Sold-Chapter 26-Swap
By Marmalade Fever
Harry threw his invisibility cloak over his shoulders. Two people had just appeared in the area in front of the cell. Kobby stood a few feet away, knees wobbling. As Harry's eyes adjusted back to darkness he felt his throat constrict. It was Hermione and Malfoy. They both were on the ground and groggily sat up.
"How--?" Malfoy began, looking around. "What are we doing down here?"
"I…" Hermione started. Malfoy stood and offered her a hand. Before she could take it, Harry threw aside his cloak and aimed his wand at the blond wizard.
"Stay away from her," he barked.
Both Hermione and Malfoy stared at him. Harry was still using his concealment charm, sot that he appeared to them as a stranger. "Who…" Malfoy began.
"Step away, Malfoy," Harry barked.
Malfoy did as he was told. "Who are you?" he asked. "And how did you get down here?"
"Never mind that." Harry turned away from Malfoy and toward Hermione. "Are you all right?" he asked.
"For the most part," she said, one eyebrow raised. "Who are you?" she asked.
Harry hesitated before removing the concealment charm.
"Potter, what are you doing down here? And why, in Merlin's name, are you pointing that wand at me?" Malfoy asked, sincerely, perhaps even friendly.
Harry frowned. "As if you don't know."
"Really, Harry. Draco hasn't done anything," Hermione said, looking annoyed.
"Draco?" Harry asked, pointedly.
"Yes, Harry," Hermione replied, grumpily, "I'm not very well going to call my husband by his surname, now am I?"
Harry blinked. "Your what?"
"Oh no…" Malfoy said, slapping his forehead. "Hermione, do you know where we are?"
"You're right. He sent us to the other dimension!" She put her hand to her stomach. "I'm going to be ill!" she cried, flinging open the dungeon door and running upstairs.
Harry stared after her, aghast. "What's wrong with her?" he asked, trying to comprehend the situation.
"She's pregnant," Malfoy replied, rubbing his head.
"She's… you're… Oh merlin…" Harry sat down. "Other dimension?" he asked, weakly.
"It's a long story, mate," Malfoy said. "But, hey. You're alive. That's good."
…
Evander loved Saturdays, usually. He woke late this morning in his bed in the Ravenclaw dorms. His roommates had already left for breakfast. He got up, sleepily, and dressed in his school robes. He remembered, fuzzily, that there was a Gryffindor/Slytherin match today. He'd go, though he wouldn't cheer for any particular side… that is, not unless Lily was playing. In that case, he would definitely be rooting for Gryffindor.
Evander walked down to breakfast, noticing more heads turning to look at him than usual. He hadn't gone to classes yesterday, instead spending the day in the library, and most of the students hadn't seen him since his return.
"Oy, Malfoy!" It was Abel Crabbe, a fourth year Slytherin.
"Yeah?" Evander asked, stopping to look at the very large and beefy boy.
"My dad said to say hello to your dad." Crabbe blinked stupidly.
"Will do. Thanks." Evander walked away, sighing. Constantly either the children of Gryffindors or Slytherins would go up to him and make some sort of comment about how their parents knew one another. It was dead annoying. A few flights further down Evander was stopped by Professor Snape.
"Yes, sir?" Evander asked. He'd always been a bit uncomfortable around the man who'd delivered him into the world, and vice versa.
"Come by my office later, Mr. Malfoy. You have two weeks worth of Potions to make up."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," Evander replied, standing up straight, hands behind his back.
"And don't think that just because your father was in my house that I would ever take it easy on you, Mr. Malfoy," Snape said, eying him.
"Of course not, sir," Evander replied, nodding. It seemed strange that Snape would feel a need to say this. During Evander's potions lessons with the Hufflepuffs, Snape always seemed to favor him above the other students. He was never quite sure if it was because he was the son of the Slytherin Prince, or because he'd inherited so much Potions knowledge from his mother.
"I wonder, Mr. Malfoy, will you be attending the Quidditch match tonight?" Snape asked. Evander was starting to wonder if he'd ever get down to breakfast.
"I think so, sir," he said, smiling.
"And which team will you be supporting?"
Evander felt like grimacing. "That would depend, sir."
"Yes?"
"On who will be playing," he said, hoping the professor wouldn't press the matter any further.
"I see. Good day, Mr. Malfoy. Do not forget to come see me." The professor walked away.
…
Hermione dressed in a robe that her counterpart had lent to her. The house seemed strangely quiet as she descended a flight of stairs and arrived in the living room. "Hermione?" she called, looking around. "Draco? Either one," she added as an afterthought. She walked into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. "Where is everyone?" she asked. The feeling of dread was settling into her stomach again.
"Good morning." It was Malfoy, the short-haired one.
"Oh, hello," she said, relaxing a little. Then she felt herself tense. "Your hair," she said, slowly.
"Like it? I just got it cut." He sat down across from her.
"Didn't cut off much, did you?" she said, frowning.
"Just a trim," he said, grabbing an apple and munching on it. He was smirking at her.
"Are you all right?" Hermione asked, staring at him warily.
"Never better," he said.
"Where's your counterpart?" she asked, her eyebrow raised.
"Oh, he left for the other dimension." He shrugged.
"And your wife?" Hermione asked, feeling increasingly suspicious.
"What wife?" he asked, smirking. "Oh, you mean your counterpart… Why, she's in the other dimension as well." Hermione became entirely aware of the fact that she was unarmed.
"What are you doing, Malfoy?" she asked, almost in a growl.
"Why Miss Granger, I thought you could have figured that out on your own." He smiled.
"You filthy, vile, piece of scum!" Hermione spat, blood boiling in rage.
"Settle down, Miss Granger. Look at it this way. You get to live in the lap of luxury from now on… as my queen."
"You evil little cockroach!" Hermione swore. "How do you expect me to cooperate?"
"We Death-Eaters have our ways," he said, simply. "Now, come, give your husband a kiss, darling." He waggled his eyebrows.
"What about the baby, you pig!" she cried.
"Ever heard of a miscarriage before? It's as easy as that. Unless you'd like to have a baby with me? That could also be arranged."
Hermione screamed in frustration. "And Evander? Did you think of him at all?"
"We don't have to worry about him until Christmas. Hogwarts does keep a child from his family for a dreadfully long time." Malfoy munched at his apple.
At long last Hermione actually burst into tears. "I hate you," she muttered. "I really, truly hate you…"
Malfoy frowned. "Is that supposed to surprise me?" he asked.
"Yes, Malfoy, it is! What is it with you men? Don't you ever stop to think that you really should continue on as the nice guy? They guy who actually went to rescue Lily? The guy who started feel something other than greed?"
"What are you trying to say, Granger?" he asked, looking apprehensive.
"I was starting to like you, you idiot!"
A.N.: No update next week. Sorry.