Hermione's eyes locked onto Draco's when he uttered those words.
"I'm sorry Hermione."
She didn't know what she felt at that movement. Whether it was shock, belief, or confusion, she would never know. He held her gaze for what seemed like an eternity. Hermione's eyes searched his and saw compassion and understanding.
Maybe the cold Slytherin has a heart after all.
However that thought was soon shot down when Draco broke the gaze abruptly.
"Damn it you Mud blood, why do you keep staring?" he snapped while he began to clean up their workspace. Hermione sat still in her seat, taking a moment to wipe the tears from her eyes as Draco began putting ingredients away. She bit her lip to keep herself from spilling anymore tears.
Out of all of the people in this school, the person who found out about her mother's death first was Malfoy. Not Harry, not Ron, not even Ginny, but Draco Malfoy.
She cringed at this thought. Her mortal enemy was the only other person that knew her darkest secret. She surprised herself with how clever she was by keeping it under wraps. After her mother passed in July, Hermione's father had become a complete wreck and it made him feel like a terrible father seeing Hermione in a state worse then his own. She was always in her room crying, or simply sitting in the garden staring blankly into space. He insisted on her going to spend the summer at the Burrow to give him closure and to be alone. Hermione protested but he said seeing her friends might cheer her up. But little did her father know, she never mentioned it to them.
Every day Harry and Ron would give her a questioning glance when she refused to eat a meal, or randomly lock herself in her room for hours upon end, but they left her in peace. She could not even count the amount of nights she went to sleep crying. No one ever heard her muffled sobs.
"Could you lend me a hand over here?" Draco grunted as he picked up more of the ingredients to put away. Hermione nodded and grabbed the cauldron on their table to move into one of Snape's various storage cabinets.
"Finish putting your belongings away and then you may leave," Snape stated as the students slowly milled out of the classroom. Hermione quickly gathered her belongings and made a dash out of the door. Draco took his time picking up his books, staring at Granger running away.
She really looks like someone lit her panties on fire the way she ran out of the door. Damn, Granger's actually pretty fast. Who knew? Must have some Ethiopian in her genes.
Draco sniggered at the thought of Hermione being remotely related to someone of Ethiopian descent. She'd have to lose about 50 pounds, aside from her already tiny frame to resemble them.
Hermione rushed through the halls, keeping her eyes staring directly at the floor, avoiding the others around her. However; she soon realized she had no where to run to. She had no class for another hour and with that thought, slowed her pace.
I need to get my mind off of what just happened. Hmmm…I should really be practicing my charms and a few spells for the competition. Yes, that's what I'll do. I just have to find an empty classroom.
Hermione went down another corridor, poking her head into rooms hoping to find one abandoned. At last, nearing the end of the corridor, she found a desolate classroom, ideal for her purpose. Opening the door slowly, she stepped inside and turned on the lights.
"Perfect," she whispered. She then sat down on top of one of the desks and began muttering incantations. After a matter of time, books and papers were levitating around the room. Many objects had been transfigured, and she also had conjured up a small bottle of Fire whiskey. Hermione hesitantly eyed the bottle, gathering enough courage to take a sip.
"Cheers to…cheers to Jane Granger..and Narcissa Malfoy," Hermione said lowly as she raised the bottle in the air and took a long sip. She shuddered at the strong, vile taste and began to sputter.
"I'll drink to that," a drawl came from behind her as she whipped around to see who the addresser was. Her eyes landed upon Draco leaning on the door frame with a small flask in his hand, taking a decent swig before walking towards her.
"Why are you here? Lost your way going to the zoo?" Hermione asked, taking another drink. Draco laughed haughtily as he took a seat on the desk next to Hermione's.
"I should be asking you that same question, you mangy beaver," he scoffed. Somehow, his insult didn't hit Hermione quite hard. He put the flask down and eyed Hermione as she took another drink.
"Better watch yourself, Mudblood. You're able to really do a number on yourself with that whiskey," he warned. She shrugged and placed the bottle down.
"You never answered my question, why are you here?" she repeated.
"I came to practice my spells and charms for the bloody competition, but I guess this room won't do. It's too small to fit myself and your gargantuan head," Malfoy commented as he got off the desk.
"If you think your ego can fit in here, you're seriously mental," Hermione retorted. Malfoy raised his eyebrow seeing Hermione finish off the last of the bottle.
What am I doing here talking to the stupid scum of the earth? If someone saw us, I'd be ruined, especially with Granger guzzling whiskey. Someone might think something not so kosher was going on. Kosher? Since when am I Jewish?
