Friends Close, Enemies Closer
By: Ana Dolohov
During the run, Hermione encounters three Slytherins who seek redemption. Loyalties are tested. Friendships are made. Trust is questioned. How much time can one survive torture without going insane?
Rated: Fiction T – English – Adventure/Friendship – Harry P., Ron W., Hermione G., Draco M. – Chapters – 1
The Forest of Dean
Chapter 1 – The Injured Raven
The air was slightly windy as the trees lurched back and forth. Everything was quiet except the footsteps of Hermione Granger. It had been a few weeks since the trio had been on the run and currently she held a bag of their rationed food from a small village. Finding food had been a huge pain, but this was their life for the time being. Suddenly, Hermione heard a large crack, meaning someone had appeared into the forest. She quickly hid in the bushes as she watched three hooded figures being chased by people in black robes and masks. 'Death Eaters', Hermione whispered to herself, knowing she had to help the three figures. She reacted quickly by shooting a 'Stupefy 'and a few other spells like 'Bombarda 'and 'Confringo '. A small fight broke out but ended when one of the figures stunned the final Death Eater standing. Panting slightly, Hermione studied the people in front of her. The first one was quite tall, slender and she caught a glimpse of sleek, translucent blond hair. The second one was quite similar though his hair color was brown and curly. The third one was shorter than the first two and had long raven hair which had dried blood stuck to it. Hermione felt like an intruder as she watched the girl clutch her arm in pain. The other two had pained expressions as they whispered soothing words to her. She had heard those voices… but from where? Realization dawned on her as they flipped their hoods. "Malfoy?! Nott?!" she asked, not bothering to conceal her astonishment with wide eyes.
How- Why Were Death Eaters- What- Hermione asked, stumbling over her words. "Yes Granger, it's us, Draco replied tiredly. I can assure you that you are neither dreaming or that we are polyjuiced. Hermione scowled "It doesn't matter, does it? I haven't trusted you since the first year and I certainly won't start now as memories flooded her mind about Hogwarts last year.
I don't care if you- Draco began but was cut short as Theo elbowed him in the ribs. What? Draco asked angrily, glaring at Theo. Why did you do that? Do you want to argue like a three-year-old? Theo asked, rather than helping her, jerking his head towards the girl, still in pain. But by all means please waste my valuable time, Theo finished sarcastically. No need to get so moody, Draco grumbled. Theo was about to say something when the girl whispered "Please help me". In a moment of confusion, Hermione kneeled down to her and whispered "Pansy?" The girl nodded before her eyes went wide as she passed out. "What happened to P-Pansy?" she stuttered as she watched Theo levitate her. "She suffered through a lot today" Draco whispered. Hermione, being a very curious girl, asked "What do you mean?" Draco sighed "I'll explain later, but don't you and the Wonder Duo ignoring the way Hermione scowled have some kind of base or camp?
"Yes…" Hermione replied, unsure of where this was going.
"Perfect", Theo said, smiling, "Can you take us there?"
Hermione's calm demeanor vanished within seconds as she struggled to understand the absurdity of his words. 'Must be some kind of sick joke', Hermione thought, smiling. She looked at them expectantly, waiting for them to signal that this was a prank though their faces remained blank. Finally, Hermione asked incredulously, "Excuse me? Did I hear you wrong? I thought you said MY CAMP", emphasizing on those words "You know? The one I share with Harry and Ron"
"Well, ten points to Gryffindor for getting their thoughts right" Draco said in a mocking manner.
Hermione ignored Draco as she stared at Theo, waiting for him to clarify things. Theo sighed "Though the mockery wasn't required", glaring at Draco, who just smirked "He was quite correct". Theo finished carefully watching Hermione's reaction.
He saw her arm twitch and, subconsciously, held his wand, hoping that she wouldn't resort to violence. Thankfully, Granger had more brains than Weasley or Potter for that matter. Though everyone had their flaws, she began a massive rant about how everything would go wrong and that Ron wouldn't spare a single second to throw the first punch. Draco quickly spoke up, not wanting to hear her entire speech, which would probably last for hours.
"Granger, weren't you worried about Pansy's health just a second ago? Draco asked "I'll admit it was strange that you jumped at the opportunity to understand what happened to her but I didn't expect anything less from a bookworm like you", rolling his eyes at the way she glared at him.
