Harry was proud of his friends. He knew he wouldn't be able to think of them as such in a couple of days, as he always did when they were out on a mission, but he couldn't help it. His two best friends and surrogate siblings were there, working so hard sweat was pearling on Ron's forehead, and Hermione was frowning so deeply that her eyebrows almost touched. Neville was scribbling vividly on a piece of parchment, his left hand pulling at his hair unconsciously. Lavender was talking fight with Dean as usual, while Ron wrote down what they'd decided to do. Harry had helped the lot of them of course, but now that they were mostly reviewing everything they'd agreed on, he was able to relax a bit. What he still had to do that night, made that day worth an entire week of work and sleep deprivation. Maybe he could take Ron with him for the night? Err, no, that was not a good idea. Maybe Mione would accept sleeping at Grimmaud place and help him settle down the three former Slytherins in his home? It was her idea after all. Harry looked at her closely, wondering if he could just put that on her shoulders atop everything else. Well it was her idea, plus having her around at night, as they did most of the time when they were about to go on a big mission, would probably lessen his worries for her. But no, she needed to pack that night, since she'd be on intervention until Merlin knew when. It could take weeks, months maybe. He would have to do that alone. Or maybe he could guilt her into coming, after all she'd tried that on him too. Harry wasn't given any time to make up his mind though, that Zabini entered the room abruptly, a curious look on his face. He tried to glance at their work, but Lavender pushed aside their papers before telling him:
"Sod off Blaise, you're not knowing anything before tomorrow."
"Oh but you're no fun Blondie." He whined and even pouted for good measure. Harry, Dean and Ron chuckled at the name calling, Neville was still busy and not listening, and Hermione looked positively bewildered. Harry wasn't surprised though, he'd seen the looks the two had exchanged all day, it was fairly obvious. Lavender smiled and put a book on top of the pile of papers she'd made.
"I never said I was. Now out." She waved him to go away. Surrendering a little too quickly, Zabini looked Harry's way:
"Potter we'll wait in your office." He directed one last smirk and eyebrow dance at Lavender and was out. Hermione's eyes were now two splits of suspicion and understanding, as she eyed Lavender, who obviously pretended not to notice her. Smiling for himself, Harry took a look at his watch, it was already midnight.
Blondie? Seriously? That was the name calling Zabini had refrained that time? So, nicknames? And not unpleasant ones as bookworm or anything, this one was quite affectionate too! Hermione had known it! Something was definitely going on and she'd have to make Lavender talk.
"Everyone it's midnight. We're off." Said Harry and relief gripped everyone's face. Lavender stood and stretched, followed by an eager to go home Ron. Dean was half a step after him.
"Night guys!" Lavender cheered and patted Dean's shoulder before storming out quickly without further ado. Ron grabbed Harry's shoulder and went around the table to pinch Hermione's cheek:
"You go back home, right?" He smiled.
"Oi! Yes I will! No need to be brutal!" He chuckled and squeezed Neville's neck a second : "You too mate."
The response he got seemed to suffice him, if one could call a grumble an answer, and he went his way too.
"Mione can I have a word with you?" Harry's demand surprised her a bit, what did he want that the others couldn't witness? And why was he Mione'ing her in such a fake honeyed voice?
"Of course." She stood to follow him out but as Dean was patting Harry's shoulder goodbye, she decided to grab Neville's.
"Neville please." She said and he sighed irritatingly before standing too.
"Right, right. I just wanted it to be …"
"Perfect?" She tried.
"No, I don't know … never mind, good night Hermione, Harry, Dean." He said and got out just before Dean. His behaviour was a bit off but then maybe the tests were stress inducing for him. Shrugging the concern away until the next morning – or possibly the middle of the night - Hermione found herself alone with Harry, quite convenient when he wanted to ask something. He looked nervous about it and Hermione felt a strange wave of worry wash right through her.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing, I er … would you do me a favour?" Oh that was bad. Ron was the one always asking for favours he never returned, it wasn't in Harry's habits.
"Harry what's going on?"
"Nothing Merlin Hermione, it's just, it was your idea, I mean, Grimmaud place and …" Oh, that, wait, what did it have to do with her?
"I don't get it what do you want me to do?"
"Stay there with me tonight? Please? So they settle without Malfoy and I killing each other? You seem to get along with them …"
"Oh come on Harry you're a grown-up!"
"Yes, yes, but … I mean I … this is Narcissa Malfoy …"
"She hates me Harry. How could I possibly be helpful? No, you'll have to handle that yourself. Ask Kreature to show them around and go straight to bed."
"Psychological support? I wanted to ask Ron, but even I can see the idiocy of the idea."
"Merlin Harry … Of how much support can I be if we go straight to bed?"
"For old times sake Mione, you'll take Sirius' bed I'll take the couch."
"Oh my god I can't believe you! How old are you? It's useless …"
"Actually it's not, I've only got two arms to apparate there, I'll need someone anyway and … Please? Ginny's at the Burrow I can't spend the night …" Loneliness? Really? Big fat scarred face liar!
"I already told you you're a bad liar Harry. The truth?" She put a strong sound of warning in her voice that made him cower slightly before he took a deep breath and lifted his chin up, apparently trying for cockiness.
