"Mr. Malfoy, are you sure you have told me everything?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes glimmering not of their usual twinkle, but a depressing stare. Draco began to nod, but Dumbledore raised a hand to shush him. "Because if that is everything, I would not want to keep you here when nothing else is to be discussed… But there is one thing that troubles me, Draco." Dumbledore leaned over his desk. Draco gulped and glanced over at Granger, who was lying on a hospital bed, asleep. Dumbledore had given her one of his many cloaks to cover her up, so now she had a deep blue colored cloak with small stars on it that was three sizes to big for her small frame.
"Yes Professor?" Draco asked nervously. He was afraid that if he spoke another word, he might get expelled from this school for no reason. Course, associating with a mudblood was bad enough, but imagine if he were kicked out of school for being accused of doing this to her? It would be a catastrophe!
"What were you doing out of bed at nine thirty at night?" Dumbledore questioned. Draco opened his mouth to speak once more, but snapped it shut as he heard Poppy run in with a damp washcloth.
"The poor dear!" She screamed, looking down at Hermione with unsure eyes. "She's been through so much!"
"Shh…" Dumbledore whispered. "She is asleep."
"Oh, yes." Poppy smiled wearily, lowering her voice. "Dumbledore, I need to talk to you about Ms. Grangers… condition." The nurse licked her dry lips.
"Well, go right ahead. I'm not stopping you." The Headmaster answered.
"You don't understand, Headmaster." Poppy spoke, ushering Snape over to her side. She glanced over at Draco and gave out a sigh. Draco took the hint and backed away.
"If you don't want me to listen, just say so." He grumbled. "I'll leave. I didn't do anything wrong."
"Never the less…" Poppy sighed. "Here, boy. Take this washcloth and pat her head with it while us teachers speak, alright?" She shoved the washcloth in his hand and scooted him with her hands toward the sleeping Hermione.
"But Madam Pomfrey-"
"I want no buts, only yes ma'ams." She snapped at him. Draco mumbled a couple of swear words under his breath and sat on the bed next to Granger, edging himself as far away from her as possible that could still be accessible to her so he could pat the washcloth lazily on her head. He cocked his head to the side, hoping to catch a few words the teachers were saying, but couldn't hear anything but faint whispers. Very lightly, he examined the sleeping Granger in front of him. Her eyes seemed so deep in her head, as if she had been through shock and trauma. And Draco supposed so, what with the slashes on her back and all.
"Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore spoke, causing Draco to look over almost instantly. "Would you please come here?" Draco nodded, and threw the washcloth aside. This was house elf work, after all. Quickly, he stood up and walked over to the teachers. Snape had a sneer on his face that was not normally seen by Draco. This was usually the look that he gave Potter when he talked back in Potions class, no his prized pupil. Nervousness creped over Draco's bones as he crossed his arms. "Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore continued, "Are you aware of the slashes across Ms. Granger's back?"
"Well, yeah." Draco said plainly. "I saw the girl naked, after all." His cheeks burned red as soon as he said this out of embarrassment. "Why?"
"Well, Mr. Malfoy, we're not sure…" Madam Pomfrey said softly, looking over at Hermione, "But we're afraid that Ms. Granger may not be able to recall who has done these terrible things to her." Draco's breath caught. "And we're wondering if you have any more information to give us before I run a full body examination on her."
"You surely aren't hinting at that… I did this to her, are you?" Draco's eyes went wide.
"We're only taking the necessary precautions…" Dumbledore started, but was caught off by Draco with nervous laughter.
"You're trying to see if I'm going to confess that I did those… things to her." Draco growled angrily, trying to keep his charm but it wasn't working. "I didn't!"
"No one's blaming you for this." Madam Pomfrey said.
"But you're hinting at it." Draco sneered. "Why would I rescue the person if I were trying to kill her? I didn't do it! I swear, I don't know who would want to kill her and beat her up, but it surely wasn't me!"
"Lower your voice, Malfoy." Snape warned.
"I always say innocent until proven guilty." Dumbledore said softly. "But that is not the reason we're talking to you now, Draco. It may be that you saved her, but possibly only her body. Not her mind." Draco raised an eyebrow.
"What are you playing at?" Draco questioned.
"We'll find out soon enough, but until Poppy can run a full body examination on her, we'll have to wait and see. – But our theory is that she may have had her memory modified… largely."
"Well this is pointless." Madam Pomfrey sighed. "If all the men here would leave, I'll run my tests and call you back in. In the mean time, Malfoy, you go round up the other teachers and call them down here. – And if Filch gives you a hard time, tell him you're not going to take his sassy tongue and say he can come as well. That always shuts him up."
