Bound
By Angel Of Music
Chapter Eight: Learning How to Live
The darkness in the chilled room enveloped him like a blanket of tears. Little light from the moon shined through the window just above him, and created an eerie essence of evil as it danced across his pale face and traveled down his lips like a drop of water. He ran a palm over his cheeks and focused on his thoughts. He tried to retain the white image that had flashed through his mind.
He scrunched his eyes tightly shut and concentrated. What he had seen that night in the forest had changed him, whether for worse or better he did not know, nor could he figure out. But it was true that when he had seen that curious figure, everything morphed. It was as if he could see things better, feel them better. Indescribable, really. It was like he were able to see things for the first time, and to understand them precisely. Almost like being a newborn child, it was, just being introduced to the world. Things seemed to make more sense, his very existence was now more palpable then it had ever been. As he thought about what he saw, he grew wiser without knowing it. Everything was different, things that seemed once pointless meant all the world. He seemed to understand things as if they'd always been there, yet he had just met them. All he knew was that the thing reflected in his thoughts had most certainly changed him, made him feel as if he knew what everything meant, down to it's last atom. Understanding was what he obtained. He seemed to forget about everything that had happened to him, to forget his horrid life, to even momentarily forget who he was when he saw that image. And that was what he'd always wanted.
The dark grew even more hazy as a few specks of starlight flickered and died. He shook his head and ran a hand through his beautiful silver-blonde hair, rubbing his eyes. The darkness comforted him, for isn't that what it should do? One should not be afraid of darkness, for it washes away the errors of the world. Everything is the same when the light has dimmed. Problems are pointless to worry about until the morning. In the dark, one is safe, for they cannot see what is coming and try to change it. They must simply wait until the light has come to solve the problem, and forget for just a small bit of time what is worrying them. This, this theory of life was what Draco thought of when he saw that image.
He bent his head backwards and let it hit the cool stone wall. It was around two o'clock in the morning, and the abandoned classroom was thick with silence. Draco had come here to think about everything that had occurred so far that year; His newfound love of Blaise, his becoming a death eater, his proposal by Voldemort to kill a perfectly good pure blood family, his encounters with...but they were all pointless. What was past was past, and what was to come must come. He wrapped his arms about his chest and shut his eyes once more.
"Hello?" Came a soft voice from near the open door. Draco slowly ascended his eyelids and watched a shadowy figure dawdle hastily into the room, looking about curtly. He remained still, wanting no one to catch him this late at night. He guessed that if he could not see the figure's features, the person-or thing- would not be able to see his. Perhaps they'd think he was a desk or a stool.
So he stayed rigid, trying hard not to allow his breath to make any sound. The figure sat upon the floor about three feet from him, and pulled out something from beneath it's robes. A book. It title reflected in the moonlight from the small window, and Draco caught what it was entitled. Smirking, he muttered,
"Granger." The figure jumped, and the book flew out of her hands. Not wanting to allow any noise to be made, Draco caught the book just before it hit the ground.
"Malfoy! Where- how? I didn't think anyone was in here." He shrugged, but she missed it. "What are you doing here?"
"I might ask you the same thing, Granger. I, after all, was here first."
"You're so rude, Malfoy." She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I'm thinking." He responded shortly.
"As I. I couldn't bear to sit in the common room any longer. By the way, Malfoy, how'd you know it was me?" He shook his head and raised his eyebrows.
"The title of the book told all. Who else would have taken out 'Debt by Death?'" She grinned and exhaled, amused.
"Very smart, Malfoy." She teased. Noting the cold in the room for the first time, she embraced herself, shivering. After a moment, she mumbled. "It's frigid in here." Draco looked up. He sat forward and pulled his cloak off of his shoulders, not in the least bit cold.
"Here-" He began, thrusting it towards her. She stared at it for a moment, as if not quite knowing why it was there. He threw it on the ground before her.
"Alright, Malfoy." She began. "What've you done to it? You haven't put a flea charm on it, have you? I remember reading about that, and then how Neville came back to the common room with it last year, he didn't know it was his sweater, and oh...he was itching for days. None of us could stop it; I looked through hundreds of books to find the cure, it was horrible. I finally found it- Neville was so thankful and-"
"No." He interrupted, his lips raised a small bit in what Hermione bet was the first true smile she'd ever seen him wear. "No flea charm. Nothing. I don't even know how to do a flea charm." She gave him a curious glance, and swept the cloak into her arms, draping it across her back. Algid though it was, Draco did not regret handing her his cloak.
