A/N: just a small one this time...the next couple chapters are sort of longer than the other chapters so far so hopefully they dont hurt anyone's eyes to read ;) jks...So as promised, here are chapters 9 and 10 of Kindred Spirits...please enjoy and keep reviewing!
Chapter 9: The Order Meeting
The sunlight poured through the open balcony windows into the black and crimson colored Head Girl's room. Draco was standing on the balcony, sipping a cup of hot coffee, wearing nothing but the same green, black and silver plaid flannel pajama pants he'd fallen asleep in the night before. He didn't want to leave Hermione alone just in case she had another nightmare or worse. He went back inside and sat in a plush crimson armchair facing Hermione's bed and watched her sleep peacefully. She was laying half on her side, one arm up near her face and the other draped over her stomach, which was showing under her tank top that was riding up dangerously close to her chest. Her long golden-brown locks draped delicately across her pillow behind her. 'She looks like an angel,' Draco thought to himself. 'Why does she have to be so beautiful? I cant keep her out of my head.' Hermione began to stir, arching her back and stretching, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Good morning," Draco said, trying not to startle her. It didn't work. Hermione jumped slightly as her eyes snapped onto the blonde boy sitting in the chair near her bed.
"What are you doing in here Malfoy?" she demanded, her honey eyes glaring at him.
"You had a nightmare last night, you woke me up screaming. I came to see if you were okay and once I'd calmed you down you asked me to stay with you so I did." He answered calmly, his silver eyes staring right back into hers. "And before you ask, yes I slept in your bed right there next to you…in fact you were draped over me half the night." He smirked at the last part. He'd been up for an hour standing outside watching the sunrise over the lake and thinking about things….his life, the Death Eaters, and of course Hermione. He seemed to be thinking about her more and more lately. He'd been hiding his feelings for some time now but he couldn't hide from it anymore…he was starting to fall in love with Hermione Granger. He looked at her and she was still looking at him. He had decided something that morning while he watching her sleep….he was going to tell her everything.
"Hermione, now that you are awake, I think we need to talk about some things.", he began getting up from his chair and walking to the bed where she was still sitting under the black and red duvet. She looked at him slightly apprehensively as he sat down beside her. "I know you are still upset with me because I went back to the Death Eaters. I understand that, I really do. I never wanted you to find out but I need to explain it to you." Hermione sat up straighter, not really knowing what was going on but curious as to what he was going to tell her.
"Okay, Malfoy, tell me why. Explain to me why you betrayed me and my friends and lied to us for the past four months. I'm seriously dying to understand this huge reason you have behind it." Hermione said sarcastically. Draco lowered his eyes from hers and stared at the pillow in front of him. He sighed heavily for a moment before he started talking.
"Okay a couple weeks before school started, I went to visit my mother. I had been worried about her because of the threat that I was given if I didn't succeed in my mission last year. I had to know that she was alright and she was. We had a long conversation. Now my mother is nothing like Lucius. Their marriage was arranged before they even left Hogwarts and ever since she's been fulfilling her role as a good wife, you know doesn't talk back, doesn't go behind her husband's back, etc. She told me that my father hadn't always been the way he is now. It all started back a few years before I was born. Shortly after they were married, the Dark Lord came to Lucius to invite him to join the Death Eaters. He'd supposedly heard of Lucius Malfoy while he was still in school and had been watching him for a couple years. Lucius had followed the Dark Lord for a few years and agreed with some of the ideals that he was promoting. This was of course before the Dark Lord and his followers started on their killing sprees from what my mother told me."
"Hold on, if you are going to talk about Voldemort then do me a favor and actually use his name. this is really getting incredibly absurd. Even Ron still flinches and he's been fighting against him with Harry and me for the past six years!" Hermione interjected, watching Draco wince slightly when she said Voldemort. She rolled her eyes at him. "Oh honestly, not you too. Whatever, just continue."
