Chapter 8
I woke up cold and alone, Draco must have left during the night to make it easier to not get caught. Though if Harry had his map out, that may as well not have mattered. As I wrapped myself in a worn blanket, the chill in the air seemed less biting. I stand up and head down to the common room. There the boys were already awake and sitting. Taking a seat beside them, I reclined on the aged couches, the cushions worn and threadbare from years of use. “Draco Finally showed up on the map last night.” I nod my head. It seems as if they don't know that he was in my bedroom. “Where did he show up?” I mumble out. I’m too tired to be coherent. “In his common room, maybe you were right Hermione.” I nod my head and stand back up, leaving the comfort of the couch. “I'm going to get breakfast if you guys want to come.”
With that, I wrap my blanket tightly around me and make my with Harry and Ron to the great hall for food. The castle corridors are still quiet, with only a few students and teachers making their way to breakfast. As we approach the great hall, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries wafts through the air, enticing our senses. The great hall doors swing open, revealing a bustling scene of students and teachers. We sit down at our usual table. I look up to see Draco looking at me with a slight smile. His smile brings one onto my face I have to look away to not reveal what or in my case who im smiling at. It's Saturday so we don't have much to do. Maybe me and Malfoy could sneak off for the day unless he still has to work on his mission. I grab some food and place it on my plate. “It’s like he knows I have been talking about him. Draco has been staring over here the whole time we have been in here.” Harry mumbled annoyed.
“Maybe. That's why I said drop it, but you didn't want to listen to me.” I tell harry in a flat voice. If He only knew the real reason Draco was staring over here. However, I believe he is staring a hole right through Cormac's head right now with the way he is staring at him. “It looks more like he's staring right at Cormac. I wonder what he did to get on Malfoy's bad side.” Ron spoke up. At least he figured it out and I didn't have to bring it up. Only Draco and I know the reason for this and I don't plan on telling anyone on the off chance Cormac goes missing. But as soon as I least expect it Cormac moves his plate and moves next to me. Shit.
Draco will definitely kill him now. “Hey, Golden girl. Potter, Weasley good to see you too. Hermione, can I talk to you alone? “ Cormac asks me. The boys look at me bewildered and I think offended. Which I understand. “No, Im fine here, You can go ask someone else,” I say eating my food not even looking at him. “I just wanted to see if you would go to Hogsmeade with me. Like on a date.” I laugh. I don't mean to but if this dude really thinks he has a chance without knowing me He’s sorely mistaken. “Im not interested.” I again say flatly. “Or we can just stay in the castle and do something. I don't mind.” Cormac says again. Does he not give up? Do I really need to yell at him to get it through his skull? “Not interested,” I say again maybe this time he will give up. “Or can we do it tomorrow?” I was about to say something when Harry spoke up instead. “ Dude she said she's not interested. What will it take for you to understand that? Honestly, Malfoy has a better chance with her than you ever will. Do you understand now?” I have never seen Harry this angry, but it is funny he knows Malfoy has more of a shot the Cormac. “I didn't ask you, potter. I asked Granger. I don't think that is your name.” Cormac Spits out at Harry. “ No Harry is right. Draco Malfoy has more of a chance than you ever will. I don't want you now, I don't want you next week or ever in the future.” I yell at him. I think the whole Great Hall hears considering everyone looks in my direction.
I look over to see Malfoy standing up and walking over here. What the hell is he doing? As he gets closer I see the confusion on both Harry's and Ron's. Draco finally makes it over behind Cormac, and that's when Cormac says his last words. “That makes sense that you would want to be a snake's whore, instead of being treated right and shown off. God your a fucking cunt. No wonder why no one wants you.” Draco puts his hand on Cormac's shoulder. Squeezing so hard that I can see the pain on Cormac's face. Both Harry and Ron look over at me speechless. I shrug my shoulders and watch this continue. “I will tell you this just once. If I ever hear you call her or any woman a name again I will end you and your entire bloodline. Unlike you, I know how to treat a girl right. It's sad that the guy who bullied her throughout the years has a better chance than you ever would. So here's my suggestion. Get up walk away and never speak to her again, or the only thing you will be getting is an extended stay in the hospital wing.” Draco releases his grip on Cormac, and Cormac scurries out of the Great Hall. Draco looks over at Harry and Ron and nods his head in acknowledgment. They hesitantly do the same and look over at me and Draco. “Let me know if he bothers you, granger. I’ll handle it. See you around.” He gives me a sly smile and walks out of the Great Hall. “Holy shit Hermione.” I just shrug my shoulders and smile to myself. “It's nothing. I’ll see you guys later.” I walk out of the Great Hall and find Draco standing right outside.
