The autumn air was crisp and clear, there was frost forming against the open window pane of the shared flat that sat at the back of the Diagon Alley. Owls could be seen swooping from house to house and store to store delivering the evening post. Hermione repressed a shiver at the breeze that came in, already regretting saying yes to going out tonight. It was Halloween and she never went out on Halloween, but Ginny had begged and pleaded with her. Harry, understandably, never went out to celebrate on this particular holiday which always left his eccentric red haired girlfriend alone to celebrate with her friends. Hermione being the supportive friend she had always been, would go over and sit with the boys as they shared cauldrons of firewhiskey spiked hot chocolates and pumpkin pasties and watched movies on the enchanted telly that she had begged him to put in at Grimmauld place. Ron had never really understood the Muggle contraption; it was clear he was enamoured with the bloody thing.
Hermione watched in the mirror as Ginny carefully wrapped pieces of her wild chocolate brown hair around her yew wood wand, Ginny’s tongue poking out of the side of her small pink lips in concentration. “I told you this was all pointless Gin,” Hermione said with a little huff. “It’s not going to stay for more than a few minutes at best, honestly.”
“Well you’ll look hot anyways, stay still ‘Mione or I might burn you.” Ginny shot back at her, yanking her back into place as she finished up the last few strands. With a grin Ginny stepped back to inspect her work. With a nod of clear approval she flicked her wand over Hermione's hair, sealing in the curls. Another quick swish of her wand charmed the normally deep chocolate brown hair to a jet black.
“I know I am taking liberties with your costume as the git had greasy hair but your natural curls are so pretty I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.” Ginny said. “You are an absolute masterpiece if I do say so myself.”
Hermione rolled her eyes but drew in closer to the mirror to admire Ginny’s hard work. Her usually wild and untamable curls sat in soft, bouncy perfect spirals to her waist. The dark smokey eyeshadow Ginny had forced on Hermione made her usually tired honey brown eyes pop instantly and drawing her in, she looked… well Hermione thought she looked quite pretty as she admired all the hard work the girls did in the last two hours.
“I guess I should have let you do my hair for the Yule ball Gin, instead of all those bottles of Sleekeazy I ended up using.” Hermione said with a smirk, standing up to finish putting on the costume Ginny had laid out on the bed for her.
Ginny was already dressed in her white button down shirt and old hogwarts tie, black skirt which Ginny had taken the liberty to shorten several inches from their school approved hemline. Her normally bright red sleeky hair charmed to appear black and a drawn on lightning scar to complete the look. “ I cannot believe you decided to dress as your boyfriend tonight Gin, honestly I hope you told Harry you were going as him this year… It’s horribly morbid.” Hermione said exasperated at her friend's audacity.
“Oh please,” Ginny threw back her head laughing. “When I told Harry my plan he laughed so hard, his morning pumpkin juice shot out his nose. Not unlike ickle Ronnikins in second year with those dumb slugs.” She shook her head, chuckling at the memory.
Hermione grimaced at the thought of the slugs from their second year. “You wouldn’t be laughing if you had been the one standing right next to Ronald during that fiasco.” Shuddering she finished pulling the tight black dress down her body, it hugged every curve and ended at her midthigh. Shorter than she normally would allow but as it was a holiday she tried not to oppose Ginny's choice. Shrugging on the billowy black cloak she remembered to carefully pull her hair out from under the collar. Bending over she zipped up her knee high black velvet boots, with a wave of her wand she cast a cushioning charm on the heels. Standing back up she did a final assessment in front of the mirror, she turned to Ginny.
“Are you sure this is fine, Gin?” Hermione chewed at her bottom lip in worry. “Are you sure anyone will even get it? I mean you look like Harry Potter but is anyone going to even notice that I’m dressed as Snape?”
Ginny’s eyes looked over Hermione’s outfit in appreciation. “Like I said Hermione, it doesn’t really matter because it’s Halloween and it's funny. Anyway, you look hot. Now let's get going or we’ll be late.”
Ginny grabbed Hermione’s shoulders before pushing her out of her room heading down the hall to the kitchen. Quickly grabbing her purse off the counter she reached down to give Crookshanks a little scratch under his chin before they left the flat. On the stairs Ginny turned to Hermione and with one last swish of her wand she had changed their eyes to match those they were dressed up as. Ginny with her eyes charmed to look bright green like Harry’s and Hermione’s black and a little beady like Severus Snapes.
Outside their flat they could hear the Halloween festivities on the main street starting. Holding on to Ginny’s hand as they weaved through the loud crowds towards Fortescue’s where they were supposed to be meeting Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood before heading to the haunting walks. Hermione looked around the bustling crowd, admiring the different costumes and children laughing. A nauseated feeling came over her as the sounds from the crowds started getting louder and her vision started closing in as it always did in loud messy environments. Since the war Hermione had a hard time being around lots of people, the overwhelming sense of dread creeping in feeling like everyone’s eyes were on her. Her breath started coming in shallow drags, before she could get too worked up she felt a tight squeeze against her clammy hand. Looking up into the comforting brown eyes of her best friend, relief flowed through her tightened muscles, she felt herself relax slowly. Hurrying to keep up with Ginny’s tall long strides they powered through the streets of Diagon Alley.
