The Visitor
I sleep well enough on the Weasley's couch. The room is covered in wrapping paper and loose gifts. I'm the first one awake and I lie here, thinking about all the years I gave Ron a hard time. His family has been so kind to me, almost without reason. I don't deserve it. They're just like Hermione. Look at what I've done and still she treats me with such kindness. I pick up the book she gave me and skim through it briefly. Soon I hear sounds of life in the kitchen and get up to go see. Mrs.Weasley is doing dishes and getting stuff out for breakfast. I offer to help and she gladly excepts. It feels so good to share something like this with her. It feels like a real mother-son relationship. One I've never had. We work together in quietly, me doing dishes and her making breakfast, humming to herself. I smile inspite of myself. Soon Bill and Charlie join us, yawning and flopping down into the diningroom chairs. For breakfast we have cereal, french toast and waffles. Ron is the last to join us rolling out of bed at around 11:30. Him and Hermione keep exchanging significant glances over breakfast and I'm almost positive Ron tried to play footsies with her, mistaking my feet for hers. I glared at him across the table and kicked him in the shin. He didn't try it again. Everyone was helping clean up after dishes when there was a loud knock on the door. Mrs.Weasley quickly dried her hands and walked over to the door. I continued putting away the dishes when a familiar echoed across the livingroom.
"I'm looking for my son." The voice was cold and menacing. I slowly peered out the window and caught a glimpse of Lucius Malfoy standing before a flustered Mrs.Weasley. I froze in horror then ducked down under the kitchen table and listened intently.
"I'm sorry Mr.Malfoy but your son isn't here." Mr.Weasley had joined his wife at the door, barring his view of the kitchen.
"I have reason to believe he came this way a few days ago, I have come to collect him. If you would be so kind as to hand him over." He tried to push past Mr.Weasley but Arthur held firm, placing a hand on Lucius' chest.
"You are not welcome in this house, Lucius. Now please go. We don't want any trouble." I could almost hear my fathers lip curl into a deep snarl.
"You have no right to keep him from me. Now get out of my way, or you'll be sorry."
"You have no right to treat that boy the way you do!" Mrs.Weasley piped up suddenly.
"This is between me and my son. If you continue to stand in my way I'll make sure you and your whole family will suffer for it." With that he turned on his heel and headed back down the pathway, away from the Burrow. I can feel my heart racing and I swallow thickly. Next thing I know Mrs.Weasley kind face is looking under the table at me, holding out her hand.
"It's alright dear, he's gone." Her smile is comforting. I come out from underneath the table to see everyone staring at me.
"I don't mean to be such trouble… I should just go…" I hang my head but Mrs.Weasley will have none of it.
"Nonsense." She declares in her usual, cheery voice. "He can't do anything to you while you're here, Arthur works at the Ministry. He wouldn't dare."
"He's right though, I shouldn't have involved all of you. I'm just putting your family in danger by staying here."
"You're putting yourself in danger if you leave. And I won't stand for it. Now you go on upstairs and relax. We'll finish the chores down here." She smiles and gives me another one of her large hugs. I head up the stairs slowly, a large cloud of doom hanging over my head.
"Draco?" I knock lightly on the bedroom door and enter even without a response. He's sitting on the bed facing the window. He looks over at me and then looks back out the window.
"Hi, Hermione." He voice is quiet and solemn sounding. I move closer and kneel in front of him.
"Draco, it's ok to be afraid. Your father is a powerful man… and, from what you've told me, you have every reason to fear him. But, he can't hurt you here." He snorts at these last words. I sigh. It doesn't look like I have much chance to change his mind. I get up and start to leave.
"Thank you." He says quietly. I nod and close the door behind me.
The next few days pass in a blur and then we're on the train back to Hogwarts. I have asked Ron not to tell anyone about our relationship just yet. It seems like a good idea since people had enough to talk about what with Draco riding in the car with Ron, Ginny and I. He didn't like the idea and repeatedly insisted that everything should continue as normal. But one pleading look from me and he caved, agreeing to atleast share a train compartment with us. He sat most of the way with his arms crossed tightly and a sour look on his face. When we reached the castle Harry was there to greet us with open arms. You can imagine his surprise when we showed up with Draco in tow.
"What's he doing here?" The question was more of a snarl. I could tell that after a week's detention with Snape he was not ready to deal with Draco.
"I'll explain later." I say quickly, not wanting to get into it with so many people around. "How was your holidays, Harry? Did you get the present I left you?" He smiled half-heartedly.
"Yeah, thanks for the new quill set Hermione. I'm sure I'll use it lots." I laugh at his fake enthusiasm and take his arm, heading towards the Gryffindor potrait. Then it dawns on me. I won't be able to keep an eye on Draco all the time, he's not allowed in the Gryffindor common room and I can't visit him at the Slytherins. I let go of Harry's arm and turn back to Draco.
"I'll catch up." I tell Harry and Ron who are talking excitedly about their next Quidditch practise. I ran back to where Draco was standing, looking awkward and unsure.
"I'll walk with you, Draco." I smile at him and he looks down at me and scoffs.
"I don't need you to escort me anywhere, Granger." His use of my last name instead of my first hits me just as strong as if he had slapped me across the face. "I have my own friends you know. I'm not some pity case who needs you to pretend to care about me."
"But I thought…" I start meakly, startled by his tone.
"Why don't you go follow your precious Weasel?" With that he turns and waves at some Slytherin girl down the hall. Leaving me standing there confused and hurt.
