I am so glad you guys enjoyed the previous chapter! The demand for Ron's side of the story has been heard! Please let me preface before I start this chapter. I have nothing huge against Ron's character! This is strictly just to make my story interesting. So please don't hate me! Again thank you for the love! Please enjoy it!
Lunch with Draco left her stunned for the rest of the day. He dropped her off back at Harry's stating he had some business to take care of and he would owl her later. Walking through the door, once it was shut, she leaned back against it catching her breath. Hermione could still feel his lips on her wrist, his hands resting on her hips, darkened storm cloud eyes locking with hers.
"Well, looks like someone had a good time?" Snapping her eyes open, seeing Ginny walking down the stairs. She hadn;t realised it but there was a giddy smile plastered across her lips. Ginny ran down the stairs and grabbed the witch's hands.
"I. Need. Details!" Hermione was tugged into the living room and pushed onto the couch. Hermione began telling her about lunch with Draco, then how they had gone back to the Manor.
"Ginny, I had no idea Malfoy and I were together for two years."
"We could hardly believe it. He drove you nuts, you came over here all the time complaining about him. Though you never stayed mad at him for too long." Laughing as she flicked her wand to start some tea.
"I don't remember much of our relationship, but I think it was a good one. I just-" Ginny raised a hand stopping her.
"Look, he is still very much in love with you. Though you may not remember it, you love him too. Give it time Hermione." The pair hugged one another before enjoying their tea and relaxing about the day.
As the week progressed, Hermione began to feel more comfortable. Harry had aided her in landing a job in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. Ginny was her moral support the entire way, and Draco had been trying to help her with her memories. Thanks to Harry her first day wasn't until next Monday, so she had another week to tie up any loose ends. Ginny and Harry were invited to Molly's for dinner on Friday, which was tomorrow, and she wished the earth would swallow her whole.
She sat with Crookshanks on the couch, the orange cat purring contentedly against her legs. Her fingers lazily stroked through his fur while the other hand flipped through a book. Harry and Ginny were out helping Molly, leaving Hermione to her own devices.
That was until an all too familiar blonde head suddenly appeared in the middle of the Potters living room, causing her to jump in her seat.
"Dammit to hell Malfoy! You could fucking warn somebody before you just appear in the living room!" Scolding the man. Desperately, she wanted to smack that smug expression off of his face. Stalking over to her, dressed in black robes that made a stark contrast against his hair and skin. Sitting next to her, Crookshanks moving to lay between them both.
"Well I had a break between some things and I wanted to see you. What is so wrong about that?" Scratching the cat's head as it purred in content. She always found it odd how they both got along so well. Considering the mangy cat clawed or hissed at anyone who wasn't Hermione.
"I have dinner with Molly and everyone else tomorrow." Stilling his movement, slowly turning his head to her.
"Will he be there?"
"Well, it is his family. I am assuming so." Her reply was more sarcastic than she meant it to be. Draco's eyes hardened slightly, giving her a harsh look.
"You are gonna go back there after what he did? Gonna kiss and makeup?" His tone was low with an edge of cold to them.
"Stop. I have no interest in Ron like that. I haven't seen Molly or anyone else in five years." Unlike his tone, hers was low and exhausted. Almost as if she was tired of this.
"If you are so concerned, come with me. Molly and Arthur I am sure wouldn't mind. They would like to meet you maybe." Again with the look of confusion on his face.
"I have already met them. Arthur and I work together sometimes. Gave him one of those Muggle noise makers." Hermione laughed picturing Arthur Weasley playing with a child's noise maker.
"Those are meant for children Malfoy."
"He does have that childlike curiosity doesn't he?" At that comment, she slapped his arm with the book, forcing a chuckle out of him.
"Alright alright. I am done. I have an actual reason for coming here." The emotions that swirled through the storm of his eyes made her worried instantly.
"Is everything alright?" Nodding his head quickly, standing up with hands in his pockets, pacing the room.
"Do you remember what happened between you and Weasel?" Forgiving he would've asked this eventually, she shook her head softly.
"I remember seeing him in the hospital and him telling me he didn't want to see me again. Some bits and pieces of us arguing, but nothing like that."
