Chapter 9
Hermione
The castle is adorned with eerie Halloween decorations, casting flickering shadows along its ancient stone walls. Today marks a Hogsmeade weekend, allowing third-year students to visit the nearby wizarding village with parental or guardian consent.
Unfortunately, for her, such a visit is impossible. With her parents gone and her true identity carefully concealed, stepping beyond the castle’s protective walls isn’t an option. And with a dangerous prisoner still at large, staying within the safety of Hogwarts seems like the wisest choice. Hermione found her two best friends in the common room, waiting. Ron was already dressed for the weekend, his excitement evident as he adjusted his scarf, eager for the adventure ahead. "You're not coming?" Ron asked, frowning.
Hermione shook her head. "No, I didn’t get a chance to have my parents sign the permission slip." It was easier to lie than to reveal the painful truth—that her parents were gone.
"Well, I'm sure if you owl them, they’ll sign it for you," Ron suggested, his tone hopeful. It would have been an excellent idea—if only her parents were still alive.
"Brilliant! That’s actually not a bad idea, Ron," she replied with a small, forced smile.
Ron said his goodbyes with a promise to bring back some Honeydukes sweets and a surprise from Zonko's. Meanwhile, Harry would be spending the day in extra lessons with Professor Lupin. Hermione had noticed that Harry’s excitement for Professor Lupin’s classes was the only thing that had lifted his spirits since his broomstick malfunctioned. From Harry’s stories, she had learned that Professor Lupin had been friends with his mother during their time at Hogwarts—a connection that seemed to bring Harry a quiet sense of comfort. She thought today would be the perfect opportunity to catch up on her schoolwork. With fewer students in the castle, she could use her Time-Turner more freely without drawing suspicion. As Hermione made her way through the quiet corridors, about to slip into a hidden alcove, she noticed two familiar figures approaching—Theo and Draco.
"Glad I found you," Theo said, slightly out of breath.
"Granger." Draco nodded as he greets her, his expression unreadable. Hermione frowned at his brother. "Theo, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in Hogsmeade today?"
Theo’s unexpected arrival had completely disrupted her carefully laid plans for using the Time-Turner. She had been relieved not to get caught, but now, with both Theo and Draco standing before her, she wasn’t sure how easily she could slip away. "I—well, we’re taking you to Hogsmeade!" Theo announced, grinning.
Hermione stared at him, bewildered. He knew her permission slip hadn’t been signed—so how was this possible? "Look—I might have taken your permission slip while we were at the Leaky Cauldron and had Aunt Cissa sign it," Theo admitted, looking rather pleased with himself. Hermione didn’t say a word, but the sharp look she gave Theo was enough to make him shift uncomfortably. Fear flickered in his eyes as he quickly raised his hands in defense. "I gave it to McGonagall," he explained hastily. "And Aunt Cissa flooed her a week ago to explain your… situation and why we’d like to keep it a secret for now."
Hermione leaned against the wall, arms folded across her chest, her expression unreadable. She wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about this revelation, but she could tell Theo wasn’t finished.
"I sense there’s more," she said coolly. "Do go on."
Theo inhaled sharply before continuing. "Well, kind of—just, don’t hex me for this, okay?" Hermione arched a brow but remained silent, urging him to go on. "When I went into Minnie’s office, I kind of—well, it was more of an accident, per se," Theo rambled. "I found out that the old man wrote to McGonagall about you." Chills climbed up her spine at the mere mention of him. "In the letter, he’s requesting—no, more like demanding—that you be resorted and that he be allowed to see you," Theo continued, his voice careful. "He has no idea that you’ve been staying at Malfoy Manor recently. Only the Malfoys and I know. Well… perhaps Dumbledore and McGonagall have put two and two together by now." He huffed, running a hand through his hair, clearly bracing for her reaction.
Hermione stood in silence, the weight of Theo’s words settling heavily on her shoulders. There was no turning back now. Sooner or later, the entire school would learn the truth about her identity. And when that happened… how would her friends react? Her breath hitched as panic threatened to rise. "No, I... I can't—I won’t see him. He’s vile and cruel… and… and—" She exhaled shakily, her mind racing through every horrible possibility. Her gaze met Theo’s, filled with unspoken pain. "Theo… he’s hurt you."
