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Draco again, because we love him!
xzoex
The door wasn't appearing.
Draco paced again.
The meeting room for Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy.
The meeting room for Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy.
The meeting room for Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy.
Nothing…
Frustrated, he ran at the tapestry and kicked it. Barnabas fell back in shock, clutching at the wall in a dramatic pose.
"Oh shut up, you're a tapestry!"
Not that Barnabas had actually made any noise.
Checking his book again, still no Hermione, Draco let out a frustrated sigh. There was really no other place she could be within the school.
So why wouldn't it let him in…?
He froze.
If he had been asking for the wrong room it wouldn't open.
She wouldn't have.
Would she?
Grimacing to himself, Draco decided that she bloody would and so he began pacing again.
Slowly a very familiar door appeared in front of him. Squaring his shoulders Draco approached the door…
Any minute now he'd go in…
Any minute…
He reached up a hand and lightly pushed at the wood, it swung open. The sounds of tumbling objects reached his ears.
Draco blanched, but forced himself to enter the room, shutting the door firmly behind him.
Gods, how much therapy had he gone through talking about sixth year? And here he was, glutton for punishment casually going for a stroll down memory lane.
Just being in this hall made his skin itch something terrible. Absently scratching at his arms, Draco carefully picked his way through the mountains of stuff. Even now, nearly 25 years later, his feet automatically paced towards the vanishing cabinet.
A soft sob echoed.
Draco held still, turning his head carefully, trying to catch the sound again.
He could hear clinking metal and the shuffle of, what sounded like, paper sliding. Moving carefully he hurried towards where he thought Hermione was.
His stomach was squirming as he hastily skipped over discarded items. Hermione better not have done something reckless, she's supposed to be the smart one.
The air seemed to shimmer darkly, reflecting from the many metal items strewn around. Draco heard the strange muffled sob again as he rounded one last corner.
The pathway was blocked by a giant mass of junk, some objects still wobbling from where they had fallen. Stamping down on the panic threating to rise, Draco began picking his way precariously over the ever-shifting blockage.
"Hermione?" He hissed. His voice strangely amplified in the near silent hall. "Hermione, you there?"
A groan answered his plea, signalling that she was, at least alive, if nothing else.
"Oh thank Merlin." He whispered before speaking louder, "I don't know why I thought you were ever the smart one. You absolute troll."
He tripped slightly, knocking his knee against a metal pot. "Fucking ow." He hissed, teeth clenching.
With a final heave, he pulled himself over a splintered chair and got his first look at Hermione. She looked fine. Slightly dazed from being literally flattened by centuries worth of junk, but otherwise uninjured.
"Well at least you're alright…"
She didn't answer, or even turn to acknowledge that he was there. She was half buried in broken quills and other rubbish, but had managed to pull herself mostly free and was simply slumped on the floor.
Draco let out a huff of irritation.
"Oh no don't worry Minister, t'was nothing at all. This is how I usually spend my evenings off." His hand caught on a snapped but of plastic. "Shit" he put it to his mouth as it began bleeding. Just perfect.
And she still hadn't moved.
"You know how worried I was?" Absently he trailed his wand over the wound, sealing it shut with a bandage spell. His feet carefully picked his way over to Hermione.
"Hermione?"
Nothing.
Draco felt his stomach clench uncomfortably.
"Granger?"
Nothing.
His eyes quickly darted around, something was wrong. The air was cold and clammy against his skin and dark shadows seemed to settle in the corners of his vision. Shuddering slightly Draco raised his wand as he approached Hermione.
"Hey Hermione," He whispered gently, "Not the best place to have a nap you know?"
She was twitching slightly, no not twitching; her arm was spasming as though tugging on something in her hair.
"You need some help there, Hermione?" Slowly he edged round to look at her face, which was horrid.
Her face was deathly pale and has a nasty sheen to it, her eyes sunken and glazed. Her lips were almost blue and were moving slightly as though she was whispering.
His eyes though were stuck on the twisting metal in her hair.
"That's…" He cleared his throat to rid it of the squeak his voice had just gained. "That's the Diadem then is it Hermione?"
Draco's hand began trembling slightly and he had to use his other hand to hold his wand steady. "Uh, good job on finding it I guess…" his voice shaky. "How about we take it off for now, yeah?"
Hermione's body jolted at that and her arm began pulling harder on the edge of the tiara. Draco let out a small sigh of relief; Hermione was still fighting in there somewhere.
