CHAPTER 3~ A Horrible Truth
Hermione and Draco lay on the large bed in the hotel room facing each other. Draco had his arm draped over Hermione's back and was drawing lazy circles on her back.
"So she just agreed?" Hermione asked referring to Draco's conversation with her mother. "She didn't give you hell?"
Draco shook his head. "She tried, but I persuaded her that it was for our safety and she just gave in. I don't think she wants to put you in any danger. I do feel kinda bad though."
"And why's that?"
"I told her that we're in a double room. You heard me. I think that's the first time in my entire life that I've ever just straight up lied to her. What if she finds out that I lied? She will never trust me again."
Hermione smiled. "She won't find out. Who's gunna tell her? Certainly not me." She ran one of her hands through his hair then brought it down to rest on his cheek. "So gorgeous," she mumbled. "I can see why all the girls drool over you."
He smirked as he brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "Yeah, well I only care about you, so don't worry about what anyone else does 'cause they'll never even get close to me."
"You mean that?"
"Of course I do. I could never lie to you." He brushed his lips against hers softly.
"Draco, can I ask you something kinda.personal?"
"Yeah sure, but you know everything about me already anyway." The look she gave him clearly said that she didn't. Her eyes were narrowed and her lips pursed. "I'm kidding. Of course you can."
"When was your first kiss?"
"You don't want me to answer that."
"Yeah I do. Please? I'll tell you mine."
He sighed then took a deep breath. "All right, all right. It was this morning in the theater," he mumbled so that it was barely audible.
Her eyes widened. "No way! You're kidding! There is absolutely no way! What about Parkinson? She's always all over you."
"Maybe so, but I cannot stand her. She's a pug-faced slut. Besides, I've been waiting for you. Why? When was yours?"
"It was with Krum right after the Yule Ball." She blushed a little. "I really had no idea about you though. I just figured that with all the girls at school."
Draco let out a soft chuckle. "You mean all those sluts that'll do anything to get with the next good-looking guy who comes along? I don't go for girls like that. I want someone who will be true to me and that I know I can trust. Pansy disgusts me. Good looks and money is all she wants. Love, trust, they mean nothing to her. Totally opposite of you."
"So you mean that you have never even remotely liked another girl besides me your whole life?"
Draco nodded as a blush crept up to his pale cheeks. "I would've waited longer if I needed to. The truth is I just.love you and I was willing to wait as long as you needed. You and I always made sense to me. It was the only thing that made sense to me. Merlin, I even sound corny to myself. I can't even begin to imagine what you're thinking."
She pulled him to her and kissed him fiercely, trying to pour her soul into him through their lips. Draco kissed her back with just as much fire and passion. Hermione ran her hands down his body, and he moaned into her mouth.
She opened his jeans and pushed them down his muscular legs. The only time their lips parted was when Hermione pulled Draco's shirt over his head. As her fingers slid into the waistband of his boxers, he broke away from her.
"Hermione, I don't know if I'm ready for this yet. I mean, aren't we moving a little bit fast? I love you and all, but we're still young. We've got a lot of time ahead of us, and I don't want to ever hurt you. I don't want to get you pregnant at the age of sixteen."
She nodded and moved her hands back up his chest. "You're absolutely right. I don't want anything to come between us. I think I would've regretted it later on anyway."
Draco put his arms around Hermione and pulled her closer to him, holding her tightly. He kissed her forehead lightly as he rubbed her back. She kissed him gently, just barely touching her lips to his.
"We should get some sleep," Draco muttered. "We do have to see your parents in a few hours."
"Good idea." She pulled her baggy shorts down her slender legs. Draco looked at her questioningly. "If you get to sleep in your boxers, I get to sleep in my underwear. You have a problem with that?"
"Not at all. Do what you want. You won't hear me complaining."
She smiled. "Good. Goodnight, Draco."
"Night, Mya."
"Mya? You haven't called me that since before we went to Hogwarts."
"Yeah I know. But no one else calls you Mya. It's always been my name for you."
Hermione smirked. "Do I get to use my nickname for you then. It would only seem fair, wouldn't it?"
"Oh no! Never again! Please don't do that to me. You know how much I hate that name. Pansy's been calling me that lately." He groaned as he buried his head in the pillows.
"Aw, what's wrong, Drakie? You don't like your nickname anymore?" Hermione cooed. "It's not that bad."
"Goodnight, Mya."
"Goodnight, Drakie."
