Tuesday, October 6
Draco had stayed up most of the night, writing a letter to his mother, asking for her help. He knew that she would likely be the only person who could help him get out of the engagement. When he had finished writing the letter around four o'clock that morning, the wizard had laid down on the sofa, almost immediately falling asleep.
When Hermione entered the lounge around eight o'clock, she found him still sound asleep on the sofa and frowned with a feeling of concern. She spotted the still-unsealed letter, and, for a moment, she considered reading it, but then thought better of it.
The brunette made herself a cuppa, ignoring the breakfast feast on the table before going to sit on in the cozy chair in the lounge to read a book.
After sitting there for a while, Hermione was taken by surprise when there was suddenly an unexpected knock on the cottage door. She furrowed her brow as she marked her page and closed her book. The witch stood up and walked over to the door, wand in hand, and opened it.
Headmistress McGonagall was standing in the rain with a solemn expression on her face.
"Come in." Hermione quickly spoke as she moved aside, allowing the older witch into the warmth of the cottage.
As Hermione shut the door, she heard Draco shuffling about the room.
"You're early." The wizard croaked in a sleepy voice as he sat up, rubbing his face as he attempted to wake up.
McGonagall didn't appear bothered by his slightly rumpled appearance as she simply replied, "I am not here to retrieve the two of you. I've actually come because…there is an important matter I must speak with you about, Mister Malfoy."
With a furrowed brow, Draco felt confusion and concern while Hermione made the three of them some tea.
"What is it?" He asked, watching the Headmistress closely.
The Headmistress sat down, letting out a long, quiet sigh. "An illness has broken out at the Malfoy Manor."
Draco's eyes widened as his thoughts immediately went to his mother and her wellbeing. "What sort of illness? How bad is it? Is my mother all right?" He rambled off questions.
McGonagall inhaled and began to answer his questions as Hermione hovered three cups of tea over to the lounge.
"The Ministry of Magic is working closely with St. Mungo's to discover just what sort of illness it is. As of right now, they aren't certain. It is quite a bad illness. Unfortunately, there has been a fatality. A House Elf, though I'm not certain which one, has succumbed to it. As for your mother and father, they are both quite ill and not doing too well." The Headmistress explained slowly, answering his questions with as much detail as she could.
"Could it be a curse of some kind?" the wizard asked.
"I'm sure they're considering that possibility." McGonagall replied.
Draco stood, rubbing his brow in concern and frustration, "I've got to send Mother a letter."
"I'm afraid you can't do that just now." McGonagall said, causing him to spin around and face her.
"What? Why not?" He huffed.
"To keep the illness from spreading, the Ministry and St. Mungo's have decided that communication to and from the Manor simply won't be allowed for the time being."
The wizard sighed and sat on the arm of the sofa.
"Once I return to the castle, I'll be sending one of the school owls out here to stay so that you may communicate with me. I am in contact with a wizard at the Ministry who is on the case." The Headmistress said.
"Could you please keep me updated as you find out more information?" Draco asked.
"Of course."
He nodded, gratefully.
McGonagall turned to Hermione, "Miss Granger, you received this letter in this morning's post." She said quietly as Draco stared into the fireplace with a thoughtful expression.
Hermione thanked the Headmistress as she took the envelope. She immediately recognized it to be from her parents. Having gotten them an owl during the summer holiday, Hermione had been able to communicate with them more often.
"I should return to the castle." The Headmistress spoke quietly. "Do let me know if either of you needs anything. I'll send an owl out here the moment I arrive in my office."
"Thank you." Hermione replied.
Draco nodded, "Yes…" He said, clearing his throat, "Thank you."
McGonagall nodded before leaving the cottage.
After several moments of complete silence, Draco cleared his throat and said, "I'm erm…I'm going to step outside for a bit."
Hermione didn't bother mentioning that it was still drizzling outside. Instead, she simply nodded, watching as he opened the door and stepped out of the cottage.
While Draco was outside, Hermione opened the letter from her parents. She leaned against the kitchen counter and read it.
Minnie,
I hope that you are feeling better. I know that you have been struggling quite a lot over the past month or so.
Darling, I don't want to add to your stress, but your father and I have noticed something that is frightening the both of us quite a lot. A man has been discreetly following us. We noticed it about three weeks ago, but your father believes that he's been following us for longer than that.
We don't feel safe here anymore, Minnie. We're considering going to stay with my sister for a while.
Please write back as soon as you can and let me know what you think.
We love you, Minnie.
Love,
Mum and Dad
Hermione swallowed and read through it twice more before rushing toward the door, about to run outside. The door swung open, and Draco entered, dripping wet as the sound of rain pouring down followed him.
"Draco!" Hermione exclaimed.
He turned and looked at her, his concern immediately altering.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Read this!" she said, thrusting the letter into his hands.
He furrowed his brow and looked down, wiping his dripping face before reading the letter.
When he finished reading the letter, Draco exhaled heavily as he walked over to the kitchen counter. He set the letter down and turned to look at Hermione, who was watching him closely with anxiety in her eyes.
"The likelihood that my father sent someone to watch them is high." He said, meeting her eyes.
"Sh…should they go to my aunt's house?" she asked anxiously.
The wizard shook his head, "That would only put her in the same amount of danger as they're in."
Hermione ran her hand through her hair as she began to pace the room, "How can I protect them? What can I do?" she asked.
Draco exhaled, "I…I'm not sure. I wish I could communicate with Mother."
Sighing, the brunette said, I'm sorry. I know that you're concerned about what's going on at the Manor and here I am just adding to your stress. I just…I cannot believe that this is all happening!"
He looked at her, feeling dreadful because he knew that her pain was all his fault.
A lunch feast suddenly appeared on the small kitchen table.
"I need to write back to my parents." Hermione said. "I just don't know what to say to them."
"Tell them to act completely casual, and that you'll send them another letter in about two days after you get some information. I'm going to speak with McGonagall and see if she can help."
Hermione nodded and walked over to the small writing desk in the corner of the room and began to write a response to her mother and father.
Draco watched her for a moment. He only hoped he could find an answer that would help.