I'm sorry it has been so long since an update. I got an extreme case of writer's block and I also got incredibly busy. Enjoy!
Chapter 8:
Hermione stared down into her cup of tea. It was about 7 o'clock in the morning and she was exhausted.
After she had gone back to her room the night before, she had briefly fallen asleep before waking up, tossing and turning. Eventually she had given up on a good nights sleep and had gone back downstairs.
Ron stumbled into the kitchen, still wearing his clothes from the day before. He looked like a mess, but that's what comes with sleeping on the couch. "Mornin', 'mione," He muttered, rubbing the palm of his hand into his eye as he sat down at the table with her.
"Good morning," She said, "How'd you sleep?"
Ron shrugged. "Well enough."
"Good morning," Harry said, coming into the kitchen, already dressed for the day. Harry helped himself to a cup of tea and then placed one in front of Ron. Ron nodded in thanks.
"How did you sleep, Harry," Hermione asked, taking a sip of her own tea.
Harry snorted. "How do you think?"
Ron stood up from the table and tried to find himself something to eat as Draco entered the kitchen. He stood in the door frame for a few moments, not seeming to know where to go.
"Good morning, Draco," Hermione greeted him.
Both Ron and Harry looked towards the door frame. Ron said nothing and turned his attention back to his search for food, but Harry nodded at Draco in acknowledgement.
Draco walked over to the table and gave Hermione a half-assed smile before sitting next to Harry. He may have been raised to be proper, but the boy was incredibly awkward. That thought could almost make Hermione laugh.
They all sat in silence for a few minutes until Hermione spoke up. "We need to finish."
She didn't clarify what they needed to finish, but they all knew what she was talking about.
Harry nodded in agreement. "No matter what. We need to finish them today."
They had agreed to leave for the Ministry at 9 o'clock, it was 8:56. Hermione had returned upstairs and took a wonderfully long shower. She then conjured some new clothes and was just about ready.
She stepped out into the hallway and crashed into a body. "Oh!" She grabbed onto the arm of the person to steady herself. "Sorry," she said, looking up. Malfoy looked down at her, smirking. His hand was on her side, to help steady her.
"You good, Granger?" he asked, still smirking.
"Hello, Malfoy." She looked him over. It seemed that Harry had leant Draco some clothes. They were muggle clothes. He looked funny in Harry's clothes. Considering Harry was a little shorter than Draco was, the pants were a little too short. "We should really be going."
Draco nodded in agreement and then gestured for her to walk in front of him. "Ladies first."
"Oh, then shouldn't you be going?" Hermione quickly replied, then continued down the hallway.
Draco said nothing, but simply smirked and followed her. They headed down the many stairs to the sitting room where Harry and Ron were waiting for them.
"Ready?" Harry asked, as they entered the room. Hermione, Ron, and Draco all nodded or made sounds of acknowledgement. Harry nodded back and they began to head towards the front door and out onto the street.
Once on the street they headed to an empty alley way. "We should side along apparate," Harry said, then he looked at the four of them. He surely didn't want to leave Hermione alone with Malfoy, but neither he nor Ron wanted to be with Malfoy either.
They stood in an awkward silence for a few moments waiting for Harry to move. "Malfoy, come with me," Harry finally said. Hermione could see Malfoy's nose scrunch in slight disgust as he stepped towards Harry. She rolled her eyes and moved over to Ron.
They all Disapparated.
Hermione could feel the world fold around her and then reappear in the Auror's office. She released Ron's slightly clammy hand and began to follow Harry who was already headed towards the interrogation room.
"Harry, slow down," Hermione hissed, jogging slightly to catch up with him and Draco.
"What's up his ass?" Draco muttered, when she caught up to him. Harry was still a few feet in front of them and Ron a few feet behind.
Hermione shrugged. She could feel the workers in the department staring at them. They were an odd group, she didn't blame them. It wasn't often the Golden Trio was seen marching around the Auror's office with a purpose, and if they had been it certainly wasn't with Draco Malfoy.
"Potter!" a shout came from down the hall. It belonged to Sienna, Harry's boss.
Harry stopped where he was and groaned slightly. "Good morning, Sienna," Harry said, through a fake smile. Harry wasn't the biggest fan of his boss, granted no one really was.
"Listen, Potter," Sienna said meeting them in the hallway. He looked over the group his eyes lingering on Malfoy. "Did I hear correctly that you started a confidential case?"
