A/N: :-/
Side note: I saw 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' last night and it is soooo good. Emma Watson is just so damn adorable! I 3 her :-)
Draco, Hermione, Phillip, Seth, and Caroline sat in the waiting room at St. Mungo's Hospital awaiting word on Sophie. Any word. Good or bad, they didn't care. They just needed to know what was going on.
Chastity had gone upstairs to the Visitors' Tearoom a while ago to get coffee for everyone while Reginald stayed behind at the office to speak with the Aurors about what had happened.
Phillip sat in a chair with his face in his hands, refusing to let anyone see the horrible fear reflected in his eyes. Hermione was resting with her head on Draco's shoulder while he had his arm wrapped securely around her. Seth was just silent, staring blankly at a spot on the floor, his eyes unblinking. Caroline was the only one who looked downright angry. She could not sit still and kept pacing about, biting her nails, and staring at the doors Sophie had gone through.
"This has that Zandicus fucker written all over it," she blurted out when they heard a noise but the doors did not open, yet again.
"You don't know that," said Draco, squeezing Hermione closer.
"Oh, yes I do. We all heard him threaten you earlier, and whose fucking office was she attacked in? Yours!"
Draco took a deep breath. "Yes, I realize that."
"Do you? Because to me it still seems like you're too caught up in this love story of yours to really see what's going on here."
Hermione fidgeted uncomfortably beneath his arm but Draco kept a firm grip on her.
"What the hell were you two doing in Phillip's office for so long, anyway?" Caroline continued, crossing her arms. "And don't you dare tell me you were getting firewhiskey!"
"Reconciling," was all Draco said. Now didn't really seem like a good time to mention their revenge on Phillip and Sophie for shagging in their drawing room.
Caroline gave a loud, "Ha!" and sneered at the couple. "You should have moved it to your own bloody office!"
Draco's fists tensed. "Caroline, I'm warning you …"
"It should be you two in there! Sophie's only crime was being your damn friend when no one else would! And that baby …" Caroline sniffled … "That baby didn't even get a chance to -"
"Caroline, STOP! Just fucking stop!" shouted Phillip, rising to his feet.
Caroline listened, her lip quivering as she tried to hold her mouth tightly shut.
"This is not their fault!" he said, pointing at Draco and Hermione. "This is no one's fault, except for whoever the hell was behind it all!"
"B-but you heard the prophecy, Phillip. This never would have happened if -"
"If what?" he shrugged. "If we never met them? If they never fell in love? Why should a few bloody words keep two people who care about each other from being together?"
"Because when those bloody words condemn the rest of us they should start thinking about people other than themselves!"
"Why?" he asked. "This thing is happening no matter what they do. Why should they change anything?"
"Because things like this happen, Phillip!" shouted Caroline, motioning to the doors that still had not opened. "They should have called the wedding off the moment they knew about the prophecy! We all should have distanced ourselves from them!"
Phillip sighed. "You're free to do what you want, Caroline, but I'm not going anywhere. And, I can assure you, Sophie isn't either."
"But … Phillip …"
"Maybe it's not Hermione and Draco's feelings that need to change. Have you ever thought about that?" Phillip asked, staring intensely into Caroline's swollen eyes. "Despite what you believe, the world cannot go on like this. All of this fighting, this hatred. It's disgusting!" He paused for a moment and took a deep breath, painfully aware that he kept holding it in. "No. It's definitely not their feelings that need to change. It's the worlds. And I'm going to make damn sure that happens."
"Mr. Prior?"
They all turned to see the Head Healer standing in the doorway with Astoria just behind her, looking beat. Everyone gazed at them hopefully.
The Head Healer tried to smile, though there was little joy behind it. "Your wife is going to be all right. She's just woken up and she's asking for you."
Everyone let out sighs of relief. Except Phillip.
"And the baby?" he asked desperately, still not wanting to believe the inevitable.
The Healer's smile faded. Astoria turned her head so no one could see a tear escape the corner of her eye. "I'm afraid we were unable to save the child. I'm so sorry, Mr. Prior."
Phillip fell back into his chair. He lost his breath again as a heavy pain shot through his heart. But he did not cry. For some reason he would not cry.
"Would you like to see her now?" asked the Healer.
Phillip squinted his eyes shut and said in a choked voice, "Just give me a minute."