Up ahead Ginny spotted Luna’s long bright blonde hair like a beacon through the crowds. She was standing under the awning of the ice cream parlour next to a tall broad Neville who was dressed impeccably like Newt Scamander, famous Magic Zoologist with his long blue trench coat and hufflepuff scarf. Luna was dressed in a patchwork flowy dress of different fluorescent feathers waved at them when Ginny shouted her name.
“There you lot are!” Neville scooped Ginny and Hermione into a big hug, beaming up at him Hermione complimented his costume choice. Ginny turned to Luna in her bright get up.
“What are you Luna?” She asked kindly.
“ A Fwooper!” Luna said with a dreamy lit. “They are these lovely owl-like creatures whose song is said to drive people mad.”
Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise, recognizing the costume Luna had put together. “That’s brilliant Luna.” Hermione raised her voice to tell Luna so she could hear her over the crowd. Neville and Luna took turns appreciating the costumes of Ginny and Hermione. Neville instantly laughing at Ginny’s portrayal of Harry. Luna quirked her head to the side while looking over Hermione's outfit before the soft tinkling of a laugh sounded around them.
“You’re dressed as Professor Snape!” She smiled brightly at Hermione. Unsurprised Hermione quietly chuckled at the way Luna knew instantly. Luna had always been very intuitive. Neville paled briefly at the mention of his former nemesis professor, but after looking over Hermione’s costume laughed loudly at the sheer ridiculousness of the choice.
“Gin picked out the costume this year did she?” He asked knowingly. Hermione chuckled.
“Right you are Neville.” She responded with a smile.
Fireworks cracked and popped over head making Hermione startle a bit. Neville catching her eyes gave her a small grimace of understanding. None of them had truly recovered from the war, they all tried in their own ways to move on.
Turning to Ginny, Hermione asked “Where is this haunting event supposed to be taking place? Are we apparating there?”.
Ginny fished around in her pockets for a minute trying not to jostle anyone moving around them in the alley. Finally she pulled out an old chipped teacup shrunken down to fit in her pocket. “Portkey is supposed to take us at quarter past 8.”
Neville glanced down at his wrist to look at the time on his watch. “That's in about 5 minutes then.” Neville turned to Ginny. “How hard was it to get tickets to this thing then? Use the chosen ones name did you? I heard from Seamus and Dean this was kind of an exclusive event, not for the faint of heart.” He chuckled. Ginny smirked up at him, twirling a lock of her charmed dark hair around her delicate finger.
“His name might have come up when I was looking into getting the tickets. It's definitely exclusive, it was hard to convince them we could handle it.” She replied. Hermione repressed another shudder.
Just how frightening is this thing supposed to be. She thought to herself. Nervousness trickling through her Hermione started to pick at her nails, an old habit she couldn’t quite break since her childhood. Neville laughed at something Ginny said, breaking Hermione out of her thoughts.
“I’ve never been to a haunting walk before,” Luna said as she fiddled with her feather dress. “No one has ever asked me to go.” She continued. Hermione cleared her throat awkwardly, Luna had a habit of stating uncomfortable things without thinking as Harry had always said.
“I’ve never been to one either Luna. Normally I spend my Halloweens curled up watching movies with the boys.” Hermione responded in a gentle voice. Sympathetically patting Luna on the shoulder, she surveyed the shops around her while the others caught one another up on the recent developments in their jobs. Down the Alley Hermione spotted the blue withered sign that read Madam Malkin’s Robes in gold ink, wizarding robes of green, black and silver catching her eye. All of a sudden Hermione was lost in the memory of the summer before their sixth year.
A teenage boy with a pale, pointed face and white-blond hair appeared from behind the rack, wearing a handsome set of dark green robes that glittered with pins around the hem and the edges of the sleeves. He strode to the mirror and examined himself; it was a few moments before he noticed Harry, Ron, and Hermione reflected over his shoulder. His light grey eyes narrowed.
"If you're wondering what the smell is, Mother, a Mudblood just walked in," said Draco Malfoy.
Hermione’s breath started getting shallow and ragged, heart racing, panic flowing through her veins. A buzz ringing in her ears until a cold small hand gently grasped Hermione’s shoulder.
“-Mione take a deep breath, in and out slowly. Count to ten with me.” Luna’s soft voice cut through the panic. Deep breath . One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Deep breath out.
Luna’s pale silver eyes cut into Hermione’s honey brown eyes watching with deep understanding and sympathy. “You went away just now didn't you?” She said quietly so the others couldn’t quite hear her.
“Yes.” Hermione responded quietly, “Yes I did Luna, thank you for helping me come back.”
