CHAPTER 27
Professor Evans' Quarters - 5:43PM
"She's resting for now," said Lily, quietly shutting the door to her bedroom which held a sleeping Hermione. From their positions on the sofa, Harry, Theo, and Neville gave terse identical nods, though Theo was seemingly still shell-shocked. Given the recent events, Lily could understand.
Upon their return from their Christmas holiday shopping, Lily and Harry had been accosted by a panicked Solon - who'd heard from Zephyr who'd been told by Agneta - that Harry's little lioness and snakeling friends had been ambushed in the Star Tower, where another blonde snakeling and his cronies had threatened them with certain death! Horrified, mother and son had raced to the Astronomy Tower, where they'd found a trembling Theo protectively hugging a sobbing Hermione. As one would approach an injured and cornered being, Harry had gently cooed soothing and reassuring words to his two friends, enough to calm Hermione to hiccuping sniffles and somewhat relax Theo's rigid form, though they refused to let each other go.
Before Harry could ask them what happened, an angry and panicked Neville barged into the room, startling the room's occupants. Apparently, the young Gryffindor had overheard Draco and his lackeys crowing over their 'victory against the mudblood', spurring a perturbed Neville to race straight to the Astronomy Tower, hoping he wasn't too late. Though he was pleased to see that his friends were in one piece, he was still dismayed to see their combined states of distress. Once more, Harry's calming voice lulled his two friends into telling exactly what had happened.
All had listened aghast as a wooden Theo recounted the afternoon's events as a shaking Hermione sniffled into his collar. How'd they'd been confronted by Draco, who'd taken a photo of the two whilst they'd been talking, threatening to send it to Tiberius Nott as proof of Theo's fraternizing with a muggleborn. How Hermione, in a bid to protect Theo, had summoned Draco's camera and destroyed it, before demanding the Slytherins leave them alone. How Draco, with the help of Urquhart and Vaisey, had attacked Hermione with the Knockback Jinx, before the two Fourth Years had levitated the witch just beyond the railing, threatening to drop her to her certain death while Draco cruelly taunted and belittled her (Neville had sworn viciously upon hearing that). How Theo had helplessly looked on while being held hostage by Crabbe and Goyle, begging a merciless Draco to let her go. How Draco had verbally humiliated Hermione, forcing the witch to admit that she was, in spite of any of her efforts, beneath a pureblood and would remain in her rightful place. How Draco, before leaving with his cronies, had essentially threatened both he and Hermione once more if they were to continue their friendship.
During the entire retelling, he'd soothingly rubbed circles on a whimpering Hermione's back, as the traumatized witch resumed her sobbing. He'd flinched in spite of himself at the look of righteous fury burning in an enraged Harry's eyes, internally shivering upon realizing that they were the exact same shade of green as the Killing Curse. Neville was no better, furiously muttering about the many ways he'd like to pummel the blonde bastard. With a deep breath, Harry had gently touched a crying Hermione's shoulder in an attempt to get her attention, causing the poor girl to become hysterical as she held Theo in an iron grip, refusing to let go.
Seeing Harry's heartbroken expression at Hermione's reaction, Lily had quietly summoned the Slytherin house elf and kindly asked him to escort Theo and Hermione to her private quarters, making sure to tuck Hermione into Lily's personal bed, and prepare some tea to calm their nerves. Once that was complete, Lily had vanished the remains of the broken camera and summoned Hermione's wand and pocketed it, before escorting Neville and Harry to her private quarters, a protective arm around each of their shoulders. Directing them to the living area, she'd immediately commanded them to drink a cup of tea, knowing that the Calming Drought-infused blend would work to soothe their terribly frayed nerves. She'd awoken Hermione and using every bit of her abilities as a mother, had successfully calmed the hysterical young witch, enough to administer some calming and healing potions, along with some Dreamless Sleep.
Now, Lily took a seat across from the sofa, eschewing a cup of tea to calmly observe the three friends. On the left side of the couch sat Neville, his expression one of pure steel. In the middle sat Theo, eyes hollow and defeated. To the right sat Harry, whose expression was carefully blank, much to Lily's (unspoken) pride. In spite of the horrific events of what had been a rather pleasant mother-son afternoon, he was relatively collected, no doubt a consequence of his budding Occlumency.
