Sacrifice
Draco was the last to enter and all eyes were therefore set on him. Weasley wanted to take Granger upstairs, but she shook her head when she caught his glance. He was grateful that she actually stayed. This was by far the strangest moment in his whole life.
They were all standing in the kitchen, not really sure what to say, when a tall redhead entered worried and looked at him stunned.
"Draco Malfoy?" he asked in a deep voice and cocked an eyebrow. Bill Weasley. His face looked different after Greybacks attack and Draco felt guilty for one short moment.
He just nodded and felt uneasy surrounded by so many Gryffindors. Fleur Delacour came in with dressing material and some healing potions. She recognized him and her eyes widened in surprise. If the Death Eaters condemned him for being too soft, then these people definitely hated him for being too evil. Was there anyone who could actually accept him the way he was?
Granger saved him once again.
"Stop staring. I'll explain everything, just sit down everyone." she said tired.
Everyone tried to find a seat, which was nearly impossible: the whole house was smaller than Malfoy Manor's living room. But this place somehow gave him a feeling of security, which was of course stupid considering where he actually was. He sat down and Granger took a seat next to him.
"Isn't he the one who caused Dumbledore's death?" Lovegood suddenly asked subtle and everyone tensed.
Draco clenched his fists in his pockets.
"But he saved us right now. I wonder why." she continued moony and everyone looked again at Draco, probably the same question in mind.
Bill cleared his throat and interrupted the glaring.
"What exactly happened, Mione?" he asked and Granger took a deep breath.
She changed a glance with Potter and he nodded.
"We've been caught by Snatchers, one of them actually Fenrir Greyback. They took us to Malfoy Manor. I managed to deform Harry's face with a jinx, so that nobody would recognize him. They unfortunately seemed to know Ron and me, though and drew the right conclusions. They asked Malfoy to identify us and he lied and said he didn't know us. Harry and Ron have been thrown into the dungeons, where they met Luna, Dean, Griphook and Mr. Ollivander. I was tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange and then saved by Malfoy. Greyback wanted me for himself, but Malfoy managed to get me out of there. He helped me to liberate the others and I took him along." she finished and glanced at him.
"Greyback, that scumbag." Bill said, shaking his head. "Fleur will take care of your wounds now and then you should all rest. I'd like to have a chat with Mr. Malfoy." he added friendly but determined.
Potter stood up and nodded.
"I'd love to talk to him as well."
Weasley glared at him as if he'd rather prefer to beat Draco up without wasting much time on talking.
Granger sighed exhausted.
"Could you stop this, please? We'd have been all dead if he didn't help us. And what's more: this isn't the first time he saved me. When the Death Eaters attacked the Burrow at your wedding, he disapparated with me and let me go. He didn't hand me out even though he could have done. I don't say we should trust him without reserve, but consider that while talking to him."
Potter and Weasley looked at her stunned and Bill frowned.
Granger turned around and Luna helped her to finally go upstairs. Dean, Ollivander and that strange Goblin went to another room, where Fleur should take care of their wounds.
Draco remained in the kitchen, surrounded by Bill, Potter and Weasley. He stood up with a sigh.
"I'll leave, ok? Don't make a fuss and simply let me go. I don't know why I came in anyway."
Bill smiled.
"You're free to go as soon as you answer our questions."
Draco sat down again and crossed his arms over his chest.
"If you think I'd give you any information, forget it."
Bill still smiled.
"I don't want to know anything about 'He who must not be named'. I want to know why you actually helped Hermione and the others to escape."
Draco shook his head.
"No idea."
Weasley gritted his teeth again and Potter (his face was finally back to normal) cocked an eyebrow.
"That's no answer, Malfoy." he said coolly.
Draco glared at him.
"Should I have handed you out dumbass? Who of you was stupid enough to say his name? Didn't you know by now that it's cursed? I'm sure it wasn't Granger, right? Stop talking in that arrogant voice Potter, I'm unaccountable!"
Potter cringed and clenched his fists and Weasley turned red but Bill didn't let them say a word.
