. To be truly honest, Snape admired the man. Despite his mistakes, he never let the mark defeat him, as Snape let his do.

"Is there any reason you won't allow me to go with you?" asked Snape, curiously.

"If anything goes wrong, the boy needs someone to trust." His colleague replied simply.

"And you think that person is me?"

You're his head of house. Plus, isn't that part of your condition?"

Snape frowned, "How did you-?"

"Nobody told me if that's what you're wondering. But why else would you join the Order? Coincidental timing." Quirrell said casually.

Snape was silent. Coincidental it was, though he never truly realized it. The Dark Lord never recognized it and never would—the way Snape slandered Lily's name when Voldemort hinted that he loved her. But that was no reason for Quirrell to put his life at stake.

"You're saying all this as if you aren't coming back."

Quirrell chucked. "Caring for me, now, are you Severus?" He then sighed. "We both know I don't have anything to live for."

"And I do?"

Quirrell looked up at the black- haired man beside him. "You owe it to her Severus. You owe it to yourself. To prove to her that you're the man she always believed in—that she knew you could be."

/

It's Hatching

Draco threw the note on the table, meaning for Tobias to read it but Theodore was too quick. He snatched up the paper and read it, raising an eyebrow at the simple note.

"It's hatching?" Theodore asked. "Are you guys hiding an illegal dragon somewhere?" He asked playfully, putting his chin between the palms of his hands.

"Hagrid has one." Said Tobias, scooping a spoonful of peas in his mouth. Theodore dropped his hands, looking at the two Slytherins.

"I was joking."

"Hagrid has a dragon?" Hermione asked, her eyebrow raised at Draco.

"Wicked." Ron said, a smile beaming on his face.

"Keep your voices down." Draco snapped.

"What kind is it?" ask Neville.

"Norwegian Ridgeback." Tobias replied.

Theodore rose out of his seat, grabbing his backpack. "Well let's go see it."

"No." Hermione said bossily, causing Theodore to flop back in his seat. "We have lessons, we'll get in trouble."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Come on, Hermione. How many times in our lives are we going to see a dragon-?" Ron was soon interrupted as Tobias slapped a hand over his mouth. Blaise walked past their table, and Tobias was unaware if he was listening to their conversation or not—and if he was, how much he heard.

Draco glared at the two Gryffindors. "I told you two to keep your voices down."

But that didn't stop Ron and Hermione from arguing all the way to Herbology. Hermione was determined in her stand to finishing their lessons instead of visiting Hagrid and Ron was intent on skipping class and going to see the dragon. Right now, Hermione was out voted, seeing as all the boys wanted to go see the dragon. But once Draco finally gave into her reasoning, the rest did as well. Ron kept his eyes on the clock as Professor Sprout went on and on about some type of plant used to cure splattergriot. Neville was eagerly intrigued in the lesson, seeing that Herbology was the only class he was able to remain unharmed in. His grades were even at level with Hermione's, and that was saying something.

The bell rung and the five boys sprinted to Hagrid's hut, Hermione trailing right behind them. Tobias knocked on the door, and Hagrid rushed them inside—unaware of how many students he just let in. Draco and Tobias took their usual seats at the table. Hermione sat on Hagrid's bed between Ron and Neville, and Theodore sat on the floor, petting Hagrid's dog, Fang.

Hagrid eyes grew wider as he realized how many people were actually in his hut. He had been so excited he didn't realize he had so much company. A mixture of Slytherins and Gryffindors. What a strange set.

"I never realized you two had so many friends." Hagrid said, looking from each student, his eyes finally resting on Theodore who was hugging Fang's neck. "I guess it's time for more introductions. I'm Rubeus Hagrid, but you lot can call me Hagrid."

"Neville Longbottom." Said Neville.

"Ron Weasley." Ron said through a mouthful of a chocolate frog.

Hermione scooted closer to Neville, not impressed by the way Ron was eating his candy. "Hermione Granger."

