A/N: You guys rock! But please note; this chapter and the next are not nearly as long as the previous few chapters. This is how it typically goes at the end when I'm finishing a story-chapters get shorter for some reason. And after this, one more update before complete!
Week 9 Part 2: Wednesday-Friday Night Ball
Draco watched her twist in pain, awoken by the screams. There was an intense pain in his heart, and he realized slowly it was not just because he saw her this way.
He pinned her arms like he had done several times before. He whispered to her, soothed her, anything that would again rouse her from what she was seeing. What had taken a few minutes previous was taking far longer now, and anger hitched inside of him as he watched her whine in fear.
Hermione's eyes sprang open. She jumped up as Draco released her arms and clutched him, hard.
Draco was rather surprised. What typically took several minutes to accomplish had hardly taken two. And even more so, she was awake.
"Hermione?" He wasn't sure what to think; the last few times she had drifted firmly into a sleep after the nightmares ceased, but this time she was awake clinging to him? "Hermione, what the hell?"
"Draco...," she gasped, and he realized she was crying. Chancing some wandless magic, he snapped his fingers and the room was lightened by a makeshift light (having not yet been able to repair the one Hermione destroyed).
"Shh," he soothed, rubbing small circles on her back. "Calm down, you're with me."
"I-"
"Shh, you can tell me all about the dream in a few minutes." He continued to rub her back, feeling her gently shake as she sobbed. He bit the inside of his cheek, anger begging to be released. He was sure he knew what this was about, and knew for certain that he wasn't going to like it.
Eventually she calmed down, and the tears subsided. She pushed away from him and whipped her eyes. "Sorry I'm suck a mess. It was just a..."
He kissed her cheek, tilting her head to look at him. "You don't have to apologize for your fears. He was the ass that struck them into you in the first place."
She raised an eyebrow. "Marcus?"
He really wished she would stop using his first name. "That's what I'm guessing all of this is about."
She bit her lip and nodded. "The dreams-"
"You remember them this time?" He tired to keep the surprise from his voice.
"There's more then one? How would you know?"
He shrugged. "Past actions the last few nights."
She tilted her head. "I only remember this dream really." She looked past him, at the wall, as though memorizing every mark on it.
He knew she was stalling talking about it, but he was in no mood to wait. "What happened in it?"
There was a long pause, during which he couldn't make her eyes look at him, and he rubbed little circles onto the back of her hand. "Hermione?"
She sighed. "Marcus was...using the curse on me." She didn't bring up the name, but his hand snapped out and tightened around her wrist. He had a pretty good idea which one, and he didn't like it. "I could feel the pain..."
"Flashbacks, memories. Their common with the Crucio Curse. I've had a few myself in the past, although this seemed like a rather strange flashback. Most people don't twist in agony."
She looked down and frowned. "No, they don't. But then the dream changed."
He raised an eyebrow and scooted closer to her. "Oh?"
"It was weird," she said, wrinkling up her nose. "I was looking at my room, from the corner, at my picture..." Her voice trailed off, and her eyebrows drew together. "At the man in the corner..."
"There's a man in the corner of that picture?" He frowned. "I've never seen one, not that I've wasted time looking at it really either."
"No." Her eyes grew large. "You wouldn't have." She jumped off the bed, walking to the door.
He was at her side in an instant. "Where are you going?"
"I want to check something." Draco turned and flicked his wand to him, bringing hers along. He followed her down the hall to the bedroom she had once spent her nights in.
She walked up immediately to the picture, flicking a light on and studied it closely.
Draco had never much taken interest in the picture. It was quite large, about half the height of Hermione and five feet wide. It was like looking into the landscape of a castle. Near the front was a small home, with a large door that was barely pushed open. As you looked into the background a far off castle stood, with the images of people gradually growing closer. To the left there appeared a forest. Draco thought it was a rather strange piece.
"It would figure the one piece of art you own wouldn't move," he said, looking at the picture. When he didn't receive a reply he looked at the witch, who's face was almost white. "Hermione?"
"I should've seen it," she whispered, backing up a step or two before stumbling and landing in a heap on the ground. He quickly pulled her up, but instead of holding herself in place she leaned on him for support. "I should've thought of it..."
