Here's Chapter 2! Once again, please please review! I'm trying to update this story quickly, so it would mean a ton if I could get some feedback! Thanks! And as always, I don't own anything, it's all J.K. Rowling's.
Draco woke in the makeshift infirmary with a raw throat from his futile attempts to hold back the Veritaserum from the night before. Before he could look away from the ceiling he heard the door crack open. Harry strolled in, holding a plate with toast and a banana on top of it.
"I've brought you some food, Malfoy. We aren't quite sure what to do about your unexpected…visit. It's being discussed tonight, but we figured you may be hungry." Harry held out the plate. Draco's jaw set in a determined raged.
"Thanks saint Potter, but I'm just peachy. Really enjoying my time here, 5 stars."
"Look Malfoy, we're trying to be polite here. The least you could do is accept some food. You haven't eaten since you woke up." Harrys eyes roamed over Draco's already slight figure that was now diminished from lack of food.
"Eye's up here Potter." Draco smirked as Harry rolled his eyes. He set down the plate of food on the table next to the infirmary bed.
"I don't know why I bother." He shook his head and turned for the door, "You would have died if it hadn't been for Hermione and Madam Pomfrey. The least you could do is show your gratitude and eat to sustain the life you would have lost. Someone will be up to let you know what we plan to do with you." The door shut behind Harry and Draco eyed the plate hungrily. For fucks sakes he was starving, but he wasn't about to let Golden Boy know it – much less anyone else in this dump of a headquarters. With a weak and shaking hand he reached out for the toast, someone had set two small dishes of jam next to it. Something told him it wasn't Potter's idea to do the food. Something told him a certain over-righteous bushy-haired Gryffindor downstairs cared about people more than was for her own good.
"We can't let him stay here longer." Ron roared over the arguments at the meeting table, "We got what we need from him! Throw him back out on the street!"
"We can't just throw him out there, he could have overheard something while staying here, and he's seen the inside of the headquarters, the minute Hermione brought him back here she allowed him to become a secret-keeper for Grimmauld Place. We throw him out, we expose ourselves and lose our best headquarters." Kingsley's deep voice boomed over the chatter of the room, silencing all other opinions.
"We can start a new headquarters, I'm sure Bill and Fleur would be willing to open up their home." Fred Weasley looked hopeful next to his twin brother. Both had closed their joke shop a year ago after a particularly bad attack that had killed Angelina and left Fred a more serious man.
"That isn't fair to ask of them, they have Victoire to worry about," Ginny looked sympathetically at Hermione who had receive more than a few glares during the meeting, "Hermione brought us a tool to use in this war. I'm sure there is more we can get out of the slippery git."
Harry rubbed the bridge of his nose, "What so we hold him here as prisoner? Does that make us any better than them?"
Theo let out a dark laugh, "Trust me mate, we're a fair few amount of steps above them. Keep in mind who we had to save him from in the first place."
"We didn't do anything," Padma began angrily, "Someone just had to be the hero."
Hermione looked up from the table indignantly, "I am done with this," Her chair squeaked loudly on the floor as she stood up, "I have apologized more than enough for this situation. I'm through apologizing for having an ounce of humanity left. I'm finished explaining why I chose to save a life instead of end it." She turned to go but Harry grabbed her arm.
"You're right Hermione, you shouldn't have to apologize." He looked earnestly into her eyes, "but you are more intelligent than half of this room put together and while you shouldn't have to apologize, we do need your help figuring out a solution to this." He silently pleaded with her while the rest of the Order stared at two-thirds of the golden trio.
Ron spoke up softly, "What if we kept him here, not as a prisoner? He could just be kept to one room" Hermione turned surprised to look at her friends sudden change of heart, of all the people in the room, she did not expect Ron to be offering solutions that kept Malfoy alive.
"Since when are you for helping Malfoy?" Hermione's face twisted into confusion as Ron stepped towards her.
"I'm not, but I'm also not for blaming one of my best friends for having the compassion most of us in this room have lost. I hate the ferret, despise actually, but I'm not dumb. He's already here, we can't send him back out and I don't think anyone wants to commit murder," The room solemnly shook their heads, although Mad-Eye didn't look too opposed, "so, why not just keep him here?"
Harry looked thoughtful as he glanced over to Kingsley, "It could work."
"It could," Kingsley looked like a man who had lived thirty years in only two, "we will need to set up wards to keep him here. As of now, he does not have a wand but we do not know his full power and once his strength is back he may be able to disapparate."