"Theodore Nott, but you can call me Theo." Theodore said as he continued to pet Fang.

Hagrid nodded to each of the first years. His attention was soon diverted as the fire crackled again. Hagrid rushed over to the kettle. He quickly put on his oven mitts and grabbed the large black egg out of the kettle, setting it on the table.

"It's nearly out." Hagrid said with excitement.

The egg was now lying on the table, there were cracks everywhere. The six could see something moving inside the egg through the cracks, a soft clicking noise coming from it. They all scooted closer to the egg, watching as the dragon made its final breakthrough. There was a scraping noise and the egg cracked opened, revealing the baby dragon.

"Isn't he beautiful?" Hagrid said dreamily.

Tobias smiled weakly at the dragon. It wasn't what he expected, but then again what was he expecting? It was Hagrid. The dragon was black and crumpled. It had spiny wings and orange eyes, which were wide and bulky. Neville took a step back, uncomfortable with being this close to it. Hagrid reached a hand out to pet it, and the dragon snapped at his fingers, revealing his large white fangs. Theodore laughed with glee.

"Look," said Hagrid, "he knows his mummy."

Theodore then touched the dragon, which cooed at his touch. "And he knows his Uncle Theo."

Hermione watched as the five boys and Hagrid watched in awe as the dragon took in its new surroundings. Obviously, Hagrid wasn't aware that he lived in a wooden house. He was also oblivious to the fact that dragons grow very large—and his hut wasn't equipped for that size of growth. She was surprised that Tobias didn't bring up this issue earlier, but then again, he was a boy. Hermione sighed as it was up to her to bring up this predicament. She walked over to the table, her face frowning at the sight of the dragon. It wasn't very pretty.

"What are you going to name it?" asked Ron.

"Norbert." Hagrid said at once, still eyeing the creature as if it was a newborn baby. He then looked to Hermione. "Would you like to pet it, Hermione?"

Hermione shook her head. "No thank you. Hagrid?"

"Hm?"

"How fast do Norwegian Ridgebacks grow, exactly?"

Hagrid was about to answer but something made him shut his mouth as quickly as he opened it. He ran over to the window, the six quickly following his lead. Tobias squinted his eyes and immediately saw the reason behind Hagrid's sudden movements. There was no mistaking that tan skin and those Slytherin robes.

"Zabini." Draco growled.

Tobias felt his heart drop. "And he's seen Norbert."

For the next week, the six became nervous for Hagrid, even afraid. Blaise had seen the dragon and it was no doubt he would tell a professor, but the question was: when? Zabini would throw sly grins and smirks at the six during class or in the corridors, and it made Tobias uneasy.

Hagrid didn't make it any easier, either. As much as Hermione, Tobias, and Draco tried to convince him to give Norbert away, Hagrid wouldn't listen. He was too attached to the dragon, despite the fact that he could get in serious trouble for it.

"I can't let him go." Hagrid argued. "He's just a baby."

But Norbert was nowhere near the size of a baby. He was three times longer than he was last week and smoke kept coming out of his nostrils. Hermione was afraid he was one burp away from burning the hut down and Draco was afraid the dragon would grow too big for him to hide anymore. If Zabini didn't tell Hagrid had a dragon, it surely would tell on itself.

"Hagrid." Tobias sighed. "It's only a matter of time before Norbert is going to be too big and you won't be able to hide him anymore."

"And let's not forget about Zabini." Draco said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Who's probably on his way to tell Dumbledore right now."

"I jus' can't dump him!" Hagrid pleaded. "He'll have nowhere to go!"

Theodore shrugged. "We can always give him to Charlie."

"Who?" asked Draco, looking at Theodore with a confused look.

"That's my brother." Said Ron. "He studies dragons in Romania. He could take care of Norbert for you."