“Always.” Luna said softly, giving Hermione’s shoulder another gentle squeeze before letting go. Suddenly Ginny’s loud excited voice cut through to the girls who had huddled together off to the side. “It’s time! Everyone hold on to me!”
Each of them quickly reached out and grabbed Ginny’s arm or shoulder. For a brief moment Hermione considered letting go so she could quietly head back to the warmth and comfort of a movie night with her boys instead of the certain panic and terror of whatever Ginny had planned for them. But just as quickly as the thought appeared in her brilliant head there was a sharp tug at Hermione’s navel and they were all swept away.
In a flash they were deposited into a quiet patch of dewy grass. The distant eerie cry of crows sounded around them, as though their sudden arrival startled them. As they landed Hermione momentarily lost her footing but was saved from stumbling to the ground by Neville's steadfast grip on her elbow. As his strong, reassuring touch steadied her, she offered him a thankful smile before regaining her balance. With newly peaked curiosity, she scanned their surroundings, her eyes falling upon a small knoll with a sprawling graveyard. Delicate Iron wrought grates framed rows of weathered headstones, ancient willow trees whose cascading branches brushed the earth. Beyond, partially concealed from view, a colossal tent loomed, shrouded in mystery, beckoning them into the enchantments that awaited.
“Ginny, where the hell are we?” Neville said with wonder as like Hermione and Luna, he took in their surroundings. Ginny quickly looked down at the tickets in her hands, peering at the small golden writing that had suddenly appeared on what used to be blank stubs.
“Looks like we are near York.” She said thoughtfully. Hermione looked over at her usually red haired friend in shock.
“IN YORK?” Hermione shrieked, clearly outraged.. “Gin, you said we weren’t going far!”
“Well you don't actually get to know until the portkey takes you there ‘Mione, that is kind of the whole point of being exclusive.” Ginny replied in a drawl that eerily sounded like Percy. Not that Hermione would ever mention that to Ginny for fear of the physical repercussions.
With a huff Hermione grabbed Luna’s elbow and set off towards the far off sounds of people in the graveyard. Ginny and Neville quickly set off to catch up to the girls, talking loudly and enthusiastically about the haunted house they were about to go to. As they walked up the hill Hermione noticed the front gates where two people in ripped up clothes with what appeared to be fake, or she really hoped it was fake, blood splattered all over them. Their faces painted pale and eyes charmed to appear lifeless were collecting tickets from the line that was starting to gather outside. Voices chattering excitedly all around them. Luna was pointing out the elaborate costumes they saw; People dressed as ghouls, charmed to look like ghosts and vampires. Even with a few people dressed like werewolves, Hermione was quite impressed with the level that each witch or wizard took.
“This is quite similar to how Muggles celebrate.” Hermione said to the rest of the group, continuing to admire the people around them. They kept a constant chatter as they made their way through the line up, watching the scare actors through the iron gates ahead. Screams and laughter filling the air as smoke and charms lit the sky around them.
A quick movement out of the corner of her eye caused Hermione to turn her head, a figure in long black robes with the hood pulled up was moving hurriedly towards the side of the graveyard, where a spot of fencing appeared to be bent just large enough to let someone slip through the bars. The dark figure seemed to stop for a minute, quickly glancing around to see if anyone was paying attention to them. With all the hustle and bustle of the large crowd it seemed as if no one else had spotted them. Hermione’s keen eyes remained fixed on this mysterious figure, suspicion intensifying with each passing moment. As if sensing her unwavering scrutiny, the hooded figure suddenly turned its gaze toward her, their head swivelling sharply. A shiver ran down Hermione's spine as she locked eyes with the eerie silver mask, intricately adorned with ethereal lace, concealing the wearer's face. In an instant, she knew that this mask bore the unmistakable mark of a Death Eater, she had seen them enough over the course of the war to recognize at least that much. A sharp gasp escaped Hermione’s lips as the figure, now seemingly alerted, tensed before elegantly slipping through the gates and disappearing into the graveyard.
“Hermione, what is it? What did you see?” Ginny asked, noticing the way Hermione was standing rigidly, attention still focused intently on the spot in the fence where the figure disappeared.
“I thought I saw… Nevermind that's impossible.” Hermione replied sharply, not quite believing her eyes. Most of the Death Eaters from the war were either locked away in Azkaban or dead. Few were still running free, those who were had high rewards on their heads and the Ministry still were running raids and patrols around the UK searching for them. She should know, as Harry and Ron were often the Aurors who led those raids. Always on the lookout for dark wizards who still followed Voldemort's ways. While Hermione had been offered a position with the DMLE after the final battle, she had politely declined as she had wanted to finish her final year at Hogwarts. She also had told Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt that she was quite finished running after dark wizards. After graduating her last year at Hogwarts Hermione had taken up a position with Bill Weasley at Gringotts Wizarding Bank working as a curse breaker. The work was challenging but satisfying, and it kept her busy.
