Chapter 14 – Secrets and Allies
Hermione found the common room full of her housemates from all years. She wasn't shocked to see it, but she would be lying if she said she weren't annoyed. "More bloody rumors," she thought to herself in a growl. Irritated did not begin to cover her mood. They should be studying because Rowena knew they all needed to study more. They should be sleeping. They should be doing any number of other things and leaving Harry Potter alone. They should be minding their own sodding business. Unfortunately, that was as likely as Hermione was likely to break her wand. Teenagers.
She knew she wouldn't' have to speak. Someone else would inevitably questions her about Harry if she only waited long enough, and then she could shame them all for believing so poorly of Harry. And she absolutely would be shaming them. They deserved it. Were their minds so small they couldn't bother to think for themselves? On second thought, do not answer that. She already knew the answer.
Ignoring the questioning looks, Hermione huffed and made her way to her dorm. She really missed having her own living pace. Lavender and Parvati were not her friends, at all. If she could have roomed with Ginny and Luna, she would have been fine, but these two cows were neither conversationalists nor deep thinkers. They were the epitome of shallow and vain teenage girls. They thought about boys and clothes and other frivolous things. Hermione could never be friends with them, and she might be just a bit jealous of their ability to be so unashamedly teenagers. Hermione had never really had that option.
Stowing her bookbag, Hermione grabbed a smaller satchel and put her charmed book into it. Once she picked it up, she could feel the slight heat, indicating she had a message.
Draco to all – Still on for tonight?
Hermione to all – Yes, I'm on my way now.
She grabbed a few other items and left her dorm room, knowing her previous silence would nearly ensure one of them would question her about the incident in the Great Hall. She had not expected an outright onslaught of questions, though.
There were too many voices to understand anyone's question, so Hermione waited patiently for them to take the hint and shut their gobs before making her statement. She felt like a Muggle at a press conference, and the thought made her laugh to herself. Of all the things she did not want to endure, it would be a press conference.
"Harry is fine, Sirius is with him. He did not enter his name into the Goblet of Fire. Please, do continue to talk badly about him and see what may transpire," she paused, noting the sheepish look on some faces before continuing. "How dare you, any of you, think so poorly of your housemate? Your housemate, your friend, who was so terrified he went into shock!? You out to be ashamed of yourselves. Harry Potter would never cheat. Do you believe, I mean really think about it, he wants to do anything this year aside from going to class and play Quidditch? Heed my words, because if I hear you malign his character further in my earshot, or I hear of it, I will not hesitate to make up something nasty for you. And you all know I can." She narrowed her eyes at them all to be sure she'd sent the point home. She could see she had succeeded, mostly.
"Okay, you're right, Hermione. Harry has had a hell of a few years. But what else were we supposed to think? And why were you spitting mad at Dumbledore?" asked someone she couldn't see. She didn't recognize the voice either, but she wasn't concerned, overmuch.
"She was spitting mad because she's been spending all of her free time with snakes, and they are brainwashing her!" seethed Ronald.
Hermione fought the urge to roll her eyes, it was nigh impossible, but she managed. "Firstly, you're supposed to think for yourselves instead of assuming the worst of someone. Anyone who knows Harry knows better than to think he would do something like this. This school has a lot of new faces, and not all of them seem to be friendly. I would wager that they did this in an attempt to hurt him, get him hurt, cause a rift between him and his friends, or any other assortment of reasons. So, ponder that angle for a moment. My issues with Dumbledore are my own and I will not be discussing them, it doesn't concern anyone in here. As for your comment, Ronald: I've already told you, they are friends. It is not your concern, regardless, as you're certainly proving to be no friend of mine. Mind your own business! If you bothered to pay attention to anything you were taught, you might understand the niceties of your very own culture. As you apparently cannot, please be so kind as to divert your attention to a witch who may be so insipid as to desire it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to."
She was met with silence, which pleased her just fine. She could see Ron in the crowd, and his face had turned a lovely shade of red. It was all just as well; she'd had beyond enough of his antics. A path was slowly made for Hermione to the portrait hole. Ginny stopped her to inquire about Harry's whereabouts, and she was given instructions to seek out the hospital wing. Ginny also congratulated her, rather loudly, on the scathing comments directed at her wayward brother thus making her position known. He had deserved them. Neville sidled up next to Ginny and assured Hermione he would keep an eye on Harry, and that he would try to keep Ron away from her. Hermione thanked him for being such a good friend, and then set forth toward the far end of the seventh-floor corridor.
She didn't bother with the disillusionment charm until she was well on her way to her destination. She mostly didn't want to be followed. She found an empty hidden alcove and make sure she hadn't missed her shoes or something. She stood there for a few moments, listening for breathing and footsteps. Once she was sure she was alone, she cast a silencing charm on her shoes and continued.
Hermione pulled her journal out of her satchel while waiting on a staircase to switch, thankful for Muggle pens every single day, and wrote a missive to very specifically ensure to let her know when they were all gathered. It would make very little sense to conjure the door if they weren't all there to gain entry. She had only told Draco about the Room of Requirement recently, but he'd had yet to use it and she was fairly sure Blaise hadn't either.