Hagrid looked between the six students, who seemed all set with sending his precious dragon off to Romania. Hagrid huffed, seeing that they all had a point—and knowing the Weasleys, Norbert would be safe. He nodded his head in agreement, and the six ran out of his hut, preparing to owl Ron's brother.

Wednesday night rolled in and Tobias, Hermione, Draco, Neville, and Theodore were sitting in the library, working on homework and studying for their exams. There were hardly any people in the library, and everyone else had pretty much gone to bed.

The doors to the library swung opened, and though everyone became startled by the action, seeing as no one walked through, the five remained calm. Tobias watched as the invisible figure walked behind the bookshelves and then revealed himself as Ron Weasley.

Ron walked over to the table and put the note down for everyone to see.

"He wants it Saturday at midnight." Ron said.

/

Saturday evening came and the six were sitting at their usual spot in the great hall. The plan to deliver Norbert to Charlie was set: Draco and Hermione would deliver the dragon to the astronomy tower and the rest would stay out to be lookouts. Everybody was involved in the plan, all except Ron.

Several days ago, the dragon bit Ron's hand and the effects were now taking its toll. His hand was twice its original size and the cut was becoming a nasty green color. Hermione urged him to go see Madam Pomfrey, but Ron was afraid she would recognize the bite and Hagrid would get in trouble. But as the swelling became worse, the red-haired Gryffindor had no choice but to go to the hospital wing. The rest promised they would visit him before they went off to deliver Norbert.

"So today's the day." Theo said sadly. Like Hagrid, Theo had taken a strange liking to the dragon and was disappointed that he had to go.

"How's Hagrid taking it?" asked Neville.

"Not well." Draco replied.

"Talking about dragons again are we?" They heard a voice sneer. They all turned around to see Blaise Zabini standing behind him, his hands in his robes. There was a nasty smirk on his face, and Tobias felt his insides burn.

"Bugger off, Zabini." Hermione said.

Zabini tutted. "Is that any way to talk to your superior, Granger?" Hermione went silent. Draco saw her quick change in expression and snapped back to Blaise.

"Leave her alone."

Zabini laughed. "Defending the mudblood again, are we Malfoy? And I thought you could sink no lower."

Draco froze. "What did you say?"

Zabini laughed again, this time even more venomous. "Oh don't tell me you didn't know, Draco? You didn't know your precious girlfriend was a mudblood?"

Tobias closed his eyes. Not today. He opened them to see Hermione on the brink of tears and Draco completely motionless, his fist balled.

"You're lying." He said through gritted teeth.

"Ask her Malfoy," Zabini continued to tease. "She won't deny it. Tobias knows as well."

Draco turned towards Hermione, who now had tears falling down her face. It wasn't supposed to happen like this.

"I think it's time for you to leave, Blaise." Theodore said calmly, polishing his fist as a reminder of what happened during the last Quidditch match.

Zabini gulped, trying his best to keep his smirk up, but as Theo suggested, he left, leaving Draco fuming with anger and Hermione with tears still running down her cheeks. Tobias knew where this was going, and as much as he hated Zabini, the boy had a knack for perfect timing.

"Draco." Tobias said carefully.

"Is it true?" He said lowly, turning towards Hermione. She stared at him for a moment, before finally nodding. Hermione didn't know why she was crying, she wasn't ashamed of who she was. But she had always been afraid they would all react like this—especially Draco. If she wasn't so caught up in how Draco was looking at her right now, she would go find and curse Zabini. But she couldn't do it, she couldn't even find the strength to move. The way Draco looked at her, as if he was disgusted with her very being—as if she was inferior to him—as these last few months of friendship meant nothing to him. His glare then went to Tobias.

"And you knew?"

Tobias put his hands in his robes pocket. "Yeah, I did."

Draco said nothing, storming out of the great hall. Hermione did the same, leaving Neville, Tobias, and Theodore at the table. Tobias turned back to the two, hoping they hadn't changed their minds about Hermione either.