Draco kissed her briefly before shutting his eyes to get some sleep. His arms were wrapped around her and his head was rested on the pillow just above hers. He soon drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
~
The next morning Draco awoke at 9:27. Hermione was still sleeping soundly in his arms. He kissed her forehead gently then crawled out of the bed and pulled the covers up around Hermione since she looked a bit cold.
After stretching his back, he walked into the bathroom to take a shower. He let the cool water pour over his head and down his chest and back. It was very soothing. He cleansed his body with the cheap hotel soap and lathered his hair with the shampoo and conditioner.
When he finished, he wrapped a towel loosely around his waist. He brushed his teeth then went back into the room to change his clothes and wake Hermione.
He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over to kiss his sleeping beauty's cheek. "Wake up, Mya. Come on, sweetie, we gotta go see your parents." She didn't even stir, just continued sleeping. "Merlin, Mya! We got class in two minutes down in the dungeons! We're gunna be late!"
"What?!" She sat bolt upright. Draco started laughing hysterically and fell onto the pillows. "That wasn't funny," Hermione scolded as she laid back down trying to calm her breathing.
"Yeah it was. You should've seen your face. That was classic," he said still laughing.
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm sure it was. Now let me sleep; I'm tired."
"No, no, no. You gotta take a shower so we can eat then go to your parents' office. Come on, get up." He took hold of her wrists and pulled her up.
Her eyes opened a little as her head fell against his chest. A smirk formed on her lips as she ran her hands down his sides to play with the towel that was around his waist. "Is this all you're wearing?" she asked innocently.
"Maybe. I guess you won't find out though since you woke up too late. Tough luck."
She pouted a little. "Oh fine, be that way."
Draco smiled and grabbed the bag his clothes were in. "All right, if you insist."
"Fine then." She stalked into the bathroom with her head held high.
Draco shook his head as he unwrapped the towel from his waist and pulled on his boxers, pants, and t-shirt. Once he was finished dressing, he sat on the edge of the bed and stared out the window into nothingness. Something just didn't feel quite right, but he couldn't seem to place it.
"Mya!" he called through the bathroom door.
"Yeah?"
"What time does your parents office open? Nine, right?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I think we should go there before we eat. I'll tell you why when you come out." He went back to the bed and sat with his back against the headboard.
Within minutes, Hermione came out with a worried expression across her face. "Draco, what's wrong?"
"Well that's the thing, I don't exactly know. Something just doesn't seem right. I'm getting this bad vibe. I think it's got to do with my father. I think we should just go and see if everything's okay. I'm probably just worrying too much. Everything's probably fine, but I just wanna make sure."
"Okay," Hermione agreed. "I hope everything's fine and that you're just getting worked up over nothing."
They checked out of the hotel and began the short trip to the Granger's dentist office. Draco and Hermione held hands as they quickly walked down the streets of London.
The office was dark and the lights off. Not even Betty, the secretary was there. They tried peaking through the dark glass.
Hermione looked worriedly at Draco. "Do you think they're still at the house?" she questioned. "Maybe they're sick or something."
"Yeah, maybe," he said more to convince himself than her. Deep down he knew it was more. He took her hand in his once again, and moved even more swiftly toward their neighborhood.
Hermione opened the door to her house and let out a strangled cry. Her father was sprawled across the floor. Dead. She buried her head in Draco's chest. He held her close to him. He brought her into the kitchen and sat her down on a chair.
"I'll be right back. Just wait here, okay?" he said softly.
She shook her head. "No. Don't leave me. Please Draco." Tears stained her beautiful face.
"Hermione, I'll just be in the other room. I wanna see if your mother's around."
"No, Draco. Let me come with you then. I'm so scared. I don't wanna be alone."
"Okay," he gave in.
They walked back out into the foyer and headed into the family room, where Annabelle was lying naked with blood around her. More tears sprang from Hermione's eyes as Draco led her back to the kitchen. He felt sick. Hermione sat at the table with her head in arms while Draco phoned the local authorities.
"Hello. How can I help you?" said the urgent voice on the other end.
"My name's Draco Malfoy and my girlfriend is Hermione Granger. We spent the night out last night, and when I took her home this morning, we found her parents dead."
"Are you absolutely sure they're dead sir?"
"Yes! They're not breathing and there's no pulse. Doesn't that usually qualify a person as being dead? Last time I checked it did," he answered aggravated. "Look, can you just send some troops out here? My girlfriend's hysterical."
"Yes we will. What is the address?"
Draco gave the woman Hermione's address then hung up the phone. "Hermione, I'm going to my house to see if my father's there. I know he did it. Just wait here for the police and the ambulance. I'll be back in fifteen minutes tops."