Draco had a constipated look on his face, stopping at the fireplace examining a picture on the mantel.
"Do you want to know?" That in of itself was a dumb question. Hermione Granger wanted to know everything, the good, the bad , the ugly, all of it.
However, the intense look on his face made her question it. Opening her mouth to talk he jumped in quickly.
"I am not saying talk with me and the Potters to find out what happened." Taking one hand out of his pocket, he held up three vials of a wispy silvery liquid.
"Do not ask how I got these, just know that everything you need to know about what happened is in here. Potter has a Pensieve upstairs. I will not force you to look but I will leave them here." The vials were set on the table in front of her, one with Harry's name, one with Dracos, and the last with Rons.
"Weasel's was the hardest to obtain for obvious reasons. Amazing what happens with a Wizengamot Order." The sly smirk returning to his face. A green light shining from his robes tore her gaze away from the vials.
"I have to go. COnsider it." Hermione sat there stunned, unsure of what to say. Could she really delve into her friends and, apparently, ex-boyfriends memories?
"Well uhm, I guess I will see you later." Standing up and setting her book down.
"Thank you. I will definitely think about it." Now within arms distance of one another, his eyes roaming over her face, pausing on her lips that made him want to skip his meeting and kissing her senseless.
"With pleasure Granger. I will see you soon." Smirking at her again, his wand glowing red now making him groan. Hermione laughed softly seeing his frustration.
"Go work. I will think about it." Offering him a smile, he turned on his heel and was suddenly gone. Sighing heavily, she looked over to the vials biting her lower lip.
'Maybe I should send an owl to Ginny asking if she will be here for me?' The thought was barely finished before she was writing a quick letter and sending it off with the Potters house owl, a pretty brown barn owl named Susie.
"Take this to Ginny Potter." The owl took the note in its beak and flew off without so much as a hoot.
It took maybe an hour before Ginny was walking through the front door. The redhead was carrying a small bag with her.
"Hey I got your owl. What did you need?" Setting the bag down on the coffee table, Ginny saw the three vials making her face go pale and slightly green,
Hermione had walked in the moment Ginny noticed the vials. By her reaction, one could only guess that nothing good was contained within those vials.
"So, he really got them didn't he." Hermione knew it wasn't a question, but an unbelievable statement.
"He wanted me to view them, but I don't think I can by myself. I wanted you to be with me in case I couldn't take it again." Instinctively, her arms crossed across her chest, hands rubbing her arms thinking about what those vials contain.
"Well, this is the way to know the whole story, but Hermione are you sure?" Her eyes searched for some sign of undescion. Ginny knew just by looking at her, it was going to happen.
"Fuck. Let me go get the Pensieve." Ginny stomped up the stairs leaving Hermione to sit and think.
The redhead came down soon after, levitating the basin beside her. Setting it on the table and two potion bottles beside it. Hermione gave her a confused look.
"Something for nausea, and a Pepper-Up Potion in case you need it for tomorrow."
"Thanks Gin. Which one should I start with?" Holding the vials in her hands, the silvery liquid inside dancing against the glass. Taunting her with their secrets.
"Harry's will be the easiest to watch. Start there." Kneeling in front of the basin, uncorking the bottle and pouring the liquid in. Hermione watched it go from silver to black, and summerged her face in the water.
Watching shapes form around her, distant talking muted as bits and pieces came together. A desk began to form in the center of the room, littered with pictures and paperwork, a small bookshelf behind the desk, the scratching of a quill was evident as Harry formed from the black substance.
This was Harry's office. He was sitting in concentration, writing furiously on the parchment in front of him. Face scrunched up, glasses hanging by the tip of his nose as he pushed them up, huffing in annoyance. Walking around the office, it looked slightly different. The usual beige walls were decorated with small white lights, someone had put a santa hat on the hat rack by the door, a desk-top christmas tree with enchanted ornaments sat on a table by the door. A calendar by Harry showed it was 4 days until Christmas.
"What happened here?" Knowing Harry couldn't hear or see her. Just as she was going to sit, the door was kicked open, and Draco walked through. His arms swinging by his sides, leaving the door open and striding to his desk. Harry looked up for a brief second.
