A Waltz in Darkness
Chapter Four
Draco's POV
I had prepared, and grown excited, for the thought of being out of the house chasing the whereabouts of the so called dangerous artifact Hermione had gone on about when I last seen her but I was surprised that the very day we spoke had now been over a week ago. In that week I had become a vacant expression staring at cup after cup of coffee during the days just to keep from retreating to the bed where I feared I would not find the motivation to leave.
Where the hell was Granger? Did she forget it was her idea to have me join in the search? What am I saying, it was Granger…that girl was not capable of forgetting anything. Perhaps she simply decided to conduct her search alone. Not that it bothered me, but it would have saved me from moments such as these…sitting with Dalisay, discussing her concerns for Pansy for the twelfth time in the past hour. My god she was like a broken record, repeating itself until I finally cracked. Her concern was…endearing I suppose, and I should share in her concern but I just didn't care anymore. I was hardened towards the entire situation and the only thing I could do while Dalisay rambled on in the middle of the apartment, was glance out of the window hoping to find something or someone…to give me an excuse to leave.
"You're not going to see her Draco." Dalisay shouted, slamming her hands upon the glass surface of the coffee table. I jumped slightly before shooting her a distasteful glare.
"What is with you women and your need to be so damn destructive? Spare the coffee table will you?" I scoffed, purposefully changing the subject. Within the seconds I felt her dark eyes stabbing through me like daggers. As usual she did not find the humor in my comment.
"You keep looking out the window hoping to see her again, I'm not stupid Draco. Apparently you haven't heard the latest on your little mudblood crush then?" She smirked, twirling her locks between her fingertips. She leaned gracefully into the leather bound chair before crossing her legs, her smirk now expressing the devious nature within. How I hated when she did that.
"What are you going on about?"
"So you haven't heard then." She sneered.
"Do you wish me to grovel at your feet your majesty?" I spat, she wouldn't deny the fact that would bring an even larger smile to her face but she replied with a sigh before relaxing her features.
"It seems the Weasleys' kicked her out of the house, she's been shacking up in the new bed and breakfast on the outskirts of Diagon Alley. Ruby and Relic B and B I think it's called? Anyway, yeah the pathetic girl has been there for about a week now, she's using the whole "I'm deathly ill" excuse to keep from showing her face at work or anywhere for that matter. Can you believe it? I didn't think the Weasleys' had a lick of sense about them, but apparently I was mistaken." I was dwelling on the very first sentence my twisted friend uttered into the chilled air between us. Weasley kicked her out of the house? I felt my blood beginning to boil at the thought of that twit pushing her onto the streets and for what? What could she have possibly done to deserve to become homeless?
I had half a mind to pay the man a personal visit. I may not have the threat of the Dark Lord on my side but I could put a little reason to fear in his hollow skull.
My thoughts then traveled to Granger, I felt a tinge of guilt at my words to her. Trouble in paradise I think it was I said to her, clearly there was more than a little trouble that I so quickly dismissed. She had to be devastated, for reasons I would never understand…Weasley was hardly worth more than the dirt under my polished leather loafers and yet I knew her. At least I knew enough of her to know that she cared for him.
My nails began digging into the wooden arms of the chair I was now pressing my tense body into. Should I go to her? What the hell would I even say? I had no reason to be there, no excuse could save my presence at her door. The only thing there would be would be the truth…the truth that I was finding it harder to simply shove away from my thoughts. I…was concerned.
"That's it. We're going, let's go." Dalisay said while standing, she crossed her arms tightly about her chest before motioning for me to stand.
"Where-"
"Don't play dumb, we're going to see her. That's obviously what you're over there mulling over. Geez Draco, if you're going to be an idiot and sacrifice your reputation to see your mudblood then the least I can do is be there with you, help gather the shattered pieces of your former glory after this is all said and done." I could not help but chuckle at her words.
"Why Dalisay, you almost sound like a true friend." I laughed while standing. There was no use pretending or making excuses to cover my concern for Granger to Dalisay. The girl could sense a lie a mile away and I was already shown that there was no pulling the curtain over her eyes, she knew. She hated that she knew but alas, that's where we were.
