It was a new day, much different than the days that were now lost in the past but haunting memories that'd never be forgotten lingered in the crisp morning air. The sun rose in the distance, and the faint rays shined through the windows of Draco's bedroom. Though, the soft clouds rolled over and made it seem darker than usual. Mainly because the world he was living in wasn't all rainbows and butterflies, especially now with everything going on.
Despite sleeping absolutely horribly, Hermione was up at dawn. Draco still slept beside her, his platinum blonde hair tossed messily about, one leg hanging over the side of the bed in a messy fashion typical of men. He had put his arm over her waist sometimes during the night, but Hermione didn't mind.
She stayed quiet, but curiously explored his room. Her curiosity was rewarded and perhaps punished as she found a stack of Daily Prophets. She sat at his desk, pouring through them to learn as much as she could about this reality. Before long she had stacks of papers and books, as well as notes and lists that she was jotting down. If only she had a nice cup of tea...
Yes, Draco indeed was still sleeping. Usually, if they were at Hogwarts they'd need to be up earlier, so it was nice to have a few extra hours of sleep. He didn't dream that night, instead his mind had been set at ease. Only dreams that occupied his mind while he slept, were nightmares of the Bludger Room from when he was younger and would use his wands against the lions, but had quickly learned his lesson during the last two times where he had almost died. But sleeping with Hermione had seemed to erase the existence of such nightmares.
It was all fine, until his bedroom door swung open and in strolled the dark-haired brunette with bright blue eyes all giddy. Pansy, walked the short distance from the door, and plopped herself on the bed, one knee bent up and the other dangled off the bed. She was short, so it didn't quite touch the ground. One hand sprawled out behind her and the other laid on her thighs of her uniformed skirt.
Hermione looked up briefly as Pansy came in. It was a minor annoyance, and she was certainly glad she wasn't still in bed. That could have been embarrassing... Oh, but she had forgotten, this Pansy was well used to her and Draco being a couple. Daresay she expected it. She mustered up giving the brunette a friendly wave before looking back to the papers. They were fascinating, but troubling as well. It seemed that the Ministry was aware of --
Her eyes wandered up to Hermione for a few moments before snapping to Draco, "Draco Lucius! What in the bloody hell are you doing still in bed?" She questioned while grabbing the extra pillow from next to him, smacking him with it. "Wake up!"
Hermione winced as Pansy began shouting and waking Draco. "Do you quite mind?" Hermione scolded, "I'm reading an article!" She hugged.
The messy-haired gritted his teeth together, with his eyes fluttering open. "Pansy, what the hell! What are you doing just walking in my room like you own it! Shove off. You are being rude!" He snapped, picking himself up to glare in her direction, then they shifted towards Hermione who was at his desk. His brows knitted, "Pansy. I won't tell you again. Out!" He pushed himself off his bed after flinging the covers off, grabbing her wrist and gently pushing her to the door.
Turning back to the paper as Draco wrestled Pansy out the door. Her brow furrowed as she went on.
Pansy scoffed, stopping herself from being pushed further, and without a second to waste she turned around and punched him in the arm. "Relax, will you? Salazar! You are terrible in the mornings! I feel bad for Hermione, are you this mean to her?" She groaned out, "Fine. See you at breakfast." She flipped her hair over her shoulder, not caring if it smacked him in the face as she left his bedroom.
Draco sighed heavily, raising a hand to push the door closed. "She's mental!" He growled, bringing his arm up to rub at his while making his way over towards his wardrobe, "What are you doing up?" His voice was cold, mainly because he was rudely woken up twice in a bloody row. What was up with these people? He sighed heavily. Sleeping in around here wasn't a thing when she; Pansy Parkinson was around.
Hermione barely registered what Draco asked her. "Hmm?" She hummed. "Oh, I'm always up this early. Did you know Minister Fudge was made aware of the several statute violations against underaged witches and wizards being carried out at Hogwarts?" She set down today's post, a wizard picture of Fudge placating a crowd in uproar at his press conference. "It says here that he's planning to pay an official visit to Hogwarts, and address these issues." Hermione stood, slipping past Draco to the dresser.
