{ 43 }
{ Draco POV }
I apparated into the same empty room that we hid in after escaping from the Great Hall this morning.
Not that we were hiding, per se….just, you know, staying out of the way where no one could find us.
Okay.
We were hiding.
The corridor is empty. I pushed the door to the Great Hall open slowly and peered out before I emerged. The large room is thankfully empty as well.
I crossed to the table quickly and looked under the table. Unfortunately, the green duffle bag is not there, nor is it under the seat where she had been sitting.
Fucking Hell.
I released a deep sigh and ran my hand through my hair.
I knew it couldn't be that easy.
Theo or Blaise may have picked it up. They should be headed to Potions soon. I can intercept them as they come down the stairs.
The castle is eerily quiet for a mid-morning. Standing in the shadows at the bottom of the Grand Staircase, all I can hear is the ticking of the grandfather clock and my own heartbeats that seem to pound in my ears like drums.
I focused on the rhythmic pendulum swinging back and forth.
"Amelia! Wait!"
The sudden voice, followed by quickly approaching footsteps startled me. I pushed further into the shadows and cast a concealment charm just as Bones turned the corner. She stopped three meters from me and turned back. Her hands went to her hips and she glared at whomever was following her.
"You are un-fucking-believable." She seethed.
My eyes widened and my lip quirked up at the sound of her cursing like that. I didn't know she had it in her.
"Amelia, you have to understand…" Edinfield stepped into my line of vision. He stood just in front of Bones, close enough to put his hands on her shoulders if he wanted to.
"Oh, I understand, Jeremy." She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. "You are a coward."
"The human mind is very complex." He took another step closer, nearly touching her. He dropped his voice so low I could barely hear him. "It is not outside the realm of possibility that she created this scenario to help her cope with their absence from her life."
Ice ran through my veins. I am not sure what he is talking about, but I am almost positive I know about whom they are talking.
Hermione.
Bones shook her head back and forth slowly.
"I don't believe that." She stepped back, creating some space between them. "And neither do you."
"I have to examine it as a possibility." He was pleading with her to see his point of view. "That's my job."
Examine what?
"Fine." She took a deep breath and nodded. "Fine. You examine the possibility. In the meantime, I'll find out what really happened."
He released a deep sigh and scrubbed his hand over his face.
"Fine." He responded tersely.
"Fine." She held his gaze for a long moment, until the sound of the bell ringing echoed through the halls.
Without another word, she turned away from him and walked away. He stood there and watched her go. As she disappeared up the stairs, a ghost of a smile passed over his face.
Whatever they were arguing about, he thinks he just won.
Footsteps could be heard as students moved swiftly to their next classes.
Edinfield looked around, as though he could tell someone was watching him. As his eyes scanned over my location, I let the concealment charm fade away.
A slight moment of panic flashed through his eyes.
Which only confirmed to me that I am right, they were talking about Hermione.
What was it he had said? She created this scenario.
I glared at the healer. He is supposed to be helping her. How can he help her if he doesn't even believe her?
Voices got louder as my classmates came down the stairs. I turned away from him and watched the group as they headed to the dungeon for Potions.
Harry spotted me first. He punched Ron's arm to get his attention. Blaise was behind them on the stairs. He had Hermione's bag slung over his shoulder.
Perfect.
All three of them made a sharp turn at the bottom of the stairs whilst the rest of the class continued across the hall to the next stairway.
"Malfoy." Potter kept his voice low. "How is Mione?"
"How do you think?" I rolled my eyes. "Blaise, her bag?"
"We want to see her." Ron insisted as I took the duffel bag from Blaise' hand.
She doesn't want to see you. Or anyone else.
The words were on the tip of my tongue. I had to remind myself that this affects them, also. They were there, just like I was.
"Maybe later." I put the strap of the bag over my shoulder. "Give her some time to process first."
I waited a moment, sure they would fight me on it. Surprisingly, Harry nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. Alright." Ron begrudgingly agreed.
