Chapter XXV
Everyone in the kitchen was silent. Mrs. Weasley stopped just a moment before dropping that dreadful thing in my cup; I still don't understand why people seem to love coffee so much. It's bitter, the color is wrong and the smell makes me think of Snape's potions. Hermione loves it, and she even managed to drink the thing without any sugar. If it's that bad when I put almost half a cup of sugar, imagine what it might be like pure.
Potter and Ginger were so stiff that you almost couldn't see them breathing. But even if she was tense, Ginny's face was so relieved that I don't doubt she could have cried any moment. Potter glanced at me with a severe frown, he inclined his head on Weasley's direction, almost as if daring me to say something snarky.
Hermione tensed on my side, and I looked down at her to see her reaction. She had a light blush on her cheeks, that I'm almost sure was because of the fact that everyone at the place saw my little display of affection, but the look in her eyes, that made me worry. She was scared. And that's the last thing I wanted her to feel.
-After everything we've gone through! How could you?
Weasley said, or better, shouted it while he turned an even darker shade of red.
-Calm down Weasley, she-
-Shut up Molfoy, you slimy git! I'm not asking you anything!
He was fuming by now, so I decided to be the reasonable one, and stayed silent. Hermione dropped her hand from my arm, and walked slowly to the table, but stopped were Ginger was. Weasley stood and clenched his fists. They were looking to one another in the eye, almost as if having a conversation, or arguing, with their eyes. I started to walk to where Hermione was, but Potter raised his hand and shook his head, making me stop.
-Ron, we already had this conversation.
Hermione's voice was so calm it startled me. I thought the two of them would start screaming and cursing. Weasley gets mad too easily, that's why it's so fun to tease him, and Hermione's temper is not something a sane person would like to play with. But they were almost calm, or as much calm as you could expect from the Weasel in a situation like that.
-Yes, we had. But you didn't mention that Malfoy was in it!
Mrs. Weasley quietly walked out off the room, passing by my side and patting my arm. She looked me in the eye, and sighed in a way that only parents can do. Like they already knew what you had done.
-She's family Draco, I hope you remember it.
All I could do was nod.
-I will, Mrs. Weasley.
She patted my left cheek and walked into the living room. But not before I could hear she say in a laughing voice:
-You can call me Molly, my boy. I have the impression that we will be seeing each other too much, for you to keep addressing me so politely.
Back with the glaring contest, you could hear the two of them whispering, in Hermione's case, and almost shouting in Weasley's. Potter was next to Hermione now, trying to calm the Weasel. It was almost comic, really it was. Imagine when someone would ever think that the Golden Trio would be fighting over me? 'Couse really, I wouldn't, even in my wildest dreams.
-Ron, let's talk about it later. Hermione just woke up, and we have to discuss the case.
And as it seems, Potter was on my side. The world really is a crazy place to live.
-No, Harry! Don't you get it? Hermione is breaking up because of Malfoy! How can you expect me to calm down?
-He doesn't really believe you will, but he's Harry, he just needs to try.
Potter looked back to the table, where Ginger was calmly drinking her pumpkin juice, with a reproachful frown. She just shrugged and started to eat her pie. I had to hold myself not to smirk.
-And why are you all so calm about it?
Weasley looked from Gin to Potter, confusion was written all over his face. Until he stopped on Potter and the latter avoided his eyes.
-You knew! I can't believe it Harry! You're my best friend, why didn't you tell me? And you Gin, really you're my sister, though I don't think it matters at all to you. Malfoy seems to have charmed you all, didn't he?
Potter took a step forward, and Hermione walked to the side to let Ginger get inside their little fighting circle. For the way Ginny got up, and almost dropped her juice all over the table I could bet she was livid. She was the first to raise a finger to Weasley's chest and speak.
-Now, look here Ronald. You're my brother, and you know that if something wrong was happening I would say it to you. I wasn't lying to you, they were not together over your back. And you know it's stupid to even think that 'Mione would do something like that. They got together after you two broke up. And don't think I was thrilled about it, far from that. Draco is different, but I still didn't think he was enough for Hermione.
Well, leave it to Ginger to get in the point. Now I'm starting to understand why Potter is so smitten. But I can't say Weasley was liking it any better.
-You wasn't thrilled, that's just good. And what, may I ask, the ferret said that made you change your thoughts and defend the Death Eater?
After that one I almost cursed him. But Ginny knows what to say.
-Well, let's just say the snake really knows how to charm a lady.
She looked back at me and winked. I had to chuckle after that, and the puzzled look Potter was giving her didn't help it either. The exchange managed to make Weasley even more angry, and he glared at Potter this time.
-And you Harry, what did he say to you? Malfoy managed to talk you into it too?
Potter sighed and ran his hand over his hair, making it look even worse.
-Not like that. Believe me Ron, I'm not liking it too. But in the end it is Hermione's decision, and Malfoy isn't that bad. He's still a git, but not like before.
I almost said something, but thought back on it. It's better not to enrage the beast. And talking about Weasley, now he looked stunned, I could even say that he was a little outraged.
-But he's a Death Eater, Harry! He tried to kill Dumbledore, and almost managed to kill me!
Well, that's just enough one can hear.