"We are grateful that you actually saved them. Nobody wants to deny that. But we'd like to know why you did so. You have to consider our feelings as well, Malfoy. Most of the people here have been hurt by people you'd call family or friends. We have to check your motives for our own safety." Bill said calm and Draco relaxed.
He was right of course and Draco knew that. They were suspicious and who could hold it against them?
Draco sighed.
"I'll talk to you but without Potter and Weas…, well your brother." he said resolutely.
Potter and Weasley protested but Bill agreed…
ooooo
"Bill is very reasonable. He is friendly and understanding. I'm sure he was kind." Hermione said convinced and he smirked.
"I respected him as well, but he could be pretty tough, you know. We had a long talk. I told him how we'd met at the wedding, why I'd been there, what had happened afterwards. I didn't mention any important information concerning Voldemort or my family. I explained my actions the way I'd explained them to myself. I simply told him I wanted my life back and that I'd planned to leave the country anyway."
"How did he react?" Hermione asked seriously.
He smiled.
"He had an interesting idea."
ooooo
"So you plan to leave on your own?" Bill asked in that calming voice.
Draco nodded.
"I promised to go."
Bill looked at him thoughtful and sighed.
"I didn't expect to ever have such a conversation with you, Malfoy. You'll surely understand that I need some time to get used to it."
Draco snorted.
"I'm not used to it myself."
Bill showed a little smile.
"You said you don't like the way things are right now. I know you're smart enough to understand that things will probably get even worse if nothing happens. Harry seems to have a plan, but you saw that things can change immediately from one second to another. If you hadn't been there to help them out tonight, they'd have definitely killed Harry and with him every hope that things might ever change. I know that you don't like him, but I think you recognized that he's actually your only chance to ever return to the life you had. So, why don't you simply try to help him?"
Dracos jaw fell open. Bill waited patiently but the blonde Slytherin in front of him was speechless.
"Think about it. You've nothing to lose."
Draco snorted.
"Except my pride, my peace of mind and not to forget my life."
Bill just smiled and stood up.
"You'd lose those things either way. Think about it."
He left and Draco remained alone in the kitchen. Betray his family and friends for the possibility of defeating Voldemort once and for all. He'd already done that in a way, so why not cap it all off? But what if Potter wouldn't succeed? Helping him would be suicide. But wasn't he on death row anyway?
ooooo
"What did you do?" Hermione asked curious. He laughed.
"I'd actually made my decision when I saved you from that wedding."
Hermione blushed.
"So you stayed?"
He snorted.
"It wasn't that easy. I thought about it the whole night and didn't really know what to do. I walked around outside and enjoyed the fresh air. I couldn't sleep but I couldn't leave either. So I just stood outside and pondered. I knew that Weasley and Potter would rather die than accept my help. But I also knew that you were different. And this made me feel weak in a strange way. Hermione, it's hard to describe, but it'd have been easier for me to just leave if you hadn't been that kind. I'd always thought you were the one of all Gryffindors who had most reasons to hate me. I hadn't been nice to Weasley and Potter, but the way I'd treated you, was far worse. Your kindness made me feel like I was the scumbag. And I suddenly didn't want to be like this anymore. Not because I cared what everyone else would think. They still didn't mean much to me. But I suddenly cared about your opinion. I wanted to be someone who was worthy of your kindness."
Hermione smiled.
"That's quite cute."
He smirked and his eyes were gleaming. Hermiones heart started beating faster and she felt a bit guilty. He grinned knowing and continued.
"I decided to help the three of you, but I really didn't want to spend that much time with Potter and Weasley. I was aware of the fact that they'd have loved to kill me and I wasn't keen on challenging them. So I waited till next morning and offered my help. I'll never forget those expressions…" he said chuckling.
ooooo
He'd been waiting till they came down for breakfast. He was lucky; the three of them were the only ones coming. Granger looked much better and greeted him with a little smile. He couldn't help feeling bemused. Potter and Weasley didn't say anything of course. They were alone in the kitchen.
"You didn't sleep last night, huh?" Granger suddenly asked and he cocked an eyebrow.
"Not really. It doesn't matter anyway. I just wanted to tell you that I want to help."
