Chapter 11: Foe or … Ally?
Hermione had to admit that, never in her life did she imagine a more unlikely and incredible quartet. As the four of them ascended on a secluded path deep into the Forbidden Forest, she couldn't help but regard the three men in front of her, wondering if they too, experienced the same astonishment at the situation. Draco was far ahead leading the group which meant his face was shielded from her inquisitive eyes but she could see Harry and then Ron better, both boys fixating the Slytherin with a wary gaze.
Underneath her feet, patches of grass squeaked in contact with the soles of her shoes, a few moss bouquets sprouting alongside the path, letting them know this part of the forest was not usually trodded by Hogwarts students. Regardless of whether it was day or night, the Forbidden Forest was an enigma with its ancient trees and eerie mood. Sunlight managed to reach them through the dense canopy of trees, leaves rusting gently in the soft wind and adding to the sacred atmosphere of the place. Although it was still early, they could hear no birds singing or animals scurrying through the underbushes, as if nothing was allowed to disturb their incursion further into the core. The air carried a damp and earthy, almost fragrant smell that lured you deeper into the forest and Hermione knew that if she were to follow it, she would end up lost and spirited away without any chance of returning to school grounds. Fortunately, Draco came to a halt, right before the trail became bifurcated.
"Alright, I think this is far enough. No one usually wonders this far into the forest," he said, looking back at the three of them.
"You should know," Ron couldn't help himself from uttering. "Come here often, Malfoy? Is this where you scheme all your little plans, plotting how to harm the rest of us while you go hide behind your Daddy's questionable good name?"
"Yeah, this is how I spend my days lately, Weasly. Thinking about how to inconvenience innocent Gryffindors," Draco spat, turning on him like a challenged cobra.
"I wouldn't put it past you," Ron said, looking annoyed beyond measure.
"Ron, that's enough," Hermione intervened, intuiting the conversation could escalate rapidly if left unabated.
"Look, we needed a private place to talk and all I did was provide it. I didn't hear you suggest a location or would you have preferred we shared a fried kipper over breakfast for all the rest of our classmates to see?"
"Can't help you there, mate. I'm not as versed in up-to-no-good places as you are," Ron challenged, a bitter grin plastering all over his face.
"Hmm, must be that moralistic Gryffindor spirit," Draco counteracted.
"Must be."
Hermione rolled her eyes at the both of them and was about to put both of them in their place but luckily for her, Harry had the decency to intervene on her behalf.
"Right. If you two are done with this unsightly pissing contest, shall we get to discussing why we're gathered here?"
"Yes, let's," Ron agreed, his tone dripping with confrontation. "Let's talk about how Malfoy is planning to let Death Eaters into the school and kill our Headmaster. Isn't that a treat? And if that weren't enough, you're also hurting blameless students in the process. Did you really have to curse Katie Bell, Malfoy? Did you?"
"She was not supposed to touch the necklace, it was intended for Dumbledore," Draco gritted his teeth, hating every second of their interaction.
"Really? Well, that makes it so much better, doesn't it, Harry?" Ron questioned mockingly, sensing his distrust bubbling inside violently.
"Ron…" Harry began but his best friend allowed no room for interruption.
"I'm sorry, mate, but this is ridiculous. I don't know what you or Hermione are thinking but I can't trust Malfoy," he decided, head swiveling back in Draco's direction. "Why would you even agree to help?"
Draco sighed, his hand extending upwards to rub his forehead in frustration, ignoring the headache that was slowly building up at the back of his temples. He knew this was not going to be easy. There were years of conflict and animosity between the four of them and a simple talk was useless at dispelling suspicion. For a brief moment, he glanced over to Granger, recognizing that troubled frown she always wore when she desperately tried to solve an issue or master a charm and he realized how much she wanted him to stand up for himself. She wanted him to convince her peeving friends of his true intentions although, truth be told, Draco was becoming less and less convinced of what those intentions were.