It was silent for about five or six minutes. But it was not the kind of silence that it felt wrong not to break, or felt uncomforting, but a silence that made Draco realize that he should live his life without regret, and to take things as they come. He shivered and brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes, an alien feeling creeping though his mind. So may emotions ran through his heart in those five or six minutes, it felt as if his chest were to explode. He now certainly was cold, and he wrapped his arms about himself as he exhaled with a stifle in his breath.
"Oh, your cold..." Hermione started, beginning to pull the cloak from her shoulders and the hood from her head.
"No-" He said quickly, pulling his hands from his arms. "I'm fine. Keep it." She gave him a worried look.
"You'll get dreadfully sick. Let me at least-" She moved closer to him, landing only a few inches from his leg. "Body warmth will heat you right up. Is...is this alright?" She had turned to face him, her features only inches from his. Uncomfortable, Draco turned his head away and looked down upon his lap.
"Yeah." He responded, happy to see she was turning back and looking upon her own lap. He closed his eyes and buried his face in his palms, rubbing fiercely. It had certainly been an interesting night. After a moment, a voice brought him to.
"Where is she, my little one?" Came a ragged, cold voice.
"Filch!" Whispered Draco, hushing Hermione. "Don't move." A small portion of light filled the door to the room as Filch stepped nearer with his lit wand outstretched before him. Both sat with their eyes wrenched open was Mrs. Norris crept into the room. She must have seen them earlier. After a brief second, Filch hurried into the room after her, an evil smirk playing on his lips.
"Well, well. Look what we have here." He grinned rudely as Hermione and Draco looked at each other and swallowed. "I suppose a little visit with Professor McGonagall is in order, hmm? Stand up." He demanded. They both got to their feet a little shakily, stumbling as Filch grabbed them by their wrists. "Follow me." They left the room and walked just behind him, through corridors neither had ever seen. Hermione supposed that they were shortcut passageways that they'd never even dreamt over entering, but of course Filch knew them. All the while as they wondered, Filch muttered to Mrs. Norris things like, "I knew you'd find them, my love." and "You're all daddy ever dreamed of..."
When finally they reached Professor McGonagall's office, their legs were so worn that they could hardly stand. Filch shoved them into the room, and they were greeted angrily by Professor McGonagall, complete with nightgown, cap, and pink bunny slippers. Draco stifled laughed and Hermione frowned.
"Sit!" She ordered, both students immediately dropping unto the warm armchairs. "Explain yourselves. What were you doing out this late at night?"
"Thinking." Responded Draco, sounding much like he had when he answered Hermione.
"And you couldn't have done that in your own dormitory?" McGonagall asked, very cross.
"Sorry, Professor." Both mumbled.
"Miss Granger, I expected better from you. And Mr. Malfoy, you know the rules. You both will be serving a detention tomorrow night."
"But Professor!" Hermione chimed in, looking eager and desperate. "Tomorrow night is the last of the break, I need to get to bed early so I can have energy in the morning."
"Well, you should have taken that into consideration when you snuck out." She paused and looked about the room, motioning for Filch to leave. As soon as he had done so, she spoke again. "Your detentions, Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger, are very important. I've actually been hoping someone would break rules..." She sighed. "Since the beginning of the school year we've had an infestation of Goblins. No matter what we do, they manage to get into the castle. Hagrid has been keeping watch lately, and the poor man hasn't got any sleep. I would like you two to patrol the building tomorrow, and make sure no Goblins get in. Can you handle that?" They nodded silently. "Also, I would like you to stick together. Goblins can get tricky when you're alone. So take caution that your always together." Draco coughed and shook his head. "I mean that, Mr. Malfoy." She admonished sternly. "I'll send you word at breakfast tomorrow as to what time and where I shall ask you to meet. For now, go to bed. You've got quite a night ahead of you." Both stood and left the room, going their separate ways as they stepped through the doorway. They certainly did have quite a night ahead of them.
* * *
"Nice cloak, Hermione!" Gasped Ron, running a hand down the soft fabric draped over her shoulders. "Where'd you get it?"
"I- I don't remember." She lied, scooping a large amount of pancakes onto her plate.
"Well, you didn't have that yesterday." He exclaimed, cocking his head. "When we went outside you wore your other one."
"I happen to like your new one better." Harry interrupted, grinning.