"Of course. Ms. Greengrass here will show you the way as soon as you're ready."
The Healer disappeared through the doors.
Caroline wiped several tears away from her eyes before saying, "I'm going to go and check on things at the office. I just … I'll be back later." She disapparated.
Seth was still silent. His eyes had not moved from that same spot through it all and Draco wondered if he even comprehended what had happened.
Draco looked up and saw Chastity standing with several coffees in two carriers a good ways back. He nudged Hermione and motioned to her. They both stood up and walked over.
Chastity didn't look at them as they approached. "It's bad, isn't it?" she asked.
Draco and Hermione both frowned. "Sophie's all right, but she lost the baby," answered Hermione in a weak voice.
Chastity gasped. Her legs caved as she stumbled backwards. Hermione was quick to grab the coffees out of her hands while Draco reached out to catch her, but she balanced herself before he needed to. Her face exhibited great pain as she looked over at her ex-husband.
"You know, it's always been Phillip's dream to be a father." A tear slid down her cheek. "That was part of the problem in our marriage. He was ready and I wasn't." And then several more. She wiped them away and watched as Phillip stood up and disappeared through the doors with Astoria. Then her eyes moved the Seth. "How is he taking it?"
"Not well, I think," said Draco. "He hasn't said two words since it happened."
Chastity sighed. "He's never dealt with things like this very well." She paused. "I know he was very young at the time, but Seth went through a lot during the First War. He was the bastard child of a Death Eater witch and a Muggle-born wizard. His mother tried to hide it, since she was so ashamed of what she had done, but, of course, You-Know-Who found out. Seth's father was killed shortly after and he and his mother were both tortured. Some say it lasted only days, others months. Only Seth knows for sure but he never talks about it. Eventually, his mother was tormented to the point of insanity."
Chastity paused, gulping hard to fight back her tears.
"She's here, you know?" she said, still looking at Seth. "His mother. On this floor in the Janus Thickey Ward. I don't think he's ever visited her before. Not even once."
Draco and Hermione looked over at Seth, who still showed no signs of moving. How was it that they knew none of this? They'd known Seth for almost a year now and only just realized how little they knew about his past. All he ever talked about was the present. Maybe it was because he had no joyous memories to share.
"How do you know this?" asked Draco in a strained voice, almost feeling angry that she knew something he did not.
Chastity wiped her eyes again, refusing to let any tears fall. "I know it doesn't seem like it now, but Seth and I were once good friends. We've known each other for a long time. He was the first friend I ever made at Hogwarts. We were the same year, the same house. He even set me up with his new coworker, Phillip, just after we graduated. And, well … you already know how that story goes."
They all stood there in silence for a moment, no one sure of what they were supposed to do. "You know, you don't have to stay, Chastity," Draco said after a few minutes had past.
Her eyes widened. "No!" she snapped, whipping her head at him. "No, I want to." Chastity grabbed the coffees back from Hermione and took several deep breaths. "I know I'm none of your favorite person, but I want to be here for them. I can't just leave."
Chastity secured her eyes on Seth and walked over to where he was. She set the coffees down on a small table before sitting down next to him. He jumped a little as she slipped her hand into his, but even when he saw who it was he did not push her away. Instead he held back, giving her hand a slight squeeze before refocusing on his spot on the floor.
Draco and Hermione watched them for a moment, Hermione clutching his arm and holding him close. Her eyes remained fixed, but his tore away when a noise sounded behind them. He turned just in time to see a familiar face disappear around the corner. What was she …?
"Hermione, I'm going to step outside for some air."
"Okay. Do you want me to go with …?"
"No, that's all right," he said quickly. "Someone should stay here and keep an eye on her." He motioned towards Chastity. "If Zandicus really is behind all this, I can't imagine he'll be happy to learn she's here with us."
Hermione nodded before leaning in and hugging onto him tighter. She breathed him in for a moment and whispered, "Be careful out there, will you?"
"Always," he said, kissing her cheek.
Hermione was reluctant to let him go. She held onto his hand for a long time before turning quickly, and without looking back. She walked over to the others and grabbed one of the coffees before sitting on the other side of Seth and sipping it slowly.
As soon as Draco saw she was safe with the others, he walked down the hallway and turned the corner. Someone was pressed up against the small crook in the wall, just beside a drinking fountain. Draco marched over and put his arms up on the sides of the wall to hold the person in place.