Theo stepped closer, his hand moving gently up and down her back in a soothing rhythm. "I won’t let him near you, alright?" His voice was steady, a quiet promise just for her.
Hermione’s breathing slowly evened, the panic ebbing away, but the weight of the situation remained. Her eyes drifted to the floor, unfocused. "Why now, Theo? After all these years… what does he want with me?"
"I—I don’t know, Hermione," he admitted, his voice softer now. He gave her a reassuring smile. "But don’t worry. I won’t ever let him come near you, alright?"
Hermione finally met his gaze, searching for answers she knew he didn’t have. "What do we do now, Theo?"
"Well, now, little sister, we’re going to Hogsmeade!" Theo announced with a grin, slinging his arm around her shoulders and leaning most of his weight on her.
"Theo!" Hermione huffed, struggling under the sudden pressure. "You’re heavy! Get off!"
He only laughed, tightening his grip playfully. "Come on, Hermione, we’re celebrating. You’re officially allowed to leave the castle, and I’m not letting you waste the opportunity!"
Eventually she gave in and agreed to meet both her brother and Draco by the bell towers. When she arrived, the two Slytherins were already there, waiting for her. She might have laughed if someone had ever suggested that she and Draco Malfoy could have been friends under different circumstances. It was highly improbable. In fact, she would have argued that Harry’s survival odds with a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher were better than the chances of her befriending Draco Malfoy. At this moment, the probabilities appear equal. She couldn't believe what was happening. Hermione Granger, known as the Muggle-born swot, was accompanying two pureblood wizards out for a stroll in Hogsmeade. No one would dare believe it. Though she was no longer Muggle-born, it did not change who she was. Despite having everything turned upside down, she remained the same.
"Hey," she greeted them, slightly breathless from the walk.
The journey from Gryffindor Tower to the Bell Tower was no small feat—Hogwarts was undeniably beautiful and filled with magic, but that didn’t make the endless staircases any less exhausting. She took a moment to catch her breath, silently cursing the castle’s architecture.
⋆˙⟡
The walk to Hogsmeade was rather pleasant. The village wasn’t too far from Hogwarts, just a short trek beyond the castle grounds. The crisp autumn air brushed against Hermione’s skin, carrying with it the scent of fallen leaves and the distant aroma of something sweet—perhaps from Honeydukes.
She had always imagined that her first trip to Hogsmeade would be alongside Harry and Ron, exploring the village together, laughing as they discovered all its hidden wonders. Never in a million years had she thought she would be making this journey in someone else’s company—let alone with Theo and Draco. Yet, here she was, walking beside two Slytherins, the very people she had once considered nothing more than rivals. It was strange, almost surreal. But as the three of them continued down the path, the conversation light and easy, she realized—perhaps change wasn’t so bad after all.
"So, where to first?" Theo asked, grinning with excitement.
Hermione’s eyes wandered over the bustling village. Hogsmeade was beautiful—quaint cottages, cobbled streets, and the undeniable hum of magic in the air. It was exactly as she had imagined, yet being here felt so surreal.
"I—I’ve no clue," she admitted. "I heard there’s a bookshop, but I don’t really want to run into anyone I know. It’d be… complicated to explain." She hesitated, then added, "Besides, Ron is here. And, well… his emotional range is about that of a teaspoon. If he found out, he’d probably overreact—and take it out on both of you."
Theo chuckled. "Ah, yes. The infamous Weasley temper."
"Draco," she warned, her sharp gaze never leaving him.
He only smirked in response, clearly enjoying himself.
"Well!" Theo clapped his hands together, his grin turning mischievous. "Why don’t we make this Hogsmeade trip a little more interesting?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "I don’t like that look, Theo."
"Come on," he continued, ignoring her skepticism. "Let’s turn this into a challenge—avoid Weaselbee at all costs and make today a fun day!"
Hermione sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You do realize Ron isn’t the only one we know here, right? This entire village is filled with students and professors."
"Exactly," Theo said, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "Which makes it all the more fun."
Draco smirked. "I have to admit, I do like the idea of a game." Hermione groaned. She had a feeling this was going to be chaotic.
⋆˙⟡
"You reckon we can get butterbeers at The Three Broomsticks?" Theo wondered aloud, glancing toward the warmly lit pub.
"We could ask a couple of fifth years to buy them for us," Draco suggested with a smirk.