"Right, it's a fucking core to bring them there, and it was your idea." He pushed crossing his arms stubbornly. That was far better. Actually Hermione could use a bit of friendship right now. Spending the night alone in her broken bedroom wasn't appealing, and Harry looked so bad she could check he was actually getting some sleep.
"Better. You'll owe me Harry and I need to pack a few things first."
"How long will you be?"
"Ten minutes."
"All right I'll go tell them. Thanks Mione." He pecked her on the cheek childishly and went off. So she'd stay at Grimmaud place that night, for old times sake. Well, they always had a night together before a big mission anyway, except usually Ron was there too. But even a troll could tell how bad of an idea bringing Ron to Grimmaud place that night was. Hermione sighed and went downstairs to apparate to her flat and grab a few things. Taking her wand out she felt her beaded bag at the bottom of her pocket, she didn't need anything else. Of course she realised that once in front of the apparition point of the ministry's entrance hall and almost slapped her forehead in annoyance. She tapped her coin for Harry and sat next to the coffee witch who frowned at her.
"What're you waiting for Mione?" She jumped a bit at Ron's voice.
"Err, I thought you were gone."
"I sent a note through missive to dad. Just want to make sure they're not too bad there. Horrid place …"
"Oh right, you'll tell me?"
"Course." He smiled affectionately at her and then gave her a questioning look. "So? What're your doing?" Hermione saw no reason to lie to him.
"Harry asked me to help for side-along apparition to Grimmaud."
"Oh right. Gonna have a short night again eh? "
"Actually …"
"What? You're stayin'?" She nodded and shrugged at the same time, kind of hoping he would interpret whatever except that she was staying at Grimmaud, and that by deduction, he wasn't invited. Unfortunately for the circumstances, Ron was not as dumb as he could look when he ate.
"Wait, you're having butterbeer night without me? With Malfoy?!" Damn. That was how Ron called the night they usually spent together before big missions. They always had a good chat in front of the fire, with butterbeers, and if Hermione was in the mood, she'd bake cinnamon rolls, while they chatted.
"No Ron we're not, it's late. I just won't bother going back to my flat after …"
"Whatever I'm coming. Won't let you around those idiots if I can help it."
"Ron, please be reasonable. They're part of the team now, they're trustworthy, …"
"I know, I know Mione, but we won't have butterbeer night this time and it's the perfect opportunity to be together." It was, it'd been so long since they'd hang for a bit just the three of them. Well, there would be two Malfoys and a Zabini in the house too but …
"Promise you'll behave then, or you're not coming."
"I'm a grown-up Mione, and actually you're the only one I don't behave around." He smiled cockily. She hit him on the shoulder in response.
"Right, butterbeer night it is then, but an hour tops."
"Great! Like old times!" Hermione was so glad to witness one of Ron's rare grins that she chuckled a bit at his momentarily happiness. It'd been so long since she'd seen him smile like that.
"God our aurors are ten year-olds! Mate we're doomed!" Zabini's voice made Ron's grin slip into an ugly face.
"Guess you're coming too?" Harry asked, a little hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Course." Ron winked.
"Right let's go." Hermione noted that Malfoy and his mother had stayed a few steps back, and that Narcissa was holding her son's arm tightly. It must have been a difficult situation for her, being taken away from her home, because of a danger her son was jumping right in. She looked as impeccable as usual but judging by the way she was clutching at her son's forearm, Hermione guessed she didn't feel as good as she appeared to. Not really knowing why, and sensing that apparating with Ron or Harry would probably not help her unease, Hermione tried a smile:
"Mrs Malfoy? Care to side-along apparate with me?" Narcissa turned deadly cold eyes to her that froze Hermione's blood in her veins for a second. The woman was impressive. But eventually her face softened ever so slightly and she nodded before letting go of her son. Hermione offered her her arm, that she took with a strained nonchalance so typical of her last name.
"Shit this means I'll go with you Weasel! No offence Potter." Blaise's voice reached Hermione's ears as she spun around thinking about twelve Grimmaud place. She chuckled and simultaneously landed on Grimmaud's threshold. Hermione was surprised to see the shadow of a smile on Mrs Malfoy's face. She grabbed the door handle and almost forgot to warn her about the horrific portrait in the hall:
"We shall make no noise in the hall, I'll explain once we're in the kitchen." Narcissa nodded and followed Hermione inside. Casting a silent lumos she signed her to the door at the end of the surprisingly clean hall, and they walked silently to the kitchen. Something was in the oven, but there was no sign of Kreature anywhere.
"Care to explain what this was about miss Granger?" Asked Narcissa.
"Oh yes, there's a portrait of Mrs Black in the hall and well …" A loud crash interrupted Hermione and the explanation became useless.
"HORRIFIC BLOOD TRAITORS! BRINGING SHAME TO MY NAME AND MY HOUSE!"
"Hermione!" Harry's voice shouted for help and it was the first time, ever, Hermione could see an emotion on Mrs Malfoy's face. She gave her an apologetic look before storming out to help Harry shut the curtains of that hideous portrait. Obviously he'd tripped on the ugly worn carpet.
"MUDBLOOD BITCH! IN SALAZAR'S NAME HOW DARE YOU INVADE MY HOME!" Grabbing the left curtain with all her strength Hermione helped Harry shut it down. Malfoy looked completely bewildered and was useless. Once they'd managed to shut Mrs Black up, Harry grabbed her and a still seemingly incapacitated Malfoy by the sleeve and tracked them back annoyingly to the kitchen.
