A/N: Thank you to all my readers! I love you guys. This story has over 2,000 views already and 60 followers, which is pretty cool. You guys keep me motivated to keep writing and posting.
JMilz, Thank you for your review here and on HPFF! I'm a bit obsessed with reviews, so that just made my day! I'm thrilled that you're enjoying this story, and that you feel I am being true to Draco and Hermione's characters. That's something I try really hard to do, so I'm always pleased to hear when you think I got it right.
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chapou69, Thank you! Writing interactions between Draco and Hermione is my favorite part of any of my stories. I'm so happy you are enjoying reading their meetings. I promise there will be many more to come in this story!
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A fan, Your dedication is the best! Thanks for continuing to comment 😊
Draco threw himself down on the hard cot Azkaban called a bed and stared at the stone ceiling.
Well, that went . . . strangely.
He couldn't help but reflect on the miserable turn his life had taken. The once proud and powerful Malfoy heir now reduced to a prisoner, relying on the girl he once bullied mercilessly for his freedom. It was laughable, really.
What would it be like, he wondered, if their roles were reversed? If Voldemort had won and the Death Eaters were in control. Granger would likely be the one in prison, probably a far worse one than he was in. Would he have helped her, given the chance?
Most likely not. Maybe he would have killed her himself, just to put her out of the misery she would surely be experiencing at the hands of the Death Eaters.
The thought darkened his mood, and as horrible as his current predicament was, he couldn't help but be relieved that the situation was not reversed. Even if it would've meant his freedom.
It was odd, but seeing her again was a bright spot in his recent pitiful existence. He'd almost forgotten what it was like to talk to another human being besides his family. Something about seeing her, specifically with her crazy hair, reminded Draco of a simple time—a better time—of being at Hogwarts and having no real worries.
He liked it. Being able to remember that he once had a life outside this cell. Would he ever have that again? It was pathetic, but for some reason, Hermione Granger gave him a sliver of hope.
Maybe his mother was right. Maybe if anyone could help him, it was Granger. She was clever, he knew that—and resourceful. But she certainly didn't owe him anything. That thought sobered him.
"Visitor!" a guard called, unlocking his door. Draco pushed himself off his bed and followed him back to the meeting room.
Inside, his mother waited at the table where he'd sat with Hermione earlier. Draco embraced her and placed a swift kiss on her cheek.
"Well?" Narcissa inquired. "The Granger girl?"
"She was here."
"Good." His mother sat down, a smile on her face. "That's good, Draco."
"Maybe." He narrowed his eyes at his dangerously clever mother. "What exactly did you tell her yesterday?"
His mother sniffed. "Just the facts. This current Ministry is a sham."
"Uh-huh . . ." Draco replied dubiously. He knew his mother had certain notions about him when it came to Hermione Granger. It all started when she'd witnessed his chat with her, Potter, and Weasley at the Quidditch World Cup. Ever since, his mother had watched him carefully whenever Hermione Granger was brought up in a conversation.
His mother's keen eye was what had caused Draco to identify Granger at the Manor that fateful night. He knew his mother recognized Granger, and if he'd blatantly lied about her identity, Narcissa would've known he was lying about Potter as well.
More than anything, Draco had not wanted Voldemort to be called that night. He didn't want the death of his three classmates on his hands, or to have to watch it, no matter how much he despised them. However, Draco's actions that evening only fueled his mother's outrageous assumptions.
Between that night and the Quidditch World Cup, Draco really didn't know why he'd acted the way he had. Perhaps there was a small part of him that felt momentarily protective toward the irritating girl. Obviously, her useless friends couldn't be trusted to keep her safe.
Not that Hermione Granger needed anyone to protect her. He knew all too well that she had a solid right hook and a defiant temperament. But those qualities wouldn't have gone far against a band of ruthless Death Eaters.
"Well, just stay out of it, Mother." Draco snapped back to the present day. "You got what you wanted, now leave it alone."
Ignoring his threatening tone, Narcissa folded her hands. "And how did your meeting today go? What did she say?"
Draco shrugged. "She just went over my charges with me. Talked about bringing Lovegood, Ollivander, and Griphook in as witnesses. It will be weak though."