She nodded. She couldn't say anything. Draco hugged her tightly to him and kissed her cheek before he headed across the street to his house.
He burst through the door to his father's office. His wand was clutched tightly in his hand as he glared at his father. "Why'd you do it?" he snarled.
"Do what? Kill your mother or the Muggles across the street?" Lucius responded smoothly without glancing up.
Draco's face became paler, if that was possible. His heart sank. "Y-you killed Mum too?"
"You catch on quick, Draco." He lifted his eyes to meet his son's gaze.
"You said you loved her. How could you?! She was your fucking wife!"
"Observant." A cruel smirk played across his lips. "You were always smart, Draco. Not smart enough, however. You chose the Mudblood over Pansy Parkinson, an esteemed pureblood. I would kill you now as well, but the Dark Lord has plans for you. He said that you're one of the strongest wizards he has ever had the pleasure of meeting. He wants you to be part of his inner circle. The first thing you have to do is lose the Mudblood, and we'll move back to the Malfoy Manor."
"No. That is not the life I want to lead. I want to be able to choose my own path, not the path that you have set before me. I love Hermione. I always have. There is no way I will ever leave her. Especially not for some ugly, pug-faced, untalented, stupid bitch such as Pansy. I have never even remotely liked her. How can you expect me to love her?"
"You can lead a successful life having never loved. Look at me. I never truly loved your mother. I just told her what she wanted to hear. I ended up just fine."
"No you didn't. You are working for a no good son of a bitch. He has manipulated you as well as every other Death Eater. I am ashamed to call myself your son." He turned and exited the room.
"Don't you dare turn your back on me, boy!" Lucius hollered after him.
Draco walked out of his house. There was a police car and an ambulance already outside of Hermione's house. He hurried across the street as the Granger's bodies were being loaded into the back of the ambulance in body bags.
He opened the door and headed into the kitchen, where Hermione was still sitting with her head in her hands. Two cops were standing over her trying to get answers to their questions.
"Give it a rest for now," Draco demanded fiercely as he crouched down next to Hermione and took her hand in his. "She's just lost her parents. Can't you see she's distressed?"
"And just who the hell do you think you are?" one of the cops asked. His nametag read "Anderson."
"I'm her best friend and boyfriend, Anderson. I know her better than anyone on the face of the Earth."
The second cop stood and stared at him intently. "Daly" was his name. "Just because you're this girl's boyfriend, that doesn't make you her best friend."
"You know, Daly, I'm sure that in most cases you'd be right, but we only started dating yesterday. Before that we'd been friends since we were born. We've never had a major fight. She is my best friend, and I'd appreciate it if you'd give me some time alone with her. Give me five minutes and I'll tell you what I can."
The two policemen silently left the room. Draco made sure they were gone before he pulled a chair next to Hermione's and stroked her hair absentmindedly. She lifted her head a little and put her arms around his neck.
"Did you talk to your father?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah. He did do it. Killed me mum too."
Hermione looked up into his sad eyes. "H-he killed your mother? I am so sorry." She buried her head in his shirt. He was used to this by now. In the last two days he had to comfort her plenty of times.
"Hermione, I'm gunna talk to the police. You can either come with me or stay here. Whichever you'd like."
"I'll go with you."
They stood and walked into the foyer, where the policemen were waiting. "So you're gunna talk?" Anderson said.
"Just ask what you wanna know. I've got things to do," Draco responded. He didn't like Anderson or Daly. They both pissed him off greatly.
"You've got a short temper, boy. How old are you?"
"Almost sixteen, but I don't see what that has to do with anything. If it's a trust issue, I don't lie. You can use one of those lie detector things if you'd like. It won't make a difference."
"I don't think that will be necessary," Daly cut in. "Now, do you have any information about these attacks? When it happened? Who did it?"
Draco looked at Hermione. "I presume they happened last night when Hermione and I were out. You see my father, Lucius Malfoy, has been acting strange lately. He said some threatening things to Hermione yesterday, so we left. We stayed at a hotel last night so that I could keep her safe. I phoned the Grangers and spoke to Annabelle. I guess it was about ten or so and that it was after I hung up when they were attacked by my father. I spoke to him just a few minutes ago. He admitted to it as well as killing my mother."
Both Anderson and Daly looked at him obviously expecting more. "And you stay this calm knowing that your mother and your girlfriend's parents are dead?" Anderson asked cocking an eyebrow.
