Hello again, my dears! Thank-you for reviewing, it makes me really happy and fuels my imagination! Also, I found out recently, as I was uploading this, that I can reply to reviews. Had no idea this was doable, my bad.
Anyway, I enjoyed writing this one, always fun to write the 'nasty' characters ;)
Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, not now, not ever.
Year 1997, October
The Dungeons
Midnight was quickly approaching and Hermione had one final place to check before calling it a night. She had started rounds about an hour ago and sleep was beginning to get to her. Ever since she had been appointed Head Girl, she had learned a whole new meaning to the word exhausted. She was responsible for all the other prefects, responsible for their rotas, responsible for the other students, responsible for her own studies and she also had to keep an eye out for the Carrows and other suspicious activities that would lead to the injury or harm of her and other Muggleborns and Half-bloods. On top of that, she had promised Harry and Ron to keep an eye out for useful information that could be helpful to the Order. She also aided with some research at the library that would make the hunt for the damn Horcruxes slightly less complicated. Yes, exhausted was an understatement.
And on top of all that, she was angry. She was very angry.
After what happened last year, Harry and Ron decided to skip their seventh year to begin looking for the Horcruxes. And she had wanted to go with them. She truly did. But they did not agree with that.
"Why the hell not?" she had asked.
"Hermione, we need you at Hogwarts. There needs to be someone capable enough to help McGonagall prevent its dismay." Harry calmly explained "Besides, we will need all the information we can get about where Voldemort could have hidden the Horcruxes."
"And that is exactly why I need to go with you. You and I both know who's got the brain in our little group. You need me." She countered.
"And the other students need you more. Hogwarts needs you more. And you being made Head Girl is the living proof of that. You can still help us with research and information. You can still help the Order. It is not like you are just going to sit around on your butt."
Harry was trying to lighten the situation, but Hermione was having none of it. The three of them were currently sitting at The Leaky Cauldron, drinking a round of Butterbeer. The Pub was practically empty, not many wizards venturing to go outside after what happened. Voldemort was truly back and the change was tangible. And Hermione was feeling offended by all of this. They needed her and they wanted to leave her behind. She could not wrap her head around the situation.
She took a sip of her Butterbeer, not wanting to look at either of them.
"Hermione, please. Don't be upset." Ron pleaded, reaching for her hand across the table.
"I'm not upset. I'm dismayed at your doleful suggestion." She replied, taking another sip, a large frown across her features.
Ron looked at her inquisitively, not fully understanding some of her vocabulary, but she took him no mind and continued drinking her beer, almost hoping for the alcohol to dope her senses so she didn't have to feel so betrayed.
"Please understand. It will be dangerous, it will be –"
"I'm fully aware of the hazards Harry and I'm fully capable of handling myself." She furiously retorted, slamming the mug on the table.
"That is not what I mean..."
"What did you mean then? That I'm not as skilful as you? That I would slow you down? Hardly. I always came through and you know that. So if the problem is the danger of it, save me the condescending act. I know how it is. I've read the memo."
"I'm not saying you are not capable, Hermione! You are an amazing witch, a brilliant one! You are the brightest witch of our age and I will never question that." He clarified, looking at her pleadingly "And that is exactly why I need you at Hogwarts. I need to know what is happening over there and I need your help."
"You have Professor McGonagall for that. Let her be your spy." She said, not caring how immature she sounded.
"McGonagall will have a lot on her plate with Snape and the Carrows. We need someone near the other students, near the Slytherins, near Malfoy."
"I'm not going near Malfoy, Harry. Fucking forget it."
"I'm not asking you to be around him. I'm just asking you to keep an eye on things." He said, looking at her through his glasses "Please, Hermione. Please understand that."
"I don't want you near fucking Malfoy either, but if there is anyone who can stop something really bad from happening to the other students and Hogwarts, that someone is you." Ron complied.
Hermione looked at them fully. They were looking back at her, practically begging her to comprehend their vision.
