Chapter 6: The Return
Hermione just stood there and was numb. It was as if she was rooted on the spot, and would never move again. "You're lying!" Hermione cried at Desdemona shrilly, "It can't be true."
Desdemona sighed, and stared at Hermione with sympathy in her eyes, "He has about four months total left. I would suggest just to try and make the best of them. Hermione, please try to calm down."
"IMPOSSIBLE! He is only sixteen!" Hermione protested as the tears spilled in vain down her face, "Draco HAS to live! He HAS to! Nothing will stop him! He just doesn't give up in the blink of an eye."
Pansy was stunned as well. She gently put a hand on Hermione's shoulder to try and comfort her, "It's going to be okay Hermione?"
Hermione threw off Pansy's hand, and she glared at Desdemona, "You are a liar! Draco is going to be fine! I know it, I know it!"
Hermione ran down the hallway, and out of sight. She did not want to be here. As she ran, Hermione cried harder. Hermione ran and ran, until she made it outside. It was a beautiful day, and the weather seemed to mock her. Spring was the time of life, and here the one she loved most was going to die. Hermione collapsed on the front lawn and sobbed and sobbed. Life was cruel.
~*~*~
Draco woke up again late in the afternoon. He looked outside, and saw the blood red sunset. Was he still in bed? Yes, he was. The nice comfortable bed, and Pansy was sitting there, waiting for Draco to wake up.
Draco sighed, "Why am I still in bed? I should be outside. It's a nice sunset."
"Just rest, Draco."
"Pansy? Where is Hermione?"
Pansy tried to be as cheerful as possible. There was no need to upset Draco. He was sick enough. "She went down to the town to get some things. She'll be back soon."
Draco laid back down, and shut his eyes, "I wish I knew who it was. I was so scared, Pansy, you don't understand. This voice just sent ice cold fear straight to my heart."
"Draco?"
Draco smiled and laughed, "I know. I am a bit crazy. I think I am going to go back..to...sleep."
"Rest." Pansy muttered, "Rest..you'll be fine."
~*~*~
Hermione walked slowly around the town of Ginvol Recag. She just had to get out of that house. She wanted to be alone, and far away from all the troubles. Draco? Why Draco? He was everything that Hermione was living for. If he died, she would kill herself. She couldn't take the pain anymore.
"Draco." Hermione muttered, "Draco!"
Hermione suddenly felt someone staring at her. It was a piercing stare too. Hermione slowly turned around, and she saw Avery staring at her. Hermione gasped with shock, and horror.
The Death Eaters! They were here. Avery continued to stare, and then he smirked, and continued to walk down the streets. Hermione noticed that he was carrying a little green snake. So it was them. They tried to kill Draco. Hermione was so filled with fury, that she was ready to kill Avery right then and there. But that would have been too brash. She pretended not to notice him, and she turned away. But she knew she had to follow him. He was up to no good.
Avery continued to walk down the streets. When his back was turned, Hermione kept one eye on him. Avery looked around for a second and then he walked into a dark alleyway. Hermione felt so scared. She suddenly wanted to run back to the mansion and tell everyone. But Hermione gulped down her fear, and walked over to where Avery went.
~*~*~
Avery panted for breath and lowered the green snake to the ground. He looked around. There was no one in sight that he could see anyway. He was in the clear. Avery snickered, "It was so fun traveling with you, Lucius. I just love having someone to tell all of my stories to."
The snake had vanished. Lucius stood in its place instead. He rolled his eyes, and shook his head. He seemed very irked at the moment, and was glaring at Avery, "Oh yes! So much fun traveling with a shim!"
Avery didn't seem bothered by the rude comment. Instead he seemed very happy, "So, what are we doing here anyway? I want to know all the secret plans! OH!!!!! How about we go out drinking!!! PLEASE?!?!"
"Like I would share the 'secret plans' with you!" Lucius snapped, "You can't keep your bloody mouth shut. Go out drinking yourself. Anyway, I need to visit an old friend of mine while we are here."
