"Draco?" For once Hermione Granger could actually say she was sacred for Draco Malfoy, actually seriously scared for the boy. When she had found him the first time, twitching and all but unconscious from the Cruciatus, she felt bad for him, sad even. But she knew that deep down he deserved what he had gotten, he had made the choice to join Voldemort. And some things can't be taken back.
What she saw before her though was not some Death Eater in pain from his insane master, but a boy, almost a man, who to Hermione's eyes had been reduced to a shell of his former self. She could barly even recognize the person on the ground as Draco Malfoy, she didn't see even a hint of a smirk, or sarcasm on a single inch of his body. All she saw was a boy covered in mud, scared beyond all understanding, and shamelessly crying for everyone to see and hear.
Crying…Malfoy was actually crying, he didn't even care that I saw him…what could of possibly happened to him?!
Though Hermione had heard him perfectly, she didn't believe or even understand him. Surely something horrible had happened to him to put him in this shape, but no idea or plan, no matter how horrible could of reduced the proud blond into this.
He doesn't even care about me in the first place, maybe if he was Harry or Ron…
Trying once again, Hermione moved closer to the boy, she hopped off the stairs and landed square in the mud, just a few inches from the blonds legs. Instantly Draco all but scrambled to get away from her, his arms dug themselves into the mud, trying to find purchase, as if she was death itself, coming to claim his soul.
"Draco? What is it? Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you." As soon as she finished speaking she saw Draco flinch as if she had raise her hand to slap him, his head turned away, and Hermione tried not to notice as his body shook silently. Utterly confused, Hermione tried once again to get closer to the boy, needing to see what the problem was so she could help. Taking a small breath, Hermione leaped for him, grabbing Draco by the end of his robe. Keeping a tight grip on it, Hermione all but crawled up to him, both hands eventually pining him down to the ground by his shoulders.
"Stop trying to run! I'm not going to hurt you…I-I want to help."
Hermione tried to understand what was going on, but she still couldn't see any visible wound on the boy, and he wasn't behaving anything like he would be if he had been subjected to a large amount of Cruciatus. Then what the bloody hell is causing him this much pain?!
"Draco, just tell me what's wrong, what's hurting you!"
His eyes were clenched shut, his jaw clamping together, but his arms were shaking. Hermione was shocked to see the utter difference in the boy, as opposed to how he usually was. If he didn't have the striking blond hair, she would never of guessed he was even the same person.
"Please…let me go Granger…"
"Not until you tell me what's wrong, what spell did he cast on you?!"
"He didn't cast a spell on me, he- Merlin make it stop…Granger let me go!" Hermione was surprised when she felt herself being lifted up off him. Draco had for a second seemed to lapse out of the conversation, as if he wasn't quite sure where he was. But suddenly his eyes popped open and he was glaring at her with anger and frustration.
Draco apparently finding the strength within himself, was able to eventually push Hermione completely off of him. Not trusting himself to actually stand, he just moved a few more inches away, his body tired, and now starting to feel the cold air of night, as his body started shaking.
"No, just leave me alone Granger…you can't help me, just leave, and help yourself."
"Like that's going to happen Malfoy! Now tell me what happened, what's put you in such a state?" Draco though wouldn't look at her, he moved over a bit, pressing his back against the wall of the castle, he just sat their, gazing out across the grounds.
"Draco, at least answer me, if you won't look at me. Say something."
But he didn't.
Hermione was confused, this didn't seem at all like Draco Malfoy. Last time he had returned from Voldemort he had been in pain, barly conscious, but he had still been his usual self, sarcastic, cruel and unfriendly. Now he seemed to exhibit no emotion at all, his entire self seemed cold an unfeeling. Except his eyes… Hermione noticed just now that the one thing that truly looked alive on the boy were his eyes. the eyes are windows into your soul…The old saying struck Hermione just now as she looked into his eyes.
What she saw was pain, complete pain and fear…the boy may of not been responding to much of anything, but his eyes were wide aware of something, and Hermione felt that it wasn't the grounds before them that was catching his undivided attention.
"Let me help you…"
Her words faded into the night, like a wisp of smoke they disappeared on the night air, as if they never would. A few minutes seemed to pass where Hermione wasn't entirely sure she had actually said anything or not, her words seemed to have such little effect on him.
