Alrighty! Here is chapter 8. Enjoy.
Ephraim
Chapter 8 – Plum and grey
Hermione's POV.
4th of October
Hermione awoke to a comfortable and sunny Sunday morning. The now familiar business of the street and the smell of fresh food flew to the half opened window, the gauzy lilac curtains floating mid-air. She mumbled and shifted her feet so they didn't stick out in the cold. Beside her, Draco grumbled at the movement and snuggled closer, cheek pressed against Hermione's neck. Hermione snorted before curling back in the cover, amused by her roommate's sleeping habit. Who would have thought that Draco Malfoy was a toucher? He liked contact more than he liked to admit.
Ah, yes, the sleeping arrangement.
It just so happened that the house they were supposed to be living had been unknowingly sold and was now housing a nice wealthy family of seven muggles. So Draco and Hermione had left the countryside and went to Paris. She had been ecstatic. Paris was so beautiful in autumn. Draco had pulled some strings with Parisian wizards he knew around and had found them a nice flat. It was not too big but of a decent size considering they were downtown. They were situated at the corner of Avenue de la Bourdonnais and Rue de Monttessuy, very close to the Eiffel tower. If Hermione stood on the balcony, she could see it towering over the bloc the other side of the street. Now the only issue with the place was that there was only one bedroom. It had a queen sized bed big enough for both of them, but Draco had slept the first two nights on the couch, before complaining about the horrible back pains it was giving him.
They decided to both sleep in the bed and the first night was awkward enough. It was a couple of nights later that Hermione had found out about his sleeping habit. It had annoyed her at first but it had become something almost normal to feel his proximity, however weird that sounded.
They both slept late that day, over ten. Hermione wasn't usually so lazy in the morning but she felt like her body was made of brick. When she left bed, Draco sprawled over it, a little bit of drool at the corner of his mouth. She snickered at the blond and got dressed in muggle attire. She scribbled a quick message for Draco not to worry that she was dead and left silently the flat.
It wasn't the first time she walked in the narrow streets of Paris, but still, she couldn't help the excitement from bubbling.
Draco and she had wandered around wizarding Paris earlier, and they had been stricken to see that it was in as a poor state than the one in Britain. It was now dangerous to go there, so they stayed in the muggle quarters for safety precaution.
News about Voldemort's troops and plans were not easy to find. One thing they did discover, though, was that they were actually wanted. They found posters with their picture plastered all over the Parisian equivalent of Diagon alley. It was quite comical, Hermione thought, that they were painted like dangerous criminals.
WANTED
Undesirable no. 47 Draco Malfoy
Bounty: 18 000 galleons
Deserter, traitor, ally of undesirable no. 06 Hermione Granger
Blood traitor - Very dangerous
Classification XX02 - handle with precaution
Capture on sight. If failure to do so, kill on sight
Last seen with undesirable no. 06 Hermione Granger;
Wizarding London, England
WANTED
Undesirable no. 06 Hermione Granger
Bounty: 27 000 galleons
Ally of undesirable no 01 Harry Potter, enemy
Mudblood - Very dangerous
Classification XX01 - handle with extreme precaution
Capture on sight. If failure to do so, kill on sight
Last seen with undesirable no. 47 Draco Malfoy;
Wizarding London, England
They learned that Hogwarts was now under professor Snape's supervision, and that Beauxbatons had closed since the death eaters had taken part of the country. Death eaters were gaining territory and Harry Potter had yet to be seen. Hermione had tried figuring out where he and Ron could be, but to no avail. There was no way she could possibly find out with the less than minimal information they had on their whereabouts.
Hermione lost herself in her own thoughts and walked aimlessly around the arrondissements, looking in the muggle shops yet not buying anything. Around lunchtime she bought sandwiches in a little café and made her way back to the flat lazily.
She always seemed to forget that Draco Malfoy, although young and sometimes (often) a git, was still incredibly wealthy. One run at the Parisian wizarding bank was enough for them to get money to live, in Hermione's opinion, more than comfortably for a year. Hermione, with all her knowledge about muggles and their ways, was in charge of doing the groceries, yet sometimes she would buy fresh food or warm bread at the little market two streets away.
It was still increasingly funny to see Malfoy struggle with the muggle world. He, who had never taken a muggle studies' class in all his time at Hogwarts panicked and was easily dumbfounded by many mundane things.
The microwave, for once.
She saluted the landlady, a plump, wrinkling yet smiling woman who reminded Hermione of Mrs. Weasley, and climbed the stairs to the flat. She pushed the door pass the threshold and was greeted by the lilac and cream walls and a cozy living room.