"I don't cry. I have never shed a tear in my life. My mother always said that I have a heart of a dragon, hence my name, Draco. Crying for me is an impossibility. Here's a picture of my father." He pulled a Muggle photo out of his wallet. "Believe me or not, he was the one who did it. You can either trust me and look for him, because he already left, or you can investigate it and find out for yourselves that it was him. By then he will have already left England. And as I stated earlier, I have places to be. Good day."
Draco led Hermione up to her room. Tears were still leaking from the corners of her eyes.
"Where we will go, Draco?" Hermione questioned as she sat on the edge of her bed.
"We'll find another hotel for tonight. Pack your things. I want to be able to pack my things and be out of here as soon as possible."
She made no move to get up. Draco took a deep breath as he sat down next to her. He encircled his arms around her and let her rest her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I just don't know what to do about anything. I'm so scared."
"I know, Mya. I know. But no matter what happens, I will be here to protect you now and always. I'll help you pack if you want."
They stuffed all of Hermione's clothes into her trunk and picked up her ginger car, Crookshanks from the floor. Once they made it downstairs they emergency vehicles had all departed. They hurried across the street to Draco's house. As predicted, Lucius had left. Draco threw all of his things into his trunk, grabbed his eagle owl, Aneas, and they headed back to the heart of London.
"How 'bout we stay at the Leaky Cauldron?" Hermione suggested. "It is convenient, as it's near Diagon Alley, and on September first we can take the Knight Bus to King's Cross Station."
Draco nodded. "That's a good idea."
After walking a while longer, they reached the old pub and stepped inside. Tom, the bartender, was standing behind the bar, as always. "Ah Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger, how can I be of service?"
"Hi, Tom," Hermione said with a sad smile.
"We need two rooms for the rest of the summer," Draco informed him. "If you can, we'd prefer that the rooms be next to each other or in close proximity."
Draco pulled some galleons out of his bag and handed them to the old wizard. "Thank you so much."
"It is not a problem."
They dragged their trunks and animals up the stairs. Hermione placed her things in room nineteen then knocked on Draco's door. Room twenty-one. He let her in. She sat on his bed while he sat at the small desk and pulled out parchment, quill, and a bottle of ink.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"I wanna write to Dumbledore to explain what's going on. I'm sure he already knows, but I want to be one hundred percent positive." She nodded as he began writing.
Professor Dumbledore,
As you know, my father is a Death Eater and was sent to Azkaban at the end of the school year. He escaped yesterday and returned home. He was acting a bit.strange so Hermione and I decided to stay at a hotel last night.
We were supposed to meet Mr. and Mrs. Granger at their office this morning. When we arrived no one was there. We went to Hermione's house to see if they were somehow help up. We found them dead. I phoned the police then went to talk to my father.
He admitted to killing them and my mother-claimed he never really loved her or me. I got out of there as fast as I could and told the police what happened and gave them a Muggle photo of him. I know they won't find him, but it doesn't hurt to try.
Hermione and I paid for two rooms at the Leaky Cauldron for the remainder of the summer. I figured you'd like to know all this.
Can't wait until September.
Draco Malfoy
P.S. My father mentioned something about going back to the Manor.
He folded the letter and sealed it. After addressing it, he tied it to Aneas' leg and sent him off into the sunlight. He watched until the owl became a tiny speck and disappeared into the horizon.
He turned back to Hermione, who was looking at him. She looked about ready to cry again. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and held her in a loving embrace.
"I'm sorry, Draco," she mumbled.
"For what?" he asked confused.
"For being so weak. For turning to you every time I need a shoulder to cry on. You must be so sick of it. How many times have I cried in the past two days?"
"That's what I'm here for, Mya. I want to be the person you turn to. I really don't mind letting you cry on my shoulder. As I've said, I'll always be here for you."
Hermione held him tighter, feeling safe within his embrace. No one could touch her when he was around. He wouldn't allow it. They stayed that way for a long time, enjoying the feel of the other.
It wasn't a new feeling. They always felt that way when they were around each other, but at that moment it just seemed so much stronger as if an outer force were supplying their strength.
Sunlight poured through the open window illuminating them. It looked as if a higher power was beating down on them, protecting them from everything and everyone. It was as if they would be rejuvenated.
Hermione laid down on the small bed and pulled Draco down next to her. Neither of them wanted to think about what was going on outside that small wizard motel/restaurant.
She rested her head on his chest and listened to the slow, steady murmur of his beating heat. He had on hand wound in her short hair and the other resting on her back. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her. Her eyes fluttered closed as she fell into a slumber. Not long after, Draco followed suit.