Avery smirked, and giggled, "Another one of your girlfriends? You were definitely the 'Ladies Man' when we were at school."
Lucius glared harshly, "What did you just say! Please Avery knock it off with your nonsense. We have to find him also. You know that he would be really pissed if we were late."
Avery winked, "Hush, my dear. Guess who I saw?"
"I am dying to know." Lucius said sarcastically.
Avery ignored the bitter sarcasm and continued, "Didn't you see her? Your son's girlfriend was upset. She was crying her eyes out. Maybe he broke up with her. That would be good news for me. I always thought Draco was a hottie."
Lucius was too shocked to say anything. Avery smirked, and took something out of his robes. It was a tiny plushy doll that looked like Draco. Avery giggled, "Ain't he cute!"
Lucius drew his wand in fury, "SAY THAT AGAIN AND I WILL BLAST YOU INTO THE NEXT WORLD!"
Then there were running footsteps as though someone was in a great hurry to get somewhere. Lucius immediately put his wand away, "What the fuck was that?"
Avery shrugged, "I don't know, sweetheart."
"Shit." Lucius muttered furiously, "That mudblood bitch saw us."
"TOGETHER! AW! YES!!! Listen, WE ARE THE BEST OF FRIENDS!!" Avery said in a singsong voice, while Lucius glared hatefully.
~*~*~
Hermione ran through the gardens and up to the front door. She burst into the entrance hall, and felt herself cry out, "They are HERE! We are all going to die!"
Arabella, who happened to be standing in the hall said, "Hermione, honey, calm down. Who's here?"
"T-T-The D-D-D-"Hermione started, but she was immediately cut off by Desdemona who happened to be walking down the hall, "Now, Hermione, I know you are very upset. Try to go upstairs and rest. Nothing is worth having a heart attack over."
"Desdemona! They-"
"Now!" Desdemona snapped as if there wasn't any say in the matter, "You need your rest, and also need to get your emotions under control. I know, you are upset about Draco, but there is no reason to act like you need to go to Saint Mungo's."
"BUT!"
Arabella looked at Hermione, and was obviously concerned, "Desdemona, she does seem quite traumatized. Let her speak."
Desdemona rolled her eyes, and continued in the direction in which she was walking. Hermione took a deep breath and waited until Desdemona was out of earshot, before saying, "Arabella. It's the Death Eaters."
Arabella looked shocked, "A-Are you certain? Where did you see them? Are you one hundred percent sure?"
"I'm positive!" Hermione cried, "It was Avery and Lucius! Lucius said something about meeting and old friend, and someone else. I don't know who they are though."
"Lucius..." Arabella muttered, but then she shook her head, and continued, "Did they say anything? What are they plotting? Why are they here? They are here to kill us, aren't they?"
Hermione was about to answer, but Arabella interrupted, "Hermione, please do me a favor? Don't say anything to your friends about this, especially Draco. I don't know how much more of this he can handle. I will discuss this with the other adults later. Okay? Hermione, everything will be just fine."
Hermione lowered her eyes, "How can it be okay? Everything is horrible. Terrible. I have to tell someone!"
"Go now." Arabella replied, "I will take care of it. I promise I won't let these people get away with what they've done. Just keep it on the low for now, please?"
Hermione nodded, and slowly turned around. She began to walk down the hallway to see Draco. She was so worried about him, and now she had the Death Eaters to worry about too. Then Hermione suddenly heard crying. It was the type of crying that seemed to have been coming from the soul. Hermione looked over her shoulder, and saw Arabella sitting in one of the chairs. Her face was buried in arms and she was crying. She looked so sad that Hermione couldn't bear to look at her.
Hermione heard her mutter in between the sobs, "Could we begin again? What a lesson I have learned.."
Hermione sighed, and walked away. She wouldn't like anyone watching her if she was the one crying. But Hermione couldn't help but wonder why Arabella looked so miserable. Was it because of Draco being so sick? Or was it because they were all in danger? Hermione couldn't help, but wonder even though it really was none of her business.
