A/N: Doll-Fin-Chick, Thanks! Glad you are enjoyed seeing Harry last chapter 😊
shadowfax00, Lol, hopefully! Thanks for reading!
A fan, Sorry for making you wait a week for the next chapter! Things have been crazy busy, but I forced myself to not make you wait more than a week. Hope you like it!
viola1701e, There's a distinct possibility 😉 Thanks for commenting! I always like hearing what my readers think will happen.
Ardentlyadmired, Haha, yes! He certainly does know that about her. Thanks for continuing to comment.
iheartdracomalfoy4life, Yeah, I thought it would be fun to give Harry and Draco their own little scene in this story. Thanks for all the comments and love!
"We're going to focus on your memories today," Hermione told Draco when he entered the meeting room the next day.
"How fun," he said, crossing his arms as he walked over to where she was setting up a Pensieve. He'd been dreading sharing his memories with her ever since she told him he'd have to.
"All right, it's ready." She turned toward him.
"What exactly do you need?" he asked, eyeing the Pensieve.
"Anything concerning Voldemort."
He released an impatient breath. "Granger, I was raised in a household where Voldemort was idolized. My father told me bedtime stories about him, for Merlin's sake. You're going to have to be a bit more specific."
"Right." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Let's start with your personal experience with Voldemort then. When you took the Dark Mark, and when he commanded you to kill Dumbledore."
Draco nodded, his stomach turning, for once not because of the terrible Azkaban food.
Hermione raised her wand to his head and muttered an incantation as Draco closed his eyes, conjuring the memories. He felt the strange sensation of them leaving his mind in a stream of light, then opened his eyes to see Hermione bottle the memories in a flask.
"Good," she said. "Now I need you to remember the night Dumbledore died. Everything that happened on the Astronomy Tower. I talked to Harry and he's considering testifying for you. I'll need to make sure your memories match."
Draco clenched his fists, then closed his eyes again as Hermione retrieved his memory.
"Okay, there's one more thing," she said slowly.
Draco narrowed his eyes. The two memories he'd shared were already more than he wanted to show her. What else was she asking to see?
She took a deep breath. "The night Harry, Ron, and I were at the Manor."
"No." He crossed his arms firmly to his chest. It was bad enough reliving that evening in his nightmares. He certainly wasn't about to watch it again with her next to him.
"Malfoy, if Harry agrees to testify, it could strengthen your case. We'll probably only need the part where you didn't identify him. Trust me, it could make a difference."
His mind spun, weighing the benefits the memory could have on his case and the horror of seeing her torture again, not to mention the uncomfortable conversation that would certainly follow if she found out everything that happened that night.
"Please, Draco."
Before he could stop himself, his gaze darted to hers. Her brown eyes pleaded with him and he felt his resolve weakening. He knew she wanted to see the memory entirely for his sake, and her compassion and bravery moved him.
"Fine." He sighed, allowing Hermione to retrieve the final memory.
With the three flasks in her hand, she carefully poured each one into the Pensieve and then stared into the silvery swirling mist.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"After you," Draco said grimly, gesturing with his hand.
She nodded and stepped forward.
"Granger, wait." Draco grabbed her elbow and she looked up at him.
He swallowed. "Some of what you're about to see . . . well, it's not good." He released her and swept a hand through his hair, feeling an unreasonable urge to try to make her understand that he wasn't that person anymore. "It's just—I'm not . . ."
"I know," she said softly, laying a light hand on his arm, her simple words and action easing his nerves. He nodded stiffly, turning back to the Pensieve.
Together, they stepped forward and allowed themselves to fall gently into his memories.
Hermione was once again at Malfoy Manor, and her heart leapt in her throat upon seeing Voldemort standing in front of her. Facing him was a solemn Draco Malfoy, with Narcissa by his side. Bellatrix LeStrange stood a few feet behind Voldemort, wearing an evil smile.
"Draco Malfoy," Voldemort hissed, "the time has come for you to make up for your father's failings."
"Yes, my Lord," Draco said, his voice quiet and emotionless as he bowed his head.
"I must say"—Voldemort's lips curled—"your father has been a severe disappointment to me. His actions at the Ministry cost me the prophecy I so desperately need. He's lucky his inaptitude landed him in Azkaban . . . before I was able to reach him."
Voldemort walked towards Draco and surveyed him with his snake-like eyes. Draco shifted his feet and straightened his shoulders under Voldemort's hostile gaze as he continued. "I do hope you are prepared to serve me better. If not . . . it would be most unfortunate for you . . . and your mother." Voldemort stopped and turned his eyes toward Narcissa.