"It doesn't matter," Frowned Hermione, scratching her nose. She had failed to tell Harry and Ron about her detention, not wishing to provoke their bad tempers when she explained that she'd be doing it with Malfoy, too. She planned to simply tell them that she was receiving a letter from her parents, and to say that she was going to the library later that evening. She sighed as the hundreds of owls swooped down from the ceiling, and a tawny landed before her. "Thanks." She mumbled glumly, stroking it.
Miss Hermione Granger,
Your detention will take place on the evening of the seventh of January, beginning at nine o'clock. Please come to my office at around 8:50 to receive further instruction. Good day to you.
- Professor M. McGonagall.
Hermione folded the note quickly back up and turned to Harry and Ron. "I've got a letter from my parents. Everything seems well."
"That's good." Began Ron, shoving a load of cranberries into his mouth. Hermione looked up from her seat towards the Slytherin table where Crabbe and Goyle were punching each other, Blaise was looking murderous, and Draco seemed lonely. He stabbed his fork into his hash browns and pulled it out again, each time mutilating it even more than the last. He frowned and threw the utensil down, meeting eyes with Hermione. She did not take her face from his, and she motioned for him to come to her. He stood and did so, she also rising. Before he could reach her, Hermione quickly told Ron and Harry that she'd be doing some research in the library, and left the Great Hall. She stood outside of the great doors, leaning against a stone wall and watching Draco now come through the doors.
"I forgot to give this back to you last night." She said softly, pulling his cloak off of her shoulders and handing it to him. He took it and chucked it over his neck.
"I- I forgot to tell you something last night-" he began. But he was cut off by Ron bounding through the doors.
"Hermione! Is he bothering you? I'll smash his face in." Hermione shook her head and turned to him.
"I was giving him his cloak back."
"Oh, that was his?" Said Ron maliciously. "So that's why I hated it so much. Why'd you have his cloak, anyway?"
"He, er, dropped it yesterday. I found it, and gave it back to him. Right." Draco raised his eyebrows and shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Oh." He stuttered curtly. "You said you were going to the library."
"I am." She exclaimed, walking away.
* * *
"I can't believe I have to be stuck with you all night, Granger."
"Well it isn't exactly a prize for me, being stuck to you. And you know something? You're bound to me, remember? You've got your whole life to be stuck to me. Why'd McGonagall pick tonight?" Draco sighed and looked at Hermione. Her cold, flushed cheeks complimented her pale skin perfectly, and her dark eyes wandered as if not knowing that he was inspecting her. She seemed different to Draco for some reason, like she had changed. He idolized her for a moment. She wasn't one of those people who was beautiful when one looked at her. She was quite plain and simple. But once one got to know Hermione Granger, knew the way she trembled when cold, knew the way her face lit when happy, knew the way her smile faded when hurt, once one knew those things about her, she was an entirely different person. A beautiful person. Draco turned his face away from her features, shaking his head.
"Don't remind me." He said softly. They walked silently for a few minutes, staring down at their feet. So far, so good. No goblins yet. Hermione was very glad of this, for she had never seen a Goblin before. Although she had read much about them, she had never truly seen one in real life. And that was something Draco probably had experienced, being a pure blood.
"What were you going to tell me down by the Great Hall?" She asked after a moment.
"Nothing." He stated instantly, biting his lower lip. "Just- thanks, I guess." She gave him a happy, yet curious gaze, one side of her mouth raising in a bemused smile.
"For what?"
"Not just letting me die." He muttered, his voice monotone. She grinned and rubbed her palms together.
"You're welcome." She smiled. "You know, I never thought I'd see this side of you, Malfoy. It's so strange."
"I bet you never expected I had a side like this, did you Granger?"
"I think everyone has a good side. Some just hide it more than others."
"Well, you know, Granger, people in Slytherin call my other side good. So it really depends on your definition of a good person that makes you think that."
"I guess so." She answered, squinting her eyes and sneering at him. "And I guess..." She started, looking at her feet, "You're not as insolent as I thought you were. It depends on your definition of smart, doesn't it." Just before Draco could answer, the two heard a small groaning noise coming from an empty classroom down the corridor.
"Goblin." Draco exclaimed quickly, dashing towards the room, followed by Hermione. At first, Hermione thought the Goblin to be a small pile of clothing or rags. But as she stepped in further, she noticed that it was a scrunchy little creature with a face like a pug and a body like a toad.
"Eeech." Was her reaction. "That's a Goblin?"
