Out of Hand by relativelypositive
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and I make no money from the use of J.K. Rowling's characters.
Chapter 23
Hermione drifted from shocked to amused to scared as she read Skeeter's article. How much of that was hyperbole or downright lies? Who knows? But Hermione did know that even though she hadn't given that interview, she would have to deal with the fallout.
Right now.
She stared at the paper for about three minutes longer than it took her to read it. She wanted a plan of action before she looked up.
She knew Lucius Malfoy was impatiently huffing, making it no secret that he wanted an answer now.
The worst part, truly, was that she was trying to hold in a hysterical giggle.
She knew that it would be an incredibly bad move to laugh right now, but she felt it bubbling up anyway.
She closed her eyes, thought through what she needed to say, then channeled her inner Draco and smirked.
She stood up and faced Lucius Malfoy head on.
"My name is Hermione Granger. We have never officially met. You don't know me, but I am extremely proud of who and what I am. I will always be Hermione Granger, even if I get married. If you believe for one second that I gave that interview, you are an imbecile. No one that knows me would ever believe I said those awful things."
Hermione felt her mother wiggle the paper out of her hand, but didn't turn to look. She had Mr. Malfoy's attention and she was going to take advantage of it.
"I may end up marrying your son. Right now I am not happy about that, and surprisingly little of that unhappiness has to do with him. It's you. You gave Ginny Weasley, an eleven year old, a book that had part of Voldemort's soul in it, and she was almost killed. You were in the Department of Mysteries when Sirius Black went through the veil. My friends, your son's classmates, were injured. You were throwing hexes and Unforgivables at children. You follow a madman that preaches hate and intolerance. That is the choice you made for your family. I will never respect you. You will never deserve it."
Hermione would have said more, but Mr. Malfoy's unexpected backhand left her on the floor with a throbbing cheek and a sore knee.
She heard a rage-filled roar and saw the blur of khaki and plaid as her father tackled Lucius Malfoy.
She felt herself being lifted and looked up to Draco as he pulled her up and led her away. She saw that Professor Snape had stepped in and stunned Mr. Malfoy. Her father was seething next to Professor Dumbledore, who had laid a restraining hand on his shoulder. Her mother was advancing on the prone Mr. Malfoy, probably to kick him, but was stopped by Professor Snape.
Narcissa Malfoy looked stoic, but had her wand out and trained on her husband.
The last thing she saw as she was led out of the room was her mother slumping back into her chair.
Malfoy didn't say anything as he led her down the stairwell, which didn't surprise Hermione in the least.
What do you say to someone after your father smacks them?
Her face throbbed. She assumed he was taking her to the Hospital Wing. She wasn't supposed to be out of Madam Pomfrey's care yet, anyway, so she didn't fight him.
She ran into his back when he stopped suddenly and turned around.
"I'm sorry," he said after a few moments.
He looked at her so long after his quick apology she thought he was trying to find more words, but maybe he was waiting for her to say something?
"You didn't do anything."
"I know. That's why I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be."
What was he struggling to say? She knew there was something, with the way he was looking at her. She continued.
"I knew I was provoking him. I knew there was an excellent chance I'd get hurt, but it was probably the only chance I'll ever get! I'm sure no one ever talks to him like that. I'm sorry if that...scared you. I'm not known for letting opportunities pass me by. And I was given extra courage with my parents and Dumbledore in the room. And you."
She could see that there was something he wanted to say. She was torn about whether to push him or wait him out.
"We should get moving."
She was disappointed, but didn't want to chance breaking the fragile...friendship...by bugging him. He would tell her. When he wanted to.
They resumed their trek through the castle.
Hermione wondered how he felt, other than apologetic. Malfoy had to be quite conflicted. That was his dad!
She resolved to ask him when she was safely tucked in her bed in the infirmary.
She was surprised when she found herself in the Great Hall, facing down 300 people.
There were all ages…some people she recognized had already left Hogwarts and started their careers. She saw a few girls in Beauxbatons uniforms. There were young children and elderly witches and wizards. What was going on?
The first student to notice them was Colin Creevey. He quickly spread the word.
A hush fell over the crowd.
Hermione was more than embarrassed. She was mortified.
She had bruises all over her face and the right side was puffing up from Mr. Malfoy's hit. And she was bald.
Not that she was particularly vain, but come on.
They were looking at her expectantly.
What did they want from her?
A light bulb flashed off to her right, and she saw the smirking face of Rita Skeeter flanked by her cameraman and a young woman Hermione had never seen before.
The bulb went off again, and Hermione knew she had once again made the front page of the Daily Prophet.
Draco let go of her wrist, but instead of walking away, or letting him walk away, she grabbed his hand.
She refused to look up at him, even when he squeezed her hand. She didn't want to see the expression on his face. She didn't want to see him looking at her.
She wanted to walk away from whatever this was and hibernate for a week.