"Don't tell Pansy…" I muttered, almost hoping Dalisay would not here. That's all I needed, for her to scold me for even acting like I cared about Pansy and her feelings anymore. Dalisay may think she had me pinned in my relationship with Pansy, but the truth was I was worried in my own way. I didn't care and yet part of me always will. My once high school sweetheart had been behind the locked door of our bedroom for weeks now. Only leaving the darkened room to eat, she was…different somehow. She didn't speak to me; she looked past me as if I weren't even there. I figured it was another bout of her depression, something I hadn't the slightest idea how to handle. Dalisay claims it was different this time, but she always said that. Dalisay was always trying to make things appear worse than they were, hoping to guilt me into running to her rescue but there was no rescue to be obtained here. I was no knight in shinning armor; I was just a guy, just as lost as she was just doing a better job at disguising it.
"What more can you do to her to break her down any further Draco, honestly I don't think even this would phase her at the moment. She's not there…it's like she's a ghost." She exclaimed while closing the door behind us. I rolled my eyes, there she goes again.
Suddenly a slap across my chest reached my attention.
"Ouch! What did you do that for?"
"Don't roll your eyes at me! You know I hate that! One day you should consider showing as much attention to your girlfriend as you do your little mudblood crush!" She hissed.
"Listen, that's got to stop! Do you understand? Mudblood needs to be erased from your vocabulary or we're going to have some serious problems, got it?" I finally demanded. Her eyes widened at the seriousness in my tone but it needed to be done.
"You're my friend, my only friend it would seem but this is important to me Dalisay."
"You mean she's important to you." She quickly added in her infamous brazen nature. I then stopped our glide down the stairway and I looked at her. The fiery creature before me was so intent on her hatred towards Granger that it was beginning to offend even me. I was accustomed to the superior mindset of pure blooded witches and wizards, especially being one myself but enough was enough. Times had changed, and it was time the rest of the people had caught up with those changes. Starting with Dalisay.
"Do you remember when you got here? All the way from the Philippines you came here…you had nothing but this…personality that you did not need anyone. You had your unwavering power, your wit and your desire to be as great if not greater than those in your bloodline…but the fact was you did need someone. We all need someone, no matter how strong or pure of blood we are, we all need someone. Well…Granger needs someone now. I'm asking you to be there for me just as Pansy and I were there for you and shut your mouth for once, get over yourself and let me do this!" My words echoed loudly through the stairwell space. Dalisay stood there unaffected in a sense, her expression never changing until I witnessed her red lips curling into a smile. Not her fake smile, or devious smirk she most certainly stole from me…no this was a genuine smile. So genuine I did not quite know it was still Dalisay still standing before me.
"Okay." She said before turning and continuing down the stairs.
"That's it? You're not going to fight me on this? I had at least two more arguments ready to go." Actually, I had more than that. That was one thing I had learned to have in my arsenal when going up against her in conversation. She kept me on my toes; secretly that was why I loved having her around. Never a dull moment and never a dull conversation.
"What can I say, I feel generous this morning. Let's go visit your…friend and I can enjoy watching you make a fool of yourself when she asks why you're there." I shook my head; this was a start at least. But she did have a point, what was I going to say after she opens her door, if she even opens it in the first place.
The walk to the bed and breakfast was a silent one, without giving me grief over my concern towards Granger; she did not have much to say at the moment. Not that I was complaining, the chilled air was making it painful to even breath, let alone argue with Dalisay.
"Yuck, they call this…a place to find yourself? I think it's more like a place to find you were better off staying somewhere else." I chuckled as she shoved her hands in her coat pockets.
"Afraid you'll catch a warm hearted feeling in here Dalisay?" I laughed.
"I'm certain you'd catch something far worse." She added. I looked around the quaint establishment. The walls were a painfully warm shade of yellow; the floors were a worn oak plank floor that creaked with every step. Pictures of happy faces moved about within their frames, dancing, twirling in delight of a new guest entering their home. I was slightly uncomfortable in such an environment; it was no secret such a warm and cozy place was far from the home I had resided in both in the past and now. I had grown used to clean lines, sleek surfaces that could reflect as strong as glass. All of the pictures that hung upon the walls reflected a sense of power, stern expectations that would only offer a smile in the company of dark individuals…and even darker intent.
