Broken Memories
The short days remaining of Draco in the infirmary were practically flying by. Hermione had kept up her daily visits, but to Draco they were not as fun. For Hermione, being the Head Girl she rightfully was, decided to crack down on the blonde pureblood, and teach him the knowledge he needed to return to his classes.
First they started with the simple spells and charms they learned in their first year. Hermione recalled how natural Draco was with magic since they had arrived at Hogwarts, and since he seemed too gifted when it came to the wizardry world, it seemed like it wouldn't be that much of a challenge.
Hermione Granger was wrong.
Since Draco had no memory of the wizardry world, or magic, he didn't comprehend what it meant to feel the magic. He could not understand its source; he could not grasp the concept of magic at all. And this, for some days, left Hermione strained.
However, once Hermione finally influenced a drive in him, Draco tapped into a source inside himself, which unleashed the magic he withheld.
The first spell was Lumos. For this to work properly, Hermione and Draco spent a couple days in a dark infirmary. After they accomplished Lumos, they moved on to other spells and charms. Such as Wingardium Leviosa, and Alohomora. Once Draco had mastered these, they moved on to harder ones, and then onto the subjects of his normal classes. Charms, Divination, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts (Hermione was very eager and optimistic to teach him through that), Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, Astronomy, History of Magic, Muggle Studies (again she was pleased to give him first-hand-knowledge on this one), Potions (his best subject), as well as other classes.
Draco was absorbing everything Hermione taught him. And Hermione was considering a career as a Hogwarts Teacher. Granted Draco Malfoy wasn't perfectly skilled at magic, but the point was he was learning.
Again.
As their lessons continued on Hermione found it interesting how nothing she taught him, or spoke to him about stirred up any memories. As their lessons and days continued, she also noticed how the Slytherins' stirred restlessly, waiting for their Slytherin Quidditch Captain to return.
Hermione had even heard that one Slytherin girl had gotten caught and punished for trying to enter the infirmary after curfew. But the event made it quite clear to the trio that they couldn't keep Draco to themselves for much longer. Each day he grew stronger, healthier, and wiser.
And each day Madam Pomfrey returned from taking care of Dumbledore, she asked them why Mr. Malfoy was still there, only to be reminded that his memory still hadn't returned to him.
"Poor dear," she'd say, "Too bad memory potions were found too dangerous by the Ministry." Then she insisted that Miss. Granger go down to dinner and report to the infirmary after breakfast in the morning.
And so was their daily routine. And it was soon to change.
On this particular brisk day in late November, Hermione had been educating Draco on Defense spells and charms. Although Draco wasn't doing that bad, he just seemed too aggravated on this day to work on anything. Hermione sighed, "Do you want to try again?" She asked as the blonde Slytherin glared at her from his lying position on the
floor as he attempted to stand.
"Not particularly." He huffed in a haughty attitude.
Hermione closed her eyes, "Draco, sometimes these things take time."
His glare only intensified from his gray orbs, "I suppose it's easier to say that when you're attacking someone rather than actually trying the defense spells yourself."
Hermione opened her eyes and narrowed them at the Head Boy, "I asked you if you thought you were ready for the defense spells." Hermione shut her book and placed her wand on the stand next to Draco's bedside. "If I recall you said: 'Well they didn't elect me Head Boy for no reason."
Draco rolled his eyes, "Whatever." He crossed his arms and Hermione felt like she was with the old Draco who thought he was God's gift to the world. "Let's just take a break." Without waiting for her response, he flung himself on his bed, it creaking underneath him.
Hermione sighed, "Would you like to work on something else? Growth charms perhaps?"
Draco raised his eyebrow and in a cocky tone replied, "What would I need those for?"
Hermione's skin flushed a light tinge of pink and she shook her head, "I didn't mean it for anything like that you bloody pervert!"
Draco only smirked, "Oh?" His eyes seemed to dance in its old Slytherin way-as if they held a secret. "So then you knew I didn't need any growing charms."
Hermione's complexion darkened, "I would not know anything of the sort!" Hermione nearly shouted. "You're twisting my words!"
Still smirking, the obnoxious Slytherin shook his head, "I get the feeling I didn't have to do much 'twisting' when it came to our relationship before."
"If by relationship you mean me hating your guts-then yes." Hermione blurted out without thinking.
Draco rolled his eyes, "Please Hermione," Draco said, now laughing. "You couldn't hate me if you wanted to."
Hermione paused. He was so trusting of that little fact. A fact, which was a lie. It was somewhat bothersome that Hermione had been lying to Draco and had stolen his life for the last month, and she had yet to have trouble falling asleep at night.
His child like laughter broke her thoughts.
"That's almost as funny as you 'not' wanting me." He managed to get the words out in between his amusement.
"I do not want you, Draco Malfoy!" Hermione spat.
How in Merlin's name did he ever come up with the concept that she wanted him? That she liked him more than an enemy...No...More than a friend...?
At that precise moment, Draco's facial features froze, and his skin paled even more (if it were possible).
Panic washed over Hermione, "What's wrong?" Draco didn't respond. "Draco? Draco are you alright?"
He sat there, staring off into space, not even noticing the Head girl beside him.
"Madam Pomfrey!" Hermione shouted at the top of her lungs as she dashed down the hall to the nurse's office. "Madam Pomfrey!" Hermione shouted even louder.