Ginny spoke up, "We could keep him in a room, someone can bring him food and water. And we can continue to question him."
"So we're back to keeping him as prisoner." Luna's voice drifted dreamily over the room, but her face was hard and cold.
"No, I specifically said not as a prisoner." Ron jumped on the defense.
"Just because you say something does not make it so." Luna replied curtly.
"We can make the room nice and comfortable, he won't be questioned in any way that hurts him, and I'll bring him food and water," Hermione's voice trembled, "I'll make sure it isn't a prison."
"'Mione you don – "
"Yes Harry, I do. No one else will be kind enough to deal with the complete arse that is Draco Malfoy. And I'm quite good at holding my temper if need be." She sighed, "Besides, it's my mess to clean up. I am not sorry for saving him, but I am sorry for compromising everyone else in order to do it. I'll take care of him."
"We'll pick a room and set the wards tonight, he can be moved once he's fully healed." Kingsley's tone of finality dismissed the meeting, with a chatter of disagreement still humming.
Two weeks passed without much more argumentation regarding the newest resident of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Hermione brought food to the infirmary every day, three times a day, to a mostly silent and angry Draco Malfoy. She did not attempt to make conversation, and he was not about to ask how her day was going or even mention the weather.
He was finally beginning to feel as though his body hadn't just been hit by a train and then stomped on by a giant. In fact, the only thing considerably bothering him was the nearly persistent burning of his dark mark. Voldemort had not been able to find one of his best lieutenants for three weeks now, and he was making it known. His arm burned almost every hour of the day, his master constantly trying to call him back to duty. After the circumstances of his departure however, he wasn't entirely angry he could not rush back.
At the end of the third week since he'd been rescued, he was surprised to be greeted by Theo bringing his breakfast instead of the stoic brunette he'd grown accustomed to.
"I heard you're just about all healed up."
"So nice of you to notice dear Theo. You're a true friend." Draco bit back.
Theo set down the bowl of porridge on the side table and sat down in the bed next to Draco. "We're going to be moving you to a nicer room later today, I helped set it up myself." He looked down at his feet before continuing, "Extra wards have been set up so that you can't disapparate away, but it's very comfortable, and Granger will continue to bring you food and everything. They still want to question you, it'd be a lot easier if you cooperated Draco –"
"Oh goody thank you so much I just cannot wait to move prisons from one room to the next, truly you lot are oh so thoughtful." Draco rolled his eyes and twisted to grab the porridge, "and I think I'll pass on the cooperation, you see I'm not exactly eager for this little golden side to win the war."
"That's a lie and we both fucking know it Draco, you're for whatever side ends this mess faster." Draco stayed silent as he ate his breakfast. Theo wasn't exactly wrong, Draco was tired of the war, but he was also more eager for the side to win that wouldn't be attempting to lock him up in Azkaban. That whole Slytherin survival trait ran deep in his blood.
After a full minute of silence Draco spoke, "I'm for whatever side ensures my survival Nott. And in case you haven't noticed, this side isn't exactly my biggest fan. They won't even allow me to keep my wand."
"You killed the Creevey brothers, who were their friends, did you think they were going to let you keep something that would allow you to do more damage?"
"What and they haven't killed friends of mine? Haven't battled against members of my own family? Do you get cold up there on your high horse Nott? There aren't innocent members of a war, the sooner you glory children realize that, the better you may be able to do in your battles."
Theo's eyebrows drew worry across his forehead, "We try our best to refrain from killing in battles – "
"Tell that to the one eyed freak downstairs. Goyle visits his fathers grave every day, a grave your precious friend put him in."
Theo puffed out his chest and rose from the bed, "Oh cause you're so fucking innocent Draco."
"I never said I was innocent, I'll admit to the crimes I've committed. But for fucks sakes it is annoying when none of you will. I'm done with this conversation Nott, please do be so kind to let me know when I get to move to my new, refurbished prison cell." Draco rolled over to face away from Theo and raised the blanket to cover his trademark hair. Theo stomped out of the room and slammed the door while Draco smirked; he always was good at knowing exactly what buttons to push.
Hermione came in less than an hour later, "We're going to be moving you to your room Malfoy. Theo was supposed to be helping but the bastard is nowhere to be found." Draco didn't have to turn around to hear the resentment in her voice.
