Chapter 4
But a few days later, Draco didn’t keep track of the dates, an owl reached him with a letter in Hermione’s handwriting, asking him how he was doing.
He looked at the sheet of paper for two days before he could answer. He turned it around and wrote a simple Good on it before sending it back with the owl that had been waiting. The Slytherin hoped that she wouldn’t think it rude but he had no idea what else to say.
When he had resumed to his usual activity he did when he wasn’t out job-hunting, laying on his bed and staring at the crack in the ceiling, he heard a knock. Hesitantly, he stood up. This couldn’t mean anything good, Draco feared. Maybe somebody had followed him. Maybe they had decided that even here they didn’t want him in the neighborhood. He takes a deep breath, preparing for the worst, and opened the door.
“Draco Malfoy!” A loud but warm voice greeted him. He recognized the bunch of brown curls in front of him.
“Good, what does that even mean? And you took two days! I worried, I thought something had happened”. When he looked down, she stood one head smaller than him, he saw she was dressed in her business robes, elegantly curving around her body. A light flush colored her cheeks. She looked to good to be here with him, standing in the seedy stairway.
Before he could figure out what to say, she had already pushed inside and inspected his flat.
“I can’t believe they gave you this flat. Is that in the corner mold? This whole thing is a health hazard. Who is your caseworker? Was it MacDonald? I will talk to him”, Hermione said.
“Don’t worry, Gran- ehm Hermione.” His voice raspy from disuse and still unsure what to say “It’s fine. Everything’s fine. Do you, ehm do you want tea?”
She turned around her head and brown eyes centered on grey. “What tea do you have?”
And with that Hermione Granger spent the evening with Draco Malfoy, the former Death Eater, in his dungy flat in Knockturm Alley, him describing his uneventful days and she complaining about the Ministry.
When Hermione arrives back at her house that night, tiredly pulling off her clothes, brushing her teeth and falling into bed, Harry who had already been sleeping, turned around and pulled her close. She was tucked in, head above his chest and listening to his steady heartbeat. Inhaling the distinct musky smell of Harry, reminding her of Quidditch and old oak trees, a feeling arose in her chest. Home. Harry was home.
“Long day at work?” A tired voice whispered in her ear.
“No, I visited Draco. Can you believe they put him into a flat without heating and with mold everywhere?”
With his eyes closed, Harry made gave a deep exhale. “I’m sure you will figure it out.”
He felt Hermione falling asleep while he played lightly with her hair. He didn’t know what to make out of the Draco situation. He felt like he should be jealous of his girlfriend spending so much time with the Slytherin. But he couldn’t help having his heart go out to the blond man, sitting all alone in a cold and shabby flat.
The next time she visits, she instinctively knew something was wrong. Although polite, the blond man drinking tea in front of her, where they were pressed sitting on a tiny table, he appeared weaker. Again. His movements have become slower and more careful. And his eyes appeared unfocused, as if he had to constantly remind himself where he was.
It was freezing cold in the flat. She had cast a warming charm for them both but she knew it wouldn’t last long. Not unless it was re-cast and Draco wasn’t allowed a want yet.
She asked him about his job-hunt but he shrugged his shoulders sadly. “Looking at wizarding places is pointless. They all hate me. I’m looking for Muggle jobs now. Yesterday, I walked into a café with a ‘Help Wanted’ sign but they asked me all these questions about numbers and identity cards and stuff. They must have thought I’m barmy when I just ran out.”
“Don’t worry, I can help you with that. Next time, I will come with you.” Hermione tried to soothe the broken man in front of her.
“They will send me back to Azkaban, won’t they?” His voice was solemn and barely a whisper. “When I can’t find a job? I can’t go back there, Hermione!”
She picked up his hand and squeezed it. Looking in his watery grey orbs she knew she had to do something. Hermione went up from her seat and crouched before him on the floor, coming in for a hug. She could feel his stiff body and the bones under her arms. For a moment she was unsure if that’s what he needed. But then she felt his muscles slowly relaxing and a small sniffle in her ear.
“Shh, you won’t. I promise you, I will make sure of that.” As she whispered into his ear and stroked silky blond hair, Hermione knew something had to be done to help Draco.