"Well hello there, do you two wish to have a room for the night?" An elderly lady asked with joy as she popped up from behind the doily adorned table.
"Are you kidding me?" Dalisay started until I placed my hand upon her lips.
"Forgive my friend here, she's not well. Actually we are here to see a friend, Granger? Um, Hermione Granger?" I asked as sweetly as I could allow my voice to sound to the aged woman.
"Of course, but I must warn you she has not been too keen on many visitors at the moment…given her…situation. I think that young Mister Potter came by earlier but he left as soon as he arrived it seemed." That was a shock to hear, if she did not want to see her best friend I'm certain she wouldn't want to see…well, whatever I was to her.
"Well, we will keep it brief then. May we?"
"Of course young man, what's your name dear? I'm Agnes; they all call me granny though, so please feel free. We have no strangers here." She smiled.
"Draco Malfoy ma'am." My name must have struck a nerve, her kind expression suddenly shifted. Her smile vanished before she looked up from her oval glasses and she said very sternly…
"I don't want any trouble here sir, please-" Great, you can't even escape your own past in a new establishment. Word travels fast its true, and reputations hardly ever change, even if you have.
"Guess you won't be calling her Granny now huh?" Dalisay laughed.
"We don't want any trouble; we simply want to ensure our friend is…doing okay." Agnes looked at me with apprehension, as if saying, yeah right; I'll believe it when I see it. But still, even with her hesitation, she pointed towards the hallway to our right. A filigree decorated rug led a path towards room number 3 where Granger was now residing.
"Thank you." I said. I then pulled Dalisay close behind me, there was no way I could allow her out of my sight.
When I reached the ruby hued door I found myself frozen. I was contemplating the very way I was going to knock. I did not want to seem desperate to see her, nor did I want to appear as if it were just an odd coincidence I stumbled upon her residence.
"Granger! Open up, you've got company!" Dalisay shouted before knocking in a melodic repetition so loudly even Agnes turned towards us. I exhaled loudly before turning towards her.
"Am I going to have to tie you to the front porch outside like a dog to keep you from causing any trouble? I swear, you're like a child sometimes!"
"You wouldn't have me any other way though now would you?" She winked.
I was going to scream at her until I felt the rush of air against my face, the door had swung open and there Granger stood, right before me awaiting an explanation.
A/N: Wow, so many new follows thank you so much for following along and I apologize for the late update, hope everyone will continue to stick with me in this story!
Dork Dog: Thanks for following on this story as well, I'm so excited to see your review pop up on my new story! I never understood Ron and Hermione either, I was never a huge fan of Ron in the first place but they just did not seem like a good match. He's a tool in my opinion and not much to his character to me, but maybe she finds comfort in his easy to understand, simple character I don't know. But I'm like you I feel like she would have been better with Harry or Draco. I think even Rowling mentioned Draco had feelings for her in the books, but never acted on them because of his family. Who knows, but thanks I am trying to portray a different, darker/broken version of these characters I mean after all they've been through, they're not going to be all rainbows and sunshine haha! Well I hope you liked my update! I've got to get to yours now! Hope you had a great Christmas and New Years!
JBrowny16: Thanks for the review, and glad the mystery is holding up, I'm planning a lot of twists and hopefully unexpected plotlines! And I'm glad you liked my portrayal of the family dynamic there with the Weasleys! Hope to hear from you again! Thanks!
ChenangoJones: Thank you, I do make mistakes as do we all, thank you for pointing it out though, I will try to do better!
Mari Claire Roemajji Celts: My laptop is finally fixed and I will be getting to your PM now I'm so glad to be back in the writing game and I hope this update was good! I definitely want to show all sides of the story from both Draco and Hermione's POV; I'm so glad you like my direction! And you are right, we are getting follows and favorites, its so refreshing isn't it? Makes me excited! Got another update right around the corner, I'm working hard to update more quickly now, laptop fixed and I'm almost done with school too yay! Hope you are well; I look forward to talking more in PM! Best wishes and warm hugs to you my friend!