A/N: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. All I own is the plot.
Hear You Me – Jimmy Eat World
Xx
There's no one in town I know
You gave us some place to go
I never said thank you for
that.
I thought I might get one more
chance.
What would you think of me now,
so lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for
that,
now I'll never have a chance.
May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the
sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.
Xxxxx
Chapter 28: Hear You Me
The sun had risen, the owls were flying and house elves had retired to the kitchens long before Hermione awoke. Nothing is particular had brought her back to consciousness she just wasn't a late sleeper. Slowly, she attempted to stretch out her cramped body starting with her legs. She'd just begun to feel the strain of her muscles as they too slowly awoke when she felt something tighten around her waist. She looked down and smiled at the strong, slightly pale arm that was holding her firmly against the body of her Slytherin boyfriend. She blushed at the memory of their exploits last night as he'd insisted they abandon all thoughts of a goodnight sleep in favour of 'properly' saying goodbye to each other before she left on holidays.
Carefully she reached down and removed the arm from her body as she tugged gently at his sheets until they came loose and she was able to wrap them around her naked form. With a quick glance at his clock she slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp. The Hogwarts Express would be leaving in 2 hours to return them to their loved ones for the holidays and she hadn't packed a thing. Quietly she padded across his room and into their joint bathroom where she abandoned the sheet as she climbed into a quick shower. Then, wrapped in a towel, she returned to her own room where she threw on a pair of straight cut jeans and a white lace top. With a quick muttered spell her hair was dry and curled and then Head Girl was then free to turn and survey her closet trying to pick which items of clothing she would need for her vacation. Pants, tops, dresses, shoes, underwear, cloaks, coats, jackets, books, school study material, jewellery, make up, hair products, it all went into her trunk. With just 30 minutes to spare she was finally packed and ready go. She heard a yawn and turned to see her boyfriend lazing carelessly against the door frame to her room.
"So you're all packed then?" he asked through a second yawn.
She smiled happily at him. He'd clearly just gotten out of bed because all he wore were a pair of black boxers and his hair was still messy from sleep.
"I'm ready to go" she replied.
He frowned,
"There's no need to sound so happy about it...Unless of course you have some other toy boy stashed away waiting for you somewhere?"
With a laugh Hermione bounced over to him and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek,
"Oh I have thousands" she joked.
The boy looked down at her, studying her, as he wrapped his arms around her waist possessively,
"None of them will ever beat me" he boasted, "I am the best you'll ever have"
Hermione smirked, "Well perhaps I'll have to test your theory while I'm gone. If I return then you'll know I couldn't find anyone better"
She felt Draco's hands snake their way up her back and play with her bra strap through her top before he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss upon her lips,
"Or you could just stay here and not test out any theory and just believe I am the best as I prove it to you again and again and again" he nipped at her ear, "and again".
Hermione giggled and pulled his head back so she could kiss him once more. However, this time, the boy took control and gently guided her up against the nearest wall biting down gently on her bottom lip asking for permission to enter. Looking as innocent as possible the girl pulled away,
"Tease" the Slytherin muttered.
He ran his hands up and down her arms watching as she erupted in goosebumps,
"You're going to miss me"
"Oh am I now?" she laughed
He nodded, "You're going to wonder what I'm doing 24/7"
"I don't care what you're doing as long as it's not someone you're doing"
The boy smirked, "I can't help it if every girl I see wants me"
"Oh yes what a terrible life that must be all that love and devotion must drive you insane"
The boy frowned and shook his head, "It's not love, its lust and it's not devotion, its obsession"
"Oh well pardon me" she said sarcastically all the while smiling at him.
The boy moved closer to her pushing her further against the wall,
"You know" he said huskily, "you wouldn't need to worry about the other girls if you would just stay. I promise I would behave if you stayed"
"That's just it Draco" she laughed, "If I stayed you would do anything but behave"
The boy smirked and kissed her again, this time more passionately, and when he asked for permission she granted it. He let out a groan of arousal as she moved her arms up around his neck and pulled her closer so that she could feel every inch of his body. She ran her fingers through his hair and ground against him just slightly but it was enough to cause him to groan again. He began trying to take off her top but she stopped him,
"I have to go soon. There isn't enough time"
He growled, "I don't care"
She felt him trying to remove her top again and smiled into their kiss. Suddenly,
"Ok kids time to get this show on the road"
Blaise entered into Hermione's room and let out a sound of triumph,
"Ha! See babe I told you they'd be at it"
Quickly, Hermione pulled away from Draco and righted her clothes.
