A/n: Wow! It's really been a long time since I came here... I had to finish my studies and all. Forgive me for the great delay.
And now, it's our vacation and I must continue this story or else I would kill myself.
Please enjoy and I hope my dearest reviewers wouldn't hate me for that disappearance I had.
Update: Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger "Malfoy" already arrived at Hogwarts in this chapter. Just to refresh your memory, Draco planned this to help Hermione regain her lost memory that was caused by that cursed potion Narcissa concocted for Draco and yet accidentally taken by Hermione. Draco just recovered from his break down and Hermione's starting to accept him as her husband. Now they arrived. Read on for the rest of the story.ü
By: Aningme
Chapter 26
Dilemma: The Sequel
"They're here." He muttered, staring out of his chamber windows, noticing how the leaves suddenly differed in a slight lighter shade of green, how the wind suddenly halted into a slow pace, as if a change has been done…
Indeed, something anew is coming.
He'd been patiently waiting for him… And now, it was time.
"It's been ten years." Professor McGonagall said, standing just beside Dumbledore's chair, staring out of his windows as well. "It's about time he came back."
"Oh, it is." Dumbledore replied, his voice rough with misuse. "It would be good to see him again. Finally." He smiled, his excitement apparent beyond anything else.
Draco Malfoy stared at the old castle, its rough stone walls looking as old as it was before. He thought he'd forgotten how Hogwarts looked ever since he left this place.
But as he stared at the existing nightmare before him, making sure his eyes are not fooling him, everything seemed familiar… the same.
It felt awfully weird… and relieving as well.
"Oh, wow." Hermione whispered, her breath seemingly huffed out in surprise. "Good Merlin's shoes. Would you look at that!" She raised a hand, shielding her eyes from the gleaming sun. "Isn't it a wonderful thing to look at?"
Draco just narrowed his eyes, as if the castle was staring back at him… peering at him. "It looks…"
Before he could even finish, a small house elf suddenly emerged from the heavy gates of the big castle.
"Good day, Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy." He bowed, habitually wringing his hands in nervousness with the presence of the most awaited visitors. "My name is Lowry, at your service."
"Good day, Louie. It's nice to meet you." Hermione greeted back, her voice filled with warmth and excitement.
Draco just glanced down at him, watching him.
"May I help with your luggage, in hopes you'd be staying in the premises during the week?" He offered, just staring at the feet of his masters. He didn't dare to look at the eyes of the man who almost took Dumbledore's life.
Yes, he feared the man. He couldn't help it at all. Especially now that his silver eyes were bearing a hole on top of his head.
"There is no need. We already have a place to stay." Draco replied, his voice awfully calm and stoic.
Just hearing his voice gave Lowry shudders all over. "Is there anything I can do for my masters? Perhaps a cup of tea?" He offered, as he scurried after them, entering the premises.
"We're quite fine, Louie." Hermione replied, smiling at him. "Did I hear it right? Louie?"
"Pardon me, ma'am. But it is Lowry. L-O-W-R-Y." Lowry replied, glancing up at Hermione for the briefest moment.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Lowry it is." She smiled ever so pleasantly, somehow relieving him.
The old gates still have its own gleam, with rust eating it alive, and dents that somehow portrayed old memories of the place. Hermione did nothing but look around, gape at them, and take it all in. She seemed so excited to step in this so familiar place. It relieved her, comforted her, in the most peculiar way. It was truth that it was all that she could remember after everything she's gone through. It was, in fact, her life ever since she stepped in this place for the sake of education.
But as they walked through the stone walls, tall trees, dusty windows and shiny floors, Hermione glanced at the man she considered her life now. His face was imperturbable, blank, and composed. He certainly knew how to create a façade so calm and quiet. She didn't know what's in his head, what's he thinking.
All she knew was that he surely didn't want to be here.
She glanced around again, watching the blossoming flowers and the green leaves of the trees eddy with the soft breeze just outside the windows. It was such a sight.
