Midnight Velvet

Ch 3 - The Argument

The three onlookers had remained silent during the entire exchange; they knew what had happened, they knew it before the memory began. For Harry and Ron it was a reminder, a memento, of what exactly had taken place in that room so many years ago, and a revelation of who exactly this mysterious stranger was. They had wondered what had become of him since that night, and now it was clear: he had been searching, searching for one of them. He was Draco Malfoy, their arch enemy all throughout their years together at Hogwarts, and even up until recently, who had without explanation became their accomplice- if only for a brief moment in time. He was someone they had hated and distrusted for years- and it was only now, after remembering how he had helped them that they began to have some doubt as to his evil nature. If he hated them so much, then why did he kill his master, Voldemort to save their lives? For Voldemort would surely have killed them all had Malfoy not intervened- it was the Bond Between Enemies that had killed him, not simply their spell. This question had plagued Harry and Ron for ten years; could Malfoy have changed for good, was he now their friend? Why had he helped them if he were truly evil? These questions burned in their minds- longing to be answered.

Malfoy was the first to speak: "Is there any question now? I would think that you would know exactly who I was. But then again, after not having Lucius directing my life anymore, I have turned into a slightly more pleasant person to be around. If I weren't, I would not have been able to tolerate spending so much time with you already today. Now, I am going to ask you again, where is Hermione? I would like to talk to her and fill her in on some things. I have waited long enough, I believe, since I last saw her. I feel that I should be allowed to spend some time with her, without her trusty little sidekicks." He gave Harry and Ron and indignant smile as he spoke, a slight hint of impatience in his voice.

It was clear that the long ago grudge was not so easily lifted- Malfoy still disliked Harry and Ron, but why was he so interested in Hermione- he had hated her too, after all.

"Once you take us back, we will send an owl for her to meet us." Harry answered, for they were still within the walls of the memory, and it was very unsettling standing casually in the room where Voldemort had been destroyed, discussing Hermione inches from the spot where she sat frozen in time. Harry desperately wanted to get home to The Broom Closet where he felt safe and didn't need to worry about the events that took place so long ago.

Ron looked at him with question. He, too wanted to return home, but why was Harry agreeing to these unfriendly demands from the one person they had despised for so long.

Harry, noticing the look of confusion of Ron's freckled face said calmly, "Draco is right Ron, Hermione deserves to know what happened that night- from him," he gestured to Malfoy, "and also to make things right. She needs to hear the events recounted by Draco himself, or else she will never believe what happened. You know that she didn't believe us when we told her, that he could possibly have changed so quickly, and she needs to hear it from him, directly. I believe that Draco has other things that he would like to talk to Hermione about also."

Ron who still could not believe his ears said: "You are going to let Malfoy spend time with Hermione, alone? Do you realize what that could happen to her? What he could do to her? What if it was all a ploy to get rid of Voldemort and kill Hermione himself, so he could become immortal?"

Harry smiled: "Ron, we both know that, that prophecy was meant only for Voldemort: it cannot be fulfilled by anyone else, even Draco. No, I don't think that's his motive at all. And yes Ron, I do know what could happen, but if I am not wrong, Draco here has some serious issues that he needs to clear up with Hermione. I think he deserves our trust for once."

Draco replied: "How observant of you Harry, I never thought that anything as deep as this could penetrate that thick skull of yours. I trust this matter shall not be taken for granted."

With those words, he waved his wand again, and within seconds the three of them were back in the Quidditch shop.

Once back in the comforting atmosphere of broomsticks and spare Quaffles, Harry headed straight for Albus's cage, (Harry had named Hedwig's son after his mentor, and the only father he had ever known – Albus Dumbledore.)

However, just before reaching him, he had a thought: "Actually, what do you think about meeting up with Hermione at the masquerade ball tomorrow night? After all, it is Halloween, and what would be the fun without a charming midnight masquerade? You could come, of course, and we could point her out to you. It would be a great surprise for her, I am sure."

Draco considered what Harry was saying, and agreed. "Alright then, what time is this ball, and where can I get new robes?"

Harry chuckled, "Still haven't changed have you Draco- always concerned about your looks. The ball is at 8:00pm over in Sir Billamin's mansion, at the top of Trickster's Hill. And if it's robes you want, Madame Rosemary has the best robes for all occasions in town."

"Thank you Harry," replied Draco. And with a quick nod to both Ron and Harry, he was off.

---------------------------------------------------

"What do you think you are doing, Harry? Allowing Malfoy to be with Hermione alone, and not only that, but letting him surprise her at the masquerade ball?" Ron protested the moment that Draco had left the store. He could not believe everything that had just taken place in the past hour. First, a stranger appears in their otherwise peaceful Quidditch shop and is upset that they didn't recognize him, then he takes them to a shocking and appalling memory of ten years ago, then he reveals himself as their nemesis, Draco Malfoy, a man they have not seen since before they graduated Hogwarts, then Harry has planned for Malfoy, of all people, to spend time with Hermione alone- and not only that, but to meet up with her at the masquerade ball in which Hermione will have no idea that its even him, until he shows his true self! Hermione was likely to go into spasms as soon as she finds out what has taken place. Ron was speechless at the thought.