Harry and Ron both turned and resumed the trek to the dungeon for class. Blaise held back.
"You good?" He asked quietly.
I raised my brow. Does he expect me to answer that? Obviously the answer is no.
I know what he is really asking, though. Blaise is the one that found me when I was at my lowest point. When I had given up. When I tried to take my own life. He found me. He saved me. I will forever owe him for that.
I nodded once. He doesn't need to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere. Not now. I finally have something to live for. Someone to live for. I am not giving that up.
His shoulders relaxed a bit, then he turned and followed Potter and Weasley.
The bell rang, indicating the start of the next class period. The castle fell eerily silent once again.
My eyes scanned the hall where Edinfield had been standing. He is gone. I am alone.
I ran my hand through my hair and released a deep sigh. I will have to find time to talk to him later. I need to know what he thinks Hermione is making up, and what kind of proof Bones thinks she is going to find. If either one of them think they are going to go digging around in her past, and dig up something that will hurt her, they will answer to me. Azkaban be damned.
[ - - - ]
"Mione. Meet us on the third floor after dinner. Please. We need to see you."
Potter's patronus dissipated in front of my eyes. Beside me, Hermione groaned and covered her eyes with her hands.
She doesn't want to talk to anyone about that article yet. She is raw. She doesn't want anyone to see her like this.
We read it. Finally. It took several hours before either of us got up the courage.
It was a fairly comprehensive rendition of what happened. Details of her capture and subsequent time at the Manor were on full display for all to see. Along with her crediting me, of all people, for her escape.
I know. Fucking ridiculous.
Details of Lucius' house arrest being revoked. And the threats that he issued as he was being led into the Ministry.
Threats against Hermione. Against me. Against our friends.
He isn't in Azkaban yet. He is being held at the Ministry as he awaits a hearing.
"We can't hide in here forever." I spoke quietly, well aware that is exactly what we would both prefer.
"I mean…we could…" Hermione sighed as she laid her head against my shoulder. "Another week and everyone will be gone but us anyway."
"I was thinking I would go home for the holiday. To Black Castle." I cleared my throat. My eyes stayed on the fire but I felt her shoulders tense as her breath caught in her throat. "I hoped you would come with me."
Why am I so nervous to ask her that?
Why hasn't she answered yet?
"Hermione?" I shifted so I could look at her. "You don't have to. We could stay here. I just thought…you know…it might be nice to see the castle before we have to move in. Or before I move in."
You are babbling. Shut the fuck up.
She released a deep breath. Her lips pulled up in a smile and she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around my neck in a tight hug.
"Of course." She whispered in my ear.
I released a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
Of course.
I held her close. I imagine that was the best gift I could give her - taking her away from Hogwarts for two weeks.
[ - - - ]
Despite our desire to stay hidden away the rest of the day, we went to the third floor as dinner in the Great Hall was ending.
The lecture hall was empty when we arrived, but we only had to wait a few minutes before we heard the sound of the staircase moving into place. Footsteps echoed down the hallway. And voices.
Potter did not come alone.
My hand squeezed around Hermione's just as they walked through the archway.
Potter. Weasley. Theo. Luna. Blaise. Longbottom. Ginny. Pansy.
If I had known they were all coming, I would not have brought her here. We would have stayed in our rooms, safe from scrutiny.
"Mione." Weasley approached first. He had a box in his hand, which he handed off to Hermione. "Dinner. You need to eat."
Her eyes searched his for a moment. Then she stepped closer and put her arms around his waist. He set the box on the table and pulled her close.
"Draco." Blaise handed me a box of food as well.
"Thanks." Come to think of it, I am starving. I sat down and dug in.
Beside me, I can hear Weasley and Potter speaking in low tones.
"Bones was looking for you at lunch." Theo sat beside me and stole one of my chips. "She wanted to know where you would go to lay low."
"We told her to let us know when she figures it out." Blaise laughed. "We haven't been able to find you all semester."
Hermione slid into the seat next to me. There were fresh tears in her eyes, but she gave me a small smile before she started eating.