"Thought of what? Its a picture, and not the best piece of art at that."
She shook her head. "Its not that."
"Then please, elaborate."
She stared at the picture. "I met an old man once, he was a friend of Dumbledore's. In his home he had a picture of a beautiful girl, whom could magically allow you into the picture..." She stared.
"And?" He wasn't following.
"I bought the picture in Hogsmeade with Marcus right after I was forced into marriage. He hated it, but thought the outing would be good before I became a prisoner. He bought the picture and immediately passed it to me, because he thought, much like you, that it was hideous. I...I brought it with me because I loved it, for the simple fact that he didn't."
She took a breath. "Before I left him, he spent days in my room at a time. I always went back through and felt the pull of magic in the room, like he was placing a tracking device on my things. I think he suspected I wanted to leave, and took the precautions he felt necessary to make sure I was easy to find. However, the moment I got back my wand, I used as many spells as I could think of to mask my things, if that's what he was really doing in the first place. I had no desire to be found." She sighed, gripping Draco's hand and looking away from the picture on her wall.
"Marcus was...never that clever with a wand. Casting a spell to be able to...enter a picture-and from an entirely different location at that!-is remarkable to say the least. I doubt its something that he achieved on his own...which is why I didn't think to try to remove a spell like that. Do you see the door?" She pointed to the small home, the closest object to the front. He nodded.
"When I purchased the picture, that door was closed. If someone tampers with the art within, sometimes the picture itself can change. See how the people in the image are growing closer, like they're coming to us? When I purchased this, the people were walking to the castle."
Draco's eyes flashed dangerously. "He's been getting into the house through a picture?"
Hermione looked up at him. "Its not an unheard of thing, although it is uncommon, and been illegal for years. The older pieces aren't allowed to be moved anymore, and the fact that he's used that type of magic is a lifetime in Azkaban. I believe the magic is dark."
"Not necessarily," Draco said with a shrug. "It could be achieved through a large amount of powerful, legal spells as well, although I'm not sure it would be as effective."
"And you would know?"
"Just a theory. If you look at the bottom right corner next to the house, you can tell the detail has been blurred out, which just shows that whoever attempted this, Flint or otherwise, was not very experienced at it. I would think, if the person knew what they were doing, nothing in the picture would ever change."
Hermione nodded. "That sounds right, although I haven't the briefest idea what spell I could possibly use to take the curse off the picture."
Draco chuckled. "We'll have to ask."
"Who?" She gave him an interested look.
He squeezed her to him and mumbled into her hair, "You will see soon." He lifted his head. "Until then, grab whatever you'll need to change and prepare for the next few days, since you will certainly not be coming in here."
"Draco-"
"I'm not arguing with you on this. Its out of the question. Now that we understand how he got in here, this room is shut down until I speak with someone. I wont have him grabbing you when you come to get your clothes for the day. Merlin, if he can appear at any time in the picture, he could've been listening to us!" He gripped her tightly as another thought passed through his mind, sure this one would make her agree. "He could've been watching you change...sleep...cry, whenever he wanted. No, you wont be in here. I never thought he had his own personal show!"
She frowned. "I don't like you making decisions for me."
He threw his hands up. "Merlin woman! You're impossible! I'm simply making sure nothing more happens to you." He flicked his wand, gathering up her dress, a pair of jeans, a few shirts, a bra, panties-
"Draco! I think I can gather my things myself!"
He shrugged. "Then do it quickly, I don't like standing in here."
Grumbling, she whisked several things to her, including make up and some shoes. She grabbed a bag and shoved everything she considered needing inside, wanting to couple check and grabbing extra things instead, feeling Draco's anxious eyes on her back. She grabbed a book and headed into the hall, looking the other direction as Draco reapplied his spells, using more then she remembered. He finished and rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Do you feel safer now that we're in the hallway?"
"I'll feel safer when Flint's been caught, and that curse removed."
Hermione looked at him. "So specific."
He laughed. "You're in a livelier mood."
"I have to be, we just had a very important moment in there; finding out how he's been getting in."