"Godric's sake that horrid bitch …"
"Is my aunt Mr Potter." Finished Mrs Malfoy.
"Was. Sorry. She's insulting …" Harry didn't look sorry at all, he looked pissed off to no end.
"I noticed that. Is there anything else that we should know about this place?" Seeing Mrs Malfoy frown was beyond Hermione's imagination, as if the day's event had shattered the aristocratic mask the woman usually wore.
"Err … we'll wait for Zabini if you don't mind. Please take a seat." He waved them to sit down and both the frowning Malfoys did as bid at the farther end of the large table.
"Sit Harry I'll make some tea." Hermione took it for herself to handle things, Harry looked completely lost and worn, and the irritated Malfoys couldn't be pushed too far. Ron and Zabini entered the kitchen silently, just when Hermione was putting the tea bags in cups.
"Trust me don't want to wake that crazy monster …" Said Ron.
"We already did." Said Harry, rubbing his face with both hands.
"Oh shite. Err Sorry." Ron added the last bit giving a wary look towards Mrs Malfoy. Hermione smiled, Narcissa wasn't so much of a motherly figure but she still got the chills out of Ron.
"Sit I'll explain now." Ron and Zabini joined them at the table, Ron next to Harry, Zabini took Narcissa's other side at the other end of the table. Hermione could see the rivalry in even such a crowded space and she knew she'd been right to assume she'd have to handle things. She put the tray of tea in the middle of the table and sat in the large space between Harry and Blaise.
"Tea?"
"Look at you Granger, couldn't handle a night without me eh? Making me tea and everything." Chuckled Zabini. Apparently keeping his mouth shut was beyond his brain capacity.
"Shut up you troll. Drink your tea." She shoved a cup in his hands, and both he and Malfoy chuckled. Even Ron looked amused. She scowled and turned to Harry.
"Harry? Maybe you should call Kreature?"
"Already did. Mrs Malfoy, I had the second floor ready for you three to use freely. There's four rooms, all ready for you to choose from. My room's on the third, as my guests rooms. On the first floor is a dining room where Kreature will serve you anything you ask, a lounge, and a small library. You can go anywhere in the house but I don't recommend the attic, and well … the hall neither for obvious reasons. This is a safe house, so there's no owling possible, I'm sorry. If there's anything, you can send Kreature out for you. He'll be able to reach me any time or go buy anything you might need." Well that was surprisingly well handled.
"Kreature?" The old elf showed his big groin out with a loud pop, landing right on the table, his face to Harry.
"Yes Master?" He said, with a false joyous smile, his fake locket swinging against his bare chest. "Is it time for Kreature to serve Black again? Is it?" Harry rolled his eyes.
"Indeed. Once we're done with tea, you'll show them to the second floor please."
"Of course!" The elf turned around and bowed so low on the table that his nose touched it. "Everything for a Black." He said. He stayed like that a bit too long, Narcissa and her son started to look disgusted.
"That's enough Kreature." The elf mumbled under his breath and got down of the table to the oven. Hermione had served tea to everyone that had given her a nod of acceptance, which resumed to the Slytherins and a heavy and unpleasant silence followed suit. Zabini chose this moment to try and break the tension again.
"So, Granger, testing us tomorrow?"
"Yes. And I'm not telling you anything." She smiled amusedly. Zabini made what he sure thought had to be a cute face. "Won't work Zabini, you're not cute." She added and he chuckled.
"All right, then I'm off I guess." He stood and the Malfoys followed eagerly without a word. Harry nodded.
"Kreature?" The elf didn't need to be told twice, he was already showing the door to the three uncomfortable Slytherins. Less than a minute after they'd gone out, Ron happily fetched a pack of butterbeers and grabbed Hermione by the hand, leading her to the lounge. Harry followed them slowly, yawning all the way up the stairs. They settled on the worn couch of the lounge, and Hermione lit up a fire for them. Ron opened three butterbeers and they each took one. Hermione sat between her two best friends, the large clock in the corner of the room clicking one in the morning. It was really late but she didn't want to move. Sipping slowly from her glass bottle, she sighed. Half in contentment, half in sadness.
Nothing was like old times. Ron could wish it was with all his heart, it didn't change anything. She felt comfortable and safe with them, but they remained silent. A long time ago, when they'd been in hiding, they'd slept in this very room. They'd spent the evening chatting and planning and thinking hard about Horcruxes, their youth feeding their ability to keep it going. Today Hermione didn't know what kept them going any more. She didn't think they were still doing it to do what was right. She was doing it because she could help prevent people getting killed. If they managed to succeed and destroy the stone, she'd quit. Her strong sense of duty kept her there, the fear to loose her friends too, and she knew that if it hadn't been for that stone, she'd be far away from being an auror. She sighed and decided that if she couldn't voice her worries to Harry and Ron, then she would never voice them. Wait, hadn't she already? She had, to Malfoy, that night. Maybe her friends could hear it too, with a slight amount of subtlety.
"Do you think we'll live peacefully one day?" She asked, subtlety was definitely not her thing. Ron gave her a worried look that morphed into a sad one. It was Harry who answered her.