"We weren't at anything" she said embarrassedly.
Blaise smirked,
"Then why does my buddy Draco look so disappointed?"
Ginny appeared beside him and grinned at the both of them,
"As much as I hate to break this up we have to go 'Mione"
Hermione nodded and moved towards her trunk, closing the lip and securing it.
"I'll just go throw on some clothes then" muttered Draco.
Soon enough the four friends were making their way down to the station where Harry and Ron waited upon their arrival. The two boys took the girls trunks and moved off to put them in their compartment. Thereby, managing to avoid the farewells between the couples.
Draco pulled Hermione closer to him and whispered in her ear,
"Make sure you write because I am going to be so bored without you"
She smiled, "Just try to keep away from the girls ok? I don't want to return to rumours of mistaken pregnancies and broken hearts"
He nodded and kissed her one final time,
"Ok go get on your train then" he muttered sulkily.
The two girls got on the train and turned to see Blaise wrap his arm around Draco's shoulders,
"Don't you worry about us girls. Me and my mate here are going to be just fine without you" he said happily.
Ginny stuck her tongue out at him as the train roared into life and left the station.
Xxxxx
"So what kind of horrible cleaning task do you think mum will have us doing this time?" Ron asked the girls through a mouthful of chocolate frog.
Ginny shrugged, "Hopefully nothing like last holidays. There can't be that much left to clean can there? I mean mum has been living there for the past two terms..."
As the discussions continued Hermione gazed out the window. It felt weird to be returning to Grimmaud Place for Christmas instead of going home to her parents. She often wondered what they were doing and where they were. She missed them terribly but she knew she'd made the right decision in the end, after all, nothing was more important than their safety.
"Why do you think we didn't just floo there?" asked Harry.
Slowly, Hermione rejoined the conversation,
"I imagine because Dumbledore would want everyone to think we were travelling back to Ron's. To sign up on the Hogwarts Express list and then to not get on it would look suspicious".
The other's nodded in agreement and resumed their conversation. Hermione returned her gaze to the window as the train sped on.
Late that afternoon the scarlet engine pulled into Platform 9 ¾ where they were met by Molly and Arthur. The excited woman threw herself upon each of them lavishing them in kisses and hugs and saying how nice it would be to have them all home for Christmas. Then, with trunks and owls loaded onto trolleys, they made their way towards the ministry cars awaiting them outside.
"I believe the muggles call it a stretch limo" said Arthur winking at them, "the ministry wanted us to blend in"
Ginny giggled excitedly as they climbed inside and once moving Molly addressed them all,
"Now once we arrive there Harry, Ron and Hermione you will accompany Arthur and I into the library. Most of the Order are waiting on your arrival. Dumbledore did not think it proper to start the meeting without us. Ginny, you are to go right on upstairs and unpack. The meeting should not take too long"
Ginny, looking outraged, opened her mouth to protest but Molly cut her off,
"Now, Now dear please don't argue with me. Just be a good girl and do as you're told"
Her youngest daughter's outrage had just been soothed when Ron, grinning evilly, spoke up,
"Has she told you about her boyfriend mum?"
Xxxxx
Mad-Eye Moody greeted the group, including a very shocked Mr and Mrs Weasley and one grumpy Ginny, at the door and helped to haul all the trunks inside.
"Straight through to the library you three" he said in his usual gruff way.
The library, not being very big, was packed to its maximum capacity so much so that some members had been forced to stand. Dumbledore himself stood by the fireplace and smiled warmly as the final five members entered the room.
"Well I see no further reason for delay" he spoke, "as most of you will know I have relocated to Grimmaud Place for the duration of the holiday period. This way I believe it shall be easier for you to contact me and less easy for the ministry"
He paused to chuckle at his own joke,
"For this reason alone I feel most strongly that the patrols on the school will need to be increased by some numbers"
A murmur of agreement travelled around the room.
"Naturally" Dumbledore continued, "I'll ask for Volunteers. Picking people always seems to me to be so much more like a dictatorship"
A show of hands progressively raised including the hands of the trio which some members of the Order seemed to find surprising. Dumbledore, however, smiled down at them.