He saw her chin quiver and eyebrows wiggle upwards and that was when he realized he would rather be damned than let Hermione Granger vouch for him. He had experienced enough humiliation for a lifetime at the likes of Voldemort and his goons. With a determined voice, he resumed his attention to Weasley and Potter and addressed his claims accordingly.
"Because I want out. It took me a while but I've come to the realization that Voldemort winning will benefit no one but himself. He is ruthless, vile and possesses no loyalty. He is hurting my family, threatening us under our own roof and plans to kill so many wizards and witches, you can't even begin to understand. That abomination will bring the downfall of the Wizarding World and I don't need Granger's predictions to see that for myself and while I may be many things - an arrogant bully, a bigot obsessed with blood purity or any other appellative you might prefer - I am not a murderer of innocent people. This is not the person I want to become. I can't stand evolving into that version of myself."
One well-intended confession was all it took for silence to befall them for a few long moments. Even the forest stood still, listening in on their soft breaths. Hearing Malfoy's words, Hermione suddenly felt more at ease, nearly content with her decision to put the four of them face-to-face. Things needed to be said and for once, Draco appeared to be more comfortable about sharing part of his blame. Ron, however, did not seem convinced.
"Do you think admitting to these things will make it better? Make it all go away?"
"No, I don't expect it to. I'm not issuing an apology, Weasly, I'm just stating facts."
"So, what, we're just supposed to trust you?"
"I suppose you have to, just as I have to. What guarantee do I have that you won't throw me to the wolves as soon as it's convenient? But I am willing to make this truce because I have higher chances of getting out of this unscathed if I join forces with you. Believe it or not, I'm the one who stands to lose more out of this."
"Right. As if," Ron nodded, solidifying his own convictions. "Sorry, but I'm not doing this. I can't buddy up with Malfoy, not after everything he's done."
And without any warning, he gave Malfoy one last ugly glare and turned to leave, his feet hurrying on the path back.
"Ron!" Hermione called after him. "Ron, wait!"
"Leave him be," Harry instructed, half-expecting that reaction from Ron. What Hermione was asking out of them was betraying their own nature and that never came easy.
"But, Harry…"
"He'll come around. He just needs some time. Meanwhile, we're here to discuss important matters," The green-eyed wizard continued, getting right down to business. "Is Voldemort at your house right now?"
"Yes, he's currently residing at Malfoy Manor," Draco replied, tongue burning in treachery as he confirmed the damned fact.
"And is it true he ordered you to mend the Vanishing Cabinet and kill Dumbledore?"
"Yes."
It was painful to admit to it, far more taxing than Draco could have imagined, staring Harry Potter in the face and telling him that he was harboring his nemesis and doing his bidding. But it was necessary. Just as it was necessary for Potter to verify Hermione's information through a one-on-one interrogatory with him. They had started at Hogwarts as enemies, the beginning of this year even more so and now, they were juggling the idea of teaming up. It was bizarre and ironic, which made it completely plausible to Draco.
"Will you?"
"What?" Draco asked confused.
"Kill Dumbledore?" Harry specified, not once looking away from the Slytherin.
"No! Of course not!" He affirmed, sounding slightly more offended than he had wanted to. Granger had told him that eventually, he did threaten Dumbledore up in the Astronomy Tower but at this very moment, whether it was her influence or Harry Potter's determination, Draco couldn't imagine putting himself in that position anymore. In the past days, his priorities had shifted and while his fear of being killed by Voldemort was still pulsating at the back of his head, his desire to prove himself as someone he had always wanted to be but never had the impulse for was finally taking shape. At this point, he didn't know yet if he wanted to thank or strangle Granger.
"Good," Harry nodded. "Because if you change your mind or betray us in the process, I will come for you Malfoy. And I promise you, I won't hold back."
"Do as you must, Potter," Draco assured, visibly impressed by Harry's boldness. In more instances than one he had proven to come out victorious out of grim situations and offing him and the entire Malfoy line was not something Draco would put past that particular Gryffindor.
