Chapter XVI
A week later the students were going to Hogsmead again. I wasn't very inclined do go there, but in face of the circumstances I couldn't say much. Besides the fact that I had promised Hermione that I was going the next visit, Potter and Weasley were going to meet us there to discuss how we could make my father talk to me.
The prospect of meeting the Weasel and Potty was not a good mood busting, and I wasn't the slightest bit exited, even if it was the first time I was going out off the castle besides the holyday. On the contrary, Hermione and Ginger were almost giddy, which didn't help to improve my mood at all.
-Draco can you stop making this face, it's not like we're going to torture you or anything.
-Don't mind him Mione, Blond here is just afraid we will leave him.
We were almost at Hogsmead, and the two of them haven't stopped talking since the moment we leaved Hogwarts grounds.
-Ginger I most certainly would appreciate if you disappeared to snog Potter. Merlin knows he needs it.
Hermione smirked at that and tried, and failed, to hide her face from Ginger. The red head just smiled smugly at me, and walked a little ahead of us.
-We all know the one that needs it the most is you. I think you're starting to get a little cranky Malfoy. And just so you know, Harry most likely will get snogged if I get my way, don't worry about that.
The picture of Potter and Ginger in a corned eating their heads off came involuntarily to my mind, and I started to feel a little sick.
-Tch, thank's a lot Ginger. Now I'll get scared for life.
But we had just arrived, and she was a good ten feet ahead of us. I looked around the place and noted that the other students were already departing to their shops. Hogsmead was light again, with people coming and going at all directions.
The murky feeling on the streets was gone, the dark and hopeless place was alive again. It was like the people finally managed to get past the war, and all the losses that it caused. If there's a thing that intrigues me is the ability people have to heal. You can still see on their faces the marks of all the worry and fear, but they still managed to get going. I would like to be more like that.
-Draco?
-Hum.
She stopped just outside the Three Broomsticks, where Potter and Weasley were, I presume, waiting for us. I looked at her face to see what was wrong, her voice was a little strained. She was gazing at the door, and biting her lower lip.
-What's it Hermione?
She glanced back at me and stopped worrying her lip. Her face was the portrait of worry, and her shoulders were tense.
-We're friends, right?
That confused me.
-I suppose so.
-Then you know if there's something bothering you I'm here to help. Right?
I'm sure my face was contorted on a puzzled frown by now.
-We already had this conversation. You know there're some things I don't want to talk about Hermione. But I know who I can go if I get the urge to share my darkest secrets.
I smirked at her attempt to help me again, she just don't get the fact that I'm not like Weasel and Scarface. She frowned and her eyebrows came together, almost forming one line.
-I'm not joking Draco.
I sighed and walked the two feett distance that was separating us. She inclined her head a little up, to look me in the eyes while maintaining her frown and crossing her arms. I couldn't help the smile that came to me at the sight of her trying to be intimidating, even if I'm almost a head taller than her.
In her own annoying way to meddle on your business, Hermione have this thing that makes you treasure her irritating necessity to help people, even if they don't want it. This little thing she does make me, in some strange but not bad way, feel warm. It's a feeling that came from the bottom of my stomach to my cheeks, and leaves a sensation of litheness.
My hand came to her face and I stroked her right cheek. She was surprised by that, but didn't back away. After a moment I started to stroke her hair, and her frown dissipated. Her eyes were searching mine, like she was waiting for me to say something. I closed my eyes for a second, to stop staring at her lips and get a grip on my thoughts.
-I know Hermione. I'm really thankful for everything you did for me, and I appreciate that you care about me. I'm just not the kind of bloke that likes to share all his thoughts. It's not that I don't trust you, on the contrary. Truthfully you're the only person today, besides my mother, that I think I could really trust. So stop worrying that I'm in some kind of pain and don't want you to know. I'm a selfish person, and I like attention. If I were in a bad situation I would ask you not just to listen to me, I would more likely want you to solve the problem for me.
She smiled that new kind of smile that made me nervous and shamefully giddy.
-That's more like you.
I resumed playing with her less bushy hair, and turned to open the door.
-Now let's face the almighty Aurors.
She laughed quietly and we got into the place. Some students were sat in the left corner of the room, some girls were pointing and giggling at the other side of the place. When I looked to where their attention were directed all the happy feelings I had vanished. Potter was sitting with Weasley and Ginger on a table in a corner at the right side, where the Weasel was fuming and clearly displeased to witness his sister trying to sulk the air out off The Chosen One.
If I myself wasn't sick at the display of affection too, I would be delighted with the Weasel King's displeasure. Hermione promptly headed to their table with a joyful smile on her face, and I started to walk behind her, as slowly as I could.
-Ron, Harry! It's so good to see you two.
I snorted at her happiness. It's only being one week and she acts like she hadn't seen them for months. Weasley was the first to see her, and immediately rose to his feet do hug, and to my deepest displeasure, kiss her.
The couple resumed their snogging and Potter came do hug her too. I was feeling almost as out of place as I was at the Headmistress room months ago. Ginger was smirking knowingly at me, and if I were trying not to get attention to myself, I would probably have said something nasty.
-Malfoy.
