"Draco what is this?" Hermione asked, clutching the small piece of parchment in her hand.
Draco stood there, silent, not wanting to turn around and face her. I'm so dead, he thought to himself, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Draco, what the hell is this!?" she asked him again, more sternly, and he could hear the fury in her voice.
What was he going to say? He hadn't given much thought to what he'd do if she found out. He hadn't planned on her finding out.
"Answer me god dammit!" she yelled at him, and he flinched. He knew Hermione could get upset, but he hoped that instance in third year would be the only time he'd have to witness it, let alone be the one on the receiving end of it.
"It's a letter from your friends," he finally said.
"Well I figured that much from their names at the bottom," Hermione snapped. "Were you not going to show it to me?"
"To be honest, no." He answered curtly, matching her attitude.
"You told me you'd never keep me from my friends," she said, her tone acerbic.
"Well I'm not keeping you from your friends, am I? I'm keeping you from their letters,"
"Letters?"
Crap, Draco thought, catching his slip a little too late.
"Letters?" Hermione hissed through clenched teeth.
"Hermione…" Draco pleaded, finally turning to face her.
"How many exactly were there?"
"Just two."
There was silence as Hermione closed her eyes and clenched her fists; Draco could tell she was trying to keep her emotions in check.
"What did they say?" she finally asked.
"They wanted to know where you were. I told them you were safe. Then they wanted to know who they were writing to, and so I told them I was your keeper and not to write again. Then they sent the letter that you are currently crushing in your hand. Happy?"
"No," she said shaking her head.
"You have to understand Hermione," Draco sighed. "I hated seeing the way you broke down when you received those letters from them, and I didn't want it to happen again. I did it for you,"
"Oh yeah, I understand. I understand that you're a selfish prick who doesn't give a damn that I've been separated from my friends and family, and the minute they get in contact with me you have to keep them away,"
"It wasn't like that, and you know it," Draco shot back. "You're just too stubborn to realize I was only trying to help,"
"Help? If you want to help then get me out of here! Let me go!"
"And how do you expect me to do that? You want me to just let you walk out of here and run back to Potter and Weasley?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I want you to do!"
By this time both of their voices had risen in volume, and the acoustics of the library weren't helping.
"I've told you before, and I guess I have to remind you again- you won't get far. It's a long run between this manor and the gates, and you can't apparate until you're outside of them. You'll be caught and you know who'll have to pay the consequences? Me! Now who's being selfish you filthy little Mudblood?"
Upon hearing his last words, Draco immediately shut his mouth. He felt his stomach drop as he saw Hermione's eyes widen and then glare at him with more contempt than she ever had in their days at Hogwarts. "Hermione, I'm sorry," he said reaching out to her. "I didn't mean to-"
"Don't touch me," she spat, stepping away from him. "I hate you,"
"No you don't," Draco said, and even though he knew he was right, her words still stung him like dry ice.
"Yes, I do," she said in derision, though her voice had begun to tremble. "I hate being here, and I hate you."
"Come on Hermione-"
"I said- don't -touch me!"
Before Draco knew it he had been flung out through the library doors, hitting the wall of the hallway, and they closed with a slam in front of him.
"I take it the Gryffindor Princess is upset about something?" An amused Blaise said, leaning against the wall Draco had just been thrust against.
"Obviously," Draco mumbled angrily, picking himself up off the floor.
"It must be something bad, or else her impulse magic wouldn't have kicked in. So what's got her knickers in a twist?"
"It's either that I kept her friends' letters from her, or I called her a Mudblood, or a combination of both. Take your pick," Draco said, beginning to walk indignantly and quickly down the hall.
"You called her a Mudblood? Geez Draco, just because she isn't one anymore doesn't make it any less harsh," Blaise said trying to catch up with his friend.
"You think I don't know that?" Draco said, flinging his hands in the air. "She said she hates me,"
"Well that's a lie, and I'm sure she knows it. Just give her some time mate, she'll come around."
But Hermione didn't come around.
