Chapter Twelve; Conclusions, notes and screaming.
After Luna left Hermione didn't move again her study chair until Ron came looking for her. He peeked his head around the door, only walking in once Hermione had waved him in. He didn't want to risk getting jinxed if he walked in un announced.
"Dinner's ready, Luna helped me cook lasagne. I think it's turned out alright." Ron nervously held out a plate which had a generous portion of lasagne in the middle, with a small piece of garlic bread and some cutlery next to it. Hermione took the plate from Ron and placed it on her study table.
Cutting a small slice Hermione silently thanked Merlin that Luna had stumbled into Ron's life before Draco shoved his way into, and out of, Hermione's. She didn't really want to think about how bad the food would be right now if Luna wasn't around to help Ron out.
Taking a cautious mouthful, Hermione's first thought was that it was really hot! Eyes watering and mouth burning Hermione mimed having a drink to Ron, who muttered a quiet "Shit!" and sprinted out the door to get Hermione a drink.
While Ron was gone Hermione managed to swallow that first mouthful, feeling it burn her throat as it slid down. Ron ran back in with a Pumpkin Juice for Hermione, and Hermione couldn't help but laugh at him in his nervous state.
"Relax Ron. The lasagne is nice, you don't need to worry, it's just hot." She told him before taking a large swallow of the drink. Ron heaved a huge sigh of relief with a goofy smile on his face.
"I'll tell you what, I've got a whole new respect for mum. I'm only cooking for the three of us and that's hard enough, let alone for the entire Weasley family!" He commented. Hermione smiled at him before turning back to her food.
"So, Hermione. How you feeling?" Ron was back to being nervous. He was honestly curious and a little worried. Hermione turned to face Ron, her face blank.
"Why do you care so much Ron? You've been so overprotective and so caring, I thought we were beyond those feelings for each other." Hermione asked, watching Ron blush a little at her innocent question.
"I'm not a heartless git, Hermione. You're my friend, and I still care about you, even if I'm not in love with you. Honestly, I've missed having you as just my friend. It's much nicer and better suited for us." Ron smiled down at Hermione.
"So I'm just your friend again? And you're totally fine with that?" Hermione asked cautiously. Ron nodded happily.
"Alright, Ron. That's fine, I don't mind, I just wasn't sure what was going on in your world. I wanted us on the same page." Hermione felt that she had to explain to him. "Now, let me eat in peace. I'll be downstairs when I've finished." Hermione stood up and shooed him out of her study, Ron left laughing a little as he walked out.
Closing the door firmly behind him, Hermione turned and leant against the door before sinking to the floor and sitting there. She had no intentions of finishing the lasagne, even though she hadn't lied and it was tasty. She was trying so hard to hide exactly how sad and hurt she was from Ron and Luna so that they wouldn't worry anymore that what they already were.
Before Ron had walked in to give Hermione her dinner, she had come to the conclusion that Luna was right. I am Hermione Granger, Harry Potter's friend, the intelligence of the Golden Trio. Draco Malfoy used to me and he will not get away with it!
With that thought building up within her, Hermione stood up and made her way over to her desk, where she picked up her wand, vanished the lasagne and sculled the rest of her drink. Then she hastily wrote a note to Ron and Luna;
Ron and Luna.
I've gone out. Thank you for dinner, it truly was lovely.
I'll be back later. Don't worry about me.
See you soon, Hermione.
Hermione placed the note next to her plate before dissaparating herself away.
Hermione found herself outside Malfoy's apartment door. "Spot on!" She muttered proudly to herself.
She didn't bother knocking on the door, she was too wound up and angry for that, she just barged straight inside.
"MALFOY?!" She yelled out, listening intently. But only silence greeted her. She couldn't see him in the lounge or kitchen, so she headed towards his bedroom. Walking in Hermione found it exactly the way she had left it the other morning. And there was no Malfoy in there. Quickly she checked in his wardrobe and his bathroom, but he wasn't there either.
Feeling slightly defeated Hermione walked back to the kitchen, vaguely thinking of getting herself something to drink, when she noticed a piece of parchment on the bench. Curiously Hermione walked over and picked it up.
If anyone comes back here looking me, Draco Malfoy, I have re-located to my parents' house, Malfoy Manor. You may contact me there.
-Draco A. Malfoy.