He nodded. "Agreed. Now, lets watch some TV, there's no use trying to sleep with that fear in your eyes." He yawned, watching her glare at him. "Don't try to be brave, you're scared silly. Unless of course, you wish to try to sleep..."
She gulped, and headed for the couch in a silent agreement at the first option, irritated he could read her like an open book. I should try to mask my emotions a bit better then that!
Hermione had collapsed into a deep sleep by seven the following morning. Draco was drinking quite a bit of coffee in order to keep himself awake, deciding tonight he would turn in early to try to salvage energy for the Ball the following day.
Harry called him at nine, much to Draco's irritation. He rubbed the bridge of his nose as he answered. "Must you call at this horrendous hour?"
"I thought you would be more excited to hear from me, considering what you've been waiting to hear."
He sighed. "Its too early for this Potter, get on with it."
He could just see Harry rolling his eyes. "I've gotten the Minister to agree, given the information you've had me pass on. He isn't happy you've been in contact with Marcus Flint and haven't turned him in-"
"Yes yes, I assumed this much."
Harry sighed this time. "However, he is willing to sit in the shadows of the Ball and see how your plan plays out-with Auror's at his beck and call of course-and see what he can get on Mr. Flint and Ron. Your reports weren't taken lightly, that's for sure."
"I would sincerely hope not."
"Well, don't worry." There was a slight hesitation. "Does Hermione know about this?"
"No, and before you lecture me about secrets, I understand she wont be happy, but I need to keep her at bay. Its Granger for goodness sake. She will want to help, be involved. And that could get her killed if she is ever away from any of us for a moment."
"You think they'd kill her?"
"I don't think Weasel has the guts, he's just some lost cause at this point. Flint however, has a much meaner streak. And if he is determined to have her all to himself like I think he is, I wouldn't put it past him."
"Then there will be Auror's close by you two as well, I'll-"
"No," Draco said firmly. "Don't worry about guarding us. I'll be ready to strike the moment he tries anything."
"Draco, the Minister doesn't want you interfering and losing your head."
"I won't. I can't." He ran a hand through his hair. "Hermione's finally trusting me. I wont mess up anything now. I know this isn't anything you really care to hear, but I would never let something happen to her, not if I can stop it."
"Oh I believe you," Harry replied. "You've certainly shown loyalty towards her recently. However, I'll be by your side when this breaks out, and I would prefer you let me handle any oncoming spells. Physical attacks are all yours, but I had to promise the Minister you would not use your wand. You're supposed to be suspended, remember?"
Damn! He'd almost forgotten the use of his magic was only to protect the Golden Princess. "Very well," Draco said through gritted teeth, not happy to this agreement. "But if he threatens her then I can't let him get away with it."
"Then take a foul hit while he's in handcuffs, I don't care. Just don't raise your wand. It will cause extreme issues. The people who know of the suspension will ask too many questions if they see you hexing people. If the two get into a fight, it just looks like to former lovers going at it. Once we have Flint, the divorce papers will be immediately finalized."
"Good, I don't want him tarnishing her reputation and crushing her pride a second more then can be helped."
"You're very protective," Harry said, straying from topic. "At least she chose smart for once," he grumbled.
"What was that?" Draco smirked.
"I said at least she finally found someone who wants what's best for her. If you happen to be what makes her truly happy then I can't stand in the way of that."
"That's very mature of you Potter, what caused the change of heart?"
He heard the other man laugh. "The fact that you actually care. I haven't seen anyone she's been with since Ron genuinely care, and he lost that emotion towards her in the end."
Draco bit his tongue on the part about Ron. "At least I have your...approval. That will make tomorrow a bit less awkward."
"Let's hope so," Harry replied. "Oh, and Draco?"
"I would prefer that you withhold using my first name."
"Very well. Did Ginny call over there recently?"
Ah, trouble in paradise. "Yes, is that concerning?"
"She's just been...very distant lately."
"Potter, although she did call and Hermione talked with her, I truthfully don't want to be your council on love."
"You're right," Harry grumbled. "I'll talk to Seamus."
"You just do that. I will see you tomorrow then?"
"Yes. Have a good day Mr. Malfoy."
He rolled his eyes at the obnoxious formality. "Goodbye Potter." He hung up the phone and smirked. Things were coming together nicely.
