Comfort in the Darkness
by d00neygurl
Chapter 2- Death in the Family
A/N Thanks for reading my story, I hope it's what you were looking for. Sad to say that I don't own anything about this story it all belongs J. K. Rowling.
R&R
'Ok, things definitely haven't been going the way I've wanted them to. To start off, I'm sharing head duties with Malfoy, I have to share a bloody table with him in the Great Hall, AND I have to share a BEDROOM with him! I mean, it's bloody ridiculous that it's even possible! What about REGULATIONS!" Hermione vented to herself as she stabbed her mashed potatoes with a fork.
This was the beginning of her 7th and final year at Hogwarts, and things haven't been very chipper. No, not all things have gone badly, there were at least 10 new members to the Gryffindor family, and Remus Lupin had been given the DADA job back. There was an explosion of applause when that was announced, even from the Slytherin table, and that was a rare thing.
"Calm down, Hermione, the potatoes are already mashed. Or is it that you're mad you have to sit with me, and not with the rest of the golden trio?" Draco said, snapping Hermione out of her thoughts.
Realizing that she was drawing the attention of the professor she sat by, she silently laid her fork down. She muttered a quiet 'sorry' and pulled back from the table. 'This day was not going well indeed.'
"Shut up, Draco." Hermione hissed
She stole herself away from the table and made her way towards the door. There was just too much to deal with at the moment and she had to get away.
There was a slight breeze coming from the door leading outside, it was much too chilly to sit on the front steps. Instead she sat herself down upon the first step leading towards the great stair cases. She waited until it was time to show the Prefects to their dorms.
Unknowing to Hermione, she had not exited the Great Hall unnoticed. There was a pair of steely gray eyes watching her as she left. 'What's gotten into her? Was it something I said?' Draco thought as he looked at the bushel of honey brown hair leave the room. There was a pang of sadness as he thought of accidently hurting her. He had kept his feelings for 'Mione secret for so long. But he was free from the fear of being beaten by his father because of it and he was free to do whatever he liked. Ever since the cancerous death of his father Lucius, it felt like a ton had been lifted off of his slender shoulders. He would not have to be a death eater, as his Lucius had wanted, he could even join the Order that Dumbledore has.. if he wanted to.
He really didn't care if Hermione had muggle parents, but to make sure that his father would not find out his feelings for her, he would call 'Mione that horrible name; mudblood, Every time that he had said it, there was one thought that went through his mind; It's to protect the both of us. For who knew what the death eaters would have done to her and her parents. It was too unbearable to think of.
He was happy though, he had his mother at the manor. His mother was a kind, gentle soul who had only married Lucius because of her parents. He was also happy because of Hermione. She had grown in all of the right spots. But that was not exactly why. He was happy because he will now be able to spend time with her, and chat, and who knows what.
Draco gave silent chuckle as he listened to Dumbledore instruct all of the Prefects to guide the 1st years. 'This year will be interesting.'
The first years were shown to their houses and the prefects were settling into their new quarters. Now all that was left do was to see where Hermione and Draco would be staying. A burst of butterflies had flown into her stomach as she thought about the prospect. She had never shared a room with a boy before, It was all very new to her. Even if it was a Malfoy she would be with, she would definitely have something to talk about with Ginny.
Hermione gave a sideways look at Draco as they walked down the hall together.
'Draco looks so cute when he's serious. I wonder what he's thinking about..ughh what am I saying? He's a Malfoy!'
"See something you like, Granger?" Draco said as he stopped at the picture of Queen Charlotte the II.
"No, I was just looking at the suites of armor that we passed" 'Mione lied, blushing slightly "Plus, aren't we going on a first name basis?"
"I'm sure you were.." Draco smirked "Though, I never took you as liar Hermione. You never seemed the type."
"I wasn't lying. I was jus-just trying to re-remember the way to get here." 'Mione stammered looking away from Draco
But the beautiful gray eyes did not miss a thing, he laid his hand under her chin, forcing her to look at him. God were those eyes enchanting, like she was looking into two pale gray moons. They looked stern, strong, and is there a hint of ...lust?
Draco leaned in closer, nose almost touching nose. His sent was intoxicating, it was minty with a tinge of musk to it. Hermione just stood there, about to collapse from the serge of butterflies in her.
Draco just looked into 'Mione's Hershey brown eyes, not knowing what he was searching for exactly. But quickly recovered himself as he noticed her somewhat sinking from his touch.
"One thing I can't stand, 'Mione, is when people lie to me. I'll let you go this time, however." and with a slight smile he let go of her chin and turned towards the portrait. He muttered the riddle:
'Water is water,
And Air is air,
But what does it mean,
When I don't give a care?'
And entered the common room, leaving a speechless Hermione behind to gather her wits. After about a minute of contemplation, she decided to follow Draco inside to their common room.
The common room was absolutely gorgeous! The Slytherin colors of green & silver, combined with the Gryffindor colors of Red and gold. There was a lit fireplace in the middle of the room. It's mantle had a intricate carving of a snake wrapped around a lion. The room had one couch that looked more like a love seat and two plush chairs on either side. All of which face the eye catching fireplace. There was a book shelf and a desk on either side of the room witha box chocolate frogs sitting on each. And there was one lone door on the right side of common room.
Hermione walked closer to the door as to get a better view of what was carved in the middle.
In a mixture of green and silver spelled the name: Draco Malfoy
And underneath there was a mixture of red and gold that spelled: Hermione Granger
"Well, are we going to stand here, or are we going inside?" Draco whispered into Hermoine's ear. Startling her intoa half jump.
"Mpfh!...Uh, I guess." Hermione said lost for words 'He's acting so oddly! Almost like he's flirting with me. But that's not possible..is it?'
Reaching around Hermione, Draco turned the wooden nob to open the door. He pushed on the door lightly, revealing their bed chamber.
The room was a little bigger than their common room, which was surprising enough. The ceiling was rather catherdral like and reached far above, revealingstars and a moon, lit magically above them. There were two canopy beds with night stands on either side. And on their beds laid their luggage, along with a note.Two looming armoirs stood against the walls opposite the beds. Inbetween the two armoirs, was a balcony that led outside, revealing a moon-reflecting lake. And on the far side of the room rested a large wooden door, leading to the bathroom.
Hermione half ran to her bed where Crookshanks was meowing loudly.
"Oh Shanksy! You must be starving!" Hermione cried as she opened the cage door. She took out her wand and conjured up some cream and cat food.
Hermione looked about her and noticed the note beside her luggage.
"It only tells us about our duties and congrats for getting the job." Draco said, looking up from his own note "We also have a meeting tomorrow at lunch. It says that we have to think of new ideas for the upcoming year."
"Oh?" Hermione said as she opened her own. She sat on her bed and gave th note a quick glance through. "It also says that we have to tell all prefects about the meeting."
"That should be fun." Draco muttered as he laid on his bed, eyesclosing wearily. It had been at least aweek since he had fully rested.Seeing as the death of his father occured not long before school had started. It wasn't remorse that had kept him awake all those nights. No, it was all those bloody screeching owls that woke the whole manor up. Just to give a note from their master, saying how sorry they were for the Lucius's death. I'm not sorry, that's for sure.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I'll update right after my Key Club Training session tomorrow, I need sleep if I'm giving speeches. Wouldn't want to look like the walking dead, now would I? Haha tell me what ya think and if there are any errors. Ilove corrections
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