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Chapter 7

B

Draco

3rd of September 1998

It's a quarter till one in the morning, and Draco can't manage to find sleep. He tossed for an hour before getting up, still angry from today's, or yesterday's session. Angry for his failure to accurately complete the counter curse. Angry for telling her about it. Angry, he admitted it in front of other people. Angry that she's now aware of his failure. Angry for Granger's scar still harboring that Dark Magic. Angry that he seemed create a fucking never-ending list failures.

It took all of his concentration that day to attempt the counter curse on her. He was so exhausted the following day that his mother had to physically wake him up before Voldemort made another one of his visits. Deciding to clear his head and separate himself from his self-induced failures, he heads towards the door and accidentally stubs his toe on the corner of his trunk.

"Fuck!" He whispers loudly.

Now I'm angry at this stupid fucking trunk.

He kicks it for good measure, hearing something lightly rattle. His brows pull in confusion, racking his brain for what would be in there since he emptied it when Lila dropped it off.

Oh, her journal. I forgot.

Noting that it's been several days since he last read it, he assumed it would have more entries in it. He opens the trunk by hand and waits for the secret compartment to open up to him, grabbing the journal once it's revealed to him. As he walks out of his room, he spots a few fellow Slytherin's also unable to sleep, not finding comfort in the idea of being around them he changes course for outside the common room. He walks about the fairly lightly lit castle trying to find somewhere that seems secluded but with enough light to read the journal. Passing by the stone windows in the hallway that are showcasing the dark hours of the night, he gazes at the moon. He's captivated by the paled orb hanging high in the sky, outshining the trillions of stars behind it. Deeming the moon's radiance is the perfect amount of light he needs to invade Granger's thoughts; he flips open to an entry he hasn't read yet.

29th August 1998

I hate Ginevra Weasely!

So do I, Granger.

I told her that I wanted to avoid Malfoy! And what does the witch do? Practically jump in his skin interrogating him. He didn't give her anything though.

Draco simply smirks at this part of her entry.

I tried my damndest to stay at least 10 paces back from them. I didn't want to be totally out of range if he tried to hurt her. Word got out that he doesn't have his wand, that McGonagall confiscated it when he arrived on Saturday. I don't know how I feel about that. Yes, he doesn't have any magical way to cause her harm, but he could still physically hurt her. Although, I wouldn't put it past Gin to be able to hold her own. I just don't know what he's capable of.

Fuck you, Granger!

Actually, in a way I guess I do know what Draco Malfoy is capable of.

Nothing.

And that's just as bad.

He clenches his jaw and glances at the date of the entry again.

This was before my marvelous divulsion.

Rolling his eyes at himself he continues on reading.

But he did offer to introduce his elf Lila to the other elves which was….

A small pang of guilt pricks at him for not actually living up to his word to his elf and to Granger.

I'm not even sure. Kind? I don't think that's in his vocabulary.

I can be kind!

When the occasion calls for it.

Another pang of guilt pricks at him, this one's an unconsented pang however, as he recalls the handful of times in his life, he's actually been kind.

I would never put kind and Draco in the same sentence. Ever. I wouldn't be surprised if he was going to keep around to do his bidding since his wand has been confiscated.

He releases an irritated exhale.

Now that the dust has settled, I just rethink all the things I don't have because I'm a witch and I hate it sometimes.

Oh, this is a change of pace.

Harry's not going to be here this year and Ron, and I aren't together anymore, so I have no idea how this year is going to go. They were a constant that I also don't have currently. I still feel so lost.

They're not together anymore?

Draco recalls a few headlines of the two of them talking about being together. He also recalls the pairing to be odd, he thought Harry and her would have been the ones to end up together. But Harry is with Weaseltits, recalling the plethora of articles about them and their inevitable nuptials.

That's why they weren't sitting next to each other.

I swam naked in the lake.

What?

Naked?

He does a triple take, rereading the sentence. Knowing that she's talking about the Black Lake.

His mind wanders to the dream of Granger and his dream-self, the way his skin tingled when she touched him. Draco knew this line of thinking was something he shouldn't entertain, yet he couldn't help it. It was as if the memory of the enchanting dream was calling out to him to be remembered, to be savored. He forces his eyes shut, focusing on banishing those, forcing himself to think unwanted, thoughts from his mind.