When Hermione reached the portrait of Barnabas the Barmy, she pulled her journal out again and waited. Once she'd gotten the affirmation everyone was there, she paced back and forth and concentrated on what she needed. After the third pass, an ornate door carved itself out of the castle wall. Hermione opened it and walked in, pleased when she felt the doorway cancel the disillusionment charm as she passed through. The Room of Requirement could do almost anything if you knew how to ask nicely. Theo brought up the rear, and Hermione closed the door behind him.
She turned and greeted them all with a smile. "Welcome to the Room of Requirement," she said genially. She knew she could, at the very least, be herself here. Her strange new self, but herself, nonetheless. She had been here before with Theo, so they could study in peace without being seen. It may be Hermione's second favorite place in the castle.
"Wow, so this is brilliant. I'm shocked there's so much green," Blaise commented.
"I figured I would be more comfortable. Besides, I like green," Hermione shrugged.
When creating the space, she had asked for a combination of the Gryffindor and Slytherin common rooms. All the coloring was green and sliver, but the furniture was like the Gryffindor common room. Squat plush chairs situation around a fire with a large table in the center. There were other tables with some games on them, but Hermione would rather be near the fire. If they needed anything else, Hermione could always ask.
"I quite approve," Theo said with a grin. He had seen this particular room, after all.
Draco sauntered over and picked a seat, making himself comfortable. "Alright, Hermione, you got us to play the cloak-and-dagger bit. What's up?"
Well, that was brusque for a Slytherin. Doubly so, for Malfoy. Hermione grinned and him and took a seat as well. "I think my Gryffindor is rubbing off on you, Draco."
Theo chuckled as he and Blaise came over to join them. "No, he's always like that if he's in a safe place with trusted people. The mask wears one down when you have to wear it all the time. Feel loved, Hermione."
Blaise smiled, "Can confirm. Now, what he said." Blaise jabbed a thumb in Draco's direction, who rolled his eyes.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to talk with your hands?"
"She'd have to have been around to teach me."
"Touché."
Hermione sighed and investigated the fire. "Mainly, I just wanted to check on you. There's been a lot going on this summer and I've made it a point to make sure the people who matter are okay. I guess the death of my parents just…triggered my mother hen? I wanted to make sure your parents hadn't done something awful because you helped me."
She knew Slytherins were not known for sharing emotions, but the room was o very quiet Hermione looked to see their faces. She was not at all prepared for the open expressions of gratitude and respect, not in the slightest.
Draco cleared his throat but kept her eye contact. "Thank you for caring about the risk we took. We, or at least I, was under some suspicion because I was supposed to have already been at home, but I'm fine. It was a scolding, but I'm familiar with those. It was worth it to make sure you were alright."
Hermione smiled and nodded at him, pleased. She was glad he hadn't been hurt. "And you two?"
Blaise shrugged, "Nona knew what I was doing, already. I'm fine."
"Bless your Nona," Hermione said seriously. Gabby was a wonderful witch and human. "Theo, any issues?"
Theo shifted uncomfortably in his chair and sighed. He did not want to answer, but he would. Hermione was his friend, and he didn't' have to hide anything here. "I took a bit of a beating, but it wasn't about you. It was because I was being "disobedient" in my behavior to my father." Theo looked her in the eyes, then. "I'm alright, though. Nothing new and I'm glad we got to you in time."
"Yes, thank you again for that. How did you even know to look for me?" Hermione asked. This was the test. If they could trust her with this, she could trust them enough to bring them in on some things. She was going to need Draco for this to work.
"My father," Draco started, "I heard him speaking to Mum. They were looking for you and Potter, specifically." There, he had said it. He had all but confirmed his father was a Death Eater. That was what Hermione needed.
"Oh, I figured it was something like that," Hermione shrugged. Draco stared at her hard but didn't say anything else. "You all risked a lot coming after me, and I appreciate it. I appreciate it so much; I've got a rather serious question to ask."
Hermione waited and watched as the three boys exchanged looks. She was going to wait for them to pursue her question. She wasn't going to lay it out there unless they were ready to be asked, willing to be asked. Blaise was the one who prompted her, "Well ask it then. We do still have to sleep at some point."
Hermione laughed lowly at that. "How would you like to help me bring down the Dark Lord and all of his followers? How would you like to help me undermined Dumbledore's scheming, which will likely result in the deaths of hundreds?"
The room was silent for a few moments before Theo broke it. "Sign me up." Blaise only smiled, which Hermione took to be an affirmation of his willingness.
Hermione studied Draco and waited for him to speak his piece. "What about my Mum? I'll do this because honestly, I think my father is insane, callous, and cold and I don't want to be like him. I don't want to follow in his footsteps. I don't want to be a Death Eater. I will not have a choice if I don't do something now, but I love my Mum. She's not a Death Eater. She isn't a part of this, and she can't escape either."
