Chapter Nine: Detail

"Somebody's Watching Me" -Rockwell

Hermione's (Er, Ginny's) shoes clacked loudly against the marble floor of the Atrium. Harry, Ron and Luna followed along in her wake. Dean and Neville had both gone home to their families, telling them to owl if they needed them for anything. Hermione didn't blame them, she would want to go home, too, after the hell that they had been through. She wanted to curl up in a ball and sleep for a few days herself, but she was making herself sick with worry and guilt and thus sleep had evaded her.

"Could you walk any faster? Merlin, they're not going anywhere." Ron mumbled behind her. She flinched, the memory of his wounded expression still fresh in her mind. She told herself that it was best to be honest, but part of her wished she had gone on pretending, and maybe, just maybe her feelings would have grown into something more... But no. She knew that wasn't true. She loved Ron, but it was clear to her now that it was definitely not a romantic type of love. He had taken it well. Almost too well.

"Kingsley's office is on Basement level 1, Hermione." Harry said in a low voice as they stepped into the lift. She nodded and swiftly pushed the button she needed. Luna's hand slipped into her own and squeezed gently. She didn't say anything, but the small gesture was enough to calm Hermione's nerves a tiny bit.

The doors opened and Hermione all but ran up the corridor, raising her hand to knock at Kingsley's door, but before her knuckles made contact it swung forward and Hermione found herself looking into the lined face of her favorite professor.

"Miss Granger," McGonagall said in suprise. "You should be resting."

"Professor!" Hermione exclaimed, throwing her arms around Minerva's middle, taking the older woman by suprise. She stood awkwardly for several moments before returning her hug, patting her gently on the back. "I thought I might never see you again."

McGonagall cleared her throat, gently extricating herself from the embrace before she spoke in a voice much huskier than her usual brisk tone, "Well, now. I never believed that for a moment. Brightest witch I've ever had the pleasure of teaching. I knew you'd find your way back to us. And I sincerely hope that you will be returning to school in September."

Hermione's brow puckered. School was the farthest thing from her mind. "Who is taking over the head master position?"

Minerva smiled, "Headmistress McGonagall, at your service."

"Ooh, congratulations, Professor." Luna trilled.

Harry was grinning, and McGonagall actually blushed as he reached forward to clasp her hand. "You'll do wonderfully, Professor."

"Thank you, Potter." McGonagall choked out, before clearing her throat and turning back to Hermione. "Everyone will be repeating this past year. There wasn't a lot of learning going on while Snape was Head master. Not that it was his fault," she added quickly, catching Harry's guarded stare. "But I felt that with everything the students went through, they all deserve a do over. You lot as well, if you so choose."

Harry grimaced, "Actually, Professor, with Kingsely re-opening the Auror training, I think I'll go ahead with that. They need everyone they can get after all."

McGonagall nodded, a small smile playing at her lips. "Well, I dare say you're well qualified."

She glanced around meeting all of their eyes. "All of you could probably get on with no trouble without going through another year of schooling. But think about it, you two." She said, using two fingers to point at Hermione and Luna.

"Oi, what about me?" Ron asked, clearly offended at the exclusion.

"Forgive me, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said, her tone amused, "I merely surmised that you would be going into Auror training with Mr. Potter. After 7 years of being indissoluble, I thought it wise to assume the trend would continue."

Ron flushed and raised his hand to scratch at the back of his head. "Well, yeah, I suppose I had considered it."

They all chuckled and Hermione, remembering the true reason for their visit started to become antsy again. She peered around McGonagall, looking for Kingsley.

"I'm keeping you. I'll take my leave now. Miss Lovegood, Miss Granger, I hope to see you at the start of term. Mr. Weasley, if you decide not to pursue a career as an Auror, you would be welcomed back with open arms as well." She winked at him, making him flush before striding around them and up the corridor toward the lifts.