"Well Remus, Kingsley? It is the two of you who are on patrol tonight I believe?"
The two men nodded,
"Well I think that perhaps Miss Granger and Alistair will join you"
Hermione nodded and Moody grunted. With this the meeting continued on as they discussed following patrols, including Harry and Ron, and then a tightening of security both personal and mission wise over the holidaying period. Then, finally, the meeting was ended and Molly hurried off to prepare dinner for everyone – visitors and holiday residents alike.
Xxxxx
As Hermione reached her room, which was next to Ginny's and opposite Harry's and Ron's rooms, she let out a nervous sigh. While she was excited to be given the opportunity to accompany the other members on a patrol she was also very aware that is was going to be a real life test of her skills learnt through all her lessons. With these thoughts in mind she set about unpacking. It had seemed like barely any time had passed before she'd finished and was just storing her trunk away when Molly called out that dinner was ready and being served in the dining room. Hermione joined the others as they moved downstairs. The table was full of many delicious options, in fact it looked almost like a Hogwarts feast, and everyone's mouths were watering,
"You've certainly outdone yourself dear" said Arthur affectionately.
"It's just nice to have everyone together" his wife replied.
And soon dinner was in full flight as everyone gathered around the table and joined in with conversations about school, Christmas, recent events...and boyfriends.
"I mean really Ginny why didn't you tell us you were dating the Zabini boy? Is it serious?"
Suddenly, Ron had a choking fit over a baked potato. Harry thumped him on the back as Mrs Weasley rounded once more on her daughter, this time slightly more hysterical,
"Ginny?!" she demanded.
"Mum look" Ginny began looking rather embarrassed, "I love Blaise. He's a great guy and he's really good to me..."
"Well that is no reason to go jumping into a serious relationship with him!" shot back a flustered Mrs Weasley.
"Define 'serious' mum" chuckled Fred and George evilly.
"Molly" Hermione tried to explain, "I'm friends with Blaise and I know that he really cares for Ginny. In fact he's quite protective of her"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with amusement as this visibly calmed Molly,
"But...well his parents are Death Eaters!"
"He's renounced his parent's ways as has Draco. They both have no intention of serving the Dark Lord" Hermione interjected.
When, after a few minutes, her mother slowly nodded Ginny huffed,
"Oh sure you get mad at me for dating Blaise but you let Hermione and Malfoy slide? How is that fair?"
"We were already aware of Hermione and the Malfoy boy" spoke up Arthur, "and her parents approve of him so we really are in no position to protest"
"Yeah even though they haven't met him" muttered Ginny causing Hermione to nudge her sharply.
Xxxxx
At 9pm that night dressed in a completely black outfit of pants, a top, shoes and a cloak Hermione bid her friends goodnight and met Lupin, Kingsley and Moody in the house's front door hallway. They would be portkeying to Hogwarts from there. Kingsley pulled out a worn looking quill, something that would not look out of place near the Hogwarts grounds, and cast,
"Portocus"
"Ok everyone" growled Moody, "remember the protocol. We don't break ranks. Our mission is to protect the school and its students"
He looked around at the small group and waited until everyone had nodded,
"Ok hands on the portkey. 3,2,1"
Hermione took a deep breath as she felt the portkey launch them into the magical oblivion. She could see the others hanging on tightly as they spun around surrounded by what looked like white mist.
"Let go" she heard Remus yell at her.
Hesitantly she released the quill and tried not to scream as she felt herself beginning to fall very quickly towards the undoubtedly hard ground. It was coming closer and closer and closer until finally THUD she landed not far from the school's fence. With a chuckle Lupin offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet,
"You'll get used to it".
Mad-Eye approached them, four twigs in hand, and nodded towards the school,
"We'll do this in groups of two" he growled.
With that he placed the four twigs on the ground in front of them and proceeded to transfigure them into brooms,
"Don't break patrol"
Each member stepped forward and picked up a broom, Hermione looked at hers with detest. No matter the amount of training she'd done on them she still hated them.
"Hermione you'll come with me" instructed Lupin and she nodded nervously.
"Right then Kingsley and I will cover the North to South perimeter of the castle. The both of you will cover the South to North perimeter. We'll check in hourly. Don't miss check in"
This agreed upon they all kicked off, rose into the night sky and set off to their respective patrol areas.