"But I don't want to-" Draco started.
"I know you don't want to, boy, but you will." She glared at him, before walking hastily over to Hermione. Draco was about to retaliate when he was swooshed out of the room along with Snape and Dumbledore. Draco sighed and kicked his foot against the wall, before realizing that the Headmaster was watching him with great interest.
"Mr. Malfoy, kicking the walls will not help the situation." He smiled. "On the contrary, it could possibly scream back at you and kick you back as well." Horrified, Draco backed away from the wall. "I'll tell you what lets do. I'll round up the teachers if you go to the Gryffindor Common room and round up Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore offered. Draco thought about it for a moment, before giving his best 'yes sir whatever you want' face. "The password is Bowtruckle." And with that, Dumbledore took off at a steady pace down the hallway and turned the corner. Snape raised an eyebrow at Draco before sneering, "Well, what are you waiting for, boy? Get to it."
"Professor, why are you acting so…" Draco tried to think of a word that wouldn't provoke his favorite teacher more, "So… incensed at me?"
"I'm sorry, dear boy." Snape's face changed from annoyed to concerned. "I'm tired. That's all. – Go get Potter and Weasley. Ten Points to Slytherin for pointing out my bad mood." Snape yawned. Draco nodded and took off down the halls. He glanced back as he turned the corner to see Snape drawing his wand and polishing it off with his robes. Draco himself yawned and made his way to the Gryffindor tower, worrying all the while about Granger. Heaven help him, he couldn't possibly be worrying about the mudblood, but it was actually the thought that the professors thought it was HIM who had done it that scared him more than anything. All he had done was something any decent human being had done. But he had to remember it must have seemed very out of character for him to be nice toward Granger indeed.
Arguing with him self on weather it had been right to save Granger or not, he halted in front of the Gryffindor Fat Lady painting. "You there, what ARE you doing?" She snapped at him.
"Ah, shut up you old hag. Bowtruckle." He hissed.
"What, what?" The Fat Lady asked as the painting swung open. Draco rolled his eyes and entered the common room to find Weasley and Potter hovering over a Divination essay.
"No, Ron. I don't think that's how you spell conspicuous…" Potter was mumbling, trying his best to fix the ink-blotted parchment. Draco coughed an 'hello! Over here' cough. Ron's head was the first to go up, studying Malfoy for a moment before going onto his work, stopping, and looking back up with barefaced shock. "M-MALFOY?" He stuttered out. Harry's head went up next, raising an eyebrow.
"That IS my name, Weaselbee. So glad you got it right." Draco snapped, realizing how stupid he must look in only his pajama bottoms and no shirt. "Come on you two."
"What are you playing at Malfoy?" Potter asked, setting down his quill. "How did you get in the common room?"
"Dumbledore's orders." Draco stated. "Now come on. Your precious Mudblood is in the hospital wing."
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?" Weasley screamed, causing Ginny Weasley to come running down the girls' staircase. Ron's body was red from head to toe. "YOU BETTER HAVE A DECENT EXPLAINATION MALFOY!"
"Oy," Draco groaned, rubbing his temples. "I saved her, you git. Don't really know why, but I did. Now if you two will shut up and get a move on, I want to get some beauty rest before this night ends."
"Merlin knows you need it." Harry whispered under his breath, and stood up instantly. Ron and him followed Draco out of the portrait hole as fast as their legs could carry them. Draco tried to keep up his pace to stay as far away from the two as possible. "So, Malfoy," Potter said, running to catch up, "Why's Hermione in the hospital wing?" His voice sounded concerned and frightened.
Draco smirked. "Ah, does Potter all of a sudden want to know what's going on? Doesn't he know, being Mr. Famous?" Suddenly, Draco was grabbed by the scruff of the neck and spun around.
"Say that again." Harry growled. "I dare you."
"S-She almost drowned in the
Prefect's bathroom, alright?" Draco's voice went high and scared. "I saved her. She's been b-beaten up pretty bad." He tried his best to smirk but it didn't work that well. Potter's face went almost deathly white and he let go of Draco. Draco brushed his shoulders off and glared. Potter's hands were shaking, and Draco noticed a small scratch on Potter's hand. A nail scratch.
"You ok there, mate?" Ron asked, patting his buddy on the shoulder. Harry looked up and nodded.
"Yeah… just really scared for Mion." He said softly, and his face showed the same fear.
"Me too." Ron nodded. "Even though Hermione and I broke up this month, I still love her." Draco rolled his eyes and tapped his foot impatiently.
"Potter, Weasley, as great as your sentiments AREN'T, the hospital wing awaits." He raised an eyebrow and called out past Harry and Ron, "You! What are you doing?" Potter spun around and saw Ginny Weasley smiling timidly.