"Malfoy, I needed to speak to you anyway. What-" Before he got his words out, Draco had his wand pulled on Harry. Raising an eyebrow at the blonde, used to these kinds of threats, but odd coming from him. Hermione stood in shock watching, Draco was smiling, but it was a wacky lop-sided smile.
Suddenly, Harry was sent across his office with a flick of Draco's wrist, the door slammed shut as well. Harry tried to reach his wand but he was unable to as he found his arms stuck to his sides. Body-binding hex, she was sure of it.
"Malfoy! What the-" HIs voice died off, silencing charm. Draco never spoke a word as he walked to Harry. She watched his eyes widen in fear. Hermione found herself standing still, her knees shaking, wondering how he could do such a thing. Draco leaned in close to Harry, pointing his wand at his stomach. Rushing to the boys to try to hear is he was saying anything, but Draco said nothing still.
Harry was screaming in pain, Hermione realized he cast Crucio on him.
"Draco stop it! STOP!" She yelled forgetting this was a memory for a moment, until she saw his blonde hair changing colors, ever so slightly at the ends. From blonde, to red.
Quickly, Draco started from the room and Harry was left hanging there. Thinking this is where the memory would end, Ron came rushing through the door.
"Blimey Harry! What happened to you!?" He rushed to his side, undoing the body-bind. Harry fell limp to the ground wheezing lightly.
"Malfoy...in here. He hexed me, Crucify me." Ron helped him stand and started dragging him out of his office to get to a Healer.
Suddenly, she was being sucked back to reality, throwing her head out of the basin and dry heaving on the floor. Tears stained her cheeks as Ginny rubbed her back knowing it was hard to watch.
"Breathe Hermione breathe."
Once she had calmed a bit, Ginny grabbed some tea to give her to help calm her nerves. Forehead slick with water or sweat, she didn't know. Hands shaking and her head spinning.
Why would he do that? Why would Draco do that to Harry?
Hermione remembered the blonde hair turning a light red at the ends. Something wasn't right, something was off. Draco never spoke, never said anything. That wasn't like him. He loved to taunt people, and lived for it. She swore sometimes. So why didn't he?
Ginny came back in levitating two cups of tea. "Here, courtesy of Luna. It really helps relax yourself." Accepting the cup she took a big sip feeling the liquid fill her mouth, run down her throat, and almost instantly calm her nerves. It was slightly earthy tasting, kind of like a Muggle green tea, but with a flowery taste. The liquid itself was so clear and slightly tinged blue.
"Take your time. I suggest doing Draco's next. Ron's is… something else. Almost ashamed to call him my brother now. He has been getting help. Lives with mum who keeps him on a tight leash."
Hermione couldn't wait any longer. Reaching for Draco's vial, she tipped the liquid into the basin, and dove her head in again.
As the black substance formed it's shapes, she realised this memory was in Diagon Alley. Draco was walking briskly, dressed in a navy blue button down, black slacks and dragon leather shoes. A tan satchel strapped around his shoulder. Strutting down the street, she watched how he walked. Confidently, hands in his pockets, head up, the soft click of his shoes hitting the ground. Following him, he ducked into a little cafe tucked between Madame Malkins and Flourish and Blotts. Almost running to keep up with him, his legs striding over to the corner of the cafe.
Ordering himself some tea, Hermione sat across from him wondering what happened to him. He seemed calm here, but his eyes flashed with excitement every once and awhile. Opening the satchel and pulling out a manila folder, he opened it up and began spreading documents along the table. Peering at them, the date read December 23. Two days before Christmas. Why did she have such a horrible feeling?
His tea flew over to him and he sipped it relaxing slightly. He seemed very nervous.
As she began wondering why this was happening, someone walked over to the table Draco was at. It was some woman Hermione didn't recognize. She was looking at a model, that must be what she does for a living. Tall and slender with strawberry blonde hair that fell to her shoulders. Her skin was tanned and her body showed she liked working out by the muscle definition. Dressed in a Muggle style dress that ended at her knees. The white dress complimenting her better than she knew. Her brown eyes looked him over before she opened her mouth.