In the long run, she knew they had a point. She could not deny how proud she felt when she knew she made Head Girl, even if it was just for a little while, before realizing how things would be completely different this year. Snape was Headmaster and the Carrows would be teaching there as well. Also, Malfoy had been allowed to return to the school and was still a fucking prefect. How was that even possible, Hermione had no idea, but she knew Hogwarts wasn't going to be the same and it pained her so much to know that.
Hogwarts was like home to her. It was a place that meant safety and magic and friends and light.
That place was now surrounded by darkness.
"Please?"
Harry pleaded with her again. She took a last sip of her drink before hesitantly nodding, coming to the conclusion that theirs minds were already made up, long ago. She agreed, but that didn't mean that she wasn't angry at them or that she would forgive them just as easily. She just agreed for the greater good in the greater scheme of things.
She was angry but, Merlin, she was going to miss them.
And that is exactly how she felt right now, patrolling these damn, cold dungeons.
She missed them, deeply.
She had received a letter from them this morning that quickly dissolved itself after she read it. Apparently, their task was turning out to be much harder than they thought and they had already been in immediate danger for about three times this past week. Merlin, why hadn't she gone with them? Instead she was stuck here, trying her best to protect who needed protection and researching insanely, trying to find out anything that would help them out there. Her mind was full of information, but none of it helpful enough. And on top of all that, there was Malfoy.
She scowled.
After what happened two weeks ago, at the Astronomy Tower, she almost never saw him. If she could make a guess, she would say that he was avoiding her. And avoiding other people in general. The only times she saw him was in class and he'd normally sit in the back, far away from her and everyone else or at prefect meetings, where he would usually group up with the other Slytherins who paid no mind to what she said. She was thankful for that. Every time she did see him her heart would leap fearfully and she would instinctively reach for her wand, not wanting to be caught unsurprised.
He had scared her. He had truly scared her. Malfoy had clearly changed and long gone was the boy she used to know. He had become something she didn't understand and Hermione hated not understanding things. But Malfoy had turned into somewhat of a puzzle, a dangerous puzzle and she did not wish to put the pieces together, even if her curiosity almost demanded it.
Curiosity killed the fucking cat, Hermione. Remember that.
And why had he broken down like that? Draco Malfoy crying. If she hadn't seen it herself, she would have never believed it. She knew he had sometimes been a pretty, cowardly, sissy boy, always threatening people, making use of this father status and name and, sometimes, he would sniffle a bit. But this time it was different. He was sobbing so hard, like he was in so much pain. And the mumbling… he was acting like a mad man. What happened to the proud Malfoy that would stroll these corridors head high, smirk on his face? Since the incident, he mostly kept to himself. She had seen him with the other Slytherins. His smirk was still there, as well as his arrogant and snobby attitude, but it all seemed so… fake. Like it was an act. Like he just doing it to get through his days. And why was he up at that tower? Was he gloating about the fact that the greatest wizard that ever lived had died there and it was all thanks to him? Did he want to be alone? Or was he actually regretting what he did? Merlin, she had no idea.
She had decided not to mention this particular incident to anyone, not Ginny or Neville, nor Harry or Ron. In her response to their letter she mentioned Malfoy as being "same old, same old". She knew if they knew, they would get worried and they needed to focus one hundred percent on their task. Besides, she could handle Malfoy, even if he had become some kind of perilous Death Eater. She could deal with him. And the best way to do that was to always be on alert and avoid him as much as possible, something he was already doing himself, which was good. She would still keep an eye on him, at a clear distance. And if he did truly regret what he had done… well, she wanted to believe that it was not too late for that, but faith seemed to be lacking inside these walls lately.
She had reached the end of her path, noting nothing out of the usual. Almost no one would loiter down here, too afraid of Snape or the Carrows and the Slytherin students. Besides, this place could give everyone the willies. She sighed, looking at her wrist watch for the exact time and it was quarter pass midnight. Yap, time to finally go to her bed and try to get a good night's rest, before one more hectic day tomorrow.