Draco felt stupid while saying so. Weasley and Potter frowned leery while Grangers face was motionless for the first time. He could nearly hear her brain going through all pros and cons of his offer.
"Why, all of a sudden?" Potter finally asked icy.
Draco shrugged.
"Don't read too much into it, Potter. As far as we all know, you're the only hope to finally finish him off. I'm tired of being a puppet in his hierarchy. I want my life back. I'll probably die anyway, so why not being heroic once in a lifetime?"
"He could be of use, Harry." Granger finally whispered.
Potter tensed and Weasley snorted.
"Why do you suddenly defend the ferret, Mione? Did you forget what he did? What he said? Who tells us that he's no spy, like Snape was? He could kill us from behind with a smile!"
Granger shook her head.
"Think it through, Ron. He could have let us all die yesterday. There was absolutely no reason to save us, right? But he did. If he'd only wanted to make a good impression on him, he'd have simply handed us out. And a spy would have been needless, because we already were in his headquarter. If they'd have tortured me any longer, I'd have told them everything without exceptions. Furthermore, he wanted to leave anyway."
Weasley turned red but couldn't say something against Grangers explanation. Potter crossed his arms over his chest.
"I don't trust you, Malfoy. If you want to help, it's best if you leave and never come back."
Draco had expected this answer. Weasley relaxed a bit and glanced at Granger. She didn't say a word but Draco could see that she was thinking really hard. He finally shrugged again and smirked.
"Fine. Don't say I didn't try."
Draco took his bag from the living room. He didn't know why, but he smiled at Granger before he opened the little door and went outside.
"Malfoy, wait! You forgot something." she suddenly shouted, turned around and went back into the house. Potter and Weasley looked at each other confused.
Draco turned around and waited until he saw her approaching him. He felt the strong need to grab her hand and simply disapparate. It was a strange feeling to know that they'd probably never see each other again. Even stranger that he cared. When she finally reached him, he recognized that she was holding the shirt he'd given her. He rolled his eyes.
"I'm not that stingy, Granger. Just keep it."
The way she shook her head made him frown. He took the shirt and their hands touched for one moment. He felt an electric shock in his fingertips. She pursed her lips, nodded and went back to Weasley and Potter, who were also frowning. Something in Grangers amber eyes made him believe that this wasn't actually the last time they'd see each other.
ooooo
"I gave you the shirt back? Did I hide a message?" Hermione asked fascinated by her future self.
He grinned and nodded.
"Sure you did. It was a short notice. Only a meeting point, a date and a time of day. I first thought this was a joke, but I turned up of course."
ooooo
It was late afternoon and still pretty cold. Draco was waiting for Granger to finally appear. He walked around impatiently and cursed his own foolishness. She was probably laughing about him right now. But he couldn't avoid thinking that maybe something had happened to her. He'd left Shell Cottage two weeks ago and knew that it was pretty dangerous what he was doing. He should have left the country long ago. Another annoyed sigh, when he suddenly heard the little 'plop' and looked into those honey-golden eyes. He breathed out relieved. She was obviously still alive.
"You're late, Granger!" he grumbled and she bit her lip.
"I'm sorry. It was hard to get away from Ron…"
Draco imagined the redhead getting close to those rosy lips and cringed. What was wrong with him?
"Not what you think." she suddenly said with a little smile and he snorted.
"What do you want?" he said harshly and she smirked like he used to do.
"I want you to help. Harry and Ron don't know that I'm here. They are too prejudiced; I won't be able to convince them that you're actually very useful."
Draco sneered.
"So you want me to help you without telling your friends? Kind of a secret liaison?"
The ambiguity made her blush, but she nodded. He closed his eyes for one second.
"What can I do?" he finally asked husky.
She shivered and he cocked an eyebrow. She took a deep breath.
"I can't tell you more than necessary. I want you to find out everything about 'he who must not be named'. What he does now, what he did earlier, every piece of his life, from his birth until now. No matter what, every little information might be useful. Try to keep your eyes and ears open. We need to know as much as possible."
Draco sighed.
"You know where I could get all of this information, don't you?"
Her eyes widened in shock and she turned pale.
"No! That's not what I meant! I don't want you to go back. God knows what they'd do to you…" she said passionate and blushed ashamed.