"J-Just wanted to tag along." She whispered, frightened by the intimidating six-foot blonde.
"Gin, go back." Ron mumbled. "You know better than to follow us."
"Hey, Hermione's my best friend!" Ginny Weasley's fists balled up. Draco merely started walking towards the hospital wing. Fuck them. If they didn't want to come along, it was of their choice, not his. But for now he wanted to make sure his ass was safe and he wasn't to be accused of the horrible crime they were labeling on him. Harry looked to Ron and Ginny.
"Well," he said, "HE knows what's going on. I propose we stick close to him." The Gryffindors took off after him without a word to one another, and that's just the way Draco liked it. Up three corridors and turning left three times, they made it to the hospital with ease. But Draco saw as he approached that things weren't looking too well. Every single Hogwarts teacher was standing in their nightgowns and pajamas (Professor Flitwick's had hearts on his) was standing arms crossed with worried expressions lingering over their faces. Draco took in a deep breath and scoped out Professor Snape, making his way over to his favorite teacher. "Did I miss anything?" He asked.
"Only the fact that every teacher seems to think this crime was made by you." Snape said coolly, his crooked nose sneering into a smirk. "But I know you didn't do it, Draco. You're of better class than that."
"Thank you, Professor." Draco whispered, just as Madam Pomfrey opened the heavy doors.
"Where's Dumbledore?" She snipped. Dumbledore emerged from behind the lot of teachers and made his way over to Poppy. After a moment of whispering amongst themselves, Dumbledore motioned for everyone to follow him inside. Draco waited until everyone went in before he himself entered. He smirked as he saw Weasley running to Granger and Granger looking taken aback as he hugged her. By now she was standing up and was gawked at by all the teachers.
"I have called you all down here to notify there has been some sort of… attack on Ms. Granger here tonight." Madam Pomfrey said to everyone as Hermione backed away from Ron. Draco lingered in the back of the room as to not call attention to himself. "It seems her memory… has been modified." There was a great rush of whispers and chatter across the room.
"What do you mean, modified?" Harry Potter asked.
"Surely you know about Professor Lockheart and his ordeal?" Dumbledore spoke to Harry. "This, I am afraid, is far worse." Draco's ears perked up to listen. "After Madam Pomfrey had run the full body check on Ms. Granger, she has concluded that-"
"That Ms. Granger has been raped and beaten tonight. Her memory has been modified until she can not talk, remember a thing, or perform the simplest of things." Madam Pomfrey spoke loudly, causing an out roar of gasps to escape the room. "This!" She tried to speak above everyone, "Does not mean that we are to jump to conclusions, but I say we find out who has done this crime, before it happens again!" So many whispers were heard throughout the room that Harry had thought it enough. He marched up to Hermione and put his arms around her, but she shoved him away. Madam Pomfrey shouted to everyone, "Now, if we could all go outside, I would like to have a word with each one of you to see of the whereabouts each one of you were tonight!" She shooed the crowd out into the hall, but not before whispering to Harry, "Don't be offended dear. She's been doing that to me as well." Harry stood dumbfounded as everyone besides himself, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Draco were left in the room.
Dumbledore walked back in a moment and said, "I want you all to stay in here until we are done." And as he said this he glanced a curious look over to Draco before leaving once more.
"Hermione," Ron said, looking at her shocked, "Who did this to you?"
"Weasley, she can't understand you." Draco smirked. Everyone turned to him, as if they had just realized his presence in the room. "Funny thing though, she spoke to me." Ginny glared at him and walked over to Hermione, who had sat on the bed and was staring at Ron and Harry with a frightened expression.
"Its alright, Herms." Ginny coaxed, "They're not going to hurt you. If Malfoy says you can understand us, prove it." Hermione only stared blankly at Ginny. Ginny turned her face towards Malfoy. "You git, you lied."
"I did not!" Draco said offended. "Granger, come on, say something to them. – You said my name before, remember?" He stepped across the room and was almost to the bedside when Harry stood in front of him and shoved him back. "Hey, watch it Scar face."
"You're not going near her, you probably did all that to her." Harry said nervously.
"Come on, Harry," Ron scoffed, "Not even Malfoy could hold Hermione down. All she'd have to do was slap him and he'd run like a girl. No, the person who beat her had to be intellectually stronger than Malfoy. – But that still doesn't give him the right to go near her."