"Yes, sir, that would be correct," Harry replied.
"Why wasn't I notified?" Sienna was becoming visibly agitated, as was Harry.
"Because, sir, it is classified," Harry said, his words dripping with sarcasm.
Sienna raised his eyebrows at Harry. "You've got some nerve, Potter." Sienna was a pudgy middle aged man who became red in the face when angered. "You know you only have this job because you're the golden boy."
Draco snorted. Hermione elbowed him.
Harry's muscles tightened and Ron stepped forward looking ready to defend Harry. Harry hated it when people said he only got things because of who he was. Sienna had hit a nerve.
"That's bullshit, Sienna," Harry spat. "I'm the best Auror you've got and you know it."
"Harry," Hermione said in a warning tone. He ignored her.
"I could have your ass out of here in a second, Potter," Sienna growled, getting in Harry's face.
"You fucking-"
"Potter," Draco stepped forward and grabbed Harry's shoulder yanking him back. "Knock it off." Harry pushed against Malfoy but was shoved back again. "Take a walk jackass, we've got shit to do." Harry complied and walked away from Sienna. Ron followed, but not without glaring at the head of the Auror's office.
"Just so you know, sir," Hermione said to Sienna, "we have clearance directly from Kingsley. Feel free to take this up with him." She began to walk away, but stopped momentarily and looked at the man. "And for your information. Harry deserves this job more than anyone. Especially you." She then marched away with her head held high.
They all stood around the table in the interrogation room watching Harry pour the memories into the pensieve. Harry had calmed down significantly since his minor confrontation with Sienna. Hermione was still surprised that Draco had been the one to stop Harry from doing something he would regret.
She was finding it increasingly difficult to understand Draco Malfoy.
"Ready?" Harry asked, after finishing pouring the memories in. None of them responded. Hermione simply stared at the pensieve, knowing that what they were going to see, wasn't going to be good. Harry sighed, "Okay then." He then dipped his head and fell into the memory, the others following immediately after.
Hermione landed on Harry's right, Ron landed on Harry's left, and Draco landed on the other side of Hermione.
Visiting Hermione looked at the memory. Her Memory-self was standing in her room at Grimmauld Place, staring at herself in the mirror on her dresser. She simply stood there crying and shaking. Her hands were covered in blood, Ron's blood, as was her shirt.
Visiting Hermione's throat clenched at the sight of herself. Memory Hermione let out a gut wrenching sob and began to frantically look through the drawers of the dresser. She tore most of the dresser apart until she pulled out a pair of scissors.
Still sobbing, she grabbed the end of her ponytail, pulled it forward, and cut it off. She threw her severed ponytail down in front of her and let out a cross between a scream and a sob, and began to frantically continue to cut her hair.
Visiting Hermione felt a tear roll down her cheek, but quickly brushed it away.
"Hermione?" a voice called softly. Memory Hermione whipped around to see Memory Draco standing at the doorway, looking incredibly concerned. He seemed to have showered and changed into a new Muggle tee-shirt. He slowly walked towards Memory Hermione, who was still crying.
"Hermione," He said again. "You're okay. It's okay."
She just looked at him, still crying, still shaking, still holding the scissors. Memory Draco took in her whole appearance. He looked towards the ponytail on the dresser and then at the chopped up hair on her head. "Here," he said, reaching out, wrapping his hand around her hand that held the scissors. "Let me."
It took her a few moments, but she eventually let go of the scissors and turned back towards the mirror. She had stopped sobbing now, but tears still rolled down her cheeks. Memory Draco began to slowly and carefully cut her hair.
Visiting Hermione felt her chest tighten at the scene in front of her. She had never seen herself like this, completely and utterly collapsed.
She looked around at her fellow visitors. Draco's face was expressionless, Hermione would have thought he was completely unbothered had it not been for the fist that was clenched so tightly, his knuckles were white. She turned her head to see Harry and Ron. Ron's muscles were tensed up, his shoulders were slightly raised and his face was contorted with stress. Harry had a fist clenched in his hair. Hermione caught his eye. She clenched her jaw and swallowed hard. Harry's face was etched with worry and his eyes held a certain sadness for the girl in memory.
When Hermione looked back to the memory, Memory Draco had finished cutting Hermione's hair so it rested about half way between her jaw and her shoulders. Draco rested the scissors on the dresser in front of them, keeping one hand on Hermione's shoulder. They made eye contact in the mirror. Hermione's eyes were red and puffy, but she was no longer crying. Draco's face was painted with worry for the girl in front of him.