"Parkinson!"
Pansy's eyes snapped up. She looked at him terrified.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I … I was just … uhh …"
She turned her head a little so her face crept out of the shadows, giving Draco a good look at the bruise on her cheek.
"Quite a shiner you got there," he said. "Who gave that to you?"
Unsure of what he was talking about, Pansy reached her hand up and touched her face, coiling when she felt the pain. "Oh! I … I didn't realize …"
"You didn't realize what? That someone hit you?"
"No … I …"
"Who hit you, Parkinson?"
"N-no one."
"Was it Zabini?"
"N-no. B-Blaise and I … we're not …"
"That doesn't mean I'd put it past the bastard. Is that why you're here? To get that checked out?"
"N-n … yes. Yes, that's why I'm here."
Draco's eyes became thin slits as he glared at her. "You're lying. Why are you here, Parkinson?"
Several tears fell from his eyes. "I'm not … I'm not lying."
"Yes you are. You didn't even know that was there until I pointed it out. Why are you here?"
"I … I just … wanted to …" Pansy started to choke. She looked up for a brief moment and caught Draco's eyes, only to look away instantly. Still, that small moment was all that was necessary for him see the guilt inside of her. For him to understand.
His heart dropped, and then stopped completely. "No." He shook his head in disbelief. "No. You didn't."
"I …"
"Pansy, tell me you didn't!"
She cried harder.
"No!" Draco grabbed her arm and opened the closest door. It was an empty room. He tossed her inside and followed after, shutting the door behind them. After a wave of his wand to put up a silencing charm he asked, "What the fuck did you do?!"
"N-nothing … I …"
"Don't fucking lie to me!" Every muscle in his body tensed. "Were-you-there? Did you have any part in this?"
"I … it wasn't … she … she wasn't supposed to be there!"
That was all the confirmation Draco needed. He grabbed Pansy and slammed her up against the wall, pinning her to it as he held his wand to her throat. "I'll fucking kill you! I'll fucking KILL you! Sophie's done nothing to you! She did not deserve this!"
"Draco, please! Please, let me go! We … we weren't there for her! We were there for you!"
"To torture me?"
"To scare you! We were never told to torture! Only scare! But then she walked in and … and he flipped! He flipped and the others followed! I tried to stop it! I took the silencing charm off the door so you would know to come!"
"Who-is-he?" Draco asked in clear, sharp words. "Who was with you?"
"I - I can't tell you."
"After everything … everything you and I ever went through together … this is what you wanted for me? You really hate me that much?"
"Draco, no," she cried. "I never hated you. I just … I was worried about you. Ever since you started dating that damn Granger. No good can come of this. You have to get out! You have to leave her! If you don't then you're both in danger! Please … please just walk away! You don't know what they have planned! You don't -"
"When will you all get it through your thick fucking heads? I am never going to leave her! I'd rather fucking die!"
"Draco, please …"
"Who was fucking with you, Pansy?" he asked again, pushing his wand even harder against her throat.
"Draco, you know I can't tell you! They'll kill me! They'll fucking kill me!"
"I'll fucking kill you!"
"No! No, you won't!" she said in a trembling voice. "You're not like that! You're -"
"Avada -"
"STOP! STOP!" she screamed, struggling as she tried to push him off of her. "Draco, please!"
Draco breathed heavily onto Pansy's face. He wanted to do it. He wanted to kill her right here and now for just being there. But a part deep down inside of him - a part he would never understand - still cared for the witch, and he knew he could never do it.
He was weak.
While he had never been strong, only recently had he let himself become so fragile, allowing his emotions take control of him. Once upon a time he had been so good at bottling them up inside, but not now. Now he wore his heart on his sleeve. He could not hide the love he felt even if he wanted to. The only thing he desired now was to protect the ones he loved, and no part of him desired to harm the ones he didn't. Not like before. Before Hermione changed his life.
What happened to the days he desired normal things? Money, power, status. That was what he was raised to want. To believe was important. But love? He didn't even know that was an option until it was staring him right in the face, and even then he still tried to deny it. He tried to ignore his feelings for Hermione until it was excruciatingly painful to do so. And even then he still pushed her away, bringing him to the point where it hurt just to breathe. Part of him wondered if he had liked the pain. Maybe that was why he had let it consume him for so long.