"Yep." He said poignantly, pointing his wand at it. It stood and waddled toward them, grunting and wheezing.
"It's not very fast." She gasped quickly as it made it's way closer to Draco.
"No," He agreed. "Naturally they aren't, but their very annoying." The creature was now pounding it's head against Draco's legs.
"The way McGonagall told us, it sounded as if they were dangerous." She giggled, watching Draco trying to kick it off of him.
"Yeah...when your alone they get more tricky, but as long as we stay together-" He paused and thrust his wand at the Goblin's pudgy arms. "Stupify." He muttered boredly, gazing at the creature as it fell to the floor in a dead feint. "Shove it into the sack, Granger. And hold it by it's feet, it's head's said to give you warts." She took it by it's feet and threw it into the large cloth sack that Professor McGonagall had given them. Draco then took the sack and flung it over his shoulder, triumphant in his defeat.
They left the classroom happily, Hermione talking animatedly about how she'd thought that Draco used the wrong charm. "Shuttup, Granger." He snapped after a moment. "I know what I'm doing."
"S-sorry." She mumbled, turning her face from his. They walked in silence for the next few minutes, Hermione now in a shrewd temper. She HAD thought that they'd been progressing, but a Malfoy was always a Malfoy, she supposed. "So." She began, hoping to find in him the Draco she'd seen earlier. "Who is that girl you always hang about with? I thought your only friends were those lugs Crabbe and Goyle."
"Blaise," He started uncomfortably, not wishing to talk about the subject. "I've known her since I was a child. Her mother and father were death-" He paused, recalling who he was talking to. "Were friends of my parents. But when they left the dark- When they got in a...disagreement with my family, my father began to despise them. But Blaise and I still remained friendly."
"It's so funny to hear you said 'friendly.'" She laughed, admiring the word. "Because you're not a very friendly person." He raised his eyebrows at her solemnly. "Sorry."
"Anyway," He continued, wondering what it must have been like to hate him her whole life, "We've gotten rather close, but she's now angry with me."
"Why?" Asked Hermione, surprisingly curious to hear the answer.
"I'd rather not." He stated simply. She nodded and they continued to walk. It was growing quite dark outside, and it was now almost midnight.
"I'll bet it must be nice to have someone to talk to." Hermione sighed, pulling her hair back.
"It was nice. But she refuses to talk with me anymore."
"Oh. I apologize."
"Not your fault."
"I know, but..." She had turned to him, and he to her, their faces closer than they had been the night before. Hermione swallowed and let out a smoky breath that rose into the air as his dark silver eyes inspected her. Her eyes, however, were cast down upon her shoes, though her head remained high. She closed them, not daring to look at him, as she felt the warmth of his breathing upon her face. He was so near to her, nearer then they'd ever been. The silence was palpable, velvet in it's smooth essence. She ascended her eyelids after a moment, wondering what he was doing. But he just stared at her, his beautiful eyes wide with interest, concern, and feeling. They were deep and passionate as they gazed directly at her face, watching her breath. They remained like this for a moment, until there echoed a deep groaning noise from a classroom close to them. They tore apart, Draco dashing into it. Hermione followed, her cheeks flush and her lips slightly ajar. But when she entered, the Goblin had already latched onto Draco.
"Granger, do something!" She had left him alone for only a moment, and the Goblin had struck. She was ready to kill herself. The creature was bearing it's teeth at his arm, and it sunk them into it. He yelled, and motioned for Hermione to grab her wand. In doing so, she shouted, "Stupify!" The charm hit the creature, and it took it's tight clench of jaw from Draco's forearm. He was bleeding visibly, and as the Goblin fell from his grasp, Hermione rushed to his side.
"You told me that I shouldn't have used Stupify." He mumbled weakly, his knees trembling. "Why did you use it?" She shone a worried smile at him.
"Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine." He looked at her for a moment, then dropped to the ground. "Loss of blood." he muttered. Hermione looked about quickly for something she could bandage his arm with. She didn't know where they were, and the hospital wing had to be miles from where they were now.
Not spotting anything, she tore the bottom from her robes and lifted Draco's sleeve. She began to dab the thick blood from his arm gently, feeling his shivers from beneath her. "You'll be alright." She whispered to him. "Don't worry." She cleaned the blood up as best she could, but as his skin shone through the clot of red, she noticed something black peer through. "Oh my..." She said softly, trying hard not to believe it. "So you are a death eater."