Hermione wasted no time in rushing into the Minister's office now that she was free to do so. He was sitting behind an enormous stack of paperwork, his stress evident on his face as he rubbed his temples. He looked up and met her eyes, his face immediately betraying his apprehension. "Miss Granger. I didn't expect to see you so soon."

She arched an eyebrow. "I'd like to think you know me better than that Kingsley."

The others had joined them now and Kingsley narrowed his eyes upon their arrival. "How did you get these two on board?"

"I'm not on board with anything," Ron said, leaning casually against Kingsley's desk. "I'm just along."

Hermione wanted to be irritated with him, but she couldn't make herself. Her guilt was clouding all other emotions she might have towards him.

"Kingsley what are you going to do with them? Will they get a trial? Isn't Azkaban a bit extreme?"

Kingsley's eyebrows furrowed together. "They're not in Azkaban, they're in the cells down by the courtrooms. And of course they'll have a trial, Hermione."

"I'd like to testify on their behalf. You can... you can have my memories. Surely, that might be enough to sway you, to help you to understand my reasoning."

"Me, too." Luna's voice came from beside her.

Kingsley grimaced. "I'll make a note of it, anything else?"

Hermione hesitated, the question on the tip of her tongue, but also afraid of what the answer would be. "You should have gotten an owl sometime yesterday with an ultimatum from Lucius Malfoy."

Kingsley had been reaching for his quill and immediately froze, turning to face her warily, he nodded, "We received a letter, yes."

Hermione nodded, never doubting the fact that it had been sent out. "Were you going to agree or would you have left us to our fates?" It was a terrible question and she had known the answer all along. A confirmation wasn't going to make her feel any better, but she wanted it. Needed it.

Kingsley tapped his fingertips across the wooden surface of his desk. "A refusal was sent late yesterday evening."

Hermione's breath caught. A couple more hours and she would have been disfigured by a Death Eater to make a point. It was sickening, and yet she could understand both sides, which made her feel worse. Desperation on the one hand, and refusal to bend to evil on the other.

"Why do you ask, 'Mione?" Harry asked, his voice low.

Hermione bit her lip, hesitating and then lifted her chin in defiance. "If Draco hadn't gotten us out when he did, you would have received one of my fingers in your morning post."

Ron gagged and Harry let out an indignant grunt. Luna seemed mildly suprised, but made no comment. Kingsley's face gave nothing away as he continued to stare her down.

"I want to see them," Hermione said.

"I can't allow that, Hermione and I think that it would be best if you leave now. I'll owl you when a trial date is set."

Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but Kingsley cut her off. "I've also been advised to assign an Auror to each of you," he indidcated Luna and Hermione, "Thomas and Longbottom. I think a little extra protection would be wise until the other Death Eaters are rounded up."

Hermione wanted to argue that the Death Eaters wouldn't still be on the loose if he had put his time and effort where it belonged instead of dragging in the people who'd helped them escape. Instead she held her tongue, an idea already forming in her mind.

"Potter, Weasley: Stop in at the Auror office and fill out your paper work. As soon as we have a full class signed up, we're moving ahead with training."

Harry and Ron nodded and Hermione fought to reign in her glee that Kingsley had just provided her with the perfect distraction. She held her disgruntled expression firmly in place with maximum effort, turning and leaving the office with her friends. They took the lift to Basement Level 2 where Harry and Ron stepped out. They turned to give Hermione identical looks of confusion when she grabbed onto Luna's hand and stopped her from exiting. "You two go on ahead. Luna and I are going down to Level 3 - Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. I'd like to speak with the Obliviators for some insight into what I should do about my parents..." It broke her heart to use her parents as an excuse, but it was the only thing she could think of that Ron and Harry wouldn't deem suspicious.

She was correct in her assumption. They took one look at her watery eyes and immediately nodded, "Of course, yeah. We'll meet you back in the Atrium, then?" Harry asked, his green eyes filled with concern for his friend. Guilt. She was feeling that a lot lately.