Draco got to his wardrobe, and since there was no point of wearing his robes since he wasn't going back to school. He'd figured to wear something formal for the day, which of course matches the Draco Malfoy in her reality which he didn't know about. Instead of a black, long sleeved button up dress shirt. He grabbed a plain long sleeved black, half turtle-neck jumper and threw it over his head. Grabbing a pair of black dress trousers and headed to the loo, using the toilet and removing his trackies before pulling up his trousers. Even took the time to brush out his hair, not using gel or anything besides leaving it to flow however way it decided.
She got about halfway before she remembered it wasn't her house or room. "Oh... Draco, do you have... Well, did I- she ever stay over? And maybe have a fresh wardrobe here? I suppose I should also have a proper wash. With the Ministry making a move like that, I want to get a new wand sooner rather than later."
When he came out, his silver eyes locked with the side of her face, just to step closer to peer over her shoulder at the Daily Prophet, reading the article in hand. "I haven't seen this yet, no. Clearly, you've been the first to read it, since you're the first one awake." He rolled his eyes, "Is there something you're worried about, or?" He questioned her with brows knitted together, and the slightest look of concern which soon faded.
"Something I'm worried about?" She repeated incredulously, "Maybe that the Minister of Magic is going to be inquiring about the greatest school for Wizarding in all of Great Britain, one that so happens to be host to a mad and powerful Wizard who's allowing students to be tortured? No, nothing at all to be worried about. Honestly, Ron, I--" She paused, her cheeks flushing as she looked over to Draco. "Sorry... old habits and all that."
He finished getting dressed, slipping on a pair of black socks, including expensive Dragonhide dress shoes. Lifting his eyes to her, "You're in luck actually." He assured, walking back over to her by his wardrobe.
The brunette raised a brow as he crossed the room to his wardrobe. 'In luck' was an odd thing to say, given her predicament, but she'd let it be. She knew what he meant.
His wardrobe was ornate and black, much like the Vanishing Cabinet but bigger, more spacious for the clothes he held in there of his own and Hermione's. There were two doors with clothes hanged, and then two sets of dressers, on one side were his, and the right side was his Hermione Granger's.
Draco opened the right sides of the wardrobe for her, ranging from the door and dressers. He slanted his body to shift in a way he would when looking over his shoulder, "I am not sure what she wears will... suit your taste but I'm hoping you'll find something." He nodded, "We can continue our conversation about the Daily Prophet downstairs over breakfast, yes?"
She got up, following him to take a look at her options. She let out a small grunt. "So, much...black. I'm sure I can make something work." Her brow knitted together as she looked up to Draco. "Did she live here? With you, I mean?" She worried her lip. "I'm sorry, I... I feel like such an imposter."
Before Draco was about to leave, the brunette had asked him a question that he didn't know how to really answer. She didn't live with him here; she'd come around on the holidays and that was that but she had always made sure to have extra clothes laying around, some which he had found in the corners of his room, whenever she wouldn't pick up after herself.
"Stop. You're not an Imposter, alright?" He reassured, fingers curled around the doorframe, nodding his head slowly before closing the door behind him when he left.
As he left the room, Hermione stripped out of her dirty clothes. It felt so odd that she had slept in them, but circumstances hadn't really allowed her normal nightwear. Keeping her underwear on, she rummaged through the wardrobe. Finding a fresh pair of knickers, black jeans, and a green t-shirt, she peeled over her shoulder before stripping completely. Her nose wrinkled; she smelled dreadful, so before she dressed again, she opted to take a quick shower.
Hermione shut the bathroom door behind her, her reflection in the mirror catching her eye. She wondered if Other her and Draco had ever done anything. If he had seen her naked. Was it the same, for him? Did he already know every inch of her body, though they had never been intimate? A blush rose on her cheeks again, and she swept the thoughts from her mind. Once she was clean and dressed, she picked up a couple newspapers on her way out.
Dobby was finishing up downstairs getting breakfast ready for the whole house, he had set the big dining table for the feast and laid out their dinnerware before trudging himself back to the kitchen in order to bring the food back out to set in the middle of the table. He had made eggs, bacon and sausages. Drinks ranging from orange juice, raspberry and apple juices. Including coffee, and yes, alcohol for the adults. Once the table was set and ready, he headed abck into the kitchen in order to clean up any messes he made.
Had she really called him Ron? As in Ronald Weasley? Oh, Salazar, she had a death sentence coming sooner rather than later if he had ever heard that name out of her mouth.