He lifts his head to peer at the lake and then back to the journal.

It was cathartic in a way I didn't realize I needed. Made me feel like magic was being reintroduced to me for the first time. It made me start to resent it less like I have been for a while. Ever since the war ended I kept feeling numb, I still do really. After having to obliviate my parents I held on to Harry and Ron like a lifeline, for survival if I'm honest.

She obliviated her parents?

I know that things aren't going to go back to what they were, but not knowing how life will turn out is also painful.

The thought of not having his mother or having a home to go to was a life he couldn't fathom. A part of him was struggling with the fact that he no longer had is father, but to not have either of his parents to lean on was a reality he prayed never happened to him. Not knowing what to make of this part of her entry, he continues on.

2nd of September 1998

He flips back at the previous date.

She skipped a few days.

I can't believe Draco's the reason for why the dark magic hasn't spread. . . .

He sucks in breath, unsure of what she's going to think of this new revelation.

"Boo"

Draco jerks from the abrupt noise, Pansy snatches the journal from his hand.

"What do we have here Mr. Malfoy?" Pansy asks, raising a brow before opening it to skim through.

"Give it back, Pansy," Draco warns.

"Oh shit, this is Grangers! How did yo-"

"Charmed it before I had my wand confiscated. Now please hand it over, you insufferable twat." Draco reaches for it.

"What are you going to do about it?" She teases pulling the journal back with her body.

"Tell everyone how awful of a shag you are," He deadpans.

She scoffs.

"Actually, charm it for me so I'm the only one that can read it," Draco quickly adds.

"First you namecall, then you tell me I'm a shite shag and now, you want me to do something for you?" A mixture of irritation and confusion is written on her face. "You're unbelievable Draco."

"Just do it, please," he sighs his annoyance and extends his hand out.

Pansy narrows her eyes, glaring at him, debating if she's going to give into his request.

She's going to do it.

"I do like it when you beg," she says with a thoughtful face, but her sexual innuendo isn't lost on Draco.

He raises a single brow, "Do I need to get on my knees?" He asks teasingly.

"No, I have another suitor," she says, winking at Draco.

He chuckles at his harlot of a friend. "Please. Pans," looking back at the journal that's still in her hand, uncharmed for only his eyes.

She exhales her annoyance and does the charm for him, handing the dark green leather back.

He just about has it in his grasp before Pans pulls it back from him, "Aren't you going to ask me what I was up to?"

"No, I don't care, Pansy."

Furrowing her brow at him again. "I hate you," she says, slapping the journal to his chest.

Lightly laughing and giving her a dashing smile, "No you don't."

She crosses her arms. "No. I don't," irritation reclaiming her face.

Draco kisses the top of her head, "Night, Pans."

Pansy walks backwards, flipping Draco the bird before turning back around heading back to their common room.

Looking around making sure there's no one else, he exhales again before violating Granger's privacy.

I don't know what to do with this information.

Do I tell someone? Can he help me find a cure for it?

I'm not even sure there is a cure for it. I just tried the counter curse that I overheard Aunt Bella mumble to herself.

That's probably why it didn't work, I got the incantation wrong.

Is he worth forgiving?

Draco stops reading, an uneasiness and shame overcome him. He presses the journal into his chest, recalling all of the things he's done and failed to do most of his life. He asks himself the very same question.

Do I deserve forgiveness?

I've hated him for so long. Does this small kind gesture outweigh all the awful things he's done?

I guess it's not the only, seeing as he didn't identify Harry when he could have.

I don't know what to think. Is this alone enough to give him a chance?

I guess it really depends on if he's trying to change himself.

I don't even know if I'm capable of change, Granger.

I'm still upset about what Ron said as I was leaving for session.

There's a sliver deep down inside himself wishing she could have written more about this idea of forgiveness and a way for him to earn it.

How I've become so boring. How our sex was so boring.

That is pretty insulting, considering I just told Pans the same thing.

I'm not boring.

He just doesn't inspire any of my passion.

Then what does Granger? Being mad at me?