The next morning Draco went over to her room to get her like he usually did, and even though she followed him down to the dining room, she didn't say a single word to him. She barely even looked at him. The whole meal Draco would open his mouth to say something to her, but he'd close it again when he realized he wasn't sure what to say. She probably wouldn't have listened to him anyway.
His mother could tell something was up, and she had Draco stay behind when they were finished eating to talk to him.
"Is there something wrong with Hermione, Draco?" she asked him, concerned.
"Everything's fine mother," Draco lied. "It's just been a long weekend for her." He didn't want to tell her the truth that he'd been in correspondence with Hermione's friends. He wasn't exactly sure he was allowed to be doing that, and he'd rather keep it information for only those who needed to know.
Narcissa eyed her son, not convinced of his words, but she let him go anyway.
Draco walked up the stairs, not sure of what he was going to do with Hermione not talking to him. He wasn't sure what to do to get her to forgive him. He'd never been in a position where he needed someone's forgiveness before. As far as he was concerned, he'd done his part. He'd said sorry, now he just had to wait for her.
He stopped in front of her door and stared at it wistfully. It was usually open during the day, not shutting until Hermione went to bed at night. But right now it was closed, and it stayed like that for the rest of the day.
Hermione was pissed. And besides that she was hurt.
Not only had he kept her friends' letters from her, but he'd called her a Mudblood, and she knew which one cut her more; it was definitely the latter.
She thought she'd never have to hear that word uttered about her again- at least from his lips. It showed that he hadn't changed as much as she'd hoped he had. If it weren't for the fact that she was a pureblood, he'd still view her as a worthless muggleborn. And she thought they had grown closer over the past couple months.
Hermione lay back on her bed, not sure what to do with her day. A part of her wanted to be spending it with Draco, but the stubborn part didn't want to be anywhere near him, and the stubborn part was winning.
She wondered what Harry, Ron, and Ginny were doing. Ginny would be at Hogwarts of course, unless Mrs. Weasley had kept her at home, but that didn't seem likely. Harry and Ron were of course out searching for Horcruxes and her, but where they were she hadn't the slightest idea. She let out a sad chuckle at the thought that they could be right outside the manor without any idea that they were. She hoped they had brought with them the right supplies to keep them alive.
With that thought she remembered her bag that she had with her when she got to the manor. She hadn't looked at it since those first few days she was here. She went to her closet where she remembered leaving it and pulled it out, spilling all its contents on the floor before her.
There wasn't anything in it that could keep her busy, just the usual objects needed for survival: a compass, essence of dittany to heal any wounds, a tent, and some clothes she had packed for her, Harry, and Ron's getaway. She had never told them she would be taking some of their clothes, and she laughed at the thought that they might be missing one of the articles. They were all bunched together, so she began to pull them apart.
"Oh crap," she said as she separated one of the pieces from a long-sleeved shirt that belonged to Ron. It was Harry's invisibility cloak. He had probably gone crazy looking for it. She'd have to keep it safe for him.
Knock, knock, knock.
Hermione quickly shoved everything back into her bag and then threw it into her closet, just in time for Draco to open the door.
"Time for dinner," he said. Hermione silently nodded at him, but didn't move. "Are you coming?"
"Are Voldemort's cronies here?"
"No,"
"Then I'll meet you down there."
Draco looked as if he was going to say something to her, but he just sighed and closed the door again.
Hermione knew she was being unfair to him, but she just didn't feel like taking the high road at the moment. She picked herself off the ground and went over to where her bag had landed. She shrunk it down and then hid it in the hem of her robes, because if by chance she was rescued she didn't want to leave it behind.
The next couple days passed like Hermione's first couple days at the manor, with her hiding in her room. She had rediscovered The Tales of Beadle the Bard and was studying it for whatever it was Dumbledore wanted them to know, but she still couldn't make any connections. She was rereading the tale of the Three Brothers when Izzie popped up before her.
"A letter for you Miss," she said happily. "Young Master Draco told Izzie to give it to you."
Hermione took the envelope and then raised her eyebrows. "Thank you Izzie."
