Hola mis amigos! hehe. I hope you enjoy this chapter
Disclaimer: I own none of this but the plot.
Violence in prevelent so if you do not like that i am forwarning you to turn back while you still can.
When we left off-
"Now tell me… Draco," Hermione stumbled slightly at his first name and gave a small smile, "who beat you to a bloody pulp and how did get into the forest?"
Present time
"Are you sure you want to know?" Draco asked seriously.
"You know I wouldn't ask you if I didn't want to know. Draco I need to know all I can to be able to help you," Hermione answered his question with little thought of how horrible and heart-wrenching Draco's story might be.
"First of all I am going to let you know a secret about me because it might help you understand me better. My parents spoiled me but I can tell now that they never truly cared about me. My punishments were crueler than anyone should ever have to experience so when I tell you this story, I will not spare details. I might even sound like I am unbothered by it because I am used to being beaten and hurt by my own parents. Ok, everything started right after I was in the tower with Dumbledore… I just knew that I couldn't kill him. He was so powerful but at this moment he was just so—weak. His eyes shot through me to my core and I just couldn't do it. I would have negotiated with Dumbledore about turning sides if Snape, who had to finish out what I didn't do because of an oath he made with my mother, hadn't come in at that exact moment and did the job for me. I was shocked and Snape commanded me to run for it, and that is what I did. I ran so far that I had no clue where I was, I had nothing, just the clothes on my back. Finally I was able to direct myself to my mansion, just outside of it in the woods. I listened for any signs that the Dark Lord might be there. I was right to do so because he was there, at my home, to kill me for not doing the job. Unfortunately, murdering Headmaster Dumbledore was my initiation and I failed. I stayed in the woods until the Dark Lord left and I snuck into my house to get my things and leave but I was caught by my mother. My first thought was, 'good, it's my mother and not my father' but I was so wrong… I'm sorry I just feel really tired all of a sudden," Draco started the first part of his story but he began to feel weary. Hermione asked her parents what was in the house that they could make to eat. Her parents went into the kitchen and about 30 minutes later came out with some chicken fingers and fries.
"Thank you for making this, you didn't have to go to all this trouble," Draco said smiling up at Hermione's parents while he was lying on the couch.
"It was no problem, eat up and then you finish your story, ok darling?" replied Hermione's mother. Draco smiled but felt saddened because his own mother never called him darling or even made a meal for him, why would she when she had house elves to do that for her. About 15 minutes later the family plus one was done eating and Draco began to tell his story again.
"As I said earlier, it was my mother who found me. I thought that she would definitely make sure I could escape from the manner without being caught. I couldn't have been more mistaken. My mother's eyes became black as midnight with hatred- for me, her only son. She grabbed my arm so hard her finger nails cut into my flesh as she drug me to my father in his study," Draco looked around at the three Grangers and he was shocked to see the compassion spilling forth from all three. "Are you sure you want to hear this? It begins to get very violent," Draco asked the family, he didn't want to cause them any pain from having heard his story.
"Go ahead son, you need to tell us all you can," replied Hermione's father. Draco was shocked to hear someone call him son in such a caring manner. Lucius said the word with such contempt, like he never truly wanted a child. And with the whole Granger family waiting for him to continue Draco felt a little encouraged about the future.
"Alright," Draco took a deep breath and began yet again, "My mother brought me to my father and he looked like he had been beaten to hell and back (excuse my language Mrs. Granger). He must have been punished because I did not succeed in my task and I knew he was going to make me pay for it. He got up and removed my mother's hand from my bleeding and bruised arm and told her that she was to leave the room immediately and tell the Dark Lord that I had been found. Believe me, I was about to faint with just the thought of what was to come and what my father would do to me while waiting for the Dark Lord to arrive. First my Father flung me down on the floor and began to curse me repeatedly with one of the unforgivable curses," and when Draco admitted this, Hermione stood up and walked over him and sat next to holding his hand for the human contact that he sorely needed.
"It's ok, just tell me everything you can," Hermione said with comforting tones laced within her voice. "You're safe now," she whispered in his ear. Draco felt a renewed sense of tranquility come upon him when Hermione spoke these words to him.