The group had finally gotten to the front of the line, the screams and laughter louder now. The two gatekeepers from earlier reach out to take the tickets from Ginny’s hand. The one on the right with dark curly hair inspected their costumes with an appreciative eye, lifeless as it was.
“You supposed to be ‘Arry Potter?” He asked Ginny with a thick Scottish lit. Amusement clear in his deep voice. Ginny looked at him with a mischievous grin.
“Yes I am.” She responded, swishing her hair over her shoulder. The curly haired wizard with the lifeless eyes chuckled deeply, turning to Neville and Luna he stared at them puzzled for a moment before Nevile decided to help him out.
“We’re Newt Scamander and his fwooper.” Neville said, pink tinging his cheeks while Luna did a spin, feathers fluffing out from her dress. The wizard smiled at the pair with an eyebrow quirked.
“I see, I never took the Care o’ Magical Creatures myself.” He said before turning to look at Hermione. His eyes looked up and down her body, clearly admiring her curvy form. A ridge in between his brow showed his confusion as he couldn’t quite place what she was supposed to be.
“She’s dressed as Professor Snape.” Ginny said with a laugh, trying to put the man out of his misery as it was clear he wasn't going to get it. Hermione stifled a sigh, she knew she would have to be explaining her costume all night.
The man laughed loudly, head thrown back in delight. “Well, she's a lot nicer on the eyes than he ever was.” He chortled, elbowing his coworker to tell him. After a few moments of the two ticketing wizards laughing and discussing the rules of the haunted house, no touching of the scare actors, no weapons or spells allowed. If the group was needing immediate help they were to shoot red sparks into the air and an employee would immediately apparate to their side. With a final wave of the Probity Probe over them they were let through.
As they crossed the threshold of the grand entrance, an enchanting surge of magic enveloped the group. With a flick of her wand, Ginny artfully transfigured their ticket stubs into an intricate map, meticulously rendering the sprawling expanse of the graveyard and the bewildering haunted tents. Gathering in a quiet alcove to the side, all four of them huddled closely over the ornate parchment, their heads bent in earnest deliberation as to where they wanted to head off to first.
“There’s a bar just around the corner if we want to get some liquid courage first.” Neville pointed out on the map. “Then we could walk about and check things out before heading to the main tent.” He suggested. With nods all around they headed off in pursuit of the bar. As the group meandered through Hermione kept her guard up, hoping to not run into the tall death eater, unsure if she trusted what she saw.
A few screams nearby made her jump, resting her hand against her chest in fright. As if summoned by the very shadows themselves, a scare actor, meticulously adorned as a banshee, materialised unexpectedly, sending a group of teenagers just ahead of them into fits of startled shrieks. Hermione discerned that the youthful ensemble bore all the trademarks of recently graduated Hogwarts students. A knowing camaraderie passed between Hermione, Luna, and Ginny, their laughter shimmering like a secret enchantment as they proceeded. Along the winding path, the trio couldn't help but be charmed by the enchanting spectacle of oversized skeletons, bewitched to pirouette in harmony, their skeletal forms responding to the melodies of The Weird Sisters. “ Can you dance like a hippogriff..” Ginny Luna and Hermione quickly joined in with the completing “ Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma” before dissolving into loud giggles and falling into one another as they walked.
“Oh look!” Luna exclaimed, pointing out an older wizard in a flamboyant circus ensemble, juggling flaming quaffles with mesmerising dexterity. The trio paused in their stroll, Ginny's playful complaints about the sacrilege of burning precious Quidditch gear met with empathetic pats on the arm from Hermione and Neville. The ever-growing audience surrounding the vivacious circus performer erupted into a raucous ovation as the wizard executed a final, breathtaking flourish, extinguishing the blazing quaffles one by one before taking an elegant bow. An enchanted hat weaved its way through the jubilant crowd, galleons gleaming in the air as onlookers eagerly contributed to the wizard's captivating act. Neville turned to Hermione with a smile on his face. “That was quite fun, anything like that at Muggle festivals?”
“Yes Muggles have similar performers that juggle objects or ride around on a unicycle.” She replied offhandedly still mesmerised by the act they just witnessed. Hermione turned and frowned at the blank look that appeared on Neville's face, now finding herself having to take the next few minutes to explain what a unicycle was as they continued their way towards the bar.
Neville offered to grab the drinks so they didn't all crowd up at the bar as the line was already long. Ginny Luna and Hermione opted for butterbeer and thanked Neville for his sacrifice to wait. As they waited for him to come back with their beverages Hermione and the girls continued to watch as people walked by with scare actors jumping out at them every now and then. Groups of girls would shriek when caught off guard before dissolving into what Hermione would call a Lavender Brown giggle. Shaking her head slightly before going to turn back to the conversation Ginny and Luna were having, Hermione suddenly felt an intense gaze bearing into her back. Looking over her shoulder to see where the unsettling feeling was coming from she noticed two dark looming figures hidden slightly behind a giant gravestone with a cloaked angel statue sitting on top the names on the tombstone illegible after many years. Her eyes locked on the death eater she saw earlier, even from far away she could sense the intense gaze that was hidden behind the slive mask. A dark eerie feeling crept up her spine.
