Chapter 16:
The weeks were passing quickly and blissfully for Hermione. Her routine had changed now; it now included someone else. She would wake first alongside Draco. His face calm and white-blond hair rustled from sleep. He looked like a small child – so innocent and carefree. She would kiss him gently, waking him up. He would kiss her back slowly, opening his eyes just a little bit.
"I can get used to this," he would say smirking and wrapping his arms around her kissing her more. He would get more passionate, sliding his hands south, cupping her behind then flipping her over, Hermione yelping in the process. His intentions were clear.
"Draco…" she would whine between kisses, putting up a futile defence, "We shouldn't do this…not now at least." Draco would smirk and kiss her again, seeing straight through her words.
She would then get forceful, placing her hands on his bare chest, pushing him away from her, "Draco. I can't. I need to work…unless you would rather than not do this anymore."
Draco would sigh, flopping onto his back, defeated. She would get out of bed, getting dressed and kissing still bedridden Draco before going downstairs to start working.
And that was how the rest of her day was spent – working. She would spend hours upon hours preparing her statements, questions, and working with Draco to perfect his testimony. She would review, add some notes, memorizing the new addition, then review again. She sat at the kitchen table the entire day, with Draco and the rest of Grimmauld Place moving around her. She barely had time to cook meals for her housemate, but he was being helpful in that department. He would spend time in the kitchen with her, busy himself with books or other chores around the house.
Hermione was starting to get nervous for the trial. Two weeks had already passed. This was the feeling that she would get after studying for an exam for weeks and weeks, and still feel uncertain about the material. She hated this feeling. It also frustrated her that Draco wasn't even acknowledging her stress. When she was working, he would practically ignore her. When they had still been in school, Harry and Ron would ask her if she needed help, or at least comfort her when she seemed frantic. Draco would just work around her; not acknowledging her stress and anxiety. It bothered her. She would lie in bed after a stressful day, just wanting to sleep, and he always pulled her to him. He would kiss her neck, caress her stomach.
"Come on" he would beg her, trying to pull her closer to him.
"I can't" she would whine tiredly, turning herself from him, trying to fall asleep.
"Why not" he would whine pressing himself into her back, showing her his intentions. Trying endlessly to get her to turn around. Hermione just focused on keeping her breathing slow and steady and her mind calm and clear. Even though there was a fire burning within her. Night after night, her strategy worked, and he would eventually snuggle up to her, resting his arm on her waist. His breathing would slow behind her, and Hermione would know that he was asleep.
Hermione was happy with Draco. They hadn't really done much different since that night. He endlessly complain, but Hermione consistently blocked it out. Hermione was so busy – busy working for him! All he wanted to do was snog her, and get her in bed. It was all physical with him. It was like he didn't understand the work that Hermione had to do. She understood that there was a good chance that he was going to Azkaban for the rest of his life, and that he may have wanted things with Hermione to be all physical for the rest of his freedom, but they were doing "this" whatever it was. It was a mutual agreement, a relationship.
Lying in bed, Hermione was starting to doubt the choice that she had made that night two weeks ago. Should she have kissed him? Would this jeopardise her chances in proving him innocent? What if he did go to Azkaban? How would she react? Would she be ok? Questions were flooding into her head, making it hard for her even think of sleeping. She laid back looking at the plain ceiling of her room, and felt Draco's arm readjust holding her still. She would be sad if he did go to Azkaban; she would miss this. She wasn't sure what "this" was yet, but it could lead to something else. She had never felt this way before.
ooooooooooo
Neville was bored. He absent-mindedly stared at his hands, lying flat on his desk in front of him. The profession of being an auror was definitely not what he had thought it would be. He had started from the bottom, unlike Harry who had started at the top. Even though he had completed the basic auror training, he was now stuck at a desk all day doing research. He rarely went out in the field. He wasn't even an assistant to an investigative auror. However, that didn't mean that he didn't participate in the auror department rumor mill. The newest piece of gossip was about Lucius Malfoy. Everyone knew that he had been murdered in his cell at Azkaban, but there was a lot of speculation as how he died and what was in the cell. Some were saying that there was a direct threat to Draco. Others said that it was so gruesome that both Harry and Kingsley had to excuse themselves. Someone had even said they had seen Kingsley vomit! Neville was curious, but wasn't able to set anything up with Harry to hear the actual details. How else could he get the information?