As we worked on our food, the group gave us a rundown on the gossip that was making its way around the castle. None of it was surprising, of course. Speculation and wild theories would abound until the next big thing comes along.
Thankfully, none of them asked us any questions. They didn't expect us to talk about it. As the gossip ran dry, Luna shifted the conversation to the wards around the castle.
Since she discovered the pattern, we have focused our data collection to the five points she found.
"From what we have gathered so far, the rate of increase seems to be constant." Pansy interjected.
Hermione crossed the room and stood in front of the map. One by one, everyone else joined her.
"The main gate is obviously the first concern. Especially since the whole school will be leaving Hogwarts in a week." She crossed her arms over her chest and studied the map.
"The side gate near Hagrid's should be safe." Ron stepped forward and pointed out the gate that is rarely used. I had forgotten it even existed.
He is right, though. That gate is halfway between two of the hot spots.
"Good call, Weasley." I stood behind Hermione and placed my hands on her waist, pulling her back against my chest as I also studied the map. "That would be the safest point for students to leave and return to Hogwarts."
"We'll need to coordinate it with McGonagall." Hermione sighed. "And with Bones."
A fresh wave of anger swept through me at the Auror. Hermione's hand settled against my own and squeezed gently.
"It's not her fault, Draco." She turned towards me and spoke in a low tone so no one else would hear her. "Not really. She didn't know."
That may be true, but I'm not going to forgive her that easily.
"It looks like the greenhouses would be next." Theo stepped forward and pointed out the direct path of the flares that would eventually reach the greenhouse. "If we knew the distance from here to the wards, we could determine how long we have."
"I'll go." Blaise volunteered. Before anyone could respond, he had already walked halfway across the room towards the archway.
"Wait!" Ginny jumped up from her seat and followed him. "You can't go alone. I'll come with you."
He stopped and raised his brow. His eyes darted to me, then to Potter.
"Alright, Red." He smiled at her. "Lead the way."
As soon as they left, all eyes landed on Potter. He glanced around quickly and rolled his eyes.
"We broke up." He cleared his throat. "Last week. It was a mutual decision."
Everyone seemed to be waiting for him to give more details.
"It's about time." Pansy broke the silence after a long moment. "I saw that coming weeks ago."
I suppose I have, as well. Ever since she withheld the password to the Tower from Hermione, there seemed to be a divide between them. Now that I think about it, that was also right after Potter and Weasley found out about Hermione's secrets.
As we waited, Theo called on a house elf to bring us hot chocolate and biscuits. When everyone else was distracted with the sweets, he pulled me aside.
"How are you holding up?" He asked.
"I'm not worried about myself." My eyes drifted to Hermione. She was sitting with Luna, nibbling on a chocolate biscuit. She is holding herself together, but she is on guard. Even here. Even with her friends.
"After lunch I saw Bones speaking with McGonagall and another man." He dropped his voice. "An Auror."
Perfect. Just what I need.
"About?" I don't need to ask. Just looking for confirmation, I suppose.
"What do you think they were talking about?" He laughed sarcastically. "He wants the two of you to testify at your father's hearing."
Of course they do.
"Not a chance in Hell."
"That is exactly what Bones said." Theo smirked.
That fucking figures. Now she sticks up for us.
"Brilliant. Where the fuck was she yesterday? When Hermione was being interrogated by the Wizengamot?" My hand squeezed into a tight fist at my side. I have a strong desire to punch something right now. "Oh, that's right. She was right. Fucking. There. And she did nothing to stop it."
Anger is coursing through me. Anger and anxiety that I have been ignoring since last night, when Hermione came back to Hogwarts a shell of what she had been when she left.
"I'll ask again." Theo raised his brow and leaned against the table. "How are you holding up?"
I felt my lip curl up in a sneer.
"Bloody brilliant, Theo. Never better."
Lies. I am barely holding my shit together for her sake.
"Right. When you decide to stop lying to yourself, let me know."
I rolled my eyes.