By the time Hermione and Draco returned to bed that night, Draco had dealt with the last thing he possibly could before the Ball. Blaise had called, saying he and Theo would be by with their "dates" for the night tomorrow at seven, to be there for the eight o'clock Ball.
He had also learned that Ginny Weasley had been seen speaking angrily to Pansy Parkinson in Diagon Alley. Things were very peculiar these days.
He fell into a deep slumber, and for the first time in days, slept all the way through, Hermione curled against him, her warm, calm body a welcome feeling.
Friday morning passed by quicker then Draco would have thought. By four o'clock Hermione was already preparing for the evening. She showered twice before trying to do something with her hair, which he happily noticed was in its natural curly disarray.
He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her neck. "Leave it like this. I love your natural hair best."
She glanced at him. "You made fun of me for-"
"I was an immature child who didn't have anything better to do. I picked on who I could." He leaned in and breathed on her ear. "Now I see you as a woman, and I could never complain about the way you look." He kissed her neck and backed away, sitting on the bed. She glanced at him, blushing.
"Aren't you going to get ready?"
He chuckled. "I'm not a girl Hermione. Although I do like to look excellent, I do not spend hours on my looks. It comes naturally." He smirked.
"You're full of it," she said, flipping her head to look back in the mirror.
"I never would've pictured you as someone who spent hours getting ready anyways. Since you arrived here you've never spent this much time on yourself."
She bit her lip but didn't turn around. "I've never been to a Ball with you,. I have to at least show up against you."
He laughed, leaning back on his elbows. "You're famous my dear. No one will miss you, even if you came in nothing." He thought about that. "Actually, I think you would draw far too much attention if you came like that!"
She smiled, and glanced back at him, but it didn't touch her eyes. "Yes, it probably would."
"What's wrong," he asked, tilting his head. "You look afraid again."
"Its just-"
"Don't tell me its your ex's," he said, ignoring the fact that she was still married to one of them. "I told you before, you have nothing to worry about."
"I know," she said. "And its not really worry. I just...," she turned around a smiled wickedly. "I want to make them jealous, make them remember why they wanted me."
He chuckled. "That's better then scared." He walked past her to the closet, opening it up. "If you want to make them jealous, look breathless." He smirked, not turning to her. "That is how you got me, without effort. Stop caking your face with that goo and go there looking like you haven't a worry in the world." He glanced at her. "It drives men mad, although I think the fact of never getting to have you again will cause more of that."
"Gee, you really know how to cheer someone up," she said with a giggle.
"Exactly. We have two hours, and no one to impress."
"We have three."
He shrugged. "Two before we have to start preparing to go." He wiggled his eyebrows. "That's plenty of time to..."
She raised an eyebrow. "You always think with the wrong head, you know that? Besides, I can't mess up my hair, and I don't want to get sweaty."
He chuckled. "The sweat will make me very happy," he purred. "As for your hair, that's why people invented riding."
Theo and Blaise arrived around 7:20. Daphne looked rich and bitchy in her long elegant purple gown, that plummeted far too low to be modest, just as Draco had explained Blaise preferred, and Cho looked adorable in the short bubbly blue dress she had on. Blaise looked excited with his date, Theo bored.
Hermione had taken Draco's advice and left her hair wild, which added to the affect of the dress. Blaise smiled at her, with far to many looks as they talked before leaving, and Draco made a mental note to slap the back of his friends head later, for simply being too "Blaise".
"Let's go," Blaise said, smiling at the group. Draco noticed that his date was glaring at him, and he vaguely wondered why. Draco couldn't remember the last time he'd upset Daphne Greengrass.
Arriving at the Ball was not a small matter. At the Castle doors you were welcomed in if your were allowed, or sent away if not. The couples slipped through easily, something Draco couldn't remember doing at Hogwarts in a long time.
The Great Hall had been cleared; tables were gone and far more delicate, festive tables stood in their places, leaving much room for dancing. This was a formal affair; much more then the Yule Ball had been.
Hermione found her co-workers staring at her with questioning eyes as they arrived with the other early guests (too early if you asked Draco). She held tightly to his arm, not because she was scared really (yet) but because it reminded her she was not alone. From what she could tell, none of her ex's were at the Ball yet.
