Author's Note: I did contemplate interleaving the two points of view, as I mentioned in my last chapter, but I was concerned it might be too confusing, so I just did two interleaves, one Draco and one Hermione, instead of one Draco, one Herminone, and then one Draco, one Hermione. So I broke them into two chapters instead of one.
Knockturn Alley
Draco's Point of View
I can hear drops of water falling onto the cold stone floor. The rain must have seeped through again. Was it my imagination, or could I hear a howl of wind outside?
The sound of the wind reminds me of Yorkshire, where Malfoy Manor was. I could remember our Manor and our lands beyond. It stretches for miles and miles into the wilderness of the moor. I used to love going out into the moor as a child. It was surrounded with fog during autumn & winter, but when summer came, I will go out to hunt for small animals like hare. Brown ones, they were.
Brown ones, just like the eyes of the angel who came the other night. She came down to see me. I thought she came to take me away, to a better place. I was so happy. I never knew I could have a place in heaven. After all, I hadn't been a nice person. I'm a Slytherin, and a Malfoy. Only Gryffindors go to heaven, is it not so? It must be, for the angel was gone. Maybe she changed her mind, and decided that I did not deserve heaven.
It must be retribution. The Aurors said it was my come-uppance. Perhaps they were right.
` "Mealtime!" shouted the prison Auror through the cell. A roll of bread was thrown my way. I ignored it. Why should I consume it when it would only prolong my misery?
I wish you could see me, Father. Not that I expect any sympathy from you. I gave up that wishful thinking a long time ago. Draco Malfoy, Malfoy……Malfoy……what did it stood for and what does it stands for now? Nothing. My mind drifted to the portraits on the walls of Malfoy Manor. Generations of Malfoys, what did it all stood for? What did I mean to them? And them to me?
The pain shot through my body. I have a attack on the stomach at least once when I'm awake. I have no clue what is wrong with me, maybe I am really sick. There it is, excruciating pain. Leave me alone, spare me please, I begged.
I see a dark shadow. A Dementor was passing by my cell. Suddenly a thought hit me. I used to be so afraid of these foul creatures. Not anymore. They want to suck the life out of me? I am only too glad to grant them their wish. I crawled on all fours towards the cell bars. With both hands, I gripped the bars to raise myself up. The Dementor is looking at me with great interest. I forced my legs to support my body weight until I was standing face to face with the Dementor. Only the cell bars separate us now.
"Go on, take my soul" I whispered hoarsely. The Dementor stood its ground, as if deciding. "Go on." I tried again. My knees are threatening to buckle under me. "Please……" I begged the foul creature softly.
"Hey!" Damn. The Aurors. They were beckoning the Dementor. "Please, take me now" I grew desperate.
The Dementor continue to linger. And, to my dismay, it began to shift away towards the Aurors reluctantly. "Please, no……please. Let me die, no……come back……" my voice grew louder. "Come back……come back……" I was screaming now, until my voice had no more strength and it became a mere, hopeless whisper. "Come back".
My knees finally buckled under me, and I collapsed.
Hermione's Point of View
I found myself at the scene of the crime. At the fork of Diagon Alley & Knockturn Alley. This is where it happened. This is where Arthur Weasley was brutally murdered.
Shady-looking wizards and witches were passing me by, making their way into Knockturn Alley. I felt a slight fear creeping up on me, but immediately I suppressed them. It will not do to display fear in Knockturn Alley. These people could sense the emotion like sharks to blood, and I certainly do not wish to by devoured by them. I had work to do. And I was prepared.
I posed my head high and surveyed the scene, as I tried to recall the facts. Arthur Weasley was found dead at seven o' clock in the evening. It was dark already at that time of the day because it was winter. Shops had closed early, even those in Knockturn Alley. Hence, there was no one who witnessed the murder. Only Draco Malfoy's wand was found beneath Arthur Weasley's body.
I did not want to arouse suspicion by asking around. The shop nearest to the scene of the crime was a rundown shop with a weather-beaten sign saying Borgin & Burkes.
If anyone were to have witness the crime when it was carried out, Borgin & Burkes would be the most likely one.
I pushed opened the door into Borgin & Burkes. Dark Arts shop, fascinating, I thought as I examined the artifacts on display. But I had stronger morals than that. Even though I was tempted to browse further……
"Yes, my lady? Could I help, perhaps?" I heard a slick voice from behind me. I turned, and came face to face with an oily looking, crooked nose wizard, which I presume must be Mr. Borgin.
I was prepared for him. Putting on my haughtiest voice, I said "Perhaps you could, Mr. Borgin." There, it felt right. Being high & mighty was called for in a situation like this, when you are dealing with dubious wizards like this one.
Mr. Borgin's eyes traveled down my robes. I knew what he was doing. Doing what every salesperson would do when they see a potential customer. Assessing their buying power from the make of their clothing. The wizarding world was no different from the muggle world.
I had anticipated this beforehand, of course. I had on a rather swanky robe. Mr. Borgin seemed pleased with what he saw on me.
"I need some information……" I paused before adding "from you, Mr. Borgin".
He raised an eyebrow. "And pray, what will that be?" he asked slowly, in a curious voice.
I hesitated for a while, before stating firmly "I would like to know what happened the night Arthur Weasley died."
Mr. Borgin froze on the spot.
Author's Note: That's as far as the inspiration could take me, and so there you have it! Hermione is easier to write, comparatively speaking, to Draco. Do you like this? How does it compare with the other chapters? Let me know, okay?