"Okay," she muttered, pushing the button on the lift. As the doors clanged shut and the lift began to move again, she jabbed a second button.

Luna's eyes widened in understanding. "They'll be very upset with us once they realise," she mused.

"Well, let's hope they don't." Hermione muttered. The doors opened on Level 3 and they stood patiently, waiting until the doors closed again and the lift began to move once more. It was getting colder, the farther they descended underground and Hermione let out an involuntary shiver, reaching up to clutch the green gem hanging around her neck.

Not wanting to give up Draco's shirt, she had waited until Ginny had gone to sleep and transfigured the Quidditch jersey into the most inconspicuous thing she could think of. She had slipped it over her head, suprised to find it warm against her skin and relieved to realise the smell of the jersey still emanated from the piece of jewelry. Harry's eyes had lingered on it for longer than she was comfortable with that morning, and she'd made sure to keep it tucked inside her shirt after that.

The lift doors opened onto Level 9 and Hermione sucked in a breath, relieved to discover there was no guard. The Ministry must be worse off for personel than she had thought. She and Luna stepped off and Hermione led the way to the staircase descending down to Level 10. The last time she had been here had been so intense. She cringed just thinking about it.

She had never been to the section dedicated to holding the prisoners, but there was only one other way to go other than toward the court rooms. She followed the hallway in the opposite direction of where she knew the courtrooms to be and wasn't disappointed. Rows upon rows of cells began to pop up in front of them and finally, at the very end, they found them. Draco had his back to them, but at the sound of their approach, he turned. Cold, silver eyes met warm, brown and Hermione sighed with relief.

"Oi, Looney! Missed me, eh?" Theo cackled.

Draco was livid. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Hermione's face fell, the smile she'd been boasting before turning into a quivering frown. "I- I just wanted to make sure you were okay. All of you," she added quickly, flashing quick looks at each of his friends.

Pansy snorted, "We're just peachy, Granger. This is a real dream come true."

Hermione grimaced. "I'm doing everything I can. Kingsley won't see reason."

Malfoy was still focused on his original agenda, finding out why the hell they were walking around alone while the Death Eaters were still at large.

"What the bloody hell are you two doing without an Auror escort? Do you realise what I went through to get you out of there? And now here you are, flashing yourselves around basically begging to be captured again."

Hermione glared at him. "Harry and Ron are with us. They're just taking care of some paper work at the moment."

Draco rolled his eyes. "The brainless duo is the only security detail you've been given? You'd think they fucking wanted you to be recaptured."

"We've each been assigned an Auror," Luna corrected, "but we snuck away before we found out who they are."

Hermione's eyes widened and her mouth fell open as she shot a betrayed glance at her friend. Luna's serene expression never wavered. "Was that a secret?" Her blonde brows knit together and she watched Hermione try to back track.

"What Luna means is that, we're going to meet with them as soon as we leave here."

"No one knows you're down here, do they?" Draco snapped.

Hermione bit her lip and he wanted to reach through the bars and jerk it from between her teeth. He didn't need a distraction right now. "And you're supposed to be bright."

Hermione stamped her foot indignantly, causing the necklace she wore tucked beneath her shirt to swing loose. "I highly doubt that your father is skulking around in the Ministry!" she hissed. "I asked to see you and Kingsley refused me. I was provided a perfect opportunity to slip away and I took it. Don't act as if I'm stupid."

Draco pinched the bridge of his nose, willing himself not to shout at her. "Where do Potter and the Weasel think you are?"

"Level 3."

"Why there?"

"Getting information about reversing the spell I used on my parents." She murmured, shooting uncomfortable glances at the other three Slytherins.

He frowned. "Well, get back up there before they realise you're gone."

"Merlin, you're bossy today."

"'Today'?" Theo snorted. "For Salazar's sake, Granger, have you met him?"

"Piss off, Theo. I mean it, Granger. Get out of here."

