Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series. And by the way, Hermione's and Bellatrix's dialogues in the flashbacks in this chapter were taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, chapter 23.

Partners – Chapter 4 – Arrival

by Leopion

August passed uneventfully. Hermione had seen Ron a few times, but that was to be expected. Actually it wasn't as horrible as she thought it would. If Harry or Ginny accompanied them, everything went almost normally. Conversely, there was only an awkward silence when they were left alone.

The first day of September came much too soon, to Hermione's dismay. That morning, she also went to King Cross, not to board the train back to Hogwarts as she had wanted, but to say goodbye to her friends. Looking at Harry, Ginny, and Ron running full speed into the wall that separated Platform Nine and Ten, Hermione let out a heavy sigh before turning to bid Mr and Mrs Weasley goodbye. Mrs Weasley gave her a hug and consoled, 'Everything will be alright, dear.'

'Yes, I wish it would,' was Hermione's soft reply as they parted. If she was grateful to Mrs Weasley for sympathising when she declined her son's proposal, now she was ten times more thankful. Hermione knew that the Weasleys would always consider her family whether or not Ron and she would get married in the future. But that was just too far-fetched at the time.

Hermione was sitting in the living room of Grimmauld Place, tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for a Ministry officer to come and take her to Malfoy Manor. Not that she was in the least bit eager about it. But when all was decided, it would be better to get it over and done with. At first, she thought of this as more procedural than practical. However, come to think of it, the only way she knew to get there was to get thrown into the dungeons, and it was not at all pleasant.

It was not until twelve that Hermione finally heard knocking at the front door and found Bernard Legis standing on the sidewalk, looking incredibly out of place in the Muggle quarter. From their first meeting, she had never exactly liked the man, as he always appeared emotionless whatever the circumstances. They Apparated to a narrow lane bordered by bushes on both sides, though there was a marked contrast between the unruly ones on one side and the neatly manicured ones on the other. The two of them walked quietly along the lane before turning right into a wide drive and stopped in front of an iron gate that was spectacular both in size and design.

Hermione was about to ask the officer how they could get in when he suddenly slid something cold and metallic into her hand, telling her to walk straight through the gate. Whatever this thing was, it had prevented them from ending up in the dungeons. It was only when they had reached the other side of the gate that Hermione had a chance to scrutinise the curious piece of metal in her palm. It was a golden medallion with a capital M in the middle, surrounded by patterns that resembled in style but were more intricate than the ones on the gate. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, 'Mr Legis. May I ask what exactly is this thing?'

'Well, it is one of the Malfoy Entrusting Medallions. The Malfoys used to give to their trusted ones so that they could safely enter the Manor. At the moment, they are temporarily under the possession of the Ministry of Magic while Mr Malfoy is still under house arrest. As his assigned study partner, you are allowed to use one of them.'

At the end of the straight drive, they were greeted by a rather tiny house-elf with a lump on his back.

'Master Draco told Knobbly to ask you to wait for him outside, sir,' he said before disappearing with a 'pop'.

A few minutes later, Hermione saw Malfoy appear at the front door. He didn't have the look of someone who had just been to Azkaban, except for the fact that he seemed thinner than usual.

'Mr Legis. Miss Granger. What a pleasure!'

'Good morning!' replied Legis as if he hadn't noticed the sarcasm in Malfoy's salutation while Hermione couldn't suppress a snort. Once again ignoring his company's behaviour, the Ministry officer went on, 'Mr Malfoy, perhaps you would be kind enough to invite us into your drawing room. I have a few things to explain to you and Miss Granger here.'

'Certainly,' answered Malfoy, who had somehow managed to compose a smile on his face.

As Malfoy led them through the hallway, Hermione could feel the eyes of the pale-faced portraits on the wall follow her with apparent distaste. She would have to live with that for the rest of the year, but it was still better than Sirius's mother. Her main concern at the moment, however, lay behind the heavy wooden door ahead.

Since the momentous night Draco had always avoided setting foot into that room whenever he could help it. But today, despite the fact that it would be unpleasant for both of them, he had to invite her to go in there with him. Draco tried his best to steel himself. Yet the memories came back vividly the very moment they entered.

His aunt dragged her by her hair to the middle of the room. He walked towards the fireplace, his eyes fixed on the dancing flame, afraid that if he looked up, the gilded mirror on the mantelpiece would show him what he didn't want to see.

'First of all,' said Legis once they had settled themselves on the sofa and armchairs in the drawing room, 'I would like to state that Mr Malfoy's wand will be under the administration of Miss Granger.' Hermione took the wand from him, hands slightly shaking as she looked at the perfectly clean carpet beneath, where just a few months ago...