"Honestly? I'm so angry I can barely see straight. And there isn't a single damn thing I can do about it." I ran my hand through my hair and paced away in agitation. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Hermione, just to make sure that she was still occupied with Luna. "I can't protect her, Theo. Not from this."
"Welcome to our world, Malfoy." Potter's voice came from behind me. I turned quickly to find him and Weasley standing there. "But don't worry. She doesn't need your protection. She only needs your support."
He smirked.
A memory swam through my mind. Potter and Weasley cornered me after Potions. They warned me to stay away from Hermione.
"Yeah. Wait until she starts dating your worst enemy and you can't stop it." Weasley chuckled.
I blinked a few times. I know he's joking, but at the same time he really isn't. That's what they were dealing with at the beginning of term. They knew something was wrong, but they couldn't fix it. They knew she was choosing to turn to me rather than them, and all they could do was watch the train wreck that was about to happen.
It gave me a better insight into what they must have gone through.
"Just, don't do what we did." Potter sighed and turned to look at Hermione. She had her back turned to us as she talked with Luna. Luna glanced our direction and gave Theo a small, sad smile. "We assumed that she was strong enough to handle anything."
"You can't protect her from this." Weasley stepped a little closer and spoke in a lower tone. "You can be there to help her pick up the pieces."
I thought of the way she looked last night. The empty void in her eyes. The sheer devastation in her voice when she declared, "I am the Darkness."
"She is going to need all of us for that." I released a deep sigh. As much as I hate to admit it, it's the truth.
Down the corridor, we could hear the staircase moving into place. A few moments later Blaise and Ginny returned.
Blaise handed Pansy the measurements and she went to work calculating the time it will take before the flares hit the greenhouse.
She calculated it twice, then asked Hermione to review it for accuracy.
"One hundred and two days." Pansy announced. "We have until the beginning of April."
I swallowed hard around the lump in my throat. My eyes met Hermione's.
We have a deadline now. A hundred days, give or take.
[ - - - ]
The night air is frigid. Everyone has left the third floor and returned to their common rooms. Except for myself and Hermione, of course.
We are standing on the balcony, watching the snow fall.
Hermione has been quiet ever since our friends left. Hell, she has been quiet all day.
"What are you thinking?" It is driving me crazy not knowing.
"I'm trying not to." She turned to face me and rested her head against my chest. "What is going to happen now, Draco?"
I held her close and inhaled deeply.
"I don't know." Except, I do know. Don't I? She has the right to know, too. "The aurors are going to ask us to testify at the hearing."
She stiffened beneath my fingertips. Her hands gripped my shirt.
"No. I can't." She shook her head quickly.
I pulled back and cupped my hands around her face. I can see the panic in her eyes, the anxiety that is setting in right now.
"You won't have to." I assured her. They already have her testimony.
"What about you?" She insisted. "You don't have to either."
I don't think that is true at all.
"At his last trial, I refused to testify, one way or the other. I was scared of the outcome." I released a deep sigh as I pulled away from her. I ran my hand through my hair and stood with my hands on the stone railing, staring out at the snow. "If I testified against him and he was not convicted, there would be consequences. If I testified for him, it could solidify my own guilt in the eyes of the Wizengamot. It was a lose, lose situation."
"So you chose not to play the game." She stood beside me with her back to the railing and her arms crossed over her chest. I can feel her eyes on me, but I continued staring out into the night.
I nodded in agreement.
"This time, I don't have a choice. If he does not go to prison, you will be in danger." I folded my hands together and leaned on my elbows. This time around, the choice is simple. I don't care what happens to me as a result. All that matters is that she is safe. "If I want him to go to Azkaban, where he belongs, I have to testify."
She stared at me for a good long time. I am sure she thinks I'm crazy. And she is most likely correct in that assumption. Finally, she released a deep sigh, rolled her shoulders back, and turned around to face the grounds rather than the castle.
"Alright, then," she stated decisively. "It's settled. We'll testify against your Father."
I stood up straight and turned towards her.