* *
By Angel Of Music
Chapter Eight: Learning How to Live
The darkness in the chilled room enveloped him like a blanket of tears. Little light from the moon shined through the window just above him, and created an eerie essence of evil as it danced across his pale face and traveled down his lips like a drop of water. He ran a palm over his cheeks and focused on his thoughts. He tried to retain the white image that had flashed through his mind.
He scrunched his eyes tightly shut and concentrated. What he had seen that night in the forest had changed him, whether for worse or better he did not know, nor could he figure out. But it was true that when he had seen that curious figure, everything morphed. It was as if he could see things better, feel them better. Indescribable, really. It was like he were able to see things for the first time, and to understand them precisely. Almost like being a newborn child, it was, just being introduced to the world. Things seemed to make more sense, his very existence was now more palpable then it had ever been. As he thought about what he saw, he grew wiser without knowing it. Everything was different, things that seemed once pointless meant all the world. He seemed to understand things as if they'd always been there, yet he had just met them. All he knew was that the thing reflected in his thoughts had most certainly changed him, made him feel as if he knew what everything meant, down to it's last atom. Understanding was what he obtained. He seemed to forget about everything that had happened to him, to forget his horrid life, to even momentarily forget who he was when he saw that image. And that was what he'd always wanted.
The dark grew even more hazy as a few specks of starlight flickered and died. He shook his head and ran a hand through his beautiful silver-blonde hair, rubbing his eyes. The darkness comforted him, for isn't that what it should do? One should not be afraid of darkness, for it washes away the errors of the world. Everything is the same when the light has dimmed. Problems are pointless to worry about until the morning. In the dark, one is safe, for they cannot see what is coming and try to change it. They must simply wait until the light has come to solve the problem, and forget for just a small bit of time what is worrying them. This, this theory of life was what Draco thought of when he saw that image.
He bent his head backwards and let it hit the cool stone wall. It was around two o'clock in the morning, and the abandoned classroom was thick with silence. Draco had come here to think about everything that had occurred so far that year; His newfound love of Blaise, his becoming a death eater, his proposal by Voldemort to kill a perfectly good pure blood family, his encounters with...but they were all pointless. What was past was past, and what was to come must come. He wrapped his arms about his chest and shut his eyes once more.
"Hello?" Came a soft voice from near the open door. Draco slowly ascended his eyelids and watched a shadowy figure dawdle hastily into the room, looking about curtly. He remained still, wanting no one to catch him this late at night. He guessed that if he could not see the figure's features, the person-or thing- would not be able to see his. Perhaps they'd think he was a desk or a stool.
So he stayed rigid, trying hard not to allow his breath to make any sound. The figure sat upon the floor about three feet from him, and pulled out something from beneath it's robes. A book. It title reflected in the moonlight from the small window, and Draco caught what it was entitled. Smirking, he muttered,
"Granger." The figure jumped, and the book flew out of her hands. Not wanting to allow any noise to be made, Draco caught the book just before it hit the ground.
"Malfoy! Where- how? I didn't think anyone was in here." He shrugged, but she missed it. "What are you doing here?"
"I might ask you the same thing, Granger. I, after all, was here first."
"You're so rude, Malfoy." She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I'm thinking." He responded shortly.
"As I. I couldn't bear to sit in the common room any longer. By the way, Malfoy, how'd you know it was me?" He shook his head and raised his eyebrows.
"The title of the book told all. Who else would have taken out 'Debt by Death?'" She grinned and exhaled, amused.
"Very smart, Malfoy." She teased. Noting the cold in the room for the first time, she embraced herself, shivering. After a moment, she mumbled. "It's frigid in here." Draco looked up. He sat forward and pulled his cloak off of his shoulders, not in the least bit cold.
"Here-" He began, thrusting it towards her. She stared at it for a moment, as if not quite knowing why it was there. He threw it on the ground before her.
"Alright, Malfoy." She began. "What've you done to it? You haven't put a flea charm on it, have you? I remember reading about that, and then how Neville came back to the common room with it last year, he didn't know it was his sweater, and oh...he was itching for days. None of us could stop it; I looked through hundreds of books to find the cure, it was horrible. I finally found it- Neville was so thankful and-"
"No." He interrupted, his lips raised a small bit in what Hermione bet was the first true smile she'd ever seen him wear. "No flea charm. Nothing. I don't even know how to do a flea charm." She gave him a curious glance, and swept the cloak into her arms, draping it across her back. Algid though it was, Draco did not regret handing her his cloak.