-Weasley, let me tell you a few things. No, I've not being shagging Hermione on your back, and she didn't do anything until you two broke it off, and I can take Veritaserum if you want. And when something happened it was almost all my doing. And yes, I was a Death Eater, was Weasley, and I'll regret it for the rest of my life, as I will for trying to kill the Headmaster. I was foolish, and too blind to see the real truth of it all. But I was desperate, and I'm not like Potter, I'm afraid to die.
I could see Potter raising an eyebrow at me. Weasley walked until he was a feet away from me. I saw Potter trying to grab his arm, but he shook it off. We glared at each other for a moment.
-You must be really proud, Malfoy. Hermione forgave you, gained Ginny's trust, and you even got Harry to defend you. Your plan must be going smoothly. But I won't let you break her. You think I didn't noticed how conveniently you knew that the potion was poisoned, and with muggle poison! Isn't it so perfect?
His sarcasm was getting on my nerves. Hermione got back to us with a puzzled face. I almost forgot she was there. She was so silent all the time. When she spoke it was directly to Weasley.
-The potion you gave me? The one with the nice smell?
-That one. Malfoy just randomly discovered that it was poisoned.
-But when I passed out Madam Pomfrey looked for poison, she told me that.
The knowing smirk Weasley gave me was infuriating.
-Yes, Ginny told us that. But Malfoy here had a charm ready for it, how lucky we are hm?
I could feel Hermione's mind working, and that's never a good sign when she thinks too much.
-I didn't simply get a charm out of nowhere Weasley. I was desperate when nothing was working on Dumbledore, and patience wasn't something Voldemort was known to have.
He and Potter seemed surprised that I would say the name.
-I looked for everything, and when nothing magic seemed to work, I searched for muggle ways to kill. I researched all kinds of poisoned flowers, and the one that had that smell was there too. I knew the smell seemed familiar in some way, but I couldn't put a finger on it.
For a moment Weasley's face fell, but as soon as it did it was replaced with a lazy smirk.
-Good one Malfoy, it must have taken you some time to come up with the backup story. It's just like the other time you know? You could have made the good choice, the right one, and let us all in peace. But no, you had to go and take orders from another lunatic and try and kill us. It's all your fault, Dumbledore could have lived if it wasn't for you!
-That's enough Ron!
I almost jumped when Hermione shouted. She was red, and her eyes were fierce and held such a fire…I have never wanted her so badly.
-Draco just wanted to protect his family, and to protect himself. And there's nothing wrong with it. Sure he made mistakes, I'm not saying he choose wisely. But it was all he heard all his life. He was raised to believe that-
-Sirius was raised the same way, but he didn't turn up to be a Death Eater.
She took a breath and looked back at me. Her eyes seemed to search for something, and I think she must have found it, because she gave one of my smiles, before grabbing my hand and squeezing it.
-Yes, Ronald, he didn't. But people are different, and that's what makes the world fun. Draco could have made other decision at that time, but he didn't, and that's in the past. The important thing is that he realized that he was wrong, and he's ashamed of what he did. It's better to learn with your mistakes, and try to change your future, than living in the past and die in self pity. He's trying, and he changed so much already. I couldn't ask more of him.
Something strong, and warm, and cozy came to me at that moment. I looked at that girl, that woman, that suffered from all kind of things in the war, and that I despised only a little more than a year ago, and the amount of feelings that washed over me was overwhelming. I never felt something so strong.
-I don't deserve you.
It wasn't really supposed to be said out loud, but alas it's the undeniable truth. She glanced at me, and her eyes held a sparkle, and her smile was so deliciously beautiful, that I had to take back what I said before. That was the time I desired her the most.
-Well, maybe not at all right now. But I have a feeling that you and your Slytherin way will make the most of it. And in time I will stop having to tell that you're worth the trouble.
It made me smile. And I'm almost sure it was the most sincere one I had ever given to someone.
-I don't think so, Granger. You know how much I like attention.
Ginger chuckled and grinned.
-We all know Blondie.
But the light mode was broken when Weasley snorted and stomped his foot on the floor.
-I can't believe you would say that to a killer, Hermione.
-No, Ron. He's not a killer. He was just a kid trying to protect his family. Trying to protect his mother. Remember when Bellatrix tried to curse Ginny in the battle, and Molly killed her? Would you call your mother a killer for that? For defending her child?
-That's different, mom's not-
-Not what? A Death Eater? Regulus was one, and he realized his mistake. It was too late for him, but even then he tried to do something good. Draco's mother saved Harry, if she had said to Voldemort the truth he would be dead. She did that to save her son, just like Molly did. They are all humans, Ron. And they can make the wrong choice. But what matters is that they're not proud of it.
The silence in the room was only chattered when George walked into the kitchen and grabbed a cup of coffee that Potter left untouched on the table. He sipped calmly, appreciating the taste, then he looked at me, with the most serious face I had seem he do, aside of the one in his brother's funeral.
-You better treat her well Malfoy. I don't think you will ever find someone like her.
I grinned at him and sighed.
-I'm sure I won't. There's no one like her. Just look at her hair, it would be impossible to get something like that.
-Draco!
Hermione slapped me on the chest, but she was smirking. Potter couldn't contain a snicker, and Ginny was laughing openly. Weasley raised an eyebrow, and I could almost see one side of his mouth raising. It was the first time George really smiled at me.
A/N: So here it is people! A big one to apologize for the lateness, again I'm sorry. Hope you like it!