Hermione Granger. He was sure she had heard about the murder considering she had been babysitting Draco Malfoy for the past weeks. She would surely know something. If not there was always Malfoy. He checked his watch – 4:52. He would be able to leave soon. It wasn't like he had any other work to do. Sitting and staring at his hands had been the most stimulating thing he had done all day. He let the time pass and packed his things, stepping into the floo towards Grimmauld Place.
Still standing in the fireplace, he saw Hermione working diligently at the kitchen table, and Draco lost in his thoughts arbitrarily wiping the counter. He was out of his room. They were co-inhabiting. Weird. He stepped out and the atmosphere in the room immediately changed. Hermione jumped violently noticing that he was in the room, and Draco simply turned around to face him, indifferent. This was typical Draco Malfoy – face void of any emotion. His father had taught him well. But his father was dead now.
"Neville!" Hermione started, pushing out of her chair, "I didn't see you come in. How are you?" Neville knew that by asking him how he was, she was really trying to figure out what he was doing there. He had interrupted something. Neville glanced over at Malfoy who hadn't changed at all. He was just staring at he and Hermione.
"I'm good. Had a slow day at work and thought I would come pay you and Malfoy a visit! It has been a month since I've seen you, you know 'Mione" Neville watched as Hermione blushed at his comment. She was still the same – she didn't know how beautiful and attractive she was to other guys. She was still stuck in Hogwarts – thinking that she still looked like what boys like Malfoy had described her as. His gaze shifted to Malfoy who was eying her from the counter, which he was currently wiping clean. Neville wanted to talk to Hermione alone, ask about how Malfoy had been, maybe get her to smile, but Malfoy's presence was biting at him. What was his deal? He almost seemed protective of Hermione.
"It has? Wow, time has really flown, I feel like I've been here for like two days!" she said starting to laugh in Malfoy's direction. Neville was in shock…did she like him! This was Malfoy the boy who made her like miserable for 7 years!
"Really Hermione?! It kind of sounds like you do nothing all day…just stuck here with Malfoy…" Neville trailed off as he turned his gaze to Malfoy. The blonde had finally moved toward him and was looking slightly angrier.
"Oh Neville," she giggled, "Draco really isn't that bad! He helps me around the house and keeps me company. Harry and Ginny have even taken to him a bit!" she flashed a toothy smile at Draco who tightened his lips. Neville was in disbelief! Why would she be so friendly towards him?! They had such a terrible history!
Then it hit him like a ton of bricks. Something was going on. Something romantic. The feeling of nausea seeped through him slowly. How could she do this?! Malfoy must be doing something to her! Did Harry and Ron know? Neville couldn't let this happen. He had to do something. Fight fire with fire.
He slid closer to Hermione, brushing her arm. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you a bit, Hermione? It really wouldn't be much trouble at all" he drawled, sending a mischievous smile Draco's way. He wanted him to know his intentions.
"Oh Nevile, how sweet of you," she murmured back to him, "but Malfoy and I are fine here. Really." She lifted her gaze towards Malfoy who seemed to be trying to burn a whole in the counter with his eyes. Neville smirked; his plan was working.
"What about you Malfoy? You wouldn't mind a little male company would you?" he said as he wrapped his arm around Hermione. Draco finally looked up at him, glaring daggers.
"I don't know Longbottom, three's a crowd…" Malfoy answered in the tone of their earlier Hogwarts days. Malfoy was now on the defensive, exactly where Neville wanted him. He squeezed Hermione and felt her recoil away from him. He was now making her uncomfortable. Normally, he would want Hermione to feel safe and happy with him, but it wasn't about Hermione right now. It was about Malfoy.