"It's a long way Mione but we'll manage, we always do."
"Right, we killed Voldy remember?" Ron added with a tentative smile.
"Yes we did. It's just … I'm so tired …" Hermione felt tears of exhaustion bubble up under her eyes and she took a deep breath not to cry.
"I know. Me too." Harry said, looking blankly at his hands. Ron put an arm around Hermione's shoulders and she rested her head on him a moment, her eyes fixed on Harry's face. Guilt twisted his mouth, worry and exhaustion his eyes. She grabbed his right hand in hers.
"I'm sorry Harry, I didn't mean to break the mood." He looked at their touching fingers a moment and answered, tracing soothing circles on Hermione's knuckles.
"It's all right. We're all a bit on edge right now."
"That's an understatement. I can feel every bloody muscle in my entire body right now!" Said Ron, making Hermione chuckle.
"Same here, I even think I can feel my brain." She said, her constant headache suddenly a very persistent inconvenience. Harry smiled faintly at this.
"Well maybe we should go to bed then." He indulged.
"You first mate, you look like a doormat right now." Cheekily mocked Ron.
"And you look like a Q-tip with a wig." That was stupidly hilarious to their opinion and it took a moment, and a few deep breath, for the three of them to regain some sort of composure. Hermione suddenly felt like crying again, but for a totally different reason this time.
"Would you guys promise me something?" She asked.
"Anything." Said Ron, tightening his hold on her shoulders, while Harry nodded, his hand still trapped in between hers.
"Promise me we'll do that more often. I miss the three of us. We should at least take a moment to laugh like we used to."
"I promise Mione." Said Harry, before pecking her on the cheek.
"Me too." Added Ron, and despite the sincerity of their words, Hermione knew it would be an empty promise. They never had the time to just laugh any more, and even when they managed to find some, as right now, they couldn't help but feeling the heavy weight of their responsibilities break the half-jovial mood. They'd been through hell and back together, only to fall right back in it head first.
"We should go to bed guys." Yawned Ron. "We have two Slytherins to test in the morning and just thinking about it makes me want to hang myself."
"Err yes right." Yawned Harry, freeing his hand from Hermione's.
"They're not so bad." She said. They weren't. Zabini was nice, and always joking, despite the horrors he'd been through just days prior, and Malfoy … well, Malfoy was just there. She'd come to care and they'd confessed that to each other none other than that very morning. It seemed an eternity had passed since the night he'd apologized to her. That night he'd hold her hand and told her not to cry.
"Yeah well I guess Zabini's all right, but Malfoy … I know, I know, trust and whatever, but I don't have to like the idiot." Said Ron, adding the last bit as Hermione released herself from his grip to give him a warning look.
"You know … he's actually apologized to me." She said.
"I know." Ron winced at his own words.
"You know?" He closed his eyes and blew at nothing for a second. Harry shrugged in ignorance.
"I've apologized to him, as you advised me to. I won't say what we talked about but we agreed on not arguing nor insulting the other." He had? This was … She pecked him on the cheek quite abruptly.
"Thank you." She said. Ron turned a bit red on the upper cheeks and Hermione felt the urge to crawl out of the room, maybe a tad too enthusiastic.
"What is it with him Hermione?" Asked Harry. "I … Well Neville told me you got along err … well enough I guess." She winced and Ron looked a bit sick at that. She wasn't about to tell them all that had happened between her and Malfoy, it was personal. But she could at least tell some bit of truth to the two boys that had become her family over the years.
"We do. Look, he's not so bad once you actually try to be civil with him. And … well he's been nothing but … respectful I guess." She threw a glare at Ron, as a reminder of his own behaviour towards her.
"He has." He backed, to Hermione's astonishment. Harry looked surprised too but then just smiled.
"So I was right then wasn't I?" He said.
"Don't push your luck mate." They chuckled.
"Bedtime." Said Hermione and they all went up the stairs to the third floor. The second floor, now occupied, had light under a door. Hermione caught some whispering as she passed the level, gripping the banister, and guessed they had needed some adjustment to their new residence. Maybe Zabini and Malfoy were sharing some friendly moment too. God she was sleep deprived. She couldn't picture the two idiots sharing anything but sarcastic comments. They had to feel lonely. Hermione hoped they didn't too much. She was loosing her mind. Great.
After she'd insisted a good five minutes to take the small couch, Harry and Ron had finally taken the bed and Hermione turned the lights off with a flick of her wand. She fell asleep with Ron's light snoring as lullaby and feeling safer than she'd had in a long time.
Draco heard low footsteps down the corridor. The golden trio was finally going to bed too. Draco had just bid his mother good night, and landed in Blaise's bedroom to have a drink. They'd found a bottle of firewhiskey on one of the dressers and that weirdly familiar elf had told them its master had ordered him to put it there for them. Potter must have thought they'd need it. Draco felt strangely grateful, a feeling he didn't like when the golden boy was concerned. But after the hour it had taken to convince his mother to start packing, and the two more for her to actually pack, the burning sensation of the alcohol sliding down his throat was welcome.
"So, do you think we'll pass their test tomorrow?" Asked a slightly tipsy Blaise.
"They need us Blaise, they're only testing us to know what position to give us for the mission. We'll pass you'll see."
"Maybe. I doubt Granger will be too clement though." Draco chuckled. She sure wouldn't be.