Hermione and Draco lay on the large bed in the hotel room facing each other. Draco had his arm draped over Hermione's back and was drawing lazy circles on her back.
"So she just agreed?" Hermione asked referring to Draco's conversation with her mother. "She didn't give you hell?"
Draco shook his head. "She tried, but I persuaded her that it was for our safety and she just gave in. I don't think she wants to put you in any danger. I do feel kinda bad though."
"And why's that?"
"I told her that we're in a double room. You heard me. I think that's the first time in my entire life that I've ever just straight up lied to her. What if she finds out that I lied? She will never trust me again."
Hermione smiled. "She won't find out. Who's gunna tell her? Certainly not me." She ran one of her hands through his hair then brought it down to rest on his cheek. "So gorgeous," she mumbled. "I can see why all the girls drool over you."
He smirked as he brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "Yeah, well I only care about you, so don't worry about what anyone else does 'cause they'll never even get close to me."
"You mean that?"
"Of course I do. I could never lie to you." He brushed his lips against hers softly.
"Draco, can I ask you something kinda.personal?"
"Yeah sure, but you know everything about me already anyway." The look she gave him clearly said that she didn't. Her eyes were narrowed and her lips pursed. "I'm kidding. Of course you can."
"When was your first kiss?"
"You don't want me to answer that."
"Yeah I do. Please? I'll tell you mine."
He sighed then took a deep breath. "All right, all right. It was this morning in the theater," he mumbled so that it was barely audible.
Her eyes widened. "No way! You're kidding! There is absolutely no way! What about Parkinson? She's always all over you."
"Maybe so, but I cannot stand her. She's a pug-faced slut. Besides, I've been waiting for you. Why? When was yours?"
"It was with Krum right after the Yule Ball." She blushed a little. "I really had no idea about you though. I just figured that with all the girls at school."
Draco let out a soft chuckle. "You mean all those sluts that'll do anything to get with the next good-looking guy who comes along? I don't go for girls like that. I want someone who will be true to me and that I know I can trust. Pansy disgusts me. Good looks and money is all she wants. Love, trust, they mean nothing to her. Totally opposite of you."
"So you mean that you have never even remotely liked another girl besides me your whole life?"
Draco nodded as a blush crept up to his pale cheeks. "I would've waited longer if I needed to. The truth is I just.love you and I was willing to wait as long as you needed. You and I always made sense to me. It was the only thing that made sense to me. Merlin, I even sound corny to myself. I can't even begin to imagine what you're thinking."
She pulled him to her and kissed him fiercely, trying to pour her soul into him through their lips. Draco kissed her back with just as much fire and passion. Hermione ran her hands down his body, and he moaned into her mouth.
She opened his jeans and pushed them down his muscular legs. The only time their lips parted was when Hermione pulled Draco's shirt over his head. As her fingers slid into the waistband of his boxers, he broke away from her.
"Hermione, I don't know if I'm ready for this yet. I mean, aren't we moving a little bit fast? I love you and all, but we're still young. We've got a lot of time ahead of us, and I don't want to ever hurt you. I don't want to get you pregnant at the age of sixteen."
She nodded and moved her hands back up his chest. "You're absolutely right. I don't want anything to come between us. I think I would've regretted it later on anyway."
Draco put his arms around Hermione and pulled her closer to him, holding her tightly. He kissed her forehead lightly as he rubbed her back. She kissed him gently, just barely touching her lips to his.
"We should get some sleep," Draco muttered. "We do have to see your parents in a few hours."
"Good idea." She pulled her baggy shorts down her slender legs. Draco looked at her questioningly. "If you get to sleep in your boxers, I get to sleep in my underwear. You have a problem with that?"
"Not at all. Do what you want. You won't hear me complaining."
She smiled. "Good. Goodnight, Draco."
"Night, Mya."
"Mya? You haven't called me that since before we went to Hogwarts."
"Yeah I know. But no one else calls you Mya. It's always been my name for you."
Hermione smirked. "Do I get to use my nickname for you then. It would only seem fair, wouldn't it?"
"Oh no! Never again! Please don't do that to me. You know how much I hate that name. Pansy's been calling me that lately." He groaned as he buried his head in the pillows.
"Aw, what's wrong, Drakie? You don't like your nickname anymore?" Hermione cooed. "It's not that bad."
"Goodnight, Mya."
"Goodnight, Drakie."