She turned around to go back when something caught her eye, further down the hallway. Someone was there. The lights in the Dungeons were usually dim at this time of night, all to make it that much creeper she would say, so her vision was reduced, but she could clearly make out a shadow at the far end of the corridor.
"Lumos!"
Her wand shone with a bright light, illuminating her path as she neared the stranger. It was a person. She could make out the shape of a body.
It was past curfew, so no one was supposed to be out of bed at this hour, except for maybe a professor. She inwardly wished it wasn't one of the Carrows. They had it in for her and she knew it. Carefully, she walked forward in the person's direction, her wand not seeming to intimidate whoever was wandering about at this hour. As she got closer she noticed that the person was facing her direction, as if waiting for her.
She gulped.
Don't be afraid Hermione. You can do this. You are Head Girl and this school still has rules that need to be fulfilled.
She gathered her Gryffindor courage and continued, head on, her wand leading her way. Whatever or whoever it was, she could deal. And as she took one final step, the light in her wand shone on the stranger's face and Hermione's scowl deepen.
Just her luck. Slytherin.
"Zabini." She acknowledge harshly.
"Why, Granger. Fancy seeing you this evening." The dark skinned boy smiled darkly, looking past the light in her wand.
"It's a bit past evening, don't you think? No one is allowed outside after curfew. What are you doing here?" she asked, lowering her wand, the dim lights being enough for now.
"Well then, it's a good thing we are not outside." He replied, the dark smile still plastered on his face.
"Don't get smart with me, Zabini. You know perfectly well what I meant."
"Oh Granger, I wouldn't dare to outsmart you. You are the brightest witch of our age and our Head Girl. It would be silly of me to even try."
"What are you doing here?" she inquired, ignoring his previous answer.
"Out for a walk, I guess. I was in need of some fresh air." He said indifferently, something in his nails catching his eye.
"It is a little late for walks. You could have waited until morning."
He replied with a small humpf and shrugged his shoulders.
Hermione did not know much about Zabini other than the fact that his mother was a seven time widow and that he mostly kept to himself, barely associating himself with the other Slytherins. She had seen him around Malfoy, Parkinson and Nott a few times, but he would regard everyone else with disdain and contempt. She knew his family held high definitions for what it meant to be a Pureblood and how he was even talking to her was a mystery. Blaise was well known for his prejudice against Muggleborns and Half-bloods. She did not know if he had any association with Death Eaters or Voldemort, for that matter. And part of her didn't want to know.
Blaise seemed to disregard her as he kept looking at this nails, in search for any imperfections.
Arrogant idiot.
"That will be 10 points from Slytherin. Now, go back to your dormitory Blaise." Hermione said.
He looked at her, his expression unreadable.
"Why would I let a Mudblood tell me what to do?"
Hermione inhaled deeply, her hand gripping her wand tighter "Careful Zabini or this little stroll is going to get you detention."
He chuckled softly then, his small eyes turning into tiny half-moons.
"Oh, Granger! You really don't get it do you?" he asked, that stupid smile still on his face "I'm a Slytherin. I don't get detention. At least, not anymore. What do you think the Carrows would do if they found out you were giving their favourite students detention?"
"I'm not scared of the Carrows or Snape, or anyone for that matter. Now, go back to your dormitory Zabini before I really do get serious."
"Well you should be, Granger." He replied, his smile turning into another dark smirk.
"I should be what?"
"Scared."
His eyes had this crazy feel to them as he was looking straight her, grinning sinisterly. Hermione tried to hold back the fearful leap in her heart. Had everyone in Slytherin turned into a dreadful fool?
"Alright Zabini, that is enough. Just go back to your dormitory." she said, not letting him affect her.
"I already told you that no fucking Mudblood is going to tell me what to do." He repeated, coming closer to her. He wasn't all that tall, but his posture had turned menacing.
Hermione tried to keep calm as she took a step back "Twenty points from Slytherin for disrespecting the Head Girl, plus detention with Professor McGonagall."
He laughed again, still advancing on her, until her back hit the corridor's wall.