Then she saw the t-shirts.
XXXXXXXXXX
Draco didn't know why he thought taking Granger to the Great Hall was a good idea. He was thinking safety, and thought all the Muggleborns in the Great Hall would be great bodyguards.
He took her there to leave her in good hands, then go back to Dumbledore's office and deal with his father.
When he arrived he saw that the crowd was much larger and more diverse than he had been expecting.
He saw Hannah Abbott and wanted to enlist her help, so he let go of Granger's hand. To his surprise and pleasure, Granger quickly grabbed his hand. He turned to look at her, seeing that she was overwhelmed. Everything was suddenly too quiet, and Draco realized his mistake.
He thought it would be a place of safety, but in reality he had led her into the lion's den.
They would want things from her, and she would want to give them. Hermione was strong, he really didn't need reminding, and when he squeezed her hand in support she didn't squeeze back.
He was starting to understand that she appreciated it, but didn't want to encourage his support. At least she didn't let go of him.
He felt her start to shake, and looked down to see her start to laugh. He couldn't help himself. He smiled.
The flash of the camera he had noticed earlier made him look up again.
Skeeter. He'd have to swat that one later.
"Did you see those t-shirts?"
He had. They were ridiculous.
"Those are adorable!"
The one Creevey was wearing featured a picture of Granger from first of second year, Draco couldn't be sure. She was so dinky and her hair was so massive that it looked like it was eating her head. She was twirling in her robes with her wand held up high. There were sparks coming from the top that formed the words "Out of my way!" and "My magic lights up the sky!"
She pulled him toward Colin and asked him where he got the shirt, and was told the Weasley twins had dropped them off last night. It was the fourth version to be handed out; the first one soon after the Muggleborns had started assembling. Colin pointed to the back of the hall, where Draco saw the two tall redheads.
Granger skirted behind the crowd, making her way to where the twins were handing out the shirts. Draco was towed along. He thought she had forgotten she was even holding his hand when she started giving one-armed hugs to the Weasley twins. He was ready at a moment's notice to let go, but Granger didn't, so he didn't.
"Babe, that is an interesting look. Sinead O'Connor and Rocky had a baby!"
Draco couldn't tell the two apart, and didn't care. As long as they were on Granger's side he would put up with them. He just listened and took in the scene.
"You should see the other guy."
"I heard it was Pansy Parkinson."
"No, it was more Romilda Vane…and, um, Lucius Malfoy."
"What? Why?"
"I told him the truth."
"That'll always get you in trouble."
"I'm starting to think that."
"Jerk should be in Azkaban."
Draco automatically stiffened. He may feel that way, but he didn't like it when someone else said it.
"Interesting accessory."
Granger looked confused for a moment, then blushed.
"Yeah, well, I'm trying it out, seeing how it works with the rest of my outfit."
"But it's part of a set. Can you wear just the one piece?"
"If this is the necklace, I'm trying to chuck the earrings."
"This metaphor is stupid. You're towing Draco Malfoy around like he's your fiancé or something."
"You're quick, George."
"I can also read. How's Ronnie taking it?"
"You really don't want to know."
"I think I really do."
"Some day…when I'm really mad at him…ask me that question again."
"Will do."
"So…the earrings. I assume they're not overjoyed?"
Speaking of his arse of a father, he really needed to go check on that situation.
"Hey, Granger, would you hang here with these guys? I'm gonna check-"
"No way! You're not going to ditch me here!"
"I'm not!" Draco ignored the two boys that were staring at them. He pulled Granger toward him and bent down to speak into her ear. "I just don't want you to be in the same space as my father anymore. I need to see if my mum's okay."
"I'd say she looks fine," interrupted one of the twins. Fred or George pointed up to the front of the hall.
Draco and Granger both looked up to see Narcissa Malfoy at the podium. She was staring out at the crowd silently, as though waiting for them to all realize they should be giving her their rapt attention.
Oddly enough, it only took about a minute.
Everyone was staring at her, not quite understanding what she was doing there. They all knew who she was, but why would she be here, at a rally in support of more education for Muggleborns?
She performed a Sonorus charm and lightly cleared her throat.
"I am Narcissa Malfoy, nee Black. I am the link between two ancient Wizarding families and the culmination of hundreds of years of breeding and taste."
She wasn't speaking as though she was boasting. She was stating facts. Draco found himself preparing to fight his way to his mother. His mother and his father occupied completely different parts of his heart.
He loved his father simply because he was his father.
He deserved what he got, and Draco would no longer defend him.
He loved his mother because she was his mother, but also because she loved him.
He would defend her until the day he died.
"I completely agree that Muggleborns need to be taught the ways of our society if they are meant to be a part of it. I believe that my personal tragedy would not be happening if Hermione Granger had known how powerful certain words and actions are."
She took a moment to look at Draco across the room.
"I am told that this engagement should be celebrated, but I find I cannot."
A/N:
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