"Well 'Mione, this has been fun, but I have to get back to work and stuff. It was good seeing you! And you too of course Malfoy." Neville said with a smirk. Malfoy had inched slightly closer to Hermione as their conversation had continued. But Neville still had a few tricks up his sleeve. "'Mione maybe I can call you sometime? We should see each other more often." He then snaked his arms around her kissing her check, maybe even the side of her lips.
Malfoy looked as though he would fall over. Neville felt pride surge through him. He had never seen Malfoy so affected and overcome with emotion. His face was red, fists clenchd, and he was now standing close to Hermione as though protecting her. But Neville was not done. He finally approached the fire and grabbed a huge handful of floo powder. He stepped into the fireplace and just as he was about to throw the powder down, he glanced at Malfoy one last time watching his every move through narrow eyes. "Oh and Malfoy," Neville started as he threw down the powder and green flames erupted around him, "so sorry about your father."
ooooooooooo
"Oh and Malfoy" Longbottom said as green flames licked his body, "so sorry about your father." The tall, lanky boy disappeared into the flames, but Malfoy saw him smirk…he wasn't sorry. He took a deep breath. He couldn't lose it in front of Hermione; she actually liked this guy. But didn't she like him? Why wasn't she standing up for for him? What hadn't she pushed Longbottom away when he had touched her, kissed her? She was just standing there flushed, gaping at the fireplace as if she had seen a troll. Neville's low blow was bringing back bad memories and Malfoy decided he couldn't handle it anymore. He stalked up to his room laying down on his bed staring at the same cracked ceiling.
Maybe he was getting too close to Hermione. The way he had felt when Longbottom had laid his hands on her, his mouth on her cheek…he was livid. His father had always warned him of this…of love. He had told him that was why all Malfoy men had been wed in arranged marriages – the love would never distract their aspirations and achievements. Malfoys focused; Malfoys succeeded. Malfoy pushed his silver blond hair out of his face. There was only one thing left to do, and he would do it the only way he knew how. Counting the cracks in the ceiling one last time he shoved off the bed and headed downstairs.
oooooooooo
Harry sat back in his chair, watching Hermione walk out of his office. That was the second time that week that she had just burst into his office, hysterical about Draco's trial preparations. She was beginning to doubt herself, something she usually did if she was extremely stressed. He'd reminded her not to doubt herself and to think of all the other times she had doubted herself. Her Arithmancy essays, Potions, her NEWTs. Everything had turned out all right in the end. She had done just fine. She was just overreacting. He watched as she visibly relaxed, exhaling out and sitting down in front of him. She spent the next half an hour reviewing her plans for Draco's trial. Harry was slightly amazed. She had rehearsed her questions with Draco, anticipating every little detail or mishap. She was completely ready; it was only up to Winzegamot now.
"Hermione. There is literally nothing else that you can do. Your case is completely made up!" Harry told her desperately. She scrunched up her nose in thought, shuffling once more through her notes.
"Do you think so Harry? Are you sure there is anything else I could do?" she replied anxiously. This girl really didn't know when to quit! He quickly ran a hand through his jet-black hair, unsure of what to tell his best friend next.
"Ms. Granger, there is absolutely nothing else that you can work on. I see no weaknesses in your argument, and you will just have to wait a few more days to prove them in front of the Winzegamot." Hermione turned quickly in her chair and gaped as Kingsley, the Minster of Magic himself, stood at Harry's door, "Now Ms. Granger, Harry and I have some business to attend to and you have gone well beyond the task you were assigned. I will see you in a few days time." Speechless, Hermione walked out of his office and disappeared out of sight. "That woman will never change," said Kingsley settling down in the chair that Hermione had just vacated.
"Tell me about it! I've had to talk her down since first year!" Harry answered chuckling. If there was anyone who knew how to deal with Hermione, it was Harry, and maybe Ron. But Ron had screwed things over; he would be lucky if Hermione would ever speak and confide in him the same way ever again. Leave it to Ron to ruin a friendship.