Hermione ripped her gaze away, turning quickly to the girls to point out the death eaters wanting to make sure that she wasn't hallucinating them. “Please tell me you see them too.” Hermione whispered in a rush to both Ginny and Luna.
“See who Hermione?” Ginny questioned as they all turned to look at where Hermione had indicated but when they all looked back at the Angel statue the two figures in cloaks were gone. Hermione’s breath quickened. There’s no way, they were right there! She thought to herself.
“My mistake, I must be seeing things…” She apologised to Ginny and Luna. Shaking her head she finally asked “They wouldn’t hire people to dress up as death eaters to scare people would they?” Her voice came out at barely a whisper as if the mere mention of death eaters would make them appear. Her breathing became staggered as she tried to calm herself down not wanting to fall into a panic attack again. She had been doing so well lately, still regularly seeing her mind healers. George Weasley had recommended the one he was seeing after the war as he tried to get over the death of his beloved twin brother.
Ginny shifted uncomfortably next to her. “I should hope not, surely they wouldn’t do that to people?” She tried saying reassuringly. “I mean it has been 5 years since the war… but you would think that they have to tell people if they did! Right..?” Ginny chewed at her lip. Glancing over at Hermione hoping to try and soothe the poor witch who was clearly on the verge of a panic attack.
Suddenly an arm reached over her. Shrieking, Hermione spun around wand drawn impeccably fast only to find Neville wide eyed in panic as if staring down the barrel of a loaded gun with Hermione’s butterbeer in hand.
“Merlin's beard Hermione!” He exclaimed, trying to raise his hands in surrender. “What on earth has you girls so spooked already?” Hermione lowered her wand taking in a deep breath to calm herself. Ginny luckily filled in Neville on what had Hermione so terrified.
A dark look passed over Neville’s usually kind open face. “I’m sorry Hermione but I wouldn’t put it past them to have their actors dressed up as Death Eaters. They unfortunately do say that this place isn’t for the faint of heart.” He said trying his best to be comforting while knowingly delivering the worst news she could have heard at that moment. “If it's any consolation,” he started. “I don’t think they would be actual dark wizards, just actors dressed up to look like them.” Hermione swallowed heavily, she could handle that. Couldn’t be any worse than the real thing right? She thought to herself. She took a massive sip of her butterbeer, like Neville had said some liquid courage couldn’t hurt, she was a Gryffindor after all.
As they walked moonlight danced upon the tombstones, casting ethereal glimmers upon the scene in an almost fairy-like wonder. Just ahead of the group of friends was a midnight blue velvet canopy, adorned with shimmering stars and twinkling charms, hung above the stage, transforming the grim setting into a celestial wonderland. Groups of acrobatic witches soared gracefully through the air, their costumes ablaze with bewitched flames that painted the night with vivid hues of red and gold. Hermione and her friends watched in awe as they sipped at their drinks. Hermione could feel her whole body relaxing, she was having fun and had almost completely lost the feeling the silver masked figures had left her with.
To the left side of the graveyard a troupe of spellbinding musicians played haunting melodies on ghostly instruments, their music weaving through the tombstones like a haunting whisper. Across the tent at another stage a talented wizard on a broomstick flew high above, casting intricate spells that conjured dazzling displays of light and fire over the crowds. Hermione could feel the blistering heat licking over her body as the fire danced playfully above their heads. Neville leaned down to speak into the girl's ears so they would have a chance at hearing him over the joyous crowd. “Are you lot ready to head to the main haunted attraction now?” The three girls quickly nodded at him before they turned and headed off towards the dark foreboding building at the end of the cemetery. The old rickety mansion reminded Hermione of the shrieking shack in Hogsmeade. Cobwebs draped from eaves, and giant jack-o'-lanterns sat outside of the creaky old front door, charmed to leer with wicked grins while snapping at the ankles of unsuspecting guests. Dimly lit corridors twist and turn, adorned with ghoulish spectres that leap out when least expected. The air is thick with anticipation, punctuated by the distant echoes of eerie laughter and the occasional blood-curdling scream.
Hermione shivered slightly, suddenly feeling like the warmth and courage of the butterbeer had disappeared from her system leaving only the eerie feeling of being watched intently. Hermione, distracted by the line up in front of them, didn't notice the swish of a dark cloak moving quickly behind them and disapparating into the haunted mansion.
Ginny, Neville, Luna and Hermione moved through the line up quickly finding themselves suddenly at the front of the line, stopped at the red velvet stanchion where a wizard around their age sat behind a slightly withered podium. A desperately bored facial expression graced his slight features as he waited for the group ahead of them to get far enough into the mansion to allow their group to go. Hermione picked at her nails, the nerves starting to creep in again. It seemed as though every scream from inside was coming from her own lungs, every pounding beat of her heart she could feel in her ears. Ginny shifted closer to her, leaning their shoulders together to help soothe her obvious discomfort.
