Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter's characters, though the story is my own.
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Chapter 6: It's a trap
Lavender nodded at Harry while taking some papers into Hermione's office. He walked in following her and greeted his friend, but didn't even get a glimpse from her. She was too immersed in paperwork, frowning slightly and hunching on her desk. "I think it's time you admit you need reading glasses Mione"
"Bite me Potter" That pain in the pit of his stomach hadn't left him for the last week. He wanted to apologize to Malfoy but at the same time he couldn't shake off the feeling of something being wrong, so he avoided him for a week instead. Both of them.
Harry knew that Malfoy was right about him being oblivious as to what was happening in Hermione's life. He had to do something.
"So, how's your week coming along?" Hermione sighed deeply. She couldn't tell him how she had moved back to Rose's bed after 2 sessions with the marriage counselor or how she feared the Christmas's holidays or how something felt wrong when she slept with Ron, and how he seemed oblivious to it. How he didn't see her anymore, how she didn't get what Ron wanted. No, Harry was both of their friends, she had to keep it to herself.
"Normal, yours?" Harry sat down playing with some chord he took from his pocket. "We sent a Howler to James yesterday, it was fun" she giggled, still going through some papers on her desk, making side notes.
"Isn't it scary how much we know about what's happening in our kids' lives? Isn't it creepy? I mean, our parents"-
"Got weekly reports about every mischief we were part of? Yes, it is creepy" She took a sip of coffee, but it was cold. She looked up and without saying a word, Lavender knew she had to fill it up. "Thanks Lav"
"No problem Hermione. You want one Harry?" He refused but thanked her. Hermione went back to her papers once her latte was warm and full again.
"So, I screwed up with Malfoy after you left the other day"
She snorted "Shocker"
"Yeah, well, I was thinking of sending him something"
"As a Sorry I was a dick thing? Good call, he'd love that" Harry clenched his teeth, it was now or never. He cast a non-verbal silencing charm; the last thing he wanted was his suspicious running as the latest gossip all over the building.
"So, I'm thinking a bottle of Firewhiskey. You think a bottle of Abeforths' will do?"
"Not a chance. Try Old Quintus" Harry sighed "Or maybe I should get him a robe, or something. Maybe a tie, he does like muggle clothes"
"Yup"
"So, green tie?"
"Black" Harry's questions kept coming faster and faster. "Or maybe I'll just get coffee and some pastries. What are his favorites?"
"Eclairs" she looked up. Shit, this was a trap and she totally fell for it. Her eyes met Harry's "Since when are you sleeping with him?"
"What?!" She got up and rushed to him. "Yeah, I got the same response from him" She brushed her temples "You asked him if we're having an affair? Who gave you the right to do that?!"
"You still hadn't answered"
"Because there's nothing to answer!"
"Don't give me that crap. He looks at you as if you're the only woman in the world and you know all his tastes. You've been my friend for over 25 years and there's no way you know all that about me!" She stood still, holding her breath.
He was right. She had no idea what Harry's favorite color was, though he favored blue. Nor what his favorite brand of firewhiskey was… well, he didn't drink firewhiskey.
She sat next to her oldest friend. "We're not having an affair. And Draco doesn't see me that way, at all"
"Mione, c'mon. He's "Draco" now, when did that happen?" he got up and paced around the room, running his fingers over his hair over and over again. Shit. Why did he have to ask? Why?
The first name basis had started when she fucked up with Draco, when she wanted to prove to him that he could count on her, that she was truly sorry for what she had said about Scorpius. But then… she did end up kissing him for no reason, and he seemed to have liked it. Seem, right. She was lucky he was a gentleman and didn't take her on his desk right then and there. Shit.
"Okay, he may find me attractive, but we're not having an affair" she looked up at Harry, blocking her mind. He wouldn't dare trying Occlumency, but hey, a girl needed to be careful. He sat next to her again, holding her hands in his. "And do you find him attractive?" She mumbled, what kind of question was that?
"No. Yes. Maybe. Besides the point Harry" She sighed and he gave her hands a little squeeze. "It's not beside the point, you two have something. I can't – I can't explain it Mione, but I don't like where is going"
She made an exasperated noise and got up from the chair, pacing through the room. "What if I like him? Huh? I'm married not blind" she pouted and then crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Don't you dare giving me that look Harry Potter. As if you've never found anyone other than Ginny attractive"
"Don't make this about me!"
"I'm not! I'm just trying to prove a point! The fact that I think he's interesting doesn't mean I'll just go and shag him not giving a damn about my marriage! I thought you knew me better than that" he got up and came near her. She was right, as Malfoy had been last Friday.