Draco gulped, but when Voldemort turned his stare back to him, he had composed himself.
"I am, my Lord," Draco said, sounding more confident now. "It will be an honor to serve you."
"We shall see." Voldemort raised his wand as Draco pulled up the sleeve of his left arm with a quick hand. Bellatrix leaned forward hungrily.
Pressing his wand to Draco's forearm, Voldemort growled a dark incantation. Black smoke shot from the end of his wand, curling up and into Draco's skin. Draco's face twisted in pain, but he made no sound as he fell to his knees. Bellatrix cackled in glee and clapped her hands like a child at a birthday party.
When Voldemort finished, he pulled his wand back and stared down at his newest recruit. "Welcome to the Death Eaters, Draco Malfoy," he said, then swept from the room.
Once Voldemort was gone, Narcissa rushed to her son and pulled him up. "Draco . . ." she gasped, choking back tears.
Draco yanked away from his mother, and Hermione could see that his eyes were red, but no tears were visible. "It's done," he said.
"Yes, it is." Bellatrix strode over, stepping between her sister and nephew, laughing wickedly. "But the fun is just beginning."
Hermione made several notes as the memory faded, knowing it was an important one. The Prosecution had already subpoenaed it for evidence, and she knew McLaggen would use Draco's detached demeanor and apparent willingness to serve Voldemort to strengthen his case. Like Draco had told her, he seemed to have taken the Dark Mark of his own accord. However, Hermione had a feeling that, although he had been willing at the time, he had not necessarily been happy about it.
The next memory came into focus, taking place in the same ornate dining room Hermione had seen in Narcissa's memory, but this time, the large dining table was filled to the brim with Death Eaters. Hermione recognized a few of them as her previous clients. Draco sat next to Bellatrix, his young age making him look incredibly out of place.
Voldemort sat at the head of the table in a large ornate chair, absentmindedly stroking his snake's, Nagini's, head.
Hermione carefully observed the younger Draco in this memory. He stared straight ahead, his eyes unfocused, looking completely lost. She could see the faint traces of the dark shadows already forming under his eyes. The ones she came to recognize so well at Hogwarts that year.
"Draco Malfoy," Voldemort said, "the time has come for you to prove your allegiance to me." Every head at the table turned towards Draco.
Draco started slightly, then turned his gaze toward Voldemort. Draco's left sleeve was partially rolled up and Hermione could see his Dark Mark glowing against his pale skin, his fist clenched.
"I have a special task for you," Voldemort said.
Draco swallowed and nodded. "I'm ready, my Lord. How can I serve you?"
"You must kill Albus Dumbledore." Voldemort paused, placing a gentle hand under Nagini's chin. There were several jealous whispers and excited outbursts around the table from the other Death Eaters.
Draco blinked several times and licked his lips. "Yes, my Lord," he said in a hoarse voice.
"It will be ideal." Voldemort smiled, slowly turning his attention toward Draco again. "As a student, you will not arouse suspicion, but you will have easy access to Dumbledore. You must also find a way to grant your fellow Death Eaters entrance into Hogwarts." He waved his hand. "Now . . . I'm sure I needn't remind you that everyone's hourglass runs out of sand at some point. You will have until the end of your sixth year to accomplish these tasks for me. If you fail, you will pay with your life . . . and that of your mother's. Tell me, Draco, can you do what I ask of you?"
"Yes, my Lord," Draco said again, his voice breaking slightly. Several of the Death Eaters laughed. Hermione noticed Antonin Dolohov whisper something to the Death Eater next to him, an evil gleam in his eye.
"Good," Voldemort said. "Perhaps in time, you will prove yourself to be more useful than your father."
As the memory blurred and faded, Hermione glanced at Draco to see how he was feeling reliving what were, no doubt, the worst moments of his life. His expression gave away very little, reminding her of the emotionless young man in the first memory.
"How are you doing with this?" she asked gently.
"I just want to get it over with," he said, not meeting her stare.
Hermione nodded and then observed the new memory before her. The Astronomy Tower at Hogwarts. As she watched Draco's remembrances of Dumbledore's death unfold, Hermione took careful notes on important things she noticed, things she would check against Harry's memory if he let her.
The Draco in this memory seemed truly distraught to be facing the reality of murder. The desperation in his voice was apparent, and the more Dumbledore talked with him, the more he seemed to come undone.