She found Draco sipping coffee at the kitchen table.
- I read somewhere that caffeine tempers with your growth.
The blond answered with a non-committal shrug.
- Good afternoon.
Hermine greeted him formally, untying her ponytail and letting the rings of brown hair flow freely.
- Hmm. What did you buy? Asked the blond, suddenly intrigued by Hermione's bag.
- Paninis. Do you prefer chicken and pesto or hot pepper and pork?
Draco gave yet another non-committed shrug and Hermione gave him pork. Non-committed shrugs seemed to be his preferred way of communicating these days. They ate in comfortable silence, the teenagers too engrossed in their meals to care for conversation.
When finished, Draco took upon himself to clean the remains and the stray breadcrumbs. Hermione, while he busied himself with chores, prepared some herbal tea with fresh wild tea and wild mint leaves they grew on the balcony.
- We are going out tonight. Draco dropped casually while folding his napkin.
- Why?
- I contacted an ally. He wants to stay neutral in this war but he has agreed to help us. We'll be meeting him for dinner. He'll bring wands for me to try out and he has information to trade. In exchange of a copious amount of money, of course.
- Why do I have to go? Asked Hermione.
- Because he specifically told me he had something for the, and I quote his words here "lovely miss who is currently living with me".
Hermione frowned.
- How does he know I'm here?
- I don't know. Draco sighed. He's been a friend of my mother's for ages. I think he might have the instinct of a seer or something
Draco spoke cautiously yet Hermione could hear some fondness in his voice. He must have known really well the ally they were meeting.
- A seer? Hermione scowled.
- Ah yes, I heard about your… quarrel, with bloody Trelawney in third year.
- It was not a quarrel. I just don't believe in that unjustifiable and questionable class.
- Imagine it, Draco ignored Hermione's input, this will always be the year when Hermione Granger, supposedly the cleverest witch of her age, abandoned a class. He added with sarcasm.
- You'd do well to remember that it was also the year I punched you.
Draco's grey eyes narrowed at the pique. That was low.
- Yes I remember very well. Though I don't seem to recall that I deserved it.
Now it was Hermione's eyes narrowing.
- You were being an arse, and you got Buckbeak condemned to be beheaded!
- But the bloody bird got away anyways, so why does it matter?!
- It's not the results that matter it's what YOU did to get there, Malfoy!
- It's not MY fault if the blasted chicken went all eagle on me!
- YES IT WAS YOUR FAULT!
- NO. IT. WASN'T!
Voices were rising then, and the two wizards were on each sides of the tables, fiercely looking at each other. Hermione had forgotten how much of an arse Malfoy was back then, and all the memories flooding back were giving her quite the headache. She was on the verge of rounding on Malfoy, and frankly, he looked like he was about to do the same.
Draco huffed, seemingly gulping back the string of curses threatening to seep and took a deep breath.
- No matter. We still have to get to the dinner.
- Okay. She answered coldly, but more calmly than earlier.
- Okay, so you know what it means, right?
- No.
- It means you need suitable clothes. We'll be meeting a pureblood of the highest class. No way we are presenting in those awful muggle jeans.
He scrunched his nose as if the idea was defying reason.
Honestly Hermione didn't know what to expect or think about Malfoy. Looking back at it, he had been an arse for most of their school years, to her friends and to her. But since she had found him in his cell, he was like a different person completely. Of course he still had those moments where Hermione wished nothing more than to punch his perfect face, like the conversation earlier, but Hermione was confused. Should she hate him, befriend him more, be amicable…
Love him?
In the first week after their arrival in France, Hermione and Draco had talked about a lot of things, notably about how Draco had found out about the horcruxes. Apparently his house was equipped with a huge library, and he had, by accident found a book of the dark arts that brushed the subject very lightly. Curious, he had taken to deepen his knowledge in the matter. He had figured things out in a manner that had surprised even Hermione. She forgot often that he was her equal in grades. Draco had then admitted that he had searched for ways to defeat the Dark lord in case his family was in danger, but that the unexpected mission to kill Dumbledore had pushed his project back and he had never found one. In the end he hadn't been able to save his mother.
In the afternoon, as they were much calmer, she let Draco guide her into a wealthy looking shop that sold quality clothes. They were automatically approached by a smiling middle-aged lady.
- Bonjour! Que puis-je faire pour vous?
Hermione was about to tell the lady that she didn't speak French but she was interrupted by Draco's voice.
- Bonjour. En fait elle aurait besoin de quelque chose de convenable pour un diner. Élégant mais simple. Peut-être dans les teintes de… pourpre, ou peut-être bourgogne, plutôt.
