Chapter Four
'Everyday Things'
Sleep may have taken Draco swiftly, but that did not mean he rested well. He awoke with beaded sweat across his brow, glistening like dew from the small trail of morning daylight that slipped through his curtains. His mind had been tormented through the night by his usual hauntings, but it felt as though they'd been worse this time. Perhaps it was due to the woman hiding out in his home only a door down from him, a fact he'd partially wished had been a dream itself.
He rose groggily from his now damp bed, rubbing the sleep from his face as he threw his legs over the side to rest his feet on the worn rug beneath.
Yesterday's events began playing over through his head, causing a long breath to escape him in contemplation. It wasn't that he disliked her, in fact, he had found himself gazing at her a bit too much when he was younger, before Voldemort had returned and he was thrust into the life of a Death Eater. He rubbed the mark that moved and twisted across his forearm, almost mocking him, then proceeded to pull down his scrunched up sleeve to cover the vile branding that burdened him with memories.
He began to get dressed for the day, clean cut white shirt and neatly fitted trousers were his usual go to, along with a wet hand using the sink in his en suite to run through his hair and slick it back in a messy fashion. It was a boring, smart casual look that Draco felt represented him well. He exited his room whilst calling for his head butler.
"Rudd."
A snap in the air broke the silence.
"Good morning Young Master! Did you sleep well?"
"Good morning. Uh... Yes. Is our guest still asleep?"
"The young Miss arose about twenty minutes prior Sir, Giddy is currently attending her and Krutter is preparing breakfast if either of you care to attend."
"Effecient as always, you're always one step ahead. I shall indeed attend, be sure to let our guest know she is free to leave her quarters until my meeting at noon, she should be allowed to roam again from 4pm onwards. Be sure to cover the family portraits and have Frits, Gru and Minti keep an eye on the main gates and dungeons so that no one comes near this manor without my knowledge... We can't let anyone see her, do you understand?"
"Of course Young Master, consider it done. Rudd does not make mistakes."
"Thank you friend, I feel I rely on you all a bit too much these days."
"Young Master, without you we'd be enslaved to dark and evil forces, living life's of misery, we owe you much more than what we can give. Rudd can not begin to express how grateful he is to you Sir... But... May I speak freely?"
"A free elf is free to do anything he wishes, so please, speak."
"Sir... You've been very careful in the years Rudd has served you, what makes this one so important to risk this household? Rudd and the others are understandably worried, not only for ourselves, but for you Young Master. If we are caught, though those chances are very very VERY slim with you and Rudd working so hard, we won't be forgiven... The young Miss is a highly wanted witch..."
The house elf had started to twist and squeeze the end of his clothing as he spoke, clearly feeling incredibly uncomfortable, more so at the fact he was speaking so brazenly than the dire situation they were in.
"Rudd... You'll wrinkle your nice tunic if you keep that up. Do not fret, I will ensure none of you are at risk because of my decisions... The girl- Granger, was someone I knew during my time in Hogwarts, I let her and the others down to save my own skin and make my loveless father look at me with anything else but cold disappointment. I was a coward, a foolish child. I won't make the same mistake twice. Everything will be alright, I promise."
Kneeling forward to lower himself, he laid both hands on the elf's shoulders firmly and met his eyes in an attempt to reassure his small friend.
"And when have I ever made a promise I could not keep?"
He offered a gentle smile before pulling himself to his feet. Rudd gave him a nod accompanied with a small sigh.
"Of course Young Master, it is not that I doubt you, I just do not wish for any harm to befall you. I will see to it everything progresses smoothly. Shall I escort you to the dining hall?"
"Thank you Rudd, you are indeed a true friend. I'd be glad to be in your company for a while longer."
The two made their way to the dining hall, conversing about the days plans until Draco was seated for his meal. The table began to reveal a spread fit for a king with platters of bacon, eggs, fruit and other breakfast items. This magic had always filled him with nostalgia from his time in the Great Hall with his fellow house members.
As he began to delicately fill his plate, the sound of unfamiliar footsteps upon the old wooden floors caught his attention. Hermione had entered the room, escorted by Giddy, a hazel eyed house elf with pale skin and neat clothing. Her usual stern look was softer this morning, most likely due to the accomplishment that sheepishly followed behind her. Someone unknowing would think Hermione was being presented to royalty, with her hair plated and pinned into an elaborate design, and her make up was light and elegant to match the lilac dress that seemed to flow from her as if she were apart of it.