Edging closer, very carefully, Draco got a good look at where the Diadem had snagged on Hermione's hair. Thank Merlin it wasn't sitting directly on her head, it was simply caught on the side. In fact if she hadn't grabbed it with her hand, it probably wouldn't have affected her this much.
"Easy Hermione, try and loosen your grip on it if you can for me. I'm going to try and untangle this birds nest you call hair."
She let out a sharp exhale.
"I'll take that as confirmation you can still hear me in there."
He glanced around for something to help. Gloves would be ideal, if not some kind of fabric to protect his hands.
"Accio gloves."
A beat passed before Draco was whacked in the face by no less than fifty mismatched gloves. Having already been crouching on the floor at this point, Draco was promptly knocked on his arse.
Another sharp exhale from Hermione.
His face was burning; most of those had been dragon hide gloves. Rubbing at his face gingerly Draco pulled on the least disgusting ones he could find before carefully un-weaving the curly mass.
"Laugh it up minister." He grumbled. "I might decide it'd be easier to just cut it loose."
No sound that time.
"I think you'd look good with shorter hair personally, less of it to grab at people as they walk past you. Make you look less like Medusa and more approachable. You might even become Minister faster this time around." He chuckled weakly.
One of her fingers loosened from its death grip and rose slightly.
"In fact I reckon I could build a very good campaign for you. We'd have to discredit your opponents, naturally, but I have more than enough experience in bribes and blackmail."
She snorted this time, another finger loosening.
Draco smiled shakily.
"Not to mention we can rely heavily on the approval of 'the boy who couldn't fucking die', I am not above using your… our friends for personal gain."
Another finger loosened.
"Your being a muggleborn is unfortunate, however, despite this obvious and unpleasant flaw, I'm confident enough in my own skills that it will not hold us back too long. We can be ruling the wizarding world in under ten years."
Hermione made an inquiring hum, head tilting ever so slightly, as Draco gently eased the Diadem away from her hair.
"I know ten years is quite long, but I have to allow you to complete your schooling first, I'm good Minister, just not that good. I can see all the stuffy old farts kicking up a right fuss if two twelve years olds start trying to run the ministry."
Using his other gloved hand, Draco pulled on her remaining finger and thumb. Sliding the wretched piece of metal from her grip, he flung it across the clearing and it came to rest on an old mouldy jumper.
At the loss of contact, Hermione fully slumped to the floor, letting out a small whine.
Hovering his hands uncertainly over her, Draco fretted. "Hermione, are you…? Is it okay if I…?"
"Please." Hermione whispered softly.
Sighing in relief, Draco clumsily helped Hermione to sit up. She was moving jerkily and only stayed upright by heavily leaning against him.
It was a relief to see that her face no longer had the weird pale sheen to it, in fact it was rather red and blotchy with half dried tears streaked down it.
"I'm sorry."
Draco huffed, resting his head on top of hers. She sniffed violently and Draco let out a disgusted snort.
"And just what are you sorry for huh? Nearly giving me an aneurism? Because I'm not forgiving you for that."
She laughed weakly, clumsily dabbing at her eyes.
"I've lost years off my life because of you." He hugged her tighter into his side.
"Yeah, your hair has gone almost white."
Draco leaned round to look her in the face, eyebrows raised. "You know perfectly well this is my natural shade."
She exhaled sharply, a soft smile at the corner of her mouth. "Was being stupid. Sorry."
"Don't say that," Draco spoke softly "I mean, yes, this was colossally stupid. To come in here on you own and try and find that, that thing. I don't… Why didn't you just ask…", He let out a sigh.
"You are so clever, Hermione."
She let out a dismissive snort.
"Yes you are. Don't argue with me on that, I've had a lifetime following your achievements to think anything else. But, Hermione you are still human. We make mistakes. And I'm guessing this has something to do with our little chat last night."
She nodded; her face pushed into his shoulder, probably smearing Merlin knows what into his robes.
"We've got to be careful, I know you're scared, I am too, but we cannot rush into anything. The repercussions could be terrible. Just promise me you won't do anything like this without at least talking to me first okay?"
She nodded again, before audibly blowing her nose on his robes.
"You disgust me entirely," he drawled, shooting her his best sneer.
"Why thank you, kind sir."
"Can you walk?"