"Harry, I can see that you're deep in thought, but I did not come here just to playfully scold Ms. Granger" Kingsley said pulling Harry out of his thoughts, "We do have to discuss a few things. Now in regards to the Auror raid last Friday…"
Harry focused on Kingsley's face. He was not an especially beautiful specimen. His dark skin was aged and scarred from previous battles. His eyes were slightly too far apart, and his nose was rather bulbous. But the Minister of Magic had a certain aire to him. He was regal and powerful, and when he spoke others listened. Harry recalled the first words he had heard Kingsley Shaklebolt utter his fifth year as Dumbledore disappeared in flames. His deep voice had resonated then, just as it was now. Harry wasn't truly listening to what Kingsley was saying, rather listening to how he was saying it. His voice was so deep and different. Kingsley was kind of like Dumbledore in a way. He was regal and commanded attention, not only attention, but respect. Both men had been extremely respected by the Wizarding Community. Dumbledore as the best Headmaster of Hogwarts School, and Kingsley the Minister of Magic helping Wizarding England out of the War. Although the two men looked completely different, Harry could see their similarities, and why he looked up to both of them so much. After the war had ended, Kingsley had been a mentor for him. Helping him through the new job at the Ministry as well as assisting him with his work for the Order.
"Harry are you even listening?!" Harry was jolted out of his thoughts as the Minister of Magic sent him an inquisitive look.
"Oh yes, yes. Sorry. You were saying, Minister."
"Well, I was saying that after what happened to Malfoy Senior, I don't think that we should take any risks with Junior's trial. Security for him, Hermione, and the entire Winzegamot needs to be top notch for the entire day. I trust that you will be taking care of that." He finished, leaning back against his seat.
"Of course. Security. Consider it done. Any thing else before I get started?" He asked, expecting Kinglsey to shake his head and walk out without another word like he usually did.
"Yes, actually," inside Harry was stunned, but pulled out a notepad and noted the things he had to do for the trial before Kingsley pressed on, "it's regarding the murder of Lucius at Azkaban. I was wondering if your people had found anything else out of the ordinary?" Harry creased his eyebrows. His people hadn't found anything. It had taken them a while to decode the message left for them. Draco was next. Harry had known that from the second he stepped into the gory cell. Someone was after the Malfoys and he had no idea why. Other than the intended message, no other shreds of evidence had been found. The cell had no splice of DNA belonging to anyone else than Lucius Malfoy. They had even brought in Muggle investigators to confirm it. How was he supposed to solve this without anything else? Something had to give!
"No, nothing sir. How about on your end? Anything new?"
"Nothing other than the fact that Draco will be next. I think that he should be warned of the intentions of the killer after his trial. If he goes to Azkaban, we should inform him before his admittance, and put guards on him at all times. If Ms. Granger succeeds, he will have to decide where to stay, and we will put guards there. Perhaps Mr. Malfoy can help us understand why anyone would want to target his family – at least for a more specific reason."
Harry creased his eyebrows again. Kingsley was right – as usual – Draco could definitely narrow down reasons as to why his father and his family was being targeted. He could even know who did it. But like Kingsley said, approaching Draco before his trial could throw him off, make him suspicious. It would have to wait until after.
"I will leave you to your thoughts Mr. Potter," Kingsley said, getting out of his chair and turning towards the door, "Just be aware Mr. Potter, both Hermione and Draco have a lot riding on this trial. Make sure it does not go awry."
"Yes, Kingsley" Harry responded as the door to his office closed softly. Harry was left to his thoughts – thoughts about Malfoy and Hermione's safety. He knew Hermione cared for him, even though she wouldn't admit it he knew that they had developed some kind of bond. He had seen her reaction to Lucius' death and how it had affected Draco. He wasn't sure if the feeling was mutual, but something was there. He couldn't help but fear how crushed Hermione would be if she were to fail and Malfoy were to go to Azkaban. He couldn't bear to imagine her reaction if he were killed like his father. He would have to do everything in his power to make he would be safe – Malfoy couldn't go to Azkaban.
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! What did you think about Neville's attempt at Hermione? How about Draco's reaction? What do you all think will happen next, especially as the trial approaches?