Chapter Eight: Disappointed

Harry and Ron walked to DADA along with the rest of the class. Blaise was just taking his seat next to Hermione and Harry smiled a small smile while Ron just glared.

Harry leaned over to Ron and whispered "Wonder what's gotten into Malfoy." Ron looked over to see Pansy Parkinson with tears streaming down her round, pouty face. Malfoy looked as if he was a statue of the embodiment of fury. The only indication that he was real was the way his jaw kept clenching and unclenching.

"But Draco," Pansy whined. "Why are you being so mean? To me?" As if just the fact that she was her should divert Draco's anger.

Draco didn't answer her, instead he just continued to stare at the back of Hermione's head and mull over the events that had taken place during the 20 minutes before class. What is going on? I have to confront it and figure out their plan before they use this against me. I have to admit though, I never thought Granger had it in her. Her cunning is rather attractive. Either that or I'm losing my mind…

Hermione also could not keep her thoughts from straying to what had just happened.

Ok, has he completely lost his mind? What just happened? I can't believe it, but it had to be real, Draco isn't skilled enough to tamper with his memories. Ok, so what do I do? Why did he show me? Why didn't he just hex me or something? He can't seriously think I planned that. And with Blaise? No, he must just be confused about why he showed me. After Hermione had a moment or two to panic her thoughts became more logical and quickly identified the most beneficial solution: pretend it never happened.

20 minutes previous…

As Draco approached the desk he took out his wand with one hand while still holding Hermione's arm with the other. He locked the door with a flick of his wand and bent his head over Avarus's pensive and began to extract a silvery, swirling chain of memories from his head. It slowly slipped into the pensive and Draco stuck his head in and pulled Hermione along as he got sucked into the past.

They landed in a cold dark room made of stone that much resembled the potions dungeon. Lucius Malfoy was standing over a small blonde haired boy, which Hermione guessed was Draco Malfoy. The next thing she saw made her gasp. Lucius swiftly pulled out his cane and began beating the small Draco with it while the boy cried out in pain.

"Never disobey me again!" his father bellowed. The boy turned to look up at his father with his bottom lip quivering and when he nodded the tears that had welled up in his eyes began to spill down his pale face.

Draco grabbed Hermione's arm and gave a slight tug and the room changed into a brightly lit men's lavatory. Normally Hermione would have felt uncomfortable, but she could hardly take her eyes from the scene in front of her.

Lucius had an 11 year old Draco by the collar of his shirt and was snarling in his face. "Don't think I don't see how you resent me boy. I can tell by the looks you give me. You are a part of this family and you will act that way!" he shouted. Draco simply stared at him, his face hardened from what was obviously years of practice.

"If you are not placed in Slytherin then don't bother getting on that train and coming back home at the end of the term. You-Will-Not-Disappoint-Me." Lucius was finished and shoved Draco out the door of the lavatory carefully composing his face into a proud sneer before stepping out the door himself.

Draco pulled Hermione's arm again and the surroundings changed once more. This time Hermione found herself and Draco in a warm room lit by a large fireplace and decorated lavishly. Draco sat on a black leather sofa. Hermione noticed a man across the room with his back to them, staring into the fire.

"Your father failed me," the man hissed. His voice sent a chill up Hermione's spine and she could feel Draco shiver next to her as well, his hand now loosely gripping her wrist. "Do you have nothing to say to this?" the man challenged.

"Well seeing as how I wasn't there and it wasn't my job I don't really know what you want me to say," Draco drawled. Hermione thought this was very brave of him. She knew she would never be able to speak so surely to someone so frightening. The man's head snapped up and he turned sharply to glare at Draco.

When Hermione saw him she involuntarily clenched onto Draco's arm. For a moment he was too shocked to do anything. He then peered at her from the corner of his eye and saw her face which was twisted with fear as she stared at Voldemort. Her eyes then slid to the past Draco sitting in front of them and her face turned to what he thought was…worry. When he saw this Draco instinctively let go of her wrist and gently placed his hand around her shoulders. He then turned back to the scene.

"You dare to speak to me that way boy?" Hermione could hear the rage in his voice as he whipped out his wand. Before she knew what was happening Draco was wriggling in pain on the sofa. She felt the present Draco cringe a bit. Voldemort stopped then leaned over and grabbed Draco by the hair.

"If you wish to live then you will do something for me to pay for your father's stupidity and your lack of respect for me."