"I saved her fucking life, Weasley." Draco sneered, noticing Granger's eyes on him. " And while we're on the subject of intellectual sensation, I'd watch your mouth, you freckled face Weasel. But, hey! I'll just leave you all the fuck alone if you do the same to me." And with that he turned around to lie on another bed, as far away from the Gryiffindors to get some valuable sleep until the Professors decided to come back Merlin knows when. But as he started to take a step, a small hand grabbed his and turned him around. Brown eyes met gray and Draco smirked. "Hmm… let me get this straight. She doesn't let Weasley hold her, nor Potty, but she runs to the call of me? Interesting." He put on his 'in your face' look. "VERY interesting."
"What in Merlin's name is going on?" Ron asked, walking over to Hermione. "Hermione, what's the matter?" As soon as he spoke, Hermione wrapped her arms around Draco's chest and refused to let go, nuzzling her head into his chest again.
"Shit, now you've got her doing it again." Draco snarled. "Mudblood, I told you, get off!" He tried his best to lever open her arms to get her off, but nothing would cease her. Harry and Ron stood in shock, trying their best to convince Hermione to let go, before Dumbledore walked in the room, a heavy look on his face.
"Professor…" Draco mumbled, trying to pry the girl off of him, "Could you tell her to leave me be? I don't want a mu- Granger hanging on me for all to see."
Dumbledore chuckled. "It seems, Mr. Malfoy, that Ms. Granger's memory has been modified so much, instinct has kicked in."
"What the fu- what in Merlin's name does that mean?" Draco sighed, finding it useless to fight with Granger and stuck his arms out to the side so he wouldn't touch her.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "When you saved her, you were the first person to come in physical contact with her since her… ordeal. You appear strong and healthy, a good-looking boy I might add, and Ms. Granger feels safe around you because you saved her life. In other words, nothing but a small crush." Dumbledore crossed the room and whispered to Hermione, "It's alright, my dear. These people here are not going to hurt you." Hermione's head left Draco's chest but her arms still stayed nuzzled around him. "You see, her mind is of a small child Poppy as hold me. Even though she lives in a 17-year-old body, her mind has been wiped of all her memories, and some of her functions as well. She does not know how to speak, comprehend more than a seven year old would, or understand the line between enemy and friend."
"Are you trying to tell me," Harry spoke, "That Hermione has a crush on Malfoy? AND she can't comprehend knowledge?"
"Quite on the contrary," Dumbledore smiled, "I have a feeling with the right exposure, she will learn just as much until her mind develops back into a seventeen year old sense. These charms and spells often have a way of wearing off, but on rare occasions. The sources at St. Mungo's-"
"You're not sending her there!" Ron questioned. "They're for… loony people."
"I did not say I'd be sending her there," Dumbledore spoke, "I must first letter her parents informing them of this incident. – Besides, I fear they are all full up what with the holiday accidents. Halloween has a way of making everything go wrong." He said thoughtfully. "But she will not be able to stay here and be gawked at for this. We must keep it as silent as possible if we are to catch the person behind all this. Perhaps, though, it would be better to let this surface."
"P-Professor!" Draco said, "I don't want all my friends to know I saved her."
"You would be considered a hero, adding house points and special services to the school under your belt." Dumbledore offered.
"B-But…"
"I understand, as you wish. – It is sometimes the modest ones who make the best heroes. – you three." He pointed to Harry, Ron, and Ginny. "If I might have a word with each of you in my office…" Puzzled, all three followed him out, leaving Draco and Hermione alone in the dimly lit room.
"Shit… I wasn't trying to be modest." Draco growled as the door slammed shut. "I just didn't want to be bullied for saving YOU." He tried his best to back away, but she stayed glued to him. "Why don't you go hug Potter? Merlin knows he's wanted to shag your mind out since he first met you." Even this wouldn't persuade her to let go. "How come you didn't say anything to everyone? You spoke to me… or maybe I was imagining things." He felt an upcoming headache starting to sprout.
"D-Draco…" A small voice said.
"See! Merlin, I wasn't crazy!" Draco became relieved. "So you CAN speak. And all this time we all stood here like dolts thinking you couldn't understand us." Silence. "You CAN understand us, can't you?" More silence. "Look, Mudblood…" Draco pushed Hermione out shoulder length away, "Don't get me wrong. You're a…. r-really s-sweet girl," What a lie, Draco thought, "But you don't want to have a crush on me. I'm a cold heartless bastard who'd be more likely to throw you to a floor and beat the gravy out of you, much less look at you. – Come on Mudblood, get off." He begged. Frustrated, he led her to a bed and sat her down on it next to him. "Look, you're a mudblood. I'm a pureblood. We're superior over you in every way, alright? You can't go around infatuated with me, even though I know it must be hard not to be. I am one sexy beast…" He ran his fingers through his hair.