The scent of the food that Dobby their house elf had made filled the air of the Manor. Draco emerged into the dining area, taking up a seat on the right side of the long table closer to the seat his father would sit in. His silver eyes wandering over the delicious meal set out forth for them, breakfast was one of his favorite times to eat. Dobby made the best breakfast and he had always thanked him for his services.
Pansy, on the other hand was dress not at all formal like our dear friend Draco Malfoy. Instead; she wore black jeans and combat boots, a white womans dress shirt without a tie, and two loose buttons. Instead of her robes she'd wear for school, she had a second one but without color. Just a plain black with a Slytherin pin; pinned to the front, the same as Draco's along his collar of his blazer.
She sat in the seat across from him, she had a smirk playing over her lips momentarily with her palm curved around her jaw and fingers pointed up to the ceiling. "Nice of you to join for breakfast, figured you'd go back to sleep after I left." She cooed, batting her eyelashes, "I see punchin' your arm must perhaps helped, hm?" Pansy brushed her long black locks over her shoulder. Adjusted herself with crossing her right leg over the left.
Draco scoffed, "I see you still opening your mouth as if I care?" He sarcastically replied through a tight locked jaw. Letting his eyes drift up when he saw Hermione entered the dining area with a newspaper under her nose. Shaking his head lightly while getting the food ready on his plate, and filling up his glass with juice.
Lucius smiled wryly to Narcissa as Hermione joined them all for breakfast. Quite contrary to her counterpart, this Hermione had her nose half in a newspaper, and was still able to navigate the room. "As I said, night and day." He remarked softly, amusement in his voice.
Narcissa flashed a quick smile, watching as Hermione entered the dining room and took her seat. Listening to the small banters between Pansy and Draco. It was like holidays all over again, even if the Hermione that was with them now wasn't the one, they had before. It was still nice to have a 'family' breafast feast together.
'Night and day.' She shook her head lightly with one brow raised and her face contorted to a more warming look, "Right, dear." She said before taking up the seat at the end of the table, across from Lucius. Adjusting herself in the seat with a straightened posture, which made her look ever more elegant. Today she wore her hair straight, with just some pinned back. No raven-colored dress, instead it was a rather dark green, it almost looked black but it was not.
Getting lost in his mind to Hermione's question about if the other Her lived with him. Why was she so curious about the other One anyways? What was it to her to know their business? He sighed in thought; The other Hermione didn't live with him, but would come over on some weekends when they'd go home for the holidays. Otherwise, their relationship was mostly one at school. He didn't quite understand that their dynamic of their relationship, nor did he know if she quite understood him.
"Did you sleep well enough?" She caringly asked, eyeing each and every person in the room, landing her eyes on Hermione as last.
"Quite well, thank you." Hermione replied to Narcissa as she sat down next to Draco. She hadn't, in fact she had slept awfully, but moaning about it would do no good, and would-be poor show. She set the newspaper down. "Did you know the Minister is planning to investigate Hogwarts? Apparently, word has gotten out about what's happening there, which is far more than just what happened to me."
"What?" Lucius asked sharply, his eyes widening. "The fool will bring open war to us all!"
Both Draco and Pansy looked towards Hermione when she answered about how their sleep went. Only for her to continue on talking which created an uproar from Lucius. Pansy rolled her eyes, and Draco just picked his drink up in hand to take a couple of sips.
"Oh yes darlin', they've been doing much worse things. How could you not know? You've been around for it all, you know?" Pansy remarked, still having no idea that this Hermione was from a different reality. Even curiosity came over with her brows raised.
At that moment Bellatrix apparated sloppily into the dining room, staggering as she arrived. Hermione stood abruptly, seeing that the raven-haired woman was bloodied. She looked much more like Hermione was used to; wild of hair and eyes, her clothing messy, frantic.
Before anymore bantered chattering would continue on, a loud crack echoed in the room which made heads snap quickly in the direction where it came from. Gasps and wide eyes at the sight of blood, Draco pushed his chair from the table and stood to his feet quickly. Pansy all bug eyes stood to her feet along the time Draco did, and would've crossed her way to Bellatrix but it seemed that Narcissa beat her to it.
She knew it wasn't a good thing. "Tom's dead." She choked out. "Lions came just with the dawn. Blew him to pieces." Her eyes darted around at the stunned looks. "Did you hear me, I said Tom's dead!"
"So, if Tom was attacked that means what? They could come here next?" Pansy asked, looking up from Bellatrix to Lucius and Narcissa who might know something but seeing their looks didn't help with her question. Things weren't right ever since they left Hogwarts.