Hermione stared at them in disbelief. "Are you both insane? You’re only thirteen, and you want to go drinking?" she hissed, lowering her voice but making sure they felt her disapproval.
"Technically, you and I are fourteen, dear sister," Theo corrected smugly. "Besides, butterbeer is just a semi-alcoholic beverage—it’s not like we’re going to get drunk from it." Hermione rolled her eyes so hard she nearly saw the back of her skull. The lack of brain cells her brother was exhibiting at the moment was almost painful.
"Come on, live a little, ’Mi," Theo teased, slinging an arm over her shoulders and effortlessly dragging her along as he stepped inside The Three Broomsticks.
The pub was warm and bustling with students and villagers alike. The scent of butterbeer and roasted nuts filled the air, mingling with the low hum of conversation. Draco, ever the strategist, had already spotted one of their upperclassmen—naturally, a fellow Slytherin. With a smirk, he slipped the student a hefty amount of Galleons, far more than the cost of a few butterbeers. Clearly, he was ensuring their order wouldn’t be questioned. Hermione sighed but decided to let it go. One butterbeer wouldn’t kill her. She took a sip from her mug, letting the frothy foam brush against her lips. The drink was warm and rich, a perfect blend of sweetness and spice. As it slid down her throat, a pleasant heat followed, settling in her chest. A soft flush crept onto her cheeks. Whether from the butterbeer or the warmth of the pub, she wasn’t entirely sure.
"Best butterbeer I’ve ever had!" Theo declared, slamming his empty mug onto the table after effortlessly downing his second round.
Hermione shot him a look. "Honestly, Theo."
Ignoring her disapproval, he turned to her and Draco. "Shall we head to Honeydukes next?"
Hermione hesitated. "Well… I really wanted to visit Tomes and Scrolls…" she admitted quietly, fiddling with the handle of her mug.
Theo grinned. "We can go there before we head back. How’s that?"
She considered it for a moment before nodding. "Hmm… that’s quite alright."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Of course the bookshop is a priority," he muttered, but there was no real bite in his words.
Honeydukes… well, it wasn’t just a regular sweet shop like Hermione had expected. The moment she stepped inside, she was hit with the overwhelming scent of caramel, chocolate, and sugar. Colorful jars lined the shelves, each filled with an assortment of magical confections—some of which had rather peculiar effects. One sweet supposedly made the consumer’s voice change, while another caused steam to puff from their ears.
Hermione’s eyes wandered over the endless selection, but what truly caught her attention was the sight beside her—Draco Malfoy, his arms precariously stacked with an absurd amount of sweets.
She blinked. "I had no idea you had such a sweet tooth, Malfoy."
Draco scoffed, though he didn’t bother denying it. "You try living in a house where dessert is practically a formal affair. You learn to appreciate the finer things."
Theo smirked. "Finer things? Draco, you’re one Chocolate Frog away from toppling over."
Hermione laughed as she watch Draco finds his balance, clearly it was too much he could of hold. The bell rang as the door opened, her head instincly turned, her eyes widen as she saw the person who had just entered. It was Ron along with Dean and Seamus.
"Oh no. Oh no," Hermione whispered in panic, her eyes widening as she quickly turned away.
"What’s the matter, Granger?" Draco asked, raising a brow.
"Ron’s here," she hissed under her breath.
Draco’s expression shifted instantly. Without missing a beat, he shoved the mountain of sweets he was holding into Theo’s arms, who barely managed to keep them from spilling everywhere. Before Hermione could protest, Draco grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the nearest wall, pressing her against it.
His tall frame shielded her entirely, his body mere inches from hers. One of his arms rested just above her head, his posture casual—but his intent was clear.
"Malfoy—what are you—" she stammered, her face heating up.
"Relax, Granger," he murmured, smirking slightly. "If Weasley sees you, it’ll be a whole thing. This way, you’re just another girl in the crowd."
She swallowed, very aware of just how close he was. "This is ridiculous," she muttered.
Draco tilted his head slightly, his smirk deepening. "Got a better idea?"
Hermione’s heart pounded as she remained pressed against the wall, Draco’s presence overwhelming in the tight space. She could hear the familiar voices of Ron, Dean, and Seamus as they laughed and chatted, their footsteps growing closer.
