Chapter XV

For the first time in too long my life was actually fine. Not amazing, brilliant, no not like that, but it was good. Hogwarts was boring like always, and I really still prefer not to be here, but all in all it was fine. Now I'm being dragged out of there by none other than Harry Bloody Potter, the all so mighty Auror.

I take back all the good things I was beginning to think about the guy. He's still the same annoying I-saved-the-magic-world Scarface. You may be wondering why I changed my mind so quickly. Let me explain.

When Potter said that he wanted my help it wasn't to say what I thought about the situation, or even to find something he couldn't. No, of course not. Saint Potter in reality needed a bait. And what better person to attract a supposed to be dead ex Death Eater than his son?

Don't get me wrong, I have to say that I was a bit surprised. Potter actually can think without Hermione's help. But to go on with his plan is another story. The last thing I want to do at this moment is see my father again. We don't really have a marry relationship, and the fact that I prefer him dead can say a lot about it.

But the problem with gryffindors, or one of them, is that they are really stupid persistent people. And when the Ministry of Magic is on their side, you don't have a lot to say. So that's how I got dragged into my common room, almost as if I didn't had a choice (I prefer to think that I had), and got to listen to Potter and Weasley tell me all I can, and can't do, in the last few months of school.

-Malfoy, are you even listening?

-Sorry Potter, your voice bores me to no end. And Weasley, what exactly do you think you're doing? That's my room.

He stopped just a moment before opening the door. Then he chanced curse, and grabbed Hermione's door knob.

-That's Hermione's weasel.

-Shut up ferret! Where in the name of Merlin is the bloody bathroom?

It amazes me how much stupidity one person can have.

-The only door at the other side of the room idiot.

He stopped talking and I turned my attention back to Potter, who was looking quizzically at me.

-What?

-You two have different bedrooms?

It took me a minute to process his question.

-Of course, what did you thought?

He paled and looked at the floor, before coughing. Ah Potter has a sly side, who would have thought? I was really tempted to say some interesting things about Hermione, just for the fun of it, but she would kill me when she woke up. That doesn't mean I can't put some things in the air.

-Indeed we have two bedrooms. But the doors are always open.

His head shot up so fast I'm sure I heard something cracking. Potter's face was a mix of amazement and range, I smirked at that. We were silent for some time. I really don't know how to get out of this. It's not like I can write a letter to the Minister of Magic and say that I'm not very inclined to meet my father again.

And I have to think of mother too. What if I became involved in this and Lucius come to her too? No, that can't happen. Mother is just beginning to get over him, if he comes back now it will crash her. Why in the name of Slazar can't the dead stay dead? Is it too much to ask? I'm sure Potter would agree with me on that one.

-Potter I don't want to do anything for you, just so we're clear, but I don't think you're asking me as much as you're demanding it. I can't really say no to the Minister, he could think I'm some kind of spy for my father, and I don't like the prospect of Azkaban. But I'm only doing it if you say that my mother will not get involved, and I'm serious Potter.

Weasley came out of the bathroom and stopped to look at us. Potter was uncomfortably quiet and looking at me, but not seeing me at all. It was like he was thinking, and it made him uncomfortable.

-We will make sure of it Malfoy, I give you my word.

-Wait a moment Harry, why are you doing things for Malfoy? We came here to make he do something.

-I'm not doing anything for you Weasley.

I looked back at Potter and stood up.

-I think we came to an agreement. Now I would like to be alone, so get out.

Potter hesitated for a moment, before signing and standing up.

-Came on Ron, let's see if Hermione is awake.

-But Harry he…

-It's not important.

When I heard the sound of the portrait closing I collapsed on the couch. Great, just great, now I'm screwed.

I must have slept, because the next time I opened my eyes the portrait hole was closing again. If Potter came back, and I don't even know how he got the password, he can talk all he wants, I'm not getting up.

-I see you're really happy to see me.

The voice started me so much that I jumped up. Crookshanks was lying on my lap, and protested intensely for being thrown to the ground.

-You shouldn't be here.

-Madame Ponfrey said I could, if I go directly to bed.

-And she believed when you told you would?

-Not so much, but she knows we need to talk.

She was a little pale, but her cheeks were with that small blush as always. Hermione's eyes on the other hand were lost, and she had dark circles under them. She walked the rest of the distance to the couch, and sunk on it like she had the fate of the world on her shoulders.

I was hesitant to start speaking. It's obvious that Potter talked with her, and she wants to speak about his crazy, and potentially deadly to me, plan to get my father's attention. Hermione worries too much about people, and I'm sure she doesn't like it much than me, but as I previously thought, it's a reasonable idea, aside from the deadly part.

-I'm sorry you have to do it Draco.

And it comes again. Seriously, I'm not a child anymore and I hate to be pitied the most. I know she is concerned, but I can take care of myself. It's not like I'm helpless and can't do a curse.

-But as much as I hate to say this, he has a good point. Besides it's not like I can say no to Saint Potter without having to answer to the Minister.

-He wouldn't force you Draco.

I sighed and sat next to her. She turned to face me, and put her legs on the couch.

-I'm not so sure about it. And we all know that if I refuse, they will think I have something to do with my father's doing.

She was silent for a moment, and I felt her shifting.

-If you go with the plan you can be spying to him too, playing the double guy.

I think the better word to describe what I felt after she said that is outraged. Even if she is right, as I came to realize occurs much often than I would like, to say that in my face is too far. That made me rise again, and I couldn't help the anger that came.

-Oh I get it. I know you don't trust me Granger, I know no one does. You don't have to go and throw it in my face. I get that Potter just want me there to get an eye on me. I GET IT!

Her relaxed face made me even more angered.

-You know Draco, forgiving a person doesn't mean you trust him again.

I snorted at that and headed to my door.

-But when the pain of the memory fades, that's when you're ready. Forgiving doesn't mean forgetting. When you forgive, you keep the memory, you remember the pain. But you remember how it felt at that time, how it broke you, and it's just that, a memory. You remember the pain, but you don't feel it again. It doesn't hurt anymore Draco.

I had just put my right foot in the room, but her last sentence made me stop. I turned to face her and realized she was facing the fireplace. The orange beast was on her lap, and she was petting him.

Why I always have to be the jerk? After some time it really gets boring. I didn't know what to say. Apologize was a must, but I couldn't find my voice. In reality I was still trying to process everything.

-I wouldn't be telling you this if I didn't trusted you Draco. But I think you're right too, about Harry I mean. I can't say he's not trying to monitor you, he's an Auror after all. Ron don't really like you-

-I'm wounded.

She smiled a bit at that, but it wasn't of joy.

-You can't blame him, he still remember you as the ferret jerk.

-So I'm not a ferret anymore? It's time for this to stop.

She turned to me again, and this time her smile was a real one that almost got me a blush. It had something, the way she looked at me was different that time.

-You'll always be a ferret, don't get me wrong. But you're a friend Draco, and one I treasure. You were a difficult one to get, but that made it all the more delightful when I could.