"You two aren't—"

"No." Theodore said simply. "Never."

"We don't care that she's muggle-born, Tobias." Neville replied.

Tobias nodded. He didn't like the way Draco reacted, but he couldn't blame him. Tobias's grandfather never forced his hatred of muggle-borns upon him, but Tobias understood what being a muggle-born meant to pureblood wizards. Draco, however, the morals and codes against muggle-borns were his bread and butter. His father forced it upon him, guiding him to see that muggle-borns were inferior beings and were to be looked down upon by wizards—that they weren't worthy to have magical powers such as purebloods. But Hermione was an exception, she was definitely an exception. She was proof that muggle- borns weren't dumb as purebloods thought they were or unworthy or magic. She was top of their year, marks higher than any other wizard in her classes. That's why Tobias didn't turn away from her when he found out, and he thought Draco would realize the same. But he was proven wrong.

Theodore rose from the table. "I'll go look for Hermione, we still have a dragon to deliver."

Tobias nodded. "I'll go find Draco." He then turned to Neville. "Do you mind checking on Ron?"

Tobias didn't see or hear Neville's response as he rose from the table and headed towards the great hall doors. First, he needed to find Draco, and after he did that—Zabini was going to pay.

/

Draco had never felt so angry or betrayed in his life. Not only did he just find out one of his friends was muggle-born through his enemy—but he found out his best friend knew as well and didn't tell him! He kicked his trunk again as he paced the room. Malfoys were never supposed to associate themselves with mudbloods. And here he was following Granger around like a dog on a leash for half the year. He felt pathetic, he felt disgraceful. He was an heir, the Malfoy heir. This wouldn't do. This wouldn't stand. He couldn't be friends with, Granger. What would his father say? What would his mother think? After all their lectures about how mudbloods were the lesser race, he had become friends with one.

He stopped pacing. But it was unknowingly—he never knew Hermione was a muggle- born. And how did Zabini find out? How did Tobias find out? Did Theodore know? The way he acted so calmly, there was no doubt he knew. His father would literally kill him for it, but knowing Theodore that would've inspired him to do it. And what about Neville? Though Neville was never the type to judge, he didn't say anything either. Did Ron know? Draco yelled in frustration as he plopped back down on his bed. He honestly didn't know how to feel. He laid back on his bed, trying to sort out his thoughts. Why did it have to be her?

"Has anyone ever told you that you're absolutely charming?"

"Piss off, Tobias."

Tobias walked over to the bed across from Draco's and sat down. He watched his best friend stare at the ceiling, no doubt he was trying to sort out his thoughts. It was what Draco did, and Tobias knew him better than anyone else.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Draco asked, sitting up to face Tobias.

"Hermione wanted to tell everyone herself." Tobias replied. "What kind of friend would I be if I just told her secrets like that?"

Draco's mouth gaped open. "What kind of—what kind of friend?! Tobias, we can't be friends with her!"

"This is exactly the reason why she didn't want to tell you."

"Why are you so calm about this?!"

Tobias took a deep breath. "Because this shouldn't change how we see her, she's still the same Hermione."

"But she's a mud—"

Tobias frowned. "Watch it."

"A muggle- born." Draco huffed. "It's not that we can't be friends with her—we're not allowed to. What if somebody found out?"

"The only people who know are me, you, Theo, Neville, soon Ron, and Zabini—and once I finish with him, he won't be a problem anymore."

Draco sighed again, putting his head in his lap. "This is complicated."

Tobias laughed. "It's only complicated because you like being friends with her."

Draco didn't respond, and Tobias knew it was because it was true. Draco did like being friends with Hermione. He liked hanging out with her and studying with her—that's why he was so surprised when he took the news so hard.

"As long as no one else finds out, we're fine." Tobias assured him. "Well, at least our parents."

Draco fumbled his fingers. "I should apologize, huh?"