“Follow me.” He grabs my hand and leads me away from the Great Hall. He leads me up to the room of requirement, and he opens the door. We walk in and he leads us to an old cabinet of sorts. “There's a couch over here if you want to sit. I have to do this but I don't want you away from me right now.” I smile to myself and sit down. He pulls his sleeves up and starts working. “So is this your mission to work on an old cabinet?” He looks back at me and then back to the cabinet. “I can't tell you love or you will be an accomplice, and I won't allow that.” I nod my head and move my blanket tighter around me. “You know before you came over I was going to punch him?” I hear Draco laugh at that. “Well, it's a good thing I came over. He won't mess with you anymore. Though I think your friends will know something is up now.” I shake my head. “What do you want me to say when they ask? What should I tell them If they ask if im seeing you?” He looks back over in my direction and stands up.
He walks over to me and lifts my chin to look at him. “You tell them the truth love.” He bends down closer to me, my heart skips a beat. “You tell them that you are mine.” He leans in even closer, his forehead touching mine.“Tell them all about us, hell if they figure it out tell them about what im doing for you.” He brings his lips to mine. He pulls away tucking a curl behind my ear. “Merlin you are so fucking beautiful, love” I smile at his words and let him move and get back to work. I lay down on the couch with some rusty old book that I had found. I begin to read with Draco working in the background. After a while of reading, I feel a weight down by my legs. A hand begins to rub up and down caressing my calf. I look up to see Draco smiling at me. I sit up and move closer to him. “Last night I found out that they plan on doing some recruiting in knockturn alley.” I nod my head. “Still tired?”
I nod my head and lay my head in his lap. I found talking to people and dealing with stress just makes me so emotionally tired. “Take a nap darling, I’ll be here when you wake up.” I shake my head I may be tired but I want to spend the time that I do have awake, with him. “So do you really not care what happens to your father after the war?” Draco tenses up next to me. “He cares for me, but my mother is the only one in my family that I still have contact with that I know is silently against the dark lord.” I nod. “Im sorry Draco. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you.” Draco's gaze meets mine, and for a fleeting moment, I see a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. “I have to get back to work on this thing. So if you want to stay you can.” I stay still not moving cocooned in my blanket. Draco nods, understanding my unspoken decision. With a faint smile, he turns away, disappearing into the depths of his tasks. As I watch him go, a sense of contentment washes over me. I watch Draco do his task silently. The only sound in the air is Draco cursing under his breath. The seconds turn into hours that pass, the silence still engulfing the room.
My stomach grumbles, pulling me from the hypnotized state I had fallen into. “Was that your stomach?” Draco turned to me astonished. I knew my stomach was loud but for him to hear it no more than 2 yards away meant that I should really eat. “Yeah, I think im hungry. I just don't want to walk alone to lunch.” Draco just nods his head and turns away. But despite his apparent disinterest, Draco was not completely dismissive of the situation.“Give me a few and I will watch to make sure nothing happens.” I manage a smile and thank him for his offer. "Thank you, Draco," I said, my voice filled with genuine appreciation. I could have easily walked down to the Great Hall by myself but the possibility of running into Cormac was high and after what happened at breakfast, I do not like the chances of that. Draco turns around to me and walks over. He kisses me for a brief moment before gesturing to the door. I walk towards the door and step out. Draco waits for a minute before he steps out as well.
I start walking and he follows a few paces behind. He is close enough to watch me but far enough way to deflect suspicion. With each step I take, he mirrors my movements, ensuring that he remains within close proximity. As we get closer I spot Harry and Ron walking in. I turn to nod at Draco when I notice he is gone. He must have left when he saw I made my way to Ron and Harry. I catch up to Harry and Ron, taking a momentary stop to catch my breath. Once I do I motion for us to go in and sit down at our table. “Are we going to talk about this morning?” Ron speaks up as soon as we sit down. “What is there to talk about?” I speak up grabbing a plate of food. “Hermione, are you crazy? Did you hit your head and forget what happened? That git Malfoy actually stood up for you, In front of the whole school.” I Look up to see Ron’s bewildered face. Come on Hermione keep the facade up. I can do it. “That was weird, wasn't it? It's almost as if he had a reason to help her.” Harry speaks up. His eyes met mine searching for any truth I could give him.