It was silent for about five or six minutes. But it was not the kind of silence that it felt wrong not to break, or felt uncomforting, but a silence that made Draco realize that he should live his life without regret, and to take things as they come. He shivered and brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes, an alien feeling creeping though his mind. So may emotions ran through his heart in those five or six minutes, it felt as if his chest were to explode. He now certainly was cold, and he wrapped his arms about himself as he exhaled with a stifle in his breath.
"Oh, your cold..." Hermione started, beginning to pull the cloak from her shoulders and the hood from her head.
"No-" He said quickly, pulling his hands from his arms. "I'm fine. Keep it." She gave him a worried look.
"You'll get dreadfully sick. Let me at least-" She moved closer to him, landing only a few inches from his leg. "Body warmth will heat you right up. Is...is this alright?" She had turned to face him, her features only inches from his. Uncomfortable, Draco turned his head away and looked down upon his lap.
"Yeah." He responded, happy to see she was turning back and looking upon her own lap. He closed his eyes and buried his face in his palms, rubbing fiercely. It had certainly been an interesting night. After a moment, a voice brought him to.
"Where is she, my little one?" Came a ragged, cold voice.
"Filch!" Whispered Draco, hushing Hermione. "Don't move." A small portion of light filled the door to the room as Filch stepped nearer with his lit wand outstretched before him. Both sat with their eyes wrenched open was Mrs. Norris crept into the room. She must have seen them earlier. After a brief second, Filch hurried into the room after her, an evil smirk playing on his lips.
"Well, well. Look what we have here." He grinned rudely as Hermione and Draco looked at each other and swallowed. "I suppose a little visit with Professor McGonagall is in order, hmm? Stand up." He demanded. They both got to their feet a little shakily, stumbling as Filch grabbed them by their wrists. "Follow me." They left the room and walked just behind him, through corridors neither had ever seen. Hermione supposed that they were shortcut passageways that they'd never even dreamt over entering, but of course Filch knew them. All the while as they wondered, Filch muttered to Mrs. Norris things like, "I knew you'd find them, my love." and "You're all daddy ever dreamed of..."
When finally they reached Professor McGonagall's office, their legs were so worn that they could hardly stand. Filch shoved them into the room, and they were greeted angrily by Professor McGonagall, complete with nightgown, cap, and pink bunny slippers. Draco stifled laughed and Hermione frowned.
"Sit!" She ordered, both students immediately dropping unto the warm armchairs. "Explain yourselves. What were you doing out this late at night?"
"Thinking." Responded Draco, sounding much like he had when he answered Hermione.
"And you couldn't have done that in your own dormitory?" McGonagall asked, very cross.
"Sorry, Professor." Both mumbled.
"Miss Granger, I expected better from you. And Mr. Malfoy, you know the rules. You both will be serving a detention tomorrow night."
"But Professor!" Hermione chimed in, looking eager and desperate. "Tomorrow night is the last of the break, I need to get to bed early so I can have energy in the morning."
"Well, you should have taken that into consideration when you snuck out." She paused and looked about the room, motioning for Filch to leave. As soon as he had done so, she spoke again. "Your detentions, Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger, are very important. I've actually been hoping someone would break rules..." She sighed. "Since the beginning of the school year we've had an infestation of Goblins. No matter what we do, they manage to get into the castle. Hagrid has been keeping watch lately, and the poor man hasn't got any sleep. I would like you two to patrol the building tomorrow, and make sure no Goblins get in. Can you handle that?" They nodded silently. "Also, I would like you to stick together. Goblins can get tricky when you're alone. So take caution that your always together." Draco coughed and shook his head. "I mean that, Mr. Malfoy." She admonished sternly. "I'll send you word at breakfast tomorrow as to what time and where I shall ask you to meet. For now, go to bed. You've got quite a night ahead of you." Both stood and left the room, going their separate ways as they stepped through the doorway. They certainly did have quite a night ahead of them.
* * *
"Nice cloak, Hermione!" Gasped Ron, running a hand down the soft fabric draped over her shoulders. "Where'd you get it?"
"I- I don't remember." She lied, scooping a large amount of pancakes onto her plate.
"Well, you didn't have that yesterday." He exclaimed, cocking his head. "When we went outside you wore your other one."
"I happen to like your new one better." Harry interrupted, grinning.