What could possibly be hated in this place? What did happen to make him fear it?
She averted her eyes from the windows and just looked straight ahead towards the path leading to Professor Dumbledore's chambers. The answers to those questions were the reason they're here. She knew he promised to give them to her.
But… she wasn't quite sure if she even wanted it at all, knowing how hard it was for him…
Glancing at him again, she reached for his hand and held it in her cold ones. She felt his stiffen for a moment, then relax as she tightened her grip.
"Draco." She whispered his name, entwining their fingers in a mesh.
He suddenly stopped, glanced at the house elf behind them, dismissing him. Lowry abruptly bowed and walked away, his speed quite surprisingly fast.
Hermione just watched the little creature with a smile on her face until it was out of sight.
And when she turned back to him, it surprised her to see him smiling.
"Shall we go in?" He whispered, his voice a soothing sound.
She glanced at the old wooden door, stared at it, and let out a sigh. "This is it, isn't it?"
He lowered his eyes to their joined hands and casually played with it. "I wanted to tell you before any of this…"
He let his words fade as she waited for him to continue. "Tell me what?"
He shook his head and smiled again, but he wasn't looking at her. "I love you."
He said it so plainly, it made her smile. "I…" She cleared her throat as if a lump was choking her. "I know."
It hurt him, he realized, not to hear those words spoken back to him. There would be time for that, he thought, and hoped that all odds would fall on his side…
What matters now is what lies behind those wooden doors. He'll deal with it, and is sure to overcome it.
He only hoped that he'll get through in one piece…
The old scents greeted them as they entered the small chamber. Old books, papers, and quills scattered about the tables and shelves. The morning light spilled through the translucent windows, draped with thick and heavy curtains. And the two silhouettes formed by the outlining sunlight stood silently before them.
One of them smiled and nodded in delight. He was sitting on an old wooden chair, floating in mid air.
"Mr. Malfoy. Ms. Granger." His chair suddenly moved at his command, bringing him closer to the new visitors for a closer look. "Or should I say, Mrs. Malfoy?"
"Ms. Granger, for old time's sake." Draco answered for her, watching him as he hovered with his chair. He remembered the days he spent his afternoons in this chamber, talking with the same man he was facing now. It all looked familiar and the same. But now, he was looking down, instead of up like he always did when he was a child, at the man who is respected and feared by many. The man, he reminded himself, whom he almost killed.
"Professor Dumbledore. I hope you are well."
"I've never been better. It's good to see you again." He gestured for them to sit, and brought himself behind his desk.
Professor McGonagall watched them as they silently took their seats. "Welcome to Hogwarts, Mr. Malfoy. Ms. Granger. I hope you had a good trip."
"We did indeed. It was a fast trip."
"I assume it is. Private jet, is it?" Dumbledore chuckled in delight. "Oh how time flies so fast. I remember the time when students come and go through the express."
"They still do, in fact. But most prefer the private shuttles or car portals." McGonagall's gaze landed on Hermione. "I remember a certain student who usually uses the fireplace portal before. Technology really changes so fast, doesn't it?"
Hermione's color burned her cheeks. "Yes, Professor McGonagall."
Dumbledore smiled again. "I see that both of you are well. Have you settled in your rooms?"
"There's no need. We have a house we could stay in for the week."
"A week?" His brows furrowed now. "That's a very short time, Mr. Malfoy. We are willing to let you stay here for a much longer time."
"We need not to stay longer. We have some businesses back home that aren't dealt with yet." He felt nothing, absolutely nothing. He expected uneasiness, anxiety, and even fear. He felt nothing now. "But thank you for the offer."
Composed, controlled, Dumbledore thought. He's always good in that His discipline was as foolproof as a perfectly cut diamond. Though he favored the sinister pleasure of badgering people when he was still young, he knew his manners, his gestures. He was using them now, and the distancing control he perfectly cultured through the years of silence. "Well, I hope there would be more visits." He nodded, his smile seemingly growing even more, if it was still possible. "Since time permits it, we should get into business." He turned to Hermione now, beaming his smile at her,
She could feel her blood rise into her cheeks.