"What Draco means to say is that she needs medical help and I don't even trust Draco with healing spells as much as I trust you", Theo said, calmly trying to get the conversation under control. Leave it to Draco to muck things up.
At Hermione's skeptical gaze he hurried to add "What? It's not like you can deny that you are the living reason that those two dunderheads are still alive."
"Harry and Ron would have survived just fine without me" Hermione said, defending her best friends.
"So is that a yes or a no?" Theo asked, smiling innocently.
"I was about to agree, anyways" Hermione huffed "You should have just started with Pansy's health. By now we would have reached the camp rather than arguing like children.
"Yes, we shall keep that in mind" Draco said sarcastically.
Hermione narrowed her eyes but sighed, not wanting to start another argument. "I have to warn you, though Harry and Ron are going to be furious the second they lay their eyes on you both."
"Great", Theo mumbled "I shall be very proud to be the Wonder Duo's hate at first sight people."
"Oh Theodore, Hermione began, but was cut off easily.
"It's Theo not Theo-DORE", Theo said sharply. "I don't like going by the name my filthy father gave me."
Awkwardness stretched between them as Hermione just stared back and forth between Draco and Theo.
It was Draco who broke the silence as he said "Oh Theo, it's going to be fun! He said in an unusual high- pitched voice which began to develop a headache for Hermione. Not trying to be too bothered by her headache as they were getting closer to camp with each step, Hermione rolled her eyes.
Unluckily for her, Draco caught the annoyance in her eyes as he continued "There's nothing to worry about! It's not like they will raise their wands at first sight of us", Draco said, switching to a sarcastic tone.
"Haha" Hermione replied dryly, "You had better drop that awful nickname", Hermione warned, though her lips curved up into a slight smile.
Reality crashed down on her like a tidal wave as she realized she smiled- actually smiled in such a long time. To make things worse, it was none other than Draco Malfoy who caused her entertainment.
Hermione hastily wiped the smile off her face as she replaced it with a blank look. Theo, sadly, caught her action as he chuckled at the mere thought that Draco- the Slytherin Prince 'According to Hogwarts a few years ago' made Hermione- the Gryffindor Princess, actually smile. Theo frowned as Hermione's words finally registered in his brain.
"That's true" Theo said thoughtfully.
Hermione and Draco both shot Theo confusing glances at what he had just abruptly said.
"You have to keep your snide remarks to yourself, Draco" Theo murmured, "You can't insult Potter or Weasel- Weasley," he hastily corrected under Hermione's nasty look.
"Sure" Draco said simply.
"Sure?" Theo asked uncertainly. "That's it?"
"I find that hard to believe" Hermione muttered under her breath as Draco shrugged in amusement.
"We should quicken our pace" Hermione said, watching Pansy's skin turn slightly paler with concerned eyes.
Draco and Theo stared at each other as if communicating with telepathic powers for a long time.
"Hello?" Hermione interjected, frustrated that they weren't talking "I am still here, you know. I haven't vanished into thin air" she said.
"Believe me when I say I don't think I could EVER forget you of all people, Granger" Draco replied wryly. At Hermione's huff he quickly added "Alright, no need to get all the Virago power on me."
Hermione's jaw dropped as she glared "How Dare You?! You blond albino ferret" she seethed, continuing with a string of insults.
"No one will ever let me live that one down" Draco said exasperatedly. "Will they?" Draco asked Theo with hopeful eyes.
"Sadly not my friend", Theo laughed at Draco's fallen expression.
"Alright, so you guys are going to tell me what you are thinking? Or shall I wait in confusion" Hermione asked, trying her hardest not to smile.
At that moment, Draco and Theo's facial expressions became serious and their postures stiffened.
"Do you..." Theo began hesitantly. "Do you think Pansy can make it alive out of this war?"
Translation- Do you think Pansy is going to die right now?
Hermione inhaled sharply as her eyes squeezed shut at the insensitive question.
"She has to". Hermione whispered "She has to survive". A flare of determination ignited through her body as she continued "She is going to survive. I don't," she faltered slightly, "I won't", Hermione corrected. "I won't let her die if that's the last thing I would do" she finished breathless, finally opening her eyes.