- Vous parlez très bien français, monsieur.
- Ah, merci, madame. Donc, je dois également trouver mon complet. Est-ce que je pourrais la laisser entre vos mains?
- Mais bien sûr, monsieur. Est-ce que madame parle le français, aussi?
- Non, alors il faudra lui parler en anglais.
- Sans problème, je serai au comptoir.
Hermione didn't understand a word out of that conversation, but Draco filled her in, saying that she should report to the lady for recommendations and that he needed to get clothes of his own.
- You speak French?
- Yes, I do. My parents made me take classes when I was younger. That and latin. Why? Are you surprised of my knowledge, Granger?
She scoffed at the comment and hit him lightly on the head. All trace of the earlier animosity gone.
- Yes, I thought you were a vegetable. I'm just surprised that you know another language than English, is all.
- I'll be back in about three hours. Please be ready to go by then. I know you girls take an eternity to get ready. There is a hair stylist in the building just across the street, so ask her to take care of all… This.
He had gestured randomly at Hermione's hair with a smirk. He knew her hair had always been a touchy subject. She tried hitting him again but narrowly missed.
He joined the lady at the back of the store and paid an amount Hermione didn't see clearly, but by the way the woman was smiling to her blond roommate, it was quite a lot. He caught her stare and smirked, obviously aware of her thoughts. Wanted blood traitor or not, Hermione had already forgotten that he was still, in fact, a rich pureblood. She rolled her eyes and turned her sight to the racks of clothes.
- I'll see you in an hour.
Harry's POV.
Harry's watch consisted of mainly keeping the fire going and tiredly dozing off a couple of times. They were in the middle of nowhere, there was no actual way that somebody would see them and even more unlikely that that precise person be a death eater.
Ron and he now had the medallion. They hadn't manage to destroy it yet but they were working on it. They had been camping for a while. Well, camping was big word. Let's just say they were surviving in wilderness. This was nothing like camping. They still had no idea about where they could possibly find the next horcruxe. However, the more pressing matter was more about how to destroy the one they presently had. They had no means to do it.
From where he sat, Harry sighed deeply. Ron was sleeping a few paces away and it was the chosen one's time to wear the medallion. It would all be easier if Hermione had been with them. Both of them missed her greatly but it seemed that it was harder on Ron. Harry was not blind, he had seen how he looked at her, and he was well aware that Ron's feeling delved deeper than just friendship towards their bushy haired friend.
Recently, Harry wanted more than anything to go back to his roots; he wanted to visit Godric's hollow. The mystery of Dumbledore's life had been enough to make him want to see his birthplace. Hermione, he was convinced, would have objected strongly against that idea.
Hermione, Hermione, Hermione, where are you Hermione?
Hermione's POV.
In the end, the lady at the store did a pretty good job in Hermione's opinion. It was dark outside but the streets were still full of people and lamps were gently lighting everywhere. Hermione watched as a laughing child ran amok, a lady running after him. Trying to coax him into calming down. Hermione sat just outside the store on a comfortable wooden bench, waiting for Draco to show up. Tourist walked here and there, and Hermione was pleasantly surprised to hear the familiar accents of her country. Muggles. So peaceful here.
Paris had a festive twinge at night. Something that called for smile and a drink between friends. Hermione caught herself hoping that maybe she could come back one day, when the war is over, along with Harry and Ron. Just the three of them, like old times. Just the three of them having fun.
But where would that leave Draco?
Draco's POV
Draco walked with fast, long and steady strides like all Malfoy men did. With his new clothes, he finally felt in his element again. He wondered if his Gryffindor counterpart was finished or if she was still in the store. If she wasn't ready he would have to get them out and about because they would be late to the rendezvous with his contact. Draco turned on the right street and stumbled lightly in his steps. From the distance, he could see Hermione, seated on a wooden bench, illuminated by the street lights.
Draco felt something hit him like a truck. It reminded him of when she had danced with Krum at the Yule ball. Graceful; beautiful. She wore an elegant plum skirt with a cream dress shirt tucked in. Her shoulders were covered with a gauzy purplish and translucent shawl draped fashionably over her small lithe frame. Her hair was casually yet elegantly half pulled up in a golden, flower adorned brooch that looked as expensive as it probably was.
He fixed back his composure, adjusted his tie and walked up the cobblestone path with renewed vigor, stopping a couple of paces from her while she was looking the other side. He tucked his hands in his pockets and waited, smug smile on his lips.
Hermione's POV
Hermione was still in contemplation of her future plan when something at the corner of her eye caught her attention.