Harry chuckled at Ron; it still only took minute things to get his temper up and running. Actually, this was not a small thing, thought Harry. On the contrary, this really is quite a big thing. Draco had been missing since that night that Voldemort died. How had he found them, and more importantly where had he been? Harry suspected that Draco had held some sort of a torch for Hermione since before that night, but when he turned and killed his own father, before his father was going to kill Hermione, Harry's suspicions had been confirmed. Harry turned back to Ron, who had been ranting and raving while Harry was lost in thought, about the idiocy of this whole plan and how the world was going to end tomorrow night when Draco tried to kill Hermione, how she would hate them for even thinking about bringing Draco to her, and other nonsensical, gibbering of someone who was not at all happy about his present situation.

"Ron... RON…" Harry tried to interrupt, but Ron kept on raving about how silly this all was, and how he didn't want a part in it. "RON! Will you listen to me for a minute?" At this, Ron finally stopped yelling and was quiet for a moment. "Draco has every right to be able to visit with Hermione. He did, after all, kill his father to prevent him from killing her. And by the way, I'm not completely stupid, I suggested the masquerade ball because it's a public place, and we can be there in case something bad does happen. We will be hidden behind masks, but that doesn't mean that we won't be able to see everything that goes on between the two of them. We will know what Hermione will be wearing, and if we don't see Draco before he sees her, we can perform a locator charm to find him. Don't you realize Ron, nothing will happen, and if it does, we will be there to stop it. Haven't you ever listened to Hermione when she has been upset, or reminiscing? She has spoken of Draco on more than one occasion since the entire incident with Voldemort. Look, we owe it to her to at least be able to talk to Draco; I think that this will be a good thing for her, it will help her lay some old wonderings to rest. And any questions she had, at least this will be an opportunity for her to have them answered by the only person who really can help her, and if that has to be Draco Malfoy- then so be it. Ron, have some compassion for Hermione's sake, she needs to know what happened that night, from someone other than us; we can't help her there, she knows all we know, but if Draco has some things to tell her, out of respect for him, and Hermione, we need to allow them to be able to talk things over, and make peace with each other. Besides, I think Draco has a few extra things to tell her himself, and we need to realize that he, too, is a person, and has a right to speak with her about anything he wishes. Ok, Ron, just calm down and realize that it is not that big a deal- you're overreacting."

Ron sighed: "Well when you put it that way, I guess that it sounds ok. After all Malfoy will have a really hard time figuring out Hermione on his own, anyway. What harm could a little talk do, for old times sake?"

"Exactly. Now that we have calmed down, I think that it is time for some lunch. Do you want to go get sandwiches over at the deli?" Harry asked.

"Sure. You know that I can always eat." Ron said with a smile. "Sandwiches sound great. I think that I will have a turkey on rye today, with all of the regular toppings of course. And make it a large soda," (Ron had discovered the muggle's substitute for pumpkin juice shortly after they had moved to the states, and since could not have a meal without it.)

"Sounds wonderful, I think I'm going to have the same thing- here's some money. Try to hurry, I think that our visit from our friend has shaken both of us up quite a bit, and I'm starving!" said Harry. Ron nodded his head in agreement and left.

---------------------------------------------------

Harry had not been alone but for a few minutes when he decided to send Hermione an owl to confirm tonight's plans at the Wesley's, where they were having their monthly get together. Everyone always looked forward to the get together every fourth Saturday night; it was a chance to catch up on things that had happened, and to relax before the start of the following month. However, Harry had a slight feeling there would be an air of tension in this months gathering. Although, he was looking forward to the food; Mr. Weasley had gotten a barbecue pit built in shortly after they moved to America, he loved being able to help cook dinner on one of those great muggle inventions.

Once he had written the note, he told Albus to deliver it to Hermione, and off he flew. Harry started to think about how much they all had changed since that night; Draco had only shown them a fraction of what had actually happened leading up to that moment when Voldemort had fallen- it was hard on everyone, those events preceding that night. Losing Dumbledore had been crushing for all those who had known and loved him. It was especially hard on Harry, Dumbledore was like a father to him, and losing him had been devastating. It gave Harry, Ron, Hermione, and even Draco a glimpse that the dark side really was worse than they could have ever imagined, and it was a new inspiration to seek out Voldemort and put an end to his evil forever. They had succeeded eventually, but not without cost. Even with all of the attempts Voldemort made to take Harry's life, no one ever told him what it was really like- Harry never knew or understood how evil Voldemort really was. That is, until Harry saw for himself. That is why they had tried so hard at the end to kill Lord Voldemort: they had to avenge the life of Dumbledore and all others who gave their lives selflessly in the fight to try and stop Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

End of chapter……

I apologize for the delay in getting this next chapter posted. Real life has made quite a few appearances lately. Computer problems have not helped matters at all either.

1/3 of The Harry Potter Trio