"Am I allowed to walk there or are you going to put me in chains Granger? Please do say it's the second option, I always knew you had a kinky side." Her eyes widened as a furious blush overtook her cheeks. Draco chuckled darkly, "Oh calm down Granger, you Gryffindors are horrible at taking jokes I swear." She mumbled what he was almost sure to be an insult under her breath and opened the infirmary door wider.
"Well, after you Malfoy. Just maybe I'll refrain from the chains." A corner of her mouth lifted in the slightest grin as she met his gaze. He certainly wasn't expecting a clever retort from her. He stretched before moving towards the door, noticing the way her entire body tensed as he neared her. She had grown since he'd last seen her, come into her own with her hair falling in waves framing her face. She still stood nearly a foot below him, but she now looked like more of a woman than a girl. A tired woman, but a woman all the same.
"Are you going to lead the way or do I get free reign of the house?" His voice seemed to have broken her out of her thoughts because she quickly shook her head and lifted her eyes to meet his.
"Follow me, we're going two floors up. Neville and Dean are going to be behind you on the staircase. I hope you don't find that too insulting." Her tone of voice suggested she didn't give a rats ass what Draco found insulting, but he smiled anyways.
"On the contrary, I'm flattered you lot think me impressive enough to break out of a military headquarters without my weapon of choice. I mean I guess I could have thrown my leftover porridge in someone's face, but that would be a weak head start, don't you think?" Hermione remained silent as she climbed the stairs but he could have sworn he saw a slight smile as she rounded the corner stair.
They reached the top floor and she went past two doors before opening what he assumed to be his. "Theo helped me set this up, there's a bathroom behind that door in the corner and we picked a room with a window. I'll still be bringing all your meals at the same times. If I have to go out on a mission or battle, it'll be Theo bringing them." She opened the door to his room wider and stepped back into the hallway with Neville and Dean, "I'll let you settle in."
Hermione knocked on the all-too familiar door for the third time that day. It'd been five days since Malfoy moved into his new room and she was already tired of playing mother to the giant toddler behind the door.
"What?" He barked from the other side. She sighed and mustered every ounce of her patience before turning the knob.
"Here's your dinner." She set down the plate at the table they'd put in his room. Honestly she didn't know why he insisted on complaining so much, this was pretty damn nice room if she did say so herself. She and Theo had worked on it for an entire week before Malfoy moved in.
"See you tomorrow Granger." The blonde was sitting on his bed staring at the ceiling.
"What, no snide or sarcastic remark today? It's a pity, you're already losing your touch Malfoy."
"I can promise that if you wanted to, you'd find that my touch is more than capable" He looked away from the ceiling as his silver eyes roamed over her body. Hermione looked away and crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh for fucks sakes Granger calm down, I'm kidding. Who knew two years into this war and you're still as prude as your Hogwarts days?"
"Whatever Malfoy, I don't have time for this. I will see you tomorrow." She slammed the door shut behind her and ran straight into Theo.
"Oh don't tell me he's already learned how to get to you?" Theo stood towering over her, smiling softly, "You can't let him intimidate you love, it's his specialty."
"He's not intimidating, he's infuriating!" Hermione spat, "It's as if he's so bored he just sits there all day thinking of ridiculous comments to throw my way the moment I enter the room.
"Well to be fair, he probably is ridiculously bored. We didn't give him much to do in there."
"Well then order some board games or teach him to play Poker I don't care, I'm sick of this." Hermione huffed as confusion overtook Theo's sharp features.
"Poker?"
She rolled her eyes, "it's a muggle game. Forget it, I'll see you in the morning, I'm going to sleep."
Theo watched her march down the stairs before knocking on Draco's door and then turning the knob. "Back so soon Granger?" Malfoy hadn't looked away from the ceiling.
"Not quite, but can I say, you look positively thrilled to be here Draco." Theo smiled as he closed the door.
"What the fuck do you want Nott?"
"Hermione mentioned you've been bored, I wanted to see if there's something I can do about that."
"Oh good are you going to install a circus in my room? Elephants and all? Really Theo haven't you heard of animal cruelty laws? And you call yourselves the light side."
"Oh for christs sakes Draco enough with the witty remarks, I'm trying to help you here."