"It doesn't matter," Frowned Hermione, scratching her nose. She had failed to tell Harry and Ron about her detention, not wishing to provoke their bad tempers when she explained that she'd be doing it with Malfoy, too. She planned to simply tell them that she was receiving a letter from her parents, and to say that she was going to the library later that evening. She sighed as the hundreds of owls swooped down from the ceiling, and a tawny landed before her. "Thanks." She mumbled glumly, stroking it.
Miss Hermione Granger,
Your detention will take place on the evening of the seventh of January, beginning at nine o'clock. Please come to my office at around 8:50 to receive further instruction. Good day to you.
- Professor M. McGonagall.
Hermione folded the note quickly back up and turned to Harry and Ron. "I've got a letter from my parents. Everything seems well."
"That's good." Began Ron, shoving a load of cranberries into his mouth. Hermione looked up from her seat towards the Slytherin table where Crabbe and Goyle were punching each other, Blaise was looking murderous, and Draco seemed lonely. He stabbed his fork into his hash browns and pulled it out again, each time mutilating it even more than the last. He frowned and threw the utensil down, meeting eyes with Hermione. She did not take her face from his, and she motioned for him to come to her. He stood and did so, she also rising. Before he could reach her, Hermione quickly told Ron and Harry that she'd be doing some research in the library, and left the Great Hall. She stood outside of the great doors, leaning against a stone wall and watching Draco now come through the doors.
"I forgot to give this back to you last night." She said softly, pulling his cloak off of her shoulders and handing it to him. He took it and chucked it over his neck.
"I- I forgot to tell you something last night-" he began. But he was cut off by Ron bounding through the doors.
"Hermione! Is he bothering you? I'll smash his face in." Hermione shook her head and turned to him.
"I was giving him his cloak back."
"Oh, that was his?" Said Ron maliciously. "So that's why I hated it so much. Why'd you have his cloak, anyway?"
"He, er, dropped it yesterday. I found it, and gave it back to him. Right." Draco raised his eyebrows and shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Oh." He stuttered curtly. "You said you were going to the library."
"I am." She exclaimed, walking away.
* * *
"I can't believe I have to be stuck with you all night, Granger."
"Well it isn't exactly a prize for me, being stuck to you. And you know something? You're bound to me, remember? You've got your whole life to be stuck to me. Why'd McGonagall pick tonight?" Draco sighed and looked at Hermione. Her cold, flushed cheeks complimented her pale skin perfectly, and her dark eyes wandered as if not knowing that he was inspecting her. She seemed different to Draco for some reason, like she had changed. He idolized her for a moment. She wasn't one of those people who was beautiful when one looked at her. She was quite plain and simple. But once one got to know Hermione Granger, knew the way she trembled when cold, knew the way her face lit when happy, knew the way her smile faded when hurt, once one knew those things about her, she was an entirely different person. A beautiful person. Draco turned his face away from her features, shaking his head.
"Don't remind me." He said softly. They walked silently for a few minutes, staring down at their feet. So far, so good. No goblins yet. Hermione was very glad of this, for she had never seen a Goblin before. Although she had read much about them, she had never truly seen one in real life. And that was something Draco probably had experienced, being a pure blood.
"What were you going to tell me down by the Great Hall?" She asked after a moment.
"Nothing." He stated instantly, biting his lower lip. "Just- thanks, I guess." She gave him a happy, yet curious gaze, one side of her mouth raising in a bemused smile.
"For what?"
"Not just letting me die." He muttered, his voice monotone. She grinned and rubbed her palms together.
"You're welcome." She smiled. "You know, I never thought I'd see this side of you, Malfoy. It's so strange."
"I bet you never expected I had a side like this, did you Granger?"
"I think everyone has a good side. Some just hide it more than others."
"Well, you know, Granger, people in Slytherin call my other side good. So it really depends on your definition of a good person that makes you think that."
"I guess so." She answered, squinting her eyes and sneering at him. "And I guess..." She started, looking at her feet, "You're not as insolent as I thought you were. It depends on your definition of smart, doesn't it." Just before Draco could answer, the two heard a small groaning noise coming from an empty classroom down the corridor.
"Goblin." Draco exclaimed quickly, dashing towards the room, followed by Hermione. At first, Hermione thought the Goblin to be a small pile of clothing or rags. But as she stepped in further, she noticed that it was a scrunchy little creature with a face like a pug and a body like a toad.
"Eeech." Was her reaction. "That's a Goblin?"
