Chapter 4
The silence in the room was slow to dissipate. Malfoy looked like he was waiting for another burst of magic, but she turned towards Snape and simply said: “What do I need to do to ensure Voldemort dies and stays dead?”
“You have to be as normal as you can,” Snape spoke as though he was giving instructions to his potions students. “Go back to Potter and Weasley and act as though you were with your parents and that you do not know about another prophecy. Whatever you do, your objective is to ensure Potter completes his half-baked mission Dumbledore left him and to keep yourself out of the hands of Death Eaters.”
Hermione nodded and looked to Malfoy. “What will you be doing?”
He met her eyes. I will be surviving, trying to get my family through this war in one piece. She gave him a small smile. Malfoy spoke aloud, “I will be acting as normal as I can.”
Snape stood from the couch. “Should you need it, this house is under Fidelius and Malfoy blood magic. It will only allow you entry, so try not to need it when Potter screws up.”
The potions master stood, nodded to them both, and disapparated. Malfoy shifted on his feet, something she had never seen him do. He was nervous to be in the same room as her.
He spoke first. “What about your parents? Do you need help getting them out of the country?”
Her breath left her. This was the first person to ask her about getting her parents out. Everyone was so focused on Harry’s survival, they didn’t stop to consider the survival of those without many resources in the magical world, the muggle-borns and their families in the muggle world.
“They left the country after the Triwizard Tournament,” she said in a quiet voice. “They didn’t want to be targets during the silent war Voldemort was starting to wage, so they moved.”
Malfoy moved closer to her, forcing her to make eye contact with him from her spot on the chair. “Don’t lie.”
She couldn’t tell him what she did. It might not be an Unforgivable, but it was a despicable act; one she’s not sure she can reverse due to the length of time the memory charm has been applied. If she told him, he could use it to hurt her, and she was already hurt knowing she would never talk to her parents again the way she did years ago.
“Granger.”
I modified their memories the summer after fourth year and sent them away. They have no recollection of me or having a daughter in general.
She looked down at her hands in her lap. It was too late, he knew. Hermione refused to look up at him, to see whatever emotion was marring his perfect features. But she didn’t have to look up at him, he knelt down in front of her. He took her hands in his and squeezed them.
I do not know the pain you’re in because of that action, his voice in her head calmed the on-coming headache she was getting, but I do know that they are safe because of you. Yaxley was the one at your parents’ house; he was sent there by the Dark Lord to kill you.
“You did what you had to do with the hand you were dealt, Granger.” The words were soft, as though he was talking to a frightened animal. “You can stay here as long as you need.”
Those were his parting words. The second he said her name, Malfoy stood from his position and apparated with a crack.
Once she was certain he wasn’t coming back to mock her, she broke down for the first time since she modified her parents’ memories. Sobs forced their way past her lips, the ache in her chest pounded like a drum, and her face was wet with streams of tears.
Hermione didn’t know how long she sat in that room, crying, but when there was nothing left in her except the drum of her aching heart, she got up to explore the house. Wiping her face on her sleeve, she pulled a compact mirror from her bag and checked her blotchy face.
No one is going to see you. Pull yourself together and find a bathroom.
After exiting the sitting room, there was a long hall with three doorways. Across from her sat one with a door slightly cracked. Gripping her wand, she approached that one. Tapping the door open softly, she stood in front of a set of stairs leading down. Moving on, the next room didn’t have a door, so she peered in and found another sitting room, but this time the color scheme was brown. She continued on towards the next where she found a small library.
If you’re looking for something specific, Malfoy’s amused voice came through her head, all you have to do is ask, Granger.
She blushed. Hermione didn’t think her mind was that unguarded, but perhaps she was gushing about the library and the books it held.
Simply looking for a restroom and a small bedroom came her response. She wasn’t used to having someone else in her thoughts.
Are you not going to Weasley’s?