"No." My hand wrapped around her forearm and I turned her gently towards me. "No, Hermione. Me. I will testify. Not you."
I put my hands on her waist and pulled her closer.
"I am not going to put you through that again."
She leaned into me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
"You aren't. This is my choice, and I am not letting you go through that alone. If they let him stay at the Manor, you will be in danger, too. That is not a chance that I am willing to take."
Stubborn damn witch! I want to argue with her. Convince her that it isn't necessary.
Instead, I held her a little closer. I inhaled deeply, taking comfort in the strawberry scent that surrounded me.
I won't change her mind, and honestly, it can't hurt to have both of us testify against him.
The Serpent and the Phoenix, fighting the Darkness that is my Father.
[ - - - ]
Friday morning dawned with thick, gray clouds still spitting snow in the air. Inches of the white fluff covered the grounds, clung to the trees, and drifted across the outdoor walkways.
Surprisingly, I had managed to sleep for a handful of hours. By the rings around Hermione's eyes, she had not fared quite as well.
She was sitting at the table in the study. She had already showered and dressed in her uniform. Her hair is wrapped in a knot at the base of her neck with a few stray strands framing her face.
"I need to show you something." She didn't even look up when I came up the stairs. There was a book lying open on the table in front of her.
"What is it?" I stood behind her and placed my hands on her shoulders. My eyes focused on the open book.
Her sketchbook.
The image looking back at me was that of my mother. Her stomach was round with child.
"Well," I laughed. "That's one way to make sure the Ministry doesn't get it all when he dies."
Hermione smirked at me.
"My thoughts exactly." She lay her head against my shoulder.
I stared at the image for a few moments. Her hand lay across her belly. She did not look particularly happy. Though, with my mother, she rarely does.
The implications hit me hard. I will have a brother or a sister. One that I will never have the chance to know.
Just like Hermione.
One more commonality between us.
I turned and kissed her forehead.
"We should go." She released a sigh and stood.
"Are you sure about this?" I asked as I took her hand. "We can skip breakfast if you would rather."
"No." She lifted one side of her mouth in a half smile. "The longer we stay away, the more the rumor mill will churn."
"You are nothing short of amazing. Have I told you lately?" I tugged her closer and draped my arm around her shoulders.
"I don't know about all that." She huffed a short laugh as she slid her arm around my waist.
I leaned down and kissed her, savoring the feel of her lips against mine for several long moments. When we parted, she looked up at me through her lashes. Her lip lifted in a smirk as her hand wrapped around her pendant.
Seconds later, we were on the third floor, and I was kissing her once again.
[ - - - ]
The doors to the Great Hall loomed in front of me.
"Remember that first night, when we walked in together?" Hermione's hand squeezed around mine.
"This can't be any worse than that, right?" I released her hand and reached for the door handle. "What do you think, Granger? Is Hogwarts ready for us yet?"
She inhaled deeply and blew it out slowly.
"Definitely not, Malfoy." She smirked up at me and reached for the other handle.
My eyes met hers. I waited until she nodded once, then we both pulled the doors open and walked through. My hand rested on the small of her back.
"Slytherin or Gryffindor?" I asked quietly in her ear. We have been eating breakfast at the Gryffindor table for the most part, but we change it up occasionally, too.
She hesitated. It wasn't meant to be a trick question. Still, she froze, unsure of the answer.
I am acutely aware that every eye in the Hall rested on us.
"Slytherin it is, then." I made the decision for her. She released a sigh in relief.
I guided her gently towards the far table and we took our seats between Blaise and Theo.
She is tense as hell. On guard. Waiting for someone to say something or do something.
Everyone seemed to be holding their breaths. No one moved. All eyes remained on the two of us.
Hermione turned towards me. Her eyes met mine and she raised her brow as her lip quirked up on one side. She leaned forward and whispered in my ear, "What are they all expecting, do you think?"
"I have no idea." I murmured back with amusement in my voice.
She released a puff of air, almost a laugh. Then she started filling her plate and took a drink of coffee from her mug. Her eyes scanned the room, glaring at the students that were watching us so attentively.