"Loosen up," Draco whispered to her as they sat. "The 'party' hasn't started yet." She noticed his skepticism on the word party. She slowly relaxed herself, smiling lightly at the stares, glad his arm was there to support her.
It wasn't long before the Hall was filled with loud chatter, much like during school. Draco noticed Potter a few tables over watching his date with wary eyes, and the Weasel beside her, who couldn't stop glancing in Hermione's direction, ignoring the girl beside him. He kept his face free of emotion, reminding himself there was no reason for problems to arise yet.
He took careful note however that the longer the twit stared at Hermione, the closer she moved to Draco, keeping a carefully crafted smile on her face at all times, even occasionally flirting with him. He placed an arm around her shoulders and smirked, nodding in the Weasel's direction.
His face heated to an orange that nearly matched his hair. He scooted his chair back roughly, drawing the attention of several people nearby and took a step towards the couple before Harry reached over and gave him a shove, talking to the male whom sat back down several moments later, fuming. His date pouted beside him and Draco nearly laughed.
Draco's smirk grew, having never liked Harry more then in that moment. He removed his eyes from the other boy and turned his head, kissing Hermione on the cheek.
"I told you nothing would happen."
It was then he realized she'd been squeezing his wrist to the point of pain. He glanced at Blaise, who gave him a knowing nod.
Tonight would be fun for Draco.
"I haven't see you in ages!"
"You have to come by sometime Hermione," Luna said, leaning in closer and lowering her voice to a whisper. "I haven't quite figured out Neville yet."
Hermione smiled. Neville and Luna had come together, and Luna looked very nice in her pale pink dress and turnip earrings. The Ball was well underway now, and it was nearing nine. Hermione had noticed a man wandering around, whom looked rather suspicious indeed. Seamus had come with Patil, and she had yet to decide if he was happy or not.
The man looked like Marcus, yet none of the Auror's-or Harry!-had tried to grab him yet. Krum had been wandering around with some Greek girl for the past hour, one Hermione had never met nor seen. The good thing about her though, was it had kept Krum's eyes off of her the entire night. However, the man who seemed like Marcus was glancing in her direction too much, and she moved closer to Draco, feeling his protective grip on her.
She looked around at everyone, seeing Harry off talking with Seamus, Ginny sitting by herself at the table completely ignoring Lavender. Draco's arm was tight around her as he listened to something Neville said, but Hermione's nerves were to frayed and she couldn't concentrate on the conversation.
"Draco!" Something annoying and shrill brought her back to reality. Turning her head in the other direction, she saw Pansy, Daphne and Blaise approaching, Daphne dragging Blaise along with her, who looked less then pleased.
"Pansy," he said evenly, tightening his grip on Hermione's shoulder.
"I didn't think I'd see you two here together. Odd pair you make."
"Perhaps, but its a happy pair." Draco smiled, and Pansy raised an eyebrow. Hermione watched the exchange, noticing that Pansy looked rather confused.
"I'm surprised Draco, you never stick with anyone long." She winked at Hermione, and she was caught off guard. "Maybe you needed someone different." She turned her body towards Hermione at this, causing the girl to become even more surprised. "Don't take what I tried a few weeks seriously by the way. I didn't realize Draco had...someone in his life." She wrinkled her nose, as though speaking all this caused her discomfort.
Hermione wanted to say it was fine, to get Pansy out of her hair so she could focus on watching for Marcus, to make sure they were always a good distance away from him...and Ron. But she couldn't. "I won't, it was a misunderstanding."
Pansy nodded. "Good." She looked back at Daphne. "Have you seen my date?"
She shrugged, looking at Blaise who just raised an eyebrow. "Don't look at me, I didn't know she came with a date."
Daphne rolled her eyes at Blaise. "I haven't seen Marcus since we arrived."
Hermione's face paled. "Flint?"
Daphne glared at her. "Yes, Flint."
Hermione looked up at Draco, but his face was impassive. "Perhaps you should go help her look then Daphne," he drawled.