Hermione just stood there and was numb. It was as if she was rooted on the spot, and would never move again. "You're lying!" Hermione cried at Desdemona shrilly, "It can't be true."
Desdemona sighed, and stared at Hermione with sympathy in her eyes, "He has about four months total left. I would suggest just to try and make the best of them. Hermione, please try to calm down."
"IMPOSSIBLE! He is only sixteen!" Hermione protested as the tears spilled in vain down her face, "Draco HAS to live! He HAS to! Nothing will stop him! He just doesn't give up in the blink of an eye."
Pansy was stunned as well. She gently put a hand on Hermione's shoulder to try and comfort her, "It's going to be okay Hermione?"
Hermione threw off Pansy's hand, and she glared at Desdemona, "You are a liar! Draco is going to be fine! I know it, I know it!"
Hermione ran down the hallway, and out of sight. She did not want to be here. As she ran, Hermione cried harder. Hermione ran and ran, until she made it outside. It was a beautiful day, and the weather seemed to mock her. Spring was the time of life, and here the one she loved most was going to die. Hermione collapsed on the front lawn and sobbed and sobbed. Life was cruel.
~*~*~
Draco woke up again late in the afternoon. He looked outside, and saw the blood red sunset. Was he still in bed? Yes, he was. The nice comfortable bed, and Pansy was sitting there, waiting for Draco to wake up.
Draco sighed, "Why am I still in bed? I should be outside. It's a nice sunset."
"Just rest, Draco."
"Pansy? Where is Hermione?"
Pansy tried to be as cheerful as possible. There was no need to upset Draco. He was sick enough. "She went down to the town to get some things. She'll be back soon."
Draco laid back down, and shut his eyes, "I wish I knew who it was. I was so scared, Pansy, you don't understand. This voice just sent ice cold fear straight to my heart."
"Draco?"
Draco smiled and laughed, "I know. I am a bit crazy. I think I am going to go back..to...sleep."
"Rest." Pansy muttered, "Rest..you'll be fine."
~*~*~
Hermione walked slowly around the town of Ginvol Recag. She just had to get out of that house. She wanted to be alone, and far away from all the troubles. Draco? Why Draco? He was everything that Hermione was living for. If he died, she would kill herself. She couldn't take the pain anymore.
"Draco." Hermione muttered, "Draco!"
Hermione suddenly felt someone staring at her. It was a piercing stare too. Hermione slowly turned around, and she saw Avery staring at her. Hermione gasped with shock, and horror.
The Death Eaters! They were here. Avery continued to stare, and then he smirked, and continued to walk down the streets. Hermione noticed that he was carrying a little green snake. So it was them. They tried to kill Draco. Hermione was so filled with fury, that she was ready to kill Avery right then and there. But that would have been too brash. She pretended not to notice him, and she turned away. But she knew she had to follow him. He was up to no good.
Avery continued to walk down the streets. When his back was turned, Hermione kept one eye on him. Avery looked around for a second and then he walked into a dark alleyway. Hermione felt so scared. She suddenly wanted to run back to the mansion and tell everyone. But Hermione gulped down her fear, and walked over to where Avery went.
~*~*~
Avery panted for breath and lowered the green snake to the ground. He looked around. There was no one in sight that he could see anyway. He was in the clear. Avery snickered, "It was so fun traveling with you, Lucius. I just love having someone to tell all of my stories to."
The snake had vanished. Lucius stood in its place instead. He rolled his eyes, and shook his head. He seemed very irked at the moment, and was glaring at Avery, "Oh yes! So much fun traveling with a shim!"
Avery didn't seem bothered by the rude comment. Instead he seemed very happy, "So, what are we doing here anyway? I want to know all the secret plans! OH!!!!! How about we go out drinking!!! PLEASE?!?!"
"Like I would share the 'secret plans' with you!" Lucius snapped, "You can't keep your bloody mouth shut. Go out drinking yourself. Anyway, I need to visit an old friend of mine while we are here."