Hermione glared at him before directing her gaze to his friends. "I just wanted to tell you all how extremely thankful I am for your bravery. I'd be missing a finger right now if it weren't for you all." She wiggled said fingers and grinned. "I'm going to do anything I can to sway the decision of the Wizengamot."

The three of them stared at her with mixed expressions. Draco would have thought it humorous had he been in a better mood. Blaise finally spoke, breaking the tense silence. "Uh, yeah, you're welcome. It was all Draco's idea, we just helped."

Hermione nodded and Luna stepped over to Draco's cell, extending her hand through the bars. "Thank you, Draco." He rolled his eyes, took her hand and shook it, releasing it as quickly as possible.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't mention it, Looney. Seriously. Ever. I have a reputation to maintain, after all."

Theo succumbed to a fit of laughter again and Draco was pretty sure he heard him choke out a disbelieving, "Reputation?" in the midst the whale noises he was making.

Luna moved along to each of the others cells, shaking their hands and lingering a little longer than was strictly necessary with her hand in Theo's.

"Okay, let's hurry this along." Draco snapped. "Back to your boyfriend, Granger before he tears the Ministry apart looking for you."

"You know I don't have a boyfriend, Malfoy," she said icily, crossing her arms over her chest as she glared at him.

Draco internally sighed. A part of him had feared that being reunited with Weasley would have rekindled whatever small flicker had goaded her into kissing him the night of the battle. He scowled, annoyed with himself for caring. It shouldn't matter to him if she and Weasley reconciled, but it did. Granger could do much better than the Weasel. "Irrelevent. Go."

Her bottom lip quivered as she met his glare and she turned away quickly, striding back up the long hallway. "I'll see you all at your trial." Draco listened to their footsteps echoing off of the stone walls, until there was nothing left to hear.

They were all silent for a few moments before Theo piped up, saying, "You know, Granger would be missing a lot more than a finger if it wasn't for us. She'd be missing a hymen. Unless... do you think Krum had a go? She seems too uptight for any one to be gettiing into her knickers regularly-"

"-Theo, if you don't shut the fuck up..." Draco growled.

Blaise raised a curious eyebrow, but remained silent. Pansy and Theo exchanged glances and Theo winked at her. Draco ignored them all, turning to face in the opposite direction he folded his legs beneath him as he sat down on the cold, stone floor.

"He's being ridiculous." Hermione growled, once they were safely in the lift and out of earshot. She knew better than to poke an angry bear. Well, sometimes.

Luna hummed beside her, swinging her arms slightly. Hermione had noticed the way she had lingered by Theo's cell. Maybe there was more going on with her friend than she was letting on. She wanted to ask her about it, but the lift dinged open then. They stepped out onto Level 3 and Hermione started for the Oliviation Department. She had almost reached the office when she stopped in her tracks. Her breathing hitched and she turned, hurrying back for the lift.

"Hermione?" Luna asked, trailing behind her as she ran into the lift and slammed her hand into the button that would take them to the Atrium on Level 8. "Hermione, is everything okay?"

Hermione breathed deeply, trying to calm herself. "I just... couldn't face it... just yet..."

Luna rubbed her back gently as they ascended. "I'm sure we can find a solution later. Don't rush it, Hermione. You need time."

Hermione nodded, trying to get herself under control before they met up with Harry and Ron. The lift opened once more and they glided out and across the marble floor. Hermione spotted Harry and Ron standing near the Fountain. They weren't alone. Hermione was disappointed to find the tall, blonde Auror that Draco had stunned last night and the man with the bad comb over and glasses. His comb over was even worse in the day light, Hermione thought, feeling terrible about herself immediately. As they approached, the blonde man's gaze never wavered from her. She found herself clutching tightly to the wand that was tucked away in her pocket.

"There you two are," Harry said, sounding relieved. "We were starting to worry. How'd it go?"

Hermione glanced at Luna who remained stoic beside her. "It... went."