'I'm going to ask you again! Where did you get this sword? Where?'

'We found it—We found it—PLEASE!' screamed Hermione as the knife in Bellatrix's hand made another deep cut into her flesh.

'Although it is completely under your supervision, we warn you against letting Mr Malfoy keep it when you leave the Manor,' continued the Ministry officer. Then he turned to Draco, 'Mr Malfoy, I hope you understand that this is a part of your sentence.'

Draco nodded, but his mind was wandering elsewhere.

He couldn't believe that he heard Hermione Granger pleading. Someone seemed to wring his heart at her every scream. He wanted it to stop. He wanted to get her out of Bellatrix's clutches no matter how much he hated her, no matter how much of a filthy Mudblood she was. But he stood there perfectly still, just like many times before. Whereas his body was paralyzed by an invisible force, his soul was not.

'As stated in your letters, you'll be allowed to take a break from your duty every Saturday. However, you can still choose to spend it here if you want.'

The hiss 'Crucio' followed by a terrible scream. He didn't dare look directly at what was happening, but he couldn't escape the sound. And it made him see with his mind's eye. Snap out of it, Draco. She was just a Mudblood. She deserved it. But deep down, he knew that no human being would deserve that. Not her, not anyone.

The pain seemed to consume her. She was writhing around on the floor, trying to find a plausible answer to Bellatrix's questioning.

Hermione looked up as Mr Legis asked whether they were listening, only to find herself locking eyes with Draco Malfoy. She hastily looked away. Being in this room was hard enough; she didn't think she could handle reliving the memory.

For the briefest moment that their eyes met, she saw something that resembled fear in his. What he feared, she didn't have time to ponder as another stab of pain threatened to tear her apart.

For the briefest moment, their eyes met. Though her brown eyes no longer possessed that haunting look, Draco wasn't sure if he could keep his calm and collected facade any longer. As she looked away, he stood up and walked towards the fireplace, to a position that he knew would stir up the memory even more. But as long as he had his back to them, no one would ever know.

Another scream resonated through the room. Draco didn't know what had got into him but for once, he looked back. His light grey eyes met her dark brown ones. They were filled with indignation and resolve, a look that he would never forget.

'I believe that's all you need to know. Do you have any questions?'

There was silence.

'Well, I'll take that as a no. So goodbye and good luck,' said Legis. Draco gave a curt nod while Granger said a polite thank you and bid him goodbye. As Legis left, Draco knew that it was time for him to put his mask back on.

The Ministry officer had left. Malfoy slowly turned around on his spot to face her, his expression still unreadable. Hermione was the first to begin. No matter how much of a git he was, she still felt an obligation to apologise for what she'd said.

'I'm sorry that your par—'

'I don't need your pity if that's what you're offering,' he said brusquely.

Well, if he put it like that...

'Fine, I was going to apologise for what I've said. But it looks like you don't need it.'

'Let me tell you something, Mudblood,' Malfoy continued with his usual drawling tone. 'One, don't even think that I would be grateful to you for getting me out of that prison.'

'I don't expect anything from you, Malfoy,' she snapped. Perhaps they had come back to almost normal now: he insulting her, she getting back at him.

'Two, whatever happened, this is still my house and I'd rather not have you wandering in the West Wing of the Manor. Are we clear?'

'Don't worry,' replied Hermione. 'I have no intention of exploring your house whatsoever. I don't even have the intention to be here in the first place.'

'Good,' said Malfoy. Then he clapped his hands and called in a commanding tone, 'Knobbly!'

The elf Hermione saw upon arriving appeared in front of them, slightly trembling.

'What... what do you want, sir?'

'Take Miss Granger to her room.'

'Yes, sir,' said the elf before turning to Hermione. 'Miss Granger, please follow me.'

As Knobbly escorted her to the guest bedroom, Hermione asked, 'Your master treats you very badly, doesn't him?'

The house-elf remained silent and Hermione knew better than to press the matter, or else it might result in making the elf punish himself. But once she had settled in her new bedroom, she swore to herself she would put S.P.E.W into action right here in Malfoy Manor, that was, after she'd come to terms with living with Malfoy.

AN: I think that's quite enough angst for now. Therefore, the next chapter will contain some humour (or at least some of my attempts at humour). Just to assure you, here's the title of the next chap: When Hermione hates a library

And don't forget to review because each reviewer of this chapter will get an imaginary Malfoy's entrusting medallion XD