Hermione knew Narcissa Black Malfoy would be a concern for her son. "I've thought of that, actually. She factors into the plan, and I've got a way to remove her, if we should have the need to do so."
"Then count me in, Hermione. I don't want to be a fucking Death Eater," Draco spat. "I may have been raised to dislike Muggle-borns, but I don't think blood supremacy has much merit. In fact, I think a lot of things I shouldn't. I won't survive under the thumb of Voldemort. I might be a prat, but I don't think I'm evil, and I really don't want to be."
"Definitely a prat," snarked Blaise.
"Prat, git, not evil, though," smiled Theo.
Hermione smiled and leaned over, touching the back of his hand to offer him comfort. "I don't want you to be either. So, we need to learn Occlumency. Lots and lots of Occlumency. Do any of you know it enough to teach it? Suggestions?"
"My Godfather taught me Occlumency. He might be convinced," Draco said hesitantly.
Hermione made a moue of surprise before asking, "Who is your Godfather?"
Draco smirked before answering her. "Severus Snape." He smiled then, a devious grin, but a genuine one. Hermione hadn't known he had a smile like that in him and found it rather becoming. She thought he should do that more often. No, wait. No, she didn't. She did not think that. Moving right along.
"Well, I believe that would accomplish a few of my goals, but I am sure he would be loath to get involved," commented Hermione.
"Godfather is loath to do many things….but if it's necessary? Perhaps you could impart to him your plan? He's an accomplished Occlumens and the plan couldn't be torn from his mind," Draco suggested.
Hermione had only told them she had an idea of how to turn the tide of the war – which everyone above the age of thirteen seemed to think was on its way – should it happen. She couldn't exactly spill all the details given a good part of her plan hinged on family secrets and not fit to be shared. She could tell him the gist of it, though. It was fairly simple, aside from the fact she would need access to Death Eater's wands. That was likely to be more difficult than forcing adults to recognize Albus Dumbledore was a wizard with many faults. They all worshipped him, though Hermione strongly suspected that was not the case of her Potions Professor. She bit her bottom lip as she thought through all possibilities and probable reactions. She was as always, grateful when people understood she was thinking and not ignoring them.
"I think that might have merit, though I'm unsure of how to get him to listen to me before casting me from his presence for my 'presumptive intrusion,'" hedged Hermione.
"Take Draco with you," offered Theo. Draco and Hermione both looked at him oddly.
Theo sighed before extrapolating. "Have Draco go with you into the dungeons during Snape's office hours. Go in disillusioned, if you must, but I think he would be too curious to turn you away if you showed up together. Then you can tell him and ask him for help. Draco is a natural Occlumens and he's been learning from Snape for years. Surely he could keep the secret safe."
Blaise pondered for a moment before supporting the idea. "That should ensure he hears you out. With Draco there he won't just dismiss you.:
Hermione looked at Draco. It had to be his choice. It was his Godfather, his relationship with him on the line. She was willing to try, If he was. When she said as much Draco smirked.
"Ever the Gryffindor. Fine, he has hours tomorrow after dinner. I'll risk it. I know he's a sarcastic arse but he's a good wizard, much as he tries to hide it. Mum has always told me to go to him if I need help. He's never turned me away even if he was a git about it the entire time," Draco replied. "He's the same in his capacity of Head of House. He helps his students to the best of his capability, even if he finds it tiresome and uncomfortable."
"You know, that's not really a shock to me. Everyone talks shite about him, but never a Slytherin," Hermione mused. She shrugged, "Works for me. I can always obliviate him if I have to."
Draco, Theo, and Blaise were staring at her with a mixture of astonishment, disbelief, and possibly mild approval. She eventually took pity on them after a few moments and grinned to imply she was joking. Though, Hermione admitted to herself she may do just that if Snape declared he would tell Dumbledore. She found that particular outcome unlikely but preferred to be prepared for all eventualities. Severus Snape was not a known variable, so she would need to prepare to act in a way she normally would not.
The three boys eventually had a chuckle at her antics and Hermione let it go. The path she had decided to forge would likely be full of unpleasant consequences and deeds. It was all she could do to refrain from creating a pro and cons list right there.
"Is there anything else you can tell us without putting this plan at risk?" Blaise asked. He reminded Hermione of a cat in some ways.
She scrunched her nose as she thought about it. Was there anything she could say that wouldn't jeopardize her ideas? She shook her head. "Not on that front, no…but how would you like to help me remake Hogwarts into more than house prejudice? I've grown quite tired of it." She grinned conspiratorially. They could help with this too, after all. In a way they already were.
"That would depend on what your plans are," hedged Draco. Ever the snake, unwilling to commit without details.
"Oh, nothing too crazy. I do know you lot still have to deal with certain expectations."
Theo scoffed, "Yes, well, not adhering to those specifications could be quite harmful, Hermione."
Hermione frowned at him. "Give me some credit, Nott. Are you forgetting who covered your arses with the Ministry?"