Brilliant.
Hermione was quick on her feet and drew out her wand again, pointing it at the dark-eyed Slytherin. He seemed unaffected by it and continued his advances, but Hermione was taking no chances tonight, the night at the Astronomy Tower flashing through her mind.
"Petrificus Tota –"
"Expelliarmus."
Hermione gasped as her wand fell straight into Blaise's hand. She had not noticed him drawing his own wand. Confusion filled her features. How did he…
"Unlike you, Granger, I am no stranger to wandless magic. You can get that annoying look off your face, now." He told her calmly, as he played with her wand.
"Give me back my wand, Zabani." She crossly retorted, still trying to slow down her fast beating heart.
"Hmm, let me think." He faked ponderation for a moment, before replying "Uh, no."
"I mean it, Blaise. You are this close to expulsion!"
"Must I repeat everything to you? We don't get detentions and we certainly aren't going to be expelled. And here I was thinking you were smart. It seems Mudbloods are really just dumb, obnoxious creatures after all." he said, as he hovered over her, her wand still dancing on his fingers.
Hermione was beginning to run out of options. She pondered just running away, far away from this other crazy Slytherin, but she needed her wand. What if something happened? What if the school was attacked? She could try and get it some other time, some other way, but she would be kidding herself if she believed in that scenario.
Blaise was still playing with her wand, looking at her, that fucking smirk on this face. She knew about his biases and preconceptions, she knew he was pretty much against everything that had to do with Muggleborns and Half-bloods, but to act it out like this… He was usually so reserved, so quiet. Had he finally taken his part on the other side? Had he accepted the same fate as Malfoy? Had he joined Voldemort in his absurd crusade?
"Oh, Granger, please stop thinking. You look like you are about to explode."
"Give me back my fucking wand!"
"I didn't know you could curse, Mudblood." He laughed, now completely near her "Who knew, Mudblood Granger had such a potty mouth?"
"Beats being a Slytherin dickhead, with a poor excuse for a mother and a pitiful lineage." She replied, not letting her fear get the best of her.
His laughter died completely, his expression going from amused to sombre in seconds. Hit a nerve did she? It seemed all Slytherins had some kind of soft spot for their family and ancestry. Hermione was quickly learning that and making use of it every time she could. Although, now might not have been a very good time. She didn't know who she was dealing with. Malfoy was different. She already knew what he was capable off, or at least, she thought she knew. With Zabini, she was completely in the dark.
"I'd watch your mouth if I were you." He warned her darkly, his stare almost burning wholes on her skull.
"Is that a threat?"
He grinned wildly "Believe me when I say it is. It definitely is."
His free hand came up to grab her neck forcefully, pushing her further into the wall. Her body slumped against it with a 'thump', the back of her head hitting the stone. She gasped in pain, her vision blurry and her hands quickly tried to push him away, but his fingers were slowly digging into her throat, cutting off her air supply.
She gasped again, trying to gulp in some air, but his grip was too fierce. Her lungs constricted, no oxygen coming in.
No, no, no, this is not happening. No, no, no, not again.
She was desperately trying to breathe, while Blaise kept her there, this wild, evil grin plastered on his face.
He was enjoying this.
He was enjoying this so much.
How on earth was this possible? Since when did all these students began turning into potential murderers? Was this the true power of Voldemort? To turn even the most reserved, quiet man into a crazy, vice killer? Was this the power of Dark Magic? Was this how it was all going to end?
Hermione clawed him, trying to pry his hand away but he wouldn't budge. She tried to kick him, but found out her legs had been bound to the wall. Her neck was getting sore, her vision getting dizzy. She was struggling so hard to get air into her lungs.
Oh, Merlin. Harry, Ron, Ginny, someone. Someone help me. He is going to kill me. I'm going to die here. Please, anyone!
"Not so high and mighty now, are we Granger? That's right. This is where you belong, Granger. Right here, being crushed under my fingers." He told her "That's it. Die you fucking Mudblood bitch."
No, no! Please, anyone! No!