Draco kissed her briefly before shutting his eyes to get some sleep. His arms were wrapped around her and his head was rested on the pillow just above hers. He soon drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
~
The next morning Draco awoke at 9:27. Hermione was still sleeping soundly in his arms. He kissed her forehead gently then crawled out of the bed and pulled the covers up around Hermione since she looked a bit cold.
After stretching his back, he walked into the bathroom to take a shower. He let the cool water pour over his head and down his chest and back. It was very soothing. He cleansed his body with the cheap hotel soap and lathered his hair with the shampoo and conditioner.
When he finished, he wrapped a towel loosely around his waist. He brushed his teeth then went back into the room to change his clothes and wake Hermione.
He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over to kiss his sleeping beauty's cheek. "Wake up, Mya. Come on, sweetie, we gotta go see your parents." She didn't even stir, just continued sleeping. "Merlin, Mya! We got class in two minutes down in the dungeons! We're gunna be late!"
"What?!" She sat bolt upright. Draco started laughing hysterically and fell onto the pillows. "That wasn't funny," Hermione scolded as she laid back down trying to calm her breathing.
"Yeah it was. You should've seen your face. That was classic," he said still laughing.
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm sure it was. Now let me sleep; I'm tired."
"No, no, no. You gotta take a shower so we can eat then go to your parents' office. Come on, get up." He took hold of her wrists and pulled her up.
Her eyes opened a little as her head fell against his chest. A smirk formed on her lips as she ran her hands down his sides to play with the towel that was around his waist. "Is this all you're wearing?" she asked innocently.
"Maybe. I guess you won't find out though since you woke up too late. Tough luck."
She pouted a little. "Oh fine, be that way."
Draco smiled and grabbed the bag his clothes were in. "All right, if you insist."
"Fine then." She stalked into the bathroom with her head held high.
Draco shook his head as he unwrapped the towel from his waist and pulled on his boxers, pants, and t-shirt. Once he was finished dressing, he sat on the edge of the bed and stared out the window into nothingness. Something just didn't feel quite right, but he couldn't seem to place it.
"Mya!" he called through the bathroom door.
"Yeah?"
"What time does your parents office open? Nine, right?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I think we should go there before we eat. I'll tell you why when you come out." He went back to the bed and sat with his back against the headboard.
Within minutes, Hermione came out with a worried expression across her face. "Draco, what's wrong?"
"Well that's the thing, I don't exactly know. Something just doesn't seem right. I'm getting this bad vibe. I think it's got to do with my father. I think we should just go and see if everything's okay. I'm probably just worrying too much. Everything's probably fine, but I just wanna make sure."
"Okay," Hermione agreed. "I hope everything's fine and that you're just getting worked up over nothing."
They checked out of the hotel and began the short trip to the Granger's dentist office. Draco and Hermione held hands as they quickly walked down the streets of London.
The office was dark and the lights off. Not even Betty, the secretary was there. They tried peaking through the dark glass.
Hermione looked worriedly at Draco. "Do you think they're still at the house?" she questioned. "Maybe they're sick or something."
"Yeah, maybe," he said more to convince himself than her. Deep down he knew it was more. He took her hand in his once again, and moved even more swiftly toward their neighborhood.
Hermione opened the door to her house and let out a strangled cry. Her father was sprawled across the floor. Dead. She buried her head in Draco's chest. He held her close to him. He brought her into the kitchen and sat her down on a chair.
"I'll be right back. Just wait here, okay?" he said softly.
She shook her head. "No. Don't leave me. Please Draco." Tears stained her beautiful face.
"Hermione, I'll just be in the other room. I wanna see if your mother's around."
"No, Draco. Let me come with you then. I'm so scared. I don't wanna be alone."
"Okay," he gave in.
They walked back out into the foyer and headed into the family room, where Annabelle was lying naked with blood around her. More tears sprang from Hermione's eyes as Draco led her back to the kitchen. He felt sick. Hermione sat at the table with her head in arms while Draco phoned the local authorities.
"Hello. How can I help you?" said the urgent voice on the other end.
"My name's Draco Malfoy and my girlfriend is Hermione Granger. We spent the night out last night, and when I took her home this morning, we found her parents dead."
"Are you absolutely sure they're dead sir?"
"Yes! They're not breathing and there's no pulse. Doesn't that usually qualify a person as being dead? Last time I checked it did," he answered aggravated. "Look, can you just send some troops out here? My girlfriend's hysterical."
"Yes we will. What is the address?"
Draco gave the woman Hermione's address then hung up the phone. "Hermione, I'm going to my house to see if my father's there. I know he did it. Just wait here for the police and the ambulance. I'll be back in fifteen minutes tops."