But no more. Draco was not the same person he once was, and he needed to find a way to become strong. He needed to find a way to protect the ones he loved. So none of them could ever be hurt again.
Draco released his hold on Pansy and let her drop to the floor. He took several steps back, never taking his eyes off of her. "Get out," he spat with absolute contempt.
"Draco, I -"
"You made a mistake by coming here tonight, Pans," he said, putting his wand away. "I am letting you go, just this once, because locking your pathetic arse up would do me no good. But I'll be keeping my eye on you from now on. And you tell whoever was with you tonight that I'll be watching for them too. And once I find out who they are …" He stared down at her, just like he always had, straight through those wretched eyes, refusing to believe any pity behind them, and twisted his face in contempt … "I am going to destroy them," he said in a voice so cold and numb. "They will be condemned to a fate far worse than death. I will make them wish they were never born."
Draco moved for the door.
"Draco, wait!"
He stopped with his hand on the knob, but he did not turn.
"Th-the baby. Please … just tell me. How is the baby?"
Draco's grip tensed as his eyes squinted shut. "There is no baby," he said in harsh, broken words. "You and your friends made damn sure of that."
Draco turned the knob and left, making sure to slam the door behind him. Pansy did not move from the floor. She sat all alone in the dark room, crying as she wallowed in the aching misery she had brought upon herself.
XXX
Several hours later they all sat in Sophie's room, trying to smile while she pretended that everything was normal. She faked optimism while the rest of them faked that they believed her optimism.
"Really, I am fine. You can all stop doting. At least I am 'ere now. Zat ees all zat matters, right?"
They all nodded unconvincingly.
The Head Healer walked into the room. "I'm sorry, but visiting hours are over in fifteen minutes. Mr. Prior, you will be able to stay, but I'm afraid everyone else will have to leave."
They all nodded again. The Healer gave Sophie a sorry look before exiting.
Just then, Seth's phone went off. He flipped it open.
"Who ees eet?" asked Sophie, even though she was fully aware that Caroline was the only person not in that room who would be texting Seth. She had not come back after saying she would and, while the others covered for her as best they could, Sophie still did not understand why her best friend was not there waiting.
"Uhh … it's Caroline," he said reluctantly. "She needs some help, umm … straightening up the office."
Everyone remained silent.
"You mean cleaning?" Sophie asked after a long pause.
Seth didn't answer. "I should go. Visiting hours are over, anyway." He stood up. "Glad you're okay, Soph," he said, kissing her forehead.
"Is my father still at the office?" asked Chastity.
"He should be," said Seth. "The Aurors just left. I'm sure they'll be stopping by here shortly."
"Then I should go too," said Chastity, rising from her seat. "See if everything went all right." She looked at Sophie. "You are … so strong." She squeezed her hand before disapparating with Seth.
As soon as they were gone, Phillip stood up. "I'm going to run home real quick and pick up a few things, darling," he said, stroking Sophie's hair. "Would you two mind staying with her while I'm gone?" He looked to Draco and Hermione. "I don't want to leave her here alone."
"Phillipe, I am fine."
He sighed. "All the same, I don't feel comfortable leaving you here without someone."
"Of course, mate," said Draco, scooting his chair closer to Sophie's bed.
"Thanks." Phillip gave his wife a kiss before disapparating home.
As soon as he was gone, Sophie looked at Draco and said, "Go wiz 'im. I do not want 'im to be alone right now."
Draco looked to Hermione, who nodded. "I'll be back shortly," he said, giving them both kisses on the cheek.
He apparated to the house the Prior's had purchased several months earlier. They had actually gone searching for places together. Only now did he realize that it was just before the announcement of their pregnancy that they had made the final decision, and he wondered if perhaps it was more planned than they had let on.
Phillip was not in the foyer - if you could call an entrance so small that. Draco walked through the house searching for him, eventually coming across a light seeping out of one of the rooms on the second floor. He followed it and peeked inside. Phillip was standing in the center of an unfinished baby's room with his back to him. He was holding a teddy bear while a mobile spun above the crib, playing Draco and Hermione's song from their wedding.
Draco tried to remain quiet, but he accidentally brushed his shoulder against the door, causing it to creak. Phillip turned. "Draco … what are you doing here?"
"Sophie asked me to come with you," he said, walking into the room.
"Of course she did." Phillip looked back at the bear.