"Mr. Malfoy?" Even her voice was perfectly sounding. He looked up and smiled. Jumping up he extended his hand shaking her excitedly.
"Mrs. Dar it is an absolute pleasure to meet you." Smiling cooly offering her a seat. Thanking him she sat across from him.
"I apologize for calling this meeting so soon, but I needed to meet with you as soon as possible. I have the contract drawn up here, with the amends you requested. My mother is also more than happy to allow a 10% stake on any income we make from this deal." Hermione did not remember this at all.
"I appreciate it Mr. Malfoy." She grabbed the contract looking it over. Reading it carefully, Hermione realised they were business partners. Draco had a business that worked with the Ministry, tracking down ex-Death Eaters, fixing and restoring cursed objects and such. This woman must be either a curse breaker or something else.
"I must say I am impressed you are offering so much for a jeweler. I understand your business deals with Dark Magic?" Hermione could see him tense at the mention of that.
"Well yes and no. We track objects made from Dark Magic and try to destroy them, fix them, or lock them away. With the help of the Ministry of course. Now back to-"
"Does Hermione know you are meeting with me?" The woman's face was blank as she spoke. Draco gave her a tense look, his fists clenching under the table and going for his wand.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you Malfoy. Wouldn't want to cause a scene. The only reason Harry didn't report you is because he thinks you didn't attack him." A smile carved its way on her face and Hermione's stomach churned. Glancing at Draco, he looked murderous.
"What do you want?" Hissing through gritted teeth the woman handed the contract back to him, along with a small coin.
"This turns into a Portkey at seven tonight. Use it. Come along or Hermione will suffer for it." At the mention of her name his face dropped and she could tell he was going to be sick. The woman stood with grace, still wearing that sickening smile.
"See you soon Malfoy." She sung sickening sweetly before walking out of the cafe. Looking back at Draco, his jaw was set hard, his eyes cold. Picking up the contract, he darted out of the door quickly. Hermione followed after him quickly, and stopped outside of the cafe finding Draco talking to the woman who was standing against the building looking confused.
"What have you done to Hermione!?" He demanded and she looked terrified.
"What are you talking about!? Mr. Malfoy we haven't even had our meeting yet." This stilled Draco for a moment and he backed away slightly.
"I was just stopped by uhm, well someone, asking me where a good book store was. Next thing I know, I am twenty minutes late." He stepped back farther from her pacing slightly, his hands raking through his hair before turning to the woman.
"Leigh it is very important that you try to remember, what did the person you talk to look like?" she thought carefully for a moment.
"Well I did not catch his name, but he was slightly shorter than you, freckles, red hair-" That was all Draco needed before he ran off to the nearest Floo network and Hermione was pulled back to reality.
Breathing heavily, her hands shaking violently holding Ron's vial still. Ginny was next to her holding back tears.
"Harry and I have all this information. We doused him with Veritaserum and he told us everything." Hermione ran to the bathroom emptying her stomach contents once more.
Still, she had one more vial to watch. There was no way she could watch it tonight. Her body was quaking, her stomach was tight trying to remove anything that was in there. Ginny rubbed her back in comfort, and once she was done, lead the witch to her room and helped lay her down in bed.
"We will watch the other one tomorrow. You need sleep Hermione. Here." She handed her a sleeping potion, offered her a soft smile and left her shutting the door. Once Ginny left, she sat up, casting a quick Patronus and sending it to Draco asking him to come over.
Within thirty minutes, he was apparating in her room, dressed in a pair of green silk pajama pants and a white shirt. Her eyes were filled with tears and he quickly met her on the bed, scooping her up into his arms, kissing the top of her bushy mane.
They both sat there for what felt like hours, until Draco convinced her to take the potion. Once she downed it, they aly on her bed. Resting her head on his chest, and he pulled her tight to him. Within five minutes Hermione was drifting to sleep, replaying the memories through her head.
Ahhhhh I know I know! I do not have time today to add Ron's memory to this chapter so I will be adding it to the next chapter! Thank you so much for the love! Can you guys guess what actually happened? Next upload will be either Wednesday or Thursday!
Thank you so much again!