Chapter 5
I turn the lever for the shower and get in. The colder the better. Anything to stop the thoughts of Malfoy in my head. I feel like an icicle but my body and head already feel better. I throw on a random shirt and pants and sit on my bed to study. I hear a knock and I already know who it is. I go and open the door to see Ron and Harry standing there. “I’m sorry for what I said, Mione. I didn't mean a word that I said.” I just shrug my shoulders. I won't let it get to me. Especially if i’m meeting back up with him tonight. “If I hear you say anything like that again Ronald I will curse you. Now I have to study come get me for dinner.” They nod their head and walk away. I walk over to my bed and begin to study again. Until I grab the notebook out of it and write to Malfoy.
Is the Task going well?-H
I am waiting for a reply while I finish my Homework for Transfigurations. I hope I don't get detention for skipping her class but I’m honestly one of her favorites.
No. It's going awful. I hate this fucking task with a passion. I won't be able to eat dinner. I might be late tonight to see you.-D.M
Yikes whatever his task is sounds awful. I can't physically help him or I’m an accomplice and whatever I do won't help in the end run.
I can bring you food when you come to see me, and whatever else you might need.- H
I brush my hair and put it into a nice-looking ponytail. I need to cut it at some point but I’m not sure when.
Yes, please. I’ll Meet you up there after dinner. - D.M.
I look at my watch and realize I have 10 minutes till dinner. I leave my room and go to the common room and grab the boys so we can go down to the great hall. I sit down next to them and grab a plate of food. We sit and eat until it's time to leave i grab a second plate of food and walk out. “I still need some time away, I will be back later tonight. But for now, I just want alone time.” Harry nods his head and I take that as my cue to start walking away. I once again mutter the spell that keeps me hidden off the map. I make my way up the stairs and back to the spot where I have become comfortable sitting for the last day. I hear his footsteps and I spot his white hair coming up. He sits down next to me and grabs the plate from my hand. He eats next to me in silence. I like that it can just be silent. I feel like I don't have to be the golden girl who always knows what she's doing. It's a good change.
“Thank you, Granger.” Malfoy breaks the silence. He finishes the plate and sets it next to him. I nod my head in his direction. I stare out towards the setting sun. watching the colors blend. The many shades of orange and red blurring together. “What happens if you fail the task?” I asked Malfoy. No emotion behind my voice. I fear as though I know what the answer will be. I feel Malfoy stiffen up next to me. “He kills me, and my mother.” I wish I could help him. No one our age should have to deal with this. “And what happens when you finish your task?” He Stiffens up more. I can tell this is not easy for him. “I leave until seventh year. I become what he wants me to become.” I look over at him and meet his eyes. “ And what does he want you to become.” He sighs and looks away. He clears any emotion that he had previously off his face. “ A monster.”
“What if-” He stops me before I can say anything by grabbing my hand and squeezing it. “Granger. I will not ask that of you. Don't put yourself in danger for me. This right here. This is helping. Just by seeing you and talking to you. Do not throw your life away over this.” I nod my head and leave the conversation alone. “Is the Malfoy Library as big as I have heard?” I changed the subject. He meets my eyes again with a smile on his face. “You would love it. I think it may even be bigger than the library here. Maybe when all is said and done, and Potter wins this thing you can come and see it.” I smile back at him. “ I wish I knew that this was the real Malfoy. Maybe I wouldn't have punched you in third year.” His smile never faded. If anything it grew bigger. “I didn't even know about this side of me, Granger. Nor how to deal with any type of feelings. Malfoy men are not supposed to show any weakness. And feelings are a weakness.” With his hand in mine, I just listen. As he speaks, I can't help but feel a mix of sympathy and understanding. I had always seen Draco Malfoy as an arrogant and cruel individual, but now I realize that there was so much more to him than met the eye. The cruel boy I grew up with was gone. Now the boy in front of me is being forced to live up to his father's misdoings.
“Hermione. When the time comes for me to finish my task, I need you to stay in your common room. I can’t stand the idea of you seeing me as being a monster. I need you to promise me that.” He takes my hand and brings it closer to his chest. My name coming out of his mouth is bittersweet. “ I promise.” with my promise, he stares out into the sunset. I fear my worst dreams are going to come true when this war truly starts. I know I’m a big target. My family is a big target. Being Harry Potter's best friend comes with so many consequences. “What is your favorite color?” Draco asked beside me. “Light Blue. Yours?” He studies my face for a moment before he answers. “Brown, or green. Brown is more of a recent favorite.” My face lights up at his answer. I know that he's talking about my eyes. “After the war is over, and I'm free from any grasp let me take you out.” I roll my eyes statement. “You would be disowned in a second war or not.” He shrugs his shoulders. “Granger. At this point, wealth and family ties are nothing to me. I need to focus on surviving.” I lay my head on his shoulder. I have no idea what is happening between us, But I don't want it to stop.
