2
It was a warm September day, when the golden trio were making their way to the Ministry through the streets of London. Hermione had her hair done up and wore a pleated A-line red dress while her companions dressed in nice autumn jackets and jeans combination, it was business casual at it’s finest she thought, since she was the one who picked out their outfits. She halted to fix Harry’s hair.
“Come off it Hermione , you know it never listens!” He tried to swat at the hands.
“If you held still Harry it would ! A bit of gel would have done the trick!” She gave him an exasperated look.
Ron, who looked more put together than ever, especially because Hermione spent the whole morning making sure not a thread was out of place on him, just gave a knowing look toward Harry, “ Better just accept it , mate, she won’t stop until she gets it done.”
“ I can’t with the both of you!” She threw her hands and continued walking in front of them.
They entered the ministry through the telephone booth and proceeded down its atrium where people were gathering for what was to be a medal awarding ceremony for those who participated in the war against Voldemort with the three of them being the guests of honour. With the newly appointed Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was already on stage, they made their way to their spots on a stage that was erected in front of the newly rebuilt central fountain. Many speeches were given by different wizards and witches and the clock hand all but stopped, or so it felt like to Hermione who was all nerves and anxiety at this point.
At last Kingley rose once again to speak to the crowd and the press.
“Ladies, Gentlemen and magic-folk alike, finally we’ve come to the people who need no introduction as these young people will be long remembered in our history for their bravery and dedication to the protection of our values and beliefs, let it be known that this marks an important turn in our history when we work to end all discrimination against muggleborns, and magical folk of any kind. Please give a hand to the Golden Trio, please come on up here, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley and Miss Gran-.” A giant explosion sounded throughout the atrium and then, the crowd started screaming. Dust rose and chaos ensued, the crowd rushed towards the exits that were promptly blocked by rubble or by masked figures; Death Eaters. Hermione could not believe her eyes, Death Eaters at the Ministry? Were they not all captured and locked up? How could this be?
“-Hermione, are you listening? We must hurry NOW!” Harry shook her out of her stupor and she nodded, grabbing at her wand.
“EXPELLIARMUS!” She heard Ron bellow just ahead of her as he made the masked Death Eater’s wand fly out of his hand.
“STUPEFY” she cast at a female one about to attack her.
“HARRY WHERE ARE THEY ALL COMING FROM?” yelled Ron over the chaos.
“CONFRINGO-! I DON’T KNOW RON, HOW ARE THEY EVEN OUT OF AZKABAN?” Harry, covered in dust, was decidedly more aggressive than he ever was during the battle of Hogwarts. He sent two Death Eaters rushing behind the crowd bystanders flying as he aimed his spell at their feet. This was risky, Hermione thought, what if he hurt innocent people like this.
“HARRY, PLEASE BE CAREFUL YOU ALMOST HIT THOSE PEOPLE THERE!” she rounded on him amid the chaos.
Harry sent three more flying at a wall and turned his heel to face her, “OH AND WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME DO HERMIONE? THIS IS WAR!”
She has never seen such a look in his eyes before, has his brush with death been too much to make even the Harry Potter choose violence and force?
“THIS ISN’T LIKE YOU!” she yelled back, concern all over her face.
Perhaps he saw his own reflection in her eyes and did not recognise himself, but he deflated and said “ You are right, I’m sorry.”
She smiled at him just as she noticed behind him one of the Death Eaters running up and tackling him to the ground, she yelped “HARRY WATCH OUT!” but it was too late and the two were in physical combat rolling on the ground. The Death Eater didn’t have his wand out and Hermione wandered if it was knocked out of his hand, until she saw that it was holstered to his leg. He punched Harry in the face, knocking him out. She turned around to see if she could get Ron’s attention to help, only to find a body locking charm was cast on him and another Death Eater was standing above him with their wand pointed at his head. As she took in her surroundings, amongst the settling dust any resistance or defence has been subdued, with the Minister for Magic himself unconsciously levitated by a female Death Eater.
The one before her spoke, “ Hand over you wand if you wish to live, Granger.” Her ears pricked with recognition, the voice which she heard so many times and could recognize from anywhere, the voice that just a few months ago told her “Thank you, Granger”, the very voice that at one point called her “Mudblood”. Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.
“...Why?” was all she could say as her throat tightened and tears welled in her eyes.
“Because there was no other way.” His eyes met hers briefly just behind his mask and then he cast Stupefy before she could block him.