"She's friends with Harry Potter. She could get him to testify on your behalf."
"No," Draco protested immediately. "I'm not asking her to do that. And you won't either! It's not even relevant."
"What about that night at the Manor? You didn't identify him to your father. You prevented Voldemort from being called and probably saved his life!"
"You knew it was him?"
"I knew you knew," she replied matter-of-factly. "That's why I challenged you about Granger."
"Bellatrix would have killed her, you know," Draco said, crossing his arms. "Or driven her mad."
Narcissa raised her eyebrows as if to say, What's it to you? Instead, she said, "Lucky for us, she didn't."
"Yeah, lucky," he muttered darkly, knowing luck had nothing to do with it. "It doesn't matter. That night isn't applicable to my case. In fact, I don't even think it's common knowledge." Draco never remembered reading about it in the Prophet in the many recaps and interviews on the exploits of the Golden Trio. For that, he was thankful.
"Testimony from Potter would be invaluable, Draco. Just think about it."
"If that night was brought up in court, Granger probably wouldn't even be allowed to be my Defense Inquisitor. It would be a conflict of interest, so just drop it."
Narcissa complied by changing the subject to how she was adjusting to her life after being cleared of her charges. They talked for almost an hour.
Before she left, his mother gave him a small stack of books, which Draco took eagerly.
I look like Granger . . . he mused bitterly.
However, when he saw the covers and titles of the books, his enthusiasm waned. Her Whimsical Wizard's Wish and Magical Makeshift Marriage—half-clothed men and women wearing forlorn expressions adorned the covers. What in Merlin's name were these?
"I'm sorry," Narcissa said, "they're all I had since the Ministry seized our library. And it isn't a good idea for me to be seen in Diagon Alley just yet."
Draco nodded and took the books anyway. His mind was desperate for any kind of escape from the hellhole he was currently in.
Hermione shook Luna Lovegood's hand and thanked her for coming to her office on such short notice. They had just finished discussing Luna's experience of being held captive at Malfoy Manor.
As Hermione expected, Luna had no problem testifying that the "blond boy troubled by Wrackspurts" (as Luna described Draco) had done her no harm while she was there. Luna also added that he was the only one who gave the prisoners proper meals during her captivity, and he even smuggled in a few books for her to read.
Unfortunately, Hermione didn't think Luna's starry-eyed testimony would hold much weight with the Wizengamot. But it was a start.
"Do you think Draco will be released?" Luna asked as Hermione walked her to the door.
"I'm not sure, Luna."
"It would be a shame if he wasn't," she said airily. "He has a good soul. I can tell. He just needs someone to care for him and keep the Wrackspurts away . . . someone like you, Hermione. Do you think he'd like that?" she gazed at Hermione with round, questioning eyes.
Hermione had to stifle a laugh at the blond girl's bizarre question. "No, Luna, I don't think he would."
"Oh, that's too bad," she said, her face falling. "Well, tell him I said hello. And that he should hold your hand . . . the Wrackspurts never bother you."
"Um . . . I'll let him know you wish him well," Hermione said, having no intention of relaying the second part of Luna's statement.
"That's good," Luna replied and walked dreamily down the hall. Hermione smiled as she watched her go. She admired Luna's calm, certain outlook on life.
She knew people often underestimated Luna, hence her nickname of "Loony," but Hermione knew the girl to be strangely perceptive.
It comforted her slightly to know that Luna didn't think badly of Draco Malfoy. Even though Hermione didn't trust or like him, the fact that Luna seemed to, made Hermione feel a little more comfortable about pleading his case.
Unfortunately, Harry and Ron weren't likely to be so understanding.
A/N: Did you guys like seeing Luna in this chapter? She is one of my very favorite HP characters! I really admire her attitude. Next chapter, we get to see Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Chapter preview will be up on my Facebook and Twitter page by EOD.
If any of you are HP Fanfiction writers, you should head on over to Wattpad and enter your story in the Harry Potter Seeker Awards! I'm one of the judges and there are lots of great awards, including Best Dramione and my personal favorite, Best Drama (The Rita Skeeter Award). PM if you want a direct link or if you have questions!