Visiting Hermione could feel the tension building. It was crushing her.
Memory Hermione and Draco held eye contact for a long time. Visiting Hermione held her breath. Memory Hermione turned around in Draco's arms and looked up at him. And then everything happened at once.
Visiting Hermione had been expecting it, but her heart rate still picked up and her breathing hitched. She could here Visiting Draco take in a sharp breath. She was very aware of the man next to her as their memory counterparts latched onto each other.
They kissed each other with a fervor. Memory Draco slipped his hands to Hermione's waist and lifted her onto the dresser. Visiting Hermione noticed just how tiny she looked next to Draco Malfoy. She tangled her hands into his hair and they pressed themselves closer together. Visiting Hermione could feel her face grow hotter but she couldn't tear her eyes away. Memory Hermione's hands traveled to the hem of Draco's shirt, and pulled it upwards. Getting the idea, Draco pulled away momentarily and grabbed the collar of his tee shirt and yanked the shirt over his head, then returned to kissing the girl in front of him. Memory Hermione's hands roamed his torso as he quickly undid the buttons of her bloody blouse. He slipped it off of her shoulder's and as he did so, captured her neck with his mouth. Memory Hermione, made a slight moaning sound, which cause Visiting Hermione to choke on the breath she'd been holding.
Memory Draco wrapped one arm around Hermione's torso and grabbed her thigh with the other hand. She wrapped her legs around him in reply and he lifted her up and began to move towards the bed in the middle of the room.
Visiting Hermione heard Harry make a slight choking sound at the realization of what his surrogate sister and his school rival were doing.
The memory began to blur and fade. Although they didn't see everything, they knew exactly what had happened between the ex enemies.
Visiting Hermione finally glanced at Draco out of the corner of her eye, her heart racing. His jaw was clenched and his hands balled up. He looked over at her, feeling her stare. His eyes didn't hold any sort of anger or malice. She saw something in his eyes she didn't know how to identify, but she knew her eyes held the same emotion.
Hermione broke her gaze with Malfoy and turned her attention back to the returning memory. Memory Hermione and Memory Draco were asleep in the bed, completely naked. Visiting Hermione's cheeks reddened at the sight of her bare skin.
Memory Draco laid on his back, with his left arm wrapped around Hermione, his hand resting on her lower back. She laid on her stomach, with her head on his chest, and her arm slung across his waist. The sheet barely covered them, it rested just above Hermione's bum and loosely clung to Draco's hips. Visiting Hermione noticed that Draco's free right hand loosely held the hand the was thrown across his waist. They looked quite peaceful like this, however Visiting Hermione could not enjoy the serenity and sweetness of the image, because her heart was pounding at the knowledge that her two best friends were seeing her like this.
Memory Hermione's eyes began to open. She blinked a few times at the brightness of the room, then looked up at Draco. He seemed to feel her movement and began to open his eyes as well. He looked down at her and they smiled at each other.
Visiting Hermione's heart pounded harder. It was strange seeing herself like this. It was strange seeing herself be so intimate with someone she had never imagined. It was also strange knowing that someone was seeing the same thing. What was he thinking? Was his heart pounding too?
His heart was in fact racing at that point, but she would never know that.
Suddenly, there was a bang as the door flew open. Both Memory Hermione and Memory Draco bolted upright. Hermione pulled the sheets up to cover herself and Draco threw an arm out in front of her holding his wand in the other hand.
A frozen Ginny Weasley stood in the doorway staring at the two people in the bed.
"Ginny-" Hermione started, but was interrupted.
"Harry wants you down stairs," Ginny said quickly. She then looked at Draco. "I guess both of you." The young witch then turned on her heel and marched out of the room, quickly shutting the door behind her.
Memory Hermione and Draco sat in shocked silence for a few moments before Draco said, "Doesn't anyone know how to fucking knock around here?" He then proceeded to swing his legs over the side and pick up what appeared to be his pants.
Memory Hermione's cheeks reddened as he stood up to pull on his pants, visiting Hermione let out something between a cough and a choking sound. She quickly glanced over at Visiting Draco and saw a blush rising in his cheeks, but his expression remained solid.
Once he was wearing his pants, Memory Draco turned his attention to Hermione. "You okay?" he asked her.
