Chapter Seventeen

Starting to Remember


Draco watched Hermione's figure disappear into the flames on her way to Parkinson Manor.

He waited a few seconds and went upstairs to their office, pulling out four vials from his desk drawer. He hid them in a pocket of his jacket and went back down to the living room, throwing a handful of Floo powder on the fireplace.

"St. Mungo's."


Draco strode down the third-floor corridor, arriving at room 49. Opening it, he saw that there was no Healer nearby. Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom were on the same sofa as usual but Lockhart stood by one of the windows, watching the rain pouring down on London in silence.

Draco approached him and the man jumped when he placed a hand on his shoulder. Lockhart's blue eyes watched him with some trepidation.

"Hello again, Professor."

"Hello, Malfoy."

Draco narrowed his eyes.

"You remember my name."

"I remember more than that," Lockhart replied quietly, looking around nervously.

Draco took hold of his right arm and walked with him to his room, closing the door and casting the usual three spells to prevent anyone from seeing or hearing anything from outside.

"What do you remember, Professor?" he asked, moving towards him slowly.

Lockhart stammered, walking backwards until his legs bumped against one of the chairs.

"Sit down."

Lockhart obeyed and Draco sat in the other chair, leaving the table between them.

"Are you afraid of me?" he asked with mocking eyes.

Lockhart swallowed.

"I don't understand... I don't understand what you're doing to me."

"I'm helping you remember your past, Professor. And it seems to be working," Draco replied, watching his face carefully.

"I... How long have I been here?"

"Have you told any healers about what's happening to you?" Draco asked, frowning.

Lockhart shook his head and he relaxed his posture, leaning his back against the chair.

"Good. Don't do it, just keep pretending you don't remember anything or anyone until we're done."

"How long have I been here?" Lockhart repeated.

Draco ran his tongue over his teeth, thinking.

"Since you were a teacher at Hogwarts. Almost eight years."

Lockhart's blue eyes widened in shock.

"What happened to me?"

"All in good time, Professor. You'll remember it again if this works."

Draco set the four vials on the table and Lockhart furrowed his brow.

"What are those things and why are you putting them inside my head?"

Draco grinned, raising an eyebrow.

"You're more talkative than ever today, that's a good sign. They're your family and friends' memories of you."

"Family?"

"I've had a really hard time finding your sister, but it was much easier to find the group of wizards you hung out with before you became a professor."

Lockhart blinked several times in confusion and Draco raised his wand.

"Silencius."

He opened his mouth and frowned, unable to speak.

"This is a bit painful and I can't have you shouting, Professor. Incarcerous."

Ropes came out of Draco's wand, wrapping themselves around Lockhart's body and binding him to the chair.

"I can't let you move either, it's better if you stay still. I'll be as quick as I can, I promise. It'll be worth it in the end and you'll be able to get out of here."

Lockhart sighed and finally gave him a curt nod.

Draco closed his eyes, rolling his neck until it cracked, and raised his wand as he opened them again.

"Legilimens."


Hermione walked with Luna down the corridor of the huge manor, following the sound of voices. She saw a door ajar and peeked out.

"Hermione! At last. I'm glad you're all right," Pansy said when she saw her, standing up to hug her.

Millicent was sitting on a black sofa, glancing at Hermione with a smirk on her face. Across from them were the two Greengrass sisters, each with a glass of wine in hand. And Marissa was in the only single armchair, just to the left of a huge fireplace.

Hermione was surprised to see Astoria there and, after sitting on the only free sofa with Luna, decided to ask her.

"Aren't you still in your final year at Hogwarts?"

Astoria stared at her with a warm smile.

"Yes, but I've asked permission and some weekends I come to visit. Slughorn doesn't mind."

Hermione nodded, accepting the glass of wine that had levitated in front of her. Luna did the same.

"Welcome, Lovegood," Pansy murmured, raising the glass in her direction as she sat down next to Millicent.

"Call me Luna. It's my first girls' night," she replied excitedly, scanning the huge room with her blue eyes.

Hermione was smiling but frowned as she heard Millicent snort.

"Is there a problem?"

"Defensive from the first moment, Granger. You don't seem to like seeing me," she commented, raising an eyebrow.

Hermione rolled her eyes and decided to ignore her.

"How's the rebuilding of your shop going, Pansy? Have they found out who did it?" Daphne asked, trying to deflect the subject.

Pansy wrinkled her nose.

"It's almost finished, but there's not a clue yet. I don't think I'll ever know who did it."

"I'd be scared to go back there," Astoria murmured, suppressing a shiver.

"I always have an Auror around. It's suffocating."

"At least no one will dare try to hurt you again now," Hermione said, taking a sip of wine.

"If they really want to kill me, they'll succeed. But I'm not going to make it easy for them," Pansy replied, narrowing her eyes.