Suddenly Draco was standing there, all smug and casual, hands in his pockets with that obnoxious yet slightly playful smirk that screamed fight me. He wore an anthracite English cut suit with notch lapels and darker elbow patches, angle cut cuffs and a classic collar. He wore brown Oxfords to match with his burnt terracotta tie. He was the image of sophisticated and posh, somehow managing to look casual along the way. His hair was perfectly styled sideways, the light undercut she had given him now completely visible.
- Good, you're finished. I thought I was going to have to drag you out.
The blonde's voice cut though her line of thoughts abruptly, and she rolled her eyes before standing up, the movement slightly uncertain because of her heels. Hermione moved a strand of hair out of her eyes.
- You look… fashionable, Malfoy.
- Same to you, Granger.
They exchanged a quiet smile and Hermione blushed a little bit. Because Holy Merlin, Draco Malfoy had just complimented her. The pureblood who swore off mudbloods and all those he deemed inferior to himself had actually acknowledged something about her. It was becoming something that happened more often with each day -they slept in the same bed for God's sake- but it still surprised Hermione each time that Malfoy did something thoughtful.
They walked in comfortable silence until they arrived at the restaurant where they were supposed to meet their ally. Draco held the door for her and briefly addressed the lady at the counter in French, telling her the reservation details. It was clearly a very fancy restaurant. She could see the dress code was severe and that her clothes or Draco's were not out of place in the rich environment. Their table was in a corner near the window, cozily lighted with candles. A waiter immediately came as soon as they had sat and handed them the menu. Not two minutes after they settled, a man came and sat with them.
He was in his mid-fifties, with greying hair and clear eyes behind modern metallic glasses. Much like Draco, he wore a black suit over a burgundy dress shirt. The way he moved revealed a lot of elegance and a practiced confidence. He looked like either an important politician or a lawyer of experience.
- He smiled at Draco and Hermione noticed he carried a metal case.
- Hello Draco. Hermione, nice to meet you!
He extended his hand to Draco, who shook it strongly, and kissed Hermione's.
- My name is Adam Medicius, from the Medicius lineage.
- It's a prominent pureblood family. Malfoy explained. They've been allies of my mother's side of the family for a long time.
- That's right young lady. Now I heard that you two were seeking for information and assets, isn't it? Maybe about one certain green eyed bespectacled boy?
Draco and Hermione nodded and Medicius smiled.
- I can't say that I have a lot. But I do have a thing or two to trade. In exchange for… payment, as agreed.
- Of course. Draco agreed, you know you can count on me.
The older man clasped his hands together and smiled again.
- Then why don't we discuss this while eating?
The meal went well, and Hermione had to admit that the food was very good. It was going pleasantly until Draco had another episode of coughing and promptly left the table, Hermione hot on his tail, worryingly calling out his name. She caught him near the restroom, wheezing coughs and all as he was trying to force air in and out of his lungs. He braced himself on the wall, knuckles white as he clenched his hands into fists. Hermione put a calming hand on the hollow of his lower back and she ran it up and down until the cough subsided. When it was over they stood there for a little while, just enjoying Malfoy's clear breathing. Said blond was slightly disheveled, still heavily leaning on the wall.
Finally he stood and straightened his tie, running a hand in his hair and putting them back into place. Hermione still didn't say anything, she knew better than to aggravate the situation by talking.
- You can go back to the table, I'll be there in a minute.
He said it with his usual rough voice and Hermione was about to object, saying that she could very well wait for him but the blond shot him a look straight from hell, daring her to go against his will. Hermione wanted to stay and watch over him but Draco spoke again, this time softer.
- Really Granger, I'm fine. Go back, your food will get cold.
He pushed her lightly towards the hall and Hermione playfully shoved him back, earning a small smile and a wave. She walked back to their corner, where Medicius was still diligently seated and enjoying his meal. He lifted his head and smiled when Hermione sat back down smoothing her hands over the fabric of her skirt. The young witch dug back into her unfinished meal. Medicus watched her curiously, hands folded neatly under his chin.
- Miss Granger, how would you describe the relationship between Draco and you?
Hermione spluttered in her glass and almost spit out her water, recovering at the last second and ending up coughing.
- I beg your pardon?
- I'm not judging or anything! If all, I find it adorable, that you two are an item.
Hermione blushed so hard, Ron's hair would have been proud of the colour.
- We aren't… We're not… Hmm.
- Oh! Said Medicius with a giggle. My apologies. I just assumed… It's just that you two look very close.
Hermione awkwardly went back to her meal and Medicius laughed silently to himself.