She nodded. She couldn't say anything. Draco hugged her tightly to him and kissed her cheek before he headed across the street to his house.
He burst through the door to his father's office. His wand was clutched tightly in his hand as he glared at his father. "Why'd you do it?" he snarled.
"Do what? Kill your mother or the Muggles across the street?" Lucius responded smoothly without glancing up.
Draco's face became paler, if that was possible. His heart sank. "Y-you killed Mum too?"
"You catch on quick, Draco." He lifted his eyes to meet his son's gaze.
"You said you loved her. How could you?! She was your fucking wife!"
"Observant." A cruel smirk played across his lips. "You were always smart, Draco. Not smart enough, however. You chose the Mudblood over Pansy Parkinson, an esteemed pureblood. I would kill you now as well, but the Dark Lord has plans for you. He said that you're one of the strongest wizards he has ever had the pleasure of meeting. He wants you to be part of his inner circle. The first thing you have to do is lose the Mudblood, and we'll move back to the Malfoy Manor."
"No. That is not the life I want to lead. I want to be able to choose my own path, not the path that you have set before me. I love Hermione. I always have. There is no way I will ever leave her. Especially not for some ugly, pug-faced, untalented, stupid bitch such as Pansy. I have never even remotely liked her. How can you expect me to love her?"
"You can lead a successful life having never loved. Look at me. I never truly loved your mother. I just told her what she wanted to hear. I ended up just fine."
"No you didn't. You are working for a no good son of a bitch. He has manipulated you as well as every other Death Eater. I am ashamed to call myself your son." He turned and exited the room.
"Don't you dare turn your back on me, boy!" Lucius hollered after him.
Draco walked out of his house. There was a police car and an ambulance already outside of Hermione's house. He hurried across the street as the Granger's bodies were being loaded into the back of the ambulance in body bags.
He opened the door and headed into the kitchen, where Hermione was still sitting with her head in her hands. Two cops were standing over her trying to get answers to their questions.
"Give it a rest for now," Draco demanded fiercely as he crouched down next to Hermione and took her hand in his. "She's just lost her parents. Can't you see she's distressed?"
"And just who the hell do you think you are?" one of the cops asked. His nametag read "Anderson."
"I'm her best friend and boyfriend, Anderson. I know her better than anyone on the face of the Earth."
The second cop stood and stared at him intently. "Daly" was his name. "Just because you're this girl's boyfriend, that doesn't make you her best friend."
"You know, Daly, I'm sure that in most cases you'd be right, but we only started dating yesterday. Before that we'd been friends since we were born. We've never had a major fight. She is my best friend, and I'd appreciate it if you'd give me some time alone with her. Give me five minutes and I'll tell you what I can."
The two policemen silently left the room. Draco made sure they were gone before he pulled a chair next to Hermione's and stroked her hair absentmindedly. She lifted her head a little and put her arms around his neck.
"Did you talk to your father?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah. He did do it. Killed me mum too."
Hermione looked up into his sad eyes. "H-he killed your mother? I am so sorry." She buried her head in his shirt. He was used to this by now. In the last two days he had to comfort her plenty of times.
"Hermione, I'm gunna talk to the police. You can either come with me or stay here. Whichever you'd like."
"I'll go with you."
They stood and walked into the foyer, where the policemen were waiting. "So you're gunna talk?" Anderson said.
"Just ask what you wanna know. I've got things to do," Draco responded. He didn't like Anderson or Daly. They both pissed him off greatly.
"You've got a short temper, boy. How old are you?"
"Almost sixteen, but I don't see what that has to do with anything. If it's a trust issue, I don't lie. You can use one of those lie detector things if you'd like. It won't make a difference."
"I don't think that will be necessary," Daly cut in. "Now, do you have any information about these attacks? When it happened? Who did it?"
Draco looked at Hermione. "I presume they happened last night when Hermione and I were out. You see my father, Lucius Malfoy, has been acting strange lately. He said some threatening things to Hermione yesterday, so we left. We stayed at a hotel last night so that I could keep her safe. I phoned the Grangers and spoke to Annabelle. I guess it was about ten or so and that it was after I hung up when they were attacked by my father. I spoke to him just a few minutes ago. He admitted to it as well as killing my mother."
Both Anderson and Daly looked at him obviously expecting more. "And you stay this calm knowing that your mother and your girlfriend's parents are dead?" Anderson asked cocking an eyebrow.