Draco had to swiftly stop himself from gawking the radiant being before him, rising from his chair and offering a small polite bow.
"Good morning, I hope you slept well. I can assure you that the food is worth my presence. However if I make you uncomfortable I can take my breakfast in the study."
He dared not look her in the eye, he had a feeling that if he did he'd find himself lost in them, whether they be glaring at him or not. He wondered for a brief moment just what suddenly made her so enchanting when his attention was pulled to a small cough as Hermione cleared her throat to speak.
"It's fine Malfoy, thank you for the concern. Last night was the first in a long time that I've lay on a soft bed so I slept a bit too well. I'm not used to these everyday things now but Giddy has been quite kind this morning, and the food does smell fantastic, so I'm in a good mood."
She too avoided his gaze as she took a seat at the other end of the table and began filling her plate carefully, feeling Giddy's eyes on the back of her head as she anxiously watched Hermione lift a fork over her dress to her mouth. Draco tried to not let the chuckle that threatened him escape his throat as he too began to enjoy his meal. The two sat in silence for some time before Hermione finally spoke up.
"So... Who exactly are you meeting at twelve and why does such business take up an entire afternoon?" She asked nonchalantly but Draco could sense a subtle sharpness in her tone.
"It'll be the transport officers and the deputy from Home Office to discuss the people who were in your company last night. I have to finish up their paperwork swiftly before then so you won't be seeing much of me you'll be glad to know."
His attempt at some light hearted humour at the end of his sentence gifted him a small, momentary smirk from the woman before she continued.
"What about Maria... she is muggle-born... what are her chances?"
Draco frowned, and finally convinced himself to look up at her. She caught his eye and looked back, her face devoid of emotion but he sensed the tension immediately.
"Granger... You know it will be difficult. That's not to say I won't do my best to argue her case, however, but I haven't been able to save too many mud- muggle-borns."
Her brow began to knot.
"Your best? If it were your best you'd have freed her to allow her a chance, but instead you hand her over to her executors!?"
"I already take great risks even fighting their corner, what else do y-"
"Fighting their corner!? You know it's almost impossible for them, there is nothing to fight!"
"If I am not careful I can not help others, I can not let the Dark Lord or other Death Eaters harbour any suspicions of me."
"Oh Merlin forbid you be branded a traitor to the most vile evil that's ever plagued the wizarding world, otherwise you'd have to give up this mansion and all it's luxuries."
"That is not why I tread carefully, I want to do good from the inside."
"No, you want to save your own neck, just like you did back at Hogwarts. You're still a scared little boy hiding behind excuses for your horrible actions."
"YES, I KNOW!"
Draco slammed his fists down on the table as he shouted, his entire body trembling from the onslaught of truths that Hermione had thrown at him.
"I know... I'm no brave and noble Gryffindor, and I don't pretend to be. I know what I'm doing is a spineless way of doing things but listen to me when I tell you that I am doing what I can. I can not look darkness in the eye and tell it to fuck off like you can. I'd always admired that about you all... but we can't change who we are."
The man stood up from the table and gave a hasty bow.
"I shall take my leave, I have a lot of work to do, and true to my nature I do not wish for anymore conflict between us. I especially do not want to upset you any further, particularly due to your need of rest. Enjoy your day."
Before he could fully vacate the room, Hermione's voice reached him.
"For all our bravery, look where it's gotten me... Perhaps... Perhaps my words were foolish, and maybe your approach is the wiser choice... but you're right, we can't change who we are. I hope you can help Maria."
"As do I Hermione."
He didn't dare look to her as he responded, he couldn't, instead he made his way to the study to begin preparations for the day ahead. He'd never felt so determined, like a fire had been newly ignited within him and guilt was fanning it. 'If I save this girl I'll be able to show her just how important this job is... I'll show her I'm not useless...' he thought as he began his paper work. 'I'll show her im worthy of-' he paused. Worthy of what exactly? Her approval? He brushed off the thought, he could not let his mind wander too far. No, if anything, he would prove to her that his way had results that she could agree with, maybe then they could talk without raising their voices. He suddenly felt a deep longing for a simply pleasant conversation with her, perhaps it was okay to hope for just that at least.
-End of Chapter Four-