She took a deep breath and looked around for any form of clothing. Draco bent over and grabbed his discarded t shirt and gently handed it to her. "Thank you," she said, and strategically slipped it over her head, not letting the sheet covering her fall.
Once she had on the tee shirt she stood up. The shirt ended at the top of her thighs, just covering her. She began to wander around the room until she found her knickers and slipped them on. Draco stood shirtless in the middle of the room, watching her spin in circles.
"Granger," he said. She looked over at him. "You never answered my question."
She sighed. "No, Draco, I'm not okay."
He looked concerned. "What's wrong? Was it-"
"No," she quickly said. "Not that."
Visiting Hermione could hear Ron gag slightly.
"Than what is it?"
Memory Hermione huffed and then grabbed at her new short hair. "It's just...everything! Everything is wrong. I didn't sign up for another war, Draco. I didn't want this. I had to cut off my best friend's leg last night. That's kind of fucked up, don't you think?!" She was yelling now.
Draco tried to console her, "It's okay Hermi-"
"NO. It's not okay!" She stepped farther away from him. "You had to cut someone's leg off last night! How are you just okay with this!" She was practically screaming now, it would be a wonder if the others didn't hear her.
In two strides, Draco was standing in front of Hermione, holding onto her arms. "I'm not okay with it. I'm not okay either."
Memory Hermione did not cry, but Visiting Hermione could tell by her clenched jaw and her rapid breathing, that she was trying her hardest to keep tears back.
Memory Draco seemed to be able to tell too because he pulled her forward and wrapped his arms around her. She hugged him back. Visiting Hermione felt strange. She felt she shouldn't be watching this, that it was too intimate, too personal, even though it was about herself. But she knew her future self had picked all of these memories for a reason, she just wasn't sure what that reason was yet.
Memory Draco kissed that top of Hermione's head. "It's going to be okay," He said quietly into her hair. "We're going to be okay."
The memory began to fade.
Visiting Hermione looked at her companions. They all seemed completely enthralled, while at the same time utterly uncomfortable.
When the memory reappeared Draco and Hermione were now fully dressed walking down the hall in silence. The visitors followed after them. They stopped at a door down the hall.
It was Ron's room.
Visiting Hermione took in a sharp breath at the sight of Ron in the bed. He looked terrible. Memory Hermione averted her eyes from the door. Draco noticed and gently grabbed her hand.
"How is he?" Draco asked Pansy, who was sitting in a chair next to the bed. Draco must have had Pansy keeping an eye on Ron.
Pansy looked between Draco and Hermione and then at their hands, but didn't say anything. "He is as good as he can be," she said. "He hasn't woken up yet, and I have to change his bandages in a few minutes."
Draco nodded. "Thank you Pans." He then began to turn away but Pansy stopped him.
"Drake, can you let me know what happens downstairs. Harry called an order meeting, but I think I'm going to stay up here."
Draco nodded at her and then he and Hermione began to head downstairs.
Visiting Draco's heart hadn't stopped pounding since the memories had started. His head was spinning and he felt emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted.
This was all too much for him.
The case, Bellatrix, Hermione Granger.
It was all too much.
He was supposed to be the bad guy. She wasn't supposed to like him. She was supposed to hate him. He was supposed to be the bad guy, not the guy that comforts the girl he ruthlessly bullied in school.
The visitors followed Memory Hermione and Draco down to the kitchen where Harry was waiting for them along with the rest of the order.
As his Memory self sat down at the table next to Hermione, Draco became very aware of the girl next to him. She was seeing all the same memories as him. Was her heart pounding as much as his?
Draco looked around the kitchen. All of these people hated him, but here they were all working together. He just didn't understand. Blaise sat across from his memory self. How did he get involved in all of this? He had so many questions.
Draco noticed that the Weaslette's eyes were glued to Memory Hermione and Draco. Potter looked like an absolute wreck. He looked exhausted and quite ill. He had become unkempt. They all had.
This was only supposedly two years in the future, but they looked so much older. Potter clearly hadn't been shaving, as he had some scruff. Most of the men had some facial hair growing in making them look shaggy and messy. Blaise looked much like a hardened soldier, which worked well for him. He still seemed relatively upbeat though.
Even Draco, who considered himself very well kept, seemed to have let go a little. His hair was longer and shaggier and hung in his eyes a bit.
The entire Weasley family looked like a mess. Draco didn't blame them.