Something's wrong…seriously wrong to done this to him. Not Cruciatus, but perhaps some mind altering spell? A bad Imperio? Or maybe perhaps legilimency gone wrong? I need to get him to Madam Pomfrey…or perhaps Snape. Yes Snape would be much better, he might actually know what this is, and he would be the safest to keep the knowledge with…I'm not sure Pomfrey is allowed to know anything about this…
Hermione watched him for a moment longer, not entirely sure what she was supposed to do. She felt the burden of her membership to the Order on her. Yes she was now a member, but before she had felt like it was more of a way to appease her constant nagging, while allowing them to get what they wanted in return. She of course had all the respect for the headmaster, but she knew a cunning man when she saw someone, Dumbledore was no saint, he was not above handing out some iron pyrite in exchange for gold.
But now she wasn't quite sure of how exactly to handle things, she had her orders of course. No one is to know about it, except Snape, Dumbledore, and the two of us…Which leaves Pomfrey out of the question…but how exactly do I get Draco to cooperate?
Glancing at him once more Hermione found her answer. Kneeling before her was not a school yard bully anymore, though he had yet to of committed any serious crime, the boy before her was a Death Eater, though forced to become a spy. Hermione remembered that this was a war they were in, not a hunt, a mystery to be solved just in the nick of time. People were going to be killed before this was all over, possibly even herself. Malfoy stood an even higher chance of becoming a casualty of war, having unwillingly betrayed his master…a man who knows nothing of loyalty, or morals.
How do I get him to come with me…
Hermione regrettably pulled her wand out of her sleeve.
However I must…
"Draco I know you can hear me…but I need you to follow me, you and I are going to do what we've been told. We are going to go speak with Professor Snape."
And yet Draco still did not respond, he continued to gaze out a the grounds, contemplating the meaning of life for all Hermione knew.
Leveling her wand at him, Hermione sent out a few sparks that shot into his lap. Surprised Malfoy flinched a bit, before looking up at her in alarm.
"What are you doing Granger?! How stubborn can you get, just leave."
Casting another quick just of sparks, these ones smacking him square in the chest, Hermione said nothing.
If the sparks caused him any sort of discomfort he barly showed it. Standing up he quickly brushed a hand down his front, he now started to look a bit more like his usual self.
"Have you gone mad Granger, what are you going to do next-
"Silencio. Now Malfoy, as I said, follow me to Professor Snape, its late, quite cold out and I'm tired of playing games. Let me do my job, and let Snape cure whatever it is that's affecting you. No more just sitting around, get up."
Hermione actually found herself a bit impressed with the way she handled it, though she was sure that if glares could kill she would have been blown to pieces by now. Hermione felt that she had done a good job so far of getting his attention, now it was only a matter of getting him to walk down to the dungeons.
All Draco did was continue to glare at her, though he half heartedly raised a hand at her, and flipped her a bird. Hermione actually found it amusing enough to smile, but her eyes flashed anger as she shot sparks at the boy once more.
"Funny Malfoy, now once again, start walking before I am forced to stun you and levitate your prone body all the way to the dungeons."
Incidentally enough, Malfoy didn't believe her threat was genuine, as he slowly turned his back to her and started to sit down once more.
Hermione though was not kidding, and with a calmness that surprised even herself, she stupefied the boy, and quickly levitated him before he could fall to far to the ground.
It was oddly empowering she felt to be levitating an unconscious Malfoy around the Castle, able to drop him down a flight of stairs, or leave him in some unknown room if she so wished…she was living out every Gryffindor's daydream.
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Severus Snape was not a man who slept easily, his nights were usually one's of little sleep, where what sleep he does get is full of tossing and turning, and usually nightmares the which he himself is left shaking in the dead of night. Needless to say on the nights when he manages to fall asleep, much less fall asleep before it is technically morning, he is not prone to enjoying being rudely woken up. Especially by students, of which he finds annoying enough during the day time.
"Miss Granger, unless the hounds of hell itself are on your heels about to devour your very soul before my eyes, I suggest you stop pounding on my door, and leave me alone."
