The black wooden door creaked as it opened, announcing his entrance. Draco shyly walked inside, followed by his mother who had been screaming at him for the past fifteen minutes, disappointed at how scruffy he looked. She had put her hand on his cheek and observed him with pain in her eyes. A few minutes later, she had remembered that Lucius was waiting for them in the study, and they had rushed there.
It felt weird to Draco, having his parents at Hogwarts, and lately it seemed to be a very normal occurrence. His dad had been there just over a week ago, and now he was back. Him, Snape and Mad-Eye had spent hours locked in Snape´s study talking, and now Draco was allowed to come in only for a bit.
Every reunion followed the same course of action. They would talk ambiguously about the Dark Lord and how big everything that was coming was. Draco would pretend he understood everything and went on with his day, each time leaving a bit more afraid, a bit more anxious, a bit more unsure.
This time, he felt safer with his mother. He missed her and was happy she had come. Once Lucius had decided Draco had heard enough, they went for a walk around the castle.
"I don´t like to see you like this, dear." Narcissa said, as it seemed as though she saw beyond Draco´s façade.
"I don´t know what you tell you, I think I look fine"
"You look like you haven´t slept in days. Is there something bothering you? Is this too much for you? If your father is …"
"No, mum, I´m fine" he insisted.
Except for a few seven-year students, the library was empty. It was early days, and no one had even considered starting to study for the exams. Hermione had convinced Ellie to go with her to pick up some books and then they could go for a walk around the castle, like she had promised. Ellie was worried about the possibility of Draco´s involvement with the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord. She hadn´t given it much thought when Ron, Harry and Hermione had told her about the rumours, but everything seemed to line up. The frequent visits of Lucius, the late-night strolls, Draco´s new attitude… It had never been a secret to Ellie that Draco´s family was highly involved with dark magic. She knew that if there was anyone that could help her figure it out, it would be Hermione.
"Do you think there is a chance that – you know- he´s being recruited?" Ellie asked quietly as they walked through the aisles in look for Hermione´s books.
"I mean, it obviously is a possibility" Hermione said "I think it´s not a matter of if, and more of when. If it´s not now it will be soon"
Hermione was right. It was delusional to think that Lucius Malfoy wouldn´t make his son a Death Eater like him. However, Elizabeth always thought she would be able to stop it. To talk some sense into Draco, and to take him to the good side. But now, it was all so very out of reach.
"Sorry if that was too blunt" Hermione apologized after a few seconds of silence.
"No, don´t apologize, you are right"
Once Hermione had stacked her books in a small black bag with the Gryffindor colours embroidered, the two girls left the library and found a comfortable spot in one of the gardens, under a tree, where they sat.
"Right! Okay – so this is Modern History" said Hermione pointing at a thick but small book with a green and black cover that, although the title indicated the contrary, looked quite old."-which should include something about the Death Eaters – then I also took this Begginers Guide to Dark Magic. Which is as much as you can get about Dark Magic without going into the Restricted Section" This last book was larger and thin, it looked elegant, like something that would belong in the Malfoy Manor.
Ellie took this last one and flipped through the pages in search for something about Death Eaters, while Hermione read through History.
"The Death Eaters organization, formed in the 1950s, unites the followers of … you-know-who. The group primarily consists on radical pure-blood supremacists-" Hermione closed the book "This isn´t much help, does your book say anything?"
"No, just basic knowledge."
Hermione took a deep breath, somewhat frustrated by the lack of possibilities.
"If only we could go to the Restricted area…" Hermione complained.
"Yeah, I just need to know what is going on with him, if only there was some information about… I don´t even know, just something"
"Maybe the best idea is to go directly to the source" Hermione decided.
"The source? You mean Draco?"
"Not necessarily. Sadly, this school is filled with sons and daughters of Death Eaters. If anyone knows about the indoctrination process, that would be someone who is actively a part of it."
"I doubt those people would go around sharing that information"
"Maybe not to me – but you are a Slytherin daughter of Death Eaters"
"I could perhaps talk to Zabini, I think we are still friends, but, Draco would for sure, find out that I was asking around"
Hermione bit her lip as she flipped through the pages of one of the books. It was rare that the answer to something wasn´t among pages. It was a sensitive topic, but still, somewhere in that library there had to be some information. The idea to talk to a Death Eater son was good, but not discreet enough.
"Maybe you should just… talk to Malfoy"
Ellie was resigned. She knew that in the end, that was what she really wanted but couldn´t find the way to.
"Yeah, I guess" she said standing up.
"Thank you Hermione, by the way. I know how you feel about Draco and it means a lot that you help me." Ellie said.
"That's what you do for friends." Hermione answered with a smile.
Authors note:
As always, new chapters are up every Friday and Sunday
You can also find this story in AO3 and Wattpad under the same name:)
Thanks for reading!