Harry stood up and cleared his throat to call attention, although there was no reason because everyone was already silent. "What happened yesterday was a mess," he said. "We are dealing with a much bigger enemy than we had expected. They have spells we don't understand, they have-"
"Potter," Memory Draco interrupted. Harry looked at him. "They have Bellatrix."
Many people began talking at once. "What?" Harry said.
"We figured it out yesterday," Memory Hermione said. "It was all too messy to be Lucius. It was crazed and sporadic. It matched Bellatrix."
"But...how?" Harry sputtered.
"Mum killed that bitch," George Weasley said.
"Harry, she had a Horcrux," Hermione explained.
"My mother's necklace," Draco said. "That was stolen from her vault a while ago."
Memory Harry's jaw tightened at that and he took a deep breath before speaking. "Well then change of plans," Harry said, darkly. "We kill Bellatrix."
The memory faded.
Visiting Draco audibly scoffed at that. "He's out of his mind. He can't just kill her."
Weasley and Potter both glared at him, but Granger looked at him without malice. She knew he was right.
When the memory returned the entire Order of the Phoenix stood in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. The table had been removed and a camera was set up.
Draco noticed that Weasley was there. He was standing with crutches though he didn't look right. He seemed off.
"Okay, everyone," Mrs. Weasley yelled, "Line up for the picture." She seemed in a much happier mood now that her son was up and about.
Potter kneeled down to the level of a little boy with bright blue hair. "Go stand behind the camera for me Teddy." He then stood up and watched the boy run off to his place, before he walked over to the Weaslette.
Draco saw his memory self cross the room the Memory Granger. They both looked significantly better than they had in the previous memory. Granger's hair had grown out a little so it looked less choppy and weird. Memory Draco stood incredibly close behind her but didn't quite touch her. He craned his neck so his mouth was at her ear and whispered.
Had this been the real world Draco wouldn't have been able to hear what his memory self had said, but because this was a memory, specifically Granger's memory, they all heard the faint I love you, he whispered in her ear. In the real world they also wouldn't have been able to hear her quiet reply of I love you too. As soon as the words left her mouth, Memory Draco had turned on his heel and marched across the room to Zabini, but not before brushing his hand against Granger's.
The sight of the sincere and intimate touch made Draco's chest tighten and his fist clench. He doubted Potter or Weasley had noticed the interaction between their hands but he had no difficulty imagining that Granger had noticed every little detail.
Visiting Hermione cleared her throat before speaking. "They seem to still be...keeping… it...a secret."
No one acknowledged what she had said. They simply kept watching the memories.
Everyone began to line up in the exact order that they were in for the picture that had been sent back with the memories. Pansy stood next to Weasley and placed a hand on his shoulder. Draco didn't know if it was to comfort him or to keep him upright but the action seemed odd for Pansy. Memory Draco began to line up with Blaise and Memory Granger dragged Ginny and Harry in the picture and both Draco and Granger discreetly positioned themselves so they ended up next to each other.
"Hey, mate, I have something I've been meaning to talk to you about," Blaise said, as everyone else began to fill in for the picture.
"Yeah? What is it?" Memory Draco asked, as Hermione and Ginny positioned themselves so they were slightly facing each other. Weaslette still held onto Potter's hand.
"Well, it's about a gir-"
"Would you two hush up and smile?" Granger scolded them.
As she turned back towards Ginny, Memory Draco did something both bold and stupid. He threw his arm around Granger.
No one seemed to notice however visiting Draco did notice Blaise looking across the room to Luna Lovegood. "Holy shit," visiting Draco muttered.
"What?" Granger questioned, as the camera flashed in the memory.
"Zabini has a thing for Lovegood," Draco said. "That's what he was trying to tell me before you so rudely interrupted him."
As soon as the picture was taken, Pansy helped Weasley over to a chair. Memory Granger looked quite concerned as she and Ginny followed them over.
"Ron, what's wrong?" Granger asked.
"Nothing...I...I just can't stand for that long," Weasley muttered.
"That's why Dra-Malfoy conjured you that leg," Granger said, as Weasley rubbed the spot above where his leg had been cut off. Draco didn't miss that Granger's slip up with his name. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye knowing she didn't miss it either.
"I don't like the leg," Ron said quietly, not looking up at any of the three girls.
"Why not ?" Ginny asked.
Memory Weasley didn't say anything for a moment. "Because it pinches." Pansy, Granger, and Weaslette exchanged worried glances and then the memory began to fade.