Chapter 8

It was cold. It was never warm in the dungeons; the stone walls seemed to suck any warmth from the air around. Rabastan didn't normally mind the cold, but it was more noticeable in summer, when you had just been outside in the sun. He grabbed his cloak and pulled it further over his body. Rabastan reached the entrance to the Slytherin common room and paused before uttering the password with a sneer, "Flobberworm".

The blank wall he stood in front of suddenly disappeared, showing a narrow corridor that looked even less friendly than the ones he had walked down. Silently, Rabastan walked down this corridor to the common room.

Unlike the dungeon passages, the Slytherin common room was filled with warmth. A fire roared every day, regardless of the season, keeping the room toasty for the occupants. Green plush sofas were scattered around the room, with tables nearby to allow students to complete their homework there. Either side of the fire, two staircases led down to the dormitories. Rabastan took the left staircase, passing by his fellow students without a word. He walked down to the end of the corridor and knocked twice on the wooden door on his right. Without a sound, it swung open to reveal a spotless room with 6 beds, but currently only one occupant.

Abraxas Malfoy stood up and nodded once at Rabastan and beckoned him into the room. As soon as Rabastan had entered, Abraxas pointed his wand at the door and silently cast a locking spell followed by a sound cancelling spell. He looked at Rabastan and waited for him to speak. When he didn't, Abraxas sighed before speaking, "You wished to see me, Lestrange?"

"I-", Rabastan faltered. "I have information about the girl."

"Indeed", Abraxas sounded bored as he looked him over. "What information might this be?"

"I know her blood status", Rabastan said quickly, sensing Abraxas' disinterest.

Abraxas sat back down on his bed and regarded Rabastan with interest. "Indeed", he repeated.

"She's a mudblood"

"Really?", Abraxas' voice remained calm but his face twisted into a look of superiority. "And how do you know this?"

"She has a scar"

"A scar."

"It says mudblood and it isn't covered up. I would assume the bitch is proud. As if she could ever be equal to one of us, with blood purer than-"

"Enough Lestrange", Abraxas commanded. "You may leave now."

"But-"

"Now."

Abraxas undid the locking spell on the dormitory door and Rabastan turned and left without another word.

"-and I really do think, Malfoy, that if we could just get to the library we would at least have a chance of figuring out what's happened. You never know, this could have happened to someone before and perhaps they-"

"Granger", Malfoy interrupted, rolling his eyes good naturedly. "You need to breathe."

"Mal-"

"Answer me this, Granger", Malfoy said calmly. "How would we get to the library?"

"Well, if no one can see you , couldn't you go?"

"And how would I manage that without you having to come with me?" Malfoy shook his arm at Hermione, the bracelet glistening in the light.

Hermione sighed and bit her lip, looking upset. Malfoy, feeling bad for bringing her bad news (Why should he feel bad? This was Granger!) decided to change the subject. "Why did you have a time turner anyway?"

"For work", Hermione replied shortly.

"Work?", Malfoy questioned her.

"I can't discuss my job with you, Malfoy, it's classified."

Malfoy laughed gently. "Who exactly am I going to tell, Granger? No one else can hear me..."

Hermione sighed again and looked down at her bed but didn't respond.

"Why didn't you return to Hogwarts?"

Hermione looked up at Malfoy sharply and was silent for a moment. Malfoy was just about to speak again when she began to answer him in a quiet voice. "I couldn't go back there. I lost so many friends. So many good people died and I survived. Madam Pomfrey told me I had survivor's guilt and I think she might be right. Everytime I think about Hogwarts and the war, it hurts me so much."

Malfoy listened silently as Hermione began to pour her heart out. He couldn't believe she was telling him all this, after everything he'd done. He'd been in the opposite side of the war and everything. The main thing that shocked him was that he felt sorry for Granger. He'd never once taken her feelings into account, always assuming they were inferior to his, but she was the only person he knew who admitted to feeling the same as him - guilty for surviving.