Slowly, people returned to their breakfast and conversations.
"That was intense." Theo laughed.
I ignored him and fixed my own plate. Halfway through eating my omelet, Owls swooped through the Hall depositing mail to waiting students. A cream colored envelope dropped onto the table next to my plate. The script writing that spelled out my name is familiar to me now.
"It's from Andromeda," I told Hermione when she looked at it in apprehension.
I opened the envelope and removed the parchment within.
"Draco, I would like to see you and Hermione. I will be at Hogwarts at ten o'clock. Meet me at Headmistress McGonagall's office at that time."
I released a short sigh. I can imagine what she wants to talk about. I am sure she has seen the papers as well.
Shortly after, the bell rang and the Hall emptied out. Hermione walked with me to the Arithmancy classroom. We separated at the door with the understanding that we would meet at McGonagall's office after class.
[ - - - ]
Andromeda was already waiting for us when we arrived. She was in the same room we had met in previously, just off of McGonagall's office.
She stood from her chair as we entered.
"Thank Merlin, both of you are alright!" She crossed the room and pulled Hermione into a hug.
"Andromeda. We are fine." I stepped back lest she decide to hug me as well. "Physically, anyway."
Hermione extracted herself from the older witch's grasp.
"Amelia has already gotten a piece of my mind yesterday, I assure you." Andromeda returned to the table. In front of her was an array of biscuits and three steaming mugs of hot chocolate. "Honestly, what that woman was thinking when she took you to that courtroom, Hermione! I swear, she never considers the consequences of her actions."
Hermione cleared her throat as she crossed the room and sat beside my aunt.
"I don't think there was any malicious intent on her part." She pulled her mug close and blew across the top. "She was trying to help me."
"Fat lot of good that did." I rolled my eyes. I am still not prepared to forgive the Auror for her role in this fiasco.
"Be that as it may," Andromeda glared at me for only a second before returning her gaze to Hermione. "She really should have known better."
"She should have. Yes." She conceded. "However, what is done is done."
"All we can do now is deal with the aftermath." I took a sip of hot chocolate and plucked a chocolate scone off the plate.
"Honestly, I am more concerned that the two of you have to deal with any of this at all." Her brow crinkled. Clouds passed over her eyes. "I cannot help but feel somewhat responsible. It was my sister, after all."
A cold chill ran down my spine.
"Andromeda, no!" Hermione leaned forward and placed her hand over my Aunt's hand. "You cannot possibly think that."
"Perhaps not." She sighed deeply. "I understand now, though."
She sat back and folded her hands in her lap. Her eyes darted from Hermione to me and back again.
"What do you understand?" I asked after a long moment of silence.
She cleared her throat.
"I understand now why you flinch every time you look at me. And why you have to force yourself to allow me to embrace you." She spoke directly to Hermione. Her voice dripped with sadness. "I thought, perhaps, you were still blaming yourself for Nymphadora's death."
Beside me, Hermione tensed. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Yes, well, perhaps there are multiple reasons for that." She rubbed her hands against her skirt. Her eyes dropped to the floor and she took a shallow breath.
"Why in Salazar's name would you blame yourself?" I blurted the question before I thought it through. "I am positive you did not kill her."
Two pairs of startled eyes settled on me. For asking the question, I wonder? Or for not knowing the answer?
Hermione rubbed her hand over her chest. The anxiety rolling off of her is palpable.
"But of course she didn't." Andromeda answered after a long moment.
"I did not cast the spell, no, but that curse was intended for me. It should have been me." Her voice is quiet. She picked at her fingernails nervously.
Her eyes lifted and met mine. She didn't have to say the rest of it. I already know.
I wanted it to be me.
"My Dora died saving your life. She would do it all over again if she could. I have no doubt about that."
She blinked quickly several times before looking back to Andromeda with a small smile on her face.
"Of course she would." She released a short sigh and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "That still doesn't make it right."