"I'm sorry Professor but its urgent, me and Malfoy are here to report the night's activities, I guess you would say."
Raising one dark eyebrow, the potions master glanced at the young lady before his door, he look out into the darkened corridor once before looking back at her.
"Miss Granger, I think you best explain yourself…I do not see Mr. Malfoy anywhere in my presence." Nor do I truthfully want to see him, or you, or anyone at the moment…
Hermione moved aside for a moment and briefly waved something through with her wand. Something which Severus Snape could rightly admit to himself he would never expect to have seen in his entire life. Draco Malfoy, levitated through the Castle by Miss Granger…however did she manage that without dropping him down a flight of stairs…
Shaking his head, Severus realized that he was still half asleep, and not nearly as snaky and sarcastic as he would of liked.
"Now you really need to explain yourself miss Granger, bring the boy in here, put him on the couch and do not touch a single thing!" Turning around Severus disappeared into another room, leaving Hermione to float the still unconscious blond into Snape's private quarters.
And here's a room I never wanted to see in my darkest nightmares…Hermione though never having actively feared her potions professor in her life, understood that he was not a pleasant man, and she had no desire to spend any time with him then she had too.
Hermione though was presently surprised to see that Snape's private quarters, were not as dark, dreary or eerie as his classrooms were, or as she was told his office was. They didn't have an abundance of Slytherin green and silver, nor did were they filled with jars of pickled dragon livers, or other such disgusting things.
Really she figured that with a bit more light, especially a window or two, the room might have been somewhat cozy. She was currently standing (she didn't really want to touch any of his furniture.) in what must of counted as the mans living room. It was relatively bare, but had what seemed to be a very comfortable couch of dark brown leather, facing a large fire place. There was a strong looking dark wooden coffee table and a few matching leather chairs on either side of the couch, facing one another. His mantle was filled with books, and he seemed to have a cabinet filled with several different kinds of potion bottles near the wall.
Hermione though was very tempted to rest for a moment on one of the chairs, the couch as per instructed was housing the no longer floating, but still unconscious form of Malfoy, who seemed to be very uncomfortable if the look his face was anything to go by. Hermione was briefly wondering if someone was able to dream while stunned like that, when Snape reentered the room, now sporting his usual garb of black teaching robes, instead of the simple black shirt and trousers he had on moments before.
"Though as uncomfortable as you must be in my private quarters miss Granger, standing will only make it worse. I suggest you sit down, and do your best to explain what exactly happened to Mr. Malfoy."
Snape wasted no time in quickly marching across the room to his cabinet, opening it, he removed a thick glass and one bottle. Moving back to the center of the room, he sat himself down and proceeded to pour the contents of the bottle into his glass.
Hermione was surprised at the relaxed pose her professor was in, she assumed it was because he was in his natural habitat, and that it was late at night, but even so she had never seen the professor so comfortable before, it was completely strange, and foreign to her. And if anything made her more uncomfortable then if he had been yelling at her, threatening her with expulsion.
She was also surprised when she realized that the liquid in the cabinet, and in the bottle that Snape was pouring into his glass, were not pre-made potions for some reason or other, but liquor and if her nose was telling her anything from having such close contact with the smell of the dark amber color drink, it was quite strong too.
Snape it seemed held no compunctions about drinking late at night (though this case it might have been early in the morning by now.) or while in front of an underage student of his. He seemed to both sip and guzzle the drink at the same time, perking up with every swallow.
Not surprising that Snape would use alcohol as his morning coffee.
"For the last time miss Granger, are you going to just stand there and gawk? Or are you going to explain to me why you so rudely interrupted my sleep, to bring an unconscious Malfoy floating into my private chambers?"
Hermione actually had the decency to feel a bit embarrassed, if for no other reason then this must have been the first time in her history of a Hogwarts student, that she had to be asked such a simple question so many times before she gave her answer.
Deciding that the feeling of comfort Snape's chairs would give, would overcome the discomfort of just generally being in his room brought, Hermione finally sat down, leaning into the surprisingly snuggle worthy leather.
Taking a few moments to compose herself she ran over everything she remembered before trying to find the right words.