I was so immersed on my glaring at the smug ginger on the table that I got startle when I heard Potter's voice.
-Hello Potter, nice to see you here.
He looked doubtfully at me before sitting down next to Ginger.
-I don't think so.
-Your lost.
I sat and a moment later Hermione and Weasel did too. We were silent for a few minutes, just looking at each other. But then Potter grabbed a briefcase and handed it to me. There were some names, Death Eaters, some that died the previous year and some that were still alive, though locked in Azkaban.
I noticed that some of the Death Eaters were still being searched. Vincent's father and Yaxley were on there, and Amycus name had a red mark. Now I think Potter might have some trouble after all. One would think the Boy Who Lived would've found already a bunch of fugitive Death Eaters.
-What happened to Amycus?
Potter visibly tensed and leaned back on his chair.
-Have you seen something in the Prophet some time ago, about a strange muggle death?
-Yeah.
-It was him. He murdered the real muggle that lived there and used a polyjuice potion for months so the neighbors didn't notice what happened. We found a body buried in the garden.
-But how he managed to cast a curse and the Minitry didn't found out?
This time the Weasel responded. I think he was feeling a little useless just listening to Potter.
-He didn't use magic.
Hermione gasped almost inaudibly, and Ginger frowned deeply. Potter shifted closer to the table and looked intensely to me.
-You think it's my father's doing?
-Now I'm not sure. Before we thought that it was Yaxley. We're tracking him for some time now, and the last time we found anything he wasn't that far from the place. But now after Hermione's attack I'm not sure anymore.
I stared at the red mark on the paper. It didn't make sense. Sure my father did not like Amycus, but why he would kill him? There's so few of them out, the logic solution would be to don't attract attention, and at least try to use the others in his favor. It's not like father to be so blunt.
-So what do I have to do?
Potter looked at Weasley and they exchanged something. Then he glanced at Hermione, like he was expecting her to say something, but she didn't.
-We need you to arrange a meeting with him.
That made me snort.
-Potter, it's not like I can write to him and say I'm missing our time together torturing people and serving the Dark Lord.
Weasley made to move, but Hermione grabbed his arm.
-Stop acting all mighty Malfoy, it's most likely you're missing that time with your buddies.
-Ron!
Hermione let go of his arm and looked outraged. Weasley was as red as someone physically could. Ginger got up and when she spoke her voice was decisive.
-Ron, I think you should get some fresh air. Hermione you should go with him, use the time to catch up.
-I'm not going anywhere Gin.
Hermione sighed and got up.
-Come on Ron, I want to go to Honeydukes.
-I'm not going Mione.
-Ronald Bilius Weasley don't make me drag you out.
Potter noticed that they were getting too much attention, and that people stopped talking to look at us.
-Ron, go with Hermione, it's fine.
-But Harry, I don't think you should let him do it. It's Malfoy after all, he can use someone at any moment to get his way.
I was almost grabbing my wand to hex the stupid weasel.
-It's the best way to get his father's attention. And besides, Hermione and Ginny said we can trust him.
I smirked at the red head next to Potter, she was trying to look impassive.
-Didn't know you liked me so much Ginger.
-You wish Blond.
The Weasel finally noticed that people were staring and got up. I watched they walk to the door, and after Weasley opened the door to Hermione, I remembered something.
-Hermione, if you're going to Honeydukes could you-
-Chocolate frogs and that thing with mint, got it.
I smirked and the Weasel's face almost made me laugh.
-That's my girl.
-Your what!?
-Ron can you stop it? Come on.
And she dragged him out. I was still smirking. That almost made up to the discomfort earlier. When I looked back at the couple Potter was drinking his butterbeer, and seemed puzzled, but what started me was the look on Ginger's face. It was serious, and she looked almost as if she had eaten something nasty.
-So Potter, how do you suggest that I contact my father?
He emptied the mug and grabbed the papers back.
-You're not going to write to him, not yet. We need to make he think you're on his side first, and then we can approach. It's not like he can get in Hogwarts, so we have to do it outside the place. He attacked Hermione here, it was close, too close. It's almost reckless if you think about it. So I presume his desperate, though I don't know why.
-Harry thinks his after us. Some kind of vengeance or something like that.
I stared at the two of them. It doesn't make sense. Sure he was in Azkaban because of them, and he lost everything at the Order's doing, but it's still wrong, Why would father want to risk getting coutht again when he finally got out? Just to get on Potter? Not likely.
-It's not like him, but I don't know what to think too. So you want me do look like I'm the bad jerk again?
-It's not like it will be difficult to you.
When I was almost retaliating, he smirked, and I understood it was a joke. I think Potter is putting an effort in this. Something tells me Hermione has a finger on it.
-Not at all Potter, my life was getting pretty boring.
-So that's it. I'll owl you in a few days with more information. Oh, I almost forgot, you have to quit the Head Boy thing. It wouldn't look good if people think you and Hermione are still in good terms. I talked with Mcgonagall, do you have someone in mind that we could trust?
I wasn't pleased to hear about that. The Heads common room was good and quiet. And Hermione's company is far better than scared slytherins.
-Blaise Zabini.
-You sure?
-Yeah.
-What do you think Gin?
-He's not bad.