"And then there's Harry and Ron. Neither of them went back and it wouldn't be right going without them. Ginny's wonderful but- I don't know. It wouldn't be right." A single tear rolled down Hermione's cheek. She did nothing to stop it and carried on talking, almost as if she was speaking to herself rather than Malfoy. " I saw that statue when I arrived and I felt my heart break again. How could anyone walk among those grounds without being constantly reminded of the wonderful people who fought and died there? It would drive me mad. Since I survived I decided that I would do my best to improve society and Hogwarts wouldn't have been able to help me. It probably would have hindered me when I was needed."

When Hermione paused to take a long breath, Malfoy chose to ask a question he thought she needed to think about, "Have you ever actually spoken to anyone about this, Granger?"

Hermione started, she had forgotten Malfoy was there. She thought for a moment and gave a small laugh. "How is it that, despite us never exchanging anything but insults, you know me so well?"

Malfoy smiled at her and moved to sit on the bed.

"Why can you sit on my bed?", wondered Hermione out loud.

"Who knows", Malfoy said. "None of this makes any sense."

Hermione nodded in agreement before falling silent.

As Hermione lay, her mind whirring, Malfoy was conflicted. He couldn't help but realise that Granger wasn't that bad. She was clearly in a lot of pain and, he swallowed, she wasn't really any different to him. Had everything his father had taught him been wrong? When he wasn't taunting her, Granger was nothing but pleasant. His father had been wrong about following the Dark Lord. Could it be possible he was wrong about this too?

The door to the Hospital Wing opened, revealing Professors Dumbledore and Dippet. They quickly walked to Hermione's bed and Dippet spoke, "Excuse me, Miss, are you decent?"

Hermione's eyes opened wide in shock. She shot a panicked look at Malfoy who shrugged his shoulders. "Remember not to talk to me, Granger", he warned.

"Yes", Hermione said, her voice shaky in reply to both Malfoy and Dippet.

The curtains around Hermione's bed opened. Dippet smiled down at the young witch, whilst Dumbledore looked stern.

"We need to discuss who you are and how you got here, Miss-?", the Headmaster said.

"Granger."

"Miss Granger."

Hermione looked over at Malfoy, conflicted about what she should say. Should she tell them the truth? It could be dangerous if they knew.

"Tell them you lost your memory and don't know anything but your name." Malfoy suggested.

Hermione paused to think about it before deciding that it was a better idea than admitting the truth.

"I'm afraid I can't help you, sir, Hermione said meekly. "I can't remember anything except my name and what happened since I got here."

Dumbledore frowned down at her, but Dippet appeared to relax. "I see, Miss Granger. That is incredibly tragic. We shall do our best to help you, of course."

Dumbledore looked at the Headmaster, "Headmaster!", he exclaimed. "We have no information about this girl, she could be anyone."

"Albus", reprimanded the Headmaster. "She is the age of a student, which, by law, puts her under the protection of Hogwarts until the summer. We will look after her."

"I see, Headmaster", replied Dumbledore reluctantly.

"Miss Granger", Dippet looked over towards Hermione. "You may not leave the castle grounds but you may explore them and the castle at your leisure. You may go to the Great Hall for dinner but you must return to the Hospital Wing every evening. The Matron has been informed and will be here in the evening for when you return."

"What?", exploded Malfoy. "She's not a prisoner here! What's going on? Any why is Dumbledore of all people not trusting you? Granger, this is ridiculous!"

"Thank you", said Hermione. Desperate to keep up her ruse she asked, "Where am I and how will I find my way around this place?"

"You are at Hogwarts", Dumbledore responded. He waved his wand and a piece of parchment appeared. "Here is a simple map of the place. If you get lost ask the portraits or the ghosts and most of them will direct you to where you wish to go."

Dippet smiled at Hermione before he and Dumbledore turned to leave the Hospital Wing.

Hermione looked over at Malfoy and grinned. "Fancy coming with me to the library?"

A/N: Phew! That chapter took forever! I still haven't decided how this story should end? Should they go back to their original time or not? As you can see, Malfoy is slowly warming up to Hermione but things are about to get dark. Hope you all enjoyed reading and thank you for doing so. I'll try to update soon!