“I won’t leave your side ‘Mione,” Ginny said, holding up her pinky in the way Hermione had taught her back in their second and third years. “I promise.” Hermione grinned up at Ginny, hooking her pinky against the longer pinky finger of her friend. “Thank you Gin.” She said quietly.
"As you venture forth into the unknown, remember, do not touch the scare actors, and they will not touch you. Keep your wits about you, and don't stray from the path, for this is a realm where reality and ancient magic entwine.” The employee started in a dull and dreary voice. Hermione took a moment to wonder how many times he has had to repeat this same speech tonight. “Should you wish to escape the terror, simply send up golden sparks with your wand and you shall be escorted to safety. But if you dare to continue, prepare to confront your deepest fears. Now, my friends, step forward, and let the haunting begin." With a less than theatrical flourish, he beckoned the group to enter the haunted mansion.
As they crept into the mansion, over the creaking floorboards Ginny pipped up with “Wow he did a better Snape impression than anyone I’ve ever met.” The group dissolved into hearty laughter, Ginny further pushing some of the anxiety out of Hermione’s system. Down the hallway on their left they followed the spiral staircase that led up into the bowels of the ancient home. Old picture frames lined the walls, some painted over and some looked as if they had been ripped from their canvas by a creature. Claw marks gashing the one closest to Neville's head reminded Hermione of their third year when Sirius had gotten angry at the Fat Lady’s portrait for not letting him into the common room without a password. The group continued down more hallways, jumping and screaming when ghosts and scare actors alike would jump out at them or act as if they were going to grab them. Doors could be heard slamming and creaking around the mansion. A shimmer of light made Hermione slow down as she peered into a beckoning room and had not noticed how Ginny and the others had turned down a trick hallway suddenly being cut off from her friends. Slowly creeping into the room that captured her attention Hermione took in the vaulted ceiling and expansive floor. It appeared to be some kind of ballroom or something. A dusty old fireplace that must have been an active floo sat off to the end of the room. Hermione glanced around curious at the seemingly undetectable extension charm the room possessed.
Hermione's gaze flitted to the ceiling where an almost medieval and broken chandelier sat quietly swinging in the soft breeze of the open windows. Hermione’s breath caught, very suddenly her mind started to bring her back to a different room with a chandelier. The broken floor boards of this room shifting into the dark wood floors of a manor not too dissimilar to the one she currently found herself in. Fear and adrenaline started to race in her veins. Eyes blown wide in fear as she tried to fight off the horrible memory of what Bellatrix Lestrange did to her so many years ago.
“ I’m going to ask you again! Where did you get this sword? Where?’
‘We found it - we found it - PLEASE!’ Hermione screamed again”
“You are lying, filthy Mudblood, and I know it! You have been inside my vault at Gringotts! Tell the truth, tell the truth!’
Hermione let out another terrible scream-
A sharp creak in the floor made Hermione whip around, temporarily pulled from her memories. A door half broken off its hinges suddenly moved and it was almost as if her palpable fear had summoned the dark cloaked figure. The same one from earlier. He gracefully crept towards her, lithe as a jungle cat. Impeccably tall and silent. There was a horrible deafening buzzing noise in her ears as her panic overwhelmed her, every breath she drew was ragged and strained. Her lungs struggle against her wishes to take calming breaths. Her body simply wasn’t listening to her brain. The Death Eater kept getting closer and closer to her, head tilted as if trying to see what his prey was about to do, would she run or simply scream.
Hermione tried sucking in a deep breath to scream for help, for anyone to please help her. No one came to help you then She thought hopelessly. What makes you think anyone is coming this time? She didn’t have the brain power to remember the bored employee’s instruction to shoot gold sparks into the air, it was like every logical thought had escaped her.
The Death Eater reached out a hand as if to touch her face when Hermione’s gaze caught the piercing grey eyes behind the mask and her panic had all but reached its peak. The haunting maniacal laughter of a mad woman ringing in her ears. Her magic reacted out of self preservation at the power of her blood curtailing scream. In a rush all Ginny’s charms from earlier in the night completely vanished, her honey brown eyes returning and her wild chocolate brown curls popping back into existence, crackling with the power leaking out of her. She could faintly see dawning recognition that was quickly replaced with horror behind the mask. It was almost too much for her, her bones threatening to give up. Large strong hands gripped her arms trying to not let her collapse. The sudden memory of Ron and Harry screaming her name as they tried to fight off Bellatrix to get to her sent what little fight she had left into overdrive. She started fighting against the hands that held her, screaming bloody murder as she punched and kicked with all her might. With a grunt at a well placed kick to his shin, the dark figure released one of her hands and with all the strength she had left Hermione punched the Death Eater right in the face, a strange sense of deja vu as she did so.