“Draco.” Saying his name felt weird but so right at the same time. He didn't even seem to know the difference. “Hmm?” He looked down at my head resting on him, bringing his arm over my shoulder. “Why did you choose to make the deal with me? I mean you hated me before this year.” His hand lightly draws circles on mine. “I have nothing to lose. You could have Hexed me, cursed me and I would have understood. I choose to talk to you because you are the smartest witch I know.” His arm feels warm against my arm, “Your friends are probably out looking for you.” I shrug my shoulders at this point I’m not worried about them. “Oh well. I’m comfortable. I don't want to leave this moment.”I feel him chuckle against me. Wrapping his arm around me tighter.
“I don't plan on letting go until I have to.” I hear Draco mumble against my head. I can momentarily forget about the impending conflict that threatens to tear our worlds apart. The outside world fades away, and all that matters is the strength of his arms around me, the warmth of his body pressed against mine. “How am I supposed to act like I hate you now?” I speak softly against him. In the hushed intimacy of our shared secret, Draco's grip tightens ever so slightly, his heartbeat echoing in sync with mine.
“You don't have to.” Draco's response is barely audible, his voice filled with a mixture of vulnerability in that moment, the walls we have built around ourselves crumble, revealing the raw truth that lies beneath. I trace my fingers gently along the contours of his face, memorizing every line and curve. The touch is tender, filled with a tenderness that defies the animosity that has defined our relationship for so long.
“And what happens if Harry and Ron figure that out? What do I tell them?”Draco's heartbeat echoes in my ears, a steady rhythm that matches my own. “The truth. I know at some point it has to come out. If they figure it out only then can you tell them. But don't forget you are the smart one in the group.” I nod my head in agreement. I know that this revelation will not be easy for them to digest. It will challenge their beliefs, their trust in me, and possibly even our friendship.
I already know Harry will feel betrayed, But I started this with the intention of helping people. Molly no doubt will tell Ron that I stopped by and gave them crucial information, Nevertheless, amidst all this, my utmost priority is to ensure the safety of Malfoy, who has taken on a significant role in carrying out this task for the Order. It is of paramount importance that no one discovers his involvement, as it could jeopardize not only his safety but also the success of the mission itself. I hope that the order had gotten that family to safety before Voldemort had them murdered.
I check the time on my watch and I realize I have been up here for three hours already. If I don't get back soon Harry and Ron will come to look for me, and with the way that Malfoy and I are sitting, it will do more harm than good. “I need to go before Harry and Ron come to look for me. Will I be seeing you tomorrow?”
“No, I have a meeting I have to go to but any information I get I will let you know.” I feel his arm drop from around me the once-warm heat dissipates and I'm left with a cold breeze. I stand up to leave. I start to walk away when I hear Draco say something. “You really are a help, Hermione.” I smile to myself as I walk down the steps and back to the Gryffindor tower carefully so as to not be caught by Filtch. I reach the painting and whisper the password. I again see Harry and Ron sitting on the couch waiting for me. Hopefully, tonight goes better than how last night did.
“We were worried. I told Ron we should go look for you. Wait you seem rather happy from when you left us earlier. Were you with a guy?” I just smile and wave them off. “I spent my time away reading. I only noticed how late it was when I finished my book.” I say as I sit down next to them. “What have I missed?” Ron's face perks up at this. “I made the team, and theirs a girl named Lavender I met. She seems sweet. I think you would like her.” I’m happy for Ron. He needs another girl other than me and Ginny to hang out with. Plus I have Draco to see more often so if this lavender girl can distract him from me slipping off to meet him that is fine by me.
“It's late. We all should get some sleep.” I tell the boys as I get up to head to my room. “I will talk to you in the morning.” I go up the spiral stairs and over to my room. I Throw on Soft pajamas and hop into bed. I let out a contented sigh as I sink into the softness of my mattress, feeling the weight of the day slowly melt away. The room is dimly lit, with a gentle glow emanating from the bedside candle, casting a warm and cozy ambiance.
As I nestle under the covers, I reach over to the nightstand and pick up a book that has been patiently waiting for me. Its pages are worn and weathered. The book has been with me since I was a child, Yet I can never grow tired of it. I open it to where I last left off, eager to lose myself in its captivating world. The words on the pages transport me to a different time and place as if I am an invisible observer in the characters' lives. Time seems to stand still as I become engrossed in the narrative, the outside world fading into the background.
Occasionally, I pause to take a sip of the warm chamomile tea that sits on the nightstand, its soothing aroma wafting up to my nose. The gentle steam rises from the cup, creating a comforting mist. The taste of the tea is delicate and calming, lulling me further into a state of relaxation. As the hours pass, my eyelids grow heavy, and the words on the pages begin to blur. I bookmark my place, set the book aside, and close my eyes, allowing the tranquility of the room to envelop me. The soft rustling of the curtains, stirred by a gentle breeze, lulls me into a peaceful sleep.