Shakily Hermione tried pulling herself up, before suddenly dropping back down to the floor. "Not yet, sorry."
"Please stop apologising to me, I know you're sorry. Look just sit tight for a moment, I'll be right back."
Rising to his feet Draco trotted towards the Diadem, "Suppose a mouldy jumper is as good as anything." He muttered to himself. Carefully wrapping the disgusting article round the Horcrux, he gingerly made his way round the corner looking for some sort of bag to put it in.
He found an old wooden box that should do the trick, it had some worrying stains on the inside and most of the mosaic on the lid had fallen off, but the Diadem would fit, jumper and all.
Shoving it under his arm Draco made his way back to Hermione, "Got a container!" He happily gestured to it.
"Oh, that's a good idea." Hermione reached for her bag, "I guess it'll fit in here too…"
"Yeah, nope. Going in mine, I'll take this one for now and it can stay in my school trunk."
To his surprise, Hermione didn't argue with him. In fact she looked rather relieved.
"Okay."
Hurriedly shoving it into his school bag and slinging that across his body, Draco crouched down in front of Hermione.
"Um..."
"You can't walk, and I'll be honest with you, I really don't want to have to stay in here any longer than I have too. It's… not good for my wellbeing. So jump on."
Hesitantly Hermione climbed onto Draco's back, muttering as she went, "Piggyback ride from Draco Malfoy… unbelievable."
"I knew I made you weak at the knees."
"Sod off."
Laughing Draco steered them down a different isle, one with less landslides, and gingerly made his way back to the exit.
"Speaking of royal fuck ups for the day…"
Hermione groaned in his ear.
"Quirrell mysteriously has bubbles pouring from his turban and went flying from his chair due to a rather large slime bomb. I must say the Weasley twins, and Daphne would you believe, have outdone them selves. If they had the knowledge of how to make their fireworks from fifth year I think it would have been even better!"
"Oh my Gods"
"I know right? Any way Sev says as long as we don't get caught we can join in the harassment of Quirrell, isn't that wonderful?"
Hermione made a strange chocking sound, "He actually said that?" she asked incredulously.
"Well more of a reading between the lines kind of thing, but yep. Gave Daphne points and everything."
"Wow… How is that a...?"
"Royal fuck up? Yeah I used an Auror hand signal to confirm my acknowledgement."
She slumped into his back "I can't believe you."
Hitching her back up Draco continued making his way through stuff valley.
"You're not even an Auror…"
"Nope" He said cheerfully, before wincing as Hermione flicked the side of his head. "Easy Minister, don't want me to accidentally drop you, do you?" he paused, huffing slightly. "Although, I'm not as strong as I used to be, what with being an eleven year old again, and you seem to be getting heavier I swear."
"Maybe you should take up some exercise?" She responded sweetly. "We can start jogging before school in the mornings if you like?"
"Oh wow, would you look at that?" He said, hoisting her up a bit and walking faster, "suddenly I'm so much stronger already!"
"A miracle."
"Might not be a bad idea to do something though…" he hedged, "Maybe duelling practice? Or work on advanced projects? Just so we don't go nuts. Don't know about you but I'm having a hard time listening to the same stuff we've been taught already. I wasn't joking, my brain might really melt out my ears from boredom."
"And what a loss that would be for the world." She huffed. "Advanced project huh…" Hermione went silent at that, swinging her feet absently.
Draco jostled her a little, "What you thinking Hermione?"
"Just, thinking about looking at some languages, maybe…"
"Not a bad idea, I'm pretty good at French myself and my Latin's okay. What languages you thinking about?"
"Um, well I'm actually fluent in three different dialects of Mermish and I can speak basic troll. I was actually thinking that I could look at Parseltongue, whilst Harry still has it…"
"Creature languages?" He paused, thinking quickly, "Are you going to try and talk to the giant ass snake that is down stairs?"
"…"
With a deep sigh Draco walked the last distance to the exit. Keeping Hermione balanced on his back, he unlatched the door one handed and kicked it open with his foot. Sticking his head out into the corridor and seeing it empty, he stepped out and waited for the door to fade.
"I shall take your continued silence as a yes."
She mumbled something into the back of his neck.
"Brilliant. Looking at the positive, at least this will give us a way to destroy the horcruxes that we find. And we already know where so many of them are…"
Hermione hummed in response.