"I don't know then."
"We won't. Have you seen what she did in the training room? And Weasley's … fuck it hurts to admit but he's gifted! I can't wait to see their files!" Draco had forgotten about the files. He was quite eager to see them too. Especially hers since his was apparently cleaner. How was that even possible?
"Me too. I can't believe you convinced me to become an auror. This is surreal."
"I know. Look at us, working AND living with the goody good Gryffindors! I think we finally lost our minds mate …" Draco snorted.
"I don't think they're that goody good any more. I'm pretty sure your precious little Brown has a fair list of unforgivables on her file."
"Yeah she must." Blaise was smiling as if proud of it. "She's wild." He added with an awed grin. Draco laughed, Blaise was really taken with her.
"Salazar Blaise keep your pants up! At least until this is all over …"
"Don't worry mate, I don't think she's as easy as she seemed to be at school." He didn't seem disappointed at all, she definitely wasn't and Draco wondered if Blaise didn't appreciate the challenge even more. Actually when you looked at Brown, school seemed the more far away now.
"It was a long time ago. Can you believe it's only been what? Not even two weeks since Lestrange escaped?"
"It feels like months. But we're on a good streak we'll catch those bastards." Said Blaise determinedly.
"We better." Draco yawned before adding. "I'm off, night mate."
"Yeah we should sleep while we still can."
With that Draco was out to the room facing Blaise's, next to his mother's. The entire house was silent, and as creepy as the manor. Less gigantic for sure, but still old and creepy. Draco let himself fall on the bed, not even bothering to take his shirt off, only his shoes. He drifted to sleep the instant his head hit the pillow.
Draco was woken up by a shuffle just above his head. Yawning and feeling almost as tired as he'd been when going to bed, he listened carefully. One set of foot was going down the stairs as quietly as the cracking wooden steps permitted. Maybe Potter was up. Maybe it was Granger. Draco could stay in bed if it was Weasley. Curiosity wouldn't allow him to go back to sleep though and it was six forty five already. They were due to work at eight. He got up sighing and spent five minutes in the small bathroom attached to his new bedroom. It wasn't as luxuriant as the Manor's, but it was sufficiently practical. Draco guessed he couldn't ask much more when he was already sheltered in Potter's safe house. He took out his shrunk suitcase from his cloak's pocket, and after wanding it back to its regular size, got dressed. He went down quietly and stopped by the kitchen door, from which he could hear muffled noise coming, two minutes before seven. Taking a deep breath, and seriously hoping the weasel wasn't the one rummaging through the cupboards, Draco finally entered the room. Relief took him as he recognised the now dark-blond and curly head of hair. Granger had her back to him and was cooking something. She was wearing a badly knitted bright red sweater Draco suspected to be of elf confection. She'd heard the door for she turned around as he took his first step in.
"Mornin'. Oh, Malfoy." Recovering from her surprise, obviously she'd been expecting one of the two idiots, she gave him a small awkward smile.
"Mornin' Granger." Her smile grew a bit and the shadow of a response took his mouth. It was quickly replaced with a grimace of distaste though, that sweater was definitely ugly. A huge and approximately knitted golden H took the majority of the front, and it looked so worn he wondered why she wouldn't just dispose of the monstrosity. "What's that horror you're wearing?" She rolled her eyes in response.
"It's a Christmas sweater from Molly. Got this one since fifth year, it's my favourite." She said crossing her arms above her chest. Draco could now vaguely remember the entire redhead tribe wearing similar monstrosities at school. She'd kept that since fifth year? Not daring to actually ask why, he just stated.
"It's ugly." Now she looked unnerved.
"She made it herself with all her heart and that's all that counts." That sentence put a definite end to the matter. Maybe the sweater was a happy thing as the Burrow supposedly was for her.
"All right. If you say so." He surrendered, lifting his hands for emphasis. No need to anger her first thing in the morning, especially when she was supposed to test him in an hour or so. She shook her head in what looked like exasperation and returned to her pan.
"Want eggs?" She asked after a stretched minute of silence, where Draco hadn't been able to figure out what to say or do. "There's coffee too." She added, as if sensing he had no clue about where to find breakfast. Draco was positively starving, having eaten close to nothing the day before.
"Yes, please." He said, before sitting down facing the spot where she'd let her coffee mug get cold. He didn't even get the chance to adjust his chair properly that she'd turned around and was now staring at him in disbelief. Her eyebrows were so high she looked like a cartoon character.
"What?" She cocked her head to the side and examined his face as if he was some foreign creature she'd never seen before. "Did the pretentious and superior Draco gazelle ferret Malfoy just say please to me? To me?"
"Oh my …" Draco rolled his eyes and she burst out laughing. It had just been common politeness.
"You have to admit that this is a first. Do you plan on murdering me or something?" She took a step towards the table and pretended to lift a hand to his face before adding: "Here, let me check your eyes for imperius."
"Very funny Granger, you're making progress. Now watch the eggs before you burn them." He said crossing his arms, mirroring her earlier expression. She kept giggling like a child but took the pan off the stove eventually. She served them both a plate before sitting down in front of him. The remains of a mischievous smile still played on her lips and Draco wondered if hunger was the sole reason his insides seemed to be dancing. Which of course made him feel awkward, wasn't it odd anyway? Having breakfast with Hermione Jean Granger. Her eggs tasted good and after swallowing the first bite Draco realised she'd been waiting for him to taste them, watching him chew, her fork half-way to her mouth. Draco thought it was the perfect opportunity to make things even again.