The view from a broom never failed to surprise Hermione but the view tonight was more than surprising, it was spectacular. Hogwarts was lit up and looked so beautiful. Even the lake was captivating with the moon's shine reflecting off it. It reminded her of her's and Draco's second date.
"You'll miss it more then you could possibly imagine when you leave it forever" said Remus as he too gazed upon the castle.
"You know I was actually scared of it throughout most of my first year. It was so dark and so mysterious but" she sighed, "over the years it's become more like a home than anywhere else I've ever known"
"I can understand that. Hogwarts was the only place I ever felt accepted after years of persecution for being what I am and I made three, well two, of the best friends I'll ever know there too. Not a day goes by that I don't think about my school days"
They directed their brooms to keep cruising along their set perimeter every now and again catching a glimpse of Kingsley or Moody.
"Patrols are usually very boring" said Lupin, "I'm glad our numbers have been increased for the holidays. At least I'll have someone to talk to. That's why I got you so quickly both Moody and Kingsley are fairly quiet. They're aren't big talkers"
Hermione nodded smiling and flew a bit lower to inspect the fence and gates.
"Do you get to patrol with Tonks very often?" she asked
Lupin shook his head sadly,
"No, not often. She's kept very busy by Dumbledore and the Ministry. I don't see her half as much as I would like to. Wars take a great toll on marriages"
Once more Hermione nodded, "Wars take a great toll on relationships period"
"Ah yes Mr Malfoy, "said Lupin smiling, "You know Hermione I had never expected to ever see the day when you would date a Slytherin"
"Is it a bad thing to be dating a Slytherin?"
He shook his head, "Not at all. In fact when I was teaching there in your third year I was often surprised at the hot and cold affairs between the Gryffindors and Slytherins"
"What do you mean?" she asked confused.
Lupin did another quick check of his section of the fence line before answering,
"Well you've heard the saying 'opposites attract' yes? Well I was often shocked to see that on the rarity that the Gryffindors and Slytherins weren't at each other thorats then they could quite capably work together. In fact it was more than capably. Gryffindors and Slytherins who managed to work together always made the best teams"
"Why?"
"Because they complement each other so well, what the Gryffindors lacked in their trusting nature the Slytherins made up for with their suspicions and what the Slytherins lacked in their commitment to the project and their partners the Gryffindors made up for with their overwhelming loyalty"
Hermione thought for a second over everything Remus had just said before replying,
"That doesn't sound like Draco and I at all"
Her old professor smiled down at her and considered what she'd just said,
"Ok well try this. Correct me if I am wrong...of the two of you is Draco not the more protective one?"
"But I don't need to be protective of him. He's more than able to look after himself"
"I don't mean protective of himself Hermione. I mean protective of you"
"Oh" she nodded.
"and do you often find his concerns are based on unlikely scenarios that he appears to have dreamt up?"
"At times yes" she agreed.
"And what about him? Does he find your loyalty to the Order, Harry and Ron to be thoroughly irritating?"
Again she nodded.
"Well then there is my point. He is, in your opinion, far too suspicious and you are, in his opinion, far too devoted to your cause. Typical Gryffindor and Slytherin traits and part of the reason they so rarely fall into relationships"
They had flown off to do another check in with Moody and Kingsley and returned to their patrol long before Hermione questioned Lupin again,
"Do you think Draco and I are in a doomed relationship?" she asked quietly.
He shook his head, "Quite the contrary. I think the fact that you've gotten this far and stuck by each other says tremendous things for your relationship. Personally, Hermione, I don't think I could see you with a better partner. Malfoy might be a bit rough around the edges but I think you have the patience enough to see past that and in return I think he is strong enough to protect you and keep you from harm. That is how relationships should be. Partners should complement each other"
Hermione smiled, "Like you and Tonks".
Remus was in the process of agreeing with her when suddenly something caught his eye and he drew his wand. Hermione, startled by his sudden reaction drew her own. She followed his line of vision until she saw what he, without a doubt, was seeing. Down on the ground moving alone the fence line hobbled a figure dressed in a long dark cloak. Each few steps the figure would stop and inspect the fence before moving on further.
"Hermione stay here" Lupin muttered.