"I don't know what we were worried about, this'll be a piece of cake. You can become best friends with a giant snake monster, maybe get it to join S.P.E.W."
That drew a laugh from her and she wrapped her arms tighter over his shoulders, "Thanks Draco."
He cleared his throat, willing the blush to fade from his face. "Right enough of this touchy feely nonsense, lets get you to a bathroom to clean up. I hate to be the one to mention this, but I'm pretty sure you are covered in snot and gunk."
"Probably…"
He stood for a moment, but she made no move to get down, guess he was carrying her to the bathroom. Draco pursed his lips; it'd be better if it were somewhere people avoided.
Grinning to himself Draco set off to the second floor; it had been years since he'd seen Myrtle.
The corridors were mainly empty, as most students were in their afternoon classes. Draco was quite pleased to have free periods at the same time as Hermione; at least no one would miss them too much.
He descended the main staircase and headed to the second floor, but as they approached the girl's bathroom he felt Hermione tense up.
"You alright there Minister," he asked cheekily.
That got him another flick to the head.
"I can't believe you." She wiggled to get down but Draco held tighter, and used her body to push the door open. "Oh gods…"
"Knock, knock Myrtle! You in?" Draco called cheerily into the room, his words echoing off the tiles.
He walked into the centre of the bathroom before carefully letting Hermione slide to the floor. She immediately whacked him before heading to the sinks.
"You are a git."
A gurgle of water and a disapproving huff announced the appearance of Myrtle. She hovered in front of her toilet cubicle, glaring at the two of them. Although when she noticed Hermione's terrible state she seemed to brighten fractionally.
"Boys aren't allowed to be in here," she whispered eerily, her eyes still trained on Hermione.
"Please forgive me Myrtle?" Draco responded softly, moving to sit on the floor. "My friend Hermione and I have been having a rather bad day, it would be awful nice of you to let us stay here for a little bit, if you don't mind?"
Myrtle turned her head towards him, "Did you make her cry?" She asked a small frown creasing her ghostly face.
"Not me, she did scare me though." He sent a weak smile Myrtle's way. "I'm Draco by the way, it's nice to meet you."
"Is it?" Myrtle sniffed, eyes narrowing as though looking for the insult.
"Yes." Draco said firmly. Myrtle had been a huge comfort in sixth year, he had been struggling and having her to talk too had kept him going. "You are very kind."
"I guess you can stay in here for a bit. I don't mind" Myrtle floated closer, gazing at him intently. "Your robes have snot on them by the way." She said, before turning round and floating to the window.
On her way past Hermione, Myrtle paused to pat her on the shoulder, whispering something softly. Hermione shuddered under the contact and moved hastily to sit by Draco on the floor.
She eyed him strangely.
He shrugged back.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked her nonchalantly. At her confused frown, Draco patted his school bag and lifted an eyebrow.
"Oh, that." She rubbed her hand across her face roughly, sighing. "It was an accident…"
"The Diadem getting stuck on your head, or the choosing to do something dangerous and not tell me?" He kept his tone light, but he could tell from the hunch of her shoulders that he had hit a nerve.
She let out a soft huff, staring resolutely at the floor.
Now that the sheer panic had faded away, at finding her with a freaking Horcrux attached to her head, Draco was rather annoyed… and angry.
"We agreed," He began softly, "That we were in this together, and that we would find a solution together."
Hermione's face pinched guiltily, her shoulders hunching down.
"I know that our conversation yesterday scared you, it scared me too, but that doesn't mean you have to do something drastic to make yourself feel useful."
Her eyes shot up to him, wide with surprise, "what?" she chocked out.
Draco held up a hand, forestalling any protests from Hermione.
"We will change the future. We will make it better. But, we have to be careful in our planning. You cannot just rush into these things because you feel like we aren't accomplishing anything, especially on you own!"
Hermione's eyes shot down, her mouth twisting unhappily. Deciding she looked chastised enough, Draco tried to lighten the mood.
"I mean… I had to be the sensible one today! Do you have any idea how horrible that was? It's your job to clean up after my catastrophic mistakes, not the other way around!"
Her head ducked down further, hiding the small smile that twitched onto her face.
"I hope," he said softly, leaning down and gazing into her face, "that you won't make me do it again?"
"Alright, Merlin forbid you have to be sensible…" She met his eyes wryly, "I promise."
"Good. Now how about we go hide this thing in my dorm?"
"We?"