He smiled.
"That's all? I'm supposed to search for information?"
She nodded, still confused about her own, fierce reaction.
"Ok." he said kindly.
She nodded and they smiled at each other for the first time in more than six years.
ooooo
"We started to meet secretly?" Hermione asked blushing and he grinned.
"Sure. You think we'd have ever fallen in love if Weasley and Potter would have been around all the time?"
Hermione smiled guilty.
"Guess not." she said dryly and he laughed.
"I was looking for information and whenever I found something out, I used an enchanted coin to send you a message. Then we met and talked. Those meetings were mostly very short. Weasley and Potter were overprotective and didn't like to let you go out alone. But you always found an excuse of course. I started to depend on these minutes with you. It was dangerous of course. Well, everything was dangerous at that time. Muggles were killed in jest, traitors were executed, but first they used to kill their whole families to make them suffer. I wonder how we managed to survive. There were moments when I thought, they'd get me. Our relation changed of course. There was no enmity anymore, no hatred. We'd started to accept each other and we'd found out that we actually had a lot in common. When I was with you, it was easier to forget how miserable life had become. I still remember when we first kissed…"
ooooo
It was raining. Draco was standing in a little forest, waiting for Granger. She was late again… He was looking forward to meeting her, even though he still didn't really know why. He'd stopped caring. He could die every moment, so why bother himself with stupid questions? She finally apparated next to him and was soaked in no time.
"Damn, Granger, do you want me to die of pneumonia? That's not very heroic, you know." he said reproachful.
She chuckled.
"Don't worry, I'll tell everyone a Death Eater finished you off."
He grinned. She suddenly took his hand and it turned dark.
When he opened his eyes, they were standing in front of a little cabin. She was still holding his hand and dragged him along into the warm and empty cottage. The wand Ollivander had made for her was obviously pretty good. She used it to make a fire and looked at Draco, who was still shivering. Before he could even say something, she'd already used a drying spell on herself and on him.
"Thanks." he said smiling and she blushed.
"You look skinnier." she stated and he cocked an eyebrow.
"I don't have much time to go out for dinner." he said sarcastic and she bit her lip.
"You don't have to do this." she finally said guilty.
He snorted.
"Nor do you."
She nodded and they looked at each other for a long moment.
"Did you find out something new?" she finally asked husky.
"I heard some news but nothing outstanding. How much time do you have?"
Granger shrugged.
"Harry and Ron both think that I'm sleeping. I guess they won't bother me if nothing happens."
He smiled satisfied.
Time passed much too fast and Granger finally stood up to leave again. Draco felt empty. She smiled at him and wanted to disapparate again, when he suddenly held her back.
"What's wrong?" she asked confused, looking at his hand on her wrist.
"Couldn't you just stay tonight?" he dared to ask and saw her eyes widen.
Her expression turned into pitiful and he let go of her hand as if he'd burnt himself.
"Forget it." he said coolly. She bit her lip and looked hurt.
Draco felt sorry, but he didn't want her to pity him. There was nothing worse than that. He turned around and waited for her to disappear, but she didn't.
"I knew that it'd be hard for you to be alone all the time. I'm sorry…" she started but he turned around angry and interrupted her.
"Shut up! Don't talk nonsense! You think I want you to stay because I'm lonely otherwise? You think I just need you to keep me company? Are you really that stupid?"
She looked at him surprised and confused, not sure what to answer. He cursed, opened the door of the little cabin and went outside.
Draco didn't disapparate, he just needed to walk. The rain didn't bother him right now, he was too agitated. Could she really be that stupid? Didn't she realize? He didn't expect her to feel the same way, but didn't she even notice?
"Draco!" she shouted behind him and he stopped, unable to make any further step. She'd called him by his first name…
He turned around and saw her running towards him. Before he could do more than wonder, she'd thrown herself into his arms. His whole body felt as if he'd been set on fire. He hugged her firm and buried his face in her wet hair.
"Please don't go." she whispered and he closed his eyes in devotion. He could feel her heartbeat quicken and when their lips finally met, there was no more room left for doubts or worries. This first kiss in the rain was the beginning of something unique.
ooooo
Hermione sighed.