"I'm sorry Mione, I just see you and Malfoy together and you're… I dunno, hadn't seen you like that with Ron anymore, not for a long time."
"We're seeing a marriage counselor. I'- I've been sleeping in Rosie's room for most of the month now" He hugged her when she broke in tears. He kept running his hand over her hair and her back until she was ready to keep on talking "Luna thinks he wanted me to be like Molly, but I'm not like that, I'm"-
"You're Hermione Granger-Weasley, and Ron loves you for it"
"Ron wants me to stay home. He hates that I'm still working here. He hates me for keeping my name and for fighting for creatures' rights and for taking this job and for"-
"For being friends with Malfoy" Harry completed the sentence and she nodded. "Can you really blame him?" Hermione looked at Harry with bewilderment in her eyes "Are you defending him? You're a caveman like he is! I can't believe this!" Harry couldn't rush his reply fast enough
"God no, all I'm saying is that it's weird that Malfoy and you grew to be friends. We hated him"
She gestured a no, "No, you hated him, I just called him a ferret"
"Cos he called you filthy mudblood Hermione! You have that to prove it!" he pointed at her scar and her posture changed. She was that fierce less law enforcer from last week, not a tint of emotion in her.
"That was done by his aunt, not him. And we're not 13 anymore, grow the fuck up Harry!" She went back to her desk "Draco has changed, as much as you and me and Ron have. It's wrong to hold someone accountable for their past mistakes when they already repented and paid for them." She looked at him, sadness all over her eyes "He's different, if you could only see that" she sighed.
Harry hated his next words, but… "Hermione, are you in love with Malfoy?" she look up and snorted "No, but he is my friend. Just as you and Luna and Neville" he took a step closer to her, resting on the side of her desk, arms crossed over his chest.
"You'll hate me after this but, do you still love Ron?" she frowned a bit, taking a moment to answer "It gets harder everyday" she paused "I do love him and he does love me too, but I don't think Love's enough anymore" she dried a single tear and cleared her throat slightly.
"And what does he think?" she laid back on the chair, "According to what he said at Dr. Saltzman's office, I'm not taking our family seriously because of my work. Which basically proves what Luna said"
Harry couldn't believe his ears. Could Ron be that closed-minded? "Are you sure that's what he meant? Maybe he"-
"He wants me to be laid back and enjoy life and drop some work. Enjoying weekends testing the latest jokes from the shop or whatnot. I feel like my husband doesn't know me. Who did he marry Harry? He didn't marry a laid back person. I've never been a laid back person, ever. It's not on my DNA"
"Maybe you should try" she took a deep breath "I want him to love me for who I am Harry, for whom I've always been… He doesn't see me anymore… I just… I don't know if he's ever seen me at this point"
He came closer to her and brushed the tears of her cheek, as Draco had done last week. She didn't feel the compulsive need of kissing him though. This was far worse than what she pretended it to be. "Want me to talk to him?"
"Oh no. With your subtlety I'll be divorced by the end of the month if you do that"
"Hey! I resent that" but he gave him a heartfelt smile, which she replied "I'm sorry I yelled"
"I'm sorry I accused you of having an affair" she swallowed slightly "The thought crossed my mind if I have to be honest" and my lips. Okay, scratch that. "See? I knew it"
"But I wouldn't go through it, and neither would Malfoy. He's much better than what you give him credit for"
"I bet" She took a deep breath. "Harry, please. You were clearly testing him last week, c'mon. Didn't he pass? Hasn't he proven to be a good man? Just let it go, it'll never happen okay?"
And those conflicting feelings were back in Harry's chest again. Yes, Malfoy was a good man. Yes, he could be friends with him. Yes, it'd mean a lot to his best friend Hermione if they got along but…
His other best friend would curse him for a week if he were to know that Harry was considering being friends with Draco Malfoy. Draco. Malfoy. Mon ami. Right.
Harry took a deep breath. He couldn't let other people's decisions affect his judgment on a third. He loved Hermione and he loved Ron. He'd need a lot more time to see if Malfoy lived up to what he pretended to be.
They had been working together, their departments helping one another. A silent agreement between them years ago had made that happen. It was time to let go of their Hogwarts years. But friends? That was a long way from now.
Harry sighed "We'll see Mione, we'll" he door burst opened just as an owl was flying by Hermione's large window. The expression on his face didn't speak of good news "Draco what happened?"
As Harry opened the window and the owl flew to her desk a cold shiver run through her spine. "What happened?"