Lucius rose as well, looking hastily to Narcissa and urging her over to her sister. "It seems we have been denied the luxury of time. Draco, Pansy, take Hermione swiftly to Diagon Alley. She will need a wand. Be careful and vigilant, we don't know what's waiting for us there."
"Just them three?" Bellatrix objected. "They ain't ever fought before!"
"I've fought you." Hermione said matter-of-factly. "And a whole load other. Of course, I had a wand for that. But regardless," She drew herself up, "I'm no child to be coddled."
Bellatrix gave her an incredulous look. "What the hell we have ta fight about then?" She waved a hand. "Nevermind, don't want to know. Alright, well, Other Hermione's all set, but Draco and Pansy? I'm comin' with, won't take no for an answer."
Narcissa stood at Bellatrix's side and waved her finger in the air, shaking her head lightly. "You can't go dressed like that with someone's blood on you, Bella. You need to go get yourself fixed up if you are to go with them. We don't need any more problems, or any faces turned our way. We don't need to be given away just yet until we've figured out what the plan is." She sharply responded with an icy tone, flashing her eyes to Draco, and giving him a nod for them to go.
Draco heavily sighed with a quick sharp nod before heading up to his room, when he got up there, he went to search in his school robes for his wand, along with his pouch filled with Galleons before heading back through the corridor and down the stairs back into the dining room, while slipping his wand in the right sleeve of his blazer.
"Ladies. It's time to go." He spat out before grabbing both Pansy and Hermione's hands, looking up to Bellatrix to see if she was ready and once, he seen she was at least cleaned up of blood. Pansy grabbed her hand and with a quick crack, swirl and swoosh they apparated out of the Manor and into the middle of a shadowed darken alleyway. Which he knew from the sight of everything that it was Knockturn Alley.
Draco looked at all of them, "We need to go in, get what you need and out. Understood?" He knitted his brows as he asked, a serious look painted his face before guiding them through the dark alleyway under a bridge like archway before stepping into the not so busy path.
It didn't take long to get to Ollivander's. When they approached the store, Draco held his hand out to grip the door hand to open for them. Once they all piled in, he closed the door and let his eyes wander around the room, then back down to see if he'd be able to lock the door. He sighed while pulling his wand from his sleeve, casting a silence 'Muffliato.' Slipping the wand back into his sleeve and headed across the stretch to the desk.
Hermione stagged a little as all four of them arrived at Ollivander's. Her brow knitted in confusion. "This isn't...oh, never mind." She noted Draco's sour demeanor, and quickly realized what it was from. Thankfully she had brought her bag along. "Oh, for Merlins sake." She reached inside – up to her shoulder – fishing around in the charmed handbag. A tired sigh came at the muffled sound of books tumbling, before she produced an apple. Hermione pushed it into Draco's hands after he had cast his muffle charm. "There, before you wither away."
The blond Slytherin snapped his head in Hermione's direction when he heard her mumbled something. Then out of nowhere she had shoved an apple his way, with a grunt he toppled back just a hair from lost footing and wrapped his hands around the delicate lime-colored apple. When he saw it, his eyes glimmered and flashed of excitement. Apples were his thing, one of his favorites. How did she know? And, not only that but why did she have one for him? Not that he wasn't thankful for it, of course he was! Just more, shook.
Normally Bellatrix would have teased him, but her brow was set in a grim line as she watched the door. She was out for blood, a shadow of the Bellatrix that Hermione knew, only this time fueled by grief.
He brought the apple up to his mouth, sinking his teeth into the hardened skin of the green apple, the juices filled his mouth and lingered on his tongue. Savoring the tasted with each bite he took. His taste buds almost felt as if they were alive in the moment. It had the perfect amount of sourness to it, and a tinge of that fruity tang. If food could give one an orgasm, apples would be setting that off right now.
Ollivander came out from a back room, wiping his hands with a cloth. "Ah, Master Malfoy, and Miss Parkinson. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He then saw the oddly neat bunch of wavy auburn hair, and made the smallest of sighs. "Oh, I see. Miss Granger. Ran afoul of a bent-" His assumptions halted abruptly as she turned to face him. Ever a discerning man, he could tell quite quickly that this Hermione was not the same at all.