Positioning herself between the two of them, Hermione cleared her throat, reminding them she was still there, a former silent witness to their conversation. If anything, she realized they would have to air out at least a part of their grievances before they even remotely considered the idea of working together. At times, not even the greater good could convince people to compromise. But she finally had hope. If those two could put aside their differences and collaborate, then Hermione could start strategizing for a better outcome in the future.
"Shall we begin, then?" Hermione initiated the real conversation. "Clearly, our main objective is preventing the Death Eaters from stepping into Hogwarts. They are the ones who ultimately put Dumbedore's death into motion, who destroy the school and weaken our defenses. They mustn't be allowed inside," she stressed, glancing over to Draco.
"In that case, you have to stop mending the cabinet," Harry addressed Draco. "But if he stops doing that, it will raise suspicions, won't it?" He then checked with Hermione, the answer plastered all over her face.
"Correct," she replied, brain hard at work, trying to find a better solution.
"So what do we do?" Harry's voice reverberated through the air.
"I might have a solution for that."
To both Harry and Hermione's surprise, Draco was the one to supply them with the answer.
"What do you have in mind?" The witch questioned, trying to read beneath his words, sensing he was thinking of something undeniably dangerous.
"I will continue mending the cabinet over the following months," he began, schooling his expression into something serious. "And right before the last session, instead of fixing it, I will destroy it completely. This way, there won't be any alarming bells, nothing to raise any doubts and I will also cut off access to the school for good."
"Destroy it?" Hermione asked, skepticism seeping into her tone. "This is a magical item we're talking about, Draco. It can't be destroyed that easily. Not to mention it has a counterpart in Borgin and Burkes acting as an anchor."
"I am aware of that, Granger. That's why I won't use any basic means of destroying it. There's a special spell that can help us obliterate the cabinet," Draco said, leaning in conspiratorially, drawing both Harry and Hermione in. "And that spell can be found in a book here at Hogwarts. I know because Nott's grandparents donated it to the school years ago, and he kept bragging about how his family has always been one of the main patrons at Hogwarts. It's called A Grimoire of Lost Spells and Incantations ."
"And let me guess," Harry chimed in. "That book is currently in the Restricted Section of our library."
"Most likely," Draco delivered the troublesome reply. "But we have to be certain of that first. If the book is no longer at Hogwarts, matters might become complicated."
"Matters are already complicated. Even if we do get our hands on that book, how can you be certain you'll master the spell?" Hermione frowned, not at all convinced by Draco's plan. She knew him to be academically on par with her and quite stubborn when it came to mastering magic yet, a spell of this caliber could turn out to be beyond the abilities of even the best wizards and witches.
"I can do it," he reassured them. "The mending spell is just as difficult but I've made considerable progress and I'm confident I can learn this one too. I just need the book and some time to practice. Meanwhile, I'll slow down on fixing the cabinet and buy us as much time as possible."
"Right, we'll do just that then," Harry agreed. "We'll get you the book and help you learn the spell. Hermione and I will try to get into the Restricted Section by tomorrow. We'll let you know if we've had any success but meanwhile, we will all keep to ourselves. One more thing…"
"Yes?"
"From now on, you need to remember that we're in this together," Harry added wisely. "Every choice, every action or decision you make will impact us as a group and will reflect upon your character. I don't expect us to be friends nor will I forget everything you've done to us but I at least demand the courtesy of your intelligence. You will inform us of any change of plans. You will stick to your word. Because at the end of the day, I'm sure you understand that you either stand with us and earn a chance at redemption or you betray us and lose everything. Have I made myself clear?"
Hermione gulped back her anxiety, waiting expectantly for Draco to say something remotely complacent. She had found it wise to leave the conversation to the both of them even if it meant an uncomfortable confrontation. In true Gryffindor fashion, Harry had put Malfoy on the spot. Yes, his warning had conveyed tension and mistrust but it had been necessary if a partnership was ever going to take shape. Harry needed to maintain a cautious approach but also appeal to Draco's pragmatism for a successful plan, being fully aware that the Slytherin's capacity for self-interest was severely high and external pressure from his family could also alter his newly-found loyalty.