"That sounds like a pretty good love story." she said smiling and he smiled back sadly.
"I hope it will be." he whispered and she blushed.
"There was no happy end in your future. What happened? And how did you get that scar on your cheek?" Hermione asked sensitive.
He snorted.
"The scar was actually a gift from Weasley."
Hermione gasped and he laughed.
"Don't look like that. I'd have endured more than this to get you."
"Ron did that? Why?" she croaked frightened.
"It happened when they found out about us. We'd been careful and had managed to meet each other more than half a year before they finally discovered what was going on. Weasley was suspicious and decided to search through your personal things. He found the coin of course and knew that you were actually seeing someone. He followed you one evening and saw you with me. We kissed and his curse hit me without a warning and gave me this little scar. It's even a bit funny, because you really liked this scar later. You said it made me look boldly. Weasley was of course really mad at that time and I wasn't calm either. You finally stopped us and Weasley disappeared. You returned and explained everything to Potter. He already knew of course. Well, I won't waste too much breath on this chapter. You left the two of them and stayed with me. But you were unhappy and so was I of course. I promised you to help them and that they'd definitely forgive you. It took some time, though."
Hermione looked at him worried.
"Did they forgive me?" she whispered tensed, aware of the importance of his answer.
He smiled.
"Sure they did. You're best friends after all. It took a long time, but Potter finally approached you. We still didn't like each other, but he accepted me for your sake. I think you don't know how important you actually are to him. He never felt the way Weasley did, but his affection is not weaker. I was sometimes more jealous of Potter than of Weasley, to be honest. There was always something between the two of you that made me feel uneasy. The way you exchanged glances, the way you talked to each other, so naturally. I knew I could handle Weasley, but I wasn't too sure about Potter. I started to respect him against my will and I started to really believe he could change things. You'd told me what his mission was about and we were trying really hard to help him in every possible way. Weasley finally forgave you as well, even though he still loathed me. I guess some things never change."
Hermione stared into space. He took her hand and she looked at him surprised.
"Did I say too much?" he asked worried and she shook her head.
"I was just asking myself how Ron will react when he finds out. And if Harry will be strong enough to unite us again if we part."
"Well, he managed once, didn't he?"
Hermione nodded with a little smile.
"What happened then?"
He grinned.
ooooo
Draco paced around nervous. How would she react? What would she say? What if he wouldn't get the answer he wanted? But what if he did? Thousands of questions were spinning through his mind while he was waiting for her. He'd asked her to come to this special place and she'd agreed. They were currently living in Grimmauld Place in London with Weasley and Potter. It was hard to have some privacy with her best friends around. Their relation was still tensed, but Draco didn't care that much. As long as she was by his side, he wouldn't complain.
He finally heard her apparating and smiled. She smiled back and kissed him. It still felt like that first kiss right here. They were standing in front of the little cabin. It was summer and early evening. The heavy scent of flowers was nearly as beguiling as her scent of strawberries.
"What are we doing here?" she finally asked smiling and he grinned.
"Come and see." he said and took her hand.
They entered the little cabin together and she looked around overwhelmed.
"Oh…" she said and he smiled.
The little cottage was illuminated by hundreds of candles. There was a big white carpet with a picnic basket on it and everywhere in the little room were rose petals. Hermione looked at him and got teary-eyed.
"It's beautiful."
He smiled satisfied.
"Just like you."
She still blushed and he smiled even brighter.
"Draco…" she began, but he interrupted her.
"Wait! Please don't say anything now."
He led her to the carpet and they sat down. Draco took her hand and tried to stay calm.
"I never imagined it would be you, to be honest. I was the kind of guy, who always thought love didn't exist. It wasn't because I didn't experience love. My parents really love each other, even though there are many rumours saying they just married because of their blood status. It's not true. But for me, there was never this strange feeling of being completely lost when I was with a girl. Never, until now. Hermione, I can't imagine ever being with someone else. I simply don't want to. I want you. Forever. Will you be mine? Will you marry me?" he asked tensed, his heart beating very fast.
She was obviously completely over the moon. She jumped into his arms and kissed him, which was of course answer enough.