Draco nodded to Ollivander, "Greetings." Was all he said before he moved his attention to Hermione, and in this case Draco did as well since they were here for her getting a new wand.
Pansy strolled over to Draco, leaning her head into his shoulder, "Someone's a little crabby that they didn't get their breakfast. Figured you would've got something from Hermione this morning for your early breakfast." She wiggled her brows, and Draco quickly shot her an incredulous look.
"Pansy! What? Come off it, already will you? We're here to get her a wand, and you're talking about this? Grow up, will you?" He sneered, rolling his eyes, and headed towards the direction where Hermione was, with Ollivander.
"Oh, yes, now I see..." He mumbled. "Whatever happened, I am sure it was most unintentional. Perhaps even a conflict that was mot unavoidable. We may craft the wood a set the cores, but the very nature of wands is quite outside our control, and indeed perhaps even our understanding."
Hermione's brow furrowed a little. "Of course,..." Her wand was like her, out of place in this reality. Only here, she had a slot to fill, whereas her wand may have been different. Did that mean she would meet an ill fate? Or perhaps that was where these feelings were coming from... Another time. "If that is so, and of course it is, would my wand not be the same as... as before? Or would it be different entirely, as things have changed?"
Ollivander's bushy eyebrows lifted, pleased at the result of his test. This Granger was far brighter. "Indeed, we shall see, my dear. Indeed, we shall see. This way." He waved her forward, a hand on her shoulder as he cast a look to the other three. "You weren't followed, I trust?"
"No, we weren't followed. From what we assume of anyways." He reassured, a brow raised, "Any idea how long this may take though? We don't want any troubles brought to you, so we must hurry." He assured before taking another bite of his apple.
Ollivander shook his head slowly as he led them into the back. "I am sorry, my boy; it must take as long as it takes. A minute, five? The right wand for a witch or wizard is a fickle, but delicate matter of great importance."
"Understood, sir." He nodded and allowed him to continue on with Hermione. His eyes did remain on her in fascination when she had gone through multiple wands already. He didn't know the kind of person she was before she had come here, was she not a pureblood there? He questioned the idea of that, and even wondered about some other things but mainly kept them to himself. His face remained blank while he quietly ate away at his apple. It had been a lot more bitten into now, and just about done.
Pansy rolled her eyes at Draco's response and wondered back to Bellatrix, her yes drifting out through the door at the not so busy sidewalks outside. "Were you there when it happened? Do you know who done it? You said lions, so that can only mean..." She lifted her eyes to meet Bellatrix's.
Bellatrix flashed a look to Pansy, swallowing hard as she looked back out into the alleyway. "Course I was. Whose blood do you think that was?" She nodded grimly. "It was a few of them, only. The Weasley twins, and then some lanky prat I didn't recognize. I barely got out. Hopped around for a bit to throw them of me tail, then straightaway to Cissy's." She gave Pansy a grim, but not unkind, look. "Best stop playin' a girl, Pansy dear. Times are about to get hard, and we gotta be hard right with 'em"
It had been a few minutes, and Hermione had tried several wands to disastrous and lackluster effects. Ollivander dutifully presented her with a ninth. It was light and springy, a soft-colored brown with winding form. Ollivander stepped back as Hermione picked it up from the box. Her back straightened as it felt like electricity ran throughout her body. She was somewhat embarrassed, as the energy caused several areas of her body to react warmly, and a light blush brushed her cheeks.
Ollivander's brow furrowed curiously. "Most interesting..."
Hermione shot him an alarmed look. "What? Is this a good thing? It felt... well it felt good. Proper, I mean."
Ollivander delicately took the wand from her hands, observing it. He regarded her, only guessing at what had happened, but knowing she was not the same. "It is interesting, Miss Granger, because of what this wand is made of, and how you are now." He explained. "The Scandinavians once believed that there were nine worlds', divided, and yet joined by a cosmic tree. An ash, to be certain, of which this wand is made. And at its core," he placed it back in her hands, noting the warmth that came to the length of wood, "are three Phoenix feathers. A bird that is most famous for being reborn anew."
Hermione's brow knitted again as she looked from Ollivander to Draco. "Will I ever be able to go back?" She asked softly, uncertain why, or if he even knew what she was talking about.
Ollivander smiled. "All things are possible, Miss Granger. The question is, will you want to?"
