Chapter 11
Hermione aparated at Malfoy Manor as Draco was making his way to the door. Hermione followed closely behind. But she made sure that she was far enough back that he wouldn't notice her. Draco opened the front door and walked in. Hermione snuck in behind him. Malfoy closed the door and walked into the sitting room. Hermione stood against the wall, checking to make sure the cloak still covered all of her. "Master?" Draco called out. A couple minutes later, Voldemort appeared in front of him.
He is still with them. Hermione thought to herself.
"Is she dead?" Voldemort asked. Draco nodded.
"She's been dead for a couple of days now," he said.
"Good. Potter will be more depressed and down on his guard now. Our next target will be the mudblood. You think you can handle it Draco?" Draco was silent for a couple minutes. Hermione studied his face. He seemed to be pondering something.
"I'm not going to be a death eater anymore," Draco finally stated. Hermione was surprised.
"What?"
"I can't. I never wanted her to die. And I've hurt the one I love. I lost her trust. She'll probably never trust me again, and I can't stand it. I know this won't get her trust back, but I'm not going to hurt her anymore."
He wasn't lying to me. Hermione thought. He was telling me the truth. I can't believe I blew up at him like that.
"Who is this girl?" Voldemort asked. "Who could you possibly have hurt while doing my bidding? Certainly not a pure blood."
"No. She's not," Draco replied. He was scared in front of the Dark Lord. He had never met him face-to-face before and now he was telling him he was leaving the death eaters.
"Then why are you wasting precious time with her? And why are you refusing to continue serving me for a witch any less then a pure blood?" Voldemort's anger was building. Hermione was scared about what might happen.
"I love her and I won't hurt her anymore!" Draco practically yelled. Voldemort was not happy.
"Fine! But you are to suffer the consequences." Voldemort raised his wand. Hermione quickly made her way across the room, knowing what was going to happen. "Crucio!"
Hermione stepped in between Draco and Voldemort just as the spell was about to reach Draco. She took the curse full on. She screamed in pain as she fell to the floor. Draco recognized her screams. "Hermione?" Draco asked. Voldemort lifted the curse. Draco reached down and pulled the invisibility cloak off of Hermione.
"She's the one you love? She's a mudblood! Avada-"
"No! Don't kill her!"
"I'll kill who I want Draco. Besides, I'm doing you a favour." Voldemort laughed, but lowered his wand. It was clear he wanted to see what Draco would do. Draco knelt beside Hermione, who had sat up by then.
"I'm sorry Draco. I should have believed you," she said.
"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have done that to you. It was cruel and unfair," Draco said in return.
"Enough! Crucio!" Voldemort cried. The spell hit Draco, and Hermione watched in horror as he writhed in pain on the ground.
"Stop it!" Hermione cried. "Don't do this to him!"
"Why not?"
"Because I can't stand the thought of him dying. Not after losing Ron, Luna, and Ginny." Tears were streaming Hermione's cheeks. To Hermione's surprise, Voldemort lifted the curse. He looked from Draco, to Hermione, to Draco.
"I've got a better way to torture him." Voldemort smiled wickedly. He pulled Draco up. "Time for you to watch your girlfriend go through unbearable pain Draco. Crucio!" The curse hit Hermione this time. She was on the ground again. She screamed in pain. Voldemort laughed. "Hear her scream Draco!" Voldemort lifted the curse. Draco rushed to Hermione and helped her up. He wrapped her arms around her and she wrapped hers around him. "Time to finish you off."
"I'm so scared Draco," Hermione whispered. She held on to him as tight as she could without suffocating him. "Don't let go of me, okay?" Draco nodded as Voldemort raised his wand.
"Hermione, do you love me?" Draco asked.
"I do."
"Avada Kedavra!" There was a flash of green. Hermione closed her eyes, ready for it to hit her.