"Yes," agreed Pansy quickly, snatching up her friend's hand. "Blaise, I'll return her soon." With that, she turned and headed off in search of her...date. Yet Hermione saw her take a detour and stop to speak to Harry, twirling her hair around a finger.
Blaise stepped up to the two. "Are you sure that was a good idea?"
"Yes." He glanced around. "Theo's over with Potter now, who looks rather annoyed." He smirked. "You know what to do." Blaise nodded once, turning and heading away.
Hermione pulled back from him. "What was that about?"
Draco touched her face, feeling it was time to pull her out. "Step over here with me, will you? I prefer you be as far from this as possible."
"From what?" She twisted from his grasp as he tried to lead her away. "What's going on Draco?"
He sighed. "I told you I would take care of things."
Hermione gave him a look. "As in, Marcus and Ron." She looked around, seeing Blaise approaching Flint, and Harry Ron. Theo was over speaking with Krum and the Greek girl, Cho with him, looking extremely bored.
Well this didn't look right...
"Please Hermione," he said, softly kissed her cheek but keeping his eyes very open, alert. Now was not the time to blink. He circled his arm around her waist and glanced at the three groups, knowing Krum's would amount to nothing, but anticipating the moment Ron or Flint began this duel. He wanted her away from it. "Trust me."
"Draco, you haven't even told me what you're doing! I'm not moving until you start-"
Draco's head snapped as loud footsteps sounded nearby, and he pressed Hermione to him as dozens of people followed the red-haired idiot across the floor, directly over to Flint. She watched closely, suddenly very worried about this situation and almost positive it was Draco's doing. After all, he was taking care of these things for her, as he said.
"How dare you," Ron raged, stepping up to Flint as Blaise backed up a bit, holding out his arm to stop the approaching Pansy. "You hurt her!"
The elder wizard drew his wand, pointing it at the redhead. "Back off, I don't have time to waste on you. And you have nothing to say that bypasses me." Draco flexed his fingers, ready to grip his wand the moment someone turned to hurt her.
Hermione looked up at Draco, zoning out what Ron replied with. "The Auror's...why aren't they stopping this? Don't they know that's Marcus!"
"Of course they do," he replied, looking at Harry across the room, who was slowly beckoning to the Auror's behind him. Dumbass forgot his own promise...no matter. "Give it a moment, but you may prefer to not listen."
"Now what are you on about Draco?"
He nodded towards the growing scene. "Watch, talking wont do a thing for you." Hermione snapped her head back to watch, unsure of how exactly she should be reacting, and felt Draco gently tugging her backwards to where she could still watch but there were even more people between them and the scene.
Hermione didn't hear the spell Flint said, but could assume from the force used to propel Ron backwards into a wall. The crowd was moving now, scooting back and Hermione realized by Draco was holding her so close; people were stumbling around to back away close to walls and were pushing each other, and every person who tried to push or stumble on her was reflected by Draco. She hardly noticed though, she was watching the scene.
Draco chanced a look around. The Headmistress and Minister were making their way to the two idiots disturbing the Ball as planned. Harry had a light, but stern looking hand on Ginny and was standing beside another Auror, awaiting the appropriate nod. Theo and Blaise were standing nearby, Cho off with Luna and Daphne with Pansy, who was fuming at her terrible date.
Yes, the night was a perfectly planned disaster.
Hermione watched Ron get up and send a spell back at Flint. "Stupify!"
Her heart tore. No, neither one of them had ever been right for her, Flint least of all. Krum...had made his departure. But watching Ron and Marcus fight was painful. It was over the delusional thought that there was a prize behind this, that one of them would get to keep her, when she was clearly with Malfoy.
And the more she thought about it, the more apparent it became that this was Draco's idea all along. Why such drastic measures? She couldn't think of an answer really, except that it was embarrassing for her right now. These were men whom she had been involved with romantically, if you stretched it. Now they were making fools of themselves over lost causes.
The spell hit Flint and he fell to the ground motionless. By now the Auror's and Harry had drawn their wands, Harry letting go of Ginny and saying something to her. Minerva and the Minister had made their way to the front of the crowd. Hermione had never seen Flint take a hit like that-was he drunk? Playing weak?
However, now Ron's eyes were scanning the crowd, resting on a very blond head. "Malfoy. Get off her!"
