Chapter Four - Hermione's Story
They arrived at Hermione's cottage and immediately set about getting warm and dry using various spells. Hermione also lit a fire and made some tea before disappearing to get changed. It was only once Hermione sat down in a chair by the fire did they look at each other. Nothing had been said since they had been interrupted by the rain and it seemed neither was sure what to say.
Eventually it was Hermione who broke the silence.
"I remember when I got my letter from Hogwarts, a Ministry Representative turned up at the house and explained I was a witch and that they were offering me a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her name was Meredith Hopewell and she answered every question my parents had. She even took us to Diagon Alley so I could get all my school supplies. I remember being so excited and fascinated by this whole new world I was going to be part of. I never expected to be hated and hunted because of the fact my parents were muggles and I certainly never expected to be fighting in a war before I was 18. It didn't take me long to realise that I had lots to learn and years of prejudice to try and understand, it certainly wasn't the perfect world I'd expected, yet its given me so much. I have another family who love me unconditionally and a best friend who is more like a brother".
Silence descended over the pair again, as they continued to drink their tea.
Hermione spoke again quietly, verbalising emotions she'd never spoken about before, "I hate how everyone tries to make out that I'm a war heroine. I fought because I believed in the cause and wanted to protect those I love. I don't see why I'm anymore important than the others who fought" she continued.
"You did more than most Hermione" Draco replied "all three of you".
"I remember that night at the Manor" she said, changing the subject and he nodded, "we'd been arguing over what Voldemort's plans were and Harry said his name. We'd been so careful since we'd found out it was tabooed, but in that split second we were caught. I tried to disguise Harry as best I could in the time we had and we gave them false names, but then they searched the tent and found his glasses and a photo of me in the Daily Prophet. Next thing I knew we were being dragged to the Manor, and I had no idea how we were going to escape."
She placed her now empty cup on the table, and curled back up in the chair before continuing, "I knew once Bellatrix arrived she would single me out, although part of me would have rather faced her than Greyback". She shivered at the mention of his name.
"As the others were being taken away I promised myself that I wouldn't tell her anything no matter what she did, and I knew she wouldn't take it easy on me." Tears were starting to fill her eyes, as this was really the first time she'd spoken about that night.
"Hermione, you don't need to talk about this if you don't want to" Draco said quietly, seeing how upset she was becoming and she barley even started.
"I need to" she said quietly, "if you don't mind?"
"I'll listen as long as you need, you did for me. I don't know why but I felt like I could tell you my story without judgement, so that's what I'll do for you", he replied softly, looking into her eyes, showing her he was sincere.
Hermione took a few moments to compose herself before continuing her story. "I'd always imagined that the pain from the cruciatus curse would be unbearable, especially after learning about Neville's parents, but in reality it was completely unimaginable. Its impossible to describe."
Draco nodded, "I know" he whispered and the pair smiled sadly at each other, knowing they understood each others pain.
"Each one was worse than the last and it was getting harder not to succumb to the pain. I just kept focussing on the fact that I needed to protect Harry, I needed to keep her focus on me". The tears were now streaming down her face as she spoke.
"It's ironic really because I was in so much pain from the curses and the beatings that I didn't really feel her carving mudblood into my arm. It was only later after my wounds had been healed that I felt it. It also meant that I couldn't really feel Greyback either, and I'm glad about that. I gave into the pain once she passed me to him. I knew what he'd do and I didn't want to feel it".
She sobbed looking at Draco who knew she wasn't referring to him biting her, she meant what they both knew he would have done first, he would have raped her.
Draco stood and handed Hermione the box of tissues from the table, before continuing to the kitchen to make more tea, although if he was honest he could do with something stronger.
"There's firewhisky in the pantry" came a quiet voice from behind him. He looked at her and nodded before retrieving the bottle, whilst she got the glasses. The pair again found themselves in the living room in front of the fire.
"Its late, don't you need to be getting home" Hermione asked in a quiet voice.
"I told you I'll listen as ling as you need, so I'm happy to stay", Draco replied.
"I don't know if I can talk much more today" she replied, honestly, "its just too much".
"I understand" Draco said, before finishing his drink. "Thank you for today Hermione, I actually think it was what I needed".
Hermione smiled and nodded before Draco stood and disapparited home, leaving Hermione to wonder why she found it easier to talk to him about this rather than her friends.
AN: This is not all of Hermione's story either, but I felt that they were more likely to share their stories in bits rather than in one go.
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