The healing witch was not in the infirmary today. She never was. Since Dumbledore had returned from playing "dead" this seventh year, Madam Pomfrey had been tending to him everyday-Which was leaving some students worried.
"Bloody hell." Hermione ran back over to Draco, kneeling beside him, "Draco-I'll be right back. I'm going for help!" She then raced for the doors.
"Draco Achilles Malfoy." He said softly.
Hermione froze her hands on the door handles, "What did you say?" She turned her head slowly.
"Draco Achilles Malfoy."
Hermione leisurely walked towards him, "Okay...?"
Draco turned to her, smiling gently, "Thats my full name."
Hermione could not find the will power to respond or even move.
Before Hermione could even think of a reply, Madam Pomfrey burst through the door, Snape at her heals. "What happened to Mr. Malfoy?" The med-witch nearly pushed Hermione out of the way.
"You heard me? From Dumbledore's office?" Hermione couldn't think properly. She was too worried.
What happened to Malfoy?
Did he remember everything?
"I did not hear you." The witch replied as she examined Draco's bones. "Professor Snape came rushing to tell me that you needed help-that something had happened to Mr. Malfoy."
Hermione snapped her head and glanced at Professor Snape accusingly, "How did you know I was calling for help?"
The professor tilted his head, "Why, I could hear you from the dungeons. And quite frankly Miss Granger, you sound like a banshee."
Madam Pomfrey couldn't hear her.
And telepaths could read thoughts.
Even thoughts from people a great distance away,
"What happened?" Madam Pomfrey was frantic.
"No idea...He just froze and then said-"
"Draco Achilles Malfoy." Draco repeated again. The others just stared at him. "I remembered my full name."
"Splendid." Called Dumbledore from the infirmary entrance. They all turned around surprised to see the ill Headmaster out. He walked towards Draco's bedside, a twinkle in his eye, "I expect this means you are in your full, best condition. And may start returning to your classes."
Hermione shrieked.
"Is there something wrong Miss Granger?" Snape asked, his eyes hounding Hermione's very soul. "Do you perhaps, have some reasoning why Mr. Malfoy should not return to class with his fellow, friends?"
Hermione gulped, "Well...Its only his full name-I mean there is still so much more he needs to learn!"
Draco glared, "Only my full name?"
Hermione turned to face Draco, immediately noticing the pain and anger in his eyes.
"Only my name?" Draco reiterated. "Maybe it's only my full name to you, Granger, but to me, its the first step to remembering my life."
Hermione opened her mouth, about to protest that she didn't mean anything, when the snakes venom oozed from his words and stung her at her heart and soul:
"Nothing you've taught me has helped me remember anything. At least now I'm making progress." Draco frowned at the Head girl.
Dumbledore shifted, slightly uncomfortable, "And congratulations to you Mr. Malfoy. You may return to your classes tomorrow." He then turned to Professor Snape, "Perhaps you and I should talk more about this in my office."
Snape's eyes lingered on the quarrel in front of him, "Indeed." He and the Headmaster then made a motion to exit.
"Wait," Draco requested.
Dumbledore and Snape turned around, "Yes Mr. Malfoy?" The Headmaster asked.
"Could you please escort Granger here out of the infirmary, as her services here are no longer required?" Draco pretentiously asked in a cold tone.
"Miss Granger." Dumbledore corrected the Slytherin, "And yes, I do think it is time for Miss Granger to take her exit and eat dinner."
"Yes," Snape responded, amused, "We wouldn't want you two to stop being friends over one little disagreement."
Hermione wanted to cast a glare at the Professor, but she could not lift her eyes away from Draco and his sudden change in character.
"Miss Granger," the Headmaster called.
Hermione frowned and grabbed her books, "Fine! Don't come apologizing to me tomorrow when you don't know where your classes are!" She spat at Draco as she made her exit from the infirmary.
Dumbledore then turned to Draco, "I suggest you settle things tomorrow. On that note, have a nice evening Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore then turned to face Snape, "And now Professor Snape, a moment of your time, please."
Snape just nodded and followed Dumbledore out of the infirmary, shutting the doors behind them. Once the doors were shut, and no students were in sight Dumbledore spoke:
"You don't have to scare her so much." said Dumbledore referring to the scene played out moments ago.
"Oh yes I do." Snape replied, an evil grin plastered to his face.
Dumbledore merely shook his head.
Author: Okay, this update is an early Christmas present, so enjoy. However, there are a few notes I would like to still point out:
-Thank you for reviewing, being patient, and enjoying this fic.
-Draco Achilles Malfoy-Obviously Achilles is not really Draco's middle name. But I did research, and J.K. never mentions it. So-since I love greek mythology and plays so much, you have to deal with Achilles. I think it sounds good. So, it stays.
-Hermione still has a long long long long long way to go before she starts to realize that Draco isn't as bad as she thought Malfoy to be.
Still in the dark?
The plot is something I've been working on for almost two years and I have it all planned out. There are things in the dark none of you will see until the last remaining chapters of the story, so I am asking you to please be patient.
For those of you who keep saying: "Hermione's out of character..." -Why do you read fanfiction?
Thanks again for the reviews. Please keep reading and enjoying.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the characters. If I did, the series would be called Draco Malfoy, and it would be rated for Adults only…
Claimer: I own the plot…Don't take it and make me hurt you…