Summary: "You could have been something. You could have been someone. But you blew it."-When Hermione Granger finds Draco Malfoy crying in the girls' bathroom, she decides to find out what's wrong. With only the girl who he despises willing to help him, things are going to change. DM/HG. Compliant up to Order of the Phoenix
Mature content and themes, explicit language.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything belongs to Ms. JK Rowling.
Chapter 36: Scent
Not telling Harry and Ron was hard.
So hard.
She never liked keeping secrets from them, and before that year, had seldom done so. Somehow, that year, she found herself wound up in a completely different world at times, a world her friends were not aware of in the slightest bit.
Her life was in an absolute mess, and she had no idea what was going to happen. She didn't like this. Not being in control.
Still…
Somehow, in her crazy world, she had a reason to smile. She had something to look forward to when she awoke, and something that kept her going.
It had been a month since her parents' demise, but it only felt as if it was only yesterday, as she watched them being laid to rest for the last time. Merlin, it didn't even feel real that they were...gone.
Yet, she continued on, completing menial tasks, being present in every class. The world outside the walls of their castle was dangerous. The entire wizarding world settled into a permanent state of gloom, as the optimism of the promises of what the new year brought wore out, and reality began to settle in.
The news of her parents' death had been all over the media. She remembered reading one headlined, "Harry Potter's Muggleborn Best Friend's Parents Dead in Attack."
Everything took a while to settle in. Harry had, once again, blamed himself for it all. Perhaps he even felt more guilty than she did. Regardless of how much she tried to convince him that he was not to blame, he continued keeping his head low.
The negativity of it all was getting to her. It made her itch for normality. Only one person gave that to her.
Or whatever resembled normal, now.
Through it all, Draco made her laugh. He held her at night, and made her smile. He woke up beside her every morning, in an entanglement of limbs. He had begun to open up to her even more than before, and it made her feel unknown sensations.
Like butterflies.
His smile was enough to make her week. Not just the smirk he always displayed...but his smile. It made him even more strikingly beautiful than he was.
Draco Malfoy was exactly that.
Beautiful.
And she didn't care what others thought of him. She didn't care about his reputation. She didn't care about their past. She trusted him now...to her, he meant so much.
She didn't know if he returned these strong sentiments, but she didn't care about that. As long as she could hold him in her arms, and fall asleep with him beside her...she didn't care.
They'd made it through every storm so far. She was more than willing to fight through the ones coming.
Maybe February would bring some positivity…
"You are yet to tell us, why you have brought us here."
"I'm afraid that is something you will find out later on, Narcissa. Now, tell me, are the arrangements okay?"
"I don't care about the arrangements! You've taken us away from our home, and locked us in this cottage! Why?"
"I did what was necessary. And as for the manor...you cannot call that place your home any more, can you? After everything that's happened?"
"How...how do you know?"
"Another question I am unable to answer."
"Why have you brought us here? Why did you feel the need?"
"Like I said, Narcissa. Part of a promise I made to someone, and part of something else I unfortunately cannot say. The food is all in the cupboards...I know it's not quite what you've been used to, but I tried to make it as comfy as possible. And please...tell Lucius to try not to break the wards. He will prove himself unsuccessful. I must get going, now."
The elderly wizard smiled down at the couple one last time, before turning to leave the cottage. Lucius looked significantly better than before...no one to torture him there. However, Narcissa wore the same worried expression he had seen on her face last time.
"Before you go...I just...I just need you to tell me one thing. Draco...is he doing okay?"
Her last word came out raspy, as through the corner of his eye, he saw her burst into tears.
"As a mother, I need to know. He's my son...my blood. He's the only thing that matters to me, Dumbledore. Kill me if you please. Feed my carcass to the birds in the sky but nothing," she paused, wiping her tears, "should happen to my son."
Her words caused him to smile, as he absentmindedly noticed Lucius shift in his seat to listen in.
"Don't worry about him, Narcissa. He's doing well. Might even say better than you were able to keep him, in his lifetime. He's safe. He's okay. He's happy."
And with those as his last words, he strided out of the cottage, apparating on the doorstep.
He felt himself sigh contently, as he eyed the image in his hand.
It was a picture of his parents, in a cottage, somewhere in Ireland. His professor had given it to him, showing him that his parents were okay.
His mother looked different from when he had seen her last time...a permanent effect of aging graced upon her features, her face looking as though she was in distress. Still, somehow, between all of these layers, he found colour. He could tell she was safe, and that was all he needed.
Lucius looked grey...as though he was battling in a war against himself. His hair was long and uncombed, and his beard was longer than ever. He sat to a side, not looking anywhere towards the person who took the photo. He was still in his own world...but he was safe. Deep down inside, he knew his father wasn't happy in that cottage. He knew he enjoyed torturing muggle borns. He was the one who gave them this life. Himself, and his mother.