Harry grimaced and nodded. He knew how hard it had been on her to alter her parents memories. It was still hard. She had no clue how to approach moving forward from here.

Hermione eyed the tall Auror suspiciously. "Oh, erm, this is Auror Barrett and Auror Smith. They're your new detail."

Hermione nodded politely, noting the way Auror Barrett's eyes were still trained on her. It was quickly becoming uncomfortable. She cleared her throat. "Will you, uh, need to stay with us around the clock or...?"

"Yes." Auror Barrett said, his voice hard and sharp.

Hermione's brows pulled together. "I see."

Ron frowned at Hermione's expression and she wanted to tell him and Harry both that she was absolutely not okay with this, but before she had a chance, they had turned and were moving toward the fireplaces to floo back to the Burrow.

She didn't trust Auror Barrett, and she definitely didn't want to be around him alone. She was thankful for the teeming amount of people always around the Burrow. The one thing that was hard to come by there was privacy.

Two weeks later, Hermione was sitting at the edge of the Weasley's property, hiding behind a fallen log. She was sick of Auror Barrett watching her. It wasn't what she would deem normal behavior, an Auror just doing his job. It was really beginning to creep her out. When she had finally had enough this morning, she'd taken a few books outside and camped out behind the tree. She had avoided the house at all costs for the majority of the day, choosing to forgoe lunch in order to escape the watchful eyes of her 'protection' detail.

"Hermione!" Ron's voice called out. Hermione hesitated. She didn't want to leave the solace of her hiding spot, but she also didn't want Ron to panic and think she had been recaptured by Death Eaters.

"I'm here, Ron!" She called, climbing up stiffly from where she had been crouched for the past few hours. She made her way out of the tree line, displeased to see that he wasn't alone. Barrett was trailing behind him, hanging back a few feet to give the air of privacy. That didn't fool Hermione. She glared over Ron's shoulder, calling, "We need a few minutes alone," putting heavy emphasis on the last word. Auror Barrett gave a small nod. She hadn't heard him say more than a handful of words in the past two weeks.

She looked up to find Ron eyeing her curiously. She glanced over at Auror Barrett, grabbed Ron's hand and pulled him away. They crossed through the garden in silence, stopping at the chicken coop, a good distance away. "Muffliato," Hermione mumbled.

"What's that for?" Ron asked, regarding her with a mix of interest and alarm.

"I don't trust him. He seems... I don't know, off, to me." She admitted, a shiver running down her spine.

Ron looked thoroughly confused now. "Hermione, Barrett is one of the best Auror's

Kingsley's got Hermione."

"If he's one of his best Auror's, then why is he here? He ought to have him searching for the Death Eaters that he let escape in order to bring in four teenagers!"

"You need to get over that already, Merlin, it's like you're obsessed with them!"

Hermione shot an incredulous look at him, turning and raking her fingers through her tousled brown curls. "I'm obsessive because I think that innocent people should be set free and people who committed actual crimes should take their place?"

"You're obsessive because you have made your opinion quite clear on multiple occasions and I'm tired of hearing about it!" He wasn't yelling, but he wasn't keeping his cool, either. His face was stormy and their height difference made his stance seem particularly intimidating.

"I'm going to ask Kingsley to stop with the Auror detail. I... I think Barrett might be up to no good. I don't trust him and he's beginning to make me uncomforable." He had always made her uncomfortable, but she didn't want to appear crazier than Ron clearly already thought she was.

"Hermione," he began, his tone much gentler this time, "I think you're projecting your bad feelings and fear from what happened to you onto Barrett. He's here to help you. To keep you safe."

Hermione frowned, trying hard to ignore his patronizing tone, but failing. "I'm not a child, Ron. My mistrust in Barrett has nothing to do with what happened to me!"

Ron looked as if he didn't believe her and simply shook his head saying, "Okay, Hermione. Have him replaced if it will make you feel better."