"No. You're appeasing your guilt. What would have helped me is if you hadn't turned into a bloody turncoat. It would have helped me to have my best friend remain with the Death Eaters. It would have helped me if you'd been there when I was cast into the inner circle. Trying to find some measly entertainment does not help me. I needed your help two years ago, but I do not need your help or your pity now. Get the fuck out of my room Nott." Draco walked towards his window to look out at a darkly lit London street. The room fell silent and had Draco not been trained for years by one of the most powerful wizards in history, he would have assumed Theo had left. But beneath steady silence of the old carpet and hum of conversation four floors below, he could hear Theo's even breaths.
"How about the library? I can get your room connected to the library, it's right next to you, it won't be hard."
Draco wrapped his hand around his arm, where the mark still burned, "fine."
"Now Mr. Malfoy, we can do this an easier way, if you'd just cooperate with us." Draco looked around the room he'd been taken to. Precious Potter and the girl Weasley sat in the back, with an anxious Hermione sitting next to them.
"I think we all know I'm not going to do this any easy way, so please just get this shite over with." He heard Hermione sigh sadly behind him. He really didn't understand what she'd been expecting.
The Veritaserum snaked its way down his throat, and he felt its effects stretch out towards his fingertips.
"What is your name?" Kingsley sat at the desk in front of him, waiting expectantly.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy." He rolled his eyes and glanced back at his miniature audience. "Inner circle Death Eater who was in Slytherin. Just so we can get those little clarifications out of the way once again."
"Where is Voldemort staying?"
"Oh are you kidding me? Is this going to be a monthly thing where you all somehow hope I suddenly acquire knowledge from my dusty room? I don't know. I didn't know a month ago. I don't know now."
Kingsley's eyes darkened in anger but he did not comment on Draco's attitude. "When did you become a member of the inner circle?"
The blonde tried desperately to keep his lips shut. His face turned red with the effort and once the words slipped out, they were barely audible, "two months after the Battle of Hogwarts."
"Did Voldemort know you worked with Harry Potter to escape the Room of Requirement to survive that battle?"
"No." Draco snarled.
"And if he had?"
"I'd be dead." The words felt like knives diving into Hermione's stomach. She gasped quietly and looked to Harry who had the same shock written on his face.
Kingsley continued on, "Even though you were only trying to survive?"
"Do you know the Dark Lord to be an understanding man?" Cool grey eyes met Kingsley's kind black ones. The answer was plain as day without Draco ever having to speak the words. He'd kept a secret from Voldemort. And he'd been able to make it into the inner circle with that secret intact. That was no ordinary feat, even for an accomplished legilimens.
"What did you have to do in order to join the inner circle?" Draco's entire body tensed. He dug his nails into his thighs to keep his mouth from opening. Nearly five minutes of silence passed before he spoke, "I killed a turncoat."
"Who?"
"Seamus Finnegan. It was discovered he was a spy. I was ordered to torture him for information and then to kill him."
"Finnegan's mother received his arm branded with the dark mark in the mail before being murdered herself, was that you as well?"
Draco looked down at the floor, "yes."
Hermione swiftly got up to leave to room, slamming the door behind her. Draco turned to watch her back disappear before being brought back to attention by Kingsley, "that'll be all for today. Thank you Mr. Malfoy."
"Oh it's always just such a pleasure." He stood to leave the room and found Hermione at the other side of the door.
"Ginny and I will escort you back to your room." She was shaking and refused to meet his eyes. A part of him felt guilty, he knew what it meant to lose a friend and he wouldn't wish it on his worst enemy, even Granger.
"Granger," He began.
"Don't." She interrupted softly. "Fourth floor, second door on the left. Ginny and I will be behind you."
They climbed the stairs in silence, Ginny looking warily between her companions. When they reached his room, Hermione silently closed the door behind him and he heard their retreating footsteps. Didn't they understand he didn't have a fucking choice? It wasn't like he got off on murdering or some shite, it was kill or be killed. Rage boiled inside of his gut, he picked up the bowl that had held his dinner and threw it against the wall, watching it shatter into pieces. On the wall, next to slight mark the bowl had left, was a door that he could have sworn wasn't there when he'd left to be interrogated. Upon opening it, he discovered a room with bookshelves stretching all the way to the ceiling. An old and dusty couch was flanked by two large armchairs. Maybe he'd cut back on the snide comments the next time he saw Nott. Maybe.
I hope everyone likes this chapter! It's a lot of dialogue but that's my favorite thing to write! Anyways please please review, it'll make my day! Thanks!