"Loud and clear, Potter," Draco had replied eventually. Whether he liked it or not, Hermione couldn't fully read beyond his glacial mask so she would have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
Somewhere next to them, a rustle issued from the nearby bushes, signaling the presence of an animal or probable foe. They all tensed, reaching for their wands simultaneously but abandoned their instinct as soon as they saw a petite doe stepping shyly onto the path. The second she saw them, it sprang into a frenzy, running away from its potential attackers, and disappearing into the denser parts of the forest.
Taking it as a clear sign to retreat, Draco turned his attention back to Harry and Hermione.
"I should leave. I've been away for quite some time now, my presence will surely be noticed."
"You can go on ahead. We'll wait a few minutes and then also make our way toward the school," Harry said.
"And you'll let me know if you find the book?"
"We'll make sure of it," Hermione said, considering her vow of silence to be over.
Under their watchful eye, Draco left their trio, his head swiveling right and left, scouring the presence of any unwanted intruders in their conversation. Hermione followed him with her gaze, eyes glued on his defined frame, lingering a bit too long on his broad back.
"That went well," Harry said, sounding both serious and ironic. "Ready to go find that book? We have that class in 20 minutes but we can skive off."
"No, Harry, we can't skive off," Hermione disagreed, surprised at Harry for even suggesting such unlawfulness to someone like her. Hermione Granger does not miss classes. "Our absence will raise suspicion. We'll finish all our classes and then go directly to the library."
"We'll have to postpone a bit. Professor Slughorn is expecting me in his office."
"Dumbledore is still insisting you get close to him, I imagine," she said.
"Well, he needs him to tell me all about the …what did you call them? Horcruxes?"
"Yes and for now, you have to play along. We don't need to mess with the timeline just yet."
"But that doesn't mean we can't start searching for the Horcruxes ourselves. Especially now that we know that Regulus Black's locket is fake and there's no need for Dumbledore and I to go visit the cave anymore. Dumbledore doesn't need to go through the ordeal of acquiring it."
"That's true. And if Draco manages to learn that spell and destroy the cabinet, we'll have the upper hand and Dumbledore won't have to die anymore. Snape will be powerless, with no one to encourage his sins," Hermione concluded, although she knew very well what that entailed for their Potions Professor.
They began descending on the path they came, the forest beckoning them back to Hogwarts, almost as if it tried to expel them from its womb, disliking its conspiratory part in their earlier conversation. Harry and Hermione walked side by side, each lost in thought and replaying the discussion over and over in their head, trying to find cracks, trying to read between the lines.
Trusting Draco Malfoy was not an easy feat. Yet both operated on the principle that everyone had a little bit of good in them and it was a choice if they acted upon it or not and perhaps, Draco wished to see how it was on the other side of the coin for a change. They had played their hand and now it was all a waiting game. Draco had to give them something to prove his loyalty; words and a willingness to work with them were simply not enough.
OOO
Immediately after classes were over and Harry had finished his meeting with Professor Slughorn, Hermione went to meet him in front of the Hogwarts Library, heart pounding out of her chest in anticipation for their quest. She should have gotten used by now to their series of mischiefs but whenever she was around books, Hermione could swear she heard them whisper their judgemental scoldings.
Harry too looked a bit unsettled and she wondered if it was because of Slughorn or anxiety related to finding the book or not. Either way, Hermione figured they would come up with a solution eventually, especially now that Draco Malfoy himself was willing to extend his help.
"Hey," Hermione greeted, scanning the corridor for any problematic figures. "Ready to go in?"
"Yes. Do we have a plan?" He asked, pulling his robe out of the way. She resisted the urge to arrange his glasses to sit better on his nose but instead focused on her reply.
"Not really. I think we'll have to sneak into the Restricted Section and search for it," she said miserably, not liking that scenario at all.