"Yeah, you should."

Draco frowned. "What if she won't talk to me? Or I choke? Everything's different now Tobias, I can't just look at her and pretend I don't know."

"Then, don't." said Tobias. "But you have to try to deal with it. Hermione's our friend."

Tobias left the room, and Draco thought about what he said. He would have to try and deal with it. He didn't know how he would—he was afraid all his muggle- born prejudices would come out now that he knew. But he would try his hardest, for Hermione, because to be honest—she wasn't anything like his father said muggle- borns were. She was extremely smart and kind, she would give any pureblood girl a run for her money. And it was at that moment where Draco decided he could do it.

/

Theodore casually walked to the girl's bathroom. He knew she would be in there—that was their spot. He found himself correct as he walked through the door and found Hermione sitting on one of the bathroom sinks, her sniffles and cries echoing off the walls. He walked over and sat on the sink next to her, refusing to sit his freshly pressed trousers on the loo. He took Hermione's hand in his, hoping it would at least stop her sobs—hoping that she would know she wasn't alone.

"Why are you here?" She said through her sniffles.

Theodore smiled. "It looked like you needed a friend."

Hermione wanted to snatch her hand away from Theodore, but she couldn't do it. He had come all this way to see if she was alright—something she hadn't expected him to since Zabini made it known she was muggle- born. He called her a mudblood, the sound of it made her heart sting. She knew now that she was no longer just Hermione Granger—she was Hermione the mudblood. And the way Draco reacted hurt so bad, but what did she expect? He was a pureblood, it was frowned upon to be friends with people like her. But then here was Theodore, holding her hand in the girl's bathroom.

"If it makes you feel any better, Neville and I don't care."

Hermione sniffled again.

"And I'm positive Tobias got through to Draco about it. He was just in shock, that's all."

Hermione wiped her eyes. "It didn't seem like shock." She said bluntly. "The way he looked at me."

Theodore sighed. "Boys."

Hermione laughed a little, Theodore seemed to always make her laugh. She wiped her eyes once more, gaining a little hope from what Theodore said. She liked hanging out with Draco—she liked hanging out with all of them really. She was ultimately afraid of what would happen if they found out, but she knew she would have to tell them one day. She was glad to know Theodore and Neville didn't care, she didn't know about Ron, but surely he would be ok. It was just Draco.

"Are you sure Draco will get over it?"

"Positive." Theodore smiled at her again. "And if not, we can beat him senseless until he does."

Hermione laughed again, trying to stop the tears that were threating to form again. She gripped Theodore's hand tighter.

"You are one of a kind Hermione Granger. One of a kind."

Theodore pulled her off the sink and guided her out of the bathroom—not caring who saw them. Hermione followed him, unaware of where he was taking her.

"Theo, where are we going?"

"Certainly you didn't forget? We have a dragon to deliver."

/

Pansy walked into the Slytherin common room with one objective on her mind: find Tobias LeStrange. There was a ridiculous rumor going around that they were supposed to be delivering a dragon tonight to one those Weasley brothers. Pansy literally punched Zabini when she caught him spreading the rumor to a bunch of Ravenclaw first years. She truly despised Blaise Zabini. He was a slimy git—and she had met Draco Malfoy. She marched into the common room, making her way towards the dormitory steps, where she found her betrothed walking down the stairs. He smiled at her, and she felt her heart do a smile flip.

"Pansy." He said politely.

"Tobias." She said back. "There's a funny rumor going around about you and a dragon."

Tobias's smile dropped. He pulled her into a dark corner of the common room. "Where did you hear that from?"

Pansy snatched her arm out of his grip. "Zabini. He's been going around telling everyone."

Tobias groaned. "I am literally going to kill him. Do you know how many people he told?"

She shook her head. "No. I only caught him telling two Ravenclaws." She held up her fist. "Gave him a good reason to shut up, too."