"Sorry, anyway, as I was saying, my father decided to join up with, um, Voldemort," he said, forcing the name out. "and suddenly his entire persona changed. He changed into the asshole that everyone knows, completely whipped and power-hungry. His dislike for Muggleborns turned into sheer hatred and my parents began fighting all the time because my mother didn't agree with him. Finally, after being beaten by Lucius enough times, she submitted and decided that she would simply keep her mouth shut. Shortly after that time, she found out that she was pregnant with me, so she became even more silent refusing to argue with Lucius about anything for fear of something happening to me. When I was a couple weeks old, she told me that Lucius took me to Voldemort. Voldemort decided then and there that I would join his ranks along with my father when I turned 17. Lucius was ordered to do whatever it took to ensure that I would join them. He drilled his beliefs into my head as soon as I could walk and talk. When I was six years old, a new family moved in down the street…a family of Muggles. But since I was so young, I still didn't understand the difference so I befriended the young boy they had. My father found out about it and beat me till I couldn't lay on my back because of the pain. I found out a week after that incident that Lucius and his "friends" had killed that entire family because I had associated with them. I decided from that moment on that I would do and act however he instructed me to because I couldn't bear to be responsible for another death. Hence why I was so vicious to you for the past six years. I was afraid that if I showed even a glimmer of anything that wasn't as he taught me, I'd have to deal with him and trust me, I deal with him enough as it is. Anyway, a couple years ago, he joined some of the other Death Eaters at the Department of Mysteries…my mother told me about it because she'd overheard the plan. Apparently there was some sort of prophecy or something and whatever but after that night, Lucius was in Azkaban. What's so funny?" Hermione had stifled a giggle thinking of Lucius being dragged away by the Aurors.
"Oh my god, I'm sorry. That was before you and I became friends. I was just thinking about the look on your dad's face when they dragged him out of the death chamber." Hermione recovered quickly, remembering that it was Draco's father after all.
"What are you talking about?" Draco asked curiously.
"I was there, at the Department of Mysteries. So was Luna, Harry, Neville, Ginny, and Ron. But this is not the time to discuss that, please continue with what you were telling me. I'm sorry I interrupted you." Hermione said, blushing because she felt embarrassed that here Draco was pouring out everything and she laughed at his father. What kind of person was she? Draco just looked at her for a moment, unsure of what to say but then continued with what he was saying before.
"So that summer, after the incident that landed him in Azkaban, Voldemort showed up at the manor. He told me that I had been promised to join him by Lucius when I was an infant and that, now that Lucius had failed him for the second time, he had come to enforce it. He told me that he had a mission for me and that if I failed not only would he kill me, but he'd kill my mother and Lucius as well. I didn't really care what happened to Lucius but I couldn't bear for anything to happen to my mother. Voldemort marked me and gave me my orders. That's why I was going after Dumbledore all last year. I didn't want to do it, Hermione, I want you to believe me. But my mother means more to me than my own life because she was all I had, she was the only person who truly loved me.
So after I went back to visit her this past summer to check on her, she told me that Voldemort had personally come to the manor again and told her that if I was not back in his service before the end of the summer then she would be killed and so would I. She begged me to return to save my own life, she didn't care about herself. But it wasn't only her that Voldemort had threatened, Hermione. He'd discovered where I'd been all summer and he threatened you as well. He somehow learned of my feelings for you, and added to the fact that you were Harry's best friend as well as a "Mudblood", he threatened that he'd use you to get to me and that, Hermione, I just could not have happen." Draco took a deep breath, this was it, he was going to tell her. He just hoped that she wouldn't run away. "I love you Hermione…I'm not IN love with you, yet, but I a swiftly falling."
Hermione simply stared at him in shock for a few moments. 'Did Draco Malfoy just tell me that he was falling in love with me?' she wondered to herself, not sure if she heard him correctly. 'I had no idea he felt the same way I do. I couldn't tell him before because I thought that he'd betrayed me but now I know he was trying to protect me.' She suddenly smiled, the realization sinking in.
