Chapter 4- Apologies
I ran to the only place I could think of where no one would look for me. The astronomy tower. It was so quiet up here, I could finally take a moment to think. The cold air flew through the top of the tower and I couldn't help thinking of the last time we'd all been up here. It was before the war, when Harry had finally told us about the Horcruxes, the beginning of Voldemort's end as I like to think of it. Things had seemed so up in the air back then, none of us honestly thought we'd be safe. I never wanted to admit it at the time but it was the first time I'd been terrified that the war would tear us all apart. Yes we'd lost a lot during the war and it had changed us all so much but we'd survived. Being here gave me a lot of peace, it was a symbol of hope for me now, a sign of all we'd survived. I was struggling to process all that I'd just heard. Malfoy and Harry had a deal? That just made no sense, they hated each other? Was this why Harry had been so defensive about him lately? What did McGonagall have to do with all this? Why did Malfoy care so much about living with me? Was he really still stuck in the past?
"Granger…"
"Sod off Malfoy" I snapped, jumping as his voice yanked me from my thoughts. Of all the people to find me it had to be him.
"Look Granger, I'm sorry, you weren't meant to hear that" His words made my blood boil, it wasn't an apology for what he'd said but an apology that I'd heard him say it. He really was the same old Malfoy.
"Oh well that makes it all fine. I'm sorry I overheard your massive issue with my blood status and living with me is such a hardship. I mean really it's my fault for overhearing you." I snapped back sarcastically causing him to sigh as he sat down next to me. It felt strange having him so close I moved my head to the side as though it made him seem further away.
"Look I'm sorry Granger. I've been a bit all of the place with you lately." He sounded defeated and, as much as I didn't want to admit it, sincere.
"I really don't care anymore Malfoy. I tried" I replied still not looking in his direction, I had to be a little cold or things like this would just keep happening with him. We'd just keep going in circles.
"Granger it's not you. You're blood status isn't important to me, deep down you know that. Truth is, I thought I could come back here and start again like nothing happened. I should've known that was stupid, Blaise and I have been target number one since we got back." He paused and I couldn't help glancing towards his knuckles as he rubbed them. I could feel my anger towards him fading a little but I couldn't help wondering how much he truly meant it.
"It's not just that, raising Scorpius it's so much more complicated than I thought it was. Every time I look at him I just see his mother and it hurts. It really hurts to know my actions have robbed him of so much already. Then there's living with you too, I see you and think of what my aunt did to you in that room. I just stood there doing nothing I should've stepped in. You're being so kind helping with Scorpius and everything and I just keep feeling guilty. I'm sorry I'm just struggling to hold it together." He blurted out so much at once I knew he had to be telling the truth. At last I glanced across at him and his eyes finally met mine. I could see nothing but hurt and sorrow in his eyes and felt a little guilty at my outburst. There was a moment of silence as we just looked into each other's eyes as if searching for more.
"Sorry I freaked out. Just wanted this to be a normal year." I said feeling a little breathless as I took my eyes off of him for a second. We'd been so up and down these past few days it was exhausting.
"I get it and about your offer, I'd um like to sort something out. It'd be great to have your help." I breathed a sigh of relief knowing things would get sorted. Maybe I'd just overacted earlier I was so used to things being crazy at Hogwarts I was waiting for this year to be exactly the same.
"That's great. I'm happy to help." I said smiling as Malfoy broke a smile too.
"Glad to see you've calmed her down mate." Harry's voice made me jump away from Malfoy slightly and caused Malfoy to stand to his feet a shy smirk on his face.
"Yeh… anyway I'll let you two talk I've gotta go get Scorp. See you later Granger, you too Harry." Draco nodded as he excused himself. I stood up and hugged Harry tightly.
"I'm sorry Harry. I got all freaked out I thought you had made some odd deal with him about me." Harry smiled quickly and gestured for me to follow him down the steps of the tower, by this point it was getting a little too cold up here. I followed him down the steps feeling a little ashamed of my outburst. I'd gotten it all so wrong.
"Draco helped me out a lot during the war, I promised I'd keep it quiet if he came back to Hogwarts." Harry said cautiously as we walked. I looked at him baffled, surely I would've known if Malfoy had been helpful during the war.
"I know it's confusing it was all very hush hush, it had to be. He was the reason we got out of the manor really. Anyway, just give him a chance, he's been through a lot too." Harry said quickly as we made our way to the heads common room.
"Well, this is an unexpected turn of events. Let's just move on from tonight. I'll give him a real chance, he seems like he just needs some help." I replied quickly wanting to just leave the whole night in the past. I needed to stop being paranoid and just settle down.
"Thanks Mione, sorry for all the secrecy, I'm glad it's all settled now." Harry said softly as we reached the common room at last. Today had been so hectic and all over the place I had to just accept that for once this could be a normal drama free year and there wasn't some big crazy plot for us all to survive through.
"I'm off to bed now Harry. See you tomorrow" I replied quickly dreaming of my bed after this crazy day.
*****Next Morning, Breakfast*****
"So you've agreed to help Malfoy raise his kid?" Ginny said as she bit the corner off her toast. I glanced across at Malfoy who had just strolled in with Scorpius on his hip. He nodded in my direction and gave the slightest of smiles before joining Blaise at the table instantly starting what looked like a deep conversation between the two.
"Not exactly raise him Gin, just helping Malfoy out when he needs it." Ginny giggled as she glanced over her shoulder at the Slytherin table.
"Aren't you worried about what people will say?" She asked her tone serious once more. She did have a point, this would start the rumours whirling for sure. I'd managed to keep Boot quiet since the incident in the corridor but if anyone got wind of me helping Malfoy out the rumour mill would go into overdrive.
"To be honest Gin, I'm used to the whispers now, my best friend saved the wizarding world, I'm part of the golden trio and I dated one of the world's most famous seekers when I was fifteen. Pretty sure I can handle this lot." I replied quickly watching as Ginny nodded along thoughtfully.
"You make a good point. Never thought I'd see the day I must admit but he's definitely different this year." She added quickly again glancing over at Zabini and Malfoy who were also glancing at us. Clearly they were having a similar conversation.
"Just don't fall for him Hermione." Ginny said after a few moments before bursting into a fit of giggles. I glance across at Malfoy's platinum hair and Scorpius' smiling face before laughing at Ginny.
"No chance of that one happening."
******End*****
Very much a filler chapter! Hope you enjoyed it and more coming soon! Read and review guys, finally nice to see Hermione and Draco reaching some sort of agreement! We'll see how well that goes! xoxo
