Menteur: Chapter 13: Good Deeds
October 9, 1943
"I swear I wasn't stealing anything. Really? What would I do with a bunch of papers and legal forms?" tried Hermione as they dragged her through the dark hallway towards the magical elevators.
"That doesn't matter. You were in the 'employees only' section of the building at 1.30 in the morning." Replied curtly the older one.
Was it really that late already? Wondered Hermione silently. No wonder, they didn't want to let her slip without a proof of her innocent intentions for being there.
"Is it really necessary?" She twisted her wrists slightly, testing the bonds. The last thing she needed right now was to be faced with a questioning Auror squad. "I did nothing. I was merely-"
But her grumble was cut short by a strong even voice calling after them from somewhere behind them: "What is going on here?"
Unnoticeable sigh escaped Hermione's lips as she recognized the speaker. Both Aurors stopped and shifted their position to face the intruder properly, but Hermione didn't dare.
"Master Malfoy," spoke up the tubby one, acknowledging young heir with polite incline of his head: "We have caught an intruder! She was spying down in old archives!" He boasted and none-too-gently tugged at Hermione's arm.
"But worry not, young Mister. We have it all under control." The other quickly supplied, and forced young witch to turn around to prove his point. Finally, the contact was inevitable.
Abraxas' eyes widened in shock as the veil of dark curls fell back, revealing her tanned complexion and amber orbs. At that point Hermione decided the best option was to look as casual as possible, a wide strained smile planted on her lips.
"Serena…" commented Malfoy bluntly. His face betrayed no emotion except the right eyebrow, which effortlessly quirked into a questioning position.
Hermione shrugged her shoulders and replied: "Pleasure as always, Monsieur Abraxas. I would shake your hand, but I am little tied up at the moment." She motioned to the invisible strings holding her hands behind her back.
"Master Malfoy, do you know this lady?" The shorter Auror looked like his eyes were going to fall out of their sockets, obviously taken aback by the swift turn of events.
"But of course," nodded Malfoy calmly, earning himself three very curious stares.
He opened his mouth to speak and Hermione bit her lip in anticipation. If Abraxas tells the truth, about her being student and all, surely they will not only interrogate her, but also take her straight to Dumbledore and that might be even worse than simply being thrown in prison.
"I am afraid this is all my fault. You see, gentlemen, her name is Serena Durand and she is a guest of my family from France." Hermione's eyes snapped up. Malfoy's face was as stern as ever, and even though he was so obviously speaking to the Aurors, the silvery orbs haven't left the young witch a single time.
"I was planning to take her out to dinner tonight, but got delayed by some urgent dispute in my office, so I have asked her to wait for me by the floo network. She must have simply lost her way."
The older Auror looked back and forward suspiciously from the young heir to the witch in his captivity, but Malfoy put on his best charming smile and added: "I take all responsibility for her."
And to her surprise, the shorter man loosened her binds.
"Alright, Master Malfoy, just make sure it won't happen again," growled the older one, obviously dissatisfied with his colleague's careless decision to let her go so easily, but handed Hermione her confiscated bag back, anyway. The young witch snatched it hastily before they decide to search it through. The documents, she "borrowed", were of very little significance to anyone, yet they could cause lots of trouble, were they to be found in her bag after Malfoy pledged for her innocence.
"Of course, gentlemen. Thank you for returning her safely, and have a good night" smiled Abraxas and waved the men good-bye. The tall one gave her one more suspicious look, which the bushy haired witch readily answered with her own version of the 'Malfoy-selfsatisfied-smirk', before both parties departed in opposite directions.
"I suppose I owe you one, hmm?" snarled Hermione as soon as they were out of earshot. She actually found it quite ironic, that her savior, was ultimately the one person, she desperately tried to stay away from.
"You know, Mademoiselle Durand, simple 'thank you' also wouldn't hurt…" offered the blond dryly and for the first time did Hermione notice just how tired he looked. The usually beautiful sharp eyes were rimmed black, like somebody's who has skipped couple nights of sleep, and the fine pale stands around his hairline have escaped the green ribbon in such manner, as if he had ran his hand through it at least hundred times. Even his posture wasn't the proud, unyielding stance she was used to from school- he leaned heavily on the silver dragon shaped handle of his walking cane, which undoubtly served as a wand sanctuary for many generations of Malfoy men, his shoulders sunk and steps uneven.
Folding his arms in front of his broad chest, he added: "…but if you would rather enlighten me on certain subjects such as why were you snooping around the Archives at 2 in the morning, that is also ok by me."
"Well, I had a free afternoon, so I decided to do some research" As soon as the lie left her mouth, Hermione felt a pang of guilt, closing tightly around her heart. This man before her most likely just saved her life, not to even mention that he'd risked his and his family's reputation. Suddenly, she regretted sneaking out of her bed before sunrise, leaving him without any explanation. She had selfishly used him, because he looked like Draco, because he felt like Draco and most importantly because he was willing….
Pushing the unwanted emotions as far back in her conscious mind as possible, Hermione pulled herself together, and quickly caught up to Abraxas, who already started walking away.
"Do you work at the Ministry?" she tried for her best casual tone, studying him from the corner of her eye.
"Is it that obvious?" asked Malfoy coldly, his face betrayed no emotion.
Hermione made a small half chocking- half huffing noise as she desperately tried to contain her laughter, and not to offend Abraxas more than she already had, but she had to admit, the question was quite beautifully pointless and the situation strangely hilarious. Her hand immediately went to cover her mouth and her eyes drifted shyily to Abraxas in attempt to gauge his reaction. Even though his face stayed emotionless, the corners of his mouth curved up, failing to resist a smile as well.
They made couple more steps, before he spoke again: "My father claims it is time for me to take on some extra responsibility regarding family's estates, so I can, one day, assume my rightful place as Malfoy heir and bring my - "
"-family the honor it deserves. Sanctimonia Vincet Semper." They finished unanimously. Draco never spoke of his family much during their time together, but when he did, he didn't fail to include his best comical Lucius impression, saying this particular phrase, stumping angrily from left to right and fuming. The soft smile induced by the loving memory dissapeared as soon as she noticed stunned expression on Abraxas' face. Malfoy family motto was no secret, yet it surprised him that she would know it so well.
"Is that the reason you've refused the position of Head Boy?" asked Hermione, cleverly directing the conversation away from herself. Malfoy stared at her blankly for few second and then did something unexpected- he rolled his eyes like a little child being told something obvious and grinned brightly- confirming her suspicion.
Hermione couldn't help it but mimic his all-telling smile. "Would you like to join me for a drink, Monsieur Malfoy?
"Are you asking me out on a date?" the mocking tone of his voice was too obvious not to be playful.
Suddenly, she felt like she was 15 again. Butterflies in her stomach sprung up and forced her tongue to stumble over the words and her cheeks to redden beyond imperceptible.
"Umm…. I- I guess I am…" she nodded shyly.
Abraxas' face went back to serious and he sighed: "I apologize, Serena, but my answer is no..."
TO BE CONTINUED
Sorry for the delay, hope you like it! Comment, please! Tom coming back in next chapter or two :D