Her body was starting to feel numb, black spots in her vision. Her face felt red. Was it red? Tears were filling her eyes. Merlin, this was it. Her lungs were hurting so much. She felt herself about to faint. No. Don't black out on me now. Stay awake. Fight.
She clawed again, her nails drawing blood on his skin. Her legs wouldn't move. Her mouth was open, despairing for air. She was panicking, her body shaking, her eyes closing. And he just laughed. He was laughing. He was laughing at her death. He was –
"Well, what do we have here?"
That voice. She knew that voice.
Her eyes were getting heavy, her ears muffled. But that voice. She knew that voice. Blaise heard it two and his laughter died again as he glared to his left. His grip seemed to loosen a bit, probably because of the source of the distraction, but his hand remained around her throat.
She took a deep breath, the lovely oxygen filling her lungs once again.
She coughed, the lack of air being too much and tried to breathe normally again, the colour returning to her face. Her hands remained on his, her body feeling too weak. She was panting, panting for air, panting of distress, panting for someone, anyone, that could take him off her. Was that person here to help her or simply to watch the show?
"What are you doing here Malfoy? Get the fuck away." Blaise seethed, his gaze turned to the blonde.
Malfoy.
Hermione glanced at the direction of Blaise's stare and there he was.
Malfoy.
He had his arms crossed in front of his chest, that annoying smirk on his face. He seemed to be enjoying the view, clearly.
She gulped again, the feeling returning to her legs. Malfoy. He wasn't even looking at her, his gaze directed at the other Slytherin who currently had his hand wrapped around her neck. She noticed Blaise didn't seem too keen on being interrupted, even if it was by one of his supposed peers.
"Feisty tonight aren't we, Zabini? Whatcha ya doing there? Has Granger been naughty?"
Blaise smirked as well, returning his attention to the witch in his hands "Something like that, yes. I was teaching her about respect. Got a bit carried away."
"I can see that. Never seen her so pale in my life." Malfoy observed, taking in her appearance.
Hermione was now extremely anxious. This was not good. Here she was, far down in the Dungeons, with two Slytherins who hated her guts. This was bad. This was very bad.
"It kind of suits her, not that she will ever be able to clean of the filth." Blaise said, analysing her face. His grip tighten some more and the pain returned to her neck. Hermione gasped again, her own hands tightening as well. Blaise began to chuckle once more, with a sadistic smile "Merlin, Granger. You are so fragile. It's fucking pathetic."
"I'm pathetic?" she rasped, coughing slightly "The only reason you are even touching me is because you have my wand! Too much of a chicken to face me in a proper duel!"
"Keep your mouth shut, you Mudblood whore!" Blaise growled as his hand began constricting her airway again.
Oh, Merlin no!
Hermione began to feel the lack of oxygen, her eyes almost rolling out of their sockets.
"Blaise, as much as I like seeing Granger in pain, you really need to stop now."
Blaise looked at Malfoy once again "Why the fuck would I do that? She's dirt, she's filth. She's better off dead anyway."
"She is dirt and she is filth. She is also the Dark Lord's to kill." Malfoy explained, as if he were telling this to a five year old. "So now, be a good little Death Eater and let her go."
"Don't patronize me, Malfoy. The Dark Lord will be happy that she is gone."
"Voldemort wants her for himself, as he wants every one of those fucking wankers she calls friends." Malfoy said again "Do you really want to test his patience? If he knows she died before he could get his hands on her, you can kiss your fucking black arse goodbye."
"You're one to know about that, aren't you Malfoy? You sure did test his patience up on that tower."
Malfoy's stare turned deadly, his arms coming to rest at his sides, his posture turning menacing.
"Don't test me, Zabini."
Blaise laughed "You don't scare me Malfoy. If it were up to me, you'd be dead by now. You are a fucking humiliation."
Hermione didn't even saw it coming, but Blaise had barely finished the sentence and his hand had, almost miraculously, fallen from her neck. His whole body left her and she could finally take a deep breath.