Seems like Draco's learned his lesson, she thought as she leaned back into her pillows and slit the top open. She was hoping it would be from Harry and Ron, but the handwriting on the parchment was unfamiliar to her.
Dearest Miss Luxurien,
It's been too long since I last saw your beautiful face. You would be giving me a great honor if you would allow me to see you again. If you are not doing anything tomorrow afternoon I would love to spend it with you. Please say yes. I eagerly await your reply.
With love,
Isaac
Hermione couldn't help but chuckle as she read the note. She was at her desk to write him a reply, when she remembered there wouldn't be any parchment or quills on her desk. If she wanted to write someone she'd have to ask Draco.
Great, she thought. He'd most definitely say no. Then again he was currently trying to get on her good side, it didn't hurt to ask…
"No." Draco answered firmly when Hermione asked him that night after dinner. "Only Pansy and Blaise are allowed inside the manor for friendly visits,"
"Did you come up with that rule just now?"
"Doesn't matter if I did, it's not going to change my answer,"
"Fine then. Can I at least have a piece of parchment to tell him he can't come?"
"Izzie!" Draco called, and the house elf was there in an instant. "Please give Miss Luxurien some parchment so she can write to Isaac Peren, and Isaac Peren only. If she does something otherwise you are to alert me immediately," he instructed.
Hermione was too annoyed by his use of her new surname to question his thorough directions for Izzie.
"Is that all you need?" he asked.
"Yes, thank you," Hermione said, heading back towards her room.
"Hermione, are you really going to stay mad at me forever?" Draco said before she could step through her door.
No, Hermione thought, but that wasn't the answer she wanted to give him, so she decided it would be better not to answer at all and went into her room without a word. She'd leave it up to him to decide what her silence meant.
It was only a few moments later that Izzie appeared with the parchment for her to write to Isaac. Hermione gratefully took the writing utensils presented to her and then smirked to herself.
Draco had said only Pansy and Blaise were allowed inside the manor. He didn't say anything about outside. Oh how she loved loopholes.
Dear Isaac, she began to write,
I would be delighted to see you again. Be outside the manor gates tomorrow at two o'clock. My personal house elf Izzie will be there to let you in.
Hermione
Hermione folded the parchment up and wrote Isaac's name on it, then showed it to Izzie for validity. Satisfied that there wasn't anything amiss about the letter, Izzie took it and went to send it off.
It was Thursday, four days since Hermione had found out about the letters, and four days since she'd actually spent any real time with him. Draco thought he might just pull his hair out in frustration.
"She has every right to be upset with you, you know," Blaise told his friend as he walked into his bedroom, knowing Draco's thoughts. Draco didn't bother replying.
"Nice of you to invite Peren over by the way," Blaise continued sarcastically. "With him around she'll definitely want to come running back to you-"
"What?" Draco said turning his head towards Blaise, his eyes lowering to slits.
"Ahh, so you didn't invite him over. I did think it was a bit odd,"
Draco shot up from his bed and marched out of his room. "I specifically told her that he was not allowed inside the manor! Izzie!"
The small house elf appeared in an instant. "Yes young Master Malfoy?"
"Who let Isaac Peren into the manor?" Draco asked, his arms crossed and expression stern.
"No one did, young Master Malfoy," Izzie stammered, looking down.
"Then why has Blaise told me he is here? Did I not specifically say that he wasn't allowed inside the manor?"
"Yes, young Master Malfoy, but Miss Hermione said that Mr. Peren would not be coming inside the manor, he would be staying outside,"
Blaise snorted and Draco glared at him.
"I'm sorry young Master Malfoy, please do not let Izzie go!" Izzie squealed.
Draco watched as a big tear trailed down Izzie's face and her eyes were wide with distress. Draco sighed and closed his eyes. He had no intention of letting Izzie go, he had merely wanted information. "You're fine Izzie, just go back to whatever it was you were doing. Thank you."
Izzie disappeared without a moment to lose. Draco groaned and rubbed his hands over his face.
"She got you good mate," Blaise said honestly, clasping Draco's shoulder. "She really is the Brightest Witch of her Age. So what are you going to do?"