"So," Lily said after a few beats, "what are we going to do about this?" she crossed her legs as she observed the three friends. Theo seemed to shrink in on himself, his expression bleak. Neville growled under his breath, though he did not speak. A few moments passed, before Harry quietly responded:
"We do nothing." That caused a reaction; Neville whirled around to yell at Harry:
"Are you bloody mad?! Malfoy almost killed Hermione! After he blackmailed Theo! You know, Hermione and Theo, your friends?" Harry quirked a brow at Neville's scathing tone, though his friend didn't back down. From his position in the middle, Theo merely took another sip of his tea.
"I am very aware of that Neville, since they are my 'friends' as you mentioned." Neville's thunderous expression calmed slightly at Harry's statement. "I am also aware that Draco is more than convinced of his victory against his perceived enemies. Think about it: he's successfully threatened Hermione's life, enough that said threat will cull Theo's… unsavory behavior. The little blonde shit is probably crowing about it to any other bigoted Slytherin who will listen." Neville and Lily snorted in tandem while Theo continued sipping his tea. "And in harming my friends, the bastard believes that he's succeeded in culling me, whom he regards as his primary enemy. Let him believe that," said Harry, as his eldritch green eyes burned angrily. "Let him believe that he has won this battle, that he has gained victory over us. But know now that he has not won: we will lie low, and when the time is right, we will exact our revenge." Harry's voice ended in a vicious hiss, his ire palpable. Neville leveled Harry with an inscrutable stare, before firmly nodding a few seconds later. Likewise, Lily granted her son the same expression, before nodding in satisfaction.
"What about Hermione?" asked Theo, taking another sip of his tea. "She… she defended me against Draco and his threats, and… and she almost died because of it." Theo's expression became particularly haunted, his entire expression wracked with guilt. With a sigh, Neville placed a comforting arm around his shoulders, causing the young Slytherin to slightly relax.
"We'll keep an even closer eye on her, and I'm sure Neville here will be more than willing to serve as her bodyguard." Neville nodded, his expression completely serious.
"That's not all Harry," said Theo, his expression tightening. "What happened to her, what Draco, Urquhart, and Vaisey did to her, she'll be… haunted by those memories. I don't believe that Hermione knows Occlumency, enough to help her get through the… fallout of this." At this Lily delicately cleared her throat, garnering the boys' attention.
"I will be assisting Hermione in that regard. You are correct Theo; Hermione is not an Occlumens, and she will not be well-equipped to deal with the consequences of Malfoy's heinous actions." She paused to take a breath, before speaking once more: "She has been traumatized in a truly terrible way, and… and without more advanced intervention, I do not foresee her being able to overcome this. As talented and capable as she is, she is still a child, and there are some things that are beyond a child's control." A haunted look briefly flashed through her eyes, causing the three boys to exchange a concerned glance.
"T-Thank you Professor Evans, your help is very much appreciated," said Theo, keeping his tone as polite as possible. He was rewarded with a warm smile as Lily nodded in response.
"You are very welcome Mr. Nott."
"P-Please, call me Theo." Smiling once more, Lily nodded before continuing:
"Certainly Theo. Hermione is in good hands, all will be taken care of." All three boys nodded gratefully, with Harry granting his mother a tired yet warm smile that she gladly returned.
Later that Evening…
Dearest Mother,
Everything went as well as you predicted. Your suggestion to use Urquhart and Vaisey to assist was brilliant. We successfully corralled the blood traitor and the mudblood, and I showed them where their rightful place is and will always be. The mudblood was terrified that she'd be dropped to her death, and that was enough to warrant both hers and the blood traitor's cooperation. Potter will no doubt be brought to heel, a vital brick brought down for me to reach the heights you desire for me within Slytherin House.
Your loving son,
Draco
Making his way back into the dormitory after sending his mother an update letter, Draco went straight to bed, satisfied with the day's events. His mother's plan had worked successfully, and Draco was immensely satisfied that he was finally living up to his mother's expectations. Narcissa Malfoy was as loving as she was demanding, eager to mold her only son into the heir she believed he could and should be. His father, it seemed, had granted his wife every allowance when it came to his Heir's affairs.
As sleep slowly claimed him, Draco saw flashes of Hermione's terrified eyes, as she and Theo pleaded for him to release the petrified witch, their horrified pleas ringing in his ears. And in the aftermath of the moment's adrenaline rush, Draco was surprised to feel stirrings of… guilt. Guilt at nearly killing a schoolmate, and guilt at threatening to blackmail another. However, as quickly as the guilt and subsequent discomfort it brought came, his mother's soothing lilting voice sounded in his mind, chasing away his self doubt. At last, the young Malfoy allowed his eyes to close in sleep.
AN 1: All hope's not lost for young Heir Malfoy! But alas, vengeance must still be had.
Next Up: Christmas at Hogwarts!