"What you got there?" Draco asked, moving to his side.
Phillip sighed. "I got this for Sophie the day we found out she was pregnant. She had meant to tell me in person, but she couldn't contain her excitement and called me instead." His breaths shortened. "I ducked into the first store I could find and picked this up. It is just some cheap corner store toy, but Sophie loved it. She said that baby's first bear is 'very eemportant'. It was the toy they would keep forever. Do you have your first bear, Draco?"
Draco blinked.
"I don't even think I had a first bear," he said honestly. "Stuffed animals weren't really something my family invested in."
"Yeah … mine neither. I've never been particularly close with my family. Not like Sophie and hers." Phillip sniffled, his short breaths growing thick. "But … I was determined to give this baby a good life … better than I had." His eyes began to flood. "One where … where small things like this bear are treasured, not scoffed at or seen as childish." Tears poured down his cheeks, falling onto the bear he clutched so tightly in his hands. "I don't blame you, Draco."
"I know."
"And I don't wish it was you and Hermione instead of Sophie. I would never wish that. But … why? Why did it have to be her? When she tried to get the firewhiskey out of my office you didn't let her. You went in her place. So when she went looking for you to see what was taking so long why did I let her go? It should have been me! I should have gone in her place! I should have been the one to go into that room!"
"Phillip … don't. Sophie would never forgive you if she heard you talking like this."
"I don't care! She never should have been hurt! My baby should still be here! My … my baby is gone! It's gone! My baby is …"
Phillip collapsed to his knees as he clutched the teddy bear tightly to his heart. There was something horribly painful about watching someone who had always been so strong in one devastating moment become so vulnerable.
"I don't even know if it was a boy or a girl …"
Draco dropped to the floor beside him. He was unsure of what he was supposed to do, but he refused to just do nothing. So he put his arm around his friend and he let him cry into his shoulder, something no one but Hermione had ever done before. And he stayed there. With his friend. For as long as it took.
XXX
Hermione dry heaved into the toilet of Sophie's private washroom. This was the third time tonight she had found herself above a toilet seat, and she wasn't any closer to feeling better. The whole thing was just repulsive. Whoever had done this to Sophie must have been truly sick in the head. Astoria had come out and told them it looked like Sophie had been hit with the Cruciatus Curse numerous times, and with numerous wands, meaning it was one shot right after the other, not even giving her a chance to breathe between waves of pain. And if they knew she was pregnant … Oh dear, Hermione was going to vomit again. She leaned over the toilet and choked on her empty stomach.
Once this round was finished, Hermione cleaned herself up with her wand, splashed her face with water and walked back out to Sophie. "Sorry," she said, hoping the silencing charm she had put up worked well enough in her weakened state.
"Ees everyzing all right?" asked Sophie, looking concerned.
"Yes, I'm fine." Hermione took her seat. "Don't worry about me, Sophie. How are you?"
Sophie shrugged. "I am as fine as I can be, I suppose."
Hermione frowned. "Sophie … Phillip isn't here now. You don't have to be brave with me. So, please, tell me, how are you feeling?"
Sophie paused for a moment and fidgeted with the sheets. She closed her eyes. "My body aches, 'Ermione. Both eenside and out. I do not know 'ow else to describe eet."
"Well, we can start with the outside," she said, taking her friends hand in her own. "Tell me what hurts."
Sophie opened her eyes and looked down at her body. She focused on the bandage on her arm, hiding the deep cut that had been opened to leave the message in blood on the window. They'd used a healing charm on it, but it was so deep that they had to bandage it anyway.
Sophie took their clasped hands and pointed at it. "Zis 'urts differently. While ze rest of me aches and feels weak like jello, zis stings." A tear fell from her eyes and onto the bandage. "When you were …" she gulped … "tortured, zey left a mark on you, as well. Didn't zey?"
"Yes," said Hermione, lifting her sleeve and giving Sophie a good look at the 'Mudblood' scar on her arm for the first time.
"Does eet … does eet still 'urt?" she asked through choked breaths.
"The scar?" Hermione traced it with hers and Sophie's fingers. "No. It hasn't hurt for a long time. But the memory … it still does from time to time. Less so since Draco came back into my life. He helped me realize that this scar is not something I should be ashamed of, because it helped shape who I am. Because of it I am even stronger today than I was back then. The person who gave it to me wanted it to defeat me. She left it as a constant reminder of the pain I had once endured. But I refused to let her win, and I defeated it instead. And, one day, you will too. You're strong, Sophie. Never forget that."