“Merlin’s saggy ball sacks Granger!” the familiar voice behind the mask groaned in pain. Ripping the mask from his face Draco Malfoy appeared in full view trying his best to level her gaze and get her to calm down before she attacked him again. “Why is it always the bloody nose with you?” He snarked at her before realising that wasn’t the smartest way to try to calm her down. Not that Malfoy had ever tried to calm her down in the past. Hermione still fighting against him was screaming, tears streaming down her face, breath coming in choked sobs. Malfoy looked around the room realising the best way to get her to calm down may be to remove her from the room that helped cause the panic in the first place.
With crack Malfoy apparated them just outside the mansion where the employees usually stored their stuff. Hermione found herself yanked into an alcove, her body tightly pressed between the wall and his hard slender frame. His hand clamped tightly over her mouth to prevent her from screaming as he quickly took in their surroundings. A light blush had flushed its way onto her cheeks, she had never been so close to him before. His white blonde hair falling slightly across his forehead and into his eyes, she had never seen him with his hair like that before. She took in his sharp angular face while trying to control her breathing. He looked different, he had obviously grown into his pointy aristocratic features but there was something still hollow about his appearance. Once sufficiently pleased they were alone he looked back down at her, seeming to remember he was holding her tightly against the wall and covering her mouth let go completely while backing up and raising his hands in the air in a yielding motion.
“I promise I am not going to hurt you Granger.” Malfoy said softly, eyes flicking down in shame. He watched as she tried to take a few choked breaths. Not wanting her to start hyperventilating, Malfoy instructed her to try and take a deep breath “Count to ten with me Granger, you can do it.” one, two, three, four. NO this wasn’t working. Her brown eyes flicked up to meet his steely grey ones, she watched as all the emotion was sucked right out of them. He’s occluding, she realised after a minute. Her eyes narrowed at him. “What the HELL are you playing at Malfoy?” Hermione spat at him. A flicker of regret and sorrow flashed across his face, so fast she thought she had imagined it.
“I was working Granger, if I had realised it was YOU in that room I would have left immediately.” He snapped back, the nasty drawl she remembered well from their school days colouring his tone. Working? What? She thought to herself, the surprise at his statement clear on her face. “Yes working, Theo’s partner for the Haunted Mansion got a bad case of Spattergroit and ended up in St. Mungo’s. He begged me to step in. Normally I wouldn’t be caught dead doing something like this.” He explained in a slightly haughty voice. Hermione took a second to think over what he just said. As they stood there staring at each other, Hermione felt her body slowly relaxing as the adrenaline from before wore off. Feeling incredibly tired now Hermione wished she could just go home to bed. As if sensing her lack of energy, Malfoy leaned against the wall with his arms crossed against his chest and cleared his throat.
“Where’s Weaselbee and Boy Wonder tonight? I expect you probably came with them right." His voice lacked its usual sharp tone. Hermione scoffed, “They’re at their flat I presume. Harry doesn’t normally-.” She stopped dead in her tracks as she realised that there would be people frantically looking for her. “Oh Merlin, Ginny!” Hermione smacked her forehead. “Gods, she is probably so worried. Damn it.” She groaned before looking back up at Malfoy finding him staring at her inquisitively with a small tilt to his head. “I don’t suppose you would help me find my way back to them.. Would you?” She asked him in resignation, waiting for his scoff. He uncrossed his arms and kicked off the wall before turning to lead her back to the front of the mansion where she could find her group. Hermione hurried along behind him, trying to keep up to his long strides. His grey eyes glanced down at her from the side and he slowed his pace so she didn't have to keep up a jog at his side. She mumbled a thank you which he promptly ignored. They walked the rest of the way in silence. Once the bored front door employee was in sight Malfoy straightened up and called out to him “Oi Pucey!” Hermione now vaguely recalled seeing the Slytherin boy around the castle, Adrian Pucey who was a year or two ahead of them in school. Adrian turned towards Malfoy’s voice, eyes flickering to Hermione then flashing with a brief second of recognition before they dulled back to his resting indifferent face. “What Malfoy?” He said, his voice was quite monotone. “I need you to find a group for me, Granger here got separated from them.” Malfoy responded, quickly turning towards her before asking “Who was it you were with again? She Weasel?”
Hermione cleared her throat, “Ginny, Neville and Luna.” She told him slightly exasperated at him calling Ginny She Weasel . He rolled his eyes lightly before turning back to Adrian. “Can you contact them?” Adrian nodded slowly, heading back towards his podium. Grabbing his wand he cast what looked like a modified Patronus charm Like the one they use at the Aurors office. Hermione thought, curiosity clear on her face. Adrian’s small glowing snake appeared - “Go find Ginny Weasley and the others and let them know Hermione Granger’s looking for them.” The small snake disappeared with a pop and not two minutes later Ginny, Neville and Luna were seen running towards Hermione from the side exit. Malfoy took a deliberate step away from her, as Ginny launched herself at Hermione her relief clear on her teary face.