"We've heard the news of the child. We congratulate you." He began.
"Thank you, Professor."
"It is great news to hear. However, our concern today would be of danger to the child. If you would permit, we would like to bring you to the infirmary to see Madame Pomfrey."
He felt the sudden halt of his heart from beating, and the painful adrenaline rush right after. "Madame Pomfrey?"
McGonagall smiled this time. She couldn't determine whether the fact that precautions for their child were needed or the fact that Ms. Granger would need to leave alarmed him. She saw the fear in his eyes, just for a moment, and just as quick as it came, faded away again into the depth of his control. "It is nothing to worry about. We only thought it necessary to provide all precautions for Ms. Granger and the child."
"Lowry will escort you there," Dumbledore added, "while we discuss some matters with Mr. Malfoy."
Hermione glanced at Draco, and stared at his face. He seemed to be paler than he was before. It worried her. "Thank you for your concern, Professor. But I insist that I stay. Whatever you need to discuss with my husband can be discussed with me." She felt him stiffen for a moment, and felt his gaze pass by her. "I can go to the infirmary after the discussion."
"But Ms. Granger, we must think of the child." Professor McGonagall answered.
"I am responsible for my child, and I am sure that I am capable of caring for it."
"Hermione." It was only a whisper, but it was as disquieting as a shout, "It's alright. Go to the infirmary."
She turned to him, furious now. She wouldn't let him face this alone. "I'm staying."
He turned to her then, his face blank and serious. But his eyes were burning now, shaking her. "I'll be with you in a moment."
She only stared back at him for a lingering second, then stood up and walked to the door. "It was a pleasure to see you both again, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall." She opened the door and left.
Silence dawned then, as they all listened to her fading footsteps.
"Very well then, shall we continue?" Professor Dumbledore, again, smiled.
She was fuming as she walked to the infirmary. Lowry only kept quiet and stared at the ground, trying to avoid clashing with his mistress' temper. He knew it wouldn't be good for the child, and for her to keep up with a temper like that. Whatever happened inside was surely disturbing.
She suddenly scowled and grumbled. "Why on earth did he send me away?" She wasn't talking to anyone in particular. "He need not prove to me that he can face anything by himself. "
Lowry didn't know if he had to think of a quick response or just shut the hell up.
"He thinks I'm so weak."
"No, of course not, ma'am." Her head quickly snapped to him, startling him terribly. "I mean… I..." He was starting to stutter. "He was only thinking of you and the child, ma'am."
She seemed to ponder about that. "Whatever they were talking about in there, I should hear it too."
Lowry only silenced himself, rather than oppose a temperamental woman - and worse, a pregnant one. "Madame Pomfrey is waiting inside." He said instead, gesturing her to the door across them.
Hermione only sighed and managed a smile at him. "Thanks Lowry." She casually muttered and went inside, greeted with the scent of antiseptic and the smell of some clean sheets.
She didn't notice the sudden normalcy in her stride, a simple sign of her adapting. It didn't seem to her that she'd been gone for a number of years.
To her, she was still a student, hurrying to visit Madame Pomfrey and to ask about Harry's condition.
"Madame Pomfrey." She greeted, her eyes glazed, her skin horridly pale. "How is he?"
Madame Pomfrey smiled in greeting, then, only managed to furrow her brows and study her. "Ms. Granger. It's nice to see you again."
"Where is he?" She glanced at each and every bed around the room, startled to see them empty as they should be. "Is he alright?"
Madame Pomfrey stood now, understanding the situation and yet hoping she was wrong. "Come dear, we will talk about that in a while. Why don't you come with me and let me examine you."
"I'm fine. I just need to know where he is."
She noticed her eyes immediately, and her shaking hands. "You won't see him if you don't follow me." She held her wrist, just ever so gently. "It will be alright. Just follow me. This is standard procedure, Ms. Granger."