"No way I'm coming with you" she argued back but he shook his head.
"Someone has to keep up the patrol. Besides, it's probably nothing. It's probably someone trying to find their way to Hogsmede"
He lowered his broom slightly and Hermione went to do the same when he turned to face her and quite aggressively shook his head,
"Stay up there" he ordered.
He continued his decent landing just a few paces behind the figure. Hermione saw him dismount his broom and call out to the person in front of him. As if caught off guard the individual spun around and drew their wand. She watched in horror as Lupin so obviously tried to inform the person he meant no harm, that he was in charge of a patrol on the school but the figure moved closer to him. Lupin took a few steps back and raised his wand but there was no time. A flash of green erupted from the stranger's wand and he toppled backwards. Suddenly, the figure looked up and Hermione realised that she was screaming. She aimed her broom and shot to the ground her own wand pointed at the heart of the figure.
"Drop your wand" she screamed.
The cloaked stranger took a few steps back and then suddenly with a crack was gone. Stashing away her own wand Hermione ran to her fallen friend.
"Remus" she sobbed, "Remus wake up. He's gone, I made him go away. Get up please oh god please you have to get up"
She tugged at his robes and tried to pull him into a sitting position but his weight was too much for her, she needed to get help. Drawing her wand once more she shot red sparks into the night air.
"Its ok Professor. Moody is coming and he's going to help you. He'll know how to help you. I mustn't have learnt it yet but he will have. He's an aruor, one of the best you told me so yourself. Don't worry this is all going to be over soon I promise just hold on"
She heard a whoosh of rushing air as someone landed beside her,
"Oh Lupin" she heard Kingsley say quietly.
"Where is Moody?!" she screamed, "Where is he?!"
Kingsley pulled out his wand and cast a patronus.
"Deliver this message: Moony as fallen, Mad-Eye to remain. Returning with the cub now"
The patronus, a jaguar, raced into the surrounding forests leaving a fading trail of silver but Hermione did not see this. All she saw was her fallen friend whose hands were getting colder by the second.
"You get Moody down here right now" she ordered Kingsley, "You make him come. He has to fix this. I promised Remus he would fix this!"
Slowly, the aruor dropped to his knees beside her,
"Hermione" he said slowly, "he is gone. There is nothing anyone can do to fix what has been done"
"SHUT UP!" she screamed, "I don't care about the patrols you make him come. Make him come!"
He shook his head slowly, "We must go. We can't stay here. We have to return to Dumbledore"
Suddenly, her eyes lit up,
"Yes! Dumbledore! He's one of the greatest wizards ever known. He'll save him. Do you hear that Professor we're going to Dumbledore!"
The auror turned a nearby leaf into a portkey and tried to removed her hand from Lupin's arm,
"No!" she roared, "He's coming with us. We're going to Dumbledore"
Finally giving in, Kingsley nodded and they all held onto the portkey. Hermione didn't even take notice of the travel this time. All she could think about was getting to Dumbledore as quickly as possible. They landed hard on the floor of the hallway and heard a sound of rushing footsteps followed by a scream as Molly realised the sight in front of her.
"Molly please restrict the stairs" Dumbledore instructed, "No one else need see this tragedy"
"Professor!" Hermione yelled out, "Do something! Please help him!"
"She would not let go sir" Kingsley informed him.
The headmaster nodded slowly and slowly levitated Lupin's body and Hermione, since she would not let go, into the library. Then, he lowered himself to the floor and placed a firm grip upon Hermione's shoulder.
"Hermione" he said quietly, "I can not fix this"
"YES YOU CAN! YOU JUST WON'T. NO ONE WILL AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY! HE'S OUR FRIEND"
Dumbledore reached down and placed his hands upon Hermione's hands,
"Was there a flash?"
She nodded slowly.
"What colour was it?"
"Green" she sobbed
"And what does the green flash from a curse mean?"
Hermione shook her head, "I don't know"
"Yes you do Miss Granger and I need the answer. Please tell me"
"The flash from a green curse...The flash...It means...The flash from a green curse means...death...it means death"
Finally, Dumbledore was able to lift Hermione's hands from the corpse of her old professor as a wave of grief washed over her and she drew herself back into a corner.
"Kingsley will you fetch Harry and Ron?"