He put a ring on her finger, which had an amber stone. She kissed him again. They didn't stick to kissing. It was a long night, filled with laughter and moaning, a night of celebration and happiness. A night made for lovers.
ooooo
"We got married?" Hermione shouted stunned and he laughed.
"Sure we did. It wasn't a big wedding, though. We couldn't invite our families of course. Potter and Weasley were witnesses, even though I can't imagine Weasley liked it. But he really tried hard not to ruin your day. He was very kind. We got married in a little chapel in a forest. You'd insisted on having Ginny and Luna as bridesmaids. We'd thought about inviting other friends, or Weasleys family, but it'd have been too dangerous. It was nevertheless the greatest day in my life. When I saw you in that white dress, it felt like heaven. I've never seen something as beautiful as you in a wedding dress."
Hermione was speechless. She simply didn't know what to say. He smiled.
"Shocked?"
"Definitely. I didn't expect that we actually got married. I never thought of marriage to be honest." she explained apologetic.
He laughed.
"Neither did I. But when true love strikes you, you have to take responsibility."
She snorted and they both laughed. Hermione took a deep breath.
"Why did it end like that? Everything sounded kind of ok. I mean, we'd all survived so far." she said confused.
He grimaced.
"Not really, Hermione. I think I already told you too much, but you have to know the end of the story to understand. I told you the story concerning the two of us and some of your best friends. I didn't mention the countless number of people who died in those years. It wasn't as easy as it sounded. We'd been on the run all the time, lived in tents or cabins. We spend a long time in London, but we had to be very careful. Voldemorts power was incredible, it was worse than ever. We lost so many people during these years. Lupin, Tonks, Fred, Arthur, Moody, Brown, the Patil twins, Longbottom, Snape and many, many more. The rest died with Potter."
Hermione cringed at every name he mentioned. The hardest pain hit her when hearing Harry's name.
"You said Harry would be betrayed and therefore killed. What exactly happened?"
"The Death Eaters found out that I was still in England. They'd caught Lovegood and tortured her to death. Voldemort used Legilimency to get into her head. He saw us there and drew of course the right conclusions. My parents were still his captives and he started a chivvy to find me. The one who'd be able to catch me, should get one wish fulfilled from the Dark Lord personally. Nobody did it because of money, of course. They all just wanted to escape this terror. So even people who were against Voldemort started chasing me. Well, I should say they chased us. But we managed to escape again and again. Voldemort finally threatened to kill my parents. I wanted to react immediately, but all of you held me back. You even knocked me out. He kept his word and executed them in public. I never forgave myself."
Hermione gasped, her eyes filled with tears.
"I'm so sorry…" she whispered and he tried a smile.
"They wouldn't have wanted me to die for them. And I hadn't wanted them to lose their lives because of me, either. I knew my parents were glad to have it this way. My mother wouldn't have survived my death anyway."
Hermione took his hand and squeezed it. He took a deep breath.
"However, we were really close to fulfilling the mission. We all sallied out to finish Voldemort off. The last location of this fight was actually Hogwarts. Potter did everything to end this war, but someone unexpected led to his downfall. I don't want to say more about this right now. I already told you that they'd all been killed. Ron, Harry, Ginny and everyone else we ever called family or friends. I don't know how, but the two of us managed to escape. We hid in our little cabin and prepared to change this future. A future of darkness, emptiness, cruelty and despair. We'd stolen the time turner long ago. Just in case. We'd decided to use it if anything would go wrong. Well, everything had gone wrong, so we wanted to at least try to prevent it. We were surprised by Death Eaters before leaving and they killed you. I thought I wouldn't be able to feel more pain, but seeing you die was by far the worst experience in my life. I can't describe the feeling of losing you. As if I lost a part of myself, condemned to remain incomplete forever. Even now, I think of you every moment of my life. Every breath, every heartbeat is dedicated to you. I'd do everything to change this future. Everything."
Hey everyone! Here's chapter 13! I'm really tired right now and will sleep immediately after the update. I want to thank all of you who review and keep on reading. I hope you like this chapter and continue reviewing! Sweet dreams. :-)