She hated the way he was looking at her. Like she was less than she had been before she had been captured. Nothing had changed. She was still her. Her anger was building, so she quickly changed the subject. "Why were you looking for me?"

Ron scowled. "Oh, right. Kingsley owled. The four of them are going to trial next Thursday at 9 o'clock. He wants you there early so that they can extract your memories..."

Hermione's spirits lifted considerably. "Oh, well that's... That's great!"

Ron seemed to think otherwise, but he said nothing as they walked back to the Burrow together. She caught him looking at her out of the corner of her eye, but when she turned to him he looked away. Hermione glanced back over her shoulder at Barrett, who was still standing close to the tree line at the edge of the property. His dark eyes met her's and the hardness of them startled her. She felt like she had seen them somewhere before, and it was unnerving.

Approaching footsteps sent Draco shooting up from his uncomfortable position on the tiny cot he had been laying on. They had each been provided one, but he almost preferred the floor. He was disappointed when Kingsley came into view, and flopped back down on the hard mat. It was unnerving how much he wiished it had been Hermione. He shouldn't miss her. What the fuck was wrong with him?

"Kingsley," he muttered, not bothering to look at him. "What do you want?"

Kingsley gave a low chuckle. Draco suspected that he had begun to grow on the man during his time here. Or at least that Kingsley had come to tolerate him.

"Malfoy. Your trial has been set for next Thursday, the 11th at 9 o'clock."

He sat up again, turning to face Kingsley through the metal bars. "And today is?"

"Friday, June 5th." He raised an eyebrow.

Draco scowled. "Hard to keep track of time in here with no way to tell if it's night or day. The world could have stopped spinning and we'd be none the wiser."

Kingsley shrugged. "How terrible. It must be so unfortunate for you to be inconvenienced like that."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Piss off, Kingsley."

"With pleasure. This place gives me the creeps, if I'm being quite honest." He glanced around at the dark, stone walls beaded with moisture and visibly shivered. With a last smirk at Draco, he turned and began his journey back up the long corridor.

"Oi! Kingsley!" Draco called after him, causing the wizard to pause his steps. "You found them yet?"

Kingsley continued walking again, "I can't feed you any more information from an ongoing case, Mr. Malfoy. It's breaking Ministry protocol."

"Those robes are breaking Ministry protocol!" Theo piped up from his spot lounging on the floor of his cell, his feet propped up on the bars. "Hey, how's Lovegood?" he threw out casually, as if the thought had passed through his mind at random. Draco rolled his eyes, but paid rapt attention in case Granger was mentioned.

Kingsley sighed and turned back, striding over to stand nearly pressed against the metal bars. "My robes are the height of modern day fashion, Mr. Nott." He dusted them off as he spoke, winking at Draco who gave a disgusted grimace in return. "And Miss Lovegood is doing very well for someone who was held captive for a month. Auror Smith speaks very highly of her."

Draco could practically see Theo's hackles raise as he snapped to attention. "Who the bloody hell is Auror Smith?" He sneered the name.

"Her protection detail. He's been singing her praises for the past two weeks. A very bright, though highly eccentric young witch. He's been going on about how pretty her hair looks in the sunlight... That-"

"That bastard." Theo scowled, his hands gripping the bars tightly, turning his knuckles white. Kingsley was fighting back a smirk and Draco had to wonder if Kingsley was being one hundred percent truthful. How Blaise and Pansy were sleeping through this conversation was beyond him. Draco had been on constant alert for years. A small shift in his surroundings was enough to pull him from sleep.

"Auror Smith is very competent. No harm will befall Miss Lovegood on his watch, Mr. Nott, I can assure you." Kingsley was saying, his smirk clearly evident now.

"That's the bell end with the comb over in't? He better keep his pervy hands off of her, if he knows what's good for him." Theo growled.

Kingsley laughed. "Auror Smith is happily married, with 3 children. You needn't worry about that... Are you and Miss Lovegood...?"

