Draco.
His heart froze. The scene of his father literally strangling the woman he loved was physically sickened. But it wasn't long before he manage to react, as did Weasley and Potter. The three of them sending spells at the crazed man. He was utterly defenceless; surely he would be taken down by the impact of the spells. But he had others ideas.
He, knowing he was defenceless, used Hermione's struggling body to shield himself from their blows.
Draco could do nothing but gasp as all three spells hit Hermione in the back and her body stopped wriggling instantly and flopped awkwardly within his father's grip.
He cringed. It was painful to even witness his girlfriend in such a state. His father was a bloody coward.
"Drop your wands…" He croaked, seemingly rattled by the intensity of the spells. However, none of them complied.
His father waited for a few seconds before giving them a deathly glare. He then placed Hermione into a crouching position in front of him and wrapped both hands around her head.
"Drop your wands or I'll break her neck…" He breathed, completely serious, his eyes wild with fury.
His gaze moved between the trio threateningly and he watched as each of them laid down their wands cautiously on the ground.
Draco knew this was a bad move, but he certainly would not risk his poor, helpless girlfriend being murdered right in front of him. He would be absolutely distraught, not to mention scarred for life.
"Now, that we have an understanding… I have many plans which involve this mudblood…" He said, gesturing down at Hermione which he still held in a dangerous position. He could crack her neck in a mere motion and that made Draco extremely nervous. He also felt the contents of his stomach rise as he comprehended his father's intention.
"Why are you doing this?" It was Potter who spoke with a surprising confidence. He did take on the Dark Lord; Draco supposed nothing could really faze him now. He knew what to say and how to distract people.
"I don't see how that concerns you, you disgusting little boy!" His father shrieked, his hands tightened around Hermione's limp head. Draco's heartbeat increased rapidly, aware of his father's quick reactions. He wouldn't hesitate in snapping her neck.
"But father… you aren't like this… This isn't you…" He tried to explain quietly, hoping he wouldn't cause his father to get too angry and make any sudden movements.
"Son, you know nothing…" His father snarled, anger flickering in his black eyes. There was definitely something wrong, his eyes were usually grey.
"But father…"
"NO BUTS BOY!" He cried. He glanced between the group quickly and smirked.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go and fulfil my plans with this mudblood, unconscious or not…"
The faint idea of this made Draco almost vomit. His head began to spin painfully and his fists curled and began to shake. He had had enough. He would not stand by and let this happen.
"LET GO OF HER, YOU DISGUSTING BASTARD!" He bellowed, marching towards the vile man he called his father.
"STAY BACK!" He screamed, "I WILL KILL HER, DON'T THINK I WON'T!
But Draco continued at a higher speed which made his father begin in turning Hermione's head in his hands ready to snap her tender neck like a twig. But suddenly everything changed. It happened so quickly, Draco was powerless to stop it.
A bright green flash of light crashed into his father's chest, right where his heart was.
His whole body went limp and Hermione fell out of his grasp. Luckily Draco was close enough to catch her body. But his father slammed into the ground hard and laid there lifelessly.
Was he really dead?
Draco swivelled round immediately to see who had cast the spell, the spell that had just killed his father. His eyes widened and his heart clenched when Draco saw the identity of the brutal caster.
"M-Mother?"
Hermione.
Her eyelids fluttered open very slowly and she was shocked and confused to her current surroundings. Hermione tried to lift herself up but failed as her body felt far too weak. She felt as though she had been hit by a car again.
She simply managed to look around to find herself spread out on a very luxurious sofa that she recognised from her last, very abruptly ended visit. She was inside Malfoy Manor.
Fear instantly overwhelmed her. Had she been captured by Lucius? What had he done to her while she was unconscious? She didn't even want to think of that answer. The thoughts made her feel physically sick. Hermione simply chose to do her first instinct and scream for help, hoping someone who come to her rescue.
"HELP PLEASE!" She cried, desperately trying to get up from the sofa, flailing her arms around wildly.
However her whole body relaxed as Draco raced into the room.
"Hermione! It's okay!" He hushed, "It's alright, you're safe" He pulled her into a reassuring hug. She melted within his embrace and snuggled her face into his neck affectionally.
"Oh thank god." She breathed.
He smiled at her and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. Hermione pulled back and then filled with confusion.
"Wait, what happened? Where's Lucius? How did you-"
Draco put a single finger against her lips to silence her and his eyes filled with a strange sadness she had never seen in him before.
"My father is dead…" He whispered, staring deeply into her eyes before sighing harshly and looking away.
Hermione let out a short gasp and she too was filled with sorrow. She had not wanted Lucius Malfoy to die. He, after all was not acting like that on purpose. It was not his fault, or so they thought. But then the question suddenly popped into her mind. Why had he acted like that? Why had he been so vile and cruel? Perhaps they would never know…
"H-how did he die?" Hermione asked, trying her best no to sound too pushy. She knew Draco would not particularly want to talk about such a thing.
"My err… Mother" He hesitated, not looking at her directly. This was something Hermione definitely hadn't been expecting, Narcissa Malfoy killing her own husband? It didn't make sense. She loved him, didn't she? How could she do that?
"Draco… I'm so-" She was about to say sorry but he shook his head and gave her an empathetic look.
"Don't. It's fine."
Hermione knew he was not fine but did not continue on the subject.
"So, where's the others? How is Astoria?" She asked eagerly, praying they were all okay.
"Everyone's fine and Astoria is still a bit weak, but she's alright" He explained softly, although giving her a funny look due to her sudden interest in Astoria's well-being.
"Good" She smiled, feeling slightly stronger; she pushed herself into a sitting position, she then swung her legs off the sofa and prepared to stand up.
"Woah, what are you doing?" Draco questioned, his eyebrows rising.
"I want to go and see them." She confirmed, smiling weakly.
"I don't think that's a good idea, you need to rest" He half laughed, half said very seriously.
"But I feel fine!" Hermione argued, hauling her body up. But Draco grabbed her shoulders and pushed her lightly back down.
"You were hit with three spells. You need to just sleep"
She was defeated, so she huffed and lied reluctantly back down. She hated being weak. Hermione wanted show Draco that she was absolutely fine.
"Urm, so what happens now?" She wondered, "Err… Won't your mother be sent to Azkaban?"
Draco shrugged, "Perhaps, but not until she tells us why my father was acting like that…"
A/N: Hope you enjoyed that very packed chapter! Finally get to know why Lucius was acting so gross next chapter! Dun dun dun!