With another deep breath Draco started again, "My own father beat me to a bloody pulp. My father kicked, hit and slashed away at me while saying things that I will not mention because they were so vile I can not repeat them myself. He took his cane and hit me repeatedly until I thought that I could feel or think about anything other than pain. I could barely breathe because the intense pain that my own father bestowed upon me. He used the unforgivable curse several more times until I practically passed out because loss of blood and the excruciating pain. My mother came in to announce that the Dark Lord had arrived and my father left the room with her, both believing I was obviously in too much pain to move. He forgot to do one thing though, he didn't take my wand with him and with the last bit of energy I possessed I apparated thinking of somewhere safe. I landed on a dirt road and I laid there until I felt like I could move again. I went into the woods and noticed I was leaving a blood trail that my father or any deatheaters could easily follow and I tried to run. I noticed I left less blood running but I lost too much energy in a short period of time. I began to walk and then I had to lay down again but in a few minutes time I got up to walk further and I collapsed right where you found me," Draco finally finished his horrifying story of the punishment his father had given to him. 'Poor Draco, his father beat the living daylights out of his only son,' thought Hermione.
"Wow Draco. First I want to tell you that your strength is awe-inspiring and I will do all I can do to help you ok? Secondly how are you feeling and is there anything you need?" Hermione asked feeling absolutely heart broken that a father would do such a thing to his own child.
"I don't need anything other than a little rest, thank you again for finding me. I know it took a lot for you to bring me to your home, I want to apologize for the way I have treated you for the last 6 years. I think that had I been in your position I probably wouldn't have done any of what you have done for me. You really are a very good person Hermione Granger. I would also like to thank you Mr. and Mrs. Granger for letting me stay on your couch, but I believe I would be endangering you if I stayed here. Hermione, you are already in danger because of how close you and Potter are… I just can't let you be in any more danger because you decided you would be nice to me. So with this I bid you goodbye," Draco made his longwinded apology and thanked the Grangers for their hospitality and tried to stand up and walk out the door.
"Draco Malfoy, sit your arse (sorry mummy) down, you need to rest. My parents and I have decided that you are to stay here because I am fully protected here. The Headmistress put so many protection spells on this house that no one can enter it without one us with them. My home has a secret keeper so only the people we allow can be here. Draco, you must stay otherwise you will die. I'm going to alert Headmistress McGonagall that you are here and I need to inform her about what has happened to you," As Hermione said this she pushed herself up off the couch and made her way up to her room to write a much needed letter to Minerva McGonagall.
Dear Headmistress McGonagall,
I must inform you that I found Mr. Draco Malfoy while I was on a jog this morning. He was cut and bruised from head to toe and I took him back to the house to try and help him. I fixed him up the best I could with the new spell book I got this summer to help me learn how to keep Harry and Ron from getting too bloodied up in the upcoming war. I heard his full story and I believe that you should come to hear it as well. I request that you come soon so that we can see about letting him join our side. Please come soon Headmistress!
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
Hermione finished her letter and tapped the piece of paper with a spell that only allowed McGonagall's eyes to read it. She had gotten an owl from Harry for her 17th birthday. Ron had given her a lovely journal with a phoenix feather (those feathers have ends that never go dull), as well some nice ink which she used to write the letter to McGonagall. She sent off the letter and went back down stairs to see what she could to help her new ally Draco Malfoy.
When she came down stairs she almost laughed out loud when she saw Draco looking at her parents as if they were crazy. They were explaining how the TV worked.
"What do you mean that people are in that tiny box, they would never fit in there!" Draco exclaimed looking at the box like it was cursed.
"Draco, Draco, Draco… They aren't actually in the box they… O well never mind," Hermione tried but could see that it was a never ending battle, he would never quite get the concept of a TV.
"But Hermione! What do you mean?" Draco started asking again.
"Shhhh, just watch it. It's very relaxing," And with that Hermione sat down on the couch with a confused Draco and turned the TV on.
"Wow, this is actually cool! What else is there that I don't know about?" Draco looked around excitedly.
"You will learn about all Muggle appliances in due time Draco," Hermione said wearily… 'What a day' she thought to herself.
"But……" Draco started.
"No." Hermione replied.
Some comic relief after a heavy story. I hope you enjoyed and thank you all who reviewed I enjoyed them, cookie for all who reviewed!!!
Love,
CLBisMe