Hermione threw the useless piece of paper back on the bench, hitting her hand in the process. "DAMN YOU MALFOY!" she yelled at the top of her voice. She went to turn and storm out of the apartment, but instead her feet carried her to the bedroom, where she collapsed on his bed and sobbed into his pillow until she fell asleep, completely and utterly emotionally drained.
"Master Draco!" Peggie squeaked at Draco's arm.
"What is it Peggie?" Draco demanded, not looking away from The Prophet which he had laid out on his lap. He was sitting in his bed in Malfoy Manor, reading the paper whilst waiting for breakfast.
"Master Draco, Miss Hermione is in your apartment!" Draco's eyes snapped up to meet Peggie's.
"Are you certain it's Hermione?!" Draco demanded. Peggie nodded enthusiastically, her huge ears flapping everywhere.
"Yes, Master Draco. She found your note last night and is sleeping on your bed after crying. But she was mad and cursed you Master Draco." Peggie's eyes dropped sadly. Draco closed his eyes and took a deep, sad breath.
"Peggie, I want you to watch over her, make sure she is to come to no harm at all. But she can't see you and she can't know you're watching her." Draco paused and added as an afterthought, "But if she calls you, you are to immediately attend to her, whatever she wishes. Understand?" Peggie nodded again.
"And Peggie. I'll pay you extra for this, so that you can get that wardrobe I know you want for your room." Peggie's eyes lit up with joy.
"Oh Master Draco, you is too kind!" Draco gave Peggie a small half smile.
"Now go, Peggie." Peggie nodded once and disappeared with a loud pop.
Draco roughly raked his hands through his already messy hair. Damn you father. I was happy … But she went looking for me at my apartment … Maybe she'll come looking for me here and demand answers. Or demand that we try again… NO. Damn it Draco, you're not good enough for her! You deserve this. WHY would the Gryffindor Princess want to be with you anyway? You're barely good enough to carry on the Malfoy line. You are worthless Draco Malfoy.
Hermione jerked awake when a distant noise woke her up.
"Who's there?" She asked the seemingly empty room groggily. She could've sworn that a popping noise had woken her up.
Must've imagined it. Hermione concluded as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and stretched.
Now what the hell do I do? Hermione's eyes fell on the bathroom door. Actually, new clothes and a bath sound great. Slowly Hermione made her way out of the huge bed and into the oversized wardrobe, where she found a pair of old, ripped jeans and an old Hogwarts school shirt – the sleeves were a little ripped and it looked like a potion had burnt them, but rolling them up to elbow length would hide that – with the Slytherin crest on the chest. She even found a Slytherin tie and green silk boxers. They were the only clothes left in the wardrobe, so either Malfoy left them behind by accident or he'd left them there just in case he came back unprepared.
Hopefully he left them behind for emergencies. I've just fucked up that plan. Hermione thought to herself, grimly pleased with this tiny form of revenge.
Walking into the bathroom Hermione found out that Draco had left one towel behind. Maybe he really did leave some things behind just in case something happened and he needed to come back. Hermione refused to think that he'd left the clothes and towel behind for her in case she came looking for him. It didn't make anything any easier, thinking that he might just still care for her.
Hermione filled the bath up with lavender scented bubbles, giving the water a slight purple coloured tinge. Hermione floated amongst the bubbles for a long time, allowing her body to relax.
By the time she decided to get out of her bath, almost all the bubbles had disappeared. Slowly she stepped out, careful to not slip up, and wrapped herself in the towel. For the first time since she had left Draco that day, her thoughts were blissfully empty and almost calm.
As she was tucking the front of the shirt into the jeans, Hermione was suddenly overcome with frustration and anger at Malfoy.
Her thoughts weren't sluggish now; they were back to her normal high speed thinking pace. Her thoughts flashed through her mind thick, fast and clear. She would much rather sit down and plan out what she was about to do, but she was too agitated, so the second she was completely dressed, except for the tie which she looped around her neck but didn't knot, she apparated away.
"DRACO MALFOY! I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE! COME OUT HERE AND TALK TO ME YOU GIT!" Hermione was standing at the gates of Malfoy Manor, screaming her heart out towards the huge building. She knew better than to try and just walk in, so she had thrown a rock at the gates only to have her suspicions of magical wards confirmed when the rock was thrown back at her feet, smoking slightly.