In the midst of it all, his mother was tied up. She never wanted this. She hadn't asked for it. Even if she was raised to believe in pureblood ideologies, she never cared to take sides in such a gruesome battle. She wanted to be...happy. He saw the love she had for his father in her eyes...but somehow, it had been watered down. Lucius Malfoy no longer was the man he used to be.
But still, regardless of it all, they were okay.
And that's all that mattered.
"Are you heading down first or should I?"
"You go, I'll come down in a bit."
"Alright." she nodded.
Giving him one last kiss, and breathing in his minty scent, she made her way out of the room, on her way to the Great Hall.
Ever since her parents' passing, they had slept together, in the Room of Requirement. There was no use, staying apart now. Being together made everything seem...okay.
As she entered the Great Hall, she slowly made her way to the Gryffindor table, taking a seat beside Harry, and across to Ron. As soon as she saw Ron look away, she leaned over to whisper into Harry's ear.
"Thank you for letting me use your cloak."
"If it was anyone else, I wouldn't have given it to them. You've saved my life too many times to count, the least I can do is allow you to sneak out at night, if it makes you—"
"What are the two of you talking about?" interrupted Ron.
"Nothing, Ron."
He gave them a skeptical glance, before getting distracted by the toast in front of him.
"How are your lessons with Dumbledore going, Harry?" asked Ron, in between bites.
"Nothing new. Ever since he told me about the horcruxes, he hasn't given me any new information."
"And what about Slughorn?" questioned Hermione.
"I have no idea how I'm going to go about that. I need your help figuring out how to confront him."
"We should get started on that. Dumbledore said it was urgent." added Ron.
A few moments of silence passed between the three, before Hermione spoke up once again.
"Harry...don't you think something will happen? Soon?"
"It could happen any moment now."
"Then...what are we going to do? What do you plan on doing?"
"I have something in mind...it sounds crazy. I'll tell you guys about it another day."
"Why are you always staring in that direction every morning?"
His companion's comment caused him to snap to attention, breaking out of his train of thoughts.
"What? Nothing...nevermind that, how come I don't see you at breakfast that often these days?"
"Ah...so you've noticed. You know, you're not the only one who has the right to be mysterious."
"What?"
He laughed, before reaching over to grab his glass of water.
"As you like to phrase it...you'll find out one day. Hopefully."
His words made him curious, but the rush of students leaving the hall made him realize he was running late for potions.
"You're off the hook for now...let's go, we're going to be late for potions."
With long strides, he entered the Headmaster's office, closing the door behind him with a large thump.
"Severus." acknowledged the old wizard.
"It has been a month," he began, "and you are yet to tell me, why you kidnapped the Malfoys."
"Well, it was to keep them safe, of course."
"Stop beating around the bush! Have you gone senile? What are you doing? What is going through your head?"
"Many things are going through my head, Severus, as you have so eloquently put it."
"Why did you feel the need to take Narcissa and Lucius away?"
The elderly man made his way to his cabinet, slipping some papers into their places, before making his way back to his desk. He felt a sharp pain course through his right hand, before clutching it, letting out a loud breath.
"Have you brought my potion?"
"Yes."
Dumbledore reached forward to take the goblet his companion had just set on the table, before taking it in one swift gulp.
"You failed to answer my first question."
"Some questions are best left unanswered, Severus. I'm sure you'll find out one day. It might not be from me, but you'll find out."
The dark haired wizard furrowed his brows, before striding back and forth, across the room. Finally, after a long moment of silence, he spoke up once again.
"Where are you going with this? What do you intend on doing with the Potter boy? You certainly don't believe he can kill the Dark Lord himself, do you? You said you plan on dying, that too, at my hands. What will happen, Dumbledore?"
"Take a seat, Severus. I will explain."
She made her way to the potions classroom with her friends, but felt Draco's presence close behind her.
As they entered the class, the first thing they saw was Slughorn, bobbing around the front of the classroom, arranging some vials.
She looked around her, checking for Draco, but found him to be on the other side of the classroom, with Blaise Zabini. He seemed so close…as though he was right beside her.
Perhaps being around him for so long did that.
"Why does it smell so good?" questioned Ron.
"Yeah," added Harry, "like...treacle tart. And something like flowers."
"No no...it smells like pumpkin pie."
"So the boy...the boy must die?" asked Snape quite calmly.
"And Voldemort himself must do it, Severus. That is essential."
Another long silence.
"I thought...all those years...that we were protecting him for her. For Lily."
