Chapter Fourteen
Hermione scrambled to collect her things and stuff them into her bag then followed them into the dark. This time Nott didn't reach for her hand but produced two small glass orbs the size of a large marble. He breathed on them and they sparked to life, giving off a surprisingly bright glow. He handed one back to Hermione and kept the other.
They made their way to the wooden staircase at the end of the corridor and slowly made their way up it. It was only wide enough for two across so Nott went ahead with the light while Zabini practically carried Malfoy and Hermione trailed behind them.
Once they reached the top they navigated down corridors which seemed endless in the dark.
Finally Nott opened a door and they entered what Hermione supposed was Malfoy's room. Nott cast out a hand and orbs of light sprang into brilliance across the room bathing it in sudden light.
The room was large but not as ostentatious as Hermione had envisioned. A large bed in dark wood covered in a dark green comforter, a desk scattered messily with papers in the corner, a fireplace with a few armchairs around it.
It was all shockingly ordinary.
Hermione didn't know what she had been expecting, maybe a bed in the form of a snake like those muggle children's beds that looked like race cars or wallpaper with the Malfoy family crest splashed across it, a showy room dripping in a display of wealth.
Nott crossed the room and disappeared into what Hermione assumed was a closet since he emerged a moment later holding fresh clothing which he took to the adjoined bathroom. Zabini had sat Malfoy on the bathroom floor near the clawfoot tub which he was now filling with water. He kept one arm around Malfoy whose head was resting on his shoulder. Nott put the clothing on the counter and left, closing the door behind him.
"Make yourself at home," Nott said, gesturing to the armchairs. "I'll get us some tea once I've got some clean clothing on. They shouldn't take too long" Then he disappeared back into the closet.
Hermione sat at the edge of one of the chairs uncomfortably, something about being in Malfoy's personal space seemed incredibly wrong on many levels. She stood up and looked over the trinkets on the mantelpiece.
A picture of Malfoy as a child, laughing with his mother caught her eye. The ornate silver frame was polished immaculately. She watched as they posed for the picture, first serious and then Narcissa tickled the toddler Malfoy and they dissolved into laughter. She placed the picture back on the mantle feeling slightly ill and turned to the opposite wall where a large bookcase sat.
Books were safe, books were familiar and brought some normality to this otherwise chaotic evening.
She reached for a worn copy of "A History of Magic", probably the one he had when they were at school.
She didn't know anyone who had loved that book like she had, in fact she had to buy three copies of it during her time at Hogwarts. Her first copy had gone missing, (she assumed Ron had stolen it though he never admitted to the crime), her second copy had fallen apart from overuse, and her last copy sat on her own shelf in her bedroom at home.
"Figured you'd find the books. Those are just Drao's personal favourites, wait until you see his actual library" Nott said behind her and she jumped, clutching the book to her chest.
He had put on some of Draco's pyjama pants, slightly too large on him even with the cuffs folded up, and crossed shirtless to the fireplace to throw his blood soaked clothes into the fire. Hermione stared at him. Dozens of scars littered his back, some small and some reaching from shoulder to hip, Hermione reflexively grabbed at her own arm where the scars from Bellatrix still stood. Her ordeal had been painful enough, she couldn't imagine how painful the wounds to his back must have been. He straightened from the fire and shrugged on one of Malfoy's shirts, his back still to her.
"Was that- Are those from Azkaban?" She asked quietly and his shoulders tensed.
"Ah. No, those are from… closer to home." He seemed uncomfortable that she had seen his scars. "Sorry Granger, I should have gotten dressed before coming out here. Habit. Want a cup of tea? Or something stronger? I'm going to pop down to the kitchen while they finish up in there" He said tightly not meeting her eyes, not waiting for her response he strode across the floor and out the door.
Hermione wished she hadn't said anything, she hadn't meant to upset Nott. She walked back to the chairs and sat down but before she could open "A History of Magic" the bathroom door opened and Malfoy, leaning heavily on his cane, walked out. His silver hair and skin had been washed clean of the blood, he looked exhausted but more like himself.
"Granger, we can't leave you alone for a minute can we without you finding a way to put your nose into a book." He said dryly the corner of his lip tipping up into a ghost of a smile. His eyes snagged on the book she was holding and his smile dropped.
"You really should learn to keep your hands off other people's personal items without asking. Your parents may be muggle but I'm sure even they taught you some manners" He snapped coldly, stalking over and ripping the book out of her hands.
She sent a bewildered look to Zabini who had followed Malfoy out of the bathroom, he shrugged but his eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Draco is very passionate about history." He told her, ignoring Malfoy's glare as he plucked the book from Malfoy and returned the book to its place on the bookshelf.
Malfoy collapsed into one of the armchairs still glowering at her but Hermione was more confused about his deep affection for 'A History of Magic' than anything else. No one she had ever met had anything but disdain for the old book.
"Where has Theo got to?" Zabini asked curiously.
"I'm here, just grabbed some refreshments for our little pajama party." Nott said as he reentered the room with a tray in his arms laden with a teapot, cups, a basket of scones and a bottle of brandy.
He put the tray down on the coffee table and busied himself brewing the tea. When he caught Hermione's eye he gave her a small smile.
Zabini took the bottle of brandy off the tray and took a long drink before handing it to Malfoy. Once Nott had the tea poured and the scones handed around he sat in the armchair by Hermione.
A moment of quiet fell. Hermione was pretty sure that even in Ginny's wildest dreams she would have never imagined Hermione sitting in Malfoy's room in the middle of the night in her pyjamas with the three most infamous Slytherins, who also happened to be in their pyjamas, eating scones and drinking tea.
"Granger-" Malfoy started and then paused. "You've got blood all over your shirt. Blaise go get her a clean one."
Hermione looked down, several large splotches of blood stained her shirt and pants.
"It's fine, I'll wash up when I get home" She protested as Zabini went to the closet.
"I'm not having you ruin my 18th century upholstery with my own blood. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get poisons out of fabric?" Malfoy arched an eyebrow.
"You know Draco, you could try being a little more polite since you owe her your life and she is a Guest." Zabini said, ushering Hermione into the bathroom.
"Here is a clean washcloth, the soap is here and I will leave the clean clothes on the counter. Take your time, Senza fretta (take your time), we aren't going anywhere." He promised and left, closing the door behind him firmly.