"But …" Sophie hiccupped … "But zere ees one scar zat 'urts more." She looked down at her stomach, stroking a line across her hospital gown. One that Hermione knew they cut to take the dead child out of her. There was no spell for something like that, and the Healers had to do it the Muggle way. The scar was thin, and it would heal with the right charms, but the memory … the memory would never fade.
"I know. But you cannot let the grief consume you. Do not let them win, Sophie."
"But my … my baby ees no longer zere. I reach down and I no longer feel eet. Eet was only just yesterday I felt eet keeck for ze first time, and now … eet ees gone. A part of me 'as disappeared. And I feel … empty. Ees zat normal?" she asked, looking desperately at Hermione for an answer.
"I think it is," said Hermione, wiping some tears from her eyes.
A knock came at the door. They both turned to see Harry and an older Auror, who Hermione only knew by his first name, Quinn, enter. "Sorry to interrupt," said Harry, quickly noticing the tears on both witch's faces, "but we need to ask you a few questions, Sophie."
"Did you look at Zandicus?" asked Hermione. "Because he threatened Draco earlier -"
"Yes, Mrs. Malfoy. Mr. Hanson already filled us in," said Quinn. "Unfortunately, Mr. Thinx has an alibi. He was with a reporter by the name of Inga Utkin all evening."
Inga Utkin? "And she confirms this?" she demanded.
"Yes, she does. As do many other witnesses at the pub they were at."
Another knock came at the door and the Head Healer walked in. She looked at both Aurors before her eyes finally settled on Hermione. "Mrs. Malfoy, I'm afraid visiting hours are over. You will be able to return in the morning."
"But Phillip isn't back yet. Can I please just stay until he gets back?"
She frowned. "I'm afraid not. St. Mungo's is very strict about these sorts of things. The Aurors have special permission to stay past visiting hours, but not guests."
"But -" Hermione had never cursed herself more for not becoming an Auror.
"Eet ees all right, 'Ermione. I weell not be alone," said Sophie, squeezing her hand, reminding her that they were still clasped. "And I am sure Phillipe weell be back shortly."
Hermione looked at her and frowned. "Well, all right. If you're absolutely sure."
"I am. Zank you for waiting wiz me."
Hermione stood up and reluctantly let her friends hand go. She gave Sophie a gentle hug, so as not to hurt her, and said, "When they get back, tell Draco I'm in the waiting room. We both know he'll be furious if I head home without him."
Sophie nodded. Hermione kissed her several times on the cheek before walking out of the room, letting Harry grab and squeeze her hand as she went past him.
Hermione sat alone in the waiting room for what seemed like hours. Eventually, Draco came through the doors and sat down beside her. Without looking up, she asked, "How is he?"
"Not well," said Draco. "How is she?"
Hermione sighed. "Not well."
A long pause.
"Hermione, I … I've been thinking and I want … I want to open the door."
Hermione's hands clenched on her knees. "I thought we decided we weren't going to do that."
"Yes, well, that was before."
"Before you realized this thing was real?"
Draco winced. "Yes."
Another pause.
"I'm not saying we should pursue this 'spell' the book speaks of. I just want to see what's there. Maybe we could find something else. Something less powerful to … to protect the ones we love. I felt so weak today. So incredibly weak when I couldn't do anything. Sophie was being tortured and I couldn't even open a damn door."
"None of us could," she said, reaching her hand over to grab his. "They hadn't just arrived there, Draco. They'd been waiting for a while. Long enough to put up several powerful charms."
"I know and they were waiting for me. It is my fault that this happened to her."
"Draco, it's not -"
"Yes it is!" he shouted, pulling his hand away from hers and jumping out of his chair. "All of this is my fault! I'm the one who should be lying in there right now! Not Sophie! She didn't deserve this!"
"Neither do you!" Hermione cried. "Draco, please. Think about this rationally."
"I already have," he said. "That's why I have to do this. We have to do this. I need you to do this with me, Hermione."
"Draco, I …" she gulped … "I'm frightened of what's behind that door. I always have been. And once we open it there's no turning back. Are you sure you're ready for that?"
"Yes," he said immediately, kneeling down in front of her. "Yes, I'm sure. We didn't start this, Hermione, but, clearly, it's happening."
