A/N: It's here, it's kinda long and it's got a bit of everything. We're over 100 followers! I want to thank everyone for their continued support and especially those kind enough to leave me reviews.
"So, what do you think?" Hermione asked as she bounced on the balls of her feet, awaiting an answer as her companion peered into the bubbling cauldron, wafts of pale lilac steam rising in swirls.
"It looks pretty darn good, Granger."
"Really?" Malfoy glanced down to her hands, excitedly clutching at his arm and sent her a smirk. "Uhh, sorry." Retracting from him, a blush dusted her cheeks. "Do you really think it's good though?"
"Absolutely." He once again cast a trained eye over her project and she couldn't help admiring his concentration. He had agreed to help her and he had delivered.
"I was worried about the colour…" She murmured, leaning forward to check the potion yet again and was instantly greeted by the uplifting smell of clean cotton coming from the Slytherin rather than her concoction. So close their arms brushed against one another and she noticed for the first time the contrast of his dark eyelashes against his pale skin.
"It's a little lighter than expected so I'd suggest using seven beans instead of six when you reach the next stage." Turning his head, their faces inches apart, he smiled warmly. "It should turn out just fine." Her smile spread quickly to match his own, heat starting to crawl to the surface of her skin. She was momentarily lost in the molten silver of his gaze until he chuckled. "Any other concerns?"
Leaning back, she shook her head and cleared her throat. "No, I'm good. It's fine. I mean, if you say it's fine, then it's fine. It looks great."
"Uh huh." Draco attempted to supress his grin, her flushed complexion giving her away. The way she chewed her lip drew his attention and he tipped his head to scan her notebook before she could catch him staring.
"You're really quite good at this. I freaked out for almost an hour yesterday when the damn thing wouldn't turn blue before I remembered that tip you gave me and added a few more leaves. I hate when things aren't going as instructed and you just never seem to panic. You go with the flow and in the end it turns out fine. It's pretty impressive."
"I'm still keeping track of those compliments, Granger. Feels like you're winning." With a laugh, she stepped round the side of the table to perch on a stool, her eyes still on him as his finger glided down the page of her book. "You know, Atychiphobia is the fear of failure."
Hermione ran a hand through her mass of brown hair, a wistful smile dawning. "I know. My father told me many times when I used to panic before exams. When I was younger I was almost hysterical, thought I'd end up as some sort of pariah just because I failed a test. I was a little dramatic back then."
"Back then? Please, you're still a drama queen."
"Says the best friend of Pansy Parkinson." She quipped, watching as he rolled his eyes.
"I am not her best friend." His indignation dissipated and a small smirk snuck back onto his face. "But you're right about everything else."
Hermione smiled broadly, warm and relaxed as she observed her partner bustling around his own potion, tipping in a touch more water. "I meant what I said." Grey eyes flicked up to meet brown momentarily. "You have a real knack for this. Have you ever thought of becoming Potions Master here?" A deep chuckle erupted from the blond and Hermione immediately huffed in response. "It wasn't me prying again! It was a helpful suggestion for a future career."
"Well, duly noted and faith in me appreciated. But it's not really an attainable career goal."
"Why not? You could be just as good as Snape."
Malfoy's appearance took on a more sombre note and his earlier amusement had vanished from his tone. "There are plenty of people who don't want me here as a student and I'm sure that would increase tenfold if I were to become a professor."
"You don't know that for sure. If they saw how talented you are…" The brunette witch offered sympathetically but he merely shook his head.
"No one wants a death eater teaching their child."
"Draco, you're not-"
"Not what?" His eyes burned into hers and suddenly the soft silver irises now appeared like hardened steel. "The mark on my arm says differently and no one owes me any favours. I don't even blame them, I brought this on myself."
"You're not that person anymore." She almost pleaded, a cold smile forming on his lips.
"Doesn't change what I've done."
With a flick of his wand, his used utensils and ingredients began dispersing back to their designated spots and Hermione watched him with unease. She supposed he was in fact right, she could hardly imagine a sense of comfort from parents knowing he, a former death eater who had housed Voldemort, would be instructing their children. They wouldn't see what she saw, they wouldn't be swayed.
"Draco-"
"I have to go." Her gaze cast downward, she missed his regretful expression. Placing a hand on her arm, her head tipped back up to face him. "I have to sort out a few things before tonight."
"Right, of course. I guess I'll see you at McGonagall's office then."
"You sorted everything out with her?"
Her head bobbed as she took a deep breath. "Yeah, free pass to Malfoy Manor with you, coming back tomorrow night."