"Of course not. It's just that one misstep could end up getting one seriously hurt," Blaise remarked gravely. It was uncharacteristic and off-putting, and Hermione did not like that at all.
"Please. I may be a Gryffindor, but I think like a Ravenclaw and I plot like a snake. None of what I plan to do can be overt, especially not at the beginning." Hermione sniffed; her derision clear.
Draco actually laughed at her antics, causing Hermione to whip her head at him in surprise. "Why don't you tell us what you want to do, and we'll see what we can do to help? That is, if we can do anything. Dumbledore holds his house prejudice near and dear to his heart. Trust me, us snakes hate it."
That, Hermione, could easily believe. "Well, that's fair. In a way, you're already helping me to start it. Pansy, too, though she wasn't aware of that when she ran her mouth in class. The rumors were not an accident, I want her talking to anyone who will listen. It's the same reason I threatened Patil, partly. I'm trying to prove a point."
"And what point might that be, oh lioness?" queried Theo.
"That anyone, literally anyone, can fit into the Magical world if they are taught properly. I've learned most of this from my house-elf, Dotty, in a few months. I'm not perfect and I've still got a lot to learn…but I can manage in society. If Muggle-Born students actually attended a class to learn about Wizarding culture and how to comport themselves, do you honestly believe they would be so very hated? They are just as ignorant as I was, and it is not their fault. Add to that the fact they are just missing the simplest and most basic knowledge about magic? Of course, there is a societal divide! But it need not be like this. I feel like it can be fixed. I don't doubt some believe all the blood supremacy rhetoric, but I also believe a lot of the issue is the societal and cultural differences between the two. I want to fix it. I want to stop the infighting," Hermione ranted. She hadn't realized she had stood up at some point and began pacing in front of the fire. Three sets of eyes watched her go back and forth with curiosity and interest. "Social faux pas can make or break a witch or wizard, but a Muggle-born wouldn't even be aware they had done it, much less how to remedy the wrong. It's not right, and I'm quite perturbed by the whole thing. And another fucking thing. All Muggle-Born students and their families should be afforded protection! Decent wards, for Morgana's sake! It would take only minutes! Minutes! I am honestly beside myself with better fucking ideas than obliviation. How about semi-magical communities, instead? Families with a child who has magic or even for squibs? It can't be that had to modify a Muggle repelling charm to tie in family members of a magical child, and they would have so much more support that way! It's just preposterous how they think they have "managed" the Muggle population and they're actually alienating a large portion of the magical one! So bloody idiotic it almost makes Ronald look intelligent sometimes!"
Suddenly, Hermione seemed to realize she had been wearing a line into the floor like a caged animal. She huffed in frustration, her heart rate still elevated but her impassioned speech and lecturing. She fell back into her empty chair and covered her face with her hands, feeling sheepish. She'd meant every word though; she wasn't about to take it back.
"Are you sure you're not a Hufflepuff?" asked Blaise.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh with everyone else. The tension in the room dropped a bit with their amusement at her expense. Hermione had been holding that in for a while, it seemed.
"My apologies," she said with a rueful smile, "it really fucking bothers me."
"Not even I can argue your points, Hermione. You make good ones. Hell, you're probably correct. I guess I just fail to see how we can help you," Draco said, but gently. That was new, and not something she was used to.
"Don't you get it? You already are helping me. Speaking with me in public, escorting me to dinner…You're helping to show a Muggle-Born can be accepted into polite society with the correct education, next to the same people who have been born into it."
It was Theo who said, "But you are not, in fact, a Muggle-Born."
Hermione chuckled at his statement. As if she could forget. "I was raised as one, Theo. My blood, my magic, notwithstanding, I was raised as a Muggle child in Muggle-town, Britain, surrounded by Muggles. People are not going to forget that, and I'm going to capitalize on it. Like I said, I learned how to fit in within a few months with extra tutelage. Do you not believe everyone capable of learning to this degree? Yes, I'm technically a Pureblood by adoption, a Half-blood by birth, so you are free to associate with me now. You, three Princes of Slytherin, have been seen chatting and walking with me. Think about it for a moment. How likely do you find it that I threatened Patil to solidify my point, rather than solely out of annoyance? She maligned my family name, and I'm honor-bound to defend it from slander. This is the type of stuff I'm talking about, guys. Patil doesn't even understand why she was in the wrong."
The room was silent for a few minutes. She'd talked a lot, so she let them ponder. She let them mull her words in silence, like they had done for her. Eventually, Draco shifted in his chair with a thoughtful expression. "It makes sense, from a publicity standpoint. Popular opinion isn't always the total truth of a matter and can be manipulated if one has the patience and know-how. You could shift the way people think, their beliefs on magical blood, slowly, and it's best to start here in Hogwarts. It is a controlled enough environment, and once students graduate and leave you've still left behind the younger students. To turn the tide so slowly that Dumbledore's beliefs and practices are outdated and no longer suitable for children to be subjected to them? To control the perspective, that it isn't about blood at all but instead decorum and understanding of our most sacred and upheld values? It's brilliant, devious, and absolutely attainable if you know how to do it."