Theo looked shocked. "What? No! Absolutely- We barely- I consider her a friend."

Kingsley raised an eyeborw, "Then why the concern for-?"

"-Looney's innocent and naive. She needs some one looking out for her." Theo said, cheeks pink as he leaned back and propped his feet back up on the bars.

Draco frowned, remembering the Auror from the night they'd been arrested. His curiosity was peaked and an uneasy feeling cumulated in his gut as he remembered stunning the large blonde Auror who had grabbed Hermione so roughly. "Who's Granger's Auror detail?" Draco found himself asking, despite his resolve to remain blase towards her.

"Auror Barrett." Kingsley said. "You should remember him, you added to your long list of infractions to stun him."

Draco scowled. He didn't like that one bit. "But," Kingsley frowned now, as well, "she has put in a request for a replacement."

Draco's head snapped up. "Why?"

"I don't think that's any of your business, Malfoy."

"I'm making it my business. Why's she want him replaced, Kingsley?"

Kingsley studied him carefully, finally sighing and saying, "She says, and I quote, 'I don't like the way he watches me.' I have tried telling her that he is merely doing his job, but she won't hear it. Says she doesn't trust him. Which is ridiculous, because he is my top Auror."

"If he's your best bloody Auror, why don't you have him on the case to find the sodding Death Eaters?" Draco snapped, annoyed with the fact that he couldn't ask Hermione, himself, exactly what she had meant by her comments to Kingsley.

Kingsley ignored his comment, choosing that moment to take his leave and he turned without a second glance and strode away up the long corridor, calling over his shoulder as he went, "Hermione says to tell you Happy Birthday."

Draco's mouth fell open in shock and he quickly snapped it back shut, scowling as Theo caught his eyes. Draco wanted to slap the stupid grin off his face. "What?" He snapped.

Theo shrugged, as much as was possible with his back pressed against the stone floor. He grinned up at Draco and snickered. "Granger remembered your birthday."

"Shut it, Theo."

"You say that an awful lot when I bring up Granger." Theo noted.

Draco pointedly ignored him, choosing to glare at the stone wall instead of awknowledging his friend.

"I didn't even remember your birthday," Theo continued, "and we've been friends for years..."

"Theo, just piss off. I didn't even remember my own birthday, until Kingsley reminded me of the date. We have bigger issues to worry about than my sodding birthday, for Salazar's sake! We're going to trial in less than a week and we'll most likely be sentenced to life in wizard prison. Doesn't that take fucking precedence over my feelings for Granger?"

"Ha! So, you do like her! I knew it. Pansy and I had a bet, you see-"

"No! No." Draco groaned, raking his fingers down his face. "I just simply meant that we have bigger problems than whether or not I do! And I don't, so."

"Suuuure, you don't."

Draco turned to glare at him through the metal bars seperating their cells. "Remind me again, why I'm still friends with you?"

"I'm one of the very, very few people who can put up with your mood swings and violent tendencies." Theo grinned back at him.

Draco rolled his eyes and settled himself back on his cot, closing his eyes and attempting to go to sleep. Sleep was becoming increasingly flighty. It was tiring, really, sleeping all the time. But, what else was there to do when you were locked in a small, dark cell, barely able to move about? Draco resigned himself to counting the beads of moisture budding up in the cracks of the stone ceiling. Of course, he wouldn't tell Theo, but he had never told Hermione when his birthday was, which made the fact that she had known and made a point to get a message to him, even more disconcerting. He didn't want her to give a damn about him. Wanting him safe and out of prison was one thing; she felt grateful to them all for helping her and her friends escape. It was understandable that she would want to show her appreciation to them for that. But sending the Minister for Magic to wish him a 'happy' birthday on her behalf was going above and beyond the realm of gratitude. He was a bad person, and he was determined not to be a negative influence in her life, but she was making it so damn hard to do.