Pansy rocked back and forth on her feet for a couple of moments with her arms crossed over her chest while listening to Bellatrix talk. She didn't even mean to ask such a silly question, for second she thought that maybe she had just gotten there right after it had happened.
"Sorry. Silly of me to ask such a question. I just thought maybe you were elsewhere, not there." She sighed out, taking in the sight of the dark-haired witch, picturing the blood on her and grimaced, "Did they say anything? Why do you think they went there to attack Tom? It doesn't make any sense. What was their plan?" She rambled on, and she knew perhaps she was being quite annoying with the numerous questions she asked.
Pansy's fore and middle finger intertwined in a single strand of her black hair, twirling it about as she got lost out in the open view. "Yes, you are right. Draco just told me to grow up, so I suppose now is the time too." She snickered to herself.
The blonde wizard raised a brow at Ollivander's response, 'three Phoenix feathers. A bird that is most famous for being reborn anew.' What could he exactly mean by that?
When her chocolate-colored eyes looked at him with such a plea, his brows furrowed as his eyes narrowed. He couldn't possibly know how to answer her question; and he wanted to be reassuring for her but this was something not even he knew the question too. "Whatever your heart desires, Hermione. It will happen." He curtly nodded, turning away with a frown on his face and allowed himself to finish up the rest of the apple before taking it to the garbage and tossing it away.
Bella snorted a little. "Isn't it obvious? Tom was the only one clever enough, or powerful enough, to challenge Dumbledore. So, they killed him in his sleep, the rotty little prats. Now with Fudge off to investigate Hogwarts, mark me words that he'll turn up not a shred of wrong doin'." She shook her head. "They're movin' right quick, trying to take over before anyone's the wiser."
Pansy looked over towards the raven-haired witch with brows furrowed, "What a way to die. Didn't even give Tom the chance to defend himself. Such prats!" She stomped her foot, letting her finger fall from twining with the small strands of her hair when she pushed them over her shoulder, crossing her arms over her chest once again. Who just does that? Murders someone in their sleep with no chances to defend themselves.
"Is there a way that we could come in contact with Fudge. To share the wrong doings of Dumbledore? There three students here who have witnessed something first hand, Draco had even gone through things with them all over using his wand. I have too, a couple of times actually." She muttered out, turning her head just a tad to look over her shoulder towards Hermione and Draco.
She offered a thin smile, pulling Pansy into a one-armed hug. "Here now, don't grow up too fast. Just 'cause Mione's me favorite don't mean I love you brats any less." She kissed the top of Pansy's head. "We'll sort through this together, yeah? Do we know if your folks are all set? Best pop in on them next, me thinks."
When Pansy felt one arm over her shoulder and pulled to a side-armed hug, she smiled warmly. Adding her arm around the waist of the other witch. "You're the best, Tri-" She paused, "Hey! Why she your favorite?" Jealousy awoken in her voice.
Hermione rolled her eyes a little at Draco's musing on the feathers. "He means me, Draco. He knows," her attention turned to Ollivander, "or at least he suspects. Other worlds, creatures born anew. That's why this wand chose me, am I right?"
Ollivander grinned, curiosity shining in his aged eyes. "Quite so, Miss Granger. But that is a tale I scarce thin you have time to tell. Another time, perhaps."
The brunette frowned a little at Draco's answer. It seemed sullen, ominous. In a way that was odd to her, it made her feel a little quilt. If she left, would he get his Hermione back? Did he even want her back? As well that was just the problem; she didn't know what her heart wanted. Frankly, she felt as if her heart belonged to two people, Her and Other Her.
She thanked Ollivander, hurrying out after Draco had paid for her wand. Bellatrix saw them coming, and with a tilt of her head nudge Pansy out of the shop. Hermione stopped Draco, biting her lip in apprehension. "Draco... I haven't asked, or considered really, how difficult this must be for you. I suppose I've been... well, it doesn't matter." Her eyes lifted to meet his, her brow pressed together in an anxious expression. "You saved my life, and have treated me so kindly, though you needn't do so." She didn't quite realize it, but her hand was holding his, more than a little as a friend would. "I won't forget that, and it means a great deal."
Draco scoffed, rolling his eyes away from Hermione, "I know." He muttered, looking up to Ollivander. "Thank you for your service at such quick notice." He curtly-nodded then turned for the door, letting his eyes fall to the floor where he'd step only to look up when Pansy exited the shop and Bellatrix to follow after. They were almost there; they'd get back without any trouble or so that's what he thought anyways. Taking in a deep breath of freedom, or what little he had of it anyways.