Hermione gave him a genuine smile. He understood then. He could see what she was trying to do. After Theo and Blaise had spent a few moments think about Draco's words, she could see their eyes widen as well. She could watch the puzzle pieces fall into place for them and Blaise grinned, while Theo just chuckled lowly in appreciation. It was devious, but it wasn't wrong, and it wasn't dark. It was just using his own PR against him, and Hermione wasn't averse to witnessing Dumbledore eat crow. Not in the slightest.
"Not a Hufflepuff," Hermione remarked good-naturedly. Of course, she had nothing against Hufflepuff, they were sweet, genuine, and loyal. It brought more laughter into the room, which had been her aim. It had also been followed by three resolute affirmations that she was absolutely not a Hufflepuff, which of course Hermione had already known.
"Too devious," Blaise said.
"Too smart," Theo followed him.
"Too sneaky," Draco complimented.
Hermione could only agree with them, so she gave a mock curtsy at their acceptance of the praise; because coming from them, it was praise. She was determined to free this school of Dumbledore, rid the world of Voldemort, and facilitate better understanding between those born into the magical world, and those blessed enough to join it anew. Peace. All she wanted was peace. No more wars over ignorant concepts of blood purity. It was just a fluid; everyone's was the same. They needed it to live. It did not constitute rightness, wrongness, or the ability to belong. What made them special was their magic, and that was the fucking point.
"Well, we are friends now, so I think we can help you. IT shouldn't be too difficult, but we'll have to start small. Infinitesimal, really. We need to solidify you as well-mannered and knowing our ways, first. That is not to say you already aren't, but we need to get more snakes on board. Your display in Potions should help with that, though you're going to need to get Greengrass. She's the gatekeeper for female society in our year," Theo mused aloud.
"Daphne is a delight compared to most," smiled Hermione. She couldn't believe she was having this conversation, and they were pondering her ideas. She knew they were intelligent. Draco and Theo were always nipping at her heels in the class rankings. A year ago, Hermione would have told anyone who said she would become a Pureblood Princess and friends with a bunch of Slytherins to check into the St. Mungo's, but here she was.
"Daphne is a delight, sweet girl," added Blaise. Something in his tone of voice told Hermione he was not just complimenting her, but she was going to choose to ignore that, for now.
After Draco had sent his apology letter to Hermione at the end of the year, he had started to think for himself a lot more, and he was glad of it. It took Hermione Granger breaking his nose for him to snap out of the rhetoric he had been conditioned to believe his entire life. The fact that he had his nose broken didn't bother him overmuch, it had only served to make him more handsome physically and mentally. He had decided to stop antagonizing Muggle-Born students because honestly, he did not need to do so. They didn't understand a lot of things about how he was raised, but they weren't to blame for their ignorance. They weren't lesser at magic either, and he had seen that in Hermione. It didn't really matter to him she was actually a Half-Blood the whole time because he had perceived her to be a Muggle-Born and he had already learned the lesson. The blood didn't matter, the magic was what mattered. The education of the Wizarding world and customs was what mattered. In their correspondence, Hermione had educated Draco about genetics, or at least the basics of how genetics worked. He'd conclude rather quickly he would rather marry for love and magic than to keep his "pure" blood pedigree.
"Give it a few days to let the rumor mill catch up. Between class and what happened at dinner, it's going to be a lively week," Draco replied. "Actually, what did happen at dinner?"
To the surprise of everyone in the room, Hermione growled. A low, deep-throated sound of immense frustration and malevolence that it had to be involuntary. "Are you sure you want to know?"
"Yes," they chorused. Sighing, Hermione launched into an explanation.
"I'm not sure if you guys could see Harry's face when Dumbledore called him up, but he was surprised. He didn't put his name in the bloody goblet. I know wizarding law fairly well; I had a lot of studying to do to make sure Sirius was cleared by the Wizengamot -you're welcome Draco." Draco snorted at the comment but didn't interrupt. Sirius was technically family, a very distant cousin.
"Anyway, I knew Harry couldn't compete because he couldn't sign the contract. He's only fourteen! Dumbledore was going to try and force it. I could tell he didn't like me interfering – he's cross with me, what else is new? – but Professor McGonagall came in to provide me some backup." Draco had always liked McGonagall. She was the fairest of all the Professors.
"I had to call my elf to get chocolate for Harry, who is still in the hospital wing being treated for shock, by the way, because Dumbledore refused to drop it. His name never even should have been called! Fucking meddling oaf! So, I had Dotty go and get Sirius, who had been barred from entering the grounds. He was obviously not pleased and gave Dumbledore a great big heap of the Black temper." Of course, Sirius had not been pleased. He was the guardian of Harry Potter, and Hogwarts wasn't supposed to deny parents or guardians access specifically for this kind of reason. Draco found that interesting, but still did not interrupt the pacing and furious witch.