He mulls this thought over again.

Do I inspire you?

Besides he's a terrible snog.

Malfoy quietly laughs at this, being mindful of his echoing presence. The journal seems to tingle his hands, the feeling instantly reminds him of his dream. As much as he hates himself for thinking it, he wants more. More of that damned dream. More of that tingling sensation. More of her intoxicating aroma. More knowledge of what it would be like to feel her lips on his. His eyes widen when he notices letters glowing as they're slowly being written, words and sentences forming.

I went swimming in the lake again. I have a feeling I'll be here a lot.

He peers over at the lake again, wondering if she'd still be there.

Clearly, she wouldn't be in the lake seeing how she's currently writing, but maybe on the hill she talked about earlier? Overlooking the lake.

Draco lifts his head towards the moon, wondering if she on the hill also enjoying the moonlight.


Saturday, 5th of September 1998

I fucking hate Pansy.

Draco sits on his broom several meters in the air admiring her fly through air with such ease, ferocity and grace that he hadn't seen since Potter and Weasletits.

She's a fucking natural.

He silently thanked Pansy for being the one to drag him out here to 'tryout'. He knew he'd make the team, but to choose to be on the team was a different story. At first, he wasn't sure if he even wanted to play Quidditch anymore. Well at least for Hogwarts, it didn't feel right in a way. But then in beautiful Pansy Parkinson fashion, she reminded him of what Quidditch is truly about, beating the shit out of others and balls on magic flying booms. She said it would "be the best way to let out our pent-up anger without getting expelled." Never in his life would he describe Pansy as insightful, but she did have a point there.

Pansy whips past Malfoy, chasing the Snitch, nearly knocking him off his broom. He laughs and decides to go higher, hopefully out of range, circling the Quidditch Pitch. He eyes her as she nose dives down below the stadium seats. The sight brings Draco back to the game he cost the Slytherins in his second year. His first instinct is anger at the thought of losing, but knowing that it's in the past and they have a new secret weapon of their own, his sinister smile blooms across his face.

The Gryffindors don't stand a chance this year.

Pansy flies out of the stadium seats, the small magnificent golden sphere in hand, displaying for all who can see. Her sinister smile matches his. He nosedives after her, crashing into her sending her backwards.

"Malfoy you git!" she laughs, scrunching her face playfully.

"Trying to steal my spot Pans?" Draco teases, raising a single brow.

"Oh Draco, don't act coy. WE all know your time has run out here on the field."

Draco scoffs at his friend cheekily and dives after her again. Pansy squeals, moving seconds before he could crash into her again. She darts off towards where the beater's clubs are scattered on the ground for players to pick up.

Oh, this bitch is crazy.

He menacingly laughs and follows suit, grabs a heavy club of his own, and darts off in Pansy's direction.

Nearing her, she yells behind her shoulder, "Let's see how many positions you can play Malfoy!"

Game on.

He's in shock when a bludger shoots right past her, causing her black hair to fly in her face and head straight towards him. His eyes widen, he squares up at the last second to hit the bludger with his bat, not aiming it towards the goal, just away from him.

He shakes his head, "You're fucking crazy Pansy Persephone Parkinson!" Yelling at her from their distance.

"And you're a shite beater!" she yells back at him, following the bludger.

The warm wind blows past him as she dashes to beat the bludger towards the goal post.

Pansy's tryout proceeded with as much flare, abrasiveness, and cunning she carried herself. She was an absolute legend. Draco had never seen such a small girl be able to play all positions. He couldn't think of a player who was skilled enough to play them all off the top of his head. She was utterly magnificent. He couldn't contain his pride nor his grievances for not joining sooner.

On their way back to the Slytherin common room drenched in sweat, rain and mud, from the mud fight they got into, Draco asks her what position she's thinking about.

"I think I'm going to take yours, Malfoy," she says, bumping his hip.

"Ha ha Pansy. No really though. You have the pick of the litter this year. You're bloody amazing."

Pansy's unable to contain her gummy grin, "I think a beater's position would suit me best."

Draco laughs at the accuracy of it all, "Yes Pansy, that would absolutely be perfect for you."


