Thirty
January 9th 1999:
Draco confidently walked the halls of Hogwarts once again. In the twenty-four hours since Hermione kissed him in front of everyone in the Great Hall, he has been in the best mood of his life.
However, that mood was quickly depleted when a group of students stopped him in the hallway.
“Can I help a lot of you with something?” He asked them.
“It’s bad enough that they left you snakes back into Hogwarts after all the damage you caused, but then you trick Hermione Granger into dating you? We know you have her under some spell or potion. There is no way the Golden Girl, the smartest of her age, would date a low-life death eater.”
“I’d be careful how you speak to me.”
“What are you going to do? Take our house points away? None of that matters to us. I’d rather have my friends who died in the war here than win the house cup.” The group of students surrounded Draco. Bloody Hell, where is his wand? Did he leave it in the common room this morning?
“This is your last warning. Back the hell up.”
“You can’t do anything to us, Death Eater. We all know you’re on probation.” That was not public knowledge. It was a deal Minister Kinglsey made with all the Slytherins. As long as they are on their best behavior, they are free to rejoin the wizarding world.
One by one, the group of students took their wands out.
“Petrificus Totalus” Draco fell to the ground.
Next, they each took turns kicking or punching him. It wasn’t the worst beating Draco has ever taken, but it was one of the most humiliating. Soon enough, one by one, they all laughed and walked off. Leaving him there, bloody and bruised.
After what felt like hours, the spell wore off. Barely able to stand, Draco limped to the Slytherin Common room. He was not going to let Hermione see him like this. Draco whispered the password and the door to the common room opened.
“Draco?” He heard Blaise before he saw him.
“Drake!” Theo ran over to him. With Theo on his right and Blaise to his left, they helped him to the couch.
“What happened?” Pansy ran over and kneeled in front of him.
“Surprisingly, there are a few people who are unhappy with Hermione and I’s relationship.”
“Merlin,” Pansy mumbled as she looked over his injuries. “Did Hermione say anything about it?” Draco shook his head.
“Came straight here.” Draco looked up to all his friends, Milli and Daphne joining them. “None of you can tell her. I do not want her to know about this.”
“Draco,” Daphne started but he immediately cut her off.
“No. If she finds out about this, she’ll go off and try to fix it and it will only make it worse. I can handle a beating. Salazar knows I’ve taken my fair share.”
“At least let me heal you then.” Pansy took her wand out and started healing his cuts.
“Do you know who it was?” Blaise and Theo looked ready to burn the building down.
“No. And it doesn’t matter. It’s not like we can fight back. We only have a few more months of our probation, no trouble, deal before we are free. None of you are allowed to get in trouble because of me.”
“When have we ever listened to anything you’ve told us?”
“Theo, I’m serious. Please don’t go looking for the people who did this.”
“Fine. I won’t.”
“Blaise?”
“I won’t either.”
“Pans?”
“I’m not making any stupid promises.”
“Pansy,”
“Fine. I won’t do anything in the name of Draco Malfoy.”
The group of friends sat in silence until Pansy finished healing all of Draco’s cuts and cleaned his clothes.
“Thank you Pansy. And thank you to the rest of you for keeping this quiet.” They all nodded.
Daphne followed as Draco stepped outside the common room door.
“If this happens again, promise you you’ll fight back a little bit. They can’t punish you if it’s self defense.”
“I love that you worry about me.”
“Well you might be my future husband. You should get used to me worrying about your wellbeing”
“Thanks Daph.” Draco kissed Daphne’s cheek before walking away from the Slytherin Dorms.
He walked carefully to the head’s common room. He did not want to have another run in with any students while on his way back to Hermione.
As soon as he was through the portrait door, Hermione was throwing herself at him.
“I have been waiting all day for you! I have exciting news!” She yelled, very close to his ear. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her legs around his waist.
“What is it?” He questioned her and he walked them over to the couch. Sitting down with Hermione still wrapped around him, Draco smiled at his girlfriend.
“I just got a letter from the Ministry of Magic. My application to work in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has been accepted! They are offering me a position. Of course, I’ll be working more in the Law part instead of the enforcement part, which is exactly what I want to do! I will be helping to rewrite laws in our society and helping to get rid of old laws that discriminate. Not to mention, this is a clear path to becoming Minister one day!”
“Granger, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.” Draco leaned in and kissed her.
“Are you okay? You seem a little down.” He shook her off and smiled.
“It’s nothing. Just a little family drama. Nothing to worry about.” He kissed her. “I believe a celebration is in order.”
“I believe so as well. I’ll send word to Ginny that we’re having a party tonight for all our friends to celebrate. Will you let Blaise, Theo, and all of them know?”
“Of course.” Hermione excitedly screamed again.
“Love, I know you’re excited but you have to stop screaming in my ear.”
“Right. Sorry.” She laughed and kissed him.
“I have to owl Harry and Ron. I wanted you to be the first person I told.”
“I’m extremely honored.”
“But first,” Hermione leaned in and kissed him slowly and passionately. “I know you said your family stuff is nothing to worry about but you know I am always here for you, right? You can talk to me about anything.”
“I know. But this really is nothing. Mother is just having a hard time, that’s all.”
“Oh. Maybe you should try and visit her. I’m sure McGonagall would help you set it up.”
“I’ll ask tomorrow. Tonight, we celebrate the future Minister of Magic.” Draco then distracted her by snogging her for hours.