"Nothing. Anything I do would probably just fuel the fire,"
"Good choice."
"What were they doing?" Draco asked.
"Just walking around the garden, nothing I would worry about. Then again, he was standing quite close to her, his hand at the ready to-"
"Shut up Blaise,"
"Hey, you asked and I'm answering. I doubt Hermione would hold his hand, she's not that type of girl,"
This did little to quench Draco's unease however, especially since he couldn't see what was going on for himself.
"Do you want me to go spy on them?" Blaise asked, noticing this.
"No, but I'm not going to stop you if you do," Draco said slyly, and Blaise grinned.
"So Hermione, tell me about yourself," Isaac grinned as they walked side by side through the garden. As had been planned, he had shown up at the gates of Malfoy Manor where he was allowed in by Izzie, and then brought to Hermione, who had been waiting for him at the garden. They had exchanged the usual pleasantries, and then they decided to stroll around.
"Well what do you want to know?" Hermione countered; after all, there was a range of things that could be said about her.
"Let's start with your life as a muggle," Isaac said, narrowing it down. "From when you were born, all the way up to finding out you were a witch,"
Hermione proceeded to tell him all about her life in the muggle world with her parents. He listened eagerly, and especially paid attention when she got to the parts about discovering her magical abilities and coming to Hogwarts.
"It must've been so strange for you," he commented.
"It was, but it was exciting, and it made a lot of things make a whole much more sense. Like why I was able to make the pots and pans clatter when I was upset. I'm just glad my parents didn't send me to an insane asylum,"
"Yes, that would've been terrible," Isaac laughed. "So you started Hogwarts, became friends with Harry Potter, and started to have many life threatening adventures."
Hermione was surprised that he knew about her escapades with Harry and Ron; it's not as if they had been published for the world to see, and she had yet to mention anything about them. "You seem to know a bit about my time at school," she said.
"Word gets around about what things the students at Hogwarts get up to," Isaac smirked. "News of the Boy Who Lived's doings are especially valued. I know all about the Chamber of Secrets, your heroic save of Sirius Black, run in with dementors, liaison with Viktor Krum, and your break in at the Ministry of Magic,"
"Wow," was all Hermione could manage to respond with. Who in the world was spreading all this information? "I guess I don't need to regale you with the tale of my Hogwarts days then,"
"Hey, it'd still be nice to hear some of the stories first hand," he said.
"I'll save those for another time. Right now, I want to hear about you. You know quite a few things about me, but all I know about you is that you have a twin and your parents are divorced,"
"My life story is really not that enthralling, but I suppose I'll tell you," Isaac said jokingly. "I was born on the fifth of July 1979 in my family manor in Berlin. My parents are Amett and Ekaterina Peren. My father's the German, but my mother's from Romania. They met going to Durmstrang together, which is where my sister and I also attended school. We spent the days of our youth doing a lot of traveling- father's business took him many places. That's how we became acquainted with the Malfoy's. We were five when we started spending a few weeks of every summer here at the manor. We of course began attending Durmstrang when we were eleven. My mother really wanted us to go to Hogwarts, but my father eventually won that argument. It was only a couple years ago that I noticed the deteriorating relationship between my parents, and then about a year ago my mother filed for divorce, it was granted, and she moved to Australia, taking Ithaca with her. I stayed with my father and continued my schooling at Durmstrang, and now here I am a year later talking to the most beautiful girl in the world," he finished.
"You flatter me too much," Hermione said.
"Only with the truth," he said softly, and Hermione could tell from her peripheral vision that he was staring at her. Suddenly she felt his hand brush against hers, and before he could take any hold on it she quickly folded it in front of her with her other hand.
"It seems like you had a fairly simple life," she said, wanting to get the focus back on the conversation.
"Simple enough, for a wizarding family," Isaac replied, getting the hint for the moment.
"So your family wasn't influenced at all by Voldemort?"
"Of course we were," he said matter-of-factly. "We still are, seeing as my father's a death eater,"
"And you aren't?"