Thursday, 10th of September 1998

Draco sits in his Muggle Studies course impatiently drumming his fingers, painfully wishing this unimportant lecture of the bloody 'perfect' Cleopatra and all her blasted accomplishments throughout her reign in muggle history would be over. The only thing to semi-easing his migraine of this insufferable class was Alaric making paper triangles and flicking them towards the professor when their back was turned.


Over the next few days, time seemed to drift by in a slow, uneventful blur. Draco's internally grateful that he was able to have his curriculum shifted around so he doesn't need to have a wand for specific classes. However, he is annoyed with the idea of having to write more essays than he's ever had during all the test takings he's had throughout his Hogwarts experience. But knowing he wasn't going to flunk his courses without his wand made up for it, kind of.

Him and the rest of the Slytherin gang still came across their well-deserved snide comments from fellow students every time they stepped out of the Slytherin common room. They all hoped that eventually they'd all shut their insufferable mouths. There were a few occasions he almost said, 'fuck it' and attempt wandless curses at overly vocal wankers, but Blaise was his voice of reason for not getting expelled.

Draco was unsure what the second session would bring since he and Granger shared their literal scars to one another. But the next session was almost painfully dull and awkward. They all sat there for 45 mind-numbing minutes to share scowls, silence and unwanted information from Ms. Pleakly and the loss of her owl during the war and Granger spending most of her time in the library.


Tuesday, 15th of September 1998

"You are not going to believe the shit show that was Potions today," Theo says to Blaise and Draco on their way to the Great Hall for lunch.

Pansy nods her head in agreement with Theo since they have potions together along with Granger. Theo tells them Granger was being her posh self and correcting Parvati every step of the way while Parvati presented her potion to the class.

"Parvati was fuming," Theo states in his typical theoretical way. "Slugghorn almost put a silencing spell on Granger, she wouldn't shut up really."

They all snicker at Theo, Pansy not correcting him on his little white lies.

"But get this," Theo says, giving a dramatic pause, "come Granger's presentation, she somehow mixes up a few ingredients and boom!" Slapping the table hard. "She goes and blows herself up. I think it almost killed the witch."

Blaise and Draco share weary shocked glances.

Is she dead!?

Theo waved his hand in dismissal, and Pansy cuts in, "Theo's being dramatic, but yeah, she physically blew up her presentation. She tanked it. That's like half our grade. It's a big deal."

Oh.

Draco first smirks at the idea of her finally getting knocked off her high horse, but he sees her vivacious brunette hair out of the corner of his eye. A finite is cast in her direction for a glamour he's far too familiar with to fade, revealing her swollen and red eyes. To both Draco's and Granger's surprise they make eye contact. Her eyes go wide before she casts another glamour on herself and leaves the Great Hall. The sight of her brings a sense of something he'd never thought he'd experience for her; unconsented protectiveness and rage overcomes him.

* . * . *

As the day continues Draco's unable to concentrate on anything besides Granger and his vibrating anger. Wanting to know more. Needing to know more, he paces in his room, waiting for her to write about the incident. He waits.

And waits.

And waits.

Hours tick by and nothing. This pisses him off even more. The lack of directional anger in someone infuriates him. His best course of action is to exact revenge on whoever it was.


Wednesday, 16th of September 1998

The following morning, he rushes out of bed hurrying to get dressed to make sure he's there before she arrives at the library. He posts himself right outside the library's doors, leaning against the wall. He continues to wait some more, this time willingly. Students begin trickling in, giving him their scowls as they pass. Now irritated by the other students' glares he starts to transfer his irritation to Granger, but then he spots that mane of hers. He lets out a huff of irritation, then stills as another finite is cast in her direction, revealing her true face from the glamour that she had on.

Her eyes . . .

They're still red and awfully swollen. It was painfully obvious that she was crying all night. A pang in his chest takes him by surprise, unsure of how process all these unconsented feelings he's having he resorts to channeling it on one emotion: anger.

Stalking up to her and grabbing her upper arm. "Who was it?" He hisses.

"Ow, Malfoy, you're hurting me," she says, attempting to yank her arm out of his grip.

"Who was it?" Draco spits, ignoring her.

"Malfoy, please," her voice several octaves lower, her lip begins to quiver.