"I don't cry. I have never shed a tear in my life. My mother always said that I have a heart of a dragon, hence my name, Draco. Crying for me is an impossibility. Here's a picture of my father." He pulled a Muggle photo out of his wallet. "Believe me or not, he was the one who did it. You can either trust me and look for him, because he already left, or you can investigate it and find out for yourselves that it was him. By then he will have already left England. And as I stated earlier, I have places to be. Good day."
Draco led Hermione up to her room. Tears were still leaking from the corners of her eyes.
"Where we will go, Draco?" Hermione questioned as she sat on the edge of her bed.
"We'll find another hotel for tonight. Pack your things. I want to be able to pack my things and be out of here as soon as possible."
She made no move to get up. Draco took a deep breath as he sat down next to her. He encircled his arms around her and let her rest her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I just don't know what to do about anything. I'm so scared."
"I know, Mya. I know. But no matter what happens, I will be here to protect you now and always. I'll help you pack if you want."
They stuffed all of Hermione's clothes into her trunk and picked up her ginger car, Crookshanks from the floor. Once they made it downstairs they emergency vehicles had all departed. They hurried across the street to Draco's house. As predicted, Lucius had left. Draco threw all of his things into his trunk, grabbed his eagle owl, Aneas, and they headed back to the heart of London.
"How 'bout we stay at the Leaky Cauldron?" Hermione suggested. "It is convenient, as it's near Diagon Alley, and on September first we can take the Knight Bus to King's Cross Station."
Draco nodded. "That's a good idea."
After walking a while longer, they reached the old pub and stepped inside. Tom, the bartender, was standing behind the bar, as always. "Ah Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger, how can I be of service?"
"Hi, Tom," Hermione said with a sad smile.
"We need two rooms for the rest of the summer," Draco informed him. "If you can, we'd prefer that the rooms be next to each other or in close proximity."
Draco pulled some galleons out of his bag and handed them to the old wizard. "Thank you so much."
"It is not a problem."
They dragged their trunks and animals up the stairs. Hermione placed her things in room nineteen then knocked on Draco's door. Room twenty-one. He let her in. She sat on his bed while he sat at the small desk and pulled out parchment, quill, and a bottle of ink.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"I wanna write to Dumbledore to explain what's going on. I'm sure he already knows, but I want to be one hundred percent positive." She nodded as he began writing.
Professor Dumbledore,
As you know, my father is a Death Eater and was sent to Azkaban at the end of the school year. He escaped yesterday and returned home. He was acting a bit.strange so Hermione and I decided to stay at a hotel last night.
We were supposed to meet Mr. and Mrs. Granger at their office this morning. When we arrived no one was there. We went to Hermione's house to see if they were somehow help up. We found them dead. I phoned the police then went to talk to my father.
He admitted to killing them and my mother-claimed he never really loved her or me. I got out of there as fast as I could and told the police what happened and gave them a Muggle photo of him. I know they won't find him, but it doesn't hurt to try.
Hermione and I paid for two rooms at the Leaky Cauldron for the remainder of the summer. I figured you'd like to know all this.
Can't wait until September.
Draco Malfoy
P.S. My father mentioned something about going back to the Manor.
He folded the letter and sealed it. After addressing it, he tied it to Aneas' leg and sent him off into the sunlight. He watched until the owl became a tiny speck and disappeared into the horizon.
He turned back to Hermione, who was looking at him. She looked about ready to cry again. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and held her in a loving embrace.
"I'm sorry, Draco," she mumbled.
"For what?" he asked confused.
"For being so weak. For turning to you every time I need a shoulder to cry on. You must be so sick of it. How many times have I cried in the past two days?"
"That's what I'm here for, Mya. I want to be the person you turn to. I really don't mind letting you cry on my shoulder. As I've said, I'll always be here for you."
Hermione held him tighter, feeling safe within his embrace. No one could touch her when he was around. He wouldn't allow it. They stayed that way for a long time, enjoying the feel of the other.
It wasn't a new feeling. They always felt that way when they were around each other, but at that moment it just seemed so much stronger as if an outer force were supplying their strength.
Sunlight poured through the open window illuminating them. It looked as if a higher power was beating down on them, protecting them from everything and everyone. It was as if they would be rejuvenated.
Hermione laid down on the small bed and pulled Draco down next to her. Neither of them wanted to think about what was going on outside that small wizard motel/restaurant.
She rested her head on his chest and listened to the slow, steady murmur of his beating heat. He had on hand wound in her short hair and the other resting on her back. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her. Her eyes fluttered closed as she fell into a slumber. Not long after, Draco followed suit.