"Of course not, Voldemort doesn't let those as young as me join their ranks," he scoffed.
"But Draco-"
"Malfoy's a death eater?" Isaac said, stopping in his tracks. Clearly he hadn't known.
"Yes…" Hermione said slowly. She suddenly began to wonder if that was something she was supposed to be keeping secret.
"Hmmm…my father hasn't told me about this recent development," he said as he resumed their walk.
I wouldn't exactly call it recent, Hermione thought to herself.
"Does it bother you? That he's a death eater?" Isaac asked.
"Of course it does. I'm not exactly fond of the things he's expected to do,"
"And yet you still spend your time around him?"
"He's my keeper, I have to spend time around him." Hermione said with a small laugh.
"You're not with him now," Isaac pointed out. "I was actually surprised he let me come,"
They were at the fountain of Cupid and Psyche now, and had perched themselves on its edge. Hermione began to play with the water.
"He doesn't know you're here," she confessed. "I kind of snuck you under his nose. We're not exactly on the best of terms right now,"
"Oh? What happened between you two?" Isaac asked, curious. "Sorry, I shouldn't be presumptuous,"
"It's alright. Let's just say that he did something he shouldn't have, and it's going to take some time for me to forgive him." Hermione removed her hand from the water and dried it on the bottom of the dress she was wearing, before setting it on the granite beside her.
"Did he hurt you? Because if he did I will not hesitate to beat him for you," Isaac offered. "You really shouldn't trust him, especially since he's a death eater,"
"No, it wasn't anything physical," Hermione said looking Isaac in the eye, immediately coming to Draco's defense. Even though she was upset with him, she wasn't about to let someone think the worst of him. "And Draco's a good person Isaac, despite being a death eater,"
"Just be careful Hermione," Isaac said, staring back at her as intently as she had him, but with a different emotion. "I'd hate to see you get hurt."
Hermione felt her stomach doing flips as Isaac said those final words. Once again she felt Isaac's hand touching hers, but this time she was too late in dragging her hand away, for Isacc's had already settled itself on top and was giving it a squeeze with his fingers. It was loud rustling sound from behind her that gave her the excuse she needed to remove her hand from underneath his, and reclaim it to her lap.
"What was that?" Isaac asked, looking over her shoulder for the source of the noise.
Hermione shrugged, as she also searched. "So, if I recall I'm supposed to tell you all about CDs," she said, turning back to him and bringing the conversation to a safe topic.
"Yes, you are," Isaac replied, getting the hint for the second time that day.
They spent the next couple of hours talking about all things muggle music, and even got into movies a little bit. It wasn't long until the sun was preparing to make itself scarce.
"You should probably get going now," she told Isaac quietly. "It's almost dinner time,"
Isaac nodded and stood up, while Hermione called for Izzie to take him back to the manor gates. "I had a great time with you today Hermione," he smiled. "You think maybe I could stop by tomorrow at the same time?"
"Yes, I would like that,"
"Well then I'll see you tomorrow, Miss Luxurien." Isaac took her hand and kissed it as a final parting before following Izzie out.
Hermione sighed as she watched their two figures get smaller. Isaac Peren was definitely something… a very cute something. And he certainly had some feelings for her, if attempting to hold her hand twice was any indication. However, she knew it would never go anywhere beyond friendship with him, because while he was trying to hold her hand, she was thinking about holding the hand of someone else.
"He tried holding her hand again," Blaise reported to Draco the moment Isaac had vacated the premises, and his and Hermione's little "date" was over.
"Did he now?" Draco said grumpily.
"You'll be happy to know that your beloved did not fall for it though. She kept her hands clasped in front of her after the first time. The second time she wasn't able to retreat as quickly, but the moment I made enough noise for them to wonder if they weren't alone by that fountain, she pulled away,"
"Just because she objected to it today, doesn't mean she'll object later," Draco said defeated.
"Come on mate, I know and you know that she cares about you. It's only a matter of time before she forgives you and everything will be back to normal- well as normal as things can get."
And with that, Blaise left his friend on his own to contemplate the past events of the day.