"Fuck!" He drops her arm as if she's fire, shoving his hand through his hair, glaring at her.

She's not making eye contact with him; her eyes are locked on the stones of the ground near the door behind him.

"Was it Parvati?" He seethes.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about," her voice just barely above a whisper.

"Don't act coy, Granger. We both know your attention to detail wouldn't allow you to blow yourself up," he firmly states, narrowing his eyes at her.

He grabs her chin, struggling for a brief moment before she gives in to the force of his grip, pulling her to look him in the eyes. Her red puffy honey-colored eyes staring back at him began to water.

Fuck.

The sight of it pains him in a way he can't explain. He loosens his grip immediately and unintentionally cups her face in his hands.

"Who?" His expression fell without his consent, his tone borderline pleading.

He can feel her body still and eyes flow through mixed emotions of weariness and shock. Probably from the whiplash of physical contact that has just transpired.

Searching his eyes, her body gradually eases into his touch. Hermione lets out a small breath of air, "I don't have evidence of who, but I have a good idea," Granger's voice seeping with embarrassment and hurt.

Her brows pull together, contemplating something. "Hold on, how do you know where I'd be?" She asks softly, looking up at him.

Shit.

Quickly thinking on his feet, he spits out. "You're always here," shrugging nonchalantly, giving her his perpetual aloofness.

She nodded, cautiously accepting his answer.

Thank fuck.

Draco internally sighs in relief.

"Oh, look it's Blow Me Mione'," a female voice bellows, echoing through the halls, followed by short bursts of laughter and snickers.

Draco's hands fling to his sides, balling into fists, hoping no one saw him touching her. He stares daggers at the gaggle of girls approaching from behind Granger. He spots the girl whose smile is anything but innocent, the bitch who made her cry.

Rage. That's all Draco can feel, can focus on, how viscerally angry he is. Debating on whether or not he's above hitting a woman. He hears a quiet quiver of air and tears his eye-daggers from Parvati as she enters the library. His eyes find their way back to Granger's. A single tear falls from her eyes. He clenches his teeth and leans in close to her ear.

"She'll pay for that Granger, that's a promise," turns on his heel and stalks off, without looking at her. He can't handle her tears.

He won't bash Parvati's head into the ground until there's nothing, but blood, brains and bits of her cranium scattered on the stones of the castle floor, but he will find a way to torture her. Because watching Granger like that was fucking torture.

* . * . *

"Pansy!" Draco yells out once he's in their designated spot.

"Merlin, Malfoy. Take it down a notch," she gripes, rounding the corner as she fingers her ear mimicking as though he's burst her eardrum.

"Parvati."

"What about her?" She quips with disgust.

"She's on the list."

Pansy stills briefly and turns her head to look at Draco. Her eyes darken as she displays a sinister smirk.

"She always has been on the list."

Draco gives her a quick smirk of his own and nods before she leaves the Slytherin common room. Pansy in second year decided to make a list of individuals in dire need for their lives to be ruined. Harry was always at the top of this, then Hermione, and a few others throughout their time here at Hogwarts. With McGonagall's harassment decree-

Internalized eye roll.

uprooting lives will be a tad tricky, but alas they are cunning and ambitious. He's sure they'll come up with schemes to not get caught. This year Hermione doesn't rank high, if at all, as she did previous year. Currently Draco deems Parvati number one.

Theo and Blaise enter the common room from their bed chambers both cackling.

"Oi, ready to head off to circle time?" Theo asks Draco while snatching a biscuit off one of the tables he passes.

"Would you stop fucking calling it that?" Draco shakes his head with mild annoyance.

"Hey, we all face each other and are supposed to talk about our trauma and feelings and other rubbish. I'll call it what I like!" He states with his mouth full.

"Honestly, it's more of a hexagon with it only being the 6 of us in the room," Blaise chimes in.

Both Theo and Draco look at Blaise with an irritated glare.

Theo swallows loudly before saying, "I will say though, Granger still being there is a bloody surprise. I thought for sure, she'd leave after she saw your ugly mug," his head bobbing towards Draco.