Hermione released a short breath when she saw him lowering his wand, just as Harry had told her, before the other Death Eaters showed up and Severus Snape ultimately killed the headmaster.
Hermione had to fight back tears upon seeing the green light of the Killing Curse take the kind old wizard's life. Although Harry had relayed that horrible night for her in detail, there was something much different about watching it for herself. She had seen many terrible things in the memories of Death Eaters, but watching someone she knew and loved be murdered struck her very core.
As the memory faded away, she was relieved to see it go. She glanced at Draco beside her and saw that he also seemed to be struggling to control his emotions.
The scene switched, and once again, she was back in the room that haunted her nightmares. Her heart sped up and her breathing faltered.
You can do this, she told herself. She felt just as terrified as the time she reviewed the scene in Narcissa Malfoy's memories, only this time Hermione took small comfort in the fact that she wasn't alone. She glanced at Draco again. He looked composed once more and was watching her carefully.
"We don't need to see th—" he said, but she raised her hand in protest.
"I'm fine. And yes, we do." She drew her stare from his, regarding the setting before her.
Memory-Draco was seated in a stately chair in front of the large fireplace, gazing into the flames with a troubled expression on his face. Lucius Malfoy sat across from him, looking quite sullen himself.
Suddenly, the door burst open and Narcissa Malfoy marched in with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the group of Snatchers.
Like she had before, Hermione watched memory-Draco's expression change from unhappiness to fear as he regarded the prisoners. Once again, she noticed his stare linger on her the longest, and Hermione glanced at Draco beside her now to see if he noticed it as well. His stony expression, however, did not change.
Lucius began his demanding tirade and Hermione muttered her spell to save it as memory-Draco stared reluctantly at Harry but did not identify him. She stopped saving the memory and made several notes as memory-Draco returned to his mother's side. Narcissa began questioning him about Hermione's identity.
"I'm sorry, you know," Draco said quietly next to her. "About identifying you. I knew my mother recognized you. It was too risky to lie."
Hermione just nodded. With a crash, the door burst open, revealing Bellatrix Lestrange. Although she knew that part of the memory had been coming, Hermione foolishly dropped her quill in surprise upon seeing her.
As Hermione bent to retrieve it, Draco grabbed her arm, pulling her up. "Let's go. You have what you need."
Hermione nodded, but before he could drag her away, she planted her feet firmly on the ground. "Wait," she said, suddenly feeling like she needed to see whatever it was Narcissa had meant to show her. Somehow, having Draco beside her now made her feel brave enough to view the memory.
"Stop," she said, "I have to see . . ."
"Granger . . ." Draco sounded strained. "You don't want to see this. You got what you came for, now let's go!"
Hermione just shook her head, transfixed as an enraged Bellatrix Stupefied the Snatchers.
"Draco, move this scum outside!" Bellatrix shrieked, pointing at the unconscious Snatchers on the floor. "If you don't have the guts to finish them, leave them in the courtyard for me."
In the memory, a terrified Draco did as Bellatrix directed, levitating the bodies with his wand and hurriedly retreated from the room.
"Granger . . . Hermione," Draco pleaded beside her as they watched memory-Draco deposit the men's unconscious bodies outside. "Please, let's go. There's nothing here you need to see." He tugged on her arm to pull her away.
"No!" Hermione protested. She had come this far. She wasn't letting her fear win now. She wrenched her arm from Draco's grasp and took a few steps away from him.
As memory-Draco reentered the house, a loud lengthy scream echoed above them. Hermione cringed at the sound of herself in such agony. However, she was quickly distracted by the look of utter horror that flashed across memory-Draco's face. Upon hearing her scream, he raced up the stairs and burst through the door.
Bellatrix was hovering over Hermione, grazing her neck with a silver knife. Memory-Draco began to rush over, wand raised, when he was pulled back by Narcissa.
"Draco! No!" Narcissa whispered furiously, holding his arm tightly. "You can't help her. Bella will kill you . . . she'll kill both of you!"
Memory-Hermione screamed again and thrashed on the floor as memory-Draco's eyes darted helplessly between his mother and the tortured girl. Lucius was several feet ahead, watching Hermione's torture hungrily, oblivious of the exchange taking place between his wife and son behind him.
Hermione swayed slightly on her feet, her blood pounding in her brain. She recalled Ron's words a few nights ago. How he'd accused Draco of enjoying watching her torture. She saw now that nothing could be further from the truth. In the memory, she could clearly see how stricken he looked. She heard herself scream again.