"We have protected him because it has been essential to teach him, to raise him, to let him try his strength," said Dumbledore, his eyes still tight shut. "Meanwhile, the connection between them grows ever stronger, a parasitic growth. Sometimes I have thought he suspects it himself. If I know him, he will have arranged matters so that when he does set out to meet his death, it will truly mean the end of Voldemort."
Dumbledore opened his eyes. Snape looked horrified.
"You have kept him alive so that he can die at the right moment?"
"Don't be shocked, Severus. How many men and women have you watched die?"
"Lately, only those whom I could not save," said Snape. He stood up. "You have used me."
"Meaning?"
"I have spied for you and lied for you, put myself in mortal danger for you. Everything was supposed to be to keep Lily Potter's son safe. Now you tell me you have been raising him like a pig for slaughter-"
"But this is touching, Severus," said Dumbledore seriously. "Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?"
"For him? Expecto Patronum!"
From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe. She landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office, and soared out of the window. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.
"After all this time?"
"Always."
She sat down beside Ron, but continually glanced towards Draco. He sat with Blaise Zabini, the handsome Italian wizard. He was probably...Draco's only friend. She'd have to ask about him later.
"Welcome, welcome! Today is a very special day, so I won't waste too much of your time! Now, who can tell me what is in this vial? Yes Boot, the one I'm holding."
Distinctive mother of pearl sheen, steam rising in characteristic spirals.
"Yes! Miss Granger!"
"It is amortentia, sir."
"Correct! Five points to Gryffindor. Could you tell us what it exactly is, for five more points?"
"It is the most powerful love potion in the world, and smells different to each person according to what they love the most."
"Excellent! Another five points to Gryffindor. Since you've told us about how it smells different to each person, why don't you come up and take a sniff, Miss Granger? Go on, I just finished brewing this batch in the morning! That's why some of you may think the classroom smells particularly nice today."
Hermione made her way up to the front desk, and lifted the vial, to inhale its scent.
"Well, what do you smell?"
"Freshly mown grass, parchment, and…"
The last scent.
It was Draco.
His slightly minty and masculine scent, a scent that perhaps even hung onto her clothes now.
"And?"
At that moment, she made eye contact with him.
"Spearmint toothpaste." she breathed out.
"Quite a distinctive scent, Miss Granger. Who would like to try next?"
As a hoard of students rushed forward to smell the potion, she became lost in her own thoughts…
She had smelled Draco in the potion.
"We need to escape! The Dark Lord is waiting! He requires our presence."
"That's it? That's all that you're concerned about?"
"Dumbledore said Draco is fine—"
"I don't trust him!"
"He'll be fine! The Dark Lord—"
"He'll be fine?" she hissed, glaring daggers. "My one and only son, is out there on a mission to kill the most powerful wizard on the planet, and you have the audacity to say he'll be fine?"
"Calm down Narci—"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN CALM DOWN?"
She rose up, knocking the glass in front of her to the floor, causing shards of glass to spread all around the room.
"Sit down!"
"You have no worries about our son."
"He's not at the top of our worries right now—"
"Yes he is! He's our son, Lucius. You gave us this life...and now your son is living it."
"Stop being so dramatic—"
"You," she said, darkly, "have descended into such a place from where I cannot rescue you no longer. My son is all that matters to me in this world. For him, I can die or kill within the blink of an eye. And I don't care anymore, if you do not share the same sentiments."
He tentatively moved forward, next in line to smell the amortentia. Ever since Granger smelled it, she looked a bit lost, as he saw her lost in the back of the classroom, standing with Potter.
"Mister Malfoy, next."
As he was called, he made his way up to the table, eyeing the pearly liquid. Slowly, he picked up the vial, and raised it to his nostrils.
The smell was strong, and he could almost immediately point out the distinctive components…
Roses.
Playing in the grand Malfoy gardens with his mother was one of his most prominent memories. He almost smiled, as he remembered running through the rose bushes, and carefully picking them, to give to his mother, following closely behind.
The second thing he smelled.,.
Green apples.
Of course. He never failed to complete his day without eating one. He remembered being younger, absolutely refusing to eat red ones, because they were Gryffindor's colour.
Childish, yes, but so very Draco.
And then, the final smell…
It was an alluring vanilla, but with a touch of berries.
Shit.
Fuck.
Fuck.
a/n: aaahhhh quick update! I said I'd take advantage of the long weekend. Writing this chapter was fun, hope you like it!
More than halfway through February. Time is ticking so fast like—what the fuck? Weekends feel like a thirty minute lunch break these days.
Homework, applications, the usual. However, I'm being oddly productive these days, so I'm managing to do a bit of everything. I will not procrastinate...I will not procrastinate…
Once again, leave a comment or review. I love them. They make my day.
Stay safe out there,
Sydney