Draco was surprised as well, he didn't think any other student knew about their sessions, let alone was willing to join. He can't recall any entry she wrote about where she talked about joining their group or why.

Was that her attempt at reconciliation?

He shakes the thought from his head.

"I for one, am ready to move the fuck on, finish this pointless year and get away from this bloody castle and the shitheads in it," Draco sneers.

She'll inevitably be disappointed when I also fail to live up to her fucking expectations of becoming a changed man.

Theo intakes an overly dramatic breath of air while grabbing his own chest, "Even us shitheads, Draco?"

"Especially you lot," Draco says while shoving his hands in his pockets jutting his chin out to him, smirk on his face.

"Well then, let's go, shitheads. Off to circle time," Theo sings, bobbing his head back and forth as he passes Draco.

"Chip chop, spit spot, let's go," Theo claps as he exits the Slytherin common room.

"I'll catch up, I gotta grab something!" Draco shouts towards Blaise as he also departs from the common room.

Draco walks briskly towards his room and unlocks his door. He lifts open his trunk and then the secret compartment shows itself to him, grabbing the journal to leave. Glancing quickly at her entries, making sure they haven't changed, stopping just before he's about to exit his room. He rereads the entry from the first session. He pulls himself out of his thoughts, reminding himself that session is mandatory, and he has absolutely no desire to be reprimanded to a Ministry 'scolding' for simply being late for one of his requirements.

Blasted Ministry, always looming over my head. Fuck them.

He looks around for his book bag to conceal the journal, but then remembers Pansy charmed it for him.

No one else can read it.

His signature sinister smile sweeps across his face, placing the dark green leather in his trouser pocket and leaves his room to catch up with the boys. Once sitting down with the boys and Ms. Pleakly, he takes note that the girls aren't here.

"Oi, where's Pans?" Theo asks the group, not looking at anyone in particular, as he gets remnants of biscuit from his teeth with his wand.

"Theodore! Please for the love of Merlin, treat your wand with some respect," Pleakly narrows her eyes at Theo, shaking her head in disapproval.

Rolling his eyes and letting out a huff of air. "Sorry, Quin, darling, I didn't realize that fetching my sweet savory biscuit from earlier from me gums was considered rude. Please forgive me?" Theo asks, cradling his wand in his hands, giving his best theatrical performance.

Draco and Blaise chuckle as Ms. Pleakly muddles something under her breath.

"You know, Theodore, you gave me an amazing idea. Wands please!" Pleakly announces to the group.

Draco smirks at the idea of his friends also suffering the loss of their wands. Blaise and Theo groan loudly as they hand over their wands. Pleakly turns to Draco with an extended hand and expectant look.

"Wand."

Draco rolls his eyes as hard as he can manage, exhaling indignantly, "It's already been bloody confiscated." Crossing his arms and turning his body away from her. She pulls back her hand and nods her head once in acknowledgment.

The sound of footsteps nearing the group has all their attention, turning to see who's entered. The sigh of pitch-black hair gives Pansy away. Draco becomes leary of where Granger could be.

Hopefully she's not still crying. Because if she is, I won't have Pansy play her demented little games she likes to play, I'll just rip out Parvati's fucking trachea and call it a day.

"Hello, Miss. Parkinson, thank you for joining us!" Ms. Pleakly in a joyous tone and a wide smile.

"It's not like I have a choice in the matter, this shit is mandatory for us," Pansy retorts with obvious annoyance.

Pleaky's face falling into an irritated expression "Oh! Miss Parkinson, I don't care about the attitude, but I do care about the foul language," she warns.

"Got it," Pansy spits out with as much venom as she can possess while finding a seat.

This twat is really needs to get over the language shit.

Pleakly hovers over Pans extending her hand, "Wand."

Pansy looks over at the boys with a disgusted glare before ripping it out of her robes before she places it in Ms. Pleaky's hand, like Draco did with McGonagall just days ago.

Good, now you lot can suffer like I am!

Nodding, satisfied that there's no longer any foul language, she clears her throat to get everyone's attention.

"We'll wait a few more minutes for Miss. Granger before we begin," Pleakly calls out to the group as she sits down.

Theo groans loudly, "Why? She's the 'brightest witch of her age' I'm sure she can manage."