Concern etched on his face, he slid both hands to her shoulders. "Granger, you don't have to do this. I won't hold it against you if you want to back out."
"I am fine." She insisted, patting his hand before he released her entirely.
"Alright, I'll see you later." With an appreciative smile to match her confident one, he left her there in the classroom to debate what she'd really let herself in for.
"I still don't think this is a good idea."
"Ginny, I love you but please would you just stop? I am doing this."
"And you're absolutely mad for even considering it, let alone actually going." The redhead was becoming more animated as she walked the hallways with her friend. Hermione had skilfully evaded discussing the actual reason she was journeying to Malfoy Manor, instead labelling it as 'important sentimental reasons' for Malfoy and he wanted her assistance.
"I'll be fine. Besides, he really needs my help."
"I don't care!" At Hermione's offended glare, Ginny groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "I'm sorry, it sounds cruel but I don't give a toss about him. I care about you, Hermione. You're going to that awful place where you have the worst memories and you're acting like you're just popping over to the Burrow for afternoon tea!"
"I am fully aware of what awaits me but I trust Malfoy not to put me in a situation that would force all that dark business back to the surface."
"Okay, listen to me." The younger witch pulled her friend aside, ceasing their brisk walk to the headmistress' office. "I have known you for a long time and you're one of my best friends. I have admired your courage and strength on many, many occasions. You are so brave, Hermione, but I don't think you fully understand the magnitude of what you're walking in to. You flinch at Bellatrix's name, you rub your scar when you're reminded of the war and you still have the nightmares." Hermione glanced away from her counterpart, eyes tracing the cracks in the stone, knowing she was right. "There is nothing wrong with any of that but going back to the place where you were tortured is crazy and potentially damaging."
The older witch turned back and saw the worry in Ginny's eyes, begging and pleading her not to follow the path she'd chosen. "I have to do this, Gin. I can't explain to you why and it's not because I don't think you understand, I simply can't explain it. I don't want to be afraid anymore and certainly not of a place. I am stuck with that word carved into my arm but that wicked witch is dead and I am still here. I can do this, I know it."
Ginny stared at her sadly before throwing her arms around Hermione in a crushing hug which the brunette swiftly returned. "If I find out Malfoy has stepped out of line even once, I'm going to hex him into the next century."
Hermione laughed as the two girls finally separated. "I don't doubt that for a second."
"Neither should he." Ginny added pointedly, falling in step beside her.
After a few more minutes, the two Gryffindors caught sight of the familiar phoenix statue and the unusual scenario of Theo hugging Malfoy in a brotherly manner. The taller boy clapped his friend on the shoulder, Draco smiling gratefully, before he turned and headed down an adjoining corridor, leaving the youngest Malfoy to his own devices. Hermione glanced to her friend with a smile and Ginny squeezed her hand before she too returned the way they'd come.
"Ready?" Hermione asked once she stepped up to the Slytherin's side. He nodded but made no attempt to move.
"I just want to ask one more time-"
"Yes, I'm sure. Let's go, Malfoy." Before he could respond, she was uttering the password and stepping up onto the rising staircase.
"I was starting to get used to you calling me by my first name." Draco muttered from behind her, a few steps below.
She smiled shyly, glad he couldn't see. "Well, you have to earn it. You play nice and I'll play nice."
"Understood." A chuckle from him echoing in the stone walled space.
On arrival in the old Transfiguration professor's office, McGonagall politely bid them safe travels before the two students vanished in a flame of brilliant emerald, first Draco then Hermione. Like his previous visit, the travelling room was silent and devoid of inhabitants when the Malfoy heir stepped from the fireplace and his feet touched the ancient rug. He took a moment to gather himself before he turned at Hermione's arrival. She was on edge from the very first moment and she wasn't nearly as skilled as he in concealing it.
"I still prefer to apparate personally." She uttered into the silence that lingered over the room.
"Floo powder is safer but I know what you mean." A few seconds of pause. "It's this way." Malfoy waited for her affirming nod before heading out the door into the main foyer, Hermione quietly in tow.
It felt different to her, entering a different way and the warmer glow from the candlesticks almost made the room mistakable for something less sinister. "Is it always this quiet?"
"It didn't used to be but recently silence is the only sound around here." Sticking his head round the door into the living room he wasn't particularly surprised to see it empty and instead dumped his bag onto a passing armchair as the Gryffindor girl followed him in.