She turned to the beds of the infirmary again, her body jittering wildly now. "No! I must see him!"
"Calm down and I will bring you to him." She tightened her grip as Hermione tried to struggle from her.
"I only need to know if he's alright!" Confused tears started to streak her face.
"Ms. Granger, just look at me." Grabbing her shoulders now, Madame Pomfrey held her down to a bed, steadying her. "Listen to me. He's not here now. He never was."
"That's a lie!" She screamed, just as Lowry bolted into the room. "Where is he?!"
"Hold her down!" Madame Pomfrey demanded, quickly searching for a blue potion at the nearby shelves just at the corner of the room. "Hold her steady."
In the surge of panic, Lowry's stiffly arms grabbed at Hermione's, steadying her down on the bed.
"Ms. Granger, listen to my voice and follow my instructions." She spoke calmly, finding the potion she needed, gently urging Hermione's resisting mouth to swallow. "You must drink… No! No. Drink this. It'll make you better. It's alright, it's alright."
Choking and coughing, Hermione's body suddenly became limp, her arms becoming stiff under Lowry's.
Madame Pomfrey only brushed the back of her hand over her forehead, sighed and shook her head. "Lowry, could you go to Professor Dumbledore and report to him what you've seen?"
Lowry shivered now, smothered by the exhaustion that comes after panic. "Is she alright?"
Madame Pomfrey only gave him a stern look. "Yes. Now go." She muttered, leaving the house elf to run to the doors. She glanced at the limp, unconscious body on the bed now, letting out another heavy sigh.
She was afraid this would happen. It was only unfortunate that she had to meet Ms. Granger - or Mrs. Malfoy, she mused – again this way.
She wondered where the potion she gave her through Malfoy had gone to.
Dumbledore knew it would be hard to break through him. He knew he's still holding back something from them; something he hoped would be different from what he was thinking. It was too horrid to consider, to dangerous and risky.
"As you know, Narcissa Malfoy is guilty on all accounts. She's taken away now, and I am sure she can not cause more damage than she'd already done." He paused, feeling his throat constrict. "If it is a must for you to see her, you can make an appointment in Azkaban."
Dumbledore nodded at this, noting the fact that he talks of the woman as if she was not his mother at all. He couldn't blame him. "Would it be alright to interrogate her?"
"I believe so." Draco answered in resignation.
Dumbledore nodded again. "Would it be alright if you attend the interrogation?"
He was avoiding eye contact for all this time. But Dumbledore couldn't help the shiver that ran down his back as Draco raised his gaze and settled it on his for the first time they arrived. "I'll do whatever is needed."
Good answer, my boy. Dumbledore mused and smiled.
"For all these processes we must undergo, I believe we will need more time than a week to settle all of this." Professor McGonagall spoke this time. "If it isn't a real disturbance, we ask of you to stay a while longer. It would do all of us good than put this again in a later day—"
Draco was about to answer to this request when the little house elf came bolting through the door, winded and gasping for air, as if he was running away from danger…
"What's wrong?" Draco abruptly stood up, the pang of worry painfully stabbing his chest the moment he saw the poor house elf.
"Speak, Lowry. What is the matter?" Professor Dumbledore urged.
The poor house elf only managed to gulp air and blink. "I… I…"
"Where's Hermione?" Draco demanded, his voice turning sharp as a knife.
"She… Madame Pomfrey…" Lowry breathed another deep breath and shook his head. "Mrs. Malfoy was shouting… I didn't know what was happening when Madame Pomfrey…"
Draco didn't stay long to hear the rest of Lowry's story, bolting from his spot to the door, running for Hermione.
A/n: Oh that sucked. I feel like my writing skill has diminished completely.
Anyways, please send your criticisms.ü I'd like to know how to develop this story.ü
But most of all, I hope you enjoyed it.ü
Until next time then.ü
TC.ü