The Healing Apprentice sighs.

"I agree. Fuck Granger. This shit isn't mandatory for her," Pans says, rolling her eyes.

"Miss Parkinson!" Professor sternly warns.

I think this bitch is all bark, she's not going to do shit about Pansy's mouth.

Pansy just crosses her arms, slouches in her seat and turns away from the group with a scowl on her face.

"I am quite aware that you all would prefer to move on to session, but we will as a complete group. When Miss Granger is present."

Draco's a tad annoyed himself and wants to get this over will, but he's also…

worried?

about Granger. He searches his brain for journal entries of possible places she could be right now. She could simply be in the library as she practically lives there or her dorm room. Any of the old spots that Potter, Weasley and her used to hangout at.

Maybe the hill overlooking the lake?

She seemed to write about that a couple times now. He pictures her sitting on the wet grass, curled up, arms wrapped around her legs, slight breeze playing with her curls and her still sobbing… the image makes Draco's heartache and the guilt for something he's not even responsible for…

What the fuck is happening to me?

The sound of footsteps growing louder turns everyone's head. Draco sees Alaric give Granger a small smile before walking off, he presumed Alaric was the one that let her into the common room. Narrowing his eyes on Alaric, following his movements until he was out of sight.

Letting her in better be the only thing he's done.

The thought of someone making a pass at Granger enrages him.

"Ah! Miss Granger, how nice of you to join us. Please come sit," Pleakly says with a welcoming smile and tone.

To most people, she would appear to look fine, but there's a hint of a glimmer surrounding her face, giving away that she's put a glamor on to hide her swollen eyes and red face. He's well acquainted with the charm; his mother was sporting them for weeks after father was sent away to Azkaban. He was surprised that his mother kept it together for his birthday in early June. Hermione slowly made her way to her seat, cautiously eyeing everyone.

"For the love of Merlin Granger, would you please hurry the hell up," Pansy sneers.

Draco takes note that Pleakly didn't consider hell a word worth scolding Pansy for.

Granger gives Pansy an angry scowl as she sits down.

"Don't fucking look at me like that," Pansy warns.

Oh shit. Pansy's in a mood. Here we go.

Theo and Blaise turning to Draco sharing glances of the same thought.

"Miss Parkinson, this is the last time I will warn you about your language!"

No it won't.

Pansy sits up from her chair causing it to scrape against the stone floor, "Oh, would you shut the fuck up! You're not going to do a fucking thing and we all know it. If you're going to be overseeing this fucking group you need to grow some. Thicker. Fucking. Skin."

Granger shoots out of her chair in Ms. Pleakly's defense. "You don't need to be so rude, Pansy!" Pouring her anger into her words.

Draco's expression falls, praying he isn't outwardly expressing a glimmer of weariness he's feeling knowing Pansy will kick Granger's ass, with or without a wand. He recalls the few fights Pansy has gotten into over the years, both with girls and boys. Pansy didn't care.

"Why don't you take your new friend, Granger, and fuck off somewhere else!" Pansy yells at Granger.

"You don't need to be such a-" Granger stops herself, fury spreading.

Ms. Pleakly's eyes grow wide and look around the group unsure of what she should do.

Oh, if Pleakly doesn't step in this is going to get bloody.

"Oh, come now, Granger. Please, do finish your sentence," Pansy baits at her gesturing with her hand to hurry up.

Theo extends his arm, gripping Draco's shoulder as if he's asking if Draco's watching the ass-whooping that's going to take place. Draco is watching but perplexed at the idea of doing anything.

Should I grab Pansy, so she won't bash Granger's head in? Or should I grab Granger to protect her from Pansy's blows?

Granger's scowl grows and lets out all of her anger she's been bottling up for what feels like months, "SUCH A FUCKING CUNT!"

Draco's eyes widen, now still as a statue. He glances over at Ms. Pleakly to gauge her reaction.

Surely, she's going to step in and separate them.

But her expression still harbors uncertainty and a tinge of panic. As if she could feel his stare she looks to Draco, both of them silently asking, 'Are you going to do something?' However, neither of them move, they continue to remain glued to their seats.

Watching the trainwreck unfold.