"I could tell McGonagall wanted to do more, but she's taken oaths to the school, to Dumbledore, so she was limited in what actions she could take. I fucking lost my temper. Also, do not trust the new Defense Professor. There is something off there, though I've not quite place it yet. And if I had fewer witnesses, I would have hexed the bollocks off the Headmaster. Honestly! Fucking insane, really. Sirius got him to back off, so Harry will NOT be competing because he absolutely cannot and should not." Damn straight, Draco thought. He could see Blaise and Theo were looking at her thoughtfully. He wondered if they were wondering the same thing as him. Was this what it was like to have someone in your corner no matter what? Was this what true loyalty felt like? Of course, Theo and Blaise were his best friends, but they could only do so much to help him sometimes. This witch though, this witch would go to bat no holds barred for anyone she cared for, and it showed. Draco thought he could use a friend such as that.
"I was in such a tiff when I got here because I had just gone off on the entirety of Gryffindor tower. How dare they call Harry a cheat? All he wants is to be normal for Merlin's sake! They were being absolutely cruel, but I'm sure I've done enough to redirect their ire and gossip back to me, now." Draco rolled his eyes at the reaction of Potter's housemates. For all the talk that was spouted about Gryffindor's house, he had witnessed the ostracization of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger himself. They were cruel, and they didn't give a shite if you were in their house; if you had been perceived to do wrong then you were on the outside. At least Slytherin house was kind enough to put up a front, regardless of internal disagreements. Last year he distinctly remembered Hermione being ousted for something or other by Harry Potter and all his merry band of idiots. She had seemed miserable. Draco didn't pester her those weeks.
Draco thought while Hermione talked. Circe, she could talk when she wanted to! And she was so passionate, it was beautiful to see, really. Hermione's face was flush as she went on about the stupidity of her housemates, and Draco didn't see fit to interrupt her. When she told them, what Ron had said to her he could feel Blaise and Theo still as well as himself. When she told them how she had responded, however, they could relax again. He was almost sure she had not noticed it, but if she had she didn't comment. "Weasel is going to be a problem," Draco said slowly. He didn't wish to redirect her frustration at him, but he needed to make sure she knew. She probably did, she was not a stupid witch.
Hermione scoffed. "When isn't he a problem? He will do something stupid, always does. I've got to pen a letter to his parents actually. They need to know what he's been up to. Perhaps I'll have Ginny do it, instead. That is not the way they raised him. At least, Arthur wouldn't condone it."
"See what you can do on the parent front, but don't hold out hope for much. He will do something stupid because he is jealous of the attention you're getting," Blaise commented.
"Okay, honestly while that's very juvenile it's also probably true. It isn't like I asked for this nonsense to happen! It just did and you have two choices; control the storm or get swept up in it. I'd defend anyone else I cared for in equal and vehement measures," Hermione huffed.
"You didn't just defend Potter though. You stood up and defied Albus bloody Dumbledore in front of the school. You should be very wary of him," remarked Theo gravely.
Hermione let out a hollow, humorless laugh at that. "Oh, I've done more than stand up to him; I have well and truly pissed him off. Feels good, honestly. Setting me and my mates up against a bloody Cerberus in my first year ought to account for something, I think."
"You did this on purpose?" queried Blaise quietly. He had known about the three-headed dog. It had gotten through school by the end of the first year, but still. Why would she knowingly draw negative attention from their Headmaster?
Hermione bit her bottom lip before answering, "Erm…well it didn't start that way? It's sort of a long story." She started chewing and worrying at her bottom lip. She wasn't sure how much she should say, but the fact they were still here meant they had agreed to help, didn't it? It would be wrong not to tell them everything about this part, right?
"We won't force you to tell us, Hermione. You don't have to share anything you're not comfortable with sharing." Hermione looked up to see Draco's eyes were as gentle as his tone of voice. Merlin, she was not used to that, but she could grow to like it for sure. No, stop it, Hermione! Stay on topic. She searched out the eyes of Theo and Blaise, too. She saw acceptance, worry, curiosity, kindness…that's what she needed to see. She decided to tell them more. She didn't think she'd spoken this much in months, possibly years. At least, not when people were actually listening to what she had to say.
"You all know my parents died. Everyone does, it's common knowledge. I'm sure you don't know exactly how they died, or the events that followed their deaths," Hermione took a fortifying breath before she continued. The death of her parents was still raw, though she didn't cry every morning, now. It still hurt, it would probably never stop hurting. At least, that's how it felt to Hermione.
"On top of everything else I have disagreed with Dumbledore over, this just..broke the camel's back. My parents didn't just die a normal Muggle death. They were targeted and murdered. Dumbledore lie to me and told me it was a house fire, but Sirius…he couldn't lie to me like that. I was their intended target, the main reason they were there. They ransacked my room looking for something, I don't know what it was. Dumbledore sat me down at the Weasley's dinner table and lied to my face, as if I hadn't known they were in danger. As if I hadn't asked for them to be protected at all, which I had, several times. I was so furious I had been lied to. At the time I didn't know everything, but I got the memory from Sirius before I came back to school."