"Draco, I love you too. I have for awhile but I thought that you'd….well never mind it's not important now. What's important is that we both love each other and we cant let anything keep us apart. You read what Dumbledore wrote…we need to work together, not apart. I know you are scared Draco but you need to keep as far from the Death Eaters as possible. Don't be afraid for me, I can handle it. As for Narcissa, I'm sure that Remus will do something to help her. You can talk to him tonight at the meeting." Hermione paused for a moment and looked into his big silvery-grey eyes. She leaned towards him and kissed him lovingly. Pulling back, she smiled sweetly. "But for the moment, I'm going to the Great Hall…I'm starving!" She said, laughing, and pulled him close to her, kissing him deeper.
Later that evening, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco all walked off the Hogwarts grounds and apparated to Grimmauld Place for the Order meeting. As soon as they stepped into the house, however, they sensed that something was happening. Harry rushed ahead of the rest of them into the living room where the meeting was to be held. Everyone was sitting anxiously awaiting the student's arrivals. The rest of them rushed after Harry into the living room as well.
"Oh good, you are all here.", Remus Lupin said quickly, motioning for the students to quickly take their seats. "As you all know, there is many things happening in the last year at the Department of Mysteries. Well it appears that Voldemort and his Death Eaters have discovered something else of value there. Earlier this evening, we received word that one of the Unspeakables had been taken from the Department by two unrecognized Death Eaters…the witness could tell because they saw the Dark Mark on their arms. As you all know, no one knows exactly what the Unspeakables study there because they are unable to speak about it to anyone outside of that room. Severus has just returned from a Death Eater meeting with the news that they are planning an attack on the Department tonight, in approximately 2 hours. We need to head them off before any of them can infiltrate that room. If Voldemort discovers the secrets hidden within that room, he will be able to receive a huge advantage over us because no one in this room knows that information. It could prove to be incredibly useful to his side and ours but given that no one even knows what's contained there, it could also prove incredibly hazardous."
"Who all is going, Remus," Hermione asked. "I'm just asking out of curiosity, since I already know that I'm going."
"You, my dear girl, are wrong. You are to stay put." Moody spoke up.
"Excuse me," Hermione replied standing up. "Is Harry going tonight?", she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Yes, of course, 'Mione.", Harry replied. "We have reason to believe that Voldemort himself will be there as well so I of course must go. Ron and Draco are coming as well and so are the older members. You need to stay here this time. We need you back at the school."
"Over my dead body, Harry James Potter.", Hermione said, narrowing her eyes. She'd never been left out of anything. She'd been with Harry and Ron through everything and she could not believe they were trying to keep her back now. "I have been with you through everything! If it wasn't for me, you would never have figured out about the Sorcerer's Stone and you sure as hell wouldn't have gotten through the maze or even known about it if I hadn't seen that damn trapdoor! You would never have figured out there was a basilisk terrorizing the school! And how in the bloody hell would you have managed to save Sirius third year, Harry? Care to tell me that one! And I'm not even going to bring up the Department of Mysteries only a little over a year ago! I've almost died fighting along side you and now you are going to try and keep me back? I don't think so. I am going and you aren't going to stop me." With that, she stormed from the room, leaving the entire Order staring after her. No one had ever seen Hermione so angry before.
Harry watched her leave, thinking about what she had said. She was right, she'd helped him out through everything. She'd helped them out in the DoM the night that Sirius was killed and was almost killed during that battle and had stood by him no matter what the price.
"You know, Remus, she's right. I still don't understand why you didn't want her to come with us." Harry asked, leaning closer to speak more quietly. "I think that we need to let her come along because if we don't, I think she might leave and we need her. You heard about the connection that she and Draco have. Remember that letter that Dumbledore left for us? It could definitely help."
Lupin nodded in agreement. Originally he had believed that they should not include Hermione this time because of the connection that Dumbledore had informed them of. He believed it could distract her since neither of them were fully aware of it or knew how to use it yet, but after her outburst and Harry's words, Lupin admitted that she was right. She was not a child, she was a full member of the Order of the Phoenix and so obviously knew what she was doing.