“Oh my gods, Hermione! We were so worried, we turned around to ask you something and you were just gone! We’ve been looking everywhere for you, where on earth did you go?” Ginny rambled on before her eyes flicked over Hermione’s shoulder landing on what Hermione could only assume was Malfoy's looming form. Ginny’s eyes widened for a moment before flicking back to Hermione, suddenly appraising her again. Hermione grimaced knowing she would find the remaining evidence of her earlier episode. Before anyone could say anything more Malfoy cleared his throat uncomfortably.
“I believe that may have been partially my fault, the room I was working in is charmed so that one person is broken away from the group. Granger had quite the scare when she spotted me but I swear I didn’t recognise her until it was too late. I quickly got her out of there when I realised what had happened.” He said with forced politeness. Ginny and Neville’s mouth fell open, both looking at Hermione to confirm he was telling the truth and that she really was okay. Hermione caught their eyes and gave a small nod reassuring them she was fine.
Luna’s quiet voice cut through the tension that was slowly infiltrating them, “Hermione dear, you look a little tired, perhaps it may be time to start heading back home?” With a sigh of relief and a grateful smile to Luna she quickly agreed. “Yes Luna, that does sound nice. If that’s okay with you Ginny?” Hermione asked not wanting to cut Ginny’s night out off early but she really was tired, wanting to head home and curl up with Crookshanks on the couch with some hot chocolate. Ginny’s eyes softened at Hermione’s question. “Of course we can, I think we have had quite enough of a scare tonight.”
Hermione turned towards Malfoy, unsure of what to say. She cleared her throat and softly said “Thank you for your help earlier, I think it's time I should be going.” Hermione was avoiding his gaze when he spoke up, “Of course Granger. Get home safely will you, cant have people thinking I’ve killed the Golden Girl now can I?” He said with a slight smirk. Her eyes snapped to his, a small smile forming on her lips. “No, I suppose we can’t.”
The small group slowly started making their way back to the main gate to pick up a portkey that would take them back to Diagon Alley. The others make quiet chatter about their night while Hermione replays her whole experience with Malfoy, not being able to quite make sense of it. He was almost…. Kind she thought to herself.
As they all landed back in Diagon Alley they quickly gave hugs, making promises to catch up in the following week at the Leaky before Neville and Luna headed back to their teaching jobs at Hogwarts. Ginny and Hermione slowly walked back to their flat overlooking Flourish and Blotts bookstore, the familiar sight making Hermione calm. Her feet dragged on the stairs to their front door Ginny asked if Hermione needed her to stay at their place tonight as she was originally going to floo over to Harry and Rons flat tonight. “Oh Gin, I’ll be alright, I just want to go to bed honestly.” She said with a small tired smile. Ginny’s gaze flickered between hers as if she was trying to make sure Hermione wasn’t lying to her as she unblocked the door. As Ginny went to pack her overnight bag, Hermione headed to the bathroom to draw a bath. Letting the hot water and bubbles calm her aching muscles. After getting into her pj’s and crawling into bed with Crookshanks Hermione debated taking a dreamless sleep potion as she knew the possibility she would have nightmares all night. While arguing with herself over taking it there was a quiet tapping at her window. Jumping out of bed to investigate, Hermione realised there was a beautiful brown horned owl outside with a letter for her. Quickly opening her window she let the owl in, taking the post off their leg. Turning the letter over she instantly recognised the Malfoy crest seal on the letter. With a raised eyebrow she set to opening the letter wondering what on earth compelled him to write to her? Inside she spied the familiar tidy scrawl of his.
Granger,
There is a good chance you may not even open this letter once you see the Malfoy family crest but I had to write to you anyways. I am truly sorry for how seeing me tonight affected you. As you know now, that was never my intention. It may be too late to extend apologies now after all this time but I believe it's well past due. I am sorry for how I behaved during our school years, I was a right prat and I think we both know I deserved every broken nose you’ve ever given me. Not that it is any consolation but after a few years I started to not really believe all those horrible things I said in school, I think it started as petty school yard jealousy that eventually spiralled into needing to keep my family safe. Not that you could accept any excuses and really you shouldn’t. I am sorry for the way my family has played into your trauma from the war. I still hear your screams at night, and yet I can only stand there. I never helped you, I should have helped you. I couldn’t hear your screams again tonight and not do something this time.
If you’ve gotten this far, well I am so sorry. I hope you got home safely. I don't want to be held responsible if you didn't.
Yours, D.M.
Hermione read and reread the letter, not really believing what she was reading. Malfoy apologising and taking responsibilities for the actions of his youth? Hermione was at a loss for words. She fell asleep that night clutching his slightly crumpled letter, and when the dreams of the manor came as they always would for her. Instead of screaming her throat raw for help that would never come, a pair of strong hands and piercing grey eyes would come to save her.
That was enough for now.