Tobias stepped out of the corner, he began to walk out of the common room. Pansy raised an eyebrow—so there was a dragon. What the bloody hell was going on? She ran to catch up with the Slytherin.

"Where are you going?"

"Hospital wing."

Pansy stopped. "For what?"

Tobias never turned his back as they entered the corridor. "Come along and you'll find out. We could use an extra person."

"And extra person?" What the hell was going on?

The two Slytherins entered the Hospital wing to find Draco, Neville, Theodore, and Hermione gathered around Ron's hospital bed. Apparently something happened, because Draco was red again and Hermione had that look on her face when something went wrong.

"What happened?" Tobias said as he and Pansy approached the bed.

Draco turned to see his best friend and Parkinson. "Why did you bring her?" Pansy made a face at Draco. Slimy git.

Tobias shrugged. "Ron's out, and we needed an extra man for lookouts."

"Well, we're gonna need them." Theodore said nonchalantly. "Zabini knows about our dragon trade tonight."

"I've heard." Tobias said dryly. "How did he find out?"

"He came in the hospital wing," Ron started, "telling Madam Pomfrey he needed to get a book from me. The book he took had the note from Charlie in it."

"What are we going to do now?" Neville asked.

Tobias thought for a moment, wondering what to do. Nobody would believe Zabini, Pansy apparently didn't. Which meant they still had a chance to continue with the plan. It would be a risk, but they had to try. It would be too late to owl Charlie now. He looked at his six friends. "We're still doing the plan."

"Yessss." Theodore put his fists together.

"How are we splitting up?" Draco asked, nervous that Hermione didn't want to deliver the dragon with him anymore and wanted to switch positions. But what happened next surprised him.

"Draco and I will still deliver the dragon." Hermione said. "Tobias and Pansy can patrol together and Theodore, you'll be with Neville. Tobias, do you have your cloak?"

Tobias patted his robes pocket, which obviously looked like something was tucked in it. Hermione took the cloak and put it in her pocket, casting a spell that made it seem like her pocket was its normal size. She and Draco then left for Hagrid's, who was waiting for them to retrieve Norbert.

Pansy watched as Tobias delivered orders. She raised her eyebrow at Draco and Granger, but decided to shrug it off. She was astonished when she watched Tobias and Granger exchange the invisibility cloak, how did he get one of those?

"What are you all doing in here?!" The students turned around to find Madam Pomfrey storming into the hospital wing. Theodore tried to come up one of his infamous lies, but Madam Pomfrey shooed them out the room so fast, Theo didn't have time to open his mouth. As the four left the room, Theodore and Neville went one way, and Pansy and Tobias went the other way. She wasn't sure why they were going this way, but she was pretty sure Tobias was leading her towards the Astronomy tower.

It was half past eleven, and the corridors were empty, but that didn't stop Tobias from stopping every so often just to make sure. She could see Theodore and Longbottom across the corridor, occasionally doing the same. She almost shrieked as she felt someone rub against her. She regained her composure as Draco and Granger revealed themselves from under Tobias's invisibility cloak. In Draco's hand was a cage, and in the cage was a dragon. A real life dragon. Zabini wasn't bluffing. Tobias nodded at Draco and the two returned under the cloak, making their way up the stairs to the astronomy Tower. Tobias then threw a signal at Theodore, and he threw back a thumbs up. Tobias then sat down in a dark alcove of the corridor, signaling Pansy to do the same. She sat down, realizing that they would be here for a while until Draco and Hermione returned.

"So this is what it's like to be Tobias LeStrange?" She asked teasingly.

Tobias chuckled. "You have no idea."

/

He watched as the creature stood in the moonlight, its white fur shining beautifully. But its fur didn't matter, only the blood—and the Dark Lord watched hungrily as the creature only stood there. He could taste the warm, metallic liquid in his mouth—he needed more. He crept closer to the creature, careful not to make a sound. He needed the blood—the way it made him feel, the way it made his magic soar to heights he never knew he could reach in his condition. All he had to do was bite it, and it was his. All the blood was his for the taking.