Draco wasn't sure what to do anymore. He was losing her, and to Isaac Peren no less. He still had a small flicker of hope though. Hermione hadn't wanted to hold Peren's hand, which was a good sign. But like he said, tomorrow was another day and anything could change. He wasn't sure it was possible to dislike anyone more than he did Potter or Weasley, but it seemed Peren had just bumped himself up to the top of the list.
That's it, Draco thought. Tomorrow we're ending this.
The next morning at breakfast, Draco ate quickly with the resolve that he was going to talk to Hermione afterward. He knew exactly what he was going to say to her: Hermione, I'm sorry for everything. I'm a complete arse and undeserving of your friendship, but I'm begging you, please forgive me. She'd have to forgive him after that- after all, Malfoy's never beg.
Everyone at the table finished eating and Hermione politely excused herself.
"I'm going to go too, if you don't mind," Draco said hastily to his parents, standing up. He suddenly felt his father's firm hand grasp his arm, stopping him from going anywhere else.
"Actually Draco, your Aunt Bella will be here in a few minutes to speak with you, so stay."
Draco groaned internally, and reluctantly sat back down as Hermione left the dining hall. What could his dear old aunt want with him? He supposed it wouldn't be long till he found out, for less than five minutes later his aunt walked through the door.
As Hermione wandered back up to her room she wondered what could be going on in the dining hall. Bellatrix Lestrange had only been here when Voldemort was here, and she never spoke one on one with Draco. It was strange to say the least. Maybe they had another mission for him? Hermione's stomach churned at the thought. No, that can't be it, she told herself.
The next few hours she spent in her room reading a book, all the while listening for the sound of a door opening, indicating that Draco had returned to his room, but it never came. Tired of being there, she picked herself up and went to the library.
She opened the door and was immediately met with the sight of Draco sitting quietly in his usual lounge chair. His eyes shot up at her, and he put down his book. He was about to say something to her, but before he could, Hermione shut the door and returned to the place she had come from.
She still wasn't ready to talk to him, and when she did decide to talk to him, it wouldn't be at the scene of the crime.
Before she knew it, two o'clock had come around and she anxiously made her way to the garden to meet Isaac like she had the day before. She wasn't sure what to expect today from him. More shots at holding her hand? How much longer she could deny him before he said something? That bridge would just have to be crossed when she got to it she supposed.
Hermione stepped through the door to the garden and breathed in the fresh air like she did every time she went outside. She spotted Isaac sitting on the fountain and was about to start walking towards him when she realized he wasn't alone, but had brought someone with him. Knowing she couldn't just leave the two of them out there, she begrudgingly made her way to the pair. This was certainly going to be an interesting day.
Draco thought about going after Hermione when she closed the door to the library; after all, hadn't he decided that today he was going to fix everything? But, no, he had stayed put in his chair. It was obvious she still didn't want to talk to him, and he knew that trying to get her to talk to him would just result in him yelling at her and being met with her silence. Again, he made the decision that he would just have to wait for her to come to him.
Besides, he had other things to think about.
Aunt Bella had been there to tell him she would be visiting a lot more often now, and not to see her sister. She would be at the manor for him, and she would be instructing him in the arts of legilimency and occlumency. Apparently, the Dark Lord would have need of him in the near future and it was vital that he was a master in the two arts when it came time.
Draco didn't mind that he had to learn legilimency and occlumency, in fact he enjoyed gaining new skills, and he was quite excited. What he was dreading was what he'd have to use them for. Anything coming from the Dark Lord couldn't be good.
Sighing, Draco picked the book he had been reading back up and continued on. His aunt had told him to start researching the theories on L and O so that it would be easier for her to teach him. Currently he was making his way through the tome, Beyond Mind Reading.
He was nearly finished when he heard the door to the library open again. He looked up, hoping to find Hermione, but he was met instead with a darker pair of chocolate brown eyes.
He chuckled to himself as he set his book back down. He knew it was only a matter of time before she showed up. He watched as she sat herself in front of him and smiled sweetly at him with only her lips.
"Draco," she said simply.
"Ithaca."