"You are still carrying that guilt within you." My aunt stated sadly. "You stopped him, Hermione. You caught the man that did it. He is in Azkaban right now because of you."
Hermione dropped her head back and sighed.
"I should have killed the bastard when I had a chance." She muttered it quietly under her breath.
"You are not a killer, my dear. Even despite all you have been through."
"So I am told." She released a short puff of air and shook her head side to side. "Anyway, I am sorry for flinching around you. I didn't realize."
I rolled my eyes. Is she apologizing?
"But yes, you do look remarkably similar to…her. It is a bit of a shock every time I look at you. Although, it gets easier each time, I think."
I sat forward and rested my hand on her knee in support. She settled her hand over mine and squeezed.
"Is there anything at all that I can do to make this easier? Should I stop coming around?"
"Not at all." Hermione insisted. "If I know ahead of time that I will be seeing you, I can prepare myself. That makes it a bit easier. Less of a shock, you know?"
"You could always cut your hair and color it blonde." I joked.
Neither of them looked amused.
I thought it was funny.
[ - - - ]
After Andromeda left, we made our way down the stairs to the third floor. Lunch was being served in the Great Hall, but neither of us were hungry.
And I was not looking forward to being gawked at again.
Hermione stumbled, tripping over her own feet as we walked through the archway into the lecture room.
"Alright there, Granger?" I teased.
She bumped her shoulder against mine playfully.
"Never better, Malfoy." Her voice was laced with sarcasm. She even rolled her eyes for emphasis.
Right. It's been an awful few days.
"We'll get through this, Love." I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her against my side.
She took a quick step forward and turned so she was facing me. Her hand slid up my chest and gripped my tie.
"I know we will." The look in her eye was sheer determination.
There is the witch you fell in love with.
She tugged on my tie. My lip tilted up on one side just before her lips covered my own. I pulled her closer and kissed her.
Thankfully the room is empty. Since we brought our friends in on the project, you never really know if you will find someone in here or not.
I took my time kissing her. Exploring her mouth with my tongue. Savoring the taste of chocolate and the smell of strawberries.
For the briefest of moments, it was only her and I. Everything else faded to the far recesses of my mind.
I could have kissed her like that for hours. I would have, too, had she not sighed against my lips and pulled back.
She rested her head against my chest and released another deep sigh. I spread my hands across her back and held her close against me.
We will get through this. I have no doubt in my mind.
[ - - - ]
"Draco!"
A small voice echoed down the corridor. I turned to find Tristan running towards me.
"Cousin?" I asked in a bored drawl. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked down at him in an unapproving glare. "What is so important that you are chasing me down the hallway like a lovesick puppy?"
He snorted in laughter at my analogy. My lip tilted up on one side in a smirk. Beside me, Hermione rolled her eyes.
Ever since he overheard me telling Hermione that I am an arsehole, he finds it hilarious when I act as such.
"Mum wanted me to give this to you." He handed me a slightly crumpled scroll.
"Have you graduated from puppy to owl, then?" I took the parchment from his outstretched hand as Hermione smacked my shoulder. "I'm not giving you a treat in return."
"Stop it." Hermione laughed. "Thank you, Tristan."
Tristan grinned up at her. If he were a little older, I might worry about him trying to steal her away from me.
I broke the seal and unrolled the parchment.
"Draco, Tristan and I would be honored if you would join us for Christmas dinner. Hermione is invited as well. We would love to have both of you. Andie"
"That was very sweet of her." Hermione rested her head against my shoulder. "It would be nice, wouldn't it? To have somewhere to go for Christmas?"
I looked down at her. She had a small smile on her face.
"That settles it, then." I held the parchment against the wall and scribbled a quick reply accepting the invitation. Then I handed it back to Tristan. "Alright, Owl. Take this back to your mother."
He rolled his eyes and ran off, chuckling to himself. I waited until his footsteps had faded before we continued on our way.
The Great Hall was already filled to capacity. Dinner was just starting as we opened the doors. Just like it had at breakfast, the voices quieted and everyone stared.