"This is cosier than I expected." Hermione observed the abundance of armchairs and several couches encircling a large glass coffee table with an ornate and regal fireplace at the centre of the wall. A dark wood bookcase angled near the window and a phonograph in a far corner. It reminded her in a lot of ways of the Slytherin common room with the exception of dark red accents instead of emerald green.
"Style and comfort, Granger, money affords you both." He added offhandedly, immediately stepping back out of the door as she rolled her eyes. "Poppy? Benley?" He called back out into the main of the building only to be greeted by silence. Returning to his guest, he shrugged at her quizzical expression. "They must be busy taking care of my mother."
A fierce and angry scream burst through the Manor and alert grey eyes darted up to the ceiling as Hermione jolted in surprise.
"Shit." It was almost a whisper but Draco instantly swivelled, heading for the stairs.
"Malfoy!"
"Stay there." He called over his shoulder as he reached the staircase, Hermione's gaze glued to his retreating figure.
"But-"
"Stay there!" Thunderous footfalls resounded in the large foyer as he took the stairs two at a time, wand drawn and mentally prepared.
Draco Malfoy had unfortunately heard his mother's scream far too many times to mistake it for anything else and furious shouts emanating from Narcissa's wing of the old mansion confirmed his fears. Nearly hurtling through his mother's bedroom door, Draco barely had a moment to process the scene before a spell came whizzing toward his head. Throwing up a protego just in time, he just managed to catch his breath before moving into action. Three house elves, Poppy and Benley included, stood at various points around the room as Narcissa sent a flurry of spells in every direction. The elves, as nimble and skilful as ever, appeared to Draco to be avoiding all attacks with ease but were understandably loathed to retaliate against their mistress.
"Mother, stop!" His wand remained at the ready but Malfoy raised his other hand in a placating fashion, finally catching Narcissa's attention.
Eyes wild and hair escaping her typically impeccable bun, the matriarch pinned her son with a dangerous gaze. "They're coming, Draco, we have to stop them."
"No one's coming, Mother. It's just us."
"They've sent these elves to capture me!" She gestured animatedly at the other occupants and Draco barely made out a soft whimper from Poppy.
"No, no. You're safe here in the Manor, no one is going to hurt you." Attempting to step forward, he froze at the point of her wand levelled carefully at his chest.
"Are you helping them?"
"Of course not. I'm here to help you."
"Help me?" The startlingly cold expression on her face caused her son to swallow thickly. "You don't fool me."
"No one is trying to fool you-"
"Get out!" She bellowed into the room, the elves scuttling backward as Draco recoiled. The fury in her face was nothing he'd ever seen before and his chest heaved under the weight of the burden.
Slowly, achingly, he put one foot behind the other and backed out the door, the elves congregated in the hallway outside, awaiting an instruction. Her wand remained trained on him until he'd passed the threshold. His body remained tense as he stood gazing in to the dimly lit room, his mother's thinning figure turning to face the black abyss outside the window. Eyes stinging and hands shaking, he swallowed, ultimately unable to shift the lump in his throat.
"Benley. Take her wand." He uttered ever so quietly, yet the small elf at his side hearing every syllable and eyes widening nervously.
"Master Malfoy, is that a…?"
"I'm giving you a direct order; relieve my mother of her wand." He looked down at the small elf sympathetically, earning an understanding nod in return. With a snap of his long fingers, the Lady Malfoy's wand sailed through the air into the awaiting outstretched hand.
Shock and betrayal spread across her face and Draco nearly choked on it as she came shuddering toward the door. He was prepared for a shouting match, even a slap but not quite the slamming of a door in his face with such violent vigour. He exhaled shakily, softly instructing the elves to watch over her and inform him if necessary before numbly starting back down the stairs. A couple of steps from the bottom, Malfoy lowered himself onto the dark wooden flooring, head falling into his hands.
The shuffle of feet alerted him to her presence and he looked up to meet her saddened gaze. He ran a hand over his face, sniffing as he tried to pull himself back together. "Remember that time in the library, when you hugged me and said…"
"I'm here for you, if you need it." She finished, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Draco nodded, biting down on his lip to stop a quiver. "I need you."
Tears sprung to her eyes as she nodded back, his tall figure leaving the steps and his arms encircling her in desperation. Hermione clung to him just as fiercely as she felt his jarring breaths against her shoulder.
"I'm right here. You're going to get through this, Draco. I promise."
A/N: I'm pretty pleased with this chapter so I hope you guys enjoyed it too, let me know! Next chapter will have more of the same kind of angst so prepare yourselves. See you next week.
