Chapter Six
Close Off
January 12, 2001
"Hello Mudblood," Greyback rasps.
I instantly feel cold all over, like a bucket of ice-cold water was poured over my head. I thought Greyback was dead. I saw him brought down by Ron and Neville. If anyone can make my hairs stand on end other than Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange, it's Fenrir Greyback. He's a monster who preys on innocent lives of people.
"And what do we have here? Draco Malfoy?" he says as his eyes rest on Malfoy. I feel Malfoy tense up at the mention of his name.
"Blood traitor," another man on Greyback's right snarls. Travers.
I hold my wand tightly in front of me. There are three of them, including a man I don't recognize. Three on two. If it isn't for Greyback, I'm sure Malfoy and I can take them down. We need back up.
"Expelliarmus," I shout at the unfamiliar man from behind Malfoy. He avoids the spell, distracting Greyback and Travers for a second.
"Impedimenta," Malfoy yells at Greyback who also ducks from the spell.
I take this moment to produce a Patronus to send for someone. After a minute of Malfoy and I exchanging hexes with the Death Eaters, Harry appears to my left. He sees me then the Death Eaters and dives into action immediately.
Malfoy's fighting both Travers and the man while Harry and I deal with Greyback.
"Harry Potter," Greyback says, his grin getting impossibly wider.
"Why are you still alive?" Harry asks while we circle Greyback.
"You know it isn't easy to kill me," Greyback rasps just as he throws a hex at Harry. Harry blocks it easily and the three of us are locked in a duel. I don't know how long we exchange spells until I hear a groan followed by a thud from behind. It looks like Malfoy managed to take care of the other two. Then Harry finally hit Greyback, sending him flying three meters away. Before Harry could immobilize him, he Disapparates.
"Damn," Harry says breathlessly. "You alright?"
"Yeah," I say in answer.
"Someone has to stay here with you. I'll call Ron," he says seriously.
"I'll stay with her," Malfoy interjects.
Harry gives him a curious look before looking at me. I nod to tell him it's okay. He looks doubtful but seems to accept it.
"You'll have to file a report on this first thing in the morning," he says to Malfoy.
"Got it," Malfoy responds easily. That's strange.
Harry then hugs me and whispers, "We'll talk about this."
He must trust Malfoy enough to leave him with me. With the nature of their work, I guess trusting each other is what Aurors have to do when they expect to fight together.
"Okay," I tell him. I smile at him when he releases me. "Thank you for coming."
"Of course I'd come for you," he says, his eyes softening with concern. He squeezes my shoulder for a second before directing his wand at both Travers and the other man whom Malfoy immobilized and tied. He turns to face Malfoy and adds, "Make sure she's safe," before he Disapparates with the Death Eaters in tow.
"Since when do you take orders from Harry?" I say to Malfoy.
"What would you have done if Potter and I weren't here?" Malfoy says instead of answering my question. He doesn't sound mad but he sure doesn't look happy either. I look at him, really look at him and see that he has a cut on his cheek while his hair looks disheveled.
"You need to get patched up," I gesture to his face.
"I'm serious Granger. You could have been caught. Worse, you could have been killed!" It's the first time he's lost control over his cool demeanor.
"Is this why you insisted on taking me home?" It finally dawns on me how this all started when that article about the attack of a Muggleborn Healer was released.
"I had to make sure you were safe," he says gravely. That confirms it.
"What is it to you Malfoy?" I narrow my eyes at him.
"It's my job Granger," he says.
"What, were you ordered to follow me around?"
"No."
"Then what is it?" I'm tired. I don't have any more energy for this.
"I already told you," Malfoy continues to say.
"Well if you finally decide to tell me the truth, I'll be upstairs." I'm getting annoyed.
"I'll keep watch."
I sigh. I turn to the direction of the door to my building and start walking. It seems that I'm not getting anything from Malfoy tonight. He's too proud to show vulnerability in front of others that any sign that indicates he'll be exposed, he desperately tries to fence himself in with these walls he builds around him. Well, I don't know how long I can stand this. I'm not very good at waiting for answers – I find them.
Malfoy follows me wordlessly. When he doesn't go in even after I leave the door open for him, I begrudgingly come back.
"Don't be silly Malfoy. People will think you're a stalker," I say with the door still open.
He looks at me then enters passing by me. I close the door, locking it with magic. When I turn, Malfoy's standing at the opening of the hallway. I feel a lot better then, seeing him so unsure of himself. He looks more lost here than he ever was in that Muggle restaurant earlier. When I brush past him, I say, "You can sleep on the sofa."
I go straight to my room to get a pillow and blankets for him. When I come back to the small living room, I place them at the edge of the sofa. He's still standing, now in front of the fireplace, looking at the various pictures displayed on the mantle. He's staring at the one with me, Harry and Ron in our Hogwarts uniforms. It was a picture taken by Colin in third year. After he died, his father gave it to Harry as a thank you for giving honor to Colin's death by saving us all. Harry must have seen how I wanted it because he thought I should keep it.
I must look like I'm about to cry because when I look up, Malfoy gives me a concerned look.
"Granger," he says.
"This isn't about the Death Eaters."
Then I leave without another word. Getting sentimental in front of Malfoy is exactly what I don't need right now. Remembering Colin makes me remember all the others who died in the War, some of them I held more dearly in my heart. The encounter with the Death Eaters today didn't scare me. It angered – angers – me because they remind me of what evil is left from that horrible past.
-o-
The next morning, I wake up feeling foggy from last night's events. When I enter the living room, Malfoy is gone. I find a note on my table instead.
I left to change at the Manor. See you at work.
-DM
Inexplicably, I feel a sudden surge of comfort reading those last words. I guess I'll see Malfoy at work.