Her hands came up to her throat, massaging the soreness and she coughed hard. Her ears hurt and her eyes were fresh with new formed tears.
She managed to lean against the wall, too weak to stand on her own and as she recomposed herself, thankful for the oxygen, Blaise's screams echoed through the dark corridor. His body was on the floor, in front of her, constricting in pain. His eyes were closed, his mouth filled with these roaring, excruciating screams. And standing next to him, wand in his hand, stood Draco Malfoy. She didn't even hear him cast the curse, but she was sure what curse it was.
She kept gasping and coughing, one hand holding the wall to support her. She noticed her wand had left Blaise's hand and was lying next to him. She thought about reaching for it, hex them both and finally get away from all of this, but she was sure her legs weren't working properly.
"Crucio."
Malfoy said it again and Blaise yelled harder, as if his body was suffering from these invisible electric shocks. He kept rolling and constricting about on the floor, his screams almost too painful to bear. Hermione feared he might die from the pain, but Malfoy seemed pretty unaffected by it, like he was used to seeing it on a regular basis. Hermione didn't even want to think why and how.
"Malfoy…"
He didn't hear her, his attention stuck on the boy yelping and shivering on the floor. His wand was still pointed at Blaise and his eyes were frenetic, they were wide open. He was enraged, his mouth almost snarling. He looked like he was, again, debating with himself, trying to figure out what he was doing or what he would do next, not caring that a fellow Slytherin was on the ground trying to make it through the pain that he had caused. And he was going to curse him again.
"Cru-"
"Malfoy!"
Draco looked up at the sound of his name, the curse dying on his tongue.
She was leaning against the wall, one hand supporting her weight and the other soothing her neck. She looked terrified as she stared at him. She was still panting, as if she had run a marathon and her knees were wobbly. Still, even looking terrified, there was a hint of determination in her face. A hint of bravery and resolve.
Damn you, Granger and your fucking Gryffindor courage.
He looked down at Blaise, who was currently trembling at his feet. The screams had stopped, but his eyes were still closed, his body curled up into a ball. He couldn't say he regretted what he did, but this whole situation could have been avoidable if Blaise would stop being such a fucking twat. He didn't mean to Crucio him, not really. But he couldn't allow for Blaise to talk shit about him. He had to show him that cowardly Malfoy was no more. He was a Death Eater now. They both were. And Blaise had to show his respect. And if showing respect meant being cursed by Malfoy, then that was exactly what he had to do.
But that was not all. Part him knew why he did what he did.
What he had said was true. Voldemort did want Granger for himself. He was sadistic and vicious like that. So, why Blaise was here trying to off Granger in the first place, made no sense to him. He imagined the dark skinned wizard had snapped at some point. Blaise may be quiet and reserved, but those were usually the ones who were the most dangerous and nasty. He knew he hated Granger with passion, just like Draco hated her himself. But to try and kill her?
Well, that wasn't exactly something so uncommon, was it? He had tried to do the same thing two weeks ago. He thought about it. He seriously wanted to, just to get her to shut up, to stop existing; just to shut up that voice in his head, to finally prove to himself that he wasn't a coward. Yes, he had wanted her dead. So, if that was the case, why did he save her just now?
Voldemort did want her for himself, but if Blaise showed up with Granger's head, he'd doubt there would be any problem. Sure Voldemort might sulk a bit, but in the end, he'd realize that the Mudblood bitch was dead and he'd have a party. And that was the honest truth and Malfoy knew that… and yet, he saved her.
Blaise's shivering had finally subsided, but he was still on the ground. Draco guessed he may have fainted. Hmm and he was the humiliation? Come on. It was just two simple Cruciatus curses. Anyone could handle that.
"Malfoy…"
He looked at her again, as she struggled to keep straight. At least she seemed to be breathing normally again. His wand was still in his hand and the thought to end the deed crossed his mind. Wouldn't that be so simple? To end it?