"Very well, she may accompany the rest of us to the Department of Mysteries. Harry, could you please fetch her for us? We need to leave as soon as we've gone over our plan of attack." Lupin finally stated, looking somewhat defeated. Harry walked out of the room to find her and after a few moments of yelling (all from Hermione) the two returned to the living room and took their seats, Hermione still looking somewhat irritated. The next hour was spent discussing tactics and forming attack parties. Hermione and Ron would, of course, be in the main party with Harry. Draco was with them as well (because of Hermione) along with Bill Weasley, Moody, Tonks, and a newer member by the name of Jeremy Donovan. Jeremy was only a few years older than the trio. He was also a Muggleborns but his parents were murdered over the summer by Death Eaters and when Lupin discovered him, they asked him to join. He was very gifted in Transfiguration and Potions so his skills would come in definitely handy. He was a very handsome young man. Dark brown hair that was very neatly kept, piercing hazel eyes which seemed to change colors depending on his mood…tonight they were a sharp green. He was also very well built, which Hermione noticed the first time she'd seen him. Jeremy seemed to have taken a liking to Hermione since their first meeting and was constantly flirting with her. Even Hermione couldn't resist his debonair charm and was seen giggling often whenever they talked. (A/N: even though Draco and Hermione have declared that they love each other in private, they are not public yet and no one knows about them.)
The members grouped themselves and apparated to their designated spots at the Ministry of Magic. When Harry's group arrived, they immediately made their way down the elevators into the dungeon areas of the Department of Mysteries. Harry knew instinctively the way to go to find the locked room. He had relived that night over and over again in his mind for the last year and a half. They crept silently through the DoM from room to room, looking for any signs of the Death Eaters or Voldemort who should be there by now. Hermione stopped suddenly for a moment and thrust her hand into her pocket, pulling out two silver chains. She handed one to Draco, who looked at her strangely, but nodded, and then placed the other around her own neck. As soon as Draco placed his around his neck she felt a strange sensation flow from the pendant into her. 'It must be working already.' she thought to herself as they continued after the others, Hermione running to catch up to Harry and Ron who were leading the group. They entered a room and were suddenly bombarded with hexes and curses. Apparently they'd finally found the Death Eaters. Their group split itself and each began dueling with the Death Eaters. One of them grabbed Hermione from behind and threw her into the stone wall. She slid down and recovered quickly, pointing her wand at the throat of her assailant. He was not wearing a mask and she recognized him immediately. It was Antonin Dolohov, the same Death Eater who almost ended her life a year and a half ago during the last battle at the Department of Mysteries. She looked at him in shock because she was positive that he'd been among those who were sent to Azkaban.
"Oh yes, we were, little Mudblood.", Dolohov answered her, apparently reading her thoughts. "Until last night when we were "released" you could say. Did you really believe we were never getting out? Besides I don't think I'd pass up an opportunity to finish what I started with you the last time. Crucio!" He screamed at Hermione. Luckily, Hermione managed to jump out of the way barely seconds before the curse would have hit her. The two dueled intensely for the next 15 minutes, dodging curses as swiftly as cats on a hot tin roof. Hermione rolled left quickly, dodging yet another attempt of the Crustacious curse and grabbed a large paperweight-type object from a nearby desk and in one fluid motion managed to knock it across Dolohov's head, knocking him to the ground unconscious. Hermione noticed that he wasn't moving and took it as a sign that she could move on to help the others, only when she looked around the room, she saw that they were the only ones there anymore. She'd been so preoccupied with Dolohov that she didn't even notice the fight had left the room. She ran to the other side and through the open door, hoping to find the others in the next room but they were not there either. She made her way quickly through that room and the next and then found herself in a long hallway. As she started moving down the hallway, she heard the sound of a fight from somewhere at the end of the hall. Walking down the hall cautiously, she suddenly was overcome by a tremendous sense of deja-vu. She had definitely been here before…it was the same hallway they'd come down the last time they were here. But there was something else. She remembered seeing this hallway not too long ago. She hastened her steps, subconsciously knowing exactly where she was going but not really sure how at the same time. She reached the room at the end of the hall and the battle screams got so loud it was almost as if they were all around her. She cautiously entered the room and suddenly she realized why it all seemed too familiar.