The Final Breath
Chapter 1: The Stand Off
Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter...sob...
A/N: Hiya! I just wanted to say I really messed the 1st chapter's format up. I didn't enter at some places when characters spoke, etc, etc. I was trying to learn how the Quick Edit worked but I just couldn't get it. Thus, the mess. I figured out how to do it right on this chapter so hopefully it isn't as bad. Au revoir and enjoy!
"Get back!" Hermione yelled, taking a step closer. "Don't make me hurt you!"
"Go ahead," he said, pulling his wand slowly out of his robe's pocket.
"Hermione please," Dumbledore said calmly, stepping between them. "Draco is a guest here. You are not to harm him."
"But...but...he's a servant of the Dark Lord!" Hermione stammered, pleading with her eyes. "You're putting the entire Order at risk by letting him come here!"
"Hermione! Put your wand down!" Tonks said, as she came up and placed a firm hand on her trembling arm. Hermione looked back to see that Harry and Ron were being restrained by Moody and Mr. Weasley.
"You heard what Dumbledore said. Draco is a guest of the Order now and you have to treat him with some consideration." Glaring one last time into the icy gray eyes of her enemy she lowered her wand and allowed herself to be guided towards her bedroom. How could Dumbledore do this! Hermione stormed, pacing back and forth in her room an hour later. Everyone knows that stupid git has hated us from the beginning! He practically served Voldemort when he was in Hogwarts! He could already be a Death Eater! Malfoy is one of our greatest enemies and now he knows exactly where to strike us!
Flinging herself across the small bed, Hermione dug her face into a pillow. She could hear the muffled voices in the rooms below, no doubt discussing the issue of Draco and Hermione being together in the same house (not to mention Ron and Harry too). She turned to face the wall, as she thought about the danger that lurked just under her feet.
I have to know what's going on down there, she thought, jumping up and heading towards the center of the room. Shoving a threadbare rug out of the way, Hermione pried up a loose floorboard and selected a worn, velvet bag. She pulled out a thin, flesh-colored string.
"Extendable Ears," she murmured, as a smile spread across her face. "Thank you Fred and George."
Hermione quietly opened her bedroom door and crept down the hallway. She paused abruptly as she heard a thud and some incoherent muttering coming from a room down the hall.
Don't worry Harry, she thought as she looked towards the room. Malfoy won't get away with this. Stopping at the top of the staircase she attached the string to her ear, which immediately started to snake down the staircase and into the living room.
"Draco, you'll be sleeping upstairs in the bedroom next to Hermione's," she heard, as Remus's voice became clear. "Your trunk will be brought in and you can get settled later tonight. The bathroom is at the far end of the hallway on the left, and you might want to avoid Harry and Ron's room, which is just across the hall."
Hermione willed the Ear to move into the kitchen, where Moody and Dumbledore were discussing the situation.
"I can understand her reaction," Moody stated. "Hermione has never trusted Draco, and for good reason. His father has been in league with the Dark Lord for as long as anyone can remember. It's just logical for the son to follow in the father's footsteps."
"I would have agreed with her, if Draco had not come to me the way he did," Dumbledore said. "He allowed me to use Veritaserum to make sure he was telling the truth. Draco has deserted Lucius and, undoubtedly, decided to aid us. He is an invaluable asset who will be crucial in the destruction of Voldemort."
"Try telling that to them," Moody remarked.
Hermione gave the string a tug and the Extendable Ear came slowly back to her. She sighed, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples in a circular motion.
"Well fancy this!" Hermione looked up to see Draco staring down at her. "What are you doing Granger?" he asked, as she leaped up from the floor. "Please, don't move. Stay on the ground, where you belong."
"Shove off it, Malfoy!" she said, reaching into her robes for her wand.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," smirked Draco. "Remember, you have to treat me with some consideration!" Hermione reluctantly released her wand back into her pocket, as he roughly shoved past her, heading towards his bedroom.
"Filthy mudblood." She heard him mutter, as the door slammed shut behind him.
A/N: Ooooooooo...meanie. Okay! I hope you enjoyed! Don't forget to review!
Oh and...
Eyes of Emerald: Yay! My first reviewer! I love you forever and ever and ever...
sugaronstrawberries: Yay! My second reviewer! I'm so happy! Thank you for saying such nice things! You make me blush! And thanks for mentioning my mistake. I fixed it in the second chapter.
Loadsofwaffle: Thanks Kaycee! Dude, you're so funky!
Aerandir: You're so great! I love love love you! Thankee so much!
Magical Muggle: Yipeee! My 5th reviewer! I love ya bunches!! Thanks and I'm glad you like it! Don't you think Draco is a nice little twist?