Chapter Eleven
"Uh huh." Is all I say.
Her face flushes to the shade of a tomato as she stutters out a "Piss off, Malfoy," and I have to stop myself from laughing outright.
"Nothing to be ashamed of Granger." My smirk widens and I go into the bathroom, and shut the door. I take note of some blood on the floor that must have fallen from Hermione's wrists before the house elves had a chance to wrap them. So, I start the shower and clean up the blood while the water warms.
Once it does I disrobe the rest of me and take a timid step into the large globe like tub. I close the curtain, which is nothing more than a pale green water proof sheet, and I let the water wash over me.
It hasn't been long since I last showered, but it does feel like it's been forever since I've actually been able to enjoy the warm water cascading off of me. I can't remember the last time I've been close to this relaxed. Granted, my anxiety is still at an all time high but knowing that Auntie Bella won't be visiting for at least another week, and the fact that nobody died during this last visit, has reduced it significantly.
I breathe in deeply and take a moment to push one of the 12 buttons above the taps. Immediately a liquid with the scent of mint and eucalyptus erupts from the tub's tap as the shower's head keeps pushing out a steady stream of warm water. The liquid infuses with the air and with my next breath my muscles automatically relax and my airway opens more, allowing me to calm down further. I realize now how exhausted I am.
Maybe I'll actually be able to sleep now.
I give a harsh little laugh, knowing that probably won't happen. It probably won't happen ever again.
I wash my hair and the rest of me all while continuing to breathe in the relaxing aromas and trying to forget about all of what my life has become. I know I can't blame this all on my family; I am my own person. But, I feel the loyalty I have to my last name has faded over these past few years, and even more so over these last few months.
The water is getting cold.
I shut off the shower and the button that released the scented liquid, and I climb out of the tub. Grabbing the towel I brought in, I briefly panic; I thought I had left my wand in the other room with Granger. Luckily, it took me less than a second to spot it sticking out of the pocket in my pajama pants.
Damn, I forgot pants...
Deciding I don't want to put on dirty pajama pants, I dry myself and then I wrap the towel around my waist and leave the bathroom.
Granger sits where I left her, only there is a plate of half eaten food and an empty cup of tea in front of her. She glances up at me, and then quickly looks away when she realizes I am in only a towel.
"For God's sake, Malfoy. Couldn't you have least had the common courtesy to put on pants?" Her face flushes and I can't help but feel she's only feigning her outrage.
"Well, one, I forgot to grab them on my way to the shower, and two, this is my house Granger. And you are technically not a guest. So, I will do as I please." I speak matter of factly and her face turns into a disgruntled frown.
I cross the room to my dresser and begin to rummage for comfortable sleep wear.
"How was the tea?" I ask nonchalantly.
"Fine." It was curt, and although I didn't expect an actual reply, her tone still irritated me.
"Good."
A pause, and then, "So, when do you plan to throw me back into your dungeon?"
I pull out a pair of black sweatpants and walk back to the bathroom door before I answer. Her tone this time was still a bit defensive, but I could also hear something else in it...
Fear? Loneliness?...Pain?
"Would you like to go back down?" I ask earnestly.
"Don't be a prick. Of course I don't, but I'm not stupid. You just said it yourself that I'm no guest here; I am your prisoner. Someone for you to torture. Your precious Death Eater friends wouldn't like that I'm up here."
"I am very aware of just how smart you are, Granger. Don't doubt that." The small smirk I'd acquired disappears and I step towards the bruised witch. "And don't you ever call those bastards my friends."
My body is tense and I feel as though someone punched me in the mouth; I am so offended. Yes, there was once a time that I was proud to be a Death Eater. I was proud to serve the Dark Lord. But, I've grown from then, and I've learned so much about myself. I have learned so much about other people and their value past their social status. I recognize a look of confusion plant itself on Hermione's face, but I don't want to go into everything now. She wouldn't believe me anyway.
"You don't know everything about me, like I don't know everything about you. What I do know, however, is that I've been nothing but kind to you and you have been nothing but rude to me." As soon as I say it, I wish I hadn't.
"You've been kind to me? Is that what you call keeping me in your family's dungeon? Is that what you call using the cruciatis curse on me?" She stands and inches towards me.
"I only did that once, and only because if I didn't we would both be dead right now! Everything I have done in the past few days is to keep you and I both alive!" We are closing the gap between us now. "You're right, what you've been going through is horrible, but I am doing my best. I am trying to be kind, I truly am. A little trust in me would be helpful for the both of us."
"Why should I trust you?" She almost spits it in my face and we are only inches from each other. I am suddenly very aware I am still in a towel, my sleeping clothes are on the floor somewhere behind me.
"I've already given you so many reasons to. And, though there's really no reason to, I will not stop giving you reasons." I take a deep breath, look her straight in the eyes and take one final step forward so that our chests are now touching.
"Without me, you will die. You're smart, Granger. Some part of you has to realize I am telling the truth."
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