"Sorry to interrupt. It's about the kids" Harry opened the letter for her and read it out loud. Something had happened to Rose, she was in the Hospital Wing. Something was wrong, they don't ask parents to come over if it's a standard thing.
But the owl said nothing "I – I need to get to Hogwarts. How- how, Harry" he took a deep breath "Let's go to the Vanishing Cabinet area, we'll pass the wards and be there in no time"
"I need to go too. Gregory is there as well"
"Goyle?"
"I'm his godfather. His parents are abroad, I'm the emergency contact. And I also got this" he handed over a formal request from the Headmistress, Hestia Jones. This was definitely not good.
Harry took over the situation. "Tell you what. Why don't you guys go ahead and I'll get Ron, we'll apparate here and then I'll get us through the Cabinet, alright?" Draco nodded taking Hermione by the arm. She came back to her desk reaching for her wand and went along Draco.
As they signed the registration papers to go through the cabinet and presented their wands and ministry badges, Draco couldn't help asking quietly, "Crying again?"
Hermione was too nervous about Rosie to remember the tears she shed for her marriage. "What?" The Cabinet operator tested the functionality with a bird, making dull and known moves, showing how tired of his work he was. Hermione frowned at Draco's question "What you mean?"
He brushed her face with care, drying one lonely tear that was running through her cheek. There it was again, she shiver, her heart skipping a beat. The worker told them it was safe to come through, that they Cabinet was located just outside the Gatekeeper's cottage and that they'll have to present themselves once there again, stating their names clearly, otherwise they'd be locked in the room, facing a lot of wands.
"I recommend you to close your eyes and hold your breath to avoid a turned stomach Mrs. Granger. You too Mr. Malfoy" he sighed "I remember how it works, thanks Donovan" the man nodded as he helped Hermione in.
Draco walked right behind her. This place was too small for both of them and as the door was shut, it was pure darkness. She found herself closing her eyes almost instantly, pressing her head against Draco's chest. Soon enough she felt his arms around her and his forehead on the top of her head. His cologne was intoxicating and his heart was beating so fast. "Draco?"
"Yes?"
"How bad is it?"
"They don't know, but it was a potion. And I'm the best with those. They'll be fine" She looked up even though they couldn't really see anything, still, she could feel his agitated breath in her skin "You promise?"
"I promise"
The door was opened on the other side. A thin brunette with a classical Slytherin smirk was waiting for them. "Mrs. Weasley. Mr. Malfoy. Please state your names and present your wands there"
They nodded "Mrs. Weasley, are you still dizzy?" Pansy lifted an eyebrown "No, why?"
"Mr. Malfoy you can let go of her now" Hermione blushed as she turned around to present her wand and sign another record. Pansy mouthed to Draco things like Oh My God! Granger? REALLY? to which he answered with a cold stare "Where are the children?"
"Hospital wing of course. This way please" she hid her half smirk from Hermione as they walked through the field towards the Hogwarts building. Hermione's heels weren't the brightest shoe option for a day in the country, so she took them off. "How are they Miss Pankinson? What happened?"
"Miss Weasley and Mr Goyle were working on a potion's assignment, doing some paperwork for extra credits. Only, now it seems it wasn't just paperwork. Or maybe it was and they were fed with a potion. We don't know"
"You don't know?" Draco's tone was less than friendly "We're retracing their steps, they're not awake. We've tried… well we've tried everything we could think of"
"How long have they been like this?" Hermione's tone was between desperate and outraged, Draco grabbed her by her elbow and she took a deep breath. Thankfully, Pansy was walking in front of them. "6 hours give or take. We sent you the owl an hour ago, the phone's signal stopped working yesterday"
"And you didn't think of calling the phone company to have it repaired? What"-
"Hermione, calm down. We're here now. I'll fix this" Pansy couldn't believe what she was hearing and seeing. Miss Self-righteous know-it-all was all touchy feely with her Draco. What has this world come to?
"Please wait here, I'll be back in a minute" Pansy signaled to some chairs outside the Hospital Wing. Hermione started blowing some rebellious curl over her eye while cursing slowly "Why aren't they letting us in?! My daughter's in there!"
He adjusted the rebellious lock behind her ear taking a second too long as his thumb touched her cheekbone. "I'll figure out what's happening to them in no time, trust me" her hand was somehow in his, entwined fingers speaking louder than the thousand voices in both of their heads.
Pansy came back out "You can come in now", and as they went through the doors, Draco felt a little fist on his rib cage and a little voice saying something into his hear "You better catch me up later, you hear?"
He cleared his throat and kept walking. He needed to talk yes, but not to Pansy.
But not now. Now his godson and her daughter needed his help. His talk with Hermione could wait.