"Orrr…you could just ask directly if the book is here? You know, save some time?"
Hermione quirked her eyebrow at him, wondering if he was serious or not.
"Ask Madam Irma Pince? Are you out of your mind, Harry?"
"Why not? The entire school knows how obsessed you get with books. There's nothing strange about Hermione Granger inquiring about a book, even if said book is rare and dangerous," Harry said, rising his hands in defense. "Come on, let's give it a go."
"I suppose it wouldn't be that out of the ordinary," she said, losing confidence by the second.
Still, Hermione managed to push through her doubts and entering the library, she and Harry waltzed over to Madam Irma Pince's desk and, adopting the most innocent demeanor they could conjure, she went ahead and voiced out:
"Good afternoon, Madam Pince."
To Madam Pince however, the afternoon looked anything but good. The older witch and fiercely protective librarian at Hogwarts was as sour as both Hermione and Harry remembered. At their arrival, her aquiline features hardened, and her thin-framed body swayed in their direction, irritation visible throughout her whole being. However, she seemed to relax upon locking eyes with Hermione and recognizing the diligent student in the process.
"Good afternoon."
Her empty reply didn't hand them much to go on about so remembering their mission, Hermione attempted to inquire about the book in the most unsuspecting manner possible.
"Not many students in the library today," she stated the obvious.
"So it seems," Madam Pince agreed, picking up on Hermione's peculiar behaviour.
From her stand behind her desk, the librarian looked even more intimidating and unwelcoming than usual. If Hermione did not know better, she would have guessed Madam Pince disliked being asked questions and even more than that, she hated small talk. She could understand why the older woman was so unpopular with the rest of the students and while it had never bothered Hermione specifically until then, now that she was in the uncomfortable position of asking something problematic out of the Madam, everything made more sense. Beside her, she heard Harry shift, signaling he was slowly losing his patience.
"Which is why I thought I could bother you with a question," Hermione said.
"Go on, Miss Granger," the woman encouraged not too convincingly.
"Well," Hermione began, trying to find the right words. "I'm sure you know how scholastically inclined I am and how I have dedicated all my school years to studying and perfecting my knowledge. You've seen me here daily, brushing up on my charms, studying difficult spells and even tutoring other students. And I absolutely love books! And I take care of them so dearly, there's not one book I have returned in poor condition. As a matter of fact, once, I even repaired a few volumes myself before I returned them and…"
"You're rambling…" she heard Harry whispering at her side and sure enough, Madam Pince's eyebrows were ascending in curious waves, pointing out her dwindling interest by the second.
"...and I was wondering if you could help me find a book. It's very important and I would appreciate your help tremendously," Hermione managed to finish, coming around to the main issue at hand after all.
Madam Pince shook her head in defeat, her opinion of Hermione clearly altered by her recent nonsensical monologue.
"Very well, what book are you referring to?"
"The tile is A Grimoire of Lost Spells and Incantations."
At the sound of that, Madam Pince's nostrils flared for a second - enough for them to realize that the book was certainly not one to be taken lightly. Moreover, she would not hand it easily nor would she encourage its existence among the students at Hogwarts.
"And why would a conscientious student such as yourself Miss Granger, have any need for that book?" She asked, proving their fears.
"As I've said…I'm always looking to improve my knowledge. It's for personal development," Hermione delivered, trying to appear as sincere as possible.
"Hmm," she mused, believing her not one bit. "Unfortunately, I cannot help you."
"If it's in the Restricted Section, then I completely understand…" Hermione offered but the librarian was quick to clarify.
"Oh no, not at all," Madam Pince said, a wide and satisfied smile creeping on her lips as she delivered the next words. "The book is not in the Restricted Section. It currently resides in the Headmaster's office."
OOO
Author's note: Hello, everyone and thank you so much for your lovely comments! I could really feel the love. I hope you like the latest chapter, things are getting more serious and Hermione will have to learn to thread new waters while also fighting off her attraction for Draco. So look forward to the next chapter!*wink