Right when he was about to exit the store, a soft voice called out and he knew it was Hermione's voice. Draco slowly turn his head, letting his body hesitant on turning but when it did her hand was in his. He tilted his head, and looked down. He could count the small moled, freckles here and there along with their shapes and how her nails were nice, freshly cut and didn't look like they were chewed, that's how he knew it wasn't his witch.
He sighed, lifting his head back up and letting his silver dull eyes fall onto her lively ones, her coffee-colored eyes that changed only in the light. Which right now, they were a lighter brown, almost caramel looking. So warm, but he couldn't get passed the part of what she had seen, the hurt she has dealt with, the evil she's encountered. Oh, Salazar! How he'd wish he could shield her from those things.
Draco's tongue pressed to his inner cheek softly, "You haven't bothered to ask how hard this has been for me. From the start, you've been a downright prat to me all because you thought I was another Malfoy, The Malfoy you know. It hasn't been fair with you." He sighed, dropping his head and letting his eyes wander to her hand again, "You may not be my Hermione Granger. You may be someone who looks like her, but I can't stop the thoughts of what I wished I could do to you." His thumb gently rubbed her thumb knuckle, "Let's not make this into a big deal, all right? We must be going now."
With that; he slid his hand from hers, and stepped out of the shop with his hand on the door for her. Yes, he was upset, yes, he was irate with her and here he still cared for her like she was his to take care of. But this woman, this witch belonged to another wizard. This witch, belonged to another reality that was not his. He'd see to it that she'd get home safely. If it was the last thing that made her happy.
Bellatrix gave Pansy a firm, almost frightened look. "That's a sure way to get three dead students. Don't you know Dumbledore's pockets are filled with Fudge?" No, the Ministry couldn't help them one bit. They were truly on their own.
After they left the shop, they headed back down the path to the alleyway where they apparated to.
Hermione felt a lump in her throat, full of frustration and stubborn anger. How dare he, Draco Malfoy, call her a prat? How dare he berate her when he didn't fully understand her mindset, then turn right around and tantalize her with veiled notions of caring and... whatever else.
Bellatrix's brow raised as Draco sulked by to hold the door, and Hermione swept past after him. She held to Pansy's sleeve, holding her back. "Best not step in that mud, luv." She cautioned.
The smaller brunette grabbed Draco's arm, right at the bicep, and pulled him off to the side. "How dare you, Draco Malfoy!" She scolded. "You can't be so kind, so dreadfully different than him, then call me of all people a prat, and then insinuate you want to do things to me!" She pushed at his shoulders as he bit back, her brow furrowed in annoyance. She keenly remembered how it felt to punch him all those years ago, and a small part of her wanted to do it again. But that part was shrinking rapidly. Rather, she threw her hands up with a frustrated growl.
"You don't understand! I feel like I'm being torn right in two, then put right back together. This ruddy wand is only making it worse, even." She rounded on him, her eyes blazing. "I want to punch you, Draco, right on your nose again. But then I want to kiss you again. I want to horribly bite my nails and brush out my hair, drink whiskey of all things and read every book I can! Don't you understand? I'm me, but I'm also her!"
Pansy widened her eyes at her own stupidity when Bellatrix looked at her with a frightened look and her response, did she misunderstand something along the way in their conversation? She nervously shook her head with her teeth biting down on the insides of her cheeks. "I mistake you, sorry." She muttered more-so to herself, then to reply to the witch.
When Draco stepped out the door and Hermione followed after him, they had gone ahead of them by a little bit as Bellatrix had held her back. She knew how relationships could be, she knew all about the good, even the bad. So, she in a way understood what was happening. There was that growing curiosity of what was really going on between them though. Just the look on their faces shown that their argument, or quarrel wasn't going to be pretty by any means.
"Right..." She'd remember all the fights that Blaise and her would have, they were the type of people who were always on and off, mainly because of the school rules of P.D.A and crap. But also, because they both were growing differently than the other one was. She admitted to herself, late last night that she did miss him. Also hoping that he was safe.