Hermione felt the earth shift around her but was quickly supported by two strong arms almost cradling her. "Please . . ." Draco whispered in her ear. "You've seen enough."
"Draco, fetch the goblin!" Lucius turned to face Narcissa and his son now. "He can tell us whether the sword is real or not."
Narcissa's fingernails dug into memory-Draco's arms, and she pushed him forward a little. He dumbly nodded and made his way down to the cellar. Ron could be heard desperately roaring Hermione's name.
"Stand back. Line up against the back wall. Don't try anything, or I'll kill you!" Memory-Draco exclaimed, no doubt trying to seem threatening as he marched into the cellar, his arm shaking terribly as he pulled Griphook out with him.
He marched back up the stairs, quickly pushed Griphook into his father's grasp, then retreated to stand by his mother again. Bellatrix let out a ferocious shriek, causing memory-Hermione to convulse painfully on the floor.
"CRUCIO!"
Memory-Draco pulled away from his mother's grasp, then raised his wand. "Stupefy," he whispered.
White light from his wand traveled low on the ground, hitting Hermione's body. The light blended in with the sparks coming off Bellatrix's wand. Neither she nor Lucius appeared to notice it.
Mid-torture, Hermione's body went limp and she fell unconscious. Memory-Draco took a shaky step back, next to his mother once more, his face blank.
Shocked, Hermione stared at her unmoving form on the ground. All this time, she thought she'd passed out from the pain of the Cruciatus Curse. She had no idea she'd really been Stupefied out of her misery.
Turning away from the terrible scene in front of her, she faced Draco, who was holding her tightly in his arms. His jaw clenched, he looked over her head at the memory of himself and his family.
"Draco," she gasped, "you stopped her."
Draco's gaze darted to hers, and Hermione could see the glisten of tears in his eyes.
"You shouldn't have seen that," he whispered raggedly, pressing her head against his chest, stroking her hair. "You shouldn't have had to live that again . . . I'm sorry . . . I'm so sorry."
Hermione felt his racing heart against her cheek. Although they were still in the memory, both she and Draco were oblivious to what was happening in it now as they clung to each other.
"Why did you help me?" Hermione asked, and Draco loosened his hold to look at her. He removed his hand from her hair, gently wiping the tears from her face.
"Because . . . I couldn't—" He shook his head. "I couldn't bear it . . ." His fingers lightly trailed across her cheek, then paused. His sad eyes searched her own, until suddenly, he pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers.
Before Hermione could stop herself, she returned his desperate kiss. She wrapped her hands behind his neck and leaned into him, feeling alive and completely outside herself at the same time.
Draco groaned softly as he continued to caress her lips with his, one hand tangled in her hair, the other pressing her against him. It was the most passionate kiss of her life, feverish and demanding, and she responded fully, still wanting more.
Hermione's mind swirled so much she barely registered the sensation of the memory ending, and them being transported out of the Pensieve and back into the meeting room.
Almost as soon as their feet touched the floor, Draco guided her backward until she was pressed against the wall. She continued to melt into his kiss, which had turned deep but surprisingly gentle.
The sound of a door being thrown open startled them apart, and three guards rushed in. Two grabbed Draco and forced him out the door. Hermione saw one of the guards' fists connect with Draco's abdomen just before the door shut.
Hermione stood frozen, completely dumbfounded until the remaining guard placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you all right?" he asked gruffly. "Did he attack you?"
"No!" She immediately tried to calm her voice. "No. It was a misunderstanding. That's all." She took a step forward and attempted to gather her belongings.
The guard eyed her dubiously. "Would you like to press charges?"
She shook her head. "No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes . . . I'm sure."
He nodded, then disappeared through the door as Hermione collapsed onto the chair, placing a troubled hand to her forehead.
What just happened?
A/N: So we finally know what happened in the rest of the memory! I'm sure most of you are not surprised to find out that Draco helped her. I thought long and hard about a way he could have done it that could still (I think?) be canon with the books. So I will just go on pretending it really happened this way 😉
I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this chapter! Don't be shy. I promise to get a Chapter Preview up on my social accounts by end of day (links in my bio).
In other news, my debut novel, Desperate Forest, was released yesterday on Amazon in Kindle and paperback! If you enjoy my writing, check it out (search "Desperate Forest Kindle" or "Cece Louise").
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