"Well Professor, I of course followed my instructions, and was waiting for Malfoy to return from his summon some time after midnight. As soon as I saw that Malfoy was back I rushed out to meet him at the school's entrance…Except that I found him all but curled into a ball and crying."
Hermione didn't miss the split second look of shock that came over the potions professors face before he covered it with his usual mask of calm. Glancing over at Malfoy quickly, Hermione continued her story. Her eyes still resting on the sleeping blonde, watching his chest rise and fall as he no doubt slept off the horrors of the night. Whatever they were…
"I-I didn't exactly know what was wrong, I assumed Cruciatus, like before…but this was different. He wasn't exhibiting any of the usual signs, he just seemed….distraught, horrible an inexplicably upset over something…he was afraid of me getting anywhere near me, he refused to let me help him, and told me to leave him several times…and-and when I asked him what it was that they had done to him…he said-" Hermione didn't know she had been rambling on until she stopped. Her voice felt oddly sore, and dry. Though her eyes were stinging with what Hermione was shocked to find were unshed tears. Am I crying over Malfoy? Thinking back on the look on the boys face…the usually overconfident boy who thought most were beneath him…and connecting that to the ruin of a boy she had found outside…seemingly so scared he was left doing nothing but wallowing in his own misery…What did he do to you Draco?
"Miss Granger? If you may continue…what was it that he said?"
Hermione shook her head a minute before taking her eyes off of Draco.
"He said that-that its not what they did to him, but what they're going to do to me."
Hermione for a moment thought she felt an actual chill settle on the room…but she added it up to her imagination, the nights events were enough to put a chill on even the toughest people. As was no doubt proven…she thought, staring once more at the blonde.
"Miss Granger? I'm sure there is more to the story…or did Malfoy faint at that very moment?"
Shaking her head, Hermione forced herself once again to look away from the blonde.
"No, we argued for a bit, I tried to get him to come with me, to see you! But he wouldn't budge, too stubborn, or too scared, I don't know…So I stunned him, and brought him here."
To say Snape was mildly surprised by the story would be a very fair statement. But he was much more curious then surprised…he like Hermione, found it very strange that another encounter with the Dark lord, could bring such a pompous arse like Draco Malfoy, down to the level of a sobbing Hufflepuff. The idea made him frown.
"Professor? Do you have any idea what it could be that they did to him? If not the Cruciatus…."
"It is quite possible that Mr. Malfoy is just upset, the Dark Lord is not a nice person Miss Granger, and no doubt a meeting with him, especially under such circumstances, could leave even the most proud individuals irrevocably scarred."
"No!"
Hermione all but jumped out of her seat, surprising herself as much as Snape at her outburst.
"What! Miss -"
"This wasn't just some scare that made him like this, Voldemort did something to him! A spell of some sort!"
"Miss Granger calm yourself, you know little about the ways of the Dark Lord, and though I'm sure you have the utmost respect for Mr. Malfoy's mental capacities. From the evidence you have given, it is much more likely that he simply…cannot take the pressure."
Hermione was actually appalled by the tone her Potions professor was taking towards the boy. Used to him favoring Slytherins above all others, Hermione was more then confused by how easily the man dismissed Draco.
"Professor Snape? Are you even going to do anything to help him?!" Hermione at this point was standing on her feet, and looking quiet determinedly at the man before her. Who though for all the respects that Hermione had for him as a teacher, seemed to her to look like nothing more then a spiteful man who had too much to drink at the moment.
" He risked his life to go to that meeting tonight, and you're his mentor! Are you just going to send him to bed, and pass this all off as nothing more then a scare! What if its something else, what if its something that you might not even know about!"
Hermione had she knew, long ago passed the point of no return when it came to being polite to her elders, especially her teachers. But the idea that Snape was just going to pass this off as something about as important as a common nightmare, it unnerved her, she couldn't allow that. She just didn't know why.
"Professor, please lets just wake him up, and you can get a full account of what happened! Then you can help us and-"
"Miss Granger, hold your tongue! It is quite late in the evening…I have listened to your tale, and have found it wanting. Yes you did the right thing in coming to me, no doubt you would of shocked Madam Pomfrey with this tale of yours, but I am not going to spend the next hour delving into the depths of the boys mind. It is best if you just retire to your dormitory for the evening, I will take Malfoy to his room, and in the morning, you may report to the Headmaster."