Avery smirked, and giggled, "Another one of your girlfriends? You were definitely the 'Ladies Man' when we were at school."
Lucius glared harshly, "What did you just say! Please Avery knock it off with your nonsense. We have to find him also. You know that he would be really pissed if we were late."
Avery winked, "Hush, my dear. Guess who I saw?"
"I am dying to know." Lucius said sarcastically.
Avery ignored the bitter sarcasm and continued, "Didn't you see her? Your son's girlfriend was upset. She was crying her eyes out. Maybe he broke up with her. That would be good news for me. I always thought Draco was a hottie."
Lucius was too shocked to say anything. Avery smirked, and took something out of his robes. It was a tiny plushy doll that looked like Draco. Avery giggled, "Ain't he cute!"
Lucius drew his wand in fury, "SAY THAT AGAIN AND I WILL BLAST YOU INTO THE NEXT WORLD!"
Then there were running footsteps as though someone was in a great hurry to get somewhere. Lucius immediately put his wand away, "What the fuck was that?"
Avery shrugged, "I don't know, sweetheart."
"Shit." Lucius muttered furiously, "That mudblood bitch saw us."
"TOGETHER! AW! YES!!! Listen, WE ARE THE BEST OF FRIENDS!!" Avery said in a singsong voice, while Lucius glared hatefully.
~*~*~
Hermione ran through the gardens and up to the front door. She burst into the entrance hall, and felt herself cry out, "They are HERE! We are all going to die!"
Arabella, who happened to be standing in the hall said, "Hermione, honey, calm down. Who's here?"
"T-T-The D-D-D-"Hermione started, but she was immediately cut off by Desdemona who happened to be walking down the hall, "Now, Hermione, I know you are very upset. Try to go upstairs and rest. Nothing is worth having a heart attack over."
"Desdemona! They-"
"Now!" Desdemona snapped as if there wasn't any say in the matter, "You need your rest, and also need to get your emotions under control. I know, you are upset about Draco, but there is no reason to act like you need to go to Saint Mungo's."
"BUT!"
Arabella looked at Hermione, and was obviously concerned, "Desdemona, she does seem quite traumatized. Let her speak."
Desdemona rolled her eyes, and continued in the direction in which she was walking. Hermione took a deep breath and waited until Desdemona was out of earshot, before saying, "Arabella. It's the Death Eaters."
Arabella looked shocked, "A-Are you certain? Where did you see them? Are you one hundred percent sure?"
"I'm positive!" Hermione cried, "It was Avery and Lucius! Lucius said something about meeting and old friend, and someone else. I don't know who they are though."
"Lucius..." Arabella muttered, but then she shook her head, and continued, "Did they say anything? What are they plotting? Why are they here? They are here to kill us, aren't they?"
Hermione was about to answer, but Arabella interrupted, "Hermione, please do me a favor? Don't say anything to your friends about this, especially Draco. I don't know how much more of this he can handle. I will discuss this with the other adults later. Okay? Hermione, everything will be just fine."
Hermione lowered her eyes, "How can it be okay? Everything is horrible. Terrible. I have to tell someone!"
"Go now." Arabella replied, "I will take care of it. I promise I won't let these people get away with what they've done. Just keep it on the low for now, please?"
Hermione nodded, and slowly turned around. She began to walk down the hallway to see Draco. She was so worried about him, and now she had the Death Eaters to worry about too. Then Hermione suddenly heard crying. It was the type of crying that seemed to have been coming from the soul. Hermione looked over her shoulder, and saw Arabella sitting in one of the chairs. Her face was buried in arms and she was crying. She looked so sad that Hermione couldn't bear to look at her.
Hermione heard her mutter in between the sobs, "Could we begin again? What a lesson I have learned.."
Hermione sighed, and walked away. She wouldn't like anyone watching her if she was the one crying. But Hermione couldn't help but wonder why Arabella looked so miserable. Was it because of Draco being so sick? Or was it because they were all in danger? Hermione couldn't help, but wonder even though it really was none of her business.