"P-Pureblood?" Hermione stumbled out. Draco smirked.
"Yeah, that's ME." He pointed to himself. "SUPERIOR. You," He pointed to her ,"are a MUDBLOOD. MUGGLE BORN."
"M-Mudblood." She pointed to herself and frowned.
"Yes." He smirked again. "Good job."
"My… name?" She asked. " Is Mudblood?"
"No." Draco shook his head, chuckling to himself. "Your name is Hermione Granger. You're the biggest pain in my ass since my Death Eater pre-initiation. Lets just say that was a time to remember. – Still haven't gotten the owl to be one yet, though…"
(A/N: If you don't get the joke, I'm sorry. Its funny if you think dirty about it.)
"Her-Hermi-Hermione." She stumbled out. "G-Granger."
"And they say you can't speak." Draco sneered. "They're about as smart as cream cheese."
"Cream Cheese?" Hermione asked. Draco laughed.
"You really are a clueless girl, aren't you? – I suppose I have to introduce myself all over again." He held out a hand. "I'm Draco Malfoy, the world's sneakiest Slytherin since Hitler. I hate muggle borns, namely you, and eat first years for breakfast." Hermione looked down at his hand. "I think you have more than a memory problem." He mumbled, placing her hand in his and giving it a shake. "That's the way you say hello around here, got it?" Hermione nodded. "Good. – Now, leave me alone." He stood up and walked toward the door, Hermione on his heels. "What the fuck are you following me for? Don't you get it? You HATE me." He tried to explain. "I know I'm bloody beautiful, but please. There's a no touch policy." Hermione frowned at him. "What the fuck are you frowning for?" he asked. "I think you understand WAY more than they give you credit for." He opened the door and looked out. The coast wasn't clear, Damn it. Teachers galore peered back at him, and he slammed the door in frustration. "Great, one way in, no way out."
Draco paced in front of the door and kicked it hard, again screaming, "OUCH!" As he hit his toe. "SHIT! THAT FUCKING HURT LIKE HELL DAMN IT!" He looked around and saw Hermione standing in awe at him. "It's like you're TWO years old, with a comprehension of a fifteen year old." He grumbled. "Can't you see I'm hurting? Get over here." He demanded. Hermione did as she was told. "Now help me over to the bed. Shit, I think I broke something." Always the one to make a great deal over nothing, Draco took off his shoe when they reached the bed and looked at his bruised big toe. "I hate you. If it weren't for you I'd be sleeping happily, or shagging Pansy Parkinson's mind out… SHIT!" He then remembered his date with Pansy. "I totally spaced!" Now what? Was she really going to believe that he had stood her up to save a mudblood?
"Spaced?" Hermione asked, sitting on the bed opposite of him.
"Yeah, I forgot about my date with Pansy." He then smirked. "You hate her as well. – It'll all come back to you hopefully. And if not, well… too bad for you, and even better for me. You'll be in St. Mungo's with your oh so good Professor fake Lockheart." Draco lay back on the bed and allowed his head to hit the pillows. "You know, you should really talk around the others. They give more of a fuck than I do." He glanced over and watched Granger stare at him, "What?"
Hermione only blushed and shook her head.
"That's what I thought." Draco smirked, placing both his hands behind his head. "You're in debt to me – do you know what that means, Granger?"
"Debt?" She asked, her stumbling not persistent.
"Yes, debt. It means when I do something for you, you are obligated to do things for me in order to pay off my doing something for you. I saved your life – in other words, I own you until you've done something good enough to repay me back. – And I know you can understand every word I'm saying, so don't give me that dumb blonde act. I'm a real blonde, remember? – You're putting on an act of being dumb, aren't you?" He peered over at Hermione, who was looking at him with big doe eyes. "What are you so afraid of, Granger? I believe the fact that you can't speak all that well, and I believe your mind was modified, but I don't believe the smartest bookworm in the school has all of a sudden become incomprehensive. – And no, you're not coming over here." He said almost instantly. "You can quit giving me those innocent eyes… I mean it… Mudblood… Don't go there… stop." He closed his eyes and groaned. "Shit, why all of a sudden do you look so guiltless?" He bit his lower lip. "Fine, fine. You can come over and gawk at me, but no touching." Hermione seated herself next to him on the bed. "You'll be the death of me, Granger…" He mumbled. "I like it when people stare at me, though." He opened his eyes and smirked. "The only problem with you is you don't like it when I gape back." He recalled in his mind seeing Granger completely naked in front of him. He smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Fun times, fun times." He closed his eyes. "I'm going to get some rest. – If men in white robes come and get you to put you in a padded room, don't wake me up. Just send me a postcard from Mentalville."