"If you're waiting for a compliment Granger this might be pushing your luck a bit too far." He stated with a smirk, which she copied right away. Couldn't be a good sign.
"No, actually I was waiting for you to notice I spat in your plate." No way! She burst out laughing before he could even process a coherent thought, even less form a revolted word.
"You're face is priceless!" She extolled, calming down a bit, her cheeks a blushed pink colour. Draco frowned, noticing things like that again? He really wasn't a morning person.
"Yours too and not in a pleasant way. You're disgusting." He tried for pulling a disgusted face.
"I was just kidding. But watch your plates from now on …" She chuckled at her own bloody joke. It was time she'd get a good spoon of her own medicine.
"Stop the pitiful attempts to change the subject Granger. You were staring at me, either waiting for some sort of approval on your poorly cooked eggs, or because I'm so handsome you've got trouble taking your eyes off of me." Maybe he should have thought twice before saying something like that. While she looked outraged at his pretentiousness, Draco suddenly felt so uncomfortable he had to take another bite of the drool-cooked eggs to hide his embarrassment. She bent over the table, seemingly oblivious to his discomfort, her face set in a revengeful expression.
"You wish." She taunted. The smirk that twisted her face was impressive. Clearly she'd sensed his discomfort and was just playing with it. Draco was at a loss of words. His wit gone for one of the first time in his life. No! There was no way she'd just win like that. No way she'd shut him up playing with his embarrassment. She opened her mouth to speak, but just before she could call him a Hufflepuff again, he bent over the table too, looking right in her whiskey orbs. He had to swallow back a sudden urge to just run away, but opened his mouth nonetheless.
"Maybe." He taunted. It was the only word he'd managed to form anyway, but it would be more than enough. In fact it stunned her. Her eyes opened widely in surprise at his faked half-confession and her mouth fell slightly agape. She was so close he could see each and every one of those damn freckles. They stood out atop the almost imperceptible blush that slowly crept on her upper cheeks. She recovered before he did though and sat back in her chair, clearing her throat in an embarrassed fashion, as Draco realised he'd been staring. He sat back down too and thanked Salazar that someone chose this very moment to join them. His attempt to shut her up had been rather successful but had left things way too embarrassing for him to handle. Draco had never been so thankful to see his friend. Blaise looked like he'd pulled his hair all night, but gave them both a tired smile before greeting:
"Morning lovers." Couldn't have phrased it better. Even straight out of bed he could still place just the word to piss people off. Draco suddenly felt like punching him right in his bloody mouth. Granger looked like she'd pass out for a second and then she just recovered as Draco had come to believe was usual.
"Morning troll." She snapped. Blaise scowled and sat down looking the more exhausted. Granger shook her head and stood to grab him a cup of coffee. Too goody good.
"Ah thanks."
"Help yourself I'll go wake the others." She said and practically ran off the kitchen.
Hermione gladly and silently closed the kitchen door being her. This had just been the most embarrassing moment in her entire life. Malfoy had obviously only been trying to shut her up but had not thought it through before opening his big wicked mouth. He could have just retaliated with the vomit inducing joke they'd played a few times but no. He had had to imply things. Maybe. Maybe what ? Maybe he was a wanker. He'd been so close that she'd had trouble tearing her eyes off of his inquisitive stare, his grey storming eyes strangely captivating. She'd only recovered once she'd felt a blush creep up on her face. No way in hell would the ferret make her blush! Why had she even blushed?
Maybe because he'd been right she'd been staring. At first only to check he wouldn't mock her cooking skills and then ... he'd looked so worn and dishevelled that she'd kept looking a bit too long. He still hadn't shaved and his hair had been wet. It had felt so foreign to her to see him in such a casual occurrence, the upper ranked Draco Lucius Malfoy just out of the shower, eating breakfast with her.
As she reached the third floor she scowled. Now she'd left things awkward. Well he'd started it! And he certainly wouldn't make things right. And damn Zabini for making things even more embarrassing. Lovers what the hell! Of course he hadn't done it on purpose but the troll had just voiced the implied joke aloud and given the look on Malfoy's face, the blond had not appreciated the nickname either. Hufflepuff would have been the century's understatement. Especially seeing the way he'd reacted when he'd realised he'd been staring at her too. He'd sat down abruptly, not knowing where to look or what to do. Hermione had never seen him looking so hot under the collar. And she hadn't felt any braver.
She reached Harry's bedroom, or Sirius's old bedroom, and entered quietly, shoving away any confusing thoughts the blond idiot seemed to constantly induce within her head.
"Harry? Ron?" A hoarse growl answered her from Ron's side of the bed. "It's seven fifteen you need to get up if you want to have breakfast." That woke Ron up, he sat abruptly in the bed, making Harry pester incoherent babbles.
"Breakfast?"
"Yes Ron."
"You cookin'?" She rolled her eyes.
"If you're both ready in ten minutes." Ron stood and his groggy face smiled to his ears, he pecked her on the cheek before stepping slowly to the bathroom. Hermione knew Harry was awake, but she also knew he'd had a bad night so she went to sit at the edge of the bed.