Hermione knew where this was going, and hoped it was the end. Draco shoved her behind him and pulled out his wand. Draco raised an eyebrow at the redhead, daring him to try something against him.
"Stupify!"
Draco reflected it easily, never removing his eyes from his opponent but keeping Hermione behind him, perfectly out of the way. "Relashio."
The sparks danced from the end of Draco's wand, smacking Ron in the chest before he could do anything. He rocketed back into a wall as wizards jumped out of the way, avoiding being hit and several grabbing for their wands.
"Draco!" Hermione pushed to his side, her eyes afire. "Stop that!"
He heard Pansy's voice in the distance, and snapped his head around, pushing Hermione back again as he watched Pansy take the spell off of Marcus and he leaped up, wand in hand.
Really Parkinson?
Draco could see Potter getting ready to interfere, the Minister close as Marcus spoke, Draco reacting a second too late. "Conjunctivitis," Marcus screamed, hitting Draco dead on.
He recovered quickly, throwing Hermione down as some unheard spell passed by, his only indication being the bright light that came towards them. "Petrificus totalus." His aim had to be about right, because he didn't receive another spell thrown his way.
He did however hear the booming voice of the Minister of Magic. "Potter, to the hall! Bring Mr. Weasley! Cunningham, Marcus Flint if you will. Granger, Malfoy! I expect to see you out there as well!"
He felt thin hands on his arm, and was certain it was Hermione. A tap to his temple cleared his vision and proved his assumption. Her skin was pale with fear but her eyes were alive with fire. She clutched his upper arm. "What is going on?"
He ignored the bloody looks they were getting and circled his arm around her waist. "I'll explain everything, I swear, just have a bit of patience," he whispered in her ear, which to many probably looked suggestive.
She bit her lip instead of replying, her wand tight in her hand, which must've made it appear worse as he led her out, not sparing a glance at the rather quiet, confused room.
The eight people stood in the hallway down from the Great Hall, the Minister and Minerva looking perplexed, and the Minister angry. Draco noticed an old man standing beside Minerva.
"I see that its true; those papers really will be signed immediately," Draco drawled, glaring at the old man who was already looking to far south on Hermione's body to be respectful. He pulled her tighter in, his hand rubbing skin on her arm, causing the man's eyes to glaze.
Harry looked at Draco, eyebrow raised. "As I told you." He nodded stiffly.
Minerva looked at around at the group with frigid eyes. "This is what I agreed to Mr. Potter, Minister," she snapped, her eyes dead with emotion. "You have upset the Ball with this madness, and now that the task is done I ask you do not return to the Ball and disrupt everyone further." She look pointedly at Ron, then Marcus. "And you two! I would've expected better, even from you Mr. Flint." She nodded to the Minister, who made no move to pull her back as she retreated to the Great Hall again, eerily quiet.
The Minister glared at everyone in the hall, before turning his cool eyes to Draco. "Mr. Malfoy, although I sincerely thank you for...aiding in the capture of Mr. Flint, was that fight really necessary? I specifically asked Mr. Potter to remind you to not fight."
"Yes, however he happened to not be by my side as planned," Draco snapped.
"Dr-"
"Hold on Hermione," he soothed, glancing at her for a moment. He looked back at the Minister before speaking again. "You may consider taking in Weasley too-he is apparently mental."
Harry glared at the blond, but Ron gaped. "Don't listen to him! He's a filthy liar!" Ron made to advance on Draco, but Harry grabbed his arm with a sigh.
"We will know all the truth we need in a few weeks Mr. Weasley," the Minister said, beckoning to Mr. Gilmer to now step towards Flint. "At the court date for you, Mr. Flint and Miss Weasley."
The color on Ron's face disappeared, and Harry's grip tightened at the mention of Ginny's name. "My sister? Leave her out of this!"
The Minister waved his hand. "From a number of sources involved in the plot for tonight I have heard Miss Weasley's name mentioned. Marcus Flint is a wanted criminal," he continued, glaring at the boy, "for abuse and use of extreme Dark Magic." He paused, considering his next sentence. "And for the Death Eater mark that is assumed to be on his forearm-a matter we will not be checking at this moment Mr. Cunningham," he added as the other man went to drag up the sleeve of his shirt.