“What are you implying Harry?” I quickly change my face into one of confusion. “You know exactly what im talking about. How long have you been seeing him?” Harry said sternly. If I don't think quickly he will know. “Are you seriously asking if I have been sleeping with Malfoy? Are you serious right now Harry?” His face is unreadable. I feel a presence behind me. “ The four of us need to talk privately. Meet me in the astronomy tower in ten minutes, and bring your food granger you need to eat.” The voice is cold but I can tell that it was Dracos. The presence behind me leaves. Harry and Ron look at me almost to ask if it's safe. I grab my plate and head off, Harry and Ron follow after me. “This is a stupid idea Hermione he's going to kill us.” I just roll my eyes and ignore Ron's words. We walk up the winding steps that lead to the top of the tower. We get to the top and wait for Draco to show up. “So there is something between you and you lied.” Harry spat out. “ I already told you Harry there-” I was stopped mid-sentence. “He already knows. I might as well tell him.” I turn around to see Draco standing behind me.
“Granger you eat, but you two have a seat.” I sit against the railing as I watch them sit down. “ Whatever you say does not excuse her lying to us.” Draco scoffs. I already knew Harry was going to be mad so I can't let myself get annoyed by his reaction. “Actually it does. Under contract, she was not allowed to tell you anything about me or what we talked about. The only person that she could give information to was The Order before you two buffoons chime in im talking about the adult not you too.”Draco speaks up before Harry can insult be more. “So what you just the informant? If that was true why did you help her this morning? You basically blew your cover.” Ron spoke up this time. He isn't as mad as Harry but I think he's just confused. “I didn't like the way he was talking to her. No one talks about something that's mine without consequences.” With that, he shrugged his shoulders and looked back at me. My face was red and my heartbeat was fast.
“Why are you doing this for the order? Didn't want to face the consequences of something you choose to do.” Harry said with annoyance. “I didn’t want to be this. Everything I am doing is to make sure my mother is safe.” Draco said with anger laced in his words. "You have no idea what it's like living in constant fear for someone you love. I would do anything to protect her, even if it means making choices that I never thought I would have to make." Draco's voice softened, his anger giving way to a deep sadness. "I never asked for any of this, Harry. I never wanted to be a part of this war, but circumstances have forced my hand. I can't just stand by and watch as my mother suffers the consequences.” Harry's anger began to wane as he listened to Draco's heartfelt explanation. He realized that beneath the facade of arrogance and privilege, Draco was just a young man trying to protect the person he loved most. The weight of responsibility and the sacrifices he had made were evident in Draco's eyes.
“Are you using Hermione in any way?” Harry asked softly. “Absolutely not.” Draco said as quickly as he could."I may have my differences with Granger, but throughout this year she has helped me become a better person. I assure you, Potter, I have no need nor desire to use her in any manner," Draco continued, his voice now tinged with a touch of distaste. Harry, however, remained unconvinced. His gentle tone persisted, a subtle probing for the truth beneath Draco's defensive facade. He knew all too well the lengths to which Draco would go to protect his own interests, and Hermione's well-being was not something he was willing to take lightly. Even though he was quite cross with her right now."Draco, I understand that we may not see eye to eye on many things, but I need to be sure," Harry pressed, his voice calm yet firm. "Hermione is our friend, and I won't stand by if she's being used or manipulated in any way."
Draco's expression softened slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. He realized that Harry's concern was genuine, and perhaps there was more to this conversation than he initially perceived. “Potter, I genuinely care about Hermione. I care enough that somehow I ended up appearing in her room at a moment's notice. Somehow Apparition worked.” Draco looked at me with a genuine smile. “Wait. When were you in her room?” Harry asked Draco. “Last night into the morning I slipped out when everyone was asleep.” Harry just nods his head at Draco's answer. “Hermione, are you happy with er Malfoy?” I smile and nod. “Very,” I replied, my voice steady and filled with conviction. "Draco has shown me a side of him that I never thought possible. He's changed, Harry. And I believe in him." There was a moment of silence, as the weight of my words hung in the air. Harry's eyes flickered between Draco and me, his expression a mix of uncertainty and acceptance. And in that moment, I knew that our unconventional bond had the power to bridge the divide between our pasts.