"Harry?"
"'m up" he mumbled his face buried in his pillow, his hair poking out in every possible direction. She waited for him to move a bit and when he was rubbing his eyes senseless she asked:
"Did you sleep well?" He smiled at her, the contrast with his sleepy face startling.
"Spoke in my sleep again?"
"A bit." He chuckled as she pulled a face.
"At least I didn't blow up a wall." He winked and got up, stretching his arms above his head. "Don't worry Mione it's just a few bad dreams. Did you sleep well?" Well, she guessed she wasn't the best of examples. She winced and he chuckled some more: "Right." He passed her too and pecked her on the cheek too, mimicking with accurate exactitude his best friend's gesture, before making his way to the other bathroom of the floor.
Hermione had no choice but to go down to the kitchen again, actually running out of time to cook something for Ron. When she reluctantly grabbed the kitchen door handle for she second time that morning, she overheard whispering and couldn't help but wonder what the two former Slytherins were talking about. Of course it was useless to pry, Harry had charmed the door for when Teddy was staying over, very much as Sirius had ended up doing himself when they'd been staying over the summer before fifth year. The memory took a strong grip at Hermione's throat and she had to take a deep breath before opening the door. No need to add tears to the list of awkward things that apparently happened that day.
Her head full of memories about Sirius, Remus, and by link Tonks, she stepped in, which cut short whatever conversation might have been going. The two opposite looking men lifted their heads at the same time and Hermione knew she'd interrupted something. Zabini flashed her a bright grin and Malfoy just stared at his hands. Hermione frowned, food was piled up on the table and, cocking her head to the side, she caught sight of Kreature. Of course the elf hadn't bothered making an appearance for her. She rubbed her face with a hand and let herself fall on the opposite side of the table getting herself a look from Zabini.
"Mornin' Kreature." She growled. The elf stopped and turned around to shoot her a groined glare. "Is the mudblood speaking to Kreature ? Doesn't she know Kreature isn't allowed to insult her any more?" And the mumbling kept going while he returned to the oven. She saw Malfoy clench his teeth, and Zabini looked shocked but she just shrugged his way.
"Not trying to free this one eh?" He asked.
"Can't." He snorted:
"Well if you tried with that sweater no wonder he didn't take it." The troll just giggled at his own joke and even Malfoy, who stubbornly kept his eyes to the oven, hid a smile. She sighed but no, she wouldn't justify wearing her favourite piece of clothing again.
"No Zabini. We can't because he knows too much." He gave her a confused look before smirking: "You know I'm pretty sure no one cares about Potter's nasty habits."
"This house was the order's safe house you troll, he witnessed way too many things to be freed." "Oh." That made Malfoy look her way and then at Kreature and then right back at her.
"I've seen that elf before then." Hermione snorted.
"He went to your dear aunt during the war. Couldn't go against a direct order though so all he did was disappear for days and feed her approximative information. We didn't think he'd go to her but apparently his loyalty was stronger for Bellatrix than for Sirius."
"Blood traitor ..." the elf mumbled.
"Regulus was a blood traitor too Kreature." She snapped. The elf froze.
"Master Potter said not to insult the unworthy mudblood. Master Potter said not to insult the filthy mudblood."
"Maybe you should stop calling her that then." Malfoy hit his clenched fist on the table and looked at the elf in boiling anger.
"Is the young Malfoy a blood traitor too? Shame on his name for defending the mudblood ..." The rage that twisted Malfoy's features was so reminiscent of the night they'd shared their guilt that Hermione saw the moment he'd just loose his temper coming as a storm and she just reacted:
"Malfoy it's all right he's a bit senile. He doesn't know what he's saying any more." Then she realised she'd grabbed his wrist to make sure his attention was on her and it definitely was. He was looking at her right in the eyes and those grey clouds were swirling. Guilt and hate tinted his tensed face and she felt like crying at his ordeal. Hadn't he felt better that night? She'd said she didn't blame him hadn't she? She'd said it wasn't his fault. How was it that a simple meaningless word could revive so much in him? That word didn't mean anything. It just didn't. It didn't matter what people called her and it shouldn't make anyone feel this much guilt. Malfoy had done nothing wrong to her that day! He'd even saved them by not telling it was Harry. That stupid word! Mudblood. Filthy mudblood! This time it wasn't Bellatrix's voice she could hear at the back of her head. It was Malfoy's young and laughing mockery she heard. She understood his sudden guilt clearly now.
Filthy mudblood!
The voice morphed back into the high pitched voice of a woman and Hermione had trouble shoving it away.
Mudblood bitch! Do tell what you took in that bloody vault!
Wanting to take a deep breath to gather her thoughts and ignore the memory knocking fiercely at her forehead she realised she couldn't.
The floor was icy and her body felt a thousand degrees feverish against it. She tried to open her left eye but it felt swollen, for she'd hit the ground abruptly under Bellatrix's curse.
"Fuck Granger!" Zabini's voice surprised Hermione and she let go of Malfoy's wrist as if stroked by a lightning bolt, but he caught her hand before she could withdraw her arm, and looked down in horror.
"Shit I didn't mean to ... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ..." He panicked and hooked her other hand in his as Zabini half stood not knowing what to do.