Hermione was about to shout something along the lines of "That's not good enough" when Snape sent a glare at her, that all but chilled her blood. His eyes shown an anger that she had never seen in him before, and for that moment, she actually did fear the man.
"Miss Granger, the time has come for you to leave-"
"You tricked us!" Hermione shrieked, her eyes lighting up in both fear and understanding. Snape only blinked before looking at her strangely.
"You-Your-Your still loyal to him! You aren't on our side at all! Your still a Death Eater, following you Masters orders! You've been working for him all along! All this time we've trusted you, and your nothing more then a two timing, back stabbing, turn-coat with absolutely no loyalty or honor in your sick twisted little bo-"
"SILENCE!" Snape's voice rose to a level that he was roaring, his eyes were lite up in a dark fire, that made Hermione actually step back a bit. Snatching the bottle off the table, Snape threw it against a far wall, where it shattered.
"HOW DARE YOU QUESTION ME! How dare you even think to judge me, you MISS GRANGER, have no idea at all of who I am or what I do."
"Oh I know-"
Snape's arm waved out, and Hermione felt herself hit with a silencing spell. What?! She didn't even know he had his wand out.
"Be quite for once miss Granger, now I have put up with enough of your conclusions, and accusations. Leave my chambers now!" Raising his wand Snape directed at her, no doubt trying to hasten her leave. Hermione though was so shocked by his behavior, she could only stare at the wand, her eyes wide, she couldn't even feel her legs.
"Severus."
The word was spoken so calmly and silently, yet it rang through the room as if it were a church bell. Turn their heads, the both of them saw the Headmaster standing in the doorway, a look of concern on his face, as he looked at the two of them.
"Severus I believe it is time that I remove your alcohol supplies from now on…I always told you I would allow it had you never crossed any lines, but tonight I think you have gone too far.
"Headmaster, if I can explain-
"Explanation is not needed, I have been here for several minutes, and I noticed and am aware why you acted in such a way to Miss Granger's accusations. But I insist that if you plan on working for me, and living in this school, then that-" Here he pointed his wand at the cabinet on the other side of the room.
"-shall be gone." And with no noticeable flick of the wand, said cabinet disappeared.
Snape seemingly had little to say to this, as he only nodded, before sitting himself down in one of his chairs. He absently mindedly removed the silencing charm from Hermione, who proceeded to rub her throat with her hand, though she knew there was no reason to do so.
"Now, I believe that though the hour is late, that you Severus permit me to wake Mr. Malfoy up, so that we may finally get to the bottom of all this, where all accusations-" He looked down at Hermione, who couldn't find the strength to meet his gaze, instead staring once again at Malfoy resting on the couch.
"-and hostilities-" Looking at Snape, who was staring at the fireplace, seemingly lost in thought.
"-Will all be all put behind us, and understood." Here Dumbledore moved his wand, and pointed it at Draco. With a whispered word, Hermione watched as Draco seemed to take a shuttering breath, before slowly opening his eyes.
It took a few moments, but he seemed to wake up, eventually registering his surroundings, and not long after, the people in them. Hermione noticed that he looked quite tired, and worn. His eyes were a bit red, and his hair was in all kinds of disarray. She watched as he looked from Snape, to Dumbledore, no doubt confused as to what was going on. When his gaze turned to her though, Hermione saw that his eyes immediately filled with shock, and something Hermione thought might be pain.
Draco quickly sat up and tried to move away…crawling away on the couch to get as far away from her as possible. Mumbling to himself the whole time, it took Dumbledore a few tries before Draco finally spoke up so they could all hear him.
"It wasn't a dream…"
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A/N: Hey Everyone! I'm sorry about the late post, but college, and work really take up alot of time. Along with other writing projects that I'm working on...needless to say, I felt that I was past due, in finishing my next Chapter. Anyways, I hope its up to standards, its been so long since I was working on Astrum, that I hope everything still seems to flow along, and its not too noticable that I haven't look at the story in over a month.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoy it, and please Review! thats actually what gets me going...I happened to have gotten a review just recently, that put the motivation back into me. Keep it up, let me know what you think.
-Sises