It wasn't very long before Draco came back, looking refreshed and seemingly breathing correctly. He smiled at the two before taking his place next to Hermione, who was still a little weirded out by the 'couple' incident with Medicius.
- So, Draco, you told me you were searching for a new wand?
- Yes. Mine was lost in the way here.
Medicius hummed and thanked the waiter as he came to take the finished plates out of the way.
- I brought some over, so if you want to try one or two discreetly, I'm sure you could find your match.
He told the slytherin while putting the wooden case he had brought with him on the table.
Medicius had brought about ten wands with himself and Malfoy was at his fourth when he found the one who would become his new wand. He took the handle and automatically smiled that warm smile of his that Hermione found endearing.
- I think this one matches me.
- Good, replied the older wizard. I was afraid that you wouldn't find one in those I brought.
He promptly produced a smaller wooden case and extracted a piece of paper.
- This one is 13 inches exactly, with a slightly yielding flexibility. It's acacia wood and phoenix feather core.
Malfoy looked surprised for a moment.
- It's completely different from my old one!
- Maybe it's because you are different too. Answered Medicius with a smile.
Medicius had very little to say about the situation up in England. Ever since the death eater had taken territory near London, the barriers were getting thicker and it was getting even more difficult to leave the country. Surveillance was heavier than ever.
- What about Harry Potter? Inquired Hermione.
Medicius looked around and shrugged.
- We don't know. Nobody knows. He was spotted in London for the last time, and it has been a while. Now the Dark lord had his minions searching for him everywhere. The word in the ranks is that he's in hiding.
- And Hogwarts?
- Death eaters as teachers, Snape is the new headmaster, so basically, you know who has complete control over the school. He keeps his inner circle close to him, apparently.
- Any word on the situation inside de Ministry of magic?
This time it was Draco cutting in.
- Also overrun by You-know-who's lackey's. Honestly the situation is bad enough that the rebellion is almost non-existent. Ever since Albus Dumbledore's death, times are growing darker and darker.
Medicius spoke in a strangely distant voice and his eyes stared blankly between Hermione and Draco's heads. The two looked at each other and back at the older wizard who cleared his throat and escaped from his daydream.
- Which reminds me, that one of my close friends in the ministry had something for you, Miss Granger.
Hermione looked surprised and frowned slightly, once again turning to her blond friend who shrugged. Meanwhile Medicius fished in his case and brought out a book he immediately handed to the witch.
- So the old minister was supposed to give it to you. It was a part of Dumbledore's will. But he didn't find you so he had it stored. And when he was replaced, my friend had it under his department, and he gave it to me.
- It was part of Dumbledore's will?
- Yes, apparently he wanted to give something to you. I heard that he gave things to the chosen one and your red haired friend, too.
- Harry and Ron got things, too?
She was strangely happy by the fact that her headmaster, a man she had admired so much had even thought of her in his will. She contemplated the book again. It was The tales of Beedle the Bard. Actually one of the books she had never read. Draco was glancing over her shoulder and he grinned.
- My mom used to read those when I was younger.
Hermione flipped the pages and was surprised to see some of them covered with handwriting, probably the headmaster's. She carefully closed the book like it was sacred and smiled gratefully to Medicius.
- Thank you so much Mr. Medicius.
- It's no problem, really. Shall we order some desert?
Desert was delicious but the piece of pie she ordered was just too big and Malfoy ended up eating the rest. The meal ended late and Medicius insisted that he pay, which engaged a small debate on chivalry and etiquette opposing the two men. When it was time to leave, Draco assured Medicius he'd receive the exact amount of money as promised soon and both party bid farewell near midnight.
Hermione stuck the little book in her purse and Draco stuffed his newly acquired wand into his jacket.
- So what now? Asked the blond as they exited the restaurant and started heading back to the flat.
Hermione shrugged and tightened the shawl around her shoulder, the autumn wind making the night colder. They walked in comfortable silence before it was broken by Draco.
- I mean really, what do we do now? Do we hide, do we go back to London? Do we fight?
Hermione scoffed and pushed him lightly on the shoulder.
- Since when are you, Draco Malfoy, power-slytherin and pro-pureblood, intent on actually helping my side of the war?
Draco grinned and was about to make a comment when something crashed violently into Hermione, making her fly forward and stumble face first into the pavement. There was suddenly a buzzing sound and the witch felt something drip in the back of her head. She faintly heard Draco scream her name before weakly attempting to grab her wand. The last thing she heard was the distinct sound of a wand fight and then total darkness.
I'll try to be faster to update next time... :)