I groaned to myself. How long would it be before things returned to normal?
We took a few steps in and hesitated, once again pondering at which table to sit. Before we made a decision, a young girl from the Ravenclaw table stood and walked right up to us. She had to be in her second or third year.
"Is it true?" She asked expectantly. Her small voice reached the whole room. "Did you really withstand torture from Bellatrix LeStrange and never gave in?"
"Oh." Her hand squeezed around mine in a tight grip that made my fingertips tingle. She cleared her throat. Her eyes darted around the room. "Yes. It is true."
An excited murmur ran through the room.
"And you." The girl turned her eyes on me. "Did you help her escape by lying about her identity?"
I licked my lips as I held the young girl's green eyes.
That is not exactly how it happened.
Hermione squeezed my hand again.
"Yes." As Hermione had done, I cleared my throat and scanned the room. "I lied about knowing their identities when they were brought in."
Another murmur ran throughout the room.
The girl took a small step closer. Then another. Slowly, she moved closer.
"I'm so sorry that you went through all that." She spoke quietly now, her words were intended only for Hermione and I.
Hermione swallowed thickly around the lump in her throat.
"Thank you, Jasmine." Her voice cracked ever so slightly.
The young girl pushed a strand of jet black hair behind her ears. Her eyes darted back and forth between Hermione and myself for a few heartbeats before she cleared her throat.
"My Uncle was tortured by Bellatrix LeStrange during the first Wizarding War." The younger girl stepped closer still and put her arms around Hermione's waist in a tight hug.
Hermione hesitated for a moment. I could see her catching her breath before she wrapped the smaller girl in her arms and held her. She whispered something in the girl's ear.
Jasmine nodded against her chest in response to whatever she had said. Then she stepped away from Hermione and stood directly in front of me. She looked up at me expectantly.
"Will you be in danger now?" She asked quietly. "Now that they know?"
I licked my lips. My eyes darted around the room. I knelt down so I could look the young witch in the eye.
"Yes." I told her the truth. My lip tilted up on one side. "I'm not worried, though. Granger here will protect me."
She stepped closer slowly, put her arms around my neck and laid her head against my shoulder.
"Like you protected her." She whispered in my ear.
I held my breath for a moment before slowly and carefully returning the girl's hug.
"She will do a much better job of it, I'm sure." I whispered back. She squeezed my neck tighter then released her hold and stepped back.
Hermione held her hand out to me. I took it and she pulled me back up to stand beside her once again. The murmurs in the room had stopped, but most everyone was still staring at us.
As we stood there, in front of the entire school, with every eye in the room centered on us, one by one each of our friends stood. From Potter, Weasley, Longbottom and Ginny at Gryffindor, Lovegood at Ravenclaw and Theo, Blaise, and Pansy at Slytherin, they all stood and they started to clap their hands together.
Then more students stood. Slowly. One by one. At every house table.
Applause echoed through the room.
Jasmine ducked away and returned to her table, smiling up at us and clapping along with the rest of them.
"Draco?" Hermione's hand squeezed around mine. "What is happening right now?"
In the end, nearly all of the students were on their feet, applauding us. Well, applauding her more than me, I am sure.
"I told you, they all know what a complete badass you are now."
Her eyes met mine and her lip tilted up on the ends. I could practically see a small bit of the anxiety she had been carrying around break off. She rolled her shoulders back.
I lifted our joined hands in the air.
The applause continued until we dropped our hands down again. The noise in the room quieted and then stopped altogether as we moved towards the Slytherin table and took our seats.
Most resumed their own meals and conversations. Those sitting around us continued to stare.
"What?" I asked Theo impatiently.
"Nothing," he answered with a smirk. "Just wondering if I should bow down before your Greatness."
I rolled my eyes. Hermione ducked her head. The table erupted in laughter.
AN: I felt so bad about the long wait for the last update, so I decided to post this one early for you. Hope you like it.
I look forward to reading your comments. Please review and let me know what you think.
Until next time.
-mezy