"I don't know …"
"It's like you said before," he said, taking her hands in his. "We need to gain the upper hand. If we don't do something now then what's to stop them from striking again? You saw the message on the window, Mione. You know what they're planning."
"Yes, but that was just to frighten you, Draco! They're not going to hurt me! Not yet, anyway. Not until whatever power the prophecy is referring to is created."
He sighed. "Maybe you're right. But, until then, what's to stop them from coming after everyone we care about? Hurting us through them. Like what they did tonight."
Hermione's breathing hitched as her whole body began to writhe with fear. She knew Draco was right. What was to stop them from striking again? They took the most treasured thing Sophie had from her. Something even more precious than her own life.
"All right," Hermione heard herself say, even though her lips - along with the rest of her body - felt numb.
Draco leaned in and kissed her. "We should go now," he whispered.
Hermione's eyes widened. "Now? Are you crazy?"
"I don't know if I'll have the nerve if we wait until tomorrow," he said. "Please, Hermione. I just want to see."
"But, I don't … the Minister … he's the one with the key."
"And I'm sure you know where it is."
"Well, yes, but we can't just -"
St. Mungo's was sucked away and seconds later Hermione found the two of them standing in the center of Kingsley's office. She looked at Draco and shook her head before going to the Minister's bookcase, pulling out his copy of Hogwarts: A History and opening it. Part of the pages had been cut out to house a small key. Once she had it, Draco grabbed her arm and apparated them to the ninth floor. He and Hermione stood there, staring openmouthed at the plain black door on the other end of the corridor.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked.
Draco nodded. "Absolutely."
This, of course, was a complete lie. Part of him still knew that coming here was a big mistake, but he just pushed that part deep inside and buried it. He needed to see what was behind that door. He needed to prove he wasn't weak. He was strong, and he could handle anything those damn Death Eater wannabes threw at him.
Draco took Hermione's hand and the two of them headed cautiously down the corridor. They opened the door and walked inside, shutting it quietly behind them. The room began to spin, but Hermione raised her wand and immediately brought it to a halt. She located the door and walked over to it. Only now did Draco remember it didn't have a keyhole.
"Hermione, how are we -"
"It doesn't matter. I know the trick," she said. "But I need to ask you one last time. Are-you-sure?"
Draco looked at the door and then at her. He stared into her beautiful amber eyes - still red and swollen and stained with smeared mascara - and wondered why nothing between them was ever simple. Why couldn't they just live out their lives together … Be happy … Not have their friends tortured …? Was that so much to ask?
Draco took a deep breath. "Promise me that nothing will ever change between us? That whatever happens … you and I won't be defeated."
His heart warmed when Hermione smiled. "Of course we won't. It will take more than a war and a new, insurmountable power to tear me away from you, Draco Malfoy."
Draco smiled back. "Good. That's what I like to hear."
"I need you over here for this," she said, beckoning him with her finger.
Draco moved to her, giving her his hand when she asked for it. She put the key on his palm and pressed it with her own. A warm, tingling sensation ran through each of them. When their hands pulled apart an imprint of the key was left on both of them.
"Now what?" he asked.
"Now we touch the door handle."
His face tensed.
"Just remember, Draco. There's a chance this might not work. If we are deemed unworthy the door will not open."
Draco nodded. He and Hermione looked at each other. They leaned in and shared a tender kiss, tears falling from both of their eyes as they clung to each other. When they pulled apart, Draco plopped his forehead against hers and stroked her cheek, all while staring deeply into her eyes. "On the count of three, all right?"
Hermione nodded, taking a moment to let out the breath she had been holding in.
"One," he started.
"Two." Her lips quivered.
A pause. The only sound in the room being that of their pounding hearts, as both held firmly onto their breath. Then … they released it.
"Three," they said at the same time, each grabbing firmly onto the door handle. It turned.
Draco and Hermione weren't sure what they were expecting. Fireworks … a heavy gust of wind … a Muggle marching band … but none of that appeared. All that happened was a very old, stiff door creaked open, leading the way into a darkened room.
"Are you ready?" asked Hermione, looking at her husband.
"No," he answered, "but what choice do we have?"
Draco and Hermione clasped hands. They stared into the doorway for a long time before taking deep breaths, and walking through. The door slammed shut behind them.