Hermione paused to catch her breath, to steel herself against what she was undoubtedly mentally reliving, the pain she was feeling. She felt a hand on her tightly coiled fist, which was shaking slightly, and looked up to see Draco offering her comfort with that simple touch. She took it and laced her fingers with his while she lost herself in the memory. She didn't want to remember.
Sirius and Hermione were alone in the library at her new ancestral home. She had been reading at length about charms and enchantments for hours before he finally broke the silence.
"Hermione, love?"
Hermione bookmarked her page and looked up at him. She could tell something had been bothering him all evening, and she'd just waited for him to speak. "Yes, Uncle Sirius?"
"I need you to know something, and it's going to hurt you, and I'm sorrier than I can say for it. You've been through so much, but is' the only way I can protect you.," Sirius' normally jovial demeanor was gone, and in its place was a somber and nervous man.
"Is this about my parents?" She asked it baldly to hopefully assuage him of some of the torment he was obviously feeling. This wasn't his fault; it was her fault. It was her fault for befriending Harry Potter and loving him like family. She had made them a target. He hadn't.
"Yes. Dumbledore lied. He lied about the way they died, Hermione. I could tell from the way you acted after you had been told that you didn't believe his story, and you were right not to," Sirius sighed and decided to just say it. "They were murdered, love. They had been looking for you. I know that stench, and it smelled like Death Eaters to me."
"I had assumed as much," Hermione said the words calmly, evenly, but she was crying.
"I don't know what they want with you but you need to be ever so careful, Hermione, please. Harry can't lose you, and neither can Remus or I," Sirius' mask was threatening to break with the weight of the emotion he was holding back. Hermione could see it cracking.
"Don't worry Sirius, I already know…and I've been planning. I don't know where to begin with them. I don't trust Dumbledore, and I'll make sure to distance Harry from him as much as possible."
She snapped back to reality and shook her head as if it would clear her memories from her mind. "Sorry. Got lost for a second. Anyway, Dumbledore and Mrs. Weasley thought it would be best for me to stay at the Burrow. I didn't really argue at the time but I was miserable. I was so miserable Harry spent most of his time there with me, and I escaped to Sirius' house as often as possible. As fate would have it, a project I had been working on led me to speak with Mr. Ollivander. It was found he needed an heir and I needed a safe place far from the Burrow and Dumbledore. When Molly and Dumbeldore found out my adoption had already been finalized, they lost the plot. Mrs. Weasley kept telling me I was ungrateful, that I should grieve for my parents properly instead of hiding out at Sirius and Remus', she told me it was all improper. Ronald kept pestering me to date him or play Quidditch, and Albus Dumbledore wanted me under his thumb. It was too late, and it had already been done. He had tried to fight me on clearing Sirius' name too, but he could not stop me. There was too much evidence. I'd just had enough. Sirius told Harry that Dumbledore had been planning to have the Weasley's adopt me, and I am so thankful I avoided that mess… So, basically Dumbledore is my second least favorite person. I blame him, at least partially, for the death of my parents, and his continuous meddling broke something in the bond I had with the Weasley's before all this. I was adopted, found my Grandfather, and you know the rest. I have Harry, Sirius, Remus, Ginny, Luna, my Grandfather, and now you three. My standoff with Dumbledore was mostly to protect Harry, but I can admit it felt good to cause him grief. And I think he is hiding more from me. He's hiding a lot more than I know, yet…and now I know the Death Eaters were looking for me at my home, as well as the World Cup. What life is this?"
When she finished, she felt as if she had been talking for hours. She very well may have been. She was suddenly so very tired. She was thankful they hadn't interrupted her though. They let her talk, and they'd let her think and she was grateful.
Theo came up beside her and produced a kerchief which she used to dry her eyes with a quiet thank you. "He's a bastard," he commented.
Blaise only agreed with the sentiment, and Draco remained quietly holding her hand, moving his thumb in slow smooth circles while she calmed herself. Hermione had never thought she would find herself here, being comforted by three Slytherins she had just met a bit over a month ago. She was grateful for them, too.
"I'll see what I can glean about them targeting you, but it's probably because you're Potter's friend. They don't let much slip if they know I'm around, though," Theo offered.
"I appreciate that, Theo. Thank you."
The memory of Molly Weasley making disparaging remarks about her chosen Uncles popped into her head again, and it managed to rend another low growl out of Hermione's throat before she could stop it. Draco, Theo, and Blaise all visibly startled.
"You're not planning on feeding us to the lioness, are you?" Blaise asked with a bit of a smile.
His comment forced a startled laugh out of Hermione, which was surely his intention. "No, not at all. I just remembered something Mrs. Weasley insinuated about Remus and Sirius and it made me angry all over again."
"Circe, the woman apparently has no survival instincts to speak of. What did she do that time?" asked Draco, as he resumed smoothing circles over the back of her hand.