"I should really be---" Hermione started while getting up from the desk, but stumbled mid sentence. Draco lunged forward to catch her arm as she fell.
"Jesus Granger, didn't know you were such a lush," he said, picking her up and helping her sit.
"I'm really quite fine," she told him, attempting to stand. She failed miserably and fell back into the seat. Draco let out an annoyed sigh as he pulled her up by the collar of her robes.
"Come on Mudblood, I can't leave you here in your state. I can't win this competition with my partner being a drunken buffoon," he stated.
"Ouch, Malfoy," Hermione said, trying to swat Malfoy's hand away from her collar. He tugged harder and began to drag her to the door.
"Oh dear," Hermione gasped as her eyes closed and she quickly buckled and fell to the floor.
Shit, she's passed out. Merlin, what the hell am I going to do now? Theres no way I can carry that sack of potatoes to her dormitories. I might bust a nut.
Draco knelt down to Hermione and shook her lightly.
"Wake up, Granger! You have class in ten minutes!" he said, shaking her. If telling her she would miss class wouldn't wake her, then she was seriously out cold.
I can't leave her here. Wait what I am talking about. Yes I can. It's not my fault she downed a bottle of whiskey, Bloody hell, what am I supposed to do? Theres no class called "Caring for Drunken Enemies 101." Shit.
Draco decided the best thing to do was to sit down on the floor beside Hermione to wait for her to awake. It was only right.
Since when do I care about what's right and wrong?
Malfoy sighed as he looked at the pathetic Mudblood on the floor next to him, and he laughed lightly.
She's not so devilish looking when she's sleeping. Oh, I have an idea! Maybe I should knock her out during the competition and that way, she'd be easier to work with. Damn it, I'm a fucking genius.
"I don't feel so good," a voice startled Malfoy.A now awake Hermione had opened her eyes groggily and moaned. Draco snapped out of his thoughts to see Granger clutching her stomach, trying to sit up.
"Don't get up just yet, you're able to throw up everywhere," Draco told her, but of course Hermione was not one for listening. She tried to get up but as soon as she did, she clapped her hand to her mouth. She leaned over abruptly and Draco could hear her wretching.
"Oh, that's bloody disgusting, Granger," Draco scowled and fanned the air to get rid of the smell of vomit. Quickly, he transfigured the empty Firewhiskey bottle into a basin.
"Here, at least puke into this," he told her and he placed the bucket next to her and helped guide her body over to it. She continued to throw up, much to Draco's dismay.
"Let's try not to get that thing you call hair filled with your bodily fluids," Draco said as he pulled Hermione's hair back, away from the bucket.
My god, this mess doesn't feel that much like a dead cat. Her hairs actually a bit softer, like a squirrel tail.
"I think I'm done," Hermione managed to choke out, while pushing the bucket aside. Draco reached out and grabbed the basin back.
"Lets not start counting chickens before they hatch," he said as he released Hermione's hair. He sat on the ground next to her, muttering a spell to make the contents of the bucket vanish.
"You didn't have to stay," Hermione muttered while wiping her mouth off with her robes.
"I know Granger. But I couldn't miss this lovely scene of you hurling your brains out. I really hope you did, maybe I'll have a chance at beating you in something now," he said to her, almost with a grin on his face.
"Thanks," Hermione said as she closed her eyes and leaned her head against the wall. Malfoy looked at her curiously, wondering if she was going to pass out again. His question was answered when she spoke.
"I miss my mum," Hermione sighed, opening her eyes to glance at Draco.
"Yeah, me too Granger….me too," he said, placing his hand on the small of her back rubbing it lightly.
I really shouldn't be touching the nasty thing. Somehow, the desperation in her voice reminds me so much of myself. This just seems like the right thing to do. Wow, she's so small. My hands as big as her back.
"I think I'm okay to head back now," Hermione said, slowly getting up from the floor. Draco got up too and watched her to make sure she was capable of walking.
"You sure, Granger?" he asked. She nodded her head as she walked to the door. She placed her hand on the knob and opened it slowly.
"Want another drink, Mudblood?" Draco jokingly asked her, pulling out his flask before she could leave.
"Sod off Malfoy," she replied and with that, left Draco in the room alone to mull over what had just occurred.
I, Draco Malfoy, have just helped Mudblood Granger. Not only have I helped her, but I have been civilized to the beast and comforted her. My lack of sleep is really catching up with me. Anyway, tomorrow I'll just go back to being my normal self, no more of this Nice Guy bullshit. Mudblood better watch her back…..her small, tiny back that is.