6

"THE BLOODY GIT SHOULDN'T HAVE EVEN BEEN ALLOWED BACK AT SCHOOL ! What was the ministry thinking ?! Letting a death eater live in the same place as innocent students and children! I still say he should be rotting in Azkaban next to dear old dad!"

"Ron, that's enough!" Harry tugged Ron back into his chair, praying to Merlin he would shut up.

"I don't like Malfoy any more than you do, but we both know he doesn't deserve that. If McGonagall trusts him enough to let him back here, so do I."

Harry sat his head on folded hands at Hermione's bedside. It had been 5 days since the spell and still no change. He was beginning to worry about his friend. He was also struggling with how much she and the boy on the next bed over would have changed by the time they woke up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I did not need to see that," Draco pretended to gag as Hermione's memory of the Yule Ball faded.

"Hey, it was my first kiss! It's an important memory! Besides, I thought Viktor did a great job."

"You thought that sloppy mess was a good job? You poor, innocent darling."

Hermione smacked his shoulder and snorted, "Please, like you would be any better."

He raised his eyebrows, "Maybe I could show you sometime," he said, there's that grin again.

Hermione blushed crimson and was trying to think of a witty retort when another memory started and grabbed their attention. They both felt like a rock had settled in their stomachs and they sensed a chill in the air.

"I don't think this is going to be a happy memory." Hermione subconsciously scooted closer to Draco, and tried her best to prepare herself for what she was about to see. It was in vain. Flashing before them was Voldemort, smiling that evil smile and holding his wand to Narcissa Malfoy's throat.

"Do it! You will give me your loyalty and live to serve me!"

Draco looked at his mother with tears in his eyes. "Yes, my Lord..." Draco dropped to his knees.

Voldemort sneered at Draco. "Finally! Lucius! Come stand by your wife and make sure she doesn't try anything to distract him." Voldemort glided over to Draco and grabbed his left arm, twisting it to view the underside. He ripped the sleeve of his shirt and pressed his wand into Draco's flesh. Draco's screams echoed throughout the room.

Present Draco turned away from the memory. He looked up just in time to meet Hermione's gaze, as tears streamed down her cheeks.