She had always wondered how Draco and Hermione held their relationship above water. They were both so entirely different than one another. Draco Malfoy was one who was more cleanly, precise and organized, good with his classes, had great marks. Not to mention, completely handsome. If it weren't for how he had asked about Hermione in the beginning, Pansy had wondered how Draco and her would've been. Then, there was Hermione Granger; messy, not so cleanly, daft, and so much more. Accept, now? She seemed completely different, like overnight she had woken up an entirely different person.
Pansy envied her.
The blonde had to stop moving when his arm was tugged at the bicep to the side, he almost immediately groaned and felt like he was going to be scolded by his mother. He waved a hand as if for her to continue, and when she did, he just listened. Accept, he didn't look directly at her, instead he looked through her, at the wall behind her. Didn't mean he wasn't listening of course, it's not like he could ignore her anyways since she was basically ripping his face off.
He scoffed, dropping his gaze to the ground beneath their feet, "The way you yell my name tastes so bitter sweet, you know that?" He mocked, looking up at her through his eyelashes. Draco grunted when she pushed at his shoulders, one foot fell behind him to catch his stand. Nothing like Deja-vu, taking him back to when he had bumped into her right by the Slytherin Dungeons.
"I can't be so different from him yet go and call you a prat?" He repeated, raising a brow. "If you say you're still as much like my Hermione then I mas as well be just like your Draco Malfoy." He snapped, taking a couple steps closer to her, almost backing her up against the wall.
His height basically overpowered with how short she was compared to him. "You can even go about imagining the things I've wanted to do to you. You kissed me, when that's all I've been wanting to do! I've wanted to do much more than just hold you." He assured her of that, his hand came up to the side of her head, palms flat against the wall behind her, "You can kiss me whenever the bloody hell you felt like it, but me? But if I, if I kissed you, you'd squeak, or freak out over it!" He growled lowly.
Draco put all his weight into his hand and pushed himself back away from her with his back facing her. He grimaces, brows knitting tightly. "I don't understand!?" He retorted whipping around to face her, a look of disgust plastered his face, "You are telling me, of all people that I don't bloody understand you? Have you gone mad? Are you even lucid right now?" His hands clenched at his sides, "I don't think you understand what you've been doing to me since you bloody got here!"
He shook his head, chuckling. "Then punch me again, then kiss me and make it better. Matter of fact-" He took another step closer, "-Let me make you feel better about being here! I've been taking care of you since we got here, even came here." He raised his hand to the store, "To get you a new rubbish wand! That you-" He pointed at her, "Are ungrateful about!" He yelled, furiously through a tight jaw.
He sighed rather heavily, and it felt like he had been holding his breath this whole time white getting into it with her. She'd gone completely mental! They were arguing in front of Ollivander's, causing a fuss for all to see and possibly even bring attention to two... three students who weren't even in school because he saved her from getting killed.
"And I am him. But the sad thing is, you haven't even bother to check on him, to save him from something he, I'm sure didn't want to be a part of. Perhaps it was his father, matter of fact I bet it was. I'm bloody grateful my father here, isn't like the others." He finished off, glancing back at her with a cold glare.
"We're leaving now. Before this situation gets out of hand and this fuss were in gets exploited to Dumbledore and his fellow little prats! Let alone, in the Daily Prophet!" He sauntered off to the alleyway where they apparated too.
Pansy finally walked out of the store after hearing everything, she passed Hermione and wrapped her arms over her shoulder to follow along not too far behind Draco. She didn't quite understand all that they had been talking about, but being there to comfort her was enough.
"It'll be okay. He's just stressed. I promise he means well, but he feels like he has to not only hold himself above water, but now there's danger to his family. Family is everything to him. So, are you." She whispered for only her to hear.
Pansy blinked her eyes for a few moments, one moment Hermione was under her arm and then the next Draco and her apparated away leaving them there. Her eyes darkened, and for a moment a wave of darkness came over her. "What in the bloody hell! That was completely rude!" She shouted out. Her head turned to Bellatrix as she held out her hand and they were apparated back to the manor.
Bellatrix threw her hands up in exasperation as Draco and Hermione apparated away. Pansy had stayed behind to way for Bella when Hermione basically pushed her to the side to catch up to him. "Hey! Alright, we'll just... be along then!" She huffed, turning back to Pansy with her hands on her hips. "Alright then, let's pop on back all ourselves, yeah?" She held out her hand for the girl, whisking them away back home.
She brushed her hair over her shoulders, almost wanting to go up there and give Hermione a piece of her own mind. But instead? She snickered silently to herself infront of Bellatrix.