"I will not do anything for my father or you," Draco spat. "So just kill me."

"If you wish, right after I kill your mother. She will have to pay for you and your father," he said, grinning evilly. Draco's face immediately fell at the mention of his mother. Unlike his father, Draco loved and respected his mother more than anyone else. He couldn't blame her for fearing his father, but she tried to stand up for Draco whenever she could.

"Okay, fine I'll do whatever you want," he said giving in.

"Good, glad you chose my way, seeing as how my way is the only way. Now, your job is to kill Albus Dumbledore." Draco just stared at him in shock. How was he supposed to kill Dumbledore, his headmaster and one of the greatest wizards the world has ever known? He wouldn't stand a chance. Draco looked up to see Voldemort's face twisted into what would have been a smile, had he been human. Voldemort knew he would fail.

Hermione was tugged again and this time instead of seeing one memory she saw several quick clips: Draco in Borgin and Burkes…being scolded by Bellatrix…standing over a sink crying…and finally facing a wand-less Dumbledore. The memory materialized fully and the scene unfolded. Harry had never told Hermione exactly what happened between Malfoy and Dumbledore.

Dumbledore stood there calmly talking to Draco who looked terrified. Hermione could see in his eyes that he couldn't do it. He wasn't evil and he did not choose this life. His body was wracked with guilt and fear, his eyes dull and tormented while sweat appeared on his brow.

Now the memories flashed by again and came to stop on Draco in the Malfoy manor the night that Bellatrix tortured Hermione for information. Draco was disgusted and ashamed of this memory and Hermione looked over to see his eyes become glassy. At the time she could hardly focus on anything, but now she took the opportunity to study him that night as he stood by and watched her and his aunt.

What she saw on his face made her heart swell, he looked sad and scared. He was trapped, he wanted to stop Bellatrix, but he knew he couldn't so he silently argued with his feelings and tried not to break down. Hermione could see how quick his breathing was as he sank back against the wall. Beside her she could tell the present Draco was holding his breath, fearful of what her reaction to this would be.

Finally Draco tugged her back into the DADA classroom.

They both stood still, just looking at each other. Hermione didn't know what to say when suddenly Draco's face turned angry. "You happy now Granger? You know my life so now you can talk shit about it all you want," he spat, looking on the verge of tears.

This wasn't the reaction Hermione had expected and she fumbled for words. "Draco I'm so sorry, I-"

"I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE SORRY!" he screamed at her. "I DON'T NEED A FILTHY MUDBLOOD FEELING SORRY FOR ME. MY FAMILY MAY BE EVIL, BUT EVEN IF I'M NOT I'M STILL ABOVE YOU!" He tried to muster up some dignity but by now Draco was so upset and confused he was trying to think of anything to say that would insult her and wipe the compassion from her face. It was something he wasn't used to and that scared him.

Why then, was he disappointed that he succeeded? Hurt flashed across Hermione's face, but it quickly turned to rage when she realized that after sharing this with her he still hadn't changed.

"YOU ARE COMPLETELY UNBELIEVABLE!" she shrieked, matching his volume, which shocked him a bit. "JUST WHEN I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE AN ACTUAL HUMAN BEING WITH FEELINGS AND THE ABILITY TO CAREYOU PROVE TO ME THAT I WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG. YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A HATEFUL BASTARD! YOU HAVEN'T CHANGED AND YOU NEVER WILL!!!

"If you're so proud of your family then why did I see the look of disgust on your face when Voldemort mentioned your father?" she asked, shaking her head in disgust. "Your nothing a but a liar Draco Malfoy. You are a fake." She emphasized the last word.

"You aren't evil, I know that, but if you think you have to put on a show of it and pretend to be what your father always wanted, even now that it's over, then you are no better to me than if you were torturing me alongside your sick aunt. You might as well be Voldemort yourself!" By now she couldn't hold back the tears of anger and disappointment that poured down her face.

Why was she so disappointed to find that Malfoy wasn't good? Because he really is sorry, he really is good or he wouldn't have shown me…right? I hope so.

"Fine," was all Draco could say. He honestly didn't know what to think and he wasn't quite sure what this feeling was the he now had. Malfoys don't feel guilt or hurt. Why had he wanted so badly for her to know his secret? Why her?

Then one of many illogical thoughts popped into his head. Hostium Specialis.

(A/N) Hope you enjoyed it. Let me know :)