Hermione sighed. She had hoped to spend one more day in her parents’ house, sleeping in the backyard where she had left the big porch swing for whoever had the house next. But a Death Eater showed up at the house, ruining her one wish before she never stepped foot in that house again.
I wrote to Ron and Harry saying I was still in the States with my parents and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow night. You and Snape interrupted my plan to leave today.
It was quiet for a moment. She wandered into the library to see what books would be hidden away in a safe house of the Malfoys.
I’ll send Minty to tend to you for the night, if you’ll let her. She is a personal elf of my mother.
I don’t need to be waited on, hand and foot. I simply need a bed and to know where the kitchen is.
Malfoy gave no reply.
Sighing, Hermione made her way out of the library to continue her search. Fine, I will snoop around until I find it.
A crack of apparition to her left caused her to twirl and point her wand. It was Malfoy. Hermione rolled her eyes.
“Granger, this house is not as equipped as it should be in terms of food,” he began, rubbing his hand across his face. “Minty will bring cooked meals and snacks tonight and she will stay here tending to the house in case you should need it.”
“May I meet her first?”
A soft ‘pop’ echoed down the hall as a small creature with giant ears came to stand next to her. The elf wore a pillow case, but upon seeing it was the young Malfoy who called her, she snapped her fingers and a pink, frilly dress with bows appeared in place of the pillow case.
“Hello, miss,” the elf—Minty—squeaked. “Minty is here to assist miss in whatever miss may need.”
The Dark Lord requires all creatures that are not wizards to present themselves as lower than they are. Malfoy’s voice was cautious in her head. Minty and the other Malfoy elves are well taken care of, and often switch their uniforms when not in the presence of the Death Eaters.
Hermione nodded. “Hello, Minty. Would you mind starting a pot of tea?”
Minty’s big eyes grew wider. “Would Minty mind? It would be Minty’s pleasure.”
The elf popped away without another word, leaving a smirking Malfoy and pleasantly surprised Hermione behind. “She likes you.”
“Yes, well I did ask politely,” Hermione let out a small laugh. “So, um, is there a place for me to stay for the night?”
Malfoy nodded sharply, gesturing for her to follow him down the hall. They made their way towards the stairs Hermione had avoided. The stairs lead downstairs, and when Hermione reached the bottom, she noticed that a window in front of her. It appeared she was on the second floor of a house.
“This is a safe house for the Malfoy family, should something ever require us to flee,” Malfoy started. “There are four rooms to stay in; the master and three others. You can pick between those.”
He motioned towards two doors. The first opened when Hermione approached and she was immediately taken with the room. Soft yellow walls, with forest green furniture and grey bedding. She didn’t need to see the next room to know she would be sleeping here.
A bookshelf stood across from the four poster bed, which was larger than her bed at Hogwarts, and a small armoire was placed next to the window opposite the door. She moved to place her bag down, then turned to Malfoy.
“This is fine,” she said with a small smile of thanks. “Thank you for coming to show me the room, you didn’t have to do that.”
Malfoy seemed to shift from foot to foot again in nervousness. “Will you tell me when you plan to leave?” She nodded. “Wonderful.”
He moved out of the doorway and Hermione heard the distinct sound of apparition. Sitting on the bed, she found herself wondering over the events of the last few hours.
Outside, the sun began to set and she concluded that it had only been a few hours since a Death Eater stood on the steps of her childhood home. Minty popped in with a tray of tea and biscuits that Hermione took mechanically.
She was so tired. Tired of thinking, and worrying, and wondering what it was her role in this war would bring her. Yesterday she knew what her role was; help Harry find the horcruxes and defeat Voldemort. But now? Now the echoes of her own prophecy flitted through her mind.
Hermione determined before she lost consciousness that she would leave early in the morning and explain to Ron about the Death Eater at her parents’ house. Surely, he would understand and be welcoming to her after a fright like that.
The last thought she had before falling asleep was not hers, it was Malfoy’s.
If you need me, call for me. I will come.