Draco tensed at the mention of the Mark, remembering that now people could tell who had once bore it by the twisted scar left behind since Voldemort's death. Hermione had not taken notice to his yet, as far as he knew.
"Mr. Potter, before you leave tonight I want an account of who was involved in this issue, tonight and otherwise. I'll be sending out notices for a court meeting soon, to decide where to take matters from here."
"Of course sir."
Stupid brown-noser.
Hermione was pulling on him now, curious beyond belief at what on earth had happened behind her back, and rather irritated that she hadn't caught on! Draco certainly owned him some answers.
"Mr. Gilmer," the Minister continued, without even glancing at the couple who were now pushing at pulling each other lightly. "Get that paper signed quickly, I need to remove these men quickly. Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley does not need to come with us, although you must make sure she is present the day of court."
"I will."
"Good, you may go and make that list now. If Mr. Malfoy," he continued, glaring at the blond again, "has any other names for you he can owl them over." Harry nodded once, glancing at Hermione and Draco before departing back into the Great Hall down from them.
Ron glared at Draco, his eyes livid as he watched him hold Hermione close, and Hermione refused to shrink back from that stare. Flint was doing much the same, although he was still restrained by Mr. Cunningham, as he signed the papers (with assistance from Mr. Cunningham's wand moving his hand) with a hateful look towards Hermione.
"I knew the moment you got close to Malfoy you'd turn into his whore," he snapped, tossing the pen as his name permantly burned into the paper.
Draco took a step forward and drew his wand, feeling the Minister's harsh grip on his wrist as he raised his arm, and he bit the inside of his lip to resist the urge to slap the elder wizard.
"Put it away Mr. Malfoy, and I'll let you keep it permantly, without the need to return it to me until the beginning of February." He bit his lip at the pleasant offer, but didn't lower his arm, just waiting for Marcus to continue his talk.
"He's not going to do anything," Marcus drawled, turning his eyes now to his former wife. "She's messed with his head; got under his skin. That's what bitchy Mudblood's tend to do," he snapped, his eyes staring at Hermione, but not her eyes.
He never actually saw Draco's fist coming until it collided with the side of his head, slamming him into the hard stone ground with force.
"Mr. Malfoy!"
From his spot on the ground, Marcus continued his talking as he spit out s bit of blood. "That's right, defend the cunt. It'll to wonders."
The noise Marcus let out as Draco kicked him in the gut was nothing pleasant.
"Mr. Malfoy!"
"I know," Draco snapped, not turning back to the Minister, staring instead at Ron as Mr. Cunningham hauled Marcus up, the side of his face now completely bloody and his nose looking rather smooshed. "Anything you'd like to say about her," Draco growled, having dropped his wand as he jumped at Flint.
Ron glared, glancing at the other boys face behind Draco. "Nothing I'm willing to get hit for," he replied then, trying it see Hermione from behind the taller boy.
Draco nodded once, feeling slightly better from finally getting to let off some of his tension towards Flint. He turned back and the Minister glared at him, holding up his wand, Mr. Gilmer behind him.
"I'll hold on to this until February then, shall I?"
Draco bit his tongue, snatching Hermione back into the warm circle of his arms-although she just stared, taking extreme care to hold back her outburst of questions. No, those would be saved to pumble Draco's ears with.
"I figured as much. If we're done here Minister, I'd like to return to my flat."
He nodded. "The court date will be owled to you in a few days."
Draco nodded, not bothering with a formal goodbye, ignoring the part of his mind dictated by years of learning nothing but manners. He pulled Hermione past the leering men, dragging her towards the gate in silence.
Once outside of Hogwarts, she apparated them home.
lulu: Thanks! The Ball is coming...and suspense is really my thing so don't be surprised XD
Jelisha Baby 22: Here!
Barbie: Here you go!
I vIsItEd DrAcO lAsT nIgHt: We'll see...
The Butterfly Effect: Not until the sequel :)
amy d: I'm really not!
nightshadeprincess: Laziness is ok sometimes! As for the Ball, I hope you enjoyed it :)
Kimm Possible: Why thank you!