She bit her lip, resisting the urge to peek around Draco’s shoulder. If Ron saw her now, she’d have so many questions to answer—questions she wasn’t remotely prepared for.
Draco, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed. His smirk hadn’t wavered, and if anything, he looked amused by the situation. "You’re tense, Granger," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "You act like you’ve never hidden before."
Hermione shot him a glare. "I don’t make a habit of sneaking around, Malfoy."
Theo, still struggling with the absurd amount of sweets Draco had dumped on him, snorted. "You don’t. But we do."
Draco’s smirk widened. "Exactly."
Hermione groaned internally. She needed an escape plan now. If Ron decided to wander too close, this ridiculous charade would come crumbling down.
"Alright," she whispered urgently. "If we’re doing this, at least act normal. Standing like this just makes it suspicious!"
Draco chuckled, but before he could reply, Ron’s voice rang out—far too close for comfort.
Hermione’s stomach dropped. Theo, to his credit, remained completely calm. With an effortless grin, he turned around, shifting the tower of sweets in his arms. "Weasley! Fancy seeing you here," he said smoothly.
Hermione held her breath, praying Ron wouldn’t notice her. Ron let out a loud laugh, crossing his arms. "Didn’t know someone so desperate would beg to be your girlfriend, Malfoy."
Hermione’s breath caught in her throat. Oh, for Merlin’s sake.
Draco’s smirk vanished instantly, his grip on the wall tightening slightly. Before he could retort, Theo cut in, his tone sharp. "Shut it, Weasley."
Ron blinked, clearly not expecting Theo to jump to her defense. "What’s your problem, Nott?" he scoffed. "Didn’t realize you were playing bodyguard now."
Theo took a step forward, standing his ground. "I’ve got a problem with idiots who run their mouths without thinking," he said coolly. "Especially when they don’t know what they’re talking about."
Hermione could feel her cheeks burning—not from embarrassment, but from frustration. She knew Ron had a tendency to say stupid things, but this? This was unnecessary.
Draco, to her surprise, remained quiet. But she could see the irritation in his eyes. His jaw was clenched, his usual smug demeanor replaced with something far more dangerous.
Hermione met Draco's gaze, silently pleading with him not to push this any further. She didn’t need a scene—not here, not now. Draco, however, was never one to back down. He leaned casually against the wall, his smirk returning. "I suggest you run along now to Potter, Weasley. Aren’t you his little sidekick?"
She could feel his breathe, her heart rate at this point was going up.
Ron’s face turned red with anger. "Fuck you, Malfoy," he spat before storming off, Dean and Seamus trailing behind him.
As soon as they disappeared into the crowd, Hermione exhaled, the tension leaving her shoulders. "Finally," she muttered.
Theo shook his head, still holding onto the ridiculous pile of sweets. "That was almost a disaster."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Please. Weasley’s an idiot, but even he knows better than to start a fight in the middle of Honeydukes."
Hermione shot him a look. "You were this close to making it worse."
Draco simply smirked. "And yet, I didn’t. You’re welcome, Granger."
Hermione's heart was pounding—so fast, she was sure they could hear it. She had never been this close to a boy before, especially not Draco Malfoy. Their proximity was suffocating, their lips mere inches apart.
And then, he moved closer.
Just the slightest shift, but it was enough to send her thoughts spiraling. Her breath caught, and she felt warmth creep up her neck, spreading to her already flushed cheeks. Gods, was it because of the butterbeer? Or was it—no, no, absolutely not.
She swallowed, forcing herself to look anywhere but at his mouth. This is ridiculous, she thought, mentally scolding herself. He’s just being Draco—annoying, arrogant, infuriating. And yet, her body wasn’t listening to logic.
Draco, on the other hand, seemed entirely unbothered. His usual smirk was still there, but there was something else in his expression—something unreadable.
Theo cleared his throat loudly, breaking the tension. "Right. As thrilling as this silent staring contest is, can we go now? I’d rather not carry all of this for the rest of the day. Also, get away from my sister Draco!"
Hermione practically jumped back, putting much-needed space between her and Draco. "Yes! Right. We should—we should go."
Draco chuckled under his breath, but didn’t say a word. Instead, he turned on his heel, leading the way out of Honeydukes like nothing had happened.
Hermione let out a shaky breath.
Merlin help me.