"Pansy, don't say that!" Astoria protested, shaking her head.

"That reminds me of something," Luna muttered, reaching into the pocket of her jacket.

She pulled out a small bracelet made of red stones and held it up, offering it to Pansy.

"It's a protective amulet, I made it myself. It will protect you from dark magic."

Pansy furrowed her brow, giving Hermione a sidelong glance.

"Draco's amulet worked," she commented, shrugging as she smiled.

Pansy sighed, accepting the bracelet.

"Thank you Loveg... Luna."

Luna smiled and sat back down next to Hermione.

"What do you guys usually do these nights?" she asked curiously.

Pansy gave her a mischievous grin.

"Criticise everyone... and talk about boys."

Daphne and Astoria giggled nervously.

"Boys?" Hermione asked, her eyes fixed on Pansy with an eyebrow arched.

Pansy shot her a warning look, gritting her teeth. No one knew what had happened with Blaise.

"Yes, though we don't usually have much to say. I had a date with Alexandre Fortier on Tuesday, he's from Paris but he's been living here for a couple of years. Pureblood, though very boring," Daphne commented, grimacing.

"Hermione and I have little to tell. We're both not interested in changing our boys at the moment," said Marissa, glancing at Hermione and smiling.

She smiled back at her, nodding.

"Not for long," Millicent whispered, but they all heard her.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, scowling at her.

She could sense that Millicent was looking for trouble. Draco had warned her that she was still bitter about his rejection at Hogwarts.

"I can't talk about Weasley, I don't know him," she replied, glancing at Marissa out of the corner of her eye. "But I do know Draco and I know he gets bored very quickly. I'm surprised he's still with you."

Before Hermione could say anything, Pansy answered for her.

"Millicent, I warned you this morning. No talking rubbish to Hermione," she murmured, grabbing one of her wrists.

Millicent shrugged.

"It's not rubbish. You know it's true."

"It was true but not anymore. Draco's never been in love before, it's different now," Luna said suddenly, making them all stare at her.

Millicent chuckled, clicking her tongue.

"I doubt that very much. He'll get bored eventually... Or maybe his parents will betroth him again."

They all fell silent and Hermione blanched. Pansy frowned.

"Shut up, Millicent."

"Why? Doesn't Granger know about it?" she said with innocent eyes.

"Betrothed? Draco was engaged?" Hermione asked in a whisper.

Astoria shifted on the sofa uncomfortably and Daphne sighed.

"Yes, Granger. He was engaged until the summer of our sixth year," Daphne confirmed, shooting Millicent a hateful glare.

She had a huge grin on her face.

"To whom?"

"To me," Astoria replied, avoiding her gaze.

Hermione gasped. Both Greengrass sisters were gorgeous with their beautiful green eyes, but Astoria's dark hair made her stand out more than her sister.

"We didn't decide it, our parents did," Astoria added quickly. "And when the whole Dumbledore thing happened... My father broke off the engagement."

"Maybe he wants to sign it again now that the Malfoy name is regaining its prestige," Millicent murmured, raising her brow.

Daphne shook her head.

"They know Draco is with Granger. Besides, this time they've decided to let us choose."

"Were you engaged too?" Hermione asked, turning her head to look Daphne in the eye.

She nodded.

"To Crabbe."

A heavy silence. Hermione sighed, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry, Daphne."

"Don't worry about it. We weren't even friends, but my parents signed a contract and I was bound by it."

"Marriage contracts are a normal thing among pureblood families, Hermione. Things are slowly changing, though," Pansy added with a nod.

"Not so normal. It only happens among the ancient families... the ones who want to keep their blood pure. My father's never mentioned anything like that and you know the Weasleys haven't either," Luna commented, placing a hand on Hermione's.

She smiled, squeezing her hand affectionately. Millicent snorted and rolled her eyes.

"Well, Astoria. Tell us about that Ravenclaw boy," Pansy asked, refilling her wine glass.

Astoria blushed, lowering her gaze.

"His name is Thomas and he's in sixth year. We're talking a lot lately, and I'm... Well... I think I'm starting to like him."

Pansy flashed her a big smile.

"Well, this is interesting."


When Hermione returned home she was surprised to find Draco was still not there. She turned on the lights and sat down on the sofa, crossing her legs.

Half an hour later his figure emerged from the green flames. He frowned as he saw her there sitting and stroking Crookshanks' back absently.

"Did you have dinner with Pansy?"

"I wasn't hungry," she replied, dodging his gaze.

Draco narrowed his grey eyes and took a few steps towards her, crouching down and lifting her chin with his fingers.

"What's wrong with you?"

She sighed and stared down at him.

"Why didn't you tell me you were engaged?"

Draco took a deep breath, releasing it very slowly.

"Who told you?" he asked in a whisper.

Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"You weren't planning on doing it yourself?"

"What was the point? It was another of my parents' stupid decisions that ended over three years ago, long before anything happened between you and me."

She clenched her jaw and Draco sighed, holding her hands.

"It doesn't matter, Hermione. I wasn't even faithful to her," he mumbled, raising his brow as a mischievous grin curved his lips. "I was with a few girls while we were engaged."

"I don't care about that."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"I don't understand why something like that would bother you."

Hermione arched an eyebrow, clicking her tongue.

"Okay, then I guess it wouldn't bother you to find out that I was engaged to Ron, then. Or Harry."

His face hardened instantly and she smiled, victorious.

"All right, I see what you mean," he agreed gravely, crossing his arms and sitting down next to her.

Hermione sighed again, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I think she told me because she knew we were going to fight about this."

"Let me guess… It was Millicent."

She snorted and Draco moved her until he could look her in the eye.

"I should have told you, but I didn't give it a thought. Astoria never really caught my eye, I would have preferred her sister Daphne," he said, chuckling under his breath.

Hermione frowned.

"Why?"

"Because she's so much prettier."

"Is that all that matters to you? The looks?"

He pursed his lips.

"To my fifteen-year-old self? Yes, that's all he cared about."

Her face relaxed.

"And the twenty-year-old you?"

Draco tilted his head, brushing her lips with his.

"He's only interested in you."

Hermione smiled and he grinned back. He got to his feet and looked over his shoulder before walking into the kitchen.

"So are you hungry or not?"

Hermione nodded, still smiling.


Christmas was getting closer and closer and Hermione wanted to celebrate in a big way this year. She planned to invite her and Draco's friends over for dinner one night and she wanted to fill the house with decorations.

"You've never been here, have you?" Hermione asked as she opened the garage door.

Draco followed her, looking around curiously. The walls were full of strange tools.

"I'd rather not touch your parents' things, you know that," he commented, frowning at the sight of a small red car.

Hermione ruffled his hair a little with her hand, leaving a kiss on his cheek.

"You live here now. You can go into as many rooms as you want."

He didn't answer and his brow furrowed even more as she approached the car with keys in her hand.

"Are we going in that thing?" he asked incredulously, his eyes widening.

"Yes."

"I thought you meant those smelly underground trains when you said we were going to travel like Muggles."

"It's called the tube, Draco."

"Whatever."

"Well, no. We're going in my parents' car."

Hermione opened the driver's door and pointed to the other door with her eyes impatiently. Draco didn't move.

"I don't trust Muggle cars. I've only ever ridden in Ministry's ones, which pretty much drive themselves."

"You don't trust me?" she asked with an eyebrow lifted.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Manipulator," he murmured under his breath, walking towards the car.

Hermione smiled and sat inside, closing the door. He was soon beside her.

"So anyone can drive this?"

"You have to be over eighteen and take some tests. Then you get this," she explained, showing him her driving licence. "Once you have it you can drive any car."

Draco stared at the piece of plastic for a moment and glanced up at Hermione with a smirk on his face.

"Yeah, I know. I look terrible in the picture," she said, snorting and rolling her eyes.

He chuckled, though his face turned serious again as soon as she started the engine.

"Put your seatbelt on, novice," Hermione commented, smiling as they pulled out onto the road.

"If I die it'll be all your fault, you crazy Muggle."

Her laughter echoed inside the car.


"Do you like this?"

Draco looked up, gazing at the glass roof over which he could hear raindrops falling.

"It's bigger than I expected," he admitted, glancing around at all the shops they were leaving behind.

"I can't believe you've never been to a shopping centre before."

Draco clicked his tongue in annoyance and Hermione grabbed his hand.

"Come on. What I want is in there," she added, pointing to a shop that smelled of chocolate.

Half an hour later they were sitting in a small square inside the glass building, sipping hot tea before returning home with three plastic bags at their feet.

"You could have bought the same things in Diagon Alley," Draco commented, looking around to make sure no one was paying attention to them.

"This year I want my Christmas to be without magic, like... like when I was a kid," Hermione admitted quietly.

Draco bit his tongue. He knew that was because she missed her parents, so he decided not to insist.

"Don't you have any decorations in your house? You've bought half the shop."

"There are very few and they're old. These will be ours, yours and mine."

He smiled, taking her hand and squeezing it.

"I'll help you put them up but you'll have to explain how to do it. In my house, it's always done by elves."

She nodded, taking the last sip of her tea.

"Come on, Harry's waiting for us. I promised him we'd go to dinner tonight."

Draco stood up, grunting through his teeth.

"That Potter again... He's a pain in the arse."

"He's got something new to tell us about Pansy's attack."

That cut off his groans instantly. He grabbed two of the bags and started walking towards the car park.

"Well, let's go then."