Acceptance
I tell her everything. Every detail, every thought that has crossed my mind since she ran into me that one time, so many dyas ago. She listens intently, she expresses her horror when I reach the part about my fathers welcome home. An understanding begins to creep across her lovely face. I finish by telling her about the Stoneblood potion and what I hoped to do after she had drunk it. She shudders and wraps her arms around herself tightly.
"Hermione…" I start slowly and look at the floor. "I'm so sorry. I was so afraid… of my father, of what he might do when he finds out. He will find out." She shakes her head with uncertainty.
"How did he find out in the first place? I don't understand… It was just you and I in the train compartment… I don't think Neville saw. But, even if he did he doesn't have any connection with your father…" I sigh and think about it for a moment.
"Pansy…" I say softly. Of course, I'm so stupid! Hermione looks at me questioningly. "It was Pansy. She was standing outside the compartment when I left, I was so angry at Neville it didn't even register that she might have seen us. And she's always had such a crush on me… Damn jealous females." I curse under my breath but Hermione still doesn't get it.
"But how could Pansy…?"
"Her father is a Death Eater. She must have told him in hopes that he would tell my father." Her eyes are wide in surprise.
"Pansy's father is a…?" I smile at her innocence.
"There are more of us than you think."
"Us!" She gasps suddenly. "Surely you're not…?"
"No! I just meant… well my father wants me to…" I sigh and her face returns to normal and I look at her darkly. "Hermione… he's going to kill me."
"No, he can't. We can call the authorities! He used an Unforgivable curse on you, Draco. Surely that's grounds for arrest. We can stay at Hogwarts, you'll be safe there." I shake my head slowly. She takes my hand and squeezes it tightly.
"I won't let him hurt you Draco." She sounds so sure and yet… she doesn't know him like I do. I have betrayed him and shamed the family name. He'll never forgive it. And he will never forget. He will come for me and she won't be able to do anything. Eventually we stand up and decide that, for now, it is best to head back to the Weasley's house. Fred, George and Ron are surely worried sick. We've been gone about 27 hours now. Mr. and Mrs.Weasley will also be home by now. The thought of facing them makes my stomach flip. They know the kind of person my father is, and I doubt they are very fond of me either. I close the heavy door behind me, pulling it shut tight almost sad to say goodbye to my brief sanctuary. This time I sit in front with Hermione hugging my waist tightly. It seems she's not too fond of broom flight. We arrive back at the Weasley's house shortly, they must have seen us through the windows because Ron is rushing out towards us by the time we land. Hermione leaps off the back and runs to him. They embrace each other tightly and I can't help the feeling of jealousy from churning inside me. He gives me a dirty look and I just snarl back at him. He slings his arm around her shoulders and leads her inside, her arm around his waist. I start to head after them but Fred and George prevent me from entering.
"I'm afraid we're going to have to have a family meeting before we can allow you back inside." Fred declares with a large grin.
"You know… kidnapping is an offence, punishable with a term in Azkaban" George chimes in, his smile spreading. I shove the broom hard against their chest and turn and walk away taking a seat on a snow-covered log not far from the house. They snicker and head inside. I'm sitting out in the cold for quite some time before a slightly large woman with red hair and a kindly face appears at the door. I stand up slowly and wait for my punishment. Her eyes are tear-filled and she runs over and embraces me in a tight hug. At first I am confused and taken aback. Then she is crying and babbling, holding me tight.
"Oh you poor boy! All these years and I just thought you were spoiled… All that anger all that abuse, it's no wonder… oh you poor poor thing!" My eyes are wide as I look around for help. I'm surprised that the help comes from Weasley.
"Mom, let him go, you're scaring him."
"Huh? Oh, yes of course. I'm sorry Draco it's just that…" She tapers off with a choked sob and releases me. Fred hands her a tissue. I can see Hermione standing behind Ron, smiling.
"So you told them everything that I…" She interjects quickly.
"Everything up until we met in the woodshed. I told them that we decide to go somewhere quiet and talk." She looks at me meaningfully. She's trying to tell me that she didn't tell them about what happened in the shack… about what I almost did. For that I'm grateful. If she had, I doubt I would be getting such a kind reception for Mrs.Weasley.
"Well, come on in everyone, before we all catch a cold. There will be presents and a hot meal waiting for you shortly." Mrs.Weasley seems to have brightened drastically. I stop short.
"Presents…?" I ask quizically. She looks at me as if I've just said something foreign.
"Of course, none have you have had a proper Christmas so far and your vacation days are almost over. So lets get you inside." She puts her arm around me and leads me towards the house. "And you are welcome to stay for the remainder of the holidays. I'm afraid I wasn't expecting another person so I didn't have time to go shopping or anything…"
"Oh it's alright Mrs.Weasley. Really I don't need anything… I feel bad enough for imposing on you like this that I could never…" She holds up a hand to cut me off.
"Nonsense. Now tell me… what's your favourite colour?" She smiles at me brightly and I feel a warmth beginning to creep through me. It's a feeling I've rarely fewlt before, in all my life. Who knew I would find it at the Weasley's house? I smile back at her.
"Green. My favourite colour is green."