Both, Draco and Theo stared at her in awe or as she thought at her persistence when it came to the raven-haired girl.
'Something happened between them'. Draco thought. Something which brought them together in a strong friendship'
He'd figure THAT out later. Unknown to him, another surprising friendship was being made with a particular Gryffindor…
"How far are we right now?" Draco asked Hermione.
"About... 2-3 minutes away" she murmured back.
Draco nodded, satisfied that they were getting closer to a cure for Pansy.
'Not that long' Draco silently pleaded with Pansy. 'Hold on please don't leave me'
Pansy groaned softly as if to say "I'm trying."
"We are here" Hermione whispered, awaiting the chaos which would occur once Harry and Ron found them.
Theo opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by a new yet familiar voice.
'Not now' Theo growled internally.
He was tired from the heat and the events which took place just a few hours ago. He wasn't ready for the Wonder Duo to murder them with their eyes.
"Hermione, you're back!" Ron said excitedly, quickly moving out of the tent sort of camp to hug her.
All but two seconds it took him to realize there were "unwanted guests".
"Hermione, what were you thinking?" he all but shouted in rage. "You brought death eaters to our camp! Have you lost your mind?"
Hermione wanted to scoff at the sort-of insult Ron threw her way but instead flinched.
"Expelliarmus" Ron quickly shot.
'My dueling practice has certainly paid off', Draco thought, as he reacted quicker with a shielding spell.
Ron glared with all his power, his face already matching the color of his hair.
He then turned to Nott, not bothering to address Pansy.
"What have you done with her? You filthy scum rats…" he whispered in a low voice.
Theo scoffed at the poor insults. Filthy scum rats? 'Try something you haven't already called us' he thought darkly.
Before Ron had a chance to continue his gibberish, Draco cut in, saying "What are you going to accuse us of?" he taunted, "Memory charms? Imperious Curse?" he rolled his eyes as if the mere thought irritated him.
Ron narrowed his eyes.
Hermione sensed a lot of tension building up if it hadn't already.
"Ron, look at me" she said calmly. "There is nothing wrong with me. You hear me? Nothing"
"That's a total lie!" Ron cried out "Wait until Harry hears this!"
"Wait until Harry hears what?" asked an amused voice.
Draco cursed under his breath. 'Could this get any worse?' he thought glaring at their luck today.
Hermione watched as her best friend's face turned into a mix of emotions. Anger, Confusion, Betrayal- she winced at that. She clearly needed to get this under control.
"Hermione…?" Harry asked in a low voice "Explain now" he ordered, his emerald eyes flashing dangerously.
"Please Harry let's discuss this later" she tried feebly
"You expect me to trust you right now?" Harry asked clutching his wand tightly. "Are you out of your mind?" he finished raising his voice.
Hermione stared at Harry as if she had been slapped right in the face. Ron's insults didn't matter that much, he had a temper of a hippogriff when insulted. But Harry… Harry was like her brother. She tried her best to ignore the tears welling up in her eyes.
Harry instantly realized his mistake as he tried to fix it "Hermione… I didn't mean it that way" he begged "Look at it from my perspective"
"And what would that be" Hermione asked biting her lip hard.
"What would you do if I appeared with Malfoy, Nott, and Parkinson?"
Ron snorted "Do you need your vision checked, mate?"
"No he doesn't" Draco snarled "Maybe you should open your eyes instead of opening your mouth"
Harry raised an eyebrow "Was that a compliment?"
"Don't you dare" Draco replied still glaring at Ron.
"How dare you?" Ron whispered
Hermione's mind screamed 'DANGER 'so she quickly interjected. "Ron stop it, you too Malfoy" she added after seeing Draco's smug face. Turning to Harry she said "Please Harry Pansy needs desperate help. I also don't know the entire story" she quickly said sensing Harry's protests coming.
"Hermione… you… try to understand" he replied stumbling over his words as he stared at Hermione's face.
'Anger' he thought. Definite anger.
"Harry you know I won't budge" Hermione said firmly crossing her hands over her chest.
"Will you…?" he asked hopefully
Hermione raised an eyebrow "Wanna guess?"
"No" Harry sighed.