The dark was dark and musty. It smelt a bit like the forest in which Hermione had just been and she look comfort in it wrapping her arms tightly around herself. She did not hear the boys enter, nor did she hear their own grief but she knew when they were beside her,
"Hermione" Ron said and she could tell he was crying, "Hermione we need to leave here. We need to go upstairs"
He reached out to pull her up but she pulled back from him,
"DON'T TOUCH ME" she screamed.
The boys jumped back shocked,
"NO ONE TOUCH ME!"
Dumbledore muttered something and the boys left the room. Consoled by their departure Hermione withdrew further into the corner. Professor Lupin was dead and Hermione had seen it all happen. Seen it happen when she should have been down there with him, down there fighting to protect him. She was unsure of how much time had passed but soon she heard the library door open once more and then suddenly Draco was in front of her.
"Hermione?"
She looked up at him slowly, he looked scared.
"Hermione what happened?" he asked carefully.
"He's dead and they won't fix him. They won't help him and I don't know how Draco"
He studied her before nodding, "Ok baby I know, I know. I need you to come with me though ok?"
She shook her head sadly, "No I can't"
"Why not?"
"Because he can't be alone. He deserves to have someone here who loves him"
Draco looked around the room, "Baby there are plenty of people here you love him right now. Please come with me, you're worrying me"
Like Ron he reached out to pull her up,
"NO DON'T! LEAVE ME ALONE DON'T TOUCH ME!"
Shaken Draco moved back from her quickly. A look from Dumbledore and Kingsley told him that this tactic had already been tried and that her reaction had been no different. He shot the Head Master a questioning look and Dumbledore in returned nodded before Draco moved forward again. This time he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up bridal style.
"DRACO PUT ME DOWN! LET ME GO! DON'T TOUCH ME!"
However, all he did was shake his head. She beat against him again and again but he just stood there and took it. Then, suddenly, she just collapsed into his arms and he was then able to move forward and out of the library. He carried her up the stairs, down the hallway and straight into the bathroom. There, he gently placed her on the floor and ran the shower. While the water was heating he attempted to undressed her down to her underwear, all the while she fought him.
"No I don't want to"
"Please Hermione just let me help you"
"No stop it"
But soon her clothes were gone and he slowly helped her into the shower where she slid to the tiled floor. He sat there with her and wrapped his arms around her protectively.
"You're clothes are getting wet" she said quietly after a while.
He nodded, "They are"
"Can we get out now?"
She reminded him of a small child the way she was quietly asking him questions but he nodded and turned the shower off before wrapping her in a towel. Once in her room he stripped her of her underwear and dressed her in pyjama clothes before tucking her into bed.
"I'm so sorry baby" he whispered to her as he lay beside her, "I'm so sorry you had to see that and that you had to be there"
She sniffed and buried her head into her pillow, hoping she might be able to drown out the sound of her own screaming.
Xxxxx
When Draco awoke it was still dark and he straight away noticed that Hermione was not beside him. Quickly, he got up off the bed and searched her room. She was not there. He checked the bathroom, it was empty. Steadily he made his way down the stairs and checked the kitchen before he finally decided on checking the library. There she was, sitting by the fire, the body of Lupin gone. As he listened carefully he realised she was crying again. He moved silently across the room and sat down behind her, pulling her into him so she was able to rest again him and there they sat, not saying a word, watching the fire. He could feel her sobs as they vibrated against his chest; he leaned down and kissed her temple gently.
"Opposites attract" she said quietly
"Pardon?" he asked confused.
"That's what he said, Professor Lupin, that is what he told me before he died. He said partners should complement each other and that is why he thought you and I are so good together. He virtually gave us his blessing and then he died"
Once more Draco pressed a gentle kiss to her temple,
"Opposites attract, that's why he thought he and Tonks were meant to be together"
The fire crackled and slowly Draco could hear Hermione's sobs coming to an end as she relaxed against him more. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and cursed himself for letting her go in the first place. He was meant to protect her, from everything. That was his job, nothing else, not school, not his friends, not anything else but her. And there in front of the fire place, holding Hermione close to him Draco made himself a promise – that no matter the circumstance or the situation he would be there from now on to protect her. Fuck Potter and Weasley, Fuck the Order, Fuck everyone. Hermione was his to protect and from now on he was going to do just that.
