Chapter 12

Draco took Hermione to the roped off section of the library, where students were not allowed and sat on the floor behind the shelf farthest from view.

"Muffliato," Draco whispered as they made themselves comfortable. He saw her confused face and said, "Like that no one can hear us."

"Well, I figured that out. What I'm confused about is why you wanted me to stay."

Draco drew in a deep breath, "Since you apologized, you obviously didn't mean what you said to me that night. So I figured that if you cared enough to apologize, you wouldn't mind talking to me privately."

"About what?"

"You know…" he hesitated, "my dad."

"Oh. I never thought you would want to share your intimate concerns with a half-blood. I find it rather uncharacteristic of you," she replied a bit defensively.

"I think it's only fair since you apologized for what you said, I'll apologize for calling you Mudblood all these years."

"Thank you," she replied appreciatively, "Apology accepted."

"Besides, it may be uncharacteristic, but I haven't been acting like my usual self lately and I think you can vouch for that."

Where is he going with this? thought Hermione. Is this a trick?

"I really wanted to know," Draco continued, "What has everyone been saying about the incident with my father."

"I'm sure you've read the Prophet and their story of death by Dementor's kiss, right?"

"Actually, I've abstained from reading any newspapers or magazines."

"Oh," was Hermione's answer and was tentative to continue. "The Quibbler says he was sent to be killed by Bellatrix under You-Know-Who's orders. Then there's the completely ridiculous stories, some people say he was kidnapped by goblins. Some have been saying that he was sent to Azkaban and is really alive and the media is making up the whole story in order to make the Ministry look like it's actually accomplishing something." Hermione was going to continue before she looked at Draco and saw his eyes glassy and on the verge of tears. She had never seen him in that state.

"One of the stories is actually somewhat accurate," Draco stated after a few minutes of silence."

Hermione's eyes widened but was reluctant to press on, "Why are you asking me?"

"I already told you."

"I'm sure more than one person has tried to comfort you about your father's passing, like Pansy, Crabbe or Goyle, why me?"

"I gave you an option if you don't want to be here you can leave Granger," he responded fire in his eyes.

"I just want to know!" Hermione said offended by his answer.

"I don't know who else to talk to, all my friends are Slytherins. They don't understand what I'm going through right now. They haven't experienced loss. Most, if not all Slytherins are Voldemort supporters and have parents or family members that are Death Eaters or are in Azkaban because of Dark Arts."

"What does that have to do with your dad?"

"Bellatrix did kill my dad. Voldemort's been upset with my parents for some time now. Voldemort wanted me to be a spy here at Hogwarts apparently. My mother didn't want to get me involved because she thinks I'm too young. Voldemort thought it was an excuse and that my parents had no allegiance for him anymore. Bellatrix has always been the most loyal and was offended by his accusations and wanted to prove her devotion. Voldemort 'disowned' my family in a way and Bellatrix wanted to take matters into her own hands. And that's what she did. I'll spare you further details."

Hermione could not believe the words coming out of his mouth. She was in total disbelief. How can Bellatrix kill her own sister's husband?

"I wanted to talk to you because it seemed you cared that night. If I would tell this to one of my friends, they would've have said it was a good thing it happened like that Voldemort wouldn't doubt me. But he inadvertently killed my father! Because of him, my dad is dead!" Draco exclaimed."I'm scared Hermione. I'm scared for my mother. And I came to you because you have experienced some loss and know how to cope with it, like last year when Sirius Black died. My friends don't understand. Some Slytherins have even been saying he deserved to die."

Draco's face was slightly turned away when she suddenly saw tears trickling down his cheek, but he quickly wiped them away. A human side came out of Draco, a soft, sensitive and caring one. His cold, icy exterior had melted away into emotion. This made Hermione smile, but she quickly removed the smile from her face. This was not a time for smiling when Draco is talking about his father. But this new discovery made her want to comfort him even more. She wanted to hug him tight and tell him everything would be alright. She wanted him to cry on her shoulder then softly dry his face. She wanted to kiss his sorrows away. But she couldn't do that hence she just placed her hand on his shoulder and rubbed it softly.