CHAPTER 6

Suddenly Hermione had no appetite, she debated excusing herself from the dining room and hiding in her apartment for the rest of the term.

How dare HE be here.

How the FUCK did he get this job?

No, no, no this was a mistake; she would go to McGonagall after supper and ask her if this was some sort of joke. She'd make her dismiss him. Maybe she was already planning to.

There's no way that the headmistress would've allowed this. Not after everything that blonde coward had inflicted on her colleagues - her friends 10 years ago.

The whole thing was absurd.

Hermione tightened her fist around her fork, and in that brief, fleeting moment she imagined getting up from her char, marching towards Malfoy and driving the 4 prongs of silver into his eye.

Cormac noticed her tension and laid a hand over hers, she shook from her fantasy and smiled hollowly up at him. "I know you're worried Minnie."

Her smile grew as she looked up into his brown eyes, it was a relief she didn't have to explain her anxieties and he could just sense it.

"The game tomorrow is an easy win."

What?

"Game?" Hermione questioned.

"Quidditch tomorrow, against Ravenclaw." He turned back to shovel some food into his mouth. "Their seekers rubbish and- "

Hermione slammed her hands onto the table, sending her previously weaponised cutlery to the floor. She rose and pushed her chair out so aggressively that it fell back. Just as she was about to spit venom at McLaggen her eyes widened at the realisation that the hall had grown quiet, and everyone was staring at her.

She paused for a moment to collect herself and took a deep but shuddering breath "Excuse me."

She rushed off to the side door and made her exit. Once she reached the other side, she turned to lean her forehead against it.

All she wanted was comfort, today had been one of the worst days she'd ever had in recent memory, and the empty-headed sod sat next to her couldn't even read the fucking room, couldn't even take a second to think about anyone else but himself.

How was he completely oblivious to her shock, her upset?

Cormac was a problem a problem she would deal with but not the biggest problem now intruding her brain.

Her breath was heavy and dark memories of Draco Malfoy flooded her mind.

You filthy little Mudblood.

Filthy Mudblood.

MUDBLOOD.

She felt like a child again being subjected to the relentless onslaught from him and his disciples. The feeling of checking every corner before she walked round them to make sure they weren't lurking there. The feeling of having a target painted on her back every time she raised her hand in class - which incidentally grew less and less every year she endured under his cruelty.

A small tear escaped the inner corners of her now dull glazed eyes. Other memories threatened to creep forward, but she pushed them back.

"Get a grip." She bit, forcing her head harder into the door.

The scene she made was absurd and completely unnecessary. Draco couldn't help but smirk through the rest of dinner and when it was over and the staff members had excused themselves, he followed them all to the staff common room for whiskey and light talk. This wasn't really his idea of a good time, he would much prefer swiping a bottle, going to his room to sit by an open fire and be judged by his cat. Those were the nights he was used to; those were the nights he was comfortable with.

But there was work to be done, this assignment was 24/7 not 9 till 5.

Most of the staff were wary of him, keeping their distance as they spit into small groups to nurse their drinks. Malfoy noted how most to the professors here were younger than when he was a student. Most of the teachers that taught him had either fallen during the war or retired, and the people that surrounded him now knew of his past misdeeds and that's why he had to play nice.

"Well, I'll be damned." A sharp whistle came from behind him and when Draco turned, he came face to face with his old, estranged friend Blaise Zabini. "Sorry I missed dinner."

He, like Draco was taller now and had filled out into fantastic shape. He really stood out amongst the others; he had not only grown in form but in confidence as he walked over smiling.

Blaise instantly stuck out his hand and Draco hesitated for a moment, expecting a punch for what happened that day - that day that changed the world and that day he abandoned him, never to be seen again.

"Shake it then, or is that beneath you? "Blaise smiled, pulling Draco in slightly as their hands met in a strong grip.

They both chuckled light-heartedly.

"It's been a long time Blaise," Draco commented, raising his left hand to place on his old friends shoulder. "You almost look like a grown up."

"Funny, I was going to say the same about you." Blaise smiled. "Look, I know it's hard to start with, but it does get easier." He said visually gesturing to all the looks the pair were getting from their colleagues. "I've been here a year and I'm still an outsider."

"I don't care." Draco said truthfully. "I'm not here to make friends."

"Yes, I'm fully aware." Something cryptic was laced in Zabini's tone.

"Meaning?" Draco asked, his expression changing. He took a step backwards and surveyed his old friend further. There was something different about him, not just in the physical. There was something commanding behind his eyes, almost unnerving.

"Let's just say you've thrown a bit of extra work my way."

Nothing more needed to be said, Draco instinctively squared his shoulders.

"Stay out of my way Zabini."

Blaise chuckled. "That short fuse won't get you far mate, I'm not here to step in your way, I've got my own task." His voice lowered into a whisper. "To you, I'm a helping hand, and ally really."

"I don't need-"

"Did you really think they'd let you loose on something like this with no field experience?" Blaise explained, Draco still looked tense. "Ease up, I've got my own stuff to deal with. Think of it as –"

"Working together?" Malfoy asked, his shoulders relaxed slightly.

"Alongside each other." Blaise corrected. "Look, we'll talk more about it later, right now we need to work the room."

"Why should I trust you?"

"Because mate, even after all this time and all the shit we've been through, you're my brother," He smiled softly. "I'm only here to help."

Draco sighed as if contemplating his words.

He had missed Blaise, and Theo for that matter. His abandonment of them was a choice he didn't want to make. He did it to protect them and now seeing Blaise here, healthy, suave and successful he knew he'd done the right thing.

"Introduce me to these nerds then Brother."