He stood at the edge of the light, retrieving his wand from his pocket. He mutter a spell and the unicorn froze on the spot. He crept closer, stepping into the light of the clearing. He walked around the creature, glorifying in its figure. He licked his lips, waiting patiently for the moment where his magic was at its weakest.

He ran his fingers across the graceful creature. He felt his arms becoming heavier and heavier as he glided them over the Unicorn. He was ready. He opened his mouth, revealing his sharp teeth, and dug into its flesh. He hastily sucked the blood from the creature, eager to taste the silver blood in his mouth. He felt his magic replenish and his health improve once more. He sucked the blood more and more—his goal to drain the creature of the substance.

It didn't take him long, his need for the blood encouraged him to drink it quick. He removed his teeth from the Unicorn, and it fell on the ground. The creature was no longer lively and full. Voldemort could see the bones pushing against the Unicorn's flesh, it laid unanimated on the ground. The Dark Lord wiped the remaining blood from his mouth. He looked towards the Hogwarts Castle—he almost had the urge to walk into the castle, and take the stone himself now that his magic was at its peak, but thought better of it. He knew his magic would wear off before he could reach the stone. He frowned at the thought, walking away from the clearing and disappearing into the darkness.

/

Draco and Hermione made their way up the steps of the astronomy tower. Draco thought his heart would explode as they crept up on Professor McGonagall and Zabini in the corridor. McGonagall had given him detention while Blaise tried to explain that Tobias LeStrange was coming to deliver a dragon. Draco almost laughed—Zabini didn't actually believe the professors would buy that, did he? They pushed on forward, climbing up the steep staircase.

Hermione hadn't said anything to Draco, and he hadn't said anything to her. Hermione was disappointed they weren't talking as usual, but she kept her hopes up as everything seemed to be alright since he didn't protest delivering Norbert with her. Draco thought the same—he was taken back when Hermione herself said that they would still deliver the dragon to Charlie, despite what happened earlier. He wanted to say something, he really did. But he didn't know what to say to her. Just say I'm sorry. But every time he opened his mouth to speak, he found himself unable to do it. And now they were approaching the top of the tower, where Hagrid was waiting for them.

They shrugged the cloak off of them and handed Hagrid Norbert. It was eleven- fifty- eight, giving them two minutes to spare before Charlie arrived. Hagrid took that moment to talk to Norbert one more time, which Draco and Hermione watched with small smiles, still sort of creeped out by Hagrid's motherly behavior over the dragon. Draco looked at the stars for a while before realizing that Hermione was doing the same. He turned to look at her. Her hair was bushy as ever from the cloak and her skin glowed in the moonlight.

"Hermione?"

Hermione look towards Draco, her stomach doing a flop when he called her by her first name, instead of the usual Granger he normally did.

"Yes, Draco?"

Draco shuffled his feet, trying to push past his pride to say the two words. He opened his mouth to the words, but was interrupted as Charlie Weasley and his friends arrived. Draco snorted as this was definitely Ron's brother—the red hair and freckles gave it away. They arrived on broomsticks, a harness rigged between them. They let it down and Hagrid strapped Norbert in. Draco and Hermione shook hands with all four and Charlie told them to let Ron know he said "Hello." And then they were gone.

Draco had completely forgotten about apologizing to Hermione as they walked back down the spiral staircase. He felt elated—Norbert was gone, Zabini was in detention, the plan was a success. What else could possibly go wrong

"MISTER MALFOY! MISS GRANGER!"

Draco felt all his happiness fade away as they came into view of Professor McGonagall. She had Pansy, Tobias, Neville, Theodore, and Zabini beside her. Filch had walked up behind her, a satisfying smirk plastered on his face.

"Well, well, well," He said. "we are in trouble."

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