Hermione looked at him, face flushed and tearstained. "She said I shouldn't be allowed to spend any amount of time alone with men of their age, and specifically, of Sirius' reputation." Her voice sounded hard, brittle, sad, and Draco hated it.
Draco stiffened his posture. "What a stupid bint. I've half a mind to challenge her to a duel for that," his voice was as cold as Hermione's had been harsh.
"I get she was implying something sexual, but honestly, I think this is one of those nuanced things that I don't understand yet," Hermione trailed off. She understood she had been insulted, but this insult was in a language that was new to her.
It was Draco's turn to shake his head to clear his thoughts. "It's several insults all rolled into a few sentences. She accused you of either willingly or unwillingly having sex with one or both. She insulted Potter's guardian and family. She impugned your virginal status, which among society, is an offense that can get you called out for a duel. She could be called out to duel for such grievances against the House of Black due to personal and impersonal slights against his house and honor. You could call her out because she slandered your name and status just as much as Patil did. Potter, well Potter thinks of you as his sister, so he could call he rout on the hose grounds as well as the fact she maligned his house. Stupid of her really. I can't see magical bonds, but I wouldn't doubt that you have a familial bond with Potter, Black, and Lupin, just as much as you do with your Grandfather. If the bond exists, they can act as your family."
"That is, really good to know. Thank you for clarifying that. For the record, Molly Weasley is bent," Hermione grimaced. She filed this information away for later so she could ask Dotty about the bonds, and all the virginal status stuff. She hadn't had sex yet, Merlin she didn't have time for boys, but it was probably something she needed to know sooner rather than later.
"She really is. I've a guess as to what her, and maybe Dumbledore's, intentions might have been. Honestly, it's rather revolting," Theo said nervously.
"Do I want to know?" asked Hermione with an ample amount of trepidation. Draco's hand was warm. The movement of his thumb on her hand was rhythmic and soothing. He smelled like cedar, ***CURVE**, and it was soothing.
"Probably not," Blaise said seriously.
"Should I know anyway?"
"Quite likely."
"Tell me then," Hermione huffed. Draco squeezed her hand gently. Hermione let it anchor her.
"In the old days if you took in someone and house them as a ward, it could be demanded of the ward to marry a family member of the house as payment,' Theo explained calmly, clinically, antiseptic-like.
The blood drained from Hermione's face and her lip curled up in disgust. She thought she might vomit. No, really, she might vomit. Blaise watched her face as she came to the same realization that he and Theo had. "Yeah, that's how I thought you would feel about it."
Draco tightened his hold on Hermione's hand momentarily before releasing it again. Comfort. Anchor. Warm. Okay, that wasn't going to happen. She had escaped…and then Ginny's earlier words came back to her like a bludger. "She meant to trap me for Ron," she almost whispered it. She couldn't say it any louder, or she would undoubtedly vomit everywhere. That was something Hermione simply refused to do.
"That would be my evaluation, yes," Draco drawled.
"Ugh – What? No. Ew. I can't. This life is nonsense! Just…thank you for telling me but now I need a shower. I need a very long very hot shower. I never even thought about something like that. This is disgusting," Hermione hadn't actually let go of Draco's hand, but she was trying to pace while holding it. Draco was quickly learning that she paced when she was agitated, or upset, or thinking…hell the witch just paced. Instead of letting go of her hand, Draco tugged her arm until she focused on him.
"Hermione, they can't. You're safe from that now. Just…do not accept any jewelry, food, or drink from any of them. Ever," Blaise reasoned. He had seen his fair share of distraught witches, well witch, his mother, but he knew what she needed to hear. Hermione Ollivander was practical and liked to have a plan, so he gave her one. Giving her something else to focus on was the best course of action.
"Don't worry, not going to happen. Thank you, all, for listening and letting me rant. I don't get much of a chance to talk anymore. I'm too busy minding my manners and keeping Harry alive."
"Well, you're stuck with us now, Hermione. We have a world to conquer. We have plans to enact. We have a school to fix, too," Theo trailed off with a smile.
"That we do," she smiled back. She squeezed Draco's hand lightly, as a thank you, before gently letting go. "It's getting late. Let's all go and get some rest. I still have to meet with Dotty before I can sleep. I promised her," Hermione said. "She said something about a lesson, but I know we didn't have one tonight. I'm assuming whatever it happens to be is important."
"Enough said. Great plotting everyone. Let's go and get some sleep," Blaise winked when he said "sleep." Hermione ignored him. Lech, but he made her smile despite the memories.
She bid them all a goodnight and made her way back to Gryffindor tower. She had learned a lot this evening she never wanted to know. She had spoken of far more than she intended to…but she didn't regret it. She felt lighter after spending time with them. She felt safe with them. She didn't feel as suspicious or on edge as she thought she should or would have. She was glad of it because Hermione needed friends, allies, people she could trust above all others. Regardless of the strange twist of fate that had brought her down this path, Hermione was glad she had them. She very specifically chose not to analyze why Draco Malfoy had held her hand.