Since then Hermione had been screaming almost non-stop. But an hour and a half later she was beginning to burn through her anger, and she was starting to feel a little silly, standing and yelling at the building. It didn't help that she was starting to lose her voice, too.
Hermione fell to the ground, her shoulders slumped. I give up. I don't know what to do now.
"Miss Hermione?" Hermione's head snapped up at the squeaky voice.
"Peggie?" Hermione asked, amazed. The little elf nodded and smiled at Hermione.
"Does Miss Hermione wish to go inside Malfoy Manor?" Peggie asked. Hermione nodded at Peggie slowly.
"Yes. But when did you get here, Peggie? I didn't hear you arrive." Hermione asked curiously.
"Peggie has been watching out for Miss Hermione, just like Master Draco asked me to." Hermione frowned a little at Peggie's words. He's had Peggie watching over me? Why?
"Peggie, can you get me inside?" Hermione asked, now dying to get inside and talk to Malfoy. Peggie nodded and held out her tiny hand to Hermione.
"Peggie can get Miss Hermione inside, but Miss Hermione will have to hold Peggie's hand." Hermione nodded and stood up before taking Peggie's tiny hand in her own.
Peggie faced the gate and walked the odd pair towards the gates. As they approached Hermione expected them to open, but instead she and Peggie simply walked through, the gates turning to smoke around them.
"Come Miss Hermione." Peggie lead Hermione all the way through the front garden to the Malfoy's front door, where Peggie knocked loudly.
After a few moments another house elf answered the door.
"Peggie is here with Miss Hermione. Miss Hermione wishes to talk to Master Draco!" The other elf nodded, its' already huge eyes widening as it let Peggie and Hermione into the house.
"Please wait here while I go fetch Master!" The elf squeaked before running off. Hermione had a look around the hallway while she waited. It was huge and spacious, yet dark and mysterious at the same time. The Malfoy's had clearly gone to great lengths after the War to make the house appear as friendly and non – death eater like as possible, with pots of flowers and small trees in the corners and stiff, awkward looking family portraits on the walls.
The elf returned quickly, but it was not with Draco Malfoy. Hermione's stomach seemed to drop to the floor in fear and nerves at the sight of the Malfoy in front of her.
"Hermione Granger. What a surprise! What brings you here, child?" Narcissa Malfoy questioned Hermione, sounding much gentler than Hermione expected her to. Hermione had to clear her throat a few times before she could reply, her voice coming out much quieter than she would've liked.
"I'm here to see Mal - Draco." Narcissa raised one perfect eyebrow.
"Please, come with me, Miss Granger. I would like you to explain some things to me." Narcissa beckoned for Hermione to follow her, which she did, feeling like she really didn't have a choice.
Narcissa lead Hermione to the end of the hallway and up an elegant staircase to the second floor, where they almost seemed to walk right back to the front of the huge house and into what seemed to be a sitting room.
"Peggie, will you please go fetch us some refreshments?" Peggie bowed low and ran out the room, leaving Hermione alone with Narcissa.
"Please, sit." Narcissa gestured to one of the overstuffed armchairs by the fire, which Hermione sat in nervously. There was also a low table next to the chair Hermione was sitting in, a matching arm chair on the other side of the table and a love seat next to the arm chair Hermione was sitting in, so the four pieces of furniture created a rough semi-circle around the huge fireplace.
"Please relax, Miss Granger. This is my study, and my sanctuary. I have wards at the door and at the window; they'll stop anyone that I have not personally invited in from entering. You are safe in here from both my husband and my son." Hermione nodded, but she was still tense. Her entire arm seemed to be tingling with remembered pain.
At the moment Peggie returned with drinks for the two of them and placed them on the table next to Hermione.
"Thank you Peggie. Stay here in case we need something. And if Draco calls for you, you may go to him, but you are forbidden to tell him in any way that Miss Granger is here. Understand?" Narcissa spoke to the elf almost as kindly as Draco spoke to her, surprising Hermione.
"Yes, Mistress Narcissa." Peggie bowed and waited by the door of the study.
Narcissa sat in the other arm chair and picked up one of the glasses of Pumpkin Juice before facing Hermione.
"Now, Miss Granger. Tell me everything that happened between yourself and my son."