"Yep." He said poignantly, pointing his wand at it. It stood and waddled toward them, grunting and wheezing.
"It's not very fast." She gasped quickly as it made it's way closer to Draco.
"No," He agreed. "Naturally they aren't, but their very annoying." The creature was now pounding it's head against Draco's legs.
"The way McGonagall told us, it sounded as if they were dangerous." She giggled, watching Draco trying to kick it off of him.
"Yeah...when your alone they get more tricky, but as long as we stay together-" He paused and thrust his wand at the Goblin's pudgy arms. "Stupify." He muttered boredly, gazing at the creature as it fell to the floor in a dead feint. "Shove it into the sack, Granger. And hold it by it's feet, it's head's said to give you warts." She took it by it's feet and threw it into the large cloth sack that Professor McGonagall had given them. Draco then took the sack and flung it over his shoulder, triumphant in his defeat.
They left the classroom happily, Hermione talking animatedly about how she'd thought that Draco used the wrong charm. "Shuttup, Granger." He snapped after a moment. "I know what I'm doing."
"S-sorry." She mumbled, turning her face from his. They walked in silence for the next few minutes, Hermione now in a shrewd temper. She HAD thought that they'd been progressing, but a Malfoy was always a Malfoy, she supposed. "So." She began, hoping to find in him the Draco she'd seen earlier. "Who is that girl you always hang about with? I thought your only friends were those lugs Crabbe and Goyle."
"Blaise," He started uncomfortably, not wishing to talk about the subject. "I've known her since I was a child. Her mother and father were death-" He paused, recalling who he was talking to. "Were friends of my parents. But when they left the dark- When they got in a...disagreement with my family, my father began to despise them. But Blaise and I still remained friendly."
"It's so funny to hear you said 'friendly.'" She laughed, admiring the word. "Because you're not a very friendly person." He raised his eyebrows at her solemnly. "Sorry."
"Anyway," He continued, wondering what it must have been like to hate him her whole life, "We've gotten rather close, but she's now angry with me."
"Why?" Asked Hermione, surprisingly curious to hear the answer.
"I'd rather not." He stated simply. She nodded and they continued to walk. It was growing quite dark outside, and it was now almost midnight.
"I'll bet it must be nice to have someone to talk to." Hermione sighed, pulling her hair back.
"It was nice. But she refuses to talk with me anymore."
"Oh. I apologize."
"Not your fault."
"I know, but..." She had turned to him, and he to her, their faces closer than they had been the night before. Hermione swallowed and let out a smoky breath that rose into the air as his dark silver eyes inspected her. Her eyes, however, were cast down upon her shoes, though her head remained high. She closed them, not daring to look at him, as she felt the warmth of his breathing upon her face. He was so near to her, nearer then they'd ever been. The silence was palpable, velvet in it's smooth essence. She ascended her eyelids after a moment, wondering what he was doing. But he just stared at her, his beautiful eyes wide with interest, concern, and feeling. They were deep and passionate as they gazed directly at her face, watching her breath. They remained like this for a moment, until there echoed a deep groaning noise from a classroom close to them. They tore apart, Draco dashing into it. Hermione followed, her cheeks flush and her lips slightly ajar. But when she entered, the Goblin had already latched onto Draco.
"Granger, do something!" She had left him alone for only a moment, and the Goblin had struck. She was ready to kill herself. The creature was bearing it's teeth at his arm, and it sunk them into it. He yelled, and motioned for Hermione to grab her wand. In doing so, she shouted, "Stupify!" The charm hit the creature, and it took it's tight clench of jaw from Draco's forearm. He was bleeding visibly, and as the Goblin fell from his grasp, Hermione rushed to his side.
"You told me that I shouldn't have used Stupify." He mumbled weakly, his knees trembling. "Why did you use it?" She shone a worried smile at him.
"Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine." He looked at her for a moment, then dropped to the ground. "Loss of blood." he muttered. Hermione looked about quickly for something she could bandage his arm with. She didn't know where they were, and the hospital wing had to be miles from where they were now.
Not spotting anything, she tore the bottom from her robes and lifted Draco's sleeve. She began to dab the thick blood from his arm gently, feeling his shivers from beneath her. "You'll be alright." She whispered to him. "Don't worry." She cleaned the blood up as best she could, but as his skin shone through the clot of red, she noticed something black peer through. "Oh my..." She said softly, trying hard not to believe it. "So you are a death eater."
* *