He'd been avoiding her ever since that night. Ever since he tried to end her life and she saw him cry about it, afterwards. He cried because was fed up with it, all of it. He cried like a baby and she saw it. He was afraid she would taunt him, humiliate him, use that information to denigrate his image even more, but she had kept quiet. He wondered if she had told her Gryffindor buddies or even McGonagall or Snape, but he assumed she did not. He was still breathing and no one had approached him with the promise of a beat up. She avoided him as well, not really looking at him. Maybe he had really scared her. Good. Maybe now, she'd understand that she wasn't dealing with same Malfoy from years ago. She was dealing with this new Malfoy, this Slytherin turned Death Eater, who tried to murder Dumbledore. Maybe she'd finally realise that he was no boy anymore, that he was dangerous.
Hermione stared back at him, his eyes looking straight through hers. Blaise was immobilized, but Malfoy still had his wand and he could use it on her at any second now. If he truly was thinking about that, she had to try and reason with him. She was still confused as to why he prevented Blaise from hurting her, but if he was telling the truth about her being some sick prize for Voldemort, she wasn't safe right now and she desperately needed to recover her wand and flee.
"What, Granger?"
She tried not to stutter with the words "Are you… Are you going to…"
"Kill you?" he asked.
She kept looking at him, her eyes big and wide.
She was scared.
Good.
But, no Granger. I'm not going to kill you. I want to. I want really want to. But I won't.
"No." he answered finally, putting his wand back into his robes.
She relaxed a bit, still guarding his every move. Malfoy moved passed Blaise and reached for her wand on the floor. Oh, Merlin, no! How could she have been so stupid! And you call yourself smart, Hermione!
She tried to reach for it first, feeling much stronger, finally being able to stand on her own two legs but he was quicker. He took it from the floor and she backed up again, against the wall, wondering what his next move was going to be. And it shocked her when he simply handed it to her.
"You should be more careful, Granger. Hogwarts is not safe anymore." He said as she accepted her wand back.
He then turned around and performed a simple Levicorpus on Blaise. The dark haired wizard, was then rushed into the air by his ankle, still not waking up. That Cruciatus seemed to have gotten to him, badly.
"Maybe we should get Madame Promfey." she suggested, still holding her wand, just in case.
Malfoy turned back to look at her like she was insane. Zabini had just tried to kill her and she wanted to take him to the Infirmary? Was she nuts? No wonder you are getting yourself closer to being killed, Granger.
"He'll be fine. Not that it should matter to you, Granger. Or maybe you like these near death experiences and want to do it again. Never took you for a masochist."
Hermione didn't reply, as she observed Blaise hovering in the air, unconscious.
Honestly, she had no idea why she'd suggest such a thing, even after all that happened. It was like there was this big part of her that still believed that they were merely students that like to bully other people. And if they were bullies, bullies still deserved the minimum of healthcare. They were still human beings after all… Weren't they?
Malfoy sighed, not really knowing what to do. He knew Blaise would come out of it eventually and he would be furious. But he could deal with furious Blaise. He wasn't sure that Hermione could though. And that should make him happy. He should thrive on that information. But he didn't. Fucking, Granger. Always looking out for everyone, with those damn puppy dog eyes and motherly stare and luscious lips and –
Ok, that was his queue to leave.
He quickly turned around and began to walk away, Blaise flying behind him.
"Why didn't you let him kill me? Am I really a prize to Voldemort?"
He stopped, his back still facing her. Don't say anything Draco. Just keep moving, walk away.
She hadn't meant to ask. She didn't want to know. Except that she did. Draco Malfoy had just stopped another supposed Death Eater from killing her and that confounded her in so many ways, she thought she might explode just thinking about it. She was curious about it and right now, she couldn't give a damn if the fucking cat got killed.
He seemed to think about his answer before replying with a simple "No."
And then he began to walk away again, her attempted murderer following his suit. And Hermione could only stare as they disappeared into the Dungeons.
We are getting closer and closer to the big day, where we will find out Malfoy's true intentions! Thank-you again for all your support!
Hope you are having a fantastic day, wherever you are :)