"Granger ?" Was all it took for her to realise what was happening.
"Sorry." She said withdrawing her hands from Malfoy's grip. Zabini's worry was written all over his face as Hermione saw the door to the kitchen open. She shook her head in his direction and mouthed a "please" hoping he would understand. As Ron entered the room, oblivious to the drama of the moment, and staring at the pile of pancakes, Zabini sat back down. Malfoy was still looking at her, and apparently didn't care about her pleading expression. She prayed he'd keep his mouth shut. Harry and Ron didn't need more reasons to worry. She lowered her face as she withdrew her arms to her lap and winced as discreetly as possible. She'd dug her nails so deep in her left forearm that she had drown blood.
What was wrong with her? How was it that even something related to that memory could make her loose her mind like that? As Ron was stuffing his face without even acknowledging any of them, spiting a bit at Kreature for telling him the food had been for Harry and Mrs Malfoy, Zabini kept shooting her worried glances from behind the cup of coffee she'd served him before. She gave him another pleading look and he frowned but stopped, turning a disgusted look to Ron instead. What worried her the most was that Malfoy was a mess. He kept staring at her, his fists so tightly clenched on the table that his knuckles where a bright white colour. Hermione knew Harry would notice that. She had to do something. He looked … broken and it was all her fault. If only she was able to cope with her own bloody memories inwardly! Why did she have to do something so visible? Couldn't she cry herself to sleep as everyone else did? No, she had to try to tear off her scar! She pulled at her torn sweater sleeve, and bit her lip.
"Malfoy can I have a word please?" It was the only solution, and she didn't care what Zabini thought about that. Malfoy frowned, and took his time to just nod. Ron was frowning too.
"What for?" He said between two bites.
"I have a question about a ward, the book's upstairs." She managed. She'd gotten better at this lying thing than she'd thought. Ron rolled his eyes.
"When the hell did you find the time to read since yesterday? Can't believe you." She shrugged in false guilt and gave an impatient look at Malfoy who stood, confused, and followed her outside the kitchen. He stopped at the back of the door. Harry could come down any minute and as much as she didn't want to have this talk, she had to. She grabbed him by the wrist again, and lead him quickly to the lounge on the first floor. She heard Harry's footsteps as soon as she shut the door and shushed Malfoy with a finger over her mouth just in case. Once she couldn't hear Harry any more, she opened her mouth to speak but was at a loss of words. She bit her lip in frustration and discomfort and Malfoy just broke.
"I'm sorry." He said, his eyes turning red, his mouth twisted in pain.
"Why, no! … It's not your fault! Look I am sorry. The memory just … I don't know why I do that …"
"Don't. Be. Sorry." He hissed, anger replacing his previous pain or maybe piling up over it.
"Yes I am. I'm sorry you feel this way. Please Malfoy just don't …"
"You're broken!" He yelled.
"Aren't you too Malfoy? Don't you have nightmares too? We are all broken! We all have horrible memories! Look no, listen to me." She took a step forward as he was about to speak, standing as close to him as would remain not too intimate. "I don't know why I cope like that, but I do. It has nothing to do with you. That word doesn't mean anything to me except for that bloody scar that messes up with my brain. It's not your fault. You need to put yourself back together Malfoy. We are all exhausted and broken, but we need to move on. Please stop blaming yourself over this. Please."
"I can't. I made you do this!" He stepped closer and grabbed her arm. She stumbled for words, his long fingers tightly wrapped around her arm, his thumb right on the M.
"No the memory did. I was … thinking about that word … it just …" This was stupid, she needed to be honest with thin. "You looked like you hate yourself so much Malfoy it made me snap. I don't hate you remember? Why do you?"
"I just …You really don't?" He asked with real concern, lowering his face towards her a bit.
"Of course not." He still didn't believe her. It was probably why he'd insisted so much with the matter.
"You do realise you should right?" He insisted. Maybe she should, but she didn't. She couldn't hate him any more for they were two different people from the ones that had hated each other, years ago. How could she hate him when he was so … she didn't know what exactly, but it was definitely not bad. She shook her head and tried to tease.
"I'm too good then. Such a Gryffindor I can't help it." The hint of a smile took his face and feeling it was a good sign, she added: "And being a Slytherin doesn't mean you're responsible for every one's madness." He huffed, but the hint had morphed into a real smile.
"Just yours then. You really are mad."
"I know." She was. She knew that. She was practically nothing like the girl she'd once been any more. But then Malfoy was different too. She looked up at his face and he just looked sad, his eyes again fixed on her scar. Her stomach hurt at his obvious pain, there was nothing she could do to appease it. Guilt was a strong illness. Harry had it too and it kept him from sleeping properly, she wondered if he had trouble sleeping too. They were alike in a way, Malfoy cared for her too, not just about her opinion, she was certain of that now, and seeing the way she reacted at his pain and sorrow, she did too. Were they friends? Probably. What do you call someone you can joke with and tease but also share your deepest secrets with? A friend. And her friend felt awful right now, and as a tear fell down his face, she did the only thing she knew she could do to at least ease a bit his ordeal. She hugged him. As Ron would hug her if he'd find her crying or sad. As Harry or Lavender would. She just wrapped her arms around his waist and as she clutched at his robes, she felt his heartbeat against her cheek.